Gundam Converge vol. 11

Still hot off the mold (released in the end of June 2013), the eleventh set of Gundam Converge items has arrived. I was pretty enthused about this set considering it consists of a very diverse bunch of colourful and unusual mobile suits.

Apart from the Z-Gundam rehash this is a brand new set of never before seen designs in the Converge series. There are several high-profile figures in volume eleven, and they continue to build to the steadily growing depth of the Converge figure line. Let's take a closer look at each model.

63 : As usual for Converge, the set opener is a Gundam, in this case the A.E.U.G. MSZ-006 Z-Gundam equipped with a sizeable Hyper Mega Launcher (yeah I know what you are thinking, the name is stupid...). We've already seen this Gundam way back in the line, appearing in the second wave back in January 2011. This is however a good opportunity for us latecoming collectors to pick up this colourful Gundam, in my opinion one of the better looking ones. Unusually for Converge the figure comes with an outstretched right arm. The palm of the hand has a little peg onto which the weapon is fixed, so you don't have to fiddle with balancing it. It would have been quite neat if there was a second place on the weapon where it could be attached, to allow the figure to carry the launcher with the arm hanging down. The fixed pose looks quite nice though, and is a welcome variation on the standard appearance of the Converge figures.

64 : Next up is the bright red RMS-099 Rick Dias of the A.E.U.G. faction. Although Char Aznable piloted a red Rick Dias in Zeta Gundam a red mass-produced variant was also produced. The figure has great details and a stylish red/brown/gray colour scheme. You arm it with a clay bazooka by sliding the bazooka handle into the clenched fist. However, if you raise the arm to point forward the bazooka will be pushing at the fin on its back but they mange to coexist without the fin falling off. The mobile suit has a weapon rack on its back with two Beam Pistols. Now the really nifty thing is that if you unequip the bazooka you can place a beam pistol in the figure's right hand (see the pictures for the black figure). It is not a perfect match, since this was probably not an intended design, but it works. If only the Rick Dias had had a similar gripping left hand it would have been even better as you could have mixed and matched weapons to your preference. You can't have everything I suppose.

65 : Added recently to the STANDart series, Converge now gets its very own Crossbone Gundam. Figure number 65 is the white XM-X1 Crossbone Gundam X-1, with its characteristic cross-shaped thrusters. Armament consists of a Zanbuster beam rifle attached directly to the right hand, which is then pegged into the wrist socket. The shoulders rotate, as does the head and the right wrist. In spite of its small feet the figure is very well balanced. The colour scheme has many fine coloured details which makes this a really great looking figure for any Converge collection.

66 : Following its brother comes the dark blue/violet-coloured XM-X2 Crossbone Gundam X-2. Apart from the colour variations this mobile suit is equipped with the Shot Lancer melee weapon. The dark colour scheme, while staying true to the source of the figure, still comes off as a bit bland and would probably have looked better if the contrasts between the blue, violet and gray had been improved a little. It looks great when paired with the white XM-X1 though. Other than its weapon, it shares the same articulation and features as the previous figure.

67 : A true oddity is the MSM-08 Zogok, in service with the Zeon Remnants. Designed for amphibious use and close combat its origin can be traced back to the old Z'Gok amphibious suit. The figure has a great looking colour scheme though it feels just as static as the previous Gogg and Z'Gok figures. The figure is armed with a large heat sword which is attached to the right hand. When placed into the right wrist socket it can rotate freely, which gives some extra poseability. The arms also rotate at the shoulder  but here the issue with the Zogok becomes apparent; it is extremely unstable. The figure will tip over very easily, extended arms will lead to problems. The figure slouches forward even when keeping the arms at its sides. Not really impressive for such a great looking figure.

68 : A figure that won't be having issues with balance any time soon though, is the compact G-Bull tank. In the Gundam mythos, this vehicle is assembled from parts of the RX-78-2 Gundam and its support unit the G-Fighter. The Converge item has a very compact feel to it compared to the original model, but is quite cool looking in all its outlandishness. Apart from the old Guntank of the first wave this is the second time a ground vehicle has appeared in the Converge line and hopefully we'll be seeing more of them. The G-Bull can be combined with the G-Sky fighter which appeared in the following Converge volume 12 set.

Secret : The secret item for this wave is the black colour version of the RMS-099 Rick Dias. Personally I love seeing the mass-produced lesser mobile suits being included and hope to see more of them in the future. As for the figure itself, it shares the exact same features as its red counterpart. Here would have been an excellent opportunity to equip it with the two beam Pistols instead, all that is missing is a little hole in the lefthand fist, maybe something for the enterprising modder out there. The figure is very worthy of receiving the secret item honours, I hope we will continue to see more mass produced mobile suits filling these slots.

Before we wrap up this look on Gundam Converge 11, one additional item must be mentioned. Because released almost simultaneously as this set, a third version of the Crossbone Gundam X-0 is now available as a Gundam Ace magazine giveaway. This figure is dare I say essential to any Converge collection because of its attractive colour scheme, and with its unique crossbow weapon it simply belongs next to the X-1 and the X-2. A detailed look on this figure is available here.