Gundam STANDart volume 2

Well, it has been a long time since we paraded the STANDart collection here on the blog and I think it is time for them to receive some love. With all the model kit-style figures in today's Shokugan line it is easy to forget that this market segment used to have room for highly detailed and prepainted figures second to none. Nowadays, FusionWorks are still showing their skills and dedication in the wonderful Gundam Converge line but the 1:220 scale figure-era sadly seems to be a thing of the past.

STANDart volume two was released in March 2008, some four months after the initial wave of figures and as one of the early sets its standard is even higher than the more scaled back figures that would follow in 2011. This was the John Hammond-era of FW STANDart when they spared no expense. :)
  

005 : RX-93-v2 Hi-Nu Gundam

The Hi-Nu is a perfect example of the jaw-dropping effort that went into the early STANDart line. This figure is just chock-full of exquisite detail and a very dedicated paint job. People sometimes moan that the colour applications on STANDarts are not as perfect as they could be, something we see in Converge as well to a certain degree, but I find myself unable to fault these figures at that. I guess the only thing that bugs me is the fact that the manufacutrer loves to put item numbers or copyright markings on the figure back sides, something we see in many Gashapons as well.

The early STANDart figures come in extra large boxes with inserts that are compartmentalized where as later figures would introduced more exonomically scaled boxes, ditch the collector card and place parts in plastic bags similar to the ones used in Converge. There is of course also a chewing gum inside the plastic bag with the collector card because this is a Shokugan candy toy. :)

Just look at this thing. The word beauty does not even begin to do it justice. STANDart figures retain full detail and colour applications also on their back sides, in fact I think the Hi-Nu looks even better from behind.

The large dual wing binders and propellant tanks on the figure's back do make it a bit back heavy but the figure will typically stand up properly without support. As you can see in my photos though, the toes do not always stay in touch with the ground. :)
   

005 (special) - RX-93-v2 Hi-Nu Gundam (Metallic ver.)

One of the continued practices in STANDart is to release figures in groups of four, consisting of three completely different mobile suits and the fourth being either a simple colour variation or perhaps a model evolution (such as the Blue Destiny Unit 1 and 3 figures in volume 12 for example).

The Metallic Ver. figure of the Hi-Nu is the first figure given the cryptical "005 (special)" designation which as helped to make the STANDart figure numbering so messy. Together with the Nu Gundam which followed shortly after, these are the only two metallic colour versions released in the regular line-up. A few other mobile suits also received pearl colour variations but these were "Overseas Only" limited editions distributed by Bandai Asia.

The metal colour version of the Hi-Nu retains the same decals and unit markings as the standard version. This is unlike the metal colour version of the RX-93 which saw some unique markings of its own.

Whether you prefer traditional or metallic colours on your figures neither Hi-Nu figure will disappoint in this regard.

   

006 : MSN-00100 Hyaku-Shiki

The Hyaku-Shiki is interesting in that it is one of only a few mobile suits that have been released twice under the STANDart banner. This extravagant figure was later followed by a somewhat simplified figure from STANDart volume 12 in January 2012, which wielded a single Clay Bazooka as armament only.

While this Hyaku-Shiki figure comes with its signature beam rifle as well as two clay bazookas the latter two are only intended for storage on the figure's back. Most STANDart figures do not come with accessories as such, rather weapons will be assigned to them and sculpted directly into their hands.

The Hyaku-Shiki is a joy to behold, and this STANDart incarnation features some really astonishing sculpting, especially on its legs. Additional painted detail heightens the impression even more. It is interesting to see the way the two bazookas are carried. Hyaku-Shiki figures typically feature one clay bazooka stored completely vertical and barrel pointing upwards, I really dig the way this figure makes them look part of the aerodynamic design. Notice also the curious unit markings on the its left fin, a peculiarity unique to this figure.

The Hyaku-Shiki has been modelled several times in 1:220 format. The figures in the image above hail from STANDart volume 12, Assault Kingdom EX06, STANDart volume 2 and FW Ultimate Operation Plus 3.

The Hyaku-Shiki has always been a bit of a looker and this figure is a superb choice for your 1:220 line-up. If you prefer a more traditional looking Hyaku-Shiki the STANDart volume 12 figure is worth a look as well.
   

007 : MS-07B-3 Gouf Custom

The last figure of this volume is a Zeonic monster from the gritty The 08th MS Team series. However, it seems the FusionWorks sculptors have decided to beef it up even more, taking quite a bit of artistic freedom. If you have seen the Zaku II from STANDart volume one you will be familar with what I mean.

The Gouf Custom figure has been bulked up to the point where its head looks very tiny placed amid two extra large shoulders with gargantuan devil-like horns. Its waist size appears to have gone up a couple of numbers as well, and the skirt armor with it.

As with many Zeonic figures in the STANDart line, the Gouf Custom's monoeye is powered down, but where we had optional parts with the eye activated for the previous Zaku II figure we have to make do with just the powered down one here. The helmet armor does cover part of where the monoeye should have been but I still kind of miss the little red dot.

STANDart Gouf Custom next to its much slender whip-wielding MS-07B Gouf partner from STANDart vol. 14. Notice the difference in head size especially.

While I wouldn't rule out the existence of some B-Club or garage resin kit there are three different 1:220 Gouf Custom figures available. Besides the stoic STANDart machine we have a dynamically posed machine from the FW Ultimate Operation series with limited articulation in its torso and arms (available also in "Cold Distrcit" and "Desert" colours) as well as a fully articulated figure from Assault Kingdom volume 4.

The STANDart Gouf Custom is a bit of an acquired taste. While the attention to detail is excellent I think the figure misses the mark in terms of actual likeness.
   

Conclusion

STANDart volume two has some of the most detailed and spectacular figures of the series. In spite of their old age, the figures are currently available on the Japanese market rather cheaply. At the time of this review for example, Mandarake has all of them priced at around ¥1500-¥2000 (which incidentially is about half of what I had to pay for them around 2014-2015...). It seems that STANDart figures are currently in decent supply, but for how long who can tell.