I haven't got around to building the Bandai Gashapon HGMS checklist yet but I figured I'd run a review on a set in the meantime to at least give it a bit of an introduction. The HG figures aren't any more "high grade" than old 1/144 kits bearing the same name but they are an extensive line of cheap and durable figures produced in impressive numbers. The main series produced 40 basic sets between 1995 and 2006 as well as complimentary deluxe and alternate figure sets on the side. The Mecha and Mobile Armor Selection series for example have been featured sporadically on the blog already.
I didn't pick this particular set for any particular reason but it is a good introduction of what to expect from the series as a whole. In general the earliest figures are quite rough with few to no features while the later figures are quite complex with many moving parts and parts separation. Volume 23 that you see here was released in June 2002 and features seven different figures. While it is really rare to come across figures still in their capsules you will find full sets like these still in the inner plastic bags sold through second hand services from time to time. According to my notes I paid ¥800 for this set back in 2018 which should be a decent indicator.
MSN-03 Jagd Doga (Gyunei Guss Custom)
Individual figures are not numbered in this series but we'll run through them the way they are displayed in the booklet (in Japanese fashion from right to left). The set opens with this classy representation of Gyunei's Jagd Doga, complete with both monoeye and painted bird-eyes (something my Ensemble figure lacked if you recall that particular review). This figure gives you a good idea of the painting standard to expect, you will get some nice but basic colour detail on the front torso while the back tends to be a bit lacking, similar to how the early SD Full Color series are painted.
This parts-shot it not necessarily a full disassembly of the figure but a typical view of how the figure will appear when you take it out of its plastic bag. It should still give you a basic idea of the typical articulation to expect in these figures i.e. not a whole lot. The material is usually all soft plastic (also similar to the SD Full Color figures) and so you can expect warped components that might require straightening here and there. Occasionally, some components are made of hard plastic.
RGZ-91 Re-GZ
While the HG Gashapon figures will often come with a bit of situational poses this Re-GZ must be one of the worst examples to ever grace this figure line. I mean, sure, the pose is interesting but it requires the use of an ugly clear block for it to lean on and I don't think it works at all together with the other figures. Several mobile suits have multiple appearances in the Gashapon HG line but those are mostly reserved for the usual suspects and certainly not for the Re-GZ, unfortunately.
The figure looks much more appealing before you have assembled it - you get a feeling of what it could have been if the pose had been a classic standing around doing nothing thing... Below you can see the Re-GZ B.W.S. support system from the Mecha Selection Part 4 series, a related Gashapon figure series sold in random boxes, also released in 2002.
MS-06 Zaku II (The Origin)
The HG sets usually feature suits from all over the place and this set now takes a break from Char's Counterattack for a dip into The Origin. The first figure is a really interesting Zaku with its novel gear. We have a machine gun which is fed by an ammo belt and the left arm features a twin machine gun-pod. The exact designation of the machine isn't give but it might be a Zaku II C-5 or C-6 type based on the later accessory.
While I am not a huge fan of mobile suits kneeling or doing other awkward positions (man... that's two in a row) this at least feels somewhat serviceable, but it would be no fun building a squad of kneeling machines. :/
RX-78-02 Gundam (The Origin)
Alright, the booklet says that this is the RX-78-2 Gundam yet at the same time it talks about The Origin so I would expect the proper designation to be the RX-78-02. The best way to be certain for me is if the figure is holding the shield upside down but this poor fellow comes unarmed. We are seeing the Gundam as it rises from its flatbed truck in a scene reminiscent of the first episode of the U.C.0079 series. Ironically, I don't mind this particular pose at all, because as you can imagine the GMS series is chock full of RX-78-2s doing various activities.
The flatbed truck is divided into three components to fit inside the Gashapon capsule and i suppose you might end up with a vehicle that is slightly warped if you are unlucky. This particular unit turned out great although the colour is a bit uninspiring. I much prefer the green tint they went with in the Strategy of Gundam 1/300 figure series.
MS-06S Zaku II (Char's Custom) (The Origin)
The last entry in the Origin trio is an exotic variant of Char's Commander Type Zaku II armed with the awesome looking belt fed-machine gun. To my knowledge, the two Zaku figures in this set are the only Gashapon to ever feature this weapon. It would be great to see it pop-up in Converge the next time Bandai is feeling the itch to reissue something with Char's name branded all over it.
HGMS figures often utilize differently sized pegs to assist in assembly. Sometimes the pegs will be round and sometimes shaped when the intended pose is very specific. Occasionally you might have to deal with a swollen peg that needs to be modified a little to better fit as the soft plastic can be obstinate to work with.
We have plenty of Char's Zaku II in the HGMS series also, but only one from The Origin. Here it poses with two other Gashapon HGMS figures from the regular U.C.0079 timeline. As is typical with many Gashapon figures, the colour scheme will often vary from release to release.
The Origin line also features a bazooka-wielding MS-06J Zaku II Ground Type which appears in the volume 24. Surely this is something that the HGMS line can flaunt to get at least a little bit of extra clout?
MSZ-006A1 Zeta Plus A1 (Karaba)
One of the reasons that volume 23 is such a good introduction for the Gashapon HG MS line is the variety of figures you find in this set. Here Bandai shows that the series is perfectly capable of handling skinny and complex sculpts like the Zeta Gundam, and that it has the painting detail to match. Here we also see the standardized action base used (very sparingly) in the line. The concept of the base is similar to the ones used in the SD Full Color series, the base features a ball joint in both ends and for this particular figure it has an adapter to match the mobile suit.
This figure is a good representation of the more complex designs to be found in the Gashapon HG series. I can see myself feeding a Gashapon machine hoping to get this monster only to have it drop Zaku IIs instead. As far as I know, there are no artificial rarities in this series (although some sets might feature variants which are distributed as A and B variants kind of like the early secret figures in Converge).
The STANDart Karaba Zeta is one of my all-time favourite 1/220-figures but this Gashapon figure is certainly giving it a run for its money. It is too bad that the Gashapon series doesn't feature the basic gray Zeta Plus, bit of a missed opportunity I think.
MS-06M Zaku Marine Type
We have a lot of unusual mobile suits in this set and the last item is a mobile suit variation novelty; the underwater Zaku Marine Type. It comes armed with the funky looking handheld 240mm 4-tube launcher, the perfect weapon to fit in a Gashapon capsule. :) Even more interestingly, the figure sports the blue Earth federation colours but you could certainly bring your pencils to it and turn it into Zeonic green and white.
Notice the small peg on the left hand which is inserted into the missile pod, ensuring a tight grip. Some figures will not feature pegs like this and you might see two-handed poses where one arm is not aligning properly with the weapon.
Conclusion
The old Gashapon figures certainly aren't for everyone. It took me a bit of warming to them as well, but when you have a figure line sporting Gabthleys, Gaza-Cs and the Gelgoog Jaeger you know I will not be able to stay away forever...
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