Mobile Suit Ensemble Part 12

The Mobile Suit Ensemble 12 set was released in January this year and have been sitting on my todo list for a while now. While I did pick up two full sets earlier in March I was also hoping to secure a third Zaku for a proper Black Tri-Stars line-up, it seems that is going to take quite some time so here we go.

All the figures reviewed in this set are of the boxed version seen here. There is also the Gashapon machine edition which comes with a colourful booklet, one of which I would like to pick up eventually as well for the sake of completion.
   

073 : YG-111 G-Self

The Gundam selected to front part 12 is the G-Self from Reconguista in G, a series that has slowly been fading into obscurity. Mobile suits from this series are hopelessly few in figure form although you can pick up more of them as model kits. The Ensemble series itself currently only supports this Gundam and some of its equipment packs.

The Ensemble representation of the G-Self is a beautiful figure making use of both yellow and blue translucent components to spice things up. The golden cross on the shield is duly noted and appreciated. I have added some extra colour on the legs especially to boost it some more.

The G-Self figure comes armed with one of its two different beam rifles (I am not sure which) and a shield. Its Core Fighter and Space Pack are released separately in another box in this set as we shall see.

There are a couple of G-Self figures out there, here the Ensemble figure poses next to versions from SD Gashapon Warrior NEXT and Gundam Converge.
   

074 : FA-78-3 Full Armor 7th Gundam

The next figure is also a Gundam and a very unique and interesting choice. The FA7 hails from designer Kunio Okawara's M-MSV concept designs first seen in a Bandai publication from 1990. It was also featured in a PlayStation game from 2009. I am really curious how this mobile suit ended up in Ensemble, especially when you consider the more well known Gundams units G04 and G05, both of which would make excellent figure choices.

Gundam Unit 7 looks quite a bit like the RX-78-2, its main feature being the ability to dress up in a Full Armor block system much like the Full Armor Alex. It also features a shoulder mounted Beam Cannon and a large tail assembly with fuel tanks and extra stabilizers.

The FA Gundam 7 does not come with any hand held gear choices although a couple are included in the option parts set at the end of this set. The figure also returns in its HFA-78-3 Heavy Full Armor configuration as an EX figure which we will review separately.
   

075 : MS-06R-1A Zaku II High Mobility Type (Black Tri-Stars Custom)

The third and last mobile suit in this set is another Mobile Suit Variation, and a real classic at that. The Black Tri-Stars Custom type High Mobility Type Zaku II is a really common figure that has been released in countless sizes and scales.

The Black Tri-Stars livery works wonders on the Zaku II. The combination of black, white and purple is so much more effective than a single colour scheme which is often used for other custom machines.

The Zaku comes armed with a 360mm Giant Bazooka similar to the one included with the MS-09 Dom figure. There are also a couple of extra weapons in the option parts pack.

There are now a grand total of six different Zaku II types or variations in the Mobile Suit Ensemble line-up. Together with the Acguy, Gouf, Dom and the Kämpfer they make a solid base for a Principality of Zeon collection.
   

076 : Core Fighter + BPAM-02 Space Pack

The support fighter slot is given to the G-Self's Core Fighter and one of its optional backpacks, the Space Pack. This is a booster pack for added mobility in space, kind of filling a similar purpose as the Aile Striker Pack used by the Strike Gundam.

I haven't yet managed to take on actually watching Reconguista in G so I don't know if the Core Fighter is supposed to be able to carry the Space Pack in the fashion above but it works well as a companion figure for the G-Self.

The Core Fighter actually uses the same type of Ensemble components that sit in the torso of all mobile suit figures. The wings and boosters are attached in the same fashion as you would attach arms and legs to a mobile suit.

With the Space Pack attached to the mobile suit instead of the Core Fighter the suit really shines. While the backpack makes is really back-heavy I was able to keep it upright by extending the beam rifle arm to the front.

The Core Fighter can also display as a figure all by itself although it is perhaps not the most interesting thing to look at.

Purchasing two sets of the G-Self and the Space Pack set lets you display all the combinations and makes good use of all the components as well.
   

077 : Equipment Set for Wave 12

The equipment set for this wave is perhaps a bit underwhelming. It contains some weapon options only and most of them have been seen before.

We have two unique accessories for the Full Armor Gundam, the very generic and uninspiring beam saber and three seen-before weapon choices for the High Mobility Type Zaku II. There are no extras specifically intended for the G-Self in this package.

The main reason for picking up this box is the beam rifle and shield for the Full Armor Gundam. They really complete the look of the figure and make it even more attractive.

If you are only interested in the Black Tri-Stars figure in this wave you don't really need to pick up this pack. Chances are you have several 280mm Bazookas, Zaku Machine Guns and Heat Hawks lying around since before. I think this set could have benefitted from an optional helmet top component for this figure, without the hole for the commander antenna. And if Bandai really would have wanted to go bananas and spoil us they should have included either stickers or two optional shoulder shields with the numbers 02, 03 and 06 on them.
   

Conclusion

Ensemble Part 12 is comprised of three very beautiful if perhaps lesser known mobile suits and as such might not be to everyone's taste. From a figure perspective the set does what it sets out to do although I think they skimped out a bit on the High Mobility Type Zaku II as far as accessories go. The fact that two of the figures in this wave also appear as pricey EX figures means you may want to limit your purchasing to those figure that really interest you as well.