SD Gundam Full Color Stage 22

Stage 22 is the first of three consecutive figure sets that focus on the 0083 Stardust Memory show. Each set is comprised of 4-5 mobile suits from the show and the remaining slots are filled out with guest appearances from Gundam Wing (Endless Waltz). The set premiered in January 2001 and the figures had that nostalgic price of ¥100.


Apart from the Gundam figures themselves, the other figures in this set are fairly common on the secondary market, the Xamel being the easiest to find in my experience. Apart from some random singles I picked up a set from Mandarake in 2019 which cost a mere ¥600 so the set appears to be very common in Japan.


Most of the figures are good to go out of the capsules so there isn't much assembly (or articulation for that matter) to busy yourself with.



117 : RX-78GP01 Gundam GP01 "Zephyranthes"


First out of the gate is of course the GP01, the perhaps blandest Gundam design to ever come out of a sequel series. How would you describe it to someone not familiar with the design? Well, it is uhh... kind of like the RX-78 but with some differences in proportions. To me its most identifiable feature is the large blue shield and so of course this particular figure completely omits it. This makes even less sense now that the Gundam is wielding a beam saber and ready to go toe-to-toe with GP02A. Unfortunately this is the only SD figure of it out there.


The facelift that comes with the Full Burnern variant drastically improves the look of the GP01 and gives it a look of its own. Still missing that shield though...



118 : RX-78GP02A Gundam GP02A "Physalis"


Anavel Gato steps up to the inevitable swordfight in is freshly stolen Physalis. Not only was he clever enough to pick the bigger machine but e grabbed the massive shield that goes with it too, even though it is a real mean feat to carry it around (figures tend to struggle with this heavy component as well, forcing the developers to come up with clever supports for it. In SD form it of course simply rests on the ground). The huge bulk of the GP02A design does not translate that well into SD form of course and so the figure comes out sorter than the GP01.


A second version of the Physalis armed with its iconic Nuclear Bazooka in Stage 23. That figure also proves that it is not a logistic problem to include the shield with the figure so why the GP01 lacks one I cannot understand.



119 : RGM-79 Powered GM


The Powered GM is actually a rather bulky looking GM but this is lost somewhat in its SD transformation into an SD figure. The large orange shock absorbers at the knees for example are completely lost in this process. On the other hand perhaps modders wanting to build their own GM types may appreciate this. No particular model designation has yet been given to the two Powered GMs which were used as testbeds at Torrington Base in the storyline. Come up with your own and build a platoon!


The Powered GM figure scales well with most of the other EFSF machines in the SD line. It also brings a Bazooka into the mix which is a nice touch.




120 : MS-09F/TROP Dom Tropen


The Dom Tropen springs out of the YMS-09D Tropical Test Type of the Dom and introduces upgrades to allow it better performance in desert climate. Additional cooling and sand filters are some of the improvements designed to simplify maintenance in this difficult environment. A new colour scheme with neat red markings makes the already sexy Dom even cooler.


I think the SD version of the Tropen is a bit of a failed attempt, it still looks very much like your average Dom figure. The Beam Saber seems a bit of an odd choice too, it would have kept more personality if equipped with the iconic Raketen Bazooka.



121 : YMS-16M Xamel


The Xamel represents an attempt to turn a mobile suit into a specialist hovering artillery piece. This absolute behemoth can weigh up to 120 tonnes and propels itself on hover jets like the Dom, I imagine it must be a nightmare to control. The SD format does it no favours however, since it is supposed to stand about 50% taller than your average Gundam and here we instead get a really compact version. I am still happy that they included it (and can't wait for it to show up in the Converge EX line for which it seems absolutely cut and dried).




122 : XXXG-01H2 Gundam Heavyarms Custom


Aaah... what a beauty, and best of all - no clown mask. :) Bandai spread out the mobile suits from Wing piecemeal in stages 19 through 24 which I think is pretty clever. There are only two incarnations of the Heavyarms in the entire SD history. Apart from this version we have the basic Heavyarms from the TV show in Stage 53 (which I currently do not have available for comparison). I wonder if Bandai plans to release it in Senshi Forte now that they have done the Wing Zero and Deathscythe Hell but frankly I think they have more or less given up on the entire Senshi Forte series by now.



Conclusion

While this set is perhaps not the most enticing it is a given for Stardust memory or One Year War fans. Wing fans on their part would do well to hunt it down for the beautiful rendition of the Heavyarms. Best of all, if you can find it in Japan, it is likely to be quite inexpensive. Now, if only Bandai would bring some love to Stardust Memory in the Converge line-up I would be really happy. Things have been stagnant there for so long and there is much to do. :)

Mobile Suit Ensemble EX 27 : RX-93v2 Hi-Nu Gundam Set

It feels like every other Ensemble figure that has landed on my desk recently has been some sort of RX-93 mutation. Today's item is I am sad to say, more of the same, but let's make the best out of it...


The basic Nu Gundam premiered early in Ensemble in 2017 together with parts to build the full armour HWS variant. About half a year later the Fin Funnel expansion set arrived (with the symmetric wings that we have been discussing in the recent Converge #21 review) and then it was quiet for a while. In April 2020 it was time to drag the figure out of hiding again, with a simple marking plus variant which netted me another pair. And then the Hi-Nu Gundam finally arrived in January 2021 in the 16th retail set (which was just up on the reviewing table recently). Not content with this however, Bandai decided to a premium variant which was delivered in March and so here we are again.


The new EX figure - simply called the Hi-Nu Gundam set - may at first peak appear to be quite complicated but there isn't really a whole lot of news under the hood. Does it warrant a price increase from ¥500 (well, technically ¥500+¥500 if you wanted the fin funnels from the equipment pack) to ¥4400 which is the asking price for this box? Well, that's a tall order, let's see what is delivered.


Ok, so here is the basic Hi-Nu figure, looking really familiar. With the fresh review of Part 16 still in mind I could sleepwalk trough this build, knowing full well where each component was meant to go. You will notice some minor changes such as the increased size of the Fin Funnels and the slightly different shade of blue in use. Let's move on.


I have to say, the new translucent beam sabers included with this figure are my favourite parts of the entire kit. You get two sabers, one traditional type and one which has the little extra blade coming out of the end of the hilt. I have to say I really think the designers could have afforded to throw in the white Hyper Bazooka as well. A simple re-colouring of the bazooka they chucked in with the basic RX-93 would have done it for me. For a Hi-Nu "set" this seems a strange overlook.


Here is a side by side with the basic 500 yen retail figure, can you tell which is which? I'll give you a hint - look for the one with the larger Fin Funnels. You can also see that the EX figure as a deeper blue colour. I should point out that my EX figure is using an expressive open left hand that I stole from one of the Gundam F90 variants, no such hands are present in this set (that would have been another cheap way to add some extra value to this expensive box).


Apart from a whole slew of action base components, here is what the main difference between the retail figure and the EX figure comes down to. You have the two previously mentioned beam saber options, four remote Fin Funnels and the massive Hyper Mega Bazooka Launcher which is the main centerpiece of this box set. Let's see them in action.


Here we have propped up the Hi-Nu Gundam on its base which has a couple of preset slots for the smaller support beam to slot into the larger one, which you can use to alter its distance from the base itself. This of course also means that the figure must look straight forward so you won't be doing any dynamic poses, par for the course with Ensemble's very rudimentary stands. The launcher gets a separate flexible support but since the basic Gundam figure sits where it sits you won't be doing many interesting poses with this either.


Ok, so here is where things go from bad to worse. Granted I am not sold on Fin Funnel displays in general (as they tend to look cluttered) but this is really an eye-sore. While you have a bit more creative freedom to position these, the bulkiness of the main figure and the many supporting arms means it will get messy fast. I just put these up here dutifully to give you an idea of what is in the box, there is no way I would even consider using them, so back in the box they go.


It is certainly possible to equip the launcher without the cumbersome base and you can probably invent your own base that would look just as good. Personally I am all in favour of the standing to attention pose kind of like the Z Gundam or the Zeta Plus are often depicted with their gigantic launchers.


My final criticism against this kit is that there are no Heavy Weapon System components included. I mean, Bandai already released them in wave 16, all they had to do was stick a couple of extra parts in this box. The figure you see above is the retail Hi-Nu in its FA-93-v2HWS configuration, something you cannot pull off with what is supplied here.


Conclusion

I can only really think of two reasons for anyone wanting to get this figure over the retail one. The first reason is the availability of the basic figure and its equipment pack themselves, and the second is you really, really like the Mega Bazooka Launcher. Beyond that I would say don't bother with this figure.

Gundam Converge #21

I notice that almost eight months have passed since I reviewed volume 20. Granted I have sat on this for a little while but the Converge retail sets are really far in between these days. Fortunately Bandai likes to keep us busy with pricy EX and box set figures so it ain't all that bad, but there is a special feeling getting to dig into a new Converge retail wave.


Converge #21 was released in May 2021 and put my fears that Bandai might feel compelled to call it quits once they hit 20 to shame. Still, the future for the retail line-up still is a bit bare bones. Volume #22 has been slated for November and what volume #23 will contain (or when it will release) is still pretty much anyone's guess.

Another thing I have noticed lately is how the new Converge figures quickly rise in price on the secondary market immediately at the time of release. These figures have an MSRP of ¥500 (¥550 including VAT) but Mandarake was already selling them for ¥800-¥1000. I don't know if this is related to increased interest (like how Pokemon cards are booming lately) or if the production run is much smaller these days. Conversely, some of the older figures have dropped significantly in prices.


247 : RX-93 Nu Gundam (Double Fin Funnel Type)


When the line-up for volume 21 was first revealed I think I managed to stifle a yawn at the prospect of another incarnation of the Nu Gundam with an extra set of funnels. It was only later that I noticed that wait a second, this design looks peculiar. We are n fact looking at a completely new sculpt of the RX-93. Everything about the new figure is overall bigger and taller. At the same time it feels oh so very white. As far as I can tell there is no major difference in the two variants yet we have lost paint-apps on the legs and most importantly on the fn funnel sets which is a bit annoying.


The parts shot clearly illustrates how tame the colours look out of the box. I am used to seeing black and white coloured rifles, yellow and black detail on the funnels and of course Amuro's insignia on both the shoulder and shield. Some of these might have been removed on the official MSV design but the appearance of this figure still screams of "help me!". I notice also the absence of the 280mm Hyper Bazooka, a weapon we are also used to seeing included with this figure. I can't help but think that this figure should have been plonked into a CORE set with some extra frills instead.


Now, the elephant in the room here is the fin funnel design. Just exactly how old is the design with the upside down fin funnel and does it predate the "angel-wing" symmetric style that we have seen used for this figure in the past decade? The old dual fin funnel figure (from the Operation Revive Special Edition box set released in 2014) seen here goes for the symmetric appearance and we have seen this also in figures released in STANDart (2009), Assault Kingdom (2014) and Mobile Suit Ensemble (2018). Is the Converge dual fin funnel style a new artistic concept that has bled over from the model kit range and become the new canon or what gives? Feel free to muse about this topic in the comments.


The current RX-93 family in the Converge Sharp line. The original figure from wave 01 (December 2015), the FA-93HWS Heavy Weapon System variant (CORE 004, released January 2016) and the new Dual Fin Funnel figure. Notice the massive change in proportions when compared to the two older figures.




248 : RGZ-91B Re-GZ Custom


We'll stay with the Char's Counterattack MSV family a bit longer because we have a new face to introduce to Converge - the Re-GZ Custom. The machine is introduced as a beefed up variant of the Re-GZ intended for use by Amuro Ray but the RX-93 effectively superseded the design and it was never brought into service. I love unusual designs like this being brought into Converge although it has already been seen in Gashapon form before so it isn't a complete first.


The main difference between the Re-GZ Custom and its predecessor is that it is now a fully transforming machine. Where the old Re-GZ had an external Back Weapon System this is now integrated and carried in wing binder form giving the Re-GZ Custom a very Z Gundam or Zeta Plus feel. The Converge figure thankfully does not feature any transformation gimmick (it would most likely have been a real nightmare to deal with).


The Converge Re-GZ family is a bit of an oddity. First we have the basic Re-GZ from the old Converge era (Converge volume 14, released in April 2014), then we have a slightly modernized and colour corrected but beat up variant released in the Alpha Azieru Option Parts Set in February this year and of course the new Re-GZ Custom. I wouldn't mind seeing a fully limbed Re-GZ coming back to Converge with the new colour scheme and perhaps a B.W.S. set, perhaps it is something they are keeping on the Converge Plus short list.




249 : GAT-X303 Aegis Gundam


The really big excitement I got from this set came with the announcement of the Aegis, one of the really unsung heroes of SEED. There are countless droves of Strike Gundams with every conceivable armament or weapon pack option. The Buster and Duel are certainly no strangers either but the Aegis always seem to be left out. I imagine it has something to do with its complex design so it feels extra good that FusionWorks stepped up to the challenge and landed this beautiful figure.


Notice the easily lost blades that go into the elbows and toes of the figure. I haven't yet decided if they should be glued on but so far have stayed in place nicely. Having said that, I don't know what it is but the material of Converge figures seem to lose its initial soft friction and pieces can become quite loose over time. This is mainly a problem with the bases not sticking to the figure's feet but it there are many antennas and similar at risk of being lost in such a fashion.




250 : GAT-X207 Blitz Gundam


More fresh faces! Someone apparently decided to complete the line-up from the SEED G-Project and we can look forward to the Buster in volume 22. I doubt that we will see further suits from the Cosmic Era right now but on the other hand, at least the Justice is storming into Ensemble right now so I am remain somewhat hopeful. As you can see the face of my Blitz figure looks a bit skeptical and questionably aligned. The painting is really nice though, I especially like the violet detail painted on the legs. The detail on the Trikeros shield system is also superb, compare this to the all-white beam rifle that the Nu Gundam figure got and you really wonder what is going on.


The Blitz has its special gear attached to the forearms rather than being handheld. The left arm rocks the Gleipnir grappling claw (which has a lot in common with the Raider Gundam's Mjölnir mace) while the right arm features said Trikeros (more like Victorinox...) shield system which also includes a built in beam rifle, beam saber and triple lancer darts. This seems incredibly risky from a practical point of view. Would you really want to attach all your important weapons to the component designed to brace the enemy's attacks? The Morgenroete development team must have serious problems with nepotism and/or not challenging ludicrous designs. "Who cares if it worked or not!?" as Dick Jones would have put it.




251 : MS-05B Zaku I


In spite of all the lovely advanced machines we have seen so far, it was probably the comparatively primitive and outdated Zaku I tat causes the most buzz among Converge collectors. Not only is it a classic Zeonic design in general, but it has got a wide range of equipment options thanks to the Black Tristars machine also being produced. Like the other Zeon suits that have preceded it after the Converge reboot, the new Zaku I figure has been cleaned up and is presented in a very polished and anime-like style. The new colours are very show accurate to the point that you begin to wonder what the FusionWorks team was doing back in 2012 when the first appearance took place.


The Zaku I comes with two weapon choices and an optional holding hand. To my great horror I managed to break a Zaku Machine gun handle when trying to squeeze it into the figure's hand so exercise caution when mucking about with these. I was lucky in that I had stocked up on a little squad, I can't even begin to think how frustrating it would have been if it was my only copy. The new Converge figures might be technically superior but I sure appreciate the sturdiness of the older figures.


Here the Zaku I poses with the Heat Hawk and Knuckle Shield from the Black Tristars Custom figure. The figure to the right also uses the "Initial Bazooka" option and that weird extra part that connects to the backpack, which I believe to be its ammunition supply (block cartridge)?


The new Zaku sculpt outperforms the original design in most areas, especially color accuracy, but at the same time it has been shrunk down for no particular reason in the same was as Converge #Sharp has butchered many of the U.C.0079 Zeonic suits. I was secretly planning on perhaps repurposing the arms of the new figures to go on the old sculpt but the peg sizes are completely different so it would require a more permanent type of customization.


I am guessing that a lot of Converge collectors would like to buy multiples of the Zaku I figures. To my great surprise however, the Zaku figures (both types) were among the cheapest of this set on the secondary market.




252 : MS-05B Zaku I (Black Tri-Stars Custom)


Well, it is more of the same then. The new Zaku I figure returns with new paintjob (and spiffy shoulder markings) with the missing weapon options for the mass production model. The style is just as pristine and immaculate for this figure, and the colour scheme is gorgeous. While I didn't bother with it for this review, you can of course also open up the head to reposition the mono-eye to look in a different direction.


Besides rocking different equipment the Black Tristars machine is fully compatible with the gear used by the mass production type, so the same pair of optional hands are available and the bazooka's block cartridge can also be attached to the backpack. I kind of wish there would have been at least one optional left hand for these figures to further improve customization.


The original Tristar Zaku I figure from 2012 is holding up really well. It also has the added bonus of coming equipped with the Zaku machinegun and a knuckle shield, unlike the base Zaku I figure from that same set.


Do the Tristar Zaku I's feature unit numbers for each pilot like the Zaku II's and Doms do? I was secretly hoping that there would be three variations to collect like how FusionWorks did it with the Titans Mk-II Gundam but at the same time I guess it is a bit of a blessing because that would have been collecting them even more of a pain.




Conclusion

While we don't get retail Converge figures very often they rarely manage to disappoint and are always a delight to review. This set contains some truly elaborate designs and a pair of fun army builder types and that is really all that one could ask for in such a set. The current high prices on the secondary market remain a bit of a concern though, and I wonder if this is something we will end up having to become used to. The same theme holds true for the Converge Plus figures where prices are creeping up to ¥2000 already.