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. :)
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