In the early days of the SD Full Color series most sets were typically centered on a specific show and Stage 13 is the first of two such sets featuring the Mobile Suit ZZ Gundam television series (technically one of the suits was introduced in Zeta). The wave was released in January 2000 and is of the semi-rare variety. Figures from this set are not nearly as uncommon as some of the later ones but it can be tricky to find a full set, especially the ZZ Gundam itself appears to be particularly rare. Apart from several cheap figures I recently picked up a full set for ¥1000 so as most SD figures they are not very pricey.
Being of the early type these figures are mostly static but feature a few moving parts, so you won't have to do much assembly as this is how they come out of the packaging.
068 : MSZ-010 ZZ Gundam (Ver.1.0)
The ZZ Gundam figure itself is very nicely sculpted with very clean detail and a decent paint job. The pose is very static but this is how I like my SD figures. The large coloured backpack makes it unusually attractive from the back as well.
The SD Full Color line-up only features two versions of the ZZ Gundam and strangely enough both are equipped with the dual barrel beam rifle. The figure with the extended arm comes from Stage 34 and I have a fairly convincing custom where the previous owner stuck a beam saber its hand and it works somewhat well. We also have the Full Armor ZZ in Stage 14 as well as a pair of simpler figures from the short-lived SD Bind and Impact lines. The Stage 13 figure is the go-to in my opinion.
069 : RGM-86R GM III
Now here is a nice surprise! We certainly don't see enough of the GM III in most figure lines but it was quite an early appearance here. The figure has a fine colour scheme and comes armed with a pair of nicely coloured missile pods on its shoulders and the stumpy BR-S-85-C2 modified beam rifle. There is something a little awkward about the gorilla-style overarms but at least you get another articulation point for the underarm which gives you a few more posing options.
070 : AMX-003 Gaza-C
The Gaza-C is a carryover from the Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam series where it featured as cheap cannon fodder towards the end of the show (and no, this didn't improve under the ZZ flag either). I am still waiting for a nice 1/220 figure of this machine which must be a nightmare to design even though we have seen some really well done variants in the Gashapon 1/285 and 1/400 ranges already. In SD form you can get away with a simple statue and the thin waist can magically disappear into the SD proportions so the end result is both sturdy and pleasing to the eye. My only complaint is that the beam cannon looks a little saggy on several of my figures, a result of being packaged in a tight plastic bag I imagine. I wish that the Axis Zeon suits were more popular because I would love to collect them in all sizes.
071 : AMX-107 Bawoo (Glemy Toto Custom)
The stylish Bawoo with its many pointy appendages (making it a real chore to assemble in Senshi Forte mode...) retains much of its appeal also in this stubby form. The colour scheme is simple but functional and we even got a logo on the shield. However, I must confess to being a bit disappointed because there is only one version of the figure available. I really would have liked a simple green colour variation for the mass-production type (and sure, a Glemy faction gray too but that's pushing it). So far I have only managed to dig up three figures but hopefully over time I can have some converted into mass-production style. :)
072 : AMX-009 Dreissen
Another unusual army-builder! The Dreissen looks like a Dom on steroids and slashes its way through battle with the world's largest toothbrush. I love the garish colour scheme and the triple beam cannons casually hidden beneath its sleeves. Surely everybody loves the Dom so I can't understand why we haven't seen this mobile suit pop up in Converge or Ensemble already.
073 : MRX-010 Psyco Gundam Mk-II
The last slot is reserved for the in my opinion least interesting suit of this lot (by a mile, this should have been that green Bawoo instead...). There isn't a whole lot going on with the Psyco Gundam, the weapons are hidden in its fingers and it doesn't even have a colourful shield and the backside is all purple. It gets a big "meh" from me.
Here is a little family get-together with the mark one Psycos from Stage 7 (the big one, center left) and what I believe to be the "Dice Gundam" variant from the rare Stage 61 set from 2005 (far left). On the right we have the Mk-II in its mobile Armor mode from the completely different (and non-deformed) Banpresto Micro Collection (I have the Mk-I here somewhere also... will have to update this review when I find it).
Conclusion
Stage 13 is one of the many neat sets from the early years of the Full Color series. While later sets feature improved articulation and better colour separation the earlier figures are more durable, less likely to be incomplete and above all are larger and just feel great in hand. The fact that the set is rife with army-builders also makes it a real favourite in my book as you can well imagine.
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