Bandai Spirits / Banpresto Mobile Suit Gundam Lalah Sune

This will be a quick one. I recently got my hands on one of the latest Bandai Spirits/Banpresto Gundam-themed prize items. Not sure what is up with the dual branding, I thought Banpresto was transformed into Bandai Spirits? Anyway, as you can see from the rather sparse packaging it is simply labelled "Mobile Suit Gundam". Being a prize item this would typically be found in the local arcade and we have a blue JAIA logo on the top as well indicating claw machine use. The box doesn't feature the typical cut-outs on the sides for the machine to grab on to but perhaps the machines are more sophisticated these days...


The Lalah figure is made available in two versions. The A version in standard colours and a B version named the "Glitter" variant and is supposed to mimic Amuro's vision of her. Sounds more like a cheap marketing trick if you ask me. I will be quite content with the standard version only so the alternate figure will not be seen in this review.


According to online sources the figure was apparently released into the arcades in mid-October and I have seen multiple copies over at Mandarake already, typically selling for around 1300 yen. The Lala figure is apparently supposed to spearhead a new line of prize figures so it will be interesting to see what might follow, hopefully something more interesting than your stock Amuro and Char for the umpteenth time.


The character design is quite old and simplistic and this makes for less complex parts. As you can see this is really basic, the figure comes fully assembled and includes a really bland circular base and a support for the lifted leg. The latter is useful if you intend to display the figure for longer durations to keep it from warping but for this photo session we won't need it.


Simple character designs can present a real challenge for a 3D-modeller to properly capture its soul but I think this sculpt is done well. A big flowing one-piece doesn't exactly make for a lot of interesting detail and the seam lines at the sleeves are a bit distracting but the face, neck and hands look really crisp. Not sure what is up with that blank stare though...


Apart from garage and resin kits there are pretty much no figures of Lalah Sune save for a few really small and old Gashapons. That fact alone coupled with the low price makes it a great opportunity to fill that slot in the line-up.