Gundam Converge #22

While 2021 has been a rather busy year for Converge it is also highly remarkable in that we only saw two regular retail sets. Converge #21 appeared in May and finally volume #22 followed in November. Another unusual thing about this particular release is that it features seven different figures. While this was fairly common during the first Converge run the seventh figure was usually a secret colour variant, however this is only the fourth wave to actually feature seven differently numbered figures with full box-art.

All in all the year has seen no less than 15 full Converge releases which is almost driving the poor consumer into fatigue (especially if trying to keep up with Ensemble in parallel). Besides the two retail sets we also saw a Unicorn special release (which can been seen as a de facto third retail set), two +Plus series waves, the first Converge Space Battleship release, two large EX figures (one of which has a separate option parts set), three premium box-sets and two CORE releases as well as a Reconguista movie ticket exclusive.


The trend with multiple bags for a single figure remains strong. I made a slight mistake in the line-up here, the extra bag with the bazookas belongs to the RX-78 and not the G-3 as it might seem from tis photo. And on that topic, notice how Bandai went through the trouble of creating two different main bags for the two Gundam variants, just to remove the beam rifle from the RX-78. I guess it saves a couple of cents.


259 : RX-78-2 Gundam (Final Battle Specifications)


The granddaddy returns! While it seems to me that the Converge #Sharp reboot series has been flying by at breakneck speed it is still already four years since the RX-78 got its makeover, and now it is time for a new polishing round. Not content with simply giving the figure a pair of Hyper Bazookas, the entire sculpt has been completely redone. The end result is a very clean and polished looking figure featuring a number of new interesting gimmicks. Someone really slipped up when painting this particular unit though, just look at that miserable face, this should never have been allowed to ship.


You may be surprised to see that no beam rifle is included with this figure, instead you get two Hyper Bazookas and a shield. The shield features a brand new rectangular peg slot on the left arm, but since the figure is wielding dual bazookas you are unlikely to want to equip it. It is exactly for this purpose that we get a small connector piece that slots in to the backskirt which allows the shield to be stored there using a round hole on the backside of the shield. Some older figures traditionally allow the shield to be stored higher up on the backpack. The rectangular peg used to attach the shield to the arm also doubles to let a beam rifle be stored underneath the shield. You will need to steal that rifle from the G-3 figure however. There are actually two connector pegs seen in this photo, one of them belongs to the G-3 figures so apologies for that mess-up. :)


Here is a more traditionally equipped Gundam borrowing the beam rifle from the G-3 figure. I actually bought a second unit and the face paint on this figure is much better than the previous one.


The new Gundam figures come with a "last shooting" gimmick. You get a torn off left arm that can replace the regular arm which allows you to recreate this tired pose. If you buy two figures you can take it one step further...


This comparison with the previous reboot RX-78 figure (released in Converge #08 in October 2017 as well as with a clear base version from the CORE White Base set from 2018) shows the complete overhaul of the sculpt. The new figure is a major aesthetic improvement but unfortunately comes with a very bad drawback, it nearly cannot stand up. The peg on the base is too thin in comparison to the hole in the figure's left foot which causes the figure to topple very easily even when based. It nearly cannot stand upright on its own without a base at all. I have the exact same problem on all four RX-78-2 and G-3 figures so this appears to be a major QA issue that borders on ruining the entire figure and which should never have been allowed into the marketplace in this state in my opinion.






260 : RX-78-3 G-3 Gundam


It took Converge #Sharp nearly six years to get to the G-3 Gundam. I was really expecting Bandai to release it as a CORE premium figure together with Char's Rick Dom (which was very conspicuously absent from the Red Comet box set last year by the way...) but it found its way into the regular line instead. It features the same clean sculpt (and standing problems) as the RX-78 and it features a really slick and accurate colour scheme.


Bandai is retreading familiar ground with this tandem RX-78-2/RX-78-3 release. While the same concept was used back when Converge volume 4 was released in September 2011 this time the two figures come with different but compatible equipment. Where the RX-78 features dual Hyper Bazookas the G-3 is armed with a beam rifle and shield instead. This allows the two figures to exchange gear with each other but I still thinks it is a bit cheap not to give the RX-78 a beam rifle at least.


The G-3 can of course equip the Hyper Bazookas that come with the RX-78 figure. Once again you can see the beam rifle attached to the backside of the shield.


The G-3 figure of course retains the same Last Shooting gimmick as the RX-78 figure it is based upon and also features a cut off grey arm of its own. I had much rather seen that effort spent on an extra beam rifle... :)


The G-3 has a very eclectic history within Converge. As already mentioned it made its first appearance with a pair of Hyper Bazookas in Converge volume 4 and it features a medium gray colour scheme with dark gray areas. It reappeared in a very strange almost violet tone as an exclusive with the Converge "Complete Book" reference guide in December 2013 together with Char's Rick Dom. The pair was released again as an Art Of Gundam exhibition twin-pack in July 2015 in a darker gray tone with lots of blue/violet features. The new figure is a massive course correction for the design although I really like its varied past.






261 : RGM-79 GM


The Universal Century 0079 line-up makeover continues with another Earth Federation design, the venerable GM-type workhorse. The original teaser images looked a bit off but I think this new figure came out great. We usually see GMs in either white or a slightly minty gray basic colour and this figure follows the latter style. Notice how the white colour used on the shield and beam saber hilt does not match the rest of the figure. I do not know if this was intentional or because of the manufacturing process.


I would really have fancied a beam saber option for this figure but I can't really complain about the classic Beam Spray Gun and shield combination. Hopefully we can see Bandai revisiting this figure in the future and perhaps release a suitable beam saber for it then.


The new GM sculpt is once again a massive improvement on the old design. The new figure is noticeably taller and its design features are more restrained and anime-like although I still really like the old design a lot.


The new figure joins the GM legacy which began already in June 2011 with the first white GM. The darker colour variation was featured in the Operation Jaburo box set in 2012 and we then saw the white version revived in March 2015 and given an extra beam saber option.






262 : GAT-X103 Buster Gundam


While Converge #22 is all about the Universal century era we have one guest from the Cosmic Era an what a visitor it is! With the advent of the Buster Gundam the original five-machine prototype line-up of the Earth Alliance is completed. The figure itself features a gorgeous colour scheme with creamy white, dark green, bright orange and metallic grays. Its Gun-Launcher and High Energy Rifle are both sculpted in hard plastic and painted in both green and metallic gray and the result is weapons that do not easily bend in the traditional Converge way.


The figure comes with an interesting array of replaceable over arms. Marked A-D for easy reference the A+B over arms are used to let the arms rest at the figure's sides while parts C+D bend the arms to let the Buster wield its weapons as needed.


Here you can see the C+D over arms in action. While this is a neat gimmick I usually prefer the Converge figures posing in stand-by mode 8which will also help their balance if you like to display them without the bases...)..


The main gimmick of the Busters two combining weapons is faithfully replicated here and you can mix and match according to preference. While the combined unit looks a bit off on a small Converge figure it is a really neat gimmick. Just like with the two Gundam figures I actually opted to purchase a second Buster figure to avoid having to mess with the arms when switching between the two modes.


The Earth Alliance G-Project first generation line-up has finally made it to Converge. From left to right we have the GAT-X102 Duel (Converge #20, September 2020), GAT-X103 Buster, GAT-X105 Aile Strike (also from Converge #20), GAT-X207 Blitz and GAT-X303 Aegis (both from Converge #21 released in May 2021). Can we hope for the second generation machines to make an appearance now that they have been released in Ensemble? :)






263 : MS-06FZ Zaku II Kai (Fritz Helmet specification)


The new Zaku II Kai figure is a strong contender for worst (or most amusingly) named Converge figure. I have seen some various naming conventions for this optional helmet type, the Graf Zeppelin Corps or Stahlhelm version seem the most flattering. This is of course the Zaku II Kai figure from Converge #17 making a return with the alternate headsculpt. I really like how Bandai takes the time to expand the line-up of mobile suits with simple touch-ups like this.


The Fritz has the same moving monoeye option as the original figure variant but were the original figure came with a nicely painted Heat Hawk the new figure is armed with the even cooler signature MMP-80 Machine Gun. I can't help but wonder if this was a reaction to fans complaining rather than the original release plan all along. Whatever the reason I love it!


Since the figure is pretty much the same as the previous version you can give the Fritz an optional Heat Hawk loadout. Yes, you guessed it. I bought two figures of this one as well, just to be able to display them both. Bandai take note, this is how you encourage multiple sales...


And here we see the old Zaku Kai figure with the new MMP-80. I have ordered a second unit of this one as well just to be able to display all four variants.


Bandai has really hexed me with this set, I usually do not purchase multiples of Converge figures unless to make conversions but if Bandai is going to keep up the optional gear choices this could well become a new gold standard for collecting the series as far as I am concerned.






264 : MS-14Jg Gelgoog Jaeger


Hot on the heels of the Zaku II Kai is another unit from the Graf Zeppelin Tivvay-class cruiser. Seen in a pivotal colony attack in 0080 War in the Pocket the highly dangerous Jaeger type Gelgoog goes to town on the GM Space Type garrison units. This is basically a souped up mass production type Gelgoog with some additional features like enhanced antennas, booster unit and a meatier beam rifle. Bandai somehow refrained from printing the iconic unit number 522 on the chest armor.


Beware of the many small parts of the Jaeger figure. The head opens up to allow for adjusting the monoeye but we also have not one but two easy-to-fall-off antennas on the head as well as a rather loose-fitting backpack and two booster units with really tiny pegs. I am considering gluing most of these in place but since the pegs are really tiny it could lead to excess glue poking out unless you are really careful.


2021 has been a good year for the Gelgoog with the recently seen Sleeves machine in the UC Special Selection Set and Anavel Gato's personal unit bound for release in May 2022.






265 : MS-14Jg Gelgoog Jaeger (Shin Matsunaga Custom)


As if releasing the Gelgoog Jaeger was not good enough Bandai decided to feature a really obscure Mobile Suit Variation design in ace pilot Shin Matsunaga's White Wolf-colours. While the basic figure is the same as the red unit it features a very stylish emblem on the left shoulder. That is all I need, 10/10 achieved. :)


Both Jaegers are equally fiddly with the tiny parts (especially the front antenna) but at least they stand firmly on the ground which is more than you can say about some of the figures in this set. It would have been a nice touch if Bandai had opted to modify the already existing Beam Naginata weapon as an alternate weapon for the two Jaegers but at least that save me from having to buy doubles I guess...






Conclusion

Converge #22 is of course another stellar line-up of Converge figures although the lack in quality control drags down the overall impression a bit. Still, the fact that I usually do not purchase doubles of Converge figures unless they are to be converted speaks in their favour as I had a really good time kitting them out in their various configurations. I recommend picking these up now that they are still reasonably abundant in the secondary market although I noticed that the two Gundam figures have started to go up in price. By the way, has anyone seen any news about a Convere #23? I have seen half a dozen or so new releases for 2022 but so far nothing for the main retail line.