Today we are taking a look at an Ichiban Kuji lottery prize figurine set which released in the M.S. Conclusion Vol.1 wave. They are manufactured by Bandai under the Bandai Spirits imprint which recently replaced the Banpresto brand. Lottery tickets were made available in the summer of 2020 (apparently from June 20 according to what I have seen online). Tickets were priced at ¥950 and the prize range includes various gimmicky items such as A4-size document files with motives from Char's Counterattack and smaller hand towels with Gundam line-art on them. The main prize (level A) is a 16cm tall RX-93 Nu Gundam which is significantly larger than the figures we are taking a look at here.
The Solid Essence range of figures follow a kind of Gashapon distribution model with six different figures all packaged in the same type of box. I picked these up over a six month period and the individual prices for each figure varied between ¥800 and ¥1500 for the revealed figures and ¥2500 for the secret item. Amusingly, the highest prized regular was the Acguy, a mobile suit that has achieved a bizarre level of cult status.
Each figure comes packaged in a multi-section plastic bag of the type commonly used for Gashapon and Shokugan figures. This helps keeping their stylish paint detail fresh until you begin abusing them.
Parts-wise the figures typically come with a loose head and arms giving you the most basic of articulation options. The Acguy is an exception of course with its peculiar anatomy. Each figure also comes with a large circular base which thankfully is not needed to display them.
RX-78-2 Gundam
The RX-78 figure has a very original television series feel about it, except for the myriad of creative markings and symbols scattered across all sides of the figure. The face also has a lot of detail but that is about as much play value you can get out of it. The figures in this set would work really well in dioramas were you need something parked in a hangar or in the background on your base. The fact that the figures do not feature any accessories (except for the Gouf which has its built in whip) reinforces this characteristic.
MS-06S Zaku II (Char's Custom)
Char's Zaku does not feature as crazy many markings as the Gundam but has different shades of red and pink instead. The strange colour gradient on its legs almost shifts into blue on the lower legs. The backside of the figure by contrast looks a bit bare, now that the eye has gotten used to all the little details everywhere.
MS-06F Zaku II
The mass-production type Zaku clearly displays the odd colouring choice of working with various tones of green on the arms and legs. The closer you get to the center of the torso, the more traditional the colours get. I think this is the one of all the figures in this set that most closely resembles the typical Real Type-designs we have seen in other figure sets. The figure looks a little naked without weapons but I am really enjoying the design.
MS-07B Gouf
The Gouf might just be the best looking suit of this lot with a colour scheme that gives it a more weathered look (sharply contrasted by its crisp factory fresh white markings).
MSM-04 Acguy
The adorable little Acguy doesn't even reach the shoulders of the other figures but makes up for it in style. The warm reddish brown colour coupled with the same weathered look and clear stylish markings as the Gouf really makes it stand out in any line-up.
RX-78-2 Gundam (Real Type Color)
As you might expect, the secret figure is a re-colored variation on the RX-78. And with the Zeonic suits given the Real Type Color treatment it seems only logical to have the green Gundam join in as well. However, I think this figure is drawing very close towards bluish-gray rather than moss green. Several figures in this set have some really exotic palette choices.
Size wise the Solid Essence Collection figures slot in somewhere between the Gashapon HG and the various 1:220 series, at roughly 1:250 scale. This means that they match pretty much nothing else out there save for a couple of really obscure figure sets (the Banpresto MTSS selection comes to mind).
(M.S.) Conclusion
Overall, this is a nice and unique looking figure collection but it won't necessarily display all that well with your other figurines - making it rather pointless to hunt them out. It has now been almost two years since their release and I would wager the chances of seeing an extension of the line-up as extremely slim but I guess one can always secretly hope for a Real Type Color Gelgoog or Dom somewhere down the line.
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