So... the Mobility Joint figures arrived and they look absolutely terrifying to deal with. They are going to take some sorting out so I dug up something from the ol' archive meanwhile. Instead we are looking at a set from Bandai's Emotive Figure collection. This range of character figures ran between 2005 and 2006 and features sets from Mobile Suit Gundam, Zeta Gundam, SEED and SEED Destiny. They are best recognizable through their white bases, although shapes are not always square but sometimes rectangular or even oval.
The characters in this set are all taken from the last scene credits of the extended version of SEED Destiny which originally aired in December 2005. The set is the sixth and last of the EF SEED Destiny themed releases and should have been released sometime around the summer of 2006. The product code on the box seems to indicate a retail price of ¥300.
To aid in their identification, we can point out the following markings on the boxes and the bases themselves:
Product Code: 727291-0136646-300
Barcode: 4543112 36646 7
These codes are also found underneath their bases. Each matching sprue with clear support parts also has the same number 1-6 in the corner. Kira Yamato: 36646 #1
Lacus Clyne: 36646 #2
Athrun Zala: 36646 #3
Meyrin Hawke: 36646 #4
Shinn Asuka: 36646 #5
Lunamaria Hawke: 36646 #6
The figures come in blind boxes with two bags and a quick assembly instruction (which is often crumbled into the corner...). Since these are Shokugan they would also come with an individually wrapped chewing gum but these figures were so old that the seller removed them.
Lacus Clyne
The fashion on display in SEED is quite ridiculous at times and this seems like a really good example. The figure is pretty spot on though and has plenty of detail like the laces on the boots. The combination of a heavy piece of plastic air and tiny feet means you'll want to rely on the action base to display it. You won't see me using the clear support pieces in this review, which are basically there to add some support to one of the legs. While you don't need such supports for a bit of quick display like this I would recommend using it if you intend to keep the figure displayed over a longer period of time to lessen the risk of the material starting to warp with time.
Bandai also released a smaller sized set of Gashapon figures themed on this exact same scene in July 2006, presumably more or less at the same time as these figures were released. You will see comparison between the EF selection figures and the smaller HGIF figures like this for each figure in this review.
Kira Yamato
Like the other male figures in this set the Kira figure will typically stand upright without any aid although you do come across figures where the plastic might still be slightly warped and so require the base anyway. Notice the painted detail on the hair.
The character likeness is much better on the smaller HGIF figure. The weird pose of the HGIF figures is due to it being designed to display next to the Lacus figure. The EF figures also share this concept idea but don't really interact with each other.
Shinn Asuka
What are you wearing Shinn? I think you may have got something stuck in your belt there. The likeness is a bit off also on this figure, I think it is the eyes that are a bit small.
That is some really heavy weathering on the HGIF figure, it looks like he has been working on the car before the photo shoot. Notice how the smaller figures have modular legs, how else will you be able to fit inside that Gashapon ball?
Lunamaria Hawke
One of the best figures from this set, very good likeness and an elegant pose. The fashion isn't quite as bad as the others... You can get this figure to stand up unaided but it will topple over very easily.
The smaller figure has a very awkward pose and interestingly the proportions of the jacket are very different. The big clear base that goes with the Gashapon version is also pretty horrible.
Meyrin Hawke
Both of these Hawke sister figures are really well designed, I guess the designers have had a lot of practice. You'll definitely need a base for this one.
The Gashapon figure is given a seated pose and a very odd and generic bar-stool like seat. This seat has been recycled from earlier figures in that same figure series where it appeared in different colours. Notice the different eye sizes and a necklace changing colours.
Athrun Zala
There is something off about the head size of the Athrun figure, other than that it has a really great pose and it captures the likeness well.
You get rather different vibes from these two figures even though the poses are quite similar. Once again, look at the large plastic support that goes with the smaller Gashapon figure (the white base it stands on is from another figure just to get up to the same level of the larger figure).
The figures in this set are intended to be displayed in pairs. Since their poses are so generic you can easily mix and match them around since there is no interaction going on between any of the figures.
Overall, the EF figure series is great all around and an excellent way to collect Gundam characters. They are not so easy to find these days but the prices are usually quite reasonable.
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