Banpresto Glitter & Glamours Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway - Gigi Andalucia

Time for something random again, how about a character figure review? This one caught my eye earlier this autumn and the low price sealed the deal. What we have here is a claw machine prize item developed under Bandai's Banpresto brand, which I thought was dead and buried by now and replaced by Bandai Spirits? Besides the JAIA (Japan Amusement Industry Association) logo we can also spot the updated blue Bandai logotype on the box but no Bandai Namco blemish, I can't keep up with the machinations of this company.


I have not come across the Glitter & Glamours brand before but a quick search will net you a random assortment of various anime characters with extremely cartoonish looks to them. I believe this is the first time a Mobile Suit Gundam character has been released in this series. The figure premiered in Japan in September and there was suddenly a healthy supply of them at Mandarake in most of their stores selling for around ¥1500 which was too much of a steal for me not to investigate further.


If you are familiar with other claw machine figures from Banpresto, SEGA or Ichiban-Kuji you will have a good idea of what to expect. These figures are typically large, fairly simplistic in their design and usually consist of a few pieces. This figure is around 25 centimeters tall and so not very suitable for posing with Gashapon.


This figure features no articulation or option parts. You simply attach the upper part to the lower through a shaped peg and then attach the feet to pegs on the base. These large figures normally do not come with other clear support pieces like you would see on smaller more bendy Gashapon figures. A huge plus here for the compact base, prize figures most of the time feature very large circular bases that give them enormous footprints and limits posing next to other figures as well.


Overall impression of the figure is that the design is very clean and stylish and just oozes of flair. The character likeness is not nearly as impressive. In fact, if you compare the figure to what is shown on the box cover it doesn't match up very well. The main problem here is obviously the enormous eyes which are way too large and set too close to each other. I wouldn't rule out inconsistencies between individual figures so there may be copies out there which look a bit more intelligent than this particular one. :)


On a completely unrelated note: When I dug out the old Universal Unit RX-105 figure for the display its various stickers came falling off like leaves on an autumn tree. It hasn't aged with grace...


Bandai also offers another figure of Gigi - with eyes that don't look like traffic lights - through their MegaHouse Gundam Girls Generation brand. That figure was released in early 2022 but you will have to spend an arm and a leg to get it, expect prizes starting around ¥8500-¥10000 and increasing with time as the figure becomes difficult to find. However if you are looking for a decent representation of Gigi Andalucia I still can't recommend this budget option.

Mobile Suit Ensemble Part 22

Ensemble Part 22 has been out for a while now, released as it was in the pleasant summer month of July. With Bandai's recent output slowing down a bit over the last couple of months I have also taken it as an excuse to focus on some other projects. On the near horizon, part 23 is scheduled for release this month, perhaps the first couple of figures are already finding their way to consumers in Japan. It will feature a very eclectic suit selection, a brave choice as the market looks rather uncertain over the winter with all the recession crap going on.


Ideally I would have wanted to wait publishing the review until I could find at least one figure from the Gashapon vending machine range but so far all I have got my hands on are the boxed versions seen here. The figures themselves are the same of course but I will replace the topside banner with the Gacha booklet once one finally comes my way. The boxed versions on the other hand were easily available on Mandarake for a long time, and I grabbed some sets which were selling for ¥2500, at the nominal MSRP price of 500 yen per figure.


If Ensemble 23 is a bit eclectic in its selection then part 22 is very traditional, we have four figures from the mid-Universal Century eras of Stardust Memory and Zeta Gundam. The mobile suit choices themselves however are all really interesting, and traditionally each one of them is a bit of an underdog compared to the other suits they would be sharing their screen time with.



138 : RX-78GP03S Gundam GP03S "Dendrobium Stamen"


Perhaps it isn't really fair to call the Dendrobium Stamen an underdog - it is the final Pokemon evolution of the GP-01 Zephyranthes after all, and gets to sit in the center of an enormous mobile armor - but as a suit it looks rather bland compared to the blue and white colours of its predecessor. As a result the Ensemble figure is also really, really white except for some blue on the torso and its feet. I went over the thing with a marker pen and you will likely want to detail yours up as well. The potential to make it great is all there in the sculpt however.


The Stamen is a really traditional Ensemble build with a couple of extra thrusters to wrap around the hip. The most peculiar design choice is the multi-part shield. The thing is split in two halves and has a center component which the outer two edges latch on to. The assembly was sturdier than I anticipated but will still fall apart very quickly if you try to handle it which is frustrating. The shield sections are made of hard plastic this time, I would speculate that this may have been a result from seeing the soft and bendy shield that featured on the GP-01 Zephyranthes which didn't looks all that great either.


The Ensemble Gundam Project family now features the GP-01, GP-02A and GP03S (and will be crowned by a large Dendrobium mobile armor that releases in the Ensemble EX line this fall). I really would have liked to see the Zephyranthes Full Burner'n in this line-up but at this point I will be happy enough if the Ensemble series itself survives to Part 24 to begin with.






139 : AGX-04 Gerbera Tetra


Next up is a really interesting mobile suit choice, and one that no doubt presented a bit of a challenge for the designers. The suit has more in common with the Sazabi than the RX-78GP04 it is based upon, and so to pull it off within the retail figure budget constraints is quite impressive I think. The suit is again, very red, and will benefit greatly from some additional detailing. The large shoulders and wide head also limit articulation quite a bit but this is to be expected from so many Ensemble figures due to their small size and proportions.


We have a lot of unusual looking runners for this figure which might be a bit confusing at first. Where does that tiny red component next to the head go for example? Luckily the new Ensemble assembly guides that Bandai uploaded to youtube are really good at explaining which parts are used where although the lighting conditions in the videos sometimes make it hard to see what really goes on for the darker coloured components. Notice the head with a donut-shaped monoeye-ring (it sits on the runner with the beam rifle). I found that the eye has a will of its own and decided to let it stare wherever it pleases. I was less impressed with the back of the head, the gap between the two head armor components feels wider than it should be and also comes with an unsightly nub mark you'll want to take care of.






140 : MSK-008 Dijeh


I never thought the day would come when we would be presented with a Dijeh figure in the Ensemble line-up (I did however expect to see it pop-up in Converge in the E.F.S.F. dark blue colours when Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative was all the rage) yet here we are. Again the designers had to deliver something to match the 500 yen price-range and the result is not bad at all. The suit looks suitably chunky although the colour tone seems a bit more green than turquoise.


The only thing I don't think turned out that well for the Dijeh is its wings, which are made from bendy plastic. These are attached to ball joints in a very tight fit on the figures back and they end up very closely together. You can still bend the wings outwards a bit but as you can see in this example it can sometimes look a bit iffy.






141 : DODAI Kai


In the freestyle slot of Part 22 we this time find a mobile suit atmospheric sub-flight system of Zeta-era fame. The DODAI Kai system supports one or two mobile suits and the Ensemble figure can easily accommodate two as well but you will have to balance it well since its footprint is really small. The two handlebars up front are compatible with the Ensemble figure hands and lets you place figures in a leaning/lying down pose although I would never stress the joints of my figures with such exercises. :)


The DODAI Kai figure really functions like a miniature model kit and again the assembly instructions are really helpful, it is a pity that they are only found online. Bandai will cancel this figure line one day, and the Ensemble webpage will probably go down with it.


The figure comes with a specialized adapter plug that lets you firmly attach any standard Ensemble mobile suit to the flight unit. Good for when you want to run around the house with the Dijeh on its back and scream whoooooooosh! until mom kicks you out, but otherwise not that essential since it nullifies any custom posing. And on that note, there are plenty of circular peg holes on the body of the DODAI Kai which are compatible with the good old Assault Kingdom action bases. This lets you create much cooler poses but you'll have to work something out for the mobile suit as well.





142 : Equipment Set for Wave 22


The equipment pack for volume 22 is a simple affair this time, and features something for everyone. Notice that Bandai have omitted the inclusion of a standardized beam saber, something we used to see a lot in the past, I guess they are banking on most of the collectors drowning in those already. The lack of a pair of standardized expressive open hands also disappoints a little as you will only find those in the premium kits.


The Dendrobium Stamen gets its two collapsible folding bazookas - you know, for those times a 140 meter and 450 tonnes mobile armor just isn't cutting it. And as usual with Ensemble figures, you'll have a bit of an issue trying to do any interesting poses with them, limited as they are by the stubby and bulky arms characteristic of the series.


The Gerbera Tetra figure gets two new accessories. The most recognizable of these to me is the large Stürm Booster thruster-pack which is a disposable unit made up of additional thrusters and a pair of large fuel tanks. These are intended to be jettisoned after use although a more permanent assembly was proposed for the improved Gerbera Tetra Kai variant. The improved design was never completed following the suit's destruction. The second feature is a completely redesigned head which matches Bandai's premium "Roll Out version" of the Gerbera Tetra. I wasn't familiar with this form of the suit before I came across this figure and don't know if it has actually appeared in any other source than that kit itself.


I found the two designs of the Gerbera tetra interesting enough to keep two figures for the collection. I should equip one of them with a beam saber for some added variation.






The Dijeh also gets two new weapon choices. One is the obvious 30cm Clay Bazooka which is also used by the A.E.U.G. in the same era (and this accessory will be a perfect option for the Rick Dias that arrives in Ensemble Part 23 since the bazooka included with that figure appears to be much smaller? The second option is a Beam Naginata which reveals that the designers glanced heavily at the Gelgoog when they designed the Dijeh in the first place. The Dijeh is a mass-production (or at least limited production) type of suit so all of these choices help to round out your squadron.






Conclusion

I am really pleased with the contents of wave 22 and it should be an easy buy for all Ensemble fans out there. In addition, the DODAI Kai flight system can be used to spice up many of your displays in general. I wonder how well the set fared though when you consider the unusual suit selection. This in fact worries me a bit for the future of Ensemble. Wave 23 will (finally) introduce the Barbatos and a Graze mass-production suit for it to battle with as well as the new Gundam Aerial. This lacks the typical Universal Century firepower that seems to attract most collectors out there. The Aerial is also now being pumped out across all figure lines simultaneously which risks creating fatigue rather than hype but I hope it can become a bit of a vitamin injection that the Gashapon and Shokugan figure ranges seem to desperately need.

Converge #Plus04 anyone?

Has anyone seen any teasers or rumours regarding the Converge #Plus series? All I have managed to find is an old rumour that preorders were supposed to start in May 2022 for a possible release in 2023 which obviously has not happened. I sure do hope this series is not a write-off even if that's how it appears at this point.

Gundam Converge vol. 4

With the relative quiet on the Converge scene right now (and a general unwillingness to start dealing with the latest Mobility Joint figures) I decided to go back in time a bit and take the opportunity to catch up on one of the really old sets. Yes, that golden age when Converge was still a novel thing and just an unassuming Shokugan toy linefor kids to collect. Volume 4 relesed in September 2011 back when the figures had a recommended retail price of ¥350.

Back when I purchased these figures I hadn't yet learned about the wonders of Mandarake and so had to spend an arm and a leg to get hold of some of these figures on the international market. You could expect to spend $10-15 USD on eBay at the time and I even had to sell out $23 for that Sinanju. There is still plenty of outrageous pricing going on at online marketplaces like eBay but some of these figures used to be quite pricey also in Japan. Prices have for the most part come down over the years, especially after the Converge #Sharp re-sculpts appeared.



21 : RX-78-2 Gundam (The Final Decisive Battle version)


The Hyper Bazooka-wielding RX-78 is the first Converge figure to be repeat although it at least comes with alternate gear. It has the classic Converge look and proportions and as you can see quite a good painting standard with no skimping on the back side. Figures from this era usually are restricted to arms that rotate at the shoulder and wiggly hands, as far as articulation goes. Many of the early figures have shaped pegs for their heads.


Because I have sat on these figures for nearly ten years some of them won't have the typical component or packaging shots but there is nothing exotic about the packaging, all the early Converges come in half a dozen parts or so and feature the clip-style leg-support that is optional for 99% of the time.


Early Converge repeat figures can usually be told apart through differences in colour or markings, whether this was intentional or not I have no idea about. The bazooka-wielding figure from this set has a very dark blue bordering on violet colour tone on its torso as its main identifier. There may well be hybrid variants floating around on the used market which is something to keep in mind.


The Converge #Sharp re-sculpt of this figure appeared in November 2021 and must be considered an enormous flop. While the new sculpt is incredibly attractive, the colouring very anime-like and the figure now featuring multiple accessories it still cannot stand up properly even when using its baseplate. The figure you see here is standing on a leaning plane so as not to fall on its face.






Secret : RX-78-3 G3 Gundam (Dual Bazooka version)


The secret item of this wave is also the first appearance of the G-3 Gundam in Converge. Up until this point the secret figure versions were simply the main item with a different weapon arm (in fact bazookas for all of them so the designers couldn't do that trick one more time...). Volume four ups the game of the secret figures with a complete colour swap - the first of many such releases.


The secret figures were always connected to their main figure versions and came packaged in the standard figure boxes effectively making them the first blind-buy items in Converge. Resellers have explained in the comments here previously that it was possible to determine which figure was which, due to the way the individual figures were packaged in the storefront boxes when shipped from the factory. An A-B type of pattern would be used which seems to indicate that the distribution between the regular and the secret figure was 50/50, effectively making the two much rarer than the other figures in the set in the process. A variant of this practice still exists in Mobile Suit Ensemble and Gashapon Senshi Forte making colour variations infuriatingly rare.


Converge never did seem to settle on what colour a G-3 Gundam is supposed to be and we have seen some really unorthodox suggestions over the years. Eventually they seem to land on lore-accurate but I still think it is kind of charming to have all these wild designs.


The Dual Bazooka G-3 re-sculpt was released in the same batch as the RX-78 and suffers from the exact same issues in spite of its very attractive looks. Bandai literally delivered a facepalm.






22 : MSN-06S Sinanju


Volume 4 is loaded with high-profile suits and after seeing the Unicorn, ReZEL and Jegan it was time to bring out the Sinanju. The first impression is that the base colour is very bright almost pinkish. This is however offset by the great looking black and gold designs even present on the kneecaps where they can barely be seen. We also have nice (if a bit sloppy) white paint detail on the thruster binders. It is going to be interesting to see how much painted detail we will get on the Mobility Joint Sinanju when it releases in November.


The Sinanju was a complex figure for its time and I think it is no coincidence that it hasn't resurfaced as a regular Converge #Sharp figure but only in EX form. The obvious lack of its iconic shield seems like an apparent budget constraint.


There are three different variants of the Sinanju in Converge. Seen at the top is the 2012 figure which corrects all the issues of the previous retail edition; sporting a darker and metallic red colour and equipping the missing shield (and also a variant of its beam rifle with the underslung launcher). This figure is obtainable in the Converge SP 02 pack together with a Destroy Mode Unicorn. Seen below is the upgraded re-sculpt from the 2018 Full Weapon Set edition (EX 23) which also comes with multiple weapon choices and a display stand.






23 : LM312V04 Victory Gundam


Victory gets a surprisingly early entry into the Converge line-up with its two main mobile suit variants. It would be crickets from here on however until 2015 when Bandai revisited the V2 and then finally expanded the line-up in 2020. The basic Victory Gundam figure looks a bit plain which can be explained by its somewhat toned down colour scheme but the sculpt itself is very detailed so if you are equipped with a thin brush and a lot of patience you can really turn it up a couple of notches.






24 : LM314V21 Victory Two Gundam


Things get more interesting with the introduction of the V2 which features more colour in its design. Still, by modern standard you have to consider these figures rather limited compared to what would follow. As with many Converge figures a lot of design work goes into the eyes but these end up being hidden underneath a massive forehead most of the time (unlike on the box art which always features intensely glowing eyes).


Old but gold: The mandatory Converge League Militaire line-up: LM312V04 Victory Gundam (Converge 23), LM314V21 Victory Two Gundam (Converge 24), LM314V24 Victory 2 Assault Gundam (Converge 110), LM314V23 Victory 2 Buster Gundam (Converge 117) and the LM314V23/24 V2 Assault-Buster Gundam (Converge 110+117).


The Victory line has benefitted a lot in the Converge #Sharp era, perhaps more so than any other Gundam franchise with the exception of Crossbone. Where the Principality of Zeon re-sculpts were (for some incomprehensible reason) sized down the Victory Gundams instead keep growing. The fact that the V2 is smaller than the Victory is due to it being released first and Bandai obviously didn't feel happy enough about that size either. :) Just like the Sinanju, the early Victory figures would have benefitted a lot from carrying shields.






25 : MS-14S Gelgoog (Char's Custom)


The Gelgoog figure was one of the first Converge figures I got my hands on after that fateful first encounter at an Okashiland store in Hong Kong. It has everything that I am attracted to in a figure; uncomplicated, robust (well, consider gluing that antenna...) and very colourful. The figure has a gimmicky Zeon monoeye but since it is hidden in shadow for most of the time you don't really need to mess with it I feel. The shield is designed to go on the left arm and there isn't any peg on the figure's back for optional storage. The hand is molded directly on the weapon and has a semi-decent paintjob to separate the two.


The Converge #Sharp re-sculpt from 2017 refines the figure design further and tones down some of the colour choices. The new figure also introduces a new Beam Naginata weapon and a shield that can be mounted on the back, however the shield loses its window in the process.






26 : YMS-15 Gyan


The Gyan is one of those figures that traded at really high prices on the Japanese secondary market although it seems to have come down somewhat after the reissue but it still remains a really attractive and unique Converge figure. A lot of the oomph-factor comes from its thick translucent beam saber (which shows that yes, the Victory could indeed have got a beam shield if they really wanted it to). The figure is very sturdy, but again look out for that tip of the head when shopping for used figures which could easily be lost.


The left arm has a long peg intended for the shield from which it is never intended to part. It would have been nice to have the missiles that are stored in the center section of the shield painted black - it is not something I would want to try myself because I am bound to mess at least one of them up. :)


We saw the re-sculpted Gyan recently in one of the Converge Anniversary Selection sets released in January this year. I haven't really taken a liking to the new version even though it is more colour accurate, something about the size of its head feels way off and the new saber looks pretty timid in comparison to the old one. It is utterly ironic too, that both my Gyan figures have a black spot on the left cheek, are Bandai trying to gaslight me by any chance?






Conclusion

While some of the older figures may appear a bit dated by today's Converge standard there is a lot to like about their simplicity and overall uniformity when it comes to size and presentation, ideal for side by side display which isn't always the case with the new #Sharp figures. If you are just starting your Converge adventure this is a good time as the Japanese secondary market is pretty well stocked and it is certainly more fun to dive in among the retail figures before throwing down your money in the sinkhole that is Premium Bandai.