Volume 24 is a typical set of its time, it consists of seven different figures and mainly showcases figures from one era - in this case Char's Counterattack - with a couple of extras thrown in at the end. It was released in September 2002 and was complemented by a couple of thematically adjacent figures released in Mecha Selection Part 4 that same year. Additional figures focused on Char's Counterattack can also be found in volumes 23 and 30 respectively.
Each figure typically comes wrapped in a couple of smaller plastic bags. The photo shows the partial assembly of the figures as they come out of these bags, further disassembly is usually also possible.
RX-93 Nu Gundam
The ever popular Nu Gundam actually only made three appearances in the Gashapon HG figure line, no doubt due to the challenges of fitting it into the standard capsule. There was a pretty abysmal attempt made in volume 2 and it would take many years until this new attempt was made. The enormous Fin Funnels provided a challenge for the designers but I think they did a good job here. Overall the painting of the figure is also on a good level for a cheap Gashapon figure, we have lots of black and metal detail also on the backside as well as Amuro's insignia on the left shoulder and shield. The Bazooka is included as a weapon stored on the back and both weapons feature the attractive black and white colour scheme. The pose is also very good looking, all around a really pleasant design.
The Nu Gundam returned once more in Gashapon HG volume 30 armed with a translucent beam saber. That figure does not include the Fin Funnel pack but at least retains the bazooka on its back.
MSN-04 Sazabi
It would take Bandai 24 volumes of HG figures before they managed to squeeze in the Sazabi. The Nu Gundam might be challenging with all its pointy bits but the Sazabi is just an enormous bulk and as such has to be downscaled a little to fit but I think the figure still looks formidable enough. The red plastic does come out very toy-like and there aren't as many interesting paint applications as on the Nu Gundam but at least the insignias on the skirt armour and shield are there in full glory. I don't really like the way the Funnels are swept back so far you don't see them peek out above the shoulders, I prefer when they are allowed to tilt forward a bit.
The Sazabi made two appearances in the HG line, it returned in volume 30 armed with its large beam saber to be able to duel with the Nu Gundam from that set. The figure from 24 feels a bit bigger but I do like the display of the funnel pack on the later figure.
The two figures look great when displayed together, a real highlight of this set for sure. Still, there are many more interesting figures to cover, let's keep moving...
AMS-119 Geara Doga
The Geara Doga is a large and intimidating mass production suit but the appearance here seems a little timid. The HG version of the figure feels very slim but at least comes with well sculpted detail on its shoulders, backpack and large beam machine gun. Still, every time I find one I hurry to incorporate it into my collection so it must be doing something right... Notice the hilt of the Beam Sword-Axe on the back of the skirt armour.
RGM-89 Jegan
We have a Feddie mass production suit in this set as well; Amuro will be backed up by this very good looking Jegan type A. The sculpt is magnificent and there are enough colour applications to keep things interesting. There are of course no other Geara Doga or Jegan figures in the Gashapon HG line save for Rezyn's blue Geara Doga in the complementary Mecha Selection range.
MS-05 Zaku I (The Origin)
This is the third appearance of the Zaku I in the Gashapon HG line and this time it is included in its The Origin style, easily identifiable by the yellow and black danger marking on its right shoulder. Unfortunately, the designers haven't done anything interesting with what they have on their hands. The Zaku I has access to numerous interesting weapons, not the least in the Origin storyline with bazookas and anti ship-rifles and what do we get? The same tired Captain Gadem suicide ice hockey attack. Lame. I have to say though, the sculpt is looking really good and crisp, too bad they didn't do something interesting with it.
Comparison photo with the standard Universal Century Zaku I from HG volume 9, released all the way back in 1999. This clearly shows the massive improvement in quality that the HG series underwent in just a few years. Imagine a set of four different Zaku I figures of this era sculpted in completely different poses and using a wide range of weapons, it would be wild!
RX-77-1 Guncannon (The Origin)
The Guncannon is not supposed to be a terribly interesting or complex machine, yet at this point its development history is very confusing and full of incremental revisions not only in style but name. Can you tell apart the RX-77-1 from the RX-77, RX-77-1A, RCX-76-02 or RCX-76-01B? You can't even find an RX-77-1 on the Gundam Wiki but if you dig around a bit you can find an image of a master grade RX-77-01 Origin conversion kit. The whole thing is a mess. Call it whatever you want, Bandai has named this thing the RX-77-1 and it features the early three-finger claw-style manipulators as well as "Pre-Jaburo"-style shoulder cannons and a unique looking beam rifle. Whatever whole this thing crawled out from it sure looks good, much better than the classic RX-77-2 figure at least.
Gashapon HG evolution of the Guncannon - the Mark I from the Origin on the left, one of the classic RX-77-2's (here is a figure form volume 12 released in 1999) as well as a unique RX-77-4 Guncannon II figure from volume 38, released in September 2005. The Mark 4 has yet to make an appearance in any other figure line.
An Origin style duel where the outcome seems a bit unclear. There were a total of seven different The Origin figures produced for the Gashapon HG line with two Gundams and a Guncannon on the Federation side and four different Zakus for the spacenoids.
MS-06J Zaku II Ground Type
In the last spot we have another mini-diorama figure. The Gashapon HG line was toying with these for a short stint and here we have a Ground Type Zaku II wading in water among rocky outcrops of a tropical coast, Alegranza island perhaps? Notice the weathered appearance and the Cracker grenade attached to the side skirt. The particular figure on display here suffers from a very droopy Zaku bazooka, as always the figures shift in individual quality. I like these little thematic mini displays pieces although they don't really fit in with the other figures but may occasionally brighten up a larger diorama setting.
Conclusion
Pretty middle of the road here; if you are familiar with Gashapon HG figures you will encounter no surprises here. The set is cruical if you are looking to gather figures from the Char's Counterattack timeline and there are no duds here as far as I am concerned. As usual, availability of these old figures is pure happenstance; they are not expensive in Japan - expect to pay around 1500 yen for the full set - but the main challenge will be finding them.
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