All the current super-deformed figure gambles that are coming out from Bandai Namco seem like Mayflies at best and they reminded me of another long forgotten brand that only got a couple of waves before being brusquely retired. So today we are looking back into the rearview mirror on a short-lived experiment of what could almost be described as eraser-type figurines. The Build Model Gundam series saw three waves in 2015 and features a number of mobile suits and vehicles from the original U.C.0079 television series. Each wave consists of four mobile suits and/or vehicles and a fifth equipment pack, similar to that awful practice of Mobile Suit Ensemble. This here is volume one, which was released in January 2015 at a suggested retail price of 350 yen.
01 : RX-78-2 Gundam
I find it a bit difficult to describe the gimmick about these figures but I think the images largely speak for themselves. What we have here is a small RX-78 with an enormous head, standing around 4-5cm tall. The entire figure is made up of multiple components of rubbery plastic but it is thankfully mostly pre-assembled. You can pick these figures apart to a ridiculous level but I wouldn't recommend it since the they are not intended to be recombined into whatever you fancy, rather I suspect this is a manufacturing method where colour separation comes from differently dyed plastics (or rubber or whatever this mixture is called). Articulation typically includes rotating heads, torsos, arms and hands.
The box-style and packaging are not entirely unlike that of Gundam Converge brand. This also goes for the size of both boxes and figures (hell, even the Shokugan chewing gum is the same). Aesthetically the design is of course completely different and there isn't really any figure line that proves a good match for these figures. Apart from a pair of loose beam saber handles the figure is completely unarmed, the equipment pack at the end of this set allows for multiple options though, as you can see in the examples below.
02 : RGM-79 GM
The GM is up next and it comes in this lovely minty green and red colour combination which is the best way to colour it in my opinion. You can immediately see the kinship with the Gundam figure and I think you could make a fairly convincing Sword Impulse Gundam by switching out the Gundam's torso section with the one from the GM for example.
Although the figure comes unarmed you can see provisions for carrying weapons and shields not only in hand but also at the elbow, backpack and skirt armour. Below you can see a couple of them lined up with different gear selections.
03 : MSM-07S Z'Gok (Char's Custom)
The remaining two figures represent Zeonic aquatic suits and here we drop the compatibility with the E.F.S.F. figures completely as the anatomy on the Z'Gok is completely different. The Z'Gok design is a tough nut to crack for cheap Gashapon and Shokugan figures and you will have to deal with the top of the head not attaching properly to the bottom (unless you glue everything) and you have to accept a bit of gaps and warps on Build Model Gundam figures as well as some brighter spots here and there where the material appears to have been scratched.
There are no option parts for the Z'Gok, not even a single open claw hand which is a little bit disappointing. The main issue I have with this figure is that it was only produced in red colour, it would have been nice to get the blue mass-production type as well.
04 : MSM-04 Acguy
The last mobile suit in this set is the cuddly Acguy and so I guess this unintentionally themes this set around the Jaburo Invasion plotline. The parts separation allows for some really crisp colouring and I kind of like the raised 3D-effect of the monoeye. Despite some quality control issues due to the material choice these figures still look vibrant and highly detailed and it softens my cynical consumer heart to see a group of Acguys stomping around on my desk.
Again, no option parts for the Acguy, you will have to do with one claw hand and one missile launcher hand unless of course you buy multiple figures which opens up for some interesting swapping choices.
05 : E.F.S.F. Weapon Set
This fifth and last box is truly important for the full Earth federation experience; while you can safely skip it if you are only in into the Zeon figures the weapons and shields in here are absolutely essential. The more sets you get, the more options you can have for putting multiple weapons on your GMs and Gundams at the expense of some other collector who will have to go without. The equipment and weapon set boxes are truly a result of evil at work.
Besides a beam rifle and shield for the RX-78 and a beam spray gun and similar shield for the GM we also have a real novelty in here; two of the buggies that were seen in various scenes in the show. I guess even Bandai felt a bit cheap about only tossing in a couple of weapons and so put in the effort to make the package a bit more interesting. And while the vehicles themselves are fairly basic looking and feature no crews they are great for use in various diorama work when building up scenes such as hangars and base areas.
Conclusion
While the Build Model Gundam series is more of a cheap novelty concept than something seriously worth seeking out I do find them quite charming and you can have a bit of fun kitting out your figures (provided you got hold of their accessories). Ultimately however, there are so many similarly sized figure lines that there are better choices out there if you want a larger selection of suits to work with and it is not like you will come across them on the secondary market more than on rare occasion anyway.
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