Universal Unit : MSM-07E Z'Gok Experiment

One of the Shokugan newcomers during 2016 was the Assault Kingdom successor Universal Unit. The line has had a really busy release schedule. Since its launch in August last year Bandai managed to churn out no less than 14 different mobile suits, several of them large or huge size. Quite the feat when you consider that we are talking about model kits here. A rather bold statement by Bandai also, before seeing the reception among the fans. I don't really see or hear much about Universal Unit but considering another ten different mobile suits (including one giant mobile armor) are already out or planned for the first half of 2017 the series shows no signs of slowing down.

One of the kits from 2016 I was most interested in is the mighty Z'Gok Experiment (which by the way I will continue to refer to as Z'Gok Experimental). This figure has also proved to be fairly uncommon, especially when compared to the other larger "one mobile suit" UN2-releases such as the Xi Gundam and Xeku Zwei. Price probably factors in here, since the Z'Gok Experiment has a suggested price of ¥ 1500 where the other large kits are in the range of ¥ 2500 to ¥ 4500.

With a price equal to three standard Universal Unit figures the Z'Gok-E is still a bit on the expensive side. It is especially ridiculous when you compare it to the High Grade 1/144 proper model kit which is currently selling for around ¥ 1000 with Japanese online sites. I've commented on this before, but I still don't understand the philosophy behind this entire figure line.

So what is it we are getting in the box? Well, apart from the basic Z'Gok-E figure we also have a couple of bonus parts to be used by the MSM-03C Hygogg. The Hygogg figure was also released on the same day but as part of the second wave of regular Universal Unit figures.

MSM-07E Z'Gok Experimental

If we begin with the Z'Gok-E it is pretty much a standard UN2 figure with a little bit of extra colour applications. The anatomy of the Universal Unit figures is very generic and the pattern is very recognizable here. However we have some nice light grey, red and black detail where perhaps a basic UN2 figure would have had stickers in place or omitted the detail entirely. I actually didn't mess that much with my figure since the look you get out of the box is a pretty good starting point.

As usual with the Universal Unit figures you should exercise some caution when removing the parts from the runners since you can easily end up with ugly marks at the connecting points. Here I didn't bother too much about it but if you want your figure to be as perfect as possible you may want to study some videos with techniques for parts removal, typically using nippers and multiple cutting. The arms are especially problematic. Each arm has two connection points in the painted areas so you will end up with ugly dark spots here. I did a quick paint over with some acrylic paint I had available which you can easily see on the following photos. I also added some red detail in places.

Because the Z'Gok-E is a bulky Zeon design with thick legs and sturdy feet you will have little trouble posing this figure. This mobile suit pulls off poses that the RX-78 can only dream about.

The Z'Gok-E comes with two stickers for its body, the Zeonic logo on the chest (in almost the right colour...) and the awesome Cyclops Team badge. The rest of the sticker sheet is intended for the Hygogg parts which we will check out further below.

The figure comes with two sets of hands; claws spread open or stabbing forward. It is easy to change these on the fly and they rotate easily at the wrist for some extra customization.

The box includes two Hydrojet Booster packs, one of which can be attached to either the Z'Gok-E or the Hygoggs. I have some issues with this since most UN2 fans will most likely have both the Hygogg variants so we are one booster pack short. Of course you can go all-in and purchase two Z'Gok-E:s and a third Hygogg if you want to build a full Cyclops Team but it feels a bit like a missed opportunity.

Then there is of course the main gripe I have with all the basic Universal unit figures. Hello, action base connection points!? I hoped that perhaps this figure might be getting an action base in its box, just like the Xi Gundam did. But no. And there are of course no pegs or holes on the figure to make it compatible with any type of stand either. How do the designers sleep at night?

Messing with bits and pieces from the Assault Kingdom figure action bases, since nothing of the sort is included with the Z'Gok-E.

Still, Bandai could have fouled up this figure a lot more if they wanted and I would still have purchased it. I am really happy about a Z'Gok-E finally appearing in the 1/220 scale. To my knowledge this is the first time this mobile suit becomes available in my go-to Shokugan scale, so it was a necessity for the collection. As far as I am aware it has also never materialized in any of the larger figure series such as Robot Spirits, MSIA or even Fix Figuration. Thankfully there are many excellent Gashapon-incarnations of it though.

Bandai seems to have problems deciding what colour a Z'Gok-E is supposed to be. Here the UN2 Z'Gok-E poses with some of its smaller Gashapon predecessors. From left to right: Gundam Collection (1/400), Gsight (1/350), Strategy of Gundam (1/300) and HG MS Selection (non-scale, ca 1/250).

MSM-03C Hygogg Optional Parts Set

Apart from the Hydrojet booster pack attached to the Z'Gok-E we also get the following components in the box: A second Hydrojet booster pack and two missile canisters. One opened and one closed, as well as two missiles.

As mentioned earlier we can use the two booster packs on either the two Hygoggs or placing one on the Z'Gok-E. Too bad we didn't get three sets in the box.

The two Hand Missile Units are quite well designed and clearly a lot of thought has gone into them. The closed canister is simply snapped together around a Hygogg hand and lower arm, while the opening canister has a sturdy connector piece that locks in place on the Hygogg's wrist. The canister is then attached onto it.

Another constant pain with the Universal Unit figures is the frustrating stickers. As soon as they are intended to wrap around something they have a knack for releasing their grip rapidly. Back in the days when I build model kits we only used water slide decals which are an absolute pleasure to use compared to these PITA-stickers. Ambitious builders will surely want to paint these areas white instead. I might actually give it a shot myself at some point because these stickers will clearly not survive into the 2020s.

Below you can see the connecting piece snapped in place sturdily on the Hygogg's wrist.

And here is the assembled Hand Missile Unit in place, ready to surprise unsuspecting E.F.F. units. As you can see the pieces line up with each other very neatly.

Opening up for a nasty surprise. Also notice the missile attached to the palm of the hand. It looks a bit unimpressive to be honest, more like an extra finger...

Playing around with a beam saber and some action base components from the Assault Kingdom figures. It shouldn't be too hard to create something like this.

Conclusion

Overall I think the Universal Unit Z'Gok Experimental is a really nifty figure. Even if you do not appreciate the mobile suit itself it is pretty much worth getting for pimping your Hygogg figures alone. The basic Hygogg figures felt a bit naked but here they are getting a lot of what was missing; all the missing accessories and snazzy unit insignias.

Of course it is still poor sportsmanship on the part of Bandai forcing you to buy a Z'Gok-E for the privilege of getting these Hygogg components but as well all know, that is how they choose to play their game. I think I will refrain from getting a third UN2 Hygogg just to complete the Cyclops Team, we have great figures available in the STANDart and Universal Operation figures lines that do the job just as well. And the actual model kit builders will of course have ignored this kit entirely and gone for a High Grade or something already...

Gundam Converge #05

Just in time for Valentine's, Converge #05 decided to show up at my doorstep. Our relationship is currently on its fourth year already so we didn't bother with any useless courting gifts and went straight to work. As usual with the new Converge format, we have a set comprised of six figures, in this case without any variations or secret items. I can't begin to explain how refreshing this feels for a simple fan trying to keep up with the Converge line. The basic figures are what Converge is really about and they always provide good value for money.

Converge #05 released officially on January 24th 2017 and are sold as individual figures at a price of ¥500. Volume 5 gathers figures from wildly different sources and timelines, which is a typical and enjoyable aspect of Converge as far as I am concerned.

The bigger the plastic bag, the more intricate the figure design. Converge #05 has a couple of standouts in this regard, which are balanced by some less complex figures.

144 : It is easy to see where most of the budget for wave five went. The RX-93-v2 Hi-Nu Gundam is not only the first figure in the set but easily the most luxurious of the lot. If all standard Converge figures were up to this level they would not be costing a mere five hundred yen.

The RX-93-v2 has always been one of those chock-full of bling Gundam designs with bits and pieces sticking out all over the place (think Sazabi or Freedom Gundam for example). To solve this, the Converge figure relies on a lot of separate pieces with fine precision built into them, and the paintjob and logos fall rather close to CORE territory. This is one of those figures that bridge the gap between regular figures and the EX/CORE families (making you wonder why the latter two have to exist in the first place...).

I don't have a whole lot of insight into the Hi-Nu Gundam but as far as I understand it from some of our readers this version is based on the Ver. Ka (for modernized designs by Katoki Hajime) although this is not particularly mentioned on the box itself. What I can see though, is how much this version differs from the older Hi-Nu that shipped with the Operation Revive box sets (in 2014 and 2015 respectively).

Comparing the new RX-93-v2 with its earlier Converge appearance.

The new version of the Converge Hi-Nu has been cleaned up and has a much more angular and slim look when compared to the previous figure. Another notable difference is the increased size of the head and in particular the V-Fin. The original figure was no slouch either, so even though the new figure is an upgunned design it doesn't necessarily mean that I think it looks any better. In the end it will come down to personal preference (I still prefer the first design myself).

Converge Hi-Nu Gundam evolution: Original version from Operation Revive box set (February 2014), the pearl-color edition from the "Overseas Only" Operation Revive sequel (August 2015) and the new RX-93-v2 from Converge #05.

Whichever way you choose to look at it, the new Hi-Nu figure will sell like hot cake, especially when you consider how tricky it was to get hold of the first version. Either figure has a given space in any Converge collection as far as I'm concerned. Don't sleep on it.

145 : ASW-G-08 Gundam Barbatos Lupus. Following the excesses of the Hi-Nu Gundam figure the Lupus comes off as exceedingly simple as you take it out of the box. Snap on the (ridiculously large) V-fin and stick that baseball bat in its hand and you are done. That's not to say it is in any way an inferior design, it just gets the job done with less bells and whistles.

The Barbatos Lupus is an evolution of the earlier Barbatos figure and the more you study the Converge figure the more you will see all the intricate detail that went into its design. It is easy to miss tiny detail like the little green decals markings on its kneecaps for example.

The original Barbatos figure from Converge #02 is quite a bit shorter than the new figure and although it also has a very large V-fin on its head that one doesn't bother me as much. It seems we get a couple of crazy designs like this every now and then (think the Converge Asshimar for example).

So far we have seen a total of four mobile suits drawn from the Iron Blooded Orphans series enter the Converge line, and they are all very solid figures. I do hope we get to see some more grunt suits like the EB-06 Graze to flesh out the group a little.

Not sure just exactly how popular the IBO figures are with Converge fans but the model kit builders seem to have embraced them so hopefully we can see some more appearing in Converge as well.

146 : With the Barbatos Lupus being one of the most recent Gundam designs the RX-160 Byarlant can be said to be a true veteran at this point. It is pretty fascinating when you realize that 30 years have passed between Zeta Gundam and Iron Blooded Orphans, yet the two mobile suits can stand next to each other without looking any awkward. Well, unless you consider the fact that the Byarlant is perhaps one of the more awkward mobile suit designs with its lumbering Gorilla look, which is exaggerated even more in the Converge representation.

The Byarlant figure is another one of those "simple" Converge builds. You will however have to cut out its yellow antennas from a plastic runner and attach each separately although this should present you with no particular trouble. The two arms are very symmetrical and seem to fit just as fine on either side of the body. Not to worry though, the designers have made the pegs a slightly different size. Nothing is left to chance here...

The Byarlant has a pretty ominous looking monoeye which can be a tricky to spot under its brow, a problem it shares with a very large number of Converge figures. They look down to the ground but since they are no longer 18 meters tall it can be tricky for a viewer to enjoy this spectacle. Overall the Byarlant figure is nice if a bit basic, one of those middle of the road things that have to exist for the Hi-Nus to be able to spread their wings in glory I guess. Still, a beam saber for the Byarlant would have been much appreciated.

147 : We've seen a couple of Celestial Being mobile suits in the recent Converge waves with the GN-003 Gundam Kyrios being the third and as it appears, last of them. It was really about time for Bandai and FusionWorks to feature the Dynames and Kyrios into the line. We've seen so many variations on the Exia / 00 / Qan[t] and here finally it has something other to pose with.

All the Mobile Suit Gundam 00 designs are fairly intricate and complex, not to mention tall and slim.  Ironically the Converge format therefore seems to suit these figures well. The short and compact limbs of Converge figures should give the engineers a bit of a break, allowing them to avoid delicate and easy to snap components. Let's just say I don't expect these to be featured in the Universal Unit line-up any time soon.

Those... eyes.

The Converge Kyrios is also a superbly detailed mobile suit and is one of those unusual figures that look almost as good when viewed from behind. When you compare it to the Converge Exia it suffers from the same "basic" feel as the Dynames, no optional equipment or beam sabers here.

Converge Celestial Being line-up: GN-001 Exia (Converge #02, April 2016), GN-002 Dynames (Converge #04, October 2016) and GN-003 Kyrios (Converge #05, January 2017). Several older variants of the Exia / 00 / Qan[T] also exist.

We now have the core Celestial Being line-up available in Converge (still missing the Virtue) and it seems as if Bandai have turned their attention to other timelines. I am still hoping for more MSG 00 designs; especially from the various opposing forces whose mobile suits are all pretty spectacular and unique looking beasts. I will admit that the chance of this actually happening seems pretty slim.

148 : RMS-179 GM II (also known as the RGM-79R for upgraded original RGM-79 units). Ahhh... finally a proper grunt suit in this set! The GM mark II is a modestly revised bog-standard GM and I guess you can say the same for the Converge GM II. It sure has a lot in common with the original RGM-79 figure.

The first Converge GM was rolled out from Jaburo in June 2011 and not a great deal has changed in these five and half years. As you can see in the comparison shots below the new figure is more defined and precise in its appearance but there isn't really a whole lot to differentiate it from its ancestor.

Gundam Converge GM evolution: RGM-79 GM (Converge vol. 3, released June 2011, RMS-179 GM II (Converge #05, January 2017) and the RGM-86R GM III (from Converge vol. 13, released December 2013).

One peculiar detail in the figure's presentation is how the box text specifies the mobile suit user as Titans/A.E.U.G. While technically correct the actual figure is painted in the standard Earth Federation colours (compare the various liveries on the Gundam Wiki) so this seems a bit misleading. While I won't make a fuss about the minor differences between Titans and E.F.F. colours you can be sure that I will attempt to acquire multiples of this figure for conversion into A.E.U.G. and perhaps Titans Test Team service.

More GMs! The original figure with Beam Spray Gun from volume 3, the Operation Jaburo box-set repaint (December 2012), the "secret" beam saber wielding "revival selection" GM  from volume 18 (March 2015) and the GM II and GM III as specified earlier.

It is nice to see the GM return to Gundam Converge and although the figure is a bit basic I am sure it will be quite popular with collectors out there so you probably want to secure yours before long.

149 : Holy moly! Coming in at the end of Converge #05 is perhaps the figure I was the most excited about for this set. The RMS-179 GM II Semi Striker is an outrageous gladiator-style GM with a crazy beam spear close combat weapon. As cool as it is I doubt it would have much survivability on a Universal Century era battlefield.

The figure itself is not just a simple repaint of the GM II but FW have taken time and attention into sculpting new accurate shoulder armor as well as a new left arm which also replaces the standard shield for a more close combat oriented one. Not that anything of that will matter to you because your eyes will be drawn to the crazy good looking beam spear with its two translucent tips. One word accurately describes it: Awesome.

Although not technically accurate, I will definitely aim to get a second unit and have it painted up as a RGM-79FP GM Striker. It would deeply shock me if this doesn't turn out to be a fan favourite among the Converge collectors. It is just crazy good looking.

Conclusion

Overall I feel that Converge #05 has something for everyone. Even the more basic figures in the set look very appealing. Once again a fine testament to the work being carried out by FusionWorks and Bandai. It is an easy recommendation to pick up all the figures in this set.

As you probably already know, Converge #06 has already been announced since a while back, planned for retail in April. However, the second part of the year is still shrouded in mystery. The Converge line-up for Q1/Q2 is pretty dense and I hope that we will see more Converge news rolled out for the latter half of 2017 as well.