Strategy of Gundam 2 : Odessa Campaign

As the One Year War dragged on the Earth Federation began a massive effort to deny the Principality of Zeon its mining operations in Central Asia. During this campaign a massive EFF army challenged a far smaller contingent of Zeon forces, although the latter was enjoying a massive advantage in available mobile suits. Exactly what this has to do with The 08th MS Team I do not know, but Bandai still decided to theme this set of figures after the Odessa Campaign.


This is the second Strategy of Gundam set and was released as randomized Gashapon in the Autumn of 2006. While I have never seen the figures in their original packaging I am going to go ahead and assume that they were available from capsule machines and came in whatever contemporary capsules were used in the day (probably of the same type as the near in size Gashapon HG figures). Originally sold at a price of ¥200 the figures remain cheap for the most part as long as you hunt for them in Japan, while tending to be overpriced on the overseas market. I recently picked up another set from Mandarake for a total of ¥800 and figured I may as well review it since most of my other S.O.G. figures don't have any unboxing photos.


Since we haven't really discussed S.O.G. in great detail on the blog before I'll just mention a couple of things about them in general. As far as Gashapon figures go, I'd say these are some of the most detailed and colour accurate figures out there (not counting pricier Shokugan figures like STANDart). Besides upholding a good painting standard many sets also feature weathering or washes to further enhance their appeal. Articulation varies from figure to figure but you can usually get a couple of poses out of each of them. All figures are meant to adhere to the 1:300 scale which means you get some really beefy looking mobile suits like the Zock or the Hy-Gogg in the mix. On the flipside they do not really scale well with other figures out there except some of the various Banpresto/Unifive keyring figure series and the occasional undersized Gashapon HG figure.


RX-79[G]Ez-8 Gundam Ez8


While the Ground Type Gundam is a real staple in many figure series the Ez-8 seems to be less popular with the manufacturers. It is also a bit puzzling that neither it nor the base RX-79 have been featured in the Converge reboot series yet, especially when you consider how they are down and mucking about in rare F91 and League Militaire variations at this point. The S.O.G. version of the Ez8 is a traditional looking figure armed with a heavy BLASH XBR-M-79E Beam Rifle and the iconic RGM·S-Sh-WF/S-00116·Ap-A Shield as well as an empty carrying frame on the back. Notice the attention to detail where the colour of the shield differs from the main mobile suit, a cheaper figure would not always be this accurate (in this case it probably helps that the Ground Gundam is up next...). It would have been nice to have the number 08 on the shield in some form but you can easily amend this yourself if you want to.




RX-79[G] Ground Type Gundam


Next up we have the basic RX-79[G] also in a moderate action pose which is not too extreme from an army building point of view. The armament is a bit lacking, coming only with a YHI YF-MG100 100mm Machine Gun and the same shield as the Ez-8. It would have been really nice if there had been a second variant of this figure in the set armed with the 180mm cannon and the classic backpack. Later S.O.G. waves feature A/B figure variants of GMs and Zakus so in this case I guess the RX-79 would have been a bit more interesting if it had been released later down the line.


This figure does have one gimmick however - an optional Ground Type GM head for your Karen Joshua custom ride. Again notice the attention to detail in the colouring of the head, too bad the series doesn't feature a full RGM-79[G] as well because it would have looked great. And on the topic of rarely seen mobile suits, I don't get why the attractive Ground Type GM isn't a common figure appearance either.




RX-75 Guntank Mass Production Type


Here is another really rare bird, the mass production type Guntank. Perhaps Limited Production Guntank would have been a better designation because onyl a handful appear to have been built before being replaced by the far sexier RMV-1 Guntank II (Converge figure, where are you?). The figure is basically a redesigned Guntank with very long barrels for its new 120mm Low-Recoil Cannons. Since S.O.G. figures are made out of bendy soft plastic you can expect these to be slightly out of shape for the most part.


Paired up with the RX-75-4 Guntank from the first S.O.G. wave. As you can see this is a completely resculpted figure and not just a lazy colour conversion with minimal modifications.


Is the S.O.G. Mass Production Guntank suitable for displaying with your Converge figures? Well, size-wise it can function fairly well as long as you keep it away from the very differently proportioned RX-75-4 Converge Guntank. You would probably want to shorten the long cannon barrels a bit to better match the Converge aesthetic but with the top part removable that can be done in a jiffy.


MS-07B-3 Gouf Custom


Never a dull moment to be a Guntank pilot when Norris Packard is around in his formidable Gouf Custom. Armed to the teeth here with its Heat Sword drawn and Gatling Shield at the ready you know there is going to be trouble. The S.O.G. Gouf Custom figure is truly sublime and very menacing looking figure and the attention to detail nothing short of astounding. A huge blocky stand is included for the cannon to rest upon but I did not include it in the pictures here since you will have no trouble displaying the figure with    out it.




MS-07H-8 Gouf Flight Type


We have a second Gouf in this set and it looks just as good. The experimental Flight Type unit features several tacked on jet engines and a number of wing-like stabilizers all over its body but its aerodynamics look questionable. The wide legs are reminiscent of the MS-09 Dom or the High Mobility Type Zakus. It carries a modified Gatling Shield although this figure does not brandish a Heat Sword. The Gouf Flight Type is an excellent figure design (although still beaten by the 1:220 Ultimate Operation incarnation) and like most of the figures in this set I can only scratch my head as to why it hasn't been made a Converge figure yet. The 1:400 Gundam Collection line features another two variations of the Gouf Flight Test Type in red and blue, there is so much new figure potential being wasted here...




MS-06RD-4 Zaku High Mobility Test Type


The last mobile suit in this set is even further from the Odessa Campaign, it being a space type testbed and all, but of course also features in the 08th MS Team storyline. We are basically looking at a Zaku II with a lower body of a Rick Dom (the Space-type version of the Dom) and a colour scheme highly similar to the ultimate appearance of the MS-09. While I would rather have seen this slot awarded to a Ground Type GM or alternate version of the Ground Type Gundam it is still a very decorative and unique looking figure.




RB-79K Ball Type K / Type 74 Hover Truck



In the last capsule we find a two-for-one where Bandai has paired up a space type Ball with an Earthbound Type 74 Blood Hound Hover Truck. The orange-coloured K-Type Ball features different armaments from the basic RB-79 variant faithfully reproduced in this version unlike say the Gundam Converge mishap that was just a recoloured RB-79. The thin dual 180mm Cannons will often appear bent like in the example on display here. The white action base is completely removable.


The Converge Ball figures are quite underwhelming and so you could consider the Strategy of Gundam Balls as stand-ins. Here is the basic RB-79 Ball (from S.O.G. wave 5) hanging out with a pair of Converge GMs.


I really like the M354A4 Bloodhound Hover Truck and the Strategy of Gundam variant is the biggest to-scale figure out there unless you count the various model kit incarnations (which are both quite rare and expensive). The most interesting feature of this particular figure is that it comes with an optional loadout. You can either run it as the traditional flatbed cargo carrier or equip it with a monstruous dual launcher to augment that puny 20mm turreted pea-shooter Gatling cannon up front. I haven't seen an actual description of this large weapon which looks like some sort of gun platform but it could easily be proxied as an air defence system, I imagine it hails from one of the various games or mangas out there. If anyone happens to know feel free to drop a line in the comments.


An early morning movement of elements of a light mechanized company under heavy escort by battalion air defence cover. Look out, spacenoids!


The Bloohound as it appears in 1:350 scale (Gundam Gsight), 1:300 S.O.G. and then deformed in Mobile Suit Ensemble and MicroWars respectively. One of the advantages of the Gsight figure is that there were a handful of different ground vehicles made in that scale whereas the Strategy of Gundam selection is quite limited.


Conclusion

The Strategy of Gundam figures are really excellent for miniature gaming with them being both cheap, of high quality and very durable. As far as I know however, there is no game system to go with the figures themselves even though the name would seem to imply it. Eager gamers can of course consider conversion of their favourite rules set (the 1:400 Gundam Collection game would be its closest relative). There is much to love here for regular figure collectors as well although you will lock yourself in to an awkward scale and almost exclusively Universal Century mobile suits if you do.

RX-121-2 Gundam TR-1 [Hazel Owsla] Gigantic Arm Unit

If there is one mobile suit that I associate with the Ensemble series more than anything else I would have to say it is the TR-1 Hazel. Ever since it first appeared in the third volume (sucking me into the series after a bit of fence-sitting) it has soldiered on in various size and form during these three years, most recently seen with this Gigantic Arm Unit (as well as a reissue of the booster unit equipped variety that was even reissued as late as December last year.


The Owsla Gigantic Arm Unit figure began delivery in November 2020 and has been seen quite sparingly on the secondary market since then. I managed to pick up a unit in March for ¥7000 which is up slightly from the original ¥6600. When you consider that what you are getting here is pretty much the umpteenth re-release of the base regular size figure with a newly designed arm and backpack unit I feel this is a bit steep. The Booster Unit equipped figure went for about ¥4600 as a comparison.


The box the figure comes in might be small but it is loaded with several bags full of Hazel-esque gear, both new and familiar.


Here are all the parts laid out in full. Most of the new stuff is of course the multi-jointed arms themselves, as well as parts bearing strong resemblance to the Hrududu II components from Ensemble Part 08. It should be pointed out I guess, that this figure is at its base the TR-1 Hazel figure with some minor variation, so it is compatible with all the other Ensemble Hazel gear such as the Tri-Booster Unit for example, although you don't get such optional gear with this box. Look into the history of Ensemble to learn more about the different Hazel configurations that are already released.


Here is the one-sided build instruction which is big enough not to fit inside the box without bending. There are basically two suggested modes for the figure but one is pretty much part of the second so I don't see any reason for purchasing two figures unless you absolutely have to have one figure without the arm unit. Mind you, I wouldn't see it past Bandai to return to this figure with a spiffy Titans blue variant sometime next year, which is what they have been doing with most of the other Titans Test Team machines, lore-accurate or not.

RX-121-2 Gundam TR-1 [Hazel Owsla]


Here we have the main Hazel Owsla figure. It is basically the Gundam TR-1 [Hazel] with the frontal skirt from the TR-1 [Hazel Custom], the legs from the RX-121-2A Gundam TR-1 [Advanced Hazel] and a completely new torso which incorporates the Primrose emergency escape pod. I thought I had converted one of my TR-1s back into regular mode but seems I hadn't so for this review there is currently no easy comparison with the base TR-1 Hazel so apologies for that. The mobile suit is armed with its profile Long Blade Rifle and a single Shield Booster unit. The latter can be scavenged and used if you are building other Hazel variants and are short of Shield Boosters since it is not really needed for the Gigantic Arm Unit machine.


The Hazel Owsla figure comes with three different forehead components that are easily replaceable. I am not up to the lore on these but I guess that the latter two are used for sniping with the Long Blade Rifle and I decided to stick with one of them anyway for a bit of variation in the Hazel team.


The figure comes with a sturdy base that plugs into both the groin and backpack making the figure very stable, but of course also static in its display. At least this stand is quite discrete and not generally stays out of the way which I appreciate. It even has a couple of further supports that plug into the Hrududu parts but I was too dumb to figure out just exactly how that is supposed to work so I didn't bother with them. I am sure a designer had a really brilliant idea there but the instruction wasn't clear enough for yours truly, so once again, apologies. :)

Gigantic Arm Unit


Ok, here is the main course from the box: A pair of enormous extra arms that are designed for the massive MRX-009 Psyco Gundam. I don't know the exact lore here; are these a spare set of arms or the very arms that later went into the actual MRX-009? Besides being used as enormous manipulators the arms retain the beam cannons from the Psyco Gundam, one for each finger, but I am really curious if the TR-1 Hazel would have enough power output to actually use them for very long?


Each finger has a small ball-joint which allows for some limited positioning but the fingers themselves are of course rigid. A hinge (seen in white) at the wrist allows the hands additional movement beyond the standard swivel movement and there are also a pair of joints in the arms themselves. Extended movement will of course be limited by all the other stuff that is going on around the arms but you can get a fair bit of action out of them. I really like that Bandai included a set of expressive hands for the mobile suit itself, since this can be used to mimic the movement of the larger hands (although I have no idea if that is how the arms are supposed to be used). This reminds me of the arm movements on the mechs they used in the Avatar movie.


Here the Hazel Owsla teams up with the TR-6 Woundwort, an Advanced Hazel and yet another TR-1 with the big Booster Unit. Notice the torso on the Advanced Hazel which is the traditional piece without Primrose system used on all the previous Ensemble Hazel figures. Consider also that the Owsla figure is more than five times as expensive as that Advanced Hazel (which uses option parts from the related equipment set) or more than ten times as expensive as your normal TR-1 Hazel (well, at least until that one became rare on the secondary market). I think the interest in this figure will primarily be decided by a combination of your fascination for the Hazel system versus spending that much money on something more novel.

The worst Gundam Converge figure evvah?

An unnamed user posted an interesting comment on the recent Penelope review that I wanted to highlight and it would be fun to hear others have a take on the question. Basically it went:

What would you say is the worst converge figure ever? Taking into account design, popularity of character, price, etc...

Now, to preface my own answer, I must say that in my opinion there are no bad Converge figures out there. The line is remarkably solid and has provided me with a lot of fun, however some of them are less impressive than others. The figures I selected for this dubious honour mainly disappoint in ways such as aesthetics (particularly size) or build quality (they are fiddly and/or fall apart easily).

When it comes to those seemingly overpriced or really expensive figures I think this can usually be explained by the poor market in general, and so it is really up to the individual collector to decide if they want to make that purchase. Long gone are the days of mass-market appeal. CORE figures and other rarities with special markings, metallic/pearl colour variants etc. I can usually forgive since there is often a standard colour retail figure out there that does the job just as well. Having said that, here are some of my thoughts.


Disappointing Mobile Armor sizes

The thing I like most about Gundam Converge is the standard pocket size regular retail figures. As nice as the larger and more elaborate releases are, it is the small traditional mobile suit figures that have stolen my heart. Anything beyond that is just extra. Consequently, every time a new large figure is announced I tend to be a bit skeptical. I predict it will be probably be something expensive, difficult to store and with lots of unused bits that you have to manage. The recent Shrike Team boxset was a really positive surprise since it focused on creating variants of the small figures instead and I do hope we can get to see more of these in the future. I'd be stoked to have a Gelgoog Mobile Assault Force platoon or a White Dingo Team for example. The possibilities are endless and Bandai can recycle the retail figures without having to create a complex mobile armor from scratch.



At this point, the Converge line-up is now rife with large EX and CORE figures. There are some really great designs out there but here we are talking about the ones that failed to impress, mainly due to their size. Above we have the Byg Zam, the Rafflesia and the Shamblo, shrinking in size compared to the standard figures as they go. The Byg Zam also has some questionable features and parts that are prone to fall off, while the Rafflesia and Shamblo figures, while looking great, are just completely the wrong size and style for the Converge line-up.


Fiddly Mobile Armor assembly

Some Mobile Suit Gundam designs just don't lend themselves very well for figure adoption, especially when they begin to transform or feature multiple modes. Converge figure joints often wear out quite fast and so you really want to avoid pulling things apart, this is not a Lego-set you are holding, but a delicate conglomeration of parts eager to explode in your hands.


You might be surprised to see the RX-9/A Narrative Gundam A-Packs and the MSZ-006C1 [Bst] Zeta Plus C1 "Hummingbird" here. These are generally considered cool designs but man they are frustrating to deal with in Converge format. The fact that each converts into multiple different forms means you end up with a lot of swapping parts and many of these quickly begin to fall off at the slightest touch. Much like a 4th generation fighter jet that requires computers to stay in the air, these Converge figures also work best if you leave them alone.


I mean, come on. Does this look like Gundam Converge to you? This feels more like something that would be at home in the Mobile Suit Ensemble line.


Here is a better example of the complexity level I think is adequate for a Converge figure. Granted, the E.F.S.F. designs tend to be more mechanical in nature than the rather fantastical Zeonic designs, but the latter just works so much better both from a usability point of view as well as matching the smaller figure aesthetics in general.


Mobile suit disappointments

While the Gundam Converge is not a to-scale figure-line there have been occasions when Bandai wanted to highlight the size of a figure especially, figures like the early Zeong and The-O come to mind for example. While I would personally have wanted to see some of the retail figures in a slightly larger size I don't really mind it that much when large mobile suits like the Döven-Wolf, Byarlant or Gaplant are brought down to the average Converge figure scale. The problems start when for some reason some figures are made smaller than the Converge standard. Below are some examples that I find a bit sad.


Look at the AMX-015 Geymalk and its escorting AMX-117R Gaz-R and AMX-117L Gaz-L. The Geymalk with its 22 meters should really be reissued in the Converge #Plus line because this current incarnation is even smaller than a Guncannon. its two escorts were made even smaller and the whole trio looks really underwhelming. I mean it is not like Bandai felt the need to downsize the Victory Gundam or F91 compared to the other figures.


The resculpted Zaku II figures as well as the High Mobility Types were also made really tiny for no apparent reason. The original figures followed the standard Converge size and I think these really should have done so too.



I purchased a second unit and seriously consider gluing both of them to sort them out but so far haven't gone that far. This is a scenario where I would have appreciated FusionWorks simply doing two different figures with no need for parts swapping. They are cheap enough that people could easily get them both if they wanted to.


The original Zaku I figure is a different type of disappointment. Here the designers decided to strip it of any weapons entirely and then they went and put both a knuckle shield and a machine gun on the secret Black Tri-Stars version. Yes the Zaku I featured in a single scene in the show where it was used as an improvised ramming weapon, but does that mean we have to get unarmed figures as a result? Thankfully the revised Zaku I that is just hot off the press will rectify this problem.

A completely different type of fail is seen in the Gundam Heavyarms figure. I don't care how show accurate it is, the half-face clown mask looks ridiculous, and we thankfully have other Gashapon variants of it without. If only FW would have included it as an optional part...

So far, the failures, disappointments or design choices aren't that bad. But there is a duo of figures that I cannot forgive, because here Bandai wronged a pair of mobile suits that are among my favourites. The next two actually drive me up the wall. They are, of course, the NRX-044 Asshimar and the RMS-154 Barzam.


First of all, what in the world is wrong with their heads? And secondly, did you make the figures extra short so that the impossibly tall head antennas would fit inside the boxes? The proportions are terrible and they are ridiculously tiny compared to the other Converge figures. May I remind you that the original Barzam (on the left) actually can parts-swap with the RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (seen here in the center), here they look like two completely different suit classes.


But the Asshimar.... my precious Asshimar, is easily the worst figure to come out of Converge. Standing 23 meters tall compared to your average 18m Gundam the relation has been reversed in Converge. I pray that FusionWorks will give it the Converge #Plus treatment because right now it is a bit of a joke. Bandai can do a RAS-96 Anksha while they are at it as well... :)

These are my picks for worst Converge figures so far. What are yours?