Gundam Converge : UC Episode 7 Unicorn Gundam

If there is one thing that the various celestial bodies can all align and agree on, it is that there are a whole lot of Unicorns in the Gundam Converge product line. I already felt I had too many RX-0:s in the collection back when Bandai announced the Revive and EX02 figures a while ago. But when I stumbled on the little fellow we are going to look at closer today, my heart melted for the little Gundam.

If you happen to read this blog around the time of publishing you might know that the Gundam Unicorn saga is drawing to its close, with the seventh and last volume to be released in Japan in the coming days. Leading up to this release there has been a number of advance screenings running since mid-May. People who purchased tickets for the second round of these advance screenings were eligible for getting this little figure, a "pearl clear" version of the Unicorn Gundam in its Destroy Mode.

Since I am not located in Japan I obviously haven't attended any UC7 screening, rather this little fellow is now popping up here and there online. These will probably not last long, so I encourage interested collectors to act decisively.

Anyway, that was a little backstory for the release of this particular version of the RX-0. Unless I am mistaken this marks the eighth version of the white Unicorn to appear in the Converge line (the poor old Banshee on the other hand has only managed three appearances so far). However, if you count the figures available in destroy mode, there were only two other versions available up until this point, the red and white figure from the SP01 two-pack, and the recently released green and white figure from EX02.

The UC7 Unicorn comes in a smart looking black and white box similar to the ones used for the single Converge figures, only taller and a bit wider. This is easily explained once you see the contents of the box, as the Hyper Beam Javelin weapon would not fit into the standard box. The figure comes with three accessories; apart from the previously mentioned Javelin there is also an alternative Beam Magnum rifle and a single shield. As per Converge standard, a support base is also provided in the box. Curiously this is no transparent but milky white. Luckily the figure stands well without a need for support, so you will not need it.

Both weapons are intended for use with the right hand only. The Beam Rifle has a hand molded directly onto it (similar to the Unicorn Mode RX-0 figure) while the Beam Javelin is loose and can be slotted into a gripping right hand, (the EX02 figure shares this feature as well). The shield is plugged into a socket on the left forearm, it can not be placed on the right arm.

The UC7 "Pearl Clear" coating compared to that of the Pearl White Unicorn from the limited 2011 triple-set.

The RX-0 has the typical Converge articulation, the arms rotate at the shoulder and the head can also be rotated freely. This particular figure also has the replaceable righthands, which can be freely rotated at the wrist. Surprisingly, the UC7 Unicorn differs a bit here from the newly released green and white Unicorn (figure EX02). While the UC7 has a replaceable hand with a Beam Rifle attached to it, the EX02 had a loose Beam Rifle which can be inserted into the same hand as used by the Hyper Javelin. The EX02 figure also featured a similar open lefthand allowing you to choose in which hand to display either weapon, so you could opt for arming both hands if you so chose. The EX02 variant is clearly superior in this regard.

Destroy Mode Unicorns, from left to right: Full Armor Unicorn Gundam (Awake Mode) released as EX02 in March 2014, Episode 7 RX-0 (Pearl Clear Version) released April 2014 and Unicorn Gundam (Destroy Mode) from multipack SP02, released August 2012.

Another interesting aspect of the UC7 Unicorn is that it only comes with a simple shield. Looking at the other two Full Armor Unicorns, the first one (from set SP02) included a shield armed with two Beam Gatling cannons and the new EX02 sports double shields, each with a twin Gatling cannon. I guess this is the fate of being a promotional figure, the UC7 figure was probably held back a bit for this very purpose.

There are a few more things to mention about the UC7 figure. Branded as a clear pearl version, the figure mainly looks translucent rather than pearly. The style of the figure comes off a bit more plain and plastic looking than what its name suggests. The pearl coated version of the RX-0 Gundam (Unicorn Mode) for example (which was released in a limited triple pack back in 2011) looks more sophisticated than this figure. The other thing to mention is that the this translucent plastic isn't sticking together as tightly as you are used to Converge figures doing. The arms and V-fin for example like to come off quite easily. However, I have encountered no problems in having the figure keep a pose, so it is not really a concern.

Whole lot of Unicorns. Top row: Converge 07 (with beam rifle), Converge 07 (secret version with Bazooka), Destroy Mode figure from multipack SP02. Bottom row: Unicorn with Beam Gatling gun from Operation Revive Premium Edition, the UC7 pearl clear version, the 2011 limited edition pearl coated RX-0 with Beam Rifle, and the green and white Awake Mode version released as EX02.

Overall the limited UC7 figure is a nice novelty that livens up the collection a bit. However, considering its scarcity and price, if you are simply looking for a Full Armor Unicorn to place in your collection, either of its two predecessors are better purchases. Both of them look more convincing and offer more customization options, the EX02 especially is a monster with tons of custom equipment to play around with. The UC7 figure is mainly a concern for the serious collectors only.

Gundam STANDart volume 20

May 2014. We are three and a half years down the line from the STANDart origin and have now arrived at volume 20. Bandai makes no big deal out of this small jubilee but continues its practice of releasing sets of four figures, where the fourth figure is always a slight variation of the third. Amazingly they have kept this practice up for twenty volumes straight, not once did they stray from this formula.

You will find the rest of STANDart 20 to follow the regular practice as well. Except perhaps the figures in the set. It is a really motley crew that has been assembled to star in volume twenty, and the set fills a couple of notable holes in the figure line. One thing that is new for STANDart though, is that we are receving a pair of transformable mobile suits. Unless you count the 0 Raiser accessory set this is the first time STANDart has wandered down this level of customization. We'll be taking a closer look at this further down in the review.

As you can see above the figures come in the typical STANDart boxes and require a minimum of assembly, at least in the case with the Unicorn and the Gyan. Conspiciously absent from the boxes I received where the traditional blue shokugan chewing gums. I have a theory here that these gums are stripped for sets that are exported out of Japan, but I have received many sets from sellers abroad where the gums where included. Be that as it may, let's not waste any more time on chewing gum and instead take a closer look at the figures of volume 20.

076 : First in the set, gunning for the highlight slot, is the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee (Destroy Mode). Finally the Banshee is receiving its destroy mode modifier. This model is very exquisite in the detail department and appears quite tall when compared to its Unicorn Mode namesake (which was released in STANDart volume 12 back in January 2012).

Unicorn Banshee family: The Unicorn 02 appears in Destroy Mode (STANDart vol. 20), Unicorn Mode (STANDart vol. 12) and in the upgraded Banshee Norn configuration (Assault Kingdom limited edition release). Rumour has it that the Destroy Mode will be released in the sixth set of Assault Kingdom which should be available later this year.

Although the new Banshee figure is both slim and tall, with relatively small feet, it still stands up with ease and balances without the need of any support. The colour scheme feels quite exquisite, especially when compared to the Unicorn Mode fiugre in its brighter blue colour. The STANDart figures can be a bit delicate and the large V-fin of the Banshee seems especially prone to damage if handled carelessly. Overall, the figure's pose comes off as pretty static. Shoulders and neck rotate as per STANDart standard, although the general impression of the figure is a bit two dimensional due to its flatness. If the Unicorns had been around during the days of the Ultimate Operation figure line, I am sure they would have received quite spectacular dynamic poses.

STANDart Unicorn family. from left to right: Banshee Unicorn Mode (STANDart 12), Banshee Destroy Mode (STANDart 20), Unicorn Destroy Mode (original figure with red tone released in STANDart 6, this green Rouse Drive version was released three years later) and the Unicorn in Unicorn Mode (STANDart 9).

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Destroy Mode Banshee has very much in common with the white Unicorn equivalent. The image above clearly displays the similarities and differences of the two figures. There have been a lot of Unicorns appearing in the shokugan figure lines lately, so it is good to see the Banshee getting some love as well. This is an outstanding sculpt that will be a highlight for any STANDart collection.

077 : Now here's a real classic. It is hard to mistake the YMS-15 Gyan for another. This cool mobile suit is specialized for close combat and brings a large beam saber and a shield loaded with auxiliary weaponry to the battle. The model is very crisp and stylish, with a lot of attention to detail. As we've seen with several Zeon figures in STANDart before, the designers have decided to omit painting the glowing monoeye inside the visor.

The STANDart Gyan compared to its old namesake from the FW Ultimate Operation figure line (FWUO9, released March 2005).

Thanks to unusually good articulation, the STANDart Gyan allows for a lot of freedom in posing its weapons. Apart from the traditional rotating shoulders and neck, the Gyan's arms also rotate horizontally underneath the elbow, as do the wrists. The joints feel quite loose though, I would not recommend fiddling with this too much. However, the largest issue preventing you from dreaming up and implementing a wild amount of cutting and parrying poses is the fact that the Gyan suffers from terrible balance issues. The figure is sort of learning forward, which means he will gladly topple forward. You can prevent this by making him hold back the shiled below the waist, or by planting the beam saber into the ground. This is a rather big disappointment considering how many cool poses that can not be realized. Overall though a great figure which could have been awesome.

078 : Alright, we are reaching the tail end of the set, where the two variations of a single design will typically appear. This time Bandai has chosen for us, the massive NRX-055 Baund-Doc, a transformable mobile suit operated by the Titans. Although not stated on the package this pink and blue unit was piloted by Rosamia Badam. Now, there are a couple of odd looking and ugly mobile suits but this one really takes the cake. I find this design absolutely dreadful. With so many awesome suits to pick from I can't understand why the Baund-Doc was picked up (and then there's the added insult of there being two of them). According to the lore there were a total of three Baund-Docs completed, I suppose I should thank the makers that the yellow variant was not pumped out as well... Let's face it, we are looking at a pink thingy with a large gypsy skirt and an aardvark snout. Brrr...

079 : Now that I've spent an entire paragraph moaning about the Baund-Doc design let's take a closer look at its properties. As you can see the last figure of the set is also an NRX-055 Baund-Doc though this one is referred to as a Twin Seat Type (lore has it that it was piloted by one Gates Capa). The figures are completely identical though, save for the colour variations. The Baund-Docs are very delicate and large figures with many small parts. Ignoring my personal preference for a second I must say that the figures are very finely detailed and have excellent paint applications. Due to the one-piece chest section these figures feature no shoulder articulation, though you can swivel the left arm underneath the shoulder section. It barely clears the large skirt section though, so you can't really move it much. The head is also a part of the chest mould and so cannot be rotated at all.

Instead, Bandai have chosen to spend its energy on creating the very first transformable mobile suit to be featured in STANDart. As evident in the picture above, the Baund-Doc is separated at the waist where the skirt has to be inserted. Using elements from its left arm it is possible to remove the torso and create the mobile armor mode by attaching the left-arm components into the opening of the skirt. This creates some sort of armored chicken looking thing vaguely similar to how the figure appears in the cartoon. The legs however must remain in place, so you will not be able to go all the way and have the legs point forward which would be expected in the figure's flight mode.

Words really do fail me. I was skeptical when these figure was first announced, and here with the result in hand I can safely say that this must be the worst thing to ever have come out of the STANDart line, past, present AND future. Who in their right mind is going to place that robot chicken thingy on a shelf next to a Z Gundam and say whooouuuuwww? Bandai, please don't turn STANDart into a freakshow, you have the SD-series for that very purpose. Let's hope we never have to see further atrocities (such as Qubeleys and Kshatriyas) in this line.

STANDart 20 size comparison. The Gyan is roughly 9 cm tall, and the two other figures come in some where around 95-98 mm.

Summing things up, STANDart 20 is a mixed bag. I cannot in earnest recommend anyone to buy the full set, but by all means do get the Banshee Unicorn and the Gyan and let's just forget about the rest. Also, STANDart 21 is waiting around the corner, and from the first glimpses that set promises to be fantastic.

New Converge feature; Revival Selection

With Gundam Converge 15 soon to be released, Bandai today unveiled the line-up for the next set in this popular little Shokugan series. See something familiar in that line-up? Yes I bet you do. Bandai have decided to go down the reissue route, and will continue to release old and out-of-print models, the first being Char's Zaku II.

Ironically, in my recent Operation Revive review, I longed for and moaned a bit about the fact that Char's Zaku II didn't make it to the finals. It remains very diffcult to find, the only figures I have found to be more rare and hopelessly difficult to stumble on are the G M and the Marasai, both of which I have never come across at all. Anyway, Bandai explains on their shokugan page that there had been many calls for a reprint of this figure (and understandably so), and they further claim that this figure will be the first in a line of reissues under the "Revival Selection" moniker.

I expect we will soon be seeing more of these old figures popping up in the new Converge volumes and that is really ticking me off. The revived figures should be handled spearately, as those of us buying complete sets will be ending up with duplicates. Bandai states that they will be using the mold of the original Zaku II, and that they haven't yet decided if they are going to make any slight detail tweak or colour change (whichever they pick, some will moan about it of course).

Have you also noticed the RX-78-2 in the set? This is a figure that is being upgraded with "more detail". So that's two slots out of six filled with old stuff we've seen before. I really do hope this is not the beginning of a watering down of the incredibly successful Converge line. It has been a great source for unusual figures and if they are now going to start recycling mobile suits instead of continuing to expand the figure line, I for sure will be disappointed.

Gundam Converge volume 16 is scheduled for release in August 2014.

Assault Kingdom vol. 2

Today we are jumping back a bit in time to take a look at the second wave in the Assault Kingdom line. The set followed three months after the initial wave, releasing in June 2013. As usual each figure comes with a set of parts to create an action base, and these pieces in turn combining to something larger, in this case a mobile suit launch catapult.

With set number two Bandai continued to set the focus on classic and well known mobile suits, keeping the heavy focus on Gundams in particular. I suspect that a strong reason for this is the relative ease for the designers to tweak the existing moulds into new figures. It would be relatively easy for Bandai to have the Unicron and the RX-78-2 from the first wave modified into the Unicorn Destroy Mode as well as the two new Gundams in this set. The Zaku II though is a brand new sculpt here, and it will lend itself well into being modified into variations such as the High Mobility Zakus and the Gouf (which is also exactly what happened down the line as more waves were released). Alright, on to the figures themselves!

05 : Set opener is the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam (Destroy Mode). If you consider that the Assault Kingdom line was a total of nine figures (counting the Dengeki limited Unicorn Banshee) at this point, the fact that three of them were Unicorns left me a bit miffed. The figure itself is great though, although I recognized most of it from the two previously released figures. The articulation is flexible but it shares the Unicorn problem of small and unsteady feet; an action base will help it a lot. However, with a bit of fiddling around I was able to pose it in more ways than I had first anticipated. The figure comes armed with a pair of wrist-mounted beam sabers, a bazooka and the cool looking shield which gives you a lot of customization options. Hands are offered as open or closed. As you can see in the pictures the figure's gold coloured V-Fins are made of soft plastic (mostly resembling insect antenna), this enhanced durability is much appreciated.

06 : Derived from the original Gundam the improved RX-178 Gundam Mk-II also has a lot in common with the RX-78-2 figure which preceeded it in the Assault Kingdom series. Mostly it looks like a beefed up and more colourful version of the original. And considering that the RX-78 was a really sharp figure in regard to articulation the same can also be said about the mark two. As great as it looks, I still can't shake the feeling of white Gundam overflow in the AK line, surely the blue version of the Titans would have been cooler to liven things up a bit? Anyway, apart from its excellent articulation, it also offers a beam rifle, a spiffy shield and the regular open and closed hands.

07 : Although at first look, the RX-79(G) Gundam seems a bit spartan it makes up for it with some cool features. This G-model Ground Type Gundam is geared for heavy combat and comes armed with a light beam rifle as well as a massive 180mm cannon and a simple shield. The shield can be clipped into the action base and act as a support for the cannon when fired from a kneeling stance. Not all Assault Kingdom figures manage do to a convincing kneeling  pose but the RX-79(G) figure seems to have been developed specifically for this purpose. As you can see from the pictures above you will have lots of posing opportunities for this figure.

Note that the Heat Hawk weapon on the last panel is borrowed from one of the Black Tri-Star figures and is not included with this figure.

08 : Ending the set is the truly new sculpt of AK volume two. it is the MS-06S Zaku II. Although not evident from the packaging, this Commander Type Zaku II is of course painted in Char Aznable's red colour. Considering how well his name sells it seems odd for the packaging designer to omit it from the box. Nevertheless, not only is Char Aznable a popular guy, his Zaku II is also one of the classics, and you will be pleased to learn that the Assault Kingdom version of it has turned out really well.

Although a Zaku has slightly more bulky limbs than a Gundam the AK figure has really excellent articulation, offering lots and lots of cool poses. The commander antenna on his helmet is not made from the soft plastic as the Gundam V-Fins, and is therefore crisply straight (and a little bit more fragile). The figure comes with the typical open and closed fists, and you can place the Zaku Bazooka in either hand, using the other hand as support. The bazooka also clips into the peg hole on the figure's skirtback for storage. A truly great figure which really only has one fault - it lacks extra weapons. This figure really should have come with optional machine gun and heat hawk axe weapons, but you can always borrow these weapons from another Zaku figure in the line.

If you collect all four figures you will end up with the action base parts as seen above.Although the components in each box will give some basic support for your figures things get more interesting when you combined them. You can combine the two pieces with rail to create a launch pad catapult, then place one of the smaller base plates onto the rail and place a Gundam on it. As mentioned previously the ground Type Gundam also interacts specifically with the smaller plate, clipping its shiled into it.

Overall Assault Kingdom 2 is a great set, though at the time of its release it felt a bit limited with so many Unicorns and an overall white and red figure mix. Things did liven up come volumes three, four and five, and of course with the Black Tri-Star triple pack, so in hindsight I find this set is more interesting to the collector than when it first appeared.

Gundam Converge : Operation Revive (Premium Edition)

Alright, this review will probably be a bit heavy because there are so many figures with extended back histories involved here. Today we are looking at the Gundam Converge Operation Revive figure set, and specifically we are looking at the Premium Edition. That's right, if you are only going to read one sentence in this review, please make it this one:

If you are considering purchasing a copy of Operation Revive, be sure to check if the box is the Premium Edition or not.

The standard edition box of Operation Revive looks pretty much the same as the Premium Edition, with the only difference being "Premium Edition" printed just after "Operation Revive". Be extra careful if you are purchasing online, some sellers might not even be aware there are two different editions and may have used a stock photo or so.

So what is the big fuss about this Premium Edition? Well, let's just take the rest of the review from the beginning. Sometime in June 2013 Bandai announced on their Shokugan website that they were launching the "Operation Revive" event. Users registered on the Bandai website were encouraged to vote for past figures that they would like to see reissued again. Below is the initial banner used on the Bandai website at the time:

Voting was done in three rounds over a couple of months. During the first round users could vote for the entire single figure line, I can't remember exactly up until which volume, nine or ten I guess. After the first voting round, the votes where counted and the bottom half were axed from the selection, then began round two with the remaining mobile suits. After three rounds Bandai had ended up with a winning set and in September the five mobile suits with most votes where revealed as the new special set "Operation Revive". Together whith these, an enitrely new sculpt was introduced, the Hi-Nu Gundam (a nasty trick to make sure that ambitious collectors would need to get the set of course...).

When Operation Revive was first presented, there was some talk about whether the new reissues of the chosen figures would be exact resemblances of the original figures or if there would be some way to tell then apart. If you look at other Converge special packs (the Operation Jaburo being the best example) relaunched figures tended to have a slightly different colour tone for example. In the case of Operation Revive though, Bandai did not alter the look of the figures from the originals, but instead opted to give them alternative equipment. And here is where the major issue with Operation Revive creeps in, and which I will highlight again.

This is what the Premium Edition is really all about.

Gundam Converge Operation Revive is released in two versions. If you get the standard edition, you will receive a package with the new Hi-Nu Gundam and five reissues of previous figures. If, however, you buy the more pricey Premium Edition, you get the exact same things as in the standard package, but you also get a separate plastic bag with the new optional weapons for the mobile suits. The alternative equipment is not included in the standard package.

I find this a most questionable way of marketing what was supposed to be a true highlight for collectors. Was there really a need for two editions? The potential anger or frustration that this confusion will cause with some customers must be weighed against the greed of clever marketing ploys. I don't want to moan about it too much, but I have seen the messages of disappointed people who ended up with the standard package and wondering why no new weapons were included. To add a little bit of extra frustration, the standard edition first started appearing in February 2014, while the Premuim set followed a bit later in March 2014.

The full contents of the Operation Revive Premium Edition box.

Alright, that was a lot of details about the back story and the two versions, but it is rather significant for this particular set. Anyway, we're here to take a closer look at the six figures, and this we will.

Apart from the Hi-Nu Gundam, these were the five mobile suits voted most popular in the Operation Revive vote:

#1. The RX-93 Nu Gundam (originally appeared as figure 13+14 in Converge volume 3, June 2011)
#2. The MSN-00100 Hyaku-Shiki (originally figure 06 from Converge volume 1, November 2010)
#3. The GN-001 Gundam Exia (originally figure 04, also from Converge volume 1, November 2010)
#4. The RX-0 Unicorn Gundam (originally figure 07, from Converge volume 2, January 2011)
#5. The RGM-89D Jegan D-Type (originally figure 09, from Converge volume 2, January 2011)

The selection surprised me a bit. I was especially baffled that the notoriously difficult and ever popular Char's Zaku II did not make it to this list. Then of course I was a bit disappointed to see some of the figures missing from my own collection not getting elected (such as the GM and the Marasai) but that is a completely different story...

Right, the image above shows you the minor assembly required to piece together the six figures. Apart from the Hi-Nu Gundam (top left corner) the other five figures are shown with the bonus items from the Premium Edition placed a little bit to the left side of each figure. These are of course the optional weapon equips. Now, let's take a closer look at each figure.

First out is the band new figure, the RX-93-v2 Hi-Nu Gundam. As the pictures clearly tell you, this is a striking little fellow and a true delight in your Convegre collection. It feels so wrong to stick the figure exclusively in this package but if you are not interested in the reissued figures you may want to look out for a standard edition of this package to try and grab this fellow a little bit cheaper. As usualy there is not much in the way of articulation, a little bit of side to side for the head, and arms rotating at the shoulder. As you can also guess, the figure's large booster tanks give him more than enough stability.

And here is the most popular guy in the vote, the RX-93 Nu Gundam. It is not hard to see what people like in this striking figure. An excellent colour scheme and some nice .touches such as the painted beam rifle for example. The picture above shows the figure with its Premium Edition extra equipment attached, namely the right shoulder binder weapon set.

The RX-93 Gundam in Converge History, from left to right: 1) The dual binder equipped RX-93 from Revive Premium Edition. 2) The bazooka wielding RX-93 number 14 from Converge volume 2. This is followed by 3) the standard beam rifle edition as presented as figure 13, also in Converge volume 2. The last figure is the RX-93 in a blue tone as it appeared in the SP01 package where it duels the Sazabi.

As you can see in the comparison shot above, there have been a couple of versions of this figure released already. The version from the SP01 used to be the most complete though now you get to re-evaluate that point. It would have been a nice touch if Bandai had gone the extra mile on revive and given the RX-93 all the previous components, i.e. the bazooka and the shield as well.

The runner up on Bandai's list was the MSN-00100 Hyaku-Shiki. A striking design both in detail and colour. The Premium Edition adds a Clay Bazooka weapon which replaces the figure's beam rifle, a weapon that looks great from the side but conspiciously thin, almost 2D, when viewed from above. When displayed at a proper angle though, the figure looks great.

The Hyaku-Shiki as it has appeared in Gundam Converge, from left to right. First is the original edition with a beam rifle, from Converge volume 1 (though here it is my Revive figure with its "standard" weapon on display, since I do not own the first edition). Second is the Operation Revive Premium Edition figure with the Clay Bazooka, and the last version, which also has a somewhat warmer golden colour is the Hyaku-Shiki from the SP04 set, armed with a "Hyper-Mega Launcher" which it uses to duel a white Qubeley.

Above you can see available versions of the Hyaku-Shiki. As I don't have the original edition figure, I used the alternate equipment of the Revive figure to illustrate what it looks like.

EDIT (2016-12): So, I finally got my hands on the first edition Hyaku-Shiki. The basic appearance of the two editions is similar, although the blue colour seems to be slightly darker and more navy on the Revive edition.

It is also interesting to note that the original Hyaku-Shiki figure bag is rather different. The torso and legs are slotted into different compartments in the original figure, which comes apart at the waist. The Revive edition appears to have a refined mold where these components are now a single part (at least I haven't been able to separate torso and legs by some gentle pulling and I don't want to try and force it).

The third figure on the vote was the GN-001 Gundam Exia  from Converge volume 1. This is a very detailed figure with many nice colours, and I am not surprised to see it featured on this set. In the pictures above it is armed with the two Premium Edition blades ("GN Long Blade and GN Short Blade") rather than the shield and sword of the standard edition, though these are of course included in this box as well. Thanks to the roating shoulders and wrists the Exia offers a little more customization abilities in its posing than the average Converge figure, which is a nice touch. You can also choose to equip one of the blades and go with the GN Shield or the GN Sword on the other arm if you prefer.

Comparison of the various Exias as so far made available in Converge. from left to right are the original figure from Converge Volume 01, followed by the figure from the Revive Premium Edition (here equipping the alternate blade weapons) and lastly comes the limited edition overseas only figure which was sold in a dual pack together with the SVMS-01X Union Flag Custom II. The limited edition figure has been given a glossy metallic coating but is otherwise similar to the original edition.

The Exia has so far been featured in Converge in three different variations, as displayed in the figure above.

Voted fourth most popular was the RX-0 Unicorn, in the Unicorn Mode. Bandai never seems to tire of milking this guy, which has been made available in so many versions. if you add the Destroy Mode to the count you can double the amount of available versions of this little guy. Anyway, the figure as such is rather unremarkable I think. The sculpt is really nice though, I just don't get very many kicks out of an all white figure. The Revive version comes armed with a single Gatling beam rifle which replaces the standard beam rifle of the original version. The best thing about this weapon is that it can help the nose heavy figure from toppling over, which all the previous versions have been very good at doing, thanks to the forward leaning posture.

Who said Unicorns are rare? From left to right we see the RX-0 from the Revive Premium Edition armed with its gatling beam rifle. The second figure is the original release from Gundam Converge volume 2, armed with a regular beam rifle. The third figure is actually the "secret version" from the same set, as some of the packages of Cinverge volume 2 contained the bazooka armament instead of the beam rifle. The fourth and last figure is coated in pearl white, and was made available in a special "overseas only" triple-pack bundled with the MSN-001A1 Delta Plus and the RGM-96X Jesta.

Anyway, in the image above you can see the up until now available versions of the Unicorn (in its Unicorn Mode that is). The pearl white version is supposedly available in two different packages; the one I do not have being bundled with an issue of the Dengeki Hobby Magazine. As far as I understand it though, that version is similar to the pearl white version from the triple-limited pack.

The fifth and last mobile suit to come out of the vote was refreshingly not a Gundam, but the regular RGM-89D Jegan (D-Type). This is not a small feat considering it went up against several formidable Gundams such as e.g. the Z Gundam and the RX-78. Job well done, and the Premium Edition figure with its alternative bazooka armament is a really great army builder add-on. It looks exceptionally well next to the regular figure armed with a beam rifle. The figure itself is pretty detailed too, and well worthy of being brought back to life.

Apart from the Revive reissue there was only the original release in Converge volume 2, you can see the two of them compared to each other in the above image.

So, summing things up, is the Operation Revive package good value? Well, it really depends on where you are coming from. Latecomers and beginners stand a lot to gain from this package, even the standard edition will be a great start considering how most of the original figures contained in this set now sell for more than the entire Revive Package, as in one original figure is more expensive than the entire Operation Revive set.

Converge Veterans, on the other hand, will not necessarily be all that amused. Any serious collector would want the Hi-Nu Gundam in their collection, and the premium weapons are really nice optionals too. However, it is getting a bit ridiculous with all these alternative versions of the same figure appearing over and over again. I personally suffer from Unicorn overload (and that's even before I have had to face the two newly released Destroy mode variations...).

Although I have seen the occasional seller breaking this set up online, chances are you'll be hard-pressed to score a hit on loose items, still having to settle for the full box if you wish to get the Hi-Nu Gundam only. As far as I am concerned, the Revive set should have been released as separate pieces, so that buyers could fill the gaps in their collections without ending up with duplicate figures they might not be interested in. Then of course there was the debacle with the two versions of the box...

Based on its contents alone though, the Premium Edition box (especially) is great, but when you consider the state of your own collection it might feel less fantastic or necessary to purchase.