Gundam Converge Limited : 3 in 1 Box

Bandai have a very busy release schedule set up for Gundam Converge this spring. Still the blog seems to have fallen into peaceful sleep for a couple of weeks now, while I have been waiting for items to arrive, and for some favourable light conditions. Curse this dark winter.

Anyway, we have a long list of releases to look forward to this year. And as if that wasn't enough, Bandai's Asia division decided it was time to spoil us with an "Overseas Only" limited edition pack. This, as far as I understand it, means that this pack was prepared especially for and distributed by Bandai's "Overseas" divisions in Hong Kong and Taiwan. These "Overseas Only" packs tend to be old repainted figures, often in metallic or pearl-coating, and this set is a perfect illustration of this practice.

Released in February 2016 the cryptically named "Gundam Converge Limited Metallic Version 3 in 1 Box" set is similar in execution to the triple pack we saw in 2012 which featured three repainted Unicorn series-figures, and this time the turn has come to my favourite chapter in the Universal Century saga; Zeta. It was released as a special limited item for the C3 Hobby Hong Kong 2016 trade fair which was open for three days in February. After that, this set was mainly available through various local retailers.

Inside the box we find the expected three bags containing the repainted figures, each packaged in the same fashion as when the original figures made their respective appearances. There was no Shokugan chewing gum in this box, instead the contents are rounded out by a little assembly instruction and something brand new; two custom made figure display bases.

Let's walk through the three figures individually.


RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (A.E.U.G.)

Both the Hyaku-Shiki and the Z Gundam have been re-released already so it seems prudent that the RX-178 is made relevant again. Out of print for almost four years already I imagine it is missing from several collections and here is a good chance to pick it up.

As far as Converge figures go it is a rather basic early Converge design. The head sits on a shaped peg, so you are not able to move it from side to side, the only articulation you find is in the shoulders. The way the Hyper Bazooka attached to the hand though, makes it optional which is a nice touch. The shield also sits on a discrete peg so it doesn't look bad if you decide to leave it out. Not that I see why you would want to do that, as the shield is perhaps the best thing about this new figure, the paintjob on it is really up to CORE standard and makes the figure so much cooler. You will also find some nice paint details added to the main body of the figure, including a very hard to see "RX-178" detail on the left shoulder.


FXA-05D G-Defenser

It is no coincidence that the G-Defenser support craft was originally released next to the Mk-II figure. This has been a tradition in Gundam Converge where the two are typically intended to combine by rearranging some of the parts. Therefore the support craft tend to be more parts intensive than their mobile suits brethren and the G-Defenser will probably have you scratching your head a bit at first, as you try to figure out which piece goes where facing what direction. As usual the photographs of the finished design tend to be just as helpful as the assembly instructions...

The G-Defenser figure comes with no overflow parts, so once it is completed you will have no leftover pieces, which is otherwise often the case. The craft is reasonably sturdy although you may have to fiddle a bit if you want yours to be lined up symmetrically in all dimensions.

It is no coincidence that the G-Defenser support craft was originally released next to the Mk-II figure, since the two figures were intended to combine. As you can see in the above picture, the cockpit is removed from the main fuselage of the craft, and the pieces are then scrambled around and reattached onto the Mark II's back to form the Super Gundam variant.


RX-178+FXA-05D Super Gundam

I think this is one of the easier to grasp Gundam+Support Craft combinations available in Converge, not complicated to build, looks convincing and most important the pieces stick together and feel reasonably stuck in place. The only bad thing about this mode is that it forfeits the beautiful shield, but you can always donate it to the old RX-178 figure if you have it or just do as I did, stick it to the figure's arm anyway, which makes it look even more hardcore.


RX-178 Gundam Mk-II (Titans)

The Titans Unit 03 version of the RX-178 is in many ways a superior figure to the Converge A.E.U.G. figure I think. Although it doesn't get any nifty transformation option its equipment is much more interesting. Let's face it, a beam rifle will always look better than those bazookas, and the wrap around Vulcan gun assembly stuck to its head looks way cooler. The original Titans' figure had a nice blue tone to it, but this metallic version looks even more imposing. And the logo on the shield is superb.

The original Titans RX-178 figure was offered in two versions, armed with either a Beam Rifle or a Hyper Bazooka. It would have been really great if we could have got an extra bazooka wielding arm to complete this version of the figure. And let's face it, if Bandai had put two Titans figures in the box, one armed with each weapon (and one labeled Unit 02) most of us would likely have purchased the box without a second thought about the increased price.


New Display Base

Finally there is one more thing crammed into this box, and it is something that really surprised it, as I had seen no mention of it on the outside. Basically we are getting two highly detailed bases to use with the figures as we see fit. Made in the same transparent colour as we've seen on some of the EX-series figures, these also have pretty detailed designs printed on them in white and gold. Not counting the dull black bases that recently made an appearance in Converge #01 this is something we have not seen in Converge before.

There is also no special adaptation to the figures in this set, there are no pegs or indentations for where the figures are to attach to the platforms, so you can simply do with them as you please, including repurposing them for other figures that you may have. This is a cool idea that I wonder if we will be seeing more of in the future.


Comparisons

As mentioned earlier, all of the figures in this set are repaints of their original counterparts, all of which appeared as regular boxed figures in the standard regular figure line. The A.E.U.G. Mk-II and the G-Defenser both appeared in Converge Volume 7 as figures 40 and 41 respectively. The set released in May 2012 making both of them fairly rare today. The Titans' version of the RX-178 is even older, and was released as figure 15 in Converge Volume 3, back in June 2011. This is usually a very expensive and not very easy to find figure. Below you can see the initial versions paired with the new metallic versions from this set:

There are a couple of other versions of the Mk-IIs that should be mentioned here as well. Below is the A.E.U.G. line up, with the new box set figure displayed in the Super Gundam combined mode). Notice the figure to the far left, which is an alternate white A.E.U.G. colour version of the early blue Titans figure. The white figure was given the number 19, and was one of two special figures that were sold exclusively in 7-11 stores from September 2011 and is considered very rare today.

The original Titans version also had a variation of its own, equipped with a bazooka and with the unit number changed from 03 to 01. This figured appeared as a secret version of the standard figure, and was found in the same box.

And here, of course, we have the entire family crammed up in front of the camera:

Conclusion

Overall, the "Overseas Only" packages are usually a very good deal for Converge collectors, and the "3 in 1 Box" Mk-II set is no exception. This is a really good value set compared to trying to find the original versions of the figures, and you don't have to pay through the nose as if they were CORE reissues even though the paintjob standard is easily up to that level here. The Mk-II set should please Converge collectors of all sorts; there is lots of useful parts and pieces in here. My recommendation is to grab it while it is still hot.

Gundam Converge #01

Gundam Converge #01 is the fifth anniversary relaunch of Gundam Converge. It has no doubt been keenly anticipated in more corners of the globe than just our headquarters. To send it off on the right foot it features, of course, a very high profile line-up in an attempt to stir interest to the max. The set was released just before the very end of year of 2015 and remained shrouded in an unusual amount of confusion and speculation on my part. Were the Fusion Works engineers running out of ideas or was consumer interest waning once all the usual suspects had been released? Was this to be a complete relaunch with upgraded versions of all the old figures? And what was the deal with the dark silhouettes that featured on some images, were there going to be multiple versions or secret figures galore? These questions appeared only to be answerable by obtaining a set.

The next question that presented itself then became; how can I be sure that I am really going to obtain a full set? Would the resellers have the complete information themselves? I recalled the confusion surrounding the release Assault Kingdom volume 9. I found that resellers would only sell a set of four figures rather than the total five available (there were two variants of the Kämpfer figure). I did ask some sellers whether they knew anything of alternative versions or secret figures, and received assurances that there were none, yet still I did not trust them. One helpful seller took it upon himself to actually investigate by opening up the boxes he had received from Bandai and could confirm that the optional gear that had been seen on various photos actually was included with a single figure. That sealed the deal for me and I felt pleased to plunge right in.

On the Bandai teaser images I kept seeing the RX-93 and Sazabi wielding different weapons, and sometimes the RX-93 was seen standing on a black plastic base. I wondered how all this stuff could fit in a single Converge box or, as mentioned above, if there were going to be secret versions of them with alternative gear? This is after all how the Converge line has operated since its launch.

Well, a big part of the puzzle fell into place when I held the first of the boxes in my hand, as you can see in the comparison above not only has the price been upped from ¥400 to ¥500, but the size of the container has grown as well.

As you start fiddling with the Converge #01 figures you will feel instantly the familiarity of the Converge line as well as a couple of new properties. The most obvious of these is the doing away of the semi-transparent support pieces that used to clip to the ankles of each mobile suit, adding support to shaky feet and top-heavy candidates for display. Most of the figures never needed these although they could come in handy on a handful of small-foot machines (Union Flag I am looking at you...).

The new support piece in place is a plastic base of standardized size featuring a little peg which is designed to insert into one of the mobile suit's two feet (there is only a hole in one of the feet unlike e.g. the 1/400 collection figures which have holes in each sole). Each figure has its own plate though, since the peg can vary in placement and size depending on the foot it is designed for. It would have been handy to have the name of the figure printed under each plate, instead you have to make do with its number, so underneath the Sazabi base the number #02 is printed and under the two Zaku Workers you will find #05 #06 since they share the same part.

Other less apparent changes you will notice are the improved detail and multi-colouration of each figure, as well as more finicky and fragile components. By fragile I mean, less likely to stay in place. You can't just lift these figures any way you like it, as they will come apart if handled too roughly.

Before we begin looking at each figure I also need to touch on the individual figure numbering. With the relaunch of Converge I had expected the figure numbering to reset to 01 again, but interestingly enough Bandai have kept the old series. So the Converge #01 figures are now numbered 120 to 125. This seems to clash with the numbers underneath the bases, perhaps the molds were already completed and a last minute change saw the existing numbering kept anyway.

120 : The first figure that is allowed to represent the relaunched Converge series is an old friend of the line, the RX-93 Nu Gundam as piloted by Amuro Ray in Char's Counterattack. Although there are perhaps more interesting candidates for such an honour it is not hard to see why Bandai selected it. The design with its exotic wing binder and multiple accessories is well suited to be portrayed in impressive figure form.

The superior paint applications should be readily apparent when you compare it to an older figure. There are more detail paint apps, just compare the wing binder with the older versions (see comparison picture further down).

Amuro's RX-93 comes kitted with no less four accessories; a beam rifle or optional bazooka, as well a left shoulder wing binder and a shield. It is rather significant to point out that while the original Converge RX-93 also featured these parts, they were distributed through two different products, so you ended up having to buy two figures to obtain the complete gear (special exclusive variations did come with the full gear though).

As you can see, the weapons are now completely separated from the mobile suit's hand, a refinement that has become more and more common on Converge figures over times. This lets you choose which weapon for the figure to wield and the Bazooka can also be attached (if a bit loosely) to the figure's back when not in use.

Another novelty for the RX-93 is the plastic sprue with eight tiny, tiny pieces to be slotted into specially shaped holes on the figures shoulders and legs. I am not entirely sure what this adds to the figure, on the legs it seems to simplify manufacture of multi-coloured areas but the use seems less apparent for the shoulders. The (appreciated) little paper leaflet which explains how to attach these pieces doesn't give any answer in this regard.

Converge RX-93 history, left to right: The two Converge volume 3 figures (13+14) which together give a full set of accessories and optional logos on the left shoulder (released in June 2011), the blue-tinted "Fully Equipped version" from the SP01 double pack (together with a Sazabi, released in August 2011), the twin wing binder version from Converge Operation Revive (Premium Version only) released in February 2014, another "Fully Equipped version" now in metallic blue tone, from the Overseas Limited SP 01 pack (again with a Sazabi) released in February 2015 and lastly the Converge #01 rerelease from December 2015.

Being a Converge figure, it behaves in the same way you would expect it to. You find the same articulation as in the old figures, the arms can rotate in their shoulder sockets and the head does the same. The left hand being removable can also be swiveled around (I suppose this is a relic from the old days when the Converge figures had their weapons molded directly to the hands). The new sockets and connection points do feel a it weak here and there, the wing binder does like to fall off its peg if touched (I have not yet decided if a drop of superglue should seal that bond forever or if it is better to keep the figure in easily storable condition).

121 : You cannot say Nu Gundam without instantly thinking Sazabi. And naturally, the MSN-04 Sazabi is up next on the Converge #01 roll call. Whenever Bandai wish to stir up a frenzy among Gundam fanboys the Sazabi is a pretty effective means of doing so. Naturally, the Converge version of this figure is no exception. It comes with very high expectations and also manages to meet them.

The massive and suitably chunky Sazabi figure feels a bit more simplified and streamlined when compared to its older counterpart (which, mind you, only existed as a premium figure). On the other hand it has also received a more pronounced head, larger booster tanks and more sculpting on its shield so the overall appearance is almost on par with the more expensive predecessor. The most important change is found among the accessories. While the old figure had a beam rifle molded to its right hand (and that was it), the new one has two interchangeable right hands. One hand is molded directly onto a large beam rifle in a carrying position, the other hand is open and can have a nice semi-translucent beam saber attached to it.

Converge Sazabi lineage, from left to right: The premium Sazabi figure from the SP01 twin pack (together with Amuro's RX-93) released in August 2011, the metallic style reissue of SP01 (overseas only limited edition, released February 2015) and the new Converge #01 figure from December 2015.

Overall, I don't feel that the new Sazabi figure is major improvement over the old one, but it is also not fair to compare figures of different price families. Any Converge collector who does not own a Sazabi will be moved to tears by any of these figures, and the new figure's translucent beam saber makes it worth getting just for that shiny piece of equipment alone. Expect this figure to become hopelessly rare before long and get yourself a copy sooner rather than later.

122 : With that, we have the two reissues out of the way. Now it is time to start looking at the four brand new figures for Converge, first of these being the awesome RX-78GP04G Gundam GP04 Gerbera. This impressive figure is really only a slightly modified Gundam figure, but its large wings and beam rifle give it a very commanding presence. As a diminutive Converge figure, this impression is enhanced further. The figure is very sturdy and stable on its feet, which is good because this particular figure did not want to stand on its base at all. I had to do a little bit of carving inside the socket of its left foot just to manage to peg it in place on its base. I won't be using these bases for display anyway, but it was a bit annoying nevertheless.

The GP04 figure comes with a large multi-colored beam rifle (molded directly on to its hand) and a shield, but there is no optional gear around. I expect this is how the new Converge figures will work; only a few high profile figures will be getting optional parts candy, the rest will be stuck with the traditional Converge weapon-molded-onto-hand-parts after all.

Gundam Development Project line-up, left to right: Gundam GP01 "Zephyranthes" (Converge vol. 8, released October 2012), the GP01-Fb "Zephyranthes" Full Burnern (from twin pack SP05 released December 2014), Gundam GP02 "Physalis" (also from the SP05 twin pack), Gundam GP03 "Stamen" (Converge vol. 13, released December 2013), the same Stamen from the Dendrobium Mobile Armor pack (SP07, released November 2015) and the new GP04 "Gerbera" from Converge #01.

The GP04 completes the traditional Gundam Development Project quartet for Converge and is easily the most detailed and (in my opinion) best looking of the lot. If this is the detail level the "generic" Converge figures will be sitting at from now on we can expect some really nice figures down the line.

123 : Just like you can't say Nu Gundam without thinking Sazabi, you cannot possibly think of Gundam Gerbera without straying over to the AGX-04 Gerbera Tetra. And it is a good thing that the Bandai project team is wired in that same fashion, since they saw it prudent to give us another long anticipated Converge candidate. For those not familiar with the Gerbera Tetra, it is based on the Gundam Gerbera prototype which was never completed, and instead found its way into the Zeonic Delaz Fleet through political intrigue.

The Gerbera Tetra figure is another excellent new addition to the Converge series. As cool as the design is, the execution is not flawless. The fins on its shoulders can probably benefit from some glue, and the antenna on its head will fall out if you just happen to breathe on it. The beam rifle's peg which connects to the hand is also a bit on the short side but as long as you do not meddle with it, it will stay in place.

Apart from the basic Converge articulation, the Gerbera Tetra figure also simulates the nice Zeonic movable monoeye functionality, which we have seen on a couple of Converge figures before. Basically you can pick apart the helmet to reach in to where the cylindrical monoeye part sits on a peg. This enables you to reposition the direction the eye is looking into, although I find this is more of a gimmick than something I use.

Talking about adjustable eyes; I am not sure whether the Sazabi and the Zaku Worker models can also be tweaked in this regard. These figures are clearly made up of several parts, but I can't really figure out if they are glued in place or supposed to be opened up on those figures, and I am not really in the mood to try to open them up for fear of breaking something.

124 : The last two figures in this set are colour variations of the same model. The MW-01 Mobile Worker Late Type (Mash Custom) is featured in the Origin prequels to Mobile Suit Gundam and is a refined version of the first stumbling attempt at a mobile suit weapon. The orange prototype is crewed by the Zeonic pilot Mash, who will later be known and feared as one of the three ace pilots of the Black Tri-Star unit.

After Converge #01 having showered us with eye catching mobile suits the Zaku Worker might seem a bit light in the accessory and size departments, but should not be neglected because of that. It is a very unique looking mobile suit with many nice details and paint applications in the mold. I should point out that the righthand claw and the two hooks protruding from its chest are filled up with some extra flash to make these components sturdier. With a bit of skill and patience you could possibly cut these out if they really bothered you that much. The figure also has a slightly annoying list to the left (which does seem intended) and could have benefitted from a couple of more milimeteres in stature, since Converge figures aren't made to scale anyway. As mentioned earlier, I believe that the monoeye can be manipulated by opening the head, but I have not wanted to try messing with it.

125 : The last figure in this set is the MW-01 Mobile Worker Late Type (Ramba Ral Custom). It shares the exact same properties as its Orange-coloured counterpart, save for a new set of colours. Poor old Ramba Ral, destined to forever pilot blue mobile suits it seems. I wish he would have survived the Earth Campaign of U.C. 0079, it would have been awesome to see his blue RICK DOM or GELGOOG.

There's not a whole lot to say about this figure without repeating myself, it is one of the more interesting Converge figures as of late, there's not a single dud in this set so let's just continue to wrap things up (and you go out and grab a set while there is still time...).


Conclusion
As I hope this review has made firmly clear, Converge #01 should be a true joy to behold for any Converge collector, regardless of your affiliation or favourite period. As a relaunch of the whole Converge brand it succeeds in doing so, without unnecessarily disconnecting itself from its history. These figures will display well next to the old figures and not feel out of style. I am very excited about Converge #02 (because it contains the Gaplant) and it will be interesting to see how Bandai will continue to develop this figure line.

Gundam Converge EX 07 : RX78GP03 Dendrobium

The Dendrobium, one of the huge and quirky looking weapon platforms featured in the Stardust Memory storyline is the largest monstrosity we have yet seen in Converge. Released as a premium style figure in November 2015 with a suggested price tag of ¥3200, it narrowly beats the older six figure Operation Revive premium set by 200 yen, making it the priciest figure in the line to date. And although we have seen some rather large EX-series figures before, nothing compares to this behemoth.

The Dendrobium also stands out from its Converge brethren in that the almost all platform parts are made of traditional rigid and hard plastic of the non-bendable type that you normally see in model kits, unlike your common Converge figure which has a softer almost oily feel to it.

Even the box itself is quite large and is seriously moving out of the zone with which you typically associate candy toys. And speaking of candy, there was no chewing gum in this package. This is something we've seen before on export versions of Converge. This particular box hails from Hong Kong and was distributed by the local Bandai Namco Asia company there.

In the box we find four plastic bags and a decent (Japanese only of course) assembly instruction.

Before we assemble the Orchis, the huge weapons platform, we will start by taking a closer look at the attached mobile suit figure.

RX-78GP03S Gundam GP-03 "Stamen" : The Gundam GP03, a.k.a. Stamen sits at the heart of the Dendrobium weapons platform system, surrounded by the large unmanned Orchis unit. Related to the GP01 and GP02, the Stamen is easily identified by its large hip-mounted wing binders, which allow for extra thrust and maneuverability.

The GP03 comes with a respectable equipment selection for a Converge figure. We are getting a basic beam rifle as well as two folding bazookas and a shield. Best of all is how all weapons are modular and can be attached to the suits hands at will. This is something I would have liked to have seen on the pricy Converge CORE figures as well. Notice also the two gray rings that function as the mobile suit's neck. When attached to the Orchis mobile armor the alternate neck piece is used to allow for the figure to fit in better.

The Gundam GP03 as it appeared in Converge Volume 13 (left), and with improved features in EX 07 (right).

We have actually encountered the Stamen in Converge once before. It originally appeared as a basic figure in Converge Volume 13 as number 77. The figure included with the EX 07 is vastly improved, not only by the addition of extra accessories, but the figure also has a more toned down white body colour and some nice decals on its shoulders (and if Bandai had made a CORE figure out of the GP03, you can be sure we would have gotten the colour changes and decals, but not the extra weapons...).

Dendrobium Stamen Configurations

The EX 07 figure has two optional display choices for the full mobile armor. They are really only minor variations on the same theme, but are entertaining to play around with none the less.

The first mode sees the GP03 Gundam being partially concealed wihtin the main fuselage of the Orchis weapons platform which locks the figure neatly in place.

As you can clearly see, the Dendrobium is huuuge. Still, I must confess it looks and feels much better than I had expected. The material used for the mobile armor is very easy to assemble, without any of the convoluted parts manipulation required for some of the more recent extra large Converge figures. Still, there is also something of the Converge soul lost in the process.

While the two large doors covering the multi-compartment weapon bays don't move, they can be attached in either fully opened or closed mode. In addition, two of the weapon systems (a three tube missile launcher and a micro missile array) can be extended from their compartments, which would be a really nice touch if the damned things would stay in place. Unless there is some gimmicky way of locking these pieces in place that I have yet to discover, these two weapons will just fall straight out of their sockets. Incidentally, that is also why they are drooping toward the ground in the photos. I do hope this is a massive oversight on my part, because otherwise you'd need to modify them somehow. Not exactly something we are used to with Bandai and FW precision models.

Another two optional weapons are included in the set. One is a weird wire-like thingamy (sorry, not up to speed on that one) which extends from one of two optional sockets on the Orchis frame, and the other a really nice translucent beam saber. The saber has a peg which lets it attach steadily into either of the two claw-like manipulators. These claws can open and close, and can also swivel a little, which is a nice touch.

The optional display mode for the Dendrobium Stamen is to have the GP03 Gundam crawl out of its innards and pose menacingly on top of the hull. To do this we first transform the actual mobile suit mini back to regular Converge configuration and then attach the clear leg locking piece to the spine of the Orchis.

This mechanic is a simple and effective solution which allows you to clip the mobile suit steadily to the Orchis without having to worry about it falling off at the slightest vibration, which would have been the case otherwise. It also allows for more aggressive poses with arms extended forward without toppling the mobile suit.

Overall I must say I am quite impressed with the Dendrobium package. The model is a reasonable compromise of size, price and functionality, and the new GP03 Gundam figure is a marked improvement over the existing one. In the end though, due to its size and general non-Converge style, I have a feeling the Orchis weapons platform will be disassembled and stored back into its box, while the GP03 figure will be the one going on actual display (just like some of the previous EX figure before it).