Gundam Converge EX 33 : NZ-333 Alpha Azieru

Once the large mobile armors began invading the Gundam Converge line I think we all saw the Alpha Azieru coming. The only question would be, would it be a bit of a cop-out, like the tiny Rafflesia and Shamblo, or a majestic piece like the Neo Zeong? Finally the AA was announced and released in the EX line in February 2021. I have to confess I was a bit guarded about it, with the recent Byg Zam flop still fresh in my mind.


My first observation upon receiving this figure was that the box was wee bit smaller than I had anticipated. Not exactly a good sign, is it? The Alpha Azieru is an enormous mobile armor yet the box has about the same footprint as the one for the Neue Ziel although it is a couple of extra centimeters taller. Bandai's price idea was ¥4400 yet I kept seeing them go at a steady pace over at Mandarake for ¥5000 each.


The next mental hurdle was actually opening the box. I somehow expected a really messy figure to assemble but once the couple of bags came out I was pleasantly surprised to see that this would indeed be a quick build. The figure shares a build style similar to the Neo Zeong and Neue Ziel with mostly large chunky pieces of plastic ready to slap together.


While there are some components on a pair of runners, this is a really quick build. Do note however that the box art does not give a good breakdown of what you can expect to find inside the box. Granted most buyers were probably aware but it still seems a bit questionable to feature the banged up Re-GZ on the cover since you won't find it here but in the companion option parts set. I'll assume the text on the box says something to that effect but it still seems a bit shady to me.


The Azieru figure continued to throw my expectations off. I was prepared to go through a couple of builds but there really only is one mode to be built with the parts in this box. There are no options or tweaks so you can just slap it all together and consumer all the components and the end result will be like you see here. The figure has a really Converge look and feel to it and the colours and proportions feel exactly right.


Articulation is down to an absolute minimum; there are only a few limbs that can be swung or lowered a bit. The main sore point here is the funnel weapon systems. Coming off of that sprue they will have many ugly marks that you have to take care of somehow. I tried to just rotate them inwards but with two or three marks spread out on each component it is hard to cover up. There is also no denying that this figure is a bit shorter than I had expected but perhaps that is just a blessing in disguise? Let's see how it holds up against some mobile suits.


Comparative size


Teamed up with the Sazabi and Nu Gundam from Converge #01. How do you feel about the size? Personally I think it suits them quite well. Adding more height to the figure doesn't really make it look more interesting after all, rather more like an oversized pen. I quite like the black base and it goes well together with the smaller Converge figures too.


Could the Converge Alpha Azieru be of interest to Mobile Suit Ensemble collectors? I don't see why not. The effect isn't that much different compared to Converge figures although if you like to place your Ensemble figures on their clear stands they will of course come up a bit towards the waist of the AA. My feeling is that Bandai seems to love recycling figures between their figure lines though, so who knows, they might make an insanely expensive Azieru in the Ensemble line so you may want to hold off and wait for one to be announced.


And here we have the AA together with some of the decently sized Converge mobile armor figures. The Neue Ziel on the left is my usual benchmark and as you can see the AA is pretty much the same head height which I think is fine. While it could have made sense to increase its head height a bit to around the same as the Neo Zeong on the right I don't think you miss out on a whole lot this way and it will definitely be easier to display now. Notice also how the style of the sculpt follows the same look and feel of the Neue Ziel and the Queen Mansa, they look great together.


Gundam Converge vs. Gashapon Senshi Forte EX 06

The real comparison I wanted to do however, was against the very large Gashapon Warrior Senshi Forte version from 2019. I have been really happy about that figure (once I got past building it, which was a bit tedious) and in no way did I expect the Converge figure to be able to measure up against it. So let's see how they compare.


I find it really fascinating that the two figures are so similar and yet so different. While they mostly have the exact same features in their sculpts, the proportions, size or angle of each individual component differs a lot, sometimes drastically so. The Converge figure has a more organic and rounded feel to it whereas the Senshi Forte figure looks like an early build, with sharper angles and more straight lines. It is a bit ironic that the larger figure was made to accompany smaller Gashapon sized figures while the smaller Converge figure is paired with larger Shokugan mobile suits. I think the size of the Senshi Forte figure is better suited for being placed next to the Converge Neo Zeong but overall either figure could do the job equally well regardless of if you want to pair it up with Senshi Forte or Converge figures. I think it is mainly a matter of taste (and the fact that the Senshi Forte figure is now quite rare on the market...).


Conclusion

Overall I feel pleasantly surprised by the Converge Alpha Azieru and I think it is one of the better mobile armors in the line. We can save all the finicky option parts and modes for a separate option parts set review because I haven't had the mental strength to get into that one yet, there are just so many parts...

Mobile Suit Ensemble EX 24 : F90 Gundam F90A/P Set

In March 2019 Bandai released a Gundam F90 EX figure pack hot on the heels of the retail F91 figure. beyond the Gundam F90 itself it also included option parts to create its D-Type and H-Type modes. The release must have been reasonable successful because this feat was repeated in February 2021 with two more option pack sets, bringing the total F90 configurations up to seven. This review will examine the first of these two packs which allows you to build the F90 Type A and P respectively.


This kit was released as a Premium Bandai product at a price point of ¥3850 which is quite hefty, considering you only get one single normal size figure out of it, albeit with a lot of option parts. As usual with these reviews I have picked up multiple sets although this time I only needed two, since I have the basic F90 from the original EX10 pack and so there is no need to rebuild it. I picked up two boxes of this figure from Mandarake pretty much at the time of its release, priced at ¥5500 each. The price has since come down a little, I think it is now in the region of ¥4500 to ¥5000 but with the Ensemble figures you never really know if they will go up or down.


The box contains your typical full load of plastic bags and a decent enough build instruction although most effort is spent on how to assemble the basic F90 figure. The illustrations can be a bit unclear due to the small size and being black and white only but if you pay close attention it shouldn't be that complicated. As usual, many parts are labelled L and R for left and right arm and leg and many of the option parts are also marked with an A or P to assist you in sorting out which components go with which option mode.


While the optional modes don't focus much on traditional accessories you still get a decent number of useful components here such as two types of optional hands, a pair of beam sabers and full beam rifle and shield equipment for the F90 mode itself.


I'll start by recycling part of the Ensemble EX 10 review which has the same basic Gundam F90 inside. There could possibly be the slightest of colour difference here or there but hey, if Bandai can recycle their figures then I can copy-paste my review...


F90 Gundam F90 (Unit 1)

This is the basic configuration of the F0 and is a really traditional design as far as a mobile suits and Gundams in particular go. The figure is for all intents and purposes a regular Ensemble figure with a couple of finesses tacked on to it. Specifically we have nice blue armor plating on the shoulders, arms and lower legs that plug into the elbow and knee joints, effectively covering those ugly holes up. Since the shield occupies this same slot you will have to sacrifice one of the armor plates on that arm, it would have been nice to see a different engineering solution but it is fine.


The figure comes with three types of manipulators; the regular holding hands common to all Ensemble figures as well as expressive open hands and clenched fists for both left and right arm. Apart from the single beam rifle we also have two beam sabers made up of clear plastic parts for the blades and solid whites for the handles. The handles slot into the backpack when the sabers are not in use. This simple gimmick should have been made standard for all Ensemble figures right from the start, since it makes both the sabers and the backpacks really attractive.


I put in most of the effort on this figure to make the shield look at least somewhat decent, since it is missing its yellows and most egregiously the number "90" which is almost a hate crime. Seriously, you are making a P-Bandai figure and you couldn't even put such an iconic detail on there? I obviously don't have any decals for a Gundam F90 lying around but the transfers I used for the Swedish Army project came in handy here.


F90A Gundam F90 Assault Type


This is an alternate configuration of the F90 intended for long range missions or deep insertion behind enemy lines. It is basically the F90 with a back-mounted flightpack and the legs and arms receive additional thrusters and fuel tanks. The flightpack makes the figure heavier on the backside but I had no issues posing it without support. Its range of poses will of course be severely restricted unless you put it on a sturdy base. Overall the Assault Mode is a cheerful blue and black which maintains the colourful appearance of the F90 figure, something that the earlier option packs failed to do, since they were mainly black and dark green.


The F90A gets a large Beam Bazooka which actually sits best stowed on the back skirt. its size combined with the large flight pack means you will have trouble doing anything interesting with it. The soft plastic muzzle piece on my bazooka fits really bad and keeps squeezing itself back out, I will have to do something about that, perhaps cutting the peg entirely and gluing it in place.



F90P Gundam F90 Plunge Type

The second alternate mode in this box is the Plunge Type variation which like the Assault Type focuses on fast aerial combat. The Plunge Type configuration also allows the mobile suit to reenter the Earth's atmosphere from orbit using the additional heat resistant armor parts in a way which reminds me of the Flying Armor that the RX-178 Gundam Mk-II uses. The Plunge Type armor can also parts transform into a Fighter Mode for increased maneuverability in air combat.


The F90P has a lot in common with the design ideas of the F90A. Both have additional thrusters on the legs but this unit also has fins. The F90P however has to hold on to its large wings like a glider and so effectively loses the ability to use its hands. At first I wasn't sure what to make of it (especially since I wanted to use the cool open option hands at first...) but it has started to grow on me. On the back sits the head casing used in Fighter Mode which looks a bit ridiculous but at least it is nicely coloured in red and black so I am giving it a pass. On the shoulders finally we have a swivel mounted beam cannon and an extensive sensor suite with some nicely coloured sensor parts.


Converting the F90P into its mobile armor mode is simple enough. You simply fold the head casing forward to cover the entire head and then you swivel the beam cannon to face straight up. The official artwork shows the F90 holding the heat shields in front of its body but that is a tall order for an Ensemble figure which was never designed to pull off a move like that.


In Fighter Mode the F90P resembles an aircraft with a forward pointing gun which is pretty cool. A large and sturdy action base is included with the figure to support both mobile suit and armor modes but as usual it is big and rather ugly and doesn't offer much in the way of interesting poses so I prefer to slap something together with the Assault Kingdom figure bases instead. Neat!



Conclusion

I really enjoyed the first F90 option parts pack and this box brings more of the same. While it is perhaps a bit ridiculous that the Gundam F90 has so many modes (it feels like someone tried to come up a mode for each letter in the alphabet just for the heck of it...) I still enjoy collecting them but I imagine they are of limited interest to casual collectors. Do pick up at least one F90 pack for the collection though because the base figure is very attractive.

SD Gundam Full Color Stage 60

Released in October 2005, Stage 60 is one of the very last sets of the original Full Color Gashapon series. It is characteristic in its high level of detail and style when compared to some of the early outings. When the series folded in February 2006 it was replaced by the modular styled figures from the Full Color Custom series, which sacrifices some of this flair for additional playability and parts swapping between figures.


Stage 60 consists of ten different figures, available in Gashapon vending machines for the classic price of one ¥100 coin. As far as I know, none of the figures were made artificially rare and there were never any secret figure gimmicks going on in this series either. Things were simpler and more fun back then...


Notice that each figure in this set comes with a clear color plastic accessory, typically some kind of weapon or shield. We have seen similar gimmick items in the Full Color Custom series as well. These items are not necessarily intended to be used by the particular figure with which it is included, they should rather be treated as fun extras that can be used wherever you see fit. The distribution is fixed so that each accessory will always be included with one particular mobile suit.


395 : F91 Gundam F91 (clear colour ver.)


One odd aspect of this set is how the booklet does not list the figures in their proper order. The F91 has been given the lowest number yet shows up in the end of the line-up in the image. Whatever the reason, here it is, in all its transparent splendor. Seen here armed with its beam bazooka and a deployed beam shield it is ready for action. Interestingly, this figure is the only version equipped with the bazooka. The regular opaque colour F91 figure from Stage 27 is armed with a beam rifle and shield. These are as far as I know the only two appearances of the F91 in this scale, however it does return in larger form in both Gashapon Warrior NEXT and DASH many years later.


396 : XMA-01 Rafflesia


Another really unique entry into the SD series is the enormous Rafflesia mobile armor, here in a really small form. It has never reappeared in super-deformed size; in fact I think the only other figure available is the recent Gundam Converge EX figure which -ironically- would not be completely out of size with these SD figures.


The biggest problem with this Rafflesia figure is that it has no base or even support for the traditional SD Gashapon bases. Due to its unique shape it will be impossible to stand up. Ideally you'd probably want to glue it to a small transparent base or similar. Here I have placed it temporarily in an Assault Kingdom action base component to give a better feeling of its size and look.


397 : ZGMF-X666S Legend Gundam


Switching from F91 to Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny we next have a couple of unusual suits and mobile armors from this series. The latter stages of SD Gundam Full Color exploded with SEED and SEED Destiny designs and are a bit of a goldmine for this era, never to be seen again in figure form since. The Legend is -as many of the mobile suit designs in Destiny- a lazy evolution of the X13A Providence Gundam but still a stylish design and the SD incarnation is great.


The Legend Gundam returns already in Stage 62 with a dual beam saber launching its multiple Dragoon style remote weapons. After that only a few more months pass before a third version armed with a beam saber arrived in Full Color Custom 02 (not pictured).


398 : ZGMF-1001/M Blaze ZAKU Phantom (Heine Westenfluss Custom)


One of the more interesting characters brought onboard in SEED Destiny is the man with the fetishized German name; Heine Westenfluss. Evil rumours online sometimes claim that he didn't develop into a show regular because it was too expensive to have voice actor and artist Takanori Nishikawa stick around on the team, but he lent some really needed colour to the bland Z.A.F.T. mobile suit team which mostly sounded like people phoning it in. His mobile suit themselves were also allowed to shiny in their orange custom designs. This particular figure is one of the darker variants I have seen, bordering on red.


Besides Heine's GOUF Ignited which appears twice in SD form we also have two incarnations of the Blaze Zaku Phantom. The much paler colour version was released in the Full Colour Custom series volume 04.


399 : YMAF-X6BD Zamza-Zah


Mobile Armors don't really play much of a part in the Cosmic Era timeline. I should qualify this statement that here I don't mean the ubiquitous masses of Earth Alliance fighter-style craft like the TS-MA2 Moebius, but traditional bulky and overpowered designs mainly found in the Universal Century garage, such as the Bigro or Neue Ziel. This makes the massive crab-like Zamza-Zah (which honestly seems to take a couple of design pointers from both the Adzam and the Byg Zam) seem really out of place. They don't put up much of a fight either and were pretty much thrown away like so many of the other designs in that show. Still, it is nice to have a figure for it in the figure-line (I wouldn't mind seeing it in Ensemble or Converge EX format for that matter...). Do note that the figure does not come with a stand but it is compatible with the standard bases used in the SD Gashapon figure line as seen here.


400 : ZGMF-X20A Strike Freedom Gundam


What are people really thinking about the Strike Freedom? The X10A Freedom is one of the real evergreen Gundam designs. We keep seeing new iterations for it in the figure and model kit world on a level reserved for other bigwigs like the RX-78, Wing Gundam and a few others. The Strike Freedom though never really grabbed me, it was just more of the same like so many of the machines featured in SEED Destiny. And that is pretty much how I feel about this figure too. Bandai introduced it in Stage 58, reprised it in 59 and here it is again in Stage 60. And don't worry - it appears in both Stage 61 and Stage 62 as well. Bloody hell...


The main ruckus caused by this figure is of course that it is the four-hundredth release in the SD Gundam Full Color series, a feat which is pretty impressive based on numbers alone. To commemorate this feat Bandai plonked in a white base (no, not the White Base...) which also highlights this fact. The figure itself would look just as good if not better on a regular transparent base I think. You can even stand it on the ground as seen above, balancing on its toes and wingtips. A rather unremarkable anniversary figure perhaps but at least better than the 300th Thunder Gundam.


I don't have all of the Strike Freedom iterations yet but here you can see it pose together with a dual wielding Strike from Stage 59 (black rifles) and a variant with gray rifles from Full Color Custom 01 (center).


401 : MSZ-006 Z Gundam


The last four slots are grabbed by suits from the Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam era and perhaps the least interesting part of this wave, as most of them have been done to death already. Up first is the Zeta itself, in a traditional looking style, wielding its long beam rifle and shield. As far as Zeta figures go, this one has a medium blue colour (there are many variations out there) and a face which seems a little bit non-distinct with those pale green eyes.


The main gimmick of this figure is that the long beam rifle has two handles so that you can also elect to display the figure with the rifle held in a sentry-like position which is still pretty cool.


Here you can see some of the various Z Gundams released in the Full Color and Full Color Custom figure series. Notice the wildly changing blue colour between individual figures.


402 : RMS-099 Rick Dias


I have a soft spot for the Rick Dias design and so I am always pleased to see it return. This particular figure is also a nice update for the original SD Rick Dias which was a bit of an eyesore. The new figure recycles the mold of the beautifully proportioned black colour figure first introduced in Stage 47.


The first version of the Rick Dias appeared all the way back in Stage 6 in December 1998 and you can tell just how far the SD figure series had developed come 2005. On the right we have the black Early Production colour version from Stage 47.


403 : MSN-00100 Hyaku-Shiki


The Hyaku-Shiki makes its fourth appearance here in Stage 60 and is by all means a really average looking design. While I do like the pose the whole figure seems a bit simplistic in the colouring department with just a few painted details. It sure would have been nice to see a Hyaku-Shiki Kai or another neglected mobile suit take up this slot instead.


Just like the steroided Rick Dias the first Hyaku-Shiki figure from 1999 (left) is also way larger than later SD Gashapon figures. The Stage 60 figure in turn dwarves the tiny version that appeared together with the Mega Bazooka Launcher in Stage 33 (right).


404 : AMX-004 Qubeley


The last player in this set is a really bland looking Qubeley. I don't think the design is that interesting to begin with but I sure would have been happy if they had instead place Ple Two's red AMX-004-3 variant in this slot instead, since it never made it to the classic SD Gashapon range (although one can be found in the larger Gashapon Warrior NEXT series and another in Senshi Forte).


Yeah, Qubeleys, what am I going to do with you? At least the one with the beam saber from Stage 44 is pretty cool. What is up with the green eyes on the figure in the middle by the way?


Gear


As mentioned earlier the figures in this set all come with a unique accessory of the transparent colour variety. This makes them pretty useless for the most part but I imagine they could be fun to play with for kids and the bright colours might help them from being instantly lost.


Here are some random examples of gear applied to random mobile suits. Not a whole lot to say about it really, except that I would have preferred if the budget would have been spent on bringing in a new mobile suit type to the series instead.


Conclusion

All in all, Full Color Stage 60 is a competent SD Gashapon figure set although the selection is a little half-baked in my opinion. The only real criticism I would mention is that I wish that some of the figures came with transparent action bases, especially the Rafflesia needs some kind of help. the clear stands you see in the below photo are thus not actually part of this particular set.