BB Senshi Sangokuden Sonsaku Physalis Gundam Part 1

Heavyweight BB Senshi Sangokuden character
Was comparing the similarities and differences between Kotobukiya's D-Style plamo kit line and Bandai's BB Senshi series while working on D-Style Ingram Unit 1 for the last few days, and I thought, "Why not start on one BB Senshi Gunpla project to get a solid idea of the workload involved?" (even though I already have some idea based on experience from the past ^^), so out came an old BB Senshi kit to keep myself busy for the next few days. ^^


Released in late November 2009, this is Sonsaku Physalis Gundam (孫策サイサリスガンダム). He was actually one of the last kits before the conclusion the Gunpla comic series. He didn't have to wait that long for his TV anime series "Shin" version though. ^^

Based off of Gundam GP02A from "MS Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory", Sonsaku Physalis Gundam was the eldest son of Sonken Zephyranthes (孫堅ゼフィランサス) and the older brother of Sonken Gundam (孫権ガンダム) and Sonshoukou Gerbera (孫尚香ガーベラ). Unlike his younger brother in all versions including the Gunpla comic, manga and even the TV anime series, Sonsaku Physalis Gundam was shown to be resolute in helping his father in fighting the war right from jump. I suppose because of that preset determination, Sonsaku Physalis Gundam was a rather one-sided character throughout the story. He was indeed a powerful warrior and a responsible leader, but his no-nonsense manner gave very little room for any character development (I call it the "Optimus Prime Syndrome" XD). ^^; So, despite his superior strength and leadership as compared to his younger brother when the characters were first introduced, there was very little doubt that Sonken Gundam was going to be the main character "representing" the Kingdom of Gou, not Sonsaku Physalis Gundam. In the Gunpla comic version, Sonken Gundam ascended to become Gotaitei (轟大帝) after the Spirit of the Tiger "Kogyou" (虎暁) was awakened within himself, in an attempt to save Sonsaku Physalis Gundam who was possessed by Shuu Neue Ziel at that point no less.


In the actual novel of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", the actual character represented by Sonsaku Physalis Gundam, Sun Ce was the one from his family who established the land in Eastern China for the Kingdom of Eastern Wu during the early stage of the entire story. Unfortunately, he died soon after that and was succeeded by his brother who developed the land and army into a dominant force.

I love Sonsaku Physalis Gundam for its awesome representation of Gundam GP02A. The giant atomic bazooka and shield are not inherited from his Gundam "actor" for obvious reason, ^^; but there are components on Sonsaku Physalis Gundam that mimic that devastating weapon, which combine into Kyoshu Gekikokon (強襲激鋼棍), an oversized mace he uses to pulverize Shuu Neue Ziel (蚩尤ノイエジール). Beside its closeness in appearance to Gundam GP02A's atomic bazooka, the combination design which makes use of the large thrusters extending from the Gundam's shoulder armors to form the weapon is pretty ingenious in my opinion. ^^ There are many other awesome features of the character design that I like about Sonsaku Physalis Gundam, but I reckon it would be more appropriate if I wait until the completion of the kit to comment about them, since I would have a clearer view of those design elements then. ^^ Furthermore, I don't want to flush out every comment I can think of now, and having nothing to write about it later. XD



Introduction of the kit on the box sides.


Content.


The comic/instruction manual.


Sonsaku Physalis Gundam's Assault Form (強襲形態) with Kyoshu Gekikokon (強襲激鋼棍).
The way the weapon is held looks nothing like Gundam GP02A and its bazooka at all. XD


An awesome illustration of Sonsaku Physalis Gundam's finishing move, Gekikojuubakutotsu (激鋼重爆突). ^^
The huge explosion effect looks nothing like the blast from Gundam GP02A's launch of the nuclear warhead as well. XD


Sonsaku Physalis Gundam is possessed by Shuu Neue Ziel (蚩尤ノイエジール) at the end of this chapter of the comic. The story continues in Gotaitei Sonken Gundam Korinpaku's chapter.


All runners of this kit.
A look at the different runners in this kit:


Runner A1


(Left) The tiger face design on Sonsaku Physalis Gundam's large V-fin is unmistakable. ^^
(Right) The character's name molded on the bottom of the feet parts.


Elaborate molded line details on the handle of Kyoshu Gekikokon.


Runner A2


(Left) A completely unpainted Koteitou (虎錠刀). ^^;
(Right) The sunken curvy details on the backpack is a nice homage to the molded numbering of "02" on the backpack of Gundam GP02A. ^^


Clear blue parts for Sonsaku Physalis Gundam's little wings (?) to be put on his backpack in normal mode.


Runner B


(Left) The forehead area bears the same molded details as seen on his brother, Gotaitei Sonken Gundam Korinpaku.
(Right) Very elaborate molded details that require heavy of paint work to realize. ^^


Maybe it's just a coincident, the sunken area formed in the middle of the front skirt armor resemble the Chinese character 天 (sky) ^^


Foil sticker and polycap set.


All removed parts are organized and stored in individual paper containers.
Will start working on this kit in the next posting. ^^