ToyboxDX: Datafiles: Bandai High Complete Model Checklist

Bandai's High Complete Models

by Roger Harkavy

June 1999

with contributions by: Jim Bridges, adamc@gis.net, alex-01@geocities.com, Matt Alt, Bennet, Sajeeth Cherian, Chi Wah Louis Law, Robert Curlee, Gangsta Chogokin, gojira61@aol.com, jg@burdickgroup.com, Shelby's Collectibles, tetsujin@LoOpIe.nEt, Tom the Greek, and Alen

The High Complete Models were a set of highly detailed toys released during the 80's by Bandai, representing giant robots from several different anime series. They were very poseable (right down to the moveable trigger fingers), came with a good assortment of accessories, and featured assembly methods that hid the screws and other visual eyesores normally so obvious in other toy lines. Glossy instruction sheets and detailed file cards included with every HCM added to their charm.

The HCMs essentially gave those with little or no modelling ability (such as myself) to have a good-looking mobile suit/valkyrie/heavy metal to put on their desk and show off without mangling your hands with a modelling knife. Granted, actual model kits will always be more poseable and easier for kit bashing projects, but I haven't come across a model yet that was as sturdy as these toys were.

Bandai has re-released some of these over the years, specifically the Gundam ones, the Walker Gallar, and the L-Gaim MK II. There are slight packaging variations between the originals and reissues (the subject of a future update to this file), but the quality of the toys has remained the same through each subsequent production wave.

Aside from the HCMs listed here, some "side products" did crop up. Sling Pannier units from HCMs #03 and #04 were released separately, and a set of "Mechanical File" 2-ring binders to hold the file cards were available.

This file is a work in progress. Obviously there are many gaps to be filled, so please send me any corrections, additions, picture files or comments.

-- Roger

Minster of Information Matt Alt adds the following addendum:

Posted: 10.19.98

It's no secret that there were quite a few planned-but-never-released entries in the High Complete Model line, but new (and depressing) information has surfaced showing that the initially-planned extent of the series was much larger than anyone had previously assumed. Bandai was ready and rarin ' to go all-out on when they announced their plans for the new HCM series at the Tokyo Toy Fair on February 2nd, 1984. The March '84 issue of Hobby Japan reported that a total of twenty figures was announced for the line-up, and that prototypes of the Full Armor Gundam and Vifam were on display. Interestingly, Bandai also announced a two-pronged approach for the marketing of these toys. According to the article, the HCMs were designed both for those too young to build the models appropriately and for those too old to have time to build models. As such, two types of packaging were planned: the standard sliver box that HCM collectors know so well, and a classier "book-style" slipcase package. The article also noted that the initial release list was subject to change. (No kidding.) Unreleased casualties-of-marketing are marked with an asterisk. Read it and weep: [GUNDAM SERIES] FA-78-1 Full Armor Gundam

MS-06R Zaku II

RGC-80 GM Cannon *

MS-14C Gelgoog Cannon

MS-06E Zaku Recon Type *

MS-06K Zaku Cannon *

YMS-09D Desert Type Dom *

RX-78 Gundam *

MS-06 Zaku * [VIFAM SERIES] Vifam

Neofam

Dualfam *

Wug * [L-GAIM SERIES] L-Gaim

Works * It's unknown if prototypes were produced for any of the unreleased robots; it's amazing that Bandai was even considering releasing toys of characters as obscure as "Zaku Recon Type" or "GM Cannon." Apparently, management had similar thoughts, and less than half of the above list ever made it into production. What's even more amazing is that they decided to axe the standard Gundam and Zaku pieces, two of the most instantly recongnizable and popular robot designs in the entire Japanese toy kingdom. Fickleness, thy name is Bandai...