You all tried to tell me that the MAFEX Star Wars Darth Vader was worth the buy. I didn’t listen. Until now. How dare you make me forsake my beloved model kit Vader!
The truth is, I didn’t want to like this Vader. And I didn’t, at least not completely at first. Sure, the sculpt is nice, the paint is crisp, and the articulation is fluid. But the size of the head and how the helmet sat high on top was throwing me. But I accidentally fixed the helmet issue and grew to like the head overall. Yeah, accidentally. I’ll get to that further down.
First of all, the packaging.
MAFEX Vader isn’t the most expensive Star Wars figure I’ve ever bought, but he’s not the cheapest either. Fact of the matter is, the packaging looks cheap. It does its job well, showing what you are getting, but after seeing various Star Wars items hit the clearance aisles for months now sporting this same kind of box art has my mind relating the orange and Rebels Stormtrooper graphics to that. But really, it’s a package; it’s getting chucked, so no big deal. It’s the figure I want.
And the figure delivers. Y’all tried to tell me; I wouldn’t listen. But really, this is one hell of a toy.
The articulation is smooth and natural. If I had to pick one thing to improve, it would be the head movement. The helmet design hinders it somewhat, but it’s how the cape is attached that really gets in the way. You can check out how much and all the range of movement and articulation points in my video review, along with me blathering on about the sorrow of seeing the Bandai Vader kit leave its front and center position on my shelf.
Though the neck is hindered, the rest of the articulation allows for some nice poses.
I’m calling the cloth cape a point of articulation too, since the wire in the front on both sides gives you a little freedom to pose it in subtle positions. It’s not going to hold the cape up above his arms or anything, it just give you options, like over the shoulders or billowing in the wind.
The paint overall is nicely done. Clean all over, like the chest box and belt gadgets. The mask has matte black parts and is a bit asymmetrical in that regard, but I’ve heard that’s true to the movie mask. I haven’t verified that, but I read it on the Internet.
The sculpt may not be for everyone. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a nicely sculpted piece, but the slightly thin proportions may turn some off. The build almost reminds me of Vader from the last moment of Revenge of the Sith, but not quite. And like I said, the head is a little small and the helmet sits a tad high. More annoyingly, the one centered helmet pegs loose, so when you’re posing and fiddling, the thing wants to rotate around on the top of the head.
That is, until you break the peg that attaches the helmet to the head. By accident. You know the kind of thing that sends you into panic mode for a few seconds before you can assess the full situation? That’s what I felt. I was trying to put the helmet back on and didn’t get the one peg lined up completely with the one peg hole and it snapped off. Thankfully in half. If it had completely broken off this would be a much different review.
The break worked out in my favor, though. Where the peg broke made it slightly wider, so when I pegged it back into the head it was a tighter fit. Yay! Even better, it was apparently the length of the peg that was making the helmet sit high. Shorter peg, lower helmet.
I know that did nothing for the actual size of the head, my main complaint, but it made me like the head so much that I began to subconsciously ignore that nit. Funny how that happens. Such a tiny little change, such a huge difference in my eyes.
For accessories, there are five sets of hands, an interchangeable right glove stump, an unmasked Anakin head, a stand, and a lightsaber with removable blade.
The pointy fingers were a bit weird at first. My initial thought was this:
But I soon realized that besides using it to point at Rebel officers, they can also be used as a loose grip on the lightsaber for more “lightsaber extended out” poses.
The lightsaber is a nice sculpt. The blade peg is flat and angled so it can only go one way. I’m still getting used to the blade’s taper from bottom to top, but it’s growing on me. And there is even a peg on the belt for hanging the hilt, if you so desire.
The stand is pretty basic and kind of thick, but it does the trick. There are three hinges and the jaws open and close. It’s tough enough to hold Vader in the air. For standing, I haven’t had a lick of trouble keeping Vader upright without the stand, so in a box it goes until I really need it.
For the Anakin head you have to remove both the helmet and upper portion of the head, leaving the neck and lower jaw of the mask. This all unplugs, and the Anakin head just plugs right into it. Watch out for the breathing tubes — they can get in the way. The same goes for the handless stump. Really, this is a nice addition. Each little wire is painted with yellow, blue, or red, making it way more detailed than it probably deserves to be.
The unmasked head doesn’t beat the Figuarts version.
But it’s about on par with the Black Series version.
While we’re on the topic of heads, I’ve heard talk of replacing the MAFEX head with the Bandai model kit’s head. It can be made to work, sorta, but it ends up looking too big.
Kind of a “Dark Helmet” vibe.
Comparing to the Bandai model and the Black Series:
I don’t even count the Black Series Vader as a contender anymore, so he’s out. I never got the Revo (too stylized) or S.H. Figuarts (too small). So the match-up comes down to the MAFEX and the Bandai model. The model is how I picture Vader in my head: big and bulky. But the MAFEX inches ahead in pure action figure fun. Plus, the cloth cape with the wire for a little dynamic posing beats the hard shell cape of the model. Sorry, model kit. You’re not gone, just going to a secondary shelf.
Because the MAFEX Darth Vader looks fantastic with the S.H. Figuarts Jedi Luke.
So there you have it. It’s not perfect. I still look at the pics and some things jump out at me, but in-hand it hits all the right spots, enough to call it my new main Vader. You may feel different, and that’s okay. With all of these choices there is bound to be one that fits your criteria, and enough pieces to cobble together something if these don’t.
It’s a great time to be a fan of Star Wars and 1:12-scale figures.
I got mine imported from Amazon Japan, but it should be hitting Amazon US and other outlets soon. Expect to pay about $40.
I just bought a figuarts darth maul. i didnt know they released him twice. how do i know if i have the first release or the second release?
Please do share here if you post a guide to making this custom. Seriously considering it, but would like to follow your steps precisely so I don’t mess up.
I think I know what it is that looks weird about his mask. Maybe the line of the helmet just above the eyes should have been more aggressive or maybe it’s the form of the lenses, but whenever I look at him in the face I can’t unsee Puss in Boots making his famous cute face. I don’t know, he just looks more like a kawaii lost puppy than a menacing torture-prone Sith Lord to me. Still a great figure though, I wish I could find it somewhere for a decent price.
Nice! It really does help the look overall.
Not to mention how fun the kits are to build.
Yeah, another try by Figuarts would be awesome.
Exhausting and expensive! I already have purchased 6 Vaders (Black Series, Figuarts, 2 Bandai and 2 Mafex) and was considering getting Revo too. I still hope Bandai will release a second Figuarts with perfect size and detail, just like they did with Darth Maul, and looks like they will do with Kylo Ren or other figures. Looks like they usually do this type of thing.
I tried cutting just around 1/4 of the peg, and it worked great! Thanks!
Expense of the kits? The kits are generally cheaper than Black Series. You can get troopers or Vader for less than $24 shipped from Japan. People has been paying $40-$80 for BS Vader with little complain. But I agree that none of the Vaders are close enough and that’s disappointing, so I understand you keep your $$ until a better one appears.
Man, I can’t say that any one of these are definitive enough. They’re all close, but something about each sculpt isn’t working for me. The expense of the kits prevent me from jumping, but if the overall effect was strong enough I’d take the plunge. I’m not seeing it from MAFEX or Bandai. I have the Black Series one, but that’s because of the price point. I know it’s quite poor.
Thanks mate! I appreciate it a lot!
Hah, I actually did that and this is the Bandai chest box! The problem to place it higher is the articulation on the chest, that might be compromised. Now that I’ve done it I don’t see a real upgrade in that part, but each Bandai bit is always more nicely sculpted. If you are interested I can do some kind of tutorial. It wasn’t that difficult, it just took me one day and had to think on how to do it, so with a guide I’m sure it can be done in just a few hours.
GAH! Whhhhyyyyyyy did you make me want to try that? Vader is becoming the most expensive Star Wars figure ever. That does look great. The added chest plate and shoulder pads helps blend the larger head into the body, and adds a little bulk. If I tried it I might have shaved off the chest box and put the model kit one on top of it, slightly higher? Not sure what that would look like but that’s another of the minor gripes I have with the MAFEX.
The inside of the helmet being black, it’s hard to get a good pic up inside there. But basically, if you cut any length off while leaving a bit of the peg, it’s going to work in dropping it a bit.
There is also a weird 5 POA 6-inch Vader on TRU Hong Kong that I can’t figure out how to order. And I grabbed a sipper cup at TRU yesterday that has a Vader sculpt on top that may just be a viable replacement for the MAFEX head. A little soft but the size looks just about right.
This quest for a perfect Vader is exhausting.
That’s pretty good. I’m happy enough with my Bandai Vader, but this one could be the best 6” Vader I’ve seen.
It’s not perfect, but for me it’s the best of the lot. It actually looks like Vader, which the Black Series and MAFEX ones can’t claim. As you said in another post, it’s really sad that we still don’t have a definitive Vader, despite having 4-5 versions. I bet if NECA made a Vader they’d knock it out of the park.
Have you done the droid and R2 kits? Those ones amazing (aside from C-3PO’s eyes).
I think the issues I have with the model kit Vader are just too much for me to consider it a contender. I don’t like the helmet at all, and while his proportions are closer to right, they just aren’t “right”… I guess? It’s hard to articulate for some reason. In the end, my biggest gripe is that he just looks too much like a model kit, and not nearly detailed/sculpted well enough to mix with my collection. He looks more like a toy than a collectible, is what I’m getting at I guess. Maybe it looks better in hand, as so many toys/collectibles seem to? I dunno.
So far, the model kits have really only worked for me when it comes to the Stormtroopers. They look screen accurate, and they look less like toys. Otherwise, I’m kinda lukewarm on the kits as a whole.
My custom Vader with Mafex troopers and Figuarts Luke and Maul.
I’ve just finished my Mafex-Bandai mashup. I thought just like you that the head was just too big, but adding the chest plate and shoulder pads from Bandai, and a soft goods inner robe made from Rickhor409 Luke cloak was really changing a lot. Here are the results, besides regular Mafex and Figuarts, I’m pretty happy with him!
I still love my TBS Vader. Some of these figures just aren’t as photogenic. Play around.
The proportions on this MAFEX Vader are all too off for me to even consider. It looks like an anime-style Vader. For me, the best Vader is still the Bandai model kit with the Black Series cape, as seen here:
As always, great review, Robo!
I was so in love with my figuarts version (the scale of which can be aided by pulling his legs down at the hips, which isn’t too noticeable), but when I got this figure in hand… man, I was blown away. He’s definitely the winner in this scale, though not without his issues.
For bulk, I really think the Figuarts one nailed it, but he is just too short, and his helmet is a bit too tall. If only the MAFEX figure were slightly bulkier… I think we’d be looking at the Vader to end all Vaders in this scale.
I agree.
It’s the cape!
The TBS figure needs a wired cape just like all Jedi in the series need wired robes!?
Indeed. Thank YOU!
Agreed! ?
Yeah, once I get this one I’ll have all of the regular ones, plus that weird chinese knock-off that showed up on ebay that I impulse bought. And the Samurai Vader. Yeesh.
Darth Vader party of 5!
Right this way!
Oooh seems I’ve double booked your table to those west side Sith Vaders!?
One up game indeed. This will be your future and its already “getting out of hand like I lost my arm.” pun intended and Keith Murray quoted.
?Lol
Shalom!
I meant the Figuarts head, but that might look good, too.
Is it alright if you post some pictures of the length of the broken peg from the helmet? I might try cutting it myself, and man does it make a huge difference.
I totally agree, none are completely perfect. I kind of expect a rash of Vader 2.0 and ROTJ Boba Fetts across all companies next year.
You do have (or will have) all five versions don’t you? That’s a lot of Dark Lords.
I haven’t had much trouble with the head popping off. It does come off easy when I want it to though.
You mean the MAFEX head on the model kit body? I didn’t even think to try that…
Plus the color of the lightsaber is better.
While it’s still ridiculous that a “perfect” Vader can’t be pointed to, it looks like I’ll buy this one as well. It’s not bad at all, especially with the Official Bob Ross Happy Accident of helmet troubles you had that ended up making him better. That’ll make a clean sweep of 6 inch Vaders.
Mafex is the winner
Best Cape
Bigger Scale
Removeable Helmet and Extra head
Movie Accurate than Figuarts to me
Sword is scaled accurately and nicely colored
Minus for me, head pops off to easily.
Not really – he does look too small compared to Black Series and other lines, but that’s just due to S.H. Figuarts’ slightly smaller scale.
I agree. While my mafex is on a boat between Japan and here I have to say the more I look at the figure the less it seems like true movie vader. The black series’ torso irks me a little; too “robey”, but the armor, the legs, and the body sculpt are fantastic. It has the OT feel to it rather than the shiney brand new PT look. Vader has a gloss helmet If the black series one had the gaps cleaned up from the removable pieces and a glossier paint job on the helmet it would be awesome. I jusy am too ocd to paint my star wars collection. My complaint with the mafex is he looks too pristine. And his legs are a little long.
Someday when I have more time and courage, I may try just that.
The Figuarts unmasked Vader head that came with Luke does fit on the model kit with some force. I don’t have the standard Figuarts Vader though. In pics he always looked way too small. Am I wrong in thinking that?
I would agree with you in all but the helmet. I feel like Bandai did a slightly better job with the Figuarts helmet than the model kit helmet, as I feel the model kit’s mouth is too big, and the grill in its mouth is too vertical. I don’t know why Bandai didn’t just make both helmets equally accurate, instead of just the Figuarts’.
Does anyone know if you can put the Figuarts figure’s head on the model kit’s body?
The Black series Vader is the only one that gets the “mass” or whatever of Vader right. David Prowse is a big guy. Those other two figures are too skinny, as if Peter Mayhew was dressing up as Vader. I know the sculpt on the Black figure isn’t the greatest, but until another one comes along that makes Vader imposing enough, that has to be the one I go with.
Thanks for an excellent review. I think Bandai did the best job of capturing the character, especially the helmet, as well as the overall body shape and proportions. Vader’s arms should have more bulk to them. My ideal figure on this scale would have Bandai body and helmet, Mafex cloak and skirt, and Anakin’s head by Figuarts…
Based on the shot of him pointing, I’d say Vader appears to be a Daniel Bryan fan.
Oh, Black Series, how you disappoint. You look like a chubby cosplayer next to those two.