Is it weird that Bandai decided to post promo pics of their upcoming Rogue One: A Star Wars Story model kits during NYCC? I don’t think so because the Scarif Shoretrooper and K-2SO are looking fantastic and the 1:6 scale Stormtrooper is going to nab me for a whole new scale.
Hey every body, Robo likes Bandai’s action figure model kits! I don’t think anyone knew that. Or everyone did. So when you see me gushing over them just understand that I am incredibly biased. Oh, I’ve had my hang-ups with some aspects here and there but there isn’t one of the Star Wars figure models produced that isn’t proudly displayed on my shelf. And in the case of Stormtroopers, four on the shelf with more on the way in the future.
So when Bandai decides to make more Stormtrooper models, I’m there, even when they decide to switch scale on me.
The Stormtrooper is an all-new sculpt, reflecting the look from Rogue One. It’s close to the original trilogy but there are changes like the shape of the eyes, the inset markings on the jowls, and subtle changes to the armor plates. The description even says “faithfully reproduce even subtle shape differences, etc. of the left and right eye” which means…I don’t know what that means. I know for a fact that the classic screen-used helmets were actually asymmetrical so maybe that trend continues here? Also notice the return of the thumbprint on the left bicep, also present on the original armor.
The new trooper also touts new articulation, supposedly for more natural movement. It’s hard to tell exactly what changes were made but the added toe articulation is the most blatantly obvious.
The kit has the usual alternate hands for different uses and three weapons. The E-11 blaster, the DTL-19 heavy blaster rifle, and a SE-14R short-range combat pistol. The E-11 can be places in the holster.
The 1:12 scale K-2SO is looking to be an impressive kit also.
The sculpt here is sharp, like we’ve come to expect with the model kits. The yellow around the shoulders is a little bright and clean though, probably because they are cast in that color. The elbows and kness have clear plastic to simulate the empty space that I assume is movie accurate.
The part that worries me is the stand. It comes with the standard Bandai base with a foot mold, but there is also a stand that comes up and plugs into K-2SO’s back to help support him. I want to think this is to help achieve action poses because of the droid’s awkward proportions and not because it needs help standing in general. But then again the Figuarts version aslo comes with a similar stand. I also see toe joints.
At first I thought the figure had articulated hands but I think it’s actually interchangeable finger pieces.
And then my biggie, the additional troops in my grand trooper army, the 1:12 scale Scarif Shoretrooper model.
Right off the bat I noticed that the kit allows you three different configurations for the finished Shoretrooper. It’s achieved with both decals and several parts that are actually molded in differing colors, like the left shoulder pad.
You can make a Shoretrooper grunt:
The Squad Leader:
And the Captain:
Do you know what that means? It means that I need to get three of these. Three. Decrees and contracts, not to mention the yen and overseas shipping cost have already made it hard enough to get even one model at a time and I’m going to need three. I may cry.
There is also alternate belt configurations. The grunt and captain have armor plate pieces hanging from the belt while the squad leader gets a skirt type piece. Someday I will learn the actual name of that article of clothing.
If the cloth is like the cape that came with the Captain Phasma kit then I may be looking for other options there. Not a very good material at this scale.
Also looking at the promo pics, there is a lot of weathering going on. A lot. If you’ll allow me to repost this pic I posted up above…
That’s probably closer to what the figures will look like right out of the box. Clean base colors. The other promo pics have grime and dirt built up in all the grooves and nooks. Nothing wrong with that. These are models, they need extra TLC than store-bought figures.
The kit comes with two weapon options, the E-11 and the E-22.
All in all some good additions to the model line and our shelves. It’s odd seeing this much product all at once after long silences most of the year with sporadic releases. But the same could be said for the Figuarts line and it’s impressive seven figure reveal. Bandai is tearing it up this winter, mostly when it comes to the state of my wallet.
