Tamashii Nations gives it another try with a second S.H. Figuarts Darth Vader, this time based on Star Wars: A New Hope. Will this time be better than the first?
And I say “better” only from a personal point of view. I never actually got the first release, which is seemingly based on Return of the Jedi. I couldn’t tell you the slight costume differences and such to back that up, I base it upon Bandai’s pairing it with Jedi Luke and the inclusion of the Death Star stand. It was a good looking figure but from pics I knew it wouldn’t fit my criteria, which is being able to loosely fit in with the rest of my 1/12 scale Star Wars collection. It was just too short and small. This seems to be a problem when it comes to any armored character and SHF. But it looks like Bandai may finally be jumping that hurdle.
This new Vader is solicited at 165mm, or 6.5 inches. That’s only ever so slightly shorter than the model kit, MAFEX, and Black Series offerings at 6.625 inches, or 168mm. I know that’s not much, but it matters. Oh, it matters.
The cloth cape may turn some off though. I’m okay with soft goods but it looks to mimic what we got with The Dark Knight Batman, where it looks okay in dynamic poses but it kinda sucks at rest. It also continues the trend of overseas companies mixing a fabric cape with a plastic under-robe. Why? Why not just go all the way? You’ll also notice the plastic robe goes over the shoulder armor.
Finally, there is the head. This is the defining trait of Vader, so easy to miss. And I really feel this is off. It kind of reminds me of Hasbro’s first attempt. It’s not quite sad walrus but it has a….generic look to it? Hard to describe.
Along with a lightsaber hilt, both ignited and plain hilt, Vader comes with several sets of hands. The promo also teases old Ben Kenobi and a “Where’d he go?” rug accessory. That’s gotta be shown soon, right?
Darth Vader goes up for pre-order Nov 28th overseas, which should be tonight. MSRP is 6480 yen, or $61, so expect around $55. Release date is April, 2018.
I’ll give it a miss. For the price the helmet sculpt is lacking.
Except the Mafex is just as wrong since they didn’t do Vader’s chest cloth right.
SHF Vader 2.0 and he still sucks just like the first one, what a shame Tamashii
the head reminds me more of SW Rebels than A New Hope
The torso is too short, making him look like a little guy stuffed into a costume that’s too big for him. The short neck and thin arms add to the negative effect. It’s strange how this mistake keeps getting made, because it’s fairly obvious. Vader is supposed to look BIG and TALL.
And yeah, the helmet is off. The original (previous release) was better. “If it ain’t broke…!”
Those cheeks uggggggggh
Head too big, then eyes and (dare I call it) snout both too big for even for the helmet. Shoulders or at least the cape sit too high as well. Not one of SHF’s best offerings.
That head looks like it ruins the whole thing.
Yeah, the mix-and-match on the cape and robe is what’s killing it for me. The fact that the cape seems to have a wire just makes it worse in my view. I think I’ll just stick with the version I have: the 40th.
Same here on both points.
It looks like a fully articulated Kenner figure. The arms are too short, the chain is too big and the head-sculpt is really cartoony. I have the Rogue One MAFEX Medicom figure, and it’s really above par. I haven’t found a better one (yes, I agree the arms are a bit thin) but he feels and looks more like Vader than any other figure on the market right now. Including this one. IMHO
I agree that the helmet needs more work. Considering how great Bandai nails other armored heads, this seems baffling to me. But I have to get it. While the model kit and the new BS versions got the helmet right, their proportions are too blocky to me. And while the MAFEX Vader is my main piece right now, he’s far too thin in the arms.
Helmet aside, this Vader looks like my new Vader. He’s close enough in the helmet that I can forgive it, and his proportions seem much more accurate.
That’s what she said.
I wasn’t going to make that joke, then I read “nuclear balls” and felt it was okay.
I should be excited for this. I should be jumping for joy at Figuarts doing the original Vader. Yet, I’m not. Something looks off. I should be happy that they aren’t using cloth for his chest like Hasbro did, but the Hasbro figure looks so damn perfect. This does not.
This looks so bad…I still don’t think there is a Vader to top the model kit…
Hmmm. That head…