I skipped the original S.H. Figuarts First Order Stormtrooper and kind of regretted it after seeing Benty’s and Robo’s reviews, so I jumped on it when I saw the announcement of the Tamashii Nations Heavy Gunner First Order Stormtrooper. Let’s take a look!
The heavy gunner is also the last of the Stormtrooper variations from The Force Awakens that hadn’t been released, so that also motivated me to pick up this figure.
I liked the sculpt of the S.H. Figuarts First Order Stormtrooper, but I felt like the upper chest looked a little off, more like a sports bra than chest armor, but this figure solves that issue with the ammo chest packs.
The sculpt is amazingly sharp and the finish has a perfect Stormtrooper gloss. The arms seem a little short to me when I have the figure posed standing without his gun, but it’s not an issue because I think I’ll always have him holding the gun.
The packaging features nice photography and doesn’t have the usual window box, which I actually missed.
The gun has two stand pieces, one folded up for carrying and one folded down for stability. There is a little articulated handle on the gun, which I really want to have the figure hold, but it’s not really used in the film in that way.
The figure comes with three sets of hands: open, fist, and trigger/pointer sculpts, which is all I need. The figure also has the pistol that plugs into the leg armor.
The articulation is pretty phenomenal. I especially like the double elbows because the Hasbro figure’s elbows can’t even bend 90 degrees. The articulation is the same as the regular trooper, so check out Robo’s video for a walk-through.
Also check out Benty’s review of the figure here. I like all the extra articulation in the arms and shoulders and I think it will help the figure hold this heavy weapon properly. I have a hard time imagining the Hasbro version managing it.
Overall, this is a nice, high-quality figure and completes the trooper line up from The Force Awakens nicely for my collection. I’m glad I was able to secure this exclusive figure from Anime Export even though it was a little pricier than the usual figure.
Thanks!
oh wow, those picture, photos are like seriously seriously amazing… exceptionally cool looking… i love it..
Terrific shots!
I have the riot trooper and am very happy with it, despite the price.
I’m going to a convention this weekend. If I don’t find this one, I might just settle for the basic release.
If they think they can get people to buy them, I don’t see why not.
I wouldn’t bet on it. The model kits have more accessories than the Figuarts, and the shield, baton and pistol were already included in the FO Trooper. I don’t think they’ll launch the same figure just to add the heavy gun to the pack.
Thanks for the info. Fingers crossed this one gets released as a model kit
There is not always a direct correlation between the kits and Figuarts, unfortunately. Sometimes, the figure comes first, then the model, sometimes, it is the opposite. Often times, a figure will come, but then no model, so you cannot really set your watch to it.
However, since a lot of the pieces for a model kit are already done with the original FO Stormtrooper release, it seems like this would be a good candidate.
Does this mean we’ll get this as a model kit as well? I’m unfamiliar with Bandai’s policy, which comes first, etc.
AUGH I want this…Hopefully I’ll find a way to pick one up
Awesome review, and photos as always! Still on the fence about getting this one because it’s like $90 most places and I can grab another regular SH Figuarts First Order Trooper for $40. So I’m torn on either getting one heavy gunner or 2 more standard troopers. I do like that this comes with the pistol that can holster to the leg, tough choice!