2016 has been a very odd year. I could go on for hours about how it has been strange “in real life,” but that descriptor can also be applied to my action figure collecting hobby. In fact, “odd” might be an understatement because if you were to tell me back in January that I would be picking a quarter-scale figure as my “best of the year” choice, I would have gleefully laughed in your face. Yet … here we are.
The year that has passed has given me some pretty amazing toys. In fact, I don’t think there has been a year in recent memory when I had so many figures jockeying for the best figure of the year for me, but it all started back in January with the release of the S.H. Figuarts Phantom Menace Obi-Wan Kenobi. After his release, 2016 never took its foot off the gas, and I acquired so many awesome pieces, it would have been a heck of a lot easier to pick a “stinker of the year” and then throw everything else into the “best of” category. But, damn it, we have self-applied rules here, so choose I must. But you better believe I will include an “Honorable Mention” list at the end.
All of that said though, when it comes down to it, the pick was easy for me because, even though there were a ton of rad releases, one figure stands literally above the competition, so the honor goes to NECA’s 1:4 scale Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movie Donatello. Yes, I know I just took a look at this figure, but timing has nothing to do with it because this is an amazing figure in the December, just as it would have been an amazing figure in January. As I have said, it is easy to get carried away with this Donatello due to his stature alone, but the thought of me choosing a toy that is NOT at 1:12 scale is baffling, so even though this isn’t my preferred scale, it still wins. Hands down.
This figure is such an achievement, and Randy Falk, Trevor Zammit and everyone at NECA should be so proud of this because, even with their impressive library of action figures, this might be the best thing they have done. In fact, for me, this might be the most accurate rendering of an onscreen character to plastic I have ever owned. Yeah, I don’t collect Hot Toys or anything like that, but I would gladly enter the Thunderdome to defend this choice because I believe Donnie is that good. As I mentioned in my review, everything from the sculpt to the paint to the articulation is perfect on this figure, and I still do a double-take when I spot it in the toy room.
I am such a huge fan of TMNT in general, and that original movie is still one of my favorites, so this figure means a lot to me even without considering that Donatello is my favorite Ninja Turtle. This large scale format affords the advantages of being able to exploit some details with the paint and sculpt, and I am so glad that all of those things came through production so well. Donnie’s eyes are what really get me though, and I am pretty convinced he is going to start talking to me at any moment, and then my house will be filled with the musings of Corey Feldmen for ever more. Oh, and all of this great detail extends to the accessories as well because I kind of find myself periodically wanting to take a bite of the included pizza slice.
This figure is an impressive accomplishment and is unlike anything else in my collection. The accurate detailing is really remarkable for any angle, and even with his impressive height and weight, Donatello can STILL balance on one leg due to the engineering and articulation. He is impressive, most impressive, and I cannot wait until his three brothers are here to put an exclamation point on the whole thing. I adore this figure and it is absolutely deserving of the title Figure of the Year, so if you want to get in on this, I encourage you to do so. BBTS still has him available for pre-order.
Honorable Mentions
(in no particular order):
- S.H. Figuarts Star Wars Phantom Menace Obi-Wan Kenobi
- Sentinel 4-Inch Nel Mega Man
- Eastman & Laird TMNT Foot Clan Shredder
- figma A Link Between Worlds
- Mythic Legions Skapular The Crypt Breaker
- Masters of the Universe Classics Evil Seed
- ThunderCats Classic Mumm-Ra
- S.H. Figuarts Star Wars Attack of the Clones Mace Windu
- S.H. Figuarts Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (all of ’em)
- Marvel Legends Scarlet Witch
- MAFEX Star Wars The Return of the Jedi Boba Fett
- DC Icons Harley Quinn
- Gremlins Bat Gremlin
- S.H. Figuarts Star Wars A New Hope Luke Skywalker
- S.H. Figuarts Freddie Mercury
- S.H. Figuarts Lupin III Jigen Daisuke
