I had this planned before the reveal of Bandai releasing another version, but I thought it would be fun to sit down and quickly go through most of the 1/12 scale Darth Vaders from the companies giving us 6-Inch Star Wars, like Bandai S.H. Figuarts and model kits, Medicom MAFEX, Hasbro Black Series, and even Kaiyodo Revoltech. You may not like the results but there is a little something for everyone out there.
Some Vaders didn’t make the cut, mostly because I never bought them. The original S.H. Figuarts was too small. The Medicom MAFEX Revenge of the Sith and Hologram versions are just the first MAFEX figure with a new head or made of delicious blueberry Jolly Rancher. And then one I forgot to mention in the video but also never bought was the Walgreens Black Series Emperor’s Wrath Vader. Mostly the first Hasbro one with a new head.
Round 1: Hasbro Star Wars Black Series Version 1 vs Hasbro Star Wars Black Series 40th Anniversary. The cape donated itself to the model kit.
Round 2: Bandai S.H. Figuarts A New Hope vs. Kaiyodo Revoltech…big chunk of unfun plastic. Guess who wins this round.
Round 3: Bandai Model Kit Version 1 vs Bandai Model Kit Return of the Jedi. The Jedi kit has been hit with Dullcote to change it up a bit and the hologram is thrown in to demonstrate Version 1″s original cape.
Round 4: Medicom MAFEX Version 1 vs Medicom MAFEX Rgoue One. Just look into those deep, inviting red lenses!
After these, things get interesting, but you have to watch the video to see what happens. If you know me, you know which one takes the top spot and you can expect the usual indecision. Just realize that you can fine-tooth-comb it all day long and still have five different opinions from five different people. Vader is one of those characters that can take on different looks for different people. We can all admit the selection so far (Bandai just announced a new S.H. Figuarts Vader that looks fantastic, so this fun little video is already obsolete) has a little something for everyone.