Let’s get the most important (for many) part out of the way first: this is not going to be the miracle Vader that will fit in with the Black Series and replace Hasbro’s effort. If that’s what you’re looking for, the Bandai model kit Vader (reviewed by Robo here) is still going to be your best bet.
However, if you’re up for a completely separate collection that isn’t interested in supplementing the Black Series, the Figuarts Darth Vader will kick off that brand new collection on a very high note.
Bandai’s S.H. Figuarts line has set a high standard across several licenses, featuring non-scale action figure with a high amount of articulation, accessories, and play value. When it was announced that there would be Figuarts Star Wars figures, many immediately started twitching with anticipation at how awesome things could get. With Vader and a Stormtrooper already released and Jedi Luke and Darth Maul coming up and a healthy list of what to expect having made the rounds, there’s plenty to be excited about.
I’ve found that Figuarts is the definition of what I want out of an action figure line. To me that’s great-looking toys with a high amount of attention paid towards making the toy as fun as possible, whether playing or posing. Mass-market, toy-aisle action figures can sometimes be bogged down by limitations in articulation or paint quality or that ephemeral “fun factor” that keeps making you pick up a figure. Unfortunately, you pay a premium for that package, so Figuarts are noticeably more expensive per item than your average hunk of Walmart plastic.
As I said before, the Bandai model kit makes a suitable replacement for the sub-par Hasbro Black Series Vader; however, the stiff nature of his cape renders him lacking on the “action figure” aspect, at least until you can find a decent alternative for the hard plastic cape. The Figuarts Vader features a flexible cape and skirt combo that barely hinders his poseability. He’s able to get a pretty good lateral spread to his legs. It’s all about the lateral spread, baby.
Figuarts approach articulation in a variety of different ways depending on the character, so there’s no set pattern to how they articulate anyone. Darth Vader features all the standard ball-jointing of the wrists, hips, and shoulders combined with the double-jointing of the elbows and knees, which means he has a very dynamic range of motion. He has a ball-jointed head that allows all forms of expressive poses. In addition to the vast range of motion already afforded him by his shoulder setup, he has bicep cuts, meaning he has no trouble two-fisting his lightsaber or even imperiously folding his arms.
His shoulder pads are even articulated so they can be moved out of your way when pushing his arms back or out, which is a huge help if you’ve ever had a figure frustratingly hindered by a non-moving shoulder pad of some type. They’re the worst! The slight downside to articulated shoulder pads is having to reposition them whenever the arms are moved around, but being able to raise his arms above his head makes it well worth it.
Vader features a ball-jointed wrist, which means he’s not limited to just one field of motion. After being spoiled by this style of wrist in other Figuarts products and most recently the Mezco DKR Batman, I’d love a sweeping application of this type of joint on every single action figure. I love options and am tired of being locked into articulation schemes mandated by toy companies. It’s all about those nuanced expressions afforded by subtle changes.
He has the same ball-jointed ankles, which are slightly hindered by the nature of his shin pads, but not terribly. He makes up for that with a well-integrated toe-joint. We’ve lost the toe-joint in a lot of mainstream toys. Overall that’s a good thing because it usually ended up giving the figures a clown-shoe type of appearance, but here it’s nearly invisible unless utilized.
Vader has a great sculpt, and the articulation is integrated in a very natural way. I think his helmet is the only place I have a bit of a problem — there’s a bit of over-stylization to it. I think the eyes may be too close together, but I know for sure that the top of his helmet is a bit too high, giving his actual facemask section a squashed look. Thankfully they didn’t try to cram an unmasked head underneath there, but I think a reworking of some of the proportions might have been better. It’s only a minor ding, and it’s offset by all the rest. No issues with his minimal paint.
Vader comes with three sets of hands, some of which are hands that should come standard with every Vader. He comes with two lightsaber-gripping hands so he can hold his blade with either hand or double up for angry dual-fisting action, which is as sexy as it sounds.
He comes with a pair of Force-push hands, also useful for blocking blaster bolts from no good smugglers who are trying to gank him in a dining room, or for choking anyone who fails him or ticks him off. Bonus points for reaching out to a wayward son before he falls a billion stories to his death.
And finally, he comes with a pair of fists. While Vader is not the type of guy to get into a fist fight, there is no way you can be a self-respecting Sith lord without balling up your fists in righteous anger aimed at the galaxy at large.
He comes with an unignited lightsaber hilt and a fully lit lightsaber. There’s no way to attach the unlit saber to his belt anywhere, so you’ll just have to pretend its there under the folds if you want him to stand there without it. Both of them fit snugly in either hand.
For those who preordered, a nice bonus came along with Vader in the form of a bit of the throne room display from Return of the Jedi. You won’t get a chair, but you get some steps and a window view. Pretty nifty.
Vader is an absolutely successful toy. It won’t be a replacement for Hasbro’s attempt, but as the start of something new, it wins hands down, and it makes me excited to see what the future holds.
Vader is getting scarce everywhere, but you can still Order from Hobbylink Japan
And discuss this figure as always on the Fwoosh!
