Figuarts Zero: Magellan

So who is this imposing figure?  None other than the hard working Impel Down warden Magellan!

So I was late in picking up this figure, but WOW am I glad I did.  First up is the cool box.  I love it.

He looks really good with Sadie and Hannibal, so I may pick these up in the future.  Impel down was a really great arc.  Anyway, the box is really tall (as is Magellan0 so the shipping was a little high.

Again the boxes are typical Figuarts Zero boxes and his base is like the rest of the set, just large scale.

 I had heard a lot of online stories of the paint being off and especially the paintwork on his face.  It initially made me worried to get him, but after consideration I had to include him in my collection simply because of his Hydra being included in this figure. 

Not only are the Hydra heads amazingly detailed and really resemble the design in the manga/anime but my Magellan came with a perfect visage.  I personally love the little details on the collar and cap.

The buttons and the creases on his coat really give nice details to the figure.  Also his little feet have always entertained me.  He has a nice mix of shine and matte paintwork as well.

Seeing the venom dripping from his fingers is a lovely addition.  I can usually trust figuarts zero to include something interesting with their figures, even when they can't include alternate parts.

He also comes along with this transparent piece to help him stand without the base.  Some people use these with their bases and I suggest it since he is so heavy and may someday have lean issues.  He can still stand on the base without it included though.

As imposing as he is, size wise he isn't really in scale with the other figures.  Magellan is supposed to be the height of "3 men" but is merely just large figure wise.  Gekko Moria has the same issue in the FAZ line, but as long as you enjoy the character/figure this is an issue that can be forgiven.  Here he is next to Luffy for anyone curious!

Taito Prize Figure: Tatsumi Kanji and Shirogane Naoto

It's persona time again, this time with Taito's Persona 4 Arena prize figures!  It's a fact that I like a good prize figure and I love some Persona 4 Kanji and Naoto merch, so naturally I had to pick these up.  I preordered the pair for 30 some dollars and then completely forgot about them until they showed up at my house a couple of months ago.  It's finally time to open these up and see what we have going on:

First up is a quick look at the boxes.  Not too shabby, simple Persona 4 Arena design with photos figures on the outside parts. Also, for whatever reason, the Atlus sticker is on the bottom of these boxes, so that makes it difficult for purchasing online on ebay or something like that.

First up Kanji!  I love this guy, he is one of my top ten all time favorite characters, and this figure would be a knockout of him if it didn't have so many tiny problems!  Now he is a nice figure, he fills up the space on the base, he has a nice action pose, and the painting on his clothes is ideal.

 My major issues with this one have to do with his hair and his chair.  The hair seams are far to noticeable and the paint is blotched on the front! noooo....  I'm happy to report in other comments and reviews they didn't have this blotch problem, but it's pretty bad on mine.  As far as the chair goes, it is well done and a neat addition, but when in his hands it looks more like he is resting it on his head than being threatening with it.  I'm not sure if this is a warping issue or if I just got a bad draw on him.  Otherwise, man I really dig this figure, the flowing coat especially. 

I'm happy to report that the chair can fit in a variety of ways, so it's been fun to play around with that.  I gotta say... I know yellow is the color of Persona 4 through and through but I'm not feeling the base on these.  They are a little too large and a little too plastic looking for my taste.  Again, for a 15 dollar figure, he is still considered a good figure (not the best, but not the worst either) in my book.

Up next is the detective, who looks surprisingly well done.  The oddest parts however have to do with paintwork.  The stripes on the hat, the lines/buttons on the coat, the handgun; they all have a bit of a fuzzy feel to them.  A little sloppy.  Truly odd considering how dead on the pants are compared to the rest of the outfit.  Still no major complaints, Naoto is a lovely addition to have with Kanji. (I wasn't even planning on getting this one; it was a choice on a whim!)

 I dig the shoes and the outstretched hand in the back, they are nice details for a prize figure.

All in all that's the scoop!  I'm pleased pretty much with these (wish Kanji had better hair, but it's ok)  I suggest if anyone out there wants to pick these up, don't spend more than 20 bucks on either of them.  It's nice that prize figures fill the role of providing fans with the less popular characters, but these are prize figures through and through.  I've had really amazing luck with some prize figures and way less quality with others.  Look online for more images of these two that are not promotional shots before making a choice.  For now I need to find a spot on my shelf for these two.  I'm out!

Nendoroid: Teddie (Kuma)

It's been a while since my last post, but I'm getting back into it!  I'm returning and going to be posting every Sunday instead of the old Friday/Saturday schedule.  For now it's time to go through a back log of older goodies until I receive my next recent purchase.

Today I have a few shots of Nendoroid Teddie! or Kuma! Depending on how you know him.  I honestly don't remember how much I paid for this one, but considering how fast he went on sale I'm sure he is still available.  Also SO many reviews for this one went up, so I won't be too detailed description wise today. 

 The box is perfectly part of the Persona 4 theme with the Teddie blue and the Persona 4 yellow.  if you are looking to buy one of these make sure it has the atlus sticker on the front of the box.

 Here they are!  The really nice part of this Nendo, is the fact that you basically get two figures in one box.  I really wanted a Teddie to go along with my D-arts persona figures, so the Nendo was worth getting for the way cute human Teddie included with him.

 The options with the face plates make it hard to choose how to display this little Kuma in a good way. His scared and tough expressions are just too darn cute!  The parts fit well into each other and can be combined in amusing ways.  He is a versatile little Nendo. 

 Combination complete!  This is such a nice addition for people who know the scene from the game/anime!  I heard a lot of people were interested in this figure simply for this display option.

All in all this was a great purchase, even from someone who doesn't go out of the way to collect Nendo figures.  As a Persona fan I am very pleased.  This is a highly recommended figure!