By Marvin Garcia |Asst. Features Editor|
Japanese action figure manufacturer Tamashii Nations teamed up with Bandai to bring fond memories of the past to hardcore collectors with their S.H Figuarts line.
For those anime lovers, many will be thrilled to see series such as “Dragon Ball Z,” “Gundam Wing,” “Sailor Moon,” and my personal favorite, “Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac,” being brought to the palm of their hands.
While most of their products remain Japanese brands, they have expanded by integrating American figures to their line, such as Star Wars and “Avengers: Age of Ultron.”
Tamashii Nation excels in their image sculpture consistency and the articulation that allows optimized posing.
For example, the “Iron Man” mrk.45 figure flawlessly captures the same look and movement that Tony Stark does in the film.
American figures fall short in contrast with these ones with all the detail and material used.
Another element is the use of die-cast metal on their “Saint Seiya” line.
While some parts remain plastic, the metal cast gives more credibility to the source.
As a collector and customer myself, it evokes a lot of nostalgia when the parts are put together in dressing the figure, or giving shape to the zodiac sign it is derived from.
On the other hand, the negative about these figures is their affordability and accessibility.
The price range varies from $40 up to $110, sometimes even more depending on the third party vendors.
These products are imported from Japan or Hong Kong, which is why the majority of retailers sell them online and are shipped overseas, adding more expense to shipping fees.
Furthermore, quantities are limited and end up adding even more value in price.
Nevertheless, the drawbacks have not stopped collectors from buying, especially now that the selection has become broader, better known, and creative.
The most recent Star Wars line is currently coming out with a Japanese feudal era theme, where it has Darth Vader in shogun armor.
These figures are indeed items to consider purchasing for any anime fan, however there are age restrictions.
No doubt Tamashii Nation has become a worldwide phenomenon of quality and distinction.
Being a big hit in Japan, Tamashii Nations have exhibits of their products overseas, making their way into many popular conventions such as San Diego Comic-Con, Wonder-Con, and Anime Expo.
The list of series goes on and on, continuing to add more ways that bring the majesty of these figures out of their animated counterparts.
It gives solid competition to other brand lines such as Hot Toys, Figma, and Play Arts Kai, who are also releasing American Hero based products.
If you are a devoted fan of American and Japanese animation, you will be eager to see the next new item by Tamashii Nation as they bring your favorite childhood, or current anime heroes right to you.
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