Review: Tsume XTRA - Uchiha Sasuke

I'm back again with another Tsume XTRA. This time we'll be talking about XTRA 05 - Uchiha Sasuke. Thanks to Figmation for giving me a copy of this figure. Although this is the 5th figure under the XTRA product line, this is the 3rd XTRA figure based on the Naruto anime/manga series. Let's check it out.

Review: Tsume XTRA - Pain

A few days ago we reviewed Tsume XTRA - Uzumaki Naruto. To follow-up, here we have Tsume XTRA - Pain, the second addition to the XTRA series collection. Kudos to Figmation for providing us this limited edition figure to review. So without further ado, let's check out this epic villain of Naruto manga/anime series.

Review: Tsume XTRA - Uzumaki Naruto

Hey, guys! Figmation is kind enough to provide us a copy of Tsume XTRA - Uzumaki Naruto to review. We actually have Tsume XTRA - Pain and Sasuke as well. So I'm going to have a series of reviews for these three first XTRA figure product line by Tsume.

A Cold Blooded Assassin

So what if there's a lot of Kakashi figure? Well actually, I am one of those who were asking why MegaHouse seems to be giving a lot of love to Kakashi fans. I am a fan myself of Kakashi, but I'm also waiting for some other Naruto characters to be produced. This G.E.M. Series - Hatake Kakashi (ANBU Ver.) is the third of MegaHouse's G.E.M. Kakashi so I asked "why another one?" But then I asked again "Why not?"

What's with Another G.E.M. Kakashi, MegaHouse?

Although the figure is looking great, that's my question when I first saw this back at Jump Festa 2014 event last December. A G.E.M. Series - Hatake Kakashi (ANBU Black Ops Ver.) (not sure if that will be the final name). Not too long ago they released their 2nd G.E.M. Kakashi, now they will be releasing the third. It's not so surprising, thinking that many Naruto followers love Kakashi. Still, it's unfair not to give love to other characters in the series.

Get Ready For His Sharingan

So we don't have new POP for preorder this month, but MegaHouse isn't stopping on bringing us good stuff every month. This month we'll be having the preorder of a Naruto Shippuden character - the 1/8 scale G.E.M. Series - Uchiha Sasuke. Preorders starts next Wednesday, 11th of December 2013.

When the G.E.M. Series. - Uzumaki Naruto and G.E.M. Series - Hatake Kakashi Ver. 2 was announced, we knew that a G.E.M. Series - Uchiha Sasuke will follow. We saw this the first time during the Megahobby EXPO 2013 Spring on it's uncolored prototype stage. Last Saturday, it was showcased during the Megahobby EXPO 2013 Autumn in colors.

It isn't a total mindblowing figure, but so far this is the best 1/8th scale Sasuke figure out there. The face isn't that faithful to the manga/anime but you will notice that there is a photo at the back which seems to be an alternate head/face with a sharingan eyes. That face looks a lot better than the one on the displayed prototype in my opinion.

The details are pretty decent and has all the interesting features of Sasuke. The pose isn't bad as well. I just noticed that his sword Kusanagi is a little different from the one showed during it's uncolored prototype stage. This one doesn't resemble the Kusanagi and the colors looks different. It almost seemed like a different weapon. We don't have any other good shots at the back of the figure so its really hard to make out the details of the weapon.

Hopefully we see a lot of alternate parts for different display options just like the G.E.M. Series - Uzumaki Naruto, but for any fan of Naruto Shippuden, this is a must have. We should be seeing the official promotional photos anytime soon so it's just a matter of time before we see complete package of what MegaHouse has to offer. I wish they would announce G.E.M. Series - Haruno Sakura and other Naruto characters soon.

G.E.M. Series - Uchiha Sasuke is set to be released on April 2014 with the price of 7,800 yen. I will give you an update once the official photos are released.

Official Photos: G.E.M. Series - Uzumaki Naruto

The latest addition to the G.E.M. Series which is none other than Naruto himself has been finally made available for preorder by MegaHouse (check out the preorder announcement here). And as usual before we go ahead and hit the preorder button, we get to see some official promo images. Well, most of the avid fans have probably made their decision on the first sighting of the prototype anyway, but these images will definitely make us even more excited.

As we can see here, he does not come with much alternate parts aside from the four head/face option. One with a Sage mode eyes, one with a smiling face, one without the forehead protector, and one with a dark Naruto eyes. The coat, which MegaHouse officially refer to as Minato's (the fourth) coat, can be removed entirely, exposing Naruto's orange tracksuit. No alternate hand gestures.

At some shots, you will notice the plastic support at the back since at this pose, Naruto cannot stand on his own. I hope he will come with some interesting display base like with some rocks or whirlwind effect. That's just a wish. I am satisfied with this one and he will be a nice addition in my display shelf. 

MegaHobby Station tells that "The worldwide and broad-age NARUTO: Naruto Hurricane Chronicles Series is scheduled to expand more in the future." Which means the we shall be seeing more Naruto Shippuden characters unde G.E.M. series. We already knew about the upcoming G.E.M. Series - Uchiha Sasuke. It's just a matter of time till we see, Haruno Sakura. I hope this will keep going like the POP series will all the lovable characters made into MegaHouse's "Excellent Model" figures.

G.E.M. Series - Uzumaki Naruto is now up for preorder at Amiami, HLJ, Hobby Search and Animarket.

Naruto Sage Mode in Minato's White Coat

MegaHobby EXPO 2013 Spring has lot's of surprises. One these is the unveiling of the fully colored prototype of G.E.M. Series - Uzumaki Naruto. We've already seen the unpainted prototype before but what surprised me are the colors of his coat (haori).

It's not the usual red coat with black flames-like motifs on the edges (the one he was wearing during his battle with Pain), but with white-red color scheme same as his father Minato's coat. I can't read Japanese but if I'm not mistaken, it seems that the kanji writing at the back says "Fourth Hokage" (四代目火影, Yondaime Hokage). Am I right?

I'm a huge fan of Naruto but I prefer to follow the Anime only and avoid the Manga (well at least until I cannot hold it much longer). So I don't know if he has worn this coat of his father already. But for me actually, it looks way much-much cooler than the red-black color scheme. I don't know if it looks powerful, but for me it is, since it pays respect to his late father Minato.

Some may not like this pose as it seems to be a little bit odd, but it's totally fine with me. I'm just having a hard time thinking how it will look next to G.E.M. Series - Hatake Kakashi Ver. 2. But with the next in line G.E.M. Series - Uchiha Sasuke, these three will totally look awesome. It won't be long 'till MegaHouse announce a G.E.M. Series - Haruno Sakura.

Oh, and before I forget! G.E.M. Series - Uzumaki Naruto has been announced to be available for preorder starting next Thursday, 6th of June 2013. No release date announced yet though, but I'm assuming this is an October 2013 release.

Update (2013-06-04): Set to be released on October 2013 at a price of 8,190 yen.

Official Photos: G.E.M. Series Hatake Kakashi Ver. 2

Official promo images of G.E.M. Series Hatake Kakashi Ver. 2 has now went online at Megahobby Station as preorders officially opens up (check out the preorder announcement here). It is set to be released on September 2013 for 8,190 yen (tax included).

As I mentioned before, this figure wasn't presented on any event exhibits. This is the first time we saw some clear images of this GEM Kakashi. And as expected from MegaHouse, the detailing of this one is at the level of their recent 1/8 scale releases like POPs and other G.E.M. Series.

Checking these promo images, it seems that he comes with three head options. One with a forehead protector covering his left (Sharingan) eye, one with a forehead protector in correct position (not covering hos left eye), and one without the forehead protector probably to show his look during his time at ANBU. Kakashi can either be displayed with or without Pakkun on his shoulders. His jōnin/ANBU flak jacket can be removed, though he doesn't look very appealing without it.

His pose while looks cool, stylish and is very appropriate to a Kakashi figure, it doesn't look very battle-ish as opposed to the upcoming G.E.M. Uzumaki Naruto Sage Mode. Yes, there will be an upcoming Naruto figure from MegaHouse under G.E.M. Series. You can check the uncolored prototype here. G.E.M. Uzumaki Naruto Sage Mode is in a very dynamic pose. I can't imagine it displayed together with Kakashi as it seems they're on a different side of the shinobi world. If they just posed Kakashi while doing the Chidori attack just like the Figuarts ZERO version, Naruto and Kakashi would look amazingly kick-ass together. They don't have to copy the Figuarts ZERO stance though. There's a lot of ways to pose a ninja making a Chidori attack.

Posing aside, the figure captures Kakashi and Pakkun's look in the anime and manga. Applying MegaHouse's quality and latest figure making techniques, makes it an amazing work of art. As mentioned earlier, G.E.M. Series Hatake Kakashi Ver. 2 is to be released on September 2013 for 8,190 yen (tax included). Preorders are now open at Amiami, Hobby Search, HLJ, Figmation and Animarket.

The Leader of Team 7 Makes Another Appearance on GEM Series

Remember the earlier released Naruto Shippuden's Hatake Kakashi figure under GEM Series of MegaHouse? MegaHouse will be releasing a second version of Hatake Kakashi figure for their GEM Series product line. It is entitled as GEM Series - Hatake Kakashi Ver. 2.

We don't have any clear photos yet but this small photo of a poster from some event. But as we can see clearly, unlike the first one which is plainly standing and reading an issue of the ero Icha Icha series (or holding a Kunai), this time Kakashi is in a kind of a kneeling pose with his trusty partner Pakkun on his shoulder. This one shows a more serious side of Kakashi as a former ANBU operative. He seems to be gathering intel of his current mission or making an attack strategy.

No price and release date announcement yet, but preorders will start on the 10th of May 2013. In that case, I'm assuming that it would be released on either September or October. Keep an eye on this site or my Facebook page for further announcements regarding this figure.

**Thanks to Aladdin Turki for that nice Kakashi wallpaper that I used as a cover art. Check out more of his artwork at Anime Paper.

Plex - D.P.C.F. Haruno Sakura

The official images and release information of the DPCF Haruno Sakura has appeared on the on its official website. This is the follow-up to the DPCF Uzumaki Naruto that was released last December.

The figure looks really nice and captures the artwork where it was based from (Naruto manga chapter 15 colored spread entitled "The Sharingan Revived!"). I love the how the hair was blown by the wind, the metallic appearance of the chain, and those huge axes. These images show Sakura in all possible angles. Looks incredibly detailed. 

Tsume X-tra - Uzumaki Naruto & Pain

Tsume, a European figure manufacturer that is known for their expensive resin Naruto and Bleach figures just started a new 1/10th PVC scale figure product line called X-tra. The first two characters to be given this "X-tra" treatment is Naruto and Pain.

Based of these official images, these two figures are incredibly awesome. Naruto is in his Sage mode and is dynamically posed unleashing his Rasen Shuriken attack as seen in the Invasion of Pain Arc. Pain is shown in his Deva Path appearance, standing with his right arm fully stretched and left hand holding one of his Chakra Disruption Blades. These two figures are definitely made to be displayed together, immortalizing the epic duel between Naruto and Pain.

Set to be released on May or June 2013 for the price of 44.90 € each (around 60 USD tax included) and according to their site, each figure is limited to 3000 pieces only. Tsume is now accepting preorders for these two figures on their web shop, but it doesn't seem like they are shipping outside Europe. Anyway, I would probably find some third party re-sellers for this one as these are both "must-get" for me. I hope they will continue on with more characters under this product line.

Update (2013-02-27): These two are now available for preorder at Figmation [ Naruto | Pain ]

D.P.C.F. Uzumaki Naruto is Now Ready to Summon and be Summoned

Just about a month ago, Plex released the early stage prototype photos of this D.P.C.F. Naruto. I am surprised that they are now presenting us these completed prototype images, release information and pricing.  A mid-December release for 7,980 yen (tax-included). The paint application is absolutely nice, it actually accentuates all the fine details of the sculpt. You can now appreciate and see how much details were given on this figure. It seems that the pole that was used to elevate him was made of metal and doesn't look like a part of the figure anymore. I just hope it can be covered with some cloud/smoke-like effect just like in the concept art. 

I also love the how the scroll encircles around him but I'm a little worried that it might sag down after sometime if there would be nothing to support it. And another thing that bothers me is the hair, it seems to be lacking in detail. But anyway, this is still one of the best pre time-skip Naruto figure that I have ever seen. I can't wait to see the other members of Team 7, if they would be translated into figure that is. My only problem is that, this is another December release and my budget for figure collecting is already fully exhausted for that month. I hope I can still get him sometime later after its release.

No preorder details yet but I will update you as soon as this information is available.

Update: Preorders are now open at Amiami, HLJ, Hobby Search and Nippon-Yasan

A Nostalgic D.P.C.F. Naruto

What a surprise! Plex will be releasing D.P.C.F Naruto. This will the first D.P.C.F outside their One Piece franchise. It is based on the classic Naruto when he was still young and the team 7 were still together. Plex will probably continue their releases for the whole team 7 as shown on the illustration where it is based from. For now, we'll just get to see the unpainted prototype of Naruto which is actually enough to get me excited.