Storm Trooper - S.H. Figuarts

S.H. Figuarts is a new standard figure series that incorporates the Bandai action figure "Art" under the theme "Pursuing Character Expression through Humanoid Action."

Another knockout release from the S.H. Figuarts line is the misspelled Storm Trooper. Staying as faithful as possible to the onscreen character, Bandai once again proves why they’re mastering purveying their line and gaining a growing audience with each successive release. The Storm Trooper is quite a delight to behold. Aside from some inhibition in the movement of the plentiful articulation points (especially in the lower body), we’re confident in stating that this is the consummate 6” Stormtrooper action figure. Sure, it’s an expensive high-end collectible, but the precision in the detailed armor and the astounding amount of articulation makes this version a far cry from any other similar version in this scale. The Storm Trooper not only holds a strong, faithful likeness to the onscreen character, but it can also be posed and positioned in ways that mimic the fluid movements of the characters brilliantly. In fact, we’re confident that the figure’s limitations in lower body movement are also true for those in the costume. That’s how accurate this figure is. Some aren’t willing to plop down this kind of money for a 6” action figure. But when you compare this figure to say The Black Series [Phase I] Stormtrooper (#09) figure, you’re going to clearly see just what you’re missing. Don’t miss out.

The helmet of the Storm Trooper is divine. There are many differing opinions on what makes a Stormtrooper helmet look screen accurate. After all, they look different in the film depending upon who low or high the top of the helmet sits from the visor. In the S.H. Figuarts example, the helmet rim rests on the visor. This isn’t the case with many other Stormtrooper action figures. In this case, we feel it’s the way to go as the S.H. Figuarts Storm Trooper couldn’t look better. The vents are colored blue, and the rest of the accenting details are black – exactly what the character looks like in the Original Trilogy. The rest of the body armor is streamlined and clean. The buttons on the belly area are gray with the one centered button colored blue. The belt is free-floating, and this is something else that can bug a collector, but because it isn’t “glued in place” it allows the collector to pose the figure a few extra ways because you can “move it out of your way” if you’re trying to attain a certain pose. But no matter how hard you try, the “tips” of his thigh armor block a great deal of movement you might be able to get because when you twist the legs, these “tips” hit the codpiece section of armor. It’s not a deal breaker, however.

One thing we’re most impressed with when it comes to the Storm Trooper figure is how the white armor has been painted. It’s part shiny. It’s part dull. But it is significantly brighter than Hasbro’s Stormtrooper figure. Too often Stormtrooper action figures are given finishes that are much too dull. It’s evident by watching the Original Trilogy that the plastoid armor has a sheen to it. S.H. Figuarts has paid attention to this important detail and has masterfully applied it to the Storm Trooper figure. We couldn’t be more pleased. The Storm Trooper also comes with a modest amount of accessories. Included are two interchangeable left and right hands (in addition to the pair that already comes with the figure). You get uniform left and right blaster gripping hands, blaster holding hands, and two fisted hands. (We don’t understand the need for including fisted hands on all of these S.H. Figuarts action figures. In our opinion, they’re kind of useless.) Also included is the signature Imperial issue E-11 blaster rifle. It is a simple accessory but looks great with the Storm Trooper figure. In our opinion, the S.H. Figuarts Storm Trooper figure takes the lead in this scale. Until someone can make better, we think this one will remain a far cry from the rest.