Saturday, October 2, 2010
Review: [Kotobukiya] Date Masamune
Figure Info:
Manufacturer:
Kotobukiya
Series:
Sengoku Basara
Scale and Height:
Non-scale and measured at approximately 20.something cm from base to the highest tip of his helm
Manufacturer:
Kotobukiya
Series:
Sengoku Basara
Scale and Height:
Non-scale and measured at approximately 20.something cm from base to the highest tip of his helm
The One-eyed Dragon
Well, basically the catch is Date Masamune's the main character in the game series/anime, Sengoku Basara. How Capcom depicted the Date Masamune was quite fun, a really cool guy who can speak in english and rides a motor-like horse. He's quite famous for wielding six katanas all at once, which is his basara attack in the first game, dunno for succeeding games though. Though different in characterization, he still captures the image of the real Masamune especially the eye patch and the crescent helm. He's the lord of Oshuu and leads a band of loyal and high-spirited men during their conquest in the sengoku era. Last but not least, he's also known as Azure Dragon from those who played the weird US translation of the first SB game, Devil Kings. Anyway, below's the base art of where this figure was based on.
Anyway, here's a little static figure review for you readers XD
Box/Packaging:
I'm not sure if the box design changed but this one's the re-issue of Masamune, the box's really nice, not too much of a space eater and the color scheme as well as the overall design is very pleasing. Beside the box you'll see the basis artwork, well even in the front, you'll see an enlarged version of it. But anyways, like always, I could care less about boxes. Just describing it's appeal and (dis)advantagesXD
I'm not sure if the box design changed but this one's the re-issue of Masamune, the box's really nice, not too much of a space eater and the color scheme as well as the overall design is very pleasing. Beside the box you'll see the basis artwork, well even in the front, you'll see an enlarged version of it. But anyways, like always, I could care less about boxes. Just describing it's appeal and (dis)advantagesXD
Face and Photogenic appeal:
The face I must say is pretty much improved from the artwork, since the basis artwork doesn't really capture Masamune, face-wise. Well, by far, this Masamune has the best face upon all the released ones so far, the nendo will shrug that off but that'll be happening in approximately 3 months from now. :p Anyway, now to photogenicccc appeal, this figure looks really good in many angles because probably the pose is really neat and his face orientation nailed a good position. Apply some shadowing and boom, he's an instant win.
The face I must say is pretty much improved from the artwork, since the basis artwork doesn't really capture Masamune, face-wise. Well, by far, this Masamune has the best face upon all the released ones so far, the nendo will shrug that off but that'll be happening in approximately 3 months from now. :p Anyway, now to photogenicccc appeal, this figure looks really good in many angles because probably the pose is really neat and his face orientation nailed a good position. Apply some shadowing and boom, he's an instant win.
What really makes this figure interesting is that when hit with just good enough lighting, he'll give a shock that he pretty much captures how he looks like in the 3DCG cutscenes from the game. Well, it might be just me but I got an angle that made him look a lot like his CG counterpart and that shot should be coming after this.
Body and Details:
One of this Masamune's MAJOR selling factor would be the massive amount of work on his suit's details. You can see that Koto wasn't just playing around as his suit from scales to armor parts, everything are well done especially his six Katana's. Posed with one Katana on his left hand while drawing out a new one on the other, his proportions are just right, no misses as far as I'm concerned. Anyway, I shall stop talking and let you gaze upon the details I mentioned.
One of this Masamune's MAJOR selling factor would be the massive amount of work on his suit's details. You can see that Koto wasn't just playing around as his suit from scales to armor parts, everything are well done especially his six Katana's. Posed with one Katana on his left hand while drawing out a new one on the other, his proportions are just right, no misses as far as I'm concerned. Anyway, I shall stop talking and let you gaze upon the details I mentioned.
Base:
Well, the usual, Koto makes pretty boring bases and this one's not exempted from it. Though aside from being just plain black, they were kind enough to put some kind of a 2nd layer base for Masamune patterned after his color, blue. There's also the Sengoku Basara 2 logo which is actually a button. What that button is for would be discussed next.
Well, the usual, Koto makes pretty boring bases and this one's not exempted from it. Though aside from being just plain black, they were kind enough to put some kind of a 2nd layer base for Masamune patterned after his color, blue. There's also the Sengoku Basara 2 logo which is actually a button. What that button is for would be discussed next.
Bonus Features:
Yep, here's the deal with his base. If you noticed the very last detail shot, there are rectangular holes behind his feet. Those are actually speakers, since his base design was like that due to the fact that it's equipped with a voice system. You'll need 2 AA batteries to power up this feature. The battery slot can be opened below the base. Once powered with batteries. You can press the SB2 logo and hear 7 different dialogues featuring his seiyuu, Kazuya Nakai's voice. More than half of the dialogues feature Masamune's catchy lines.
If that's not good enough, Koto also made one more additional feature, which is an extra head, wherein he doesn't wear his helm and has a slightly different expression. Though one problem is that his hair's rough texture shows pretty much as opposed to the default head.
If that's not good enough, Koto also made one more additional feature, which is an extra head, wherein he doesn't wear his helm and has a slightly different expression. Though one problem is that his hair's rough texture shows pretty much as opposed to the default head.
Overall:
Since Date's a Koto release, he had a pretty friendly price, which is if you ask me worth it even with just the details alone, the figure's already worth the money. And when you look at it from afar, he's just badass :3
Since Date's a Koto release, he had a pretty friendly price, which is if you ask me worth it even with just the details alone, the figure's already worth the money. And when you look at it from afar, he's just badass :3
Remarks:
Face and Photogenic Appeal - 8/10
Body and Details - 10/10
Base - 9/10
Bonus Features - 10/10
Price - 10/10
Average: 9.4/10
As Masamune says in one of his dialogues...
"Let's Party!"
For some final notes, though it's rare for collectors like me to actually get Male Figures, Masamune's pretty cool. You'll seriously love every inch of detail he's got when you see him first hand. I do recommend him for Masamune fanboys and fangirls as well to SB die hard fans, since 1.) he is the finest static Masamune to date and 2.) his face looks even better than Revoltech's. :p Anyway, he's definitely a good addition to anyone who collects samurais and/or male figures.
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Wow, they even included a chin depression for where the helmet strap would leave an impression on when worn for extended periods. They really did work in a lot of details on this guy. Awesome awesome figure!
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