TOY REVIEW: SHFIGUARTS MIGHTY MORPHIN GREEN RANGER – The perfect throwback action figure!
Raves
Rants
Sentai’s (Masked heroes) have been around for as long as I can remember but it has reached mainstream success when Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers came out during the 90s. Not to take any love away from classics such as Bioman (Choudenshi Bioman ) and Maskman (Hikari Sentai Maskman) but I think they have paved the […]
Sentai’s (Masked heroes) have been around for as long as I can remember but it has reached mainstream success when Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers came out during the 90s. Not to take any love away from classics such as Bioman (Choudenshi Bioman ) and Maskman (Hikari Sentai Maskman) but I think they have paved the way for masked superheroes to a being well loved television for kids (and kids like myself who fondly remember their childhood).
Traditionally, Sentai’s or Power Rangers came in a team of five that’s why when Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers introduced a sixth member it broke the tradition and became an instant hit. Possibly the most famous Power Ranger that ever lived, Tommy Oliver , the bad-ass Green Dragon Ranger suddenly became every kids favorite. Some might still prefer Jason (Red Ranger) but Tommy was in a whole different level, he was the first of his kind, more powerful and has more charisma than all the five rangers combined. To this day, Jason David Frank (who played Tommy in the Power Rangers) is still fondly known for his role as the Green Ranger and has appeared in other incarnations of the series. JDF now in his 40s is reported to be part of the 20th anniversary movie of the Power Rangers.
This toy review is more of nostalgia as SHFiguarts had decided to release a figure based on our favorite ranger, the Green Dragonzord Ranger. This figure is the Japanese release as there is also an American 20th anniversary Mighty Morphin Green Ranger. There’s really no difference between the figures, except for the packaging and with that let’s start with the review:
PACKAGING: 9/10
The packaging itself is already a beauty in itself. It has some pretty detailed box art in the front and cool looking action poses at the back. The figure can be seen clearly inside the box and its one of those toys that when you see in the shelf makes you want to buy it IMMEDIATELY. No questions asked. Makes me remember those days when you would utter as kid: “Ma/Pa bili mo ko nun”. Trust me, this figure has that feel to it.
ACCESSORIES: 6/10
SHFiguarts Green Ranger comes along with your standard set of hands, weapons, alternate neck band / belt and a manual. It came to me as a surprise that SHFiguarts don’t come along with an action base like other articulated toys (Figma,Revoltech) do. This being my first SHFiguarts figure I was really expecting a base along with the figure. I researched online and you can purchase a separate base but I just think that action bases are a must when it comes to these types of action figures. Other than the base, I got no complaints with what the Green Ranger has.
SCULPT AND PAINT: 10/10
For a 6 inch action figure, SHFiguarts did a fantastic job on the Green Ranger. The details on this figure are remarkable. As you can notice on my photos, I even had a close-up taken of Green Ranger’s helmet to show the level of detail put on to this figure, both the sculpting and paint job are simply superb. Even his gold chest plate is so nice to look out. Sculpt and Paint are my favorites part of this figure. I would just let the photos speak for themselves.
ARTICULATION: 7/10
In my opinion this is possibly the weakness of this SHFiguarts Green Ranger. Earlier I did mention that the packaging boasts some cool looking action poses but in reality it’s hard to recreate those photos. I tried my best recreating them but only managed to do a few. One of the complaints (more of disappointments) I had with this figure is the hands ball joint. Im not sure if these were defects that is isolated to my figure but I have a number of hands that just wouldn’t fit. Im scared to force the hands as I may end up breaking the figure. Another issue that I have is the gold plate, it’s one thing that it’s pretty to look at but at the same time it’s a big hindrance. For one it could not be taken off, second its in the way of the arms which limits you from playing it and it more of just becomes a display piece (which is not a bad thing). Toys are meant to be played and to be displayed after. Unfortunately, this is a big letdown for this figure.
OVERALL: 8/10
SHFiguarts Green Dragonzord Ranger has a number of defects that prevents it from being an awesome, over-the-top, must buy figure. Fans would definitely go for this figure but if you’re a regular toy collector it’s still a good action figure to add to your collection. If you can overlook the minor things that I’ve mentioned this figure would still come off as a good buy. It brings you that sense of nostalgia, the feeling that you have growing up and watching the original series in front of the television after school. The Green Ranger could now be considered a classic and having a classic in your collection is a pretty good addition. Nothing beats the classics in any collection.