TOY REVIEW: SHFiguarts/Bandai Tamashii Nation’s Hatake Kakashi

Naruto, the manga masterpiece by Mashashi Kishimoto does not need any introduction at all as it’s one of the most loved and well-known series of this generation.  Hatake Kakashi or Kakashi-Senpai as he is more famously known along with his moniker “Copy Ninja Kakashi” is among the series favorites along with Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke. Hatake Kakashi is SHFiguarts/Bandai Tamashii Nation’s latest action figure after the release of Naruto and Sasuke last year.

PACKAGING: 10/10

Right off the box, SHFiguarts made sure that you’re in for a treat with their Hatake Kakashi action figure. From the carton box down to the box art they immediately got it right.  The box alone would make this action figure stand out. It’s like a bento box with an action figure inside.

ACCESSORIES: 9/10

Hatake Kakashi is packed! SHFiguarts made sure that Kakashi-Senpai has all the essentials he needs. He has his kunais, two replacement faces with his Sharingan exposed, his chidori, multiple sets of hands and of course, Kakashi-Senpai wouldn’t go out on a mission without his favorite novel, Icha Icha. It is only proper that his action figure has it as all! I’m still wishing that SHFiguarts will release an action base along with it’s action figures rather than a separate purchase.

SCULPT and PAINT: 8/10

One of the signature trademarks of SHFiguarts is the attention and level of detail they put into their action figures. The paint job on Kakashi Senpai is an improvement to the previous action figures released (Naruto and Sasuke) in this series. The detailing done on this figure is noteworthy especially on Kakashi’s Sharingan. Other than a few paint overlaps on the fingers and hands, it’s still a job well done.

ARTICULATION: 7/10

Sadly, this is where SHFiguarts fell short. Not that this isn’t highly articulated, it actually is. The issue is the ball joints in the neck and arms. If you’re not careful enough, the joints look like they could break if you apply too much force. I find it difficult changing heads especially the face plates.

I tried multiple times before I was able to fit Kakashi’s face with his Sharingan eye. The head was shallow as there was no plastic underneath the face plate so it makes harder to snug in place plus the joint bends which scared me the first time I tried it, I thought I just broke a brand new action figure. This is no simple snug and fit.

On the good side, the shoulder and leg joints are impressive. It gives you more freedom to perform dynamic action poses with Kakashi-Senpai. Bit of warning though, the knee cap tends to fall off when you bend the knees too much. Kakashi Senpai is no Spider-man.

OVERALL: 8/10

SHFiguarts Hatake Kakashi is a thing of a beauty. It’s a highly displayable action figure. It will definitely look good in your display cabinet or desk along with your other six-inch action figures. I suggest though that after playing with this figure, after taking a few pictures, display it right after. With this figure’s issue with its ball joints, sadly it makes it more of a display figure rather than an action figure. However, even with its shortcomings in articulation/playability, it’s still is a good purchase. A must have for any Naruto fan. Remember without Kakashi Senpai there is no Team 7.