Now this is something interesting coming from Kaiyodo's Revoltech series (as if some of their latest stuff aren't interesting enough).
Meet the skeletons from Jason and the Argonauts.
Mouth can be opened and neck as two joints for some creepy poses
Base has one emerging skeleton which has limited articulations on one arm to swing the sword
Unused accessories or parts can be placed at the back of the base.
4 extra hands (open spread palms, closed fists) included, as well as an arm with a hand for holding a shield it seems
Full set of accessories and base excluding the skeleton figure itself. A nameplate labelled "SKELETON ARMY, [JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS] 1963" is included as well.
Equipped with sword and shield with head of Ymir artwork
Equipped with spear and a shield with octopus artwork
This particular skeleton actually comes from a 1963 film called Jason and the Argonauts. Directed by Don Chaffey in collaboration with stop motion animation expert Ray Harryhausen, the film was noted for its stop motion skeletons that fought the protagonist Jason and his two companions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yYeZMx1Y7U
Apparently those four minute stop motion sequence took Ray Harryhausen four and a half months to produce. It may sound ridiculously long for nowaday's technology, but it must have been quite a feat back in its time!
Approximately 140mm in height. Official retail price is set for 2850 Yen, to be released on 1st January 2011 (a great way to New Year)
The Japanese name for this particular Revoltech action figure is called 骸骨剣士, which literally translates to "Skeleton Swordsman". However according to the nameplate it's labelled "Skeleton Army".
While these skeletons may come from one specific film, they are generic enough to be used in many scenarios. Besides, I have a fondness for grunt units, so if the price is not too dear upon release in Hong Kong I may get a couple of them. They are also ideal for some stop motion clips if one is up to it. ^^
While some collectors tend to compare Revoltech line (mostly anime-related figures) to Max Factory's figma line, Revoltech has sought out a wider market, hence they have more creative ideas as for what to do with their technology and is not limited to human-looking figures only. Some nice examples would be the Alien (first in the Sci-fi Revoltech line) and Blade Liger from Zoids. In terms of human figures, the Hokuto no Ken (Fist of the North Star) and Sengoku Basara lines are pretty decent too. These upcoming skeletons have potentials too. I just hope that those Revoltech joints can hold up those bones well enough ^^;
Pictures are from Sci-fi Revoltech official website
Having one or two of those on my table is a creepy idea... Imagine they are the glow-in-the-dark types... *looks again his table*
ReplyDeleteAh... I got a few manly units here. =)
As for the Revoltech vs Figma issue, I have no care on which is which as long they made my favourite characters. As I collect both, ze. =D
When I first read about the announcement of this Sci-fi Revoltech figure not too long ago, I always thought that it's going to be from "Army of Darkness" instead of "Jason and the Argonauts", since there would probably be a huge array of weapons and accessories that can be included for the many variations of the skeleton soldier from that movie, much like the many weapons included for the previous release of Jason Voorhees.
ReplyDeleteWith that said, I'm actually quite surprised with the pick of this "character" from that movie to be released in the Sci-fi Revoltech line. The fight in the movie is great, as seen from the video you posted. However, having watched that movie multiple times since my younger days (XD), the Hydra (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow-dkIuIaz8), harpies (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGCvFusMSt8, or even the Titan (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxA3wFYxUB8) seem to be more catchy in terms of their design. ^^ I like all the mystical creatures in that movie alright, the stop motion animation of all of them are very classical and great, I just didn't expect the skeleton warrior to be selected for an action figure release in this series.
Anyway, the design of the figure is very good nonetheless. The gradient paint of the figure and the details of the weapons and display base is very realistic-looking. The image on the shield is really great. ^^
They look just like they do in the movie! That's pretty awesome.
ReplyDeleteMan, I wasn't even aware of this upcoming revoltech (keeping my fingers cross for a godzilla figure :P) I like the direction the Sci Fi revoltech has taken so far I am pleased with the ones I have gotten from this line ^^.
ReplyDeleteI'll be skipping this though in favor for the alien warrior and queen!! And that predator too haha...
Hey this is kinda cool, I might have to get this some day :3 Articulated skeleton on the base? Nice.
ReplyDelete@ bd77:
ReplyDeletelol if you do put LEDs in their sockets then it sure can look creepy... Fitting for Halloween next year? ^^;
And nice attitude on Revoltech and figma - just buy and play what you like. Hobby should be a simple thinig to enjoy with!
@ Ngee Khiong:
Army of Darkness would make great sense too, and I am surprised that they are actually from an old classic movie. Maybe it's for its very early stop motion videos which are a feat of its time compared to the 1990s.
I actually haven't watched the movie, but you sure know the movie very well! The mystical creatures you've mentioned from the movie are sure good candidates for Revoltech Sci-fi line. I wonder whether Kaiyodo chose skeletons at the end because of their flexibility in role? One way or the other I've heard some people on forums are planning to buy a squad of them already ^^;
If the end product really does look as the ones seen in the promotional pictures then that will be amazing.
@ Apt-1B:
They do look alike! I just hope that the actual skeletons turned out to be this good in terms of paintwork and stability.
@ chubbybots:
The Sci-fi line of Revoltech does have some pretty nice stuff now and then. Given that it has done quite some number of kaizos already, GOdzilla shouldn't be too far away I think.
Saw sample review and the actual product Alien Warrior before. Looks pretty good I must say. Looking forward to see yours!
@ Persocom:
Not sure whether the mouth can move, but having an extra articulated limb on the base is a nice touch I have to say!