Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Random Reviews Part I Don't Remember: Wario Bros and Non-Bros

Another set of random reviews means looking into just how many of these toys are going to need attention of their own without requiring me to put them in their dedicated reviews. This is the perfect time to showcase figures that normally don't get as much attention as a Transformer or 6-inch scale figure. For this random review, we got an evil Power Ranger, two Wario Bros, and three anime characters!


Let's first take a look at the Ranger Slayer. I know I previously said that I had no interest in getting the other Auto Morphins from Hasbro, but I did want to get any designs we never got in the 90s for the novelty. Ranger Slayer is no exception, and it's cool to see her in the style of an old toy. This sculpt isn't 1:1 with the Bandai classic, but Hasbro did a decent enough job at reproducing the appearance. The main difference comes in the somewhat rounded look, the joints not utilizing pins, and the upper body is somewhat wider here than on the originals. Plastic quality is also different, not being as dense as the old days thanks to the inflation woes. At least Hasbro did a great job in making sure that the tooling matched the character design rather than just do a simple color-inversion of the Pink Ranger.


Her helmet is stylized to fit the aesthetics of the Auto Morphin toys yet it still looks better than the other in the line. Articulation consists of rotation at the shoulders, hips, as well as at the elbows and knees, while hinges are used for the elbows and knees. The corrupted Power Bow, now known as the Bow of Darkness, can be held in one hand while the solid white Blade Blaster can be held in another.


By pulling on the back panel, it reveals the alternate head of the figure as a brainwashed Kimberly Ann Hart, representing how the World of the Coinless can change a Power Ranger. I like that the facial expression and hairdo are new to this figure, especially when Hasbro could have reused the same Kimberly head to cheap out.


Here she is with her Lightning Collection counterpart. Different proportions aside, the Lightning Collection version has a paler shade of pink compared to the Auto Morphin, while other differences include the thighs having added armor plates while they remain solid pink in the Auto Morphin. And of course, the Auto Morphin lacks a cape.


The irony of a Lightning Collection Ranger lacking an alternate head while the Auto Morphin has that ability is none more apparent than with Ranger Slayer. While I was fine with the Omega Ranger and Magna Defender not having alternate heads given they never took their helmets off, one has to question why evil Kimberly doesn't get an evil head when Lord Drakkon has one. Also, the cape isn't intended to go on the Auto Morphin but it stays on there okay.


And of course, here she is with the White Ranger. I wish we got a Lord Drakkon out of this set, especially given how using the Auto Morphins as a subline would be a great competitor to the ReAction, Marvel 3.75 inch, and McFarlane DC Super Powers lines if we kept getting characters beyond MMPR reimagined as Auto Morphins. Imagine if we got other Ranger Sentries as well as a select few characters from the TV series that either had variations of the gimmick or never had it to begin with. I know we had Switch Morphins for Samurai, and it'd be a great way to celebrate one of the more iconic lines without having to leave us with those VHS Megazords that didn't get much attention or those 30th anniversary basic MMPR figures many didn't care about.


Final ranking: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Up next, we have Wario and Waluigi! These two are some of the earlier World of Nintendo figures we've had as far back as the mid-2010s, though Waluigi was a character I got back in 2021 for a more recent wave. They capture the character models rather well, with Wario having his body as obese yet tanky while Waluigi is sleek and lanky. They represent perfectly twisted versions of the Mario Bros, especially given how the Wa- in Wario is meant to mean "bad" and Luigi's Japanese pronunciation, Ruiji, combines with the Wa- to form the identity we know and love this Purple Prize hoarder for. They have some paint pps for the eyes, caps, parts of the shirt or forearms, and buttons for their overalls. I love that Wario's sleeves are rolled up, in addition to their elf shoes having different colors. I do wish that Wario's cap had a little bit of sculptwork applied to it, but at least there is a white trim on the brim.


Their side views allow us to see the printed-on logos on their caps, with the W on Wario and the Γ on Waluigi to contrast the plain white gloves on the Mario Bros.


And the backs at least give Wario some unique detailing for the overalls, with the upper body looking rather flabby while his straps are crossed. And of course, we see some hair sculptwork as well as a slight bit of detail for Wario's Wump.


Articulation is basic for both, with rotation at the necks, shoulders, and wrists while their elbows bend and the arms move outwards. Waluigi has added hip and knee articulation, though their feet are either too stiff or are unable to rotate.


Here is a size comparison between the Wario Bros and the Mario Bros, the same ones we had from the 3-pack with Princess Peach. I know I have the Figuarts with me, but I use these since they are usually the more common figures you can find at mass retail since I doubt Tamashii Nations reissued the Mario Bros or made any more characters beyond them, Yoshi, Bowser, and select enemies. In any case, Wario and Waluigi have plenty of personality for their wacky designs and goofy antics, even if their articulation is limited for Wario while Waluigi feels cheap.


Final ranking: ⭐⭐⭐ and a half out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Now, we're delving into an anime we previously covered on the site: Urusei Yatsura, specifically the 2022 reboot version. This version aims to have some of the unique shading techniques on the hair and eye-details from the manga, and from what I have seen of it, the reboot works well apart from the Japanese onomatopoeias looking a bit out of place a la the ones from MMPR 2010. Lum the Invader Girl is represented in her two-piece tiger bikini with matching boots as one would expect. The hair has those dark blue streaks to match the manga aesthetics (with subtle line works that would require smoothing out the surface area of this was to be a solid color a LA the old anime), and the eyes are glossy and crisp in detail. Even the little oni horns are picked out. There isn't much else to talk about with the character design since this is a half-baked chick, but you will need to use the stand to keep her from falling over.


As for Ataru Moroboshi, this is one of the few articulated figures we have. Sadly, there is no Figma version of him from the old series, and I doubt that Buzzmod will make one for the reboot. He is wearing his uniform in solid black with a white undershirt and golden buttons, though his red and white sneakers look out of place if he's not following conduct. Chances are he's wearing Adidas or fake J's. I mean look at his facial expression. He knows he's living a lie from claiming his fake J's are real! Like with Lum, his hair is multicolored though to a less prominent extent. He could pass for a more classic Ataru if it weren't for the eyes.


They have the same articulation, with ball joints for the necks and hips while the shoulders are on swivels. They can be swapped with pre-posed arms for each of them, though Ataru comes with Ten, the younger cousin of Lum.


To my surprise, the hair pieces are outright removable like on a Nendoroid, which is pointless given how they lack alternate faces yet it does demonstrate how they're assembled like any other Japanese figure. Their heads are empty from the back but they have the eye pieces glued in place.


Now who could steal their hair for devious plans, you may ask? Wilson "The Kingpin" Fisk, of course! The Lum wig fits almost well on him, though the Ataru one makes the top of his head look even bigger than normal.


The assembly of both figure means you can have them wear each other's outfits in addition to swapping their hair pieces! That being said, both figures are neat desk pieces with a bit of articulation and display options, but while nowhere near as bad as with Funko Pops, you'll probably know what to expect after owning one or two.


This is making me want to get the Nendoroid version of Lum someday, both in reboot and classic colors. Hmm, versus review someday? Maybe if the OG Nendoroid can be obtained at a lower price.


Final ranking: ⭐⭐⭐ and a half out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

And finally, good ol' Hank Hill! This little dude made a few appearances on the site, but now he is here for what may be a mascot of sorts. I loved King of the Hill when I saw it on Adult Swim along with Family Guy, American Dad, and Inuyasha when it was Toonami time. Though heavily stylized, it captures the art style of the show, from the facial details on Hank to the lack of an ass that he is known for. The glasses are separate pieces but no lenses are implemented.


Articulation includes neck rotation, universal shoulder joints, hinged elbows and knees, swivels for the wrists, ball jointed hips and ankles; he includes a can of Alamo beer and a propane tank. Other figures in the line include Bobby Hill and Dale Gribble, the latter also coming in camo attire for his Conspiracy Mode. These will be hard to find in the aftermarket, but I recommend them if you can get them at a good price. Especially given how rare King of the Hill merch is compared to Family Guy and especially The Simpsons having new merch.


Final ranking: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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