One of the biggest reveals at New York ToyFair 2017 by Playmates Toys was the return of Usagi Yojimbo, a classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles character that will be making his debut in an upcoming storyline on the current Nickelodeon series. Along with Usagi Yojimbo, the Turtles are being offered in their Samurai Warrior armor, which was first introduced in 1993’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III, when the turtles go back through time. In the current series, The Ninja Turtles find themselves in another dimension inhabited by animal warriors! Disguised as samurai, the Turtles ally themselves with ronin rabbit named Usagi Yojimbo. Together they must save a young prince from a band of Neko ninjas led by Jei, an evil sorcerer.
Thank you to Playmates Toys for providing their Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Samurai Usagi Yojimbo and Samurai Turtles figures for review.
Availability: Summer 2017
The Samurai Turtles consisting of Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo and Donatello are based on an upcoming storyline seen on the current Nickelodeon series. The Turtles are animated inspired, and features Samurai armor covering their chest, shell armor, wrists, ankles, and a removable helmet and face mask. The armor includes both textured and smooth surfaces, with several different textures on the front chest of the armor. The armor is incredibly detailed that goes above and beyond expectations. The armor covering the arms has a the Turtles iconic color (blue, red, orange, or purple depending on the character) shoulder guard with detailed carvings and textures, along with a silver one on the forearm with similar patterns. The shoulder and wrist armor looks to be one piece that is separated by a green wrist band. The armor covering the upper parts of the legs are made of soft plastic, and are divided into six pieces covering the front, sides, and back. The shell is protected by armor that appears to be made of two pieces that snap together at the center. This piece is a custom piece designed for the Turtles as if they went back to ancient Japan. Around the sides of the shell armor are some carved lines that gives it some definition. The legs are protected by knee guards (in the Turtles iconic color), and the ankles are protected in armor painted in silver, compared to the grey deco covering the upper body armor. The toes are in sandals, that are painted in tan and have some sculpted texture around the sides and the back of them.
Sculpted over the armor is a belt in the Turtles iconic color (blue, red, orange, or purple). The helmet and face mask is removable, and has some detailed sculpting around the sides, top, and especially the piece sticking up that is painted to match the character. The face mask is slides into two grooves on the sides of the helmet, and fits nicely and securely. The mask represents the face of a dragon, with the long nose and eyes (which in this case are cut out so the Turtle can see through the mask).
Included with the Turtles are different takes of their iconic accessories, including a Katana for Leonardo, Sais for Raphael, daggers with a spiked ball and chain for Michelangelo, and a club with spikes for Donatello. These appear to be based on ancient Japanese weapons as opposed to a more modern look.
Usagi Yojimbo is repainted from the Warrior Horse With Samurai Usagi Yojimbo 2 pack. The figure is based on the new storyline seen on the current Nickelodeon series. Usagi Yojimbo features Samurai armor covering his chest, back, arms, legs, and a removable helmet and face mask. The armor includes textures, patterns and smooth surfaces, with several different textures on the front chest of the armor. The armor is incredibly detailed that goes above and beyond expectations. The armor covering the arms has two pieces of armor sculpted over the long grey sleeves that cover the shoulders, and the back of the forearms, which includes straps and the armor itself is painted in grey. The armor covering the hips are made of soft plastic, and the legs are protected by armor that is painted in dark blue, with tan knee guards and armor sculpted over the knee and lower legs. The feet are cast in black, and have sandals covering them. Sculpted over the waist is a gold belt, that wraps around. The armor is painted brown, including all of the detailed sculpting that was painted in silver on the 2 pack figure. The helmet and mask are also painted brown. Sculpted to his waist is a sheath for both swords, which is painted brown.
The helmet and face mask are removable, and has some detailed sculpting around the sides and top. The face mask slides into two grooves on the sides of the helmet, and fits nicely and securely. The mask represents the face of a dragon, with the long nose and eyes (which in this case are cut out so the Usagi can see through the mask, but in this case the eyes don’t lineup with the eye holes in the mask).
Overall, these are excellent figures by Playmates Toys and we cannot express how detailed and simply how great Usagi Yojimbo and the Samurai Turtles came out. Fans will love these.
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