Playmates Toys released some of the figures in the second wave of their basic assortment. This wave includes Keith, Lance and Shiro that are available now in stores. The other half of the wave is still in production according to the Voltron brand team at Playmates Toys, and these will be shipping within a couple of months. The delayed figures include Pidge and Hunk. These figures and more can be seen in our video interview with Playmates Toys Voltron brand team at New York ToyFair 2017 in February. These figures are based as they appear in the Voltron Legendary Defender animated series that is exclusive to Netflix.
One of most iconic properties of the 1980’s is Voltron, and more recently the franchise is seeing success once again thanks to the animated series on Netflix. Voltron is one of the most memorable properties of that era, just like Transformers, G.I. Joe, Thundercats and He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. In 2016, Dreamworks and Netflix launched a new series that is a modern take on the properties, and they also just announced a third season is going to be offered. If you have not been watching this show, you are truly missing out as we believe this to be these Voltron series, and one of the best animated series on television right now.
Thank you to Playmates Toys send providing their Voltron Paladin figures for review.
Availability: September 2017
Aside from a strong animated series, you also need a toy line to help promote the show, and unless the toy line is equally as good, odds are that kids won’t be tuning in. It should be of no surprise to fans that the Voltron line by Playmates Toys is a good one, that kicked off earlier this year with an assortment of action figures, roll play toys, a combinable Voltron and more. If you’re a fan of their Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Ben 10 toy lines currently out on shelves, then you should also be aware that have taken on Voltron as well, and this toy line has more articulation than the other two core boys brands that they have.
Shiro pilots the black lion, and is sculpted in his pilot suit that is painted in a shiny white, black and dark grey deco, and features a removable helmet that captures a decent likeness to his animated counterpart. The Voltron logo appears on his chest in dark grey, and there is also a light blue belt buckle with silver deco around it and on the sides of the belt. The front of the hair is grey that covers the forehead, and the sides are buzzed with grey hair. The top of the hair itself is black, that ironically matches the suit and his lion. Included with Shiro is an alternate fist, and a translucent blue plastic shield. The helmet is made of a soft plastic so that it is easier to remove, and includes a clear translucent blue visor, and is painted in black and white.
Keith pilots the red lion, and is painted in a red, white, and dark grey pilot suit, and features a removable helmet that captures a decent likeness to his animated counterpart. The Voltron logo appears on his chest in red, and there is also a light blue belt buckle with silver deco around it and on the sides of the belt. The head sculpt has a good likeness, and long black hair and brown eyes. Included with Keith is a sword and a translucent blue plastic shield. The helmet is made of a soft plastic so that it is easier to remove, and includes a clear translucent blue visor, and is painted in red and white.
Lance pilots the blue lion, and is painted in a blue, white, and dark grey pilot suit, and features a removable helmet that captures a decent likeness to his animated counterpart. The Voltron logo appears on his chest in blue, and there is also a light blue belt buckle with silver deco around it and on the sides of the belt. The head sculpt has a good likeness, and long brown hair and black eyes. Included with Lance is a blaster and a translucent blue plastic shield. The helmet is made of a soft plastic so that it is easier to remove, and includes a clear translucent blue visor, and is painted in blue and white.
As we mentioned above, the articulation is more than some of the other figures from other lines. This includes a ball jointed neck, swivel-hinged shoulders, swivel-hinged elbows, swivel wrists, swivel-hinged hips, and swivel-hinged knees. Unfortunately, they do not have ankle articulation.
Overall, these are excellent figures with a good likeness to the show, and if you’ve been watching the show, you should also know you can’t just own the lions without their human pilots as well. While these don’t actually sit inside the lions, Playmates Toys are offering larger scale lions that do offer this, as shown in our our video interview with Playmates Toys at NYTF.
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