Review: #464
Name: Saber Athena
Brand: Robot Damashii (Pacific Rim Uprising - Side Jaeger)
Year of Release: 2018
Variations: none
FIGURE:
Saber Athena is one of the new Jaegers (aka giant robot) from the movie Pacific Rim Uprising.
The general design trend of all the Jaegers in the sequel is that they are much slimmer and more athletic looking. As a result, they don't communicate quite the same amount of huge and hulking feeling of the originals.
The head is on a balljoint and has a large range of motion. The head has small eye slits on either side.
The Robot Damashii range is of a smaller size when compared to the NECA ones from the first movie.
Now produced by Bandai, they've got plenty of sculpted detailing but is let down by the lack of paint (although the black wash on the NECA ones weren't that great either).
However, one thing the Bandai designs have that is undeniably superior is the articulation.
Saber Athena has a crazy amount of articulation which allows for some truly dynamic poses.
The figure has double jointed knees, hinged elbows and balljointed hips, ankles, shoulders and neck.
Along with the rest of the Jaeger figures, Saber Athena looks fantastic as a set.
In terms of accessories, you get an alternate pair of hands, a pair of swords, and one longer bigger sword.
To use the swords, you need to swap the open palmed hands into the closed fists. The wrists are on balljointed so swapping hands is as easy as popping the hands on and off.
However, the negative is that the balljoints feel weak and the hands can be a bit "wobbly" or "floppy". The swords just slot into the fists.
Using the double jointed knees to their full potential will expose the joints, which is a significant aesthetic flaws.
There is a slight sheen to the red plastic used but it is nowhere near the shiny metallic color that it should be, which ruins the feel.
In the movie, the two swords can combine into one bigger one. The toy equivalent is just a separate piece.
Saber Athena has enough articulation to hold the sword with two hands.
With some careful maneuvering it can strike some decent slashing poses.
The figure is comprised completely of plastic so it can lack some heft in your hands. It's still a really well made figure though.
Saber Athena is a great figure thanks to its insane poseability.
OVERALL:
Saber Athena is a tad bit pricey for what you get. However, this is a solid figure and accurate to the onscreen design. It is superior to the NECA versions from the first movie and if you have the means and are a fan of the movie, then it's well worth a purchase.
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