To start off, I was quite stoked to hear they were remaking Ronin Warriors toys (or ‘Samurai Troopers’ to others). The figures were even available for preorder on some sites, and even solicited in Previews. However, this was not to be. All orders were canceled, and the only way to get the toy was to import it. So, that means sellers on eBay, generally. I don’t like that idea at all, so I used BBTS.com–who I use all the time. They were nice enough to honor the preorders for the toy, but at a higher cost since they had to import it as well. I’d rather pay a couple of dollars more to KNOW I’m getting my product.
I was on the fence for a long time on this, since the price was right at $90. That is a lot of money to me. I really liked Ronin Warriors, though. But, I’m not a fan of Ryo. I actually think he was the lamest of all of them. But, knowing my luck, they’d come out with all of the rest of them, and I’d be missing one and have to pay even more to get it. Of course, now that I’ve bought the toy, they’ll obviously release a cheap American version for half the price. Damned if I do, damned if I don’t!
On to the toy itself– it’s ok. For the price you pay for it, you’d expect it to be a little more sturdy. I started off very excited about it because of all of the extras it came with. It’s basically the perfect representation of Ryo of Wildfire. He comes with 2 heads (angry/open-mouthed, and calm), and and 3 sets of hands (fists, open hands, and holding swords). He even comes with a black armor dummy to put the armor on for display purposes while the main figure… does whatever he does.
It also has 2 helmets–one with the face showing, and one with the mask down. It’s interchangeable, just like the faces. So, you can have it however you like. You can also have it with the swords in the sheaths, swords in hand, OR the swords together as they are in the final attack.
I originally started taking lots of pictures for this, but then got very very frustrated with how the armor is put on. Specifically, the shoulder armor. The white shoulder-piece comes off its hinge, and the hinge of the red shoulder piece goes in its place. It took me about 10 minutes to get ONE shoulder on. I think it was more of just my particular figure having the defect, but there’s a lot of room for problems. I think they could have engineered the combination a little better. There also aren’t any instructions to speak of. You just kind of have to figure this out as you go. Maybe it was supposed to have instructions and mine didn’t have them…?
Now, parts of the armor are die-cast! It makes the figure very heavy for the size. Which, by the way, it’s about 6 inches tall. It makes sense that it would cost as much as it does, knowing that it’s got metal parts and all sorts of options to go with. While I do really like the figure, it’s not really one that I want to mess around with. The pose it’s in now is the pose it will be in forever.
I do look forward to future releases of the Ronin Warriors figures if they continue to make them. I’d be more happy to pay this price for them instead of Ryo, him being my least favorite.
Pros:
- Very accurate representation of the character.
- Die-cast armor.
- Lots of options for poses. Heads, hands, swords, etc.
Cons:
- Price is a bit high.
- Difficult to switch armor. It’s a chore.
- Kinda heavy.
This figure looks much better than the original 1995 playmates figures, 3 of which I need to finish the good guys only. Why did they cancel making others? Or why can you get it as an import only? And do they ever plan on finishing the figures? And if an American version of the figures is made, when will they be available?
It is an excellent figure. It’s almost too intrictate, though. And I’m not sure they canceled making others. In the “armor plus” line, it seems to take them forever to make new ones. Also, they seem to focus more on Saint Seiya figures in that line. I know they originally had plans to bring the Ronin Warriors figures to the US for half the price, but then I think the import deal fell through with the distributor. But, that doesn’t mean it won’t ever happen. It may happen if they release some more figures from the line. All we can do is hope.
Which company can you contact to ask questions about this product? I tried bandai, but got nothing
You might have to try Bandai Japan, since they’re the ones that make these.
I was actually curious of it myself, and all I could more info on them was at a facebook fan page. http://www.facebook.com/pages/YOROIDEN-SAMURAI-TROOPERS-ARMOR-PLUS-BANDAI/88830959850
It doesn’t seem like anyone knows for sure if this line is discontinued, on hold, or what. Kinda distressing news, really.
Yeah, I checked out the facebook page myself. The figure itself is more accurate in depicting Ryo in his armor suit before he puts the armor on. Only how would you get the leg armor on? Because it looks to be encircling his leg. And how do you get the facemask on his helmet?
The armor basically snaps in place. It doesn’t go all the way around the leg. It just has 3/4 of the facings to give the illusion that it does. The mask is a bit more tricky/deceptive. There’s 2 different faces for him, and the hair/faceplate is removable to allow for him to basically be in any mode that he was in during the cartoon. It works pretty well and is a nice touch in the accuracy.
I’ll be sure to keep you posted if I hear/see anything else about new released of the toys, though.
Thank you sir. I’m beginning to like this figure more and more, but it’s too friggin’ expensive to buy online. And if Bandai Japan decides to make another deal with Bandai U.S. about the figure, keep me posted as well please.
I was looking at the full armor image. You might want to reverse the leg guards because you got them upside down.
http://www.toyark.com/news/anime-toy-news-6/more-armor-plus-ronin-warriors-3729/
=D
I saw the news of the new figures a while ago. Any updates on whether or not a new deal to bring them to the U.S. will be made or of any release dates.
Did you hear? Another figure is being release!
Just saw it on toyark.com. My favorite guy, too. effin’ sweeeeeet.
Yeah, I know. Unfortunately, it and the other figures are a web exclusive. That sucks for me, because now a deal to bring them to America and sell them for half the price won’t happen.
Yeah, probably not. Although, I did notice that BBTS.com has them for pre-order. $170 a piece. It actually works out to about the same price since the figure is $130 + $30 shipping, and you get it from an English-speaking American distributor. Also, the other good thing about them is you don’t pay til the item comes in, which doesn’t happen til November.
Hmmm, I’ll take a look at it. Thanks for the tip. But hopefully there still will be a deal made. At least that’s what I’m hoping for, because I cannot afford them at this point.