That Luke... holy crap.

Frankly I'd be pissed if they made this and it didn't look better, and I have no intentions of getting it. It's the principle of the thing, if it's going to cost more it should be better. That's why I don't import Transformers, the (usually) better paint doesn't justify the price jump since it's still the same toy otherwise.

The Luke is awesome, but that second head is just kind of weird. I think it's the paint wash on his face. The wash on his lips makes him look like a 13 year old :p

Are you a telepath or something? I just back-tracked on some pre-orders as I found myself sharing the same sentiment.

...on heroin. he looks sick, and I don't mean that looks wicked sick, bro!

72!!!
See that wasn't the number you were thinking of, I'm not a telepath.

Luke looks great! He and Vader'll have to share some shelf space eventually. Much better than Hasbro.

Like I said, they cost more so naturally I'd expect them to be better. Not a big fan of the hint of stylization they throw on, but it's better than how they over-stylize other licenses though.

It's nice to be able to like something but have no plans to buy it.

Stylization? How are these even remotely stylized?

The Samurai Stormtrooper is 100% Japanese influence. The regular trooper kind of looks like they thinned the helmet a bit, like it's sharper than it should be around the jaw. The pictures aren't the best but Luke looks like they got rid of Mark's face changes after the car accident. Those two points are me being super nitpicky and don't take away from how neat these look.

Don't care about the Samurai versions and the ST looks fine to me. I don't see anything different between what is in the movies and what the toy looks like. As for Luke's face, I guess, but it isn't like the Hasbro one looks like he has a messed up face either.

The Hasbro one doesn't even look like Mark Hamill at all, maybe a passing resemblance but no real likeness. That's why I only get aliens and characters in armor from the Hasbro 6" line. The only thing that I really notice about the Stormtrooper being off is that the jaw lining pipe round breathy things seem just a bit too abrupt. What I mean is they should be more smooth transitioning from the "ear" parts of the helmet to the jaw can things, and the SH one is just too little of that. The Stormtrooper is the only one that I'd say the Hasbro option is better because the Hasbro one already looks pretty much spot on to the film (though some have had minor paint app errors apparently) but mainly the Hasbro Stormtrooper is only $20 whereas the SH one is $47.

Yep. My token Black Series Stormtrooper was disappointing in that regard, hence my interest in the new alternatives from Medicom and Figuarts. I love the Stormtrooper design, so am curious to see how each company addresses problems of articulation, and want to own the best one.

It appears that SH Figuarts is about to do for Star Wars what NECA has done for other licences at the same 6-inch to 7-inch scale, which is to take the bold step of trying to make the face of an action figure actually resemble the actor who plays a character in a given movie or TV show. IMHO, this seems like an important step forward for the industry, raising the overall standard for competitors in the collector niche for smaller-scale licensed action figures.

Why did it take so long for others to challenge the dominance of the 12" figure makers in this regard? The success enjoyed by a small number of companies like Hot Toys ought to be a great motivator. I suppose there are technical, software and creative limitations. Well, it's clear that those are being overcome, and I for one am VERY excited for upcoming releases!

I just wish the prices could be more competitive too. I know I've bitched about the price of these Japan imported toys before, but I dislike only being able to look at these toys online. Especially Darth Vader here, I already said how I enjoy Hasbro's trooper but while I'm overall happy with their Vader it left quite a bit to be desired compared to the trooper. If I gave the Black series Stormtrooper a 9/10 then Vader would only get a 7 or maybe an 8 if I'm being nice. The SH Vader looks like he should be much better overall (I admit I prefer the draped fabric cape to a plastic flowing one so points to Hasbro for that) but the SH price stings. If it were only like $30 then I'd be ordering one, alas my budget is committed to other stuff.

SH Figuarts Luke Skywalker New Images and Info - The Toyark - News

http://news.toyark.com/wp-content/up...walker-004.jpg

http://news.toyark.com/wp-content/up...walker-007.jpg

It includes an unmasked Vader head for use on the Darth Vader figure:
http://news.toyark.com/wp-content/up...-Accessory.jpg

Luke looks fantastic! Craps all over the black series one. I'm not huge on the face sculpt for Vader, and a cloth cape would've been better IMO. Is Vader's helmet removable?

ho-lyy cowwwww this is the Luke figure I've always wanted :eek:
I hope Figuarts gets to the prequels….:Pac I'd be all over them
*prepares for hate*

I've got the two main characters I wanted. Not sure if I'll buy anyone else.

SH Figuarts Darth Maul Official Images and Info - The Toyark - News

http://news.toyark.com/wp-content/up...h-Maul-001.jpg

http://news.toyark.com/wp-content/up...h-Maul-008.jpg

Oh man those head sculpts are perfect. Only thing that's disappointing is he doesn't have his hooded robe. Definitely ordering him.

My thought as well. It would be icing if some third party can come up with a nice handmade robe accessory, like the guy who makes custom receiving blankets for Black Series Boba Fett.

Man, people are excited about that Maul. I'm kicking myself for missing the pre-order.

Star Wars Clone Trooper and Battle Droid SH Figuarts Announced - The Toyark - News

http://news.toyark.com/wp-content/up...oming-Soon.jpg

Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww, I'll pass on those. Hopefully the C3PO and R2 are after them.

Wait, are the droid and clone trooper a 2 pack?

There's no details on them at the moment. Only info is that single image.