Bandai USA Made A Good Power Ranger Toy....
 

No I'm not talking about the original MMPR toys from the mid 90's, I'm talking recent! Surprised huh? So was I!

Some of you may know that I don't really collect Power Ranger toys nor do I really buy anything from Bandai America. The last toys I bought from them were MSiA! & the 5" Green & White Ranger figures from a few years back. The new MMPR Megazord wasn't impressive to me, and ditto for the 4" figures.

So I've seen the Samurai Rangers figures in stores, and ditto for those, the Megazord doesn't look anywhere as good as the Japanese version. This is almost always the case save for the Wild Rangers or whatever that series was called with a bunch of animal zords.

So today at TRU, I stroll the aisle and come across a 10" Red Ranger figure from Samurai Rangers. I'm thinking from afar, "this must be some kiddifified figure with some gimmick".

Well the latter part was right. The former was not. The only gimmick is a electronic sounds activated by a button on the belt. The figure itself is fully articulated, and made predominantly with ABS plastic that does not feel like it's prone to looseness.

Since the package is an open card, I handled the figure for a bit. Very impressed. The vest is removable, it splits in 2. The figure has double jointed knees and I think elbows. It lacks an ab joint, it may also lack a waist joint. The ankle is on a ball jointed hinge and functions like a Revoltech joint(without the detents).

It only comes with a sword and I only saw a red ranger. Nonetheless, I am very impressed. It was $20+ tax, I didn't pick it up but I may in the future.

It's nice to see them getting better.

I'm still miffed that they ditched the Jungle Fury figure style though. Those were some great figures, just lacking in accessories. Those were the best figures for their size. These smaller ones pale in comparison to them. I am glad to see a return of the bigger ones for kids though.

The mechas though, neither side makes them to my taste with how limited they are in movement, but at least Japan keeps some great detailing. Overall I'll just stick to the candy kits.

Pics of said Jungle Fury figures?

http://www.toyark.com/attachment.php...1&d=1297216996

http://www.toyark.com/attachment.php...1&d=1297216996

Single hinge elbows and knees, but ball and swivel thighs, swivel neck, full arm rotation and lift, swivel neck, and swivel wrist, plus hinged feet.

They could have been better, but in comparison to what came before and after in the basic figure, that's the best.

The yellow ranger even had swivel biceps. Sadly the Mele figure suffered for a gimmick only having one good arm. The Black Lion bad guy though came out pretty sweet like the others.

Here are my albums for the candy kits if anyone was curious. Too many to post here. http://s258.photobucket.com/albums/h.../Model%20Kits/