A very special article, especially for me.
Scarlet Witch isn't exactly my favourite character, though to be fair if you're not Scarlett Johansson, I'm probably not going to pick you anyway. Of course, I know several other fanatics (I'm actually in the minority) that adore all things Wanda, and over the years they've built up a collection of Witch merch.
As part of my US road trip swag, I actually also come back with a S.H. Figuarts: Infinity War - Scarlet Witch to rehome. While this version has been superseded by the Endgame version (which features more accessories), this was definitely the harder to get version, being a Tamashii Web Exclusive.
I can't recall exactly the amount, but whatever it is, you're paying an elevated amount for effectively standard levels of accessories with your figures:
- 1 x Main Figure
- 2 x Face Plates (Eyes Forward, Side Glance)
- 1 x Dynamic Posed Bangs
- 8 x Hands
- 2 x Small Energy Effects
- 1 x Beam Effect
Out of box, if you're a figure collector you can probably already some issues that I'll touch on a bit later. The overall sculpt isn't bad, but has the typical Figuarts issues of being too slender.. Speaking of slender, there is a third party alternate chest piece that gives her more "ommph" in her chest. I naturally bought it but realized to actually get it on the figure you would have to damage the coat, and I wasn't willing to do that with this figure, so back into storage it goes until I get another one.
The faces are... passable. Or at least the eyes forward face The actual eyes aren't too bad, but the shape of the face and the various details just seem off to me, especially the brow line. The resulting product is better that Captain Marvel, but nowhere as good as Black Widow. The sculpted hair is acceptable. I'm never actually going to like it, but at this size it's kind of an inevitability. At least the sculpt has some life to it, which to be fair is generally getting better on all figures unless they're complete Dollar Store gutter trash.
Articulation is slightly hampered compared due to bulk, moderately by the shoulders but mostly by the overcoat. Sadly, the material is too stiff to move out of the way, though I guess the trade off is that the coat doesn't look like a worn down chew toy. The hair is sculpted and installed in a way that looks slightly odd but allows for a decent amount of articulation despite its length - the bottom half of the length is anchored to the neck so the head can still turn. Head tilt is not affected by the hair though the collar prevents the neck from tilting backwards.
Paint Application wise, the red coat and matte black of the pants is base plastic colour. Glossy boots and other areas of the figure are painted, with the typical qualities expected of a Figuarts, which include sharp detail apps and clean masking. Digital painting for the face is crisp, and it seems that on the whole, the technology is getting better in terms of clarity and colour accuracy, though I don't have a clue what the hell happened with Tobey.
Build Quality wise, no concerns. Everything fits together well, even the effects though admittedly you might need to squeeze them into the holes with some effort. Joints hold poses nicely. No observable finishing flaws on the figures. Even the minute details on the hands were moulded nicely.. No floppy limbs to affect stability.
As expected, another solid release, slightly hampered by outfit bulk, but that's part of the game. Final product is polished, and the lack of effects is somewhat corrected in the Endgame which is far easier to get and technically cheaper. Interestingly, no version of Wanda since Endgame has been released, despite there being two Hot Toys figures. I can understand no Disney + one, seeing how terrible Winter Soldier & Falcon stuff sold, but you figure with a Dr. Strange from Multiverse there would be an accompanying Scarlet Witch.
Oh well.
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