Back on track with stuff I did mean to buy, one the more recent figures I've had shipped is the Revoltech Amazing Yamagucchi Arkham Knight Catwoman figure. Quite the long name, but the character doesn't need any real introduction. If you do, well, she's the Catwoman from the Arkham video game series, though technically the licensed is from the last game, Arkham Knight.
I haven't bought one of these in a while now, so I have no clue how long these figures haven't had a window box. Retailing for 10,450 Yen, the price of the Amazing Yamaguchi line has slowly crept up over the years, but ultimately Kaiyodo is still playing within the Value Proposition market:
1 x Main Figure
3 x Face Plates (Neutral, Smiling, Silly)
1 x Alternate Head (Goggles Down)
10 x Gripping/Posing Hands
1 x Choker
1 x Coiled Whip (To Replace Whipless Hip Clasp)
1 x Wired Whip (For Posing)
1 x Fixed Pose Whip
1 x Pile of Gold
1 x Gold Chain
1 x Ruby
1 x Base/Stand At a high level, the set is fine with the exception of the Wired Whip. It'll do the job, but it is literally a coated piece of wire with a handle attached it it, and no tip, so you don't actually get any of the texture or other small details on that particular piece.
Out of box, Catwoman looks pretty good. It can be hard to tell which version you're looking at, as they tend to all feature skin tight, Black cat themed body suits. In the case of Arkham Knight, you look for the textures, the cat clasps on the boots and of course, the goggles. I feel the Revoltech body shows a decent amount of respect to her hips and the rest of the lower, but kind of undersizes the bust and doesn't quite have it at the right height. I guess at the very least at least she's packing more chest level than Harley Quinn.
So like many Revoltech figures, certain liberties have been taken with regard to face sculpts. I actually don't think I've seen a single "realistic" one from the company actually be reproduced as such. If you're saying that doesn't matter, I'll refer you to the multitude of people who refuse to buy the S.H. Figuarts Street Fighter figures due to their anime look. If this doesn't offend you, you'll probably notice that the face is... OK. It's not terrible, but it's certainly not great. It looks very much like something from a Bishoujo statue. You do get a decent variety of expressions, and like most of the recent figures from the company, the eyeballs are adjustable, or at least on the the ones where you can see the eyes. This helps to increase the posing powers of the figure immensely.
So.. yeah. Articulation isn't really a problem with this figure. These figures are designed to be hyper articulated and they generally deliver. Having said that, it isn't just the way the limbs are cut and double jointed elbows/knees that make this work (for the record, the elbows are single). Knees are double jointed, with the joint in the lower leg being an actual ball joint. Likewise, the thigh swivel is also a ball joint. Both these ball joints allow for more precise posing of the legs. Hip joint is a ball joint, which permits both rotation and some ab crunch/back arch capabilities, further enhanced by the ball joint in the chest. Shoulders, rather than being a Butterfly style joint seated inside the torso, are double ball joints that are covered up by hollow shoulders on the arms themselves. The neck connects to the head with an "L" shaped ball joint to further enhance range of motion. All-in-all, things have improved not only due to smart design, but also the fact that the Revoltech system has evolved past being just a series of clicking joints.
Look back, these general improvements were have been in place since Psylocke came out years ago, or at all of it except for the ball jointed knees, which in a way seem very randomly thrown in, as I think I see it in Harley Quinn, but it doesn't look like Wonder Woman or Psylocke had them and its hard to tell with the upcoming Supergirl as her skirt obscures where that joint might be. Perhaps the thighs are a relatively recent add?
When it comes to Paint Applications, Kaiyodo has always been that mid tier where it gets things generally right, but I don't really see anything on any of the releases that is particularly finely detailed, though any I did see generally comes out fine, though between the sculpting and the paint the face with the tongue out looks more derpy than sexy. The actual paint itself always seems a bit on the darker side, and always seems so... thick, for lack of better terms. With regards to coverage, well if it isn't Black or Flesh tone, it's painted. Decal work such as on the eyes came out nicely.
Speaking of Flesh tone, I wish Kaiyodo would choose a base plastic that doesn't look so Yellow and maybe consider using a more matte top coat.
Catwoman is a fine figure - a bit rough around the edges (as are a good number of toys out there) but for me, the general curves and overall posing capabilities more than make up for it. When it comes to this style of Catwoman, I believe the only real competitors are the Mafex releases and for sure I'd take this one over those any day of the week just based on general aesthetics alone.
Just maybe stick to the head with the goggles on.
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