Kimahri (Final Fantasy X)

by Koto Inc. / ARTFX

It’s 2:30AM.  I’m awake even though I’ve suffered more than a week of near sleeplessness.  I roll out of bed and turn on the light.  He’s still there – watching me as I watch him.  It’s a staring contest I’ll never win.  After five or six minutes, I turn off the light and get back into bed.  I repeat the process 15 minutes later.  Then he starts talking, with a soft Kilrathi purr….

Technically, isn’t an action figure.  However, reviewing a soft vinyl statue is not without precedent though awarding a perfect Craftsmanship score is. (Bob & Doug was awarded a 9.9 score.)

Truth is, I’m obsessed with this figure so providing any kind of objective perspective is impossible.  When I’m in the same room as Kimahri I can look at nothing else.  Close up or from a distance, he’s a fantastic figure to look at.  His size (15”+ tall) allows for fantastic detail and none of the space has been wasted.  It’s hard to pick just one area as an example – something to point at and say “that’s the best part.”  However, I’ll pick his head.  Front and back, every aspect of his video game counterpart has been nailed to a tee, with added bonus of texture.  The eyes and ragged horn out of his forehead are entirely convincing.  But that’s not to take anything away from the rest of him.  His wings, his arm gauntlets, the weird attire, and the great axe accessory bring Kimahri to a level of greatness that wasn’t technologically possible five years ago.  Matching the detail is the fantastic paint job.  The hues and fades from one color to another are extremely well done (and without oversplash).  Under well-lit conditions Kimahri is a work of art.  Even under low light, he looks good – peering at you with a near-menacing stare.  For best conversation results, display on the fireplace mantle.

Poseability is… If you like radically different poses, poseability is nil.  He has no articulation.  However, his sculpt and stance is so good I don’t miss the articulation.  It is impossible to stand him without his base.  His feet just aren’t up to the task.  But that’s beside the point, after all he is a statue.  Installing him on the base is simple.  There’s one peg for his left foot and an “arm and clamp” that runs from the base to his waist to keep him firmly in position.  The clamp is unobtrusive and the arm is practically invisible.

Playability isn’t high, but he gets some points for being made of 

durable soft vinyl.  It just means you can’t break him and he can fill in for your teddy bear.  Sure, if you apply enough pressure you can break off a limb or two, but there’s no action figure (or soft vinyl statue) that is indestructible.  And a warning about the axe: it’s got sharp points.

In short, this is a true collectors item worth every cent you shell out.  Final Fantasy fans should seriously consider buying Kimahri, especially if they don’t have the kind of shelf space to accommodate Bahamut (also from Final Fantasy X).  While both figures are excellent display pieces, Kimahri beats out Bahamut simply because he’s easier to display.  However, if you’re looking for action, keep on looking because Kimahri’s not up to the task.

- Omni

(May 22, 2002)