Medusa's Gaze - Gaming Goodies - The Armchair Empire

Series: Fantasy Figure Gallery

Available from: Yamato Toys USA

Artist: Lois Royo
Sculptor: Shungo Yazawa

Pros:
- Still in the fantasy vein, but a departure from the more "Conan-esque" figures

- Great detail and sculpt

- Stays true to the source material

Cons:
- No mini-poster of the original artwork

- Little worried that the flimsy sword could break

- Golden Lover (Fantasy Figure Collection)

- Monica's Axe (Fantasy Figure Collection)

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Medusa's Gaze

from Yamato Toys

medusa's gaze

"Dare you look into the face of Medusa? Legend has it that even a fleeting glance will turn a man to stone. But perhaps the real question is: will you be able to resist?"

The marketing description of Medusa's Gaze to sell the figure is over the top, but it must be working because this figure is currently on backorder on Yamato Toys USA's own site. And considering the MSRP sits at just under $120US it must really be working. It's not exactly how I'd "sell" this particular figure so let me

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just tell you about it.

Just like the other figures in the Fantasy Figure Gallery, Medusa's Gaze is packed in windowed box that is largely useless because of all the extra layers of plastic wrapped around the figure. Once removed, assembly is straightforward.

Medusa's Gaze stands just under 12" tall when

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installed on its very plain circular base. There are three pegs on the base that plug into the feet and the cape (for a third, stabilizing point of contact). It's a very snug fit and I had to apply a lot of pressure to make sure everything was secured. The trick with this setup is putting the sword in her hand before she's put on the base. The hilt of the sword separates so that it can be inserted in her hand but because of the angle of the sword and the fact it's so long that if you try installing it after putting her on the base you run the risk of snapping the blade.

The blade is relatively flexible but I've snapped enough action figure swords to spot the danger before it happens. You've been warned!

That's all the assembly that's required you are now ready to appreciate the finer points.

Like the other figures in the line Yamoto didn't include the original artwork, which is a missed opportunity. Luis Royo's artwork on which Shungo Yazawa's sculpt is based is readily available online (and on this page; see below) and there's an argument to be made here that this sculpt is probably the most true to the source material so it's a shame you can't directly compare them right out of the box. Possibly the only point of contention would be with the facial comparison; there's something about the eyes. Otherwise, it's like the figure stepped out of the painting and a very good display piece.

The attention to detail is great. Rather than simply paint on the faded and shredded stockings, which has been done with the tattoos, they're included in the sculpt. That's not something you see with many other PVC figures. And it's very subtle; the pictures can't pick it up but if you run your finger across the detail, it's very distinctly raised.

Her shirt is without buttons and is formed from a stiff plastic and -- because people have asked -- there are no nipples to be seen. (This doesn't detract from the figure.)

Of the Fantasy Figure Gallery, Medusa's Gaze is the single piece with an Asian look. All the other figures could fit easily into the Conan genre. It would be interesting for the next pieces of the Gallery to be extended to other nationalities -- if the Fantasy Figure Gallery has taught me anything it's that there's plenty of source material is out there -- because the baseline quality has been established.

- Aaron Simmer

(March 31, 2010)