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Series: Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny
Craftsmanship: 8.8 out of 10 - Perfect proportion to the other figures - Lots of poseability and articulation - Solid detail and paint application - Looks like the slow unfashionable character of the bunch - No peg holes
Playability: 7.5 out of 10 - Can’t hold the gun properly - Ball-jointed ankles might make him an amputee - Accessories can be lost - Little ponytails can be ripped off easily
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Saiga Magoichi (Onimusha 2)
For whatever reason, metal headbands never took off. It may have been the low absorptive capacity of the metal or the high lead content of the cheap models, but whatever the reason, Saiga Magoichi hasn’t clued in that they aren’t fashionable. And to commit an even further faux pas, Saiga has accented it with a metal chin guard. That haircut doesn’t help his cool factor either, but this in an action figure review, not a critical fashion analysis.
At 5 ½” Saiga is actually on the small side of the things – the average height nowadays seems to be 6” – but he’s in proportion to the other Onimusha 2 figures. Like his videogame brethren from Metal Gear Solid 2, Saiga features a great mix of articulation including ball-jointed ankles. This provides for some good action poses but does place him on the tippy side of the spectrum. Because he has no peg holes in his feet there’s no practical way to solve the tippiness issue. However, he stands easily and poseability is high with further ball-joints at his hips and shoulders.
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The sculpt and paint are rock solid, with small touches like the detailing on his vest/jacket bringing Saiga up a level or two. His left hand holds his knife in a tight grip, but his right hand is poorly formed to allow him to hold the gun in any kind of action pose. The hand will hold the gun in the “default” position (shown in the picture) but if he attempts to take aim, he’s more likely to just drop the gun since it basically has to rest on his hand, which is too bad because the gun is pretty cool.
The issue of the gun becomes a bigger issue when you start playing with Saiga. If an action |
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figure comes with a gun, one expects the figure to be able to hold the gun in an intimidating manner (rather than just being a poser). While this certainly doesn’t kill the playability it certainly lowers it. His knife can be lost fairly easily during rough play – and you can almost guarantee the nub on the handle will disappear. Plus his ponytails are easily torn off. The biggest concern is the ankles. Owed to their ball-jointed nature, the ankles are susceptible to breakage. (Not a problem if you’re just displaying him.) Honestly, I haven’t handed over Saiga to be properly tested by my three year-old because I don’t want to take the chance that Saiga will join my cadre of “walking wounded” action figures.
The most common question I get asked about these reviews is, “Would you recommend buying this figure?” so I always try to end my commentary with a good ol’, “That depends.” Action figure aficionados and collectors probably won’t care one way or another since they buy everything almost sigh-unseen, especially when McFarlane’s behind it. If you’re into videogame figures, snatch Saiga up and add to your collection – regardless his questionable fashion sense – he’s a solid figure (if on the tippy side) with excellent articulation that’s actually useful and some slick detail.
- Omni (August 7, 2002)
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