I wasn’t going to pick up the Figuarts Clone Trooper Phase II. I usually only pick up the main characters when it comes to import companies. However, when I picked up the Rogue One Stormtroopers, I fell in love. While I don’t have a full on trooper addiction, I do have OT Troopers and First Order Troopers, so why not some clones? I have several (four) Black Series Phase I clones, but the only Phase II trooper I had was Commander Cody.
Even though the most action we see from the clones is at the end of Episode II, for some reason I consider the Phase II look to be the definitive clone look for me. It could be that it is more aesthetically a precursor to the OT trooper helmets, but I think it’s more due to the Phase II armor being what we see in the bulk of the Clone Wars cartoon. I’m a sucker for mass market brainwashing.
What’s in the Figuarts Clone Trooper Phase II box?
This is a pretty straightforward release in terms of pack-ins. We get the Figuarts Clone Trooper Phase II figure itself, four sets of hands and two weapons. One is a standard blaster rifle, the other a heavy blaster (I know they have real names, I play enough Battlefield to know that, I just don’t have them memorized). The hands consist of a set of fists, a set of gripping hands, a set of neutral hands and lastly, a set of trigger fingers (more on this in a moment). Let’s look at the pack-ins.
What doesn’t work with the Figuarts Clone Trooper Phase II figure?
I hate sounding like a broken record, but there is almost no ankle pivot in any meaningful way. The Figuarts Clone Trooper Phase II figure doesn’t have a lot of up/down motion in his head. However, what frustrates me more than the ankles is the “trigger” fingers. Don’t get me wrong, I like the pointy, finger on the side of the trigger look as well, but our troopers can’t pull triggers? I don’t want to live in a world where that is the case.
Finally, even though the figure has double jointed elbows, it’s a complete waste, as the armor blocks the bend. At least on my Bandai Executioner model, I could flip the armor around to allow for a deeper bend. Sadly, that is not an option on an actual figure as opposed to a model kit.
What works with the Figuarts Clone Trooper Phase II figure?
The Figuarts Clone Trooper Phase II figure looks great on teh shelf. Even with his articulation limited by design choices, he can still pull off convincing trooper poses. The detail on his weapons is nice although I feel like it could have used some more silver dry brushing.
Should you get the Figuarts Clone Trooper Phase II figure?
This is a question only you can answer. There aren’t enough amazing things about him that I could suggest picking this up over a Black Series figure, but there isn’t enough wrong with him to say “no, don’t get him.” If you like Figuarts and you like theClone Troopers, I’d say pick him up. If you’re looking to army build, I’d say pick up the model kit because it’s almost half the cost.
However, if you’re like me a sucker for Star Wars, the prequels, clones and Figuarts, you can still get him here:
Picture time, fam!
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