S.H. Figuarts Endgame Ronin

The Figuarts Endgame Ronin is part of a couple of new trends I am seeing from Bandai that I’m not super happy about. More on that later.

A Ronin is a masterless Samurai in the 12th century. I’m sure most of you knew that, but just in case… I like to spread knowledge. Here’s more info if you’re interested. Ronin the Marvel character doesn’t go back quite that far, instead finding his 616 Marvel debut in 2005. The Ronin suit has had many masters, actually. It began with Echo, a woman with photographic reflexes (not unlike Taskmaster). There were many who followed afterward, but the next one to wear the costume was Clint Barton. Hawkeye. There’s a lot that goes into this, so give this a quick read so you can grasp the basics of the character and we can continue. I’ll wait.

Done? Good.

Assuming you read that, you can understand how excited I was to see the Ronin persona in the MCU. Such a small bit of love for the fans, but we felt it. It was because of this, that when the Figuarts Endgame Ronin went up for PO, I jumped on it. At that time, obviously, I hadn’t seen the movie.

Yes, showing Ronin in Endgame was a great Easter Egg for us. I don’t even have an issue with that outfit only being in the movie for 43 seconds. What I take umbrage with is how Bandai is doing things now. As I mentioned in my Thanos review, Bandai is jumping on early concept art and making figures out of them.

Had I know Clint would only wear this version of the uniform for such a tiny part, I probably would have held off. But I guess that’s what Bandai is doing now… cash grabs. Like the Iron Man MK 50 from Infinity War. Here’s a regular version, saps. Now here’s the version with the accessories you want. Oh, and here’s a third version with more accessories you want. It’s more than a little frustrating.

Now, with my obviously high sodium content, let’s get started.

What comes in the Figuarts Endgame Ronin box?

Included is the figure (how pissed would you be if it didn’t come with the figure? Probably shouldn’t give Bandai any ideas).

We get three sets of hands. There are fist hands…

There are relaxed hands:

Finally, we get gripping hands for his sword.

There are two headsculpts. One looking straight on, and the other, barely different, looking to the side.

The last item(s) is his sword. Which comes with three display options. Out of the sheathe.

In its sheathe.

Finally the third option is the exact same thing as the empty sheathe but with no tab to insert in his back (that’s what she said).

My guess is it creates the illusion that he is pulling the sword out. That’s all of the pack-ins.

What doesn’t work with the Figuarts Ronin Endgame figure?

The Figuarts Ronin Endgame figure is not bad. The eyes look like Jeremy Renner. I actually like Renner in almost everything I’ve seen him in. The Bourne movie he was in was weird. Only because Jason Bourne is not that guy (I understand he wasn’t playing the same character). That would be like making a John Wick movie and having, well, Jeremy Renner play John Wick.

I’ll start with problems on the figure itself. The biggest, most annoying issue that will have you wanting to throw him at a poured concrete wall is the tab A/Slot B set up for his sword sheathe. I’ve not seen something stay LESS in a hole it was SUPPOSED to be in since Elton John’s marriage to Renate Blauel. It falls out constantly. Be careful with it.

It would have been great to have a hood that could also be displayed in a down position (like Luke or Obi Wan… although I do dislike plastic hoods in general). Bandai, please listen to me… stop with the side eye thing. I think it’s great to have the option, but I would 1 million times more prefer that you just put in movable eyeballs like the Figma Avengers. It makes the consumer (us, if you were confused, Bandai) feel like they got ripped off.

“Here’s my new Hawkeye figure with a cool headsculpt. And here’s his other headsculpt that looks exactly the same, except the eyes are ever so slightly looking to the side.”

There is almost no ankle pivot and of course, Bandai continues their embargo on bicep swivels. Like Deadshot and so many others, he comes with a boot knife that he cannot use.

Dumb knife that can’t be used.

What should it have come with? AN UNMASKED HEADSCULPT!! A BOW AND ARROW!! STOP MAKING US BUY MULTIPLE FIGURES TO GET THE ONE WE WANT!!!! FFS BANDAI, WHAT HAVE WE DONE TO YOU!?!?

“But JC, the figure would have been more expensive!”

Ok, so? I bet not another figure’s worth of expensive. OR… release both solicits at the same time so the consumer can decide what they want. Without having seen the movie, I just assumed this would be his outfit for the whole film. Had I known there would be a “Hawkeye” version of this figure a few months later, I doubt I would have got the Figuarts Ronin Endgame figure. I also bet I am not alone.

Would I maybe have eventually picked it up? Sure. I could see a drunken Friday or Saturday night with some cash in my hand, and I come across this figure marked down. Because let’s be perfectly clear, this figure would not have sold out if we all knew we were getting a second, more Renner-esque figure.

But you didn’t give us that choice, did you, Bandai? You didn’t give us that choice because you know I’m correct. Some people could call that a sound business decision. Me? I’ll call it what it is… a cash grab.

What works with the Figuarts Ronin Endgame Figure?

When taken in a vacuum, this isn’t a bad figure at all. The sheath thing is annoying, so VERY annoying. But if that, and the tiny amount of accessories were all the issues I had with the figure, it’d be an easy article to write. Since I just covered that, I am going to try to wrestle this review back to the positive, if only for this section.

Even though its a very simple, two-toned uniform, it’s extremely eye-catching. There is some attention to detail here that I’ve not seen before, like the various zippers and pouches. The presentation is very good, and this would have made a great exclusive/web order/chase figure.

The 3 inches of exposed face did a very good job of showing us three inches of Renner’s face. I enjoyed all 43 seconds of Ronin’s appearance in Endgame. Black Widow was such a better figure.

Should you purchase the Figuarts Ronin Endgame figure?

In short? No. I guess if you really liked the look, and have the cash, sure get it. It isn’t a bad figure at all. Unfortunately, it IS a bad business practice that I’m having a hard time getting behind. If you’re looking for him, get him here: