Hey, everyone!
First time poster on these forums, and I'll admit to being an S.H.Figuarts Star Wars addict! It's pretty much the only toyline I collect. However, I might buy the odd 3.75" basic Star Wars figure every once in awhile to satisfy my nostalgia. It's only in recent years that we've gotten these highly detailed action figures from Japan after all.
I've got all the figures released so far; either in-hand, in-transit, or pre-ordered! In fact, I just paid for my Obi-Wan Kenobi (Episode I) from my favorite retailer AmiAmi for the low cost of $53.49 including shipping! I'm a loyal AmiAmi supporter, and get all of my pre-orders in at 2AM EST. If you aren't an F5'er like me then you risk missing out, and then you have to pay the scalper tax! If you're lucky the pre-orders will open up again later in the day, or you could desperately wait for the leftover stock that might not even exist once the figure is released.
I can't afford to maintain a Hot Toys Movie Masterpiece Star Wars 1/6 scale collectible figure collection, so I was forced to turn to the 1/12 scale offerings from Bandai Tamashii Nations! I'm a completionist, as it is necessary for me to own ever figure from a particular toyline. I can't explain it, I just need to own all the figures! IT'S ALL OR NOTHING FOR ME! I'm just not happy unless I have every single last one. I'm struggling to afford all of the S.H.Figuarts Star Wars figures as it is, but it's either this or I have to downgrade to Hasbro's The Black Series.
NO, THOSE FIGURES DON'T HAVE COLLECTIBLE QUALITIES LIKE MY GLORIOUS BANDAI JAPAN ONES DO! I won't go back! These S.H.Figuarts, they aren't children's junk. They have display value, they are works of art! Each one is a little treasure! They utilize superior technology in their design and production! You just don't get it, S.H.Figuarts is everything the Black Series was promised to be. This is Hasbro's ultimate betrayal!
Trouble is, I'm worried about the longevity of the S.H.Figuarts Star Wars line. It's unlikely that they'll make Greedo, Walrus Man, or Hammerhead (I don't use EU names because I'm a fan of the films, and not some fan-fiction novellas) action figures. I don't even think they're doing a Qui-Gon Jinn one anymore! Do you think we'll see more display stands like the Death Star II windowsill one they did for Darth Vader? What about vehicles? They're doing speeder bikes, but what about starfighters? I would love a 1/12 scale Rancor as a part of the S.H.MonsterArts line, but there's virtually no chance of that happening. I'm really waiting for Bandai to start taking big risks and announce something amazing. A man can dream isn't it?
Now that we've gotten my introduction out of the way, I have some questions of the utmost importance. Please answer them to the best of your ability.
I always buy two of every "trooper" or "grunt" figure for display purposes, do you guys follow the same rule or am I doing it wrong? I got two of the Stormtrooper, Shadow Trooper, Clone Trooper, Battle Droid, First Order Stormtrooper, and the First Order Stormtrooper (Shield & Baton Set). I only ordered one Scout Trooper, as I felt having two speeder bikes would look redundant in a display. I would gladly buy a second Scout Trooper if he got re-released as a stand alone figure (maybe with an additional non-canon sniper rifle), but he's just too expensive with that bike to buy more than one. I mean nobody is crazy enough to have bought multiple Sideshow 1/6 Speeder Bikes, right? The same rule applies here.
The other thing I wanted to discuss is less of a philosophical debate on the dialogue of toy collecting. It's my S.H.Figuarts Clone Troopers! I take care of my figures, I SWEAR IT! They are my life and honor! I only put them in the crouched shooting pose like you see in the promotional photos, and like I've seen other collectors do! The thigh swivels have noticeably loosened since doing so!
I either damaged them somehow, or it's a flaw in the design of the new style joints! The Stormtroopers use the same joints for the legs, but the articulation is severely hindered which is probably why I didn't have any problems with them. I THINK I RUINED MY CLONE TROOPERS, YOU GOTTA HELP ME! I need to know, did this happen to anyone else? Has anyone else here had a similar experience? I am about to have a panic attack!
Well, I think that about sums everything up! I'm really looking forward to discussing the S.H.Figuarts Star Wars action figure line with all of you! I just want to talk about my favorite toys! My life is toys you know, I don't have much else to look forward to. Now that McDonald's is serving breakfast all day, I don't even have a reason to get out of bed anymore.
Thanks!
Best Wishes,
Weakling
