Jakks Pacific Articulated Sonic Action Figures 1
This page is for special extra-featured figures that are articulated but may do something else. (Not a static 'display figure) Bendy type figures & regular action figures will go onto a separate page. But if it's by Jakks Pacific and it's an action figure, check them out here.
UK NEWS: These & other JP figures CAN be at Smyth's Stores!
Sonic Gear Main Merchandise Page *
The box is a little odd here, why is there a window in the top, but not on the side to see the figure from an optimal angle? (Ex. why put a window at all if it just looks down on the top of the head) This is the factory photo for the figure's box. It does not seem to have the fun 'storage base' that the Tomy one had, so he is free standing though looks like he'll stand on his own.
Everyone seemed to really like the expression/accessory build a figure from Tomy, so it's good to have another opportunity to get one like this.
Cost: 49.99
BUT it ought to cost less than the previous Tomy one because it doesn't come with the clever storage base AND it does not seem to have more (or less) features so it should still cost a bit less due to no base.
Expressions:
A bit odd. They acknowledge 'peach eyelid' there in the half-closed expression, but then they have him closing his pupils into 'squint marks' there in the other one?? It's one or the other, either he has eyelids or he doesnt??? That's not consistent.
Mugman / Cuphead teeth:
What's up with trying to put classic Sonic into the 'wiggle-toon' or "Rubber-Hose*" era style of Cuphead & Mugman? That expression and the odd-ball teeth like that is RIGHT smack in that style and it is NOT the style of actual Classic Sonic (Which was defined by the Japanese art of him at that time--which was not such a Betty Boop-Toon era influence so it doesn't look fitting on him now.
Yes that seems to be officially what it's called. The era was also called "Golden Age American" animation and was defined by everything fore & background being bendy or wiggly in wierd wavy ways like a rubber hose would be. Random stuff would be dancing, inanimate objects would react & etc. You can also see signature elements like "pac-man" shaped eye pupils, big white, close-set eyes, everybody in white gloves & toony noodle-bodies. Cuphead the game brought this style back into the forefront with it's popularity & unique look/gameplay.
Sonic was never Rubber Hose:
Animation goes through different eras of popularity and style as time goes by. This is fine & creates fun variety. However, Sonic was never a part of that era, and if you're being true to classic-form, should not be given traits from it because of a fad or popularity.
Here comes another Jakks Pacific "Deluxe" changeable figure. This one has a 'casino night' like/ inspired backdrop and base that serves as the box for the extra accessories. (Much like the Tomy deluxe one where the base was GHZ)
By mixing and matching the different eye panels and face bottoms you can create different expressions. He also comes with several hands (holding a ring, a fist, open, etc) to help change his poses.
This figure is trying to look 'comic book art' style, with the shading and linework actually painted onto it. So, that highlight wedge on the head is always in the same spot, the borders of his colors have thick black lines, as do the textures for his socks/gloves. He comes with a real rolling skateboard (that is appropriately sized) and has his name on the bottom with stars around it. He is pose-able, and does have knees to pose but as usual, there is no elbow joint despite this being at least the 5 inch size figure.
Opinion Zone:
Why'd they give him a skateboard? Classic Sonic was...not known for skateboarding like...ever? Did he ever do it in even a single classic game? Snowboarding yes, several times, but maybe it's not as fun. I don't even think there's any actual classic art of him on a skateboard, so it just seems like a bit of an unusual choice as a 'first thing' to give him.
The 'self-shaded' paint job is a little odd...but they did a better job of it than Jazwares did (remember those odd little Juuvis) so it looks a bit more natural than that older attempt. However: can it REALLY be 'gold line' if they're NOT doing elbow joints still? When they've PROVED they can do them on this size of figure???? (The movie figures all have elbow, knee, hip, shoulder and neck--despite being the same size) This is nice, and the idea is nice, but it doesn't get a 100% because they're being lazy with the elbows on purpose.
On Purpose:
Yes it's on purpose. The "Gold Line" you KNOW already costs more than the regular figures that's the whole point of it: they're not regular! If adding elbows would cost another dollar than COST IT nobody's going to care! They're already spending for the flashier new line just put the quality where it ought to be gee whiz.
There are 13 points of articulation total. The dot on the box says "customize your very own Sonic figure", the blurb on the back lists what he comes with and that you can explore tons of poses and gestures.
It's interesting that they seem to have chosen Sonic Colors for this, both with a wisp and the Eggman park theme to the box...notice the classic one wasn't meant to be specifically for any certain game. It's fine, of course, but it just seems a little odd to peg this one into being "it is Colors, specifically".
This appears in Fall 2022, may be found on the Target.com website...but where else? It's probably also about 49.99, which is typical for these very deluxe type of change-parts figures
He's extra pose-able with lots of joints and different hands you can give him, just like the previous figures. He has 3 different eyes, and 3 different mouth/lower face area pieces so you can mix and match to change his expression. Both his display stand and box are Mushroom Hill themed. There's also a 'break-apart' gray rock that you can use as a part of his set piece. (You can see it on the side of the box when it is in its pieces, or, in the bottom right of the photo when it is together. (The Modern Sonic had a wisp and an emerald, so it makes sense he'd have to have something extra as well) As is the usual good idea with these, the extra parts are stored inside the base to keep it safe. This is expected to be about 40 to 50 dollars.
