Play Arts Kai Cyborg Ninja - Gray Fox Metal Gear Solid Review

When i first saw the Play Arts Kai Cyborg Ninja - Gray Fox pics on the web I had goosebumps all over thinking about the path that Konami and Square-Enix is currently taking with regards to their Metal Gear Solid line. We've got Fox right now, Solid is due later this month, Meryl not far behind and we've also seen the unpainted model prototypes of Solidus and Raiden; it is evident that the great people on both sides are really doing their best to bring us the characters that we definitely wanted to see. And, additionally,  "Kojima Kami Nandesu" indeed.

"That's good Snake, do you remember me now?!"

Gray Fox or Frank Jaeger is the only Fox-Hound operative to ever be given the codename Fox because of his skill in the battle-field. He's got a love-hate relationship with Solid Snake, sharing an ally-enemy-ally-enemy kind of camaraderie with him though ultimately sacrificing his life to help Solid defeat Liquid piloting Metal Gear Rex on Shadow Moses. I love the new packaging they employed for this new line. All along i was expecting a dark box typical of the theme used by the Metal Gear Solid game for the PS1 but i was surprised to find a rather minimalist box design for Fox. Take note also of the 25th Anniversary sticker on the lower right side.

"Uh, so, what are you in for?

I was wondering all this time why after Fox, Solid Snake and Meryl they will skip the other characters and go with Solidus from Sons of Liberty; it's just my speculation but perhaps all the next releases will be under this 25th Anniversary line, except perhaps for Raiden who is the main guy of MG Rising. Now there is hope to see Liquid, Otacon, Ocelot (whooohhh!) and the rest of the gang, it's a far fetched theory but i'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Gray Fox's design is absolutely stunning, IIRC, he's the first Play Arts Kai figure to actually employ a glossy metallic paint application. Well, other than the HALO figures, but definitely glossier than them! The details of his armor is really faithful to his game design. Also, no "thunder thighs" for him, i'm glad they took that out of the finish product.

Just call me "Deepthroat".Errr...ok, deepthr...*snicker, snicker*

The print on his exoskeleton is also minutely detailed and the crevices and joints are well defined. His crotch armor piece is made from soft PVC, they don't hinder thigh movement. 

Paint job isn't perfect though, from the 3 sealed figures i previewed i got this one with a wayward dark-gold paint on his right bicep which is actually unnoticeable. I picked him because i like the effect, looks like weathering or a battle-worn spot on his armor, well, with all the action he's getting you can't expect him to look like something just out of the car-wash. Hey, it's either that or the other one i saw with a dried fingerprint on the back of his head. His weapons are also game-accurate:

He's got his sword, an alternate right hand for holding his katana and the prototype, hand rail-gun. I love how the gun is produced, noticed the white lines? those are finely printed words. It's also made up of softer material that will lessen the risk of breakage. He used that to blast Metal Gear Rex's "Radome" in the game. Too bad the gun replaces Fox's forearm (left or right) when in use, meaning it can't be used or carried by other MGS figures. I was hoping that they have an alternate unmasked Frank Jaeger head included as well as 2 closed fists for hand-to-hand combat which Fox is famous for but *sigh* they left those out.

Snake. We're not tools of the government, or anyone else. Fighting was the only thing... the only thing I was good at. But... at least I always fought for what I believed in.

Articulation is typically Play Arts Kai Metal Gear but with the addition of the "Dissidia" hinges on his arms. It's a nice feature for added articulation but after my encounter with a broken hinge (i.e. Play Arts Kai Chun-Li), i'm starting to wonder if it is really a good idea. The Sneaking Suit Snake has a different version of that hinge which is sturdier though sacrificing a few extra movements.

As for the cons, Gray Fox can really work on his balance. He's a Ninja for crying out loud but he's having trouble standing up on his own. I don't know if that's an isolated case on the figure i got but he's a pain in the @$$ to stand let alone pose. He's got small, narrow feet similar to the Sneaking Suit Big Boss figure but since Fox is top-heavy, he topples over easily. I suggest using a stand if you wish to have him hold a pose. His shoulder armor also prevents him from aiming his rail-gun sideways though they are ball-jointed in addition to the hinges i mentioned earlier.Well, surprise, he can aim sideways you just have to be careful when you lift his shoulder armor (which are made of soft material) to angle the arms.

Solid Snake: Who are you, anyway?
Gray Fox: One of your fans.

Scale is consistent with the Peacewalker figures, it's good to know that they are keeping it that way. SRP is 60$ on S-E's online shop and i got him slightly higher (68$) though still discounted by virtue of my sponsorship, considering shipping charges, it's not that bad. Greattoys Online is selling him for about 3.5K (est. 79$).

One thing's for sure though, the Metal Gear Play Arts Kai line is really getting better and better with each new release. It's slowly but surely becoming a stand-alone line on a league of their own. If you are a Metal Gear fan you can't pass Gray Fox up especially with Solid Snake lined-up next.

Gray Fox:  Good! Now we can fight as warriors! Hand to hand! It is the basis of all combat! Only a fool trusts his life to a weapon!

A cornered fox is more dangerous than a jackal! 

You don't agree with me about Fox? You can join the guy above.