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Thursday, January 24, 2013

Play Arts Kai Catwoman - Arkham City

Well, this Play Arts Kai Catwoman review is pretty late already but i guess i got to make up for lost time. I originally intended to pass up the Play Arts Kai Arkham City line in favor of the upcoming The Dark Knight Rises line but an opportunity presented itself and i was able to get my hands on these wonderful figures. Thanks a lot Greattoys Online.
I mentioned a couple of articles ago that the Play Arts Kai Catwoman figure is one of the best Play Arts Kai figures of 2012 and the new "Queen of Kais." I am not going to change my stance now that i've seen her up close. Definitely, she's one of the best we have seen so far though, honestly, i have a few misgivings about her. Let's start with the basics first, shall we...
Packaging is simply stunning and i like how they presented a neo-noir approach. The flap contains a bit of backstory, pretty standard fare for Play Arts Kai figures lately. I am not well-versed on her role on the Arkham PS3 series since my cousin's the one who played the 2 installments so i'll jump ahead...
"Oh boy, oh boy, here she comes..."
She's packaged with ample accessories: Whip, 2 pairs of alternate hands and an alternate goggled head which is a distinct feature of the Arkham Asylum figures. 
Being thoroughly familiar with the look of the Catwoman character - why, with the numerous incarnations, renditions on-print, video games and silver screen representations of one of the most famous comic franchise how could i not be?  - i am very much surprised and delighted with her character design. The reboot actually gave her quite a hot costume upgrade and i love it.
Forgive me for the comparison but her face sculpt reminds me of Ashley Greene 
Normally, i'm not into whips and skin tight leaders but the design actually fit her quite well. I love the texture on the figure and the paint job is equally good for a smaller scale Kai. Though as expected there are small wayward paint marks on, ummm...certain areas that should not have those-Why the hell do those paint marks ALWAYS end up there anyway? Meryl got those also, just sayin.'  They are not noticeable though, unless you look hard enough on her lower cleavage area - now you know where it is! hehe.
Come and get me...
Her articulation is basic modern Kai including the ratcheted leg joints, Dissidia hinges and those knee-connectors that look awful on certain poses (and on other figures) but she carries them nicely. I especially love the upper arm articulation that allows you to twist her arm because they aren't a pain to move compared to other Kais. My only problem is with her crotch piece especially when you try to do kneeling or one-knee poses with her legs - the upper leg joints tend to show or stretch the crotch piece creating small stress marks (similar to what happened to my Chris Redfield Kai).
Lower torso articulation can also be improved so she can do poses with her derriere, i believe that would be interesting.
"Meow..."
Batman: Uh...sorry, what was that again? a couple of ...errr...things distracted me... 
Her balance though needs to be improved. Her slim legs partnered with her Bayonetta-high heels aren't doing the trick. Her large box could have easily fit a FREE stand don't you think? 
She's in perfect scale with the new Bruce Wayne figure but i heard the older Arkham Asylum Bats isn't. 
You boys better behave...
You got something on your face...
Batman: Uh, sorry, what were you saying? i got distracted again...
Overall, Play Arts Kai Catwoman is a very, very good figure. Not a perfect figure, but a really solid acquisition for her price tag. I also always think about the future of a Kai franchise and Arkham City's looking up with Robin, that weird looking Batman, Harley and Poison Ivy coming soon to grace our display cabs. 
ROAARRR!!!
You should buy...well, what the hell! go ahead and BUY HER, that's coming from a non-fan of this particular Play Arts Kai line. You won't regret it trust me.

23 comments:

  1. Hi!
    Very nice review!

    I've been following your blog since a few months when I first discovered it, and I really enjoyed it!
    The idea is awesome since you give us a lot of information, pictures and good opinion regarding whether or not a figure is good, the pros and cons.

    I really need your help now... I think I've acquired a bootleg of a Nathan Drake figure, but I'm not really sure!

    Would you help me?
    I can send you a lot of pictures if you want!

    Thank you!

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    Replies
    1. Hi bro, thank you, i feel glad that you like my blog. Sure, just leave your email here and i'll get in touch with you. Send me the pics and i'll take a look. p.s. Please include the pics of the box especially the bottom part.

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  2. I don't know if you recieved my message about the Nathan Drake figure, but I really need your help!

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. replied upstairs bro, i'll hear from you soon. thanks.

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  3. My e-mail is sundaypsn@gmail.com.

    When you contact me, I'll send you all the pictures that you want!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I don't know if you got the message, but the e-mail is sundaypsn@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Would you happen to know if there are any bootlegs of catwoman, shes next on my list and i wanna be sure with her unlike with meryl.

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    Replies
    1. no reports of a bootleg Selina so far, fire away bro!

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    2. Thats great news. Thanks.

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  6. Hey there again, i was wondering if there are any known bootlegs of the arkham city batman kai figure? Please get to me when yiucan concerning my meryl figure. I left my enail several times and i understand you might be busy. Here it is again: osvaldovinos3608@gmail.com thank you. Ill send you pics of my meryl for your confirmation, but i feel its authentic. Just want your opinion.

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  7. Hi valden there are no known arkham city bootlegs so far. Your meryl sounds authentic. I will get in touch tomorrow. Out of town right now. Hang in there buddy.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks man, it means alot. Take care and till then.

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  8. Hello jarri im planning on buying catwoman, i know i asked this before but just to be sure there still arent any bootlegs of catwoman yet right?

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    1. yup, not bootlegs of her...yet...

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    2. I finally ordered my PAK catwoman for 44.95 i figured shes smaller than the metal gear line so i dont think shed be worth the whole 60.00 plus dollars :)

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    3. yes, she's smaller than the MGS, DMC, RE lines. On the same scale as Drake. Congrats on getting her buddy!

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  9. Hey jerri, got my catwoman today though it could just be my paranoia(as usual) i noticed the serial number under the box are not tge usual font. They are however deeply engraved with the characters: SZBJ1211. The box is not flimsy nor the door thingie you can open. The instructions sheet is filded and underneath as usual. Is this something to be worried about? Her wrist joints were soo tight i thought id break em. But other than the serial number she looks authentic to me. Get back to me when yiu can. Thank you.

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  10. Also just noticed tgat her eyes seems a tiny bit darker than yours. Almost like tge eyeliner paint mightve smudged over a bit. Is her second head supposed to be reslly hard to put on? I cant even put mines on because the joint moves too muxh and her second head id too tight.

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    Replies
    1. those are just standard QC issues, as far as i know there are no bootlegs of Catwoman yet.

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  11. yup, apparently SQEX changed the fonts now for the serials. They are harder to copy now. As for the serials, i'm glad i'm the first one to point that out. You heard it here first guys.

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    1. Thanks for confirming man, it means alot. And especially the SQEX changed the fonts for the serials part. What a releif. Im glad i come here for all the confirmations!! Youre awesome... And patient haha!!

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  12. Hi.. New here and new to play arts. I recently got a batman arkham city play arts figure. Just one question. The serial number is identical to my metal gear rising raiden figure I got with the game. (The while UK version) just wondering are they suppose to be the same? The print looks exactly the same and so does the font. Bit is it weird the numbers are the same? Or is it normal?

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