Play Arts Kai Raiden - Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

I was caught off-guard by the sudden arrival of the Play Arts Kai Raiden from Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance game. I thought he's still at least a week away, well, anyway, seems like they prefer to strike while the iron is hot and quickly followed up with an awesome figure days after the release of an equally awesome game. 

And the packaging alone oozes with awesomeness...

Back in January of this year, i christened a new "King of Kais" when Solidus Snake made his appearance but seems like his reign would prove totally short-lived. As Jack took over the throne and the crown of his adoptive godfather. Simply put, "Raiden is the BEST Play Arts Kai figure from the Metal Gear line" so far.

We're all pretty familiar with Raiden but for his new solo game i have to do some checks. Seems like a new antagonist emerged 4 years after the Liquid Ocelot Insurrections and Raiden was crippled by an attack of the Desperados leaving him with a modified exoskeleton and an eye-patch... I'm yet to get to the end of the game so i'll stop there.

Anyway, he comes fully armed: his blade and detachable sheath, a combat knife, 3 kunai knives and sheath, pair of alternate hands, pair of alternate feet, his visor aaannndddd... he's got a stand, finally! I did not remove it from the inner tray though and, oh!, i forgot about the instruction sheet!

What i like about him is i don't need to tell you the details, the pictures are worth a hundred words already. The sculpt and paint apps blend so well and the details are well-crafted. His overall balance is also pretty good for a 1/8 figure, well, as compared to the previous MGS PAKs and considering he's still sporting his heels. He's also the 2nd figure i got which bears no paint issues out of the box (Solidus is the first). I guess i got lucky with my random pick.

Raiden's removable combat mask is a nifty addition to the figure and a possible glimpse at the future MGS releases. The interchangeable feet is also a first in a PAK figure as far as i can remember though Bayonetta beat him when it comes to weaponized foot gear. The stand is welcome when you're trying to pose him holding his weapons on his foot though i'm not really a fan of the pose.

As good as Jack is, he's still far from perfect. His sheath got the knack of getting loose or ruining his balance and his arm movements are limited (compared to Grey Fox) by his moveable, soft chest piece. There are some angles that Fox can do which Raiden cannot because of his intricate armor design especially when posing the feet. His hair piece also tend to get loose and his neck movements are somewhat limited by the bulky design.

Like i mentioned, Jack's the biggest Metal Gear Play Arts Kai figure to date probably on account of his high heels. I'm not a big fan of his heels and i'm quite happy that they gave this figure's feet design a more primal look.

So what's the verdict? GET him! Even with another Raiden figure coming soon this one is bound to be a classic. I can imagine him being sold out / out of stock soon enough.

Anyway, how did Jack get his Cyborg Ninja skin @ MGRR?