Clone Trooper (Phase II) - S.H. Figuarts

S.H. Figuarts is a new standard figure series that incorporates the Bandai action figure "Art" under the theme "Pursuing Character Expression through Humanoid Action."

We’ll be completely honest with you. The LAST character on earth we would ever want to see made again into a Star Wars collectible is a phase II clone trooper (and all of the corresponding officers). We feel the same way about phase I clone troopers as well. It’s not that we don’t like them or appreciate their roles in the Star Wars saga, it’s just that all of the figures made of them have been overkill from a collector’s perspective. Hasbro, Sideshow Collectible, and Gentle Giant Ltd. are all guilty of collector burnout. But we completely understand why they keep doing. When you made a great base sculpt, and all that’s required to make a completely new character from it is a few color flashes, we get why we see so many of them. Despite our reservations, we can wholeheartedly admit that the release of the S.H. Figuarts Clone Trooper (Phase II) action figure has completely reset our burnout with a reignited fire. With each successive release, S.H. Figuarts action figures continually enthrall and excite us (including the figure we thought we never wanted to see again). Sometimes they reuse parts as they did with this favor, but as long as they add newness to the rehashes, we’re completely on board. The S.H. Figuarts line of six-inch scale of premium high-end action figures cost about what Sideshow Collectibles 1:6 Scale Figures did when that line was launched, but the quality you get and the amount accessories that accompany these figures are worth every penny.

Yeah, so the Clone Trooper (Phase II) character is a lackluster release in any line at this point. When he was new, he was the hottest thing. Now, he doesn’t pique the interest of collectors like he used to be able to do. Regardless of this fact, the S.H. Figuarts Clone Trooper (Phase II) figure is going to blow you away. Based on 2015’s SHF Clone Trooper (Phase I) figure, it now gets an all-new phase II helmet which makes the character specific to Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith now. Loaded with premium and functional articulation (with only a few areas of articulation inhibited by the armor), the figure will meet your every need of a fantastic action figure. Between the sturdy, high-quality PVC plastic used, to the “just barely off-white” color of the “plastoid composite” armor which reminds us of an egg’s shell, Clone Trooper (Phase II) sets a high bar. It's so high in fact that we don’t think any other licensee will be able to follow in their footsteps. The Clone Trooper (Phase II) figure not only looks superb at every angle (which if you think about it carefully is a rarity in and of itself) but can attain an array of action poses that will blow the mind. You will be enthralled by what can be achieved by this figure. Obviously, the S.H. Figuarts line isn’t one that can be army built so easily, so this isn’t a line to hoard (which is a good thing). Enjoy these figures piece by piece, and you’ll be amazed at what can be accomplished flawlessly despite how complicated the figure is.

Clone Trooper (Phase II) comes with a nice variety of accessories. In addition to his two main hands, the figure comes with three interchangeable sets of hands. These allow you to pose the figure with both included DC-15 blasters. The armor slightly inhibits the range of motion in the elbows, but you can still get the Clone Trooper (Phase II) figure to hold them with ease, whether gripping the stock or holding by the barrel – all of these options exist and more. While we’re surprised they decided to go with an all-white Clone Trooper, we hope that the color-flashed clones will be next. Because of his mostly white armor, there isn’t too much involved with the paint operations, but the visor line which is always at risk of being sloppily applied has been executed beautifully here. One detail we’re not perfectly excited about is the floating belt. You constantly have to straighten it after you position the figure in a way that you desire, and this can be a little bit annoying. But we imagine if the belt was secured in place and not able to be moved that it would inhibit the full range of movement with which this figure was designed. It’s not even bittersweet. We understand the need for it. But it just bothers us a little, especially when photographing it. With a slightly smaller scale than the Hasbro The Black Series 6” line, Clone Trooper (Phase II) still holds its own, very well and we wish we could buy many of them. You’re missing out if you haven’t given this line a chance yet. They are worth your time and money!