Toy Tease: NECA Toys Unveils New Predators

Leading up to Toy Fair, NECA Toys has been unveiling plenty of action figures to tease and excite collectors. Some of those highly anticipated figures come from the Predator franchise. One of those, belonging to their increasingly popular line based on video games of our childhood, is Classic Video Game Appearance Predator 2.

Beyond figure design, NECA's Classic Video Game Appearance figures are also known for their packaging which surely have a place in many display cases. This leads to one of what I call "collector's dilemmas." This one being "to open or not to open" (see below). Check out the box art below along with the package of the first Classic Video Game Appearance Predator from my personal collection. This one is based on the 8-bit NES version. Side note: Despite this figure being released last year, I still have yet to officially decide if I'll open it. It's just perfect for display.

Perfectly timed for New Comic Book Day (some weeks back, I should say) NECA revealed yet another Predator. Here's the Dark Horse Comics 25th Anniversary Predator. This one based on Dark Horse Comics' Predator #1 published in 1989. Pictured next to it is the original issue.

Also be on the lookout for the wave 13 Predators: Renegade, Cracked Tusk and Scavage. These figures continue NECA's move of updating the Kenner Predators from the '90s. Collectors can expect neat design, cool weapons and lots of articulation. I'm sure we'll be able to spot the alien hunters on the pegs by the vibrant card art reminiscent of those earlier Kenner toys.

We just stepped into February and there are already plenty of fantastic figures to look forward to this year. With Toy Fair right around the corner, anticipate more reveals. It's well documented how much of a fan I am of NECA. Their toys make up a sizable portion of my collection and that number will continue to grow with these additions.

What do you think of these reveals? What are you hoping to see on display at Toy Fair? Let's hear it. For more information on these Predators and the toymaker, head over to NECA Toys.

Toy Tease: NECA Toys' Devil May Cry ULTIMATE DANTE

While my Twitter timelines were blowing up with the usual internet shenanigans, a tweet from NECA Toys immediately caught my eye. From Capcom's hit action video games series Devil May Cry comes Dante. Take a look at the series' protagonist below, gloriously clad in red.

From NECA's website:

Seven years in the making, this long-awaited action figure is the definitive version of the original Dante, the one who started it all.

The half-demon demon hunter from Devil May Cry stands nearly 7″ tall, with over 35 points of articulation. Dante is extra-detailed, down to his trademark trench coat, which features a dynamic, wind-shaped sculpt. The figure is loaded with accessories, including Ebony and Ivory pistols with removable muzzle bursts, Dante’s sword Alastor, shotgun, and interchangeable hands.

Comes in deluxe window box packaging with opening flap that recreates the look of the original video game box. Limited edition — one production run only!

No denying it, Dante looks slick. For collectors and/or gamers only familiar with the recent entry in the series, DmC: Devil May Cry, Dante's look might throw you off. This is Dante's original look for the first four games in the series. Complete with that cool sword. As a sword lover, you can expect to see pictures of him in my display wielding it in full badass mode. Also, being such a fan of the color blue, I'm curious how he'd look with a royal blue coat of paint with the same style of paint wash.

NECA Toys is known for their high quality collectibles and this one looks to keep that trend going. NECA is no stranger to video games. Over the years, they've consistently (to our bank accounts' displeasure) provided collectors with representations of some of video games' finest characters under their Player Select banner. Some of those have been delivered in full ongoing lines, such as the amazing Gears of War series, or singular figures, e.g. Raziel from Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver.

According to their site, we can except Dante to be available in March. For more images of the legendary demon hunter and information on the toy maker, head over to NECA Toys.

What do you think of Dante? Is there a place for him in your collection? Sound off below.

Toy Tease: Figma MOTOKO KUSANAGI (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex)

Even with all the chaos of Comic Con, the fun wasn't strictly contained to the San Diego city limits. At the same time, the bi-annual Wonder Festival was holding its second event in Japan, Wonder Festival 2014 Summer. At the event, Max Factory's Figma Motoko Kusanagi from the Ghost In The Shell manga and anime franchise was fully revealed. This figure represents her design used in the Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex anime. I've been a fan of the anime franchise and the Major for years and it's time she joined my toy collection. For the uninitiated, she held the rank of Major within Section 9 and was frequently referred to as "The Major."

From Good Smile's website:

"Just a whisper. I hear it in my ghost."


From the anime series 'GHOST IN THE SHELL STAND ALONE COMPLEX' comes a figma of the main character, Motoko Kusanagi!




Using the smooth yet posable joints of figma, you can act out a variety of different scenes.




She comes with three expressions including her standard face, a shouting face and a smiling face.




Her weapons of choice, the Seburo M-5 and Seburo C-26A are both included allowing for various action scenes.




A flexible plastic is used for important areas, allowing proportions to be kept without compromising posability.




An articulated figma stand is included, which allows various poses to be taken.

I own two Figma figures, both of which represent video game icons: Link from The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and Samus from Metroid: Other M. They're great toys all around. The sculpts, articulation, interchangeable pieces and accessories are top-notch. They also come with stands. With all of that comes a higher price tag, which is common for import action figures. Motoko carries a price of ¥4,800 which converts to $46.79. I'll be adding her to my collection when she's released as scheduled in December. She might even serve as a gift to myself if she arrives before Christmas.

Figma Motoko is available for pre-order from Good Smile Company. She's also likely to pop up in Previews Magazine if she hasn't appeared yet. The current catalog has others listed as well as re-orders for the previously mentioned Link and Samus figures.