Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts First Order Stormtrooper Shield & Baton Set

If there was one thing that Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens proved, it's that Stormtroopers can be a force to be reckoned with. Gone were the cannon fodder troops of the Empire days who couldn't ever seem to shoot straight, replaced with the brainwashed army of the First Order - highly specialised and ready to take on any opponent. One Stormtrooper became particularly notorious when he managed to almost take down a lightsaber wielding Finn, but was ultimately defeated by a carefully timed blaster shot from Han Solo. The Star Wars fandom knows him by many names - TR8-0R, FN-2199, Nines, Riot Control Stormtrooper...however Bandai Tamashii Nations have simply opted for First Order Stormtrooper Shield & Baton Set when it comes to their S.H. Figuarts release. This figure is the sixth release in the line for The Force Awakens, and the first to be a Tamashii web exclusive.

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Captain Phasma

When the marketing for Star Wars The Force Awakens went into overdrive there were a select few characters who quickly became the subject of much discussion. The identify of mysterious new villain Kylo Ren was one such talking point, however eyes were also drawn to a Stormtrooper leader decked out in a cape and shiny silver armour. This of course is Captain Phasma, First Order Stormtrooper Captain and played by Gwendoline Christie. Due to Christie's acting experience in Game of Thrones and her generally badass look, Phasma was touted as being one of the things to look forward to most in the film with many people labelling her "the next Boba Fett". This unfortunately turned out to be more accurate than people hoped, with Phasma herself doing extremely little in the film and coming away feeling like a throwaway character more than anything else. Still, the design looked fantastic and so it's no surprise to see Bandai Tamashii Nations add her to their steadily-growing collection of Star Wars themed S.H. Figuarts - making her the third release from the newest instalment. 

Toybox REVIEW: S.H. Figuarts Kylo Ren

Ever since Bandai Tamashii Nations first announced that they would be adding the Star Wars franchise to their ever-expanding S.H. Figuarts toy line, it was both obvious and inevitable that this would lead to figures from The Force Awakens. The timing was just too perfect for it not to, and as soon as the merchandise juggernaut was beginning to hit the globe Bandai revealed the first two figures that would be joining the collection – Kylo Ren and the First Order Stormtrooper, both released alongside the film’s near-worldwide release mid-December. For good reason Kylo Ren’s identity was shrouded in mystery until the film’s release, and while you won’t find any big spoilers in this review I will say that I found him to be one of the most fascinating characters the films have produced so far. His Darth Vader-inspired look was enough to sell me on preordering, but the film really made me want it.