It is just about time that the “heroes in a half shell” had their S.H.Figuarts release. It was late last year, August of 2016 to be exact, that Bandai released their first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles figures for their S.H.Figuarts line and every 80’s and 90’s kid were excited. The look that they’ve developed was that of the Original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle drawing from the 1987 series, I was honestly hoping for the 2003 TMNT version but still what Bandai produced was still awesome.

The release of the TMNT SHF line was done in batches, they’ve released Leonardo and Donatello first – I remember seeing these two during the STGCC in Singapore last 2016 – and the other turtles followed, Raphael was released last October 2016 and Michaelangelo was release the following month.

Just to give you a brief background, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a group composed of four  anthromorphic turtles that were named after famous Renaissance artists (based on the first TMNT movies, it was April who named her pet turtles before they mutated to become the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles that we know now). They have distinct color assignments (bandannas) and weapons, my childhood favorite would still be Raphael mainly because he’s wearing a red bandanna. The turtles were trained by Splinter, also a mutated being – human turned rat, to fight and to learn the ways of the “ninjustu”.

Basically, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are heroes that lives in a sewer, loves pizza and they are defending New York City from the evil forces from time to time.

I will be reviewing S.H.Figuarts TMNT Leonard for this review. Today’s review is brought to us by GreatToysOnline.

First of all, the figure is heavier compared to your average 1/12 scale SHF figures mainly because the material for this figures is mostly made out of die-cast metal parts combined with the normal PVC parts.

What I find odd about the packaging for most S.H.Figuarts toys would be the uniformity when it comes to the sizes. Unlike Good Smile Company’s Figma and Nendoroid figures, most of the SHF boxes varies in size depending on the character releases regardless if it is from the same series (Avengers, Ironman boxes are different from the AntMan and Black Panther boxes) – I’m just more concerned on how to store it properly.

Going back to the figure review, this set has the essential accessories for Leonardo. The figure comes with a set of swords (katana), set of interchangeable hands, a sword holster, an extra battle expression face and a sewer cover.

The articulation of this figure is just okay for its built, there are some poses that might be difficult to achieve because some of its body parts are thick especially those that are near the articulated joints. I’m basically referring to the leg and thigh parts of the figure.

With its weight, given that it’s heavy, you have to be careful when it comes to posing the figure. Like I said in the first part of this review, there is a mix between the PVC and die-cast parts. At the same time, with it’s built, you can easily feel that the figure is sturdy and firm.

The holsters at the back of its shell is interchangeable, one with the sword holder and the one without.

Overall, I find this figure very interesting – interesting enough that I recommend all the 80s and 90s toy collector to add this to their collection. The figure gives a very nostalgic feeling that would let you reminisce all those childhood memories.

You can see the rest of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for retail at GreatToysOnline.com

I’ll be posting more figures from GTO in my next toy reviews.

-jvr