HAO Great Muta (Mech Ver.) figure review

Continuing my last blog post reviewing series 2's Great Muta
(Spider Ver.) figures, HAO would also release two addition
Great Muta figures the same year in the form of the Great Muta
"Mechanical Ver." figures.

Just like series 2's Spider variants, the packaging for both Mech.
variants features a large image of Great Muta across the package.

                           

Both variants have the same design on the front and back; this time,
with a large caricature of Muta's mech design, short bio and list of
Pro-Wrestling accolades.

                              

The Mechanical variants are based on The Great Muta's attire
that was worn back in 2004 for All Japan Pro-Wrestling. Muta's
mask for these  variants was inspired by famous Horror movie
villain (Friday The 13th's) Jason Voorhees as he appeared in the
2001 spin-off "Jason X".

                       

The Mechanical HAO figures are the only Great Muta figures
from the line that include two variations of Muta's entrance attire.

The Mechanical versions also recycle the same pants design as
the HAO series 2 Spider Muta figure (alternate silver version).

The slogan "FANTASY OF MUTA" is once again printed
on Muta's pants. The pose chosen for the Mechanical Muta
figures depicts Muta as he had just removed his entrance
hood in the ring.

I also love how the two variants of this HAO design
contrast in colours.

                            

As another throwback, Great Muta's shoulder pads are made
up of Ninja hoods from Muta's earlier days!

                            

Muta's ring mask is even layered to differentiate between
the mask portion and the facepaint Muta would wear around
his eyes!

                      

Again, the Mechanical HAO versions contain articulation at
the wrists, arms, neck and waist.

HAO Muta Scale

Series 2's Spider and Mech version HAO figures are taller in
comparison to series 1's facepaint version.


                         

Like series 2's silver Spider version, the Great Muta Mechanical
version white variant was a Japanese battleroyal.jp online exclusive
and is the only HAO figure to come packaged with an Autographed
trading card signed by The Great Muta himself!

Keiji Mutoh would sign this card in Gold Sharpie with his less
-common "Great Muta" signature.

The front of the card translates to:

(Top) ALL JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING BATTLE ROYAL

(Middle) Keiji Mutoh PRODUCE WORK
               GREAT MUTA
                      2nd Version

"KEIJI MUTO CREATES SPECIALWORKS"GREAT MUTA" second ver.
With the Drawing Card."

The back of the Autographed trading card features a behind
-the-scenes look of Keiji Mutoh going over sketch designs to
create various Great Muta looks.

I have to give bonus points to HAO for shipping the Auto
-graphed trading card in a protective. acrylic card holder
which has kept the card in perfect condition over a decade
later!


Closing thoughts:
HAO definitely went the extra mile when putting together the
Mechanical Muta figures. The included Autograph from Mutoh
himself was a very nice touch and something that has never been
done since with a Muta figure.

Out of all the HAO figures, I'll always have a special soft spot for
the Mechanical versions and recommend them as must-buys for toy
collectors and Puroresu fans alike.