Mitsuharu Misawa & Jun Akiyama HAO Figure review

Continuing from our coverage of the Kenta Kobashi HAO figure (which
you can check out HERE), today, we'll be looking at two more NOAH
era veterans that were also featured in the original HAO Collection series.


Mitsuharu Misawa (limited edition red variant)

                 
                        

In 2006, HAO would release their first ever Mitsuharu Misawa figure
in two collectible variants. The first (and standard) version featured
Misawa in his classic green and silver tights. The second version
 (pictured above) featured Misawa in his alternate red coloured tights.

The slip-off cardboard backing contains a nice trading card-style
graphic of Misawa.

What I find  most interesting about this graphic is Mogura House's
(the company responsible for making Pro-Wrestling NOAH action
figures) logo at the bottom right of the packaging.                         
                              

The back of the packaging contains a brief bio of Misawa
along with NOAH related accolades.

Here's the translation:

Date of birth: 1962.6.18. (June 18th, 1962)
Place of origin: Yubbari, Hokkaido, Japan
Height: 185cm (6"1)
Weight: 110kg (240lbs)
Blood type: O
Theme: Spartan X
Debut: 1981. 8. 21 (August 21st, 1981)
vs Shiro Koshinaka
Signature moves: Elbow, Tiger Driver,
                             Emerald Flowsion



                             
The red variant contains an unusual black sticker underneath Misawa's
bio which contains different match dates and events (over the regular
version).

As to my knowledge, no other HAO figure contains this type of
treatment.

                        
                           

Like the Kenta Kobashi HAO figure, Misawa is sculpted in his patented
Rolling Elbow attack and contains a hyper-realistic depiction of Misawa's
likeness.

The alternate red tights that Misawa is wearing is a nod to Pro-Wrestling
NOAH's annual Christmas shows ("A Noahful gift") where Misawa
would don a Santa Clause outfit and matching red attire for the events.

                            
Articulation wise, the Misawa HAO figure includes 360* rotation at the

wrists, left shoulder, right elbow, and neck.

Unlike a lot of Japanese Wrestling figures, the HAO Misawa figure contains
a stamp at the bottom of Misawa's right boot with a production date of 2006                                         

When stood next to a standard Jun Akiyama Mogura House figure.

                                
"Rooooolling Ellllbooow!"

Never leave your Kenta Kobashi and Mitsuharu Misawa HAO figures
unattended!






Jun Akiyama HAO figures

In 2007, HAO would release two figure variants in the form of
former Pro-Wrestling NOAH Champion and current All Japan
Pro-Wrestling president: Jun Akiyama.


                         
The regular version was based on Jun's 2000's Pro-Wrestling NOAH
silver and white ring attire.


                    

The Akiyama HAO figures are sculpted in Akiyama's "thumb across
throat" taunt.

For the All Japan purist, the second version variant is based off of
Jun "Blue Thunder" Akiyama's classic early 1990's All Japan
Pro-Wrestling attire.

Articulation wise, the HAO Akiyama figures feature articulation in their

wrists, shoulders, waist and neck.

When placed next to Mogura House's Jun Akiyama action figure.
                                     

Like the Misawa HAO figure variants, the Jun Akiyama HAO figures contain
an engraved production date at the bottom of their right boot (making this the
last Jun Akiyama figure released to date)!