Tsukuda Hobby Tekken 2 Mini Character Collection Series figure review

Taking a side step from our regular Pro-Wrestling figure coverage,

today's review covers two pieces of vintage video game memorabilia
released in the mid 1990's exclusively in Japan: Tsukuda Hobby's

"Mini Character Collection Series".

               


Following the massive success of Namco's 3D fighting game Tekken
in 1994, Namco immediately began working on a sequel along with a
weapon-based fighter called Soul Edge (which was renamed "Soul
Blade" to audiences outside of Japan).

To promote the arcade release of both titles, toymaker Tsukuda Hobby
produced two volumes of minifigures based on characters from Tekken
and Soul Edge.
                      

The first volume of minifigures features 10 of the starter characters
from Tekken 2.

The top of the packaging contains 3D renders for both volumes. The

Japanese text reads:

"Mini Character       No. 1                          No. 2
Collection Series       TEKKEN 2                SOUL EDGE
Lineup"                      10 Set                         8 Set"          

                         

The side graphic also depicts a grey Pac-Man logo in the right corner
which reads "LICENSED BY NAMCO" indicating that these sets
are official products.

The back of the Tekken 2 set includes the arcade portraits of each
of the 10 characters along with Japanese text mentioning Namco's
newest fighter and the figures based on the game.

A closeup of the 10 character portraits. Each character's name is written
in English, Japanese Kanji (Yoshimitsu, Jun and Heihachi), Katakana
and  Chinese (Lei)

The first figure is of fan favorite Paul Phoenix; doing his best Super
Saiyan powerup impression.

Paul's skyscraper hairstyle is faithfully replicated.

The text on the backs of each figure reads "(C) NAMCO
                                                                      CHINA"

One of the new fighters that was first introduced in Tekken 2
was Wildlife activist Jun Kazama.

Jun's goodhearted demeanor is captured in this minifigure.

Next up is the fast-paced, Bruce Lee-inspired fighter: Marshall Law.

Complete with confident facial expression and raised right leg, Law
looks ready to dish out a frenzy of flip kicks.

Other Bruce Lee inspired fighters from the era included Fei Long
(Street Fighter), Kim Dragon (World Heroes), Lee (Fighting Hero III),
E.R. Kung/Lee (Yie Ar Kung Fu/Jikkyou Max Voltage) and Liu
Kang (Mortal Kombat).

Taking a cue from Street Fighter, Tekken 2 featured the recently
dethroned boss of Tekken 1 turned starter character: Heihachi
Mishima.

You can almost imagine the lightning emerging from Heihachi's
victory pose.

It's a shame that Heihachi's signature Tiger decal is not included
on the back of Heihachi's black gi.

He said he'd be back: Russian robo-fighter Jack 2 in victory pose.

To stand out from the human combatants, Jack 2 is painted with a
lighter skin tone and contains striking red eyes.

                             

The camo design along Jack 2's pants is a nice touch.

"HI-YA!" Tekken's answer to Joshi Pro-Wrestling: Michelle Chang
in victory pose.

Even for the simple designs of the Tekken 2 set, there's plenty of
detail in the Michelle figure.

Another fan favorite. Japanese Swordsman and leader of the Manji
clan: Yoshimitsu.

Yoshimitsu's armor uses a special paint with a silver finish and
is the only figure in this set to feature it.

The top of Yoshimitsu's monk hat contains the Japanese Kanji "宇"
(which translates to "Universe"); a piece of writing Yoshimitsu has
often incorporated this symbol into his various attires throughout
the Tekken series.

Next up is series mainstay and bone-breaking submission master:
Nina Williams.

Nina's skin-tight, spandex outfit and matching stockings marked
the first time in the Tekken series where Nina was portrayed as a
video game sex symbol.

Even the attached tail (your guess is as good as mine) is also
included in minifigure form.

Tekken's resident Pro-Wrestler: the Jaguar Masked "King"!

King's design was based on the famous Anime-turned Pro-
Wrestling gimmick "Tiger Mask".

                            

King also features a championship belt around his waist
(a feature only included in King's Tekken 2 CG Art).

Random trivia: in 1997, Satoru Sayama (the original wearer of the
Tiger Mask gimmick) started billing himself as "Tiger King".

Strange coincidence?

Even King's Jaguar tail is included swaying to the side.

Stay tuned as we transcend history and take a look at the next
volume in this two-part series: the Soul Edge set!