Tekken 2 Nina Williams 1/12 Real Figure review

For blog #76, we'll be looking at another vintage collectible from
the popular 3D fighting game franchise "Tekken".

Titled the "1/12 レアルフイギア" (1/12 REAL FIGURE) line, these
gashapon-styled figures were created to promote the Arcade release
of Tekken 2 in Japanese Arcades back in 1995.

Today's figure coverage from the 1/12 Real Figure line is Tekken's
bone-breaking assassin: Nina Williams.

                          

Nina comes in a simple carded backing with a plastic wrapper.

The Tekken 2 logo is displayed prominently in the middle and top
left corners of the packaging.

Strangely, the Japanese word for "figure" (フィギュア - "figyua")
is written in a shorter form as (フィギア - which would be prono
-unced as "fi-gia"). I don't know if this was intentional or simply a
mistake.

The back of the packaging contains Arcade renders of the six fighters
from the 1/12 series (from top to bottom): Heihachi Mishima, Marshall
Law, Yoshimitsu, Michelle Chang, Nina Williams and Jun Kazama.

Based on the design of the package itself (mainly the large space at
the top of the packaging), I think it's safe to assume that the 1/12
scale figures were only available as prize items in Japanese Arcades
during the era.

The bottom of the packaging mentions that the figure is fragile and
lists both NAMCO (ナムコ - the creators of the Tekken franchise)
and Mitsuwa Model (ミツワモデル - the manufacturer of the line)

in Japanese Katakana.

Let's remove the Nina Williams figure from her packaging:

Nina stands a little over 4 and a half inches tall (11.4cm) and is
made of PVC.

While the 1/12 scale Real Figure line does not feature any articulation,
the figures would set the stage for Tekken 3's fully-articulated figures
that would be released the following year.

With left arm outstretched, the Nina figure is sculpted in a punch pose.

                                

Nina's attire is based on her 1P attire from Tekken 2; complete with
a skin-tight, purple short dress, stockings and garters. 

                                   

The sides of Nina's heels contains small, gold buckles.

Sadly, due to the Nina figure's heels (and more importantly, the sculpt
of the Nina figure itself) makes standing Nina extremely difficult.

                             

Here's an up-close shot of Nina's facial sculpt. You can tell Nina
means business!

The back of the Nina 1/12 Real Figure even includes Nina's clip-on
yellow ribbon at the back of Nina's dress.

EPOCH Tekken 4 Yoshimitsu 12 Inch figure review

Continuing our in-depth coverage of EPOCH's assortment of Tekken

collectibles, today, we'll be looking at another eye-catching addition
to the Iron Fist series: the Tekken 4 12 Inch Yoshimitsu figure.
                                 

Released in 2002 alongside the home console port of Tekken 4, the
Yoshimitsu figure was sold in durable, cardboard packaging.

Yoshimitsu's official Tekken 4 render is also featured on the front
of the box.



                                

The left side of the box acts as the spine of the packaging with
the same imagery as pictured on the front of the box (for those
looking to store their figures).


                        

The right side of the packaging prominently features the Tekken
4 logo.

                         
The top of the box.


                         

The back of the box lists the eight available fighters from the
Tekken 4 12 inch figure line:

Jin Kazama, Hwoarang, Steve Fox, King
Paul Phoenix, Yoshimitsu, Bryan Fury and Violet.

Steve Fox would be the only new character added to the lineup
(the only other new character that was included in the set: Violet
was simply Lee Chaolan in disguise).

The front of the box opens up with Velcro straps to reveal window
packaging that displays the Yoshimitsu figure.

The left side of the inner-packaging contains Yoshimitsu's official, in-game

prologue.

                          


The 12 inch Yoshimitsu figure is based on Yoshi's second player attire
from Tekken 4.

                              

The advertised "20 points of articulation" allow collectors to recreate
Yoshimitsu's fighting stance.

Although Yoshimitsu's costumes have always "evolved" from attires
worn in previous Tekken games (in this case, the very first Tekken-
from 1994) (right), I've always felt Yoshimitsu's original (and Tekken
4 2P designs) were heavily inspired by KONAMI's 1987 cult -classic
"Getsu Fuuma Den (月風魔伝) (left).

                               

Yoshimitsu's demonic visage is striking with dark red eyes, pointed
horns and a fierce snarl.

                      

Drawing from Japanese traditions, I believe the design behind Yoshimitsu's
mask was based on the characters "Furyumen" which have been worn
in the Japanese "Buryu" folk dance for centuries.

Tying in to Yoshi's character, it is believed the Furyumen masks were worn
by soldiers (as ordered by their lord of the area) who performed a sneak
attack against their enemies one night while beating drums and gongs;
gaining a crucial victory during Japan's warring period (1493-1573).

Yoshimitsu's armor contains a metallic paint finish that is placed over

black fabric. Sadly, the ropes that wrap around Yoshimitsu's chest and 

waist armor are made out of plastic.

On a positive note, Yoshimitsu's swords are slim enough to be held

in Yoshimitsu's waist-belt.

Yoshimitsu's black pants with gold trim (which are also made of fabric)
from Tekken 3 are once again incorporated into Yoshi's Tekken 4 look.

The metal loincloth contains the Japanese Kanji for "宇" (universe),
a motif that has adorned many of the space-Ninja's attires from over
the years.

The included kneepads, shin guards and tabi socks are all made
of hard plastic.

Making up for the lack of fabric belts, the 12 inch Yoshimitsu figure 

comes with a full mane of comb-able Kabuki hair.

                              


A major highlight is the massive demon-faced armor which covers
the entire back portion of the Yoshimitsu figure.

Perhaps NAMCO was paying tribute to "Bishamon" from CAPCOM's
Darkstalker series?

                            

Yoshimitsu's right arm contains an open hand sculpt (recreating
Yoshimitsu's fighting stance).

Sadly, the fingers are not poseable.

                    

In terms of accessories, both forearms and legs are removable
along with two swords.

Again, as only one hand is sculpted to hold a sword, I'm going
to assume that the second sword is simply included for decoration
(or, more likely as a replacement since Yoshimitsu started using
a second sword two games later in Tekken 6).

                      

Since Yoshimitsu's design is a mixture between plastic and fabric,
the legs and arm portions tend to fall off a little too easily; making
standing the Yoshimitsu figure more difficult than it needs to be.

Like EPOCH's line of standard Tekken 3 action figures, an included
display base would have made a world of difference when it comes
to displaying the 12 inch Yoshimitsu figure.

Tekken 4 would be the final Tekken game to receive figures made by
EPOCH as NAMCO would shift the franchise's merchandising focus
to gashapon capsule figures (through the help of BANDAI) with
installments to follow.

With it's mixture of fabric clothing, superb detail and articulation,
Yoshimitsu  (and the rest of the 12 inch Tekken 4 series for that matter)
continues to serve as a testament to the growing quality of EPOCH's
work from the early 2000's.

EPOCH Nina Williams 1/6 Scale Cold Cast Statue review

Having acquired the rights to produce figures based on NAMCO's

popular Tekken series in the late 1990's, Japanese toy and computer
games maker EPOCH (エポック社) would produce a special statue
in conjunction with the release of Tekken 3 on the Sony Playstation
in 1998.

The front of the box prominently displays the Tekken 3 logo in
front of a purple backdrop. The bottom left corner of the box

credits renown sculptor Hiroki Hayashi for creating this statue.

On a side note: the light purple design behind the Nina statue
is just packaging art.

                                  

NAMCO's familiar mascot PAC-MAN is featured in the bottom
right corner with the text "LICENSED BY namco".

                             

The left side of the box features Nina's official Tekken 3 promo
render.



                                    

The back of the box contains multiple screenshots of the Nina
Williams statue, EPOCH's company info and the usual safety
precautions.

I find the small icon of the person crying (warning that the Nina
Williams statue is fragile) to be mildly amusing.

                                  

The right side of the box is straight to the point with the Tekken
3 logo and Nina's name in bold letters.
                             

The top of the box mentions that the statue and base is "cold cast",
reiterating the description on the front of the box in Japanese
Katakana and Kanji.

                                      

The Nina Williams statue comes packaged in protective Styrofoam.


                               

The bottom of the Nina Williams statue contains a small hole to connect
the Nina Statue to it's included base.


                            


The black base with protruding peg that connects to the Nina statue.


                           

The Nina Williams statue and connected black base depicts Nina
casually waiting around (perhaps for her next opponent or target).


                    

                       

Nina's purple catsuit is based on her 1st Player costume that first
appeared in Tekken 3 and "Tekken: The Motion Picture" the same
year.



                     




The Nina Williams statue has an artistic touch with snow white
skin (which is questionably lighter than the Anna Williams statue's
skin tone), blue eyes and striking red lipstick.

Personally, I feel the face sculpt used for this statue is the most
realistic depiction of Nina Williams to date.

                     

The stylish black base is also cold cast and made of resin.


                            

Nina's included dagger and leg holster is replicated perfectly.
The dagger itself is also 3-Dimensional.


                        

The Nina Williams statue viewed from the front.


                          

Nina's blonde hair is painted with a gold finish.

As is the case with many of Nina's depictions (in both merchandise
and in-game) from over the years, the Nina Williams statue is well
endowed visually.

A Tekken 3 Nina Williams coin bank with discolored green hair.

Unlike other figures from the era (that were painted with a cheaper
grade of paint), the gold finish used for the Nina statue's hair has
not discolored.


                        

Nina's spandex attire contains a "wrinkle" effect with a touch of
burgundy on Nina's waist and stomach.

                      

The same effect contains with Nina's leather boots.

A silver finish is also added to the buckles of each of Nina's
leg belts.


                          

A lighter shade of purple covers the sole of Nina's heels.


                           

Nina's heels stretch out from the included base and can be
circled around the base along with the Nina statue.



                     

When looking at the Nina Williams statue from the back.


                        

Nina's ponytail is attached to her shoulders as Nina looks from
the side.

The bangles on Nina's upper arms even include a silver finish
and are textured.


                  

No detail was spared recreating every last portion of Nina's
spandex catsuit.



                   

The included base stands 6 inches (15 cm) on it's own while the
Nina statue (with base) measures 10 1/2 inches (26 cm).

                

The bottom of the base includes fabric padding on each corner
along with the usual company, licensing and production date.

                        


Whether displayed on her own or paired with the second statue
from the set (Nina's sister Anna Williams), the Nina Williams
1/6 Scale Cold Cast Statue is an excellent addition to any Tekken
fan's collection and is a splendid sculpt in it's own right.

20 years later, both Williams sisters' 1/6 scale statues remain
highly sought-after pieces of Tekken merchandise and provide
a realistic contrast to today's line of hyper-sexualized Bishoujo
Nina and Anna statues (click grey links for photos).

The Nina Williams cold cast statue would be the final figure
of the Irish Assassin released under the EPOCH banner before
moving on to figures for characters from Tekken Tag
Tournament and Tekken 4 in 2002.