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Before we start getting into Mighty Muggs-esque SD stylised figures could we perhaps get some good normal Sonic figures? I took a look back at some of the more recent Toy Island ones, they're... better. The Eggman was always good. But in general I'm tired of Sonic figures with misshapen heads, drunk-looking expressions, blunt ears, coloring issues and dorky poses. It's the reason I own very few Sonic figures. The Toys R Us/Australian preorder bonus Werehog figure is, in my opinion, the best action figure we've ever had. Shame it's not the Sonic we know and love, but I still like it a lot. Can anyone confirm something for me? I saw a scan of a black and white ad from the back of the Unleashed instruction manual, which shows figures of normal Sonic and Super Sonic in addition to WereSonic. Is this for real, or did I see a hoax? See, this ad is not in the Australian version of the games's manual. It'd be nice to get Sonic and Super Sonic in as good quality as the Werehog figure (though the smaller limbs will likely result in ugly joints and balance issues).

It's a shame Sonic's not very popular in Japan. We only get the odd anniversary figurine. I did love the little Sonic X mini figures, and more of those would be nice (game-based ones this time, I want Tikal, Silver, Shade etc), but I'd like larger figures too, whether they be static models or action figures. Imagine if a company like Good Smile did Sonic figures - you could have beautiful and detailed display models, well-sculpted action figures (think of their Figma line) and even cute SD figures with accessories (ala Nendoroids). I have a strange urge to see awesomely sculpted models of side characters like Omega (metallic paint! Ooh, Metal Sonic too), Chaos (transparent plastic!), Mephiles (his crystalline form - detail ahoy!) and Finitevus - yeah, a side character from the comics getting a figure, talk about a pipe dream. But how awesome would he be in an evil laughing pose with his cape sweeping around him?

First 4 Figures has the license to make figurines based on the classic version of Sonic - fat lot of good that turned out to be. I've had the three smaller figures pre-ordered since July 2008. Every time Play-Asia sends me notification that the release date for these figures has changed I just laugh, knowing that they are probably going to turn out to be the Duke Nukem Forever of Sonic figures. That said, these have begun to appear for pre-order at other online stores in the last few weeks, so maybe, just maybe they'll finally be released. Unlike those figures, the 12-inch tall deluxe Sonic figure is still advertised on First 4 Figures' website, but I doubt it's going to see release this year (it's 5 months past its original release date, too). I don't know what's taking them so long, it can't be that hard to make these things.

Anyway, all this said, these new figures at least look like they're trying. Articulating the thin limbs of Sonic characters always results in uglyness, but asides from that the Black Knight Sonic looks good (would like to see a close up of the face though). Nice detail on the gauntlet and sword. The small static Sonic looks to be nicely moulded. I like SD figures when it comes to anime and manga, but I've not been quite as fond of those based on american comics (not quite sure why) - and these Mighty Muggs Sonics seem weird as a result. I like that they'd try something like this with Sonic, but the result doesn't make me want to part with the money they'd cost. It's the terrible placement of the joining on the head (looks like the all have eye scars), the bizarre look of the 2D/3D contrast on the head and the crude feet 'artwork'. Hopefully the finished product is better than the prototypes.

I got another email a few weeks ago from Play-Asia saying the three smaller Sonic figurines by First 4 Figures had been pushed back yet again (development hell for figures?!) so I cancelled my, what - nine month old? - preorder for them. I did this so that P-A would send the rest of the things I'd ordered alongside those figures (they have a new system where they won't ship items separately anymore unless you place separate orders). I just clicked the 'notify me when this product is available' box for the Sonic figures and have otherwise forgotten (read; given up on) them.

These are the figures I'm talking about by the way, for anyone who is interested:
Sonic
Tails
Knuckles
12" Sonic

(And yes, the Metroid ship and Samus figures are awesome looking. Wonder if they'll ever be released...)