UofMUSCLE.com – M.U.S.C.L.E. Figures from Mattel

The posts about Vol. 1, Vol. 2, and Vol. 3 have already covered most of the basic details. Let’s dive right into the new M.U.S.C.L.E. figures.

Box – Front

Box – Back

This set featured seven brand new Kinnikuman/M.U.S.C.L.E. sculpts. With that many new sculpts you might expect some clunkers – but you would be wrong. I believe, so far, this is the best set of new figures.

At first I thought this figure might be a new #161 figure. But Bandai said it was a brand new sculpt. When I looked at the #161 and this figure I was convinced it was pretty different. At a minimum, it was a significant change to the character.

The figure’s head and face remind me of the long-face from Beetlejuice, but that’s a laudable trait to me. For an inexplicable reason I didn’t expect to like this figure, but he was a huge positive surprise.

I love this figure.

This is a classic M.U.S.C.L.E. design. There are recognizable pieces but the entirety of the figure feels 100% original.

I don’t want most of these figures in multiple colors, but I want this one. This is easily one of my favorite new figures.

If I was going to force myself to be critical, then I would say the only negative is that the figures seems to obviously be a bad guy. But is that intrinsically bad? Probably not, but it is the only fault I can find with the figure.

If you cast this in original M.U.S.C.L.E. plastic and fixed the trademark, then you could convince me this was an undiscovered original M.U.S.C.L.E. figure.

Does this figure come from early Kinnikuman stories or is he a more recent character?

I can’t imagine its the latter, but with the original artists still working on Kinnikuman it’s not impossible.

Again, what can I say about this figure? I love him.

This feels like a more radical, unorthodox design for Kinnikuman, but it totally works. For me, this is a M.U.S.C.L.E. figure that has one foot in the past and the other pushing into the future. It has struck a perfect balance.

I also laughed as I was looking at the picture. I noticed his dick guard. I hadn’t noticed it before and it cracked me up in the best possible way.

This is a Mars figure, right?

I don’t know much about the Mars character, but I’ve never really cared for him. I didn’t dislike him; I was indifferent. I like this design more than any other I have seen. The helmet and chest design are much cooler than anything I have seen before.

Or, maybe, he’s not a Mars character – and that’s why I like him.

This is my least favorite figure from this set. He hits me with a general Wilfred vibe. That vibe is neither good nor bad.

This is like a modern #159 figure. He isn’t good or bad. He’s just a fine M.U.S.C.L.E. figure. He’s a part of the set.

I’m sure that reads far more negative than I intend.

The final new figure also hits me with a full wave of M.U.S.C.L.E. nostalgia.

I love the design. I can’t say anything more than, “THIS is a M.U.S.C.L.E. figure!”

Each wave is just getting better and better from Bandai. Something that, as a constant cynic, I certainly didn’t expect. My support of that statement isn’t only rooted in the seven new figures. I was also blown away by two re-sculpts.

I like both of these figures better than the originals. An admission shocking to even me – especially me. I think Meat is the best sculpt I have ever seen of him. People may disagree about the #175 figure, but I think it is a vast improvement.

You should add these figures to your M.U.S.C.L.E. collection. My suggestion for getting them is buying them through Mandarake. As of writing you can get them for about $55 plus shipping. I think that is a total steal.

I also think Mandarake should send me a thank you box or deep discount for sending M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors to them.