The posts about Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Vol. 3, Vol. 4, and Vol. 5 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 |
According to Bandai, the figure directly below is the only “new” figure. This leads to a slightly odd conundrum for this, and maybe future, write-ups. Obviously, for M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors, we never had a figure like the “new” one. But we also never had sculpts like the others below.
From now on, I’ll acknowledge both the sculpts that Bandai calls new – plus the sculpts that should feel new to M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors.
The “new” character is very cool, but I’m not overly excited. I think there are far better figures in this collection. That might be unfair, but it is how I feel. One of the two best figures, from this wave, is the next figure. Quite simply, it blew my mind.
I love this figure. I don’t know anything about the Kinnikuman-story this relates to and I don’t care. I love looking at him. This would ave been my favorite figure as a child. Hell, it’s one of my favorites from the new waves.
I have always been a huge fan of kit-bashed figures. This figure reminds me of a kit-bash, but it really highlights how you can’t beat a fully original sculpt. I hate simply declaring, “I LOVE THIS FIGURE!” It feels lazy. If I tried to further articulate my feelings it would probably sound disingenuous. Or, even worse, it would get boring.
Frustration could set in with the never-ending versions of the Kinnikuman character. It doesn’t when the sculpts feel this new and different.
As a kid, and even today, I always thought a troop-carrier spaceship would fit in nicely with M.U.S.C.L.E. figures. It would hold all of your figures and explain how the figures came to Earth. This version of Kinnikuman would be piloting the ship.
Does this look like Raiden from Mortal Kombat to you too?
“Why would they make a figure so derivative?!?!”
I don’t think that is the case. I simply don’t know many other characters with a conical hat. It is kind of embarrassing.
I really like flared shoulder armor. It seems like a decent armor design. You could move your arms, but it helps protect your head and shoulders – right?
Wow. Just wow.
I probably tipped my hand that I loved this figure, but this figure deserves ongoing reverence. This might be my favorite new M.U.S.C.L.E. figure. I went back and looked at the other waves and I can’t pick-out a figure I like more than this one.
If you are interested in buying the sixth wave, then this link should help you buy the figures. It’s a great wave, except for one figure. I’ll explain on Monday.
