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There are also special “best of” sets. These figures follow the same format, but the colors are Flesh, Green, and Clear. The first and second sets of this special “best of” figures have already been reviewed.
Bandai released yet another special set, “Kinnikuman Wazakeshi Premium.” This new set features two-piece combinations of characters. The sets contain five two-piece sets. They only color that is available is the original keshi/M.U.S.C.L.E.-flesh color. The first and second volumes have already been reviewed. The most recent special edition from Bandai does not seem to have an overarching title or brand. The most recent set is simply called, “Clan Forces Gathered.”
Prism Man has a very specific place in M.U.S.C.L.E. history. And it appears that only one collector at a time will ever own the figure.
If you care about Prism Man, then I hope this figure scratches your itch. It does for me. I’ve had a Green placeholder for years; never’s never been an urgency to replace it. This figure eliminates any remaining urge.
Even if Prism Man was an non-produced M.U.S.C.L.E. figure – I’d still love this figure. The smile and proportions, in my opinion, work much better with this figure.
I wish we would get more versions of this character, but I’m not terribly optimistic. This figure is from early in the series and we haven’t had a second version yet. It is especially frustrating for me because we’ve had so many characters repeated.
I have usually skipped figures that were simple rescuplts of existing M.U.S.C.L.E. figures. Some collectors might argue the figure to the right is a simple resculpt of the #163 figure. I disagree.
The new figure has a body that is mountainous compared to the original – which makes complete sense for a mammoth-man. This figure also shows some of the man, which is missing from the #163 figure.
I don’t think there have been many, if any, new figures that I have declared 100% improvements over the original. This figure is one of them. It is 100% better than the M.U.S.C.L.E. version.
Recently I declared that two-piece combos would no longer be photographed separately. Of course I was forced to break that rule on the very next review because of this combination of figures.
This combination is unique because it is one of the few that does not interlock. In fact, it is the first combo that is designed not to be touching – which made it difficult to photograph. I think even Bandai had a tough time figuring out the best angle.
Two angles were attempted before I thought, “Damn it. I have to shoot them apart so people can see the figures.”
There you go. Now you can see them. The detailing is great, but they still look weird apart. In fact, I think this is just a weird combination. I don’t hate it, but it is far from being a favorite.
This combo, to the left, has already been reviewed. Last time I had wondered if I had an oddity with the combo’s inability to stand. It was not the exception. It is the rule. This one couldn’t stand up on its own either.
I also tried to take a new picture; unlike anything I had snapped before. I accomplished that, but I does it matter?
Finally are the throwaway figures that plague the new Kinkeshi Premium. These two figures below aren’t bad, but I don’t care. Strangely, at least to me, both of these figures showed up in the first and second “best of” sets.
Are these hugely important characters/outfits? I assume so if they made it into those sets. On sculpt alone I wouldn’t have selected these two figures.
One final observation, it looks like the tank-top wearing Kinnikuman has a slight indentation on his head. I think it’s pretty cool that errors can still make it out of the factory. It is a cool throwback for only the most insane M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors.
