When I first saw these Front Mission Trading Arts figures, I thought they were chunks of non-poseable gashapon. Much to my surprise, these are fully articulated action figures!

When I first saw these Front Mission Trading Arts figures, I thought they were chunks of non-poseable gashapon. Much to my surprise, these are fully articulated action figures!

Zenith comes from the video game series “Front Mission”. I’ve never played the game, but from what I can tell the mechs in this Trading Arts + line have appeared in various front mission games over the years, the latest being Front Mission 5.

Each figure is about 3 inches tall and features a full range of articulation. The detail at this size is astounding. Each little joint is fully moveable and you can achieve a wide variety of poses.

Despite the small size, each figure manages to come with interchangeable accessories. Zenith comes with a gun (with attached fist), shield, shoulder cannon and back assembly. The parts use a similar connection point, so you can mix and match parts from other mecha in the line. Each toy has a few different connection points, so you can choose where on the character you want the accessories attached.

The only flaw I found with this toy is that the connection on the knees is a bit loose on mine. Nothing show-stopping, but something to be aware of.

Front Mission Trading Arts + are available from select retailers, distributed by Diamond Comics Distributors.

Ashe features 21 points of articulation, and this makes for a spectacular range of motion. The figure is sturdy and can pull off most any pose you can think of.

Ashe comes from Sqaure Enix’s Final Fantasy XII (ファイナルファンタジーXII Fainaru Fantajī Tuerubu). In the game, Ashelia or Ashe B'nargin Dalmasca ( アーシェ・バナルガン・ダルマスカ Āshe Banarugan Darumasuka) is a 19-year-old Hume princess fighting to liberate her kingdom, Dalmasca, from the Archadian Empire. She was thought to have committed suicide, but took on the alias, Amalia ( アマリア Amaria), to serve as the leader of the Resistance before joining the group. Though intent on getting revenge on Archadia for the horrors its militant forces had committed on her people, Ashe's own lineage and malice were manipulated by the Occuria. (Wikipedia).

If you understand what this means then you are obviously a Final Fantasy fan. If not, well it doesn’t really matter, because Ashe is a cool figure regardless.

The figure is part of Square-Enix’s Play Arts line of poseable action figures. These figures are about 8 inches tall and loaded with articulation – much more than you would expect by looking at the figure in the package. Ashe’s outfit is a mix of revealing attire and battle armor. She includes a large ornate sword and a set of variant hands.

The sword features exquisite detailing and the handles has a peg on the hilt that secure it to the sword-holding hands. The sword can be held by either one or two hands. The sword is a bit heavy for the character to hold, so it can be tricky to pose it just right.

Ashe features 21 points of articulation, and this makes for a spectacular range of motion. The figure is sturdy and can pull off most any pose you can think of. There is a display stand included, but honestly, I don’t think you need it. Ashe has no problems standing up on her own.

The armor and outfit are a mix of hard plastic and soft rubber. The skirt bends where it is supposed to while the arm and leg armor stay rigid.

This is an awesome figure, the only flaw being the not-so-tight grip on the heavy sword. This is minor though, and does not detract from the coolness of the figure. Ashe has a beautiful sculpt and the face looks so lifelike. It really is spectacular, and highly recommended.

Gabranth is covered head to toe in non-removable armor and includes two different swords and a set of variant hands.

Gabranth comes from Sqaure Enix’s Final Fantasy XII (ファイナルファンタジーXII Fainaru Fantajī Tuerubu). In the game, Gabranth (ガブラス), (properly known as Judge Magister Gabranth) is the Judge Magister of the 9th Bureau. The 9th Bureau, led by Gabranth, is primarily concerned with the gathering and dissemination of information. As a result, many of the bureau’s activities are shrouded in secrecy. Gabranth, and his power, are respected by the other Judge Magisters, and Emperor Gramis himself places great faith in this younger Judge. (Wikipedia).

If you understand what this means then you are obviously a Final Fantasy fan. If not, well it doesn’t really matter, because Gabranth is a cool figure regardless.

The figure is part of Square-Enix’s Play Arts line of poseable action figures. These figures are about 9 inches tall and loaded with articulation – much more than you would expect by looking at the figure in the package. Gabranth is covered head to toe in non-removable armor and includes two different swords and a set of variant hands.

The swords feature exquisite detailing and the handles have pegs in them that secure to the sword-holding hands. Unfortunately, the larger of the two swords split in half soon after taking it out of the package. It looks like the glue holding the two halves was not strong enough, but it is easily fixed by a drop of superglue.

Gabranth has about 30 points of articulation. While this seems like a lot, he is a victim of his design. The log flowing rubber cape and rigid armor makes anything but the most basic poses next to impossible. He can do a lot of subtle poses, but nothing extreme.

Despite its flaws, you can’t deny that this is just a great looking figure. The detail on the helmet, for example, is outstanding. The sculpt and attention to detail is first-rate. The size, articulation and design make this figure worth getting.

Play Arts has brought us Final Fantasy VII enthusiasts this Cloud and Fenrir Motorcycle set adapted straight from the animation CG movie, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children. Simply put, this set is worth every elixir you got in your inventory!

Finally, Final Fantasy VII has got it's own line of toys for collectors.

Play Arts has finally brought to us highly detailed figures of Square-Enix's (formerly Squaresoft) beloved Final Fantasy VII characters. Tifa, Vincent, and the villian Sepiroth were the first to be issued out from the fabled game. I was upset not to see the main character of the game, Cloud, make the first round although people Japan were able to get their hands on a limited edition figure of Cloud with the purchase of the new Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children DVD movie. However, Play Arts simply saved the best for last. They released a huge deluxe collector's set consisting of Cloud himself and his motorcycle from the movie, Fenrir!

Scale (based from * to ****)

Packaging:

The figure and bike came in a huge rectangular box with a nice window display that showed off all its contents. For collectors, the box is too big for storage and was easily damagable. Not collector-friendly. But the artwork displayed on the back of the box some nice illustrations of the number of poses the Cloud figure can perform. - ***

Paint Detail/Sculpt:

The sculpt was based more on the new movie, depicting Cloud as older than we last seen of him in the game. With that said, they did a great job with the face and paint application with nary a stray mark. The hair-do was dead on. This was definitely a figure meant for collectors and not meant for mass market and the quality shows. The clothing includes chain links and other neat little details that hardcore Cloud fans will appreciate. - ****

Articulation/Poseability:

I haven't counted how many points this figure has but I am guessing 20+. Now, while this figure is highly posable, the joints especially on the knees and hip, were on the weak side. The display stand was required to hold him upright. I also wasn't thrilled that the arm joints were not strong enough to hold his huge blade (more on the blade later) and I had to support the blade on his abodomen to pull off a decent pose in his hands. - ***

Accessories:

Cloud comes with an extra hand to hold the handle on his bike. He also comes with his awesome blade and let me tell, the blade is huge, as big as the entire figure! The detail on the blade looks good as well with paint intact.

Now the biggest accessory of this set is of course Cloud's bike, Fenrir! This thing is a beast and needs to be seen to believe. The gloss metallic paint and details from the handles down to the brakes are incredible and really shows the workmanship that Play Arts is known for. The realism of the bike's gears makes it a work of marvel. Definitely, this accessory takes the cake! - ****

Fun Factor:

Very fun figure to pose but I would not let a pre-teen play with with this set especially since this fragile set cost about $60-$70. - ***

Final Comments:

I love the figure and I appreciate the quality of this product. Play Arts has made an honest attempt to please collectors. The only thing I would warn you of is that the Cloud figure is, again, on the weak side as the joints are concerned. Easily breakable if you overdo it on the posing. For $60-$70, it's a little pricey but the ends justify the means and if you have the cash, you should not definitely not miss this set.

Statues based on three characters from the highly-anticipated new Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children DVD are being introduced to American shores exclusively through Diamond Comic Distributors!

Statues based on three characters from the highly-anticipated new Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children DVD are being introduced to American shores exclusively through Diamond Comic Distributors!

Square Enix's Final Fantasy line has been one of the most popular and profitable video game series in the history of the medium, with each new installment winning more converts than the one before it. Final Fantasy VII broke sales records in Japan in its 1997 release, and interest in the game its characters remains stellar. Now, taking place two years after the events of that multi-million dollar hit videogame, the story continues in a special CGI direct-to-video DVD movie set for simultaneous release in both Japan and the United States on September 14, 2005.

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children finds Cloud Stryfe leading a solitary life, traveling the Planet as a transporter. The office of "Strife Delivery Services" is located in 7th Heaven, which also functions as an orphanage for children stricken with the "Geostigma" disease. Three new enemies arise to bring Cloud back into action: Kadaj, Yazoo, and Loz.-three brothers in whom Cloud sees shadows of FF VII's departed Sephiroth. With Jenova's head in their possession, the appear set to start another Reunion... and bring about the return of Sephiroth!

Fans can collect three of the main characters from this upcoming computer-generated epic film with the Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Action Figures made by Square Enix! The dark and powerful Vincent Valentine figure is 8.5" tall and includes a soft material cape and trademark handgun "Cerberus." The beautiful Tifa Lockheart figure stands 8" tall and comes with two sets of variant hands-gloved or bare. Additionally, the 9" tall figure of Sephiroth is available and includes a soft material coat and sword.

Each figure features over 20 points of articulation and comes with a display stand in window box packaging. Scheduled to ship in September 2005, these are three collectible action figures that no "Final Fan" will want to miss!

Fans can find these and other great products based on anime and manga at their local comics shop, or by contacting the Comic Shop Locator Service toll free at 1-888-COMICBOOK (1-888-266- 4226) or online at http://csls.diamondcomics.com/.