Bandai S.H.Figuarts Lupin the Third Action Figure

Bandai’s S.H.Figuarts series focuses on highly articulated and detailed action figures. Since its establishment in 2008, the series has been widely popular among collectors. S.H.Figuarts is renowned for its precise design, a wide array of facial expression accessories, and diverse poseability. In 2016, Bandai released a series of figures based on “Lupin the Third,” featuring a total of four characters: Lupin the Third, Fujiko Mine, Daisuke Jigen, and Inspector Zenigata. Unfortunately, one of the important characters from the original series, Goemon Ishikawa, was shown by the official release but, for unknown reasons, was never officially launched.

The packaging design of this series is highly distinctive, maintaining the premium style typical of S.H.Figuarts while incorporating classic elements from Lupin the Third. The front of the packaging features a transparent plastic window, clearly showcasing the figure’s details and interchangeable head parts. On the right side, there is a silhouette of the character, which uses gradient colors to create a modern and dynamic feel, echoing the sharp and sleek image of the character. This silhouette not only adds visual depth but also reflects the sense of mystery present in the series.

Lupin the Third
Fujiko Mine
Inspector Zenigata
Daisuke Jigen

In terms of accessories, as the protagonist of the anime, Lupin the Third comes with the most accessories, including four head sculpts, four pairs of hands, two special hands, two watches, a watch projectile, and a pistol. Next is Inspector Zenigata, who includes three head sculpts, three pairs of hands, two special hands, a pistol, a pair of handcuffs, and a baton. Daisuke Jigen follows, equipped with three head sculpts, three pairs of hands, two special hands, and a pistol. In comparison, Fujiko Mine comes with the fewest accessories, including only three face sculpts, three pairs of hands, and a pistol. However, Fujiko Mine’s figure makes up for the lack of accessories with a highly accurate depiction of her sensual physique.

Accessories: four head sculpts, four pairs of hands, two special hands, two watches, one watch projectile, and one pistol.
Accessories: three face sculpts, three pairs of hands, and one pistol.
Accessories: three head sculpts, three pairs of hands, two special hands, one pistol, one pair of handcuffs, and one baton.
Accessories: three head sculpts, three pairs of hands, two special hands, and one pistol.

In terms of articulation, Lupin the Third and Daisuke Jigen perform better. Their similar suit designs cause less interference with movement. On the other hand, Inspector Zenigata’s plastic coat results in poorer articulation. Similarly, Bandai made a trade-off with Fujiko Mine’s sensual figure and articulation, sacrificing some mobility to accurately capture her shape. Regarding playability, the series offers limited accessories, which restricts the number of possible poses. However, the variety of interchangeable hands and head sculpts provides some flexibility. Players can also pair the figures with other similarly scaled accessories or vehicles, such as Lupin the Third’s iconic Fiat 500. Examples of using same-scale vehicles from third-party brands for posing are shown below:

Example 1
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Example 7
Example 8

Examples of posing with other similarly scaled accessories are as follows:

Example 1
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Example 4
Example 5
Example 6
Example 7

Reviews and Star Ratings

Appearance Accuracy: From the blue suit and red tie of Lupin the Third’s action figure, it’s clear that Bandai aimed to recreate Lupin’s look from Part 4 and Part 5. However, in my opinion, the facial sculpt is more reminiscent of Part 1 and Part 2. If the suit were changed to green or red, it would evoke a more nostalgic and classic feel.

Material and Feel: The material maintains the consistent standard of the SHF series, featuring a matte, frosted texture. Additionally, the joints are snug, preventing any wobbling that could cause instability. Overall, the figure feels very good to handle.

Workmanship and Details: While there are no issues with paint overspray or mold flash, Daisuke Jigen’s head sculpts completely omit the details of his eyes. None of the head sculpts show the eyes, which is a bit disappointing.

Durability: The ball joints appear to be quite thin, so care should be taken when changing joints to avoid using excessive force. Additionally, when posing the figure, friction between parts may lead to paint transfer or color fading.

Playability: Overall, the accessories are relatively sparse, but the variety of hands and head sculpts is quite rich. Pairing the figure with similarly scaled accessories or vehicles from other brands still allows for a lot of creative posing and play.

Displayability: The action figures from this series are quite visually appealing when displayed. However, the absence of one of the key characters, Goemon Ishikawa, is a significant drawback and leaves a considerable disappointment. Additionally, the lack of a stand is another major flaw.

Recommendation Rating:

Conclusion:

If you can accept the disappointment of missing a key character and not having a complete set, this series is still worth considering for your collection. However, the current market prices are somewhat inflated, especially for the limited characters Daisuke Jigen and Inspector Zenigata, so it’s advisable to think carefully before purchasing. Overall, this is not a must-have collection.