REVIEW: Bandai SPRUKITS (Batman & Joker)

[JeffSaylor]

"Poseable Figural Model Kits" Hit The Market...

Back in the older days of toys, model kits often competed for the attention of both kids and adults alike, offering a vast array of cars, planes, ships, tanks, Starship Enterprises... you name it. The model kits were often difficult because they required a lot of glue, scissors, and paint, and if you screwed something up, you were pretty much out of luck. Later on, Japanese toys became huge with Gundam, robot figure building sets that were a tad easier to build but still required a lot of attention to detail and patience. But now, from Bandai comes SPRUKITS: POSEABLE FIGURAL MODEL KIT. They require no glue, no scissors, and no paint. Pieces snap off and snap together and after some time and effort, your figure is done!

There are three different levels of difficulties offered so far in the Sprukits line and each level of difficulty represents a different scale. Easy level figures - or Level 1 - stand 4 inches tall, Level 2 measure 5 inches, and Level 3 are 9 inch figures.

As of now, there are eleven different SpruKits characters across the line with characters from DC Comic's ever-popularBatman, the hit video game franchise Halo, and the animated series LBX (Little Battlers Experience). Reviewed today is a Level 1 Joker and a Level 2 Arkham City Batman.

Let’s start with the Level 1 Joker figure. It’s priced at about $9.99 and contains 21-26 different pieces. An instruction manual will guide you to build each part and snap it all together. The Joker didn’t take long to complete, as it was pretty straight forward but it is also limited in articulation. His left foot snaps into the display stand and that’s pretty much all there is to it.

The sculpt on Joker is well done but due to the lack of paint, the sculpt doesn't fully shine as well as it could. I suppose figure customizers can paint their own detail on this 4” Joker.

The Joker has articulation in his legs but it’s rather limited and a bit awkward looking. Otherwise, you can pose The Joker by his neck, wrists, elbows, and arms. The tuxedo tails also have some movement but is mostly unnecessary.

Moving onto the 5” Arkham City Batman (retails for $19.99), this Level 2 figure will require about an hour to build out of its 85-118 pieces. Parts snap off quite easy enough and once you get the hang of it all, it doesn’t require too much thinking. You are, however, building an action figure and the more articulated it is, the more parts you’ll have to snap together.

The appeal of Level 2 figures is that they sport much great detail, articulation and come with some accessories as well. Batman includes a display stand, exchangeable hands and a Batgun and Batarang. There’s also a Bat Cape but it’s made of glossy paper and doesn’t quite look natural. A cloth cape would have been far more impressive here.

Whereas the Level 1 Joker had very limited points of articulation, Batman is filled to the brim with it! He has about 27 points of articulation and that includes double jointed elbows as well as knees. It really makes this a fun Batman figure to play with once you’re done.

The Level 1 Joker could have really used some paint details in the face, the larger Level 2 Batman is passable in that department. It would be great to have some eyes but it’s not a deal breaker.

In short, SpruKits are a novel concept that merges the classic model kit sensibility to action figures. I didn’t get a chance to build a Level 3 figure but I’m sure those are even more detailed and articulated. Priced at $54.99, you can get a 9” Batman Arkham City Batman or a Halo Master Chief.

If there was anywhere I would improve these figures, it might be to bring the Level 1 figures into the same scale as Level 2. It would encourage fans to flesh out their figure collections with toys that can be displayed together. As it is now, one set of fans might buy Level 1 and the other Level 2. Having them in the same scale might also encourage a Level 1 buyer to take that next step into Level 2 as well without having to abandon the older figures.

For more on SpruKits, designed in Japan, visit www.Sprukits.com. Check out our gallery below for even more Batman and Joker SpruKit photos!


Review and Photos by David Yeh

Review Samples Courtesy of Bandai America

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