Japanimation 3-D

Manufacturer
MacFarlane Toys
Year
2000
Materials
Plastic
Height
6.5 inches

Japanimation wave 2: Joker

By otaku_kei
14th Nov 04

Height: 7 5/8 inches
Points of articulation: 13
Mold: Plastic, with soft molded suspenders and metal hoop earrings.
Accessories: Lead pipe; chain gun with ammo pack; standing base (street design)

For fans of the Akira anime you probably have no recognition for the Joker character as anything other than someone that Kaneda gets to humiliate at the start of the movie. But for those of you have read the manga you will realise that whilst Joker still only remains a secondary character he has a much bigger role to play in both the opening and closing stages of the story. Joker is the leader of the Clown biker gang until Tetsuo, on the run from his military captors, muscles in and takes over the gang leading to a short but brutal regime at the head of the gang. After Akira has destroyed Neo-Tokyo Joker ends up teaming up with Kaneda to take on Tetsuo and finishing him once and for all!

Joker is one of the most distinctive characters from Akira, coming from a gang that daubs themselves in facepaint so to resemble the gangs namesake. This has been accurately represented here, a hulking figure from the range standing as he does almost an inch and a half taller than the other standard figures. He has also been given an immense attention to detail: the suspenders holding up his trousers are flexible, and Joker's earrings are made of metal, small additions that really complement the whole of this figure.

For a MacFarlane Toy production this figure comes with several accessories that will be familiar to those who have read the manga, especially the chaingun that Joker harvests from his flying platform. Another touch to please the fanboy of course, but nice to see the little inclusions from the manga. The base also is reminiscent of the manga: a fractured street panel from the post Neo-Tokyo destruction volumes. Not having the most aerodynamic figure he doesn't stand too well on his own, but the base helps with the stability.

This figure could be the closest definition of action figure from the whole range, with enough points of articulation for a variety of poses, and accessories. But as with all MacFarlane releases they function much better as mini-statues to be displayed to and envied by any who come round to your house (but that only counts for you normal people who take your toys out of the packaging!).

Once again another great release from this range that manages to capture not only the look but also the essence of the character. What can I say I'm attracted to all things Akira!

-- otaku_kei 14th Nov 04