toyhaven: June 2008

IMHO, one of the best 1/6 anime character ever produced. "Appleseed" is created by Masamune Shirow in the manga series that was published in 1985 (that's how futuristic his concept was). It was made into an animated film in 1998 (forgettable) and again in 2004 (animation was amazing!). Set in 2131 AD, "Appleseed" stars Deunan Knute, a young, legendary female soldier and a survivor of the Third World War, which brought Earth to the brink of destruction. Deunan is brought to Olympus and reunited with her former lover and comrade Briareos, who is now a cyborg. She is recruited into ESWAT (Extra-Special Weapons And Tactics) and they both rescue Olympus from certain destruction.

In 2007, the sequel "Appleseed Ex Machina" was released and this one really blew me away with its animation. John Woo was the producer and thus, scenes of flying pigeons are inevitable as it is part of his signature but in this movie, the flying pigeons are robots that send out signals which activate a virus that causes people to go crazy and violent (like the rage virus in "28 days later"). Later, when Deunan, Briareos, Tereus, and a Poseidon task force confront HALCON which controls the virus, they are met by drones in a scene reminiscent of "The Matrix".

Hot Toys released this Movie Masterpiece figure in conjunction with the movie and it is truly a Masterpiece!! The usual slipcase cover with metallic card stock but printed with a beautiful image from the movie.

Box cover with actual product shot

Deunan Knute in tray

Basic Deunan Knute without accessories

One of the most beautiful anime headsculpt ever

Her armour suit (made from flexible rubber, just like wetsuits worn for scuba diving, surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and triathlon)

Olympus Police ESWAT badge worn on her left sleeve

Her weapons, accessories and three additional hands

Deunan Knute suited up

Deunan with her targeting scope

Her sword

Another angle of her targeting scope

Her Hecate P-08 pistol

The sheath for her sword

Fully armed

Hecate STG 1002 rifle

Don't bet on her surrendering or giving up her weapons

Her Hecate P-08 pistol holstered on her right thigh

What can I say? I love this figure!!!

Next up: Deunan's former lover and comrade, Briareos Hechatonchires

Jack Krauser is a mercenary hired to do Osmund Saddler's bidding. Saddler is the leader of “Los Illuminados”, the cult responsible for Ashley Graham's kidnapping. Ashley Graham is the president's daughter in Biohazard 4 or Resident Evil 4 in North America. Originally a United States Government operative, Krauser trains with Leon S Kennedy, before apparently perishing in a helicopter crash. Krauser possesses superhuman speed, stamina, strength, and gained the ability to transform his left arm into a giant mutated claw.