Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Medicom RAH Captain Harlock version 2.0

Captain Harlock (キャプテンハーロック Kyaputen Hārokku) is a space pirate created by manga artist Leiji Matsumoto. He was introduced in Adventures of a Honeybee (1953), but only made his debut as lead character in 1978's Space Pirate Captain Harlock. He would appear in many of Leiji Matsumoto's other works such as Arcadia of My Youth, Galaxy Express 999, Queen Emeraldas, Harlock Saga, Space Pirate Captain Herlock: The Endless Odyssey, DNA Sights 999.9, Galaxy Express 999: Eternal Fantasy, Cosmo Warrior Zero and Gun Frontier. In all incarnations Harlock oozes the essence of kakkō-ii — good looking and cool. He is a solitary and unpredictable beast, lean-limbed, melancholy, morose, self-destructive, sombre and distanced.

Medicom had released an earlier 1/6 version of Space Pirate Captain Harlock in the 1990s (see my post here).

After more than ten years since the first release, this is Medicom's 1/6 scale RAH (Real Action Heroes) Captain Harlock (version 2.0) from Galaxy Express 999 ("999" in the title is pronounced "Three-Nine", as opposed to "Nine-Nine-Nine" or "Nine hundred ninety nine") which explains the slightly different attire (most notably the pants). The box is wider and larger than usual.

The inside flap highlights the many positive aspects of this new Captain Harlock, including the newly developed ABS skinny body type which is much taller at 310 mm or 31 cm.

Accessories include: three extra gloved hands, his weapons - the Cosmo Dragoon and Gravity Saber, and "Tori-San" ("Mister Bird"), his faithful companion (quite ugly in my opinion and will be covered in more detail in the next post)

Medicom Space Pirate Captain Harlock's Cosmo Dragoon, his sidearm and space pistol, its outward appearance inspired by the 6 shooters of the old west (the weapon is modeled after the Colt model 78 revolver). Medicom certainly improved on their earlier released version which lacked detail and paintwork.

Captain Harlock's Gravity Saber - a combination sword/laser rifle carried by Captain Harlock and Emeraldas.


Medicom RAH 1/6 Captain Harlock from Galaxy Express 999 without his removable cape (mantle). This is to show off the new RAH ABS skinny body (Hot Toys did it with their Michael Jackson, Sideshow did it for their armored bodies and Medicom had to do it too!). This new body is much taller too (comparative pictures of old Harlock and new Harlock in my post here).

Captain Harlock's signature hair, eye patch and scar faithfully realized by Medicom. The outfit is pretty nice too - I'm glad they didn't make a skin tight rubber suit like before but one of cloth. Love the iconic "skull and crossbones" symbol plus the little details added for authenticity.

Check out his boots - one of a kind!

Side view of Medicom's RAH Galaxy Express 999 Captain Harlock - he's really skinny but that's being faithful to the manga/anime character.

The hair sculpt has also improved from the previous version

Captain Harlock's Gravity Saber in its holster (perhaps it should be called a scabbard since it's a saber, not sure since the weapon is both sword and laser rifle - minor details, overall mighty fine)

Back view of the new RAH ABS skinny body

Captain Harlock's Cosmo Dragoon has a number 3 on it as it is the serial number of his weapon. In the Leiji-verse there are 4 of these guns produced, each with it’s own “serial number” and owner. They are Serial #1: Owned by Oyama Tochiro; Serial #2: Owned by Tochiro’s mother, later given to Tetsuro Hoshino on Titan; Serial #3: Owned by Captain Harlock and Serial #4: Owned by Pirate Emeraldas.

Harlock's pistol fits nicely in its holster, even has the "skull and crossbones" on the pistol grip - nice detail

Harlock's really skinny like Jack Skellington, not Jack Sparrow (the other notorious pirate)




Close-up of his belts and cool "skull and crossbones" buckles

Captain Harlock's mantle (cape) has wire running along the edges for posing purposes

Medicom's RAH Galaxy Express 999 Captain Harlock with his cape/mantle on - a much nicer Captain Harlock than the one previously released more than ten years ago.


The mantle/cape comes with a very nice "skull and crossbones" button. It is not silk-screened but an actual 'button'.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey, Cowpehcowbu! Congrats on getting him. Mine arrived last week.

I think he's awesome. Everything I was expecting and more. Only slight beef is with the bird - one leg falls off easily.

But that's minor.

Nice - pics!

Tinister

Anonymous said...

How are you? I’m George. I believe i had contacted you before regarding a banner exchange. i'm wondering would you be interested in doing a banner exchange. drop me a message if you are okay with it. Cheers! shoot me an email at george@e2046.com

P.S. lots of toys you have here.

alex teo said...

Thanks Tinister :) i saw pictures of your collection on OSW, including the new Medicom Batman - NICE!!

Hi George, sorry I didn't reply to your email about the banner exchange. I got stumped on the banner bit as I'm not sure how to do it. Thanks for dropping by :)

Anonymous said...

Wah! so envy you bro!! this is definitely a super masterpiece to Captain Harlock fan..Super awesome :P

alex teo said...

thanks desmond, i like it too :) turned out quite NICE!!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the review.

Captain Harlock will be my very FIRST 1/6th scale figure.

I can't wait.

alex teo said...

WOW!! Great choice for a first figure :) if my review has helped you with your decision, then I'm glad. Enjoy your figure and welcome to the world of 1/6 ;p