Revealed! Square Enix Play Arts Kai Star Wars Variant Darth Vader 10-inch Action Figure

Square Enix has officially revealed their Play Arts Kai Star Wars Variant Darth Vader Figure. Square Enix has re-designed quite a number of DC superheroes before this, giving the popular characters a variant Japanese angle / twist and it looks like they’ve given Darth Vader a bit of a re-design as well with some futuristic Japanese anime / manga armor. Surprisingly, unlike what they did with the DC characters which I didn't like, I have to say I really am liking the new look they have given the Sith Lord. Darth Vader looks pretty darn cool.

Bandai had previewed their Star Wars Movie Realization Samuraidaishou Darth Vader 18 cm action figure earlier (see my toy blog post HERE) and I think this Square Enix Play Arts Kai Star Wars Variant Darth Vader 10-inch Action Figure will make a nice companion piece to that :)

The re-designed and re-imagined Darth Vader looks more muscular than previous versions of the character with his armor now becoming more streamlined in the process, making it look more like a protective, battle armor than a life support system. His helmet has also been altered slightly (see the close-up picture below) but it still retains its shape and overall look that's synonymous with Vader. Some of the armor’s original features are retined, like the box on his chest and his belt.

Scroll down to see the rest of the pictures.
Click on them for bigger and better views.

His cape is shaped like it’s blowing in the wind and seems to be made up of a few pieces, just like the cape that came with the Square Enix Play Arts Kai "Batman: Arkham Origins" Batman 10.5-inch action figure (reviewed HERE and HERE). In fact, in most of the preview pictures, the cape almost looks like it belongs to Batman and Darth Vader has taken to wearing it.

I guess you can expect the same type of articulation that is pretty standard for the Play Arts Kai action figures and there will also be a stand included to help support the more dynamic poses.

It looks like the Square Enix Play Arts Kai Star Wars Variant Darth Vader 10-inch Action Figure will come with an array of multiple hands, including a force pose hand and hands to hold his lightsabers (two versions of his lightsaber will be included as well, one is the normal light-up saber while the other lightsaber has a motion effect on it as if it’s being swung).

Looks like my Square Enix Play Arts Kai action figure collection is growing... one figure at a time. Don't believe me? Well, to quote Darth Vader himself: "I find your lack of faith disturbing."

Related posts:
August 18, 2014 – Review of Play Arts Kai Square Enix "Batman: Arkham Origins" Batman 10.5-inch action figure HERE and HERE
November 20, 2014 – Review of Square Enix Play Arts Kai Batman: Arkham Origins Deathstroke 10" (25.5 cm) figure HERE, HERE and HERE
November 24, 2014 – Square Enix Play Arts Kai 1/7 Arkham Origins Batman vs Deathstroke 10-inch action figure (pictures HERE)

You can pre-order this Square Enix Star Wars Play Arts Kai Variant Figure - 11" Darth Vader figure from BBTS (link HERE)