Review 1: Bandai Star Wars Movie Realization 7-inch tall Ashigaru Stormtrooper action figure

The original Stormtroopers (in German Sturmtruppen; the term "thrust troops", Stoßtruppe was also used) were specialist soldiers of the German Army in World War I. In the last years of the war, Stoßtruppe were trained to fight with "infiltration tactics", part of the Germans' new method of attack on enemy trenches. Men trained in these methods were known in Germany as Sturmmann (literally "storm man" but usually translated as "stormtrooper"), formed into companies of Sturmtruppe ("assault troops", more often and less exactly "storm troops"). The infiltration tactics of the stormtroopers are still in use today, in one form or another. Other armies have also used the term "assault troops", "shock troops" or fireteams for specialist soldiers who perform the infiltration tasks of stormtroopers.

Star Wars creator George Lucas created the Stormtroopers as the elite soldiers of the Galactic Empire. Like Imperial-class Star Destroyers and TIE fighters, stormtroopers served as ever present reminders of the absolute power of Emperor Palpatine. These faceless enforcers of the New Order were considered an extension of the Emperor's will, and thus they often used efficient yet usually unreasonable tactics as a way to keep thousands of star systems throughout the galaxy in line. At the height of the Empire, stormtroopers had effectively become symbols of major authority. With few exceptions, they were distinguished from all other military units by their signature white armor.

Ashigaru (足軽 lit. lightfeet) were foot-soldiers who were employed by the samurai class of feudal Japan. The first known reference to ashigaru was in the 1300s, but it was during the Ashikaga Shogunate-Muromachi period that the use of ashigaru became prevalent by various warring factions.

Based on the designers at Bandai Japan, this is what happens when you combine the Ashigaru of fuedal Japan with the Imperial Stormtroopers of the Star Wars galaxy. I just love the whole new look of this Bandai Star Wars Movie Realization 7-inch Ashigaru Stormtrooper action figure! Combining traditional samurai armor with the look of the sci-fi Stormtroopers makes for a whole new bada$$-looking re-imagined soldier. What's there not to love about these troopers!

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

This Bandai Star Wars Movie Realization 7-inch Ashigaru Stormtrooper action figure was part of my most recent June 2015 haul (posted earlier HERE). As soon as I got it, I couldn't wait to open the box and take pictures of this figure to post on my toy blog. Such awesomeness has to be shared :)

Here's the Bandai Star Wars Movie Realization 7-inch tall Ashigaru Stormtrooper action figure in the box with accessories such as sword and sheath plus gun. Tanegashima (Japanese matchlock) were introduced to Japan in the 1543 through Portuguese trade. Tanegashima were produced on a large scale by Japanese gunsmiths, enabling warlords to raise and train armies from masses of peasants. The new weapons were highly effective, their ease of use and deadly effectiveness led to the tanegashima becoming the weapon of choice over the yumi (bow). By the end of the 16th century, there were more firearms in Japan than in many European nations.

Altogether there are four pairs of hands included for use in posing the Ashigaru Stormtrooper with his different weapons

Here's the awesome and stunning Bandai Star Wars Movie Realization 7-inch tall Ashigaru Stormtrooper action figure with his sword sheathed and ready for the draw. Scroll down to see the turnaround views.

Check out the close-up views of the Bandai Star Wars Movie Realization 7-inch tall Ashigaru Stormtrooper action figure. Be amazed at the nice details found on the figure. The Stormtrooper helmet design is clearly present and yet it also has a traditional Japanese look to it.

Even the leg armor is consistent with the Star Wars Imperial Stormtrooper design which was not symmetrical i.e. left and right leg armors were different.

NEXT: More pictures of this Bandai Star Wars Movie Realization 7-inch tall Ashigaru Stormtrooper action figure in action poses wielding his weapons in the fight for the Empire.

Related posts:
March 23, 2008 – Marmit 1/6 scale Star Wars Stormtrooper figure pictures HERE
March 23, 2008 – Medicom Toys 1/6 scale Star Wars Stormtrooper figure posted HERE
April 25, 2009 – Sideshow Star Wars Imperial Stormtrooper Review HERE and HERE
April 27, 2009 – 1/6 scale Imperial Stormtroopers with Darth Vader (pictures HERE)
April 28, 2009 – Comparison pictures of 1/6 scale Stormtrooper figures released by Sideshow vs Marmit vs Medicom posted on my toy blog HERE
July 31, 2009 – Sideshow Collectibles Darth Vader with Sideshow Stormtroopers posted HERE
January 1, 2010 – 2009 Top Ten Fave Toys Countdown 3: Lots and lots of 1/6 scale Stormtroopers pictures HERE
August 30, 2012 – Sideshow Collectibles 1/6th scale Boba Fett, Han in Carbonite and 12-inch Stormtrooper escorts posted HERE
April 9, 2015 – Review of Hot Toys MMS267 "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" 1/6 Stormtrooper 12-inch Figure posted HERE and HERE
April 15, 2015 – Comparison pictures of different 1:6 Star Wars Stormtroopers by Hot Toys, Sideshow, Medicom and Marmit posted HERE