I know we tend to prioritize the seamless action figure bodies (for a comparison of Jiaou and TBLeague/Phicen bodies, see
HERE), as they promise a higher degree of realism, but there is plenty of use for traditional hard plastic visible-jointed bodies. They are, after all, more affordable, easier to clothe (in part because so much sixth-scale clothing is made with them in mind), and safer to leave in extreme poses for a long time. I may experiment stuffing TBLeague bodies into all sorts of garments, but if they cover the shoulders, elbows, and knees, I am likely to turn over these garments to the more traditional bodies.
Some time ago Ovy treated us to an overview of several low budget bodies (see
HERE), and I am following up with this look at six new-ish bodies of similar type. If you've been around the hobby for a while, you would have noticed that companies spend some years using basically the same
body before changing the design and moving on to a new one, with some exceptions for special characters. Three of the leading military action figure companies, DAM, Easy & Simple (E&S), and Dragon in Dreams (DID) have all recently started using new
body designs. While DID is actually selling base bodies, the other two can be obtained easily enough from parted out sets. Although less recent, there are also some new-ish bodies by JX (I am looking at the S-02 and S-03), and there is the very recent bulkier
body by Molaolao, which was used (with added tattoos) for the Gangster Ma figure by Moz Studios (for all I know, Molaolao and Moz Studios are the same thing, but I cannot confirm it).
The figures and their articulation range are shown three at a time in two sets, with a TBLeague M33 seamless
body for comparison. Some of the poses parallel those from Ovy's comparisons, others hearken back to my old reviews (mostly on Michael Crawford's review site). All in all, all six bodies have good articulation, although some are better than others; unsurprisingly the bulkiest
body, by Molaolao, is usually the one that can attain a more limited range than the others, although on occasion it surprises; the JX bodies have single-jointed elbows, unlike the others; the DID
body (which is a slender shortish version, apparently they come in several variants) is meant for heads with integral necks or a separate neck piece. There is a general trend away from the Hot Toys Truetype-style bodies with their visible open shoulder joints, presumably for aesthetic purposes; these are now concealed behind the softer plastic shell of the upper torsos, except for Molaolao, which does not have this articulation or a softer plastic shell.
DAM 3.5 (with its own head) is 29.5 cm (11.6 in) tall; this height varies depending on the length of DAM ankle joints one uses (there are two); the new
body's feet are also taller than the old ones.
E&S MK3 (with its own head) is 30 cm (11.8 in) tall; the new feet are unarticulated and characteristically cut off flat at the top.
DID Advanced Slim (with its own head) is 29 cm (11.4 in) tall; these bodies come (or will come) in several variations (this one being "advanced slim," or OA60002) and can be purchased as base bodies ($19 USD at Timewalker Toys!); the
body is the only one that still uses articulated feet.
M33 (with an HT head) is 29.75 cm (11.7 in) tall. Just here for comparison.
All bodies can stand reasonably well on their own, even in minor stride, and place their arms in front of their torso.
All bodies can extend their arms straight up or bend them over the shoulder.
All bodies can take a knee (hero landing pose) and touch their opposite shoulder or biceps.
DAM and E&S have some trouble making splits properly but DID and M33 can.
All bodies can talk on a cell phone or make a face palm, and touch the opposite elbow.
Bending backwards, DAM performs least impressively, M33 most impressively, E&S and DID about the same, somewhere in-between.
All bodies can sit cross-legged.
Bending forwards, DAM is most limited, E&S less so, DID can reach his feet, M33 can do the same and more (see second set).
Sideways twist: all but M33 (due to its TPE "skin" or rather "flesh") should be able to rotate around their axis at the waist, but the effect would not be natural. In such a pose and with variously extended limbs and foot placement, the bodies can stand unassisted.
All bodies can make slightly wider strides and remain standing.
And all bodies have no problems sitting on a chair or bench, which should be a given, but is not always the case, especially where heftier or seamless bodies are concerned.
On to the second set of bodies, with JX S-02, JX S-03, and Molaolao.
JX S-02 (with a KO Arnold head) is 30.2 cm (11.9 in) tall. The JX bodies' ankles function a little strangely due to the ring fitted over the ankle joint, between the bottom of the leg and the top of the foot. Their elbows are single-jointed and the sculpted nipples are painted. (Available at Timewalker Toys for $38.50 USD)
JX S-03 (with a DAM head that doesn't match color-wise) is 29.5 cm (11.6 in) tall. (Available at Timewalker Toys for $30 USD)
Molaolao ATM01 (with an InFlames head that doesn't mach color-wise) is almost 31 cm (12.2 in) tall. The upper torso is a hard plastic shell, meaning less shoulder and neck articulation. The ankles are unfortunately like those of the soccer player figures from years ago, with the ankle peg fitting at an angle forward into the foot. It works strangely and not very effectively, especially combined with the
body's weight and high center of gravity.
The single-jointed elbows and shoulder limitations of the JX bodies mean they cannot cross their arms beyond the wrists; Molaolao has double-jointed elbows, but bulky muscles made of hard plastic and proportionately relatively short arms, meaning the best he can do is point at the ring on his left hand (a leftover of the Moz Studios Gangster Ma design). Despite the various strange or unfortunate ankles, all three bodies (as well as M33) can stand on their own in a small stride pose.
They can extend their arms up, albeit at some angle, and can bend it behind their backs, although the single-jointed elbows of the JX bodies limit the articulation to about 90 degrees. M33 does not have these limitations.
All can take a knee (superhero landing pose), but none of the three can reach his opposite shoulder or biceps (except, of course, M33).
Surprisingly, all bodies can do the splits very well, with or without rotating one of the legs around its axis (I did it, but unnecessarily); JX bodies still have trouble bending the arm over the back.
JX bodies cannot easily talk on a cellphone (unless on Speaker!) or do a face palm; Molaolao can, but none of the three (excepting, of course, M33) can reach their opposite elbow.
Bending backwards, the JX bodies are more limited, though not unreasonably so. Molaolao excells them, which was a surprise, and of course M33 can just about roll itself into a ball.
All the bodies can sit cross-legged.
Bending forward, Molaolao is the most limited, and the JX bodies a little better. M33 can actually touch and hold his toes.
Sideways twist: again, the hard plastic visible-jointed bodies technically excel M33 by being able to rotate completely around their axis at the waist, but this is not how human articulation works. JX S-02 can do this more easily than the others, which encounter more resistance than M33 with its own only partial rotation.
All the bodies can take a wider stride and still stand on their own.
Finally, all the bodies can sit in a chair or on a bench without trouble. Especially in the case of the bulky Molaolao this was not a given (a cushion might still help, as the
body might want to rock/roll backwards if unsupported).
If you are interested in bulkier bodies, check out also my recent review of World Box AT030 linked below.
I hope this was helpful and informative.
As always, what do you think?
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