Blazing Sword Voltron

Here's a toy I've been holding onto for a while. This is Mattel's Blazing Sword Voltron, a highly poseable version originally made for San Diego Comic-Con 2011, I believe. It ended up being a pretty popular item, so much so that it is now in Matty's Essentials collection on the MattyCollector website. It can be had for $30.00. Hit the jump to see more pics.

This version of Voltron focuses on playability. The sculpt is not super detailed, but it's nice enough. They really were going for the animated look and I think they captured it pretty well in the simplicity of this Voltron. The face is pretty soft though.

Voltron also came in a box, or at least the ones from SDCC did, that had a feature where it played the Voltron intro that was narrated by none other than Peter Cullen, the voice of Optimus Prime.

The above pictures are pretty close up, and I think at that level of magnification the toy might look worse than it actually is. I know the seams looks quite visible, and the paint job looks bad, but you hold it in your hand it looks much better to the naked eye. One complaint I have that you might not see in the pictures is dirty spots on the white plastic, especially on Voltron's hips. All my pilot figures from the big 23 inch Voltron have dirty spots that won't come off the white plastic. It seems to be a recurring problem with Matty products.

Voltron also comes with his Blazing Sword and another version of it to replicate the blazing energy effect when Voltron forms his ultimate weapon. It's a nice idea, and it looks okay, if a bit wonky. Still, I like it. Combined with his poseability, which is on par with a lot of Japanese figures (even S.H. Figuarts, no joke), this Blazing Sword Voltron is what convinced me to subscribe to Matty's Club Lion Force for the giant Voltron. Aw nuts!

My final thoughts are that this is once again a classic MattyCollector action figure. While overall it's nice, there's always a caveat that might bother you. This is a great toy if it were 20 bucks. At 30, plus Matty shipping, you are looking at $45. Ugh. Get it if you want a Voltron you can pose and play with, or if you are a completionist, otherwise save your cash for a nicer version. One of the diecast ones. Keep in mind there have been rumors floating around about Bandai possibly doing a Soul of Chogokin GoLion. If that's true, then right there is the ultimate Voltron collector figure.