Search the Community

“Your greatest gift to me, and I’m killing him. I must already be dead.” *DISCLAIMER*: This review is not sponsored. I’m a massive fan of Castlevania. My dad introduced me to Symphony of the Night on the original PlayStation when I was 3, and I’ve played multiple entries since; from Circle of the Moon to Lords of Shadow 2 — hell, I even played the most recent mobile release, Grimoire of Souls. It’s the game series of my childhood. When I heard there was an anime being picked up by Netflix, I damn near cried nerd tears of joy — having waited seven years since first finding out of an initial live-action movie adaptation. And once I saw it and found out it was actually good, I was massively thrilled. It was so good, in one hell of a peak Reddit moment, I personally messaged the showrunner, Adi Shankar; asking if a figure line was coming out, to which he replied: “it’s coming”. Suffice it to say, I was very excited when this figure line was formally announced by Diamond Select Toys almost a year later. I had some understandably high hopes because, finally, we were gonna get some decent Castlevania figures that were advertised to be more poseable than the NECA figures of yore (which I also have lol). The prototype figures all looked great, and proudly boasted 20 points of articulation. And now that I have the set of three; Trevor, Sypha, and Alucard — I can only say these figures fell out of a bull’s ass. Once again, Castlevania gets crapped on by the toy industry. These figures are so disappointing that I held off on this review for so long. To put into perspective just how long, I got these figures about three weeks before I got my Dante. It was too depressing to even think of, that I couldn't bring myself to take photos of these figures til JUST recently. I’ll explain exactly why in this review. I’ll start off with the only good things these figures got going for them: the sculpt and paint job. They’re really nice. But because of the figures having embellishments (coattails and robe detail) made of hard-but-pliable plastic, the sculpt gets in the way of a lot of the articulation. Just as well, the paints are decent, but Sypha’s got a rat mouth thing going, and Trevor’s eyes look a bit lazily done rather than just lazy. However, in certain lighting, the paint jobs are perfect. Anyways, going back to the articulation: these figures are articulated like trash. They were all advertised to sport double jointed elbows (except Sypha), but for some reason, DST had gone cheapo and went back on that; giving us single-jointed elbows that’re also sleeved. I can’t put Alucard into his trademark en-garde pose from the anime because the elbows can’t bend further than 45 degrees. FORTY-FIVE FRIGGIN DEGREES. Sypha’s robes all get in the way of her poseability as well, so she can’t really look like she’s casting spells. Trevor’s the best articulated out of all of them, but that really ain’t saying much because his arms also suffer the 45-degree syndrome. These figures come with way too many accessories than they can pose with. Granted, most of them are hands, but these accessories won’t do any good if the figures can’t be posed nicely with them. Alucard doesn’t come with any form of hand to hold the sheathe of his sword. Additionally, I had to RIP off a throwing knife from one of Trevor’s throwing knife hands just so he can hold his whip. You read that correctly, Trevor didn’t come with ANY hands to hold his weapons until I unwillingly (and forcefully) damaged one of them after exasperatedly exclaiming out loud “are you actually serious?”. Exhibited in this photo is is said hand holding the morning star whip, with the scar the knife I ripped off left on his thumb. It looks like peanut butter. Good thing that throwing knife was just soft plastic. Imagine if it wasn’t — we’d be having an angrier conversation right now, possibly with more expletives. Their excuse for this as I quote on the comment section of one of their posts is it’s a factory error. I guess the elbows are a factory elbow too, huh? I digress; he also comes with two swords and sheathes that can NOT be placed anywhere on him, and his whips can’t be stowed on his person either — which sucks because the figure itself has loops on its belt as though to store them. To top it all off, Trevor was also advertised to come with his cloak — but just like the elbow articulation, DST went back on that and replaced it with something stupider: a bland medieval bucket that doesn’t even have holy water or salt sculpted into it, or even a goddamn handle for Trevor to hold. Was this also a factory error? We consumers didn’t even get news for ANY of these changes during production. It’s borderline criminal. Honestly, the only good thing I can say for these figures is that they look very nice. Other than that, I can’t recommend anyone buy these figures for the $25 price point. McFarlane is making a Wonder Woman figure for WW1984 in the same scale that’s going for $19, and it’s even MORE poseable than this tragedy of a toy line. This is exactly what happens when you give a mature license to a manufacturer whose audience is veered more toward younger ages. It’s very evident they didn’t know if they wanted to cater to kids or adults with these figures. There are so many accessories — small enough that a kid can choke on them, yet the figures can’t be posed worth a damn. There’s a very obvious lack of passion that went into the figures. The abundance of accessories does NOT make up for the lack of articulation. As I said earlier, accessories aren’t worth it if the figures can’t be posed with them. There has to be a justified BALANCE. If there isn’t, what’s the point? DST should stick to statues, plain and simple. Do not give DST your hard earnings for this. You as fans and consumers deserve better. This line should’ve gone to Bandai’s FiguArts or Max Factory’s Figma, or hell — even McFarlane; people who actually care about the products they’re releasing, who have actually made good anime figures. I can’t even sell these if I wanted to because of the box design (which is un-reusable) and the damage I had to cause to Trevor. If they come out with 2.0 versions of these figures that are closer to what was advertised, I’m actually gonna be pissed. In the album, I’ll provide prototype images so you know what I’m mad about. It sucks because with Castlevania, fans have come to the mindset that crappy figures are better than nothing — something I’ve personally fallen victim for as well. Only difference is a good number of them go on to praise these things because of that mindset. Thing is, Castlevania’s only ever gotten crappy figures (besides that amazing F4F statue, but that’s a statue). This franchise deserves a bone. + good sculpts + decent paint apps - heavily hindered articulation way more accessories than the figures deserve - figures were falsely advertised - Trevor’s lack of designated weapon holding hands - Also his cloak got switched to a generic medieval bucket - Bucket don’t even have a handle -Sypha’s somehow got even less articulation than the other two figures I’m really salty about those elbows. They’re the sole reason these figures can’t look good while posed. I got these figures at BigBadToyStore, but I’m not providing link to them specifically like normal because consumers deserve better than this garbage. Your money would actually be better spent on something else. Here’s the homepage instead: https://www.bigbadtoystore.com/ Here's a link to my Facebook page for more reviews and photos! https://www.facebook.com/FranksFigurePage/

A Demented Clown in the 3rd Dimension. Here’s your look at the Diamond Select IT Chapter Two Legends in 3D Pennywise 1/2 Scale Limited Edition Bust!

Diana's deflecting in a release by Diamond, Here's your look at the Diamond Select Justice League Wonder Woman Bracelets Gallery Statue

She’ll put a spell on you, Here’s your look at the Diamond Select Marvel Premier Collection Scarlet Witch Limited Edition Statue

Terry’s got a little something up his sleeve. Here’s your look at the Diamond Select Batman Beyond Batarang Edition Gallery Statue

The Dark Knight watches over his City. Here’s your look at the Diamond Select DC Comics Batman Gallery Statue!

The Clown Prince of Crime designs the Gallery in his own image, Here's your look at the Diamond Select The Joker Gallery Statue!

Spidey swings in as a Store Exclusive! Here's your look at the Diamond Select Marvel Select Spider-Man Far from Home Disney Store Exclusive!

Diamond Select prepares for the Game of Death, here's your look at the NEW Diamond Select Toys Bruce Lee Figure!

Something Sinister heads your way. Here's your look at the NEW Diamond Select Toys X-men Mr. Sinister Gallery Statue!

Beaming down to your Comic book store, here's your look at the Diamond Select Star Trek Into Darkness Captain Kirk Figure!

She cuts like a knife. Here's your look at the NEW Diamond Select Marvel Select Psylocke Figure

The Captain sets her sights on San Diego, Here's your look at the Diamond Select SDCC 2019 S.H.I.E.L.D. Captain Marvel Ltd Edition Marvel Gallery Statue

Let me just say, if aliens wind up implanting eggs in my chest or something and I eat one of you, I'm sorry. Here's your look at the NEW Diamond Select Marvel Premier Collection Avengers: Infinity War Iron Spider Statue!

You can look but you can't touch, Here's your look at the NEW Diamond Select Marvel Select Rogue Figure!

We now return to the Real Ghostbusters, Here's your look at the Diamond Select The Real Ghostbusters Ray Stanz Figure Review

Catch him if you can, Here's your look at the Diamond Select The Flash TV Series Gallery Statue! Click the link below to Check out the Full Review! https://youtu.be/vPAw4sOArDo

For Free Comic Book Day, Spidey goes Back to Black! Here's your look at the Diamond Select Toys Previews Exclusive Marvel Gallery Symbiote Spider-Man PVC Statue! Click the link below to Check out the Full Review!

Don't be the victim who drowns. Don't sink with the rest. Be active. Rise up, … reclaim the light, … and be the one who does the drowning. Here's your look at the NEW Diamond Select Batman Who Laughs Gallery Statue! Click the link below to check out the Full Review! https://youtu.be/euzjzhooKQA

...And get this Man a Razor! A slightly too Beardy Capt from Diamond Select, Here's your look at the Diamond Select Avengers Infinity War Marvel Select Captain America Figure! Click the link below to check out the Full Review! https://youtu.be/3eF2guLTenU

He may be on the team. I don’t know. Haven’t been there in a while. Here's your look at the NEW Diamond Select Avengers Infinity War Marvel Select Thor and Groot Figure Set! Click the video link below to check out the Full Review! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5wQjuU69lQ

It was announced today that Diamond Select Toys will be acquiring Gentle Giant Ltd.. A move that will certainly bolster DST on the statue market front. See the press release below: Both Diamond Select Toys and Gentle Giant Ltd. have long been known for delivering high-quality busts, statues and action figures to collectors worldwide. Now, fans can get the best of both worlds, as DST finalizes the purchase of select assets of Gentle Giant, taking over manufacturing and distribution of many of the company’s key lines. Beginning February 1, Diamond Select Toys and Collectibles, LLC, will assume operations for all of Gentle Giant’s existing licenses, and release previously developed and newly created busts, statues and scaled-up vintage action figures. Any in-progress and future products will be offered to retailers through the Previews catalog, published by DST’s sister company Diamond Comic Distributors. Gentle Giant’s collector club, the Premier Guild, will continue to operate, with exclusive items for members and reserved access to certain products. DST has pledged to fulfill any outstanding exclusives and rewards to current members, and to expand on the club’s scope going forward. “This is a great moment for DST,” said Diamond Comic Distributors owner Steve Geppi. “The unification of many of Gentle Giant’s licenses and built-in fan base with DST’s sales and distribution channels is a recipe for success. Two wonderful companies uniting talents to produce the best of the best. I am confident the final product will be well received by both companies’ wonderful supporters and customers.” "It is a great honor for Gentle Giant to continue our strong creative relationship with Diamond,” said Karl Meyer, VP of Entertainment at 3D Systems. “With great pleasure, I am personally thrilled to have DST uphold the Gentle Giant Ltd brand and work with our artists in bringing entertainment magic from the screen to the collectors’ hands." “I have been a longtime fan of Gentle Giant’s products, and I am excited to continue their legacy,” said DST president Chuck Terceira. “Once we’re up and running, we plan to deliver seamless service of existing product lines, so expect to see the same level of quality, with the added bonus of DST’s broad distribution.” In addition to resin busts and statues, DST produces Gallery PVC Dioramas, Select action figures, Minimates mini-figures, Vinimates vinyl figures, D-Formz PVC figures, prop replicas and vinyl banks. Diamond Select Toys & Collectibles, LLC, was formed in 1999 by sister company Diamond Comic Distributors as a source of collectibles for all ages, developed primarily for the collector’s market. It has enjoyed relationships with a number of content producers, including Lucasfilm, Disney, Marvel, Warner Bros., Sony, CBS, Legendary, PopCap, EA and many more. Here is a FAQ list that DST has released as well: What will change when DST takes over Giant Gentle? Very little. Most products already developed will move forward, and new products will be developed to follow them. Many of the existing designers, sculptors, painters and factories will continue to be involved. You can expect to see some new artists that DST has worked with in the past start to work on traditional Gentle Giant Ltd. products. Convention attendance will remain largely the same, and the Premier Guild will continue to operate as it did. Will Gentle Giant be changing its name? Gentle Giant Studios are not involved in this acquisition and will continue to operate, performing sculpting services for a variety of clients, including DST. The Gentle Giant Ltd. brand will be joining the DST family. Will DST take over Gentle Giant’s licenses? Including Star Wars? Yes, DST will take over the majority of the Gentle Giant Ltd licenses and will continue the existing lines that Gentle Giant has started, releasing already-developed items and developing new items. Each license will be reviewed and discussed, and we will update you as soon as possible on their status. What should fans of Gentle Giant look forward to? A continuation of everything that they know and love about the company, with the addition of some new product categories, an injection of new artistic talent, and more ways to get the products they care about.