Square Enix has slowly been phasing out Play Arts Kai, the 9 inch+ figures which featured in-house Final Fantasy characters along with stylized variant versions of DC, Marvel and more. In it’s place, Square has been putting out Bring Arts – a 1/12 (ish) scale line more in tune with S.H. Figuarts and Mafex. Key articulation points, good paint, accessories, and a more traditional sculpting style are present. Most of the figures released so far have been Japanese specific video games and anime, along with the recent Kingdom Hearts offerings. Today we are taking a look at a Kingdom Hearts adjacent figure, – “Another Form” Cloud Strife. This look first made it’s appearance in Kingdom Hearts, but it’s not specifically labeled as such. He’s also rocked this look in other games like Dissidia since then.
Cloud comes packed with his bandaged sword, 3 sets of hands, single angel wing, extra cape piece and a stand. Articulation is above average, but they are using single joints for the knees and elbows.  No extra faces or heads. Overall though, it does what it needs to do, and gets us Final Fantasy figures in a scale and price point easier to handle. I’m a big fan of FFVII and Cloud, so I wanted to check out Bring Arts with the hope that they do the Remake characters in this format. So far so good, if they go ahead with that at this level I’m in!
We’ve run him through a session showing what Cloud and Bring Arts can do. Read on to check out over 40 HD images courtesy of Entertainment Earth!
Related Links: Bring Arts Cloud Strife, Bring Arts Sephiroth, Bring Arts KH Sora, Bring Arts KH Mickey Mouse, All Bring Arts
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Bring Arts Another Form Cloud Strife Gallery
My first Bring Arts figure. On par with SHF and Mafex. Not exact 1 to 1, I was surprised by the single jointed knees and elbows here, but they don't take away from the figure overall. Lots of other cuts and articulation points help get the job done. Plastic quality, paint, sculpt are all import level 1/12 style. Accessories well done, tolerances solid. Overall, worthy, assuming they are all similar. Bottom line, Remake in this sytle, yes please.
Bring Arts Sephiroth Another Form Photo Shoot
Little less impressed with Sephiroth. Range of movement is limited. At the price, not sure I'd go super deep with Bring Arts yet. But they are close. Great for single pops of fav characters.
The figure looks really good. Love the pics. Reminds me I need to pick up Kingdom Hearts 3 at some point.
Not too Sure how I feel about the Sword not being able to be placed on his back.
Pics are looking awesome Tony!
Everything from the lighting to the posing is perfect!
Glad to see that Bring Arts is upping their quality. I have A2 and 9S still in the box. Haven't gotten around to opening them due to dread that they might just be like the original 2B. Looking at Cloud, I am now considering maybe biting the bullet and getting 2B 2.0 too.
Glad to see that Bring Arts is upping their quality. I have A2 and 9S still in the box. Haven't gotten around to opening them due to dread that they might just be like the original 2B. Looking at Cloud, I am now considering maybe biting the bullet and getting 2B 2.0 too.
Glad to see that Bring Arts is upping their quality. I have A2 and 9S still in the box. Haven't gotten around to opening them due to dread that they might just be like the original 2B. Looking at Cloud, I am now considering maybe biting the bullet and getting 2B 2.0 too.
My only issue with this figure for me is I don't like the knees
Only reason I pushed forward with 9S and A2 was because my pre-order was with AmiAmi. Their cancellation policy is pretty strict.
Only reason I pushed forward with 9S and A2 was because my pre-order was with AmiAmi. Their cancellation policy is pretty strict.
Anyway, I can tell you that the release was generally seen as a failure. It has a 7.63/10 on MFC from 95 votes. That is rather low for a figure. If you read the comments, you can find ample amount of detailed criticism as well.
So in case you are wondering where the criticism is coming from, now you know. No reputable Japanese figure company, to my knowledge, has done a redesigned re-release of a character this quickly. Even if you were to think the negative criticism is misplaced, the manufacturers actions should make it clear that even they see it as a failed attempt...
EDIT: Just for reference, this is how her skirt should look like. For a black costume, Square had one job, and they screwed it up!
In case you are thinking price feasibility, I own Zelda from Figma, and it cost me much less than the 2B set. Look at the line work quality in that one:-
Anyway, I can tell you that the release was generally seen as a failure. It has a 7.63/10 on MFC from 95 votes. That is rather low for a figure. If you read the comments, you can find ample amount of detailed criticism as well.
So in case you are wondering where the criticism is coming from, now you know. No reputable Japanese figure company, to my knowledge, has done a redesigned re-release of a character this quickly. Even if you were to think the negative criticism is misplaced, the manufacturers actions should make it clear that even they see it as a failed attempt...
With Figuarts, did they actually do a 2.0 within a year too? I always felt that what Square did with 2B so soon was actually unprecedented. Usually the 2.0 comes out years later (like Saber Altria 2.0). But if Figuarts did it, I suppose I should feel little less mad haha.
Still, if they improved their 2B with 2.0, I might just get her. I do have the Flare one linked above on pre-order too. So maybe its just better to put what I would spend on another Bring Arts amount toward the Flare one at this point. Weary of getting screwed again you know. For all I know, they might announce 2B 3.0 next wonfest.
With Figuarts, did they actually do a 2.0 within a year too? I always felt that what Square did with 2B so soon was actually unprecedented. Usually the 2.0 comes out years later (like Saber Altria 2.0). But if Figuarts did it, I suppose I should feel little less mad haha.
Still, if they improved their 2B with 2.0, I might just get her. I do have the Flare one linked above on pre-order too. So maybe its just better to put what I would spend on another Bring Arts amount toward the Flare one at this point. Weary of getting screwed again you know. For all I know, they might announce 2B 3.0 next wonfest.
My A2 and 9S are great, they have better paint apps than 2B as well, especially the hair.
Great shots! I love Cloud's design here, he'd look great on my video game shelf, but I must resist! I just have no connection to the character and I have promised to limit my purchases to only properties I love. Things were getting out of hand.
Updated with Sephiroth.
Bring Arts Sephiroth Another Form Photo Shoot
Full Thread: Toyark's Bring Arts Another Form Cloud Photo Shoot
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