That last bit of light is always the hardest to snuff out. Time for a look at Square Enix’s 1/12 scale line today, Bring Arts. This is the second Final Fantasy VII themed release, Sephiroth. Cloud was the first. Both are from the Kingdom Hearts video games and feature alternate looks from that story line. The most noticeable being the single angel wings. Sephiroth features a sleek look very faithful to the game with solid paint, especially the wing. The hair is long and flowing, with a ball jointed piece underneath the main locks to allow for some posing. The articulation is limited – both the elbows and knees get the equivalent of single joint 90 degree bends. The ab cut is under his jacket so that’s also limited. The hair, while true to the character, also limits neck movement. Overall sculpt and paint is great though.
I grabbed these guys for two reasons – one because I dig FFVII and always like to collect things from that series, and two, wanted to check out Bring Arts. This is Square Enix’s jump into the 1/12 scale. Play Arts Kai is fantastic but expensive. Grabbing a full team line up for a deep roster requires a small business loan. So I was hoping that Bring Arts would shine and allow them to get us the FFVII roster in a smaller, and cheaper format. After two pieces, I don’t think they are there yet. Articulation is limited, and the price on these are high compared to some other non-limited Asian company offerings like Tamashii and Mafex. You get less for the same price or more than similar offerings. If they upped the articulation to full SHF / Mafex levels on their best days, and dropped that price 20%, it would be the perfect offering for team building at high quality 1/12 scale.
That being said, I am happy with both Cloud and Sephiroth here, they look good on the shelves as supplemental pieces in relatively simple poses. If that is your goal, they are worth it.
Read on to check out our shots after the break courtesy of Entertainment Earth! He’s in stock and shipping now!
Related Bring Arts Links: BA Sephiroth, BA KH Mickey, BA KH Shadow 2 Pack, All Square Enix Figures
Bring Arts Sephiroth 12
Bring Arts Sephiroth 15
Bring Arts Sephiroth 18
Bring Arts Sephiroth 23
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
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