Late in 2020, a number of new NECA Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles releases began to hit Target shelves. Among those releases were highly anticipated figures like Krang and Splinter. The great news about this has been the ease in which fans have been finding these sets. The sever distribution issues plaguing earlier TMNT releases seems to have been rectified, and we’re seeing more reports than ever of fans walking into Target and seeing a bunch of these sets on shelves. While some may still see limited stock in their local stores, that is no longer the norm nation-wide.
Today we’re taking a look at three of the recent releases from NECA’s Cartoon Series. This photo gallery includes the Ultimate Krang with Android Body, the Splinter and Baxter Stockman 2-Pack, and the Zarax and Zork 2-Pack. As with all of the cartoon series items, these are Target Exclusives in the US, but are general releases in most other countries. Our friends at NECA have sent over these sets. Read on to see the full gallery and our thoughts on the figures.
TMNT Cartoon Series – Ultimate Krang with Android Body
Pros
- Excellent Sculpt
- Fun accessories
- Solid articulation
- Articulated joysticks in the cockpit
Cons
- Multiple paint issues
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TMNT Cartoon Series – Splinter and Baxter Stockman 2-Pack
Pros
- Fantastic looking versions of both characters
- Lots of accessories and swap out hands
- Good paint work all around
- Great articulation on both figures
- The Gopher-Mikey and Fly Splinter are really fun additions
Cons
- Splinter’s left elbow has an incorrect pin in the joint
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TMNT Cartoon Series – Zarax and Zork 2-Pack
Pros
- Great sculpts
- Clean paint work
- Excellent articulation
- Good mix of accessories
Cons
- None
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Overall
If you’ve been keeping up with the TMNT cartoon releases, then you have a good idea what to expect here. The figures have really well done sculpts that do a great job of bringing the animated characters to life. I’m not 100% familiar with every episode of the cartoon, and some of the accessories (and even upcoming characters), are a bit of a blind spot for me.
Of the new sets, I was most excited for Android Krang, and the figure did not disappoint. It’s a large figure, standing about 9″ tall, and towering over figures like Shredder. The figure looks exactly how I would want him to. The body separates above the cockpit to put Krang inside, using a large peg to hold him in place. Krang fits perfectly in the cockpit, and his hands grip the joysticks, which can move. Articulation is decent, with the elbows being a little limited in range of motion. The accessories are a nice mix, with some great swap out weapons for the hands. The shrunken “kid” Shredder is a fun addition. Things like the bath towel seem like needless padding to me though. My Krang has a few paint issues. Red rubbed off onto his legs, and warm water didn’t do much to alleviate it. I didn’t resort to anything like rubbing alcohol just yet. Also, whenever I move his joints, I wind up with a fine dust of paint flaking off from somewhere, especially red paint. It mostly subsided by the time I was done shooting, but just be aware these issues may pop up.
The Splinter and Baxter Stockman release is filled with accessories. Outside of a convention set, this is probably one of their most jam packed releases. Both Splinter and Baxter look fantastic, and really capture the look of their cartoon counterparts. Splinter is a full articulated figure, with a fabric robe and belt. If you take the robe off, you can really see how fantastic the range of motion is here. Double jointed knees and elbows, a ball jointed upper torso, an articulated tail, and more. My Splinter had an issue with a pin on his right elbow that was too small for the connection, and didn’t quite sit right. It didn’t stop it from moving, and is hidden by the robe. Outside of that, splinter is pretty much perfect. The different hands are all widely varied in style, and his accessories are fantastic, including an art book with the four Italian artists that inspired the names of the Turtles. Baxter Stockman is a fun figure to pair with Splinter, and like splinter has a wide variety of accessories. The Computer, small Fly Splinter, and Gopher-Mikey are all whimsical, and nice pieces to add to a display. Baxter has a good amount of articulation as well, and his sculpt is spot on. One of my favorite additions to this set is the large area rug included, which is a perfect addition for a sewer lair diorama.
The final set here is the Zarak and Zork 2-Pack. These Triceraton’s are big, heavy figures, and make a great add-on to the Triceraton Infantryman released last year. The three Triceraton’s may share the same base body, but each has their own unique armor, head sculpts, and more. Even if (like me) you aren’t too familiar with these guys from the toon, they make colorful additions to the TMNT shelf. They have excellent sculpts, really good articulation, a nice mix of swap out hands, and some nice weapons.
Check out a selection of photos below, and the full gallery after that.
Some of the backgrounds featured in pics below are from Extreme-Sets.com. Enter code TOYARK at checkout and get 15% off your order!
TMNT Carton Series - Ultimate Krang Android Body, Zarax and Zork Set, and the Splinter and Baxter Stockman Set by NECA - Toyark Photo Shoot
Never had the krang with body as a kid so to get one now is just a childhood want come true. Couple that with the wundar motuc fig i picked up two childhood grails off the list. Id love to see the triceratons in a three pack later on so I don’t have to try and track em down individually.
My dad spent years on a futile search to get me that Krang body as a kid.
Seeing Krang in the store, and finally adding him to my shelf, was just a surreal experience. My dad passed on decades ago so it was kind of bittersweet. But it also brought back memories of weekends spent combing Caldor and Clover and Bambergers and Kiddy City and Discount Harry's for TMNT figures with my dad.
Great set. I am torn on Android Krang for my limited scope display. Def want splinter, but the combo with one I don't want made me pass. For now.
I have both “vintage” Krang bodies and they are great pieces. I have seen some reviews on YouTube with krang and he is very brittle. The one review, the yellow box that holds krang cracked and others talk about heating every part up before you try him. I have pretty much given up on neca turtles, because I can’t find them in store. 7 targets within 30 miles of me, I check several times a week and nothing. I did jump on the sets that neca offered direct. So I hope neca does that with the others sets as well.
That top villain pic is pure art by the way.
For the most part I’ve just been incredibly lucky with the TMNT toon line. I’m probably in Target at least four to five times a week looking for them. Most of the time I walk out empty handed, but sometimes I hit it just right. The other day I was able to finish my Triceraton Army with the recent in store 2-pack.
Splinter and Krang Android body are definitely more iconic, but I think the Triceratons may be my favorite villains so far. I’m all caught up now until Rat King which is beginning to hit stores around the country.
I wish everyone could find these more easily.
Shuper shweet shoot. Double thumbs. The lab shots are very pro.
I wish the Krang body had bigger feet. Same for April. Makes them hard to stand. When he falls it scares the crap out of me lol.
I don't think most people would mind if the feet were bigger. It's a subtle change with a big pay off.
It's been pointed out to me, and now I can't un-see it...the eye slits on Krang's Android Body are two completely different sizes. If you look, the left slit is longer than the right one. That's some sloppy sculpting there, NECA.
I’m sorry but all the neca turtles look like customs to me. Nat bad customs, but customs none the less. And customs that the paint was never done that great on.
P.S. damn you to hell dolemite. I see nothing else now. Nothing!
Saw Robo krang the other day. Glad I stuck with First Gokin Cerebral. That looks sooooo much better.
That being said, Splinter & Baxterfly might be my two favorites from the line. Splinter finally gets a good toy, it feels sturdier than many of the previous Neca figures. Just a really well made bugger.
Speaking of bugs... Baxterfly is just adorable. So much articulation in such a tiny figure. Seems more like an accessory than a action figure. The Shredderfly is my favorite accessory. I plant it throughout the house and my wife shrieks when she sees it until she realizes what it is. Lol
Thank you Neca!
Full Thread: TMNT - Splinter, Baxter, Krang, Zarax, Zork Photo Gallery
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