Ultraman: Ultra-Act Series

[Gojira Prime]

[Timz]

[Flame of Udin]

Accessories for the newly announced figures:





Also coming out shortly after:

[Timz]

[kidnicky]

[Baltan II]

They're about six inches tall, sharing the same scale as the average 6" Ultraman (and by extension, Godzilla) vinyl figures. Depending on retailer, expect to pay $30-40 per Ultra, $30-50 per kaiju.

[Timz]

[Gojira Prime]

[Timz]

[Baltan II]

[Timz]

[Gojira Prime]

[Baltan II]

[Timz]

[Baltan II]

A day later due to work, but my promised look at Ultra-Act Baltan II:



This was my October haul from AmiAmi - aside from the obvious Ultra-Act, the vinyl figure is of the new Baltan, Andro the Killer, made from a Mecha Baltan design contest. His Daikaiju Battle game card looks like some kind of special finisher for multiple Baltans - the original, Mecha Baltan, Powered Baltan, Baltan from Ultraman Cosmos, and Dark Baltan from Ultraman Max.



The box! I don't quite love the more abstract art style on the front, but it certainly stands out, and the rest of the box is just perfect.



Opening this bad boy up reveals the nice plastic tray, taped securely on all four sides (curiously, Figuarts used to do this but don't seem to anymore). You get a very clear look at Baltan, his accessories, and nothing else rattling around in the package.



Although he's very... brown, Baltan hardly looks dull. There's no mistaking this guy for a heroic character at all. His distinctive arthropoid appearance works well in toy form. There are many subtle highlights, such as his carapace skirt and striped calves, and those claws and eyes really stand out.



Size comparison with Andro the Killer once out of package. The scale holds up quite well with these two. I didn't go all-out and grab a bunch of other vinyls for comparison.



This sillier pose is intended to highlight the ridiculous arm and leg articulation of Baltan. He possesses those wonderful Figuart type 1 hips, ball-and-socket that also extend from the hips for additional range of motion. Double-jointed knees, swivel ankles, a second swivel AND rocker ankle, and ball-jointed toes.

Arms? Ball-and-socket shoulders. Double-jointed elbow/arm segment that bends nearly 180 degrees. Wrist swivel for the giant claws, and claws open and close.

As for the body, Baltan sports a limited ball-joint in the neck due to the headpiece, another ball-joint in the chest, and a waist swivel. That head is really not intended for turning around, but neither was the costume, so there is no loss here at all.



Further highlighting just how articulated these feet are, but even then it's difficult to explain how well they work. Easily superior to the joints on any S.H. Figuart that has existed, or Ultraman for that matter.



I love these things! These blast effect accessories are quite nice. No bubbles in the clear plastic, which is not easy, durable, and attach securely inside the claws without making you afraid of breaking them or loosening the connectors from constant use.



This version of Baltan is not the first. This is technically Baltan II, still from the original Ultraman series. As such, he had a few abilities unique to his appearance, the most notable being these: mirrors in his chest designed to reflect Ultraman's Specium Ray. They are very cleverly done and require no parts-swapping, but you'll never notice them if you didn't know about them before. Great feature here!





Last but not least are these little guys: in the aforementioned appearance, a bunch of mini Baltans also appeared to aid Baltan. Six are included and must be clipped from their sprue before use. They are well-done, but you need to be sure to clip off the plastic on their feet well before display. Frankly, I don't have enough use for them, and they'd be far too easy to lose without some stand for them, so in the box they remain. Never even clipped off the other five.



You know how people leaving feedback on eBay and the like may leave a ridiculous "A++++++++"? Well, I found a figure that I can honestly say deserves the same. It would be nigh-impossible to think of a feature missing... other than being able to slice Baltan in half, but that's a stretch.

Alien Baltan is a quality figure, made of a sturdy mix of different plastic and vinyl. Absolutely none of the flaws on Ultraman are repeated here, which is good news as we're getting this mold , and possibly Baltan III (a minor cameo, but he WAS slightly different). I'll be there to buy any other incarnation I can for sure, as I just love Baltan.

When I have the chance, I'm going to pull out my Action Monster Series version of Baltan, since until this guy came along he was the only articulation 6" Baltan around, and he really couldn't do much in comparison.

[Gojira Prime]

Thanks again for sharing your pics & review!

The figure looks stunning, and I'm glad the QC issues are nonexistent. I hope that trend continues.

Now, where's my package with my Baltan II???!!!

[Timz]

I like that photo number 6 Leon. Looks like he is sneaking up on some Ultras. LOL! On the head, his head can rotate left to right. I discovered that Friday I think. I will be sure to show that off in my youtube review video. Which I am running a day behind myself for showing it off. Looks like it will be done tomorrow. I am in great agreement with Leon, Baltan II ROCKS as a figure. I really, really like it. I watched the episode 10 of the original Ultraman series just to see how it was onscreen with what was produced. The yellow highlights on the legs aren't as vivid as in the tv show episode. I wonder why they muted the color down? Yet they did a great job on the luminous eyes.

In looking at the pic of the Toy World reveal of the first Baltan Ultra-Act (along with the blue transparent ones), I tend to like the Baltan II design more. I think I would like to have a couple more of the Baltan II figures for like some buddy back-up.

[MekaGojira3k]

[Timz]

I found more pics that look great! Seven in several poses, along with a more up close pic of classic Baltan and Kieriod (sp) on display. Click the thumbnails for larger pics where seen.















Mebius in box right behind Seven





















Though all these Ultra figures look great, and I will end up getting most of them, my favorite overall will still be...


I just LOVE my Hayata Ultraman figure. I don't have any midsection torso problems, and my joints are not really that loose. I do pose it quite a bit.


I found some new pose pics and one has Seven wearing a cape of the Ultra Brothers. I don't know if maybe they just took a spare cape from the First Ultraman Ultra-Act and used it on Seven, but we will soon see if they give Seven a cape or not.




while we are at it, a few more Multi-Type Tiga, Sky Tiga and Kyrieloid pics...

[Gojira Prime]

Good Lord, this line is going to destroy my wallet! Thankfully, the releases are spread apart. That might not last much longer considering all the figures show in the pics.

Seven and Eleking are "must haves!" Mebius is next on my list, since he's due out later this month.

I'm not sure what I'll do about Tiga with all the variations planned.

Oh, and this dropped by my house today...



Not going to post that many pics, since we have some really good poses posted already.





Just an amazing sculpt with zero QC issues as Pedoleon mentioned! The joints are extremely tight. Can't say much more.

[Timz]

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[Timz]

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[Timz]