Figure Review: Play Arts Kai Variant Bone Predator

He'll feast on your flesh and chew on your bones...

An ugly MoFo who's chock-full of calcium

Picture this: A wounded samurai, you walk down a dark and dank cave passageway, alone and desperately searching for a seemingly elusive exit. The stench of death and blood fills the air, penetrating your nostrils. As you pass through the nightmarish landscape, you step over the skeletons of the unfortunate souls who never found their way out. Suddenly, you hear a noise from behind you, and feel more than smell a foul breath on the back of your neck, instantly sending shivers down your spine. You stop dead in your tracks, reach for your katana with a weakened hand, and turn. Then you see it. It is huge. It is hideous. It is hungry. The demon - an otherworldly predator - wants your blood, and it is ready to feast on your flesh until you're nothing but a pile of bones laid on the ground...

...WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO??

Finally, the second half of Play Arts Kai's extraterrestrial duo has finally arrived, and I surely am glad to own another great rendition of a sci-fi icon. PAK's first offering was the classic/American Predator (a.k.a. Ahnuld's nemesis), which is, in my opinion, the best representation of the Yautjan behemoth's movie incarnation. The second one is what I'd call its 'Japanese counterpart', as it has repeatedly been referred to as the Oni Predator. The word 'oni' refers to a kind of humanoid yokai (supernatural monster) which has usually been portrayed in Japanese folklore as a hideous, gigantic ogre-like creature with wild hair, sharp claws, and two long horns sitting on top of its head. Moreover, it is also depicted as sporting a loincloth and wielding an enormous club known as the kanabo. Such imagery leads to the expression 'oni with an iron club', which means to be 'indomitable' or 'indestructible'. Indeed, these elements comprise the figure itself, which I will discuss in further detail.

Nope, this isn't the guy who had a few days to kill in L.A. back in '97 

When I first saw the figure's prototype in last year's San Diego Comic Con (SDCC), I honestly thought (and expected) that it was the one from Predator 2 (specifically the 'Warrior Predator'), mainly because of the figure's skin tone and that it was standing next to the prototype of the classic version. However, I eventually saw that it was lacking the signature weapons such as the combi-stick and the smart-disc, and that's when I realized that this was another variant. Despite an unmet expectation, I'm certainly in good spirits that the guys over at Play Arts came up with this figure, which is officially known as the 'Bone Predator'.

A gloomy and bloody packaging

Let's start with the packaging. The Bone Predator's box is much wider as compared to the other offerings of Play Arts Kai, which is both good and bad - 'good' because it is more of a unique type of packaging, and 'bad' considering that it could take up more space should it be displayed within a cabinet. The packaging has a red and black motif, which complements the figure inside. Furthermore, the style of the Predator's name on the packaging is much simpler as compared to that of the classic version.

"Why me?"

 Figure description:

"An Alien Race That Lives to Hunt

Lone alien hunters originating from a culture based entirely on aggressive tracking and combat, the Predators are equally feared and respected throughout the cosmos. Their existence is only rumor but their presence is intimidating. Merciless yet honorable, they have no code of good and evil -- just kill or be killed. Utilizing advanced weaponry and technology, they can adapt to any and all terrain or prey. The hunt is on...

Bone Predator
Even routine hunts can go wrong... The origins of the Japanese monster myth

While exploring a world in the beginning stages of civilization, an errant Predator is left stranded and nearly weaponless on a rocky deserted island in the archipelago of Japan. With survival as its primary goal, the alien hunter adapts, heading into direct combat and making itself even more fearsome to the natives. It covers itself in bones from fallen prey and wields makeshift weaponry. From this lone warrior springs the tale of an infamous ogre... Ancient Japanese folklore is full of legends of this creature. Believed to be demons from hell, they are said to hunt down sinners on earth, crushing their bones and peeling back their flesh to make them pay for their sins. It was said that they had an insatiable appetite for human flesh, an unquenchable thirst for human blood. Those who claim to have laid eyes on the monster all described a similar silhouette: horns atop its head, long sharp claws, skin red as blood, wild hair, carrying a massive gnarled, thorny club. The Predator survives by feasting on human flesh, hunting down anyone wretched enough to land on the rocky shores of its home, from samurai warriors to sea-bedraggled fisherman. Those unlucky enough to come in contact with this Bone Predator would have to make a deal with the devil himself to survive the encounter..."

Breathing in that new action figure smell...

The Bone Predator almost has the same dark plastic mold with the classic Predator, except that it has its own distinct accessories. It's also interesting to note that there are only three additional replaceable hands for the figure, whereas the classic one has four.

...

Then there's this one. 'Nuff said.

For the Bone Predator's accessories, he's got the following:

(1) A primitive-looking bio-mask:

It's horny

(2) A removable mandible/mouth piece:

Extraterrestrial pie-hole

(3) A pair of open hands and a semi-closed one:

He's probably a biker back at home

(4) A removable three-pointed claw:

Good ol' Jimmy ain't got nothin' on him

(5) A bone club:

Got soup?

Moving on to the core figure:

A calcified alien

Just like the classic version, the Bone Predator sports some neat sculpting. He stands around 11 inches tall, and has over 20 points of articulation. One thing that's notable is that the figure's aesthetic design looks more primitive than the other, which suggests that he could either be an ancestor, or simply someone who shared almost a similar fate with Tom Hanks who's been forced to go into 'survival mode'. He's quite 'bony' from the bottom to the top, which justifies the package description stating that he covers himself in bones from his unlucky victims.

They're getting prettier by the minute...

When it comes right down to it, the Bone Predator is another ugly MoFo. He has the same facial structure with his distant cousin, save for some horns on his noggin. Also, his mouth basically has the same style as the other one, with the exception that he's got bigger teeth and mandibles since he's the carnivorous-type based on his description - more of a monster than a hunter, so to speak.

"Mi gat big hair, mon!"

The Bone Predator also has the signature alien dreadlocks, which are long, hair-like appendages on its head set into its skull. As compared to the classic Predator's dreadlocks, he's got a thicker mane with a black/red hue and semi-translucent tips.

Bony dud

Looking at the torso area, the Bone Predator, as his name suggests, is composed of a red/yellow bony armor. He's got that primeval look, devoid of any weapon or armor plating, and I'd picture him as someone who prefers brute force over fancy weaponry. He's got a couple of hinged shoulder pads which can be moved upwards and downwards. Moreover, he wears a codpiece on the crotch area and a Tarzan-like loincloth covering his high-knee.

Jurassic tootsies

For the lower limbs section, the Bone Predator sports a hinged hip armor on both sides that can be slightly moved upwards and downwards. He also sports a black/yellow leg armor, which serves as shin guards. Furthermore, he has the same feet as his American counterpart, which resembles that of a dinosaur's, specifically a T-Rex.

All he needs is a sword... and a bottle of Sake.

The Bone Predator also has a couple of neatly sculpted bracers/gauntlets just like his counterpart. However, his bracers are more of the armor-type than technological, which works well for the figure. 

Now for some cool poses:

He's in the mood for boxing

Snikt!

BP's ready to go clubbin'

And here he is posed with the classic version:

Hats off to these bad-ass Predators!

Final thoughts: Now, you might be wondering why there's no picture of the Bone Predator wearing his bio-mask. The reason for this is that his removable forehead has been inserted snug tight, which is really a tough nut to crack when it comes to taking it off. I'm still figuring out how to remove it without chipping the paint or surface, and perhaps I'll just update this blog post once I've successfully set the helmet in place. That nitpick aside, I consider myself lucky to own this excellent figure from Play Arts Kai, especially since I'm a big Predator fan. The Bone Predator has got a superb sculpt, a cool body armor, some nifty weapons, as well as an archaic yet flamboyant ogre-like design. Despite the undeniable steep price tag, it's absolutely worth every penny considering the overall package!

He's happy with his new souvenir    

Would you like to see more Predator figures from Play Arts Kai? Sound off in the comments below.

Figure Review: Play Arts Kai Predator

The Predator - I'd consider this guy as one of the meanest, coolest, and most badass characters ever created in the history of geekdom. I first saw him in one of Arnold Schwarzenegger's 80's sci-fi/action flicks, entitled 'Predator'. The story follows an elite band of soldiers, led by Arnie's character Major Alan "Dutch" Schaefer, sent on a mission in a jungle to rescue an official held hostage by rebels/guerillas in Val Verde (which, by the way, is a fictional country). Upon reaching the place, they are secretly stalked by the Predator (played by the late Kevin Peter Hall), a technologically advanced form of extraterrestrial life who crashlands in the jungle prior to the team's arrival. The big guy (he's a bulky, 200+ pound, 7-footer) kills off Arnie's team members one by one, starting with Hawkins (played by Shane Black - yup, that guy who directed 2013's "Iron Man 3"). Schaefer ultimately faces-off with the Predator in a climactic combat/duel, wherein he emerged as the victor. The Predator wasn't able to accept his defeat and entered into a suicidal "if I die, you die" move, setting off his wrist gauntlet as a mini-atomic bomb (which Arnie survives, much to his disappointment - ha ha!).  

One of my most watched sci-fi flicks

I've got to admit that I've watched this movie a million times already since I was a kid (and which I occasionally do so until now), so I know the story quite well. The film was followed by Predator 2, which was set in the streets of Los Angeles, with Danny Glover in the lead role. Other sequels/spin-off/reboots/whatever emerged, namely 'Aliens vs Predator', 'Aliens vs Predator 2: Requiem', and the latest which was entitled 'Predators'.

McFarlane's Celtic Predator - Cool mask!

There were several toy companies in the past that produced Predator figures. As far as I can remember, Kenner produced one of the first lines of these figures, which included several versions - namely the Scavage, Cracked Tusk, Spiked Tail (I never knew Predators had tails though), and Lava Planet versions, among others. McFarlane's also took their chance in representing the Predators, which they based on the original movies as well as the AvP movies - featuring the Elder, Scar, and Celtic Predators (with some boxed sets too). There's also NECA who, until this day, produces a wide array of Predator versions, which are really cool as well. From Kenner to McFarlane's to NECA, the figures improved, particularly on the sculpt and articulation.

SDCC 2014 Prototype - "Two thumbs up!"

Then along came Play Arts Kai. Now, Play Arts is well-known for their keen attention to detail, and when I first saw the pics of the Classic Predator from the San Diego Comic-Con of 2014 circling around the Web, I was completely mind-blown! I mean, a great company to produce one of the most iconic movie characters/aliens (and not to mention one of my favorites) - that's just plain awesome! I only had one thing in mind: "I gotta have it!". Almost a year later, I now own one of the most outstanding figures ever made in the history of making action figures!

Whew! That was the longest intro I've written so far - ha ha! Now, let's get to the review:

That's one dope packaging!

So first, we have the figure's packaging. The front package art shows the Predator (also known as the 'Yautja') standing in a forest, like he's patiently (or impatiently) waiting to kick Arnie's butt. At the back of the packaging, we see the Predator in several cool poses, along with some English, Japanese and German texts. As a trademark of the Play Arts packaging, it has an open flap which features the backstory of the figure. The figure itself can be seen clearly behind the translucent plastic, along with his various accessories (which I will discuss in detail later).

Extra info...

Figure description: "The result of a primitive culture paired with a supreme intellect, the Predator established itself as a new breed of invader from space. Now the original Predator makes its appearance in the PLAY ARTS KAI lineup. Its raw, organic details as well as the realistic metallic sheen of its armor are both captured in this one figure, to bring out the contrasting primal and advanced technological characteristics of the Predator. 

Utilization of translucent parts in select areas and the intense paintwork application creates the realistic wet look of a living creature, while inorganic elements like the armor and weapons are tarnished and weathered, just like in the movie. 

There are a wide variety of accessories, from an interchangeable face piece and helmet, to a human skull that the Predator has obtained through its hunt. Figure also includes display stand and interchangeable hand parts."

A-little-hard-to-open clamshell packaging

Opening the box and getting its content out, we can see the figure neatly and tightly stored within a clamshell package. It would take some effort to separate the translucent plastic from the dark plastic that encase the figure, but that's how you'll know that the figure hasn't been tampered with (otherwise, if you see the two materials already separated even with the slightest distance, then you need to think twice before buying it).

Bulky and useless

Then we have the "obligatory" figure stand. Like I said before in my Armored Batman review, I really don't utilize the stand as it could take up some space within the cab - it's bulky and I can say that it's useless because Play Arts figures can stand well on their own (unless, of course, you're going to display them sporting some dramatic pose). As of now, I've already got tons of Play Arts stands piled up somewhere, perhaps I'd sell them to interested parties.

Let's get down to the accessories. Now, the Predator doesn't have much accessories, but I think he has everything he needs to be an imposing brute. He's got:

(1) A removable mandible/mouth piece and a cool alien helmet (Bio-Helmet):

Say "Aaaaa"

(2) Two pairs of interchangeable hands:

Hands down

(3) An articulated shoulder cannon (Plasma Caster):

Little boomstick!

(4) The skull of Mac, one of Schaefer's unfortunate buddies:

The skull of old Ben...

Moving on to the actual figure:

Sway!

Like I've mentioned earlier, Play Arts really pays close attention to detail, and all I can say is that they've nailed it - 110%! From head to toe, this Predator figure is sheer perfection. It stands about 10 inches tall, and weighs approximately 480 grams.

"You're one ugly motherf*cker" - Dutch

Let's start with the face. According to Dutch, the Predator is "one ugly motherf*cker", and really, no other words can describe its mug. It's got a face only a mother could love - featuring small yellow eyes that are nearly obscured due to their depth, and arthropod-like mandibles with no visible nose. Other sources speculate that their mandibles may be used in reproduction or mating rituals (yikes!). It sports a reptilian-like, brown/green/black combo complexion, with traces of sweat or moisture all over.

Eeekkk!!!

With its mouth opened, the Predator has a limited number of teeth - two on its upper gum and four on the lower one. As hideous as its visage may seem, Stan Winston really did a great job in designing the creature.

"Ya Mon!"

The Predator is well-known for its signature "dreadlocks" - long, hair-like appendages on its head that are set into its skull. The dreadlocks are crafted well into the figure's head, with a magnificent "swaying" effect. The locks have blackish hue, which slowly become translucent at the tips.

Ze epic mask

The figure features an alternate head - the dark gray bio-mask. In the movies, this is perhaps the most important equipment of the Predator, as it contains several systems to enhance the creature's thermal vision, as well as offer additional vision modes in other electromagnetic spectra (ranging from night vision to ultraviolet and even vibration scanning). The mask is superbly sculpted, with three small dots on the upper right side, which serves as the Predator's triangulation laser sight to effectively wound or kill its prey/victim with the shoulder cannon (also known as the "plasma caster").

Alien dud and some decors

Moving on to the torso area, the Predator sports several neat features. The upper part of the torso is comprised of a strap-on dark gray armor, which resembles that of a gladiator's battle armor. The Predator also wears a net-like suit which is evident on its torso, left arm, and both legs. Furthermore, the figure wears two slings adorned with some bone fragments - particularly a spine and several tiny skulls.

He needs extra-terrestrial pants...

For the waist section, the Predator has a dark gray crotch armor, with two hip plates/guards on both sides. Underneath the crotch armor is a Tarzan-ish cloth piece which has a brown-black color tone.

Jurassic feet

On the lower limbs section, the Predator has a nicely detailed leg armor that serves as shin guards. Moreover, the creature's feet somehow resembles that of a dinosaur's, particularly a T-Rex.

Take a bow

As for its weaponry, the Predator sports a plasma caster on the left shoulder, attached to a large shoulder pack. This device is a ranged weapon that is able to direct plasma bolts at distant targets, which is aimed via the Bio-Mask/helmet.

Snikt!

The Predator also has two gauntlets/bracers. The right bracer serves as a storage for the wrist blades (razor-sharp serrated blades used for close combat).

The last resort (Ka-Boom!)

The left bracer functions as the creature's Sat-Com, which (1) incorporates a touch-pad technology to control its cloaking device, (2) serves as a self-destruct mechanism ('hara-kiri' mode), and (3) remotely pilots Predator vessels (as seen in the movie 'Predators') as well. Moreover, the pad can be opened, revealing some really cool details.

Heroic pose!

Open wide!

The Predator can be posed in several epic stances. But like I've stated in my previous review, I tend not to put my figures in their maximum posing capabilities - once I've placed them in a nifty pose, then that's it.

Time Check!

One of my favorite Predator stance is what I personally call the "time-check pose".

Yautjan soliloquy: "To be, or not to be..."

Final thoughts: When I first saw the SDCC pics of the Predator, I was certainly stoked with it. It's movie accurate, and for a price of around 120 bucks (U.S.), it's absolutely worth every penny. In my opinion, this Play Arts version is what I'd call the best among the rest of the Predator figures out there. It's truly a must have for every Predator fan!

Bloodmatch!

Do you reckon this is the best Predator figure yet? Let me know in the comments below.