The Netflix-exclusive ULTRAMAN anime has concluded its run with the final season released a couple of months ago. Despite this, neither Bandai Hobby, nor Tamashii Nations, has a complete set of 1/12 Ultraman Suit model kits/figures released, or even announced, at this point. I’m not sure if this represents uncertainty in the marketability of these items but at this point, we don’t have a brand that promises a complete line-up. This is where the company COOLPLAYFUN enters the scene.
I really haven’t heard of COOLPLAYFUN outside of their press release for their ULTRAMAN figures, but that’s not saying anything of the quality of their releases. That’s because the company is really more on the designer toy space and not in mass retail like Hasbro or even Tamashii Nations. Though I can say that if they’re able to deliver the lineup they’ve teased above, then I’ll be impressed.
Speaking of lineup, they now have two figures up for pre-orders while another two are coming soon, so let’s take a look.
Starting the lineup is, of course, the first Ultraman Suit or the B-Type as it’s referred to in the Figure-rise Standard box. The way they’re presented here really gives me the same vibes as the threezero while actually staying in proper 1/12 scale. The Ultraman Suit stands at 15cm or 5.9 inches and is made with a mix of plastic and die-cast parts, which should provide heft and that premium feel. Both the eyes and color timer will also come with LED light up gimmicks, as well as several effect parts. Lastly, this, and likely the rest of the lineup, will come with dedicated display stands for flight poses.
1/12 Ultraman Suit
December 2023 – January 2024 / $95
The same details also apply to their Ace Suit figure, most notable is the inclusion of effect parts for its signature Vertical Guillotine attack.
1/12 Ultraman Suit Ace / Ace Suit
December 2023 – January 2024 / $95
Lastly, they also teased the next two releases in the pipeline — the Zoffy Suit and Jack Suit. Both the Ultraman and Ace Suits are currently priced at $94.99 and while I assume Zoffy Suit will be the same, the Jack Suit will likely be more expensive as it is larger overall.
With the Zoffy Suit having more Specium Cores (I think that’s what those were called) on the chest, then the light up gimmick would either just focus on the color timer or include each core too.
Okay, let me preface this by saying that the following isn’t me being skeptical but just being cautiously optimistic. But this could go either the Comicave Studios route where a lot were promised, and they were able to deliver a respectable number, but still not all; or this could go the threezero DLX route for the ULTRAMAN suits. Of course, I’d prefer the latter, that’s why I am supporting this company with my pre-orders. I imagine it will take the better portion of 2024 or even reaching 2025 to have all the teased figures released. But hey, we’ve already awaited Bandai Hobby and Tamashii Nations for quite a long time so the additional wait shouldn’t hurt.
For the official press release for this licensing agreement, head on to the COOLPLAYFUN website linked here.
