Takayuki Takeya

The Movie Realization series from Tamashii Nations has been one of the most excellent re-imaginings of characters --- particularly in the Star Wars universe --- in the figure realm in quite some time. It was such a success, Tamashii turned its attention to comics for the next Realization line, which kicked off with Spider-Man as a samurai. Though I wasn't a huge fan of the figure's design, I could appreciate what the company was trying to do, and was eager to see what other Marvel characters would get the Manga Realization treatment next. It shouldn't have come as any surprise that Iron Man, one of the most popular action figure characters in Marvel's catalog, would follow Spider-Man into the Samurai era. Fortunately, all the issues I had with Spider-Man aren't present here, and Tamashii has delivered an impressive new twist on the armored Avenger.

Over the past year or so, Tamashii Nations' Movie Realization series for Star Wars stormed onto shelves and became one of the most sought-after lines in the collecting community. While the standard Star Wars figures will always suffice, Tamashii's bold interpretations took the brand back to its own inspirations, and gave us some of the most unique Star Wars toys ever. Now the Japanese company is turning its eye to comics, and putting heroes like Spider-Man through the same feudal era lens.

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