Link: The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword (Figma)

Figma Link

Oh c'mon... Christmas is over; not one of Santa's merry toy making elves! Anyways, all joking aside, I'm sure everyone knows this iconic hero from the Zelda video game series. If you don't have any clue who this dude is or what the game is all about then that makes the two of us (like we care, right?) because never in my childhood years had I played Zelda. Call me "ungroovy" but I just can't get into it! Something just drives me not to like this game or maybe it's just me but at least I know this guy's name. His name is Link... distant cousin to Legolas and Tinker Bell's half-brother.















I might know a thing or two about this game but when it comes to action figures, I can tell you all that you need to know about the good ones like this Link figure by Figma. Looks like a CGI model, doesn't it? It's Figma's finest in my opinion, that is well translated from its pixelated origins to this articulated plastic. The details are just spot on based on his appearance in The Legends of Zelda Skyward Sword.

Never have I seen a figure so relaxing and soothing to look at. Link's vibrant and pastel-like colours makes it easy for my eyes gaze upon him for a long period even with his simplistic colour scheme. The paint is exceptional without any scuff marks or bleeds at the edges. You can see the pinpoint accuracy on the paint job just by looking at how the eyes are shaped, the designs embossed on the shield, and just the neat look on the figure. It's laughable to see how my beloved Marvel Legends tries to fair up with this Figma.

The overall sculpt is smooth and seamless as though someone "nail filed" all the curves and corners. All the wrinkles and creases on his clothing are sculpted realistically; bringing this character alive. While I admire the simplicity and neatness of how the paint is applied, the same can be said when it comes to Link's sculpt. The body mold is well proportioned and balanced... though I can see that he got a large head but this is significant to the feature of this character as it was in the game.

Heading down now to his accessories. There are two main accessories and the rest are extras and/or interchangeables. Like the S.H.Figuarts War Machine and other Japanese imports of his kind, Link has loads of them which you can switch around and play with. Most important feature for his accessories is the Master Sword and the Hylian Sword which can be assembled and stored together at his back along with the sword sheath that can be attached through this peg hole at his back. Link has another peg hole designated for the Figma clear stand that he comes with. Some people had voiced complains about how difficult this figure to stand and pose without the stand but so far, contrary to what people say, I haven't had a hard time executing some pose with this figure even with such small feet.

Link's Master Sword combined with this translucent blue plastic gives it some motion; simulating a slashing-hacking type effect! Also, using a "sword-pointing" hand (which comes in pairs) holding the sword tight, it allows you to get a better dynamic pose and a more pronounced swing. Because it fits nice and tight, I often worry about paint rubs around the hilt so it's probably advisable to snug it carefully and gently.  He has a total of five pairs of hands; the sword-pointing hands as I've just mentioned, the normal sword grips, the finger-spreaded hands, the calm or relaxed hands, and lastly, the clenched fists which was attached to the figure upon purchase.

With such a beautifully sculpted figure, surely there must be some sort of trade off. Not that I'm looking for one but it's just there in his articulation. Link does not have waist swivel around his belt, and the fact that he wears a skirt and although it's made of a pliable plastic material still makes it hard for me to get him to do a better running pose. His head barely moves up because of the hair; rendering the ball-joint to his neck useless albeit rather not a deal breaker. Link got ball-jointed shoulders, double-jointed elbows and hinges to the wrists at the arms. Diaphragm swivel at the torso and a complex T-joint at the hips. His knees rotates and they're double-jointed with toe and ankle articulation at his feet and ankle rockers.

Surprisingly, Link is in perfect scale with almost all my 6-inch Marvel Legends figures! Standing at exactly 5 inches tall, he is like Thor's boy wonder sidekick. The Figma Link is a solid figure that earns recommendation especially for those of you who grew up playing the Zelda games. This figure is yet another example of top level import quality.