This week was a mixed bag of good news and bad news for Marvel Figuarts Collectors. Good news: Bandai is releasing SH Figuarts Infinity War Thor and Wasp Figures. Bad news: Both are Tamashii Web Exclusives and not available via the usual import stores. More bad news: Infinity War Thor won’t be getting a domestic release at all. But at least some good news: the SH Figuarts Wasp figure is, and is now up for order in the United States!

Back in the ancient times (about three years ago), Bandai didn’t yet have in place in kind of license that would allow them to distribute any of their MCU SH Figuarts figures within North America. Collectors had no alternative to buying their figures from resellers and import stores.

Thankfully, the light of an agreement allowed Bluefin Tamashii Nations to begin selling SH Figuarts Marvel Figures domestically, but we still don’t get every figure over here that Japan gets. Such is the case with one of this week’s new solicitations: Avengers Infinity War Thor.

Whether it’s because we just got Gladiator Thor released in the US this year or some other reason, not getting IW Thor domestically is a real blow (and really blows), as this is easily the best 6”-7” scale figure of the God of Thunder from the third Avengers movie.

While the Chris Hemsworth likeness on this Thor Figuarts is only decent, the level of detailing on the armor and the extreme amount of flexibility make this version better than the ones from Hasbro and Diamond Select Toys, in my opinion. Looks like I’ll be importing this directly via Nippon-Yasan (my recommended e-tailer for those who also want to import him).

Luckily, the other new action figure being added to the MCU wing of the S.H. Figuarts family actually will be getting an official release in North America: the S.H. Figuarts Wasp figure (from the Ant-Man and The Wasp movie, obviously).

While I’m overall very pleased with the ML Wasp Hasbro put out for the movie, that figure did have some room for improvements—improvements that Bandai Japan has implemented in their Wasp Figuarts. The range of motion looks much greater on this figure, with better proportions, more details and expanded arm articulation.

I’m not the biggest fan of The Wasp in the world (and I already ordered the Hot Toys MMS because I’m an addict), so I might pass on this Janet. Gorgeous work by Bandai, with the only obvious advantages to the Legends iteration being the unmasked Evangeline Lilly head and the fact that it’s a quarter of the price.

The Bandai Wasp SH Figuarts Figure is now up for order with free shipping, and is scheduled to be released in April 2019. I wouldn’t imagine she’ll pre-sell out super early like Thanos and Iron Spider did in the US, but this is also a first-time (and probably only time) release figure, so maybe I’ll be surprised.

Thoughts on the latest members of the Marvel S.H. Figuarts family? Are either of these action figures good enough to make you lay down the big bucks, or are you satisfied with the $20 ML versions of these characters?

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