Like all the figures on this line, Rouge is quite nice! The likeness is really good for Toy Island. She is VERY close to having a too-small head though. It's right on the borderline for her size, but she looks natural enough so they didn't cross it. She's articulated at the hip, shoulder and neck. Her wings don't do anything (they are soft smooth plastic) and you can't rotate her hands or feet, which is a shame because she'd look nice holding an emerald. She has minor "standing up" problems. Keeping her clean is a good idea, as her head plastic is (of course) white, but has a non-glossy surface and may trap/hold dirt if you're not careful.
Her body has a different style than the other figures. It looks like she is leaning foreward, even when she's not supposed to be.
Her hands are well done, with realistic wrinkles for the gloves and lady-like fingers. It's too bad you can't rotate her hands.
This group shot shows she' just a touch shorter than Sonic, but her head is actually smaller than Cream's! (not counting their ears) This was done to maintain a 'sexy' look for her, but they have to be *really* careful to keep her in proportion or she'll start looking wierd.
This close up reveals her eye lid paint does not go all the way to the edge of her eye, it's remarkable that it doesn't make her look strange! She also has a drop of paint for a 'lower lip' which is present in the show, but not in the games. It doesn't detract from her look. Because her head is put together lower, the ridge on the bottom is MUCH less noticeable, the other figures should be as lucky.
Figures & Emeralds
These are, by FAR, Toy Islands' best effort yet. These are figures you want to display, not hide because of embarassing expressions and ugly sculpts. They have consistent, solid sculpting for the heads that is accurate and proportional. The hands are all a realistic, good quality sculpt. There are no blatant paint errors running rampant or 'e-z break' action for these guys. The Chaos Emeralds they come with are also an improvement on their old ones, but there are less colors. (no green emerald, if you are wondering) If you're going to buy a Sonic the hedgehog action figure or line right now, make it this one!
That's not to say they are flawless.
-There's the issue with hands and feet that won't turn, even though it's simple to do and would help out.
-There's the Chris who can't really move.
-The line on the figures' chins could have been minimized because they've proven they could do it on other lines.
-They are not really posable, and won't stand up if you do
These are just little picky things that are simple to fix next line, and easy enough to overlook if you're buying. If Toy Island can keep up this quality, and then keep doing little improvements, they will have an EXCELLENT Sonic line that will really draw in the crowds. They CAN beat ReSaurus, and already have with this Sonic's head. Only tiny things hold these back from being really great, but SonicGear really recomends these as a good buy for your Sonic collection.
Figures & Emeralds Packaging Note!
In 2010, it is becoming apparent that the glue they use to hold the cards on CAN degrade. It may have to do with the humidity/dryness/positioning of the figure in your home, but DO be on the look-out for bubbles that fall off or peel away from the backing. This will only become MORE common as time goes on. Figures aren't necisarily meant to be kept MIB forever, so these can show signs of age/drop your figure on the floor (effectively de-boxing itself) if you hang the box from a peg on the wall. It's just a general reminder to watch over your figures (the weight of the toy pulls down on the bubble, if hung) for any signs of glue failure, and take action if needed. Info by: DioSoth
