Just a few years ago, if you wanted a 12" GI Joe-sized samurai action figure, this would've meant finding someone able to build a very expensive custom-made figure.  While many of today's 1/6 scale samurai figures are not cheap, they are available and a lot less expensive than trying to build one from scratch.  If you're interested in your own 1/6 samurai or ninja, here are some samurai figures produced in recent years:

NEW AND UPCOMING RELEASES (updated on 4/11/08)

-- DiD: Toyotomi Hideyoshi

-- Ignite: Swordsman

For more info on these latest offerings, please read below ...

ALFREX

Alfrex produced a number of 12" figures based on film and historical figures. Their first two figures were Toshiro Mifune as Yojimbo and Shintaro Katsu as the blind masseuse Zatoichi. While these figures were expensive when first released (about $150 US), they featured a unique, highly-articulated figure, highly-detailed outfits, and swords with metal blades. Some of the touches were particularly unique, such as Yojimbo's small sake set.  With the success of these figures, the Alfrex line continued to grow and featured other stars, such as Sonny Chiba as the ninja Hattori Hanzo in Kage No Gundan TV series or as Yagyu Jubei.  The Hattori Hanzo set included a ninja sword, shuriken throwing stars, grappling hook, and other ninja weaponry.

Alfrex's most ambitious release was the Seven Samurai set, based on the classic Akira Kurosawa film. Alfrex sold these seven figures as one complete set, while a separate "power-up" set was available for weapons (rifle, axe, bow and arrows) and armor parts. Another noteworthy set is the Lone Wolf and Cub figure, which included the legendary movie swordsman and child with their cart.  Alfrex also produced a few female figures, such as Kaoru Yumi as female ninja Koru Yumi. 

In recent years, Alfrex slowed its release of new figures. Its more recent offerings included Ryoma Sakamoto and Shinsaku Takasugi.

Older Alfrex figures, such as Yojimbo, Zatoichi, and Hattori Hanzo, are now quite rare and sought after with mint-in-box figures often selling for close to $250-300 on eBay.

SAMURAI COLLECTIBLES

Samurai Collectibles released two samurai figures, the Tokugawa Daimyo and Tokugawa Ronin.  While the Daimyo figure is detailed and traditional, the Ronin is particularly unique for its older, partially blind figure with straw mat, spear, and other accessories. Each figure had a limited production of 1,000.  These figures can be found for less than $100.

Samurai Collectibles also released a carded set of two metal swords (the long katana sword and short wakizashi sword), which originally retailed for about $15.

SEA INTERNATIONAL

Sea International produces a wide collection of WWII, samurai, and fantasy 1/6 action figures.  When Sea International released its figures, they were particularly unique because they featured full samurai armor.  Sea International first released two versions of Tokugawa Ieyasu, one in gold armor and a second, harder-to-find version in black armor.  Sea International later released a special version of Tokugawa Ieyasu in his fearsome two-horned kabuto helmet plus a furry black armor.  While Sea International's armor is not made of metal, these detailed figures are still unique and impressive.  These figures often sell for $65-100 on eBay.  Sea International also released "Hero of Samurai" with a figure resembling Tom Cruise and his armor worn in "The Last Samurai."  This figure is highly rare and sells for $400-500+ on eBay.

While not a samurai figure, Sea International released a figure in kendo gear in 2007.  Kendo is Japanese fencing in the tradition of the samurai.  The figure includes a shinai (bamboo sword) and armor.  This release sells for about $70-80 on eBay.

DiD

When DiD hit the action figure scene, collectors were impressed with the caliber of detail and metal accessories for its WWII action figures. In 2006, DiD amazed collectors with its rendition of Date Masamune, the legendary daimyo from Japanese history. This figure included a kabuto helmet and armor with individual metal plates connected by thread. The katana and short swords were also full metal.

There are two versions of the Date Masamune figure.  The rare and limited Japanese version featured a larger box with bow, arrows, armor box, and display racks for about $300, though it now sells for more on eBay.  The international version does not include the bow, arrows, armor box, screen, or display racks, but includes a different younger head with hair, a second alternate head (screaming) with hair, and vest.  The international version typically can be found for about $100-$135, though it has sold for less than $100 on rare occasions on eBay.

In 2007, DiD released two additional samurai - Takeda Shingen and Ii Naomasa.  DiD's Takeda Shingen was another exceptionally detailed figure with hand-made armor based on a historical figure.  The Japanese version featured a larger box with screen, banners, stool, and display racks.  The international version is more affordable, featuring a different version head plus a screaming alternate head and less accessories than the Japanese version.  The international version can be found for $100-135.  In addition, DiD released a special, highly-detailed horse figure with saddle and fittings to make the perfect and truly unique accessory for the Takeda Shingen figure. 

DiD's third samurai release was Ii Naomasa, featuring his signature red armor and horned kabuto helmet.  Like the first two releases, the Japanese version featured a larger box with screen, banners, stool, and display racks.  The international version has fewer accessories, but included a mustached version of the head, plus a screaming alternate head.  The international version can be found for $100-135.

In 2008, DiD announced that the fourth samurai release will be Toyotomi Hideyoshi.  Pictures of the Japanese version of the release indicate a similar set of high-quality armor, along with the screen, banners, stool, and other accessories.

BOFORD / MONONOFU

Boford does not sell action figures, but offers a line of accessories appropriate for a 12" samurai action figure.  Boford's Mononofu line includes a number of blind-boxed items, referred to as "gashapon," some of which are 1/6 scale.  These highly detailed weapons generally feature metal blades, which can be used by collectors to "kitbash" and produce their own 1/6 samurais. The Mononofu III line featured several of the legendary swords of Shinsengumi. Mononofu V featured ninja swords, Zatoichi's sword plus dice, Excalibur, and other weapons.  One of its recent releases is based on the swords of the Shinsengumi, a special group of samurai from Japanese history.

Each of these series included a secret weapon or item, such as Mononofu V's Miyamoto Musashi-inspired two swords set.  More recently, Boford released a series based on the Blade of the Immortal series. It is important to note, however, that not all of Mononofu's items are 1/6 scale, such as the Mononofu I and II series in 1/10 scale, so be sure to check the scale.  Depending on item or series, individual boxes typically run between $7-12. Complete sets are also often available on eBay, which can sometimes be a more affordable alternative than trying to build the set by gradually buying individual boxes.

MEISTER JAPAN

Meister Japan has produced a number of gashapon for 1/6 samurai collectors.  The Gekitou-Sengokubusyo series featured swords along with short banners with Japanese mon (family crests).  Meister Japan also produced 1/6 swords, spears, and exotic weapons based on the Dynasty Warriors video game.  However, other gashapon series were not 1/6, such as "The Japanese Famous Armor" sets.

In 2007, Meister Japan released gashapon based on the Hissatsu Shigotonin series.  Two of the items in this nine item set (includes 1 secret item) are 1/6 swords, while other items vary in scale.  There are a number of unique items in this set, such as a book that hides two small pieces of Japanese money and a very small jutte.  

TRIAD TOYS

Triad Toys is a new company offering a range of high-quality 1/6 scale outfits. One of its outfits is entitled Kabuki, which is an Asian-inspired outfit available in black or white for female figures. Triad Toys also released male and female ninja outfits.  Amaya, one of their deluxe sets, includes a female ninja outfit, custom made headsculpt, and a pair of sais.  The outfits can range from about $25-35, while the deluxe Amaya retails for about $120.

Expanding its ninja offerings, Triad Toys recently announced its Genzoukage and Shiroikage figures, its first full-boxed figure sets.  Genzoukage is dressed in black with two metal sickles, while Shiroikage is dressed in white with a sword and throwing stars.  The figures are reminiscent of the Sho Kosugi movie, "Enter the Ninja."  Each of these sets retail for $119.99 and are expected in early 2008.

Triad Toys also now offers its 1/6 scale sais separately, which retail for $12.99.

IGNITE

Known for its line of detailed 1/6 scale medieval knights and historical figures, Ignite released its Ninja action figure in early 2008.  With a MSRP of $44.99, their figure appears to be a new and affordable ninja set, complete with ninja-to sword, hand claws, shuriken throwing stars, and other weapons.  

Ignite recently announced its next Japanese figure will be the Swordsman.  Fans of Beat Takeshi's version of Zatoichi may notice that the headsculpt of this clothed figure has a resemblence to the title character, as well as a sword and beads.

There are reports of more ninjas to come from Ignite in different colored uniforms with unique weapons.  Stay tuned.

OTHER COMPANIES

BBI/Takara: The Cool Girl / Cy Girl line by Takara/BBI included two stylized ninja figures. The first of these ninja figures was Shadow, which included a sword, interchangeable hands, and modern weapon accessories. Affiliated with the Cy Girls videogame, the second ninja was Aska, featuring a different outfit plus armor.  The Aska figure uses Takara's 2.0 body, which has a greater level of posability and durability than the 1.0 body in Shadow.  These figures often range from $40-70 on eBay.  There is also a limited variant of the Aska figure sold only in Japan, which is highly sought after and commands a much, much higher price.

Dragon: Dragon is known primarily for its collection of WWII action figures. Dragon released two figures based on Onimusha, the fantasy videogame of samurais and monsters. Dragon released a male and female figure based on the series. These are generally available for about $30-40 or less on eBay.

Creation Entertainment: In the 1970's, some Americans may have had their first exposure to samurai from ... of all places ... Saturday Night Live, specifically John Belushi's character as the Samurai in the restaurant. This figure includes a yukata-type robe and sword.  This should be available for less than $20 on eBay. 

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