​NECA started their Pacific Rim line three years ago and overall it has been pretty good line, there was a few issues but NECA has tried to correct them to make collectors happy. The figures have gotten better as time has gone along but as with most things they come to an end (it seems NECA may have not renewed the license for them). Hardship is the last Kaiju of the line with only Ultimate Gypsy Danger remaining to be released.

​When NECA released Mutavore a few months back it was based on a new sculpt, larger than previous figures with the exception of Otachi, with Hardship they did as they have in the past reused the same basic body (sharing it with Mutavore). While it may share it's body you wouldn't necessarily know it, the coloring and paint give it a different look, Hardship's glossy finish gives it an almost wet look and the brown tones further give it an unique look. The main differences in the body from Mutavore is Hardship's back plate which has the appearance of a turtle like shell, the lower leg and foot which hides the joint of the foot in it's design, and the secondary arms which are turn upside down from Mutavore's. 

The last major difference is Hardship's head which looks like a cross between Axehead/Tresspasser and Knifehead, it is also the only part I had an issue with, while at first glace it is pretty good Hardship's mouth left me scratching my head. Like Otachi Hardship's lower jaw both moves up and down and also splits in half (is it suppose to in the movie?). When you either position it open or split you end up revealing what looks like another jaw line underneath, just below the tongue, I wonder is it is supposed to be like this. Positioned normal it looks fine.

​Another issue with the head was not figure based but package, the top of Hardship's axe like head hits the top of the package (the cardboard just next to the upper window) and it caused a small amount of paint to rub off. It is not horrible but some may not like that this happens.

​Hardship like Mutavore comes with a stand since it could be a little front heavy depending how it is posed. Overall this is an great figure with a awesome look, I will say that the best figure, or figures as it is, is Otachi but this figure is pretty sweet too. It stinks that the line is ending but hopefully with a sequel on the horizon will will get more figures from Pacific Rim.

​NECA's line of Pacific Rim figures has been pretty awesome but it is heading toward an end, with that said there are a few figures left to come. One of those is the just released Mutavore. Here we review Mutavore as well as Ultimate Striker Eureka that was released a short while back.

First up Ultimate Striker Eureka, NECA did a nice job on the package for this one cool artwork on this window box with the front that opens up to reveal the figure. The figure is not just a re-release but a update NECA went back and upgraded the figure in many ways improving articulation, adding details like an opening chest and add-ons like the Nuclear bomb that attaches to it's back.

NECA went about fixing certain complaints fans had about the first version Striker can now be posed where it can lift Otachi like in the film, but the extra articulation does make it hard to stand without wanting to fall over. It's Sting-Blades now are movable, both for attack or not, other nice touch. The chest is able to be changed out for it's Anti-Kaiju missile launchers, which is cool, and you can also attach missiles that look like they are being fired with contrails.

​I like the first version but this is definitely a improvement over it. One downside is this figure is hard to come by since it sold out quickly from a number of retailers.

​Now to the latest kaiju Mutavore, while Mutavore didn't get a lot of screen time he is one that has gotten quite a bit of interest. Mutavore is the kaiju that breaks through the Anti-Kaiju Wall and Striker goes on the attack. I really wish this battle was longer in the film.  Mutavore's design is similar to many of the other kaiju featuring the same basic design, extra set of arms, etc.

But Mutavore has his own unique features too, for one Mutavore's head is basically upside down his eyes on on the lower jaw and it's the top of the jaw that moves. Mutavore is also slightly bigger than the other similar kaiju although smaller than Otachi. Mutavore has excellent detail as with most of the other figures but while it has a lot of articulation it is some what hard to pose him, I managed to get him to stand without assistance but other reviewer stated they need to included stand to hold him up.

​Part of the issue with this is the legs I found it very hard to get them positioned just right, example one of his feet would not sit flat causing it to stand on the edge of it's foot. Mutavore's main arms have good movement but the smaller one's are much more limited. The hands/claws are not movable like on some of the other kaiju, a slight disappointment. Mutavore's tail does not move like previous figures that had internal wire in them to allow them to bend.

​Overall I do like these figures quite a bit even with there slight issues, some of which may go away with a little patience, like the articulation which probably just needs to be worked out. I look forward to the final figures in the line, Hardship and Gipsy, although I wish they would have given us a new character instead of other Gipsy Danger.

​I certain recommend these figures while not perfect they are great figures. I also would like to thank NECA for these figures.

NECA tweeted out new pics of Pacific Rim Mutavore in package, this figure looks awesome and stands 8 inches tall. It should hit stores in the near future so make some room.

NECA made a post on Twitter pretty much confirming that their Pacific Rim line with end after the last few figures are released (Mutavore, Hardship, and Ultimate Gipsy Danger). There could be a number of reasons for this their rights to the license expired, lack of interest/slow sales, among other things.

But it seems fans have actually had more of an interest in Pacific Rim then the film makers at times, other then the creator Guillermo del Toro. He has wanted to continue the franchise but Pacific Rim 2 has been plagued by delays and issues including del Toro not being able to direct (Steven S. DeKnight has been named to new director).

Now though there seems to be more action on the figure front, get it. X-Plus recently showed their first Pacific Rim figure Leatherback and there has been talk of others coming from them. And now del Toro himself tweeted the question, "Would you love a metal deluxe figure toy line of all Jaegers on Pacific Rim?" along with a poll (which is 85% positive as of this writing, Twitter post below).

Could this mean another toy company is getting involved with the line or is this just a gauge of interest for this from him. We hope it means another line will be coming and having metal based Jaegers would be quite cool from a realism standpoint. Some have question durability of a metal toy but we feel if done right these would be fine.

We really hope they continue to make Pacific Rim figures the NECA one's are pretty awesome and the first one from X-Plus looks darn awesome too. More info as we get on future Pacific Rim figures as well as the possible sequel.

From NECA
​From the epic Pacific Rim movie, our next boxed, ultra-deluxe kaiju action figure is Hardship!
This deadly kaiju was one of the earliest to come through the breach, and was ultimately defeated by Romeo Blue. At over 8” tall and over 6” wide, Hardship is massive. This movie-accurate figure utilizes new tooling, features over 30 points of articulation, and is to scale with our Jaeger action figures. Release Date: June 2016.

NECA released a few package images for there Pacific Rim Striker Eureka Ultimate 7" Figure, above and below, and here is the description of the figure:
"The towering mech from Down Under gets the “Ultimate” treatment, with an all-new body and new articulation. Its open chest of rockets is actually an interchangeable piece that swaps out to show a fiery missile launch! There’s even a nuclear payload that attaches to the back of the figure.

The 7” scale Australian mech is made from the actual digital files utilized by ILM in the creation of Pacific Rim for exacting accuracy and detail. Comes in collector-friendly deluxe window box packaging with opening flap."

A special thanks to NECA.

We were recently lucky enough to receive the SDCC Exclusive Pacific Rim Chibi figure set from NECA, along with that we got a Baby Otachi figure as well. So with that being said we present our review of these collectibles. 

First up the Baby Otachi figure, this figure is a larger, and not in scale, version. NECA include a baby Otachi with there first Otachi figure that was released that figure was about an inch in length this one is considerable bigger. 

The packaging does leave something to be desired a plastic bubble attached to the card (similar to some of there "retro" figures) but it is a small negative. The figure itself is definitely more interesting unlike the other Pacific Rim figures released Baby Otachi is rubber rather than plastic, pick it up and it wiggles about. 

The figure looks good very detailed and coloring looking very much like it did in the film the figure does stand with little issue, we did find we had to move one leg slightly to get it balance otherwise it wanted to lean to one side a bit. Overall it an excellent figure to add to your collection.

The SDCC Exclusive Pacific Rim Chibi (mini figure) set was something we looked forward to seeing in person. NECA has done another Pacific Rim convention exclusive the end credits Jaegers set, like that one this set was featured in the film technically. 

During the films opening sequence when Raleigh's voice over talks how they turned kaiju into toys these same figures are seen on a shelf. It has not been said if these are directly based on the movie props but they certainly look as if they were. 

The set includes five figures Romeo Blue, Horizon Brave, Trespasser, Karloff and Hardship with the last two yet to be released in the regular figure line.

Three of the figures are one solid color with Hardship and Horizon Brave being multiple colors. The coloring of the figures, I believe, matches the film it is a little odd that they made three one solid color but they do look just like there film counterparts. 

All the figures are cool and interesting looking but there is something about Karloff he seems to come across as one mean kaiju with a "come at me" tough guy look. Each of the figures has some minor articulation but they stand fine the way they come. 

The packaging for the set is actual quite nice you can display them in package very easily or you can open the package and remove them to display them out of it without damaging it which is great because of the collectible nature of the set. If you can this is an excellent set to add to your collection well worth it.

Just when the world thought that the alien invasion was over, this Category IV kaiju emerged from the breach and easily broke through Sydney's Anti-Kaiju Wall. 
At over 8" tall and over 6" wide, Mutavore is massive - larger than the previously released Trespasser, Scunner and Knifehead! 
This movie-accurate figure utilizes 100% new tooling, features over 30 points of articulation, and is to scale with our Jaeger action figures.
Release date: Nov 2015
Price: $65

We present the definitive collector's version of Striker Eureka! The towering mech from Down Under gets the "Ultimate" treatment, with an all-new body and new articulation. 
Its open chest of rockets is actually an interchangeable piece that swaps out to show a fiery missile launch! There's even a nuclear payload that attaches to the back of the figure. 
The 7" scale Australian mech is made from the actual digital files utilized by ILM in the creation of Pacific Rim for exacting accuracy and detail. 
Comes in collector-friendly deluxe window box packaging with opening flap.
Release date: Nov 2015
Price: $25

NECA has revealed at SDCC new additions to their Pacific Rim Kaiju and Jaeger lines, kaijus Hardship and Mutavore, and Jaegers Battle at the Docks Gipsy Danger and Ultimate Striker Eureka. Along with them were Flying Otachi, Anteverse Gipsy Danger, and Baby Otachi (Pics via Kaiju Planet).

Toys R Us Exclusive Pacific Rim Anteverse Gipsy Danger is a re-done version of Reactor Blast Gipsy Danger molded in translucent blue with orange highlights to reflect when Gispy passes through the breach at the end of the film. The figure should be released late summer.