Previewed at San Diego Comic-Con last year, NECA′s next action figure set ties into a recent YouTube series and a 1980s film classic. It’s The Karate Kid 1984 All-Valley Karate Championships Tournament Cloth 8-Inch Action Figure 2-Pack. The idea and the execution are well done for a mid-range, 8-inch line of articulated action figures–why have your Daniel LaRusso action figure wax on, wax off, when he can get right to kicking Johnny Lawrence right in the head?
Just don’t sweep the leg. That’s not cool.
Direct from the emotional finale of The Karate Kid, the iconic 1980s coming of age movie that sent a generation to enroll in karate classes, these cloth costumed action figures feature Daniel and Johnny in their karate uniforms, each sporting their logo, ready to compete in the All-Valley Karate Championship. Included in the window-boxed two-pack is a trophy, a replica poster for the event as seen in the film, and a floor mat. Both have authorized likenesses of the actors that played each role (but we′re thinking William Zabka′s scowling look is a better rendering than that of Ralph Macchio).
The best part of the figures may actually be the great publicity photographs released in advance of this weekend’s New York Toy Fair 2019. NECA superimposed the new figures in a variety of action shots over the screen background, recreating the fight sequence from the film (see more of these images below). You can pre-order the action figure set now here at Entertainment Earth. But these aren’t all the figures you’re going to see coming in this line.
NECA previously released images of prototypes (above) of Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi (includes Bonsai tree), Johnny in his Halloween costume (includes headphones), and Daniel (includes chopsticks, paintbrushes, and Bonsai tree).
As for the first set to be released, the figures do justice to the movements in the sport:
… kicking…
… evasion…
… intimidation…
… and the agony of defeat…
Johnny looks realistically disappointed to be the loser.
NECA is appearing at New York Toy Fair this weekend, held again at the Jacob K. Javits Center. More than 1,000 exhibitors and 25,000 attendees are expected. Look for NECA at Booth #5302.
C.J. Bunce
Editor
borg.com
