Hasbro’s G.I. Joe Classified Series has consistently delivered high-quality action figures, but every now and then, a figure stumbles due to minor issues that detract from its overall appeal. The #131 Storm Shadow (v.2) is one such figure. While it looks impressive out of the box, certain design flaws and execution choices leave room for improvement. Let's break it down using Accessories, Appearance, Articulation, and Affordability as our criteria.
Storm Shadow, in his iconic white and black camouflage costume, represents a unique chapter in G.I. Joe lore. Once a sworn enemy as Cobra's deadly ninja assassin, Storm Shadow found redemption and joined the G.I. Joe team. This version reflects his transition from a life of vengeance to one of honor and loyalty.
The white and black camo symbolizes his inner conflict and duality—an assassin torn between his dark past and his newfound allegiance. As a member of the G.I. Joe team, Storm Shadow brought his unparalleled martial arts skills, strategic mind, and stealth expertise to fight alongside his former adversaries. His signature weaponry, including his swords and compound bow, became tools of justice rather than destruction.
This iteration of Storm Shadow highlights his journey of atonement and his struggle to reconcile the shadows of his past while serving as a valued member of the G.I. Joe team.
Accessories: 6/10
Storm Shadow comes with a decent set of gear:
Two Swords: These feature a very dull plastic finish, making them look toy-like rather than battle-ready. A glossy or metallic paint application could have elevated them significantly.
Fighting Claws: These claws fit nicely on his gripping hands but would have really benefited from some paint applications.
Backpack: The backpack features sculpted arrows, which adds to the aesthetic but limits playability and posing options. It would have been nice to see separate, removable arrows to enhance the interactivity. I also think that the inclusion of the Arashikage hexagram on the backpack would have looked pretty sharp.
Compound Bow: The bow takes some work to get into his hands and while it looks decent, mine was warped right out of the package and even though I heated it up
Three Pairs of Hands: The inclusion of weapon-gripping hands, fists, and flat/karate chop-style hands adds versatility for different display and action poses. This variety is a strong point for the figure.
The belt is another noteworthy accessory, as it’s a free-floating piece with scabbards attached. While this design provides flexibility, it can shift during posing, which may require readjustments to maintain the intended look. The red painted highlights on the belt, rope, shin greaves, and sword handles add a striking visual contrast to the figure. However, the lack of paint detail on the claws leaves them looking dull and underwhelming.
While the assortment of accessories is sufficient for Storm Shadow’s ninja persona, the lack of attention to quality and detail in the swords and claws diminishes their impact.
Appearance: 7/10
Storm Shadow’s sculpt is excellent, capturing his sleek ninja aesthetic with crisp details in his costume and design elements. The white and black color scheme is clean, with minimal paint errors. The figure features shin greaves, which are the only armored elements, alongside other sculpted details like the belt and rope, both highlighted with vibrant red accents that break up the monotony of the white and black.
The hood, permanently attached to the head, looks fine but compromises the figure’s versatility. This design choice limits head articulation (more on that later) and prevents collectors from achieving dynamic looks. One of the better features of the figure is the Arashikage hexagram tattoo on his right forearm. I'm very impressed with the cleanliness of the paint applications and the crisp red lines. This is a stand out feature and really brings back memories of the original toy and character design.
The lack of paint on the claws is another missed opportunity, and the plastic sheen on the swords further detracts from the visual appeal. These small issues add up, keeping this figure from looking as premium as it should. I will likely add my own paint details to the claws and try to give the swords a more realistic look with a thin coat of silver paint as well.
Articulation: 6/10
Articulation on this figure is hit-or-miss. The standard Classified articulation scheme is present—double-jointed knees and elbows, butterfly joints in the shoulders, and a torso ball joint—but execution falters in a few areas:
Knee Joints: These were so tight that shock oil was required to loosen them. This is a frustrating flaw, especially for collectors who like to pose their figures dynamically.
Head Movement: The hood being permanently attached to the head severely restricts articulation. Tilts and dynamic poses are limited, which is disappointing for a character as agile as Storm Shadow.
While the rest of the articulation works as expected, these issues make posing less enjoyable than it should be.
Affordability: 7/10
At around $25, the figure falls within the standard price range for Classified Series releases. However, the quality control issues—warped bow, overly tight joints, and lackluster accessory details—make it feel less worth the price compared to other figures in the line. While not a bad purchase, it doesn't offer the same value as better-executed releases.
Overall Grade
While the sculpt and core design of the figure are solid, the execution falters in key areas. The accessories lack polish, articulation is hindered by design choices, and the need for DIY fixes like shock oil detracts from the experience. Thus, Storm Shadow earns a slightly better than average:
6.5 out of 10 ToyBoxes
Hasbro has done better with other Classified figures, making this release feel more like a missed opportunity than a must-have. Storm Shadow (v.2) is an average figure with glimpses of potential, but collectors might find it falls short of expectations. That's it for now, thank you and remember, until next time... GEEK OUT!!!