Welcome to Dan's ToyBox and our take on the NECA Toys TMNT: The Last Ronin: Leonardo Action Figure. The Last Ronin is one of my favorite TMNT stories, which I highly recommend reading. In fact, if you HAVEN'T read the story, please skip the background section and scroll right down to the review, so as not to have anything spoiled!
Ok, if you're still up here, you were warned!
In "The Last Ronin" storyline, Leonardo's fate is both tragic and heroic, reflecting the grim future that befalls the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
The Fall of a Leader
Leonardo, the eldest and most disciplined of the turtles, meets his end during a pivotal moment in the conflict with the Foot Clan. After years of an uneasy truce, the peace is shattered when Karai, Shredder's daughter, launches a surprise attack on the Hamato clan.
As chaos erupts in New York City, Leonardo takes on the role he was born to play - protector and leader. When Baxter Stockman unleashes an army of Mousers to capture the Fugitoid, Leonardo stands as the first line of defense.
Alongside Casey Jones, he fights valiantly to buy time for Michelangelo and April to escape with the Fugitoid. In a moment that defines his character, Leonardo makes the ultimate sacrifice. He and Casey Jones hold off the impossible odds of Stockman's mechanized army, knowing full well that it's a battle they cannot win. Their heroic last stand allows their friends and family to escape, but at the cost of their own lives.
Leonardo's death is sudden and brutal. When Stockman detonates his entire force of Mousers, Leonardo and Casey are killed instantly in the resulting explosion that levels an entire city block. This tragic event becomes a turning point in the story, leaving an indelible mark on the surviving characters, especially Michelangelo. Even in death, Leonardo's spirit continues to guide his last surviving brother. Michelangelo is often plagued by memories and visions of Leonardo during his quest for vengeance, a testament to the lasting impact of Leonardo's leadership and brotherhood. Leonardo's sacrifice embodies the core values he lived by - honor, duty, and the protection of his family. His death in "The Last Ronin" serves as a poignant reminder of the high stakes in their world and the price of their ongoing conflict with the Foot Clan.
Accessories: 7/10
Leonardo comes well-equipped with an impressive array of weapons and accessories that capture the essence of his character in The Last Ronin storyline. The figure includes his signature Katana Swords, five Kunai throwing darts, two head sculpts (one with gritted teeth, the other with a narrow, closed mouth), and four pairs of hands: fists, flat/chopping, gripping, and open/relaxed. I was a bit disappointed that there isn't more with Leo. I have Michaelangelo and the Armored and Unarmored Last Ronin versions, and each of those came with more accessories.
Appearance: 10/10
The Last Ronin Leonardo figure excels in its appearance, perfectly capturing the gritty and bulky aesthetic of the comic book character. NECA has done an outstanding job replicating the details and overall feel of Leonardo from the source material. The sculpting work is top-notch, with attention to detail that truly brings this older, battle-worn version of Leonardo to life. I am really impressed with all of the paint details, line work, and overall cleanliness of the paint applications, however, I do have one major gripe. My biggest complaint is the fact that the paint on the wrist pegs flakes off when swapping hands out. Thankfully, you cannot see the issues when the hands are plugged into the wrists, but it's still a bit annoying to have to wipe paint flakes off my desk and lightbox. Initially I thought it was only one set of hands, unfortunately, every pair has the same problem. That being said, the rest of the figure, including the paint on the swords, looks fantastic.
Articulation: 7/10
Despite its bulky appearance, the figure boasts impressive articulation. Leonardo can achieve a wide range of dynamic poses, allowing collectors to recreate iconic scenes from the comic or create their own action-packed displays. The figure's ability to hold poses well, even without a stand, is a testament to its solid engineering. The ball peg for the head would be excellent, were it not for the single piece, molded neck. Unfortunately, aside from the side-to-side head turning there's not much additional range of motion. In spite of the design of his poncho, the shoulders actually move quite well. The arms will raise to a T pose with little to no difficulty. The bicep swivels work nicely, even with the added sculpt pieces of armor on his right arm. The double-jointed elbows will bend in to just past 90 degrees and all of the pairs of wrists hinge and pivot. His torso will twist at the waist, but has very limited crunch, mainly due to the design of the shell and his gear. His legs will split to approximately 45 degrees, with the left leg kicking out just a tad further, due to the armor piece on his right side. There is a hidden thigh swivel, which works good enough, and the double-jointed knees are a pleasant surprise, allowing for fairly deep knee bend. There is also a small degree of rotation at the knee joint, which came as another surprise. The ankle articulation is solid; however, my ankles are just a bit loose, which has led to Leo tipping over a couple of times.
Affordability: 8/10
NECA figures are generally known for offering good value for their quality. Given the level of detail, accessories, and overall quality of the figure, it's likely that the Last Ronin Leonardo provides a fair balance of price and features for collectors. I found mine at Walmart, while on vacation and paid $34.99 for him.
Overall, the NECA TMNT The Last Ronin Leonardo figure is an exceptional piece that stands out in the TMNT action figure line. It excels in appearance, capturing the essence of the character perfectly, and offers solid articulation despite its bulky design. These factors coupled with the accessories and NECA's reputation for quality at a reasonable price point suggests good affordability. The Last Ronin: Leonardo Action Figure earns a solid:
8 out of 10 ToyBoxes
This figure is a must-have for TMNT fans and collectors, especially those who appreciate the grittier, more mature take on the franchise presented in The Last Ronin storyline. It successfully balances display-worthy aesthetics with play-friendly features, making it a versatile addition to any collection. As always, thank you so much for visiting Dan's ToyBox and until next time... GEEK OUT!!!