I know this figure came out in late 2023. When I saw it on sale, I decided it would look pretty good in the collection and viola... here we are. I'm very happy to have picked it up and excited to bring you my thoughts on this great SHFiguarts Bruce Lee Legacy 50th Ver. Action Figure.
Bruce Lee (1940–1973) was a Hong Kong-American martial artist, actor, and philosopher who became a global icon for his groundbreaking contributions to martial arts and cinema. Born in San Francisco, he spent his early years in Hong Kong, where he began acting in films as a child. Lee later moved to the United States, attending the University of Washington and teaching martial arts.
He developed his own philosophy and fighting style, Jeet Kune Do, emphasizing adaptability, efficiency, and fluidity. His approach challenged traditional martial arts norms, making him a pioneer in modern mixed martial arts (MMA). Lee's films, including The Big Boss (1971), Fist of Fury (1972), and Enter the Dragon (1973), revolutionized martial arts cinema and showcased his charismatic presence and unmatched skills.
Tragically, Bruce Lee died at the age of 32, but his influence endures through his teachings, movies, and impact on martial arts culture worldwide. His legacy continues to inspire generations of martial artists, filmmakers, and fans.
Accessories (10/10)
The SHFiguarts Bruce Lee Legacy 50th Version excels in its accessory offerings, designed to enhance the versatility and display options of the figure. Here's a breakdown of what's included:
Four Interchangeable Head Sculpts: These feature a range of expressions that reflect Bruce Lee's iconic demeanor, from intense focus to a mid-combat yell. Each head sculpt is rendered with incredible detail, capturing nuances like facial creases, furrowed brows, and piercing eyes. This variety allows fans to recreate scenes of Lee's dynamic charisma.
Eleven Interchangeable Hands: The set includes an impressive selection of hand poses, such as open palms for martial arts stances, gripping hands for holding weapons, and fists for combat poses. Additionally, there are a pair of open hands, a pair with his stylistic finger poses, and an extra right "thumbs up" hand. These ensure a full range of expressive and action-packed displays.
Nunchaku: This classic weapon is a must-have for any Bruce Lee figure. The design is intricate, with a metallic chain connecting the two batons for added realism. Thankfully, the weapons, while requiring some effort, will fit in the figure's hands without any paint rub or damage.
Bo Staff and Escrima Sticks: These additional weapons further diversify the figure’s action potential. As with the nunchaku, I was relieved to not have any paint rub when putting these into the figure's hands.
Commemorative Stand: Exclusive to this 50th-anniversary release, the stand features a unique design that not only supports the figure but also serves as a tribute to Bruce Lee's enduring legacy. This thoughtful inclusion adds value, making it a standout piece for display purposes.
These accessories provide an exceptional level of variety, giving collectors the tools to pose and display Bruce Lee in dynamic, lifelike recreations of his iconic moments. From martial arts demonstrations to action-packed fight scenes, this figure delivers on all fronts.
Appearance (9/10)
The SHFiguarts Bruce Lee Legacy 50th Version captures Bruce Lee in a highly detailed sculpt reflecting his traditional martial arts attire. This figure portrays him in black pants with a shirtless upper body, showcasing his chiseled physique and iconic fighting stance. The musculature is intricately sculpted to highlight his toned build, with defined abs that emphasize the realism.
The facial sculpts are particularly noteworthy, offering exceptional likenesses of Bruce Lee with intense expressions. Each head sculpt features meticulous paint applications, including lifelike skin tones, natural shading, and sharp details on the hair. The inclusion of subtle texture differences between the pants and his bare skin further elevates the figure's aesthetic appeal. My only real issue is that on three of the face sculpts, the hair is slightly more matte than it is on the back of the head. It's only noticeable if you look closely but I caught it and now can't NOT see it.
This attention to detail makes the Legacy 50th Version a standout addition to any Bruce Lee or action figure collection.
Articulation (9/10)
The SHFiguarts Bruce Lee Legacy 50th Version showcases S.H. Figuarts' renowned engineering, offering excellent articulation that allows collectors to pose the figure dynamically while maintaining its aesthetic appeal. Let’s delve into the specifics of its articulation points:
Head and Neck: The head features a ball-jointed connection that allows for a full range of motion, including tilting, swiveling, and nodding. The neck joint adds further flexibility, enabling lifelike adjustments to the head's positioning for dynamic and expressive poses.
Shoulders: The shoulders are designed with butterfly joints, providing forward and backward movement for reaching and punching poses. Ball hinges allow for smooth rotation and lifting, making martial arts stances easy to replicate.
Arms: Double-jointed elbows ensure a wide bending range, essential for action poses like Bruce Lee’s iconic one-inch punch or gripping weapons closely. Swivels at the biceps enhance poseability, allowing the arms to rotate naturally during complex movements.
Torso: The figure includes an upper chest ball joint and a lower waist joint, offering excellent torso articulation. These joints allow for side-to-side tilts, forward crunches, and twisting motions, perfect for replicating combat stances or evading moves.
Hips: The hips are somewhat limited in the leg mobility. This makes high kicks somewhat difficult and limits the distance in splits. However, he can get into fairly deep stances achievable without compromising the figure's sculpt or proportions due in part to the range of the knee joints.
Knees: Double-jointed knees provide a deep bending range, which is ideal for martial arts crouches and action stances.
Ankles: Hinged ankles with swivel points allow for tilting and pivoting. This articulation is crucial for balanced, stable posing during dynamic action scenes.
Toes: The toe hinge adds extra expressiveness, especially for stances where subtle foot positioning enhances realism.
The combination of these articulation points allows collectors to recreate Bruce Lee’s iconic moves, from his dynamic kicks to his graceful fighting stances. The joints are designed to blend seamlessly with the sculpt, maintaining the figure’s visual integrity while delivering fluid movement.
Overall, the articulation is one of the figure's strongest features, offering a perfect balance between functionality and aesthetics.
Affordability (8/10)
Retailing at approximately $84, this figure offers great value for collectors, considering the premium build quality and detailed accessory set. While slightly pricier than standard S.H. Figuarts figures, the commemorative nature and Bruce Lee's iconic status justify the cost. On the plus side, it is still available on sale here at BBTS!!!
Overall, the SHFiguarts Bruce Lee Legacy 50th Ver. is a stellar action figure. I'm very pleased with it and happy to give it:
9 out of 10 ToyBoxes.
The SHFiguarts Bruce Lee Legacy 50th Version is a must-have for fans and collectors, delivering superb craftsmanship and versatility. Its rich accessory selection, lifelike sculpt, and excellent articulation make it a fitting tribute to Bruce Lee's enduring legacy. Thank you!!!! Until next time... GEEK OUT!!!