Review: KoF Yagami Iori

Ore wa kowai no ka?


Yagami Iori is a total bad-ass from the once popular arcade game "King of Fighters". When I was in school I knew guys who wanted to be like him. One guy wore the strappy pants to school, another recited his lines in order to impress. Whatever it was, Iori was popular among both male and female.

Iori's my oldest 12" figure. I found him in a box of toys after moving house last year, still in good condition save for slight yellowing on the white shirt. I washed the shirt and cleaned him up a little, and he looks as good as new. ^^

Iori's signature outfit is created faithfully in 1/6 scale. Tailored to almost form-fitting perfection, much better than the other 12" Iori I've seen on the market.

Unfortunately, this Iori does not have a fantastic body to pose with, and his neck joint seems too fragile to transplant his head onto a different body. If anyone is interested about the origins of this figure, here's what is printed on the bottom of his shoe: (c) SNK (c) Neosun 2000. That makes this figure at least seven years old! I was a teen when I got this. :D





16 comments:

Shaun said...

Hey mizu looks like a real cool fig to me, which company made this? Neosun? Sorry I'm pretty new to sixth scale stuff, only started in '06. U happen to have Kyo too? Thanks for the write up. :)

milk said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
milk said...

I'm stupid. I posted a comment without reading your post. So I deleted my previous moronic comment. XD

I like him a lot, but I always thought he was much longer in body than this. He always seem so tall compared to everyone else in KOF. His outfit looks great though and I love his hands. Boooo I'm sure he's hard to find now. *___* WANTS!!!

Mizu said...

Shaun - You mean the BBI Kyo? Nah, I don't like the headsculpt on that one. And it's not fully-posable. BBI could have done better. :/

Neosun is the only lead I have on a manufacturer, since I lost the box ages ago... They are the Hong Kong company responsible for publishing KoF manhua (like manga, only in Chinese), so Iori's face takes after the HK artist's style of illustration. Only downside is his eyes, they're a bit too slanted.

Mizu said...

Nat - Hehe, I had my share of major Iori fangirling when I was younger. I guess that just goes dormant until you catch a glimpse of him. *_*

You're on to something. Iori is usually pictured "8 heads tall", while the figure's using a body with a proportion common for 12" figures - about 7 heads tall. He's actually the same height (30cm) as a Volks Neo Go but has a larger-sized head. He'd definitely look better with a smaller head and waist.

It's strange how there isn't any info about this figure online. I only remember I bought it in a store in Singapore, and there were a number of boxes with Iori. It couldn't have been a very limited run.

Anonymous said...

I always thought that he's less then 12" but then its been a long time since I seen this toy.
And the one that I still see locally (China Square) is from another company - High Dream

All I have is a Ryu and a late Terry Bogard. He's about the same size as an Obitsu regular male and a Neo Guy

Anonymous said...

Hey Michelle, I had bought the Iori at CSC few months ago. Unfortunately, the red straps at both legs are missing. I didn't know until opened the box packaging. What a waste!!

Mizu said...

Oh no.. that's rotten luck. Did they tell you whether it was opened before? It's kinda a rare figure now, so it's not a total waste if the rest of it is in good condition. You can even make a new strap for him. ^^

Azone from Japan sells 1/6 scale metal buckles in a few varying sizes. Here's a list.

Anonymous said...

Hey Mizu, thanks for your info. Haiz..it's totally brand new. So it's my bad luck. Anyway, do you know where to get those red straps??

Mizu said...

Well, I meant making a new strap for him. ^^;

Of course that would mean colour-matching the red colour of his pants, and either hand stitching or using a sewing machine. But it is very doable!

Anonymous said...

Wah! this is a very tough job to me..I know you are very good in customising the outfits of your figures..Perhaps you can help me when your are free..Haha!! FOC - Just kidding!!

Mizu said...

Desmond, can lah. It's not a complicated task so I can help ya for sure - but you'll have to find the buckles for me. XD

Anonymous said...

Okie..I try to find the buckles and let you know again..Haha!!

viagra online said...

maybe the best character in all KOF saga, a total lunatic, a cool guy, the master of the blue flame, one key of the Orochi power.

generic viagra said...

I don't know for me this is not special because that figure seems like a emo man or a gay man look at his style a total "Trolazo".

Anonymous said...

You retard at least take the time to know who this figure is if you took the time to talk shit! If you haven't played King of Fighters you are the fagg n stick with Street Fighter you looser!