Spotted Online – GanguStars on Five Points of Articulation

I think that I have been completely clear about my opinion when it comes to action figures with five points of articulation (see “Five Points of Articulation is Plenty for Play” from 2012). Action figures that follow the classic Kenner aesthetic are perfectly playable and, in some cases, more playable than hyper-articulated action figures.

Why do I feel limited articulation makes a toy more playable? Fewer moving parts means fewer chances of something going wrong. Fewer snapped joints. Fewer loose joints. Fewer opportunities for a factory error of some sort to turn a great toy into a mass of unloved and lonely plastic.

Visit GanguStars!
Visit GanguStars!

And it turns out that I’m not alone in believing that these toys with limited poseability are fun and playable. Check out My Stance On The Return Of “5POA”, I Don’t Exactly Hate It. over at GanguStars for new thoughts on articulation. And what I personally love is how this statement — ” I really love the fact that these are like the vintage toys, only with tremendously better sculpts.” — so perfectly mirrors things I’ve said about recent Star Wars action figures (see my Sarco Plank review). Modern skills + vintage approach really does make for some great action figures.

4 thoughts on “Spotted Online – GanguStars on Five Points of Articulation

  1. Absolutely. Last week I snagged a couple of the 6″ Captain Phasma figures, as well as her 3 3/4″ figure. The larger Black series figures will be on their way to their new homes tomorrow, while the smaller one is staying here with me. I find it’s just as detailed as the larger figure, and I don’t really need the extra articulation to enjoy owning it.

    1. @Stunt Zombie – What I love is that toymakers seem to have figured out they can offer toys for kids _and_ find a way to offer toys for collectors. I love the poseability when it comes to photographing a toy, but for straight up playability you can’t beat 5POA.

      1. I often wonder just how long the hyper articulated figures would last in the hands of a child that played with them, rather than a collector that just displayed them.

        We know one couple that has two sons, and it seems like I’m always finding POTF2 figures laying around their house, and out in their yard. Other than a little dirt or some scuffs, they’re in pretty decent shape. Even their joints still seem tight. Not bad for figures that are pushing 20 years old.

        I’m not even sure that lack of poseability is necessarily a detriment to photography. I just look at a site like ratherchildish (it’s down now), and it’s amazing what folks could do with a 5 POA figure and great lighting.

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