Nendoroid - Final Fantasy
The Final Fantasy franchise has given birth to a variety of different merchandise and toys. There have been a variety of different action and toy figure series released by a number of official and third party manufacturers. However, many Final Fantasy and game figure fans are still waiting on the announcement and release of a Final Fantasy Nendoroid series lineup.
Nendoroid
Nendoroid refers to the small plastic figures created by a Japanese company named the Good Smile Company created in 2006. Normally, the figures are chibi representations of popular characters from various areas with japanese popular culture, including anime, manga, video games, movies, etc. Nendoroid figures are different from other figures because in their unique style they typically have a large head and small appearance, giving them a “kawaii” style of appearance. Their forms can be altered by changing and exchanging different parts, giving them different poses and expressions. The brand has a number of different forms, the original nendoroid figures are 10 cm in size, but there are also Nendoroid Petite figures. Along with figures, the company also offers various plushies and play sets for customization. Some video games have been inspired by the nendoroids created by Good Smile Co.
Final Fantasy Nendoroids
Currently there is no agreement or partnership between the Good Smile Company and Square Enix. However, Square Enix’s maybe have been inspired by Nendoroids as has its own version of figures, called “Chibi” or Figurines, that are widely available on the Square Enix official website. Below is a description of the various Final Fantasy figures that Square Enix offers, many figures, as well as their chibi counterpart to the video games that are usually available.
Final Fantasy Chibi Figure Lineup
As Final Fantasy franchise fans are still waiting for a Nendoroid release of their favorite characters, there are some similar figures released by Square Enix. The series is the Final Fantasy Static Arts Mini series. A new line of small, cute and adorable ‘chibi’ style figures that stand at approximately 5-inches. The costume and design are different for every character figure, except the face as in this series, all figures are given the same facial expression. This new series has been released in ties to the new Final Fantasy VII Remake game. Currently there are only three characters available. Cloud Strife, Sephiroth and Tifa Lockhart. In addition, the mascots of the Final Fantasy series, the Chocobo, Moogle and Cactuar are available in another series. Here is a brief description of each of the available figures.
Final Fantasy Static Arts Mini Cloud Strife
The main character and protagonist of the Final Fantasy VII series, Cloud Strife is one of the first available characters in the Static Arts Mini series. The figure is complete with spiky blonde hair, blue suit, metal shoulder and wrist protectors. The Static Arts Mini Cloud Strife is also holding his iconic Buster Sword as seen in the original series.
Final Fantasy Static Arts Mini Cloud Sephiroth
The next character made available in the Static Arts Mini series is the main antagonist of the Final Fantasy VII game, Sephiroth. The mini Sephiroth has his iconic long silver hair and comes complete wearing a black overcoat and leather trousers. In addition the figure is wearing long charcoal black boots and accessorised white metal shoulders, exactly as seen in the game. Lastly, Sephiroth is holding his signature long sword, the Masamune.
Final Fantasy Static Arts Mini Cloud Tifa Lockhart
The third and final character currently available in the Static Arts Mini lineup is Tifa Lockhart, a supporting character in Cloud’s party in Final Fantasy VII. The mini Tifa Lockhart has straight, dark brown hair that falls below her waist and is tied up at the very bottom. She is wearing a white tank top and black mini-skirt with a belt and suspenders with brown gloves. Recreating the Tifa Lockhart from the original series.
Final Fantasy Mini Chocobo
The Mini Chocobo in the Static Arts lineup features a standard yellow Chocobo found in many versions of the Final Fantasy franchise games. The Chocobo has a large orange beak and is wearing a broken half of a Chocobo egg on its head.
Final Fantasy Mini Moogle
The Mini Moogle in the Static Arts lineup features the standard beige colored Moogle and comes with a red balloon above its head. It also comes complete with purple bat-wings as seen in many games of the series.
Final Fantasy Mini Cactuar
The Mini Cactuar in the Static Arts lineup features not the standard Cactuar but a Cactuar Conductor version. The green monster is wearing a blue conductor’s hat and holding a lamp light in one hand, and a whistle in the other. The Cactuar is posed in the signature running pose that all Final Fantasy fans know and love.