“There is my prey! I, Ninjor, have learned the art of silence – and he will not hear me or my arrow until it is far too late to save himself!” -Ninjor. “Search for Keldor” Mini-Comic.
Even though I’m gonna need, like, two more MOTUC Catch-Up weeks, we’ve only got one more review this week: Ninjor! Or, rather, Ninja Warrior. We can’t call him Ninjor anymore due to a competing trademark. It’s kinda ironic – here we have his generic black-clad ninja that was thrown into the line thirty years ago. And now, he’s lost his name and is relegated to a generic black-clad name. He sounds like a $1 figure! Except, y’know, with a $30 price tag.
Since Ninjor is a straight-up vintage figure and we’re in year eight? of the line, his basic body is all reuse. We’ve got the base trunk with the monster forearms, the “feathered” boots, and Skeletor’s hands & feet. Some folks have said Ninjor could’ve used a little updating in this area, but I disagree. I think he looks great with all these familiar pieces in black and red. I could maybe see doing something different at the forearms so you’re not substituting a paint line where a sculpt line should be, but honestly it’s all good. He just didn’t command the same level of updating that a figure like Rio Blast did (& didn’t get).
What’s new to Ninjor is his two head sculpts and his armor. The original figure had soft goods that covered his face and torso, so we’re getting a masked and unmasked head here to substitute for that. Both look fantastic. I prefer the masked head, it fits how I fondly recall the original. The unmasked head looks great (Do I spy some windswept hair?), but Ninjor just needs his mask to me. And what really sets the masked head apart is that the opening for his eyes is still done with full detail. It’s a really nicely sculpted piece, particularly in a spot where we usually see a soft sculpt and a blob of paint.
Also new is the armor piece. This is really the only vintage departure since the original was cloth and the new one features all sorts of little straps, buckles, and textures. It’s a great update right down to the sigil on his chest and the molded sash. What’s also nice is the armor doesn’t have the usual bulk under the shoulders. It does leave some strange gaps there (as does it being short and exposing the molded belly button), but it’s worth it as this lets the arms come more fully down to his sides. Finally. Finally. Continue to Page 2…
Great-looking figure. There’s only a handful of MotUC that I want and this guy is one of them.
Wonderful review! Ninjor is actually one of the few figures in recent times that captures this classic-ization of the figures which made the line so strong in the beginning. I loved the guy as a kid and the Classics figures really can bring this feeling up once again.
I completely agree about how Ninjor captures “Classics-ization” the initial figures in the line had. I was recently looking at old pictures of the first few reveals from the MOTUC line including He-Man, Skeletor, Beast Man, Stratos, Mer-Man, and Zodac… how stunning they all looked. The line has far exceeded my wildest imagination, it somehow got away from those initial roots and while I love the line it seems to have diverged from the original overall feel.
Yet another addition to the ever-growing list of figures I’d like to go back and get someday if money cooperates. This one was another victim of Mattel’s terrible pacing of releases. And by that I mean for most of the line’s run they’ve gone with stretches of five-six months of figures I couldn’t care less about (as we’re in the middle of right now) and then like three things I do actually want all released at the same time and thus impossible to afford. In this case the choice came down to Ninjor or the Snake Armor two pack. And given the choice between an obscure vintage figure that doesn’t even look like it belongs in MOTU and a 200X piece, 200X wins every time. And it wasn’t just any 200X character, but the last missing piece of my 200X collection. So there was no choice.
Ol’ Ninjy still doesn’t look like he belongs in MOTU even the slightest bit (at least Rio had a sci-fi flare), but is still a cool-looking figure. Perhaps someday, after Intergalactic She-Ra, Stan, Marzo, Snout Spout, Modulock, Catra, Scorpia, and on, and on, and on….
LOL I love the last pic with Stratos. Perfect.
Man, awesome review and the last pic was hilarious. I absolutely loved getting this guy, but does anyone else think he could’ve been improved with a separate bow and arrow and the arrow-gripping hand? Then not only would the accessory look and work better, but by god, that clutching hand looks like a ninja nerve pinch waiting to be deployed!
Ninjor is probably another character not many people cared about, but I did and I’m glad we’ve got him in the line! Along with Fisto and Jitsu, I think Ninjor will go down as one of the best overall figures in the line.
Oh, poor Stratos. Forever the flying butt monkey.
And MAN, this figure rocks! Never had ’em when I was a kid, but I SUPER wanted him. Because ninja. This guy is running on all four cylinders gives the classical meme-ninja a run for his money. I’ve tried to keep him on my computer table, but HE’S ALWAYS BEHIND ME—
That bow looks familiar. Wasn’t it the one with a Young Justice figure or something? It’s got ‘tech’ but not enough tech for a proper MOTU item. I dunno.
I don’t know where/if it’s reused (from), but it’s not Young Justice. Artemis’ bow was more complex, with two bow strings and a big reel on either end. Red Arrow had a much simpler bow that essentially looked like a long bar with a couple grips that had a slight bend to it. His didn’t have a molded string, but rather a small eyelet on either end that the buyer could tie a real string to. Neither had a sight or molded-on arrow.
It’s not from DCUC Green Arrow, either (or Red Arrow, as he used the same mold). GA did have a molded-on arrow, but the bow was much longer and simple.
I beleive the bow is a spitting image to the one released with the Orignal MOTU Eternia play set!
I may have the orignal Eternia bow which was a bit larger/longer, gold compared to the one released with this new Ninjor, but its the same scope, odd large arrow all molded together design that matches the Eternia playset accessories release. Perhaps a nod from 4H or Mattel.
Awesome article per all the MOTU classics IAT reviews, my favorite MOTU review site.
Excellent review, hilarious comics!
I’m with you on the secret dagger idea, Noisy. That would’ve been sweet. I miss the fabric tunic & hood, though, but the version they came out with looks damn cool.
About the boots: I always considered those scaly, not feathery. As if they’re made out of dragon-hide leather, so if you’re walking around lava-strewn Snake Mountain, an accidental misstep wouldn’t instantly ignite you.
I have a rich internal fantasy life. };D
I found that the real-metal-chain nunchuks from the 6″ “Vintage” Super-Poseable TMNT Michelangelo work very well for this guy. And to Hells with what the lawyers say. I’m calling him Ninjor.
He was really a surprise for me. He looked great at reveals but exceeded my expectations once in hand. Your review was spot on. And his extra head is a great addition! it adds so many possibilities to other figures that could use something different. Don’t even get me started on the Jitsu belt. at this point the line should be adding things to previous figures to make them stand out. this is a good way to sell the 2016 line – each new figure has something to add new to previous ones
Ninjor is so freaking awesome that I BOUGHT 3 of them… The other two are for the Kage Bunshin no jutsu! (and I can’t believe I just made a Naruto reference)
On my to look for list for sure. Damn you Decade!!!!! Yes been watching to get ideas for other riders to buy among other things. (I’m usually already Christmas shopping but crazy arse Target prices just killed me on ome wants for some body. Combiner Wars you expensive to finish who I owned as a kid.)
That insignia dagger almost looks like it could come out. Freaking tease that is.
Great review for a character I never had in youth that now wanna own.
“Ninja Warrior?” Then I shall call him Sasuke!
I picked up a second quilt for Jitsu online. Now both my martial artists are fresh.