Triad Toys, a company dedicated to preserving the tradition of the high quality 12-inch action figure, has announced the December 2008 release of figures based on Mugen and Jin, the very disparate heroes of Shinichiro Watanabe’s Samurai Champloo anime series, which developed a cult following when it was broadcast on the Cartoon Network's Adult Swim.  With their $119.99 price points, these figures are clearly targeted at serious collectors, and they deliver the goods. 

 

With 35 points of articulation and moveable eyes the Mugen and Jin figures are capable of assuming a number of different poses and can also produce some very interesting expressions.  Their highly detailed cloth apparel items are taken directly from the anime character designs, and their sword blades, daggers and jewelry are crafted from real metal.  Triad has done a nice job of capturing the essence of the quiet, dignified classically-train swordsman Jin as well as the eccentric, up-from-the-streets character of Mugen with his wildly improvisational, free-for-all fighting style that he calls champuru kendo.