DIMIC

Quite a while ago I reviewed the first statue from the Master Arts line of First 4 Figures which was the incredible Zant. Now, almost a year after I pre-ordered it, it’s the turn for the second statue of this series: Wolf Link and Midna.
Even though I don’t like one of F4F choices regarding this statue (namely; increasing the edition size after the initial pre-order opened), this statue is still well worth the wait.

If you never played The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess on the GameCube or the Wii, here’s a little bit of information on Midna and on how Link became Wolf Link:

Midna is one of the Twili, a race descended from wielders of powerful and evil magic who were banished to an alternate dimension by the goddesses Din, Farore, and Nayru after an event known as the Interloper War. This alternate dimension, out of which the sublimated descendants could only exist as shadows, eventually became known as the Twilight Realm. Prior to the events of Twilight Princess, Zant, one of the Twili, overthrew Midna from her throne and placed a curse on her, giving her the imp form that she maintains for most of the game. Midna, already in possession of a Fused Shadow, leaves the Twilight Realm and witnesses Link as a wolf being taken away by a Shadow Beast. Knowing the Twili legend that the Hero would appear as a “divine beast,” Midna follows Link to his prison cell in the Castle Town Sewers and tells him she’ll help him escape if Link does exactly as he’s told.

Wolf Link is the sacred blue-eyed beast in Twilight Princess. He is the “divine beast” that Midna explains the Twili have long believed would free them. Link is transformed into this Wolf form due to the influence of the ever expanding Twilight covering Hyrule. His whole body changes and reforms and leaving only his earrings and distinctive blue eyes. Though losing the ability to use items, the new form grants Link heightened senses and speed, along with many other unique abilities. In this form Midna rides on Link’s back giving directions, and allows him to warp using the Twilight Portals created across Hyrule.

First thing I’d like to mention about this statue is that it’s really heavy! Even more so than Darunia I think and he was so heavy that he broke some guy’s shelves and statues. Poor guy. That’s why, both for Darunia and Wolf Link & Midna, I strongly advise against using glass shelves or something that breakable as a display option. Granite or something like that should do the trick.

Second, I really, really, like the details on this statue. Especially the eyes are wonderfully done. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such wonderfully painted eyes. Also the headdress (the so-called ‘Fused Shadow’) is really nice. The only thing that could have been done better are the lines on Wolf Link’s fur. You can see the lines they sculpted to make the painters job a little bit easier. It’s too noticeable for my liking.

The exclusive part of this statue is the light-up feature (Midna’s hair). It’s nicely done and I prefer the unlit hair version on the exclusive above the sculpted one on the regular edition. Apart from the exclusive and the regular editions, you actually have one other edition. That last edition is also an exclusive edition. So what’s the difference? Well, normally, there were only 350 exclusives going to be made. We ordered one directly when they put it online so we wouldn’t miss out on it. Apparently, some people did miss out on it and started to complain. And then, F4F did something I’m still angry about; they increased the edition size! You don’t do that. You just don’t. If I had missed this statue, I’d go hunting one down. I wouldn’t go whining at F4F that I missed the initial pre-order. But people did and F4F did. So to compensate the rest of us that did stay up late or got up early to snag one, they included a card signed by sculptor (Goran Sadojevich) with the numbers 1-350. Whoopiedoo.

Now, on to the known issues. I got some for you that I have myself. Already contacted First 4 Figures about it. One of the strands of Wolf Link’s hair, or whatever you call it, is broken of. You can probably spot it on the fifth picture, it’s on eye-level with the Dimic logo. There are also some chips missing from his fur and on those hair strands. We also got a small crack on his side. Since the statue is just released, F4F wants to wait to see if there are more with the same issues. So, we got to wait about 2-3 weeks.

Conclusion
I partially agree with my conclusion on Zant regarding this line: you need a big, and well filled, wallet to follow this line. But I don’t think that this is F4F greatest line ever anymore. Or that it has the potential to become just that anymore. The totally screwed up the next in line (Link on Epona).
But my conclusion on this statue remains positive, even though my statue has some faults. I like this one but I’d advice anyone who want this one but isn’t bothered by exclusivity, just go for the regular. The light up is nice but it’s nothing like the exclusive feature of Zant.

Pictures

Item reviewed: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess – Wolf Link & Midna
Type: Polystone
Manufacturer: First 4 Figures
Variations: regular (without the light up function and signed card) and number 351-500 (also without the signed card)
Rarity: Both the regular and the exclusive are still in stock on the First 4 Figures website. You can also still find the regular edition for a decent (read: cheaper) price in local (web)shops. 500 (ex) and 1000 (reg) made worldwide.