Well, I honestly didn’t think it was going to happen, but it has: Bandai Japan is about to release the sixth and final member of the core six Avengers from the Marvel Cinematic Universe in S.H. Figuarts form! I genuinely believed that the prototype Bandai showed off last year would never see production, but Bandai is aiming for collectors’ wallets again: the web-exclusive SH Figuarts Hawkeye figure goes up for order soon!

Even after Bandai Japan debuted prototypes of SH Figuarts Black Widow, Tony Stark and Hawkeye action figures last year, I thought they were just messing around and had no intention of actually releasing those figures.

But, well, even though it’s taken the better part of a year and two of the three are going to be limited-run exclusives, Bandai Tamashii is actually managing to release all three! Good work, Bandai!

Yes, you heard that right: the Hawkeye S.H. Figuarts figure will be a Bandai Premium web exclusive figure, available only via mail-order overseas and not available at all via popular import shops like Amiami and HLJ.

The minimum price for this figure will unfortunately be about 6,480 Japanese yen (around $65 USD) plus shipping, plus likely hefty middleman import fees. Sorry, Marvel collectors–no cheap and easily-available Hawkeye Figuarts figures for us!

As a whole, I think this is actually quite a nice Hawkeye action figure. I wouldn’t have picked the long-sleeved jacket look personally, but it does seem to be the “iconic” choice that all merchandisers are going with.

I’m fairly satisfied with my Hasbro Marvel Legends Age of Ultron Hawkeye 6″ figure from last year’s Amazon-exclusive 4-Pack, but I think Bandai has done a better job integrating more fluid and better-looking joints and articulation for their version.

Bandai would usually shy away from doing unmasked versions of their live-action movie character figures, so I’m pleased we’re getting figures of maskless Tony Stark, Black Widow, Steve Rogers (Captain America) and now Hawkeye this year.

Even so, I’ve heard plenty of griping about the head sculpt for this figure (“His face looks like he’s experiencing an allergic reaction to shellfish”!)–though I think the Jeremy Renner sculpt itself is actually quite good.

Unfortunately, the paint deco is quite subpar and really leaves this Hawkeye head looking unimpressive to many. As good as the sculpt and articulation is otherwise, many fans won’t be able to get past the portrait. 

I’m also a bit let down by the accessories included here. We get a removable quiver and a couple interchangeable hands (including two with bows attached in various states), but that’s it.

For $60+, I feel like Bandai Japan could have at least given Hawkeye some shades and a loose arrow, if nothing else.
 The Bandai SH Figuarts Hawkeye figure should be available (briefly) on BBTS in the next few days, although their Marvel Figuarts figures tend to usually pre-sell out within one day. Keep your eyes peeled and be vigilant if you want to score a Hawkeye Figuarts from BBTS.

What are your thoughts on Bandai Japan’s version of the roster-completing core 6 MCU Avenger, Marvel collectors? Will you be securing a web exclusive S.H. Figuarts Hawkeye to complete your Figuarts Avengers team, or has this take on Hawkeye missed the target in your eyes?