Ok, so 70% of it was used before on an older figure, but this new release adds enough to the mix for it to qualify as new as opposed to just a re-issue.
First, Theres the differences identified by OSW member MIFUNE in the previous post:
1: mask is more flexible than the previous release
2: the breathing tube seems to be longer
3: there is now a clip to attach the tube to the backpack
4: the new body holds poses MUCH better
5: the strap pieces are stiffer
6: the chest plate is made of stiffer, harder material
7: the new helmet liner is nice, but the helmet fits better without it
8: the helmet is new
9: the belt/harness is made with new material that is better quality
Well, I have to add a few more points to that:
10: the breathing tube isn't longer, but it is softer, and clips into the backpack securely.
11: the shin armours and shoulder pads are of stiffer plastic than before
12: the mask includes actual lenses instead of painted lenses (great for light up eyes customs)
13: the incorrect silver detailing on the mask has been removed
14: the breathing tube attachment that connects the tube to the mask is curiously missing
15: the collar labels are slightly different (I prefer the older ones)
16: the MG42 no longer has loose ammo feed, meaning bullets stay firmly put
There are probably a couple of points I forgot to add, but all in all there's quite alot of un-obvious changes. The harder armour parts is very welcome given the older figures' armour had a tendency to warp, while the softer mask allows it to fit the form of the head better. The head sculpt itself is the most accurate to Inui so far (the previous DML figures didn't even bother to sculpt his head, though it may have been a license issue back then. Who knows. Meanwhile the Medicom/Kaiyodo/Buildup head was undersized and inaccurate as Inui didn't wear the hood) so its nice to finally have the characters head on his body at last! the sculpt seems pretty darn accurate, though perhaps the paint could be a little more lifelike, but I do have to admit that in person the eyes are very lifelike!
The accessories are the same (Mauser C96 with standard clip and top loading clip, Walther PPK with clip, and MG42 with removable barrel and metal bullet belt (forgive me if I mis-identified any weapons names). Add to that list the new helmet liner and clear figure stand and its got everything it needs!
The packaging is a mixture of old and new: the dimensions, layout and dual door opening front are same as before, and the theme of the mask on the box front remains, though the image is actually a photo now instead of a painting, and the previous white scheme has been replaced with a black scheme, with a summary of the movie plot on the back with a couple of movie stills set around images of the figure, while the backing card is the best of all, being a nice crisp image of the famous panzer cop crowd photo. nice!
all in all its a nice figure. the only reason anyone wouldn't be impressed is the fact it is mostly reissued uniform and the same armour and weapon moulds used previously. but hey, aren't re-releases supposed to be similar?? back when I was e-mailing DML to re-issue their Panzer Cop I pretty much asked for the same figure with new head sculpt, and what we got was more than that, so lets be thankful! Besides, with the prices the original releases were commanding on the secondary market, most folks couldn't afford the Stray Dog version armour, but with this new release, at under 90 bucks average (less if from Asia) its cheaper than the previous versions were going on the secondary market, cheaper than the Takara or Medicom Panzer Cops and at under 90 bucks, below the average for modern mid-high end licensed figure prices (Hot Toys licensed figures are running between 150-200, while Medicom figures also run between 120-180 and Sideshow Collectables licensed figures are retailing nowadays for between 90-140). In addition to the nice price, the figure is superior to the older releases, so if you don't have a Stray Dog Panzer Cop figure yet, this is the definitive version and currently widely available at a good price. Nows the time to be getting this figure! good luck!
Now: photos
The box front
The back of the box with movie summary, images of the figure and stills from the movie
The backing card image of the panzer cop crowd. Good enough to frame on its own!
Pictures of the figure out of box, showing how well the new body holds its pose
Sitting
Group shot. From left: DML/Yamato Panzer Cop battle damaged version, DML/Yamato Panzer Cop light up eyes version, DML Panzer Cop normal version, Platz/DML Panzer Cop 20th anniversary version.
Group shot of head sculpts. From left: DML/Yamato Panzer Cop battle damaged version, DML/Yamato Panzer Cop light up eyes version, DML Panzer Cop normal version, Platz/DML Panzer Cop 20th anniversary version.
Inui head sculpt comparison. Medicom (left) Platz/DML (right)
Group shot of masks. From left: DML/Yamato Panzer Cop battle damaged version, DML/Yamato Panzer Cop light up eyes version, DML Panzer Cop normal version, Platz/DML Panzer Cop 20th anniversary version. The battle damaged version is very stiff and so is leaning forward, while the 20th anniversary version is leaning forward for the opposite reason, it is softer and lighter so the tube weight is lifting it slightly. Notice the use of clear lenses on the 20th anniversary version as well as (the more accurate) lack of silver paint.
View of the insides of the masks. From left: DML/Yamato Panzer Cop battle damaged version, DML/Yamato Panzer Cop light up eyes version, DML Panzer Cop normal version, Platz/DML Panzer Cop 20th anniversary version.
Helmets rear view. From left: DML/Yamato Panzer Cop battle damaged version, DML/Yamato Panzer Cop light up eyes version, DML Panzer Cop normal version, Platz/DML Panzer Cop 20th anniversary version. notice the paint chipping on the normal version. the new 20th anniversary version looks like it wont have that problem.
Helmets front view. From left: DML/Yamato Panzer Cop battle damaged version, DML/Yamato Panzer Cop light up eyes version, DML Panzer Cop normal version, Platz/DML Panzer Cop 20th anniversary version.
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