Platz/DML figure review: Stray Dog: Kerberos Panzer Cop (Wonderfestival signed edition)

So, the other week my Platz hobby/ Dragon Models Ltd 1/6 Stray Dog figure (Wonderfestival exclusive signed edition limited to 100) arrived from Japan (thanks Hobby Collective/ Platz Hobby!) after I almost gave up looking for one, as Yahoo Japan no longer had any (the 2 on there long sold before I had the cash) but thankfully when I got in touch with Platz they still had one which is now mine! phew!

This is the pre-release version from Wonderfestival (the standard release came out a couple of months later) and is limited to 100 pieces. Each is signed by the actor Yoshikazu Fujiki who played the lead character Inui in the movie Stray Dog: Kerberos Panzer Cops (Jigoku No Banken: Kerubersu) alongside Shigeru Chiba, Takashi Matsuyama and Eaching Sue.

At first glance, this is just a packaging variant with identical figure and a plain white box (same dimensions and double opening panels as both 2002 and 2010 releases) with a small sticker stating what's inside. That is mostly true, with this figure being a pre-release it is essentially a production prototype in unfinished packaging. Obviously at the point this was sold the final box art for the main release was not done, but that's OK as the white box leaves space'a'plenty for the actor's signature.





Now, what's really interesting is that the figure, being essentially a prototype, is not identical to the wide release Panzer Cop, but rather an evolutionary step toward it from the older 2002 release. The main elements of the new version are there: new head sculpt, new base body, new hard plastic chest armour, helmet liner, new soft plastic mask with transparent lenses, new clip in oxygen hose and new material belt, but it also has some of the versions features: soft rubber shin armour (which deform over boots, refer to picture), old version helmet (with small space between the side rivets and rear rivet positioned low) and the not so quite well clipping ammo feed part on the MG42. In addition to the mixture of new and old version parts, there are a couple other very minor differences: the oxygen hose is actually softer than the wide release (which is good) and the holster is tacky to touch (which is bad).

So, basically this figure represents the missing link between the 2002 Panzer Cop and the 2010 Panzer Cop! as such, it isn't as good as the wide release on sale now, and is not sufficient enough an upgrade from the 2002 release to warrant tracking down. So its basically stuck in strange position: completely un-necessary, but due to rarity is sought after. If you are not a completist, this is an easy pass (the standard wide release is superior) so don't worry about a gap in your collection, just consider it a prototype. If you don't own it you can still say you have a complete collection and no one will disagree.

Left: wonder festival signed edition, right: wide (normal) release.

Left: wonder festival signed edition, right: wide (normal) release.

Left: wonder festival signed edition, right: wide (normal) release.

Left: wonder festival signed edition, right: wide (normal) release.


If you are a crazy completist, then good luck tracking it down! You are gonna need it! You could try contacting Platz, see if they by chance have another sitting in their office, or you can search Yahoo Japan Auctions every day till one shows up. The other option might be Mandarake, but don't get your hopes up. If you do find one, I don't have a price guide for what you can expect to pay, as really it depends on how much you want it and whether you have the funds or not. The last one I saw on auction was somewhere around 20,000 yen if I recall correctly, and the original RRP was 13,440 yen iirc, so try not to go over 20,000 if you think you can help it is my advice.




Group shot, from left: Medicom Panzer Cop (2001), DML Panzer Cop (2002), DML Panzer Cop light up eyes ver (2002), DML Panzer Cop battle damage ver (2002), Platz+DML Panzer Cop Wonderfestival signed ver (2010), Platz+DML Panzer Cop 20th anniversary ver (2010).