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Brave: Merida Funko POP! (2017 Version)

Here's a Funko POP! I had been eyeing for a while and I finally grabbed it this past February—the 2017 version of Merida from Brave (Disney POP! #324)! I've had the original for years, but once I was reminded recently of this updated design I didn't have, I had to go for it. While Funko's first attempt at Merida back in 2013 was perfectly acceptable, I'd say this one is a huge improvement! Love the pose. The way the hair and dress are sculpted to look like they're blowing in the wind is pretty epic.

Additionally, yet ANOTHER version came out just this year as a convention exclusive (seen HERE). I'll have to snag that one as well. Which is YOUR favorite Funko POP! Merida?

 

Honestly one of the main reasons I actually wanted to get this POP was because I had a photo idea from years ago that I really wanted to finally bring to life using this figure based on some unused Brave concept art (from back during the film's development when the story included a snowy forest setting).

 

 And below is the final result! Very happy with it.

Brave: Merida Tsum Tsum (Japan Exclusive—Reversable Characters)

Hey all! Today I'm taking a quick look at the very last Pixar Tsum Tsum I needed for my collection (for now—unless more get made): Merida from Brave, a Disney Store Japan exclusive! I was finally able to track this one on eBay not too long ago for a reasonable price. 

This Merida is part of the series I talked about in THIS POST, where all the characters are reversible and can be changed into a Pixar ball (you can see the velcro and Pixar ball colors in the underneath shot down below). All of the characters included in that series are ones that have been released in other series (so I didn't feel the need to get them) except for Merida here. This is the only Tsum Tsum release of Merida in this size, though a "micro" version was released in this princess castle set.

Again, in my previous post, I talk about how I also got one other in this series just to display it as a Pixar ball. This one here, of course, will be displayed just as Merida. Love the embroidered bow detail on her side, her subtlety rosy cheeks and her look overall! 

Below are the official Disney Store photos so you can see who's all included in the full assortment and how the reversible feature works.

Even though Brave is one of my personal least favorite Pixar films, I'm thrilled to finally have this Tsum Tsum (and the character in general) as part of my collection! My Tsum Tsum shelf is officially completely full now (I had to squeeze her in and she just barely fit), so I kind of hope this is the end of the line as much as I love them and would like to see new character from Pixar's newest films get made. Onward, Soul and Luca Tsums would have looked amazing no doubt!

What are your thoughts? I feel this is certainly a lesser known piece, so I'm happy to be able to spread the word here. If you're interested in grabbing one for your collection, I'd check out current eBay listings HERE.

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Mattel Pixar Collection 7" Scale Posable Action Figures—WAVE 2!

The collection continues! Today I'm thrilled to finally have the time to review Mattel's second wave of Pixar 7" action figures. At the start of last year, Mattel began expanding their phenomenal Disney·Pixar 7" scale figure collection (which began in 2019 with Toy Story 4) to other Pixar films—such as Monsters Inc., The Incredibles and Wall·E in the first wave—and now adds some more Incredibles to the line as well as Coco and Brave in this second wave! Onward and Soul characters were also created in this scale last year as well.

I saw these figures in person for the first time clear back in February last year at the 2020 New York Toy Fair (exactly a year ago today actually) and I was looking forward to them even back then. So happy to finally have them in my collection! Their in-store release got delayed quite a bit (some of these are only starting to hit Target stores now), but they've been available on Amazon in this Amazon exclusive closed-box style packaging since last September. Though I prefer the in-store standard open-blister packaging, I wasn't going to wait much longer to try in find them at the store. In the end, I ended up getting all four of these from Amazon for Christmas.

In this wave there are four brand new figures (well technically eight, since several of these are multi-packs): Elastigirl & Jack-Jack from The Incredibles, Miguel & Dante from Coco, Merida from Brave and Dash with Goo Jack-Jack & Monster Jack-Jack from The Incredibles. Take a closer look down below! These retail for $12.99 on Amazon and $9.99 at Target.

ELASTIGIRL & JACK-JACK

While these aren't the most exciting or most unique characters (since there have been several Elastigirl & Jack-Jack figures over the years, even as recently as 2018 with Incredibles 2), this is the first time they've been released in Mattel's signature  7" scale. Honestly though, they're probably my favorite versions of these characters to date and feel they have the most play value in [what I consider] the perfect figure size (easy to grip, pose and display—not to mention their sculpts are spot on). And with Violet coming later this year, we'll have the whole Parr family in this line! (UPDATE: Violet is now available; full blog post HERE)

MIGUEL & DANTE

Again, not the most thrilling (since Mattel just released these characters in 2017 in a smaller, but similar, 5"/6" scale), but I really like the updated designs here and the new larger 7" scale. I would say both sculpts are improvements on the originals and I'm ultimately happy that these characters are part of this assortment. Miguel's look is especially well done—even down to his "dimple, no dimple" smile. My only slight criticism here is I feel the paint job for Miguel's skin leans a little too heavy on the orange. Dante's floppy, rubbery tongue (as it was with the original) is great!

 

MERIDA

Now THIS is an exciting and unique release since this is the first ever action figure of Merida from Brave ever! Sure there have been some smaller scale figures and plenty of dolls, but never anything like this. Even though Brave isn't a top-fave Pixar film for me and Merida isn't a favorite character of mine, I still love having her in this collection. She looks fantastic! Such a solid sculpt—and that hair. She's easy to stand and looks excellent holding her bow accessory. Very impressed!

 

 

DASH, GOO JACK-JACK & MONSTER JACK-JACK

Again, Incredibles figures just hit a few years ago (so I wasn't clamoring for these), but boy do these ones look fantastic. I will honestly say that I do prefer these new Mattel ones over the 2018 Jakks Pacific 4" figures for Incredibles 2. A couple of things I wanted to note: first, they call this "Goo Jack-Jack" here on the box, but I would say this is most certainly inspired by water Jack-Jack (his power as seen briefly HERE in the Auntie Edna short film). Secondly, I do wish they included Jack-Jack's mask on the monster Jack-Jack figure (as seen on the original prototype), but it's not a big issue. Jack-Jack is seen in his monster form without his mask as well, so this does work.

I really, really hope this line continues for a long time—but unfortunately it already seems to be fading. There are some exciting Toy Story characters still slated to come out this year (as well as a fun Monsters Inc. "Getting to Know Boo" gift set, Retro Suit Mr. Incredible, Violet Parr and characters from Pixar's summer 2021 film Luca), but I'm just crossing my fingers that they don't get cancelled like so many things do these days. I would love to see Mattel tackle some A Bug's Life characters again for the first time since 1998 (Flik and Hopper would be amazing to see as modern figures) and some Up characters. It would be interesting to see what Mattel could do with Finding Nemo as well! What I'd really love to see are some unique/side characters and less focus on just the main characters we've seen enough times over the years. Who would YOU like to see made?

Pick these up on Amazon using the links below and be sure to let me know your thoughts down in the comments! Stay tuned for more from my collection right here every week. 

 

UPDATE 6/02/21- Most of these have now finally hit Target stores in the open-blister packaging! 

 

Brave: Merida Itty Bitty

Last Spring, Hallmark stores released an adorable exclusive collection of Disney & Pixar mini stylized plush characters called "Itty Bittys." Fortunately, since I was hoping they would, they have recently come out with a few more characters including Merida from Brave! She is about 4" in height and retails for $6.95.

The first Pixar Itty Bitty characters released were Mike and Sulley (see post HERE from last April). Nemo & Dory and Buzz & Woody have also been released since...so be sure to visit those posts as well. Which Pixar Itty Bitty characters would you like to see released?

Gotta love her "wild and free" hair...cute and hilarious! 

If you're an overall Disney (and such) fan, be sure to check out the other Itty Bittys at Hallmark. There are a lot of fun characters, such as Disney princesses, super heroes, classic Disney, Star Wars, Muppets, Winnie the Pooh, Peanuts, Wizard of Oz and more.

You can currently pick Merida up at your local Hallmark store, purchase at their online store or on eBay using this direct link: Merida Itty Bitty

Thanks so much for stopping by the blog. If you're new here, welcome! Please take time to explore my collection and enjoy. Also, you can contact me if you have any questions, comments or suggestions.

Brave: Art of Book

Here is another fantastic "Art of" book from Chronicle publishing, The Art of Brave by Jenny Lerew with preface by John Lasseter and foreword by the film's directors Brenda Chapman and Mark Andrews!

I was so happy to have received this as a St. Patrick's Day present from my parents. I justified that it would make a great present for the holiday since her cape is green and that her hair is orange (even though the film's location is Scotland, not Ireland).

 

Even though Brave got lukewarm reviews and is one of the least favorited of Pixar's films, there's no denying that the art direction in the film is just gorgeous. This was Pixar's first period piece that presented many challenges but how they pulled it off is outstanding. There is so much detail and realism in every shot, from the sweeping landscapes to the character interaction. 

This book has some great concept art, storyboards and more (including some really cool photographs from the team's research trips to Scotland). There is so much to enjoy in this book with a ton of behind the scenes insights that made me appreciate the film even more.

 

 I love the fairytale/fable feel to all the art. It really is beautiful and I definitely recommend picking this up so you can experience all of the 160 insightful pages. 

You can pick this on Amazon (currently on sale for a great price of only $22.83!) or on eBay below:

Brave: The Art of

Thanks for stopping by the blog today! Sorry I missed yesterday, I'm not feeling good but knew I needed to not let my readers down. Check back daily for more to come and please let me know if you have any comments or questions.

Brave: The Essential Guide

Here is yet another one of DK publishing's "Essential Guide" books! These books always chock-full of lots of fun info about characters, plot points, props, fun trivia ("Did you know?" facts), quotes, stats and much more! They are definitely geared more to a younger crowed, but I still say they're great for learning so many simple things about the films that you might not get from just watching them. I especially like this one since I really don't have very many items from Brave (since most of the products released were geared more towards girls, naturally).

This book is hardcover and has 64 quality, colorful pages.

 

Here's an example of one of the pages you can expect:

 You can find this one Amazon or on eBay below:

 Brave: The Essential Guide

 You can find an "Essential Guide" for every Pixar film except A Bug's Life.

Check out my "Books" label to the right the explore my growing collection of Pixar books and to see more of the Essential Guides that I own. More to come!

Thanks for visiting today's post and be sure to check back daily for more items from my Pixar collection.

Brave: Funko POP

Here is #57 of the Disney "POP" series from Funko...Merida from Brave!

If you're a consistent reader here, you probably already know that I'm a big fan of "Funkos" (as I call them) and the current vinyl collectible craze in general. I really like the minimalist, stylized design of the line and this one is no exception. Merida comes in a cool pose with her bow and arrow and her signature dress, but the real stand out here (just as in the film) is the hair. Funko did an especially great design job here and executed it perfectly. 

 

All the POP Funko figures are fun, quality and perfect for both kids and adult collectors who use them as display pieces. 

 You can find this one on Amazon here or on eBay below:

Merida Funko POP

 There is also a "variant" of this Merida which was a 2013 San Diego Comic Con Exclusive (limited to 480 pieces made) and featured a metallic dress. Surprisingly though, it's not rare or hard to find for a limited edition. You can find that one right on Amazon here (currently only $14.88) or eBay:
Comic Con Exclusive Merida Funko POP