Play Arts KAI

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Play Arts KAI logo.

Play Arts 改 -KAI- (プレイアーツ改, Purei Ashi KAI, lit. Play Arts "Revolution") is Square Enix's line of improved (and upsized) Play Arts action figures that debut in November 2009. It is also under Square Enix's "Black Label Collectors" line-up. Unlike its predecessor line-up "Play Arts," Play Arts KAI includes franchises outside Square Enix and Eidos such as Konami, Ubisoft, Microsoft Studios, Sony Computer Entertaintment, Platinum Games, Capcom, EA, Sega, Hollywood movies, comic books and manga - with the Metal Gear series being one of these franchises. Play Arts KAI figures are sculpted by OOParts.

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

Play Arts KAI's first involvement with the series was the announcement of the Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker figure of Snake in his MSF Sneaking Suit who's prototype was introduced to public at Tokyo Game Show '09 along with 5 other Play Arts KAI figures. The figure included 2 Mk22 Mod-0 pistols, 1 Hush Puppy suppressor, a ballistic shield and a pair of extra hands. The figure also included a code to download a special recruited solider onto the PlayStation Portable version of Peace Walker as well as a FOX T-shirt if the player doesn't already have it. The Sneaking Suit ver. was released in June 2010.

A Vol. 2 set of figures was released this time being the AI weapons, PUPA, CHRYSALIS and BASILISK. Each one also came with a PSP code. They were released on September 2010.

Vol. 3 featured Snake again, this time in his Jungle Fatigues attire when a prototype was announced at Tokyo Game Show '09 and in color at E3 '10. The figure came with a Mk22 Mod-0, a M16A1, a Stun Rod and a extra hand. The set also involved the COCOON and ZEKE AI weapons as well, all 3 of them came with PSP codes. They were released on November 2010.

The final set (Vol. 4) contained Snake in his Battle Dress attire and Kazuhira Miller. The prototypes of the figures were introduced to public at Tokyo Game Show '10 and full color prototypes were revealed on February 2011 on Hideo Kojima's Twitter account. Snake came with a Mk22 Mod-0, a M60, a RPG-7, a extra head resembling a MSF soldier w/ helmet and a extra hand. Miller came with a Mk22 Mod-0, a M16A1, 2 pairs of sunglasses, a extra head resembling a MSF soldier and a pair of extra hands. No PSP codes were included in this set. The figures were released on June 2011.

During the time of the last set's release, Square Enix Products shop did an offer that whoever purchases Snake (Battle Dress ver.) or Miller from their online store or store at conventions received a limited edition accessory pack containing the Love Pack cardboard box to display the figures in. The offer was exclusive only to Japan and available throughout June - September 2011.

3 limited edition figures were released for the Peace Walker set. The first being the Version ZERO of the Snake - Sneaking Suit ver. figure. The differences between it and the original is that his suit is now chrome and the Ballistic Shield is colored orange. The figure is limited to 500 units worldwide and was only sold at the conventions Japan Expo, Hong Kong Toy Fair, New York Toy Fair and San Diego Comic Con throughout 2010.

The last 2 were the Snake - Battle Dress ver. and Kazuhira Miller Premium Package Versions. These figures were only included with the Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker HD Edition Premium Package which was released in November, 2011 in Japan only (except for Miller who was only obtainable via Konamistyle by adding 5000 yen to the Premium Package's total). The difference between these and their originals is that they were chromed (Snake being lighter and Miller being darker).

On November 14-17, it was announced that registering Ground Zeroes to Konami CORE during November will allow for the chance to win either two Naked Snake - Jungle Fatigues ver. figurines or four PUMA jackets.

Metal Gear Solid

The next set was announced in May 2011 to be Metal Gear Solid, when prototypes of the Cyborg Ninja and Solid Snake was posted up on Hideo Kojima's Twitter account and released as part of the 25th Anniversary of Metal Gear. The prototypes were first introduced to the public at San Diego Comic Con '11 and later at Tokyo Game Show '11 in full color. The ninja was the first to be released on February 2012 with his katana, arm cannon and a extra hand. Snake was released a month later, equipped with a SOCOM, Suppressor, FAMAS and a pair of extra hands.

A limited edition was released for this set. The Cyborg Ninja was re-released, this time in his red appearance. The figure came with the same accessories as the original except with the inclusion of a extra head of his face exposed. The figure is limited to 500 units worldwide and was sold only at Hong Kong Toy Fair, Japan Expo, San Diego Comic Con, Tokyo Game Show & New York Comic Con throughout 2012.

On June 2012, Kojima posted on his Twitter account the next Play Arts KAI figure on its way was Meryl Silverburgh with a prototype figure as part of the Metal Gear Solid set. Meryl's prototype was shown at San Diego Comic Con the following month but no release date was confirmed. On October 2012, the Metal Gear Solid Facebook page unveiled that Square Enix Products was working on a new action figure that was going to be sold at the Konami shop, although scant details were unveiled aside from it being a human figure and the figure wearing knee guards and khaki combat boots. They promised more information in the following week. The image briefly has the 25th Anniversary logo visible near the edge, hinting that it is going to be released as part of the series' 25th Anniversary. It was later confirmed to be the final color prototype figure for Meryl. The prototype was officially revealed to the public at New York Toy Fair '12. Meryl was then released on November 2012 and came with a Desert Eagle, a combat knife and a set of extra hands.

On February 2013, 2 new Play Arts KAI figures was revealed by Kojima on his Twitter account. One of them is going to be based on Liquid Snake and is going to be publicly revealed at the Square Enix booth of New York Toy Fair in February 2013. Liquid's full color prototype was revealed to the pubic at E3 in May 2013. Liquid will come with a FIM-92 Stinger, a USP, dog tags, a pair of extra hands and a display stand. Liquid was orignally planned to be released on September 2013 and was delayed til November 2013. After being delayed twice, Liquid was finally released on December 2013.

All figures are based on the HD re-designs by Yoji Shinkawa during the time Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection was in plans for release, but were never used for the final prints. However, the Cyborg Ninja figure was used as the direct inspiration for the Gray Fox skin in Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance and the Solid Snake figure's concept, was used twice. First as a trading card in Metal Gear Solid: Social Ops and secondly, part of the cover art for Metal Gear Solid: The Legacy Collection.

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

The next set announced was Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty when a prototype of Solidus Snake appeared on Kojima's Twitter account on February 2012 and planned to be part of Metal Gear's 25th Anniversary. A color prototype was revealed on Kojima's Twitter account on April 2012 and to the public at San Diego Comic Con '12. Solidus was later released on November 2012 equipped with extra hands, 2 katanas, 2 P90s, and removable chest plates for his snake arms.

On February 2013, 2 new Play Arts KAI figures was revealed by Kojima on his Twitter account. One of them was based on Raiden in his Metal Gear Solid 2 appearance and was publicly revealed at the Square Enix booth of New York Toy Fair on February 2013. Raiden's full color prototype was revealed to the pubic at E3 in May 2013. Raiden will come with a set of extra hands, dog tags, a high-frequency blade, a SOCOM, a suppressor, the scuba mask changeable head and a display stand. Raiden was orignally planned to be released on September 2013 and was delayed til November 2013. Raiden was eventually released on December 2013.

The Raiden figure is based on his HD re-design by Shinkawa which was used on the box art for HD Collection.

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

The next set announced by Square Enix Products is Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance with the announcement of a Raiden figure posted on Kojima's Twitter account on February 2012. A color prototype was revealed to the public at San Diego Comic Con '12. Raiden comes with his high-frequency blade, sheath, survival knife, 3 kunai, kunai pouch, changeable visor head piece, a pair of extra hands, a pair of extra feet and a display stand. Raiden was originally planned for February 2013 release but was instead released in March 2013.

The next figure announced is a re-release of Raiden, this time in the White Armor attire that he wears in the game via DLC. Although the figure isn't counted as a limited edition it was only obtainable via limited editions of the game: the Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance Premium Package (Konamistyle exclusive) and the European limited edition. The European version is limited to 14,000 units worldwide. The figure was released on the game's Japanese and European release date of February 21, 2013.

3 limited editions have been announced for this set. All being re-releases of Raiden, but based on the 3 custom bodies of Yellow, Red and Blue that were unlock-able in the game. Each one is limited edition to 1000 units worldwide and region exclusive to certain websites and conventions.

Custom Body Red ver. is exclusive to the USA and to websites Anime-Island, Hobby-Fan, Toy Let, BigBadToyStore and Diamond Comic Distributors.

Custom Body Yellow ver. is exclusive to Japan and websites KONAMISTYLE, Amiami, Hobby Search, HobbyLink Japan and Square Enix Shop Japan.

Custom Body Blue ver. is exclusive worldwide. It can be purchased only at Guangzhou '13, Japan Expo '13, ChinaJoy '13, San Diego Comic Con '13, Tokyo Game Show '13, New York Comic Con '13, MCM London Comic Con '13 and Japan Expo '14.

Body Yellow ver. was released on May 2013, while Custom Body Red ver. and Custom Body Blue ver. were released on July 2013.

A modified version of the original Raiden figure, sporting series creator Hideo Kojima's face instead of Raiden's, respectively, was supplied to Kojima by Square Enix Products as a gift. He would also place the head of his Solid Snake figure too for a joke.

Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

On June 2013, via his Twitter account, Kojima announced that a new action figure was on its way. While he didn't say what type of figure it was, he did mentioned that was from Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes. He posted a image of a 3D polygon figure made out of card revealing that the character was Snake. A few days later, Kojima posted another image officially announcing that the Snake figure was indeed a part of the Play Arts KAI range. He also mentioned that said figure would be on display at Square Enix's booth during San Diego Comic Con '13 in July 2013. Snake will come with a Wu Silent Pistol, a AM MRS-4 Rifle, a combat knife, a changeable head resembling Snake wearing his NVG, a set of extra hands and a display stand. The figure's color prototype was revealed to the public at Tokyo Game Show '13. It was released in May 2014. By Day 2 of Comic Con, Kojima, via Twitter, indicated that there were only 8 Ground Zeroes Snake figures left to be sold.

A limited edition was announced for this set. The Snake figure was re-released in a chromed suit (similar to the ZERO ver. Snake from the Peace Walker set), but under the title Metallic ver. The accessories remains the same. This figure is only available in the Japanese Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes Collector's Edition from Konamistyle. It was released in March 2014.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

On September 2013, Kojima posted on his Twitter account a new Play Arts KAI prototype, revealing to be Punished Snake from Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. The figure will come with a Wu Silent Pistol, a SVG-76, a magazine, a iDroid, a survival knife, a changeable head resembling Snake wearing desert goggles, a cloak, a set of changeable hands and a display stand. A color prototype was shown to the public at San Diego Comic Con 2014. The figure was released in December 2014.

On November 2013, Kojima posted on Twitter a prototype of the next Play Arts KAI figure, revealing it to be Skull Face. Skull Face will come with a set of changeable hands, a mare's leg shortened rifle, a fedora hat and a changeable head resembling him wearing a face mask. A color prototype was shown to the public at San Diego Comic Con 2014. The figure was released in February 2015.

On January 2014, Kojima posted on Twitter a color prototype of a Quiet figure. Quiet will come with a set of changeable hands, a changeable head, a sniper rifle, pistol and a survival knife. The figure is planned to be released in May 2015.

On June 2014, via Twitter, Hideo Kojima posted images of the limited edition version of the Punished Snake figure titled "Sneak Preview ver." The limited edition comes with the same accessories as the original and is exclusive to buy only at the events San Diego Comic Con 2014, Gamescon 2014, Tokyo Game Show 2014, New York Comic Con 2014, MCM London Comic Con 2014 and Hyper Japan Christmas Market 2014. It is limited to 1000 units. It was released in July 2014.

On July 2014 during San Diego Comic Con, Kojima posted a image on his Twitter of the lastest figure revealing to be the sinister looking figure on fire that was shown during the early trailers for The Phantom Pain. The character is simply named "Man On Fire" for spoiler reasons. Man On Fire will come with a set of changeable hands and a changeable torso. A release date is yet to be confirmed.

On September 2014, Kojima unveiled on his Twitter account a colorless prototype of the figure resembling Psycho Mantis from the early Phantom Pain trailers. On his Japanese Twitter, he refers to the character as "Man-chan". He also included a quote stating "Wow! Are you also PlayArts?" Various websites reviewed the announcement calling the character "Kid Mantis." The figure's name was confirmed to be "Tretij Rebenok" and it's set to be released on November 2015.

At Tokyo Game Show 2014, after showing the new game play trailer for The Phantom Pain, Hideo Kojima and his staff announced the newest Play Arts KAI revealing to be Punished "Venom" Snake again this time, sporting the new Sneaking Suit featured in the new trailers. Snake will come with a Wu Silent Pistol and a display stand. The release date has yet been announced.

On the Christmas 2014 episode of Kojima Station, a colorless Ocelot prototype figure was unveiled by Satoshi Mikami, who also revealed that there is still more of Ocelot's radio conversations that are to be recorded.

On April 6, 2015, it was announced that two variants of the Venom Snake figure would be released. The first is the Gold Tiger version, which will be released on July 31, 2015 as an Amazon Japan exclusive. The other is the Splitter Version, which will be released on May 2015. Aside from the obvious uniform differences, the only distinction between the two versions as well as prior versions of the Venom Snake figure is that the Splitter version features a metallic gray/silver bionic arm instead of the usual red arm.

On May 11, Kojima revealed on his Twitter account that the Quiet figure is due to be released, and that according to Yoji Shinkawa, the breasts were given soft plastics in order to have them be flexible enough to move around.^[1]

On May 21, teaser images were released of the "Man on Fire" figurine. It was also confirmed that the release date for the figurine will be August 15, 2015, and that it will cost 9760 yen. The teaser images further hint at the apparition being at Colonel Volgin due to its various poses being similar to those made by Volgin in Metal Gear Solid 3.^[2]

On May 29, a prototype figurine for DD was unveiled on Hideo Kojima's Twitter account. The figurine depicts D.D. wearing a canine version of the Sneaking Suit, and is seen holding a knife in its jaws.^[3] According to Kojima, it was still in the Checking phase.^[4] It was later confirmed that it will be released on December 15, 2015, for a price of 12960 yen (95 euros/$107).^[5]