In my final Takara Tomy assessment, I coated the ANIA Styracosaurus, the 17th determine within the AL line and an honest, however admittedly considerably drab-looking rendition of the horned dinosaur. As if in full consciousness of the latter truth, Takara Tomy’s 18th figurine of the AL line incorporates a putting distinction within the elegant and brightly coloured Parasaurolophus, the primary ornithopod dinosaur featured within the collection. This assessment additionally marks 20 full Takara Tomy evaluations for the Dinosaur Toy Weblog, in order that’s neat! (apologies to OCD readers for not masking AL-20 for this one, I didn’t assume this far forward)
The “Animal Journey” Parasaurolophus was initially launched late January of 2019, alongside the Styracosaurus. Like all ANIA collectible figurines, the dinosaur is available in one piece, packaged securely in a small cardboard field adorned with images on the entrance and a life illustration on the again, plus some details concerning the animal and the same old product/model info. Contained in the field with the figurine are two truth playing cards, one in Japanese and one in English; it’s a pleasant gesture to encourage schooling for home and worldwide youngsters, though the English model reads like a poor machine translation. The animal is described on the very fact sheets as reaching as much as 10 meters (~ 33 ft) in size, which places the 12.5-cm (5-in) figurine at 1:80 scale.
In an amusing turnabout from many different dinosaurs within the line, the ANIA Parasaurolophus is definitely extra brightly coloured than the life illustration on the field (though the illustration has extra intricate patterning). Certainly, the hadrosaur is decked out in an nearly neon lime inexperienced for a lot of the physique, with an orange flush on the face and crest, and a thick stripe of teal operating the size of the backbone and tail. Whereas the outcomes may not be very real looking, it’s a welcome change from the browns and grays seen on many prior dinosaurs within the ANIA collection. Successive dinos within the line have continued the development of shade and appear to have improved on patterns as properly.
Anatomy is fairly good on the figurine; some proportions between the top, torso, and tail are just a little off, however inside cause for what is supposed to be a baby’s low-cost play toy. The crest is, after all, diplayed within the fullest measurement, though a slight “fin” of soppy tissue within the again hints at extra dated reconstructions; certainly, the swan-like neck and head, regardless of reputation, have been already on the way in which to getting phased out by paleontologists and paleoartists in favor of extra robust, horse-like reconstructions. The ever-present “duck invoice” can be underdeveloped, missing the bigger beak most hadrosaurs doubtless displayed in life. Elsewhere the toes have the suitable digits for the 2010s, and the spinal ridge has a lumpy nature that might be an try to copy the animal’s sloped again, plus perhaps the well-known spinal injury recorded on the holotype specimen. All in all, it’s a fairly respectable likeness of the dinosaur on the given worth vary of 900 yen or much less.
Parasaurolophus is without doubt one of the extra articulated dinosaurs within the line; there are two hinges within the neck, a swivel at every hip, and two extra swiveled hinges within the tail. The neck specifically provides quite a lot of persona when dealing with the toy, which will be posed grazing, bellowing, or strutting tall. Regrettably the determine can’t stability solely on it’s hind legs, although. The tail joints come set in particular instructions, however with mild dealing with one can reposition the joints to modify between up-and-down or side-to-side movement. Total the articulation is fairly primary, however I believe youngsters and idle collectors can get a satisfying vary of play from the toy.
Takara Tomy’s ANIA creatures will be hit and miss, however I believe Parasaurolophus is unquestionably one of many higher efforts for what it’s. It’s a satisfactorily charming little toy that may match quite a lot of hand sizes for various ages, and will maintain as much as play and show completely wonderful. The figurine nonetheless seems to be in manufacturing, and will be discovered by a variety of channels together with Interest Search and HobbyLink Japan.
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