Written by Primeval12 and crazy8wizard, photographs by Primeval12, edited by Suspsy
Hey, welcome everybody to our overview right here on the Dinosaur Toy Weblog. And I’m simply gonna be trustworthy, it is a doozy. At this time, crazy8wizard and I might be reviewing the notorious Papo Protoceratops from their 2022 wave. Wizard helped me overview the animal from a scientific perspective and I reviewed it from an aesthetic perspective. Let’s check out it! [Editor note- Thanks also to Happy Hen Toys for sending a sample of this figure to EmperorDinobot to review, and since he was unable to review it, thanks to Primeval12 and crazy8wizard for stepping up.]
First, a bit of background. In 2022, Papo introduced two (technically three if we embody the Mosasaurus that was launched the next yr) new figures of their prehistoric animal vary. 2021 noticed a break from them releasing dinosaurs (the one prehistoric fashions being the Megalodon and the underrated baby Smilodon), so after I heard that we’d be getting a Protoceratops and Styracosaurus, I used to be thrilled. The 2020 fashions had been all nice with very good sculpts and particulars, so for sure, the photographs had been a little bit of a disappointment to me. The Styracosaurus was just a repaint of their previous one and the Protoceratops appeared very off to me. I didn’t purchase this determine myself, however my buddy Gianna was good sufficient to get me it for Christmas one yr. Having it in hand, it’s not horrible but additionally not nice.
It is a comparatively small mannequin, measuring in at about 25 cm lengthy, 5 cm huge, and 5.5 cm tall on the hip. The true life Protoceratops measured round 2-2.5 m lengthy, which places this toy between the 1:13 and 1:17 scale vary. Regardless of the small dimension, this determine remains to be on the pricier aspect. Anticipate to pay round $20 USD for it.
Beginning with the positives, I really like the coloration of this determine. I’m an enormous fan of brilliant blues and greens. The attention spots on the frill are fairly placing. I can think about this particular person utilizing them to frighten a hungry Velociraptor or different predator. The darkish inexperienced and light-weight inexperienced dry brushing on the animal’s torso can be fairly good. Paint-wise, this determine will get a thumbs up.
The sculpt, nonetheless, is the place points begin to come up. As Wizard identified, there are a number of scientific inaccuracies with this determine. Whereas Papo is thought for his or her odd use of artistic liberty, this Protoceratops will get loads mistaken. One of many largest points that Wizard seen was the pinnacle sculpt. The neck attaches to the mistaken a part of the cranium, and is ready too low. To compensate for this, the backbone seems to be too bent. This poor man ought to see a chiropractor ASAP. The cranium itself is nearly the proper form, however has a number of points. It lacks the keratinous sheath on the jugal horns, it’s lacking the nasal ridge that ought to be current (even Mattel acquired this proper!), and the nostrils are on the beak for some cause. The dentition is considerably appropriate, however with not sufficient tooth.
Let’s discuss concerning the mouth for a second. That is simply essentially the most baffling a part of this determine. When it’s open, it’s completely terrifying. I might simply think about this toy scaring a small baby. Because of this, I select to pose my determine with a closed jaw. This amends a few of these points, however the mouth seems swollen. It’s like this poor man ate a bee.
As a result of the neck is simply too low, the shoulders and arms are additionally too low. Regardless of this, the arms are in some way the proper size. The animal has the proper variety of digits, however the fourth and fifth ought to be smaller and lack claws. The again legs are proportioned incorrectly, with overly lengthy thighs and overly quick shins. The again ft are a slight enchancment over the entrance ones, although, with the proper variety of toes.
The pores and skin element is weird to say the least. It has these giant, craggy scales throughout the physique and flat, bandage-like ones throughout the again and onto the tail. The again of the hind limbs and the entrance of the forelimbs even have these scales. These options are speculative and whereas unlikely, not unimaginable. We wouldn’t have pores and skin impressions for Protoceratops, however these blocky scales usually are not current on its well-preserved relative, Psittacosaurus. I do suppose the smaller scales look first rate, aesthetically, particularly with that lighter inexperienced drybrushing. Nevertheless the plate-like scales look horrid. It feels nearly insectoid to me. Together with them was such a bizarre selection.
There have been truly a LOT of bizarre decisions made with this determine. However is it dangerous? In truth, I can’t say it’s all dangerous. Whereas the sculpt makes me die a bit of inside, it’s saved a bit of bit by its coloration and element. It’s very removed from good although. Papo can and has finished higher.
Trying on the stomach, it appears this determine was produced for the 2018 or 2019 line. Nevertheless, the truth that this little man was delayed till 2022 says loads concerning the high quality of this determine. My guess is that its preliminary launch was delayed, or probably canceled earlier than the pandemic compelled it out. In actual fact, Papo appears to have finished a post-pandemic stumble when it comes to its high quality. Fortunately, their new sculpts appear to be a return to type for this firm, so hopefully the times of crud like this are over.
Thanks a lot to crazy8wizard for serving to me overview the anatomy of this determine. We hope to be again quickly to write down a overview of one thing.
I additionally wish to notice that this overview was initially meant to be finished by the late EmperorDinobot earlier than his passing. I wished to take this second to say thanks to him for all he’s finished for this weblog and discussion board. I hope we did this overview justice for you.
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