Action Figure Review: Chun-Li (Deluxe Player 2 Exclusive) from Ultra Street Fighter 2: The New Challengers by Jada Toys

 

   I've been nuts about Chun-Li since playing Street Fighter II: The World Warrior on the Super Nintendo I got for Christmas when I was in 3rd grade. The only woman in the original roster, Chun-Li was captivating, quick, and fun as heck to play as due to her speed and cool attacks like the lightning leg. She's not just one of the faces of the Street Fighter but one of the most memorable video game characters of all time. I reviewed the standard Jada Toys Chun-Li release from 2023 earlier this year and today I'm checking out the Chun-Li Deluxe Player 2 Exclusive that was released on Jada's Next level website this summer for SDCC 2024 and which is still available as of this week. This is a pretty cool offering that gives you not just Chun-Li in one of her alternate color schemes but also offers up some new accessories and a new portrait. In fact, Jada Toys included two copies of the new laughing/ victory headsculpt: One for this figure and one with the correct colors so it can be used with your standard Chun-Li. How cool is that? I love when figures come with accessories and items like this that can be used with figures you already own. Let's get ready to throw down with Chun-Li after the break...

The Facts:

Height: 5 3/4ths inches

Articulation: Swivel/ hinge ankles, boot swivels, double hinged knees, swivel thighs, ball jointed hips, ball jointed waist, balljointed torso, swivel/hinge shoulders, bicep swivels, double hinged elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, swivel/ hinge neck, and a balljointed head.

Accessories: 6 swappable hands, 2 wrist bands, 4 swappable portraits, lightning leg effect, kikoken effect, and 2-piece effect stand. 

Non-Scalper Price: $35 dollars

Comparison:

* Here's a quick side by side comparison of the Player 2 Chun-Li (left) and the standard Chun-Li (right). The standard figure really isn't taller, so I'm not sure why she looks that way in the picture. Sculpt-wise, they're the same figure, though I think this one has some of the minor changes put into the second release version of Chun-Li that Jada rereleased. 

The Positives:

* I'm still a fan of the stylized look that Jada is using on this line. It's a nice mixture between a slightly exaggerated anime aesthetic and a more realistic appearance, matching perfectly with the in-game art and the accompanying art of the various editions of Street Fighter II. This is a really nice alternate version of Chun-Li! Now she's sporting a pink and gold qipao that has clearly been tailored to allow her legs a full range of motion. The lower part of her dress is rubbery and hangs over her waist and hips, but doesn't constrain them in any way. her qipao has a texture to it that sets it apart and the gold details are very cleanly painted on. Oh, and her thighs? They are suitably muscular and they'll absolutely catch your eye. Chun-Li is know for possessing some pretty powerful thigh muscles and Jada Toys captured that well here. 

* The basic portrait is reused here but it still looks great. Chun-Li is an undercover Interpol agent, a master of multiple martial arts styles such as taekwondo, sanda, and judo, and the self proclaimed "strongest woman in the world." She's tough and Jada definitely captured that in her look. Her normal headsculpt, while gorgeous, still lets you know that Chun-Li is not someone to be trifled with. She might be wearing pink but that doesn't mean she's not determined to mop the floor with you if you cross her. 

* Did you know Chun-Li's name is Mandarin for "Spring Beauty?" Now you do! Her hair is styled into niújiǎotóu, better known as ox horns or double buns. They're held in place with various ribbons and they look quite elegant. They're light pink here with gold trim painted to match her outfit. Each of her portraits has them.

* Chun-Li's second head (which swaps very easily) definitely shows her in the middle of battle utilizing one of her special movies. If you're buddy buddy with Shadaloo then you'd better look out.

* This version adds a new portrait with Chun-Li laughing as she does when she's just won a match. Incredible! It's really good and looks awesome in person. Portraits with strong expressions sometimes look off in photos, but in hand where you're constantly moving the figure it's just spot on.

* As I mentioned above, Jada Toys actually included two laughing portraits. One for the Player 2 color scheme and one for the original figure. The ribbons in her hair are colored white and yellow to match her outfit there. That's a really cool addition!

* Chun-Li's spiked wristbands just seem like something you wouldn't allow into a legit martial arts tournament. Then again, when folks are throwing fireballs and sonic booms, I guess regulations are pretty lax. The spiked bracelets are removable, but why take them off? They're just such an integral part of Chun-Li's look. 

* The articulation is the same as the previous figure, which means it's excellent. Chun-Li has a crazy range of motion in most of her joints. They're nice and tight but still very fluid, especially her head and neck, hips, waist, and mid-torso. I picked up a few Storm Collectibles figures in 2023 that I never got around to reviewing and while the articulation isn't quite as smooth on Chun-Li as it is on those figures, she still blows most other 1/12th scale figures available at regular retail out of the water.  

* Chun-Li comes with six swappable hands: A pair of fists, a right hand fist with her thumb out (maybe for posing or throwing the fireball?), a left hand peace sign, and a pair of flat striking hands. They swap easily and all the joints and pegs feel sturdy. 

*  So far all of the figures have with effects pieces to show off their special moves and they're pretty impressive. This is definitely one of the things about this line that makes them feel akin to import quality figures. Chun-Li comes with a translucent blue energy effect that represents her Lightning Legs attack. It's a set of three energy effects, designed to mimic her rapid series of quick kicks, and it attaches to the top of a clear plastic stand.

* The stand rotates at the base, has two hinges on it, and the Lightning Legs effect can rotate on top, too, making it very versatile for different poses.

* Her leg can slip into any of the lighting energy/ motion effects, really making for a convincing looking setup. 

* At some point as a kid I picked up Street Fighter II: Turbo, the one that had Hyper Fighting, and was impressed that Chun-Li now could throw a fireball. Her Kikoken was a bit different in that game and this one resembles the one from Street Fighter II: The New Challengers, a game I didn't end up with on my SNES until middle school or high school, long after I had a Nintendo 64 and maybe even a Playstation. Still, it was great. This can fit onto the same stand as the lighting leg effect and has a smaller translucent effect inside the larger one.

   I loved the first Chun-Li figure and wile I'm not as big of a fan of her pink costume as I am of the classic blue and yellow, this figure really packs in some nice extras. The packaging is great, too, and you get four portraits, 6 hands, and 2 special move effects. That's a lot of variety and even at $35, ten more than the standard figures, it feels like you're getting your money's worth. This is an Epic figure and not only is a solid Chun-Li figure on its own but it makes the first one even better with the new laughing portrait. This one's a winner for sure.





   Looking for more of Chun-Li? I've also reviewed the Jada Toys Chun-Li and the Super7 minifigure Chun-Li figure from M.U.S.C.L.E. Street Fighter II: Pack D. 

For more reviews from Jada Toys' Ultra Street Fighter 2: The New Challengers check out the following:

Chun-Li
Dhalsim
Ken
M. Bison