Saint Seiya - Knights of the Zodiac collectible figures

Different ways to collect Saint Seiya figures

Collectible figures dedicated to Saint Seiya – Knights of the Zodiac now offer very different collecting experiences. Collectors can choose articulated Saint Cloth Myth figures with removable Cloth armour by Bandai Tamashii Nations, the buildable Blokees models, Iron Studios Art Scale 1/10 resin statues, or Bandai Tamashii Nations’ fixed-pose PVC Figuarts ZERO figures.

These different ranges are not necessarily designed to offer the same experience. Some allow collectors to regularly change the way a character is displayed, others add the enjoyment of assembling the figure, while statues offer a finished composition entirely conceived by the sculptor.

Which Saint Seiya figure range should you choose?

The choice mainly depends on how collectors want to enjoy their figures.

Saint Seiya Saint Cloth Myth figures are particularly suited to collectors who enjoy posing, removable Cloth armour and numerous display options. With the range having been developed for more than twenty years, it also covers a very large selection of characters and different periods from Saint Seiya.

Blokees figures offer a different approach: the character must first be assembled before it can be posed and displayed. Champion Class models generally stand around 14 to 16 cm tall and use a snap-fit assembly system requiring neither glue nor paint. Building the figure is therefore an integral part of the collecting experience.

Iron Studios statues, by contrast, focus on a fixed pose and a composition defined from the outset. The current Saint Seiya collection is produced in the Art Scale 1/10 format, with both standard and Deluxe versions.

Are Saint Seiya Blokees the same scale as Saint Cloth Myth figures?

Not exactly. Their height can give that impression: Blokees Champion Class models generally stand around 14 to 16 cm tall, which is close to the size of classic Saint Cloth Myth figures. However, the proportions, body design and armour construction remain specific to each range.

The difference becomes even more noticeable with Saint Cloth Myth EX figures, which are generally larger. Blokees and Saint Cloth Myth can therefore be displayed within the same collection, but they were not designed as two ranges sharing a common scale.

Are Iron Studios statues the same scale as articulated figures?

No. Iron Studios Saint Seiya statues are produced at 1/10 scale, while Saint Cloth Myth and Blokees use their own formats. They therefore generally appear more imposing when displayed alongside articulated figures.

The base must also be taken into account. With a statue, the height of the character alone does not determine how much display space is required: scenery, effects and poses can considerably increase the width and depth of the piece. The Ikki Deluxe Art Scale 1/10 statue, for example, stands approximately 41 cm tall and almost 37 cm wide due to its imposing Phoenix display element.

Iron Studios statues therefore work particularly well as centrepieces in a display cabinet or in a dedicated area separate from articulated figures.

What is the difference between Art Scale and Deluxe Art Scale at Iron Studios?

Both versions use the same 1/10 scale. The Deluxe designation therefore does not mean that the character itself is reproduced at a larger scale.

A Deluxe version generally features a more elaborate composition, with a larger base, additional scenery or extra visual effects. Taking Ikki as an example, the Deluxe version adds an imposing representation of the Phoenix to the display, while the standard Art Scale version uses a more understated base inspired by the steps of the Sanctuary. Some Deluxe statues can also include additional features: the Libra Dohko statue, for example, incorporates LED lighting and his twelve weapons.

Articulated figure or statue: which takes up more space?

The height stated on the product page only tells part of the story. An articulated figure measuring 15 to 18 cm generally remains relatively compact, although a wide pose can increase the amount of space it requires.

An Iron Studios 1/10 statue, on the other hand, can occupy considerably more space because of its base, scenery and overall composition. This is an important consideration for collectors of 1/10 statues: the scale makes it possible to bring several characters together in one collection, but the bases and diorama elements must also be taken into account when planning a display cabinet.

Choosing a Saint Seiya range therefore depends as much on the character you are looking for as on the way you want to interact with your collection: building, posing, or simply displaying a finished composition.