For attendees of Re-Venture in Hong Kong (RVHK), an exhibition of 3A products at their headquarters, the KDA isn't really something new. While it sports some new plaster on the face, and some new kicks, the OG TK head on a slim body has been used on 4 TKs that form part of the RVHK event exclusives, the Old Guard TKs (like Yoji, reviewed here). But for everyone else who didn't attend the event, or spent huge amounts of money buying them in the after market, KDA definitely is sought after.
Prices sure have soared for a basic male figure produced by 3A, such as this. In March '11, Wasabi, a figure from the 7 Bones series that sports the same headsculpt, wide shouldered body, but armed with more weaponry, was sold at only $80 shipped. A year and a half later, KDA sold for $130. The hike in cost must've gone somewhere, probably to the labour for tailoring the new shoes, and if you still think the "free" Lasstranaut t-shirt and poster weren't paid by the consumer, think again.
The story behind KDA? The TKYO's bodyguard. Well, the adventure continues with you, so use your imagination. The Yos probably treat KDA pretty bad, seeing how he is all weathered and dirty compared to the clean figures that the Yos are. Luckily, mine didn't come with too much weathering.
KDA wears a black t-shirt with a newly designed sketch of Lasstranaut. She seems to be sitting on a giant TK head, dripping... stuff, on to it. It is the exact same print that is on the "free" t-shirt that comes with the figure. Personally I won't wear such a shirt out to the public... Though it is a somewhat free country, it's just not my cup of tea. On a 12" figure though, it looks alright.
Of course, what was new about this figure is the shoes. When the figure was previewed, the shoes were sparkling clean. Somehow, someone made the decision to weather them as well, and a photograph of it on a poster for the Taiwan 3A exhibition showed the outcome. Personally I think it wasn't something to scream about. I kinda like it weathered like the rest of the figure. It would probably be odd if the shoes were the only clean parts of KDA... like as though he was OCD only with footwear.
KDA's weapon of choice is the standard issue TK Katana. Only this time the weathering is done in large blotches, which I'm not particularly a fan of. There are also red sponge prints on the blade itself, which I would also prefer if it was omitted. If it's not broken, don't try to fix it... and TK swords are pretty nice as is and don't really need such weathering executed without any refinement.
Overall, it is a decent figure. I have an issue with the pricing, which, personally I think that some increment is understandable but $130 for a basic figure without any parka is just beyond what I would say is value for money... I think it has been mentioned that the OG head will be retired after this figure (or after TKYOs)... and there shall be no more TKs "of this kind". Well, the same marketting gimmick by the same business man I suppose.
BTW, the jacket in some of these photos belong either to Rehel or Tracky Bleak.
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