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REVIEW: Gecco 1:6 Scale Berserk GUTS PVC Statue
The Black Swordsman Impresses...
In Berserk, the dark fantasy comic (turned into an anime) created by Kentaro Miura, the main character "Guts" wields a huge two-handed sword called "Dragonslayer" to get his point across. With Gecco's newest 1:6th scale Berserk Guts PVC statue, the company uses that very same weapon as a dynamic, eye-catching centerpiece. How can you look at this without saying "Holy Cow"? That massive blade instantly grabs your attention, Berserk fan or not. It's that kind of display power that makes the Black Swordsman Guts one of Gecco's most impressive PVC statues produced to date. Priced at $339 and available through Gecco Direct, the Guts PVC statue is more on the high-end for a Gecco release, however its larger size helps make up for it.
Standing 15-inches from the bottom of the base to the tip of the sword, Guts has some height. The piece also packs some bulk, the armor and cape on the Black Swordsman adding some substantial meat to the statue. Oh, and that sword? It measures a massive 13 1/2-inches long. They say never bring a sword to a gun fight, but in this case it looks as if Guts would make mincemeat of Metal Gear's Raiden.
What I really appreciate about Gecco's PVC statues is the minimal fuss from box to shelf. The most time-consuming step is removing all the protective plastic, something Gecco goes to great lengths to do in protecting the final product. Other than that, simply remove Guts from his protective clamshell tray, choose a head portrait - "Glaring" or "Sneering" - pop on his large cape, and attach his even larger sword blade. The latter proved a little difficult to insert due to Gut's cape being in the way, but with some patience and some force, you'll soon have a very solid connection.
Picking a head to display is also a challenge as both portraits are so nicely done. The closed mouth, stern look is nice, but my money is on the "sneering" head sculpt. You'll note that both heads have "The Brand of Sacrifice" carved in the neck, however the "sneering" sculpt shows the mark bleeding - a cool touch.
Unlike past Gecco statues, Guts comes permanently attached to his 7-inch diameter display base, something I'm sure was done due to Guts being more top heavy. It doesn't bother me one bit. Not only does it make displaying this statue extremely solid, but the grisly base is to die for.
Two "Apostle Spawn" - or rather, what is left of them - are expertly sculpted, along with a shredded tree trunk. The brilliant pop of red from the severed head and viscera really help tie this piece together - that same blood red staining Guts' wicked blade. I must mention here that the paint AND sculpt work on the Dragonslayer sword is extremely impressive; the plastic weapon seriously looking as if it was forged from rusty iron.
In fact, the paint and sculpting work on the Guts statue go hand-in-hand on the entire piece. Just immaculate work. From the individual "steel" plates of his armor, "leather" straps and leggings, to the spring of Guts' Cannon Arm, the work on Guts is incredibly realistic. While Gut's Cannon Arm does not swing open, Gecco did allow fans to open Guts' hip satchel revealing the adorable Puck and Behelit. Another bonus feature is the real metal chain attached to Guts' cloak. This can be left dangling down, or, as I discovered, can be attached to the hilt of his sword.
Gecco continues to blow me away with their 1:6th scale PVC statues. Expertly sculpted and painted, Guts is an amazingly composed, dynamic display piece. $339 may seem like a lot (and it is), but as many Berserk fans know, that price is infinitely cheaper than many Berserk statues on the market today. Gecco's Berserk Guts PVC statue is an investment... an investment in awesome.
Review and Photos by Jeff Saylor
Review Sample Courtesy of Gecco
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