S.H. Figuarts Naruto Vs. S.H. Figuarts Naruto (Sage Mode)

DING DING!

Although I was originally going to do the full comparison in the post, I realized there's enough to talk about that I'd make a separate post comparing these two figures. This may be a rare thing, but here are your categories to evaluate

Here are our categories!     Sculpt and Paint
                                            Overall Accuracy
                                            Accessories
                                            Articulation
                                            Price
                                   
I will credit this layout to ToyGalaxy's channel where he does Versus videos of two figures. Check him out here! Toy Galaxy's Youtube Channel




Sculpt/Paint: From the standpoint of paint applied, and overall sculpt of the figure itself, the original S.H. Figuarts Naruto has a lot of things going for it. Shading, and a general build that overall is more in scale with the others in the line. That said he is missing a piece of the figure, namely black kunai pouch he keeps on his right mid-thigh. The Sage version definitely has brighter colours and paint applications that draw the eye better. This round goes to Naruto (Sage Mode)!

Overall Accuracy: The colours and look of the Sage mode Naruto figure more accurately reflect the show itself, so once again, the winner is Naruto (Sage Mode)!

Though I do like the original, the skin tone and orange is much
better on the Sade Mode

original does have way better toe painting though.
Do you even toe, Sage mode?

Note how the newer version has his classic kunai pouch

Much more translucent Rasengan effect for the Sage Mode
version.

Accessories: Naruto (Sage mode), hands down, wins this one with superior items and faces to swap out.

Original Naruto Accessories

Articulation: Both figures here actually come fairly close. While the original figure release has better hip motion, the Sage mode release has better shoulder/butterfly action. The original figure has a much better double jointed knee motion as well as waist swivelling. Naruto Wins!

Better knee bend on the original

Original has a higher front kick

Original has a better hip rotation that allows more backbend

Diaphragm joint gives a slightly better backbend

Forward bend is fairly similar

Elbow bend is about the same

View from the back

Sage Mode has better butterfly range (and doesn't look as
square)

Original does the splits better

Price/Availability: While both may only be available online at this point, the original figure is a bit cheaper to buy on Amazon and other online retailers. This could be a factor of time; the original release has been out since 2014. Winner of the round, Naruto!

	Naruto	Naruto (Sage Mode)
Sculpt and Paint
Overall Accuracy
Accessories
Articulation
Price

Final Verdict:  The Clear Winner of the round: Naruto Sage Mode! I do think this figure does improve on a lot from the first release. I kinda wish it had more faceplates to interchange but it is pretty great.