Nendoroid Astarion - Review of the Official Baldur's Gate 3 Merchandise🍷
Buying the Astarion figure marks my first experience with the Japanese brand Nendoroid. After unpacking the protected components from the box, I proceeded to assemble Astarion in various poses. Three distinct anime-style facial expressions. The art style here is subtle and seeks to delicately capture Astarion’s feistiness in every variation. In addition, the figure includes interchangeable arm and hand parts that allow Astarion to be displayed in various poses. From relaxed with a glass of wine to a killer with Raphsody’s dagger and a blood-stained face. The fun here mainly involves taking apart and reassembling the head, torso, arms, and hands however you like. It is also possible to rotate the head and legs, offering even greater freedom to set the pose I like. Although, this model could have also included more left hands, since we currently have four right hands compared to just one left. On top of that, I’d like articulation at the knees—though that might be a challenge for a Chibi-style figure standing only about 10 cm tall.
All plastic components are of good quality, though they should be handled with care as they are prone to scratching. The company takes its product seriously and does not leave us without a paper manual on how to handle this specific product. I appreciate that the packaging of this type of toy—full of small parts that could easily be swallowed—states that it is a collectible figure for ages fifteen and up.
The set also includes a board resembling the arena floor in the Cazadora Dungeons beneath the Crimson Palace. This location in Baldur’s Gate 3 is known as the site of the final confrontation with Cazador and the decision that determines Astarion’s future. I’m a little disappointed that Nendoroid didn’t include interchangeable parts featuring the Vampire Ascendant doublet from the Baldur’s Gate 3 epilogue. Even so, I like the way the product is made. I’ll display the Astarion Nendoroid on my shelf alongside the other figures, complete with the themed backdrop and the “Astarion approves” plate. This version of the vampire rogue definitely catches the eye with its rather unique design and the ability to change poses thanks to interchangeable parts, which I’ll store separately. Who knows if other companions won't get their own Nendoroid models after Astarion?
~ Patricia Ancunín
