Review of Captain Janeway - Star Trek Voyager
Sixth Scale Action Figure

Introduction

When EXO-6 started their journey with the Star Trek license, I expected many great sixth scale figures. I had zero doubt we'd see characters like Data, Riker, and Worf, or Uhura and Chekov. But I never imagined that one of their first three figures out of the gate would be Captain Janeway.

They've approached the line on multiple fronts, going after specific shows, while at the same time producing a 'captains' series. It's an ingenious way to get some terrific characters, and create the sort of hype for the decades old property that other companies have long had trouble accomplishing.

They are also producing these quickly, with far less wait time between pre-order and shipment. Janeway went up for order this summer, and we already have her in hand. EMH should be here early in 2022, and we already have Mirror Mirror Spock on pre-order. It's really impressive.

They've also managed to keep costs in check. Janeway will run you around $190 at most retailers.

Packaging - ***1/2
The boxes are all collector friendly of course, and they are packed carefully in brown shippers with corner protectors. There's even a secondary plastic tray under the black tray, only there to provide support and protection. While they want you to open these up and enjoy them, they also realize collectors care about keeping a clean box, and are designing the packaging to be sturdy.

Sculpting - ***1/2
EXO-6 has been killing it with their portraits, and they tackled a really tough one this time. Kate Mulgrew is attractive, but with no real discerning or extreme facial feature. There's nothing about her for a sculptor to latch on to - I'd feel sorry for any caricature artist trying to create her portrait.

That makes it harder for an artist to create a portrait that jumps out at you and screams "janeway". If there was a scar, or a bald head, or a crooked nose...it would be easier, which is why characters with issues, especially creatures and monsters, so often seem dead on accurate, while portraits of 'pretty people' are so much harder to do.

They've done an excellent job overcoming the hurdle, and this is very clearly Mulgrew as Janeway. Pop the head off the body and hand it to someone without the costume as a reference point, and I'd be willing to bet they'd recognize her...assuming they're a Trek fan. They've also gone with the later seasons hair style, a smart choice I think.

The two piece head/neck combo does create a bit more prominent jawline, and I do think the hair could stand to have a bit more detail work in the strands. But overall the accuracy and realism of the portrait is great.

That leaves the expression or emotive effect, and that's where I think they really captured her. While the basic structure of her face might not have any extreme feature to riff off of, she does have expressions that give her the look you recognize. They went with the sly smirk, not too extreme, but just enough to bring in her personality.

Each of the hands are sculpted to work with the accessories, and the figure stands about 11 inches tall, fitting in nicely with the rest of the line.

Paint - ***1/2
Female sixth scale figures can be very tricky. One of the most common complaints is 'it looks like Barbie'. The biggest reason for that? The paint. While male characters have all those blemishes, pock marks, and rough skin texture, female characters don't. Replicating a realisticly smooth, flawless skin with few blemishes can send your figure into the Barbie-zone pretty easily.

But it is possible to create realistic females, as companies like Hot Toys have shown. And EXO-6 is matching that quality, with perfect eyes, lips, and skin textures. The paint work here supports the realistic, life-like sculpt, and enhances the quirky expression.

I do wish the hair had a bit more variation, and the hairline needs to be a bit less well defined. But overall the work is excellent, and shows the attention to detail and care that they are going for.

Articulation - ***1/2
The underlying body has all the articulation you expect, and while the suit can add some restriction, it's nothing hat wouldn't exist in reality with this clothing.

I mentioned earlier that they went with the separate head and neck. This might not always produce the best aesthetic, but it does give you far more posing potential. You can add a ton of tilt and lean, perfect for the character's personality.

The shoulders, elbows, and wrists can manage most normal human arm poses. While the costume keeps the shoulders from extending too far upward, that's not unrealistic. She can pose with the phaser or rifle, and can take natural flowing stances.

The hips, knees, and ankles all have plenty of movement, and while the suit again restricts a bit of the torso from turning and crunching, you can get enough out of the upper body to break up straight lines.

Accessories - ***1/2
She's nicely outfitted, and has a couple key extras.

I mentioned the hands earlier. While there's one set of relaxed hands and one set of fists, the other three sets are designed to grip various accessories, or for specific poses. They swap easily, and look great.

She has the phaser, phaster holster, tricorder, and tricorder holster you'd expect. These attach with magnets to her suit, as with the other figures.

She has three new, unique items. There's the large rifle, with a strap. She can manage one or two handed poses, and it's quite an impressive display of force.

There's also the small PADD, with a detailed screen (sticker). Like the tricorder and phaser, the attention to detail is really impressive.

The third unique item is her coffee cup. Like Picard and his Earl Grey, Janeway loved her coffee, and this cup will likely be your go to accessory on the shelf.

Each of the EXO-6 figures comes with the transporter-like display base with two different covers. One cover looks like a single transporter pad, while the other allows you to put bases together and create the larger ship transporter. And as with the other figures, there's the 'signature' card, which can be attached to the base with a clear plastic piece.

Outfit - ****
With exceptional tailoring and attention to materials and colors, they've knocked another uniform out of the park.

The fit is perfect, the construction top notch, and the screen accuracy dead on. The communicator is attached tightly and aligned properly, and the pips look terrific.

There's not a single nit to pick here - it's that good.

Fun Factor - ***1/2
Combine this figure with Picard and Kirk to start your Captain's display, or get a shelf ready for more Voyager members to join her. Either way, this is a figure that you'll have a ton of fun posing, and creating displays with other characters.

Value - ***1/2
At $190, you're getting a fantastic figure. The quality EXO-6 is producing across the board is impressive, and they are doing it for $25 - $50 less than the competition.

Things to Watch Out For -
Not a thing. Everything was sturdy and easy to work with, and I had no concerns about breakage or damage.

Overall - ***1/2
I never expected to get so many great sixth scale Star Trek figures in such a short period of time. EXO-6 is killing it right now, and are easily my company of the year for 2021. They are producing great figures at a reasonable price for a license I love - how can it get better?

Simple, give me figures in that line that I never expected to get!  Captain Janeway was not one I expected to see, and they did a fantastic job with her. She makes a terrific and much needed addition to the Trek display, and is a critical piece in the Captain Legacy.

I can't wait for EMH and Mirror Mirror Spock, let alone the next announcement!

Score Recap (out of ****):
Packaging - ***1/2
Sculpting - ***1/2
Paint - ****
Articulation - ***1/2
Accessories - ***1/2
Outfit - ****
Fun Factor - ***1/2
Value - ***1/2
Overall - ***1/2

Where to Buy 
Online options include these site sponsors:

- Entertainment Earth has it for $189 with free shipping.

- or you can search ebay for a deal.

Related Links -
I've covered the EXO-6 Data and Picard, as well as the Qmx sixth scale figures of Picard, Kirk and Spock, McCoy, Sulu, Scotty, and Khan.

You should also hit the Search Reviews page, in case any other applicable reviews were done after this one was published.

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