Eureka 20mm Japanese figure review
Many Thanks to Nic Robson & John Chadderton for pre-release access to the new range of 20mm "1936-45" Japanese figures.
On this page I will reference each set and comment on the various poses and historical accuracy.
Specific information is take from the excellent Osprey Men-at Arms title "The Japanese Army 1931-45 (2)" covering the late war (1942-45) period.
1936-45 Japanese
200WWT30 Japanese infantry in kepi, with rifles and LMG – 10 figure set
200WWT31 Japanese infantry in helmet, with rifles and LMG – 10 figure set
200WWT32 Japanese infantry in camouflaged helmets – 10 figure set
200WWT33 Japanese Type 89 50mm grenade launcher (knee mortar) – 2 figure set
200WWT34 Japanese Type 92 HMG – 2 figure set
200WWT30
Japanese infantry in Kepi, with rifles and LMG - 10 figure set
Each of the 10 figure sets depicts similar poses but with 3 variations of headgear. The first type have kepis (with sun shield). If you look at colour plate B in the Osprey title (Solomons and New Guinea 1942-43) figure 1 depicts a Superior Private, 20th Infantry Division New Guinea 1943. He is carrying a Type 96 LMG as depicted above (3nd figure from the left - second row) . In the Osprey plate the gunner is shown in shorts but with long sleeved shirt rolled as in 20 WWT30 above. The figures are all of practical use in wargames terms. I must say that I thought the plain helmets and camo helmets looked better (but only just).
200WWT31
Japanese infantry in helmet, with rifles and LMG - 10 figure set
The second set features similar poses but this time with a plain helmet. The officer figure has a more animated and slightly better proportioned build. This is the same officer included in 200WWT31 & 200WWT32. As before all the accoutrements are accurate and detailed enough when painting. The half breeches are well defined and have good lines for painting. Apart from the lack of the heavier jacket these figures would also be acceptable for Burma & China 1944-45.
200WWT32
Japanese infantry in camouflaged helmets - 10 figure set
In the third infantry set there are 11 figures illustrated but only 10 listed in the catalog. I'm assuming that this will be resolved by release time. I'm unsure if it is legitimate to have an officer with a camouflaged helmet but this would have been a great opportunity to either have this officer the same as his troops or to have created another pose of officer with the plain helmet. This is by far my favourite set. Once again plate B from the Osprey title shows a Private, 2nd class, 2nd Infantry Division, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, 1942.
200WWT33
Japanese Type 80 40mm grenade launcher (knee mortar) - 2 figure set
The initial release supplies two types of support weapons. The first is the knee mortar shown here in its correct firing position (not from the knee where it was carried). I like both these figures as they are nicely animated and posed in 3D rather than 2D as many lying down figures often are. As with most of the figures the faces have sufficient detail for painting.
Japanese Type 92 HMG - 2 figure set
Finally here is the "Woodpecker" HMG so often referred to in contempory accounts. My only "grizzle" with this combination is that the number 2 on the gun seems to be waiting to load the gun. Was the type 92 belt fed or ??? Unfortunately I use 3 figures in my Rapid Fire battalion so I need to get a third figure by either raiding one of the infantry sets or from another figure range. Maybe a figure kneeling with binoculars.
Conclusion
So having looked at each set individually what is the overall verdict. In general all figures are nicely posed and useful as wargame figures. Specifically they are very suitable for the Solomons and New Guinea 1942-1943 (obviously to match the "Pacific" Australians to be released at the same time. The occasional figure in shorts or sleeves rolled down or jacket would have given some variety. Both support weapons are very good and given the high proportion of both in a Japanese battalion (especially the knee mortar) they will look great on the table. All in all Mike Broadbent has done a magnificent job.
What then is missing ? I'm not sure if it is planned to expand this series but here would be my wish list:
(a) Type 92 70mm battalion gun and crew (the SHQ one is OK but I'm sure Mike Broadbent could do a better job on both weapon and crew figures)
(b) a figure carrying a flag (one for each of the helmet types ?)
(c) sniper figure (not only camo helmet but camo jacket and trousers - lying down or behind a log, standing in a tree ?)
(d) a command set - officer in sun helmet, jacket and boots, maybe the figure carrying a flag from above, figures carrying boxes ? and a signaller
(e) an observer team (2 figures) one standing or kneeling and a second carrying a radio
(f) wounded and dead figures (no helmet ?? would give them universal appeal)