I've know ranted about this before, but Mini-Mates have definitely earned the #1 spot for team completion in modern pop collectibles. Traditional action figures always fall a few figures short, Funko Pop shows crazy potential but needs more time, and HeroClix does a fantastic job, but all too often there's one modern costume in a retro lineup or vice versa - plus they're really tiny with varying degrees of detail. Mini-Mates, however, having been proving their commitment to collectors for years. I've completed New Mutants, Alpha Flight, Excalibur, the original X-Men, the 90's X-Men, and the original X-Factor with ease. And, no, it's not only Marvel that gets this treatment. In a few short years, they have created an extremely complete ThunderCats lineup. I love every single cat they've produced, but I'm only focusing on the three ladies here. Cheetara, WilyKit, and Pumyra are representative of one of the greatest 80s properties out there. Let's check them out in detail below!
The ThunderCats Minimates were release in five separate 4-packs between 2012 & 2013. Many of these were released as Convention exclusives, with overstock eventually released through Diamond to specialty stores.
ThunderCats Classic MiniMates Series 1
SDCC 2012
Lion-o, Panthro, Jaga (Spirit Version), Mumm-Ra (Mummy Version), and an unarticulated Snarf accessory.
ThunderCats Classic MiniMates Series 2
NYCC 2012
Jackalman, Monkian, Vultureman, Slithe, and an unarticualted Wolfrat accessory.
ThunderCats Classic MiniMates Series 3
Spring 2013
Tygra, Cheetara, WilyKit, WilyKat, and an unarticualed Ro Bear Berbil Bill accessory.
ThunderCats Classic MiniMates Series 4
SDCC 2013
Lion-O (Young Version), Mumm-Ra (Everliving Version), Jaga (Living Version), Grune the Warrior, and an unarticulated Ma-Mutt accessory.
ThunderCats Classic MiniMates Series 5, "ThunderCats Hooo!"
Fall-Winter 2013
Lynx-O, Bengali, Ratar-O, Pumyra, and an unarticulated Ro Bear Berbil Bert accessory.
I'll start with the Main female ThunderCat:
Cheetara
Cheetara is the sole female of the original team. She can run at super-high speeds and has precognitive visions.
Cheetara's weapon of choice is a long bo staff that can change size at will. When not extended, she keeps it mounted on her left forearm.
Next up is one of the youngest members:
WilyKit
WilyKit and her twin brother WilyKat (The ThunderKittens) are always getting into trouble. They ride around of their hovering Space Boards and set plenty of episode plots in motion.
WilyKit some with a Space Board and two whips (one coiled and one uncoiled).
Lastly, we have the newest member,
Pumyra
Pumyra is a the medic of the ThunderCats who also has the ability to make great powerful leaps. I really loved Pumyra's role in the 2011 animated series. They really took some creative liberties with her character and made her one of my favorite parts of the series.
In all the packaging pics, Pumyra is shown holding a hammer accessory. This is Bengali's Hammer of Thundera, not hers. Her standard weapon is a sling (which she doesn't come with).
I have high but doubtful hopes that we will see a 6th set of ThunderCats Mini-mates. But if by some miracle it were to happen, I want this lineup: Jagara, Snowman, Claudus, Lynxana, and a Berbil-Belle accessory.. and if they want to make a super-exclusive Chilla figure I'd be cool with that, too :)
Time for a Group Shot!
Cheers!
These are really fantastic! Very tempted to hunt them down. That last shot of the whole set is epic!
ReplyDeleteWas very disappointed when the 2011 series & toyline ended so quickly. Would have been nice to get a Pumyra from that show.
Cheers Alex!
I know that 2011 cartoon series and toyline cancellation is my biggest disappointment of the decade so far. Pumyra was awesome in the show. (and that Panthera character was pretty interesting, too). Remeber when Bandai said an 8" Cheetara was in the work and would probably be released as a convention exclusive? This was after then announced the scaled-down classic figures and the ditching of the 8" line. It's been a while so I know it's unlikely, but I really hope she comes out eventually.
Delete