Happy 60th anniversary sega!
2020 is the 60th Anniversary of SEGA, and also the 12th Anniversary of First 4 Figures making SEGA collectibles! We thought we would celebrate this occasion with a look back through the history of F4F SEGA products!
A History of FIRST 4 FIGURES X SEGA
Sonic the Hedgehog (Sonic the Hedgehog Classic)
Limited Edition: 1500 Pieces
This inaugural First 4 Figures classic statue of Sonic the Hedgehog is posed with Sonic rubbing his nose atop a base inspired by the iconic Green Hill Zone–the first level ever in a Sonic game!
Sonic the Hedgehog Mini Figure Collectibles Series 1
Series 1 of the 2″ Sonic the Hedgehog Mini Figures was widely available via local stores, and was the first time many collectors learned of First 4 Figures. The series featured classic versions of Sonic, Knuckles and Tails.
Super Sonic (Sonic the Hedgehog Classic)
Limited Edition: 350 Pieces
Super Sonic was the first SEGA statue First 4 Figures ever created with an Exclusive Version! The translucent spikes have an electronic light-up function–a feature that would return for many future F4F statues based on Sonic and other SEGA properties.
Sonic the Hedgehog Mini Figure Collectibles Series 2
For the first time ever, First 4 Figures offered a convention pre-release when the Metal Sonic Mini Figure was available early at the Summer of Sonic 2010 event!
Classic Super Sonic and Amy Rose were also released as part of Sonic the Hedgehog Mini Figure Collectibles Series 2.
Metal Sonic (Sonic the Hedgehog Classic)
Limited Edition: 350 Pieces
The first Sonic the Hedgehog villain ever created as a resin statue, the Exclusive version of classic Metal Sonic had a base with electronic light-up features in addition to his eyes, chest and back engine all lighting up!
Sonic the Hedgehog 20th Anniversary Statue
Limited Edition: 1000 Pieces
Based on the official 20th Anniversary artwork, this Sonic statue was never available to be purchased at all–collectors could only obtain it through a contest or promotion or as a gift from SEGA!
Knuckles (Sonic the Hedgehog Classic)
Limited Edition: 500 Pieces
Created in his classic design, this statue of Knuckles the Echidna is pounding his signature fist into a rocky base submerged in lava that can be found in Lava Reef Zone! An aggressive and dynamic pose was chosen to complement his personality.
The Knuckles Exclusive Edition’s base features red and yellow lights that slowly pulse between each color to mimic the lava effect. The lights slowly fade away after you turn them off. He is 10 inches tall when crouched – fitting perfectly in scale with the others in the series.
Tails (Sonic the Hedgehog Classic)
Limited Edition: 500 Pieces
Created in his classic design, Tails is zooming along Mushroom Hill Zone, with his twin tails spinning at full speed creating a wind behind him! This Tails statue has a dynamic pose and an expressions that complements his personality, and is 12 inches tall–perfectly in-scale with the other characters in the Sonic the Hedgehog Classic series.
The Tails Exclusive Edition’s base features three mushrooms that slowly pulse between different colors and that fade out slowly when you turn them off. This really helps to bring the environment to life!
Sonic the Hedgehog (Sonic the Hedgehog Modern)
Limited Edition: 750 Pieces
In May 2012, First 4 Figures kicked off a new line of Modern Sonic the Hedgehog Collectibles with the resin modern Sonic the Hedgehog statue! While classic Sonic was in a static museum pose, modern Sonic was our most action-packed pose yet, depicting Sonic zooming past in full sprint mode and grinning!
Shenmue – Ryo Hazuki (SEGA All-Stars)
Limited Edition: 350 Pieces
First 4 Figures kicked off their all-new SEGA All-Stars line with the protagonist of Shenmue, Ryo Hazuki! Standing at 12 inches in height, cast in high quality polystone and painted by hand, Ryo Hazuki is stood in a ‘ready for action’ stance, ready to take on any challengers as he walks the streets of Yokosuka.
Shadow the Hedgehog (Sonic the Hedgehog Modern)
Limited Edition: 600 Pieces
The second piece in the Sonic the Hedgehog Modern series was none other than the black-and-red hedgehog made in an experiment to create the ultimate life form: Shadow the Hedgehog!
Shadow is captured speeding along Radical Highway in his trademark ‘skating’ running style. Flames erupt from his jet-powered boots as he tries to outrun and outmaneuver the G.U.N forces trying to chase him down. The flames coming from the Exclusive versions of Shadow’s boots flicker in an alternating pattern to capture the full effect of Shadow in action!
Sonic Generations (Sonic the Hedgehog Dioramas)
Limited Edition: 450 Pieces
In late 2013, First 4 Figures unveiled another new SEGA line of statues: the Sonic Diorama Collection! This collection celebrates iconic scenes from Sonic’s amazingly diverse history from unforgettable stages, and historic moments from the games themselves.
The first piece in the series was the Sonic Generations diorama, based on the recognizable City Escape stage! The scene depicted in the diorama features both Modern Sonic and Classic Sonic boarding their way down the streets!
Virtua Fighter 5 – Akira Yuki (SEGA All-Stars)
Limited Edition: 1000 Pieces
The mascot character of Sega’s long running Virtua Fighter series, Akira Yuki, was not only the second entry in the SEGA All-Stars line–he was also the first fighting game character that First 4 Figures ever made a statue of! The 1/6 scale Akira Yuki statue is 11″ tall, standing in his signature pose from Virtua Fighter 5.
Skies of Arcadia – Vyse (SEGA All-Stars)
Limited Edition: 425 Pieces
The First 4 Figures statues of Vyse from “Skies of Arcadia” is the only officially-licensed figure or statue ever made for the beloved sky pirates RPG! While Vyse is made of resin, his Blue Rogues flag is made of high-quality fabric for an extra touch of authenticity.
Jet Set Radio – Beat (SEGA All-Stars)
Limited Edition: 1250 Pieces
The fourth addition to the SEGA All-Stars statue series was the mascot of Sega’s hit game Jet Set Radio: Beat! Beat is portrayed doing what he does best: Grinding along a beam in Tokyo-To on his special skates, with spray-can in hand, tagging any spot he can.
A special faux-grass has also been used in the design to truly bring the environment to life!
F4F worked hard to capture Beat in a look reminiscent of the cel-shaded style that the original Jet Set Radio was praised for. LEDs are integrated into the sparks flying from Beat’s in-line skates, bringing extra life to the piece!
Dr. Robotnik (Sonic the Hedgehog Classic)
Limited Edition: 1000 Pieces
The tallest of all Sonic the Hedgehog statues that First 4 Figures has ever produced, Dr. Robotnik stands at an impressive 22 inches tall, putting him directly into scale with our other classic Sonic collectibles.
Dr. Robotnik stands in one of his most famous poses, crazily laughing with his arms outstretched. His based is inspired by the floating platforms of Wing Fortress Zone, his enormous battleship from Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
The Tornado (Sonic the Hedgehog Dioramas)
Limited Edition: 425 Pieces
The second piece in the Sonic Dioramas Collection captures the final climactic moments of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, with Sonic and Tails chasing after Robotnik as Tails pilots the red bi-plane “The Tornado”, whilst Sonic rides the wings high above the clouds!
The plane itself is also attached to the base via a pivoted joint that allows the plane to be posed and angled however the collector chooses.
NiGHTS into Dreams – NiGHTS (Sega All-Stars)
Limited Edition: 500 Pieces
The fifth addition to the SEGA All-Stars range was NiGHTS, the main character from the hugely popular NiGHTS Into Dreams that debuted on the SEGA Saturn. NiGHTS is posed standing on a pedestal next to a crescent moon, recreating one of the most iconic images of the character.
For the Exclusive version of NiGHTS, the moon itself is lit with subtle ambient lighting, allowing for a simply stunning appearance once darkness falls.
Super Sonic (Sonic the Hedgehog Modern)
Limited Edition: 600 Pieces
Modern Super Sonic is captured splashing down into the flooded ruins of Station Square, during the climactic final fight with Perfect Chaos at the end of Sonic Adventure.
Special painting techniques have even been applied to the figure to give Super Sonic the stunning reflective yellow sheen that is often seen in the games. A specially-colored clear resin on the base also allows you to look through the water to see the detailed ruined road that lies beneath the surface.
Two lengths of LED lights under the water’s surface illuminate in sequence to add a further dynamic to the Exclusive version of the statue, giving the appearance of Super Sonic speeding into the scene.
Shenmue – Lan Di (SEGA All-Stars)
Limited Edition: 275 Pieces
The most recent character released in the SEGA All-Stars range was also the series’ first villain: Lan Di! Shenmue’s lead antagonist and Ryo’s nemesis, Lan Di came with two interchangeable right arms so that he could be displayed arrogantly beckoning or with both arms behind his back.
Silver the Hedgehog (Sonic the Hedgehog Modern)
Limited Edition: 375 Pieces
The most recent addition to the Sonic the Hedgehog modern series was none other than the telekinetic hedgehog time-traveler, Silver the Hedgehog! Silver is posed ready to unleash his psychic powers and help save the future.
The Exclusive Edition of Silver the Hedgehog had LEDs included in his hands, bracelets, boots and the base, truly bringing the entire piece to life!
Sonic the Hedgehog 25th Anniversary (Sonic the Hedgehog Dioramas)
Limited Edition: 875
This diorama was released in honor of Sonic’s 25th Anniversary, and is inspired by the end section of the Green Hill Zone in which Sonic zooms pass the goal post to continue to the next act.
The exclusive version of the Sonic the Hedgehog – 25th Anniversary diorama has several exciting features. The Super Peel Out (also known as Figure Eight) is a technique exclusively performed by Sonic the Hedgehog and this diorama brings the move to life with animated LEDs. The goal post also spins, replicating the exact action seen in the game.
Sonic and Tails (Sonic the Hedgehog Dioramas)
Edition Size: 350 Pieces
Always looking for news ways to satisfy fans’ varying preferences, First 4 Figures designed two different versions of the Sonic and Tails diorama! The first version, which also had a standard edition available through retailers, depicts Sonic and Tails with angry expressions as they fly over a scorched jungle base.
Sonic and Tails Tropical Jungle Edition (Sonic the Hedgehog Dioramas)
Edition Size: 300 Pieces
This variant edition of the Sonic and Tails diorama was available exclusively through the First 4 Figures website, and features smiling expressions on Sonic and Tails and vibrant tropical scenery from Sonic The Hedgehog 3 – Angel Island Zone, Act 1 !
Sonic the Hedgehog PVC
Edition Size: 5,000 Pieces
After the introduction of the popular PVC range of First 4 Figures statues in 2017, a SEGA PVC was finally introduced at the end of 2019 when the 11″ Sonic the Hedgehog PVC was put up for pre-order!
The highly detailed Sonic PVC statue is seen striking a dynamic pose, revving up to run faster than the speed of sound. The base design is inspired by the Green Hill Zone, and on it is also the Star Post checkpoint, which you can rotate up to 90 degrees, allowing for multiple viewing angles.
Reala (NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams)
Edition Size: 350 Pieces
5 years after the release of NiGHTS, another character from the fan-favorite franchise arrived: Reala! This is the first statue from First 4 Figures’ all-new NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams line. Who knows what the future may hold for this series?
Super Shadow (Sonic the Hedgehog Modern)
Joining the Modern Super Sonic statue that launched in May 2015, First 4 Figures’ Super Shadow statue burst onto the scene as the latest addition to the Sonic the Hedgehog Modern lineup!
Atop a starry outer space based inspired by the final boss battle in Sonic Adventure 2, Super Shadow is harnessing the power of the Chaos Emeralds to create a huge Chaos Spear effect piece! The Exclusive Edition also features LED light-up functions for the fiery aura surrounding Super Shadow.
Shadow the Hedgehog: Chaos Control (Sonic the Hedgehog Modern)
Over 8 years after launching their original statue of Shadow the Hedgehog, First 4 Figures offered a new version of the popular hedgehog as a variant of their new Super Shadow statue.
With a unique right hand clutching the green Chaos Emerald and a base inspired by the Final Rush stage of Sonic Adventure 2, Shadow the Hedgehog: Chaos Control is a worthy update to the original statue of the character for both new fans who missed out and old fans who want another representation of Shadow in their collections!
...with many more
wonderful years working
with sega to come!
Thank you SEGA! We are honored to have the privilege of bringing your iconic characters to life! Here’s to another 12 years of FIRST 4 FIGURES X SEGA products, and congratulations on your milestone 60th Anniversary!
