Bandai Action Figures

Bandai Co., Ltd. is a Japanese toy maker and a producer of plastic model kits. In 1997, Bandai entered an arrangement with Squaresoft to license the Final Fantasy properties for the purpose of manufacturing and distributing action figures in Japan and internationally. Figures for Final Fantasy VII, VIII, IX, X, and the film, The Spirits Within were produced between 1997 and 2002. Figures averaged around 6.5" (165mm) in height with limited articulations and packaged with accessories, such as weapons. Each figure was packaged separately in blister packaging. 
In 1997, the Extra Knights label comprised of characters from VII. Starting in 1999, the series was renamed Extra Soldier for the VIII and IX lines. X figures had no series at all. The Spirits Within figures were released under the series, Fantasy Becomes Reality.
==Extra Knights Series==
Released in 1997, the Extra Knights series comprised of seven main characters from Final Fantasy VII. The packaging for the first three characters in the series indicate that a Cid figure was initially planned, but was never produced.
Characters are numbered I through VII respectively on the packaging:
;I. Cloud Strife: included Buster Sword, Hardedge, and display stand.
;II. Aerith Gainsborough: included Guard Stick, and Chocobo.
;III. Barret Wallace
;IV. Red XIII
;V. Tifa Lockhart: included Frog and display stand.
;VI. Vincent Valentine: included Quicksilver and display stand.
;VII. Sephiroth: included Masamune, and display stand.
===Collectible Edition===
Released in 1998, the collectable box set was available in Europe, packaged with Cloud, Tifa, Barret and Aerith. Included in the box were weapons for Cloud (Buster sword and Hardedge) and Aerith (Staff), stands for Cloud and Tifa, and Chocobo and Frog. Red XIII, Vincent, and Sephiroth were never released in Europe.
===Release Differences===
These were released in Japan and, a bit later, internationally. The packaging of the international line differs only slightly, retaining Japanese text in most places. An easy way to distinguish between versions is that the "Extra Knights" logo in the top right corner on the front of the Japanese packaging has been replaced by a black "WARNING: Choking hazard" box in the international, while on the back, the warnings on the lower third are fewer and written in English instead of the original Japanese. Though the same molds were used for both releases, there is a notable decrease in paint detail in the international, with several subtle differences and omissions apparent upon close inspection -- perhaps most notably being the complete absence of Barret's left-arm tattoo.
Cloud by Bandai Extra Knights.jpg|Cloud
Aerith by Bandai Extra Knights.jpg|Aerith
Barrett by Bandai Extra Knights.jpg|Barret
Red XIII by Bandai Extra Knights.jpg|Red XIII
Tifa by Bandai Extra Knights.jpg|Tifa
Vincent by Bandai Extra Knights.jpg|Vincent 
Sephiroth by Bandai Extra Knights.jpg|Sephiroth
VII Collectible Edition by Extra Knights.jpg|Collectible Edition (EU)
==Extra Soldier Series==
===Final Fantasy VIII===
Released in 1999, the series comprised of eight main characters. The figures were first sold individually and later collected into two box sets, featuring three figures that were never before released. Box sets included all associated weapons.
;Standalones
;Squall Leonhart: included Revolver, and display stand.
;Rinoa Heartilly: included Pinwheel, and display stand.
;Zell Dincht: included display stand.
;Irvine Kinneas: included Valiant, and display stand.
;Quistis Trepe: included Chain Whip, and display stand.
;Selphie Tilmitt: included Flail, and display stand.
;Seifer Almasy: included Hyperion, and display stand.
;Laguna Loire: included Machine Gun, and display stand.
;Collectable Box Set 1
*Squall Leonhart
*Zell Dincht
*Selphie Tilmitt
*Edea Kramer
;Collectable Box Set 2
*Seifer Almasy
*Laguna Loire
*Rinoa Heartilly
*Angelo
*Moomba
Squall by Bandai Extra Soldier.jpg|Squall
Rinoa by Bandai Extra Soldier.jpg|Rinoa
Zell by Bandai Extra Soldier.jpg|Zell
Irvine by Bandai Extra Soldier.jpg|Irvine
Quistis by Bandai Extra Soldier.jpg|Quistis
Selphie by Bandai Extra Soldier.jpg|Selphie
Seifer by Bandai Extra Soldier.jpg|Seifer
Laguna by Bandai Extra Soldier.jpg|Laguna
Edea by Bandai Extra Soldier.jpg|Edea
Moomba by Bandai Extra Soldier.jpg|Moomba
Angelo-Bandai-Extra-Soldier.JPG|Angelo
===Final Fantasy IX===
Released in 2000, the series comprised of the eight main characters from Final Fantasy IX. The figures were packaged in two character sets. Sets included Final Fantasy IX branded display stands.
;Zidane Tribal & Vivi Ornitier: included two Daggers, Butterfly Sword, sheath, removable tail, and Mage Staff.
;Garnet Til Alexandros XVII & Adelbert Steiner: included Rod, and Broadsword.
;Eiko Carol & Amarant Coral: included Golem's Flute. Coral has unremovable Cat's Claws.
;Freya Crescent & Quina Quen: included Javelin and removable tail. Quina holds an unremovable Fork.
Zidane by Bandai Extra Soldier.jpg|Zidane
Vivi by Bandai Extra Soldier.jpg|Vivi
Dagger by Bandai Extra Soldier.jpg|Dagger
Steiner by Bandai Extra Soldier.jpg|Steiner
Eiko by Bandai Extra Soldier.jpg|Eiko
Amarant by Bandai Extra Soldier.jpg|Amarant
Freya by Bandai Extra Soldier.jpg|Freya
Quina by Bandai Extra Soldier.jpg|Quina
==Final Fantasy X==
Released in 2002, the series comprised of only three characters.
;Tidus: included Brotherhood.
;Yuna: included Herding Staff
;Seymour Guado
Tidus by Bandai.jpg|Tidus
Yuna by Bandai.jpg|Yuna
Seymour by Bandai.jpg|Seymour
==Fantasy Becomes Reality Series==
Released in 2000, the series comprised of seven prominent characters and one vehicle figurine. Each figure was packaged with a collectable card. Characters include:
;Aki Ross
;Gray Edwards
;Dr. Sid
;Ryan Whittaker
;Neil Fleming
;General Hein
;Phantom
;Copperhead: included four one inch figurines, and display stand.
Aki Ross by Bandai.jpg|Aki Ross
Gray Edwards by Bandai.jpg|Gray Edwards
Sid by Bandai.jpg|Dr. Sid
Ryan Whittaker by Bandai.jpg|Ryan Whittaker
Neil Fleming by Bandai.jpg|Neil Fleming
General Hein by Bandai.jpg|General Hein
Phantom TSW by Bandai.jpg|Phantom
Copperhead TSW by Bandai.jpg|Copperhead
Category:Merchandise