As a kid I watched He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, and I got a kick out of Orko. The character wasn't one of the earlier releases despite being featured in the opening for every episode, and I didn't like how he looked when he came out - so I never got one, and stayed away from the toy line. I did get the 2003 one, and the Classics one was also really excellent. This one is interesting in that it's a lot like the Classics one except for color. Mattel has made Orko a lot brighter in most recent toys, like the Mega Bloks figure and Eternia Minis. They also made his hat extremely orange, instead of red or a very very red orange. Other than the hat color, everything about this figure feels like how you would probably imagine the character if you knew him from the cartoons and for that reason, I'd say he's worth a look.
Due to the unusual shape of the character, it's hard to translate him into three dimensions. The head on this toy is a black ball, while it's hidden in shadows on the cartoon. The scarf or face mask looks a lot like this toy, as are the robes, but the big "O" doesn't quite match. It's bigger in the carton, bolder and tends to cover more of the body. It's worth noting the hat again, because I don't know that there have been very many intensely orange hats until the last couple of years.
I really like this figure, even if he's not quite 100% what I wanted. The hands have three fingers, you get some nicely jointed arms and wrists so he can gesture his magic or hold any accessories you might reasonably expect. He can "float" on a jointed display stand, which feels like a sturdy and potentially expensive accessory. This figure has no legs, but this glittery cloud probably costs about as much as some feet. You'll note a ratcheting arm which can help him tilt and also gives him the illusion of motion. The one thing this figure does not only well, but better than anybody else in the entire line, is to emote. He has a lot of personality from those arm joints, which aren't blocked by such elements as big beefy muscles.
Mostly molded in color, Orko has paint on his black O (which is actually sculpted on his shirt), his ears, and his eyes. The rest seems to be molded in color. If you have that previous collector Orko, it's a lot like that - and given the one I'm reviewing is from 2020, you knew that. But I just got one in 2024 at a collectible toy shop, so it's new to me. If it's new to you, I'd say you're in for a treat. You can also get the 2024 reissue.
I really wish they threw in a wand or some handheld accessory, but I don't get the sense that there isn't enough plastic in the package for the money. Given the character's origins in the cartoon, this figure looks Filmationy enough to not necessarily require another new version of the toy to fit in with the "Cartoon Collection" figures. If you also dragged your feet, it's probably worth your while to get one if you can get one for retail price.
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