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Based on Naruto Shippuden, this Banpresto figurine depicts Zetsu, a member of Akatsuki recognisable by his half-human, half-plant appearance. Part of the Noir Edge Collection, this version stands approximately 32 cm tall, largely due to the imposing growths surrounding his head. It features the dark, high-contrast colour scheme characteristic of this collection.
Zetsu is depicted standing in the Akatsuki’s long black cloak, adorned with red clouds edged in white. Around his head unfolds his gigantic plant-like structure, reminiscent of a carnivorous plant, here rendered entirely in shades of charcoal grey and black. In the centre, his face is divided into two parts, corresponding to the Black Zetsu and White Zetsu components. His pale legs and shinobi sandals remain visible beneath the cloak.
The pose is deliberately upright and static, with his arms concealed by the long sleeves of the cloak. The considerable volume of the plant-like elements thus forms the main focal point of the sculpture. The Noir Edge Collection favours a monochrome, sombre aesthetic punctuated by a few characteristic colours: on Zetsu, black and grey dominate, whilst the red of the Akatsuki’s clouds and the collar lining provides the main contrast.
Zetsu is a particularly unusual member of the Akatsuki. His appearance consists of two distinct halves, generally referred to as Black Zetsu and White Zetsu, whose different personalities can act independently. His body is surrounded by large plant-like growths reminiscent of a carnivorous plant, a feature distinctive enough for Naruto to compare him to a ‘spiny aloe’. The official Naruto website also highlights this duality between Black Zetsu and White Zetsu.
The White Zetsu play a significant role during the Fourth Great Ninja War. An army numbering tens of thousands of them is deployed against the Shinobi Allied Forces, and their ability to mimic the appearance of other people allows them to infiltrate various units and sow confusion and mistrust amongst the fighters. Naruto, in particular, becomes able to detect these impostors thanks to his new sensory abilities.
Black Zetsu, meanwhile, has a much longer history. Towards the end of the conflict, he reveals that he has manipulated many of the events that led to the war and plays a direct part in the return of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki. He then asserts that his will is that of Kaguya and unveils to Naruto and Sasuke part of the hidden history of the Shinobi world.
This Noir Edge Collection figurine visually combines these two facets of Zetsu in his classic appearance as a member of Akatsuki, whilst transforming his imposing plant-like features into a dark mass that fits perfectly with the range’s aesthetic.