{"id":6869,"date":"2025-10-24T15:45:40","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T19:45:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fantasyactionfigures.com\/?p=6869"},"modified":"2026-01-20T11:35:20","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T16:35:20","slug":"slice-dice-elite-cobra-ninja-force-unleashed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fantasyactionfigures.com\/en_au\/slice-dice-elite-cobra-ninja-force-unleashed","title":{"rendered":"Slice & Dice: Elite Cobra Ninja Force Unleashed"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Slice & Dice: Elite Cobra Ninja Force Unleashed<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Ah, the eternal dance of good versus evil, heroism versus villainy, and\u2014most importantly in the world of action figures\u2014plastic versus plastic. But when Hasbro drops a bomb like the G.I. Joe Classified Series #160, Cobra Ninjas Slice & Dice, it’s not just a skirmish; it’s a full-blown shuriken shower in the toy aisle. Released in September 2025 as a Hasbro Pulse exclusive for the princely sum of $54.99<\/strong>, this 2-pack isn’t content with being mere collectibles. No, sir. These are the yin and yang of Cobra’s ninja underbelly: Slice, the crimson-clad sword savant with a scorpion’s sting, and Dice, the shadowy staff-slinger whose dragon motif hides a penchant for bone-crunching ballet. Together, they’re like if Mortal Kombat<\/strong><\/a> crashed a sushi bar\u2014lethal, elegant, and probably over-tipping with throwing stars.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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As a lifelong G.I. Joe aficionado who’s hoarded more figures than a dragon guards gold (and let’s be real, my shelf real estate is starting to look like a tiny Tokyo skyline), I approached this set with the skepticism of a Joe facing down Cobra Commander’s latest monologue. Would it live up to the hype of the Classified line’s ninja renaissance? Could it outshine the likes of Storm Shadow or the Red Ninjas in articulation and attitude? Spoiler: It doesn’t just shine; it slices, dices, and juliennes your expectations into confetti. Buckle up, fellow yo-Joe-ers, because we’re about to embark on a vast odyssey through unboxing euphoria, sculpt supremacy, accessory anarchy, pose pandemonium, and enough witty asides to make even Destro<\/strong><\/a> chuckle under his iron mask. Let’s roll out.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Unboxing: The Gateway to Ninja Nirvana<\/h3>

Picture this: It’s a crisp autumn morning in 2025, the kind where the leaves are turning but your inner child is already plotting world domination via diorama. The package arrives in that signature Hasbro Pulse stealth mode\u2014no fanfare, just a nondescript box that could pass for Amazon’s latest impulse buy (guilty as charged). But oh, the reveal! The windowed box is a collector’s fever dream: vibrant reds and blacks clash like a Cobra-La fever dream, with dynamic digital renders of Slice mid-Scorpion Slash and Dice twirling his bo-staff in a Flying Dragon flourish. File card icons peek through, evoking the glory days of ’80s cardbacks, complete with original character artwork that screams “vintage homage meets modern menace.”<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Tearing into it (gently, of course\u2014re-sealable blisters are a godsend for display fiends like me), you’re greeted by 24\u2014count ’em, twenty-four<\/em>\u2014accessory pieces tumbling out like a ninja’s loot bag after a heist. No cheap baggies here; everything’s cradled in foam inserts that whisper “premium” louder than Baroness’s<\/strong><\/a> accent. The figures themselves perch like coiled vipers, Slice’s red armor gleaming under the scorpion mask, Dice’s purple-black ensemble lurking in dragon-shadow subtlety. It’s not just unboxing; it’s initiation into Cobra’s elite shadow squad. And at $54.99<\/strong> for two fully loaded 6-inch elites? That’s value sharper than Slice’s hook swords. If pricing were a battlefield, Hasbro just deployed a tactical nuke.<\/p>

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Before we worship at the altar of articulation, we must dissect the duo themselves. Starting with the man (or masked marauder) who puts the “slice” in “slicendice”: the one, the only, Cobra Ninja Slice.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Slice: The Red Reaper’s Renaissance<\/h3>

Slice. Where do I even begin with this scarlet specter? Born in the ninja boom of 1993’s Ninja Force wave, Slice was Cobra’s answer to the question: “What if Snake Eyes<\/strong><\/a> defected, but instead of brooding silence, he brought a vendetta and a vanity mirror?” Clad in that iconic red armor\u2014evoking everything from feudal samurai to a rejected Power Ranger<\/strong><\/a>\u2014Classified Slice is a masterclass in evolution. The sculpt? Top-tier Hasbro sorcery. His torso is a symphony of layered plates and subtle chainmail texturing, capturing the original’s chunky charm while adding anatomical nuance that makes him feel alive, not just articulated. The legs boast reinforced greaves with etched scorpion motifs, and those arms? Bulging with vein-popping detail under the sleeve guards, ready to unleash hell one backhand at a time.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Paint apps are where Slice truly stings. That crimson is no flat fire-engine red; it’s a metallic sheen with subtle weathering\u2014scratches and fades that suggest he’s fresh off a brawl with Kamakura in some forgotten dojo. The scorpion mask head is a standout: glossy black with gold accents that pop like Cobra’s ego, eyes glowing with malevolent LED potential (okay, not really, but in my headcanon, they do). Swap to the unmasked head (wait, does he have one? No, but the alternate scorpion variant adds feral flair), and you’re treated to a snarling visage that’s equal parts intimidating and “I dare you to cast him in the live-action reboot.” Flesh tones are warm, scars implied through shadow play\u2014Hasbro’s airbrush wizards earning their keep.<\/p>

Articulation? Thirty points, baby, and they work<\/em>. Ball-jointed neck swivels with menace, double-elbow hinges for those extended slashes, and thigh swivels that let him pivot like a pro wrestler tagging in doom. The waist crunch? Divine for dynamic leans. But here’s the witty caveat: In a line known for god-tier posing, Slice occasionally demands a toothpick stand-in for ultra-aggressive stances\u2014like balancing on one foot while dual-wielding katars. It’s a minor quibble, akin to complaining your Ferrari needs premium gas. Pose him mid-leap, hook swords crossed in X-mark-the-Joe, and he’s a diorama darling.<\/p>

Now, accessories\u2014ah, the meaty marrow of Slice’s mayhem. Two hook swords that click<\/em> into his grips with satisfying heft, curved like scorpion tails ready to parry a bayonet. Twin knives for close-quarters cosplay, sleek and silver with red-wrapped hilts. The katars? Punch daggers that scream “underarm ambush,” fitting flush against his forearms for that armored assassin vibe. Then the sai\u2014pronged perfection for blocking blades\u2014and a sash dangling kunai like deadly keychains. Don’t sleep on the hat (a conical rice paddy stunner) or the removable cape, which drapes with fabric-like rigidity, billowing in imaginary winds. Four swappable hands\u2014fists, grips, and open palms\u2014mean endless customization. Mix in Dice’s gear, and suddenly you’ve got a ninja trooper factory. Slice isn’t just a figure; he’s a modular menace, begging for your shelf to become a Cobra covert op.<\/p>

Wait, I’ve barely warmed up. Time to roll the dice\u2014literally\u2014on his shadowy sidekick.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Dice: The Dragon’s Dicey Delight<\/h3>

If Slice is the flamboyant frontman, Dice is the brooding bassist, laying down stealthy rhythms in the shadows. Hailing from the same ’93 Ninja Force roster, Dice was always the yin to Slice’s yang: where his partner flaunted red flair, Dice slunk in black and purple, a cat-like saboteur whose “Flying Dragon” technique turned bo-staffs into blur-of-death instruments. Classified Dice honors this duality with a sculpt that’s stealth personified. His frame is leaner than Slice’s bulk, with elongated limbs for that wiry whiplash aesthetic\u2014think Zartan on a keto diet, but with better hair (under the mask, anyway). The torso features quilted gi panels and dragon-scale embossing on the pauldrons, subtle enough for subtlety but detailed enough to reward macro-lens scrutiny. Legs are wrapped in purple bindings, evoking ancient scrolls unrolled for vengeance, and the feet? Perched for precarious perches, toes curled like they’re gripping a cliffside in Kyoto.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Paint-wise, Dice is a master of monochrome mischief. Deep blacks absorb light like a black hole at a funeral, contrasted by vibrant purple accents on the mask and cuffs\u2014think eggplant elegance meets midnight menace. The dragon mask head is a revelation: sculpted with flowing whiskers and snarling maw, painted in pearlescent scales that shift from green to gold under lamp light. Swap to the traditional Dice-clan masked head\u2014a more subdued oni visage with horn stubs and furrowed brows\u2014and you’ve got versatility for “stealth mode” versus “berserker bash.” No weathering here; Dice is pristine predator, his gloss finishes implying he’s the one doing<\/em> the scuffing, not receiving it.<\/p>

Articulation mirrors Slice’s glory: 30 points of pure pose poetry. The bo-staff integration shines\u2014swivel wrists for spins that feel balletic, not brittle. Ankle tilts allow for those low sweeps, and the ab crunch facilitates torso twists that make his dragon roar feel visceral. Minor nit: The ball-jointed shoulders can bind slightly when fully extended with axes, but a quick warm-up (read: gentle manipulation) fixes it. Pose him in a staff whirl, cape (wait, that’s Slice’s\u2014borrow it!) fluttering, and Dice becomes the dark heart of any display.<\/p>

Accessories for Dice? A streamlined symphony to Slice’s orchestra. The bladed bo-staff is the star: double-ended with razor edges that snap<\/em> into place, weighted for realistic twirls (pro tip: clear a coffee table first). Twin battle axes, hefty and hooked, fit his palms like they were forged in Cobra’s own foundry\u2014perfect for cleaving crates or Joe egos. Four hands again\u2014relaxed, action-ready\u2014round out the kit. Fewer pieces than Slice, but oh, the synergy: Slap Slice’s sai on Dice for a hybrid horror, or vice versa for cross-pollinated chaos. It’s troop-building catnip, turning two figures into an army of eight (or more, if you’re feeling remix-y).<\/p>

At this juncture, let’s pivot from individual spotlights to the duet’s duet: how they harmonize in the grand G.I. Joe ballet.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Synergy and Playability: Tag-Team Takedowns<\/h3>

What elevates Slice & Dice from “cool ninjas” to “classified compulsion”? Their interplay. These aren’t solo acts; they’re scripted for tandem terror. Imagine a diorama: Slice lunging with hook swords in a Scorpion Slash arc, Dice vaulting overhead with a Flying Dragon staff spin, axes glinting like fallen stars. The articulation synergy is chef’s kiss\u2014shared height scale means seamless team poses, from back-to-back defenses to synchronized slashes. Playability? Off the charts for adults and kids alike (choking hazard noted, but 3+ my foot; this is grown-folks geometry). The accessories encourage mad science: Deck Slice in Dice’s axes for a berserker twist, or arm Dice with katars for puncture-party precision. It’s Lego logic meets ninja lore\u2014endless, emergent storytelling.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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In action, they hold up against the Classified pantheon. Compared to the original ’93 figures (blocky bricks with charm but charm alone), these are quantum leaps: softer plastics prevent brittle breaks, joints whisper-smooth out of the box. Versus modern kin like the Crimson Guard or Night Force ninjas, Slice & Dice edge out in accessory density\u201424 pieces versus the usual 8-12\u2014making them bang-for-buck bandits. Paint holds a candle to deluxe waves like Hawk with M.M.S., though Dice’s subtlety shines in low-light shelves where flashier foes fade. Cons? That pose-support quibble persists; a $10 stand set is advisable for epic tableaux. And exclusivity? Pulse-only means scalpers lurk, but at MSRP, it’s a steal compared to aftermarket markups.<\/p>

Lore-wise, these bad boys tie into G.I. Joe’s richest veins. Slice and Dice debuted amid Ninja Force’s ’90s pivot, when Joes traded tanks for throwing stars and Cobra countered with shadow warriors. Comics saw them brainwashed by Firefly<\/strong><\/a>, clashing with Storm Shadow in arcs that read like ninja soap operas (betrayal! Redemption! More betrayal!). In your collection, they slot beside Zartan for Dreadnok diversions or Storm Shadow for reluctant rivalries. All that aside: Pair them with a Snake Eyes figure, and you’ve got enough dramatic stares to fuel a Marvel crossover. “You sliced my heart, brother!” Cue the rain-soaked rooftop duel.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Value Verdict: Worth the Ninja Nickels?<\/h3>

At $54.99<\/strong>, is this 2-pack a heist or a hold-up? Unequivocally the former. Per figure, it’s $27.50<\/strong>\u2014cheaper than a single deluxe like Budo, with double the drama. For collectors, the window box is display dynamite; for players, durability defies desk dives. Drawbacks? Limited run means FOMO fuel, and if you’re accessory-averse, it’s overload (but who is<\/em>?). Ideal for: Cobra completists craving ninja depth, diorama divas building black-ops scenes, or casual fans dipping toes into Classified’s cool waters. Skip if your shelf is Joe-jammed or budget’s battling BATs.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Closing Slash: Yo Joe, Indeed<\/h3>

In a toy landscape littered with lukewarm rehashes, G.I. Joe Classified #160 Cobra Ninjas Slice & Dice emerges as a katana through the clutter\u2014sharp, stylish, and unapologetically fun. Hasbro didn’t just update these ’90s icons; they amplified their essence, blending nostalgia with nuance in a 2-pack that punches way above its weight class. From Slice’s scorpion swagger to Dice’s dragon dexterity, every facet gleams with wit-worthy workmanship. Whether you’re posing them in perpetual peril or pondering their place in Cobra’s canon, one thing’s clear: These ninjas don’t just fight; they finesse<\/em> the fray.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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So, grab your Pulse account, channel your inner Destro, and add this duo to your arsenal. Your shelf will thank you\u2014probably with a silent nod and a subtle shuriken salute. Rating? 9.5 out of 10 scorpion stings. (One deducted for that pesky pose wobble; fix it, Hasbro, and we’re at perfection.) Yo Joe? More like Yo Know<\/em>: Slice & Dice are the classified coup d’\u00e9tat your collection craves. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a diorama date with destiny. Over and out.<\/p>

Don’t miss:<\/strong><\/em> G.I. Joe Classified Crankcase Review: AWE Striker Driver<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Shadows in the Spotlight: Unraveling the Ninja Force Saga in G.I. Joe Comics<\/h3>

The G.I. Joe Marvel Comics run, penned largely by Larry Hama from 1982 to 1994, transformed Hasbro’s toy soldiers into a sprawling epic of espionage, betrayal, and explosive action. Amid the tanks, lasers, and Cobra Commander’s endless schemes, one subplot sliced through the chaos like a well-honed katana: the Ninja Force. Emerging in the early 1990s as both a toy sub-line and a comic narrative pivot, Ninja Force injected a dose of martial arts mysticism into the franchise’s military grit. It wasn’t just about flipping bad guys\u2014 it was a deep dive into clan loyalties, ancient vendettas, and the razor-thin line between ally and enemy. Spanning roughly issues #117 to #155 (with the core arc hitting stride around #135), this storyline blended high-stakes global heists with intimate character reckonings, all while tying back to the series’ foundational ninja lore centered on Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow. Let’s stealth our way through its origins, roster, pivotal plots, and lasting echoes.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Shadows in the Spotlight: Unraveling the Ninja Force Saga in G.I. Joe Comics<\/strong><\/p>

The G.I. Joe Marvel Comics run, penned largely by Larry Hama from 1982 to 1994, transformed Hasbro’s toy soldiers into a sprawling epic of espionage, betrayal, and explosive action. Amid the tanks, lasers, and Cobra Commander’s endless schemes, one subplot sliced through the chaos like a well-honed katana: the Ninja Force. Emerging in the early 1990s as both a toy sub-line and a comic narrative pivot, Ninja Force injected martial arts mysticism into the franchise’s military grit. It wasn’t just about flipping bad guys\u2014it was a deep dive into clan loyalties, ancient vendettas, and the razor-thin line between ally and enemy. Spanning roughly issues #117 to #155 (with the core arc hitting its stride around #135), this storyline blended high-stakes global heists with intimate character reckonings, all while tying back to the series’ foundational ninja lore centered on Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow. Let’s stealth our way through its origins, roster, pivotal plots, and lasting echoes.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\u00a0The Forging of Blades: Origins and Formation<\/h3>

Ninja Force didn’t materialize from thin air (or a Hasbro boardroom whim, though that played a part). It was born from necessity in the comics’ later era, as Cobra escalated its covert operations with shadowy assassins, forcing the Joes to counter with their own elite shadow squad. The concept debuted subtly in issue #117 (“Arise, Serpentor, Arise! Part 5”), where Storm Shadow\u2014fresh off his redemption arc from Cobra defector to uneasy Joe ally\u2014begins training a cadre of ninja hopefuls. This ragtag group interrupts their grueling sessions for a distress call from Snake Eyes, jetting off to Beirut to bail out their mute master. It’s a baptism by fire: ninjas pausing mid-spar to answer a beeper (yes, pagers were peak ’90s tech), only to dive into urban warfare against Cobra remnants.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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By issue #135 (“Ninjas Own the Night”), the team solidifies as an official Joe sub-unit, a direct response to Cobra’s Night Creepers\u2014a horde of masked mercenaries moonlighting as global thieves. Hama, drawing from his own Vietnam veteran background and fascination with Eastern mysticism, framed Ninja Force as the Joes’ “soft power” arm: less about brute force, more about precision strikes, infiltration, and philosophical duels. Toy-wise, it launched in 1992 with spring-loaded “Real Ninja Action!” gimmicks, but in the comics, it grounded the mysticism in gritty realism\u2014think sweat-soaked dojos in abandoned water towers, not Hollywood wire-fu.<\/p>

This formation ties directly to the broader ninja lore Hama wove since issue #21’s iconic “Silent Interlude,” where Snake Eyes’ tragic backstory (facial scars from a helicopter crash, vow of silence) intertwined with Storm Shadow’s Arashikage clan heritage. The clan, once a clandestine Japanese ninja lineage dormant for centuries, splintered after the Hard Master’s suspicious death\u2014initially blamed on Snake Eyes but later pinned on Zartan in a twist of holographic deception. Ninja Force becomes the clan’s fractured legacy reborn: Storm Shadow as sensei, Snake Eyes as silent enforcer, recruiting outsiders to rebuild what Cobra shattered. It’s Hama’s meditation on mentorship, envy, and redemption, echoing real-world martial arts tropes where skill breeds both bonds and bitterness.<\/p>

The Roster: Warriors of Wind and Shadow<\/h3>

Ninja Force’s lineup was a motley crew of veterans, prodigies, and cultural mash-ups, split between Joe loyalists and Cobra infiltrators. Hama used them to explore themes of identity\u2014are you defined by your clan, your scars, or your choices? Here’s the breakdown:<\/p>

G.I. Joe Ninja Force (The Defenders):<\/strong><\/p>