Here are some comparisons between the Play Arts Kai Vicious and the brand new SHF Vicious.
Unlike Spike, I think PAK really nailed Vicious in all aspects; sculpt, paint, articulation, accessories. Its only drawback was the larger size and no interchangeable faces. The bird is great and attaches securely. He has a great range of motion too, and his sculpting is very anime accurate and not as stylized as Spike in the PAK line.
Well a few years later, Bandai has responded with the more compact version but it loses very little in the transition. The faceplates are one of the main draws and give him the perfect psychotic look. The smaller faces have a LOT more personality and are more anime accurate. Same accessories with the sword and sheath and various hands to hold them. Oh, and a knife to toss at Spike with the PAK didn't have.
One step down from the PAK is the flimsy plastic piece that holds the bird on his shoulder on the SHF. It's FRAGILE as hell. Not only that, the bird kind of "floats" about his shoulder and doesn't rest on his shoulder.
Articulation looks good, and so far he can stand on his own and he's not a shelf diver like SHF Spike...but I'll still have this guy attached to a stand (not including) for my peace of mind.
All in all, I prefer the SHF versions cause Spike, despite his flaws looks so much more on model, and it's great to have the pair in perfect scale, especially with Faye potentially on the way.
More Bebop SHF please!!
And in the meantime, I still recommend the PAK Vicious....he's a cool figure in his own right and blows the PAK Spike outta the water!!