The return of the Nendoroid Toothless is more than a simple restock; it’s a small cultural moment for How to Train Your Dragon fans who have spent years watching the original release drift into the realm of impossible aftermarket prices. For DreamWorks collectors, Toothless occupies a unique space. He’s not just a mascot character—he’s a fully realized creature whose design blends feline curiosity, reptilian anatomy, and aerodynamic elegance. Capturing that mixture in a stylized format is notoriously difficult, and yet Good Smile Company’s sculptors managed it with a level of nuance that surprised even seasoned Nendoroid collectors. The reissue preserves that achievement, offering fans a second chance at what has quietly become one of the most technically impressive creature figures in the line.
Toothless’s design is a delicate balance of cuteness and predatory elegance, and Good Smile Company manages to preserve both aspects. The proportions are chibified, but not distorted beyond recognition. The head shape, eye placement, wing structure, and tail fin all mirror the DreamWorks animation model closely. Even the micro‑texturing and matte finish contribute to a sense of authenticity. For DreamWorks fans, this figure feels like a miniature celebration of the character. It captures the essence of Toothless—the curiosity, the playfulness, the intelligence, and the underlying power. It’s rare for a stylized figure to feel this faithful, and the reissue ensures that fans who missed the original release can finally experience it. Toothless’s micro‑texturing is inspired directly by the original DreamWorks CG model, which uses layered displacement maps to simulate reptilian skin. The red prosthetic fin is based on the How to Train Your Dragon 2 design, which features more complex paneling and rivets than the first film’s version. Good Smile’s creature Nendoroids, including Toothless, Grogu, and Kirby, often use more matte paint than humanoid ones to avoid plastic shine and preserve organic textures.
Sculpt:
The sculpt is where the Nendoroid Toothless reissue truly distinguishes itself. Good Smile Company’s creature sculpts often outperform their humanoid ones, but Toothless is exceptional even by that standard. His skin, which in the films is rendered through layered displacement maps to create a leathery, reptilian surface, is recreated here with a micro‑texturing that feels almost obsessive. Instead of generic dotting, the sculptors applied tiny matte bumps that vary in density across the body. The back and head feature heavier texturing, while the belly and underside of the neck transition into a smoother pattern, mirroring the CG model’s organic flow. Running a finger across the figure reveals a tactile surface that feels alive, not plastic. The head sculpt is particularly impressive. Toothless’s face is deceptively complex—wide cheeks, a rounded snout, slightly asymmetrical brow ridges, and forward‑tilted ear fins that communicate emotion as clearly as his eyes. Good Smile captures all of this with a fidelity that many stylized versions miss. The snout has subtle nostril impressions, the cheeks taper in a way that preserves his feline silhouette, and the ear fins angle forward just enough to evoke his curious, expressive personality. Even the slight asymmetry in the brow ridges is present, giving the figure a sense of authenticity that fans will immediately recognize.
The wings continue this commitment to accuracy. Rather than simplifying them into flat shapes, Good Smile sculpted vein lines that run through the membranes, giving them an organic, bat‑like quality. The edges of the wings are slightly uneven, as they are in the films, and the membranes have a thickness that feels natural rather than toy‑like. When posed outward, the wings create a silhouette that is unmistakably Toothless, even in chibi form. One of the most delightful sculpt details is the tail fin. The prosthetic red fin is modeled after the How to Train Your Dragon 2 version, not the simpler first‑film design. This means the fin includes panel lines, rivet impressions, and a slightly more aerodynamic shape. The natural fin on the opposite side mirrors the organic curvature seen in the films, creating a subtle asymmetry that fans will appreciate. It’s a small detail, but it speaks volumes about the sculptors’ dedication to honoring the source material.
Paint Applications:
Paintwork is often where stylized figures either shine or fall apart, and Toothless’s reissue lands firmly in the former category. Good Smile Company uses a multi‑layer matte finish that avoids the plastic sheen common in cheaper chibi figures. This matte surface is essential for Toothless, who is never glossy in the films. The finish gives the figure a premium, screen‑accurate look that feels more like a miniature sculpture than a toy. The eyes are the highlight of the paint applications. Toothless’s eyes are one of his most expressive features, and Good Smile treats them with the respect they deserve. The irises feature a lime‑to‑forest green gradient that adds depth, while the pupils are crisp and perfectly centered. A glossy top coat gives the eyes a wet, reptilian shine that catches light beautifully. There is even a subtle printed catch‑light in each eye, which enhances the sense of life and personality. When the figure is tilted, the eyes seem to shift in expression, just as they do in the films.
The body shading is subtle but effective. The matte black base coat is enhanced with charcoal gradients along the torso and limbs, creating a sense of dimensionality. The wings receive a slightly lighter gray dry‑brushing that highlights the sculpted veins. These transitions are soft and natural, avoiding the harsh lines that sometimes plague smaller figures. The shading is especially noticeable under strong light, where it brings out the micro‑texturing and musculature. The prosthetic tail fin is painted with crisp black linework and metallic silver rivets. The red is vibrant without being toy‑like, and the panel lines are clean and sharp. There is no bleeding or fuzziness, which is impressive given the small scale. The fin looks like a miniature version of the one Hiccup crafted, and it adds a pop of color that enhances the figure’s overall visual appeal.
Articulation:
While Nendoroids are not designed to be action figures, Toothless is surprisingly expressive thanks to thoughtful engineering. The head sits on a ball joint that allows for a wide range of tilts and turns. This is crucial for Toothless, whose personality is conveyed largely through head movement. A slight tilt can transform him from curious to playful to cautious, and the joint allows for all of these poses with ease.
The wings are hinged, enabling them to angle outward for flight poses or fold inward for more relaxed stances. The hinges are tight enough to hold poses without drooping, and the wings can be swapped for alternate versions that better suit different display styles. The legs have limited movement, but enough to create crouching or mid‑pounce poses. The tail includes a joint that adds personality to stances, allowing it to curve slightly or angle upward. These articulation points work together to create a figure that feels alive. You can pose Toothless in flight, crouching, pouncing, or simply tilting his head in curiosity. The articulation doesn’t break the sculpt, and the joints are discreet enough that they don’t distract from the overall aesthetic.
Accessories:
The accessory loadout is modest but meaningful. Toothless comes with alternate faceplates that capture different emotional states—a wide‑eyed happy expression and a more neutral, curious look. These expressions are faithful to the character and add variety to display options. The alternate wings allow for both flight and folded poses, giving collectors flexibility in how they present the figure. The prosthetic tail fin is included as a separate piece, allowing for customization and accuracy depending on the pose. A standard Nendoroid display stand completes the set.
While the accessories are well chosen, some collectors may wish for more. A plasma blast effect, a fish accessory, or even a small Hiccup companion piece would have added additional charm. However, the simplicity of the accessory set keeps the figure clean and focused, emphasizing Toothless himself rather than cluttering the display with extras.
Comparisons to Other Toothless Figures
Compared to the Funko Pop Toothless, the Nendoroid offers far superior sculpting and paint depth. Funko’s version is cute but extremely simplified, lacking the texturing and shading that make Toothless feel alive. The Spin Master Toothless figures offer better articulation but fall short in paint accuracy and overall premium feel. The DreamWorks Gallery Toothless statue is larger and more detailed, but lacks the expressive posing options that make the Nendoroid so charming. The Nendoroid sits in a sweet spot—premium detail, expressive posing, and a display‑friendly size that makes it ideal for collectors who want a high‑quality Toothless without committing to a large statue.
The Nendoroid Toothless reissue is a triumph for How to Train Your Dragon fans and collectors alike. It combines premium sculpting, nuanced paint applications, expressive articulation, and faithful source‑material accuracy in a compact, display‑friendly format. The micro‑texturing, matte gradients, and eye depth elevate it far above typical stylized figures, while the accessories provide meaningful variety without overwhelming the display. For fans of How to Train Your Dragon, this is one of the best Toothless collectibles ever produced. It captures the character’s essence with a level of care that feels almost reverent. Whether you’re a hardcore DreamWorks enthusiast or a casual fan who simply loves Toothless, this reissue is absolutely worth adding to your shelf.
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