[ZOOM!] Marco "the Phoenix" - P.O.P MAS MAXIMUM

Figure: Marco "the Phoenix" - P.O.P MAS MAXIMUM

Marco Rises Like a Phoenix… Only to Land on That Base

Freshly released at the end of August, Marco finally joins the MAS MAXIMUM line in all his flaming glory! Sculpted by MAS with colors by Andou Kenji, this figure comes with a release price of ¥37,400 and stands at a solid H=315mm. From the very first glance, it’s clear that this is one of the most ambitious P.O.P releases to date.

A Flamboyant Display of Power

The figure captures Marco mid-flight, perfectly embodying his phoenix transformation. The sculpting is incredibly dynamic — every feather of his wings bursts with detail, flowing naturally into the colorful flames. His clothes are sculpted in motion, giving that sense of speed and energy, while the rocks and his extended legs add weight and balance to the overall scene. The effects work here is truly top notch, making the whole statue feel alive and bursting with movement.

Harmony Broken by the Base

Now, here comes the part that hurts: the base. Normally, the standard octagonal P.O.P base doesn’t bother me much, but for the first time ever, I’m really not happy with it. Why? Because this figure is clearly designed to be displayed alongside Edward Newgate "Whitebeard" – P.O.P Neo MAXIMUM and Portgas D. Ace 15th LIMITED Ver. – P.O.P Neo MAXIMUM. Both Whitebeard and Ace came with unique, integrated bases — rocks for Whitebeard and fiery ground for Ace. Marco, however, is stuck with the old-school P.O.P base, and sadly, it completely breaks the harmony when displayed next to the others.

The Detachable Base Problem

At first, I was excited to discover that Marco’s base could actually be removed with screws. I thought: “Perfect, now he can blend in naturally with the others!” But unfortunately, once removed, the figure doesn’t look good at all. Without the base, the presentation becomes awkward and feels unfinished, which makes it even more frustrating. It’s a rare misstep from Megahouse in an otherwise flawless release.

Final Thoughts

Marco "the Phoenix" – P.O.P MAS MAXIMUM is visually stunning, no doubt about it. The sculpt, the colors, the flames — everything screams perfection. But Megahouse dropped the ball big time with the base. When you have Whitebeard and Ace shining with fully integrated, story-driven displays, giving Marco a generic octagon feels lazy, almost like an afterthought. It kills the synergy, it kills the impact, and honestly, it feels disrespectful to collectors who spend this much on a centerpiece. Marco deserved better, and so did we.

💫 Figure quality:	9
👺 Devotion to the Character:	9
👑 Gadgets and alternative pieces (if needed):	8
💸 Price:	7
💓 Figure Importance in Your Collection:	6
🎯 TOTAL:	7.8