Some rivalries are so iconic they define entire franchises. Batman and the Joker. He-Man and Skeletor. But for those of us raised on a steady diet of 1980s martial arts obsession and after-school cartoons, no rivalry hit harder—or deeper—than that of Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow.
The stoic silence of one. The tortured honor of the other. It was ninja mythos, brotherhood drama, and high-octane toyetic cool all rolled into one. And now, ThreeZero has stepped up with sixth scale renditions of these legendary characters—and they’re nothing short of badass.
Let’s break down why these figures deserve a place on your shelf—and in your heart.
Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow are arguably the most compelling characters in the G.I. Joe universe. While the line was known for its military fantasy and colorful codenames, these two brought in an entirely different flavor: ninja mystique.
Both were trained under the same clan—the Arashikage—and their stories are bound by shared brotherhood, betrayal, and misunderstood intentions. Snake Eyes, the mute commando dressed in black, became a G.I. Joe legend. Storm Shadow, his white-clad counterpart, was introduced as a Cobra villain but revealed himself to be something far more complex.
The dynamic between them exploded into fan consciousness with the release of G.I. Joe #21: Silent Interlude, a comic that made history by telling an entire story with zero dialogue. It followed Snake Eyes infiltrating a Cobra stronghold, facing off with Storm Shadow, and revealing their matching Arashikage tattoos—marking them as brothers-in-arms with a past that could never fully be severed.
It was storytelling gold. Ninja storytelling gold. And for a lot of us, it was our first glimpse at visual storytelling that didn’t need words to hit like a gut punch.
Why It’s Important to Me
Growing up in the 1980s, martial arts weren’t just a hobby—they were a way of life. If you were anything like me, your bedroom walls had shuriken damage, your allowance went to dollar-store Ninja headbands, and your heroes were always decked out in black or white gis. So, when G.I. Joe introduced Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow, they weren’t just action figures—they were avatars of every ninja fantasy I ever had.
For me, Snake Eyes was the pinnacle. The man in black. Silent, deadly, loyal to a fault. He wasn’t just a character—he was a vibe. He represented stoicism, discipline, and control in a world that felt chaotic. Meanwhile, Storm Shadow, his white-clad counterpart, brought the drama: a fallen brother, torn between loyalty to his clan and the shadowy path of Cobra. Their intertwined destinies were like watching a kung fu tragedy unfold in serialized plastic form.
These weren’t just good guys and bad guys. They were symbols of something deeper. They were the reason I stayed up late sketching ninja poses, whispering imaginary dojo codes under my breath. Now, decades later, they’re here again—this time in sixth scale form—and it hits just as hard.
Figure Breakdown
Snake Eyes (ThreeZero, 1/6 Scale)
What’s in the Box:
- Masked Snake Eyes head sculpt with visor
- Tailored black tactical suit with utility pouches and armor
- Katana and sheath
- Uzi submachine gun, pistol with suppressor, combat knife
- Multiple interchangeable hands
- G.I. Joe-branded figure stand
The Sculpt:
ThreeZero absolutely nails the vibe. The sculpt isn’t expressive—nor should it be. Snake Eyes is all presence. The visor is detailed, sleek, and menacing. The mask folds around the jawline just enough to hint at the man beneath without ever revealing him.
Tailoring:
The tactical suit is layered with different fabric types—matte, mesh, and armored textures that catch light differently and give the figure depth. The pouches, straps, and armor pads are all tightly affixed and don’t interfere with movement. A perfect marriage of realism and action figure design.
Articulation:
Smooth and responsive. He can crouch, kneel, hold his sword high, or dual-wield his firearms in dynamic poses. Nothing is hindered by the suit, and that’s no small feat. Posing Snake Eyes feels like choreographing a fight scene.
Accessories:
The weapon loadout is classic Snake Eyes. The katana is sharp-looking with a smooth draw. The Uzi has molded detail and a functional vibe. The suppressor pistol is perfect for stealth poses. Add in swappable hands and you’ve got a range of display options.
Shelf Presence:
He’s a shadow with weight. Whether posed in action or standing sentinel, Snake Eyes draws the eye—precisely because he doesn’t beg for attention. He commands it.
Storm Shadow (ThreeZero, 1/6 Scale)
What’s in the Box:
- Hooded head sculpt with piercing stare
- Tailored white ninja gi with belt and sash
- Dual katanas with sheaths
- Bow and arrows, shuriken
- Interchangeable hands
- Cobra-branded figure stand
The Sculpt:
Storm Shadow’s face sculpt is sharp and intense. The expression is subtle but loaded with history. You can almost feel the conflict in his eyes. The removable hood is a great touch—optional but adds to the silhouette beautifully.
Tailoring:
The gi is white but not bland. The fabrics are layered with pleats and folds that flow naturally. The sash, belt, and harness for the weapons feel ceremonial but deadly. The detailing—stitching, wraps, gauntlets—adds tons of character.
Articulation:
Identical articulation base to Snake Eyes, but the costume makes him feel more fluid. You can pull off mid-leap poses, archer stances, and sword-drawing gestures that look like they were ripped straight from a manga panel.
Accessories:
Storm Shadow brings more variety: twin katanas, a bow with arrows, throwing stars—it’s a full ninja arsenal. The weapons are crisp and can be securely stored or held in dramatic poses. Combined with his hands and the stand, you get multiple storytelling opportunities.
Shelf Presence:
In contrast to Snake Eyes’ darkness, Storm Shadow glows. His clean aesthetic and layered textures pop under light. Whether posed beside his brother or standing apart, he cuts a striking figure—regal and ruthless.
Final Thoughts
ThreeZero has done something rare here: they’ve honored both the nostalgia and the narrative of Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow. These aren’t just pretty collectibles—they’re visual stories. They are also reasonably affordable!
Iconic designs translated into tangible art, built for fans who know that these two characters aren’t just about good vs. evil. They’re about loyalty. Brotherhood. Regret. Discipline. And the razor-thin line between redemption and vengeance.
If you’re a fan of G.I. Joe, ninja lore, or martial arts mythology, these figures aren’t optional—they’re essential.
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