In the original 1997 Final Fantasy 7, Zack Fair was little more than a supporting presence. Now he’s being immortalised as a 30 cm figure complete with movable eyes and his own Buster Sword. For a SOLDIER who spent most of the first game existing as a memory that other characters argued over, that’s quite the journey.
Square Enix has added the Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth incarnation of Zack to its PLAY ARTS SHIN range, with a release pencilled in for January 2027. The figure measures around 30 cm, roughly 11.8 inches, and is based directly on his Rebirth appearance: the black SOLDIER uniform, the muscular frame, that unmistakable hair, and the expressive face fans have been sketching for decades.
What’s in the box
The Buster Sword is included, finished with metallic weathering and fitted with two Materia slots. Six individual Materia pieces come with it, so you can populate the slots however you see fit. There are also two swappable face parts alongside the movable eyes, letting you change both his expression and his gaze from one pose to the next.
The outfit itself uses a mix of textures to replicate fabric, leather and metal across the different parts of the uniform, the sort of detail that only draws attention when a figure gets it wrong. In this case, the aim is to give the piece a distinctive, authentic feel.
Why SHIN is the line worth caring about
PLAY ARTS SHIN is Square Enix’s newer premium tier sitting above the long-established PLAY ARTS KAI brand. Vincent Valentine launched the line, and the Rebirth lineup has since expanded to cover Cloud Strife, Tifa Lockhart, Sephiroth and, now, Zack.
The standout improvement is a redesigned “articulation system.” SHIN moves away from the older click-style joints in favour of smoother motion, which translates into a broader range of poses. Adjustable eyes have also become a regular feature throughout the line, the intention being that collectors can shape the figure into any pose their hearts desire.
How Zack earned this
A former SOLDIER who once carried the Buster Sword, Zack’s story is woven through Cloud Strife, Aerith Gainsborough, Sephiroth and several of the events that define Final Fantasy 7’s narrative. It was Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7, though, that finally placed him front and centre, reshaping him into a fully fleshed-out protagonist defined by infectious optimism and a heartbreaking fate.
Crisis Core Reunion later brought that story to a new generation, and the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy has continued to uncover fresh, unexpected angles on him. Decades on from his first appearance, he remains a firm fan favourite, which is why every opportunity to see him return hits harder than you’d expect for a character whose original role was so limited.
What it’ll cost you
Mamegyorai currently has the figure listed for ¥27,170 on preorder. Western pricing appears to run a little higher: Canadian retailer Maple and Mangoes lists the PLAY ARTS SHIN Zack Fair at $245 CAD, giving collectors outside Japan a clearer sense of what to budget for.
There is one snag. The Canadian retailer’s current estimate points to a March 2027 arrival, a touch later than the January 2027 window shown on the Japanese listings. Anyone ordering from this side of the Pacific should expect to wait slightly longer.
With Rebirth having thrust Zack back into the spotlight and the closing chapter of the remake trilogy arriving soon, the timing could hardly be better for a figure of one of the series’ most cherished heroes. Enthusiasm is at an all-time high, and now there’s a 30 cm version of him to show for it.