Toy Review: Noodles The Panda by Sarah Isabel Tan

Noodles the Panda PRODUCT PRESS: "Meet Noodles the Panda! Noodles started off as one of four panda siblings, each beset by a certain food addiction. In this case, Noodles simply adores all kinds of noodles and is never seen without a bowl of ramen on his head, his preferred noodle of choice. 

Noodles doesn't discriminate and is known to help himself to pasta when he thinks no one is looking. Limited to only 300 pieces worldwide, Noodles is made of polystone resin and makes a great addition to anyone's toy collection. At 3.5 inches tall and about 4 inches wide, Noodles will sit nicely on your table and quietly eat his noodles. 

Each toy comes with a limited edition panda print and panda vinyl sticker."

Designed by Sarah Isabel Tan (AKA The Real Firestarter) and produced by Mighty Jaxx, NOODLES embody the illustration style of Sarah's more "calmer" aesthetics (as opposed to her cute-monsters and goblins). While not exactly her "strongest" or more identifiable character designs in her stable seen thus far, Noodles is by far the least "confrontational" and more esthetically assessable and pleasing. Heck, you can't help but look at him and smile, IMHO!

I had a lil'Q & A with Sarah here about the genesis/origins of Noodles, who is also her first mass collectible released. As well individual images have since been uploaded HERE on the TOYSREVIL Facbook :)


Housed in a printed box designed like a Chinese Takeaway food box, Noodles sits snuggly in a clear plastic tray, and includes a panda vinyl sticker and a print, featuring artwork by Sarah. Initially I would argue the art would have been great for the box design instead, but having it as an "extra" (as a print) was a pretty swell notion too :)

Noodle the polystone resin itself is a hefty, non-articulated piece that would serve well perhaps as a "spirit lifter" on your desk, the red bowl of noodles balanced on it's head reminding you that you are hungry to slurp some yummy ones LOL

Would have been an added factor of "play" if the bowl was removable (attached on via magnets), but frankly, it would more likely get lost - the bowl, definitely NOT the panda itself LOL - and perhaps Noodle might even loose it's "visual identity" with said loss?


My fav part of the figure are the pink on it's "paws" underneath hahaha

Least of part of the figure, is the lack of definition in his eyes, but for the sculpted eye-lid, least they "disappear" into the black.

That said, the paint application on my piece was splendid, and does not look like a shoddy or rush job, IMHO (*NOT that anyone has ver mentioned it was in the first place :p).



Mentioned in early reviews, I am a tactile person, and respond to a figure as such. And holding Noodles in my grubby hands, he was such an adorable creature with a subtle and yet emotive character design about him. And Noodles "play well with other toys", and that to me makes him a welcomed addition to my humble little collection (thanks for your generosity, Sarah!)


With a SRP of US$60 per (excluding shipping), the price is decent enough for the amount of weightage, but is slightly above the level of value-for-money, with $40-50 being the more "comfortable" price range ... but with the extras (print and sticker), and the possibility of it being signed directly by Sarah (if purchased thru her) is plausible, IMHO. Released circa September 2014 at STGCC, the collectible is currently available direct from Sarah via firestarterdesign.bigcartel.com, and are also currently distributed by DKE Toys.