White Lion Family (Toymany)

Before we begin, I would like to thank bmathison1972 for sending this set to me, which he received as a review sample from ToyMany. Be sure to use his discount code, BMLION20, if ordering directly from ToyMany’s website, and receive a 10% discount.

In the Timbavati region of South Africa there once lived a population of leucistic Southern African lions (Panthera leo melanochaita) that were white in color and are thought to have existed there for centuries. Beginning in the 1970’s these lions were systematically caught and placed in captive breeding programs, to be placed in zoos, circuses, or in hunting preserves. By 1992 they were all gone from the wild but in the early 2000’s efforts began to reintroduce white lions back into the wild. Currently there are roughly 13 wild born white lions living in their native region, but hundreds more live in captivity.

Today we’re looking at the white lion family by ToyMany, which aside from the male lion is a repaint of their original lion family set, which included a sitting male as opposed to the standing one included in this set. I must admit, I had originally disregarded ToyMany as a cheap knockoff brand. Many of their earlier figures were copies of figures by other brands, and the low price point for a generous assortment of toys sent red flags as to the quality of the products. In the time since ToyMany joined the Animal Toy Forum and started sharing their original sculptures with the membership there, my opinion of the company has improved. Now, having some of their toys in hand, I can attest to the quality of these models.

This set includes six figures: one male lion, two lionesses, and three cubs. The male stands in a static position, looking forward. One lioness is laying down and the other is moving forward with her right forepaw slightly lifted. Of the cubs: one is sitting, another is standing while looking leftward, and the other mimics the strolling posture of the lioness.

The adult lions measure about 4” (10.16 cm) from snout-to-rump and the male lion, the tallest of the figures, stands 2.5” (6.35 cm) at the shoulder. Lions average 54″-78″ (1.4-2 m) in length, not including the tail, which puts the figures in the 1/13 to 1/19 scale range.

The sculpting and detail on these figures is on par with the figures by the major brands that we usually review, with accurate proportions, defined musculature, meticulously detailed facial features, defined digits and claws, and sculpted paw pads. Highlights on each of the adult figures include muscular shoulders on the strolling lioness, bunched up skin along the back of the resting lioness, and a mane on the male that has a lovely, layered texture. The cubs are all positively adorable, with somewhat disheveled coats. The strolling cub is my personal favorite of the three.

All the figures are a blend of white and blonde with the mane of the male being blonde. The paw pads and tail tips are brown and there are some brown and white markings on the foreheads and above the eyes on all the figures. The cubs have darker tail tips, and the paw pads aren’t painted on them. The eyes, noses, and mouths are all highlighted in black and black spots dot the muzzles where whiskers would be growing from. Only the cubs have painted whiskers. The noses are brown, and the eyes of the cubs are brown while those on the adults are blue. White lions can have either blue or normal colored eyes. The pupil alignment is remarkably good, especially on the male.

Overall, this is a fantastic set of toys. I am blown away by the quality of them, especially at their price point. This set retails for $14.86, which is what one or two figures from most companies would cost. I cannot recommend this set enough, especially for kids or collectors that want to bulk up their lion pride on a budget. And if you don’t want white lions there’s also the normal colored set. You can expect more ToyMany reviews from me in the future!