Polyvinyl Crush

To Aru Majutsu no Index (or A Certain Magical Index) is yet another anime franchise I’ve had no exposure too.  But unlike other times when I have said that, this Mikoto figure from Kotobukiya is enough to make me want to check it out and see what I’ve been missing.

Today we’re taking a look Kotobukiya’s 1/8th scale Mikoto Misaka PVC from To Aru Majutsu no Index.  ~A Certain Magical Hobby~ 

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Kotobukiya Mikoto: Background

Kotobukiya’s 1/8th scale Mikoto Misaka PVC was released in Japan in October of 2008.  Retailing for about $65 USD (before shipping), Mikoto can still be found at most retailers.  She comes with two arms and two hair clips that you can swap out as you desire.

Mikoto is the first in a series of (currently) four figures from To Aru Majutsu no Index that Kotobukiya has produced: Index has already been released and Karoi and Kuroko will be released next year.  Personally, I think Mikoto is the best of the bunch, but now I’m starting to want the others now that I have her.  Odd how that happens. 
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Level 5 Physic User

PVC prices have been on the upward trend recently, with it getting hard to get even an 8th scale Alter figure for under $100 USD.  Kotobukiya hasn’t been shielded from the effect either, but at least they’re matching the higher price with a higher quality product.  Mikoto is definately one of the nicer figures I’ve seen from the company.

Just looking at Mikoto in terms of paint highlights alone it’s obvious that even my favorite Kotobukiya sculpt, Rei, just looks flat by comparison.  The only other time I’d been this impressed by a Kotobukiya paint job was with Mai, but it that case they were (intentionally) going over the top with it.  Mikoto has the most well executed paint application I’ve seen from the company.

The sculpt isn’t the best they’ve done, but it’s certainly nothing to snuff at either.  From the reading I’ve done, I know Mikoto comes from a rich family and maintains a proper outward appearance, but in reality has a violent temper and tomboyish tendancies.  I think they captured that latter part really well, but I don’t really read any of Mikoto’s other duality in the sculpt.

Detailing is very nice as well.  I particularly like the ruffles in her skirt and undershirt, but the knee-highs are nice as well.  I also like the way the hair stand on end a little, which makes sense considering she can generate electricity, and how Kotobukiya didn’t go too over the top with it.

All that good I’ve gone into about Mikoto means that there is nothing bad about her, right?  Well, that depends.  All the praise I can give this figue doesn’t change the fact that Kotobukiya works with a somewhat muted color pallete.  That in itself isn’t bad, and I myself rather like it, but it can be difficult to overcome – especially when you’re looking for the much more bright and vibrant colors from the anime.
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Final Thoughts

After all that I still don’t know which medium Kotobukiya lifted this Mikoto design from.  I know it’s not the anime (way too complex for that) so is should be either the manga or the light novels, but from the scans and covers I’ve seen that doesn’t exactly fit either.  I find this happening a lot with Kotobukiya figures.  It makes me think that maybe Kotobukiya has a in-house style they like to use.

Oh, I think I’ve finally nailed how to work the new camera.  Color is way better than last week.  Hope you could tell.

is pondering what you’re pondering,
Rico-sama
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The Full Gallery

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