Polyvinyl Crush

I was on the fence about this KOS-MOS figure right up until the deadline to pre-order it.  Looking back on it, I’m not really sure why I hesitated since KOS-MOS turned out even better than the official shots made her out to be.  Today we’re taking a look at Alter’s 1/8th scale KOS-MOS “Swimwear Ver” PVC from Xenosaga III.

Hobby Effect Projector~
.

Alter KOS-MOS: Background

Alter’s 1/6th scale KOS-MOS PVC figure was released in Japan last February.  While I know that this figure was sculpted by Shitou Futatsu and I know that KOS-MOS retails for $90 USD (before shipping and import fees), but what I don’t know is whether or not KOS-MOS actually dons this in the game or not.

Or this could entirely be an anime gimmick, which wouldn’t surprise me in the least.  Either way, KOS-MOS is still listed as available at a number of retailers on both sides of the Pacific, so you have a couple of options if you still want to get her for yourself.
.

Tertiary Weapon System

I think Alter really brought there A-game out on this one, though there is one area I’m not that thrilled with  I’ll get to that flawed element in a minute, for now I want to focus on all the positive as this figure is absolutely sensational.  Her pose is simple, but Alter makes up for it with good details and ends up giving us a really fine composition.

Color and the execution of KOS-MOS’s paint scheme is nothing short stunning.  The skin tones in particular just bring the figure to life, and do a wonderful job highlight to muscle and body.  I keep going back and forth on whether KOS-MOS has just a tad to much shadow on her skin, but I’ve settled on not.  It just looks too good.

Her swimsuit is very active and, in all honesty, a tad ridiculous but I think that relative energy helps balance out the figures composition.  I mean, Alter has worked wonders in the past with more simple swimsuit designs, but I think the sculpt really needed something with more energy to provide contrast to KOS-MOS’s long and simple hair.

That brings me to the one part I don’t like about the figure: her hair.  It’s designed nicely, looks like it behaves like hair of that length would, and even though it’s translucent Alter still manages to get some fantastic color in.  All that into consideration it still looks visually over powering for the figure.  I mean, it even covers her eyes.  It also covers her entire backside, which makes it difficult to enjoy those assets.

I don’t want to end on a downer because, even considering the issue I have with the hair, the figure is spectacular so I’ll talk about something else I love about KOS-MOS: her face.  Her face is captivating – it’s detached from whoever might be looking at her but also just a tad playful.  Really a pleasure.
.

Final Thoughts

Small gallery and review for today, but I had an unscheduled event with my family due to yesterday being  Easter.  Not only that, but KOS-MOS’s long hair also made most of shots from the rear of the figure look really uninteresting, so you’ll probably notice a lack of those shots in the gallery.  If I get time I might try to re-take some of those shots and add them in later.  ‘When’ you ask?

maybe tomorrow,
Rico-sama
.

The Full Gallery

Related posts:
1. Alter Rise Kujikawa ‘Swimsuit Ver.’ PVC: Persona 4I bought Rise for a couple of reasons: great coloring,...
2. Alter 1/8 Saika S. Farnese PVC: Pastel Chime ContinueAfter doing Melissa on Friday, I couldn’t help myself but...
3. Otoboku PVC: Alter Takako ItsukushimaOtoboku is just good, fun entertainment: nothing heavy but plenty...
4. Alter Siesta PVC: Zero no TsukaimaAlter’s 1/8th Scale Siesta PVC from Zero no Tsukaima was...
5. Persona 3 PVC: Alter Mitsuru KirijoBalalaika_ism and I went to the T-Mode convention this last...