Polyvinyl Crush

Wave appears to be establishing themselves as the new Kotobukiya: the place to go for solid, well done figures that, while not the most technically superior, are easy on the wallet.  They are responsible for a majority of the figures I’m excited about this week so come on in and read about them.  I’m also trying out a new section where I complain about crappy PVCs!  Oh, Internets, what fun we’ll have now.

A wonderful hobby life [not] for you
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Mari Makinami

Series: Evangelion 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance
Company: Wave
Scale: 1/10
Release: Nov 2009
Price: 45 USD // 4,400 Yen

The Short:
Wave continues to impress, this time with an offering that doesn’t involve swim wear.  Honestly, I would have gladly gone either which way with Mari here.

The Long:
Back when the news of a “new character” in the Rebuild of Evangelion re-makes first surfaced I remember thinking, “This new character has got to be another 14 year old girl.  I mean, the only thing better than milking a franchise with two teenage girls for the last 10 years is milking a franchise using three teenage girls for the next 15!”  That said, I’m still surprised we’re seeing Mari figures this soon – especially before any new Auska figures.

Wave’s Mari is light years ahead of the one Bandai is putting out, but I still wouldn’t call her perfect.  Maybe this is a shoot of the prototype or something, but Mari doesn’t look as polished as some of Wave’s more recent work.  In particular, I feel that the paint in her hair is blotchy and that her face is missing some shading.  These are problems that can be fixed, so we’ll see what the production run looks like.

I will say, Wave’s Mari will probably end up being the least expensive, full size figure we’ll get of her.  If Alter or the like step up to the plate, then hold on to your wallets.

EDIT: Appearently, Mari has a limited edition version as well.  Don’t see much different outside the addition of the helmet, though.

Rico’s Verdict:
Likely pass.  I’m fully expecting Kotobukiya and Alter to come out with figures fitting for the tradition that they’ve started.  My wallet is already weeping, though.

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Silent Sinner in Blue – Marisa Kirisame Rev.TOKIAME

Series: Touhou Project
Company: Ichijinsha // Kotobukiya
Scale: 1/8
Release: Dec 2009
Price: 75 USD // 7,100 Yen
Notes: Ichijinsha is distributing; Kotobukiya is making.

The Short:
The flood of Touhou Project figures Griffon started a few weeks back continues, but with a company that actually knows how to make good figures trying their hand.

The Long:
I know zilch about Touhou Project, but thanks to hanging around a lot of images boards, I can spot the characters from a mile away.  In general, the character designs are marked by their simplistic and I feel that’s challenging to a lot of sculptors.  Seeing the way in which Ichijinsha & Kotobukiya brought so much energy into Marisa despite that challenge, is therefore quite special in my mind.

I’m just enamored with Marisa’s face: it’s captivating and it’s cute.  But I think what really does it for me is the way the cheek bones are shaped.  The angularity reminds me of character designs from the 90’s and such great shows like Slayers and Ranma 1/2.  Sounds kinda crazy I know, but it just works for me.

Marisa’s pose is the second most notable element about her and is where I think the sculpt gets the majority of its appeal.  The light up base is neat, but I really don’t see the point.

Rico’s Verdict:
Final decision pending but I’m oddly drawn to her.

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Saber Lily Nendoroid

Series: Fate/Unlimited Codes
Company: Good Smile Company
Scale: Non
Release: Oct 2009
Price: 36 USD // 3,500 Yen

The Short:
Likely realizing the hit they have on their hands with Saber Lily, GSC is churning out a Nendoroid as well.

The Long:
You know, there isn’t a lot I can say about this Saber Lily Nendoroid.  She has a big head, she has a small body, and she is probably a pain to get on her stand, but she is endearing despite all that – just like every other Nendoroid.  In a way though, she’s one of the least appealing in recent memory.  There is something about the outfit that didn’t translate well and it just looks odd to me.

Rico’s Verdict:
My weakness for Nendoroids will be the end of me.  Bought.

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Golden Darkness – Konjiki No Yami

Series: To Love-Ru
Company: Resinya
Scale: 1/6
Release: Dec 2009
Price: 83 USD // 8,000 Yen

The Short:
Another Golden Darkness PVC comes to the market, but didn’t we already reach the pinnacle?

The Long:
I keep going back and forth on this figure.  When I first saw the images I was pretty impressed with the serenity of the pose and the boldness of the colors.  I also thought that her face was fetching.  Actually, I still think and am impressed with all of that, but some other thoughts have since crept into my mind that are making me doubt myself.

Mostly, I’m worried about the detailing and how it relates to the scale.  Sure, she looks fine in the images, but I don’t think there is enough detail for such a large scale.  Maybe these larger scales are meant to be enjoyed from a distance and I’ve never known.  Maybe.  But in a time where an 1/8th scale PVC could easily cost more than $80, I’m wondering what Resinya cut to keep the cost is low.

Rico’s Verdict:
I was more exited about this figure before I wrote the post.  Now I’m thinking my money would be better served on GSC’s sculpt.

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Akiha Shishido -  Beach Queens Ver.

Series: Sora wo Kakeru Shoujo
Company: Wave
Scale: 1/10
Release: Nov 2009
Price: 40 USD // 3,800 Yen

The Short:
Wave continues their tradition of beauties in bikini’s with an Akiha Shishido figure from Sora wo Kakeru Shoujo (The Girl Who Leapt Through Space).

The Long:
I have to say, Akiha might be my favorite in today’s post.  The pose is just all sorts of awesome.  They way her arm caresses her inner tight?  So hot.  I also have a weakness for girls with pink hair.  And a weakness for girls in swimwear.  So this figure just hits me right on a lot of levels.

Wave is actually releasing two versions of Akiha: the one you see before you and a limited edition one.  The limited edition Akiha builds quite nicely upon what the standard figure set-up and reveals far more bum as a result.  It’s very nice and it may even be the stronger of the two but, and call me crazy all you like, I actually prefer the standard edition.  I don’t really have a reason; it’s just a gut feeling I have.

For all the completionists out there, Wave is also releasing a Beach Queens Version Itsuki Kannagi.  Also in standard and limited editions.  My guess is that they’ll be doing a Honoka Kawai at some point too, but that’s just a guess.

Rico’s Verdict:
My verdict?  Get both!

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Rico’s [Not] Excited About These

The Short:
As part of the “Wonderful Hobby Life for You!! 10″ convention, both Good Smile Company and Max Factory will be releasing remolds for their popular takes on Miku Hatsune.  The kicker?  They are exclusives!

The Long:
I opted to file these Miku sculpts in “[Not] Excited” because  both figures are A) exclusives and B) remolds.  I have issues with both those things because I think exclusives are a cheap gimmick, that remolds are unimaginative, and that both are two-bit ploys for money.  But that’s for another time.

As far as the figures themselves go, I think that the set that figma Miku comes with is actually kind of awesome but GSC’s remold leaves a lot to be desired.  It’s cute, but you’re seriously just closing her eyes and moth?  Actually, it perfectly illustrates my “unimaginative” point.

Apparently, the convention will be limited to 1,500 pieces for GSC Miku and 3,000 pieces for figma Miku.  GSC/Max Factory have set up an web-page to order the figures (which, of course, won’t ship outside of Japan) but I can’t figure out if orders placed through that page are part of the previous mentioned limits or not.  Logic would tell me they aren’t, but I don’t see a lot of logic when it comes to exclusives.

Rico’s Verdict:
Personally, I’m far more excited about Max Factory’s upcoming Miku (at least that’s who I think is making her).

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