Alter Yoko Littner ‘Bounty Hunter Ver.’ PVC: Gurren Lagann
Cracking into last week’s haul a bit and covering one of the figures I was most looking forward too since I first saw the images. The wait seemed like forever but she’s finally mine. Today we’re taking a look at Alter’s 1/8th scale Yoko Littner ‘Bounty Hunter Ver.’ PVC from Gurren Lagann.
Enjoy Hobby~
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Alter Yoko: Background
Alter’s 1/8th scale Yoko Littner PVC was released in Japan in July of 2009 retailed for about ¥7800 (87 USD). Sculpted by Ikuma Kuramoto, Yoko’s design is taken from the second half of the series after she comes to the decision to temporarily drop the Yomako identity and take up arms to save the world once again. As much as I was hot for Yomako-sensei this is one damn hot bounty hunter. :3
While Yoko here is by far the most amazing figure that Ikuma-san has done, he has some other nice sculpts in Saber, Saber, Saber, a Rin or two, and Asa. The man looks to be a Fate/stay night fan. Gotta respect that!
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The Wrong-th Sense
I remember being blown away by Yoko back when she first went up for order. I knew she would end up being an awesome figure but I also felt bummed. I felt she was too good; that there would be no way for the final product to surpass what we saw in the images. When you’ve been collecting as long as I have you develop a bit of a sixth sense to these sort of situations.
Boy was my sixth sense totally off this time. Not because she didn’t end up being (almost beyond words) amazing, but because when I got her she took my breath away. To be surprised at how well she turned out even when I knew she would be fantastic, says a lot about the quality of the figure in my mind. Is she perfect? Well, there is one thing that I’m bummed about, but other that that (which I’ll cover later) she’s damn near perfect.
On a whole, the design of the figure is perfect considering Yoko’s development in Gurren Lagann at the point where this figure would’ve existed. I don’t know that she or anyone else ever referred to her as a bounty hunter, but the bold and dynamic presentation work perfectly for a girl that’s ready to kick ass and take names.
The pose has a lot to do with that idea as the way Yoko slings her sniper rifle and puffs out her chest really talks to the boldness. When you then consider the way her cloak and hair tussle in the (imagined) gust of wind and envision Yoko standing firm in the face of the that, the imagery becomes even more pronounced.
Due to Yoko’s character design, detailing comes through mostly in her jacket and hair but I think Ikuma-san uses that to his advantage. There is so much chaos in her jacket and layering in her hair and less everywhere else that the too actually serve as a contrast each other making the imagery more vivid. As an aside, it’s also stylized and fits with what a frame of animation from the show might look like. I just think that’s cool.
That’s not to say that there isn’t detailing anywhere else, it’s just that with Yoko’s well endowed chest, torso, and legs being mostly exposed, there was less opportunity for detailing. What there was plenty of opportunity for is coloring! The skin tones on Yoko are so lush and so warm that they look deliciously real. They even surpassed the ones on EnterBrain Yoko and I thought that would never happen. Great coloring in her hair and jacket too, but her skin tones are something else.
Yoko’s face is the coup de grâce of the figure. It’s shaped nicely, colored well, and definitely looks like Yoko. That’s all standard fare for Alter. But when you consider the imagery – a girl boldly standing in the face of the wind – and then notice she’s also smirking on top of it? Wow. That completely sold me on the theme Ikuma-san was going for. Also perfect considering the tone of the series.
So what’s the thing I was let down by? I alluded to it earlier (clever readers will notice the hint) but it’s this: Yoko has no ass. It’s not like she has a small ass – it’s no ass. Like “I hope you don’t have to sit down because you don’t have anything to sit on” ass-less. You think you see an ass underneath those tight black shorts, but what you’re really seeing is what happens when calf meets thigh without anything in-between.
There, that’s better. :3 Seriously though, for someone Kamina once referred to as “thunder thighs” you’d think they would’ve given this Yoko more of a butt. Is it the end of the world that she’s lacking in that department? No, but I couldn’t give Yoko a perfect review. Gotta keep Rei at the top, after all.
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Final Thoughts
This is one of the few times I’ve been able to really talk about a figure in terms of design because it really felt like Ikuma-san had a clear vision of what he wanted this figure to be and then was able to work with the tools at his disposal to best present that idea. Usually what we get is “what looks the best” or “what shows the most” or “what’s the most moe” and that’s fine most of the time, but Yoko here is in another class entirely. I never thought I’d find myself saying this, nor did I ever want to for fear of starting to take this hobby far too seriously, but this Yoko figure is a legitimate piece of art.
Still doesn’t have an ass, but she is art.
So Sloth, while I may have been just a little biased, did this help you make up your mind? 
butting out for now,
Rico-sama
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Yoko’s Full Gallery
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Ah an assman eh? I too like a good ass, and after you pointed that out I started to see she did indeed seem to be lacking one. But none the less she seems an amazingly well done figure. Being more a fan of the smaller breasts, I ws a fan of Kiyal, Kinon, Darry and Nia (all in their teenage to adult forms). Even with Yoko’s big breasts here though she seems good enough to over look that aspect of her.
There are times when I am, times when I’m not.
I think the lack of a Nia figure done by a company like Alter is a crying shame. Why no love for Nia? It’s not like a Kamina figure would’ve sold!
Oh, wait.
I’d also love to see a second-half-of-the-show Darry. That could have potential.
This yoko is one of best yoko’s figure. I prefer Gift’s version (her face is so cute), but this one is amazing. She has gréât sculpture, painting and base. And your picture.. Beautifuuul!!
Gift’s Yoko has a cute face, but Yoko was at a different point development wise the point this figure comes from. I think this one is perfect for this sculpt and Gift’s was perfect for Gift’s sculpt.
Yes, it’s true. They don’t show the “same character”. The version of Gift shows a sweet Yoko, and the version of Alter shows a dangerous Yoko. But both are magnificent, they are just different ^^
What background did you use?
Yeah, she does seem to have no ass, it’s kinda weird, but I guess it’s all for the sake of the long legs.
Background? One of the local arts stores stocks handmade paper and the one used above is just one of their patterns. I’ve been using it for a while. Did I misunderstand your question?
True. She’s completely stunning regardless and it’s not like you would’ve noticed it either way from the front, but it is puzzling.
You know after my last comment that day. I went back and re-watched TTGL.
I realised that this figure is quite different to the “hunter Yoko” I fell in love with (only just now because it’s been a long time since I watched TTGL). Jacket, boots and bikini in particular.
After you mentioned that she’s missing one of her most valued assets I am officially on the fence for this one (I was thisssss close to ordering her off ebay).
On one hand she’s sculpted amazingly well, colour and detail are both top notch. However, she doesn’t represent the Yoko I had in mind, which I think was the reason I didn’t pre-order her in the first place.
So I guess, if I can find her at a decent (read retail) price with normal shipping fees, I’d buy her. Otherwise I’m praying for a true reproduction, however unlikely that is.
You know, I take that back. Only just got to the second last episode in which she indeed wears what she’s wearing on the figure. But she wasn’t being as basass. So my argument still stands.
I will say that you won’t notice her lack of rear unless your specifically trying to, say, get a down low pervy shot for a gallery your making.
Seriously though, it’s hardly noticeable from the front.
2nd last episode? Wasn’t that the outfit she dawned when the Gunmen attacked the elementary school? *goes off to check*
Ah damn, now I see! This look is actually from that alternate reality sequences they went through near the end (and now the whole bounty hunter thing makes sense, lol). I thought it came from the time Yoko saved the kids, but she was wearing a different jacket.
Well I guess that shows how much I pay attention to “small” details like that, lol.
Anyway, even though this rendition of Yoko only existed for a bit (technically never existed) it’s easy to equate the bas-assery of Ep. 21 and this figure I think.
Rico.
Stop it.
My wallet is crying.
Sigh, as much as I try to talk myself out of it, I’ll probably end up selling my kidney for her.
However, I really do prefer her black short jacket over this hunter one though.
What can I say? I’m a bad influence. >:D
Though I do agree about the jacket. That one just looked really unique.
Still a great figure regardless. >:D
You really are a bad influence. I’ve purchased a few figures because of you! (Not that I’m complaining really…)
And I’ve bought a few because of you. Well, not “few” so much as “one”. But it was Drossel! And Drossel is like worth 11 regular figures.
Though I am also hunting down GSC Shiki Ryougi and Yami.
You bought a Drossel?! yes! Best figma ever! I bought 2 more myself. I should have bought 10. <3
ah yeah when I saw her first, I thought she was a gk since she was just primed and not painted…then I saw the Alter sign behind her. Oh how I wished she was a gk.
Also I’m suprised at the amount of shading they did on her, the scorch marks around the bullet holes in her coat. Although I disagree on the shading of the little wrinkles on the coat the crests are darker than troughs. Although that maybe from the shadow of her hair/gun.(pictures are like that I guess.)
Yeah, was mostly referring to the scorch marks, not so much shading in the jacket (though there is some). What I am impressed by in the jacket is the molding detail. That level of detail is amazing.
Yoko was not my favorite character but the figures in his likeness, they attract my attention. I restrain myself not to buy anything. Alter has released a bomb! ”
As you say, the details are incredible.
Alter did an amazing job with this figure. I wish they’d get off their butts and release a Nia figure though!