Good Smile Company Akiha Shishidou PVC: Sora wo Kakeru Shoujo
Akiha was a bit of an spontaneous purchase on my part because I had never seen Sora wo Kakeru Shoujo and I didn’t care enough to actually go watch it. I still haven’t seen it and I still don’t care enough to go watch it, but Akiha is a damn nice figure regardless. Today we’re taking a look at Good Smile Company’s 1/8th scale Akiha Shishidou PVC from Sora wo Kakeru Shoujo.
Naked Eve of the New Hobby~
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GSC Akiha Shishidou: Background
Good Smile Company’s (GSC) 1/8th scale Akiha Shishidou Shikinami PVC was released in Japan in July of 2009 retailed for about ¥6800 (76 USD). Sculpted by Yokota Ken this figure features Akiha in a pose mimicking the promotional art. A little odd to see a figure based on something so generic, but the pose is great nonetheless.
Assuming Yokota Ken is his real name (and not a pseudonym) then Yokota-san is relatively new to the figure scene but he’s already got some pretty banging PVCs in his portfolio, small as it is. The other figures are all upcoming at this point but all of them look to be pretty fantastic. I’m especially excited about Hayakawa Yuzuko.
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The Girl Who Leapt Through Space
Before we get to far I want to point out the Akiha doesn not come with Imo-chan (the small yellow thing in a sailor suit): you have to buy the Imoko Shishido Nendoroid figure to get her. Unlike the Emuemu/Kemeko combination that Max Factory did a year ago, there is no real reason to get the Nendoroid. I did it because I like Nendoroids, but you can just as easily pass on it.
Not having even heard of the show before seeing this figure, Akiha just looked to be a fun little figure that struck me in all the right ways: she’s energetic, expressive, and lots of personality. But the thing that really put her into the “buy” category for me was the pink hair. I’m a sucker for pink hair and I don’t know why. 
Now that I’ve had Akiha for a bit I’ve found more things to love about her and, of course, a few problems. Let’s stick with the good for now. Coloring is pretty solid on Akiha and definitely up to GSC’s usual standards and quality control. Her skin tones are warm, her hair has some nice depth to it, and even her clothing has some shading going on.
The pose is the most fantastic aspect of the figure. Yes it’s based on an existing promotional piece, but Yokota-san brings so much more life to Akiha than the image alone had. There is a pretty sophisticated understanding of the body going on here and the overall moments of tension and compression through Akiha’s body make this pose like a perfectly captured instance of time.
My second favorite part of this figure is her face. Normally I’m not a fan of the “blank, dumb smile” that we see so often in figures but this time it’s a perfect compliment to the overall energy of the sculpt.
Now for some of the not so good stuff: I’m not really a fan of Akiha’s panties. I like striped pantsu just fine normally, but this time the combination of the color and that fact that they’re so readily visible (I really had to work hard not to get the panties in the shot) were just really off putting. Kind of a weird complaint, I know, and it’s a lot more subjective than I usually like to be.
This last complaint is more objective: sculpt detailing is pretty sparse on Akiha. She has a little on her skirt and in her hair but not much more anywhere else. Regular readers will know that I think a really dynamic figure should have less sculpt detailing (and vice versa) in order to maintain a good balance, but I think if Yokota-san had put more into Akiha she would’ve been perfect.
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Final Thoughts
I’m really looking forward to the other figures Yokota-san has coming down the pipe and it doesn’t look like that the lack of detailing in Akiha is going to be a problem with the other figures he has coming out (based off the promotional images, anyway).
I’m a little bummed that there has been no word from GSC about the other girls in the series, but at the same time I don’t know if this is a franchise I want to sink any more money into. Outside of Wave’s bikini versions, of course. :3
careless and dense with no special talent,
Rico-sama
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Akiha’s Full Gallery
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I have to admit, before even reading anything I jumped at all the bum shots first just to confirm my opinions of the figure. After reading through I agree her panties don’t quite work as well as I’d hoped. I’m not really fond of the pink striped panties I guess, though I have no issue with how readily visible they are. Finishing off this paragraph, she has a nice bum (from most angles).
If Akiha doesn’t come with that floating thing, does she come with anything there? odd to have a blue pole with nothing on it otherwise. Or a hole in the base for no reason.
She really looks like one of those figures that’ll lean, even if she were made to combat it, which I’m sure she was. Such angle, one day she may face plant, though I hope not. And if she does, well, she’ll look way too happy doing it!
-Aka
I think pure white panties would’ve done more to accentuate the curves. As is the stripes are visually distracting. :/
Imo-chan comes with the Nendorioid figure in the last couple of images but the blue pole comes with Akiha. Like you suggested, the pole can pop out of the base, leaving a small hole. Not really noticeable in the grand scheme of things - though I wish they hadn’t used the same material as the base.
Her leg feels quite sturdy, but time might tell a different story. If they were going to put a hole in the base anyway I think I would’ve like some sort of optional support for her right knee.
Gonna try to keep her in cool places the best I can.
Is the pole for Imo specifically? or is there just a random blue pole that comes with Akiha.
Side note, it’s weird saying Imo and referring to a creature. My friends girlfriends nickname is Imo.
Specifically for Imo.
I’m not even sure if her name really is Imo, but it’s the closest thing I came to reading the wiki entry, lol.
I love the dynamism of this figure, and her colors. I love too the creature with her. Her face is great, and her eyes beautiful. Thank for this presentation ^^
Glad you like!
I actually tried Aka’s trick with using s glossy base but I got too much refraction from it - had to go with the my standard stuff. ^^;;
Akiha is such a great figure! I really like the dynamic pose which captures the character perfectly. I was a bit concerned with how wobbly she is on the base, but as long as she stays put, I’m sure she’ll be fine.
I still need to pick up the Nendoroid Imo-Chan…
Yeah, she is a little wobbly but that’s only when you move her (made it fun for shooting the gallery, that’s for sure lol). I don’t think that has a lot to do with whether she’ll lean or not.
I can’t imagine that Nendoroid Imo-chan is too hard to find. You might even be able to get a good deal on her.
I thinks this figure is perfect, but one thing is bothering me, it’s
her wide open mouth. I think it ruin the entire face.
Too bad. ^^
Normally I’d be agreeing with you since I feel those big dumb open smiles we often see are the easiest route a sculptor can take. I like having a little more variety.
Occasionally they work though and I think Akiha is definitely one of those times.
I wanted this figure, then after a couple of months of wanting this figure I saw her rear, then I wanted her even more…
Her panties get in the way of enjoying it as much as you could, but her rear is still quite nice.
I actually like things that hint and tantalize more than things that show. Especially when it comes to sex.
My imagination is a powerful tool, let me use it.