I may have to put off college to get her but Miku will be mine
<Gendo>It’s been a while.</Gendo> Hard to believe it’s been 4 weeks since my last upcoming figures post. It certainly doesn’t feel like it, but looking back on all the new figures I didn’t cover there were a TON of them and I had a lot of catch-up to do. To add insult to injury, I’m out of practice and this post ended up taking a lot longer to write than usual and I’m exhausted. This, in turn, will likely result in more nonsensical ramblings than usual. Good news is that all the studying helped increase my vocabulary so at least the ramblings have big words interspersed within. See if you can spot them!
EDIT: More background info on Miku added.
VN02 hobby mix
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Kanu Unchou – Miko Ver.
Series: Ikki Tousen
Company: Aizu Project
Sculptor: Takayuki Shiragami
Scale: 1/6
Release: Mar 2010
Price: 214 USD // 18,900 Yen
Notes: Cold Cast
The Short:
Aizu Project releases a variant look from the cover of the 13th volume of the Ikki Tousen manga with much more artistic licensing; boobs.
The Long:
I dig this rendition of Kanu because of the energy in her outfit. Unlike Daiki Kougyou’s take on the outfit, which was fairly representative of the original art, this Kanu sculpt is far more chaotic and striking: it creates an image and tells a story. Far more appropriate for the turbulence Kanu lives in. The torn edges on her clothes are a nice touch and I’m in love with the coloring.
The two big negatives, which end up being insurmountable for me, are her hair and the price. There is something about the granularity in her hair that’s really off putting. It could just be poor resolution in the photos (only small sizes were available) but even then the price is out of my range. She’s a damn fine figure, but I just can’t justify the cost. Especially as that’s the pre-tax and pre-import cost.
Rico’s Verdict:
Pass.
Source.
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Shimei Ryomou
Series: Ikki Tousen: Great Guardians
Company: Uart
Sculptor: Yasuhiro Uchishima
Scale: 1/7
Release: Mar 2010
Price: 100 USD // 8,800 Yen
Notes: Cold Cast
The Short:
Uart is set to release (the much cheaper) Shimei Ryomou cold cast figure next spring. Why do Ikki Tousen figures look so good in cold cast?
The Long:
Now here is a figure that’s easier on my wallet and her hair is easier on my eyes too. So she’s already got Kanu beet in that regard. Detailing doesn’t look nearly as intricate but I think it’s perfect for a figure this size. The coloring looks solid and I’m particularly taken by the warmth in her skin tones. I’ve only been exposed to one other cold cast figure before, but Uart looks like they’ll do a better job on Shimei than Kotobukiya did with Nancy.
Originally I was going to say that Shimei’s torso looks short, but I’ve since convinced myself that’s not the case. Her apron sits a lot higher on her torso than I expected, thus making it appear shorter, but if you focus on the distance between tight and shoulder she looks perfectly proportioned.
Rico’s Verdict:
Tempting, but I’m going to wait and see if I can get a deal on her later.
Source.
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Mio Akiyama – School Festival Ver.
Series: K-On!
Company: UpLark
Sculptor: Mesuka
Scale: 1/8
Release: Mar 2010
Price: 88 USD // 7,800 Yen
The Short:
UpLark continues to impress with their work and it looks like they’ve learned a few things about skin tones (I was a little let down by Nia, but that’s a story for another day).
The Long:
Honestly I think Mio is an alright figure. Simple, clean, and certainly elegant, she’s doing right in the coloring and the detailing departments and is a good figure for any collection. In my opinion not the best Mio there is but certainly a solid figure. I included her mostly because out of all the Mio figures released to date, she’s got the absolute cutest outfit hands down.
I also like UpLark’s trend of including two heads with their figures. It makes the figure more marketable and I feel that the figure is worth a little more because of it. Which is good, because at 88 USD, Mio here isn’t exactly cheap.
The sculptor, Mesuka, is the same mind behind UpLark’s Yoko (back when UpLark was known as Eye Up). I was floored by Yoko and hope that Mesuka brings equally awesome things to Mio.
Rico’s Verdict:
I think I’ll wait and see what UpLark has planned for the rest of the K-On! cast first.
Source.
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Alfin – Umbrio Ver.
Series: Shining Force Feather
Company: Kotobukiya
Sculptor: Sho Kojima
Scale: 1/8
Release: Mar 2010
Price: 88 USD // 7,800 Yen
The Short:
The lead heroine from Shining Force Feather comes to PVC form thanks to Kotobukiya. Android? Noizi Ito? Bought!
The Long:
I really like this figure. If Wiki is to be believed then Noizi Ito was behind the character designs for Shining Force Feather and if that’s true I can see the influence. Alfin’s design is gorgeous and very much in the vein of the cutesy semi-fantastic in a lot of her work. I’m not sure if Sho Kojima was working off an existing piece of art or not, but he’s done a pretty fantastic job in capturing Noizi Ito’s style. Sho Kojima is also the sculptor behind Kotobukiya’s Maid Ver Rei so it’s not totally shocking this happened.
I don’t like always putting in this caveat about Kotobukiya because I don’t want to seem like I’m beating up on them. I actually really like them but they definitely have an Achilles’ heel: as a company they are the most inconsistent with coloring when going from the prototype to the production run. Every company has there duds – their Rin or their Mao – but there is a palpable trend with Kotobukiya. One of two things usually happen: a screw-up happens in production or they do a good job of using lighting to mask already existing problems. Either way you think you’re getting something warm and peach colored but end up with something cold and greenish. They’ve gotten much better in recent years but, for me at least, there still exists that 1-in-5 chance that I end up saying “Yup, another one they didn’t deliver on.”
So why do through all that again? Just so you know that I don’t think Alfin is one of those 1-in-5 times. I think her coloring looks fantastic.
Rico’s Verdict:
Bought.
Source.
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Birdy Cephon Altera
Series: Tetsuwan Birdy Decode
Company: Alpha Max
Sculptor: UNK
Scale: 1/6
Release: Mar 2010
Price: 188 USD // 16,590 Yen
Notes: Cold Cast
The Short:
Alpha Max prices themselves out of their market with this questionable Birdy cold cast figure from Tetsuwan Birdy Decode.
The Long:
I’ve become less excited about this figure the more and I’ve looked at her. I think at first I was taken with the dynamism she was displaying but my admiration quickly faded and I realized there was little else to really hand your hat on with her. She’s simple, but I can’t really fault Alpha Max for that since the design she is based on is simple. However, I can fault them for making her so prohibitively expensive as it was their choice to go the cold cast route. It confuses me to no end that they did this, presumably, when they already knew her face would look that bad. I could see her selling nicely (and costing less to make) if she were a PVC retailing for 60 USD. But as is?
As is your probably wondering why I even left her in the post. Basically it’s because I was too lazy to go back and change the header image. 
Rico’s Verdict:
Total pass.
Source.
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Index
Series: To Aru Majutsu no Index
Company: Good Smile Company
Sculptor: Masato Abe
Scale: 1/8
Release: Mar 2010
Price: 88 USD // 7,800 Yen
The Short:
After long being in desire since her debut at Wonder Festival Summer 2009, GSC is finally putting Index of To Aru Majutsu no Index fame out for retail next spring.
The Long:
It can likely be explained by timing, that Index was in development before the show even started, but it’s interesting to me that GSC decided to go with Index first given the insane moe appeal that Mikoto apparently has. But in a way I think it’s good because it gives the Index fans a moment to relish in the unprecedented quality for a figure of the franchise while Mikoto fans continue to lament their sometimes epic fail.
Moment over. Now get to work on a Mikoto figure, GSC!
The pictures really speak for themselves: Index has great coloring and a captivating pose. I’m particularly keen on the semi-gloss gold accents. If that carries over (and is not just a trick of light/photo-shopping) then it will be a nice feature.
But seriously, where’s my Mikoto, GSC?
Rico’s Verdict:
Oh so bought.
Source.
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Patchouli Knowledge
Origin: Touhou Project
Company: quesQ
Sculptor: Guhico
Scale: None
Release: Mar 2010
Price: 71 USD // 6,300 Yen
Notes: Exclusive
The Short:
quesQ will be releasing Patchouli Knowledge in PVC form come next March. And there was much rejoicing.
The Long:
This is one damn cute figure; she took my breath away a bit. I’ve slowly started warming up to Touhou Project figures over the recent months. I doubt it’s because my tastes have changed – they haven’t much – so it’s probably because they’ve been getting better. At least for the few months I’ve been actively following releases they’ve been getting better, that is.
Patchouli has an alluring color scheme and for me that’s the figures most interesting apsect. The play of pink and purple is just visually nice. I also like the fact that Guhico has built her seat out of a stack of books. Very nice touch.
Unfortunately for me she’s really worth the added expense and time that comes with her exclusive nature. If I ever see her for a reasonable price at a convention or on eBay I might pick her up. Of course at 71 USD, “reasonable price” never really translates well with what I project the “exclusive mark-up” would be.
Rico’s Verdict:
Not worth the hunt due to the exclusive nature, but might snatch her off eBay if I ever see her.
Source.
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Reimu Hakurei
Origin: Touhou Project
Company: Gift
Sculptor: Kitutehu
Scale: 1/8
Release: Mar 2010
Price: 81 USD // 7,140 Yen
The Short:
Gift will be releasing this awesome Reimu Hakurei PVC next Spring. Looks like March could be an expensive month.
The Long:
Now here is a Touhou Project figure I could see myself going the extra mile and getting if she were an exclusive. Thankfully though, she’s a good old-fashioned standard release figure.
I’m starting to notice a bit of an idiosyncrasy with Gift. Gift as a company, putting aside the individual tendencies of the sculptors for a second, has this in-house trait where faces tend to be very stylized and often diverge from the source material. This first seen most obviously with Saber and has permeated their work since. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but it’s always eye catching. Moka’s the only one in recent memory that didn’t really follow that trend (though she is no less awesome because of it).
All that is to serve as background so I can say this: I really love Reimu’s face. For one thing, it’s extremely expressive but to me that’s not nearly as important as the way it looks. It’s stylized and it’s different from anything else I have in my collection and, as a collector, that really speaks to me. The rest of the figure showcases Gift’s usual production standards, but Reimu’s face is the reason I’m buying this figure.
Rico’s Verdict:
Gift just continues to impress. Bought.
Source.
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Miku Hatsune VN02 mix
Origin: Vocaloid
Company: Max Factory
Sculptor: Shining Wizard @ Sawachika
Scale: 1/8
Release: Jun 2010
Price: 145 USD // 12,800 Yen
The Short:
The coup de grâce of today’s mega post is the figure I’ve been most looking forward to since Wonfes: Max Factory’s VN02 Miku Hatsune is due June 2010.
The Long:
I really don’t know where to start with Miku, so I’ll go with a classic: ZOMG!!!1
We’ve known about Miku for months now, but seeing the official images still floored me. It excited me so much that it snapped me out of my post-studying lull and got me posting again! Pose, coloring, face, and even semi-translucent hair – all pure win. But what stands out the most in my mind is the detailing. The pervasive green decoration the permeates her outfit, the occasional pink accent, the detailed mechanics of her “wings”, the fantastic curves in her body, and even the speaker/sub-woofer concept that adorns her wings and forms her base all create motif unlike any other I’ve ever seen for a figure.
Unfortunately, all that detail comes at a price.
I know a lot of people are going to suffer sticker shock over Miku; especially due to her scale. I guess that can’t be helped: when it’s over budget it’s over budget. I do wish she were cheaper so more could enjoy her and I think anticipation inflated her price, but I also feel the price tag is at least partially justified. From what I see she’s detailed enough, intricate enough, and solid enough to justify most of it. When I also see the crap that some other companies try to pass off at higher prices she seems like a pretty good deal by comparison.
Miku is due in June, and she’s the first figure I know of that will be that far out, so that’s plenty of time for me to save and to plan to limit the expenses that month.
That’s what I’m telling myself, anyway.
EDIT: I’ve done some digging and found that VN02 Miku is based on a design from the Project Diva PSP game. I don’t know the context surround that artwork – like whether it was ever used in the game or if it was just a first draft that was later modified – but suffice to say that a few things changed along the way.
Rico’s Verdict:
Miku will be mine!
Source.
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Figures Rico is too lazy to talk about but likes anyway
There are a couple more that I like that I really don’t have a lot to say about, so I threw together this BS section just so I could say “Want!” and not really talk about them.
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I want both of those. The end.
PS. There weren’t any big words. That was a prevarication.
- Related posts:
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- The world may be hers, but Miku will be mineA lot of figures went on pre-order this week. Griffon...
- Girls who leap through space find unlimited darknessWave appears to be establishing themselves as the new Kotobukiya:...
- Wonder Festival 2010 SummerWonder Festival 2010 Summer occurred this last weekend and I’m...
- Miyuki beats the twins, Reimu gets busted, and moreStill haven’t fully recovered from Otakon and I’m looking forward...
I’m a longtime lurker but I’m happy to see your posts again!
“When I also see the crap that some other companies try to pass off at higher prices she seems like a pretty good deal by comparison.”
Regarding the Miku figure that is so true. This is one reason I choose not to complain as much as others when it comes to her price. But I would be lying if I said I wasn’t hoping she would be priced the same as GSC’s Saber Lily or Black Rock Shooter. She is priced the same as Alter’s Fate Harlaown. Not sure if she is better than Fate but she is definitely a one of a kind figure. I think she would look beautiful when displayed under good lighting because the light is going to shine through her translucent hair.
Oh and I know what you mean by Uplark Nia’s skin-tone. The color isn’t as bright as the prototype. This was one reason I decided to pass on her. I may snatch her up if I can find her for a discounted price. Viral turned out a lot better. It’s too bad I was never crazy about him though. I’m hoping they come out with an awesome Simon figure next!
I really like Index even though I’ve never seen the show. I may have to check it out. ^^
Welcome and thanks! Hope you stick around and enjoy!
Oh trust me I would’ve loved to have seen 30-40 bucks knocked off her price as much as anyone else.
It’s interesting that she’s in Fate’s price range. Based on what we’ve seen from the pics, I’d actually argue that Miku is a tad better than Fate (due mostly to her design), but I’m withholding final judgment until I’ve seen the final products (should Alter ever stop teasing us and actually release Fate, that is).
Nia fans continually get burned. >,< Nice to know that Viral was better, but I have a fairly strict “no dudes” policy.
Never seen the show either, though that doesn’t keep me from a good figure!
Haha, the only thing I read was the Miku post.
Miku is such a gorgeous figure that I’m almost tempted to get one for myself~ It would be pretty useless to have two of the same figures in the same house though since my bro is buying one.
Black Rock Shooter is an exception, of course. What’s with all the delays, GSC?)
The detailing on the PVC dress and socks/boots is superb and all that but what really sells it (to me) is the semi-translucent arm sleeves & hair, mechanical wings and face. Especially the eyes, serious miku eyes are rare~ I’m simply lost for words~ (and sleepy, so I’m not thinking much)
But what irks me is the base. Yes, the design is an awesome crystal spike but I just can’t get over the colour. I mean, why toothpaste green, GSC!? WHY!? I can’t stop thinking that she’s standing atop a spire of flourite or hardened toothpaste now…
DX
At least you got your priorities straight.
It would be useless right now, yes, but think about when you move out. Do you think you’re brother will want to give her up? It wouldn’t hurt to keep one in storage. You know, just in case.
Good point about the eyes; I liked the seriousness in them too.
LOL! There is a part of me that loves that and a part of me that wishes you hadn’t shared. Because now I see the toothpaste too each time I look at her.
I’ll just live with my bro~
Lol, Otakus unite!!! But I’ll think about it. =D
Hey, at least it’s a good (and gorgeous) reminder to brush your teeth.
8D
I wonder when VN02 will actually come out?
Patchouli can be preordered from Amiami. I can’t wait for her.
Hey now, Max Factory isn’t as bad as the rest of them. Alter’s got no less than 10 that are delayed until next year! Max Factory is only 2 of 3 in delayed-ness.
Oooo. She can, can she? That might be enough to make me cave, lol.
Hey look who’s back! Alright lets get down to it…
1) Kanu Unchou – Boobs way too big, pass.
Also, seriously, $188?! PASS!
2) Shimei Ryomou, she seems like someone who should be named “Helga” and not messed with. The kind of maid you don’t boss around, but who bosses you around, even if you’re her employer. Not my kind of maid lol pass.
3) Mio Akiyama – How could I not like a Mio figure? (easy, Taki could produce it). Cute figure, wont buy, but cute, on the wishlist perhaps until I see her for a super great deal.
4) Alfin – I want this figure but I was on edge about it. I haven’t really been happy with Kotobukiya since my Sill Plain, however after receiving 3 quite well done Eva figures from them, I’m feeling like pre-ordering Alfin now.
5) Pass. Why did you leave her in the post?
6) Index – This figure looks awesome, I want to buy it, but I don’t. I wasn’t really a fan of her character, I’m much more of a Mikoto fan, or Kuroko and her fancy pantsu. But this figure seems so well done… Should I? wait asking you is a bad idea…:P
7) Patchouli – I’m starting to get on the Touhou train, but not really interested in this figure.
8) Reimu – bit too loli a version for me, but I like this angle. Pass.
9) Not Hatsune Miku – I’ll pass on this one for 2 reasons. zOMG $145 USD for a 1/8th scale figure? ef that! The other reason I’ll repeat what I said on Nekomagic, she doesn’t look like Miku, and I know she’s not really supposed to. But to me she seems like one of those knock off series trying to steal the steam off another. She’s a look alike, she has the same features but looks just different enough not to be a direct clone. That said, she’s very nice, but I don’t think she’s nice enough to be more expensive than Saber Lily -Disant Avalon- for example. So I’ll have to pass.
10-11) I’m not fond of Waves products so far.
So nothing’s changed I guess, the majority of the figures you list I disagree with, excellent. Good to know you haven’t changed over the past 4 weeks! Now to stop myself from pre-ordering Index and Alfin.
Curious though, why didn’t you include Kotobukiya’s 1/4 scale Elwing la Syphilis (lol her last name always makes me think of Syphilis, it’s actually Sylphis). She seemed like something you’d definitely have on one of these lists. Perhaps I guess because details are sparse at the moment. Actually a good point, I believe the 1/4th scale Elwing from Kotobukiya will cost ¥10,000, much more reasonable price than Not Hatsune Miku for the scale, but it is Kotobukiya heh.
Long post is long, I think. I’ll leave it at that.
-Aka
I gave in, that only took what, 2 minutes? lol (Pre-ordered Alfin and Index)
Also, stupid emoticon ruining #8.
“wait asking you is a bad idea…”
I might take that and turn it into my signature, lol.
You know, we may disagree a lot on the reasons, but in this case we’re pretty close on the pass/buy decision. We’re 6/9 using that scale and only really disagree about Patchouli, Reimu, and Miku. But given how much I’m in love with Miku and you aren’t, we might as well not agree on anything.
Speaking of Miku, I see your point about knock-off Vocaloid characters, but I get something different out of it all. Much like Touhou Project, the lack of a centralized design strengthens the franchise and offers more possibilities for variation that still “remain” the character. Some times it will work, sometimes it won’t. But from a collector’s perspective it’s certainly more exciting.
At least that’s what I’d like to say. Your point about her not looking like Miku kinda flies in the face of everything I said.
Though this has gotten me thinking; I recall you liking World is Mine Miku. What was it that was different about her in your mind?
Ahem, enough about Miku.
Yeah, I’m waiting on 1/4 (or is it 1/5 or 1/6?) Elwing until the official announcement goes out. I’m far too lazy to cover prototypes, rumors, and almost announced figures unless it’s from a well documented event like Wonder Festival. But you’re right about her being the type of figure I’d cover. :3
On Alfin and Index, looks like you didn’t need to ask after all.
I still need to get Alfin ordered myself.
PS. Fixed #8.
I skipped waiting for your reply and pre-ordered them anyway because I knew you’d just tell me to do it, you terrible man.
Hmm, well I think you got me there with the World is Mine Miku. I thought out a few different vectors for arguments sake and even typed them all out but they were pretty flimsy. WIM Miku is more different from Hatsune Miku than VN02 is and that makes a hard arguement to win. The only thing I can say in WIM Miku’s defense in this arguement is she’s like half the price of VN02, her hair is the right colour and I think looks adorable in her lolita attire. But unfortunately, you win this round sir, good game.
I suppose writing using iffy information makes for iffy posts. I look forward to seeing more information about Elwing though. I hope Kotobukiya can do a good job. I’m not sure I’ll buy though, 1/4 or 1/5 scale is just too large, maybe at 1/6th. I kinda prefer 1/8th scale these days, it’s hard to find room! lol
PS: Thanks
I wasn’t trying to win anything; I was actually genuinely curious about what made WIM Miku more “Miku” than VN02. It seemed perfectly reasonable for someone to think that that were the case. It still does. I was actually thinking you might come at it from an stylistic angle – that NV02 is analogous to an updated version of a classic design that went a bit too far with the re-imagining and lost some of the familiarity, while WIM Miku is just Miku on a day off after maybe watching a little too much Death Note. Your point about hair color kinda hints at that.
But then again maybe I should just take the wins when I get them.
That was totally one of the angles I was going to use! I was gonna go on about how she’s lying on her bed at home lounging alluringly etc… but I felt it was a pretty weak arguement at the time. Oh well. Take this win, I’ll win next time for sure!
Miku is a super-duper figure. An amazing piece, it’s just WOW! I like, pretty much, everything about it except the price. But, I’m not too familiar with the vocaloid character. Shouldn’t her hair be more of a turquoise green? That would irk me. Or is this her busting some Super Saiyan move where her hair changes colour?
Short version; wow!, but too expensive.
Looking at that Kanu figure makes me wish I had bought the Daiki Kanu vol.13 figure. again It was, wow!, but too expensive =[
I like that Shimei figure. I never really paid much attention to her. That looks really nice though.
I’m don’t that it’s Super Saiyan so much as it’s just an artist choice in the new rendering. But it’s an interesting point about the color of her hair. I’ve done some digging and found that this Miku is partially based on a design from the PSP Project Diva game. What I don’t know is whether or not that “original” artwork was ever used in the game or if it went under some modifications, but suffice to say that a few things changed along the way.
Shimei is the only of of those two I really want. :3
mmmm, the figure is nicer than the concept art. Just looking at the profile shot. You can see their is a beautifully sculpted figure in among the other paraphernalia.
I’m tempted by Kanu and Ryomou, but the only certain purchase at this point (assuming it’s available for pre-order from my local store) is the Miku Hatsune. That’s spectacular!
I might try going a different route with Miku. Just so I can get her in that much sooner.
Not getting the figure is personally unacceptable. I may have to look at other means as well.