Good Smile Company Saber Lily ‘Distant Avalon’ Ver. PVC: Fate/unlimited Codes
On Friday we covered GCS’s follow-up to this figure with Saber ‘Triumphant Excalibur Ver.’ so I thought it would be nice to today review her predecessor. Saber on Friday and Saber on Monday. I can’t think of a better way to spend a weekend than to be sandwiched between two Sabers. Today we’re taking a look at Good Smile Company’s 1/7th scale Saber Lily ‘Distant Avalon Ver.’ PVC figure from Fate/unlimited Codes.
Fate/unlimited Hobby~
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GSC Saber Lily: Background
Good Smile Company’s 1/8th scale Saber Lily ‘Distant Avalon’ version PVC was released in September of 2009 and retailed for ¥9800 (109 USD). Sculpted by Kawahara Takayuki this figure features Saber in her 4th unlockable costume from the Fate/unlimited Codes arcade style fighting game.
As appears to be GSC’s wont these days, there is already a variant on Saber Lily in the works with the upcoming ‘Golden Caliburn’ version. It’s mostly the same as this Distant Avalon version except for the fact that the Golden Caliburn version is missing some armor and has a reworked face. There is a cynical part of me that thinks this Distant Avalon version was originally meant to have her armor removable, but I can’t completely defend why I think that.
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Distant Avalon
A few weeks ago I was going back and forth with myself about which of the three big figures in my haul was the best release of 2009. At the time I was so overwhelmed by the shear immensity of the Miku and BRS figures that Saber Lily completely fell off my radar. I think I’m going to have to re-think those sentiments a bit because Saber Lily is definitely the running for top.
It’s extremely difficult to find a place to start a review when presented with a figure this breathtaking and magnificently crafted but I’ll try my best. The element to Saber that is the most readily apparent to me is her energy. It’s not explosive like a lot of other figures out there so it doesn’t grab you with the same intensity, but there is a sort of prolonged vitality to Saber that’s far more complex and equally enjoyable. It’s like the difference between taking a shot of whiskey (or liquor of your choice) and sipping a fine wine.
A wine has a simpleness in the first moments when it hits your tongue but also a complexity to the aftertaste after you swallow; the prefect embodiment of two otherwise dissimilar elements of “simple” and “complex”. So in the same vein I feel that this prolonged vitality allows for a similar visual contrast between “simple” and “complex” and this theme permeates throughout all aspects of the entire figure.
Saber’s pose is perhaps the clearest embodiment of this idea. At first glance the pose is relatively straightforward. It’s simple but as you begin to focus in on specific elements – the way her head is turned, how she pulls back her shoulders, the spread and angle of her feet – you begin to read a tension in her body and, by extension, her demeanor. It gives Saber a secondary meaning without ever breaking the initial impression of elegance. It’s really fantastically done.
The most critical element to achieving this balance is Saber Lily’s design. It’s rather ingenious how her outfit is designed in a way that each element is broken up enough to be read individually but not too broken where the outfit can’t be read as a whole as well. This is achieved primarily through smart use of detailing and coloring; simple complexity at its best. Yeah, Kawahara-san can’t really take credit for the design, but he’s able to pose Saber in a way where the two elements play off each other wonderfully. I wish someone else took a page from this book.
Then there is Saber’s face; which serves as the coup de grâce for the her composition. Like her pose it’s simple and somewhat serene at first glance but Saber’s focused gaze and the way the her rather chaotic hair frames her face paints another picutre entirely: one of a girl poised for battle. But it isn’t so overwhelmingly obvious where it overpowers the initial elegance. The way these elements – Saber’s face, pose, and design – work together to make this theme work is nothing short of remarkable.
The last couple points I want to talk about – detailing and coloring - work with the theme but more in how they relate to the design than anything. Instead I walk to talk about them on their own merits because they are essential parts to any good figure. Detailing is top notch and folds in her clothing and her hair flows fantastically. I also like the use of translucent material between her skirt and lower armor piece. But the thing I love the most about Saber is the layering. Each piece of armor and most of her skirt has been molded individually and later attached to the figure; often overlaping with other pieces. This results in a fantastic layering effect which allows each piece to be read individually or as a whole. I think it’s this layering that makes me believe Saber was originally meant to have her armor removable.
Then there is coloring. I have to say that I was a little worried about how Saber’s armor would turn out but it ended up being just as well done as the set on the Gift’s Saber. Skin tones are warm, pleasant, and expertly done as GSC tends to do. One element I really like is the hint of burgundy in Saber’s skirt; it adds a little color to the figure’s lower half and that balances better with the top half. Looking at some of the other Saber figures I own Saber Lily’s hair is definitely among the lightest. While I don’t know if that was an asethic choice to keep it in line with the more muted color scheme or not, I think it’s far more appropriate color for Saber then some of the straight up yellow heads I have.
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Final Thoughts
I think the best testament about Saber Lily that I can give comes from a story about a friend of mine. This friend – we’ll call him Merritt – has been going to my local anime shop for about as long as I have. In fact, I first met Merritt at the anime store. Merritt has never been one for PVCs. He’d see the figures I or others would get in but never saw a reason to get any of them for himself. As a result Merritt missed out on some great figures over the years. He passed on the likes of Rei, Yoko, Louise, Haruhi, Melissa, Shiki, Misato, and countless others. And despite near constant prodding encouragement by myself and others he wouldn’t budge. He’d say that they were “nice” or “good looking” or “cute”, but nothing ever grabbed him; he just didn’t see the value in these plastic goddesses.
Until Saber Lily came along, that is.
Now Merritt is a proud owner of one PVC. In fact, he has a second on order as well. I don’t know if this is the turning point for Merritt to become “one of us”, but I can think of no better testament to Saber Lily than to say “Merritt, the guy who held out on figures for years, got himself a Saber Lily.”
everyone has one after all,
Rico-sama
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Saber’s Full Gallery
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Great post.
Not an owner myself. Could they not have made her “grab” the sheath or at least make it attach to her open hand without the clear plastic part?
I prefer Alter’s version for its truer presentation of FSN’s drawing style.
That said, if I could buy the limited version of this Saber Lily, I’d jump at the chance.
Oh, the newly announced saber is great too. Great expression, Great pose, Great sword, Greatttttttttttttttt.
I passed on Alter’s Saber Lily. It just didn’t seem as dynamic and was a little “boring” by comparison to GSC’s. Funny thing is, I would’ve gotten both had Alter been first to the market with theirs since it’s still a nice figure. I do like your point about it being truer to the drawing style; wasn’t something I had considered until now.
Merritt a Saber fan?
I think Saber Lily was originally meant to be cast-off as well. Have you seen the images around the internets of others doing so to their figures? cutting in strategic places you can remove her clothes right down to Golden Caliburn level. The only differing feature at that point is of course her face.
I think it’s kind of funny this week. I went in a very lewd direction and you went for elegance. Perhaps this speaks a lot of our differing personalities.
Merritt is a bit of a Fate/stay night fan, but he really doesn’t have too much of a favorite. Not like you or I go after Rin, for example.
Speaking of, did you hear the news? Not only is GSC making a Rin for the new movie, but Alter is getting in on the action as well (with both Rin and Saber). :3
Yeah I have seen those pics and I think you were the one that pointed them out to me. The fact that people are doing that themselves was part of the reason I think she was meant to be deconstructed, but it really didn’t hit home until I had her open and could see the pieces. If our theory is true then it was kind of a cheap move by GSC.
Oooo. Lewd you say? I haven’t had the chance to read your post yet but I will do so momentarily. :3
I had heard about Alter’s Saber/Rin. I’m going to be so poor, I love it! wait what? haha
Ah so Saber was just that awesome it got a casual fan interested enough to actually spend some serious cash. Nice!
Definitely lewd… perhaps pornographic even. No definately pornographic.
You were right with that last part. o.0
lol…
I’m glad you decided to review her. I like your reviews because you always have something to say. Most people just post pictures and call it “amazing” and they’re done with it.
I really like this Saber! I think GSC is the only one that was able to get her face right. She has to be one of the most owned figures right now. I know there’s a LOT of people that don’t like her simply because she was so hyped. But I think this Saber lived up to the expectations. I feel sorry for people who chose not to get her because I love her! >D I would definitely rank her one of the best figures of 2009.
And that’s a sweet story about your friend Merrit. It only takes one figure to get you hooked. Sooner or later he’ll have a Saber army!
I was always going to review Saber but I kept holding off because photographing her just seemed so daunting. In actuality though, she was one the the easiest figures I’ve ever had to photograph. Oh, and while I think there are plenty of others out there who do more than just say “amazing”, I’m happy you like my reviews.
Really? There were people who didn’t like her just because of the hype? I know that happens all the time with anime (ex. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya), but this is the first I’ve heard about it with figures. I’ve got to start paying better attention to the Internets, lol.
He’s got two now, so that’s getting close.
Well, most people just say how great or amazing a figure is but they don’t go in to detail on what made it so amazing. Reviewing figures requires some critical thinking.
Yea I’m really surprised that Saber Lily got so much backlash. Tsuki-board was having a Best of 2009 awards and people totally dissed Saber. Yagyu Jubei ended up winning but the reasoning behind their decision confused me. Not even Alter’s Fate made it in the running. lol I was so surprised. Yagyu Jubei is great but not that great! It’s probably a good thing you don’t follow stuff like this. It’s a waste of time. I don’t know why I do it.
Nah, I really should get more integrated with Tsuki. I’ve got a profile but haven’t gotten much more involved with that. It’s moments like the “best of 2009″ and backlash against Saber that I really find interesting because of the fact that the outcome wasn’t what I would’ve expected.
Was Alter’s Fate even released in 2009?
I was about to make a joke about how Merrit will inevitably become a hardcore figure collector now that he has made that initial purchase. But if you look at that exceptional figure of Sabre, I can easily see it as a sole purchase. It is a fantastic figure that looks absolutely perfect on its own. Excellent, excellent pose, balanced composition. It creates a nice sense of kinetic energy. It really is a centre piece figure.
Having said that I do not own it because I have no clue about any of this Fate stay night business ^^
Oh, Merritt’s taken the plunge. He might not realize it yet, but he’s hooked on figures. >:D
Ah, boo! Don’t let not knowing anything about the franchise get between you and a good figure! If you like it and can afford it then make it yours! Hell it works even if you hate a series. I loathe Burst Angel but I adore the figures Alter made from that train wreck of a show.
Good figures are good figures first.