pvc figures Archive

Figure Preorders Weekly Highlight #1 [08/30~09/03]

Decided to condense preorders into a weekly report, since I won’t to focus my blog onto more than just figurines now. While I’ll still report some news on upcoming figures that interest me when I have time. There’s just so many figures being released, it’s hard to keep up sometimes. Week isn’t exactly over here, but I’ll start this post and update tomorrow if anything new.

Nendoroid Miku Hatsune: Absolute HMO Edition

© 2010 Crypton Future Media, Inc./PAwLaboratory/UMAA Inc./Anima Inc.
「VOCALOID」はヤマハ株式会社の登録商標です。

Product Details
Product Name: Nendoroid Miku Hatsune: Absolute HMO Edition
(ねんどろいど はつねみく あぶそりゅーとHMO・えでぃしょん)
Series: Character Vocal Series 01: Miku Hatsune
Manufacturer: Good Smile Company
Category: Nendoroid
Price: 4000 yen (including tax)
Release Date: 2010/12
Specifications: ABS & PVC painted posable figure, not to scale, stand included, approximately 100mm in height
Sculptor: Oda Tsuyoshi, Meishi Takano

YMO (Yellow Magic Orchestra) recently released a CD called “HMO (Hatsune Miku Orchestra)”, and the illustration of that jacket cover, illustrated by manga artist Kuu, became so popular that it is now getting it’s very own Nendoroid rendition, oversized sleeves and all! A variety of extra items seen in the PV of the song “Kimi ni, mune kyun. -Uwaki na Vacation-”, such as a keyboard and an electric drum set are included. Also included are some stickers of eyes for Rin and Len, to change the currently on sale Nendoroid Rin and Len into similarly styled characters!


My thoughts: When I saw her at Wonfes I didn’t think much of her prototype. I thought it looked very strange, long sleeves and all. But after Mikatan updated their blog I started to gain interest in her. Being a full-action Nendoroid, means it’s very posable unlike the standard releases. It’s like having a figma-ish Nendoroid. However my funds are limited so I’ll have to leave her be for now. It’s nice that she’s not limited, and GSC has made her a standard release. With it comes stickers for Rin and Len’s faces, to match with this, too bad I don’t have those. All in all she looks very cute, and not badly priced, she’s definitely on my wishlist!

Nendoroid Petite: K-ON! (The First)

© かきふらい・芳文社/桜高軽音部

Product Details

Product Name: Nendoroid Petite: K-ON! (The First) (ねんどろいど ぷち けいおん!(だいいっき))
Series: K-ON!
Manufacturer: Good Smile Company
Category: Nendoroid Petite
Price: Each 500円 (including tax) full set 5,712円
Release Date: 2010/12
Specifications: ABS&PVC Painted posable trading figures, not to scale, stands included, approximately 65mm in height, a total of 11 figures and 1 secret figure available.
Sculptor: Maruhige, Yuu Ishii, Youhei Kodama
Cooperation: Nendoron
See my full blog post on this here!

MM! Isurugi Mio 1/10 PVC figure

©2010 Akinari Matsuno, Media Factory / MM! Production Committee

Product Name: Stained Series 1 MM! Mio Isurugi
Series:
MM!
Manufacturer: Media Factory
Category: Stained Series
Price: 3800円
Release Date: 2010/12
Specifications: Complete Pre-painted PVC Figure. Size: approx. 16cm tall (1/10 Scale). Includes: Option Face x 1, bat, and base.
Sculptor: N/A

From the highly anticipated MM! anime, based on the MF Bunko J light novel series, comes Mio Isurugi! A self-proclaimed goddess with a subconscious sadistic streak, Mio is coming to your collection as a great scale figure! This figure has been detailed to the highest degree – everything from her hip position to her just-slightly raised chest let true fans know this is a perfect representation of Mio-sama! Includes option face parts!

My thoughts: MM! anime isn’t released yet so I can’t stay I know much about this character. But from the sound of it, she sounds like a tsundere, like Louise or Taiga. The figure itself looks cute and nicely sculpted from what I see. The option of another face and a bat gives for more displaying possibilities. Media Factory doesn’t release figures normally, so I wonder how the final product will be. However it’s a 1/10 scale, I don’t have those in my collection. Normally I stick to 1/8, and I don’t know if I like this character yet, so it’s a no get right now.

figma Haruhi Suzumiya: Kouyou Academy uniform ver.

© 2009 Nagaru Tanigawa・Noizi ito/SOS団 ※画像は監修中のものです。

Product Details

Product Name: figma Haruhi Suzumiya: Kouyou Academy uniform ver. (ふぃぐま すずみやはるひ こうようえんがくいんver.)
Series: The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya
Manufacturer: Max Factory
Category: figma
Price: 3000円 (including tax)
Release Date: 2010/11
Specifications: Painted ABS&PVC posable figure, not to scale, stand included, approximately 135mm in height
Sculptor: Max Factory – Masaki Asai
Released by: Max Factory
Distributed by: Good Smile Company

From the movie “The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya” comes a figma of Haruhi wearing her Kouyou Academy uniform!

  • Using the smooth yet poseable joints of figma, you can act out a variety of different scenes.
  • A flexible plastic is used for important areas, allowing proportions to be kept without compromising posability.
  • As a first in the figma series, Haruhi comes with a figma-sized cloth sleeping bag based on the one in the film. Head parts for sleeping also included!
  • Two expressions for Haruhi are included – a sleeping face, as well as the sullen face she had before she met Kyon.
  • An embarrassed, but smiling expression for use on the Nagato figma is also included – something needed to recreate even more scenes from the movie.
  • A poseable figma stand is included, which allows various poses to be taken.

My thoughts: I’m really starting to hate GSC and Max Factory. They keep releasing so many figures I want, and releasing them all at the end of this year, which is only a few months away! As much as I love Haruhi, and how amazing this figma looks. I have to pass, perhaps if she was a 1/8 scale figure I would be more interested. Figma are kinda fragile, small, and I don’t “play” with them often now. Yes, they cheaper than getting full scaled figures, but for display purposes they’re kinda meh. I may get this figma later, she comes with that sleeping bag which is cute. I’ll get her later, so she’s on my wishlist.

Nendoroid Haruhi Suzumiya: Disappearance ver.

© 2009 Nagaru Tanigawa・Noizi ito/SOS団

Product Details

Product Name: Nendoroid Haruhi Suzumiya: Disappearance ver. (ねんどろいど すずみやはるひ しょうしつVer.)
Series: The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya
Manufacturer: Good Smile Company
Category: Nendoroid
Price: 3500円 (including tax)
Release Date: 2010/12
Specifications: Painted ABS & PVC posable figure, not to scale, Nendoroid stand included, approximately 100mm in height
Sculptor: Yukiwo Ageta (Max Factory)
Cooperation: Nendoron

From the huge hit anime movie “The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya” comes a Nendoroid of Haruhi herself. She is wearing her Kouyou Academy school uniform and has her hair down and long, creating a very different appearance compared to the standard Haruhi.

Three expressions are included, as well as a variety of replaceable arm parts. She even includes some extra parts to be used with ‘Nendoroid Yuki Nagato: Dissappearance ver’, which was announced some time ago. Display her with Yuki, and recreate the world from the movie in Nendoroid form!

My thoughts: She’s cute, her face looks like Haruhi. Like the expressions they come with, and her typical folding arms stance. Yet again, a pass, I would have much to do with her right now. But she is very tempting! Wishlisted.

Fraulein Revoltech No.020 Makinami Mari Illustrious Old Plug Suit

©Khara

Product Details

Product Name: Fraulein Revoltech No.020 Makinami Mari Illustrious Old Plug Suit
Series: Evangelion 2.0 You can (not) Advance
Manufacturer
: Kaiyodo
Category
: Revoltech
Price
: 2762円
Release Date
: 2010/10
Specifications
: Size: 150mm in height (approx. 1/10 scale) Articulation points: 21. Uses revolver joint x 10 and muddler joint x 2pcs. Hear part w/ helmet x 1 – Optional visor x 2 (L/R) – Henlet retantion belt x 2 – Optional face x 1 – optional wrist x 11 – Display stand x 1 – Revo-chip (10pt) x 1 – Revo-container
Sculptor
: Enoki Tomohide

My thoughts: I don’t own any Revoltech figures, but I heard they’re quality keeps going up. I just wanted to feature this action figure for the old plug suit! Mari looks so much better in the old plug suit, green really suits her. While one thing I never liked about Revoltech is their sculpts, they always seem to have problems with the waist and hip area. But the accessories and posablility looks great! Yay for Mari being in this form! Not wishlisted or buy for me though.

Valkyria Chronicles Alicia Melchiott

©SEGA/PROJECT VALKYRIA

Product Details

Product Name:Valkyria Chronicles Alicia Melchiott 1/8 PVC Figure
Series: Valkyria Chronicles
Manufacturer
: Kotobukiya
Category
: PVC Figure
Price
: 6800円
Release Date
: 2010/12
Specifications
: Complete Pre-painted PVC Figure. Size: appox. 210mm (1/8 Scale)
Sculptor: N/A

From the 2007 hit anime, as well as the original worldwide hit game, Valkyria Chronicles comes a beautiful new figures of the heoine Alicia Melchiott!  Carrying a rifle and dressed in her authentic military uniform, Alicia features a base modeled on the Edelweiss Tank hatch as well as the platoon mascot, Hans the Winged Pig! This figure really brings you into the world of Valkyria!

My thoughts: I love you Koto! They always make such great figures when you least expect it. I know some are complaining about her face, blah blah blah, pffft, whatever. I hate picky people like that, I see nothing wrong with it. She is definitely an instant get! But I’m not preordering her, I’ll get her after released.

Four Leaves CLANNAD Kyou Fujibayashi -Gym Storeroom-

© Visual Art’s/Key

Product Details

Product Name: Four Leaves CLANNAD Kyou Fujibayashi Gym Uniform ver.
Series
: CLANNAD
Manufacturer
: Kotobukiya
Category
: PVC Figure
Price
: 8800円
Release Date
: 2010/12
Specifications
: Complete Pre-painted PVC Figure. Size: approx. 120mm tall (1/6 Scale). Includes Vaulting Block type base and cushion base
Sculptor: Fio

After a long wait, the beloved hero of Clannad, Kyou Fujibayashi, joins the Four Leaves lineup! Using the original game as well as the anime as inspiration this figure is an exact recreation of the much-discussed scene where you and Kyou are alone in the gym storeroom!

The usually-strong willed Kyou looks just a bit vulnerable and uncertain in her gym uniform, and every detail of her face and outfit have been perfectly reproduced in this figure! Includes a scale vaulting box as well as cushion base!

My thoughts: Kotobukiya out of nowhere decides to make a gym uniform figure of Kyou from CLANNAD. Quite some time after WAVE’s version has been released. Except this is a 1/6 scale, 1 scale bigger than WAVE’s. But her face looks even better I find. Only thing is 1) The price 2) The pose is too fanservicey for me 3) Large figure. I normally don’t like large scaled figures, I find they look weird and lack detailing. Of course from the prototype pictures she looks good… But judging from my Yoko (from Gift) who’s a 1/6, means nothing. I think I’ll pass on her, and might just get the Wave version I always wanted. I’m not a guy, I don’t need to see Kyou all moe and submissive looking.

Nendoroid STEINS;GATE Kurisu Makise

© 2009-2010 5pb. Inc./Nitroplus

Product Details
Product Name: Nendoroid Kurisu Makise (ねんどろいど まきせくりす)
Series: Steins;Gate
Manufacturer: Good Smile Company
Category: Nendoroid
Price: 3000円 (including tax)
Release: Date 2011/01
Specifications: Painted ABS&PVC posable figure, not to scale, stand included, approximately 100mm in height
Sculptor: Maruhige
Cooperation: Nendoron

From the science fiction visual novel that was recently recently released on PC, “Steins;Gate”, comes a Nendoroid of the tsundere heroine known by various pet names, such as “Assistant”, “Christina” and of course her real name, “Kurisu Makise”!

You can recreate a number of the poses from the game by using the various expressions included, such as an upset face and an embarrassed face. A few items from the game, are also included, such as the documents in a paper folder, and her cell phone. Recreate the mysterious atmosphere of Steins;Gate in Nendoroid scale!

My thoughts: I haven’t played the PC game, nor has the anime aired yet. But apparently she’s a tsundere, so I may just like her later on. The Nendoroid looks pretty dull, so I’ll pass for now.

Mio Akiyama School Festival (Max Factory)

© Max Factory / Houbunsha / Kakifly / Sakura High School Light Music Club

Product Details

Product Name: Mio Akiyama (あきやま みお) School Festival
Series: K-ON!
Manufacturer: Max Factory
Category: PVC Figure
Price: 7800円 (including tax)
Release Date :2011/01
Specifications: Painted PVC 1/7th scale figure, approximately 230mm in height
Sculptor: Nakayaman (Max Factory)

Following on from Ritsu’s 1/7th scale figure comes another 1/7th scale PVC figure from the ever popular K-ON!, this time of Sakura High’s left handed bassist, Mio Akiyama!

Dressed in the Gothic Lolita dress she wore at the stage of the school festival, Mio is embracing her beloved bass guitar “Elisabeth” close to her heart in a pose that really shows her cute embarrassed side. Elisabeth has been faithfully recreated to look just like the real guitar, with careful details included even on the pickguard and controller.

It’s a figure that captures just how cute Mio is while nervously waiting for her turn to get up on stage, and now you can enjoy that cuteness all the time!

My thoughts: OMG Max Factory, I love you! I like the expression on this more than Alter’s because it really represents Mio’s shyness. It looks very cute and moe? Though a 1/7, I’m ok with that for the most part. Now I just have to check funds, definitely want to order her! I love the pose, how she’s holding onto her guitar and hiding. With the cord going around her, just lovely!

Popularity: 1%

HJ Megahouse Brilliant Stage Azusa Nakano Figure Review

Just recieved her today, bought this exclusive lovely from Mandarake. Manufactured from MegaHouse’s Brilliant Stage line, she’s a Hobby Japan exclusive. Released in July, retail price of 7,140 yen. I got her for 7,000 yen, safe to say I waited the right time. If anyone knows me, Azusa is my favourite K-ON! character. It was a must get since Mandarake had lowered her price. I like Alter’s too, except for their pose, I was a bit disappointed by that. Although Alter’s version clearly has the better face, this one has a nice pose.

Opening the box, it’s easy to put her on the stand. Looking at her, I’m wondering if she’ll suffer from a leaning figure problem in the future. Because all her weight is put onto the one leg… But I love her lively ready to play pose. I also noticed they painted nail polish on her fingers, I know Azunyan never wears colour on her nails. Must of been some weird paint idea they had for display reasons.

I just about love her sculpt, to make a uniform figure look interesting can be hard. Though the guitar definitely helps, the guitar is amazingly detailed, even the strings feel like strings! Obviously are just plastic, but they made it soft. Paint job doesn’t seem to have any real noticeable flaws, naturally a few tiny specs here and there, pretty normal. Her fingernails are tad over the line, but can only tell when I took a picture of the hands.

Azunyan comes with her nekomimi just like Alter’s does. The easily fit on her, showing wear her nickname “Azunyan” came from.

The base features the K-ON! logo (Keion!) I like that it’s relatively plain. Her face does cause a bit of a problem, it’s not perfect. If her eyes were a bit bigger (height wise), they’re a very tiny bit too narrow. They kinda made her mouth funny, it looks fine on a 3/4 angle, but not frontal. Though I would say it still does look like Azunyan. I like how her eyes are painted.

The guitar is nicely done as I mentioned before. There’s a glitter paint finish, which shines in the light.

A surprise, bunny ears are included (yes I knew about it before purchase). I guess because cosplays on the K-ON! characters comes easy, and they wanted to include some interesting to combat Alter’s. Along with the cat and bunny ears, you get a guitar tuner to clip on.

Overall I love this figure, she looks much better in person. Somehow the camera brings out the weirdness in her face. For a K-ON! or Azusa fan this is a must get. But don’t buy from overpriced places, I think she’s still available on Mandarake if you wish to own her. I know K-ON! fans are veerrry picky on the figures, almost every one of the releases someone has a problem with something. While I’ll just say this, you can’t expect perfection from 2D to 3D object, there’s bound to be some asumptions. This figure is far from fail, in my opinion. It’s a shame Alter did do this kind of pose, it would of been perfect. But really, Azusa is too cute to pass up on!

Popularity: 2%

School Days HQ Katsura Kotonoha 1/8 Figure

Adult game School Days HQ is coming out soon in September 24, 2010, already a demo is out. Which is basically the same game as School Days but with a higher resolution and improved animation. With that, two PVC figures of Kotonoha are being released in January. From Kotobukiya and Chara-ani, Y shirt ver. figures. The Standard has pink lingerie, while the limited Chara-ani version has black lingerie and a different expression.

Name: Katsura Kotonoha
Series: School Days HQ
Scale: 1/8 (18cm in height)
Price: 8190 yen
Product: Y Shirt ver.
Manufacturer: Kotobukiya
Release: January 2011

I’m really glad that Kotobukiya is the main manufacturer, as Chara-ani also works with Toys Works. It looks to be the same sculptor as the other Kotonoha Koto released, but I have no solid information on that right now. I actually like the standard version better than Chara-ani’s limited version. The pink lingerie looks more detailed (or it’s just easier to see), and her expression is more interesting.

Chara-ani Limited Edition

Name: Katsura Kotonoha
Series: School Days HQ
Scale: 1/8 (18cm in height)
Price: 8190 yen
Product: Y Shirt ver. (Chara-ani Limited Edition)
Manufacturer: Kotobukiya, Chara-ani
Release: January 2011

The limited edition version from Chara-ani has black lingerie with her black stockings, and a different expression. You can order her from Chara-ani’s shop starting August 8th 2010 at o:oo:oo ~ December 31, 23:59:59. I first saw her at Wonder Festival 2010 Summer, at Chara-ani’s booth. Very little shots and info was on her at the time. I had no idea she was a limited version. I just hope that’s the final base, Kotobukiya tends to fail on the final base lately… Simple would be best in this case.

Popularity: 2%

Max Factory: Asuka Langley figma & Ritsu Tainaka Figure

Max Factory has two releases up for preorder today. Yesterday the figma blog updated with some teasers of both Asuka Langley Shikinami Test Plugsuit ver.  figma and Ritsu 1/7 PVC figure. They are going to be released in December. First I’m going to look at the Asuka figma from Evangelion Shin Gekijouban (Movie 2.0). Second is Ritsu Tainaka 1/7 PVC figure from K-ON!.

This is Asuka wearing the Test Plug Suit, seen at the last part of the movie. I kinda wish Max Factory would of made her standard plug suit. Since I think the Test Plug suit looks weird on the back. However the figma looks incredibly well done, and I love Asuka. She is painted made from ABS & PVC material. A posable action figure, not to scale, stand and cockpit are included, approximately 145mm in height. She comes with three expressions: a smiling face, a shouting face and the embarrassed face she gave when she first wore the test plugsuit.  Figma Asuka Langley Shikinami Test Plug suit ver. will be released in late December 2010, costing 3,200 yen.

Product Details

figma Asuka Langley Shikinami: Test Plugsuit ver.
(ふぃぐま しきなみ・あすからんぐれー てすとぷらぐすーつばーじょん)
Series: Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance
Manufacturer: Max Factory
Type: figmaPrice: 3200 yen (including tax)
Release Date: 2010/12
Specifications: Painted ABS & PVC posable figure, not to scale, stand included, approximately 145mm in height.
Sculptor: Masaki Asai – Max Factory
Released by: Good Smile Company
Distributed by: Max Factory

She also comes with the hand puppet she uses as seen in the movie. The neck has an all new figma joint that features a double joint, allowing for more movement than before. The main body of the figma is made with a combination of hard and soft plastics, making it feel how the test plug suit should be. For any Asuka or Evangelion fan, this figma is a must! Her face and sculpt looks outstanding, I love her embarrassed face. When I first saw the teasers of this Asuka figma, she had a cockpit. Which I thought is a great touch, and a wonderful accessory to include. Would look great on display for sure.

Ritsu Tainaka from K-ON! receives a 1/7 scaled figure from Max Factory, just after Mio. She’s got a jersey over her school uniform, and her bag with drum sticks. Ritsu is very energetic and drummer-like, always upbeat, but often has trouble remembering important club activities and announcements being the president of the Light Music Club. To be released in December 2010, costing 6,800 yen. She’s a 1/7 scale figure about 210mm in height. Her pose is carefree, showing Ritsu’s confident and bold personality. She’s truly a unique character, and the price isn’t bad at all for a 1/7 figure.

I just love the paint job Max Factory did, the detailing on her jersey is just great! However I wish she was smiling, her expression is a bit weird. I don’t think she’ll sell all that well, it is kinda a boring figure, and she happens to be the least popular band member. I’m sure many people are waiting for the other Ritsu figure with the drum kit. Still, I think the figure here is cute, and if you like Ritsu, it’s a good figure for you.

Ritsu Tainaka (たいなか りつ)
Series: K-ON!
Manufacturer: Max Factory
Price: 6800 yen (including tax)
Release Date: 2010/12
Specifications: Painted PVC 1/7 scale figure, approximately 210mm in height.
Sculptor: Nakayaman (Max Factory)
Released by: Max Factory
Distributed by: Good Smile Company

Popularity: 2%

Alter Releases: Saten Ruiko, Kinoshita Hideyoshi, Yuri Lowell

Alter has a triple release today, following the WF2010 Summer showcase. Saten, Hideyoshi and Yuri Lowell have preorders open. Ruiko is from To Aru Kagaku no Railgun, one can wonder why she’s first before Kuroko Shirai. Kinoshita Hideyoshi is from Baka to Test to Shokanju, the famous trap of the series. Yuri Lowell is from Tales of Vesperia.

Name: Saten Ruiko
Series: To Aru Kagku no Railgun
Release: December 2010
Price: 7,140 yen
Scale: 1/8 (210mm)
Sculptor: Mumei

When I first saw her in shots from Wonfes Summer 2010, I thought her grin was really strange. But seeing these official shots, it looks a bit better. Though I think the price tag of 7140 yen is really high for her. However you can get her with promotions on certain shops they have going right now. I love Saten, she’s got a great personality, and she’s the only one at Level 0 in the group. The sculpt and paint job look amazing, much expected from Alter.

Name: Kinoshita Hideyoshi
Series: Baka to Test to Shokanju
Release: December 2010
Price: 6,800 yen
Scale: 1/8 (180mm)
Sculptor: Houjun Otoyama

Hideyoshi already has a few figures, and is proven a popular trap. He is often mistaken as a girl with his feminine appearance. Object of many cosplays and cross-dressing alike, now Alter makes their PVC figure version. He looks good, I love the paint work and the face is perfect. He also comes with his summon character, now I wonder which character Alter will do next!

Name: Yuri Lowell
Series: Tales of Vesperia
Release: December 2010
Price: 6,800 yen
Scale: 1/8 (215mm)
Sculptor: Mirano

Yuri Lowell is the main character of Tales of Vesperia, the tenth major release in the Tales Series. A young man from the imperial capital, Zaphias. Yuri comes across as sarcastic and cynical, possibly due to the way the nobility treated the people of the Lower Quarter. Alter has done yet another amazing job, the details on this one is outstanding! Great pose and base, it’s not plain like the two, very neat. The price is very reasonable aswell. Alter has also included a deformed version of him, very cute.

Popularity: 3%