I am not a Mio-tard…

Now, there are a lot of sites already in the Web of Infinite Knowledge (aka Internet) that provide figure addicts like me with advanced pre-order and release date information regarding the never-ending batallions of PVC figures and articulated toys, such as Figmas and Revoltechs. Instead of being just another figure announcement site, which I’m sure Google is already saturated with, I’ve decided to give my own spin on things by selecting a few noteworthy figures for the succeeding month and giving my opinions on them. So since the month of May is nearing its end already, it’s time to look forward to June (in terms of figures that is… not exactly looking forward to school opening), where a certain company will make wallets cry.

Good Smile Company 1/7 Saber Lily ~Distant Avalon~

No, I am not a Saber fan, but I’m ready to concede that this is the figure of the year. The hype surrounding Saber’s greatest incarnation in PVC plastic is so Godzilla-sized that even non die-hard fans of Type-Moon’s franchise are pre-ordering this, although I am not one who did. Despite the hefty price tag of 9800 yen, most online stores’ pre-orders are already booked full and it seems that Good Smile Company has a home-run on their hands. While the earlier Figma release of Saber Lily might have helped increase interest for this static version, the fact remains that Saber’s popularity is still as high as ever and companies will continue to milk her for what she’s worth. And even though Kanu Unchou might have a distinct advantage over Saber in terms of figure depictions, the blonde heroine of the Fate series has more high quality figures to show for (The Griffon molds of Kanu are simply horrific in my opinion), and this continues the tradition of quality. Dynamically posed, Saber wields her excellently detailed Excalibur as if preparing to unleash her finishing move. Everything about this figure just works very, very well, from the subtle folds on her skirt and well-sculpted armor to her wonderfully accurate face. Some where out there, Good Smile Company is already preparing for a fiesta, while figure collectors are losing massive amounts of saliva waiting for this gem.

Good Smile Company 1/8 Akashiya Moka (Awakened Ver.)

Good Smile’s onslaught continues with this beautiful Moka in her awakened glory. Despite being of a smaller scale than Saber Lily, Moka does not come cheap as well, being priced at 8200 yen. While there have been qualms about a reported nasty seam line on her hair, I don’t think the news has deterred people from pre-ordering this manga-inspired sculpt of Rosario+Vampire’s leading lady (or vampiress). Between the two big time Good Smile offerings this coming June, I decided to get Moka simply because I am more familiar with her character, having watched both seasons of the plot-devoid Rosario+Vampire anime series. As for the figure itself, I am again awed by the attention to detail put into conceptualizing this figure, which is probably best epitomized by the elegantly flowing hair and the stunningly layered ruffles of her dress. The nice chrome-painted accessories of Moka are also a nice touch and her seductive pose makes it easy to view her pantsu (for those who value pantsu visibility like me). While Saber Lily as a figure may be a notch higher overall in terms of design, this Moka is still a very high-quality figure, especially compared to the hundereds of subpar figures released each year and her graveyeard cross base, at least in my opinion, is way better than the checkered base for the 1/7 Saber Lily. There goes my lunch money…

Alter 1/8 Yoko Ritona (Bounty Hunter Ver.)

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is known for its slam-bang, throw logic to the curb action, but what really entices men to watch it is probably the well-endowed female face of Gainax’s masterpiece, Yoko. If Kanu and Saber are top 2 in the PVC figure hierarchy, then Yoko is number 3, and why not? She’s got a hot body, bouncy oppai and she’s not afraid to flaunt it, not to mention her badass attitude wins her some style points as well. Now if there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I am an Alter fanatic. Yes, Max Factory might have more defining pieces in their collection, but in terms of consistency and quality, I am simply in awe of Alter, despite their customer-antagonizing prices. At 7800 yen, the Bounty Hunter Ver. of Yoko is not budget-friendly but it is the BEST Yoko figure to date. Gift just recently released their humongous 1/5 Yoko which is already drawing “oohs” and “aahs” from the crowd, but the level of craftsmanship simply does not match Alter’s in comparison. I, myself, am a proud owner of Alter’s Yomako-sensei figure and despite the lower price, I am still crying tears of joy for the wonderful sculpt it possesses and I have no reason to doubt that Alter will surpass the earlier Yomako release with this one. The subdued hues used on this Yoko simply works wonders here, giving the impression of Yoko hunting someone (or something) in a desert landscape. I also love the more mature direction Alter goes with in their Yoko figures. More often than not, figure companies decide to go with the younger, 15 year old version of Yoko, but I’m definitely more attracted to the Anti-Spiral arc adult Yoko, which this one represents beautifully. This is simply head and shoulders above any of the Yoko figures currently out there and Yoko fans should get it. Unfortunately, and I am killing myself right now, I am not able to pre-order this, since my hands are already tied to a figure to be released two months later. T_T

Kotobukiya 1/6 Yoko Ritona (Crimson Chapter Ver.)

Gift has a Yoko this year, Alter has two, so why not join in as well? If the Gift one is defined by size, the Alter one by having the best Yoko sculpt, then Kotobukiya’s is all about the big gun. Out of the three, Kotobukiya seems to have paid extra attention to the gun of this one, with it reportedly able to be detached and reconstructed like a real gun, and considering the heavy competition, Koto seems to have gone the right direction. There’s nothing wrong with their Yoko, in fact it looks quite accurate, but it’s not going to beat either Gift’s or Alter’s version, so I guess Kotobukiya threw in the gun gimmick to entice more buyers. At 9450 yen, it’s not a wallet-buddy either, but for the big scale and excellently detailed gun, I guess you could make an argument that the price is fair enough. Now aside from the wicked weapon she wields, the best thing I probably like about this Yoko is the pose and the base she sits on. Why? Well, it eliminates any form of leaning problems since there’s a bigger surface area for the figure to be displayed on, rather than the normal standing poses which are more prone to plastic warping due to humid weather (which the Failippines is infamous for). Add to the fact that you get the absurdly cute Boota included with the entire package and Kotobukiya delivers a solid figure once again. I’m not sure what makes the Crimson Chapter movie version different from the regular television version of Yoko though… They look just about the same.

Yamato 1/7 Sonsaku Hakufu -Fighting- (Red Ver.)

This post will not be complete without at least one Ikkitousen figure and thankfully, the month of June will give us a dandy one. Now despite Kanu Unchou being a more popular toushi, I am more enticed with “Booby Bombs” as a character, making her my Ikkitousen waifu. Sadly, most of the Hakufu figures have been crap, with less than accurate face sculpts and boring poses enough to make me shudder in disgust (I’m looking at you, Griffon). Thankfully, Yamato, which admittedly is more consistent than a 90 year old man throwing up jump shots, has decided to release a recolored version of what I feel is the best Hakufu figure as of the moment. In 2007, Zenko sculpted the same 1/7 leg kicking, pantsu-exposing cast-off figure of Hakufu, albeit in a pink china dress, which definitely captured my heart. It was by far the best Hakufu yet, with an extremely accurate anime face and a beautiful fan-service pose which makes any man bleed to death. Fast forward to June 2009 and Yamato has definitely done a good thing releasing this big scaled beauty in an even better red version that suits Hakufu’s burning desire to fight the best toushi out there. Being a recolor, Yamato’s Hakufu still retains the original gimmicks and characteristics of the 2007 version, such as the full cast-off feature and the morally questionable pose. At 7140 yen, this is definitely a fair price to pay for such a big figure and the design accuracy that comes along with it. No, it’s not a detail-oriented figure, but being Yamato (aka Inconsistent Failures Most of the Time), I don’t expect them to come up with jaw-dropping hints of subtlety anyway, as opposed to Alter, Max Factory and Good Smile Company. The fact remains, however, that this Hakufu is a must have if you’re looking for the best rendition of the orange-haired beauty. Sadly, I missed out on pre-ordering this as well, but I might get the earlier 2007 pink version, depending on some issues yet unresolved.

Related posts:

1. Good Smile Company English Website Launch
2. My Preorders List – June to October
3. 1/8 Good Smile Company Akashiya Moka
4. Figures You Wish You Got Earlier
5. Alter 1/8 Ryomou Shimei and Kakouen Myousai!!!