Color+Sound = Gundams, Figures, Otaku etc.
For those who read my last post know that I’m leaving the figure blogging to the pro’s and closing down mine, after my next figure arrives (Tuesday)
However I’ll still be taking photos and buying figures, and I plan on posting these images on Picasa.
Thanks again for reading, it has been fun.
Kotobukiya does it again. Another figure with a great sculpt and pretty standard paint application. This time, of Belldandy from Ah! My Goddess! It’s one of those shows I’ve never really sat down to watch. I remember seeing a few parts back when my brother had it on VCD ^^; Is it recommended? Character designs look great.
The figure itself looks good, according to HobbySearch, it’s been done by the same guy (Hiroshi Inagaki) who sculpted C.C. from Code Geass for Alpha Omega, and Alvis from Last Exile for Alter, to name a few. I’ve always noticed that Kotobukiya paint is just plain acceptable. It’s never really outstanding, it’s just clean application.
Belldandy was released in mid November in Japan for around ¥4,350
She is now available at KidNemo and Toyslogic for under $30.00
(Image linked from Sector 6. Thanks!)
I’m really considering this figure afterall. Standard Kotobukiya quality, with a great Kotobukiya pricetag. The only thing holding me back is the REFLECT Rei Ayanami from Yamato… preview = next post.
So I tried to take some pics with my Cybershot, and I would say some, (minority) of the pictures turned out alright. I think the main reason I had such an issue with these pictures was my crappy lighting setup. To compensate I found myself using some blur etc, which I usually try to avoid. I’ll give it another try tomorrow when I have more time.
It’s too late for me to make little buttons at the bottom of this post, so I’ll link you to my flickr.
All the pictures were done on 10/23/07.
Isn’t that stand just so sweet? ^^
After a few days of waiting patiently, I came home from school to find a big box on my door step :D My first purchase from Big Bad Toy Store was a great one. My package came in near mint condition, there was even a “FRAGILE” sticker on the shipping box! Really good store that emphasizes collector value, I mean.. the corners of Shii’s actual box weren’t even dinged up at all. I highly recommend BBTS! (Big sale going on, and it ends tomorrow I think.)
As for Arisugawa herself, I can’t describe how awesome she is. The sculpt is great, minus the few flaws on her lower half (not too bad considering the skirt covering it up) The paint job is crisp and clean. This figure is another reason for me to continue buying Kotobukiya, the quality is always consistent. As for leaning, it’s hard for me to picture it happening, she feels so solid. I’ll try to keep up with her in case she does start leaning.
I took some quick shots of Shii next to a window with the box backdrop that came with her. I’ll be attempting a proper photoshoot later tonight with the Sony Cybershot I have. (These photos don’t look too bad right? I’ll try to make this Sony work for me tonight.)
[There's more pictures in the photostream that didn't make the cut.]
So the first time around didn’t work out for Shii Arisugawa, but I decided to reorder her from Big Bad Toy Store. No idea how fast BBTS ships, but they’re quite reputable among the Spawn community ^^ so I may be receiving her within the week or so.
My last (also my first) Kotobukiya figure was Mitsuru Kirijo from Persona 3, and the quality was very very consistent, so hopefully it will be just as great.
It seems to be a habit of mine to purchase old figures, but Shii’s hard to pass up a second time ^^;
More pictures here.
(Just read about the leaning problem, hopefully that won’t be too big of an issue with mine.. I guess it’s also a bad habit to order figures without researching too much..)
Either way, wish me luck guys, I don’t want to end up with another Saber mishap.
My Mitsuru Kirijo figure came in around last week, and has been looking great on my desk ever since. My weekend opened up finally, and so I decided to take some pictures.
I never got the chance to get bigger pieces of construction paper, so I had to wing it with some of the smaller pieces I had laying around. took me a few tries but I got it somewhat seamless. I’m still working on getting the lighting down. The problem with this set is that the light is too harsh from the left side. You’ll find that I tried to hide majority of my mistakes with photoshop, which probably made them look worse. Anyway, I had fun taking these pictures, so try to enjoy them for me ^^; Any pointers would be much appreciated.
Now, to the review-mobile!
(The first picture I took of the set. I felt bad using it again here but it was just a plain favorite.)
The figure sculpt is fantastic. Though I have little experience with PVC figures, I can tell the quality is top notch. Compared with my Meg figure, the hair seam fits remarkably better. Little details such as the lines on her shirt, and the wrinkles on her skirt are a great example of craftmanship. What I like about this figure is that it doesn’t try hard to be “sexy” at all, rather quite the opposite. She’s petite in practically every way, (well, in anime terms) and yet still generates an attractive appeal that is realistic. I really love this approach to characters, they’re more believable than the fair amount of over the top voluptuous figures on the market.
I would also like to mention the weapon + extra part sculpting is also very well done. Her hands hold the weapons with ease. But… more on that later.
(The hair sculpt is also brilliant. At first I found it a bit strange, as many would agree it does look somewhat like an octopus ^^;)
I really thought the logo on her strap was a nice touch. Extremely crisp and beats having just a plain strap, although I know that’s how its supposed to be. Either way, it’s a great little detail.
(Check out the sweet buckle, and that oh-so-nasty scratch!)
Ok so the scratch isn’t that bad, and I’ve already gotten over it. It’s really not worth the complaint because it’s so small, but I’m writing about it anyway. The only flaw on my beautiful figure is that scratch. Otherwise it’d be perfect. Good thing the figure looks good in every way but this. I didn’t really capture it well on camera.
(Yes, a pantsu shot. (o’;'o) )
I’m not really focusing on the pantsu, although that’s probably what you’re assuming. But I’m addressing the only issue I heard from Phamolous…which was the seam line between her upper body and lower body. It’s not a big deal to me, I’ve only taken her skirt off the day I got it to inspect the seam, and today to take pictures of it. The skirt covers the seam quite nicely, but I’d say it wouldn’t be TOO noticeable if you carefully push the parts together hard. Though I realize the parts wouldn’t really lock, so a small seam will be there.
(I thought the Go board would be a nice change ^^)
I had my Go board laying around in the room, so I figured I’d take it out after years of not being played, and give it a purpose again.
(Mitsuru comes with a neat stand that holds all of her accessories ..except her sword..-_- unless theres a way to store it, let me know!)
As mentioned earlier, her weapons are fantastic, and well sculpted. Her hands actually hold the gun, and doesn’t use a peg to lock in place. The idea of the stand holding her accessories is great, though pointless if it doesn’t hold EVERYTHING. Either way, I haven’t used the stand.. it’s just plain bulky and plastic-ish.
Overall, I love this figure. For the price, it can’t be beat. It’s great that Kotobukiya’s getting distributed in America by Diamond Comics now (I think) which should cut down prices of importing. Sculpting is great, the paint work is great, minus the nick on her boot. The accessories give you choices of how you want to display her. If you can get over the tiny seam line (if you want her cast off) then you should consider this figure. I honestly know nothing about this character, but it would be a great addition to any otaku’s PVC army.
I got this lovely figure from 
You can order her at most of the links I have at the left, but I recommend KNC. (Last I checked Mitsuru was out of stock, but you should email just in case)
RE-link to Phamolous’ review.
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