Review: Alter 1/8 Yagyu Jubei

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Time for my first photo review! (Yay!) It took numerous sessions, much trial and error, and seeking photography tips online before I came up with a set of photos I was (mostly) happy with.

I chose Alter’s 1/8 Yagyu Jubei figure to serve as my first review. It was released relatively late in 2009; right around the time I was trying to launch this new figure blog. From the moment she was announced, Jubei became one of my most anticipated figure releases of the year. Combining Alter’s vaunted quality with a dynamite character design should be a recipe for instant win, no?
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New Release Roundup, Jan. 2010 Edition

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It’s drawing near the end of the month, which means it’s time to look at some of the interesting new figures that opened for reservations this month. ^_^

Good Smile Company – 1/7 Saber ~Triumphant Excalibur~

  • Character: Saber
  • Series: Fate/stay night
  • Scale: 1/7
  • Height: 250 mm
  • Material: PVC
  • Company: Good Smile Company
  • Price: 9,800 yen
  • Date: Jul. 2010
  • Link 1: Official Site
  • Link 2: Hobby Search
  • Link 3: AmiAmi

Good Smile Company has another Saber figure hot on the heels of their Saber Lily figure released late last year. This new figure features Saber wearing her original FSN battle armor in a nice aerial action pose. I’m thinking her face looks a little funny in one of the official photos, but otherwise the new Saber is looking top-notch. I haven’t preordered her yet, but I imagine it’s only a matter of time.

Kotobukiya – 1/8 Xecty ~E.V.E.~

  • Character: Xecty
  • Series: Shining Wind
  • Scale: 1/8
  • Height: 200 mm
  • Material: PVC
  • Company: Kotobukiya
  • Price: 7,140 yen
  • Date: Jul. 2010
  • Link 1: Official Site
  • Link 2: Hobby Search
  • Link 3: AmiAmi

Kotobukiya has another Shining Wind figure ready for preorder. This one features Xecty sporting a bit of a different look than what I’m used to seeing. Her new outfit reminds me of Kingdom Hearts for some reason.

Kotobukiya – 1/8 Kasugano Sora ~Sukumizu~

  • Character: Kasugano Sora
  • Series: Yosuga no Sora
  • Scale: 1/6
  • Height: 130 mm
  • Material: PVC
  • Company: Kotobukiya
  • Price: 7,140 yen
  • Date: May 2010
  • Link 1: Hobby Search
  • Link 2: AmiAmi

Here’s the next entry in Kotobukiya’s 4-Leaves series, featuring Kasugano Sora from the eroge Yosuga no Sora. I like Sora’s character design, but this particular figure comes across as a bit too generic for my liking. Considering it as a school swimsuit figure, I can think of other examples I like better (To Heart 2‘s Tamaki has several that come to mind). As a Sora figure, I think MegaHouse did a better job of capturing her character.

Yamato – Creator’s Labo #024 Tsukasa Bullet Compact Hog

  • Character: ??
  • Series: Tsukasa Bullet
  • Scale: Non
  • Height: 185 mm
  • Material: PVC/ABS
  • Company: Yamato
  • Price: 11,340 yen
  • Date: Jun. 2010
  • Link 1: Official Site
  • Link 2: Hobby Search
  • Link 3: AmiAmi

Yamato’s newest entry in the Creator’s Labo series features the work of Tsukasa Jun, whose style here reminds me of Range Murata. While I am appreciative of Jun’s artistic style and this particular piece is eye-catching enough, it doesn’t quite push all the right buttons to make it my first steampunk figure purchase. Interesting, nonetheless.

Well, I think that about does it for this month’s new release roundup! See anything you like? I think Saber’s a pretty sure bet for me.

upLark – 1/8 Akiyama Mio PVC

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  • Character: Akiyama Mio
  • Series: K-ON!
  • Scale: 1/8
  • Height: 200 mm
  • Material: PVC
  • Company: upLark
  • Price: 7,800 yen
  • Date: Mar. 2010
  • Link 1: Official Site
  • Link 2: Hobby Search

It seems like the K-ON! figures are finally starting to come in.  I think this is the third Mio figure I’ve seen and there are previews for a forth Mio from another manufacturer floating around the net.  I’m liking Mio’s outfit in upLark’s version as compared to Alter’s version, but I’m still not sure they got the face right.  I’m also kind of disappointed to see that no one seems to want to do a 1/6 scale K-ON! figure yet.

Bandai – 1/8 Ranka Lee PVC

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  • Character: Ranka Lee
  • Series: Macross Frontier
  • Scale: 1/8
  • Height: 190 mm
  • Material: PVC
  • Company: Bandai
  • Price: 6,800 yen
  • Date: Feb. 2010
  • Link 1: Hobby Search

Bandai’s new Ranka Lee figure scores points for Ranka’s charming facial expression and a cute miner’s (??) outfit.  It might well lose points for Bandai’s fit and finish, which is largely unknown to me, but at this point I would still pick it as one of the best new figure announcements for November.

It’s been a slow month. -_-

Alter – 1/8 Yagyu Jubei (Swimsuit Version) PVC

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Alter - 1/8 Yagyu Jubei [Hobby Japan Ver.] PVC

  • Character: Yagyu Jubei
  • Series: Hyakka Ryoran
  • Scale: 1/8
  • Height: 180 mm
  • Material: PVC
  • Company: Alter
  • Price: 6,980 yen
  • Date: Mar. 2010
  • Link 1: Hobby Channel
  • Link 2: ToysLogic

It seems that Alter has managed to sneak in another Yagyu Jubei figure before their first one has even been released.  Jubei’s looking great in her new swimsuit, but acquiring her could get downright ugly.

First, this figure is a Hobby Japan mail order exclusive.  Second, it’s limited to 1,500 pieces.  Third, those 1,500 pieces will be distributed via lottery rather than first-come, first-served.

All of this means lots of uncertainty and added expense for potential buyers outside of Japan.  For what it’s worth, ToysLogic seems to be accepting a limited number of orders for Jubei and I will be trying my luck with them.

Alter – 1/8 Mercedes PVC

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Alter - 1/8 Mercedes PVC

  • Character: Mercedes
  • Series: Odin Sphere
  • Scale: 1/8
  • Height: 230 mm
  • Material: PVC
  • Company: Alter
  • Price: 7,800 yen
  • Date: Feb. 2010
  • Link 1: Official Site
  • Link 2: Hobby Search

Alter appears to have done an excellent job of rendering Odin Sphere’s unique, painterly style into 3D space with their new Mercedes figure.  I’ve never even played the game, but I’m tempted to pick up this figure after seeing the elaborate detail in the preview shots.  I did find the pose kind of odd at first, but I eventually realized that Mercedes is shown in flight with her crossbow acting as a cleverly-disguised support peg.  All in all, the design looks very smart and well executed.

Alter – 1/8 Akiyama Mio PVC

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Alter - 1/8 Akiyama Mio PVC

  • Character: Akiyama Mio
  • Series: K-ON!
  • Scale: 1/8
  • Height: 200 mm
  • Material: PVC
  • Company: Alter
  • Price: 6,800 yen
  • Date: Nov. 2009
  • Link 1: Official Site
  • Link 2: Hobby Search

Alter appears to be the first out the gate with a K-ON! figure (at least that I’ve seen).  I’m surprised it has taken this long with the buzz surrounding the series.  The Alter/Mio combo is the best I could have hoped for.  That said, I find myself a little disappointed with what they came up with.  I’m thinking that it’s probably my preference for Mio’s stage outfit over the school uniform, but this figure just doesn’t scream “buy me” like it could.  For now, I’m probably going to hold off and hope for more quality K-ON! figures in the near future.