Periodically, I like to take a look at new figures that are available for pre-order. This isn’t intended to be an exhaustive list, but rather a selection of new releases that I personally find interesting or notable.
This week, I’m mostly catching up with new releases from the past several weeks where I had no posts. Continue reading
Periodically, I like to take a look at new figures that are available for pre-order. This isn’t intended to be an exhaustive list, but rather a selection of new releases that I personally find interesting or notable.
Max Factory - 1/7 Kureha ~Swimsuit Ver.~
Here’s the next entry in Max Factory’s 2010 Shining Wind lineup. This time we have Kureha in a swimsuit.
I’m still trying to figure out if I should expect the all of the remaining figures for this year to follow this theme or whether Max Factory is just filling in the gaps in their Shining Wind lineup, which has been a mix of normal clothes and swimsuits up to this point. Given that the two figures shown so far, Seena and Kureha, both had past releases from MF featuring their normal outfits, it could still go either way. I’m really hoping it’s the latter, because I’m finding these swimsuits rather boring. -_-
On a related note, Max’s other Kureha ranks very high on my list of long sold out figures I’d like to pick up at some point.
Chara-Ani - 1/8 Houjo Kuniko
Here’s a new figure that caught my eye from Chara-Ani. It’s based on a character design from a relatively obscure series called Shangri-La. What makes it interesting–at least to me–is that fact that Range Murata handled the character designs for the series.
I find the character design for this figure appealing enough, particularly the unusual color scheme, but I find the choice of pose and base rather odd. The pose Chara-Ani went with suggests that Kuniko should be in mid-air, but the base they chose lacks the pegs you would expect for a mid-air pose, so the pose ends up just looking awkward.
I guess I’ll have to wait a while longer to find the perfect Range Murata figure.
I don’t have any new reviews ready yet and there have been several interesting new releases since my last roundup, so I’m doing this post earlier than usual. February’s roundup was kind of lengthy anyway, so maybe this is for the better. ^_^’
Alter - 1/8 Clalaclan Philias ~Armor Ver.~
Alter showed off their upcoming Clalaclan figure at WF2010W, but she really didn’t catch my eye for whatever reason until I saw these official release photos.
Clalaclan definitely isn’t my favorite Shining Wind character–I’m embarrassed to admit that I actually thought her name was “Clanclan” previously–but Alter’s rendition is looking awesome in her full battle regalia. There are a lot of unique and interesting visual details to be had here, like the multi-layered skirt and diadem, but I particularly like the medieval shield, which is a relative rarity among anime figures.
There’s a pretty decent chance I’ll be picking this one up. ^_^
Kotobukiya - 1/8 Feena Fam Earthlight ~Royal Dress Up Ver.~
Here we have the completed version of Kotobukiya’s prototype Feena Fam Earthlight previewed earlier at WF2010W. The good news is she looks much, much better than I thought earlier. The bad news is she’s another Japanese online and mail order exclusive. -_-
I’m a bit conflicted on this one. Feena is rather high on my list of characters for whom I want a nice figure and Koto’s Feena looks pretty good from what I can see here. That said, this is a terribly expensive figure for its size and my (limited) experience with Koto in the past has been decidedly average. IMO, average doesn’t cut it from a 12,000 yen 1/8 scale mandatory-proxy-buy figure.
So, do I give Koto the benefit of the doubt or hope for another Feena?
Max Factory - 1/7 Seena
Max Factory’s new Seena figure is–from what I’m reading–the first of four Shining Wind figures we should expect to see from MF this year. I’m not terribly exited about this particular figure–I think the outfit and pose are rather plain–but I am optimistic about the prospect of more Shining Wind figures from a top manufacturer like Max Factory in the near future. Personally, I’m hoping to see Xecty in her normal outfit.
New Line - 1/6 Revy ~Swimwear Ver.~
New Line actually managed to sneak their new Revy announcement last month after my February recap post, so I’m covering her in March. -_-
Black Lagoon initially flew under my radar, but it proved to be a great series once I got around to checking it out. Revy totally makes the series work and she’s a great character that deserves some great figure treatment.
Unfortunately, I have yet to see a Revy figure I really like and I think New Line missed the memo on this one. The bikini feels terribly out of character for Revy and smacks of blatant fan-service on New Line’s part, which is really too bad considering that their other Revy might well be the best one to date.
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~
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.~
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~
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
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.
Figyura (フィギュラ) 