Optimistic Penguin

Figma Saber Zero Ver. Review

noreply@blogger.com (Optimistic Penguin) — Sun, 13 May 2012 05:05:00 +0000

Saber is all suited up in the latest Figma version of this much loved character.

Saber Zero Ver.
Fate/Zero
Figma
Max Factory
No.126
Sculpted by Masaki Apsy
Distributed by Good SMILE Company
Certified by TYPE-MOON

Character:

Fate/Zero takes place 10 years prior to the events of Fate/Stay Night. This time Saber is involved in the 4th Holy Grail War with Kiritsugu as her master. Kiritsugu is a man for hire, hired by the Einzbern family to win the grail war, but through the series he finds himself torn between his family and his goal of attaining the grail.

Saber in this series finds herself at heads with her master as they have differing ideological perspectives. Apart from that Saber is pretty much the same old gal, wielding Excalibur her Nobel Phantasm to fight the other servants and win the grail war.

Packaging:

Saber comes in a standard Figma box.

On the front is a window for viewing the figure, on one side is the Figma logo, on the other is a picture of the figure, on the back there is relevant information, all in Japanese, and pictures of the figure in various poses with their various accessories. Instructions for swapping face pieces and other items are usually printed on either inside of the box tabs or on a piece of paper slipped inside the packaging. Also take note that all figures you purchase have the correct authentication printed or stickered on the box.

Inside the box the figure is held between two pieces of molded plastic, with spaces for their accessories. The extra hands and the base of the Figma stand are stored in plastic bags underneath the figure in the plastic molding. Figures are usually wrapped with plastic in certain areas to protect the paint. Boxes also come with inserts which act as backdrops in the box and can be taken out and used for backdrops while displaying figures. Saber's backdrop is a blueish purple cloudy sky. Saber also comes with a special cut-out to use with the Di: Stage.

Figma’s also are supplied with a small zip-lock bag to store all the accessories in, the name of the figure can be written on this bag so that figure accessories can be stored neatly. Figma’s also come with a neat little device for storing the extra hands in.

Packaging = 8/10

Stand:

Saber comes with the standard Figma stand. Made of clear plastic it has three points of articulation which move forwards and back on hinge joints, one joint is at the bottom where it plugs into the base, one in the middle and one where it plugs into the Figma. The articulation of the stand allows the Figma to be posed in a variety of dynamic poses, and because it is clear it does not interfere with the aesthetic of taking dynamic and exciting photos.

Stand = 8/10

Sculpt:

This is Saber Zero Version.

Saber's overall design is sharp, this time Saber is featuring a black suit, and man does she look good. The sculpt is very good, you get the clear cute style of a suit and yet its not bulky or manly.

Starting from the top, this time around Sabers hair is tied back in a small pony-tail and her fringe is her typical straight and tidy fashion, the legs and arms of her suit are nicely done with a few creases to show movement, the main part of the suit on her body is soft PVC allowing movement of her waist joint. She has nice darting on the suit and buttons. And her loose silver bracelets add a little something nice to her black look.

Sculpt = 9/10

Paint:

Saber has a colour scheme of black, gray and brown. It's not the most vibrant colour scheme but its classic and cool. However my one qualm is why in this dapper look does she had the most boring brown shoes on, she should be wearing some square toed shiny black ones, then she would look absolutely killer.

Saber's accessories are well painted, once again the detailing on her sword and sheath is amazing, and I like the color fading on the semi-transparent effect piece.

Paint = 8/10

Articulation:

Saber use’s the standard Figma joint system. Figma joints are hinge joints with pegs on either end allowing both forward and back movement and rotation.

At the top of her neck is a Figma joint allowing her to look side to side, down and up. To change the faces on Figma’s the front piece of hair is removed and then the faces can be taken of and swapped.

The shoulder consists of a double joint, a ball joint which sits inside the upper body, this is attached to a ball shaped Figma joint which acts as the shoulder, and this allows full range of motion to the shoulder. Further down a Figma joint is used as the elbow and bends in and then out straight and there is some slight rotation for the lower arm to turn in and out. At the wrist the various hands plug into a small hole at the end of the arm. Each hand also has a hinge joint, which not only allows the hand to rotate but also to move up and down which gives the figure realistic wrist movement.

A waist joint is located under her chest. Waist joints are ball and socket joints, a ball joint will be attached to the upper body and which plug into a socket in the main torso, this gives the body twisting movement and bending forwards and back. At the hips a three jointed ball and socket joint is used. One ball plugs into a socket at the bottom of the torso acting as the hip joint; this allows the hips to turn side to side, lean forward or back, then on each of the other two ball joints the legs plug on. Each leg has an inner socket which the ball joint plugs into, this piece allows full range of motion from the ball joint and also allows the thigh to turn in and out as it pegs inside the main leg piece.

A Figma joint is then used as the knee allowing the knee to bend backwards and then out to straight, and there is some slight rotation for the lower leg to turn in and out. The ankle also is a Figma joint allowing the foot to point and flex turn in and out.

Saber has one point of additional articulation which is a ball and socket joint for her pony-tail allowing for increased movement and posability.

Pose:

Saber is therefore highly posable and can be posed in a variety of ways. With the use of the accessories supplied, her Excalibur and Avalon, her invisible air bounded sword, and her wave of destruction effect piece, she can be displayed in a number of poses, in the heat of battle with her destruction wave and at the ready with Excalibur. However there are a few areas in which articulation is restricted although her torso has soft PVC it is still difficult to keep her back in an arched or bent pose, this perhaps is due to not a very tight waist joint, also her pony-tail joint tends to pop out easily so be careful you don't lose her hair when posing out-of-doors.

Articulation & Pose = 9/10

Enjoyment:

I will break down enjoyment into two categories: Accessories and Play Value.

Accessories:

Saber comes with three facial expressions; a battle cry face, a grimacing face, and slightly smiling face. Saber also comes with an assortment of hands; a pair of open hands, a pair of relaxed hands, fists, a pair of hands for holding items, a pair of holding hands with no hinge joint, and a hand for holding her sheath.

Saber also comes with her Nobel Phantasms, Excalibur and its sheath Avalon and also her Invisible Air sword, as well as an effect piece for her destruction wave. To use the effect piece of sheath simply slide the sword into the slit at the top. She also has an alternative wind blown hair piece which gives her a battle blown or relaxed feminine quality.

Play Value:

I will break down play value into two categories: Compatibility, with other figures and accessories, and general play.

Compatibility:

Saber is very compatible with other Figma accessories she can hold a number of other items including Black Rock Shooters awesome cannon. She also is compatible with a number of other figure bodies and Dead Master's head looks pretty mean with Sabers suit.

Next up is a height comparison, as you can see she is on the shorter side of the Figma height scale being a similar height to the Touhou Figmas.

General Play:

In general Saber is a very cool figure, she looks bad-ass while yet retaining some of her cute Saber charm, and her suit makes for some good body swapping. For fans of Saber or perhaps just those looking for a figure that's a bit different than your usual uber feminine dress wearing girl, I recommend picking this version of Saber up.

Enjoyment = 9/10

Over all Saber Zero Ver. scores 8.5/10

Figma Miku Hatsune Append Ver. Review

noreply@blogger.com (Optimistic Penguin) — Sun, 13 May 2012 04:04:00 +0000

Miku Hastune gets a space make-over in Append Ver.

Miku Hastune Append Ver.
Vocaloid
Figma
Max Factory
No.100
Sculpted by Masaki Apsy
Distributed by Good SMILE Company
Certified by CRYPTON Future Media Inc

Character:

Vocaloid is a singing synthesizer software application, that enables users to synthesize singing by typing in lyrics and melodies. Miku Hatsune is a character which was introduced in Vocaloid 2 and her voice data was created by sampling the voice of Saki Fujita a Japanese voice actress. Miku Hatsune has since gone to become Vocaloids iconic character and a has taken on her own life and character in the Otaku world.

Packaging:

Miku comes in a standard Figma box.

On the front is a window for viewing the figure, on one side is the Figma logo, on the other is a picture of the figure, on the back there is relevant information, all in Japanese, and pictures of the figure in various poses with their various accessories. Instructions for swapping face pieces and other items are usually printed on either inside of the box tabs or on a piece of paper slipped inside the packaging. Also take note that all figures you purchase have the correct authentication printed or stickered on the box.

Inside the box the figure is held between two pieces of molded plastic, with spaces for their accessories. The extra hands and the base of the Figma stand are stored in plastic bags underneath the figure in the plastic molding. Figures are usually wrapped with plastic in certain areas to protect the paint. Boxes also come with inserts which act as backdrops in the box and can be taken out and used for backdrops while displaying figures. Miku's backdrop is a reflective silver. Miku also comes with a special cut-out to use with the Di: Stage.

Stand:

Miku comes with the standard Figma stand. Made of clear plastic it has three points of articulation which move forwards and back on hinge joints, one joint is at the bottom where it plugs into the base, one in the middle and one where it plugs into the Figma. The articulation of the stand allows the Figma to be posed in a variety of dynamic poses, and because it is clear it does not interfere with the aesthetic of taking dynamic and exciting photos.

Miku also comes with an extra U shaped piece which attaches to the end of her stand so that she can be attached to her stand in when her accessory is attached. A very nice touch by Max Factory.

Stand = 8/10

Sculpt:

This is Miku Hastune Append Version.

Miku's overall design is based on a GSC still PVC figure and the figma version was brought out to celebrate Figma's 100th Figma. Here we see Miku in a simple streamline space get-up. She has this lovely airy-weightless quality about her, with black fading to gray, pearl white, and semi-transparent pale green hair, she has an effortless feel about her. She is rather elegant and beautiful.

Starting from the top, her hair is trademark Miku twin-tails but this time semi-transparent fading to pale green, and her hair tie's have been made bigger and rounded. Her body is beautifully sculpted the shape of her back is arched and her skin tight suit shows off her curves and also the first figure to show signs of a belly button, so cute and sexy. Her arms are thin and elegant and even with the exposed shoulder joint it somehow manages to look more natural than previous figures. Her front skirt piece is made of soft PVC and moves on a ball joint at each hip allowing her the most leg movement of any Figma. Her legs look great and I am happy to say that although she is still rather thin they have beefed this Miku figure out a bit with thicker thighs and hips, giving her curves and a more adult looking body than the original Miku figure who was a bit too twiggy. And I don't know why but my favourite part are her little bare feet, with her little toes!

She is a elegant space queen and I have to say on her way to being my favourite figure in terms of sculpt, so she gets I think my very first ten-out-of-ten score.

Sculpt = 10/10

Paint:

Miku has a colour scheme of black, pearl white, pale green, and some redish-pink highlights. The colour scheme is effective in giving her a space feel, she looks stunning. The colour in her hair blends nicely into the semi-transparent green. And the fade from gray to black is flawless, and you gotta love the pearl white which glistens in the light. There are a few run-overs of paint but this is minimal and all her fine detailing is perfect

Miku's accessories are also well painted with her extra skirt pieces being my favourite with the pearl fading into the semi-transparent green.

Paint = 9/10

Articulation:

Miku use’s the standard Figma joint system. Figma joints are hinge joints with pegs on either end allowing both forward and back movement and rotation.

At the top of her neck is a Figma joint allowing her to look side to side, down and up. To change the faces on Figma’s the front piece of hair is removed and then the faces can be taken of and swapped.

The shoulder consists of a double joint, a ball joint which sits inside the upper body, this is attached to a ball shaped Figma joint which acts as the shoulder, and this allows full range of motion to the shoulder. Further down a Figma joint is used as the elbow and bends in and then out straight and there is some slight rotation for the lower arm to turn in and out. At the wrist the various hands plug into a small hole at the end of the arm. Each hand also has a hinge joint, which not only allows the hand to rotate but also to move up and down which gives the figure realistic wrist movement.

A waist joint is located under her chest. Waist joints are ball and socket joints, a ball joint will be attached to the upper body and which plug into a socket in the main torso, this gives the body twisting movement and bending forwards and back. At the hips a three jointed ball and socket joint is used. One ball plugs into a socket at the bottom of the torso acting as the hip joint; this allows the hips to turn side to side, lean forward or back, then on each of the other two ball joints the legs plug on. Each leg has an inner socket which the ball joint plugs into, this piece allows full range of motion from the ball joint and also allows the thigh to turn in and out as it pegs inside the main leg piece.

A Figma joint is then used as the knee allowing the knee to bend backwards and then out to straight, and there is some slight rotation for the lower leg to turn in and out. The ankle also is a Figma joint allowing the foot to point and flex turn in and out.

Miku also has four extra points of additional articulation each pony-tail has its own Figma joint, and her skirt attaches via a ball and socket joint on each side allowing manipulation of her skirt pieces.

Pose:

Miku is therefore highly posable and can be posed in a variety of ways. With the use of the accessories supplied, her alternative dress pieces, she can be displayed in a similar way to the GSC still PVC figure. Miku has little limitations to her movement, apart from a fixed torso, I would go as far to say that she is the most posable and flexible of all figma's since her clothing design doesn't have any restrictive pieces.

Articulation & Pose = 9/10

Enjoyment:

I will break down enjoyment into two categories: Accessories and Play Value.

Accessories:

Miku comes with three facial expressions; a happy classic miku expression, a closed eye expression, and a seductive expression. Miku also comes with an assortment of hands; a pair of open hands, a pair of relaxed hands, fists, and a pair of hands for holding items.

Miku also comes with alternative clothing pieces, extra upper arm pieces, two extra skirt pieces, an alternative tummy piece and a cord which attaches to the back of her belt.

To switch Miku into her alternative clothes, simply remove each arm at the shoulder and the elbow and replace the normal upper arm piece, her skirt pieces simple pop on and off of ball joints on each hip, and to remove her tummy simply take off her skirt pieces and above her leg ease the piece up and then pull down, and do the reverse to attach the alternative piece.

Play Value:

I will break down play value into two categories: Compatibility, with other figures and accessories, and general play.

Compatibility:

Miku is very compatible with other Figma accessories. Her holding hands can be used with a number of accessories from other figures she also is a good figure to switch bodies with, with a number of figures looking great with her body and hers with theirs. I particularly like using KOS MOS's morph arm with Miku.

Next up is a height comparison, as you can see she is on the shorter side of the figma height scale and is just under the average height for a figma.

General Play:

In general Miku is a fun figure, she has loads of movement and her space age look gives her something fun and unique and she goes well with the other sci-fi type figures.

Overall Miku is well on her way to becoming one of my favourite figures, she is just so beautiful and elegant as well as having lots of posing potential. However what is holding her back from being the best figure ever is the lack of accessories which came with her, but if you have plenty of figures already to mix and match with then this is no problem.

Enjoyment = 9/10

Over all Miku Hatsune Append Ver. scores 8.8/10

Wishlist - Feb 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Optimistic Penguin) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:07:00 +0000

Welcome to our wishlist where we share with you some of the up and coming figures which capture our eye.

Since I have got myself some part-time work in the interim of finding full-time employment, now that all my University studies are over I have some disposable income, and since its been ages since I bought any new figures their are some up and coming that I have my sites on.

I've pre-ordered the new Saber figure, featuring Saber in a fancy suit. I've been looking for a replacement since my original Saber broke, and this one looks like a nice replacement also I can see potential body-swapping fun with her suit.

Also no surprise I'm pre-ordering the Mawaru Penguin Drum figma, I've been watching the series lately, can't make my mind up whether I like it or not, its a bit weird and the plot doesn't make a lot of sense as of yet, but it has penguin antics so what more could you want. And as an optimistic penguin I cannot pass up this figure, spesh since it comes with her penguin pals which are my favourite part of the show!

I also may in the next few weeks pick up the alternative BRS figma as I prefer her design much better than the original BRS and her weapons look double bad-ass in this version.

Also in the coming months I am keeping an eye out for the above figma's as I wanted to get my hands on them last year but didn't have the cash. I love Bakemonogatari so I would love these figures. And the exclusive Queens Blade figma is adorable and I want more figma males hence the index man.

Also figures to keep an eye out for, more Mawaru Penguin Drum, these figures are apparently a Liquid Stone snap kit build, have no idea yet where and when they will come out, but I think I will definitely purchase them, adorable articulate penguins!

Also I would like to get these Hot Toy figures of Briareos and Deunan from Appleseed. I have the smaller Wave figures, but due to moving house Deunan got broken, which sucks because they cost a lot. And these babies will cost more, but they are much bigger and amazingly detailed. I'm a huge Appleseed fan and these will be the pride and joy of my collection, when I can find a place which is still selling them that is!

Figure Comic - The Dead Walking

noreply@blogger.com (Optimistic Penguin) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:44:00 +0000

Cute is in trouble, can anyone save her? Find out in this episode of Figure Comic- The Dead Walking

Staring:

Cute

Aya Kagura

Sakuya Izayoi

Zombie

Enjoy ^.^

Figure Comic - Drossel - Part 8 - Finale

noreply@blogger.com (Optimistic Penguin) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:31:00 +0000

Deep in the heart of space the S. R. Scarlet armed with a fierce crew are heading to battle. Will Captain Asuka and her crew be able to defeat the demons and save the world? Find out in the epic finale of Figure Comic- Drossel Part Eight

Staring:

Asuka Langley

Aegis

KOS-MOS
Drossel

Miku Hatsune

Dead Master

Black Gold Saw

Sakuya Izayoi

Enjoy ^.^

Figure Comic - Drossel - Part 7

noreply@blogger.com (Optimistic Penguin) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:02:00 +0000

Deep in the heart of space KOS-MOS has surrendered to Captain Asuka of the S. R. Scarlet. Now what will become of her and Drossel, and just why is Captain Ausaka willing to go to any length to keep her? Find out in this episode of Figure Comic- Drossel Part Seven

Staring:

Asuka Langley

AegisKOS-MOS
Drossel
Enjoy ^.^

Figure Comic - Drossel - Part 6

noreply@blogger.com (Optimistic Penguin) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 00:57:00 +0000

Deep in the heart of space KOS-MOS is in hot pursuit of the S. R. Scarlet where Drossel is being held prisoner. Will she be able to free her friend from the clutches of Captain Asuka? Find out in this episode of Figure Comic- Drossel Part Six

Staring:

Asuka Langley

AegisKOS-MOS
Drossel
Enjoy ^.^

Twelve Days of Christmas 2011 - Tweltfh Day

noreply@blogger.com (Optimistic Penguin) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:46:00 +0000