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Top 5 Bishoujo Figures for 2009

AlternateSam — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 16:52:04 +0000

2009 has been a pretty good year for figure collectors especially in Singapore. Anime Fest Asia came and Danny Choo brought the Tokyo Figure Show out of Japan for the first time. The entire showcase of nendoroids as well as PVCs was stunning and I believe it was the first time a collection of such scale was displayed in Singapore for the public. The figure collection craze amongst the general public took off there and then and I can already see a thriving and rapidly growing community springing up in a few short months.

The top 5 figures for 2009 are of course purely based on my personal opinion. The only criteria is that it has to come out during the year 2009 so those which has been announced in 2009 but only released in 2010 will not be considered.

Ok, let’s start!

5. Native’s Kotone Banana Girl

This figure originated from a Tony Taka artwork which was then taken up by Native on a limited run. Fairly hard to get and only if you are willing to ship it from Japan. Very good details and a coquettish yet sensual face at the same time. Comes with the banana, desk and fully castoff-able clothes. Potentially a very very interesting photoshoot subject.

For more pictures of this figure, please take a look here.

4. Alter’s Yoko Littner

Definitely one of my favourite PVC purchase for 2009, the Alter’s version of Yoko Littner comes with a detailed, sculpted base with Yoko bearing pistols as well as a wind-swept jacket. A more mature themed Yoko but very very well-made nonetheless. Can’t find any obvious flaws and her resolute expression on her face coupled with the pose of her with her rifle make this a MUST-GET for any TTGL fans. For my short review, please click here.

Gallery of Yoko Littner.

3. Goodsmile’s Haruhi + Mikuru + Yuki Extravaganza Version Set

This is technically 3 figures but the entire collection is a set so I’m including it as a single figure. The set features a very dynamic trio with Haruhi on her electric guitar screaming passion, Yuki with her usual calmness on her guitar and the air-headed Mikuru with her tamborines. Besides the nicely made instruments, the details on them (note the creases on the jackets and the stocking linings on Haruhi) make this set very very hard to find after it was released. Prices started shooting up and I really regretted not pre-ordering it. Interestingly, many people commented that Mikuru looks like a potential leaner but it turned out to be a false alarm which was a hugh relief.

Gallery of Haruhi, Yuki & Mikuru.

2. GoodSmile’s Saber Lily ~Distant Avalon~

No surprises here. This was one that many Saber fans were waiting for the entire year and turned many non-Saber fans into one. The dynamic pose, the fierce expression, the subtle tonal shadings and the elegant base. What more can you ask for? Best Saber figure in years, and probably ever.

More of the Saber Lily ~Distant Avalon~ figure at the gallery over at AkibaHobby

1. GoodSmile’s BLACK ROCK SHOOTER

Hands up if anyone, ANYONE, finds this a surprise. This made it into year 2009 barely by the skin of the teeth, launching on the 23th of December and only available in stores around the 28th of December onwards due to the Christmas break.

With all the rave reviews going about the internet, I guess it would be extremely sycophantic and redundant to even review the entire figure for the 9000th time. Just look at the cannon, the scar on the belly, the flame eye and of course, the marvelous detailed base and marvel at how far PVC figures have progressed ever since they started being produced. Paired with a careful touch of the paintbrush, this figure will no doubt be a classic in the PVC world.

When it was first shown unpainted, people have already started remarking about how fantastic it would be and how detailed it was. And when the pre-order was open, everyone in the know just started rubbing their hands in anticipation. After months of delay, this was finally released as the year was winding down. And I bet not a single one of them was disappointed by the end result or the waiting time after holding this in their hands.

Awesome gallery of Black Rock Shooter over here at Happysoda. I have been following his site for the longest time as he continues to amaze me with his stuff.

And there you go, my top 5 bishoujo figures for the year 2009! GoodSmile is certainly well on its way to world domination by the looks of things!

Pictures courtesy of Goodsmile.info, akibahobby.net, polyvinylcrush.com & happysoda.com

Yoko Littner 1/8 PVC

AlternateSam — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 13:51:22 +0000

Its out and what a beauty it turned out to be! Here are the photographs I promised. Really happy that I stuck with this Pre-order for so long.

The details on her is amazing. The pistol that was attached separately had amazingly fine details on it. Her cloak had bullet holes etched and have dirt scruff marks which just made the entire thing looked extremely realistic. The figurine’s stand is out of the world with the details, one of the best I ever seen for figurines’ stands, when they are usually just a flat dull plastic.

This one, on the other hard, blended perfectly into with the figure and can be said to be really part of the background, not just a generic stand. It looks like this is the trend that the better PVC figurines companies are following nowadays as the GoodSmile Black Rock Shooter figurine looks to have a similar ultra-realistic stand as well.

One of the best PVC figurine I have ever seen and one of the highlights of my collection so far. Its so good that you can actually spend hours just looking at it and admiring the workmanship.

Alter’s Yoko Littner OUT!!!

AlternateSam — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 06:23:55 +0000

I’ve just received news that my pre-order of Alter’s Yoko Littner is ready for collection. Will do a quick update after I collect it this weekend.

Picture via eltworld.wordpress.com

Gurren Lagann Ichiban Kuji

AlternateSam — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 12:13:42 +0000

KKnM held the Gurren Lagann Ichiban Kuji (Sure-win Lucky Draw) today. I was there for the draw and tried my luck.

It was horrid. I didn’t get any of the top 3 prizes and had to settle for these. Planning to let them go at a low price if anyone is interested. I didn’t get Nia as well I took home Kamina, which was ok, Kattan which was meh… and that horrid white gunmen which I can’t remember who controlled. Probably Viral…

New Toy! Yoko Nendoroid from Gurren Lagann!

AlternateSam — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 11:47:19 +0000

Just collected this from Black Technology in the evening. Nice improvement from the previous nendoroid in terms of the stand as well as the number of accessories. The stand is now consisting of 2 separate parts for the left/right side so they can grip at separate heights. The paintwork is awesome as usual. The accessories are well made as well. Really happy that I pre-ordered this.

Alter’s Yoko Littner vs Kotobukiya’s Yoko

AlternateSam — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:38:25 +0000

I’m really having a hard time deciding between these 2 figures that were just released for pre-orders. Both looked great but I do not want to have 2 similarly-sized Yokos competing for attention on my shelf.

The Alter’s version is Yoko in her ‘dream’ life as a bounty hunter on a normal world. Whereas, the Kotobukiya’s Yoko is Yoko with Boota, 2 different faces and 3 different hair clips.

Have a look yourself. What do you think? Me, I’m now slightly partial towards Alter’s Yoko Littner mainly due to their usual excellence in paintwork. However, the number of accessories that the Kotobukiya’s Yoko comes with is so tempting!

Alter’s Yoko Littner.

Kotobukiya’s Yoko

Yoko from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagaan

AlternateSam — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 13:22:42 +0000

The pre-orders for this figure are out and I got to say it looks really nice. Retailing at 7,800 yen which is very reasonably for something of this scale and quality. The Alter figurine here is well-painted as usual and I’m very tempted to get it.

Another picture of it, this time a full-body shot.

Meanwhile, I have already ordered this from BT a few weeks ago.

Hopefully I can collect the Yoko Nendoroid when it reaches next week although it might encounter some delays as usual. Looks like another great work from GSC.

Yoko Theme Song
TTGL Theme Song: Libera Me from Hell