When this behemoth Tama-nee was figure first announced in April I was intimidated by her size, her leggy proportions, and her freakishly elongated torso. While Cobra-Kai’s rendering looks nothing like her original design, it was this precise fact that seduced me into picking the figure up (no giantess fetish here, honest); after her mutant novelty factor wore off was she truly worth the purchase? Read on…
Original Design: Amazuyu Tatsuki
Sculptor: Toushirou (Cobra-Kai)
Source: To Heart 2 (game)
Scale: 1/5 (37 cm tall)
Materials: PVC, ABS
Release Date: June 19th, 2007
Production: Daiki Kougyou
Price: 12,600 JPY (tax included)
Current Availability: [KNC] [HLJ] [HS]
Kousaka Tamaki, often referred to as “Tama-nee”, is one of the most popular heroines of both the original PS2 all-ages version of To Heart 2 and its “XRATED” PC version. She is a stereotypical onee-san (older sister) character and is often portrayed as slightly sadistic or tsundere. I’m a fan of her character to the extent that I’ll pick up her doujinshi on occasion, but normally wouldn’t jump at Tama-nee figure unless it presented some rather extraordinary attributes, which this one definitely does….
The Good
- This is the Godzilla of Tama-nee figures, to be sure. Both her size and traces of radioactive mutation are exceptional, and while the wacky proportions are certainly a turn-off for many something just clicked in a primordial portion of my brain that made me hit the purchase button. I’m glad I did, but I can’t say exactly why.
- The full castoffability is a definite plus - none of the soldered-on fundoshi that so defaced Daiki’s Koyori. I’m guessing they weren’t bound by the same licensing constraints, but whatever the reason, I prefer an anatomically vague yet undefiled midsection over one arbitrarily censored.
- For those of us who find the small of the back to be an erogenous zone, this kit is a lethal weapon. …Enough said. :3
The Adequate
- Cobra-Kai’s original sculpt was intended as a rather fetishistic kit catering to a niche market, so those not captivated by the initial premise will no doubt find the figure unexceptional in its entirety. That said, objectively speaking Daiki suffers from the general malaise that comes with producing figures at a grand scale: the detail work on the paint job drops in quality for no discernible reason. Typical Daiki quality perhaps, but still something I’d like to see them improve.
The Ugly
- To misquote Lloyd Bentsen: I served with tsun-kao (face): I knew tsun-kao; tsun-kao was a friend of mine. Daiki “tsun-kao” Tama-nee, your kao has no fucking tsun whatsoever. “Tsun-tsun” is the Japanese phrase for the beat-down you see written all over Louise’s face right before she’s about to give Saito a thorough whipping:
- It is also the counterpart of “dere-dere”, the mellow loving feeling that forms the latter half of the tsundere persona. A so-called “dere-kao” Tama-nee is also in the offing from Daiki, but they’ve got the name wrong here too - the pair would more accurately be described as “sultry” and “freaky clown smiley” only I don’t think the Japanese exists to handle those concepts.
- For a kit that is meant to be cast off first thing out of the box, the procedure presented me with serious problems. While the black plastic of the lingerie mercifully didn’t mar the skin surface beneath, the bra was so firmly attached that it took a variety of sharp implements to finally pry / twist / rip it free, marring the inside of the shirt in the process. NOT COOL. Shame on Daiki for applying adhesive where it doesn’t belong. >:O
Overall Score: 8/10
I’m not quite sure who would like this figure other than myself as it bears no resemblance to either Tama-nee or any other remotely proportional human being, but for whatever reason it just works. A better paint job would elevate it to nine points in my book, though the pose isn’t quite exciting enough for a ten… regardless, another fine Cobra kit and certainly a step in the right direction for Daiki. Here’s hoping for more in this general direction in the future!
looks different to the promo pictures but I see no tsun-kao regardless. that said I too like the freakish proportions.
That’s a beautiful figure spoilt by the pelvis area looking a bit strange from the front… she actually looks better with her pantsu on.
I received mine last week from HLJ, and I was not disappointed. I had the same issue with the bra as you did, but I managed not to mark the back of the shirt. The only problem now is the size of the figure, I don’t have a place in my case to put it.
most of your reviews of figures are spot on, but i think an 8/10 for this tamaki is a bit too high. i think the sculpt and paint is crap, and the pose is… how should i say, tsumaranai, and definitely not worth the price. I’d give this POS a 5/10 at best.
Gotta say- I HATE it when they make the crotch abnormally non-existent……
Definetly not even worth one point for me which is too bad because this looks like a nice figure/model.
Great review BTW.
I actually quite like her face (nevermind that it’s not quite tsun-tsun), but the freakish anatomy scares me. Her … upper assets especially when viewed from an upward angle remind me of mantou buns ^^;;
She seems to have sold out at hobbysearch, but she’s also available here.
great pics and review. i love the sculpt and find it super sexy but the price is just a little too much for me.
I don’t know its just so skinny, if it had the Kotobukiya powerup witchblade type of body I would buy. But this figure’s price and sexy appeal it has just does not match and what’s the point of doing a cast off of the bottom if you are not going to be anatomically correct. Its kind of freaky
Beware of the grip on her thigh, it indents if u put it too tightly… Leave it loose she most likely wont lean, hopefully.
Oh well, freakish proportions aside, your review of the figure convinced me to place an order for it…Btw, this is an question to those who bought the figure, how do you “neatly” take-off the brassiere? I had similar problems with the Bome Jungle Emi (International version), the bra was glued so when removed, the adhesive left a some paint damage inside the brassiere…
There is no way not to leave paint damage.. anyway, the damage cant be seen and furthermore the inner part of the uniform isnt painted well either so its really not an issue. Just becareful not to pull to hard or it might break the bra. But dun worry, the bra is really strong O_O. Please beware of the grip on her thigh as i have warned, best to use some transparent film which has a wider area so it will not indent her thigh. Just my 2cts. I hope Daiki Kougyou keep this up and release more 1/4 and 1/5 so i can finally ditch 1/6 and 1/8 figures.
Wow! Thanks for the useful tips MK! ^_^
And yes, I hope Daiki Kougyo continues to release more 1/4th and 1/5th figures too… ^_^
Statue arrived yesterday afternoon, and looks great. My girlfriend and I really like the size and the pose. This statue is a great piece added to our already large collection.
to me it’s a 10.
Doesn`t dere-kao Tama-Nee`s upper lip remind of Hirano Aya`s (popular seiyuu) special smile? Have anyone else noticed, or am i just fantasizing?
comment to priss: by doing a castoff of bottom you can sculpt and detail the venus mound, vulva area etc. as you like. Aren`t these figures meant to be super-detailed by the buyer? Same goes to the areolas and nipples. I agree to another comment, her hips need to be built on to some degree. She definitely does look a bit strange with those empty hips.