This is one of those kits that became an instant legend of the Wonder Festival circuit, such that when you went around to the Millimeter Modeling table at the event all you’d see would be a kit sample and a few tumbleweeds rolling over the “sold out” card placed in front of it. While Ataraxia’s maid Saber is hardly a new theme for PVC, when this was announced from Alter it was one of those “oh hell yes” moments that resulted in an immediate preorder; thankfully faith in both the brand and the original sculpt were well placed. Check it out!
Original Design: Takeuchi Takashi (homepage)
Sculptor: Kuramoto Ikuma (Millimeter Modeling)
Source: Fate / hollow ataraxia (eroge)
Scale: 1/6 (26 cm tall)
Materials: PVC, ABS
Release Date: September 21st, 2007
Production: Alter
Price: 8,190 JPY (tax included)
Current Availability: [KNC] [HLJ] [HS] [TL] [AAA]
Support HD!: [PA] [JLIST] [YA]
Saber is by now so well known that her character should need no introduction, but for those looking to brush up on their Fate lore I highly recommend The Moonlit World and its companion forum Beast’s Lair as superb resources on everything Type Moon.
This reincarnation of King Arthur is most prominently known for her armor-plated dress outfit, which has seen several PVC incarnations to date; however the side stories in the Fate expansion hollow ataraxia provided even more fodder for figure makers in the form of several new costumes, including a swimsuit and the maid outfit we see featured here.
Saber’s design has been liberally interpreted by many, but I have to say this kit is one of the most fetching 3D renditions I’ve seen. The face sculpt isn’t strictly canon, but I’ve never been a huge fan of Takeuchi’s face designs so that’s not a drawback for me. The pose of this sculpt is deliberate and firm, and while not dynamic in the sense that it presents the illusion of motion, the lines provide a pleasing symmetry that far exceeds a simple standing pose.
The split stance and arms thrust forward work to accentuate the charm points of the costume, with attention properly focused on the elaborate garters and zettai ryouiki zone as well as her slender arms, and when viewed from behind the cutaway back of her blouse (and those amazing calves!). Attention is properly focused away from her chest (as there’s nothing there to see anyway); in exchange this is one of those figures that strongly prompts the genuflection response to get a better look at her elaborately detailed undercarriage.
If I was forced to come up with a few points where the kit would be improved I’d say the face sculpt could use a bit of brushing up, and the white parts of the costume (apron, etc.) could use some shading. Otherwise this is a great kit with stellar production value, and I’d say a wonderful addition to just about any figure collection.
Overall Score: 9/10
+ amazingly detailed sculpt
+ great pose with phenomenal lines
+ typically high quality Alter production
+ zettai ryouiki ++++
o the face sculpt is perhaps a bit off
o the mop is shaded nicely; why not do the same to the apron?
– the urge to look up her skirt is nigh irrepressible
If you’d like to support HD you can pick her up at Yes Asia, though she’s available elsewhere at considerably lower cost.
She is nice indeed, but i prefer the GSC ones more
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1360/1082452363_e850620d0c.jpg
Good review- this is one of those figures I got as a resin before I knew that there were ALOT of pvc figure available…..
Love the face and her stance is perfect- I might end up getting this just because I could never paint the model to fit that perfectly….
Well, I like the dress and mop more than her face – so I’ll have to pass on this one. But it would be a sure get if I had extra cash to blow.
I bought the original kit a few months back off of yahoo japan and still hoping I can get it finished up soon but the pvc looks really well done. Maybe the face is looking weird because of the lack of shading and not using some paint to make Saber’s lips more define.
I never liked Fate/Stay Night (or its derivatives) but I always loved the character designs. I remember being really taken my the design of this particular figure when I first heard about it, and so I couldn’t resist tossing in a pre-order for the PVC.
Well, I am glad that I have preordered this through HS, and will just wait for them to let me know they have it ready! ^_^
I’ve got mine right on display! Its really hard to find any negative points on that figure. You have the feeling of a hight class product. The colors are fantastic as well as the detailed dress. I like her legs and here pants are one of the best I’ve seen so far.
I have to say you are right with the face. The cat mouth doesn’t fit saber that much. The lips have no color at all.
If I be really hard, I would criticize the base. Its plain gray and round. It does the job, but it has the same color as the mop. They could have at least have drawn a checkboard pattern or something like that. The color of the hair is a little bit dark for my taste. It looks dirty. But that all are no real bad points. Its a fantastic sculpt in the end.
The only thing that made me a little nervous was the apply the mop. I was affraid to damage the hands or arms. The easy trick is to put the one end of it in her hands first and then the other at the bottom. Don’t try it in another order.
Wow! What beautifully carved legs! Yummy.
Yeah…..just took the plunge- I couldn’t get the arms to fit right in my resin so into “the never to be finished” pile it went and I ordered the PVC from online.
Sigh.
Do you guys know where I can still buy this Saber? I know it’s quite old now, but there’s only one place I know where I can get her and it costs $120. >___>
Plus, it has no box.