Hype for Gurren Lagann was high back in May when this Yoko figure was announced, and given my enthusiasm for the show I made the rather foolhardy decision to preorder her sight unseen. Luckily when the first images of the kit emerged my decision seemed vindicated, and it was just icing on the cake to learn earlier this week that her top was castoffable. Yoko’s popularity and the castoff gimmick notwithstanding, now that the show is over how does Konami’s craftsmanship hold up to scrutiny? Not too badly at all, in my estimation – but not particularly amazingly either.
Original Design: Nishigori Atsushi
Sculptor: Unknown
Source: Gurren Lagann (anime)
Scale: 1/8 (20 cm tall)
Materials: PVC
Release Date: September 27th, 2007
Production: Konami
Price: 5,775 JPY (tax included)
Current Availability: [KNC] [HS] [TL]
Support HD!: [PA] (possibly incorrect) [YA]
Yoko is the impressively bosomed, sniper rifle-toting female sidekick in Gurren Lagann, Gainax’s latest giant robot tour de force. In the show’s initial episodes she doesn’t show much personality, though apparently later on she develops a coat with which to shield herself from the harsh elements of outer space (I’m going to catch up on Gurren Lagann eventually, honest).
This being the first Yoko PVC incarnation we don’t have much to judge her against, but figure-wise this is an item that screams “decent, but not exceptional.” Well, it doesn’t so much scream as speak it in reserved tones. Anyway, the sculpt (by anonymous – come on Konami, credit your staff properly) captures her character well enough, and though the face is a bit off it’s cute enough in a punky sort of way to be forgiven.
The coloring is ok (though a different painting method on the bra to avoid layering yellow on black would’ve been appreciated), the pose is fine, the production quality and artistry involved all seem satisfactory enough. The fact that the bra part is a separate piece of plastic was quite a surprise in a figure based on a Sunday morning cartoon, though the unpainted bosoms beneath are rather silly.
If I had to make one complaint it would be that there is no method for securing her gun in her hand or to the base, so it’s virtually impossible to position it in her grip without auxiliary support. An attachment hole in her hand (or even better a hole in the base) would’ve been much appreciated.
Overall Score: 7/10
+ surprise separate bra part
+ nice boots!
o average production values
o average pose
o cute but unfaithful face sculpt
- nearly impossible to pose with the gun
- unpainted nipples, no easy castoff procedure
I’d recommend this figure to hardcore Gurren Lagann fans and Yoko devotees, but perhaps not to the fan on a budget – there are sure to be many more Yoko kits in the future, many of which will likely be superior to this. I can’t recommend it to [ERO] figure collectors either, unless you don’t mind a bit of mod work to make her anatomically correct.
Yeah, what’s up with the unpainted bits? Konami needs to make up its mind about whether it wants to join the cast-off revolution or not. Either do it right or don’t do it.
I’m kinda mixed on Yoko as a character. On one hand, it’s a gal with a giant sniper rifle and a large chest. On the other, she’s got that overly cutesy face, those stick legs, the giant muffler thing, and that screwy skull-in-her-hair whatsit. She’s on the edge for me- depending on the rendition, I may like her, or not. This one I can safely say I do not like.
As far as Gainax heroines go, she’s still a huge improvement over Rei Ayanami, who I would be most pleased to never see again (not that I’ll get that wish, that’s for sure).
Maybe the uncolor bits is for circumventing the license whereby yoko cannot be exposed in the flesh?
I still think this has got to be the best Konami figure as I’ve seen, though I’ve not seen the Haruhi ones up close yet…I may end up getting this one euther way, if it’s easily available later.
Really don’t like her face, and since her nipples aren’t painted… I pass my way ^^;
I love Yoko, but I’ll pass this figure. It doesn’t look too attractive for me, especially her average face and pose. I’m sure the other companies will bring out a better version of Yoko, so I’ll wait.
Yoko reminds me of Meg in Burst Angel (Bakuretsu Tenshi). I really like what Alter did Meg’s figure earlier, so I hope Yoko will have a striking pose like that figure.
The price and figure quality doesn’t match. Its too expensive. Hopefully they come out with a better figure.
[...] Lockergnome Nexus wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptHype for Gurren Lagann was high back in May when this Yoko figure was announced , and given my enthusiasm for the show I made the rather foolhardy decision to preorder her sight unseen. Luckily when the first images of the kit emerged my decision… [...]
As a fan of hers only recently (thanks to all those gurren h-doujin :)), I appreciate the fact that this figure is castoff and pretty cute too. However, it’s not the top of my buy list (too many pre-orders for my Oct, Nov and Dec list already. Cobra-Kai Mai and Kanu…). Anyway, if stocks do last till Jan 2008, I may just buy 1 off HS or HLJ.
Else, I will just admire the pictures here. Same with the Megahouse Kiyori which I missed out on last year. No physical figures in hand, but thanks again to heiseidemo for their great pictures and reviews, and in general a great website on a hobby which I can only afford now in my late thirties…:)
My yoko just came in but I’m having trouble getting her top off. How did you go about getting her top off Shingo?
>>Savage
It doesn’t come completely off unless you break the strap or pull her head off (not an easy task) or perhaps both. I just pushed it up a bit; thankfully there’s some give in the PVC that allows it without breaking.
Thanks for the info Shingo.