Whenever I see the word “Vispo” a primordial reflex action is triggered somewhere in my brain stem that makes me hit the “BUY” button if one is within reach, and this Haruhi was no exception. Back when she was announced in May there was much rejoicing (along with a schooling in the meaning of the term “gakuran”), but when she was finally trundled out to an expectant audience earlier this month the excitement was somewhat abated. Would you trust Toy’sworks with your Vispo? After seeing this kit I’m not so sure…
Original Design: Noiji Itou (Wikipedia)
Sculptor: Katagiri Katsuhiro (Vispo)
Source: Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu (novels, anime, etc.)
Scale: 1/8 (19 cm tall)
Materials: PVC
Release Date: November 2007
Production: Toy’sworks
Price: 5,800 JPY (tax included)
Current Availability: [KNC] [HLJ] [HS] [TL]
Support HD!: [YA]
Sculpt
Back when this kit was announced people were commenting that it didn’t look particularly like Haruhi, and I agree – it looks like Haruhi done by Vispo, which if anything is even better. Needless to say I like this sculpt a lot – the pose has a fluid, dynamic, active, almost athletic quality, one rarely seen in a kit so close to an upright standing position. It looks like she’s been caught in mid-swing while snapping a salute on a breezy day in some alternate Haruhiverse in which Itou Noiji’s designs have been altered to be more chipmunkish while still being hot.
If there’s any fault in the sculpt it would be in the face, which is certainly rather off from the traditional Haruhi look. I think it’s among the better figure renditions of her out there, though, all things considered (she only has to beat 50% of the competition after all, and given the proliferation of offerings from Atelier-Sai and Konami that’s not too hard).
Production
Hoo boy, where to start. With the obvious, I guess… it looks like she’s been hit between the eyes by a military-grade heat laser. Or perhaps it hit her entire face, as her gums appear to be bleeding as well. Whoever designed the paint scheme for this kit should probably be checked for signs of torture or PTSD or something as it seems he was making a subconscious cry for help.
Aside from the ruined face job the rest of the kit is a mixed bag. Trim work is mediocre with the headband standing out particularly poorly, though the work on the shoes is decent. The metallic blue inner lining of the coat is a particularly nice touch that goes beyond the purely necessary, though not much else on the kit does; shading on the skin, hair, and gloves/panties is decent, but nothing to write home about. Casting work is average, with a bit of imprecision on the details (her raised hand) and some molding oddness on the hair.
Conclusion
Toy’sworks’ Gakuran Haruhi is a kit to get if you like either Vispo or Haruhi a good deal, but if you’re in the market for a high quality figure this probably isn’t the one for you. The concept and sculpt are great, but execution sadly lowers the kit’s potential from what it otherwise could have been.
Overall Score: 7/10
+ fun, dynamic Vispo sculpt
+ castoff works well, despite some scuffing
o average casting job
– paint job on the poor side
– face ruined by heat ray and bleeding gums and oddly set eyes
If you’re thinking of picking her up and you’d like to support HD Yes Asia has her in stock, otherwise Hobby Search seems to be the most affordable option.
Postscript: As a random aside, the last Vispo kit we reviewed was Daiki Kougyou’s Sanae. The man’s got range…
Surprising no one’s got anything to say about it! I fell in love with this kit right away, despite the naysayers — I find most of the other offerings too stiff and glassy eyed for my taste. This one captures the spirit in Noiji Itou’s drawings, I think… so I forgive the giant orange blot on her face. I definitely want to see more of this particular sculptor’s work — the legs on Haruhi here are the charm point!
Though, is it just me or is her head just a little too big/wide?
I have to agree with the review.
Looking at some artwork and comparing it to this figurine, I felt a few things worked and the rest were off. The pose was cute and felt like it hit the spirit of the series head-on. But…
There were two faults I have noticed. The paint job and the less-than-accurate look on her face. The two flaws made me feel like they rushed the item in hopes of competing with other companies while the series is still hot.
Overall, I feel it could have been better. And because of that, you can possibly get both Sega’s Extra figures of Haruhi and Yuki at Anime Jungle and still spend less than getting this at Hobby Search.
Wow- I supriosingly like this figure after looking the pics here…..I think her head is “okay” for someone who has never followed the show (or even seen it) and it’s proportions while in real life would not be accurate- for an anime figure it seems nice.
Echoing the fact that the legs do look great and are a great seller poiint and the pose is really really dynamic.
She…..just…..might…..go on “the list”…..sob.