A figure we’ve been anticipating here at HD for almost a year, Yamato’s Dynamite Keikaku Kanu Unchou has finally arrived. Pairing the peerless sculpting skill of Cobra-Kai’s Toushirou with Shiozaki Yuuji’s erotic designs from an evocative scene of the Ikkitousen manga, will the first installment in Yamato’s new and ambitious Dynamite lineup provide production quality to match the design talent assembled? Read on for the thunderous conclusion to what feels at this point like an epic quest through time and space…
Original Design: Shiozaki Yuuji
Sculptor: Toushirou (Cobra-Kai) (Amiami search)
Source: Ikkitousen (manga, anime)
Scale: 1/5 (17 cm tall)
Materials: PVC, ABS, die-cast metal, etc.
Release Date: December 20th, 2007
Production: Yamato (see also 1, 2)
Price: 13,440 JPY (tax included)
Current Availability: [KNC] [HLJ] [HS] [TL] [AAA]
Support HD!: [PA] <-- *best price!!* [JLIST] [YA]

Character Description
Kanu Unchou is one of the main heroines of Ikkitousen, and consistently ranks as most popular in character polls conducted by Comic Gum (the manga magazine in which Ikkitousen is serialized). She is the current embodiment of Guan Yu within the Ikkitousen / Romance of the Three Kingdoms mythology.
![Heisei Democracy [ERO] Figure Review: Yamato's Dynamite Keikaku #001 Kanu Unchou from Ikkitousen](http://heiseidemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/dynamite_kanu_original_01.thumbnail.jpg)
![Heisei Democracy [ERO] Figure Review: Yamato's Dynamite Keikaku #001 Kanu Unchou from Ikkitousen](http://heiseidemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/dynamite_kanu_original_02.thumbnail.jpg)
![Heisei Democracy [ERO] Figure Review: Yamato's Dynamite Keikaku #001 Kanu Unchou from Ikkitousen](http://heiseidemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/dynamite_kanu_original_03.thumbnail.jpg)
![Heisei Democracy [ERO] Figure Review: Yamato's Dynamite Keikaku #001 Kanu Unchou from Ikkitousen](http://heiseidemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/dynamite_kanu_original_04.thumbnail.jpg)
![Heisei Democracy [ERO] Figure Review: Yamato's Dynamite Keikaku #001 Kanu Unchou from Ikkitousen](http://heiseidemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/dynamite_kanu_original_05.thumbnail.jpg)
![Heisei Democracy [ERO] Figure Review: Yamato's Dynamite Keikaku #001 Kanu Unchou from Ikkitousen](http://heiseidemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/dynamite_kanu_original_06.thumbnail.jpg)
![Heisei Democracy [ERO] Figure Review: Yamato's Dynamite Keikaku #001 Kanu Unchou from Ikkitousen](http://heiseidemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/dynamite_kanu_original_07.thumbnail.jpg)
The scene depicted here takes place at the beginning of Ikkitousen vol. 12, in which Kanu has been captured by Chouryou and he is tormenting her with his staff; this is the extra part included with the first lot limited version of the figure.
Sculpt
Fidelity
Sculptor Toushirou of Cobra-Kai has a distinctive style that indelibly marks any character he chooses to recreate, and this Kanu is no different. The result is a fusion of her original, more simple and innocently sexy Shiozaki Yuuji design with Toushirou’s mature, heavy-lidded, sultry allure. In my opinion this interpretation stands on its own merits as an incredibly evocative work of art and a true reflection of the spirit of the manga scene from which it’s derived, if not the most literal interpretation possible.
Craftsmanship
There are no significant faults with the sculpt of this kit. From head to toe Toushirou’s Kanu exudes the sort of pheromones only found in figures crafted at an appropriate scale by one of the masters of the trade, and while Toushirou could possibly be accused of recycling poses it’s obvious that he’s drawing inspiration more from the original manga than from his previous work. The spread “M” stance and raised arms are incredibly inviting, the proportions are exquisite, the curves of her thighs, stomach and breasts are positively divine. I could pick nits regarding some minor aspects of the sculpt but it’s not worth it – suffice to say that Toushirou knows what he’s doing, and he does it marvelously well.
Production
Cast
The biggest questions left over after the many previews we’ve seen of the kit from the past several months all revolved around Yamato’s execution. I’m happy to report that they’d done extremely well by this kit, taking Kanu a notch or two above what we’ve seen from them previously.
The casting job here is generally quite good, with minimal seams and mold lines; most detail work is sharp and crisp, though I’d say the bangs are the most problematic element in this regard due to their “softness” or bluntness around the edges. By contrast, the precision work on the manacles and the torn hem of her shirt is quite well done. There’s a bit of a seam around her panties, and they’re filled in at the base of her back where there should probably be a gap, but these are relatively minor issues, as is the slightly awkward composition of her hair when viewed from the back.
Paint
Yamato takes an interesting tack with the paint job here, opting for an unconventional semi-gloss finish to her skin that I think works incredibly well. It’s certainly a step up from the uniform pallor on Daiki’s Koyori, and the ample use of a ruddy shading tone sharply enhances her physicality in a way I find quite convincing. There may be some who find the overall effect too “pink” or “fleshy”, but I think it works quite well. Shading present over the majority of the kit is a plus, along with a wide variety of finishes (from metallic to matte), and the detail work elicits no complaints. I find the way they put ribbons of light across her hair to be a bit distracting, but not a negative.
Conclusion
Yamato’s Dynamite Keikaku Kanu Unchou is truly a kit of epic proportions, and a fitting launch to what will hopefully be a new standard in large scale ero projects from the maker. Toushirou’s formidable sculpting talent meets a memorable scene from the Ikkitousen manga and the result is one of the most erotic kits of the year, an offering I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to anyone with an interest in such things. :3
Overall Score: 10/10
+ erotic original manga concept
+ phenomenal Toushirou sculpt
+ unorthodox and highly effective paint job
+ solid supporting production value
+ kit lines and balance flow incredibly well
o a few minor casting issues revealed on close inspection
o the quality here comes at a price
o disembodied staff-arm is kind of dorky
– kit is too big to properly fit in my light booth >:O
– Kanu deserves more time and attention than I can give her right now…
If you’re interested in supporting HD with your purchase, she’s currently still available at Play Asia – cheaper than any other source! This is a great chance to get the best deal around and support the site in the process, if you haven’t picked her up yet and feel so inclined.
Both the figure and manga are quite erotic! Great figure + review!
The face really scares me on this one. Apart from that looks really nice. Will probably get it if prices drop further.
Dammit!!! Not only did I get the resin, but I am just about done painting her!! Part of me was hoping this figure would suck so I wouldn’t be tempted to get her on top of my resin….but- but- but- but-
DAMMIT!!! She only 100 bucks at Play-Asia??
WTF???
Something is wrong with you if you don’t get this figure…..
From the pictures, I find a few things I personally don’t like. First would be the bangs. They’re too long and obscure the face too much. Next is the seams on the panties. They look rough, and don’t match up well with the legs. I guess the arm is pretty stupid too, as it wouldn’t display with the figure too well.
Great review! ^_^
Thanx as well for the related pages from the series. How long and wide is she- I see the height and want to get a better idea of her size……
>>DJnerate
I didn’t really do the face justice in either the thumbnail or the header image, I think I’m going to go back and try to redo them when I get home today. I don’t find it unattractive at all (though that may just end up being my own preference and not the fault of bad image selection).
>>Kat_Ears_Kahrain
I was worried about the bangs as well, but I think this final version is a significant improvement over the earlier prototype and strikes an acceptable balance that’s true to the original conception in the manga. The seams on the panties I don’t mind so much as they’re not the major erogenous focus of the figure (to me at least…).
>>Work_Ethic
Thanks for reminding me, I was intending to measure the other dimensions of the kit as well. I’ll get on that when I get home.
Awesome Shingo- thanx- but honestly Don’t Kill Yourself man. Relaxand worship the awesomeness that is Kanu.
=)
I knew it. 10/10 all the way. I’m sure my Toushirou worship makes that conclusion no surprise to Shingo, but never the less, I had to say it, and it’s true.
I take issue with some of the comments made about Kanu here in the “responses” section. Exactly what part of being chained up is going to make it easy for Kanu to look happy and brush her hair? Would some of you prefer she “put on a happy face” no matter how demented that would end up looking? Come on.
Anyway, excellent review Shingo and excellent figure Yamato! Can’t wait for mine… but I have too.
Shingo, I’m curious, who are your 3-5 favorite sculptors right now? I’m going with #1 TOUSHIROU! (of course), #2 REFLECT, #3 Sunny Day, #4 French Doll & #5 Takeshi Hamasaki. #3-#5 are basically always in flux, but I really think Toushirou & REFLECT are the best. Current honorable mentions to Zenko, Eiichi Ishida, OSIRIS, & Tanaka Senu.
how does the removing the die-cast(?) the shackles work?… detatchable hands or hingged clamps… I think more of the former….. Will get my answer as my copy maybe arriving tmrw.
>>the_pseudokings
Top 3-5 sculptors, hmm… that’s a tough one, hard to narrow it down. Off the top of my head I’d probably list:
Vispo
Toushirou
Ishiyama Satoshi
Cerberus Project (the entire group)
Heavy Gauge (the entire group)
Nakayama Eiji
Not necessarily in that order. Yeah, I’m cheating pretty badly here… I guess I don’t have one ironclad favorite sculptor, I tend to follow the themes and if an unknown talent sculpts something promising I’ll enjoy it regardless of prior exposure.
That said, I definitely have a “thing” for Vispo that may be similar to your taste for Toushirou. I like Mitsumasa (Reflect) a lot too, but he’s not quite prolific enough for me to swear fealty to him in the same way…
>>oopai power
The only metal parts of the kit are the chains and two curved bars that look a bit like partially bent staples. You have to hook them into holes in the shackles, it’s a bit tough but if you do it as instructed on the card that comes with the kit it’s not too bad.
Oh, you’re asking about the shackles themselves. They’re plastic, and each in two separate parts – they crack in half like an egg, and you just snug them around her wrists. Hope that makes sense, I can take a picture of the process if you’d like.
>>Shingo
Great choices, Vispo & Nakayama Eiji totally slipped by mind, but I agree they are absolutely top-tier. I understand your comment about Mitsumasa, but I just can’t get enough of his realism + signature style + basis art = final sculpt approach. With being a big Shunya Yamashita fan as well, their collaborative efforts and the fact that REFLECT reproduces Shunya’s art in 3D better than anyone also plays a big roll.
So where the hell is the Vispo Asuka w/Motorcyle PVC + Die-cast bike any-damn-way? When it eventually comes… the price tag will send otaku the world over into the couch cushions for every last penny or yen they can find.
This is epic. I would buy it in a heartbeat if I could but swallow my shame.
> Shingo
Regarding the face, I think it’s personal preference, not the pictures. I don’t really like having her face hidden by all the hair, and the face itself isn’t quite as Kanu-ish as I’ve gotten accustomed to.
The only reason I won’t be getting this, other than I can’t afford it, is the fact she can’t cover up, so it’s pointless me buying her, as I can’t buy a figure to never put her on display! How wrong is that? ^^ I don’t have a striking affinity with Kanu anyway, so not in my forseeable future.
(second try)… not sure why my little comment got a weird Japanese name that probably means “toilet paper boy”, but that bye bye 50 quid one was me… I’ve liked this one since I first saw it.
Oh my gawd. I’m happily married and I *still* want to go out and buy this Kanu. Simply Amazing.
Thanks, Shingo!
Got mine today after much inner debate. I for one am very very happy with the purchase. Thanx for the review and the pics.