Those things said, I am much happier with the figure on a whole than Shingo was. On his grading scale I’d give it at least an 8 or 8.5, and on my scale, much higher (I go with a 1/10 point increment scale, aka 0.1-10, and work down from 10 based on a variety of factors, most of all the ‘feel’ of the kit). I personally love the hyper-glossy stockings as they have great visual impact, and give a sense of transparency that stockings should have and often don’t in figure form. Secondly, the choice to go with a pearl white over a standard gloss or matte, I also find quite pleasing. I also think it’s worth pointing out that the stings on her eyepatch are strings, not paint. That impressed me, as I was not expecting it. Handcuffs look quite good too.

As far as the body proportions/musculature issue goes, I don’t care whatsoever, as long as they look good. Artists get to draw however they like, so I believe that sculptors should be afforded the same artistic license. Are her legs too long? Sure. Is her head too big? Sure. So are her hands. I’m gonna bet there are quite a few Mogudan fans that read HD, and none of them would want his work translated to 3D/figure(s) in a more proportionately accurate fashion. It’s not like a sculpt that has been famous for 4 years (and that I’ve always prayed would make PVC) should really surprise you with how long-legged it is. This all reminds me of the work of US comic artist/painter Alex Ross. His photorealistic style is amazing, but… it always leaves me a little cold, as I can’t help but stop seeing a superhero, and start seeing a guy in a suit. The accuracy is stunning and admirable, but I’d rather see Mike Choi, whose work has a wonderful sense of realism, without going so far as to be ‘too real’. For Japanese artists, I’d sight Shinkiro and Soroyama. Artists with the capacity to do photorealism, but the artistic leaning to ’round the edges off’ to make it ‘better than real’. Everyone’s gonna have there own take on this I realize, but I personally don’t care that French Doll’s Ryomou is too tall, or Toushirou’s Mai shouldn’t really be able to lean like that or whatever, it’s art, not anatomy class.

I want to make clear that no disrespect is intended toward Shingo or anyone else with my comments. I’m just making a bit of a counter-point to the review (though I mean every word of it, it’s not just for counter-point sake) and some of the other prevailing wisdom that I’ve noticed as an avid HD reader.

One last note, the US retail on this figure was one of the best (relative to Yen Price) in quite a while, so I got an excellent deal ($53.35 before quite reasonable shipping). I suppose it’s possible that if my reality was 7800yen + ship, I’d have been slightly less pleased with her. Though I doubt it, I’ve always liked this look/wanted this figure, and if this is the form I can get it in, it beats the hell out of just continuing to forever want it.