Mirei-san is the third Yamashita Shunya-designed original figure to be released in Kotobukiya’s shop-limited Art of Yamashita Shunya series (we reviewed the first, Sela-chan, back in February of 2006). Sculpting duty was handed to in-house Kotobukiya veteran Otsuyama Houjun this time, known for competent craftsmanship if not particularly inspired work in the past; under the guidance of Yamashita’s solid designs he has produced here what may be his best kit yet, but is it good enough to justify the already steep Kotobukiya-limited price and proxy import fees? You decide…
Original Design: Yamashita Shunya
Sculptor: Otsuyama Houjun (Amiami search)
Source: Original (design illustration)
Scale: 1/7 (19 cm tall)
Materials: PVC, ABS
Release Date: Mid-April, 2007
Production: Kotobukiya
Price: 7,350 JPY (tax included)
Current Availability: Kotobukiya Shop limited (no international shipping)
Kit Variations: Kansai version
The Good
- While any sculptor’s creative role in this figure series is subservient to Yamashita’s designs, Otsuyama has done a very nice job indeed of rendering the vision of the original in three dimensions. It’s hard to imagine the figure looking significantly different than it does, and that’s no small feat.
Yamashita Shunya’s original Mirei-san design
- Kotobukiya’s generally above-par manufacturing quality is in evidence here, with subtle shading on the hair and clothing that really lends vibrancy to the sculpt. There are no flagrantly offending seams or mold lines visible (other than on the top of the head, forgiven due to the hair being replaceable).
The Adequate
- From a few vantage points the figure looks disturbingly doll-like. It’s a quality that’s hard to pin down, but has something to do with a stiffness of posture and narrowness of gaze… oh, and the floating arm doesn’t help either. While I always like the options granted by replacement parts I would have preferred that the arm sculpt fit more snugly against her thigh.
The Ugly
- The price and limited availability are the real one-two punch that lowers her from a solid purchasing decision to more iffy territory; if you want this kit you have no choice but to pay Kotobukiya retail, and 7,350 yen is asking too much. A release on the open market would benefit everyone involved.
Overall Score: 8/10
This is a good kit, no question; Yamashita Shunya’s prodigal design ability manifests well with Otsuyama as a channel, and everything about it speaks to a professional job well done. That said, it lacks the certain plus alpha that inspires insatiable lust in me as a figure collector, and coupled with the high price and limited availability I would recommend it only to ardent Yamashita fans and those with a lot of ready cash to burn.
Omake
Yoshida Yuri cosplays as Mirei-san on Act On TV’s Figure Oukoku (courtesy of the official Kotobukiya blog):
Darn, I should have done the bending-over-the-chair photos too.
Perhaps you could use the same technique for straightening leaning PVC figures to correct the arm and get it to rest on the thigh. Heat the area you want to bend (carefully of course), reposition it and hold under cold running water to set the position.
can’t wait for mine to arrive, can’t WAIT!!!!!
While I would love to have her, the price falls into the too ‘rich for my blood’ category.
Hi,
what strange is the retail price of this one in USA is 34$! I found it in most web shops beetwen 34-36$. and today even on eBay, some US PowerSeller, have it for $34.99.
Its a long way from 7500y (61$).
Strange
That’s I bought mine Benny. I paid $35US & $10US shipping from a e-bay seller I trust . . . .
This is a lovely figure, but the combo of being store-only and the price puts it out of my hands.
I’m also running out of places to put my figures. OTL
[…] what would a rollup be without a couple of reviews from my friends? Shingo pulled together Mirei-san and Sawatari Izumi. And Han-o-licious put forth effort… masturbatory effort… with his […]
I wish she came with the glasses that Yamashita Shunya drew her with and not the pen….
I like girls with glasses……
But- eh, I’m seriously debating getting this and the Shii one.
I have too much stuff.
:P
I love that figurine. Great face, great body! Yum!
Gotta say, I got this beauty and she was definetly worth it!! She looks uber sexy to me when I put the shoe in her hand and put the extra pair of glasses on her that came with Shii.
Anyhow- not regretting either purchase!
:P
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Mirei-san looks incredible with the second pair of glasses from Yamashita’s Shii Arisugawa figure. I was very disappointed she didn’t come with her own pair.
haha i know this is old and nobody will probably see this, but I just had to comment on this…
in the last pic with Tessa there with Mirei, it looks like she is lettin a fart out… lol