We begin catching up on our figure review backlog today with a look at Max Factory’s Shiranui Mai, released last month just before Wonder Festival. Back in March I dubbed this kit the most anticipated bishoujo figure release of summer 2007, and while so many other nice kits have been released in the interim it’s hard to unequivocally maintain that claim, she’s certainly a strong candidate for a lot of “bests”.
Original Design: Nishimura Kinu
Sculptor: Hamasaki Takeshi (濱崎剛)
Source: Garou Densetsu 2 (Fatal Fury 2)
Scale: 1/6 (30 cm tall)
Materials: PVC
Release Date: August 11, 2007
Production: Max Factory
Price: 7,800 JPY (tax included)
Current Availability: [KNC] [HLJ] [HS] [TL]
Support HD!: [PA]
Ye gods and goddesses, where to start… how about at the kit’s weakest point, and move up from there. I’d say the least best aspect of this kit is the pose, especially compared with that of Aizu Project’s version. This isn’t to say it’s a bad pose; it’s nice in a coy, “I’m posing for a picture and flaunting my assets” way, very photogenic and fun to look at but lacking in the dynamism that would otherwise characterize a girl from a fighting game.
Even with the somewhat deliberate pose taken into account this is truly an epic kit. Max factory succeeds at the 1/6 scale where very few other makers can compete, maintaining a uniformly high standard of production quality in all aspects, from the paint job and choice of plastics to the detail work, trim, and shading. There are no significant defects in evidence other than a very minor marker blemish above the red ball on her sash.
Regarding the artistry that went into the kit, I’m incredibly partial to the work of Nishimura Kinu (especially her Overman King Gainer designs), and I have to say this is the most attractive version of Mai I’ve seen. Half of the credit for that is due to the work of sculpter Hamasaki Takeshi, who according to an Amiami search seems to be a Max Factory insider who’s only done bishoujo work on the other figures in the Kinu Capcom girls series. Based on this installment I hope we get to see more from him soon.
While not quite as iconic as Max Factory’s Kasumi was when she came out, this is a very solid item indeed and one that I think will stand the test of time as a hallmark of quality bishoujo figure production.
Overall Score: 9.5/10
+ superb sculptural rendering of a beautiful illustration
+ excellent paint job, detail work, use of materials
+masterful use of shading brings the kit allive
o deliberate pose lacks fighting game spirit
– marker blemish on the sash
Great news for those thinking of picking her up: while the August release round is now sold out, she’s still available for preorder in her November reissue! There’s no telling how long the preorder will be open, so decisive action is advised. :3
I have to agree this figure deserves a lot of positive superlatives, she was my most anticipated one this year ^^ The incredibly pretty facial styling is my favourite one on a figure yet so I snapped her up during the first run.
which color is better? red or purple? and are they even going to release that color?
nice work with the review sir.
but i like this pose over the other one personally.
makes me what it even more haha.
This figure is wonderful.
>>byaku-chan
Agreed, I think her face is quite exceptional. :3 I hope Max decides to continue this Kinu/Hamasaki lineup, it can only mean good things ahead.
>>fake
The purple was a Wonder Festival limited edition release, red is the standard edition release. I think the poses of both recent Mai figures have their merits, and soon we’ll have a third contender when Daiki coughs up their plans to put out the Cobra-Kai version…
>>lu-k
Heartily agreed!
Thanks again, Shingo, for keeping us posted on this fig. I would still be kicking myself if I’d missed out on it.
You are, however, to blame for the savagery this new obsession will wreak on my finances for the foreseeable future…
>>lostdog
I’m happy to hear that the info is of use to you! In the interest of full disclosure though I should say that my secret mission is recruitment for the Threadbare Wallet Army (Perhaps Including a Moth). Join our ranks, it’s full of pretty PVC over here (and very, very light on cash).
I don’t have this figure but many of my friends do and I must say it’s very well made and there are hardly any flaws that I could see. The reason I didn’t get it was because the image of her is just not what I think of when I think of Mai. I personally prefer Aizu Project’s Mai but that doesn’t mean Max Factory’s Mai isn’t impressive because it is.
Much thanks for the great review and pictures though!
I remember I was going to buy this when it came out, but something about it just turned me off, I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.
I still can’t figure out why I just don’t like this one.
I just picked up the Aizu Project’s resin version, and I definitely agree that pose is more dynamic and attractive, but in terms of production quality, this Max Factory’s version seems like much better. Now I’ll have to buy this one too :)
BTW, does anyone knows who created the design for Mai back in the SNK days? Eiji Shiroi or Shinkirou? After seeing this Kinu’s version, I have to say she did a better job than the other artists.
I really REALLY love her face- very alive and playful, but not in a generic sort of way. I love the shots of this one and Kasumi together- I got lucky and snagged a Kaumi off of Amazon a while back and haven’t regretted it since.
Gonna have to look around for this one now too.
>>Shingo is Cobra-Kai putting out a Mai figure ar are you talking about the chained Kanu from Ikkitousen?
Thanx for the review.
>>Work_Ethic
If you’re looking around for Mai, why not check out Play Asia’s listing? :D
Daiki Kougyou is putting out Cobra-Kai‘s Mai kit in PVC, as we reported in this post. According to the advertisement she’s scheduled for November release, but given that we haven’t seen an official presence on Daiki’s site yet I’m guessing that will be revised to a later date.
Ohhhhhh- that’s gonna be the Cabra Kai kit?? I love the resin of that model- but haven’t taken the plunge yet…but if she comes out in PVC…..I will definetly have to.
I am going to get Mai from Play Asia- thanx for the link- is there a chance to say I came from this site when ordering her or should I pop them an email when I get the order confirmation?
Sorry to keep pestering you with questions!!
:P :P :)
Clicking on this link should automatically let them know that you’re accessing the page from HD.
And yeah, I’m looking forward to the PVC version of Cobra Kai’s Mai as well! I hope Daiki puts their listing up soon.
I ache for the Cobra Kai Mai… I don’t mean to be contentious, but I think the Cobrai Kai Mai looks way more exciting…
By the way, this is my first comment here, but I am an obsessive viewer of the site. As far as I’m concerned, there is no real competition for this place for figure news. Shingo and co., you out-class your peers. I lust……
>>Hinsoog
I very much appreciate your stopping by and hope we continue to live up to our lusty reputation in the future. :3
Cobra’s Mai is great, and from the pictures looks to be castoffable… I can’t think of any precedent for Capcom allowing that in their figures, but it would be a wonderful treat if the feature is left intact in Daiki’s version.
I am even more glad that I got in on the second batch then! I await her greedily when she’s coming to me! ^^
just thought i should mention, since you noted that you werent a mai fan, her pose for this figure is pretty much a variation on most of her win/taunt poses. in fact im reasonably sure i could find a sprite rip of this exact pose if i looked hard enough.
Sigh…..I have no will power….I just got her from PA. Along with the Plug/Fight Issupta Chan (I soooooo messed that up) figure that you reviewed a few months ago.
>>hageshiku
Oho, I’d be curious to see that. Do you suppose the Kinu illustration is based on that sprit artwork as well, then?
>>Work_Ethic
I know the feeling… Mai is hard to resist, and you need Plug to balance her out in the chest area, right? <_<;;
my version of mugen doesnt have a complete mai apparently, she only has 1 intro/win pose. i snapped some shots that were close-ish. im almost positive the figure pose is one of her pre-fight poses though. i’d wager nishimura has at least played the game and drawn the pose from memory if it isnt directly based on a sprite.
http://hageshiku.com/mai1.jpg
http://hageshiku.com/mai2.jpg
>>hageshiku
Thanks for going to the trouble of digging those up! I see what you mean, the Nishimura illustration does seem to take influence from those poses. Given that she’s to at least some degree officially affiliated with Capcom I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s done work on Mai’s designs for a tangential product if not the main KOF game lineage.
Hahahahahah!! Kinda sorta yeah- One of the more attractive qualities of the Plug Girl Chan is that she is pretty small in the chest area- It makes the figure more all around attractive to me.
Much like how I first loved the face of the Shiranui Mai figure, it was the face of the Plug Girl Chan that I loved first- the rest of her was just icing. Plus the fact she can easily be covered up when the eyes of small children are around just helps.
I got mine today at least, and I confirm all the good words you said about her, she’s wonderful !
i got mine also today, but why in the hell that her suit is orange instead of red ?
the outfit looks more orange on mine too [shouldn’t it be red?!}. are they all like this? it seems to be the only complaint i have on an otherwise perfect figure!