S.H. Figuarts: SFV Chun Li

The Strongest Woman in the World! I came to the realization that despite how much Street Fighter has influenced my gaming and life/fandom in general, I have not spent a lot of my time with them (fanfictions, collecting, commissioning, etc). Ryu and Chun Li are well-known characters in the fandom world and I happen to like what Ryu stands for and love Chun Li. It kind of baffles me that this is my first review of a Chun Li related merchandise! Well, let's get on with the figure then.

S.H. Figuarts' box is as common in the realm of imports as they come. They're a delight and very styled to the theme/character they are interpreting. I enjoy and appreciate them since they do a lot by showing both the figure in a vanilla pose, all their accessories, and what the figure can possibly do through different forms of poses. Just as a random note, this is a SFV themed Chun Li. As I go through the review, I will point out how much it deviates from the said theme it is trying to go for.

Now right down to the figure, it is a beautiful piece. There are plenty of sculpting done here and everything they have put into this figure really does replicate as much as the Street Fighting beauty as it can. Chun Li, being one of the classics Video Game badass gal, surprisingly retained her conservative, but still sexy costume throughout the years (with some very sexy alternative outfits in recent SF addition, of course). Figuarts ensured that they got every bit of the essence that makes this costume recognizable. As one can see, the sculpt is spot on with her clothing and body shape.

Then, of course, the coloring and how well it just flows. Chun Li's colors are pretty distinct for the gaming/anime/fandom world. S.H. Figuarts translated that well and the mix of metallic and dull colors doesn't exactly shy away from making it look amazing. Nothing messy, there's shading where it really needs it. Her faces are pretty for the most part and they are also pretty consistent with each other. While it isn't the perfect every detail color job, I'd say it's pretty good though.

Chun Li's accessories aren't bad either. They're missing a few key signature things that would make this hit every point, but it's not totally bad and what lacks doesn't break the deal or anything like that. So let's talk about her faces first!

I've put them in order from how much I like them; top being my favorite and bottom my least. I just think there is something odd about the way she is 'yelling'.

And of course, what would Chun Li be without her famous 'lightning kick'? This accessory may have some minor issues, but it fits the bill. My main gripe is that it comes apart a little too easily. I found that I can take one of the 'lightning effect' and make it less 'kicks' (I guess, if that makes sense) to have some display options, but that doesn't really look that great or that different. It's cool and it works! I'm glad they added it, that's for sure. It also comes with a stand to make her stand with the effect.

To talk about accessories for a moment(or the lack of), I think Chun Li is really hurt without equipping her with her own stand. This is a figma stand I'm using. Also, Chun Li should have been given a "Kikoken" effect, which I think would have given this figure a little more depth. Still, it's just something I wanted to point out even if I did enjoy the picks I took of her.

Now as far as her range of movements, she's pretty good. I definitely enjoyed the photo shoot! I got some good shots with her, and I was able to recreate some of her more familiar poses. I know at times I do a terrible job really describing what articulation a figure has, but truthfully, if I say 'standard' for an import, anyone in this collecting game should know what I am talking about. All I have to say to summarize this is that I was able to get some of her recognizable poses on picture. Here:

What would have helped the cause for this move is maybe an alternate 'skrit' that allow sit to go with gravity.

And yes, these are one leg poses. I was able to put her on one feet with very little problem.

And here she is next to the only other Chun Li figure I have that is out of the box. Strange, I never bought her Bishoujo, her Playarts, or anyhting else when I consider myself to be a long time fan of the Strongest Woman in the World.

In conclusion, I'd say that this was a pretty awesome catch. I can finally say I have my first Chun Li figure on my collection that I truly did try and own without stumbling on it. For any casual SF fan, this is a good addition to your roster. Any die-hard fan of Chun Li must have this in their shrine. I know there is the "Storm" collection that is literally coming out with SFV figures and while I don't have the Storm version, I'd say that having both isn't a bad idea. If you have to choose, well, I can't say since I can only vouch for this one. But let me just say, having this, I don't have the urge to get the other one.

DC Designer: Ant Lucia's Harley Quinn

Harley Quinn is coming in all shapes in sizes in my collection! That's a fact! And now we have another unique take on the Joker's all too popular side kick! Bombshell themes are just as popular as your steampunk or your noir versions, and an alternate version of Harley in1940s sexy look! As for her action figure form... well let's take a look!

Not much excitement to the box, really. I don't think I'll be getting the other gals in this series anyways. So on to the figure itself!

I think it was during the turn of the Arkham Asylum game when Harley's sexualization really took flight! After that, overdrive is the word to describe her path. This lovely design is a good example of that and her action figure adaptation does her design justice! Sculpting is amazing! For the most part, the figure does a fine job distinguishing skin from clothing. I especially love the details of her jacket the most; definitely, makes it look like some top-gun-like material.

While it plays a theme to the whole 'bombshell' (while making her look sexy too), it still pays homage to the things that make Harley Quinn recognizable. Of course with that said, the paint is clean. No sloppy lines, nothing out of place, and a good indication of a clean paint job is the beauty in her face.

We all know that Harley Quinn has to be beautiful, but this one is lovely. She has a bit more of a mature face than I am used to, but it has that crazy but innocent smile. So she's sculpted with the right curves, the pretty face, the right color, and some provocative clothing... well, let's talk about her accessories.

A makeshift mallet. A cork gun. Some hands (a peace sign?). It's as good enough for a set of accessories. More could be desired, but this is good.

Her mallet is pretty cool for what it is. It's not a natural mallet but a barrel that she seemed to have made on her own. Her gun is a cork gun that we are used to seeing Harley carry.

As far as articulation goes, Harley can do some pretty good things to create some awesome shots. She's nimble when she has to be and I didn't have any problems getting her into poses that I thought was appropriate for Harley. One thing to note is that her hair is not articulated. In fact, I thought it was and glad I did not go through with that plan. It is too fragile and it barely hangs there that it might rip if accidentally pulled the wrong way.

If it's not obvious, I had a blast taking photos of this Harley. All of the pose that I wanted to put her in came out so well and natural.

And here's the Bombshell Harley in my new Harley Quinn shrine. Man, this is growing! And not to mention that I know I have 3 more on the way!

In conclusion, I love this figure. I love how she looks, her articulation, and the idea of her. It's definitely Harley Quinn with a bit of a blast to the past scheme! Stands out as a good figure within my growing ranks of Harleen. If anyone is thinking about buying her, do so with little worry about not getting a good figure as well as a an awesome Harley Quinn paraphernilia. 

Figma: Kiritsugu Emiya

Now, this is a figure I've had for a long time. Okay now that long, but it's a figure that has been looming to be reviewed for a while now! Kiritsugu Emiya is one of my favorite anime characters of all time! Having him in my collection as a Figma was Fate, zero exception! To review him is also a must so let's dive into it.

Figma still retains its signature box. Not much to really get into. Oh, there's a shameless promotion of Irisvel, as if she's really that interesting aside from an aesthetic point of view (figure wise, anyway. She's pretty cool as a character).

Out of the box, many might immediately get turned off by the obvious show of joints everywhere. For a character with a not-so-complicated design, his figure version should have a less conspicuous transition, right? Not so much. I'll be the first to admit that he isn't perfect aesthetically, but for what it is, it can work as long as he is given some dynamic poses. It is very easy to recognize Kiritsugu and that's what it matters the most when we are talking about aesthetics.

Coloring, there's not much to talk about really. He has a pretty somber palette of black, dark grey, grey, and brown. His skin tone is on point and that subtle red paint for his command seal is accurate so for that part I cannot complain. I will say that he falls a little flat on the details on his hair, but it's not something that deterred me.  Now Kiritsugu comes with 3 accurate faces, and we'll just jump on that immediately.

The first of the three is his smoking face. It comes with a tiny hole on his lip that you can put his cigarettes in. It's cool and all, but my main qualm is how freaking tiny those cigarettes are! I LOST ONE, mind you!

The next face is my least favorite. While it is Kiritsugu, it's his last moment 'out of character' face that only appears for about 4 seconds (akin to the latest Rin Tohsaka figure we have with those glasses).

Lastly, we have his angry/serious face that is all about Kiritsugu. Shame it is looking towards one direction so it is limited. Just saying it now, Kiritsugu's facial options are not great. Though the yare all consistent with the color of his eyes, the skin tone, and the emotion(for what they show) of Mr. Emiya from Fate Zero.

Now that we've covered the faces, it is time to just take an overall look at all his accessories. He has a decent amount, and it's nothing less from what we would expect from Figma, really. The standard hands, some guns, fire effects, those damn cigarettes, figure stand, and some unique 'hands in pocket' alternate arms that are adhering to the character's personality (which I'm glad they added!).

First, let's talk about his guns. I don't know all their names or anything, but I'll try. Of course, he has your standard 'mini-uzzi' handgun. I see him use it mostly as a 'distraction' tactic, and it did its job when dealing with mages more powerful than him. Pair that up with the special effect, and one can duplicate some memorable scenes with Kiritsugu.

Then this canon of a sniper gun! I don't remember the exact episode when he used this, but I'm glad they included this in his arsenal. I'm not going to pose him with it, but it's a nice touch.

Then there's this guy! This is his 'anti-magic' gun, I think. This is his most effective weapons against mages, and I'm glad they added this one; how can they not though? One can get some awesome badassery shots with this thing in hand! Also, one can recreate some awesome scenes! There is one more thing that is added with this gun that really gives this figure some poseability!

This gun has a small articulation and it can bend down. Kiritsugu, along with some standard hands(fist, open, relaxed, gun holding), also comes with 'load a bullet' hand, which, if paired up with this gun's articulation, can make some really dynamic scenes! Again, attention to the detail of the character! Great job, Figma!

And then we have the alternate arms! Position it right, and one can recreate some relaxed (or badass moments like I've already done) moments. Definitely, makes the idea of this long coat worth it! So as far as accessories go, I think they've done an awesome job putting some thought into Kiritsugu!

Now it's time to talk about Kiritsugu's articulation. It's good. He has what one expects out of Figma. With the added articulation in his coat, it can reimagine some dynamic scenes fron Fate Zero. Now I know Kiritsugu was a pretty athletic and nimble character; he had to be! He was hunting mages from all over the world! This figure can do most of what we saw Kiritsugu do in the anime. Don't expect him to do some Spider-Man stuff though! All I'm saying is, he can hold his guns well, his accessories that are unique to him worked, and I managed to get some really good shots with him! I had fun getting these pictures, that's for sure!

In conclusion, I think Kiritsugu lived up to the Figma idea. I got what I wanted and I was impressed, had fun, and satisfied. As a character I got really attached to, I think I can say that this is a pretty awesome representation of him. Fans of Fate Zero and Kiritsugu in general should have something to appreciate with this guy. Be warned, as most imports, he is a bit pricey. I was able to snag him when his price was 'decent' (with minor dings to the box). If one is willing to deal with the price range(s) and be okay with some REALLY tiny accessories, then it is Fate that you waste Zero time getting him!