Hunting the Elusive

This much anticipated figure is widely (and rightly) regarded as one of two must-get figures for the second-half of 2009, if not for the whole year – the other being the up and coming Black Rock Shooter PVC. While this figure was supposedly available at stores from mid-September, certain issues meant online stores such as Hobby Search did not get stock until later, so I only received this figure today (or yesterday). I should note that this figure was delayed one or two times due to production problems with quality and such. But generally I’m happy to wait for a perfected figure rather than risk a half-arsed job, so kudos to Good Smile Company for doing the right thing. [Pixels on Pireze Gallery]

Saber Lily –Distant Avalon- is a 1/7 fixed posed PVC figure, sculpted by Takayuki Kawahara, costing 8867 yen (excluding shipment). Obviously, figures are quite expensive, and this price is on the upper range of average for a new figure – the second hand market is still developing, but with the initial shipment seemingly sold out at many outlets, my hunch is slightly inflated prices for the near future.

Hobby Search packed my figure in a huge box, but the actual item is more of an average sized box when you get to it. It’s a 1/7 scale figure, so we’re not expecting compact, especially given the pose.

It is quite obvious from the packaging that GSC looks on this figure as a very high quality product. Unlike the solid colours of most other figure packaging, this one has foil, and the backing for the figure is a minimalist shiny silver with the Fate/Unlimited Codes logo in black. Almost reminds me of the gaudy boxes they put motherboard in.

The figure is packed between two bubble enclosures, as per normal. However, the enclosures are held together not just by tape, but also by a wire cinching the figure’s waist.

This is actually the first figure I have seen with bubble wrap directly packed in with the item.

The wire can be a bit niggly to get out. When you are done with the one at the waist, two more await you, each securing a foot. Be careful when undoing those, as the figure will tip out of the enclosure if you loosen the wires enough. Unless you have somehow situated yourself under the enclosure, I advise unpacking the figure on a bed or someplace soft.

This is the figure, as is, just out of the box. Note that the figure comes with a number of accessories: an extra hand, Caliburn, Avalon (sheath) and Excalibur. I have decided to use a default arrangement with the Caliburn-Excalibur combination.

The extra hand has a transparent plastic piece which extends out of it, allowing Avalon to be fitted on. This works to make it look like Avalon is floating in the air, but only when viewing the figure from certain angles.

The swords are fairly detailed, and microsculpted in their own right. Both the swords and Avalon have the little scribbly things on them. I just prefer Caliburn because of its lower profile, greater detail, and the fact that I have seen Excalibur so many times already from previous Saber figures.

Saber Lily is a fairly popular version of the character, due to the nice armour, great colour scheme (white/cream), the slightly more princess-ish costume, and of course, the fact that the costume reveals Saber’s shoulders and armpits.

When I look at figures (just like when I look at art, girls, etc), I put a lot of priority on the face. If the face looks wrong, then it ruins the entire impression. Happily, GSC has done a great job with this figure, with the face looking great and in-character from various angles, the expression a stern one as befitting the attack pose.

I should note however, that like many figures, this one should be appreciated at equal level to the face/torso. Looking on it from an elevated angle is not optimal. Additionally, lighting should also be fairly level – at certain angles, the light will cause the shadow of a hair cluster to fall below the figure’s left eye, making the face look overly sharp.

Yes, you can combine the two below and make a self-combative wide-screen wallpaper.

The reason I bought this figure as opposed to the upcoming Saber Lily by Alter was predominantly because of the pose (well, and the face, and the chrome armour, etc).

Long-time followers of this blog might know that I love figures with dynamic poses. This passion is about equal with the loathing I have for figures which just have the character standing in a static straight pose.

Well, this figure has that dynamic pose, and really the look which promised quality. As depicted on the figure, Saber is drawing back her sword for a strike, while calling on Avalon (defensive Noble Phantasm), which is flying to her left hand.

As is visible from the overview of the figure, the costume is seen to fly out in all directions, as befitting a spinning attack. The figure’s legs are also placed in a very stable and low stance. This reduces the height profile of the figure, providing a wide base for balance. This, together with the weight of the skirts, means the figure is not at risk of toppling, as long as it is kept on the base.

The costume is delightfully layered and detailed. We have the chest piece over the corset-like top, more shiny armour, under which is a translucent layer, followed by the cream-coloured fabric with black trimmings. The dynamic pose naturally introduces a number of folds in the cloth, which is sculpted beautifully.

As mentioned before, shoulders and armpits are a big draw for the character, and GSC knows this, capitalising on both sides of Saber Lily’s torso.

The back is not bad either. The skin tone used for this figure is very nice, and the plastic used for it is standard high grade fine matte, making it a cinch to avoid ugly shiny patches which you get with lower grade figures.

Here are more details of the head and face. The hair also sees movement from the pose, framing Saber’s face, and her pony-tail flies out a bit.

Don’t know why I seem to like bisecting the figures’ faces on the sides of pictures.

Looks great from the side too – this really looks like she is attacking forwards.

Detail of hair and ribbons on back of the head.

Let’s have a look at the base.

The figure will not stand by itself. The feet need to be fitted onto the spokes on the base, but the base itself is not just some piece of plastic. It is very detailed, based on a checkered tile floor of black and white marble.

It is not depicted in the pictures, but where Saber’s right feet is, presumably the point where the character is exerting the most force, the flooring splits to reveal the dust and dirt below. It’s a very convincing way to enhance the impression of an offensive pose.

And of course I love the Fate/Unlimited Codes sign which is embedded in the base. It looks metal, but it is actually plastic. GSC seems to have perfected the way of making plastic look like metal.

More shots from different elevations, to complete this review.

 

Remember, if you wish to get larger versions of these figure review pictures, check out the Pixels gallery.

17 comments