When Studio Deen announced the return of a Rozen Maiden anime in 2013, some fans balked. What could be said or done to a franchise that deviated so far from its source material as to alienate not only trainspotters reluctant to jump aboard its notoriously messy continuity but the very audience that so rabidly devoured the series' initial run? What indeed? The original series catapulted legions of fans on both sides of the Prime Meridian into a moé subculture that still exists today and turned screencaps and image macros into an thinly-veiled ironic form of art. It stands as a cornerstone of the moé boom and one of the genre's biggest disappointments. Still, the anime industry knew us better than we did ourselves and many tuned in when the show returned for its Summer 2013 incarnation. Well, even before the anime began to impress naysayers with the splintered psycho-delica that the manga promised oh-so-many years ago I sat eager, paying almost as much attention to subtle deviations from canon as I did to search engine results and twitter feeds, promo shots and translated promises from the figure gods on high because I knew...
...more figures were coming.
And so I waited (and continue to wait). And so I placed a pre-order and waited some more and so the three-hundred and sixty-fourth entry in Good Smile Company's much-celebrated and often-derided Nendoroid line arrived one day around four.
Shinku arrives in a jardiniere fashioned after her signature suitcase davenport, a cherry mahogany brown with requisite helve affixed to the top. For those masochists reluctant to free their figures from the original packaging, the window box provides ample view of both maiden and aforementioned luggage.
Shinku's form is comely, balanced and definitively dainty - even in the super-deformation of a Nendoron visage. Maruhige and Nendo-san share sculpting duties for this release. Thankfully, we are rewarded by Maruhige's appearance here as Shinku does not suffer from the somewhat primitive globular proportions that plague Nendoron's early work. Her features make excellent use of negative space and fine accents around the eyes betray her personality with subtle mystery.
A closer look at Shinku's bow and the painting details accenting the gossamer ruffles of her dress will continue to reward her patron with the sublime delicacy of this figure. Her curlicue coiffure descends from her bonnet in tendrils like serpents in the garden.
Shinku's teacup and saucer are so fragile and elegant, you'd be afraid to drop one. There is a fantastic semi-gloss coat on each piece that remarkably approximates the look of fine china.
In this photograph we see the second of Shinku's four alternate faceplates, as well as the interior of her suitcase-bed. Her somewhat severe countenance gives way to a soft sleeping expression with eyes closed, lips pursed, and brow relaxed in resplendent slumber. The inner-suitcase is lined with a silky-rayon material atop a mold of Shinku's side that cradles her as she rests.
Shhhh... Do not disturb!
Uh-oh! Shinku's third faceplate is one of tacit annoyance, something to which Jun-kun can sorely attest.
In addition to four faceplates and a multitude of body parts for various positions, Shinku can be equipped for battle with an option part featuring her signature rose petal attack. This move corresponds well with her fourth and final aspect of fury.
Shinku's wind-up key is removable. She can be attached to the base by either the traditional Nendoroid apparatus or by resting on a transparent sawhorse that is mostly invisible once in place between her knees.
Given the exquisite attention to detail in the basic sculpt and overall production aesthetic, Shinku is one of the nicest additions to the Nendoroid line in recent history. She's also incredibly affordable considering the variety of option parts included and a bargain at the retail cost of 4,571 yen.
Shinku is available now at the following retailers:
Hobby Link Japan
Hobby Search
AmiAmi
Jungle
Big Bad Toy Store
Nippon-Yasan
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Are you going to hotglue it
ReplyDeleteThat is not recommended by the manufacturer.
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