BBTS occasionally has deep discounts of random figures, and I've benefitted from this before. I haven't seen anything for 2024 yet, but fingers crossed it comes back.
While most of the stuff I can easily pass on, Japanese figures generally cause me to stop and at least consider, and when its a Figma, well its always better than if I had bought it from Japan. Such is how I ended up buying a Figma 527:Armour Modelling - Ange figure.
So I remember passing on this set when it was first solicited. This is one of the figures that results when Goodsmile Company gets a bit creative with the licensing efforts. This figure, along with her companion Lanna, are the Plastic Angels, a pair of designs that was created by none other than Shunya Yamashita, the artist who I swear basically works full time at Kotobukiya these days. These characters are featured in a designated column in the modelling magazine Armour Modelling.
These two figures are two Bishoujo designs that aim to promote the hobby of model making, and if you look at the various accessories these two come with, that should be apparent.
1 x Main Figure
3 x Faceplates (Neutral, Smiling, Side Eye)
2 x Arms
9 x Posing/Gripping Hands
1 x Desk
1 x Chair
1 x Hobby Knife
1 x Paint Brush
1 x Giant Airbrush
1 x Pug "Mogu Kun"
Clearly not a very combat oriented set, and thematically everything makes sense except for the random addition of the Pug. Maybe it's a mascot or something.
You can see the Shunya Yamashita influence in the character design, though the Figma production probably makes Ange a bit less thicc than she actually is. Both Arnge and Lanna feature a very similar design, specifically that she looks modestly dressed but swapping out for something a bit more comfortable is expected. To that end, the sculpting of the outfit components is pretty typical for a rock solid Figma release as are the underlying curves.
Besides, the extra bulk really hampers my posing game.
The head and faceplates are probably more recognizable as being from the artist, though the eyes opened ones more so. Hair certainly has that whimsical Shunya Yamashita feel to it, though typically the faces feature a bit more presence when it comes to the cheeks. Goggles make Ange absolutely freaking adorable.
Having a desk and chair for a modelling based character makes perfect sense, and there aren't too many sets out there that actually come with it. The unfortunate part, however is that, slight spoilers, they didn't give the figure the pull down hips needed t properly sit in the thing.
Articulation with the top on is pretty much what you're expecting. It's not terrible, but it certainly is limited in comparison to what the figure can actually do if unencumbered. The funny part is that she's technically not really wearing a coat - it's more like a very snug cape and a pair of sleeves.
Removing the extra bulk and swapping the arms, you're basically left with your typical Figma swimsuit figure in terms of looks and proportions. While unfortunately there are no pull down hips, Ange does have a ball joint where the abdomen meets the waist section, which not only gives waist articulation, but also a slight amount of back arch and ab crunch. So you're not able to get Ange to sit particularly well, but for fans of the S Curve, this figure can meet those needs.
Paint Application wise, there's nothing particularly bad about this figure. On the contrary, it's just a nicely painted figure in all its whimsy. Masking work is nicely completed and no major paint overspray noted. Paint applications are nice and smooth, this of courses extends to both the work on the figure as well as the work on the accessories.
Unsurprisingly, Build Quality is not really an issue either. The body and joints being well made isn't surprising, as it's all they really do. But it's also good to note that the parts of the desk and chair assemble effortlessly, and more importantly, disassemble effortlessly as well. My biggest beef, however, is how annoying it is to get those smaller accessories into the designated hand.
Truly a pain in the ass.
Overall, the set is pretty solid, and offers quite a few display options and posing capabilities. I feel it is the lack of license awareness coupled with the higher than average pricing that probably made this particular figure not sell. It's not that the set is bad, it's more that because the set can kind of do everything decently but doesn't excel at any particular aspect, nor is it from any hot property.
For Full Gallery, please visit:
Comments