So back in January or so, I got my first BuzzMOD figure, 2B from Nier: Automata. The thing is that, that one I just kind of ordered on a whim because she had a very nice ass. I'd heard people talk ages about how good the Demon Slayer stuff was for months before I actually preordered my actual first figure, Yoko Littner from Gurren Lagaan. I adore the character design, and the much older Revoltech version was really well executed, and for the most part could still hold up to modern standards. I figured this was an opportunity to actually get one that IS made with modern standards. I didn't make the preorder for Japan, but I did get mine from the general Asian market, and sometime in July 2024, she shipped out to me.
So to refresh memories, BuzzMOD produces 1/12 scale (ish.. I say that because nobody actually measures) using a modern jointed body with some Soft Good elements. Unlike Mezco, this means that the figures don't have full fabric outfits, but rather feature fabric parts where it makes the most sense.. mostly. Our Sniper/School Teacher comes with fabric leggings, which is fine, but as others have mentioned it wouldn't have hurt to have a fabric scarf as well.
These figures generally cost more than even the Mafex figures, even their super fancy ones. Also, maybe I just have really good taste but it seems that every one of these releases I look at is a Limited Edition of some sort, which of course further makes the price even worse.
Per the US website (because I can't remember), the MSRP on this set is $105 USD, and I certainly recall something like 13,000 Yen or so so this more or less lines up. The accessory count is decent, but I don't think any of the sets are particularly geared towards the Value Proposition crowd:
1 x Main Figure w/Fabric Leggings
6 x Posing/Gripping Hands
1 x Alternate Chest Piece
5 x Face Plates (Neutral, Neutral Eyes Right, Happy, Skeptical, Shouting)
1 x Bangs w/Goggles
1 x Sniper Rifle
1 x Rifle Muzzle w/Blast Effect
1 x Relaxed Rifle Strap
1 x Stretch Rifle Strap
Compared to the Revoltech figure, this version is more humanoid - I mean in in the sense the head was a tad big and that things were generally more rounded, which isn't a bad thing but this version does look a bit more balanced - perhaps this was a conscious choice to follow a non anime art style. Perhaps there was some new media released that I'm unaware of. She's still got her trademark Skull barrette and the chopsticks in her hair. Musculature seems appropriate. Colours are nice and bright. The fabric leggings aren't bad. They behave as you'd expect them to, it's just that from a functionality perspective, it's not like the difference that the fabric skirt on 2B had. compared to the Figuarts release.
Overall, things are looking good..
Here's all the other face plates and yea, they're well executed. Ever since I watched that video that explained Anime characters were designed with cats in mind, that's kind of what I look for in my display options. Expressions are great, and fit the character nicely. Actual sculpting work is bang on.
Goggles are a translucent Orange, as they ought to be. They work with all the faces - I just got lazy and slapped it on whatever was the first face I found.
You may recall above that there was an alternative chest piece, but probably not sure why. The answer is quite simple. Yoko is a well endowed lady, and she needs a chest piece with her breasts pressed together so the figure can actually get some sort of cross arm action into play.
Articulation wise, very much Above Average. It's pretty much what 2B can do, but that figure has better hip movement due to the floating crotch piece, or at least it has easier to access hip movement. 2B had additional ball joints where her leggings and thigh met, and on this figure it's actually at the Calf and Boot. The purpose is the same, however, and that is to give a bit more let articulation for posing purposes. The fixed crotch piece also makes accessing the back arch/ab crunch a bit more challenging and can impede range of motion, but as photos show it is there. Otherwise, you get those double jointed shoulders like with Revoltech figures and pretty good head tilt. The pony tail does make balancing a bit challenging, but it's not impossible.
Introduction of the Sniper Rifle doesn't interfere with the posing options, and you can get a decent prone shooting pose, though a bit more head tilt is needed to perfect it.
Paint Applications are sharp, easily at Figma level, if not better. There's a bit more variety on Yoko than on 2B, so the quality of the work is easier to see. Flame decals look sharp, even smaller paint apps such as on the belt and the barrette are crisp. The faces clearly were well done. Flesh tone is generally unpainted plastic except for the fingers, which is where we see some slight loos quality, likely due to the number of layers or the consistency of the paint itself.
Build Quality wise, I have a beef with this figure, but it's the weirdest possible place. So that eliminates the usuals - bad quality, poor finishes, and so on. That stuff is nicely done, though I would like the wrist pegs to grip the hands a bit better. My issue with this figure is on the relaxed Rifle strap. You connect it by removing the Stock and the Barrel and connecting the Strap. The issue is that the thing is like 2 mm too short and to get it on you really need to pull on it so it stretches, which is easier said than done, and of course, raises concerns from a longevity perspective.
This is certainly a nicely done figure that provides some good options for owners to customize their display with. Articulation is enough for you to really experiment with, and the production values are sharp. It is worth the premium over more typical figures? Well, if you're a Demon Slayer fan, apparently not, as there was a mass exodus of owners when the better equipped Figma came out. However, if all you're worried about is quality of the final product, well then rest assured that BuzzMOD is not likely to disappoint.
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