This Alter figure set is based on a series of manga/anime title called Jinki:Extend. For those in the dark, the basic plot is as follows:

"Aoba Tsuzaki, a seemingly ordinary 13-year-old who loves robot models, is taken to a mysterious land where giant robots engage in deadly battles. Fascinated by the gigantic Moribito-2, Aoba meets its pilots, hotheaded Ryohei Ogawa and his gentle father, Genta. Aoba is a cognate, a human with special abilities to control the Moribito. Her talents and enthusiasm earn Aoba a berth in Angel, an elite team fighting the Ancient Jinki, "mechanical life-forms" that attack humans. These actions have been planned by Aoba's estranged mother Shizuka, who runs Angel." - Amazon.com

Packaging: The packaging is very nice and colorful and is reminiscent of the Gundam model packaging. The artwork is repeated on three sides and depicts the two characters while the top features photos of the product. The back is black with the anime series' name. The box features an opening front which lifts to reveal the figures inside, encased in a protective plastic shell.

Sculpting: The sculpting on Aoba is nice and clean. Alter captures her character likeness very well. The rips and tears in her costume deliver a battle-worn feeling and give the figure a semi-sexy look. She is sculpted slightly hunched over, one arm holding a wound on her shoulder. Her hair is wind-blown and she has a look of determination on her face, a look for which anime heroines are known. The base included with the figure is removable and the figure can stand without it.

The mecha Moribito is also well sculpted, especially considering it stands only 3 inches tall.

Paint: The paint application on Aoba is decent. She is painted in her purple and gray pilot uniform from the anime. Sadly, there are paint runs in various spots on her body. However, her face is picture perfect.

Moribito’s paint job is excellent. The mecha is done in shades of gray and blue with no slop whatsoever.

Articulation: Aoba is essentially a vinyl statue, so she features no articulation. Moribito, however, has articulation at the head, shoulder pads and arms and his hands are removable and interchangeable.

Accessories:Aoba includes the previously mentioned base only. The robo-soldier Moribito includes numerous hands: opened, fists, two hands which hold two blades (a sling blade and a boomerang-shaped blade) and a hand which holds a futuristic machine gun. He also includes two shields as well.

Cost & Overall Impression: This set should appeal to manga and anime fans as well as fans of amazing mecha. And not only do you get the hot anime babe, but you also get a cool mecha robot too.

Alas, not all collectors will dig this piece due to its size and cost. Even if the set is packing a beautiful PVC statue and a super-posable mecha figure with a ton of accessories, it's also packing a fairly high price tag of $89.99.

Fans of Jinki: Extend should have no problem dishing out the money as there are few collectibles for this anime and this will make a cool addition to their collection. Casual fans may want to look somewhere else...

by Michael Klein/Jeff Saylor

Photos by Michael Klein