REVIEW: FREEing ¼ Scale Mikuru Asahina Bunny Girl

All dressed up and no place to go...

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Mikuru Asahina is the first in the popular series of ¼ scale PVC figures based on the girls of “The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya”. These large pre-painted collectibles are a joint effort between FREEing and Good Smile Company and feature incredible detail and real fabric fishnet stockings.

Mikuru is one of the main characters from the popular anime “The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. The show, told from the viewpoint of a high school student named Kyon, centers around a young, unique girl named Haruhi Suzumiya, who is bored with life and constantly searchers for the interesting and bizarre. Through several series of events, she forms the SOS Brigade to search for aliens, time-travelers, and Espers (psychics). The members of the club, with Haruhi and Kyon, include Yuki (an alien), Mikuru (a time-traveler), and Koizumi (an Esper). The true identities of the club members are not know to Haruhi, nor is their intent to watch and study her. The belief is that Haruhi can alter, create and destroy the universe around her whenever she is bored or dissatisfied, so they are constantly attempting to keep her preoccupied and happy.

Packaging:

Mikuru is boxed in a large, full-color square shaped box. Unlike most anime figures, Mikuru does not have a large display window in the front of the package. Instead, each side of the box features two to three die-cut circular windows. These little portholes allow you to peek at the figure inside. The front actually has two heart-shaped die-cuts, while to top has one large round window. The color scheme of the package is shades of pink and salmon with a dot matrix design on all sides. Each side also features the Haruhi “H” logo and the Melancholy of Haruhi Suzimiya logo. Once you open the box, its evident that the box is much large than the figure, obviously to protect the fragile PVC. The figure itself is encased in a plastic shell and each of her parts is wrapped in plastic.

Sculpt:

This is one figure that is definitely meant to enjoy outside the box. Once you free Asahina-chan from her plastic prison, you can take in all the beauty of her figure..err..the figure. The first thing you will notice, besides the obvious, is the large size of the figure. Mikuru is ¼ scale, meaning she would be the same height as one of Sideshow Collectibles’ Premium Format figures if she was standing up. Mikuru has the typical shy and hesitant look on her face that she gets when Haruhi forces her to cosplay in a revealing outfit. This outfit would definitely be considered revealing.

She is dressed in a bunny outfit, complete with ears, a low-cut form-fitting bodysuit, a collar and bow tie and of course, a bushy tail. The outfit is sculpted to look like vinyl or leather and features all the wrinkles and seams you’d expect. The outfit really accentuates Mikuru’s more noticeable assets and adds to her feminine appeal. Her hair, while simple, looks beautiful with the various folds and layers sculpted in. One of the biggest details of the piece, however, is the inclusion of real netted stockings done in fabric. The effect is fantastic and adds to the realism (figuratively speaking) of this gorgeous anime girl.

Paint Application:

The paint application is what really brings the figure together and completes the look of this beautiful piece. Her outfit is accentuated by a stunning fire engine red paint job complete with a super glossy coat to give it a realistic shine. Her red hair has been airbrushed to give it some variation and depth. Her large eyes have been applied using transfers and really add to the cuteness and personality of Mikuru. One disappointment I have, which I almost need not mention, is that her skin has been cast in the appropriate color, with no added airbrushing or coloring. While normally these shading looks great and adds more depth to a figure, Mikuru doesn’t suffer from this absence.

Overall Impression:

Bunny Mikuru is one of the most beautiful and large anime figures I have the honor to own. Fans of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya will love this series of large-scale, scantily clad figures of the min female characters from the show. While the price is a bit higher than most anime figures, your paying for the quality and size, and this is a series of figures worth investing in. You can find Mikuru Asahina and several of her friends in-stock now at HobbyLink Japan! Click HERE to order yours today!

For even more anime collectibles visit HobbyLinkJapan.com! And for more photos of the Bunny Mikuru, visit the gallery below.

Review and Photos by Michael Klein

Review Sample Courtesy of HobbyLinkJapan.com

FREEing 1/4 Scale Bunny Mikuru Asahina Gallery