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Kotobukiya Marvel Bishoujo - X-23
Anime-inspired cutie with a body to die for...
The Marvel Bishoujo X-23 Statue is in-stock through Kotobukiya priced at $59.99.
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Laura Kinney, codename X-23, was originally created as a character for the X-men: Evolution animated series and her popularity led to her being brought into the actual Marvel comic universe shortly. A clone of Wolverine, the young girl was trained to be an assassin, but was later rehabilitated and invited to fight alongside the X-men and eventually X-force. She shares a mutant ability to heal just like Wolverine, but has only two adamantium claws on each hand, while her third is in each foot and she lacks a fully adamantium skeleton. X-23 is the latest in a line that has grown to include more than a dozen Marvel heroines re-imagined into cute, anime-inspired beauties as part of Kotobukiya’s Marvel Bishoujo figure line, based on designs by popular illustrator Shunya Yamashita.
X-23 comes packaged in a full-color display box with windows to view the figure on the top, side, and front. The box is overall white with Shunya Yamashita’s beautiful artwork gracing the packaging on all sides. The back features images of the enclosed figure with a short bio on the character. Inside, the figure is set against a purple backdrop and is protected by a form-fitting clamshell.
Kotobukiya sculptor Takashi Tsukada translates Shunya’s artwork to figure form, putting his own spin on the illustrator’s work. X-23 is posed crouching down on one knee, with claws unsheathed and at the ready as her hair blows in the wind. She comes in at around 6 inches tall (1/7 scale), although she appears much bigger in scale than many of the characters in the Bishoujo line.
The sculpting of the figure looks fantastic and really captures the style of Shunya’s art. Her female form is a highlight of the piece, accentuating the curves of her figure and her hardened muscle tone. The sleekness of her costume works to further accentuate her form with smaller details such as her chain link belt with blue “jewel” and medallion necklace finishing the look. Her boots are a stark contrast to the rest of the figures offering a more rugged, Goth look with the addition of a tiny skull on the front of the toe. Her face is slightly off from Shunya’s original illustration, different but just as cute with more of a porcelain doll quality to it. I particularly like the subtle little sideways smile that they picked up on from the artwork.
The paint apps are great overall with around 3 - 4 colors used and no visible paint flaws or bleeding. Airbrushing was used to accentuate her muscles and curves of the skin but is a little heavy in places, particularly on her inner elbow and under her eyes.
Overall, while X-23 continues the fine tradition of the Marvel Bishoujo series, she is probably one of the better additions to the line and one of my favorites overall. They took a character that is often portrayed as being a little more rugged and made her very cute and soft looking which is sure to please her many fans out there. The Bishoujo Marvel X-23 is available now from Kotobukiya!
Review & Photos by Michael Klein
Review Sample Courtesy of Kotobukiya
