Today we will take a look at the Gotou Matabei – Kenki version figure from ALTER, which was released in January 2016. She is scaled 1/8 and Takahashi Tsuyoshi was the sculptor in charge, he already made a figure of Gotou Matabei in 2011, which was a Hobby Japan exclusive.

Hyakka Ryouran was a rather hot and popular thing among figure interested people, even before the anime started to air it’s first episodes.  ALTER and the sculptors created some really spectacular figures, of visually attractive and fashionable dressed samurai girls.

On a sidenote, with Hattori Hanzo, my first Hyakka Ryouran figure I started to review figures.

The animes of Hyakka Ryouran were no masterpieces, but the interesting artstyle and the extremely likeable cast and their amusing interactions made it very entertaining for me.

In 2013 another lineup of figures from Hyakka Ryouran Samurai Bride appeared, although the latest figure adaptions recently subjectively got less attention, but that also might to do with the number of active figure reviewers these days, yes I’m looking at exactly you XD.

Gotou Matabei was a well thought out purchase, in fact it took so long, that I was lucky that the figure was still available after the release date, apparently she’s still in stock here.

Despite her size Gotou Matabei was a very silent character in the anime, but always loyal and supporting as guardian of Sanada Yukimura and member of the group.

Matabei has a pretty ponytail, the hairstyle is nicely done, it’s very detailed and shows a good sense of motion. Her anime hair color is silver blue, but someone decided to make it purple since her first figure adaption. Since I knew that in advance I won’t argue about it. In her ponytail ribbon a Tantō (short sword) is added, it’s a pretty decoration for her head.

The figure has nice facial features with a cute nose and expressive eyes, depending on the viewing angle, the figure conveys a feeling between embarrassment and poutful, the eye brows give her a cute touch. I didn’t really expect that she would be so much on the cute side.

What I really liked about this figure was the way Gotou Matabei posed, with the giant calligraphy brush , which is actually a weapon with a retractable spear head. I like the way she is holding her brush. Sticking out her beautiful plump  butt, gives her a slightly provocative and sexy touch. The ample curves around her hips are accentuated by strong shading.

My preferences of womans measurements is widely spread, nevertheless with my growing age I noticed that the interest in buxom women increased a little. Gotou Matabei is a big girl with a mature and  motherly appearance. I like that she has wide hips and bigger thighs.

In general the Hyakka Ryouran girls wear a combination of samurai era clothes and elements of modern japanese fashion, Matabei has a exceptional traditionally styled outfit.

The figure portrays Matabei in her transformed Kenki version outfit, she wears a traditional looking, short white jacket, held together by a black belt. Under her jacket she seems to wear a black bodysuit. She shows some cleavage with her nicely shaped and moderate big boobs.

The forearms are covered by black armguards. The lower parts of her mainly bare legs are covered by knee socks like shoes, I would prefer thigh high, though. Around her hips she is wearing a classic fundoshy not very elegant for a lady, but her marvelous round butt can be admired better this way.

Final Words

I really like the figure, she has a cute face, pretty hair and with her outfit, brush weapon and buxom body she is very pretty and interesting. I also like her articulation with a pose that is putting more focus on the figures backside, which is rarely seen. she is visually attractive and shows some sexy highlights. Also her size is nice for a 1/8 scaled figure with her sturdy physical appearance she is closer to 1/7 scale. Gotou Matabei Kenki version is a nice figure, like all Hyakka Ryouran figures, it’s nice that the quality is a reliable factor from ALTER, I don’t mind certain imperfections, but this figure looks marvelous from nearly every perspective.

This will be the first figure of 2014, that I will review today, Keiji is a real gem to start with.

Maeda Keiji or Maeda Toshimazu is a often used character in anime culture , as male in Sengeku Basara or Gifuu Doudou!! As a person of female gender, she made her appearance in Hyakka Ryouran: Samurai Bride, where she was a supporting character who tought the group how to master their Ki and played with the girls, since she  happens to swing that way.

Maeda Keiji was an eccentric person, something like a dandy, the dandy in general is a libertine who likes and express himself with good looking, fancy clothes. His goal is to live according to his standards and ethics. The female Keiji is kind, but also a little mischievous prankster.

Maeda Keiji was released in the end of January 2014, she was sold as exclusive figure by Hobby Japan but manufactured by ALTER. The figure is based on the art of Nishii (Nitro+) and the figure was sculpted by the skilled Tanaka Sen’u. Keiji is one of the bigger 1/8 scale figure with umbrella  she measures arouaround 28 cm in height. The figure comes with a box, an elegant black base with golden decorations, a pretty large umbrella and a nicely detailed katana.

Hair & Face

The figure has light brown hair, the hair looks very detailed and shows strands, all around her head. The hair was put into a lovely ponytail hairstyle and has dynamic flow. A pipe ties her hair together, a smart way to hide her gadget. Keiji has a very pretty face and throws an adorable smile at the viewer, the open mouth is cute with the white little fang it has an michievous character.

Her purple eyes are gorgeous, they are surrounded by jagged eyelashes which are typical for characters created by Nishi, they are accentuating her face a lot. The figure has slightly rosy cheeks and a pointy chin.

Outfit & Body

Hyakka Ryouran is known for mixing traditional japanese outfits with anime fashion, but I don’t know what about Keiji is anime fashion, with her string bra and open hotpants that are more suited for a stripclub or other premises, I’m a bit lost. Well, but maybe she is a rock star. Rock stars can wear such eccentric sexy outfits without being labeled as ho.

I like her outfit a lot nevertheless, it is just awesome and I love how elegance and boldness mix.

You have the elegance of an traditional japanese dress in shape  of an richly decorated kimono. The sleeves are simply beautiful with the nice vivid colors and the white inlay, but I wonder how they printed that clear pattern on her kimono with all the folds and curves.

The string like underwear is hot and accentuates the attractive points of the lovely Keiji even more. The stocking like boots have a cool texture with some good looking wrinkles and the red soles are a real eyecatcher, the hotpants are a red black combination and resemble shiny leather, the front has a deep opening, also at the butt her hotpants also have a cutout window.

For a figure made by ALTER, which was long known for being rather conservative, Maeda Keiji is incredibly skin revealing and it looks so nice. The whole belly can be seen in all it’s sculpted glory.

Keiji has the body and curves of a grown up woman with great hips and strong thighs on the long legs, her fairly sized boobs come in a tear drop shape, not much is left to the imagination.

Final Words

ALTER didn’t disappoint with any of their Hyakka Ryouran figures, they are all great figures, but in my humble opinion Maeda Keiji is the best, she’s cute, she’s hot and she is simply beautiful.

I really like that she has this certain, strong Nitro+ look, especially her eyes, I love her cheerful  and friendly smile with the lively “I’m taking a little afternoon walk” pose. The flamboyant outfit is gorgeous and a good example for an eccentric style, the kimono part is nicely sculpted  and has great colors, together with the bold hotpants, string bra and stockings a charming contrast is created. The umbrella adds a lot of elegance to this beautiful otherwise barely dressed girl.

Well, this very lack of clothing is another one of Keiji’s charm points, she has a really great body. The design is great and ALTER did an remarkable job transfering it into a wonderful bishoujo figure. I’m very happy about this purchase, Maeda Keiji is the kind of figure I really like.

The whole  figure is a very good example of ALTER’s craftsmanship also with the heavy umbrella attached Maeda Keiji still stands firmly on her base and no support rod needs to be placed.