Alter released them in January 2019, it indeed would have been a good Valentines Day post, but I wasn’t happy with the pictures I took last year. This year I created a new set you will hopefully like.

For this review I got myself some help from Otaking, I think having another ones viewpoint of a figure is interesting and Otaking was willing enough to offer is help. As co-author he was quite helpful for me.

First a short hello from him.

Hello internet, I’m Otaking. You might have seen some of my comments on Wieselhead articles in the last months. Fabian invited me to co-write for him, so here I am.

I have this figure myself, but I haven’t taken it out of the box yet. Since the box is made of transparent plastic, I thought I don’t need to open it until I display what’s inside.

Unlike Fabi, I haven’t seen anything from Love Live!. So the first thing I thought upon seeing this product was ”either these girls are lesbians and like each other, or they are going to meet their respective crushes. And the pink-haired one is leading the charge, since the other is shy”. Then I found out how Nico is and I thought ”Tsundere!”.

I’m a big fan of the first Love Live! anime, I didn’t consume the content from other media of this franchise, but I was already happy with what the anime covered, I liked everyone a bit, some more and some less.

One of my instant favorites was Nico, the often grumpy idol expert, that could perform the cutest idol pose. Compared to the other mainly good girls, she was like a little demon, but actually really cared for µ’s and liked their school idol adventure with the others. Her relationship with Maki always has been a little tense.

It appears like Maki and Nico don’t really like eachother, so this figure combination is a little odd to me at least. Maybe in other media or in fanfiction they might find their way to eachother. Anyway that pairing is super popular. To see them as item with yuri goggles and the power of love everything is possible.

In the first place I only bought this figure pair because of Nico, but that doesn’t mean that Maki is unwanted for me. I think this combination of two characters is just so adorable, they are even holding hands oh my gosh.

Both figures were sculpted by the experienced Makio Munetoshi who designed quite a number of beautiful figures. Maki and Nico are scaled 1/7 and measure 21 cm in height.

The cute outfits are based on an UR card from the smartphone game, which I actually never played.

Both wear cute valentines day themed school uniforms, if you look closely enough you’ll notice all the small variations of Maki’s and Nico’s outfit. Nico wears a neckerchief, her blouse reveals her belly, she is wearing thigh highs while Maki has a tie, knee socks and her blazer has different pockets.

The main reason I bought this figure-combo was the oufits. They are not as elaborate as a japanese idol stage-suit, but not as simple as the regular school uniform. They are like a fancy version of the latter. You could almost imagine someone wearing this in reality, and it would still be very flashy – but could still be pulled off.  Here’s a history lesson for you readers – go look for “Mod clothing” and you will find clothing similar to what high-schoolers wear in the typical anime. It might be from where the character designers got the inspiration, other then from the actual japanese uniform.

As Fabi said, the uniforms are different to each other, which is all the better. Nico has a fuku-type shirt/blazer, while Maki has a more traditional european blazer, both with appropriate neck-ties for each. I love the gold loop-trimmings on the edges of the collars sleeves and skirts, they just give the clothes an extra edge of elegance. Since I haven’t opened mine yet, I’m looking at the prototype, and I see that the 2 stripes on the left arms are of different colours, to match each of the girl’s ties. One set is burgundy, the other pink. SO much attention to detail ! Also notice the loafers. They not only have gold soles (to match some of the details on the clothes), but also one heart on the right shoe.

One thing their outfit has in common is the length of their skirts, in this pose they are somewhat risky lol.

One last thing … I don’t know what kind of underwear they have on ! I still have that surprise waiting for me when I open the box !

They are innocently white lol

Anyway the burgundy red skirts have a pleated design and the golden lining is especially nicely done, Nico’s skirt says Happy Valentines and has a heart at the top, the level of craftsmanship is quite impressive.

It’s amusing how Nico looks all shy and flustered, while Maki appears chilled and relaxed. I like how it look like they want to hand over choco to their owner, in this case me.

As you probably noticed both girls have different kinds Valentine’s gifts, Nico has probably self made cookies and sweets in a transparent bag and Maki bought some fancy chocolate.

I really like the candy bag Nico is carrying. It looks really well made and detailed. I wonder if the material is rubber or plastic? It’s great how they inserted all those different sweets inside!

Nico turned out especially her short petite body is adorable, her thighs appear slightly plump and squeezed, combined with the thigh highs Nico’s legs look indeed very attractive.

Both stand on one big heart as base, the golden letters and glossy finish give it a high quality appearance. Of course you could only place one of the girls on the base, but when you would have so much dislike for either Maki or Nico, you should better buy a different figure.

Overall, I simply have one complain and that is about Maki, to me her winking eye is on the wrong side, especially for the light setting it is very difficult when the open eye is in the dark corner, they followed the illustration, but it would be much better when they hadn’t.

Final Words

Without a doubt ALTER’s Love Live! School Idol Festival – Valentine Hen figure pairing of Nishikino Maki and Yazawa Nico is a beautiful figure combination. They look like the anime characters or perhaps even nicer. Their outfits look great and everything is especially detailed. The cream white and dark red colors are a perfect color harmony that nicely match with the Valentines theme. It was a somewhat expensive purchase, but for the ~ 20.800 Yen you receive 2 beautiful figures from the Love Live! franchise in an enchanting holding hands pose.

Overall one of my favorite figures from my collection that have street-smart clothes.

It’s been a while since I’ve posted a “New Figure Preorders” post, around 12 months ago I published part #36, *OMFG* Don’t worry though, I did not lose interest in the figure hobby at all. I currently have 9 lovely figures on order.

Ordered figures

Katsuragi Misato

Hooray, a new figure of Misato is a great thing, Rei or Asuka never where my favorites in Neon Genesis Evangelion, they were interesting but really weird. I always was drawn to Misato. This figure of her is dressed in a bikini, but nevertheless she still partially wears her usual uniform. In this attire It might not show the Misato figure of my dreams, but she looks great.

release date – November – 2018

Kuramoto Erika – Mahou Shoujo

I had to get this beautiful Erika figure from Native. What is more important for me than the dynamite body is her pretty face with the enchanting smile. Compared to her official illustration this figure is based on, there are small, but great improvements, the face is so much better and the boobs are less big. Hopefully there won’t be another delay.

release date – October – 2018

Asuna – Undine version

Ah, this blue haired and pointy eared Asuna looks so cool. I like the serious expression and her stunning uniform with the nice colors, it will be my first experience with Emontoys, I have good expectations.

release date – October – 2018

Ashikaga Chachamaru

When ALTER announced their Chachamaru I was so happy and excited, the figure looks great with the expressive golden eyes, furthermore she’s half nude and seductive. It’s not their first fanservice figure, but it is still surprising to see such figures from ALTER.

release date – December – 2018

Nishikino Maki x Yazawa Nico – Valentine Hen version

This is a great two figure set, one I really like. The outfits are pretty and it’s sweet how the figures are connected.
I admit that I’m not the biggest Maki fan, but together with Nico it is a very nice combination.

release date – December – 2018

Takagi-san

I feel quite excited about this one. I developed quite a crush on Takagi-san when Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san was airing, her anime was just wonderful. Phat Company makes this great looking figure of her sitting on a detailed school desk. I just love her sweet, confident and flirty expression.

release date – January – 2019

Sakuya – Onna Kyoushi version

A figure of a sexy teacher? … here is my money. No, seriously this a nice looking figure, she has a beautiful youthful face and is quite attractive in the business dress. Together with the glasses and playful pose the figure should turn out really nice.

release date – April – 2019

Asuna – Swimsuit version

Yes, I ordered another Asuna, I never knew I was a fan of her XD Of course Asuna always has been a pretty character, but really earned my sympathy by the end of Sword Art Online II. I’ve always been a fan of swimsuit figures and this one looks especially nice and detailed, I didn’t mind the exclusive price tag.

release date – March – 2019

Sakurauchi Riko

The Love Live Sunshine figures from With Fans! so far looked quite stunning, Riko is especially nice in my opinion, a pretty girl in school uniform. Her face and expression are so sweet, her hair with the flowing strands is also nice looking.

release date – March – 2019

Interesting figures

Recently I find it quite challenging to place more preorders for 2019, one reason is that I can’t decide between all those beautiful figures, another reason are the terrifying prices of figures, I would like to prevent getting more than 2 figures in the same month. Here I’ve listed figures for 2019 (2018) that I like and like a bit more. Lol deciding is difficult.
 

C.C – Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion

Seems like Union Creative makes many popular characters from popular animes of the past, I always wanted a figure of C.C. in her attractive straitjacket.

release date – October – 2018

Tomoe – Queen’s Blade

This a quite interesting figure in my eyes, she has a photogenic pose and without a doubt she also has a very nice body. Orchid Seed implemented a variety of different display options and the nice figure measures 29,5 cm.

release date – December – 2018

Narberal Gamma – so bin version

The concept of this figure is really awesome, when I saw that price of her, second thoughts were instantly kicking in, I’m no fan of the character nor do I like the bunny ears that much. Of course it’s still an impressive figure on it’s own.

release date – December – 2018

Kohinata Hikari

I’m a really big fan of Amanchu, it’s a really sweet show about the friendship between Hikari and Teko and character development. Before I would order Hikari though, I would like to know if also a figure of Teko is planned. Beach outfits are great and all, but the Amanchu school uniforms are wonderful, too can’t I have figures with those.

release date – January – 2019

Ade-sugata II

Ahem, normally I’m not interested in bondage girls with sex toys, here things are a little different, since this character is beautiful, perfect brown skin an adorable turtle face and she looks just gorgeous. I would really like to order her but I don’t like these ropes for me it is truly a shame to see such a beautiful figure tied up and what not.

release date – January – 2019

Mimori Hinagiku

I like the cute Miko, that act’s a bit naughty, castoff she is less interesting in my opinion, but the general is very nice.

release date – April – 2019

Kaname Madoka – Magia Record Mahou Shoujo Madoka ☆ Magica Gaiden

I just had to wait several years, to see the cutest standing Kaname Madoka figure to date. She is so enchanting in this adaption, I need her, even though she is sold as limited exclusive.

release date – Summer – 2019

Louise Françoise Le Blanc de la Vallière – Finale Wedding version

Man, a pretty bride figure of my first anime waifu ever and I still hesitate to place my order

release date – March – 2019

Sawara Ayaka

The stunner from the previous Wonfes some months ago, BINDing’s Sawara Ayaka. It was love on first sight, then it turned that she will be scaled 1/4 and cost around 28000 Yen. I’d really had preferred a 1/6 scale, on the positive side she is probably the best detailed 1/4 scaled bunny girl figures ever, I mean she looks totally great, I might order her.

release date – May – 2019

Ochi Ripca

I don’t know about the manufacturer FOTS, but I like the concept of this figure. This prototype looks more like a 3D model, but in the end it should be a figure. She’s been planned to be a big 1/5th scale figure that measures 17 cm.

release date – September – 2018

Vampire – Azur Lane

It has been a while since i’ve seen a figure of a flirty vampire loli, I like it. This cutie is based on the game Azur Lane.

release date – July – 2019

This time her version is called Sangatsu Hen. Alter also made a matching version of Hoshisora Rin, both would have looked great together, but I only could afford one. Hanayo was sculpted by Tobita Takafumi and was released in May.

Hanayo is based on this illustration from the Love Live! School Idol Festival smartphone game.

This figure is scaled 1/7 and measures 22 cm in height, as optional item she has a cutely designed microphone staff.

Hanayo wears her usual dark blonde hairstyle without any decorations, her cute face is brimming with happiness and her wonderful smile has a contagious effect. With the big reflection spot in her purple eyes one could get the idea of her being slightly drunk, but she is probably only intoxicated with joy because she became a self confident idol now.

Her expression is really sweet, unfortunately this Hanayo figures comes without glasses, I always liked her appearance as bespectacled cutie, so I would have prefered it to have the glasses option, maybe in a funky cherry blossom design.

Hanayo is wearing a shoulder free top and a frilly mini skirt. Her cute costume is heavily influenced by the cherry blossom theme, it shows different shades of pink, white and green. The amount of detail on the beautiful outfit is incredible, you probably see it yourself, but I will nevertheless write about a few aspects of her enchanting outfit.

For example her wide open sleeves; they have a frilly green inlay painted in the color of young cherry tree leafs, a different tone of green is present at her over the knee boots, the pastel green is quite nice, but additionally pink cherry blossoms are printed on it, the shiny pink soles are a nice highlight as well. The rim is decorated with a pink frilly rim.

The outfit also highlights the attractive body of the rice loving Hanayo. Her fancy skirt has a striped top layer and several layers of frill underneath, the details on it are very elaborate. At first it appears a little odd what a short skirt Hanayo wears from a slightly lower angle, her nice behind can barely be ignored. The plumpness of her thighs or other areas is quite prominent overall and gives the figure an sweet, sexy and appealing appearance.

Hanayo is articulated in a cute looking pose, which captures her during idol dancing, the lifted open arms make it look quite adorable. Her legs are showing a nice articulation as well, the highs are close together, which highlights the Zettai Ryōiki in a great way. The angled left lower leg adds some more movement to the sweet pose.

Unlike ALTER’s other Love Live! School Idol Festival figures, the Hanayo Sangatsu Hen version has a different looking base, smaller in size and in shape of a cherry blossom with pink cherry blossoms and petals printed on.

Final Words

The figure is without a doubt a very enchanting adaption of Hanayo’s character, Koizumi Hanayo is my fourth Love Live! School Idol Festival figure. I really like this style, she has a lovely outfit with a pretty color selection and an amazing level of detail. Her face is very cute and I just love her happy expression, the lack of glasses is a little letdown, but I knew that in advance. I also like that the sculptor adapted Hanayo as pleasingly plump as she is supposed to be .

I’m really happy with the Koizumi Hanayo – Love Live! School Idol Festival – Sangatsu Hen version, ALTER’s Love Live! figures just never disappoint. Are there any of  ALTER’s Love Live! School Idol Festival figures you would like to see another version of? I would like a new Kotori and Nozomi figure or Nozomi in a swimsuit, please.

related reviews

Nico, Nico Niii!

Anyway, I ordered two nice Kancolle figures, one Hatsune Miku and another Love Live! School Idol Festival figure.

Since I ordered a number of rather fanservice centered and expensive figures this year, I planned to focus more on the casual figures that are offered. This post slowly shows that change.

ordered figures

Kantai Collection ~Kan Colle~ – Kashima

Kashima is of course a very pretty character in the Kancolle game, having a training cruiser as her base. I was really impressed by the elaborate look of the prototype, the figure looks amazingly pretty with her sweet face, the especially nice curves and fashionable uniform. The skirt is of ridicoulusly short length, but reveals Kashima’s wonderful legs.

Kashima is a sad example for the exploitation of fictional pop culture characters, a friend once showed me a four panel manga about that featuring Kashima, after realizing the bigger picure behind it, it made me feel quite sad and guilty.
I will talk about this in detail when I will review this  figure. To protect her dignity a little, I ordered this figure.

release date: ~ February 2018

GOOD SMILE Racing – Hatsune Miku – Racing 2016 Version

I’m not really a fan of Miku, but I also don’t dislike her, I liked a few of her figures in the past. The best aspect of the Miku 2016 racing version for me is the cute and colorful concept. Her outfit looks less futuristic compared to other “racing versions” here she is dressed as nearly normal grid girl sitting on a pile of tyres. The addition of red, orange and yelllow colors make this figure look very happy. Also her face looks very adorable and portrays Miku in a happy mood.

release date: ~ December 2017

---

Kantai Collection ~Kan Colle~ – Shigure – Casual Ver.

The guns on the Kancolle figures never were of much interest for me, I always was more interested in the character design, I actually thought that it would be nice to have the lovely characters dressed as normal girls. You probably can imagine how happy I was when GSC announced this figure. On top of that Shigure is one of my favorite characters from Kancolle. This is an amazingly pretty figure dressed in an outfit suited for autumm. The red glasses are a nice addition, as well as the vintage camera. The figure is nicely articulated, being placed on a fence with a leaf covered base.

release date: ~ June 2018

release date: ~ March 2018

---

Nendoroid – Little Witch Academia: Sucy Manbavaran

Yes, a Nendoroid. Of course I would like to have scale figures from Little Witch Academia, since I really liked this hilariously crazy anime. The unnecesary final arc aside, ït has been a while that I liked an anime that much. I chose the character of Sucy because I like her the most, her sarcastic remarks and Schadenfreude about Akko’s adversities.

release date: ~ April 2018

---

Interesting figures

SHOW BY ROCK!! – Cyan – Limited Edition

I recently noticed this nice figure of a charming cat girl playing the guitar. Cyan already was released. Since a few delays occured I have available budget o get another figure this or next month, Cyan would be something I’d like to have.

release date: ~ October 2017

Date A Live – Kurumi Tokisaki

I never watched Date A Live to be honest, but this concept of Kurumi as an attractive girl posing on a big cat tree.

release date: ~ March 2018

Granblue Fantasy – Narmaya

Manufacturer Broccoli decided to make an extremely complex figure adaption of Narmaya, a quite awesome figure with an awesome base. As to be expected it also is a really expensive figure. Could someone please make a figure of Lyria?

release date: ~ May 2018

Eromanga Sensei – Sagiri Izumi

Awww I really like this figure of Izumi with the Super Soaker gun, it might not be state of the art quality, but even with a few cutbacks this figure would be really lively and adorable.

release date: ~ November 2017

Koakuma Kanojo – Akuno Mika

Haha, earlier I’ve mentioned that I planned to buy less ecchi figures and then they show me something like this beautiful purple haired girl in a bikini XD Well, she should be released next month, one more sexy figure in 2017 won’t hurt anymore anyway lol. Mika looks really cute with her short, curvy body and the extremely adorable expression. Furthermore she is scaled 1/5 which is pretty big.

release date: ~ November 2017

THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls – Anastasia Story of Revolving Stars Ver

Seeing ALTER going crazy with their prices for the Cinderella Girls, GSC shows us with this beautiful Anastasia, that they can make a gorgeous figure also for an affordble price. The figures costume looks beautiful and Anastasia is also posed in a dynamic way.

release date: ~ August 2018

Is the order a rabbit?? – Cocoa

Manufacturer PLUM is focusing on figures of loli characters and apparently does a good job with it. I recently saw this super cute Cocoa san, she was my favorite character in the fluffy anime “Is the order a rabbit??”. They made her so adorable, I really consider to get her. I would like a to have an extremely cute figure again after a while.

release date: ~ October 2017

Original Character – Kaguya

The Raita proportions are quite a challenge for the idol outfit, the boobs are too big and the skirt is too short. Nevertheless what I like about it, is the nicely designed and creative idol outfit and the characters pretty face.

 release date: ~ May 2018

THE IDOLM@STER – Haruka Amami

In the IDOLM@STER anime (2011) Haruka really was my favorite, unlike this terrible Miki XD Ok first I think that is a great figure, I’ve heard a few people complain about the figures eyes being too far apart, nevertheless the figure is already sold out on AmiAmi. I think she is cute, I only feel a little sad about the fact that every figure of Haruka has a wide open mouth.

release date: ~ April 2018

White Elf – yapo Original Figure

I really like the Elf archetype, pointy ears are pretty. Unfortunately in terms of figures Elves are rarely seen. Magic Bullets recently announced their “White Elf” based on an illustration of yapo. I like the pose and figures design a lot.

release date: ~ February 2018

Hitori no Shita THE OUTCAST – Fu Houhou

This certainly very pretty figure has a quite different look and atmosphere than the happy, colorful or ecchi figures we see all the time. One of the reason could be that it’s adapted from an anime produced by an chinese studio.

release date: May 2018

Kantai Collection ~Kan Colle~ – Ooyodo

I like Ooyodo for being a modest ship girl from Kancolle, she has a cute uniform and just shows a minimum of her apparently nice legs. Amakuni really makes all the beautiful Kancolle figures and Ooyodo is no exception.

release date: August 2018

And so my personal overview about the current preorder situation comes to an end, unfortunately it’s difficult to decide to preorder anything, since many figures are appealing and pretty. Haha and most of all I have limited space and budget. How do you actually cope with the pretty figure avalanche?

Umi was manufacturered by ALTER and released in August 2017. As her other School Idol Festival friends she is scaled 1/7 and 20 cm in height. Nearly every of those figures was made by a different sculptor, Umi was sculpted by Sai.

Umi’s character is relatively complex, she is a level headed girl with a quite conservative and demure view on everything. Nevertheless at heart she is a pure maiden with sweet natured behaviour. Umi has problems with showing her legs in public, she feels quite embarrased about it and don’t want to wear the skimpy idol outfit, that Kotori desinged. The regular school uniform also features a quite short skirt, so it is kind of weird that Umi isn’t bothered by that.

Another funny thing about her is that the level headed attitude often leads to her bossing around her less level headed friends, which often lets Umi appear a bit too strict for her age. In the idol group Umi has 2 different tasks, in the first place Umi is in charge of choreography and the regular fitness training, but also is the main lyricist for the songs.

An distinctive feature of the Love Live! anime(s) is the beautiful character design, the characters have very detailed, sweet faces and sparkling eyes. In these Love Live! School Idol Festival figures this particular style has been adapted faithfully. Umi looks quite happy in her idol performance, her winking eye is quite charming. The open amber colored eye on the other hand is so beautiful and shining, these is a gorgeous eye decal there. Furthermore eyebrows and other details as well as blushmarks are also really nice. Something I really appreciate on her face are the lightly painted lips.

Umi has dark blueish hair, the front hair is pretty and sculpted after her appearance in the anime, the hair at the backside is quite long, it is sculpted in a flowing backwards style, at the sides she has two strands separated by frilly ribbons, it looks like narrow twintails. On the left side she wears a pretty orange flower and ribbons as decorations.

The outfit of the figure is so pretty, the yukata combines a traditional look with a mordern design. The dress consists of a top, a skirt with transparent underskirt, as well as separate sleeves and loose “socks”, around the waist she is wearing a cute belt, The details on it look really elaborate. The light blue dress has a lovely flower pattern with blue, purple and violet and orange flowers. The geta shoes fit to the overall design, although they might no be too practical for dynamic dancing. Everything looks really nice together. The Love Live! School Idol Festival figures have all different outfits which is nice, if I would have to decide for one outfit for all 9 members, this yukata would be my favorite choice.

At her back Umi has a fancy fan with her name printed on it, unfortunately to my discontent it can’t be taken off.

Umi is articulated in a cheerful and quite dynamic pose based on one of her Love Live! School Idol Festival cards; with the right hand she is pointing at the audience while holding up the vintage microphone with the other hand she is holding the cable, so that she is not stepping on it accidently. Haha while assembling the figure getting that cable into place as it was shown on the box was quite a challenge. The pose also accentuates her pretty legs, behind the separated sleeves, the figure shows a bit of her bare shoulders and you can also take a peak at her nice armpits.

About the setup, because of a change of the figures release date, the setup was planned a bit more in advance, I had the idea of Umi performing at the beach. So at first I made a pier matching the figures sïze, painted it and added weathering effects. Flower chains of different colors were wrapped around a wooden bow, at the end I also added LED lights to the low cost construction. For the figure shooting Umi was put on a transparent base. For a complete look sand and a background were added, scrunched transparent gift paper works great to create a realistic water surface.

Final Words

On summary I’m very happy to have this sweet figure of Umi – chan, she looks very lively and I’m impressed by how elaborately made this figure is. The lovely face and her stunning yukata are so nice with ALTER’s Sonoda Umi you would have a extremely beautiful and also adorable Love Live! School Idol Festival figure at home. Before sitting down to write this review and taking another look at Love Live!, I actually did not have a real liking to Umi, but now I have grown fond of her. I might have ordered this figure just for the looks, but now I’m even happier that it’s a great figure of Umi.

related posts

Nico – Love Live! School Idol Festival – ALTER

Nozomi – Love Live! School Idol Festival – ALTER

Toujou Nozomi is in the spotlight today. I’ve bought the Love Live! School Idol Festival version from ALTER, sometimes it’s nice when a changed release date plays into your hands.

This figure of Nozomi was sculpted by Yagyuu Toshiyuki, she is scaled 1/7 and measures 25 cm. The pretty figure was released in early August 2017.

ALTER made an incedibly good job with all Love Live! School Idol Festival figures so far. each figure wears an unique outfit, based on a certain illustration card from the LLSIF game.

I already reviewed the Love Live! School Idol Festival version of Yazawa Nico and I’m all

~ Nico Nico Nii ~ about her

My Love Live! favorites are the cute and strangely hot Kotori, the sweet Hanayo and the petite little devil Nico. Also Nozomi is a big favorite of mine. She is the big sister type, who cares about her friends and holds much authority inside the µ’s. Although Nozomi is never bossy and is the good heart of the group. She is close friends with Eli and general very kind and understanding. In case one of the girl is acting weird, Nozomi shows her habit of groping their boobs with a naughty expression in her face, as a method of punishment or distraction.

In the anime she is also there to attract the more grown up viewers with her more mature and flirty aura and obviously womanly body she is one of the more popular characters. She has a strong liking to tarot cards and sometimes uses them for certain personal crucial decisions.

Nozomi has a lovely twin braid hairstyle colored in the nicest shades of purple, the details are awesome, you can really see the single strands within the braids.

I always was enchanted by the beautiful faces of the Love Live! characters. Especially the very shiny eyes. The style of the anime was adapted without fail. The very first ti I was seeing this figure I felt slightly upset, because Nozomi had one eye closed. Anyway the figure at least opened one of her pretty eyes, furthermore she has a cute small mouth, cute blush and a very appealing skintone.

The elaborately adapted outfits of the Love Live! School Idol Festival version figures appear a league ahead of everything on the market, the great and clean looking result is convincing in every aspect. Nozomi wears an dynamic looking outfit, that appears to be inspired by ancient chinese fashion. The pretty patterns are extremely detailed.

The golden rims on the different parts of her outfit are definitely interesting highlights. The figure also has these longer ribbons attached to her wrists, they swing in a dynamic way.

The top has a nice purple color and a frilly white rim above, the opening reveals most parts of her belly, that in my opinion should be a bit more chubby. Nozomi wears a frilly black skirt with a low opacity. The black color reappears further below in her ringmaster styled boots.

Garter, thigh highs, thighband and the additional band around her arm are placed in an asymmetrical way.

From the backside Nozomi also shows her beautiful shoulders and backside .

Obviously the figures details are overwhelming, see it for yourself (in my amazing pictures ).

From most angles her dynamic pose looks quite nice, sometimes the tilted pelvis appears rather strangely twisted.

The figure shows quite some skin and ALTER’s sculptor also did a nearly perfect job with portraying the characters softness, most obvious at the arms and thighs, although she simply just looks slightly sturdier than the other girls, the sculptor adapted this little difference nicely. In my opinion they could have added just a touch more weight, since Nozomi is a “bigger” girl.

I still remember the episode where Honoka and Hanayo were forced to get in shape again, but Nozomi could swing her buxom body around as always without any teasing comment from the others. So Umi is actually a bully, who only is picking on the weak .

Final Words

The Toujou Nozomi Love Live! School Idol Festival – version figure from ALTER turned out great, she is really gorgeous in nearly every regads. Of course with the 14.330 I’ve paid it was an expensive figure, but in return I received a wonderful Nozomi figure with a stunning level of detail and a more than above average quality. A thing I really appreciate is that the scale seems to be accurately spread around in this lineup, Nozomi is noticeable taller than Nico, as it should be.

The next Love Live! School Idol Festival figure I will receive is Umi. I’m also interested in Eli.

…and one day, maybe one day, I will add the lovely Kotori, too .

Hi everyone, after some time passed since the last New Preorder post, now it’s part 33. In the meantime I placed 3 more figure orders. I remember the times where I always had like 5 new preorders in every preorder post, but with my stronger focus on Dollfie Dream, the rising costs for figures and limited room I can’t preorder so many figures at once anymore.
 

Ordered Items

Kantai Collection -Kan Colle- Takao Light Armament Ver.

I’m a big Takao fan, she is so alluring and has a friendly voice. Max Factory made a 1/8 scaled figure, she is wearing her beautiful uniform and her lovely curves were nicely adapted, too. I always wished for really bold figures of the Kancolle characters, you can partially blame all the Pixiv artists for all the great ecchi fanart, but the figures are mainly modest. I ordered the light version, since the ship part is not really as important for me, as the character herself.

manufacturer: Max Factory – scale: 1/8 – release: July 2017

Love Live! School Idol Festival – Umi Sonoda

At the risk of repeating myself, I don’t count Umi as my favorite among the Love Live! girls, but fortunately she is not Maki ahahaha. I adore most of ALTER’s “School Idol Festival” figures, they are all so precious and elaborately made. Especially this Umi is a wonderful example of the lineup, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw her for the first time, Umi is so cute in that outfit, also her sweet pose and expression make her extremely adorable for me.

manufacturer: ALTER – scale: 1/7 – release: April 2017

Original Character – Succubus-san 

Like my previously reviewed Chitose, Succubus-san also combines a sweet and romantic style with ero figure qualities. The attractive figure has strong colors and a sexy body with a strong level of chubbyness. Her face is so cute and enchanting ♡. In stark contrast her outfit is a “dream” of latex and leather, the figure is completely castoffable.

manufacturer: Native/Rocket Boy – scale: 1/6 – release: January 2017

Interesting figures

 
Now we take a look at the figures that were recently listed in the shops. I’ve sorted them by release date, among the listed items are a few things I totally would like to have, it’s really unfortunate when more than one nice figure is scheduled to be released in the same month.
 

Shining Wind – Touka

I have the impression that Orchid Seed is slowly getting behind the times, while other manufacturers increase their quality steadily, Orchid Seed’s figures stay on the same level, of course that does not mean that they make bad figures. This Touka for example has a very interesting atmosphere with her thoughtful pose and the diorama like base she sits on.

manufacturer: Orchid Seed – scale: 1/8 – release: December 2016

Persona 4 The Ultimate in Mayonaka Arena – Labrys Naked Ver.

This Labrys figure looks really pretty and cool, detailed mechanical parts and a huge weapon are part of her interesting design. Somehow the robot hips actually bother me a little. ques Q also announced another similar looking cyborg girl scheduled for January 2017.

manufacturer: ques Q – scale: 1/8 – release: December 2016

Ribbon Doll Collection – Shin Ikkitousen: Unchou Kanu

Here is a surprisingly artistic and creative adaption of the Kanu character, the unique and detailed pose combined with the womanly body and her really beautiful face make her quite appealing. Unfortunately she apparently will also be released in January .·´¯`(>▂<)´¯`·.
 

manufacturer: Union Creative – scale: 1/6 – release: January 2017

Persona 4 The Ultimate in Mayonaka Arena – Unit 024

Unit 024 is a cuter version than Labrys, at least I prefer it ;D The sea green hair with ponytail and a more gentle facial expression give her completely different atmosphere. I also prefer the black top. Oh, a January release too, damn that’s quite annoying for me *meh*

manufacturer: ques Q – scale: 1/8 – release: January 2017

Girls und Panzer the Movie – Alice Shimada

Despite her short her appearance in the Girls und Panzer movie, Alice gets a pretty figure, she looks nicely made, with a cute face and the sweet loli dress and she even has a teddy.

manufacturer: Kotobukiya – scale: 1/7 – release: March 2017

CHUNITHM – Haruna Mishima

I don’t know her origin, but everything about her shouts adorable. Her mainly white uniform like outfit is very pretty and fancy and there is also this extremely cute face of Haruna.

manufacturer: Alphamax – scale: 1/7 – release: March 2017

Infinite Stratos – Laura & Charles Nekomimi Pajama

Yes, this is a great two figure combination, they do both looks enchanting in their cat pajamas. The flustered Laura and the sweet Charles together on a fluffy base. I prefer Charles, but it’s sold as set. The base is bent to have a better perspective when they are displayed.

manufacturer: ALTER – scale: 1/7 – release: March 2017

Peach Girl Selfie – Miho Kunagisa

At least we need one bikini figure in this post. Miho is a dynamic figure with a bubbly expression and bold pink hair. She is scaled 1/5.5 and rather huge figure.

manufacturer: Daiki Kogyo – scale: 1/5,5 – release: March 2017

VOCALOID4 Library Stardust

This is a marvelously nice looking figure, I love her expressive face with the orange eyes, she has a slightly evil and mysterious aura, she is sitting on a nice base in a quite charming pose.
I find her extremely enchanting actually. Maybe I will be able to add her sometime.

manufacturer: Myethos – scale: 1/8 – release: April 2017

Yuki Yuuna is a Hero – Mimori Togo

The announcement of this figure was really surprising, I mean I remembered that great anime, but never thought figure manufacturers still gave attention to it. So after Yuuna ALTER will also make a figure of the beautiful Togo. The black hair and her sweet face with the green eyes and also tightly hugging bodysuit with her toes exposed are making the figure gorgeous.

manufacturer: ALTER – scale: 1/8 – release: April 2017

Shinwa Taisen Gilgamesh Knight – Deena Challenger

This cheerful, young, blonde girl is Deena Challenger, I’ve used a close up picture for startes on purpose, she is actually sitting on an elaborately designed bike, but her official pics were far away from good, HobbyJapan should really provide bigger product pictures for their expensive figures. Deena is dressed in a eccentric slutty outfit, but with such a cute face she comes away with it. The figure is sexy and her bike is stunning.

She is an exclusive figure and with 20.000 Yen she is the most expensive figure of this post.

manufacturer: Amakuni/Hobby Japan – scale: 1/8 – release: April 2017

Hyakka Ryouran – Yagyu Jubei – Final Bride Ver.

After seeing the 2 Hyakka Ryouran – Samurai After OVA, I was reminded that I will always think of Hyakka Ryouran affectionately, not that story was very compelling, but it was the chemistry between the funny and sympathic characters that made it special for me.
ALTER announced a figure of the cute Jubel in the Samurai Bride outfit, it’s a truly stunning design, I like it a lot, unfortunately it’s sold as exclusive figure. On the good side she will be released in a unbusy months considering figure orders. I could still strike.

manufacturer: ALTER/Hobby Japan – scale: 1/8 – release: Mai 2017

Soukou Akki Muramasa – Ashikaga Chachamaru – Wedding ver.

Chachamaru has always been overshadowed, by the more popular Sansei Muramasa, but she is also a heroine in that ridiculously violent game. Here Chachamaru is adapted as quite pretty bride with nice blonde hair and wow who gave her that amazingly attractive butt?! (⁄ ⁄^⁄ᗨ⁄^⁄ ⁄).

manufacturer: Amakuni/Hobby Japan – scale: 1/7 – release: June 2017

Today I’m going to review my first Love Live! figure, I’ve ordered one of ALTER‘s sparkling
Love Live! School Idol Festival figures of my favorite Love Live! character Nico.

I wasn’t really interested in getting Idol related figures until I noticed the Love Live! School Idol Festival version of Kotori, I was amazed by the level of details and her beautiful appearance, unfortunately I did not order her yet.

For me Love Live! was a really nice anime, a bunch cute girls become friends and achieve something great was nice to watch. Also all the different types of characters with their unique charm and quirks added a lot to the shows appeal.

Nico is not the usual anime girl, her extremely cute appearance is paired by a slightly evil personality. She has a professional attitude about everything Idol related. She is very confident about herself, which comes off arrogantly. Still she’s not obnoxiously, after all.

She’s really happy to be a part of µ’s and is an essential member. I really like her for being different, her small personality flaws are charming and interesting, Nico also is a funny girl.

Yazawa Nico Love Live! School Idol Festival was sculpted by Takaku & Takeshi. The figure was released in late June 2016. She is scaled 1/7 with a height of 24 cm. As additional feature, next to being awesome, Nico comes with an optional hat and exchangeable left arm.

Nico has a traditional twintail hairstyle, she probably chose it since it’s cute. The blueish-black hair looks nice and recreates the look from the anime very well. The hair is decorated with small red ribbons and differently colored ties. As optional item the figure has a really fancy hat with ribbons everywhere and a golden emblem with an “N” on it.

Nico is the most petite girl in Love Live! it’s gives her a very adorable appearance, although with her personality she isn’t a real sweetheart. She is the little devil of the group and therefore has red eyes, the sparkling eyes are an essential appeal point in Love Live! and ALTER adapted it perfectly. Nico is the happiest girl when she’s in idol mode, her figure was adapted with a happy open mouth and upper front teeth line, it makes her look very cheerful.

As all the “School Idol Festival” figures Nico also has a striking details, brimming with lots of details. The main part consists of a frilly black tube top with a matching miniskirt, every frilly layer has a golden rim. The star pattern skirt also has another transparent layer underneath.

On her chest she has elaborate ribbon, it’s all wrapped around the upper part of the figure. There is a huge red ribbon at her back, it shows a golden rim with elaborate pattern.

different kinds of socks/stockings, fancy kneesocks on the right, dark thigh highs on the left. Both legs are decorated with a cute frilly garter. The “socks” are both decorated with
differently colored and elaborately designed ribbons, pink and green. The green color has a air of christmas, while the creative idol outfit has a few elements related to christmas, calling the figure christmas Nico is a bit of a stretch. She looks also good in the summer, I assure you.

The figure has glossy red shoes with a golden sole, a short girl wears a bit of heel.

Of course an important thing for an idol figure is dynamic movement, ALTER put Nico in an interesting pose where is marching along the stage cheerfully. With wildly fluttering miniskirt and twintails the figure appears very lively, yes her skirt is super short (//∇//). In her stage outfit Nico also shows some skin, her arms, the belly and her slender legs are cute.

Final Words

ALTER‘s sparkling Love Live! School Idol Festival figures are state of the art products, I actually say it’s the current peak of figure manufacturing quality.

I’m happy that I have bought the most pretty Nico figure to date. Taking pictures with her was so much fun. I was already a real fan of her character, but having a figure of her is so nice, I even have the impression that having her on my desk is a good luck charm. I can say nothing bad about her, Nico is beautiful and elaborately sculpted and stands firmly on her base.

Because of a change in the release list of Alter, I also ordered the Toujou Nozomi Love Live! School Idol Festival figure. Considering how pretty and sparkling the School Idol Festival figures are I might order a few µ’s members more. The announced Sonoda Umi and Ayase Eli are looking gorgeous, too.

I had a few doubts about Love Live Sunshine! this season, it looks visually appealing, but partially the story feels a bit like a copy, but I have to tell you that I totally adore it, it’s more crazy, the characters are really different and also because Chika is a much better leader.

…and Ruby is an angel ♡♡♡

I normally write these posts, that focus on the recently available figures on the market like every 3 months. After part 31 in early June, the figure manufacturers decide to launch an impressive number of quite desireable preorder items near the end of this month.

Ordered Items

Shortly before my remaining preorder number was close to drop below 4 I could not resist anymore. For starters I placed my order for the new Sora and ALTER’s Nozomi.

Yosuga no Sora – Kasugano Sora – Bunny Style

I preordered this one, because she looks amazing, I already was sure that bunny style Sora would look nice with some paint on her as her notice her during the previous Wonderfestival, but ordering the figure wasn’t really planned. Her face is beautiful and the seductive direction is a nice extra, too. I also like the overall presentation, the attracive and nicely dressed figure sitting on this high stool while her extra long twintails are hanging down. I’m not really interested in these kinds o bunny costumes, but Sora looks so nice in one. Good that it is a December release, so it might become a christmas present I might not need to pay by myself.

manufacturer: ALTER – scale: 1/7 – release: December 2016

Love Live! School Idol Festival – Toujou Nozomi

It took a little longer for me to finally order this fabulous Idol. At first I was a little upset that Nozomi only had one open eye, she looked awesome for sure, but it slightly bothered me. Nevertheless I never lost interest, her release was initionally sheduled for June and my June was already a nightmare, I had to pass. “fortunately” Nozomi’s release was changed to July, my birthday month and fortunately she was still available. While ALTER’s Love Live! School Idol Festival cost a fortune, all girls have amazingly detailed outfits and look wonderful.

manufacturer: ALTER – scale: 1/7 – release: July 2016

Original Character – Magic Bullets – Pin-Up Girl

It’s no secret that I love curvy swimsuit figures, I like to buy those and having them around. The figure named Pin-Up Girl is art based on an illustration by Sasaoka Gungu, this explains the unique but beautiful style of her facial features. She also is what I would call a dynamic bikini figure, she has this elaborately articulated pose. I admit she also is of course sexy with the detailed buxom body and attractive tan lining. Unfortunately, the “bikini figure of my dreams” is sheduled for the busy month October. After some calculations I ordered her now.

manufacturer: Kalmia Project – scale: 1/6 – release: October 2016

Interesting figures

I haven’t ordered these figures, but at least I find them overly interesting and like to list them. Tell me which one you like or which not, or which figure you would like to see in a review

Kantai Collection ~Kan Colle~ – Kouwan Seiki – Wonderful Hobby Selection

Kouwan Seiki or Harbour Princess is one of the cuter Abyssal characters in Kancolle, she is not evil, she just wants a hug :D. Max Factory created a nice figure based on her design, I really think she is adorable and the body is dynamit. The figure has the WHS tag, figures tagged with WHS (Wonderful Hobby Selection) are always very expensive, not really because they are much nicer than normal figures. I bought a WHS figure recently, I was very exited since I really liked the concept, mine unfortunately arrived slightly damaged, fortunately the GSC support was very understanding and helped me very fast. But after that experience I’m not willing to spend 20,000 Yen + for a figure again, maybe if I would buy figures less regulary.

manufacturer: Max Factory – scale: 1/8 – release: April 2017

Kantai Collection ~Kan Colle~ – Prinz Eugen

“einen schönen Tag” Ahh the Germans! Haha, all right a cheaper but not less attractive Kancolle figures is Prinz Eugen, the petite and sporty looking heavy cruiser girl. Prinz Eugen is a very cute character, I really like her hair and the pretty face. Her machine parts are nicely compact and create a slender appearance. But I hope there is no swastika somewhere.

manufacturer: GSC – scale: 1/8 – release: January 2017

Oshiete! Galko-chan – Galko-chan

It’s Galko! I hope you are all familiar with the short anime, big girl Galko might dress like a broad, but she is a good girl and has a heart of gold. Of course I like her buxom appearance and additional volume. Max Factory even went the extra mile and made her 1/6 scale size. In the casual school uniform Galko looks very nice, well her skirt is short and fickle, you might see something while the figure climbs the stairs of her base.

manufacturer: Max Factory – scale: 1/6 – release: January 2017

Kyonyuu Fantasy Gaiden – Isis Petrovna Elenskaya

One first glimpse you’ll that this pretty woman named Isis is based on a hentai game, long hair, big boobs and a nice big butt XD The boobs might be bit much, but I like her face and the detailed front hair and won’t deny a purchase by default.

That might be too much info for my innocent readers ^^ The breast armor can be taken off seperately and also the top part of the suit can be removed to expose her nude balcony. She will have inverted nipples underneath, which often looks very pretty in “anime related media” I will have to see additional pictures before making a fix decision about ordering or not.

manufacturer: Lechery – scale: 1/6 – release: September 2016

Upcoming figures I’m interested in

Love Live! School Idol Festival – Sonoda Umi

I will repeat myself ALTER’s Love Live! School Idol Festival are extremely alluring, just look at this amazing Yukata outfit, even Umi turns into a moeblob Lv 9000 in this announced figure prototype. The “drill instructor” Umi  was turned into a beautifuly, cuddly cute Idol, she’s just perfect in my eyes. With her, Nozomi and Nico I would have three of these cuties, yay!

manufacturer: ALTER – scale: 1/7 – release: …

This sums up the “emergency” New Preorder Post. Lets wait for the next pretty figure Avalanche. Was there anything interesting for you in the last few weeks? Or is there something you are looking forward to? Let me know in the comments, see you ^^.