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