Today I’ll review this iconic Love Live! figure couple that consists of Yazawa Nico and Maki Nishikino.
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.
Otaking, the Statue Conqueror
Beautiful background set ! I love the design of the wall, with those groups of 4 bricks, and the white lower part. And that big window (or is it a glass door…). It goes really well with the colour scheme of the figures. And the cute little flower pot on the table. The flowers look really detailed. Are the 3d printed or are from another anime figure?
You did a nice job combining our two reviews, it flows well reading it. I liked it !
I have to agree about Maki’s right eye, it really does get covered by the shadow.
I have some eye-vision problems (I’m an otamega), but I still think the 2 stripes on each of their arms are of different colors, one pink, the other darker. That’s what I see looking at your pair. I guess I’ll know for sure once I open mine. I think I’ll do that in the next days.
Otaking, the Statue Conqueror
Thanks for adding the original illustration. So I finally opened my own box (largely because of this article). Two more things worth noting:
-the skirts are very soft and flexible, I’d say they are made of rubber
-yes, the stripes on each of the girl’s blazers are of different colors – pink and red.
wieselhead
Yeah, no problem ^^ adding this should have been essential.
Haha great to hear you was triggered to open it, they are certainly great, even when you are no Love Live fan 😀
The details are so elaborate on them, it’s awesome.
wieselhead
Thank you very much, the first version of my set for them was not appealing,
I’m glad that I gathered enough motivation t give it another try.
The flowers with pot were purchased on etsy.com a lovely platform for hand made goods.
Everything else on this set is 3D printed, though (except the acyl glass).
Indeed, the text turns out to be more refreshing in that style.
Thank you for being a big help with it, I really like your writing style 🙂
Glad you opened it now
Otaking, the Statue Conqueror
I forgot something. Looking at that drawing, yes, these figures look considerably different from the drawn versions, in fact better. Also, maybe you could post that original illustration that was used as basis for this sculpture.
One more thing. i’m really sorry I forgot to write this following joke in the review itself.
It’s like Nico is saying “No, no, I’m scared, what if he’ll reject me !?” and Maki tells her “Don’t worry, it will be easy! And if he doesen’t like you, who cares, you can find another man, or you can live alone…or you can have me…” … ok, maybe that last one is too much of a fan-fic/ship (since you said they don’t like each other in the anime and games), but I’m sure you could have found something like that on Thumbler or Deviant art haha, not a far stretch.
Everyone, do yourselves a favour and do NOT click on the following link, especially if you like My Hero Academia
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/717268678133804293/
wieselhead
Some things look better in 3D and some things in 2D, that is my experience from collecting figures for years ^^
Yeah, I attached the illustration for it now.
Haha nice idea, it was probably meant in such a fashion. There are many fan made things and doujinshi that show them as couple.
… lol
Chag
These two definitely make for one of the cutest figures duos out there. I like the backdrop you use for these photos, it suits the subjects nicely.
On a separate note: good job for keeping this site running for over ten years! You’ve outlasted almost all of us and made many great posts and photos over the years. Keep up the good work!
Otaking, the Statue Conqueror
Hello. I only looked at your site a little, but you have superb landscape photos.
wieselhead
Thank you ^^ I actually come from bug photography and learned a few things, but someday bishoujo figures became more interesting.
Otaking, the Statue Conqueror
Actually I was talking to Chag, hence I replied to his comment. His site has cool pics of towns and houses. But since you replied to me, i searched and found this over here, I’ll check them out in the future. BTW I also have insects encased in glass in my collection hehe
http://wieselhead.de/?s=+landscape
Otaking, the Statue Conqueror
BTW I’m pretty sure I’ve seen photos of anime figures with real-life insects, like Nendoroids with snails.
wieselhead
how gross ahahaha
wieselhead
whoops XD This happens when I reply to comments on the dash board .
Now I sounded conceited, but yes Chag also takes great pictures.
Otaking, the Statue Conqueror
I think snails are super cute, both with and without the shell-house. I love them.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/53972895503756321/
https://myfigurecollection.net/picture/1495599
https://myfigurecollection.net/picture/1792898
I wanted to take a picture like the above one, but someone beat me to it lol.
Here’s a story.
One day recently we had torrential rain, and afterwards there were like 40-50 of snails all over my yard. It was surreal! I have this nendroid from the above pic, and I thought about bringing it out and attracting the snails to it. They love the leaves of this plant, and It have some growing in the garden-patch. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zitronenstrauch
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloysia_citrodora
Just put the leaves on the ground (maybe squish the edges so they get juicy), put the figure on the leaves, and the snails will swarm…just make sure they go around the base of the figure, because their slime might be hard to clean off the base.
Also, I didn’t make any “slimy and slippery” jokes. I’ll refrain.
wieselhead
Hi Chag, cool that you visit ^^ Yeah, I agree that these two look great together. Thanks, most of this backdrop was made with a 3D printer, these things are very helpful for creating the props I need. Hehe this blog is really old now I’m happy about it being still there. Although I would have preferred if I hadn’t outlasted all of those good blogs, it’s a little lonely. Thank you for the praise, I still try to get better with photography 😀
Kwok Hei Vincent
OMG, You are ALIVE! What happen to you? Now if only you return to Deviantart and pose those sexy figure photos on there, I and many of your watchers will be very happy. But on a series note, did you order any new anime figures and if you did please post photo of them.
wieselhead
I’m not dead XD DA isn’t a big platform anymore, it’s far behind Twitter, IG and fb.
So I kind of forget to upload on DA most of the time. Yes, I still order new figures,
not as much as in earlier years, but I’m still in the hobby ^^
I’ll be back lol
Kwok Hei Vincent Chan
OMG, you are ALIVE! So are you going to post these pictures on DA? We missed you over there.
wieselhead
Ok, I promise to make my return 😀
Kwok Hei Vincent Chan
Yea, thank you^^