Packaging:
Miku comes in a standard Figma box.
On the front is a window for viewing the figure, on one side is the Figma logo, on the other is a picture of the figure, on the back there is relevant information, all in Japanese, and pictures of the figure in various poses with their various accessories. Instructions for swapping face pieces and other items are usually printed on either inside of the box tabs or on a piece of paper slipped inside the packaging. Also take note that all figures you purchase have the correct authentication printed or stickered on the box.
Inside the box the figure is held between two pieces of moulded plastic, with spaces for their accessories. The extra hands and the base of the Figma stand are stored in plastic bags underneath the figure in the plastic moulding. Figures are usually wrapped with plastic in certain areas to protect the paint. Boxes also come with inserts which act as backdrops in the box and can be taken out and used for backdrops while displaying figures. Miku's backdrop is a reflective silver. Miku also comes with a special cut-out to use with the Di: Stage.
Figma’s also are supplied with a small zip-lock bag to store all the accessories in, the name of the figure can be written on this bag so that figure accessories can be stored neatly. Figma’s also come with a neat little device for storing the extra hands in.
Packaging = 8/10
Stand:
Miku comes with the standard Figma stand. Made of clear plastic it has three points of articulation which move forwards and back on hinge joints, one joint is at the bottom where it plugs into the base, one in the middle and one where it plugs into the Figma. The articulation of the stand allows the Figma to be posed in a variety of dynamic poses, and because it is clear it does not interfere with the aesthetic of taking dynamic and exciting photos.
Miku also comes with an extra U shaped piece which attaches to the end of her stand so that she can be attached to her stand in when her accessory is attached. A very nice touch by Max Factory.
Stand = 8/10
Sculpt:
This is Miku Hastune Append Version.
Miku's overall design is based on a GSC still PVC figure and the figma version was brought out to celebrate Figma's 100th Figma. Here we see Miku in a simple streamline space get-up. She has this lovely airy-weightless quality about her, with black fading to grey, pearl white, and semi-transparent pale green hair, she has an effortless feel about her. She is rather elegant and beautiful.
Starting from the top, her hair is trademark Miku twin-tails but this time semi-transparent fading to pale green, and her hair tie's have been made bigger and rounded. Her body is beautifully sculpted the shape of her back is arched and her skin tight suit shows off her curves and also the first figure to show signs of a belly button, so cute and sexy. Her arms are thin and elegant and even with the exposed shoulder joint it somehow manages to look more natural than previous figures. Her front skirt piece is made of soft PVC and moves on a ball joint at each hip allowing her the most leg movement of any Figma. Her legs look great and I am happy to say that although she is still rather thin they have beefed this Miku figure out a bit with thicker thighs and hips, giving her curves and a more adult looking body than the original Miku figure who was a bit too twiggy. And I don't know why but my favourite part are her little bare feet, with her little toes!
She is a elegant space queen and I have to say on her way to being my favourite figure in terms of sculpt, so she gets I think my very first ten-out-of-ten score.
Sculpt = 10/10
Paint:
Miku has a colour scheme of black, pearl white, pale green, and some redish-pink highlights. The colour scheme is effective in giving her a space feel, she looks stunning. The colour in her hair blends nicely into the semi-transparent green. And the fade from grey to black is flawless, and you gotta love the pearl white which glistens in the light. There are a few run-overs of paint but this is minimal and all her fine detailing is perfect
Miku's accessories are also well painted with her extra skirt pieces being my favourite with the pearl fading into the semi-transparent green.
Paint = 9/10
Articulation:
Miku use’s the standard Figma joint system. Figma joints are hinge joints with pegs on either end allowing both forward and back movement and rotation.
At the top of her neck is a Figma joint allowing her to look side to side, down and up. To change the faces on Figma’s the front piece of hair is removed and then the faces can be taken of and swapped.
The shoulder consists of a double joint, a ball joint which sits inside the upper body, this is attached to a ball shaped Figma joint which acts as the shoulder, and this allows full range of motion to the shoulder. Further down a Figma joint is used as the elbow and bends in and then out straight and there is some slight rotation for the lower arm to turn in and out. At the wrist the various hands plug into a small hole at the end of the arm. Each hand also has a hinge joint, which not only allows the hand to rotate but also to move up and down which gives the figure realistic wrist movement.
A waist joint is located under her chest. Waist joints are ball and socket joints, a ball joint will be attached to the upper body and which plug into a socket in the main torso, this gives the body twisting movement and bending forwards and back. At the hips a three jointed ball and socket joint is used. One ball plugs into a socket at the bottom of the torso acting as the hip joint; this allows the hips to turn side to side, lean forward or back, then on each of the other two ball joints the legs plug on. Each leg has an inner socket which the ball joint plugs into, this piece allows full range of motion from the ball joint and also allows the thigh to turn in and out as it pegs inside the main leg piece.
A Figma joint is then used as the knee allowing the knee to bend backwards and then out to straight, and there is some slight rotation for the lower leg to turn in and out. The ankle also is a Figma joint allowing the foot to point and flex turn in and out.
Miku also has four extra points of additional articulation each pony-tail has its own Figma joint, and her skirt attaches via a ball and socket joint on each side allowing manipulation of her skirt pieces.
Pose:
Miku is therefore highly posable and can be posed in a variety of ways. With the use of the accessories supplied, her alternative dress pieces, she can be displayed in a similar way to the GSC still PVC figure. Miku has little limitations to her movement, apart from a fixed torso, I would go as far to say that she is the most posable and flexible of all figma's since her clothing design doesn't have any restrictive pieces.
Articulation & Pose = 9/10
Enjoyment:
I will break down enjoyment into two categories: Accessories and Play Value.
Accessories:
Miku comes with three facial expressions; a happy classic Miku expression, a closed eye expression, and a seductive expression. Miku also comes with an assortment of hands; a pair of open hands, a pair of relaxed hands, fists, and a pair of hands for holding items.
Miku also comes with alternative clothing pieces, extra upper arm pieces, two extra skirt pieces, an alternative tummy piece and a cord which attaches to the back of her belt.
To switch Miku into her alternative clothes, simply remove each arm at the shoulder and the elbow and replace the normal upper arm piece, her skirt pieces simple pop on and off of ball joints on each hip, and to remove her tummy simply take off her skirt pieces and above her leg ease the piece up and then pull down, and do the reverse to attach the alternative piece.
Play Value:
I will break down play value into two categories: Compatibility, with other figures and accessories, and general play.
Compatibility:
Miku is very compatible with other Figma accessories. Her holding hands can be used with a number of accessories from other figures she also is a good figure to switch bodies with, with a number of figures looking great with her body and hers with theirs. I particularly like using KOS MOS's morph arm with Miku.
Next up is a height comparison, as you can see she is on the shorter side of the figma height scale and is just under the average height for a figma.
General Play:
In general Miku is a fun figure, she has loads of movement and her space age look gives her something fun and unique and she goes well with the other sci-fi type figures.
Overall Miku is well on her way to becoming one of my favourite figures, she is just so beautiful and elegant as well as having lots of posing potential. However what is holding her back from being the best figure ever is the lack of accessories which came with her, but if you have plenty of figures already to mix and match with then this is no problem.
Enjoyment = 9/10
Over all Miku Hatsune Append Ver. scores 8.8/10
