Try Saying Kureinkurein 10x Fast
The spending continues onward.
Today’s expense was Kureinkurein from Generation of Chaos IV, released by Atelier-Sai late last August. Probably one of the few individuals out there that still kept their order, even after photos of the actual product (see Hobby Search), did lady luck give me help and somehow savaged this figure? Was Hobby Search’s photos just a case of a bad sample used or were all Kureinkurein that unevenly done?
The proof is in the pudding if you continue reading onward.
… and damn, that pudding tasted pretty horrible. In other words, Hobby Search’s photos were right on the money. While not as disappointing as Solid Theater’s Isuzu Tsumugi, Atelier-Sai’s Kureinkurein definitely leaves something to be desired.
Let me get the bad points out of the way first. The biggest, and most obvious, issue had to do with the paint job. It’s not horribly done but something looks off; as if there was too much paint on the armor. Maybe a better way of describing it is that the armor looks too fake and thick-ish plastic-y compared to other figures where armor, well looks like actual armor. Another issue was with the hair, while not bad or anything, could have been better detailed. I’m probably getting spoiled from other better quality figures from the likes of MegaHouse, GSC, Kotobukiya, etc but Atelier-Sai’s attempt this time just didn’t meet the cut. The final issue, which the other two may stem from, was the material used. I think out of the 50+ figures I currently own, Kureinkurein felt the most durable, in that bad-easily-bendable way. Normally, at least in my experience, figures should feel rock solid and stable; not with Kureinkurein as when I mounted her on the stand, I already felt the abnormally high(?) bend-ability as I moved her legs a bit. If a stronger or more brute force type of individual were handling the figure, I could see the person accidentally bending the figure with little to no trouble.
Once one leaves aside the core issue of the materials used, Kureinkurein as a general figure is pretty decent. For example, the pose one can feel the inner confident and strength the character is presenting, which easily helps give the figure more “character” versus if the pose was something uber plain. Also the color choices with the mix of the darker gray tones work well to give Kureinkurein a more medieval feel; the splash of red with the cape really helped to make it stand out as well. And for all the misgivings I have about the figure, I can at least give some praise over the fine job Atelier-Sai did on Kureinkurein’s face as it looks clean with little to no defects.
So even with some positive points to the figure, did Atelier-Sai’s Kureinkurein make the cut? Definitely not. Similar to the Isuzu Tsumugi figure I reviewed a few weeks back, this Kureinkurein had so much potential but at the end, got lost due to production issue or/and quality checks.
If I had the chance, would I cancel the order for this figure? Probably not since I’m crazy but if I wasn’t, almost 99.9% definitely. I can only suggest Atelier-Sai’s Kureinkurein to those who enjoy the series it’s based off of (a game?) or those with deep wallets. Amateurs and even veteran figure collectors alike should stand away from the figure if possible as too many production issues just simply doesn’t justify the cost and overall amateurish quality.
What a great sculpt to be squandered away with poor production values. I was initially tempted when kurein chan appeared on amiami but seeing the atelier sai tag, I dropped it. Still for an AS product, she has a good facial sculpt (one of AS’s crippling weaknesses imo)
Would you get getting OrchidSeed’s Satsuki to add to your ‘babes with blades’ series?
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10062852
I would~ =D
After getting the Shuffle girls from Atelier-Sai, I decided not to buy anymore figures from them, same as Yujin. Just the quality of their products just aren’t worth my hard earned dollars.
Pose looks okay tho, but the paint job…. ^^;;.
Stripey, honestly forgot Atelier-Sai was a crap company as I got blinded but the initially awesomeness of Kurein^2. Now I know better and will be avoiding them like the plague. And of course, I already have Satsuki preordered
bj0rN, yep same here. While Orchid Seed is usually hit or miss for me, their Satsuki looks pretty good. I just hope it doesn’t turn out like Kurein^2 did. Then again, I have their Ryomou and that thing is like a brick! Dropped it like 3x times and it’s in great condition (I will say, however, it’s a leaner which sucks).
Adun, Yujin I’ve avoided like crazy after their crappy TF/gasha F/SN collection I got a year or so ago. And yea, I should have realized AS would be crap after seeing your review for the Shuffle girls on your blog. doh!
Kurogane, yea… -_-;;
I thought Atelier-Sai did an OK job on the Mikuru nurse figure. I’m not very picky though. Looking at it again, the paint does make it look kind of plastic-like and the lines do show up. Maybe they are as bad as everyone says…
You know what…? It’s time to pick up the resin kit that e2046 is about to have made. They really wasted a good opportunity with this one. The eyes look nice though.
Like Adun, since I bought the SHUFFLE! figures of Primula & Kaede, I’ve never thought of getting another figure from Atelier Sai.
Draneor, just based on the few commentators here it seems AS gets very little love from the fans. Does seem justified however, at least based on their past releases. Heh.
baka, good luck with that! I guess as long as it’s under the Gathering line, the paint job would turn out decent. Or, of course, if you’re an excellent resin kit builder yourself
lu-k, the non-love for AS continues… lol