Posted by Stephen Donaldson on July 24, 2011 |
13 Comments
At this year’s San Diego Comic Con, Kotobukiya’s signature Bishoujo figures were out in full force with quite a few new additions as well. From movies, to video games, to comics, there’s something for everyone here.
First up were the continuations of the Marvel and DC Bishoujo lines with the additions of a black colorway of Batgirl and Poison Ivy for DC and Mystique, X-23, and Elektra for Marvel. The new colorway of Batgirl will be available in December for $59.99 and Poison Ivy will be available in February for $64.99, and both look quite great in person. Poison Ivy’s detailed sculpt with her many whisps of hair and tentacle plants is quite impressive in person and I can’t wait to see the final product. On the Marvel end of things, Elektra will be coming out late this year with X-23 and Mystique to follow early next year, and all 3 have a retail price of $59.99. I really love the way that Mystique and X-23 have been captured in these sculpts; the character’s personalities as well as Shunya Yamashita’s unique style really shine through and really work well together.
Next up were the new announcements of video game bishoujo figures with the announcement of a Tekken line and a Mass Effect 3 Liara. The Tekken line, which had been revealed a few weeks ago, so far contains Christie Monteiro and Alisa Bosconovitch from Tekken Tag Tournament 2 and will begin releasing with Christie at the end of the year and Alisa shortly after early next year. Having now seen Christie in person, the few changes made to her outfit really don’t detract from her character at all and the detailing on the back of her shirt is really stunning in person. Sitting next to this announcement was the shocker of Liara from Mass Effect 3, which is about as far from a Japanese game franchise as one could get. Liara will be the first in a series of figures and was only shown off in concept art, but from what we were shown, I can’t wait to see the final sculpt, which should be soon as she’s set to be released before the end of the year.
Last and not least, the movie bishoujo line has not been forgotten. While there were no new announcements on hand at Comic Con, the recently released Ghostbusters Lucy was on hand as well as confirmation that the next series that will get a release is Star Wars. Be sure to hit the jump to check out all of the bishoujos on hand at the Kotobukiya booth at San Diego Comic Con 2011 and leave your thoughts in a comment about what other bishoujos you’d like to see!
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![<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-42557 slb_group[42552] slb slb_internal" href="http://www.plastikitty.com/home/wondercon-2013-kotobukiyas-dc-marvel-artfx/attachment/wondercon13artfxheader"></a></p> <p>Kotobukiya’s first line in the ArtFX+ scale was <a href="http://www.plastikitty.com/home/check-out-kotobukiyas-full-new-52-justice-leage-artfx" target="_blank">the full New 52 Justice League</a>, so now that it’s all finished what is next? Well as we <a href="http://www.plastikitty.com/home/toy-fair-2013-kotobukiyas-marvel-now-avengers-110-artfx" target="_blank">found out at Toy Fair</a>, Marvel is joining the fray! At WonderCon they announced that Hulk would be entering the line, and I think it’s safe to bet that the rest of the Avengers will follow.</p> <p>As for DC, we have three announcements! We’re getting some more ladies with Catwoman and Supergirl, and a baddie is joining the lineup with Black Adam. Hooray for more women! Hopefully Huntress gets an ArtFX+ at some point…</p> <p>[via <a href="http://morethanjustreviews.com/kotobukiya-wondercon-2013-discussion-panel/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://morethanjustreviews.com']);" target="_blank">More Than Just Reviews</a>]</p>](http://www.plastikitty.com/wp-content/uploads/WonderCon13ArtFXHeader.jpg "WonderCon 2013: Kotobukiya’s DC & Marvel ArtFX+")
![<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-40197 slb_group[40129] slb slb_internal" href="http://www.plastikitty.com/home/toy-fair-2013-dc-collectibles-booth-overview/attachment/toyfair2013dccollectiblesboothoverviewheader"></a></p> <p>As they usually do, DC Collectibles had a massive booth at Toy Fair stuffed with goodies. We’ve already taken a look at some of these, like <a href="http://www.plastikitty.com/home/toy-fair-2013-dc-collectibles-bombshells-line" target="_blank">the Poison Ivy Bombshell</a> and <a href="www.plastikitty.com/home/toy-fair-2013-dc-collectibles-man-of-steel-figures" target="_blank">the <em>Man of Steel</em> statues</a>, but of course there was a lot more! For starters, they’ll be continuing their New 52 action figure line with a lot of new characters. 2 good guys (Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter), 3 baddies (Captain Cold, Black Adam, <em>Death of the Family</em> Joker), and Catwoman (who falls squarely in the middle). They’ll also be doing an action figure of Solomon Grundy, which is massive and weighs more than you can possibly imagine.</p> <p>Swamp Thing will be getting a totally bitchin new statue in December. There’s a Trinity set of action figures featuring (shockingly) Wonder Woman, Superman and Batman, along with some New 52 two-packs. As for new Covergirls (which is what I really care about!) Batgirl, Batwoman, Supergirl and Platinum will be joining the line. Of course there are several new Batman Black & White stautes, mini articulated figures, an Ozymandius statue, and Nightwing from <em>Arkham City. </em>PHEW! That’s a whole lot of toys.</p>](http://www.plastikitty.com/wp-content/uploads/ToyFair2013DCCollectiblesBoothOverviewHeader.jpg "Toy Fair 2013: DC Collectibles’ Booth Overview")
![<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-39606 slb_group[39466] slb slb_internal" href="http://www.plastikitty.com/home/toy-fair-2013-square-enixs-dark-knight-trilogy-play-arts-kai/attachment/toyfair2013square-enixbatmantrilogyheader"></a></p> <p>At NYCC, Square-Enix had <a>a whole lot of Batman merchandise on hand</a>, and of course large handful of it was from the Dark Knight Trilogy. Their Bane, which was unpainted then, is now painted–though his texture looks a little sandpaper-y. We’ve also got Bats himself, Catwoman Anne Hathaway style, and the ubiquitous Joker. It’s odd how much the quality varies: Catwoman looks a little… lumpy, while the Joker is perfectly executed and Batman is rather in-between. Check them all out in the gallery!</p>](http://www.plastikitty.com/wp-content/uploads/ToyFair2013Square-EnixBatmanTrilogyHeader.jpg "Toy Fair 2013: Square-Enix’s Dark Knight Trilogy Play Arts Kai")
![<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-31578 slb_group[31482] slb slb_internal" href="http://www.plastikitty.com/?attachment_id=31578"></a></p> <p>Square-Enix’s Play Arts Kai line of action figures used to be limited to only their own licenses. In fact, it was pretty much only Final Fantasy characters! Well, it’s changed a lot in the past few years, and one of their biggest new franchise they’ve managed to snag is Batman–both based on the Nolan movies and the <em>Arkham Asylum</em>/<em>Arkham City</em> games. From the movies they have<em> The Dark Knight Rises</em> Batman, Bane and Catwoman. While I’m not usually a fan of the faces on Play-Arts Kai, I think these ones have turned out quite nice! I especially like Catwoman. I was looking forward to her since the <a href="http://www.plastikitty.com/home/sdcc-2012-square-enix-dc-movie-play-arts-kai" target="_blank">announcement at SDCC</a>, and I’m glad she turned out looking so good. There’s also the Joker from <em>The Dark Knight</em>.</p> <p>From <em>Arkham City</em> we have Batman, Harley Quinn, Robin, and Catwoman. Funnily enough, Robin was painted <a href="http://www.plastikitty.com/home/sdcc-2012-square-enix-batman-video-game-play-arts-kai" target="_blank">at SDCC</a>, but they brought the unpainted prototype to this event. They didn’t have the Joker on hand, or any new announcements. I wonder if they’ll be making any other game design Batman Play Arts Kai?</p>](http://www.plastikitty.com/wp-content/uploads/NYCC2012Square-EnixBatmanPlayArtsHeader.jpg "NYCC 2012: Square-Enix’s Batman Play Arts Kai")
![<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-31296 slb_group[31267] slb slb_internal" href="http://www.plastikitty.com/home/nycc-2012-dc-collectibles-ame-comi-line/attachment/nycc2012dccollectiblesamecomiheader"></a></p> <p>I haven’t exactly been the biggest fan of DC Collectibles’ Ame-Comi line: so far I’ve vastly preferred Kotobukiya’s Bishoujos, mainly because the sculpting on the Ame-Comi girls is just…. weird. Like the new(ish) Holiday Catwoman for example, who doesn’t even have room for her organs in that tiny little body, the poor thing. But they’ve been improving steadily recently: the Brainiac and Harley Quinn version 2 they had on display looked quite nice, though Harley’s baby face does freak me out. The star of the show, though, was their Mary Marvel who… I actually really like! She’s just so cute! And also doesn’t suffer from a disturbingly tiny body. I never thought I’d say this, but I am actually considering adding an Ame-Comi to my collection!</p>](http://www.plastikitty.com/wp-content/uploads/NYCC2012DCCollectiblesAmeComiHeader.jpg "NYCC 2012: DC Collectibles’ Ame-Comi Line")
![<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-29653 slb_group[29637] slb slb_internal" href="http://www.plastikitty.com/home/tokyo-game-show-2012-square-enix/attachment/tgs2012squareenixheader"></a></p> <p>Tokyo Game Show isn’t exactly known for figure announcements, but at every convention or event in the nerd industry a few are bound to pop up! Square-Enix, as a manufacturer of both games and figures, of course had quite a few Play-Arts Kai on hand. The Tron Sora & Riku <a href="http://www.plastikitty.com/home/sdcc-2012-square-enix-play-arts-kai-sora-riku" target="_blank">we saw at SDCC</a> are painted, and we’ve also got another more basically clothed Kingdom Hearts set… of Sora and Riku. Seriously, companies act like they’re the only characters in the games! The <a href="http://www.plastikitty.com/home/sdcc-2012-square-enix-dc-movie-play-arts-kai" target="_blank">Catwoman & Joker movie-versions</a> are sculpted, and we’ve go an <em>Arkham City</em> Harley Quinn. Of course we’ve got a Final Fantasy announcement as well: Rufus Shinra from <em>VII</em>!</p> <p>Then there’s the usual flood of Halo merchandise, along with surprise appearances from <em>Starship Troopers: Invasion</em>,<em> Medal of Honor: Warfighter</em> and<em> Zetman</em>! Check them all out in the gallery below.</p> <p>[via <a href="http://marshallalloc.blog90.fc2.com/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://marshallalloc.blog90.fc2.com']);" target="_blank">Marshal.Alloc</a>]</p>](http://www.plastikitty.com/wp-content/uploads/TGS2012SquareEnixHeader.jpg "Tokyo Game Show 2012: Square-Enix")
![<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-26606 slb_group[26577] slb slb_internal" href="http://www.plastikitty.com/home/sdcc-2012-square-enix-batman-video-game-play-arts-kai/attachment/sdcc2012square-enixbatmanvideogameheader"></a></p> <p>We already took a look at the Batman Play Arts <a href="http://www.plastikitty.com/home/sdcc-2012-square-enix-dc-movie-play-arts-kai" target="_blank">based on <em>The Dark Knight Rises</em></a>, but there’s more where that came from! We’ve got Batman, Robin, Catwoman, the Joker and Harley based on the <em>Arkham City</em> game designs, along with the black and white colorways of Batman and the Joker that they had on sale at the event. I really wish Catwoman had her top zippered up, though I understand it’s based on the game where she is busting out. If only every Catwoman was as tasteful as Anne Hathaway!</p>](http://www.plastikitty.com/wp-content/uploads/SDCC2012Square-EnixBatmanVideoGameHeader.jpg "SDCC 2012: Square-Enix Batman Video Game Play Arts Kai")
![<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-26631 slb_group[26579] slb slb_internal" href="http://www.plastikitty.com/?attachment_id=26631"></a></p> <p>Batman has always been a popular franchise, but the Nolan movies have really skyrocketed them to success in the figure world. Even companies that work almost exclusively on Japanese titles, like Square-Enix, are getting involved! They’ve done Play Arts Kai based on the <em>Arkham Asylum/City</em> game designs before, but now it’s time for some <em>The Dark Knight Rises</em> figures! I think generally faces are a weak point on action figures, but thankfully most of the designs include masks of some type so they don’t detract from the overall look. So far Bane and Batman are sculpted, with a Catwoman on the way: Bane in particular looks awesome! I’d like to get one and have him terrorize all my other figures. “I’m PVC’s reckoning!”</p>](http://www.plastikitty.com/wp-content/uploads/SDCC2012Square-EnixDCMovieHeader.jpg "SDCC 2012: Square-Enix DC Movie Play Arts Kai")
![<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-26003 slb_group[26002] slb slb_internal" href="http://www.plastikitty.com/?attachment_id=26003"></a></p> <p>Hot Toys sure does love Batman, and they’ve already announced 1/6 scale action figures of Batman and Bane from <em>The Dark Knight Rises</em>. Unsurprisingly, the next character they are working on is the cat burglar, Selina Kyle! It seems like she’ll also come with the Batbike, along with the company’s usual attention to detail. Though we only have a small glimpse of the outfit, she looks amazing!</p> <p>[via <a href="http://www.hottoys.com.hk/news.php" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.hottoys.com.hk']);">Hot Toys News</a>]</p>](http://www.plastikitty.com/wp-content/uploads/HotToysCatwomanTeaser.jpg "Hot Toys Takes On Catwoman From The Dark Knight Rises")
![<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-217 slb_group[107] slb slb_internal" href="http://www.plastikitty.com/home/sdcc-2011-kotobukiyas-marvel-dc-movie-and-video-game-bishoujos/attachment/kotobishsdccheader"></a></p> <p>At this year’s San Diego Comic Con, Kotobukiya’s signature Bishoujo figures were out in full force with quite a few new additions as well. From movies, to video games, to comics, there’s something for everyone here.</p> <p>First up were the continuations of the Marvel and DC Bishoujo lines with the additions of a black colorway of Batgirl and Poison Ivy for DC and Mystique, X-23, and Elektra for Marvel. The new colorway of Batgirl will be available in December for $59.99 and Poison Ivy will be available in February for $64.99, and both look quite great in person. Poison Ivy’s detailed sculpt with her many whisps of hair and tentacle plants is quite impressive in person and I can’t wait to see the final product. On the Marvel end of things, Elektra will be coming out late this year with X-23 and Mystique to follow early next year, and all 3 have a retail price of $59.99. I really love the way that Mystique and X-23 have been captured in these sculpts; the character’s personalities as well as Shunya Yamashita’s unique style really shine through and really work well together.</p> <p>Next up were the new announcements of video game bishoujo figures with the announcement of a Tekken line and a <em>Mass Effect 3</em> Liara. The Tekken line, which had been revealed a few weeks ago, so far contains Christie Monteiro and Alisa Bosconovitch from <em>Tekken Tag Tournament 2</em> and will begin releasing with Christie at the end of the year and Alisa shortly after early next year. Having now seen Christie in person, the few changes made to her outfit really don’t detract from her character at all and the detailing on the back of her shirt is really stunning in person. Sitting next to this announcement was the shocker of Liara from <em>Mass Effect 3</em>, which is about as far from a Japanese game franchise as one could get. Liara will be the first in a series of figures and was only shown off in concept art, but from what we were shown, I can’t wait to see the final sculpt, which should be soon as she’s set to be released before the end of the year.</p> <p>Last and not least, the movie bishoujo line has not been forgotten. While there were no new announcements on hand at Comic Con, the recently released <em>Ghostbusters</em> Lucy was on hand as well as confirmation that the next series that will get a release is <em>Star Wars</em>. Be sure to hit the jump to check out all of the bishoujos on hand at the Kotobukiya booth at San Diego Comic Con 2011 and leave your thoughts in a comment about what other bishoujos you’d like to see!</p></p>](http://www.plastikitty.com/wp-content/uploads/KotoBishSDCCHeader.jpg "SDCC 2011: Kotobukiya’s Marvel, DC, Movie, and Video Game Bishoujos")
