VirtualIdol photos on Flickr

Not a fan of the music, but I do like the character and keep eyes out for cool figures of her. It's about time Max Factory changed the wrist joints as the older designs had qc issues. Also, the shoulders have been improved, giving figures a greater range of movement. My complaint about this figure is that I had to tighten her ponytail joints. No big deal though.

About the image:

I've wanted to do a Miku pic for a long time now, but never got around to it. Yesterday, the idea just struck me suddenly and I went for it. I wanted her to really be into her performance while still being cute in what seems to be a cinematic music video.

I had to paint the buildings, sun, and some of the clouds.

"Adventurous and Amiable" by Nicholas Dilley

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Dressed for the outdoors, Japanese pop idol Hatsune Miku enthusiastically poses for the camera while on a leisurely walk in a meadow. Having performed across the world in countless physical and virtual concerts, Miku has long since learned to appreciate the humble pleasures of basking in the outdoors. While still in Winter even with the start of February, Miku eagerly awaits the right season to start hiking again, preferably somewhere a touch more "expeditionary."

"Idol at the Races" by Nicholas Dilley

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Dressed to impress, pop idol Hatsune Miku gives her promotions and salutations one sunny afternoon. In company with GOODSMILE RACING and TeamUKYO, Miku herself has served as the official mascot for the Good Smile Company's racing team, representing them in the GT 300 class at the SUPER GT, the preeminent racing championship in all of Japan.

My first Nendoroid Doll! by Siniirrphotography

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Nendoroid Doll Vocaloid Miku Hatsune Loungewear Outfit Ver.

Cutie ♥ by Siniirrphotography

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Nendoroid Doll Vocaloid Miku Hatsune Loungewear Outfit Ver.

_DQ_6063: 初音ミク【HATSUNE Miku】 - "Bitter Pâtissière" Luminasta by 葉如豪

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from Piapro

unknown scale prepainted prize figure

based on artwork by 夜空色

release date:2023-01-27

released by SEGA

🌐: segaplaza.jp/prize/D105311/

DSC_5355 by Quantum Stalker

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Two more days till the main event (or is that three.. I can never remember if it's the 24th or the 25th everyone gets jolly about). Personally, I'm bracing for the full force of having children home for the holidays and the addition of having to address various family traditions.. also, lots of running around outside taking pictures in that fluffy, fluffy snow that never seems to stick around because, well, its Toronto and I live down by the lake. It took me over a week to find the time to actually do some pictures for this figure, but, I finally did it - presenting Figma SP045 - Racing Miku 2012 Edition.

I've never seen a video of Hatsune Miku performing and barely have ever heard her singing, yet someone even I have ended up with three Figma of the unstoppable Vocaloid (virtual pop idol), mostly due to the fact that I do occasionally run into them at prices that are really good. This particular Figma I was able to purchase for $20 CAD off Kijiji, intact and complete.

Hatusne Miku, as mentioned, is a Vocaloid with an enormous following. So enormous that she has been cross promoted with various properties both virtual and in our world. IIRC, Good Smile Company sponsors a racing team every year, as a part of that sponsorship annually create a new outfit for Miku which adorns the vehicle and, of course, is used as the basis for the design of Figma, Nendoroid, and scale figures to be sold to the world. This, being the 2012 version, is one of older designs, but one thing about the Racing Miku line is that nothing ever looks dated because each year brings something energetic and unique to the character. It also helps that in general, all the Miku figures are full of life, mostly thanks to the various expressive face plates she's given and that every awesome set of twin tails she has.

Racing Miku comes with a decent set of accessories - there's the figure itself, two total facial expressions (smiling, winking), a racing flag, closed umbrella, open umbrella, champagne with splash effect, various hands, the standard dynamic Figma stand, and some Good Smile Racing 2012 stickers for you to.. I dunno.. put on your Figuarts or something.

Being a 2012 figure, Racing Miku was built on the Figma 1.0 platform, meaning a smaller overall figure, and fewer points of articulation - enough to get the job mostly done, but missing a few key ones that were added later on. In general, the proportions of the three figures seem about the same, but the art style on the Racing Miku definitely gives her a more energetic vibe compared to the Advent Costume version and Miku 2.0. The eyes are definitely more alive on the Racing version, but the biggest shake up is in the sculpting of the hair. Whereas 2.0 and Advent went for a sleeker look for the twin tails, Racing added some serious volume to them, giving Miku a very different look, very flashy. Of course, this is intentional given how Racing Miku is modeled after real life race queens who generally appear larger than life when on the job, as it were. Otherwise, the costume itself is a nice combination of white panels along a partially transparent skirt, along with Miku standard thigh high boots.

Articulation wise, Racing Miku posses ankles, single jointed knees, hips, upper torso motion, rotating shoulders with some slight chest collapse, bicep swivel, standard elbows, old style wrist connections which are peg based with a swivel joint on the hand itself, and head movement using the standard Figma joint. Missing would be the waist articulation that would eventually be added. As stated above, it's enough to get the job done, though clearly there is going to be no Black Widow or The Major levels of posing for this figure. Also, due to the presence of the skirt, sitting down is pretty much out of the question, though I suspect you might be able to get her to lounge on a beach chair or something. There are also two additional points of articulation, one in each of the pigtails.

Paint wise the figure enjoys the usual good level of applications. All finishes other than the flesh tones are in pearl, and in general paint apps are smooth, though the pearl paint apps in smaller, more detailed spaces are somewhat muddled mostly likely due to the layers needed of the comparatively thicker paint. Paint masking overall pretty good. While not perfectly crisp, the overall consensus is that at least they are clean with minimal issues due to poor masking - even the smiling mouth turned out quite well. Decals are clean and well applied. As mentioned, I really dig the eyes which are very much full of life, and the work on the hair itself is superb.

From a build quality and quality perspective, again no real concerns. All joints hold up to play testing, with no issues with regards arms and legs being lop sided. Parts fit where they were supposed to with the appropriate amount of force required for inserting and removing. Finish of the parts themselves was found to be quite good, aided by the paint apps that generally cover up the assembly seams and rough finishes. Materials themselves are.. whatever Figmas used back in the day, and continue to use now. Which is more than I can say for Transformers products, which seem to fluctuate every few years, along with the site of manufacturing.

I think overall, all the specialty Miku designs are more.. dramatic, which usually translates into a better looking figure. Of course, it's hard for a Pop Idol to compare to a Race Queen or a magical fairy. I rather enjoy this Racing Miku subline, and certainly wouldn't mind adding more to my collection should the opportunity arise. From a toy perspective, she's pretty much as solid as one would expect from a Figma, minus the ability to sit and of course the missing waist joint due to age.

Back to the hunt.

DSC_5277 by Quantum Stalker