Review: figma 036: Asahina Mikuru (Combat Waitress)
Product Name: figma Mikuru Asahina Fighting Waitress version
Series: The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi
Manufacturer: Max Factory
Price: 2500¥ ($30 US / €22) – No longer produced – after-market prices are higher
Release Date: May 2009
Specifications: Fully painted ABS&PVC poseable figure 135mm in height
Sculptor: Masaki Asai
Purchased from: eBay
figma (spelled with a small “f”) is a Japanese action figure line produced by Max Factory and distributed by Good Smile Company. A large number of the figures are based on bishoujo (a Japanese term used to refer to young and pretty girls, usually below college age) anime characters, and are available with various accessories, such as exchangeable faces.
figma figures features 17 points of articulation, including the use of figma disc joints (which allow a range of 200°) in seven locations such as the neck, elbows, knees, and ankles. More details on other joints that are used can be found here. The specific placement of these joints allows for a wide range of articulation.
This particular figma is Asahina Mikuru, a character from the Haruhi Suzumiya light novel series and The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya anime. Extremely cute, she often finds herself in situations of sexual harassment. She is in fact a time traveler from the future, sent back to investigate a massive timequake that occurred three years prior. Mikuru is very knowledgeable about the science and theories of time and time-travel.
Because of the dangers involved with time-travel, as well as the sensitivity of the mission, most information regarding the future and herself are highly classified, as she states this whenever asked about such topics, leading to her famous phrase “Classified information”. Additionally, she is forbidden in engaging in any romantic relationships with anyone outside of her original time span.
Long-time readers may already be wondering just what in the hell I’m on about. Usually, my work involves the GRIMDARK of Warhammer 40K or slaying dragons in Pathfinder – but that’s not all that I am interested in.
Yes, I am a grown man who likes cute little Japanese toys. Anyway…
Standing a little over 5 inches tall, Mikuru is wearing her waitress outfit which is dead-on exactly how it appears in the anime. It is extremely well-sculpted, with the apron and skirt being made of flexible PVC. She also has her trademark star-shaped mole right where it should be.
Instead of the standard set of hands that are usually included with figma figures, Combat Waitress Mikuru comes with 2 hands from the standard set, a right fist and right pointing finger, and 2 hands from the Original Tsuruya set, namely the ‘V’ hands in a victory and /or peace sign. The remaining hands are molded to hold the two handguns that are included with her.
Mikuru also comes with an extra face that features a blue left eye and a creepy reindeer head for Kyon (another character in the series), and a resealable plastic bag for all the accessories (the latter is standard for figmas).
Finally, Asahina Mikuru 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.
Overall, this is a fantastic figure that surpasses even my high expectations for toys. The sculpt, paint job, and design are well-above par, and the articulation is amazing.
