The start of the year is looking good with a lot of good figures going up for preorder. Again, I would really appreciate it if you can use my affiliate links when preordering figures. They’re the red buttons that you can find throughout the article.
So, let’s get started.
League of Legends – Ahri – 1/7 – Star Guardian (Good Smile Arts Shanghai, Good Smile Company)
We got another Ahri figure incoming and of course, you can expect that Riot will keep dishing out the Ahri figures. Riot is in love with Ahri seeing as she has too many skins in the game already. This one is based on the Star Guardian skin which is League’s take on magical girls. They have an actual backstory on this. Now that I think about it, a Star Guardian anime would be pretty lit.
First thing first. This is a great-looking figure. It is extremely detailed. It looks grand and can make for a great centerpiece in your display. And since this is being made by GSC, you can expect that the quality will be superb. I just wish her tails had more fluff. Have you seen the KDA AHri figure by APEX? That one had massive tails. In fact, the tail is very heavy. I’ll try to get my review for the Ahri figure by APEX up before the end of the week.
Should you preorder this? It is a bit pricey but considering the level of detail, it’s a steal. Go ahead and preorder her.
Chainsaw Man – Makima – B-style – 1/4 – Bunny Ver. (FREEing)
The Chainsaw Man anime was underwhelming for all the hype that it got. I’m sure it will get better. Still, I can still say the anime was a good watch.
Now that we’re getting figures of Makima, I just wish she had some more character development in the first season. I consider character development as fuel for deciding on preordering figures but that didn’t happen yet. I’m curious because I saw some people hyping her as the “ultimate waifu” but I didn’t get that vibe at all. So far, all she’s been is a big tease. So maybe it happens later on.
This bunny figure is just okay. I think the facial expression could be better. It’s quite pricey so I don’t really get how FREEing can charge that much for this level of detail. If anything, a bigger figure is easier to work with. If you argue that it’s the raw materials, PVC plastic is actually dirt cheap.
Should you preorder this? Why even ask? You’ve made up your mind already.
Chainsaw Man – Power – B-style – 1/4 – Bunny Ver. (FREEing)
This! This is much better compared to Makima (above). Power has a more dynamic pose and a better facial expression. It’s like you can actually hear her talking. Also, red bunny suits are special. I’ve said this many times in the past.
Should you preorder this? Go for it. If you had to choose between Makima and Power, go with Power.
Chainsaw Man – Makima – ARTFX J – 1/8 (Kotobukiya)
I think there is room for improvement here but it is a decent figure. Kotobukiya usually does good quality so I’m confident this will turn out fine. The unique base is a big plus. Also, you can’t ignore the fact that this is pretty cheap. It’s actually a steal. It’s a shame though that this is only a 1/8 scale. A 1/7 scale would have been much better.
Orders from the Kotobukiya store come with an exclusive faceplate.
Should you preorder this? Yes.
Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: First Kiss wa Owaranai – Hayasaka Ai – B-style – 1/4 – Bunny Ver. (FREEing)
People have been saying her proportions seem off. I think she looks just fine. To the naysayers, it’s probably just the awkward angle of the photo. I looked at the other angles and she seems alright.
Should you preorder this? Sure, why not.
Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari Season 2 – Raphtalia – 1/7 – Katana no Yuusha (Kotobukiya)
It’s much pricier than what we’re used to with a Kotobukiya figure but still cheaper in comparison with other recent preorders. I already have the other Raphtalia figure by Kotobukiya and have the swimsuit figure on preorder. I also have her Nendoroid. Do I need another Raphtalia figure? I really like the pose on this one and this is currently the only Katana hero figure.
Should you preorder this? If you want her, go for it. Kotobukiya Creates excellent quality and I’m mostly just second-guessing because I already have plenty of Raphtalia figures.
Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu – Rem – KDcolle – 1/7 – Elegant Beauty Ver. (AniMester, Good Smile Company, Kadokawa)
More Rem incoming. Why am I not surprised? This actually looks really good but it is being manufactured by Kadokawa which usually is of very good quality. On the flip side, it is also a company that has recently earned the ire of, not only mine but of many other collectors for their exorbitant pricing model. This figure of Rem (and Emilia below) sadly falls in the same category of overpriced figures.
Should you preorder this? If you really must have her, then get her. Or find a cheaper Rem figure in the aftermarket. There are literally hundreds to choose from.
Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu – Emilia – KDcolle – 1/7 – Elegant Beauty Ver. (AniMester, Good Smile Company, Kadokawa)
The case of the missing slipper? Emilia does a Cinderella. Someone pointed out that Emilia is missing her left slipper and it is nowhere in sight. Also, this might be the most seductive face I’ve seen in any Emilia figure. Still, the price is something to sneer at. Emilia has more details than the Rem figure above which also nets her a higher price tag.
Also, it sucks that Ram gets snubbed again.
Should you preorder this? It’s on the expensive end but it’s a good-looking figure. If you think the price is reasonable, go for it.
Eiyuu Densetsu: Hajimari no Kiseki – Renne Bright – 1/8 (Kotobukiya)
My friend has forever been egging me to play the Trails series but I have yet to get into it. If I did start playing, I would probably be gushing about all these Trails figures from Kotobukiya. If you’re a fan of the game, just get them all.
Should you preorder this? Yes. It’s pretty much your only option if you want any figure from the Trails series.
Eiyuu Densetsu: Sen no Kiseki II – Altina Orion – 1/7 – Black Rabbit Special Duty Suit Ver. (Ques Q)
Another one from the Trails series. I really like this one. It has a sci-fi vibe going. I really should play these games soon.
Should you preorder this? It’s a little pricey but you can expect good quality with Ques Q. You also have the option of grabbing her other figure in the aftermarket which is made by Kotobukiya. They are roughly the same price as of this writing.
Original – HaneAme Dog Pet Girlfriend – 1/6 (Good Smile Company)
I was quite surprised upon finding out that this figure is based on a real person — an erotic cosplayer. I don’t really follow the cosplayer scene and only really know a few by name. But you can find more information on HaneAme’s Twitter here (NSFW).
The figure, on the other hand, looks great. I wouldn’t have guessed it was based on a real person. The facial expressions look alluring. The lingerie and tail both look very detailed. Also, she’s a 1/6 scale. Standing at 30 cm., she’s pretty huge and you can get her for a fair price.
This opens up a lot of potential for future figures. I think, pretty soon, we can expect to see figures based on cosplays or even figures of popular idols.
Should you preorder this? It’s pretty much a steal at this price point. If you like it and want to support the cosplayer, go preorder.
Azur Lane – Shoukaku – 1/4 – Sororal Wings (Mimeyoi, Tokyo Figure)
Shoukaku finally opens for preorder. This comes months after her sister Zuikaku opened for preorder. As someone who does not collect 1/4 scales, I am heartbroken. I would have definitely preordered them if they were 1/8, 1/7 or 1/6 scales.
Should you preorder this? If you can afford her, go for it by all means.
Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu – Rem – F:Nex – 1/7 – Wa Bunny (FuRyu)
The Rem cult will live forever. Still, this outfit got me all kind of confused. Combining different costumes seems to be a trend with some figures lately. I remember last month there was a Rias figure that is a wedding version, kimono version and swimsuit version combined into one. It’s a hot mess. This time around, it’s Rem donning a kimono and bunny outfit in one. It’s just weird.
Another concern is that it is being made by FuRyu which is known to have some quality issues. FuRyu was great when it was a prize figure manufacturer. But for scale figures, they just suck.
Should you preorder this? It’s a mish-mash of costumes. Go for it if you like it but be warned, FuRyu does not deliver the best quality.
Arknights – Ch’en – 1/7 – Spring Festival VER. (Good Smile Arts Shanghai, Good Smile Company)
The next two figures are from Arknights which I’m assuming are skins from a Lunar New Year event. Both of them look good. Ch’en especially is looking really cute. I am not looking to add any Arknights figures to my collection since I have long stopped playing the game.
Should you preorder this? Good quality for a fair price. So, yes. Get her.
Arknights – Nian – 1/7 – Spring Festival VER. (Good Smile Arts Shanghai, Good Smile Company)
Nian was not yet released when I was playing Arknights. I do still play Azur Lane and I get Hakuryu vibes from this skin.
If you like this, then you can never go wrong with Good Smile Company.
Should you preorder this? And yes again.
Dungeon ni Deai o Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka IV – Hestia – F:Nex – 1/7 – Shiromuku (FuRyu)
I just have to say this sucks for all collectors still looking to buy a good figure of Hestia for a decent price. The price on all her figures is through the roof. But some of them are still cheaper than this Hestia figure by FuRyu. Don’t enable this kind of pricing model. Heck. FuRyu doesn’t even deliver good quality. To have the gall to offer such absurd pricing just reeks of greed.
Should you preorder this? No. Don’t become an enabler of capitalist price gouging. You can still find figures of Hestia cheaper than this in the aftermarket.
To LOVEru Darkness – Konjiki no Yami – 1/6 (Goo Goo Dept., Union Creative International Ltd)
They say simple is good. But this does not apply here. This figure is atrocious in terms of value and quality.
Should you preorder this?
To LOVEru Darkness – Yuuki Mikan – 1/6 (Goo Goo Dept., Union Creative International Ltd)
Should you preorder this?
To LOVEru Darkness – Momo Belia Deviluke – 1/6 (Goo Goo Dept., Union Creative International Ltd)
Should you preorder this?
ARMS NOTE – Long Range JoshiKosei – 1/7 (Amakuni, AmiAmi)
“ARMS NOTE” is an original work of Ryosuke Fukai (深井涼介) who draws portraits of girls equipped with various weapons. The artwork is great. I would say the figure looks great too although the pose is a little too lewd for my tastes. Amakuni is an excellent manufacturer but I’m not sure that price point will fly.
Should you preorder this? It’s pretty expensive for an original character. I wouldn’t preorder it but if money is not an object, go ahead.
Original – Aya – 1/6 (Hobby Sakura)
This figure caught my attention because of its realism. It’s a simple t-shirt but the sculpt on the clothes looks great. No boob pockets/boob socks. It looks so realistic that I think she looks a little sweaty from doing all that cheerleading. Overall, I think this is a figure that will be worth your money which is something I rarely say of OC figures. Also, her price is on the cheap end.
Hobby Sakura is still a new company but its first release was well-received by collectors. We can safely say the quality is good.
Should you preorder this? Yes.
Original – Rasetsu Hime -Saki- – 1/5 (Inbina, Tokyo Figure)
This is an original character by Asanagi. Her price is on the extremely high end for a 1/5 scale. This comes in two versions, the standard version and the M-version which has a more elaborate base, an alternative face plate and a sake saucer. Both versions are cast-off.
There’s not much I can say about Inbina as the manufacturer. They only have one figure released from last year and have not seen many complaints about the quality.
Should you preorder this? If you got to have her at all costs, go for it. She’s really expensive so this is not the kind of stuff you buy on impulse.
Original Character – Kazekaoru – 1/6 (Lovely)
The next two figures are from the company called Lovely. Both figures are sexy. They look great but they also come with a high price tag. They only have 3 figures on preorder and none have yet to be released so we can’t be certain of the quality.
If you have to ask, yes. You can see it.
Should you preorder this? Quality is a gamble so preorder at your own risk.
Original Character – Bunny Girl Lume – 1/6 (Lovely)
This is Lovely’s most expensive figure thus far and it is a full cast-off. Their first two figures are also lewd but don’t have any cast-off parts.
Should you preorder this? Quality is a gamble so preorder at your own risk.
Kumo Desu ga, Nani ka? – Ariel – 1/7 (Union Creative International Ltd)
This one just looks like an utter waste of money. I’ve seen many prize figures that look much better.
Should you preorder this? Nope. If you want a figure of the Demon Lord, just get the one by Amakuni.
Kyokou Suiri – Iwanaga Kotoko – 1/7 (Bell Fine)
The colors are dull. The facial expression is lifeless. Didn’t really expect much from Bell Fine. They try too hard to be mediocre.
Should you preorder this? Get her Phat Company figure instead. I think even her Kotobukiya figure looks better than this.
Muse Dash – Marija – 1/8 – Maid Ver. (APEX)
The game is dirt cheap on Steam and it is apparently loads of fun. It has an Overwhelmingly Positive review score and it is on sale (as of this writing) for less than a dollar.
I always have high hopes for APEX figures but I’m not so sure about this one. The paint looks flat though I wouldn’t be surprised if they did this purposefully to match the game aesthetic. Also, it is only a 1/8 scale so she’ll be a tad small if you’re more used to 1/7 scales. Price-wise, she’s plenty cheap.
Should you preorder this? She’s pretty cheap and is made by a good company, so go get her if you want to.
Punishing: Gray Raven – Liv – 1/7 – Woven Wings of Promised Daybreak Ver. (APEX)
I’m saying it again. Any figure with wings is special. That might just be my personal taste. I don’t play the game but this figure looks like a steal at ¥20k especially since it’s APEX doing it.
Should you preorder this? Yes, highly recommended.
I started the NekoFigs blog in January 2021, 5 years after I’ve started collecting anime figures. It all started with one humble prize figure of Saber Lily which was bought on a whim. Now, I face the big problem of how to deal with over 200 empty boxes.
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