I’m back again with another review and gallery for your viewing pleasure. Today we have a new Gathering Model Kit from E2046; the Yamashita’s Sapphire. Unlike the previous kits I reviewed (Devil May Cry’s Dante and Monster Hunter’s Jinohga Armor Hunter), this statue isn’t based on a pre-existing license.
Also, E2046 has provided us with a few Yamashita’s Sapphire Mouse Pads to give away to celebrate the release of the model kit. Over the next few days 5 random posters will be chosen to receive a free Yamashita’s Sapphire Mouse Pad.
Read on to check out the review and photos.
Yamashita’s Sapphire
ORI x Gathering – Pre-painted Model Kit
Price: $170.39
Scale: 1/6
Series: Fashion
Height: 29CM (just under 11.5″)
Packaging
Yamashita’s Sapphire come packaged like the previous Gathering kits. It’s in an all black cardboard box. The box is a thicker cardboard to protect against damage during shipping. The front of the box features a sticker with a photo and artwork of the Yamashita’s Sapphire. The Gathering logo is on both the left and right of the box.
When opened, the pieces to the model kit sit in a thick and heavy foam insert. they are surrounded by additional pieces of foam. The parts are all packed tightly with no possibility of them moving around during shipping. Each piece is also wrapped in a plastic bag for extra protection.
The Model Kit
Assembly of the figure is very simple. Parts sit in place without the need to snap in, but once in place, they do not move around or feel loose. The included base features a single drill hole and the Sapphire has a metal pin on the left foot. Also included are a metal staff with a translucent top piece. A small dragon that attaches to the right leg is also included.
Yamashita’s Sapphire features the classic look of a bishoujo style character. Smooth skin with detailed attire and armor as well as solid flowing hair. Like most bishoujo style statues, features a bit of a provocative pose. The skin features a matte painted look, while the blue armor/outfit is painted with a more reflective look. The staff itself is a solid metal piece and the dragon is a softer PVC plastic painted in a soft matte paint.
The sculpting is clean. The outfit detail areas feature painted highlights as well as a dark wash to add depth. The skin areas are free of the darker paint wash and give that young look so popular in anime and manga designs. The hair is a solid blue with a very light airbrushing effect to add some color variation.
Review
A model kit of this nature isn’t necessarily for everyone. It’s aimed at a very specific audience who have an appreciation for the stylized look and risque designs of more mature anime. However, the sculpting is quite beautifully done. The softness of the face and the fine details in the eyes, lips bring the character to life quite nicely. The use of different paint techniques gives each piece nice texture. The added paint wash over the sculpted details turned out quite nicely. The small dragon accessory is adorable and has no trouble staying attached to the rest of the kit. The paint work on the dragon is beautiful, as it features a transitional airbrushed color over the entire body. Fine details have added paint applications and it looks very clean.
Another positive of this statue is that the slight brittle feeling present in my other Gathering figures is completely absent here. Each piece feels a bit more solid and the model kit as a whole feels slightly heavier. This makes removing it from the packaging and assembling it much easier. Nothing felt like it as going to snap off.
Bottom Line
If you already collect lines such as Kotobukiya’s ARTFX and Bishoujo statues, or even past Gathering Model Kits, then this is right up your alley. Sapphire is beautifully sculpted and painted very well. The risque nature of the kit may turn some off, but, like I said, this isn’t for everyone. But, fans have already been snapping them up as E2046 lists just 1 more left in their stock. Keep an eye on the Yamashita’s Sapphire Product Page for future stock additions.
*The model kit was provided by E2046 for the purpose of this review.
CompaniesE2046
CharactersYamashita's Sapphire
Scale1/6
Sub-LineGathering