The Tandem Twin: Lynx figures are the first set of figures from Yamato's Japanese Sculptor Original Character Series. The Twins were sculpted by renowned sculptor Kouichi Yamazaki.

This is a review for the 1/6th scale "Tandem Twin Animal Girls: Lynx" line of statues from Yamato Story Image Figure Ex!

Background

The Tandem Twin: Lynx figures are the first set of figures from Yamato's Japanese Sculptor Original Character Series. The Twins were sculpted by renowned sculptor Kouichi Yamazaki.

The Box

The Tandem Twin box looks very "quaint" when compared to the boxes that housed previous SIF Ex figures from Yamato. This one actually has just the right dimensions (5.25 X 8.25 X 10.25 inches) to show off the figure from the clear plastic window, and still have just enough space to protect the figure, should the box be dropped.

It also has very basic visual designs. Mostly a mix of black and white images and text. The only part of the box that has any color is the back, where pictures of the Twins are shown.

I'd have to commend Yamato with this one. It's a well made box that doesn't eat up any un-necessary space. Here's hoping that they go the same road for their Macross boxes.

Box contents

The box contains an extra cardboard inlay that also poses as a background for the figure. It also adds extra durability for the entire package.

The pretty kitty is enclosed in a three layer, clear plastic tray. No separate tray for the Display Base this time.

The Twins

This is a static figure, so this means there is absolutely no articulation what so ever on these ladies.

Like that great Austin Powers line goes: "They're Twins Basil! Twins!" , so I had to get both Emerald And Ruby for my collection.

To help you tell one from the other:

Emerald has green colored eyes, dark-toned skin (she's Ganguro?), red hair, a black top, white bottoms, and pearl colored fingernails.

Ruby has red eyes, light milky skin, jet black hair, dark blue colored tops and bottoms, and red fingernails.

It's basically the same figure, with only the change in colors giving each of the twins, their own look.

These kitties come posed and ready for action right out of the box. But there is more than meets the eye about these figures. They are also ready for a "different" kind of swordplay action- but that's for later.

The figure is 7.5 inches tall in the kneeling position. They're posed with their swords held above their heads, ready to poke someone's eye out just for the fun of it.

If there's something that I can rave on all day about these figures, it's the absolutely impressive details that have been put into it! Kouichi Yamazaki did a real number on these figures.

You'll see a lot of detail work like small bolts, fasteners, even engravings on the Arm Bracers, leg armors and binders. You don't have to look really hard to notice these little details.

You'll also find some on her shoulder strap, the emblem on the sword sheath or "Saya" on her back, and the small pouches on her belt.

What's also surprised me about these figures is, the FLAWLESS paint job! Now, Yamato's had a bad rap with quality control, particularly with paint applications and finishes, but this time it's different! I looked at both Emerald and Ruby twice over, and could not even spot one paint blotch, paint bleed, or paint chip that was so prevalent on other Yamato SIF Ex releases.The excellent details on the sculpt were very well complimented by the equally well executed paint application. It's like Yamato actually did their homework on this one!

I also did not see any problems with the assembly. No seams, no traces of model cement seeping out of cracks, no bad fitting. Worlds away from Kaiyodo's Wonder Festival Cammy figure that I reviewed a while back.

Simply put, this figure is PERFECT!

Something that I have not been able to say about a Yamato product for a while now.

Accessories

Although it is not immediately visible, this figure 'actually' comes with three accessories:

**Display Base:

The Display base is your basic black, plastic base. The only difference with this base from the previous bases that were included with SIF Ex figures is that the Tandem Twin display bases come with a pre-painted logo of the line.

** Sword Blade:

The Twins already have the Sword Handle or "Tsuka" in hand right out of the box, and it's fixed into her right hand. The sword blade comes separately, and has to be attached into the handle to complete the statue.

The blade is 6 inches long and is very well detailed to say the least. If it were not made of plastic, you'd probably mistake it for one of those fancy, samurai sword letter openers that cost about $30.00 each. The major details on the blade include the "Hamon" or temperline, the "Horimono" or engraving, and the "Tsuba" or hand guard.

**The "Top":

Like I mentioned earlier, this is one of the accessories that's not immediately "visible" on the box.

Why?

Because she's wearing it!

Yes folks! I called her top an accessory, because it can be REMOVED from the figure! The top can be removed to reveal those wonderful.... uh....assets for everyone to see! Definitely up for a different kind of action!

It's un-noticeable when you first open the box, but there are instructions on one of the lids on how to remove her top.

Just a bit of a warning though, don't throw away the plastic that's been inserted in between the vinyl top and the figure. The note on the lid says the paint in the inner part of the vinyl top "may" stick to the figure.

This has not happened to any of my Lynx figures yet mind you. I checked the back of her top and it has a smooth and glossy finish, which doesn't feel like it may rub off, but I didn't want to take any chances.

If you'll be displaying this figure without her top on, then you're safe. If you'll be keeping her top on, you might want to get a little artistic and cut off some plastic and lay it between the vinyl top, and the figure to protect it.

The Beef

Other than this part of the review makes me want to go out and eat some Porter House steak, NO!

I have absolutely N-O-T-H-I-N-G bad to say about this figure as I believe it's PERFECT! From the very quaint box, the sculpt of the toy itself, to the paint application and superb details (not to mention the removable top- guilty pleasure), the Tandem Twin Lynx figures are flawless!

And I Say

The Tandem Twin Lynx figures from Yamato's Japanese Sculptor Original Character Series is, to date, the best figure they released. Worlds better than the Kawu Uncho figure, which is one of my favorites.

Simply put, Yamato outdone themselves this time around, quality wise especially. They were given a wonderfully sculpted and detailed statue, and they did an absolutely and equally wonderful job with not only the paint application, and 'cleanliness' of the finish on the toy itself, but the packaging as well. Something that they are notorious for.

According to HLJ.COM, the Emerald and Ruby figures have been discontinued. However, Yamato still has 2 pairs of variants on the way. Topaz (white) will be coming this December 2006, then Amethyst (purple), a fifth and posibly a sixth (they are twins after all) in 2007. We'll also be getting a different type of Animal Girl, a Lamb! Look out for those!

Lastly, this goes without saying, but Yamato's Tandem Twin Lynx: Ruby & Emerald figures get a perfect 5 out of 5!

They are simply perfect! I hope this is the start of a trend with Yamato's boxes, and paint applications!

This is a review for the 1/7th scale Kanu Uncho figure from Yamato's Story Image Figure Ex line.

This is a review for the 1/7th scale Kanu Uncho figure from Yamato's Story Image Figure Ex line.

This Kanu Uncho is one of the best looking figures in my collection, and is also one of my favorites.

Background Story

Kanu Uncho is one of the characters in the anime Ikkitousen: Strength Of A Thousand (Battle Vixens in N. America). For 1800 years the 7 schools of Kantou have fought over supremacy of the land. Their students constantly fight each other in battles to prove their strength. Sonsaku Hakufu is a 17 year old girl that just transferred to Nanyou Academy, and at her arrival, finds herself fighting one of its top 4 fighters. But Sonsaku possesses a soulstone which contains the spirit of a great fighter, and she is not an easy match. When an order is issued to defeat Sonsaku, she finds herself in all out war against all of the schools top fighters. What lies behind this dark conspiracy?

Ikkitousen is a nice watch, although the story is a little so-so. It's got some very nice fight scenes, and of course when we're talking about an anime with fighting girls, it's not far off that we get a lot of gratituous fan service shots.

The Box

The Kanu Uncho figure comes in a black window type box measuring 6.75in x 12in x 4.75in (L x W x H). This gives you a good view of the figure from the front and both sides. The back panel has a large picture of the figure itself.

Box contents

The box contains a single plastic tray that houses the figure, display stand, and weapon.

Kanu Uncho

The Kanu Uncho figure stands at 9.75 inches from the base to the top of her head. It's made entirely of PVC plastic which makes it a sturdy display. Let me clarify that this is a static display piece. It does not have any articulation of any kind.

The display base comes attached with the figure (removable), and in spite of the prototype pictures that Yamato released, the display stand that comes with the toy is your basic black plastic stand, and NOT the wood type.

The statue has some fine details on it. I particularly like the way the wavy hair sculpt flows down to her leg. Yamato also did a good job with the body sculpt. Well toned without having any real definitions, unlike some manufacturers who put muscle definitions on their female figures, making them ridiculously masculine. I love the face sculpt as well. At least it followed the anime where Kanu Uncho looks a little more mature, as compared to another version that followed the Manga, making her look young.

Kanu's school uniform was nicely done. A fairly simply top, which looks like it's just enough to 'hide' her top assets. The skirt is also nice, and it comes with a little feature that will let some of you have you anime fantasies come true... the skirt can be HIKED UP to reveal her white knickers and her firm rear!

Very cheeky... um, cheesy indeed!

Accessories

This figure comes with the standard display base, and one weapon- a Naginata. The Naginata is made from PVC as well, and is 11.25 inches long. It's intricately detailed with a dragonhead emblem at the base of the blade. It also has a sort of ribbon along the blade base that's made of very soft and pliable plastic.

The Naginata fits nicely on Kanwuu's hands, but there's a little balancing act required as the blade end of the weapon is a tad heavy.

The Beef

This figure is almost perfect in my book. The only issues I have with it are:

1. Bad paint - there are some areas on the figure that I got that have small paint chips out of the box, specifically under her shirt. There are also some minor plaint blotches on her scarf, but it's something that can easily be ignored.
2. How Does She Keep Them Up? - Okay, this is just plain weird, and I don't know what Yamato's factories were smoking when they painted this toy. When you hike up the skirt and reveal her knickers, the front and backside parts are painted, but WHERE'S THE WAISTBAND? Yes troops! ALL of the Kanu figures I have, and the ones I've seen on display have no painted waistband! Which makes you wonder, how does she keep those things up?
3. The Ribbon - this is more of a nitpick than an issue with the toy. The ribbon on the Naginata is made of soft and pliable material. With the detail that was put on the Naginata emblem,Yamato could have gone a step further and used cloth material for the ribbon. It would have been more appropriate and would have looked better in my opinion.

And I Say

This figure is definitely a must have for any sexy female figure collector. I have 3 of this myself. 2 Originals (blue skirt, yellow scarf), and 1 Variant (black skirt, pink scarf). It has a couple of very minor issues, but with the amount of detail and beautiful sculpt on this thing, it's easy to ignore them.

Kanu Uncho by Yamato gets a 4.5 out of 5 for me.