Just in time for Valentine's Day, how about a little review of one of the most pointless characters in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny? For this purpose I have dug out an old B-Club Polystone figure released in March 2006, at a time when the television series had already concluded the year before. I don't know any additional circumstances surrounding this particular release except that Hobbylink Japan at some point had it listed for $140 which seems crazy.
The figure comes in a near cube-shaped box of roughly 20 cm per side and weighs in well over half a kilo. These polystone figures often weigh a lot, kind of like porcelain. I notice the item code 2529-12800 on the box which lends some credence to the astronomical prize on HLJ. I have noticed that Japanese item numbers like these often bake in a price in yen as the last digit but I sure didn't pay ¥12800 but rather ¥2000 when I scouted it at Mandarake a couple of years ago. This makes it one of the cheapest 1/7-figures I have found but as with many Gundam-themed collector items the problem isn't necessarily the price, but actually finding them.
The Polystone figures typically come in tailor-made polystyrene packaging that can keep them safe on their long and dangerous intercontinental journeys. Notice the special bag containing Lunamaria's trademark pointy strands of hair. At the bottom of the parcel you can see a large circular black base that we won't have any need for in this review, this is one figure that is not in need of any support. In fact, one problem I have with many of these larger figures it that their footprints are usually very large.
Polystone figures lend themselves well to exact sculpting free from the issues that bendy PVC figures tend to have. I also suspect that their longevity will be much better as well. The paintjob is also on point here with distinct and clear anime-style painting with some nice shading where appropriate. While the Z.A.F.T. markings may seem a little plain they are well in style with what is presented in the show.
As crisp and stylish as the figure is, I think it really misses the mark when it comes to the perhaps most import thing; character likeness. I have noticed that smaller PVC figures often do a better job of hitting the right spot, perhaps because their detail level is slightly more granular and that makes it more in line with the drawings from the show? I don't know who the person we are looking at is, but she is clearly wearing Lunamaria's outfit.
The most obvious discrepancy here is the hair colour which has taken on more of a red than purple tone. The eye decals are big and very cartoony but still do not capture the soul of the character very well in my opinion. I can be more lenient when it comes to other facial features because as we all know, anime characters rarely have any which must make them a real challenge to get right.
Lunamaria Hawke may have been a pointless character with no really redeeming features or interesting personal development but that sure hasn't stopped Bandai from drowning us in figures of her; outclassed perhaps only by Lacus Clyne in numbers. There are many better choices out there whether you are looking for smaller or bigger figures and so I'd give this one a pass.
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