At the suggestion of several on-line friends, I decided to take a look at some anime kits. It was recommended that I try some Japanese garage kits. A garage kit is a term used for very low production resin kits that are literally made in one's garage. These kits have several things in common with each other. First of all, they are usually expensive compared to mainstream kits. The reason for this is that each one is hand made. The molds have a useful life span that is generally rather short (perhaps 100 or so moldings) and the designer needs to be able to make some sort of profit from it. Second, they are of subjects that one won't find in your average run of the mill hobbyshop. Many are of nudes or semi-nudes as that seems to be what attracts many of the (mostly male) modeling community. 

If one is not familiar with Japanese Anime, it may seem that the subjects of the kits are a bit odd. And they generally are. Often times Anime figures are of supernatural subjects or are of a cartoon-like design. You won't find the superhero types as found in American designed kits. No Batman or Supergirl or over-muscled mutants. Mostly things like pixies, faireys, elves and the like. Japanese folklore is full of these things and so the model makers produce kits of these subjects. After all, most of the production of these kits are for local consumption. Often, these kits are collected and not built at all!

This particular kit is one of those elvin figures that I mentioned above. It is also a nude, which will require quite a bit of complicated painting to have a proper effect. BTW, If this image offends anyone, I can redo it blanking out the 'naughty bits', however, I have found that there are very few, if any, children who read Modeling Madness. I have also put a in a warning so those who are concerned about these things can stop before viewing.

The kit itself is made of a fine white resin and has very good detail. I did notice some air bubbles near the surface of several parts so will have to be very careful when it comes to doing any sanding. The mold lines are almost non-existent and what are there appear to be easily removed. The long sword is not at all straight, a problem with long, thin moldings, but should straighten out with some warm water application. I do appreciate the body being in one piece as that means fewer seams to fill. 

The kit instructions are in Japanese and so totally useless to me for construction. Fortunately, there are not that many pieces and most of those are for the head. The kit does come with a color photo of the prototype so that will be somewhat helpful in construction. There is no exploded view so all fitting will be trial and error. Again, all of this is quite common with these very short run garage kits. 

No base is supplied and one will be quite necessary as the kit will be unable to stand on its own feet. Test fitting of a few of the pieces shows fit to be quite good and it should make into an impressive model.

Review kit courtesy of me and my wallet!

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