Post by IanTheM1 on Apr 21, 2005 18:47:12 GMT -5
...because the Microladies are stepping in!
I'm an adamant fan of both Micronauts and Microman, so I was extremely thrilled about the new anniversary series (as opposed to the average-selling Sentai-flavored release which only had so many good figures).
However, as usual importation was an issue...except for the fact that Toynami managed to get a deal with Takara to sell these things stateside! ;D
The only problem I've had is that these things are SCARCE. I mean, you wouldn't expect to find these in TRU, but surprisingly I never saw them in Suncoast.
Luckily a stop at the local comic shop netted me AL-11 Acrovena and an ML1-02 Ninjalady Shina ('tis all they had though). These two, as far as I can tell, are a part of a special release based around 4 femme-fatales. The significance being that there have been very few female micromen figures ever produced, period. (As far as I recall: Basically one single female figure, that was then repainted/re-released several times. Then there's these 4, along with some plain "naked" Micromen and ladies.)
For the time being, I'm just giving you the low down on Acrolady Acrovena, since I'm a bit short on time at the moment.
Packaging Style: A+
The style evokes everything the new line is. The back card has a close-up of the figure to show through the bubble, along with a metalic "sci-fi/electronica" bits as a background. Considering how much of the new line is 'chromed' pieces, this is very fitting. On the left you get the figure's name in a faded font. The back of the card has an over-view of the entire figure (it's "data base"), along with some preview pics of the rest of the line. The bubble is molded with a pattern in it, though I don't know the significance. A small sticky bit of heavy paper in the lower right corner also shows of the name of the figure to round everything out.
Packaging Method: B
The actual packaging method is a fair mix of what I would call Japanese and American standards. The whole bubble is held on by taped tabs, making it slightly more durable and hold-worthy, as well as keep you from mussing up the card. (This would be the Japanese part.) Then you have your standard plastic tray with everything pinned down by "pressure points". However, here's where the "American method" comes in....TWISTY. FRICKEN. TIES. (Remember the new Transformers Armada/Energon stuff?) Now, I could see maybe one or two for the figure itself, but no. You get two around the wrists, one around the torso, two around the legs, and a final two around the feet. (It's practically action figure bondage. >.> ) That's just taking it a bit too far, IMO. Thus the B rating.
Just the Figure: A
One of the main things Microman is known for: Small size, ridiculous amounts of articulation. This also holds true of the Acrolady. One of the major improvements is the feet (which are high-heels, BTW). They're on small ball-sockets which are then on axial joints! This part alone allowed this figure to pass one of my Tests of Doom: If it can stay up the first time I try to stand it up, IS GOOD.
As for the style, it's very....hmmm...let's say attractive. The head is finely sculpted and chromed (it also has a snap on over-shield for the face). The upper half of the figure is rather plain white, as the accessories cover it up rather well. As for the legs... The waist and legs have a pattern made to resemble thigh-high garters! A femme-fatale indeed.
Accessories: A
This would be one Acrolady I wouldn't want to scorn. A chest/back armor piece holds two arm-length sets of claws! These claws are on semi-rough "basic" arms, but they still get quite a lot of articulation. You have 3 main blades plus a "toe" claw; very raptor like. Along with that you get a hand-scythe with a semi-sharp-tipped end on the grip. Plus she also comes with two "knee guard" type pieces, also pointy.
All of these accessories are chromed as well. One final thing that I absolutely adore: extra hands! But that's not all. Due to the way they're designed, the hands are pegs with a joint to allow for wrist articulation, right? Well all of the spare hands are kept plugged in on a small, black plastic "rack". A VERY good idea Takara, VERY GOOD. (One of my pet peeves is always when you have no way to store all the extra hands!) The only thing wrong here is that the weapons are rather delicate, one grief in particular being that the toe claws are rather easy to knock off.
Da Final Verdict
If you're a fan of Micronauts/Microman, get this in an instant, no questions asked. If you're strictly a fan of Xevoz...it's not the same ethic here. These new Micromen are like "Xevoz...for Adults" to put it bluntly. Very small and not kid friendly (as well as less custimization), but very cool and fun. These also make good desk-mates, by the way.
I'm an adamant fan of both Micronauts and Microman, so I was extremely thrilled about the new anniversary series (as opposed to the average-selling Sentai-flavored release which only had so many good figures).
However, as usual importation was an issue...except for the fact that Toynami managed to get a deal with Takara to sell these things stateside! ;D
The only problem I've had is that these things are SCARCE. I mean, you wouldn't expect to find these in TRU, but surprisingly I never saw them in Suncoast.
Luckily a stop at the local comic shop netted me AL-11 Acrovena and an ML1-02 Ninjalady Shina ('tis all they had though). These two, as far as I can tell, are a part of a special release based around 4 femme-fatales. The significance being that there have been very few female micromen figures ever produced, period. (As far as I recall: Basically one single female figure, that was then repainted/re-released several times. Then there's these 4, along with some plain "naked" Micromen and ladies.)
For the time being, I'm just giving you the low down on Acrolady Acrovena, since I'm a bit short on time at the moment.
Packaging Style: A+
The style evokes everything the new line is. The back card has a close-up of the figure to show through the bubble, along with a metalic "sci-fi/electronica" bits as a background. Considering how much of the new line is 'chromed' pieces, this is very fitting. On the left you get the figure's name in a faded font. The back of the card has an over-view of the entire figure (it's "data base"), along with some preview pics of the rest of the line. The bubble is molded with a pattern in it, though I don't know the significance. A small sticky bit of heavy paper in the lower right corner also shows of the name of the figure to round everything out.
Packaging Method: B
The actual packaging method is a fair mix of what I would call Japanese and American standards. The whole bubble is held on by taped tabs, making it slightly more durable and hold-worthy, as well as keep you from mussing up the card. (This would be the Japanese part.) Then you have your standard plastic tray with everything pinned down by "pressure points". However, here's where the "American method" comes in....TWISTY. FRICKEN. TIES. (Remember the new Transformers Armada/Energon stuff?) Now, I could see maybe one or two for the figure itself, but no. You get two around the wrists, one around the torso, two around the legs, and a final two around the feet. (It's practically action figure bondage. >.> ) That's just taking it a bit too far, IMO. Thus the B rating.
Just the Figure: A
One of the main things Microman is known for: Small size, ridiculous amounts of articulation. This also holds true of the Acrolady. One of the major improvements is the feet (which are high-heels, BTW). They're on small ball-sockets which are then on axial joints! This part alone allowed this figure to pass one of my Tests of Doom: If it can stay up the first time I try to stand it up, IS GOOD.
As for the style, it's very....hmmm...let's say attractive. The head is finely sculpted and chromed (it also has a snap on over-shield for the face). The upper half of the figure is rather plain white, as the accessories cover it up rather well. As for the legs... The waist and legs have a pattern made to resemble thigh-high garters! A femme-fatale indeed.
Accessories: A
This would be one Acrolady I wouldn't want to scorn. A chest/back armor piece holds two arm-length sets of claws! These claws are on semi-rough "basic" arms, but they still get quite a lot of articulation. You have 3 main blades plus a "toe" claw; very raptor like. Along with that you get a hand-scythe with a semi-sharp-tipped end on the grip. Plus she also comes with two "knee guard" type pieces, also pointy.
All of these accessories are chromed as well. One final thing that I absolutely adore: extra hands! But that's not all. Due to the way they're designed, the hands are pegs with a joint to allow for wrist articulation, right? Well all of the spare hands are kept plugged in on a small, black plastic "rack". A VERY good idea Takara, VERY GOOD. (One of my pet peeves is always when you have no way to store all the extra hands!) The only thing wrong here is that the weapons are rather delicate, one grief in particular being that the toe claws are rather easy to knock off.Da Final Verdict
If you're a fan of Micronauts/Microman, get this in an instant, no questions asked. If you're strictly a fan of Xevoz...it's not the same ethic here. These new Micromen are like "Xevoz...for Adults" to put it bluntly. Very small and not kid friendly (as well as less custimization), but very cool and fun. These also make good desk-mates, by the way.
