Kotobukiya Bishoujo Lucy Ghostbuster 2011 Review

Character:           Lucy (Based on the Ghostbuster)

Line:                      Bishoujo by Kotobukiya

Scale:                    1/8 (Approximately 20cm to 23cm tall)

Make:                   Kotobukiya

Release year:     2011

Figure Type:       Fixed Posed Figures (6 to 12 inch)

What we have here are three icons from three diverse mediums, all graciously seamed together for a very unique and gorgeous figure. First is the theme, based on the eighties addictive adventure film, Ghostbusters, a film that raveled out a new breed of paranormal movies suitable for the whole family. Then there’s the mighty Samurai of toy companies that manufactured this figure, Kotobukiya of Japan. Their strive to mass produce figures identical to the prototype, is forever pushing the industry’s benchmarks. So much that over recent years they’ve introduced the Bishoujo line, comprising of popular female protagonists from DC and Marvel comic books. Of which is supplying the demand for western characters, but beautifully portrayed in a reinvented Japanese style. This line is a selling faster than ice-cream on a summer beach in Spain. In fact, so fast that it’s now expanding to include video game and movie based characters, like Lucy here. And finally there’s the genius mind that architected this design, and is one of the few artist of the modern era who’s style is his own original signature, Shunya Yamashita. He’s actually the reason this Bishoujo line exists, as the style and designs are all delivered by him. And it’s from his brilliant hand that envisioned not just a female Ghostbuster, but gorgeous Ghostbuster girl, which has many ghost busting fans worldwide have happy thoughts involving their proton packs.

Now onto the review. The figure comes packaged in Kotobukiya’s traditional windowed box, and it’s nicely decorated with Shunya’s original artwork of Lucy, as well the usual company disclaimers and logos. Box nicely opens to plastic trays, which allows for the figure to be easily packed back in.

Accessory there’s the nuclear powered proton pack with its wand. Then there’s a pair of goggles that require the head to be remove to fit them around the neck. And last is a base with the Ghostbusters insignia, as well the super detailed trap for containing those captured ghosts. All of these are accurately sculpted and painted true to their movie counterparts.

The figure itself is the crisp sculpting and clean painting by Kotobukiya’s acclaimed standards. There’s zero articulation as this is a plastic statue. However it is needed for the Bishoujo line to capture in full our heroines luring curves. Here Lucy’s beauty was designed not to be hidden within the typical Ghostbuster’s baggy suit. Instead it’s more revealing as Shunya likes them. The pants were given battle damage, while her reinvented top is artist’s daring magic fit for a rock star. The flesh areas are not painted, though the smooth matt plastic essences closer to a skin feel. The badge on the arm and her eyes are perfectly printed. All the other applications suit the intended material like the rubber gloves and leather boots. The hair is slightly translucent which works in letting the light gently pass between the tips. The only slightly two things that ever so slightly nag me about this figure, is that the figures face is a bit older than the cuter version of the artwork. And the other is Shunya’s choice of bright pink for the underwear, which doesn’t gently settle with the rest of the outfit. Regardless, this is splendid figure. If you’re a Ghostbuster fan, or Kotobukiya collector, or even a Shunya follower, this figure is a must.

Final note is that since Kotobukiya tends to release variant repaints of its Bishoujo figures, I’m hoping for a future Lucy where the outfit is a grey closer to the film version, and her peaking underwear isn’t pink. Still, I’m well satisfied with this figure, and nicely fills the Ghostbuster void in my collection.

Overall verdict – 9/10

Rarity **** out of *****. With all Bishoujo figures designed by Shunya, they tend to quickly sell out on pre-orders, and few months later gradually rack up in price on online auctions.  Even when the repaints are released, both versions increase in demand and in value. Advice, get them on pre-order, or be very quick purchasing it as they’re released. This is ever popular figure in Japan and Europe due to Shunya’s popularity, and even more on a worldwide scale due to the Ghostbusters fame.

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