Gift Yoko Figure

Back to: Home: Japanese Action Figures

NOTE: The pictures above are not related to the ads below and do not reflect individual advertisers' products or services.

I must admit that I've never been a collector of dolls. Not dolls for boys and not dolls for girls. As a small child, I never owned an Action Man and I most certainly never owned a Sindy or a Barbie. However, as I was browsing sites dedicated to Japanese culture one day, I came across photos of modern Japanese action figures.

At first look, I was dismissive of the Japanese figures that I saw. Sure, they were based on modern manga and anime-style characters rather than more traditional Japanese dolls but they still weren't something that would interest me. The more I looked at these sites though, the more I started to see something in them. They had a style that seemed uniquely Japanese and they seemed like the perfect thing to add to my Japanese-themed inspirational writing area.

The figure that really caught my eye for her cheerful style and general cuteness (yes, I'm aware I'm on dodgy ground here) was a 1/5 scale pre-painted figure of sniper Yoko Littner (or Yoko Ritona if you prefer the Japanese spelling) from the anime series Gurren Lagann that I saw on dannychoo.com. This particular figure was manufactured by a company called Gift and was just stunning in its detail and design. I decided that I wanted to have one and even browsed Amazon Japan to see if I could order one from there. They had them in stock but they wouldn't ship them internationally. My mind was made up then, I would have to buy one while I was in Japan and bring it home myself.

Shortly before I'd left for Japan, I'd seen an programme on NHK World about the Akihabara area of Tokyo. It appeared to be a mecca for anime and video game fans and also full of hobby shops so I decided that this is where I'd have to go to get hold of Yoko. By way of preparation, I ordered the White Rabbit Press "Toyko Realtime" audio tour of Akihabara to act as my guide.

When I got to Akiba, I really wasn't sure where to start looking for Yoko so I decided to let White Rabbit Press be my guide and just see where it took me.

I did spot the Gift Yoko figure quite early on in my exploration but the size of the box made me concerned about whether I'd actually be able to fit it into my bag to bring home on the plane, especially considering I also had to fit in the pair of boots that I bought in Harajuku along with numerous CDs and DVDs. I decided to continue my walk and think about it.

When my tour took me around the stores of the Radio Kaikan building, I spotted the smaller Fraulein Revoltech poseable Yoko figure and seriously considered buying that as a more transportable alternative. However, I decided to ponder my decision for longer. Then, when I explored the Volks store in Radio Kaikan, I saw the Gift Yoko figure again and threw caution to the wind. I paid 8316 yen (about £60) and walked off with a box that measured about 10.5in x 7in x 7in (270mm x 180mm x 180mm). Working out how to get it safely back to the UK would have to wait for another day.

As you can see, Yoko did make it back to the UK safely, despite having to make the journey in my large travel bag as hold baggage! I've got to say that she's a bit of a beauty too on her nice mirrored base and measures about 8.5inches (215mm) tall in her crouched position.

In the Gurren Lagann anime series, Yoko Littner is a skilled sniper but this particular model from Gift has her in a more relaxed pose putting up her hair with not a sniper rifle in sight.

This Yoko figure really is beautifully modelled and this is probably best illustrated on her bottom-half. Everything looks realistic from the creases in her boots to the wrinkles in her stockings. Her thighs even bulge out slightly at the top of her stockings.

In the view above you can see the different paint finishes used on this pre-painted Yoko from the gloss finish of her boots and shorts to the matt finish of her skin. You can also see how her thighs and buttocks mould slightly around her boots as she rests on them. A nice detail that adds that extra bit of realism.

The top half of Yoko is just as well detailed as her bottom though. Her bikini top is well painted and her face and eyes reflect a cute expression. The way that Yoko playfully holds her skull hairclip in her mouth is also a cute touch.

From the back, you get more examples of how well Gift have sculpted this Yoko figure. Her scarf ruffles up around her neck realistically but the real beauty is in her back and shoulderblades. The level of definition matches her pose perfectly.

In fact, this figure of Yoko is modelled so well that in certain photos, such as the one above, you'd be forgiven for being unsure whether you're looking at a sculpted figure or a real person. You're almost waiting for her to get up and move.

While we're on the subject of the sculpting of Yoko's body, I just had to draw attention to her belly button. Take a look at the photo above and see how it stretches off to one side slightly to reflect the twist in her torso. Again, another well-observed piece of sculpting.

For me, it was a tough decision about whether to buy this Gift Yoko figure or whether to go for a smaller one. In the end though, despite the headaches about transportation, I'm glad that I did. She now sits on the shelf in my writing area in her finely sculpted beauty giving me Japanese inspiration every time I look at her.

Incidentally, I did also buy the smaller Fraulein Revoltech Yoko figure, but that's another story...