Kotobukiya's Marvel Bishoujo Black Cat

It's been awhile since I last posted an entry here and almost totally forgotten about it. I then uploaded a picture in our local forum and was asked by a colleague when I would update this blog (thank you for reminding me).

Congratulations to Jon for scoring another great piece from Kotobukiya. You need a bigger office for your toys buddy! =D

Anyways, like all of their Bishoujo figures, it has the trademark design by Shunya Yamashita and features sexy versions of our beloved heroines and villainess. For those who don’t know, Black Cat (aka Felicia Hardy) is a cross between a heroine and villainess. She is also one of the most beautiful characters in the Marvel universe in my opinion.

Koto’s press release (from their website) indicates a retail price of $59.99.

PhoTOYgrapher’s Perspective:

Since this is a borrowed toy I could only do so much without accidentally scratching or doing something that would let me buy Jon a new one.

My personal opinion is that her face looks too cartoonish as compared to the other Bishoujo figures. I like how she was posed and the Spiderman base is a PERFECT addition in my book. Once you look at the picture you are immediately drawn to the red base then back up to the figure.

I basically used Rim lighting here (as I do in a lot my toy shoots) and added 2 mirrors to give some reflection to the figure. A single 400 watts light with an octagonal softbox was placed behind the figure. A piece of black and gray background was placed on top of the softbox hence the gradual effect. 

Phoenix by Kotobukiya

Before Dark Phoenix came into the picture there was Jean Grey aka The Phoenix. Kotobukiya's rendition of Phoenix in their Marvel Bishoujo line is indeed a masterpiece. If I were to choose only 1 character to own in the Bishoujo line then I would either choose Phoenix or Dark Phoenix. 

Package Contents:

Phoenix is packaged in a window style box, all 9 inches (1/8th scale) of it. The design on the box alone is enough to sell me the figure.

Collector's Perspective:

As with my opinion on Dark Phoenix this is definitely a must for collectors. You cannot have Dark Phoenix on your shelve without Phoenix (and vice-versa). SInce this figure is jus 9 inches tall, you can practically display it anywhere (imagine this piece as an accessory on your office table or study desk).

Amazon is selling this for for $ 64.99 (http://www.amazon.com/Kotobukiya-Marvel-Comics-Phoenix-Bishoujo/dp/B0038OMC6A/ref=pd_sim_t_1). My friend was able to get this locally here in the Philippines for P 3,300.00.

PhoTOYgrapher's Perspective:

So far I favor this over the other Marvel Bishoujos because of what I was able to achieve with it in a short period of time (same with Dark Phoenix). The posing is perfect for me and creates the essence of Phoenix. I had to return this piece otherwise I would love to bring it outdoors and experiment with it some more.

Gears used:

Canon DSLR

Canon 100mm f2.8 Lens

Benro A300 Tripod

3 pcs. Jinbei 180 watts (each), Sofbox and Grid.

Falcon Eyes Product Table

Dark Phoenix by Kotobukiya

One can never have enough of Kotobukiya's Marvel Bishoujo line and Shunya Yamashita's design of the Dark Phoenix is a fantastic masterpiece! Among all the current releases of Kotobukiya including Rogue, Scarlet Witch, Black Widow, Phoenix and Psylocke, my favorite by far is Dark Phoenix. There is a white version which is an exclusive that I have not yet seen.

Package Contents:

Dark Phoenix is packaged beautifully in a window style box, all 9 inches (1/8th scale) of it. The design on the box alone is enough to sell me the figure.

Collector's Perspective:

I usually like pose able statues or figures when I am out toy shopping but this is an exception for me. The figure is very appealing and I love way she is posed.

You can buy this Amazon for $ 64.99 (http://www.amazon.com/Kotobukiya-Marvel-Comics-Phoenix-Bishoujo/dp/B0038OMC6K). My friend was able to get this locally here in the Philippines for P 3,300.00.

PhoTOYgrapher's Perspective:

So far I favor this over the other Marvel Bishoujos because of what I was able to achieve with it in a short amount of time. There are portions of her that are transparent (hand, hair and base) that made it easier for me to project what I wanted.

Gears used:

Canon DSLR

Canon 100mm f2.8 Lens

Benro A300 Tripod

3 pcs. Jinbei 180 watts (each), Softbox and Grid

Flash Light/Pen Light

Falcon Eyes Product Table

Psylocke by Kotobukiya

Kotobukiya http://www.kotous.com/news/psylocke-addition-marvel-comics-bishoujo-collection/ did another fine job when they released one of the X-Men's babe, the Ninja mutant Psylocke. Shunya Yamashita is the artist once again responsible for this beautiful masterpiece. Every time Kotobukiya comes out with a product I always have high expectations and the company never failed to deliver.

Package Contents:

Psylocke stands about 9 inches tall and comes with 2 samurai swords and a cool base with the X logo. It is packed in a window style box so you can see the figure inside.

Collector's Perspective:

Psylocke is definitely a collectible and together with Black Widow, Rogue and Scarlet Witch you can have a display full of beautiful female heroines. Kotobukiya's Bishoujo line are considered masterpieces (in my opinion) and once you start collecting one you just have to have another.


Some Issues:
1.) Psylocke is not poseable. Whatever you see in the pictures are that's the same one you are going to get.
2.) I am not somewhat satisfied with the pose because for one the samurai covers a portion of her face. Another is that I think the hips is not proportioned to the rest of her body. 


Amazon is selling this for $ 59.99 (http://www.amazon.com/Marvel-Comics-Psylocke-Bishoujo-Statue/dp/B0031M98PW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1277202334&sr=8-1), my friend was able to get it locally here in the Philippines for about P 3,300.00.


PhoTOYgrapher's Perspective:
There is a limit to what you can do because this is not a pose able figure. Basically you can do angled (or perspective) shots to come up with interesting views of Psylocke. Add a touch of lighting and she becomes a cool Ninja Assassin. You can also check out Brian Mc Carty's works http://www.mccartyphotoworks.com/ for some ideas. 

Gears used:

Canon DSLR

Canon 100mm f2.8 Lens

Benro A300 Tripod

3 pcs. Jinbei 180 watts (each), Softbox, Grid and Smoke Acrylic

Falcon Eyes Product Table

Black Widow by Kotobukiya

I first heard about Kotobukiya when a friend of mine bought their Batman PVC statue. It was the best Batman rendition that I have ever seen and instantly that made me follow the company’s further releases. The Japanese are famous for their manga type illustration of comic characters and after releasing several figures (statues included) with their Marvel line, they decided to go into female Marvel characters, and thus Black Widow was born.

Black Widow is the first in their line called Marvel Bishoujo (young and pretty girls) Statue (http://www.kotous.com/marvel-studios/marvel%C2%81bishojo-collection-black-widow-bishojo-statue/). SHUNYA YAMASHITA, who is a well-known Japanese illustrator, famous for his female characters and game designer, is the man behind this masterpiece.

Package Contents:

The figure stands approximately 7 3/5 inches tall and captures the essence of the Russian super spy and member of Earth’s mightiest heroes, The Avengers. It is packed in a window style box so you can see the figure inside.

PhoTOYgrapher's Perspective:

Since this is not a poseable figure you are limited to doing angled shots and creative lighting to give credit to this fine piece. My pictures are mostly limited to table top shots because of my lack of time to go out, otherwise I would love to do what Brian McCarty's doing http://www.mccartyphotoworks.com.

I suggest PhoTOYgraphers to give it an outdoor location shoot.

Collector's Perspective:

If you like young pretty girls then Black Widow is a good start at having your own Bishoujo Kotobukiya statue. The museum type pose of Black Widow deserves a place in your display.

If you check Amazon's site http://www.amazon.com/Marvel-Comics-Black-Bishoujo-Statue/dp/B001RJ5YKO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1276582059&sr=8-1 you can purchase it for $ 69.99. It retails for about P 3,500.00 here in the Philippines and with a bit of haggling you can get it for a bit less. My friend got this figure at a local toy store for P 3,300.00

There is also a Comi-Con Exclusive Yelena Belova Black Widow which is limited to 500pcs. The difference is the color of the hair (http://www.kotous.com/marvel-studios/comicon-exclusive-yelena-belova-black-widow-bishoujo-statue/).


For more pictures http://www.flickr.com/photos/powerpee/sets/72157624660793670/


Gears used:
Canon DSLR
Canon 100mm f2.8 Lens 
Benro A300 Tripod
2 pcs. Jinbei 180 watts (each), Softbox and Honeycomb Grid

Falcon Eyes Product Table