Happoubi Jin’s “Rider” by Orchid Seed

Data

Title: Rider
Source: SWEET BODY, Happoubi Jin Illustration Works
Designer: Happoubi Jin
Maker: Orchid Seed
Sculptor: Ikeda Ryouichi
Release: September 2010
Price: 8,700 JPY
Scale: 1/7
Size: 12cm (H) x 13.5cm (L)

Impressions

I’ll admit it, I have a thing for girls in tight-fitting bike suits. Anyone recalling this scene from Golden Boy may be similarly disposed. Take them half out of said suits and you’ve got a compelling case for an ero design; have Happoubi Jin illustrate it and you’ve got a product that I will buy no matter what. Thankfully this one was entrusted to the folks at Orchid Seed, and the design they were working with isn’t just sexy – it hangs together remarkably well as a figure.

The original illustration first appeared as the cover of Core Magazine’s Comic Megastore January 2005 edition. Perhaps even better than this initial use, the pose, color scheme, and distribution of detail over the sexy Rider in the picture made her a great candidate for figure conversion. Orchid Seed and sculptor Ikeda bring just the right amount of fidelity to the sculpt and reproduction, and I think that’s key here – the design doesn’t overstep the bounds of what a figure should realistically try to attempt, and thus succeeds with flying colors.

Final verdict: A figure with a well-chosen, dynamic design ably translated by a talented sculptor and reproduced by the high fidelity production of Orchid Seed. If you buy into the Rider concept this is an easy and natural recommendation.

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