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Review | Max Factory: Hatsune Miku (Append Ver.)

May 10, 2012|10 Minutes|2 Comments
Review | Max Factory: Hatsune Miku (Append Ver.)
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Just finished setting up the official figure review of Max Factory’s 1/8th scale Hatsune Miku (Append Version). This version of Miku is a bit different than most of the Miku figures released in the past because the overall design direction of the actual figure is pretty much focused on the “serious” side of Miku as a character.

Here’s a very catchy song from Hatsune Miku Append.

Majority of the Miku figures we know are focused on her “cheerful” side like GSC’s Hatsune Miku (Tony Taka Ver.). Some variations of the figure like GSC’s original Hatsune Miku or GSC’s Lat Type Miku focuses more on Miku’s “cute” personality.

This Miku figure we have here is a bit unique in many ways. The design of the figure is a bit futuristic and for the first time, Miku is showing more “skin” than the previous releases. Another unique feature of this figure is her more “matured” look. Miku figures are created to look cute, but this variation of Miku was created to look beautiful. There are lot of comments both negative and positive when it comes to Miku’s face in this figure. I’m one of those people who really like it.

Like any other Miku figures out there, the most eye catching part of the figure is her signature twin-tails. GSC created the twin-tails to be semi transparent. The gradual shift of opacity on her hair really makes the figure a visual interest to anyone who looks at it. It also somewhat illuminates whenever light passes through the whole figure which is nice.

So much for the summary, let’s take a look at the actual figure.

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I already have this figure for quite some time now and this is the first time I realized how beautiful the figure is.
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The design direction of this figure is very different from the Miku figures released in the past. Not all people like it, but some people (like me) love it.
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Miku figures are usually cute and cheerful. But this Miku figure is more on the serious side, which is good and a breath of fresh air in my opinion.
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The futuristic and more matured look of Miku in this figure makes it one of the most unique figure renditions of Miku available. Like what I’ve said earlier, a lot of people commented on why they changed the facial characteristics of Miku in this figure. I really don’t see any problem with that because she still looks absolutely beautiful.
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The pose of this figure was based on the box art of “Hatsune Miku Append”, an add-on software for Crypton Future Media’s voice synthesizer application. To those who are not familiar with Miku, Hatsune Miku is basically a female singing synthesizer application dubbed as “Vocaloid”.
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Like any Max Factory figures, the overall sculpt of this figure is top notch. Miku being elevated from her base adds an additional visual appeal to the whole figure.
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The figure looks really good from any angle. The contrasting colors of the figure really makes it stand out.
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For those people who are curious when it comes to the photography side of things, I’m using my trusty Nikon D90 coupled by a 50mm F1.4 lens. I usually use this combo whenever I do figure shoots or reviews.
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One of the most attractive parts of this Miku figure is her signature twin-tails. The way it flows naturally in the air really makes the pose a lot more dynamic.
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I also really love Miku’s futuristic outfit. The design really matches the mood of the figure. I specially like the “peel-off kinda necktie” part of her outfit which shows more of her skin.
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Actually, this is the first Miku figure I saw that time which shows a lot of her skin making her rather sexy. Most of the Miku figures we know are a bit more “conservative”.
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Review | Max Factory: Hatsune Miku (Append Version)
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The figure’s base was really small and very wobbly. Her twin-tails serves as a weight balancing part of the figure. It’s still great though, just make sure you place her on a surface that is not getting “bumped” regularly because she can fall off quite easily.
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The twin-tails part of the figure has a gradual change of opacity. The other half of her twin-tails are actually semi transparent. This is a pretty good effect specially when light passes through  the whole figure. Her hair kinda emits a subtle glow which is really great.
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Review | Max Factory: Hatsune Miku (Append Version)
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The figure offers a bit of articulation. You can basically adjust the elevation of the figure from its base. Just make sure you balance it properly so that the figure is stable when displayed. The figure also comes with this cable prop that connects it to its base. Kinda adds to the figure’s futuristic feel.
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Miku’s twin-tails in this version looks great when looked from the back.
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Details of the figure in close-up shots are also top notch. The eyes in particular was painted very clearly.
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The face of the figure is really the part that is being debated by fans of Miku.
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Another subtle effect which I really like in this figure is the floating middle piece of her outfit. It really accentuates the air coming beneath her feet.
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Hatsune Miku is the very first vocaloid, thus the “01” in her outfit.
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When looked from the sides, you will notice Miku’s “a bit” pointy nose making her look more mature. In traditional anime, a really small nose portrays cuteness (ie: a jolly or cheerful character) and a more prominent nose suggests maturity (ie: a mature or serious character or a villain)
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Very clear details on the outfit. Not really sure what these numbers and symbols are for.
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Max Factory is one of the figure manufacturers which has a strong attention to detail.
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Crypton is the company behind Vocaloid, a singing synthesizer application. This is where the characters Hatsune Miku and other Vocaloid girls like Kagamine Rin and Megurine Luca came from.
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Not sure about this one, but since her middle finger is covered, why paint the nails?
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The “leaf like” skirt is also semi transparent and it looks really good in the figure.
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Review | Max Factory: Hatsune Miku (Append Version)
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Miku is obviously showing more skin in this figure.

And here are some random shots to wrap up this figure review.

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Review | Max Factory: Hatsune Miku (Append Version)

This Miku figure is still a great addition to your collection. How the figure was designed is really different from the Miku figures we saw in the past. This change in Miku’s design direction is both good and bad for Miku fans out there, but hey, we all have different tastes you know. Overall, if you want a fresh new look for your next Miku figure, I suggest you pick this one up. It’s one of the uniquely designed Miku figures since the Miku VNO2 Mix (which I’ll review soon!). A worth it addition to your existing Miku figure collection.

Hope you enjoyed the images in this review :) I’ll see you next time \m/

1/6 1/8 Figure Photography Figure Review Figures Hatsune Miku Append
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