“Ugh, command me as you wish… A-are you satisfied now?”

Original text published at Queen’s Blade Official Homepage [link]:

Branwen is a “Dragon Descendant”, one of the most noble and rare beings in the Continent also known as the “Holy Dragon Warriors” for serving the dragons in the ancient times. Cool, collected and proud but also gentle in nature. There are hardly any interaction between the dragons and humans, but sometimes she serves as a mediator for both races and the number of people who admire the beauty of her riding the dragons in the sky is not small.
Who would believe that now she has become a gladiator slave and is forced to fight for her life against other slaves and lower monsters in the Marshland Witch’s Arena?
Ordered to fight in exchange for the life of her dragon ride that was captured along, Branwen has been through numerous fights to the death. The pride of her lineage won’t allow her die easily. The power of a “Dragon Descendant” is immense and when Branwen cannot suppress her anger any longer, she becomes like a malevolent dragon warrior and pulverizes every enemy before her.
Her current master is the Trainer Dogura. For a bit of prestige and cheap wine and also to be praised by the beautiful witch, the goblin slave trader will make Branwen fight again today without mercy.

Height: 171cm
Bust: 95
Waist: 59
Hip: 86
Occupation: Gladiator slave
Arms: Rusty sword
Protection: Worn-out shield
Likes: Dragon ride Usher
Dislikes: Trainer Dogura
Hobby: Talking with insects in prison

Character created by Oda Non

The visual book “Toraware no Ryuusenshi Branwen” (Captured Dragon Warrior Branwen) is scheduled for release on January 28, 2011.

Cheerio!

Some information has been published on this month’s issue of Hobby Japan Magazine. The newest Queen’s Blade Rebellion character “Divine Punishment Enforcer” Lyla (神罰の執行者 ライラ) was created by Akaga Hirota, the same artist that created Irma.

Summarized translation from the scan above (because of the quality, some kanjis are unreadable and there might be some mistakes):

Lyla is half-angel and half-human. She was living on the terran world before the Head Angel found her. She was taken to the celestial world and became an angel trainee under Nanael’s supervision (much to the despair of those around). However, she wasn’t pushed around by Nanael’s whims because of her “my pace” nature (doing things in her own pace) and it actually looked like she was the one in control. Anyway, they got along very well.

Nanael, who went on rampage, ordered Lyla to clean the chaos on the terran world with the “Divine Punishment” using holy milk. Because she’s not a true angel, Lyla must wear the holy tool “Nephilim’s Plumage” to fly and use her skills. At first sight she looks very cool-headed, but she makes so many mistakes that she might actually be very dumb.

Lyla is confirmed to have her own book and even figure, but she will debut in the trading card game (TCG) that will be released on February 2011.

Also in the news, the starter pack with Annelotte will come with a rare card and a drama CD. Damn, I was keeping my distance from the TCG, but I want the drama CD! My mistake, no drama CD.

Anyway, great news for Queen’s Blade fans!

Updated with a few more details from Bitoushi Blog (11/29):

• The rifle-like weapon that Lyla carries is like a water gun and it expels only holy milk.
• The Nephilim’s Plumage can also turn into a sword and many other kind of tools.
• Lyla can be very stubborn.

Cheerio!

“Greetings, rascals. Plundering with splendor and refinement is my esthetics!”

Original text published at Queen’s Blade Official Homepage [link]:

Captain Liliana, a pirate with a very bad reputation that laid waste to the Continent’s costal waters. Never captured by the Navy, fellow pirates or any kind of pursuers, it’s said that she was attacked by the sea monster Kraken and met her end in a watery grave. And now she has been resurrected by the Marshland Witch’s immense magical powers to become the spearhead of her army in her plot to take over the Continent.
But she won’t be bound by anything other than the only thing in the world that she honors, the “Pirate Esthetics” written by her esteemed grandmother, the Pirate Queen Artemis who’s also her parental figure. Even though being a scoundrel, having elegant manners like a noble is one of the rules from the esthetics she must follow. Any means is valid for this purpose, but she can’t be completely cold-hearted. She’s unusually weak when it comes to the elderly and she treats them with great care.
With the Marshland Witch’s magical power, she was granted the ability to control a flying ship and its phantom crewmembers. It’s a splendid ship, but as the time passes it becomes a crumbling phantom ship and then disappears.

Height: 161cm
Bust: 85
Waist: 55
Hip: 84
Occupation: Pirate Captain
Arms: Rapier, hand-crossbow
Protection: None
Likes: Fruits
Dislikes: Rum (it’s a secret that she can’t drink)
Hobby: Singing

Character created by Morisawa Haruyuki

The visual book “Daikaizoku Captain Liliana” (Great Pirate Captain Liliana) is scheduled for release on January 28, 2011.

Cheerio!

Short introduction of Branwen, the “Enslaved Dragon Warrior”:

Who would believe that the proud warrior who rides dragons in the sky, also known as the “Dragon’s Child”, is now enslaved and forced to fight for her life against other slaves and monsters in the Marshlands Arena?

Her weapons are a crude and rusty sword and shield. She’s bound to a ball and chain attached to her leg and a “magical bondage tool”. Although she seems to be at disadvantage, she’s not a weak character; she can bring out an extreme destructive power when angered. (Looks like that she’s also a bit “M”.)

Behind her is her master, a goblin slave trader called Dogra.

Branwen‘s book is expected to be released around the same time of Liliana‘s (by the end of this year).

Good job, Oda Non-sensei! Very good job!

Cheerio!

Source: Bitoushi Blog

A sweet and polite person, but also a pirate!

A legendary beautiful pirate girl resurrected by none other than the Marshland Witch. However, like Menace, she doesn’t care too much about being loyal to the witch and she puts the “pirate aesthetics” above everything else.

Her basic weapons are the rapier and the crossbow and she also fights with deadly brawling arts. As the captain of a flying ghost ship, she can summon it at her will.

The character is designed by Morisawa Haruyuki who was also responsible for the character designs of the game Dream C Club for the Xbox 360.

There’s still no release date for the visual book (although it’s expected to be by the end of this year together with another character’s book), but I’m really looking forward to it!

Cheerio!

Source: Queen’s Blade Bitoushi Blog

Before reading on, you might want to take a look at this previous post for a quick introduction to Busou Shinki.

Busou Shinki wasn’t love at first sight.

While other bishoujo action figures from Figma and Revoltech lines try to conceal the joints, the main selling point of Busou Shinki and its Multi Movable System (MMS) is its robotic look because the all characters are small gynoids.

During 2009, as I was collecting figures from Figma, Revoltech and Duel Maid, my tastes for action figures got broader and when Altlene got my attention in February this year, it was comrade Tyrkhael that gave me the last push to order my first Shinki. Since I was already familiar with using proxies for Japanese shops that don’t ship internationally, I went ahead and placed my orders for the exclusive editions of Altlene and Altines at Konamistyle. After doing a lot of research, I learned to appreciate the uniqueness of each Shinki. I recently made a list of many reviews that I’ve found and posted it in my other blog.

The arrival of the first(s) Shinki(s)

I thought that I could wait for Altlene to become my first Shinki, but I couldn’t resist Ach, the cool and cute triker Shinki. And above it all, she is voiced (in-game) by the high-profile seiyuu Horie Yui!

Ach is the leader type but is also a sore loser. She gets very angry if I scold her, so I’d rather play safe and try to not lower the “affection level” between us.

And here’s a small trivia: Ach’s name comes from Achilles as it’s clearly hinted in the decals “ACH-111-es” of the standard edition (red color).

But of course, Yda (voiced by Tamura Yuraki, another very talented seiyuu) didn’t came along as just a bonus! She will get a deserved review after this one.

I got both of them at the Japanese Yahoo! Auctions using TokyoBuyers as a proxy. If you ever need to buy something from Japan or make a bid, I highly recommend them!

Let’s go to the main point: the review!

First, take a look at the four-page assembly manual. That way, I won’t need to explain the gimmicks of the figure. It shows the basic setup for the Shinki and her equipment, but with the expansion port and spacers, there are nearly infinite possibilities to combine with other sets!

Don’t lose the manual! (The official english site has a very helpful guide on how to assemble the figures.)

Now, the basic body.

The body of the figure and most of the accessories and parts are made of ABS, a sturdy kind of plastic. The head and some other parts are made of the usual PVC. And the hands and feet are a bit flexible because they’re made of SBS rubber.

The standard edition comes with only two faces with different expressions, but it’s still better than the first releases that came with only one. This limited edition comes with an extra face and headset.

There are two front hairs for the extra headset: one with the red tinted glasses and another without it.

Assembling the armor and weapons.

Ach has different weapon setups, but most of them are ranged ones.

Busou mode.

The support base is good, but there isn’t much to do with it because its range of movement is kind of limited.

Trike modes.

In the photo above, I placed the handles in the “wrong” place (I didn’t pay enough attention to the manual). Then again, it’s just another way to assemble the trike.

Ach surely meet the high expectations I had for the Busou Shinki line. I spent hours just assembling Ach’s parts for the photos above (I took more photos but most of them didn’t turn out good). Needless to say, the fun factor is very high!

Take a look here for more reviews on Ach (both standard and limited editions).

The next review will be on Yda for sure!

Cheerio!

So, what’s Busou Shinki?

The seasoned figure collectors out there have probably heard about Busou Shinki. Back in 2006, Konami Digital Entertainment started this line of action figures linked with an online service.

The entire series consists of “mecha shoujo” (or “mecha musume”) called Shinki. In a fictitious future, in the year of 2036, a Shinki is a small robot that stands 15cm tall with its own mind and emotions. The Shinki that equips weaponry and fights others in the arena is called “Busou Shinki” (lit. “Armed God-Princess”).

Each figure is a 1/1 scale “replica” of a Shinki and comes with an activation code that can be used to access its digital version in the online services “Battle Rondo” and “Diorama Studio” (PC only). In Battle Rondo, Shinki Owners (the players around the world) train and equip their Shinkis to make them fight in the arena. Diorama Studio is, as the name implies, a digital diorama. Note that the online service is only available in the Japanese language and Konami doesn’t seem to give support to international users.

And what about the figures?

The sculptor for the figures is Asai Masaki (also known an “Apsy” Masaki), but each release has a different character and mecha designer. For instance, Shimada Fumikane (the prominent artist who defined mecha musume) has already worked on many releases, including the first ones and this Ach and Yda that I acquired were designed by Choco.

Standard edition, limited edition…

The release of the original version of Ach and Yda was November 2007 for 4500 JPY and this repaint version (exclusive from Dengekiya online shop) was November 2008 for 5775 JPY. Both versions of both Shinkis are long sold-out at the well-known online shops and with luck they might be available at Japanese auctions sites, but at a relatively high price as they seem to be in high demand. I used TokyoBuyers as a proxy to get them in a auction for a reasonable price.

The limited edition package looks very simple as it’s just a small cardboard box with monochromatic art.

This is Ach’s package.

And this is Yda’s.

Let’s take a look at the contents!

Despite the simplicity of the box, its contents don’t disappoint!

The figure and its parts come in two transparent plastic trays, each with its own transparent cover.

These are Ach’s parts.

And these are Yda’s.

Let’s take a look again at Ach’s parts.

One of the bonuses of the limited edition is an extra face and headset. However, it comes attached with tape behind the plastic tray. Yda’s extra parts come in this same way. (Must be careful to not lose them!)

The expansion spacers and the arms of the figure stand. The standard equipment set doesn’t need the expansion spacers, but it’s up to your imagination to use them and combine with other sets. To assemble the stand, you need a small Phillips screwdriver.

An eight-page booklet with some illustrations and concept art by the Choco is also included as another bonus.

Both Ach and Yda come with the same booklet.

And like all the other releases, the assembly manual and the activation code.

After I entered the codes for Ach and Yda, I realized that I became a Premium Owner for 48 hours. I don’t know if each code gave me 24 hours.

But I’ll be honest: Battle Rondo can be very frustrating…

Okay, and now where’s the review of the figure!?

The full review on Ach is coming next very soon! (Hopefully!)

Cheerio!

“I’ll do my best for you!”

Original text published at Queen’s Blade Official Homepage [link]:

The half-demon that once won two successive Queen’s Blade championships and ruled as the “Bewitched Queen”.
In the last tournament, the Demon Delmore, the source of her super-extraordinary powers was torn-off from her and she was defeated. By losing most of her powers, her body that had stopped growing reverted to its true form.
After that, she embarked on  a journey to find her lost sister but she suffered memory loss.
What saved the physically and mentally exhausted Aldra was the “love” from a certain man. They married and Aldra’s heart was healed.
A short-lived happy live began before the war between the Queen’s Army and the Rebel Army spread through the whole Continent. To protect her loved husband, she was determined to throw herself in the fight. She will use her innate summoning skills again. She summoned and made a contract with the Underworld dwellers Belphe and Dogor. However, those two are a dangerous threat that plots to eat their contractor Aldra when they get the opportunity!!

Height: 163cm
Bust: 87
Waist: 57
Hip: 85
Occupation: Gondolier
Arms: War paddle (oar)
Protection: None
Likes: Her husband (for some reason, no one has ever seen him)
Dislikes: Carrots
Hobby: Going out with her husband

Character created by Kantaka

The book “Shoukanshi Aldra” (Summoner Aldra) will be released on July 31. A limited bundle with the Revoltech action figure of her original version will also be released on the same date.

Cheerio!

Menace, Ancient Princess

“Ojou, are you feeling down?”

Setra is worried about Menace who was defeated in her fight.

“I’m not feeling down~, Setra. It’s all the same if I make the winner of Queen’s Blade bow down before the authority of Amara Kingdom~.”

“As expected of my Ojou. Oh, isn’t that merchant guy grinning over there?”

There appeared the merchant that pulled out the funds to pay for Menace’s participation in Queen’s Blade. He’s the souvenir seller that aimed for the crowd that came to watch Queen’s Blade.

“Hehehe, this time a lot of popular Bitoushi appeared one after another and I made a big profit. Especially because Menace’s statue was an exclusivity of my shop. Everyone who wants to see that charm will give their money, huh? That’s an asset that could buy an entire village.”

“Hey, old man, wait. You put on sale a statue of Ojou with removable clothes without asking her, huh? Let’s have a talk.”

Then, a few months later at Amara Desert. There, a small kingdom was built.

“Setra, it’s still small, but Amara Kingdom was restored, right?”

“That’s right, Ojou. Ojou’s legend starts from here!”

“Yes, Setra. I’m also counting on you from now on~”

Airi, Infernal Temptress

The Marshland Witch’s Castle. There, Airi went through a really severe punishment. Not only she was defeated in her fight, let alone not becoming the Queen, but she was sucking the spirit of prominent Bitoushi without planning in making new subordinates. Airi was put in a hole from the Underworld where she suffered the hellish torment of having several hundreds of tiny tentacles tickling her for an entire day and night.

As the Witch’s representative, Melona came to talk with the totally exhausted Airi.

“Airi, I think that you have been serving the Mistress very well until now. You also helped me. But there’s no need suffer anymore. You can go back to the Underworld.”

“…But, there’s still today’s cleaning duty and the preparations for the evening meal.”

“Ah, that’s right. The Mistress put Airi under an obedience spell.  It’s alright. I’ll dispel it with this cane!”

“It has already been dispelled.”

“What-!?”

“I dispelled it a long time ago. After all, I’m also a first-class Mamono from the Underworld!”

“Then why did you always worked so hard?”

“Who do you think that will take care of Mistress if I’m gone? Come on, Melona, let’s start cleaning. You will help me!”

Cattleya, Weapon Merchant

At the tournament, Cattleya confronts the Protean Assassin Melona.

“Even if the opponent is a Mamono, I can’t be defeated until the day I meet my husband again.”

Melona’s eyes sparkled.

“Who’s your husband?”

“The Blacksmith Owen.”

“Haha-, I’m surprised. I know about Owen!”

“What!? Tell me, where is my husband?”

“I’ll tell you if you defeat me!”

Saying that, Melona shape-shifted into a muscular man.

“Dear!” “Father!”

“C’mon, it’s a marital showdown. It’s truly a dream match, huh? Kishishishi.”

After a hard fight with her husband, Cattleya crushed Melona.

“Come on, it’s my victory. Where is my husband!?”

“Ouch, you’re strong for a human, huh? Well, okay. You were surprised with my transformation, so I’ll tell you!”

Leaving the tournament, Cattleya went toward the Witch’s marshlands.

“We’ll finally meet father, right!?”

“Yes. But from here on it’s the most dangerous marshland of the Country. You can wait here if you want.”

“Mother, it’s as I said before. We’ll fight together!”

“That’s right, Rana. Okay, don’t get away from me.”

Will Cattleya and her son be able to bring back Owen!?

Cheerio!

Irma, Assassin of Fang

To win her way through the tournament and defeat Aldra to get revenge for her brother!

Originally, she entered in the tournament under the Queen’s orders. Even before reaching the finals, the likelihood of Aldra having a whim to give some words of appreciation to a servant without her escorts because she overestimates her own strength is not low. She was waiting for that opportunity.

“Aldra, I’ll revenge my brother. Get ready to receive your retribution.”

“I see… Your brother? So you draw your blade against me for your brother…”

Aldra remained still with her eyes closed. As if forgetting about Irma who was standing before her, she was only reminiscing about her own family.

(…That confidence will cost her life. Or has she made her resolve?)

However, Aldra wasn’t being overconfident.

Aldra was pushed back by Irma once, but when the Queen released her true power, the situation was quickly reversed.

An absolute power. That’s Aldra.

“You fool… You thought you could stand against me?”

A treason from an assassin under the Queen’s direct supervision.

Concealing that truth to the public, Irma was going to be executed as an insane cleaner that trespassed into the Queen’s palace.

“I sympathize with you for the loss of your brother. If by any chance I ever happen to lose my little sister, I’d probably fall to madness too…”

Tomoe, Musha-Miko

Masakado Shrine, the force that protects Hinomoto. In its inner sanctuary, the Musha-Miko Tomoe sits in seiza before the Shinto priest, reporting her long journey through the Continent.

“Aldra, who was planning to invade Hinomoto was defeated and Claudette, the daughter of the Earl Vance was appointed as the new Queen.”

“Tomoe, I appreciate your efforts that even lead you becoming like this. What kind of person is this new Queen?”

“She’s just and upright and knows the suffering of the weak people and I truly believe she’s a befitting person to rule the Country.”

“Does she mean any harm against our Hinomoto?”

“I understood her resolve by crossing swords with her.  I can confirm that the new Queen is not someone that would make such foolish move.”

“However, I still haven’t received any revelation from Masakado-sama about the security of our Country . There’s no guarantee that she won’t be taken by an evil temptation after gaining such immense power.”

“I created a deep bond of friendship with her younger sister. If by any chance the Queen goes through a sudden change of mind, she’ll surely make everything right again.”

“I’ll believe in it if you say so.”

“Thank you. However, for the pride of Hinomoto, my defeat as a Musha-Miko is unforgivable. I came here ready to honorably kill myself after this report is over.”

“Tomoe, that won’t be allowed. You must continue to carry the duty to protect Hinomoto. You’ll live, bearing that responsibility.”

Tomoe made the whole Continent acknowledge the strength of Hinomoto. Her legend has only just started.

Echidna, Veteran Mercenary

Echidna’s job was to protect the Earl Vance’s daughter Leina from the shadows so she won’t lose her life at the tournament.

However, in practice, Echidna didn’t have a single chance to help Leina. Leina succeeded in a hard fight after another and remained victorious in the tournament through her own strength. Echidna was admired with the Ojou-sama Leina’s hard struggle and watching over it became Echidna’s enjoyment.

The tournament finally reached its final stage. Filled with fighting spirit, Claudette’s blow hit her younger sister Leina with full power.

“Her face says she won’t go easy because it’s her little sister.”

The time to carry her job might have finally come. Then she learned that her disciple Irma was going to be public executed by the Queen’s orders.

Irma was rescued from the execution place by someone.  Someone was able to break through the guards in the strictly secured execution place and rescue the nameless cleaner. Even in this large Continent there’s only one person that could do that. With the Queen and the Assassins of Fang’s dignity at stake, that person will be severely pursued. She won’t be able to return to the Capital anymore.

“Sigh, looks like I’ve become dull. In 500 years, I’ve never botched a job even once.”

The journey of the pursued teacher and student.

Because it’s a dangerous journey, to Echidna it’s the greatest of the pleasures.

Cya!