Review: 1/8 Misaka Mikoto and Kuroko Shirai by Kotobukiya

BiriBiri Yuri Goodness!!!

It’s MIKOTO MADNESS!!! More precisely, Misaka Mikoto, the electricity wielding, Level 5 psychic of Academy City from the Novel and Anime To Aru Majutusu no Index. This time, we’ll be taking a look at the figure of her made by Kotobukiya along with a figure of her roommate, kohai and obsessed Yuri partner, Kuroko Shirai made by the same company. Mikoto is definitely my absolute, favourite character of the series and one of my top favourite Tsunderes of all time.

The boxes themselves are pretty awesome. Both of them have the same design, with pictures of the figures on the sides. Absolutely beautiful.

Accessories:

Mikoto comes with a base, an exchangeable hand and an exchangeable hair clip.

Kuroko comes with a base and a removable school bag.

It is interesting to note that while both bases may look similar, the base that is included with Mikoto has a covering at the bottom.

Now, on to the main event! Time to take a look at the figures themselves. This time, I’m using the cardboard backings that came with the figure as a somewhat amateurish photo booth, all be it without the lighting equipment. From the looks of it, it turned out pretty well. I especially like the Mikoto ones as the lightning bolts are really, really fitting.

MISAKA MIKOTO

BiriBiri is sculpted here in a very dynamic pose, getting ready to fire a bolt of electricity.

The ‘electricity’ here is done really well. The translucent light blue plastic really simulates electricity well.

Her first feature comes in the form of an exchangeable hand.

My favourite picture out of the bunch

Once her hand is swapped, the pose still works surprisingly well! While only the hand is changed, it allows Mikoto to assume another ‘pose’ and it gives another posing option to the figure.

Railgun!

Something that surprised me greatly was the fact that she was firing her signature attack, Railgun. For those of you who don’t know what a Railgun is, check out the Wikipedia article. But basically, she uses electricity to accelerate particles like coins and turn them into deadly projectiles when she fires them at three hundred times the speed of sound. I’m sure it has some applications with Fleming’s Left Hand Rule, but seriously, my head hurts too much to take in any more Physics stuff.

But seriously, just look at the details! She is actually holding a coin.

(-.-)

One of the ways to differentiate Mikoto from her clones is that she wears shorts under her skirt. The figure replicates this as well, to the delight and disappointment of many.

Her schoolbag is also wonderfully detailed and even has the little frog strap.

The base is exceedingly detailed and depicts a battle ravaged road/ground.

The final accessory is her exchangeable hair clip. I would really like to know when she uses the second one, as I’ve only seen her wear the straight one in the Anime. But anyways, the only problem with this figure is this accessory. Putting the hair clip on the figure is a PAIN. It took me at least 15 attempts and a whole half hour to successfully insert the peg into the hole.

KUROKO SHIRAI

The second figure that I’m reviewing today is Kuroko. She’s the reason I took so long before I reviewed Mikoto as they definitely have to be reviewed together.

Kuroko is a Level 4 psychic with the ability to teleport herself, people and objects.

Case in point here. (NSFW)

Her bag accessory, unlike Mikoto’s is removable.

Last but not least, her dart weapons are also accurately portrayed.

IN CONCLUSION

These figures are indeed out of the world. They have all the requirements of great figures:

– Fantastic details
– Dynamic and apt poses
– Good and relevant accessories
– Based of awesome characters

So, I would definitely recommend you pick these figures up if you gut the chance. I’m really glad I got both of them because Mikoto and Kuroko go together like bread and butter. What’s more, don’t forget to catch the upcoming adaptation of the side story of To Aru Majutsu no Index:

To Aru Kagaku no Railgun (A Certain Scientific Railgun) coming this October, starring Mikoto and Kuroko as the main characters! Awesome.