Majikoi, short for Maji de Watashi ni Koi Shinasai!! was initially an adult visual novel back in 2009 before inking itself and later visualized in last year's anime adaptation.
The latter consisted of twelve episodes before saying goodbye to its viewers on December 18th. Just six days later Hobby Japan, aided by Kotobukiya for manufacturing, put up a
character from the series in the highly shy and katana-wielding Mayuzumi Yukie.
Like with most exclusives, this figure had a limited order period of less than two months though that usually holds true to regular releases in very high demand as well. Originally slated
for an August release, Mayuzumi got pushed up to the very end of June. While that was a pleasant surprise it also filled up this month's personal quota.
The premature arrival also sparked a hazy memory in me forgetting to actually watch the final episode of the anime, similarly to forgetting the last thirteen episodes of
Horizon on the Middle of Nowhere. Thankfully the Blu-ray version had been released resulting in a full rewatch of the show to rekindle the fondness for Mayuzumi in all her
uncensored glory.
Speaking of devotion to skin this also marks the fourth in a row scantily clad female to undergo review, a pure coincidence surely, with a semi cast off option that takes it to a lingerie
level and no further. With the school uniform jacket only changing its appearance in the front, one can easily swap the two half-parts without resorting to any kind of amputation.
There's plenty of great artwork surrounding this character, official and otherwise, though I haven't seen any that depicts Kotobukiya's 1/8 figure. The company's choice fell on an rather interesting pose with Mayuzumi holding her sheathed katana in a less than practical way when fending off looming threats.
Worth mentioning is the character's often frank sidekick, Matsukaze. Because of Mayuzumi's timid nature she often resorts to ventriquilism by letting her horse-shaped phone strap voice her true feelings. Matsukaze, who resembles a Dalecarlian horse during Mardi Gras, has been scaled up a bit to ensure the well-deserved exposure.
On the upside, this is the best scaled figure of Mayuzimi Yukie to date. Unfortunately, it's also the only one available making it easier to point out any visual flaws. To
mention a few, there are clearly visible vertical lines along her legs and hands that shouldn't be there if quality control was up to par. With a cast off option there's also quite a few gaps in her attire, again easily spotted
by the human eye. To top things off there's a transparent deformity on her left chin, hopefully isolated to my copy, that would put a slumbering Urabe Mikoto to shame.
Despite its shortcomings it's still a decent figure, though nowhere near the quality offered by Alter, Max Factory or Good Smile Company. For fans of the series or
Mayuzumi Yukie in particular I'd still recommend a purchase even though my first impression of Kotobukiya was underwhelming to say the least.
