Check me out Sempai! (Wave's Rise Kujikawa Review)

Rise Idol Stage Shot by ME_Counterpunch, on Flickr

Sometime towards the end of last year, Wave announced a re-release of Persona 4's Rise Kujikawa figure. Long out of production, this figure was commanding a hefty premium on the secondary market (if you could find her to begin with). After a one month delay (to keep her many fans in suspense no doubt), Rise arrived to Amiami for a very reasonable 5,500Y.


Rise 1 by ME_Counterpunch, on Flickr

Rise is a 1/8th scale figure and is wearing her Yasogami High school uniform from the game. Her uniform is very faithful to her in-game appearance. The pose chosen for this particular figure is not really iconic for Rise but it definitely conveys her playful and lighthearted personality.



Rise 2 by ME_Counterpunch, on Flickr

Her outfit is accurate down to the purposefully obvious white stitching that Yasogami High uniforms have. This figure picks up a lot of nice details in the clothing. Note the stocking lines behind her knees.



Rise 3 by ME_Counterpunch, on Flickr

This side shot shows a hint of the one point of articulation on this figure. Her head is posable. You can strike whatever coquettish look you like with our favorite pop idol.



Rise 4 by ME_Counterpunch, on Flickr

From this side I'd like to point out that her bust is given actual human proportions. The fabric sculpt does not cheat to accentuate her nor is there any unrealistic clothing shape. That may be a pet peeve of mine, but I hate when a figure's bust is treated as though the clothing has been vacuum sealed under the bust line.



Rise Upper Details by ME_Counterpunch, on Flickr

Looking at Rise's upper half we can see the wonderful care that was taken with the clothing and the lack of obvious seams. If you get super picky about it, the paint on her neck scarf isn't perfect, but that's about the only real problem I can find. Now this figure is a few years old and in some ways current hair sculpting has surpassed our idol. There's nothing wrong with it and I certainly prefer Rise's styling over the current rash of translucent hair, but it should still be pointed out.



Rise Close Up by ME_Counterpunch, on Flickr

Rise has one accessory: her glasses. If this figure has one failing, it's those glasses. They just don't fit well on her head. They are slightly too small and you really have to kind of wedge them on to her. They are not large enough to reach back to her ears either. It's a minor gripe but again, it should be pointed out. Also, it should be pointed out that Rise looks super-foxy in glasses. ^_-



Rise Lower Details by ME_Counterpunch, on Flickr

Her lower half is well tended to. The skirt replicates the small checker design of her school's skirt and mine was free from flaws. I think that speaks to quality especially with the pattern being so small.



Rise Shoes and Base by ME_Counterpunch, on Flickr

For the ladies, check out the detail on those shoes. ^_^ The base is nice and simple, nothing special. It should be pointed out that she is permanently affixed to the base via a screw.



Rise Upskirt by ME_Counterpunch, on Flickr

For the guys, check out the pantsu! -_-" I really like that the stockings are not a high gloss finish here. That is something that current figure makers should go back to.



Rise Box by ME_Counterpunch, on Flickr

Lastly, a picture of her boxed. I don't think boxed pictures ever make a figure look great so I dump these shots at the end. The box is nice though. It replicates her uniform details and even has some English wording on the back.

Is Rise worth the price? For a Persona fan, absolutely. The quality is outstanding and the price is very fair for what you are getting. I'm more of an articulated figure collector but I would hit up Wave for an entire cast if they were willing to go through with it.

Thanks for reading. If you're still interested in Rise, I hate to have to tell you that she seems to be sold out at most retailers. Such is the life of an Idol...here today, gone tomorrow.