Figure Name: Figuarts ZERO Sheryl Nome - Shine of Valkyrie -
Figure Maker: Bandai
Retail Price: ¥4,500
Available at: HobbyLink Japan

The box that Sheryl comes in is small (no bigger than necessary), but bold. It has these wide pink and black diagonal stripes around it, and a few pictures wherever there is space. It has a nice big window so you can see what's inside, but who wants to keep a beautiful lady inside a box? Let's see her free of the plastic and cardboard prison:

I only did this one divider image with the full turnaround because there are actually more detail shots in this review than I tend to get out of other figures. That outfit of hers is full of frills and layers, which you could already see at a glance here. This time around, we'll start with the bottom and go upwards.

Her base is rather plain, just a shiny black with some pink and her name. I personally like it because it looks like an autograph and she's a total super star. The only assembly required once she's out of the box is to simply affix her foot over a peg on the base. It's rather stable and I don't think the figure will ever lean.

The shoe itself is a brighter pink with a lightning bolt attachment at the heel, though the platform seems to be up by the middle of her foot. It looks super uncomfortable, but then again, I'm not the one performing in space. Maybe outrageous footwear is just easier to deal with out there.

Her stockings have some rips and tears on them, which are actually carved in rather than simply blotched on with paint. I appreciate this attention to detail on the part of the molding and painting departments. The picture shows a bit of the seaming there, but this isn't apparent on the shelf. You only notice it when you're really looking up close and like this.

The next layer over her stockings are a pair of red shorts, and then a black mini skirt with a red belt. The red shorts can be seen better from her left leg since the stocking ends above her knee. Her left stocking is also held up by a thin black garter on her thigh. In this instance, the molding is also rather nicely done, and even the strap that goes down to the stocking from that little belt is molded above the leg and not just a painted-on line.

Here's a look at the other side of this lower-middle section and her right hand, which is clutching her ... golden ... chain. She's rocking some pink nail polish and gold bangles as well, which only ladies like herself and Lady Gaga would probably be able to pull off when it comes to this sort of ensemble.

Here's her other hand, which has a blue rose corsage/detail over it and is holding the business end of that chain. The blue is a nice, small little splash (ripple?) of color to offset all of the pink and purple and gold that goes nicely with her trademark oval earrings, though they aren't too easy to see at this scale (when we get to her face, you'll see!).

Back to her torso area, she has the short black skirt with little purple marks on it to match the stockings, then a red belt with gold buckles, and a tiny bit of bare skin and some gushing pink material before we get to the black corset with a gold zipper and red seaming. Everything looks solid; the paint job isn't smudged at all between layers.

Her jacket has this purple color to it that is leaning toward pink (kind of like her shoes are bright pink leaning toward purple ... ), and it's got some gold details all over it. Looking at her from the back, more random material is exploding out of her skirt there, too. I have no idea how it works, but I'm going to keep using outer space as an excuse.

Sheryl's hair is always pretty awesome, and I think Bandai did it justice here, too. It's well painted with that subtle cherry shading. Besides that, her hair is adorned with little red bows and a small black hat with red adornments and a veil. The veil is pearly (only vaguely transparent) and adds just that much more movement to the figure overall. I think the hat also achieves a great "seam hide."

Now, before we get to her face, I want to bring her chest to your attention. Yes, it's molded nice and things look rather in place, but what I was surprised by is that little blue kiss on her left breast. I thought it was a nice touch, anyway! This picture also has a better view at the zipper pull.

Finally — that face! I think this figure achieves the art style seen in Macross Frontier which is most apparent right here. Her hair and face are molded exactly right, and her eyes are (surprisingly) nicely detailed. She has also been captured at the right moment (as she is performing), so her mouth is open. Besides the pink lipstick, everything about her face is subtle which only accentuates her eyes even more.

All that being said, I think that Sheryl Nome would be a happy addition to any collection! She's bold and colorful, cheerful, doesn't take up too much space and c'mon, she's a space diva! A big thanks goes to HobbyLink Japan again for sending her over and once we announce the winners for Megapixel someone might be taking her home, too!