Tomopop Review: Nendoroid Itoshiki-sensei by Good Smile Company

5:00 PM on 05.12.2009   |   Topher Cantler

With Spring upon us, the Japanese school year is now well underway, and there's a new Sensei in town, thanks to Good Smile Company. Itoshiki-sensei here comes to us as the latest in a (thankfully) growing line of boy Nendoroids, and joins Kaito as one of very few lucky gentleman to have gotten the treatment.

And honestly, we couldn't have asked for a better candidate. Itoshiki's penchant for spontaneously losing his mind over the petty and mundane makes for quality Nendo playtime, and GSC have even been kind (and wise) enough to include a tiny rope, with which he can attempt to end his suffering. How does it all hold up? Check out my full review after the jump.

The box, while standard Nendoroid fare by now, is appropriately colored to match Itoshiki's character, and maintains some semblance of masculinity with its browns and earthy colors.

Our man here comes fitted for his first day on the job, with his trademark red scarf and breifcase. The outfit is impressively done altogether, and it's evident that GSC is really getting good at this. It's easy to take the overall quality of the figure as a sign of more good things to come.

From the back, you can see the detachable piece of hair, which can be replaced with an alternate that features a hole through which his little noose can be threaded in the event life becomes a bit much for Itoshiki to handle. Because hey, some days a man just needs to f*cking hang himself.

Like the Yuki Nendoroid before him, Itoshiki's glasses fit into the front piece of his hair, and can be easily removed. You can see a bit of a scuff on his hair that is hopefully not featured on your own Itoshiki should you decide to order one. Not pretty, but it happens.

He includes two alternate faces, this one being my personal favorite.

His outfit is consistent with what's seen in the show, and really deserves another look. I'm not sure what it is about it that I like so much, but it's just impressive. Dignified. Scholarly.

His briefcase is fairly detailed as well, and it's appreciated that GSC opted to include an alternate hand that's permanently connected to its handle. It cuts out the annoyance of him dropping it all the time like Ryoko does with her knife.

He also includes a tiny folder, which can be tucked under his arm. Not so clean with the paint here, GSC. The white is kind of all over, but it doesn't take away from it too much. I just worry it'll send poor Itoshiki-sensei into ...

DESPAIR!!

"I'm in DESPAIR!! My reviewer is 30 years old and still drinks his coffee from a mug with kittens on it!"

I'm in DESPAIR! The extinction of Edison's magnificent phonograph has left me in DESPAIR!!

If I don't transplant these soon they won't come back next Spring!

I'm in DESPAIR! Someone ate all the brownie corners!

This cat's grumpy disposition has left me in DESPAIR!

A boring life as a result of boring tuna has left me in DESPAIR!!

I'll never finish eating these bananas before they go bad!

WTF, I JUST MOWED THIS SH*T 3 DAYS AGO!!

The Pillsbury Doughboy makes his living promoting dough-based bakeables, yet is himself made of dough!! I AM IN DESPAIR!!

Some days you can't blame the guy. I also wouldn't blame any of you for going out to pick Itoshiki-sensei up for yourself, as he's a great Nendoroid and fun to have around. Especially with that rope.