Tomopop Review: Old Skool Kaiju Vol. 1 Dizign NYCC08 Villain Version

5:00 PM on 08.15.2009   |   Pedro Cortes

Normally, I am not a fan of designer vinyl. Being a long time collector of Japanese PVC and trading figures, I'm used to (sometimes overly) complex designs and a level of detail that I don't normally find in vinyl toys. However, I'm always willing to eat crow if I find something that amazes me, and I have to say that this slice of crow pie is quite a bit tastier than I though.

Erick Scarecrow, in collaboration with Neon Martian, released Dizign as part of the Old Skool Kaiju collection back in 2008, with this particular coloration being a New York Comi-Con exclusive. Follow me after the jump to here me gush about my first vinyl as well as see Dizign's first foray into PVC territory.

First, let's take a look at Dizign's box.

This is quite the eye-catching package. The front has a simple window displaying Dizign, as well as the name of the line, but it really does a good job with setting a tone for the figure. The back keeps this motif going.

You get a better shot of Dizign unleashing holy hell on the unsuspecting masses. Hell, I was one of them. This is one of my favorite packages for a toy that I have. The only one that surpasses it is Kamina's box, but that might just be that I'm such a huge Gurren fan. This is one of the few boxes that I wouldn't mind a figure being displayed in. However, there is no fun in keeping a toy in box, so let's take her out, shall we?

Well well well, look at this sexy thang. First thing that struck me about Dizign was how she was both simple and complex at the same time. The color scheme proper is simple, but the way she's sculpted rewards repeat viewers with nice bits of detail. It isn't as complex as something out of Wonder Fes, but the folds of her clothing and the receptors on her head are pretty damn unique.

I mean, you can almost feel her size, the way she embodies the essence of kaiju.

See what I mean? She positively towers over everything. She's not afraid to enter to foreign territory. Even when she gets accosted some of the locals.

It seems like Yoko and the Gurren Lagann have taken offense to Dizign's presence. It could be her tall stature or her bitchin' bracelets, but something doesn't sit right with them.

It seems like the Gurren is saying, "Stop! This is not a place for you. Vinyl is not tolerated here." However, I think he may be a bit out of his element.

Well, it seems that Dizign is tougher than she looks. Not many can make a toy out of the Gurren Lagann. All that's left is a famous sniper by the name of Yoko.

She may be small, but she's got a helluva shot. She's used to dealing with Gunman, so a kaiju shouldn't be a problem.

On second thought...

It's not worth getting tossed around like a rag doll. When a giant robot with a drill can't do the job, a cute bikini-clad sniper probably can't do much better. Now Dizign can freely join the ranks of my other toys with no resistance, a sentiment that everybody should have. Scarecrow's Old Skool Kaiju line should appeal to anybody with a sense of style.