Figure Name: Creators' Labo #029 No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle: Sylvia Christel 1/5-scale figure
Figure Maker: Yamato
Retail/List Price: ¥12,800
Available at: AmiAmi | Hobby Search | HLJ

We'll start with the box as we always do, which is one I absolutely love. The front of the box has a window where you can see our lovely Ms. Sylvia ready to jump out of that box and pose. What really makes me love the box though, is the gorgeous illustration on the side. The figure was created based on artwork from No More Heroes concept artist, Yusuke Kozaki, both of which do a great job recreating her beauty.

The back of the box shows an image of the figure itself, while the other side features a keyhole shaped window. I also love the different colored splashes all over the box as well. It keeps it entertaining to look at, while not making it ridiculously busy looking.

We're finally getting close to releasing her from that plastic prison! When she's removed from the box, you can see that her name is printed inside the box with a green tone, joined by more of those splashes I liked so much. The clear plastic packaging was not only taped together, but wired together as well, just to make sure she didn't get too rowdy in transit.

Once you get her wires off and everything else, you'll see that there was a nice clear plastic sheet keeping her from getting scratched. There was also a mirror base, as well as the beam katana, that comes in two pieces.

This beam katana is known as Blood Berry, and as you saw previously with it in two pieces, it's not hard too assemble. You merely place the blue beam into the very small hole near the base of the katana, while bringing the tip down and attaching the beam into that hole as well. The two pieces near the hilt of the katana can also be flipped up so that they come out at roughly 45 degree angles from the katana.

There's our beautiful lady! Just one look at her and this figure is simply striking. I don't even know where to start, as the amount of detail in this piece is just incredible. Her hair is magnificently sculpted, keeping in as many strands as they possibly could, and not leaving any visible seams behind. The painting also looks impeccable, as there are great looking highlights and shadows, while not having any places that paint is too thin.

Those eyes are simply captivating! You know she's up to no good, but you can't help wanting to give into her. This photo also shows the only thing I somewhat questioned about this figure. While her cleavage is grand, I'm not too sure I like the extra painting used to accentuate it. Instead of making her breasts look bigger, it kind of gives the appearance of her having scars there instead. It's far from a deal breaker, and in fact, looks much better at a distance, it's just something I noticed while photographing her up close and personal.

The great detailing in the clothing continues on the back side, while other great details are seen as well. You can see Sylvia's getting a bit cheeky in those shorts, and while that's a nice detail, I am enamored by the details in her thighs. They did such an incredible job showing the muscle definition in her legs, and it looks so realistic to how someone of that size would actually look when they're in that pose. Back to the clothes for a moment: look how great even the pockets and seams on the shorts look! No, I'm not giving you a pass to check out her butt, though there are some fantastic details back there.

One of the bits I especially loved were her shoes. While I've always loved her outfit from the game as a whole, her shoes were one of my favorite bits. Call me a stereotypical girl, eh? Well, they are incredibly well done here, and they've gone to the extra trouble to even paint each of her toenails as well! There's also just enough space between her heel of her foot and the heel of the shoe, showing a very realistic pose of how far the distance would be in real life.

Now we finally see the 8.5" figure in completion after placing the beam katana in her hand. It slides into her left hand easily, but is very secure. Some of the parts of the katana do have a tendency to bend a little though, so just be careful when you're putting it into place.

I just can't get over how well this figure works as a whole. Everything down to the little buttons on her jacket look fantastic, and she looks great from both the front and the back.

Now from the side/front-ish that's a bit of a different story. This view just kind of makes her look like she's staring into space and forgot what she was doing.

As if I haven't gone on about the details enough, there's one last shot I had to share. In this picture, you can see her belly button peeking out from her shirt which, while open, is tucked into her shorts. They've got everything there. The correct amount of buttons on the shorts, the belt, the lace on the sleeves, the details on the gloves — this figure's got it all!

Finally, she takes her place on her mirrored base. As you can see I'm obviously going to suggest you go out and get her regardless to if you're a fan of the games or not. Although her eyes were a little brighter in the original artwork, I like how they've turned out in the figure, giving it such a realistic look. You'll have to shell out ¥12,800 retail for this babe, but it's so beyond worth it. I haven't been so happy with the quality of a figure I've bought in a while, and this has definitely made me one happy fangirl.