Daisuke Jigen (Japanese: 次元 大介, Hepburn: Jigen Daisuke) is a fictional character created by Monkey Punch for his manga series Lupin III, which debuted in Weekly Manga Action on August 10, 1967. Jigen is the marksman, aide-de-camp and best friend of Arsène Lupin III. Along with colleague Goemon Ishikawa XIII, he joins Lupin in pursuit of riches acquired typically by theft. Traveling across the globe, Jigen has garnered fame as a gunman with a wildly capable speed and accuracy.
Bought this figure from BBICN via TFH in 2007 for $63/-. One part of a 5 pieces heist (Lupin III Green Jacket | Fujiko Mine Red Sleeveless [now with a broken waist] | Goemon Ishikawa | Inspector Zenigata | Daisuke Jigen) at a single swoop. At that time, I wanted to have every character of Lupin the 3rd franchise ever released. Not an easy endeavour for attempt to complete this line because it is old... probably first released just before the turn of the milennia or the early 2000s. Animation was also not too well known or popular outside Japan. Best collecting this leisurely and buy it when one comes around.
I do not know exactly how many there are but I have gotten 18 of it. Missing ones includes Paical, Linda, Lupin Race Car Driver, Young Lupin, and probably another 1 or 2 more.
Daisuke Jigen is one of the main character in the story together with Goemon Ishikawa and Lupin III whom are always together. It is about time one of the main 3 gets to be showcased in this blog. Climbed high chair, move big boxes to retrieve this kit, which was carefully tugged away at the back (with the rest of Lupin III figures) from the storeroom.
Similarly also want to eventually showcase all, which are still in acceptable condition, inside this blog. Fact that Diver Lupin's diving suit has already "melted". Fujiko red sleeveless has a broken waist. The rest should still be good.
2 years & 3 months after the last Lupin III post in this Blog, the series has once again grace the field with Jigen. A different time now but one thing did not change is the figure itself. Still such a pain in the ass to pose with that "ancient" Medicom Spider body.
DESIGN - 4/5
Medicom recreated Daisuke Jigen as faithfully to the anime as possible with slim stick-like arms and legs. Cartoony hands with painted on hair on the back of it.
The common complain by now are on those shoes with tilted-up front tip. The figure basically "standing" on its heels. Could it be to extend the anime design all the way through? Possible. But personally, I'd prefer a flat "normal" pair of feet/shoes.
An observation on the bottom edge of the tie that Medicom chose to go with a flat "end" than a pointed one. Reference pictures in the web shows both type presence. Tie clip is metal/brass material and it is functional.
Would be nice if there are wires around the edge of the jacket that can provide more action posing.
Also to mention the eyes were painted looking sideways which again has some limitation to posing. An additional headsculpt - like Zenigata - would be great too. All these good to haves.
Further adding the product box design here as another special mention. I love the size of the box. Small, functional and storage friendly. The box actually form part of the attraction for me getting into this series in earnest. High score here.
SCULPTING - 3/5
Daisuke Jigen is seldom shown without his hat on. Because of a functional hat, top of the head will need to be sculpted narrowly for accomodating the hat. It just look quite weird.
Although this is no fault of the sculpter but it is simply a necessity. I can see a lot of care and consideration has been put in to have this eventual outcome.
There isn't any hoghlights worth mentioning here regarding this category. Proper work is administered and we have a proper outcome.
PAINTING - 3/5
Not much here but the head, hand and a few other accessories. The head and hands seem to be in it's original plastic (flesh) tone colour. Black for the hair and white for the eyes are painted on. No bleeding and on point.
Revolver is nicely painted but that is just to be expected. Again Proper work is administered and we have a proper outcome.
ARTICULATION - 2.5/5
Biggest headache. While the body is supposed to be the right stature, and the only body, to use, articulations are pretty basic. Posing it for photography is a chore, need patience and determination. Arms with single joint can bend about slightly above 90° with some force. Knee joints are weak and unable to support the body when posed with it bent.
Striking a desired pose cannot be achieve 90% of time without a supporting stick behind the back.
This figure had sacrifice poseability for character design accuracy. I want this. Also I want that. Unfortunately for this figure, it can only satisfy one.
ACCESSORIES - 2.5/5
Whatever needs to be included are here includes a revolver, the hat - if that counted, and a standard Medicom clear stand. But there is one perculiar white 3/4 length underpants packed together with the product sheet wrapped inside a polybag. Nothing in the box suggest anything. Not well versed in the story and the anime so there is no chance to know. Anyway it is a piece of useless accessory destined to be sealed in the polybag for eternity.
OVERALL - 3.5/5
This figure is a faithful replication of the cartoony caricature of the character. It is just a shame because of how the body is, posing is quite limited. One pose I would like to do is for Jigen to tilt his hat with the right hand with head slightly lowered. This cannot be done because of a single elbow joint.
Even a standard standing pose takes up time to get it right and standing still without toppling over. This figure need a permanent doll stand if you would want to display it.
Sweeping away all these "technical" undesirables, Medicom has done a successful replica from a 2D screen character to a 3D toy. That alone lift the overall score to 3.5.
Latest update :
Today, 13 Sep 2024, I have placed an order for Paical in eBay. 15 years after the last purchase of this franchise with Clarisse, a new member is coming in to join the gang. With this, I realize there are much more figures I did not mentioned earlier. Will take my time to collect them. Speed can be enhance abit but there is no rush at all.
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