Originally a secretary for Dr. Heinlein, she underwent human experimentation with a rare flower called the Third Sun when forced by Stern's criminal syndicate Killer-in-Killers (aka Kirein-Killers), resulting in her transformation into a witch.
To get away from the syndicate, Linda drives off in a speedboat. While on a speedboat, Fujiko Mine shoots Linda while practicing using Lupin III's Walther P38. Her speedboat goes off course and goes up in flames. She managed to swim to safety by a rock with Lupin catching her attention. After Fujiko went off with the speedboat, Lupin III asks her name and compliments her. Shortly after, they were pursed by the Killer-in-Killers who were shooting at them. The boat exploded thanks to Daisuke Jigen saving them, but by the time Lupin wants to introduce her to him, she had already gone.
Lupin and Jigen managed to track her down on an island thanks to Lupin detecting the scent of "Pink Bed" and sees her by a Third Sun flower bed. Very quickly Lupin falls in love with her as he kisses her hand. She falls in love with him back smiling and playing tag with each other as they run around a tree. He then makes a promise to her as she can no longer survive without the flowers.
The plane sprays gasoline that then using what appears to be a rocket launcher, Lupin fires at the flower bed, forgetting that Linda needs the flowers to live. Lupin wants to save her, but Dr. Heilein shoots her.
Have a soft spot for stylized or Comic style figures in 1:6 scale but these figures are expensive and usually in limited numbers. Then there is these Lupin the 3rd set of figures by Medicom with affordable price tags. I have no knowledge of the story let alone the background of each character. But the style, colourful garb and the face sculpture of the figures captured my fancy and so I began the journey to collect them. Linda is the second character added to my collection from this Stylish Collection series of figures. Bought on 6 Aug 2005 from an eBay seller for SGD 70 inclusive of SGD 25 shipment cost (USD 15. FX was 1.65 back then). The figure itself only cost a mere SGD 45. This low cost helps coerce my determination to continue a quest to collect them all.
These pictures show Linda in a deep purpleish blue gown but in fact it has a light purple one instead. Posing for pictures is a huge challenge as with the other figures in this line. However Linda has no footware and was bare feet. It provides a somewhat flat surface to help in her standing on her own, without dynamic pose and with no additional support.
DESIGN - 3/5
Designer decides to add a mesh underskirt for Linda. It wasn't necessary but it is there. Non-functional but gave a tad of detail into the figure which is a good thing.
Just like Curly haired Fujiko, Linda's head is articultation enabled but can't pose due to the hair sculpt coming down hugging the shoulders. This articulation point is moot.
Designer also decides to have her eyes painted looking sideways to her left. Hairband is a sculpted piece too which is preferred to be soft goods to better match up with the gown.
It is a safe design overall with all the known techniques and offerings.
SCULPTING - 3.5/5
Headsculpt does not look exactly like the drawn character in the animation. Perhaps an added imagination is incorporated into the sculpt and I think it is done well. It would be a bland and flat sculpt if to truly abide by the anime. This figure gave Linda a 3D image and Linda can be so much more attractive if given some attention to her.
Hands are demure lady hands with her right hand sculpted in a form of flower holding gesture. Feet are also a small lady like size.
That "Third Sun Flower" is sculpted nicely which is impressive.
PAINTING - 3/5
Not much here but the head, hand and the flower. Head and hands seem to be in it's original plastic (flesh) tone colour. Yellow for the hair and white for the eyes are painted on. No bleeding and on point.
A highlight would be shades added to the Third Sun Flower's purple petals. Good effort but nothing spectacular to add.
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, or even 2 sticks, behind and in around the back.
Saving grace is for the bare footed Linda at least has a small flat base to enable a non-dynamic standing straight pose.
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.
ACCESSORY - 5/5
Did not have a chance to actually watch this episode of Lupin the Third Part I Episode 3 and I do not know what other appropriate accessory should come with Linda. By reading whatever materials online, seem a Third Sun Flower is all she need, essential, and Medicom gave her one in this set.
Easy full score in this department.
OVERALL - 4/5
Linda is a simple character with simple visual character design. This is the type of figure right up my alley. There is no need to have lots of accessories or fancy gear. Just a plain up front representation of the character is good enough.
However, I do really hope the used body can be improve and a Ver 2.0 to be roll out by Medicom although I think it is almost unlikely to happen.
Not sure how big Lupin franchise is in Japan but definitely not well known outside it.
Not sure how big Lupin franchise is in Japan but definitely not well known outside it.
This line of figures had captivated me for a long time now. It s safe to say it is one of my favorite 1/6 line of figures. Still a few more to go.
No comments:
Post a Comment