Gainax's neoclassical fan-favorite Gurren Lagann is fast approaching its 3 year air date anniversary but its figure releases aren't showing any sign of stagnation...

Figure Title: Wave's 1/8 scale Nia Swimwear DX Version PVC
Character Name: Nia Teppelin (ニア・テッペリン)
Original Character Designer: Atsushi Nishigori
Sculptor:YOSHI (Torepangu)
Source Material: Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
Scale: 1/8
Height: ≈ 170mm
Series: Wave Dream Tech Series
Base:
-Color: Light Sandy Brown
-Shape: Square
-Features: Artificial Sand Presentation
Necessary Removable Parts: n/a
Removable Parts/Accessories:
-Alternate Hair [short] (1),
-Alternate Hair [long](1),
-Dai-Gurren Dan Beach-ball(1)
-Flower Print Inner Tube(1)
Castoffability: n/a
Materials: PVC, ABS
Packaging: Windowed Box, 2 Plastic Interlocking Molds
Extras/Pack-ins: Illustrated Backdrop Insert
Release Date: Mid September, 2009
Manufacturing/Production: Wave Corporation
Distribution: Wave Corporation
Approximate Retail Price:≈6,000円
Current Availability: Largely Available
Related PVCs:Various Nia PVCs
Other: Normal Version equipped only with beach-ball

Foreword:

It suffices to say that if you haven't seen Gurren Lagann yet, even with all the available modern avenues making such a task evermore possible, you've been living underground (God willing, that will be the last pun). The most warmly received original series from Gainax since the earth shattering Evangelion some 10 years earlier, Gurren Lagann is a special mix of self-homage, super robot flair, and an involving narrative that only Hiroyuki Imaishi and the Gainax staff could achieve.


But, of course, no Gainax work of any stature would be complete without the female presence. All but nearly dissolving Rei and Asuka's firm grounding in the otaku mind, Yoko and Nia managed to cut a deep niche into the world of Gainax bishoujo by means of Gurren Lagann's perpetual popularity and their own unique charm. Some, including myself, have even postulated that Yoko might be transitioning into the figure world's "new Rei Ayanami". Ms. Ayanami was almost singlehandedly responsible for the figure boom following Eva's wake, an explosion that made mass-market PVCs feasible going into the late 90's and early 00's. Conjecture aside, Gurren Lagann has certainly taken over both the garage kit and PVC markets since 2007. But most of that love has been reserved for the buxom Yoko, despite Nia's stronger placement in the series' narrative and her own, albeit small, cult following. There have been a few Nia PVCs, notably Konami's (the first to be released) but certainly not to the extent or exposure we've seen from Yoko. Nia's been working to close that gap with a few EX prize figures from Sega and recently (drum roll) Wave's 1/8 scale Nia Swimsuit Version PVC, the tender subject of this review. So how does it stack up?

Sculpt:

Swimwear Nia is sculpted by YOSHI, a very talented individual responsible for many a strong figure, including Good Smile's 1/8 scale Miku Hatsune PVC previously reviewed. It's difficult to pin down how exactly YOSHI has improved his craft since then but its quite obvious that he has. First and foremost, in terms of sculpt, Nia is a very faithful translation from the original illustration (seen above) on which she's based. Details such as creases in her top and similar features on her buttocks are successfully communicated. While her posture was slightly inclined (reasonably to prevent leaning), her coquettishly-cocked hip and modestly contorted anatomy is fully fleshed out in YOSHI's sculpt. Especially strong are YOSHI's interpretation of her abdominals and pelvic girdle. For these reasons and more, the pose, though it seems demure or even unoriginal at face value, is rather nice. However, removing the beach-ball accessory makes Nia look slightly awkward, holding an invisible dumbbell or flexing her (lack of) biceps for a non-existent audience (Simon wouldn't even be interested). As a whole, the sculpt manages to embolden Nia's carefree and passionate demeanor, taking a snapshot of her youth before any Anti-Spiral developments and delivering some fan service at the same time.

Another lovely feature is Nia's hair. Since Gurren Lagann aired, I've always had a subtle attraction to Nia's glob of a mane. That attraction being my prime reason for purchasing the Deluxe version, which included both short and long hair pieces. Though during the story arc where the Dai-Gurren Dan actually visits the beach, Nia canonically has short hair, I couldn't resist. There's just something about it. Now that I'm done gushing, the removal and application of accessories (of which the DX version has supple amounts) is a fairly straight forward and streamlined process. Some may have a difficult time finding a place for the inner tube (seen here) but I've found that Nia's left hand can be removed from its glued position to her hip without compromising the sculpt. This is achieved because of a peg attached to Nia's thumb that actually fits inside of a groove found on her hip, making reattachment achievable with supple amounts of pressure. So its possible to have Nia holding the beach-ball in one hand with the inner tube tucked snugly under the other; though she looks a tad over-equipped.

It might be a point of surprise for some that this beach-ready iteration of Nia is actually the second of a series. The first figure featured being Wave's 1/8 Yoko Swimwear Version PVC, released almost 10 months ago. She was Wave's second shot at a Yoko figure and an object of contention for me. Mainly because she had been altered from YOSHI's original sculpt not once but twice, each revamp reducing the final product to less than satisfactory. The devolution of Wave's Yoko sculpt can be seen in steps (1), (2) and (3). It joys me to no end, then, that the second release of the Swimwear series is without any major deviation from the decoration master. I say "major" because the Dai-Gurren Dan Beach-ball accessory was made transparent for the PVC release, achieving a greater level of fidelity to the original illustration and a positive note in my book. I can't be certain of what went on behind the scenes regarding Swimwear Yoko, but I'm certain YOSHI was not brimming with enthusiasm about the alterations made to his sculpt. Possible reason as to why Nia turned out as well as she did in that department.

Production:

Not much to elaborate on for manufacturing and production quality. Painting is well kempt, borders respected, and errors kept to a finite minimum. There are about 2 or 3 visible mold lines, the most prominent of which runs the length of Nia's left thigh. It isn't so noticeable as to redirect attention from other more worthy aspects but it is present and, with the right (or more accurately: wrong) light, its existence is evident. Despite this, there are no prominent defects in production that will take away from your enjoyment of YOSHI's sculpt and Nia's lovable character.

If anything can be said in a negative direction, it would likely be the rather dull coloration of some of Nia's features, especially her hair. While it isn't exactly pitch-black, compared to the original illustration, a darker blue and heavier creme is used for her luscious locks. Calling this minor deviation anything more than just that, a minor deviation, isn't recommended. I'm just trying desperately to find something overtly "wrong" with Wave's production. Going on a limb, I'd would have liked to see more artificial shading or variation in coloring from one part of the sculpt to the next, something to add a little more depth. Shading can be seen in the decoration master but its understandable that such fine details were left out of the final release; otherwise Nia may have been $20 more. There's really no point in addressing aspects of paint that are more wish than reality so I'll forgo any critique on the "would-be's". Overall, a respectable job but nothing so distinct as to cause thousands of light users to drop $60 for the DX version; unless they have a thing for Nia's hair...

At a Glance:

☺Limited number of Nia PVCs, faithful YOSHI sculpt, plenty of accessories

☹ Mold lines, rather lackluster color, you're probably in the Yoko camp

Final Score:

4.5/5

Alternate hair pieces and beach accessories

Nia, post mortem

Nia in Follicular Unit Transplantation

Canonically accurate Nia