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Saturday 27 October 2012

My Two Cents: Biollante. Why the Controversy?

I'd like to take some time and reflect on the S.H. MonsterArts Biollante prototype that was just revealed at the Tamashii Nations 2012 event the other day.

Biollante is a figure that many fans want. Very few Biollante figures exist due to the character's obscurity to the general public. Since the beginning of the line, everyone has wondered if a Biollante figure would ever be released. Time and time again, people would pester Tamashii Nations, and Bluefin (their official North American distributor) about the figure. Now just as they answer our prayers, there is much backlash and controversy.

Why?

From what I have read online, people believe the Biollante figure to be, 'too skinny' or 'too tall'.  However, I for one believe that it's just how the figure is posed, which throws people off. S.H. MonsterArts is a line of super articulated figures. The displayers must have wanted to show off Bio's capabilities. However, I think this was a hit and a miss. Sure the figure looks great, but I think posing it in such a fashion was not the best move to start out with. Many people, and fans especially, are familiar with Biollante being hunched over, and bulky. The way the figure is presented makes her look thin, tall and not so movie-accurate. Despite this, I refuse to blow a gasket like many people have already done. Frankly they're overreacting to a very, very small issue.

I believe that Biollante can achieve a more traditional pose. I don't think the sculpter, Yuji Sakai, is stupid enough to sculpt the figure to deviate away from how she looked in the movie. I believe that whoever who made the display wanted to showcase her sheer total size compared to the other figures in the line rather than display her in a more traditional sense.

Biollante looks best at this angle in my opinion.
Frankly, I think we're lucky that we're getting a Biollante figure at all! Think about it. Biollante is NOT a profitable character, never was so from the beginning. However, we kept on pestering, and pestering Tamashii Nations about it. This figure is for the fandom essentially, and for it alone. It just shocks me that so many people are freakishly disappointed about it. So what if it isn't 100% movie-accurate, or if it's too skinny. Geez, people. Man-up, and stop making childish complaints over it. It's just a toy.

I am happy that Biollante is confirmed for the line. Not because I am a fan of the S.H. MonsterArts line, but for the fact that I'll be able to easily, and finally, acquire a decent Biollante figure without paying over a grand for it. I was so ready to save up for getting the X-Plus figure, but now, I can acquire the S.H. MonsterArts figure for perhaps $700 cheaper! So tell me. What's the better option? A large static hunk of vinyls for $800 to a grand? Or a slightly smaller, super articulated, 85% movie accurate figure which would cost around $190?

Whatever decision, it's to each his own.

Overall, I am just sick, and tired of hearing people complain, complain, and complain. Yes we get it, you don't like the figure. Don't be a baby about it. If you don't like it, then don't buy it, and don't make arguments that are pointless. Everyone has their preferences and will not agree with one another. If someone likes the figure, good for them. If they don't, good for them too.

Remember, it was us, the fandom who asked, begged, and prayed for Biollante from Tamashii Nations. Do not tarnish that by trash talking them or the figure itself.

This has been my two cents.

5 comments:

  1. Should've given us 3 cents :p

    To be fair, the figure does look a bit off when it comes to accuracy, and that's what some want from this line, myself included. It IS prototype and, as you know, they have cranked out prototypes just for display before, and I think this is the case here.

    Or not. They could really think this is how Biollante looks. Which, admittedly, would be pretty dumb considering they've done everything else almost to the T in *perfect*.

    Dunno. We'll have to see in a few months.

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    1. That is true. Based on past experiences, early prototypes for MechaGodzilla, Mogera, Burning Godzilla, and even SpaceGodzilla were not movie accurate, so I do hope you're right in that regard. Tamashii as admitted to having various prototypes lying around, waiting for the right time or amount of fan response to reveal them - the reason why Biollante appeared at this past event. I do expect that alterations to the sculpt are to be made in the coming months before promo shots and preorders pop up.

      Biollante looks good, but it could be better.

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  2. I hear what you're saying. I myself have the opinion of "if they make it, then that's good enough for me"

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  3. Great blog.. I don't get all the complaints... even if the proportions are off, up to this point mostly all we have had is the Bandai standard figure..
    http://i.imgur.com/109nS.jpg and this is significantly more accurate than that

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  4. To me as long as it's highly possible, looks good enough, and doesn't cost over 500 dollars I'm willing to look passed it's skinny body, and besides it doesn't look all that skinny to me.

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