Figure Wishlist: 1/7 Emontoys Kusanagi Motoko

Hello everyone and welcome back to Tiro Finale for another installment of the Figure Wishlist. This time, we will be featuring a figure that has been previewed once on this blog way back in 2019. Two years down from its initial prototype reveal, Emontoys has finally made their take on Major Kusanagai Motoko from the Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex series available for pre-order. 

Drawing inspiration from Major's outfit in the second season of the Ghost in the Shell: SAC, the final figure remains to be very much in line with what they have shown with the unpainted prototypes in previous hobby festivals. Everything from the post to Major's facial expression remains the same. Perhaps the biggest difference compared to the prototype are the changes made to the base and diorama.

The base that holds up Motoko together has been beefed up notably compared to the one shown on the prototype. The digital diorama surrounding her is also finished in clear plastic but now sees the addition of an LED light up system. The lighting system is likely the main reason the base has been thickened significantly, to house the batteries. 

With regards to Motoko herself, Emontoys have a done a very good job with the paint work based on the provided promotional images. Every surface is given a different paint finish which adds to the realism of the final product. Skin tones are matte and shaded well especially along the grooves of her sculpted figure. Meanwhile, her pants and top have a gloss finish in contrast to the flatter finish of her overcoat and boots. 

Emontoys has managed to avoid the trap of making all the matte and flat surfaces look similar. This can be seen with the surface of Motoko's skin and hair having a different tone compared to the ones on her coat and pistol. Motoko's purple hair is a little lighter than expected but, the shading work done on it does look uniform and well done. 

Initially, I had my doubts about Emontoys' ability to produce a high quality Motoko figure namely because they were a new figure company. Seeing the final product of their Super Sonico, my fears were slightly alleviated as that final product was much better than I had hoped. Fortunately, they have managed to maintain similar high standards with this figure too. 

Now open for pre-orders with release slated for June 2022, Emontoys has put a 20,000 Yen sticker price on this 1/7 scale figure. At that scale, Motoko will stand roughly 250 mm inclusive of the stand. Available at most online retailers for pre-order, AmiAmi seems to offer one of the best deals with a pre-order price of 15,780 Yen (exclusive of shipping).

June 2022 is still a year away with quite a lot of time between then and now to make the decision on pre-ordering this figure. Regretting that I did not put in a pre-order for their China Dress Super Sonico, I have gone ahead and put in the pre-order for it. Yes, the price may be a little on the pricier side especially from a relatively young figure manufacturer. Though that is a risk I am willing to take for a figure that has been ticking all the right check boxes throughout the time I have been following its development. 

What about you? For all you Ghost in the Shell fans out there, does this figure of the Major live up to expectation and are you planning to pre-order it like I have? Let me know what you think in the comments section below. Until then, thank you so much for reading and have yourself a wonderful day ahead!