REVIEW SHFiguarts Lacus Clyne [ Compass Battle Surcoat Ver. ], Premium Bandai

This is review of Bandai action figure SHFiguarts Lacus Clyne [ Compass Battle Surcoat Ver. ] from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM.

Bandai action figure SHFiguarts Lacus Clyne [ Compass Battle Surcoat Ver. ] Review

The figure of Lacus Clyne, in her familiar jinbaori outfit, is well-represented with proportions, costume design, and colors that align closely with the anime's depiction. However, the figure cannot stand on its own, making the use of a dedicated stand essential. While the original design suggests balancing both sides of the coat, I found it easier to balance the figure by supporting just one side.

Facial Features

The default face is a cool, expressionless look. Just like Kira's figure, the eyes are faithful to the anime, and the lips, which have been drawn differently since *SEED Freedom*, are recreated without any awkwardness.

Hair Design

The hair sculpt is sharp and detailed, with decorations meticulously crafted. The pink hair color matches the image from the series.

Alternative Expressions

Shouting Face: This expression suffers significantly in quality compared to the prototype, almost appearing like a different character due to changes in the face's contours and eye positioning.
Smiling Face: While not as disappointing as the shouting face, this expression is also somewhat lackluster. Additionally, the side hair needs to be attached to each expression part, making the swapping process cumbersome.
Laughing Face: This expression shows a vibrant smile with bright eyes and an open mouth. It's well-crafted and aligns closely with the prototype, capturing Lacus's charm.
Worried Face: This expression, reminiscent of key visuals where Lacus appears pensive, is recreated without significant flaws.

Body and Costume

Lacus wears her signature jinbaori, though it cannot be removed, despite frequent depictions of her without it in the series. Her slender body shape is captured accurately.

Movement and Poseability

Arms and Legs: The limbs are slender, with the legs’ shape well-represented. Due to the small ankles, the figure struggles to stand without the dedicated base.

Back Hair: The wavy back hair is sculpted true to the anime’s image and features movement at the base and center.

Articulation

The neck offers a good range of motion, while the waist has limited articulation. The shoulders can lift high, and both elbows and knees bend sufficiently. The hip joints, while structurally mobile, are restricted by the skirt. The ankles have minor movement, but given the figure's instability, this doesn’t contribute much. The coat’s hem is connected by a joint and can open slightly, but pushing it too far causes the waist joint to detach, limiting its utility.

Accessories

Haro: The pink Haro, synonymous with Lacus, is included but lacks a dedicated hand part to hold it, so it sits on an open hand. It also doesn’t feature any opening mechanisms.

Blue Bird: Unlike Kira’s Torii, this bird is sculpted separately, with accurate paintwork in blue and light blue tones.

Comparisons with Kira

Lacus is said to be 10 cm shorter than Kira, and this height difference is faithfully recreated. When placed alongside Kira, the figure’s presence is enhanced, despite the challenges in articulation.

Summary

The SHFiguarts Lacus Clyne (Compass Jinbaori Ver.) has a unique costume design that hinders its ability to stand independently, and some facial expressions fall short of the prototype’s quality. However, the overall sculpting of the figure’s proportions and costume is well-executed, with the default face and smiling face being particularly adorable. While the articulation is somewhat limited, it aligns with Lacus’s character, who isn’t known for dynamic movements. The inclusion of various expressions, despite some inconsistencies, adds value to the figure. The figure pairs nicely with Kira, making it a decent addition to a *SEED* collection.

Given the challenges in recreating Lacus’s complex design, the figure's quality is reasonably acceptable. If a version featuring Lacus in her pilot suit—a design more suited for dynamic posing—were released, it would likely offer a more playful experience.