REVIEW FIGURE-RISE Standard Nika Nanaura, Bandai

This is review of Bandai plastic model FIGURE-RISE Standard Nika Nanaura from Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury series.

Bandai plastic model FIGURE-RISE Standard Nika Nanaura Review

The latest addition to the Figure-rise Standard series features Nika Nanaura from *Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury*, priced at 4,180 yen.

The set comes with a range of accessories, enhancing both poseability and display options. Included are two additional facial expressions without tampo printing, flexible material sleeves that improve articulation, and a tablet accessory. Also provided are an alternate mouthpiece, components for seated poses, and thigh parts without pouches, allowing for various customization options. A complete set of interchangeable hands is also included, with two specifically designed to hold the tablet securely, adding versatility to Nika’s poses and overall expressiveness.

Decals and Detailing

For detailing, the kit provides marking stickers for color separation on the uniform and tablet screen, along with water-transfer decals to recreate Nika’s facial expressions. Only one face part comes pre-printed with tampo printing; the others require decal application for custom looks.

Design and Build

Nika Nanaura, the second-year mechanic from Earth House, is faithfully recreated in her iconic uniform with modular compatibility across the Figure-rise Standard *Witch from Mercury* line, which also includes characters like Suletta and Miorine. With a range of interchangeable parts, Nika’s poseability shines, allowing for both action stances and seated poses.

Structurally, the kit uses a joint system similar to the 30MS series, entirely composed of KPS joints without ABS or polycaps, making it a newer type of model within the Figure-rise line. The simple, lightly decorated design of her uniform makes movement easy, and her characteristic hair with inner mesh detail is achieved with molded colors for added realism.

Key Features of Interchangeable Parts

The kit includes flexible sleeve parts that move naturally with the arms, maintaining smooth articulation even during more dynamic poses. The articulation-focused torso enables increased shoulder movement, allowing for a broader range of expressive stances. Additionally, the kit provides optional thigh parts without pouches, creating a streamlined, minimalist look for the figure.

The articulation-focused torso and arm structure allow Nika’s shoulders to rotate smoothly. The majority of the color separation is achieved through molded parts, with minimal sticker application limited to areas like her tie and emblem.

Head Sculpt and Facial Expression Options

The head sculpt includes one pre-printed face with a gentle smile and leftward gaze. Although the hair detailing is subtle to align with the anime’s style, her inner hair mesh is visible. The neck joint offers ample range for expressive tilting and poses, consistent with other *Witch from Mercury* figures like Chuchu.

Decal options allow for customizable expressions. Swappable mouthpieces let you modify expressions, such as a clenched look or a smiling face, providing flexibility with the decal applications.

Detailed Uniform and Poseability

The uniform faithfully captures Nika’s appearance with accurate color separation, while stickers complete areas like the tie and shoulder lines. The back of the figure has a 3mm port for stand attachment, with well-sculpted wrinkles for a realistic fabric effect. Arm pieces follow the tubular assembly seen in other uniformed figures, designed to look natural even with elbow bends, while the red line on the sleeves is applied via stickers.

Soft material sleeve parts allow for full articulation and flexibility at the elbows without visual disruption.

Leg and Seated Pose Options

Swappable thigh parts allow you to choose between versions with or without pouches. Nika’s legs feature a half-pants design with separated color detail for socks and shoes. Although knee articulation is limited to a single axis, the legs maintain a clean silhouette with detailed shoe soles.

Articulation and Range of Motion

The neck offers extensive range, allowing Nika to tilt her head back significantly. While shoulder swing movement is moderate, torso articulation is smooth, and articulated chest parts enable additional shoulder flexibility. With soft sleeve materials, full elbow bends are achievable, enhancing overall articulation. The knees bend up to 90 degrees, while the hips and ankles allow for stable grounding.

Comparison with Suletta Mercury’s Figure

When placed alongside the Suletta Mercury figure (Standard Uniform Ver.), Nika’s figure shows minor design differences, with her sculpt slightly thicker for added individuality.

Accessories and Pose Versatility

The tablet accessory is crafted as a single part, and a sticker allows for screen customization with an image from Gundam’s PV. With dedicated hand parts, Nika can hold the tablet securely, adding realism to her poses. Additional hand parts let her simulate tapping and interaction gestures.

The kit also includes seated-position parts, which swap out the torso and waist to allow natural seated poses. With articulated hips and knees, Nika can be posed in various seated positions, adding versatility for display options.

Additional Options and Flexibility

The soft sleeve parts are made of TPE material, so prolonged posing could leave marks; removing these parts for long-term display is recommended. The hand parts also allow her to hold various weapons, offering even more posing possibilities.

Summary

The Figure-rise Standard Nika Nanaura figure is a thoughtfully designed kit, packed with interchangeable parts to capture a range of expressions and poses, from holding a tablet to sitting naturally. With intricate color separation and accurate detailing, including her hair’s inner mesh, this figure is a well-crafted addition to the *Witch from Mercury* line. As the fourth release in this series, it’s exciting to see such variety, and it’s hopeful that more characters, including male characters, will follow in future releases.