Today, we'll be reviewing the latest Sega Prize figure of Hatsune Miku in one of her most iconic outfits, the "Breathe With You" module.
About this figure: I assume everyone knows Miku, and this module is most commonly associated with the well-known DECO*27 entry/22281 song Two Breaths Walking (Nisoku Hokou). Sega's official Miku website describes this module as "encapsulating the visual world of Two Breaths Walking. Its bright colors and revealing cut will leave you breathless during Miku's intense guitar riff".
Packaging----------8.5/10
As is typical with most Sega Prize figures these days, they use a windowless box. Note how Sega plugs the newest Vocaloid game (Mega 39's entry/183490 the Switch) there in the upper right corner. Note that Sega titles the figure "Breath You" and I've seen this figure listed with a number of different names, including "Breath You", "Breath With You", "Bless You", and "Breathe With You", so you may need to try a few different permutations of the name if you're looking for this figure.
I like the stark black, white, and red color scheme on the side panel.
The other side panel is similar, but makes the silhouette white on red.
The back of the box features some simple instructions for getting Miku set up.
Sega packages Miku in a blister...sort of. Note how the front is just a half-blister protecting her skirt. At least it's better than the "wrapped in plastic and taped to a slab of cardboard" approach.
Note how her twintails have different shaped pegs. I like this because then it eliminates the "which one is left/right" guessing game.
Base----------8/10
Any time a prize figure does not use a plain black/white disc, that is a plus and Sega goes with this rectangular/elliptical design. Note the little diamond shapes mirror one of the features of her outfit (the tails on the back of her skirt).
The only downside is that the base is relatively large. Below you can see the base on top of a standard blu-ray case.
Given how Miku's pose has her standing on one foot, Sega wisely attaches her foot to an acrylic piece which then attaches to the base.
Posing----------9/10
Let's have a look at Miku's pose.
It's a lively pose, and Miku looks good from a number of angles, so I have no complaints with the pose.
Sculpting----------8.5/10
Painting----------9/10
Disclaimer: This is an inexpensive prize figure, and these ratings are meant to be relative to other prize figures.
Miku's face is quite cute, and I think her eyes are quite lively. Also, prior to seeing this figure in person, I had never really noticed that she is wearing that headset mic.
This is of course a prize figure, and so a few sculpting/painting defects will be the norm. You can see a mold line on her arm, and the painting on the white trim of her "sleeves" is a little messy.
Miku has quite a bit of flair there in her hair! Notice that there are two different types of white flowers, and the notched edges on the leaves of the rose is an interesting small detail. The black fingernail polish is also an interesting touch, as it gives Miku something of a goth look.
I like the shading on her signature twintails; that's a nice feature on such an inexpensive figure.
It's funny how that ribbon on Miku's wrist is sort of defying gravity :). Note that paint run that is clearly visible on the ribbon.
One small complaint is that her skin is quite shiny in spots, in particular on the side of her torso and in her armpit. That is a fairly common issue with prize figures, though.
A couple key features of this module are the short ruffled crop top and the tutu-like skirt. Both are a good complement for Miku's slim and svelte physique.
Sega did a good job with the coloring of Miku's skirt. The black to red color gradient is very striking and it looks quite cool in person.
Note the very subtle suggestion of her ribcage and the definition on Miku's stomach. For a cheap prize figure, those are some nice details.
Other than the white trim on the sleeves, far and away the most obvious painting issue with this figure is the messy painting on the white trim of Miku's skirt. However, if you are the type of person who is inclined to do a little figure DIY work, I don't think it would be too difficult to touch up this part of the figure if this really bothers you...
These "tails" on Miku's skirt are another distinctive feature of this module. I like how all the tails have subtly different color variations in them, as it would have been easy to just take the lazy route and make them all the same.
With the very short and loose fitting crop top, there will be a little bit of an underboob effect visible from low angles, but since this is a Sega figure, one would not expect any naughty bits on display, and there are none.
Miku wears shorts/bloomers underneath the skirt.
Alternate angle shot of the shorts/bloomers.
A couple things both good and bad in the shot below. Miku's calves are nicely shaped, and as with the skirt, the red to black color gradient of the stockings looks very neat. On the other hand, notice how my figure had a scratch on her knee, and behind her knee there is a little bit of extra material where it looks like her thigh and calf are melting together.
Note how the bows on her shoes are black on the outside and red inside. Also note how her shoes have red soles and Sega even made sure the bottom of the tip of her heel got the red color.
Scale Comparison
One thing I like about these "Super Premium" Sega figures is that they do not skimp on the scale of the figures. With the thick base, the height added by the acrylic piece under Miku's foot, and the way she's raising her hands, Miku is just over 11 inches (28 cm) at her tallest point. It looks like Miku herself would be about 9 inches (23 cm) tall, and since she is supposed to be 5'2" (158 cm), I'd put her scale at right about 1/7, although she may look more like a 1/6 sitting on the shelf.
These two are both excellent prize figures, and they feature Miku in two of my favorite modules. You can see that Sega's Ribbon Girl Miku item/514087 is comparable in scale.
These two Mikus pair nicely, as both of these figures depict a Miku that is very cute and just a little bit sexy. Max Factory's Heart Hunter Miku item/464629 is 1/7 scale, and you can see how the Sega figure is very similar.
The bold red and black colors of these two figures makes them pair well together, and I never pass on the opportunity to take a shot or two of Grim Aloe :). Wing's Grim Aloe item/802689 is 1/6 scale, and so you can see how Miku will be comparable in size to many 1/6's.
Overall verdict and enjoyment----------9.5/10
Arguments for: Many. Lively pose, the figure is impressive in size, the bold red and black color scheme looks very impressive in person, Miku's outfit is that perfect combination of cute+sexy, many nice small details (torso sculpt, the diamond tails on the skirt, the red to black color gradients on Miku's skirt and stockings).
Arguments against: The primary offenders here are the usual little flaws in paint and sculpt common on these inexpensive prize figures.
All in all, this is an extremely good prize figure. Up close, you can of course see little flaws in finish, but this figure looks very impressive on my Vocaloid shelf and from a distance Miku compares favorably with many of the higher-end Miku figures with which she is displayed. For the price, you will have a hard time finding a better figure, and so if you are a Miku fan I would without question recommend this figure. We've got a winner with this one.
Availability (as of this writing)
Still available new.
Most of these Sega Prize Vocaloid figures are easy to source and I suspect this one will be no different. I got mine new from Amazon Japan, and I paid 1900 yen for the figure and DHL shipping to the US was just over 2000 yen.
THANKS FOR READING!
If you liked this review, here are some of my other reviews you might also find interesting:
Sega Prize Hatsune Miku "Ribbon Girl" blog/33733
Max Factory 1/7 Hatsune Miku "Heart Hunter" blog/39740
Wing 1/6 Grim Aloe (Quiz Magic Academy MAXIVCORD) blog/46349
Max Factory 1/7 Hatsune Miku "Mikuzukin" blog/40980
Sega Prize Hatsune Miku "Innocent"blog/38913
Sega Prize Hatsune Miku "Polkadot Bikini" blog/12993
GSC 1/8 Hatsune Miku "Tell Your World" blog/23585
Max Factory 1/7 Rin Kagamine (Tony Taka version) blog/30313
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