Hatsune Miku and figma

Figmas (officially stylized as figma) are plastic figures produced by Max Factory and sold by Good Smile Company as part of their action figure series. As action figures, they are made with a focus on being able to perform a variety of poses and being a faithful depiction of the original character. They come with changeable face parts for different expressions, as well as changeable hand parts and accessories.

figma dolls are high quality yet are still sold starting at a reasonable price of approximately 2,500 yen. The figma line usually focuses on female characters from anime and games, but Figmas based on male characters, characters that aren’t human, as well as real-life humans are also made.

figma joints are made to have a certain amount of friction, so that they can be moved smoothly, but maintain their pose when not being adjusted. Furthermore, a figma’s clothes and armor are made our slightly flexible materials and are adjustable to a certain degree. They all come with a stand to make versatile poses possible, as well as a storage bag with a zip to prevent damage to the product.

figma were first sold in February 2008, starting with a figure of the “The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya” character, Nagato Yuki. Hatsune Miku was the first VOCALOID to be depicted as a figma.

Figmas and Hatsune Miku

Character Vocal Series 01: figma Miku Hatsune

First released in September 2008, the figma Miku Hatsune (014) proved to be wildly successful. It was manufactured by Max Factory, and sculpted by Masaki Asai. A metallic color scheme was used to give Miku a glossy look. The set also included two different face parts, a microphone and stand, and two leeks -- Miku's trademark character item. She retailed at 2,381 yen.

Character Vocal Series 02: Kagamine Rin/Len

In November 2008, figma Kagamine Rin (019) and figma Kagamine Len (020) were released. Both contained multiple face parts and hand parts for additional posing. Rin also came with a hand-held microphone while Len came with a shoulder keyboard with a flexible strap for additional pose potential. Both figmas retailed for 2,381 yen.

Lucky Star OVA

Kagami, from the popular series Lucky☆Star, cosplayed as Miku in the series' original video animation (OVA). The figma set, figma Kagami Hiiragi: Cosplay ver. (035), included shocked and embarrassed expression face parts and two large leeks which were made to look just as they did in the OVA. Her pigtails were also highly posable.

Character Vocal Series 03: Megurine Luka

Luka was released in November 2010, a full two years after Rin and Len, titled figma Megurine Luka (082). The set contained an additional face part, a large tuna named "Ooma-san", and a classical microphone and stand.

Miku Hatsune: Append

To celebrate the release of the Hatsune Miku: Append Vocaloid software, figma Hatsune Miku: Append was released in September 2011 and was the company's 100th figma to be released. Sporting a gradient effect on her pigtails, she gave a wonderful translucent and futuristic feel that was similar to the box art of the software itself. Extra parts surrounding her hips, upper arms, and bust could be removed and reattached. This figma retailed at 2,857 yen.

figma Hatsune Miku: Cheerful ver.

Released in the third month of the "Cheerful JAPAN!" charity product line, figma Hatsune Miku: Cheerful ver. came with two pom-poms and a flag reading "Cheerful JAPAN!" She also came with her signature leeks, a microphone, and a microphone stand. A part of the profits made from the 2,857 yen figurine was sent directly to relief aid for victims of the 2011 Fukushima earthquake and tsunami tragedy. She was the 114th figma released.

The company continues to release Hatsune Miku figmas to the market and can be purchased through the Good Smile Company Online Shop.