Arle Nadja Mado Monogatari - Figures

Arle Nadja is a recurring character that appears in many of the games in the Puyo Puyo franchise. Despite being known for her appearances in games like Puyo Puyo 2 and Puyo Puyo Tetris, Arle, like many other characters, first debuted in the Mado Monogatari series. This first-person, RPG-style dungeon crawler was developed and published by Compile and D4 Enterprise and was first released for the MSX2 in 1990, though would later be re-released for the Sega Game Gear in 1993. Although this series was only available in Japan, the spin-off series it inspired, Puyo Puyo would find itself in other countries after Sega took over as publisher of the series with Minna de Puyo Puyo (localized as Puyo Pop in the United States). The original series may have a lack of accessibility to those outside of Japan, but there is still a small selection of merchandise that is inspired by Arle and her various appearances in both franchises. Two of the most popular items are both figures, and those items are the “Mado Monogatari Arle Nadja 1/8 Scale Figure” and the “CharaGumin Arle Non-Scale Garage Kit”.

Mado Monogatari Arle Nadja 1/8 Scale Figure

This first figure comes from Alter and recreates Arle’s Compile design. She is posed standing on one leg as she lifts up the other behind her. Her right hand is raised out in front of her while her left is stretched out and pointing at an unseen target as if she were preparing to cast a spell. Arle is also wearing a white and blue dress with gold trim, a matching breastplate, a white cape that flows gently behind her, and a blue and gold headpiece with a bright red gem set in it. This figure also includes Arle’s best friend, Carbuncle jumping happily by her side. The base of the figure is sculpted to look like a spot of ground with grass and a pair of pink flowers blooming out of it, which gives it an appealing natural look.

• Product Name: Mado Monogatari Arle Nadja 1/8 Scale Figure
• Series: Mado Monogatari
• Manufacturer: Alter
• Sculptor: i-con (Aiiro Sorairo)
• Specifications: Painted, non-articulated ⅛ scale PVC figure with mini figure and base
• Height (Approx.): 220 mm

CharaGumin Arle Non-Scale Garage Kit Figure

This particular figure recreates her design from Puyo Puyo after Sega took over development and features brighter colors and a more simplified design. Arle herself is posed standing with her knees slightly bent as she points a finger toward the sky and shoots a bright, happy smile. This resin figure is also perfect for hobbyists that enjoy figures with a decent amount of assembly. Those that purchase this item will receive forty-one individual parts to create the figure of Arle, a red puyo, and eye decals to complete the figure. Each piece comes pre-painted, so users will not need to purchase any paints themselves.

• Product Name: CharaGumin Arle Non-Scale Garage Kit
• Series: Puyo Puyo
• Manufacturer: Volks
• Sculptor: Serika Misaki (Zoukei-Mura)
• Specifications: Painted, non-scale resin figure kit
• Height (Approx.): 13 cm

About Arle Nadja

Arle Nadja acts as the main protagonist for the Mado Monogatari series and is also a recurring character in the spin-off Puyo Puyo series.

Background

Throughout the Mado Monogatari games, players play as Arle throughout several points in her life. Regardless of how old she is, Arle displays a great ability to use magic spells against her enemies. While she was still in kindergarten, Arle is tasked with climbing a mysterious tower in order to gather three magical orbs, which she needs to graduate. In the later episodes of Mado Monogatari 123, she is a teenager and meets a variety of characters that become a staple in both the rest of the Mado Monogatari and Puyo Puyo series. Such characters include Schezo, Satan, Carbuncle, and Rulue.

Special Abilities

As a magician, Arle has access to a variety of different spells with various effects. Some recurring spells from the series include Fireball, Ice Storm, Judgement, Diacute, Healing, and Bayoen. The effects of these spells range from elemental damage, magic buffs, and HP recovery.

Other Important Mado Monogatari Characters

Two recurring characters that Arle comes across in her adventures are the antagonist Satan and his pet, Carbuncle.

Satan

Satan (also known as the Dark Prince) is the main antagonist in several of the Mado Monogatari and Puyo Puyo games. Although his name and design evoke images of a truly malicious being, Satan is hardly evil by any means and is often characterized by his immature personality and hopeless search for love. After meeting Arle in the second episode of Mado Monogatari 123, he falls in love with her, though Arle has little interest in his advances. Satan is also the owner of Carbuncle before Arle takes him into her care.

Carbuncle

Carbuncle is a small, yellow, rabbit-like character that was once Satan’s pet but was taken by Arle after she meets Satan for the first time. Since then, Arle and Carbuncle have been an inseparable pair. Although he can be quite mischievous, Carbuncle almost always has a smile on his face. Carbuncle is also capable of using some magic spells, though it is unclear whether or not he learned how to use magic from Arle or learned on his own.

Links

Mado Monogatari Arle Nadja 1/8 Scale Figure
CharaGumin Arle Non-Scale Garage Kit