1/6 Nimbus the Black (Hobby Japan Exclusive)

Product Information/Specifications

Introduction

After seeing Ignis the White WF version, I managed to find this Nimbus the Black on eBay from a different seller.  Nimbus the Black is a repaint of Ignis the White really.  I believe that Nimbus the Black comes from the manga of Jingai Makyo as she is the elder sister of Ignis.  The only pics available were scans of a Hobby Japan magazine with the order form.  After failing to bid on the Ignis the White WF version from the first round, I decided to get this even though I was iffy about it.  There was no way to get this for me since I don't know anyone from Japan as this figurine can only be ordered by sending in a coupon from an issue of Hobby Japan.  Plus, you need a Japanese residential address as well.  Below is a pic of the actual ad from HJ:

Hobby Japan Ad for Nimbus the Black

Nimbus the Black is only available from Hobby Japan as an exclusive item to that company.  Readers from Japan were to send in a coupon & payment to Hobby Japan's office before the deadline to place an order like other HJ exclusives as a limited time offer.  This is the last of three Ignis the White figurines to be released publicly for sale.

Currently, I have Nimbus in her box as I don't have room to display her due to her size & the "figurine" itself.

Some of the pictures aren't clear & good.  If I have time, I'll redo the bad ones & repost them.

The Review

Nimbus the Black HJ version in box

The box was covered with a white cover as shown above.  I don't know exactly the reason for it.  Probably to protect the box windows during shipping or something.  Remove it (& it was pretty tight), you will get the box of the product which is the same one used for the Ignis the White figurine. 

 
Nimbus the Black in box without white cover

The only difference on the box is that a Nimbus the Black sticker is on the front window of the box.  In my case, the white cover was to prevent flashing as her right top dress part came off somehow.  It was actually off the figurine as the part was rattling around inside the plastic case covering for the figurine.

 
Nimbus the Black Official Sticker

Nimbus the Black is a bit different than the other Ignis figurines in the same lineup.  Aside from the dress being black, Nimbus' hair is yellow & has violet eyes.  Also, she has a tattoo of her symbol on her left breast.  As a castoff figurine, you can remove the upper part of her dress on her front chest area to expose her breast & nipples & stripping Nimbus down to her lingerie is possible as well.

Since I don't have Nimbus out, you won't see much out of this review.  Although you can refer to my Orchid Seed Jingai Makyo 1/7 Ignis the White (Wonder Festival 2007 Summer Version) review as they are basically the same figurine, there could be some differences in the materials & how well the figurine is built as this is the latest one.  There can be some possible improvements made from the previous ones like the cast off feature on the breast area.

Speaking of cast off, Nimbus' dress can be removed the same way as the Ignis the White version.  I have heard of problems & difficulties of removing & putting the dress back, but I'm not sure if the same applies to this version.  Chances are is the same.

Nimbus the Black's sinister face

Since it's going to be awhile for me to get Nimbus out of the box, I decided to take a shot of her face from the box's window.  The face isn't any different from the past Ignis the white figurines.  Although Nimbus is the evil one, she doesn't sport an evil face actually.  But for some reason, her face looks good.  Although it's still fake looking like the past Ignis figurines, the details look to be much better.  It's not dark & somewhat clashes a bit on her dress.  But, it looks pretty.  Plus, the skin tone matches well with the light pink lips & eyes on her round face.

Overall Conclusion

Currently, I can't really give a solid rating for the Nimbus the Black figurine.  Nice pose & awesome dress detailing.  However, it's hard to say how good & stable Nimbus is.  Will she rock on that thin base & has the cast off feature been improved?

Finding Nimbus the Black will be difficult.  Limited to the number of orders that Hobby Japan received, collectors will need to pay top dollars for it.  However, she wouldn't be very expensive.  Although she's priced higher than the retail price that HJ was selling at, it's not a huge price difference.  If you want to go cheaper & don't care much about colour, Ignis the White is still an option to get.  Ignis the White WF 2008 isn't.

Photos were taken using Sony DSC-F828 digital still camera.

Last updated on November 10, 2008