Exactly one year ago from the posting of this review, Square Enix released
Final Fantasy XII in Japan (March 16, 2006) after many delays, the 12th
installment in their Mega Popular RPG game series. It was followed by a
release in the US a little more than half a year later on October 31st, 2006.
The game has not only gone off to sell Millions of copies as with all Final
Fantasy games but is also the first Final Fantasy game to earn a Perfect
Score in Famitsu, Japan's most respected Video Game Magazine.
Final Fantasy XII in Japan (March 16, 2006) after many delays, the 12th
installment in their Mega Popular RPG game series. It was followed by a
release in the US a little more than half a year later on October 31st, 2006.
The game has not only gone off to sell Millions of copies as with all Final
Fantasy games but is also the first Final Fantasy game to earn a Perfect
Score in Famitsu, Japan's most respected Video Game Magazine.
With all the Final Fantasy Play Arts figures that Square Enix has been
popping out the past year or so, it was only a matter of time before fans
would be treated with Action Figure Immortalizations of their favorite
characters from the world of Ivalice. There are 4 figures in the FFXII Play
Arts lineup- Vaan, Ashe, Balthier and Judge Gabranth. Many fans I've
talked to are sad with the omission of Fran, Penelo and Basch but perhaps
Square Enix may have them planned for the future. I personally am not
surprised by the lineup as it fits the pattern Square Enix's previous releases.
Usually focusing heavy on the main guy, main girl, the most Popular
Characters of the games and in some cases artist choice.
popping out the past year or so, it was only a matter of time before fans
would be treated with Action Figure Immortalizations of their favorite
characters from the world of Ivalice. There are 4 figures in the FFXII Play
Arts lineup- Vaan, Ashe, Balthier and Judge Gabranth. Many fans I've
talked to are sad with the omission of Fran, Penelo and Basch but perhaps
Square Enix may have them planned for the future. I personally am not
surprised by the lineup as it fits the pattern Square Enix's previous releases.
Usually focusing heavy on the main guy, main girl, the most Popular
Characters of the games and in some cases artist choice.
Let me start to say that these 4 figures are probably the Best of all the Play
Arts figures released so far. The overall quality and tooling are superior and
it shows that Square Enix is trying new techniques and really making an
effort to make their Play Arts line more revolutionary.
Arts figures released so far. The overall quality and tooling are superior and
it shows that Square Enix is trying new techniques and really making an
effort to make their Play Arts line more revolutionary.
My First review will be our Lead Heroine, Ashe or Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca if you will. I know what you're all
thinking, "Why aren't you reviewing Vaan first??" Well I figure since Vaan is the Hero and all and since the Hero
always arrives at the last moment, Vaan will appear when he is most needed lol. Seriously Vaan will be coming so don't
worry, in the meantime you will see Plenty of Vaan in the group galleries until he makes his heroic arrival for his
review for all of you to see. Anyway as I was saying, I will be reviewing Ashe today or Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca if
you prefer. The former Princess of Dalmasca who has lot everything, now on a mission to liberate her Kingdom of
Dalmasca from the Archadian Empire. The Lead Heroine of our story.
thinking, "Why aren't you reviewing Vaan first??" Well I figure since Vaan is the Hero and all and since the Hero
always arrives at the last moment, Vaan will appear when he is most needed lol. Seriously Vaan will be coming so don't
worry, in the meantime you will see Plenty of Vaan in the group galleries until he makes his heroic arrival for his
review for all of you to see. Anyway as I was saying, I will be reviewing Ashe today or Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca if
you prefer. The former Princess of Dalmasca who has lot everything, now on a mission to liberate her Kingdom of
Dalmasca from the Archadian Empire. The Lead Heroine of our story.
Sculpt- Square Enix has done an Incredible job with Ashe's Sculpt and is probably the nicest Final Fantasy Heroine in
the Play Arts line to date. And in my opinion looks pretty dead on to the prototype. The Headsculpt resembles more the
artwork of Akihiko Yoshida than it does the rendering in the game which some people may not prefer but since they are
so close in appearance I don't think it will matter. Like most Play arts figures Ashe has a very "neutral" expression but it
can taken that there is a sense of determination or stern heroine resolve. Her hair is also sculpted very nicely with lots of
texturing and looks exactly like she jumped out of the artwork for the game. The fact that her hair and Head are 2
different pieces is a plus as well adding to the sculpt and overall appearance. The head is sharp and crisp all around and
has no visible flaws or mold lines. As far as the Head is concerned, She is Ashe no doubt!
the Play Arts line to date. And in my opinion looks pretty dead on to the prototype. The Headsculpt resembles more the
artwork of Akihiko Yoshida than it does the rendering in the game which some people may not prefer but since they are
so close in appearance I don't think it will matter. Like most Play arts figures Ashe has a very "neutral" expression but it
can taken that there is a sense of determination or stern heroine resolve. Her hair is also sculpted very nicely with lots of
texturing and looks exactly like she jumped out of the artwork for the game. The fact that her hair and Head are 2
different pieces is a plus as well adding to the sculpt and overall appearance. The head is sharp and crisp all around and
has no visible flaws or mold lines. As far as the Head is concerned, She is Ashe no doubt!
For the body, Square Enix has done an incredible job recreating Ashe's elaborate outfit as
if she jumped out of the screen. All the armor is finely textured and is very sharp. Her little
miniskirt is also a separate piece which underneath you can see her panties which have
been sculpted as well. The belt is also very finely sculpted and sharp. It's so crisp that it
gives the appearance that it's a different piece than her skirt when it is not. Her boots also
look perfect and has the same sharpness and detail that the rest of her body has... Ashe's
jacket is faithfully recreated as well, not just in proportion but to exact details, even down
to the lining in the back and all the accessories she's wearing. The use of several pieces in
the construction really give the appearance that the Ashe figure is actually wearing a leather
costume when she's not, which is great. Her sleeves are also a separate piece from her
arms, again giving the same feeling and appearance of realism that her costume does and at
the same time hiding the articulation. This technique has been used by Square Enix before
in their other figures in the past but this is the first time it has been used to this level of
perfection.
if she jumped out of the screen. All the armor is finely textured and is very sharp. Her little
miniskirt is also a separate piece which underneath you can see her panties which have
been sculpted as well. The belt is also very finely sculpted and sharp. It's so crisp that it
gives the appearance that it's a different piece than her skirt when it is not. Her boots also
look perfect and has the same sharpness and detail that the rest of her body has... Ashe's
jacket is faithfully recreated as well, not just in proportion but to exact details, even down
to the lining in the back and all the accessories she's wearing. The use of several pieces in
the construction really give the appearance that the Ashe figure is actually wearing a leather
costume when she's not, which is great. Her sleeves are also a separate piece from her
arms, again giving the same feeling and appearance of realism that her costume does and at
the same time hiding the articulation. This technique has been used by Square Enix before
in their other figures in the past but this is the first time it has been used to this level of
perfection.
Ashe's Proportions are perfect. She pretty much has the proportions of every FF heroine
which is that of a Jpop idol. In any case Ashe's body shape and proportion are dead on to
the source. Both sets of hands for Ashe are sculpted very nicely. The fists look very
detailed with the detail between each finger very sharp and defined. The open hands are
sculpted with a very elegant feeling to them, able to compliment any Bishoujo pose Ashe
takes. Ashe's sword, the Treaty Blade is also sculpted with fine attention to detail and
proportion and looks dead on to the sword in the game, right down to it's elaborate shape
and azure jewels. The only problem I have with the sword, at least on mine is that the
edge of the sword in the middle are slightly warped. They bend outward a little but that is
most likely the softer material used than the sculpt and it is extremely minor and not
noticeable unless you look for it.
which is that of a Jpop idol. In any case Ashe's body shape and proportion are dead on to
the source. Both sets of hands for Ashe are sculpted very nicely. The fists look very
detailed with the detail between each finger very sharp and defined. The open hands are
sculpted with a very elegant feeling to them, able to compliment any Bishoujo pose Ashe
takes. Ashe's sword, the Treaty Blade is also sculpted with fine attention to detail and
proportion and looks dead on to the sword in the game, right down to it's elaborate shape
and azure jewels. The only problem I have with the sword, at least on mine is that the
edge of the sword in the middle are slightly warped. They bend outward a little but that is
most likely the softer material used than the sculpt and it is extremely minor and not
noticeable unless you look for it.
All in all Ashe is an incredible piece of work from the sculpt perspective, There are no
major mold flaws or really any visible ones for that matter and to top off the fact that she's
very well articulated only makes the sculpt that much better as all the articulation is
extremely well hidden and there is quite a bit. All the details (There are a LOT) are very
sharp and crisp and look pretty much dead on to the prototype, which is the most one can
ask.
major mold flaws or really any visible ones for that matter and to top off the fact that she's
very well articulated only makes the sculpt that much better as all the articulation is
extremely well hidden and there is quite a bit. All the details (There are a LOT) are very
sharp and crisp and look pretty much dead on to the prototype, which is the most one can
ask.
As with all Final Fantasy Play Arts, Ashe is in the 8-9 inch scale. She is right at 8 inches
and is perfectly in scale with the other figures in this line as well as all other FF Play Arts.
SCORE- 5/5
and is perfectly in scale with the other figures in this line as well as all other FF Play Arts.
SCORE- 5/5
Paint- It is generally a given that the more colors involved, the more difficult it is to paint.
In this case Ashe has slightly more colors on her than your typical FF character and Square
Enix has done an incredible job with the paint on her. The colors used are accurate to the
colors in the game. Her eyes and lips are painted perfectly with perfect alignment and her
hair is also painted very nicely really bringing out the texture in her hair. The gold parts on
her are a bit duller than the paint used on them in the prototype but that's pretty minor.
The fancy gold trim on her leg armor is done very nicely and the paint work is very clean.
All the details on her jacket is done very nicely with lots of small details painted including
all the buckles, jewelry and inner lining on the back. Her Boots and skirt are no exception
with slight airbrush on the boots and some panel lining and wash on her skirt. The paint
used is also appropriate for the parts colored. Overall giving a stronger appearance of
realism.
In this case Ashe has slightly more colors on her than your typical FF character and Square
Enix has done an incredible job with the paint on her. The colors used are accurate to the
colors in the game. Her eyes and lips are painted perfectly with perfect alignment and her
hair is also painted very nicely really bringing out the texture in her hair. The gold parts on
her are a bit duller than the paint used on them in the prototype but that's pretty minor.
The fancy gold trim on her leg armor is done very nicely and the paint work is very clean.
All the details on her jacket is done very nicely with lots of small details painted including
all the buckles, jewelry and inner lining on the back. Her Boots and skirt are no exception
with slight airbrush on the boots and some panel lining and wash on her skirt. The paint
used is also appropriate for the parts colored. Overall giving a stronger appearance of
realism.
My main complaint is that the skin tone of Ashe is a little too pale, especially
considering that Ivalice is such a hot place lol. Ashe does not appear to be tanned
in the game but she definitely is not as pale as she is here. The skin tone could
have been a little less pale in my opinion. Maybe something closer to the skin tone
used for Balthier from the same Play Arts series would have been a better choice.
SCORE- 4.5/5
considering that Ivalice is such a hot place lol. Ashe does not appear to be tanned
in the game but she definitely is not as pale as she is here. The skin tone could
have been a little less pale in my opinion. Maybe something closer to the skin tone
used for Balthier from the same Play Arts series would have been a better choice.
SCORE- 4.5/5
Articulation- Ashe sports a very generous amount of Articulation, 26 points to be
exact (Refer to the Articulation chart on the right side) The range of the
articulation is decent and have more range than most of your average single
jointed articulation, well beyond 90 degrees. I do think however that Ashe could
have benefited from having double jointed elbows as they could have stayed well
hidden since her sleeve covers most of her elbow and increased range in her neck
which would allow her to be able to be posed in all her promo art poses, which
she cant do perfectly as well as her "quickening" poses. Aside from these flaws,
Ashe has a wide range of natural looking poses she can take and excellent
articulation without losing her Bishoujo sex appeal. SCORE- 4/5
exact (Refer to the Articulation chart on the right side) The range of the
articulation is decent and have more range than most of your average single
jointed articulation, well beyond 90 degrees. I do think however that Ashe could
have benefited from having double jointed elbows as they could have stayed well
hidden since her sleeve covers most of her elbow and increased range in her neck
which would allow her to be able to be posed in all her promo art poses, which
she cant do perfectly as well as her "quickening" poses. Aside from these flaws,
Ashe has a wide range of natural looking poses she can take and excellent
articulation without losing her Bishoujo sex appeal. SCORE- 4/5
Accessories/Options- Ashe comes with an extra set of hands, her sword, the
Treaty Blade and a display stand. The extra hands add to the amount of poses she
can do and can also allow her to hold her sword. The sword attaches into her
hand via pin on the handle. The Opposite of the Kingdom Hearts Play Arts in
which the pin was in the hand and the pinhole was in the handle of the accessory.
Her sword is a necessity of course as most Final Fantasy Heroines usually have
some weapon/accessory. The display stand is the same stand that all Play Arts
figures come with and will do a great job of keeping the figure on it's feet. I
personally don't use them though as they are too visible in displays. Accessories
wise Ashe is pretty average. An alternate head with Closed eyes would have been
great for her "Quickening" poses but seeing as all Play Arts figures so far come
with a similar range of accessories this is to be expected. SCORE- 2.5/5
Treaty Blade and a display stand. The extra hands add to the amount of poses she
can do and can also allow her to hold her sword. The sword attaches into her
hand via pin on the handle. The Opposite of the Kingdom Hearts Play Arts in
which the pin was in the hand and the pinhole was in the handle of the accessory.
Her sword is a necessity of course as most Final Fantasy Heroines usually have
some weapon/accessory. The display stand is the same stand that all Play Arts
figures come with and will do a great job of keeping the figure on it's feet. I
personally don't use them though as they are too visible in displays. Accessories
wise Ashe is pretty average. An alternate head with Closed eyes would have been
great for her "Quickening" poses but seeing as all Play Arts figures so far come
with a similar range of accessories this is to be expected. SCORE- 2.5/5
Style- In this category we will focus on how much "style" Ashe has got. Style is how well this figure presents itself
based on how the artist tries to express the original source work. It is not really about accuracy or liberties an artist takes
but about presentation, approach, the execution, the feeling the figure gives and most of all does it pull it off with style.
Ashe has definitely got style, especially her sculpt. Not only is the figure accurate but she's got presence as well. When
I look at this figure, I can really feel the character of Ashe. Her expression is technically neutral but I can really feel the
determination, leadership and sadness of the character. The rest of Ashe is pretty much exactly as she appears in the
game and artwork. The design is a great design and really helps to enhance the charisma of the figure. The main thing
she would lose points on is the fact that she can't do all her poses 100% which limits the amount of expression the
figure can have. A few more accessories, like an alternate head and some extra hands could definitely make the figure
more "stylistic" Overall she's got great style but there is definitely room for improvement. SCORE- 3.5/5
based on how the artist tries to express the original source work. It is not really about accuracy or liberties an artist takes
but about presentation, approach, the execution, the feeling the figure gives and most of all does it pull it off with style.
Ashe has definitely got style, especially her sculpt. Not only is the figure accurate but she's got presence as well. When
I look at this figure, I can really feel the character of Ashe. Her expression is technically neutral but I can really feel the
determination, leadership and sadness of the character. The rest of Ashe is pretty much exactly as she appears in the
game and artwork. The design is a great design and really helps to enhance the charisma of the figure. The main thing
she would lose points on is the fact that she can't do all her poses 100% which limits the amount of expression the
figure can have. A few more accessories, like an alternate head and some extra hands could definitely make the figure
more "stylistic" Overall she's got great style but there is definitely room for improvement. SCORE- 3.5/5
Package- Pretty straightforward. It's a fancier approach to the typical Play Arts window box packaging with a CG
backdrop . The Flat Black color and the foil lettering definitely add to the classiness, as with the photos of the toy in
subtle lighting that cover the package. An interesting note is that the packaging has 3 different languages on it but they
did a great job of not making it obvious by covering the entire box in different languages and keeping it subtle. The box
is collector friendly as well as with all Play Arts releases so far. Overall a fine package! SCORE- 3/5
backdrop . The Flat Black color and the foil lettering definitely add to the classiness, as with the photos of the toy in
subtle lighting that cover the package. An interesting note is that the packaging has 3 different languages on it but they
did a great job of not making it obvious by covering the entire box in different languages and keeping it subtle. The box
is collector friendly as well as with all Play Arts releases so far. Overall a fine package! SCORE- 3/5
Value- At 3800yen in Japan and $24.99 in the US, Ashe is pretty much what you would to expect to pay for this kind
of action figure. She's a good size, very detailed, comes with an average amount of accessories and has a good amount
of articulation and tooling involved. I'd say that being a fan of Final Fantasy would make the value even better seeing as
no other company puts Quality Final Fantasy figures out there. All in all a decent value for the a Very Nice figure, Even
better if you're in the US. SCORE- 3/5
of action figure. She's a good size, very detailed, comes with an average amount of accessories and has a good amount
of articulation and tooling involved. I'd say that being a fan of Final Fantasy would make the value even better seeing as
no other company puts Quality Final Fantasy figures out there. All in all a decent value for the a Very Nice figure, Even
better if you're in the US. SCORE- 3/5
FINAL WORD- Ashe is a Great Purchase. Just look at the pics, she's definitely raised the bar for all future heroines of
the Play Arts Line. The Sculpt of Ashe is perfect and really captures the character. The paint apps are great and more
complex than any other FF Heroine in the Play Arts line so far. If you're a fan of Square Enix, Final Fantasy or FFXII
or are planning to play the game I would Highly recommended you put yourself down for an Ashe and the rest of the
FFXII figures as well! A MUST for all Final Fantasy fans and Play Arts collectors!!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Special Thanks to-
Kotobukiya and SQUARE ENIX for giving me the opportunity to review these great figures.
And all of you fans who took the time to read this review and give us your support, we wouldn't be here doing this if
not for you guys! -_^
the Play Arts Line. The Sculpt of Ashe is perfect and really captures the character. The paint apps are great and more
complex than any other FF Heroine in the Play Arts line so far. If you're a fan of Square Enix, Final Fantasy or FFXII
or are planning to play the game I would Highly recommended you put yourself down for an Ashe and the rest of the
FFXII figures as well! A MUST for all Final Fantasy fans and Play Arts collectors!!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Special Thanks to-
Kotobukiya and SQUARE ENIX for giving me the opportunity to review these great figures.
And all of you fans who took the time to read this review and give us your support, we wouldn't be here doing this if
not for you guys! -_^
Review and photos by Tendou Kabuto
March 17, 2007
March 17, 2007
| ASHE GALLERY |
