Hey everyone, today we're diving into an unboxing of the Hatsune Miku Memorial Dress Ver. from Good Smile Company (GSC).
This Memorial Dress Ver. figure was originally conceived as part of Hatsune Miku's 10th-anniversary celebration. It's the stunning physical realization of the winning entry from the "Hatsune Miku Illustration Contest" held back then.
The original illustration, titled "Fly Higher!", was created by artist Pomu. Special recognition must also go to sculptor Takayuki Kawahara, who masterfully translated the intricate details and numerous elements of Pomu's exquisite artwork into this breathtaking physical form.
The figure captures Miku in a dynamic upward leap, brimming with hope for the future. True to its title, "Fly Higher!", the piece exudes an incredibly positive and uplifting aura.
Let's dive into the photos.
The outer box features a clean white design accented with Miku's signature green, adorned with numerous charming patterns. The back of the box proudly displays the original illustration, allowing for a direct comparison with the figure – the fidelity is truly remarkable.
Contents
The main figure is nestled in the upper tray, while the lower compartment holds the microphone and other small accessories.
The Figure Up Close
Detailed Examination
Despite Miku's head being tilted upwards, the sculpt avoids any "angle-limited" issues, looking fantastic from virtually any perspective.
Both sides of Miku's hair are adorned with intricate accessories, each representing elements from numerous past Hatsune Miku songs. As I've noted before, while I've collected quite a few Miku figures, my appreciation stems primarily from her iconic character design rather than deep familiarity with her music. I'm sure many hardcore fans out there could identify every single song referenced by these ornaments – the only one I immediately recognized was "Love is War"!
The voluminous twin-tails are sculpted with astonishing dynamism, conveying a sense of weightless, ethereal movement despite their sheer scale.
The microphone itself is also exquisitely detailed. Since it's not directly attached to her hand, a clever transparent support arm props it up against her hair and hair ornament, maintaining the floating aesthetic.
Beyond the corset, Miku's dress features an almost entirely asymmetrical design. Yet, the overall effect is remarkably harmonious and never jarring – a testament to the original artist's incredible talent.
To faithfully recreate the original illustration's ethereal, floating quality, the figure connects to its base solely via the very tip of a trailing ribbon. Consequently, several clear support rods are strategically placed at her knees; without them, the entire figure would likely lean forward over time.
My one minor disappointment is the base itself – a simple clear acrylic disc. It would have been nice to see some decorative patterns, perhaps echoing the box art, to elevate its presence.
That wraps up our look at the contents! For me, this figure easily stands as a new "grail-tier" entry among Hatsune Miku scale figures. Its overall design is lavish, packed with intricate and complex elements, and the final physical execution is nothing short of breathtaking. This is an absolute must-have for any Miku fan, and even casual collectors will find it a truly worthwhile addition. I particularly adore the top-down perspective – the same angle featured on the box art – so much so that I captured it with two different aperture settings! XD
