While scrounging the bargain bins at a few online retailers, I came across this MegaHouse figure of Iori Manase, one of those cute IdolMaster characters. It struck me that the figure was odd. Iori was wearing pants, which is quite uncommon for scale figures and to some extent female character designs in anime, or at least among the characters that get made into figures. Just looking at the figures I have, only two are wearing honest to goodness pants, Fate/Zero Saber and Kino. For the rest it’s skirts, dresses, plug-suits, swimwear, and the occasional pair of shorts.
It’s not surprising that most figures don’t wear pants. I was just surprised that so few do. It’s a fan-service thing for sure, but I think designers underestimate that pants can be attractive as well. The Fate/Zero Saber is quite hot in a different way.
Unfortunately for me, Iori seems to be out of print.
All the good IM@S stuff is hard to find now…
I think Alter’s Sei from Burst Angel deserves a mention. Oh and there Aozaki Tohko.
I can’t remember any other figure with pants on my collection…
figures with long socks are limited too
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An interesting observation… and one that holds true for my collection as well; 30-ish figures and zero equipped with pants. I do believe GSC’s upcoming Canaan figure will come with a functional pair of pants, though.
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Have that on pre-order, so pants + 1.
Hmmm, I think I only have one figure with pants (Konata by Wave). Not that I have anything against figures with pants (that Idolmaster figure is very attractive ^^), it’s just that not many manufacturers make them. The monopoly skirts have in anime also has a big part in it ^^;
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Looking at my latest Collection diary post, I do find it interesting that my Asuka on Motorcycle is the only girl wearing pants. I don’t even know if it counts since the crotch part is open.
I do have Kino as well, but Kino is currently in storage.
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I’ve got two figures with pants (Sei and Ryofu Housen). I keep meaning to do a wardrobe survey to gather statistics as to what sort of footwear and hosiery is most common in my figure collection, but I haven’t yet had a moment where I was bored enough to do that just yet.
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Funny, one of my “normal” friends mentioned this to me a year ago jokingly, but then I thought about it and realized he was right. I think pants just aren’t considered to be appealing in terms of bishoujo character design, but like anything else, it works when it’s done well.
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