Figure of Murata’s UJ14 Robot Girl
I think Range Murata’s girl from UltraJump 14 (UJ14) is a cyborg or a robot, at least I hope so, because that headgear apparatus looks too heavy for a human to wear. One of the things above the style, above the coloring, above all the aesthetics of Range Murata’s illustrations that I admire is the ability to make me wonder about the character. Why is she sitting like that? Why does she look sad? This 1:8 scale completed pvc figure produced by Beagle manages to capture everything I love about Murata’s illustrations.
UJ14 is a complicated figure in some ways, but in particular it’s her mood that fascinates me. She expresses an emotion not seen too often in figures that I’ve seen. Typically, figures feel as though they are designed to be inviting via cuteness or sexiness and that the figure tries to engage the viewer directly on some level. This isn’t to say UJ14 is boring or lifeless, but rather it feels like the most natural viewing position for the figure is where she’s looking away from you. I get a darker vibe with her and it’s a good change of pace and makes it easier for me to view this piece in particular more as art than character goods.
Whoever sculpted UJ14 really cared about her — look at her face in the picture above. It’s so delicate and expressive as her eyes wait for someone. And then there are all the details of her body suit and apparatus. Her suit looks like it’s made out of a thick insulated material. The soft folds in between her breasts, on her abdomen, and on her back, along with the grooves running down the body suit creates the illusion insulated material. Her pose also reveals care in creating a mood and detail.
The paint application on her pack straps and collar looks a little rough here, but from normal viewing distance it looks smooth. UJ14 is a 1:8 scale figure so keep in mind the magnification when looking at the larger pictures. With all of the detailing, I found my eyes forgiving of the mildly sloppy paint here, because when a figure is right in so many ways, the beauty of it diminishes the flaws. The flaws on UJ14, like stray paint and mold lines are only mildly apparent and only at close inspection. Joint seams are hidden or occur on natural seams, so they don’t stand out.
As well done as her face and expression are, the tech stylework on the backside of this figure is truly where UJ14 shines. Each of the machine parts feels solid, from the transmitter/receiver on her head, to the radiator unit on her back, to the layers and cutouts on her boots. All of it is awesomely rendered and textured. For example, the transmitter u-bars on her head look like copper. Click on the larger images to check out all of the ridges, grooves, buckles, nubs, caps, coils, etc.
Below is her base.
I almost feel guilty with the shot below, but that’s one of the finest bottoms I’ve ever seen on a figure and suit does it great justice, plus you really needed a detail of the soles of her boots. Again the sculptor comes through with the way her cheek is smooshed by her boot.
Don’t cry UJ14. If you’re not Julia, Spike really doesn’t care, so don’t take it personally that he’s leaving. Though really, he’s such a pushover if you say anything to him he’ll help you. He just pretends to be a jerk.
UJ14 is a fascinating figure in so many ways. I’m totally pleased.
This was my first Beagle/Vice purchase and my impression of the brand from this figure is they make quality stuff. Their manufacturing resources seem to allow for smooth detailing and good paint application. Can anyone out there with other Beagle/Vice figures speak for this brand’s quality?
Product Data:
- Product: PSE Products 04 UJ14
- Maker: Beagle
- Sculptor: Not listed with roman alphabet, so I don’t know
- Scale and Material: 1/8 scale completed PVC figure
- Released: Late November 2006
- List Price: 4,800 JPY
- Domestic US Release: I see some US stores importing it, but I don’t think it has official distribution.
P.S.: I accidentally deleted this post, so if you made a comment and it’s no longer there, sorry about that!
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ikimashou.net - we do otaku » Weekend Rollup - December 9-10
on December 12th, 2006
[...] Finishing up here, here's a review by super rats of that sexy UJ14 Murata figure. Yeahhhh. [...]
tj han
on December 12th, 2006
Actually Vice’s quality fluctuates like crazy. Their Lain was so rubbish even the Rubbish collectors don’t want it. I have Pinup, a previous Murata release too and this was alright.
I’m glad you like Murata’s artstyle. He rocks! And this figure rocks too. I haven’t gotten it though, it’s in the mail.
Your pictures are great as always. Such zennish whiteness is suitable for her. I always have difficulty finding suitable outdoor locations for techno-based figures.
super rats
on December 12th, 2006
Fluctuates like crazy? That makes it tough when deciding to buy or not. Hopefully if Murata has input on his figures, the quality will stay decent at least.
Tsubaki
on December 12th, 2006
Omfg, I am convinced to buy this figurine. I must own at least Range-designed figure, and she’s pretty much it.
Lovely pictures as usual, the white-ness in this picture give it the very tech space feel. Oh and the egg and (I assume is) Lulu’s legs are a nice addition.
super rats
on December 12th, 2006
I like UJ14 alot, definitely more than the TT Butterfly. The first one, Trinode, l would have gotten if it were still available. I think that one was released before I got into figures.
The egg is actually a ceramic air freshener and those legs are Spike Spiegel’s (Yamato figure).
Adun
on December 12th, 2006
Odd, I posted a comment on this post a few days ago….
Anyway, very nice sculpting on the accessories and boots.
super rats
on December 13th, 2006
Adun, sorry about that. I accidentally deleted the entire review and comments.
tj han
on December 14th, 2006
So you redid the review?
I have Pinup, Alvis, LE Grandstream. UJ 14 should be arriving anytime now. I would love Butterfly if the girl had longer hair really. Right now, it’s the bike that’s the attraction. And the brand.
I’mnot sure if Vice and Beagle are the same company. Somehow, sites seem to use these two names interchangeably.
super rats
on December 14th, 2006
I just had to paste the post back in after pulling up the page from the cache. I could have rescued the comments too, but I was a little dumb from freaking out about it.
The TT Butterfly figure, the girl looks too boyish to me, judging from the promo shots.
VManOfMana
on December 17th, 2006
This figure is very high quality. Funny thing is, it was easier for me to appreciate the details of the figure with this blog’s pictorial than when it arrived (I still don’t have a figure-friendly setup so I have to see it thru the box - shame on me).
The only complain I might have is that for the price, the figure is pretty small. The same can be said for Skipper, but at least it was two pieces.
Compared to the other PSE figures I’d rank it pretty high:
Pinup/UJ14
Skipper
Ribbon Style/TT Butterfly (judging from pictures)
Trinode
I can’t say that if I like it more or less than Pinup, since each figure has its own appeal.
super rats
on December 18th, 2006
VMan, you need to get set up so you can take her out of the box!
Considering UJ14 in so many ways is exceptional, the price isn’t too bad. I hear you though. Just trying to put it in perspective relative to other figures.
LianYL
on December 22nd, 2006
The egg thing was a nice touch but still hilarious.
super rats
on December 23rd, 2006
I love that egg shaped air freshener.
Temugin
on December 30th, 2006
I’ve collected many Range Murata’s artbooks and love his character design, but… sorry for this… I’ve found no figurine until now that have enoug resemblance with his girls for me to buy it. This one is no exception, although being very well done. His girls bodies and faces are like peaches and this one doesn’t give sensation of softness.
super rats
on December 31st, 2006
Well only Murata can get Murata. I agree that Murata’s stuff has a quality to it that makes it unique and difficult to imitate.
Figure Review: UJ-14, Cyber Girl in a Cyberworld at Riuva : Research Institute for Unicultural Visual Arts
on January 8th, 2007
[...] Superrats has already done a godly review of UJ-chan, so do check there. He went for a minimalistic white background with an egg, which looks quit awesome. I spent the longest time trying to think of something different and then I got it. Instead of a simple background, why not we have the opposite? Since UJ-14 is a technogirl, let’s just dump in her the interior of a computer. I took apart my PC, used the motherboard, sound card, disk drive, ethernet card etc as background for a heavy techno feel. Then put it together and uploaded the pictures. [...]
Rabbit Review: UJ14 Full of Vice « Villa Leporidae
on July 25th, 2008
[...] funny_bunny addendum: Now that you’ve read all THAT, take a look at a SEX review with SEX photography! [...]