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Gorgeous.
Saw the preorder on TFH. At $219.95, this is considered middle range for Hot Toys products. I may consider getting one of these Hot Toys ladies as my entry into the Hot Toys line. Boy, doesn't this Chacha Asai look like a doll?
Chacha Asai is a character from the just released (I think so, the trailer says 2009 5.1) CG movie Goemon. You can watch the trailers (ver.1, ver.2) and read IMDb for the cast.
Ryoko Hirosue (広末涼子) plays Chacha in the movie. I used to watch JDrama and she was a familiar face in big productions like Long Vacation and Beach Boys. I've also watched her other shows like Lipstick, Summer Snow and Shotgun Marriage. Therefore she is one of the few Japanese actresses I can identify with. Another reason to get her 1:6 representation.
The Hot Toys product page wrote of a "highly detailed head sculpture with authentic likeness of Ryoko Hirosue as ChaCha Asai". The head sculpt is by Hiroki Hayashi who also gave us Silken Floss.
So how authentic is the head sculpt? And her gown? According to the product page, she is "dressed in her movie-accurate costume of gorgeous gown and detailed footwear".
In my opinion, the face's too long and pointed. It is not that her face has slimmed down in recent years. Here is how she looked a decade ago.
I tried to find movie stills from Goemon and I gave up. Here are some screen-caps from the trailers.
Chacha Asai is no barbie all right, but still, it is a pity for Hot Toys action figure origin to show through the doll. The ugly POA (point of articulation) glares at us in the next picture. And her leg showing through, not sexy but like a stick.
Her image as a doll is further marred by the molded hair. Why didn't Hot Toys use rooted hair? Now her two waist length locks just look so fake.
Otherwise, the figure is ok. She is not high on the accessory list but the highlight is her gorgeous gown anyway. If you can get her to pose with her folding fan (or knife) and her legs tucked in, she looks great.
There is another reason why Ryoko Hirosue as Chacha Asai in Goemon is a must-watch. According to this website,
Ryoko Hirosue, a Japanese actress, will disrobe and appear nude for “Goemon.” In “Goemon”, Hirosue will be seen naked in the shower. Hirosue will have a nude, intimate bed scene with her male leading actor.
Okay .. ahem.
