Monday, January 12, 2009

Akiko Fuji from SSSP by Takara

Ultraman made his debut in July 1966. Ultraman is referred to as the original Ultraman (初代ウルトラマン Shodai Urutoraman), the first Ultraman or Ultraman Hayata (a reference to his host's surname). One outstanding feature of the Ultraman series was the use of various monster costumes, known as kaiju in Japan. Sinister aliens and giant monsters constantly threaten civilization during this period. The only Earth organization equipped to handle these disasters is the Science Special Search Party (SSSP), a special police force with branches all over the world and equipped with high-tech weapons and vehicles, as well as extensive scientific and engineering facilities. [source: wiki]

Akiko Fuji, played by Japanese actress Hiroko Sakurai, was the Science Patrol's radio/communications operator and only female member. In most adventures, Akiko Fuji proves to be the most level-headed and capable member after Shin Hayata, the Science Patrol's brave, no-nonsense deputy captain and Ultraman's human form on Earth.

Takara released this 1/6 scale 12-inch CG (Cool Girl) S.S.S.P Akiko Fuji (藤 明子 Fuji Akiko) after having released Anna Yuri of TDF UG in 2004. Takara's Akiko Fuji's accessories included 3 sets of hands, battle dress uniform with neck tie, utility belt, gun holster, boots, helmet, ray gun, Mars 133 with scope, sunglasses and display stand. The uniform pretty much sets the tone for the rest in the series and it's better than some of the really garish Ultra team uniforms which were to follow (notably, ZAT's of Ultraman Taro)

Problem with Takara's head sculpts, they don't quite look like their human counterparts but are still nice nonetheless. Being an Ultraman fan, I just had to pick up these two CG gals from Takara.


Another view of the SSSP helmet, communicator pin in the shape of the organization's emblem and insignia on her left sleeve 


The MARS 133 gun, which works on the same principal as Ultraman's Spacium Ray, and is thus mortally effective against Baltans. In the Japanese language, it is read "Mars ichi-san-san" (one-three-three).

Supergun - The basic sidearm carried by each Science Patrol member. When unholstered, the barrel flips out from the handle and the gun is ready to fire. Three of them can be combined for a "triple shot", which is powerful enough to take down a monster.

Even her boots have the SSSP insignia


Bring it on, girl!

Related to Akiko is Takara's Anna Yuri of TDF UG

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Did you preorder the mailaway female figure from Medicom Ultraman series recently? The face is quite pretty?

alex teo said...

Medicom's mail-away Akiko Fuji's likeness is much closer to the actual actress than Takara's version but I didn't pre-order because got to cut down lah

Anonymous said...

True..economic downturn..have to control buying..HAHA :)