Sakuka Matou Plush

Product Information/Specifications

Introduction

As you may know, getting anime character plushes isn't easy.  Regardless if its an UFO prize item or not.  I managed to get this Fate/stay night Sakura Matou plush from eBay.  It was a bit more expensive than the original Japanese retail price, but what other options did I have since I'm not in Asia or know anyone there that can get it for me.

The Fate/stay night Sakura Matou plush was virtually sold out during its first week of release.  Although the re-issue was a slow seller, it got sold out anyways.

Some of the pictures aren't clear & good.  If I have time, I'll redo the bad ones & repost them.

The Review

Sakura Matou plush in packaging

The packaging of Sakura is the same as other past Fate plush dolls.  They come in a re-sealable clear plastic bag.  It really makes the product look cheap & easy for bootleg companies to copy.  Ways to distinguish them from the packaging is the bottom right product sticker & the TYPE-MOON hologram sticker at the back.  Also, the product tag is around Sakura's back on the waist.

Now that you have seen the stickers & label, let's move on to the main part.

 
Sakura from different sides

As you can probably see, Sakura is pretty much flat.  For some reason, almost all character plushes from Japan that are in a standing position are flat & can't stand on their own two feet.  I'm not sure how you would display them like that.  Even when you try to, her body sort of bends a bit.  Mainly reason is the weight of her head.  It also affects the legs. 

Anyways, Sakura is made for fabric mostly & different kinds of it.  The clothing is normal cloth & the hair is felt fabric.  The ribbon on her hair is an actual ribbon.

The stitching job isn't too bad, but it isn't too good in some places.  For example, the most of pink shirt is stitched too close to Sakura's right arm & it's hard to straighten out the clothing from flying out to the side like in the pic.

I like the look that Sakura has even it's pretty much the same as the past two Fate/stay night plushies.  However, Sakura has a mouth so the expression isn't too plain & shows her sad worried look.  Like the past ones, the facial features aren't stitched.  They are pressed.

Overall Conclusion

The Fate/stay night Sakura Matou plush is really based on opinion.  Some may find it to look funny & cute or some may think it's ugly due to the face.  I personally like it since it's pretty funny.  I had her out of her packaging before.  Most of the time she either stand on my bed pillow or on the floor.  Now, I have her in her packaging as it was becoming a hassle to clean her properly.

I give the Fate/stay night Sakura Matou plush an eight.  The stitching job isn't bad, but it could have been better not to make them too tight or loose in some areas.  Also, I love her facial expression as it matches her sad worried pose.

TYPE-MOON & Fate fans would probably scramble to get this.  But if you want a huggable plush of Sakura, then this may not be a plush you should pick up.  Although the head is big, the plush is too flat to be hugged.

Getting this plush will be a problem.  I haven't found any stores carrying this for a long time.  Personally, I don't think there will be a huge price increase on this.

Photos were taken using Sony DSC-F828 digital still camera.

Last updated on February 19, 2008