Nendoroid Plus: SHUFFLE! Memories: Primula no Chittyana Daiboken!? Figurine (Normal Version)

Product Information/Specifications

Introduction

When I saw this Nendoroid of Primula figurine, it was okay.  It was plain as it got nothing on the figurine.  The "Plus" part is basically added voices.  The voice thing was "meh".  What really attractive me was the CD program that it comes with.  Pricier than other Nendoroids, I decided to get it thinking that the CD was a fandisc or accessory disc.

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

The Review

Nendoroid Primula in box

There are four versions of Nendoroid Primula.  There is a regular version, anime version (blurry eye lines), worried look version, & glasses version.  I've seen the first three version on the official website, but the glasses version wasn't found there.  I didn't know that version existed until I saw the box.  I don't know how to get the other versions.  I assume you can only order them from the FREEing website.  The glasses version is a Wonder Festival 2008 event item that can only be obtained from the convention or from the FREEing's online store.  I have the normal version as indicated with a sticker on the box in Japanese of course.

The packaging for the Nendoroid figurine comes in the same window format as other Nendoroid figures but without the side ones.  I was expecting the box to be a bit bigger than normal, but it wasn't the case.  The design on the box though matches the SHUFFLE! theme very well with screenshots of the CD program running across the box in filmstrip format.  Unlike the other Nendoroids, this special one has no number.

Primula out of the box

Primula from different sides

Primula comes with very limited amount of accessories.  She comes with three different plush cat dolls that she has in the series.  The good thing about this figurine is the Primula no Chittyana Daiboken!? CD game that is comes with.

Primula no Chittyana Daiboken!? CD Box Cover

The Primula no Chittyana Daiboken!? CD is basically the same as the SHUFFLE! House CDs that came with the SHUFFLE! Limited Edition R2 DVDs.  Expect it has added a few new things such as being able to visit some of the SHUFFLE! characters & buying things.  Also, you have some control on how you want to rearrange the furniture & appearance of her room.  Plus, there is a side-scroll mini-game where you obtain items for personal use or missions.  It runs only on Windows 2000, XP, & Vista.  The game is in Japanese & does have some texts involved.  But you can somewhat get around it.  Fun game, but not really worth going for over the actual figurine which we will be talking about now.

Primula is poseable at the main joints: neck, arms, & legs.  The joints are pretty tight on this Nendoroid, which is very nice.  However, the poses are limited & offer very little varieties.  The face was very easy to take out as well as the head.  This is a good thing since the batteries are located under her face which makes it easy to replace them. 

The voice box is located inside Primula's head.  This is why there is no other head variations available & having four different versions in the market.  There are two phrases only & it's kind of disappointing.  All the heads have the "Onii-chan" phrase.  The sounds from a speaker located at the top of her head & the button to make her talk is at the back.  The batteries used are three LR1130 cells.  You need to remove a plastic strip to get Primula to talk & diagrams of removing it located on the top box inner side tabs.  The voice is the same one as the anime show & the sound is ok as it's on the mono side.  Below are sounds clips of the voice phrases.  It's not that fuzzy really.

Sound Clip #1

Sound Clip #2

Primula's feet are a bit flat & small, so you still need the base & stand to make her stand.  The stand requires some force to be put on the base & the body holder.  Plus, placing Primula's waist to it needs force as well.  Sometimes I was concern of scratching the paint off her body during this process.  Also, she doesn't seem to stand straight upright.  She leans back a bit.  So, leg adjustments are a must.

As for the molding, it's pretty good.  No weird bumps or air bubbles on the figurine.  Very clean.  The creases on Primula's dress hem is simple, but well done.

The paint job is pretty good.  There are some uneven lines & slight paint bleeds.  Not noticeable unless you look up close.  Nevertheless, it's pretty solid since most of the areas are small.  Note that her skin colour is actually more flesh than pale as show on the ad pics.

 
Nya!

The three neko plushes that Primula keeps are molded very good & painted well too.  Even etching face details are nice.  However, the spotted cat can't stand on its own for some strange reason when the black ones can.  If you want it to stand, you will need to adjust its tail a bit & it does look a bit strange.  The cats don't come with any stands or bases to hold them up.

Onii-chan....

Primula's face really matches her poker-like face.  The face itself is a bit off from what I expected from the anime design, but good nevertheless.

Overall Conclusion

Nendoroid Plus: SHUFFLE! Memories: Primula no Chittyana Daiboken!? Figurine is average really.  It's a solid figurine with tight joints, but offers very little variations with no extra body parts.  The three cats wouldn't add much as well as the two voice phrases which is too little in my view.

On a scale of ten, Nendoroid Primula receives a 6.5.  The figurine is quite solid & has that Primula character in it. However, it's a cheap gimmick figurine with no parts to fix that plain pose.  The voices aren't enough for a pricey figurine, even with the CD game thrown in.  Nice idea, but isn't a good selling tool.

If you are into the Nendoroid series or like Primula, this is a great item to get.  But, I would strongly recommend waiting for a price drop on it.  I mean a BIG price drop.  It doesn't matter which version it is as all of them have the same things with one different voice phrase & a different face.  It's almost a matter of taste really.

Photos were taken using Sony DSC-F828 digital still camera & HP scanjet 4470c scanner.

Last updated on May 21, 2008