Figure collection topic-Leaning figures

Here I want to talk about one of the most irriating issues for most collectors – the figure can’t stand up straight.

Hi, I am Lamia Loveless

And I am leaning over!

So, just why do they lean over like that?

Here I shall attempt to explain the mechanics behind the leaning figures. There are several factors that can contribute to this phenomenon:

1. Material stiffness
2. Temperature and Relative humidity
3. Weight distribution

Back in the early days of figure collecting, most of them were done in cold cast resin. PVC figures were no where near as popular as it is today. Cold cast resin figures are stiff, they generally don’t deform under normal circumstances. PVC figures on the other hand, behave a lot different when expose to high temperature (take a hair dryer, blow at your PVC figure and you will know what I mean). Nowadays, most manufacturers incorporate ABS resin into their figure to achieve better support and weight balance. However, ABS resin is not immune from deformation or stress relief under high temperature and humidity either. The injection molding process of ABS introduces shear stress to the part and cannot be avoided. When the parts are placed in high temperature and humidity, it can undergo stress relief and deform to where it naturally want to be. And finally, in order to capture liviness and artistic sense, most figures are sculpted in ways that often defy gravity.

The chest heavy Mikuru chan simply cannot maintain her position with one leg

This lovely Asuka in summer wear can't manage to stand on her own two feet

While there isn’t a one size fit all solution, not yet anyway… and ultimately, the responsibility lies with the figure manufacturer and sculptor to choose the right combination of material, provide adequate support if required. Here is an example, this Haruka Takamori from Alter has been standing on one feet for several months now and has yet to show any sign of leaning over. Now that’s a good design! The Kotobukiya version doesn’t look as graceful and require an ugly support bar.

I can stand on one feet!

If this was going to lean over, it should have done so months ago, but it hasn’t happen yet. And when I pick up Haruka, I noticed it feels fairly light. Although I don’t think it is necessary, I have positioned Saeki at the right place to offer her back as a support if the situation arises. Saeki looks pretty sturdy when she is down on all four like that

However, under most cases, I have to resort to tilting the figure to a point where it can maintain equibilium. The Mikuru chan above requires almost 30 degrees tilt to get the job done. It’s unsighty but it’s still better than having your precious figure playing smooth criminal. Luckily, out of all the figures I have collected up to this point, less than 5% of them are exhibiting this kinds of problem.

This investigation will remain as WIP, until one day that no Otaku in this world need to fear the smooth criminal.

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