Review of Saber

For a long while, I have been searching for a decent figure of Saber in her knight armour. While there has been no lack of Saber figures in the market given her popularity, hardly any of them was a worthy rendition. That was until the announcement of the Saber figure sculpted by Satoshi Toda. Now that I have her with me, she is everything I wish for … well, almost.

This Saber figure is produced by Gift and is their first official scaled PVC figure. The first production run of the figure comes with a bonus anime-style head. I must say it was quite courageous of them to have pick such a popular character as a subject for their first sculpt. So, how did the figure fare?

The review will start off with an all-round look at the figure.

   

This is the most beautiful figure of Saber released thus far and is almost an exact rendition of her prototype. The amount of details packed into this 1/8 scale figure is simply quite astounding. While some might have wish for a more dynamic pose, I feel that the pose selected is a perfect reflection of Saber’s poise and class.

Next is a close-up look at the face sculpt.

  

This face sculpt has been criticised by many as being an awful face. But not for me. I think one needs to understand the sculpt from the sculptor’s point of view. I believe it was never Satoshi Toda’s intention to sculpt an anime-like face of Saber. Rather his intention was to craft out a realistic looking Saber. So to that extent, I feel that the face looks fine to me.

Next is a close-up on the parts of Saber’s armour, which is undoubtedly the highlight of the figure.

 

     

The sculpt of the armour is simply in a league of its own. No other sculptures of Saber in her knight armour even come close. My photos certainly didn’t do it any justice. The paint used on the armour also reflects a wonderful metalic feel. Really, the amount of details on this armour is nothing short of amazing.

Next is a close-up look at the rest of the armour outfit.

   

The patterns on the skirtings of her battledress are some of the most detailed works I have seen on a figure sculpture. One can only imagine the amount of time spent sculpting this part of the figure alone. The folds are also marvelously crafited and if you look at the figure as a whole together with the flow of her hair, the wind blown movements are wonderfully depicted.

Next is a look at Excalibur, footwear and the figure base.

   

While there is nothing extraodinary about Excalibur, the amount of work and details on the figure is not let up for the footwear and underclothes which even have nice shadings. But I do not like the figure base at all though, not a single bit of it. First off, what’s with the mirror?  It is literally dishonorary to place a mirror under Saber! And also, the base is bigger than required and takes up unncessary (and precious) shelf space. Reminds me of Griffon bases.

Next is a look at the bonus anime-style face sculpt.

    

This face sculpt though ought to be criticised. The sole reason for this anime-style head’s existence is to appeal to those who prefer to have Saber as how she looked in the anime. But sadly, this face sculpt fails miserably in that aspect. How this was even approved in the first place remains a mystery to me. Anyway, the ribbons and hair on this head is sculpted differently from the original head.

Truthfully, she is not the ultimate Saber figure for the simple reason that this sculpture does not have a face sculpt that is an exact rendition of Saber from the anime Fate/Stay Night. But overall, I stand by my opinion that she is by far the best Saber figure released thus far. Simply a wonderful figure to behold.

Gift’s Saber happens to be my 2nd Saber figure, the first was Solid Theater’s Alter version of Saber. That figure was sculptured by Satoshi Toda as well and they looked wonderful displayed together.  A certain Saber Lily will of course join them in June later this year, and she will probably be my last Saber figure.