Pui Pui Molcar Potato

       

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Made By:
Good Smile Company
Scale:
N/A
MSRP:
¥4200
Overview:
Packaging (Design):9/10
Packaging (Durability):9/10
Casting (Body):9/10
Casting (Interior):7/10
Casting (Chassis):N/A
Casting (Engine):N/A
Paint (Exterior):10/10
Paint (Interior):10/10
Paint (Trim/Graphics):10/10
Overall Panel Fit:10/10
Total Score:9.3/10

 
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Pui Pui Molcar Potato
Pui Pui Molcar Potato Packaging Pui Pui Molcar Potato shocked face Pui Pui Molcar Potato sad face Pui Pui Molcar Potato with carrot Pui Pui Molcar Potato interior Pui Pui Molcar Potato rear

 
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Background

Although Pui Pui Molcar was produced as a series of children's animated shorts, it gained a surprising degree of popularity with all ages around the world for its quality production and simple, wholesome feel. Among the main characters is Potato, a beige Molcar (a play on "molmot," the Japanese word for guinea pig) who is generally laid back but willing to help whenever he is needed.

 

Packaging

Potato is part of Good Smile Company's Nendoroid series, packaged in a bright yellow box 5¼" (14cm) x 3½" (9cm) x 6¾" (17.5cm). The front of the box has a nice large window that shows off the figure and some of his accessories above a large photo of te toy in the lower left. The show title, company logo, and series/product information are discreetly placed around the rest of the window. Each side panel shows two features of the toy: alternate expressions on the left; interactivity with the included accessories and other Nendoroid figures on the right. Inside, a double plastic tray holds the main figure, his carrot, his alternate eyes, and his alternate face, all in separate wells. Soft plastic baggies protect the flocking of the figure and alternate face. Also included is a folded instruction sheet and a Nendoroid base. The whole thing is bright, cheerful, and easy to open, unpack, and repack while keeping everything safe.

 

Casting/Paint

Potato is based around three main parts: his base/belly, his face, and his back. This allows you to change expressions and access the Nendoroid seat, and they are clean enough so as to not interrupt the finished look. The wheels, ears/mirrors, and eyes are separate pieces, snapped into place with ball joints (wheels), rotating hinges (ears/mirrors), or keyed posts (eyes) to hold snugly but still allow for movement. Everything but the eyes is covered with a soft felt, perfectly applied to create the appearance of a stuffed animal. The markings are flawless, transitioning between stripes and around wheels and window with outstanding precision. Potato's nose and mouth are highlighted with a delicate line leading to a pink mouth, and again everything is painted perfectly. The interior is a simple pink seat, recognizable as such but that's about it.

 

Features/Accessories

Here's where Good Smile Company's history with figures really shines. In addition to the neutral face and eyes, you also get a shocked face and teary eyes that can be swapped out. The ears can be rotated and wagged up and down to work with the face's emotions. Each wheel is on a separate offset balljoint, allowing everything from regular rolling poses to walking poses to collapsed. The seat can hold a single figure, though it does require you to leave the back/roof off. A single carrot is included and while it doenn't actually plug in anywhere it can be posed next to Potato for some fun "eating" scenes. Finally, a clear base and plastic stand are included, which can be plugged into Potato for shocked/jumping poses.

 

Accuracy

The Molcars used in the series are felted, so they are softer and fuzzier than what would be possible with a plastic toy. But beyond that, it really works. The flocked texture GSC went with is beautifully applied, the colors are spot-on, and the overall proportions look great. Scaling is impossible to pin down, as the Molcars are as large or small as they need to be to get the scene. Potato measures about 2½" (7cm) x 2" (5cm) x 2" (5cm).

 

Overall

I mean, it's a guinea pig that's also a car. You'll either enjoy the silly off-beat premise or you'll think it's one of the dumbest things ever. Personally, I like the look and Good Smile Company did a fantastic job putting this together. The accessories and moving features just further elevate what's already a great little Molcar.

 

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