A Look at the ‘School Swimsuit at Beach’ Figure of Higurashi’s Rika Furude by Miyuki and Good Smile Company

Figure Review

Across 2020 and 2021, interest in 07th Expansion’s Higurashi no Naku Koro ni series was renewed, with the surprise release of a two-season sequel to the original TV anime. This came as a surprise given that pretty much all mysteries posed by the murderous supernatural tale were resolved. While a decent watch that fans should consider checking out (Currently streaming on CrunchyRoll), in my opinion, it failed to justify its existence. Furthermore, its potential to bridge a gap to a proper TV anime adaptation of Umineko no Naku Koro ni never eventuated. One major positive however was the involvement of Akio Watanabe as a character designer, whose previous accolades include Popotanthe Monogatari series, The World God Only Knows and many, many more. One of their designs, featuring series protagonist Rika Furude, has been made into this figure manufactured by Miyuki and published by Good Smile Company.

This figure, which I have dubbed the ‘Rika Furude in a School Swimsuit at the Beach‘ is at 1/7 scale, however, given she is kneeling, this means she only comes in at 144mm (14.4cm) tall, a fair bit shorter than most figures of similar scale. Especially at a price of just over 20,000 yen, I would have hoped perhaps for this to be a 1/6 scale figure instead for the price point. However, to perhaps justify the price point a little bit we get some nice beachside / poolside goodies that fit in at different points in the base. We have the beach ball with Hanyuu motif, we have the tiger inner tube made of semi-transparent PVC w/ optional attachable tail, and there is the optional skirt in the sand, a two-part which can be used to attach Rika’s limbs to the base. This is in addition to the large wide-brimmed hat. Perhaps not the most friendly prop for photographing the figure, but it sounds very Rika to have her cover her head with one.

A Look at the ‘School Swimsuit at Beach’ Figure of Higurashi’s Rika Furude by Miyuki and Good Smile Company 1

The build quality of this figure is good, with no painting or manufacturing flaws, and the figure arrived suitably packaged with a separation between the main Rika Furude figure and the other beach-side / pool-side accessories. Putting the entire figure together with its various pieces was also simple, although the instructions could have been bigger, displayed on just half of an A5 piece of paper. Outside of the small potential sexual innuendo of the melting ice block that may make some raise an eyebrow, strikes a good balance between cuteness and fanservice. Given when you think swimsuit ver. of figures you often think skimpy, it is definitely on the milder side of the spectrum. 

Is this a good figure overall? Yes, I think so. There is a cute charm to it, which makes it pleasant on the eyes, and really exudes the appeal that most key visuals of the entire Higurashi no Naku Koro ni series has sought to provide. I would probably display it without the wide-brimmed hat, but that is a personal preference, and outside of that I think it is a figure that fans of the series – even those who didn’t enjoy the most recent seasons – might find worthwhile collecting.

Check out some photography of the ‘Rika Furude in a School Swimsuit at the Beach‘ figure below.

Released in mid-November 2022, this figure, also known as Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Sotsu – Furude Rika  1/7 Complete Figure, is still reasonably available through select retailers. For example, Amiami currently has her for 18,100 JPY.

Sam
Sam
Founder of The Otaku's Study. I have been exploring this labyrinth of fandom these last fifteen years, and still nowhere close to the exit yet. Probably searching for a long time to come.

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