Ikki Tousen is a staple source for anime figure manufacturers, and with the manga still ongoing and its fourth television series currently being aired, it can be expected that they will continue chucking them out. For years, fans of busty kung fu girls with exploding clothes have been fed a steady diet of Kanu Unchou, Hakufu Sonsaku, and Ryomou Shimei, with Orchid Seed being the latest to exhibit a figure of the latter. Now I’ve got no problem with that, being that I lived off of chicken nuggets and hot dogs back in school, day in and day out. However, even one with a diet as poor as I hungers for something different every now and then. Sometimes, a man wants steak tartare. And with that admittedly discursive and not entirely relevant introduction out of the way, we have here a figure of Kakouen Myousai, the humorless, dress-wearing enforcer of Kyosho High.
Kakouen comes courtesy of Alter and is sculpted in 1/8 scale. Alter released their version of Ryomou Shimei on the same day as Kakouen, as well as re-releasing figures of Kanu Unchou and Chouun Shiryuu. Myousai is a bit under 19 centimeters tall and comes with a plastic oval base. Her foot pegs are a bit atypical, connecting to the base in two places, and this is the only figure I have where I had to lay the figure down on my desk and slide the base onto her foot rather than the other way around. She also comes with a metal rod to support her right leg; I didn’t include it in my photos but as she can wobble a bit while supported on one leg, I think it’d be a good idea to use it in the long term.
In the manga – Battle Vixens in the United States – we are first introduced to Kakouen Myousai when she engages in a moonlit battle with Ryofu Housen. She uses a small projectile attached to a wire as her main weapon, and we are told that she is an A-rank toushi. At least, I think I remember reading that. It’s been a while.
It is highly likely the translator was taking liberties here.
We see Kakouen again much, much later when she goes after Ryubi Gentoku. She is on the verge of delivering a painful experience upon her target when she is interrupted by Chouhi, whom she smacks down with brutal and clinical viciousness, but not before Chouhi gives a reasonable account of herself in return. We are then introduced to Chouun Shiryuu, who arrives and offers clemency to the injured Kakouen, who in turn declines the offer and suffers further punishment at the hands of Seito’s student body. In this scene, we learn that Chouun enjoys sitting on top of operating drying machines. It’s entirely possible that the translator was taking additional liberties with the original Japanese text.
We also learn of the source of Kakouen’s devotion to Moutoku. We are shown a flashback of her as a rifle-packing child-soldier on a battlefield, underpants and trousers at half-mast. We are then given the incongruous sight of Moutoku showing up as if out of thin air and whisking her away, presumably to become his bodyguard. This origin raises the possibility that Kakouen is the only character in Ikki Tousen not to be Japanese, as I am unaware of any conflict in recent history in which Japanese children served as armed combatants. Then again, I can’t remember the last time a centuries-dead warrior was resurrected as a hot, huge-breasted schoolgirl, so perhaps I’m reading more into this than I should be.
Kakouen suffers additional serious injury at the conclusion of the battle, as if she hadn’t been beaten up enough already. To my recollection that is the last time we see her in the manga, and it appears that Kyocho – the hulking, kind, borderline-autistic volleyball player – has replaced her as Moutoku’s main heavy. Hopefully we haven’t seen the last of Myousai, as characters in this series have a tendency to come and go.
Kakouen Myousai is depicted here in a martial arts pose, supported by one leg and getting ready to do something with the other. To be honest, I’m not sure what she’s doing; it seems like a dangerous way to jump and while I have minimal martial arts experience myself, this seems like an odd way to chamber a kick. Regardless, I think we can agree that she looks awesome, and that’s really the most important thing here.
While she has perhaps the most unique clothing of any of the Ikki Tousen characters, she’s not particularly colorful, with lots of black and white, which highlights her blue eyes and red gloves. Her dress has a pearlescent sheen which looks absolutely beautiful. Appropriate shading is visible on her boots, and numerous wrinkles on her clothing add to its realism while showing off her body.
As good as her body looks, I think her face is my favorite part of this figure. She’s got an angry, no-nonsense look which perfectly matches her icy personality. I especially like the way her mouth is sculpted; it’s normally an afterthought on most anime figures, but here it conveys anger and determination.
Out of Alter’s four Ikki Tousen figures, Kakouen’s the only one in an action pose, and I think it’s my favorite out of the quartet. I was highly anticipating this figure, and Alter doesn’t disappoint, putting out a very dynamic and impressive sculpt that’s perhaps my favorite figure of the year thus far. I’m hoping mightily that Alter doesn’t stop the lineup here.
As usual a review is up at foo-bar-baz. I’m not aware of any other English-language reviews at this time.
Ikki Tousen Xtreme Xecutor is the franchise’s fourth anime series and introduces a new girl named Bachou Mouki. The first time we see Mouki is actually at the end of the first volume of Battle Vixens, where we see an early form of the Ikki Tousen manga in which Mouki was meant to be the main character. She’s basically Hakufu by another name, and we also see that Ryofu Housen was originally an ugly, horny dude, which is really strange. The new version of Mouki is, like Hakufu, a bit ditzy, but is still an interesting character that stands out among the franchise’s huge cast.
The new girl is pretty cool, but one thing I really like about her is her kicks: she’s rocking hot pink Chuck Taylors. You can’t hate on a girl in hot pink Chucks.
Clicky to make the censoring go away.
I’m still hoping that one of these days, we get some decent figures of Bashoku Youjou and Roshuku Shikei. Roshuku actually shows up quite a bit in the manga, where we learn that she has an impressive drinking capacity. I’ve got this thing for girls in bandages, and while we never learn why Roshuku is swathed in such, she still looks quite hot.
Here’s Bashoku, who is a selectable character in the upcoming PSP game Xross Impact. The game’s website has bust measurements for many of the characters and it’s sort of surprising to learn that Ryomou is more modestly endowed than many of the other girls in the series.
And now back to pictures of Kakouen.
Interesting figure…Not quite sure what to think of her…Outfit is nice at least!
Tried watching the new season but gave up midway through the second episode…First episode wasn’t too bad really, but once they started throwing Kanu and her gang in I just spaced out and gave up…Something about her I just really can’t stand.
Maybe pick it up again later if I hear that they’ll focus more on other people beside her… >_>
Hey, She looks, great!!
love the pose, i didnt know they released a figure of her.
Hey, a figure I can still afford! LOL.
I got the Kanu and Choun..still thinking on this one.
Maybe I go the full quartet then..
>> Ashlotte
I shall think for you then and declare that she looks great. No need to thank me, I am always happy to help out! XD
Yeah, I find myself not liking anime Kanu as much. She’s more of a warrior monk in the manga whereas they’re playing her up for comic relief in the anime and I don’t really like that. I’ve never really liked Ryubi or Chouhi much in either format so the focus on the Seito students doesn’t help.
Would be nice if they spent more time with the three characters I mentioned here and maybe some of the other characters like Ten’i, Shigi (though Wikipedia says he’s still KO’ed in the anime? Dunno fur sure) … actually, you know who I’d like to see? I’d like to see Houtou Shigen. She makes quite the introduction in the manga, although admittedly she doesn’t provide much more than a few pages of eye candy.
>> Fabrice
I really love Alter’s action girl poses. Kinda weird how their other Ikkitousen girls are just standing around or crouching.
>> DaSaru
I missed out on Chouun … I picked up Ryomou and Kanu a few days ago more on impulse than anything. Though they look pretty good so I’m pretty pleased that I tossed my financial inhibitions out the window for them.
very good pics I really like your lighting setting
Why has she a hole in both feet, do they both fit in the base holder,so that you can change the pose?
Great action pose on the figure – but I’m not really into Ikki Tousen, only have two figures from that series cuz they were on sale. LOL I like the character backgrounds that they’re loosely based upon though.
Kakouen’s dress reminds me of a Vietnamese dress, maybe that makes sense given the child fighter background?
Great lighting on the red and black, really fits with this figure!
>> Fabienne
Yeah, there’s a metal bar that connects her right foot to the base. It’s kinda ugly so I didn’t use it for my pictures but not using it does leave a big gaping hole in the bottom of her foot. You can see what it looks like over at Hobby Search. I did install it after I got done with the pictures since I’ve been having some problems with leaning figures recently; Wind Goddess Rafale is leaning at something like 30 degrees right now and I’m amazed her ankles haven’t snapped, and big huge 1/4 scale gangsta lean Saber is also having some leaning problems.
>> VF
I’ve got a bunch of Kanus but not too many other characters … now that I think about it, I think I only have one Ryofu, two Ryomous, and one Kakouen, with no Hakufus or Chouuns. I haven’t seen much of the anime; I’ve seen Dragon Destiny and the first few episodes of Great Guardians, but the latter seemed kinda slapstick and I dunno how much I want to finish it (there’s a pretty good Hakufu vs. Kakouen fight in there, though). I’ve read all of Battle Vixens thus far, though; it’s actually the only manga series that I follow.
Yeah, I kinda thought that she might be from southeast Asia; the scene in the manga shows her in a jungle, so Vietnam or Burma or somesuch seems right. Plus her face looks a little bit different than a lot of the other (presumably Japanese) characters in the series, many of whom are virtually indistinguishable from each other in the manga (I thought Roshuku was a bandaged-up Kanu at first, and there are a number of minor characters that resemble Hakufu due to similar hairstyles and colors). Her eyes seem a bit more wideset and her eyebrows look a bit more prominent.
I’m not too familiar with Romance of the Three Kingdoms other than that I really wanted the video game back on 8-bit Nintendo. I seem to recall that it was always more expensive than other games at that time so I never got it.
She is definitely great, especially from Alter. I like her pose. I think most of the places are sold out already.
I’m liking this figure the more I look at her. HLJ still has her in stock; I’m gonna guess that she’s not going to be that popular, since she’s lacking twintails, headphones, a musical instrument, glasses, a schoolgirl uniform, and so on.
I’ve still never seen a single episode of Ikki Tousen. I’m reading this trying to match the characters with the Koihime Musou counterparts, but it doesn’t seem to be making any sense.
Some of the Ikki Tousen figures look really nice, and there is so many to choose from. Kakouen looks particularly nice in that tight dress.
Also congrats on getting featured on the E2046 homepage.
Great figure and great pics! Love the red light effect!
I’ve already said it before, but I love the action pose! I also said to watch out for her right foot. But it’s almost like she’s about to do some kind of mid-air spin move, so perhaps it’s really the left foot you should keep your eye on! Regardless, she’d look pretty good next to the rest of the Alter Ikki Tousen line-up – especially Kanu. That metal rod for her right foot does kind of ruin the aesthetics of the figure tho…
Wish I could’ve copped her but my pre-orders are starting to catch up with me… The way things are going, I’ll probably have 6 figures to pay for before the month is over. I hope at least 2 of those get pushed back a month to stop me from being totally wiped out. Oh well, if that’s the price I have pay for collecting fine art, I’ll pay it. Not gladly pay it, but still…
I haven’t had leaning problems with any of my figures… On the other hand, my Shunya Arisa figure looks like she’s taking a cue from Fat Joe and starting to “Lean Back”. It’s also getting harder and harder to keep her guitar in her hand… Perhaps it’s time to box her back up and make room for Elf. 🙂 What REALLY surprises me is that my Shunya Non-Non figure isn’t leaning, being as tho she’s only standing on one leg and whatnot… But then again, maybe I’m not looking hard enough.
https://www.tentaclearmada.com/images/figures/kakouen_myousai/kakouen-myousai-04.jpg
That is a lovely full-moon, to be sure. =D
I love it when I come across shots like these from figures I didn’t expect to be extremely revealing. Sure, I expected a lot of leg from her, but not the entire drumstick. Mmmmm drumstick.
>> BioToxic
Yeah, I was similarly confused while going the other way. I saw a picture of Sousou and I was like, “She’s a little loli girl in Koihime Musou?” He’s a shaggy-haired dude prone to going into uncontrollable fits of murderous rage in Ikki Tousen.
Some people would say there’s too many figures to choose frem XD I’d actually be inclined to agree unless they look at some of the other characters for inspiration.
It was kinda funny when I loaded up E2046’s page a couple days ago and I was like, “Hey, that figure picture looks sorta like the one I took.”
>> MONOLITHIC
I forgot to mention in the writeup how her hair is whipping one way while it seems like her legs are going the other … it gives a lot of energy to the way she looks. I’ve got Kanu still in the box here since it’s annoying when my figures get dusty before I photograph them … I’m going to have to remember to take a group shot since I don’t usually take those sorts of pictures.
I’ve got a ton of stuff scheduled for this month too … I’m actually hoping that most or all of it gets released on time since I doubt Amiami will run their shipping discount into May. Gift’s Senhime already got pushed back though and I’m sure a lot of other figures I’ve got on order are going to get bumped as well. As you say though, fine art is worth it XD
Ah, that’s unfortunate about Arisa. Mine seems to still be in decent shape, as does Non-non. I need to take a picture of Wind Goddess Rafale though; I don’t have a protractor around but I think she’s leaning at least 15 to 20 degrees to her left. I’m amazed her ankles haven’t snapped off yet.
Man, Fat Joe, that takes me back to when I was a kid reading The Source and I saw an ad for Represent. I gotta get some new music, I’ve been listening to old Dr. Dre songs and, uhh, Castlevania soundtracks recently.
>> Chag
I was pretty surprised how nice (and exposed) her backside was, too, since none of the promo shots showed that. It sorta reminds me of the promo shots for Seena Kanon, where Amiami had something like twenty photographs of her and none of them showed a pantyshot, even though she has one of the shortest skirts imaginable and her legs are spread.
I suddenly have this desire to go to Popeye’s now. Not sure why.
I have a few questions.
Im going to get a new figure soon and cannot decide which one I should get. This one have been a favorite for a while for me. Is it worth to get it? Should I be worried about the figure lean, or is it safe? It really is a very nice figure so I actully really want it but has to be sure.
With best regards /Rosef
I think it’s worth it; she looks great and if you install the metal pylon, she should be okay as far as leaning goes. Here’s a picture of the metal bar at Hobby Search. I’ve had a couple of Alter figures that have had leaning problems but both are really old ones; I haven’t had any problems with their newer ones.
not to keep repeating myself but really love what you’re doing with light ^^ is that a red light or just some sorta filter over a white light?
really loved how this figure came out but again didn’t get her for lack of investment in her character ^^; though i’ve “read” 10 volumes of ikkitousen… i should’ve looked up a lot more kanji (read: i have no idea what’s going on) ^^;;
pose, outfit, face, hair… love it all! good ‘ol alter ^^ wish i could say the same about their kan’u. actually passed on her ‘cuz i just felt like she lacked something…
Thanks! Yeah, it’s a flash with a red gel taped in front firing from behind her, and an old reliable desk lamp shining on her right side. I have no idea why a piece of colored cellophane is called a “gel,” by the way. When I think of gel, I think of something like toothpaste or hair mousse or Daiki Gel, not a sheet of plastic. I’ve got the feeling it’s a way to jack up the price of photography equipment.
I wish she’d get more face time in Ikki Tousen, there aren’t really enough antagonists in the series … it seems like the good guys spend a lot of time beating faceless, nameless nobodies. I’ve got all the manga volumes but I think I’m probably not getting a great sense of the story, since it seems the translators are being very flexible with how they interpret it.
I’ve still got Kanu in her box here … don’t really have any great ideas for how to photograph her still so I think I’m going to wait until Elwing and Psylocke get here to think about it.
If I am not entirely mistaken theres also a Fight were Gakushu has a bout with Kakoen Myousai after the Ryubi incident or was that before?
Gah…I always have to re-read all Dragon Girls ( Ikki Tousens name in Germany ) volumes to be in the picture when a new volume is released.
As far as I am concerend I always thought that Kakoen was a child soldier in one of the neighbouring asian countries but I still wonder what Soso was actually doing in a war zone.
I cant wait to get my Alter Ikki Tousen Package with Kakoen,Ryomou,Choun and Kanu later this month.Was quite expensive but who would have thought that all of them would be delayed into the same release date.
Id like to see some of the other girls aswell but maybe theres some hope since the Anime introduces atleast some of the side characters.
Hmm, that sounds vaguely familiar … it’s been a while since I’ve read the books so I’ll have to go back through and check.
Yeah, I thought it was kinda funny that they all dropped within a few days of each other. I guess it worked out okay for me since Amiami extended their free shipping deal into April. I’m looking forward to seeing your pictures! I know a lot of people probably don’t really want to see more Ikki Tousen stuff but I like Ikki Tousen and I’m not ashamed to say that.
I have made my order of the figure now from e2046. I paid 96 dollars including with shipping. It was the last one in stock they had, hope to get it next week =)
A good purchase, I’m really happy with this figure. Hope you get it soon if you haven’t gotten it already!