Toy Review: ‘Kotobukiya Cammy Street Fighter Bishoujo’ exudes strength and beauty

Kotobukiya’s “Bishoujo” series is a steadily evolving success story. With Shunya Yamashita’s sultry art style laying the groundwork for its statues, the line has brought the lovely ladies of some of geekdom’s most acclaimed properties into the third dimension.

 

We’ve gotten everything from Marvels’ Psylocke to gender-bent versions of horror icons Freddie Krueger and Jason Voorhees.  Video game fans got to enjoy “Mass Effect” and “Tekken” releases, but it was only in early 2014 that we finally got the first lady of fighting games – Chun-Li of “Street Fighter II.”

 

Of course a “Street Fighter” lineup isn’t complete without the second most important woman world warrior, Cammy. The leotard-wearing secret agent made her debut in 1993’s “Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers”, and has since exploded in popularity to rival even that of Chun-Li’s. It’s therefore no surprise that Kotobukiya chose the British brawler as the next to receive the “Bishoujo” treatment.

 

Sculpt: Rock-hard beauty

 

Cammy has always been an interesting sort of gal. Her design obviously pegs her as a femme fatale: her portrayal as a woman who wouldn’t think twice about kicking a man in the nuts should he look at her the wrong way makes her one of the most badass females in video games. While Yamashita was clearly going for the former with his illustration, sculptor Takaboku Busujima’s final product exudes a strong dose of the latter. Sure, those muscular thighs are pretty – but they they’re also for crushing skulls with!

 

Simply put, this chick is ripped, and it definitely helps that the work on the musculature is exceptional. Her abs are rock-hard, her back taut, and her arms and shoulders just rippling with power – which makes sense, given Cammy is posed in mid-strike. I’d hate to see the unfortunate soul on the receiving end of that backhand.

 

The legs are just as gorgeous, the thighs bulging with tension. And of course, you can’t have a discussion about Cammy without mentioning her famous posterior. Those bulbous buttocks are clenched so tight they can crack walnuts.

 

But “Bishoujo” Cammy is more than just a specimen of anatomical perfection. Her iconic Delta Red attire is just as magnificent, brimming with sharp details including the wrinkles on her leotard, the laces on her boots, and the grooves in her gauntlets.

 

Her face doesn’t mirror Yamashita’s art perfectly – her expression is saucier, and her skull leaner – but it’s still incredibly beautiful. Her head is slightly bowed, so you won’t see much of her face unless she’s displayed on an upper shelf. Lastly, the braids on those pigtails feature some intricate sculpting, and the fact that they’re posed as if whipping in the wind brings another level of energy to the figure.

 

Cammy stands over an impressive eight inches tall.

 

Paint: Accentuating the curves

 

As with most “Bishoujo” figures, the paintjob on Cammy is extremely clean. My figure has absolutely no bleeding or smudging. The colors are never flat; gradients and the application of a nice, shadowy wash accentuate the sculpture’s curves and grooves, causing those muscle and costume details to really pop out. There are also some surprising smaller details, such as the pink fingernails, and her glossy lipstick.

 

The gauntlets have a nice, metallic gleam, distinguishing them from Cammy’s flesh, leotard, and boots, which have a matte finish. Similarly, her beret is also slightly shinier than the rest of her uniform.

 

And while military strategists everywhere are still questioning the tactical advantage of painting camouflage patterns on bare legs, they do complete the look that helped seal Cammy’s place in our hearts as the ultimate butt-kicking British operative.

 

 

Accessories: A loose fit

 

Being a non-poseable statue, “Bishoujo” Cammy doesn’t really have any accessories per se, but she does come with a base.

 

The base is oval to accommodate Cammy’s wide-legged stance. It has two slots which go into the holes in her feet, allowing her to stand upright. They don’t provide a tight fit, however, so if you want to pick Cammy up, make sure to support both the figure and the base, lest the latter fall off.

 

She also comes with two transparent film strips, each one featuring different artwork. You can insert either one into the base, so you can make Cammy stand over the “Street Fighter” logo, or have the Yamashita illustration of Cammy staring up at her plastic rendition’s crotch.

 

 

Mission accomplished

 

Some will say Cammy’s enduring appeal lies solely in her over-the-top sexiness. I’d like to believe it’s much more than that. Fellow alumna Chun-Li may describe herself as the strongest woman in the world, but Cammy is perfectly capable of standing toe-to-toe with the mightiest – a list that includes a bear-wrestling man-mountain, fireball-spewing clones, and a dictator that can turn himself into a purple whirlwind of death. She’s got the stones, not to mention a physique that can pulverize rocks.

 

Kotobukiya’s “Cammy Street Fighter Bishoujo” is a testament to all these qualities. Both sculpt and paint exemplify the combination of beauty and strength, while the dynamic pose captures the sheer excitement of hand-to-hand combat. So if you’re looking for a great representation of this beloved character, make sure to place this figure high on your list – because in the realm of PVC statuettes, “Bishoujo” Cammy is a clear winner. — TJD, GMA News