Kit Review

Straight build

Size comparison with a cigarette pack

Muv-Luv Shiranui Second : Demonstrator Color (1/7)

Muv-Luv Shiranui Second : Demonstrator Color (2/7)

Muv-Luv Shiranui Second : Demonstrator Color (3/7)

Muv-Luv Shiranui Second : Demonstrator Color (4/7)

Muv-Luv Shiranui Second : Demonstrator Color (5/7)

Muv-Luv Shiranui Second : Demonstrator Color (6/7)

Muv-Luv Shiranui Second : Demonstrator Color (7/7)

Upper body

Unique skirt

Head

Muv-Luv Shiranui Second : Demonstrator Color - Back and binder section. The parts are almost identical to Takemikazuchi, so t

Back and binder section.
The parts are almost identical to Takemikazuchi, so the shape is very similar too.

Back view with accessories removed

Arms and rear shoulder section.

Legs

Muv-Luv Shiranui Second : Demonstrator Color - Color separation is well done, right down to the yellow parts on the elbow, kn

Color separation is well done, right down to the yellow parts on the elbow, knee, and ankle joints.

Feet section

Plenty of weapons.
Pretty much the same as Takemikazuchi, but..

The difference is the swappable forearm dagger storage compartment included.

Leftover parts

First-release limited stand

Articulation is similar to Takemikazuchi, or maybe just a tiny bit better.

The entire skirt has a unique structure that lifts upward as a whole.

Forward and backward range of motion for the shoulders

Muv-Luv Shiranui Second : Demonstrator Color - The rear shoulder armor features a gimmick that slides outward to allow smooth

The rear shoulder armor features a gimmick that slides outward to allow smooth attachment of weapons.

The knee parts separate and move in tandem.

The duct cover at the tip of the shoulder is articulated.

Muv-Luv Shiranui Second : Demonstrator Color - Knife action (1/4)

Muv-Luv Shiranui Second : Demonstrator Color - Knife action (2/4)

Knife action

Muv-Luv Shiranui Second : Demonstrator Color - Great sword pose (1/5)

Muv-Luv Shiranui Second : Demonstrator Color - Great sword pose (2/5)

Muv-Luv Shiranui Second : Demonstrator Color - Great sword pose (3/5)

Great sword pose

Muv-Luv Shiranui Second : Demonstrator Color - Firing pose (1/4)

Muv-Luv Shiranui Second : Demonstrator Color - Firing pose (2/4)

Firing pose

Muv-Luv Shiranui Second : Demonstrator Color - Double shot action! (1/6)

Muv-Luv Shiranui Second : Demonstrator Color - Double shot action! (2/6)

Muv-Luv Shiranui Second : Demonstrator Color - Double shot action! (3/6)

Muv-Luv Shiranui Second : Demonstrator Color - Double shot action! (4/6)

Double shot action!

Muv-Luv Shiranui Second : Demonstrator Color - Together with Takemikazuchi. Aside from the binders and weapons, the body is a

Together with Takemikazuchi.
Aside from the binders and weapons, the body is a completely new kit.

Muv-Luv series collection

This is the third kit in the Muv-Luv series, which has been rolling out at a surprisingly rapid pace — the Shiranui Second : Demonstrator Color has arrived. Aside from the hip binders and the weapon mounts on the back, the body is a completely new design, and the color separation here is even more elaborate than the previous release, Takemikazuchi.

Compared to the rather drab color scheme of Takemikazuchi, this one goes for a bold combination of black, white, red, and yellow primaries, giving it a much more vivid and striking look than its predecessors. True to Kotobukiya form, it looks great even as a straight build, the articulation is decent, and the weapon options are plentiful so you can strike all kinds of poses. On top of that, the first-release limited edition comes with a Kotobukiya stand included, making it even more fun to play around with.

For the yellow parts on the body, both clear parts and standard molded parts are included, so you can choose one or mix them together as guided by the manual. Being a reviewer (sort of?), I followed the manual faithfully — but the backing colors behind the yellow clear parts are so dark that the clear parts barely show up. ㅡ_ㅡ If you want to enjoy the fine color combinations, I'd honestly suggest just going with the regular plastic molded parts instead.

All in all, measured against Kotobukiya's philosophy of "pursuing vibrant color and sculpt quality even in a straight build," this one delivers at a very high level. The color contrast is sharp, the primary colors pop, and the intricate color separation more than makes up for the assembly effort. The overall style is also more refined than Takemikazuchi, so it just looks really good.

That said, much like Takemikazuchi, this kit feels pretty unstable in terms of joint strength. The binders popping off easily is practically a tradition at this point (?), but the waist and ankles aren't sturdy enough either, making it hard to get it standing in a solid pose. The upper body is heavy while the lower half feels weak — you're always a little worried it might topple forward or backward. Takemikazuchi at least had wide toe parts front and back to help it stay upright, but Shiranui has small, ordinary feet, so it's the kind of kit you really need to lean against something or it just won't stay put. T_T Thankfully the first-release limited edition comes with a stand, so for the sake of your sanity, just put it on the stand.

I get it — the focus on sculpt and proportions naturally leads to this — but either way, following Takemikazuchi, this is another kit where you need to think carefully about the "stability" aspect. That said, if you're looking to display it in a dynamic, flashy pose up on a stand after a straight build, it could be a pretty solid choice. :-)

Muv-Luv Shiranui Second : Demonstrator Color | 2011.3 | ¥4,800

AIThis page was translated by Claude Sonnet.