Free Model Contest #5 - Moekami's "Princess of the Crystal"

[Rubenandres77]

This build is for Toddlea's contest here:
Free Model Contest #5



The download:
Probably one of the finest kits by Moekami. It can be found as a free download here:
Moekami - download
The PDO files contain parts for the Princess, a display base, and three companion penguins.


The original kit:
You can find pictures of Moekami's protype here:
Princess of the Crystal
Since there is plenty of time, I hope to get my version as good as Moekami's build.


Background:
"Mawaru Penguindrum" is a Japanese 24-episodes animated series that aired in the year 2011.

It is one of those strange anime series that deals with fantasy, magic, and philosophical questions.

The main character is a girl called Himari, who dies, and is revived by the power of a penguin hat.
Once she's revived, it transpires that it is the "Princess of the Crystal" who possesses Himari's body
(through the penguin hat) and orders her brothers to obtain a certain item called "the Penguindrum"
in order to extend the girl's life.
The series rapidly develops secondary plots, and turns from a rather relaxed series into a dark and dense
family and social drama involving the relatives of the main characters.

More info at wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mawaru_Penguindrum


The kit I'm gong to build represents that Princess of the Crystal, in her royal form,
accompanied with her three penguins.

I don't usually build figurines, and I tend to stay away from PDO files.
But this is a good excuse to start something different.
And since the end result looks fine, I feel tempted to give it a try.


I printed the kit enlarged on double-letter size 115 gms cardstock.

Started with the first penguin:















So far so good.
It is a bit more complicated than I thought. But I guess I'm liking it.

Next will be the other penguins.

Thanks for reading

[SCEtoAUX]

"is revived by the power of a penguin hat." Man, I wish I could find some of those mushrooms the writers ate.

Good choice for a contest build.

[Rubenandres77]

Originally Posted by SCEtoAUX

"is revived by the power of a penguin hat." Man, I wish I could find some of those mushrooms the writers ate.

Good choice for a contest build.

Thanks I hope to finish it in time. Academic duties permitting.

Yeahh.. some plot devices in anime are just beyond any logic
(And this is one of the less-crazy animes I've seen in some time)

[Toddlea]

Very nice! Great start.

[Rubenandres77]

Second penguin is ready.

Assembly is not so difficult. But they have a lot of small cuts and folds.

I'm trying to use backing tabs as much as possible for a flush finish on the skin.
But for some small cuts it is easier and faster just to leave the original tabs.

In the end there isn't much noticeable difference in the small penguins.











Only one penguin left...
And I'm glad is just one. As I'm not sure I'd like to build more. It's becoming a bit tedious and repetitive.

Can't wait to finish that third bird, and start with the Princess herself.

[Rubenandres77]

The three penguins have been finished




Now to prepare the blade for the Princess.

[elliott]

Cute penguin trio Reuben.

[Rubenandres77]

Originally Posted by elliott

Cute penguin trio Reuben.

Thanks Elliott.
They're nice. But I'm glad I don't have to build anymore!



Now... finally a head!!
Not perfect. But at least I managed to finish it decently.



Next will be the hair and the magical hat.

[Rubenandres77]

The head has been completed

[KCinKC46]

Looking good, so far.