Shuraki Trinity. Aged Anime 2007 - 2008.

Shuraki Trinity was an original IP between Good Smile and Red Entertainment back in 2007.  While there wasn't an anime, like Black Rock Shooter, it was a interesting collaboration.  A few of the anime released this year included Afro Samurai, Clannad, Claymore, Idolmaster: Xenoglossia, Gurren Lagaan, Rocket Girls, Mobile Suit Gundam 00.  When I first saw this come up for pre-order, I knew I wanted this figure series as they looked really well crafted.  A number of leading artists contributed to this project, including Shunya Yamashita.  A series of five figures in total were released.  Apparently, the initial production runs were low so they became rare, but because there was a second production run,   people were still able to buy some of them used for reasonable prices even 4 or 5 years later.  

A drama CD and a small art booklet came in the box with each figure to make these fairly deluxe releases, and these figures sold between Y4500 to Y6500, making them remarkably good deals.  You can find unboxing videos on Youtube if you look.  The cost of figures has gone way up since these figures were released, and you must remember that the advantageous exchange rates to Japanese Yen made these 1/8 scale figures a really good value.

The drama CDs (in Japanese) told a story about each of the figures that were related to the other figures who were members of the Crimson Silk Princesses, so this was a fairly deluxe release.  An interesting anime OVA or a short series could have been made from this, but I'm not aware of anything out there.  So this isn't really an aged anime posting, but I thought it was interesting to show an original work being made in the late 2000s.

Shuraki Trinity Box 01 - Mishiro Akatsuki
This lady looks deadly with her twin blades despite the high school uniform, and was the first in the Shuraki Trinity series.  There were also parts to show a battle damaged version of her.  This figure based on an original concept illustration by Igarashi Aki (RED).  The drama CD included an original song "End of Destiny" for Mishiro by Elements Garden and it was sung by Ami Koshimizu, her voice actress. This figure was priced at Y4500.

Shuraki Trinity Box 02 - Ryu Meifen
Ryu Meifen is a kenpo martial arts master with her twin circular blades and she wears a Chinese Dress.  Parts are included to show a battle damaged version too.  This figure is based on the concept art by Satoshi Kiba and the Drama CD has the song "Precious Thing" sung by her voice actress Mayumi Iizuka.  This figure was priced at Y6500.

Shuraki Trinity Box 03 - Char Rhousemann
With her golden hair and rapier, this Char is ready for battle with a determined look on her face, She is a member of the Crimson Silk Princesses and her fine clothes are based on noble French dress.  She comes from a noble house and had a determined look on her face.  Battle damaged parts were included with this figure. Released in 2008 for Y6500.  The drama CD has her song "Blue Eyes" performed by Yukari Tamura, her voice actress.

Shuraki Trinity Box 04 - Needa Schuetlitch
This was the odd figure in the set of 5.  Needa wears a military type uniform with some type of big rifle with bayonet.  Apparently she always accomplishes her orders and is a cool headed sniper.  Apparently on her drama CD the story reaches some sort of climax in the story titled "Guardians of the Akasic Records."  This figure cost Y6500 and had damaged parts to swap in again.  Her voice actress Saeko Chiba sung her main theme "Anfang."  Her figure is based off concept art by the famous Shunya Yamashita.

Shuraki Trinity Box 05 - Rize or Rizephis Rutetiva Mendeau.
Rize a tough warrior who wields a halbert with the name "Pact Winds."  She was one of the more elaborate figures in this series with an elaborate renaissance era type dress that had pretty large skirt.  As an interesting side story to this figure, the skirt was pretty heavy for the figure and after years on display, it basically caused plastic fatigue that snapped off the plastic posts in the base.  When I tried to fix it by drilling out the posts stuck in the feet, I went a little too far and drilled through her left foot.  Fortunately I knew someone who would fix and paint so you can't tell that happened.  She stands again as I put short nails into the base to anchor her feet in the existing holes.  The figure is based on concept art by Takumi Yano.  The drama CD brought the story of the Crimson Sillk Princess to an end and contains the song "Clear Drops" sung by her voice actress Ryoko Shintani.

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