If you enjoy collecting anime-themed figures, then you know you generally have to choose between budget and quality. That’s why you’ve only seen two reviews from me so far: one for Rory Mercury by Kotobukiya (you can buy it from Amazon here) and one for Kiss Shot Acerola Orion Heart Under Blade from Good Smiles Company (which you can buy here from Amazon). Both of these feature beautiful details and solid quality, but for a relatively high price.
I have to buy food for my family, after all! And there’s no money tree growing in my back yard!
Anime News Network recently reported that Wagnaria/Working! is going to get a fourth season. That reminded me that you don’t always have to drop a bundle to get a good collectable. Consider Mahiru Inami by Sega (which you can purchase here from Amazon). It’s a figure I bought almost a year ago, and it’s still available and worth a look!
If you’ve watched Wagnaria, you know that the series follows Souta Takanashi as he starts working at the restaurant Wagnaria. During his first day, he is nearing the end of his shift, and he thinks he might be fitting in. He’s feeling pretty good about himself. That’s when he meets Mahiru Inami in the staff room.
Before he can even utter a greeting, she slugs him. No, she hits him so hard she puts him on the ground.
The floor chief, Yachiyo Todoroki, hears the commotion. Rushing to the staff room, she tries to give Takanashi some context for what just happened when she introduces Inami as “the androphobic Inami Mahiru-chan.” This scene begins one of the series’ defining arcs. If you haven’t watched Wagnaria, then you owe it to yourself to give it a try. It’s still available at Crunchyroll. It’s not only quietly hilarious, it has some genuinely moving emotional moments. Some of the best involve Inami!
Despite the figure’s relatively low price (less than $30.00 at Amazon at the time I wrote the article), the character’s a great likeness and has some interesting details. Her uniform exactly matches what was on screen, down to the black bow-tie you can see in the illustrations. Her hair might have been a little more orange in the show, but the figure’s hair is the right length and looks smashing on her. Not only that, Sega’s figure captures the spirit of the original character. She’s shy and unsure of herself, which are traits completely at odds with her amazing strength (which the series does explain — and in a way that’s funny and tragic at the same time). She’s holding one of the restaurant’s menus. She’s also blushing slightly.
I liked the original three seasons a lot. So much, in fact, that I’m finding it hard to get enthusiastic about the new crew! I’m sure I’ll be happy with the show after I watch the fourth season’s first episode. After all, the creative staff is back, and they haven’t failed me yet! Until then, I’ll be able to enjoy the first three seasons at Crunchyroll and Inami’s figure will also occupy a place of honor in my collection despite her humble price.
Did you enjoy watching Wagnaria? What did you think of the explanation for Inami’s strength?
