Vivi for BB Again!
The review of yet another random BB figure—it’s starting to feel like MegaHouse is selecting characters without much thought. This time, it’s Princess Nefertari Vivi’s second entry into the BB series, a figure that, while visually appealing, doesn’t bring much excitement. I love it, yet I’m not happy with it.
The BB Line Fatigue
The BB line had potential to be a strong addition to the Portrait of Pirates series if it had been handled with more restraint. The first Bikini Girls—Nami and Boa—were well-received because they felt like limited, special releases. Even with three color variants, they remained manageable and unique within the lineup. But as MegaHouse continues to overuse this formula, it’s clear that they are diminishing the impact of these figures. Rather than exploring new and exciting character designs, such as Vivi’s time-skip version, they have opted for yet another predictable and uninspired BB release.
Aesthetic Appeal vs. Character Authenticity
This figure presents Vivi in a delicate pink bikini with ruffled accents, giving her a playful, almost flirtatious look. The soft pastel tones complement her signature deep blue hair, which is sculpted with smooth flowing strands that add a sense of movement. The gradient shading in her hair enhances the depth, giving it a silky, lifelike quality.
Her facial expression is notably different from other Vivi figures—her slightly narrowed eyes and subtle smirk give her a more suggestive and confident appearance. While the paintwork on her face is clean and well-executed, this expression doesn’t quite capture the warmth and regal presence that fans associate with Vivi. Instead, it leans into the BB series’ focus on sensuality, which may not appeal to all collectors.
The Overemphasis on Fan Service
The pose is highly stylized, with Vivi sitting in a curled, kneeling position that accentuates her curves. Her bikini top is barely covering her exaggerated bust, and the loose ruffled trim adds an extra layer of visual softness. The thin, ribbon-tied bikini bottoms further emphasize the fan-service aspect of the design, drawing attention to her hips and thighs. While the paint application is smooth, and the sculpting is undeniably well done, this figure feels less like an authentic representation of Vivi and more like a generic bikini model with blue hair.
Quality vs. Integrity
From a sculpting and paintwork perspective, the figure is well-executed, with attention to detail in the hair, shading, and fabric textures. However, the design choices make it difficult to see this as the true Vivi we know from One Piece. Instead of celebrating her strength, intelligence, and elegance, this figure focuses entirely on fan service, exaggerating proportions and emphasizing sex appeal over character authenticity.
Conclusion: A Missed Opportunity
At this point, the BB series is starting to feel stale—it’s just the same formula applied to different characters, rather than creating meaningful, well-thought-out figures. I personally like the figure for what it is, but I don’t agree with the direction MegaHouse has taken. I’ll review it, but I won’t own it.
💫 Figure quality: | 8 |
👺 Devotion to the Character: | 5 |
👑 Gadgets and alternative pieces (if needed): | 5 |
💸 Price: | 7 |
💓 Figure Importance in Your Collection: | 2 |
🎯 TOTAL: | 5.4 |