SNK & LiNEAR Studio KOF 97 Athena Asamiya 1/4

[ivory7777]

guessing preorder been sold out for this? can't seem to find it any where

[MisterJ]

Originally Posted by ivory7777

guessing preorder been sold out for this? can't seem to find it any where

https://www.sideshow.com/collectible...-studio-909377

[eternalblue02]

Hey gang finally got this piece yesterday through Avolounge which were top notch. DHL shipping was my only option. I paid around $550 and another $130 for duty tax. Expect this going forward whether it's P1, or "insert" Asia store when using DHL. You don't have to like it, but it is what it is unfortunately. I forgot I had this on a payment plan till last week when they sent a payment complete message. I haven't been buying much lately so I said why not.

Statue comes in a brown shipper, color box, dual layer clamshell, purple velcro straps and has some of the best packing I have ever seen on a statue. Everything is double wrapped, taped down and has a ton of foam to prevent damage. Very impressed and I really like that the velcro is purple instead of the same old black.

I'm going to get the elephant in the room out of the way first. The base has become a running gag here on SF and I'm happy to tell you they went all in at a whopping thirty pieces to assemble. Athena has five and the base has twenty-five. If you're a diehard Athena fan or like the spectacle this piece brings, I urge you to pick it up. It's got a unique feel to it. Lots of reds and purples that make it really stand out in a room. If you think the base is too much, I'm not going to change your mind. The reasoning behind all the clutter is to support the Dragon. The Dragon has strong magnets and chunky keys. Without the supports there are noticeable seams due to the weight. The bamboo acts as a counterweight and the seams go away. This piece is built from the ground up with each piece offering support for the next. I don't see this having leaning issues in the future, but the extra clutter is a byproduct for the design itself. There were only two choices here, purple base with Athena or go grandiose. The instructions are just like P1. Unfortunately, it took me an hour and a half to assemble because the steps pictures were too small, and I couldn't figure out what the bamboo was for at the time.

I'm not huge on Athena, I like her 95-2000 era. When SNK went bankrupt and lost a lot of their artists I feel her outfits and design took a hit the last 20 years up until KOF 15. Linear did a great job representing this time period and outfit. The paint job is fantastic, and she fits in a Besta. I was concerned with the promo pictures that she would get lost with all the stuff going on but I'm happy to say she pops, and her reds don't interfere with everything else on the base. The dragon is more orange red. I walk in my eyes focus on her then everything around her as it should.

[eternalblue02]

Part 2:

[ivory7777]

it is a good looking piece, and congrat.

[KLSADAKO]

Yes Congrats.. I also thought the BG base was a bit much but still PO as I like the Athena character design and with 97 possibly being my fave fighting game ever..
Just curious the Base has 25 pieces, but can it be displayed securely without some of the pieces.. what I'm getting at is, can it be displayed without the Dragon?
I would much rather display her performing her Shining Crystal Bit DM without the Chinese New Year add ons..

[eternalblue02]

Originally Posted by ivory7777

it is a good looking piece, and congrat.

Thanks. Definitely a looker because of the color choices. There's still one available at BBTS to answer your question from 2021.

Originally Posted by KLSADAKO

Just curious the Base has 25 pieces, but can it be displayed securely without some of the pieces... what I'm getting at is, can it be displayed without the Dragon?
I would much rather display her performing her Shining Crystal Bit DM without the Chinese New Year add ons..

Unfortunately, you need the dragon to display the crystal closest to the lantern because it keys into its body. The one on her left keys into the base. The best way I can describe assembling this piece is like playing a game of Jenga. As you build it from the bottom on up those pieces support the ones higher up as you go.

Use my pictures when you assemble yours, I purposely took pictures of the bamboo supports and their placement. Any questions when you get her just send me a PM.

[KLSADAKO]

Originally Posted by eternalblue02

Unfortunately, you need the dragon to display the crystal closest to the lantern because it keys into its body. The one on her left keys into the base. The best way I can describe assembling this piece is like playing a game of Jenga. As you build it from the bottom on up those pieces support the ones higher up as you go.

Use my pictures when you assemble yours, I purposely took pictures of the bamboo supports and their placement. Any questions when you get her just send me a PM.

Cheers man ^^

[Westhelle]

Such a good statue. I envy you for owning this piece. Had to cancel my pre-order due to financial hits this year, but I will definitely catch up on this piece.

[eternalblue02]

Originally Posted by Westhelle

Such a good statue. I envy you for owning this piece. Had to cancel my pre-order due to financial hits this year, but I will definitely catch up on this piece.

Shes definitely worth it. Now that I?ve had her for a few days, I really appreciate her color palette. She stands out from everything else I have.