Fate T. Harlaown from Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS (Volks Version)


Volks Fate T. Harlaown from Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS Figure Review

Sometimes I buy things for the most gossamer of reasons. Example: one day, I loaded up Tsuki-board and the random header generator rolled up this picture. I thought to myself, “Fate has a nice ass.” Then I looked again and thought to myself, “Fate has a nice rack.” And really, do I need any more reasons to buy a figure? So I hit up eBay, type in the magic words, get one listing back from a seller in Japan with a buyout price. I log in, click the buyout button, bam, package gets mailed the next day, bam, mailman drops her off a couple days later, bam, done. Isn’t the internet awesome?

Volks Fate T. Harlaown from Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS Figure Review

This version of Fate is from the anime Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS and there’s no point to me writing up a bio since almost everybody on the planet knows who she is and being that I haven’t watched any of the series, I do not. If Fate isn’t quite up there in the pantheon with Rei and Miku and Yoko, she’s dang close, and the only reason she might not be as exalted is because she technically takes second billing to the show’s titular character.

Volks Fate T. Harlaown from Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS Figure Review

This version of Fate is manufactured by Volks as part of their Moekore lineup. Ostensibly sculpted in 1/7 scale, she’s about 21 centimeters tall to the top of her head, which puts her closer to 1/8 scale, but by now we all know that figure companies don’t know how to use a calculator.

Volks Fate T. Harlaown from Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS Figure Review

She’s got a bevy of accessories, including three left hands, one big sword, two small swords, an extra face, and a spare arm. Her face is swapped by decapitating her, pulling off her bangs, and then exchanging the face.

Volks Fate T. Harlaown from Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS Figure Review

She’s got a dynamic pose that nails the trifecta; you can see her face, breasts, and ass all at once. It’s a solid pose that makes her look strong – or as strong as one can look with one’s rear hanging out, I suppose.

Volks Fate T. Harlaown from Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS Figure Review

My experience with Volks products is that while their garage kits are some of the best figures around, they don’t know jack about quality control with respect to their PVC figures, and unfortunately Fate is no exception. The paintwork is quite rough, with minimal shading on her skin, and there are seam lines everywhere, most obviously on her hair, left arm, and right leg. Peculiarly, her right arm – the one that’s meant to hold the smaller sword, uhh, whatever it’s called – has a big black dot right at her elbow. Normally I’d be quite upset about this except the dot is so large and round that I’m guessing it’s supposed to be there. Being that I haven’t watched the show, I wouldn’t know, but her other right arm doesn’t have it, so I don’t have a clue what the hell it’s supposed to be.

Volks Fate T. Harlaown from Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS Figure Review

She also falls apart quite easily; I had a difficult time keeping her head together while photographing her, and her left hands fit so loosely that they’re prone to falling out when the figure is slightly nudged. Try to put the hand in, doink. Rotate the figure while shooting pictures, doink. Swap the right arm, doink. For me, the hardest part of photographing a figure is picking out a setting, but in this case, it was keeping Fate in one piece long enough to get my shots.

Volks Fate T. Harlaown from Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS Figure Review

That said, the operative reasons that I purchased Fate are still valid, and while her breasts are strangely hemispherical, she still looks pretty good to me. From a distance, anyway. She’s not nearly worth the money I spent to pick her up, but if one wants a Fate Harlaown figure, one is going to have to accept that a high price is going to have to be paid.

Volks Fate T. Harlaown from Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS Figure Review

Speaking of Fate Harlaown … what the heck is a Harlaown anyway? A lot of the girls in the Nanoha series are named after automobiles and Fate, of course, is named after the Ferrari Testarossa, the baddest car of the 80s. That’s right, badder than Rodimus Prime, badder than KITT, badder than the DeLorean. The Testarossa is the only thing I remember from Miami Vice – besides the title theme, that is – and was also the main car of Sega’s classic arcade game Outrun. Along with the Space Shuttle and Grumman F-14, the Testarossa was one of the iconic machines of that decade, and it was the perfect name for Fate. So why’d they change her name? Yes, she had her differences with her mother, who was a bit distant but made up for it with a killer backhand, but if they were going to change her name, surely the writers could’ve come up with something better than Harlaown. If it were up to me, I’d pick something like “Diablo.” It’s probably a good thing that nobody consulted me.


Fig. 1. Examples of classic 1980s machines.

And while I’m at it, what’s up with Fate’s bottom? When she was a little kid, she wore a charming bodysuit with a thong back – sort of racy, but it does distinguish her from all the other loli superheroes out there. But when she grew up, she covered up. What the heck? You’re telling me that after she hit puberty, she found her modesty? C’mon now.

Volks Fate T. Harlaown from Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS Figure Review
Fig. 2. Comparative backside coverage.

And this wasn’t just an example of Alter’s sculptors being perverts; this really did show up in the anime, and I have proof.

So there! Hopefully Alter doesn’t chump out on their next Fate figure.

Cyclone  860 Doujinshi Cover
Fig. 3. Fate showing Nanoha who calls the shots.

Besides her appearances in the three television series and the movie, Fate has also starred in numerous doujinshi. I picked this one up recently from Mandarake, and it’s pretty cool. I’m not completely certain what it’s about, but it appears that Fate is having some sort of difference of opinion with Nanoha. Besides that, she also tentacle-rapes her counterpart. It’s a great book.

However, my favorite Fate doujinshi is GrindCore, which involves Fate waking up. And then getting tentacle-raped. By Nanoha. As one might imagine, it’s also a great book. In addition, the art was done by Akito Tamiya, who also did the artwork for the h-game Zanjibaru, which has one of my favorite maggot-birthing scenes outside of Inyouchuu.


Fig. 4. Vivio showing Nanoha who calls the shots.

While I’m talking about Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha figures, Alter’s upcoming Vivio figure is looking great. I’m not entirely certain who Vivio is or why she’s a little kid through much of StrikerS, but she sure did fill out nicely, didn’t she?

I’m guessing she doesn’t do anything like this in the TV show. If she does, though, I’m putting that series at the top of my watch list. I mean, right under Seikon no Qwaser, the greatest anime of all time.

Volks Fate T. Harlaown from Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS Figure Review

More reviews of Volks’s Fate are up at WAWAWA Wasuremono and Shadonia. I’m sure there’s a bunch more out there but given how random this writeup is, I don’t know that they want me linking to them. Heck, this post is pretty random even by my standards.

Volks Fate T. Harlaown from Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS Figure Review

Volks Fate T. Harlaown from Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS Figure Review

Volks Fate T. Harlaown from Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS Figure Review

Volks Fate T. Harlaown from Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS Figure Review

Volks Fate T. Harlaown from Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS Figure Review

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21 Responses to Fate T. Harlaown from Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS (Volks Version)

  1. Wolfheinrich says:

    Have this figure, and have to agree with your sentiment here. Volks PVC figure is no good, better them sticking with Dollfie and Resin. As meronpan mentioned in his review, another tragic flaw with this figure is the unevenly spaced circles on the base (knock out pins for the injection molding process), which is both large and transparent. Very sad panda I am.

    The hands are too loose, and I am convinced that Volks don’t have single clue how to design a tight slip fit, that goes for Dollfie Dream accessories as well.

  2. Rockfest says:

    Vivio does something similar to what she’s doing in that pic, should take a look at the Alter Fate, gorgeous.

  3. Chag says:

    When it comes to the pose, I definitely prefer Volk’s fate over Alter’s. While the flowing hair is definitely an impressive feat on Alter’s part, the figure felt way too busy in my eyes. Sometimes a nice self-contained pose like this works better. Of course, this makes the various QC issues on this figure that much more regrettable.

    On a side note: man, I love your sense of humour. “…which has one of my favorite maggot-birthing scenes outside of Inyouchuu” — such a matter-of-fact way of saying it, HA.

  4. Tier says:

    >> Wolfheinrich
    Hmm, didn’t specifically notice those circles on the base at first but now that you point them out (or point out that meronpan pointed them out), they’re pretty obvious. And pretty dang ugly, too, they look like someone went at the base with a hole puncher.

    I’m hoping their prepainted resin stuff is nicer, I’ve got one of those that should be in the mail shortly. Metatron wasn’t that great but I’ve got slightly more hope for this next one, if only because Kenshin turned out so great.

    >> Rockfest
    That is most interesting. I guess I’ll have to make some time sometime to watch StrikerS. Or I guess I could just watch the last half dozen episodes. I passed over Alter’s Fate because I didn’t quite like way her mouth looked, but checking up on eBay, it looks like she’s going for three bills right now. Although I think I saw one on Mandarake a month or so ago for around two-thirds of that.

    >> Chag
    Yeah, that’s pretty much how I feel … Volks’s Fate has a simple, stylish pose that makes her look both badass and hot, while I think Alter’s one looks nice but doesn’t seem quite as stylish.

    Then again, it’s not easy to be stylish when you have no left hand.

    And thanks! When I don’t have a lot to say about a figure, I go on a tangent and sometimes I try to make my tangents as bizarre as I can XD

  5. Leonia says:

    Initially I bought the SET because I wanted Fate and Vivio the special item.. The SET was expensive, more than 300 euros (because of the bad euros/yen rate). But when I received them, I was disappointed.. They are my first Volks and I hoped the same Miku Hatsune quality (or Rin and Len). But no.. I did not like face character expression.. And Vivio face painting was.. Hum not good. Thus, I sold Hayate first and then Vivio and Nanoha. Fate was the only one that I liked a little. This version is sensual and sexy. Alter made a better figure but Volks shows another Fate. And I like that. But sadly I will sell her because of a sélection in my collection (i am moving with Shad). But only if I sell her at good price ^^’ The SET was so much expensive ^^

    Whoo! I write a lot. It’s the first time and without online translator (I am on my Iphone). I hope that you will understand all ^^’ Yours pictures are great as always ^^ Thanks for the Shadonia link!

  6. Aka says:

    Too bad she kept falling apart just taking pictures of her. Her breasts look strange to me, though as you say from a distance the effect is diminished. I can see the rough finish even from the smaller pics within the post, that’s really a shame. Volks’ Horo wasn’t so bad, while not perfect either, she definitely had better QC than Fate I think.

    Love the trifecta, I didn’t even notice, I’m going to look out for more figures with that. Maybe even tag ’em on MFC.

    I’ve always thought it odd to say, but fate did have a nice bum when she was younger, I do wonder what happened. I think I’ll refrain from purchasing her for such limited reasons though. Maybe.

  7. Fabrice says:

    Too bad i cant spend anymore, =/
    i wouldnt mind getting her, well i have so many figures i want to get..

  8. VF says:

    Before I say anything else, nothing beats the DeLorean! LOL

    I actually haven’t seen this take on Fate before, well, I’ve seen the pose, but didn’t know there was a Volks version. I picked up the Alter Shin Sonic Form version though – I did know who Fate was when I bought it, I just thought the figure was really cool, jumping in the air with the huge sword. 😛 Her name really confused me, it was coming up as Fate Testarossa and the Alter box said Fate T. Harlaown. Took me awhile to get that straightened out. LOL

    It’s a shame about Volks QC – they have some nice figures but their PVC finish is pretty sub-par.

    I haven’t seen any of the MGL series, so I know nothing about it. So is this Fate the child version or the grown up version? Aren’t these figures “underaged”? =P

  9. Ashlotte says:

    Eh well while I can’t agree with your liking of images of my beloved Nanoha being treated cruelly at least it seems your interest in the series has been piqued I suppose. >__>

  10. Tier says:

    >> Leonia
    I feel the same way … I guess it’s a good thing for Volks that they sell their PVC stuff mainly in Japan, because I think they’d disappoint a lot of people if their figures were released more widely. I guess on the plus side, Fate doesn’t look too bad when she’s up on a shelf, where you can’t examine her too closely.

    Your writing is fine with translation software XD

    >> Aka
    Volks seems really weirdo. I’ve got one prepainted resin figure (Metatron) that’s not too great. I’ve got another (Kenshin) that’s the best figure I own. I’ve got a few PVCs and they’re all mediocre at best, as far as quality goes. I am told that their garage kits are pretty good, and I’m guessing their Dollfies are high quality as well (barring the problem Wolfheinrich mentions).

    I’d like to know that myself; it’s the main reason I like Fate. Well, that and the whole S&M thing … I admire a girl who enjoys that sort of thing at such a young age.

    >> Fabrice
    Me too 🙁 The money is short this month due to some other expenditures.

    >> VF
    Okay, maybe the flying DeLorean with Mr. Fusion can hang with the Testarossa … I’d put them 1A and 1B.

    In retrospect, if Alter re-released Fate Sonic Form version (or whatever it’s called), I’d probably think real hard about picking it up. Mouth aside, she does look really, really nice and while I have no space to display her, I don’t really like thinking about annoying practical details like that so I’m not going to consider that.

    I don’t know much about the Nanoha shows either … I watched the first two episodes then I skipped ahead to watch Fate’s whipping scene and a scene where she battles Signum. This version is the adult version and she’s actually supposed to be 19 here, according to Wikipedia. What I want to know about the MGL shows is whether there’s a male main character … if there is, my interest in watching them plummets. Sora Kake Girl wasn’t a great anime but one thing it did right was not saddling any of the female leads with a heterosexual romantic relationship.

    >> Ashlotte
    Ha! This is my revenge for your vicious slander of my bi-, I mean, my girl Senhime! A long, long memory do I have. In recompense, I will give you a picture from the aforementioned doujinshi Grindcore, in which Nanoha is intact, healthy, and looking rather pleased. (I guess I ought to note that this link is mildly NSFW but ehh … anyone looking at this site probably knows that already.)

    Also, the spam filter seems to not like you. I wonder if there’s any way to set this thing so that it automatically passes certain usernames.

  11. FOOL!!!!

    Every fan knows that it’s Nanoha who calls the shots! Whether it be in battle, in the office or in bed!!!
    It’s a FACT!!!

    That aside, I own one too, tho I didn’t spend too much more than the RRP on their site so it wasn’t too bad. I just much preferred the pose on this one over the alter version, even though alter had a better quality build.

    I’m not sure if it’s because I got a later version but, aside from the base rings, mine didn’t turn out too bad. there are a couple of areas where painting could be improved but nothing major.
    Maybe I just lucked out.

    I have a GK of nanoha and fate as well which I need to do up, but they keep getting knocked down the priority list! Oh, and to pay for my Alter Nanoha exceed mode… too many requests for monies this month. And it’s only just started!!!

  12. Aka says:

    S&M? Really? I’m intrigued. Not enough to watch the series(es) though. Would be nice for a good example of it from an episode or something though.

  13. Ashlotte says:

    No there is no male lead Tier…In-fact most of the recurring male characters got slowly fazed out by the time strikers rolled around.

    Currently in the manga sequels you have what I guess you could consider a male lead, but so far they suck because of it so I can see where your worry comes from…

    Also don’t worry about the spam thing same thing happens when I post at Aka’s blog…Internet just hates me it seems… >_>

  14. Tier says:

    >> gundamjehutykai
    Hmm … Nanoha does look like she’s running things in the doujinshi In Search of Sanity, the followup to GrindCore. Maybe you’re right. Note: that link is very NSFW. Just sayin’.

    Yeah, I like this pose better than Alter’s. And I like this figure’s ass a lot better than Alter’s figure. If Alter had given Fate a slightly more prominent ass, I’d have put in a preorder without hesitation.

    Ah, that’s good … I guess I can’t say this figure is horrible or anything, it’s just rather rough compared to a GSC/MF/Alter/Daiki figure.

    I was pretty happy that a ton of figures I ordered in March got bumped back, cuz I had a ton of other stuff I bought that I had to allocate the skrills to. Maybe I should show that stuff off in its own post.

    >> Aka
    Indeed! Well, a lot more S and not a lot of M, I guess. Here’s a video of the scene in question. I guess it could’ve showed a lot more than it did.

  15. Pingback: Fate T Harlaown – Barrier Jacket True Sonic Form ~ フェイト・T・ハラオウン バリアジャケット 真・ソニックフォーム &l

  16. meronpan says:

    nice get ^^ it is unfortunate that volks’ pvc quality isn’t so hot but as you say, from a distance it’s all good ^^

    totally share your lament about her name. well, though personally i still think of her as fate testarossa. screw the harlaown crap 😛

  17. Aka says:

    Oh, more ore less disappointed with that video. I guess I was imagining something else, not just whipping. Oh well!

  18. AS says:

    Haha, I like your original reasons for purchasing her xD. Sorry to hear that she keeps falling apart. You think they would do better considering how many parts she comes with.

    I added you to my blogroll. Mind adding me back? Thanks.

  19. phossil says:

    great pics.
    Fate FTW!!

  20. Tier says:

    >> meronpan
    Indeed! Think my other Volks figure should be getting here today or tomorrow … I hope it turns out okay, I’d feel pretty dumb blowing all that scratch on it if it turns out crummy.

    I’m going to think of her the same way … Fate Testarossa sounds much, much cooler than Fate T. Harloawn … latter sounds like a circus magician or something …

    >> Aka
    I would liked some hot wax dripping, maybe a blindfold and some wooden horse riding, too. Oh well, one can always use one’s imagination. And look at doujinshi.

    >> AS
    Thanks! Yeah, I was kinda annoyed by that … nobody else seems to have a problem keeping their figures together so it’s a rather annoying problem. I don’t actually do blogroll exchanges, as my links list comprises sites that I visit regularly, but I’ll keep an eye on your blog!

    >> phossil
    That’s what the tentacle monsters said!

    <.<

  21. Tier says:

    >> Ashlotte
    One time might be random but two times getting caught by the spam filter in one post means that it definitely hates you. I think I saw some of the artwork for the manga when I was looking for por- I mean, example pictures of Vivio on Danbooru. The lead male looked about as generic as I’d ever seen.

    That’s good to know about StrikerS … I’ll have to make some time to watch it. Or I guess maybe I can just watch the episodes that are prime numbers or something, if I don’t have enough time.

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