Azur Lane - Figures

Azur Lane is a mobile gacha side-scrolling shooter game that was developed by the China-based Shanghai Manjuu and Xiamen Yongshi in 2017. This game has players take the role of Commander and lead a fleet of cute, anthropomorphized versions of warships from World War II. Although a majority of the gameplay involves playing side-scrolling shoot ‘em up-style missions to gather resources and materials, the game also has home customization and in-game marriage systems. After the game became a hit, fans were quick to voice their desires for merchandise inspired by the many different characters that appear in the series. One of the most popular forms of merchandise comes in the form of collectible figures of specific characters, as they are a great way to show one’s love for a specific character or the series as a whole. Out of the approximate dozen Azur Lane figures available for fans, some of the most popular include the “Azur Lane USS Hammann (Retrofit) 1/7 Scale Figure (Re-run)”, the “Azur Lane Belfast: Claddagh Ring no Chikai Ver. 1/7 Scale Figure”, and the “Azur Lane Yamashiro: Bridal Attack! 1/7 Scale Figure”.

Azur Lane USS Hammann (Retrofit) 1/7 Scale Figure (Re-run)

This figure from PLUM features USS Hammann, the Sims-Class Destroyer, in her Retrofit outfit. This outfit consists of a black and white maid-style dress, white thigh-high socks, high-heels, and a red and black cat-themed ornament tied in her hair. Several artillery guns are attached to her body as well, further enforcing the warship theme that all characters have. A red and black lace headpiece with holes to accommodate her cat ears is also found on top of her head. Hammann herself is posed standing up as she gently begins lifting up the skirt of her outfit. The expression on her face is angry, yet embarrassed, noting how upset she is with the situation.

Manufacturer: PLUM
Specifications: Painted, non-articulated, 1/7 scale PVC figure with stand
Height (Approx.): 230 mm

Azur Lane Belfast: Claddagh Ring no Chikai Ver. 1/7 Scale Figure

This figure from Hobby Max is a recreation of Belfast, the Light Cruiser from the English Royal Navy, in her wedding design after she takes an “Oath” with the Commander. The dress itself is pure white and is quite long, reaching well past the floor behind her. Gold ornaments also decorate Belfast’s hips and neck while a tiara and transparent veil crown her head. The veil is also quite long and almost seems to meld with Belfast’s snow-white hair. She is posed standing patiently with her hands in front of her as she holds an elegant bouquet. This bouquet is made up of various white flowers and blue roses and are accented with light green leaves. A long, blue-ribbon also flows from the bouquet, as if it were swept up by a gentle breeze.

Release Date: October 2021
Manufacturer: Hobby Max
Sculptor: Stronger
Specifications: Painted, non-articulated, 1/7 scale PVC and ABS figure
Height (Approx.): 250 mm

Azur Lane Yamashiro: Bridal Attack! 1/7 Scale Figure

This figure from Furyu is a recreation of Yamashiro’s Oath design, which is based on a traditional Japanese wedding dress. The outfit is made up of a white dress with a pink floral pattern that is covered in vibrant red robes that are accented with golden sakura cherry blossoms. Traditional Shinto influences like a shimenawa rope, bells, and purifying paper shade also decorate the outfit as well. Yamashiro herself is standing in a cute pose with her hands trying to imitate cat paws. The hood of the robe has holes in them to let Yamashiro’s black cat ears poke through the top. Her warship nature is still present, however, as a turret is attached to the end of her robe.

Release Date: January 2021
Manufacturer: Furyu (F:NEX)
Sculptor: Fujiyama (Moineau)
Specifications: Painted, non-articulated, 1/7 scale PVC and ABS figure
Height (Approx.): 270 mm

The Azur Lane Series Story

Azur Lane is set in an alternate reality where World War II is fought with more anthropomorphic interpretations of real-world World War II warships. It begins with the Battle of the Denmark Strait and, unlike the real world, focuses on the split of a fictional military alliance known as Azur Lane, which was formed between the Eagle Union, Royal Navy, Sakura Empire, and Iron Blood. After the Sakura Empire and Iron Blood form an alliance of their own named the Crimson Axis, the remaining countries attempt to fight them off. Most characters other than the Commander are interpretations of warships if they were cute anime girls. Such characters include San Diego, Belfast, Yukikaze, Nagato, and many, many more.

The Azur Lane Series Development

Azur Lane was originally produced by a small group of college students and was intended to be a small self-published game. It was inspired by the success of Kantai Collection, another gacha mobile game that uses anthropomorphized warships. To distinguish it from Kantai Collection and other games inspired by it, Azur Lane was created to be a side-scrolling shoot ‘em up rather than a strategy game. As the project became more intricate and large-scale, Manjuu Ltd. and Yongshi Ltd. began working together and currently split ownership of the game. Azur Lane was first released in China in May 2017 and was later released in Japan in September 2017. Around a year later, A South Korean and English version of the game was released as well. Due to the success of the series, several other media projects inspired by the game were produced, like multiple manga series and an anime adaptation produced by Bibury Animation Studios G.K.

Links

Azur Lane USS Hammann (Retrofit) 1/7 Scale Figure (Re-run)
Azur Lane Belfast: Claddagh Ring no Chikai Ver. 1/7 Scale Figure
Azur Lane Yamashiro: Bridal Attack! 1/7 Scale Figure
Azur Lane Label