Kaibutsu Shoujo Pelecanus | Solaris Japan

Garage kit? What’s that?

Garage kits are assembly scale model kits of figures. Many of them are amateur-produced, and the term started from the dedicated hobbyists using their garages as workshops. If you can't buy what you want, make it yourself! 

These kits typically require full assembly of parts and gluing pieces together as well as painting. The more amateur the kit, the more unrefined it may be. At times these kits will need extra bits of plastic removed, may have limited instructions and are labor-intensive to complete. Professionally manufactured kits are sometimes called resin kits and the production quality tends to be much better.

Regardless of how well made the kit itself is, they are highly customizable and fun for those who enjoy a challenge. They also require a high level of skill. If you are artistically challenged like me… your best attempt may be looking like a poorly done third grade art project. Having a great garage kit turned into a full production scale figure is always appreciated!

A Gothic Pelican Girl

The original creator of the Kaibutsu Shoujo line of garage kits is a chinese sculptor, Blackcat. Kaibutsu Shoujo can be translated as monster girl so the concept is fairly straightforward. Several figures have been designed and released from the series but sadly, Pelecanus was the only one to get a pre-assembled and pre-painted version. 

Pelecanus herself was designed to be mostly normal looking, resembling more of a pretty young girl than any sort of monster. The monster elements were added tactfully and are not overbearing to take away from the figures' beauty. The most obvious bit of undead elements comes from the boney wing extending out from Pelecanus’s back. Her facial expression in combination with one wing raised and extended while the other is retracted creates an air of mystery. It also softens the look and gives an unalarming aesthetic to her. Do you run? Do you strike up a conversation? You wait to figure it out.

Moving past the wings, you notice the difference in color from her arm to her shoulder. Upon further inspection, her torso and back are transparent. Some unnatural blue and gold bones are visible but again strike a good balance with horror and beauty. The blue and gold also matches the wings and pelican skull sitting atop her head.
 Pelecanus was given a very subdued color palette that gives her a pale complexion. This really makes her red eyes pop and provides a bit of a ghostly appeal! Her dress is reminiscent of gothic style clothing and the added transparent bow from behind is great extra flair.

Expanding past the original garage kit, they upgraded the pedestal and painted an old victorian-esq wood base which complements the figure nicely. They also added a candlestick to complement the vibes being given off and it is rather genius how well it works. The skulls below the candle work well and are painted in a way that is neutral. It doesn’t emphasize the horror element, but instead feels more like a standard accessory that is unassuming.

Thank you for reading!