Name of Series:

Binchotan

 Manufacturer:

Yujin SR series

 Date of release (estimated):

May 2004

Price (singly in ¥):

200¥

Sculptor:

Unknown

No. of Pieces in the series:

6

Secret (SP)/Chase:

2 (1 chase Binchotan & 1 chase Aroe)

Variants:

None

Size:

Around 3.5 cm

Availability (in Singapore):

Just heard the gacha machines at Toy Room have ran out of ot but they are selling as sets now, loose pieces can also be found in La Tendo. Can try at Dollz Inc. or Simply Toys as well.

Other Remarks:

This is the star the Gacha Gacha Gala organised by Toy Room at Suntec City Mall in June 2004. When the preview pictures were out months before it's official release, a lot of hypes were going on whether it would be brought in for the event due to the close proximity of the releases. When it was confirmed to be brought in, everyone went on to try their luck tikam for a complete set of 6 + 2 chases. As a result the chase Binchotan with the rice ladle as well as the normal Aroe in school uniforms turned out to the the hardest to get. I was fortunate to be able to get my remaning rice ladle Binchotan via trading. Despite getting plenty of extras, I feel my effort is still pretty much justified, you'll see why below.

Normal Binchotan

The lead of the story is an orphan who grew up from the mountains. She had to take off the charcoal on her head during her bedtime.

This is the normal variant showing the poor and vagrant Binchotan having her meal with that roasted sweet potato. When the luminous green base was seen, many were quite sceptical about it but I find it's quite nice to show a nice manga green pastures. However the concept of have the neck support doesn't go down well for me as it would block the rear part of the figurines and not all figurines are held properly.

Binchotan is sweet with that wide blue eyes, short sky blue hair, an interesting piece of charcoal she used as a hairpiece and the nice traditional clothing. The sweet potato on the twig is a nice accessory as well.

Chase Binchotan

My fave piece of the set and it's the hardest to obtain but much thanks to Rene (schellen in Katoots) to trade with me. 

In this piece, you could see our dear Binchotan perhaps having her first taste of cooked rice (even left one rice bead on her left cheek for supper). Holding a normal rice ladle which obviously is larger in size as compared to herself, Binchotan looked satisfied yet petrified with the thought that she might be caught on her stealing of rice. I like the rice ladle that came with this piece especially with Binchotan's logo embalmed on the anterior side. This piece also came with a bucket which I'm still puzzled whether it's a cold drink or a potted plant.

Normal Aroe

Aroe is the girl Binchotan met at the river where the latter usually drew her water from. This girl from the town loves to swim.

This normal version of Aroe is much harder to get than the chase Aroe. In this version, Aroe is dressed in her usual school uniform of blue blouse with white shorts. She is carrying a sling bag which most probably contains her swimming kits. I like the pineapple stalk hair style as well as that bright violet tinted eyes. But both versions of Aroe had a problem of standing properly.

Chase Aroe

As mentioned in the normal Aroe, this green haired girl loves to swim and that's why she is dressed in her swimsuit as she is joyfully prepared to take her dip in the river.

Using the same head piece as the normal version, Aroe is seen here dressed in her black swim suit with her name nicely sewn on the middle of the suit. Like the normal version, has a problem to stand properly. Perhaps the most uninteresting piece of this set.

Yukaritan

Moved from a distant land (most probably down under), Yukaritan has a gentle personality and tends to talk very softly and slowly.

Yukaritan is my 2nd fave beside the chase Binchotan as she looked so sweet with her innocent eyes and that cute white dress which really suits little girls like herself. I really like her hair style and that soft khaki shade. The koala bear (with the charcoal on it's hand) on her head as well as the eucalyptus leaf she holds indicates her nationality a little and are nice touches to the piece. The white support for her is actually a peg to connect to the hole on the back of her head to hold her down firmly onto the base.

Chikutan

Granddaughter of a medical scientist, Chikutan is a bright girl who loves to invent new drugs. While still learning her trade, Chikutan has to venture to the town to get her work done.

Chikutan looks really bright as her persona supposed to be. Dressed in her traditional travelling attire, Chikutan started her journey from the mountains to town with some of herbs as baggage as you can see carried on her back. Once again the facial features are so exquisitely done and I really like how she tied her hair up. With her arms held supporting her head, the vigilant Chikutan looks set to be attentive to all details during her journey.

Kunugitan

From a wealthy family and living in a giant mansion, Kunugitan is actually not enjoying her childhood as she is barred from going anywhere else except her school.

Beside Binchotan, Kunugitan is the other one with charcoal to use as hair accessories which is quite strange as it clashes with her wealthy background. Here poor Kunugitan is scared to wit's end by a giant spider which clung on to her nice blue dress. I think the concept came from the nursery rhyme, "Little Miss Muffet". 

Rentan

When you had the opportunity to meet the strange Rentan in the middle of the night, high chance you might see strange bluish white lights lingering around her... 

This Rentan looked really outstanding from the lot for she's pretty aloof and not really cute-looking. But I find her pretty cool for having her cold look, and that nice hair style and that unique hairpiece. Dressed in her long yutaka (casual kimono) Rentan is accompanied by a friend of the nether world. Rentan is the only one that can stand properly without support which explains for the missing white support piece.