DarkAdvent

Overview

Alphamax is not a name you usually hear when you think about model kits. They’re usually known for their action figures and very risqué bishoujo PVC statuettes, with a side hustle in robots. Established in 2006, Alphamax counts various established players among their clients, such as publishing giant Kadokawa, Bandai Namco and SNK Playmore.

However, under their brand Skytube, Alphamax threw its hat in to the girlpla arena with the help of none other than Masaki Apsy, introducing the world to its girlpla line DarkAdvent, starting with Dragondress Sophia in 2019, before sporadically releasing the other girls, Rania and Isis, over the early 2020s. The character designs of the line are provided by none other than Masatsugu “saitom” Saito, most well-known for his work on Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and Expelled from Paradise.

Construction and Engineering

DarkAdvent stand out among most girlpla lines in that they, alongside GSC’s chitocerium and Kotobukiya’s Megami Device, are the only line that is officially licensed to use Apsy’s Machineca template, which makes their kits among the most articulate and flexible on the market, similar to their Kotobukiya and GSC cousins. Already, this puts them head and shoulders above most of the rest of the market – at least, in theory.

However, of the three lines that Apsy has directly worked on and licensed, DarkAdvent is the least of them quality-wise. DarkAdvent is a six year old line that has seen only a scant few reprints and changes and it shows in both cheap-feeling plastic and engineering closer to the older Megami Device kits. However, feeling like a 2016-2020 Megami Device kit is still pretty good going.

As an aside, however, the kits were used as a test ground for Apsy’s work on the AUV kits developed in Megami Device (mentioned later in this guide), which may explain why they feel like older kits; they were a bit of a dry run.

Aesthetics

Skytube’s stock in trade is lewd PVC figures, whether directly or under their Alphamax label. The general girlpla design paradigm tends towards risqué and lewd designs. Skytube, if nothing else, plays to its strengths with DarkAdvent. The girls are pretty scantily clad. If you go for the DX editions (which are marketed under their Skytube label), you will get NSFW additions, such as silicone breasts and occasionally, penis tongues.

If you’re not the type to go all the way, stick with the Standard editions marketed under their Alphamax label or the Relax editions, which omit these entirely. However, fans of the likes of Pyra and Angela Balzac may find saitom’s designs for the line incredibly appealing regardless.

 Ease of Acquisition

As these kits haven’t been printed in ages and aren’t run for massive runs when they are, stock is rare and far between. The Relax kits are relatively new, as is Isis, but original Rania or Sophia kits are fairly difficult to come by.

The secondhand market will be your salvation – AmiAmi Mandarake, Mercari and other similar sites occasionally sell pre-owned copies. However, the price for the average DarkAdvent kit will be fairly high to start; the Relax kits retail new at around ¥ 5000 (£ 25/$30) while the –dress kits retail at ranges between ¥ 4000-10000 depending on if you seek the SFW STD edition or the NSFW DX edition.

Personal Verdict?

DarkAdvent is a line defined by its risqué designs and fantasy aesthetics, with the boon of having Machineca engineering directly licensed from Apsy himself, all of which are great boons to have.

However, with middling quality, high prices relative to the actual content of a kit (even the DX variants), and with low stock in general, it can be difficult to justify using your funds on DarkAdvent except if you’re really interested in one of them. We personally didn’t like them very much, but we won’t judge you for buying one and you won’t really regret it if you do.

Personal Recommendations

We honestly liked Sophia the most, if nothing else because she – with some effort – can ride her dragon-shaped cannon as a mount.

Official Site: https://alphamax.jp/ (in Japanese)