NEW PRODUCT: TBleague s42-s43

This model is tall and broad. I don't know yet if it's actually the tallest of the female TBL's or if the combination of those two factors just makes it appear larger in general.

MeMyself&I wrote:

GeeWillikers wrote:Can't get to take any photos just yet, but if anyone would like to request comparison shots with other models let me know.

I would not mind this next to a s07/09 (either) for a height/figure comparison if you can swing it. Preferably both flat footed and no shoes so it doesn’t skew it.

I think brassco did a comparison shot with a clothed S09 over the page, although both figures were lying down. But I could still do a dead-on straight-angled one with them standing (if possible) if you like. Won't be before the weekend now, though.

I can also do a comparison shot with a 28/29 and 38/39 then if you still want to see one Diana.

If anybody has any other requests, get them in by Friday 5pm, STAT!

GeeWillikers wrote:I can also do a comparison shot with a 28/29 and 38/39 then if you still want to see one Diana.

Definitely.

I'm not that sure on the extra height but the general proportions are beautiful on this one, I like how realistic they go without exagerating the boobs or muscles (I wish they'd go that way on their male bodies now, with some average joe that doesn't workout 24/7 lol)

About the feet, I'm surely the only one here to value the "seamless" effort and attempt lol,I always found and still find the ankle joints ugly on the detachable feet versions, tho I completely agree on the need for these versions as long as they wear shoes (btw the sculpt on the hard plastic feet is just as lame as on the floppy ones until this version)
As pointed by Stryker, I wish they would improve the skeleton, I remember Edation offering totally seamless bodies about 12 years ago with articulated fingers and toes... There are surely solutions.

blackpool, I agree with you on the aesthetic, and in those terms, I think everyone would (I think the general conclusion is that the choice of cut for standard female detachable feet in action figures is more unfortunate than that for the male ones -- I forget what was the explanation for it). It's just that, while I can appreciate the seamless lines of a sexy body in the reclining position, it is more important to me that the action figure can be "fully-functional." Otherwise, I might as well get a statue. Yes, of course, I'm exaggerating to make a point. And of course I would greet TBLeague creating functional seamless feet for a change -- it can't be that impossible -- although I realize that this will limit footwear choices.

Re: the seamless feet -- there's definitely a place for these types of figures, even if they aren't really my thing for the most part. The reason I'm not bothered is that I almost never kitbash any characters who would require bare feet or exposed ankles. But I can see how and why a seamless ankle would be nice for certain characters and scenes and I can understand why they might appeal to others. So, I'm happy for tbleague to make both types. However, my own frustration at the moment is that I wish they would put out models that had BOTH seamless feet and detachable feet as options, rather than make certain models ONLY have seamless feet. It makes it very annoying when they do put out a nice body shape like this, but it ends up being fairly useless for anything other than decorative purposes.

skywalkersaga wrote:Re: the seamless feet -- [...] I wish they would put out models that had BOTH seamless feet and detachable feet as options, rather than make certain models ONLY have seamless feet. It makes it very annoying when they do put out a nice body shape like this, but it ends up being fairly useless for anything other than decorative purposes.

I second that motion. Why not offer both? It can't be that to attach the feet of one 3D model and replace the seamless feet of another. Boom! There are programs for that.

I'll concede that the seamless feet are often more aesthetically-pleasing, but they aren't worth the practical sacrifice of a figure not being able to stand up because of them. The visual design of the seamless feet is improved and more realistic with this model, but they remain exactly as impractical as they ever were (and there's an added disadvantage to this model - the feet are the larger size that a 28/29 and 38/39 uses, with all the drawbacks of finding footwear to fit that size that exist already, PLUS they're also mashmallow-soft).

TBL should offer seamless/non-seamless options on all models (old and new) as standard so that everyone can be catered for, in the same way they offer two different skintone options as standard.

So, to start, some shots of my S42 under a pink filter (the other figure is Viking Woman with Arhian Head Hunter sculpt)  (Let me know if these aren't SFW enough Gub):  






Next up, full comparison shots with Viking Woman under different lighting.

To follow, comparisons between the S42 and S29,S38,S23,S16 and S09.

Part 2:

S42 compared to Viking Woman (using orange filter and pink filter respectively)


Note: the feet on viking woman are the 'normal' small tbl bare feet





Essentially they're the same basic body, aside from slightly larger fuller hips/butt/waist on the S42.

Although:


The flexibility limit of the waist on Viking woman is markedly different. The 42 will not bend back at the waist any further than shown above.

The general build quality and fluidity of movement on both bodies is much better than TBL's other recent offerings, however - no defects or stiffness with either body.

Interesting comparison. If I’m being honest, I actually like the Viking woman figure better (and not just because of the feet, either). Really wanting that one to be released soon.

skywalkersaga wrote:Interesting comparison. If I’m being honest, I actually like the Viking woman figure better (and not just because of the feet, either). Really wanting that one to be released soon.

I heartily agree. The S42 is lovely to look at, but as well as being impractical, it's going to be a nightmare to dress.

It kind of makes me wonder if TBL's intention (if they have any beyond sales) is that these should be kept nude or at least barefoot.

The seamless feet thing still seems off to me. Maybe because they didn't bother to give them ankle bones -- that, and the not being able to stand up unaided thing.

Part 3:

Comparison of S42 with S29 (middle) and S38 (right). Same light conditions as last post.

I had to declothe the 29 and 38 for this shoot which involved me changing out the peg boots usually on the 29 for the first pair of flat feet to hand, hence the total lack of a colour match  







Part 4 etc tomorrow hopefully

Stryker2011 wrote:The seamless feet thing still seems off to me. Maybe because they didn't bother to give them ankle bones -- that, and the not being able to stand up unaided thing.

There is the vaguest hint of an ankle bone in the sculpt of the skin (see side views above), but not in the actual skeleton. It's a simple up-down movement to the ankle skeleton, as of old. No side-to-side flexibility at all.

It's irritating. I do like this body, but I think the minute they put the Viking Woman bod on the market as a base body, I'll be getting a pale one and putting 42's head on it.

Useful comparison photos, G, thank you for sharing them. She sure is tall. It is a nice body, but the feet... which reminds me of a slightly off-color joke... that I will resist sharing.

I would like the S38 for its unique body shape, but the breasts are just too big for my liking. If I had to decide to get a body among those three, it will probably be the S29...

Nice comparison

Valiarde wrote:I would like the S38 for its unique body shape, but the breasts are just too big for my liking. If I had to decide to get a body among those three, it will probably be the S29...

I agree -- the breasts on S38/39 would be better smaller. Otherwise I love both S38/39 and S28/29.

I came to this hobby as an illustrator in search of quick and easy model reference (more for posing ideas than their specific anatomy - and these bodies have their limitations of accuracy and functionality obviously, but I can confirm they're a lot easier to work with than real models), but somewhere along the line I got a little carried away and into the actual hobby, and now I Gotta Catch 'Em All! There are some problems with basic anatomy in the older models yes, and the 'underarm' anatomy remains problematic - but unless it's truly, ridiculously, cartoonishly disproportionate (like the S36/37 ) each of the bodies TBL offer currently has a real-world near-equivalent, however scarce or unusual. If anything I think TBL's real problem is that they try too hard to offer only these types of bodily 'extremes' instead of bodily 'norms'.

With that in mind I think the 38 is a good enough 'one-off' character body as such 'developed' women do exist, but (trying very hard not to inadvertently body-shame anyone in the real world here) it's not a bodily 'norm' and you certainly don't need a whole army of them. It's also probably worth remembering that the YMTOYs head on the 38 in my pics is undersized to begin with and probably creates the illusion that the body and bust are even larger (I try to obtain at least one of each skintone of each model so such extreme customising helps in creating a different look between the 38 and 39 I own). And at least the breasts on the 38/39, large as they are, are more realistically-sculpted than the pornstar bolt-ons of an S20/21 (although again, even those have their real-world equivalent, however far they are from the average). I'm fine with most of TBL's range to be honest (and as someone with a reasonable knowledge of anatomy I can work round their irregularities and discrepancies for reference purposes). All we need is more (and continued) variety of bodytypes - including more 'average' types, fewer waspie waists, and some ethnic diversity.

In an ideal world, it would be nice to have the 38/39 with a smaller bust as well as that would suit more diverse character possibilities. On the other hand I'd also like to see TBL tackle an overall more proportionate voluptuous body, although I realise the probable technical limitations there would be in mass-producing one. Basically I'm all for as much variation in functional bodytypes as I can get (although even I've drawn a line at that ridiculous 36/37 anime body).

The interesting thing for me though in the last set of shots above isn't even to do with the 42. It's in seeing the 29 directly compared to the 38 and how different the two bodytypes actually are from each other side-by-side, when that wasn't so apparent from TBL's promos. I was also recently surprised to discover that the 38 is only a smidgeon (milimetres) taller than the sole S24 I own.

I think this body (the 42/43/Viking Woman) is the tallest in TBL's canon, but I really need to dig out a flat-footed S01/02 and/or 18/19 for direct comparison to be absolutely sure.


I've got a bit of a busy day today but will try to add a few more 42 comparison shots (with a 23, a 16 and an S07) later tonight. If not, then tomorrow.

GeeWillikers wrote:I came to this hobby as an illustrator in search of quick and easy model reference (more for posing ideas than their specific anatomy - and these bodies have their limitations of accuracy and functionality obviously, but I can confirm they're a lot easier to work with than real models), but somewhere along the line I got a little carried away and into the actual hobby, and now I Gotta Catch 'Em All! There are some problems with basic anatomy in the older models yes, and the 'underarm' anatomy remains problematic - but unless it's truly, ridiculously, cartoonishly disproportionate (like the S36/37 ) each of the bodies TBL offer currently has a real-world near-equivalent, however scarce or unusual. If anything I think TBL's real problem is that they try too hard to offer only these types of bodily 'extremes' instead of bodily 'norms'.

With that in mind I think the 38 is a good enough 'one-off' character body as such 'developed' women do exist, but (trying very hard not to inadvertently body-shame anyone in the real world here) it's not a bodily 'norm' and you certainly don't need a whole army of them. It's also probably worth remembering that the YMTOYs head on the 38 in my pics is undersized to begin with and probably creates the illusion that the body and bust are even larger (I try to obtain at least one of each skintone of each model so such extreme customising helps in creating a different look between the 38 and 39 I own). And at least the breasts on the 38/39, large as they are, are more realistically-sculpted than the pornstar bolt-ons of an S20/21 (although again, even those have their real-world equivalent, however far they are from the average). I'm fine with most of TBL's range to be honest (and as someone with a reasonable knowledge of anatomy I can work round their irregularities and discrepancies for reference purposes). All we need is more (and continued) variety of bodytypes - including more 'average' types, fewer waspie waists, and some ethnic diversity.

In an ideal world, it would be nice to have the 38/39 with a smaller bust as well as that would suit more diverse character possibilities. On the other hand I'd also like to see TBL tackle an overall more proportionate voluptuous body, although I realise the probable technical limitations there would be in mass-producing one. Basically I'm all for as much variation in functional bodytypes as I can get (although even I've drawn a line at that ridiculous 36/37 anime body).

The interesting thing for me though in the last set of shots above isn't even to do with the 42. It's in seeing the 29 directly compared to the 38 and how different the two bodytypes actually are from each other side-by-side, when that wasn't so apparent from TBL's promos. I was also recently surprised to discover that the 38 is only a smidgeon (milimetres) taller than the sole S24 I own.

I think this body (the 42/43/Viking Woman) is the tallest in TBL's canon, but I really need to dig out a flat-footed S01/02 and/or 18/19 for direct comparison to be absolutely sure.


I've got a bit of a busy day today but will try to add a few more 42 comparison shots (with a 23, a 16 and an S07) later tonight. If not, then tomorrow.

Thanks for the info on your background, that’s quite interesting! There are definitely quirks as you pointed out, the biggest one for me personally being the width of the shoulders. As you said though, technical limitations are likely the big factor. No matter how one looks at it, silicon is not nearly as flexible, mailable, resilient as human skin/flesh. I would say we have a similar outlook on this overall, just from prior comments in various threads. But I digress on the anatomical stuff.

I look forward to the comparison with s07 and s16. I do find it shocking and hilarious how the 42/43 TOWERS over the 38. It’s like the 38 would get lost in a crowd and the 42 would be looking over the heads trying to find their short friend.

I do agree it was interesting to see the comparison between the 29 and 38, and you are right that they aren't as similar as you'd think. I'm actually considering getting the 38 at some point and doing a bust reduction (not an issue since I keep my figures clothed, so could be easily disguised), just because I like that it's both short AND curvy. The only thing stopping me atm is my uncertainty about being able to cloth her... I guess we'll see...

skywalkersaga wrote:I do agree it was interesting to see the comparison between the 29 and 38, and you are right that they aren't as similar as you'd think. I'm actually considering getting the 38 at some point and doing a bust reduction (not an issue since I keep my figures clothed, so could be easily disguised), just because I like that it's both short AND curvy. The only thing stopping me atm is my uncertainty about being able to cloth her... I guess we'll see...

Stretchy fabric is your friend, that’s all I can say. The only thing she’s wearing now for mine is a custom outfit I had made for another project that I am no longer using.

I didn't know you also got into it for the same reasons as me! I'm totally with you on everything you said.
Do you draw as a hobby (like me) or are you a professional? *curious* I would love to see some drawings! I've actually just been photographing and don't have anything recent to show, but I've actually been working on a piece for the last few days...

Thank you so much for these photos!
I also didn't realize the S38 is that much shorter! And these shots just confirm the S29 as being my absolute favorite. Both muscular and curvy. Just gorgeous.

The S42 looks like it was made from the VW model and just plumped up and rounded here and there. Give her seamless feet to make her different enough and voilà!

I am still not too hopeful they will release the VW separately, especially if she has the same body as the Court of the Dead figures. The theory of an exclusive deal still hovers...

VW seems more muscular than the S42, which I appreciate.

I also do appreciate the S37, because 1) I actually do enjoy drawing anime from time to time, but more importantly 2) It shows they can go even more slender, so no excuse for not giving us a petite adult woman body (to be used for many Black Widows out there for sure...).

And a petite adult man body for nerds and Steve Rogers before his transformation and the likes. Spider-Man! I want wiry bodies!

MeMyself&I wrote:

skywalkersaga wrote:I do agree it was interesting to see the comparison between the 29 and 38, and you are right that they aren't as similar as you'd think. I'm actually considering getting the 38 at some point and doing a bust reduction (not an issue since I keep my figures clothed, so could be easily disguised), just because I like that it's both short AND curvy. The only thing stopping me atm is my uncertainty about being able to cloth her... I guess we'll see...

Stretchy fabric is your friend, that’s all I can say. The only thing she’s wearing now for mine is a custom outfit I had made for another project that I am no longer using.

Jaiou are actually making some interesting stretchy clothing at the moment that seems designed to accomodate those top-heavy 'Euro' bodies of theirs (and so will fit virtually anything), and best of all they DON'T (seem to so far) STAIN! For what it's worth my 38 pictured above is usually clothed in a stretchy white male long-sleeved t-shirt with a pinhole neck (which I believe is from TBL's Bloodshot figure). It's large enough to pass for a mini-dress. It is tight, though, and without a bra underneath it is still 'headlights on full', so that would probably still not meet sky's requirements. I might try flattening the bust by strapping it down with strong duct tape wrapped around the chest before I took a knife to it though myself, it wouldn't make such a figure flat-chested but it might make it more clothing-friendly and would be less permanently-altering.

AerynDiana wrote:I didn't know you also got into it for the same reasons as me! I'm totally with you on everything you said.
Do you draw as a hobby (like me) or are you a professional? *curious* I would love to see some drawings! I've actually just been photographing and don't have anything recent to show, but I've actually been working on a piece for the last few days...

Thank you so much for these photos!
I also didn't realize the S38 is that much shorter! And these shots just confirm the S29 as being my absolute favorite. Both muscular and curvy. Just gorgeous.

The S42 looks like it was made from the VW model and just plumped up and rounded here and there. Give her seamless feet to make her different enough and voilà!

I am still not too hopeful they will release the VW separately, especially if she has the same body as the Court of the Dead figures. The theory of an exclusive deal still hovers...

VW seems more muscular than the S42, which I appreciate.

I also do appreciate the S37, because 1) I actually do enjoy drawing anime from time to time, but more importantly 2) It shows they can go even more slender, so no excuse for not giving us a petite adult woman body (to be used for many Black Widows out there for sure...).

And a petite adult man body for nerds and Steve Rogers before his transformation and the likes. Spider-Man! I want wiry bodies!

I'm a long-time old-school professional Graphic Designer (I hate the term 'professional' though it sounds a bit pompous ) and semi-pro illustrator, although Covid has worked its dubious magic to try its best to scupper both careers lately. I got into using these bodies mainly for posing tryouts and sketchbook ideas though so strictly you could call it hobbying. In a way the drawing has actually suffered as I've got further into the hobby and I'm becoming more interested in the photography end of it, to my wife and my wallet's discomfort.

In terms of aesthetics the 28/29 is probably my favourite too, if only they'd sort out those build issues (which to be fair seem to affect the 29 more than the 28).

The 42/43 does look like a slight variant of the Viking Woman. 42 is certainly slightly more zaftig and curvy in the midsection than VW, but I'm not sure if VW just appears more muscular purely due to how the light interacts with the darker skin and makes the muscles look more defined (I've noticed that with the abs, which are there on the 42). One thing about both figures I like that may not stand out at first glance is the musculature on the upper arms which is neither under or overemphasised. The other thing is, those big TBL female feet that I'm complaining about on other threads actually look OK on the VW (I've given them a chance after using the standard 'normal' TBL feet for this shoot, and goshdarn it if they don't actually look fine, seeing as these are proportionately larger figures).

Yeah, the 36/37 is not for me, but I get that it's an anime figure and I'm not that demographic to begin with. I'm just being selfish, more frustrated they've released it instead of catering to ME and what I want to see.

And yes we definitely need more variation in male bodies - for all everyone has qualms about the female bodies, there's much more variety even in those. The M36 basketball player body is a nice (if niche) start, but we also need more of the kind of bodytypes that Worldbox are making, like the 'Dad Bod' and 'Fat Man' models.

MeMyself&I wrote:

GeeWillikers wrote:I think this body (the 42/43/Viking Woman) is the tallest in TBL's canon, but I really need to dig out a flat-footed S01/02 and/or 18/19 for direct comparison to be absolutely sure.
..  will try to add a few more 42 comparison shots (with a 23, a 16 and an S07) later tonight. If not, then tomorrow.

I look forward to the comparison with s07 and s16. I do find it shocking and hilarious how the 42/43 TOWERS over the 38. It’s like the 38 would get lost in a crowd and the 42 would be looking over the heads trying to find their short friend.

For some reason I entirely forgot I've got an S32, which is another tall TBL body that might even give 42 a run for its money. I'll dig it (and an 18/19) out for some more comparison shots during the week (hopefully).

As for the S07 already photographed alongside the 42 (which I'll post later today), it's out of footwear but still in stockings as they're a nightmare to remove and put back on again. I don't think it makes much if any difference where height comparison is concerned though.

Part 4:

42 in side-by-side comparison with Sariah body (S23 second 'bubble butt' edition) with Arhian City Of Horrors sculpt






One more thing to note is that, even steadied against the backdrop surface as it is above it's almost impossible to have the 42 stand absolutely upright without the stand, and it leans forward slightly in order to balance. So it's actually a milimetre or so taller still than it appears in these shots.



Although the 42 can stand up more or less independently with just a little hand from a friend [/gratuitous shot]


You've probably got the idea about the different light conditions by now, so from now on I'll just post the pink filtered shots unless anyone is especially interested in seeing the differences. I can also do shots under a pale blue filter which alters the look noticably again, but I didn't want to overload the thread with photos.

Up next, the S16 andS07 (still haven't censored those yet ).

GeeWillikers wrote:In a way the drawing has actually suffered as I've got further into the hobby and I'm becoming more interested in the photography end of it, to my wife and my wallet's discomfort.

Same here! I'm having so much fun creating these characters simply by swapping heads and bodies, and then capturing them on photos that I just want to keep going!
But I'm glad I made myself sit down and draw something, cause I'm enjoying it a lot. Maybe we can start a photo-reference-sketch-battle-thread some time, and actually keep it running!

She is really tall, isn't she? I suppose it is possible in fairly exceptional cases, although I suspect those would rarely have such ample curves. Anyway, nicely illustrated. By the way, I keep seeing you propping them up against the background, which is only natural, and it occurs to me that others should be warned that the oil in the silicone would leave marks on printed paper surfaces (if one is using this kind of background). Also, your fairly minimalist censoring appears to have slipped a little out of the way on the S23 in the last photo.

Part 5:

S42 in side-by-side comparison with S09




It was difficult to get either figure balanced well enough on those floppy feet to stand to their full height, but the 42 is indeed noticably taller than the 09 as shown. Even though the feet on the 09 are covered we can see the improvement in the visual design and also the difference in size.

It's also interesting to note that while it still has its problems the arm-to-shoulder design has improved dramatically since the 07/09.

Next up: for some reason the pics with the S16 won't offload from camera to PC so they might need to be done again (I'll try later in the week when I've dug out the S18/19 and S32 for more shots).