You know that feeling when you're scrolling through AmiAmi or Tokyo Otaku Mode and a prototype just stops you dead? It’s usually a big-name IP—something from Chainsaw Man or a Fate variant. But every so often, an original character (OC) manages to cut through the noise of established franchises. That's exactly what happened with the Guitar Sister 1/7 scale figure. Originally based on the delicate, somewhat melancholic illustrations by the artist Hitsuji Robot (Hitsujirobo), this piece has become a bit of a case study in why collectors are increasingly ditching the "must-be-from-an-anime" rule.
She’s simple. She's just a girl with a guitar. Yet, the execution by the manufacturer, Lovely, has turned a basic concept into a masterclass of PVC engineering.
If you've been in the hobby for more than a week, you know the risks with "Lovely" as a brand. They aren't Altier. They aren't Good Smile Company. They occupy that mid-tier space where things can go south during mass production. But honestly? They nailed this one. This isn't just about a cute girl; it’s about the intersection of "lifestyle" aesthetics and the high-end statue market.
The Hitsuji Robot Aesthetic Translated to 3D
Most people don't realize how hard it is to translate a specific 2D art style into a 3D sculpt without losing the soul of the original drawing. Hitsuji Robot’s art is characterized by thin lines, muted color palettes, and a specific kind of "soft" lighting. When Lovely announced the Guitar Sister 1/7, the community was skeptical. How do you take those wispy, sketch-like qualities and turn them into hard plastic?
The secret is in the hair and the eyes.
The sculptors opted for a multi-layered hair piece that mimics the "flow" of the original illustration. It’s not just a clump of PVC. You can see individual strands—or the illusion of them—catching the light. And the face? They didn't go for the generic "bug-eyed" anime look. Instead, they kept that slightly distant, focused expression of a musician lost in her own world. It’s moody. It’s quiet.
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Breaking Down the Guitar Sister 1/7 Build Quality
Let's talk specs. At 1/7 scale, she stands at a comfortable height for most Detolf shelves. You aren't going to need a custom acrylic case just to fit her head in. The material is the standard PVC and ABS mix, but the finish is what sets it apart. There’s a matte quality to the skin tones that avoids that greasy, shiny look you see on cheaper prize figures.
The guitar itself is a separate highlight.
It’s not just a prop. It’s detailed. You’ve got the strings, the tuning pegs, and the wood-grain texture on the body. It feels like a miniature instrument rather than an afterthought. Most figures in this price bracket treat accessories like a chore. Here, the guitar is arguably the co-star. The way her fingers are positioned on the fretboard is actually anatomically plausible for a chord, which is a massive win for the music geeks among us.
The "Original Character" Gamble
Why buy an OC? You don't know her backstory. You haven't watched twelve episodes of her growth.
Basically, the Guitar Sister 1/7 succeeds because she tells a story through design alone. There’s a certain "vibe" (for lack of a better word) that resonates with the lo-fi hip-hop aesthetic. She’s wearing a casual outfit—hoodie, sneakers, short skirt—that feels grounded. It’s "streetwear-adjacent" in a way that makes her look like someone you’d actually see busking in Shimokitazawa.
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- Sculpting: Handled with a focus on silhouette.
- Paint: Subtle gradients rather than harsh transitions.
- Base: Usually a point of failure for OCs, but this one is stable and fits the urban theme.
Dealing With the "Lovely" Brand Reputation
Let's be real for a second. The manufacturer, Lovely, has a hit-or-miss track record. Some of their earlier releases had leaning issues or paint bleeds that made collectors wary. With the Guitar Sister 1/7, they clearly put their A-team on the job. The QC (Quality Control) reports from early Asian market releases showed surprisingly few defects.
However, you should still check the neck joint and the guitar strap. In some batches, the strap can be a bit finicky to loop over the shoulder without scuffing the paint on the hoodie. My advice? Use a tiny piece of plastic wrap or a steady hand when assembling. Don't rush it. It's plastic, not steel.
The price point is another factor. At the current market rate, you're looking at a mid-to-high range investment. Is she worth $150 to $200? If you value unique art styles over brand-name recognition, yes. If you only buy characters from the Top 10 on MyAnimeList, you might feel a bit of "buyer's remorse" when your friends ask who she is and you have to say, "Oh, she's just a girl from an illustration."
How to Spot a Bootleg of This Figure
Because the Guitar Sister 1/7 became an "Instagram-famous" figure, the bootleggers came out of the woodwork fast. If you see this figure on eBay or AliExpress for $40, it’s a fake. Period.
The fakes are easy to spot if you know what to look for. The hair on the bootleg version looks like melted chocolate—no definition, just a brown blob. The eyes are usually misaligned, giving her a "thousand-yard stare" that is more creepy than melancholic. Also, check the guitar strings. On the real Lovely version, they are crisp. On the fake, they are often just molded lines that aren't even painted straight.
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Always buy from reputable retailers like AmiAmi, Hobby Search, or Solaris Japan. If you're buying second-hand on Mandarake, check the "Box Damaged" notes, but generally, their authentication is top-tier.
Making the Most of Your Display
If you decide to pick her up, don't just shove her in the back of a shelf. This figure lives for warm lighting. Because of the way the hoodie is sculpted, harsh top-down lighting creates ugly shadows. Use a side-lit LED or a warm desk lamp to bring out the textures.
Pairing her with other "Street" or "Musician" themed figures works wonders. Think along the lines of the Bocchi the Rock scales or even the older K-On! classics. She bridges the gap between the hyper-stylized modern look and the classic "moe" aesthetic.
Actionable Steps for Collectors
If you’re on the fence about the Guitar Sister 1/7, here is how you should approach the purchase:
- Check the Artist’s Portfolio: Go look at Hitsuji Robot’s Twitter or Pixiv. If you don't like the 2D art, you won't like the 3D figure. The soul is the same.
- Verify the Batch: If buying pre-owned, ask the seller for photos of the base and the guitar headstock. These are the areas where paint flaws show up first.
- Space Requirements: Ensure you have enough clearance for the guitar neck. It pokes out further than the base, so she can't be "flush" against a glass wall.
- Lighting Strategy: Plan for warm, lateral light. Avoid "hospital white" LEDs which wash out the skin tones.
Ultimately, this figure is a win for the OC movement. It proves that a strong design can beat out a massive marketing budget. She’s quiet, she’s cool, and she’s one of the few figures that feels like a piece of contemporary art rather than just merchandise. Keep an eye on the aftermarket prices; once these OCs go out of print, they tend to vanish into private collections and stay there. If you want her, get her before the "vault" closes.