In the promotional image provided by Good Smile Company, we have Shiki with a warm, yet almost mythical atmosphere surrounding her. Not only that, her kimono is clearly much more pink than what came out in the end. While they do always note that the statue in the promotional image is only a prototype, it was a really a big disappointment that I had received such a... downgraded version of what they had promised. I think I'm more disappointed in the smile than anything.

As you've noticed by now, the "smile" in the final product is unapparent. In fact, it's not even really a smile. She appears to almost have a dull, indifferent face. The charm that surrounded her in the promotional image seems to have dissipated during the finalization of the sculpting. At times, I had even wondered if I even received the real deal. It didn't take too long to realize that I was not alone in my despair.