Subpar Attack on Titan Figure Inspires Memes – and a Public Apology

A new Attack on Titan figure that was distributed exclusively through the Japanese phone carrier NTT DoCoMo has inspired a titan-sized flood of complaints, memes and even an official apology.

As reported by Sora News 24, the new Levi Ackerman figure was originally unveiled as part of a cross-promotional effort between the Attack on Titan manga and Japanese telecom company DoCoMo earlier this year. A prototype of the figure was shown in February, and collectors were only allowed to preorder the highly exclusive item once they had been selected through a random raffle. The figure cost 13,000 yen (roughly $120 USD) and was finally shipped to the raffle's winners earlier this month, but the response to the figure has not been positive: in addition to many of the figures arriving broken, scratched, or with missing parts, fans have complained about the paint job on the figure, with some saying it barely resembles the character and others joking that it looks like something out of a parody or gag manga instead.

Backlash to the figure was widespread enough that DoCoMo is now offering returns with full refunds to anyone who ordered the statue. The company also issued an apology on its official website and on the promotion's Twitter account, saying "We have received your concerned comments about the quality of the figures that were shipped. To those of you who were looking forward to receiving yours and waited so patiently, we deeply apologize."

Since the figure was only available for purchase via raffle, some customers still aren't satisfied with a refund on their "prize," and have instead started a petition asking DoCoMo to replace their statues with a new figure that more closely resembles the original prototype that was shown off during the item's preorder period.

Levi fans have been having a rough time lately, as the character was also shown in a beaten and bloodied state in the latest trailer for the final season for the Attack on Titan anime, which will return on Jan. 9. So many people expressed their concern for the Survey Corps.' star soldier that "Levi" began trending worldwide on Twitter, in both romazined characters and in Japanese katakana, shortly after the trailer was released. Fans who can't wait until January to see what happens to Levi can pick up the English print release of the final volume of the manga, which goes on sale in the United States on Oct. 19.

Source: Twitter, via Sora News 24