Pre-Order Ao And Maruko Now!

Welcome to the Solaris Blog! ヾ( ʚ̴̶̷ .̫ ʚ̴̶̷ )ﾉ”

Bikini armor has always been a staple of bishoujo fantasy. Not really providing any meaningful protection, it's mostly just for aesthetics. In the future mechanistic world will things ever be any different? Tsubaki Harusame says no. Their original concept, Hard-Shell Swimwear Girls takes the summer swimsuit trope into a cyberpunk world. These aren’t beach-ready babes. They aren't battle clad maidens. They are wrapped in sci-fi armor, designed to seduce and they know it.

Harusame is an active TCG illustrator known for blending elegance with edge. Their work can be seen in games like Cardfight!! Vanguard and Duel Masters. With a style that emphasizes fine linework, ornamental detail and creating living worlds, they can create some truly captivating works. Their range of abilities allows them to produce masterpieces from any genre, from capturing the soul of racing horses to glimpses into the far future.
For the Hard-Shell swimwear concept each girl wears a swimsuit that fuses mecha aesthetics with bishoujo softness. Ao Konno leans into icy elegance, her pose calculated and her expression sultry.

Maruko Hakuyo counters with a teasing stance, showcasing her curves and sharp silhouette with a playful look.

Together, they form a perfect visual. Both embrace their femininity and fight for your attention.

In Harusame's original artwork for the series, the bikinis do look a bit more metal-ish but Infinity Studios did a pretty decent job of recreating it. Their tops do have a plated look to them and there are some subtle additions to their outfits. Up close, you can appreciate the details but from a distance, it may look like just a regular swimsuit.

The SSR figure line has been consistently putting out quality bishoujo figures. The sculpt has effort put in all the areas that count for this concept, highlighting long legs and toned bodies.

The coloring and paintwork is clean and uses a variety of techniques to add depth. Metal bits are sheen, accents pop and shading is realistic.

The base incorporates the cyberpunk world and uses elements from Harusame’s background design from the art series. It helps reminds you to not use bleach, don't iron and no tumble dry. They are metal after all... Incorporating elements of a regular clothing label keeps the futuristic world grounded. Let's just hope there is no subscription service for using your washing machine.

The way the bases connect looks very good, but individually I think Maruko’s falls a bit flat since the area that would be hidden is instead facing the viewer.

Pre-orders are open and they can be purchased as a set or individually. Ao and Maruko should be released in June 2026!
Thank you for reading!