A while ago, a client named M contacted me. She is an experienced 2D collectible fan, often shooting Vlogs and anime-themed photos.
She asked: “Should I choose a ready-made anime face or customize one I like?”

I asked a few questions:

• “Do you want the head mainly as a prop for photos, or does it carry a special emotional attachment?”
  M thought for a moment: “I like many characters, but there’s one that’s really special — I stayed up late watching a Hatsune Miku concert with someone very important to me.”

I suggested:

• If there’s no special emotional attachment, a ready-made face is more cost-effective — faster to produce and cheaper.

• If a character carries special memories, a custom face is more meaningful, unique and able to hold those emotions.

M ultimately chose a custom Hatsune Miku face. She provided reference images, and we used PVC material to recreate the character as closely as possible.
We installed electronic screen eyes, preset to switch between smiling, curious, and shy expressions, making the head lively even when stationary.

After production, I sent her a video of the finished piece. She whispered:

“Seeing her feels like being back at that night, staying up late at the concert.”

This experience showed me that the choice between ready-made or custom really comes down to emotional attachment.
The combination of a PVC face sculpt and electronic eyes allows a 2D character not only to be seen but to carry memories, becoming a unique presence in real life.