I admit I have a soft spot for Kalhene, a Maitreya Lara-compatible mesh body at a lower price. Well, Kalhene has replaced their Anya female full-body (i.e. head and body) package and their Alexa transgender full-body package with a new, all-in-one Analexa body, version 4.1!
If you had purchased earlier versions of either the Anya or Alexa bodies, you can upgrade to Analexa 4.1 for free; just slap the Redelivery sign in the Kalhene store, located directly across from the N-Core footwear store.
For only L$2,495, you get a Bento, Bakes on Mesh body that is compatible with most apparel and footwear designed for Maitreya Lara, plus a lot of extra options which would normally cost you extra!
In addition to a transgender option (i.e. an optional penis with a HUD), the body comes with four different chest options (flat-chested, petite, normal, and large/implant breasts), a choice of two Bento heads, even hair and a nice starter wardrobe! In a previous blogpost, I did a detailed cost comparison between version 4.0 of the Anya body and a Maitreya Lara body/Catwa head combo, and now you get even more for your money with the Analexa 4.1 package.
Here’s what the head and body look like, wearing an outfit I picked up using a free QE Designs gift card at the SL18B Shop and Hop event, which ended yesterday. The Bakes on Mesh skin and eyes are included in the Analexa package.
In addition, Kalhene has released a brand new full-body package called Erika. This is a fuller-figured body that reminds me of the Belleza Freya, INTHIUM Kupra, and Katena bodies, where you can get a much curvier, juicier figure!
Here’s what Erika looks like, right out of the box, with the included skin and long hairstyle, and wearing one of the 10 included outfits (the sneakers are a freebie from VERSOV):
The Erika body comes with not one, not two, but three different Bento heads! Here’s a look at the “soft” head, with rounder features, which I quite like!
And here’s a look at the second, “hard” head, with sharper, more angular features:
There is also an Asian head with two shapes, which unfortunately I cannot show you because I was unable to find a suitable Bakes on Mesh skin for it. (By the way, skins designed for other brands of mesh heads might look a little weird on this head. Always demo before you buy!)
Once again, for L$2,495 you get a LOT for your money. The package includes many options which usually cost you extra in other bodies (e.g. pregnant belly). Let’s take a look at what comes in the Erika 1.0 package, comparing it with the INTHIUM Kupra body, the one I think it resembles the most:
| Kalhene Erika 1.0 | INTHIUM Kupra | |
| Base Cost of Mesh Body | L$2,495 | L$3,999 |
| Included Body Shapes | 5: skinny, natural, curvy, chubby, and pregnant | 3: skinny, curvy, and “bimbo” (ugh!) |
| Breast Options | 5 shape options; optional HD nipples | 3 shape options; 5 types of 3D nipples |
| Bento Hands and Nails | 5 fingernail options; 16 colours nail polish | 5 fingernail and 4 toenail options; 32 colours nail polish |
| Mesh Feet | 3 heel heights controlled bu HUD: flat, mid, and high; the feet are Maitreya Lara compatible | 4 heel heights controlled by HUD: flat, mid, high, and tiptoe; the Kupra body comes with three options for feet, supporting footwear made for Kupra, Maitreya, or Slink feet |
| Bento Mesh Head | 3 heads included: soft, “hard”/more angular features, and Asian | Not included (Catwa heads cost L$5,000 each) |
| Starter Skin and Eyes | 5 skin tones, 8 eye colours | 2 skin tones |
| Starter Hair | Included (works with all breast types) | Not included |
| Starter Wardrobe | 10 complete outfits with footwear (see images below for examples) | Sport shorts, top, bikini top, panties, and thong |
| Transgender Option (Penis) | Included | Not included |
| TOTAL COST | L$2,495 (including hair and a very generous starter wardrobe) | L$8,999 for the Kupra/Catwa combo (not including the cost of hair and wardrobe) |
Here’s a look at some of the ten complete outfits, with footwear, which are included in the wardrobe package (please click on each picture to see it in a larger size):
In other words, you can hit the ground running with the Kalhene Erika body at one-third the price of a Kupra/Catwa setup; all you have to do is add an animation override and you’re all set to hit the grid as a big, bold, beautiful woman!
Remember, you can mix and match, and use the Erika head and body separately with other heads and bodies you might already own (the body comes with Catwa and LeLutka options on the HUD to avoid neck seam issues for those heads). The body responds well to the head and body sliders, so you should be able to adjust the shape to suit your preferences.
In fact, the only drawback that I can find with the Kalhene Erika body is that (unlike the Analexa 4.1 body), it is not compatible with apparel designed for other mesh bodies (which is probably why the designer included a generous starter wardrobe with ten different outfits). Given that most avatar clothing designers are loath to rig for yet another body (most already do 6 or 7), it will be an uphill battle to coax creators to make clothing for this body! However, the feet on the Erika body are Maitreya Lara-compatible (although you will have problems with things like straps high on the ankle or calf).
Given the creator’s track record, you can expect frequent updates to both the Analexa 4.1 and Erika 1.0 bodies. Join the Kalhene store group for only L$25 and pick up some free group gifts, such as outfits and shapes, at the store (here’s the SLURL).
Happy bargain shopping!
UPDATE July 8th, 2021: I forgot to mention that a couple of well-known SL vloggers, Isabelle Cheren and Naria Panthar, have already put the new Kalhene Erika body through its paces. Watch one or both videos to get a better feel for the body, before you buy:
UPDATE July 10th, 2021: A commenter gave me more information about the Kupra bodies: three options for feet (Kupra, Maitreya, and Slink), plus details on the clothing that comes with the Kupra body, so I have updated my comparison chart accordingly. Thank you, Olé Olé!