figma King Kazuma [Summer Wars]

A tiny feed from figma's blog popped up on my RSS. 

When I read the "figma新作発表！！", I thought "Oh, cool!"

After I read the  "figma新作発表！！", I thought "Oh, FUC-"

The "shock-and-awe" effect hit me like a blast from a grenade while I jumped, not for cover, but for joy. 

Update: Kaneko added some pictures of the King, with another blacked-out image of a new figma.

Love Plus+ PV Premiere

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Simmoned Figures #4 - GSC Saber Lily - Distant Avalon 「セイバー・リリィ ～全て遠き理想郷(アヴァロン)」

Hey guys, and happy 1st of June. Not that it matters or have any relation to upcoming events of sorts, but its finally and really June. Been waiting for ages and I'm expecting (and praying) for the figures I've POed to arrive on time around this month. But I'll save that for another post as we move onto the next figure to be dissected and copy-pasted by pirates.

Unfortunately, I did not have the chance to procure dear Saber, due to my interest in such models only budded when she was released =(

So for those who did not get her too, and are looking for resales of non-MISB of Saber Lily on some auction/buy & sell website, think twice before deciding after reading this to identify and sift out the counterfeits. The differences are minute, yet noticeable after a closer inspection.

Threat Level: 5/5

Nendoroid Petit: Bakemonogatari Set #1

I confess! I only got this because of Senjougahara!

There, I said it. =)

After weeks of delays, many bitter thanks to Golden Week (where no one works for a week >_>), my local suppliers shipment had finally arrived, well into the 5th month. Had to squint to get a good look at the "puchi"s. It feels like a nendoroid, with all the accessories and stuff included, but in reality, still has the size of a petit. Either way, it feels weird. 

Though, I do applaud GSC for coming up with smaller set releases. It's a win-win for "most" of us. 

Collectors - cheaper than standard 12set/ procuring specific characters/ extra accesories

GSC - smaller scheduled releases/ profit more than standard 3 nendoroid petits

And I realized collecting all 3 sets would cost more than the standard 12 charac-in-a-box set. But with the extra stuff included, its a fair price I guess. But I still hate you, GSC =P

Simmoned Figures #3 - Nendoroid Petit Vocaloid #1 「ねんどろいどぷち ボーカロイド #01」

My last post kept on ranting about suspicious and near-perfect imitations that would dupe even the most avid collectors at first glance, which classifies them as the most dangerous out there.

But no worries for the imitations in this post. 
After looking at these, you'd want to chuck it back to the pirates and ask them to do a proper job of manufacturing a fake. 
One might have to question if these are even worth labeling as a "figure"...

The level of pirating for this set is so laughable, I'm sure only blind otakus of a certain ethnic *cough* would purchase them as GSC giggles at their phailed attempt of replication.

Compared to the previous counterfeit of Saber Lily, I'm quite astound by pathetic replication such a lovely series as pirates would give they're all to make near-perfect copies to lure customers in.
After looking at these images and comparing them to the real ones I currently have in my hands, I love Miku and GSC all over again for they're quality.

However, the following images may cause momentary blindness, rapid blinking, squinting, frowning and accelerated eye cancer.
You have been warned...

Threat Level : 2/5

Seiyuu Comparisons - Spring 2010 (#5)

My current expression as I realize how much I have to go before I finish P3 FES.

And that doesn't include the 121hours already spent on P4

But who cares, as I ready myself to further shorten my lifespan again, with P5 is in the works xD

So it's May, and we're almost reaching the half-way mark of Spring 2010 season. So far, the most promising shows are Arakawa, Tatami Galaxy, Giant Killing and K-ON!!

What? K-ON!! ain't a good enuf? It's just another series part of the moe-blob that's running around?
Well, fark you very much, and GTFO that way ---->

I'm part of the "Y" generation, and yes, I love music, as much as to sticking my earphones in my ears 24/7.
Despite how skeptical and critical of the blob, I'm making this show an exception =)
With the slice-of-sch-life scene, music and moe here and there, I'm a victim of my own words.
Mio is another reason for watching too, unlike some people who defected over to the Azunyan faction, which I'm part of as well xD

Anyways, here's #5 of May as I pluck a few more faces and plaster them onto this post. Quite tempted to put more comparisons, but then I'd run out of stuff to post of the coming 2 month. But I might as well add a couple more from Winter 2010 next time, so I'll leave that aside for now. Enjoy. 

Seiyuu Comparisons - Spring 2010 
<<<<< (#4)       (#6) >>>>>

[Fujiwara Keiji]

Kappa                                                                  Ali Al Saachez

Still playing that "bad-ass-I-dont-give-a-damn" character. Quite recognizable fortunately. But Kappa is really funny at times, unlike Saachez.

[Sugita Tomokazu]

Hoshi                                                                           Kyon

Oh Kyon, you're dream has come true; to be a star. Literally

Hoshi is really fun to watch with so many expressions, especially that confession box scene ^^

[Koyasu Takehito]

Sister/Brother                                                                Mu La Flaga

This veteran is still active, fortunately. His voice is very familiar to those who have watched the older animes, as he pops up in quite a lot of shows as sub-characters. Like "Kururu" in "Keroro Gunso" for example =D

Figures Ordered (Q2 - 2010)

I practically forgot about this post. Intended to make a quarterly post, instead of some blog highlighting what they pre-ordered the second the deposit has been paid. It's more effeciant and collective this way (and saves me from posting everytime due to my lazy attribute) 

We're barely entered May and I've already PO-ed some goodies which, I might add, are irresistible. Perhaps I'll post what I've ordered for Q1 instead as a summary. But whatever.

Been money managing my purchases, comparing a "must-get" to "have-to-get" buying impulses. Quite difficult as evil manufactures like GSC and MaxF continue to churn out hordes of irresistibly-cute figures any die-hard fan would love to acquire.

Nonetheless, we still fall prey and victim to their marketing strategies, continuously pounding the shit out of Mr. Wallet and his loyal men of bills and coins. So far, it has been a lopped, one-sided battle on my part as GSC, particularly, keeps sending out more enemies than I can keep up with Mr. Wallet and his disappearing merry men.

K-ON!! Goes Home!

Like most high school life scenes, the annual field trip to various cultural parts of Japan, which most Japanese have never been to unless for a good reason, has begun.

So K-ON!! goes home to Kyoto, where the production company, Kyoto Animation is based.
Ironically, KyoAni is located on the outskirts of Kyoto, which is Uji, but still within the Kyoto Prefecture.

As expected of a company which is based in Kyoto, one must live up to the expectations of great artworks and backdrops of various Kyoto scenes, which are quite impressive throughout the episode. The last time they did something like this was Lucky Star ^^

Like all field trips. we start off any with packing up of necessary belongings;

Simmoned Figures #2 - Nendoroido Saber Lily 「ねんどろいど セイバー・リリィ」

So, whats so scary about counterfeits anyway? Its just a near/phailed replica of the genuine item. Well, apart from the loss of sales and VERY OBVIOUS low quality production, whats so bad about it?

Its because quality fakes are out there

Near perfect replicas that appear normal to the unaware potential customer, ready to deceive us all. And no one wants to pay for something when we can get the original at the same price. In other words, near-perfect replicas are scary, as I spotted a few (okay, not few, ALOT!) during my last visit to HK.

As I entered a certain noticeable shop, packed from the floor to the ceiling with nendoroids and merchandises in HK, I was almost duped into buying a 2nd Saber Lily nendoroid. The counterfeit was shockingly perfect, but one good look at the packaging and figure would tell any avid collector it was fake. The average market pricing for each of the nendoroids in the shop had lead me astray, as I thought everything was original, but alas, pirates are always out there to fish for our wallets.

Luckily, GSC noticed this counterfeit going around and decided to highlight it, much to my delight to share with other collectors and promote awareness of such fake goods.

Here's the Fake Nendoroid Saber Lily~!

Threat Level : 4/5

Simmoned Figures #1 - Nendoroido Hatsune Miku 「ねんどろいど 初音ミク」

 (I hope this pic doesn't violate any copyr. issues)

I was poking around GSC's site when I came across some interesting articles, particularly this one; concerning fake figurines creeping around in the market.(It seems that this "simmon" meme is here to stay ^^,)

Looking at how they are poorly done, it kinda irked me, as well as GSC, (alot of things have irked me this month, huh?) to think there are people who would actually bother making useless "simmoned" pieces of plastic.

But then again, I expect no less from the country where everything in the world is "made in China", from shoes to LV bags and now; horrendous simmoned figures. So, from time to time, I'll highlight some faux figures on GSC

(note; original context is in Japanese. I do not take credit for the comparison done, simply translating the actual context for English readers with added comments of my own)

Starting with a figure we're all familiar with (and re-runned 3 times already), Nendoroid Hatsune Miku!!!

Threat Level : 3/5