Big Old' Cat Friends

As promised in a previous post, right over here http://collectink.blogspot.com/2011/11/big-ol-cat-face.html I did end up picking up a couple more of of the Monster Hunter X Touma Airou trading cats.  They were such a good deal and quickly selling out from the shop I was picking them up from (yes they are sadly sold out, but ebay still has a few) So what did I get in my new boxes?

Having a trio of these little guys is really satisfying! I was fortunate enough to open a sushi chef cat and a battle cat (In the colors I wanted no less).  While I did have to assemble and can swap parts on my new chef, my battle cat is a solid piece.  But given that I like them as they are with their full accessories, it's not a big issue.  So only the chefs really swap clothing, hats, heads and arms on my chefs, but they look best in their own garb.  I do love the little touch of the headband being removable from the hat on sushi cat. 

They really are a delight and even fit really well into a corner of my room.  I also have the feeling these guys won't be my last Monster Hunter Cat figures. Nerd Away~

Winter Wonder Festival 2012

Normally I don't do News coverage of any kind. I've found since I've started this blog (and expanded my figure collection) that there are always items I want to mention, even if I don't own them (or may never own them).  I'm seeing a wonderful trend in figures lately, and I can't tell if it's because they are always improving in design and execution, or if they are just finally hitting the genres and characters I love.  This just may be my Golden age for figures (for me personally).

I've been watching news from toy conventions for quite a few years now.  Wonder Festival has always been a highlight.  I understand why a trade convention would be for media and companies alone.  This is their main selling market (Companies to order goods and media to spread hype about them to customers). 

I also wondered why they didn't have a public showing the next day.  Obviously they would have to make it limited and ticket prices would be incredible, but by offering the public a little more of a peek they could really rake in the money (Especially with their exclusives they sell at the shows, like this years snow Miku shown below).  It's why PAX gets so many visitors and why game companies show there as well normal trade conventions (like E3).  Perhaps it would be too difficult to manage and who knows how many people would camp out or bootleg tickets....and yes Miku, that is upsetting.

So the news and the images have been pouring in from everywhere, and I'm very excited about it! So I'll only be posting the ones I personally find interesting but here are links to some other wonderful blogs:

http://samshiofigure.blogspot.com/search/label/winter%20wonder%20festival%202012
http://wanabrar.com/blog/figures/winter-wonder-festival-2012-figures-line-up/
http://www.plastikitty.com/
http://www.tomopop.com/index.phtml

First Up, Figma Link! Everyone is excited for this one, and I can't wait to see paint and accessories.

Status: Maybe Purchase

Next Up from Figma, Chie and Yukiko! Also Nendo Yukiko! I do love all things persona 4 related, but I am already getting the one coins of these girls, and I wouldn't want the figma or nendo unless it's Kanji.  So my hope is for these to sell well enough to bring on Kanji (which Makers seems to fear even though his merch sells out, strange right?)

Status: Will keep an eye on sales

Jack Frost.  Too cute. Gotta buy.

Status: Will Preorder!

Next up a lovely static Princess of Crystal Himari from Goodsmile.  Giving how much her figma preorder goes for, I just know I won't be able to afford this one, but it will be lovely. (T System Kit and Nendo versions of this princess are coming too, but I still won't be able to afford those as well)

 Status: Wishlist / Maybe Purchase Nendoroid version

2011 design Racing Miku, is finally getting a static figure from Goodsmile and people are rejoicing.  I don't own any Miku figures, even though I enjoy her songs and design.  Someday maybe, this one is just a great piece.

Status: No Purchase

A Rio Bone Kanti from FLCL! Ah! And it looks awesome.  I really love this figure, it just looks perfect, but price and preorder status is going to make this one difficult for me to purchase. I'm really torn, but basically I'm just happy they made it.

Status: Maybe Purchase

Yoh Asukara from Shaman King!? This is so unexpected, but really nice! This bring me back to my Shonen Jump reading days of only a few years ago.  Basically you can't do wrong with Shonen Jump, but this does seem a little late to the party.  I hope sales go well (since I really liked the manga), and even though I'm not interested in a purchase myself.

Status: Will keep an eye on sales

Linkin Park Petit Nendoroid set. These were announced so long ago, and now we finally get to see them.  They are adorable >.>;  As much as I enjoy their music, I can't put down the money for them. I am very curious to see how they sell.  Could this mean more celebrities with nendo's in the future? Which celebrity would make a good nendo anyway?

Status: Will keep an eye on sales

Monster Hunter and Revoltech!? Hell yeah.  I do so love this figure, but not enough to commit to a preorder.  I already know it will sell like hotcakes, so Revoltech will not be missing my order.

Status: No Purchase

Another one that will sell is the delightful Alphonse! Ah, my favorite character from that series, and he does look amazing here.  I'm not enough of a fan of the series to buy him, but if I were, it would be this one.

Status: No Purchase

P.O.P. figures are always being announced, but is that an ARLONG figure!? I just started re-watching the series recently, so I'm watching Arlong be a fish dick right now.  I'm mostly surprised they are going to make him. Which makes me wonder if he will be a sold out P.O.P. or one of the sale bin ones. I think it's wonderful how the P.O.P do so well, and do seem committed to making the more obscure characters. so keep at it guys!  Maybe make a Captain Kuro to go along with "early villains you thought we forgot" eh?

Status: No Purchase

So it seems the PSG fans are finally getting what they want: more upscale figures of the girls (panty and stocking) and now the devil sisters.  (Even though they really want a second season)  Right now it's only Alter Knee socks but you know dear sister Scanty is on her way.  Knee socks is my favorite of the four, but I'm not enough of a fan to purchase her.  I just want to point out how nice her figure came out.

Status: No Purchase

Muramasa is a wonderful game that I highly recommend.  Alter has figured out that their sales with Momohime could be repeated if they continue the line with the bodacious kitsune Kongiku.  She has a great design but never really held my attention as a character.  All I remember is rushing through her dialogue so I could go back to chopping up ninjas.  Still I do want to see colors when they are complete.

Status: No Purchase

G.E.M. Kotetsu looks amazing! Being one of my favorites I would love to get my hands on one of these.  If I did though, I would give it to my best bud Lechau, the superior Kotetsu fan.  I know Lechau is going to purchase him, but I'm ok with him living on my wishlist of dream figures.  Now if only they had a figure of fabulous Nathan (Fire Emblem) teasing a blushing Antonio (Rock Bison) .....hmmmmm....why isn't there a company that makes pairing figures anyway? I'm not saying it's a good idea, just that it would make a LOT of money.

Status: Wishlist

Now this! THIS! I do very much want.  Bundled with the Dvd or Blu ray of the series and one of my favorite Black rock shooter designs!? I totally want this. Animation Version Insanity Black Rock shooter figma.  I must sell an organ or two for it, but if I can't or if I miss the preorder, it will go onto that dreamy wishlist of mine.

Status: Will Preorder! or Wishlist

So! That's all for now folks.  If something more fantastic comes onto the scene, I'll make a new post.  Otherwise it'll be time for me to go back to my reviews.  I have a couple of art books and some new figures coming up. 

D-Arts Persona 4 Izangai Figure

Here we are! Bringing it back to figures, and specifically video game figures.  Now, Persona 4 has long been a favorite game for me.  With the anime coming out, it is finally gain in popularity. This means many people get some of the dream figures they always wanted. Lechau (the one who would be my partner in crime if we chose to drop normal lives and rob banks instead) was the one who introduced me to this series of games. I can't thank Lechau enough.  In one of our discussions about the characters (and game, plot, etc, etc, etc...)  I clearly remember saying how Izanagi would make an amazing figure, and how I would pay crazy amounts of money for an awesome Kanji figure. 

Well cap my social links, because both are too happen, and especially with the first.  Izangai is kinda like Aegis, in the way that we are seeing a flood of figures of him.  So here is the only Izanagi I need:  D-arts Persona 4 Izanagi Figure:

Fresh out of the box and he is wonderful.  Imposing and classy.  I still have a soft spot for bad asses with good hearts.  Izanagi is all hero despite his "Gang Leader" look about him.  Also this is the box he comes in.  It's easy to spot and follows the game scheme to a T.  The TV window, box art, and the side open panels are nice touches.  This box is a nice size, and isn't larger than it needs to be, making it easy to store.

Izanagi is fully posable, and comes with three sets of hands (holding weapon hands, relaxed, and outstreched).  The are easy to change out, and just pop on and off.  They aren't as tight as chogokin Aegis parts but they work well.  I will say the joints are easy to manipulate, but sometimes the dip or don't stay.  So posing Izanagi with his weapon can be tricky.

Here are some side and back shots.  The last shot looks like he is getting hit, and it also shows off his joints in the legs, arms, straps, and the stand.  If you are interested in collecting posing figures, D-arts Izanagi is the way to go.

Izanagi also comes with effect parts.  The first adds onto the sword for the swing attack, but it is heavy and can really pull down the arms when it is on the sword.  If you balance it right it can be higher, so it's not that bad.  The other is the blue fire (from when Izanagi was first summoned) in a curved shape that sits on the base.  Both look wonderful in the light. With enough shine and transparency to be realistic.  I also really love how they are molded so no pegs are needed on the sword or the base.  Plus you can interchange them onto other figures and bases.

Speaking of bases, basically Izanagi has the same base (size and shape) as the chogokin Aegis.  This was a nice surprise.  They look really good next to each other, and they are from different makers! Just to show how large these bases are in comparison to their size, I put Plex Zoro next to them.  Basically his hexagon is the same size, even though he towers over them. Zoro looks good with his base on fire, too.

Some battle shots just for fun.  Pretend this is that new Persona Vista Game coming out, I guess.  I'm so happy I can display these two together. So my final thoughts?

Despite some posing issues (minor though) This is really a wonderfully sculpted, painted, and displayable figure.  Izanagi is really easy to buy, and available at most figure shipping stores (amiami, hobbylinkjapan, etc.) as well as online shops and conventions.  Be warned though, some places are really jacking up his price, so hunt around before you place your order!

Fruits Book - an Oldie but a Goodie

Time to look at some of the books in my collection. I used to have many many many more art/nerd books. Three bookshelves full to be exact.  I had to cut my collection down sadly, but the ones I kept are still the best.  So here is an old one called Fruits, which most people know about anyway.

Fruits was established in 1994, by photographer Shoich Aoki, initially as a project to document the growing explosion in street fashion within the suburbs of Tokyo. It continues on today, spawning more volumes and a magazine that continues the documentation process and advertises "alternative" apparel stores around Japan.

My copy is super beat up because I paid for it at a second hand bookstore.  Honestly this is the most interesting volume to me.  It was the first venture into this kind of documentation for Aoki, and it stands as a moment in fashion time. 

 Also if you are interested in this book, I will tell you now, it is ALL photographs. Basically it has an introduction from the photographer (2 pages long), and then picture after picture of crazy youth looks. On the bottom right or left hand corner, some stats in small print appear.  Usually including their name, stereotype, age, what brands they are wearing, what inspires their looks, and what they are currently obsessed with at the moment.  Not all the youths are willing to give their information out like that, so sometimes only one or two of these stat lines appear. 

 At the time, this book became quite a resource for businessmen, (looking for what to sell to teens with disposable income) designers looking for trends to follow in fashion, and artists who were interested in inspiration for their works.  It was noted in the Samurai Jack commentary that for the "rave" episode, that this book served as inspiration for the designs of the dancers.

The little things I love about these photographs are the scenes altogether.  It's fun to note how people pose, what they say about themselves, where they are located, and when they go out.  This book is a wonderful reference for artists who want to do backgrounds in street scenes.  As well as obviously hairstyles, hats and shoes...of all shapes, colors, and sizes.

So if you have an artistic interest, fashion bent, or just love all things japan, I recommend this book.  It's easy to find, and usually can range between 10 and 30 dollars, depending on where you buy and what shipping is.  I know for a Fact Amazon and Half.com have it.  And really that's all there is to it! 

My next post will be about ohayocon, and a whole new slew of figures that I got from there and beyond! I'll be sure to post more book reviews in the future as well.