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Top 5 Bishoujo Figures for 2009

AlternateSam — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 16:52:04 +0000

2009 has been a pretty good year for figure collectors especially in Singapore. Anime Fest Asia came and Danny Choo brought the Tokyo Figure Show out of Japan for the first time. The entire showcase of nendoroids as well as PVCs was stunning and I believe it was the first time a collection of such scale was displayed in Singapore for the public. The figure collection craze amongst the general public took off there and then and I can already see a thriving and rapidly growing community springing up in a few short months.

The top 5 figures for 2009 are of course purely based on my personal opinion. The only criteria is that it has to come out during the year 2009 so those which has been announced in 2009 but only released in 2010 will not be considered.

Ok, let’s start!

5. Native’s Kotone Banana Girl

This figure originated from a Tony Taka artwork which was then taken up by Native on a limited run. Fairly hard to get and only if you are willing to ship it from Japan. Very good details and a coquettish yet sensual face at the same time. Comes with the banana, desk and fully castoff-able clothes. Potentially a very very interesting photoshoot subject.

For more pictures of this figure, please take a look here.

4. Alter’s Yoko Littner

Definitely one of my favourite PVC purchase for 2009, the Alter’s version of Yoko Littner comes with a detailed, sculpted base with Yoko bearing pistols as well as a wind-swept jacket. A more mature themed Yoko but very very well-made nonetheless. Can’t find any obvious flaws and her resolute expression on her face coupled with the pose of her with her rifle make this a MUST-GET for any TTGL fans. For my short review, please click here.

Gallery of Yoko Littner.

3. Goodsmile’s Haruhi + Mikuru + Yuki Extravaganza Version Set

This is technically 3 figures but the entire collection is a set so I’m including it as a single figure. The set features a very dynamic trio with Haruhi on her electric guitar screaming passion, Yuki with her usual calmness on her guitar and the air-headed Mikuru with her tamborines. Besides the nicely made instruments, the details on them (note the creases on the jackets and the stocking linings on Haruhi) make this set very very hard to find after it was released. Prices started shooting up and I really regretted not pre-ordering it. Interestingly, many people commented that Mikuru looks like a potential leaner but it turned out to be a false alarm which was a hugh relief.

Gallery of Haruhi, Yuki & Mikuru.

2. GoodSmile’s Saber Lily ~Distant Avalon~

No surprises here. This was one that many Saber fans were waiting for the entire year and turned many non-Saber fans into one. The dynamic pose, the fierce expression, the subtle tonal shadings and the elegant base. What more can you ask for? Best Saber figure in years, and probably ever.

More of the Saber Lily ~Distant Avalon~ figure at the gallery over at AkibaHobby

1. GoodSmile’s BLACK ROCK SHOOTER

Hands up if anyone, ANYONE, finds this a surprise. This made it into year 2009 barely by the skin of the teeth, launching on the 23th of December and only available in stores around the 28th of December onwards due to the Christmas break.

With all the rave reviews going about the internet, I guess it would be extremely sycophantic and redundant to even review the entire figure for the 9000th time. Just look at the cannon, the scar on the belly, the flame eye and of course, the marvelous detailed base and marvel at how far PVC figures have progressed ever since they started being produced. Paired with a careful touch of the paintbrush, this figure will no doubt be a classic in the PVC world.

When it was first shown unpainted, people have already started remarking about how fantastic it would be and how detailed it was. And when the pre-order was open, everyone in the know just started rubbing their hands in anticipation. After months of delay, this was finally released as the year was winding down. And I bet not a single one of them was disappointed by the end result or the waiting time after holding this in their hands.

Awesome gallery of Black Rock Shooter over here at Happysoda. I have been following his site for the longest time as he continues to amaze me with his stuff.

And there you go, my top 5 bishoujo figures for the year 2009! GoodSmile is certainly well on its way to world domination by the looks of things!

Pictures courtesy of Goodsmile.info, akibahobby.net, polyvinylcrush.com & happysoda.com

The Fast, the Furious and the Fake Saber Lily!!

AlternateSam — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 07:11:03 +0000

I think most of the people who know about the Saber Lily ~Distant Avalon~ PVC by Goodsmile will have known that it was just released just a few days ago. While I did not order one, I felt it was a wonderful piece of work with fantastic craftsmanship to boot. Regrettably, some bootleggers have already come up with an imitation PVC of this figure. Here’s a quick guide to show you the differences, courtesy of Goodsmile.

Those bootleggers are pretty good themselves, making an imitation of such a well-crafted figure and releasing it just as Goodsmile released the original, probably to confuse those who are not well-versed in spotting fakes. Not that I blame those who fell for the fakes as some of them are quite well done and even passable for the real thing at times. Goodsmile Company predictably, reacted very fast and came out with the update on their webpage to condemn them and showcase the differences as soon as they learn about the issue.

RED / Left is genuine while BLUE / Right is fake

The genuine version comes with the Good Smile Company sticker as well as another sticker.

The printing on the fake is pretty awful as you can see for yourself. The color is also slightly off as if it was photocopied, which it probably is. ^^

There is an holographic sticker on the back for the genuine box.

For the actual figure itself apart from the box, there are 3 tell-tale signs.

Firstly, the base. Pretty obvious once you compare both of them. One comes with Fate / Unlimited Codes and the other without. The shade of the gray is different as well.

The connector that joins the left hand to the scabbard is also of a different color. The authentic one is clear while the imitation is black.

Lastly, the angle of the head and the ahoge is totally off for the fake. It does however, look alot like Yami from To Love-Ru from this angle. It could just be me though but maybe fans of Yami-chan could do well to take note. ^^

Personally as a collector, I feel there is no point getting a fake. It just decreases the perception of the original figures which you already have just by having a fake in the midst. If you can’t afford the original, maybe save up and hope to get it another day rather than spend your money on a fake which you know will never replace the real stuff.

Also, I feel its good to support the company which release such excellent figures by purchasing their items. But by purchasing bootlegs, you are just feeding the bootleggers who obviously do not pay any copyrights etc to the respective copyright holders. On a larger scale, this will just decrease the motivation of the companies to release such well-crafted figures since they know that people will just end up buying the bootleg copy instead and this will be terrible for the entire market.

On a brighter note, if you want to take a look at the original Saber Lily, head over to AkiraHobby here where there is a fantastic gallery and review of the figure. Terrific work by Goodsmile Company here, can’t wait for Black Rock Shooter

Pictures via Goodsmile.info & akibahobby.net

Max Factory Casual-Wear Saber and Shirou Emiya Figma

AlternateSam — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:16:54 +0000

Max Factory has announced the release of Casual-wear Saber and Shirou Emiya figmas. Both look a refreshing change from their usual armor-clad versions.

Casual-wear Saber comes with a pair of chopsticks and a rice bowl as well as the usual various handparts to hold them. Face-wise, there’s an upset one, a smiling one and a meditating one. A bokken is also included as an accessory and the figma comes with an additional lower body part to enable her to sit on her knees. I really like the bokken as its a pretty unique weapon accessory on a figma. Afterall, any figma with weapons will look pretty good as their joints allow for action poses. I guess the extra lower body part will be something like figma San Seto’s tail and being the first figma to be able to sit properly gives it extra must-get points.

figma Saber: Casual ver.
Release Date: Oct 2009
Price: 2,500 Yen

Shirou comes with the normal neutral face as well as a grinning one. The 2 blades, Kanshou and Bakuya are included along with Berserker’s battle-axe and Archer’s left arm. With this number of great accessories, its a must-buy for anyone who likes figmas or the Fate Stay/Night series! Besides, both figmas will look great together as a set. One without the other will be quite strange as their fate are so intertwined with each other.

figma Shirou Emiya: Casual ver.
Release Date: Oct 2009
Price: 2,800 Yen

Pictures via Goodsmile.info

Weekly Pilgrimage to Chinatown

AlternateSam — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 13:33:57 +0000

I took my weekly pilgrimage to China Square Central today afternoon but didn’t find anything remotely interesting at all. Quite disappointing. Went to Mickel’D clearance sale at Lucky Chinatown but it was abysmally boring with very few stuff on sale. And to think that there was a long snaking queue to get in and I waited about 40 minutes just to step inside.

Preordered a Hatsune Miku Figma from him though as I couldn’t resist it anymore. Besides, it was a great price but only arriving in May(!!!)

Then, it was off to Cityhall to collect my online purchase of these 2 PVC figurines. I got them at a good price and was quite happy to be able to find them, especially the Saber/Zero as I was on the verge of ordering it from HobbyLink Japan when I saw it for sale online.

It was a rainy day & was stranded at cityhall for an hour or so. But still, it made the night very cooling.