Japan- Here I Come!

Will be off to Japan today.  I expect big things, hope it’s all fun.  I can’t think of anything I’m forgetting but I’m sure I’ll remember once I get to Japan.

Big write up once I get back.

Destination: Japan

Well the moment has finally come, the many years of buying figures, taking Japanese language classes, listening to Japanese music and watching anime and Japanese movies have finally lead to an actual trip to their origin.

The desire to be there and take in the culture is currently being shadowed by the planning phase which is proving to be a challenge.

The days are set but where do I stay and for how long?  Do I switch to a different hotel for a couple of days in another area?

Do I buy a rail pass if I only want to go to one other city other than tokyo?  Since this is my first trip (doubt it will be my last), should I aim to do a bit less traveling and just enjoy Tokyo and surrounding areas?  How big is Tokyo?

Where is the best place to book these details online?

Argh, so many details and time is winding down, help meeee………

Figure Sale – UPDATED w/eBay Links

Finally getting around to posting some figures for sale.  Not sure if I’ll be listing on eBay due to their listing fees, final value fees, and paypal’s fees. Well eBay happened. links below

Some prices may seem crazy but this is what I value them at, not sure of actual values but most prices are below what I paid.

For the time being I’m just going to list the items , their conditions and prices.  I can’t guarantee that their will be any exciting values but I may have things that are no longer available for sale.  Any questions can be left in comment.  and I will reply soon.

RAH DX – AINA – No Longer For Sale.

WHIP X NONOKO (Yamato) -Brand New (not sealed, never removed from box, Box is a bis damaged) can provide more pic if necessary

CHUN LI (Street Fighter) (Organic) - No Longer For Sale.

TALHO (Eureka Seven) - purchased used/open, orange sticker and pricing sticker residue on box.

KUREHA (Shining Wind) - Opened, displayed, reboxed

KOYORI – (Sengoku Blade) (by ebCraft) - Brand New Factory Sealed. Still wrapped in tissue paper.

HARUHI (Live Alive) – No Longer For Sale

YUKARI MORITA (Rocket Girls) - Opened, Never Displayed, Reboxed

HONEY/CANDY (Fighting Vipers) - Opened to check contents, Never Displayed

MYLENE HOFFMAN (009-1) - Opened to check contents, Never Displayed

FINEPRINT

Shipping in the U.S. only – Sorry No International Shipments – Paypal Only Accepted –

First Come First Served.  Discounts for multiple items (if we can come to an agreement).  Please leave a comment about the figures you are intrested in (I will respond to the email used to leave the comment)

Time for some fresh Air by Kotobukiya

Wow, it’s been quite some time since I last posted.    Late January I did manage to take some pictures but have been sitting on them for nearly 2 months.  Can’t say I haven’t had the time but not sure if I’ve been motivated.  Another reason may be that the bulb I used in my lamp suddenly gave out and I sent it back to the company but have yet to hear anything from them.  It’s a Sylvania bulb and supposedly carried a two year warranty.  I only had the bulb a few months and since I had the packaging and receipt, I decided to take them up on their warranty.  It’s been a couple weeks now but I’ve yet to get any response.

Despite the lack of lighting, time or motivation the figures have just kept pouring in, so before I get too backed up in the review department I’ve decided to post during my sick day as aI rest at home.  These pictures were taken with the Sylvania bulb before it died.  I wasn’t 100% pleased with them but that might be the perfectionist in me.

Before buying this figure all I knew was the art.  All I knew was the art was on point, reminds me of NitroPlus art style.  Then learning that the figure was being done by Kotobukiya was just the final selling point.  It’s supposed to be limited edition or something but I doubt it will actually be limited in quantity.

There’s no cast off process for this figure.  While it might have been a nice addition, it’s not necessary.  Cleavage is on display and the backside is exposed but sparingly covered.  It’s a lovely pose and nicely executed.  Air is displayed leaning against an airbrush for support.  There is a little guy at the end of the air brush which may be an ink well of sorts I assume.

The only issue with this figure would have to be the hair.  The hair looks like it was just tacked on beneath the ears.  It just doesn’t blend in well with the rest of the head of hair.  Other have mentioned this in their reviews as well and I didn’t really know what they were referring to before I opened mine.  It’s a nice beauty of a figure and is a great addition to any collection.

One of the great things about this figure is the creation process which was involved.  The entire process was recorded and aired on Japanese television.  The videos can be found on youtube. There are 9 episodes total, the first of which can be found here.  Finding the remaining 8 video is simple, just do a youtube search.

Capcom’s Darkstalkers Graphic File by Udon

Just got this book in after nearly a years wait.  I placed my order for this book through Amazon.com on April 7, 2008.  After multiple emails updating me that of released date being pushed back, my order didn’t ship until January 14th, 2009.   If that does show my dedication to this book, then I don’t know what does.

As a long time video game fan and a lover of 2D fighters when this book was announced I knew I had to have it.  I knew very little about what the book would contain but that didn’t matter as it mentioned it would include artwork collected from the Darkstalkers/Vampire Savior series.

At first glance of the Darkstalker’s Graphic File, expecting and a book full of art, I was disappointed to find out that it was not so.  Out of 140 pages it only gives about 23 pages dedicated to the art itself.  I felt quite ripped off immediately.  There are however very detailed biographies through out the book which do provide additional art.  You can also think of it as a game guide since it provides the move lists for the characters.  All Darkstalkers/Vampire Savior games for all systems are listed in the back noting every character and what game they have appeared in.

This book isn’t really a reader, but instead you should enjoy the art, concepts and ideas.  There’s really nothing to do but appreciate the information which is presented to you and seek to enlighten yourself with things about the series you didn’t know.  I enjoyed the art for Dee, a character I knew nothing about before getting the book.  It’s great to learn about the characters and history behind the games.  There’s even a small section dedicated to figures.

My favorite fighting game company has always been Capcom,  giving us such series as Street Fighter, Rival Schools, Darkstalkers (Vampire Savior), and the VS series kept me indoors (arcade or home) for hours.  Many of those games complete my collection today.  I’ve always been a fan of Capcoms artwork regarding their fighting games and always jump at owning any of it as part of my collection.  I already own Udon’s Art of Capcom book and as a former comic book collector, I enjoy Udon’s work.  Just recently purchased the new Street Fighter Legends Chun Li and I’ve even picked up their trade paper backs (TPB) of the Street Fighter series.

The current generation of fighting games is great (Tecmo, Namco, etc. ), but it’s really nothing like the ones I grew up with.  I remember playing those Capcom fighters in the arcade for hours on end.  Then later, once the game was released for home consoles, like the Sega Saturn, playing an arcade perfect translation for even more hours.  This is a great piece of nostalgia for any fan of the series or capcom.  I have no doubt that there will be some facts in this book that fans will find interesting and fun.

Demonbane’s Another Blood by Max Factory

This latest review will be part of my elegance series.  I figure that I have at least one figure left before this ideas dies but I’ll enjoy it for what it is.  I’ll also be adding Kokoro from my last posting to this series since she gave me the idea.

As strange as it may seem, the name of the character actually seems to be “Another Blood” and she comes from what I understand to be an anime.   Before being adapted into an anime it was an eroge for PC.  Anyone with better info please feel free to provide it or you can consult the wiki.    The Demonbane series is also responsible for Metatron, Eserudoraida, and Al Azif.  I can guarantee a future review of at least one of those three.  I have not watched the series yet but will be doing so once I have the time.

Demonbane is brought to us by the fabulous Nitro+.  They are also responsible for Jingai Makyo, the series which gives us the Misae Makimoto Fantastica PVC and all of the beautiful Ignis PVCs.

I almost passed this figure by but seeing it more and more made me realize just how beautiful it is.  What first turned me off was the loli-ness.  It just wasn’t oppai enough for me.  but her glaring eyes along with that devious smile worked its toll on me.  The color scheme, along with the level of detail in the outfit and hair makes this one a no brainer. The only things that held me back on purchasing was as I said before, the loli-ness and the exposure during her curtsy.  While there have been more shocking poses, the loli factor makes this one kinda controversial.  If it doesn’t spark some questions, it might at least get people thinking …the wrong thing.

Depending on how you chose to display it, the figure can be just as safe as any other to display without worry.  The height level matters because the higher you place her, the more you see under her.  The lower you place her, the less you have to worry about. Though if you have any figures which you have to REALLY think about before displaying, perhaps you should have thought about it before buying it.

As much as I like this figure, I am not posting all the pictures I can  (makes me feel kinda dirty).  If you don’t like this figure by now, you wouldn’t like the extra pics and if you do like this figure so far then I urge you to buy it and enjoy your own pics. ^_^

Beach-goer Kokoro from DOAX2 by Kotobukiya

Ahhhh, it’s been a long time but here is the latest addition to my collection. The lovely Kokoro who first made her appearance in Dead or Alive 4. I’ve followed DOA from PS1 to Dreamcast to PS2 to Xbox to Xbox 360. The only version I never got was the Saturn import. The creators, Team Ninja, went on to make Dead or Alive Xtreme Volleyball for the original Xbox which was somewhat fun. That game received a sequel on the 360 which wasn’t very fun. The difficulty was increased and some feats were just impossible.

From that sequel, Kotobukiya has produced the “Venus on the Beach” DOAX2 PVC series. The previous releases include (not necessarily in this order) Kasumi, Lei Fang, Tina, Hitomi, Ayane and now Kokoro. When the first, Kasumi was released, importing these figures cost about $80+, the more patient U.S. collector could have picked up Kasumi for almost under $40 in some places. With each release, I seem to have to pay a higher and higher price. Normally Kotobukiya releases are able to keep low prices once a N.A. release happens but I don’t know what’s going on.

I was able to get mine from GCS Toys & Collectibles. This small start up provides quality service and isn’t widely know. I was able to find my Max Factory Shana and Shuraki’s Char Rhousemann long after they had been sold out at other sites. I believe those two examples may have long been sold out from the site but they are just examples. I’ve placed many orders GCS and have never been disappointed. I was however disappointed to find out that business was not going so well due to the economic situation. As such the business may be going under. Normally I say it’s survival of the fittest, but the level of service that I have received makes me want to keep one of the better legit PVC and Hobby retailers around for a long time. All I’m asking is that anyone reading this will take a look at the site and see if you can find that rare missing item from your collection. Please keep in mind that the more legit retailers we have round who provide great service, the less you will have to turn to ebay and possibly buy a fake item.

But I digress, though I have the other figures, this is the latest DOAX2 figure and since I’ve wanted to test out my new XSI, she was the prime target. Hopefully the quality of the pics will improve as a get better with the camcera.

The main thing I love about this figure is her umbrella. It’s an actual mini Japanese paper umbrella. I can’t say that this feature sold me on the figures since I’m collecting the lot, but it sure helped. Further up the handle you can find a locking mechanism which keeps the umbrella open.

The other accessories include her Citron outfit from DOAX2, two small bows to be attached on her hips, the beaded neck strap and the base. The Skirt has built in panties to keep her bikini hidden when you display Citron.  A few pictures up you can the notches in her chest that allow her nexk strap to be attached.

Her Apple bikini is not removable. It is permanently built on to the figure.

This may well be my favorite of the DOAX2 Venus on the Beach series. This figure is simply beautiful. Maybe it’s my love of most things Japanese, but this Apprentice Geisha while not my favorite character in DOA4, has easily become of my favorite figures. Dare I say she is the most simple, natural and most realistic of the DOAX2 VotB series so far.

Hey Kotobukiya, Christie, Helena and La Mariposa (aka Lisa) still haven’t been released. I’m sure that I’m not the only one waiting for them so please keep up the good work and I can guarantee you at least one sale

1UP and EGM Down and All Around Ramblings

Lot’s of rain today in NYC.  Train ride wasn’t bad.  Got a seat, and miraculously didn’t have anyone sitting next to me with “Restless-Me Syndrome”.  That’s what I call it when women can’t seem to keep out of their bags or just for no damn good reason keep on fidgeting and elbowing me every 5 minutes. 

Apparently some people seem to think that rain is a good reason to play sick, stay home and not come into work.  When my commute is 50 minutes and yours is 20 minutes, I feel no compassion.

Speaking of compassion, as a gamer, I must express my sadness about multiple losses to the gaming community.  Once Ziff Davis property, 1UP has been sold to Hearst Corporation’s UGO.  The worst part of it all, a large part of the 1UP staff has been let go as a result of the sale.  I didn’t use 1UP much, but word on the street is that they provided some quality gaming podcast. 

EGM, the finest gaming magazine for mature gamers has ceased publication. As if it wasn’t sad enough to see Dan “Shoe” Hsu go, now the whole damn magazine is done, thanks a lot ZD.  I seriously don’t think I’ll ever subscribe to another gaming magazine now that EGM is gone.  GamePro and GameInformer just don’t lay it out like EGM does, IMO they seem to target a younger audience.  I grew up with EGM and enjoyed getting an issue every month.  EGM was loved and will be missed.  Guess ‘ll have to rely massively on Joystiq and Kotaku now.

The gaming community is buzzing today about this news.  Some of my favorite sites are providing coverage of the 1UP/UGO/EGM situation.  More info through Joystiq.com (1,2), Kotaku.com (1,2) and Gamasutra.com.

I wish everyone who got the short end of the stick well in their future endeavors. 

NZ

On Strike

Sorry for the lack of updates people.  Everysince I’ve been trying to get a new camera, the idea of taking pictures with my current camera just doesn’t move me.  It’s done me well up until now and there’s nothing wrong with itbut I’m just a bit psyched about my upcoming new toy.  It shoudl be here mid next week so provideing all goes well, lots of updates should be coming soon.  I’m also in the market for new 4 GB & 8 Gb SDHC cards Class 6 or better so once I get those, well be good to go.

Happy Holidays 2008!

Happy Holidays to everyone!

May you receive all of the figures, games and anime that your heart desires.  May your loved ones be well.

Eat much and be merry!

NZ