First Haul of 2009

Now THIS is how you start off a year! I was really excited by this particular haul, had a lot of beauties and cuties. The lighting on the picture of the whole haul sucks because it was night by the time I got home and I was just SO EXCITED and ready to open them and place them on my shelves that I rushed. I’ve been collecting figures for over a year now and the sight of a haul like this still makes me act beside myself with excitment. Hopefully the pictures of each individual figure below will make up for this crummy one.

Prototype Images That Don’t Show All

I quickly learned in the world of figures…that prototype pictures often lie, more often then not the lie makes the figure look better then it actually is. Either the quality of the figure seems a lot better, or there are bases and stand pegs that are omitted in the prototype images. Occasionally I have had situations where the figure actually looked far better in person then the prototype pictures gave them credit for.

Melissa Seraphy (Wagamama Capriccio) Good Smile Company

This is Melissa Seraphy from Wagamama Capriccio, she is a Nendoroid from Good Smile Company. Melissa is Nendoroid #36 in the series, also Wagamama Capriccio is an eroge video game that I’ve never played, and have no intentions of playing. I probably wouldn’t even watch the anime if they made one (only because an anime based on a video game always feels like it lacks something vital).

Corticarte (Shinkyoku Soukai Polyphonica) Good Smile Company

This figure is of Corticarte from the anime Shinkyoku Soukai Polyphonica and is by Good Smile Company. I have never seen this anime and to be honest I didn’t think the prototype pictures of this figure were too great, so I didn’t pre-order her. BUT I happened to be reading Kumo’s Corti Review and his review completely changed my mind. Sometimes pictures of figures taken by fans just tells you so much more about a figure then prototype images do. BUT her retail price was a bit too high for a character I don’t know…well ToysLogic had her in stock and listed at $39.99. That price was by far the best price I’ve seen on her and decided to go for it!

Corti arrived and was EVEN better in person! I’m THRILLED with her! In the prototype pictures I thought that the way she was jumping seemed weird and unnatural but in person it looks great. Having her popping up in the air in such a cute pose is a refreshing addition to my figure shelves. Although I do think she looks better on a shelf below eye level, that way the stand under her foot is somewhat hidden.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again I LOVE pink and I LOVE long hair. This figure definitely has the most BEAUTIFUL hair of all my figures, they chose such a great color of pink and the way it falls around her is absolutely lovely. The hair really frames her face and body in a way thats very complimentary. Oddly enough I really like her boots, I think the attention to detail is just right on those. Plus in terms of fashion I think those boots with such a girlie outfit is a pleasant contrast.

I usually think it’s a waste of time to take pictures of the figure’s underwear (I mean COME ON plain white underwear? Why does it matter if I take a picture of that or not?) but I think hers were cute and worth taking pictures of. Although there is no way in hell I’d display her in her undies, it’s waste of money not to display figures in their gorgeous outfits in my opinion.

This is a figure that really shows off Good Smile Company’s skills both in terms of a design that is stable (doesn’t lean) yet still has a dynamic pose and an amazing sculpt and paint job. Occasionally Good Smile Company does a figure that is just perfect…although other times I want to wring their necks over stupid mistakes…

This happens to be one of Good Smile Company’s figures that is the perfect $40 purchase. I can’t imagine a wiser way to spend this amount on a figure.

Miku Nendoroid (Vocaloid) Good Smile Company

This figure is of Miku from Vocaloid, the manufacturer is Good Smile Company and this happens to be Nendoroid #33 in the series. I got this nendoroid on the 2nd release and there is going to be at least 1 more release of this figure, it’s currently set for Winter ’08. If you want a spectacular list of every nendoroid released/announced take a peek at Hina’s Thread on the TL Forum. What is Vocaloid? It’s actually is a singing synthesizer software  that enables users to synthesize singing by just typing in lyrics and melody. However, if you’re like me, you may also know her from a friend linking you some silly YouTube videos like Levan Polkka or Kurutto, Odotte, Hatsune Miku. The way I have her displayed above is how I have her on my shelf. I just absolutely love that silly face and her leek, just looking at her makes my day a little brighter and I’d love to have another for my desk at work. There is a Limited Edition of Miku with other silly faces and two leeks but honestly I think this is the better face. But many people seem determined to have nendoroid Miku with two leeks and the other faces despite the extra expense for the other version. You can judge for yourself which you prefer by looking at the Prototype Pictures of the WonFes ’08 Miku Nendoroid.

Rider (Good Smile Company) Fate: Stay/Night

This figure is of Rider from the series Fate: Stay/Night, the figure is by Good Smile Company. This is an older figure…I think the release date was 2005? So don’t expect to find her casually on a store web site, the only way to come across this little beauty these days is eBay/Yahoo Japan or maybe a convention. The good news is that there are currently NO KNOWN BOOTLEGS of this figure. These days she sells for about $200 and cost about $55 originally. So unless you’re rich this figure isn’t something you should just buy on impulse. Are you Rider obsessed? Then maybe you should hunt down this figure still but keep in mind that eb Craft is also making a lovely Rider that is also based on her Fate: Stay/Night identity. Griffon also hinted at WonFes ’08 that they may be coming out with a Fate: Stay/Night Rider figure of their own.

Good Smile Company Flaws Part 2

What a dilemna! I LOVE petit nendoroids but they seem to be spitting in my face lately. I happened to get 2 orders of petit nendoroids in 2 weeks and both had a defective figure!