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).

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.

Nanatsuiro Drops Limited Edition Nendoroid

Nanatsuiro * Drops: Touch de Hajimaru Hatsukoi Monogatari [Limited Edition]

I had fallen in love with the Limited Edition Sumomo Nendoroid. But alas all seemed lost because she was part of a set of items that would cost over $100 after shipping! I could not justify spending that much on a single nendoroid even though I admired those little pjs and that cute ram of hers! I have a DS but there is no guarantee that I’d enjoy the game (especially since I can’t read Japanese) so I could not take a risk. This set went on sale for $37 on Play Asia, which isn’t even more expensive than a regular nendoroid without all the extras!!! Too bad I was on vacation with no internet during that sale 😦 but eventually more sets were listed at $49.95! I could justify buying a nendoroid and my first Japanese game for that amount. I’m actually quite curious to see if I can fudge my way through the game! I’ll keep you posted after I finish…or fail at completing!

Good Smile Company – Common Design Flaws

As of late I have felt myself a bit let down by Good Smile Company (GSC). I once considered them in my top 5 figure manufacturers but now I’m anxious about ordering certain types of figures from them. It’s not that the figures look bad in comparison to the prototype pictures, on the contrary some look even better than the prototype pictures when you see them in real life. Lately it seems like GSC products either have Design Flaws that result in easy breaking or deforming of the figures, or the figures are INCREDIBLY hard to put together. For a company that prides themselves at being one of the manufacturers at the forefront of the anime figure industry there seem to be far too many overlooked basic mechanical flaws with their designs.

The examples I’m listing are the figures I own and have personal experience with. I wouldn’t feel right commenting on something I haven’t personally had troubles with.

Example #1 – Nendoroids

Light Yagami (Deathnote) – Nendoroid #12