Hi, it's been a while. And here I am again, with another downsizing of merch ^^;
I still love and adore these series, that will never change, but lately I've been feeling like they're better off in new homes + any funds I can get will be put towards important irl matters (mainly tuition). Currently the line-up consists of photobooks, but I might upload other stuff for sale as time goes on (rubber/metal keychains, maybe a plushie or two). It would be a big help to get the word spread
Details:
Based in Australia. Please take note of this as the international shipping probably isn't too different from New Zealand
Prices in AUD
Payment methods: Paypal F&F, Wise
Contact method: DM on Tumblr or on Instagram @/iristial_sales (my toku selling account)
You can also check @/iristial_sales for evidence of previous transactions made earlier in the year
Everything is in good condition and may have minor flaws I haven't noticed
Exact shipping quotes will be given after item payment
Items will be sent out at the end of the week or within 5~7 days, as I am currently working full-time
Photobooks: $30 AUD each
✅️ Hero Vision Vol.73 (the last Hero Vision volume. Features a special 'limited edition' cover of Aruto and Sougo
✅️ GRACIAS! Ankoku (Tokyo News Mook 983)
✅️ Kamen Rider Revice - Familia Diabolica*
*it's been kept in the packaging I made for it when someone contacted me the first time I attempted to sell it (they never responded to payment requests)
It's interesting how social class in Perfect Crown is less of a "see how our male lead, superior in everything from lineage and education to natural talent, chose the commoner female lead no one would bat an eye at, doesn't that show how amazing he is" thing, and more of a "what level of social status - the only quality Huijoo 'lacks' - would benefit the female lead, and if she were to obtain it must be iron-clad, so someone like the Prime Minister whose status is 'weak' (which reflects his true character imo) is useless and incapable of helping with her ambitions" thing
Perfect Crown isn't revolutionary and chock-filled with so many classic Korean drama tropes, right down to the shameless Subway advertisement. Needless to say, I want to binge watch all of it right now. I've been craving a modern-day noble/royalty arranged marriage story for the pure fun of it :]
Zeztz is getting its first character photobook, SECRET MISSION IN A DREAM 😌 (remember the days when photobooks used to go for about 2,500yen a piece and not 3,300yen :D)
Set for release on April 2, 2026!
Contents include:
Ryutaro Imai (Baku Yorozu) "cool agent" in CODE HQ & "real world" location solo photoshoots
Yuki Furukawa (Nox) in CODE agent gear solo photoshoot
Two-shot photoshoot of Maho Horiguchi (Nemu) & Miki Yagi (Minami Yorozu) in cute pajamas
Two-shot photoshoot of Kenta Mishima (Tetsuya Fujimi) & Rina Onuki (Nasuka Nagumo) doing Black Case detective work
Cast interviews looking back at episodes 1~28 (solo for Ryutaro Imai and Yuki Furukawa, joint interviews for Maho Horiguchi & Miki Yagi + Kenta Mishima & Rina Onuki)
Some behind-the-scenes interviews
Interview with Yuya Takahashi (head writer)
You can also get store-specific bromides as a pre-order bonus! (so far only two stores have released details)
Rakuten Books has three options: 1) Baku Yorozu 2) Nox, and 3) Baku & Nox
Seven Net Shopping has two options (previews not disclosed as of writing): 1) Nemu, and 2) Minami Yorozu
My attempts to watch Zeztz without knowing any spoilers have experienced interference in the form of 1) real life commitments, and 2) Twitter 'helpfully' sliding a massive first arc spoiler on my timeline, unprompted, last week - much to my utter dismay. Let me develop my theories, dang it 😅 (maybe I'll pretend I don't know anything....even if it's interesting to know how Yuya Takahashi has expanded on hypothetical/temporary scenarios and "prophetic powers", what with the "Ark attacks Aruto" simulations in the 3rd Zero One arc and the DGP semi-resets + Ace's character in general in Geats)
Earphones bought; may the Zeztz brainrot commence :D
Other than a crumb or two that slipped through the Ateez brainrot on my timeline, I haven't seen any Zeztz spoilers. I also haven't watched tokusatsu (let alone dramas) in a longgg while, so no spoilers please + apologies if my thoughts are discombobulated
Some thoughts about episode 1:
Zeztz's fights primarily(?) taking place in dreams reminds me of a story I wrote years back where two people fight nightmares in the dream world + the main villain was an entity that could induce comas onto its victims, should the nightmares progress to a point of no return (ignore the medical inaccuracy ^^;). I'm merely talking about this to say how cool it is to see this type of story play out in tokusatsu - especially when I incorporated some Kamen Rider 'inspiration' into said story I wrote hehe (Wizard's Underworlds was a variation of this concept + I'm pretty sure tokusatsu has dabbled with dream worlds before, but it hasn't been the main premise of a series before)
I've read somewhere that the monsters are based on Kamen Rider suits, which is probably true because as soon as the camera zoomed in on the monster's feet, I said "TaJaDor - is that OOO??" xD
As I expected when the cast pictures first dropped, Zeztz feels very different from previous Yuya Takahashi works. More grounded in reality, less fantastical. Or, as 'realistic' as you can be when the hero refashions a belt to fight monsters in the dreamscape. But it was a solid episode. I enjoyed every bit of it ^-^ Especially the opening act - it was like watching a scene from a spy/heist/phantom thief movie! And the first fight between Zeztz and the monster reminded me of some fight scenes from Blade
Themes/motifs:
Gachapon and casino -> the Driver's henshin trinkets(?), the triple-7 when Zeztz defeats the monster
Dreaming can affect reality (lack of job prospects, not utilizing time properly, not taking action hinders people from recognizing your potential/putting their faith in you (whether it's of genuine disbelief or deep-rooted concern/fear/worry in Minami's* case is another story)) and reality can affect your dreams (which is linked to the next theme)*
*It's also reflected in the two bookcases we see in his room. One's full of physical media about spies/agents, accompanied by movie posters and merchandise. The other one contains bookcases for life skills (cooking, job hunting, social skills, advice, philosophical(?) discussions)
The effect the mind has on the physical body, primarily the heart -> the monster tries to discourage Baku's resolve through speaking words that implant fear in his heart and his attacks affect Baku's real body, Zeztz's suit has no adornments other than the red stripes mirroring veins/blood flow and accentuation of his chest and stomach, there's several scenes where Baku lays his hand on his chest, victims of unfortunate events experiencing a nightmare/lucid dream prior to the actual event may be targeted so that poor sleep weakens their mental health and mind
Speaking of hearts, something about Baku and Minami's interactions made me think of those movies featuring terminally ill characters who achieve feats despite the odds (ranging from making a full recovery to learning to navigate life and make the most of it)....
I find it interesting that Baku's an unconventional hero, not just because all(?) his fights take place in the dreamscape. Like, he's been unemployed for an undetermined amount of time and gets lost in his dreams (figuratively and literally), but he quickly gathers himself to go to a job agency to lessen the load on his sister, who he dearly cares for (his first reaction to finding himself in his bedroom while escaping the monster is to look for Minami). His attempts to personally confront the child kidnapper(????) failed because he got hit by a car - but the ensuing commotion frightened said kidnapper into abandoning his plans and running away, allowing the worried mother to be reunited with her daughter in the background while Baku's out of commission. Maybe it reflects how his heroics lie less in movie-like escapades and 'perfection', but how he has the heart of someone who cares and does what he can when he has the chance to take action
Ryutaro Imai has some good acting chops! A number of main Rider actors tend to be awkward in the first episode, either from a lack of acting experience or how it's the early days in becoming immersed in their Rider character, but Ryutaro Imai's transitions between cool agent dream!Baku and sweet, slightly air-headed but ultimately well-meaning reality!Baku were seamless. I've heard he had some acting experience prior to being cast in Kamen Rider, so it's definitely an asset to his performance. He's already made me fond of Baku and I look forward to what the story has in store for him ~
I wouldn't be surprised if Ryutaro Imai got a little inspiration from Hideyoshi Kan's portrayal of Ace and Renn Kiriyama's portrayal of Shotarou to portray his own take of cool agent dream!Baku. Those hand gestures and mannerisms....needless to say I was fangirling like a fool asdfghjkl
Happy New Year 🎆🎆 May everyone experience good fortune in 2026 and be able to overcome whatever trials life throws at us (or to at least receive all the love and support in the world) 😊
Other than working (53 hours this week :D), I got my mum a perfume she wanted and paid for dinner on her birthday, and took little sis out on her second cinema date (which she reallyyyy loved, that cute gremlin loves busy places - and food - and movies 😆). I'm planning on taking her to a waffle place when I get the chance as well
I'm gonna see if I can try and watch the things I said I was going to watch last year 😁
To vent about the workplace life: my boss (who I have multiple complaints about lol) has been acting like I'm not pulling my weight at work (which has depressed me for the past week 🥲) when 1) the duties he claims I'm neglecting are his micromanaging tasks + the aftermath of the holiday season in an understaffed business, 2) I've been working so much my hand tensed up mid-way through pulling up a ladder today + it could've fallen on me had not a coworker been passing by, and 3) I've noticed this 'senior' part-timer who often gets assigned as "team leader" coming up with ways to avoid doing work several times this week/doesn't know basic procedures despite being here longer than me, and yet he gets a pass for how much he sucks up to our boss. It's making me question worth tbh. Life truly can be unfair sometimes.
I don't have anything to post about other than how my wrists started to hurt from working so much, so here's a random photo of one wrist bandaged up to show I'm still kicking 😅
@firebirdsdaughter (Do forgive the delayed response on my part ;-; hope you've had a happy New Year 💗) Thank you for your well wishes! 🫶 They truly are the worst ㅠㅠ
I'm quite late, as December 25th is almost over here (which I spent working....), but merry Christmas everyone 🫶🎄 Hope you've all been well, and take care of yourselves as we inch towards the last few days of 2025 💗💎
Hi, dear. I don't think of you as much as I used to, and sometimes I even forget this day circles back to us, but when I do think of you it's always with great fondness and an ache that quivers at the thoughts of what could've been if you were still here. Miss you always, love you always, our poet artist 💎
I'm guessing this is the new (of sorts) toku that's taking Super Sentai's place? I've heard about it back in October and seen news circulating on my Twitter feed, but I haven't paid attention to it ^^; So all I can talk about is how shocked I was to hear Super Sentai was actually ending at Gozyuger (even if I found myself tuning out Sentai in favour of Rider over the last few years). It felt like Sentai would be around - forever, you know? Or at least another twenty years, so that we'd meet the new cast who'd cite Gozyuger as their childhood therefore making me feel older than paper lol And it's rather bittersweet we're drawing the final curtain here - for now - considering what happened to Maya Imamori (another discussion in itself). But I guess giving Sentai a hiatus(?) will let the franchise take a much-needed breather and come back successfully someday, not unlike how Rider did all those years ago :>
