For one day this summer, Makuhari Messe is overrun with a litany of figures big and small, professional and fan-made. Wonder Festival is the premier event...
Anime News Network's Wonder Festival 2017 Summer review.
Time for my post-WonFes2017summer picks. ^_^ (Also including some figures that were announced a little before WonFes.)
My definite buys:
For me, the heart-stopping surprises were Nendoroid Taikogane Sadamune and Nendoroid Lina. I mean, seriously?! *O* Sada-chan was on my WonFes wishlist, but I didn’t think there was a real chance of seeing him! And Lina---! That was completely out of no where! Slayers was one of my oldest fandoms, and I didn’t think anyone even knew that series anymore! On top of that, the Volks booth at AX2017, less than a month ago, made it seem like Volks had all the rights to make Lina figures. Though I would have preferred her TV series outfit, her movie outfit has pretty versatile pants that might be good on other Nendoroids. And hey, if she paves the way for a Nendoroid Zel, then I’ve got no complaints. Regardless, a Nendoroid Lina Inverse is a dream come true. *o* The way I felt when I saw these 2 Nendoroids is exactly how I should feel about all the figures I preorder (instead of wasting my money on lukewarm buys).
Casual version Yuri was also a surprise. Not the “take my breath away”, "I can't wait to buy this" type of surprise, but more just surprised how much Good Smile Company is milking Yuri on Ice. I guess it makes sense, with the fanbase so rabid. But a whole other Nendoroid only really makes sense in terms of the characters’ different skating outfits. This isn’t a skating outfit! But somehow they knew they could get away with this, AND an upcoming coach outfit version for Victor! LOL ^o^ ...But I can’t really complain. I love versatile wardrobe for my Nendoroid collection in general. Now I don't have to get that Nendoroid Yuki Nagato Disappearance version for her own similar coat. ^-^
And of course I'm obligated to get the maiko version of Kyoko Sakura. She's my least favorite of the Holy Quintet, but I love wafuku, I'm a completionist, and I am getting the rest of this upcoming PMMM maiko set. I'm sure they'll make her look beautiful. Anyway, I kind of liked Kyoko from the Rebellion movie. ^_^
Figma Joker didn't premier at WonFes, but he was displayed there, while his preorder was just opening. So, let's count him. I NEED THIS FIGMA SO MUCH. Regardless that I had just decided to drop collecting Figma, since I prefer chibi Nendoroids... But this Figma, I'd have no regrets getting. ^o^ Joker's costume is just so cool! I've always loved black trench coats, often drew them on character illustrations, and almost bought Nendoroid/Figma Kirito just because of his black trench coat (even though I don't watch SAO). But now that I'm totally in the Persona 5 fandom, I'm so glad that there's now a black trench coat'ed figure for a character I already love.
Next are figures I might buy, but not quite sure yet:
I haven't watched "Welcome to the Ballroom" yet, but if Tatara Fujita's scruffy-haired character design is any indication, he might be the earnest, sincere, cinnamon roll type that's one of my favorites. *.* If I get into this series late, and it turns out I'll love it, then I'll really regret missing this preorder window. But even besides that, his tux is so versatile and nice, I might want to get him just to add to my Nendoroid collection's overall wardrobe.
I kind of dropped off of watching "New Game" for some reason, even though it's got all the moe and "slice of life" that I love. o_o? But before I forgot about it, Hifumi was one of my favorites. ^.^! So socially awkward and exuberant through text messages...She's just so relatable! ^u^ And so adorably shy! If I was following this series closely, I'd HAVE TO have this Nendoroid. But I'm not so sure now.
Kasen Kanesada has nice character design, but I really have to lay off the Touken Ranbu Nendoroids. Originally, I wanted only the Date-gumi Nendoroids. But before Orange Rouge was created, we had to support all the male figures we could, until they got the hint. In other words, I bought all of the first few Touken Ranbu Nendoroids, and now it's ballooned into this huge chunk of my collection. x_x; Even though they have such nice character designs, I really have to stop now! @w@! Also, I'd normally collect all the hakama I could, but I've already got some from 2 other TouRabu Nendoroids and 2 more TouRabu Nendoroid Co-de. I should really stop now. ...But I do like wafuku...
This chibi Lelouch is an Ichiban Kuji / Kyun-Chara from Banpresto. I don't really have any feeling about this Code Black costume design, but I'm just so desperate for a chibi Lelouch to match my Chibi-Arts C.C., I'd probably buy this figure if I came across it.
Next group is made of figures I really shouldn’t buy, but they’re very tempting:
A few days ago, I saw Nendoroid Tomo Kunagisa, and though I have no idea what "The Beheading Cycle: The Blue Savant and the Nonsense Bearer" is, I began to seriously think about preordering her. She's got multi-shaded blue hair! *o* It's got hints of greeen and indigo... I'm a sucker for pastel hair and cool colors (vs warm colors), but most of the pastel-haired Nendoroids I already bought are lavender or pink haired. I'd _love_ more blue-haired Nendoroids, especially with multiple blue-ish hues like Tomo. Plus, she's just so cute! Look at her little bare feet! She comes with down AND braided hair...Her coat is cute...She holds a little flower accessory...And she even comes with a seated pose!
But if I get Tomo, I'd have to get Ii-chan, from the same series. I say that as a completionist, but honestly, his casual hoodie sweatshirt and jeans would be a great addition to my overall Nendoroids' wardrobe. And I'd no longer have to consider geting an Osomatsu-san Nendoroid, just for the same type of outfit. That'd be a relief, because I'm not really a fan of those Osomatsu character designs. But if I'm in for Tomo, then I'd be in for Ii-chan too, and that sounds like a lot of money for a series I know nothing about and characters I don't know enough to have attachment to. o_o;
Then there's the Arthur Pendragon Nendoroid. I'm not really a Fate Stay Night fan, let alone, a Fate Grand Order, or whatever spinoffs are going on with that series now. But that Arthur Pendragon has a nice character design! I really like his hair, going off into different directions. And that armor could turn out pretty cool once it's painted too. Previously, I've gotten Nendoroid Annelotte just because of her intricate armor, even though I wasn't into her series. So why not Arthur Pendragon? Like her, he could be a beauty piece. And maybe it'd be nice to have a Western styled warrior next to my Touken Ranbu Nendoroids. He'd either fit right in or make an interesting contrast. It would just seem unfair if I didn't get him, while I was willing to get all those TouRabu Nendoroids---But I'm supposed to be saving money!!! I have to stick to my rule of not buying from series/characters I don't know! For once, I need to TRY adhering to that rule! ;o;
The Code Geass figures are pretty self-explainatory, given that it's one of my favorite series and CLAMP's Mokona Appapa is one of my favorite illustrators. ^_^ But still, static scale figures are soooooooooo expensive. And that Lelouch/Suzaku figure looks super expensive! x_x; I can't get that.
And lastly, there are the figures I’ve decided not to buy:
Some of these figures used to be on my wishlist when they were first announced, but I've decided against them by now. The rest are just minor interests worth noting, but I never intended to buy.
Originally, I was going to get Figma Utena, Figma Umi Ryuuzaki, Figma Fuu Hououji, and Nendoroid Ariel. But I got Figma Hikaru Shidou a while ago, and though I love that character, I just can't really get excited about scale figures. But it's not just that: I have to save money, especially when I know there are so many Nendoroids I want. x_x; And of course, Racing Mikus are just fanciful dreams that I will never actually purchase. Racing Mikus are too expensive! Otherwise, I would have also gotten that knight themed Racing Miku, in addition to this year's green butterfly fairy Racing Miku!
And Ariel, though not a scale figure, just didn't turn out as cute as I had hoped. When I first saw her figure announcements, I very weakly committed to considering her preorder, because I wanted to try turning my other Nendoroid characters into mermaids/mermen. But looking at her waist joint close up, I'm not sure it would align well with the Nendoroid Co-de Fundoshi, Nendoroid Aoba Seragaki's alternate body, etc. And let's face it: I have to cut more out of my figure spending. And realistically, I'm not fanatical about Disney. I have to drop Ariel. If I really want a mermaid Nendoroid, I should make a tail accessory, even as jsut a cloth sleeve to slip over a Nendoroid's legs. I *make* figure accessories for aritst alley, for goodness sakes! I shouldn't have to rely on Nendoroid Ariel for my Nendoroid mermaid/merman figure photography.
Juzumaru is pretty, but his costume design really isn't doing it for me. He's just an honorable mention because I like Touken Ranbu and he's voiced by Hikaru Midorikawa, and old favorite seiyuu.
Ryu Mustang is also an honorable mention. I have no intention of buying him either. He's just worth noting because FMA is cool. ^_^
When I originally saw the Magical Mirai 5th Anniversary Miku's unpainted prototype, I'll admit that big top hat was intriguing. But Do I really need it? I can make that. I already have made smaller top hats for my Nendoroids and Chibi-Arts before. I was not expecting this Magical Mirai Miku to look so good after painting. *_* All the cool colors I love, different hues blending together in her hair, and that cool backdrop of playing cards flying around behind her. It's just really pretty! ^-^ But still, another unnecessary expense.
Nendoroid Wonder Woman isn't really a figure I ever seriously considered for the sake of AmeriComi. I just happened to be thinking lately about cobbling together a custom Nendoroid that looks like me, in the same way Nendo Stories did. But looking through the entire Good Smile Company Nendoroid catalog, it seems like Wonder Woman's hair is the closest thing to resembling mine.
And lastly, Casual version Oikawa Toru. No. I am not bringing a Nendoroid Oikawa into my house! He lost whatever slim chance he had, when the Iwaizumi Nendoroid perorders closed. I might have accepted bringing Oikawa into my collection if I had an Iwaizumi to beat him up. But that's done. So get out of here, Trashykawa! Don’t come in here with your goddamned versatile school uniform that would look great on so many of my other Nendoroids… Just stop it already! ;w;
Lastly, though I like Touken Ranbu, I'm not interested enough in figures from their butai stage show musicals. I might consider the costumes as beauty pieces, if they were Nendoroids. But Nendoroid Petites are something I’m saving my wallet from. At least that’s one thing I can alleviate my wallet from buying. Thankfully. Thank goodness. WonFes is already kicking my wallet’s butt, as it is… x_x;
Kids these days are aging out of action figures much earlier because those little plastic guys can't compete with digital characters. But collectables for adults is booming from The Dark Knight to Star Wars to Breaking Bad action figures. I visit two of the leading toy shops, NECA and Sideshow Collectables, and I talk with psychologist David Shim, who has an impressive man cave of vintage heroes and villains.
Here’s a figure collecting episode of one of my favorite podcasts, in case you need something to listen to, while refreshing/reloading all the WonFes 2017 summer coverage that’s going to start in 10 minutes. ^_^
