It's the time you've all been waiting for. All both of you that is.
I have finally invested in a real digital camera and will be retaking ALL of the photos over time (starting with the PVC photos).
If you're interested, the camera I decided to purchase is a Canon PowerShot SX110 IS.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Saturday, April 4, 2009
PVC Review: 1/8 scale Haruhi Suzumiya Gekisou Ver. (Max Factory)
Today we're taking a look at a Haruhi Suzumiya Gekisou - or in English, Extravaganza Version. This will be one of three upcoming Haruhi Suzumiya Gekisou figures sculpted by Max Factory, which I'm considering getting. Haruhi was released March 31th 2009 and retails for about $84.90.
After taking Haruhi's box out of the UPS package the first thing I notice is how cool the box looks. The box is a shiny hybrid of red and black with multiple pictures of the figure, as well as the other two figures to be released on the sides. Removing Haruhi from the box I am immediately drawn to the guitar- specifically the strings, which to my surprise are real and not simply painted on. On the guitar, the fade from orange to black has been painted especially well, and the overall detail is great.
Now onto the negative. Firstly, I noticed that there is a small spot on her upper most hair strand that hasn't been fully painted in. This does bother me because it's in such an easy-to-see area that I can't think of any reason why it wouldn't have been painted in. Secondly, her skirt seems to be overly frilled out, unlike the episode in which this figure depicts. This also takes away from the figure because it makes the back of the skirt, which is supposed to be a bit long in the back anyway, seem that much longer. Finally, the 'chain' on her necklace is too long and makes for a crowded upper-chest and neck area.
Now that the bad is out of the way, I'd point out that this figure does sport some amazing detail, and not just in the guitar. I'm glad that they included the subtle pink shading on her top that would have been easy to overlook, not to mention the fact that the top is occluded slightly by the guitar. Haruhi's leg stockings have been painted on and are consistent. Max Factory did a great job capturing the essence of Haruhi Suzumiya; the figure doesn't just look like Haruhi, it feels like her too. That about sums it up for the main review, and now onto the judgment.
Paint and craftsmanship: 9
Packaging: 10
Price: 9
Likability: 10
Overall: 38/40
I'd say that I'm glad I pre-ordered this item, the month wait was definitely worth it. Although I admit I was hesitant to buy this figure because I wasn't sure I'd like it. Let's face it, pictures can only tell you so much. Now I'm torn deciding whether or not to order the other two figures. I'm really not all that impressed with Mikuru, the second figure to be released, but Yuki, the third figure, looks promising. Lots of pictures this time, I hope you enjoy them despite their poor quality. One day I'll get a digital camera and retake some of the pictures. Thanks for reading, take care.
Update: I've retaken the pictures for the review with my new camera.
After taking Haruhi's box out of the UPS package the first thing I notice is how cool the box looks. The box is a shiny hybrid of red and black with multiple pictures of the figure, as well as the other two figures to be released on the sides. Removing Haruhi from the box I am immediately drawn to the guitar- specifically the strings, which to my surprise are real and not simply painted on. On the guitar, the fade from orange to black has been painted especially well, and the overall detail is great.
Now onto the negative. Firstly, I noticed that there is a small spot on her upper most hair strand that hasn't been fully painted in. This does bother me because it's in such an easy-to-see area that I can't think of any reason why it wouldn't have been painted in. Secondly, her skirt seems to be overly frilled out, unlike the episode in which this figure depicts. This also takes away from the figure because it makes the back of the skirt, which is supposed to be a bit long in the back anyway, seem that much longer. Finally, the 'chain' on her necklace is too long and makes for a crowded upper-chest and neck area.
Now that the bad is out of the way, I'd point out that this figure does sport some amazing detail, and not just in the guitar. I'm glad that they included the subtle pink shading on her top that would have been easy to overlook, not to mention the fact that the top is occluded slightly by the guitar. Haruhi's leg stockings have been painted on and are consistent. Max Factory did a great job capturing the essence of Haruhi Suzumiya; the figure doesn't just look like Haruhi, it feels like her too. That about sums it up for the main review, and now onto the judgment.
Paint and craftsmanship: 9
Packaging: 10
Price: 9
Likability: 10
Overall: 38/40
I'd say that I'm glad I pre-ordered this item, the month wait was definitely worth it. Although I admit I was hesitant to buy this figure because I wasn't sure I'd like it. Let's face it, pictures can only tell you so much. Now I'm torn deciding whether or not to order the other two figures. I'm really not all that impressed with Mikuru, the second figure to be released, but Yuki, the third figure, looks promising. Lots of pictures this time, I hope you enjoy them despite their poor quality. One day I'll get a digital camera and retake some of the pictures. Thanks for reading, take care.
Update: I've retaken the pictures for the review with my new camera.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Lucky Star, One Piece, Utawarerumono, and My Hime
As far as DVDs go it's been a slow month. I went on a small rightstuf.com shopping spree and picked up some new stuff. I started Utawarerumono a few weeks ago and I liked it. I don't think it's going to be something I'll ever re-watch again, but for $5 a volume I really don't care too much. I picked up the remaining four volumes of the series and plan to watch them soon.
It seems like it's been awhile since I've bought a Lucky Star DVD. I believe all six have been released as of this writing and I've just got around to buying number five. Now, even though it's not officially out until tomorrow, rightstuf.com shipped out One Piece season 1 part 4 a bit early. I was really impressed with the third collection that I had to get the fourth as soon as possible. Collection 3 is easily my favorite, not counting number four as I haven't seen it yet. Also from righstuf.com I picked up all the My-Hime DVDs.
Unbelievably, I was able to get all seven My hime DVDs, including the artbox, for only $24 at rightstuf.com. If that's not a deal I don't know what is. I really like the box, it's nice. Well that's all I have to show you this time. Thanks again for reading and take care.
It seems like it's been awhile since I've bought a Lucky Star DVD. I believe all six have been released as of this writing and I've just got around to buying number five. Now, even though it's not officially out until tomorrow, rightstuf.com shipped out One Piece season 1 part 4 a bit early. I was really impressed with the third collection that I had to get the fourth as soon as possible. Collection 3 is easily my favorite, not counting number four as I haven't seen it yet. Also from righstuf.com I picked up all the My-Hime DVDs.
Unbelievably, I was able to get all seven My hime DVDs, including the artbox, for only $24 at rightstuf.com. If that's not a deal I don't know what is. I really like the box, it's nice. Well that's all I have to show you this time. Thanks again for reading and take care.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
PVC review: 1/7 scale Haruhi Suzumiya Beach Side (Kotobukiya)
As many of you know this PVC was the first I ever purchased. There were three things that drew me to this particular PVC. One was the fact that it was the main character from one of my favorite, if not my favorite, anime series. Another reason was its inexpensiveness; I believe I paid $59.90 not including shipping costs which, if you've ever bought a PVC before, is about twenty dollars less than average. The final thing that drew me to this PVC is the risque pose; Haruhi in a bikini? Sounds good to me! Haruhi actually comes with a removable shirt already on and it took me a fair amount of time to figure out how to get it off (you're supposed to pull her head off and lift the shirt off).
Now because this is indeed my first PVC I don't have much to compare it to, but I feel that this PVC was done well considering what it is. Her hair has been painted a perfect brown color and looks very realistic. In fact, her entire head has been done very well. The rest of her body is a bit harder to discuss because she's not wearing much so there's little I can say about it. Her skin has been painted a typical flesh-like color that one would except, and her bikini is a dark, almost black color. To be honest the figure is a bit boring as there isn't much going on here. In my opinion I think Kotobukiya is relying on sex appeal to sell this figure a bit too much, and my opinion is further reinforced by the fact that this figure sells for a bit less than others in its class. In fact I ordered Tamaki from To heart 2 and she is in an almost identical kneeling position and that PVC is going for $84.90 at play-asia.com. There is one other thing that takes away from the PVC a bit and that would be the base. Kotobukiya has used a cheap cork base for Haruhi to kneel on and when I touch it I feel I could snap it with ease. I'm not sure if cork bases are a standard for Kotobukiya because if they are that will definitely be a factor I take into consideration when buying another product from them.
When all is said and done I'm happy with this purchase; for the price I feel it was worth it. I'd definitely say that this a good PVC for me to start out with. If you like Haruhi, you like girls in their swimsuits, and you don't mind a figure that's a bit plain then this should make you happy. Now as I stated in the previous post, I'm going to be judging each PVC in a few categories: Paint and craftsmanship, packaging, price, and finally likability.
Paint and craftsmanship: 8/10
Packaging: 8/10
Price: 8/10
Likability: 7/10
Overall: 31/40
I would recommend this figure to anyone who likes Haruhi and is looking for an inexpensive PVC for whatever reason. As of this writing you can no longer get this at play-asia as it is sold out, but hlj.com has this in stock for $58.96 not including shipping. Now no review would be complete without some pictures. I took the liberty of taking a couple shots (with a camera phone, sorry) from a few different angles so that you can get a better idea of what the figure looks like. I've also included a picture of the cork base for you to look at. Thanks for reading, take care.
Now because this is indeed my first PVC I don't have much to compare it to, but I feel that this PVC was done well considering what it is. Her hair has been painted a perfect brown color and looks very realistic. In fact, her entire head has been done very well. The rest of her body is a bit harder to discuss because she's not wearing much so there's little I can say about it. Her skin has been painted a typical flesh-like color that one would except, and her bikini is a dark, almost black color. To be honest the figure is a bit boring as there isn't much going on here. In my opinion I think Kotobukiya is relying on sex appeal to sell this figure a bit too much, and my opinion is further reinforced by the fact that this figure sells for a bit less than others in its class. In fact I ordered Tamaki from To heart 2 and she is in an almost identical kneeling position and that PVC is going for $84.90 at play-asia.com. There is one other thing that takes away from the PVC a bit and that would be the base. Kotobukiya has used a cheap cork base for Haruhi to kneel on and when I touch it I feel I could snap it with ease. I'm not sure if cork bases are a standard for Kotobukiya because if they are that will definitely be a factor I take into consideration when buying another product from them.
When all is said and done I'm happy with this purchase; for the price I feel it was worth it. I'd definitely say that this a good PVC for me to start out with. If you like Haruhi, you like girls in their swimsuits, and you don't mind a figure that's a bit plain then this should make you happy. Now as I stated in the previous post, I'm going to be judging each PVC in a few categories: Paint and craftsmanship, packaging, price, and finally likability.
Paint and craftsmanship: 8/10
Packaging: 8/10
Price: 8/10
Likability: 7/10
Overall: 31/40
I would recommend this figure to anyone who likes Haruhi and is looking for an inexpensive PVC for whatever reason. As of this writing you can no longer get this at play-asia as it is sold out, but hlj.com has this in stock for $58.96 not including shipping. Now no review would be complete without some pictures. I took the liberty of taking a couple shots (with a camera phone, sorry) from a few different angles so that you can get a better idea of what the figure looks like. I've also included a picture of the cork base for you to look at. Thanks for reading, take care.
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