Figure Unboxing and Review: Nendoroid Kagari Atsuko (Little Witch Academia)

Figure Unboxing and Review: Nendoroid Kagari Atsuko (Little Witch Academia)

Saturday, May 12, 2018 / No Comments

The joys of having two Nendoroids of the same character would be that you can see two sides of your favorite character at the same time. At the point of getting this Nendoroid, I was taken by Akko and I loved how she had a clumsy incompetent side while still retaining her love for witches despite failing to master magic. I wanted to display these two sides of her, and the number of accessories she came with allowed me to do so, hence I got an additional body for Akko to display her as such!

Packaging

Here are some poses which Akko can pull off and just by looking here, you'll notice that she can do many different poses. I also like how diverse her facial expressions are.

She comes with three faceplates, with very different expressions as I mentioned before, and all of them actually show different sides of Akko, making it difficult for a fan to choose only one way to display her. She also comes with a lot of exchangeable limbs to use the huge number of accessories she comes with.

Akko also has her witch hat, a much needed accessory for any witch-to-be, as well as a broom and two different wands, both of which are extremely important to the plot and LWA.

Posing and Sculpting

Akko comes with a lot of room for posing due to the different accessories she comes with. So for now, we will look at the sculpting and painting of Akko's attire and hair. Her attire is fairly simple, a purple one-piece with minimal design save for the clasp on her chest. Her uniform inside only shows at the collar which is adequately sculpted. The belt at her waist is in red and yellow, which is quite reminiscent of  the belts on American superheroes but that is a story for another day. This belt is loose on the Nendoroid but there is no way of removing it without damaging the belt.

Due to the nature of the one-piece attire, only Akko's legs can be pulled out for exchanging limbs. Do note that due to how her coat is flared out, you can still out her bent legs in  and position them relatively easily wiht low risk for any damage.

I love how Akko's hair is sculpted really well and actually looks combed and tied. The shading along the sculpt lines really add to the depth and create the impression that her hair is thick and luscious.

On the other side of her head, Akko has her fringe completely combed back. I love how they took the extra effort to ensure that the two sculpted lines are on the front hair part as well and the sculpt lines and shading actually adds up. It would be quite jarring otherwise and thankfully, GSC did take the additional step for this.

As I have two copies of the Nendoroid, I'll take this time to showcase how I posed them. I wanted to use as many of her accessories as possible (broom and both wands). For the Akko in the image above, I posed her as she was using the Shiny Rod but lost control of it. This results in her broom flipping over and she is clinging on to it for dear life while trying to get Shiny Rod to help right herself again.

The shocked expression works well with this pose. Her bent legs can also create the impression that she is clinging on to the broom although it may come loose during posing (like in the image above). Due to the weight of the head and hat, neither the GSC base (image above) or normal base (image below) can support this. She is propped up in this pose with both her stand and her hair as well as ponytail that's resting on the base as well.

However as I wanted to display her hat, I had no choice but to place it beside her. Balancing the hat upside-down would help to create the feel that the hat is falling off but the problems with it would be that you can't see the design and dust will collect inside the hat which is difficult to clean.

For this second pose, I wanted to use her rabbit ears (which are slanted in the picture) and showcase how she is enamored with her first magic spell. To complete the image, I have slanted her legs inwards for a cuter feel, and using a clenched left fist to show a "yes, I did it!" impression. To complete this, I also made use of her usual wand that she uses in school.

Enjoyment
Whether you are a fan of Akko or not, there are many accessories that you gain from this Nendoroid for others as well. More everyday items such as the broom are not commonly featured in other Nendoroids and hence can be a great use for other Nendoroids as well. Based on the number of accessories that come with this Nendoroid as well as the sculpting and painting quality, and number of poses she can use, this Nendoroid is definitely worth-it!

~ Reina-rin

Figure Unboxing and Review: Nendoroid Ichigaya Arisa (BanG! Dream)

Figure Unboxing and Review: Nendoroid Ichigaya Arisa (BanG! Dream)

/ No Comments

Along with the release of BanG Dream! Girls Band Party EN game a month ago, it has became one of the top grossing music games in the Playstore! And as a player for the EN version as well, I bring to you a review of another Nendoroid from the series, Ichigaya Arisa from Poppin' Party, one of the five bands featured in the game!

Packaging

I'm glad how she is one of the larger "old" packaging compared to the newer and more compact packaging that Kahotan announced on her blog for the newer nendoroids. Purple is also the image color for Arisa and it matches her well although she doesn't have a single ounce of purple on her. This is quite different from how idol image colors are usually made, where they match the hair or eye color to the image color, and this actually helps emphasize the non-idol feel that BanG Dream has.

A simple look at what Arisa comes with. She has quite the average accessories, with three faceplates and a change of limbs. Her ponytails are also connected by a ball joint to her head, allowing for some freedom in movement and posing. 

However, more importantly, I'll like to highlight that she comes with two different ways to display her keyboard! One is when it's out of its bag (white keyboard) and the other is when it is in the bag, so you can display her walking home with the other Popipa Nendoroid members after practice!

Sculpting and Posing

Here is the section where I'll display some different poses which Arisa can use. She has folded arms and outstretched hands to display her playing the keyboard. There are also many different expressions you can use with this pose such as her smiling expression (seen above) or her pouting tsundere expression (seen below).

The blush on Arisa's face isn't very clear in this lighting but rest assured that it is definitely very cute! She also comes with a hand that has a pointing index finger, to fit with this face so you can use it when Arisa is both on and off the stage. There are a lot of scenes in GBP that has Arisa yelling at Kasumi so this could definitely work if you have both their Nendoroids!

Arisa also comes with a hand that is twirling her hair. I feel that this is one of the common things that tsundere girls tend to do, such as in Nishikino Maki's Nendoroid as well. Putting this signature pose with her tsundere expression makes for a very different feel, but I'll leave that for you to explore if you every get this Nendoroid!

Note that I did have some damages with my Nendoroid when I opened it. As you can see in the image above, her right ponytail came with some quality control issues. There are some rough edges and a paint flaw where there is quite a noticeable "hole" in the paint That being said, this should be only an issue with only a few Nendoroids and not across all manufactured.

Her uniform is exactly the same as the other Popipa members, with the exception that she is wearing full black stockings instead of socks or knee highs. The gold buttons and poofy red ribbon are also cleanly painted. Something which I want to point out is that unlike Kasumi's Nendoroid, the white painted lines around her waist area are actually painted well this time round, Thank you GSC, for noticing the problem with Kasumi and actually making improvements this time!

An accessory that I would like to highlight would be the displayed keyboard that is so detailed that it's amazing. All the different key and tabs are accurately sculpted and all prepared for Arisa to perform with. Also, the stand to prop up the keyboard can be folded, so it doesn't take a huge amount of space to store. If you wish to display Arisa with it, simply unfold it (as seem below) and it's good to go!

Another good accessory that Arisa (and most of the other Popipa members) come with is a bag to hold their musical instrument in!

Apart from it not having the super matte feel and material of these bags I usually see, the sculpting is actually quite accurate. All the sewn sections are sculpted as if there are actually different layers sewn on each other. The brand name and thin mint green borders are also cleanly painted onto one side.

And I'll end with a hilarious shot that also helps you to visualize how this fits on Arisa's shoulder!  Rest assured that it is definitely not difficult to fit this on her shoulder.

Enjoyment
If you do like her or wish to collect most/all of Popipa Nendoroid, she is a must for you to get as she looks undeniably cute, especially with the angry pouting face. However, if you are simply trying to collect worth-it Nendoroids, this is definitely not something that is worthwhile to collect, simply because she only comes with nothing else apart from the keyboard and bag. You could always get the keyboard from a cheaper (albeit older) Nendoroid nowadays, such as K-ON!

~ Reina-rin

Wakaokami wa Shougakusei!

Wakaokami wa Shougakusei!

Saturday, April 28, 2018 / No Comments

I absolutely don't buy the mantra that the customer is always right, hence I take my hat off to the many people who continue to endure...I mean, serve with a smile day and night. Learning on any job can be rather tough, and it could be tougher when the person is just 12 years old. Today, let's talk a bit about a young heiress of a traditional Japanese inn. Her name is Okko.

The story is relatively straightforward: Okko lost her parents to a traffic accident, and begins a new life with her grandmother who runs an inn called Harunoya. Her grandmother is basically kind and gentle, but can be strict and firm at times too. Okko's 'decision' to inherit the inn sparks from a little misunderstanding, as on the first day at the inn, she comes face to face with a boy ghost who didn't think he could be seen by anybody. Because others can't see the ghost, they misunderstand Okko's conversation with him as an affirmation.

Nonetheless, Okko quickly relishes her new identity at the inn, for her personality actually blends well into the environment. At her new school, she attracts a small group of girls whose families are in various businesses as well. Okko also catches the attention of another girl, who sees the former as a rival of sorts.

Wakaokami wa Shougakusei! is adapted from a series of children's novels of the same name. 20 volumes were released between 2003 and 2013, and total sales have hit more than three million copies. The anime premiered on April 8th, and each episode runs for 15 minutes. I think I am following this series! The story has a very bubbly, feel-good vibe to it. Besides, I don't think there are many ghosts (yeah, there will be more than one ghost) that could come across as cute and lovable.

Eccentrically Yours.

Written by J.Fluffysheep ♪

Gegege no Kitarou

Gegege no Kitarou

Wednesday, April 25, 2018 / No Comments

Here is another anime that I have had a little room for recently, and I must say that I am rather captivated by the premise. Technically, it is a horror anime though the scary elements are nowhere near the level of Junji Itou's works. In fact, the target demographic seems to be of a younger audience. Anyway, I am talking about Gegege no Kitarou! I didn't realise the franchise originated in the early 1960s. No worries though, I don't think anybody has to dig the trenches to follow this new version!

It definitely helps to have Wikipedia around at times like this, because it saves new viewers from a lot of trouble and such. After all, Gegege no Kitarou has a long, colourful history that might be overwhelming to some people. I simply look for the general idea that is intriguing to say the least. Monsters have been mysteriously popping out all over Japan, and people are disappearing in great numbers. A supposed rumour turns out to be very real as a young boy named Kitarou comes to the rescue, and defeats those monsters.

Besides the hero, there are other important characters who lend their support to Kitarou as those monsters vary in size and power. Neko Musume is one fearsome sidekick, though she does have her cute moments. I think she has a romantic inclination towards Kitarou or something. Yeah, this is her about to claw into one of the monsters. Never attempt to provoke Neko Musume, not even the slightest!

The first episode was watched out of sheer curiosity, and gosh I became so glued to the sudden outburst of terror. Imagine a random person in the middle of a busy street who simply turns into a giant demon tree! The branches and such creeping out of his body...now, if that isn't squirmy enough, wait till you see more people going through the same nightmare!

Hmm, I think I may have a favourite character. Nope, not Kitarou or Neko Musume but Medama Oyaji! Yeah, Eyeball Father! He is Kitarou's father, and usually sits inside Kitarou's hair. His physical vulnerability doesn't stop him from effectively advising Kitarou and gang during their battles with monsters. Well, I don't know why...I mean, I have a soft spot for humongous eyeballs...not just any eyeball, of course!

Eccentrically Yours.

Written by J.Fluffysheep ♪

「Ani-summary」Introduction to Mahou Shoujo Site - Episode 2

「Ani-summary」Introduction to Mahou Shoujo Site - Episode 2

Monday, April 23, 2018 / No Comments

Aya got a magical stick in Episode 1 which comes in the form of a gun with a heart-shaped barrel and comes with the skill of 'instant teleportation'. After she unintentionally teleported her bullies to their death on the railway track, she was approached by Yatsumura Tsuyuno, a fellow Mahou Shoujo.

This episode begins with Yatsumura stopping time and bringing Aya out of school grounds. There, she reveals the details of her power—she can stop time, and the names of those individuals recorded in her phone (her stick) will be able to move along with her.

She then identifies Aya's Mahou Shoujo power as instant teleportation and reveals that she witnessed the entire railway accident event yesterday.

Aya sinks into guilt and confesses that she didn't mean to kill them. To that, Yatsumura states her personal stand clearly—that she has no qualms with killing anyone that poses a threat to her. She believes that is her right, for having lived with and through misfortune all this while. This leaves Aya wondering what happened to Yatsumura before she became a Mahou Shoujo.

She then releases her power, allowing time to move forward again. The bully (Sarina) who had her neck sliced open by Yatsumura then started bleeding due to the wound and was hospitalized. Yatsumura affirmed that she hasn't killed her, which appeases Aya.

The repeated deaths and injuries of the bullies sparked classmates into discussing the possibility of a "curse" being at work. This leaves the last unharmed bully sinking into depression and shock as she worries that she will be the next target.

But that's not all. Yatsumura then asked Aya for a meeting at her house, which they did even though Aya appeared very troubled and unwilling to consent. 

At her house, Aya's abusive brother (Kaname) helped to serve them refreshments, putting on a front to display their hospitality. Yatsumura replied amicably and waited until Kaname left before revealing  to Aya that she saw through his facade. Aya sighs in relief, glad that another person was on her side as well.

Following that, the atmosphere in the room got much darker as Yatsumura started claiming that they could never be caught and jailed for their crimes as "magic" does not exist to the general population.

Using that as a starting point, Yatsumura then delved into the mysteries of the Mahou Shoujo Site and their powers based on what she discovered through her own experiences. The most basic "rule" of the site that they were tied to was that they were unable to use their powers endlessly or it could lead to an early death.

 Aya was alarmed but quickly recovered as she had never believed that such a convenient ability would come with no repercussions. Then, Yatsumura proposed a partnership where they look out for each other as their powers mesh well together.

 The reason for their partnership was due to an individual dubbed "Magical Hunter" who was one of the many Mahou Shoujo in the world. She suspects that the Magical Hunter was also a Mahou Shoujo who was behind the deaths of many other Mahou Shoujo. As nothing else but the sticks of the murdered Mahou Shoujo were taken from the site, Yatsumura postulates that the Magical Hunter was amassing powerful sticks and thus would definitely target herself and Aya.

 In fact, Yatsumura had once partnered with an information broker, Shioi Rina, to find out more information about the Magical Hunter.

They even managed to get a photograph of the Magical Hunter before Rina went missing. This halted the investigations. Yatsumura then showed the picture of a bloodied crazed individual to Aya. This makes Aya uncertain as she is afraid of being attacked when her guard is down.

Yatsumura then offers to stay the night to protect Aya and spends the night awake. On the other hand, Kaname has to hold back on his abusive urges for the night, leading him to accumulate high levels of pent-up stress.

Other forces are also moving at night. We are treated to an image of an individual choosing Aya as their next target in their handy little "murder book".

On Aya's way home from school the next day, she was approached by a pink-haired girl asking for a little of her time.

And as expected, she is the Magical Hunter. However as her facial features were very different from the photograph Shioi sent, neither Aya or Yatsumura (who was following Aya) were able to identify her before she used one of her sticks.

First she placed a barrier around Aya and herself, which cancels out all magic from outside affecting those inside. This allows the space in the box to be void of Yatsumura's time stopping ability. The box is also able to cancel out all physical attacks so damaging the box to break it or enter the space is impossible.

Yatsumura quickly connects the dots that this person is the Magical Hunter although she looks very different from the photograph. The girl acknowledges that she is the Hunter but clearly indicates her displeasure for the nickname.

Living up to her frivolous appearance, she then mentions how she was able to change her appearance from that in the photograph. Having small talk like this in the middle of a battle also illustrates the confidence level she has in her skills and sticks.

 She lands the first hit, giving an electric shock to Aya which renders her unable to move.

By some stroke of luck, she also manages to evade the next attack, which is a "hammer" that is capable of cracking the asphalt. She ends up being near Yatsumura who gives her essential advice.

However Aya refuses to comply initially. Being unable to understand her power fully made her think that her power brings death. However as Yatsumura has stopped time outside of the box, she is certain an accident like the bullies will not happen and told Aya to trust her.

Aya understands the underlying meaning and quickly pulls the stick out of her school bag and fires it. This instantly teleports the girl and the box to another space.

 The next step was to locate the girl and extract information from her. Here, they finally realised that Aya could control where she teleports her enemies to. 

 As Aya was thinking of the cat that she took care of, the girl was sent to where the cat was.

Glad that they were able to find her and know that Aya can now control her powers, they tied the pink-haired girl up on a park bench and proceeded to interrogate her after releasing Yatsumura's power.

Yatsumura identifies her as Shioi Rina despite their difference in appearance, as only her and Shioi would know of the name "Magical Hunter". She then tries to get Shioi to confess the reason why she stole those sticks and even went on to display...

 ...physical violence, as well as...

 ...rather interesting threats to get Shioi to speak.

 The threat turned out successful as Shioi then quickly confesses that she was collecting better and stronger sticks in order to survive the Tempest.

 The information was given to her by the site admin when she entered the "back door" of the site.

 This was done by pressing the ear of the site admin.

 Which brings them to a screen which displays a countdown to the Tempest, right down to the very second.

Although no more information was revealed in such flashbacks, Shioi stated that the Tempest will destroy the world and she had to get better sticks in order to survive.

However before they could extract more information regarding the Tempest from her, Shioi coughs up blood and falls unconscious.

 The episode then ends with a blue-haired girl with pigtails chanting about her desire to kill.

Let's find out together in the next episode whether Shioi was really the Magical Hunter, or could this blue-haired girl be the real Magical Hunter?

~ Reina-rin