Figure Unboxing and Review: Racing Miku 2016 version Scale Figure (Assembly)

Figure Unboxing and Review: Racing Miku 2016 version Scale Figure (Assembly)

Wednesday, June 27, 2018 / No Comments

If you remember this as the Racing Miku that was delayed nearly a year, you're right. It's been quite some time since I received this figure but I've only find time to open this recently. The part that I love best about this figure is that she isn't sculpted to be viewed as looking at you, which is what most figures are meant to do. This makes her unique to me, and the main reason why I got her.

Now, let's look at other reasons why she is awesome.

Packaging

She comes with a full plastic window in front to allow you to view the whole figure, and it also shows the few important accessories that comes with her, such as the tires on the base and the weights, as well as the huge umbrella behind her. Having all these parts also means that she has quite a bit to be assembled.

     

Unlike the other Racing Miku Nendoroids, this follows an illustration and does not come with a race car. However, they placed a lot of emphasis onto the vibrancy of the colors used as well as the box design. There is a different design on each side of the box and the bottom of each side has a rainbow border which serves to make the colorful figure even more vibrant.

The blister itself is also very sturdy and there are several layers to it to hold the figure, weights and drinks, as well as the umbrella, plain base and tires separately so as to minimize damages during transport. The umbrella also comes with its own additional clear plastic support to help stabilize it within the blister.

Accessories

These are all the additional parts which the figure comes with (excluding the main figure herself, of course). Though Good Smile Company also comes with a detailed instruction sheet on how to position the accessories, I'll cover some of the basics here, and have a proper review on the quality control of the figure in a separate post.

Assembly

The first part to this is to either attach the tires to the base then attach Miku on the tires, or attach Miku to the tires then the whole thing to the base. I chose to perform the latter since my copy of Miku didn't have the best peg and peg-hole match up to the tires, but you can obviously choose to do either.

Miku is joined to the tires with a single peg, demarcated by the green arrow on the image above.

After putting her in place, make sure that her left foot is on the second tire and her right foot is on the bottom-most tire.  If your Miku does not like up, you might have her feet dangling slightly above the tire, which may appear unnatural, so if you have no qualms against tight pegs, go on and wiggle her tighter in place. This peg is not that fragile.

Next would be joining the tires to the grey circular base. Something to note here is that the rightmost peg hole (the one closest to the yellow weight) is smaller than the rest, so you will have to match up the whole ensemble perfectly. 

This might also be where it gets tricky if you have attached Miku to the tires first as it might interfere with your ease of pressing down the tires flush against the base. But think about it this way, having these different sized pegs also helps ensure that your Miku would be facing the way she is supposed to face!

The other next important accessory to put in would be the umbrella. And in case you haven't noticed, we only have two more to go: the umbrella and the energy drinks.

To slide the umbrella in place, simply unscrew the white part of the umbrella and this will allow it to slide in the gap between Miku's neck and shoulder. The white part also comes with a peg that would attach to her left knee to keep the umbrella in place as well. As the peg hole is difficult to capture well on camera, I'll leave that part out.

The last and final part to this assembly would be to attach the can to Miku's left hand, and the thin grey peg also helps give it a "floating" image. This is by far the hardest part of the assembly to me and of course, since the peg is so thin, you would have to be extremely careful when handling it. 

Once the peg is in place, you can then rotate the accessory to have it facing Miku. Do ensure that the whole thicker white portion of the peg is in place before doing so though!

~ Reina-rin

Figure Unboxing and Review: Learning with Manga! Fate/Grand Order Collectible Figures

Figure Unboxing and Review: Learning with Manga! Fate/Grand Order Collectible Figures

Monday, June 25, 2018 / No Comments

For those of you who're avid players of Fate/Grand Order, you might have come across the chibi-fied versions of the heroic spirits during the 2017 and 2018 April Fool's Day events. Alternatively, you might have been reading the Learning with Manga! series by Riyo. The characters and their antics will put a smile on even the most bitter player's face; like me whenever I'm unable to snag the featured SSR servant even after spending all of my available Saint Quartz. Everyone's up to something silly in any given chapter, with the two main characters being too absorbed in romancing the many servants at their disposal and said heroic spirits having a ball of a time doing whatever catches their fancy in that particular chapter. Imagine my surprise when Good Smile Company actually announced a line of mini figurines featuring these 'Riyo-fied' characters. Hitting the pre-order button was a no-brainer, despite the protests from my wallet.

There are 6 figurines in each carton, with each box holding a different character. They're all displayed on the front and if your favourite one isn't in this 1st series of figurines or even the 2nd one released last month, you'll just have to wait for the 3rd one that'll be announced sooner or later. I'm surprised that the series isn't following a theme, such as characters from Fate/Extra, Fate/Stay Night or Fate/Apocrypha. They appear to be a mishmash of servants other than the female main character (known affectionately as Gudako) and Shielder (or Mashu Kyrielight). The rest include the ever-present Artoria Pendragon, idol-wannabe Elizabeth Bathory, Fate/Apocrypha's Jeanne D'Arc and Cu Chulainn's mentor Scathach. If you're worried about the figurines being too big, fret not. They're only around 3cm tall, perfect for your office cubicle or desk top.

Compared to Nendoroids or Figmas, these collectibles are idiot-proof to assemble and display. Cleaning them is a breeze as well. On the flip side, the quality of the figures themselves do not reach the standards that Good Smile Company's Nendoroids, Figmas and scale figures have set. There are minor issues with paint and detailing but you do get what you pay for. Fortunately, it isn't something that you notice unless you're inspecting them up close. Do handle them gently as they're not the most sturdy toys around, with Mashu's shield breaking after she fell from the top of my PC's monitor one too many times. Again, it isn't a large problem and a dab of superglue should be able to fix it in a minute.

All in all, I'm happy with my purchase despite the minor problems that these figurines have. They make for a sight for sore eyes and my work desk at home is now a little more fun to be at. Now the only problem would be making space for the 2nd and 3rd series of figurines. But it's definitely a problem that I'm happy to deal with.

Written by ET

Singapore Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Kakichan sea version Wallpapers

Singapore Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Kakichan sea version Wallpapers

Friday, June 15, 2018 / No Comments

The Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay were two of my most favorite attractions in Singapore. The plot of high value land siting at the Gardens by the Bay was previously the subject of Government dilemma - to build private condominiums and skyscrapers and collect revenue or to build a high cost garden for all citizens and tourists to enjoy. As we know, the final decision gave birth to the iconic Gardens by the Bay, which runs contrary to the principle of running a business; the ticket receipts which does not cover the high maintenance of running the two Domes and the entire repertoire of the Garden. Such is the sacrifice of the Singapore Government to give up revenue in exchange for a quality lifestyle to its citizens.

Kakichan The Oyster

Being familiar with these two attractions, I drew a Kakichan sea version of the attractions, beginning with a sketch.

The characters used for Gardens by the Bay (upper drawings) were pretty straightforward. The two Domes - Cloud Forest and Flower Dome are shells itself, just like Kakichan's shell. I used sea corals to replace the trees. Takorin, the dumbo octopus, one of my oc took over the Singapore Flyer.

As for the Marina Bay, I originally drew three large standing fishes but then I felt it didn't match the asethetics of the majestic Marina Bay Sands (MBS) Hotel. Then I remembered Hammerhead Sharks! The hammer-like appearance of the sharks, when joined side by side would form a nice bridge on the top. By the way, there is this awesome (and instagrammable) Infinity Pool over at the 57th storey of the MBS hotel which overlooks the panoramic city skyline of Marina Bay.

The two sea turtles depicts the shopping malls and Casino. The MBS museum features an orangy whale. Notice that for the Merlion, I added a touch of "Kakichan" by clipping some shells onto the lion's mane and tail.

It's easy to use our local fruit Durian (with an extreme pungent odour) to conjure the elegant musical theatre Esplanade but since this is a sea version, I thought why not use a bloated up Puffer Fish and reverse it, since the belly would produce the curve needed for the rather round shape.

If you like the kawaii look, you may save to your computer to be used as Desktop wallpapers. Please do not erase the credits on the bottom right. 

Design Sketch by Max Wong
Illustrated by Shiriel

Do you like the two attractions as well? Which animal is your favorite? You can also write to us to request for a different background colour or orientation. 

And if you like the designs, they are available in our store as stickers.

Written by Max Wong

Book Review: Japanese Whisky The Ultimate Guide to the World's Most Desirable Spirit by Brian Ashcraft

Book Review: Japanese Whisky The Ultimate Guide to the World's Most Desirable Spirit by Brian Ashcraft

Monday, May 28, 2018 / No Comments

"For relaxing times, make it Suntory time." 13 years after Lost in Translation's release, it seems as though the whole world has caught on and made their relaxing time a Suntory one, or Nikka...or any other Japanese whisky brand in fact, judging by how the industry is making international headlines every month. For the last three to four years, Japanese whisky sales has shot through the roof both domestically and internationally, winning numerous accolades and garnering immense praise from both critics and consumers alike. However, the attention has been a double-edged sword, with newer boys in the business being forced to innovate with non-age statement expressions or to bide their time and hope that the world is still as receptive in a few years. For market leaders Suntory and Nikka, they must be kicking themselves for not having the foresight to predict the success they're having currently, having opted to play it safe when the industry was in a lull. For the former brand, it has had to cease distribution for its popular Hakushuu 12 and Hibiki 17 expressions. On Nikka's end, they've had to do the same for their Yoichi and Miyagikyo lines. And as for myself, I regret not buying a few bottles when I had the chance to while I was travelling..and for finishing my bottle of Yamazaki 12 a little too quickly. Oh well, they say that hindsight is 20/20 after all.

With all the buzz surrounding Japanese whisky recently, I was curious to find out what made their take on the caramel-coloured spirit so appealing to consumers worldwide in recent years, even beating out bigwigs from Scotland and the USA. Enter Brian Ashcraft's Japanese Whisky: The Ultimate Guide to the World's Most Desirable Spirit. I came across the book while window shopping recently and eventually bought it after my browsing session threatened to become an in-depth reading. The book is split into two parts, with the first one detailing the history of Japanese whisky and what makes the tipple uniquely Japanese. However, I'm willing to bet that the second part is what most people would flip to instead. It details the major players in the market Suntory and Nikka, along with several rising stars and what the future of the industry holds. After the introduction to each brand, there is a set of tasting notes and scoring for a number of their whiskies by Japanese whisky blogger Kawasaki Yuji. These tastings include bottlings that are rare or might not even be available anymore, unless you've a spare arm or leg of course.

Although the pace of the first part is much slower than the second, it's far from dry, serving as a comprehensive guide to the Japanese whisky industry and showcasing how the culture of adaptability and flexibility has been present since its early years after first borrowing techniques from the Scottish. Additionally, Japan's drinking culture was explored, showcasing why whisky faced a decline for a period before its resurgence. Although beer still reigns supreme in Japan's drinking culture today due to its price, availability and how easy it is to pair with food, the guide also noted the places that sake, shochu and whisky had as well. The publication is a guide in every sense of the word, discussing the various steps of the production process and shedding light on native ingredients and materials that are used. Some of these include Japanese barley; which is already used to make beer and mizunara; a Japanese wood that's used to create casks that hold the whisky for aging and is reported to be notoriously difficult to work with.

For those of you who're strapped for time or are craving for a bottle or two already, I'm cutting to the chase, fret not. The highest scoring expressions on Suntory's end are The Yamazaki 1999 The Owner's Cask Mampei Hotel, with a whopping 98/100 and being mainly available at the Mampei Hotel in Karuizawa. Hibiki Deep Harmony comes in second at 97 points out of a possible 100 and like its cousin, is available only in Japan at bars across the country. For Nikka, its The Nikka 40 Years Old and 34 Years Old expressions all received a 98/100 but good luck finding a bottle of any of these. The latter expressions were bottled 19 and 20 years ago and as for the former, it's a limited edition, much like any other Japanese whisky these days actually.

Personally, one man's meat is another man's poison so just take the plunge and snag a bottle from any brand, you might just chance upon a hidden gem. Even Suntory's Kakubin and Nikka's Black Rich Blend hold their own against traditional whiskies that are geared towards mixing such as Johnnie Walker's Red Label or Jack Daniel's. These might even be your go-to whiskies after a long day, especially when paired with their best friends ice and soda water. However, as the industry continues to grow and with brands beginning to enter the fray, expect some duds in the coming years but for me, I'll be shrugging them off as experiments or as growing pains. The book ended up acting as an excellent introduction to the world of Japanese whisky and although several segments were bogged down by the technical aspects of whisky production, it was nonetheless a good read and a nice break from academic text, so cheers to that!

Written by ET

Tachibanakan To Lie Angle

Tachibanakan To Lie Angle

Sunday, May 27, 2018 / No Comments

Unbelievably short anime titles that run for two to three minutes per episode seem increasingly delighted to play and tease, leaving most people extremely confused over their intentions. I still wonder about such creations, as usually one would stuff commercials and promotional videos to fill in those time gaps before the next show. Anyway, here is something that I kind of stumbled upon by accident. It isn't what I would usually watch, but amid its apparent theme springs a few pleasant (?) surprises. Welcome to Tachibanakan!

Tachibanakan To Lie Angle is classified as yuri, yet there really isn't much to be overly excited (?) by given its three-minutes-per-episode treatment. As for the surprises (?), one of them is the generous display of curves and assets supported by skimpy or no lingerie. I suppose the preferred term is fan service, not that I have anything to complain about. It just numbs rather quickly over time though. If you ask me what Tachibanakan is really all about, I would probably stare at thin air or something. Well, since it is yuri, it wouldn't be weird to expect something more sexy (?) and such over the course of the series.

Okay, so the main character Hanabi begins a new chapter of her life as she becomes a high school freshman, relocating to a supposedly posh dormitory known as Tachibanakan. Unfortunately, her relative mistakes the kanji for Tachibana, and poor Hanabi finds herself standing outside a much watered down Tachibanakan. Fate may have dealt a strong card, but it isn't totally an upsetting outcome. Hanabi sees a naked girl from the corner of her eye.

A scenario like this is very common. I mean, it is after all part of the fan service. The image embeds itself into Hanabi, who later discovers that the girl is also a resident of Tachibanakan.

Hanabi spots another resident of Tachibanakan, Konomi. Konomi shares fond childhood memories with Hanabi, but the latter only manages to place her until moments later. Konomi seems to have much deeper feelings for Hanabi, who remains largely oblivious.

Tachibanakan To Lie Angle is in fact a creative wordplay at its finest, if you happen to know the Japanese language pretty well. To Lie Angle can be interpreted as Triangle especially when read in katakana. So there will be a love triangle progressively in this series! Oh, don't mind the pair of boobs over there. I think it belongs to the landlady? I can't remember whose!

Eccentrically Yours.

Written by J.Fluffysheep ♪