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As 2006 draws to a close and we take a look back, we will see the trend of most major toys companies in Japan is moving more and more into PVC statues as the trend got ignited in late 2004 and now almost all the companies (even Bandai who refrained from getting into it) began churning out figurines of such genre as fast as a new Mac Donald franchise is opening all around the world.
I had been able to succumb my temptation into getting to this PVC statue fever like my fellow collectors locally had been head over heels with; yet a few figurines managed to captivate me enough to break the usual trend of miniature figurines to acquire the bigger counterparts. In terms of trading figurines, with the drastic drop of yen value (as compared with a year ago), almost all companies raised their average cost of blind box trading figurines to above 500¥ and mere 2 years back we were whining about the high cost of Kotobukiya One Coin Figure series. Even Koto had been introducing a One Coin Grande series to blatantly hike the cost of their usually high quality trading figurine series to around 780¥ now. The most costly trading figurines still been tied between Atelier Sai and Solid Theater though Bandai had been breaching the 700¥ mark with the "Xenosaga Shield Vol. 1". I would say though there is still a ready market for blind box trading figurines and shokugans, the hype had been well decimated as the months passed, but with the creative juices of designers and sculptors still innate within the companies, there would be some nice miniature (especially diorama-styled) series to look out for.
Rement has been readily spoiling their supporters with at least 2 (nowadays 3 per month) "Pucchi Sample Series" as well as a "Pucchi Specialty Showcase" which had been a top seller as collectors had been fretting over options in displaying their miniatures. However we can feel that they had been producing almost every item present on earth (of course almost any food item has been covered) and now they are desperate to go into miniature animals and babies. Meanwhile, with the merging of Takara & Tomy, their shokugan division is now been handled by companies known as Subarudou and Targa and we seen a drop in quality though.
For gashapons, I notice a trend that the line-up get a bit more illustrious at the start of every quarter (i.e., March, June, September & December) but generally it has becoming more of something for the kids. Yujin's SR series had jacked up their price from 200¥ to 300¥ and with a Rozen Maiden series in February 2007, to 400¥. I wouldn't complain if their quality can be as good as some of the series we seen this year, which can be better than some trading figurine series of higher cost. Bandai's line-up has been pretty miserable though some HG (or HGIF) series had been eye-pleasing. Toys Works' Capsule Works series had been almost non-existent with energy channeling to the high value Solid Works DX trading series.
Some figurines or toy series worth a mention for the year 2006 would be the likes of Kaiyodo/ Organic's Revoltech series, Konami's Figumate & 武装神姫(Busou Shiki) series & Toranoana's Palm Characters series.
Finally speaking of Kaiyodo, the organizers of Wonder Festival and the figurine company which everyone wants to collaborate with had a pretty quiet year in terms of collaboration and miniatures. I sure miss the days of K&M capsule and Horico shokugan series which promised quality miniature figurines with even higher quality foodstuffs. Anyway below is a summary of my acquisitions for the year of 2006 which was easy to access with the creation of the "Haul of the Week":
Month\ Type |
Gashapon |
Shokugan |
Trading Figure |
PVC Statue/ Action Figure/ Prized Items |
Book Figure |
Event Exclusive |
Jan |
1. Bandai Keroro Collection Part 2 |
- |
1. Alter's FA4: Tsukuyomi Moon Phase Figure Collection |
- |
- |
- |
Feb |
1. Yujin's SR Zoid Arts Collection Part 2
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1. Bandai's One Piece Styling 2
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1. Megahouse's Kero Ball Memories
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1. Cominica's Tonari no Totoro Bus Stop Totoro Statue |
1. Pettan Chu's Doujinshi with ぽこぴーあんどてぃーず スクミズめいど３ ますかっと・びおれちゃん (Biore chan) figurine |
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Mar |
- |
- |
1. Kotobukiya's One Coin Ushiototora
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- |
1. Neon Genesis Evangelion Vol. 7 Limited Version: X'mas Rei & Asuka |
- |
Apr |
1. Bandai's HG Dragonball Z Imagination Part 7 |
1. Bandai's Keron Army Kyoui Mechanism |
1. Organic's Samurai 7 群像侍集
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1. Sega's Neon Genesis Evangelion Star & Constellation Mini Display Figure Series 4 |
- |
- |
May |
1. Yujin's SR Ikkitousen
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- |
1. McFarlane's Toys' Spawn Mini Trading Figure Series 1
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- |
1. Square-Enix's Nagaserete Airantou Vol. 8 with exclusive Ayane Figure |
- |
Jun |
1. Bandai's Neon Genesis Evangelion Torikore
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1. Bandai's 名鑑 Series ケロロ地球侵略日記であります２ |
1. Bandai's Neon Genesis Evangelion Torikore DX
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Megahouse's Excellent Model: Matsumoto Rangiku from "Bleach" |
Media Works' Dengeki Daioh August 2006 Issue with exclusive Shakugan no Shana figure No. 1 |
- |
Jul |
1. Bandai's Keroro Gunsou Full Color
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- |
1. Megahouse's Keroro Gunsou Keroball Memories Vol. 2
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1. Toranoana's Palm Characters: "Fate/stay night" Archer & Rin set |
- |
- |
Aug |
- |
1. Bandai's ブリーチ大全 旅禍＆護廷十三隊編 Vol. 2 |
1. Square Enix's Dragon Quest Monster Gallery Vol. 3
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- |
1. Media Works' Dengeki Daioh 2006 September issue with exclusive Shakugan no Shana Figure |
- |
Sep |
1. Bandai's Brave Story Brave Swing
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1. Bandai's One Piece 劇場 いろんなたいむ |
1. Konami's Konami Figure Collection: Marchen Awaken Romance |
- |
- |
1. Kaiyodo's Wanda Loves Evangelion |
Oct |
- |
- |
1. Tomytec's Tetsudou Musume Vol. 3
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1. Sega's Neon Genesis Evangelion Halloween Mini Display Figure
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- |
- |
Nov |
- |
1. Bandai's One Piece Figure Collection EX: Yure Yure Bokura no Chopperman |
1. Alter's FA4 Last Exile Grandstream Box
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1. Kaiyodo/Organic's Revoltech Series 014: Ingram 2
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1. Afternoon 2006 December Issue with exclusive Onno Kanako PuruPuru Figure
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- |
Dec |
1. Bandai's Dragonball Z Imagination Part 10
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1. Bandai's One Piece Styling 3 |
1. CM's Mai-Otome Collection Figure
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1. Bandai's Giroro's Tent |
- |
- |
Wow that's a massive haul for a 12 months, and you can see April and June had seen my wallet shrunk to nothing. All in all, I had managed to get whatever I wanted with the exception of Square Enix's Valkryie Profile Trading Arts, Solid Theater's Pocket Theater DX: Nukenin & the Part 4 of T System's Pettan Chu's Doujinshi from the Komike in Summer 2006. Perhaps I have let Solid Works DX: Lunchbox go as it was really costly and I had way too much of "Moe"-style figurines (whom am I kidding? I love those!). Anyway it's time to do the countdown from 10 .....to 1:
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Manufacturer: Kotobukiya |
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Month of Release: December 2005 |
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This was actually released at the end of 2005 but as you might known it was pretty hard to get which is why I had extra sentimental value towards this volume as compared to its predecessors or successors. Headlined by the majestic Metatron, this set also contained another nice angel in the form of Uriel, the slithering Naga Raja, the eerie-looking Alice and the stomach-gnawing yet delightfully sculpted Ghoul & Gaki. The secret of the skeletal Matador is a wonderful sum-up for the best-looking One Coin Megami Tensei volume thus far though it looks to be usurp by Volume 5 coming in Janurary 2007. |
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Manufacturer: Alter |
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Month of Release: November |
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Being previewed in at least 3 Wonder Festivals, this ALter FA4 trading figurine series which pay perfect homage to this cult hit Gonzo anime series which also a nice tribute to the art work design the great Murata Range. With the exception of Alvis, the rest of the characters came in bust format which I am not too into. However the intricate sculpting done by the likes of Inagaki Hiroshi & Adachi Satoru and the equally delectable paintjob which makes the characters straight out of the anime certainly win me over. The other Murata-inspired trading figurines series ("ROBOT Trading Figure" & "PSE 003") released this year sure worth a mention but none can produce the quality Alter delivers here. |
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Manufacturer: Kotobukiya |
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Month of Release: October |
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Some people labeled this Nitroplus series, "a yaoi fantasy comes true". Actually that comes from yours truly. Well seriously if you forsaken that homosexual theme surrounding this pair of figurines, they are a beauty and in the universe of female figurines, they certainly prove that there is a niche for male character figurines...er that's from me as well. I really have no idea the story behind this series but that doesn't stop me from spending a huge chunk of my budget on this pair sculpted by Natsumaki & 萩井 俊士 respectively. The best thing is that they are a rare breed of 1/10 scale figurines which doesn't seem dauntingly huge as compared to my usual collections! |
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Manufacturer: Pokopy & T's (System) |
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Month of Release: February |
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This is the 3rd piece in a long line of collaboration between doujinshi publisher, Pokopy and sculpting extraordinaire T's System which is titled Sukumizu Maid with a cute violet-haired, scooter riding maid known as Muscat Biore-chan. Sculpted by one of my all time fave sculptor, Miyakawa Takashi, this piece embodies a firm sculpt incomparable to her predecessors in addition to the wonderful design and the eye for details including the scooter and the dried leaves-littered pavement. The 4th collaboration is a gothic-loli girl which will be my top priority for my next Japan hunt! |
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Manufacturer: Organic |
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Month of Release: April |
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Organic has came around splendidly in the year of 2006 from a distributor for Kaiyodo, Xebec and Medicos Entertainment. Now they have starting to dabble into direct manufacturing themselves (sometimes in collaboration with Movic or Wave). This exquisite trading figurine series is the icing on the cake with their hard work for the year. Based on a classic Kurosawa Akira movie, this Gonzo adaptation adds some contemporary feel yet not taking away the essence of the story. You will get to relate to the 7 samurais featured here (with the exception of Katsushiro perhaps) and they have been nicely translated into these sword-yielding figurines. Though the faces of certain characters seen a bit off and the size was seemingly smaller than the previewed pictures, the wonderful sculpt and rustic paintjob surely makes this the No. 6 collection of 2006 for me. |
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Manufacturer: Megahouse |
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Month of Release: April |
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The lieutenant of 10th Squad in Soul Society from the anime series, "Bleach", Matsumoto Rangiku with her ample assets, long, wavy, orange hair, that wide and glistering blue eyes and that sexy mole above her lips certainly has to be the sex siren in the anime scene in recent times. For a year or so since the popularity of the anime series risen considerably, fans like myself had be getting impatient of the wait for a Matsumoto figurine justifiable of her stature. Our call was answered by this enchanting Excellent Model figurine by Megahouse which sort of broke pre-order records in La Tendo history for PVc figurine, which might perhaps going to be broken by the Max Factory's Suzumiya Haruhi in the coming year. |
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Manufacturer: Cominica |
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Month of Release: February |
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I have yet to watch the new animated feature by Studio Ghibli, "Gedo Senki ~Tales of Earthsea~" directed by Miyazaki Hayao's own son, Goro. There hasn't been many related merchandised for that film as well perhaps biased due to the lack of Hayao essence in it (much like in the case of "The Cat's Return"). However in early 2006, Cominica, the official manufacturer of Studio Ghibli products, once again how endearing "Tonari no Totoro" is. In this statue which comes with a classy wooden base and metallic name-plate, we see the huge Totoro with his umbrella beside the young sisters at the bus-stop when the latter were waiting for the return of their father under the soggy weather. The entire scene is very captivating and of course the chubby Totoro surely enticed me and my wife to get this beauty of a statue. |
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Manufacturer: Bandai |
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Month of Release: September |
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Part of the "Chibic" series which features the cast of Keroro Gunsou, the most hilarious anime series for a long time to come, & their absurd accessories. Priced at a cost which is affordable by children in Japan, I supposed this playset will be treated as kids' toys but with the popularity of the anime which transcend all ages, a lot of local collectors, especially fan of the anime series about a bunch of useless, earth-conquering alien frogs are quick to grab this as well as the Giroro Tent playset. While majority are raving about the latter with more accessories and an extra Natsumi figurine, I am more smitten by Keroro's basement room which comes with every essential items which the lazy Sgt. loves. |
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Manufacturer: Atelier Sai |
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Month of Release: August |
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Previously if anyone mentioned about trading figurines by Atelier Sai, the first reaction might be "overpriced yet inferior in quality". Boy did this set make those who throw brickbats at them eat their words. Featuring heroines from RPG maestro company, Idea Factory under the Neverland flagship which features games like "Spectral Force Chronicles" and "Generation of Chaos", this set of figurines averaging a hefty size of 13cm and combines beautiful designs straight off the games with stable sculpt and decent paintjob. There are several "Heroines" series (i.e. AIC and Falcom) from Atelier Sai but none come as close as this set for sure. These femmes fatale etched their names into the 2nd position of the ranking of 2006. |
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Manufacturer: Square Enix |
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Month of Release: April |
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I'm pretty sure there is not much surprise who is grabbing the pole position for the No. 1 spot for this year ranking. The last Kingdom Heart Formation Arts lost marginally to the ANA girls but the sequel which feature that stunning Cloud figurine, The supporting isn't half bad including the ominous Ansen with his alter ego on her rear, Goofy goofing around as always and a visually-stunning yet assembly-difficult Oogie Boogie. Perhaps Kairi let the overall value down but the backdrop for that piece is still commendable. It seems like the next Formation Arts series would feature Pixar characters in 2007 but the preview pictures already got me buzzing in anticipation. |
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This year I have 3 extra awards to look at individual piece instead of the entire set:
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Cloud from "Kingdom Heart Formation Arts Vol. 2" grab this award with no peers in sight. Nuff said... |
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It's David versus Goliath... We all know how sweet Matsumoto is but in this award, she can only tie with Elwing in her leafy bikini from "SR Shining Tears". If Rangiku would shrink by 2 scales or more, maybe she'll have a chance to hold the award by herself, for this mini-crazy sickness in me. |
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The Dragonball Imagination Figure series surely has a stronghold in the Bandai gashapon market to be able to come out with 10 full parts constituting up to 100 over diorama figurines to date. However among the 3 parts released in 2006, I must say the one with "Kame Sennin & Goku" from Part 8 & "Vegeta VS Cell" from Part 9 have shared accolades for this award. In the former, we have a very energetic-looking Kame Sennin with Goku whizzing on his cloud; meanwhile in the latter, I can feel the excruciating pain Cell is receiving from that acrobatic kick from Vegeta. The 3rd diorama to tie-up this away comes from "Kero Ball Memories Vol. 2" with modeler Keroro as I always get a laugh, seeing how serious he is fixing his plastic model kits. The details of the modeling accessories surrounding him sure intrigues me. |
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© Copyright KK Heng 2006
