2009 Hobby Expenses

2009 was quite an exciting year for us , figure collectors. Quite a few awesome figures from Alter and GSC were being released throughout the year. Not surprisingly, those figures put a big hole in my wallet. However, I managed to hold my self back a bit in comparison to 2008. I don’t have statistics but I remembered that I bought a lot in 2008 since I just started collecting ^^;;.

Below is full list of my expenses in 2009. It ranges from figures to collectibles. Note that I didn’t include pre-ordered figures because there is no charges on my credit card until it’s been shipped. In addition, I left out BRS from the total because it has not been charged to my credit card yet.

Item	Manufacturer	Shipping (Yen	Price (Yen)	Points	Total(Yen)	Total($CAD)
Saber Maid Ver.	Alter	3,600	7,410		13,725	$169.44
Nendoroid Saber Lion	GSC		2,715
Signum Alter Ver.	Alter	3,600	8,360		11,960	$147.65
Kanzaki Kaori	Kotobukiya	4,000	6,460		15,685	$193.64
Excellent Model Claymore Clare	MegaHouse		5,225
Golden Darkness	GSC	3,200	5,881		9,081	$112.11
Holo	GSC	2,400	6,785		9,185	$113.40
Saber Lilly Glass	Cospa	1,500	950	-950	1,500	$18.52
Saber Lilly Cushion Cover	Cospa	2,220	2,375		11,055	$169.44
Saber & Saber Alter Cushion Cover	Cospa		2,375
Saber Lilly Long Strap with Cleaner	Cospa		1,330
Saber Lilly T-Shirt White L	Cospa		2,755
Saber Lily -Distant Avalon-	GSC	5,400	8,867	-2,847	11,420	$140.99
Fatina	Alter	4,000	7,790	-301	14,656	$180.94
Nendoroid Saber Lily	GSC		3,167
Fate-T-Harlaown True Sonic Form	Alter	4,000	12,160	-532	15,628	$192.94
Dengeki G’s Festival April Issue						$35.00
Dengeki G’s Comic Festival 2009 spring						$35.00
Dakimakura						$80.00
Fate/stay nights Saber Portraits						$50.00
StrikerS Visual collection						$110.00
Otome and Yume sketches (2x$20)						$40.00
Afro Samurai sketch						$12.00
Fate/Unlimited Codes						$115.80
Kobato Calendar						$30
All about Clamp book						$30
Grand Total						$1,976.87

I think I managed to cut it down by half at least in comparison to 2008.

Scaled Figure	9
Nendoroid	2
Art books / Magazines	5
Collectibles (Dakimakura, glass, cushion covers, etc)	9
Figma	1

My scaled figures contribute to the majority of my expenses and my Fate T. Harlaown figure is my most expensive figure in 2009. So what’s your most expensive figures ? did you go over your budget for 2009 because of impulse buying ?. What’s your target for 2010 ? getting more figures/merchandise or less ? As for me, I manage to keep my figure buying limited to 1 per month and it’s even less than 1 per month due to delays. I guess my new year 2010 resolution is to buy less figures/merchandise ^^

BLACK ROCK SHOOTER ~Black Blade~

When did we ever have a GSC figure for ~5,000 yen? The answer is never , however, our dream comes true with this BRS ~Black Blade~ ver 1/8 scale by GSC.

In comparison to the original BRS, this figure is ….. hmmmm how should I say it….. lack of punch ? The original BRS gives me this awesomeness aura.

As a fan of girls with swords, it’s hard to resist ^^;;

Clothing wise, I like the fact that she takes off her cape in this version.

And DFC = win ^^

So is this in your pre-order list ? ^^

Details:

Manufacturer : Good Smile Company
Scale : 1/8
Material : PVC
Series/Original : Black Rock Shooter
Release Date : Apr 2010
Sales Price: 5,181 yen
Retail Price: 6,800 yen (Thanks “Q” for the correction)

New York Trip Loot

My recent trip to The Big Apple (New York City) during Christmas (hence why there’s no Christmas post -_- as I had no internet access) added couple more items to my collection. For some reasons, I didn’t bother to get 2010 calendar but visiting New york, there’s one place that I must visit. It’s Kinokuniya japanese book store. It’s something that we, otaku in Canada, are hoping to have it here and will continue to dream that one day, Kinokuniya will open branch stores here in Canada.

I only bought 2 items from Kinokuniya…surprisingly.  The first one is Kobato (こばと) 2010 calendar for ~$30 . Kobato is my new favourite anime for this fall season and it’s just because she reminds me so much of Sakura from Card Captor Sakura and Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles. I scanned each month image for your enjoyment ^^.

If you want the original scanned versions, click here to download. I would appreciate if you link back to my site when you use any of these images on your site ^^.

It must have been a Clamp day or something because I spotted an art book ‘All about Clamp’ which lists all anime/manga series by Clamp for the last 15-20 years. I got it for $28.80 which is a good deal imo because it’s quite thick.

Claymore Chapter 99 : Craving Flesh and Blood

This is little bit unexpected. A new claymore chapter came out early than usual released time which is the beginning of the month. My craving for more claymore chapters has been fulfilled earlier ^^.

Continuing from previous chapter, Priscilla pretty much owned everyone. Even the awakened form of Alicia and Beth couldn’t even scratch her. Last attempt to kill Priscilla was sending those spears to control her, however, it was a futile attempt as Priscilla broke it off without much effort.

After she’s done with Alicia and Beth, she goes to where Riful and Dauf are. Apparently Riful’s youki catches Priscilla’ attention since they both met before in the past.

Riful notices that Priscilla is on her way to where she is so she tells Dauf to run away, however, her warning is little bit too late

Seeing Priscilla here, Dauf threatens her that if something happens to Riful, he won’t let her get away with it. Threats are meaningless to Priscilla as she can rip every one a part in a matter of seconds.

First, Dauf loses his legs and arms then she ripped out part of his body.

Seeing Dauf being tortured, Riful can’t stand still but with her current condition, she is no match to Priscilla.

Consuming villagers weren’t enough for Priscilla so she’s consuming Riful

Meanwhile, lets go back to Claire, Denieve and Helen who are preparing for the next round of spear attacks from Rafaela + Luciela combined monster.

Clare leads her fellow friends dodging incoming spears quite easily. Is this the new power given by Rafaela to Clare before she turned into a monster ?

While being bombarded by those spears, Clare continues to feel a peculiar youki and she’s trying to recall her memory of where she felt that youki before.

Clare finally remembers where and when she felt that youki before. She instantly loses control and pushes her limit to being awakened.

Her sole purpose to live to this day and the reason why she turns herself into a Claymore warrior is to kill Priscilla, the one who killed her precious person, Teresa.

We can expect an all-out battle between Clare and Priscilla in the next chapter. Priscilla may be undefeated so far, however, Clare can be full of surprises. Remember how she almost turned into an awakened being during the North battle years ago ? She did it just to increase her battle power and speed. Who knows what she is actually capable for right now and it’s still not clear what kind of new power that Rafaela gave to her.

Claymore chapter 99 is available at onemanga.com

Final Fantasy XIV Beta Tester Application

Final Fantasy XIV Beta Tester Application just opened today. Click here to go to FFXIV official website or here for a direct link to the application form. Do fellow readers sign up for the beta testing ^^ ?. Official E3 trailer for FFXIV below.

The first look of 2 songs for FFXIV composed by Nobuo Uematsu.

Interview with Director of FFXIV Nobuaki Komoto at E3

Leaked gameplay of FFXIV

FFXIV Online at Tokyo Game Show (TGS)

Box is friggin huge ^^;

Front View

My Fate-T-Harlaown 1/7 figure by Alter arrived yesterday. It’s been a long wait for us, figure collectors, especially any Fate fanboys/girls out there.Delay after delay, does it really worth the price and the delays ? Let pictures be the judge.

Front Bottom View

Top View

Rear View

Rear View - Option Parts

Rear View

Right-Side View

Left-Side View

Bottom View

I think the box is pretty nice and I like the colour scheme. Now, lets talk how much it cost.

Original Price : 12,160 Yen
Shipping: 4,000 Yen
Points: –532 Yen
Total: 15,628 Yen
Exchange Rate to Canadian Dollar: ~$186
Custom fee: $23
Final cost: $209

Ouchie $209. I complained a bit about the custom fee in twitter  but after hearing what James (Exelica-Meteor.com) had to pay ($55), $23 is not so bad after all :). So how much did you have to pay for the custom fee ? Anyone pays more than $55 ?

Btw, James got his review/photo shoot up at his blog. I haven’t opened mine yet so photoshoot has to wait ^^;;. Currently, I am satisfied looking at the box.

Anzu Chigusa @ Fan Expo

I was given the privilege to spend Day 2 at Fan Expo 2009 with Anzu Chigusa (ACG NA mascot) cosplayed by Kawano Fushi ….. lucky me ^^. Although I was hoping to spend the day with just the two of us, I got some interruptions from my friend, my girlfriend, Fushi’s friend and Ansa who tagged along with me ;P. Just kidding of course as I ❤ my gf ^^. Expecting a call from her at any moment after I posted this ^^;

I wonder what she was looking at. Gazing upon the blue sky I guess ^^

Too be honest, I came little bit unprepared because she asked what pose she should make and my answer was “…..I dunno….” ^^;

I have no idea what she was trying to pose. Was she saying that she had a toothache ? ^^:;

Obligatory pose of Neko. Is it a must do for a cosplayer ?

Awww …. Moe Moe Kyun~ from Anzu, isn’t she lovely ?

“If only she does not have to study for final exams, life would be 100x times better” ^^

Anzu is a Green Party supporter and she is definitely environmental friendly. Her costume was made from environmental friendly materials (I think ? :P)

Anzu was welcoming everyone to Fan Expo 2009.

<insert random cosplayer here> and Anzu were posing together. No idea what he was trying to cosplay as.

The lady was trying to be friendly and said ‘Hi’ but it was too much for Anzu.

Anzu and Astro Boy are coming soon to theaters near you 10.23.09

“Watch out behind you, Anzu”

Anzu’s Poking skill has increased by 1 level.

“My name is Anzu Ketchum. My goal is to become the best the world greatest Pokemon master. Pokemon,  Gotta Catch ’em All! .”

Anzu’s playing Nintendo DS and she didn’t seem to win. Better luck next time, Anzu ^^.

“Which one is stronger? Superman or me?”

Anzu’s reading Bleach for nth number of times.

She’s showing her skill at reading 2 comics at once although her eyes looked into Black Cat instead Bleach.

Anzu’s promoting that Oppai mouse pads are not just for guys ^^.

Anzu got invited to .hack world by Atoli. I hope she doesn’t get infected by the Virus >.<

“Neko Paw High Five” with one of AnimeXtreme staffs.

Chii…?

Anzu in Hollow form

Anzu’s looking dangerous.

Anzu thinks that she can beat Ryu.

Darth Vader uses his “Force” making Anzu to pose with him.

Saku's AFK Corner New Look

I installed a new theme for my blog and I am liking it so far. It’s thesame theme that is ued in ACG NA website.  I may change the color scheme later on when I have a chance ^^;;.

I’ll appreciate any feedback about the new layout. Tell me what you like and what you don’t like.

Image via Moe Imouto

[poll id=”32″]

Octavia at Avalon Castle

This is my first photo shoot since…… a while ago  I guess ^^;;. Fall/Winter is coming and the weather is getting chillier everyday so I thought I would have an outdoor photo shoot for the last time. My last outdoor photo shoot was at Niagara Falls where I went there with my parents and I would love to go there for another photo shoot session. For Octavia, I chose Casaloma castle as my setting since a castle fits her image/clothing perfectly.

Fellow readers probably can tell that I am little bit rusty since I haven’t done any photo shoots for the last 4-5 months. Outdoor photo shoot would be great to get things going again.

One thing that I love about this figure is that she can stand without using her base so she is perfect for outdoor photo shoot because having her base would be weird in outdoor environment.

For this session, I only use her unsheathed sword because I just like her pose more ^^. Anime girls with a sword are the best thing ever ^^

If I can be nit-picking with this figure, her paint job is mediocre and there are quite imperfection on her clothing especially on her shoulder. More over, don’t even get me started on her face as she looks different than the one in the anime. Since it’s Kotobukiya, I didn’t expect much from this figure. I bought because it’s Octavia and I just love anime girls with swords.

You can see the castle as her background and it suits her perfectly. This one would be even better if it’s closer but I like the black-white version of this one.

Details

Manufacturer: Kotobukiya
Scale: 1/8
Series: Tears to Tiara
Release Date: Nov 2008
Retail Price: 6800 yen

Thanks for reading and I hope you guys enjoy the photos. Sorry some pictures are little bit dark ^^;;.