Kazuo

Wolf Children Movie Review

Wolf Children

The Girl who Leapt Through Time and Summer Wars were two undeniable success stories back in their day. Coming from such a background director Hosoda Mamoru had a hefty reputation to uphold with his new movie, and I’m very happy to announce that Wolf Children upholds this reputation with ease. Continue reading »

Vash the Stampede 1/8 ARTFX J Kotobukiya Figure Review

Trigun Kotobukiya1

With its crimson jacket, trigger-unhappy gun and spikey hair the new Vash the Stampede figure from Kotobukiya is the best Vash figure yet. Continue reading »

It’s Dangerous To Go Alone! Take This Link Figure

figma Link

This week we are having a Legend of Zelda special, with two upcoming “ultra detailed” figures of Link from Medicom Toy and a review of figma Link from Max Factory! Continue reading »

Riding On The Fate/Zero Waver

Waver Velvet Alter 1

The next big figure to be released in the Fate/Zero franchise is none other than the feeble Waver Velvet. Both Mega House and Alter will be releasing his figure so I’ve prepared a little comparison post that will cover both. As a bonus you can also get a glimpse at the upcoming Mega House Rider figure.

Waver Velvet is perhaps the black sheep of Fate/Zero. A shy and feeble boy that enlisted into the Grail War without understanding what it was, Velvet proved to be the only pure-hearted combatant. The decision to make a figure of him instead of the other, more iconic, servants goes to show that somewhere along the way Velvet has won the favor of the viewers.

Mega House Waver Velvet

Mega House Waver Velvet 1

Mega House Waver Velvet 2

Mega House Waver Velvet 3

Mega House Waver Velvet 4

The first Waver figure comes our way courtesy of Mega House and will be released in late March 2013. This Waver comes with two face: his “normal” expression and a slightly agitated expression. Other props include a book on epic poems he borrowed from the library and a blood-red stand.

Waver and Rider

Waver and Rider 2

Mega House Rider Figure

Mega House is also planning on releasing figures of Rider, Gilgamesh and Lancer in the near future. The first two pictures of Rider are from Waver’s figure description page and as such can be considered a mockup. However the last one was taken in the MegaHobby Expo Autumn 2012 that took place this month and show what appears to be a sample of the final product.

Alter Waver Velvet

Waver Velvet Alter 1

Waver Velvet Alter 2

Waver Velvet Alter 3

Waver Velvet Alter 4

Later in April Alter will release their own version of Waver. This figure will be part of their Altair line that targets the fujoushi female fans. This waver also comes with two face plate: shy and shier. He has a clear base and is accompanied by a mini Rider figure. Interestingly mini Rider is just 5mm short of your average Nendoroid Petite figure.

Comparing the Two

Both figures are 1/8 scale renditions of Waver and both figures are plain, since Waver as a whole is a plain young man. However, that is where the similarities end. There is a big gap in quality between the two figures. Mega House’s figure is not as accurate or attractive as his Alter counterpart. I strongly believe Mega House got Waver’s eyebrows and lips wrong. The book he is holding is also a questionable addition and I think a different object, such as his “admirable great tactics” T-shirt, would have been more appropriate.
The Alter Waver is more polished and (from the picture alone) seems to have better coloring. I should deduct some points off his overall score for having two faces that are hardly that different. However, If we take into account that both figures are targeted at the female audience, and that this audience will probably love that vulnerable look, Alter’s rendition of Velvet is spot-on.
Of course, all of these pale in comparison to the mini Rider figure included with the Altair Waver. I’m sure many otaku who don’t have even the slightest of interest in Waver will buy this figure just to add Rider to their Nendoroid Petite or Bandai’s Chibi Arts‘ collection. Other figure collectors might want to wait for a more impressive rendition of Rider and the rest of the Fate/Zero Servants.

Mini Rider
Mini Rider is the real winner of this round, and he knows it!

As of now the Waver Velvet figure by Mega House can only be preordered from its official Japanese Mega House page. Alters’ Waver is available for preorders here and here.

Tamashii Nation 2012 Event Figure Gallery

S.H. Figuarts Zero Tiger and Bunny 3

Last month, between the 26th-28th of October, Bandai held its annual figure event Tamashii Nation and I was there to take the pictures and appreciate the fine art. There was a wide selection on display, from the bigger S.H. Figuarts ZERO to the tiny Chibi Arts. Have a peek to see some of the upcoming figures, alongside longtime favorites. Continue reading »

Incoming New Trigun Figure, Hanna-Justina Marseille Rivalry And Poor Nendoroid Suction Cups

Hanna-Justina Marseille Alter

First we get a release date for that awesome Trigun figure. Next, we check out Alter’s answer to Volks’ Hanna Justina Marseille figure. And then I rent a bit about Good Smiles not-so-ideal new Nendoroid suction stands and clip stands. Continue reading »

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