We now return you to your regularly scheduled program
Sorry that there wasn’t a figure review this week; I just got so caught up in the Aion beta that I pretty much decided to blow the review off in favor of more gaming. The game was tons fun so I’d be hard pressed to say I regret missing the review. Anyway, here are the figures I’m excited about this week.
An expensive hobby
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Nendoroid Shiki Ryougi
Series: Kara no Kyoukai
Company: Good Smile Company
Scale: Non
Release: Nov 2009
Price: 37 USD // 3,500 Yen
The Short:
Continuing strong with their Nendoroid line, Good Smile Co is going to release this Shiki Ryougi figure in November.
The Long:
I haven’t seen any of Kara no Kyoukai (though thanks to Watanuki I’ll be able to correct that error soon enough) but that hasn’t stopped me from collecting the figures. Shiki comes with a couple of faces: the standard, the neko mimi mode, and the psycho eyes. As much as I like the mischievous look she has in neko mimi mode, it’s the psycho eyes that are the real draw for me.
Rico’s Verdict: Bought.
Source.
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Nendoroid Yui Hirasawa
Series: K-On!
Company: Good Smile Company
Scale: Non
Release: Dec 2009
Price: 35 USD // 3,300 Yen
The Short:
Second K-On! Nendoroid figure coming down the pipe from GSC is Yui Hirasawa. Something tells me we’ll see three more Nendoroids from this series. 
The Long:
Like all Nendoroids, Yui comes with three faces (and a couple extra arms and legs too but those are hardly exciting). Looking around my room and scanning my memory, I’d say she’s one of the cutest Nendoroids GSC has put out to date (sorry Tsukasa). I mean, how can you not love this face? I do think Mio looks a tad better overall, but Yui wins for that face alone.
Rico’s Verdict: Do you really need to ask?
Source.
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Ein
Series: Phantom ~Requiem for the Phantom~
Company: Gift
Scale: 1/8
Release: Jan 2010
Price: 75 USD // 7,140 Yen
The Short:
Gift will be releasing this 1/8th scale Ein PVC from Phantom ~Requiem for the Phantom~ at the beginning of next year.
The Long:
The only thing I really know about Phantom is in relation to Funimation’s One Piece fiasco a few months back. A few weeks before that all went down, Funimation had been streaming Phantom and apparently episodes from that show were leaking off Funi’s servers before their Japanese broadcast too…and no one seemed to care.
Questions about the show’s quality aside, I’m really digging this Ein PVC. Gift is quickly proving themselves to be a master when it comes to poses, detailing, and paint application; but it’s just too bad they can’t capture the character’s face nearly as well. I was able to look past that for Adelicia, but I’m not sure I can do the same for Ein.
Rico’s Verdict: Tempting, but will likely pass.
Source.
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Moe Collect Plus Rei & Asuka
Series: Evangelion 2.0 You can (not) Advance
Company: Volks M.O.E.
Scale: 1/7
Release: Winter 2009
Price: TBA
Notes: Each sold separately. Exclusive to Volks’s online shop.
The Short:
As part of their Moe Collect Plus line, Volks will be releasing these delicious Rei and Asuka figures this winter. You had me at the yuri overtones.
The Long:
Showcased at this year’s summer Wonder Festival, Rei and Asuka have really grown on me. At first I thought they we’re just another take on the characters in their plug suits, but then I noticed Asuka’s well placed hand and Rei’s gentle clasp and the set took on a whole new meaning. :3
There are other reasons why these figures are amazing, of course. They are detailed well (love the layering in both their hair styles), colored beautifully (the plug suit never looked so good), and have solid faces. And in case the yuri overtones aren’t your thing, Volks included extra parts so you can display them differently and separately.
Downside is that both Rei and Asuka are exclusive to Volk’s online shop and they don’t ship internationally. Proxy services exist, but that’ll make these figures an extra $40 or so each.
I wonder if they’ll later make a Mari to fit in with Rei and Asuka?
Rico’s Verdict: Will make these both mine.
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I enjoy yuri overtones, and undertones, and midtones. I like a full range of yuri. I sort of wish they were looking at eachother though. It feels like they’re just staring off at nothing in particular. Or perhaps they’re looking at everyone watching them and feeling a bit self-concious.
I also like where Asuka’s hand is on Rei’s left leg and how Rei is gently holding her hand there. It’s too bad they’re exclusive, but perhaps you can work out a deal as you’ll be ordering 2 figures at once.
I like the ruffles in Ein’s skirt and the extreme angle of her pose. But otherwise she seems rather bland to me. Could just be the colours, I’m not sure.
-Aka
I tend of take that latter reading.
Tokyo Hunter looks like he’ll be offering both; maybe I’ll be able to combine on shipping at least.
Yeah, I’ve kinda talked myself out of Ein. Nice, but I’d rather have Canaan.
Nah, I think you can do better than just shipping. I asked him about getting a deal as I’d order 2 figures at once, and he cut the price by ¥2,000, plus I’ll likely be able to combine on shipping.
Canaan looks amazing, I hit that pre-order like I’d hit Horo.
Hmmm.
I’ll try e-mailing TH then. He hadn’t updated his entry on those two so I thought he wasn’t selling them yet.
I think I have Canaan pre-ordered. Should know for sure today.
Yeah he seemed like a pretty flexible guy.
I hope you did, Canaan looks pretty superbly done.
You will love kara no kyouka! Now, if someone will just license it, I will be able to buy the blu-ray release … this one demands blu-ray!
I passed on the pre-order of the Shiki nendroid, but man it is tempting. I will likely buy it when it’s released, assuming its available.
I forgot your not much of a Nendoroid fan, crazy as you are.
Yeah, basically I’m trying to strategically avoid becoming a collector since I think I could easily go crazy on them like I have with the figma line (of which I have many).
I actually really think they’re immensely cute and I’d love to collect a few more, but that slippery slope could land me in bankruptcy, lol, or worse, could end up screwing with my already miserably lagging efforts to save for a Dollfie Dream figure. And a sewing machine for …. urp … sewing clothes for my Dollfie … why do I feel like I need to go seek treatment after typing that?
Dollfie’s are a level beyond me man, but I totally respect the collector and enthusiast in you for pursuing one.
Even if it’s TOTALLY weird that you’ll be sewing clothes for her.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to play with my figmas. 
Sewing your own doll clothes? that goes beyond me… the only thing I ever sewed together was a bag with handles, because I was bored and being babysat by a sewing teacher. I got a “speeding ticket” though while I was doing it… I ran the sewing machine too fast and got in trouble.
Anyhoo, I respect all you people with actual skills and who are willing to produce actual tangible objects, even if they are 1/4th scale or whatever a Dollfie is.
If all the K-on nendoroids come with instruments then I’ll have to buy all of them. Mugi especially <3
I think the prototypes for Tsugumi and Ritsu were showcased at Wonfes or some place like it and they we’re shown to have keyboards and a full drum set respectively.
Those K-On! nendoroids will be a big hit. I can only imagine what Good Smile will price Ritsu.
I really like Ein, but am unsure of making that dive. I am not particularly into the Gift Saber, but I do acknowledge the abundant attention to details. The Gift Yoko is gorgeous despite not having anatomically correct legs. I.just.do.not.know.
UGH> Here comes Volks again. I’m off the same group that will be buying these babies as well. Here’s hoping that the (inflated) prices are not too bad.