Wonder Festival 2010 Winter
Wonder Festival 2010 Winter was held just this last Sunday, one of the premier venues for both professional and amateur figure makers to show off their wares. The companies which attended the event didn’t seem to showcase as many new figures compared to Wonder Festival 2009 Summer though. It’s either that or the fact that I’m following new announcements more closely now so not much is surprising me. Either way here are the figures from the event that I’m excited about.
Wonderful Hobby Life for You
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Hitagi Senjōgahara
Company: Good Smile Company
Series: Bakemonogatari
I still haven’t seen a bit of Bakemonogatari (despite Watanuki lending me some of it) but the character designs are pretty slick from what I’ve seen. Enter this GSC Hitagi sculpt. I think it’s pretty fantastic and captures the energy and the slightly steamy nature of the art it’s based on. All the extra stuff that’s falling from Hitagi’s shirt also adds a quirkiness that I can’t pass up on. What’s even more amazing about that is that it seems to nearly perfectly match the art in terms of placing of the varies supplies. Hitagi’s face is amazing ly cute and is perfectly accentuated with the hint of blush in her cheeks.
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K-On! figmas – Tsumugi & Ritsu
Company: Max Factory
Series: K-On!
I’m sure Tsumugi and Ritsu have already sold out. No, I don’t think they’ve technically gone on sale yet but that’s just how fast these K-On! figma’s seem to be selling out. As a figma fan I can certainly appreciate how cute they are but I also admit I’m a little dumbfounded that they sell out almost immediately. They’re good, but they’re not that good. Because of the popularity I haven’t been able to secure a single one of them to date and I doubt my record will improve with Tsumugi and Ritsu here. At the same time I’m not too worried over all this because history has shown Mac Factory will do multiple runs of popular figma’s (Drossel, Fate, etc).
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“Love is War” Miku Hatsune
Company: Good Smile Company
Franchise: Vocaloid
While I don’t know what inspired this Miku Hatsune figure I can reasonably assume that it’s another fan art/song combination and that there is undoubtedly a video on YouTube of it. Even if I’m wrong about that I’m actually kind of on the fence about this figure. The coloring scheme is going to make or break this figure in my opinion. A lot of that has to do with how small and frail Miku looks next to those giant and heavy looking megaphones. She certainly has potential and I’m digging the detail and pose she’s sporting, but until I see the final colors I have a hard time getting past that base (all your base are belong to Miku).
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Azusa Nakano
Company: Alter
Series: K-On!
Here is another that I’m sure is sold out without actually being on the market but unlike the figma’s I do worry since Alter doesn’t really make a habit of doing re-releases. Anyway, like the Nendoroid that preceded her Azusa keeps raising the standards for cute in figures. The way that her whole body just envelops that guitar that’s (somewhat humorously) slightly too big for her is adorable beyond words. For a long time I thought that the whole “moe” thing always had to have yearning and, if ever so slightly, sensual aspects at it’s core. That’s not the case with Azusa here: she’s just 100% adorable through and through.
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Senhime
Company: Alter
Series: Samurai Girls
We’ve seen Senhime before in both unpainted prototypes and unpaid for magazine scans but this is the first time we get to see Senhime in much better quality. The thing that really impresses me about this whole Samurai Girls line Alter and Nitro+ are working on is how different each of the girls are. Senhime by far has the most visually subdued pose of the line but the detailing and coloring still make for an a dynamic figure. There are moments when the pose shines – like when she swings out her hip and tilts her head down with that displeasing look – but it’s really the colors and lush detailing that carry this figure. She’s also not an exclusive. Yay!
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Mio Akiyama
Company: Daiki Kougyo
Series: K-On!
This Daiki Kougyo sculpt totally caught me by surprise at first but the more I thought about what they’ve done in the past I realized that a moe-blob figure isn’t beneath them. It’s always hard to tell with prototypes like this but the detailing looks exceptionally high quality. Take a look at her left sleeve – I see both big folds and ever so slight depressions in there. Not only that but those folds/depressions seem consistent with what a jacket would really do. That’s some skillful craftsmanship right there. Her pose and her face are great too, but I’m enamored with the detailing. It will be interesting to see how much of that survives to the final product.
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Momohime
Company: Alter
Series: Muramasa: The Demon Blade
I picked this one out to talk about because…I don’t really know why I picked this one out to talk about. I definitely get a bit of a Mercedes vibe when I look at Momohime but they’re not from the same game so it’s probably the same sculptor. Even then though that really doesn’t nail it. Momohime just really stood out to me but at the same time I don’t think she’s particularly phenomenal in any one area – she’s just an overall good figure. Actually there is one area where she is noteworthy – her pose is kind of boring. For an action pose, that’s difficult to achieve. Still, I like the figure in the way I like Alter’s To Heart 2 line – they’re just solid figures.
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Mari Illustrious Makinami
Company: Max Factory
Series: Evangelion 2.0
You read that right: Max Factory. Max Factory just pole-vaulted over Alter (who were to preoccupied with magical 10-year olds to finish their Evangelion line) and, at the same time, set the bar so high that it’s doubtful Alter would be able to reach it. It wouldn’t be the first time this happened to Alter (see Saber Lily) and I doubt it will be the last. Mari is simply gorgeous. It’s everything I expected from Kotobukiya’s recent announcement and more. She’s got attitude, subtext, detailing, coloring, and a face that Sadamoto himself would be proud of. Mari is also noteworthy in that she’s the first Evangelion PVC figure that Max Factory has made.
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Fate Testarossa
Company: Alter
Series: Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha The Movie 1st
Speaking of magical 10-year olds, Alter also revealed their new movie version of Fate at the event. Not really that surprising considering the popularity of Alter’s MGLN line and the fact that Nanaho was revealed at the previous Wonfes but it’s still new. My tounge-in-cheek comment in Mari’s section aside for a moment, I’m actually part of the crowd that digs Alter’s MGLN line but I’m going to wait before getting too excited about Fate. She’s got a pretty engaging pose and it looks like she’s sculpted by the same guy who did Nanaho but the soul-less eyes and the distance from the figure the camera was make it hard to get a full appreciation of what the figure has to offer.
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Mikoto Misaka
Company: Good Smile Company
Series: A Certain Scientific Railgun
Mikoto wasn’t totally unexpected either since Index too was presented at the previous Wonfes, but since she’s presented in fully colored, closer camera angle goodness I’m getting pretty excited by her. In a way her pose doesn’t seem nearly as dramatic as Index’s was but there is a lot to be said about the little moves like the turn of her chest and the positioning of her arms. So even if it’s less dramatic it’s no less compelling. Detailing looks fantastic and I love the way her skirt only ever so slightly shows the hint of shorts underneath (wonder if the shorts will come off). Where the real money in this Mikoto is in the coloring and her face – damn is that face perfect. :3
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Dead Master
Company: Good Smile Company
Franchise: Vocaloid
Dead Master was surprising to me mostly because I haven’t been following the emerging Black Rock Shooter phenomenon and didn’t know there were other characters. From what I can gather this Dead Master figure isn’t based off a piece of art like the first BRS was but is no less designed by huke. Death Master’s pose is really chaotic and bold which is an interesting contrast to the first BRS’s more serene vibe. I think that contrast will work nicely when the two are displayed next to each other. Dead Master herself has an interesting contrast in how the choas of the flowing skirt, decorative scythe, and other devlish details play off the piercing, exact pose.
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Black Rock Shooter Anime Ver. Figures
Company: Good Smile Company
Series: Black Rock Shooter
Why buy one when you can have two at twice the price? I’m a little annoyed at GSC here for trying to goad it’s customers into buying another BRS figure by slapping “anime ver.” on it but on the other hand at least this time they gave us entirely new sculpts. I actually think that Anime Ver. BRS is an improvement over the original while Anime Ver. Dead Master isn’t as nice as the first. I like the pose/energy of Anime Ver. BRS but Anime Ver. Dead Master just seems too standard; like a number of figures we’ve seen before. As a result I’m kind of dumbfounded that GSC effectively announced two Dead Masters at the same time. Seems like it will hurt sales.
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Kyrie Rason
Company: Good Smile Company
Series: Valkyrie Complex
I blame this one on Aka. Why? Because he called my attention to her. So for the record: thanks, Aka! Kyrie was elusive to me. I saw her once (and for some reason though it was KOS-MOS) but couldn’t find her again. I kept looking under “Alter” since I was convinced that’s who made her. Turns out that was wrong and I’m still somewhat shocked that this is GSC sculpt. Kyrie just flows beautifully and really layered and dynamic poses like this are Alter’s domain and few have been able to match them. The thing that gives Kyrie’s true manufacturer away is the slightly more saturated color scheme; that’s kind of a signature for GSC.
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Lineage II Dwarf
Company: Orchid Seed
Series: Lineage II
Finally we have this little gem from Orchid Seed. This one was a total shocker because I would never have guessed that there would be more figures from Lineage II made. It felt like a one time deal to me. Dwarf here really is a different style altogether then Elf was – most notably in that Dwarf’s face is far more anime-ish and the whole vibe of the figure is far more cutesy. It’ll be interesting to see what the final color scheme will be like and if it’s as decorative as Elf is. Either way the color scheme will make or break this figure in my mind. Now if they could just get cracking on some Aion figures then I’d really be excited.
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Final Thoughts
All the pictures were stolen from foo-bar-baz, AkibaHobby, and AZURE Toy~Box. You should check out their coverages of the event if you haven’t already. Also hit up Danny for some really high quality pics. There were a lot of figures that I wanted to talk about but didn’t. Like the new Evangelion figmas in Rei, Asuka, and Mari. Or this delicious Mio figure. Or tons of new Haruhi figmas and Nendoroids. Or tons of awesome garage kits. To many to go over. There was also Native’s newest addition to their Creator’s Collection line but I left that one out because it takes things too far. I’m not going to link to it directly but if you dig a little in the links above you should be able to find her. What makes bath water green, anyway?
Also, sorry for the lack of a review this week. I was hit hard by the blizzard that affected much of the east coast. I think our official total over the weekend was about 22 inches which was followed by another 8 inches in the middle of this week. Snow itself wouldn’t be enough to keep me from doing a review but the snow knocked out my power for most of the weekend. That kind of sucked.
out for now,
Rico-sama
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Love is War Miku is based off this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1Dqb6uJ8WY
It kinda sounds like rock but just more awesome~ =V= *ish a LiW fanatic* I garuntee you’ll fall in love with the song. <3
I would elaborate more but I’m pretty busy at the moment, maybe I’ll comment on LiW Miku and the others (BRS & DM!!!) when I have the time.
Thanks for the link. Saw it last night after I finished writing up the post. You’re right I do like the song.
Hope you’ll share your thoughts when you get some free time.
I was supposed to just read and pass by but my nitpicking self is getting the better of me… I hope you were joking… or maybe just made a mistake when you said this:
Mari is also noteworthy in that she’s the first PVC figure that Max Factory has made.
It comes across as, she’s the first ever scaled PVC figure that MF has ever made. That is definitely not a fact so, I really hope it’s just a typo.
LOL. No, of course I wasn’t trying to state Mari was Max Factory’s first scaled PVC figure ever. That would just be silly. I just left out a key qualifier in that sentence between “first” and “PVC”; that being “Evangelion”.
Thanks for the catch. Re-read this post a couple times before publishing but there is always something I miss. Fixed now.
Max Fac has already released a Rei & Asuka pvc back then.
Really? I scanned MyFigureCollection and didn’t find any. I found some GK sure, but no PVC.
yeah I kind of forgot about this WF until the day after when all the GKs hit Yahoo Auctions Japan. I picked up the Sakurazensen’s Tenshi Hinanai
and the Reimu that compliments my Marisa.
Also this Yukari Yakumo is pretty nice…Good Event for a Touhou Project Fan everything else was lack luster imo in the GK department. I was hoping for some good Senjogahara kits but none of them are as nice as the GSC Senjogahara she really does take the cake. Kind of a sculpt of her holding two red staplers wearing Crab Eye stalks (think Cat Ears but with Eye stalks instead of ears) would be pretty awesome.
Nice that you’re already getting some goodies from Wonfes. Since I only really do PVCs I’m going to have to wait a few months to get my goodies. T.T
There was also that Kotobukiya Hitagi figure but the GSC is just so much better than it that I’m not even going to bother with theirs. Did you see that one?
Not to take anything over here, but since you’re more knowledgable in Garage Kits than I, would you be able to help me identify one? This one, it’s Horo, but would you know who produces it? looking for more shots.
Also, That Tenshi Hinanai, I kept thinking it was Win2k-tan for some reason. I like the Reimu Sakura Zensen did, but after seeing Marisa’s face I wasn’t so keen on her anymore. But Hinanai is quite good, I liked her in every shot I saw.
I think you completely underrated Momohime. That’s not a boring pose. And completely overrated Max Factory Mari. That is a boring pose!
Hmm. Maybe I was being tough on Momohime’s pose but I’m not backing of Mari’s. Mari isn’t dynamic by any stretch of the imagination but at the same time it’s the little movements in the way that she positions her arms, hips, head and subtext that results that really make the pose great.
When/if they become available, I will pre-order all of the BSR figures. :3
Also, Bakemonogatari … why isn’t this licensed yet, anyway? I really loved the series and will be buying it when it is finally licensed. But in the meantime, I’m drooling over Senjougahara figure. I so want this figure (and she really does have a scene basically like that).
The Mari — definite purchase. And the “Love is War” Miku. nya!
Good question; why isn’t Bakemonogatari licensed anyway? Maybe this new NIS crew will get it. Or maybe Funi but I can’t imagine them sitting on the license so long.
I still want to see the colors on the “Love is War” Miku before I get too excited.
Senjougahara, so bought. So hard, so fast.
Love is War Miku, I want, because it seems absurdly large. But I too will hold my judgement until there’s paint applied.
Azusa is cute, but no, no K-On! figures for me. I just don’t like their character designs. They’re cute, but I don’t like ‘em.
Senhime, skip.
Another K-On! figure, skip.
Momohime is one I overlooked until Tier pointed her out to me. She’s quite well done, I like her.
Mari, well I’m buying for sure, but I’m going with everyone else, her pose is boring. She has a nice figure though and it does show that off.
Fate, skip.
Misaka I’m wondering about… When I saw her it was “want” then the feeling cooled, and I’m on the fence. I probably should, but I’ve got too much on order, it really depends on when she’s released at this point.
All the BRS figures I want to buy, but I may have to pick and choose when it comes to the fact.
Kyrie is wicked, I really want her. She looks like she’ll take up way too much space, but still want.
Dwarf I saw but I didn’t really see. She’s cute and a better pick than my Ignis pick from Orchid Seed. Because she’s not big breasted and she’s cute.
I want you snow Rico, send it my way. I may live in Canada, but we have no snow, seriously, where is. I don’t even get it.
Aw. I would’ve figured Azusa would’ve been right up your aly. Though I understand your reasoning.
The thing about “Love is War” Miku that worries me is that, if you watch the video, it’s pretty much the same standard Miku design we’ve come to know. After things like WiM and VN02 I kinda thought we’d see more innovative designs like that.
Yeah, I kind of knew you wouldn’t go for Senhime like you didn’t go for Jubei. Is it just the big boobs or more to her you don’t like?
Momohime has a good face. Like I said I still kind of want her but have hard time justifying it.
Simple does not always equal boring, at least IMO.
I really want to see better pictures of Misaka. Everything I saw was really grainy. Anyway I kind of feel the same way about the “cooling” to her. Hmm.
I don’t think Kyrie will take up as much space as “Love is War” Miku. LOL.
Yeah, I heard that there was more snow down here then up in Vancouver where the WINTER Olympics are being held. Down here we’ve broken our 140 year old record for the most snow during the season – and we’ve got more on the way.
It’s not it’s cracked up to be, trust me. Especially when your area sucks at removal.
Yeah that’s true Miku is pretty much the same design with a crazy base.
I don’t like Senhime’s face, or her slutty appearance.
Simple doesn’t make for boring no, but her pose is still boring. I don’t see any of the things you do in it, I just see a well done figure with a boring pose.
Yeah LiW Miku will be huge compared to everything. But Kyrie isn’t small either.
It IS all it’s cracked up to be. I can deal with snow, I love snow. We’ve had none… one snow fall that stuck for more than a day, that’s it. We’ve got snow, but only a tiny bit, not worth mention. Normally we have a pile next to the house across the street that’s a storey and a half high, this year, no pile at all. Last year it crushed the gazebo that’s there.
Not that I’m knocking the design mind you. Miku’s original design is still quite nice.
Hmm. I don’t see the slutty in her myself, but fair enough.
And I could just be seeing things. We’ll know for sure when Mari arrives.
See, but it sounds like up where you live they are competent at removing the snow so you can get by. Not down here. The blizzard first hit Fri/Sat and we didn’t get plowed until Mon evening. That meant there was a nice, two-inch think layer of ice on our roads by the time it was plowed. Of course, the plows can’t get the ice. But even then they left the roads untreated – no ice-melt, no sand, no nothing. It’s been a week since the storm and I think we still have like 1.5 inches of ice left. And still not treatment.
This is my complex I’m taking about. The main roads are fine, but getting them is not fun. Especially with my little Toyota.
I suppose that’s true, they’re pretty good about it up here. For more people they’re quick enough, for me they’re too fast sometimes for me to have enough fun. I’ll be out there having fun, while the plows are plowing all the roads, thus ruining my fun.
They also salt up here, which means you HAVE to wash your car else you get rust.
OT: is your Toyota part of the recalls? heh…
Wow I’m planning on getting everything you listed (plus a few more). We have similar tastes after all. n_n
I’m the same boat as you when it comes to Bakemonogatari. I’ve never heard of the series yet but I am intrigued after seeing how excited people are. I think I’ll have to watch the anime to see why.
Good news about the K-ON figmas. Max Factory is planning to re-release them. But you need to act fast. Pre-orders for the 2nd shipment of the Yui figma have already sold out for most stores. You can still order the Azusa nendoroid though.
I want to get the Love is War Miku but Max Factory has been charging a lot for their new Vocaloid figures so I am not looking forward to knowing how much she will cost. I’m already dreading the shipping cost. T_T
I’m getting all of those Alter figures. I love Azusa’s pose because it’ll go well with Alter’s Mio & Yui. Hopefully Alter will do Tsumugi & Ritsu so we can have a complete band. I LOVE everything about Senhime. I’m already set on collecting all the Hyakka Ryoran girls so she is an instant get. Momohime is gorgeous! I love her outfit. I thought she was sculpted by the same guy who did Mercedes too. I’ll be getting that Fate too. The pose looks amazing! I forced myself to order Nanoha even though I wasn’t planning to.
Max Factory’s Mari is really nice. But I’m already set on getting Kotobukiya’s Mari so I’m not sure if I will get her. One set of Evangelion figures is enough right? xD
I’m really excited about the Dead Master figure! She looks a bit better than BRS character design wise. I don’t really like the anime versions as much. I’m not sure if I’ll get them. I don’t like BRS as much.
I’m kind of surprised this was your first time seeing Kyrie Rason. I wanted her ever since I saw the unpainted prototype. I love valkyries! The Dwarf Lineage figure is very lovely. There’s just sooo many great figures coming out this year! I can already feel a big hole growing in my wallet.
“Good news about the K-ON figmas. Max Factory is planning to re-release them.”
Ami, you just made my day. I think I may have missed Yui again but I’m keeping a sharp eye out for the others.
With a base that big I think we can expect a big price to go with LiW Miku.
Ah, another Alter fan. I don’t think there is anything to worry about – Alter will complete the K-On! line. They do like money, after all. I want to see a full colored Fate. I’m getting her regardless but I’d still like to see it first.
I would love to say “No, one set isn’t enough” but with Evangelion yeah it probably is. I love the franchise to death but it’s a little over-saturated.
I usually don’t pay a lot of attention to unpainted figures or prototypes unless they are showcased at events like Wonfes. Yeah I know new figures are previewed all the time in magazines and online and whatnot, but I don’t have the time to keep up with all that.
I’d say the figures I’m most looking forward to are the Rei, Asuka and Mari Figmas, and the new Aigis Persona 3 FES figure which you didn’t mention. Lots of great figures, though.
Also, the reason Momohime looks like Mercedes is because the games both come from are made by Vanillaware, and both have George Kamitani as an art director.
I saw that Persona 3 figure. I didn’t talk about it because I’m not sure about it. I have no idea what the final colors will look like. I mean the detailing is there but if she’s purple, orange, and neon-pink then it’s a no-go for me.
Hmm. Same game designer, eh? LOL. Should have guessed!
They’re both great games if you’ve never played them. Odin Sphere is for PS2 and it’s frustrating at times, but Muramasa for the Wii is good fun.
Definitely getting Fate. Not too interested in the others.