And a song plays in my head as this Zaku bids adieu to Tokyo, with sweet loot in tow.

Once back at my base, I stashed the figurine and doujin loot in the Ikea Markör (blurry photo).

Yuki the First will be transforming into Witch Hat Mode soon because her gentle Goddess of Studying aspect is no longer sufficient – me be needing Full Drive Ignition to meet my looming deadlines. orz

The first and second Megahouse RAH.DX Lunamaria releases together at last. The third is far away but the day of the trio’s reunification is now merely a matter of time. Interestingly, in all my searching of Akiba, Nakano and Ikebukuro, I saw quite a few jacket-off (II) and mecha-suit (III) Lunamarias but none of Pistol Finger (I) Lunamaria. My good bro Stripey speculated that it could be that, on the supply side, there could have been less production for the initial ‘trial’ phase as GSD was being aired and, on the demand side, the popularity of her goods could have taken a hit from possible fanbase demoralization/disgust at how she was treated at the end of the series.

My approach to her post-Zaku phase is to close my eyes, put fingers into my ears and hum really loudly. But in terms of 2D-crushes, while my loyalty to Lunamaria is not unshakeable or incorruptible, she still ranks very highly in my pantheon of anime heroines and she’s still my favourite GSD character by far. Lovely as they are, Meyrin or Stella just don’t cut the mustard (mainly for lack of screentime?) and, besides, their rivalry/dynamics with Lunamaria lack the epic quality that spawned the Rei vs Asuka fanwars.

Balalaika is my favourite Black Lagoon character but this Alter 1/8 Revy was just too good to pass up. My purchase also highlights how I am quite reluctant to buy a figurine that I haven’t seen with my own eyes but that’s often the only way to get hold of a popular character’s figurine via a pre-order – at those times, one just have to faith that the manufacturers will live up to the publicity photographs. But being able to see the figurines in their PVC glory caused my limiters to be released. But for that, one needs the presence of a deep local secondary market, and till that day arrives, the shining beacon of Tokyo’s anime lands beckons me with its irresistable siren song.

©2012 hontou ni sou omou?. All Rights Reserved.

is Nanoha doujin day!

First off, I missed out on StrikerS Nano! But managed to get it when I went to Melon Books Akiba in the late afternoon. Phew! Missed on Under Ground Organization’s Mari Star but hopefully their production run will be large enough for copies to surface on the secondary market. Glad to complete my Quarter Ice Shop collection and also to grab Tamago‘s new works which I first encountered via the URL on the Nanoha car. I had passed my catalogue to a friend so I only managed to get the Tamago stall’s location from a trio of attendees who were reading their spoils on the main concourse above the East hall entry area. After giving me the location, they also wished me: Ganbatte kudasai! To which I promised to ganbarimasu!

Best find for doujins was a delightful Signum x Fate book which I picked up while browsing the halls row by row (patrol edge first and then go up and down the central rows) has Signum struggling with her growing attraction to Fate and the two of them constantly having misunderstandings building up to being caught in compromising situations by Nanoha and with a thoroughly distraught Fate bawling: ‘You’ve got it wrong, Nanohaaaaaa~~~!!!’ LOLOLOL Poor Feito.

Biggest spends was actually on t-shirts. I got a Yumi Fukuzawa one (himekesi circle) after the Nanoha, Fate, Hayate and Teana ones had run out. There was still a big stack of Subaru shirts available though. Poor Subaru! I guess most of us tend to think of her as a dude. Being very cosplayable by males doesn’t really help either.

Lunamaria praises Zakus! We are different, we are!!! *does happy little dance*

I can’t remember the name of the circle that did these shirts (JPY 1,900) but it was two young ladies whose faces lit up when I came back after buying the Lunamaria t-shirt and said that, yappari, I’d like to have the Nagato shattsu. Both of them. And good thing I pushed my way back too because there was only Witch Hat Yuki t-shirt left then.

And, of course, walking on Akiba’s main road, pedestrianized for a Sunday was a must. Besides the crowd of anime and electronics shoppers, there were also street magicians, remote toy demonstrations, various idol talents trying to get publicity.

Turns out there was actually (part of) a commercial label band, RAM [homepage / mobControl report], performing there. The most assured of all the performances and the prettiest vocalist too, Risa (or was her name Yuki?).

As the light faded, it was off to gothic lolita capital of Japan, Harajuku. First to the bridge in front of the Meiji Shrine and then off to the shopping street.

Saw quite a few very tall (above 5’10″) Caucasian girls – excuse me, are you a moderu?

I like the dresses from Body Line the best. High natural cotton content and lovely design, shop attendants who model their wares and prices ranging from the reasonable JPY 4,999 to eye-watering five figure numbers.

Not allowed to take photos inside of course but this was my favourite of the outside display samples.

Late dinner and drinks at a cosy bar off Ebisu 3-chome. Tuna with avocado salad, deep-fried chicken with negi sauce.

©2012 hontou ni sou omou?. All Rights Reserved.

Due to lack of luggage space, I only bought another Saber plushie. Spent the rest of my time there at the cosplay area. First off, nominees for the Sailor Bubba award. One guy doing Suigintou and another Teana Lanster. Great costumes, great attitude!

But my vote goes to the Vita cosplayer. Yes, the Subaru cosplayer is also a guy. But Subaru’s a tomboy anyway. Kudoes to the Zafira cosplayer for enduring the stuffy costume – though Day Two was a lot less warm than the previous day, it must have still been quite an ordeal.

Just like the Mobile Queue system, the cosplay area has its own SOPs. It’s the only area where photography of cosplayers is allowed as stopping to pose in the halls will disrupt traffic and worsen the crowd situation there. First off, if the cosplayer is already having their picture taken, get in line and when it’s your turn, greet the cosplayer with an ‘onegai shimasu’ and then ask for a specific pose if you have something in mind, after your one or two photos, thank the cosplayer with the standard greetings and a little bow before letting others have their turn. If a crowd of photographers start to gather around a cosplayer (usually one showing lots of skin), a member of staff will intervene and call time out on the shoot with a countdown from five. The cosplayer and photographers will then have to move on, elsewhere. This prevents traffic obstruction, allows flow and circulation of cosplayers and photographers so that everyone will have a chance to take pictures or get their pictures taken.

I remember that Gendou Ikari was a strong favourite at Otakon 2000. It’s hard for men to have a distinctive character to cosplay, most just wear rather drab suits or uniforms whereas the girls have so much more opportunity in their character design for great cosplay. But men can also play to their strengths. For example, our FMA Fuhrer cosplayer has the grizzled features that give him command presence, young Walter has the slightly debonair charm of the Hellsing butler in his Angel of Death days, the Patrick Zala cosplayer has got the strong jaw and hair style (with added grey lines) of the PLANT/ZAFT leader.

A rare case also of a girl cosplaying a male character – a girl as Kaworu!

I don’t really know any of these characters very well (if at all for some of them). Showing skin and a good bod is always nice. As is pretty and detailed costumes.

Needs MOAR Asa-senpai.

Rei remains a favourite. The plugsuit is a very demanding piece to wear though. The school uniform Rei had a nice extra touch of the red contacts as well as Rei’s serious, quiet stare.

The Aria kouhais still have a way to go before they can catch up with the primas…

Particularly liked the Suiseiseki costume.

He Is My Master cosplayers, like so many of the others, really got into the spirit of their source material, using poses from manga covers, OP/EDs or eye-catches.

Haruhi was a very popular choice but not that many captured my favour. Mostly because Haruhi is an extremely confident and arrogant person and quite a tough act to follow.

Mikuru, on the other hand, was also a popular choice and her character is more stereotypical and thus easier to re-enact.

The latter two pic’s Konata was a really short girl and thus the Lucky Star lead seems a natural choice for her. :3

This girl was the sweetest cosplayer I saw yesterday. A bit of a young Ogura Yuuko? But my poor photography skills don’t do her sweet looks justice. Awarded third favourite of the day.

This Lunamaria cosplayer was the only Lunamaria amidst a fairly large Gundam SEED contingent. There was a girl who was cosplaying Athrun too I think. But she had Lunamaria’s spunky genkiness just right. Runner-up in my favourites.

This Yuki cosplayer gets my top place. She was actually quite shy, hiding at the ledge area with her group and not venturing out to have her picture taken. I waited and waited and waited. And made the rounds, coming back to wait again. Until I just couldn’t wait anymore and waited for a gap to open up amidst the protective line of photographers and cosplayers to ask to take her picture. She gamely obliged and as she stepped forward, two female cosplayers beside me exclaimed quite loudly: ‘Ano ko kawaii!’ I completely agree.

She was definitely the cutest Yuki cosplayer that day and the prettiest girl too IMHO. Plus she also had the Yuki character perfectly pined down. Quiet, serious, few words but lots of gravitas but also an endearing vulnerability. Did I mention she’s oh so cute?

Slices of life:

The wonders of Yurikamome toilets. Not just automatic tap but also an automatic soap dispenser that doesn’t put out dishwashing liquid but instead a very pleasant foam. / Back home, being called a hero (or a champion) is not meant to be a compliment.

Stamina ramen (JPY 780)!

©2012 hontou ni sou omou?. All Rights Reserved.