Criteria on figure purchases – a self-discovery

26Jun/0616

Criteria on figure purchases – a self-discovery

An older poll on Riuva got me thinking about my personal critera when deciding on a figure purchase. Of course, really most of the time, it's as simple as "love at first sight, purchase ensues". But I realised, subconsiously, I operated within a framework of some internalised rules that automatically surface in a figure purchase.

And so this is a self-absorbed post aimed at crystalising these factors by blogging about them. (Think of it as self-discovery blogging style instead of hypnosis.)

Proceed at the peril of Zzz monsters.

Stripey's criteria for figure purchase

Character: I usually pick anime bishoujos whom I am at least favourably disposed towards in series I have already seen. No point picking Aisia whom you hate for ruining Kotori's chances in DCSS right? Wait.. I own an Aisia.... Ok, there has been exceptions to this criterion. Basically, if you are bishoujo, you're most likely good for me. (Yes, I'm shallower like that and this applies only to figures.)

Pose: Dynamic over static poses. I would prefer the figure to be in transit of an action. Flailing hair/clothes are bonuses. Quietly sitting down or standing are boring. One-legged poses though moe, run the risk of bending so I think twice about those too.

This is a bad example since I'm equally in love with both. Not getting either though. .

Outfit: Something elaborate with lots of details. For example, goth-loli or meido outfits which have plenty of ribbons, pleats and folds etc. Well designed seifukus are welcome too. Bikinis are boring. Either that an outfit that accentuates the primary charm of the character works well too.

It's a VERY tough choice but meido-Saber would come up tops.

Facial sculpt: The figure may score perfectly on all other criteria but if she's crossed-eyed or does not bear semblence to the character modeled after, the deal's off. Probably the MOST important factor in my purchase.

The left one's Saber alright. Not sure who's the other.

Make: I only buy 1/8s. Would consider 1/7s but that's the ceiling. Am inclined towards Alter, Goodsmile Company, Max Factory and Kotobukiya releases. Wouldn't even look at Yujin products.

Ok, now that I've articulated the factors, ~~I can safety tell my fiancee that that the beautiful Sakura was chosen for details~~ I feel so emancipated now.

Still waiting for that Nanoha release.

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JM
June 26th, 2006 - 12:55

I had to get that Aisia figure too, and I’ve got all of the To Heart 2 figures as well. There’s at least three Nanoha figures I want now, but that Fate Testarossa figure that appeared recently looks fantastic!

I’ve also got all of the Shuffle! Gatchapons, but I haven’t bought any of the 1/8 scale figures yet. But I’ve just found the Asa fisgure that they’re releasing, and I’ve got to have that. More money spent on eBay…

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Zyl
June 26th, 2006 - 13:36

Goodness gracious me. You’ve come from absolutely zero interest in anime figurines to explicating and documenting self-internalized rules ever since the Aisia purchase!

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Kefit
June 26th, 2006 - 13:45

The DCSS Kotori 1/8th really tempts me every time I happen to see it. I just wish that that company would release a DCSS Nemu…

And that F/HA Sakura is indeed really awesome. I’m thinking that it will be mine when it comes out later this year. Of course, by that point I will have completely run out of display room for figures, but I am sure I will be able to work something out.

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Tsubaki
June 26th, 2006 - 14:33

We both share the same criteria when it comes to buying figurine, though I don’t limit myself to 1/8s. I like collecting trading figures as well.

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Xellos-_^
June 26th, 2006 - 15:35

Wheres dark sabre?

And how come the sakura figuerine has nipples but none of the sabre has nipples?

Do the Rin Figuerine have nipples?

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Crusader
June 26th, 2006 - 15:43

You have learned much in the ways of the sith how far you have fallen, I also notice you did not try to hide the meido. You have taken your first step into a larger world.

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tj_han86
June 26th, 2006 - 16:32

I hope it’s not my fault that you have become like this.Though I differ from you because I go a lot for uniqueness and gimmicks on top of the factors you said.

You getting that enterbraincraft 9000 yen Saber full armour?

But I hope to be toning down . Have actually cancelled orders for quite a few things.

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Asuka
June 26th, 2006 - 17:35

Oh my gosh, as much as I didn’t like Nanoha, that figurine looks awesome.

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Haesslich
June 26th, 2006 - 19:44

I’d have to vote for the Bikini-Saber’s face over the Meido-Saber’s myself – although I have to say the first one’s probably the cutest… but not exactly Saber either. One thing for me and such things is that the figurine has to represent the character accurately – face and personality both. Otherwise… well, it’s not the character, is it? It’s like having a Genki Sayoko from Mahoraba or an Asuka from NGE figure in a supremely submissive pose…

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Skane
June 26th, 2006 - 21:38

How about Sakura(F/SN) as a Tsundere?

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Haesslich
June 26th, 2006 - 22:18

Skane: Sakura’s missing the tsun-tsun part, really – she’s into dere-dere mode almost immediately from the start, at least when it comes to ‘taking care of’ Emiya. Rin’s closer to tsundere than she is, if only because she shows the tsun -and- dere sides…

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Skane
June 27th, 2006 - 00:21

Oops, I have been misunderstood. ^_^;

I was responding jokingly to the notion of characters not representing themselves accurately. I chose Sakura exactly because she is not ‘tsundere’.

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Renji
June 27th, 2006 - 03:30

I hope I’m not asking a stupid question, but while looking at these fine products (namely those from Alter Co) I notice a distinct lack of a purchasing facility. So I’m guessing they don’t sell form their website, or am I just missing something.

Seeing as a number of these figures have got my attention! Thanks!

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Stripey
June 27th, 2006 - 10:33

JM: Wow all the TH2 figures! I’m afraid to catch any of the To heart series because I’m afraid of going on a mad figure buying spree if I fall in love w the characters. Zanber Fate? I LOVE it but am very concerned over balance issues which is why I haven’t pre-ordered it. Of the Atelier Sai’s SHUFFLE! 1/8s, I like Kaede (winter seikufu) best.

Zyl: And I have you to thank for bringing me to kono minikuku mo utsukushii seikai where financial jigoku and figure tenkoku meets.

Kefit: You took the words right out of my mouth! A Nemu figure’s LOOOONG overdue. As for Max Factory’s 1/8 Kotori, much as I LOVE Kotori, I found the pose rather subdued. But I suspect I’ll just buy it on sight.

Tsubaki: I haven’t discovered the charm of trading figures just yet. But I supposed that’s a good thing considering my financial constraints. I understand some trading figures would be nice to have around to accompany 1/8, 1/7 figures?

Xellos-_^ : LOL! I don’t know how to answer that. Well since the figures are by different sculptors and they have different perspectives when it comes to detailing?

Crusader: Yes, my master.. wait a min. Yappari… so there’s really something wrong with me if I think meido-Saber looks hotter than swimsuit Saber? Could it be that’s why I also thought meido-Zyl looks better than miko-Zyl… oops sorry bro, slip of tongue…

tj_han86: Sensei! There, now you know how responsible you are for this disciple. I’m proud to say I’m schooled at RIUVA. Heh. Not getting EB Saber though. The price is cutthroat though the pose is GREAT. I’m a little concern w the facial sculpt too. Something un-Saber about it. And hmm cancelling orders.. did you have deposits for them?

Asuka: Awesome indeed! Although like you, I would have preferred say Fate over Nanoha in such a dynamic pose.

Haesslich: Excellent point. The figure must at least be presentative of the character as far as we are willing to stretch our perception of her. I must have been reading too much limited meido works myself.

Skane: I myself wouldn’t get a tsundere Sakura since that’s beyond what I’m willing to accept for her characterisation.

Renji: Wonderful that you keen on the Great Art! Do check out HobbyLink Japan. They ship worldworld. You may also want to check out Amiami which is a Japanese site, faster updates but they don’t take international orders. Enjoy!

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kablaq
June 28th, 2006 - 03:05

the “Great Art” eh?… hmmm… >.>;;

@renji: you could also use Hobby Search as they have a english version of their site (much easier to search through) and they update much faster than HLJ… i also believe that they ship overseas, but i haven’t bought anything with them yet…

@stripey: hmmm, meido saber vs. bikini saber… too hard to decide, i’ll just try to get both… XD

i liked the look of the GSC casual saber over the Kotobukiya one, even though the one by Kotobukiya is more “dynamic”… the GSC one seemed nice and something which i wouldn’t regret purchasing, nor would it tip over and bend (my poor magical girl rin ;_;)… as it is 1/6th, it also compensates for the purchase of Alters 1/8th Casual Dress Saber (yes, i bought it, and no, i don’t regret it… i just made a snap decision and went with it)

that bikini saber still gives me a nose bleed though XD

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Stripey
June 28th, 2006 - 11:00

Haha! I believe you are wanted at despair.com

And wow that’s quite a bit of Saber figures you are amassing. The GSC casual saber has a coyness that goes really well with her pose (as outfit for that matter) And yes, Kotobukiya Saber may be running towards the ground very soon. Hopefully its 1/8 stature would diminish that likelihood. Penguin saber grows on me with every passing second.. I may just have to eat my words on the outfit segment…

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