Figure dilemma once more
2008 has been a slow year for me figure-wise. March is already round the corner and I've only 2 PVC acquisitions with 4 preorders so far.
<-------Acquired 2008-------><-----------------------Preordered figures----------------------->
I suspect the tremendous difficulty of selling my older figures had an impact on my purchasing pattern. Seeing how hard it is to find new homes for my PVC pretties, I'm a lot more prudent in my pre-orders now. In fact I'm so careful that I suspect I'm missing out on some of the best PVC lovelies the industry has to offer. Yes, in the absence of my PVC approving panel (PAP), I'm soliciting for opinions for following 7 figures before I make the very last-min pre-order. Listed also are some of my thoughts on each figure (left to right).
1/8 MaxFac Ruka - Good sculpt and dynamic pose but clashing colour scheme. Supporting prop is an eyesore too.
1/8 MaxFac Sawatari Makoto - Dynamic canonical pose (in Kanon OP). Love the hair.
1/8 Kotobukiya Kureha - Dynamic pose but the material seem to have a sheen that speaks of poor quality.
1/8 Alter Kuonji Shinra - Striking gold ornaments/clothes lining. Pose a little too subdued though and little color differentiation.
1/8 Alter Siesta - Great character! Pose a little awkward and possibly too much white.
1/8 Kotobukiya Sennin Narika - Pink hair and twin-tailed with a dynamic pose! May have balance issues though.
Non-scale Alter Chuua Churam - Great everything! Except the price that is...
If you could only pick 3 of the 7, which of these PVC beauties would you usher home?
Edit 02/03/08
Thanks all for your input. After deliberating the feedback, I have pre-ordered these PVC lovelies.
Can't wait for their arrival.
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February 28th, 2008 - 01:59
well i get paid hopefully by the middle of next month so you’ll get rid of one figure at least ^_^. I’ve got the pre-order for Mf’s Makoto, She was my favorite character in Kanon and the pose is just awesome. I like the seista figure, while some call her boring i call her simplistic and easy on the eyes. I’m not to aware of the Alter Chuua Churam, but she looks amazing! I’d so no on kureha, i know your selling me the MF kureha since she’s a 1/7 scale but do you need another kureha? plus the whole boob squished out to the side doesn’t look realistic. I agree with the Mf ruka, the colors seem to clash a bit too much. Alter Kuonji Shinra, while i like the design i’m not so sure, she doesn’t scream “zomg you have to by me like nao!” and finally with the Kotobukiya Sennin Narika, i don’t know much about her, she looks great but leaning is always an issue for me…
February 28th, 2008 - 02:17
Stripey, my magic go board (famous for spelling out insults towards my brother with stones) says you need to pre-order the 1/8 MaxFac Sawatari Makoto now. It is an absolutely gorgeous sculpt that captures the best of Makoto’s personality. And besides, until some company creates a definitive Nayuki figure, you need her to keep Ayu company.
I’d also go with the Non-scale Alter Chuua Churam. It’s one of the most elaborate and detailed figures I’ve ever seen, and it would be a perfect fit in any collection.
I’d stop at those two pre-orders. The other options don’t really appeal to me personally, and I don’t think they’d make great additions to your collection. Some of them (to me anyway) seem too similar to figures you are trying sell or have already sold.
And while I’m on the topic, how did you ever decide to try to sell Dark Saber? Considering how much you gushed over the figure a year and a half ago, I figured she’d never leave your sight, much less your collection…
February 28th, 2008 - 02:24
Recently I’ve been holding off on preordering particular figures. Even with the recent Wonderfest there are only a few that I would want but I’ll still be holding off. Right now my money has to go to a greater good so the first half of 2008 will be a slow one for me.
February 28th, 2008 - 04:34
Wow… So many to choose from, no wonder you say you run the risk of missing out on great figures. I have yet to get myself into the figurine passion yet, seeing as my hunt for Kotobukiya’s Sakagami Tomoyo failed spectacularly in Japan T_T The best I have now is a random gachapon figure of Tony Taka’s creations (to be fair, it IS a nice figurine). I cannot offer much in way of advice (The Chuua Churam looks great though), but I do wish you all the best in choosing
February 28th, 2008 - 05:24
Thanks all for your thoughts!
Dancing Queen: Heh your Kureha beckons..
I’m currently tending to Makoto and Churam. You’re right about Shinra, she’s nice but doesn’t scream “Buy me!” I considered Kotobukiya Kureha because their Xecty was really well made. Maybe I’ll take a look at the actual product before laying the moolah for Kureha.
Jacob: Noted!
Chances are I’ll stop at these 2 unless someone can make a better case for the rest. 
As for Dark Saber, I attribute the waning love to her size. 
She’s more like a 1/9 and as my collection grows, she looked diminished in stature. XD
Cipher: Oh when did you perform that Tomoyo search in Japan?
I understand there’s a recent release of all the older Clannad figures from Kotobukiya. Then again with Clannad’s popularity, I wouldn’t be surprised if they are all snapped up already XD
February 28th, 2008 - 06:45
Why not get Max Factory’s upcoming PVC Mikuru (Cultural Festival ver.) to match your Tsuruya-san? Or is it too late to cancel your Alter Mikuru order?
February 28th, 2008 - 07:00
You surely need to add MF’s Makoto to the list, it’s a sure must-have for a Kanon fan. The release date for it has been pushed back from 29th Feb to 31st March, so there’s time to “raise” funds for it. I pre-ordered one too btw ^^.
Kotobukiya’s Narika is also another good choice, she’s cute and her clothings is sexy. I did see a battle-worned version of her on amiami, not sure if could pre-order that and have it shipped out of Japan, but I find that it’s nicer.
The amount of details behind the Alter’s Chuua Churam, mainly the clothings and the guitar, makes it a very nice figure to have and look at. I’m tempted to get it too.
Aaaaahhhh I also have the same figure dilemma, not enough money to truly buy whichever figure I want (wanted the Feena one too!!), and I still have about 3 more figures on pre-order, which will take a chunk out of my savings for a Japan trip. And there’s also the Hatsune Miku figure from GSC (not the nendoroid one) which was featured at the recent Wonfes, another figure to look out for in the near future. Choices choices choices…
February 28th, 2008 - 07:33
Atashi: Heh, I actually contemplated that when I saw her pic on the MaxFac blog but decided I preferred Alter’s Mikuru.
The serene Mikuru serving tea just feels more in character than a genki Mikuru 
Hirito: That’s it! I’ve preordered Makoto and Churam. Just wondering if I should go Figure 3 now
I also had my eye on GSC’s Hatsune Miku! Can’t wait to see the painted version. 3 other figures from WonFes I’m keen are GSC’s Asakura Nemu, Alter’s Vita and Alter’s Yagami Hayate. Can’t wait for the preorders to roll out! 
February 28th, 2008 - 09:00
IMO, it’s ChuChu and pick from the remaining six. Just look at it. ChuChu is an amazing figure that is obviously a cut above the norm. Of the remaining ones, the only one I’ve got on order is Makoto.
I’ve just scrolled up to read your comment…good choices.
February 28th, 2008 - 15:19
I’ll definitely pick theset two
Alter Chuua Churam
Alter Siesta
and toss a coin between Makoto and Ruka ^^ (Makoto is abit more prefered tho
)
I’m also very interested with GSC Miku, Alter Vita and Hayate (I suspect HLJ will have them on order stop status pretty fast..)
February 28th, 2008 - 15:48
Oh now that Makoto has been pushed back you can get her as well! SO as soon as i get my pay check I’ll let you know so i can get Kureha ^_^
February 28th, 2008 - 21:43
Just buy them all! Problem sovled XD
Seriously though, out of the 7 you have listed I would recommend (and already preordered myself) at least MF’s Makato, Koto’s Kureha (already have Xecty, Sena, and Clalaclan which are all pretty nice), Koto’s Sennin Narika (ninjas are ALWAYS worth it), and Alter’s Chuua Churam (what others have said).
Alter’s Kuonji Shinra I was actually thinking of ordering but compared to what’s currently being released, I’ve held off. It’s not a bad sculpt by any standard but if you’re short on space, may as well go for something a bit more er… dynamic?
…so… yea, order Sennin Narika at least!
…and if you’re still feeling guilty about ordering any of them, do know I already have ordered 32 figures for the year thus far ^^;;
February 29th, 2008 - 02:44
I also am very interested in figures lately. Actually, I get excited everytime when they have wonder festival -_-;;; Out of those you haven’t preordered, I say
1)Max factory Sawatary Makoto: come on, its Makoto. My fav from Kanon!
2)Alter Siesta: I know you have a maid fetish. ^_______^
are good choices.
Alter’s ChuXChu looks amazing but, firstly, I don’t know that character and secondly, price seems a bit steep compared to others.
March 1st, 2008 - 04:46
Ever thought about gasphons? they’re good quality too XD
But you probably can’t get it in ur part of the world
March 1st, 2008 - 05:43
The thing about gachapons is that you either have to like all the models in a given gachapon series, or be willing to take the risk of getting multiples. In Japan gachapon is more widespread, so if you get duplicates at least you can trade them off, and if you just want a particular gachapon figurine, you can just go to some hobby stores to buy them. I tried buying 3 Gundam 00 character model gachapons from the same machine, hoping to get anything BUT Setsuna, and guess who I saw for all 3 times… /facepalm
@Stripey
During this Chinese New Year. Went on a tour to Japan with my family, but managed to split from them for 1/2 day to go with my friend to Akihabara. I went right up to Kotobukiya’s store to ask for it and they told me no. That’s when I knew I was not meant to have her, not yet… *sigh* Bought some other non-figurine stuff, so it was a decent victory for the otaku in me XD
March 1st, 2008 - 08:08
super rats: I’m definitely looking forward to your pics on Churam
ron~: I’m really psyched up about the Hayate figure. After all, there hasn’t been one from the big 4 figure makers.
Dancing Queen: Hey no prob.
She awaits patiently 
moyism:
>have ordered 32 figures for the year thus far
0_0;; *bows down in worship*
muhootsaver: I love Siesta as a character and maids
but am ambivalent about this figure. I’ll probably look at the actual product then decide 
Viny: We have gashapons available here but I think due to their size, it’s harder to have a good facial sculpts.
I try to stick with 1/8s as I think they’re the optimal size for PVC figures.
Cipher: *envy* I hope to be visiting Japan this Fall. Still saving up for it XD
March 3rd, 2008 - 00:54
I’m always stunned by the absolutely amazing quantity of hair that SHnY’s Tsuruya has.
wow…. but no help here with the figure selection. I didn’t see any that really struck my fancy (though Ruca and Chua Churam had a lot of flair to their posing).
March 3rd, 2008 - 19:25
I’m waiting anxiously for my Tsuruya too
Hair works can be one of the most flamboyant aspects of the figure so hair well done constitute great to the overall aesthetics of any figure. Currently the figure with the most beautiful hair in my collection is probably Liu Meifeng
http://www.amiami.com/shop/?vgForm=ProductInfo&sku=HOB-FIG-6269&template=review.html
Simply gorgeous.
March 6th, 2008 - 02:11
Yes… it took a herculean effort not to blow the Internet apart in a quest to possess a Liu Meifeng. I have to be content with looking at the pic you provide.
My budget has its limits and I’m about to sell some of my less exciting figures in the hopes of stirring up more money.
March 6th, 2008 - 09:00
Selling the lesser figures is a sign of renewal that promises greater heights for your collections. All the bless for the sale!
March 13th, 2008 - 00:38
And now, for better or worse, that pink haired devil Chuua Churam will drag me into the pits of financial starvation. Along with some others, but mainly her. Now to feed on dirt and grass until she arrives >.>
March 13th, 2008 - 16:44
But you and I know she’s AAAAALLLLL worth it
Gratz on acquiring her! 