well, was planning to sell them once they arrived but lets see how it goes lol. Seriously though, figurine prices are slowly creeping up to 1/6 levels!

Alphamax's Skytube division has been making 1/6 a lot, the oppai boing boing ones

***

Wah, everyone fell for Ciel. For me transport inconvenience to bank in the deposit, i hope no shops preorder sell out before this Friday

ah I meant 1/6 hottoys and RAH stuff.

I spammed glue until some black paint beneath her feet and the around the base's peg totally came off being leeched out by the glue; a little of glue wasnt enough, i needed to add more.  As for displaying, Her right wing is leaning against the wall for me (rotate the figure and display her at an angle). Even though the amount of glue i used has secured her into the base, she still wobbles, scares the sh!t out of me whenever i touch it.    So, the main sign she might detach off her base from her weight, is the backward leaning (i guess wobbles are normal or inevitable).

Unlike my other figures which i hold on the body or leg, or the base when transferring it, Olivia i have to hold with 2 hands, one on body one on the base. The body is heavy, leg and feet seems weak, and the base is also heavy, what the fcuk is Kotobukiya doing. They pretty much ruined a figure that is supposed to be their best. This is why until today i dont trust Kotobukiya in delivering a true flawless figure. Olivia would have been perfect if they actually bothered to use one or two metal rods deep into her feet and leg.

By the way, on those who ordered Ciel from Gwing, the deposit is 30%? 30% of RM 480 right? because they crossed off RM 540 and put RM 480 as an offer. If it's 30% of RM 480 (almost RM 150) then i would not have any issues.

Regarding the Japan version and Asia version, yes, Japan version means the stock came from Japan. So, that means China > Japan > Malaysia. Asia version = from Shanghai, or HongKong, or Singapore > Malaysia. Companies like Good Smile have a main distributor in the 3 countries/cities i mentioned. So, if you ordered your figures from HS, HLJ, AmiAmi, etc, they are all Japan version.

And, all Japan versions of scale figures by Good Smile, Max Factory (and Alter also if not mistaken) will have a shiny sticker behind or bottom of the box, which reads hentai japan (HJapan). The sticker will not be there for Kotobukiya, Alphamax, etc (most other brands) regardless of what "version".

But, if you bought your new figure from an event where Good Smile has a booth - like AFA, Culture Japan, etc whether the stock is Japan version or not, we cant be sure (to be honest, i dont think it is - transport/shipment is expensive).

NO sticker will be present on the box of figures sold in such events, but not necessarily because they are not Japan version; it's because the stickers are slapped on by traders and distributors (like AmiAmi) in Japan, not by Good Smile. But, let's give an example of AFA singapore - does the figure come from Japan or their own S'pore distributor center? The Singapore distribution center is the bigger possibility for me but we cant be sure our selves. If Good Smile themselves is selling Asia versions in their booths at such events, why worry about the quality difference with Japan versions?

Hence, does Asia version or Japan version really matter? Not a big deal. But, it is true that Japan version figures underwent quality inspection a 2nd time in Japan so some people feel better or more assured that the quality is better. The first time QC is done is in the factories in China. However, quality issue itself is still highly dependent on luck. But why sellers like AF Hobby made a big deal out of Japan and Asia version and price them differently? Supply and demand - people asked for it. Some people are too particular about Japan version, and there are also those who wants to save more and pay less so they dont mind Asia version. So, AF pretty much went through the trouble and take stocks from different suppliers and label them differently to satisfy people who are particular about versions. So, they can target customers with both kinds of preferences.

Kotobukiya shot themselves in the foot (pun intended). I have to make her go back in the box, dismantle the whole figure after i take enough photos. It's a love hate relationship; she's one of the most beautiful figures i have seen Koto made, but, but, THAT FARKIN' FOOT PEG  I ruined her foot a bit by decorating it with a shitload of glue which spilled around  a bit. 

If it was Good Smile and you email them a complaint they might even send you replacement parts for free. Kotobukiya, from what i heard, usually refuses to entertain customers' emails regarding quality issues. I wouldnt be so pissed if this was a 8000 or 9000yen figure. But to think they didnt use metal rods for a heavy figure costing almost 14k yen...   

I already spoiled Griffon's reputation as much as i can last year (the link below). Should i do it to Kotobukiya this year?      Need ideas though.

http://myfigurecollection.net/picture/889411

LOL, you are one of those very few who believe what i say when i criticize Koto (most of them will be: "You serious or trolling? Koto stuff not bad ah!"), just speaking from my experience. I actually though Dark Olivia is koto's turning point, to deliver better figures. They almost got it right there, only to ruin something that's actually important.

To be honest, in terms of beauty and looks, Olivia is probably the most detailed figure ever made by Koto i have seen so far. Probably my luck wasnt good enough, but she is still darn beautiful to look at. If there is one figure of theirs im still interested in, it's that nun with guns Killmaria Aideen. But since she's a Shining series character i'll wait and see for the price drop. I didnt rate Koto too low though; she's a Tier 2, just below the top guns like Alter, GSC, orchid Seed, Max Factory, Native. There are 4 tiers in total on my figure company rating.

She might have a alternate hairstyle like this:

But after her leg issue, you still wanna buy her??    

Seriously, look like a china dress version of some sort, the colors. Add cute face, and maybe the crystals on the base, change to the chinese gold bullion, the one you see the god of prosperity has. LOLOLOL 

lAter lovers will bash me when i say this: Alter's sculpts are usually nothing special, lacking in detail even when compared to many other companies; it's their final product quality especially paintjob which they almost always get it right without flaws and that's where their praise come from. Just compare the Sabers by Alter with those by GSC.

Excessive already when it comes to their slowness; i think no other mainstrea, companies make less figures than they do. Yes, there are a few figures that took like 11 months to release, almost a year already (i saw people rating in a thread), i'd have to hunt down that list if you'd like to know.

Edit: Alter Asuka i also interested, didnt order because of the expected delays.

Im interested in Aty already after seeing this 
local shops havent stocked in her yet i think, quite a new figure.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/94942802@N06/14462336271/

Not sure if good news or bad.

On one hand, quality control is gonna be perfection (I assume). On the other, like you mentioned, the price is gonna be scary.

WANT!

Nowadays AF Hobby seems ok though; no point hating on something that's all in the past.
I just bought Alter Yagyu Gisen from them last week for a figure photography project. I tend to preorder elsewhere though; i only browse AF for in stock stuff and offers/sales.

http://myfigurecollection.net/picture/1053115

OMG WonFes is back...And as usual, so many poisons...!!! Anyway, thought I'd highlight a few that got me excited...


MF Miku...Love the concept...


Phat's Kanzaki Ranko...


MF Charlotte...Kinda reminds me of Koto's Asuna though...


I normally don't care much for Freeing's 1/4 girls, but this miko ver. of Houki just ticks all the right boxes for me...


OMG not another one...   This by GSC...


Alter's Mefmera...Color scheme probably not everyone's cup of tea, but I like it...


Alter's take on Shinobu...Cute, but I hope they'd start making Kiss-shot already...GSC's has been stuck in proto stage for YEARS now...Someone make her...!!!


Another Sakuya Seraphim ver. by Koto...Didn't like the previous one but DAMN, this is stunning... 1/6 scale too...