The Never-ending Nichijou

The funny thing about the phrase ‘time flies’ is that you really never seem to notice it until you look back on the events and days that have passed you by. And just like that, in the blink of an eye, another brilliant series, Nichijou, has come to a close. Unequivocally one of the best shows this past few seasons, along with Steins;Gate and Kaiji.

Actar’s Reviews 224 – Complete DX Kamen Rider 555 Rider Gear Collection

I’m not sure if this is the appropriate place to post this video, but after many years of searching through online stores, auction sites and local stores, I have finally completed my Kamen Rider 555 (Faiz) rider gear collection, together with custom replica gear boxes that are recreated to precisely match the ones in the show and I would like to share them with you guys.

This video is also meant to be a one stop showcase video of all the Kamen Rider 555 Rider Gear.

Video Contents:

Actar’s Reviews 223 – Digivolving Gargomon to Rapidmon Figure

Jenya’s lovable bunny partner is kick-ass in both his Champion and Ultimate modes. What with one having Gatling Guns for hands and another being a cybernetic bunny that can move at blazing speeds.

Complete Kamen Rider 555 Rider Gear Collection

Standing by… COMPLETE!

It’s Been Awhile…

since I’ve updated this blog and I do apologize to the people who are kind enough to constantly come and read what I have write. Of course, I won’t make excuses, though “the new school semester has started and it’s exceedingly hectic” is a pretty good one. Not to mention, I really do need to work on my time management… With the Fall Season approaching, I do also need to finish up the shows that I’m currently following and those that I’ve not been following so faithfully.

If you want to know which shows I’m following, they are: Nichijou, Steins;Gate, Usagi Drop, YuruYuri and Kaiji. Shows that I’ve fallen behind on but want to finish are Hanasaku Iroha, Tiger & Bunny, Kamisama Dolls, Kamisama no Memo-chou, Dantalian no Shoka, Mayo Chiki!, IdolM@ster and No. 6. All this while juggling homework, projects and tests. Quite a severe undertaking if I do say so myself. I’m also watching Bokurano, which I’ve been enjoying thoroughly. Great mecha Anime that is more of a human drama than anything else. Really Madoka-esque as well, what with children dying for the higher order of things. Come to think of it, both of them even has a cutesy pink and white animal mascot thing that has ulterior motives as well… Hm…

With regard to new purchases, as you shall see (or already have seen) in the next post, I haven’t had any loot posts in awhile as I just have not been buying anything. Instead of getting the usual releases of the latest figures, I have decided to complete my Kamen Rider 555 Rider Gear collection. And now that it is complete, I can finally get back to spending any extra cash on the usual figmas and whatnot.

Finally, I’m working on getting a proper Actar’s Reviews site off the ground, so do look forward to that as well.

Actar’s Reviews 221 – Bandai’s Official Cardcaptor Sakura Star Wand (DX Star Power Set)

It is definitely a monumental milestone in my collecting life as I finally attain the last piece necessary to complete my Cardcaptor Sakura collection, the DX Star Power Set featuing Sakura’s Star Wand.

This also means that this is the final installment of our Cardcaptor Sakura series of reviews. I really do hope that you’ve enjoyed this series of reviews and I also hope that they have helped fellow Cardcaptor Sakura fans.

Attending a Japanese Summer Festival (in Singapore)

Here on Actar’s Reviews, we’re not all about Anime and Figures and Japanese Popular Culture, but Traditional Japanese Culture as well.

Today, I went down to the Japanese Summer Festival held in Singapore, organized by the Japanese Association, Singapore. The Summer Festival is widely celebrated in Japan and is a staple in Slice of Life Anime like Lucky Star and Ichigo Mashimaro. The Summer Festival is held every year at the Japanese Primary School (Changi Campus) and aims to provide an authentic Japanese Summer Festival experience in Singapore.

It is an exceedingly popular event and is attended by both Japanese and locals alike. This being my first time at the event, I brought along my camera so that I could share the experience with all of you.

First, the multitude of stalls selling everything from traditional Japanese food to festival favorites to small souvenirs.

Next, we come to the game stalls. Many Summer Festival essentials are there including the Shooting Gallery and Balloon Yo-Yo Fishing. Sadly, Goldfish Scooping was axed by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority.

Lastly, we have the traditional Bon-odori (Bon Dance) where anyone can gather around the main stage and join in the festivities. Once night falls, the even commences.

With that, the Summer Festival comes to a close. While there were no fireworks, JAS did a bang up job in recreating the feel and atmosphere of Summer Festival in Japan. Me, my family and everyone else there certainly had a blast.

Actar’s Reviews 220 – Warp Digivolving Guilmon to Dukemon Figure

We take a look at yet another classic but obscure figure from Japanese Digimon Tamers line of Digivolving figures. This time, it’s none other than the iconic Crimson Knight himself, Dukemon! …or as he is known in the US, Gallantmon.

Sporting a brand new mould, transformation and accessories, here’s hoping that he will be able to vanquish the darkness that is the US Digivolving Gallantmon figure.

Actar’s Reviews 219 – S.H.Figuarts Faiz Axel Form

While I don’t usually review S.H.Figuarts figures, I just could not, not review this one. Not only is Kamen Rider 555 my all time favorite Kamen Rider series, Faiz’s Axel Form is my absolute favorite form of the main hero. In fact, it was precisely because of Axel form that I was so captivated by the series when I first watched it way, way back.

Stay till the end for a short ‘stop motion’ movie that I made and a rant on how Faiz Axel does NOT travel at the speed of sound.

My Fate Testarossa Bardiche Accessory Collection

A video showing off how obsessed I am about a fictional, 2D, blond, twin-tailed, loli, magical girl.