Actar’s Acquisitions – November 2014

Another so quickly? Yup.

Anime Genre-ism, Madoka and Magical Girls

There is one thing that bothers me regarding Madoka, or more accurately, some of Madoka’s fans. Since the first episode of Madoka aired, on many forums and blogs and sites, I have noticed many comments along these lines: “I usually don’t touch Magical Girl Anime, but I am glad that I picked up Madoka” and comments on how Madoka has ‘redefined’ the genre.

Birthday, June and Late May Acquisions

With all the Birthday shenanigans and tomfoolery out of the way, it’s time to count up my acquisitions. This post will not only consist of the stuff I got for my Birthday (both as gifts and self-indulging), but also stuff that I’ve been accumulating over the past month.

 

– Yamato’s 1/60 Perfect Transformation VF-19 Kai Fire Valkyrie
– Actsta Fate Testarossa
– Figma Koyomi Araragi
– Figma Ayanami Rei
– S.H.Figuarts Faiz Blaster Form

– Composite Ver. Ka Shinkiro
– Figma Kousaka Kirino
– Rubber Keychains: Misaka Mikoto, Misaka Imouto, Last Order

– Misakaa Imouto Plush Doll
– Figma Senjogahara Hitagi
– Puella Magi Madoka Magica BD Vol. 1
– Nanoha The Movie 1st iPhone 4 Case Fate Magic Circle Ver.
– Imaichi Moe Nai Ko Strap

– DX Kaixa Blaygun
– Tamashii Stage W Act
– S.I.C. Kamen Rider Faiz
– Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu Guide Book

– DX Accel Driver
– Faiz Axel Watch
– DX Metal Shaft
– Ichiban Kuji Fuuto-kun Keychain

– Bandai’s DX Star Power Set (YES!!!)
– Digivolving Gallantmon/Dukemon Figure

– Robot Damashii Codarl
– S.H.Figuarts Cure Sunshine
– D-Arts Beezlemon
– Amiami Exclusive Chibi Icaros Figure
– Amiami Exclusive Chibi Astrea Figure

– Digivolving Imperialdramon Paladin Mode Figure
– Digivolving Agnimon Figure

– Figma Misaka Imouto
– Figma Misaka Imouto
– Figma Misaka Imouto
– Figma Misaka Imouto
– Figma Misaka Imouto

– Nendoroid Panty
– Nendoroid Stocking
– Dual Model Kit Optimus Prime

– Alter’s 1/8 Scale Kazari Uiharu
– GSC’s 1/7 Scale Tosaka Rin
– GSC’s 1/8 Scale Tenshi

– Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu Complete Blu-Ray Box

– Ga-Rei Zero R1 Hybrid Box Set

– Kamen Rider 555 Movie: Paradise Lost BD

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Comments:

Heartcatch Precure Theme Week

Throughout this entire week, we’ll be taking a look at a different role play toy from the series HeartCatch Precure! I know that the series has been over for awhile, but I think that Heartcatch deserves it as it is definitely one of the best series that the franchise has to offer and one of my personal favorite, alongside the original and Yes! Precure 5.

For the uninitiated, Precure or Pretty Cure is a franchise of Magical Girl Anime not unlike Sailormoon, Nanoha, Cardcaptor Sakura and many others. Heartcatch was last year’s Precure series with the current one being Suite Precure.

For those who are turned away because of the ‘girly’ appearance of the series, don’t be. Heartcatch does a phenomenal job with its character development and interactions, action sequences, comedy and plot.

The artstyle is quite a departure from the other precure series as it’s more simplistic and cartoony but again, don’t let that turn you away. In fact, if the character designs seem familiar, Yoshihiko Umakoshi also did the character designs for Casshern Sins and also worked on a ton of other Anime. While I did find them somewhat Strange in the beginning. I am now completely in love with them. I think that the simplistic artstyle makes for more expressive characters and more fluid and brilliantly choreographed fight sequences.

Not to mention, it has been subbed by none other than TV-Nihon, who is renown for subbing the various Kamen Rider and Sentai series. Even if you don’t like the more traditional magical girl anime, I highly suggest you give this series a try.

Now, the reason I’m reviewing these so late is because I was kind of on the fence about these. I love the show to death, but was kind of hesitant on buying into the toys. But then, I saw an auction for the entire set of toys and caved in. And boy am I glad I did, because as role play/replica toys, these a brilliant job of what they are supposed to do and are actually really fun as you shall soon see.

And as to why I’m doing the reviews, there are already a number of videos out there showing off most of the features, but don’t really explain them in detail nor are they in English.

Some notes about the upcoming videos. They are meant to be watched in order, meaning to say that some things that I’ve explained in the earlier videos will not be repeated in the later ones. Also, with regards to translaitons, I shall be subtitling whatever the toys say in English instead of doing a live translation. I think this is far more efficient and helps to save time. And of course, there will be spoilers, especially regarding the identities of the latter two Precures.

Videos after the jump~

Start of Summer Vacation Acquisitions!!!

– Digivolving Growlmon/WarGrowlmon Japanese Version
– Tamashii Web Exclusive S.H.Figuarts Kamen Rider Joker
– Wave’s Beach Queens Misaka Mikoto
– Tamashii Web Exclusive S.H.Figuarts Cure Rouge and Mint + Special Stand Set

Complete Set of Heartcatch! Precure Role-play Toys including:
– Kokoro Perfume + Carry Case
– Shiny Perfume
– Kokoro Pot
– Flower Tact
– Shiny Tambourine
– Heartcatch Mirage

– Cure Doll Cure Black
– Cure Doll Cure White
– Cure Doll Cure Melody
– Cure Doll Cure Rhythm

– Cure Doll Cure Blossom
– Cure Doll Cure Marine
– Cure Doll Cure Sunshine
– Cure Doll Cure Moonlight
– S.H.Figuarts Cure Blossom
– S.H.Figuarts Cure Marine
– S.H.Figuarts Cure Dream
– S.H.Figuarts Cure Lemonade
– Cure Module

– Kamen Rider W DX Double Dirver
– Kamen Rider W Fang Memory (First Release Ver + Special Joker Memory)

– Azone’s 1/6 Scale Fate Testarossa Doll
– Kamen Rider 555 Deforide Kamen Rider Faiz
– S.H.Figuarts Kamen Rider W CycloneJoker
– AmiAmi Nymph
– Figure-Oh Magazine Exclusive DX T2 Joker Memory
– Kamen Rider W DX Prisim Bicker
– Kamen Rider W Trigger Magnum
– Kamen Rider W Skull Magnum

– Ichigo Mashimaro Anime Guide Book

OMG! Time sure flies. Within a blink of an eye, it has already been almost a month since I’ve posted something on this blog! Anyways, the reason that I’ve been away for so long is because of my finals, which just ended this past week (as stated on my Youtube Channel). Now that it is three months of freedom, it’s time to crank up the dial to 11 and get some posts, reviews and Anime watching done!!! First off, let’s start off with the stuff that I’ve acquired over these past two months. Basically, these things are the stuff that I’ve refrained from opening till summer break and now’s the time to indulge!!!

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Translated Madoka Manga Shorts

Here are some short comics of Madoka that I have translated to share with you guys. Spoiler Warning!!! (Mainly for episodes 3 and 9)

The True Target Audience of Anime

I chanced upon this picture and could not not share it. It’s the official Sales and Marketing report for the Anime ‘Futari wa Precure’. Check out the circled table which is labled ‘Main Target’ (audience).

Boys: 16~18, 19~22, 23~30, 31~35
Girls: 4~6, 7~9, 10~12

Next time someone gets on your back for watching/liking Anime meant for little girls, you can now tell them it’s officially for grown men as well. (^.^;)

*For the record, I love Precure, with my favorite being Heartcatch. The original was good, but had some elements that really annoyed me, especially the ‘buy our merchandise’ vibe and stupid villains which thankfully has slowly been diminishing with each new series. Have to admit though, that theme is catchy as hell and I <3 Nagisa. That is all.