February 2, 2012 by Kahotan

Nendoroid Snow Miku : Fluffy Coat Ver.

Snow Miku has arrived in Japan!!

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Yesterday, we went to the warehouse to take a look!

All these boxes piled up are filled with Snow Mikus to go to WonFes and Sapporo Snow Festival. I’m glad to see they’ve all arrived safely, so today I’ll be doing a review of her!

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Nendoroid Snow Miku : Fluffy Coat Ver.!

This is the Nendoroid made each year in commemoration of the Snow Miku sculpture being made at the Sapporo Snow Festival! This year loads of outfits were submitted to the website Piapro, and then the most popular was selected by popular vote on WonHobby TV 10!
This year’s Snow Miku design was submitted by Nanaka! ヾ(･∀･)ﾉ゛
She is a very fancy looking fluffy jacket, and even gems on the ribbon in her hair!

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This is how the packaging looks!

She comes with three expressions! Along with a number of cute Nendoroid parts to play with! The standard expression makes it look like she is looking around and enjoying the snowy scenery around her! (Personally I love the way her eyes look…)

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This is how she looks from the back!

Takanon was in charge of the sculpting for this Miku – just look at the way the twin tails curl in! Such lovely sculpting! The snowflake prints on her hair are also beautiful. The previous two years the snowflakes were silver, but this time around they are silver and blue for a little change!

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Her base has LED lights!

The base is shaped like an ellipse and has three different holes to place the arm to hold her in. That also means you can display three Nendoroids on it! (As long as they use arm stands)

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The top of the base can be taken off!

The top is also made of a very fluffy soft material – unfortunately it doesn’t come out very well in the photos. 🙁 It also has a few silver bits mixed in to make it look a bit more like snow! Gakkun really put his heart into this little base! The material is quite delicate just like real snow, so do be careful when handling it!

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Alright, let’s move onto the optional parts!
First up, a smiling face and mike stand!

Nanaka’s spade-type microphone has also been included! You’ll see just why it’s called that a little later on 😛 She also comes with bent arms and bent legs for left and right allowing for some different poses!

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A worried looking Miku!

A cute, unsure expression across her face with red cheeks! Lovely! It’s so cute I could look at it all day… plus as you can see the mike can be removed from the stand and placed in her hand!

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Holding the spade with a surprised face!

The mike can be transformed into this spade! Miku can then hold it… but what is she going to do with it?

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She’ll make a Snow Sculpture of herself!

It’s a Nendoroid Petite sized ice sculpture made from half clear plastic! It’s not completely white as that would just look strange, and it’s not completely clear so that it still has a slightly cloudy, icy look! The production team never cease to amaze me! Thanks everyone!

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Plus her head and arms are posable!

Unfortunately the hips and legs are not posable so you can’t pose her that much, but at least you can move her around a little bit! You practically get a whole extra figure as an extra!

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Let’s try the lights out!

The white background makes for a rather bad picture, but the clear Miku really looks beautiful when lit up! You can recreate the Sapporo Snow Festival right in your own home!! If you remove the top of the stand the lighting becomes a lot stronger as well – it’s up to you how you want to use it. It looks best to have the LED lights at the edges of her twintails and her legs.

The ribbon on her head can also be removed, but it does leave a small hole where it should connect on. I didn’t forget to put it on for this photo, I swear! 😛

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You can also light up Snow Miku herself!

If you want to light up Miku instead of the ice sculpture – it also looks great like that! Snow Miku’s hair is also made from clear plastic so it lights up very nicely! It looks like she is singing on her very own snow stage.

For those that think the base is too big – don’t worry as she also comes with the standard Nendoroid stand which you can see in the photo below.

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Nendoroid Snow Miku : Fluffy Coat Ver.!

The packaging also has a lovely sparkling effect! A box very befitting of the gorgeous Snow Miku!! The box is the same size as the Snow Miku box from last year – a little bigger than the standard Nendoroid boxes.

For more information, you can view the following links: (Japanese).

– Product Information –
http://www.whl4u.jp/products.html

– Event Sales –
http://www.whl4u.jp/buy_kaijou.html

– Web Sales –
http://www.whl4u.jp/buy_web.html

– Good Smile x Tetsujin Cafe –
http://www.gstjcafe.jp/

Plus you can also grab her at CYPTON’s SNOW MIKU 2012 booth at the Sapporo Snow Festival! I’m definitely headed to Hokkaido to join in at the festival! I can’t wait!

– SNOW MIKU 2012 –
http://www.crypton.co.jp/mp/pages/special/snowmiku2012/

Anyway, that’s all for today!
I hope to see you all again tomorrow!! (・∀・)ノ゛

(c)Crypton Future Media, Inc.

February 1, 2012 by Kahotan

Nendoroid Homura Akemi : School Uniform ver.

I’ve been waiting for this to arrive for ages!!

　　　　　　　＿＿＿
　　　　　／ ⌒　　⌒＼
　　　／　　（○）　（○）＼　　　 “I also really wanna play with that Snow Miku though.”
　　／ ///（__人__）// ＼　　
　 |　　　　 `Y⌒y’´　　　 |　　
　　＼　　　゛ー ′　　,／　　
　　 /　　　　ー‐ 　　ィ

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There are only 10 days till WonFes!!

I can’t believe it’s snuck up on us so quickly! Time really flies, but that means that we can start to have a closer look at all the WonFes products! If we have any folks who don’t know what I’m talking about, you can find the WonHobby site over here:

http://www.whl4u.jp/index.html

From Puella Magi Madoka Magica:
Nendoroid Homura Akemi : School Uniform ver.!

She comes with three expressions, a school bag and some extra lower body parts to let her sit down! She also comes with extra parts such as a fringe with Madoka’s ribbon, a bow and the wings seen in a key visual! All the parts will work with the previous Nendoroid Homura Akemi as well – allowing you to create an almost limitless number of poses!

This Homu-Homu is a WonFes Product!
That means you can only get hold of her at WonFes, through web sales or for a limited time at the Good Smile x Karaoke no Tetsujin Cafe.

All the information about the WonFes products can be found on the Good Smile Company English website. There is also information on the WonHobby site over here, in Japanese:
http://www.whl4u.jp/products.html

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This is how the packaging looks!

A huge number of parts, as you can see! Absolutely lovely! There have been a lot of comments stating that the official product photos don’t show enough, so I’ll be taking a much more detailed look today!

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This is how she looks from the back!

This is how she looks taken straight out of the packaging without any of the extra parts. She uses the standard arm-type stand that connects into her back.

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Homura with glasses and braided hair!

One of the most common questions asked was which of the legs are included – the legs with black tights or the legs with just socks – they’re both included! In the above picture the following parts are included:

Smiling Expression (Bottom Left of Packaging)

Braided Hair (Bottom Right of Packaging)

School Bag (Top Right of Packaging)

Lower Body Wearing Socks (Lower Middle of Packaging)

The expressions can be used either with the long hair or braided hair – so you can play around and find the combination you like best!

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The sitting pose from episode 10!

Worried Expression (Lower Right of Packaging)

Braided Fair For Sitting Pose x2 (Center of Packaging)

Legs and Arms for Sitting Pose (Lower Center of Packaging)

Lower Body for Sitting Pose (Lower Right of Packaging)

Handkerchief (Center-Right of Packaging)

Golf Club (Upper Right of Packaging)

The handkerchief looks just like it did in the series – with the cute little cat print design! I also love the way that the feet on the sitting legs are pointed in different directions!

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She can also hold the golf club!

All the hands come apart from the arm parts so you can switch them around a bit as well. In the picture above I’m using actually using the ‘sitting’ arms with the hand to hold the golf club! So many options between the expressions and various arms and hands!

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Displayed with the original Nendoroid Homura!

Of course you can use all the parts from this Nendoroid with the previous Homura!

The hair color between the two, is slightly different – just as it was between the two Madoka Nendoroids. This is all based exactly on the original character designs though – it’s not an error! (Although it’s so slight that you almost can’t even tell from this photo :P)

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Let’s remove all the parts we’ve used and look at the packaging once again! We’ve already looked at so much and yet these is even more to come – not to mention that you could combine all the previous parts in all sorts of different ways.

The remaining parts are made to be used with the previous Homura!

So in a sense, the ‘School Uniform ver.’ is in fact also a kind of add-on pack to the original Nendoroid Homura!

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Recreate the famous key visual illustration!

Two bent arms (Bottom Left of Packaging)

This lets you pose her in the same pose that the 1/8th scale figure of Homura is in – the pose based on the famous key visual!
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Posed ready to fire her bow!

Fringe Parts with Ribbon (Bottom Left if Packaging)

Arm/Hand Parts to Hold the Bow (Upper Middle of Packaging)

Bow (Upper Right of Packaging)

Arrow (Upper Right of Packaging)

Some extra parts to have Homura holding her bow, along with an extra fringe part featuring the ribbon she received from Madoka!
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Wing parts are also included!

These black wings appeared in the final episode of the anime – and are now included for the Nendoroid as well! They are a really wonderful extra for use on the Puella Magi Nendoroid of Homura!
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This is how the wings look from behind!

They use a lovely gradient coloring effect from clear red to the dark black – a truly stunning design that looks great in Nendoroid size! The wings connect onto the arm stand while it still connects into her back as before.
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From Puella Magi Madoka Magica:
Nendoroid Homura Akemi : School Uniform ver.!

You can buy at WonFes, through web sales or at the Good Smile Cafe!

For more information, you can view the following links: (Japanese).

– Product Information –
http://www.whl4u.jp/products.html

– Event Sales –
http://www.whl4u.jp/buy_kaijou.html

– Web Sales –
http://www.whl4u.jp/buy_web.html

– Good Smile x Tetsujin Cafe –
http://www.gstjcafe.jp/

She really comes with a huge variety of parts – you are getting much more than you’re paying for! I’m certain that any Homu-Homu fans will be very impressed with this Nendoroid! Just 10 days to go until you can pick up yours at WonFes!

But that’s all for today!
I hope to see you all again tomorrow!! (・∀・)ノ゛

(C)Magica Quartet／Aniplex・Madoka Partners・MBS

January 31, 2012 by Kahotan

Nendoroid Kurisu Makise & Mayuri Shiina: Cheerful Ver.

Apologies for the long wait once again!!

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Cheerful JAPAN! Part 5:
Nendoroid Kurisu & Mayuri : Cheerful Ver.!

They were supposed to be sent out in January originally, but due to some problems they will now be sent out on the 8th February! Apologies for the wait, but rest assured that they are on their way soon! If you live close to Japan, you’ll be receiving yours in just over a week! I’ll be doing a quick product review today, so that you know what to expect if you ordered them! (`･ω･´)ゞ
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This is how the packaging looks!

The two are together in a set, so as you can imagine you get quite a lot to play around with, and tons of poses you can use! I’m very glad to see bent legs for both legs!

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Kurisu Makise & Mayuri Shiina!

A Nendoroid set of both Kurisu Makise and Mayuri Shiina from the game and anime series ‘Steins;Gate’ are rejoining the Nendoroid world in cheerleader outfits!
Kurisu has a confident looking expression, while Mayuri has a warm, gentle expression!

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This is how they look from the back!

I guess many people don’t really think this is all that important on Nendoroids… but it certainly is to me! The undercoat beneath their cheerleader outfits is wonderful! I’m afraid that this isn’t fanservice – just an undercoat! 😛

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Kurisu’s worried face and pompons!

Kurisu certainly isn’t the type that would put on a cheerleader outfit like this, so a slightly worried expression like this really suits her nicely! Mayuri also comes with her own set of pompons, so you can pose them both cheering with together!

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Mayushii’s ‘(´・ω・｀)’ Face!

A face that contrasts with the ‘ヽ(*ﾟдﾟ)ノ’ face from last year’s WonFes product, Nendoroid Kurisu Makise: White Coat Ver.! She has a cute little mouth shaped like this: ω, and the round eyes with the eyebrows at a down angle like this: ´　｀. It somehow just adds so much to her cuteness level! You can also use the bent legs like this to kind of sit the characters on the side of the stand – you don’t need the arm, but it would be much more secure with it!

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A giant support flag and megaphone!

The support flag is bigger than the character’s themselves! And the megaphone is a lovely pink color that suits the outfits nicely. Of course you can switch the arm parts around and let any characters hold the flag and megaphone. Just find the pose that you think looks best!

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The expressions fit on other Nendos too!

Plus you can use the cheerleader outfits on other characters as well! Here we have Rin and Miku trying them on! There are not many bodies that can suit almost any character – but I’m sure that almost any female Nendoroids will look interesting using these bodies!

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Cheerful JAPAN! Part 5:

Nendoroid Kurisu & Mayuri : Cheerful Ver.

They’ll be shipped out on the 8th February!
If you ordered you should receive it soon after that!

Anyway, that’s all for today!
I hope to see you all again tomorrow! (・∀・)ノ゛

(C)2009-2012 5pb./Nitroplus

January 30, 2012 by Kahotan

Nendoroid Petite: Racing Miku 2011 Ver.

GSR’s Yama-chan, who was on Friday’s live broadcast!

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Although his real name is actually Tsukamoto. 😛 The reason he ended up being called Yama-chan is that apparently because he looked very similar to another person named Yama-chan, so the name ended up sticking for him as well. Apparently he also has some royal blood running though his veins… 😛

But anyway! Today we’ll be looking at this prototype figure!

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Nendoroid Petite: Racing Miku 2011 Ver.!

From the Miku GT Project and in commemoration of the 2011 championship victory, Miku, Rin and Luka are all being released as Nendoroid Petite figures in a set of three to stand in cute poses on the winner’s podium!

The winner’s podium is also included! (`･ω･´)ゞ

This was drawn by GSR’s Yama-chan!

Oooh! Nice work!! Although I do ponder why the tires of the car have been removed! 😛 Also great work to the sculptor who managed to create such lovely figures from Yama-chan’s illustration!

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This is how they look from the back!

As usual, I’m fairly certain the Nendo Petite series is going to bring tears to those in the production team! Look at the intricate details!! Just look at the tiny details on the hem of the skirt… I made a quick measurement of it and all three lines came to about 1mm.

The podium here currently uses brass wires to secure the Nendos in place, but the final product will make use of the usual Nendo Petite rods that hold them up.

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A pull-back Miku GT Car is also included!

A pull-back car is one of those cars you pull backwards so that it can drive forward! The actual car on the final version will be a completely white car – but there will be decals included for you to create your own Miku GT car!

　　　　／￣￣＼
　　　／ .ー　　ー＼　← Yama-chan
　　　|　　（●）　（●） |　
　　　|　　（__人__）|　　”When you’re sticking on the decals use
　　　|　　　｀i 　i´　 |　　　GSR’s Decal Fitter for the best results!”
　　　|　　　. `⌒ 　 }　　　　　　
　　　ヽ　　　　　　　}　
　　　　ヽ　　　　　ノ　
　　　／　　　　　　ヽ　

Yama-chan… is an excellent salesman! You can find out more about the GSR Decal Fitter over here: http://www.goodsmileracing.com/products/gsr_mss/mss_02.html

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The normal stands are also included!

You can choose if you want to use the podium or the normal stands. That also means you can put other Nendo Petites on the podium if you like!

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Miku also comes with optional parts!!

A different expression as well as different arm parts! The expression is a much more serious looking one, and the arm part stretches her arm out to recreate the key visual pose! The more serious looking Miku is still so cute though!!
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They are so tiny, but still so intricate!

Rin’s trophy and Luka’s champagne both make use of lovely clear parts! Even as tiny Nendo Petites the effort has still gone in to make them perfect! The trophy Rin is holding is the series championship trophy – the exact same design as the real one, but this one measures just 2.5cm! 😛
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Nendoroid Petite: Racing Miku 2011 Ver.!

They will be on the GSC site as of tomorrow!
Please contact out partner shops if you have any sales or preorder queries!

Anyway, that’s all for today!
I hope to see you all again next week!! (・∀・)ノ゛

(C)Yuichi Murakami / Crypton Future Media, Inc

January 27, 2012 by Kahotan

huke’s First Artbook – BLK!

The woosers are guarding something!

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The lighter wooser is a special albino wooser! 😛

… actually it’s a sample that was sent during his development. It’s a super rare one-of-a-kind wooser! But I can easily defeat him and take the treasure he is guarding!!

　　　　　＿＿＿_
　　　　／　　　　　＼
　　／　　＼,三_ノ＼　　ｒnm
　／　　　　（ー）　（ー）＼ｒl　　|
　|　　　　　（__人__）　| ゝ　.|　　　Haha!
　＼　　　　｀ ⌒´ 　 ,／_ | 　 |
　　ヽ　　　　　　　　 i　　　　丿
　 /(⌒)　　　　　　　/￣￣´
　/　／　　　　　　　/

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Today we’ll be playing with this lovely looking product!

BLK Limited Edition (figma BRSB Included)!

This is the artbook from popular illustrator huke, who has done the character designs for series such as Steins;Gate and is the creator of Black Rock Shooter. The book is filled with illustrations from Black Rock Shooter, Steins;Gate and various other illustrations – a total of 240 great pages!

This is the limited edition, but the illustrations are the same in the standard version!
The left side of the picture above is the artbook, while the right is the figma!

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Let’s take a little look inside the artbook!

It really is absolutely humongous! It’s got the whole history of huke’s career drawn inside it!
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I found BRSB-chan!

The figma included with the limited edition is of course this BRSB-chan!
The last ‘B’ in BRSB is for ‘Beast’! (For those who didn’t know :P)

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Steins;Gate!!

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There are lots of illustrations from Steins;Gate, as it is one of the projects huke worked on!

So many of the characters in all sorts of poses and outfits all included as beautiful illustrations in the book! Definitely a artbook that Steins;Gate fans will enjoy!

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There are also original illustrations!

Look at that lovely sailor uniform! When I saw it first I got goosebumps… I really fell in love with this illustration! huke is well known for his unique textures in his illustrations… it really gives a lovely fresh feeling to his illustrations! (plus it’s beautiful!)

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Some more serious illustrations as well!

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Robots are also included!

I really don’t know much about robots myself, but I still really thought this one looked awesome when I first saw it… I really think highly of anyone who can come up with such incredible designs!

From the cute to the cool – huke has it all! (`･ω･´)

The artbook has been made using the finest quality of paper and all under the watchful eye of huke himself to make sure it comes out just as it should! It really came out nicely, so if you’re a fan of his work do consider grabbing the artbook to bring a piece of huke’s world into your life! The price is very reasonable when you see just how huge the book is – I think it would also make a great present for a friend!!

Alright, let’s move onto the limited edition’s figma now!
The figma is amazing, and very detailed!

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This is how the packaging looks!

It might looks a little small at first – but remember this blister pack is the same size of the artbook! It’s much, much bigger than the normal figma box! It also comes with a very cute little postcard illustrated by CHANxCO!

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figma BRSB!

The Black★Rock Shooter BEAST figma is only included with the limited edition of the BLK artbook! If you scroll back up you’ll see the original illustration that the figma is based on – it really came out wonderfully! When you actually hold her for yourself you’ll feel just how sharp all those spiky parts are!! You actually need to be careful when changing parts around as they can actually hurt you! :O

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Her giant sword, the BRS Blade!

Here she is posed with her sword in a battle pose, ready for a fight! figmas are really great as they allow you to take almost any poses!! I particularly feel like huke’s designs fit the figma franchise really well – they pose so easily and look great every time!

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The reverse side of the BRS Blade!

The reverse side of the blade has incredibly intricate letters and patterns all over it. It’s also made from slightly clear plastic – if you look carefully you can see her leg behind the sword in this photo!

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She can stand without the base!

Although she is a little bit unstable posed without the stand – just look how awesome she looks!! 🙂 Even as a posable figure the body-line is absolutely fantastic!

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Her gun, the ‘Seven Shot’!

I had a go at recreating the pose from the illustration! The gun is fairly small, but even so the paint work and sculpting is fantastic!
She also has an extra fringe part to add the blue flame over her eye!

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A face with closed eyes is also included!

The blue crown on her head can also be removed, but it will leave some bumps where it should connect – you can’t really see them unless you’re looking very carefully though. She looks just fine without the crown, as you can see in the above picture.

What I want to point your attention to is her collarbone and pelvis!
That bare skin gives off a lovely sexy side to the figma as well!
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BLK Limited Edition (figma BRSB Included)!
The standard edition is also be on sale!

It will be sent out to stores on the 30th!
If you’re lucky, you’ll find it in store on the 31st!

For any order or sales inquiries, please get in contact with out partner shops!

But that’s all for today!
I hope to see you all again next week!! (・∀・)ノ゛

(C)huke/B★RS Project

January 26, 2012 by Kahotan

Nendoroid Momoyo Kawakami

Snow has started to fall in Matsudo this week! ヽ(ﾟ∀ﾟ)ﾉ

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The day after the snow, this was in the parking lot!

This is in a secluded area quite far from the entrance, so I think it must have been made by someone from the building, not just some passer-by… There are a few companies other than GSC in the same building, but personally I hope it was someone from Good Smile! 🙂

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But anyway… today we’ll be playing with this prototype!

From Maji de Watashi ni Koishinasai!!:
Nendoroid Momoyo Kawakami!

She is the powerful fighter from the series ‘Maji de Watashi ni Koishinasai!!” She comes with loads of expressions from the anime!

She has great style and some lovely… assets!! (*ﾟ∀ﾟ)=3

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This is how she looks from the back!

Momoyo has a jacket draped over her shoulder, and as you can see the jacket is very detailed – just look at paintwork on the sleeve cuffs! Her hair is sculpted as if the wind is blowing it all backwards – it gives the figure a lovely dynamic feeling!

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Optional parts! First up is are arms placed on her hips!

This allows you to pose her just like one of the key visuals from the series! Plus the jacket can also be removed! At the moment the jacket attaches with tabs, but her hair covers up the hole on the back very nicely. (Plus I’m not certain the final version will till use the tabs or not.)

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The ‘Buddhist Iron’ pose!

Using the bent right arm you can recreate this lovely pose! The Nendoroid is based on the anime, but still allows you to recreate poses like this that originated from the game’s art as well!

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An embarrassed crying face!

Those tears are so cute! The deformed Nendoroid size just emphasizes the expression so much and makes her look even more adorable! You can see she is trying so hard to hold in her feelings in!

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The ‘Kawakami Star Killer’ with an angry expression!

Momoyo is much stronger than the average person, so she has to come with some effect parts to show off her battle scenes! The angry expression also really fits her into a combat scene nicely, and also makes her look very confident!

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Let’s try her expressions on other Nendos!

I borrowed Rin-chan from Oonoshi’s desk and tried Momoyo’s crying expression on her… The brown eyes suit almost any character and the expression has such a strong presence! Just look how adorable Rin looks!

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From ‘Maji de Watashi ni Koishinasai!!’:
Nendoroid Momoyo Kawakami!

She’ll be on the GSC website shortly!

If you have any sales or preorder queries, be sure to contact out partner shops!

She will also be introduced on camera during the live broadcast tomorrow, along with some other products! Be sure to take a look if you have the time!

[GSC & Max Factory]
Ad-Lib Live Broadcast!
Let’s Take a Look at Upcoming Products!

From 20:30 ~ 22:00 (JST)
http://live.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv78833725

You can also post comments to NicoNico via twitter.
Just tweet with the tag ‘ #gsc_nico ‘ with spaces in front and after to add a comment!

But that’s all for today!
I hope to see you all again tomorrow!! (・∀・)ノ゛

(C)みなとそふと／まじこい製作委員会

January 25, 2012 by Kahotan

1/8th Scale Sayaka Miki

Sayaka-chan!! Is she finally complete?!

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I showed a quick look of her from behind back on the 13th!

You can’t see it in this photo, but Oda-P is looking at her with a very satisfied expression! 🙂 It also seems like once again a strange Gundam-like figure has appeared on his desk! (That is Gundam… right?)

They are both mostly white and blue…
But I think I’ll take the one on the left… she’s much cuter!

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The 4th in the Puella Magi Madoka Magica 1/8th scale series:

Sayaka Miki!

From the popular anime series that picked up all sorts of awards in 2011, ‘Puella Magi Madoka Magica’ comes a 1/8th scale figure of Madoka’s close friend, Sayaka Miki!

This is the forth figure in the series, following on from Madoka Kaname, Homura Akemi and Mami Tomoe!

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This is how she looks from the back!

The huge cape on her back is billowing in the wind behind her, giving the figure a lovely dynamic feeling! The skirt is also incredibly detailed – just look at all those wrinkles and ruffles in the skirt!

Of course the other wonderful part about it is just how close you come to seeing underneath it. 😛 The triangle made between her two legs underneath her skirt is such a tease!

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Her expression is absolutely lovely!

The expression was what needed the last final changes making my review a little delayed, but as you can see she looks absolutely lovely! Those innocent looking eyes reflect her personality so wonderfully! Plus as those who own lots of figures may have noticed…

The head has no separation line!! ((((゜Д゜)))

Normally there is a separation line on the hair somewhere just above the ears that is caused by the mold, but Sayaka doesn’t have one at all! It looks like GSC production team are working on some new production techniques!!

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So many beautiful shades of blues!

Hiro, the same person responsible for the paint work on the 1/8th scale Madoka, was also in charge for the work on Sayaka! (Well… actually all the figures in the Madoka series…)

As with before, the coloring of the Madoka series has always been quite troublesome, but Hiro has always managed to bring it out so beautifully! There are so many varying shades of blue on her, but it still looks so nicely balanced!

She also has the soul gem on her belly! Made from clear parts!

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Her lovely thin body looks so soft!

I’m sure I need not mention that my personal favorite is her armpits! But another very interesting part on Sayaka is the area between her collarbone and the lace around her outfit. In other words the bare skin just above her breasts – it looks so soft and touchable, and the thin body just makes it seem even more like the body of a real goddess! Beautiful!

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Her skirt fluttering up in the wind!

The front of her skirt is neatly shaped to her body line, while the back is blowing up in the wind! The sculpting work is just incredible!

008

She comes with optional sword parts!

As with all the previous figures in the Madoka 1/8th scale series, Sayaka also comes with some optional weapon parts! The swords are attached to a different set of hands, and you simply replace the hands completely to equip her with the swords.

You can have her hold both of them like this, or if you prefer you can make her just hold one of the two. It’s quite hard to tell from the photo, but the swords are of a wonderful quality as well – they have very intricate designs.

010

A picture together with Madoka!

Madoka was just released this month! This is the actual sales version of Madoka displayed with the prototype of Sayaka… you can see the quality of the final version is just the same as the prototype!

But I really can’t wait to display hem all together!!

　　　　　／￣￣＼
　　　　／ﾉ(　_ノ　　＼　　　　　”When I say ‘all’, I mean Kyouko as well!”
　　　　|　⌒(（ ●）　（●）　　　　　　　
　　　　.|　　（__人__）　/⌒l　　　　　　　
　　　　|　　　　　｀ ⌒´ﾉ　|`”’| 　　
　　　　／ ⌒ヽ　　　　 }　 |　 |　　　　　　　　　__＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿て
　　／　へ　　＼　　 }__/　/　　　　　　 | |￣￣￣￣￣￣￣| | |（
　／　／　|　　　　　ノ　ノ　　　　　　　　　　 | |　＼　　　　　　/　| | |’,　･
( _ ノ　　　 |　　　　　＼´　　　　　　＿　　　 | |　　＼ﾉ(　　/ 　 | | | ,　 ’
　　　　　　|　　　　　　　＼＿,, -‐ ””　￣￣ﾞ”―—└’´￣｀ヽ　 | | |　て
　　　　　　 .|　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　＿＿ノ＿| | |　（
　　　　　　　ヽ　　　　　　　　　　　＿,, -‐ ””￣|＿￣＿o o o＿＿＿|_|ｒ'”

009

Just wait a little bit longer!!

(The spear here was made just for this photo… it’ll be different on the actual product!)

002

The 4th in the Puella Magi Madoka Magica 1/8th scale series:

Sayaka Miki!

She’ll be on the GSC site from tomorrow!

Be sure to contact our partner shops if you have any sales or preorder queries!

But anyway, that’s all for today!
I hope to see you all again tomorrow! (・∀・)ノ゛

(C)Magica Quartet／Aniplex・Madoka Partners・MBS

January 24, 2012 by Kahotan

Character Charm Collection: Puchimasu!

I’ve come to visit Otanaka’s desk!!

　　　　＿＿＿_
　　　／　　　　＼　　　
　／　　＼　　 ,＿＼　　”It looks kinda… messy…”
／　　　（●）゛（●）＼
|　 ∪　　（__人__） |　　
/　　　　 ∩ノ ⊃　　／
(　＼　／＿ノ　|　 |

001

All sorts of data for the planning department!

A whole bunch of things to read all piled up on a side table! He is definitely putting the wheels on that side desk to good use! 😛 At the very top we can also see a prototype box balanced on top…

002

Character Charm Collection: Puchimasu!
Makochii, Haruka-san and Yayo!

From the spin-off of THE IDOLM＠STER, ‘Puchimasu’, come these cute little creatures! A new addition to the character charm series! They’re little chibi forms of the original Idolmaster characters!

These are each sold separately, not as a set of three!

They are also part of the Character Charm Collection, which means they will all have straps attached to their heads. These are just the prototype figures, so the strap is not attached it – it will be there on the final product! (`･ω･´)ゞ

003

This is how they look from the back!

Even from behind that strange cuteness comes across so nicely!! If I could carry these cute little characters along with me, I think I’d be smiling all day long! ^^

005

This should give you an idea of their size!
They are slightly bigger than the previous Character Charm Collection figures.

Each of them will cost 800JPY!

That is the same price as Octo-Luka, but they are in fact slightly bigger – although still a nice size to carry around with you wherever and however you like. When you hold them in your hands for yourself you’ll realize just how lovely they are!

004

Displayed with Kyubey!

This is a size comparison with the Kyubey that was included with Nendoroid Madoka. It appears that Kyubey is rather interested in them… I think he actually looks perfect displayed with them – just the right size!

006

Posed around an iPhone!

It’s hard to give a good feeling for the size through pictures, but this should help. They’re probably a little bigger than you’d think! If you were going to use the strap to attach them to your phone then this should give you a good feeling as to how they’d look on the phone.

007

A 2nd set is also on the way!

Ooh… they really look cute all together like this!! I think they’d look great just all lined up on a desk like this! (I think my heart would melt every time I looked at them…)

002

Character Charm Collection: Petite Idolmaster!
Makochii, Haruka-san and Yayo!

They’ll be on the GSC site from Thursday! (`･ω･´)ゞ
For preorder or sales info, be sure to get in contact with our our partner shops!

But that’s all for today!
I hope to see you all again tomorrow!! (・∀・)ノ゛

(C)窪岡俊之 (C)NBGI

January 22, 2012 by Kahotan

Miku Hatsune : Love is War ver.

I want to shout as well!! ヾ(ﾟ∀ﾟ)ﾉ゛
Today we’re going to be looking at the lovely Miku Hatsune : Love is War Ver.!

011

This is how the boxes look!

If you place the boxes of the two versions together it’s just big enough for Gakkun to sit behind! 😛

The left is the DX ver., and the right is the standard version!
The black and white contrast between the packages looks great displayed next to each other like this! The boxes are also a lovely high quality paper – you’ll feel for yourself when it arrives.

001

Miku Hatsune : Love is War ver. &

Miku Hatsune: Love is War ver. DX

From the popular song composed by ryo and produced by supercell with illustrations by Shirou Miwa, ‘Love is War,’ is this lovely 1/8th scale figure of Miku Hatsune! Her long flowing hair is blowing up behind her, her skirt is also flying up in the wind as she holds a megaphone in her one hand and leans over the edge of a railing, shouting out about her love! It’s a beautiful and dynamic pose that recreates Shirou Miwa’s original illustration perfectly!

You can see just how big it is! (`･ω･´)ゞ

The exact size is written on the GSC website, but you can also get an idea of the size based on the comparison with the monitor and keyboard here. It’s really big! But even though it’s big…

The sculpting is absolutely fantastic!

002

Let’s take a look at the DX version first!

This version includes the huge speaker stand that was found in the background of the original illustration. Back when we saw the prototype I remember asking…

　　　　　　　　＿＿_＿
　　　　　　：／　　　　＼：
　　　　：／　..:::─:::::─ ＼：　　　”How in the world
　　　：／　 ..::<●>:::<●>　＼：　　 are they going to mass-produce this?”
　　　：|　　　　　（__人__）　　　|：　
　　　：＼　　　　｀ ⌒´　　 _／：　　　
　　　：ノ　　　　　　　　　　＼：

I really thought it was too complex! But it seems that the production team has managed to pull through a miracle! Even the unique texture on the speaker part which I thought would be one of the hardest to get right came out perfectly. Apparently it was applied by dabbing it on with a kind of sponge.

003

This is how it looks from the back!

The huge stand is made using 3D data, but the production team was quite troubled how to mass produce it nicely. It ended up very easy to put together and still looks absolutely lovely! The DX version was only available by web sales – but I’m certain everyone who ordered will be happy with the final product!

005

Just look how lovely it looks!!

I wasn’t sure if the pictures would do it justice, but the stand on both versions has a lovely look that really makes it look like cast iron. It even has a realistic rough texture!

The rough texture comes entirely from the paint work!

The fence in front of Miku can be removed, and you can put it side-by-side with the underside of the figure (which is unpainted), to compare the flat surface to the rough surface!

006

This is the standard version!

It does look a bit simple when compared to the DX ver, but even the standard version is rather impressive in size! The actual Miku figure in both versions is identical, but the smaller version is ideal for people who don’t have the space for the huge stand included with the DX ver. It’s also going to be available for standard retailers, so anyone can still pick this one up if they missed the orders last year.

007

Miku herself looks absolutely stunning!!

It’s absolutely incredible how similar the final version is to the prototype! I almost can’t tell the difference! I thought the same about the 1/8th scale Madoka the other day – it really goes to show just how fast the figure production industry is improving!

014

The face is made up of two different parts!

I bet you never expected the face and mouth to be two different parts! If you put the two parts on the left together, you get the Miku face on the right! This allows the painting to be done separately to make sure that none of the colors run into each other. Extra work to make sure the figure comes out even better!!

008

The coloring on the arm cover is incredible!

I’m sorry you have to view this all through my shoddy photo work… but the arm cover, skirt and boots all make use of a lovely shiny black color! It has a kind of blue tinge to it that really makes it look great!

009

Miku’s beautiful curves!

She is posed leaning forward over the railing in a very sexy pose! Just look at those lovely thighs!!

The wrinkles in the skirt are also absolutely fantastic! (Plus they were apparently very hard to sculpt right :P) The way the skirt is picked up in the wind is also quite the sight for fans! ^^

010

The gradient on her hair is beautiful!

Love is War Miku is well known for the long hair flowing out behind her, and it’s lovely to see it in figure from! I love the way it looks! Shirou Miwa’s illustration has really come to life with this figure!

004

A nice close up of the front!

She really has been sculpted down to the finest of details, when you pick it up in your hands you’ll know instantly just how wonderful it is! Even zoomed up this close she still looks fantastic!

012

The DX version’s speakers come apart!

You could see Gakkun holding it in his hand in the first image as well – it’s really big enough for that to look realistic! 😛 Nendoroid Miku is can even hold the speaker! (It does need double-sided tape, though :P)

013

Miku Hatsune : Love is War ver. &

Miku Hatsune: Love is War ver. DX

The DX version will be shipped out on the 30th January!
Those who ordered it can expect her a few days after that, depending on your location.

The standard version will also be sent out on the 30th to both those who ordered and to stores!
Those who ordered it can also expect deliver a few days after that, depending on your location, and those who want to buy it can pop into our partner shops and grab one!

But anyway, that’s all for today!
I hope to see you all again tomorrow!! (・∀・)ノ゛

(C)Crypton Future Media, Inc.

January 20, 2012 by Kahotan

The WonHobby Website is Now Available!

Wonder Festival 2012 (Winter)

12th February at the Makuhari Messe!

　　　　　　　＿＿＿
　　　　　／ ⌒　　⌒＼
　　　／　　（○）　（○）＼　　　　”The event that takes place twice a year!
　　／　///（__人__）// ＼　　 I can’t believe it’s been half a year since the last one!”
　 |　　　　　`Y⌒y’´　　　|　　
　　＼　　　゛ー ′　　,／　　
　　 /　　　　　ー‐ 　ィ

Max Factory and Good Smile will of course have a booth once again!!
The booth name is:
WONDERFUL HOBBY LIFE FOR YOU !! 15!

The official site is now available!

– WONDERFUL HOBBY LIFE FOR YOU !! 15 –
http://whl4u.jp/

You can watch this page for the latest news and tweets related to the event. There is also a countdown to WonFes at the top of the page!

And what is that ‘Miku Art’ image…?
More details about that will be announced shortly, so look forward to it!

002

This is the event summary page!

This page features a quick summary of all the WonHobby 15 details and a list of all the companies that have helped out.

The much awaited hand-outs and WonHobby Booth Map will also be put up on this page shortly!

The WonFes Products!

There are a total of five products this time!
But only four of the products will be on sale at the actual event.

This time around there will also be a few of the products that will be sold at the ‘Good Smile & Karaoke no Tetsujin Akihabara Cafe’ as well as the ‘Good Smile & Karaoke no Tetsujin Taipei Cafe’. There will also be online sales, so everyone not in Japan also has a chance to get hold of them!

003

Nendoroid Homura Akemi : School Uniform Ver.
– Series: Puella Magi Madoka Magica –

● Wonder Festival Event Sales
・ Quantity Available: 3000. Max of 2 per person.
* Stock is limited. Purchase early to avoid disappointment.

● GOOD SMILE ONLINE (Online Sales)
・ Quantity Available: Made to Order, max of 3 per person.
・ Dates: Between 2012/02/12 at 17:00 ~ 2012/02/20 at 21:00.
・ Shipping Date : Late June 2012.● Good Smile & Karaoke no Tetsujin Akihabara Cafe
・ Quantity Available: 100. Max of 1 per person.
・ Date: 2012/02/12 (Sun) from 11:00 till 21:00.
* Stock is limited. Purchase early to avoid disappointment.

● Good Smile & Karaoke no Tetsujin Taipei Cafe
・ Quantity Available: 200. Max of 1 per person.
* Please see the Good Smile & Karaoke no Tetsujin Taipei Cafe Facebook page for details on how to purchase.
* Stock is limited. Purchase early to avoid disappointment.

004

figma Homura Akemi: School Uniform ver.
Series : Puella Magi Madoka Magica

● Wonder Festival Event Sales
・ Quantity Available: 3000. Max of 2 per person.
* Stock is limited. Purchase early to avoid disappointment.● GOOD SMILE ONLINE (Online Sales)
・ Quantity Available: Made to Order, max of 3 per person.
・ Dates: Between 2012/02/12 at 17:00 ~ 2012/02/20 at 21:00.
・ Shipping Date : Late June 2012.● Good Smile & Karaoke no Tetsujin Akihabara Cafe
・ Quantity Available: 100. Max of 1 per person.
・ Date: 2012/02/12 (Sun) from 11:00 till 21:00.
* Stock is limited. Purchase early to avoid disappointment.● Good Smile & Karaoke no Tetsujin Taipei Cafe
・ Quantity Available: 200. Max of 1 per person.
* Please see the Good Smile & Karaoke no Tetsujin Taipei Cafe Facebook page for details on how to purchase.
* Stock is limited. Purchase early to avoid disappointment.。

005

Nendoroid Snow Miku: Fluffy Coat Ver. !
Series : Character Vocal Series 01 : Miku Hatsune

The Official SNOW MIKU 2012 Site can be found here.

006 I

Tomokazu Seki – Izenborg!
Series : Dinosaur War Izenborg

● Wonder Festival Event Sales
・ Quantity Available: 3000. No purchase limit.
* Stock is limited. Purchase early to avoid disappointment.● GOOD SMILE ONLINE (Online Sales)
・ Quantity Available: 100. No purchase limit.
・ Dates: Between 2012/02/12 at 17:00 until stock runs out.
・ Shipping Date : Late February 2012.

007

WWR JDF Mighty Square
Series: WWR JDF Mighty Square

● GOOD SMILE ONLINE (Online Sales)
・ Quantity Available: Made to Order, max of 3 per person.
・ Dates: Between 2012/02/12 at 17:00 ~ 2012/02/20 at 21:00.
・ Shipping Date : Late June 2012.
This product will not be sold at the WonFes Event Hall.

● Good Smile & Karaoke no Tetsujin Akihabara Cafe
* This product can be ordered, not purchased from the cafe.
・ Quantity Available: Made to Order, max of 3 per person.
・ Dates: Between 2012/02/13 and 2012/02/20.
* Please ask staff at the cafe for detailed order information.

009

There will also be online sales!

All of the products ordered online (except for Izenborg), will be made to order, and so will only be shipped out in late June – it’s a little far away, but it means that you’ll definitely get if you order!

The products above can be ordered from the GOOD SMILE ONLINE SHOP from 2/12 (Sun) until 2/20 (Mon)!

– GOOD SMILE ONLINE SHOP –
http://goodsmile-wf.ecq.sc/

Local purchases can be done by cash-on-delivery, bank transfer or credit card, and international purchases accept Paypal and credit card payments. There are a few points to note when purchasing online, so do take note of all the details before ordering.

That summarizes the new WonFes website!
There are still some other sections such as ‘Event Sales’, ‘Play Corner’ and ‘Live Stage & Live Broadcast’ – these sections will be updated at a later stage!

– WONDERFUL HOBBY LIFE FOR YOU !! 15 –
http://whl4u.jp/

– Notice –

<BERSERK Radio : Band of the Hawk Club> will have a public recording at the GSC & Tetsijin Cafe!
If you’re a fan of the upcoming Berserk movies, then I hope to see you there!

– Cast –
Personalities:
Takahiro Sakurai (Griffith)
Toa Yukinari (Casca)
Guests:
Rikiya Koyama (Julius/Adon)
Kenta Miyake (Zodd)
– Date –
2012/01/29 (Sun) From 16:30 till 17:00
– Place –
Akihabara Good Smile Cafe : http://www.gstjcafe.jp/
– How to Join –
If you want to join, please apply using the form available on the animate website below before the 23rd January 2012.

– Apply Here! – (Japanese Only)
http://www.animate.tv/radio/details.php?id=berserk

Whether you’ve noticed or not, it’s already Friday! I hope everyone enjoyed their week!

It feels like I said ‘Happy New Year’ just the other day, but it’s already the 20th January!! We’re nearly a month into 2012 already! (And it’s been almost half a year since I first thought I should get a new pair of glasses :P)

Anyway, that’s all for today!
I hope to see you all again next week!! (・∀・)ノ゛

(C)Magica Quartet／Aniplex・Madoka Partners・MBS
(C)円谷プロ
(C)Crypton Future Media Inc.
(C)threeA Holdings 2012. All rights reserved.