June 21, 2011 by Kahotan

figma WRS included with the Black Rock Shooter THE GAME White Premium Box!

Gakkun is out on a trip to China!

Just like when Tsukki was away, Bramble is protecting the desk in his absence! He opens fire on anyone who attempts to steal any figures while he is away.

However, I shall not lose to the little Bramble!

That box is clearly a sample, and I’ll be taking it!!

And inside that box is this beautiful sight!

Included with ‘Black Rock Shooter THE GAME’ White Premium Box:

figma WRS!

Imageepoch will be releasing Black Rock Shooter THE GAME on 08/25, and this will be included with the limited edition!

　　　　　　　＿＿＿_
　　　　／　　　　　＼　　　　
　　　　／　　⌒　　⌒ ＼　　”Eh? BRS is getting a game?”
　　　／　　　（●）　（●）＼
　　 |　　､”　ﾞ)（__人__）”　）|　　_＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿_
　　　＼　　　｡｀ ⌒ﾟ:j´　／jﾞ~~| | |　　　　　　　　　　　　　|
＿＿／　　　　　　　　　　＼　 |_＿| | |　　　　　　　　　　　　　|
| |　/　　 ,　　　　　　　＼ｎ||　 | |　　　　　　　　　　　　　|
| | /　　 /　　　　　　　　　　r.　（こ） | |　　　　　　　　　　　　　|
| | |　⌒ ーnｎｎ　　　　|＼ (⊆ｿ |_|_＿＿＿＿_＿＿＿_|
￣＼＿_､(“二）￣￣￣￣￣ｌ二二ｌ二二　＿|_|＿_|＿

Indeed it is! You can even watch the OP video over here:

http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/1308097319

You can see the incredible quality!!!

The animation work was done by ufotable, who are well known for their work on anime works such as Kara no Kyoukai! The first time I saw it I literally got goose bumps… it’s just that incredible!! I’m really looking forward to the actual game!

And this figma WRS is included with the limited edition of the game!

This is how the packaging looks!

It’s filled with extras – there are two layers to it! 😛

ufotable is working so hard on the animation for the game, and we are making sure the figure matches up to their incredible work!

A closer look at the lower layer!

The huge wings are called ‘White Wings’, and parts in the lower right are the parts that connect the wings together! You need to push them in until you hear a click, so if they’re falling apart make sure you’ve connected them fully!

Here she is with all the parts connected up!

T-This really is a stunning sight!!

As a member of the team it’s a bit weird for me to praise it so much… but it really is just that incredible – the sculpting, the painting – everything is so carefully detailed!

Her weapon, ‘White Scythe’ is also just as amazing!

If you look carefully the handle is split into two parts…

This is how she looks from the back!

Just look at how much space she takes up! And she looks just as incredible from the back! Of course the White Wing can be removed at any time.

She also comes with a red flame!

In comparison to the blue flame over BRS’s eye, WRS has a red flame. It’s made using clear plastic which gives a really nice effect. She comes with a replaceable fringe part that needs to be used to attach the flame.

Plus she has a transformed collar part!

The normal version is the basic version, while using these parts creates the armored version, which even has posable tips!

She can be posed in epic combat poses!

　　　　　　　　＿＿＿_
　　　　　　　／　.u　　　＼　　　　”White Rock Shooter seems incredible!”
　　　　　　／　(（○）)　 (（○）)＼
/⌒)⌒)⌒:::　（__人__） j ＼　　　 /⌒)⌒)⌒)
|　/　/　/　　　　 |r┬-|　　　　　|　　(⌒)/　/ / /／
|　::::::(⌒)　U|　|　 |　　　／　ゝ　　:::::/
|　　　　　ノ　　　 |　|　 |　　　＼　　/　　）　　/
ヽ　　　　/　　　　└ー.┘　　　　　ヽ /　　　　／

She really is incredible!!

On these long parts, each of the little sections are connected with ball joints!

You can pose it in all kinds of different windy shapes by using the loads of joints which really helps with creating incredibly dynamic poses. It’s really incredible! The connecting part for the White Wings is also fitted with a joint allowing the wings to be moved backward and forward.

There is simply nothing to criticize! ｡･ﾟ･(ﾉД`)･ﾟ･｡

But there is still more! She also comes with three expressions!
First is her taunting expression!

She is sticking her tongue out with a fearless smile across her face!

Another thing to mention is that she is incredibly easy to pose, just like figma BRS was – she sticks in poses very easily and without any stress.

Posed without her wings or flame!

This is actually my favorite picture!

Just look at that sexy body! (*ﾟ∀ﾟ)=3

Those hips… those hips are just beautiful…

As a side note, when the wings are detached she can still be posed on the figma stand, so don’t worry about that – I just decided to not use it for this shot!

The last expression is a shouting face!

She looks fairly insane, but it looks great!

I really think this expression brings out huke’s style very nicely – I send out an applause to Gakkun out in China, as he was in charge of this figure!

Due to go on sale from 08/25!

Black Rock Shooter THE GAME White Premium Box!

　　　　　　　　＿＿＿_
　　　　　　　／　　　　＼
　　　　　／　　─　　 ─　＼　
　　　　／　　　　（●）　（●）＼
　　　　|　　　　（__人__）　 | ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿_
　　　＼　　　　|r┬-| 　 ,／　| |　　　　　　　　　　|
　　　　ノ　　　　　 `ー’´　　＼　| |　　　　　　　　　　|
　／´ 　　　　　　　　　　　　　 | |　　　　　　　　　　|
　|　　　　ｌ　　　　　　　　　　| |　　　　　　　　　　|
　ヽ　　　 -一ー_~､⌒)^),-､　| |_＿＿＿＿＿__|
　　ヽ＿＿＿＿,ノγ⌒ヽ)ニニ-￣　　　| |　　|

It is currently available for preorder!

Please ask your local game store for more info regarding orders.

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

* Please note that this blog’s contents is originally written for a Japanese audience and is then translated for our foreign customers. All pre-order and release dates are the Japanese dates. Also note that not all products can be sold in certain areas

June 20, 2011 by Kahotan

Nendoroid Nymph

Aki-san leaning forward on the table during a meeting!
What could be so important that it would warrant him climbing on the desk??

And next to him I see a master figure’s box!

Last week I didn’t get to play with a single figure, but this week I’ll be be taking a look at a lot to make up!

Starting off with this one!

Nendoroid Nymph!

From the popular anime that is about to hit the cinemas with ‘Sora no Otoshimono’ comes a Nendoroid of the Electronic Warfare Angeloid, Type Beta – Nymph.

The second Nendoroid from the series, following on from last month’s Ikaros!

And what a wonderfully lascivious outfit she is wearing!!

This is how she looks from the back!

Her wings are made from clear blue plastic, and just like Nendoroid Ikaros, they can move up and down!

Also take note of the tiny little slits at the bottom of her mantle – such fine detail!

The mantle can be removed!

　　　　　　／￣￣￣＼
　　　　　／　─　　 ─ 　＼　　　　”Is she wearing any?
　　　／　 <○> 　<○>　＼.　　　 Well? Tell me!!”
　　　 |　　　（__人__）　し　|　　
　　　＼　　　｀ ⌒´　　　　／　
　　　／　し　　　　　　＼

No other Nendoroid has had so many slits is such revealing places…

I’m not going to show you more than this – you’ll have to check yourself!

Mikatan blog has a magical barrier blocking any photos under skirts!

She comes with an upset expression!

Nymph is well known for her sudden mood changes, so this had to be included – the bright red cheeks trying to hide her embarrassment are so adorable!

That bent right arm suits the expression so well!

Was anyone wondering where the wings went for this photo? Did you think I forgot to attach them?! Don’t be silly, there is no way I’d forget! 😛

She also comes with her cut wings!

Nymph’s wings were cut off by a harpy in the first season, so this allows you to recreate her after that time! To include extra options like this… once again we are seeing Take-chan’s love for the series that me makes figures of!

A different bent right arm!

This one allows you to recreate this pose with her hand placed near her mouth, giving you another option when displaying her in tsundere mode!

But seriously… that expression is just too cute!! Σ(ﾟ∀ﾟ*)

Of course she also comes with this expression!

A chibi face, potato chips and arms to hold them!

Nymph was always carrying those around with her and munching on them! Just looking at her like this makes me feel all happy inside!

Displayed with Ikaros!

ﾟ　|　・　 |　.＋o　　＿＿＿_*　o。 |。| 　 *｡ |
ﾟ　|i　　 |　+　　／_ノ ‘　ヽ_＼　　|　|! 　　|
o｡!　　 |!　ﾟo ／　　（≡）　（≡）　＼　　 |　* ﾟ |
　｡*ﾟ　 l　・／::::⌒（__人__）⌒::＼　|o　ﾟ。・　　　　
　＊oﾟ　|!　|　　　　　　|r┬-|　　　　　|　 +　＊|
| ・　　　o ＼　　　　 `ー’´ 　　／　*ﾟ・＋||　　　
　|o 　　|・ﾟ　　>　　　　　　　　　|　＊｡*　　 | 　　　
＊ﾟ　　ｌ|　　/　　　　　　　　　 |　　　　|　＋|

It’s too much! It’s just too cute!
If anyone could call this not cute then they couldn’t possibly find anything that is cute!

From Sora no Otoshimono f:

Nendoroid Nymph!

She’ll be on the GSC site tomorrow!

For preorder and sales information, please take a look at our partner shops.

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

(C) 2010 水無月すう／角川書店／新大陸発見部フォルテ

June 17, 2011 by Kahotan

WonFes is on the 24th July! Introducing This Year’s Summer WonFes Products!

Wonder Festival 2011 (Summer)

24th July at the Makuhari Messe!

　　　　　　　＿＿＿＿
/　) ) )／＼　　／＼
{　　⊂)　（●）　（●）＼
|　　 / ///（__人__）// ＼
!　　 !　　　`Y⌒y’´　　　|
|　　 l 　　　ﾞー ′　　,／
|　　　ヽ　　　ー‐ 　　ｨ
|　　　　　　　　　　/　 |

Good Smile and Max Factory will of course once again have a booth!

The booth name will be:
‘WONDERFUL HOBBY LIFE FOR YOU !! 14’!

The booth website is up as of today!

WONDERFUL HOBBY LIFE FOR YOU !! 14
http://whl4u.jp/

The top page has the latest news as well as twitter hash comments!

The design is a little different to previous versions too – the background looks like the night sky with beautiful fireworks going off! What inspired the design?? You’ll have to wait and see!!

Now onto the much awaited products!

This time around there will be four WonFes products!

– Max Factory –

whl14_max01

figma Roger Smith!

Series: The Big O

Specifications: Painted ABS&PVC posable non-scale figure, approximately 150mm in height.
Price: ¥3,000
Sculptor: Max Factory – Masaki Asai
Number Available:
– 2000 will be available at the event.
– Online orders will be made to order and delivered in late October.
Maximum Per Person:
– Max 2 per person at the event.
– Max 3 per person online.

whl14_max02

figma Aigis: Heavily Equipped ver.!

Series: Persona 3 FES

Specifications: Painted ABS&PVC posable non-scale figure, approximately 150mm in height.
Price: ¥3,000
Sculptor: Max Factory – Masaki Asai
Number Available:
– 2000 will be available at the event.
– Online orders will be made to order and delivered in late October.
Maximum Per Person:
– Max 2 per person at the event.
– Max 3 per person online.

– Good Smile Company – whl14_gsc01
Nendoroid Madoka Kaname:
School Uniform Ver.!

Series: Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Specifications: Painted ABS&PVC non-scale posable figure
Height: Approximately 100mm
Price: ¥3,500
Sculpting: Takano Akihito
Sculpting Assistance: Nendoron
Number Available:
– 3000 will be available at the event.
– Online orders will be made to order and delivered in late October.
Maximum Per Person:
– Max 2 per person at the event.
– Max 3 per person online.

whl14_gsc02

Kyubey Soft Vinyl Figure!

Series: Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Specifications: 1/1 Scale Painted Soft Vinyl Product
Height: Approximately 230mm
Length: Approximately 350mm
Price: ¥10,000
Sculptor: Wataru Orita
Number Available:
– 500 will be available at the event.
– Online orders will be made to order and delivered in late October.
Maximum Per Person:
– Max 1 per person at the event.
– Max 2 per person online.

Online sales will be detailed shortly!

Plus as always we will be having a stage performance and a live broadcast running for the event! Various pages on the site will be updated all the time, so be sure to check up on this page every so often:

– WONDERFUL HOBBY LIFE FOR YOU !! 14 –

http://whl4u.jp/

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

June 15, 2011 by Kahotan

A Look at Professional Sculptor’s Tools with Takanon-sensei!

The other day the following message appeared on the letter corner:

Hello! I’m an everyday reader of your blog! I’m also always somehow losing money every time I read a review on your blog! 😛

I noticed some of the most recent figures are made using 3DCG which is incredible, but I was just wondering – are the prototype figures generally made by hand?

I’d love to see what kind of tools the pros use when sculpting figures!!

　　– Rurumenmen

I really want to know myself!!

So today I’m off to see Takanon – he has experience with both hand sculpting and 3D sculpting!

This here is Takanon-sensei!

Even though I asked first thing in the morning he was happy to prepare some tools for us! Takanon-sensei is a wonderful sensei that jumps at the opportunity to help out with blog entries!

Before we start our studies, note that sculptors can use a lot of different raw materials, but Takanon-sensei uses ‘polyester putty’.

To put it in a nutshell, polyester putty is the kind of putty you carve down into the shape you want.

Sensei! Teach us about some of your tools!

(1) Hardening Spray: Used to speed up the drying of glue.
(2) Instant Glue: Added to putty to make it harden faster.
(3) Sandpaper: Used for finishing touches and making smooth surfaces.
(4) Nippers: Used to cut things like Nendoroid joints and brass wires.
(5) Chisel Set: Used to carve out bits of putty.
(6) Design Knife: This is where the sculpting really begins!
(7) Craft Knife: Miscellaneous tasks.
(8) Pin Vice: Used to dig out holes. Size is changed based on diameter.
(9) Needle: Used along with the pin vice.

Sensei! What are the miscellaneous tasks of the craft knife?

　
　　　／￣￣＼
　　　／ .ー　　ー＼　← Takanon-sensei
　　　|　（●）　（●） |　　
　　　|　（__人__）|　　　”Eh… opening packages and stuff?”
　　　|　　　｀i 　i´　 |　
　　　|　　　. `⌒ 　 }　　　　　　
　　　ヽ　　　　　　　}　
　　　　ヽ　　　　　ノ　
　　　／　　　　　　ヽ

So… it’s not used for the sculpting?

I kind of wanted to remove it from the photo seen it wasn’t involved… but Takanon insisted that it was depressing if the craft knife wasn’t included… so I left it in. 😛

Although when it comes to reproduction the craft knife plays a more important role allowing for a quick job. If you’re interested, take a look at this article:

Mikatan’s Summer Vacation Research Project:
Figure Reproduction – Last Day (Japanese)
http://ameblo.jp/gsc-mikatan/entry-10617444280.html

(10) Putty Stand: The polyester putty is made on this stand.
(11) Polyester Putty: White: Main Putty; Yellow: Hardening Agent.
(12) Tooth Brush: An old toothbrush. Cleans up carvings.
(13) Clutch Pencil: Used to mark where joints and eyes will be placed.
(14) Tweezers: Reach places when they can’t be reached by hand.
(15) Ruler: Simply used to make sure the sizes match up.
(16) Vernier Scale: Used to measure curved parts

Sensei! Are these all the tools sculptors use?

　　　　／￣￣＼
　　　／ .ー　　ー＼　← Takanon-sensei
　　　|　（●）　（●） |　　
　　　|　（__人__）|　　　”I think that pretty much covers it”
　　　|　　　｀i 　i´　 |　
　　　|　　　. `⌒ 　 }　　　　　　
　　　ヽ　　　　　　　}　
　　　　ヽ　　　　　ノ　
　　　／　　　　　　ヽ

Understood!

Can you give us a little more detailed explanation now? ^^

(10) Putty Stand

This is actually called something completely different at Max Factory – it seems the name differs between companies! ^^

This stand is used to mix the white and yellow parts of the polyester putty together using something like a toothpick.

This creates the raw materials for sculpting!

Once mixed the putty will slowly harden, so it goes in a cycle of a process – mix, mold, harden and sculpt. Normally the white and yellow parts are mixed at a 5:1 ratio, but sometimes more of the hardening agent is added to make it harden faster!

(9) Needle!

As I wrote above this has a supporting role – it is used along with the pin vice. Takanon-sensei has made his own hand holds using putty to make it easier to hold! Sensei is also left handed… being left handed is kinda cool I think. 😛

Let’s take a look at how exactly it is used!

First the area you want the hole is marked by the clutch pencil (13), then the needle (9) is used to make a little dent on the putty!

A pin vice (8) is then used on the dented area to make a hole!

　　　　　　　　＿＿＿_
　　　　　／::::::─三三─＼
　　　　／:::::::: （ ○）三（○）＼　　 “Eh?
　　　　|::::::::::（__人__）:::|　　　Do you really need the needle…?”
　　　＼:::::::　　|r┬-| 　／
　　　　ノ::::::::　　`ー’´　　＼　

I’m sure there are some people who thought that, as I know I did! 😛

Apparently by just using the pin vice without a dent, it’s very easy to slip and not make a straight hole!

Bascially it’s just a way to make sure that it works out smoothly!

(3) Sandpaper!

There are apparently a lot of different types of sandpaper.

To divide them into three broad types, there would be paper, cloth and sponge types.

The paper type is used for straight lines, while the cloth and sponge types are much softer and are used for curved surfaces. Right here Takanon is making use of the paper type.

This here is the cloth type!

It’s often used on parts like heads that have a clearly curved surface. It actually seems like quite a lot of fun to work with, I kind of want to give it a try myself one day. (Though I doubt the world will be so kind as to let me do so).

By the way, in the first picture of the tools with numbers there was a little pink thing with a handle – this is also a type of file like the sandpaper, and is called a ‘Tiler’. The opposite side of the handle has a rough surface that can be replaced by double-sided tape when it wears away.

(16) Vernier Scale!

This is to calculate things like whether or not the thickness of the arms is the same on both sides. Measuring curved surfaces with a straight ruler is pretty much impossible, so that’s when the Vernier scale comes into play! You simply place the object to be measured between the two parts and you get the exact size.

Sensei also uses it in 3D work!

“I made it 0.4mm using 3D data, but how big did it come out?”

It is used to make sure about things like that – the image above is that 0.4mm! It’s so tiny! I don’t think I could ever become a sculptor… I’d never pay enough attention to the details!

　　　　　＿＿＿_
　　　　／　　　　＼
　　／　　─　　 ─　＼　　　 “Excluding the putty itself, if you could use
　／　　（●）　　（●）　＼　　 only three tools, which would they be?”
　|　　　（__人__）　　 |
　＼　　　 |r┬-| 　 ,／　
　　ノ　　　　　`ー’´　　＼　

A question I asked Sensei and received a true master’s reply!

“As long as I have (6) the design knife I would be fine! It’s the basis of everything!”

Of course the tools we took a look at today are useful, but when it comes down to it, as long as you have the design knife you can still do the sculpting!

Thank you for showing us behind the scenes of a master sculptor today! It was a lot of fun! (`･ω･´)ゞ

Takanon-sensei is a very busy man, but even so he took some time off for this – thanks a lot! Also a big thanks to Rurumenmen who sent in the mail leading to this blog entry!! I hope it has given you at least an idea of what tools the sculptors here at GSC use!

-Notice-

The opening animation for Black Rock Shooter THE GAME is here!

Apparently the animation was done by ‘ufotable’, the group responsible for awesome anime like Kara no Kyoukai!!

It’s a really incredible watch!!

Kondou-san, the man in charge really put a lot of effort into this to get it to this incredible quality! The music and video give a different feeling to the anime, but it’s just as incredible as ever!! Take a look: http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/1308097319?via=thumb_watch

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

Tomorrow we’ll be taking a look at the WonFes Products!!

http://whl4u.jp/

This is still the WonHobby 13 page, but it will change to WonHobby 14 on Friday!

June 15, 2011 by Kahotan

Kuroyagi-san’s Letter Corner! (Number 54)

Hi again everyone!
I’m going to make use of this space today to let everyone know that when TYPE MOON’s new game, ‘Mahoutsukai no Yoru” releases, I’m going to be taking some paid leave…!! 😛

But anyway, today we continue with this corner!

　　　　　　　　＿＿＿_
　　　　　　　／ ―　― ＼
　ﾐ　ﾐ　ﾐ　／　（●）　　（●）　＼　　　　　　ﾐ　ﾐ　ﾐ
/⌒)⌒)⌒. 　　（__人__）　　　＼　　　/⌒)⌒)⌒)
|　/　/　/　　　　　 |r┬-| 　　　　　|　(⌒)/　/ / /／
|　::::::(⌒)　　 `ー’´ 　　／　ゝ　　::::/
|　　　　　ノ　　　　　　　　　＼　 /　　）　　/
ヽ　　　　/　　　　　　　　　　　ヽ/　　　　／
　|　　　　|　　 l||l　从人 l||l 　　　　 l||l 从人 l||l
　ヽ　　　 -一””””~~｀`’ー–､　　　-一”””’ー-､
　　ヽ＿＿＿＿(⌒)(⌒)⌒)　)　　(⌒＿(⌒)⌒)⌒))

Kuroyagi-san’s Letter Corner!
I’ll be taking a look at a few more photos sent in to my inbox!

(ﾟдﾟ) Letters asking about changes to products are quite hard for me to reply to… but I do pass the info onto the design team!

(ﾟдﾟ) If there is a problem with your product, please email the Good Smile Support Team at support@goodsmile.jp

(ﾟдﾟ) If you want to let me know something without me talking about it on the blog, just let me know in the mail and I’ll be happy to keep it quiet!

Let’s get started once again today!! (･∀･)ノ

It seems like my Date Masamune is going to write something… I wonder what! Date and the two Bakuman Nendoroids are so cute! I love them! I’m looking forward to what figures are coming up next! (´∀｀)

　　　- Eririn

It looks like he’s working hard at it!!

That serious face and crossed arms really do give off the feeling that he is thinking about what to write!! I do wonder what exactly he is writing about, though. 😛

Congratulations on your 10th anniversary, GSC! I hope you continue to move from strength to strength!

Today is Children’s Day, so I decided to take a picture with Haru-chan and some carp streamers…. all in miniature mode…

　　　- Kn.

It’s as if you can feel the breeze!

A truly wonderful photo that really captures a precious moment! The little extras all around her add to the detail so nicely as well – it’s such a nice scene!
Plus the little carp streamer that is watching the carp streamers with Haru-chan… he’s so adorable!

Yesterday my Kuroneko arrived, so I had to take some photos ASAP. ♪
I wanted to get a picture of her making doujin games, so I made a quick notebook PC out of cardboard. ^^;

　　　- Annon

You made that yourself!!?

It’s incredible! I can even see the keyboard’s keys! I wish I could make things like that! For those like me who aren’t good with this kind of handiwork, there is a notebook included in Phat! Company’s Classroom Set!

I always take some photos over at Kyuufurukawa Park, and this year when I heard the roses were going into bloom I went along with my Nendoroid Kuroneko.

I took this photo with the scenario of her saying “I want you to give me this rose”. I actually wanted to find a slightly redder rose, but a TV crew was filming on the day so I didn’t have a chance to get close to the ones I wanted.

There are a load of beautiful flowers at the moment, so do consider visiting yourself!

　　　- nekobin

Kuroneko looks perfect with roses!

That face is just too adorable, and the rose is gorgeous and suits her so nicely!
I suddenly get the urge to do some outdoor photography myself… (´；ω；｀)

For my birthday someone gave me custom made Nendoroid Rin & Len figures – magnet Rin & Len! (^ω^)
They were so cute that I just had to share them with everyone else, so I decided to email you some photos! Both Rin, Len and I will be super happy if you take a look!

　　　- Haru

I took a look! And I loved it!

The costumes and little extras are all custom changes… it’s amazing!! I particularly love the way the wings look – I kind of want those headphones for my Nendoroids too! Thank you very much for sharing them with us!

It’s a simple picture, but I decided to send a picture of my Rin and Len!
I’m a big fan of the Nendoroid series, and when ever I’m feeling down they really cheer me up. I’m really grateful to everyone at Good Smile for bringing these lovable figures into the world!

　　　- Yanagi

And thank you for a wonderful picture!

They look so cute in this picture, it really brings a smile to my face!!
I might be wrong, but I believe the background and clothes are made to look as if Rin and Len are the master of ceremonies at a wedding! (Apologies if I’m wrong!). I’m sure if anyone were to get married with such cute announcers they would without a doubt be happy for life! ^^

Spring is changing into summer far too quickly, so as a memory of Spring I decided to send this picture through. The title for the picture is “Yearning for Spring”.

　　　- Leonov

007

She is such a cutie!!

As I’ve said before, I love photos where a girl looks up like this! They instantly become three times as cute when the picture is from above! As always, your photography skills are incredible!

I just got my Western Playset, so I decided to play around a bit!
They are just the right size for figma as well, so it was a lot of fun to play with! 😛 Lulu-sama really is in his element!

　　　- Ringo

008

The playsets works with figmas too!

In yesterday’s post we also had a figma using the playset – I’m actually really surprised at how well it works with them! 😛
But seeing Lelouche is this kind of atmosphere really is ideal isn’t it… it’s almost too perfect…

Thanks for the blog every weekday, I love reading it!
I took a picture using a sliver of moonlight coming through my curtains and I quite liked it, so I decided to send it through to you! Youmu stands staring into the night, patiently waiting for the day that Good Smile announces that Yuyuko-sama’s Nendoroid has been sent out…

“Yuyuko-sama… how late should I stay up waiting for you….?”

　　　- Anonymous

You’re scaring me, Myon!! ! ((((;ﾟДﾟ))))

Why is she holding swords in both hands? xD
And by the way, Yuyuko has been safely sent out from GSC… I hope she has managed to meet up with her now!

I tried making my own Nendoroid Petite of Ghost in the Shell’s Motoko Kusanagi to display next to the Nendoroid Tachikoma. I made a smiling and a shouting face, two sets of legs – one for standing and one for sitting, as well as a handgun, sub-machine gun and a body and rifle to recreate the scenes from episode 21.

… I think I made a bit too much, but I’m sure there are others like me who would love to see her as an official product!! Maybe even just as an extra to a magazine or something!

　　　- Lunapon

Everything from here are custom made figures by fans!
This one has incredible detail for it’s size!!

If you look up close you can see how carefully the body has been made…. I also really like the way you’ve done the flow of the fair! It looks just like Motoko!

I decided to make a custom WRS-chan. The arms coming out the back of her armor use a ball-joint so they can be moved around a little too! ^^

　　　- Monban

This looks 100% authentic!! xD

The expression is from Gold Saw-san, the sickle must be DM-san’s and the body is BRS-chan’s, right? Everything else is all made from scratch? Wow!!

I tried to make my own Nendoroid Lum-chan. 😛
She needed a nice upset face, so I made use of Kuro-chan’s expression.

　　　- Keme

She’s so adorable!!

I know a lot of guys will say that Kyouko is better, but I definitely think Lum is cuter! There is no way this can lose!!! (`・ω・´)
Once again, this is incredible quality – really well done!!

This month is finally the month that my Miku: Support ver arrives… I can’t wait! While Miku-san is cheering, I thought team Death Note could so some preaching, so I made a “Let’s Save Electricity” poster using their Nendoroids!

I’m also doing my best to conserve electricity, so I only get to read your blog in the evenings, but I love doing so every day!
Try not to catch a cold this rainy season – stay well!

　　　- Ricao

013

A wonderful poster!

If the Nendoroids tell us to do something, I’m sure a lot more people will understand! 😛
This summer is a summer to conserve electricity! If we all work together we can get through this easily!

That brings the 54th Kuroyagi-san’s letter corner to an end!
Thanks to everyone who sent in mail!
I make sure to read each and every mail I receive!

As always, I’m always looking for more mail from readers! I promise to read it, and swear I won’t eat it! 😛

If you have any questions, photos, product requests, want to talk about what you ate today, your goals for the summer… no matter what you want to talk about, send it through to me! Girls and boys both welcome!

(ﾟ∀ﾟ)Mikatan Mail:
mikatan-b@goodsmile.jp

That’s all for today!
I hope to see you all again tomorrow!!

June 14, 2011 by Kahotan

Kuroyagi-san’s Letter Corner! (Number 53)

Hi again everyone!
I’ve managed to catch a summer cold thanks to the sudden temperature change, but I’m just taking loads of medicine to get me through the day as normal!

Anyway, today we’ll be continuing with this corner!

　　　　　　　　＿＿＿_
　　　　　　　／　　　　＼
　　　　　／　　　─　　 ─＼
　　　　／　　　（●）　（●）＼
　　　　|　　　　（__人__）　 | ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿_
　　　＼　　　　|r┬-| 　 ,／　| |　　　　　　　　　　|
　　　　ノ　　　　　 `ー’´　　＼　 | |　　　　　　　　　　|
　／´ 　　　　　　　　　　　　　 | |　　　　　　　　　　|
　|　　　　ｌ　　　　　　　　　　| |　　　　　　　　　　|
　ヽ　　　 -一ー_~､⌒)^),-､　　| |_＿＿＿＿＿__|
　　ヽ＿＿＿＿,ノγ⌒ヽ)ニニ-￣　　　| |　　|

Kuroyagi-san’s Letter Corner!

Today we’ll take a look at some of the lovely photos you all sent in!

(ﾟдﾟ) Letters asking about changes to products are quite hard for me to reply to… but I do pass the info onto the design team!

(ﾟдﾟ)If there is a problem with your product, please email the Good Smile Support Team at support@goodsmile.jp

(ﾟдﾟ) If you want to let me know something without me talking about it on the blog, just let me know in the mail and I’ll be happy to keep it quiet!

Let’s get started!! (･∀･)ノ

My heart has been stolen by figma Mato-chan…

I hope we can see a figma of her in her casual clothes, and maybe a Nendoroid as well! I’m also looking forward to the Yomi-chan figma!!

　　　 – S Ranguren

That dark glare and rose are wonderful!! (*ﾟ∀ﾟ)=3

It looks like she is plotting something… she’s plotting something! She’s joined the dark side!

This also goes to show just how well Phat! Company’s playsets work with figmas! I must say I love Yomi as well – those who are debating whether to grab her or not, look how great she looks here! (Sorry for advertising with your photo! :P)

Kirino!

I knew this background which was used in the series was close by, so I decided to go out and take some photos. It was a nice sunny day and I think the pictures came out really nicely. (at least, by my standards.)
I absolutely love the folded arms and that confident expression. In just the short time she was out I managed to drop her while taking the photo… she injured her back…

　　- Spin

Thank you for the pilgrimage! (･ω･)ﾉ

I believe Station Yamada also came to this place to take pictures with Kirino. 😛

I hope her back is alright! Taking photos outdoors does often lead to more injuries than indoor photography – consider bolstering the joints with some double sided tape to avoid unnecessary damage!

My mom is a Yui fan so when I go out with her I bring Yui along with me. She even said she wanted her own one! It made me kind of happy 😛
It just made me wonder how many Nendoroid fans are made through situations like that…
Anyway, here is a photo of a smiling Yui, I hope it brings a smile to everyone!

　　　- Azusakoi

What a lovely smile!! （ﾟ∀ﾟ*）

I’m glad that you are able to enjoy Nendoroids with your mother! Be sure to take her out all over the place and make some more lovely memories!

I’m sure we can spread the happiness of this smile to even more people!

I’ve sent through a couple of photos. They were taken at Tokushima park and my house.

　　　- Mitoku Hirai

Gardener Myon!

The plant she is working with is a pine (I think?) – it really creates a nice Japanese atmosphere that suits her so nicely! To see her working so hard on plants that are so big for her… I feel like I need to give her some treats… (plastic ones at least…)

Cherry Blossom Photo?

… Nope, it’s Myon!

　　　- Hige

It is indeed Myon!

I was asking for cherry blossom images not too long ago, so I really did think it would be one… :/

The wispy spirit effects are photoshopped, right? I also notice I can’t see the stand at all, so it’s very well done!

Hello!

I know the Angel Beats! Petite Nendoroid Sets 1 & 2 have already been released, but I hope we’ll see some of the Girls Dead Monster girls as well – the girls that ran the band in the afterlife! Along with the drums! ＞ω＜

That’s it, hope you’ll consider it!

　　　- Kumagaya

There were a lot of readers who sent photos along with product requests this time around… that’s cheating! 😛

It seems Kumagaya-san has the same tastes as me…

Those thighs…

Hello Mikatan!

I just saw something really wonderful~
At about 3 o’clock today, the Earth was as close to the Moon as possible! It looked so big! Apparently this only happens once every 18 years!
I decided that Flandre was the most appropriate for the moon, so I took her out onto the veranda for some quick photography! It was really cold though, so I didn’t stay long. ^^;
The picture was taken on a mini digital camera, so unfortunately this was the best lighting balance I could get. I’m sure those with nicer cameras would have grabbed a much niver picture, but I personally loved this anyway, so I decided to send it through to you.

　　- …:) (Niko)

Oooh! It’s so bright!

Plus the light is reflecting off Flan-chan’s wings which makes it look really pretty! It’s a really nice photo!

Photography in the dark is indeed very difficult, I’m sure it’d just be a blur if I ever tried… orz.

I took the 2009 Racing Miku with me to watch the races – congradutions on getting 5th place in your first match, GSR!

　　　- haru88

Racing Miku watching from a hand-chair!

I love photos like this that really show the difference in size between people and Nendoroids! 😛 The way it has been taken from the back also really makes it feel like she is watching the races herself – it’s super cute!
I can’t wait to see how much the ‘Hatsune Miku GOODSMILE BMW Z4’ can rise up in the races to come!

Spring really is the season of flowers… thus during Golden Week I decided to go out with Miku-san to take a look at the Spring flowers – Miku looked so cute with the flowers, it made me feel all warm and happy inside. I wanted to share the feeling, so I thought I’d send you a photo!

　　 – Gehena

She looks absolutely bewildered! ･ﾟ･（ﾉД`）･ﾟ･｡

If I was there I imagine she would ask “What is this?”, and then I’d respond “If you touch it, it’ll eat you up!” just to see her frightened reaction!!

The expression is from Azunyan, right? It’s such a wonderful expression to use on anyone…

I have finally found the time to send through some photos of Kyon that I took last month.The cherry blossoms had already all fallen, so instead we just went for a walk to look at the dandelions around the local park 😛
It was past noon when we left, so there were lots of families, couples, and people walking their dogs – it was quite hard to find a place for a good photo… but I eventually got a couple, so I decided to send them through to you.

　　　- Yu.

Kyon also looks somewhat bewildered!!

I get the feeling that he would look perfect if he was placed together with the earlier Miku….

I love the way he seems to be staring at the dandelion flower so intently… xD

I just recieved my long awaited Gold Saw, and took a picture with my cellphone. The title is “Moonlit Gold Saw”.

　　　 – Gaukusu

012

A very fitting pose for Gold Saw-san! ヽ(ﾟ∀ﾟ)ﾉ

It’s a little bit small seen it was taken with a cellphone camera. but the blue background and moon really bring out Gold Saw’s beauty. The rubble around the floor and background is also a nice little touch!

I heard you were going on and on about Menma, so I decided to send some old photos I took in Chichibu when I went to look at the cherry blossom lawns. This picture was taken near Chichibu shrine.

I also hearby place my request for a Eirin Yagokoro Nendoroid!

　　　- Gaukusu

014

Ooh! A pilgrimage to that holy land! ((((ﾟДﾟ)))

When I saw the picture I was positive you were going to ask for Ano Hana Nendoroids… 😛

Unfortunately the Nendoroid line-up is a secret so I can’t say anything on here (there is already a lot of gray parts on the blog…), but we’ll do out best to cater to all the popular requests!

Hi there.

The other day, I went to the Nendoroid cafe I managed to get a really nice picture – while I was walking back I decided I just had to send this one through to you.

It seems that my KAITO is really good friends with the Good Smile Seijin! I took him home with me as well, so I’m sure they’ll become the best of friends back at my house 😛

　　　- Mizuna

It’s hard to explain, but it’s so adorable!!

The way he is putting his arm around KAITO like that… :O
A truly wonderful photo – thank you! I really love it!

The cafe can be found in Chiba, Matsudo – so do stop by if you have the chance! I hope you’ll stop by again as well, Mizuna!

Anyway, that brings the 53rd Kuroyagi-san’s letter corner to an end!
Thanks to everyone who sent in mail!

As always, I’m always looking for more mail from readers! I promise to read it, and swear I won’t eat it! 😛

(ﾟ∀ﾟ) Mikatan Mail:
mikatan-b@goodsmile.jp

But that’s all for today!
I hope to see you all again tomorrow!!

Tomorrow will be another Kuroyagi-san Image Special! （･∀･)つ

I’ll be showing a load more pictures that everyone has sent in!

June 12, 2011 by Kahotan

Kuroyagi-san’s Letter Corner! (Number 52)

Hi everyone!

Can you believe that there are less than two months until WonFes already!!? Everyone in the office is already busy with preperations… I’m also hoping the Milky Holmes will so a performance again!

Anyways, it’s been awhile, but it’s time for another…

　　　　　　　＿＿＿_
　　　　　　／＼　　／＼　ｷﾘｯ
.　　　　　／　（ー）　（ー）＼
　　　　／　　 ⌒（__人__）⌒ ＼　　　
　　　　|　　　　　|r┬-|　　　　|　　
　　　　＼　　　　 `ー’´　　／
　　　　ノ　　　　　　　　　　　＼
　／´　　　　　　　　　　　　　　ヽ
　|　　　　ｌ　　　　　　　　　　　　　　＼
　ヽ　　　 -一””””~~｀`’ー–､　　　-一”””’ー-､.
　　ヽ＿＿＿＿(⌒)(⌒)⌒)　)　　(⌒＿(⌒)⌒)⌒))

Kuroyagi-san’s Letter Corner!
I’ll be answering some email from my inbox!

(ﾟдﾟ) Letters asking about changes to products are quite hard for me to reply to… but I do pass the info onto the design team!
(ﾟдﾟ)If there is a problem with your product, please email the Good Smile Support Team at support@goodsmile.jp
(ﾟдﾟ) If you want to let me know something without me talking about it on the blog, just let me know in the mail and I’ll be happy to keep it quiet!

I’ve also been getting a load of opinions from twitter recently, but I still think email is a great way to send in your thoughts. I can’t reply to everyone’s tweets and mails, but I promise I do read them all!

Let’s get started! (･∀･)ノ

I’m a frequent reader of your blog, and I was wondering if Nendoroid KAITO was going to go on resale again at any stage?
I didn’t manage to grab him during the last resale, so I really hope I’ll get another chance.

　　　- Anonymous

Good Smile’s figures are always so cute and awesome that I’m buying too many… I’m running out of space on my shelves!

I must say that one of the figures that I really want as a female collector is Kaito-nii-san! Apparently there is going to be an append version of him, so I hope I can grab him then. I also hope we can see a big scale figure of Kaito one day as well! I’ll be waiting to put my order in!

　　　- Kanagawa

There was way more mail similar to these two… it seems KAITO really is popular with the ladies!

Nendoroid KAITO is currently being considered for resale!

It’s nothing solid yet, but I think there is a strong chance that there will be a resale soon. As far as a scale figure goes, there are no plans for one at the moment, but Advent Miku has just gone up for preorder – she is definitely worth the buy!

I look forward to your blog every day!
I was really looking forward to my Nendoroid Masamune Date and it was well worth the wait – I love him!!
The next one I’m looking forward to is Sanada Yukimura… I’ve been waiting for ages… I keep seeing new Nendoroid announcements but I never see Yukimura…. Granted, I still buy all the other Nendoroids as they’re all cute… ^^
I’m sure there are a lot of things that get in the way, but I hope that I’ll see a Nendoroid Sanada Yukimura soon!!

　　　- Chiyo

There were also a load of mails like this one!
Phat! Company is currently hard at work on this one!

It’s definitely making progress, so just wait a little longer!

Hi there, I’m a relatively new reader that just recently got into Nendoroids – at the moment I only have one – Kirino Kousaka, but I do have Kuroneko on order and I’m sure I’ll be picking up more soon.

I live alone in a one-room apartment, so I really don’t have much space to display figures, but for now I’m displaying them on the corners of my bed – Nendoroids really are the perfect size to fit there, where a normal scale figure would just fall off. It’s really impressive looking at the photography that some people take of their figures… and yet I’m having trouble just finding a way to display them. ^^;

I hope to see some more Sora no Otoshimono Nendoroids coming soon, like Nymph and Astraea!

　　　- Kouichi

Those who were watching last week’s live broadcast will know, but…
A Nendoroid of Nymph is coming to accompany Ikaros!

She’s still undergoing some changes but will be up on the GSC site soon – I’m sure I’ll get a review on the blog soon as well!

Hi there! I’m a fan of the blog and hope to continue reading it for some time to come!
I actually have a product request… I really hope to see Nendoroids of Homura Akemi, Mami Tomoe, Kyouko Sakura and Sayaka Miki from Puella Magi Madoka Magica (Yes, I want them all! :P)

Also, what about the other three Milky Holmes girls? I’m really looking forward to them!

　　　- Homuhomu Purin

Worry not!

Elly is following on from Sharo – she is coming soon!

Just like Nymph above, there are still a few things to confirm before she debuts on the GSC site. She also apparently has some surprizing optional parts – which you’ll just have to look forward to a little bit longer! (I’m looking forward to it too!)

A little while ago at Lawson’s K-ON! Fair, there was a Lawson & TBS Limited Edition Nendoroid Petite set featuring Yui, Mio and Azusa – and as stated on your blog, it included stands for five characters.

My question is, are there any plans to create Nendoroid Petites of Mugi and Ritsu to complete this set? Or did I perhaps miss the time they were on sale? I can’t bear not completing the collection!

　　　- Anonymous

Unfortunately product line-ups are forced to change sometimes…
There are no plans to make the other two at this stage…

The original intention of including the five stands with the set was so that you could display other Nendoroid Petites with the three girls – from the other set of K-ON Petite Nendos!

I am really impressed with Good Smile’s charity products.
I live near Tokyo, so I did feel the earthquake, but there were no long-term effects on my side. (Although I did lose a few figures in the incident.)

On the other hand, those up North near the coast suffered incredibly. I don’t think there is any way to experience what those people are going through at the moment. We can look at the destruction on the TV and internet, but at the same time we are all just continuing our normal lives – which I for one am very glad for. I know there are not many people who will go out and volunteer to help, so it’s great to be able to give in some donations via Good Smile.

　　　- Reader from Ogawamachi

Hi there. I am a Nendoroid newbie – I started collecting about one and a half years ago.

When I think about the people who live near the epicentre of the recent earthquake, I can’t help but think about how much trouble they must be going through now. I think that figure collectors really suffered during this disaster – I do wonder how many Nendoroids were lost during the quake.

　　　- Anonymous

The region I live in was struck my the tsunami, almost washing my house away with it, along with my favorite place to take photos with Hachune Miku. Fortunately my family was able to escape the tsunami, and the house was left, albeit not in a very good state – there were power outages for a few days and a gas shortage, but thinks have started calming down now, so I decided to send a mail through to you.

Taking a look at my Nendoroid collection broken up and covered in scratches… I almost burst out crying. I had been collecting Nendoroids even before I was married – they were like special memories to me, and I don’t have the will to buy them all again – I am simply going to keep the scratched up versions and love them as I always have. It’s amazing how much happiness can come from playing with Nendoroids for a little bit.

I’m certain there are many just like me who have been struck by disaster and are suffering a lot more, so I will be happy to purchase Good Smile’s charity products. I’m also really glad that I can read Miktan blog again now – it really brings my spirits up!!

Eastern Japan is just fine, it’ll get though this stronger than ever. People over here are patient and strong – they’ll make a come back. I’ll be back with more beach-side photos eventually, and I’ll send them through to you once more!

　　　- Mokosuta☆

For those unaware, Good Smile Company has started a collaboration project between figure makers to release charity products to help raise funds for relief efforts in Eastern Japan – the title of this project is ‘Cheerful JAPAN!’.

– Cheerful JAPAN! –
http://www.cheerfuljapan.com/
I have recived lots of mail relating to the disaster, and I’ve carefully read each and every one of them. As a fellow figure lover, I really feel sorry for those who lost their beloved figures in the disaster, such as Mokosuta.

I hope that we can make some new figures that you like in order to build up a collection once more!

I have a KAITO Nendoroid that I absolutely adore, and when I woke up this morning, I noticed his neck was broken off…
Luckily I also had a spare version I picked up at the same time, but it’s a tad sad to just throw away a figure I’ve spent so much time with…

That’s when I remembered the D.I.Y figure repair tutorials you put up on the blog, grabbed some tools and started the surgery! It really was such a simple task – even a girl like me could do it – KAITO is just fine and back to normal! Now I can keep my beloved original KAITO by my side a little bit longer!

Thanks so much for the tutorials!

　　　- Anonymous

I am writing to thank you for the figure repair tutorials that you put up a while ago!
I was thinking of just fixing it using glue at first, but then I saw the joint repair tutorial you put up on the 25th March using a brass wire to strengthen the joint, and decided to give it a try. I was really scared when I was creating the hole with the pin vice, but it ended up a lot easier than I expected!

Next up I hope we can get a tutorial on some way of stopping them falling down in the first place! I want to protect my cute daughters!

　　- Nonta

I’m glad they were at least useful to somebody!
Having to do surgery on your favorite figures is indeed a sad time, but for those willing to try it, be sure to read the following articles:

■ DIY Figure Repairs Part 1: Broken Joints
■ DIY Figure Repairs Part 2: Reinforcing Joints
■DIY Figure Repairs Part 3: Scuffed Paint

Hello! I’m a second year female high school as of this April!
I’ve become addicted to Nendoroids from about two months ago, and I never knew until now that you had a letter corner!
I was reading through all the old entires and found them to really interesting – but I thought the corner had already ended!

At first I always used to collect figma and big figures, but I always thought that Nendoroids seemed expensive for their size – but when I found the Love Plus Manaka Nendoroid I just had to get her. That’s when I found out how cute they are! In just a short time I’ve quickly amassed a small collection of 18 Nendor- I mean wives. I also have Totori, and three Snow Mikus on order! Plus I will get Nendoroid Cirno no matter what!

　　　- Anonymous

It hasn’t ended! :O

A second year high shcool student? Are you enjoying your school life? They’re some of the best years! Make sure you have lots of fun!

I am a fifteen year old girl who has been collecting figures for one year now.
This is my first mail, so I’m a bit nervous, but I really look forward to Mikatan blog’s update every weekday!
I was just admiring how awesome the White Rock Shooter figma that will be included with the limited edition of the BRS game looks. I kind of hope we can see a scale figure of it produced as well. On that note I’d also love to see more scale figures of the Touhou characters. (With cast-off please! :P)
I hope you’ll at least take it into consideration.

I also have a question – what is your favorite figure, Mikatan? I’ve always wondered…
My favorite figure… well there are just too many…. but if I absolutely had to pick one, it would be the BRS scale figure: Original ver, I think. The details are simply outstanding. I wish I could make figures like that.

　　　- Anonymous

It seems we had a lot of mail from girls this time around!
I’m not picking them just cause they’re girls, I promise!

My favorite figure is this one!

Chii from Chobits!
It’s actually a gachapon figure from Kaiyodou, but the details are really nice! Ever since I started working at Good Smile, it’s been sitting on top of my monitor.

This photo was tkaen by Jii-chan from the web team! Thank you!

Hello! I’m an everyday reader of your blog!
I’m also always somehow losing money everytime I read a review on your blog! 😛

I noticed some of the most recent figures are made using 3DCG which is incredible, but I was just wondering – are the prototype figures generally made by hand?
I’d love to see what kind of tools the pros use when sculpting figures!!

　　　- Rurumenmen

Understood!

A lot of the sculpting starts off digitally now, but the final touches always require some manual work by the sculptors!
I must say you’ve intrigued me to take a look at what tools the sculptors use to do their amazing work – I’m sure I’ll be doing a blog entry that takes a look at the tools soon – look forward to it!

There hasn’t been any 1/8th scale figures of Luka-nee-san, have there?
I would absolutely love to see a figure of redjuice’s Luka-nee-san illustration! That beautiful costume and legs… they’re incredible… (*´∇｀*)
Speaking of legs, Nadeko’s were also incredible… as well as the details on the stand!

I really do respect the production team over at Good Smile, you guys are great! m(__)m
You must be tierd out every day witht the amount of great work you put out! 😛
I hope we’ll see more great figures soon, and take care of yourselves! (Make sure they get the message please, Mikatan!) (^-^ゞ

　　　- Hachiyomodoki

I respect them just as much as you do!
But there are a lot of people at GSC who are tierd out every day. xD Thanks for the read!

The special included with the BRS game, ‘WRS’ – how is it pronounced?

　　　- Wamuu

WRS is for White Rock Shooter!
It’s quite a nice change, isn’t it 😛

(The original Japanese poster actually wanted to know how exactly the letters W-R-S were pronoucned- but since you’re reading the Enlgish version, I’m sure you know! :P)

Hello there Mikatan-san! I’m a girl reader, A~ya!
I was most surpirsed when you announced Nendoroid Prince on your blog the other day. I never expected Togashi-san’s works to become Nendoroids!

I’ve actually never seen Level E myself, but as a fan of Hunter x Hunter, I can only hope that this is a sign of future figures! He is also releasing a new book some time in July or August! I hope the day will come when I can see some more of his works as figures! (*´▽｀*

　　　- A~ya

I was also quite surpized when I heard about the Nendoroid!
I hope he sells well, then we can see about whats in store for the future! I really do!

A long time ago you did a series of blogs involving creating the creation of molds for figure reproduction. I made up my own vacuum air removal machine and decided to give it a go myself. (I had a lot of spare time as I recently lost my job). I decided to mail you the results of my homework.

　　　- Gourai

Wow!

I didn’t want to link directly so I made up an image!

http://stat001.ameba.jp/user_images/20110609/15/gsc-mikatan/e8/de/j/o0800735411279964287.jpg

http://stat001.ameba.jp/user_images/20110609/15/gsc-mikatan/fb/f5/j/o0751666211279964286.jpg

The thing that is most bizarre is that homemade vacuum air removal machine!

That’s a bucket! No matter what you say!!

This is really incredible though!!
To use Lego blocks like that… really incredible!
Anyone else interested in figure production, you should try too!!

By the way, the articles where I gave this challenge a try can be found here, but unfortunately they were before the English version started, so they are only in Japanese:

Mikatan’s Summer Vacation Research Project: Figure Reproduction – Day 1
Mikatan’s Summer Vacation Research Project: Figure Reproduction – Day 2
Mikatan’s Summer Vacation Research Project: Figure Reproduction – Day 3
Mikatan’s Summer Vacation Research Project: Figure Reproduction – Last Day

Congradulations on your 10th anniversary, Good Smile Company!

I was watching the live broadcast on Nico Live, there was so much happening, I was surpised and happy at the same time! I really wish I could have been there myself! ・゜・(ノД`)・゜・。

It’s so hard to get a nice look at the figure displays at places like WonFes and there are so many people wanting to look! I’ll never stop cheering for GSC – you guys always bring a smile to my face with your figures! I send my applause and thanks to you all! I look forward to the next Wonfes!

Oh, and Aki-san… please sleep more often. 😛

　　　- Nekogusa

Congradulations on your 10th anniversary, Good Smile Company!
Miku sends her love!

　　　- Iguna

I was lucky enough to win a spot to the Good Smile Anniversary party! ^^
As soon as I entered, I was greeted with all the Nendoroids from the past, a tower of macroons and Aki-shachou and Mikatan in person! It was an absolute treat for me!!
On top of all that I also got some lovely goodies! It was like a dream!
I will continue to support GSC from now and forever! (｀・ω・´)b
Thanks for thinking of the fans when you decided to have the 10th Anniversary party!! And thanks for all your hard work over the years!

　　　- ☆Saorin☆

happy 10th anniversary goodsmile company ! !

　　　- Anonymous

Thanks to everyone who sent in images and comments reguarding the 10th anniversary! Plus the last illustration seems like it came from overseas! Yay!

It’s probably not really my place to say – but the reason we made it to 10 years is without a doubt thanks to everyone who supports us, and I hope we will be able to continue to meet everyones expectations!

And thus…

　　　　　　　　／ ⌒｀”⌒｀ヽ、　　　　
　　　　　　／,,　／￣￣￣￣＼　　
　　　　　　 /,／/::　　　　　　　　＼　　　
　　　　　　;/⌒'”:::..　　　　　　　 |⌒ヽ　　　　
　　　　　　　/　　/､:::::… 　　　　　 /ヽ_　＼　　
　　　　 _＿（　⌒ー-ｨ⌒ヽ、　 /⌒`ー’⌒　）　　
━━━━━`ー──ゝィｿﾉー‐ヾy＿ﾉー─”━━━━　　

I hope you’ll continue to support us forever more!!

Anyway, that brings the 52nd Kuroyagi-san’s letter corner to an end!
Thanks to everyone who sent in mail!

As always, I’m always looking for more mail from readers! I promise to read it, and swear I won’t eat it! 😛

If you have any questions, photos, product requests, want to talk about what you ate today, your goals for the summer… no matter what you want to talk about, send it through to me! Girls and boys both welcome!

(ﾟ∀ﾟ) Mikatan Mail!
mikatan-b@goodsmile.jp

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

June 10, 2011 by Kahotan

Nendoroid Yuyuko Saigyouji

So many product releases! ━━━(ﾟ∀ﾟ)━━━ﾝ !!!!

Take-chan is watching over them as they are released!

　　　　　　　　＿＿＿
　　　　　　　／　　　　＼
　　　　　／　　＼ ,　, ／＼　　　”Hey!
　　　　／　　　（●）　（●）＼　　　 Let me watch over them as well!
　　　 |　　　　（__人__）　| 　　
　　　＼　　　 ` ⌒ ´　　,／　　　 …and thats the biggest can of
.　　　　 /⌒～”￣,￣￣〆⌒,ﾆつ　 black coffee I have ever seen!”
　　　　 |　　,＿_＿ﾞ＿__､rヾｲｿ⊃
　　　　　| 　　　　　　｀l￣

I much prefer my coffee with milk…

But anywho! Let’s move onto today’s figure!

The 8th Nendoroid from the Touhou Series:

Nendoroid Yuyuko Saigyouji!

She is the master of Hakugyokuro, the Netherworld Tower, from the popular doujin series of games by Shangai Alice – the Touhou Project!

She has the power to control spirits!
Which as you can see, are included for her – using beautiful clear plastic for a more ghostly effect!

This is how the packaging looks!

The spirits and hat take up a load of space, but as you can see she also comes with a load of other extras! At the bottom of the blister pack you’ll find two see-through stands for the spirits – they can go missing very easily so watch out for them when unpacking the box!

This is how she looks from the back!

As with all the previous Touhou Nendoroids – the stand has a print of the a motif based around the character, but Yuyuko makes use of one of the arm-type stands – it works nicely for her as it means you can pose her floating through the air!

Right, let’s move on to the optional parts!

First up, a contemptuous face!

The eyes look so much more focused and serious on this face, it’s a wonderful change!

Plus in her right hand is a closed folding fan!
The hand part holding it can be removed, so you can use it with the other arms as well!

Plus she also comes with an open folding fan!

Which just like the closed one can be used with any of her arms.

After playing around with her for a little you’ll realize just how well made she is!! Σ（・∀・）
Just look at the coloring and design on her kimono – it’s absolutely beautiful! Plus she is a load of fun to play with!

She also comes with an innocent smile!

She looks so happy! I also like her eyebrows – they’re kind of thicker than other characters which gives a nice fresh feeling!

She also comes with alternate shoulder parts!

These are so that she can extend her arms out horizontally – they are included with the intention of recreating one of the official images which has both her arms our straight, but of course you can also display her with just one out like above!

She can even hold the butterfly spirits!

For this pose, a ‘butterfly holding’ hand is included!
Obviously you can switch the hands and arms around for all sorts of interesting poses as well – be sure to try and come up with your own!

Displayed with Myon!

Another one of the residents at Hakugyokuro!

Ah, by the way – you can see Yuyuko is holding another butterfly in her right hand here, but I’m actually using double-sided tape for that one. I think she’d look good holding an onigiri as well. ^^;

The 8th Nendoroid from the Touhou Series:

Nendoroid Yuyuko Saigyouji!

　　／￣￣＼
　／　　 ⌒　⌒＼　　
　|　　　（ ●）　（●）　　　　　　　　　　　　＿＿＿_
.　|　　 ⌒（__人__）　　　　　　　　　／　　　　　＼　　　”Yuyuko, please!”
　 |　　　　　|r┬-|　　　　　　　　　　／─　　 ─　　　＼　　　
.　 |　　　　　`ー’´}　＼　　　　　／（●）　（●）　　　　　＼
.　ヽ　　　　　　 } 　　＼　　　|　（__人__）　　　　　 |　
　　ヽ　　　　　ノ　　　　　＼　　＼　　｀ ⌒´ 　　　　_／
　　　/　　　く.　＼　　　　　　＼　ノ　　　　　　　　　　＼
　　　|　　　　＼　＼　　　　(⌒二　　　　　　　　　　　　|
　　 |　　　　|ヽ、二⌒)、　　　　　＼　　　　　　　　｜　 |

She’ll be on sale at our partner shops from the 14th!
For order and sales information, please take a look at our partner shops.

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

* Please note that this blog’s contents is originally written for a Japanese audience and is then translated for our foreign customers. All pre-order and release dates are the Japanese dates. Also note that not all products can be sold in certain areas

(C)上海アリス幻樂団

June 9, 2011 by Kahotan

Cheerful JAPAN! Part 2: Nendoroid Puchitto Rock Shooter: Support Ver!

The production team have come for a visit!

＿＿＿＿
/　) ) )／＼　　／＼
{　　⊂)　（●）　（●）＼　 “I hope they brought something!”
|　　 / ///（__人__）// ＼
!　　 !　　　`Y⌒y’´　　　　|
|　　 l 　　　ﾞー ′　　　,／
|　　　ヽ　　　ー‐　　　ｨ

In the new offices, the production team are located on the 6th floor while everyone else is on the 2nd floor. It’s a lot of effort to visit one and other! 😛

Although, there are treasures to be found there, so if needed I’d even dance up to the 6th floor! ^^

Anywho, today they brought me a new master figure to play with!

Nendoroid Puchitto Rock Shooter:
Support ver.

As you may have guessed from the “Support Ver” in her name, this is this month’s Cheerful Japan! product!

Cheerful JAPAN!
http://www.cheerfuljapan.com/

The damage that has occurred during the March 11 quake in the Touhoku region is astounding, and in order to get over the destruction caused there is a lot that needs to be done, and lots of support that needs to be given. Good Smile Company has formed a support group named ‘Cheerful Japan’ which will strive to support the relief efforts for as long as possible. For at least 1 year we be releasing charity products among other efforts to raise donation money for the cause. To everyone who supports the Cheerful Japan movement – thank you, and know that your money is going where it is needed!

To support the relief efforts up North, we will be announcing a charity product every month on the 11th, starting with this month and continuing for a year!

The second month brings us Nendoroid Puchitto Rock Shooter: Support Ver!

She is a character from the browser game on NicoNico Douga titled ‘Puchitto Rock Shooter’ – a spin off of Black Rock Shooter!

This is how she looks from the back!

She is wearing a lovely orange cheerleader’s outfit!

It’s the perfect outfit for a cheerleader – it shows off her body nicely, and her twin tailed hair adds an even cuter feeling by having the two sides at different lengths!

The flame on her eye can of course be removed!

The character design for this character is CHAN x CO, who has become quite famous in the Nendoroid world now! She also designed the cheerleader outfit!

I love the way her stomach sticks out like that!
That sleek body line is absolutely beautiful!

Let’s move on to the optional parts!

Blue pompons and hands to hold them!

Blue pompons to suit her blue flame and eyes! The shape of the ponpoms is the same as the ones used for Support Miku, so they should look good displayed together.

However everything was sculpted from scratch!

The staff from planning to production are all determined to bring the best of quality for the Cheerful JAPAN! series!

A bent leg for poses like this!

It really gives a dynamic feeling, like she is really waving the ponpoms up and down! I really love this picture, it’s so cute! 😛

She also comes with an upset face!

She looks so angry… yet it’s still so cute!!!!! xD
The way her mouth is all circular is just like CHAN x CO’s illustration – perfect!

　　　　　　　　＿＿＿_
　　　　　　　／　　　　＼
　　　　　／　　─　　 ─　＼　 “Huh? What’s that in her hand?”
　　　　／　　　　（●）　（●）＼
　　　　|　　　　（__人__）　 | ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿_
　　　＼　　　　|r┬-| 　 ,／　| |　　　　　　　　　　|
　　　　ノ　　　　　 `ー’´　　＼　| |　　　　　　　　　　|
　／´ 　　　　　　　　　　　　　 | |　　　　　　　　　　|
　|　　　　ｌ　　　　　　　　　　| |　　　　　　　　　　|
　ヽ　　　 -一ー_~､⌒)^),-､　| |_＿＿＿＿＿__|
　　ヽ＿＿＿＿,ノγ⌒ヽ)ニニ-￣　　　| |　　|

A support flag and arm to hold it!

The flag has a nice big ‘Cheerful JAPAN!’ logo on it and can be held using a special arm! She’ll be waving the flag in hopes of bringing more hopes to those in Japan!

The body can be used for other Nendoroids!

As you can see the colors suit Nendoroid Gumako really nicely! As a side note – there will be more figures wearing the Cheerful JAPAN! cheerleader outfits in the future – but the designs will all differ slightly, allowing you to find the ideal one for you!

Switch bodies with Nendoroid BRS!

The ribbons in her hair can be removed! You can even put them on the normal BRS Nendoroid (left) – but you’ll need to change the joints around.

Plus!

IMAGEEPOCH will be releasing this outfit on the JRPG Official Site from the 16th June – free of charge!

Even those of you who have just started playing Puchitto Rock Shooter will be able to pick it up easily – just stop by the JRPG Official site!

JRPG Official Site:
http://jrpg.jp/

Nendoroid Puchitto Rock Shooter:
Support Ver.

She will cost 3000JPY with free shipping within Japan. For each unit sold, GSC will be donating 1000JPY to the relief efforts!

Orders for those within Japan will start from 10th June at 11:00 until the 27th June at 20:00.

Orders will be made to order, so if you don’t order within the timeframe you’ll miss out! But you’ve got lots of time, so order when you’re ready!
For those in disaster areas whose addresses are likely to change, note that you can contact us to change the address at a later stage.

Those ordering, please take note of the following:

[Sales in Japan]

This product can be ordered from the following stores:
Please see their respective home pages for more information.– GOODSMILE ONLINE SHOP　(http://cheerful-japan.ecq.sc/)
– GOODSMILE ONLINE SHOP Mobile　(http://goodsmile.ri.shopserve.jp/m/ )

■ Orders must be made by 27th June at 20:00.
■ Delivery within Japan is free of charge.
■ Delivery will be in late October.
■ Five figures per person will be available.
■ Payment will be via bank transfer or credit card.
■ Products will be made to order. Please order within the dates specified above.
■ If you have any questions please email shop@goodsmile.jp. Japanese only.

[Overseas Sales]

– GOODSMILE ONLINE SHOP　(http://cheerful-japan-global.ecq.sc/)

■ Orders can be made from 28th June at 11:00 until the 7th July at 20:00.
■ Five figures per person will be available.
■ Figures will be made to order.
■ Delivery will be in late November 2011.
■ Payment will only be possible via credit card.
■ Your credit card will be charged on order, and not when the product is sent.
■ Shipping will be charged at 2000JPY to all countries.
■ You may be charged additional fees such as import tax when buying from overseas. Please be aware of this before ordering.
■ Payment will be in Japanese Yen.
■ Please mail shop.overseas@goodsmile.jp if you have any questions. English only please.

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

June 8, 2011 by Kahotan

1/8th Scale Tenshi

A newcomer to the production team – Miura-kun!

　　　　　　　　＿＿＿_
　　　　　　　／　　　　＼
　　　　　／　　　─　　 ─＼　　　 “Ooh, sexy neck!”
　　　　／　（=・=）　（=・= ＼
　　　　|　　　　（__人__）　 |
　　　＼　　　　｀ ⌒´　　／
　　　　　ノ　　　　　　　　　　＼

Good Smile Staff are so great – they never complain when I say ‘I’m gonna take a photo now!”, they just act a little hesistant 😛

Sorry, but I need someone to hold the boxes for me!
It’s all thanks to the rest of the staff that I can once again bring you another review! 😛

So without further ado, onto today’s review!

The 1/8th Scale Tenshi!

Tenshi is the angelic student council president in the afterlife, from the anime ‘Angel Beats!’. She is posed with her hands clasped together in front of her and a peaceful smile brimming over her face!

This is how she looks from the back!

You can see she is sculpted as if she has just descended from the sky, with the wind blowing her hair and skirt up!

I also personally recommend the back of her knees! They look so soft and gentle to the touch!

She really is such an Angel!

　　　　　　　＿＿＿_
　　　　　　／＼　　／＼　
.　　　　　／　（ー）　（ー）＼
　　　　／　⌒（__人__）⌒ ＼　← Just had to say it.
　　　　|　　　　　|r┬-|　　　　|　　
　　　　＼　　　　 `ー’´　　／
　　　　ノ　　　　　　　　　　　＼
　／´　　　　　　　　　　　　　　ヽ
　|　　　　ｌ　　　　　　　　　　　　　　＼
　ヽ　　　 -一””””~~｀`’ー–､　　　-一”””’ー-､.
　　ヽ＿＿＿＿(⌒)(⌒)⌒)　)　　(⌒＿(⌒)⌒)⌒))

For those who don’t get it – ‘Tenshi’ actually means ‘Angel’ in Japanese. But seriously – that really is the smile of an angel! It’s just too cute!

Her thighs are also magnificent!

The petticoat beneath her skirt is also a nice touch…

And the ever so popular half-way-up socks!

They really help the calves stand out, don’t they. 😛

As I’m sure most of you know, Yurippe was made using 3DCG Data…

Of course Tenshi was made in the same way!
She was sculpted using data and then printed using a 3D printer!

All with help from our friends over at Sanjigen!

Her wings are also included!

You can’t have an angel with no wings! And what lovely big wings they are! There is a little hole on her back where the wings connect into, but it is hidden by her hair when the wings are not connected, so it shouldn’t be a problem for anyone.

How will you display her? With or without the wings!?

Here is a shot from above!

The front tips of her wings bend in a bit, which creates a wonderful effect.

Plus they are made from clear plastic for that nice transparent feeling!

The bottom is fully transparent and it gradually fades up to the solid white!

Displayed together with Yurippe!

This is how she looks with the other 1/8th scale Angel Beats! figure – already on sale! Displaying the two of them together really makes it feel like the series has come alive!

1/8th Scale Tenshi!

　　／￣￣＼
　／　　 ⌒　⌒＼　
　|　　　（ ●）（●）　　　　　　　　　　　　　＿＿＿_
.　|　　　⌒（_人_）　　　　　　　　　　　／　　　　＼　　　　 “Tenshi-chan, please!”
　 |　　　　　|r┬-|　　　　　　　　　　／─　　 ─　　　＼　
.　 |　　　　　`ー’}　＼　　　　　／（●）　（●）　　　　＼
.　ヽ　　　　　　 } 　　＼　　　|　　（__人__）　　　　　|　
　　ヽ　　　　　ノ　　　　　＼　　＼　　｀ ⌒´ 　　　　_／
　　　/　　　く.　＼　　　　　　＼　ノ　　　　　　　　　　＼
　　　|　　　　＼　＼　　　　(⌒二　　　　　　　　　　　　|
　　 |　　　　|ヽ、二⌒)、　　　　　＼　　　　　　　　｜　 |

She’ll be in stores from the 14th! (Tues)

For preorder and sales information, please take a look at our partner shops.

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

* Please note that this blog’s contents is originally written for a Japanese audience and is then translated for our foreign customers. All pre-order and release dates are the Japanese dates. Also note that not all products can be sold in certain areas

(C) VisualArt’s/Key/Angel Beats! Project