No Need for a Yellow Spandex to be The Wolverine

I'm a huge fan of the Wolverine but I prefer the comics/animation design with him wearing his iconic yellow-black (orange-black in comics) costume, something that wasn't used in the movies. That costume design was even referred to as a joke by Cyclops when he said "Well, what would you prefer? Yellow spandex?" on the first X-men movie. I'm not saying that I don't like the movie costumes, it's just that I'm not diggin it that much, so I'm not into collecting Wolverine figures based on the movie.

All of that was changed by this really nice looking Hot Toys announcement, the 1/6th Scale Wolverine Movie Masterpiece form the movie The Wolverine. I haven't seen the movie yet and I don't care if I would like the movie or not. This Hugh Jackman headsculpt alone is too impressive not to leave you in awe. Before this, I wasn't really looking forward to any The Wolverine collectibles. Heck I don't even watched the movie on big screen, just waiting for it to be released on Blu-ray.

An Overly Sexy Cat Burglar For A Post Valentine Date

The latest addition to our regular dose of POP Nami Limited Editions, the POP LIMITED - Nami (Mugiwara Ver.) has now been announced officially at the MegaHobby Station. We can now examine the figure in full 360° with these official promo images (check out the preorder announcement here).

She looks nice and sexy at every angle except for her (excuse me for the word) butt crack and the butt itself. I wasn't able to find any decent shots of her back on any of the exhibit photos so I really didn't notice it earlier. The butt crack looks weird and the butt looks flat. I don't know, but this isn't what I called a sexy butt.

Anyway, nevermind the butt (how many times did I used the word?), its not like we're going to display her with her back facing us. What we should be concerned about is her overall sexy sculpt and the lovely face. Sure we've seen a lot of photos of her from the earlier exhibits, but a lovely POP like this deserves to have some nice decent shots so that we can entirely see what we will be having on our display shelves. You can also check out the 360° View here.

To be released on February 2014 for 7,350 yen. Preorders starts at 27th of September 2013 at 13:00 (JST). Take note that as a limited edition  item, she is only officially available at Premium Bandai, Megatreashop, Mekke Shueisha and other MegaHouse affiliated stores.  For those like me living outside Japan, just check out your favorite POP retailers for it's availability. You have to consider paying more than the retail price though, as this isn't officially available outside Japan.

New Release Photo Review: Figuarts ZERO - Roronoa Zoro (Rengoku Onigiri - Battle ver.)

Bandai Tamashii Nations released the much awaited Figuarts ZERO - Roronoa Zoro (Rengoku Onigiri - Battle ver.) last Saturday, 21st September. Every Figuarts ZERO junkie out there are probably crossing fingers for final production release. Thanks to http://blog.livedoor.jp, we get see these early shots that we can examine and review.

So what do I think? I thinks it is one helluva awesome looking figure. You can check out the promotional images and compare it to this final production release photos, but as a Figuarts ZERO collector, we already knew that the prototype figure on those promo images won't be the one on our display shelves. So to make things fair, let's look at this production release first and try not to compare it on the promotional images yet.

Let's start with the face. It got that Roronoa Zoro essence there with that expression, the bandana on his head and the Wado Ichimonji on his mouth. The eyes, which is one of  the important feature was done nicely. I just find the nose a bit less appealing, but it's probably the lighting of the shots that it doesn't cast shadows much.

The arms and the body is kinda yellowish on these shots, but I can assure you that it's only the lighting. The skin tone is probably the same as the Figuarts ZERO - Monkey D. Luffy (Gomu Gomu no Red Hawk - Battle ver.). The shading is quite acceptable for a Figuarts ZERO standard. The overall sculpt is topnotch.

The green coat also looks nicely painted with all the shading and that frozen in air feel. There are some noticeable paint smudges but not really very obvious. The swords were finely sculpted and detailed even at this size. And those effect parts really makes this figure an eye-catcher. The base follows the same style as Figuarts ZERO - Monkey D. Luffy (Gomu Gomu no Red Hawk - Battle ver.). It is an octagonal shaped base, looks like all the upcoming Figuarts ZERO Battle ver. will have that kind of base.

Now, getting at the promo images. If you compare, you will notice that the skin tone and the shading looks different. But the overall sculpt is exactly the same. At first I was worried about the outcome of the production releases, but it turns out really fine. I hope that all the production releases will be as good as this one.

For the price of 3,675 yen, Figuarts ZERO - Roronoa Zoro (Rengoku Onigiri - Battle ver.) is a must get collectible for every One Piece fan even if you're not into Figuarts ZEROs. Displaying it side by side with Figuarts ZERO - Monkey D. Luffy (Gomu Gomu no Red Hawk - Battle ver.) and the upcoming Figuarts ZERO - Sanji (Diable Jambe Flambage Shot - Battle ver.) will really look great on display shelf. Can't wait to get mine.

If for some reason you missed out the preorder of this figure, or you just didn't preorder on purpose cause you're worried about the production release, well don't' fret, act now and get it while you still can. If this figure won't get a re-release in the future, it will become a rare collectible and price will soar up high over the coming years.

The New Look of Mr. 0

Crocodile's POP DX repaint version, the POP Neo-EX - Sir Crocodile (Repaint ver) has went out for preorder the same time as POP Neo-DX - Nefertari Vivi. It may not be that special compared to the original DX version but it also immediately went sold out on most Japanese hobby shops.

That's probably because the DX version has also become a hard to find figure that its price have been soaring up high lately. It called for a re-issue, and MegaHouse not only grant us our wish but gave us a better version. Well, it's not a ver. 1.5 but it's actually a very welcome release to those who are waiting for a re-issue.

Looking at the official photos, you can see that there isn't any significant difference between the DX and this newer EX version aside from the colors. Obviously is because it's only a repaint. I was thinking before why they didn't go for ver. 1.5. Well, its probably because there isn't anything need fixing on this figure aside from the colors.

For those like me who didn't own the DX version, this is the best chance for us to own Mr. 0. But if you happen to own the DX version, I don't see the necessity of getting this repaint. Don't give me that look, that's only me talking. I know that there's a lot of purist out there who want to get every single POP release. 

POP Neo-EX - Sir Crocodile (Repaint ver) will be coming out on January 2014 along with POP Neo-DX - Nefertari Vivi. With a price tag of 8,400 yen, even it's a little more expensive than the initial release price of the DX version, I believe this is still a great chance for all the POP collectors to get this badass former Shichibukai. Check out these links for preoder (though some of them were already sold-out) - HLJ, Amiami, Hobby Search, Animarket, Hobby Frontier and Figmation.

A Desert Princess, A Far Away Nakama

A couple of weeks ago, POP Neo-DX - Nefertari Vivi and POP Neo-EX - Sir Crocodile (Repaint ver.) went out for preorder. And it's usual for nice looking POPs like these to be declared sold-out at Amiami and Hobby Search minutes after it went live. It is either these hobby shops has a very limited number to offer, or it's just there's too many collectors who are after these POPs. The latter is probably the case since we all know that POPs are very much sought after, especially for female characters.

And who wouldn't want and POP of Nefertari Vivi, she is one beautiful character from One Piece World. Keep in mind that the first POP Vivi, the "Neo" version has become one of the most hunted POP that its price skyrocketed to more than 6 times its original price.

I never really dreamt of owning that absurdly expesive Neo Vivi, but this new DX version is something not to let pass by. Unlike the Neo, Vivi is in her royal princess dress. This particular outfit wasn't really shown a lot of times in the series but rather just a few moments towards the end of the Alabasta arc.

As you can see in these official promo images, the colors are really fantastic and a sight for sore eyes. Vivi's blue hair complements the pink cape and the white dress is truly majestic with those gold accessories. Her body has that hourglass curves and really looks nice at every angle. Her face of course is very lovely with that smile. She comes with two hairstyles, one with her hair down but held by a clip, and one with ponytails.

I don't see any reason not to get this POP so my money will definitely be going for this one. She is slated to be released on January 2014 along with POP Neo-EX - Sir Crocodile (Repaint ver.) with the price tags of 8,190 yen and 8,400 yen respectively.

If you have missed the preorders for Vivi and you're after the Japanese distributions, unfortunately she is already sold out on most Japanese based stores. But these stores sometimes reopens preorders so do check-out these links from time to time for your chances - HLJ, Amiami, and Hobby Search. For international distributions, don't worry these stores can get you covered - Animarket, Hobby Frontier and Figmation.

Can't Get Enough Of Nami? Here's Another One

If you were following my Facebook page you probably have a good amount of info about this release. But for those who haven't seen this before, yes, we are going to get another limited edition Nami. I'm actually liking this figure, but c'mon MegaHouse, isn't it time for Robin fans to get their fix?

Well, let's just assume that company has proven that Nami is indeed bankable that they kept releasing Nami POPs. But an equally sexy Nico Robin has to get some love also and not just some limited edition repaints. I'm not complaining about this Nami figure though. Nami look gorgeous here. She is actually wearing Luffy styled sexy outfit complete with a straw hat which is why it is entitled POP LIMITED - Nami (Mugiwara Ver.). It was unveiled at the recently held Chara Hobby 2013 (C3xHobby 2013)

Bringing Back the Memories of Alabasta

Rewinding a few years back to give way to some of the characters to remember in the world of One Piece. This month's MegaHouse's POP preorder offering are the two characters from the Alabasta Saga. POP Neo-DX - Nefertari Vivi and POP Neo-EX - Sir Crocodile (Repaint ver.). Preorders for these two POP starts next Wednesday, 11th of September 2013 at 18:00 (JST).

We've seen the completed prototype of these two figures before during the previous MegaHouse exhibits. POP Neo-DX - Nefertari Vivi is so pretty with all those nice colors. This is a great chance to own a POP Vivi figure without spending too much on the now absurdly expensive POP "Neo" Nefetari Vivi. And unlike the Neo, this time she is dressed to show her royal status. I hope a new POP Carue will also be released sometime soon.

POP Neo-EX - Sir Crocodile (Repaint ver.) isn't entirely new but as its name implies, it is a repaint of the older POP Neo-DX - Sir Crocodile. It's pretty obvious that Crocodile is being released to go along with Vivi as both were characters of Alabasta. Well I also noticed earlier that POP Shichibukais were being re-issued or being revamped for some reasons. Starting with Boa Hancock ver. blue, then Blackbeard 1.5, Mihawk ver. 2, Trafalgar Law re-issue, Doflamingo re-issue, and now this Crocodile. Jinbe, Moria, and Kuma were the only ones missing from previously released Shichibukais. Does this mean we're gonna be able to finally see a Buggy POP? Oh, sorry if that's a spoiler to you.

Anyway, back to Sir Crocodile (Repaint ver.). As most of the revamped POPs, this is under Neo-EX. I wonder why they decide to do just a repaint and not a ver. 1.5. I really don't notice any difference compared to the previous release aside form the much shinier gold hook. I don't have the original so I can't really tell much. Well, I'll be getting this so I don't care much about the older version.

Both figures will be released on January 2014. POP Neo-DX - Nefertari Vivi has a price tag of 8,190 yen, while POP Neo-EX - Sir Crocodile (Repaint ver.) doesn't have any pricing details yet, so make sure to check this blog post or my Facebook page for updates.