A Surprising Re-appearance of Whitebeard at Marineford

A surprising move by MegaHouse. Yesterday, I saw a lot of international POP retailers offering a re-issue of the POP Neo-DX - Edward Newgate, the which was originally released back in 2010. I talked to one of the retailers and apparently, they received a message from MegaHouse to offer a re-issue of the DX. The release coincides with POP Neo-DX - Gol D. Roger and POP Neo-EX - Edward Newgate Ver. 0, making a trio of POP releases on August 2013.

No official announcements from any of the MegaHobby Station websites about the DX re-issue of Whitebeard and it seems that only international distributions are being offered. Japan based online hobby shops like Amiami, HLJ and Hobby Search are not offering the DX re-issue.

In a similar case last month, international POP retailers offered preorders for June 2013 re-issue of POP Neo-DX Benn Beckman. Also having no official announcements from MegaHouse and no Japanese distributions as well. Only retailers received the info of the re-issue. This re-issue is probably to support the release of POP Neo-DX - Shanks.

For Whitebeard, since DX and EX Whitebeard has the same mold, I'm assuming that MegaHouse were able to offer them both since just by a few alteration, they can make each unit either a DX or an EX depending on the number of orders. A lot of collectors were actually hunting for the a reasonable offer for the DX since its price usually ranges from 200-300 USD nowadays. Releasing an EX Ver. 0 is a good chance to own this legendary POP character but it isn't really an answer. Specially if you wanted to remember him in his final moments during the battle of Marineford. MegaHouse probably knew that not everyone likes the EX Ver. 0 so by offering the DX along with it caters the requirements of most POP collectors and make everybody happy. Personally, I liked the DX a lot better.

POP Neo-DX - Edward Newgate "Whitebeard" will have its third release on August 2013 at it's original price of 9,240 yen, which has actually the same price offer as the EX Ver. 0. Preorders are now open at Animarket, Toyntoys, La Tendo, Figmation, Toy Coin, Inxstation, Hobby Frontier and other international POP retailers. So far, the best deal for me goes to Figmation, so they're the one who will be taking my money.

Official Photos: POP Neo-EX - Edward Newgate Ver. 0

Following my post about POP Neo-DX - Gol D. Roger, preorders for POP Neo-EX - Edward Newgate were also opened yesterday on most hobby shops and official promo images were made available at the MegaHobby Station website.

Most of you probably already knew that this is just an alternate version of the previously released POP Neo-DX - Edward Newgate. Just by changing the head (and I'm not sure if there are any other things that were altered) to make him look younger, MegaHouse made a new product release. Well this is the purpose of the Neo-EX line, right? Just re-releases with some changes on the previous mold to make an alternate appearance.

But even if this looks just like a re-release, it seems that this is as famous and as in-demand as the Neo-DX version since preorders were sold-out like a breeze. Its probably because of those collectors who were not able to grab the now rare and expensive Neo-DX. That includes me. This may not be the Whitebeard as we knew during the battle of Marineford, but this will do, as he can be displayed next to the POP Neo-DX - Gol D. Roger. That's the main inspiration for this release - to go together with his respected rival. But it would be a lot better if MegaHouse included his older head as an option, so that he can also join the battle of Marineford. Who knows, they might decide to include the older head before the actual release date.

To be released on August 2013 and will retail for 9,240 yen. Preorders are now open (or sold out) at Amiami, HLJ, Hobby Search, Otacute, Animarket and Figmation [ Japan | International ].

POP Neo-DX - Gol D. Roger & POP Neo-EX - Edward Newgate ver. 0 Preorder Announcement

April POP Preorders has been announced via Megahouse's MegaHobby Station and we got not one, but two POPs. These two will be POP Neo-DX - Gol D. Roger and POP Neo-EX - Edward Newgate "Whitebeard" ver. 0. Notice the omission of the word LIMITED on Newgate's title which means it won't be a web shop exclusive anymore. Preorders will start next Wednesday, 10th of April 2013 at the usual time of 18:00 (JST).

We've seen these two figures earlier during MegaHouse exhibits and the first time they we're shown in color is at the Wonder Festival 2013 Winter back in February. This is a wise move for MegaHouse to offer them at the same time as these two are meant to be together. But it's a bad news for us collectors, as two POP in a month usually hurts our wallets. I'm assuming that these two will be an August 2013 release, but still kinda hoping that that they won't be released on the same month. Crossing fingers for that.

No pricing and release date yet, but I will keep you updated as soon as these information has become available. So keep locked on this blogsite or on my Facebook page