Super-Franky Returns [UPDATED]

We got an info that POP SA-Maximum - Armored Franky is getting a re-release. But this only applies to MegaHouse affiliated stores like Megatreashop, etc. No word yet if this is also going to be re-released internationally just like what they did on the first release.

Remember that during the first release, it was initially announced as LIMITED edition and Japan-only exclusive. It is still labeled as "Excellent Model LIMITED" but was eventually released for international markets. The same release scheme may happen on this re-release. So for those who doesn't have this awesome POP yet, and having a hard time getting one, don't lose hope. This maybe your best chance.

No preorder schedule yet, so for further updates, just keep yourself connected to this blog and my Facebook page.

Update (2013-11-22): It turns out that this announcement is not a re-release but just a re-sale of unclaimed/cancelled orders. This will only be available at the Megatreashop and stock availability will only be granted to those who will be drawn via lottery. You will need to sign-up in order to be included in this lottery (more info here and here). So for those who are waiting for the international re-release, sorry this isn't for you :)

Still Under Construction - SA-Maximum Armored Franky

So we got another "delay" announcement from MegaHouse. The one that I'm actually worried of being delayed. Yes, the final piece to complete POP Sailing Again Mugiwaras, POP SA- Maximum - Armored Franky has been announced to be released on August 2013, instead of July 2013.

I find it not surprising since MegaHouse has been announcing delays for their releases since the beginning of the year. And for every month, this is like a normal announcement for them. I was actually hoping that it won't be the case for a shop exclusive POP (at least in Japan). But here it is, no exemption.

Good news for those who haven't saved enough to pay for it, you still have about a month to earn more. But for those like me who prefer to have him this month of July and not add to the August budget, let's just keep our money for next month, hoping that Franky won't be delayed any further.

Update: A quick info from a friend. It turns out that it will be released by Premium Bandai on the 9th of August 2013. It won't be a whole month long wait after all :)

Official Photos: POP SA-Maximum - Armored Franky

It's ironic that POP SA-Maximum - Armored Franky was initially announced as LIMITED edition release and Japan-only exclusive. It turns out not only it has international edition releases, but international distributors started offering preorders for this POP more than a week earlier than the official Japanese preorder schedule (see the preorder announcement here). It is being offered along with the preorder of POP Edition-Z Nico Robin.

Up until now there's no word from MegaHouse yet if there will be a difference between the Japan and international version (aside from the TOEI sticker of authenticity of course) because they haven't started announcing anything yet if they changed the LIMITED classification for this POP yet,... for Japan at least.

Having international versions means that it won't be too expensive for us living outside Japan. I already saw a lot of offers for international release below 15,570 yen. For this expensive POP, collectors who are after it will tend to look for the lowest price offer. It may still be unaffordable for some, but at least its price won't skyrocket up high for about a year or so. 

And to celebrate for that, here are the official images of POP SA-Maximum - Armored Franky (notice the absence of the word "LIMITED" now) and all I can say is Suuuupperrrr!!! I'm lost for words now so I'll just let these images do the talking. I hope MegaHouse will be able to cope up with the production for the high demand of this POP and meet the promised release date.

Scheduled to be released on July 2013 for 15,750 yen. Preorders are already being offered at discounted prices at Figmation, Animarket, Hobby Frontier and other international distributors. I preordered mine at Figmation as I find it the lowest price offer in town.

Update (2013-02-16): Amiami, HLJ and Hobby Search did not offer a preorder for SA Franky. It seems to be totally limited/store exclusive in Japan. It's quite confusing that this item (international version) is available on most POP retailer outside Japan while it is being kept limited within Japan.

Update (2013-03-11):  I just discovered that in Taiwan Megahobby site, SA Franky tells that it is non-limited in Taiwan as an exception. This is probably the reason why MegaHouse can offer a non-limited international release of SA Franky to the rest of the world.

POP SA-Maximum LIMITED - Armored Franky... Why MegaHouse, Why?

It has been a while now since Megahouse announced the preorder schedule and the release info of this POP SA-Maximum LIMITED - Armored Franky (check the Jump Festa 2013 announcement), but up until now I still can't get over the fact that they made it ridiculously expensive and LIMITED. Being classified under Maximum means it's huge and expensive. Being classified under LIMITED means it's rare and expensive as well. And this POP, SA Franky has both.

Looking at the photos taken from the previously held events, I can understand that it has to be super expensive because of it's massive size and tons of option parts, not to mention that it looks so freaking awesome. But what is so frustrating is that it is classified as LIMITED. That's a really an irritating and ridiculous move for MegaHouse! This should've been a bonus for us who follows and buys every one of their POPs. They could have made it cheaper, not cheaper as to make it below POP standards, but with a fairly lower price and available as a regular, non limited edition release as a way of thanking their customers.

Figuarts ZERO Film Z Battle Costume ver Preorders

The exact preorder date for Figuarts ZERO Film Z Battle Costume ver has been lifted and it will be on the 15th 14th of December 2012. No exact timing schedule yet, but I assume that it will be at the same usual time at 16:00 (JST).

It was announced earlier that it will be sold in sets on three (Luffy/Chopper/Franky set, Zoro/Robin/Brook set, and Sanji/Nami/Usopp set) with pricing details for each set. But now, Bandai has released the pricing details for each figure. See the individual pricing details below.

Figuarts ZERO - Monkey D. Luffy (Film Z Battle Costume ver)
Price: 2,520 yen

Figuarts ZERO - Tony Tony Chopper (Film Z Battle Costume ver)
Price: 1,890 yen

Figuarts ZERO - Franky (Film Z Battle Costume ver)
Price: 4,725 yen

Figuarts ZERO - Roronoa Zoro (Film Z Battle Costume ver)
Price: 2,835 yen

Figuarts ZERO - Nico Robin (Film Z Battle Costume ver)
Price: 2,835 yen

Figuarts ZERO - Brook (Film Z Battle Costume ver)
Price: 4,200 yen

Figuarts ZERO - Sanji (Film Z Battle Costume ver)
Price: 2,835 yen

Figuarts ZERO - Nami (Film Z Battle Costume ver)
Price: 2,835 yen

Figuarts ZERO - Usopp (Film Z Battle Costume ver)
Price: 3,570 yen

I'm not sure if these will be sold individually, but it is a huge possibility. Maybe on the release date. We'll find out about that later on. This is a good news for those who are not planning to get them all but a few specific figures only. But for now, what is certain is that preorders will be in sets of three.

Update: It turns out that these Figuarts ZEROs are Premium Bandai Web Exclusive, which means that the price will be about twice as the original price outside Japan. I guess I won't be seeing any of these figures in my shelf. I will just have to wait for the POP Film Z versions then :)

Luffy/Chopper/Franky - Figuarts ZERO Film Z Battle Costume ver

The official photos of Figuarts ZERO One Piece Film Z Battle Costume ver has finally been released by Bandai on their Tamashii Nations official website. I've been waiting for this since it's really so hard to look at those blurry photos from the Tamashii Nation 2012 event. As announced earlier, these figures will be sold in sets of three, so that makes three sets for the nine Mugiwaras, and all will be available for preorder on mid-December 2012. This is a big move for Bandai to release Figuarts ZERO's in sets of three. I'm actually interested on how the packaging and box art for these sets. Will the three figures be in individual boxes, or one huge box?

First off is the Luffy/Chopper/Franky set. This set will be released on May 2013 for 8,505 yen. The figures on this set are all looking fantastic and nicely detailed, but hopefully they would all look the same on the final mass produced releases. The other two sets are Zoro/Robin/ Brook set and Sanji/Nami/Usopp set (follow the link for the details and official photos).

For me, though they all very tempting to be preordered, I'll try to hold back a little because I'm more interested on the POP versions. But who knows, I might end up getting all Film Z versions of both the Figuarts ZERO and POP.

Figuarts ZERO One Piece Film Z Battle Costume ver Preorder Schedule

This is crazy! It seems like Bandai is in a hurry to release all the Figuarts ZERO One Piece Film Z Battle Costume ver. I just got a news and from what I understand is that they will start accepting preorders on not one, not two, but all the nine Mugiwaras on mid-December. And what's crazier is that they will release them in sets of three. How that sounds to you? Is this a good news or bad news? See the set and pricing details below.

Figuarts ZERO Film Z Battle Costume ver - Luffy, Chopper, Franky set
Price: 8,505 yen

Figuarts ZERO Film Z Battle Costume ver - Zoro, Robin, Brook set
Price: 9,240 yen

Figuarts ZERO Film Z Battle Costume ver - Sanji, Nami, Usopp set
Price: 9,240 yen

This is also still not very clear to me, but keep an eye on this site for more detailed info in the future. You can also follow my Facebook page for updates.

Figuarts ZERO - Franky (New World ver.) Re-release

The long awaited re-release of Figuarts ZERO - Franky (New World ver.) has finally been announced. This is the last of the New World version Straw Hat that was announced for re-release as the rest has been announced previously. This is scheduled for December 2012 re-release for 3,675 yen (same price as the initial release). The exact preorder schedule will be announced tomorrow so keep an eye on this blogsite or follow my Facebook page to receive updates of this figure on Facebook.

Update: Preorders starts today, 6th of September and it is now available at Amiami