New Release Photo Review: POP Neo-EX - Sir Crocodile (Repaint Ver.)

Enter Sandman.... No I'm not talking about the Metallica song but the release of the sandman himself, the POP Neo-EX - Sir Crocodile (Repaint Ver.). Released officially by MegaHouse today, 25th of July 2014. And to celebrate that, we have here some final product photos courtesy of blog.livedoor.jp.

It's really looking nice compared to the previous Neo-DX release. The repaint reflects the crisp and techniques of MegaHouse's recent releases. The sculpt though isn't something new. It still has that nostalgic feel. Which isn't so bad since it supposed to relive the past - the Alabasta Arc.

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.

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.

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 ].

New Release Photo Review: POP Neo-EX - Boa Hancock ver. Blue

The lovely POP Neo-EX - Boa Hancock ver. Blue has been officially released last Saturday, 30th of March 2013. And as usual, we got some early photos of the figure to review courtesy of ワンピース POP 予約＆新作速報 of blog.livedoor.jp. It's not like we need these images to see the beauty of this figure, but rather to see how exciting and lovable this new version is.

I won't discuss much about the details this figure since every POP collector are very familiar with it being just an alternate version of the original POP Neo-DX Boa Hancock. The only notable differences between this version and the original are it's color (which is blue instead of red), and the addition of the new winked-eye alternate face.

But as the original red version, Boa Hancock is totally beautiful in this particular version. By adding that new alternate face, MegaHouse breathe new life to this now considered rare and classic figure. She looks cute in this face and has a totally different personality as compared to the original serious face and that kinda erotically irritated face.

Official Photos: POP Neo-EX LIMITED - Boa Hancock ver. Blue

After much speculations from fans, official images of POP Neo-EX LIMITED - Boa Hancock ver. Blue has been finally released. And much to many collectors dismay (specially to the owners of the original), she is just a alternate/recolor of POP Neo-DX Boa Hancock with an additional winking eye alternate face. I'm not sure if there are some other slight improvements made on the sculpt, but based on these photos, it is basically the same. It's just like what they did with Luffy JF Special, only with lesser new parts. MegaHouse probably would like to get the most out of this famous POP.

For those who have missed the original red color (like me), this was still a good news. This blue colored dress is based from the manga chapter 598, where Boa Hancock is wearing the same dress but in blue (remained red in the anime) during the time when he met with Luffy after the two year time-skip. So this can be regarded as the post time-skip version of Boa Hancock.

So much for wishing a different non-swimsuit Boa Hancock. I hope we can still see a completely new Boa Hancock like the Marine Ford version and with Salome some time in the future.

No price and release date yet but preorder information has been released earlier and can be found here.

Update: Release date is late March 2013

Update: Retails for the price of 7,350 yen (inclusive of tax)

Update: Preorders are now open at HLJ, Hobby Search, Amiami, Animarket and Otacute at their own discounted prices.

POP November 2012 Preorder Announcements

The November POP preorders has been lifted and we are getting not one but three exciting POP announcements. First off is POP Neo-DX - Shiliew, this wasn't much of a surprise since this is the only remaining fully completed figure that was shown from Chara Hobby 2012.

The second one, POP Neo-EX LIMITED Boa Hancock ver. Blue was a surprise since none of use knew this one coming. As the name implies, she is a limited edition and only few stores will offer this figure. No available photos of this figure yet so we're not sure if this is only a recolor of the previous DX Boa Hancock or a completely new sculpt. This is the one I'm totally excited for since I missed the previous release.

And the last but not least, POP Neo-EX LIMITED Marshall D. Teach "Bleackbeard" ver. 1.5. This is a limited edition as well and also not photo yet. This is probably a release decision to coincide with the release of DX Shiliew. They should have made this release strategy with Rob Lucci ver. 1.5 by releasing Kalifa as well :) ...(wishful thinking).

Below are the preorder schedules

November 7, 2012 at 18:00 (JST)

• POP Neo-DX - Shiliew
• POP Neo-EX LIMITED Boa Hancock ver. Blue

November 8, 2012 (timing unknown)

• POP Neo-EX LIMITED Marshall D. Teach "Bleackbeard" ver. 1.5

No price and release dates yet for any of these three POPs and as I have mentioned, no available photos for Hancock and Teach yet. For Shiliew, only the photos from Chara Hobby 2012 event are available so just check 'em out below. I will post the official photos of these three figures as soon as it is made available.

As for POP Sailing Again - Franky, no word from it yet but since it is the onely remaining prototype that was shown from the events earlier, we might get to see him fully completed in the upcoming MegaHobby EXPO 2012 Autumn event this coming 25th of November. And if it is indeed fully completed at that time, it is safe to say that it will be the next preorder to be announced.

POP Neo-EX LIMITED - Monkey D. Garp ver. 0 Re-release

There's a lot of good figures to be released this coming December, and to adding to those is the re-release of POP Neo-EX LIMITED - Monkey D. Garp ver. 0. Fans who wasn't able to acquire this very limited POP release last year will be have a chance for the second time around. Sadly for me, my budget is fully booked for that month and I can only hope to get this later on.

I believe this is the first time that a Limited POP is going to be re-released, hopefully the price will not skyrocket after its release on December. You think this is a sign that there will be more POP Ver. 0 releases like Gol D. Roger, Edward Newgate (Whitebeard) and Shiki?

Store availability also seems to be limited, so good luck for those who are dying to get this :)