Diorama: Meisho Movie Realization Star Wars

So I recently got some Bandai Meisho Movie Realization figures (Star Wars figures re-imagined in old samurai/japanese themed armors) and I needed something to hold these figures as a display case. So I managed to build a mini shrine diorama that can hold up to 9 figures using a bunch of craft sticks, wooden bases and wooden sticks from the neighborhood hardware.

Figure Fridays! Review: Rajon Rondo POP Vinyl figure

When it came out locally (in the Philippines) during the 2012 Toy con, there were only 5 players available from the NBA line. Blake, Lebron, Linsanity, DRose and Melo. It was sad that Toy Kingdom managed to get the complete sets from all the other series like the Avengers, Disney and music figures but not for the NBA line.

However, I finally got lucky and spotted one in greenhills at SRP.  Upon checking, here is the Review:

Sculpt and details

Similar to most funko POP  figures, it features an oversized square head and generic body. All NBA series funko have the same mold: Basketball on the right and articulated arm on the left. Unlike the other mindstyle NBA figure series (Coolrain x NBA) Wherein details were given, particularly on armbands and shoe endorsements.

Paint

For a jersey as simple as the celtics, I am surprised that funko had a hard time making a decent paint job. There are paint splatters and poor decal applications in the jersey and shoes.  There seems to be a lot of paint chipping off or poorly applied as they say.

Articulation

There are 2 points of articulation, the neck and the left shoulder. Since the ball prohibits the right arm from any movement. That's about it.

Display Factor

It just stands there, looking cute especially when paired with other POP vinyl figures. It does make a nice conversation piece.

Price

It goes for 500 Php or 10 bucks. Do not go for it when the prices jump to 15$.

TK Holdings Ryota Miyagi

After the Sakuragi Hanamichi figure released last year, TK Holdings will have a new figure in Ryota Miyagi under it's spirit of Takehiko Inoue line. It features the same highly detailed yet static pose. Out this autumn 2012.

Figure Fridays Feat: Astroboy by Jazwares

Review: Rukawa Kaede by Chaoer

Today we review a Kaede Rukawa figure made by Chaoercomics. This figure has been popping out to various stores and conventions in the metro.

Which brings us to the mystery, what is Chaoercomics? This 3rd party company has been producing numerous Slam Dunk figures, from the mini SD figures, to the SD figures from other teams. I've googled Chaoercomics and it seems they also have their own figure lineup for several anime titles. The question is, are they licensed? If they are not, these figures should be placed under the unlicensed 3rd party producers who have their own mold (Fansproject for TF Toys, G System for Gundam Models).

The figure has a good balance with the stand. Rukawa's Air Jordans clip well towards the base. It doesn't tumble down and I don't see that it will have the bending issue on most Mcfarlane basketball figures.

The figure has an original mold, quite detailed. Details and tendons can be easily seen and it contains an original pose.

As for the colors, there are some discrepancies for paint that run from the facial details, particularly the eyes. another annoying part is the inaccurate script font at the chest of the jersey. Jersey trimmings are also poorly painted.Another issue is the crappy fonts on the jersey. Also, as you can see on the first pic, where the figure is with an original TK Holdings Sakuragi Hanamichi, TK Holdings figures do apply detailed shadings and painjob all over the jersey. Chaoercomics' Rukawa did not even bother to paint over the red colored vinyl.

30 Days of Danboard 5/30 danboard on a tree

Figure Fridays: Assembled

Finally dabbled back into toy Photography after a long, long while.

Can't wait for the movie come to out early next year? Why not enjoy some of its Marvel Select counterparts.

5th Annual Toy Kingdom Warehouse Sale!

 5th Annual Toy Kingdom Warehouse Sale

WhenNov 4 – 6, 2011

WhereMegatrade Halls 1 & 2 (map)

Description5th Annual Toy Kingdom Warehouse Sale November 4-6, 2011 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM Megatrade Halls 1 & 2 5th Floor, Megamall Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Philippines

Figure Fridays: Feat. FF7/AC Play Arts

This Friday, we will feature the whole FF7 & AC cast through Figure Photography.



 

Collecticon 2011

Hobbiworx Inc. and Pinoytoykolektors.com in cooperation with Robinsons Midtown Mall brings you on it's 4th year... COLLECTICON 2011 Oct. 8 & 9, 2011 Robinsons Midtown Mall Atrium Ermita, Manila 10:00 am - 9:00 pm Admission is FREE You asked for it...we'll give it to you..2 full days of purely a collectors event without the noise and crowd of a dance contest and other performers! This will be a big toys and collectible experience with 1500 sq.m. of open activity space. There will be more than 60 booths with toys, comics and other collectible merchandises. Lots of activities, fun and surprises instore. Activities in line : Bandai Gundam Gunplay Building Contest Collectors Display & Exhibit Toy Auctions Customizers Clinic & Workshop New Statues Unveiling Trivia Contests Life Size Display Photo Contest Superhero Costripper of the Day -- “ My Toys” Photo Contest Rules a) Entries must be printed. Please do not submit images on CD or via email. b) Enter up to ( 5 per category ) 8x10 or 8x12 enlargements. c) Your name, address and daytime, contact number should be written clearly at the back of the photo. d) Submission of entries. You can drop off your entries in a brown envelope at at the event. e) The judges will choose the winning picture based on the following qualities: impact,(25%) lighting (25%), composition(25%), creativity (25%) total of 100 points.. f) 2 categories. Edited and non edited. Please mark your submitted entries at the back. g) Subject any form of toys, figures, cars, statues and robots.

Figure Fridays: McFarlane Sportspicks Ben Wallace

One of the best defenders of the first half of the past decade, Big Ben is the cornerstone of the Post Grant Hill Pistons, leading the team to its third title in 2004. The Undrafted and Undersized center showed the way that hardwork and determination can take you far.

Figure Fridays: Revoltech Pocco

One of the early Revoltech Fraulien figures, Pocco was one of the main designs of Shunya Yamashita's artbook sweet dreams. The artbook catered around post apocalyptic designs. The main cover artwork is a character named Pocco.

Brightest Day

“In brightest day, in blackest night, No evil shall escape my sight.
Let those who worship evil’s might, Beware my power… Green Lantern’s light!“



Thanks to those who supported during the Toy clicks competition

Review: Deluxe Class DOTM Roadbuster

While browsing the web for new Dark of the Moon figures this figure caught my attention.  A TF that does not only have my favorite color scheme, but carries my favorite number as well. I originally wanted to wait for the Human alliance version, but seeing that the deluxe class' Alt mode is a bit different from it's Human Alliance counterpart, I decided to pick this up from the shelf.

Figure Fridays: McFarlane Sportspicks Tom Brady

When you speak about Boston Heroes, you usually hear the names Bird, Rice, Cousy, Speaker and many more. You probably heard about Tom Brady. Brady, One of the most recognizable athletes over the past decade is the gutsy pin point passing quarterback of the New England Patriots which delivered super bowl after super bowl in the 2000s.

I have been seriously looking for a Brady figure here in the Philippines, Sadly, this is a country where NFL is only known by some hardcore sports buffs and some fil ams. Luckily I got one at one of the Specialty stores here in Manila. Though It was supposed to be some factory prototype from China since there are Chinese Characters, Signature and OK signs written in the figure. After getting the fig for 6$, I decided to repaint it and give some sort of decency to the figure.

Pardon with the Curtis Martin figure defending him, as I said, there is a scarcity of Sportspicks figures in this country, Unless its the NBA since Hoops is a religion here.

Philippine Launch of Captain America Movie Toys

Toy Launch:
Date: May 21-22, 2011
Venue: Toy Kingdom, Basement, SM Megamall

Aside from Captain America Movie Toys, you can see the following items during the event.

Marvel Universe Series 3 Wave 2 - set of 5 (2,499.75)
Cable
Wolverine (1st appearance costume)
Apocalypse
Cyclops (Jim Lee costume)
Gladiator

G.I. Joe POC - set of 6 (2,999.75)
Snake Eyes
Crazy Legs
Croc Master
Rock Viper
Cobra Viper
Iron Grenadier

there will also be star wars goodies.... let me verify which ones are these.

Captain America Movie case assortment to follow.
Yup, this will run side by side with the Philippine Launch of TF:DOTM Toys in SM Megamall

Pretty Interesting Launch  considering the only Cap figures I'm interested in are from Marvel select.

Figure Fridays: Rafael Marquez by FT Champs

The recent futbol fever hitting our country got me interested in the sport and hooking up Fifa 11 on my Playstation. Next up, is getting some figs to shoot. I recently got the Marquez Fig at a sale bin in Greenhills for 4 US$ And the Chelsea booter fig for 3 US$.

Marquez is the captain of the mexican national team and was a fixture in La Liga's FC Barcelona. He now plays for the new york red bulls in the MLS.

Considering their price, FT Champs Futbol figs are a steal, the lifelike sculpt and the intricate manual paintjob are definetely worth it. Too bad though that the licensing for the Kit outfitter and sponsor (Nike, Unicef) are missing. Another issue is that the ball does not fit on the Peg like other sports figs do so.

Photography: Beantown Heroes

Due to Stresses at work, I tried to go back to Shooting Figures as a stress release.

Here are the shots I did the past 2 Days. The Heroes of Beantown.

Review: Sakuragi Hanamichi Figure (TK Holdings)

It's been nearly 2 decades since Takehiko Inoue's Masterpiece graced the Manga and our television screens. While there were tons of merchandise back then, Cards, Shirts and even Stationeries. The series is lacking in the figures department. With few articulated figs by Bandai and a lot of bootleg super deformed figures over the past 18 years.


Fast forward to 2010, A new Sakuragi figure finally debuted in the market. The Figure is made by a relatively new company known as TK Holdings. How does this bode out? Let's See:

This Week's long exposure experiment

I've recently tried a new method to shooting figures. This is long shutter speed and light painting, I know this is old news for some. But this is the first time I did it since accidentally shooting that Yuffie figure which did wonders.