Haul pics - 30 December 2006

The following are items purchased for my clients during today's trip down to Akihabara, Shibuya, and Nakano:



Medicom Kubrick Objects Subjects Imagination of Ultra exhibition exclusive set of 4 - 2,650 yen
Info: Got this for myself at the exhibition in Parco Part-3 Shibuya today (web link).

Yujin SRSP Tekken 5 Asuka Kazama Bishoujo Figure Comvention 2006 exclusive - 10,500 yen

Editions Treville Nanonano Iconics book (web link) - 5,250 yen
Info: Online order through Editions Treville online shop for client arrived today.

Pan Exotica Junko Mizuno's Hell Babies book (web link) - 3,045 yen
Info: Online order through Editions Treville online shop for client arrived today. Both covers signed by author.

Click here for the picture gallery.

Akihabara + Shibuya + Nakano sightings - 30 December 2006

Prices shown are store prices, mostly with 5% government sales tax included. All items are in mint condition unless stated otherwise. Interested buyers please contact me at tokyohunter@gmail.com as soon as possible so I can help you with obtaining these items on my next trip.



Liberty
Medicom Kamen Rider Stronger RAH Shigeru Jou mail order exclusive - 15,540 yen
Medicom Kamen Rider X RAH Keisuke Keitaro mail order exclusive - 20,790 yen
Medicom Kamen Rider Amazon RAH Tackle mail order exclusive - opened but complete - 19,740 yen
Medicom Kamen Rider RAH Shocker soldier beret type mail order exclusive - 21,600 yen
Medicom Kamen Rider RAH Hongo Takeshi mail order exclusive - 20,790 yen
Medicom Kamen Rider RAH220 Hongo Takeshi - opened but complete - 10,290 yen
Medicom Kikaider RAH Android Man mail order exclusive - 20,790 yen
Mega House Art Works Monsters Horse Orphenoch online store exclusive - 17,640 yen
Mega House Art Works Monsters Crocodile Orphenoch online store exclusive - 21,000 yen
Mega House Jinki Extend Aoba Tousaki limited edition - 13,440 yen
Alpha Range Murata PSE PRO Solid #3 Pinup limited edition repaint version - 8,190 yen

Mandarake Akihabara
Hobby Japan Nadesico The Prince of Darkness Hoshino Ruri Hobby Japan mail order exclusive - 7,350 yen

Mandarake Nakano
Fewture Models Mazinger AD-1901 Special 3 piece set Aflodai & Mazinger & Garada - opened but complete - 12,600 yen
SIC Battle Hopper red version - 8,400 yen


Interesting sightings:
Mega House Art Works Monsters Another Agito statues (normal & clear versions) spotted at Liberty in Akihabara. Scheduled for February 2007 release. Web link.
Sideshow 1/1 scale T-800 Endoskeleton (priced at 882,000 yen!!) spotted on display at Blister store in Shibuya.
Upcoming Medicom Star Wars RAH Shadow Stormtrooper Blister exclusive & Medicom RAH Spawn spotted at Blister store in Shibuya.

Click here for the picture gallery.

Arika Yumemiya resin kit Dengeki Hobby mail order exclusive

Item: 1/8 scale Arika Yumemiya resin kit Dengeki Hobby mail order exclusive (more pics)
Number of parts: 33
Size: 18 cm
Series: Mai-Otome
Maker: Grainz Works
Sculptor: Bunmei
Retail price: 9,000 yen
Release date: April 2007
Info: Dengeki Hobby 2007 February issue mail order exclusive.

Contact tokyohunter@gmail.com for more info and to place your order.

GITS:SAC Motoko Kusanagi resin kit Hobby Japan mail order exclusive

Item: 1/6 scale Motoko Kusanagi resin kit
Size: 25 cm
Series: Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
Maker: RC Berugu
Sculptor: Reflect
Retail price: 10,370 yen
Release date: March 2007
Info: Hobby Japan 2007 February issue mail order exclusive

Contact tokyohunter@gmail.com for more info and to place your order.

High School Girl Saber Hobby Japan mail order exclusive

Item: 1/8 scale High School Girl Saber prepainted PVC model (more pics)
Size: 15.5 cm
Series: Fate/stay night
Maker: Hobby Japan
Sculptor: Yoshi (Trepang)
Retail price: 5,000 yen
Release date: August 2007
Info: Hobby Japan 2007 February issue mail order exclusive. Initially released as event-only resin kit.

Contact tokyohunter@gmail.com for more info and to place your order.

Revoltech EVA-01 Yamashita Ikuto Original Color Version picture gallery

I've just opened and played with my Revoltech EVA-01 exclusive figure and snapped several pics of it in various poses. It's basically the same as the regular Revoltech EVA-01 except for some really cool markings by Yamashita Ikuto and some parts, specifically the torso and upper arms, are made of clear purple plastic. It comes with the same weapons and accessories, too. Unfortunately, I left my regular Revoltech EVA-01 at the office along with all of my other Revoltech figures so I don't have any Revoltech figures to take comparison pics, but I did take some close-up pics of the figure for your viewing pleasure. Click here to view the picture gallery. To all clients who preordered this figure with me, it'll be shipped out to you within the first week of January 2007! For now, enjoy the pics! (^_^)

Haul pics - 26 December 2006

The postman delivered two packages to my doorstep today. There's a medium-sized box that contains two D.Gray-man PVC figures, Allen Walker & Lenalee Lee, that I ordered for a client from Germany. Then there's this huge box from Evangelion Store packed with 24 pieces of Kaiyodo's Revoltech EVA-01 Yamashita Ikuto original color version Evangelion Store exclusive. For those who are unfamiliar with Yamashita Ikuto, he's the original mecha designer for the Evangelion series. I got two of the exclusive Revoltech EVA-01 for my own collection and the rest will be shipped out within the first week of January 2007 to all clients who had placed their preorders with me for the exclusive figure. Click here to check out the picture gallery.

World Hobby Festival #15 coverage

I attended my first World Hobby Festival (dealer booths layout) yesterday held at Tokyo Big Sight in Odaiba. My coverage of the 15th World Hobby Festival can be viewed at Anime News International. Over 800 pics had been shot. Special guest appearances at the 15th WHF for autograph and photo sessions include Kazuki Namioka (played as Shishimaru from Lion-Maru G), Emi Kobayashi (played as Saori from Lion-Maru G), and Atsushi Harada (played as Kamen Rider Delta from Kamen Rider Faiz and Go Green from Kyuukyuu Sentai GoGo-V). Click here for the picture gallery.

Haul pics - 23 December 2006

Purchased a Takatoku Macross 1/100 scale Conversion Kit for a client today for 15,750 yen at Liberty's main store in Akihabara. Click here for the picture gallery.

Akihabara sightings - 23 December 2006

Prices shown are store prices, mostly with 5% government sales tax included. All items are in mint condition unless stated otherwise. Interested buyers please contact me at tokyohunter@gmail.com as soon as possible so I can help you with obtaining these items on my next trip.

Liberty
Mega House Excellent Model Core Queen's Blade Wandering Warrior Reina 2P Color Version Hobby Japan Limited Edition - 8,379 yen - Opened but complete

Mandarake
Yujin SR-SP Tekken 5 Asuka Kazama Bishoujo Figure Convention 2006 Exclusive - 10,500 yen


Interesting sightings:
Spotted a large ad of the upcoming anime series of Moon Rabbit Weapon Mi-Na on a wall of the Yurikamome station when I headed out to Tokyo Big Sight to attend the World Hobby Festival.
Dejiko mascot standing outside of Gamers store in Akihabara promoting Di Gi Charat CD & DVD box sets.

Click here for the image gallery.

Star Wars Art Collector Statue Sandtrooper Japanese Edition

Item: Star Wars Art Collector Statue Sandtrooper Japanese Edition
Maker: Attakus Collection
Retail price: 29,000 yen
Release date: February 2007
Info: Japanese edition Blister.jp exclusive limited to 200 pieces.

Contact tokyohunter@gmail.com for more info and to place your order.

Star Wars Art Collector Statue Oola Japanese Edition

Item: Star Wars Art Collector Statue Oola Japanese Edition
Maker: Attakus Collection
Retail price: 29,000 yen
Release date: February 2007
Info: Japanese edition Blister.jp exclusive limited to 200 pieces.

Contact tokyohunter@gmail.com for more info and to place your order.

Star Wars RAH Shadow Stormtrooper Blister Direct Exclusive

Item: Star Wars Real Action Heroes Shadow Stormtrooper
Maker: Medicom Toy
Retail price: 17,640 yen
Blister discounted preorder price: 14,200 yen
Release date: February 2007
Info: Blister Direct exclusive limited to 3,000 pieces.

Contact tokyohunter@gmail.com for more info and to place your order.

Busou Shinki MMS Naked bodies

Item: Busou Shinki MMS Naked White, Flesh, Black bodies
Maker: Konami
Retail price: 1,890 yen per type
Release date: 25 January 2007
Info: Only available through Konami Style website.

Contact tokyohunter@gmail.com for more info and to place your order.

D.Gray-man Allen Walker & Lenalee Lee PVC models

Item: 1/10 scale Allen Walker & Lenalee Lee PVC models
Maker: Kotobukiya
Retail price: 4,800 yen each
Height: Allen = 17 cm, Lenalee = 16 cm
Info: Exclusively available through Animate, Jump Shop, Mekke, and Movic stores and websites.

Contact tokyohunter@gmail.com for more info and to place your order.

Tamaki Kosaka PVC head doll Kotobukiya Shop exclusive

Item: Tamaki Kosaka PVC head doll Kotobukiya Shop exclusive
Retail price: 14,700 yen
Height: 27 cm
Release date: March 2007

Contact tokyohunter@gmail.com to place your preorder.

Devil May Cry merchandise

Click here to check out official Devil May Cry merchandise that are available through Tanomi.com. Items include Devil May Cry 5th anniversary silver layer poster, frame stamps set, soundtracks, shoulder bag, Boston bag, hip bag, and many more. Expect more Devil May Cry merchandise to be available through Tanomi.com nearing the release of Devil May Cry 4 game. They do not ship outside of Japan so contact me at tokyohunter@gmail.com and I'll help you place the orders for anything that's available through Tanomi.com and any other Japanese online stores.

Haul pics - 16 December 2006

I got these at Jump Festa 2007 yesterday. The only things I bought were the FFXIII double poster set for 1,000 yen. I got a Bleach promotional tote bag for free after playing the Bleach DS 2nd game at Sega's booth and received Square Enix's Happy Holiday set of 21 postcards upon entering their closed mega theater at Jump Festa 2007.

Click here for bigger pics.

Jump Festa 2007 coverage

I attended Jump Festa 2007 yesterday and, man, it was packed! Easily over 10,000 people from all walks of life attended the event and a lot of big companies like Sega, Square Enix, Bandai Namco Games, Nintendo, and Microsoft were there to present their latest and upcoming games. It's kinda like a smaller version of Tokyo Game Show where most booths were about games but related to popular Shonen Jump titles like One Piece, Bleach, Dragon Ball Z, Death Note, Yu-Gi-Oh, etc. Plenty of voice actors and actresses who played various characters from One Piece, Bleach, Death Note, etc were there to entertain and had talk events but there were way too many events going on at the same time that it's hard to catch 'em all. I only managed to watch a One Piece talk event by the voice actors and actresses who played as Luffy, Sanji, Zorro, Nami, and Usopp, plus a short time watching a Bleach talk event by the voice actor and voice actress who played as Hanatarou and Rangiku.

Just as they had done during Tokyo Game Show, Square Enix had a closed mega theater showing extended trailers for their upcoming games such as FFVII Before Crisis, FFXIII, FF Versus XIII, and FF Agito XIII. The trailers are exclusively shown at Jump Festa 2007 only and will not be available on the net or anywhere else anytime soon. They were extremely strict with not allowing any sort of photography inside the small theater and asked all mobile phones be switched off when inside the theater so chances of a leaked video is slim to none. My favorite trailers that they had shown were definitely the FFXIII and FF Versus XIII trailers that revealed a second bike riding character (male) in FXIII and an amazing action sequence for FF Versus XIII. Seems like the main character in Versus can teleport by throwing his blade to where he wants to go. Can't wait to see more of Square Enix's next FF games!

Check out Anime News International for coverage of the event that I had provided for them.

Akihabara sightings - 16 December 2006

Prices shown are store prices, mostly with 5% government sales tax included. All items are in mint condition unless stated otherwise. Interested buyers please contact me at tokyohunter@gmail.com as soon as possible so I can help you with obtaining these items on my next trip.

Kotobukiya Shop
Bandai x Medicom Toy 1/6 scale Kamen Rider #2: The First version - 23,100 yen
Banpresto Haro Zippo - 8,400 yen
Mega House Tsukasa Bullet Mizuki - 5,250 yen
Ruishi x Saiyudo S.R.C. Vol 01 Ultraman Type A & B metallic red special edition - 12,600 yen
Ruishi x Saiyudo S.R.C. Vol 01 Ultraman Type A & B matt black special edition - 12,600 yen

Liberty
Takatoku Macross 1/100 scale Conversion Kit - Box in C7.5 condition with minor shelf wear - item in perfect condition with unapplied stickers comes with instructions manual - 15,750 yen

Yellow Submarine
Ruishi x Saiyudo S.R.C. Vol 01 Ultraman Type A & B semi transparent special edition - 9,240 yen


Interesting sightings:
Upcoming Kerberos 12" figure on display at Kotobukiya Shop.
Revoltech Convoy/Optimus Prime & Ultra Magnus spotted on display at Kotobukiya Shop, Kaiyodo's store, and various other shops that carry the Revoltech series.
Revoltech Giant Robo on display at Kaiyodo's store.
Kaiyodo's 1/1 scale Rei Ayanami statue is dressed up in a Santa costume on display at Kaiyodo's store.

Click here for bigger and more pics.

Client testimonial #24

First testimonial from client #31 for his second purchase:

Joseph, this is my second time dealing with you and I want to say that you make it so simple!! You are efficient, communicate very well and timely, and you package and ship my purchases as if they were your own. I KNOW that I will use your services again. Once again, thank you very much for your help.

Item purchased: Kubrick Shadow Stormtrooper, 100% Be@rbrick Jack Skellington, 400% Be@rbrick Jack Skellington.

The Art of Shunya Yamashita Mirei-san Kotobukiya Shop exclusives

Two versions of the latest figure by the name of Mirei-san, for Kotobukiya's The Art of Shunya Yamashita series, was just listed up on Kotobukiya's online store and taking preorders now. The 1/7 scale (18.5cm tall) Mirei-san comes in two color variations: brown and blond hair. The brown hair version is a Kotobukiya Shop Kanto region exclusive while the blone hair version is a Kotobukiya Shop Kansai region exclusive. Each version retails for 7,350 yen and will be released sometime in April 2007. Please e-mail tokyohunter@gmail.com to secure your preorder.

Client testimonial #23

Testimonial from client #38:

I came across Joseph's blog while searching online for a collector's edition of an item, which I had been unsuccessful in getting at a convention more than a year ago. I was hesitant to try purchasing the figure I was looking for in this way, but I decided to give Joseph's service a try. I'm glad I did.

He responded to questions and e-mail promptly (keeping in mind a huge difference in time zones) and kept me updated throughout the whole process, including pictures after he had purchased what I wanted. He packed the figure very securely, and I was especially grateful that he had when I saw what EMS had done to it. The shipping box arrived with a large hole through the top that looked like someone had forced a broom handle through it! The air filled packaging material inside had been hit and deflated, but the figure was amazingly unharmed. A little extra attention made a big difference.

I was very pleased with the way the transaction was handled, and I would gladly recommend his service to a friend.

A customer in San Diego, California

Item purchased: Alpha Range Murata PSE Pro #01 Skipper Gray ver.

DOAX2 1/6 scale Kasumi Kotobukiya Shop exclusive

Upcoming Kotobukiya Dead or Alive Xtreme 2 1/6 scale Kasumi ~Southern Cross~ Kotobukiya Shop exclusive available for preorder through Kotobukiya's website. It's a prepainted PVC model measuring 15cm tall, retailing for 8,190 yen, Spring 2007 release. Interested buyers please contact me at tokyohunter@gmail.com and I'll help you place the order.

ToHeart 2 Komaki sisters Manaka & Ikuno

Kotobukiya is currently taking preorders for the prepainted PVC models of ToHeart 2 Komaki Manaka & Komaki Ikuno game magazine exclusive. Maker is Soft Bank Creative, retails for 12,600 yen, and preorder closes on 15 January 2007. Scheduled for an April 2007 release. Interested buyers please contact me at tokyohunter@gmail.com and I'll help you place the order.

Pangya Arin Moekei.com exclusive

Preorders for Moekei.com's exclusive purple color Arin from the popular PangYa online multiplayer golf game series started on 01 December 2006 available only through Moekei.com and the deadline for preorders is on 10 January 2007. The item is a 1/8 scale (18cm tall) prepainted PVC model of Arin in a purple dress and the only version out of the three releases (other versions are in white and black) that has a winking right eye. Retails for 5,800 yen and coming out sometime in April 2007. Interested buyers please contact me at tokyohunter@gmail.com and I will help you place the order.

Haul pics - 06 December 2006

Got two Bandai Lord of Bystonwell Aura Battler Dunbine Todd Guines version in the mail today. The item is a Dengeki Hobby Magazine August 2006 issue mail order exclusive. One is ordered for a client and another piece is available to anyone who is interested in the item. Please contact me at tokyohunter@gmail.com and state your best offer price. Click here for my previous post on the exclusive back in July. Click here for more pics of the actual item.

Haul pics - 03 December 2006

I bought SRC Vol 01 Ultraman Type A & B (5,800 yen) for myself at the 23rd World Characters Convention, and the rest of the items are clients' orders, which include 2 pieces Medicom Toy WCC23 Exclusive Kubrick Shadow Stormtrooper (1,500 yen each) , 400% Be@rbrick Jack Skellington (4,800 yen), 2 pieces 100% Be@rbrick Jack Skellington (1,000 yen each), 2 pieces Bandai WCC23 Exclusive Kamen Rider Gatack Clockup version (1,000 yen each), and Road Warriors Hawk & Animal GOLD set signed (12,000 yen).

Click here for bigger pics.

23rd World Characters Convention coverage

I woke up a couple of hours late than I had initially planned this morning and arrived at 9:15am at Tokyo Big Sight to attend the 23rd World Characters Convention (WCC). Although the convention is not as popular as the major ones like WonderFest and CharaHobby, there were still quite a large number of people (guesstimate about 500 people) lined up in front of me by the time I got there and joined the line to enter the convention. The long line was for those who wanted to purchase the 23rd WCC exclusives while others who just wanted to get into the convention joined a separate and much shorter line. About half an hour after I joined the line, another (guesstimate) 200 people had joined the line and more kept coming as the official opening time of the convention at 10:30am drew near. When the line started moving several minutes after opening time, groups of people who already got into the convention and bought the exclusives were seen running out of the convention and got back in line again to purchase extras of the exclusive items, most probably for scalping purposes. All exclusive items are limited to one per person, but they do not prevent anybody from rejoining the line again to purchase extras. All exclusives were sold out roughly around noon time.

There were only a handful of toy companies showcasing their upcoming releases at the convention including Bandai, Takara Tomy, Medicom Toy, Marmit, Vice, Fewture Models/Art Storm, and several small companies. The convention hall was mostly filled with dealers selling their old stocks, collections, vintage kits and toys, import toys, Gundam kits and toys (heavily discounted from 30-70% off), and TONS of soft vinyl toys of Ultraman, Godzilla, and kaijyu monsters. Check out the 23rd WCC dealers map. The convention was basically a big flea market rather than a gathering of toy companies showing their latest and upcoming products as is usually the case with WonderFest and CharaHobby.

Several interesting events and guest appearances at the 23rd WCC include autograph and photography sessions with Fujimiya Miki (I honestly have no idea who she is. An actress from the classic Godzilla films perhaps? Please contact me if anybody knows who she is), interviews with Den Ace and Crusher Kazuyoshi, introduction and promotion of the upcoming Silver Kamen movie, and autograph sessions with Kenneth Duria (he played as Mr.J/Crocodile Orphenoch in the Kamen Rider 555 show), and two Kamen Rider suit actors (I only know one of them played as Kamen Rider Imperer in the Kamen Rider Ryuki show). If only I had bought a Mega House Art Works Monsters Crocodile Orphenoch figure and brought it over for Kenneth Duria to sign, I wouldn't mind paying 2,000 yen for the signature, but unfortunately I don't have the toy.

I finished checking out the convention at around 1pm and planned to head back home early until I noticed several familiar faces at the convention. They were none other than Matt Alt and Roger from ToyBoxDX, and Nekrodave (CollectionDX writer)! I also had the pleasure of meeting Matt Alt's friend, Asahino-san, who works for Wave as a sculptor/designer/manager (I'm sorry I forgot which one!). It was fun hanging out with those guys, had lunch together, and checked out all the interesting stuff on sale at the convention. Looking forward to meeting them again, hopefully in the very near future! If you guys are reading this, come on over and visit the office and I'll prepare some freebies for you guys!

Click here for 250 gallery pics of my 23rd WCC coverage!

Haul pics - 03 December 2006

Today is Nintendo's official launch of their Wii console (retail price: 25,000 yen) in Japan, and of course yours truly managed to snag not one, not two, but THREE Nintendo Wii consoles! How did I do it? One word - Preorders. Actually I placed my preorder for two consoles from two home entertainment stores in my little sleepy town of Tatebayashi, and the other console was purchased at my town's biggest electronics store, Yamada Denki, about 15 minutes after the official 10am launch time without having placed any preorders or waiting in line!

Even though I placed my preorders last month when it was officially made available for preorders on 03 November at all electronics and home entertainment stores throughout Japan, I was told that there was no guarantee that I'd get one. With one preorder placed at a local home entertainment store, I head over to a nearby home entertainment store to place my preorder with them to increase my chances of getting a Wii console. So on launch date this morning, I headed over to the first store I placed my preorder with and surprisingly, they told me that anyone with their preorders placed with them will have their orders filled! After purchasing my first Wii console, I decided to visit Yamada Denki to purchase the Zelda game as they usually have the best prices at 15% off retail price. I arrived at Yamada Denki and found a staff standing at the entrance handing out reservation tickets to anyone who wants to buy a Wii console. Since my boss told me that he'd like to get a Wii console as well, I went and bought the second Wii console for the boss, then remembered that I had a preorder with another local home entertainment store nearby. The last store had enough units only to fill all customers' preorders, so I bought the third Wii console for use at my company's "entertainment room" (which is actually part of the boss' room). I then bought a copy of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and headed back home to enjoy several hours of Wii gaming. My shoulders and wrists were exhausted after the gaming session.

Click here to check out the pics.

Haul pics - 02 December 2006

Items purchased yesterday include Kotobukiya Shop Opening Exclusive Asuka Gothic Lolita Santa version with free santa hat (5,200 yen), Kotobukiya Kingdom Hearts II Play Arts Final Form Sora (3,990 yen) for client, @home cafe's Maid Cafe no Cocoa and Kotobukiya's Votoms Woodo black coffee drinks for myself, and no I won't be drinking them. I'll purchase and try out the drinks when I'm in Akihabara. I'm keeping the ones I have now for my little novelty anime cans collection! :)

Kotobukiya gave away their very own Kotobukiya branded grape flavored "Long Gum" (bubble gum) as a free gift for every customer that made purchases at their new store on the first opening day. I shared most of it with my colleagues at work. It tastes like a typical bubble gum just that it's in this super long shape. Boy, it's been quite a while since I had a bubble gum.

Click here for bigger pics.

Kotobukiya Shop Radio Kaikan 2F pics

Now with their third store just opened in Akihabara, Kotobukiya did some rearrangements with their old store on the second floor of the Radio Kaikan building. Some interesting stuff on display include the Macross 1/60 YF-19 (final product), Superman and Batman suits, Garland Autonomous Force color version, and the Votoms 1/12 Brutish Dog. Click here to check out the pics I took of their new second floor arrangements.

Kotobukiya Shop Radio Kaikan 1F new store opening coverage

Kotobukiya opened their new store (website) in Akihabara today on the first floor of the Radio Kaikan building (Kotobukiya's other store is on the 2nd floor in the same building), and I was there to cover the event for HLJ as well as for my own personal interest. I arrived 45 minutes early before the official opening time at 10am and manage to get into the store (big thanks to Scott for contacting the President of Kotobukiya to let me in) before they opened the flood gates. Click here for a 3D layout of the new store.

There were roughly 50 people lined up to get the opening day exclusives (click here and here for info) by the time I arrived, and over 150 enthusiastic collectors lined up for the exclusives by the time the store opened. While I was happily checking out the brand new store and snapping tons of pics with my digital camera, dozens of Kotobukiya staffers were busy making last minute arrangements to make sure that the opening will run without a hitch.

Kotobukiya now has three stores in Akihabara alone, and this new store by far the biggest one with tons of merchandise that's not just of Kotobukiya's own products but tons of other companies' stuff as well. The store is nicely arranged with tons of display cases and shelves stocked with merchandise up to the ceiling. The types of merchandise on sale at the store include Studio Ghibli plush dolls, Nightmare Before Christmas goods, maid cakes, puddings, and cookies, Rement miniature goods, sushi keychains and clocks, and of course tons and tons of Kotobukiya's products. Kotobukiya also have their own drink vending machine right beside the main entrance that currently sells cans of @home cafe's Maid Cafe no Cocoa drink and Kotobukiya's own can of Votoms Woodo black coffee. There might be more of Kotobukiya's special anime tie-in drinks coming in the near future.

When the store was officially opened at 10am, all hell broke loose as the crowds flood into the store and the Kotobukiya Shop Opening Exclusive Asuka Gothic Lolita Santa version were flying off the shelves. It's pretty difficult to move around the store when you have over 100 people packed in one store and squeezed in small isles. On December 3rd, these two babes from Tantei File will be making a special guest appearance at Kotobukiya's new store. I won't be there on that day to check 'em out as I'll be attending the World Characters Convention.

Click here to view all 193 pics of Kotobukiya's new store!

Akihabara sightings - 01 December 2006

Prices shown are store prices, mostly with 5% government sales tax included. All items are in mint condition unless stated otherwise. Interested buyers please contact me at tokyohunter@gmail.com as soon as possible so I can help you with obtaining these items on my next trip.

Kotobukiya Shop
Gundam unbrella - 6,195 yen
Razor Ramon Hard Gay - 2,100 yen
Segikuchi Momoko Doll as Gainax Girls 1/6 scale Nono - 16,800 yen

AsoBitCity
Yamato Tandem Twin Animal Girls Lynx Yamaneko Flame Version AsoBitCity exclusive - 7,140 yen
Jun Planning Rec Onda Aka Orange Towel AsoBitCity exclusive - 7,140 yen

Liberty
Bandai 1/144 Kahen Senshi Zeta Gundam Green Divers Limited Edition - 9,450 yen
Mega House Gundam Seed Destiny Excellent Model Hobby Japan Limited RAH DX Shin Asuka - 10,290 yen

Yellow Submarine
Takara Microman Votoms Chirico Cuvie - 2,500 yen
Kotobukiya Comic Party 1/8 scale Minami Makimura Swimsuit Version Wonder Festival exclusive - 6,500 yen

Mandarake
Clayz Triptych 1/8 scale Karen Clayz Moe~ro Matsuri 2006 exclusive - 36,750 yen
Mega House Gundam Seed RAH DX 1/8 scale Lacus Clyne - 7,350 yen
Max Factory Kuchibiki Unbalance 1/8 scale Ritsuko Kubel Kettenkrad Fan Fest exclusive - 5,250 yen
Max Factory 1/8 scale Djibril Wonder Festival exclusive - 9,450 yen
Tomy Zoids Generations Rez Tiger Dengeki Hobby Magazine exclusive - 6,300 yen
Tomy Zoids Generations Liger Blue Souga Hobby Magazine exclusive - 7,350 yen
Bandai Change Man DX Change Robo - C9 condition, stickers unapplied, figure in perfect condition - 36,750 yen

Click here for bigger pics.

Client testimonial #22

Testimonial from client #31:

The level of service, including communication, professionalism, and the packing job were absolutely perfect. I won't hesitate to use you and your service again. Thank you very much.

Item purchased: Medicom Toy 400% Be@rbrick SAW Doll.

Client testimonial #20

Testimonial from client #35:

I was throughly pleased with the service provided by the Tokyo Hunter, and will definatly be using him again to locate and buy more hard to find goods. The service I recieved was very professional and my goods arrived very quickly and in mint condition. I would say the this service is also great value for money for the amount of time and effort put in on the behalf of the client, and Joseph is very professional and keeps you informed at every stage of the transaction. All in all it just like having a friend in Japan who can get these goods for you and once he knows the type of things your into, he can keep and eye out and let you know about new releases and other items that you may never normally see, let alone have access to living in the west. This is also a really good advantage and part of the service. The Tokyo Hunter comes highly recommended!

Items purchased: Road Warriors Animal & Hawk (Red & Gold sets)

Client testimonial #21

Testimonial from client #37:

I first met Tokyo Hunter AKA Joseph on a local spawn.com message board. I have forever been buying Japanese Wrestling figures, and Kubrick Collectibles. I was amazed at the prompt attention to my initial order. I ordered (2) Saw "Bearbricks" with no guarantees to get not even one. I was pleasantly surprised to find that he got me (2), add to the fact I am a MOC collector I was extremly pleased with his stellar packing, and care for my item. He also provides methods of shipping. A++++ I recommend him to all. PS- Im already in my second order with him, and will use him over and over again.

Items purchased: Two Medicom Toy 400% Be@rbrick SAW Dolls.

Haul pics - 28 November 2006

I got a knock from the postman today and received a package from Hobby Japan, in it contained an Alter Hobby Japan (August 2006 issue) mail-order exclusive Fate/hollow ataraxia 1/8 scale Rider bikini version with surfboard! Sculpted by Yoshi (website), Rider measures 21cm tall and comes with a purple display base.

I'm planning to sell it to anyone who can give me the best offer for this exclusive item. Please e-mail me at tokyohunter@gmail.com and state your best offer price. I'll put it up on eBay if I have not received any good offers.

Click here to view more pics of the item and the Hobby Japan article on the exclusive figure.

World Character Convention 23 exclusives

World Character Convention (WCC) is a bi-annual hobby event with one in May/June and the other in November/December, held in the Tokyo Big Sight convention hall, similar to WonderFest and CharaHobby but at a much smaller scale. The 23rd WCC will begin at 10:30am on 3rd December 2006, which is coincidentally held on the same day as the Bishoujo Figure Convention Tokyo 2006 in Outa-ku Industrial Plaza that's a lot nearer to where I live but I've decided to skip that and attend WCC instead.

Click here to check out the 23rd WCC exclusive items. Some of the more interesting items include:

Kamen Rider Gatack Clock-up Version
Devilman Art Collection Complex Red Versions
400% & 100% Be@rbrick Jack Skellington
Kubrick Shadow Stormtrooper
Nexbrick WCC23

Interested buyers can contact me at tokyohunter@gmail.com to place your orders and I will help you purchase the exclusive items at the event this coming Sunday. Also check back on Sunday evening for my coverage of the event.

Haul pics - 25 November 2006

Today's haul include the following:

Clayz Fate/ hollow ataraxia 1/6 scale Black Saber - 5,800 yen
Clayz Rei-chan & Chibi-kun Clayz Moe~ro Matsuri exclusive - 2,000 yen
Alpha Range Murata PSE Pro #01 Skipper Gray ver. - 6804 yen

Click here for bigger pics.

Clayz Moe-ro Matsuri 2006 coverage

As stated in my previous post a couple of days ago, Clayz held their own figure event called Clayz Moe~ro Matsuri from 25-26th November on the 5th floor of this building in Akihabara, and I attended the first day of their event. By the time I arrived to attend the event in the morning around 10am, the Clayz staff gave me a Spongebob Squarpants paper note with the number C177 written on it plus the entrance time starting at 12:40pm.

The event began at 11am and I couldn't get in line to get in until the stated time on my paper. So I took the time to do my rounds going through several toy stores in Akihabara before returning back again at 12:30pm to line up for the event. Unfortunately, all C groups had to wait until the B group gets in and since I'm number 177 in the C group, I had to line up according to the numbers to get in. They're only letting in a small group of people in at a time to prevent overcrowding in the small event space. I had to wait in line for about an hour and 15 minutes before I finally got in. All the good stuff, particularly the prepainted cold cast statue of Karen that two clients wanted me to purchase for them were sold out early in the morning. However I did manage to get the Black Saber and Rei-chan & Chibi-kun figures for a client by filing out an order form (numbered 677, so there were already 676 other people that got into the event before me!) then had to get into another line until a maid at the counter calls out my number. There were still over a hundred people lining up waiting to get into the event by the time I got out. Easily over 1,000 people attended the event today and will probably be as crowded for tomorrow's event.

Click here to check out pics of the event, particularly rows of Clayz's stuff on display at the tables.

Akihabara sightings - 25 November 2006

Prices shown are store prices, mostly with 5% government sales tax included. All items are in mint condition unless stated otherwise. Interested buyers please contact me at tokyohunter@gmail.com as soon as possible so I can help you with obtaining these items on my next trip.

Liberty
Kaiyodo Trigun Vash the Stampede Sinister Black Repaint without glasses - 2,604 yen
Kaiyodo Trigun Vash the Stampede Sinister Black Repaint with glasses - 2,919 yen
Wave Dream Party 2006 exclusive 1/8 scale Shoka black hair version - 13,440 yen
Wave Dream Party 2006 exclusive 1/8 scale Shoka blonde hair version - 9,980 yen
Takara Transformers Collector's Edition Sunstorm - Mint C9.5 condition - 20,790 yen
Takara Transformers Destron Hero Collection 22 set - 3,129 yen
Tomy Disney D-HYP. Future Mickey "Retro" - 35,000 yen
Tomy Disney D-HYP. Future Micket Color Version - 35,000 yen

Click here for bigger pics.

Clayz Moe-ro Matsuri 2006

Clayz will be running their own little figure event this weekend, 25th & 26th November, in the 5th floor of a building (map) opposite AsoBitCity in Akihabara. The event is called Clayz Moe~ro Matsuri and will showcase various famous figure sculptors' works, bingo game (only for those who bought over 3,000 yen worth of merchandise can participate), Rock-Paper-Scissors game (500 yen), 10,000 yen sealed goodies bag (contents unknown), and of course there will be event only exclusive prepainted PVC models, prepainted cold cast models, and resin kits available for purchase at the event. List of event exclusives can be viewed here. Interested buyers please contact me at tokyohunter@gmail.com as soon as possible to place your order and I will help you purchase the exclusives at the event this Saturday.

Client testimonial #19

Client #33 from Canada writes in with his testimonial after he received his MG Gyan Extra Finish Version that I helped purchase for him last week. His testimonial is as follows:

Very responsive and easy to use service. The packaging was professionally done, I was pleased to see my goods was treated with care. Great follow up as well when I had trouble with customs. Good customer service throughout, I highly recommand and will probably be a repeat customer.

Thanks for your business and I hope your trouble with the customs get resolved soon!

Haul pics - 19 November 2006

Two pieces of Gentle Giant Star Wars Animated Statue: Leia & R2-D2 limited black & white edition just arrived from the delivery company today. I got these two for a client in the US. The item is limited to 500 pieces worldwide with half of it distributed in Japan through Blister and the other half distributed in the US. Click here to check out the pics.

Picture gallery tour of Yamashiroya!

I visited Yamashiroya's 7-storey building located in front of the Ueno station in Tokyo on November 18th, Yamashiroya's 5th anniversary, and took 114 pics of their store. Yamashiroya is a HUGE store that carries pretty much anything hobby-related plus video games, movie-related merchandise and an entire floor of stuffed dolls!

Yamashiroya's floor guide:

B1 - Trading cards & jigsaw puzzles (I forgot to check out this floor) - Web link
1F - TV games & trend toys - Web link
2F - Fancy goods & stuffed dolls - Web link
3F - Character goods & dolls - Web link
4F - Toys for babies, boys & girls - Web link
5F - Figures - Web link
6F - Plastic models & hobby - Web link
7F - Event space - Be@rbrick event on November 18th

Click here for a picture gallery tour of Yamashiroya!

Contact me at tokyohunter@gmail.com if you see anything at Yamashiroya that interests you and I'll help you purchase it!

Haul pics - 18 November 2006

I went to visit Yamashiroya's store in Ueno today and bought three Yamashiroya exclusive 400% Be@rbrick SAW dolls for my clients. Each retails for 5,040 yen and limited to 666 pieces. The Be@rbrick SAW doll was made to celebrate Yamashiroya's 5th anniversary on November 18th and coincidentally the SAW III movie also premiered on the same date in Japan. I also purchased this Pinky:st Post Pet Fun Factory version set of 4 for 2,940 yen from Mandarake for one of my loyal clients.

Right after I returned from my trip, I received two sets (red and gold) of Road Warriors Animal & Hawk limited edition figures from the delivery company. The order was placed on PsychoToyBarn's website on November 17th and arrived the next day! Each set retails for 9,600 yen with the red set limited to 1,500 pieces and the gold set is a PsychoToyBarn exclusive limited to 300 pieces. The sets are still available at PsychoToyBarn so interested buyers can contact me at tokyohunter@gmail.com and I'll help with purchasing the sets for you.

Then there's the Resistance: Fall of Man PS3 game that I finally broke down and purchased today. I know I previously said all PS3 launch lineup of games sucked but after checking out the reviews for the game and it received high scores from Gamespot and IGN (X-Play gave it a five ... out of five), I went to Yamada Denki (a local electronics store in my town) and purchased the game for only 3,990 yen! I did previously mention that I'd get the game if I can find it for under 4,000 yen but I didn't expect to be able to get it at that price a week after launch! Well, I did use my 1,000 yen worth of points to deduct the cost on top of the 15% discount it was going for at Yamada Denki so I got a great deal! I've only played about 10 minutes into the game and everything looks great! Controls are tight and the graphics truly brings out the capabilities of the PS3 (of course the PS3 can still do even more when developers find ways to push the PS3 to its graphical limits). Alright time to head back and play the game now. Gotta try out the multiplayer for this game!

Click here to check out my haul pics.

Check back soon for my coverage (114 pictures!) of Yamashiroya's 7 storey hobby store!

Akihabara sightings - 18 November 2006

Prices shown are store prices, mostly with 5% government sales tax included. All items are in mint condition unless stated otherwise. Interested buyers please contact me at tokyohunter@gmail.com as soon as possible so I can help you with obtaining these items on my next trip.

Kotobukiya Shop
Kotobukiya To Heart 2 Kotobukiya Shop exclusive Kosaka Tamaki white bikini version with special inflatable swim ring - Click here for more info - 7,140 yen

Havikoro Toy
Kaiyodo Bome Collection Kasumi Limited Edition Black Version - 8,980 yen

Animate
Fate/stay night limited edition Animate exclusive crystal jacket for iPod nano Saber Model - Click here for more info - 3,129 yen
Fate/stay night limited edition Animate exclusive crystal jacket for iPod nano Rin Model - Click here for more info - 3,129 yen

Liberty
Mega House Sengoku Cannon Excellent Model Core Koyori - 16,590 yen
Mega House Gundam Seed Destiny Excellent Model Hobby Japan Limited RAH DX Shin Asuka - 10,290 yen
Metal Gear Solid 1/6 scale Sniper Wolf resin kit - 10,500 yen
Metal Gear Solid 1/6 scale Revolver Ocelot resin kit - 12,600 yen
Volks WonderFest 2006 Summer exclusive Neon Genesis Evangelion Rei Ayanami - 48,300 yen
Volks Neon Genesis Evangelion Customize Figure Chara Cast Nagisa Kaworu - 6,804 yen

Mandarake
CharaAni Rozen Maiden set of 5 - 3,150 yen
Volks Neon Genesis Evangelion Customize Figure Chara Cast Ayanami Rei & Souryu Asuka Langley set - 21,000 yen
Takatoku Toys Macross Conversion Kit - C8 condition - 6,300 yen


Interesting sightings
Playable Devil May Cry 4 for the PS3, Sonic the Hedgehog & Lost Planet: Extreme Condition for the Xbox 360 available at Xbox 360 and PS3 kiosks in Yodabashi Camera in Akihabara. I got to play DMC4 and Lost Planet there and makes me want to freeze myself like Cartman from South Park because I can't wait for them to be released! I wasn't able to play the games when I attended Tokyo Game Show '06 but I'm happy now that I get to play both games without lining up for an hour. Surprisingly, there were a lot of people just observing other people playing the games but no one's eager to snatch the controller to play it when the previous person had finished the demo. Expect the Devil May Cry 4 demo to be downloadable from Playstation Store soon.

There were some really amazing Votoms diorama customs on display at Kotobukiya Store as seen here, and here. Check out my picture gallery for more shots of the customs.

Click here to check out more pics in bigger sizes as well as some pics not linked in the above text. Enjoy!

Gigabrain GIGA Gokin Final Dancouga Limited Edition

Preorders for Gigabrain's GIGA Gokin Final Dancouga limited edition action figure just started on October 25th, available through Gigabrain's website, Yamashiroya and Volks. Only 1,800 piece will be made and scheduled for a March 2007 release. Although the figure looks essentially the same as the first version released back in June 2003, this Final Dancouga version is different in that it comes with Black Wing and some parts of the figure particularly the head and crotch joints had been improved to provide a wider range of poses. Final Dancouga's armaments include DaiGun gun, Dankuu Ken, Dankuu Kouga Ken, and several interchangeable hands. The first 1,000 people to order through Gigabrain's website will get a special Jyusenki Tai (Beastial Fighter Troop / Cyber Beast Force) metal pin badge together with the Final Dancouga figure. Interested buyers please contact me at tokyohunter@gmail.com as soon as possible to place your order before all preorders are taken up.