Pellermodel: Make your own action Figure

Bandai is releasing a new action figure line (more like a Model Kit) that lets you (well, partially) fulfill the dream of making your own action figure

They call it the PELLERMODEL.

Description in the Otakai Figure Society:
Available in 4 colors (white, light yellow, light green, light pink). For 500 yen, you get the basic unisex set, 2 test sheets for printing, 1 sticker sheet and a stand. The software for the printing process is available at the Pellermodel site, complete with downloadable templates for clothing or you can also design your own.

Although this action figure line appears to be a flat version of the Singaporean Stikfas playsets; I'd say it's very much worth getting if you had been wanting to have an action figure of your favorite (or not-so-favorite) celebrities, characters ~ or even YOURSELF! XD

Yes, I will surely make a "Peller Arts" figure of myself once I get one!
(Yeah, even if I hear Kamiya Hiroshi's charming voice echoing in my head several times ~ "Nice Self-Confidence!" XDD)

Best of all, it only costs 500 Yen. Hopefully, this becomes available in our country.
It will surely be fun!

...and not to mention, the scraps are also extremely useful:

Click here to visit the Official Site.

The BEST of Dragon Quest Legend Items Gallery

According to the entry posted in Japanese blogger Marshallalloc's /Alloc's blog, Square-Enix will be reissuing "the best" of the Legend Items Gallery from volume 1, 2 and 4. No tentative release dates have been given yet.

This also means releasing the secret armor items as commons but improved in paint job.

Roto's Armor / Roto no Yoroi ロトの鎧

Roto's Helmet / Roto no Kabuto ロトの兜
Included with the shield as it appears, not included are the Ra Mirror and Green Orb.
Roto's Shield / Roto no Tate ロトの盾
Boomerang and Silver Orb not included as it appears.

Roto's Sword / Roto no Ken ロトの剣

Sword of the Lone Metal Slime / Hagure Metal no Ken はぐれメタルの剣

Armor of the Lone Metal Slime / Hagure Metal no Yoroi はぐれメタルよろい

Zenithian Sword / Tenkuu no Tsurugi 天空の剣
Baron's Horn not included as it appears.

Zenithian Helm / Tenkuu no Kabuto 天空の兜
Demon's Spear not included as it appears and included with the Zenithian Shield.
Zenithian Shield / Tenkuu no Tate 天空の盾
Bug Knife not included as it appears.

Zenithian Armor / Tenkuu no Yoroi 天空の鎧

Shield of the Lone Metal Slime / Hagure Metal no Tate はぐれメタルの盾
(Staff of Rain not included as it appears)
Helm of the Lone Metal Slime / Hagure Metal no Yoroi はぐれメタルの鎧
(Magic Shield not included as it appears)

Dragon Quest Legend Items Gallery BEST = Total of 9 possibilities.
It is unknown at this point of this reissued assortment will contain any secret items. I'm hoping if they do, they will include the Dragovian Armor, Sword, Helm and Shield from Dragon Quest VIII.

This is definitely a good news for me as I had been wanting the Roto Armor set from volume 1 as well as the Zenithian (Tenkuu) arms. Also, this is a great chance for me to complete the Hagure Metal Arms (volume 4) by 100% as I only lack the Hagure Armor:

Cain Nox's partially-complete "Hagure Metal Arms"

THANK YOU SO MUCH SQUARE-ENIX!!! :D

However, this Medley set seemed to have defined the "Best" as the main themes of each volume: Volume 1 as Roto, Volume 2 as Zenithian (Tenkuu no), Volume 3 as Met King (not included) and Volume 4 as Hagure (Lone Metal Slime). If they are really to release the best, I'd say they'll also take some picks from the other weapons included in the set like the (on my case I want ~)

Gaia's Sword
Expel Shield (風神の盾 Fuujin no Tate)
Demon Axe
Demon Shield
Ultimate Whip (グリンガムの鞭 Gringham Whip, aka: Jessica's Ultimate Weapon)
Demon Hammer (魔人の金槌 Majin no Kannazutchi)
Zanmato and Big Boss' Shield (aka: Yangus' Ultimate Shield)
~ and Secret items from volume 2 and 3:
Dragovian Sword (竜神王の剣 Ryuujinou no Ken; aka: DQVIII Hero's most suitable weapon)
Demon Sword (魔界の剣 Makai no Tsurugi)

...and for your Dragon Quest Legend Items Gallery information needs, always visit Tsuki-Board for the complete listing. Clicky me.

Props also to Miracle Zombie for the complete Japanese list. Awesome collection, dude! :D

Queen's Blade Revoltech FAB FIVE

After the massive Play Arts-oriented posts, here's a little off-the-chain:

Introducing the current line-up for my secondary toyline ~ Queen's Blade Revoltech NEO.
Kaiyodo is so far consistent with one babe per month release beginning with Leina last June 2009 and so far, the latest is Melona due for October 2009.

Currently acquired:

001: Wandering Warrior Leina

Her chestplate and the back plate can be removed.

002: Infernal Temptress Airi

Her lacy choker, bodice, apron and skirt can be removed.
But for me, she has the most aweful cast-off look so far. :/

(Yes, I owe you readers her "Ultimate Photoshoot." Currently working on it. :D)

To-be-acquired:

003: Veteran Warrior Echidna

Snake pantsu and chest plates removable. Possibly the cleanest cast-off of the girls.

004: Angel of Light Nanael

I'm rather mortified with the spilled milk on her casted-off abdomen.
It looks like -excuse the word- maggots... ^^;

005: Thousand-Faced Assassin Melona

HUBBA HUBBA!!! My favorite QB Girl! XD I can't wait for her colored prototype!

There's also some exclusive alternate colors like Leina 2P but it costs like more than three thousand effing pesos so I won't bite it. I'm fine with my half-the-price less-the-trouble 1P Colors. :)

The good source: Moeyo

...but there's one 2P Color that I'd certainly won't refuse ~ Melona's blue-green slime version! XDDD

Upsize = Price-up

While this may not talk about the upsize = price-up ~

This may ~

One can say that both Roy and Al are in the Standard Play Arts scale-to-height basis. (ahem, Edward...you're supposed to be a midget XDDD)


...and yes! Biohazard 5's Chris and Sheva are the size of the typical Play Arts backdraft. :3

PS: Zack is officially my ruler. XD



Lastly, check out this badass "Garou Squall" which our friend Darkseraphoem made:

Garou Squall will soon be made into a wickedly awesome custom Seifer Almasy Play Arts figure. We'll keep our eyes peeled for that. :D

Final Fantasy IX Play Arts Commentary

"Kyou no emono wa...UMAE DA!!!"

~ and today, the hunt is...YOUR WALLET! XD

Still priced at the regular 3990 Yen (about $24) each; this is where Square-Enix bids farewell to their affordable 2003-2009 Play Arts [プレイアーツ] line for them to soon make way for the pricier Play Arts -KAI- [プレイアーツ 改] that I've previously talked about in many of the entries below.

The almost Nendoroid-headed Zidane, Vivi and Garnet are due for an August release in Japan.

Zidane Tribal
ジタン・トライバル

"Based on the ninth installment of the Final Fantasy series by Square-Enix in 2000, this installment has a deep-rooted popularity with the fans. This game was even featured in the new game Dissidia Final Fantasy. A member of a large thief group, the Tantalus; the protagonist Zidane now appears in Play Arts form! You can enjoy their faithful-to-the-game charms such as their lovely heads and body along with their preculiar weapons." ~ AmiAmi

Size: 165mm (16.5 cm)

As the Hobby Japan Scan have revealed, Zidane comes with his two different daggers -- Mage Masher and Orichalcon (that of which can be placed in the holster).

Garnet til Alexandros XVII

ガーネット・ティル・アレクサンドロス17世

"Based on the ninth installment of the Final Fantasy series by Square-Enix in 2000, this installment has a deep-rooted popularity with the fans. This game was even featured in the new game Dissidia Final Fantasy. The heroine and royal summoner, lady Garnet, now appears in Play Arts form! You can enjoy their faithful-to-the-game charms such as their lovely heads and body along with their preculiar weapons." ~ AmiAmi

Size: 155mm (15.5 cm)

Little girl...big dreams.
This time, little girl...big head! XD
Little girl-big head comes with her huge microphone-esque staff.

Vivi Orunitia
ビビ・オルニティア

"Based on the ninth installment of the Final Fantasy series by Square-Enix in 2000, this installment has a deep-rooted popularity with the fans. This game was even featured in the new game Dissidia Final Fantasy. The black mage Vivi now appears in Play Arts form! You can enjoy their faithful-to-the-game charms such as their lovely heads and body along with their preculiar weapons." ~ AmiAmi

Size: 140mm (14cm)

Well, for some reason, Vivi appears to be the most anticipated figure of the trio. Can't blame them. After all, Vivi is Square-Enix's BEST HEADSCULPT EVER!!! XDDDD
Oh and Mr. Best Headsculpt comes with his oaken candy cane staff.


Now, about their sizes.

To be sold for the same price as the Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII figures which were, I believe, the last "standard-sized" Play Arts Figures that Square-Enix will release for this year and probably forever ~

Let's see how their sizes are compared to good ol' Zacky whose about 218mm tall.
(The image below is of course, a thumbnail. Click to enlarge! :D )

^ Maybe I should do one for FMA Brotherhood and Biohazard/Resident Evil 5.
Seriously, that image got me all curious. XD

KAI = Kool Articulation Improvement?

Okay, it's still a few months before the release of the debut Play Arts -KAI- figures, the Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood ones in October.

But before we plunge into that "new era of PA's" and conclude (really?! XD) the chapter of those generic Play Arts joints, let's have a little look on how the classic PA joints fare with other joint systems:

Motoko = a definite 1/7 scale figure
Ashe = loosely-described as 1/7 scale.

===

Arm joints~

Classical Play Arts have a cut in their armpit levels and a hinge joint on the elbows.

Yamato VMF on the other hand have the cut right above the elbow hinge joint.

There is not much of a difference on that part.

However, the knee joint shows the big difference:

Classical Play Arts have a single hinge joint in their kneecaps and a cut in their pelvic level.

Kneecap's range of movement:

Yamato VMF on the other hand have double hinge joints in their kneecaps (which looks like a cross at the back) and the very cut right above the hinge just like in the arms.



Kneecap's range of movement:

First fold of the hinge...quite a typical articulation.
...and then in the second fold, just imagine playing soccer like a pro! XD

The said double hinged kneecap joints are featured in the "improved" Play Arts -KAI- line.


So what big difference does it do?

Well, let's just put it straight through a genuflecting pose.

If you are to genuflect like a proud man whose about to be knighted, you have one of your knees pressed in the ground like it's facing the third quadrant of the cartesian plane and the other leg facing the second quadrant...

Aaargh Math terms! If that sounded complicated, then just look at the pics below XDDD

Classical Play Arts would not be able to fully-manifest it whether they have a skirt (intrusive piece of clothing) or not. Their backs looked arched.

while Genoflecting is fully possible with double-hinged kneecaps and soft crotch joints like the Yamato VMFs.

Aww, I guess it's time for Ashe to say good-bye. :/

Now then...

Let's imagine the Final Fantasy XIII, Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood and Resident Evil 5 Play Arts being able to do these poses with their Double Hinge Joint and softer pelvic (v-crotch) joints:

...and my favorite ~

GUNKATA!!! :D



Ohhh yeah, now that's what we call REAL improvement! XD

More impressions on the Hagaren Play Arts -KAI-

Yep, more impressions along with "partial translations" of the AmiAmi commentary and my personal commentary on their sizes.

Release Date: October 2009 (Japan)
Prices: 4200 Yen (Roy and Ed); 5040 Yen (Al) ~ Japanese SRP;
AAAnime US SRP at $49.99 for Ed and Roy; 59.99 for Al.

EDWARD ELRIC

"Size and Detailing were increased and more movable range than Play Arts is what Play Arts KAI had expanded upon. He has colorful accessories such as his interchangeable clothes and body elements for more action. A head with a different expression, the arm part and the pocket watch's chain are included. You can also remove the red coat." ~ AmiAmi

Size: 184mm (18.4cm)
The 44mm taller Edward -KAI- is priced at 4200 Yen as opposed to his 2004 140mm counterpart whose priced at less than 3000 Yen.

For 210 Yen higher than the average Play Arts price of 3990 Yen; upsized Edward ELRIC boasts a double-hinged knee joints akin to Yamato VMFs and the same accessories plus removable coat function as the classic midget version. What he seems to be missing, however, is his gigantic spear.

The Spear...! :(

ALPHONSE ELRIC

"Size and Detailing were increased and more movable range than Play Arts is what Play Arts KAI had expanded upon. He has colorful accessories such as his interchangeable clothes and body elements for more action. The gag face and the cat which you can insert in the armor is included." ~ AmiAmi

Size: 235mm (23.5cm)

Definitely the most expensive of the bunch is sweet hollow metal boy, Alphonse. Here's what you'll get from that 1050 Yen higher than the average price of 3990 Yen:
- Taller by 70mm as compared to his 16.5 centimeter-tall 2004 version
- Had more or less retained his removable chestplate feature and a cat (not yet shown in press pics but was described by AmiAmi).
- Those and the "slight articulation improvement-thingy."

Yes, he's around the size of the Banpresto DX Alphonse Elric. That one is shown here with the 2004's Play Arts Midget. :P

ROY MUSTANG

"Size and Detailing were increased and more movable range than Play Arts is what Play Arts KAI had expanded upon. He has colorful accessories such as his interchangeable clothes and body elements for more action. As for this character, it is his Play Arts debut. A head with a different facial expression and a hat is included." ~ AmiAmi

Size: 197mm (19.7cm)

Shounen yo ~ Shinjiru nakama yo!
Wowow my, Roy~!
Train in Rain! XDDD

You heard that right. This is Roy's Play Arts debut. Priced similarly as Edward, Roy is presented as a man whose simply 1.3 centimeters taller than the supposed midget.

Like how I prefer the classical look on the Banpresto DX figure, I still prefer the old Tooru Okawa-voiced Roy! That and I don't like Shinichiro "Kojiro" Miki's voice... T_T

Sorry Square-Enix, but this Bandai "Pupupunetsuke" that looks like Wobbufet (that dopey Pokemon) is still the cutest Alphonse Figure ever! XD

Biohazard 5 Play Arts KAI update

As evidenced by the Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood Play Arts -KAI-; it seems that Play Arts -KAI- had actually improved...on the wrists of the figures. They now feature the same hinges as those in a Figma. Which is definitely a great thing.

(We'll add in a "little translation" of AmiAmi's commentary perhaps? :) )

Type: Action Figure
Release Date: December 2009 (Japan)
Price: 4620 Yen
Height: 250mm

CHRIS REDFIELD
クリス・レッドフィールド
Biohazard 5's Hero, Chris, now appears in Play Arts rendition! With realistic detailing and poseability to enjoy. Better poseability with the elbow knee adopting a double joint and soft parts used for the underpants. You can also remove the gun and knife from the soft holster.

Accessories:
Variant Hands
Display Stand
ハンドガン Handgun
ショットガン Shotgun
マシンガン Machine Gun
ナイフ Knife

~ Ami Ami Shop

Sheva Alomar
シェバ・アローマ

The good partner of Chris in Biohazard 5, Sheva, now appears in Play Arts rendition! With realistic detailing and poseability to enjoy. She is a BSAA agent and graduate of a certain African nation. This time, she and Chris work together as partners. Their combat efficiency blends together a gorgeous technique. Better poseability with the elbow knee adopting a double joint and soft parts used for the underpants. You can also remove the gun and knife from the soft holster.

Accessories:
Variant Hands
Display Stand
ハンドガン Handgun
ショットガン Shotgun
スナイパーライフル Sniper Rifle
ナイフ Knife

~ Ami Ami Shop

Square-Enix knows how to make African girls really gorgeous and battle-hardened men as steaming hot. Ohh god, just imagine a Leon S. Kennedy Play Arts -KAI-, I'd definitely faint! *w*

Revoltech Neo AIRI ~ Get! :D

Airi the Wraith Maid. :3




"Ultimate Photoshoot" to be posted soon.