hontou ni
29Dec/0645

The state of my passion ~ A 2006 figure report


The crown jewel of my figure collection

2006 has been a passionate year for me. Not only does my anime flame burn fiercer, I acquired a new love that sought to consume my very soul and wallet, figure collection. I must warn anyone who is even considering jumping into this fiery passion that it's a tread along a very narrow path where the heavenly plains of figure bliss stretch far into the horizon to the right while the devastated/scorched valleys of finanical hell extend beyond sight to your left. I can keep walking because my eyes are stayed on the right while feeding my meals/clothes/friends' wallets to the left. Ok, I admit, I haven't been so successful in getting my chums pay for my figures but hey, I'm working on it! Anyhow I digress.

In my previous report, I projected a 9 figure run for 2006. Well, since projections are meant to be exceeded and I've done just that. (CEOs all over the world would be soooo proud of me.) I'm a proud owner of 14 figures amounting to SGD $867. Here's my harem.

Top L-R: Chii, Jujo Shion, Shirakawa Kotori, Fate Testarossa, Feena Fam Earthlight, Princess, Asuka Langley

Bottom L-R: Dark Saber, Asakura Yume, Aisia, Kinoshita Rumi, Eruruu, Takai Sayaka, Sherrice Adjani

With the exception of Fate, the bishoujos adorn my shelf and is a great source of envy in my neighbourhood. In fact, I now frisk visiting friends upon departure after one of them try to nick Feena. (He claimed he needed it for therapy after watching Cabbage Love. I told him to get a LG DFC set instead.)

On another note, I have stopped doing figure reviews, leaving them in the capable hands of tjhan, Tsubaki, super rats and Adun. A personal reason for me stopping is because I love my figures too much (I'm not saying folks who review them don't). Unlike reviewing animes, which I have no qualms about revealing their strengths and especially weaknesses, figures are so personal that expounding on a figure flaw is like broadcasting to the world your daugther is autistic or telling me one of my figure is ugly is akin to saying I have an ugly wife/mistress. Even though it may be the truth with no intended malice, I've decided not to open my very dear figures to such criticisms since no one would expect them to mean so much (unhealthy I know). Denial is a river in Egypt, Delusion is a lake on Hontou ni Taihen desu XD.

In my nine months of figure collection, I have also evolved some theorems for my own figures;

1) The true destiny of a figure is to be lovingly displayed and not kept in the darkness of boxes.

2) Figures need to be consigned to a display spot for effective transmission of their beauty. 8 figures lying on your bed is not an exhibition.

3) A figure is not a toy but a purest artform. They are not meant to be played with but admired. Action figures serve that lesser purpose.

4) There is no need to keep boxes. After all if you are going to sell your daughter away, would you sell her to someone who ask for her diapers?

5) Figures come alive at night and whisper sweet nothings in your ear if you treat them well. That's why I only buy female figures.

Alright, that's all folks. I had a lovely year of figure collection and hope many more would join our merry gang on the journey to finanical ruin figure paradise. Looking forward to Figure-Collection 2007.

Related posts:

  1. My humble harem – a half yearly figure report
  2. Figure selling – Sign of a healthy passion
  3. Figure statistics – Taking stock of the PVC passion

Posted by

Filed under: Figures Leave a comment
Comments (45) Trackbacks (3)
  1. GarbledOne
    December 29th, 2006 - 15:49

    I disagree with theorem #4. What happens if you need to move your figures to another location? I’ve already suffered heavy damages on my binchou-tan set because of my lack of boxes. Same with my Evangelion Saru-Asuka. And yes, I did the entire bubble-wrap + foam popcorn packaging material around them.

    ( REPLY )
  2. tj han
    December 29th, 2006 - 17:35

    Lol Alter Fate. I didn’t get her and guess what? WORLD WIDE SHORTAGE.

    ( REPLY )
  3. Crayotic Rockwell
    December 29th, 2006 - 17:59

    I got into the figure game and was pretty worried that it’d consume all my money, but they hadn’t counted on one thing: I don’t care much for maid, schoolgirl, or bikini costumes
    bwahahaha! evil Japanese merchandisers, I have defeated your nefarious ways by skirting around your otaku go-to’s!

    Still, I’ve already got three figures preordered for next year somehow.. looks like I’ll have to watch my back.

    ( REPLY )
  4. Adun
    December 29th, 2006 - 19:35

    Another lucky person with a Fate figure. I also disagree with Theorem #4. Lets take the Fate figure for example. When you move out to your own place, how are you going to transport her without damage?

    I know what you mean by exceeding expectations. After returning from holiday at the start of this year, I planned to stop spending so much on figures, but unfortunately that didn’t happen. Oh how my wallet cries at me.

    ( REPLY )
  5. Stripey
    December 29th, 2006 - 19:51

    GarbledOne: Oh sorry to hear about your damage. Heh heh, I’m hypocritical. I still keep all my boxes and I know the pain of damaged figures. My Fate came with her head snapped off XD I’m just trying to say that if a true figure-lover wants to buy your goods, the box is the lesser of his concerns. :)

    tjhan: I hope they do a re-release! I’d buy another 2 msyelf :)

    Crayotic Rockwell: LOL! that’s one way to beat the system! The Japanese got me pretty much figured out though XD Looks like a great 2007 figure year for you too :)

    Adun: My wallet’s been sobbing in a quiet corner ever since I’ll arrived on the figure scene XD My new year resolution for figures is one a month. :P Ah pardon my myopia about figure transport and boxes. I’ve always thought we keep boxes to sell them figures. I blame this oversight on living in Singapore where any spot in the country reachable within an hour’s drive XD

    ( REPLY )
  6. Crusader
    December 30th, 2006 - 00:33

    By March of next year I too shall make a journey to Minas Moyism, I fear I shall never return alive.

    Still with your very public display I hope you keep in mind that such a formation is an easy target for the Lady of the Ring you saw how devastating Nauzron’s mace swings are. I would also vouch for fire proof storage and a mass evacuation plans, though you must have taken these into account.

    Though theorem number three has raised my ire, even if you thow away the packaging material you can always use rice crispies for a temporary transport solution.

    ( REPLY )
  7. anglicanotaku
    December 30th, 2006 - 00:42

    I’ll have to third that objection to theorum #4 (then again, I am of the camp that says always aquire two copies of the figure…one to keep in the box and one to display) For instance my Ellen and Silvia Alizel figures from Majokka ala mode I just can’t bear to bring out of their boxes, partly because it was the boxes themselves that called to me from the first moment I beheld them on the link from the yahoo ren’ai games group. (And one of these days I’ll actually break down and take a group picture of them, that is, when I can find enough free space to set them all up, as it is, some are in boxes on top of my bookshelf, kotori is on my bookshelf, and my pink and black party Chii is at my girlfriend’s apartment (and probably lost to my collection until such time as I make her an honest woman. And I’m still trying to clear out enough space to bring Princess form of Feena van Earthlight home))

    (BTW, I picked up the Asakura Yume, and Aisia figures myself thanks to ebay last month.)

    And, as to theorum #2, well that depends on where your bed is, and on whom the display is for: since my figures are for my enjoyment, the shy peekings from behind the books on my shelf just sets them that much more apart from normal ‘statues’ (that is, when they’re not trying to congregate with my statues of the Saints)

    Oh, and have you seen the Imouto Pactio card? It makes a great wallpaper for my laptop.

    ( REPLY )
  9. Zyl
    December 30th, 2006 - 03:36

    Sorry to say this but the GSC website photo looks that much better. Is it simply a matter of different lighting, background and angle? But somehow her face looks different and her paint coating less lustrous. If the former three, I wouldn’t be too bothered. If it’s the latter two, then I’d be unhappy. But what really? really! concerns me is that you said Fate-chan came with her head snapped off?! WTF is that about?! -_-;;

    On a lighter note, I like your figurine harem diorama. Fate already rules for threatening to decapitate Aisia. LOL

    ( REPLY )
  10. Skane
    December 30th, 2006 - 03:51

    “5) Figures come alive at night and whisper sweet nothings in your ear if you treat them well. That

    ( REPLY )
  11. Flaskis
    December 30th, 2006 - 04:35

    Well, your blog entry was the trigger. I have thought about half a year of getting that Alter Fate figurine, but now that I read it I went to Archonia and placed an order (ebay didn’t have any).
    Screw finances! ^_^

    ( REPLY )
  12. Tsubaki
    December 30th, 2006 - 09:25

    YOU’RE LUCKY THAT YOUR SPENDING IS WAY BELOW 1K.

    Lol, I’m in the pits of figurine hell already. A few more level before I hit tj’s level of course. And damn you for the Fate figure.

    ( REPLY )
  13. Kefit
    December 30th, 2006 - 12:30

    For the first half of this year I went through somewhat of a figure blitz, and spent lots and lots of money. Then I ran out of room to display figures, and subsequently stopped buying them. I think this is ultimately a good thing, but I am not sure.

    I’m a complete sucker for plushies though. I’ll buy a plush of one of my favorite characters the second I see it. Good thing plushies seem to be quite a bit more rare than figures.

    ( REPLY )
  14. vexx
    December 30th, 2006 - 16:40

    The only figures I regret buying are the Shuffle! ones I picked up before the trainwreck. I figure on selling them when Memories kicks up. I keep the boxes in my basement “just in case” for all my figures in case they need to be moved (or I die and the estate cashes them in :) ).

    I should photo them….. for insurance purposes if naught else.

    ( REPLY )
  15. Bridge Bunny
    December 30th, 2006 - 19:09

    Addition to theorem #1: One may choose to wait until he/she has a large enough cabinet with glass doors and sufficient lighting, to protect the figures from the horrors of dust and visitors who only know how to touch without asking.

    ( REPLY )
  16. Xellos-_^
    December 30th, 2006 - 21:14

    found a Alter Fate on ebay. he guy had 3 of them.

    Unfotounately i also 2 other figurine ;_; i hate you all.

    ( REPLY )
  17. Stripey
    December 30th, 2006 - 21:32

    Crusader: Before that happens, there should be a Last Alliance between Man and figures. Armed with the Mop of Elendil, I shall unleash my fury on the dark denizens dwelling on my marble flooring and quell any ill-will my lovely Lordess has against my haremettes XD I look forward to your tidings from Minas Moy. May the light of Ilu-haruhi-vatar guide you there. :)

    anglicanotaku: Wow! 2 of every figure! My wallet just quivered :P Actually if I had know Alter’s Fate would be so beautiful, I would have bought 3, one to display, one in the box (reserve) and one to leave for my children 50 yrs down the road XD Looks like display space is a perennial problem for collectors. I’m out of shelves (with only 14 figures) I not sure how Collection 2007 would be display :)

    Hazel: heh, maybe it’s a female figures phenomenon XD Glad to be spreading some figure love to you too :)

    Zyl: Ahhh it’s all my poor photography. Alter Fate is every bit as beautiful as her promo pics. :) As for that tragic incident, I’ll leave my update for our next Hontouni SKYPE staff conference :P And Fate is powerless against Aisia insane powerful but ridiculous rhetoric, “Everyone deserves happiness!” Although Kotori is telling Fate just swing it XD

    Skane: WHR is a series I’ve wanted to see for the longeeeest time. Thanks for the reminder. But definitely not catching ep 6 alone now XD

    Flaskis: You are a most blessed collector! :) I thought Fate was soldout everywhere. In fact I’m so tempted to place another 2 orders for Fate on Archonia now. This is one purchase worth selling your kidney for :)

    tsubaki: LOL! it’s not luck really. I like to call it restraint but maybe poverty is a closer word. And you sure you want to hit tjhan’s level? XD

    Kefit: I’m currently in a dilemma myself. Considering building some shelves for full figure display but I’m afraid displaying too many at once would dilute the unique beauty of each piece. Contemplating rotating the figures to be displayed at one time. Not quite into plushies myself but I’ve surely seen really cute Prince of Tennis ones :)

    vexx: I believe the SHUFFLE! figures you have are from Atelier Sai? :) It’s a pity their sculpts are somewhat lacking. I htink their Nerine and Kaede are passable but our dear Asa senpai was rather poorly made. Nevertheless a display of the full set should be impressive nonetheless :) Yes, pictures are in order, not for insurance but sharing the joy of figure collection with fellow fetishists.

    Bridge Bunny: Well said! Noted :)

    Xellos-_^: Arghh! I bet he’s selling it at cutthroat prices…. Archonia here we come! :)

    ( REPLY )
  18. Skane
    December 30th, 2006 - 22:26

    Out of shelves after 14 figurines only? Where is your bedroom? The storage room? The toilet? I collect model kits( ZOIDS) and I only encountered storage problems after having about 150+ of them, and I still have space to spare; and that’s not counting the other stuff that I have, such as Gundams, books, PC-games, DVDs, clothes, etc…

    Start spring-cleaning, man! Your harem demands it!

    Narf!

    ( REPLY )
  19. Ashram
    December 30th, 2006 - 23:46

    Nice collection! I counted the figures in my room since I also just started collecting this year…at 17 so far, sure didn’t seem like it was that many already. :o

    My Alter Fate and Movic Fate both came from HLJ on the same day last week, I thought I’d died and gone to heaven! I was kinda worried about the Movic one, but it’s very very nice, just disappointed that apparently her sword accessory was in-store limited edition only, or something. Bleh.

    Your theorems are spot on, but #5 kinda worries me, I have several Berserk figures, plus EVA Unit 01, 02, and 05 (mass production version)…don’t wanna know what they say to me in my sleep… >_

    ( REPLY )
  20. cyw1988
    December 31st, 2006 - 06:30

    haven really counted whats in my shelf yet but i reckon i have lesser figures than you but i have more tradings and geshapons thats for sure haha… sometimes i’ll rather get a set of tradings over one figure.. for example, recently i kinda liked the shana wrapped in bandages and hugging her clothed katana… but i decided to drop that for a complete set of shana trading figures… haha… oh well just a way to save $ and space hehe

    ( REPLY )
  21. Flaskis
    December 31st, 2006 - 10:11

    I don’t know if I’m blessed yet, since they didn’t have any in stock, but I guess they will deliver when the next batch hit the market. But I just can’t wait for it to accompany my Alter Nanoha :)

    And I checked ebay. There was a guy selling the figurine for 99,99$, so I guess the “cutthroat prices” part is true >.

    ( REPLY )
  24. Xellos^_-
    December 31st, 2006 - 11:30

    flaskis: it was 49.99 w/12.9 shipping

    ( REPLY )
  25. Pete Zaitcev
    December 31st, 2006 - 15:28

    What kind of duster do you use?

    ( REPLY )
  26. Stripey
    January 1st, 2007 - 13:25

    Skane: heh, I’ve little allocated space for my collection. Thinking of scheduling the figures for display on a rotational basis. :)

    Ashram: Thanks and grats on your Fate figures arrival! On, theorem 5, it’s the one keeping me from pre-ordering Rena (of Higurashi fame) XD

    cyw1988: Ooooh I saw the Shana trading figures… beautifully lolicious but banned in my house XD Bandaged Shana from Solid Works? I thought the sculpt was most excellent :)

    Flaskis: Oh, hope you get your order soon :) I’m hoping for a re-release of the figure myself. Would get another 2 then :)

    Xellos^_-: LOL thanks for the links. I’ve taken the liberty to mark them NSFW to protect the kiddies (if any) reading this post :)

    Pete: Zaitcev: I haven’t started dusting them haha. Am transferring them to enclosed shelves soon. Hopefully that would eliminate dust/dirt issues. :)

    ( REPLY )
  27. cyw1988
    January 2nd, 2007 - 07:06

    well it was most tempting to get the one with the transparent red hair but it just happened to be a limited edition and i thought the normal one looks too plastic… hence shana tradings… lolicious and space-concious… next up… manaka and ikuno(set figure) from to heart 2.. its limited though so i hope i am still able to get it… Order pending… =/

    ( REPLY )
  28. crimson
    January 2nd, 2007 - 10:17

    man, without gfs and without the habit of collecting figurines, i’m already broke most of the time becos of my appetite and tendency to buy chinese games titles (and their guidebooks) that seem decent on the cover art.

    Then again, some wiseman (or smartass) sang to me one day give~a~man~a~chick and he~has~to~support~them but teach~a~man~how~to~get~chicks and he has them to support him~

    ( REPLY )
  29. vexx
    January 2nd, 2007 - 14:23

    Rather than waste blog page space with thumbnails, I’ll post this link to snapshots and notes to demonstrate my conundrum with the Nanoha/Fate figures (work safe):
    http://forums.animesuki.com/showpost.php?p=787098&postcount=94

    I’m just denying to myself that I’ll probably keep both Fate figures and ebay the “bland Nanoha” but “sword Fate” may be the first figure I’ve gotten that actually competes for eye attention with my Motoko figurine.

    ( REPLY )
  30. anglicanotaku
    January 3rd, 2007 - 21:32

    Heh, I only *wish* I had two copies of the Majokka ala mode figures, I’m so afraid of getting dust on them that they remain in plastic-stasis doing double duty as bookends.

    Well, pat of my lack of space comes from living in the parents’ attic (not the basement as sometimes erroneously suggested), but most of my display space is taken up by the manga, and books…think Yomiko Readman’s apartment, then add DVDs and CDs, and you have my room

    ( REPLY )
  31. vexx
    January 4th, 2007 - 00:27

    If you’ve stacked them right, you’re completely protected from nuclear blasts and nearby stellar nova gamma blasts :)

    ( REPLY )
  32. crimson
    January 5th, 2007 - 08:43

    can someone please teach me how to screencap from .mkv?
    I’m dying to cap cornelia x euphemia kid scene in episode, 8 pre-hug and hugging scene :(

    ( REPLY )
  33. Skane
    January 5th, 2007 - 09:57

    What video player are you using?

    Narf.

    ( REPLY )
  34. crimson
    January 5th, 2007 - 09:59

    zoomplayer.
    i just realised i used to manage to capture shots before on mkv….maybe reseting my laptop will work…

    ( REPLY )
  35. Stripey
    January 5th, 2007 - 13:16

    cyw1988: Ahhh… that to-heart2 sibling set, NICE! Hope you get your order :)

    crimson: LOL! Loved that quote XD I can watch .mkv on BSplayer though there’ll be no subs. Good enough for screenies though. Worth a try :)

    vexx: tough choices indeed. Personally I would drop the Nanohas and keep both Fates. In fact I’d get the goodsmile one too and start a Fate corner in the room :) That’s just me though XD

    anglicanotaku: LOL! Yomiko Readman’s room… Did you get her figure? I bet she’d be at home in your room :)

    ( REPLY )
  36. Xellos-_^
    January 5th, 2007 - 14:51

    i just realize all the figurines i order are of girls who can beat me up with one finger. I wonder if i am suffering a Ureshima syndrome O_o

    ( REPLY )
  37. Bridge Bunny
    January 5th, 2007 - 17:53

    Oh wow haha. Someone sent a picture of an Alter Fate that another person had modded. Let’s just say it’s involves nudity.

    ( REPLY )
  38. crimson
    January 7th, 2007 - 06:36

    ahhh…at last, I got screencap to work b4 resorting to BSplayer.
    Basically, my screencap for zoomplayer 4.51 didnt work properly after updating to the latest combined codec pack.
    Then I updated to 5.00, didnt work too.
    Then I changed the video renderer to VMR9 windowless. Close and restart zoomplayer. Screencap worked again!

    Thus, I’ll like to show you all my (codegeasscough) sis’ photos to show my appreciation for those who tried to help ;)
    http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e357/seifert/CodeGeass-08.jpg
    http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e357/seifert/CodeGeass-08-1.jpg

    ( REPLY )
  39. Xellos-_^
    January 8th, 2007 - 17:53

    Just wondering if anyone had a chance to review this figurine yet ^^;

    NSFW: http://akibahobby.net/2006/10/post_7.html

    I am very temped in buying it.

    Any opinions?

    ( REPLY )
  40. Stripey
    January 8th, 2007 - 19:33

    Xellos-_^ : You may want to check out this link.

    http://www.sgcollect.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=51823&hl=amaenaideyo&st=15

    Contains plenty of reviews of figure. Plus other innovative methods to bring more out of Chitose. Enjoy! :)

    Bridge Bunny: The audacity! Pictures, we need to pictures as proof before we proceed to have him lynched XD

    crimson: heh, your sis like sisterly love? Stripey-approved! :) Nice caps, somehow less noise compared to mine. Probably cos I used lesser quality subs.

    ( REPLY )
  41. Xellos^_-
    January 8th, 2007 - 23:25

    Stripey: for the Fate stuff try the animesuki Nanoha forum.

    I am also suprise you haven’t added Chitose to your playmates yet.

    ( REPLY )
  42. crimson
    January 9th, 2007 - 05:50

    xellos: pleasure beads? :P

    stripey: No stripey, that was an interesting thought though, lol. I mean those 2 cute kids are (gonna be forcefully deemed as) my sisters!

    ( REPLY )
  43. sora
    January 14th, 2007 - 07:04

    does anyone know of good places to buy figures in the US?

    ( REPLY )
  44. suguru
    January 17th, 2007 - 08:34

    You have chosen wisely, I’m jealous–if I had the space for a figure collection myself I think mine would look very similar. Although I’d have to give Kotori the place of honor :)

    ( REPLY )
  45. Xellos^_-
    January 19th, 2007 - 21:04

    Sora

    Rightstuf, Animenation and Hobbyfan are establish US sellers. Price is a little on th ehigh side but they have a good rep.

    I did found another store call Animewild that has very good prices but they are a new company. So i don’t know if they are good or bad. I just made my first order with them tonite. I will let u know how it works out.

    ( REPLY )

Leave a comment

(required)

Moe Moe Rabu » Figure Review: Ready to meet my Fate Testarossa?
Plasma Zamber Wallet Breaker at hontou ni sou omou?
the hontou ni alter fate war :: phase 0 (hnKd 1/2007) at hontou ni sou omou?
» «

Search Hontou Ni

Recent Posts

Recent Comments

Series & Themes

Maki Maki Blogroll

RSS Danny Choo

@ZylZaku

Meta