2008 in review – 2D expenditure

Despite the global financial turmoil in the final quarter, my overall 2D-related spendings remained healthy for 2008. Chalking up a not-so-grand total of approx S$3200, I'm glad to have reported that my budget for the year was adhered to in spite of several stray purchases. Compared to 2007, my 2008 expenditure only rose by 7% (~S$200). Considering the price increase in PVC and 2D related merchandise, I'd say 2D goods beast in me has been tamed indeed. Of course not without Zyl and Wife-chan's help whose invaluable advice has kept me from busting my figure quota this year. Here's a breakdown of 2D-related purchases in 3 categories.

Anime DVDs

A total of 13 anime titles were acquired this year at a cost of approx S$1150. That translates to about S$88 per series or S$12 per anime DVD. Yes I bought 5 Naruto volumes for my nephew and boy are they expensive XD. Anyhow, here's the DVD list.

In consideration – 5 DVD boxsets from TheRightStuf

Save for the Shuffle! DVD bundle, TheRightStuf 12 days of xmas sale was a rather disappointing affair for me. The only other item that mildly tempting was the DNAngel Boxset offered on the 13th day but since it was not on my to-get list, I hardened my heart against acquiring it. Then came TRS's year-end clearance sale. Resolving to get some bargains out of this promotion, I dug deeper into the site to discover 5 potential purchases.

Shuffle DVD boxset - To be released in late March, the boxset is the reason I didn't buy the xmas bundle. Personally, SHUFFLE! hasn't been a very consistent series for me. The Shia and Nerine parts fell flat with me so I'm essentially getting the series for the Kaede/Asa/Primula bits which more than justifies the price.

Soukou no Strain DVD boxset - Given the new R1 title, I almost missed out on this boxset. Another series which could have ended so much better if the motivations for Ralph's betrayal were better conceived. Still the series was a great ride with some hair-raising moments.

KKnM blog – The adventures of Keith and Sharon

Huzzah! KKnM (Kareshi Kanojo no Mise) finally gets the blog treatment! Offering quirky anecdotes chronicling their adventures (or sometimes misadventures) in anime merchandise acquisition, KKnM blog is a must-read for any self-respecting Sg-otaku. Since KKnM has been and will always be my first source in anime goods, this would serve as a great portal of insight into their sweat/laughs in anime merchandising. Maybe they'd even reveal what they did with my kidney (my mode of payment for Alter Hayate) in one of the entries. XD

Looking forward to more insider stories from Keith and Sharon.

Why I collect 2D merchandise (Part 1) – Anime DVDs

Brethen-in-bishoujo, Adun's candid post on losing/recovering his 2D mojo struck a deep cord with me. While our experiences and expenditures do not directly correlate (woah, not even close - my anime spendings over 4 years could barely rival his epic 4 week Japan trip), I could identify with how excessive 2D merchandising could throttle The Passion^TM.

Reflecting on the issue of unbridled anime consumerism, I can't help but ask myself and fellow collectors this question -

Too often, I realised otaku-folk (myself included) get too caught up with The Moment^TM and end up investing good, hard-earned money in "bad purchases" - buys that are incongruent with the basest reason why we collect something in the first place. Such purchases make us lose sight of our true passion and can induce 2D fatigue as the eventual lament sets in.

Anime Demotivators ~ My excuse to pimp pretty pictures

I was trawling E-shuushuu as usual when I was hit with sudden guilt pangs for not sharing such fabulous 2D beauty with the rest of the aniblog world. However, instead of just splashing bishoujos all over my blog, the pretty pics are embedded in demotivators in a feeble attempt to add more meat to an otherwise 'lean' entry. The downside? I could only come up with 4 decent demotivators - a fraction of the art I would like to share. Ah well, picture spam saved for another entry.

Hope you enjoy the posters as much as I did conjuring them.