Hello, and welcome to All Your Monies, where The Glorio Blog’s resident toy and figure collecting crew will run down the last week’s new preorders, turning a loving or scathing eye over what’s been put out for you to spend your hard earned cash on. This week, Zigg selects another Nanoha figure just to piss off Aqua! Also, SPECIAL BONUS FIGURE.

Figma Aigis THE ULTIMATE Ver. (Persona 4 The Ultimate in Mayonaka Arena)
Max Factory, December, 3,600JPY

Dragonzigg: This is the third time Aigis has been figma-ised, so I must imagine seeing this is a bit of a kick in the teeth for anybody who owns either one. For the rest of us, it’s a chance to appreciate the vastly improved faces (updated to fit her more mature appearance in the game), sharpened up body sculpt (that tie!) and of course, epic weaponry. As someone who falls into the latter camp, I had no trouble clicking ‘buy’. ORDERED

Jel: As one of those people that already has the Aigis figma, this one is really tough. If it was just the same figma with new weapons I wouldn’t bother, but I love the new look and I just LOVE Aigis in general. Further twisting the knife, I’m trying to use her as my main for Persona 4 Arena, and this is specifically that version of her. It’s against my better judgement, but I’ll probably end up ordering her.

Timmy: Holy crap did Max Factory do a great job on this Aigis. Massive guns, awesome ties, the whole shibang. Having not played the games I have yet to begin collecting any Persona merc but this really makes me tempted to start. Also BUY THE FIGMA JEL!

Lifesong: Aegis looks wonderful here and I’m tempted. Out of all the Persona designs it’s Aegis I would want on my shelf. I have a lot on order right now so I won’t be biting ASAP. I might pick her up on the after market if she doesn’t get marked up too much.

Aqua: The only thing I don’t like about figmas is that the joints often ruin the smoothness of the sculpt. As Aigis is a robot and joints are part of her design, this negative is moot. What a beauty. The best thing is that she’s half as expensive as most of the way-less-original, way-less-posable, way-more boring sculpts still to come in this feautre… Speaking of which…

Ichika Takatsuki (Ano Natsu de Matteru)
Kotobukiya, December, 6,250JPY

Dragonzigg: After that horrible Ichika we saw a few weeks back it’s nice to finally get a figure of her that actually looks like effort was put in. It’s a little, er, risque for my tastes but it’s a fine reproduction of the way she looks in the show. Nice base too.

Jel: A much more appropriate rendition of Ichika, and interesting way of incorporating Rinon in the sculpt. Personally I don’t care for the base as it looks something like a cookie or snow cone (Zigg’s note – CANNOT UNSEE), but I appreciate the attempt to try something different. I’m not anywhere near a big enough Ano Natsu fan to grab this, but if you are it seems like a decent figure for your collection.

Timmy: Probably the best Ichika figure yet, at least untill GSC makes theirs anyways. Love that face and her expression and while it does add a bit more ecchiness to the figure I have to appreciate how Rinon was incorporated. I just hope they are joined at the hip with something nice and sturdy otherwise I can see the little guy breaking off pretty easily.

Lifesong: Another day another beach figure. Rinon does add a nice touch and she doesn’t look bad by any means but this figure does nothing special for me all the same.

Aqua: BORING.

Princess of the Crystal/Himari Takakura (Mawaru Peguindrum)
Kotobukiya, December, 6,250JPY

Dragonzigg: Interesting combination here. Detailing looks good and I like the more demure pose. There’s definitely something wrong with that face though, even leaving aside the slightly unfitting smile. And Koto had the misfortune to put this up just shortly after Alter revealed their version, which, with all due respect, is like pitting a rowing boat against a dreadnought. 

Jel: There is very little working for me here, whether it’s the pose or the face or the base I’m not liking any of it. I think they were going for an “aloof” look but to me it’s almost like she’s playing coy. And this is certainly not a character known for hiding her feelings. Even the way the some of the details of her dress are sculpted look funny to me, like the way her skirt flows or the way the poofy thing on her right arm rests at the bend. Save your money and pay a little extra for the Alter version.

Timmy:  Pretty good looking figure and an interesting change of pace for the character but I hate that face. It just comes off as creepy to me and I can’t get behind it at all. Like everyone else I will be waiting for Alter’s verson.

Lifesong: Looks pretty good, better than Good Smile but with Alter’s release on the horizon it’s going to be hard to compete. If I wanted two POC figures on my shelf I might bite. However as things are I probably won’t buy either as I didn’t really care for the series and the design isn’t something I’m crazy enough about to buy just because.

Aqua: That face should not be on a fourteen-year-old. Holy crap. Of the three Princess figures we have seen, all three have been exceptional crafts, each capturing a different aspect of Himari’s personality. With a design like that, one figure just isn’t enough.

Nanoha Takamachi Summer Holiday Ver. (Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS)
Alter, December, 6,980JPY (Re-issue)

Dragonzigg: This is one of the few figures that has ever had me reconsidering my strict ‘no swimsuits’ stance. I love Nanoha’s relaxed pose, the smart white and blue suit and flipflops and the terrific billowing hoodie and hair (Both Alter and I seem to have a thing for figures in the wind). My only concern is that section of wall is a little bit ugly, and she seems a very odd choice for a reissue considering  how recently her initial release was (May this year).

Jel: I am all for seeing more curvy women with body types in the realm of human possibility… uhh there was probably a less pervy way to say that but still, it’s a very impressive sculpt. Yes, it’s a swimsuit figure, but instead of a frightened sex object Nanoha simply looks like a confident woman ready to hit the beach. As I’ve probably said every week, I’ve never been much into Nanoha so I’ll pass. The fact that they are reissuing it so fast must mean it’s selling well though.

Timmy: Not going to lie, Nanoha caught my attention when she was first released but I have managed to resist buying her since then as I don’t collect bikini figures. I love the fact she is in a relaxed pose and chilling out enjoying a nice breeze instead of pandering for attention like most swimsuit figure poses do. Nanoha is a pretty classy swimsuit figure and its nice to see her getting a second release. My recent photography adventure to the lake with Sanada has caused me to rethink my whole not having a bikini figure deal and I have caught myself thinking up interesting shots with this figure so don’t be too suprised if I end up picking this up. If I didn’t have so many preorders this fall there is a decent chance I would have already done so.

Lifesong: As far as swimsuit figures go this is a winner. Still an easy pass for me as I already have all the Nanoha merchandise I care to own, but she does look great.

Aqua: It’s possible to contribute to this feature when you don’t collect figures, but it seems to become impossible to contribute if you really don’t give two flying shits about Nanoha. What’s next? Goddess Madoka in a swimsuit?

NO, ALTER. NO.

Saber Yukata Ver. (Fate/Stay Night)
FREEing, December, 5,850JPY

Dragonzigg: It’s Saber. In a yukata. I really like the blue colour. The toffee apple is nice. Er….I’m out.

Jel: Wait this costs HOW MUCH?!? I remember seeing these at WonFes thinking they would make a decent, inexpensive set but I guess they’re going to be full price. FREEing is doing the rest of the Fate cast so Saber might look nice with the set, but it’s a very lackluster sculpt of a character with countless better options available. For die hard Type Moon Fans and Yukata Fetishists only.

Timmy:  Saber looks alright but she isn’t worth anywhere near what Freeing is asking for her in my openion. Espically when you consider the fact that GSC’s Shiki is cheaper and Saber here dosen’t have that final polish that she has.

Lifesong: Ew, that seam down the side of Saber’s Kimono sticks out like a sore thumb and her face makes her look like she has been drugged. You wouldn’t catch this one in my collection if they gave it to me for free.

Aqua: WHAT. THE. HELL. IS. WRONG. WITH. HER. FACE. She looks like she’s doing the “Dat ass” face. Also, where is her arm? Is it supposed to be behind her back? Who stands like that?

Teddie/Kuma Plushie
Megahouse, November, 3930JPY

Dragonzigg: Teddie is perfect for the plushie treatment, and the unzippable head is a really cool touch, although the fact it does not contain a blond bishounen inside is understandably disappointing.

Jel: Never have been a big fan of plushies, although Teddie is one of the more appropriate choices. I can’t help but think this looks like something I’d win for popping balloons with a dart at a state fair. The detail work like his eyes or the yellow around his uh, mask look like they could tear or pop off pretty easily. Personally I’d recommend sticking with the incredible nendoroid, or Phat Company’s recent release to get your Teddie fix.

Timmy: Because you never out grow snuggling with a good old teddy.

Lifesong: Ever since first experiencing Kuma in the Persona 4 Anime I’ve had a burning hatred for the character. This plush brings those feels back so it’s probably doing something right.

Aqua: I STILL regret not getting the Persona 4 superdeluxe nerd edition that had a Teddie plushie. This is my second chance, only three times as expensive.

Figma Kuroyukihime Accel. Assault Ver. (Accel World)
Max Factory, February 2013, 4,800JPY (Exclusive, by proxy only)

Dragonzigg: Exclusive figures are always a total bummer given the additional difficulty and cost required to obtain them, and especially when they’re cool like this. I’m no big Accel World fan and Kuroyukihime already has too many figures by half, but the armour is awesome and it’s a really different look from her regular outfit.

Jel: Once again, I am incredibly impressed by all the Accel World figmas, even if they are totally overkilling Kuroyukihime’s various forms. Still not impressed enough to pick one up though. Even if I was a fan of the series I’d be content to grab the regular releases and pass on the exclusives.

Timmy: Ugh, I am already getting the other figma of her yet this one looks great as well. Sadly the fact she is an exclusive will probably force me to pass on this one in the end.

Lifesong: Very tempted here, I’m able to pass simply because I already know this series has some amazing scaled figures on the horizon. That said the temptation to catch them all has been strong with this figma series and this is no exception.

Aqua: Uhm, what everyone else said. I’m lazy today.