Hello, and welcome to All Your Monies, where The Glorio Blog’s resident toy and figure collecting crew (and Aquagaze) 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, it’s a duo of goddesses and too many characters wearing too little. Contains SPOILERS for Madoka Magica!

Figma Ultimate Madoka (Puella Magi Madoka Magica)
Max Factory, February 2013, 3630JPY

Dragonzigg: I’ve got to admit I didn’t think Max factory would take on such an incredibly elaborate design in Figma form, but they’ve pulled it off pretty well.  I’ve got to imagine all those frills hinder the poseability a little bit, but the giant poofy skirt, wings and endless ruffles are all present and correct. My only major issue here is the chest joint, which since Godoka wears a low cut top (anime!) means the joint has to bridge both clothing and skin, and looks a bit nasty as a result. Otherwise, a fine figure and a good lower cost alternative to the pricey GSC static.

Jel: As pretty as this looks I just don’t think Godoka translates well to a figma. Between the dress and the hair, there appears to be very little room for poseability, which is the whole point of figmas in the first place. Plus that chest joint looks really bad, even I can’t really think of a better way to do it. I suppose it is a significantly less expensive alternative to GSC’s scale version, but that would probably be your best choice if you can afford it.

Aqua: Madoka’s “goddess” incarnation has been unleashed for preorder to coincide with the release of the movies and it has to be said that she looks absolutely stunning. Her beautiful, long, waving hair and poofy dress that gives Penguindrum‘s Princess of the Crystal a run for her monies make this figma look almost as beautiful as a static and some of the obvious problems with figmas, like the joints, are very neatly camouflaged by the exquiste clothing she’s wearing. A bit of a dissappointment are the simplistic finish on the wings and the awkward moveable upper half, that ruins the little diamond shape cut out of the chest. All negligible nitpicks, though, if you are a Madoka fan.

Lifesong: Gotta catch em all! Gonna need a bigger shelf…

Timmy: What Life said. I currently don’t have this on order but I can see that changing. Godoka looks great and the fact the joints appear to be decently well hidden is a nice plus. A nice compromise if the 1/8th version is out of your price range.

Nendoroid Ultimate Madoka (Puella Magi Madoka Magica)
Good Smile Company, April 2013, 2650JPY

Dragonzigg:  This is adorable in its owqn way, but I have to say the Goddess Madoka design doesn’t really fit ths super-deformed Nendoroid style, and though they’ve done a great job with the hair and the skirt it just isn’t as imposing or impressive as the other versions. Given the small price difference I’d go with the Figma every time, but if you’re looking to complete a collection or just prefer the cuteness I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Jel: See my above answer, only cuter… OK I actually think Goddess Madoka works better as a Nendoroid since it’s easier to get away with the stylized look. Still not a huge fan of either one though.

Aqua: If you are a 1,000 yen short, you can always go for the tiny version of Goddess Madoka, though. The Nendoroid version is essentially the exact same figure, only smaller, less poofy and with a blooming flower on top of her bow. Heck, she even comes with the exact same faces. Real freaks collectors will go for the both of them, but if I had 3,600 yen to spare on plastic, I’d go with the figma. Also, Rosebud was the name of his sled, Snape kills Dumbledore, Bruce Willis is a ghost, Darth Vader is Luke’s father, and Soylent Green is made of people.

Lifesong: Nope, no Madoka nendoriods for me, just figmas and petites.

Timmy: And we have the nendo version. I’ll be passing since the petite is enough for me but this is certainly the cream of the crop as far as chibi Godoka figures go.

Aoba (DRAMAtical Murder)
Max Factory, March 2013, 11200JPY

Dragonzigg: No idea where this fellow comes from (It’s apparently a PC game) but who really cares, because this is an incredible figure. I’ve always talked about the best statics having a palpable sense of motion to them, as if you’ve just taken a snapshot of somebody in the middle of something, and this is jsut that. The pose is incredibly unique and striking, the character himself is a cool looker, I love the consistent pale blue and white colour scheme and all the crap falling with him is great. It’s beautifully modeled, as per usual for MF and though the price is high, the quality and uniqueness of the piece arguably warrant it.

Jel: No offense to people who know or care about this dude but this exactly the kind of creative pose and stand I want to see more of with characters that I know or care about. It’s the kind of thing that would work wonders on the myriads of bland school girl designs out there, although I suppose that would also give us more high price tags like this. Needless to say, this guy looks pretty cool, random birds and umbrellas included.

Aqua: I don’t really know who this guy is, and aside from his rather generic “xtreme” design, this is actually a very imaginative static. Max Factory makes maximum use of the figure’s potential as a little statue, and adds chains, umbrellas, birds, TVs and a buttload of other nice details and decorations. It might be a bit overwhelming, and extremely expensive, but fans of DRAMAtical Murder probably did not see such a great figure for one of its characters coming.

Lifesong: Looks cool, lots of motion here, and I think Maxfactory did a great job of giving this guy some life, and personality.

Timmy: Wow, I love elaborate figures and Aoba here is no exception. The character himself looks pretty good but its all the bits and bobs that surround him that really sell the figure. Pretty expensive but for this guy I say it’s worth it.

Hanna-Justina Wallia Rosalind Sieglinde Marseille (Strike Witches)
Alter, February 2013, 6980JPY

Dragonzigg: Alter continue to crank these out and my comments continue to be pretty much the same – the quality is outstanding, the craftsmanship immense, and I still wouldn’t buy one if you held me at gunpoint. I do really like the wing ears, which give her a slightly unique look, and the hair is great as well, but I feel Alter screwed up the pose a little. It’s nowhere near as interesting or dynamic as some of the others we’ve seen in the range and it looks awkward from any angle other than head on. Of course, if you display it at any angle other than head on, you’ll also get a face full of panties, so perhaps that’s not a good idea.

Jel: Why does she have a skirt? Doesn’t that violate some kind of Strike Witches rule or something? That aside, I think it’s easy to say “another week, another Alter Strike Witch” but… OK can I just say that? Still, can’t ignore the fact that each one has been superbly sculpted and this is no exception. I feel bad for Strike Witches fans (aside from the fact you’re Strike Witches fans ZING!), trying to collect all these would be really tough on the bank account.

Aqua: Didn’t we cover this one a few weeks ago? … Oh, no, this one has wing ears.

Lifesong: Wait she has pan… oh.. nope. That skirt is entirely pointless. Alter did a great job as per usual, but I’ll continue to pass on this set.

Timmy: Damn I forgot how many characters this show had. Marseille here is up to the usual Alter standards for this line, great sculpt, great paint, great pantyshot, etc. Definitely digging that confident smirk on her face as well as that wonderfully crafted weapon but this is a line I will continue to stay away from.

Ruri Gokou/Kuroneko (Oreimo)
Kotobukiya, March 2013, 5420JPY

Dragonzigg: Same feelings as with the previous featured Kirino – like the idea and the pose is excellent, wish they would have chosen a different character and a considerably less revealing suit. Definitely a no-no for me.

Jel: Kuroneko is probably the only acid-tongued loli I actually like but I am not feeling this figure. It’s considerably creepier than the Kirino version, not just because of her body type but her expression. Whereas Kirino had a look that said “I can’t wait to get in that water!” Ruri looks like she’s thinking “Please stop recording me getting undressed”. That might be a bit of an exaggeration, but then you get the swimsuit, which like Kirino’s, is way too tiny. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but if I HAD to have a swimsuit figure of Kuroneko I’d prefer her Beach Queen from last year.

Aqua: Look, Kotobukiya, Tsukasa Fushimi, AIC, Aniplex, or whoever the hell approved of this… I know that you simply don’t care. I don’t care either. I don’t care if you make creepy figures of underaged slabs of tropes that make creepers go haywire in their pants in skimpy swimsuits. You guys are just doing your job, right? Money makes the world go round. I know you don’t care about the characters in your show, or their dignity, as long as they give your middle-aged male audience five minutes of barely legal sexual joy. Go right ahead! Make as many skeevy figures as you want. Fart out as many generic haremettes, little sisters and moeblobs as you like. Mix and match. Pigtails, silent, big boobs? Short hair, tsundere, loose socks? Curly, terrible cook, cat ears? The possibilities are endless. I just asking you for one simple thing.

Keep your filthy paws off Kuroneko.

Ruri is not like all these mass-produced hopeless cases. She is the one in charge. Ruri is clever, elegant, charming, witty, creative and doesn’t mess around. She’s both hilarious and charismatic, yet flawed at the same time. She has more brain cells than anyone else in the show and uses them to reel in what she wants in the most profound way possible. She is the one making fun of the tropes. She is the one averting the clichés, and she is the one making a lasting impression. She is not the one who would look or act like this. She values her dignity, and you will not dare to throw it away for easy cash. It was bad enough that you did this to that annoying bitch Kirino, but you will keep your dirty goddamn paws off Ruri. She doesn’t deserve this. (Zigg’s note – Why don’t you just MARRY her Aqua?)

Lifesong: I don’t do the Beach Queens thing, but between this and Kirino these two are some of the best looking ones I’ve seen. You can’t go wrong here.

Timmy: Where Kirino goes Kuroneko is soon to follow and Kotobukiya once again has a great beach babe on their hands. Most of my qualms are the same though as I wish that swimsuit top wasn’t so damn small. The bow is ridiculously cute though.

Beach Queens Misaka Imouto/Last Order (To Aru Majutsu No Index)
Wave, April/May 2013, 3100JPY each

Dragonzigg: I don’t particularly like Misaka Imouto (who I initially cut from this selection but was restored by popular acclaim). If you’re going to get a figure of a girl in a swim,suit, why opt for a dead-eyed one in a boring pose? Last Order on the other hand is adorable, with a much more dynamic pose, two charming faces and a rare instance of great sculpting from Wave on her fluttering towel. I do like how they’ve all been styled to match the new Beach Queens Mikoto we saw a few weeks back…who is an exclusive, so actually maybe that’s a dick move.  A word of warning too – even in the close up sample shots (which normally feature high quality prototypes) the quality on these looks rough. Take a look before buying.

Jel: These would probably look great as a set if you can get your hands on Mikoto, the matching swimsuits is a nice touch. Not sure anyone really cares enough about them individually to own them otherwise though. Misaka Imouto has the cool visor of course, but I think they should have taken it a step further and given her a giant water gun, that would ALMOST make me consider a purchase. Last Order looks pretty great actually as far as the choice of pose but do you really want a ten year old in a swimsuit on your shelf?

Aqua: D’aww. Misaka Imouto is a really great second option for those missing out on that ridiculously hard to get Mikoto we had here a few weeks ago, although she lacks a bit of that Mikoto’s boyish charm. She does come with her trademark visor, though, and probably the most expressive face I have ever seen #10032 make. Last Order, despite being probably the youngest character to have ever received the Beach Queen treatment (which is not a good thing), could have been way creepier, and actually looks pretty fun with her cheeky smile and improvised towel cape. Still, I wouldn’t put her on my shelf if I were you.

Lifesong: Why? Does anyone actually want these characters on their shelf at all? Let alone in swim wear..

Timmy: Not digging these as much as the exclusive Mikoto although they both are still nice. Last Order has a great pose with the towel and is pretty cute but her mouth just looks silly to me.

Transfromers Encore 23 – Fortress Maximus (The Transformers)
Takara Tomy, February 2013, 23400JPY

Dragonzigg: As a huge Transformers fan, I invoke my ‘screw you, I’m the editor’ powers to feature this, the second coming of the Holy Grail of Transformers toys. Fort Max was never the most complex or cool looking of the range, but he makes up for it in one way – size. This guy is two feet (60cm) tall and weighs about fifteen pounds (almost 7kg) so yeah, good luck with those shipping costs. Though remoulds have been issued in the years since, this is the first time the original Fort Max has been rereleased since 1987 so collectors better get those preorders in quick.  The amount of money involved is preposterous, but as something so many left a space for in their collections, it’s a real thrill to see it up for order once again.

Jel: Man I loved Transformers when I was a kid but looking at them now the toys seemed MUCH cooler back in the 80’s. Were they always so simple looking? Still, this thing is MASSIVE and quite a collector’s item and given this is Transformers we’re talking about and not our usual niché anime figures it’s probably a solid investment.

Aqua: Hey, what’s cooler than a giant robot that transforms into a vehicle? How about a huge robot that transforms into a fortress? Yeah! Fortress Maximus is humongous, but sadly enough not humongous enough to actually serve as a to-scale fortress for your other Transformers. You know what else is humongous? Its price! But hey, I am very sure there are more than enough dedicated fans willing to pay that much. Hurray for making money off old toys- *shot*

Timmy: After over 25 years Fortress Maximus is back once again to transform and roll out. With your wallet. Ok, so this actually looks like the Transformers toy to end all Transformers toys and I am sure the nostalgia value alone will cause people to eat this thing up. It’s only 300 bucks without shipping. No big deal.