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 there’s some decidedly NSFW stuff alonside a pair of Mamis.

Illyasviel von Einzbern (Fate/kalied liner)
Phat Company, March 2013, 5930JPY

Dragonzigg: I’m really, really thrown off by the colour balance on this figure – there’s so much pale pink and white the figure sort of becomes a mass of indistinguishable details, not helped by the fact that Ilya has very pale skin and hair. Even leaving that aside, I’m not a big fan. Ilya’s design is not especially cute, the mouth seems kind off of and the ‘hello boys’ raised leg pose is quite frankly just unnecessary . A definite miss.

Aqua: There are all kinds of wrong, and this is definitely one of them. I’ve already ranted before about how Ilya being considered a paragon of cuteness is entirely beyond me, but the idea of her getting her own magical girl spin-off played straight is just too crazy for words. Of course, after the manga, now the inevitable figure. While the design is pretty original for magical girl standards, the enormous eyes, mouth and pigtails don’t make her even look like Ilya. Then, there’s the pose. Sigh.

Lifesong: Ilya looks pretty great as a magical girl, and there is a lot of energy in her pose. I love the mix of colors; the pink, white, and red look quite nice on Ilya. I want this one, but I have so much on order already I will probably have to pass.

Timmy: Illya makes a pretty unique magical girl and Phat has done a pretty good job on her. Slight issue with that leg being so high though. I know it adds a lot of energy to her pose but that pantyshot is still terribly obvious.

Real Action Heroes Mami Tomoe (Puella Magi Madoka Magica)
Medicom, May 2013, 16500JPY

Dragonzigg: Real Action Heroes are basically supersized figmas, which can be either a good or bad thing depending on the figure and your personal preference. I think Mami is one of the better ones – her outfit looks really smart done in real cloth and her arm wraps and socks have the added benefit of covering up some unsightly joints. Including six rifles with her is also a genius moves – suddenly large scale montages are a tantalizing possibility. But at the end of the day, that’s just too much money for me. Still better than a Dollfie though.

Aqua: I admit, at first I didn’t even know that Mami’s clothes were made of actual fabric. That is definitely a step in the right direction. Nevertheless, the entire concept of Real Action Heroes is sorta beyond me. Don’t they look like Barbie dolls? The attention to detail on this one is stunning, but the identity crisis turns this line of figures into a bit of a hit-or-miss. Also, is Mami wearing flesh-coloured underwear, or is that a really nasty joint I see on her upper right leg?

Lifesong: Another Mami figma? Or not.. cool! Not part of the set, so I don’t need to buy this one!

Timmy: And once again I am tempted by this line. Mami looks lovely here and I especially like how most of the joints are covered up by the clothing. Lots of extra goodies to play with too. The only thing I don’t like is the price for something that is roughly 1/6th. Mami came out great but I’ll live without her.

Figma Mami Tomoe Uniform ver. (Puella Magi Madoka Magica)
Max Factory, March 2013, 2420JPY

Dragonzigg: The previous two school uniform figures in this line (Madoka and Homura) have been a pack-in and an exclusive respectively so it’s rather surprising to see this come to general retail. Mami is a smart looker and the Mitikahara uniform is a lot less generic than the standard blazer or sailor suit, but at the end of the day it’s still a schoolgirl figma and I’ve had enough of those to last a lifetime. The noticeable lack of accessories hardly helps either.

Aqua: Another figma of a schoolgirl! Well, at least this one is wearing a nice uniform, looks stoned as a Mami should and comes with epic hair drills. Basically what I am trying to say is that Ume Aoki rocks. Still, couldn’t they just have made one figma with exchangeable heads and legs? Aha, right, money.

Lifesong:  Ordered, I will catch them all.

Timmy: I am probably going to get this eventually seeing as I must also catch them all but Max Factory isn’t trying very hard to sell me one. Where is all the cool extra stuff too add to her magical girl figma?

Yotsuba Koiwai Plastic Kit (Yotsuba&!)
Kaiyodo, March 2013, 2080JPY

Dragonzigg: Any and all Yotsuba merchandise is a good thing in my book, and this kit is especially adorable, offering an assortment of faces alongside some pretty great extras – the bag is nice but the real draw here is miniature Duralumin and that Danbo head, which you can pose with like some sort of conquering hero. The only mitigating factor is that this is a self assembled plastic kit, so don’t expect high levels of durability or build quality.

Aqua: It’s Yotsuba.

Lifesong: Cute, and cheap! If you want a Yotsuba this is a good chance to get one.

Timmy: Pretty cute and it is indeed Yotsuba, Aqua.

Yui Takamura Off Style ver. (Muv-Luv Alternative Total Eclipse of Jel’s Heart)
Skytube, April 2013, 6200JPY

Dragonzigg: That is a beautifully modelled coffee mug. Oh and breasts  guess. I’m on the record as being not too thrilled about ero or borderline ero figures like this one, but I have to admit this looks to be a pretty good example of the genre. I do like the pose, especially the arm lifting the hair, which is unique and quite cool looking. Otherwise, I’ll put this squarely in Lifesong and Timmy’s wheelhouse.

Aqua: I have to say, this figure does get the whole “sleazy bedhead” thing right. Kudos on the sculpters for making those panties look see-through. Now excuse me as I go drown myself in despair.

Lifesong: Yui is looking pretty sexy here, but I can’t buy her. This character was irreversibly ruined for me by her anime. I do not want to be mistaken as a fan of the series so I can’t do it. Also, who drinks their morning coffee half dressed on their knees like that? On second thought this pose is really silly. There is probably something wrong with me for finding this kind of hot…

Timmy: While I haven’t warmed up to sexy figures nearly as much as Life has I must admit Yue here is looking pretty nice. Not nice enough for me to pick up though I can’t fault anyone who does.

Tony x Takeshi Miyagawa White School Swimsuit Maid Ver. (Original)
Mediation, March 2013,  9800JPY (AmiAmi exclusive)

Dragonzigg: I have never understood the fascination with Tony Taka or why anything based on his art seems to sell gangbusters, but hey, what do I know. This thing is a pretty nice design if you don’t mind openly flaunting your peversion, but I’m a little worried about Mediation’s quality – their parent company is Clayz, who do not rank particularly highly in my opinion, and I’ve certainly seen better hair, plus the detail on those boots appears lacking. Otherwise, I’ll note this is an exclusive from AmiAmi and the E2 online store, which helps explain the higher than average price.

Aqua: My God, these hips are ginormous. I have to congratulate Tony Taka for coming up with the utterly insane concept of a maid-themed school swimsuit, but then again, I suppose it’s the man’s job. Utter creepiness aside, this figure looks a bit lifeless, without any exquisite details or lively colours. That facial expression just yells “My life is ruined. I am a poor girl having to dress like this to make creepers drool over me in the hope of ever gaining enough money to save my dying father.” Yup.

Lifesong: This thing is so ridiculous I almost want it.. almost, but not quite. With a fork in her mouth, and a menu in her hand they should have just gone, and made the base a plate. Also, Aqua this is a Tony Taka girl so she must be dressed like this to spread love, and happiness.. Clearly.

Timmy: This girl just looks silly… In a good way. I have always enjoyed Tony Takas art and the figures that come out of it and that outfit is crazy enough for me to consider picking this up. Pretty high price and a maker I am not familiar with leaves me weary though.

Also worth noting you can get her in a black swimsuit as well.

S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Wizard Flame Style (Kamen Rider Wizard)
Bandai, February 2013, 2580JPY 

Dragonzigg: Previous Riders have been some of the jewels in the crown of the Figuarts range and Wizard looks to be no different. This is an excellent reproduction of the TV outfit, with fantastic detailing on finicky parts such as the belt and rings. It’s kind of a pity he comes without any flame elements or magical attacks – you only get his WizarSwordGun in both gun and sword modes (although the hand is openable!) – but you do get three different versions of his coat tails, for maximum dramatic posing as things explode behind you. As ever with Figuarts no stand is included, but at that price it looks to be a bargain. Ordered as soon as stock returns.

Aqua: It’s showtime! Wizard crashes the party with an endless collection of fabulous poses and three different capes. Sadly enough, the belt doesn’t talk and explosions are not included, but all of that can be easily forgiven when you look at that awesome price. Japanese kids know what to ask Santa for this year. The sculpt is not perfect, but there is a lovely distinction between the glossy leather of his arms and the shiny finish of the red on his mask. Besides, he’s awesome. Money, PUREASE.