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, we have kicking girls, singing girls, crazy girls and musical robots.

High Priestess Chie Satonaka (Persona 4)
Megahouse, June, 9400JPY (Megatrea Online store exclusive)

Zigg:  It’s a beautiful pose and I really do appreciate the addition of all the extra addon parts. But while there may be a fanbase for elegant bishoujo Chie, I prefer my Chie a little more cartoony and boyish like in the games. What really puts a bullet in this one though is the price – I’d happily cough up 7 or 8k for this, but 9400 plus the big proxy fees that come with exclusivity? That’s the way to lose a customer right there Megahouse. 

Aqua: I am always a fan of figures that portray characters a bit more mature than they usually are. Megahouse’s Chie looks almost refined to a certain extent, which is the last possible trait you would associate with the Spunky Dragon with Deadly Legs. Nevertheless, Chie’s tomboyishness and energy is still intact, further perfected by the wonderful sculpt. All’s fine then, until you see that price. And the fact that it’s an exclusive. Truly a pity.

Jel: I want to like this figure there’s just too many things holding me back. For one, her face is very pretty but way too serious and mature for what I want out of a Chie figure. Also my eyes can’t help but go straight to that ugly seam where her right arm connects to her jacket. The price is the final nail in the coffin.

Lifesong:  With a price like this I expect a figure to look top notch and Chie is average at best. Its the seams, they should not exist on a figure in this price range.

Nendoroid Petite Miku Hatsune Selection Box (Vocaloid)
Good Smile Company, September, 5770JPY

Zigg: The ‘regular versions here are clearly kind of a bust, seeing that most Nendoroid characters have been well represented in Nendo form before, but the second ‘alternative’ set are pretty cool. The others expound on the virtues of sexy Nendo Miku below so I’ll just say I’m rather taken with evil gothic Rin and Len. Also, can we stop making figures of Vocaloids now?

Aqua: I am in no way a fan of Vocaloids, though it must be said that this is a very neat little set of Petits. Yours for the relatively democratic price of by and large 6000 yen, this set features six neatly detailed versions of the most famous singing AutoTune machines, but also six alternative versions, such as a sweet Victorian dress Rin or a yukata Luka. The sculpts are expressive as expected of GSC, despite their size, though the regular Miku seems to be wearing a poofy dress in stead of her a shirt and skirt. I can’t exactly blame GSC for getting sloppy with their Mikus given just how many different versions of her they have made, but once again four out of twelve of the nendos in this set have been claimed by the omnipresent and apparently still not entirely obsolete queen of the chipmunks. Nevertheless, this set is still a neat threat for Vocaloid geeks.

Jel: As much as we might complain about all the Miku and vocaloid related releases, I do think it’s cool that GSC makes sure everyone can get their fix as new fans keep pouring in. This latest set is a good example, giving newer fans a chance to pick up the classic characters and collecting veterans get some sweet new designs. The “Romeo and Cinderella” Miku is a just a little too sexy a design for nendoroid petit, but other than that they look really sharp.

Lifesong:  I kind of want the “Romeo and Cinderella” nendroid for it’s ridiculousness. I am not willing to pick up the set just for one nendroid.

Nendoroid Chariot with Mary (Black Rock Shooter)
Good Smile Company, July, 4480JPY

Zigg: Very, very awesome. I’ve always been fond of Chariot’s spiky, wheely design and despite the super-deformed styling of Nendoroids this captures that very well, along with her trademark crazy eyes.  Mary meanwhile is a terrific bonus, way way huger and more elaborate than the standard Nendoroid accessory, though that does correspond to a hefty hike in price. I’ll probably wait for the figma myself, but this is a damn strong release by GSC

Aqua: The almost comically psychotic Kagari and her alter ego Chariot were by far and wide my favourite characters in last year’s Black Rock Shooter, and I am glad to see they have so excellently been nendoroided. Chariot herself looks fabulous, with great attention to detail on her crown and wheelie legs, but it’s the accesories that truly shine here. Armed with an equally detailed sword and shield, her eponymous… well, chariot – which turns out to be modeled and named after Kagari’s creepy-as-hell doll, something I did not notice in the show – and, of course, a heap of macarons to force feed to her enemies, this little creeper is a very nice piece of craftsmanship to have on your shelf. Now I’m just waiting on the regular Kagari nendo, complete with pint-sized wheelchair and nightmare-inducing facial expressions.

Jel: MACAROOOONS OF DESPAIR! This is a really cool, elaborate nendoroid but I can’t help but think there would have been a lot more interest in this 6 months ago. As much as I enjoyed the Black Rock Shooter series I don’t know if I’ve given it a second thought since it finished airing, not to mention the general BRS figure fatigue a lot of collectors are still feeling. Basically I’m having a hard time caring about this, even if it is a perfect nendoroid rendition of the character.

Lifesong: More BRS? Moving along…

‘The Embodiment of Scarlet Devil’ Flandre Scarlet (Touhou Project)
Orchid Seed, October, 7000JPY

Zigg: I’m actually rather taken with the very soft-focus, cute art style being used here, although I have no idea if it’s in character or not. It’s very adorable and something a little different from most of the figures you see, and I also like the tall spindly stand and the little array of stars. It’s questionable how well you can paint to this style (a lot of the fine detail looks worryingly blobby) but Orchid Seed have a strong reputation and I do like the fact they’re trying something unique here.

Aqua: Touhou, ladies and gentlemen. While I have always had a soft spot for Flandre’s colourful wings, this version of her looks as if it is starting to melt. The crooked, branch-like sculpt of the wings, combined with the gaudy frills of the dress and random donuts make this figure look like a bit of a blob, and not one that looks particularly nice to have on display.

Jel: This is certainly a different take on Flandre but I don’t know if I really like it. If anything she kind of looks… edible? Like cake or candy or something. Save your money for the fantastic Ques Q version coming sometime later this year. 

Lifesong:  Aww cute, it’s almost like she is not a psychopath. I like this figure but I want my Flandre figures ready to kill at a moments notice. This Flandre is just too cute.

Figma Miyako (Hidamari Sketch)
Max Factory, July, 2400JPY

Zigg: It’s the same figma story as before – great sculpt, cute character, uninspiring choice and pitiful range of accessories. The line seems to be in something of a rut.

Aqua: While I do have to give Max Factory credit for including Miya’s adorable dance from the Hidamari Sketch x☆☆☆ opening in their promo pics, the serious poverty of accessories make her into a very tough sell. What you get here is essentially a slightly taller Yuno with a different head. The Yamabuki uniform is a pretty unique one, but justifying the sale of this rather generic figma it does not. If you are a big fan of Hidamari’s resident glutton, the nendoroid is a much better and cuter pick.

Jel: YAAAAAAWN. There is zero interest here outside the Hidamari Sketch fandom. I’m happy for you guys, but I’m gonna keep moving along here. 

Lifesong:  More school girl Mado… oh.. nope, don’t need to buy this one.

Iro:

Super Robot Chogokin Mic Sounders the Thirteenth (The King of Braves GaoGaiGar)
Bandai, August, 5000JPY (Exclusive)

Zigg: While I’m always happy to feature GaoGaiGar in this column, I have to admit Mic here is not the most compelling release so far. Given his chunky design, his poseability is very low and I have to point out that he doesn’t transform, so this isn’t really the one you want given a figure of his battle form is pretty much inevitable. Bandai have tried to sweeten the deal by throwing in a to-scale version of Piggy, plus a quarter of the Big Order Room set, but really that’s just an appeal to fanaticl collectors to buy ’em all in order to create awesome dioramas. Also, why is this an exclusive?

Aqua: I know not the slightest thing about GaoGaiGar, yet it is always nice to see Bandai toys. Mic here looks a bit chunky and immobile and while the craft is less initially impressive and more toy-like than most other figures you can get at this price, his design has a sense of undeniable retro charm to it. Furthermore, what you see here is a mere third of the set you get for 5000 yen. Mic also comes with the equally charming Piggy and a bar set to pose them and your other GaoGaiGar figures around. It’s a bit confusing, but it’s also a very nice offer for fans.

Jel: Hey it’s an old robot from an old robot show with a silly name. This looks like a coin bank I would buy for my niece or nephew.

Lifesong:  This is the type of thing I would buy for my nephew if I hated my sister and wanted to keep him up all night terrified of the giant eyes.