So close to Sakuracon

So Sakuracon is close at hand. Which is kind of sad and yet so very exciting.

What I am excited and sad for is Angelic Pretty. I don't think I will have enough money to buy anything substantial from their shop since it's only two more paychecks till con. But then last year I didn't find anything I really wanted so that was kind of a loss for me, so who knows what will happen at this one.

If there's another tea party I will probably go again, but this time I won't be expecting much since AX's one was super lame, and it seems par for the course for brand tea parties (that are held within the convention center).

But I cannot wait for the fashion show that will happen.

Last years fashion show at Sakuracon took so long to get started but then burned out quickly their time wasn't even up before they were finished.

Anyway I have to figure out what things I wanna wear for the con aside from my cosplay.

I want to wear this but I don't have an ivory or a brown blouse to wear with it. I mean I have my new blouse from meta that I haven't worn yet. It may be a bit weird wearing white with ivory but it may be my best chances as of right now to have something new to wear at the con.

I mean while all my other stuff is nice. The rest of my pieces are relatively older AP and Baby items that I've had over the years.

Whatever turns out to be the case I'm just going to try to have more fun and try to be less of a wallflower than other times.

Kickstarters that need help

It may not be your cup o tea but there are a few kickstart pages going on that need help if you're interested.
First one is GAMCON which is trying to raise up funds to make an anime/videogame convention outside of the Seattle are.
GAMCON kickstarter page
Even if it's just a couple of dollars, I'm sure they'd appreciate the help. I donated $20 to just get a badge, since it's more of a local con for me. And the area that they're trying to rent is actually quite spacious and cheap. There are local businesses and everything willing to help and advertise, but they just need a bit of word of mouth to spread it around, so if you have any interest or know someone who would, by all means. Please show them.

Also another Kickstarter that holds a place in my nerd heart is the Wakfu kickstarter is up.
Wakfu dub+French sub Bluray
If you've ever seen the show or played the Tactical MMORPG, now is your chance to not only own the first season but at 200,000CAD we get season two as well for all the backers who backed enough to get the bluray. I was able to get the limited to 50 early bird special at the 100CAD mark so I so have that going for me. And the wait time for isn't too long, estimated April but they said it may be pushed back a month or two if they have to do even more dubbing, which isn't a bad thing because that means more goals have been met.

Also for everyone who says "I'll just get it later". In the kickstarter comments Ankama has said after this kickstarter they're probably not going to release it again, for a long time. So this is pretty much your shot to get something like this.

Anyway thanks for taking a look and everything. Hope that you'll donate, or even just spread the word.

Houzuki no Reitetsu is here!

Houzuki no Reitetsu is finally here guys! I am so excited. I started to read the manga once it came out translated (since it's way easier to find translates than RAWs) and I gotta say hands down I loved it. So I was super excited when they announced making the anime of it. More than that, it's being similcasted on CrunchyRoll and was already picked up for local distribution by Sentai Films. This makes the youkai lover in me very happy!

Here is the official PV with English subs.

After the first episode came out I was really bursting with happiness, but I guess a lot of people don't like Houzuki no Reitetsu. I hear a lot that it's not funny and boring. It doesn't help that the show and manga is just as much a slice of life as it is a comedy. And a lot of the humor in Houzuki relies on knowing about Japanese culture and religions; most people from other countries don't know much about Buddhism besides Buddha himself, but that's ok.

I did really enjoy it, and the opening theme song just makes me laugh with how everyone is singing, like King Enma decided like it would boost morale among workers or something.

I did preorder the OP theme CD and the B-Alt limited edition version for the Japanese Bluray release. I'm a bit bummed about how much you pay for only two or three episodes, but you know. You gotta do what you gotta do to support the industry.

I'm finally going to cosplay.... And I'm really scared

Well as Sakuracon draws closer my friends (the two who I saw Rebellion with) are talking about what they're going to cosplay as. And they asked me what was I going to dress up as, and I told them nothing because I'm too afraid to cosplay.

Of course they asked why and I told them the truth of what I felt; that I was too ugly and fat to cosplay. My friends couldn't believe that I would say that about myself but they saw how genuine I believe the words to be.

They told me about how much fun they have at cons when they dress up and that it doesn't have to be anything serious as sometimes they go in casual cosplay like homestuck or MLP:FIM characters. They really encouraged me to try cosplay as they said they'd be there to support me.

When I look back on it, it seems a bit funny that my friends who are a few years younger than me, had to encourage me to try cosplaying. But without them I don't think I'd ever try.

Well enough about that part, onto what I've decided to cosplay as.

I'm actually going as two characters from the Madoka Movie:Rebellion

Nagisa Momoe and Bebe

I wanted to pick something that was relatively easy and of characters I liked. These two are super adorable, and I already got some help for BeBe's wig and will be ordering the pieces to put it together soon. And funny enough one of my friends is cosplaying Mami as well, which means there will be two magical girls at least.

My mom even wants me to cosplay something else as well. We watched the first season of RWBY together and she wants me to cosplay Ruby Rose

Ruby Rose

I do like the character but out of all the characters my mom suggested Ruby is the only one I'd feel comfortable doing. Mom suggested me to dress up as Yang or Pyrrha which didn't set so well for me. Though I had an interesting time explaining to my mom just exactly what a scythe was to her.

I think for me the most fun would be in constructed the Crescent Rose scythe as I always loved making sculptures and helping out making props for people.

Looks like the next couple of months I will be super busy for the con, hopefully though all the hard work I will be doing won't be wasted.

I'm still nervous about this whole cosplaying ordeal, but I also am excited. As time goes on I hope the nervousness and doubt goes away.

Sakuracon 2014

Well Sakuracon is close at hand. I just bought my ticket and reserved the hotel for my group. That's right it's just more than me and my BFF going this year. I actually made two new, close friends (female friends) at work. And they both like anime/manga and even fashion (J-fashion though). So it's really going to be fun.

I can't believe our hotel is going to be close to $1,000 though. But it's a much easier burden when everyone is paying, also we have to deal with the fact that the hotel parking is also valet but when there's only about half a block to the convention center...WHO CARES.

This con is going to be really great. The only way it could possibly get better is if we get lolita brands up here again like they did with Chantilly a while ago.

The only somewhat sad part about this, it may be the only con I go to for a long while. I can't go to AX this year because it's in super close proximity to Sakuracon and also with the fact that I'll finally be going back to school in the spring (right around the con too) it's not economical.

But there are a few fall cons I am seeing that I wouldn't mind going to PMX, PAX Prime, and also Rufflecon are all happening and it might be fun to attend one of those as well.
It's going to be an interesting next 2014 to say the least.

Also with my lolita fashion resolutions, I haven't been up on them and haven't gotten even one of my goals fulfilled yet. >.< I must be really bad at this.

Madoka Magica -Rebellion-

Madoka Magica Part Three -Rebellion-

Guess whose going to watch the Madoka Magica movie in their city on December 8th... THIS GAL!

I'm like really stoked to see this movie and I'm going to see it with a couple of gals from work who are also into anime and when I told them about this movie we all got our tickets. The only thing that sucks is I haven't seen the first two...

But don't worry we're seeing those at a matinee at the same movie theater we're seeing the third movie at. So we're going to marathon all three movies and it's going to be so epic!!!

So very excited about this! I don't like watching movies at theaters and even more so I don't like watching them alone. But I'm just so happy right now I could burst! December couldn't come soon enough!

Too much to buy, not enough money.... And redecorations

Every time I go onto Amiami, or online I just find so much to buy. But I know I have to keep spending down so that I can save for my trip to Japan and for school and cons. Though I was able to do the remodeling I wanted to do and am out about $900 but it was worth it. I ended up just getting a new TV and a tower system so now I have a non piece of shit computer that can run Steam besides Bejeweled (don't judge me, I like puzzle games).

But luckily mom gave me my birthday present a little bit early. Martha Stewart cabinets and an Ikea drawer for my room. All we have to do now is just paint my bed frame, my outdoor closet and my desk (if we don't end up making one) white and then everything will be perfect.

I do have my Metamorphose collaboration dress with Kamen Rider Wizard on the way, also the R-series dress as well. But I did end up purchasing two things from Japan that were a bit of impulse buys for my kitchen.

Lekue-Spain made, bought in Japan

 First one up is a Lekue steamer. Made in Spain, bought in Japan. Wacky right? Well it seems that the pink one is hard to buy and most of the shops that carried it on rakuten.jp had it sold out. I was able to find this three pack though for $35 after FromJapan's rakuten promotion. They've got rakuten promotionals all the time and I suggest buying something from rakuten when they come up. Well anyway the Lekue steamer is what it is, just a steamer but since I eat a lot of steamed veggies right now I can put a good heaping and just steam them up real quick. So I bought it for my weightloss (I'm already almost down 10lbs :3 )

Honestly I've bought some wacky dieting aids before from Japan and they didn't really work. But this just seems practical. Also it comes with a cookbook so at least I can use it as well just in case I run out of ideas. Also Japan has a lot of Lekue cookbooks and cookbooks for all sorts of single silicone steamers so it's a really good investment to me.

The other thing I bought... Well I just really wanted it...

just look at dem bishoujou eyes

That's right... MANGA PLATE.

There have been a few of them circling around the internet and places like Bento&Co have them but I wanted to see all the designs. And honestly this one caught my eyes the most. Because it's so magical. Just look at her eye that dessert.

I will put everything on that plate just so that it looks magical. But in all honesty. I will use these plates. I wanna get a couple more designs but probably not until later down the line.

Yami Marik from Kotobukiya ArtFx-J line

So what's better than a figure of one of the shows you nostalgia over? When that figure is a man. No seriously, it seems that the Otaku/Anime market has finally figured out that they should be making more female oriented figures, which means more males.

At events such as Comiket women dump more money per men on a whole for goods, so why haven't they been making anything until now? No idea, maybe they just didn't want to take a chance.

Anyway recently on preorder was Yami Marik from Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Monsters. Now to be honest, he's one of my favorite villans, just because of the rediculous faces that he makes. You know what I'm talking about, and if you don't.... Kotobukiya made it an optional head sculpt.

Yami Marik Optional Face Part

Yup folks, the face only a mother, and rabid fangirls can love. Honestly I probably would only use that face for joke pictures because... It kinda creeps me out. The normal face is much better.

Yami Marik Original Face

He's still smirking which is great. Because smirks are a good look on villains. But really I can't wait till he is released which if there are no delays, December 2013.

A very small peeve of mine...

Since I'm into figure buying and stuff, I tend to sell things I don't like but another problem has arisen from that... People trying to ask if I will sell stuff from my personal collection.

It was pretty flattering the first time... But so many messages later about it. I'm kind of getting tired to be honest. But I don't wanna be a jerk and put it on my head page saying for either people to stop or address it. So pretty much after this small vent, I'm taking it in stride.

Also I got my Rin/Mecha Wooser today. Maybe I'll take pictures and post them up or something. Nendoroids are fun after all.

Sakuracon, Lolita, and BEAST

So as Sakuracon draws closer I'm getting pumped up for various reasons.

I got my Instax camera and waiting for film. Yeah it probably seems really lame for a person still taking pictures with a regular camera that prints out film. But I want to keep my memories, and it seems when I use my digital camera I never print out pictures. While if I have a camera that develops on the spot I can enjoy my pictures and create long lasting memories in an album or scrapbook.


Friend is coming back on the 24 which is the same day my mom is leaving. Now I get a three month vacation from my mother, which is a nice break since my mom is sort of unstable. Now I'm not being mean, I love my mom but distance away from her every once in a while is good. And she gets to see her family back home in the P.I. Also she's doing me a little favor. She's fixing a skirt of mine that I can't fit.

Angelic Pretty Sweet Cream House-Pink

Yeah so she's going to get the seamstress to take the waist ties and turn it into an extension for the waist so that I can finally wear the skirt. I really love the skirt and its super cute in person. But I'm glad she's doing this favor for me since it will be nice for me to have it fixed. Also she's going to get a vest fixed for me as well.

Metamorphose Fancy Egg Vest

I actually thought the shirring on the Fancy Egg vest was going to fit me... Was wrong... So she's going to get the seamstress to deconstruct it and add panels of black on the side. I just have to get the materials for that though.

I know that other lolitas don't like it when people alter their things, but these are mine. And I won't be reselling them anyway since I buy my things to keep. And lots of lolitas in Japan do it as well. I've actually bought some skirts that have had their shirring 100% removed and second hand clothing is always more loose more the time, so I have no problem with not getting my money back if I end up selling them, but I don't really intend to anyway. I think the irony of getting these fixed when my mom is in the Philippines though is... Both on the tag say "Made in the Philippines".

Lastly I was browsing Premium Bandai for some cool Kamen Rider W or Kamen Rider Wizard stuff when I stopped upon this.

Kosuke Nitoh's Wolf Vest

It's Kosuke Nitoh (Kamen Rider Beast) replica of his vest. It's a really cool ota-good and I so want it. Along with his token Lion shirt and belt. The vest alone though comes in an XL size and is meant to stay open so there's no need to worry if it's small and I can fit Japanese XL size just fine (Mens XL) so I'm really looking into purchasing this. The one thing though is it's about 22,000 yen so pretty much a dress second hand. But I really can't stop looking at it. So if I end up not buying a dress at Sakuracon or not being able to... There's still something I can purchase at home that weekend.

The one downside of the vest is the fake fur part is darker than Kosuke's in the series.

Haruto and Kosuke before turning into Wizard and Beast

See it's a more natural color in the actual show, but I'm not complaining all that much. Since they also have it in a light blue vest as well. I'm a bit sad though... All the XL lion shirts are sold out. I really wanted one. But they still have Buffa, Dolphi, Cameleo, and Falco shirts left all based on his mantles and they look just as awesome.

Only 24 days left till the con. SHITS GONNA BE EPIC. Hopefully I'll eventually decide what to wear and I hope everyone going will have a good time... And I hope I'm not sick for day one. I always seem to get sick on day one of every con I go to. But I'm just getting better from whatever dumb crud has been going around, since I interact with people constantly. But you know... Got my time off and only work two days that week so it's going to be fun regardless.

I really hate delays... My gripe with We Love Fine

How I feel at the moment about delays everywhere

Well Accelerator is still delayed. His release date changed to winter 2013, which means any time in winter, though on the company site, it says that he should be finished and heading out in February. We'll see though.

Also another reason why I currently have been feeling a lot of order hate is because my package from Welovefine.com still hasn't shipped yet. I ordered it on the 30th and they said that they'd be back in office at the 2nd of January. Well also they say it only takes 7 business days for it to process... When I'm writing this journal entry it's already the 20th, the month is almost up. And it seems people are getting their packages in a month after they've ordered it.

When Monday rolls along and my item still hasn't been shipped I'm going to write them an email letting them know how I feel. I was going to buy a lot of things from them (iPod case, shirts, sweaters, and hoodies) but now with the weeks of waiting, I'm not really in the mood to wait for weeks again just for a few items.

I mean it's one thing to order something through a shopping service and it having to take a week or two, but for something straight from the manufacturer themselves? I'm really fed up with it.

Adventure Time print idea

I've been watching Adventure Time a lot since I bought the first DVD box set. And then I had a weird sort of idea pop up into my head. I was thinking about designing some Adventure Time fabric to be printed and create a skirt or something with it. Like doing the candy kingdom or a fun Finn and Jake inspired print.

Also I've been drawing a lot of Finn and Jake recently. I also have been doing quite a bit of studying of people and real life, so I've been slowly improving on that.

Also have been sketching on Paint Tool Sai. It's been really fun. Maybe I'll throw up some scraps to show later.

Anyway back to drawing with me.

Flan's Flying

Anime Expo 2012- A rather big "disappointment"

Well as you know I was at Anime Expo from June 28- July 2.In a word the whole con was a "disappointment".

We had problems with the hotel, the con itself, the tea party event; pretty much everything was messed up. The biggest reason being why was two reasons.

1. The X-Games

Yup, the X-games was held at the same time as the convention. Which made it harder to even move around town and there were tons of detours and everything. What was even great was our hotel lied to us about the booking of our room saying it was Anime Expo's booking systems fault when in actuality they gave away more hotel rooms to X-games people because they had to pay full price. So it was the three of us in one bed...

Now don't get me wrong, I don't hate the people who attended the X-games, just the event itself and the shitty excuses and roundabouts we got from staff and the literal detours we had to take to get anywhere in downtown LA.

2.The Anime Expo staff

Oh yeah, this part really pisses me off... THE STAFF HAD PRETTY MUCH NO IDEA WHAT WAS GOING ON. Like for everyone one person who had an idea of what was going on... There was 20 who didn't. Most events were either canceled or moved, and then there wasn't enough adequate room that a lot of times we couldn't get into things. This Anime Expo ended up becoming "Line Con:Anime Version".

No offense to people who love to go to San Diego Comic Con, but it does have the nickname line-con for a reason.

But yeah, staff didn't know what they were doing. Fate/Zero GoHs and not much more....

Oh yeah, the Misako tea party wasn't even a tea party. It was more of a meet and greet. And we couldn't even get individual pictures with her, it had to be done as a group at each table. Made me kind of steamed. And sadly enough, I'm making the stupidest picture in our group photo that I don't like it. Yeah... So that was a personal disappointment.

There were some good things about Anime Expo though, and I am going to write about them, but I needed to get all the negatives out of me first.

On a positive note, at least next year my friends and I will be attending Sakuracon instead. So instead of me coming down to CA they'll be coming up here. And that should be fun.

TL;DR My feelings for Anime Expo 2012

Sadness and disappointment

Kneesocks Figure by Alter

So finally we get something that isn't a Panty or Stocking figure and I'm so happy about it. It's one of the demon sisters. Keesocks to be exact.

Kneesocks- Different Angles

She's really skinny, but then it's been a while since I've seen the show. I don't mind her body, but it's something I've forgotten about. Since seeing all the fanart of her... Well she's usually got big boobs to say the least. But from just the initial pictures I was sold and preordered her.

Kneesocks- Back side

I really do like her backside though, it's really cute. And those small little wings, so adorable >w< The picture does show how the difference in the painting reflects when you take picture of her. You can see the shine from the black and then all the matte coloring from everything else. She really looks good.

Kneesocks- Close up, face details

And now her face. One of my favorite features with her is that smirk. It's so amazing with that little snaggle tooth hanging out; quite cute and is a great adaptation from the anime. Also the detail in the eyes seems to be really good from what you can see. But man, that skin... That red skin. It's so beautiful of a color just like the anime.

Overall I'm really happy what she turned out to be, because I wasn't liking her prototype. But man, in color she won my heart. Now I'm just waiting for a Scanty...

RIO:Bone Stocking on preorder

Well today on Amiami there was the RIO:Bone Stocking pre-order. So I decided to get it since it will match my Panty (which is on the way).

Stocking by RIO:Bone

The pictures right now aren't really all that good, but you know, they're probably still the prototype. Or rather I am so hoping that it's the prototype. But she also comes with some things for Panty which is pretty awesome.

Glasses version of Panty and Stocking

The glasses look freakin' sweet. And you can only get them with the Stocking version. Honestly Stocking is my favorite of the two so I am really excited for her release. Hopefully the Demon Sisters will be coming out, but I'd take anything of them to be honest.

New Panty Design and Yui Figure

Well the RIO:Bone Panty got delayed till February along with the Puella Magi Madoka Magica petite nendoroids, but today I saw something quite neat. On Amiami they have the new finished action figure up instead of the prototype. Here is a link to where the old pictures are on my blog and now here is the new ones!

Final Panty Image from Amiami

You can see how much the face has been tweaked, the eyes have been changed and the face has been smoothed out more instead of rather chunky and for a lack of a better word... Derpy. I don't know if the lighting is better or the fact that there's a background but it looks so much better in my eyes.

Then comes a part I'm not so happy about; the back of her legs.

Backside View

The joint kind of seems wonky, specially from the back, they're not the little nubs that I'm used to seeing in like Figma or Revoltech but I'm wondering how it will actually hold up or were they used because of the weird drawing style Gainax chose to use in making the show.

You can also see that the open face was given the same treatment as the first picture. Man I love her expressions even more now. I am quite glad that I decided to preorder her.

I also saw something quite interesting if you like the anime K-On or are a Yui fan (I sure love Yui). It's by Kyo-Ani and it's a cute super deformed singing Yui.

Super Deformed Yui Normal Face

I love her hair and the glasses. She kind of reminds me of Arare from Doctor Slump. But what made me laugh even more was the other face she comes with.

Silly Deformed Yui Face

It's such a silly face. But man... It's so cute at the same time.

Panty and Stocking Toys and Figures

So it's toward the end of December, I'm a bit excited.

The reason being RIO:Bone should be releasing their action figure of Panty from the anime Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt. And I really can't wait for her. I was interested in getting the nendoroid of the series but then when you realize how little articulation there was on it... This version is much more fun.

RIO:Bone Panty taken from Amiami

You can see the levels of articulation and more weapons and everything. Also I believe she is coming with cast off underwear which is great since Panty needs hers for her weapon. Some people say her faces are kind of weird but you know, the deformed way the characters are drawn doesn't take to 3D as well as the angel transformation sequence.

Stocking should be coming out soon to, but we have no positive info of a preorder or a release date for her yet, but she's looking to be really cute as well.

Stocking from RIO:Bone

I really like how she looks! Simply adorable and I can't wait. Still kind of wondering what they're going to do with the bottom body part that's shown there but it could also be blanks so that she can wield her swords in the correct fashion.

The best thing that wasn't a toy that came out was a non messed up face version of Panty's transformation sequence from Alter. It's simply amazing!

Transformation Panty from Alter

 I just love everything about this figure and will be looking for her come AX2012, since she should be out by then. I'm also really hoping that they'll release a Stocking one as well since the design and face for this one is way better than the other.

Transformation Panty taken from Amiami

The face she's got is really like from the transformation sequence, it's kind of a smirk but sort of a weird yet cute facial expression. Also the backside looks like it has just as much attention to detail as the front. The hair is wonderfully designed and I like it a lot.

Overall this is one of the figures I am holding out for, Panty just is simply beautiful and I hope more figures are released from this series. I'm really hoping for a Demon Sisters: Scanty and Kneesock one. Because so far there has been little merchandise of them, and they were great in the show.

Tiger and Bunny-Plushie and Out

If you're an avid anime watcher, you'd know that pretty much the internet is spilling to the brim with Tiger and Bunny fandom.

While as far as merchandise go there's lots of outlets from Cospa items, handheld cellphone accessories, Bandai Tamashii nations goods; there has been one outlet that has been completely neglected until recently. And that's....Plushies.

That's right folks, soon you can have your own Kotetsu T. Kaburagi or Barnaby Brooks Jr. to squeeze and adore.

Promotional display for Wild Tiger & Bunny Plushies

Being released by Alter/Gift these plusies are great for anyone who wants to see a cuter side of the two heroes of the show.

First one to be released at late January 2012 will be Wild Tiger; Kotetsu T. Kaburagi.

Wild Tiger believes in Heros

Though he's currently in disguise, you can take off his mask for him to be just plain ol' Kotetsu. The sash is also removable as well, but you know, I think it's a good look on him.

And just now recently released for preorders is Barnaby Brooks Jr. He's expected to come out late April of 2012.

Bunny and Bunny

Just like Kotetsu the sash on Barnaby will be removable but as extra added fun he comes with a cute "Bunny-chan" plush as in Episode 5.

As for these guys I am really excited about them and have both of them on preorder. And I am very excited to get them, I can't wait for the date when they each come out.

Ladies Scream... You're Card Battling King Is Back

There's something exciting in the works over at Kotobukiya and it's named "Yami Yugi".

That's right card battling kid Yugi Mutou's alter ego/body swap buddy; the king, is here in prototype form just for everyone to see.  

Full Body Picture

He looks like he's about to throw down a card onto his duel disk, the pose is quite good and nostalgic of the anime and manga series. Along with his flowing "cape" (which is just the jacket of his gakuran) this is looking to be a great nostalgic piece for anyone who was a fan of the show to collect.

Back Side

The gakuran top seems to be a cast-off part of his figure which is quite neat.

The details in the duel disk are quite amazing to begin with as well. As with the gakuran top this piece seems like another interchangeable piece to position Yami Yugi in a different style, at least compared to the back image.

He will be 1/7 scale and should be completed some time in 2012. Hopefully Kotobukiya will keep us updated with color prototype soon.