Well today is the 23rd of December and yes, I turn 23 today. ^^

Despite being my birthday, it was really a normal working day. The only thing special compared to other days was I got to leave super  early for the first time ever. lol

Since most of my presents are still under the tree, (if you think I get 2 presents, think again) I was able to get a super early one from a mate.
Let’s just say, it’s better than a cake this year. :D

PS: That nendo is for show only and is not part of the gift. Can’t you just feel the love? LOL

This post is more of a continuation of the previous post, Esplanade walk and The Merlion.

As already mentioned in my previous post, I had a surprise encounter with Danny Choo at The Merlion site. I thought myself, what are the odds in meeting him in person at Singapore and before AFA09?
I knew he was here for AFA09 but to meet him in person and see a live troopering performance upfront was a real treat since I’m just some ‘random’ guy from Australia. I’m no special than any other Aussies here regardless if I’m Asian or not.

Back to Part 1 of his Trooping video, if you stop at 0:54, you can see me on your right holding a compact camera in t-shirt and jean shorts. lol
Unfortunately, cameras are not great in recording video and the audio turned out crap. In addition, it was windy that day as well so that made the audio even worse but overall, there is enough videos out there to get the idea of his dancing style.

Finally to conclude it off, a picture with the man himself. :D

Danny, if your reading THANK YOU!!! ^^d

Yesterday, 27th November was Yui Hirasawa birthday so I would like to dedicate this post in wishing her a very Happy Birthday.
As my favourite character from the series, it’s not a need, it’s a MUST!!! xD

While there is no cake from me (currently very poor -_-), here’s  a few of my favourite images of her and the group to commemorate the day.

And on a side note to finish it off, getting the opportunity to see Aki Toyosaki, the seiyuu of Yui Hirasawa doing a live dubbing at AFA09 was a rare and exciting experience because I will doubt I will get this chance ever again. :D

Images source: E-shuushuu
Info. source: Sankaku Complex

After spending 9 days and 9 nights in the land known as the “Garden City”, I’m certain many of you know by now (or if you didn’t know, you know now) I don’t come home from any trip empty handed when it comes to otaku related goodies. In saying that, I don’t come home empty handed from any trip even though the items are not otaku related.
As many people take pictures of the trips to serve as memories of the places they visited, I kinda use this factor as well when it comes to items I bought from the various places I’ve been too.

So without explaining, as shown above is all the goodies I bought from Singapore.
Hit the jump for a complete low-down of each item and it’s price.

Before I continue onwards, I just wanna mention all the items listed are purchased from the local shops and from AFA09. I decided to make one post instead of 2 because I didn’t purchase all that much from AFA09. As I consider myself a ‘long time collector’ in this hobby, I have started being very picky and selective in my choices. I understand it’s a natural phase now since I’ve been in this hobby for quite some time and controlling my reckless spending is a need when other priorities comes first in life.
I will make a note on the items I purchased from AFA09 so you know which items are bought from there and all prices are listed in SGD.

Figures

• Figma Shamal Knight Clothes Ver.: Free
• Figma Drossel (AFA): 60
• Nendoroid Raspberyl: 62
• Nendoroid Nozomu Itoshiki(AFA): 43.50
• Banspresto’s Konata Izumi ~Alto cosplay~: 50
• Last Exile Grand Stream Box by Alter(AFA): 70

Figma Shamal was a gift from the zotaku team as a ‘welcome to SG’ present. This hit me by surprise as I advised Zen to order it for me over there so I can bring it back home to save money on shipping cost than buying it online but then again, she knows how to surprise me so thanks. ^^
The 2 great buys worth mentioning is the Banspresto’s Konata Izumi ~Alto cosplay~ and Last Exile Grand Stream Box. From my understanding, the Konata Izumi ~Alto cosplay~ can go as high as 70USD from ebay and this does not include the shipping cost, so grabbing it at 50SGD without paying any other extras is a steal from me. The Last Exile Grand Stream Box by Alter is another great find as well. Originally released back in November 06, it’s literally impossible to find a complete set in the market so to get a rare chance to find a complete set at AFA was very lucky for me and I doubt this chance will ever come back so it was a MUST GET!!!. Besides, I’m a huge fan of the Last Exile series so I had the motivation all along in not walking out of the store without it. XD

Games

• Agarest: Generation of War: 80
• Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of WWII: 45
• Blazblue: Calamity Trigger: 75

When it came to getting games over there, the only platform I had in mind was the PS3. Considering Singapore don’t stock R4 Wii games, it was pointless in bringing any back home. The idea was to find the games that are not locally available here and despite many temptations on new releases which are considered cheap over there, I remained focus and stuck to my plan and the results are shown above.
Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of WWII is a game for my bro as he finished the first one on the Wii. The PS3 version of the 2nd one is literally impossible to find here anymore so it was only naturally to get it for him as I like to see him do more dog fighting in the skies. :D

Artbooks

• Strike Witches Official Fanbook: 58.20
• Fate/stay night Premium Fanbook: 28.70

Both of these fanbooks was picked up from the Kinokuniya store. It was my first time visiting an overseas Kinokuniya store and my god it was huge. I thought Sydney Kinokuniya was big but Singapore Kinokuniya was twice as big. Apparently I got lost when I walked in but who wouldn’t for the first time considering it’s a maze inside.
So what was the motivation in grabbing both fanbooks other than the fact I like Strike Witches and Fate/stay night? Well, I don’t like leaving the Kino store empty handed. lol

T-shirt

• K-On! Black T-shirt(AFA): 43.50

During my stay there, I had planned to pick up another COSPA shirt. Since the COSPA store was coming down to AFA09, I’ve decided to wait till the event before I decide. As I expected for them to bring a variety of K-On! shirt’s due to it’s popularity this year, I decided to go for the group shirt instead of Yui Hirasawa alone even though I knew it was a tough choice.
I kinda wish I got the Yui Hirasawa now since I didn’t manage to spend all of my cash over there. -_-

Miscellaneous items

• Fullmetal Alchemist Metallic poster(AFA): 11
• Valkyria Chronicles cup(AFA): 16.50
• Studio Ghibli 2-Disc Soundtrack: 18.50

Nothing all too special about these items as they were all impulse GETS!!!. I stayed away from many posters, clear files, pencil boards and other random items as I knew I wouldn’t have any use of them when I got home. They either will go up on the wall or in a clear plastic file where I keep all of my clear files and pencil boards now. In addition, I stayed away from wall scrolls as well since I knew it was gonna be a pain in the ass to bring it back home.
Basically, I stayed away from nearly all items which doesn’t have any use to me when I got home and/or will be a pain in the ass to bring it back home. This is why you don’t see any scale figures as well. -_-

Total: 661.9SGD (~522AUD)

Overall, I’m happy in what I got and I reckon I picked up some great deals. While many thought I was spending big there, that intention never really cross my mind unless I was in a dire situation. My budget for the time I was there which includes travel expenses, food and general shopping was 1000AUD and I just passed it by a few dollars which is nothing shocking in a way.

To sum it off, I would like to thank the following people who made my trip very enjoyable and entertaining. Even though it was my first trip alone, I never really felt alone because you guys and gals made my stay very fun everyday even though it was only for a short moment from a few you. I appreciate you all in taking the time out from your busy schedule to make this happen.

And they are: Guuzen, Kodomut, M, scorchnroses, YuKi-To, Zenical, zh3us.

Last but not least, I would to thank everyone else I was able to get a chance to meet and/or talk to. It’s been great getting to know so many people and I hope I will get that chance again when I come back in the distance future. ^^

A recent survey conducted by the Japan’s Goo Ranking of over 4000 Japaneses shows how easy it is to spot a male otaku by the way they dress. Looking through the list clearly shows how stereotype these answers are and even though I fit in 2 or 3 of the criteria on the list, people won’t see me as an otaku at all.

The top 10 ways are as follows:

1. He has an anime T-shirt
2. He has an anime shopping bag
3. He has a waist pouch (”fanny pack” / “bum bag”)
4. He wears a bandanna (hachimaki)
5. His bag is covered in anime badges
6. His hair is excessively long
7. He wears his rucksack over both shoulders
8. He has big, thick glasses
9. He tucks his shirt/T-shirt into his trousers
10. He wears chemical wash jeans

Now here’s the reasons why you won’t spot me as an otaku based on the top 10 points.

1. The only anime and game t-shirt I have is a Valkyria Chronicles shirt. People who haven’t heard, played the game or watched the series don’t have a clue what the “07″ means.
2. You will only see me with a anime shopping bag at a convention. Oh wait, I going to Singapore in 3 weeks. Hmmm….
3. No waist pouch for me. Never liked them so will never wear them.
4. You will never get me to wear one of those. I don’t even wear a cap. lol
5. Does having an Alvis keyring from Last Exile count?
6. I like short hair. I can never stand long hair.
7. If my terminology is correct, a rucksack is a backpack here. Many people wear a backpack to skool, work, outings etc. Very normal here.
8. My glasses are thin and rectangular.
9. This is a compulsory thing we have to do at school (even though half of the students don’t follow it) and at work. Thankfully, I can wear whatever I want as long as it’s not offensive and untidy so tucking my shirt in is not necessary at all.
10. I have normal jeans but what is “chemical wash jeans”. That’s the first I’ve heard of it.

So there you have it. Maybe you might have learnt a bit more about me. lol

So what are your opinions about this survey? Do any of the 10 points match you?

Source: Sankaku Complex

The two new figma additions from the Nanoha series is up for reservations today. figma Nanoha Takamachi: The MOVIE 1st ver. and figma Vita Knight Ver.

When I saw the first pictures of Nanoha, I thought there wasn’t anything really appealing. Even though 1) it’s the loli version and 2) I’m a Nanoha fanboy, there has to be a reason or something really different about her to justify her purchase because I’ve stopped going nuts in trying to get all the figmas in the world and/or trying to be the figma master.  (even though at the beginning I never thought I was lol)

Checking through the other images, my eyes suddenly landed on Yuuno-kun and despite not being a big fan of him, I WANT that DAM ferret and the only way to get him was to get Nanoha. ^^
Okay, I’m just kidding. Seeing a different form of Raising Heart was enough to convince me as well. ^^

Now that I already made my preorder, I’ve decided not to get Alter 1/7 scale Takamachi Nanoha -Stand By Ready- anymore. Clearly, having 1 movie version is enough for me and her whooping price of 9,800yen has put me in doubt this whole entire time. Besides, I need to divert some of the money into figma Fate. xD

Retailed at 2,800yen, preorders today at Hobby Search, HLJ and soon at cdjapan and Play-asia.

Next up is Vita. I’m guessing you don’t need to ask if I’m getting her or not. LOL

One of the pictures which caught my attention was how Vita was holding Graf Eisen. Looking at that picture above, it’s telling me his handle will be bendable hence, more dynamic poses. I think Max Factory new improvements on their figma accessories and joints are really showing and it’s sign they will improve to milk more of our money. ;_;

Retailed at 3,200yen, grab yours at Hobby Search, HLJ and soon at cdjapan and Play-asia if you prefer them.

So which one are you getting? Hands up if your getting both? xD