2/10/15

[FigureReview] Gloomy Bear x Super Sonico (GBG Racing PVC figure)

[Buy one here][Akia's MyFigureCollection]

Konnichiwa minna-san, it is I Akia here with something you don't see too often on this here blog- a figure review. I've been wanting to do one of these for a while buuuuut I was waiting for a figure I haven't seen many reviews of on this interwebs; this opportunity presented itself when my local anime goods shop Robo Gato announced he'd be selling the Gloomy Bear x Super Sonico (Gloomy Bear Grand Prix) Taito prize figure (boy that is super a mouth full of a name) and then my lovely boyfriend bought her for me. She was a fair price ($40) considering a shop like this not only has to pay more for the figure than you would in Japan but also has to pay some sort of shipping. I've checked out a few listings online. She's usually in the $35+ price range with $8+ shipping so time and money was saved by getting her locally. If you'd like to see the pictures in more detail, all you have to do is click on them to get the full size view :3

~~~Packaging~~~ 
Considering this is a prize figure, it has some pretty nice packaging which shows that this Sonico has an outfit based on one that already exists (as you can see on the sides of the box). Also, the box shows the figure to scale... which was a bit surprising cause I thought she'd be a bit bigger cause other prize figures I've purchased were bigger. I normally don't keep the box for prize figures but I like this one enough that I will prob keep it while I have the space.






~~~The Figure~~~
Unlike other Sonico figures, this one is not a cast off. The only lose pieces of PVC are the skirt and part of the belt; otherwise everything else is solid or painted on. This is the first prize figure I own that has some loose pieces, but I think this is a plus. The lose skirt gives her a more realistic look. The buttons look a little odd and the detailing on the blood is a little off but overall this is a well made figure especially since she is a prize figure. Prize figures usually have a lot more mispaintings and a lack of detail. I'm really happy with her even though she is a bit smaller than I was expecting.


~~~Some Details~~~
The only off detail is the blood drippings coloring is a bit off from the lines but this doesn't really effect the look of the figure from a distance. Her skirt does move but you can't fully take it off without breaking it, and the belt also has some movability. overall the figure is made up of solid and painted PVC. I really like the way her headphones are en-cooperated as part of the bear ears. Most of the Sonico figures I find her signature headphones stand out too much which is not the case with this one. Possibly the best detail on her is her pantsu. The only detail I wish was done better was the buttons on her shirt. They don't look bad from at least a small distance but when you look at her chest up close the buttons are a bit of an eye sore. Her shoes are also nicely done. Instead of being a solid piece of white, some grey detail was added to the bottom to give some depth. 
Overall though, very nicely done details!






2/9/15

[AOW] Super Sonico the Animation (2/8-14/2015)

[Akia on Facebook][Akia's MyAnimeList][Akia on GoodReads

Not going to lie... I was really hyped for Sonico the Anime when it was first announced. I've always liked her voluptuous character design that made her look more like a real girl than most of these skinny anime b**ches with bewbs running around like %90 of the time they are meant to be eye candy. Too bad her character in the anime is too much of a ditz and cat lover :/ I still really like her tho... just this anime ended up feeling like a waste of potential. If you're looking for a good idol anime you're much better off checking out LoveLive! or Idol Master; heck you could even try out K-on! or even the lesser known Mermaid Melody.

[previous AOW's]

I do not have much to say about this anime... because I was just so let down. I might give it another watch one day just to see Sonico moving on screen but otherwise I'd rather spend my time watching other idol anime.

 
Type: Game Adaptation
Genre(s): Music, Slice of Life
# of Episode(s): 12
Synopsis:
A series featuring Super Sonico, the mascot girl of Nitroplus.
Read more at MAL
 

2/5/15

the Manga Collection challenge 2015

*= rereading
+= First time reading

Currently Reading:
*The Innocent (vol 1 of 1)
*Fruits Basket (on vol 19/23)
+Ghost in the Shell SAC (vol 4-5)
+UQHolder (vol 1-2)
+Angel Diary (1-5)

Completed:
Butterflies, Flowers 1-8

2/3/15

Desk Diary #2

[Akia on Facebook][Akia's MyAnimeList][Akia on GoodReads

My desk was starting to be overrun by books so I decided to add a plastic shelf to it for the figures... I was also having a hard time seeing them when my laptop was open! I love looking at my figures, it's like they're giving me encouragement to get up and do something with my life which lately has been doing a lot of cardio to shed some weight.

Been digging KanCole art lately so set one as my wallpaper.

 Using one of those plastic shelfs for garage storage cuase I'm
not made of money. Have had this shelf for almost 5 years.



From left to right:
Miyuki from Lucky Star with my fav Fruits Basket couple.
Elsie from The World God Only Knows.
Koaru from Evangelion and a Clamp chess piece.
A Lucky Star x Haruhi prize figure.



From Left to Right:
My stack of books containing ones from my 100 Book Challenge and more.
My workout mini-journal.
Still using my Saber Lily mouse pad.
Haven't changed my Mushi-uta lock screen.

2/2/15

[AOW] Death Parade (2/1-7/2015)

[Akia on Facebook][Akia's MyAnimeList][Akia on GoodReads

I thought about featuring a more February (aka "lovey dovey") anime this week but then I thought I'll just do an AOW special next week where I feature a few lovey dovey anime so I decided to feature the darker side of love this week with an anime about fighting for your life against someone who died at the same time as you... so far the episodes have been about couples or people who should have been a couple so it's very fitting for such a month. This is mainly featuring the currently airing version of the show, but there is a 1 episode OVA that came out a few years ago.


 I really enjoy this show a lot. It's well animated (as expected from MADhouse), the soundtrack fits perfectly and the one shot style of telling each story is a great way to make me want to watch each episode. There also seems to be some overall story being developed as well, but this one shot style really works. I like anime where I can get the full story in an episode.


Type: Original
Genre(s): Game, Psychological
# of Episode(s): 12 + 1 OVA
Synopsis:
After death, humans go to either heaven or hell. But for some, at the instant of their death, they arrive at Quindecim, a bar attended by the mysterious white-haired Decim. He challenges them to the Death Game, wherein they wager their lives and reveal their true natures. Decim himself is the ultimate arbitrator of who wins and who loses, who will go to heaven, and who will go to hell.
Read more at MAL
[Previous AOWs]

100 Book Challenge [2015]

[Akia on Facebook][Akia's MyAnimeList][Akia on GoodReads]

I've decided to embark on and epic page by page journey called the "100 Book Challenge" as part of my goal to start reading more. I'll be re-reading a lot of my favorites so those will be marked with a lovely ♥ . Dates are start dates and when I finished a book. I'll be trying to read at least 30 new books during this challenge! Some of these new books you make think are iffy reads (such as 50 Shades of Grey) but I'm trying to broaden my reading horizons by giving other genres a chance. Books in the "To Read" list are listed in no particular order.. All links are for the most part to the official pages for the books or a place where you can purchase the tiles online. Some of this are short novellas or light novels. You can embark on this as well if you'd like, if you do please comment below so I can keep up with your journey as well :3 Be sure to check back on this post often! I'll be working on blog posts to go along with this one as I go through this challenge.


Challenge started officially on Feb 2, 2015!
Be sure to also check out my manga challenge where I'll be re-reading EVERYTHING on my shelf.

Extras by Scott Westerfeld (2/2/2015)
 50 Shades of Grey by EL James (2/3/2015)
American Gods by Niel Gaiman (12/2014)
 The Marbury Lens by Andrew Smith (10/2014)

All You Need is Kill by Hiroshi Sakurazaka
The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien


Blog Posts that go with this Challenge:

1/27/15

[AOW] Assassination Classroom (1/25-31/2015)

Well... this has turned more into "anime of the whenever Akia feels like posting one" :/ Gomen, gomen! ANYWAYS, here's the first AOW of the new year :3

[Previous AOWs][Akia's MyAnimeList][Akia on Facebook]

I am probably one of the very few who has not read the manga for this anime, but I've known about it since like I became an otaku online back in 2009. My excitement for this show when it was announced was the most excitement I've experienced since Oreimo and The World God Only Knows were announced to be getting new seasons. I rarely get super excited for an anime because I like to keep my hopes and dreams low so any series can be at least watchable for the first few episodes... but this one just screamed "Alicia (aka Akia) you will LOVE me!!"

 
Type: Manga Adaptation
Genre(s): Action, Comedy, Shonen, School, Supernatural
# of Episode(s): 22 + episode 0
Synopsis:
A humorous and action-packed story about a class of misfits who are trying to kill their new teacher—an alien octopus with bizarre powers and super strength! The teacher has just destroyed the moon and is threatening to destroy the earth—unless his students can destroy him first. What makes things more complicated is that he's the best teacher they've ever had!
Read more at MAL.