Chara Hobby 2009

Chara Hobby 2009, a hobby convention, kicks off today at the Makuhari Messe. The event is scheduled to run for two days till 30th August 2009 and mainly features exhibiton and sales of hobby collectibles, notably figures. With coverages of the event reported by various figures sites and blogs, it’s time to take a look at the exhibited figures.

All information and photo sources are from Hobby Stock Blog, Akiba Hobby and Moeyo.

For a start, there are actually not a lot of new figures, as quite a few were already displayed at Wonder Festival. Many of them, though, are now in a more completed state than previously. Nonetheless, there’s still a few new figures on display and here’s a walkthrough on my thoughts regarding the newer figures and those that interests me.

1/8 Sheryl Nome ~N.A. ver~ (Macross Frontier) by Megahouse - December 2009 release for 6,300 yen

Here is the first public exhibition of Megahouse’s upcoming figure of Sheryl Nome N.A. (Nose Art) version. The 1/8 scale  figure will retail for 6,300 yen and is scheduled for release in December 2009. Pre-orders for the figure should open pretty soon I guess. The figure look really good and sure as hell portrays the sexiness of Sheryl well. And she is decently priced as well. Hmm … I am very tempted.

1/8 Annelotte (Queen’s Blade Rebellion) by Megahouse – no release information

At first glance, this might be seen as the previous version of Annelotte released by Megahouse. But this figure is apparently based on another side of Annelotte as seen in the illustration behind the figure in the first photo. The tag line for the previous version is “Rebellion Knight Annelotte” while this version is apparently “Hysterical Knight Annelotte” … ahem … pardon my translation please. Some might consider her a 2P color variant but I think it’s more than that. But you get the point. It will be interesting to see how this one turns out painted.

1/8 Ranka Lee (Macross Frontier) by Alpha x Omega – Spring 2010 release

Here is the unpainted 1/8 scale prototype figure of Macross Frontier’s Ranka Lee by Alpha x Omega. She is slated for official release in Spring 2010 although no other specific details were mentioned. I am so gonna get this figure of Ranka as she will compliment my Sheryl Nome figure by Alpha x Omega very well. Can’t wait to see her painted prototype.

Alpha x Omega also showcased another 2 new figure prototypes (which I think is Hiyori and Neliel from Bleach) as was promised on their web site yesterday. But as I write this post, no photos of these figures have surfaced. I reckon that photo-taking for these two figures is probably not allowed. Anyway, I will update this space if photos of the figures became available.

1/6 Saber Alter ~Maid ver.~ (Fate/hollow ataxaria) by Alter – no release information

Here’s a look at the painted prototype figure of the Hobby Channel exclusive 1/6 scale Saber Alter ~Maid ver.~ by Alter. An impressive figure whichever way you look at her although frankly, I don’t see too much difference from the original Saber Maid figure. I was expecting a devilish look on the face. One thing for sure is that she is definitely going to cost quite a bit especially for someone outside Japan.

1/8 Hattori Hanzo (Hyakka Ryoran) by Alter – no release information

This is a first look at the painted prototype figure of Alter’s 1/8 scale Hattori Hanzo. As mentioned in my previous post on news from Hobby Japan magazine, there will be a HJ magazine limited edition which wields the double-edge katana while Alter is also likely to release a normal edition with the lotus-style blade (or whatever you call it). I like how she turns out colored and will definitely be getting her in my attempt to collect all the Hyakka Ryoran figures.

1/8 Senhime (Hyakka Ryoran) by Alter – no release information

With Hattori Hanzo complete, the next upcoming figure from the series is Senhime and we get a look at her unpainted prototype figure at the event. I think she is going to look gorgeous when fully painted especially when you consider the prints that are going to be on her outfit. If I remember correctly, she will be getting a normal release by Alter.

 1/8 Alphard (CANAAN) by Good Smile Company – no release information

Here is a first look at the the 1/8 scale prototype figure of Alphard from Good Smile Company. She looks a wonderful figure overall even as an unpainted prototype although I need a closer look at that face. Nonetheless, the sculpture is fantastic and like Canaan, the figure is well captured in motion. Definitely going to get her to pair up with Canaan.

1/8 Yuzuko Hayakawa (Peppermint Yuzuko) by Good Smile Company – no release information

Here is the painted prototype of Good Smile Company’s Yuzuko Hayakawa from Peppermint Yuzuko. The figure was left seen as an unpainted prototype at Wonder Festival last month. I know nothing about the character or her origin but the figure certainly strikes an interesting pose, especially on that base. I am would be very interested to get her if she doesn’t turn out too expensive which I actually suspect she will be. ^^”

Nendoroid Azusa Nakano (K-ON!) by Good Smile Company – no release information

Good Smile Company completes Ho-kago Tea Time in their Nendoroid forms with this unpainted prototype figure of Nendoroid Azusa Nakano. No release information is available though. Anyway, my first impression of this Nendoroid of Azu0nyan is that she looks very good. With Mio and Yui already pre-ordered, I can’t wait for the rest of the girls to be officially announced. I need to have them all!

Figures news aside, FREEing is coming up with an interesting gimmick with the introduction of clothes for their /4 scale Lucky Star figures. The first to be officially announced is the cheerleader clothes, although as one can see, there will also be a miko outfit and the seifuku outfit coming up. One size fits all. So now static figures are being treated like dolls. ^^”

1/8 Kokuto Azaka (Kara no Kyoukai) by Kotobukiya – no release information

From Kotobukiya, here is the painted 1/8 scale prototype figure of Kokuto Azaka from Kara no Kyoukai. No release information is provided at this point. Normal looking figure for me since I do not know the character. She will probably appeal to fans of the series.

1/8 Ein (Phantom INTEGRATION) by Kotobukiya/Movic – December 2009 release for 7,500 yen

Seems like Ein is getting popular with sculptors as Kotobukiya joins Gift and Max Factory in making a figure of the character. This version of Ein is the GA Graphic version and she is based on the Phantom Integration game. The 1/8 scale figure is available for sales only on SoftBank Creative (SBCr) online shop and Kotobukiya Direct starting from today for 7,500 yen.  She is scheduled for release in December 2009 and will come with 2 different facial expressions. GA Graphic has a more detailed look at the figure for those interested. Figure looks okay to me although the price and her being an exclusive item is not okay. ^^”

That’s all on my thoughts for the figures at Chara Hobby 2009. From the above, I am definitely getting the following figures:

• Ranka Lee by Alpha x Omega
• Hattori Hanzo by Alter
• Senhime by Alter
• Alphard by Good Smile Company
• Nendoroid Azusa Nakano

As for figures that I might consider to get, Sheryl Nome ~N.A. ver.~ by Megahouse and Yuzuko Hayakawa by Good Smile Company will be on that list. I should be perfectly safe from the other figures. ^^”

More detailed reports should be coming up from Hobby Stock Blog, GA Graphic, Akiba Hobby and Moeyo, so those interested should check their sites for updates and details.

I might update this post if anything interesting shows up.

Update (31/08/2009):
Here is the confirmation of the upcoming new figures from Alpha x Omega and Megahouse.

As suspected earlier, the new figures by Alpha x Omega are the 1/8 scale figures of Hiyori Sarugaki and Neliel Tu Oderschvank from Bleach. Megahouse’s GEM series also confirms a 1/8 scale Hitsugaya Toushiro is in the making. No photos of any prototypes so it’s either that phototaking for them is not allowed or it’s just a promotional poster.

Anyway, I am pretty excited about the Neliel-sama figure. So if she turns out good, I will definitely be getting her. Hiyori is going to be good too having seen early protoype photos of her on Figure/GK, although I will decide whether to get her when she is officially announced. Same for Toushiro, although I do not normally get male figures. It’s a pity too that based on this poster, it seems Toushiro is not in bankai form. I think most of the shinigamis will look fantastic as figures in their bankai forms.

I hope more characters from Bleach will be released as scale figures…