My Figurine Dilemma...

I've often though that one of the big things that saves me money when it comes to anime merchandise is the fact that I'm pretty selective. There aren't actually all that many items that I actually want all that much, and I tend to do most of my looking at local shops and the local anime convention, which means I rarely come into contact with stuff I particularly want.

Occasionally I do find something I'm really interested in though. Like today when I walked into a local anime store and found one of these ARX-7 Arbalest figurines on display:
http://blog.livedoor.jp/hacchaka/archives/51402235.html

I can't remember the exact price, I seem to remember it being between $40 and $60 Canadian. That's actually fairly reasonable compared to some anime figures, although there's a part of me that thinks that's still an awful lot for a five inch tall figurine even if it does have a high degree of articulation. The thing looks darn cool though.

I'm still trying to decide whether I'm willing to buy this thing... I'm really tempted to at least go back and check the price tag on it.

I'm looking at those photos in the link, Piero. That thing's articulation is far more than what most other anime figurines priced about the same can boast. It's got a nice level of detail and lots of neat accessories to boot. You're pretty discerning about your spending most of the time; I think you ought to spoil yourself once in a while.

If you'd asked me a year ago I'd have said go for it, no questions asked.

Looking at the photos it does have a good deal of articulation and accessories. However, to be honest the paint finish quality doesn't look that fantastic on it. If it was toward the $40 end I'd probably go for it, I'd be more iffy at $60.

At the end of the day, it all boils down to you. Personally I used to buy whatever appealed. Now I don't buy figures now unless I a) really love the series and b) I really like the character and how they're portrayed by the figure. Then there's always option c) which is I want a figure for a particular purpose... such as to take a particular scene or as a scale reference for product shots.

Sorry I couldn't give a yes or no answer.

If you're not going to buy that one, might I recommend this?

Awesome Model

Spoiler:

lol,those things are running around here they got let loose years ago and are breeding in the wild along with wallabies and parakeets and budgies !

I'm not much of a figurine or model person but that does look freaking sweet

Good Smile has released to pre-order their Hitagi Senjogahara figurine.

Kiskaloo wrote:Good Smile has released to pre-order their Hitagi Senjogahara figurine.

A hammerspace skirt.

rusty-spring wrote:

Kiskaloo wrote:Good Smile has released to pre-order their Hitagi Senjogahara figurine.

A hammerspace skirt.

That or her skirt is created out of the same material as a Bag of Holding.

Kiskaloo wrote:Good Smile has released to pre-order their Hitagi Senjogahara figurine.

That does look epic but... COME ON GOODSMILE I WANT MY TRIELA FIGURE!!! >_<

Triela wrote:COME ON GOODSMILE I WANT MY TRIELA FIGURE!!! >_<

Seconded.


Screw you market pressures.

I honestly want that Capybara figure now that I made that epic .gif of it.

I <3 Capybaras! Something about those giant rodents I find adorable.

Alfisti wrote:

Triela wrote:COME ON GOODSMILE I WANT MY TRIELA FIGURE!!! >_<

Seconded.


Screw you market pressures.

Same here. I spent probably 10+ hours at the con I just attended over 3 days looking for, among other merchandise, GSG figurines, new and old. All to no avail. I did have the displeasure of seeing Il Teatrino being sold and marketed there though. Talk about adding insult to injury.

Piero wrote:Occasionally I do find something I'm really interested in though. Like today when I walked into a local anime store and found one of these ARX-7 Arbalest figurines on display:
http://blog.livedoor.jp/hacchaka/archives/51402235.html

I don't even know what it is but I still think it looks awesome. Go for it, dude. Not only does it have a lot of articulation, it also has a lot of extra parts that can be removed and attached. Plus figures with magnetically attachable parts are too rare in my opinion.

I thought you said you'd seen at least the first season of Full Metal Panic... then again it sounds like it's been quite a while in your case.

Anyhow, it's the Arbalest, the Arm Slave Sousuke pilots throughout most of the series.

I'm actually hoping that maybe the company that did this figure will release some other FMP mechs over the next couple years or so -I'd love to be able to get figures of Kurz and Mao's M9s to go with this one.

So yes, I actually did buy it -I just have held off posting about that because I've been thinking I maybe ought to include a photograph. Maybe I can take one when I get home from my practicum work today...

I really ought to be making a RPG post as well... it's bad when the person who's supposed to be hosting is neglecting his responsibilities.

Kiskaloo wrote:Good Smile has released to pre-order their Hitagi Senjogahara figurine.

I basically never buy anime figures due to the cost - too many anime DVDs and computer parts I want to get... but even I'm tempted by that one. Love the pose.

Piero wrote:I thought you said you'd seen at least the first season of Full Metal Panic... then again it sounds like it's been quite a while in your case.

Anyhow, it's the Arbalest, the Arm Slave Sousuke pilots throughout most of the series.

I figured as much, but it's been at least three years since I watched that, so...