Hello there! If you're reading this right now, I guess you want some information or some basic manual of sorts into the world of collecting toys. I'm personally a collector myself, but I tend to favor or "specialize" in PVC figures or plainly figures, I once collected zoids, but the pain of detailing tolls my art skills too much. So I'm trying to compile usable info for you guys, hope you pick up something from this post.
1.) This hobby eats up cash, better have a budget for toys
Collectible toys are not cheap, let me tell you, prices of the toys vary wildly i'm going to give some factors:
a.)Popularity - Some toys are expensive because they are simply popular, supply and demand shit. But sometimes there are hoarders who buy lots of toys to jack up the price. An easy solution to this is PRE-ORDER.
b.)Size - Check the size of the scale/grade of the toy you want to order, a lower scale means a bigger toy which results into a bigger price. Ex. 1/4 Scale - 10,800. 1/8 Scale - 5000
c.)Manufacturer - Well known manufacturers tend to have a steeper price but have a better quality, my personal preferences are Kotobukiya and Good Smile Company, the price is steep as hell, but damn the quality makes up for it. Some cheaper brands like Sega (Prize) have a less of a price but have quality comparable to bigger toy companies.
d.) Versions - Some toys have different versions depending on the costume or color scheme. Special costumes tend to have a bigger price.
e.)Rarity - Some toys are so rare, the price can balloon up to 5-6 times more, take for example : Kotobukiya - Ayase Aragaki, Original Price : 4,300 - Current Price : 16,800
2.)Know the Lingo/Codes for some shops, also know what type of payment you are most flexible with, and there are certain types of ordering systems.
PO- Means pre-order, I'll explain pre order first because it is the most important among the rest of ordering systems. Pre-order system is the most commonly used method for ordering from companies. Pre ordering means paying a downpayment which will secure you a slot in the orders. When the release date elapsed, you will now pay the remaining balance then the toy is yours. For me this is a great system if you are up to date about toy collecting, you know when a toy will be released and you already have the slot, plus you won't have to deal with hoarders.
Back order - Back orders are more expensive than on hand items because the shop will have to order them from their suppliers again, and most of the time, the shop will order from another place because the supplier has no stock (I don't know why but this is pretty common)
On Hand - Item is available and ready to be purchased.
Special Order - It's a special system in which the shop that you employ will hunt for the toy you want, you just give them the name and image and it is up to them to search and purchase the toy for you. Special orders typically require you to pay 50-80% of the price as downpayment. It really is the price to pay if you really want a toy or passed up a chance to pre-order it and is no longer available.
3.) Choose a shop that will suit to your needs. I will list down the shops I personally check and use.
Great Toys Online - They have a big collection near greenhills. But the search function in their site is pretty bad so you have to go personally to their shop and ask the attendant about the toy you want. I bought a Command Wolf AC here for 1,500. It's pretty rare, and was surprised that they had it.
Wasabi Toys - A big shop operating in Greenhills, they have a site which is pretty awesome, the search function is great, also there is a regular update on which toys are now available for pre-order. I have already pre-ordered from this shop, also I had a great experience with the special order, I ordered Sakagami Tomoyo Kotobukiya here, it was 2013, the toy was released around 2011, so the price was pretty steep, but fortunately the got hold of a brand new one having still an intact box. The special order took around 2 months, and was really happy with the service and the brand new toy!
Hubbyte Online Store - Facebook based store, search in on facebook, because of their ridiculously low prices, I took advantage by pre-ordering in this store, the DP are cheap, the full payment is cheaper compared to other shops. The shop is really considerate about the payment, sometimes they will allow you to pay on your payday (Yay!). Also the attendants are really kind and the page master is really funny. They don't have a physical store, but they promise to ship with minimal fees and maximum toy protection. They tend to specialize on figures instead of toy kits like gundams and zoids. Downside is it does not have a search function so you have to search manually the albums.
Onegai Oniisan - They are an online shop with their own website, they have a working search function which is pretty nice, the prices here a cheaper than wasabi's but the problem is they don't have a physical store. So everything you will buy will have to be shipped, never had a chance to buy in this shop.
Metro Toys Online - A facebook based shop, I don't have much experience with this shop, but the best part about this is their meetup places, they are very flexible in their meetup places, but they meet up in major universities around metro manila. They both have figures and model kits.
Coldfire Gundam - They have a shop in greenhills which is run by a couple. They also have a facebook page, the good thing about this shop is the prices here are lower than other shops, (yes wasabi that means you). They specialize in Gundams obviously, but they still have some pvc figures, I managed to buy my first two pieces from this shop.
Waku! Waku! - Found this shop while strolling in Toy-Con 2013, bought my Angel Beats! (Angel) here for 900 pesos, cheap shit lemme tell you! The prices here are really cheap and they have the consignment service in which you can sell you items here. They have a physical shop down in Katipunan, I never been to Katipunan so I never got to see the full stock.
I love Omocha - Facebook based shop, a friend introduced me here, IT'S SO FUCKING CHEAP. Downside is the service is slow due to only one person is operating the shop during weekends. The stocks here are more limited compared to other shops, but if you do find the toy you're looking for buy it here, it's cheap!
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Art and Science
Art and Science
I suck at art, hard. I literally can't draw anything except one portrait that I have learned from an art teacher way back. I always draw the same thing because I have memorized the pattern on how to make it. As much as I want to learn how to draw, sketch and paint, I simply cannot, I have the artistic ability of a carrot, literally. I hate myself for not practicing, but I hate myself even more for not even trying, it's just I suck to much. I think I have the inability to do art, even my handwriting is worse than an elementary school child, art for me is but a distant dream.
I have been exposed to artists lately in all their media. I envy them because, I can't simply be like them. The grass is greener on the other side, well that's damn true in my case. I am inventive but I am not creative, I tend to be on the science side of the scale. I am comfortable with concrete things, I like following a set of instructions, I like to be on a track where I know where I am and know where am I going. Science is the home for me, that's why I chose the course pharmacy which is medically and scientifically based. I like things that are objective, informative and absolute. I can follow instructions quite well and perform things like clockwork. It is true that what ever you lack, you tend to look at others that do have them. You tend to search for something you do not have, and I am one of those people who tend to search for something I really do not possess.
No, I do not hate art. I actually like and appreciate all it's forms and glory. Art is very expressive, very free, it cannot be defined nor be conceptualized into a single thought. Science is calculating, objective and truth based. I admit, each side tends to look at the other with raised eyebrows, but I do not. I love science and I love art the same way, they are opposite yet have some similarity, for example; not everyone can be a scientist and not everyone can be an artist, it takes a certain spark in someone to excel in their current field or form. I respect people who love their work whether it be in the field of science or in their canvasses. We find ourselves in what interests us and what drives us, we go to the place where it sparks our interests and makes wanting to explore the world of something.
I love science. I love art. I love the knowledge of man, it is very broad and encompassing, but to truly appreciate where man is right now is to take a step back and view the panorama of man's work.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Collection of Visual Novel Soundtracks
Hi it's me again. I have a habit of collecting OST and Soundtracks from visual novels I liked. So here, take them if you want :D. These pieces of music are owned and copyrighted by their respected companies.
Edelweiss-Flowers
http://www.mediafire.com/folder/7cxco10c9v66j/Edelweiss_OST_Flowers
Crescendo
http://www.mediafire.com/folder/cigik5284e544/Crescendo
Yume Miru Kusuri
http://www.mediafire.com/folder/4ud3ysgrh8j2e/Yume_Miru_Kusuri
Edelweiss-Vocal Track Sunset Sunrise
http://www.mediafire.com/?fw8nqqbkiv66d
Edelweiss-Flowers
http://www.mediafire.com/folder/7cxco10c9v66j/Edelweiss_OST_Flowers
Crescendo
http://www.mediafire.com/folder/cigik5284e544/Crescendo
Yume Miru Kusuri
http://www.mediafire.com/folder/4ud3ysgrh8j2e/Yume_Miru_Kusuri
Edelweiss-Vocal Track Sunset Sunrise
http://www.mediafire.com/?fw8nqqbkiv66d
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Who Am I?
I am a Pharmacy student at the royal and pontifical university of Santo Tomas, I am a badminton player, a former dota player, now currently a LoL player. I enjoy drinking, cooking and surfing the net. I write shit in my blog because I can, and it serves a personal log for my life. I enjoy life taking it one moment at a time. I believe that the present is the most important, because it is the only tense that we can most affect.
I chose Pharmacy as my B.S. Course because it sounded cool (True Story). I am know enjoying the art and science of pharmacy as a student. I want to become a PharmD someday or a med student (Which is unlikely). In my own experience, pharmacy is damn hard, but the prestige after you finish it is not equivalent to the hardship you have to go through.
I am a forever trainee of badminton, not quite good but still have some skills. I don't play basketball, I just dislike the sport. I play video games a lot, I consider my self a gamer, but the area that I specialize on are Visual Novels. I like popular video games, I dabble in a bit of indie gaming, but mostly I play games for the story that is why I like visual novels so much.
I am a semi-music person, I only have a small range of music I like, piano,violin or guitar pieces, OST's from games, Old songs(80's,90's). I use my Philips Shibuya Headset, It is my personal preference because of the good sound, besides that there is nothing else notable about my music.
I like cooking, but I guess my family doesn't, figures, my mother is the ultimate master chef in the family, so anything you cook up is instantly equivalent to dog food in our house. I can cook simple filipino dishes, Bulalo, Adobo, Sinigang, Nilaga, Tokwa't baboy and Sisig(thanks ernest). I had a traumatic experience with cooking though, so I really just cook for my friends, not anymore for other people (like my classmates).
I like drinking alcohol, but what I really want to experience is drinking in a classy, fine, sophisticated bar. A bar in which there is an old but experienced bartender, classical music played live by a band as background music, people who are well dressed, as in contrast to the common bars in Manila. But I do not dislike the opposite side of the spectrum, in fact I am actually good with Ginebra Quatro, so yeah, anywhere I go I can drink.
I am a collector, I collect things that only I can give their value, or vice versa, the items are only valuable to me. I have already started during my college, and currently adding things to my collection.
I am a frustrated writer, which is very obvious in my blog. I am just writing to pass the time and to practice my English. I guess i'm not a good writer, but I believe that I am a good speaker, I can communicate well to others, well not as pleasant as others may say, but still I can still get the message through.
Some people may say I am a deep person, but sadly they are gravely mistaken, I just a regular person, with a less than average personality, my tastes are off, and my life is kind of average. Nothing special, just a plain person walking earth hoping someday, something more exiting comes to my life. But reality bites, that something exiting might not come to me, and that is one primary reason why I chose to be a forward-thinker. The future is what I think about most. And this is one of my major self-contradictions in life/
I chose Pharmacy as my B.S. Course because it sounded cool (True Story). I am know enjoying the art and science of pharmacy as a student. I want to become a PharmD someday or a med student (Which is unlikely). In my own experience, pharmacy is damn hard, but the prestige after you finish it is not equivalent to the hardship you have to go through.
I am a forever trainee of badminton, not quite good but still have some skills. I don't play basketball, I just dislike the sport. I play video games a lot, I consider my self a gamer, but the area that I specialize on are Visual Novels. I like popular video games, I dabble in a bit of indie gaming, but mostly I play games for the story that is why I like visual novels so much.
I am a semi-music person, I only have a small range of music I like, piano,violin or guitar pieces, OST's from games, Old songs(80's,90's). I use my Philips Shibuya Headset, It is my personal preference because of the good sound, besides that there is nothing else notable about my music.
I like cooking, but I guess my family doesn't, figures, my mother is the ultimate master chef in the family, so anything you cook up is instantly equivalent to dog food in our house. I can cook simple filipino dishes, Bulalo, Adobo, Sinigang, Nilaga, Tokwa't baboy and Sisig(thanks ernest). I had a traumatic experience with cooking though, so I really just cook for my friends, not anymore for other people (like my classmates).
I like drinking alcohol, but what I really want to experience is drinking in a classy, fine, sophisticated bar. A bar in which there is an old but experienced bartender, classical music played live by a band as background music, people who are well dressed, as in contrast to the common bars in Manila. But I do not dislike the opposite side of the spectrum, in fact I am actually good with Ginebra Quatro, so yeah, anywhere I go I can drink.
I am a collector, I collect things that only I can give their value, or vice versa, the items are only valuable to me. I have already started during my college, and currently adding things to my collection.
I am a frustrated writer, which is very obvious in my blog. I am just writing to pass the time and to practice my English. I guess i'm not a good writer, but I believe that I am a good speaker, I can communicate well to others, well not as pleasant as others may say, but still I can still get the message through.
Some people may say I am a deep person, but sadly they are gravely mistaken, I just a regular person, with a less than average personality, my tastes are off, and my life is kind of average. Nothing special, just a plain person walking earth hoping someday, something more exiting comes to my life. But reality bites, that something exiting might not come to me, and that is one primary reason why I chose to be a forward-thinker. The future is what I think about most. And this is one of my major self-contradictions in life/
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Little Sister Kana : The game that made grown men cry
As the title says, this game was really notorious for making grown men cry. Including me. It really is the prime example of a tear jerking visual novel next to clannad.
I met this game through the internet during my early grade school years, and had a second encounter with it when I saw high reviews for this game, it also appeared in Crescendo, a small easter egg in one of the paths. When I gave this game a shot, first ending, cried buckets. Second ending, cried like a bitch even though it was the "true/happy" ending. The story really was depressing throughout even if there was small patches of happy scenes, it was really a sad game. The start of the game is when the protagonist enters his sister's hospital room and then the memories come flashing back. The protagonist decides on what to make of his sister's life based on the things he will give or things that they will do. The progression of the story starts from a sad recollection up to the final release of emotion. This style of writing really gets to me, a feeling of hopelessness emanates from this game. But even if the story involves siblings and was really a heartbreaking story, I give this game a high score for the story in itself. The story was really well written, the characters was brought to life using a combination of present scenarios and recollection of memories. The events were heartbreaking and the endings gave a really decent end to the story of the siblings. But to what aspired to the siblings is up to you when you play the game.
The art was up to date, and when I say up to date, this game was released around 1998 to 2000 so don't compare the CG's to more up to date games. But even so, the art was still good, you will realize this when you are scrolling down and notice small droplets on your keyboard just by looking at the screen.
The music was alright, the BGM was MIDI tones, but due to the time period when this game was released, it was already at a standard.
This game was one of those who pushed through the era of english translated visual novels. So I give it a lot of respect in that area alone. The story is one of a kind, I cannot think of any other story that can match this one in terms of it's uniqueness and its tragedy. I give this game a solid 10/10. Even though the art and sound is outclassed by any recent visual novels, the story alone is enough to make me a die hard fan.
I met this game through the internet during my early grade school years, and had a second encounter with it when I saw high reviews for this game, it also appeared in Crescendo, a small easter egg in one of the paths. When I gave this game a shot, first ending, cried buckets. Second ending, cried like a bitch even though it was the "true/happy" ending. The story really was depressing throughout even if there was small patches of happy scenes, it was really a sad game. The start of the game is when the protagonist enters his sister's hospital room and then the memories come flashing back. The protagonist decides on what to make of his sister's life based on the things he will give or things that they will do. The progression of the story starts from a sad recollection up to the final release of emotion. This style of writing really gets to me, a feeling of hopelessness emanates from this game. But even if the story involves siblings and was really a heartbreaking story, I give this game a high score for the story in itself. The story was really well written, the characters was brought to life using a combination of present scenarios and recollection of memories. The events were heartbreaking and the endings gave a really decent end to the story of the siblings. But to what aspired to the siblings is up to you when you play the game.
The art was up to date, and when I say up to date, this game was released around 1998 to 2000 so don't compare the CG's to more up to date games. But even so, the art was still good, you will realize this when you are scrolling down and notice small droplets on your keyboard just by looking at the screen.
The music was alright, the BGM was MIDI tones, but due to the time period when this game was released, it was already at a standard.
This game was one of those who pushed through the era of english translated visual novels. So I give it a lot of respect in that area alone. The story is one of a kind, I cannot think of any other story that can match this one in terms of it's uniqueness and its tragedy. I give this game a solid 10/10. Even though the art and sound is outclassed by any recent visual novels, the story alone is enough to make me a die hard fan.
Edelweiss : An Island full of surprises
This is one of those visual novels that I downloaded because of the cover art. At first, I played until about the boat scene, which was literally the first thing that appeared in the game, I got a feeling of childishness and felt it was really not that as serious compared to Yume Miru Kusuri or Katawa Shoujo. So I stopped playing it. A few months later, my friend Zach, told me that he was completing the game, I was surprised when he told me this because we have almost the same tastes in Visual Novels. So I gave the game another chance. I played. I really felt bad because I did not gave this game a fair enough chance, a lack of judgement on my side. The story was about a group of young boys who was sent to an island to study in an all girls school, lucky bastards. But little did they know that the school was specializing in alchemy, so the main theme of this game was around alchemy and what they could do with it. The character development was okay, you can really tell that each character had his/her own personality, and was totally different from each other.
The love story between the protagonist and each heroines begin with getting to know them, and ultimately leading to the climax of each part, and their endings. The choices in the game were fairly simple and it was really easy to get the girl you want. The story of each heroine is not as deep as other visual novels, but it has substance to it, it is really about affection between the characters. The endings were great! They had a very definite ending to each path, and will leave you with a "feel good" taste.
The art was great, even the images of the girls was moving (blinking and moving their mouths). The background art was detailed, and the CG's in general was finely made. My only comment is that the figures of the girls (same as kira-kira), were a bit absurd (wild proportions).
The sound. It. was. damn. epic., the soundtrack was developed my milktub, and it did not fail to deliver. The background music was at high standards, and the vocal tracks was off the chart. I give this game the highest honors in term of sound. The mix of rock and a light female voice was surprisingly well done. I consider this game's OST one of my favorite next to Katawa Shoujo and Crescendo.
Overall this game scores 9/10. And its sequel Edelweiss : Eiden Fantasia scores (9/10) also because of its high grade of humor, the sequel made me laugh my ass off! Great game, a must try for people looking for a little magic.
The love story between the protagonist and each heroines begin with getting to know them, and ultimately leading to the climax of each part, and their endings. The choices in the game were fairly simple and it was really easy to get the girl you want. The story of each heroine is not as deep as other visual novels, but it has substance to it, it is really about affection between the characters. The endings were great! They had a very definite ending to each path, and will leave you with a "feel good" taste.
The art was great, even the images of the girls was moving (blinking and moving their mouths). The background art was detailed, and the CG's in general was finely made. My only comment is that the figures of the girls (same as kira-kira), were a bit absurd (wild proportions).
The sound. It. was. damn. epic., the soundtrack was developed my milktub, and it did not fail to deliver. The background music was at high standards, and the vocal tracks was off the chart. I give this game the highest honors in term of sound. The mix of rock and a light female voice was surprisingly well done. I consider this game's OST one of my favorite next to Katawa Shoujo and Crescendo.
Overall this game scores 9/10. And its sequel Edelweiss : Eiden Fantasia scores (9/10) also because of its high grade of humor, the sequel made me laugh my ass off! Great game, a must try for people looking for a little magic.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Nurses
What makes nurses the apple of some men's eyes? It may be due to their sexy white fit uniform also donning a white cap, or maybe due to the sexualization of the nursing profession due to the media. But from my realization, (Well yeah, I kinda like nurses too), I became fond of nurses not due to their physical attributes.
Nurses care, that's the bottom line. I like nurses because they can take care of people, as a strong young man, I know that I can still take care of myself, but what happens when I get old and sick? Who can I rely on to help me along the way? It is not the idea of being a nurse that attracts me, it is the idea of being a person who can take care of me in the long run.
Nurses are reliable, I have asked some nurses about their profession and they tell me its a high - burnout job, it is stressful and sometimes lives are on the line. Nurses can take the pressure, when its an emergency or just the daily rounds, nurses do their jobs well and has been proven time and time and again. Nurses are reliable people, who the hell will take a nurse who is unreliable right? Nurses can do it, I like that in a person, a sense of security when you know you can count on someone.
Nursing is an honorable profession, nurses give their 110% every time that is why I look up to them, a salute to all the nurses in the world!
Nurses care, that's the bottom line. I like nurses because they can take care of people, as a strong young man, I know that I can still take care of myself, but what happens when I get old and sick? Who can I rely on to help me along the way? It is not the idea of being a nurse that attracts me, it is the idea of being a person who can take care of me in the long run.
Nurses are reliable, I have asked some nurses about their profession and they tell me its a high - burnout job, it is stressful and sometimes lives are on the line. Nurses can take the pressure, when its an emergency or just the daily rounds, nurses do their jobs well and has been proven time and time and again. Nurses are reliable people, who the hell will take a nurse who is unreliable right? Nurses can do it, I like that in a person, a sense of security when you know you can count on someone.
Nursing is an honorable profession, nurses give their 110% every time that is why I look up to them, a salute to all the nurses in the world!
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Yume Miru Kusuri: A Drug That Makes You Dream
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Story:
The story progresses by the character being introduced into three major characters. He is introduced to the shy and conserved Aeka whose problems concern bullying, then to the student body president whose problem within herself, she has an intrapersonal problem involves her way of thinking and personal conflicts. Then he meets the weird and neurotic Nekoko whose problems are caused by taking illegal drugs. You get to chose the girl who you want to continue your story with through series of choices presented. When you have already chosen a girl, the other stories close and the story with the girl progresses deeper.
The story is meant or targeted at teenagers, the main theme of the general story is focused on what teenagers' commonly encounter during their way to adulthood. The story is mature and the player should be mature enough to accept the story and learn from it, the morals of the story are intricate and expressed deeply. The values learned is to have the will to do the right things, the will to change ourselves, the will accept who we are and to take things as they come for somethings may lead into something bigger than ourselves.
The story is exiting and thrilling, the story is very linear and the events that take place around the story are very climactic and emotional, all the paths are heartwarming. The story also contains adult themes, sex is also an unavoidable part of the story because of the romance and adult theme of the game. The scenes are very much vivid, detailed and unforgettable, hooking you into the story and leaving you wanting more.
The bad endings are really sad, they leave a bitter taste in my mouth personally. but the bad endings only makes the good endings something strive for and be exited about. It also leaves a better overall fulfilling experience.
Artwork.
As any visual novel goes, VISUAL is half the part of the game, and this game does not fail to deliver with its wide range of scenes and CG for the characters. The novel part of the game is well complemented by the beautiful artwork, the backgrounds are not as much detailed, but still very well drawn. The characters are drawn beautifully with killer details, their emotions are fully shown by the many variations of the character's faces and they really convey the weight and feelings of the words to the player. The sex scenes CG are very nice because of the amount of variation in CG, showing different positions and emotions.
Music
In my opinion, the game's music matches PERFECTLY with every scene, every emotion, every event. It is utterly perfect, I cannot think of any other music that can better the music pieces of the game. The music in itself is emotional, there are more sad or slow pieces than happier, lively pieces because of the thought of the game, the game is very mature and the music should match. The soft pieces of music, which are in relation to the romance or emotional parts of the game are very consoling, they emit the feelings of closeness, warmth and peace. They are like the perfect things that can complement the game's story and artwork.
The vocal track "Goodbye to the World" is nicely done, the vocals of the performer are soft in contrast to the harder or faster music track.
Summary:
Yume Miru Kusuri: A Drug That Makes You Dream. Is easily one of the best visual novels created. It scores high in each aspect, and the completeness of the package is the selling point of this game. This almost perfect piece of art is one of the best games I have ever played. So if you plan on playing the game, its a must play and the time you spend on it will be one of the best you ever had, I guarantee it.
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