Wonder Festival Winter 2012 Most Wanted List
If you’re into figure collecting then chances are you spent a good chunk of this past weekend glued to your computer, checking for the latest updates from this Winter’s Wonder Festival. The semi-annual event brings together the top Japanese figure makers to show off their latest offerings, making the wallets of collectors everywhere shudder in anticipation. Now that the dust has settled a bit, I thought I’d share some of my favorites.
Best In Show (in no particular order)
RIO:bone Nono and Canti (Sentinel)
While it seems like these have been around FOREVER at least it’s good to see they’re still in the works. What’s not so good is the potential price for these relatively small, poseable figures. Still, it’s two iconic characters (three if you count both Cantis) that I’d love to add to my collection, we’ll have to see how they turn out.
Megurine Luka Tony Ver. (Max Factory)
Luka has been teased for awhile now but finally seeing her painted… wow. Dos abs! Plus it’s a nice change of pace from the sea of Miku figures, including Miku’s own Tony Taka version.
Madoka Kaname “Goddess” Version (Good Smile Company)
I personally thought GSC’s Madoka line was a little dull but this might make up for it. Even without paint this figure looks stunning. Keep your eyes open for pre-orders, I’m sure this is going to be a super popular Figure of the Year contender.
Inori Yuzuriha (Good Smile Company)
My love/hate relationship with the Guilty Crown anime may still stand, but there’s no question this figure of Inori is gorgeous. I especially love that they used her look from the original Redjuice illustrations, it gives it a much more unique feel compared to your usual anime figures.
Houki Shinonono with Akatsubaki (AmiAmi Zero)
This is one ambitious looking figure. I am no fan of Infinite Stratos but I do love the character designs and wouldn’t be opposed to getting a nice figure from the series. I shudder to think how much this one is going to cost so I don’t plan on ordering, but it sure is pretty to look at.
Things I Can Actually Afford and Might Buy
Nodoka may not be the most exciting of the K-ON! girls but she’s always been my favorite character design from the series. If she ends up priced around the Alter Ui release I just might pick her up.
Princess of the Crystal Version (Good Smile Company)
This figure leaves me with an intriguing dilemma - I already have the figma preordered, but now I’m wondering if I should save my money and go for the full scale figure. I’m sure it will look fantastic once it’s painted, the big issue will be the price. Also, the figma includes all three penguins, so that’s tough to ignore.
Persona 4 The Animation Figmas and Nendoroid
We may be on the brink of Persona overload but I don’t mind a little more if it means we’re getting figmas and nendoroids. So far only Yukiko and Chie have been announced, but I suspect we’ll be seeing more of the cast soon. I’m inclined to pick up the figmas over the nendos in this case, we’ll see how it goes.
GSC really stepped up their game this WonderFest, covering practically every anime this season and then some. I’m loving Marika from Bodacious Space Pirates but the real story for me is Nichijou nendos. Seriously, out of all the beautiful figures I’ve mentioned that is the single thing I’ve been wanting most since the show aired. Guaranteed buy on my part.
Yozora Mikazuki Short Hair Version (Kotobukiya)
Quite a few Haganai figures have been trickling in, and understandably so with such great character designs. GSC has their own standard Yozora on the way but personally I like this one more. I’ve stated several times I love girls with short haircuts, add in a potentially reasonable price and I just may have to pick this one up.
Well that’s what I’m looking at for the upcoming year or so in figures. Can’t wait to see what they’ll have ready for us at Summer WonderFest, but in the meantime anything catch your attention? Anything stand out that I missed? Let’s hear it.
