It's been a while since I visited CSC on a Sunday morning where the highlight is the flea market. Sometimes, it does pay to go early and one might spot/score some rare or good items missing in their collection.
I woke up early and made an early trip so that I can save the afternoon for school work. I reached around 11.15am and left at about 12 noon; nothing interesting. Decided to walk to Funan IT Mall since I randomly recalled the existence of La Tendo.
(For those unsure, La Tendo is also a specialty hobby shop which imports most of their stuff straight from Japan)
As mentioned by one fellow forum member, they already got the DX Gokai-Oh (S$132), DX Magi-Dragon (S$52) and the 5 Sentai Hero Figures (S$17 each), but they were too expensive for my budget. So, I will wait for Uncle Ng to bring in the Bandai Asia imports.
So I was randomly flipping through their pre-order catalogues, then I looked at the prices for the S.H. Figuarts ShinkenBlue and ShinkenGreen: S$92 for non-members, and S$82.80 for members with a S$40 deposit.
Instantly, I felt dumb with my decision of pre-ordering with an online middleman service. I already paid S$82.83 and that is excluding international shipping! Crap, I forgotten all about La Tendo and if I pre-ordered from them, it would be cheaper overall.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
No Gokaiger Stuff for February...
Business and Distribution has just resumed from the long Chinese New Year break, but the most recent shipment for Ng's Collections are mostly unrelated stuff (at least for me).
Given the shortages of Gokaiger Merchandise all over major online stores, I wouldn't expect Uncle Ng to have them that early as well. This has been the trend for the past couple of years, especially since Uncle Ng has not ordered from Japan due to the high exchange rate and poor local demand. It's only the Bandai Asia imports now...
Actually, I was at least hoping to get the S.H. Figuarts ShinkenRed but it hasn't arrived yet. The earliest possible date they are looking at would probably be next week, so it's going to be another trip down to CSC again. Wasted or not, we'll see.
As for the Gokaiger Stuff, the earliest date would be next month for Ng's Collections, so it's going to be a busy "bugging Uncle" month since I expect the stock to be little and the higher than usual demand given this is the Anniversary season.
Given the shortages of Gokaiger Merchandise all over major online stores, I wouldn't expect Uncle Ng to have them that early as well. This has been the trend for the past couple of years, especially since Uncle Ng has not ordered from Japan due to the high exchange rate and poor local demand. It's only the Bandai Asia imports now...
Actually, I was at least hoping to get the S.H. Figuarts ShinkenRed but it hasn't arrived yet. The earliest possible date they are looking at would probably be next week, so it's going to be another trip down to CSC again. Wasted or not, we'll see.
As for the Gokaiger Stuff, the earliest date would be next month for Ng's Collections, so it's going to be a busy "bugging Uncle" month since I expect the stock to be little and the higher than usual demand given this is the Anniversary season.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Pre-Ordered S.H. Figuarts ShinkenGreen
After some considerations, I decided to pre-order just S.H. Figuarts ShinkenGreen since he's my favorite character in the show. Had to set up a PayPal account and order through a middleman service.
Settled the Pre-Order with Yokatta Web which offered the price at 4,900 Yen (S$77+) excluding PayPal fees. International shipping and middleman fees would be charged later when the item is released.
Freaking expensive because I'm too used to paying only the price for the toy with local imports and shipping charges are never a concern.
It's really a bad year to collect stuff because it coincides with the 35th Anniversary "Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger" which has a enormous line up of attractive toys. I should just rob a bank. Hahah.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Power Rangers Samurai: The Premiere
So is this the first episode or not? It sure doesn't feel like one since it is adapted from Shinkenger Act 3. Plus, Nick is known for airing shows out of episode order, so this is really confusing.
"THE TEAM UNITES"
First things first, Power Rangers in High Definition (HD)! AWESOMEZ! It's about time that America catch up with Japan and Super Sentai!
Saban is really pushing aggressively through every media channel in order to make the series successful again. I like the spirit! Hopefully, it will be a success.
Main Theme
Essentially, a remix of the original MMPR theme that older fans are very familiar with. Not too fond of the name calling at the beginning, it sounds dumb and kinda ruin the song. Otherwise, an updated classic.
Story
There is no establishment to the show's Samurai premise and we all see the rangers already gotten their powers and training. The focus is entirely on the Green Ranger, Mike who has a hard time fitting in. They are probably going to cover the origins at a later episode.
Having seen Shinkenger, there's no element of surprise at all since the whole show is exactly a carbon copy. They really went all the way out to copy and reshoot every plot detail! I went back to rewatch some parts of Shinkenger and noticed that some dialogues were copied as well.
The only random part was Bulk and Spike. Oh yes, the good old Bulk is reunited with the show but this time with Skull's son! I wasn't a fan of the slap stick comedy but Spike's high pitch laughter was rather funny.
Acting
I was really impressed with RPM's acting so Samurai was lacking in this aspect. The wooden acting was very obvious in some delivery of lines especially Mike and Jayden since they have the most lines in the episode... Not complaining since it's just a kids show and not some Oscar film. Haha.
Production
The HD cameras alone make up more than enough of the production value. The set was nicely done as well, and I welcome the return of rock music absent in Disney's seasons.
So far, Saban has not disappoint in the aspect of naming. There's proper names for weapons, attacks and Zords which Disney was quite lazy and inconsistent with. I totally hate the generic "fire!" and "full power!" that plagued Disney's season. Also glad that Zords once again have their unique identities as "Folding Zords" this season instead of the generic "insert name Zord".
Interestingly, they also kept quite a number of names from Shinkenger as well, e.g. the Sanzu River and Dayu.
The Mega-Mode Powers
Of course, the highlight of the episode was the summoning of the Zords and the Mega-Mode Powers which are American creations. Quite the MMPR Movie feel there with the modified design and I think the Mega Blade looks cool as well.
The new American cockpit was more modern and sleek looking so it would relate to kids better in the department of cool factors.
Go Go Samurai!
"THE TEAM UNITES"
First things first, Power Rangers in High Definition (HD)! AWESOMEZ! It's about time that America catch up with Japan and Super Sentai!
Saban is really pushing aggressively through every media channel in order to make the series successful again. I like the spirit! Hopefully, it will be a success.
Main Theme
Essentially, a remix of the original MMPR theme that older fans are very familiar with. Not too fond of the name calling at the beginning, it sounds dumb and kinda ruin the song. Otherwise, an updated classic.
Story
There is no establishment to the show's Samurai premise and we all see the rangers already gotten their powers and training. The focus is entirely on the Green Ranger, Mike who has a hard time fitting in. They are probably going to cover the origins at a later episode.
Having seen Shinkenger, there's no element of surprise at all since the whole show is exactly a carbon copy. They really went all the way out to copy and reshoot every plot detail! I went back to rewatch some parts of Shinkenger and noticed that some dialogues were copied as well.
The only random part was Bulk and Spike. Oh yes, the good old Bulk is reunited with the show but this time with Skull's son! I wasn't a fan of the slap stick comedy but Spike's high pitch laughter was rather funny.
Acting
I was really impressed with RPM's acting so Samurai was lacking in this aspect. The wooden acting was very obvious in some delivery of lines especially Mike and Jayden since they have the most lines in the episode... Not complaining since it's just a kids show and not some Oscar film. Haha.
Production
The HD cameras alone make up more than enough of the production value. The set was nicely done as well, and I welcome the return of rock music absent in Disney's seasons.
So far, Saban has not disappoint in the aspect of naming. There's proper names for weapons, attacks and Zords which Disney was quite lazy and inconsistent with. I totally hate the generic "fire!" and "full power!" that plagued Disney's season. Also glad that Zords once again have their unique identities as "Folding Zords" this season instead of the generic "insert name Zord".
Interestingly, they also kept quite a number of names from Shinkenger as well, e.g. the Sanzu River and Dayu.
The Mega-Mode Powers
Of course, the highlight of the episode was the summoning of the Zords and the Mega-Mode Powers which are American creations. Quite the MMPR Movie feel there with the modified design and I think the Mega Blade looks cool as well.
The new American cockpit was more modern and sleek looking so it would relate to kids better in the department of cool factors.
Go Go Samurai!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Chance to Get Engine-Oh G12 Cheap!
A fellow forum member has sighted some stuff out of the usual at the Jurong East MRT Popular Store which would be moving out soon mid-February. It is currently holding a clearance sale on book items and stationery.
Quite unusual to see Go-Onger DX Mecha in Popular right? I personally went down to take a look and confirmed that they are all Bandai Asia (H.K.) Re-Issues (2010 Made In Thailand). Apparently, Sheng Tai Toys was hoping to clear some stock because the clearance sale would draw in some crowd.
The Price List is as follows:
DX Engine-Oh S$79.95
DX Birca, DX Gunpherd S$24.95 each
DX Carrygator S$44.95
DX Toripter, Jetras S$24.95 each
DX JumboWhale S$59.95
DX Kyouretsu-Oh S$89.95
This brings the total for Engine-Oh G-12 to be S$374.60 (20% cheaper than the Japanese Version).
If anyone's interested, there's also the GoRaoder GT at S$49.95. And the new total would be S$424.55.
DX JumboWhale and Kyouretsu-Oh would be the most worth-it of the lot as the Japanese Versions were around S$90 and S$150 respectively. See the huge savings?
I would say that it is still worth it to collect since they are Made in Thailand (which is the same as the Japanese Versions) instead of China quality-wise. Last 2 years were Made in China for Boukenger and Gekiranger so the quality suffered a little.
Quite unusual to see Go-Onger DX Mecha in Popular right? I personally went down to take a look and confirmed that they are all Bandai Asia (H.K.) Re-Issues (2010 Made In Thailand). Apparently, Sheng Tai Toys was hoping to clear some stock because the clearance sale would draw in some crowd.
The Price List is as follows:
DX Engine-Oh S$79.95
DX Birca, DX Gunpherd S$24.95 each
DX Carrygator S$44.95
DX Toripter, Jetras S$24.95 each
DX JumboWhale S$59.95
DX Kyouretsu-Oh S$89.95
This brings the total for Engine-Oh G-12 to be S$374.60 (20% cheaper than the Japanese Version).
If anyone's interested, there's also the GoRaoder GT at S$49.95. And the new total would be S$424.55.
DX JumboWhale and Kyouretsu-Oh would be the most worth-it of the lot as the Japanese Versions were around S$90 and S$150 respectively. See the huge savings?
I would say that it is still worth it to collect since they are Made in Thailand (which is the same as the Japanese Versions) instead of China quality-wise. Last 2 years were Made in China for Boukenger and Gekiranger so the quality suffered a little.
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