Author Archives: Taaron

Sonic The Hedgehog Nendoroid

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Celebrating 20 years of gaming, Sonic sure knows how to party. To help him celebrate this milestone, he’s received a couple of video games celebrating his adventures (Sonic Generations), merchandise and numerous toys. Good Smile Company celebrates the Hedgehog with a ‘tude, by giving him a release as part of their popular Nendoroid line of stylized figures. This also marks a special purchase, as it’s my first Nendoroid purchase! So, how does my first interaction with the Nendoroid line fare? In the words of the Hedgehog himself, “Here we go!”

Images:

Packaging: 

Sonic’s packaging is fairly simple in design, forgoing a bundle of artwork, instead displaying Sonic in a full window box, and using photographs to show him off in action.  Sonic’s store-based digs are fairly spacious, clocking in at 8 and a half inches from top to bottom, a little bit shy of 7 inches from side to side, while the packaging a little over 3″ deep. Sonic, himself and his accessories are stored nicely in a big blister pack, while his marker post and auxiliary hands are located in another pack, taped to the interior rear of the main pack. All fairly easy to open, however if you plan on using the stand while keeping the accessories packed up, I’d recommend placing something like a note card, trimmed to match the size of the stand, as the Monitor items and rods for the Ring and Chaos Emerald will fall out quite easily, without the stand keeping them in place.

Accessories: 

Sonic sure does have a bundle of toys, doesn’t he? (as every birthday boy should!)
He comes with everything you need to make up a small stage display:

A container, with swappable item icons You have an options ranging from 10 rings, a shield, invincibility, speed-up, and my personal favorite, is the 1-Up.  Swapping the icons out is fairly easy, and you can take it apart a number of ways. Initially, I thought the container globe had been one piece, which I quickly learned, you can’t fit any thing in that way. By removing the lid, you can split the globe into halves, and place in the icon of choice. (Or anything else that might fit!)

Ring & Chaos Emerald: You should have a couple of these kicking about if you’ve bought other Sonic toys in recent years, but it’s always good to have a few more. Both achieve a floating effect by using a clear rod & base. The ring isn’t gold, but more of a slightly pearlescent yellow. The chaos emerald has a nice gloss, and green transparency.

Gate: It’s sad, I’ve been a Sonic fan for a number of years, but I can’t think of what this thing is called, outside of calling it a ‘gate’. In game, if Sonic should perish after passing through this gate, he can restart at this point.  In this set, it makes a nice display piece.

Keeping true to the game design, the arms on the post are articulated for a swivel of 180 degrees, which allows the gate to appear closed (horizontal), and open by raising them to stand vertical. The ribbon is also removable to make it appear as if Sonic has crossed it. However, mine required some gentle prying to to pull it free of the post, so I recommend some caution on this element.

These accessories really make this set worthwhile. I’d love to see GSC release an accessory pack with more Container bubbles for the rest of the icons, or perhaps a more Classic Sonic themed set with monitor containers, more rings, a star post and maybe an Animal container.

Sonic: 

Finally, we’re to the main hedgehog himself.

Clocking in a little bit shy of 4″,  he’s mostly based off the Modern Sonic design, but due to the Nendoroid style, he’s also quite a nice blend of Classic Sonic.
The sculpting and paint work is pretty spot on. However, there’s quite a few seamlines on Sonic’s head, around his quills. Also, the blending of Modern and Classic styles makes Sonic’s stomach look a little pudgy. Some folks might find issue with that. However, I think the pudge adds a little bit of charm. Alternatively, I find the glossy red paint they used on his shoes to be a nice touch, as it makes them seem freshly polished.

The articulation is fairly limited, but also quite nice. His neck is on a friction joint, which gives him a neck swivel, and the ability to look up and down. His shoulders peg in, allowing full swivel, but no outwards swinging motion. At his wrists, he uses another friction joint, which gives him a full range of motion. His hips continue the friction joint usage, allowing him to be posed walking, kicking out, or sitting. For the last bit of articulation in the design, he’s armed with ball jointed ankles, which gives him quite a nice range of movement.

Finally, Sonic has quite a few accessories of his own.

Three expressions, one a smile, another a mischievous grin, and the third, a soured expression (best used if you pinch his nose to swap expressions). As GSC has been doing recently with their Figma line, I wish they had included a fourth expressionless face to be customized by the owner, by way of decals. Additionally, I wish they made his eyes a separate set of pieces, for eye position, as mine seems to be perpetually glancing to the left. Swapping the faces is quite an easy thing to do, so long as you don’t pinch his nose as it may damage the figure. (Pinching his nose was a joke. plus it’s mean, so don’t do it!) All you have to do is reach beneath his chin, give a little tug (or rub, depending on how you look at it), and his face pulls out and is ready for a new expression.

He comes with two complete pairs of hands, a default pair of open hands, and a pair of fists. Unfortunately, the blister packaging doesn’t have a place to store the open hands should you swap them out with any of the other hands. The rest of the accessories seem to favor the left side of his body, as he comes with ‘thumbs up’ position hand, and a pointing hand. Each hand has it’s own friction joint assembly.

Additionally, he has bent arm, and leg bent at the knee to replicate running poses. Both are easily replaced by un-pegging the default limb, and pegging the new one in. However, I find the default limbs are quite nice for a decent stride, so I don’t plan on using the auxiliary arm or leg much.

Finally, he comes with a clear stand, that pegs into the small of his back, right above his tail. The stand is fairly decent if using for running or leaping poses. However, for standing, and striding (when used with open hand), he’s quite stable by himself, and doesn’t really require the stand.
Final Thoughts: 
Nendoroid Sonic has quite a bit of charm and character to him. He does have a few downsides, as he can be dis-limbed fairly easily. I lost track of how many times I ended up decapitating him while fidgeting around. (que “boing!” sfx and “Game over” music.)
Given the price (roughly $40 to $50+), I don’t like to think of this as a Sonic “toy”. I consider it more of a Sonic display piece that can be posed.
I’d recommend it for the uber-fans, or an older fan as a nice gift. With the younger fans, I think they’d be frustrated with how Sonic doesn’t quite stay together during play. With that in mind, for the younger or more casual fans, I think they could get by with the 5″ Jazwares Classics Sonic figure, instead. (That’s not to say it’s better. I think Jazwares could learn quite a bit from this figure.)
 I’m quite pleased with it, and can easily say I don’t think he’ll be my last Nendoroid.

“Module On” Kamen Rider Fourze: Machine Massigler & Poweredizer sets

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This year(2012)’s Kamen Rider is designed to celebrate a double anniversary, one being the 40th anniversary of the Kamen Rider franchise, and the 50th anniversary of spaceflight.

When I initially read about the concept of the series being a High School drama, I wasn’t sure if I’d like this Kamen Rider series, but sure enough, as all Kamen Riders before that I wasn’t fully sure I’d like, I’ve loved. As is the case with things I’m a fan of, I try and get some merchandising. Now there’s quite a bit of merchandising when it comes to Super Sentai and Kamen Rider, so I generally stick to the smaller boxed kits/sets that come with a piece of sugary candy or chewing gum. Which brings us to:

“Module On” Kamen Rider Fourze: #1 Machine Massigler & #2 Poweredizer 

Let’s get started with #1 and see what’s inside!

Opening these packagings is a pretty simple process, there’s a pull strip at the top of the box that grants easy access. If you don’t want to damage the image, just by taking a sharp (be careful!) box cutter, you can cut it at the top back of the packaging and keep it intact. Repeat for the bottom, and break at the perforated edge, and you’ve got the box splayed open. The instructions are printed to the inside of the box.  Well now, consider me a little bit disappointed. I was hoping I could do some building! Instead, the kit is pre-assembled, and all the details are done by way of the decal.

Luckily, the instructions work under the assumption you were disappointed with the fact it was already put together for you, and has you apply the decals to a disassembled set.

(Dissembled as best can be. The motorcycle body is held together with glue, while screws are holding the wheels in)

Some odd minutes later, a pair of hobby tweezers and a backdrop change, you’ll have this:

It’s a lucky thing this is considered the Mechanics set of the Module On Kamen Rider Fourze toys, as Fourze isn’t quite the selling point for this box. He’s sparsely detailed, with scant amount of the decals going to him, and the rest of the sheet going to the rocket-motorcycle. He’s also not very articulated, having a ball-jointed neck, and standard peg shoulders. He also doesn’t really stay that well on the bike.

Part of the reason the figure doesn’t really stand out is due to the fact he’s a fill in figure. The Machine Massigler has been designed to work with the fully articulated “Module On” Kamen Rider Fourze set of figures, a separate purchase. Unfortunately, I have none of these figures on hand. They’ll be covered in a future post.

Meanwhile, the Machine Massigler has quite a bit of nice sculpted detail, just begging for paint to bring it out more. It’s also quite solidly put together, feeling like it’s the body has been glued together, and the wheels are held in with screws.  The bike does a decent job of standing on it’s own due to the dual leg kickstand, and doesn’t interfere with the clearance if you want to roll it around, which it also does quite nicely.

Kamen Rider Fourze #2: Poweredizer

Next up is a support mecha, the Poweredizer. It has three forms: robot mode, vehicle mode, and tower mode, which acts as a launchpad for Machine Massigler. As before, let’s open the box up and see what’s in side. 

Again, he’s mostly been pre-assembled, but there’s alot more to fidget with, so I’m a happy camper on that front. Unfortunately, most of his decals are used on his head, which was very tricky to apply. I’m not too fond of how the placement turned out. It might’ve been better to paint it.

Poweredizer Mode:

Vehicle Mode:

Tower Mode:

Tower Mode w/ Machine Massigler:

It’s able to form each of it’s three modes quite nicely, but the only modes that lock together nicely is the Poweredizer mode, and the Tower mode. For the Dizer mode, it’s mostly posed to look like it’s in that form and doesn’t really lock together(as far I can find.) It also does not roll.

Fourze also cannot ride Dizer mode. He looks absolutely goofy. 

The articulation on the big guy is fairly decent.

For the torso, the head is a integrated piece, and has no articulation. I’ve yet to figure out how fix this. It also has a waist joint that allows rotation, and bowing. However they’re actually used for transformation, and is locked by the exhaust system being pegged onto the back.

For the arms, it’s shoulders can swing up (as part of transformation to tower mode), and rotation on a standard peg. swing out arms, bending elbows, though no arm rotation, so it’s constantly doing a T-Rex / Motorcycle rider gripping the handle bars sorta thing. There’s opening for customization here to allow arm rotation, though. Just will take a bit of trimming and cutting. (Simplest way, I think would be to get rid of the elbow hinge, and replace it with a simple Revoltech joint.)

 The legs are pretty standard, ball jointed hips for rotation and some slightly spread leg poses, but no outward kicks. Knee is a standard back and forward articulation. The feet have a swivel ankle, and balljointed ‘toe’.

Candy:

Finally, we have the candy. These are included in many of the candy toys Bandai produces; they’re sweet and fizzy, supposedly invoking similarity to Ramune Soda. There’s not much flavor, other than sweet.

Over all, I’m fairly pleased with these two sets. They’re fun little pieces if you  can’t afford the higher priced DX models (and take up less room), though if you wanted to really put this collection over the moon, I’d recommend tracking down a “Module On” Fourze figure to go with the set.

Afternoon Snack:Tokyo Sky Tree Ed. (Orange) KitKat and Takoyaki Sauce Pretz

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Snack attack time. Today I’ve sampled the Tokyo Sky Tree edition Orange flavored Kitkat, and the Takoyaki Sauce Pretz, which is made up to emulate a partial Takoyaki experience.

KitKat  Tokyo Sky Tree Ed. (Orange flavored):

The 13″ (and thensome) packaging fittingly reflects the largest tower ( at 2,080 feet) in the world. From what I’ve read, these were released to celebrate the completion of the Tokyo Sky Tree in February.

Before I opened the package, I wondered what was inside? A bunch of regular sized KitKats, or some really tall KitKat bars? I was really hoping for the tallest Kitkats I’ve ever seen.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t to be the case. I opened the taller box and out poured three regular sized KitKat boxes stacked side to side, containing two pairs of Kitkats to a box.

As for the Bars themselves, I wasn’t really that impressed.  They tasted fine, but weren’t the best chocolate orange-y flavor I’ve had.

I don’t think I’d recommend these for a general snack, but if you’re a collector of Japanese KitKat packaging, it’s certainly a nifty addition. I’d also recommend it as a tourist-y type gift.

Glico Takoyaki Pretz:

This was a slightly interesting snack. It’s a thin flat pretzel-type snack, with a sauce packet. The back of the packaging show some ways you can decorate the snack with.


(I think I could of done that better, but still decently applied, right?)

They’re supposed to taste like Takoyaki, the famous dumpling that contains bits of Octopus in the center. Did it? A little bit, but I’m not 100% familiar with the flavor of Takoyaki, only getting a chance to try it once. This snack was a bit on the wheaty-side, with a little bit of a shrimp chipy- taste.

The sauce on the other hand, is quite a bit more recognizable, being a Tonkatsu Bulldog sauce, which is a sweet n salty taste, due to being made from fruits and vegetables.

If I were a better packet sauce artist, I think this’d be a fun little snack. Draw something, and then snack down(after snapping a picture first!).

So, as far as the snacks, I wouldn’t really say I’m a happy snacker. I’m glad I got the chance to try them, but I don’t think I’d go out of my way to repurchase them again.

Adventures in soda making!

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Sometime in 2009, I saw a SodaStream soda maker at a nearby Kohl’s. I found it curious, as I had just started to live alone and would be able to greatly cut back hauling bottles and cans of soda. So, after a few weeks of thinking and giving it the glance over when I went to Kohl’s, I decided to get it…and what an interesting experiment it has been since!

I had picked up the starter kit, and learned two lessons off the bat. One, You’re carbonating the water, and not sodamising it. (if you’re scratching your head as why not to say that, say it out loud. It took me a day and a half to realize what I was saying.) Two, it might be acquired taste, but I still think plain carbonated water is horrible tasting. As it went on, I learned a third, which also applies to store-bought sodas, if you’re thinking you’ll have an explodey soda, hold the bottle at a 45 degree angle, and slowly release the pressure by twisting the lid slightly open and closed. No mess!

I wasn’t too fond about the starter set, as I hated the plastic bottles. For whatever reason, you had to replace them after a certain time period and you couldn’t wash them in the dishwasher. (at least, that’s what the manual said.)

So, when I moved later in 2009, I decided to get myself a housewarming gift, by way of Sodastream’s Penguin starter model. Fittingly, it arrived during a freak blizzard.

(Well, as freak as a blizzard in Texas could be.)

Part of the reason I decided to get the Penguin model is mostly due to it’s quirky appearance, and the fact it uses glass bottles for carbonation, and they don’t need to be replaced unless if damaged, and they can be happily put in the dish washer.

Though, my poor Penguin soda making pal is getting a little bit up there in age, so I’m considering on upgrading and getting the Sodastream Revolution when it comes out.

Another tool in my soda making adventures I use the iSi Twist and Sparkle Beverage Carbonating System, however, this is reserved for pre-made drinks, like juices or teas. The way the system is set up, a single CO2 cartridge carbonizes the bottle, so I believe that’d be quite expensive if I used it for water as well. Edit: No longer using the iSi Twist and Sparkle. Received a notice that the carbonation bottles were bursting, and to discontinue use for the time being.

and the third, and more important, tool in my Soda making arsenal is the most versatile. A water filter. I tried a number of filters, and I’ve found I prefer the ZeroWater ZD-023 23-Cup Water Dispenser and Filtration System. (I also tried a ZeroWater pitcher, but found it took way too long to filter.) This makes a bunch of filtered water, so you can use it for soda making, or just plain drinking.

Well, I think I spent enough time on talking about the equipment. Sometime next week, we’ll get to the fun stuff! The syrups!

 

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

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Heyo, everyone.

How was everyone’s holiday? Mine was nice, and quiet. Perhaps a bit too relaxed, as I didn’t want to do much afterwards.

Spent Christmas Eve tidying up my apartment, and when I wasn’t tidying, I was holding a marathon viewing session of the 1995 anime series “The Vision of Escaflowne”. (It was that, or Evangelion. Since I’ve seen Evangelion in it’s entirety, I figured I’d go with a show I hadn’t completed.) It managed to distract me from opening my presents, well into Sunday night. So, what did I get? A buncha Gundams!

These were purchased from Gundam Store & More‘s Holiday “Surprise” sale.

19″ Gundam Stocking:

  • Snacks
  • Haro
  • Gundam Wing Card pack x2
  • Gundam Marker (lime? green)
  • Gundam Pencil
  • Shy-Tarn (V Gundam 1/144)
  • Raider Gundam (Gundam Seed 1/144)
  • Wing Zero Head Shooter
  • Stocking

 Snack Pack

Gundam Surprise Pack #1:

  • Nobel Gundam (G-Gundam HG 1/144)
  • Brave Standard Test Type(Gundam 00: A Wakening of the Trailblazer HG 1/144)
  • Action Base 2 Clear Blue
  • Paint Marker (blue)
Gundam Surprise Pack #2:
  • Nobel Gundam (G-Gundam HG 1/144)
  • Brave Test  (Gundam 00: A Wakening of the Trailblazer HG 1/144)
  • Infinite Justice Gundam (Gundam Seed / Seed Destiny? 1/144)
  • Action Base 2 Clear Blue
  • Paint Marker (blue)
Action Base Set: 
  • Action Base 2 Gray
  • Action Base 2 Sparkle Clear Red
  • Action Base 2 Clear Blue
  • Action Base 1 Sparkle Clear Green
  • Action Base 2 Sparkle Clear Green
  • Action Base 1 Char
  • Action Base 1 White
Super Deformed: Qubeley 3-Pc. Set

Finally, my friend that runs Sonic Gear surprised me with a Transformers t-shirt, which has an Autobot symbol that changes color when exposed to sunlight, and a handmade Autobot symbol made with Perler Beads. So, great weekend all around.

Now we’re coming up to this weekend holiday, New Year’s. Has everyone figured out their resolutions?

I certainly have. Here’s mine, with alternates!

1.)Sort & organize collection (alternative: Work out a better cleaning plan.)

I moved quite a few years back, so I figure it’s time to get those toys out of the storage boxes, and on display (or out of the apartment) instead of letting them take up space, living in a box telling another figure to “Get your elbow out of my eye!”.

Alternatively, work out a better cleaning regimen. I’ve found quite a few times I’ve wanted to work on something, but would end up getting distracted by cleaning instead….which would somehow end up messier than when I started. sigh.

2.)Website (alternative: Complete other projects)

This should be first, but in reality, these aren’t ranked in any particular order to be honest.
Basically, get a more personalized look to the site, instead of how it currently looks.

As for the alternative, get more work done towards other products I have in mind, like learning how to program an iOS (iPhone/iPod/iPad) app, writing a story, or working up the courage to get on YouTube.

3.)Lose weight (alternative: Exercise more)
I’m pushing 30, and usually weigh in at 230 lbs. Need to get in a better shape. ‘Nuff said.

4.)Figure out a decent spending plan
This one makes it sound like I’m bad with money. I guess I can kind of see it, but I think I generally stay within my monthly budget.

However, I do get slightly sucker-punched by online pre-orders. Offline pre-orders aren’t too bad, as I can pay them off as the release date comes closer, but for online pre-orders, it’s all paid for at once. My plan to solve this issue is to get a prepaid spending card and put funds towards that card til it’s released.

5.) Go to Japan & complete Rosetta Stone.
Alternatively, complete Rosetta Stone for Japanese then go to Japan. Remember how I said I’m pushing 30 earlier? Yeah. I’ve wanted to go to Japan since I was in high school. That’s a well held onto ‘want’, so I want to do it before I hit 30.

6.) Read More.
I read a-plenty. Twitter, blogs, manga, cookbooks, occasional guides and how-tos…but not storybooks. I want to do this more. I’ve actually started this last night. I finally got around to starting “Howl’s Moving Castle” by Diana Wynne Jones. So far I’m only 2 chapters in, but I’m enjoying it.

Welp, I think that about sums up my major goals for the upcoming year. If you’d like to keep track of how I’m coming along on my resolutions, I’ve created a Resolutions page to follow along.

Hope everyone celebrates safely, and starts off the new year in a good way. I’ll see you guys in the new year!

Adventures in coding, pt2!

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If you’re visiting the site, and wonder why the layout doesn’t appear broken and blank, I found a nifty little trick to prevent this. As I’ve been updating my theme, I’ve found I can view a working preview of the theme underneath the “Appearance” > “Manage Themes” Tab, this way I don’t actually have to break the site to see what I’m doing. Neat, huh?

As to where I’m at on the WPDesigner tutorial, I’m up to step 5b, The Content. Retyping the code for the theme is a bit of a pesky process, but it’s having good results so far. When I left off the first time, W3′s validation service was validating my code with 13 errors. Now, I’ve been validating my code as I go, W3 initially reported 7 errors, and I managed to get those errors down 1! Wewt!

So, now that I’ve written in so my blog doesn’t worry about me, I better get cracking on the rest of the tutorial!  (If you’re wondering where Part 1 of “Adventures in coding” is, please consider “Hello world!….Again” the start of the series.)

Happy Black Friday! (A haul of a story)

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I survived Black Friday with no anxiety attacks. :D  (Just a load of self-guilt for spending, when I said I was just gonna look about.)
Ran by Target to get a green tea from their cafe and wander about, checking out the crowd. Stopped by toys and spotted Air raid, Dark Steel, and Specialist(? or is it Rescue? it’s the Red one) Ratchet.

Kept to my no-spend statement, and headed over to:

Toys R Us:
Saw and picked up, breaking my no-spend statement:
Generations Sky Shadow
Generations Junk Heap
the last TF Prime Bumblebee (and dropped him into the Toys for Tots bin on the way out)- Not sure if I should feel like a dick for grabbing the last one off the peg(or the fact I basically emptied out their TF Prime peg in a matter of days), or not since they mostly went towards Toys for Tots.

and a small Lego Dinosaur set

Headed back to Target and…

Decided to get Air raid, Dark Steel, and Ratchet.

As I was reaching for Air raid, I was stopped by a guh-guh-girl! wanting to know the difference between Voyager and Deluxe was, and why I was getting Deluxes over the Voyager. I showed her the Fireburst Prime, and told her it was basically the size, and I was getting the Deluxes as they were newer. She then grabbed Air Raid before I could.   (She did offer to give me first dibs, but I figured I could find it later, so I let her take it.)

Finally, I decided to just stick with what I picked up at TRU, and just get the housepants I picked up at Target and put back Dark Steel and Ratchet, going over to look at the Lego sets. As I was leaving the toy section, I noticed the woman had picked up Voyager Fireburst Prime (the last Voyager they had) and was walking away from the toy aisle. Went back to Transformers, to see she put the deluxes she grabbed back. So, I grabbed the trio again, and made my way up to check out, so at Target I picked up:

Air Raid
Dark Steel
Ratchet

Though, while I was checking out and walking home, I couldn’t help but wonder if I should of left the deluxes in case the woman changed her mind again?

Also, when I came home, I had some packages from the mail waiting for me. It was last week’s Toys R Us order containing:

Transformers Rescue Bots Chase & Billy Blastoff
Transformers Prime Starscream
Transformers Prime Bumblebee

So, good hauls all around.