J's Chimes: Copy Paste & Upgrade...

Copyright infringement hits in one of China's Theme Park when it erected a complete copy of the Gundam RX-78-2 in Orange. With such, there were lots of criticism and talks about it in forums and nonetheless actions were taken to take it down... However, instead of disappearing from sight, it seems that it was given a makeover...


The actual 1/1 scale statue of the Gundam RX-78-2 was built in Odaiba as part of Mobile Suit Gundam’s 30th anniversary celebrations back in July last year. And now you could see the total resemblance of it from above.


And so it seems like they got a little creative and began gearing more accessories up... Some even said that it looks like a combination of Mazinger + Zaku with the Gundam Suit... Looks pretty weird... An so the infringement becomes invalid and a new original Gundam is born...

J's Chimes: Gashapon Art...

In my previous post about disposing unwanted models, someone actually did mention about microwaving and melting the models. Well in fact, someone actually did it and created something new in the process... However creative it might be, it is kinda creepy in certain ways or another.


Yup, you'd guess it. Try melting a few hundreds or maybe thousands of unwanted Gashapons altogether into a solid block and you might get something new... However the fact that Gashapons are made of plastic and dangerous toxins for the colors made me feel that this is really gonna hurt the planet... I mean by burning plastic, this ain't gonna be good... But it's all for the benefit of art...


Upon closer inspection you could see the melted parts of the solid block of merging models that could creep you out... Wonder what's with the circular parts not melted though... Perhaps some creative design?


Some of the melted models are even made into a block which are melted all the way down to the base leaving the top intact... Looks like a cake which just got out from the oven... However this is just the beginning...


I guess melting the models just wasn't enough for this sadistic art form... They even chop it into many parts like slices of cake... Seriously I wouldn't want to put this in my house because of what you did to the models... which may haunt you in return for dissecting them apart...


However, some of the melted Gashapons are given a new life by melting them and reshaping it into a bigger model instead...


Once again they can be split up to form some kinda... Creative art piece for display. Kinda reminds me of body works where bodies are split into many parts for viewing except that this is by using Gashapons as replacement...

J's Chimes: Retired Figures

Sometimes you just have to make way for your hobby collections by disposing of the older models. Though it may be painful to do so, but its necessary to so as to make way for the new. I have little intention to keep Gashapons now due to the fact that will only be concentrating on scale models soon. So what do you do to your retired models too?

J's Chimes: Figure Randomness

Some fan decides to do a stop motion video using figmas, MMS and Revoltechs from various animes. Kinda comedic though as it looks as if some kid is playing with his toys with lots of randomness but in some way or another it seems rather unique and nice. It takes really lots of time just to snap and move the figures into place and perhaps this 'director' does have all the time in the world to do so. To watch more of his hilarious and awesome videos, you can click on here to view them in Youtube.

J's Chimes: Cleaning Clearing Models....

It's the time of year once again and had decided to do a major spring cleaning of my cabinets that houses my scale models and figures. It is wise to check your models and clean them occasionally because it might be stained or dirtied after exposing to the environment, which is especially so in Singapore because of its wet and humid weather.


I just had to take out and clean every single one of the models, figures and Gashapons that I had. Just as mentioned before about how PVCs may melt overtime, it is wise to clean it so that further damage would not occur to your hard earned models... This is especially so to gashapons as they are made of poor quality plastic materials that may melt overtime when exposed to the environment...


After which, I would rearrange the placement of the Gashapons at the bottom of the display cabinet. I absolutely adore the Mecha Musume series which look similar to Sky Girls or the anime Strike Witches. However, the materials melt and thus would have to do a really thorough cleaning to wipe off the stickiness of the melted plastic that covers the figure.


The second level displays my classic anime figures that I collect from years ago till now. The arrangement is kinda bad though because of the mixture of small to medium sized figures... Well, due to space constraints it is inevitable to place it properly though...


The 3rd level contains mostly the BOME series from Kaiyodo and some miscellaneous models from Evangelion to The Revoltech figure boxes behind... I love BOME series models because its rather detail and nice. However, it seems that the series had stopped somehow...


My favorite models are placed on the 4th level within eye level. Scale models include Pixie Hoyori, Nagato, Mina, etc. My figmas are also placed behind in boxes... One of the problems with figma figures is that I just do not know where to find a place to store their additional parts. And I just couldn't make a wonderful pose for the figures to display, and thus they stay in the box for safe keeping... Occasionally took them out to play for a bit...


The 5th level also displays some of the few models that I loved too. Also making way for this shelf space for the newer models am getting next year... Yup... Some of my scale models are still inside the box. Sometimes I just couldn't bare to expose them into the environment. And the box looks so cool too that its unbearable to throw them away...


The highest level sits a couple of models which also may be retired soon enough as newer models are being bought next year. Behind sits 2 figures of Mikuru which is wrapped in plastic. The top of the cabinet is considered as the blind spot of my collections as you'd rarely paid attention to it because its so darn high... Ya can't put Gashapons there and would seem to be the most neglected corner of all...

J's Chimes: Have You Bought Your Tickets Yet?

The Singapore Toys, Games And Comics Convention is drawing near and will start on the 10 - 12 Dec 2010. You can get those tickets online at Gatecrash or call their hotline number to order one. Also, you can actually purchase them at AXS or SAM machines located around Singapore. Had mine purchased yesterday and it cost a whooping $25 for 3 days entry. Well, this event only happens yearly so I guess we do not really have a choice... Buy now to avoid disappointment and lining up over at the convention area just to get the tickets for entry...

J's Chimes: AFA Goodies And Stuff

Bought a lot of stuffs in the Anime Festival Asia X yesterday. Feared that I may even overspent more this year than the last... But all is well with the loot that I've harvested in this event. Ah, the joy of getting these is just so great but then again I didn't really have the time to appreciate it much because am so really tired after a whole day of 'shopping' and taking photographs...


The very first stuff that I grabbed was the copy of a picture book for the past AFA 2009. Really needed something like this to remember by... sort of like a souvenir for the Anime Festival Asia. Immediately make a dash towards GoodSmile to check out what they sell in their booth. Bought a couple of K-On! keychains before heading to the COSPA booth.


First priority in COSPA? Grab the Misaka Mikoto T-shirt straight from the shelf and began queuing... No questions asked. In fact, this was sold out early that afternoon. However the straps doesn't looked really appealing so had forfeit that to get something else instead...


Well in any Anime Festivals so as to say, it has got to be the scale models and figurines... Bought the Black Shooter Nendoroid because it's just simply irresistible. Not to mention Mio with her lovely guitar... (Together with 2 keychains bought from GoodSmile)


Saw someone holding a Miku fan and decided to grab one too... Kinda cute and makes you smile... Was then in the stage area watching the performances and the Gundam movie before deciding to buy something else... And thus saw this dakimakura from Code Geass which caught my attention and decided to buy it regardless... (Though I do not really have a good impression on Odex, this little thingy brought my attention to purchase the dakimaura too...)


Yup... This 3D poster of Nuranihyon No Mago is just so nice that had decided to purchase it. It would cost lesser to purchase it with the dakimakura so had decided to go with the flow~


And what's the first things first when you got home? Unwrapped your toys!! Love this Nendoroid a lot... Just gotta touch it... They are just so cute not too...


Finally, Black Rock Shooter comes alive and leap out of the box... Gives a glaring stare and then back into the box she goes... Too tired to display her as of now as am so groggy after a long day of 'shopping'.


The Nendoroid comes with a free Black Rock Shooter DVD too. Wow! Hopefully I have the time to watch and know what this anime is really about... This is perhaps probably the very first Nendoroid with a DVD as a free gift...


Mio is the next out of her confined box. Posed it a little and give her some fresh air before going back to her default display casing... Perhaps I should put her on my computer desk? Let's just leave it to after the AFA convention...


Day 2 of AFA X will commence once again this morning at 9am and will be there once more for some major phototaking and video recording of this festival. The AFA photos will be out from Monday onwards so do stay tune for a whole week of AFA updates...

J's Chimes: Check Your Models!

Scale models and Gashapons looks great when displayed on your cabinets but how long have you been neglecting it for checking? Was doing a check on my scale models and realised that some of the colours began to fade away. The problematic ones are those in which an oily and greasy substance tends to surface on the models, making it sticky and shiny... Have no choice but to use a wet cloth to clean it off to get rid of the greasy. This is especially so because PVCs are made of plastic that melts under normal room temperature after a few months.


Sometimes, a layer of dirt will also start to stain the models o it is also wise to clean it off as it will dull the colours of the scale models. Though it is not really recommended to use water for washing, sometimes its necessary to use a wet cloth to clean the dirt off the models as the paint really doesn't come off that easily unless you scrub it real hard... In any case if you are really neglecting your models for quite sometime, be sure to check them now to avoid heartbreaks in future... Remember to check those in boxes too as they weren't spare either...

J's Chimes: Presenting Otaku Culture

Something amazing happen which took us by storm in my final semester. It seems that one of my modules required us to make a presentation about anything we wanted to. One of my friends suggested that we'd introduce the Otaku Culture for our presentation. Was in favor with the suggestions cause I'd actually knew a lot about such being somewhat an Otaku myself. It is the most interesting assignment that I would hardly wait to start thinking and scripting our presentation. I guess it is really a given because there's really a lot of things to share and talk about in regards to our hobby. Makes my day and lots of motivation to do this assignment... Hopefully would be able to come up with something that could awe the audiences...

J's Chimes: Hobby Maintenance

After keeping your models in the display cabinet for a long long time, starting to feel a bit worried. As time goes on, scale models made of PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride) will tend to produce an oily surface or bend when exposed to room temperature for long periods of time. Due to the fact that PVC is cheap and also easily molded into shape, it is commonly used for hobbies such as this. So now the thing is, how or what should you do to maintain them?


Am really sad that my Hatsune Miku figure has this stickiness problem on her right arm that I had no choice but to take it out from the display cabinet and place it on my desktop. Collecting dust on the outside beats becoming oily and sticky. Thus also browse through the web for tips of maintaining my models and had found something interesting that might help you too.

10 Tips for maintaining your PVC models

1.) Keep it in cool temperature. No direct sunlight or hot areas...

2.) Put your models in a freezer for about 20min. This method could help harden the PVC and also drys up the oily or sticky surface due to the temperature when exposed for long periods of time.

3.) Do not clean your figure with chemical liquid or warm water. If possible avoid water. But only use a small amount water to clean parts of your figure that is dirty. Use the special kind of cloth for cleaning camera lenses or spectacles to clean your models as other alternatives like tissue could result in the dust particles sticking to your models instead.

4) If you have a hard time to remove the figure from the stand as most of them are made of plastic), do not use force. Just put the figure inside the freezer for 5 to 10 minutes. It is because plastic will shrink and expand more then PVC.

5.) If you have more then 1 figure stand close to each other, make sure they don't touch each other. The paint would leave a mark on the other model and vice versa.

6.) Famous brand such as Max Factory, Kaiyodo, alter, good smile company, etc.. uses quality paint. However quality doesn't always mean it is not susceptible to such problems. Thus try to put a plastic to every joint that removable to avoid direct contact that will leave a mark after a long time. For example, hats on a model's head which is also painted could eventually rip off the paint on the model's head and vice versa that would leave a mark. Thus the reason why manufactures always put a plastic between the joints or cover of a new figure to prevent such from happening after long periods of time.

7.) Avoid puting heavy objects for example weapons, items, etc on your figure hands for long periods of time because PVC will bend over time. Thus you might need to take it out once in awhile to avoid such losses.

8.) I hate to say this but PVC, along with the paint, is poisonous after exposure of long periods of time. This sticky and oily surface is seriously as toxic as lead like the previous case on China's lead poisoning on toys incident. So you might wanna go wash your hands thoroughly after touching them.

9.) Models bend out of shape? Put them in the freezer for about 10 - 15min. You'd need to make it stand in a position you wanted before putting it in so that the position maintains after you take it out. Another method is to use a blower for the bended part of your figure but do take note that heat might affect the paint of the figure.

10.) Do check your figures every once in a month or so just by touching them to know the conditions of your figures. If it starts to become oily, bending or sticky, it means you'd need to do something soon. Do check those still in the boxes too as they too are not safe from such damages.


I hope that these tips could help you to properly maintain your scale models and figures for years to come. I guess I have to do something about this too, else risking my models going sticky and oily and bendy and stuff...

Day 7 In The Army: Photo Sessions With Scale Models

The new Canon EOS 550D that I've bought a few months ago was the best gadget anyone would have to take stunning photographs otherwise not able to capture with just a small digital camera I'd previously owed. Whats so amazing would definitely be its 18 Megapixel which dominates almost all digital cameras around... speaking of which, the focusing is seriously sharp on close range where none of my old cameras would work when taking shots like this above...


Playing around and taking snapshots of every little thing I could find at home and also my favorite models too. One of my favs was Mina from the anime Getsumen To Heiki Mina and the ever so popular drama series called Train Man... Was totally sold out after just a few days and am glad to get this model though...


Took lots of photos but am not gonna flood my post with that many photos though... Lightings really does play a part in taking good photos in which somehow or rather my house doesn't really have during night shots... But am pretty happy wth the results the camera has brought about. The EOS 550D is also heavily advertised and promoted by Canon and is a sponsor for the Youth Olympic Games 2010 this coming year... Hopefully, there would be more sales for camera lenses so that may buy a better one for more photo-taking sessions...

J's Chimes: Ball Joint Dolls

A Ball Joint Dolls Gathering was organized last Saturday at Vivo City Singapore by the people from SGcafe. A group of people with similar interest for these realistic dolls come together to share and display their dolls to others and taking photos of their 'sons and daughters'. Anyway this is actually the first time for me up close and person with such a hobby and models and they turn out to be rather good. Except the fact that these dolls could cost as much as SGD$2000 a piece depending on its make and quality... And clothes and other accessories are not included by the way... In any case, click here and here to view the photos I've taken and be awed at it's details and beauty.

J's Chime: They Are All Connected To Anime...

Some people just don't understand the importance of Japanese anime in our lifestyle so I thought that a little 'Education' is necessary for you to know why. Of course you do know how anime begun and stuff but do you really know that they actually connected to all industries around? Think harder and you will get the gist of it. They are as per follows:


Anime inspires mangas & doujinshi and vice versa:
Till date, most mangas are now being made into anime because of their popularity. Some examples are Bleach to Naruto. Some animes also become manga and such would be Suzumiya Haruhi to Code Geass. Sometimes the storyline deviates from each other or that the style of art is different.


Anime comes from Eroge and vice versa:
Same as mangas, some adult games do become anime (Other genre includes ecchi and hentai) and vice versa. Some examples are ToHeart, Comic Party and School Days. Surprisingly, Eroges seem have better storyline in some cases. Thus its inevitable that people who loved anime will definitely get to know Hentai too. Of course there are still Eroges that came out as a decent anime like Yoake Mae Yori Ruriiro Na, Izumo or Utawarerumono instead of making it into a H anime.


Anime creates Artwork, Fanbooks, Fanarts and vice versa:
A good example would be Queen's Blade in which the artwork are kinda popular that it becomes an anime a few seasons back. Anime also brings market to the art industry which also brought about making characters for games, movies, etc. An example of such Artist is Tony Taka who drew up characters for Shining Tears, games and anime.


Anime helps develop games and vice versa:
A nice example would be the Suzumiya Haruhi game on PSP and an example of games becoming anime would be Tales of Symphonia, Tales of Vesperia, etc. In fact, games are made to look like anime characters and you could name many though in the market.


Anime releases movies and vice versa:
Anime creates movies in both live action, animation and 3D. Examples of live action includes Death Note, Animations as in Summer Wars and 3D animations like Final Fantasy The Spirits Within. In fact there are more of such movies and popular ones like Death Note live action has been watch by many people whom includes those who don't like anime. But the thing is, it originates FROM anime, so why are you complaining?


Anime brings about products into industry and vice versa:
With anime's popularity comes about toys for kids, daily necessities like food to tissues or plates etc, stickers, cups, straps, wallets, clothes, appliances, electronics and many many more stuff in the market which in turn generates profit. If you for once think that anime is useless or should be ban, won't all of these industries be affected and create loss of jobs, revenue, opportunity costs?


Anime becomes hobbies and scale models and vice versa:
With anime, it brings about demands for scale models of favourite characters and stuff. Thus bringing about new hobbies for people. Anime creates new demands like daimakura, card games like Bushiroad's Weiss Schwarz, Gundam modeling, Gashapons, etc.


Anime relates to Cosplay and vice versa:
Without animes, there won't be cosplay and without cosplay, there won't be animes. Similarly a new industry in regards to cosplay for example fashion, makeup, wigs, clothing stores would be affected if not for anime which inspires people to dress as their favourite character. With that there won't be conventions and such around.


Anime spurs conventions, competitions, events and vice versa:
Would there be comicon, comiket, AFA, Coscon, Cosfest, EOY and such happening around the world if anime does not exists? Won't there be a bit less entertainment for the general public if anime wasn't around? Think again....


Anime composed Songs & Music and vice versa:
So you've heard many songs in Japanese? Out of the few you've listened, there would bound to be one that's from an anime series. So you say that anime songs are bad... Are you saying that the idols who sang these are bad too? Take note that some of these anime song are sung by popular bands like Orange Range to Ayumi Hamasaki.


Anime brings about Seiyuus, Voice acting, writers, artists, Idols, etc:
May'n is an example of popular idols in Japan. Voice actings for anime characters, giving a boost to art in a country, etc are what anime could expand into. Without such there wouldn't be voice acting schools, artwork, writers around wouldn't it? Singapore is slowly picking up with animations and stuff in relations to IT so it wouldn't be surprising to see animation films by local people in future.


Anime brings about photography in parts of the world and also tourism in Japan:
Cosplay = Photography and I would be surprise if it wasn't... Such brings about also tourism in Japan by tourists from around the world who loves anime too. What else would also be popular in Japan? Hardly I can't think of any besides it having delicious food and shopping, scenery and culture...


BEST PART ABOUT Anime? Everything is linked together...
Anime = Mangas = Eroge = Artwork = Games = Movies = Cosplay = Models = Conventions = Songs..... Talk about any and it all adds up and links well together. Any other reasons to hate anime now? Take out either one and they will all fall like dominoes. Think deeper and you'd understand what animes really are... Of course there are still more connections in which animes could link to and no doubt it is a part of our daily lives before you know it. Your push toy to your phone strap could very well be from an anime when you least expect it...