I just walked in the door from World Hobby Festival Ariake 18 Final and am now in the midst of processing images for our site coverage of the event. First up is a preliminary overview of some of the exceptional items on display at the Big Sight today, which will be followed shortly by a roundup of news from PVC makers who were there (lagging slightly behind the Tokyo-based blogs due to the four-hour trek home after the event ^^;;). Stay tuned!
Did I saw a Peorth?
:3
I hope so, cos I think i did too!!
But i’m a little confused, Danny Choo did a little article on WHF last week on the 30th April which was the Kobe one. Is there any difference between that one and the one at Tokyo, which is this one?
KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA I’m totally over excited by this preview!!! I spy Yoko-san!!!!! Moe~~~~~!!!
There was a lot of nice stuff at this WHF. I mostly checked out stuff that I have on pre-order and was pretty impressed with them and can’t wait to have them in my hands
>>e-jump
There were two really nice Peorths at the event, you’ll see them in the gallery soon. :3
>>gundamjehutykai
During the years of its existence (1999-2008) WHF was held multiple times per year in different locations around Japan. This was done to facilitate attendance of local/regional fans and circles who might not be able to justify the trip to Tokyo or Osaka for an event of this (relatively small) size; the event came to them instead.
As a result, the items on display and for sale at each event vary based on the circles participating and the time at which the event is held. There will be some overlap for circles who show up at both events (WHF Kobe and WHF Ariake) but many of the participants only do one or the other.
Because this was the very last WHF ever I believe there were more circles and attendees at WHF Ariake 18 than at WHF Kobe 28 last week. I’m pretty sure that there wasn’t as much of an industry presence either; none of my normal news sources picked anything up from the event, at least.
>>PorcelainePriss
There was a heavy Yoko presence again at this event, with a couple of really outstanding “space look” versions. I’m planning a post to spotlight them, they’re definitely worth the attention.
>>Y
Great meeting you today, I’m glad it worked out and we were able to talk for awhile. I hope the rest of your Japan trip goes well!
Dang, I missed out out on the Pinky’s Horo, I saw how long the line was so I went for a walk instead, serves me right I guess.
I had a good time looking around though, I liked the Nazi bunnies.
My photos definitely didn’t come out as well that though
@shingo
Thanks for the info. And I just blew my budget on 2 Fate testarossa figures from the Kobe event. that and I’m still raging over the yamato ignis announcement (I still have to paint my original cast)
I just hope no other drop dead gorgeous kits surface…
>>Shingo
Likewise! Thanks for all your help. If I’m in your neighbourhood I’ll let you know!
That (Cobra-Kai?) Saber would be extremely tempting if it sees the light of PVC *Д* Looking forward to the detailed report!
Definitely picking up a completed Cobra-Kai Saber too if it turns up for sale. (pvc or otherwise).
I see that the sculptor known for adding massive bosoms to popular female characters is at it again, this time with Yoko.
I’m glad Yamato’s Ignis will be based on this dynamic version. Hopefully, it retains the castoff top. 8)
>> gundamjehutykai
At least you didn’t pay 70% of the original price for a fake. I did, for the 1/4 Volks Yamamoto 2 years ago, only to see the announcement for an official COMPLETED resin version by Volks 2 days ago.
Oh well, lesson learnt. If the price is too low for an original figure, it’s probably fake. (unless it comes from a reputable shop located in Japan holding a stock clearance sale) Consider it as tuition fees paid to learn the figure collecting hobby trade.
Also, paying S$600 to learn of a person’s complete character is actually cheap.
Anyway, there’s such a thing as retribution, as the SG shop I bought from has since closed down, and the owner jailed. (He was jailed for fraud committed as a former insurance agent)
Is there any firm word on why they actually wrapped it up? Was it just loss of attendance, or interest, or…?
Any news of the Uesugi Kenshin figurine (Sengoku Rance) from R-Line? I think she’s supposed to make a debut at WHF 18.
need that seto san and subaru to get PVCed..
>>nekodeev
Ahh, sorry I missed you there! Would have been fun to meet and say hi… sorry I wasn’t more organized beforehand, meeting up was kind of an afterthought. Hopefully another opportunity will present itself.
>>Byaku-chan
A full look at Cobra-Kai’s Saber is the next item planned for coverage – hard to shoot in the available lighting, but damn is it an amazing kit.
>>Artefact
I’m not aware of any official reasons for the event closure, though some have been hypothesized here in the past, and I heard a few others at the event yesterday. I’ll be summing up what’s currently known in the event report post as soon as possible.
>>Eva
Check this post for the information you’re looking for. :3
>Is there any firm word on why they actually wrapped it up?
I thought it’s because the main sponsors for the event (copic markers?) wasn’t doing well at all in their sales during these events (due to all the artists adopting computer CG for their works), and thus there’s no point for them to host these now? Don’t recall where I heard it from though ┐( ¯3¯)┌
>>desudesu
I posted that as a possible theory here, actually. It’s one thought, though there are others I heard from a sculptor friend of mine, and what’s written in the guidebook might shed some light on things too. I’ll try to provide as comprehensive an answer as possible in the event report.
Also, good job on the pictures. I’ve seen some other fansite’s photos on the event, but most of them were blurry/faded/out of focus. ( ‘ __ ‘)b
Impressive. Most impressive. You have done well, my son. ^^
[…] wait longer in between shows to get our fix of new things to look out for. Akibahobby, Moeyo, and Heisei Democracy have rolled out some samples and previews of what was displayed during the […]
Looking at these figures, I want to go to Wonder Festival…
Still, I would love the figures!!! WANT!!!
Amazing, hi-quality pictures, best I’ve seen around (nice close-ups on parts that matter too). Shingo-san, you rock!!!
Wish I could take pictures like these…
>>yinmaster
It’s amazing what a bit of freeware post-processing can do… I’m pretty happy with how this batch came out, thanks.