The Massive Wonders of Yuki and Kanu

The start of what will become an expensive month of spending for me.

Nana Mizuki’s MASSIVE WONDERS CD Single, TYPE-MOON c72 Tiger Saber plushie, Kotobukiya’s Kusakabe Yuuki Vacation from To Heart 2, and Wani-Book’s Kanu Uncho White Gothic Lolita from Ikkitousen help to slightly sooth my soul as I try to figure out how I ended up spending so much. The irony of said items soothing me but also being part of the cause is not lost on me either, just to let the readers know

Nana Mizuki’s MASSIVE WONDERS CD Single, TYPE-MOON c72 Tiger Saber plushie, Kotobukiya’s Kusakabe Yuuki Vacation from To Heart 2, and Wani-Book’s Kanu Uncho White Gothic Lolita from Ikkitousen in all their packaged glory.

Nana Mizuki’s MASSIVE WONDERS front cover. Totally photoshopped but still love the overall effects anyway.

Nana Mizuki’s MASSIVE WONDERS back cover.

Nana Mizuki’s MASSIVE WONDERS CD.

Nana Mizuki’s MASSIVE WONDERS inside cover.

Nana Mizuki’s MASSIVE WONDERS other side.

On the CD itself, it was okay but nothing out of the ordinary. “MASSIVE WONDERS,” the title song of both the CD and 2nd OP for Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS wasn’t too bad. Personally I enjoyed the intro beat the best while the rest of the song was alright. It worked better with the animation used for the OP in the anime compared to being just a straight song; i.e. better anime tie in song versus normal song release. The second track, “Happy Dive,” I didn’t care much for. Felt like usual Nana Mizuki fare but pretty forgettable in my opinion. It was the last track, “Pray,” which I personally thought was the best of the three. The lyrics, of course, are totally beyond me but I just got a better vibe out of listening to “Pray” compared to the other two. Maybe it’s because the song vaguely reminded me of other Nana songs or something but “Pray” was definitely the saving grace from what was otherwise another average single release.

Would I recommend the CD to everyone? Probably not. Definitely Nana Mizuki and Nanoha fans but to the average japanese music lover, I’ll tell them to wait until Nana releases her next full album which will give more bang for their buck/yen.

Pretty much have to thank and bow down to the awesome Zyl for offering the tiger Saber plushie he happened to have a double of. Whereas he could have sold it for some profit, the good man emailed me instead offering the plushie in exchange for Tony Taka’s Lunar doujinshi a “Church of Moyism” t-shirt. Of course I’m not one to decline such a offer, especially since it’s Saber from Fate/Stay Night, gladly accepted…

… plus it was nice to get rid of give one of the spare t-shirts I had from my semi-failed attempts at Otakon this past year. I just hope the t-shirt reached the right address and Zyl will be pleased with the shirt, since it feels like I got the better half of the offer (in my defense, I did offer some other stuff to off-set the difference/guilt). Anyway, once again I give many thanks to Zyl as I offer prays of gratitude via my mini-Zaku/Zyl shrine

Kotobukiya’s Kusakabe Yuuki Vacation from To Heart 2 front side pose without towel.

Kotobukiya’s Kusakabe Yuuki Vacation from To Heart 2 left side pose without towel.

Kotobukiya’s Kusakabe Yuuki Vacation from To Heart 2 back side pose without towel.

Kotobukiya’s Kusakabe Yuuki Vacation from To Heart 2 right side pose without towel.

Kotobukiya’s Kusakabe Yuuki Vacation from To Heart 2 closer pose without towel. Actually trying to show how great the “eyes” are and the detailing done on the bikini. I especially liked the detail with the frontal string part of the bikini.

Kotobukiya’s Kusakabe Yuuki Vacation from To Heart 2 another closer pose without towel. One day, I swear I’ll learn how to take less crappy photos!

Kotobukiya’s Kusakabe Yuuki Vacation from To Heart 2 yet another closer pose without towel. Loved the detail they did with the flower and her back.

Kotobukiya’s Kusakabe Yuuki Vacation from To Heart 2 normal pose with towel.

After finding out there was going to be figure made from this Yuuki image, I nearly jumped for joy as a) I loved the image b) loved Yuuki but didn’t like any of the currently available figure(s) of her out. I pretty much checked HLJ daily after her announcement and pre-ordered Yuuki as soon as possible. Now months later and I can happily say she was worth the wait.

From the teasing pose to the detail to the various clothing accessories, Yuuki easily is equal to if not better than some of my other girls in swimsuit figures. Probably the To Heart 2 fanboy in me, but I can’t help but give positive praise to a fine release by Kotobukiya after their somewhat lurk warm initial TH2 figure line (the girls in school uniforms). All I can say is if Kotobukiya can release more of the TH2 girls with the same quality they did Yuuki, one can expect to find a few more of their products in my greedy hands in the coming days. My ultimate hope? A nice Sasara one from TH2 X-RATED from a source image like this

Wani-Book’s Kanu Uncho White Gothic Lolita from Ikkitousen front side pose showing a little pantie action.

Wani-Book’s Kanu Uncho White Gothic Lolita from Ikkitousen left side pose giving a nice meat thigh treat.

Wani-Book’s Kanu Uncho White Gothic Lolita from Ikkitousen back side pose with some fine hair details.

Wani-Book’s Kanu Uncho White Gothic Lolita from Ikkitousen right side pose.

Wani-Book’s Kanu Uncho White Gothic Lolita from Ikkitousen closer pose trying to show some more facial detail.

Wani-Book’s Kanu Uncho White Gothic Lolita from Ikkitousen another closer pose showing panties for those interested. Also when I first noticed Kanu’s other eye is there as I wasn’t positive. Would have been weird if it wasn’t there but you never know right?

Wani-Book’s Kanu Uncho White Gothic Lolita from Ikkitousen closer back pose. Love the detail with the various laces.

Wani-Book’s Kanu Uncho White Gothic Lolita from Ikkitousen closer pose. I think I was trying for something coolish?

Wani-Book’s Kanu Uncho White Gothic Lolita from Ikkitousen close face pose. Always the serious Kanu.

Wani-Book’s Kanu Uncho White Gothic Lolita from Ikkitousen random back pose. Also when I noticed where the paint job got a little lazy with Kanu’s frills.

Wani-Book’s Kanu Uncho White Gothic Lolita from Ikkitousen weapon, no clue what it’s called but still looks wicked cool with the dragon head.

It only took 109+ figures of Kanu for some company to release one at a reasonable price and actually looked good for once for me to purchase. Much to say, I’m loving this version of Kanu in the gothic lolita getup. Just like the Ryomou figure I have from Orchid Seed, Kanu looks great in the clothes but at the same time one knows she can kick arse at a moment’s notice. And there’s nothing better than a finely dressed female who can kick arse and take down names like *that* right?

Honestly the only bad points I can see with the figure have to do with general issues like paint job and random small marks that are just the facts of life in the world of figure collecting. The only thing I really worry about is Kanu’s hair considering it looks a bit fragile and could break if one is not careful. Thankfully however, due to her stable pose, unless one does something completely stupid Kanu’s hair should be fine. As for recommendations for purchasing, of course any Ikkitousen fan would be more than satisfied (assuming they like her character) as well as would any individuals who like females with weapons. Even if I didn’t know of Ikkitousen, I know I would have definitely ordered Kanu either way considering just how simply awesome she looks