Wonder Festival 2010 Winter Report

The passage was finally re-open to allow people to circulate between the halls, so I proceeded with Travis (a.k.a Mechanic B) to the next hall, leaving Linc (a.k.a Pilot A) free to go on with his monkey business at the Mystery 10 table.

Video Clip:
Between the halls was the Cos'Playground.

As you can see, people were rather orderly, getting in line while waiting for their turns to take pictures of the Cosplayers. Some were even asking for autographs, apparently!

Cos'palying is very popular and is an integral part of any gathering like this one.

TENBOWKISSA was the first mandatory stop in this hall.

First stop it is, not just because I have a fetish for 1/76-scale, but also because I am a huge Schenkel fan (this Schenkel is small though), coupled with the fact that, to me at least, it was clearly THE must-have item among the Ma.K offerings in this edition of WF, and Bowshiya-san certainly felt this would be the case for many people as well. Consequently, he decided to limit the purchase to one Schenkel per buyer such that as many people as possible could get one, as per his wish. I could only say "amen". Travis got one and so did I, both for different members of the Maschinen Krieger Forum. That's right, I have decided not to get one for myself this time. As a consolation, I shot the following video so I can watch it over and over while looking forward to acquiring the heaviest 1/76 kit box ever known in the history of mankind!

Video Clip:
In the foreground is the gorgeously detailed Schenkel,
while something is Neuspinning in the background.
The masked person you see briefly in the mirror under the model is the meticulous Bowshiya-san!

Next mandatory stop was of course Arpeggio,
who sells the popular BRICKWORKS figures.

It was one of the two places with Armor Modeling's booth where you could purchase a 1/20 scale figure representing the super-cute model Takako Lopez in military outfit (quite a change for her fans!), packaged exclusively for this first release, including two photographs and a "Restricted" mission file, in addition to the figure itself. More on these later!

This space pilot in under-suit (or was it inner-suit?) was the only BRICKWORKS figure on display, but what a beautiful presentation!

In the same neighborhood was Rainbow-Egg,
known for Ultra-Seven monsters...

... and Ma.K, of course!
Offered were the 1/35 Ferkel and the Lunar Großerhund Altair.
The highest quality work, as usual from KATOOO-san!

SUZI SYNDICATE's table was next,
where you could admire the immense talent of Hirata-san...

... as illustrated for instance by this very popular and much praised Clarice figure...

... and Hirata-san's version of the Jerry-Can Man, a.k.a Uncle Jerry-Can, the particularity of this figure being his resemblance to a Japanese celebrity.

In addition to being highly skilled, Hirata-san has boundless humor,
as can be appreciated by this suit-for-fat-people conversion kit in 1/20 scale...

... the latest in a series he started few years ago in 1/35...

... as well as 1/76 (in the background).

He also produced a whole collection of humoristic figures in 1/35 scale,
some of which bearing resemblance not only to Japanese but also world-class celebrities.

I think none of this is funny!
I prefer Ships and machines!
Where are the Usual suspects?