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A separate page for reviews! The content here will be quite different from my usual content so I'm using a completely different theme to emphasize that. No update schedule and check back to see if I posted anything new. Content will likely be about dolls and figures.
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TBA
Megami Device Buster Doll Tank
I've been looking forward to building her since she was the only one I liked out of the Buster doll series, although I do like every recolor except for Tank's. This was my first experience with the Block 2 body and Kotobukiya sure came a long way from their original WISM and SOL series. The first Megami Device kit I built was Runner and I have to say, I didn't like it. Lots of parts on her wouldn't stay on and all the small parts would fall off and probably need gluing but that's something I don't want to do to model kits as their modularity are what makes them fun. Tank does not have this problem, although one thing that keeps popping out is her left shoulder. While she was much easier to build compared to older kits, I didn't like building her as much. It may be that it's the first time I'm building a Block 2 body, which does have a different jointing system than the Block 1 bodies, which almost every other Megami Device kit uses other than some of the newer ASRA and the AUV series which uses 1.5. I think I'll need to make my final judgement when I get Mao and Tu built. It may be just because I don't like how the Buster Dolls look, but it does make me not regret canceling my pre order for Paladin Darkness Claw.
The overall design for tank is more appealing than the other Buster Doll girls since she has the least of the 'swiss cheese' appearance with her gear, and the holes that her gear does have looks far more organic since the parts are much larger and look like actual machine parts. The green makes her pop and it's not common to see a girlpla kit that uses green, with Tamamonomae and the upcoming MS General Envy being the only two I can list off of my head that uses this kind of green. I think Frame Arms Girl has some greens, but are much duller or darker.
I usually would complain about how many extra parts are in a Megami Device kit, but in this case, I don't find it as overwhelming. Tank's modularity is very simple compared to the older lines, and you can easy take off or add parts to make something else in ways you can't really do with let's say....Lancer. I have seen several different Tank owners make actual tanks from Tank's armor.
Overall, if you like Tank's design and are able to get her, you should! Her body is far more posable than the older ones and the posing is also much smoother. It's better than some of my dolls, and it just looks really good as well. If you're new to girlpla, she's beginner friendly and the Buster Doll and PUNI Mofu lineup are made with beginners in mind. It's probably better to start from her over the older models. I wonder if I got her first, would I be more into girlpla since Runner made me so frustrated that I had a negative view of Megami Device kits for a bit until I sucked it up and built the Bullet Knights, which are still my favorite Megami Device kits to this day, even if Lancer and Launcher are decal hell kits. If you're an experienced girlpla builder, the Block 2 body is a significant improvement over Block 1 joint wise, but this really depends down to aesthetics. If you don't like any of the Buster Doll series, don't get them. PUNI MOFU is also a Block 2 body and Kotobukiya also has plans for more Block 2 kits, so don't rush in just for the new body if that's the only thing you're curious about.
Parabox Otohime Doll
I have been staring at Parabox Otohime dolls for a while because:
- Cute
- Big
- Lightweight
I finally got two of them about a month ago since I was feeling 'specially unwell and decided that it would be okay to get not one, but two of them. I was deciding to shell two of my characters, and these two were the best option and among the cheapest for anything that wasn't 1/6 or below sized. I don't know what's wrong with me sometimes. To be fair, it's hard getting child like uber cutesy dolls in sizes above 1/4 so this doll was the perfect option. They arrived in around two weeks and it took Parabox a bit longer to ship out the items likely due to their massive size. Shipping was expensive, but it would have been even more expensive to ship them in separate batches so I bit the bullet. I wanted to just order one since they're a doll where there isn't that much information available on in the English speaking side of the BJD fandom, and they're big. 80cm in height, and they are at a complete different scale from the other dolls, appearing far more child like than the 75 uncle dolls that you may think of at this size. Check out my doll blog page for more of my progress on these two.
I ordered a Fuuka head on a male body and a Miu head on a male body. I also ordered some clothes, hands, and a stainsuit. Their wigs came in a later order since I was waiting for a restock and I also ordered a pair of bloomers. The vinyl of Otohimes is quite rough and other reviews noted this, and the roughness shows up as plastic specks across their body. It's not a big deal and the overall body is relatively smooth, although it is noticeable. The vinyl feels like vinyl baby dolls, something very 'toy' like unlike the Dollfie Dreams and vinyl dolls we associate vinyl with. If you have a vinyl or PVC doll from China, such as Imomodoll, it feels more like that, but much harder. Their joints are hinge like and they can be popped out with heat. If you want to remove their heads, you need to use a hairdryer or you'll just make things hard for yourself. I was worried about damaging the doll due to how much force I was putting in just removing the headcap before I grabbed a hairdryer. These dolls can be dyed as I remembered a user on tumblr dying their Otohime doll, but you need a large dye pot and very carefully measured water/dye ratios.
Otohimes can wear 16-17 inch doll wigs, although this size can be difficult to find outside of Parabox. Monique used to sell this size and I do have some, but they're defunct. Baby wigs might work but I haven't found any that I actually like enough to order. Sizing is all over the place for this doll, and some newborn clothes might work. I heard 0-3 month baby clothes fit, but their narrow shoulders might cause issues. They do fit in baby hats and bonnets, and they can wear mines. I wish I had the rest of my baby clothes so I can test whether they actuall fit or not. You might find some doll clothes in the wild that fit, but you need to head to a vintage doll shop. I went to visit Nice Twice Doll Shop in San Jose, CA when I was there for some business, and Bonnie, the owner, actually helped me find some clothes that fit even though I just brought in an upper torso in. Make sure you bring a tape measurer and pull up the official Parabox reference sheet first. The clothes may need a wash due to their age and being second hand items so prepare for that. Otherwise, I recommend heading there if you like older doll clothes and they have clothes that fit other sizes too! They also have an online website where you can order from.
For shoes, they can wear 115 cm shoes and Monique shoes of that size fits them. In fact, Parabox themselves used Monique shoes as I saw an owner post a pair of Monqiue shoes among the clothes they bought from the Parabox website. I found stockings for 24-32" dolls that fit, and they use stands that are meant for 33-42" dolls and they use the shortest setting available. For eyes, they fit 30-35mm eyes, although you will have to make them if you want eyes other than the Parabox ones. I recommend glass cachabons and an art program to make eyes with, although you can also draw them on paper and stick them on the back. I have a pair of eyes for an 85cm Mozudoll, which is a sex doll, but since they have heads similar to BJDs, I got a head, wig, and eyes second hand to see if they fit. Their wigs and eyes fit, but their heads do not without modifications since their neck is flat underneath while the Otohime is rounded.
Overall, I recommend this doll if you want a large doll, but are worried about weight. Parabox stated that they made their dolls to be light enough to be carried by women and children, and the dolls are roughly 4-5 pounds, or 2 kg. They're not unwieldy either and fold up easily due to their hinge joints. The vinyl can be rough, but they're so big and they'll be wearing clothes so this doesn't matter unless you are a perfectionist. The vinyl can be sanded down as I did with my heads since I needed to sand off their mouths. They're great if you're a person that loves putting together a doll, a modder, or someone who likes working extensively on their dolls. If you're a person that prefers a fullset doll and buying items for them, Parabox does offer fullsets with pre-painted faces, a wig, eyes, and clothes. They offer a selection of clothes and items on their site as well, and you can even request a custom Otohime doll provided that you have the references. It's not cheap from what I can see and I'm not sure if they offer the services in English. However, outside of Parabox itself, it's going to be difficult to find things for them. I think you'll get more enjoyment from this doll if you're a person that likes working on them.