Slave IV

#1 Nippon Yasan - Lowest prices as long as you can get the initial preorder in. One of the only shops that offer Tamashii Web Exclusives. They also have discount rewards program but usually only good for 3-5% off. They are one of the only shops that offer ferry shipping which takes long but is way cheaper for large/heavy or combined orders. You can split or combine any unpaid orders at anytime. Be sure to check prices because if they changed, you get the later (usually higher price) and lose any discounts used. #2 Amazon Japan - Prices are generally around the same as NY or a bit higher but shipping is flat 1200 Y + 800 Y per additional item for extremely fast DHL. Drawback is they ship in nearly paper thin boxes and not all items ship out of Japan. #3 CDJapan - If I can't get from one of the first two choices, CDJ has been reliable and also has a rewards system that make shopping there cheaper generally cheaper than any other option below. You can combine orders that are in stock around the same time. #4 amiami - Prices here are higher for the item and shipping but they have one of the best customer services along with HLJ and CDJ. They also have a rewards point system. They allow combining orders that ship the same month. #5 HLJ - They used to be a top 3 shop to me but after their website updates and price changes, they have bemome one of the most expensive and worst sites I've used. They have a Private Warehouse system that allows you to store orders there for up to 60 days to combine shipping. #6 Anime Export - Slightly higher prices than NY and they also offer Tamashii Web Exclusives. They have an indefinite private warehouse system. Main drawback is everything is pay immediately so you are in essense always giving them a free loan on whatever you order from them. If it was something I have to pay up front anyway, I would rate them in the top 3 but usually get things cheaper from NY so no reason to shop here for the most part. #7 Hobby Search (1999) - I usually never have a reason to shop here since preorders are so far impossible to get for me. #8 Mykombini - Last choice if I need something I absolutely can't get anywhere else. I'd usually rather wait until an item is released and just buy 2nd hand from Mandarake before I use any of the shops not in the top 3. I'll also mention Proxy Services for Japan Only exclusives. So far, I've only used From Japan and their service seems good but I haven't received my order yet to completely evaluate. I think I end up paying less at NY and will likely just keep shopping there when I can.

Cool! I had one but couldn’t find anything I wanted and was about to just buy something little and cheap, not even worth using the discount on but it didn’t work. I sent a ticket to HLJ and suspect it has to do with their current issues. I’ll report back on their response. Given the expiration date, I expect they will give a new coupon to those who haven’t used it yet.

Only $27 for slow shipping from NY. Again, I still get the same thing in the end and save enough money to more than cover for insuring my own shipments (even though I don’t need to) or use the extra money as I please (going towards more toys). As for the HLJ coupon, it seems they are having technical difficulties with their site but if you are trying to transfer your coupon that was given for that shipping promotion, it is not transferable.

Mirrored sounds good to me so you have more views of your display items. But when possible, I like making backgrounds for my displays so the items look like they are in their intended environment. I also plan on having prints behind some shelves and other than those, I think a plain background of whatever color the shelf is works too. I have Black, white and wood color shelves. Here are some examples of various items on various types of shelves with various backgrounds.

Awesome, thanks! I might get the Super Hornet.

Haha, well that's the thing. The only time I've wanted to use them was for preorders but I have come to belive that securing a preorder with them for popular items is a myth. I sit on their product page refreshing every moment possible and it ALWAYS goes stright from Not Yet Available to Sold Out.

I haven't had the problem but what kind of glue are you using? If you want it to stay in permanently, there are glues that can do that.

The visor is articulated. I did not expect that and it's a pleasant surprise. Lots of display options.

Nope...after closer inspection, the joints seem to be similar to Revo joints but more wheel shaped instead of round. So depending on the angle and pose, they could be more exposed.

Lol yeah. Based on this one, I am all in. I don't even care if SHF makes figures anymore, these will do just fine for me.

OK, this thing has exceeded all expectations. I'm not gonna say it's the best figure around but everything from the shipping, packaging, accessories, fit and finish tell me that KC actuallly cares about the products they put out and that counts for a lot. Now I have absolutly no regrets about ordering Misa and should probably order Minmei asap.

OK, this thing has exceeded all expectations. I'm not gonna say it's the best figure around but everything from the shipping, packaging, accessories, fit and finish tell me that KC actuallly cares about the products they put out and that counts for a lot. Now I have absolutly no regrets about ordering Misa and should probably order Minmei asap.

That LEK guy is THE MAN!

They haven't announced the Scout yet so there is still hope for you!

Yeah, I was originally going to pass on HMR completely...until I saw the Regult. Then after I got it in hand and was blown away, I got all in on it. Gotta have some Valks to go with those sweet mecha which is one of the best parts about the line to me...display options!

Not exactly the same thing but both designed by @Saburo

You got your answer above and just to add, Revo made some as well in Battroid mode. But our discussion was mainly about the non-transforming mecha in the HMR line...The Destroids and stuff from other series.

Please, no more jinxing us on this.

Most definitely! However, I’m only referring to the HMR line when I say I prefer the non transforming releases though. A big part of it what I mentioned before about the extra effort they seem to put in them. Another big factor is that as good as the HMR get, they aren’t beating 1/60 or 1/48 versions from Arcadia or the DX line so they got that to go up against too. Also, there isn’t really much non transforming stuff to compare in other lines. Another big plus for HMR overall. I’m the end, I collect way too much stuff, lol!

It’s very good quality and fits nicely. Not quite as perfect as the official GBP but that thing is basically perfection. The backdrop, stand and extra parts for the VF-1 it comes with are great bonuses.

I’m not sure what @jenius mentioned to you and you should definitely consider it strongly but I know of no issues with breakage on the Arcadia VF-1S. There are definite issues with the 0A and 0D that came before but those issues were addressed, resulting in what I consider the finest Valk toy made and just recently barely edged out by the new DX VF-1. Some people did mention micro cracks appearing on the wrist but only cosmetic and no functional effect. I’ve had mine open sinc day one and it has mostly been holding a relatively heavy gunpod and no sign of cracks. It seems to be an uncommon issue and even if there, a non issue.

Nice way to mention the 0S, haha. If that other thread was asking for the best Focker period, without a doubt, it would be the Arcadia 0S. Such perfection.

Paying around $200 for the HMR makes a lot more sense to me than paying over $100 for that Toynami Box.

LED strip lighting is the way to go. Very easy to setup, quality light, easy to use and low heat. I would recommend you look into the color temp of the lights you get and the series numbers are based on the size and type of LEDs to get you different amounts of light, mostly based on the size and amount of LEDs per foot. I prefer daylight color temp but also like the option of the color changing LEDs.

Yeah, you can combine shipping and once you get the final invoice, you can ask for different options. Just note that you can only combine items from the same store (stated in the listing). I always choose the cheapest shipping (SAL) personally since I see no point in paying more to end up with the same thing.