Kaiyodo 2015

I have sent an e-mail :3

Hey.

After four months of rereleases and sequels, December's CQ set is, well, interesting.  I'm very curious what people's reactions will be.

Subject-wise, I'm happy-adjacent.  I've always thought the company was weakest in this area.  And I'll be sure to get at least one of the bottom pair.

Detail-wise, the top four look a little undersculpted and toylike, particularly due to the turning heads (worked fine with the shoebill since you can't see the seam but here it is very conspicuous and therefore, to me, unwelcome), though it's tough to tell from the illustrations.

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Let me know if interested, or just your opinion.  Again, very curious.

I'm also hoping for a second December set, as there've been and will be two (though only one animal each) for all of the months between now and then.

Thanks.
Brett

Well, my opinion is I don't like when Kaiyodo level of realism go down. Ok maybe it is only my taste because I don't like action figures.

A bit too toy-ish style for my taste but perhaps that's what they wanted to create

They don't look like Kaiyodo anymore - more like Kitan Club or something. But they are still quite cute. Thanks for sharing, Brett!

Kikimalou wrote:

Well, my opinion is I don't like when Kaiyodo level of realism go down. Ok maybe it is only my taste because I don't like action figures.

And much more puzzle style again

I hoped my eyes were deceiving me and the crudeness/toylikeness was a result of the large images, but you are all reinforcing my fear. It's too bad because Kaiyodo needs to do a much better job with birds (and world species, as we all always agree) and the macaw especially is in a fun position (though I don't know if they do that in nature?).

Brettnj wrote:

I hoped my eyes were deceiving me and the crudeness/toylikeness was a result of the large images, but you are all reinforcing my fear.  It's too bad because Kaiyodo needs to do a much better job with birds (and world species, as we all always agree) and the macaw especially is in a fun position (though I don't know if they do that in nature?).

Absolutly

I received my first Sendai Aquarium figures today.  Aside from mine, I have one complete set including the secret Commercon's dolphin plus a few individuals including another Commercon's available for sale.  I'm trying to get the alternate aquarium's same regular set with the tiger sand shark as the secret but the price is ridiculous still.  

I'm told there is only one sts for every Commercon's.

As is often the case the last few years, it's a mixed set.

Another snook...Uninteresting to me.

Another dogfish...Same.

Another big spider crab...a more interesting and natural looking pose than the first so I like it.

Another rockhopper penguin...If you're tired of Kaiyodo penguins, as I thought I was, you'll still like this one in midair rockhopping position.  It is very cool and funny.

Manta...You kinda think Kaiyodo made one already and it did if you include the secret with the three paint versions of the SCUBA diver.  But this one is solo, nice, and graceful.

Loggerhead turtle...I love turtles and have been disappointed with the paint on shells lately, and this is no exception.  However, owing to it position, the carapace is pretty much hidden when viewing.  And since it's a very beautiful swimming position, I like this one a lot.

Finless porpoise...awesome pose but under-detailed for my taste.

White-sided dolphin...I don't like Kaiyodo sculpting manmade elements, especially ones that depict or suggest captivity.

Commercon's dolphin...also under-detailed for my taste.

As for the new uniform, non-bottle cap bases, it makes me nervous that the company is cheating, skimping, whatever you want to call it, by not sculpting individual base elements, but I suppose that's not the biggest complaint.

Please PM if interested in any.

Thanks.

There is a second set of owls coming out next month and I think they are absolutely adorable.  I have the first set and they are beautifully sculpted :

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The second set includes news species of owl never made before such as Rabbit owl, Glasses owl and a pair of chicks of barn owl (I think).

Our friend Brett will be able to get obtain this set for anyone who is interested.  I am sharing this with you simply because I think that one little long-legged owl is so damn cute and besides it is consist of new species which will fit in perfectly with our animal collections.

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Holy hopping hamster, they are gorgeous

Those chicks, - daawwh

More photos, yes!!!
I want them so bad. I have the first set also and they are indeed beautil little masterpieces.
Can't wait till I get my hand on the second set

Oh they are adorable! But I must be fiscally responsible... must be fiscally responsible... must be fiscally responsible...I have kids I need to show a good example to so I must be fiscally responsible....

Also much better as on the pic. So i want this set too :)

Wilorvise wrote:

Oh they are adorable!  But I must be fiscally responsible... must be fiscally responsible... must be fiscally responsible...I have kids I need to show a good example to so I must be fiscally responsible....

They are adorable indeed! Thanks for sharing! I really have to get these on my wishlist, and the first set as well.. Very lovely owls

I am lucky to have the first set and now I am waiting for the second Owls rule

By the wayNumaan it is a nice thing to read you in the STS Japanese corner

This is another wonderful set. Owls have a good shape and diversity to stimulate collectability. It seems the first set was a hit and they made a new one that is equally great!

SUSANNE wrote:

Wilorvise wrote:

Oh they are adorable!  But I must be fiscally responsible... must be fiscally responsible... must be fiscally responsible...I have kids I need to show a good example to so I must be fiscally responsible....

This month's caterpillar set with paint... Please let me know if interested.
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Kikimalou wrote:

By the wayNumaan it is a nice thing to read you in the STS Japanese corner

Thanks Christophe, I am a Japanese animal collector fan. I have tried really hard to increase my collection in this area in 2015 and it has actually been more fun and exciting than any of the other brands, seriously! I love all the Japanese models. They fill a void in our animal collections with small mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians with species we can only dream of major brands making.....

Brettnj wrote:

I hoped my eyes were deceiving me and the crudeness/toylikeness was a result of the large images, but you are all reinforcing my fear.  It's too bad because Kaiyodo needs to do a much better job with birds (and world species, as we all always agree) and the macaw especially is in a fun position (though I don't know if they do that in nature?).

Thank you, Brett, for sharing the link to the Kaiyodo Parrots set. These parrots were simply amazing but for the final decision I will wait for the real-life photos of course. Do you know the release date?

I do not share your criticism regarding Kaiyodo and birds - I think Kaiyodo is unbeatable No 1 in bird figures so far: In both species range and figures quality (sculpt + painting). I really don´t know any another company similar or comparable with Kaiyodo...

The turning heads are not my taste too but this is a little trendy thing. Both Kaiyodo owl sets are made this way, the shoebill, the mole rate have moveable parts too. Maybe younger collectors can appreciate it. Anyway, I see the similar tendencies in old Britains portfolio as well, see the giraffe, ostrich or croc for example.

When I visited in summer the circus with my son, I saw here captive macaws in exactly the same position. But for my collectors purposes such position is slightly problematic, I prefer rather more common/neutral position.

I realize I never responded to the last post...

I won't argue with anyone who likes Kaiyodo's birds. It's all a matter of taste and perception. But I certainly do like many of them and a few--like the CQ diving grebe--are among my absolute favorite Kaiyodo figures. As much as the company does do many innovative positions/scenes like that one, I wish it would do more.

But I still do believe it suffers with regard to small, perching birds/passerines, and I was extremely disappointed with the owl sculpts, as I would have loved to have had beautiful, authentic looking (to me) owls figures in my collection.

I do hope, as you suppose, that the turning heads/toy-like figures are a temporary trend. I can see why the company would want to attract young collectors. I suppose it's the reason for the rubbery CQ sets from this and last year as well.

As for the macaw, I'm with you in that I'll want to see good photos. But as I assume the pose does not occur in nature, I wouldn't buy it for that reason. I'll have to research.

As I've mentioned to many individual collectors, I sometimes like a figure in a photo but not when in hand, and also find the opposite is occasionally true. I like when that happens more...

As a big owl lover I've finally decided to kick-start my owl collection with those two sets :) I hope they'll arrive before Christmas!

These two sets are amazing!

Mangalarga wrote:

As a big owl lover I've finally decided to kick-start my owl collection with those two sets :) I hope they'll arrive before Christmas!

Good choice Magda! I cannot wait to get the second set too. I got the first one some time ago and I love it. These figures are really beautifully made

I will make pictures this week I just have it now