1.20.16 - CSA (Complete Selection Animation) Digivice unboxing and comparison

So, before I share this with you, let me say this half-review is late because my local postal carrier service is so messed up since December. TLDR; It's been sitting in my apartment's office for two weeks with no notification/having picked up other packages. ;__;

A quick note for the videos in this post. If you use Firefox like me you may not be able to view them. Switch to Chrome~

Now, here's how it looks once I opened my package from DenDenHobby~

The strap I traded to a friend, so I'm not opening it. There's a stock photo of what it looks like:

Now, the unboxing. I've heard the box was very nice and it is. I'm not big on packaging but it has almost a matte (>.>;) finish. The box includes a post card (which I'm considering selling/trading at this time).

Now for the videos:
This first video covers the Digivice activating (when you switch it to ON).

Gabumon voice clip. It plays when you select him with the left button:

This video covers all of Gabumon's sayings. I've listed the translations below. It also covers Gabumon evolving to Garurumon and part of Butterfly ~Tri. Version~. I'm not a huge fan of this version (my favorite is the ultra long 15th version). Let me say, you can really hear the seiyuu in these. It's really nice. Go Mayumi~ You're an amazing lady!

Sayings:
Yamato.
Petit Fire!
No matter what happens, I'm with you.
Let me hear you play your harmonica again.
KNIFE OF DAY? I love your music!

Gabumon to WereGarurumon. The colors really are amazing. I was under the impression they weren't that great, but they look better in person:

MetalGarurumon quite possibly being my favorite Digimon... here's his clip, too! The Digivice cycles through all the colors for warping. It's not just limited to Agumon and Gabumon, either. All the rookies have their megas (ultimates;JP) in this version, which is obvious considering they are in Tri:

The last clip is if you leave the Digivice idle long enough. Gabumon says, "Welcome back, Yamato." *feels*

Here's a bit of comparison on the size / detail to the original Digivice (Yamato color). I would compare it to the 15th, but mine is MIB and I'd rather not open it yet; plus there's not much difference between the originals and the 15th. As you can see the CSA has a bit more detail and is a bit bigger. They also run on different batteries. (The CSA runs on 2 AAAs).

Speaking of which, my remote was temporarily sacrificed for Digimon greatness:

Other notes about the CSA Digivice:
I love the look overall. It's a bit heftier than the 15th Anniversary edition. The inside, when it lights up during evolution, appears to light up some kind of inner mirror system where the Tri. evolution letters are engraved. The buttons are plastic (the original Japanese Digivice has rubber ones; unsure about the 15th). The outer part of the center is reflective like a mirror! I didn't expect that at all, since I'm used to the V-Pet screens. My only con to this item is that the Chosen/DigiDestined's voices aren't included and that this was aimed towards Tri. fans more than Adventure fans. However, I still reccomend it, especially for cosplay. It's not an item I'll probably keep in my collection as long as the others, but it's a very nice piece!

Easter eggs~ I found this video of me demonstrating the Gabumon Spinning Top toy from cereal boxes and my happy Garurumon on my Pendulum Zero:

12.2.15 - New gashapons appear, new cafe bookmark

News has been slow. Most of my efforts have been in tracking down the cafe merchandise and the theatre stuff, but it's very tough! I found out that most cafes already sold out of merchandise. Not only that, but you have to win a small lottery (raffle) to get inside in the first place and hope the merchandise is availible. Very tough. Out of five or so items, I've only secured one two on Y!JP right now. I've lost over four auctions in the past week... sigh. FYI, this is the release week for the Yamato/Gabumon signboard and it's been running around 2000 Yen ($17 USD). They'll be more scarce after this, so I would get one if you want it!

Admist that, I even found (IIRC) new merchandise, a bookmark:

On the bright side, these gashapons appeared on Twitter. They are 300 yen each and random in Japanese gashapon machines. These may come up for preorder on various websites in sets, though! So keep an eye out. (Also wanted to note that the tags include Ken's Crest of Kindness and either the Crest of Destiny/Miracles.. really interesting!)

8.28.15 - Collection update, Yamato featured in Tri plot summary, and Crest keychains released

Hey all,
any of you who preordered the crest keychain set will be looking forward to them coming in the mail soon! Unfortunetly, to obtain Yamato, you need to buy a full set of eight or hop onto auctions, but the whole set is pretty worth it. I'll post pics when I get mine with a more detailed description!
Also, in some Tri related news, (via WtW) I'm pleased to announce that the director of the series stated "I watched the first Adventure series to prepare myself and get a better grip on the characters’ personalities..." which makes me happy. However, he also talks about the kids (obviously) thinking more like high schoolers and the tribulations that come with, as well as the meanings of "tri" that will flow through the six films. I like that rewatching the series will reveal different connections... but I become more worried about a crappy love triangle plot with each passing minute.
To get away from that horrible feeling, there was also a small summary in the magazine scan that talked about Yamato, slightly:
"Taichi works up a sweat at soccer club while worrying about what to do for his future. Yamato gets ready to perform a live concert. Each of them live out their ordinary lives in their individual places, but mysterious events begin to occur throughout town. Then one day, when they look up at the Odaiba sky, they see…" (Translation by Onkei)
This ties into more of what the Tri. director said about portraying Taichi and Yamato's friendship and how their different interests parted them, but when they see each other all those old feelings come back.
Next, I have a tiny collection update thanks to my fellow Yamato collector, Em.

This washcloth is apparently some sort of UK exclusive. I've been after it awhile!

Next up is this beanie. Another unique item that's apparently official US merchandise.. At least Yamato's hair isn't flipped. Not the best quality, obviously.

Finally, I recieved my Animedia poster from the seller on Ebay (yellowmagic) I always go to (the first poster featuring Tri. artwork). I don't have a frame yet, but it's the same size as previously mentioned Otomedia posters, so at least I won't have to worry about any size differences. Notable things about Yamato include that he is holding his original digivice. Aside several re-released merchandise Digivices, including Yamato's signature blue one, this is some of the first Tri. media showing the original Digivice (maybe outside the trailers. It's been too long since I've watched them).

As always, I love to hear how your collections (even if they aren't Yamato related) are going! I'm happy to link your site in my Links section, so feel free to leave a comment or drop me an email!
I'll update again once I get my deputy package, in October/December, unless other noteworthy stuff comes up (well, duh Tri will be out by then... so, check back)!

7.24.15 - Site updates + Show Accurate Digivice

Just a few small site updates.

•  Doujinshi Wish List / Collection pages updated
• "Other Merchandise" page updated with more can badges and a scrunchie.
• "Figures and Keychains" page HEAVILY updated with tons of new stuff, including Digi-Colle. 
• "Flats" page updated with posters/sketchbook.
• Small adjustments made to the "How to Shop" page.

Also, the Premium Model / Show Accurate Digivice went up for preorder today. I'm still on the fence about getting one. I hear it isn't an LCD game but *theories* imply it may light up based on the show colors, play Brave Heart, ect. I really would like one. The preorder ends in September!

Til next time

1.25.15 - Return from haitus

Sorry about the long haitus everyone. I was without internet for a good part of the year and in that time they announced tri., a sequel to Digimon Adventure! So, of course, that means lots of merchandise has been pouring out. Here's a quick rundown of the Yamato related items:

• Can Badge (from Live Event, PB*)
• Can Badge 2 (PB, only sold in a set)
• Rubber Straps (2 for Adventure, 1 is a rare variant)
• Keychain (circular, two-sided with Gabumon)
• MetalGarurumon S.H. Figurearts Original Designer's Edition
• Yamato Ishida G.E.M. Figure (REissue, no card is included)
• Digivice Vers. 15th "Yamato Ishida" Version (slimmer than original, new Digimon included, first run includes a blue Digivice pin)
• Digimon Tag and Crest (now called Coat of Arms) Vers. 15th (more show-accurate, first run includes the Orange/Blue/Clear Digivice pins previously availible and a Tag pin)
• Yamato Ishida Keychain Plush (Sega - UFO Catcher prize)
• Gabumon Plush (little is known)
• 2 posters in Otomedia Magazine featuring him

It's a lot to take in right? I've managed to snag most of everything, but I expect once tri. is out that things will be more pick-and-choose. Have you all collected anything recently?

Site Launch

Hi all! I'm launching this collector's blog on the 15th anniversary of Digimon! This isn't a collector's guide like my other site, but you can see what I've managed to collect since 1999 and it's a ton of stuff. I look forward to sharing my collection with you!