12.29.15 - Garurumon GEM update #4 - Preorder at Toku Taku!

Hey guys!

Toku Taku toys has the Garurumon GEM up for preorder! You can do a split payment (half+ shipping now) or pay in full!

Figuya and DenDen still don't have him listed, but they will in the future if you miss out at this site. As of writing, TT still has him in stock.

12.28.15 - Garurumon GEM update #3

Just a quick update on the Garurumon GEM.

DenDen Hobby will get him soon.

Figuya is in negotiations.

And Crunchyroll hopes to get him, but is having difficulty.

Will post when more places are up.

Garurumon GEM update #2

We got a small update from webshop Figuya:

Looks like they will get the preorder up in a few days, with some luck. A little less Engrishy translation:
"*NEW* Yamato and Garurumon are Premium Bandai/Megatrea shop exclusives. We hope we are able to offer this beautiful set within the next few days! Currently, the negotiations are ongoing."
Check updated status on all the preorders here. Thanks to Elise for the information!

12.26.15 - New trivia, major site update, Garurumon GEM preorder update #1

Previously discussed BEAMS mook had some interesting info about Yamato I added to the trivia section:
Yamato carries: his band's sheet music, a military pattern CD Walkman (!), earphones (looks like the Apple ones) and two types of Mintia mints (popular brand here): Dry Hard and Cold Smash. (Special thanks to Squit on FF.net for the translated info. Go read Paradigm Shift, it's really good!) 

I have also made numerous updates to the collection pages. I've gotten alot of Tri/Anniversary merch!

Also, not many places to preorder the Garurumon GEM yet; all US sites have sold out so far. However, there is still a slew of sites that should get him, including Figuya that said "they hope to get him soon". Premium Bandai is accepting orders until March, if you're desperate.

Check this post for updates as we get them~

12.25.15 - Merry Xmas, heres some preorder links!

The D-3s and the Garurumon GEM went up for preorder today.

The D-3s are limited to 3000 each but several sites have had them up for order. We finally have pictures of the art cards included with the first press run:

Next up is a list of sites you can preorder the Garurumon GEM. I will update as sites have the item up for order. Keep in mind his retail price is 11232 Yen (roughly $93 USD), so try not to overpay for him if you can (although, if it comes down to it, I wouldn't mind!)

Premium Bandai (need a deputy service, full payment required - $93 USD + any deputy fees)
Bandai Online (full payment required, free registered SAL shipping)
Big in Japan (sold out, full payment required) *Note: This sold out in 5-10 minutes!
Nippon Yasan (sold out, deposit or pay in full)
MyKombini (sold out on 12/26, 50% deposit required)
Figuya (they say it will be up soon, payment due on shipment + reservations are able to be cancelled; also they do not guarantee stock of an item) *They should have the preorder up in a few days!
Toku Taku Toys (availible now, half+shipping or pay in full)
DenDen Hobby (TBA, 20% deposit or pay in full, free shipping) 
Crunchyroll (TBA, full payment required)
Anime Island (TBA, 20% deposit or pay in full)

Looking into the following shops as we speak. Will get back to you all asap!

Please keep in mind TBA means I'm expecting these shops to get them (because they've had the angels or Wizarmon):

BigBadToyStore (TBA, payment due on shipment)

AnimeBLVD (TBA, pay in full, free shipping with $50 over)
KirinHobby (TBA, pay in full* or payment due on shipment)
AniMarket (TBA, deposit required)
MHToyShop (TBA, pay in full now or payment due on shipment)
Kolektakon (TBA, pay in deposit, slowly pay off as you go)
Image Anime (TBA, pay in full)

*KirinHobby will let you pay later, but if you pay in full you get priority, which means if they have 100 of an item, you get first dibs, despite when you ordered. I don't recommend ordering here as it seems risky that you won't get one.

Finally, we have an updated picture of the Yamato figurearts zero from JumpFesta:

12.24.15 - Garurumon GEM preorder and info, other GEM reprints!

Okay guys! PB has put up the Garurumon GEM. Before you guys go nuts trying to preorder, keep in mind that sites like RightStuf, DenDenHobby, and Crunchyroll have been getting these figures! Just be patient~ With that said... they are also reprinting Mimi/Koushiro, Joe/Sora, and Ken GEM figures, for those that missed out. I hope this eventually leads to a reprint of the angels, too!

Mostly, I wanted to share the news that Yamato is detatchable from Garurumon. I thought this was a nice touch. Here's some other photos from PB's site:

12.24.15 - Garurumon GEM preorder ; Cafe exclusives not so exclusive?

First off, a quick reminder that the Garurumon/Yamato GEM figure goes up for preorder within the next 24 hours! It still looks to be a PB exclusive, but I would hold out for Crunchyroll and DenDenHobby if you can. They will save you a bundle in deputy fees.

Now, something I found much to my irritation. The previously cafe-exclusive signboard keychains are now availible on AmiAmi, for almost $25-$30 each... hurts when you paid $50 a box a few months ago. Makes alot of us wonder what really is exclusive and what isn't anymore.

Volume 1 Set with Yamato/Gabumon
Volume 2 Set

On the bright side, though, I managed to snag the color theatre signboard recently for a decent price ($15) on Y!JP. Most of the boards are going for around 1600-2500 yen. Not bad considering the current exchange rate.

Merry Xmas / Happy Holidays everyone :)