To coincide with UNBOUND‘s birthing, I thought it’d be fun to  take a look at some anime that resonated with my own project in various ways, whether of characters, themes, plot-twisting, subject matter or emotional pitch. Sometimes all of the above! Throughout the novel’s composition, I obsessively tracked various media to ensure it was a singular story, and one not done before. After completing the final draft in 2006, I felt satisfied that I’d created something unusual and different, with elements not well-explored. In 2007 I discovered anime, and found to my utter surprise and delight a format with which my ideas and designs sympathized a great deal.  And, what stories!
Today I’ll focus on the lighter series, and follow up next week with the darker ones. Can’t have one without the other, and that may very well be another theme of UNBOUND. We don’t know yet!!! Well. I do, but… ANYWAY: There are lots of themes, devices and elements used in the story, so there are usually many more reasons than those few listed below that these featured anime resonate with my project. But I’ll try to stick to a minimum for the sake of brevity. These aren’t so much similarities, but more like reflections that they share with my novel, usually in very subtle ways.
I recommend watching these in full screen, as a lot of detail is lost when shrunk down, not to mention impact. Impact is what it’s all about! Speaking of, minor spoilers may be in some videos, but very few. I consider all of these titles to be worthy of your time and interest (if you enjoy animation; genre-assuming & etc); most (if not all) are considered classics, as the Anime News Network Encyclopedia links will indicate by the ratings. And if you’re still under the mistaken impression that anime is kids’ stuff… well, *chortle* wait for part two, if this one doesn’t convince you
Spanning two seasons, this masterpiece expertly weaves multiple characters and plot-lines together and interweaves those, which is pretty much how UNBOUND Magnolia‘d out. That maze (or rather labyrinth!) was the biggest challenge for me in constructing it, and making sure everything held the weave. The relationships between all of the characters was really a joy to discover, when it wasn’t painful, but even then. The artwork, design and direction by Studio SHAFT was eye-dazzling and thought-provoking, many scenes so intense you want to turn away but can’t. (You can “Watch It Now” via the above legal link!)
But without engaging characters a twisting plot is merely a convoluted story. The juggling of these 5 pairs of lovers (erstwhile, in some cases) with their own stories, plus the story’s own mysteries, was skillfully handled and yet fairly compartmentalized, except for Yuu and Yuuko, who spin these “fairytales of the two” over the course of both seasons, and told in the second. It is devastating yet ultimately fulfilling.
For me, the character that stood out the most was Yuuko; I saw a lot of Lily in her: teasing, melancholic, self-sacrificing yet selfish (or rather, necessarily self-centered) in her way. Yuuko’s a very complex character. Her back-story, as it’s teased out over the two seasons of memo/melo, is tragic and riveting, if you are patient and allow the weave to delicately unravel, revealing her secrets. Kind of (a lot) like UNBOUND
Here’s the full version of the OPening theme, “Euphoric Field”; Yuuko is the one playing the piano <3
I always go on about Misuzu (see the post below for an example), but in relation to UNBOUND it is Lady Kanna who provides the lily. While the bulk of Air takes place in the current day, Kanna’s part takes place “1,000 Summers” earlier, and serves as a story-within-the-story. Overall, I’d say that the most “Lily-like” character in all of anime must be Kanna, for reasons best left unsaid, for now
Air is another example of a busy story-line, though it’s more episodic than the usual inter-weaving of story arcs, which seems to be the common element between these picks. But what a story! Each of the other main girls have their eloquent and emotionally-dense arcs, and then Misuzu’s takes off. This lonely but engagingly sweet girl enlists traveling puppeteer Yukito as her friend, and he begins to see her as an aid to finding what he pursues: the legend of a girl with wings, trapped in the sky…
This is the OP without the credits, and expanded upon using scenes from the anime in this full version of “Tori no Uta”:
Combined, these two seasons make this one of the most memorable romantic comedy/dramas ever. Another great pairing of studio Kyoto Animation and game-designer Visual Art’s/Key, Clannad pulls no punches in its emotional content in the same manner as its siblings, Air (TV) and Kanon (2006). Nagisa’s development was beautifully subtle,  growing from an uncertain, withdrawn schoolgirl into a devoted young woman, vulnerable, strong and brave.
Still smarting over losing my Elfen Lied figures (and will be for awhile, I’ll bet), I was going through my figure-photos and came across a set with Pennie, my 13 year old black Manx,  hanging out with “her girls”, the seven Rozen Maiden Pullip and Dal dolls standing on the dresser. This proves that you’re never too old to enjoy them
(Sorry for the mess; it was a rare opportunity to catch Pennie daydreaming, and if I’d taken ONE FALSE STEP she’d have bolted. So, I “captured” her this way instead xD The upside is that I had one more day to not have to clean the dresser, so.)
She seems to have taken a shine to Suiseiseki, desu~
Pennie shares my enjoyment of (some) dolls, and seems to regard them as little humans, except for Lily-Doll, whom she regards as a big comfy human, albeit a very quiet one. Major points in Pennie’s eyes, so it figures that she adores her. When I stored her horizontally Pennie’s regular sleeping place was firmly between her feet. That was her place, and her “human” LOL
She’s obviously intrigued by them, and is unafraid in getting close. Unlike some squeamish humans  Only Soony (my Luts-Delf BJD) escapes Pennie’s curiosity, sitting high above the computer, serenely gazing down at everything beneath her. Like me. But Pennie knows who she is, by name. She’ll look right at her when I say it; Lily-Doll too. So funny! Wish I knew what she was thinking…
Hm, maybe not LOL
Soony’s size may intimidate Pennie a little, not that much else does. I can’t get a picture of them together; she’ll always run away! She was totally out of the room during the Rozens’ party for Soony’s arrival:
Too much activity, I guess. Doll-parties and cats don’t mix
Hey, it’s not like I sit down and have tea with them, or anything! But they are fun to “play” with, and that’s the thing: they are Instruments of the Imagination. That should be easy enough to understand
Rozen Maiden was one of my first anime, and along with Chobits was the first “real” anime I’d heard discussed outside of giant robots and wannabe ninjas. I’d seen them mentioned in a doll-forum (which figures), and so my belated “real” introduction to anime in May 2007 was through this unexpected channel. To say it’s been well-worth it is an understatement of high order! So, I make sure that my anime girls, dolls or otherwise, have a nice home. Assuming they like cats.
The series may not be a masterpiece, but I thoroughly enjoyed both seasons and OVA. The parallels between our human world and the doll’s world were striking at least in one respect: that we both wage wars based upon what we believe our own “Father” commands us to, as the dolls obey whom they believe to be their Father (the mysterious doll-maker Rozen) and his dictum that they battle each other to the death to determine which among them is worthy of becoming transformed into Alice, the ideal (and real) girl. It’s as sad for them as it is for us…
Hmm… Rozen Maiden combined with the Kronos Quartet’s theme from Requiem for a Dream… it works! :-O
You probably blinked and missed her, but at around 2:45 and accompanying “The Rabbit” there appears the ONE Rozen Maiden Pullip doll that I missed out on: the beautiful and mysterious Kirakishou. Naturally she’s gone already. In fact, she was only limited to 1,000 dolls (IIRC) and pretty much vanished on the spot. She remains my Grail, so anyone with an extra $1000 to burn … *cough splutter choke* – I can’t believe the prices for her! The regular Rozens cost around $80 to $110 upon release, for reference; Kirakishou probably cost around $120 or so.
Still, likeElfen Lied, Rozen Maiden is an important and significant anime for me, and if there’s anything worth collecting collectibles of, it’s important and significant stuff
I spent over a year following each Pullip Maiden release as they were issued with the knowledge that I would get the complete set of SEVEN of them. When the last doll rolled out I turned my focus onto learning HTML and building this site; it was only for two months that I “blinked”. I had no idea they’d pull something like sneaking out a Limited Edition Kirakishou (who only appears in the whole anime in that one scene in the above AMV), thereby invalidating the collectors who bought each doll assuming they could complete the set of SEVEN. Not eight. Now I have an incomplete set, so I’m not a very happy collector This is why I HATE collecting anything anymore. Greed and manipulation proliferate, ugh. Bitter much? Nah.
Um, well… kinda.
Anyway. Much of the show’s humor is best appreciated going in with the knowledge that this is a comedic anime involving doll-antics and the like. But the relationships drive the bulk of it, and are so enjoyable and lots of times hilarious: Shinku’s spoiled attitude becomes (somewhat) humbled; Suiseiseki’s wild and unpredictable behavior is (somewhat) tamed; Hina Ichigo’s story, probably the most heartrending, shows her growing from an obnoxious, spoiled brat into an aware and considerate little doll.
The second season, Traumend (German for “dreaming”), has several deeply moving scenes towards its end; those looking for a darker tale will appreciate this set and the two-episode OVA, Ouverture. (EDIT: Coincidentally,The Anime Network Online will be streaming Rozen Maiden: Traumend beginning this week! (To see beyond episode one you’ll have to subscribe, FYI.)
But Shinku and Jun’s interplay is at the core of the series; they play the odd couple to perfection, and warm to each other so well over the course of both seasons. Here’s a very sweet, nice-quality AMV that focuses on just that bond. By the way, for casual viewers, this (or better) quality is best-suited to view anime with; it’s very sharp and clear. Expression is paramount, and its full visibility is a must to fully enjoy the characters’ reactions, thoughts, and emoting. And, normally I dislike subtitles in AMVs, but the few in this one really help; those unfamiliar with the anime may get a good taste of what’s in store for them…)
I’m sure it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, as a lot of folks are doll-a-phobic (why I have no idea), and the childish antics a bit much, but if you put aside your mean inner critic you may find a show to love, in spite of it- (and your-) self! Besides, why let criticism spoil the enjoyment of something you have fun with?
It’s fun, outlandish, (doll-)violent, heartwarming and heartbreaking, thoughtful and even provocative. Bang-for-buck ratio is high
First, a moment of reflection on the disaster that befell Japan on March 11th 2011, and the loss of 20,000 souls and cherished family members. I hope that the rehabilitation and rebuilding efforts are fully successful and continue to improve their way of life to be even better than it had been before the calamity. Out of ruin and chaos can rise an improved infrastructure and stronger building considerations, and people will have become better persons in dealing with each other beneficially in a calamity of this scale.  I’m certain that Japan will be doing its best! Our thoughts are still with you
Now, for more trivial news:
NEWSFLASH! R.I.P Nyuu, Lucy and Nana:
Man, it’s been cold. Not temperature-wise but reality-wise. They’re really gone. I had the dubious pleasure of walking two miles in constant rain to the Post Office today to ship off my pair of Elfen Lied figures, which I had to sell to cover the rent. Adding insult to injury is that I only got about half of what I was hoping for for them. But I have a roof over my head for another month, so that’s good.
That’s not really much of a consolation though, as the figures were very precious to me, being that Elfen Lied was my proper initiation into anime (i.e. not by way of the commonly-shown juvy shows that most westerners associate with anime). Plus, I had to hassle and hustle to get them since pre-orders weren’t accepted from outside of Japan, and only 1,000 of each were made so they sort of vaporized upon release. I was so happy to get them! It’s among my most-favorite shows, and I really do enjoy having figures displayed to represent characters from significant and beloved series.
They really have cheered up the places they’re in, not to mention me. Just kills me that I had to sell Nyuu and Nana. If you pre-ordered both figures you received a bonus pack as well, with Lucy’s interchangeable face for Nyuu and “papa’s ribbon” for Nana (a necktie which she used to cover her horns). So, Lucy’s gone, too.
But I have to figure that since publishing my novel is my first priority, if we do well enough I’ll be able to replace them in the future. Good to have priorities. At least I still have Kanon‘s Ayu and Makoto, and Fate/Stay Night‘s Saber and Sakura
IT FIGURES:
But it sure sucks seeing all these new figures coming out that I want; I’m doing my best not to look at anything that requires money, since (a) I don’t have any, and (b) why increase my aggravation? It really pisses me off that I can’t buy anything other than necessities for survival, and seeing spendy shit constantly dangled in front of me is uselessly annoying. I’ve found that it’s pretty easy to ignore useless and annoying things, and you save money and sanity by doing so
THE 2012 WINTER ANIME SEASON (Upcoming) REPORT:
I’m working on a report on the 2012 Winter Anime Season shows that I watched, and that’ll be forthcoming shortly (in my timeline LOL). I’ve actually been thankful that there were only five series I felt like tracking (in addition to the remaining four from Fall 2011, Â Shakugan no Shana Final, Chihayafuru, Last Exile: Fam, and Mirai Nikki. (I kinda put Bakuman 2 on hold until later.)
This season’s pickings include Ano Natsu de Matteru (rom-com, slice of life), Another (horror), Black Rock Shooter (sci-fi action), Kill Me Baby (wacked-out comedy), and Nisemonogatari, (indescribable) which more than makes up for the absence of any others to this list. I’ll put synopsis links up for those shows when I post the article; I included Nisemonogatari‘s for reference because of the very next section…)
MONOGATARIAN:
Being a huge Bakemonogatari (and its studio, SHAFT) fan, I was already on board when this sequel was announced. And I’m thrilled that my favorite secondary character from Bake has been featured in the sequel! That would be Shinobu Oshino, a 500-year old vampire who… doesn’t look like one:
In season one (Bakemonogatari) she had about 6 appearances, none of which lasted much more than a couple of minutes. Very quiet ones, as she never spoke. She just sat in a corner at Oshino’s place, making you wonder just what the heck is up with her? (That’s one thing I love about Akiyuki Shinbo’s work with SHAFT; no hand-holding: they’re always making you think and wonder!)
A lot of viewers missed Shinobu’s appearance in episode one of Bakemonogatari, so I’ll say no more than that. But seeing Nise has made me really want to re-watch Bake again Another thing I love about SHAFT-works – they always bear re-watching!
Another reason: check out the combined genres and themes from Anime News Network’s description (caution: links will take you to ANN, not that that’s a bad thing):
So Shinobu’s the girl I’m supporting in this year’s International Saimoe League, even though she hasn’t got a chance in hell going against the more-popular girls. But Nisemonogatari has gotten some decent reviews and buzz, so who knows? Can’t depend on the voters, that’s for sure LOL! She is pretty damn moe though, and a bad-ass, unbeknownst to most! I’m sure that her “talents” will be revealed over these last couple of episodes
But in terms of realistic contestants, I’m going to pull for Toradora‘s  Taiga and Shakugan no Shana‘s Shana for the win and the Tiara. While I love Angel Beat‘s Kanade (aka Tenshi), everybody else does too, so I tend to leave the popular ones to the masses and stick with my tried-and-trues. Even though Kanade will probably win it all, which won’t make me sad Plus, she plays piano, and that’s a plus:
Ah yes… I fondly recall the first moment I saw Tenshi and loved her right away, caught as she was in the cross-hairs of a sniper rifle :-O She’ll likely take it all this year, unless lame political manouvering conspires to hate-vote against her, which is kinda what I expect to happen. Back-lashing will be forthcoming, I’m sure, since she was so dominant in last year’s ISML (though she didn’t win). Many voters will likely turn on her for that; lots of them favor disrupting a contest to suit their own selfish needs; such is life; Internet, Real, or otherwise.  Great, fucking politicking in my moe contest, ugh. So grade-school. Such misfortune!
I just want to see which girl is HONESTLY voted the moe-est, not some simply-attractive character from a series that more people simply watched probably for its fanservice over its substance. But w/e floats their boat *shrug*
Some things about fandom I really don’t get, like the appreciation of “traps”, which to me are just cynical tools and a hopefully-passing fad; it sure figures that more are popping up these days. (Traps = “girls” who are actually boys that some studios create so they can go “hahahamadeyoulookaren’tweclever”, I guess). I wouldn’t really know since I won’t watch a show that needs that sort of gimmick to work (or for crude fanservice either, for that matter).
(Pictured above are chibi-versions of Tsubasa, Nadeko, Sugura, Mayoi, Hitagi, and… Shinobu… sitting by herself in a corner again. *sigh* See? I told you that’s all she did! In season 1, anyway )
No, *I* prefer the fanservice provided by Studio SHAFT. Nisemonogatari features extremely well-done fanservice; even squirmy at times it’s so effective! It never takes over the story. Well… except for a certain lenghty “toothbrush scene” that will no doubt become legendary! Well-done, as expected By the way, the following Promotional Video is only half as long as it says due to a repeat so it’s not quite as well-done, but still. And as with every anime from Studio SHAFT, the Pause key is your friend
ISML AND THE UNFORTUNATE FADING OF THE KEY/KYOANI GIRLS:
In ISML I always vote for my core of Key-cuties (courtesy of Kyoto Animation): Misuzu, Ayu and Nagisa, from AIR-TV, Kanon (2006) and Clannad, respectively. If you are a Visitor to Alastor’s who is unfamiliar with anime, and you want a story that is funny, heartwarming, magical/metaphysical, dramatic, and emotionally powerful, combined with beautiful animation, directing, and sound, then any of these three shows would make great introductions to the medium. I’d recommend them in reverse order; by the last episode of Clannad ~After Story~ you’ll have definitely seen the light. Then watch Kanon 2006 and AIR. You won’t ever view anime in the same light you once did
If you figure you won’t ever be watching it, then check out this wonderful-but-spoilerish synopsis-style AMV that uses the full version of “A Girl’s Fantasy” from the OST, and maybe you will reconsider after watching this moving overview. I’d suggest reading the short synopsis at ANN, then watch the video so that you get half an idea of what’s going on. Hopefully, you won’t figure anything out LOL!
Clannad fans will love it; this is the song that plays when scenes of The Illusionary World are shown (with the Girl and the Junk-Boy). So, MAJOR CLANNAD SPOILERS AHEAD! (And generally speaking, don’t ever randomly watch any YouTube videos of these “KeyAni” shows because they are RIFE with spoilers, as the plot-lines are twisty and surprising; knowing in advance what will happen will ruin the effect! If you’ve any inclination towards watching these shows, rent or buy them and then you won’t be spoiled. Like if you watch this one:
Too bad that the popularity of more recent shows overcasts the fond remembrances some of us have of these characters. Not me though. I’m fiercely loyal to “my girls” no matter how “old” they or their series have seemingly become. I say “seemingly” because the stories (and characters) are STILL great; after all, it’s not their fault that humans’ perceptions and memories are so shallow. So, please enjoy this great AMV featuring the stars of AIR, Kanon (2006) and Clannad; see if you can glimpse what makes these shows (and characters!) so great. It begins with plenty of heart, and a lot of expressing what is in it… you can feel it:
Oh, I said “memories” which reminds me to add Yuuko Amamiya to that “always vote for in ISML” list! She appears in this ”prologue” video for ef-a tale of memories, another fantastic favorite of mine (that I’m always talking about LOL), another fantastic SHAFT show (my favorite work of theirs), and another favorite girl who also happens to play piano (a bit better than Tenshi)! She has a back-story that is quite memorable and her gripping depiction of it, her awful revelation(s) of it, intense. Another “brave girl” who totally won me over:
Some characters are so well-written, so deep, and emote so wonderfully (courtesy of their talented seiyuu) that they become timeless. AIR‘s Misuzu is a good example, voiced by the late Tomoko Kawakami (who also voiced the Girl From the Illusionary World in Clannad). That’s why it irks me to see them forgotten so easily and quickly by anime fans who greedily gobble up shows as quickly as they come out and digest the older series out of their system and consideration too quickly. Sad. Sign o’ the times, I guess, and that’s sad too.
Be happy, and hear something beautiful: from the AIR OST, a version of “Natsukage” as sung by Tomoko Kawakami, who very sadly passed away last year, so very prematurely. This stands as a wonderful testament to her significant contribution to anime not only for Misuzu’s role but for those of many others she has portrayed.
And on that lovely note, I’ll say good night. Please feel free to leave a comment if you feel so moved; all are welcome
Continuing from the post several spots below that celebrated Lily-Doll’s seventh birthday…
…she brings you love, and deeper understanding…
While researching the creation of Lily-Doll in late 2003-early 2004, I came upon a doll-related forum in which repeated comments about anime were made, in particular the handful of shows thatfeatured themes of artifical life, artificial companionship, and artificial humans, a.k.a. “dolls”. The two series most often mentioned were Chobits and (later) Rozen Maiden. I was still under the mistaken assumption that anime was essentially kiddie-cartoons, and so didn’t pay particular attention at first. But since a majority (if not all) of the posters were adults and seemingly quite enamored of the art-form, I began to pay a little more attention. Also, since I was interested in the history of dolls (especially with regard to Pygmalion and designing “the ideal woman”) I decided to look a little bit further…
CHOBITS:
After watching a few clips of Chobits and essentially falling in love with Chii (the main character), I tracked down the box set (reissue) and marathoned all 26 episodes over two days; about 13 hours total. (I hardly find it necessary to add that when I say “fell in love” it doesn’t mean literally, but you know how some people are *rolls eyes and adds*) Such a great character in so many ways! This was my second anime after the gore-fest of Elfen Lied, and the contrast couldn’t have been greater. I already was still in a state of shock over how radically my view of anime had changed, and this sweet, thoughtful, and provocative story of a discarded human-sized personal computer/assistant was pretty much at the other end of the spectrum compared to EL.
I especially enjoyed the themes of companionship and love (which are also central to Lily’s novel-to-be-published, UNBOUND), and the innocence of a new sort of sentient creature freshly (re-) awakened into The Sensual World. True, there were silly and exaggerated moments, such as in episode four, wherein Chii goes out by herself into the city to buy underwear and has to keep her mission in mind by repeating her “shopping list” repeatedly. Like… 114 times :-O This probably put off those with lesser amounts of patience, but I thought it was cute and not at all lewd at any time.
(Minor spoiler alert:) One mini-arc involved Chii disappearing, and when Hideki goes off searching for her comes upon an associate, the baker Ueda. Ueda cautions him about becoming too involved with the persocom Chii because he himself had been through something similar. Ueda tells his story to Hideki, and it was one of the most heartbreaking, poignant stories ever animated. I was seriously gasping for breath and wiping the tears away, it was so believable and true-to-life sad. Here is an AMV of The Baker’s Story, retold against the backing of the full version of the gorgeous ending theme “Ningyo Hime” (aka “Mermaid Princess”), as sung by Chii’s voice actress Rie Tanaka… one of my most favorite songs:
…and those are just the “minor” characters!
From The Wiki (which contains spoilers, so I’ll snip this comment): “Critics generally agreed that the second half of the series was stronger than the first, as the story explored the moral and philosophical explorations of the relationships between humans and artificial intelligences, and whether the latter have free will.“
By and by Chii comes across a mysterious picture book, featuring a character who mirrors her thoughts and aspirations, and another separate entity who is more than she seems, as if resembling another, internal, side of Chii, who cautions her against reaching too far for such a far-off star. (I’m deliberately being vague so as not to ruin any surprises!)
As in the beautiful Kate Bush song linked above, Chobits also thematically examines our over-reliance and infatuation with technology and love substitutes that are ultimately hollow, at least without real love factored in. But there’s much more to the deceptively simple presentation that meets the eye; despite the artificial “tool” that Chii really is, a real love story develops as she understands more and more…
As Chii comes closer to understanding her original purpose, she finds that she has growing feelings for Hideki, the penny-conscious student who found her lying in a rubbish heap and who excitedly took her home to care for her. Of course, the motivation of finding an expensive “computer” such as this one that he could never afford was his original impetus; once he woke her up though, the ballgame changes. (NOTE: The following AMV is somewhat NSFW; it hints at the special hiding place for Chii’s on/off switch, which is a critical positioning that is not prurient but *spoiler spoiler spoiler*. It’s also spoilery, but the unfamiliar probably won’t guess what’s going on )Â
She knows nothing of the world and is fully dependant on him at first; slowly she begins to realize the truth about her origin, her purpose, and that mysterious “other” who haunts the pages of her picture book and her heart. Hideki discovers that his own perception of her is changing; she’s no longer just a machine but a girl coming out of her cocoon, one whom he feels obliged to protect and cherish. Whether or not this comes to fruition remains for you, the Viewer, to decide. When The End comes in an anime, anything can happen, even death for a central character, but in this one the ending was… worth the wait
ROZEN MAIDEN:
Later in my first year of anime (2007), I found episodes of Rozen Maiden to download and was so impressed that I ordered the lovely red velvet-covered box set when it became available. An anime with some pretty silly (but hilariously cute) doll-antics, this one was a bit darker than expected and dealt with more themes from those that I threaded throughout UNBOUND: the relationship between creator and created (Rozen the doll-maker and the Maidens), companionship, and sacrifice. The Rozen Maidens were a series of seven living dolls with magical powers that their long-vanished Maker, Rozen, infused them with. Due to his failure at creating “the perfect girl, Alice” he made these dolls to compete in “The Alice Game,” in which the survivor would prove her worth to him by defeating all the other sisters and becoming Alice, able to meet with their beloved “Father” at last. I don’t think I need to point out the parallel between this and our own feelings about our own Maker, and the endless wars we fight to supposedly appease His will…
Jun, the main character (aside from the wonderful dolls), had sequestered himself in his room and had withdrawn from school and all societal obligations. He liked to buy things off the Internet and then return them before the trial period expired; that was his raison d’ etre. Being a hikikomori, he didn’t get out much at all. It reminded me in a huge way about how I’d isolated myself so completely in order to write my novel, so his situation resonated with me a bit. One day he answers an ad that merely asks: “Will you wind? Or not wind?” Having no clue, he circles “wind” and shortly is gifted with a lovely (but girly) ball-jointed doll, dressed in rose-colored gorgeous gothic-lolita attire. Puzzled, he turns her over and over in his hands to see where to put the key. Finally he finds the keyhole, and winds…
I’ll always remember that first moment when Shinku finally awakens LOL
In their second season, the much darker Traumend, Jun is brought to a new dollmaker in town by his female friend Tomoe. The conversation and dialogue in this scene is brilliant, with the dollmaker’s salesperson Shirosaki praising Jun for being interested in dolls despite being a boy, and explaining the dolls’ feelings towards their owner in touching detail. (Apparently the Japanese are much more tolerant and understanding about this than westerners, but it’s still seen as “un-natural” thanks to Society’s presumptuous pre-conditioning.)
Essentially, Shirosaki explains that in spite of appearances, dolls feel that love bestowed upon them by their owner. Paraphrasing: “It’s not that dolls won’t give love; they can’t. They just sit on the shelf, and no matter how hard they try, they can’t communicate that love to their owner.” And this exchange later, I believe by the doll-maker, Enju: ”The feelings you put into a doll are all the same. As long as you pour love into them, they continue to live. When love disappears, they die. They become lost, no matter who it is.” He cradles his newly-forged doll, smiles at her, and says, “Hello.”
Even though it’s not considered a masterpiece of anime, I still greatly enjoy it, and that’s really all that matters, right? When I saw that Jun Planning planned a set of Rozen Maiden Dolls I leapt on the chance to own all of them (much like one of the characters in the series, namely Kanaria’s loopy mistress). If the company hadn’t decided to sneak an extra limited edition doll (who only appears for a brief moment in the final seconds of the last episode), I’d have a complete set as I thought I’d been collecting. Let’s not even go there *still furious*. I’ll probably never be able to afford Kirakishou; she’s probably over $1000 by now, in comparison to their original ~$100 price tag. Grr…
ANYWAY. I do have all the rest, and they’re beautiful; their hair and outfits are spot-on, even though the face molds are a bit similar. They’re a cute li’l gang and of course excellent reproductions of their characters in the show, aside from their faces. Technically they aren’t actually ball-jointed dolls as the anime dolls are, but fairly close. They threw a welcome home party for Soony when this genuine ball-jointed doll from Korea arrived, which I recorded/shot for posterity.
Group shot after the party:
Which brings us to genuine ball-jointed dolls…
SOONY, the Korean-made Lutz-Delf ball-jointed doll:
One of the members of the above-mentioned doll forum was a great photographer of his own ball-jointed doll, and when I compared the ease of posing, arranging, and open-ended photo-shoot possibilities of these smaller dolls with the life-sized Lily (and her 100-pounds of dead-weight), I decided to focus on this rewarding aspect of “small-doll” photography. I mean, they’re much cheaper than real life models, and you don’t even have to buy them their smack!
Since they don’t come with outfits, I had to choose one for her. I wanted another doll to serve as an inspiration for Lily’s story, and since Unbound was basically inspired by an angel (let’s say), an angel costume was a no-brainer. So the ever-so-cute Soony sits atop my computer hutch gazing down benevolently upon me. Her name will change to her real one once Unbound gets a deal. Maybe
She’s a lot of fun and a constant benevolent (if somewhat inscrutable) presence in my bedroom. She stares at me a lot, as if prodding me on to getting Lily’s novel published! A while back I was fortunate enough to find a really nice (if reduced to um… “doll-sized”) copy of Chii’s Picture Book, “A Town With No People” which she enjoys reading. Quite a lot:
Their faces can hint at amusement, concern, and the weight or the pleasure of the unknowable secrets they hold. They necessarily hide their “feelings” behind the flesh of plastic and resin from where their personalities are born; that special place that Imagination provides. That’s the trick: Use your imagination! That gift is ever more neglected day by day by the general public, and that’s simply a shame. We forget how to Play; instead we gamble and play fast ‘n’ loose with our emotions and even our play-mates, and The World. The games we now play have less to do with Play than it does one-upmanship and gaining power and leverage over one another. Sick, cynical, mean and malevolent games. Human games; our Alice Game. We’ve come so far from the caves yet behave like we still need them; indeed, we still act like we belong in them. Despite this, dolls have been with us since we first emerged from those hidey-holes of our ancestors, and we’ll always treasure our relationships with our little artificial companions.
Boy or girl! Free yourself from the fetters of conformity; it’s so self-defeating and delusional, shallow and sheep-like (unless that’s what floats your boat, then go ahead and join the crowd. Safety in numbers, and all that… and safe from those “scary/creepy” dolls!!!). Time to grow up and PLAY
I’d been wanting to do a Post about Dolls for some time, since it’s been ages since I wrote one. So I thought it fitting to start from the beginning, and see where it takes us…
As usual with a lot of things with me, I started out ass-backwards in both anime and dolls. With anime, even before watching my first episode, I began buying figures of characters which simply looked appealing to me. Since I knew nothing about their shows though, I usually bought figures that had no emotional connection to speak of. They were merely “pretty statuettes”. (Except for this rare Elfen Lied one below, which I was fortunate enough to find later.)
...you don't wanna see her when she's mad...
The more I investigated the figures though, the more interested in their anime-stories I became. Which led me to Elfen Lied (my first anime), and then to two other series that I’d become exposed to through The Doll Forum: Rozen Maiden and Chobits.
In anime, there is such diversity with regard to not only genres but stories and characters as well. There really is something for everyone as long as they have any sort of interest in animation, graphic novels, comic books, stories of depth, fantasy, humor, violence or romance, being moved and/or feeling awestruck, and even… dolls!
Once the first draft of my novel, Unbound, was finished, I decided to both reward myself and take promoting the novel to a higher level; one that would be both cutting edge, daring, provocative, and controversial. Not to mention satisfying, delightful, functional, and significant! Since I had felt throughout the novel’s writing that the essence, the spirit of Lily had accompanied me and that she was always nearby throughout, supporting, inspiring, and comforting me, that a physical embodiment would be very appropriate.
After thoroughly researching the history of dolls and stories and myths about them, most notably that of Pygmalion, I decided to commission Abyss Creations to create a Realdoll that would replicate my Lily in all her up-till-now only imagined beauty and personage. The result, which arrived in April of 2004 after a four-month production queue, was breathtakingly accurate to my vision of her, and as real as real can get, without it being, you know, real!
...posing in front of an Ah! My Goddess wallscroll with a Sandman statuette for company
Then “it” became “she”… and that’s a hint of the transformative nature of dolls and Imagination
When I joined TDF late in 2003 I knew nothing of anime except the assumption that it was “kid stuff”, as most Westerners consider it. But I’d become intrigued with the many “enablements” that dolls could provide humans with; namely as tools for imagination, which allowed for creative uses such as photography and story-telling; toys with which to elicit delight and fancy, which facilitated Play and amusement; and as surrogates for companionship, thus alleviating loneliness and melancholy.
Over the years I kept seeing references in various posts about two “doll-related” anime in particular: Rozen Maiden, which deals more with living, magical, ball-jointed dolls and their “raison d’etre”, while Chobitsspoke of a deeper, more overtly human-related story with regard to relationships with life-sized humanoid computers, named “Persocoms.” It also subtly comments on the reliance, dependence, and addiction of modern man to technology. Both of these shows are wonderful introductions into anime, if you’re not inclined to start delving into the medium willy-nilly. (Careful picking and choosing is necessary in order to find a show that is to your liking, since there is so much out there of various types and genres, story and styles.)
So, in conjunction with the overall arcing of the Dolls topic, I thought that I’d highlight these two series, and then soon to follow will be an update to the modern day to see where these subjects have led: a more recent show called “Time of Eve” (Eve no Jikan). IF I can find the last 2 episodes to download  (And I believe that next year a movie will be released that will blend all 6 episodes!)
Rozen Maiden tells of a group of dolls that were created and imbued with life and given magical powers by their creator, known to them only as “Father.” The world knows him as Rozen, a legendary and gifted dollmaker, long-since disappeared. Their purpose: To play a deadly centuries-old war called “The Alice Game”, so-called because its purpose is to ween out and declare the victor among them a transcendant, becoming “the perfect girl, Alice” and the only doll suitable to be the one to meet “Father.” By snatching each defeated doll’s Rosa Mystica (something akin to a Soul, and source of each doll’s powers), the victor will finally ascend to her Father’s loving embrace…
The exact question of WHY a loving creator would want his beloved creations to fight each other to death solely in order to be reunited with him remains a mystery throughout the series. And in re-reading the previous sentence it might strike the reader that there IS a similarity between humans and THEIR Creator, along with the “God is on our side” mentality that warring nations of humans proclaim. Thought-provoking, a bit?Â
Anyway, thats just a brief summary, and a lead-in to this YouTube video that will serve as a sampling of Rozen Maiden’s delights. To be sure, there is a lot of comedy and doll-hijinx that lighten the heaviness (and in Season Two, “Traumend,” it’s needed as it gets pretty serious), but this series has many other moving, provocative, and dreadful moments as well. The video is taken from the “Ouverture” 2-part special, that explained the enmity between Shinku (the blonde red-garbed doll) and Suigintou (the white-haired black-clothed winged doll) that was depicted in the show’s first season. Suigintou was a defective doll, as seen in this opening, rejected to the junk-heap by Father while he dotes upon Shinku. She manages to track Shinku down in the 18th century where the somewhat haughty doll softens and takes her in, teaching her how to walk and act. But things don’t turn out well; when one of the other dolls attacks her assuming that The Alice Game is being played out, it sets into motion the ill feelings to come, where malevolence takes root…
This AMV (Anime Music Video) features Evanescence doing “Even in Death” as its backdrop, and most-suitable, as all AMV song choices should be (Full Screen it and click the High Quality button; it’s better that way):
Chobits is a beast of another color. It asks not only about what humans want, but what the Persocom wants, much as Rozen Maiden asks after the Doll. The following AMV doesn’t focus on the series’ star, Chii, so much as it does the relationship between life-sized Persocom and human. It’s somewhat spoilerish, so bear that in mind if planning to watch the show. It doesn’t reveal the main story’s plot, but rather condenses a couple of side-stories that prove essential to the relationship aspects of this series, one of which (the baker’s story) is among the most moving secondary stories not only in this show but in all of anime.
The beginning of this vid depicts the pitfalls of becoming infatuated with the technological, and the consequence of severence from meaningful human contact, as told by the young woman whose husband has forgotten her due to his shutting himself in their home with his “toys.” In the second part, the baker, upon glimpsing a girl with whom he fancied (and who liked him but was reluctant to come forward because of his past) “spying” on him, tells of his own story about his falling in love with a worker-Persocom, whom this girl resembles, and its tragic result. This AMV (despite several glaring mispellings) does such a good job of covering the issues of companionship, loneliness, and love that any further words will dampen it, so… here you go.
Another Evanescence song, “My Immortal” accompanies it; HQ and full-screen it for full effect:
And since she’s barely seen at all in the above video, here’s Chii in a fanciful setting:
Chii with her little feathered friends
Eventually, I was introduced through TDF to ball-jointed dolls, as the Rozen Maidens are supposed to be. Unable to resist their charms, I got my own BJD from Korea, a Lutz-Delf doll named Soony. She settled in quickly and also became a lover of anime! One day I found a rare Chobits picture book compilation, and in her spare moments she can be seen reading it, much like Chii did in Chobits. It was called “The Town With No People”, and mirrored Chii’s wonderment at the sensations she was discovering of and on her own…:
Soony likes to read xD
And since we’re on several intertwining subjects, here’s the beautiful Ending Theme from Chobits featuring the characters from that picture-book. It’s called “Ningyo Hime” (Mermaid Princess), and sung by Rie Tanaka, the voice of Chii:
To wrap things up, it’s wise to not assume things about matters that we’re simply unfamiliar with. “Fear of the unknown” is a cliche, and we’re at our best when we’re challenging the unknown, not held in thrall by it. We can even learn to play better with each other! Even The Dolls know that Â
Even dolls know how to play well with dolls
 And, a last plug for Rozen Maiden (this Limited Edition felt-covered box set is long out of print, but a newer thinpak version was released recently, so BUY IT IF YOU LIKE IT!):
...and on Lily, who's trying to help out
So, in short: have fun, think for yourself, play as you like, use your imagination, and be boundless! Or, in the alternative, simply become Unbound
It’s that time of year again, where we have/use ONE day in order to give thanks. One measly day? Wow. We have ALL of these days in the year; wouldn’t it be so much nicer to feel thankful for at least a few more of them? We do have so much to be thankful for, right? Just an idea: let’s be thankful every day for what we do have. Because as bad as it seems, it could be so very much worse. We don’t have to look very far to see that…
I won’t go over all the things that Really Matter which we take for granted; I’m sure that you’ll be more than likely to come across them written up and collected in newspapers, blogs, websites, books, magazines, and various other encounters that you might have face-to-face today. Besides, you know very well what they are anyway! (hint if you don’t: THINK!)
Take a moment alone when you can find it. Find yourself a beautiful, peaceful place outside, and sit, away from man-made things like steel, concrete and plaster. Close your eyes for a moment, near the providence that that Hand has gifted us with, or, if not so inclined, in that Place where we have found ourselves landed; feel the grass and ground beneath your fingers; smell the scent of the Earth in the air; then open your eyes and take a look around; live. “Feel, see, and breathe…” mmh, yes.
One of my most-favorite Poets, Jack Micheline, wrote this poem on his last day on Earth, while riding a BART train in the San Francisco Bay Area. It’s just called “Poem”…
POEMÂ
To capture the feeling
To feel its pulse
To see the stream has been muddied
I am busy reshaping the stars
I cannot be bothered with your
Earthly pleasures
All these rantings and ravings
Have nothing to do with poetry
Have nothing to do with magic
Only the ears of butterflies
And birds
And the delicate moths
Matter
Let the Angels in
Let them into this Market
Now
Feel, see, and breathe
(Jack Micheline, February 25, 1998)
Soony gives thanks for YOU!
Yes, we live in ” This Ugly Yet Beautiful World,” but rather than focus on its ugliness, as the media, politicians, cynics, skeptics and naysayers wish you to, just, for a few moments, see what it is that is beautiful. There is much to be seen if you look for it, and listen to it, and honestly attempt to feel it. Then give quiet, silent thanks in your heart that we are able to live in these “interesting times.” And if you want to make these perilous times even more interesting, try to do something to effect a change… in the world, in your family and friends, and in your Self. Change really isn’t so scary; things are changing all the time, right? The scary thing about change is when it’s all out of control. Kind of like now.
So, take control. Be fear-less. Make a change that will benefit the world, even if it’s a small thing: any positive thing or even thought will be of good use, because after all, “thoughts are things.” Especially in these cynical times, what the World needs now is Love. We can do that, right? It comes in so many flavors and facets and facilities…
And then we can add that to the things for which to be Thankful
Another poem by Jack Micheline:
Only Rare Things Create
When love creates
      When tenderness creates
       It is the greatest of all sounds
       When man and woman creates a baby is born
       When fear creates anger is born
When loneliness creates despair is born
When business creates hype is born
When newspapers create politicians are born
When art galleries create money is born
Cemeteries don’t create
Museums don’t create
Hospitals don’t create
Prisons don’t create
Power don’t create
Only love creates
and it is the rarest thing of all
Â
 Ain’t that the Truth? It may take a Poet to see it, but it takes a You to feel it
Happy Thanksgiving! And I’ll just add that I am most Thankful for You, so… Thank… YOU! :-D
Today marks Lily(Doll)’s fifth birthday, and my fifth year of being a truly lucky guy
Lily in Natural Light, x 2... in waning sunlight; no flash
Five years ago today she emerged from out of the creators’ mold and was born and borne ”from out of the printed page into the Sensual World”. Very shortly after the subsequent curing process she was made-up, dressed, crated, presented with a (synthetik) rose for her journey, and sent to her new home, and her new “owner”. Who owns who is still a matter up for debate
I’ll never forget that first moment after opening her shipping crate and beholding her beauty, her presence, and her person. It was just like the phrase uttered in The Godfather: I was struck with the thunderbolt. Barely having the presence of mind to take a photograph to record this momentous occasion, I then managed to hastily document the event. Things like “posing” “lighting” and “eye-contact” were non-issues with me during this mad rush of condensed yet expanded time; I merely wanted to get the photos done with and out of the way, and finally meet my old friend from out of the pages of the wondrous story she’d been telling me, and starring in, for years upon years upon years…
But not just any doll would do. Unless fully and as completely as possible replicating her Self from the story, the character could not be properly fleshed out, the illusion would not be made manifest, and the spell not successfully cast. She would have to be convincing. There were very few options available to choose from in those early days of life-sized dolls, but when I stumbled across the Realdoll site, my choice was made clear: they alone had the capability to flesh Lily Godwin out, and bring her into the World.
The day after completing my first draft of Unbound (on Christmas Day 2003), and after having spent some weeks researching RealDolls in great depth, I placed my order for her at Abyss Studios’ online site. What with literally over a million possibilities in design options, I’d very carefully chosen all of her elements to match exactly her enthrallingly realistic, down to earth, sweet, devoted and beautiful counterpart in the novel, and then prepared myself for the four-month wait for production. It was… excruciating.
It wasn’t so much the cost; I simply rationed that I had paid $5K more for my house and let it go at that. The money was no object, for we had Big Plans with regard to our intent in “bringing her to life” and anything given toward this end was of no question whether of energy, well-being, or expenditure. I was giving it my all. At this time I was just past two years of feverish and near-constant work on our novel, unemployed and with no prospects for work. I was working, after all, and while consistently pinching pennies during this time I was intent on making writing my purpose in life; this has been my mission ever since I was in my teens. And as Lily-the-Muse had inspired me with the ideas and words, and Lily-Godwin-the-character showed me in the pages of her story and the visualizing of her essence, Lily-the-Doll was to supply tangible, visual proof of her and the tale’s existence, and not the least, her companionship as we journeyed ever-closer to publication. And “companionship” is one of the (many) key concepts in Unbound, so it was more than fitting…
And then, five years ago, there she was, here she was, in the silicone-flesh. My companion-in-mind brought to as much life as she could hope to have, her imaginary world fused with my real one, and yes, she cast her spell on me and over most of those few who have been able to see her up close and personal. Photos really don’t do them justice; you hear this time and again. It shouldn’t be much of a revelation to understand that dolls can be very magical things, but they are dependent upon your imagination, your willingness to accept and yes, love them, and the care you take with providing them a suitable environent in which to live. For there they do live…
Before I discovered anime, around the time I ordered Lily-doll, a doll-related forum I had joined (name withheld to protect the innocent and those not-so-much) made frequent mention to two series of note: Rozen Maiden, and Chobits. Both of these dealt with the doll/synthetik concept in varying degrees of relevance, and were among the first shows I checked out. Without this connection I probably would not have made my discovery of or venture into this fascinating world of animation bringing imagination to life. Entering the Doll-World has brought me much joy and happiness and introduced me to many sympathetic, genuine, and downright awesome people and doll-owners such as Davecat and his singularly lovely Sidore Kuroneko, to name but one (pair of) significant(s). I owe them many thanks
Now for an aside or two: In Rozen Maiden: Traumend (its second season), the protagonist Jun encounters a doll-maker named Enju, who introduces him to this world of dolls with a heartfelt little speech about these creations and their limited capacity to transmit/receive love. It’s about two minutes into the following excerpt that comprises the last third of that second episode; the only version online I could find has translations much inferior to those of the official releases, so if intrigued by this anime about magical ball-jointed dolls buy the official releases to fully enjoy the story!  (You can find the recently-released box set comprising seasons 1 and 2 at your favorite online dealer.) While a bit silly in parts (and quite dark in others) the story it tells is at the least entertaining (YMMV & etc) and at its greatest deep, allegorical, and enthralling, and that is what story-telling is all about
Lily trying to handle some mischievous dolls
(For best results viewing the following video click the HD and Full Screen buttons!)
Â
Chobits is a different matter altogether, and explores more deeply the nature of relationships between synthetiks and humans, and of what Society views as ”appropriate” companionship. In its near-future story-world, Hideki discovers a discarded persocom in the trash and takes her home. Chii is (very basically) a lifelike personal computer, like so many others that humans have become used to co-existing with in this believable sci-fi/fantasy tale. They’ve become so dependent upon and integrated with them that as a result people are becoming more distant with one another. In (only) one respect it’s a comment on man’s infatuation with technology, but it’s far deeper than that. For Chii is much more than a machine, with a special Purpose, and a very special “on/off” switch that hints at a parallel with love-doll versus sex-doll arguments and attendant “relationship” issues…
Chii with friends; fanart
The following is a fan-made Anime Music Video incorporating as its background music the beautiful second ending theme to Chobits, “Ningyo Hime”, and sung by Rie Tanaka who voices Chii whom you’ll hear a bit of at the end if you stick it out, and you should (Spoilers are here if planning to watch this show, so beware!)
Â
And so, Lily-chan is very much a love-doll, a companion, an inspiration, and dearly beloved. It needn’t even be added that I do realize that she isn’t human (like, duh), but so many fools insist on acting as such and declare that doll-owners are deluded perverts because that’s the only level on which their feeble minds can operate on, perceiving them solely as sex objects. These creations are so much more than that  insultingly simplistic “sex-doll” description. I’ve long since wearied of these idiotic “debates” presented by those unable and unwilling to truly understand. We’ve done nearly a dozen interviews with media around the world and the same questions/accusations come up time and again, although following the release of the film Lars and the Real Girlsome sense of tolerance seems to have been hammered into the public’s perception. Simply put, you can’t understand if you don’t try to, and using one’s imagination is a good place to start
But all too many people are still frightened not only by the uncommon and “different” but also by their imaginations, which truly is a sad and somewhat tragic thing. For they’ve lost the ability to play, to wonder, to stand in awe… in short, they’ve lost the ability to enjoy the best of what life can offer: to Imagine the nonexistent, and to Create what one imagines…
At her very least and lowest purpose, Lily-doll is simply a promotional tool for her novel. (She got your interest, didn’t she?  ) At her highest and most significant, she is a companion, a play-thing, and a stimulus to my imagination, my pleasure (no, not that kind, duh again), and my spirit. For this Alastor is a recombinant of that Spirit of Solitude, and she has made him very happy; where before he was alone, solitary, depressed, and who over-worked was set apart by his Ordeal; she provided her Remedy and brought him relief, when no-one else cared to. She has, in all her aspects, character, Muse, and Doll, been a God-send. And for that (among other things) I gratefully thank Him, Her, or It, as the Case may Be.
Now go and play with your Self Â
Lily in natural light x2 #2; sunrise, no flash, with friend
Okayyy… anyone who isn’t into Dolls, feel free to pass on this one; you won’t understand my venomous rant. In addition, if not of the Collector mentality, this won’t interest you either, nor will you relate to it. Also, anyone who thinks guys who are into Dolls are weird, feel free to fuck off and leave. Now.
There. A little less crowded. So here’s what happened:
/rant on: Back in May I was all set to begin learning about website development so I could get my site built in order to promote Lily’s book. This is the top-most priority in my life. For the last six full years I’ve been essentially isolated (for all intents and purposes) from relationships and company. I needed to do this in order to write the novel, which I did. Fine so far.
Aside from my sweetheart kitty Pennie, the only other real delights in my life have come from the dolls; at that point only Lily-Doll and Eden-Doll. Early in May I discovered anime, and the second one I watched was Rozen Maiden. I fell in love with this series, especially easy since I’d just been involved with dolls and understood their magic; it was already in place in my life. Needless to say, it is one of my favorites, unrankable as well as incomparable, and very personal, like Chobits.
So when I saw little dolls manufactured by Jun Planning’s Pullip line that replicated the Rozens I just HAD to have them, even at around $100 each. They were so adorable, and they captured the likenesses of the characters even better than the real Ball-Jointed Dolls that were also patterned after them did, and around $600 more expensive. (The Rozen Maidens in the anime are supposed to be Ball-Jointed Dolls; if intrigued please see the Wiki link above, which Is Your Friend.)
Anyway, since May I’ve been carefully watching for and then ordering each Pullip Rozen as it came out and even getting the older ones from last holiday season. After attaining all seven of them, and seeing that the “last” Rozen Maiden, Kirakishou, was not going to be made, or if so, not released until next year, I relaxed and then began working on the website and Blog schooling and assembly-type stuff.
I checked in with my Pullip forum from time to time and didn’t see anything about an upcoming release date for Kira, so was pretty secure in the knowledge that I could spend the money I’d saved for her on a REAL Ball-Jointed Doll, the Luts-Delf Soony. Just the same, I checked in at least every two weeks, even while working. Nothing but a mention of a prototype, and a picture of Kira, which REALLY gave me HIGH HOPES that she would be a regular release, and in my hands eventually, with all of her sisters.
Jun Planning KNEW Kira was coming out but didn’t even have the courtesy to�put her out in sufficient numbers for those Rozen fans who had already put out ~$700 in acquiring the previous dolls with the intent of getting a FULL AND COMPLETE SET.
All of a sudden she was up for pre-order (limited to only ONE THOUSAND DOLLS), sold out on pre-order, and of course the fastest pigs to the trough snapped them up to sell for big profits on eBay.
(And no, I don’t consider fellow collectors to be pigs; just the opportunistic, manipulative, and greedy profiteers, who contribute nothing to collecting but headaches, heartaches, and grief. They’ve spoiled Collecting, along with all the anal-retentive slabbers and grading fanatics so prolific these days. Worthless, greedy, self-serving, self-centered miscreants, and they’re turning collectors into creatures just like them. Wonderful.)
Good luck getting an honest deal on eBay. Now we’ll have to pay rip-off prices and end up spending about half the set’s cost to buy just one doll, and one that should have been included on their schedule for fairness to all.
Suffice to say that at this point I’ll be damned before I buy another series issue from them, or even another Pullip. HOW can people ENJOY this shit? It’s not fun at all! “Oh yes, PLEASE pull the rug out from under me unexpectedly just one more time; I do love it so!” *rolls eyes*
Anyway, to lighten things up, here’s a new photoshoot of the Rozens I do have welcoming Soony to her (and their) home. But whenever I look at them now I see an incomplete set… and that was EXACTLY what I was trying to avoid.�DAMMIT!!! I want Kirakishouuuu…
So, resigned to our incompleteness and the folly of having had trusted a collectibles company with no conscience, scruples, or ethics, I’ve simply stroked their little heads, brushed back their hair, and smoothed their pretty clothes; soon I do feel slightly better. They’ve got that power. But (most of) you know that already… unless you’ve bonded with dolls, you can’t possibly know. Which is why I advised those who don’t to skip this post LOL
/rant off, Jesus H. Christ…
(Largely edited due to reconsideration, but the facts remain the same. Eat it, JP. Unless you wisely and rightly make another�release of Kirakishou. I’m not done with this yet…)
Well, it’s been an interesting past several days. I actually got the website and Blog preparations all done, did an interview with AP regarding Dolls And Stuff, took the huge step of putting the Blog and Site (or, as I like to call them, the B&S) online, discovered that the Luts-Delf doll I ordered some time back was arriving early (delightful) so decided to do my belated Spring Cleaning (not so delightful) for the photoshoot to come. The cleanup was thorough (and awful).
You’d think that was enough but I’m just giving you a break. Okay then.
See, if I hadn’t got hooked on anime in May it actually would have gotten done when it was supposed to. But NOooo… Anyway, long story short: I’m still sore as all fuck. Every muscle is cursing me in little tiny (but pissed) voices. But the cleaning’s done, so screw them. Let’s just say that everything is now photoshoot-ready, but I’m much too achy to take any more pics, let alone walk around upright.
Anyway! The doll arrived today (or was it yesterday now? Damn!) and is adorable:
Well, that seems to have worked and nothing crashed and Teh Web is still tangled. Swunnerful :-)
I’d intended to do a proper photoshoot but my batteries died right after the above shot, and the spares were also deceased. So they’re all recharging now, and tomorrow maybe I can do an actual “official” Soony shoot.
If interested in the traditional unboxing pics they’re in Lily’s Picture Books, the unbound.org Coppermine Album. Since I made it hard to find (not that there’s anything raunchy to go in them; it’s for bandwidth considerations) here’s the link: http://www.unbound.org/coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=5
Alright! I have some thoughts on the recent Lars and the Real Girl movie, the AP interview and article, reception of both and so on, but you know what? It’s late. Er, early. And I’ve subjected you to enough but you already knew that. S’okay, I’m going to bed or a reasonable facsimile thereof.
Man, I’m really hoping for a bed.
on the water
"When early youth had passed, he left his cold fireside and alienated home to seek strange truths in undiscovered lands. Many a wide waste and tangled wilderness has lured his fearless steps; and he has bought with his sweet voice and eyes, from savage men, his rest and food." (from 'Alastor, or, The Spirit of Solitude', by Percy Bysshe Shelley,1815)
For info on our novel UNBOUND, please see our website in the Blogroll!
I think you’ll find it much more than we first let on, and hope...![[large][AnimePaper]scans_Haibane-Renmei_Babago_56325](http://unbound.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/largeAnimePaperscans_Haibane-Renmei_Babago_56325.jpg)
 Only Soony (my Luts-Delf BJD) escapes Pennie’s curiosity, sitting high above the computer, serenely gazing down at everything beneath her. Like me. But Pennie knows who she is, by name. She’ll look right at her when I say it; Lily-Doll too. So funny! Wish I knew what she was thinking…
This is why I HATE collecting anything anymore. Greed and manipulation proliferate, ugh. Bitter much? Nah.
