Kotobukiya has been stepping up their game when it comes to plamo. Their Hoi Hoi San series has been a verifiable hit. That success has led to them creating model kits based on the Megaman franchise, with the first two releases being Rockman and Roll.

What's next in store for Kotobukiya though? For fans of Hoi Hoi-san, we'll be getting the tiny bug hunter dressing up as Saber from Fate/Stay Night. Not certainly what I'd expect, but I imagine I can hear squeals from San Diego right about now. Also announced, and definitely very surprising, Medabee from Medabots. The release is due to the new Nintendo DS game, so hopefully some more releases can be squeezed from it. This is going to be a good year from Kotobukiya.

[Photos courtesy of Tokyo Hunter]

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Gift is a relative newcomer when it comes to the PVC scene. Started in 2008, the company got my attention with their release of Saber. I was miffed when I couldn't get my hands on that, but was excited when they announced a Saber Lily version. As of today, I only had to wait just a year to see a sample, but damn was the wait worth it. I love all of the ornate details they put on her, plus I was liking the realistic take on Saber in their first piece, so this is a must get for me.

If you thought there would only be one Tamaki at WonFes, Gift is also going to release their own version. This release will come in at 1/4 scale, sure to rise up as queen and ruler over your other Tamaki figures. I'm not liking Gift's effort on this one though, as the eyes just don't strike a chord with me. Not only that but Tamaki is dangerously approaching Kanu-levels of annoying release numbers.

While it's nice to see Gift making figures again, they will be selling a motherload of plushes. All of the major Vocaloids, Black Rock Shooter, Nanoha, Touhou Project, K-On!, Disgaea, Soniko and even King Kazama are all getting the soft treatment. I was hoping for more figures, but I can't blame Gift when they make something this cute.

[Photos courtesy of Tokyo Hunter]

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Last week, Volks held their 23rd Dolls Party (Dolpa) at Tokyo Big Site showcasing some of their current and upcoming doll releases. I have already gushed about my future waifu, Alna, who made her debut at Dolpa 23. Also from After School Akihabara Girls come Moe and Nashiki sporting new dresses for eager shoppers to buy.

Another debut was Matou Sakura of Fate/hollow ataraxia who will come with her normal outfit as well as having a casual outfit for additional purchase. Unlike Alna, Sakura will also have a bikini set available to order if you're into exposed doll parts. But wait! There's more! Sakura will have a fourth set completely changing her look to something fans of the series may be quite familiar with.

Also at the event was Ushiromiya Maria from Umineko no Naku Koro ni as a Mini Dollfie Dream. Maria is all levels of adorable. Don't be surprised if you find yourself saying "dawwwwww" when you look at the promo shots of Maria with her stuffed lion.

It's interesting to see the varying quality in the faces for each doll with some being decent to some being just out-right creepy. I'm looking at you little ladies of After School Akihabara Girls! Anything catch your eye from the bunch?

[via Moeyo] 

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Back in October of last year, Good Smile posted regarding some imitation Saber Lilys that hit the market a tad early. They shared with us a number of photos to help consumers with keen eyes spot the differences right away.

Well, it seems that Good Smile has once again taken it upon themselves to inform us of how to spot another fake Saber Lily, this time featuring their Nendoroid. While some of these differences may be a bit more subtle than the ones they found last time, they're fairly easy to spot if you know what you're looking for.

Remember, you're probably safe if you're making a purchase from a major retailer, but if you're at a convention, or anywhere else for that matter, it wouldn't hurt to be in the know. Besides, why take any chances you might regret? Check out the photos below, the fake ones are marked in blue.

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Hold on a second here. This is a Figma figure!? Max Factory, do more armor-clad Figma figures! The Saber Alter Figma of Fate/stay night is amazing looking. I didn't even think "Figma" when looking at the photos of her. Saber will include a removable mask, her sword Excalibur, and two facial expressions. I don't know anything about the series but I do know dark knights are bad ass and this figure is doing a good job of it.

Preorders are available at AmiAmi and Hobby Search for under 2,500 yen. The Saber Alter Figma will ship this June. 

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It was just last week that Wave Corporation announced a new Beach Queen figure and here they are again announcing two more lovely ladies to rule over the sand and ocean. Joining Tohsaka Rin from Fate/hollow ataraxia comes the ever popular Saber and Matou Sakura. 

Sakura may try to look cute but her pose comes off as generic and the way her hand is placed against her face looks unnatural. Saber steals the show between these two. Not only does her pose feel happy and playful, and her petit body looking cute, but she has two different heads that are both irresistible. 

Hobby Search has Saber and Sakura now available for preorder with a retail price of 3,800 yen. Both figures will ship in late August.

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I have very few Figma figures. Four to be precise. So far it's been a purchase our of liking a character or design. However, I never thought I would have a lust for a Figma before. When my eyes gazed upon the upcoming Fate/Stay Night Rider figma by Max Factory at Comiket 77, I told myself that I must OWN that Figma. Now that the Figma blog has posted official photos of the figure, my desire to own her cannot be put into words.

Rider's outfit may be simple but she is simple beautiful to look at for her shape and hair. As I mentioned on Tomocast, what draws me into this figure is the shape of her body and face. I'm not sure if it is because of her outfit or the mask on her face but Rider has a more mature look to her than other Figma figures. I will say Rider fills out dress more than other Figma releases.

For those who feared about her beautiful hair being in the way, joints will be available in her bangs and in the back. Not only that, the hair will be using a new, softer material allowing for more flexibility in poses.

Reservations open tomorrow in Japan so that would mean later tonight for us. Keep your eyes open for reservations.

[UPDATE] Preorders are now open at Hobby Search for a retail price of 2,858 yen. She is already sold out at AmiAmi so you better hurry! Rider will ship in late May.

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That's right everyone! All of your hope and dreams have been answered! Figma Archer and Saber Alter are coming to a Figma store near you! Shown off at this year's WonderFest was an unpainted Figma Archer from Fate/Stay Night! Now of course he is being being released to promote the new Fate/Stay Night movie "Unlimited Blade Works" which covers the second and Archer-riffic path of the huge visual novel.

Now of course we don't know much about this Figma, but who cares? It's Archer! The one character we've been hoping for since we first saw Saber years ago! Now what we are all waiting for, other than the date of release, are his accessories (which we hope will be as awesome as Shirou's)! Personally, I want at least one of his accessories to be interchangeable with Shirou in some way. Archer with Berserker blade, anyone?

Hit the jump for a bigger picture of the prototype!

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This photo has popped up on the internet showing off a banner announcing an upcoming release from Good Smile Company. From Fate/stay night, a series that's been getting a lot of attention, comes the 1/7 scale Tousaka Rin Unlimited Blade Works Movie Ver. figure.

No other details are available but I hope the chosen pose is the same as in the banner. Also, Archer is looking bad ass in that image. How about giving him some love, Good Smile Company?

[via Figure/GK]

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It's been a crazy and expensive past 24 hours. First there were the Bayonetta and Final Fantasy XIII Play Arts Kai figures from SQUARE ENIX and then we just had the fast selling Akiyama Mio from K-On. Now we have the squishy Fate/Stay Night Nendoroid Petit set from Good Smile Company available to pre-order.

The set comes with Saber, Rin, Sakura, Ilya, and Rider and alt versions of them. Hobby Search has it listed, retailing for 5,715 yen and with a release date of June. 12 figures come to a box and there are 11 figures plus one secret to collect. Remember that there is a chance that you won't get everyone. Who here is reaching for their credit card right now?

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