Dollfie Dream Ranka and Sheryl announced!

You guys think it's really gonna be a year wait? I think my Sabers were... 8 months...? It's been a while so I don't remember. But I totally missed what happened with Miku, I hear that was an over a year wait?!

 

The Sabers caused sooo many quality control and production issues that the next one, the Xenosaga project, just straight out gave a year's estimate. Things went better with that, it didn't cause major problems like a lack of bodies, so that's what they're doing every year now. Though Miku is definitely running late and has passed her year mark now.

Can someone tell me if Sheryls earring is permanently attached to the ear or is it removable?

 

 

Well, with Shining Blade, Sakuya, the owner themselves had to make the holes in the ears to get the earrings in. So, I'm assuming the same will be with Sheryl.

Yes, and the earring (one only) is listed as a separate line item in the list of stuff she comes with.

 

It also says Misaki Serika sculpted both of them, I didn't expect that.

 

Thank you very much!

I totally agree with you Misheru! They could have been snarky and put the alt wigs with the alt outfits, but surprisingly they didn't! I am just beside myself with happiness.

 

~Sister Kyoya

The Sabers caused sooo many quality control and production issues that the next one, the Xenosaga project, just straight out gave a year's estimate. Things went better with that, it didn't cause major problems like a lack of bodies, so that's what they're doing every year now. Though Miku is definitely running late and has passed her year mark now.

Wow, really? Well that isn't too surprising I suppose, with all the stuff that went with Saber Extra. (And in retrospect, that's probably why mine's dress popped a good few stitches and lost some fasteners just putting it on and off a few times...) That's probably why Sasara's rerelease isn't her valkyrie outfit and instead a safer version of her infamous monster of a default outfit. And wow, the Miku one is still ongoing?! Thanks for bringing me up to speed a bit!

I am excited that they come with both wigs! I don't need them but I want them. It is also nice that it isn't an extra purchase.

 

I will check card to see about foreign fees. It has so many stupid fees for carp I wouldn't be surprised though. I may have to bite the bullet and cough up stupid paypal fees.

Does anyone know if it has been clarified if it is a Japan only preorder? Or can those from the US still order them through International? I know there was mention of a possible restricted licence before, and the lack of an English page has me a bit worried.

 

~Sister Kyoya

Oh please no!!!

Ahhh... Ranka is so pretty!!

 

I sure hope it won't be Japan only... I'll be buying her via proxy if so, but it'd be nice to get her for a little less.

I think everyone better prepare for a Japan-only release.

 

As previously mentioned, there's no English on the special pre-order website.

 

The Volks.jp English page has no mention of Macross, but the Japanese page has it displayed prominently. The Volks.jp English calendar mentions the November outfit collection on 11/22, the Miku delivery ("Around Fall"), and Dolpa 32 (12/14). There's no mention of the pre-order opening in late November.

 

VolksUSA hasn't mentioned Macross, either on their website or on their Facebook. Their FB does link to "Volks Website Store:(For Oversea Customer)" for the November collection. Even if they weren't offering pre-orders through VolksUSA, in theory their FB might mention the International orders.

 

...hopefully Volks won't limit the number of dolls per buyer, so that proxy buyers aren't limited to 2 or so dolls each. Then even proxy buyers might sell out quickly.

They might just be a bit slow translating at the moment, since they have a lot going on with the rereleases. Volks USA's page doesn't mention the re-releases yet, either. I'm not going to be worried until they give an explicit statement or if there's still no international page when orders open. I'm not that sure that the licensing will be that big of an issue. Figure sites based in Japan have no issues selling Macross merchandise to foreigners.

 

From what I've read hereI think the American license holder only goes after people/companies who import many items for resale in their own region, but they technically don't own the rights to Macross F. Their licensing rights were settled in Japan (they only get original Macross, the company that sold them the rights didn't have the rights to sell them other IPs in the series), but no one bothered to sue them in America to clear things up. I think that Volks, as a Japanese company in Japan, would have no problems because the Japanese courts recognize that Harmony Gold doesn't have a say where Macross F is concerned. Volks USA might have had an issue if they were offering the dolls.

 

A lot of Touhou merch is Japan-only because ZUN doesn't really like selling to foreigners. He has softened his stance recently, but there are still plenty of exclusives.

 

Edit: English versions of the Volks DD site include the Touhou girls in the lists of collaboration models, so those aren't good indicators of regional availability.

I think everyone better prepare for a Japan-only release.

 

As previously mentioned, there's no English on the special pre-order website.

 

The Volks.jp English page has no mention of Macross, but the Japanese page has it displayed prominently. The Volks.jp English calendar mentions the November outfit collection on 11/22, the Miku delivery ("Around Fall"), and Dolpa 32 (12/14). There's no mention of the pre-order opening in late November.

 

VolksUSA hasn't mentioned Macross, either on their website or on their Facebook. Their FB does link to "Volks Website Store:(For Oversea Customer)" for the November collection. Even if they weren't offering pre-orders through VolksUSA, in theory their FB might mention the International orders.

 

...hopefully Volks won't limit the number of dolls per buyer, so that proxy buyers aren't limited to 2 or so dolls each. Then even proxy buyers might sell out quickly.

 

With the information out there, I'm going to assume that they're going to be Japan exclusive releases. I'm guessing that Volks is erring on the side of caution, as licensing for the Macross property is pretty strange outside of Japan. Even if you look at Macross merchandise on Japanese retailer sites (like AmiAmi), there is a disclaimer that says "can't be shipped outside of Japan," even though they'll ship it anyway...

 

What I'm not clear on is if there is going to be online preorder for them for people in Japan, or if it's some sort of in-store exclusive.

What I'm not clear on is if there is going to be online preorder for them for people in Japan, or if it's some sort of in-store exclusive.

 

It looks like pre-orders will be taken via web, phone, and in-person in Japan. They mention that in-person orders get a free bonus poster, but web & phone orders don't get the poster.

Will a proxy charge you for the full cost of the doll up front?

What I'm not clear on is if there is going to be online preorder for them for people in Japan, or if it's some sort of in-store exclusive.

 

It looks like pre-orders will be taken via web, phone, and in-person in Japan. They mention that in-person orders get a free bonus poster, but web & phone orders don't get the poster.

 

Aww... poster would be nice! XD

 

I've been preparing for this and asking my friends in Japan to help me secure them.

No, please not a japanese release only... There finally appears a DD girl I want to preorder without hunting or lottery stress and than it becomes japan only? On the other hand Volks International also had the Thouhou girls in the lottery...

 

Had there been a limited girl which has not been in the international lottery up until now due to licensing issues?

No, please not a japanese release only... There finally appears a DD girl I want to preorder without hunting or lottery stress and than it becomes japan only? On the other hand Volks International also had the Thouhou girls in the lottery...

 

Had there been a limited girl which has not been in the international lottery up until now due to licensing issues?

 

The original Touhou girls (Reimu and Marisa) were Japan exclusives. I believe they worked out the licensing issues when the later girls were put out.

No, please not a japanese release only... There finally appears a DD girl I want to preorder without hunting or lottery stress and than it becomes japan only? On the other hand Volks International also had the Thouhou girls in the lottery...

 

Had there been a limited girl which has not been in the international lottery up until now due to licensing issues?

 

The original Touhou girls (Reimu and Marisa) were Japan exclusives. I believe they worked out the licensing issues when the later girls were put out.

 

Hmmm, I see... I haven't been long enough in the hobby to have seen the lottery of the first touhou girls >___<

 

Guess the figure/doll god wants to break my heart again

 

I just can't understand why so many manufacturers can't announce "Japan only" right away when they show off their product... They rather see the international buyers party and than tell them the bad news.

Well, I think Cauldroness may be right, but Volks USA did mention it before,

 

 

Edit: I wonder if I shouldn't have posted this to get hopes up...

Well, I think Cauldroness may be right, but Volks USA did mention it before,

 

 

Edit: I wonder if I shouldn't have posted this to get hopes up...

 

They're also here, but not yet listed on the collaboration models page. Reimu and Marisa are, and they were Japanese exclusives. That's why I think they might be international, and Volks is just behind on their translation work at the moment.

The only reasons I mentioned this was because I was really unclear on if it was open to international buyers or not. Also Wolfheinrich on Twitter kept asking the same thing, and usually he(?) has a pretty good grasp of what's going on. Plus both Miku & the Xenosaga girls had pages in English at the release.

 

Frankly I'm feeling a bit baffled.

 

~Sister Kyoya

Well, Japan only or not I'm still getting Ranka and her yellow/orange outfit even if I have to jump through hoops to do that. >~< My need burns strong!

I'm hoping volks is just behind on translating *fingers crossed*

My biggest worry as of yet. Will I be able to buy them or will I have to go through so much just to get them. My hope is already high that I'll be able to get them, so I will be crushed if I can't get them through volks. I haven't used a proxy or a second service to help with anything before. So I'm totally in the dark about that.

 

Please, PLEASE volks allow others outside of Japan to order them. Don't crush my heart like a playboy would crush a young innocent girl's heart.

FWIW, I've used Noppin's auction & shopping services quite a bit, and it's pretty easy. You just tell them to buy something for you, and they do it The staff is friendly and helpful, and will clarify product details or talk to sellers if needed.

 

The only downside is that they charge a commission.

FWIW, I've used Noppin's auction & shopping services quite a bit, and it's pretty easy. You just tell them to buy something for you, and they do it The staff is friendly and helpful, and will clarify product details or talk to sellers if needed.

 

The only downside is that they charge a commission.

 

 

Would they allow you to do the down payment method or do you have to pay in full with them?