Greetings from Singapore!

Hi everyone!

 

This is my first time posting on this forum. Been immersing myself in the various DD related threads here and savoring those good reads. I have to say, this is one of the most informative and friendly forums I have been in. Let me give an introduction about myself, but a word of caution: it will be quite wordy!

 

About me, I'm a guy in my early 20's from Singapore. Currently employed in the military and doing my 2 years of mandatory military service with only a few more months left to go. After which I'm planning to work for a while before going on to university. Basically my hobbies are reading, watching movies / anime and most importantly, figure collecting. Started this hobby a few years back and once I started, I honestly couldn't stop! Which I suppose is similar to what DD collectors experience?

 

After a while, I started to muse around for something different and more unique. Then I discovered dolls, Dollfie Dreams to be precise. Well actually I got to know about 2 main brands which were Azone and Volks. What made Volks dolls stood out distinctively from their Azone counterparts were first and foremost their eyes. While Azone eyes were painted on, Volks gave their DDs glass eyes. On first glance, I found them sort of weird and creepy and therefore sort of mentally blocked them out of my mind.

 

Time passed and while I still enjoy hunting for new figures to add to my collection, and fortifying my display cabinet, I started to long for something more exquisite and detailed, something more fulfilling, something on the personal level. Then, I looked back to those very dolls which I somehow never gave a chance before. The more I looked at pictures and models of them in online shops, the more fascinated and captivated I was with them. Soon, I was feverishly doing research and reading up all I could about owning a DD. Which was how I came across this forum.

 

Subconsciously I think I had been drifting towards the 'doll side' of things. The reason being that a particular range of figures which I love and is my favorite is the 'Real Action Heroes' line or RAH for short. These RAHs are essentially plus sized figmas with the full articulation of a figma, the great detail of a scaled figure and fabric costumes which are similar to those worn by DDs. I currently own 5 of those RAHs with another 1 in pre order, but I think owning a DD is going to be a MUCH different experience.

 

I'm enjoying this feeling of discovery all over again. It's like the same feeling I got when I first discovered myfigurecollection (MFC). That feeling of awe and amazement as I stared at all those pictures, read up on all those figure reviews, and then marking out those figures I wanted on my wish list and gradually buying them up one by one. It was indeed joyous and a sense of accomplishment, which I believe DD owners also feel, each time you welcome a dear new 'daughter' to the family!

 

I recently purchased my first doll, an Azone Fate Testarossa 1/6 Pureneemo doll. That pixie like face of her doll is just so adorable and cute! I'm a massive fan of the Nanoha series, and an even bigger fan of Fate-chan herself, so it wasn't a surprise for me that I chose her to be my first. Well yes, I know she's not a DD and not even a Volks doll, but I always admired Azone's doll designs, and since I'm pretty much an amateur here I decided to go with a smaller doll first. Fate-chan is currently still on the plane ride home, and I'm so eagerly waiting for her to arrive!

 

Well, with regards to DDs I'm currently eyeing a few in particular. They are of course, the Nanoha and Fate DDs from the Nanoha StrikerS series. They look simply awesome! I think it would be really cute if they had the loli Nanoha/Fate from the original series/A's as MDDs! Also really interested in the KOS-MOS DD from Xenosaga (freaking epic game). She looks so bad ass in those shots dual wielding those massive hand vulcans!

 

Last but not least, I really like the Macross Frontier DD models, especially the Sheryl one but since it's not longer available for pre order I'll think about it again when it arrives. Going to have to do lots of budgeting and cut back on figure spending if I'm to save up for these wonderful girls, but I believe if I set my mind to it, hopefully I can achieve it soon. Like a quote I read before, it is not going to be easy but I believe it is going to worth it.

 

So there, I shall be lingering around these forums from now to read and learn as much as I can. Apologies for the long post, and thank you if you took time to read it. Once again, it's great to be here and nice to know all of you!

 

Best regards,

Steve

Hi Steve, nice to meet you! ^^

Thanks for sharing your story with us! I think I'm feeling the same as you right now in a way! I started out collecting figures as well and being on MFC. I have a pureneemo doll too and they are super cute! I hope you enjoy the doll hobby as much as the figure hobby!

Hello, welcome to the forum!!!!!!

A very late welcome to the forum to you! Your progress into the world of DD seems to mirror many of the experiences members here have. I also started with anime, then figures, and finally into the DD realm; so you're among similarly minded folks here. ...and I had to say "Hi!" to another guy at the very least!

Volks Dollpoint is on the 8th floor of the reopened Radio Kaikan in Akiba.

Azone is on the 7th or 6th floor of the same building.

 

Makes it easier to compare the dolls from both manufacturers and honestly, I think volks wins hands down.

 

1) Painted eyes kinda look meh at 1/3 scale if you ask me.

2) Some of the Azone clothes look a tad... for the lack of a better word, threadbare.

 

But Azone does seem to get more anime licenses (sigh at madoka and IStratos ) - pretty much like Medicom RAHs (which btw I collect as well too lol)... so you'll be right at home if I call it the hot toys v RAH dilemma!

Some elements of your story are very familiar to me.

 

Like you, I just wanted something more unique. I had tons of PVC figures, and traditional robot toys. I had also dipped my toes into Figmas. But they had somehow grown less shiny over time.

 

There was a poster on another messageboard who would post pics of his Yukino, and something about the doll stuck in my mind. Then I signed up for MyFigureCollection and started seeing more and more beautiful images of DDs.

 

Like you, an RAH was my gateway drug. Specifically, Saber Lily was the tipping point. At first I wasn't going to get her. Why did I need a posable doll? Then I saw an image someone had made of the RAH Saber Lily using Marilyn Monroe's famous promo shot from the Seven Year Itch as partial inspiration. As soon as I saw that, I had to have that figure.

 

I've been very happy with my Saber Lily RAH. Once I played around with the posability, I felt I had really been missing out. I liked being able to have her in armor or her dressy mode. That was when I realized I needed to get a Dollfie Dream.

 

I had toyed with getting a DD before, but lack of availability of standard models and the expense of limiteds had kept me away. But Saber illustrated to me that I'd really enjoy a DD. So, a few months later, I finally decided I never wanted to have any free money again and bought one.

 

Like you, I was interested in the Macross limiteds, but I waited too long.