DD stuff at WonderFest!

Hey everyone, I'm going to Japan again in February and will be lucky enough to make it to to the Wonder Festival (AKA Wonderfest, AKA Wonfest - Japan's biggest dedicated figure/hobby expo) on February 7th. I had previously been wanting to go just for the experience - since I mostly know it as a showcase of what figure companies will be releasing throughout the year it didnt strike me as a place I would spend much money. Until now I thought that the stuff sold at wonfest was just wonfest exclusive stuff that can be bought from Good Smile's online store at a later date anyway (and, imo, is not worth the ridiculous queuing times considering this fact) or doujin-produced garage kits that I'm not that interested in anyway.

 

Then I found out that Wonfest apparently has an entire section for doujin doll goods as well and then I realized my wallet is screwed.

 

Looking at past photos it's very interesting - independent creators selling their own doll clothes, eyes, custom heads, wigs, props, body parts and more! For all kinds of doll sizes too, not just DD. As someone who has yet to own a DD and is trying their hardest to wait until Kagamine Rin comes out to be my first one, it's now hitting me how difficult it's gonna be to resist custom heads.

 

I'm just wondering if anyone else here has been to Wonfest and has experience with the doll stuff, and how it compares to the dedicated doll events like Doll Show, I-Doll etc. (Doll Show is a few weeks before I'm there...regrettably I cant afford to stay in Japan that long this time. Current AUD/Yen exchange isnt ideal :c)

 

Also I'll probably post photos in this thread once I've been there, if photos are allowed of the booths and if I get a decent haul.

Ooh, have fun! It sounds exciting. I'm sure we would love to see an after-report on what DD stuff was available there.

 

Linda S.

galatia9

do you bring your dd...?

The doll-chan area at WonderFest is going to be smaller with fewer dealers than i-Doll, Dolpa, and similar. They're clustered in one section of one of the doujin goods halls. Cherry Milk or Ginger Tea usually goes, so there will be some licensed anime outfits. Prop dealers and head dealers are available. It's worth going to their booths to shop if you're at WonFes anyway, but not worth going to WonFes only for doll things and nothing else. (IMO anyway).

 

i-Doll had the best variety of props out of the cons, and items for different kinds of dolls. I got a lot of small nicknacks here that were useful. Ginger Tea does not bring licensed anime goods to this one, just their own personal designs; know what to expect.

 

Volks Dolpa had the highest end and most expensive doujin stuff; it's where Ronronshuka, Ginger Tea, White Rose Garden, and other famous artists go. Volks SD and DD only though. Probably the largest dealer area out of the various conventions. I bought less stuff here due to expense, but it was pretty to look at.

Thanks for the info!

Like I said I was going for Wonfest for the experience, not for the goal of getting doll stuff - it just turned out to be a nice surprise to know it would be there as I made the decision to go before knowing about the doll stuff. Good to know there will be heads (less good for my wallet...)

 

I did really want to be able to go to one of the dedicated doll events, but unfortunately the dates don't line up. I do plan to in the future.

wanna meet in wonfes...?

 

Untitled by R.Rama Adhypoetra, on Flickr

I can't say for sure as it's hard to plan any meetup without having a working phone there and my friend and I do have a tight schedule but I'm glad to see that more people are going to be going! It would be cool if the chance presents itself.

 

I dont suppose you know what doll dealers are going to be there? My friend already in Japan has the guide books so I havent been able to look at the circle guide yet.