ThreeA AK SXCLB Ankou Ex & Shadow

SXCLB!!! Yes! I finally managed to score this set at... wait for it... retail price!!! I'm so happy to see it being put up for sale on Bambaland couple of days after New Year as part of 3A's stock clearance I suppose... This set was definitely worth it. I didn't buy it when it was first put up for sale because only a sketch was shown, as explained here. I'm glad I sold away Shadey H, the black version of the original SXCLB bouncer that was released during RVHK. Personally, I thought that the original looks nicer with the pink and white contrast, and of course, the classic clamp hands.

SXCLB Shadow is definitely a plus. The black leather dress fits snugly on the figure, with only a single white stitching that runs across its middle front to add some accents to the design. The dildo accessory, probably the 1st of its kind in 1/6th scale, does nothing for me really. I would just keep it in the box.

The bouncer Ankou Ex figure, however, really is the star of the pack. I like its size and proportions and the design of the suit, and particularly, how the whole figure is kept clean without any weathering, unlike the rest of the Ankou Ex figures. The clamps on mine came particularly tight, so I used a hair dryer to heat the joint up before loosening it. I haven't tried to move the clamp again after it is cooled, but I managed to open it up slightly, which is how I pose it. The rest of the figure is also articulated, but the suit does restrict its movement quite alot. It isn't really an issue for me, seeing how this is a chunky figure and does not need to pose much apart from just standing there beside Shadow to give her some security as the club bouncer.

I'm going to keep the bouncer figure all zipped up as well, especially when my daughter learns how to read (which is a loooooooong way to go), so that I can save myself some explanation to her, if she asks, and to my wife... I can only imagine my innocent little princess go "Daddy, what is a cum catcher?" and my wife putting on her disapproving frown. I've always thought that the jacket design of the bouncer figure was inspired by... the male genitalia... because of the way the jacket wraps around the head like foreskin. URGH!!! I feel like I need a mouth wash for saying that... or typing that... but... still... it really is how I see this figure...

I'm happy to score him at retail price, I really am... and I'm glad to be able to do it as an informed decision, rather than to throw cash blindly at something as vague as a sketch...

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ThreeA Adventure Kartel Flakey Frost

Flakey Frost is probably going to be the last of the Penumbra-clone figures that I'm gonna get (already have 4). She is part of the Hard Nipple War set, which is an event exclusive for BBICN at their Guangzhou show in 2012. Well, I'm definitely not going to the event and so I was kinda bummed out for it being an events exclusive.

Nevertheless, I was glad that BBICN decided to do some retail pieces for sale through 3A retailers worldwide. I was even happier when I found out that Fallen Regime decided to split the Hard Nipple War set so people get a choice to buy the figure individually. I have no love for the other figures in the set (Cold Dick and Snow Paw? Just a Deep Powder themed Shit Weather Shadow and Bleak) so I bit on the offer. It's probably true that the retailer made more profit that way, but I just don't see the point in buying the set just for one figure. I really appreciated the fact that Fallen Regime put in the extra effor to split the set, because a retailer in Singapore bundled all the events exclusive (including the TK and TQ) up and made people order by the bulk. Honestly, it probably was a good deal, but man, you had to be so damn cash rich to get that bundle, and you've also got to keep the shitty figures that you don't really want.

Ok. End rant and go straight to the figure.

Flakey Frost really is the grey, weathered version of Penumbra, since they sport the same get up only with different base colours. Even the t-shirt print is a circular patch for both figures. The only difference is that Flakey sports the shoes that were originally on the Yesterday Princesses, and with stockings that go all the way up to her thigh. There's also more weathering done to the figure in the form of snow that has fallen on the jacket shoulders and on her hair. The base figure is also "dirty" with very mild weathering. All in all, I find that the cold theme suits this figure quite well, and the weathering is well executed. She really does look like she was involved in a war during winter.

Really like the figure. Again, thanks to anubis2night for the deal.

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ThreeA Adventure Kartel Tracky Bleak

When Shit Weather Bleak was put up on Bambaland for sale, I was one happy guy, thinking to myself: Hey, a figure that I don't give a crap of and can finally sit out a drop and save some money. I'm sure I'm not the only one who thought that the figure was mediocre, mostly because of the crappy headsculpt, though I must admit the hooded jacket looks good. Half way through the drop though, Tracky Bleak was dropped as a surprise... though he wasn't that hard to get cause I managed to score him, and any surprise that I manage to score must be easy because I don't really put in that much effort F5-ing...


The reason I got him was for a custom, cause a simple headswap would be suffice in rectifying the major defect of the figure: the ugly headsculpt. For me, I got a Zombot head from the original Sanakhte Bodyguard from the Cherry Shadow 2-pack for this purpose, and I must say I really like the outcome.

Apart from the head, the rest of the Tracky Bleak figure is really top notch. The joints are all good, and weathering is done just about right. Top it all with a OG Zombot head that is so perfectly weathered, woah... a new figure is born. Really, when I first received the Zombot head I was very, very impressed by the size of it, and by the weathering that was done on it. I must say it isn't something that can be found on recent 3A releases, which is a real pity.

Last shot was just for fun. The Soot Diver head doesn't really fit in to the joint, though I'm sure some customizer out there can find a simple solution to that. Anyway, this is how it will look like if there was a Tracky Soot Diver figure made.

Tracky Bleak served its purpose as a custom fodder for me... or rather, a bash fodder, if you would. I'm happy to say I got some Tracky Custards on the way too, which should be awesome placed right next to my Tracky Zombot, or any other tracky figures like the Interyos...

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ThreeA Adventure Kartel Cherry Bomb

Cherry Bomb. I'm kinda glad I got two of her because I really like this figure, even though it is the 4th of its kind that I have now in my collection, which includes Penumbra, SXCLB Shadow and Frosty Flake. Her get up is quite similar to the RVHK Yesterday Princes knees down. Cherry sports a checkered dress which reminds me of the skirts don by Yumiko / original Cherry Shadow (last photo in this post).

I like the packaging too. A.Wood sure can paint, and I'm happy that the figure also came with a poster, which is a larger print of the box art. Cherry Bomb comes equipped with a right fist, white sling bag and a red Skull Bomb, all pictured in one of the shots below...

As you can see, she is a very simple looking figure, with no weathering at all. The details on the shoes and knee high socks are nicely done, and the dress fits snugly. The bright orange hair adds just enough highlight to the entire figure so that it is not too boring.

3A female figures are getting taller and taller. Some customizers are already whipping out their saws to shorten them. Standing next to a male figure, they really are starting to tower over them, even if they don't wear heels. However, I've come to appreciate that their proportions are a unique feature of these figures (and I'm not talking about saggy boobs...!). Couldn't resist and took a couple more shots of the original Cherry Shadow, which is also a great looking figure..

 

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ThreeA Popbot Tomorrow King KDA

For attendees of Re-Venture in Hong Kong (RVHK), an exhibition of 3A products at their headquarters, the KDA isn't really something new. While it sports some new plaster on the face, and some new kicks, the OG TK head on a slim body has been used on 4 TKs that form part of the RVHK event exclusives, the Old Guard TKs (like Yoji, reviewed here). But for everyone else who didn't attend the event, or spent huge amounts of money buying them in the after market, KDA definitely is sought after.

Prices sure have soared for a basic male figure produced by 3A, such as this. In March '11, Wasabi, a figure from the 7 Bones series that sports the same headsculpt, wide shouldered body, but armed with more weaponry, was sold at only $80 shipped. A year and a half later, KDA sold for $130. The hike in cost must've gone somewhere, probably to the labour for tailoring the new shoes, and if you still think the "free" Lasstranaut t-shirt and poster weren't paid by the consumer, think again.

The story behind KDA? The TKYO's bodyguard. Well, the adventure continues with you, so use your imagination. The Yos probably treat KDA pretty bad, seeing how he is all weathered and dirty compared to the clean figures that the Yos are. Luckily, mine didn't come with too much weathering.

KDA wears a black t-shirt with a newly designed sketch of Lasstranaut. She seems to be sitting on a giant TK head, dripping... stuff, on to it. It is the exact same print that is on the "free" t-shirt that comes with the figure. Personally I won't wear such a shirt out to the public... Though it is a somewhat free country, it's just not my cup of tea. On a 12" figure though, it looks alright.

Of course, what was new about this figure is the shoes. When the figure was previewed, the shoes were sparkling clean. Somehow, someone made the decision to weather them as well, and a photograph of it on a poster for the Taiwan 3A exhibition showed the outcome. Personally I think it wasn't something to scream about. I kinda like it weathered like the rest of the figure. It would probably be odd if the shoes were the only clean parts of KDA... like as though he was OCD only with footwear.

KDA's weapon of choice is the standard issue TK Katana. Only this time the weathering is done in large blotches, which I'm not particularly a fan of. There are also red sponge prints on the blade itself, which I would also prefer if it was omitted. If it's not broken, don't try to fix it... and TK swords are pretty nice as is and don't really need such weathering executed without any refinement.

Overall, it is a decent figure. I have an issue with the pricing, which, personally I think that some increment is understandable but $130 for a basic figure without any parka is just beyond what I would say is value for money... I think it has been mentioned that the OG head will be retired after this figure (or after TKYOs)... and there shall be no more TKs "of this kind". Well, the same marketting gimmick by the same business man I suppose.

BTW, the jacket in some of these photos belong either to Rehel or Tracky Bleak.

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