When Shiranui Mai was announced to be in Queen’s Gate, it was obvious that she was in there as part of a sales strategy. However her illustrations were very well done for her character book, and in the 2P costume version, she was wearing a blue outfit instead of red. When Volks announced that they would release this limited 2P costume version of her Queen’s Gate character, I decided to go out on a limb, and got myself one.

In this episode we finally learn the truth behind the Founding Queen, Je, and the tragedy that the Aowrow referred to. It took such a long time for us (and Erin; 8 years for her since she began learning about animals) before we were exposed to the reason why it was considered a “crime” to “control beasts”. Then again, the pacing has been really nice and slow, and there is still a lot of episodes left to develop the story, especially now that the viewer is armed with the background knowledge.

It may say, “Volks”, but actually since only one figure really interested me, I suppose it is not right to say “Volks”. This is the last of the figures and manufacturers that made any kind of impression on me. Coupled with my possible purchase of a Volks’ Dollfie Dream it seems quite likely that I am not going to order any more figures (including this one) for the entire year…if ever again. My passion is just not in it anymore. Maybe figures of my 2D harem, but no further.

And once again we reach the end of a previous year, and the start of the next…only this time, it is the Lunar New Year that we talk about. So happy Lunar New Year to all those who celebrate it, and welcome to the year of the Tiger. It just so happens that the first day of the Lunar New Year falls on the same date as Valentine’s Day, so I am combining greetings for both days into one post, with our favorite tsundere (and probably female of the year for most) in 2009, Senjougahara Hitagi. The illustration above is by Aoinagi and can be found on Gelbooru, thanks to lightningsabre for the heads-up. I have no idea where the illustration of her below comes from.

In this next look at Wonfes I will like to point to Kotobukiya, a figure manufacturer which many probably know by now that I am no longer bothering with, and Orchid Seed, that ecchi-based figure company that seems to consistently pump out more than it can actually produce. There are times when the best laid plans of mice and men fall short, and these two companies have demonstrated that amply in the realm of figure production.