Riso Shaomei (Xiao-Mei?) is a character in a recent PSP game released by Sega called Shining Hearts. Characters were designed by Tony Taka. While browsing WonFes news, she easily caught my eyes because her pink-white colour theme and nekomimi ^^.

Atelier Totori is a sequal of Atelier Rorona, a PS3 game that was released last year by NIS America. She is totally adorable and look at how much details on this nendoroid especially on her clothing and staff.

Riela is one of protagonist in Valkyria Chronicles 3, a PSP game which just recently released. Does anyone play this game ? Her lance and shield definitely caught my eyes when I browsed through Wonder Festival Winter 2011 news from various blogs. You don't need to be a nendoroid fan in order to love nendoroid as they all are cute and adorable.

Elcea (Elsa) is our main heroine in The World God Only Knows. I think this figure truly represents how Elsa is portrayed with her trademark position. She has potentials but still needs to wait to see how the colouring goes, although, it's from GSC ,thus, no reason to doube it's quality.

I am looking forward to see the final version of Caster from Fate/Extra. I never own any figures by Phat! Company so I can't really comment on its quality. Does anyone know how good/bad Phat! Company is ?.

In this wish list, there is one figure that I would buy for sure and it's Saber Summer Ver. by Alter. Saber looks great in her summer clothing. Is it just me or not but does it look more like a pajama or lingerie ?

If Saber looks good in white, Tohsaka looks just as lovely in red. She is another must buy figure ^^.

Takamachi Vivio grabs my attention instantly even though she is unpainted. Since I enjoy Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha Vivid manga, she is a good candidate to be in my figure collection but want to see the painted version before deciding and also the price.

If my budget allows me, I would really love to get this figure, Blanc Neige Swimsuit Ver. from Shining Wind series. Even Kotobukiya's quality is sometimes questionable, I would still love to purchase her if her paint quality is acceptable.

Rorolina Frixel or known as Rorona in Atelier Rorona game on PS3. Too bad there is no picture of her . I do hope MegaHouse delivers my expectation.

Another Blanc Neige figure by Orchid Seed. Even though it piqued my interest, I have to see the painted version before deciding to buy it. In addition since I never own any figure by Orchid Seed, I am little bit worried about the quality.

Source: Nitohei Twitpic, AkibaHobby, Hobby Stock’s Blog, Moeyo via Wcloudx(kumo)’s blog.

Skoop On Somebody’s music combine R&B with African-American Gospel music which makes them quite popular back in Japan.

In Dare ka ga Kimi wo Omotteru, the Gospel part is really noticeable from 2:30 to 2:40.

Further information about this concert can be found below

Date: Saturday March 12, 2011
Time: 7:00pm
Tickets: JCCC members $30.97, Non-members $35.40 (plus tax)

Tickets are now on sale at the JCCC Reception Desk.
Tickets are non-refundable, no exceptions.

The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre
6 Garamond Court Toronto ON M3C 1Z5
Tel: (416) 441-2345

Note that there will be another artist, Akiko Yano, performing with Skoop On Somebody so the above ticket price includes for both musicians/artists.

If anyone is planning on going, let me know and we can meet up there ^^.

Distant World - music from Final Fantasy

I didn’t bring my SLR with me and opted out to bring my Canon 860 IS point and shoot camera so pictures are not so good. In addition, I wanted to enjoy the music instead of being busy with taking pictures. Nobuo Uematsu attended the concert and sat with the audience on the front row

Nobue Uematsu-san passed by in front of me. Nice bandana ^^.

When the concert started, everyone was just dead silence and no one talked, not even to their friends who sat beside which was really nice. Arnie knew how to get audience’s excitement pumped out and he started the concert with Liberi Fatali from Final Fantasy VIII and To Zanarkand from Final Fantasy X. A nice way to start this awesome evening.

Battle scene from Final Fantasy VIII

After Liberi Fatali and To Zanarkand, it was followed by “Don’t Be Afraid”, battle theme song in Final Fantasy VIII.

Remember this scene from Final Fantasy VII ? feeling nostalgic aren't we ? makes me want to play Final Fantasy VII again

The next song was probably what everyone had been waiting for and everyone’s top favourite; it’s not other than Aerith’s theme song.

From Final Fantasy VII, Arnie brought us to the past with Final Fantasy I – III medley. The first minute of this medley is the soundtrack that we usually hear on start up screen on every Final Fantasy games.

Eagerly waiting for when “Dear Friends” would be played and Arnie seemed to be able to read my mind. The next song would be played is “Dear Friends” from Final Fantasy V. I have not had a chance to play it but just enjoy this song so much ^^

The great black mage, Vivi, made an appearance in Vamo' all Flamenco from Final Fantasy IX

For those who played Final Fantasy IX multiple times like me, next song, Vamo’ alla Flamenco, should be very familiar.

Remember those many hours you spent on Final Fantasy VII ? this upcoming battle song was something you were probably tired listening to; it’s Jenova.

This scene was from Final Fantasy XI official trailer where all nations went to war with Orcs twenty or so years ago

Another one of my favourite songs is next on the list. It is no other than Ronfaure from Final Fantasy XI, the longest game I had ever played in my life.

I was not familiar with the next song that they played which was Clash on Big Bridge from Final Fantasy V.

“Clash on Big Bridge” ended the first half of the concert. There was 10-15 minutes in between before we continued with the second half. The second half started with “Bombing Mission” from Final Fantasy VII.

“Bombing Mission” was followed by “Fisherman’s Horizon” from Final Fantasy VIII and I remembered listening to it and I even purposefully let my PlayStation running just so I could listen to Fisherman’s Horizon over and over. Hell, I even had a saved data specifically for Fisherman’s Horizon.

This image is on the original packaging for Chains of Promathia expansion pack for Final Fantasy XI

The next one is what made the name of “Distant World” and one of the most memorable song for me. It’s Memoro de la Stono – Distant Worlds from Final Fantasy XI and it’s the theme song of Chain of Promathia (One of Final Fantasy XI expansions) ending cutscenes. Good ‘ol time stayed up late doing Chains of Promathia missions.

Scenes from Final Fantasy XIII where Snow and Sarah went for a ride in the sky during fireworks

Arnie really knew how to please the audience as he played the next piece from Final Fantasy XIII, the Promise which is a main theme song for FFXIII.

Scenes from where Lighting beats up all the bad guys in the transport vehicle (first scene after you started the game)

Right after “The Promise” from Final Fantasy XIII, Arnie played another familiar piece from Final Fantasy XIII and it’s “Blinded by Light”, Final Fantasy XIII Battle Theme.

This scene from Final Fantasy XIV where you just arrived at Limsa Lominsa (assuming you choose Limsa Lominsa as your starting city) and of course, it's a great scene to accompany Navigator's Glory which is Limsa Lominsa OST.

Moving on after Final Fantasy XIII, it’s Final Fantasy XIV’s turn. Despite the lack of success as an MMORPG due to various items, the music is still friggin awesome. I was lucky enough to hear Navigator’s Glory, OST from city of Limsa Lominsa (one of starting main cities).

The next piece , I was really unfamiliar with and not really sure what stage of the game that this OST plays. It is Primal Judgement, another Final Fantasy XIV piece.

Remember this cute scene with the little chocobo that's always on Sazh's head ?

What would a Final Fantasy concert be without “Swing de Chocobo” song? I felt nostalgic listening to this ost as it reminded all the mini game of chocobo digging that I did through out all Final Fantasy series that I played.

Another everyone’s favourite song came in next and it’s no other than Maria and Draco from Final Fantasy VI. Not my personal favourite but it’s still great regardless.

The concert was coming to an end at this point and as a closing piece, Arnie played “Terra’s Theme” from Final Fantasy VI.

Do I even need to explain where this scene is coming from ?

You thought it was done but no, one special piece as Nobuo Uematsu joined and sang with the choir “One Winged Angel” from Final Fantasy VII.

Audio Clips

I managed to record the whole concert on my iphone but the quality is not so great. Regardless, I would love to share them with some of my readers who wanted to go but couldn’t make it due to various reasons. I hope you guys enjoy these clips. (Click on ‘Play’ icon to play each song)

Final Fantasy VIII – Liberi Fatali

Final Fantasy X – To Zanarkand

Final Fantasy VIII – Don’t Be Afraid

Final Fantasy VII – Aerith’s Theme

Final Fantasy I, II and III – Medley

Final Fantasy V – Dear Friends

Final Fantasy IX – Vamo’ alla Flamenco

Final Fantasy VII – Jenova

Final Fantasy XI – Ronfaure

Final Fantasy V – Clash on Big Bridge

Final Fantasy VII – Bombing Mission

Final Fantasy VIII – Fisherman’s Horizon

Final Fantasy XI – Memoro de la Stono – Distant Worlds

Final Fantasy XIII – The Promise

Final Fantasy XIII – Blinded by Light

Final Fantasy XIV – Navigator’s Glory

Final Fantasy XIV – Primal Judgement

Final Fantasy – Swing de Chocobo

Final Fantasy VI – Maria and Draco

Final Fantasy VI – Terra’s Theme

Final Fantasy VII – One Winged Angel

Thoughts

It was truly an amazing experience to be in this concert and money well spent in my opinion. I paid $120 something for my seat since I was waiting for my friend’s confirmation so I couldn’t get a cheaper seat, however, considering the experience, I would have paid $200 if I need to ^^;;. For me ,it’s truly more than worth it (as I probably said so many times already on twitter, facebook). In addition to gameplay and storyline, I believe music is what made Final Fantasy into what it is today and cannot really separate music/OST from Final Fantasy brand.

More pictures from the concert below

It was the first cosplay photoshoot event that I have ever attended and certainly it won’t be the last. It looks like there will be another similar event on December called Toronto Cosplay Skating. Check out this original thread on cosplay.com and facebook event.

Larger version of each photo is available on my flickr account.

We all wonders what kind of figures/nendos/figma will be released in the near future. So far we can all agree that we may need to file for bankruptcy before the end of this year ^^;. Ok, maybe not all but I know I am going to. Without further ado, here is my wish list from WonFes Summer 2010.

Hitagi from Bakamenogatari

Lovely pose from Hitagi. Her trademark staple makes her even more adorable and her pose was taken from the covert art of DVD volume 1. She is not yet painted so I will have to see if she will be worth buying, although, she is looking good so far.

Fate Testarossa in casual version

Alter does know their customer really well with this Fate Testarossa casual version not along after Fate Testarossa ~Phantom Minds~ is available for pre-order. Is this a way for milking $$$ from Nanoha the movies ? It sure does work on me.

Nodotchi (のどっち) and Koromo from Saki

I enjoy the series so that is why these figures are in my wish list. I may pass on Koromo but Nodotchi looks great and promising. Looks like there are quite  few details on her clothing. Not to mention her wings and scarf makes her more appealing.

Phantom Xecty from Shining Wind

Now this looks very interesting since she looks top-less and her ‘top’ part is sculptured with great details ^^ . Since this is Kotobukiya, I have to look at painting quality before deciding to get her since it’s most likely 50-50 chance.

Alicia Melchiott from Valkyria Chronicles

Now, this one is a pure win. I’ve been longing for Alicia figure from any of well-known manufacturers since I played the game and watched the anime many months ago. The anime version is not as good as game and the game received several recognition as the best strategy game. This is definitely in my buy list and I will take my chances with Kotobukiya.

Mina Tepes from Dance in the Vampire Bund

For those who have watched anime, I am sure you remember her seductive pose at the end of anime ending. DFC and loli fans must be really excited to acquire her as their collection. Her pose is the most appealing point for me and which is why she is in my wish list ^^.

Yuri and Tenshi from Angel Beats

This is a tough decision. I have to choose between Yuri and Tenshi when the time comes. Tenshi’s pose is more appealing to me ^^.

Nemu Asakura from Da Capo

As a fan of Da Capo series, this nendoroid of Nemu Asakura is too good to pass it up. It includes the white cat (I think?) that always appears in Da Capo series. I couldn’t recall what its name >.<. I rarely buy nendoroids since I am not into those but I do make exceptions in case of my favourite series.

Nanoha Takamachi

And of course more Nanoha from the first movie as if we don’t have enough figures from Nanoha series already. She is only 1/12 scale but she takes a lot of space with her magic circle and divine buster pose.

Fate Testarossa

Since Nanoha and Fate go hand in hand, releasing only Nanoha sounds little bit weird so here goes another Fate. Majority of people probably will go with Fate but personally, I would choose Nanoha because her divine buster pose.

Rin from Fate/Stay Night series

Didn’t expect to see more figures from Rin especially in Unlimited Blade Works. Her hair is just great. Must be really hard trying to sculpt her hair.

Hatsune Miku Tony's Illustration version.

Her pose is taken from Tony Taka’s illustration in form of desktop wallpaper. You can get it from here. Her stunning pose is probably the highest appeal point in this figure. I am not a fan of Hatsune Miku per say but I do enjoy Tony Taka’s work so depending on the price, I most likely will be getting her.

Dark Sakura from Fate/Stay Night series

Best dark Sakura that I have ever seen and look at her clothing. There are a lot of details and pattern on her clothing. This is a must buy for me.

Mina Tepes ~Awakened Version~

Earlier, you have seen Mina tepes in her loli form and for those who are not a loli fan, you can rest assured that there will be awakened ver. of Mina. Her pose looks promising so far and I cannot to take a look at her painted.

Dizzy from Guilty Gears

Now ,  this is something that you don’t see everyday. A figure from Guilty Gears game and they chose the best character in Guilty Gear. I can only imagine the amount of details/efforts in the making of this figure since technically it’s a 3-person figure:  Devil/Necro, Dizzy and Angel.

Images via Hobby Search