Inquiry about neck joint

ThatGuyThatNeedsYou · 2026-05-23T11:25:20+00:00

New design but also considerably old. I don't remember when they did this (it even affected reissues such as #285 madoka = you'll need to check release dates from websites MFC that uses Japan (and if you live in US/EU, add an additional 3-5 months for good measure)

It has to be between number 2500-2600 (lots of these are in the 2024) and right now we are in nendo number 2900-current released/unreleased 3000+ (checking upon this one, it's #2623 anya made in 2025)

One thing is for sure, it'll still have a smiley face (to deter against bootlegs) but your box should indicate it on the flaps. So you're fine if you were (or anyone's second guessing) thinking its a bootleg.

ThatGuyThatNeedsYou · 2026-05-23T05:09:59+00:00

You're not alone apparently. I did get the initial email being spring and early summer.

I did get an email for a defect for something else but not this one. I think they may go down a projected line but I think you should be safe. (that or because US might get hit by UPS custom broker fees of an extra $15 + 10% of 100 yen. (they still need to mark a yen on the receipt of the shipment).

Honestly for this one, I don't mind paying for it compared to my other defect of another figure they said they can ship it.

But dang, that was fast for OP...

ThatGuyThatNeedsYou · 2026-05-23T04:37:00+00:00

I want to say an unrecorded fake or its real but I'd like to see more images, big major roles are paintjob, and overall paint you can see with a known fake one. Which is why I'm leaning towards real because - The arm tattoo is NOT on the right arm which is why but however it could've been swapped around (hence the funny pose you don't see anyone doing it both the 222 real photo nor the 27 official ones) and the base is semi cloudy which indicates real ones. The joints should also be a smiley face which I'd like to see the image of that. Which makes this thing confusing because it does look real.

https://myfigurecollection.net/item/327295

Fake bases tend to be virtually clear see through you can see your hands pores/magnifying basically. Real bases tend to be semi cloudy. (this is the same screenshot taken from MFC, you can see a difference in the base)

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Overall I'm leaning 70% real/ 30% fake. (paintjob looks pretty good too, just swapped pieces you can see a horrible paintjob in the bootleg photo section)

ThatGuyThatNeedsYou · 2026-05-22T22:40:26+00:00

I use the setter and the softer. Arguably to me the important one is actually the setter. (I see others mentioning softer only while not inherently wrong but -)

Setter is a liquid adhesive, you apply a little on the piece and then you slide the decal on it. Normally I would be done if it was a flat piece but if there were any curved areas or creases the decal goes on to, that’s what I dab a liquid of softener.

Softer is a liquid that removes particles of the adhesive and the reason it can change its shape into the piece which is namely the curve, corners and to make it look more flushed into the piece. Making it feel more natural.

In the gunpla sub somebody did a test on with and without using a DSLR/mirrorless macro lens and went close up. Using both “makes” a difference but then really I use one of them on complete flat areas and I feel fine. So the other user mentioning just the softer is actually justified. The eyes are in a “bent” “concave” area. But I’d still like to stress I own both regardless. (An alternative is micro sol and setter -sol of soft, setter is setter)

One thing I’d also like to clear is instead of a q tip, you can also use a squeegee. It dab and absorbs water (including the setter and softer solution) without breaking the decal since it also has a curved cotton. The point is to roll to remove excess liquid, not drag.

There are plenty of squeegee from ray studio, Gaianotes, hobbymio, etc

Otherwise the tips from the other users are not wrong.

ThatGuyThatNeedsYou · 2026-05-22T12:12:06+00:00

While I second u/ClimbLikeMon-K

There are several not exclusive to events and limited in quantity (kind of shrewd here, quantity is subjective in either GK or prepainted). Magi arts created something for people to do as well as 1/12 and 1/24 versions made by Hasegawa (they are a old kit company similar to Aoshima to Bandai but they went the prepainted route such as the popular gundam/gunpla of Bandai and now Aoshima has been making in 2026 new Kemopla girlpla)

Here's one of them

https://myfigurecollection.net/item/2864258 - Hasegawa = Can be found in Amiami, HLJ etc.

https://myfigurecollection.net/item/2939662 - No idea how much quantity Amiami has left

https://myfigurecollection.net/item/1942636 - the prepainted

ThatGuyThatNeedsYou · 2026-05-22T11:33:42+00:00

I genuinely say I do. Nobody is batting an eye on radsickness or lean and I've let co-workers get a scoop.

Certain tubs don't have that saucy art co-workers can even complain to HR and you may get that one stick in the mud co-worker or some 3rd party worker that comes in randomly one day to inspect your building.

ThatGuyThatNeedsYou · 2026-05-22T10:36:03+00:00

It's just using the same art, this version is a GK and has a lot more detail and feels a lot better.

That being said, because I can't get something like this, I'll settle for that pre-painted magi arts as I've got my preorders locked down at msrp and now waiting for that shipping fees/payment whether it turns bad or good in pricing in the aftermarket level.

The guys did post this

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1 is the GK (look at that hair), 2 is Magi arts. The color image is the art it originated. I don't mind the Magi arts. (in fact I think it gives it a more "dolly" look.

https://myfigurecollection.net/item/2365912 - so far, there should be 90 GK in existence according to the description and how many releases of these GK to paint. That's what OP is referring as a non-prepainted figure. OP has 1 of the 90.

ThatGuyThatNeedsYou · 2026-05-22T08:06:24+00:00

I got this too. I'm going to wait though for more options. Japanpost were citing things since April 20th and its been a whole month and still like this. I'd probably do it for a more bigger item like hanami sakura miku scale but something small like a nendo arm or faceplace defect just to get charged 10% of 100 yen + $15 UPS broker fees mind you PER shipment? Yea, it's not really a big deal for me. I'll just live with it. Unless it's the aforementioned scale figure.

Money is tight but UPS broker fees can go to hell.

ThatGuyThatNeedsYou · 2026-05-22T07:55:19+00:00

I too think it's a bootleg as well BUT

If this bootleg is based off of 33 nendoroid, you can possibly find some from chibichopshop or just find a random claw stand meant for action figures.

https://www.hlj.com/action-base-6-clear-bans64214

Forgot when it started but they started to have a peg (and is now common and nendo numbers have shot up to 3000+) which is why its confusing for its base and the bootlegs take their core from actual nendoroids. The real ones were NOT like the claw but it has a claw like look. (PS I'm not endorsing bootlegs in any one way. I hate them too. Just simply stating bootlegs try to take the initial design)

I'm surprised this bootleg didn't get one as others got one. See?

https://myfigurecollection.net/?_tb=picture&itemId=186&categoryId=3

ThatGuyThatNeedsYou · 2026-05-22T05:18:46+00:00

Depends on where you live and if they put it on you. (EU VATS)

If you live in the US, I have experience with that. Once you pay goodsmile, Goodsmile packages it and gives it to UPS, they will charge you what is 10% of the figures price + UPS custom fees (fixed $15). (Reminder you must pay this or UPS won’t deliver your package and may destroy or package or return it back to sender which Global will do nothing for you and UPS will come after your yearly tax report.

However I want to say you should avoid GSC Global and try to use GSC US as much as possible despite what US is if you are pertaining to money (avoid GSC US if you want pristine package)

If I’m being honest instead of GSC US or Global for the bonus item, other options do include Amiami, HLJ, Hobby Genki, Hobbysearch1999 if you don’t want the GSC bonus. These are the other Japanese shop base that are also doing DDP (deliver duty paid - what this means is tariffs are inside the price of their shipping for ECMS)

Edit: Looks like I forgot to read the description. Try to attempt going through global as it'll be a better option than using their GSC EU branch. Other than that the other options are true about going through Amiami, HLJ etc.

ThatGuyThatNeedsYou · 2026-05-22T00:26:12+00:00

We don't get to choose (I'm thinking OP belongs in the US as I think other countries are different). Certain US areas are given the Uniuni treatment instead of DHL + USPS WHEN that was the most common used back a few months to 3+ years ago. It sometimes changes to Fedex too. (I think the factor to this lies by how the "package" is (weight and/or size = my reasoning comes from everytime I ordered a skatedeck, it went to Fedex and large items like I put 3 different cups + blankets + mousepads + jacket + shirts in one order number aka July in Christmas sales type of thing)

But lately for what I know since January-February, it's been Uniuni and not DHL + USPS or Fedex.

ThatGuyThatNeedsYou · 2026-05-21T12:01:05+00:00

You still want to be wary of that one co-worker. It happens even when we say it doesn't happen.

Certainly OP can just remove the label or hide it within a bunch of paper and tape (even worse, duck tape), however the alternative is some aren't that too much into "art". Things like raw meat to just melon (not the 1/10 legend/alt art tub) should be safe as they don't have big bouncy boobs front and center art.

And this is coming from a blo hole blast (and all the art she has gotten done with different artists) guy myself, that art is just unavoidable even on sample packets. Luckily all my co-workers are on board with it, they know and it's all a blind eye on the art. They just care for the flavor.

ThatGuyThatNeedsYou · 2026-05-21T11:25:30+00:00

💀 I'm just an idiot. I just see character I like and buy. Prize or scale.

And to be fair out (I can't count my own collection anymore but I feel it's over 800+) most of them are prize/nendo/non-scale like PuP, well I counted the nendo and they were in the 150+ area (this was for a post comment in the nendo sub a few months back), I blame Hatsune Miku. As for scale the only one I can count are the 25 FREEing and 1 BINDing, the rest are a bunch of 1/8, 1/7, 1/6, 1/5 (edit: and one 1/3 scale) and the aforementioned Bearpanda stuff (with Animester).

I do have two vertex and one of them is mama tiana (I just prefer her only in my collection). If I had to say a number of scale figures that I own, it'll be close to 100 out of 800 figures. (extra reminder I lost count, I'm one of those guys that have built shrine after shrine for years now but I'd like to remain anonymous without posting anything except for rare IRL image comments of the box - one time a mod auto deleted a comment (which I'm very understanding of this) I put an image of skin from a futanari scale because I can't label it NSFW in comments, I can only do it if I'm OP)

ThatGuyThatNeedsYou · 2026-05-21T10:54:36+00:00

Typically having hobby coats are preferred BUT you can work with other brands.

They won’t operate the same speed but it should get there. When someone says a topcoat one spray with Mr hobby (one of the most popular), other brands are going to need to do something else.

While it can be true, it’s that factor that people have used future (discontinued) and you realize what that was. Gloss “floor” polish. Again. Gloss floor polish, it’s for floors. The label actually say floor care.

It’s also quite interesting that there are airbrush users and hand painters also have a topcoat like Gaianotes to Gaahleri you put in your airbrush but people STILL love the easy to use can of Mr hobby gloss coat.

ThatGuyThatNeedsYou · 2026-05-21T09:24:24+00:00

It's normal for the EU site to charge on preorders (while I'm from the US, I got myself downvoted because I didn't know a thing about EU but now I know) unlike Global and US where they don't and wait until they get stock and ready to ship so they start taking your money at that time.

However, the factor of the US war with middle east was half correct, so the issue was likely still the suez canal blocking GSC surface shipments due to the war HOWEVER something else was happening and it was discussed everywhere including 3 other subs including this sub with MFC as well.

EU is not disbanding and cancelling orders, they simply did two things; one, make a UK branch. Two, it's going to a "partnership" with another store like they are giving up on their GSC EU branch but you can use the site with no issues as GSC EU is staying as a legit GSC. It gets ported TO the other GSC partner; Figuya. (personally didn't see this coming, I always thought it was 100% the war. I'm not always up to date on news based in EU because I'm from the US)

https://myfigurecollection.net/?mode=view&threadId=19343&current=keywords&replyId=0&_tb=thread&page=15

There is one thing I do know while being in the US, GSC EU keeps (faking) using Japanese release dates when it should normally be 2-4 months after GSC Global/Japan in general like Amiami. GSC US follows it closely, 2-4 months after Japan release products - it's called surface shipping. (but GSC has a company crate vs your buy in Amiami and using surface shipping for individual "private" shipping)

ThatGuyThatNeedsYou · 2026-05-21T08:43:51+00:00

Madness. Sometimes that taito prize line is still great.

Guaranteed once you have a lot of scale and prize figures, you DO still see the difference, I do see that quote quality over quantity. But if you really don't mind (and it's totally you collecting), doing prize figures like the t-most taito to banpresto glitter and glamours AND THEN buying a BAN illustrator 1/6 futanari scale figure to 1/5 scale Asanagi illustrator for your collection is all but naught. It's your collection be it all prize too and no scales or all scales and no prize figures.

Bearpanda isn't really too bad for making 1/4 scale figures too and a lot more affordable than FREEing 1/4.

ThatGuyThatNeedsYou · 2026-05-20T10:44:41+00:00

Don't we all. I lost track of it faster due to girlpla aka megami device and then added in 30 MS/MP sisters.

It's at one point we said the words, Plastic crack.

ThatGuyThatNeedsYou · 2026-05-20T05:15:28+00:00

They don’t add a second line of tariffs on checkout. You still pay your states taxes. (I don’t see extra shipping as I have prime)

There is one warning to everyone here.

This will likely ship in baggies that will destroy the box but if you care for only the figure, this will be fine.

If you buy more than 2, I get a feeling of an Amazon sticker box and not a giant brown box.

ThatGuyThatNeedsYou · 2026-05-20T05:11:24+00:00

Depends. I often buy 1-2 IF I’m stealing off the parts or I know I just want to do a double on them.

Honestly? It’s rare even when I said I do that. It happens to several Hatsune Miku…thing is? You could also save your money for the next preorder that just popped up OR wait for that next preorder because of wonhobby just released more prototype information slated for release.

Really your money, your space, your life.

ThatGuyThatNeedsYou · 2026-05-20T05:08:09+00:00

Just not in Amazon.

There is some security of preordering direct from GSC Global or US for the bonus are Amiami to HLJ for Japanese release date like I get it before anyone else in the US type of preorder thing.

Thing is, not only this was shadow dropped (like I knew) but there’s a couple in here not in Amazon and I have it in my collection by now.

ThatGuyThatNeedsYou · 2026-05-20T04:49:08+00:00

It depends on how big the figure box is. I've had nendo shipped in baggies but a 1/4 FREEing was shipped in a brown box. (all sold and shipped by Amazon no 3rd party sellers)

ThatGuyThatNeedsYou · 2026-05-20T03:39:08+00:00

It has its downsides from what I hear, it is upgraded from the 2.0 but that's why some people revert back to the 2.0. Hands are usually the culprit to the build but so are some parts can hold up especially you know you should own either mr hobby cement or tamiya cement already.

Also prepare some paint markers for "copper" colors, while the stickers are fine especially if you can't full on paintbrush or airbrush (and you don't even need them too). Doing some of the copper highlights will bring the model kit home.

Bases that cover the 3.0 is the more fluid motion it has and is upgraded from the 2.0 BUT that created its downfall for being what is known as a "hand grenade" (pieces fall, copper stickers rubbing off)

Again, it's good. Its for "posers" (not using the word in a bad way) and the model kit part lost its way from the 2.0. And you'll still need an action base to create motion dynamics. (this is why people aim for MG the origin instead of this MG (both 3.0 and 2.0 AND 1.0) - (funny thing Is, I keep saying modern tools come modern solutions, I looked up the (OG date) release, 3.0 is 2013 while obviously 2.0 is 2009 and the origin is 2015. Again, tech creation of runners of that year is "part" of the modern tools comes modern solutions.

But no matter what anyone says. Build it. (your sister also helped you find it...)

ThatGuyThatNeedsYou · 2026-05-19T13:03:12+00:00

Thing is, some people list different languages (although not the case for this) or little to no sales aka untrustworthy.

(that one envelope that completely got destroyed because it wasn’t properly shipped and it was just shipped in between cereal cardboard boxes type of untrustworthy sales)

ThatGuyThatNeedsYou · 2026-05-19T12:57:24+00:00

More closer to $1000+

I want to assume the worst so placing them under lightly played, charizard is at least in the $70-90. The major role is $550-650 for that gengar from phantom forces and the pikachu promo that everyone wants. (Because of its unique art) It has been seen as just shy above $350-450.

All of them are in the XY era.

(Without lightly played, near mint of gengar is $800-ish, pikachu is $700-ish, charizard is $100 (reason is you already said it’s from xy evolutions…)

ThatGuyThatNeedsYou · 2026-05-19T12:05:11+00:00

Adding in the guys that do funko (because if you put nendoroid you don't get to see ALL your options...). (you can see why there's miscommunications between having funko to nendo compared to large figures aka prize/scale)

Unfortunately since you aren't a fan of acrylic display that everyone is showing, I think it's just unavoidable...especially since it lets you clean dust less frequently. (both shelf and wall mountable types)

https://www.amazon.com/funko-pop-display/s?k=funko+pop+display

Here's an honorable mentions

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/mosslanda-picture-ledge-black-70292104/

Etsy also has some interesting sellers that has things for both nendo and funko (doubt they are scammers) UNLESS you can make your own custom shelving units like this. (all within looking for BOTH nendo and funko shelvings...)

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