Yotsuba and A Tale of Three Boxes

Once there was this cute action figure that caught the fancy of a then 27 year old lady. Noticing how much she adored the figure, her beau came home from a business trip with this figure in tow.


Yotsuba&! Revoltech DX Summer Vacation Set
[よつばとリボルテックＤＸ 夏休みセット]
And oh how surprised, glad and thankful was she~. She valued the gift so much that she could not make herself open the box. She thought she'd preserve the toy for the meantime.

A little over a month, the beau acquired information that there was a another version of this character... one that preceded what he gave her as a present. Soon after... he arrived at the office carrying the first version plaything (which he bought from a local toy store in town).


Yotsuba&! Revoltech
[よつばとリボルテック]
It was like déjà vu as the same kind of emotions (amazement and gratefulness) came over her. Having two in her possession, she felt it was admissible to open one of them to serve its purpose: to be toyed with. Upon comparison, she resolved to open the last considering it had the character's signature expression. Soon after, she found herself not without her 'alter ego'.

When it was time for the beau to have another business trip, she coerced him to bring the 'alter ego' with him so he can take photos of 'her' in a different location. Unfortunately, in one his photo sessions, he accidentally dropped 'her'. When he found scratches on 'her', he felt so guilty he wanted to replace 'her' with a new one! Alas! He did buy her a new one and suggested that she can keep the new one unopened and still make use of the already-used figure to play with. So, she did.

She thought the beau had enough of the toy giving. Oh, was she wrong. One Christmas season, he handed her a simple brown box. So simple that it only had a sticker with something written in Japanese. When she opened it, she saw this

Danboard Revoltech 7-11 Limited Version
[セブン-イレブン印のダンボー]
It was her toy figure's boy friend in costume(and another cute toy figure at that). She could not believe her eyes as she knew the toy just came out and was not sold cheap. Indeed, it was too good of a surprise for her.

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This is how I have these thus far. :)

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Yotsuba - An Introduction

People might be wondering why Rai is suddenly taking pictures of this certain toy... Questions such as: what is this toy? who is this character? why the sudden interest? might have come up. All these I'll try to explain in this post.


During my second to the last visit in Hong Kong last 2008, Rai fortunately had a scheduled trip as well. And whenever he is in HK, he would always drop by the toy stores that he frequents in 188. In one of our rounds, this cute little girl figure caught my eye. It was her facial reaction that I took a liking of. At that time, I didn't know who she was or what anime series she came from (if ever she did come from one). One day, Rai told me her name was Yotsuba after apparently checking out her box and had read her info from wikipedia. That was the end of it... or the beginning of it, I'd say.

Rai had a succeeding trip, without me this time. When he came back, he had with him this. It was a super nice surprise indeed (can't keep myself from smiling whenever I look at Yotsuba's face... really). He knew this one was a second version and so soon after, he again surprised me by giving me the original version which he found in Greenhills. (i currently have 3 Yotsuba figures courtesy of Rai.... why three when it's just supposed to be two? I'll explain next time).

What's so special with this toy? Being a Revoltech figure, it happens to have "revolver" joints that allows one to move his head, arms, legs any way you want it thus causing the figure to be dynamic and posable. This then becomes my first ever action figure, and a cute one at that. Her character on the other hand comes from a self-titled manga. I have yet to read the manga but based from what I know, it's about this 4 year old girl and her everyday discoveries. I like that she has this motto as well: Enjoy Everything!

Since the figure is small and won't take much space, I see to it that I bring her with me most of the time (for possible photo opportunities). What's even better is that Rai always has his trusty IXUS with him, too. So far, aside from the many dinner outs 'she' has attended, 'she' was able to have photoshoots in Hong Kong, and recently, in Singapore (refer to Rai's Singapore trip posts for 'her' pictures). Rai has been fond of 'her' as well and enjoys taking photos by this time now. :)

Sometimes Rai says that Yotsuba is me, saying we have the same facial expression when I'm amazed and happy at the same time :p. He could be right or wrong... one thing is sure, Yotsuba's motto in life is something I would want to use as well :)

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Thursday Treats

Last night's instant plans proved to be fun.

Originally...
I was set to meet one of my girlfriends, Kulit (not her real name), in Glorietta to finally deliver her new toy. I learned days ago that Rai was to make a mock presentation later in the day, which means, he probably does not have a choice but to extend his working hours. I assumed then that he won't be able to come with us.

However...
Rai's mock presentation did not push through. Instead, we made plans to drop by and meet Kulit in her office. From there, we headed to WalterMart to check the new Makati location of GreattoysOnline before finding ourselves in Amici.

The fun part came when we...

1. Were treated to an impromptu tour of Kulit's workplace.

[Kulit's work area, Zooming in on her Ame Comis, Their office novelty bar stools]

2. Checked GreattoysOnline's merchandise. Rai was able to find the Revoltech figure he was targeting. A reason enough for him to consider the night complete. n_n

[A more organized and bigger Greattoys branch, Rai and Kulit immersing themselves with the toys, More toys, Surprisingly, scrapbook materials were also available, additional plus point for this GT branch]

3. Settled in one of Amici's round table to eat. (Speaking of tables, aren't round ones normally seen in Chinese restaurants instead?) Considering it's my first time to dine in Amici, it was now my turn to say that the night is indeed, complete. :p

[Yummy looking gelato, Order counter, Enjoying dinner]

4. Transformed to our otaku selves.

[top to bottom: Rai and Kulit, ecstatic with their new toys, Kulit opening her Tsukasa, Rai opening his Asuka]


[Rai's Asuka, Kulit's Tsukasa, My Yotsuba, Getting Together, New Buds, Bad Yotsuba]

GreattoysOnline Makati
3rd Floor Waltermart Community Center
Pasong Tamo cor. Pasay Road, Makati City
893-8292

Amici
Don Bosco School,
A.Arnaiz cor. Chino Roces, Makati City
818-4444

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