Belldandy Figure

I received my anticipated Belldandy figure this morning. HLJ sent it on 8th Aug, took 21 days for SAL shipping. But when I open the 24x21x32 cm HLJ box, it was worth everything I have paid and wait for. HLJ really took care of the order. There are simple air packs to protect it. They also wrap the figure box, though I dont know why, maybe to prevent the picture on the box from scratches. The model itself, what can I say, the bext Belldandy figure I have seen. It is adapted from belldandy shifuku 2 design.

The figure box is of dimension 27*13*15cm. The belldandy figure is a 1/8 static pre-painted figure and come with a stand. I love the detail of the hair. The expression on the face was done with excellence. Overall, it's worth the 5780 Yen I paid for at HLJ. I'm confident with HLJ purchases now, and I have Kotobukiya Sora Final Form on pre-order too. By the way, this figure is "IN STOCK" at HLJ, have a look.

Suzuka 119 Captain

凉风 #119 主将 キャプテン

Yamato received a SMS from Honoka chan. She told him that her audition result would be out that day and she was nervous. She also encouraged Yamato in his practice. Miyamoto sempai came in the room and and asked him to go for the morning practice. Yamato was shocked to hear that he was selected as the captain. Kinugasa sempai said that Yamato would be the captain for the track team next year. He protested that Kinugasa sempai should have no authority to decide since he has graduated from the school. Kinugasa told him that if he has the authority he wouldn't even consider him. Yamato was puzzled and Miyamoto said it was him who made the decision. He said that he hasnt tell the team member but he's considering Yamato as the next captain. Yamato told him that he wasnt suitable and 小早川 Kobayakawa should be the captain since he was the top 8 in the national. Miyamoto said he has decided and he wont let anyone oppose it. He asked Yamato if he was willing. Yamato replied that he would think about it and left. Kinugasa sempain mentioned that Miyamoto's decision was for Yamato's sake.

Later, walking down the stairs, Yamato told himself that it must be a joke. He joined the team without thinking and didnt put in effort in the practice. He added that if he became the captain, he couldnt pull out even if he wanted to then. Honoka passed by and surprised to see Yamato. He asked her about her audition result. Honoka smiled and gave a victory sign. He asked about her role and she told him that she would be the sole model for the magazine. She came to school to discuss about her absence frequency from school. Yamato congratulated her but Honoka noticed Yamato's moody look and asked him. Yamato told her that he was asked to be the captain. He said that Miyamoto sempai wanted him to succeed him. Yamato added that he's thinking of rejecting the motion. Honoka asked him why and said that he shouldnt decline the motion. Yamato answered that he wasnt suitable with his attitude. He added that there were other who's better than him, for example Kobayakawa who has better achievement. He continued saying that it's not possible for him to be the next captain.

Suddenly, Honoka remarked that Yamato joined the track team because she was there in the past. She then asked if that's the only reason for him to stay in the team. Honoka started to talk about her work. She said that her opportunity came unexpectedly when her photo appeared on a magazine. She said she wasnt interested in the first place but she felt happy doing that now. She continued that she had been in the team for a short period before and she could understand him. Honoka said that even though Yamato wasnt reliable at times but the team members had high expectation on him. That was the reason Miyamoto want him to be the captain, to make him more determined. She added that with much expectation, there would also be more pressure on him too. She then told him happily that would it be happy to be able to answer someone's expectation.

At night, by the window, Yamato reminisced what Honoka had said. She had told him that the decision lie with himself. He spoke out, "It's not for Suzuka's sake, but for the track experience."

P/S: The Honoka photo shot page is excellent!!! The departure of Suzuka slowly turn Yamato into a more determined person. I speculating that Kouji would slowly draw Yamato into a more resolute person in near future, hope Suzuka also looks better. :)

AMG Tsubasa Updates

AMG TVCM:
AMG TVCM will resume with episode 20 on 31st August after a break from weekly broadcast.

AMG Music CD:


AMG Sorezore no Tsubasa Drama CD 2 was released yesterday, 25th August 2006. There are 6 tracks in it, comprising recordings from Masami Kikuchi, Kikuko Inoue and Yumi Touma. A bonus song "Kaze no Melody" is included. Heard it and it sounds ok. I was expecting a different feeling since it's titled Melody of Wind. But Kikoku Inoue's voice is angelic. It's available at Yesasia or Play-Asia.

AMG DVD2:

DVD 2 comprise episode 4, 5 and 6 with Urd and World of Elegance as cover. Available at Yesasia and Play-Asia.

Aria Natural Episode 21

ARIA The Natural
Episode 21: 「その　銀河鉄道の夜に…」

An episode adapted from Navigation 30 in volume 6.

Akari heard slight sound of train every night lately. She thought if its the milky railway. The next day she told Aika and Alice about it. Aika commented that Akari always encounter strange things. Akari has been pondering about the milky train and Aria sachou noticed it. At night, Aria sachou gave her a ticket with Cait Sith stamp. It was the train ticket for a day trip to Milky way departing at 2am. Akari seeked advice from Aika and Alice the next day whether she should go.

She also went to calle tram alley and said that it did look like the station in the story book. In the evening Akari talked with Alicia. Alicia said that Akari had always want to know more about Aqua and maybe Aqua would like to know more about Akari too. At night Akari decided to go. They waited at the designated place and the train arrived at 2am. There were many cats waiting for the train. The train master came down and stamped the tickets. A kitten lost its ticket and was not allowed to board the train with its parents. Akari sympathized with it and gave hers to the kitten. The huge size train master approached them. Akari asked if its Cait Sith and thanked it for saving and giving her the ticket. It again touched Akari face and Akari realized that Cait Sith could be the heart of AQUA. Suddenly, the train master gave them a stamp on their forehead.

The train left and the train master later took off its hat, revealing Cait Sith. The next day, Akari saw the stamps on Aria sachou and her forehead and realized it wasnt a dream.

Suzuka 118 Refinement

凉风 #118 洗錬 せんれん


Honoka greeted Yamato and asked why he was there. Yamato replied that he was accompanying Yasonobu. He asked her back and she answered that she had just finished a photo shoot. Yamato commented that the road to fame was tough and that she had to work till late. Honoka said that it was only some shots for a small magazine The crew member called for Honoka to discuss something with her. Honoka bid farewell and left.

The next day, Yamato went for his track practice. They had a 5 minutes break but Kinugasa sempai ordered him to run 3 more laps. Yamato protested and his sempai reprimanded that he needed to work hard since he wasnt even in the top 16 for the IH. Yamato explained that he had personal worries, Kinugasa let him off and commanded him to run. As Yamato ran, he complained that he had donated 10 thousand yen and he should at least be blessed with a good day.

After the practice, by his locker, Honoka passed a bottle of water to Yamato. They walked home together. Yamato asked her why she went to school. She replied that she wanted to talk to him after meeting him the last time. They haven't been seeing each other since the second year started. Yamato asked about her work but Honoka said it was her day off. Yamato asked if there are fans chasing after her. Honoka denied and said that she was mostly with the crew member.

Honoka said that she heard Suzuka had further her study overseas. She praised Suzuka and added that Yamato also practised hard and she need to work hard as well. Yamato said he wasnt working hard. He failed in IH and broke up with Suzuka. Honoka was surprised and asked him for the reason. Yamato replied there were many. Honoka asked if it was the long-distance factor but Yamato denied. Yamato explained that although he had always thought of Suzuka first but in reality he always neglected her feelings. He continued that there had been quite a lot of problems arising and he even forgot her birthday. Honoka asked if that the reason they broke up. Yamato asnwered that he wasnt sure if they broke up or he was dumped. Honoka then commented that he hasnt changed. He was always making the same mistake with his attitude. She added that she was annoyed with his attitude when they were dating. Yamato was stunned but Honoka told him that she was kidding. Honoka laughed and bumped onto a lamp post. Yamato looked at Honoka and realized that she had changed and spoke freely now.

Suddenly, Honoka handphone rang and she realized that she had an audition. She apologized to Yamato and commented that he was more resolute before she left. Yamato realized that his wish had been realized. (He had a good day).

P/S: Mostly conversation between Yamato and Suzuka but I think what Yamato said was important for the reader to know. As Honoka takes the centre stage, I wonder how long we need to wait to see other characters. The last time we see Honoka was chapter 76, so she had been missing for 41 chapters.. Geee...that's about 4 volumes! So do we have to wait for another 40+ chapters to see Suzuka... or even Yui????

Aria Natural Episode 20

ARIA The Natural
Episode 20: 「その 影のない招くものは…」

An episode adapted from Navigation 38 in volume 8.

Aria sachou was sick and stayed at home so Akari went to her usual practice with Alice and Aika. She noticed a woman in black mourning gown sitting by the river while waiting. Aika came and they waited on the gondola. It was a hot day and Alice was late. Aika told a scary story and said that it will cool them down. Aika said that the executed woman in her story would ask the undine to bring her to her destination. Aika added that one cannot take her because the undine would disappear.

After practice, it was evening and Akari went to buy Aria sachou's favourite food. It was late and Akari was on the home. She passed by the same place and saw the woman in black. The woman called her and went on her gondola. Akari told her that she still a single-rank undine and cannot take a customer on her own. However, she decided to help her by treating her as a friend later. They reached the destination and the woman thanked her. Akari was going to leave but the woman grasp her hand. She then pulled Akari away and kept running until they reached a cemetery. She said that she liked Akari and would like to be with her. Akari looked at her face and realized that her face disappeared. Akari was stunned. Suddenly, Cait Sith appeared from behind. The headless woman ran away.

Akari thanked Cait Sith for saving her life and Cait Sith touched her face with its big palm. The tender and soft hand caused the exhausted Akari to fell asleep in its embrace. When Akari woke up, she found herself back home. Aria sachou was so happy that she's back. Alicia had gone to search for her and was glad when she saw Akari back home. Akari told Alicia what had happened and also to Alice and Aika the next day.

ARIA Figures

This figure was revealed at the Wonder festival. I saw this on GF団 website. The facial expression wasnt really good for Aika and Akari.



This figure was revealed at the Wonder festival. It illustrates the 3 main undines in ARIA The Natural, Akari, Aika and Alice with their company sachou respectively.
More pictures can be found at Kagutsuchino.


Akari Mizunashi figure by Beat will be available in October. It is a 1/6 scale pre-painted figure, about 26cm high, and come with Aria sachou. Available for pre-order at HLJ. Similar figure of Aika S. Granzchesta and Himeya sachou is scheduled for November 2006. Aika comes with both braided and short hair.


SR DX President ARIA Bank from Yujin. It is a 13cm PVC figure which can be used as money box. The cap can be opened to store money. Release date is October. Available for pre-order at HLJ.