It's time for my first review! As a warning, this will be VERY long. I've tried to put most of it under a cut to save on space, but just be aware. Now...I feel that it's incumbent for me to state that I have been a fan of anime for many years, and that the anime Sailor Moon was my "gateway drug," so to speak. I have many fond memories of watching it when I was younger, and it is still one of my favorite anime to this day.
In honor of the series' 20th anniversary, the powers that be (series creator Naoko Takeuchi, along with Toei, the company that owns most of the rights to the show and all associated merchandise) have launched a worldwide revival of the franchise, including a new adaptation of the source manga. And merchandise. We can't forget that! [ After all, we all know that most anime are simply vehicles to sell toys and figures and those weird body pillows. ;D ] And thus, Toei teamed up with Bandai (another conglomerate that makes everything from video games to action figures) to create a line of Sailor Moon figurines.
One of Bandai's toys/collectibles lines is the "S.H. Figuarts" line, comprised of small (we're talking 5 to 6 inches here), detailed, highly posable action figures. Don't ask me what the name means or where it comes from, I just shrug and chalk it up to "It's Japan." They are about the same size as the action figures we fondly remember from our youth, except far more articulated, and certainly not suitable for rough-and-tumble children under 12. Less of a toy, more of a collectible.
Once I discovered the existence of these little treasures, I pledged to myself that I would collect every single Sailor Moon Figuarts. Why? It's Sailor Moon. Enough said. It might take me quite a bit of time, but I plan to eventually assemble the entire team. But I've been fortunate enough to get my hands on Sailor Moon, so let's take a look at her!
Friday, May 30, 2014
Monday, May 19, 2014
Not a review.
I figured that it might be useful to point any interested parties to some current, active, toy and collectibles reviewers. I follow a few myself, and I find them to be entertaining and quite useful.
I mostly follow a handful of channels on Youtube, and here are direct links to the channels:
1. Chad Alan: https://www.youtube.com/user/chadalantoys
2. The Doll Hunters: https://www.youtube.com/user/MommyandGracieShow
3. RadioJH's toy channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/radiojh
4. KittiesMama: https://www.youtube.com/user/KittiesMama
5. Dollastic: https://www.youtube.com/user/dollastic
6. Jason Keef: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM9dI-Hq_IHx9nl0qnBFZcw/feed
A lot of them tend to review the same types of toys and collectibles, although most of them offer a wide variety of content.
As an aside, I often read the comments on videos, and have noticed something strange. These channels have lots of younger viewers, usually from ages 8-13 (which is too young to be using Youtube, according to its TOS, by the way) or so, and few of them seem to have a grasp of netiquette (Am I showing my age with that word?). I cannot tell you how many times I see children posting the strangest comments...a lot of them tend to be requests or pleas for the reviewer to give them the toys being reviewed, or for the reviewer to send them other toys that the reviewer owns. There are also quite a few requests for the reviewer to meet them in person, or call them on the phone. With said address or phone number provided. I would like to point out that many, many of these posters have Youtube accounts tied into public Facebook or Google Plus accounts that display their pictures and other information.
Is it simply not common knowledge anymore to not give out sensitive information like one's phone number or address on the Internet? I can remember that being drilled into me during computer and Internet lessons at school, time and time again. If I was an unscrupulous character, I could take that information and use it to track down these children and...ugh, I shudder to think. I suppose because these Youtube channels are public, with the reviewers keeping in constant contact with their subscribers, there is a sense of security here? That because, say, the reviewer shows their face, talks about their life, replies to almost all comments, talks about how much they "love their subscribers," that the poster believes there is a type of bond or friendship between them? That it's okay to share?
I suppose that it could be due to these young viewers being raised in the midst of the social media age. Perhaps to them it is completely normal to share most or all the details of their personal life online? I know that at that age, you tend to have a rosy view of the world around you; the world is full of adults who are nice and safe, etc, etc.
But it just completely boggles my mind at how...well...ignorant they are to provide that much information. Do they know how much damage in real life they can do by providing personal contact information online in a public forum? Anyone can see it. I also have to admit that it surprises me to see how many children are begging--or even demanding, in some cases--to be given the reviewer's property. Why do these children think that they are entitled to another person's property? Just because someone is discussing and displaying an object online doesn't mean that it is up for public claiming! Even if someone has an item that you don't have and you want it desperately, it doesn't mean that you are entitled to that item!
I swear, I simply don't get--oh dear, this turned into a "Kids these days" rant, didn't it? Well, in any case, those are my observations on how younger Youtube users interact with peers and content providers on toy review channels. I'm sure that this has the makings for a fascinating academic paper. Any takers?
1. Chad Alan: https://www.youtube.com/user/chadalantoys
2. The Doll Hunters: https://www.youtube.com/user/MommyandGracieShow
3. RadioJH's toy channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/radiojh
4. KittiesMama: https://www.youtube.com/user/KittiesMama
5. Dollastic: https://www.youtube.com/user/dollastic
6. Jason Keef: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCM9dI-Hq_IHx9nl0qnBFZcw/feed
A lot of them tend to review the same types of toys and collectibles, although most of them offer a wide variety of content.
As an aside, I often read the comments on videos, and have noticed something strange. These channels have lots of younger viewers, usually from ages 8-13 (which is too young to be using Youtube, according to its TOS, by the way) or so, and few of them seem to have a grasp of netiquette (Am I showing my age with that word?). I cannot tell you how many times I see children posting the strangest comments...a lot of them tend to be requests or pleas for the reviewer to give them the toys being reviewed, or for the reviewer to send them other toys that the reviewer owns. There are also quite a few requests for the reviewer to meet them in person, or call them on the phone. With said address or phone number provided. I would like to point out that many, many of these posters have Youtube accounts tied into public Facebook or Google Plus accounts that display their pictures and other information.
Is it simply not common knowledge anymore to not give out sensitive information like one's phone number or address on the Internet? I can remember that being drilled into me during computer and Internet lessons at school, time and time again. If I was an unscrupulous character, I could take that information and use it to track down these children and...ugh, I shudder to think. I suppose because these Youtube channels are public, with the reviewers keeping in constant contact with their subscribers, there is a sense of security here? That because, say, the reviewer shows their face, talks about their life, replies to almost all comments, talks about how much they "love their subscribers," that the poster believes there is a type of bond or friendship between them? That it's okay to share?
I suppose that it could be due to these young viewers being raised in the midst of the social media age. Perhaps to them it is completely normal to share most or all the details of their personal life online? I know that at that age, you tend to have a rosy view of the world around you; the world is full of adults who are nice and safe, etc, etc.
But it just completely boggles my mind at how...well...ignorant they are to provide that much information. Do they know how much damage in real life they can do by providing personal contact information online in a public forum? Anyone can see it. I also have to admit that it surprises me to see how many children are begging--or even demanding, in some cases--to be given the reviewer's property. Why do these children think that they are entitled to another person's property? Just because someone is discussing and displaying an object online doesn't mean that it is up for public claiming! Even if someone has an item that you don't have and you want it desperately, it doesn't mean that you are entitled to that item!
I swear, I simply don't get--oh dear, this turned into a "Kids these days" rant, didn't it? Well, in any case, those are my observations on how younger Youtube users interact with peers and content providers on toy review channels. I'm sure that this has the makings for a fascinating academic paper. Any takers?
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Miss Scarlett tries this blogging thing again
I have to say that I admire anyone who can write on a regular basis. I find myself doing it so infrequently that at times it's a bit of a struggle to express what I'm trying to say. I've dipped my feet into the blogging scene before, but just didn't have the interest or inclination to keep a blog going on a regular basis. (As an aside to the lovely LycoRogue, I have no idea how you do it, but keep it up!)
A few months ago, I started becoming more interested in collecting again, and have gained more of an appreciation for reviews, especially well-done ones. I suppose that this blog (Miss Scarlett Reviews) is an attempt to emulate that, although I have no delusions of internet fame or success.
What this blog is: an attempt to improve my writing, and provide some information on various toy and hobby collectibles. It certainly won't be the best or most up to date one, but I like the idea of providing some information to those who are interested.
What this blog is not: a professional or journalistic attempt at anything. This blog is not sponsored by any company, and I do not work for any company that makes toys, etc. (All items are purchased by myself and not provided for review by an outside party.) It's simply the point of view of an anonymous hobbyist who likes the idea of having a little corner of the Internet to ramble.
I'll be putting up occasional (VERY occasional) reviews of various toys and collectibles, usually related to anime, although not always. I will try to provide a useful and informative review of each product, discussing price, quality, and purchase places, among other points. (I will basically post reviews when I have new products, and I don't anticipate that being too terribly often. As of right now, I have a few video reviews that I'll try to convert into text form, one doll at my home that is un-reviewed, and a few figures on pre-order that should be winging by way in the next few months. One will even be here in a matter of a week or two, I believe. So there is material to be posted. I will perhaps post a new review every two weeks or so, in order to have them all posted by summer's end. After that, I believe I will post only when I have something new.)
And that, as they say, is that. Mission statement complete, and now to your regularly scheduled programming.
A few months ago, I started becoming more interested in collecting again, and have gained more of an appreciation for reviews, especially well-done ones. I suppose that this blog (Miss Scarlett Reviews) is an attempt to emulate that, although I have no delusions of internet fame or success.
What this blog is: an attempt to improve my writing, and provide some information on various toy and hobby collectibles. It certainly won't be the best or most up to date one, but I like the idea of providing some information to those who are interested.
What this blog is not: a professional or journalistic attempt at anything. This blog is not sponsored by any company, and I do not work for any company that makes toys, etc. (All items are purchased by myself and not provided for review by an outside party.) It's simply the point of view of an anonymous hobbyist who likes the idea of having a little corner of the Internet to ramble.
I'll be putting up occasional (VERY occasional) reviews of various toys and collectibles, usually related to anime, although not always. I will try to provide a useful and informative review of each product, discussing price, quality, and purchase places, among other points. (I will basically post reviews when I have new products, and I don't anticipate that being too terribly often. As of right now, I have a few video reviews that I'll try to convert into text form, one doll at my home that is un-reviewed, and a few figures on pre-order that should be winging by way in the next few months. One will even be here in a matter of a week or two, I believe. So there is material to be posted. I will perhaps post a new review every two weeks or so, in order to have them all posted by summer's end. After that, I believe I will post only when I have something new.)
And that, as they say, is that. Mission statement complete, and now to your regularly scheduled programming.
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