Shopping Guide
Wonder Festival Winter 2013 is finally almost here! The event is set to kick off on Feb. 10, and TOM is excitedly preparing for the big day. For those who are able to go, and even for those who aren’t, the excitement of this event is unparalleled. Every year, the event offers a well known spectacle as attendees clamor to get goods that are only sold at the event. Of course, the event offers a plethora of other products too that are just waiting to be discovered. As is expected from an event known as the world’s largest figure and model kit festival, Wonder Festival is a trade fair that is at the frontline, leading the way for model culture.
One item that is sure to be hugely popular at the event is Snow Miku, which is a derivation of Hatsune Miku. Many people may recognize Hatsune Miku as being a bishojo character, but in reality, she is a visual character from the Vocaloid singing software. For those who don’t know, Snow Miku is the mascot character for the popular annual festival, Sapporo Snow Festival. The frigid cold of Sapporo is a long stretch from Tokyo, and many people may wonder why Miku was chosen for this role. Well, this is because Sapporo is her hometown. Miku’s relationship to Sapporo stems from the fact that Crypton Future Media, the company that created Vocaloid software and Hatsune Miku, is based in Sapporo.
Snow Miku first appeared in 2010 as a Nendoroid figure by Good Smile Company to go along with a snow sculpture of Miku that was unveiled at the Sapporo Snow Festival. The figure was sold at the event Snow Miku for Sapporo 2010, which took place in an Ita-eki (think Itasha but for a train station) and created quite a buzz. The following year, a fully movable figure called “Snow Miku: Snow Playtime Edition” was introduced. At the time, not just Ita-eki but also Ita-densha (think Itasha but for trams) became a social phenomenon that had all of Sapporo in a Miku frenzy. Last year’s Snow Miku, “Snow Miku: Fluffy Coat Version”, was a collaboration with the company Piapro. The figure was designed through public suggestions and it further strengthened the bonds that fans have for the delightfully cute diva. Snow Miku has become a phenomenon that engulfs all of Sapporo year after year in a blazing heat as they wait in anticipation for the next one. Don’t worry though, Sapporo is covered in pure white snow and the heat from fans’ enthusiasm isn’t enough to melt the snow sculptures...we think.
The 64th Sapporo Snow Festival is going on now until Feb. 11, and the new version of Snow Miku, called “Snow Miku: Strawberry White Kimono Ver.”, has been unveiled. Of the Snow Miku that have been produced thus far, this is the first one that was designed with a Japanese aesthetic. Her loveliness is almost too much to bear. Even more exciting is that this beautiful figure will be on sale at Wonder Festival. Of course, we will be updating our special Wonder Festival site with the latest reports on this delightfully charming figure, so look forward to it!
Visit our Wonder Festival 2013 Winter page here: http://otakumode.com/sp/gsc_wf2013w/
Similarly to last year, the design of this year’s Snow Miku was chosen by fans through an online vote. She is wearing a traditional Japanese wedding dress and veil, and she embodies the gracefulness and elegance of a Japanese bride on her wedding day. The veil for the “Snow Miku: Strawberry White Kimono Ver.” is based on a confection known as Strawberry Daifuku. In other words, the figure is a collaboration between Nendoroid, Hatsune Miku, Sapporo, a Japanese bride, and a Japanese confection! For those who don’t know, Daifuku is an extremely delicious form of Mochi Cream in which the red bean filling also contains fresh strawberries. For those who have never tasted it, you now have one more reason to come to Japan! For those who miss Hatsune Miku’s signature look, don’t worry, Good Smile Company has thought of you too! The veil can be easily removed and her twin tails attached for a look that screams signature Miku style with traditional Japanese attire!
Many of you may be thinking, “This sounds amazing, but I’m not going to Wonder Festival,” however, don’t get down in the dumps just yet. Once Wonder Festival kicks off, Good Smile Company will begin accepting pre-orders for this year's Snow Miku as well as other new figures on their site! So for those who can’t make it, gather in front of your computers on Feb. 10. Pre-orders for the figures will begin in JST, so make sure to do the proper time conversion so you don’t miss out!
Keep your eyes on TokyoOtakuMode for even more on Wonder Festival, and check out our special Wonder Festival page for the latest news and live reports straight from the event!
Good Smile Company:
http://goodsmile-wf-global.ecq.sc/
TOM Wonder Festival 2013 Winter Page:
http://otakumode.com/sp/gsc_wf2013w/
© Crypton Future Media, Inc. www.piapro.net
