In yesterday’s post (and apologies for the late-night typos, they have been fixed), it turns out that Fumio Osano (better known as Osabu), had written a message to the fans in the June 2013 issue of Dengeki Hobby Magazine. It is located in the orange box at the top of the second page. Here, is our translation (Thanks Emi!):
The orange part reads:
A message from Naoko sensei’s editor, Osabu. He’s been Naoko sensei’s editor back then and even now. Well known among fans with his nickname Osabu, Mr. Fumio Osano of Kodansha gave us, S.H. Figuarts, comments.
The white part reads:
While Bandai Collectors worked very hard to keep the original feel of Usagi’s action pose and face, at the same time, they tried to update the looks to the current style. Even the ad is also very particular so please check it out. When you see the ad you would go “gotta buy this!” LOL Hope you guys can bring all the senshi out. If Usagi sells, all the senshi should become available I think. I personally like to see Sailor Saturn! Let’s do it!
And, I asked some questions that many of you had to Xavier Lim at Bluefin Tamashii Nations!
MC: Will the new figure have packaging/instructions in English? How much assembly will be required?
Bluefin/TN: As of this moment, the packaging and instructions will be still be in Japanese. There may be an additional licensing sticker on the box that may vary by region, but that is there only to mark it as an officially licensed product.
MC: Is Sailor Mercury a prototype being tested or is it next in line? Are there figures of other characters also being planned or is it too early to say?
Bluefin/TN: Tamashii Nations will often tease figures of future releases or items they would like to test consumer reception on before continuing forward. Prototype figures without release dates or pricing information do no indicate an item is going to be released next. There have been many cases in the other product lines where a prototype figure has been shown before, but has not been released, only to have other characters come out beforehand.
MC: When will the figure actually hit the shelves, August, September or October? Many sites are reporting different dates from August-October for when they will actually ship the figures to customers.
Bluefin/TN: The official Japanese release date is August 2013. For the U.S. and Canada, it is Sept 2013. Some stores that have very large fulfillment centers may believe they will not be able to ship out in time before the end of September and have indicated an early October release date.
MC: How much input did Naoko Takeuchi have in the design of the figure? What was the collaboration like? How were the facial expressions chosen? How long did this Sailor Moon figure take to develop?
Bluefin/TN: Yes she is involved. This figure has actually been delayed until now by her request. Otherwise this figure would have been revealed a few years ago.
MC: How long will the two bonus faces be available, and will all launch figures have them? Approximately how many figures will be in this first production?
Bluefin/TN: 1st release bonuses will be packaged inside and will be available on all figures in this 1st production cycle. I cannot reveal production numbers at this time, nor can I indicate if/when a second production will occur.
MC: What is the timeline for the production run of the figure (first press and subsequent presses)? What window will there be for fans to purchase the figure before it gets removed from circulation?
Bluefin/TN: In N. America at least, the 1st release of the figure will be still readily available for retailers to re-order at least until December.
MC: At Tamashii Nations 2012, a figure of Sailor Moon and Luna in Chibi/Super-Deformed design was announced. Are they going to be released and if so when?
Bluefin/TN: Hopefully soon!
Only a few more months until release! Are you Moonies excited yet?
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