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When I try to recall the roots of my figure-collecting history, my thoughts drift back to my grade-school years when my parents bought me a bootleg 1/144 scale Gundam X model kit. More than anything else, I remember the sense of crushing disappointment when I realized the the harsh discrepancy between what I had produced and what was promised by the photos on the packaging. Not only was my youthful craftsmanship dirt-poor, but the actual model would fall apart upon the slightest touch. Even the foil stickers seemed to taunt my younger self as they kept on peeling off.

This experience would ultimately revisit me in my freshman year of university, when I finally decided conquer this childhood memory by ordering and building a MG Wing Gundam Zero Custom model kit. At that time I had only began to dabble in fansubbed anime, and the only items in my collection were a Revoltech EVA-01 purchased from a local convention and a bootleg Max Factory Haruhi I snatched during a vacation to China. Little did I know at the time that these plastic curios would go on to become a key part of my life.

Today, my modest collection of Japanese plamos, toys, and figures continue to grow at a steady rate. I have also started a review blog called Hobby Hovel, where my friend Jianyan and I do our best to crank out detailed and informative reviews every week. Check it out, comment -- you would give me great pleasure if you do!