Weekly Review - Crescent Transformation Brooch

Anime Episode 1

WikiMoon

 The Transformation Brooch (変身・ブローチ - Henshin Buroochi) also known as the Sailor Locket or simply Brooch is Usagi's first transformation item. It first appeared in manga Act 1 and anime Episode 1"Crybaby Usagi's Magnificent Transformation!" In both instances it was Luna who gave Usagi the brooch.

Uses: The brooch is used to transform Usagi (a.k.a. "Serena") into Sailor Moon by using the phrase: "Moon Prism Power, Make Up!"

 Merchandise:

SM Collectibles

1992 Bandai Japan:
This version is the most accurate to the anime style. There was also a European release.

Requires: No Batteries Required!

Operation: Opens up to allow for storage. Does not light or sound.

Price: The European version recently sold for $260 MIB on eBay.

Personal Image

1995 Irwin Sailor Locket:
This is the official North American release of the Brooch.
Requires: 2 AAA Batteries.

Operation: Lights and Sounds when you open it or press the button on the inside. See video.

Price: MIB $50-80. Loose $25-50, maybe a little more.

Fun fact: The inside is actually a replica of the Japanese released Crystal Star Compact. If you look closely at the images on the box, it is actually the Crystal Star Compact pictured (Look for the points of the star at the edges)!

msmaria @LJ

Irwin Secret Scents Sailor Locket
Incredibly rare, released in North America.

Requires: No Batteries Required!

Operation: It holds two "scents" which you can use like perfume.

Price: This item is quite rare, so it's hard to say but one did sell this year for about $97 MIP.

Ochibawolf

2000 Bandai World Version:
Comes with all the accessories you need to transform!

 Requires: No Batteries Required!

Operation: Does not light or sound.

Price: Last year the average was approximately $150. I have not seen one sell this year.

20th Anniversary Merchandise:

GE Animation

2012 GE Animation:
This version is an actual brooch made of metal! It is about 2" wide.

Requires: Clothing/Fabric to pin it on!

Operation: Functions as an actual brooch (if you wish).

Price: Retail is $16.99, but you can probably get it cheaper at places like Amazon or CircleRed.

GE Animation

2012 GE Animation Keychain:
 Made of PVC and ready to hook onto your belongings!

Requires: Something to clip it on to!

Operation: Looks cute and reels in fellow fans!

Price: Retail is $4.95, but do some searching online for deals!





GE Animation has also made a lot of other items which feature this brooch! Including: iPhone Lanyard, Binder, File Folder, PVC Bow Keychain, Belt, Hat, Keychain Mirror, Pin, Button, Bow Button, Patch, Temporary Tattoo, Several Bow Necklaces: Bow1, Bow2, Bow3, Bow4, Wallets: One and Two, and a Wristband. There may be more new items which I am missing, but I think that is the majority of it.

 Did I miss anything? Comments? Questions? Please let me know!

I have finally caught up again with the manga volumes of the new release! Just received Volumes 5 and 6 yesterday.

I also realized that this means we are half way through the new release of the Sailor Moon manga! It seems like we were just finding out about getting a new release, then hearing the release dates for each volume it sounded like it would take forever to get them all, yet I'm consistently finding myself behind on the volumes! Before you know it we'll be watching the premier of the new anime (2013)!

 Finally received the Mercury/Mars Bandai Asia Star Power Stick set! I won a lot at the end of July which contained this lovely item!
After about two weeks it finally arrived!

Anyway, the box is pretty beaten up but it does not bother me much since most of my RP items don't even have their boxes! I'm glad that it is complete and there is minimal damage on the wands themselves.

These are actually a bit smaller than I expected, or at least when I hold them in my hand they look smaller than they should be, but I'm certain that this item is meant more for children so that's why.

The little heart areas are actually supposed to be nail polish. They are a bit dried up, I did open one and the nail polish was like a gel. I'm sure it wouldn't cover well anyway since it's nearly transparent. ^_^

Finally received a large lot of items today (much more than I have pictured here actually) which I won at the end of July.

The items pictured are basically everything I decided to keep. The cards are still undetermined whether I will ultimately keep them or send them off to another home, but I already have a LOT of cards in binders in my collection, so for now they can stay until I decide what to do with them.

 These three items were my main reason for buying this lot, I actually may already have the patch, but not on it's original backing. The ring was a huge bonus as I've always kind of wanted one (more about that item in a bit).
The wand set was the main thing though, basically the price I paid for the lot was maybe $20 more (with shipping) than just these wands go for! So overall I think the lot was worth it, (even if a lot of it I didn't exactly want). I don't know if I'll ever get the Venus and Jupiter set, they are always so expensive!

For those who don't recognize/know the significance of this ring: In the StarS season/arc of the anime and manga, Mamoru gives Usagi a ring which looks more or less exactly like this one, as a sign of his love. It is often referred to as Usagi's "Engagement Ring" in the manga, they are actually shown getting married with this ring on her finger!

The listing stated that the center stone was real, though I couldn't tell you for sure myself. The box also says Kay's Jewelers but I don't know yet if this is actually where this ring came from. In any case, I'm very happy to own it and to find that it actually fits on my finger! What luck!

Sailor Moon Collection 2012 Video #6

The final video I am sharing with you is of my RP Toys Collection. Now some of you know that I have more detailed photos and descriptions of my RP Items already on my blog here, but I talk a little more about some of these items in the video.

I hope you have enjoyed watching my videos! I'll admit, I was rather nervous about talking in them, but it wasn't too bad! I usually feel like I sound like a child in recordings!

Sailor Moon Collection 2012 Video #5

In this video I talk about the animation cels in my collection. Animation cels are quite a unique item as no two are exactly alike, their costs vary depending on many factors, including: the character, what they are wearing, along with the condition of the cel itself. Owning a cel is literally owning a piece of the show!

I hope you liked the video, be sure to check out my other ones!

Sailor Moon Collection 2012 Video #4

For this video I went through the Sailor Moon items on display in my living room area. This mostly consists of my DVDs, CDs, and a few games. Also the newest release of the Sailor Moon manga has found a home here.

I hope you will enjoy the video!

Sailor Moon Collection 2012 Video #3

I'm adding these two videos to the same post because they sort of go together, I originally had them as one single video but it was too large/long to upload.

I've posted photos of the shelf in the video before, but that was before I finished adding everything to it. Check out what was missing here!

The second part is largely made up of items which did not fit on the shelf, extras, or random items which really don't have a place yet.

I hope you like everything so far!

Sailor Moon 2012 Collection Video #2

The second video of my collection contains most/all of my posters and wall scrolls. Sadly I don't really have any of them on display, but I really like them anyway. If only I could find the Lifesize Jupiter Wall Scroll to go with all of my others!

Check it out here!

More videos to come in the following days!

Sailor Moon 2012 Collection Video #1

I have finally made some collection videos! I'll be sharing them over the next week or two, so be sure to stop by and check them out!

We'll start with my dresser and closet areas, along with some storage items. So you can see some of the newer merchandise I have gotten.

Sailor Moon Collection 2012 - Dresser and Closet Areas

I hope you will enjoy the videos as I post them. Hopefully I can take some nice photos soon and get back to the review posts as well.

SMS and SMSuperS Mahjong Sets!

 

I waited over a month and a half to receive these, SEA shipping takes a long time. Although, with how heavy these are I likely saved a lot more money than if I chose any other shipping method.

In any case, I wanted to share the many photos I took of these! I never knew they existed until I saw another collector with them, and I knew I had to get my own someday.The boxes in the center are from the original SuperS set I bought, but it is missing quite a few pieces along with having cracks in the cases, and they never came with a board. I bought these other two sets in one auction from Japan but the SuperS set was missing the instructions, thankfully my first SuperS set came with them so I basically have a full set minus the box! 

I'm trying to keep the images rather large so it is easier to see some things, but I might make more detailed/closeup photos some other time if I feel it is necessary. 

Sailor Moon S (SMS) Mahjong set: 

Each set comes with it's own instructions and a "scorecard" (or at least I call it that), that seems to be showing how much each tile piece is worth. Also included is a set of "chips" which I assume are for keeping score, and a pair of dice. The board has two sides to it, it seems that you could play two different (?) games.

Here you can get a slightly better look at the tiles. I wish I had opened up the cases for the photo! There appears to be 9 tiles of each character plus a wand, princess, and blank tile.

This photo actually shows the "scorecards" for the SMS and SMSuperS boards along with the instruction booklet for the SMS board. I have not yet tried to decipher how to play the games!

Each side of the board has different images and it seems that they would require a different set up.

SMSuperS Mahjong Set:
 The set I just received did not come with the instructions, just a beaten up scorecard and everything else you see here. It appears to be missing one tile but I can hopefully figure out which one and replace it with my other incomplete set. It is also missing one die, and I don't have any to replace it, but I can always use one from the other Mahjong set. This set basically comes with the same types of items as the other set, just with different images on the tiles and board.

The instructions and scorecard from my original set are actually in beautiful shape, which is weird since the set itself is so beaten up! In fact, the scorecard has never been cut from the backing!










 Here is a slightly better photo of the tiles/pieces. Again, I wish I had thought to take the covers off! I will try to do that soon and show what all the chips look like, too.

 Again, each side of the board is a different image, so I assume there are different ways to play the game!








I hope you enjoyed the post! I just wanted to share my newest additions after waiting so long to receive them!

I know I have been promising this for awhile, but I will try my best to get back into my usual weekly review posts! Since classes ended last week (I got all A's this semester I'm so excited!) I thought I would have a bit more time, but instead I'm just working more at my job.

On top of that, a lot of things are coming up as far as spring/summer events that I am trying to go to, currently most of it has been sort of "traditional" things I do with my family. I feel I have kind of been neglecting spending time with family lately so when my mom or anyone else asks me to spend time with them I really feel compelled to do so, the only problem with that is it's usually my day off and we spend almost the entire day together!! But I really do have a lot of fun.

However, at the same time I have a lot of work to do around my apartment cleaning up, organizing, and so on to get ready for my friend coming to visit. I have hardly started with that so I have a lot of work ahead of me. I also need to really update my last of places I'd love to go while they are here. It's exciting for me because I will get to go to places I've always wanted to see, but didn't want to go by myself!

I suppose this post is mostly a way for me to say that I really have not forgotten about my blog! I try to check my Tumblr one every day but that is mostly because I really enjoy some of the posts I see there and there's a lot more activity going on, but besides the occasional re-blog and/or comment I'm not creating any new/original content there so you're not missing out on anything!

In any case, tomorrow I have a full day off and I'm hoping I will stop being lazy while I'm home enough to get the Friday post ready for this week and do some cleaning. I have a few posts I started editing/setting up awhile back but it really does take a lot of time to find photos and information about various items, especially when I run into things I know very little about.

I hope people will stick around a bit! As I'm cleaning/organizing I'm hoping to do some more "documentation" of my collection, so hopefully I will have some more collection updates soon.

Weekly Review- Collecting

Sorry, I don't have a item review this week, rather, I wanted to share a bit of my story on how I started collecting and what collecting means to me. I tried to make it as short as possible but it's still rather long so please bear with me. 

I have been collecting Sailor Moon items for over 10 years.
I started watching Sailor Moon in Middle School and started collecting by High School. Back then I only got $15 a week in allowance for working hard on a farm and doing chores around the house. I was in a few clubs at school so I didn't work a "regular" job outside of school.

At first I bought the manga and DVDs, and anything cheap I could get my hands on! I would sometimes beg my dad to let me use his eBay account. The star locket I own now is the same one I bought in high school, I saved up for weeks and finally dropped $50 to buy it on eBay, and I thought that was expensive!

It has taken a lot of searching, saving, and yes, maybe even some luck to get my collection to where it is today. I am by no means rich. I am a full time student who works part time, and I now live on my own paying rent, bills, etc myself. It's harder to save up for buying items for my collection now, but it is not impossible.

Maybe I'm just fortunate that I'm a very frugal person, I've always been a saver. I saved up twice to pay my own way to go to Germany, it might have taken me two years(+) each time, but I did it.

Maybe some people think "you must have credit card debt". Well, you're wrong. I don't even own a credit card and never plan to, the only debt I have now is student loans. Some say that it's stupid to spend so much on "toys" look around you, chances are you have a collection, too. Be it books, coins, shoes, purses, clothes, etc... I do a lot of things to save up for what I have. I save money where I can, and it's my money to spend how I want.

Ask yourself: Why do you buy things? Why do you keep them?
Because they most likely make you happy in some way (or you really need it).

So, my collection is not “big” because I am rich, and by sharing it, I am not trying to rub it in anyone’s face... I’m trying to say “I’ve worked hard on this and I’m proud of it, so I want to share it with you” and I hope that you will enjoy seeing it, too.

Of course I get a little jealous of items in other people’s collections, but I’m jealous in a way that I think “wow, their collection is neat, I hope people think the same of mine”. I look to anyone who has a collection for advice, I’ve seen very small, focused collections have an item I never knew existed, and asked them to tell me about it.

A collector is not defined by the size of their collection, I don’t think there are good or bad collectors, you’re all sharing the same love for something, be it Sailor Moon, or whatever. It takes a lot of love, time, and devotion to be a collector. Big or small, your collection is something for you, and that’s what matters most.

About this Blog

Sailor Moon (written by Naoko Takeuchi) was the first manga/anime I fell in love with as a child. I loved that it was a show about a group of teenage girls who fought together using their new-found powers to fight evil and who made friends along the way. In every episode it was the girls who held the power, who had to find the strength in themselves to succeed and to fight for justice. However, the girls were not without their own flaws; they went to school, had arguments amongst themselves and had their own interests and hobbies, as well as their own quirks.The series has led me to study Japanese in college and to learn more about Japanese culture, moreover, I have also gained valuable friendships.


I started collecting Sailor Moon merchandise about ten years ago. I have seen prices change a lot over the years and have learned about many of the products. I watch sites like eBay frequently so that I can keep track of how much items are going for and how frequently they show up. In recent years I have even created spreadsheets containing many of the popular/common items collectors are looking for with any information I can collect about the items, as well as what I have recently seen the items selling for. I am constantly adding any information I can to the spreadsheets, and have plans to make more. Especially with the 20th Anniversary "Revival" of Sailor Moon this year and the many new products which are being released every month!


I hope that this blog will provide a lot of information to fellow collectors (and fans) about various products, both old and new. Even now, I am still finding out about various interesting and rare items which I never knew existed, and can't wait to see what the rest of 2012 will bring to us for new merchandise as well! Also, comments and questions are always encouraged, whether it be about the series in general or specific merchandise. Even if I can't answer your question on my own, I may know someone who can help and will gladly ask them or point you in their direction.