hello, everybody!! just last week, i found the rare opportunity i have been waiting for, FAR sooner than i ever thought possible!! two companies, VOLKS, and TSUKUDA HOBBY made dolls of my little Shao back around 2000 or so. both are VERY RARE in the U.S. as such, i was desperate enough that i had tried early this last summer to buy the VOLKS Shao that [link] has. she agreed to sell her to me when i could afford the $175 she wanted. now i'll have to tell her that i am no longer interested, as just last SUNDAY i won this beautiful TSUKUDA HOBBY rendition of her that i only very recently became privy to thanks to [link] i REALLY lucked out winning her off the BAY for a mere $39.99! a repeat seller on YAHOO JAPAN had two of her NIB that he/she has been unable to sell at the yen eqivelent of $250 and $350. all this is really meaningless. what matters is that i finally got my little Shao after waiting and hoping for so long for an opportunity i thought might never come. i love her so much i could cry. if there are any other Mamotte Shugogetten fans around here who want a Shao of their very own, please allow me to heartily recommend this TSUKUDA HOBBY version over the VOLKS one. this one has a better face, IMO, and at 13 inches tall, she towers over the "Tiny Sprite" VOLKS Shao that i understand has issues with her arms popping off. and what's more, the TSUKUDA Shao has a beautiful little body with smooth soft BARBIE like legs (no visible jonts!) and a soft, elegantly balanced torso and bust with squishy breasts and nipple detail, and realistic crotch detail as well!! all this may be TMI, but i am only trying to emphasize to all just how wonderfully realistic she is, and that an Anime doll simply does not get better than my little princess here that i feel so blessed to be able to see every day. i am so happy i could just burst...
here she is after my planned round of improvements, which entail: 1. ALL VELCRO replaced with metal snap closures, 2. all excess fabric along joint lines trimmed away to allow her clothes to fit more naturally, 3. a complete set of lingerie, including Bra, Panties, and Stockings, 4. her fragile jade-pearled hairband replaced with a new hairband made from a white twist tie and jade beads, and finally, 5. her vinyl booties replaced with a Anime/Manga accurate pair of loose Tabi Socks and little satin slippers with white kid leather like vinyl soles...