Assembling this collection has taken a lot of research, time, patience, careful spending and lots of saving up! It brings me so much joy, it's been totally worth it. (Plus, it's SO PRETTY to look at.)
Everything shown is a Japanese import, and everything dates from 1993-2003. (Update: except the "Petit Charas!" I forgot those were there). Most of my dolls are fresh out-of-the-box, never played with, with factory set hair, crisp outfits and NO sun-fading or color loss. So proud of them! I have all the original boxes stored, but I don't know why I keep them. I only kept the "Butterfly" boxed sets intact because they're beautiful. I had to be selective about what to display, so lots of other things are in storage. I'm constantly adjusting the stock and rearranging everything (I find it soothing. Great way to blow off steam.) But I figured that if I wait until everything is "perfect" then I'll never get to share a photo!
About my taste: As a general rule, my favorite characters are SSM, NQS, Luna. I prefer to always display SSM with her corresponding SCM (--but ONLY if SCM is appropriately smaller...we all have our collector's quirks) and Luna always with Artemis. I also can't display any single scout without the rest of her group (and I prefer the Inners). Also, STARS never aired in the US, so I'm not big on its merchandise or characters, since there's no nostalgia there.
About my selectivity: I don't aim to collect every item out there (I've learned I don't like the Petit Soldiers, for example). I try to keep it down to my absolute favorites. (I'm tempted to gather all the Italian SM dolls, but since I don't actually find them as attractive as the "Chara Talk" set, I stop myself from spending the $$$. I had a nice set of the Sailor Team dolls, but I sold them off for that same reason.) I've learned to only keep what I love most of all, and what makes me happy to look at (you know, that uplifting, butterflies in the stomach feeling. the "I can't believe it's mine!" of childhood). After all--I remind myself repeatedly-- I'm not competing with anyone or opening a fan exhibit, I don't need one of every single thing! As a collector, I'm so tempted to get in there and buy all the versions ESM out there, but then I realise: the only one I really like is the one I already have!
Main Items Shown:
The Top of the Case: Official Amada (Speakers) & Seiko 1995-96 "Character Clocks" (+1 unofficial). Yukata 1995 "Character Coin Banks" [SSM, SCM].
First Shelf: Bandai 1996 "Chara Talk: Stars" ESM 11-in. Doll w/white heart stand. Bandai 2000 "SMW Mini Collection" ESM 6-in. Doll wearing Bandai 1996 "Dream Pocket" ESM wings and gloves. Bandai 1996 "Dream Pocket" ESM 6-in. Doll wearing Bandai 2002 "SMW Mini Collection" SSM's entire outfit (because I found the 2000 ESM's puffy wings and the 2002 doll's face-paint ugly, so I edited them to my taste.)
Second Shelf: Complete set: Banpresto 1995 "UFO Plush Mascot: SuperS Special Edition Set" [SSM, SCM, Super Inners]. Bandai 1994 Shokugan "Romantic Heroine: R" NQS. Bandai 1994 "Finger Puppet: R" NQS. Bandai 1994 & 5 NQS with Small Lady. Bandai 1994 "Sailor Team: Moon Talk" 11-in. Doll w/pink heart stand.
Third Shelf: Complete set: Bandai 1995 "Chara Talk: SuperS" 11-in. Dolls w/pink heart stands, Inners wearing their Crystal Power fukus [I also have their regular fukus from their first release earlier in the season]. Plus, Bandai 1994 "Sailor Team: S" "Crisis Change Boxed Fuku Set" and the so-called "Butterfly Box" version SSM doll. Most of my dolls are fresh out-of-the-box, never played with, with factory set hair, crisp outfits and NO sun-fading or color loss. So proud of them! I have all the original boxes stored, but I don't know why I keep them. I only kept the "Butterfly" boxed sets intact because they're beautiful.
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