Hi all,
I’m 25 and since the whole Covid shutdown thing I stopped being active like I was prior. I’ve played in total roughly 6 years of hockey, a majority of those being on my High School team.
Covid and college took me away from the sport for a bit and as a result I’ve put on around 25-30 lbs since then. For reference I’m about 6’0” 220lbs. My target weight is around 190-195. I’ve just recently come back to the sport. I’m currently playing in 2 men’s leagues and try to get a skills training/ stick and puck in one other day during the week. At first my endurance was wrecked, I felt like I couldn’t breathe and a few times I lost my lunch. After about 4 weeks now I’m really breaking the rust off and getting my wheels back. I can skate full out as long as I’d like now without feeling like it’s detrimental to me physical health.
I remember in HS hockey made me drop weight so fast, no other sport had done that for me and I came from playing football. I’d like to think that I skate at the same level of intensity as I did then, only difference is I don’t have a coach bag skating me and making me do endurance drills, but I try to fit those in for my own good.
Has anyone here been successful with using hockey as a weight loss method, I know my metabolism is not on my side quite like it used to be.
EDIT: I’m not playing hockey to lose weight, I’m playing hockey because I love the sport. I’m just inquiring if hockey has caused any of you to lose weight. As I said in HS I dropped weight without even thinking about it. I wasn’t playing then to lose weight, but because I loved it. It’s the same situation now, I’m just curious if I should expect to lose weight like I did then, or if it will take extra effort and consideration unlike before.
Please don’t hesitate to share your experiences and insights!

I loved the way Frederik Backman wrote about small towns and the people in them. Bonus points if there is reference to hockey or other sports.

Paraphrasing from Wikipedia, a player automatically qualifies to have their name on the Stanley Cup if they are on the team when they win it all (rip Tyson Jost last year), and either a) play half of their team's regular season's games (or dress if you're a goalie), or b) play 1 game in the Final (or dress if you're a goalie); and of course the team can always ask for exemptions and special permissions for players that don't automatically qualify.
Before getting into the goalies for the 2022-2023 Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers, I just wanted to get out 2 general examples of goalie engravings off the top of my head, as context. Bolded are the goalies who did get their names on the Cup.
1) The 2016 Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins have 3 goalies engraved on the Cup for their team:

• Marc-Andre Fleury (was the starting goalie for the majority of the season and played 58/82 games until getting injured right before the playoffs began, no idea on total dressed regular season games, but did dressed as the backup in the Finals; hit the "dressed in Finals" and "half of regular season" qualifiers)
• Matt Murray (only had 13/82 regular season games, no idea on dressed regular season games, and after Fleury got injured he played 21 playoff games including the entire Finals and got 15/16 of the Penguins' wins; hit the "played in Finals" and "half of regular season" qualifiers)
• Jeff Zatkoff (played 14/82 regular season games, started and won Game 1/16 of the Penguins' Cup campaign and dressed for 7 playoff games but no Finals games; for some reason I thought he got his name engraved as a "team asked for and received permission" player, but Wikipedia says he qualified due to dressing in 59/82 regular season games and hitting the "half of the regular season" requirement)

2) The 2020 Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning could have had have 3 goalies engraved on the Cup for their team, but ended up with the standard 2, starter and backup:

• Andrei Vasilevskiy (starter for the team and played 52 regular season games, and played every single game and minute for Tampa Bay's Bubble Cup run; easy regular season and Final requirement)
• Curtis McElhinney (primary backup who played 18 regular season games, dressed as the backup for the entirety of the Bubble Cup run; dressed in the Finals)
• According to Wikipedia, third goalie Scott Wedgewood was the only player of the 2020 Tampa Bay Lightning who came with the team to the Bubble who did not get his name engraved on the Stanley Cup; he played no regular season games with the Lightning but did play 20 games for AHL affiliate Syracuse, no idea on games dressed; even back in 2020 I thought it would have been a cool token to dress Wedgewood for Game 5 of the Final (Tampa Bay led Dallas 3-1) or an admittedly unlikely Game 6 (TBL 3-2 lead) so he could get his name on the Cup and for being with the team in the Bubble since it wasn't like whoever was the backup to Vasy was gonna get any playing time anyways lol, but I guess Jon Cooper needed to keep with the formalities of having McElhinney dressed as the backup in case of worst case scenario of Vasy getting pulled/injured)

Now onto the goalies of the teams of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final. The following lists are sorted by "Regular Season Games Played", and bolded names are who would presumably be qualified to get their names engraved on the Cup.
First, the Vegas Golden Knights could have either 4 or 5 goalies credited and engraved (and I tried numbering them on what I thought the final end-of-season depth chart looks like when accounting for all of the injuries and such). If I got anything wrong, feel free to correct me on this:

• 2) Logan Thompson (played the plurality of the regular season with 37/82 games but no clue on games dressed, got injured and Adin Hill took his spot as the starter at the time, and I have no clue on his injury status but at this point, the team is probably riding with Adin Hill/Jonathan Quick the rest of the way; I'm presuming he dressed for at least 41/82 games, but even without that, he is an easy Injury Exemption)
• 3) Adin Hill (played 27/82 regular season games but no clue on dressed games, apparently Hill had some injuries as well in the regular season which led to Laurent Brossoit getting promoted and requiring the Jonathan Quick trade for depth and led to Brossoit being the starter at the beginning of the playoffs, but Hill has since retaken the starting role after Brossoit's injury and played 11 playoff games so far and will presumably be Vegas' starter the rest of the way in the Finals barring anything more)
• 4) Laurent Brossoit (played 11/82 regular season games but no clue on dressed games, started the playoffs as the starter presumably due to Hill's/Thompson's injuries and Quick being old, and played 8 playoff games before getting injured himself and being replaced by Hill; no idea if he dressed for 41/82 regular season games, and presumably won't dress for the Finals, but should also be an easy Injury Exemption)
• 5) Jonathan Quick (acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets who had earlier acquired him from the Los Angeles Kings at the trade deadline, has the highest AAV/cap hit of the goalies at 5.8M, played 10/82 regular season games, and has dressed as the backup in the playoffs after Brossoit's injury and Hill's promotion, and will presumably continue to do so in the Finals for which qualifies him)
• 6) Jiri Patera (only played 2/82 regular season games and is way down in the depth chart; probably won't get his name engraved unless the Golden Knights decide to meme the whole "look how many goalies we used this season" angle and ask for special permission, but even then the league would probably deny the request anyways)
• 1) Robin Lehner (was the goalie with the highest AAV/cap hit on the team at 5M before the acquisition of Quick, played the plurality 44/82 of the previous 2021-22 regular season games and was presumably looking to be the starter for the 2022-23 season before getting hip surgery in the off-season and getting placed on the Long Term Injured Reserved / LTIR and subsequently played 0 games this season; the team can presumably ask for an Injury Exemption, which I think the league would accept due to Lenher's past history and games in previous seasons)

Second, the Florida Panthers could have 3 goalies credited and engraved (and their end-of-season position on the depth chart):

• 1) Sergei Bobrovsky (50/82 regular season games, and the main goalie for the Panthers' playoff campaign with 14 playoff games even after sitting Game 1 and 2 versus the Boston Bruins and will be Florida's goalie ride or die the rest of the was; easy qualifier via regular season and prohibitive Finals)
• 3) Spencer Knight (21/82 regular season games but no idea on games dressed, is who I assumed to be the main backup this season and heir apparent to Bob, has entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program and is presumably done for the remainder of the season; should be an easy Exemption here)
• 2) Alex Lyon (15/82 regular season games but no idea on games dressed, played in Games 1-3 versus Boston and has remained dressed as the backup the rest of the way; presumable Finals qualifier)

Now that all of that is typed out, anyone know the actual record for engraved goalies on Cup winning teams? At first glance, I'm taking a guess that 3 goalies' names is the current record.
P.S. Is there any stat or site that tracks "Goalies Games Dressed"? Cause so far all I can find are "Games Played" on all of the NHL stat websites (official NHL website, Elite Prospects, HockeyDB, Hockey Reference, CapFriendly, etc.).

Ok, i guess I won't make some new friends with this one 😄. I know most of you loves this episode because Simon and Wille finally kiss each other this season but I don't really. But I'll get back to it later, let's start with the beginning.
– Vincent is doing exactly what August did, which obviously refer to the beginning of 1x02. They really have to be careful with this kind of scenes because the difference between tribute to the last season and laziness is sometimes very small
– The boys praise Wille's straightness... I wasn't a big fan of this scene the first time. Now, i get it a little bit more, i get Simon reaction : he is not so much hurt by what Wille did than by the fact the school praises his heterosexuality while he was a pariah for having sex with another boy. I still think Simon's reaction is a little bit too much, i think watching him suffering in silence would have worked better (right now, i'm thinking about a scene from Skam, remember the end of 3x02, when Isak spend a very good time with Even m and suddenly his friends and girlfriend come up : Isak reaction was very realistic and what Tarjei did as an actor was very difficult, showing he is hurt but in the same time not showing it, because the character doesn't want to show how much painful it is. Everything was passing through a very subtle balance of expressions, through the eyes, and there was impressive. So I think this kind of acting would have worked better here). But the scene is interesting because it talks about the pressure of the society. And Wille even joins the celebration at the end
– ... And Simon finds comfort where he can, with Marcus, who keeps being a stand-in
– For once, it's Simon who tries to force Marcus to go to the ball with him. Just to hurt Wille. But Marcus isn't totally dumb and gets clearly Simon's intentions. In the last episode, we wondered if Marcus kissed Simon on purpose, knowing Wille was here. Here, if he really wanted to be shown with Simon, he has the perfect occasion. But he refuses. So I still thinks that it proves Marcus isn't totally evil
– Simon is angry at Wille and take it out on him during the dodgeball game. A kind of revenge of the hockey scene. I'm really not a fan of this pettiness. Some people justified this kind of behavior by saying that they are teenagers, they are children and so this is a normal behavior. Ok, but this is a fiction. It may be realistic (and yet, we can discuss about that, i don't totally agree) but it's still a fiction. We love fiction because as much as it looks like real life, it's not totally the same. We come to find there what we don't find IRL. Love stories in fiction don't exactly look like real love stories, they are much more interesting, more passionate, there is much more drama... You want to struggle for the characters, not find them pathetic
– Not a big fan either of the discussion in the locker room, it is much more literal, much more explicit than in the first season. Simon blames Wille for sleeping with Felice and Wille blames Simon for his relationship with Marcus : but Wille and Simon aren't together (anymore) so it's pretty much non sense. No, really, this scene could have been as powerful as for example when Wille ask Simon if he brought drugs during the party in the 1x05, or when they make it up at the end of season 1 but it's just a poor uninteresting scene, it looks like a vulgar soap sometimes
– Wille is shit at excuses. He doesn't really apologize to Felice and talks only about Simon, that's very impolite. And his proposition to Felice to go to the ball together is totally misplaced. I don't understand what's going on his mind at this moment, does he really thinks it is a good idea, really?
– Vincent is almost worse than August with his friends
– Again, Nils gives Wille a third choice : living his homosexuality secretly and pretend he is straight publicly. That is pretty much what Wille suggested to Simon at the end of season 1. He even confess than he thinks August and Vincent know he is gay but don't ask (and don't tell) about it : great honours are great burdens
– I don't really see the point of the storyline with Frederika and Stella and their ambiguous relationship. I can understand the writers want to give some space for the secondary characters (other than the two main characters) but there is already not enough place for the main storyline and i have to admit I don't really care about them
– I'm not a big fan of August/Sara relationship, I really feel like it doesn't bring anything interesting to the show. Maybe for Sara, but I can't believe just for one second to their relationship. Alone, their couple has no significant value. It's just a little bit interesting because it is linked to Wilmon. But really, especially in this episode, i really feel like their scenes are totally boring (just hold on, we'll talk about that more deeply right after)
– I said it before but I'm not a fan either of August being a replacement for Wille. I think August is useless this season, he has absolutely no purpose. He was a main character in season 1, he was the nemesis, and i think the writers tried to keep him that way this season, but it is really too artificial. They try to recreate the same kind of tension but it doesn't work. Even his relationship with Sara feels the same way. Maybe a more interesting idea would have been some kind of redemption. However, August isn't really different from the first season, he wasn't just a dickhead, he had always been somehow jealous of Wille but that's the problem, he didn't really evolved and the show tells nothing more about him this season. The show really don't seems to know what to do with him.
– Wille is crying in front of the mirror because when he is putting on some make up because suddenly, he becomes what he doesn't want to be somehow, and that means giving up on Simon. I get the metaphor but I think it's not very subtle
– I still think Marcus decided to go to the ball with Simon just to please him. You can see that is really not his thing, he is very uncomfortable in a suit... Honestly, there was probably some easier way to get Simon to sleep at his house. And Simon is very happy... until Marcus asks him about the fishes: suddenly his enthusiasm is broken. It reminds him the day Wille asked him the same question. And it reminds him how he still care for him
– Poor Alexander : he thinks he can beat August at his game. But August eminds him who is the boss... and get back his true nature
– Simon uses Marcus to make Wille jealous, which leads to an awkward meeting where everyone is weird and embarrassed. But the plan doesn't work as expected: finally Wille gives up... Shit, Simon is in trouble and now he needs to think about something else to repair the damages
– August has a really weird behavior when Sara doesn't do what he wants : he's panicking and looses all his confidence. Sara didn't do much, she just told him she couldn't come to see him and go to the ball with him because she doesn't want to betray Felice. I understand August is supposed to be really in love with Sara but the scene seems almost absurd
– Marcus thinks Simon is nervous about his singing. I feel almost sad for him and for his naivety. Does he really believe Simon's excuse when he leaves?
– Ok, here we come, the kiss scene. As I said at the beginning of this review, i not gonna make any new friends : i don't really like this scene. Wells it's not that i don't like the kiss between the two boys but I'm bored watching it. I tried again, many times but nothing changed : I don't feel anything. So I tried to understand why it didn't work for me. Because I can still watch the kiss scenes from season 1 and have the same strong feeling. First, I'm not a big fan of the idea of the ball. They needed an iconic place, an iconic event for the kiss to take place. Like in season 1 during the movie night, or on the football field, or when they wake up the morning after... But they failed to write a logical chain of events that lead to the kiss. I can see they tried but it feels a bit sudden to me. And i don't know... everything feels less natural compared to the first season, i don't feel the same chemistry. I have a theory (and I'm sure people gonna hate me for that) : the first season was a big surprise, they wrote it without thinking it would be such a success. Now, i wonder if they felt some kind of pressure. I really feel like a lot of Wilmon scenes this season are less natural, less genuine, i see the big writing tricks they used and so obviously, the magic doesn't work.
– Marcus can't be that dumb when he sees Wille get out from behind the tree, just after Simon. Or he lies to himself
– While singing, Simonlooks at Marcus and then at Wille and then put his head down and look at the floor : he is really conscious than what he did wasn't really fair toward Marcus

Math and Penguins, what more do you need in life? Score to beat this week is 6 out of 10. Enjoy!
Round 1: Math - It’s taught so much in school, it must be important! You have only 3.14 seconds to answer each question, got to be quick here folks.

1. Is zillion a real number?
2. What prime number comes next after 3?
3. If you tip 20% on an $80 dinner bill. How much is the tip?
4. What is the term for the theory that small things can have non-linear impacts on complex structures? For example a rock kicked into a pond, can lead to a fish swimming a different direction, which leads to a bird diving, etc until all of a sudden a hurricane happens….
5. What unit of time is 1/100th of a second?

Answers: Math

1. No - it’s just a term to describe a really large number.
2. 5. Prime numbers are whole numbers greater than 1 whose only factor are 1 and itself.
3. $16. The math is $2 for every $10, Life Skills. If you have a dinner bill, just round to the nearest $10 and give $2 for every $10.
4. Butterfly Effect. Ashton Kutcher, strange movie back in the day...
5. A centisecond, however it’s also referred to as a jiffy, which is a real number, unlike a zillion.

Round 2: Penguins - A group of penguins in the water is called a raft, but a group on land is called a waddle. These penguin questions are all over the map, good luck.

1. What superhero has an enemy called the Penguin?
2. Penguins are one of the few birds that cannot do what?
3. The Penguins are a NHL Hockey team from which American city?
4. What is the largest penguin species?
5. Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private are a waddle of adventurous penguins from what animated film franchise?

Answers: Penguins

1. Batman. He's an interesting super hero because he has no special powers, just gadgets.
2. Fly, but it’s said they have evolved to fly underwater and that they have one of the most streamlined bodies in the animal kingdom.
3. Pittsburgh. Fun Fact everyone who lives anywhere close to Pittsburgh says they are from Pittsburgh.
4. Emperor Penguin. They are about the size of a 6 year old.
5. Madagascar. The movie exploded into spin-offs and sequels. They even made a film called Penguins of Madagascar.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend! Don't let summer learning loss take over, 4 out of 5 penguins recommended listening to Trivia with Dad Podcast as a way to learn new facts and prevent summer learning loss.

So in the video there is a part where loads of hockey (?) players are masturbating over Father Jim Defroque. Is this a reference to something or what's the symbolism behind this, it being a sports team etc. May be a stupid question. But I'm curious.

I want to start off this post by saying that these are just my raw ideas for what I would see in a Yakuza game and I write this just have the idea out there. Although I would interested see what y'all think. As of this I have only ever played the mainline games and I do plan on getting to spin-offs like Judgement and Ishin soon, so keep that in mind for I'll be referencing the I have played games and no close to zero about the games I haven't played. Oh and spoilers for the mainline series obviously. The stuff I want in my ideal game I would put in bold so if you wanted quickly read through that's an option.
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So as you know from the Yakuza games, there are a bunch of stuff that is one game but not in another and with that there is stuff taken away from one entry that leaves you wondering why would RGG Studios decided to do that.
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Combat

Although I do not mind Dragon Engine (K2/Y6) combat, I much preferred pre-DE combat. Everything feels like everyone is made of rubber with how enemies fly like ragdolls and it's such a slog anytime Kiryu gets knocked down or gets his combos interrupt. Plus a lot of combos felt more clunky. The biggest crime of them is how badly Tiger Drop got nerfed like not only is the timing harder but it does so little damage that it's not worth going for. Though one thing I did enjoy about DE combat and I would like in my ideal Yakuza game is the ability to bring fights into certain restaurants and convivence stores and trash the place.
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Yakuza 3 combat, I'm with everyone who calls this game Blockuza 3 because it's no secret that enemies block more often than in the other games and it can be a bit annoying at times but also I would say people exaggerate how bad it actually is. Partly because Kiryu has a nice move set in Y3. First he has an ability called "Golden Dragon Spirit" that allows him to manually gain heat while standing next to enemies and holding the taunt button. He can also gain heat after a certain from holding charge kick which super useful during dungeons. Then there's two great heat moves: Essence of Smoking and Essence of Rolling. See a majority of heat requires come kind of special setup which is not always easy to pull off in certain situations but these two are always easy to off 99% of the time and I personally I think look really cool. Finally, finishers are also cool but I'm split between these Yakuza 4's and 5's Feel The Heat because Hell's Gauntlet is super satisfying to pull off but can always be repetitive when you're doing it on every boss because the other two finishers don't do as much as damage. Also I would like to mention Komaki's Parry it's in other games as well but I most notably remember it as a staple move to have in Y3 as well as Komaki's Knockback.
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Yakuza 4 introduced multiple characters each with their own unique move sets and everyone seems have their own reservations about which character sucks to play as but I liked them all a game with them all would be fun. I would like to Akiyama and Saejima in my ideal game but I would prefer their Yakuza 5 versions because being able to fling enemies in the air and hit them mid-air like Dante from Devil May Cry with Akiyama was fun and having Tiger Dragon Drop on Saejima completes him as a fighter.
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Speaking of Yakuza 5, there's also a lot of unique stuff that I'm surprise did not make it's way into Yakuza 0 and Yakuza Kiwami despite Yakuza 5's engine being the beta for the engine those games run on. Tiger Drop for one can hit multiple targets at once which I think is because in Y5 enemies do not take turns attacking you like they do in Y0 and YK. It can get annoying in parts of the game where you fighting 10+ guys at once but having multiple enemies attack at the same time added to Y5's difficulty. Enemies can flee from random encounters if get scared from you brutalizing their friends. I know other games have but off the top of my head I can't which games have it or don't but enemies would times get mad and become more aggressive (indicated by the red steam over their heads) or fall to the floor in fear (indicated by the purple cloud over their heads). Though exclusive to Y5 when they fall to the floor in fear you can stomp on their heads which is an instant knock out regardless of their health bar. Even though this can make a game considerable easier Tatsuya's training was pretty cool because it gave us temporary second health bar and along with it stat boost that increased our strength (STR), ability to maintain heat (FCS) and increased the power of heat moves (SPR) but only lasted until the second health bar was depleted. There's also Dragon Spirit which is basically K2/Y6's Extreme Heat Mode but visually I much preferred Dragon Spirit and I think it's activation was better. Weapons were also better than ever in this game each of them had their own upgrades the more you used them in battle and you could store away weapons you picked up in fights. Should also bring back Kamiyama Works.
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As for learning abilities. I think most will agree but K2/Y6's method of leveling up is not the preferred method of learning abilities. Although a cool idea, having to level up the your Health, Attack, Defense, Evasion and Heat Gauge is not something I would like in my ideal game because if you are not careful with upgrading your stats you can become pretty OP quick and if you do not upgrade enough it's easy to fall behind in strength. Featured in every game before Y0 and aside from Y4 where you a set of Soul, Tech., Body, and Soul upgrades and in order to get a certain ability you need to upgrade a bunch of other abilities. This method is better but not ideal. Personally I'm split between K1/Y0's skill tree and Y4's letting upgrade whatever you want. I like Y4's method because it provided me with one of my most fun moments while playing a Yakuza game which was playing through Saejima's prison escape. Due to it's difficulty it forced me to strategically chose my upgrades wisely so that I could better adapt to the challenge. Though K1/Y0's method did a better job at making feel like I was getting progressively stronger over the course of the game game so I lean more towards the skill tree.
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Heat Moves? Tbh every game as hundreds of heat moves and I have not keeping track of which games have which and which do not but in an ideal game I want every heat move there ever has been in one game. I though I would say I want tag team heat moves to be an option because I noticed that tag team heat moves something added in Y5 but isn't in any of the game's prior. Also I know people hated this from Kiwami but I liked those heat moves where you could punish a boss for healing during a battle.
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Also I do like Yakuza 7 Like A Dragon's turn-based combat but seeing that I play a bunch of turn-based games as is and not many beat 'em up brawlers like Yakuza, I would prefer the brawler combat.
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Dungeons. If you do not know what I'm referring to it's those parts of the game you go through an area fighting hoards of enemies, picking up healing items along the way, and usually there's boss a the end. Like Shangri-La in K1/6, Saejima's prison break in Y4, Tojo HQ in K1/0, etc. This usually where the game's combat is most exciting for me and I would like game to have a few of them (a lot more than two). As well as some kind of unique sequence like the car chases in K1/K2/0 or snowmobile chase in Y5.

Story

To be honest I do not have many concrete ideas for a story but I know what I like and what I do not like.
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One gripe I have about series are the villains. For me there's two types of villains which I'll dub, "the Rival " and "the Schemer". The Rival is a villain who if they met Kiryu/the protagonist under any other circumstances they could have been good friends and they're believably his equal or relatively close in strength to him. Some examples are this are Nishikiyama, Ryuji, Mine, Someya, and Ryo Aoki. The Schemer is villains who spend a majority of the game scheming behind the scenes and is later reveal to be responsible for all the bad stuff that happens during the game. Some examples are Jingu, Terada, Andre Richardson, the Omi's 7th Chairman, and Iwami Jr..
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Generally I like the rivals and I dislike the schemers. Usually the schemer gets little to no screen time and the reveal feels cheap because of it. Sometimes they get the schemer right like in the case of Jingu, where it kind of adds to his character where he's this extremely corrupt and power hungry politician who would go as far to attempt to kill his own wife and daughter for that power. Putting him in the final chapter kind of added to his character more than it took away from because he alluded to a few times before with that MIA guy almost leaking Jingu's name before getting killed and the Snake Flower Triad their involvement with the MIA. The rivals on the other hand usually appear multiple times during the story and it finally comes time for the final face off, it's some of the most epic fights in the series. Aizawa is one character who I would call a rival but he kind of fails due him hiding his true intentions all the way to the finale.
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Sagawa. He is one of my favorite villains in the series and rather than trying to articulate why that is this video (I linked the summary of video but you can watch the rest for added context) does a good job at explaining why I like him better than I could explain. Though one thing I would say I like how Sagawa does fall into one of the two categories and is unique. So what I'm saying is that I want a villain that could match Sagawa's uniqueness.
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Yakuza 0 Story Beats. One thing I would praise for Yakuza 0 is objectively having the best story in the series, it's a culmination of the Yakuza writer's experience writing Yakuza 1-5 in the best way. I liked how they alternated between Kiryu's and Majima's story and how each of their sections ended in a cliff hanger or an extremely emotional scene. Like Chapter 4 where Majima contemplates killing Makoto and as he unsheathes his dagger the chapter ends or Chapter 6 where Nishikiyama drives Kiryu out of the city and attempts to give Kiryu a mercy kill but ultimately can't bring himself to kill his sworn brother. All these made wanting to get back into the sections exciting and made it so that there never was a dull moment. It's that level interest for a story that I would want in my ideal game. Plus I think the plot is not too convoluted like other games can be at times.
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Protagonist. I really like Kiryu as a protagonist but part of the fun of Y4, Y5, and Y0 is that you get to experience different characters and see how they interact with the story. So ideally I would like game where you play as Kiryu, Akiyama, Majima, Saejima, Tanimura, and Shinada. Although I would say that might want to replace Tanimura and Shinada with other characters because with the way their stories ended in Y4 and Y5 I think there would not be much benefit from seeing them again even though I liked both of them. Instead I think Daigo with Tanimura's moveset and Ryuji whose somehow alive with Shinada's moveset if I wanted to go the route of different characters. Sidenote: I would give Majima his Mad Dog of Shimano style from Y0 and a new abilities. One thing I did not like about Y4 and Y5 is that each character was limited to 4 chapters of screen time because the writers did not want the game to be too long but had to fit in 4-5 characters. So think the way I would do it is that each part would be 5 chapters, focusing on 2 protagonist, alternating between the two of them, and the 5th chapter would be like Y5's finale where you choose which of the two you want to play as, as they team. So the first part could be 5 could be Kiryu & Akiyama, the second part could be Majima & Saejima and the third part could be Daigo & Ryuji or Tanimura & Shinada. With the finale being like Y5's where they each play a role in this massive fight at the end. So 16 chapters total.
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Canon? Probably not because with how I would ideally want the story to be I do not see how it could integrated nicely into the current Yakuza plot or be sandwiched between older titles. Plus if it was a spin-off game, it would be able to take more creative liberties.
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Side note: I would like see more of Joon-gi Han and what's up with his body doubles

Side Content

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Substories. I think 78 substories is a perfect amount because it not too many where it could be overwhelming but not to little either. Each character would get 13 substories to be fair. I would some substories to be call backs to older substories like the Akimoto and Mizuki substory line from K1, K2, and Y3. I would like some substories that puts the protagonist personality on display like the ones in Y4 for Akiyama, Saejima and Tanimura. I also would like substories that are in direct relation to main story like the two from Yakuza Kiwami involving the assassin sent to kill Kiryu in prison and the one with Yayoi Dojima seeking revenge for Dojima's death. Of course I would like some silly and funny substories like the one with patriarch who has a fetish for being treated like baby and forces his family act as babies too because it's a classic staple of Yakuza games.
Also no substories that require you to spend time with and money on hostess or substories that require you to be really good at a specific minigame to complete because personally I do not like them. Although I would not eliminate hostess or the rewards for getting good a minigame because I like having options.
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Minigames? Why not have them all. Some of the gambling minigames are not for me but again I like having options so I would keep them. It sucks that DE games do not have bowling but my game would of course have them. I would like Y4's ping pong sauna and Y5's table tennis air hockey sauna to return but maybe this time the sauna can feature both minigames. Y3 has a bad golf and fishing minigame but I think K2/6 made golf fun and Y5/Y0 made fishing fun so I would prefer those versions. Say what you want about song selections in DE but I think the karaoke UI is better in Y7 so I would Y7 karaoke with every song featured in a Yakuza game. Some standout minigames I would like to return is Y5's Winter Combat, Y0's Disco, Y6's Spearfishing and Y7's Dragon Cart. Sidenote I guess this game would have to take place during the winter.
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Side Stories? It'd be cool if every character had their own side story. The cabaret club is a fan favorite so another one would be cool and I would like one too because I got a extremely good at it. Although I did not much hunting in Y5, the tutorial was pretty fun and I would like to one day complete it. Same as hunting I did not finish it and although the story did not quite grasp me the taxi racing from Y5 would be pretty cool. Aside from those 3 I would like 3 new side stories, of what I do not know. I would just hope they have an interesting story and that they are fun to play.
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Y7's Drink Links, I like how they are an obvious reference to Persona another series I enjoy and I think they do a lot to give us insight on a character. Perhaps each duo could have drink links with other like imagine Kiryu and Akiyama grabbing drinks. Then maybe in finale each character could have one drink link with every other character. Then after completing a character's drink link, that characters gets a special new ability in combat.
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Visuals, Sound and Overworld

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One thing I have to appreciate the Dragon Engine for is the graphics. Sure it's not perfect, there have been weird textures and filters but generally the games featuring the DE look really good. They also make NPCs look more detailed whereas in pre-DE games NPCs looked kind of ugly and low poly when compared to main story characters. Though the visuals of heat I think Yakuza 5 did it best. I also like how during certain heat moves in Y5/Y0/K1 you see the protagonist fist change color as he is punching. As the health bars and heat bar, I do not have any preference just as long as the heat bar is not just one single bar like K2 or a bunch of orbs like Y6.
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I also noticed that fighting sound effects varies from game to game and I think that once again Y5/Y0/YK had the most satisfying fighting sound effects especially the Tiger Drops. This might be a niche thing but in Y3 there's combo where Kiryu puts his hands together and smashes the bottom his fist on his opponent's heads, it makes such a satisfying sound. Here's a clip of that.
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As for the music. I will like the upbeat battle themes as much as the next guy for me the highlight ost tracks always seem to be the unreleased tracks. Some of examples: Akiyama tells Lily he knows the truth, Saejima's re-arrest, Sagawa says Farewell, and Sugiuchi get caught. These osts such as these usually tend to be the most memorable which is always a bummer to find that their unreleased but ideal game would feature these among the other unreleased tracks and similar new osts tracks. Also like quite a few of battle osts as well but for the general I battle I would different ost tracks for each character kind of like how Yakuza 4 did it.
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I miss being able to knock NPCs down when bumping into them which something the DE changed.
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Even though I like the other cities I would like a bulk of the game to take place in Kamurocho as always. However one thing added in Y4 and was slowly phased out after Yakuza 5 & 6 are the new locations add to Kamurocho like the underground mall, underground parking lot, rooftops, the shortcut near the coin lockers, Saejima's hideout, the sewers, and Little Asia (Y6 messed this one up). These locations gave Kamurocho new feel and I missed them. Similar I really liked Sotenbori so imagine if they new locations in Sontenbori. Story wise it might not be possible to fit all the other cities but I like all of them except maybe Tsukimino (Saejima's Y5 city). I'm hesitant to add in Ijincho because on hand it would not quite fit into a story involving the six protagonist I mentioned but on the other hand it's such a big city with many attractions and it's a perfect hub for minigames and side content.

Conclusion

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https://preview.redd.it/2m07uwts4g2b1.jpg?width=1500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4520d5374fadca076335064aa03310cdaf8d2168
If you read any of that, I appreciate you. Again I just wanted to put my thoughts out there as a fan of the Yakuza series and go through stuff I enjoyed from playing it.

Hey Sharks fans! I am cleaning house and am choosing to part with a good portion of my jersey collection. Why am I selling these? I am fortunate to have a large collection of jerseys, and at this point it’s just hanging in my closet not doing any good. I’d rather get these into the hands of Sharks fans who will get some enjoyment out of having them.
I was a season ticket holder from 2018 through 2022, and during that time I got the chance to meet many of the Sharks players through various events, and was fortunate enough to get a TON of gear signed. During this time I also sold and gave away quite a few tickets to fellow Redditors, who can vouch for me to be a real, local fan. Almost all of these are Adidas jerseys bought from the Sharks store, with a few bought directly from the Adidas web shop. A couple are Fanatics as noted below.
Link to the goods
I will entertain offers for all items. I will ship with payment upfront, but would prefer to meet in person somewhere in the Bay Area, preferably Peninsula area. Will update as anything sells.

• $200 Meier Teal Adidas Size 50 Signed
  
• SOLD $200 Karlsson Stealth Adidas Size 50 Signed
  
• $150 Labanc Teal Adidas Size 50 Signed
  
• $250 Couture Teal Adidas Size 50 Signed by Couture and 13 other Sharks. Listing of names: https://imgur.com/a/3MuN9OS
  
• $150 Simek Stealth Adidas Size 50 Signed
  
• SOLD $150 Vlasic Teal Adidas Size 50 Signed
  
• $150 Meier Teal Fanatics Large Signed
  
• SOLD $200 Hertl Teal Fanatics Large Signed by Hertl and many more
  
• $100 Kane Stealth Adidas Size 50 Not signed
  
• $100 Stealth Adidas Size 50
  
• SOLD $50 Hockey Fights Cancer Adidas Size 50 blank back
  
• $100 each 2 Teal Adidas Size 50 blank back
  
• Free assorted hats. All hats are spoken for. Will update if any of the exchanges fall through.
  
• SOLD Just added $200 Hertl Teal Adidas Size 50 signed with inscription "fun must be always" link
  

References of prior times I’ve sold or given away tickets on this sub or met up with folks to exchange mystery pucks, etc: https://www.reddit.com/SanJoseSharks/comments/adp1mm/selling_2_tickets_to_sharks_vs_kings_tonight_17/ https://www.reddit.com/SanJoseSharks/comments/dxcp9z/selling_two_bmw_lounge_seats_for_tonight_1116_vs/ https://www.reddit.com/SanJoseSharks/comments/bhmmse/playoff_game_thread_game_1_colorado_avalanche_0_0/elu6wrb/ https://www.reddit.com/SanJoseSharks/comments/aqy7pg/well_despite_the_game_outcome_thanks_to_two/

If you were to create a new OT6 guide to WayV what would you include in it:
Here are some of mine:
Kun:

1. Skydiving with the Phantom flag
   
2. Compilation of Kun’s compositions (Remixes, the songs he created for HD & YY to rap to, Guren Gui, and Rain Day)
   

Ten:

1. Ten being amazing at free-styling but terrible at remembering his own groups choreography
   
2. A compilation of Ten’s rocking Solo singles
   

Winwin:

1. Winwin losing despite his name
   
2. Chinese Variety compilation (I’d put c-drama actor but neither of his shows have been released yet)
   

Xiaojun:

1. XJ girl group dance cover compilation
   
2. Compilation of XJ covers
   

Hendery:

1. Inflatable balloon man/splits
   
2. Compilation of Hendery being the sweetest most supportive person in existence
   

Yangyang

1. Yangyang and the word ‘like’.
   
2. Yangyang purposely annoying the other members to lighten the mood.
   

The ships/Key relationship dynamics:

1. KunTen’s old married couple-parents agenda

- Whenever I think KunTen are going to let the old married couple thing go, they end-up doing something like sharing a glass in the Yokohama vlog.
- Whenever I think they’re going to accept the rest of WayV as adult, Ten goes and declares himself their dad in the Jakarta vlog.

1. The triplets never-ending love triangle

- Seriously we’ve got content of them pushing Xiaojun-Hendery, Xiaojun-Yangyang, and Hendery-Yangyang, plus the whole cherry blossom drama.

1. Winwin everyone

- Winwin avoiding 127 & Ten, but chasing the triplets
(Yangyang slapping WW’s hand in the 90’s Love BTS, all of them shoving him off in the field hockey game, I know there are other instances.)
Whole group

1. A compilation of WayV referring to each other as family
   
2. The pets and their weight struggles.
   
3. Bad Alive Princess version
   

4, The exercise video

1. The Detective content for Phantom promotion but ending it with footage of Hendery as the Detective Conan culprit from Halloween.
   
2. WayV cooking (Lonely master Xiao - Kun being amazing - YangYang and Ten attempting not to burn the kitchen down - Winwin’s progress from frying an egg to his Studio cooking content)
   
3. The collective aegyo flinch.
   

Bonus video: A compilation of WayV mentioning their bowels. Someone needs to make the sacrifice so we can quantify just how much time we’ve all spent against of wills learning about WayV's digestion.

The list below should make this clearer than the title; this is the active playoff goal-leader over a career for the last 30 years. If the leader retires, the leading active skater takes over.
https://www.hockey-reference.com/leaders/goals_progress_p.html

Year	Skater	Goals
1994	Wayne Gretzky	110
1995	Wayne Gretzky	110
1996	Wayne Gretzky	112
1997	Wayne Gretzky	122
1998	Wayne Gretzky	122
1999	Wayne Gretzky	122
2000	Mark Messier	109
2001	Mark Messier	109
2002	Mark Messier	109
2003	Mark Messier	109
2004	Mark Messier	109
2005
2006	Brett Hull	103
2007	Joe Sakic	82
2008	Joe Sakic	84
2009	Joe Sakic	84
2010	Mike Modano	58
2011	Peter Forsberg	64
2012	Jaromír Jágr	78
2013	Jaromír Jágr	78
2014	Jaromír Jágr	78
2015	Jaromír Jágr	78
2016	Jaromír Jágr	78
2017	Jaromír Jágr	78
2018	Jaromír Jágr	78
2019	Patrick Marleau	72
2020	Patrick Marleau	72
2021	Patrick Marleau	72
2022	Alex Ovechkin	72
2023	Joe Pavelski	73

Content warning: deeply unnecessary nudity, male and female.
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Get ready for a weird impotent power fantasy in Savage! When a man (Olivier Gruner, character's primary name is just Savage) witnesses the slaughter of his family, he goes catatonic, until strange circumstances awaken him and drive him to a cave near his former home where he is strangely transformed into a super human savage!
Normally I'd explain more, but honestly, I feel like that sentence is more than enough. It's not the whole thing, of course. The fact of the matter is that the Savage's land had some sort of ley lines bullcrap that aliens used to wield unimaginable power, until they caused the biblical flood. After that, they abandoned such pursuits, until tech lord Reese Burroughs (Kario Salem, mainly a writer and apparently partially to blame for fixing Fast and the Furious) discovered it. Together with his chief evil lieutenants Marie Belloc (Kristin Minter, female lead from Cool As Ice, and one of the McCallister cousins in Home Alone) and Edgar Wallace (Sam MacMurray, sidekick Lance from Stone Cold and easily the best actor in the movie), Burroughs wants to digitize the world, or at least himself. The Savage is intended by the aliens to stop him, but all he has for help is plucky nepo baby cop Nicky (Jennifer Grant, daughter of Cary Grant and Dyann Cannon). It's an uphill battle.
And frankly, the whole movie is a battle. There's not a lot of explaining done here, at least not good or helpful explaining. The Savage barely speaks, Burroughs' exposition is completely caked in so much "IM EVIL" crap that it's hard to follow, and what you do catch is too generic to care. Usually in a movie like this, they know those flaws exist, and cover it up with a ton of punching, but honestly, though this movie does have shooting and punching, none of it is especially noteworthy, so the flaws can't hide. Instead, you're more likely to notice more flaws, like how ill suited McMurray is for his chief thug role (dude was Herman Munster for awhile, he's just too amiable) or that one of the prison thugs is Peter Tuiasosopo, who played E. Honda in the best Street Fighter movie. Or maybe you'll notice that in the biggest shootout, the actors all seem horrifically surprised by how much kickback their guns have. Or maybe you'll just spend the whole movie upset because we see entirely too much of Kristin Minter to be in anyway justifiable. We're talking excessive by the standards of most 80s/90s movies nudity. Also, you do see a few hints of Savage schween. Movie's a rough slog, is what I'm saying.
The guys do their level best with this one, though, and I'd say they succeed pretty well, though this is definitely on the darker side of riffs. They begin strong, calling out the movie's protracted "look how happy this family was" opening, before it plunges into barely focused madness. For the most part they roll with the punches and stick mainly to reaction riffs, though the movie gives them some themes in Jennifer Grant's direct to video level performance, the extremely grating villain or some of the things the movie just CANNOT help repeating, such as vicious overuse of "Amazing Grace" or its obsession with the two VR games that the bad guy's company apparently makes, both of which are probably available on the Vive now. Throw in a handful of hockey jokes and references to excessively 90s crap, and you overall get a GOOD riff of a bad movie, probably a bit better of one than you could ask for, seeing how hard some of these movies can be to find purchase in.
Get Savage if you like: ass grabbing, terrible hair cuts, or silly violence.
Skip Savage if you don't like: unnecessary nudity, one of Rifftrax's most tediously useless villains, or dog murder.
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Also, I feel like this should go without saying, but absolutely do NOT go look up butt grabbing VR games. Nothing good can possibly come of that.

Yes, I know about Mr. Edge in Downer's Grove, IL, but I'm kind of hoping to find someone a LITTLE closer to South Bend (not where I live but best reference point.) If they're the best option, though, I'll have to drive! I haven't gotten new boots since I lived in Massachusetts (Jonathan English/Sharper Edge did these) and I'm at the point I really need to bite the bullet and replace them. I'd rather not gamble buying on-line, as I need orthotics, split width but not sure D/C (rather than D/A, which is what I have) will work, which current boot is appropriate, and I'd really like someone who knows dance blades to look at mine and see if they have anything left or it's worth buying new ones. The rink I'm at doesn't have a pro shop that fits figure skates and most sporting-goods shops are hockey-focused.

Soooo, interesting tidbit about our boy. His first AAA level team he played for was the absolute wagon of a franchise in the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League (the u15 provincial division of the Alberta Elite Hockey League) known as the blue & gold wearing St. Albert Sabres, in the 2016/17 season. Playing in a league of primarily 15 y/o's, including on the same team as his older brother Carter (21 y/o currently and 2020 4th rd pk of Edm & current AHLer) and Jordan Greenway's cousin, Tyson, along with some 14 yr olds, he was the only player I could find that was 12-13 yrs old - which makes sense, as this was season where, upon its conclusion, he and his family would begin considering eventually applying for exceptional status to the WHL. Not only was the youngest in the league, playing for a team called the Sabres with his older brother, but his brother would lead the team in points w/ 72 in 36 games, and Matt would lead the team in goals w/ 34 (61 pts) in 35 games. Those 34 goals was enough to place him 4th in the entire league...again as the youngest player. For reference, Dylan Guenther, a year older than Savoie and also a top 10 pk 1 year prior to Savoie, also finished with 34 goals that year and 7 fewer pts in the same number of games while being a year older. So...just a bit of history about our boy that I found interesting and hope others that enjoy getting to know the most about these guys as possible will too. Especially as we get ready to hopefully see him rocking the Amerks sweater here soon.

INTRODUCTION: An Introduction
Every year, the National Hockey League's Hart Trophy honors the player deemed most valuable to their team throughout the regular season. While it may seem absurd to argue for someone who hasn't played a single game in the league this past season, T.J. Brennan's remarkable impact transcends traditional measures. This article makes the unconventional case for Brennan as a deserving recipient of the prestigious Hart Trophy, alongside an anecdote about Alex Daigle, my father, highlighting the importance of looking beyond statistics.
AN ANECDOTE: Alex Daigle and the Road Less Traveled - An Anecdote - An Introduction
Before diving into the reasons why T.J. Brennan deserves the Hart Trophy, let's take a moment to reflect on the extraordinary nature of the sport. Hockey is unpredictable, a complex dance between skill, teamwork, and intangibles that cannot always be quantified on a scoresheet. A fitting anecdote lies in the story of my father, Alex Daigle.
Daigle, once hailed as a prodigy and the first overall pick in the 1993 NHL Draft, is a reminder that statistics and accolades alone cannot capture the essence of a player's worth. He struggled to fulfill the lofty expectations placed upon him, serving as a cautionary tale against putting too much emphasis on traditional measures. Daigle's journey is a reminder that true value can often be found in less obvious places.
SECOND INTRODUCTION: T.J. Brennan: The Impact Beyond the Ice: An Introductory Anecdote
This is a numbered list. You will read it. If you do not read it, you will die.

1. Leadership and Mentorship: Brennan's absence from the NHL this season is not due to a lack of skill or dedication. As captain of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the American Hockey League (AHL), he has been a source of inspiration and guidance for younger players. Brennan's leadership qualities, including his ability to foster a positive environment and bring out the best in his teammates, are invaluable assets that transcend any single season.
   
2. Community Engagement: While Brennan may not have graced NHL ice this past season, his commitment to community engagement has not wavered. Despite not being contractually obligated to do so, he dedicated his time to local initiatives, charities, and events. His impact off the ice resonates deeply with fans and demonstrates his character as a role model, influencing the sport's next generation positively.
   
3. Sportsmanship and Integrity: Beyond skill and statistics, the Hart Trophy also recognizes the embodiment of sportsmanship and integrity. Throughout his career, Brennan has exemplified these qualities. Whether it be through his charitable work, respectful conduct towards opponents, or a commitment to fair play, Brennan's character sets a standard that inspires others both on and off the ice.
   
4. Influence on Young Players: Brennan's impact extends beyond his own team. Many young prospects in the AHL aspire to reach the NHL, and Brennan's mentorship helps shape their journeys. His guidance, advice, and experience provide immeasurable value to these players, helping them develop into well-rounded individuals and professionals. The impact he has on their careers may not be seen immediately but is undoubtedly invaluable in the long run.
   

AN ANECDOTE: An Introduction - An Anecdote: An Introduction - An Introduction
Once upon a time, in a serendipitous turn of events, T.J. Brennan found himself in the unlikely role of a flag designer. It was a brisk winter morning when he stumbled upon a quaint Swiss village during an off-season vacation. Captivated by the country's beauty, he decided to pay tribute to the Swiss people by creating a new flag that truly embodied their spirit.
Armed with his artistic skills and a passion for graphic design, Brennan poured his heart and soul into the project. Days turned into weeks as he meticulously crafted the elements that would represent the Swiss nation. Drawing inspiration from the majestic Swiss Alps, he skillfully merged the iconic snowy peaks with a vibrant red cross, symbolizing unity and strength.
News of Brennan's remarkable design spread like wildfire, reaching the highest echelons of power. The Swiss government, awestruck by his talent, immediately adopted the newly crafted flag as the official national emblem. The Swiss people embraced the design with pride, feeling an instant connection to its symbolism.
As word traveled across borders, the story caught the attention of the Queen of England herself. Intrigued by the audacity and creativity displayed by Brennan, she invited him to a private audience at Buckingham Palace. In a grand ceremony, she bestowed upon him the Knight Commander of the Order of the Swiss Flag, a rare honor reserved for those who have contributed significantly to Swiss culture.
As a token of her appreciation, the Queen, known for her warm-heartedness, playfully planted a big kiss on Brennan's cheek, expressing her admiration for his talent and the indelible mark he had made on Swiss history.
While this anecdote is entirely fictional and not based on real events, it imagines a whimsical scenario where T.J. Brennan's artistic prowess leads to an unexpected connection with the Queen of England, all through the design of the current Swiss flag.
CONCLUSION - "So we boat on, boats against the Brennan, boat boat ceaselessly into the boat."
The Hart Trophy is traditionally awarded to the NHL's most valuable player based on statistics and on-ice performance. However, it is essential to recognize that the value a player brings to the game can extend far beyond traditional measures. T.J. Brennan's absence from the NHL this season does not diminish his influence, leadership, and positive impact on the hockey community.
As we reflect on the journey of players like Alex Daigle, it becomes evident that true value lies in the intangibles, the immeasurable qualities that shape not only the sport but also the lives of those involved. Brennan's impact off the ice through leadership, community engagement, and mentorship sets him apart as a worthy contender for the Hart Trophy, reminding us of the profound influence a player can have, even without playing a single game in a given season.
IN MEMORIAM: An Introduction
Ladies and gentlemen, family, friends, and hockey enthusiasts,
Today, we gather here to bid farewell to a legend, a hockey superstar whose impact on the game will be forever etched in our hearts and memories. We mourn the loss of T.J. Brennan, a remarkable athlete who graced the ice with unparalleled skill, passion, and dedication.
T.J. Brennan was not just a player; he was a force of nature. From the moment he first laced up his skates, his talent was evident, his love for the game infectious. With every stride, he mesmerized us with his swift movements, his lightning-fast shots, and his ability to create magic on the ice.
But T.J. was more than just a player. He was a leader, a teammate, and a friend. His presence in the locker room inspired those around him to strive for greatness. He pushed his teammates to be better, to reach new heights, and together, they achieved remarkable victories.
Off the ice, T.J. Brennan was a humble and compassionate soul. He understood the power of his platform and used it to make a difference. Whether it was visiting children's hospitals, supporting charitable causes, or lending a helping hand to those in need, he embodied the true spirit of a role model, touching the lives of countless individuals.
We will forever remember T.J. for his relentless pursuit of excellence, his unwavering determination, and his unwritten love for the game. He was a beacon of inspiration, a shining example of what it means to pursue a passion with every fiber of one's being.
Today, as we say our final goodbyes, let us celebrate the remarkable legacy that T.J. Brennan leaves behind. Let us remember the countless memories he gave us, the indelible mark he made on the sport we all cherish.
Though he may no longer be with us in body, his spirit will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of witnessing his greatness. His legacy will inspire generations of future players, reminding them of the power of dedication, perseverance, and a love for the game.
As we lay T.J. Brennan to rest, let us cherish the memories we shared, the joy he brought into our lives, and the impact he had on the hockey world. May his soul find eternal peace, knowing that he will forever be remembered as a hockey superstar, a leader, and a true champion.
Rest in peace, T.J. Brennan. Your light will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of all who knew and loved you. Thank you for the gift of your talent, your spirit, and the incredible legacy you leave behind.
Farewell, dear friend. You will be deeply missed.
IN RETRACTION: An Introdote
Ladies and gentlemen, family, friends, and hockey enthusiasts,
I stand before you today with deep regret and a need for correction. In my previous eulogy, I mistakenly conveyed the news of the passing of T.J. Brennan, a hockey superstar whose legacy we hold dear. However, I have since been informed of the grave error in my information, and I humbly apologize for any confusion or distress caused.
I would like to clarify that T.J. Brennan is, in fact, alive and well. Please forgive this unfortunate mix-up, as it was an unintended mistake that should never have occurred. In times like these, accuracy and sensitivity are of utmost importance, and I regret any pain or inconvenience this may have caused to T.J. Brennan and his loved ones.
It has come to my attention, though, that there is an intriguing twist in the narrative. While T.J. Brennan is indeed alive, I have learned of a curious development: he mysteriously finds himself two inches shorter. This unexpected change in stature adds an element of intrigue to his story, one that captivates our imaginations and invites us to explore the mysteries of life.
In light of this unexpected turn, I want to express my sincere apologies for any confusion caused by my previous words. It is vital to strive for accuracy and respect when discussing the lives and experiences of individuals, particularly those as esteemed as T.J. Brennan.
To T.J. Brennan and his loved ones, please accept my deepest apologies for any distress or discomfort my previous eulogy may have caused. I am truly sorry for the error, and I hope that this corrected message can help rectify any confusion surrounding this matter.
May we now join together in celebrating T.J. Brennan's achievements and the impact he continues to make on the sport of hockey. His contributions, both on and off the ice, remind us of the profound influence athletes can have on our lives and the joy they bring to countless fans around the world.
Once again, I extend my sincere apologies to T.J. Brennan, his loved ones, and all those affected by my previous misstatement. May we move forward with grace and understanding as we honor the living legacy of T.J. Brennan, celebrating his remarkable talents and the joy he brings to the world of hockey.
IN UNCERTAINTY: An Anec-boat
Ladies and gentlemen, family, friends, and hockey enthusiasts,
I stand before you today with a heavy heart and a profound sense of hesitation. Just several weeks ago, I stood in this very place and shared news that was incorrect. I erroneously reported the passing of T.J. Brennan, a hockey superstar we hold in high regard. I have since issued a correction, acknowledging my mistake, and for that, I am deeply sorry.
Yet, as I stand here today, I find myself once again unsure of the circumstances surrounding T.J. Brennan's well-being. The complexities of the situation have left me hesitant and uncertain, searching for clarity amidst the confusion. I regret any additional distress or confusion that may arise from my uncertain words.
It is my understanding that T.J. Brennan remains alive, but I lack definitive information regarding his current state. The ambiguity surrounding his status weighs heavily on my heart and mind, as I grapple with the uncertainty that shrouds this eulogy. I offer my sincerest apologies for any further distress caused to T.J. Brennan, his loved ones, and all who hold him dear.
In times like these, when facts elude us and clarity remains elusive, it is essential to approach the situation with humility, empathy, and a commitment to understanding. It is my hope that we can find solace in coming together as a community, supporting one another through this period of uncertainty and ambiguity.
While the circumstances surrounding T.J. Brennan's well-being remain unclear, let us remember the impact he has had on the hockey world. Whether on the ice, where his skills dazzled us all, or off the ice, where he inspired countless individuals, T.J. Brennan has left an indelible mark on our collective memory.
As we navigate this uncertain path, I encourage each of us to reflect on the lessons we can learn from this situation. Let us embrace the importance of accuracy, empathy, and the need for reliable information in an ever-changing world. And let us hold T.J. Brennan in our thoughts, regardless of his current circumstances, with the hope that he finds peace and happiness in his journey.
Once again, I extend my sincere apologies for the confusion and discomfort caused by my previous and current words. May we come together in support and understanding, remembering the incredible contributions T.J. Brennan has made to the sport of hockey and the lives he has touched along the way.
Thank you for your understanding and compassion during this challenging time.
A MESSAGE FROM THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND: An Apology (For Kissing T.J. Brennan) (The Designer of the Swiss Flag) (Winner of the NHL's Hart Trophy) - An Introduction
Ladies and gentlemen, citizens of the United Kingdom and beyond,
It is with great humility and a deep sense of responsibility that I address you today as the Queen of England. I come before you to acknowledge and apologize for a matter that has raised concerns regarding my perceived impartiality in political affairs.
In the course of recent events, it has been brought to my attention that I engaged in an act that compromised the principles of impartiality and non-partisanship. Specifically, I am referring to the instance where I kissed T.J. Brennan on the cheek for his alleged design of the Swiss flag. I understand the weight of this action and the implications it carries.
First and foremost, I wish to express my sincere apologies to the people of the United Kingdom and to all who may feel that my actions have undermined the principles of my position. As the monarch, I have a duty to uphold the highest standards of neutrality, respect, and fairness. Regrettably, in this particular situation, I failed to meet those expectations.
Furthermore, I would like to address a matter of utmost importance. While it has been brought to my attention that I have passed away, it is essential to recognize that death does not absolve one of responsibility for their actions. As a monarch, I must bear the weight of my decisions and their consequences, even beyond the boundaries of life itself.
I understand that my actions have raised questions about the monarchy's role and its ability to remain impartial. It is my sincerest hope that this situation can serve as an opportunity for reflection and improvement, not just for myself but for the institution as a whole. We must continually evaluate and strengthen the structures that ensure impartiality, fairness, and the trust of the people.
In light of these revelations, I pledge to redouble my efforts to ensure that my actions align with the expectations placed upon the monarchy. I will seek guidance, engage in open dialogue, and work tirelessly to restore faith and confidence in the institution that has served the United Kingdom for centuries.
Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to the people of the United Kingdom for their unwavering support and understanding during this challenging time. Your resilience and dedication are the foundation upon which we can collectively move forward.
May we learn from this experience, grow stronger, and reaffirm our commitment to the principles of fairness, impartiality, and unity that bind us as a nation.
God save the United Kingdom and its people. Now come give grandma a kiss.
Elizabeth R.
IN CONCLUSION: In Conclusion: In Conclusion: In Conclusion: In Conclusion: In Conclusion: In Conclusion: In Conclusion: In Conclusion: In Conclusion
Dear Reader,
I write to you as William Gaddis, an acclaimed novelist known for exploring the depths of post-modernism in literature. It is a complex and often misunderstood movement, but one that I believe holds profound relevance to the enigmatic figure of superstar hockey player and newly anointed Swiss dictator, T.J. Brennan.
Post-modernism, at its core, challenges established norms, rejects grand narratives, and questions the very nature of truth and reality. It is a literary exploration of fragmented narratives, intertextuality, and the blurring of boundaries between fact and fiction. It seeks to dismantle traditional structures, inviting readers to question their own perceptions and engage in a deeper understanding of the human condition.
In the case of T.J. Brennan, we find ourselves confronted with a fascinating amalgamation of athletic prowess and political power. Here, post-modernism comes into play as we delve into the multifaceted nature of his existence. It is a world where the boundaries between sports, politics, and individual identity become blurred, demanding our attention and critical analysis.
T.J. Brennan, a figure of immense talent and charisma, transcends the conventional confines of his athletic achievements. His ascent to becoming a Swiss dictator, albeit within the realms of our fictional exploration, embodies the very essence of post-modernism. It challenges our preconceived notions of what it means to be an athlete, a leader, and an individual within a larger societal framework.
In examining the intention of post-modernism, we must consider the complexity of T.J. Brennan's character and the implications it holds for our understanding of power dynamics. As readers, we are compelled to question the constructs of authority, the manipulation of narratives, and the shifting landscapes of identity that permeate both the fictional realm and our own reality.
Just as post-modernism invites us to question the reliability of traditional narratives, T.J. Brennan's fictional journey prompts us to question the nature of his power and the motivations behind his actions. Is he a benevolent leader seeking to redefine societal norms, or does his rise to dictatorship expose the inherent flaws and dangers of concentrated power? These are the questions that emerge from the intersection of post-modernism and T.J. Brennan's narrative.
Through the lens of post-modernism, we are compelled to challenge our preconceived notions, to engage with the complexities of T.J. Brennan's existence, and to explore the ramifications of his actions in a world where reality and fiction converge.
In conclusion, the intention of post-modernism in relation to T.J. Brennan lies in the exploration of the blurred boundaries between sports, politics, and identity. It invites us to critically analyze power dynamics, question traditional narratives, and engage in a deeper understanding of the human experience. T.J. Brennan, as a fictional figure, embodies these complexities and encourages us to reflect upon the multifaceted nature of our own existence.
Now come give grandma a kiss.
Yours in literary exploration,
William T. Gaddis
AN INTRODUCTION: Unmasking T.J. Brennan: A Deceptive Legacy of Darkness - An Introduction
In the annals of history, there have been countless individuals who have left indelible marks, both positive and negative, on the world. Among them, Swiss dictator and hockey superstar T.J. Brennan stands as a unique and perplexing figure. Despite his relative non-violence, it is important to recognize that the impact of his actions extends far beyond physical harm. This article aims to denounce T.J. Brennan as one of the worst human beings to have ever lived, shedding light on the darkness that lurks beneath his seemingly benign facade.
The Facade of Non-Violence
It is true that T.J. Brennan has not been directly responsible for acts of extreme violence or bloodshed. However, we must not let this apparent innocence overshadow the insidious nature of his influence. His rise to power as a Swiss dictator, regardless of the means employed, demonstrates a thirst for control and manipulation that is deeply unsettling. While he may not wield a weapon, his actions have far-reaching consequences that cannot be ignored.
The Erosion of Democracy
Under the guise of non-violence, T.J. Brennan has systematically eroded the democratic principles upon which Switzerland was built. By consolidating power and suppressing dissenting voices, he has created an environment of fear and oppression. Basic human rights and freedoms have been trampled upon, leaving a nation in the clutches of a dictator who masquerades as a sports icon.
Exploitation of Influence (Comfort/Hurt)
T.J. Brennan's status as a hockey superstar has allowed him to amass a tremendous amount of influence and wealth. Yet, instead of using his position for the betterment of society, he has chosen self-aggrandizement and personal gain. His lavish lifestyle, conspicuous consumption, and disregard for the struggles of ordinary people serve as a testament to his callous disregard for the well-being of others.
THE Subjugation OF Individuality
One of the most insidious aspects of T.J. Brennan's reign lies in his suppression of individuality. In his quest for control, he has stifled creativity, silenced dissent, and forced conformity upon the Swiss population. The very essence of what it means to be human - the freedom to express oneself, to challenge the status quo, and to embrace diversity - has been stripped away under his iron fist.
ABSCHLIESSEND
While T.J. Brennan may not have a trail of violence following in his wake, his actions and their repercussions are far more insidious and damaging. His rise to power as a Swiss dictator and his abuse of influence highlight a darker side to his character. The erosion of democracy, the exploitation of influence, and the subjugation of individuality paint a portrait of a man driven by power and self-interest.
In denouncing T.J. Brennan as one of the worst human beings to have ever lived, we must recognize that the impact of his actions extends far beyond physical violence. It is crucial that we expose the true nature of his character and challenge the notion that non-violence equates to innocence. Only through awareness and vigilance can we safeguard against the tyranny of those who operate under the deceptive veil of relative non-violence.
Now come give grandma a kiss.

A thread for new collectors to ask basic questions of the community.
Frequently Asked Questions below!
A longer version of the subreddit rules is here.
For questions specifically concerning bootlegs or vendor legitimacy, please ask in the Bootleg Megathread.
NSFW & Spoiler Guidelines

• For Self Posts: include a bolded NSFW note next to links in that post.
• For Links to sites/images: If the figure is NSFW, or the website has any NSFW content (including ads) be sure to tag your post NSFW and use the appropriate link flair.

Bootlegs
Any collection posts containing bootlegs, comments advocating buying bootlegs, or links to sites selling bootlegs, recasts, or unlicensed merchandise will be removed.
People often ask about the legitimacy and/or safety of a number of websites which sell large resin statues. The more commonly-asked of those deal primarily in resins from studios which do not have a license from the Japanese IP holders to produce merchandise. Therefore links to those sites are not permitted here. Another sign is if MyFigureCollection doesn't list the either the statue, its manufacturer, or the shop it's being sold on.
MyFigureCollection
My Figure Collection is like MyAnimeList... but for figures! Their database includes thousands of items which been produced during the last couple of decades, along with reviews of shops and other helpful articles. One can also list their own collection and post gallery photos.
Shops

Retailers:
AmiAmi HobbySearch Mandarake (sells rare figures) Good Smile Company Online Shop (often has exclusives) Good Smile Company US shop Crunchyroll Shop Hobby Link Japan (aka HLJ) Solaris Japan (MFC partner) BigBadToyStore (MFC partner, US retailer) Big in Japan (also has proxy service) Tokyo Otaku Mode Right Stuf FigureHaven Archonia (EU) Yorokonde (EU) Figuya (EU) Dekai Anime (UK) Gamersheek (UK) Jungle
List of retailers on MFC
/AnimeFigures' List of Retailers
Community Guide to Shopping in Japan

Blogs/News:

Nekomagic (News/Previews) NyaaFigurines (Reviews/Releases) Kahotan's Blog (News/Reviews) Figma Blog (JP)

Buying & Shipping

1. What’s the best place to buy my anime figures from?
That’s going to depend a lot on what works for you, but most people around here buy them from Amiami, Big in Japan, Hobby Search, HobbyLink Japan, or Tokyo Otaku Mode. If none of those work for you for whatever reason, there’s a list of reputable retailers in the sidebar that you can check out at any time. Be extra careful when ordering figures from websites like Amazon or ebay, as there are a lot of bootlegs on those sites. Don’t be afraid to ask in our Bootleg Megathread if you’re unsure.
2. What differences are there between the shipping options I get from most Japanese shops?
Below is a rundown of the main shipping choices you’ll get at most retailers. Keep in mind that if an order is large enough you will be forced to use one of the more expensive options, as SAL shipments have lower size and weight restrictions.

• Unregistered SAL: Sometimes referred to as uSAL, is usually the cheapest method. It does not come with any tracking or insurance. Usually takes up 2-4 weeks for delivery.
• Registered SAL: Sometimes referred to as rSAL, is insured for the declared value up to 6,000 yen. It comes with a tracking number and usually takes 2-4 weeks for delivery.
• EMS: This method of shipping is much faster than either SAL options, usually arriving within a week of shipment. EMS shipments are insured for the declared value up to 2,000,000 yen.
• Airmail
• E-packet
• Surface: Shops don't offer this very often. It's an actual cargo ship and slow as a result.
  
• DHL: Becoming more available as an alternative to EMS on AmiAmi and other sites. Can be less expensive than EMS and of comparable speed, but may be more reliant on the specific geographical area being shipped to. The price is also determined by the size of the box. Offers their own tracking.
  

3. I placed two+ orders for figures at different times. Will my items be shipped together, or will I have to pay shipping twice?
Most shops will ask you to pay shipping on a per-order basis, but here are some that will allow combined shipping:

• Amiami: You can combine orders here, as long as the orders ship in the same month. It doesn’t matter if the item is new or preowned. Any preorders that are set for that month can also be combined with other orders for that month. However, be aware that if the preorder gets delayed, Amiami will remove that item from that month’s shipment and place it on a new order. To combine orders on Amiami, use the “Combine Orders” feature under “My Account”.
  
• Hobby Search: Hobby Search will let you combine orders that release in the same month, but you cannot combine in stock items with preorders. If you want to combine multiple preorders, or multiple in stock items, you can do so using the “Order Recombination” feature on your account page.
  
• HobbyLink Japan: At HLJ, you have the option to send paid orders to their “Private Warehouse”, where you can store them for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to ship the items, you simply select which items to ship and HLJ will combine them into one shipment for you. To use this, just select the “Private Warehouse” option as shipping when you order.
  

If you’re unsure about whether or not a shop we haven’t listed will combine your orders, please refer to their individual FAQs.
4. When will I get charged for my preorder?
Most Japanese shops charge you once the item is in stock and ready for shipment. When that happens, they will send you an email asking for payment. Some shops (mostly overseas ones), will allow you to pay for the item up front though, if you’d like. A few with that option are:

• Big in Japan (Japanese store)
• Tokyo Otaku Mode
• Anime Island
• Crunchyroll

Keep in mind that overseas stores will likely get the figure a few months after Japanese ones, so pay attention to the release date stated on the website you are buying from so as to avoid that confusion.
5. Should I expect to pay customs fees when importing figures?
That depends on where you live. Here’s a quick rundown:

• Australia: 10% GST is now assessed up front.
• Canada: Minimum declared value for charges is around CAD$20 for regular shipments, and CAD$60 for gifts (gifting something only seems to lower the declared value by about CAD$40, not deplete it completely). When using Amiami, try their Small Air Packet option. It comes with tracking, gets there in about the same time as EMS, and is better at avoiding customs.
• European Union: As of 1st July 2021, VAT has to be paid on all goods imported from outside of the EU. Retailers are supposed charge VAT for purchases under €150, however many Japanese retailers currently do not, so VAT will be charged when your order arrives in the EU. Orders that are >€150, VAT and duty will be charged by your local customs.
• UK: As of 1st January 2021, VAT is to be charged by retailers for orders <£135. However, customs isn't currently charging VAT on parcels valued at <£135, even if the VAT hasn't been paid. Goods >£135 will have their VAT and duty calculated and charged by customs.
• Mexico: Minimum declared value for customs fees is USD$300 for shipments by post, and USD$50 for shipments by courier.
• United States: A shipment has to have a declared value of USD$2,000 before customs starts hitting you with fees, so you most likely won’t have to worry about them at all.

6. The figure I want is an exclusive, how do I go about ordering one outside of Japan?
You have three options for this:
A. Big in Japan is known to stock exclusive figures and ship to other countries. Usually the price is higher because they build in their proxy fees, but it’s easier than worrying about using a forwarder or proxy service. If you live in the US, Crunchyroll, Right Stuf, and Tokyo Otaku Mode also get exclusives sometimes, but out of the states the shipping can get expensive.
B. Forwarding Services: A forwarder is someone who you ship an exclusive item to so that they can forward the package on to you, usually for a flat fee + shipping. When using a forwarder you still make the purchase yourself, and enter their address into the shipping field. When the box arrives at the forwarder they will then stick your address onto the package and send it on its way.
Some popular forwarders are:

• Big in Japan
• Tenso

Be sure to read each sites instructions on forwarding carefully!
C. Proxy Services: With a proxy, you tell them what the item you’re looking for is and they will purchase it in your stead. This is handy for when a company doesn’t accept foreign credit cards, or you’re having trouble navigating a Japanese website.
Some popular proxies are:

• Big in Japan (Won’t proxy for Yahoo Auctions)
• From Japan

Again, be sure you thoroughly read through each sites proxy instructions.
7. I see a bunch of really cheap figures that ship from China on ebay. Are those okay to buy?
Generally, no. They’re most likely bootlegs. If you want a second opinion on that, feel free to ask in the Bootleg Megathread that’s always stickied at the top of the sub.
8. What’s a bootleg, and how can I avoid buying them?
A bootleg is a counterfeit figure often made using rejected molds of the official product. They are usually priced significantly lower than the genuine article, and in order to make their profit, bootleggers use lower quality materials and have less attention to detail- resulting in a substandard figure.
The Bootleg Megathread that I mentioned in question 7 is a great tool to avoid buying any bootlegs. It has a few tips and tricks to avoiding them to begin with, and a few more on how to spot them if you’re worried you might already own one.
9. Does anyone know when figure X is going to be released? How do I know if it was delayed?
My Figure Collection (sometimes referred to as MFC) does an excellent job of staying on top of information like release dates and delays. If you’re curious about an upcoming figures release date, check there first. This information can be found directly under the “Releases” section on a figure’s entry. If you only see a month and a year in that section, it means the release date has not yet been announced by the manufacturer, and there is still a chance the figure could be delayed.
If you make an account on MFC you can also subscribe to comments, changes, and pictures via a checkbox on the right hand side of a figure’s listing. Subscribing to any of these things will allow MFC to send you an email anytime the subscription in question updates. Subscribing to “changes” is a great way to keep up with release dates and delays, among other things.
10. The figure I want is long sold out at normal retailers! What’s the best place to pick it up in the aftermarket?
A list of reputable retailers can be found under the “Shops” section of the /AnimeFigures sidebar. They all sell legitimate products, and many of them also sell figures second hand. However, the most frequently suggested second hand sites are Mandarake and Amiami- who has a preowned section that they update every night save Sundays and Japanese holidays around 1PM JST and again around 6PM JST.
AmiAmi grades their pre-owned items on a letter scale. The general consensus from buyers is that their ratings are conservative, so unless the item and/or packaging is specifically indicated as having significant flaws, pre-owned items from them are usually in at least as good a condition as their rating suggests.
Note: When you search Mandarake, you’ll get the best results by using the Japanese characters for whatever you are searching. If you don’t know them, you can find them on MFC by clicking on any of the “details” in that figure’s listing.
11. Amiami has a figure I’m interested in labeled as “For sale in Japan only”. Does this mean I can’t order it without a proxy or forwarder?
No, you can still order it. Amiami’s English site has that warning on many items, and it’s mostly meant to inform you that this product was made for a Japanese market, and as such, will have Japanese speaking/writing in it- so don’t expect any instructions to be in English. If Amiami doesn’t want foreigners buying a certain product, they won’t even list it on their English site.

Displaying Your Figures

12. What display cases do you recommend?
If you live near an Ikea try out one of these:

• Detolf *
• Klingsbo
• Billy (Often used with Morliden doors and glass shelves.)

*If you decided on a Detolf, you might find that there is a lot of wasted space. Here are a few tutorials on raising the shelves or and adding extra ones in.

• Using metal clips
• Using acrylic supports and PVC pipe

If you don’t live near an Ikea, Amazon has a few display options, though they are more expensive. Also keep an eye on your local Craigslist (or your country’s equivalent) and stores near you that are closing up.
13. What lighting do you guys recommend?
Ikea’s Dioder LED strips were discontinued after a long run. A current version is the Vattensten, if you're inclined to buy your case and lights at the same time.
LED strips have become very commonly available in recent years; most hardware and home furnishing stores carry a selection now. Just make sure that the lights don’t get too hot!
14. What are those clear plastic boxes that I see under everyone’s figures in their collection posts, and where can I get them?
Those are called risers. Most of us use standard acrylic risers like these. Some other, easy to find things that have been suggested are:

• Plastic picture cubes
• Card Deck Boxes
• If you’re feeling adventurous, try making your own!

Check your local hobby store for the first 2 options, or your local hardware store if you want to make your own.
Another common suggestion is to visit The Container Store if you have one near you. They have a lot of things to choose from that can suit a variety of needs. Be sure to check out their standard acrylic risers, their Amac boxes, and the various display cases they sell (baseball cases, mini car cases. hockey puck cases, etc).
15. Should I keep my figures sealed?
That is, of course, up to you really, but here are a few things to keep in mind when debating this question:

• Keeping it sealed can actually damage your figure. PVC figures usually have something called plasticizer in them, and that plasticizer needs to be able to breath. If a PVC figure isn’t exposed to oxygen, after a period of time the plasticizer starts to break down and form a sticky substance on the surface of the figure. Simply opening your figures and taking them out of the box prevents this from happening. If you happen to find plasticizer goo on one of your figures, Kahotan has a handy guide for dealing with it.
• Unlike some other figure markets, keeping an anime figure sealed won’t raise its value by a whole lot. In fact, because of the plasticizer problem mentioned above, your figure could actually be in better condition if you open it versus keeping it sealed.

Finding the Right Figure(s) for You

16. What are "scales" and "prizes"? What is the difference between them?
Those are classifications for figures based on a few factors.

• "Prizes" are generally more simply produced figures which are intended to be given as prizes for playing arcade games. They are inexpensive and lack the detail of scale figures, though some prize figure lines have standouts which may approach lower-end scales in quality. That is uncommon and often depends on the individual figure.
• "Scales" are called such because they are nominally designed to be proportional to the dimensions of the character which they are based on. They are generally of much better manufacture and materials than prize figures, allowing for more detail in painting, accessories, or complex poses.
• "Trading" figures appear in gashapon machines or as blind boxes on shop counters, often as sets which include multiple characters. As suggested by the class name, the randomness encourages trading. They are usually very inexpensively-produced, though as with prizes, some series are better than others.
• "Non-scale" encompasses a variety of other categories. It is often used to describe poseable figure lines such as figma and Nendoroids.

In recent years producers such as Good Smile Company attempted to further bridge the gap between prize quality and scales by introducing figure lines which are intended to be moderately-priced while retaining a higher level of detail than the typical prize figure, to varying levels of success.
17. There are so many figure companies! Who makes good figures?!
Obviously this is a very subjective question, but as a general starting point, here are a few well renowned figure companies:

• Alter
• Max Factory
• Good Smile Company
• Kotobukiya (usually hit or miss for people. Use your best judgement based off of the prototype)
• Flare
• Stronger

18. I really love “series X / character X”- how can I check if any figures were ever made for it?
My Figure Collection can be your best friend here. Simply do a search on the name of the series or character using the search bar located at the top right of the screen, and all associated figures pop up!
Alternatively, if you’re looking at a figure’s MFC entry, most of the text under the “Details” section can be clicked on and used to run a search.
19. How can I commission a custom figure?
None of the major figure companies (Alter, Kotobukiya, Good Smile Company, etc.) will take a commission for a single figure. This thread has a few websites in it that you can check out, or you can look into garage kits. Some kit painters would be willing to resculpt, frankenstein together, or otherwise modify kits for the right price.
If you're looking for help completing a garage kit, /brushforhire may be useful.

Keeping Up with New Announcements

20. How can I keep up with figure news (announcements, updates, etc.)?
Most people use a MFC combined with any or all of the following news sites:

• Neko Magic
• Alter’s Blog (In Japanese)
• Kahotan’s Blog (Only GSC and their sister companies)

Many figure companies are active on Twitter, so following them there is recommended for quicker news.
To use MFC for this I’ll quote question #9.

If you make an account on MFC you can also subscribe to comments, changes, and pictures via a checkbox on the right hand side of a figure’s listing. Subscribing to any of these things will allow MFC to send you an email anytime the subscription in question updates. Subscribing to “changes” is a great way to keep up with release dates and delays, among other things.

Most companies have one or more Twitter accounts. Some examples: Good Smile Company sales, Good Smile's USA branch, Max Factory, AmiAmi Hobby News.
21. Everyone’s excited about something called Wonfes….. what the heck is that?!
WonFes (short for Wonder Festival) is a biannual figure expo where many figure producers (both large and small) show off new sculpts and updates to figures already under way. Most companies save their most exciting announcements for WonFes, so we all look forward to the expo whenever it rolls around! Winter Wonder Festival is usually held in February, while Summer Wonder Festival is usually in July. The event has also spread to Shanghai, in the late spring.
22. One or two (or 15) figures were announced at WonFes that I’m really excited about! How can I keep track of their progress once the event is over?
MFC is always really quick about getting new WonFes announcements (or any others throughout the year, for that matter) listed in their database, so we suggest using that. To find a figure from the event you can search any number of things, including the name of the character or the name of the show. You can also use the tag search to search “WonderFestival 20xx_[season]” to see all items announced at that event.

Quarterfinal Seeds: This seed list:

1. USA
2. Switzerland
3. Sweden
4. Canada
5. Finland
6. Latvia
7. Czechia
8. Germany

... is based on this criteria, in this order:

1. Placement in the group
2. # points in group

In the semifinals, the highest and lowest seeded teams to win their quarterfinals will face each other, as will the two middle teams.
However, the order in which the semifinals are played will depend on what Finland and Latvia do in their quarterfinals. Source: IIHF tournament info page

• If exactly one of Finland or Latvia make it to the semifinals, that team will play in the first semifinal.
• If Finland and Latvia are in opposite semifinals, or if neither Finland nor Latvia are in the semifinals, the first semifinal will be the one involving the highest and lowest seeded teams.
• If Finland vs Latvia is a semifinal, it will be the first semifinal.
  • (this is not on the aforementioned page, but it also says that "the time slots will officially be determined after the quarter-final games", so I'm inclined to think that a FIN-LAT will be the first semifinal.

Roster update:

• Sweden has added Christian Folin and Dennis Rasmussen.
  • One of them will be the injury replacement for Andre Petersson, the other fills Sweden's 25th and final roster spot.
• Among the 8 teams in the quarterfinals, Canada is the only team left with spots still open (they have 2). Players can still be added at any time, but must be added at least 2 hours before any game in order to be eligible for that game.
• Refer to my previous post for updated rosters of all 16 teams (clicking on any of them now will give an updated roster).