Post by Teahouse Keeper on Jan 23, 2010 9:06:41 GMT -5
(Jan 23 2010 Saturday 7.35pm)
Whoaa! It's been what... more than 2 weeks since I've been here! WHOAA! Where in blazes did the days go?
I am now... holding in my hands.. (when they are not typing)...the mag. Japanese Newtype Romance that I "oops" ordered... more than 2 weeks back. ;D I haven't opened it yet, it's still in its envelope. And feeling it, it seems the seller was kind enough to provide bubble wrapping (likely it's a bubble wrap envelope rather than separately wrapped).
Anyway. This mag was ordered on 5 Jan. Amazon jp e-mailed to say it was sent out on 7th via Standard mail. I didn't notice it said "Standard" mail, assuming it would be delivered by FedEx (which had delivered a previous order some time back). I just assumed FedEx was their default delivery service.
Well, it wasn't. I waited and waited... no mag in the mail. The last time, FedEx took only a few days to deliver. Was about to give FedEx a call but realized I didn't have a tracking number. So, after what seemed like too long, I checked the e-mail again. Oh. "Standard". No idea what it means, although it also says Japan Post. Does Japan Post take a long time? I find it difficult to think that Japan takes a long time delivering something.
Checked the order at Amazon. Hmm. It said "1 package via SAL post". And then the delivery estimate was 19th to 25th Jan. Whooa... What was SAL???
By their estimate, it's about 2 weeks. What was the seller using? Surface (sea) mail?? If so, it would take about a month or more. So, it wasn't by sea. Then...?
I haven't checked what SAL means. Whatever it is, it sure must be a cheaper means of delivery since I only paid 1755 yen for everything. I guess this mode of delivery is used for things non-hurried, like magazines.
Today, I received it. At last. Was just worrying about it this morning. The thought that it still haven't arrived made me a little disturbed.
From date of shipping 7th to arrival 23rd: 17 days. More than 2 weeks. Wow. What the heck is SAL anyway?!
Ok... so the seller labels it as acceptable condition. We shall see...
But before this, lemme add that for that USA Newtype 2007 V6 #9... no go with that seller. She e-mailed that she wasn't selling single. Too bad.
Since then, I haven't tried hunting down who else has this issue. I don't know, maybe it isn't so great an issue after all, maybe it's just 2 pages of glossy pics and some brief, general brush-through that says nothing. Likely, it would lack the details that are limited or restricted to the Japanese market. Or maybe it's just sour grapes that looking on the outside, I can't have it.
I feel the Japanese magazines are better (even without actually seeing them). I mean just look at Newtype Romance, covering the anime through a few issues, not just a feature article in one. How to beat that? The Japanese mags are bound to have better coverage from all sides: photos, interviews etc.. (not that I can read).
I'd rather get Newtype Romance and any Japanese Newtype or other Japanese coverage of Saiunkoku, than spend $ and time getting the USA Newtype version.
Hmm. Ok... here we go...
By the way, I tried but was unable to get a good photo shot of the envelope with the mag sealed inside. My camera needs servicing after the trip to Taiwan and Japan. Probably moisture build-up, fungus...
The writing of my name and address on the envelope is the seller's, I think. ^__^ Good, clear, large handwriting, with a little Japanese words in cursive thrown in at front left bottom and the back where the person wrote his/her return address. Addressed to me with a 様 (san) at the end of my name.
Ok, here we go.
*penknife*
The envelope is thick and good...
I've slit the top... *pulls it out* ... OH gosh ^__^ Looks great. ^__^ Seems I was wrong about that bubble envelope. The bubble wrap is separate. The order form (invoice) falls out together when I take out the mag.
Wow... this is nicely wrapped stuff. The mag looks brand new in the bubble wrap.
Let's see the invoice that was printed out... Mmhm mmhm.. it's in Japanese.
Ok, let's now have a look at the mag itself...
The front cover looks not new, yes, the corner edges a little creased but otherwise Ok. The back page bottom corner edge is creased and a little torn, but can be taped, so no problem.
Flipping through... first impression, pages inside seem Ok. Smiled when caught sight of what seems to be a separate booklet of Saiunkoku... thought I saw Seiran.. ^__^
Now, looking page by page...
There's some feature on Prince of Tennis and Bleach. Manga illustrated by Atsuko Nakajima... wonder what it's about. Sexy pic of 3 vampish girls... with gay implications... ^__^
I've come to know Atsuko Nakajima's artwork... a little, from seeing an artbook at Kinokuniya while looking for Saiunkoku artbook. Saw her artbook Kirara with that nice sexy handsome witchy guy on front cover. Unable to open plastic sealed book. Googled for Atsuko Nakajima and didn't find much on her yet (just Anime News Network listing the anime she's done).
Hill of Blue Sheep, novel. #1. Hmm.. Can't read Japanese.
Hmm...what's this interesting thing with bishounen... Gakuen heaven?
Oh, they are still featuring pics for Shounen Onmyouji. Sexy Guren. *checks Anime News Network* OOhh... the anime was on at that time. 2006-10-03 to 2007-03-27.
Hmm.. Cospatio. Oh, they make cosplay stuff.
www.cospa.com/staticdoc/p/company_indexe
Ah! There we have it. Saiunkoku! ^____^
Clips of scenes, news on DVD, CD, novel releases. Pics. ^__^ ARGHhhh!! I'm trying to read... it's like I can. But... I CAN'T!!! >..< I am reading... then I realize I am not reading!!!
ARGHhhhhhhhhh!!! PICS!!!!!!!! Oh my god. Full page pics of Kouyuu, Ran Shuuei, Seiran, Shi Ryuuki, AND ALL 4 GUYS!!! *weeps*
Oh so gorgeous. But I can't read what their seiyuus say about each of their characters. Dear Seiran from Hikaru Midorikawa. Dear Ryuuki from Tomokazu Seki; Dear Shuuei from Toshiyuki Morikawa; Dear Kouyuu from Nobuyuki Hiyama.
*tries to read* Crap, I need someone to translate for me. I need to get my camera repaired, take a pic of the words and go ask someone.
Unfortunately, my scanner broke long ago... and there isn't a new one.
I wonder if those same pics from that online site are clear enough to use.
Mm. Darn. I see a... yaoi (?) RPG game, but it doesn't say the title in English. Have no idea what it is. So handsome that man with long dark hair tied back and wearing a captain's (?) uniform... Nakedness going on in the baths, affection outside the bath...Seems 2 older guys are after this young boy in uniform... about 16, 17 or 18.
Guessing.. checks... AH! So, it's Kyou Kara Maou. Mm ^___^
kyoukaramaou.com
Conrad? There's Conrad in there? Is it the same Conrad as in Toshiyuki Morikawa's song?
So the kid... is Yuri and 15 years old only. Half demon. Kinda ... well, it reminds me of my own story that I have been having in mind.
Oh, the handsome dark-haired man in captain's uniform is Gwendal. *rolls eyes* Isn't that a girl's name?
Don't know why, but Seiran always seems to look different in illustrations than in the anime. I wonder if it's his eyes drawn different. Double eyelids are there... but... he just looks different on paper. Not so sexy. Maybe it's his hair? More fluffy in the anime? But I think it's his eyes. Something about his eyelids.
There's a Neo Romance booklet inserted in the front of the mag. So, wasn't about Saiunkoku as first thought.
Mm. Well, that's it for 1755 yen (about US$19).
The condition is as stated: Acceptable. Pretty good actually, better than expected. Interesting magazine.
I had been thinking of buying more from this seller (since it seems he's the only one shipping overseas), if this mag was received in good condition. Now... I'm not so sure. As already expected, it's just a few pages (7) of Saiunkoku. It's kinda costly to get all the issues containing Saiunkoku. Mm.
Whoaa! It's been what... more than 2 weeks since I've been here! WHOAA! Where in blazes did the days go?
I am now... holding in my hands.. (when they are not typing)...the mag. Japanese Newtype Romance that I "oops" ordered... more than 2 weeks back. ;D I haven't opened it yet, it's still in its envelope. And feeling it, it seems the seller was kind enough to provide bubble wrapping (likely it's a bubble wrap envelope rather than separately wrapped).
Anyway. This mag was ordered on 5 Jan. Amazon jp e-mailed to say it was sent out on 7th via Standard mail. I didn't notice it said "Standard" mail, assuming it would be delivered by FedEx (which had delivered a previous order some time back). I just assumed FedEx was their default delivery service.
Well, it wasn't. I waited and waited... no mag in the mail. The last time, FedEx took only a few days to deliver. Was about to give FedEx a call but realized I didn't have a tracking number. So, after what seemed like too long, I checked the e-mail again. Oh. "Standard". No idea what it means, although it also says Japan Post. Does Japan Post take a long time? I find it difficult to think that Japan takes a long time delivering something.
Checked the order at Amazon. Hmm. It said "1 package via SAL post". And then the delivery estimate was 19th to 25th Jan. Whooa... What was SAL???
By their estimate, it's about 2 weeks. What was the seller using? Surface (sea) mail?? If so, it would take about a month or more. So, it wasn't by sea. Then...?
I haven't checked what SAL means. Whatever it is, it sure must be a cheaper means of delivery since I only paid 1755 yen for everything. I guess this mode of delivery is used for things non-hurried, like magazines.
Today, I received it. At last. Was just worrying about it this morning. The thought that it still haven't arrived made me a little disturbed.
From date of shipping 7th to arrival 23rd: 17 days. More than 2 weeks. Wow. What the heck is SAL anyway?!
Ok... so the seller labels it as acceptable condition. We shall see...
But before this, lemme add that for that USA Newtype 2007 V6 #9... no go with that seller. She e-mailed that she wasn't selling single. Too bad.
Since then, I haven't tried hunting down who else has this issue. I don't know, maybe it isn't so great an issue after all, maybe it's just 2 pages of glossy pics and some brief, general brush-through that says nothing. Likely, it would lack the details that are limited or restricted to the Japanese market. Or maybe it's just sour grapes that looking on the outside, I can't have it.
I feel the Japanese magazines are better (even without actually seeing them). I mean just look at Newtype Romance, covering the anime through a few issues, not just a feature article in one. How to beat that? The Japanese mags are bound to have better coverage from all sides: photos, interviews etc.. (not that I can read).
I'd rather get Newtype Romance and any Japanese Newtype or other Japanese coverage of Saiunkoku, than spend $ and time getting the USA Newtype version.
Hmm. Ok... here we go...
By the way, I tried but was unable to get a good photo shot of the envelope with the mag sealed inside. My camera needs servicing after the trip to Taiwan and Japan. Probably moisture build-up, fungus...
The writing of my name and address on the envelope is the seller's, I think. ^__^ Good, clear, large handwriting, with a little Japanese words in cursive thrown in at front left bottom and the back where the person wrote his/her return address. Addressed to me with a 様 (san) at the end of my name.
Ok, here we go.
*penknife*
The envelope is thick and good...
I've slit the top... *pulls it out* ... OH gosh ^__^ Looks great. ^__^ Seems I was wrong about that bubble envelope. The bubble wrap is separate. The order form (invoice) falls out together when I take out the mag.
Wow... this is nicely wrapped stuff. The mag looks brand new in the bubble wrap.
Let's see the invoice that was printed out... Mmhm mmhm.. it's in Japanese.
Ok, let's now have a look at the mag itself...
The front cover looks not new, yes, the corner edges a little creased but otherwise Ok. The back page bottom corner edge is creased and a little torn, but can be taped, so no problem.
Flipping through... first impression, pages inside seem Ok. Smiled when caught sight of what seems to be a separate booklet of Saiunkoku... thought I saw Seiran.. ^__^
Now, looking page by page...
There's some feature on Prince of Tennis and Bleach. Manga illustrated by Atsuko Nakajima... wonder what it's about. Sexy pic of 3 vampish girls... with gay implications... ^__^
I've come to know Atsuko Nakajima's artwork... a little, from seeing an artbook at Kinokuniya while looking for Saiunkoku artbook. Saw her artbook Kirara with that nice sexy handsome witchy guy on front cover. Unable to open plastic sealed book. Googled for Atsuko Nakajima and didn't find much on her yet (just Anime News Network listing the anime she's done).
Hill of Blue Sheep, novel. #1. Hmm.. Can't read Japanese.
Hmm...what's this interesting thing with bishounen... Gakuen heaven?
Oh, they are still featuring pics for Shounen Onmyouji. Sexy Guren. *checks Anime News Network* OOhh... the anime was on at that time. 2006-10-03 to 2007-03-27.
Hmm.. Cospatio. Oh, they make cosplay stuff.
www.cospa.com/staticdoc/p/company_indexe
Ah! There we have it. Saiunkoku! ^____^
Clips of scenes, news on DVD, CD, novel releases. Pics. ^__^ ARGHhhh!! I'm trying to read... it's like I can. But... I CAN'T!!! >..< I am reading... then I realize I am not reading!!!
ARGHhhhhhhhhh!!! PICS!!!!!!!! Oh my god. Full page pics of Kouyuu, Ran Shuuei, Seiran, Shi Ryuuki, AND ALL 4 GUYS!!! *weeps*
Oh so gorgeous. But I can't read what their seiyuus say about each of their characters. Dear Seiran from Hikaru Midorikawa. Dear Ryuuki from Tomokazu Seki; Dear Shuuei from Toshiyuki Morikawa; Dear Kouyuu from Nobuyuki Hiyama.
*tries to read* Crap, I need someone to translate for me. I need to get my camera repaired, take a pic of the words and go ask someone.
Unfortunately, my scanner broke long ago... and there isn't a new one.
I wonder if those same pics from that online site are clear enough to use.
Mm. Darn. I see a... yaoi (?) RPG game, but it doesn't say the title in English. Have no idea what it is. So handsome that man with long dark hair tied back and wearing a captain's (?) uniform... Nakedness going on in the baths, affection outside the bath...Seems 2 older guys are after this young boy in uniform... about 16, 17 or 18.
Guessing.. checks... AH! So, it's Kyou Kara Maou. Mm ^___^
kyoukaramaou.com
Conrad? There's Conrad in there? Is it the same Conrad as in Toshiyuki Morikawa's song?
So the kid... is Yuri and 15 years old only. Half demon. Kinda ... well, it reminds me of my own story that I have been having in mind.
Oh, the handsome dark-haired man in captain's uniform is Gwendal. *rolls eyes* Isn't that a girl's name?
Don't know why, but Seiran always seems to look different in illustrations than in the anime. I wonder if it's his eyes drawn different. Double eyelids are there... but... he just looks different on paper. Not so sexy. Maybe it's his hair? More fluffy in the anime? But I think it's his eyes. Something about his eyelids.
There's a Neo Romance booklet inserted in the front of the mag. So, wasn't about Saiunkoku as first thought.
Mm. Well, that's it for 1755 yen (about US$19).
The condition is as stated: Acceptable. Pretty good actually, better than expected. Interesting magazine.
I had been thinking of buying more from this seller (since it seems he's the only one shipping overseas), if this mag was received in good condition. Now... I'm not so sure. As already expected, it's just a few pages (7) of Saiunkoku. It's kinda costly to get all the issues containing Saiunkoku. Mm.
So, I translated it first, made sure of the meaning before sending the feedback. Perfect.