WARNING: This post is pic-heavy! You may have trouble viewing on mobile devices and devices not connected to wi-fi.
You know I didn't go to San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) and come back empty handed! To start, I will say that prior to going to SDCC this year, I was already not too thrilled with the exclusives list. Since I am an avid collector I scout out what vendors, companies, artists, and creators will have at the con before I go. Only makes sense, right? -I mean, the con gets bigger and more chaotic every year. (Read previous posts if you don't know what I'm talking about.) It's no longer a guarantee that you'll be able to get what you want, even if you have a Thursday pass. (Thursday use to be the day with the least amount of attendance.) It's hard to determine everything that will go fast too. Sometimes, you get lucky and what you wanted is not in such a high demand, and other times you think you're going to get something and it turns out you won't even get the chance to stand in line. - Going forward with that knowledge, I only focus on exclusives. Since I fly to and from San Diego, I am also limited to the amount of space I have to bring back merchandise. So, no need to for me to buy things I can order/purchase in the future.
So, my list was very small going to SDCC. I always leave room and possibilities for Small Press artists, Artist Alley tables, and just general indie sellers. The following pics are of my con haul, but it's the smallest haul ever considering the size of the con. These are only the items I actually purchased. I'll post the freebies separately.
If you read SDCC Blog Post 1 (yeah, you should probably just read it already!) then you know the stress and craziness that was Toddland this year, but my con partner was able to get to the booth before I was. I think he said he was the 5th person in line, so he was right at the booth before everyone else. He didn't get the exclusive Kuchi Kopi figure, but he picked up these 2 pins of Kuchi Kopi for me. The pins are actually from WonderCon this year, but Toddland does not sell leftover exclusives outside of cons, so if you want one then you better follow their con schedule!
You know I didn't go to San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) and come back empty handed! To start, I will say that prior to going to SDCC this year, I was already not too thrilled with the exclusives list. Since I am an avid collector I scout out what vendors, companies, artists, and creators will have at the con before I go. Only makes sense, right? -I mean, the con gets bigger and more chaotic every year. (Read previous posts if you don't know what I'm talking about.) It's no longer a guarantee that you'll be able to get what you want, even if you have a Thursday pass. (Thursday use to be the day with the least amount of attendance.) It's hard to determine everything that will go fast too. Sometimes, you get lucky and what you wanted is not in such a high demand, and other times you think you're going to get something and it turns out you won't even get the chance to stand in line. - Going forward with that knowledge, I only focus on exclusives. Since I fly to and from San Diego, I am also limited to the amount of space I have to bring back merchandise. So, no need to for me to buy things I can order/purchase in the future.
So, my list was very small going to SDCC. I always leave room and possibilities for Small Press artists, Artist Alley tables, and just general indie sellers. The following pics are of my con haul, but it's the smallest haul ever considering the size of the con. These are only the items I actually purchased. I'll post the freebies separately.
I'll kick things off with the very first purchase I made! (Again, refer to SDCC Post 1 for reference.) Personally, I really didn't want anything from ToyNK, but my bestie in New York wanted one of these for her brother and I picked one up for my artist Bob Ross-loving pen pal in Virginia. They're cute.
If you read SDCC Blog Post 1 (yeah, you should probably just read it already!) then you know the stress and craziness that was Toddland this year, but my con partner was able to get to the booth before I was. I think he said he was the 5th person in line, so he was right at the booth before everyone else. He didn't get the exclusive Kuchi Kopi figure, but he picked up these 2 pins of Kuchi Kopi for me. The pins are actually from WonderCon this year, but Toddland does not sell leftover exclusives outside of cons, so if you want one then you better follow their con schedule!
These are not con exclusives, but they are exclusive to the Hello Kitty cafe! The last time I encountered this magical truck was also my first time at the Hello Kitty convention in Los Angeles back in 2014. Since then, I have been to other events where the truck was present, but never made it over to it. The one thing I really wanted to snag was the bow mug, but by the time I had gotten to the truck there was a "sold out" sign on it. My assumption is that the mug was actually sold out prior to SDCC, because the "sold out" sign looked like it was printed on there and not written or a sticker, but I could be wrong. I also did not see anyone else get the mug there, so I feel like it just wasn't an option. I did snag the original mug and plushie! They didn't have this adorable plushie when I was at the truck the first time! - My purchase came with a free reusable bag and 2 free pins. I will be posting up-close shots and information on my Hello Kitty blog later.
[Official Laika Studio postcards.]
Okay, I did buy a few things that weren't exclusives. After attending the Laika Live experience, I went through their pop-up shop. They didn't have exclusives, but I did pick up 2 of their official postcard books which feature artworks from their movies.
[Art postcard from the movie: Kubo And The 2 Strings]
[Art postcard from the movie: Coraline.]
[Art postcard from the movie: Missing Link.]
As you can see, the postcards are very artistic. They're not so much of the characters, but more of the actual scenery. They did include one special postcard in the book from their unreleased film: "Missing Link".
Tokidoki is a tradition for me at SDCC. I've bought something from them at every SDCC I've attended. This year, I was a little disappointed in their exclusives. They just weren't exciting and the majority of their merchandise was actually premiers and not exclusives. Like I said before, I don't bother much with merchandise I can get later on. I had hoped for an exclusive large statue like in previous years, but this year they only premiered a large Sakura and didn't have an exclusive. (I'm still waiting on the release of her.) I was excited to see their Overwatch and Marvel collabs released as well, but again, they were not exclusives and I'll pick them up later.
[SDCC EXCLUSIVE Sanrio x Tokidoki hoodie.]
One thing that I absolutely wanted was the exclusive hoodie with Sakura and Hello Kitty! I got the 2nd to last size small! Talk about relieved! They don't make size XS, so anything larger than Small and I'm swimming. -And this is what I mean by "no guarantees anymore"! I bought this on Thursday! Imagine if I had waited until Friday! I probably wouldn't have been able to get my size. - I'll be posting detail pics and information on my Hello Kitty blog later.
[SDCC EXCLUSIVE blind boxes and first premiere keychains.]
I also really wanted to make sure I got some of the exclusive Unicorno blind boxes! That's another tradition of mine at SDCC with Tokidoki. I also bought the keychain for my New York bestie, but I didn't know at the time they were not exclusives. Apparently, they will be released later for the general public. Oh, well.
[SDCC EXCLUSIVE metallic Unicornos Series 3: Scooter & Drago]
I only grabbed 2 blind boxes. I really only wanted 2: Cleo & Lolopessa. I got neither, lol. I did get a chase though, so I guess I can't complain. The red one is one 2 chases in the series.
The Kawaii Keychain, while not an exclusive, is super kawaii/cute! I always am impressed with the amount of detail Tokidoki puts into their products! Her mane is just amazing! I never planned on getting her, but once I saw it at the con I decided to grab one for myself and I'm so glad I did! She's way cuter in person!
[Tokidoki Sushi Unicorno pin.]
Okay, this is the last piece of merch I bought that wasn't an exclusive, but I also didn't realize it wasn't an exclusive. This was yet another premier and it's actually available now for purchase on their website. I think it's adorable though, so no regrets!
So, when I had a hard time getting Kuchi Kopi at Toddland, Agent Afronaut was able to scoop me up an exclusive light-up Kuchi Kopi figure from UCC Distributing! And to think, I almost didn't get anything from them this year and that would have been the first year I skipped UCC. Agent Afronaut really saved the day in multiple ways!
Light-Up Kuchi Kopi is pretty bright all on his own! I have yet to actually install the batteries, but he looks cute just the way he is! He's very lightweight and stands up by himself.
One aspect that I really like about the light-up Kuchi Kopi, is that there is a way to change the batteries. The figure came with a set of batteries that you have to install, but when the originals die you can replace them. Something that really bothers me about most light-up toys and figures is that there is no way to replace the power source once it wears out, so I was really happy UCC gave us a way to keep enjoying our Kuchi Kopi for years to come!
If you read my previous post, then you know about my magical moment where I met Camilla D'errico! She personally invited me to her booth where she would be able to sign merchandise. Unfortunately, by the time I made it to her booth she was gone for the day, but I did buy the Sailor Moon Bee print I've been wanting from her since I saw it on her Instagram! I also picked up a couple of other prints for pen pals! She'll be at NYCC, so hopefully I can get her signature when I go there in October!
[Peanuts SDCC EXCLUSIVES]
The Peanuts booth was one that I did not expect to be so hectic and so hard to get in line for, but it was! I personally only wanted the mini prints and those sold out instantly! Actually, anything that was printed on paper at that booth sold out quickly! I was able to get the 2 pins my bestie wanted and I got the cutest gift bag with the purchase! It looks like Charlie Brown's signature shirt! They also gave us free buttons!
[SDCC EXCLUSIVE pin from Ash Evans.]
One of the best aspects about cons is that it allows you to discover new artists and creators! While on my search for exclusives this year, prior to attending SDCC, I discovered that an artist named, Ash Evans, would be having an exclusive Sea Bunny pin and I knew I had to have it! - I was so caught up in trying to get Kuchi Kopi though that I almost forgot about it! I just happened to pass the table when I got lost in the exhibit hall, lol! It was really great to actually meet the artist too. She was super nice and I snagged one of the last 7 pins she had! She told me that she was notified really late about being accepted for a table and that they didn't have a lot of time to get something made, but I absolutely love what she did have!
["Magic of Myths Faerie" by Brotherson & Calvet]
Okay, so this technically isn't an exclusive. But, as I mentioned earlier, I always look forward to seeing what I can discover in Small Press and because it's not always easy to come into contact with these indie creators, they do tend to feel exclusive. This is a graphic novel by Brotherson & Calvet. 2 guys that have been interviewed before on Afronauts Radio and come from Europe! I saw this book on their table and got it! I'm huge into fairies! So, I'm very interested in reading this book!
That concludes my SDCC 2018 haul! I will be posting my freebies in another post! I also will post my Funko exclusives in a separate post, since I acquired them outside of SDCC and I'm actually still waiting on 1 of them to arrive. Oh, and that Toddland Kuchi Kopi? -Yeah, I got it. I just didn't have time to take pictures of it yet, but I will soon! This post has enough pictures as it is though!
