Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Doki Doki by Japan Crate May 2016 Subscription Box Review

Doki Doki by Japan Crate is a monthly Japanese "kawaii" item subscription box. In each box, you'll receive licensed items, ranging from plushies, collectible items, accessories and apparel, and more!

May 2016 Doki Doki Crate by Japan Crate

Well, clearly my box was opened before I got it. :( Nothing was missing at least.

Cost: $30.00 per month
Ships to: All around the world. (Free shipping in the U.S. / $15 shipping fee internationally)
Ships via: USPS. Japan Crate ships Doki Doki crates within the first week of the month

Although for the past few months, Japan Crate has been shipping bootleg items. They have clarified and hopefully have resolved the issue!
You can read more about it here and here!

What got me into the box was their April 2016 Doki Doki. Items for that month were authentic, so I thought I would give it a try.

Let's move along with the box, shall we?

May 2016's Doki Doki theme is:


First look
To see past Japan Crate's Doki Doki manga, read here!

May 2016's Doki Doki Item Content
(Click the photos for larger view)




Hello Kitty x Doraemon Coin Purse







Iwako Cake & Ice Cream Erasers (Left)

Kawaii Animal Donut Charm (Right)

 
Hoppe Chan Stickers (Left)

Hello Kitty Strawberry Senbei (Approximately $0.16 each x 3 = $0.48) (Right): Basically a rice cracker with strawberry flavor. I've eaten this version.





Sweet Bread Compact Mirror: If you smell it, it smells like bread!





Petite Lapin Plushie: Japan Crate's exclusive plushie!




Hoppe Chan: Sweet Deco (Left)

Ice Cream Cone Pens (Right): I laughed when I saw this...


Sailor Moon Crystal Desserts Blind Box: I got Sailor Jupiter!

You can purchase the entire set on Amazon for $39.07. Divide that by 8, and each box is about $4.88. You can watch this YouTube video of a full set. I wished I got the Romance Couple Cake version!
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Overall: Like Japan Crate, I feel these items are not worth $30. Most of these items are probably worth $1 - $2, some worth $5 maximum. And most of the items, don't seem "kawaii," but more "ridiculous."


If you've subscribed to Doki Doki by Japan Crate, what did you think of this month's crate?

Japan Crate May 2016 Subscription Box Review

Japan Crate is a monthly Japanese candy subscription box. Japan Crate will send you various Japanese snacks and candies that are difficult to find outside of Japan. The Original and Premium Crates both provide a DIY kit, and the Premium Crate contains a drink and a revolving bonus item!


Cost: $12.00 (Mini) / $25.00 (Original) / $30.00 (Premium)
Ships to: All around the world. (Free shipping in the U.S. / $15 shipping fee internationally)
Ships via: USPS. Japan Crate ships on the 5th of every month.


So I've decided to try Japan Crate after 8 months, because why not? Any they've also increased the box size, which means more snacks!
You can read more about their changes here!

Japan Crate is also having a contest this month! Thinking "out-of-the-box," Japan Crate wants to see how you can reuse their newly designed boxes. Read more here!

Let's move along with the box, shall we?


First look of May 2016's Japan Crate

May 2016's Japan Crate without booklet

May 2016's Japan Crate Item Content
To see past Japan Crate's manga, read more here!

Mini (ミニ) Item Contents:

(Click the photos for larger view)



Puku Puku Taichoco: Looks like a taiyaki, but instead of a cake, it is a chocolate wafer. Price wise, $1.38 (this is essentially the same but different shape)





Big Bar Z White Choco: This item was in June 2015's Japan Crate. I love this chocolate. It tastes like a wafer but it's not a wafer.


Random question: Does anyone else get a stomach ache after eating it?






Sour Cider Gum (Left): The actual name is 'Sour Long Gum,' and the flavor is soda pop taste.

Mochitto Kinako Mochi (Right)




Calbee Nori Shio Potato Chipsp / French Salad Chips ($2.59, but on sale for $1.79)




Original (オリジナル) Item Content:

(Click the photos for larger view)



Nomuccho Jelly ($0.98): This month's DIY! I didn't drink it, but like the description, it becomes 'gooey-er' as time goes by.


Sakusaku Panda Cookies ($1.49): These chocolate panda cookies are delicious! I've received this item in October 2014's Japan Crate. I find this chocolate generally in Asian markets for about $2.50.




Caramel Corn: I think I had this item from September 2014's Japan Crate (The front looks different, but essentially it's the same thing)






Hachimitsu 100%: Hm.. I'll be eating these when I have allergies or cough!


Pandaro Cookies: I got the sleep face panda cookie!




Premium (プレミアム) Item Content:

(Click the photos for larger view)

                                                Hajikete Grape Cider ($1.48): Basically grape medicine but in a carbonated form.



Pachipachi Panic Cola: Tastes like any other rock candy and cola flavor.






Big Mashuro~: It's a big marshmallow. What else can I say?


Kajirittyo Cola Candy (Left) ($0.68): I received this item in July 2015's Japan Crate.

King's Lost Crown (Right): A crown-shaped cookie, with a chocolate filling in the middle.

Bonus (ボーニス) Items:
(Click the photos for larger view)



Kitty Cup: This month's revolving item. The capsule was really dirty inside.

To celebrate Japan Crate's newly redesigned and larger boxes, Japan Crate has added this sour candy, Yaokin Long Cola Gummy ($0.68)! There are three flavors and it varies for each person; cola, grape, and strawberry.

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Overall: Well, honestly, I thought it was a waste of $30. The items I found with links, totaled $8.48/$9.28 (counting the item before it went on sale); no way the box's worth would be $30. Japan Crate offers candies and snacks that are difficult to find outside of Japan, but few items were from past boxes, and I could easily find most of the items in an Asian supermarket.


If you've subscribed to Japan Crate, what did you think of this month's crate?

Friday, April 22, 2016

Marvel Collector Corps April 2016

So, I've started a new collection box! :D

And it's the Marvel Collector Corps! It is a Marvel and Funko subscription box containing $50 worth of items such as premium collectibles, apparel, and accessories! Boxes are shipped every other month.

April's 2016 Theme is Captain America: Civil War

Cost: $25 + S/H & Taxes (Bimonthly) / $150 + S/H & Taxes (One year)
Ships to: All around the world (Duties/tax may apply to international packages).
Ships via: DHL then to USPS within the U.S.

Inside the box

Let's move along with the box, shall we?

April 2016 Item Content

Official Marvel Collector Corps patches and pin


First look of April 2016's box



Pop! T-shirt: This shirt is great! I wished they could have included more characters onto the shirt! :( But the shirt would probably look weird if they included everyone, haha.

Approximately $15.99? The lowest I've seen selling Pop! Marvel T-shirts were about this much.


Black Panther No. 1 Comic Book: Value of $4.99

Lanyard: This item is for the launch of the 2nd year of Marvel Collector Corps!


Captain America / Iron Man Funko Pop!: According to the item content list, it said it was originally to contain Falcon / Captain America. I thought it would be a great idea!

Approximately $8.98 per character / $17.96

Dorbz: Approximately ~$9.99 according to the DORBZ sold on Amazon

And here's a look of the bottom of the box!




Overall: Meh... I totaled up the items according to it's approximate in retail value and it only equates to $48.93. I love the T-shirt and Pop! Vinyls, but I wished there was perhaps a bit more items?


If you've subscribed to Marvel Collector Corps, what did you think of this month's crate?