Hello and welcome! ^o^ This is my site dedicated to my collection of nuigurumi...or, more commonly known as UFO Catcher Plush! You can browse through here and look at my various plush I have collected over the past year. I first started in April 2003, but already I have amassed over 100 UFO plush for my collection. My favorite series to collect for are Yu Yu Hakusho, Sailor Moon, and Inuyasha. But as you can see, I collect a wide variety of plush from various anime/manga series. You will find plush from Shaman King, Love Hina, Chobits, Tenchi Muyo, Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne, and many, many more series. I collect plush on a weekly basis pretty much, so I am constantly adding on to what I have. Who knows when the collecting will stop...if ever!
About My Collecting:
I started collecting in April 2003. Back then I didn't even know what I was getting myself into. I have always loved anime for as far back as I can remember. At the tender age of 5, I fell in love with the anime movie titled "The Fantastic Adventures of Unico". I didn't even know the title until many years later when my love of anime really started to pick up after I got into the series Samurai Pizza Cats at the age of 13. From then on I was hooked on the anime phenomenon. But anyway, back to my UFO plush story and how I got started in that revenue of collecting. My favorite anime is Yu Yu Hakusho, and I happened to come across an auction listing 3 YYH plush. The starting price was just $1, so I thought...sure, why not? I bid, and I won for that amount. It started a chain reaction. I believe my next plush was Rival Series Inuyasha...who I purchsed for $9. Soon I was buying lots of Sailor Moon plush, as well. From then on I was a hooked UFO plush collector. My favorite plush as of now is Tao Ren from Shaman King...Yoh, his rival is a close second. I also adore my Inuyasha plush...they too are very detailed and loveable. ^^ Yu Yu Hakusho might very well be my largest set...that or the Inuyasha set. I haven't counted lately. ^o^ Each has around 20+ plush. My most wanted plush? That would be Finn from Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne. I haven't found her yet but I am determined.
I set up an FAQ for those of you who are browsing the site and wish to learn more about these loveable plushies. Perhaps you collect them yourself, or maybe you want to start collecting. If you wish to know something not included in the FAQ, feel free to drop me an email at princessaryanna2002@yahoo.com and I will get back to you shortly. ^_^ ENJOY!
UFO PLUSH FAQ:
1) What are nuigurumi?
More commonly known as UFO Catcher Plush, nuigurumi are plush prizes found in game machines at game centers in Japan. Much better made than the plush prizes found in game centers here in America, UFO plush are highly collectable items for anime fans. Most are made by a company called Banpresto. Other companies that have been known to manufacture UFO plush are Sega, Ti Tokyo, Takara, and Tomy, among others.
2) What are the game machines like that nuigurumi come from?
They are much like the game machines we have here in America. The game machines are shaped like UFO's or spaceships, thus, the name UFO Catcher! The grabber that catches the plush, however, is two-pronged, unlike the three-pronged grabbers in your typical game machine. This makes catching the plush MUCH harder. There are some game machines that are called Toru Toru Lottery machines. The plush in these games are the hardest of all to win. It's basically a game of chance. Because plush from these machines are more rare and sought after, they generally cost more than other UFOs and are very much in demand for collectors. I have two lottery plush thus far, both from the anime series, Inuyasha.
3) What are the sizes for UFO plush?
Typically, UFO Plush are 6-8 inches tall, sometimes they come larger, sometimes smaller. Also, there is the DX (deluxe) sized UFOs, which range from 10-14 inches. The largest size are Super DX plush...but very few plush come in such a large size (typically about 18 inches). Also, a company called Gashapon make mini mascot plush that are about 2-3 inches tall. They are very cute and make great ornaments and cell phone decorations. ^.^
4) How much do UFO plush cost?
It depends on some factors. Some plush you can get for cheap ($5 or so), and others will cost you $100 or more! Popular characters tend to cost a lot of money. UFO plush are very highly collectable items for anime fans, and the hard core collectors (such as myself) are willing to pay a decent price for a plush needed in one's collection. All plush are made in limited quantities and are only available in game machines for a limited time. Plus, they aren't made for retail. This makes all plush considerably rare items when you think about it. And nuigurumi are like potato chips...you can NEVER have just one! ^^
5) Where can I obtain UFO plush?
The best place to find UFO plush is on eBay. Since they aren't made for retail sale, you can only get them by playing the games at game machines in Japan (something not accessible to many collectors...^^;) or through UFO plush dealers. Some dealers have sites online, others sell through eBay. Also there are always collectors selling off bits and pieces of their collections for other fans to enjoy. If you attend an anime convention, you are more than likely to find some plush there, as well. ^_^
6) Where can I go to to discuss UFO plush?
I am a member of the UFO Catcher BBS3, and it's a great place to seriously talk about UFO plush, learn more about them and what series you can collect from, buy, trade, and sell UFO plush, and talk about other topics related to anime, as well. ^_^ Just go to www.ufocatcher.com to register!
*NEWS* The Gallery is now up! It features most of my plush and my room pics in general. But since I continue to collect, there will be more pics posted up in the future. Right now I'm planning on my Cosplay section...so in the coming months I'll be adding that onto this site and expanding things a bit here. ^^ What cosplays have I done, you ask? Well, check back and you'll find out! ^_~ (Last update: 01/22/04).
*~Jan~*
My Favorite Anime Series
Favorite UFO Plush Sites
My UFO Plush Collection List
My Room/Plush Gallery Section
Plush Gallery 2