Friday, October 13, 2023

Fall Season Update- Path to the Holidays & More

 Movie review gets pushed off for 1 update worth/taking too long to work out the whole post and have it sound decent enough to be plastered onto the internet forever. So: time for a regular site update merch type post again...which is good, because boy is there a lot of stuff coming out like constantly.

If there was ever a big time to be a Sonic fan, I think now is really it!
There's NEVER been more positive stuff out for Sonic than here in 2022/2023. There's games that are big hits (Frontiers, Superstars) there's a well received show, and more merchandise than you can spin past just about everywhere that's pretty good. Having been from the start of Sonic, there's literally never been this much, he's never been this big of a star. And, there doesn't seem to be any reason that this situation should ever end or go away or anything...which is even better.*

The Holiday Way
September starts the prep for Halloween (in retail , at least) so that's on track, because Halloween used to be more of a usa-only type thing, but the candy and costume fun has been becoming more mainstream around the globe, which is great...because who doesn't love parties, dressing up in costumes and eating spooky or cute food. It's an all-around great holiday.
And, it means new Sonic costume stuff, so the site's tradition of adding at least 1 thing a week for it is going strong again this year. Make sure to get to Spirit Halloween stores if you're in the US, because there's more new stuff this year for certain. Party City may also have some too and that's important because...

There's a BUNCH of new Sonic Birthday Decorations.
If you want to party in Sonic Style new companies have you covered. Amscan (been around since basically forever) and the new Mighty Mojo BOTH released a whole slew of new decorations with nice modern themeing, good variety and decent prices. 
Party supplies are great because things like big backdrops can be used as posters, stickers are good for anything, and reusable plastic cups are always fun--not just at parties. Also, party supplies have shelf life of YEARS (some things being up to 7 to 10 years after that franchise went away: example "G3 Pony") so there's plenty of opportunity to buy them...always nice to have.

Of course, Christmas too- retail gets more desperate for this every year
And seemingly try to start it earlier too which is annoying. Already seen are Jakks holiday figures, a Prime advent calendar, Hallmark ornaments & more. Last year's Jakks advent was a success but Amazon spoiled it by actively promoting fake advents and ruining the holiday for lots of kids. Yes they took PAID ADS FOR BOOTLEG UGLY CALENDARS and PROMOTED THEM OVER THE OFFICIAL merchandise hopefully Sega yelled at them loud enough to care because that really sucked. 

NYCC 2023
Stuff is still showing up from booths there, which is normal and good. An East Coast chance to promote items is always welcome/plus getting to see what's upcoming from companies is always nice. What's NOT nice though, is locking things behind con-exclusives that everyone wants: specifically the Metal Sonic & streaky colors Sonic pins. Don't lock away the best stuff! Make some "cool con edition" of something like "Glitter Shadow" or "Glitter Metal Sonic" that's ONLY there at the con so people can feel special with their limited booth thing but then let out a normal version for everybody else! Let collectors collect! 

Item of the Week:
Well it would have been the pins but you can't have them and neither can I. 

Interesting of the Week:
That AI Bing Sonic Plush thing. SUPER DUPER interesting. What would usually be on this blog about it is instead on its entry. Nothing like this has ever existed before and I don't think the mainstream really appreciates exactly what all is under the surface of this and what it can mean for everybody. It's complicated enough that it'll get its own post most likely some point down the line.

Next week:
Party stuff, a bunch more for Halloween as the big day approaches, NYCC more items and trying to get some non-US stuff too because it needs variety.

*Not going away:
It looks like Sonic is likely (hopefully permanently) on the right track. Like Sega & everybody finally "gets it" instead of floundering around with goony attempts like 'create an oc' in Forces, the werehog, the Boom Ban, and trashy shows like Underground, unfinished Sonic 06 disaster, or letting nonsense run rampant like Archie and sometimes STC. Like how Frontiers is so great and the physics in Superstars is supposedly going to be very satisfactory for classic fans.
While there's some disagreement on Prime (Is it too kiddie? His characterization is???) it still looks good enough CG and the show is undeniably about Sonic & Sonic characters without gary stu or some left field nonsense injected by corporate whateverizing. and same with the Sonic Movies "it doesnt feel Sonic or look like him" etc...
The flood of merchandise and the flood of new companies signing on to Sonic shows that new fans are coming onboard all the time. (Ex. it's kids) which is a 100% requirement for ANY franchise to stay good and active. All he needs is to keep being very solid like Mario and this wave of greatness will never end.

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