Loot Crate | Geekscape

Geekscape Unboxes: The Loot Anime August 2017 Crate!

by Natalie KipperSeptember 7, 2017

Grab your apron and pin on that name tag because Loot Anime’s August crate carries the theme, “Work for it!” The anime featured in this shipment all center around jobs (albeit unconventional ones). We’ve got Gin Tama, Bungo Stray Dogs (cue inner-fangirl yelling), Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid, and Soul Eater. Let’s get to work, guys!

The poster art for this shipment was drawn by Lim Wei Lun and depicts Loot Anime’s purple-haired mascot Yume working as a barista. She looks so pleased to serve that freshly-prepared coffee! Dang it, now I kind of want some. As always, flipping the poster over reveals a pictorial summary of what items are included in the crate.

This Banpresto prize figure of Gintoki from Gin Tama was the only item in this shipment that was not exclusive to Loot Anime. All things considered, the figure itself was impressive in size, standing about 7 and a half inches tall. However, it arrived in the box unassembled and putting it together was moderately frustrating. Gintoki’s sword and scabbard simply did not want to stay put in their appropriate spots. The scabbard portion was the worst. Oh and despite spending a day airing out, the figure still smells like paint.

As a huge fan of Bungo Stray Dogs, I was thrilled to learn that Loot Anime would have an item themed to the series in this crate. The item in question is pouch made to look like the journal that Kunikida Doppo uses in the series. Just like in the show, the cover reads “risou” or “Ideals” in Japanese. The pouch would make a great accessory for cosplay! It also fits a New Nintendo 3DS (not the XL – the one with the face plates) quite nicely. This was my favorite item in the crate.

The third item was also one that could be used on a daily basis, a Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid journal. The cover has a matte finish with gold accents used on Tohru the dragon maid’s silhouette along with the title. The pages inside are unlined and have art in the bottom corner of the right-hand page as well as a “scale” border around each page. The book itself was high-quality and I can see many people getting use out of it.

The included manga for this month was volume one of Atsushi Ohkubo’s Soul Eater. This Loot Anime-exclusive version of the manga has an embossed cover.

The phone charm for this crate resembles one of the to-go coffee cups you might get at many of the popular coffee joints these days. This one reads “Loot Anime Cafe” on the label. Interestingly, while the majority of the phone charms are made of metal, this one is composed of plastic. I dig it.

The last thing I found in my crate was a clever ad for the two-night theatrical release of Lupin the 3rd: The Castle of Cagliostro, directed by Hayao Miyazaki. In celebration of the famous thief’s 50 anniversary, the movie will be in theaters nationwide on September 14 and September 19. Tickets are available for purchase here.

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.

[This unboxing was based on a sample provided by Loot Crate. All opinions are my own.]

Loot Crate Announces ‘Star Trek’ Mission Crate Beaming Down For The Holidays

by Courtney DossettAugust 24, 2017

Loot Crate is partnering with Quantum Mechanix Inc. to launch a new Star Trek themed crate filled with high quality collectibles.

“QMx has been serving the Star Trek community for over a decade,” said QMx CEO Andy Gore. “In that time we’ve come to admire the diversity, creativity and passion of Star Trek fans. It’s why we wanted to build a crate full of collectibles for Star Trek fans.”

“The assortment of high-quality products as well as the exclusive subscriber opportunities will unite generations of Star Trek fans by celebrating iconic moments and characters from the entire franchise. Star Trek will always ‘long live and prosper’ and we are thrilled to be part of the journey.” said Chris Davis, CEO of Loot Crate.

The crate will ship bi-monthly and is priced at $39.99 per crate, or $35.99 per crate if you sign up for the year. Each crate contains over $65.00 in merch, including figures, ships, prop replicas, and clothes. The Star Trek Mission Crate is available for pre-order now, and is a must have for any true trekkie.

Geekscape Unboxes: The Loot Anime July 2017 Crate!

by Natalie KipperAugust 12, 2017

The time has come for yet another unboxing of one of Loot Crate’s Loot Anime boxes. This time, I am picking apart July’s crate, which bears the theme of “Action Comedy.” I had my hopes higher than normal for this one because I saw that one of my favorite series, Trigun, would be included. Joining that beloved Sc-Fi/Western anime, is KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World!, FLCL, High School DxD, and One-Punch Man. Let’s take a look!

The first item is the monthly poster. The artwork by Hans Tseng looked promising, capturing an unfortunate mascot girl and cat collision. I loved Yume’s facial expression. It looks like she isn’t going to have a chance to eat her ramen. As always, the backside of the poster broke down what else could be found in the shipment. But since you are reading this article, which serves the same purpose, there is no need to spend much time on it. It should be noted that every item in this crate is marked as “exclusive.”

The big ticket item for many an anime fan was most likely the two-pack of One-Punch Man figures. If you have seen my review of the Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack for the series, you would know that this was not the case for me.

However, while I genuinely do not like this series, I do respect the quality of these figures. Subscribers received one of four potential sets. As you can see, I got the set containing Lord Boros and Saitama. The little figures have a metallic paint finish and the clear plastic stand makes it appear as though they hover over the base.

In case you didn’t get the set you were hoping for or want to own all four, Loot Crate will have the figure sets available for purchase in their Vault for a limited time, starting at some point in August.

Two of the series for July, High School DxD and FLCL, were represented with art prints. I am sure this seems like a great item to some fans (most likely those with limited space) but to me, this seems a little lame. One art print would have okay, if a tad unimaginative, but two? Come on, guys.

Now we get to the Trigun item: a shirt. Yes, Loot Anime chose this series for the apparel item this month. I was so bummed. While I will admit that it is nice that the shirt features artwork by the series’ creator, Yasuhiro Nightow, it still isn’t something I see myself wearing.

The manga for this month is KonoSuba: God’s Blessings on this Wonderful World!, written by Natsume Akatsuki with art by Masahito Watari and character designs by Kurone Mishima. While the title itself is available outside of Loot Anime, subscribers are treated to an exclusive cover.

The final item is the monthly phone charm. Most of them star Yume, their purple-haired mascot girl, but this one features her kitty friend. You can spy him in the poster as well. The little fur ball is the one chowing down on Yume’s ramen. The katakana in the charm reads “Nya!!,” meaning “Meow!!” in Japanese.

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.

[This unboxing was based on a sample provided by Loot Crate. All opinions are my own.]

Geekscape Unboxes: The Loot Anime June 2017 Crate!

by Natalie KipperJuly 6, 2017

June 2017’s Loot Anime crate has arrived and with a theme like “Rise Up!,” you can expect loads of teamwork-centric series are in the mix. And, guess what? You’d be right! Represented in this crate are Neon Genesis Evangelion, Voltron: Legendary Defender (watch it on Netflix – you will thank me later), Knights of Sidonia, Gurren Lagann, and Blame! So, grab a buddy and let’s explore the loot!

As with every Loot Anime crate, subscribers are treated to a poster featuring art inspired by the theme of the month. Here we see Loot Anime’s mascot, Yume, teaming up with a helmet-wearing feline and piloting a cat mecha because cats are awesome. This poster is brought to us by Will Overton and Advocate Art. Flip this sucker over to reveal a list of the shipment’s contents.

The first item, and one that I was particularly excited to receive, was the Evangelion Micro Macro plush. This item is a Loot Anime-exclusive and subscribers had the chance of receiving either Asuka or Rei. As you can see, my shipment contained the latter. The plush is teeny-tiny as one would expect with a name with “mico” in the title. I love the soft texture of the fabric, the simple design, and that she can stand on her own, thanks to PVC pellets at the base of the plush.

Is anyone else psyched for the next season of Voltron: Legendary Defender? I would wager the folks over at Loot Crate are, given that the next item is an exclusive collector pin inspired by the fighting mecha. There is a movable visor piece, which is supposed to give the pin the appearance of the Black Lion or Voltron’s head, depending its position. Unfortunately, the effect misses its mark slightly because the piece doesn’t move down enough to conceal Voltron’s eyes, so the Black Lion version looks a bit off.

Let’s move on to an item that is both fun and functional. Here we have an exclusive cellphone stand staring a mech from Knights of Sidonia. The Rei plush is standing for my phone because that is what I use to take these pictures. The stand itself feels sturdy. It is made of two pieces that lock together but can be taken apart for easy storage.

The Gurren Lagann Art Works by Udon Entertainment is actually out-of-print but Loot Anime managed to procure a limited edition reprint exclusively for its subscribers. The art book is over 130 pages long and is super-shiny and colorful. Contained within its pages are artwork from DVD covers, magazine spreads, posters, promotional pamphlets, among others.

Here is a peek at one of the spreads in the book.

This Loot Anime-exclusive wearable is a shirt featuring Killy from the anime, Blame! It is a little hard to tell from the picture (not for lack of trying – I took nearly a dozen pictures trying to get it right) but the shirt is muddy brown in color.

This month’s phone charm, the Kitty-Mecha, is actually pretty cute. I haven’t been much of a fan of the phone charms from the last few crates but this one works for me. I dig the cute, simple design and how well it fits the theme.

As frequent readers and current subscribers know, Loot Anime likes to decorate the inside of their boxes to match the month’s theme. Because of all the giant robot-y, outer space goodness in this month, we get a runway used by ships (and presumably mechs) for deployment into the unknown. You’ve got to love the forced perspective.

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.

[This unboxing was based on a sample provided by Loot Crate. All opinions are my own.]

Geekscape Unboxes: Loot Crate’s May 2017 Wizarding World Crate

by Natalie KipperMay 25, 2017

I hope you have been keeping with your classwork in Defense Against the Dark Arts because the latest shipment in Loot Crate’s Wizarding World Crate line celebrates all things dark and evil. Included in this here box are items inspired by the likes of Dolores Umbridge, Percival Graves, and Tom Riddle. Grab your wand and robe and let’s dive in!

Even the box doesn’t beat around the bush about the contents’ theme. The opening seal as well as the box’s inside print both pay homage to the Death Eaters, followers of He Who Must Not Be Named.

Unlike previous months, where the contents list took the form of a scroll, this time’s is disguised as a letter. I suspect this may be a nod to one of the included items, the Chamber of Secrets stationery set. Note that every one of the items in this shipment is exclusive to Loot Crate.

First is the “wearable” starring Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them‘s Percival Graves. The shirt is adorned with his quote,”We’ve lived in the shadows for too long,” as well as the symbol of the Deathly Hallows, which was also found on the pendant he gave to Credence.

Next up is a dish set inspired by those found in Dolores Umbridges’ office. I want to point out that my particular set had an error and rather than four different plates, I received three – one with a duplicate. I was also dismayed to discover that, like that Naruto ramen bowl from Loot Anime, these dishes are effectively “display only.” They cannot be microwaved or soaked and must be hand-washed.

And now for the most impressive item in the box: an enamel pin designed to look like Tom Riddle’s diary. The pin itself has some heft to it and is accompanied by a dangling basilisk took. But here is the cool part: you can pierce the journal with the tooth, just like Harry did in The Chamber of Secrets!

Speaking of the Chamber of Secrets, the stationery set uses the Chamber’s door as a motif in its embossed cards (which are, admittedly a tad hard to see given that the paper is black) as well as its seal press. The set includes cards, envelopes, sealing wax, as well as the seal press. I get that the theme is supposed to be dark and moody but I think completely black cards aren’t all that practical.

The final item is the Azkaban pouch. The case is made to look like the prisoner plates from Azkaban, the wizard prison. It has a faux leather-like exterior that is lined in a black fabric and would make a great pencil case. When I took it out of the crate for the first time, it smelled slightly of paint but airing it out helped.

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.

[This unboxing was based on a sample provided by Loot Crate. All opinions are my own.]

Geekscape Unboxes: The Loot Anime April 2017 Crate!

by Natalie KipperMay 14, 2017

Things took a dark turn when I went to unbox April’s Loot Anime crate. The shipment’s theme was “Humanity” and drew inspiration from the franchises Attack on Titan, Black Lagoon, and School-Live! If the titles involved don’t already give you a sense of the box’s tone, the monthly poster erases all doubt: Humans are no longer at the top of the food chain in this scenario. Let’s take a look at the items Loot Crate has provided for us in the event of the apocalypse.

The illustration on this month’s poster/inventory list is created by Low Zi Rong, Wong Su Ling, and Collateral Damage Studios. Return readers know the drill: flip the poster over to reveal descriptions of what you will find in your crate. This time, four of the five items are exclusive to Loot Anime.

This month’s manga is School-Live!, written by Norimitsu Kaihou with art by Sadoru Chiba. The story follows four girls in a Japanese school club (The School Living Club, to be precise). The dark twist is that the group live at the school as the last remaining survivors of a zombie apocalypse. With cutesy visuals and a thoroughly unsettling premise, it reminds me of Madoka Magica.

The pull-out poster inside the cover is exclusive to Loot Anime.

The phone charm for this month features a battle-worn Yume, armed to the teeth and covered in gore. This isn’t one I am particularly fond of.

April’s crate comes with two items for Attack on Titan, the first of which is a Banpresto prize figure of Levi Ackerman of the Survey Corps’ Special Ops Squad. The figure stands approximately three inches tall. It did require some assembly to get the figure to stand on the base but it was not difficult (unlike that Luffy figure that continues to haunt me).

This is the only item in the crate that is not exclusive to Loot Anime.

The second Attack on Titan-themed accessory was a pouch and notebook set. I was a bit disappointed in one particular design choice, the pencil’s shape. The thing is shaped like a shoebox. I have no clue how I am going to sharpen it. Yes, I get that it is suppose to resemble the weapons used in the show but this is completely impractical. Also, the poster mentioned there being three pencils included. I only received one.

As for the rest of the set, the notebook bears the Wings of Freedom crest and is filled with graph paper. The leather pouch that holds both the notebook and pencil also has the crest on its front. The back of the pouch has a strap that opens with a snap closure, in case you wanted to attach it to your belt or something.

I found the final item, the Black Lagoon coaster set, to be useful. The coasters have cork board on the bottom and printed metal on the top. The color on the metal portion is impressively vibrant and I liked the faux bullet holes design in both the coasters as well as the container. I could actually see myself using these.

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.

[This unboxing was based on a sample provided by Loot Crate. All opinions are my own.]

Geekscape Unboxes: The Loot Anime March 2017 Crate!

by Natalie KipperApril 7, 2017

Loot Crate’s Loot Anime subscription explores the possibilities of tomorrow with March’s “Future” crate. The concept of the future has inspired many different anime and manga series and this month celebrates four of them: Clockwork Planet, Psycho-Pass, Kiznaiver, and Ghost in the Shell: Arise.

This month’s cyberpunk-flavored art poster was illustrated by Lim Wei Lin and Collateral Damage Studios. Flip the picture over to get an overview of what can be found in this month’s crate. This time, every item included is exclusive to the subscription service.

Loot Anime loves to turn their boxes into clever props that are relevant to the month’s theme. This month is a futuristic-looking laptop. I noticed the little chat going between Yume and her friend Akane on the bottom of the “screen.” Cute touch.

Clockwork Planet, a manga by the creator of No Game No Life, was the monthly book this time. The book itself is not exclusive to the Loot Anime however subscribers are treated to a special alternate cover. The volume is relatively thick, with 209 pages.

The one item I had a some issues with the USB drive themed to the weapons found in Psycho-Pass. Problem number one should be obvious. The thing looks like a gun. Kids have gotten shot for having squirt guns. How does this seem like a good idea? Let’s say that isn’t something you are concerned about. There is still problem number two. The drive’s capacity is 2 gigabytes. That is nothing in today’s technological world. Not very futuristic. Minor by comparison is problem number three. To open and close the compartments that allow access to the drive’s plug there is a hinge that is incredibly hard to open and close. It took me so long the first time that I had my doubts as to whether that was the correct way to open it. Closing it is even worse. The device just won’t stay closed for very long. I don’t know if it is just mine that has this issue but it definitely is not user-friendly.

The anime Kiznaiver is represented by a standard mousepad. The art is lovely and as far as mousepads go it is of a decent size. Being a laptop user, I have no use for this however. What a shame.

The “wearable” for this month was a t-shirt featuring Major Kusanagi Motoko from Ghost in the Shell: Arise. I was actually impressed by how soft the shirt felt. The printing on it isn’t terribly thick but it looks and feels like it should survive a run through the washing machine.

The final item was the ever-popular phone charm. This month’s sort of baffled me though. Usually the charm draws inspiration from that month’s poster. And while Yume can be seen in both the charm and the poster in the same outfit, the feel is totally different. It isn’t like Loot Anime has done non-cutesy phone charms before. The “Demi-Human” and “Blade” crates both had charms that were better suited to their themes. I don’t understand what happened here.

March 2017’s Loot Anime crate wasn’t my least favorite but it definitely felt like the most confusing. The choices made were ones I would not have thought would work and in truth, I don’t think that they did work all that well.

Next month’s crate is “Humanity” and will feature items from Attack on Titan, Black Lagoon, and School-Live!

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.

[This unboxing was based on a sample provided by Loot Crate. All opinions are my own.]

Geekscape Unboxes: The March 2017 Wizarding World Crate!

by Natalie KipperMarch 22, 2017

When talking to a Harry Potter fan, the topic of Hogwarts houses is sure to come up. All Hogwarts students are sorted into the houses of Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw upon there arrival at the Wizarding School. One of the fun features of Loot Crate’s Wizarding World Crate is the ability to register yourself to a particular house. If you have any trouble with that, I would suggest going to J.K. Rowling’s Pottermore, where you can be officially sorted by answering questions.

When signing up for the Wizarding World crate, I did find it curious that they asked for my house. But now, I see why. March 2107’s crate is all about celebrating house pride and some of the items are specific to whichever house you were sorted into. As you will see, I was sorted into Hufflepuff. Those who know me will not be shocked by this in the slightest.

The image of Hogwarts’ Sorting hat greets you upon opening the crate. It is joined by the icons for the various houses – griffin for Gryffindor, snake for Slytherin, badger for Hufflepuff, and raven for Ravenclaw.

As always, the item list is contained within a scroll that is closed with Wizarding World “seal.” The same pattern of the house mascots from the box can also be found on the backside of the scroll. The asterisks by the item names denote crate exclusives and funny enough, every piece in this shipment can only be found from the Wizarding World crate.

Each shipment thus far has included a pin and it makes perfect sense that this month’s would be the Sorting Hat. I will say this pin is substantially smaller than the previous ones and much lighter as well. All the same, I think the Sorting Hat might be my favorite of the pins so far.

The Hogwarts Express Lanyard is a fun accessory that I can see getting use at Universal Studios’ Wizarding World of Harry Potter perhaps but not much else. One side of the lanyard bears the image of the Hogwarts Express train along the familiar phrases of “Platform 9 3/4” and “The Hogwarts Express.” The other side is a tad less interesting, with a repeating pattern of the Hogwarts’ school crest. The crest is also seen on the lanyard’s dangling medallion. It was neat that the lanyard had a fake train ticket but the paper it was printed on is super-flimsy.

Next up is the Hogwarts Raglan. I have already worn this shirt and can attest to its comfiness. The Hogwarts’ crest is screen-printed on the front. It smelled a bit like paint when I took it out of the package but the odor soon dissipated.

Now we move on to the two house-specific items. As I mentioned earlier, I was sorted into Hufflepuff so these items will have the Hufflepuff house crest along with the house colors of black and yellow (a tad garish but nobody asked me).

First up is the duffle bag. It isn’t big enough for travel but would make a perfect gym bag. It has two layers of fabric and feels sturdy enough to handle daily use. The crest is a patch that feels like faux leather. It is not embroidered.

The final item, the beanie, is the one item that I feel really suffers from the Hufflepuff house color combo. I looks like I am wearing a taxi cab on my head. The quality of the hat is fine. The fabric thick and stretchy enough to keep most head shapes warm in cold weather. Unlike the duffle, the hat’s crest is a thick embroidered one.

I think I liked the idea of this crate’s theme more than the items in it. They weren’t bad by any means and I already have made use of the raglan. However, I can’t shake the feeling that this could have been better. I am not sure what I was expecting but I don’t think this was it.

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.

[This unboxing was based on a sample provided by Loot Crate. All opinions are my own.]

Geekscape Unboxes: The Loot Anime February 2017 Crate!

by Natalie KipperMarch 1, 2017

Gather ’round because it’s time for another Loot Anime unboxing! February’s theme, “Together,” celebrates the bonds shared between friends and family. Although, if you were going by the poster, box art, or phone charm, you might guess it was a “Piracy”-themed box. The series represented this month are One Piece, Mr. Osomatsu, Haikyū!!, and The Boy and The Beast.

The art for February’s poster is illustrated by Cotton Tan. I genuinely believe that the poster leaned too heavily on their item from the pirate anime, One Piece. As a standalone, I didn’t get a “together” vibe from the poster. It was lovely and fun to look at but that is about it. Out of the five items in this month’s crate, four are exclusive. The odd one out is the One Piece figure.

The first item I cracked open was The One Piece Film: Gold Luffy figure, manufactured by Banpresto. It came in a colorful box of relatively large size.

Unfortunately, some assembly is required. The paint job on each of the pieces looked fine when I removed them from their packaging. I will say that putting the figure together was a bit of a hassle. Not on par with a Gundam kit clearly but still more than I anticipated.

Even after Luffy was set into one piece (no pun intended), I could not for the life of me get the figure to stay on its stand. The pegs were too far apart for the placement of the holes on the feet. I eventually gave up which is why you see one of the stand’s naked pegs in the photo.

Loot Crate seems to be into promoting light novels. This is the second month in a row that the included book is a novel rather than a manga. This isn’t a complaint, just an observation. I am actually in favor of this trend. In any case, February comes with The Boy and The Beast light novel.

Next up is a blind bag phone charm from the series Mr. Osomatsu (Osomatsu-san in Japan). You had a chance of getting one of the six Matsuno brothers paired with a food item that represents their personality. And… that is as much as I know. The truth is, I don’t follow the series and with six identical siblings, I think the odds of me figuring out who mine is is slim. Do you know who he is? Please post in the comments!

This month’s apparel item comes to us from the highs school volleyball series, Haikyū!! In case you are wondering, the writing on the shirt says,” Haikyū!! Karasuno High School vs. Shiratorizawa Academy.”

As you would expect, the monthly phone charm ties in with poster art. I noticed that the Loot Crate logo on mascot Yume’s pirate cap is outdated. It was changed mid-February.

The inside of the Loot Anime box transforms into a pirate den diorama for the One Piece figure. Well, when I say “transform,” I mean “open and turn on its side.” Still cute, though.

The “Together” Loot Anime crate felt a little lopsided in terms of theming, with all of the promotional material only really tying into just one of the items. Individually, the items were fine as far as it goes but this wasn’t my favorite of the crates I have received.

March’s theme is “Future” and will feature items from Ghost in the Shell: Arise, Psycho-Pass, Kiznaiver, and Clockwork Planet.

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first Crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.

[This unboxing was based on a sample provided by Loot Crate. All opinions are my own.]

Geekscape Unboxes: The Loot Anime January 2017 Crate!

by Natalie KipperFebruary 9, 2017

Just like Alice venturing down the rabbit hole, we embark on our own unboxing adventure, brought to us from the good folks from Loot Crate! This time, we will be digging through the January 2017 Loot Anime crate. The theme for January was “Dimension” and I don’t know about you but I can’t wait to see what’s inside!

This is the sight that greeted me upon opening the package. As always, the goods were securely packed and in good condition upon arrival.

Let’s take a peak at the poster. January features art drawn by Madeleine Rosca. It looks like Loot Anime’s mascot, Yume, has become some sort of magical girl/mage, complete with the Loot Crate logo hidden on her costume and weapon.

I noticed some intriguing box art when I opened the package and, once removing the contents and dismantling it, I was rewarded with this picture. It depicts two different yet parallel worlds, a perfect fit for this month’s theme.

The book included this time actually a light novel rather than a manga, Log Horizon: The Beginning of Another World, Volume 1. The book is published by Yen Press and I believe what makes it a Loot Crate-exclusive is its cover but I am not certain.

Hailing from Sword Art Online II is this Asuna prize figure, made by Banpresto. The figure is relatively detailed for its size and made up of two parts plus a stand and base. I will say that getting the figure to fit with stand was a bit of a chore but it was worth it. The base also has some art on it.

The second exclusive item is a Re:Zero Rem and Ram rotating picture frame. The quality of the art on the frame is good but I think the size and shape of the frame may be a but awkward when attempting to add actual photos inside.

The was another Sword Art Online item in the crate, a pair of Asuna socks. Apparently subscribers either received these ones or socks with the male hero, Kirito, on them.

This shirt features Jibril from No Game No Life. The tee has a babydoll cut, which I am personally not a fan of. It’s a shame, really; the colorful art is beautiful.

The final item is the Loot Anime monthly mobile charm. It has Yume in the same outfit from the poster. I dig her outfit so I am pretty fond of this one.

February’s upcoming box’s theme is “Together” and will feature items from One Piece Gold, Hailyū!!, The Boy and The Beast, and Mr. Osomatsu. Look forward to it!

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first Crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.

[This unboxing was based on a sample provided by Loot Crate. All opinions are my own.]

Geekscape Unboxes: January 2017’s Wizarding World Crate

by Natalie KipperJanuary 30, 2017

The previous Wizarding World Crate was one of my favorites of all those that I have unboxed. I dove into this month’s crate, bearing the theme “A Matter of Time,” with high expectations and I am pleased to say that I was not disappointed. Sit a spell and let’s pour over the contents!

Upon opening the crate, I was greeted with the image of Hermione’s Time Turner on the upper flap. It was a bit more understated than the previous month’s design but I think that I liked it better.

The first step was to unfurl the scroll that detailed the crate’s contents. The stars next to the titles denote the item’s exclusivity to the crate. I was impressed that, besides the Funko POP! figure, everything fell under that category.

Given this month’s theme, a Time Turner necklace seems like an obvious inclusion. The inner portion of the necklace flips around, as one would expect, although not all the parts move. The Time Time hangs on a leather cord with an adjustable metal clasp. I can see this being a fun everyday accessory to show off your fandom.

Speaking of everyday accessories, I was particularly impressed by the Deathly Hallows Pocket Watch. For starters, it is a real pocket watch, not some decorative piece. The chain it comes on is long enough that you can still check the time while wearing it on your neck.

While not as useful as the pocket watch, the Harry Potter Prophecy Pin still looked pretty, with its milky material in the crystal ball and faux antique metal finish. The pin is relatively heavy, though.

My favorite of the included items was the pair of Platform 9 3/4 Socks. They just looked fanciful and fun.

I got a little teary-eyed at this shirt but I imagine I am not the only one. The memorable quote combined with the picture of Alan Rickman as Snape just really nailed it. It doesn’t hurt that the shirt itself is also very soft.

Like the previous Wizarding World crate, a Funko POP! figure was included. Possibilities included Ron or Hermione dressed for the Yule Ball, Luna Lovegood, or Sirius Black. As you can see, I received Hermione in her Yule Ball gown. This was the only item in the crate that was not a Loot Crate-exclusive.

Loot Crate has so far succeeded in providing a quality subscription box with its Wizarding World crate. Every item chosen in this month’s crate was meaningful and of good quality. I can’t wait to see wait is coming up next!

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first Crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.

[This unboxing was based on a sample provided by Loot Crate. All opinions are my own.]

Start A Revolution With Our Latest Loot Crate!

by Josh JacksonJanuary 28, 2017

As if this was purposefully timed to come out after one of the most unpopular elections in modern history, Loot Crate’s latest takes up the theme of revolution. From Firefly to Mr. Robot and Assassin’s Creed, the swag in this crate celebrates franchises that challenge its characters to defy authority, which results in some pretty great loot!

Starting with this Firefly patch, the design was commissioned based on some of the original artwork to give fans of the Joss Whedon cult classic an authentic feeling piece of merchandise to show off their fandom with.

Next, the T-Shirt for the month is based on the Mr. Robot design, with its message plainly printed underneath the graphic. Not quite Guy Fawkes, but an interesting way to be a giant nerd while displaying your fandom AND your dedication to all things revolutionary.

To celebrate the movie and the theme, we get two pieces of Assassin’s Creed loot. The first one is a Funko Pop featuring Aguilar, the character featured in the film based on the game. The pin on the other hand, will be more familiar to people who have stuck strictly with the games, the series logo looks great in gold. Too bad something so flashy would give away a stealthy killer’s position in an instant.

Lastly, for my favorite item in the crate, this art book displaying figures in dynamic poses to set up some incredible scenes has some really fun images to sift through. Revolution doesn’t always mean fighting the system, but changing our way of thinking about established mediums. More than anything else here, I felt that Figure Fantasy: The Pop Culture Photography of Daniel Picard fits that idea so well. If nothing else, it gives me hope that the thousands of dollars I’ve invested in toys might become something productive down the road. Now, to find motivation…

That’s all for this go around. What are your favorite items in the crate, and what are you hoping to find in future boxes? Let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to sign up for your own crates with the discount code “Geekscape” to save a bit of cash!

Geekscape Unboxes: The Loot Wear December 2016 Crate!

by Natalie KipperJanuary 19, 2017

The time has come, the Walrus said, for another Geekscape Unboxing! In this post, we will be featuring the Loot Wear December 2016 Crate, themed to Revolution! My wonderful friend, Rio, kindly modeled several of the items in this shipment for me (they look infinitely better on her than me). Let us begin with my favorite item in this month’s Crate, the Spider-Gwen bi-fold wallet!

The wallet is modeled after Spider-Gwen’s uniform and features pink metallic accents on the outside. The gut of the wallet is standard fare: zippered change pocket in the middle and small sleeves for cards followed by large ones for bills on both sides. The quality seems sturdy and the outside zipper moved smoothly.

Next up is a t-shirt starring the leading duo from Invader Zim. The print was colorful, vibrant, and definitely eye-catching. The shirt’s material was soft and had some “give” to it. The length hit a little below the waist.

I know zero about Rick and Morty so this light-weight hoodie featuring the show’s Meeseeks character was cool but didn’t have as much appeal to me as it did to Rio, a fan of the show. The hoodie has an all-around print and fits like a tunic, reaching below the wearer’s rear.

There was a second Rick and Morty item as well, a pair of men’s briefs. Like the hoodie, it featured a wrap-around print of one of the show’s characters. As is typical of Loot Wear underwear, the briefs were stretchy and smooth to touch. I imagine a fan of the show would get a kick out of them.

The final items were two pairs of socks, one inspired by Guardians of the Galaxy and the other by Mr. Robot. These were thicker ones than the socks I have been seeing in previous shipments. Perhaps it is because of the weather this time of year.

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first Crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.

[This unboxing is based on a sample supplied by Loot Crate.]

Geekscape Unboxes: The December 2016 Loot Anime Crate!

by Natalie KipperDecember 28, 2016

It is the last Loot Anime crate of 2016 and they did a fantastic job of closing out the year on a high note.

The theme this time around is “Galaxy,” with items from Sailor Moon, Cowboy Bebop, Revoltech, and Space Patrol Luluco. Join me as we unbox this month’s goodies!

I liked the poster art for this month. Drawn by Finni Chang, it was very pretty and the color scheme was somewhat soothing. As always, the poster’s backside detailed what was included this month. I noted that, unlike every other month since I have been doing these unboxings, there was no manga in the shipment this time.

Another flyer was also packed into the crate. This one advertised Sailor Moon R THE MOVIE‘s limited engagement in U.S. movie theaters in January. Don’t mind the black ink smudge on the logo in the second image; that is my fault.

Tying in with the Sailor Moon movie ad was this bottle opener shaped like the magical girl’s Moon Stick. It is a nice bottle opener and all but I feel like they could have done some other item and had it fit the series better. It feels heavy duty so I trust it would work on actually opening bottles. Too bad I will probably get any use out of it.

The coolest item was the plush of Ein from Cowboy Bebop. The corgi pup is relatively big, about the length of the box if measured from nose to tail. And it is so soft! Definitely a pleasant surprise!

This super-pretty keychain is the “aflutter jewel” from Space Patrol Luluco. It has some decent heft to it. All the same, I would be concerned about the shooting star portion chipping during regular use because it is a little thinner there. It might make a cool sun-catcher, though.

The only item I was kind of “meh” about was the Robotech LED lamp. It is a neat idea but feels a tad flimsy and relies on you providing your own usb charger. The item is exclusive to Loot Anime.

In this month’s phone charm, Loot Anime mascot Yume is shown in a space suit literally reaching for the stars. I liked the addition of glitter to the charm’s finish. It fits the feel and look of the art well.

To sum up, I straight-up loved this month’s crate. The series represented fit the “Galaxy” theme perfectly and the majority of the items were winners. A perfect way to round out a year of anime loot!

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first Crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.

Geekscape Unboxes: The November 2016 Loot Wear Box!

by Natalie KipperDecember 12, 2016

[This unboxing is based on a sample provided by Loot Crate.]

The previous two months of Loot Wear crates, for the most part, haven’t wowed me. The quality has been fine, and all but the licenses used just weren’t within my realm of interests. That completely changed with this month’s shipment. Bearing the theme “Magical,” the titles included are Kingdom Hearts, Harry Potter, Dr. Strange, and Adventure Time.

My favorite item from this month is the Kingdom Hearts Icons Scarf. It is very soft and consists of several layers, providing a considerable amount of warmth. It is a nice, subtle way to show your love for the game series in the cold weather months.

Dobby would have loved these. The Harry Potter socks are so freaking cute I don’t know whether to put them on my feet or frame them! The print bears a mix of the story’s characters (Hedwig in the cage!) along with spells. Expecto Patronum!

Harry Potter‘s other item is the Crest Logo (lounge) pants. Like the lounge pants found in this month’s Loot Anime crate, these are made of a light jersey fabric. The four Houses in Hogwarts are represented here: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. One neat detail about the print on the pants is that House crests are made to look like patches with faux stitching around the edging.

The second pair of socks is themed to Doctor Strange with the Eye of Agamotto on the top of each. These would make a fun accessory to a cosplay outfit.

Building on the the whole “ugly Christmas sweater” trend, Loot Wear included a Doctor Strange shirt that imitates sweater patterns. In all honesty, the shirt graphic more brings to mind NES graphics rather than the stitches on a garment. It is still nifty, though.

I think it is combination of my not wearing men’s underwear and lack of interest in the Adventure Time series that adds up to this pair of Earl of Lemongrab underwear being the least cool item in the crate. All things considered, five out of six is a pretty dang good.

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first Crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.

Geekscape Unboxes: The Loot Anime November 2016 Crate!

by Natalie KipperNovember 30, 2016

It’s time again for another Loot Anime unboxing, brought to you by Loot Crate! The theme for this month’s theme is “Blade” and there is no denying that there are plenty of anime titles with swords, similar sharp objects, and the people who wield them.

The monthly poster this time takes the dramatic approach, breaking the art into three panels (complete with sound effects) to illustrate mascot Yume expertly wielding a katana. Flip the poster over for the details on what goods you’ll find in the crate.

And here is this month’s phone charm, Yume as a swordswoman in chibi-form. There isn’t much to say about about this one. I think I prefer this to what I had anticipated it would be, some sort of sword just hanging there. But all the same, it doesn’t feel like it has the same flavor that the previous charms have.

Included this month was the first manga volume of Sword Art Online Progressive with a (very shiny) variant cover exclusive to Loot Anime. I know the whole SAO series is super-popular but it isn’t my cup of tea.

Okay, this item was pretty awesome. It is letter opener modeled after Guts’ sword from Berserk! This thing had some heft to it and the cloth wrapping around the hilt was a nice touch.

Another item was this Gintama mini wall scroll. I say “mini” because while most wall scrolls I see are too big to hang on a door, this one would probably fit on the inside door of a locker.

I don’t know why these Bleach lounge pants seem like such a bizarre add-in to me. I mean, in the Loot Wear crates, you get freaking underwear for crying out loud. The fabric is a nice, soft jersey but I just don’t see myself wearing this thing.

Just like how August’s box transformed into a desk, this month’s container was supposed to be able to turn into, well, something. As you can see from the photo, I never managed to finish this one. It wasn’t for lack of trying either! Many a curse word was uttered before I decided to call it quits.

This month’s crate was a bit of a disappointment. The licenses utilized felt overused and the items, besides the letter opener, were on the boring side. I know that the whole gamble/surprise is a big part of what makes these subscription services so exciting but it also means that, odds are, there will be things that don’t appeal to me on occasion. This was one of those times.

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first Crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.

Geekscape Unboxes: November 2016’s Wizarding World Crate Presented By Loot Crate!

by Natalie KipperNovember 26, 2016

Thanks to our friends at Loot Crate, I was able to open a box that may very well be the closest thing that I will get to a Hogwarts admission letter: The Wizarding World Crate! This subscription box is packed with goodies inspired by the magical creations of J.K. Rowling, specifically Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. November 2016 marked the launch of this particular subscription series. Let’s have a look!

As unassuming as the outside of the box is, there is still a hint of the magic within. In order to open the crate, you need to break a seal that reads “Muggle Worthy.” Pop open the hood and you are greeted with “I want to be a wizard” printed on the inside.

Much like the posters found in the Loot Anime crates, there was a scroll included that detailed the items found within this shipment. I was pleasantly surprised by the effort that went into such a tiny part of the package. When you first find it, it is rolled up with a sticker “seal” on it. Touches like this add to the feel that this box truly came from another world.

What is a wizard without their owl? Included in this crate was a Pigwidgeon Owl plush. He is soft and well-made. I also appreciated the Harry Potter-licensed tush tag. If you must know, I named mine Archimedes.

Speaking of owls, also found within was a rather hefty keychain depicting a letter from Hogwarts (I guess I did get one, didn’t I?) and an owl. There is also leather tassel to make it all fancy-like. Flip the letter charm over and it has the Harry Potter logo.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them hit theaters this month so it makes sense that the majority of the items be related it. Perhaps the most eye-catching is the shirt, which has the front page from the wizard publication, The New York Ghost. The amount of detail put into the image is surprising. I could tell a lot of time went into the design.

One of the fancier items was a MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America) journal. The pages are unlined with gold leaf around the edges. The very last page has an interesting image that appears to be a map of the United States with spell hotspots. The picture reads “Real Time Hex Indicator.” This was a special touch that I felt added more authenticity to the item.

If you have ever been to a convention (or a Hot Topic, for that matter), you know that Funko POP! figures are kind of a big deal to many collectors. In this box, you have a chance of getting one of five Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them POP!’s: Newt Scamander, Tina Goldstein, the Niffler, Albus Dumbledore, or Jacob Kowalski. My package included Tina Goldstein. I will note that paint job on mine got a little sloppy near the wand, with some of the skin tone color making on to the wand portion.

I actually think this is the least interesting of the items included in the crate. There isn’t much to POP!’s in terms of design and they can easily be found in other stores.

The final item is the Bowtruckle lapel pin. The accessory depicts Newt Scamander’s Bowtruckle, Pickett, peeking out from a pocket, as it does in the new movie. The pin itself has a good weight to it and seems to be of good quality.

Loot Crate’s Wizarding World Crate surpassed my expectations. The thoughtful collection of items were fun to open and I loved that each part truly felt tied to J.K. Rowling’s works. I whole-heartedly recommend this crate to anyone looking for a touch of magic in their lives!

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first Crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.

Geekscape Unboxes: The Loot Wear October 2016 Box!

by Natalie KipperNovember 15, 2016

I can’t think of a more fitting theme for October’s Loot Wear shipment than “Horror.” Now, all cards on the table, I have only seen one of the movies or shows represented in this shipment (scary movies are not my thing) so I may not be doing many of these items justice (but I will do my best).

The one item I did recognize was the pair of Nightmare before Christmas socks. Much like the Sonic the Hedgehog socks from September’s crate, the image of Jack Skellington and Oogie Boogie is screen-printed on the garment.

While I didn’t understand all the references, I was still impressed with the detail on the Alien long sleeve shirt. I will say my brother was pretty excited about it.

And it apparently can’t be a horror-related thing without some mention of the TV show, The Walking Dead. The series gets not one, but two, items in the shipment: a pair of men’s boxer briefs and some socks. Both pieces share the same pattern, with silhouettes of different weapons from the show against a crimson background.

The Shaun of the Dead shirt was stiff and rough to the touch. The cut of it makes me think it is a baby doll tee. The shirt’s image depicts shovels and a cricket bat (I think?) being grabbed at by the hands of the undead.

The final item is a women’s raglan featuring Edward Scissorhands. It was super soft and moderately stretchy.

Aside from the individual item’s quality, I don’t have much I can comment on. The shipment, with the exception of the Shaun of the Dead shirt, was made well and of good quality fabric. This month’s theme just wasn’t for me but that is a risk you take with these subscription boxes.

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first Crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.

Geekscape Unboxes: The Loot Anime October 2016 Box!

by Natalie KipperNovember 7, 2016

I hope you brought an appetite because this month’s theme for Loot Crate’s Loot Anime is “Delicious.” Food- and cooking-themed series take the spotlight and I am super-excited to show you what is inside! Let’s take a look:

As in the past, the inside of Loot Anime’s box is decorated according to the theme. I noted the cola, a favorite of Umaru-chan, whose show is represented in the crate.

The month’s poster art is illustrated by littlereddo and features the crate’s mascot, Yume, surrounded by delicious sweets as far as the eye can see. Flipping the poster over reveals descriptions of the crate’s contents. Of the six included items, five are exclusive to the subscription box!

Despite being the only non-exclusive item in this month’s box, the Himouto! Umaru-chan “I love Cola” Trading Figure was my favorite in the bunch. It was made by Good Smile Company, the Japanese figure company responsible for Nendoroids and figma, and I could tell the trading figure is of a similar high quality. It is a slightly hefty weight and the paint job is clean. The figure comes with a small clear pedestal for display.

The Gudetama plush was a close second favorite. The toy is a little more than palm-sized and has PVC pellets in the bottom of his belly along with the fluff. Gudetama himself is a soft minky fabric while his yolk bottom and bacon “blanket” are felt.

The anime version of Sweetness and Lightning has been a big hit on Crunchyroll. I haven’t gotten around to seeing it yet (I am hooked on Yuri!!!! On ICE) so I was excited to see the manga packed in. Loot Anime’s print of the manga has an exclusive variant cover.

The only real weak link in the box was the Naruto: Shippuden ramen bowl. Sure, it is cool that you get a replica of the one that Naruto uses in the show but with the care instructions of “Do not microwave,” “Do not Soak,” and “Hand wash only,” it is clear this for display only. I much preferred the bento box that was packed in a few crates prior. A display-only bowl seems like a waste to me.

While not as useless as the bowl, the included Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma apron is “for costume use only.” I guess cosplayers would get a kick out of this one at least.

This month’s phone charm was definitely my favorite iteration of the item so far. The little parfait looks sweet and the accompanying spoon is a darling addition.

While two of the six items were a moderate bummer, I am still happy with this month’s crate. The excitement I got from the other four items easily overshadowed any disappointment I felt from the bowl and apron. As always, it is clear that Loot Crate put a lot of thought into what series are to be included with the themed box.

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first Crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.

Get Ready To Rumble With Loot Gaming’s October Crate!

by Josh JacksonNovember 3, 2016

October always means a busy month for gaming, with the holiday release schedule being in full swing. With so many hard hitting games, Rumble seems to be a fitting theme for the month. To celebrate the release of Titanfall 2, as well as paying tribute to some other great games from past to present, Loot Gaming has some surprising items to reward our fandom. Without further ado, here’s what we’ve got!

Starting with two original items for the Rumble crate, a pin commemorating the month shows two boxing gloves clashing with “October 2016” being engraved at the bottom and “Rumble” at the top. The included poster sets the scene for a futuristic battle, while the back details all the goods that have arrived for the month.

Prepare for Titanfall. Titanfall 2 is the major new release being focused on this month with a new T-Shirt featuring the silhouette of a Titan and its pilot. Simple, but recognizable enough thanks to the iconic mech in the background, we’ve found out shirt of choice when its time to hit the battlefield.

Taking a more villainous turn for our other clothing options for the month, we’ve got not one, but TWO accessories that will surely keep us warm with the fires of hatred they both exude. First, Dr. Eggman may not be able to defeat the world’s fastest hedgehog, but at least his hands will be nice and cozy with these Game Over gloves. These are great, but the biggest surprise of the crate came from the pair of Toon Ganondorf socks courtesy of Bioworld. Wind Waker is my favorite iteration of The Legend of Zelda, so full length Ganon socks would be something I’d buy on their own. Knowing that, my enthusiasm when I saw these resting in the box went through the roof. All it’s missing is a slot in the forehead.

Going from a pair of classic villains to one that’s captured the hearts of our meme filled modern times, Reaper from Overwatch arrived as an adorable Funko Pop figure! I’ll be honest, I’m not the biggest fan of the brand, mostly because the vast majority look identical. This is why when one comes along that has extra detail, it catches my attention even more. Reaper is one of these cases, with a unique mask and well crafted shotguns that look like they could be straight out of a Play of the Game, it’s close as to whether this or the Ganonforf socks win best item for the month.

What easily wins the prize for the strangest item this month is this box of Pac-Man adhesive bandages. Wondering why one would ever need these outside of the inevitable moment when a giant yellow ball eats your finger, the back of the poster made everything clear. This month, if you show off your rumble wounds by getting creative with your bandages, you’ll have a chance to win a Wii U and a copy of Super Smash Bros. For Wii U. With the console ceasing production this week, you might want to jump on the chance to win it, especially because Pac-Man himself is in it!

To round out the line up, we can’t talk about retro heroes or Smash Bros without mentioning Mario. Now the plumber can go wherever you want with this Mario magnet. When you want to be greeted when rummaging the fridge for mushrooms or have his smile to look forward to when stepping into the car for the day, you’ll never have to go without the savior of the Mushroom Kingdom.

That’s a wrap for October! What are your thoughts on this month’s Loot Gaming offerings? As always, share your thoughts below, and make sure to use “Geekscape” as your promotional code for a discount!

Geekscape Unboxes: The Loot Anime September 2016 Box!

by Natalie KipperOctober 10, 2016

[This unboxing is based on a sample provided by Loot Crate.]

Loot Crate‘s Loot Anime subscription box line, created in partnership with Crunchyroll, is celebrating those that are more than human with September’s Crate. The theme is “Demi-Human” and looking at recent anime, there is a wealth of series to choose from. And as an added bonus, every item included is exclusive to Loot Anime.

Here are the contents of the “Demi-Human” crate, five items total.

Also included is a poster with themed art on side and item descriptions on the other. The poster stars Yume, the mascot of Loot Anime.

The Loot Anime phone charm this month is a broken Yo-kai mask. It is reminiscent of Ichigo’s mask in Bleach, which is perfect because the series is also represented in this Crate.

Next up is the first volume of One Punch Man, written by One and drawn by Yusuke Murata. While the manga itself isn’t an exclusive, the one from Loot Anime has an exclusive variant cover.

The Bleach watch is the most impressive item in this shipment. Its quality was superb and it looks like a lot of care was put into designing it. The watch face uses the kanji for 3, 6, 9, and 12 instead of the actual numbers. Another cool detail was Ichigo’s Zangetsu sword replacing one of the watch’s hands.

Twin Star Exorcists‘ heroes, Rokuro Enmado and Benio Adashino, are the stars of a super-soft shirt. The print reminds me of the ones from shirts sold at anime conventions in the early 2000’s.

The final item is a standee keychain set from Tokyo Ghoul. The two characters included are Ken Kaneki and Touka Kirishima, drawn in a chibi style. The art is printed on some kind of hard plastic. Unfortunately, it is only on one-side. It is still nice and all but it would have been so much cooler if it had both front and back artwork.

Those standees can be used to create a little diorama using the inside of the box. Unlike August’s Crate, there was no assembly recquired to bring out this box’s extra feature.

Loot Anime’s “Demi-Human” Crate is a winner in my eyes. Like last month, every item appears to be thoughtfully chosen. I was also pleased that all of the included items were some degree of an exclusive item.

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first Crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.

Get An Inside Look at Loot Crate’s October Gaming Crate!

by jake108October 7, 2016

We’re back to unbox Loot Crate’s October Gaming crate! If you liked what you saw this week, but weren’t totally sold on picking up a subscription, maybe this month’s crate will.

First on the list is this awesome Fallout-themed shirt, which is exclusive to Loot Crate. For all the Fallout fans out there, I’m sure at least one of these Vault Boys represents you, unless you’re like me and haven’t finished a Fallout game (don’t hate me).

Next, to celebrate the upcoming release of Gears of War 4, this month’s crate also comes with a small Lancer figure!

Unfortunately, the blade looks a little used, but I’m sure most of you won’t mind. I’m definitely adding this to my small collection, right next to my model of the SSV Normandy SR-2 and these Halo figures that came in the Legendary crate last month.

To celebrate the upcoming launch of Gears 4, I’ll be using these two very cool shot glasses that I wish I had in college:

To add to my list of things I wish I had in college, you can most definitely add this Dead Rising swiss army knife:

The last couple of items in this month’s crate are perfect for any collectors out there. First, we have a Dark Souls single issue comic book.

Next, we have a coin pin straight from Battleground!

That’s all for this month! Next month, it’s looking like we’re going to get some goodies from games like Overwatch, The Legend of Zelda, and Sonic! If you want that box, be sure to sign up ASAP. Be sure to visit www.lootcrate.com/geekscape and use the coupon code “geekscape” for a special discount! Thanks for reading!

Geekscape 428: Daniel Corey Expands Our Comic Book Reality!

by JonathanOctober 6, 2016

Daniel Corey is a longtime Geekscape guest! And this time he’s back on the show to talk about Blood Worth, his new futuristic CSI comic that goes into the minds and memories of the criminals! There’s a new Kickstarter going on for it… and you should help it out! Daniel also talks about the new comic book VR project he started up and how VR can work bring you on to the comic book page! We discuss ‘Luke Cage’ on Netflix and at what episode the series hits its stride! PLUS! We open up the Loot Anime box and share the goods with everyone! Enjoy!

Support the ‘Blood Worth’ Kickstarter now!

Get your own Loot Crate subscription! And use the offer code ‘Geekscape’ for a discount!

Subscribe to Geekscape on Soundcloud!

Subscribe to the Geekscape podcast on iTunes!

Subscribe to Geekscape TV on YouTube!

Geekscape Unboxes: The Loot Wear September 2016 Box!

by Natalie KipperOctober 3, 2016

Thanks to our friends over at Loot Crate, we have another exciting unboxing for you all! This round is the September 2016 shipment for their Loot Wear line. The theme this month is “Gotta Go Fast” and features clothing themed to characters who are all about speed and moving!

The Sonic the Hedgehog socks were far and away my favorite item from this month. The tag says that they are exclusive to the subscription service. The socks feature an all-around print with the Blue Blur and some gold rings. Wear them to make your slower friends jealous!

There were also some Deadpool athletic socks included. But when you think of Deadpool… do you think of speed? Well, maybe the speed at which he swings those swords and throws out snappy one-liners!

Subscribers also received a Mario Kart shirt (who doesn’t dread that blue shell?), another Loot Wear-exclusvie. The fabric was in the distressed-style with some parts thinner than the others. A pretty awesome reminder that no matter where you are on the track, you can always catch up!

This shipment included two Transformers items, the first of which being an Autobots soccer jersey. The polyester fabric had some give to it but I didn’t terribly like the texture overall. It felt a little slick and unlike what I am used to in terms of clothing but that is just my opinion. The jersey featured a large patch of the Autobots emblem… just in case there was a question as to who you were “rolling out” with!

The second Transformers piece was a pair of what appear to be work-out shorts with a print of the character, Arcee, on one side. The shorts were made of a soft jersey.

I was a little underwhelmed by this shipment, personally. I think one of the problems was my lack of interest in several of the franchises included, specifically Deadpool and Transformers. And while I did love the Sonic crew socks, I can’t think of a time that I would wear them. Perhaps the largest issue was that the majority of the items included seemed to be made with men in mind. There actually is a more women-oriented Loot Wear subscription, “Loot for Her,” which I think would have suited me better.

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first Crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout! If speed is your thing, this Loot Wear crate might still be available so head on over!

Get An Inside Look at Loot Crate’s September Gaming Crate!

by jake108September 12, 2016

We’re back with Loot Crate’s latest gaming crate! If you’re just excited as we are to see just what’s inside, you’re in the right place! Let’s get started:

First up on the list is a very cool Claptrap bottle opener. The bottle opener is brushed in chrome silver and has some weight to it. It’s much prettier in person. I promise.

Second item in the crate is another Loot Crate exclusive. This Deus Ex: Mankind Divided Adam Jensen Figure is not only a mouthful, but is also a pretty neat exclusive for any Deus Ex fans out there. The figure also features a special QR code at the base!

Next up is a home run for all the Destiny fans out there. This Loot Crate exclusive t-shirt features a Hunter, Titan, and a Warlock. The shirt is 100% cotton and is perfect to wear during a 10-hour raid with your inexperienced friends who desperately want in on all the raid action.

Hey! Did you hear Cliffy B is working on a new game? Well now you do! Loot Crate is helping spread the word about Cliffy’s new game, Lawbreakers. This crate features a snapback hat made of twill and sports black and red.

One of my favorite items in this month’s crate is this Bioshock patch, featuring – you guessed it! A Big Daddy! Now, aside from the fact that it’s a Big Daddy, the fact that the Big Daddy’s eyes were made using glow in the dark thread makes this patch even more awesome. Not all that great at sewing? Don’t worry! It’s an iron-on patch for all you novices out there! (For the record, I’m still too scared to apply it.)

Last, but certainly not least, is the Mecha Pin. This pin is meant to represent “the moments when our sum was greater than our parts. It features a single hand, split into two. One half is machine, while the other is human. It is made of hand-polished iron, is 2 inches thick, and has a 1.25 diameter.

Get Your First Look at the Loot Crate’s ‘Halo’ Legendary Crate!

by jake108September 12, 2016

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard of Loot Crate. To catch you up, Loot Crate is a subscription service that will send you crates of geeky goodness every month. Since it’s conception, Loot Crate has expanded into creating specialty crates that are geared to fans of a specific franchise or pastime! Today, we’re looking at Loot Crate’s first Halo-themed crate!

The loot comes in a Halo-themed box, not weighing much. Upon opening, you’ll see an assortment of goodies that will please any Halo fan. First up, we have this pin signifying that you are a part of the newly formed Fireteam Apollo. If you haven’t heard of Fireteam Apollo, don’t worry. This new Fireteam is exclusive to Loot Crate and it’s goodies are closely tied to this fictional band of brothers.

The second item in the box is a long-sleeve, lightweight sweatshirt with a Fireteam Apollo graphic on it. It’s quite comfortable, but don’t expect it to save you from the rain. I’ve found it be perfect for those who don’t want direct sunlight on their arms, but want to remain cool in the process. With Fall around the corner, this was one of my favorite items.

A third item in the crate was the first of the Halo Icons. This scene is perfect for gamers who are looking to decorate their entertainment center, or their desk. It’s a good size and will probably remind of you of all the times you spawned a Hannibal Scorpion tank, only for the game to end within the next five seconds.

Another item featured in the crate is a is what the creative team is calling a Data Drop. This drop comes in an envelope and is consistent with the Fireteam Apollo recruitment theme. The drop contains letters from Thomas Lasky and Jun, two very prominent characters in Halo lore.

I won’t spoil what the letter entails, but it’s basically a congratulation and directions on where to report for your tour of duty. Also featured in the Data Drop is an X-Ray scan of a Spartan’s anatomy, which is pretty cool on its own.

The last couple of physical items included in the crate is a UNSC satchel, which is quite useful for hikes and long walks on the beach. The satchel has five zippered pockets and multiple bands for you to attach water bottles or hand sanitizer. As for me? I’ve already strapped the last item in the crate, a Mister Chief Carabiner Plush.

Overall, the first iteration of a Halo-themed loot crate is pretty awesome. If this is only the beginning, I’m expecting some big things later on!

If you’re interested in getting a crate of your own, be sure to visit www.lootcrate.com/geekscape and use the coupon code “geekscape” for a special discount!

Geekscape Unboxes: The Loot Anime August 2016 Box!

by Natalie KipperAugust 31, 2016

Geekscape has partnered up with Loot Crate to bring you, dear readers, this unboxing of the August 2016 subscription box in the Loot Anime line, made in partnership with Crunchyroll. Befitting the end of the Summer season, the theme of this Crate is “Back to School.”

For this unboxing, I was assisted by my plush cat, Rolo. And without further ado, let’s open this sucker up!

Who would believe that a normal-sized box held so much stuff? What’s more all of the enclosed goods were exclusive to the Crate! You’ll see what I mean in the next set of photos.

The first item was the poster containing the theme’s artwork. On it, we see the Loot Anime’s mascot, Yume (the girl with purple hair), enjoying a bento with her buddies during a break in the school room. Flip the poster over and you’ll see a break down of what is inside this month’s Crate. See all those “Exclusive” marks? Every single item is either made or available in some special capacity for subscribers.

The item I was most jazzed about finding inside my Crate was this Revolutionary Girl Utena bento box. This iconic item of Japanese culture is from A Crowded Coop. Look at all those compartments! It even came with chopsticks that fit within the box. I am in love with this thing.

Being a huge Persona fan, it is safe to say I was thrilled to get volume 1 of the new Persona 3 manga, published by Udon Entertainment. I will note that this manga will eventually be available outside the Crate; we just got first.

There were also a set of four Takara Tomy A.R.T.S. charms from Fruits Basket. Each character is wearing little cosplay caps bearing the animal they are possessed by (with the exception Tohru and her onigiri). From the left to right: Hatsuharu (cow), Yuki (rat), Tohru, and Kyo (cat). The figures themselves are very detailed and I was impressed with the paint job on the faces and uniforms.

Next up was a tie themed to Danganronpa‘s Monokuma. This tie was very high-quality. Even the box impressed me, with different pictures of Monokuma on each side.

Here is the tie modeled by Rolo. Doesn’t he look classy?

The Digimon Adventure Tri item in the bundle was a set of three prints. The prints were not big, each one a little bit bigger than a postcard.

There was also a magnetic message board featuring Koro-sensei from Assassination Classroom. The board has magnet strips on the back to secure it to a board as well as a stand to prop it up on a table or desk. The marker (with eraser on the cap) writes in white against the black backdrop. The board comes with three magnets that let you give Koro-sensei different moods (there is also a standard image printed on the board itself).

The final item was a phone charm made in the image of mascot Yume’s school notebook. It has a earphone jack plug as well as a loop, giving you two methods of attaching it. The art style is cute and matches that on the inside of the box. Speaking of which…

This Crate can be transformed into a desk (a rather cute one at that). The instructions say that all you need are scissors but I ended up using a small amount of tape in the end as well. The assembly was quick and easy.

I was thrilled all around with the contents of this month’s Loot Anime Crate. I think it did an excellent job of matching the theme while tying into current and classic anime titles. I also appreciated that some of the items were of a practical nature (that bento box, man).

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first Crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.