Our apartment – 2016 NSFW

It's been not only a long time since I've posted here, but it has been a long time since I shared photos of my place. The last time you guys saw where I lived I was still living at home with my parents. It was back in 2012, so easily 4 years ago you saw my collection. Now you can see not only has my… [more]

Our apartment – 2016 NSFW Our apartment - 2016 NSFW

[Alter] – Melty Review

So since I've moved into my new apartment I still hadn't set up my photography studio. Seems work has me busier than I thought I would ever be, however I took some time this past weekend to set up my studio so I could take some photos of my latest purchase, Alter's 1/8th Melty from Shining Hearts. Now… [more]

[Alter] – Melty Review [Alter] - Melty Review

[Orchid Seed] – Yuki Review NSFW

Pre-ordered this figure the moment she was released for pre-order. I needed for for multiple reasons, she's sexy/half naked, plus while she's not Sora she reminds me of Sora from Yosuga no Sora! But she's Yuki from Maid Yome and she's pretty amazing. The only issue is her adorable mouth really looks… [more]

[Orchid Seed] – Yuki Review NSFW [Orchid Seed] - Yuki Review NSFW

Nendoroid Storage Container

I recently went on a trip to a magical place, The Container Store. Ok it's not really magical, but I happen to have discovered a love for organizing my home. I tend to prefer Ikea and Daiso but we went to The Container Store on a whim and I discovered this lovely storage container! I've been needing… [more]

Nendoroid Storage Container Nendoroid Storage Container

GSC Mamitan and my new job at Good Smile Company!~

If you haven’t heard the news, then yes. It’s true, you’re eyes aren’t deceiving you. I GOT A JOB AT GOOD SMILE COMPANY!!! Let me give you all some back story that you might not have known.

Last year at Anime Expo I got to sit down and have a chat with Takanori Aki, the president of Good Smile Company. It had been a dream of mine to meet him and it almost didn’t happen. Previous Managers over at the AX Live office who shall not be named and do not longer work with us didn’t think I would act appropriate with Aki-san. They thought I would “fan girl” and decided to schedule the AX Live interview during a time that I wouldn’t make it and then told me he was far too busy and that I wouldn’t meet him. I was honestly so upset, I have been a fan of Good Smile for so many years, I had so many questions for Aki-san and he was so close, yet so far. It went to talk to our CEO and other departments heads and they calmed me down, said they’d speak to Aki-san to see if I could at least get some time to meet with him and ask a few questions of my own. I was so happy that there were people who truly believed in me, they know who they are and I love them so much, without them I wouldn’t be where I am now.

During my small chat with Aki-san I asked as many questions as I could about the industry, figures and more. When he left I gave him one of my business cards that have pictures I’ve taken of different figures. He liked them so much he took one of each of the cards that were figures that GSC had created. He as well gave me his business card and I did something I learned from Danny Choo many years ago, always send an e-mail thanking them for their time. It shows that you kept the card, allows you to link over your website and offer your services. I didn’t offer my services, I just thanked them for taking time out of their schedule to allow me to ask them some questions. I got a responce from them as well thanking me for asking such insightful questions but then didn’t hear back from them for a very long time.

It wasn’t till almost a year later that I heard back from them. While I was in Spain with family I noticed I got an e-mail from Good Smile Company wishing to set up a meeting with me at Anime Expo. I was so excited for this e-mail and had no idea what they wanted. My thoughts were; “The best thing they could offer me was just to give me figure for review for my site.” I kept trying not to get my hopes up as getting free figures for review would have been amazing. Instead I got offered something much more amazing.

During our meeting it was more of them asking me what I did for a living, how much I love anime figures and what I’ve done in the past for my own website, and AX Live. Then I get asked the question that made my jaw drop… “Do you think you’d be interested in working with us?”… BOY WOULD I!? Of course, I’ve been without paying work for over 3 years. I’d been trying to find a job for a long time and had been willing to take work I know I wasn’t going to be happy with, only to be offered work with a company I not only love, but have a true passion for.

There it was, the offer for my dream job, something I never thought possible. Good Smile Company had reached out to me! They wanted someone in the LA area, and they wanted someone who was passionate about their products. I’d left such a positive impression on Aki-san that they personally sought me out. That just doesn’t happen to everyone, but it’s happened to me. I hadn’t been able to talk about it for some time as we had to hash out the details such as payment, when I would start, what my actual duties were and what GSC expected of me. I started officially only a few days ago, and as I sit in the Good Smile Company offices in LA, I can tell you I’ve never been happier in my whole life.

This is my dream job, this is my dream career. I above all, want to thank you, the person reading my site. Without you, this would not have been possible. I started this little website back in 2007, just as a place for me to express my love of Anime and Anime Figures. I never started it thinking one day I’d be working for Good Smile Company. I never made the site thinking “Oh, I’m going to cover it ads and make so much money!” I made it to show the world that anyone can collect! Having people come and read my site only made it better and made it a reason to always strive to bring you new content. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for sticking around!

TL;DR Met GSC CEO a year ago, he offered me a job a year later and made my dreams come true!

So with my new work with Good Smile Company I have a new twitter, and a new tumblr. It doesn’t mean I’ll stop posting here, it just means that I’ll have even more content of GSC stuff on these new sites. I’ll also be starting a new blog similar to GSC Mikatan’s blog but it’ll be new original content!  Also online I’ll have a new name with Good Smile Company, if you speak Japanese then you’ll want to follow Mikatan, if you speak French follow Maritan, and now of course for english and soon to be spanish you can follow me at Mamitan! Again, thank you so much for sticking around and I hope you’ll stick around more while I bring you the latest news from of figure and fun events from Good Smile Company!!

AX Live! Every Thursday at 7pm PST! We’ve been doing Giveaways recently so make sure to check out the show to be able to win some awesome prizes!! Plus every week we give away a 4day badge to the convention!!

You can now follow me on

And Like Howagirlfigures.com on Facebook

24 Responses to “GSC Mamitan and my new job at Good Smile Company!~”

  1. shonensakura says:

    no thank you so much! I’ve only read your site for a few months over this year and you’ve opened my eyes to the world of figures! without you i wouldn’t be over-joyed with my new passion! so thanks for your time, for your insight, and for opening my eyes. =3

  2. shonensakura says:

    no thank you so much! I’ve only read your site for a few months over this year and you’ve opened my eyes to the world of figures! without you i wouldn’t be over-joyed with my new passion! so thanks for your time, for your insight, and for your love for figures!

  3. ZeroGFrame says:

    That is so awesome, congratulations!! ^_^

  4. Jet says:

    Long time lurker here. I guess this post brought me out of hiding.

    Super, super congratulations. Amazing fortune. I’m really happy for you. It was especially endearing to hear about how you didn’t want to get your hopes up, but what happened blew your expectations out of the water.

  5. Velsatis says:

    Wow, all I can say is congratz! I have been following your site for a while, and it’s always amazing to hear of others who obtain their dream job.

    Keep up the awesome work, and I look forward to hearing more about newer figurines from GSC (personally love most of the Sabers they have made…got most of them too, except for the first few releases 🙁 )

  6. Max says:

    I’ve been following your website for about 2 or 3 years now and have always loved your photos of figures. I think you’ve inspired me to buy a few myself.

    I’ve been without a job myself for a few years and have been using my movie website to make a name for myself and hopefully find work in a field I love. This is certainly inspiring that you were so fortunate and committed that you have been presented with this opportunity.

    Keep up the awesome photos and look forward to seeing more of work for one of my personal favorite figure companies, Good Smile.

  7. Dinara says:

    Congratulations Frances!! That is so exciting!! I hope you can still manage to update this site but I will be sure to follow your new blog as well!! (Already following your new twitter!)

    It is exciting to see someone who started out just posting figurine review to get a job at Good Smile Company! You aren’t joking when you say its a dream come true! I am sure almost any avid figure collector would love to be in your shoes right now!

    Question, you don’t have to answer. I know you are moving since you posted about your 300+ figures you are packing up.. (just did that… moving to a new house myself… I fell your pain…) But you are moving to Japan? Or are you working in the global office that is in the USA?

  8. Harley says:

    My eyes water up alittle from reading this, I’m so happy for you. Congratulations!

  9. Maru Kawa says:

    Congratulations! It should be awesome to work for GSC!
    Will you still continue buying figure from other companies or only from GSC?
    I’m new here but I really liked your blog, continue the good work!

  10. Sachie says:

    This just proves that dreams DO come true! Best of luck with the new job, can’t wait to see the content that you’ll be putting out!

  11. Michael_XIII says:

    Congratulations!

    Looks like a fortune turns to you 😉

  12. Uriko says:

    Congrats!! Im going to take a look to your new blogs ^^

  13. bluedrakon says:

    Congrats on the job and now we have our inside girl for all the cool free stuff – right???

    LOL, just kidding, but we are all happy for you getting this dream job and wish you much success.

  14. mrgetalife says:

    Congratulations! I just remembered your site as I was talking to a friend and telling her that figure collecting and BJD/Dollfie stuff IMO was more of a male oriented thing in my mind. I’ve calmed down on the figure collecting. As i’ve moved to another costly hobby.

    So again Congratulations and good luck with your new direction!

  15. Samejima says:

    That’s a dream job alright. Congratulations.

  16. -OJ- says:

    That’s amazing, congrats!

    There’s nothing better than to be able to work with something you truly like 🙂

  17. Kelapse says:

    Wow! I am seriously happy for you! Being able to do what you love is so awesome! I look forward to your new blog.

  18. koumori says:

    Congratulations! That is such wonderful news! I wish you all the best.

  19. and says:

    I just hope, Mikatan will keep updating her english blog…

  20. Albert says:

    That is AMAZING! I’ve also dreamed of working for GSC ever since I bought my first nendo 4 years ago. I’m happy for you. ^^

  21. Albert says:

    That is AMAZING! I’ve also dreamed of working for GSC ever since I bought my first nendo 4 years ago at Anime Expo, which since then has become an unhealthy addiction, lol. I’m happy you found your dream job. ^^

  22. claudia says:

    so i was wondering what were you doing that u were getting a interview with the head of good smile company? 😀 cus that really cool that u were able to get a job with-thats like a dream come true!

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