Sugary Carnival - MTO and 2nd Release Color Comparison

Angelic Pretty's Sugary Carnival MTO has arrived in Japan! I've dreamed of owning Sugary Carnival for years so when AP announced they were accepting reservations for it in back in January, I placed my order for the pink and sax jumperskirts and matching headbows right away.

My friends and I picked up our orders earlier in the month, and right away we noticed that something was much different from the older versions - the colors used on the prints.

The pink, lavender, and sax jumperskirts and headbows from the MTO

For this post, we'll take a look at the pink, lavender, and sax colorways compared to the second release of Sugary Carnival from 2011. There was also an earlier release (the first one) from 2009, however neither I or my friends have any Sugary Carnival items from that year. My friend was kind enough to let me photograph her items from this series, so thank you @peachyfairydoll for helping make this possible!

Left - MTO    Right - Second release

First, let's look at the pink colorway side by side. The pink used in the MTO is slightly cooler than the older one, and the pink ribbons on the shoulder straps and the lace are also a bit lighter. The print itself is bolder as well, making the marshmallows and ponies stand out more. The older release's print is softer and uses pastel colors. The MTO also has a little cherry in the center of the ribbon on the chest, which is in the same place for all of the JSKs for this release.

Left - MTO    Right - Second release

Probably the most noticeable differences are between the lavender releases. The very first Sugary Carnival in lavender was prone to fading over time, and some became so pale that they almost look pink. For the second release, it doesn't seem to fade as much. However, the shade of lavender used on the MTO is way more vivid. The color difference is so striking that it almost looks like an entirely different print. The lace on the older release is also a bit lighter than the new one.

Left - MTO    Right - Second release

Next, we'll compare the sax colorways. The blues used are similar, but in this case, the second release uses a slightly lighter shade than the MTO. The lace on the bottom is also more pale. Like the pink colorway, the print on the MTO is more noticeable than the older one. 

Top row - MTO    Bottom row - Second release

Even the headbows saw some changes. Along with the colors being slightly different, the star charms on the MTO versions are less rounded and the center of the headbows all have cherries on them.

If you're thinking of getting Sugary Carnival, the MTO should be easier to get a hold of secondhand. This is a good thing if you like the bolder colors used (as well as less fading issues, like the first release was prone to).

However, if your heart is set on the softer colors, you may want to pass on the MTO release. My friends mentioned that they prefer the older pieces, and even on the stock photos on Angelic Pretty's website showed dresses with less intense colors, so I was expecting to get a print that looked closer to those. Personally, I really enjoy the updated colors so I don't mind at all.

There are also a few other changes between the MTO and the second release. I'm currently working on a video talking about all of the differences so make sure you're subscribed to my YouTube channel so you don't miss it when it comes out!