Figma Pit and Pittoo get a figma blog preview

1 hour ago - 11:00 PM on 12.18.2012   |   Scarecroodle

Figma Pit and Pittoo (well, mostly just Pit....) have made an appearance on figma blog. The duo are somewhat story-boarded together through a photo gallery (which includes photos featured here).

The gallery features an homage to Pit's eggplant form, Pittoo and Pit's early friendship, a Monoeye hunt, and more. The photos reveal that the rings on Palutena Bow's arrow are removable and, additionally, the seam on the Monoeye suggests that the figure needs to be pulled apart to move his eye.

Otherwise, I'm really not liking the ankles on these guys. Something about it just looks awkward. My opinions are otherwise unchanged. I just wish we knew for sure whether the bow splits or if it's a separate accessory, given that it potentially affects Pittoo. I assume that it must be the case since I can't imagine how else the bow would fit in their hands and from the photos where it's twisted the other way (which replicates the forward dashing melee attack), but confirmation is nice.

[ figma blog ]

Treasure Festa in Ariake 8: Video Game Garage Kits

2 hour ago - 10:00 PM on 12.18.2012   |   Chris Seto

We have the video game kits next and we find the usual Touhou and love plus suspects lined up along with some rather interesting newbies in the mix.

There are some new kits for the as-of-yet unreleased game Dragons Crown and Senran Kagura got some representation as well! And yes, those mecha girls are video game related. They're moe-anthopomorphisms of the R-Type POD accessories. I'm serious here!!

Also, the witch figure from Dragons Crown is not exaggerated... Still, can't wait for the game to be released!

[Many thanks to Ramon McGlown from Tokyo Hunter for the photos]

Treasure Festa in Ariake 8: Misc Garage Kits (Part 1)

3 hours ago - 9:00 PM on 12.18.2012   |   Chris Seto

Next up, we're jumping into the kits which defied my ability to identify them. Either that or they don't really fit into the other categories. For example, we have a kit of Nanabe Madoka, the "official" OS-tan for Windows 7. She was used to promote Windows 7 in Japan and Microsoft even got Mizuki Nana to voice her...

There are also a few really odd kits in the gallery, like the ones which have taken a more realistic slant to things as well as some more, innocent offerings. Seriously, I have no words for a few of the things in this gallery...

I'm curious to hear what our readers think of the figures on display here.

[Many thanks to Ramon McGlown from Tokyo Hunter for the photos]

Treasure Festa in Ariake 8: Anime Garage Kits (part 1)

4 hours ago - 8:00 PM on 12.18.2012   |   Chris Seto

T's System weren't the only circles with stuff to show at Treasure Festa, of course. There were a number of other circles showing off their kits both old and new. Mostly old though but aside from some great works worth revisiting, there were also a number of new gems making their debut and hoping to entice potential buyers at later events!

There were also some surprises like the Argonaut from the anime Heroic Age! Remember that show? Elsewhere, the ladies from Muv-Luv: Total Eclipse are riding a wave of resurgence thanks to the anime adaptation and I can never say no to a good Katou Marika from Mouretsu Pirates!

How about you, readers? Are there any kits here which you wish you could add to your collection? Don't worry, I'm sure we can find something for you

[Many thanks to Ramon McGlown from Tokyo Hunter for the photos]

Mikatan reveals some new Nendoroid stands

5 hours ago - 7:00 PM on 12.18.2012   |   Brian Szabelski

We got a little bit of a surprise today from Mikatan, who has announced on Twitter a new part of the Nendoroid 300 celebration campaign. There will be three celebration-exclusive Nendoroid stands on the way: one featuring a schoolroom floor, one a little dirt path and the third a road pattern. Other than the patterning, they are your standard Nendoroid stand bases, and they can be used with any Nendoroid that can use the regular base.

It seems as though these will be shipped out (one random selection with each) for every new Nendoroid release that ships out in the next month. If that's not quite right, I'll update this post, but 

[via Figure News Blog]

Treasure Festa in Ariake 8: T's Systems Garage Kits

6 hours ago - 6:30 PM on 12.18.2012   |   Chris Seto

I'm not sure why, but T'S system seemed to have a much greater presence compared to the other GK circles. They also had a fair amount to show off, although much of it is not new but it's enough to split them off into their own post. The battle wounded Saber appears yet again and various swimsuit figures also show up, including Sakura and Tomoyo from Cardcaptor Sakura! Talk about a blast from the past! (incidentally, why did Tomoyo have a camcorder on her all the time?)

As for new kits, we have Einheart Stratos from Mahou Shoujo Nanoha Vivid and Asuna from Sword Art Online, although my favourite is still the princess of the Crystal from Mawaru Penguindrum. Are there any particular kits from T's Systems which catches your eye?

[Many thanks to Ramon McGlown from Tokyo Hunter for the photos]

DST's Atom Eve & Ghostbusters firehouse up for pre-order

6 hours ago - 6:00 PM on 12.18.2012   |   Scarecroodle

Diamond Select Toys' Femme Fatales Atom Eve and the Ghostbusters light-up firehouse mini-statue are now available for pre-order. I discussed the Ghostbusters light-up firehouse and Atom Eve a fair deal recently but didn't have the proper release information at the time. However, it would appear that Atom Eve is slated for a February release while the Ghosbusters light-up firehouse is due out in June.

The Femme Fatales Atom Eve stands around 9-inches tall and has a list price of US$45 (currently available for US$40 on BBTS). The Ghostbusters light-up firehouse is around 7-inches tall and has a US$70 list price (currently available for US$65 on BBTS). Bearing in mind that the Ghostbusters firehouse mini-statue is limited to just under two thousand pieces, I may still end up holding off pre-ordering it right away just to see what the rest of (the quickly becoming very expensive) 2013 will look like.

[ Pre-order Atom Eve | Ghostbusters firehouse from Big Bad Toy Store ]

Treasure Festa in Ariake 8: Griffon Enterprises

9 hours ago - 3:00 PM on 12.18.2012   |   Chris Seto

Treasure Festa managed to sneak up on us this time around. Usually considered a smaller version of Wonder Festival, the larger Ariake event lacked the pomp for its buildup and it seems that the larger figure companies decided not to go, which would explain the lack of noise surrounding the event. But that means that the garage kit makers got a better chance to shine!

We'll have more coverage on that later on but the event was not completely without major companies as Griffon Enterprises took time to show off what they have planned for releases in the near future. Sadly, aside from the touhou figures, there was a lack of anything particularly new but enough to keep eyes open for a while, particularly the Misaki Mei from Another!

But for now, consider this a warmup before we delve into the garage kit coverage!

[many thanks to Ramon McGlown of Tokyo Hunter for the photos]

Haganai's Sena readies up for the hunt

10 hours ago - 2:00 PM on 12.18.2012   |   Emily Smalara

We've seen quite a few versions of Haganai's delicious Meat, but Griffon's reminding us of the series' multitudes of parodies with this upcoming figure. Featuring Sena in her armored up "Monster Kariudo" gear, this figure combines the action of Monster Hunter with the East's love of flashy, sexy costumes in their online games.

Given my love for Sena, it should go without saying that I'm a huge fan of this release. I'm not the biggest fan of her butterfly clip's new placement, but everything else is a big hit with me. The pink coloring is a nice change from the dark green of the school uniforms, and I like the little motion conveyed in the swirl of her skirt.

She's also seeming to take a page out of Accel World's Kuroyukihime with those lovely butterfly wings, right down to an almost similar coloring. While she's certainly worth picking up on her own, she's a must have along side the already available Kariudo version of Yozora! Sena herself will be available come February for about ¥7,980.

[ Pre-order at HobbyLink Japan | Otacute | Hobby Search | AmiAmi | CD Japan | J-List ]

HeroCross brings Donald Duck fans a happy surprise

11 hours ago - 1:00 PM on 12.18.2012   |   Brian Szabelski

HeroCross has a new figure in their Hybrid Metal Figuration series up for pre-order, and once more, it's a Disney character: the great Donald Duck (sorry, Mickey). The metal-ally poseable figure is 14 cm tall with 20 points of articulation, and comes with a removable hat, two different heads and a few extra sets of hands. The angry Donald face is my favorite of the two, and the sculptwork looks pretty darn good on this piece for such a small-scale poseable figure.

Donald is an April release, running you ¥5,524 at retail. I know nothing much of HeroCross' track record ... but a poseable Donald Duck figure is something I kind of maybe would like to have. How about you?

[Pre-order at Amiami | Hobby Search]

JapanLA hosts Martin Hsu until January 13

16 hours ago - 8:00 AM on 12.18.2012   |   Natalie Kipper

Martin Hsu (who's Crabby Bear plush was recently featured here) began his pop-up shop/gallery, dubbed "The Hsu Store," at JapanLA over this past weekend. The show will be available for viewing (and purchasing) until January 13th. On display will be t-shirts, prints, and books, all with Martin's whimsical designs. Expect to see the likes of Dragon Boy and the Crackens family in artsy form. You can see some of Martin's prints here and here (not all of these may be available at JapanLA). 

More information about the event can be found at the Facebook event page (you can RSVP there as well). Any fan of dreamy, Asian-flavored art living in the Los Angeles area would be silly to miss this gathering of awesomeness. 

D-Arts classic Mega Man (Rockman) new photo select screen

12:00 AM on 12.18.2012   |   Scarecroodle

Tamashii Nations has a new photo gallery for the very soon to be released D-Arts classic Mega Man (Rockman). Included in the photo set is a look at the packaging and a better look at what comes in the set.

Judging from everything that comes or doesn't come with the set, I'm beginning to think this might be a Mega Man 3 homage. After all, the robot dog Rush was introduced in Mega Man 3 while the (conspicuously absent) charged buster shot was introduced in Mega Man 4. Coincidence? Probably.

While we've seen similar Mega Man poses in the other promotional photos, this seems like the first time that they've shown off what Rush can do. I'm really intrigued by his ability to balance on his hind legs like that, as the center of balance seems all wrong (maybe they used an adhesive?). Personally, I'm counting down the days until this classic Mega Man is released.

[ Tamashii Nations ]