Shonen Jump 40th Anniv. Sofubi Toys - New, In Stock

NCS was first introduced to Weekly Shonen Jump back in the 80s. We were just punk kids back then, wandering the wilds of New York City where bookstores like Kinokuniya and Asahiya became occasional haunts. A portly but attractive salesgirl at Asahiya pointed out Shonen Jump and recommended it. Each issue of Shonen Jump was as big as a dictionary but way more enjoyable to read. We were hooked. Shonen Jump celebrates its 40th anniversary this summer and a barrage of merchandising is making the rounds to mark the occasion.

The first salvo is a quintet of Sofubi (soft vinyl) toys featuring Goku, Kinnikuman, Naruto, Ichigo, and Luffy who hail from five of the most popular works featured in Shonen Jump. Each figure measures 10cm or 3.93" tall and is designed by PansonWorks. Pricing is set at US$12.90 each or US$56.90 for the complete set of five figures. «NCS Photo Gallery»

One Piece Portrait of Pirates Neo-6 - Japanese Preorder

Two more characters from the One Piece universe will be getting the Portrait of Pirates treatment this December when Megahouse unleashes Rob Lucci (photo to the left) and Brook (on the right).

Rob Lucci works as a foreman at Dock One and is accompanied by a pigeon named Hattori. In the animated series, Lucci uses ventriloquism to speak through Hattori.

Brook was originally from the "Rumba Pirates Musical Group" but joins Luffy and company to become the eighth member of the Straw Hats. Brook's special vocation is music and entertains his fellow shipmates with gracious melodies.

Each figure measures 25cm (9.84") and preorders will ship in mid-late December.

Persona 4 T-Shirt - Japanese Preorder

Cospa started preorders for a number of Persona 4 products but we're ignoring most of them. Does anyone really need a Kuma grocery bag? Didn't think so.

We are however allowing two Persona 4 products through our filter as follows:

(1) Persona 4 Kuma T-Shirt which features the cuddly character from the game.
(2) Persona 4 "I'm Living in a Television" t-shirt in stark black and white (no yellow).

Both shirts are available in S-M-L-XL and preorders will ship at the end of Sept 2008.

Release Outlook - Arrivals on Mon-Thurs

Japanese Import Outlook
NDS	Hoshizora no Comic Garden	D3
	Princess Maker 4 Special Edition	CyberFront
PS2	Sega Ages Vol. 33 Fantasy Zone Collection	Sega
Wii	One Piece Unlimited Cruise: Episode 1	Bandai
X360	Infinite Undiscovery	SquarEnix
USA Release Outlook
PS2	Cabela's Legendary Adventures	Activision
PSP	Cabela's Legendary Adventures	Activision
Wii	Cabela's Legendary Adventures	Activision

Shenmue First Print for Japanese DC - Clearance

NCS Product Synopsis - Original Update: Dec 29, 2001
«©NCSX» Originally known as "Project Berkley" before it was knighted Shenmue, Yu Suzuki's DC masterwork is the long awaited "Full Reactive Eyes Entertainment" game that showcases the graphical versatility of the Dreamcast. The first print special edition includes a Shenmue Jukebox music CD and slipcase in addition to the game itself. «Larger Photos»

Sale Offer: NCS' remaining inventory of Shenmue is brand new, factory sealed, and in very good condition. Price: $78.90 per copy which includes "free shipping" within the U.S. by USPS Media Mail Service.

Fantasm Soldier Valis Vol. 1 - New Import, In Stock

Yuko Asao and Reiko Kirishima were friends and then enemies in the original Mugen Senshi Valis (Valis: The Fantasm Soldier) game on the Mega-Drive. That was all the way back in December 1991 when platform titles were all the rage. It's been a while since Valis saw any new action but toy manufacturer Millennium has producced a set of capsule toys based on the two girls from the first Valis game. The figures are:

» Yuko Asao - full-figured warrior with sword and removable clothing
» Reiko Kirishima in her "evil" persona with skimpy outfit and weapon
» Yuko Asao bust figure where the Vecanti warrior arches upwards
» Reiko Kirishima matching bust figure with similar arching posture

Pricing is set at JPY500 per gashapon from Millennium and the toys are normally sold randomly in gashapon dispensers in Japan. Since we're into supplying complete sets, we've pored through the gashapon bags and assembled the figures into complete sets of four figures. All preorders have shipped as of yesterday and new orders are welcome. «Photo Gallery»

General Update

Other Toys Also Shipping The Super Mario Mascot Light Series 2 arrived late yesterday and preorders have shipped already. We might be sold out by the time this is posted but we'll throw up a photo gallery on Monday if we have any remaining sets for our own use. The new Shonen Jump 40th Anniversary Sofubi Figures arrived today but way too late to make it into today's update. We'll post a photo gallery and more details on Monday.

The Vacation That Never Ended? One of our Japanese suppliers went on holiday last month and notified us but it appears they have gone out of business. None of our preorders have been processed in the past month and emails + faxes have gone unanswered. Phone calls to them lead to a machine with no ability to leave a message. This shouldn't affect our upcoming preorders too much but we're guessing the deposits we wired to them are gone. We're in the process of shifting some order/preorders over to other vendors but we'll try to minimize the impact that this will cause in the next few months.

Weekly Famitsu Skips a Week The next issue of Weekly Famitsu (Vol. 1031) will arrive on Friday of next week since they're skipping publication this week. As usual, annual subscriptions are welcome.

Stretch Panic for USA PS2 - Clearance

Original Update: August 28, 2001

«©NCSX» Treasure, the masters of cult gaming return once more to beguile gamers with a left-of-center release that's frustrating, somewhat confusing, and sort of kooky. Players take control of an impish young girl named Linda who embarks on an action-filled romp to save her twelve sisters from the Demons of Vanity. Linda's special skill allows her to stretch, deform, and twist anything in her way to overcome obstacles and adversity.

Linda doesn't use her hands to stretch her surroundings like most normal imps. She uses a prehensile scarf with fingers on the end which whips forward and plucks objects and enemies with ease.

Sale Offer
NCS' remaining inventory of Stretch Panic for the USA PS2 is brand new, factory sealed, and in mint condition. Price: $18.90 per copy which includes "free shipping" within the U.S. by USPS Media Mail Service.