Animal Xing Collection - Theater Version

Yujin celebrates the Animal Crossing movie which bowed across Japan on December 16 with a quaint collection of figures. Jouji Shimura directed the animated film which features amicable characters such as Tom Nook, Rosie, Margie, and Kapp'n among other rascals. The Axing figure collection features the following characters (Japanese names below):

1st Row: Saruo, Boy in Green "6" shirt (Secret figure)
2nd Row: Kappei, Tanukichi, Tsunekichi
3rd Row: Alberto, Dalman, Futa

Each character stands upon a base and is encased inside a 45mm plastic case that's fitted with a removable green floor. Each Axing container sports four pegs and peg holes so that each one may be hooked to another container and displayed in vertical or horizontal arrangements. All preorders are shipping today and new orders are welcome.

Pixar Formation Arts

Square Enix has started preorders for Pixar Formation Arts trading figures which feature characters from Pixar's well regarded films. The toys were first displayed at the Tokyo Game Show 2006 in prototype form but they've been finalized and are scheduled to ship in mid-late June 2007. The movies represented in the set are as follows:

1st Row: Toy Story, a bug's life, Toy Story 2
2nd Row: Monsters, Inc, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles

The product solicitation mentions that the figure-dioramas measure 12-14cm (4.72 to 5.51") tall and will be packaged eight per factory carton. Furthermore, secret characters (mono repaints?) will also be randomly packaged in each sealed case. Pricing is set at US$79 per factory box.

Tachikoma Silver Pendant

If you've ever wanted a Tachikoma positioned close to your heart, FujiCreation's silver Tachikoma necklace hits the spot. Small of size and yet glittery and shiny, the Tachikoma pendant hangs like a high-tech metallic beetle and is sure to attract the eye of a Ghost-in-the-Shell-loving thief or an ambitious cutpurse. NCS recommends tucking it in when shuffling around crowded city streets.

The sterling silver Tachikoma pendant measures 2cm in length and nearly that much in height. A silver chain which attaches to the Tachikoma's pod is also included with the pendant which measures 45cm. Since the Tachikoma pendant can be considered jewelry, it's packaged in a velour-covered jewel box. Preorders are welcome to ship on or around February 28, 2007.

NSMB Board Games

Japanese manufacturer Epoch is primarily a toy maker although they've dabbled in video games and related products in the past. This March, the company dabbles a little bit more by releasing board games based on New Super Mario Bros. Two types are on offer today:

1) New Super Mario Bros Crystal Attack Game
2) New Super Mario Bros The Tower Game

We'll post up more details and information on how to play once we receive them and give them a go. Pricing is set at US$45 for the Crystal Attack game and US$35 for The Tower game. Preorders are welcome.

Japanese Import Outlook

The new Harvest Moon game on NDS leads preorders for the week.
NDS	Harvest Moon Kimi to Sodatsu Shima	MMV
	Hiite Utaeru DS Guitar M-06	Plato
PS2	J-League Pro Soccer Club o Tsukurou 5	Sega
	Saint Seiya: Meiou Hades Juunikyuu Hen	Bandai
PSP	Ys Napishtim no Hako Special Edition	Konami

USA Release Outlook

PS2 Rogue Galaxy leads preorders for the week followed by PS3 Sonic the Hedgehog. On the Wii, three new Virtual Console games are expected: Bonanza Bros (800 points or US$8), Comix Zone (800 points or US$8), and Mario Kart 64 (1000 points or US$10).
PS2	Rogue Galaxy	Square
	SnoCross 2: Featuring Blair Morgan	Crave
PS3	Sonic the Hedgehog	Sega
X360	Battle Stations Midway	Eidos
	Fuzion Frenzy 2 $49	MSFT