Omnibot 17μ I-SOBOT

After months of anticipation, Tomy has finally started preorders in Japan for the latest Omnibot which ships in mid-late September 2007. The Omnibot line of toys originated in the mid-80s when Famicom was king and the design of the Omnibot 2000 bore a striking similarity to Nintendo's Robotic.Operating.Buddy. Tomy's new model makes use of today's technology to bring devotees of robotics an advanced and entertaining toy to explore and enjoy.

I-SOBOT features articulated arms and legs so it can crouch and pose with a whirring of motors and machinery. A total of 17 servo-motors inside the robot allow it to move and act out. When walking, I-SOBOT takes baby steps and waddles from side to side in penguin-like fashion. When it's time to sidle left or right, I-SOBOT can handle that too by stepping waddling sideways like a hustler. Since I-SOBOT is fully articulated, it can pose in a variety of ways and even perform push-ups like a miniature robotic Arnold Schwarzenegger. If slow-motion somersaults are your thing, I-SOBOT can do those as well. That's not all however. Omnibot also speaks in a monotonous robotic voice that's evocative of a motorized munchkin.

The remote control included with the Omnibot 17μ handles all of its movements and speech. Instructions may also be programmed into the remote for Omnibot to execute in sequence - for example, make Omnibot walk, kick left, and then tumble forward. An LCD on the remote control keeps track of instructions. Some specs from Takara-Tomy follow:

Size / Scale: 16.5 cm or 6.49" tall

Features:

- Can speak more than 200 words and make more than 80 sounds

- Executable mode - program moves with the remote control

- Remote control mode play - take direct control of the Omnibot

- Voice control mode play - bark out voice commands and Omnibot obeys
- Rechargeable batteries and charger included
- Built-in gyro-sensor for position detection

Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late September 2007 at US$299 each. Please note that a USA version of the Omnibot is also expected to ship in October 2007 at approximately US$300-$350.

Clamp in 3-D Land Vol. 4

Hot on the heels of the Clamp in 3-D Land Vol. 3 toys, Movic has started preorders for the fourth collection of chibi-sized figures based on popular Clamp properties. A total of eight Clamp in 3-D Land collections are scheduled so we'll hit the midway point when Vol. 4 ships this autumn. The characters featured in the fourth set are:

» Tomoyo Daidoji from Card Capture Sakura
» Domeki Shizuka from xxxHolic
» Seishiro Sakurazuka of Tokyo Babylon fame
» Rei Ijuin from 20 Menso ni Onegai
» Kohaku (Amber) from Wish.

Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late September 2007. Please note that NCS is only supplying this item in factory boxes of 10 toys at US$50.

Ikkitousen Kanu Untyo High School Uniform Ver.

Taki Corporation has started preorders for a 1/7 scale Kanu Untyo figure which is dressed in a wispy school uniform. If one were to take a passing glance, Kanu looks like she's wearing clothing but upon closer inspection, it's apparent that her threads aren't sufficient to cover her fullness and ample-ness.

The figure measures approximately 25cm or 9.84" tall and the pose automatically crowns Kanu as an exhibitionist. Going one step further, Taki Corp allows owners of the figure to remove both her top and her bottom to reveal Kanu in her natural form without the oppressive and binding strictures of clothing.

Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late August 2007 at US$80 per figure. Due to the mature nature of the figure, NCS requests that only adults who are 18 years of age and older place preorders for the toy.

Macross Zero 1/60 Scale VF-0S + QF-2200D-B

Yamato released the original Macross Zero 1/60 Scale VF-0S last year and met relatively positive approval from the fans. For their encore, Yamato has started preorders for a 1/60 Scale VF-0S which is bundled with a QF-2200-B Ghost Booster which links up directly above the VF-0S in all three modes of transformation.
Preorders are expected to ship in mid-late September 2007. Due to the size of this toy, NCS will double-box each order to protect the packaging of the VF-0S. We also recommend shipping by UPS Ground.

Sengoku Cannon Episode 3 1/6 Scale Mizuka

Sengoku Cannon's characters are a varied and motley lot but with the exception of Koyori (aka Miko), they're pretty much absent in the toy marketplace. Expanding beyond the realm of Koyori, Japanese manufacturer Art Storm/Lilics has started preorders for a 1/6 scale figure inspired by the red-headed Mizuka from Sengoku Cannon Ep. 3.

Sunny Day of Cerberus Project provides the sculpt and Mizuka is the personification of the word "exuberance." We might throw in "radiance" and "bubbly" if goaded for more descriptors. Mizuka stands on her tiptoes and wears a green and white ensemble - the green matches her wide-as-the-sky glassy-green eyes. A length of juzu (prayer beads) is included for Mizuka to stretch across her back. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late November 2007 at JPY6500 or US$68 from NCS.

Xenosaga Ep. III 1/8 Scale KOS-MOS 4

Alter's original KOS-MOS toy as sculpted by Takahashi Tsuyoshi from 2005 was one of our best sellers and we would have sold more if stock was available. Alter re-released the figure in late 2006 and those sold out fairly quickly as well.
Since you can never have enough KOS-MOS, Alter has started preorders for a KOS-MOS version 4 figure which is based on her incarnation in Xenosaga Episode III. KOS-MOS' hair is a translucent blue color that trails away from her head - as if gale force winds were blowing and her armor is a mix of lingerie and metal plates. KOS' right hand hefts a nine-barrel Gatling gun which is almost as tall as she is.
Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late November 2007 at JPY7000 or US$68 from NCS.

Japanese Import Outlook

NDS	Idol Janshi Suchi-Pai 3	Jaleco
	Subarashiki Kono Sekai: It's a Wonderful World	Square
	Subarashiki Kono Sekai Accessory Set	Hori
	Taiko no Tatsujin DS	Namco
PS2	Getsumento Heiki Mina: Futatsu no Project M	IFactory
	Getsumento Heiki Mina: Futatsu no Project M LE	IFactory
	Ikki Tousen Shining Dragon	Marvelous
	Ikki Tousen Shining Dragon Limited Edition	Marvelous
	King of Fighters Maximum Impact Regulation A	SNK
	Metal Gear 20th Anniversary MGS Collection	Konami
	Metal Gear 20th Anniversary MGS2 Sons of Liberty	Konami
	Metal Gear 20th Anniversary MGS3 Snake Eater	Konami
	Sega Ages 2500 Vol. 30: Galaxy Force II	Sega
PS3	Minna no Golf 5	Sony
PSP	Idol Janshi Suchi-Pai 3	Jaleco
	Metal Gear 20th Anniversary MGS Portable Ops	Konami
	Monster Hunter Portable 2nd + Champagne Gold	Sony
	Monster Hunter Portable 2nd + Metallic Blue	Sony
	Sarugechu SaruSaru Daisakusen	Sony
Wii	Dewy's Adventure	Konami
	Guilty Gear XX Accent Core	Sammy
	Kidou Senshi Gundam MS Sensen 0079	Namco
	Mario Party 8	Nintendo
	Puyo Puyo! 15th Anniversary	Sega
	Sharuui * Takoron	Compile

USA Release Outlook

PS2 Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 leads preorders for the week.
NDS	Dynasty Warriors DS: Fighter's Battle	Koei
PS2	Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the '80s	Activision
	Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3	Atlus
PS3	Nascar 08	EA
PSP	Alien Syndrome	Sega
	Final Fantasy II	Square
Wii	Alien Syndrome	Sega
	Escape from Bug Island	Nintendo
X360	Nascar 08	EA