Chubby Star Wars Matryoshka Series 2 - Preorder

Last summer, Hot Toys of Hong Kong released the Chubby Star Wars Matryoshka Series 1 and captured the hearts of Star Wars fans across the globe. Since success begets success, Hot Toys has started preorders for the Chubby Star Wars Matryoshka Series 2.

Hailing from Mother Russia, matryoshka are better known as nesting dolls which consist of a large figurine which cracks open to contain a smaller doll which in turn cracks open to container an even smaller doll. The Star Wars matryoshki keeps the diminishing scale simple at three dolls although it's not uncommon for some nesting dolls to hold 6-8 figures. The characters featured in Chubby Series 2 are as follows (top to bottom):

Stormtrooper/Clone Troopers [Jan Code: 4897011171791]
An Imperial Stormtrooper serves as the largest figure followed by two Republic Clone Troopers. Each trooper carries an armament across its chest and peers into the world with solemn soulless eyes.

Jango Fett/Boba Fett [Jan Code: 4897011171807]
Since Jango is the father figure, he's the primary nesting doll which houses a Boba Fett figure in full armor with blaster rifle followed by a Boba Fett as a child. Even as a kid, Boba had trouble written all over his face.

Luke Skywalker [Jan Code: 4897011-171814]
In the Star Wars movies, viewers watched Luke grow from punk kid to mighty Jedi master. Luke's Chubby turn features his Jedi incarnation as the lead followed by Luke in Bespin uniform and Luke as a lad on Tatooine.

Starfighter Pilots [Jan Code: 4897011171821]
The vanguard of the Rebel Alliance was made up of dedicated pilots who fearlessly flew into battle against seemingly insurmountable odds. The Starfighter Pilots Chubby features the amber-visor-visage of the Red Leader, Gray Leader, and the toddler-like Green Leader.

Princess Leia [Jan Code: 4897011171838]
Leia with the duo-donuts hairstyle is missing from this trio but you'll have to be content with Leia as Boushh the Bounty Hunter, Leia from her experience on Endor, and Leia when she was a guest of Jabba the Hut.

Ewoks [Jan Code: 4897011171845]
The Big Kahuna in the Chubby Ewoks trio is Logray, the wizened medicine man who wears a funky headdress. He's followed by Chief Chirpa who almost roasted Luke on a spit and Wicket, the rascally Ewok scout.

The largest of each nesting doll measures 8.5cm (3.34"), the medium figure is 5.7cm (2.24"), and the smallest stands 4.5cm (1.77") tall.

A new feature for the Chubby Series 2 Matryoshka is magnetic feet so each doll is inherently attracted to metal surfaces. Preorders are welcome to ship in late July 2008 at JPY1426 or US$12.90 per set of three figures.

KORG DS-10 Synthesizer - Preorder, Ships on July 2008

From the Publisher
The KORG DS-10 is a music-creation software for the Nintendo DS that combines the superior interface of the Nintendo DS and the design concept of the famous MS-10 synthesizer.

The sound sources in the KORG DS-10 come from KORG - one of the world's top musical instrument producers - and no effort was spared in creating these ultra-high-quality sounds. The Nintendo DS's dual-screen touch panel is used to the fullest to provide a feel and operability that is unsurpassed, and combined with the sensory input mode at the touch-control screen, this unit can be appreciated by the complete novice as well as the seasoned professional.

In addition to the two analog synth simulators and drum module, a 6-track/16-step sequencer enables precise control and provides a wide range of musical possibilities. Several units can be connected and played together through a wireless link, and this and other features make the Nintendo DS and KORG DS-10 almost limitless in their application - they can take you places that no single synthesizer can.

The KORG DS-10 will introduce “stylus music” to the world at the International Musikmesse Frankfurt (Germany).

Product Description/Specifications
- World's first music tool software created for the Nintendo DS
- Two patchable dual-oscillator analog synth simulators:
- Four-part drum machine that uses sounds created with the analog synth simulator
- Six-track (analog synth x 2, drum machine x 4) /16-step sequencer
- Delay, chorus, and flanger sound effects available from the mixing board
- Three note-entry modes: touch-control screen, keyboard screen, matrix screen
- Real-time sound control mode via touch-control screen
- Exchange sounds and songs and play multiple units simultaneously through a wireless communications link

Preorders will ship on July 24, 2008 at JPY4800 or US$48.90 from NCS.

Juicy Honey Special Edition Hotaru Akane - New Import

We got an eyeful of Hotaru Akane in Juicy Honey 6 last year but adult trading card purveyor Mint wants to give us more. Much more. The JAV idol has been given her very own collection of Juicy Honey Special Edition cards which features Hotaru and only Hotaru.

Some Hotaru Akane stats
DOB: October 25, 1983
Height: 157 cm
Measurements: B83-W58-H83 (cm)
Aliases: Anna Akitsuki, Akii Hotaru

The images from the Juicy Honey SE cards feature the JAV idol in a number of swimsuits, in the nude, and in various situations. The trading cards are priced at US$58 per factory sealed box. Each box contains 12 packs which in turn contain 7 cards each for a total of 84 cards in every box. Jan Code: 4905040410603

Onegai Teacher 1/7 Scale Mizuho Kazami Figure - Preorder

The peoples of Earth are still in a child-like state when viewed from the lofty perch of the Galactic Federation. In order to observe the follies and foibles of humanity at close-range, an emissary is sent to live amongst everyday citizens and intervene when necessary. In the case of Onegai Teacher, that emissary is named Mizuho Kazami who's not only a ginger but curvaceous and buxom to boot.

Mizuho has enjoyed the attention of many toy sculptors over the years so it wasn't much of a surprise to see another listing a few days ago. Japanese manufacturer Orchid Seed has started preorders for a 1/7 scale Mizuho PVC toy which measures 10cm or 3.93" tall. The height may seem inadequate for a figure of Mizuho's stature but note that she's seated and her proportions are substantial. Preorders are welcome to ship in late May 2008 at JPY6500 or US$68.90 from NCS. Jan Code: 4582292600329

Hallelujah

It took two years but our Under Defeat Limited Edition inventory finally broke below 50 copies over the weekend. As a comparison, we needed 3.5 years to clear out our entire DC Ikaruga inventory which we kept in stock from September 2002 to May 2006. The next question from curiosity seekers might be, "Which big/popular/hyped Dreamcast game from back in the day still hasn't sold out?"

As a tear rolls from our collective eyes, the game that has kept a stranglehold on a chunk of NCS' capital for a few years is none other than the Sonic Adventure 2 Birthday Pack. Back in the summer of 2001, we imported 5000 copies to fill preorders to customers, shops, etc. By the summer of 2003, we were down to about 1500 copies but distributors in Japan and Hong Kong were impatient and slashed the price of the game. Lik-Sang summarily docked the retail price below $10. As the years passed and the inventory disappeared overseas, our stock began to sell again. As of today, we're down to 253 copies. Not bad but not exactly good either. We'll update our website again once the last copy leaves our warehouse and NCS finally closes our chapter on Sonic 2.

Japanese Import Outlook - Arrivals on Wed-Thurs

NDS	Hitman Reborn! Bongole Shiki Taisen Battle	Takara
	Kidou Senshi Gundam 00	Bandai
	Simple DS Series Vol. 35: The Genshin	D3
PS2	Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus	Arc Sys
	Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus Append Edition	Arc Sys
	Neo Angelique Full Voice	Koei
	Sega Ages 2500 Vol. 32: Phantasy Star Complete	Sega
	Phantasy Star Complete Collection Sega Direct	Sega
PSP	Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G	Capcom
X360	Raiden Fighters Aces	Success

USA Release Outlook - Arrivals on Tues-Thurs

NDS	Harvest Moon DS Cute	Natsume
	Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword	Tecmo
PS2	Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3	Bandai
PS3	Dark Sector	D3P
	Viking: Battle for Asgard	Sega
PSP	Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII	Square
	Warriors Orochi	Koei
Wii	MiniCopter: Adventure Flight	Aksys
	Octomania	Conspiracy
	Opoona	Koei
X360	Dark Sector	D3P
	Universe at War: Earth Assault	Sega
	Viking: Battle for Asgard	Sega

Official Sega Dreamcast Magazine - Clearance

The year 2000 was eventful. The stock market topped out and began its two year descent and oil/gold began its eight year ascent. Back then, the Nasdaq sat at 5000 and a barrel of crude was $24. An ounce of gold got bids under $300. In other news, the Dreamcast was still viable.

Take a trip back to the summer of 2000 with an issue of Official Dreamcast Magazine which features an exclusive preview of Jet Set Radio on the bonus GD-Rom. The other games on the disc include: Silver, Fur Fighters, Super Magnetic Neo, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, and Railroad Tycoon 2. A copy of the Dreamcast Web Browser v2.0 is also thrown in there so you can surf the web.

Sale Offering
Every copy of Official DCM is new and still bagged in the original plastic wrapper so that the disc, magazine, and cardboard insert are together. Once you open the wrapper, take a whiff because you'll be breathing in the sweet air from Y2K. Pricing is set at US$9.90 per copy which includes free shipping by USPS Media Mail within the United States.