Xenosaga III KOS-MOS Swimsuit Version - Preorder

In Namco's Xenosaga III game, KOS-MOS is a powerful android who can manifest high energy weapons by using futuristic nanotechnology. She's special that way. In addition to being a versatile warrior, KOS-MOS is gifted with a body that appears womanly even though she's really just a machine.

Toy sculptors have created numerous versions of KOS-MOS through the years but most of them have featured "her" in regulation-issue battle armor. Japanese manufacturer Alter has crafted two previous versions of KOS-MOS and the company gets back into the game with a third iteration of KOS that's scheduled to ship in January 2009. The new figure loses the battle armor and is adorned with frilly blue coverings that apparently comprise a swimsuit of the future. We found it amusing the KOS-MOS also wears matching high-heel pumps. Preorders are welcome today.

Super Mario Galaxy Super DX Plush v1.0 - Preorder

If you've ever stared at the cover of Super Mario Galaxy for the Wii, you might remember the image of Mario soaring through the heavens like a space vessel. A plump space vessel. In blue overalls.

Banpresto's crew has studied the cover of the game and their designers have recreated Mario's pose in the form of a big plush. Mario measures 36cm or 14.17" in height and his wingspan is roughly as wide as he is tall. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late January 2009.

Kanu Unchou Battle Damaged Version - Preorder

Toy manufacturers continue to push Kanu Unchou of Ikkitousen fame on the toy collecting public and there's no slump in sight. Maybe she'll eventually match the girls of Evangelion in terms of longevity in the marketplace. If so, we can expect to see 5-6 new versions of Kanu every year henceforth if history is any guide.

The latest Kanu toy announcement comes from Griffon and the Ikkitousen Dragon Destiny warrior is depicted in a compromising position. She's on all fours and is somewhat sprawled. The "Battle Damaged Version" designation refers to Kanu's shattered clothing. In fact, her clothes are so battle damaged that they're not there any more. She's still wearing her shirt but her skirt has been destroyed and lily-white skivvies are in full view. The figure is set to 1/7 scale and measures 7cm in height. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late December 2008 at JPY7000 or US$72.90 from NCS.

BLU-RAY Sleeping Beauty - New Release, Shipping Tomorrow

From the Publisher

Awaken your senses to the majesty of SLEEPING BEAUTY, Walt Disney's ultimate fairy tale. See more than you've ever seen before through the magic of state-of-the-art technology and experience this groundbreaking film restored beyond its original brilliance, in the way Walt envisioned it – pristine, beautiful, utterly breathtaking. From the grand celebration of Princess Aurora's birth to the fateful day when she pricks her finger on a spinning wheel and falls under Maleficent's evil curse to Prince Philip's courageous battle against a fire-breathing dragon, the stunning artistry and spine-tingling sounds will transform your home into a fantastic world. The adventures continue as you are immersed into a wonderful world of bonus features.

Blu-Ray Bonuses
Maleficent's Challenge Game, Disney BD Live, "Living" Menus — "Real-Time" Castle Environment Changes Based On Your Location.

BLU-RAY War, Inc. - New Release, Shipping Tomorrow

From the Publisher

V V S Films in association with NuImage/Millennium films and First Look Pictures is pleased to announce the theatrical release of WAR, INC.

The film stars John Cusack, Joan Cusack, Hilary Duff, Marisa Tomei and Sir Ben Kingsley. Cusack plays a hit man assigned to kill a Middle East oil minister. His cover is that he's producing a trade show that includes a wedding between a local pop star and a politico, but complications ensue.

Studio: First Look Home Entertainment
Rating: R
Format: Widescreen
Cast: Shirly Brener, Joan Cusack, John Cusack, Hilary Duff, Ben Kingsley, Marisa Tomei
Release Date: October 14, 2008
Region: A (U.S. & Canada only.)

107 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English (SDH), Spanish. This Blu-Ray has been released to distributors.

General Updates

1Up: The Rise and Fall (and Rise) of Japan Article As Western console development comes into its own, Japanese creators are struggling to regain their voice Thanks to James Mielke and Jeremy Parish for the article.

Sign of the Times Another Japanese supplier appears to be in financial straits. They're still operating but their lead salesman has alerted us to "difficulties" in their capital position. Maybe the FED and U.S. Treasury can bail out the Japanese distribution network as well.

Stunts David Blaine is hanging upside down like a vampire in Central Park, NYC while pedestrians and tourists gawk at him. Watch this instead.

Samurai Spirits Tenkaichi Iroha Figure - Clearance

Daiki Kogyou sculpts an Iroha figure which is reminescent of Tezuka Osamu's work. Two blades and a loose sandal are included as accessories which are packaged with the figure inside the blister pack.

Sale Offering
NCS' remaining inventory of Samurai Spirits Tenkaichi Iroha 1/8 Scale Figure is new, factory boxed, and in very good condition. The color on some boxes may be slightly faded and the glue holding the cellphane window on certain boxes may have become brittle. The glue has thus lost its adherence to the cellophane. Pricing is set at US$49.90 each which includes "free" shipping by UPS Ground within the U.S.