Tuesday, September 15, 2009

TOYS Ikkitousen Kanu Unchou Bathing Figure - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» After a strenuous full body workout on the battlefield, Kanu Unchou doesn't retire to the local tavern or laze around inside a hostess lounge. No, she relaxes in a transparent bathtub by her lonesome and reminisces about the time she pounded out the smackdown on Jokou Koumei.

Toy manufacturer Daiki Kougyo has opened up preorders for a Kanu Unchou Bathing Figure which is based on an illustration by
Miyazawa Tsutomu. The figure is sculpted to 1/6 scale and measures 27cm or 10.62" in length while the bathtub spans 29cm or 11.41" which is enough to capture Kanu. The sculpture is by Hiroshi Sato (Overdard) and Kanu's completely nude although her hair has been placed in strategic spots to maintain some semblance of decorum. Daiki's promotional photos show the bathtub filled with what appears to be green slime but note that this liquid isn't included with the figure. We're going to fill ours with Perrier. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late December 2009 at JPY15,800 or US$178.90 from NCS.

TOYS Final Fantasy XI Taru Taru Trading Arts - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» The Taru Taru race featured in Final Fantasy XI reminds us of the Ewoks in Star Wars except the Taru Taru are less furry and a little smarter. They're both munchkin-like, adorable, somewhat pudgy, and battle back with fierce wherewithal when confronted with danger.

The next set of Final Fantasy Trading Arts toys feature the various Taru Taru characters we've met in Final Fantasy XI in all of their diminutive statures. From the left of the photo and moving right, they are:


» Ajido-Marujido - Mischievous minister of the Orastery
» Star Sibyl - Clairvoyant leader of the Taru Taru in Windurst
» Robel-Akbel - Armored Warlock Warlord with a penchant for magic
» Shantotto - A Black Mage who looks to the heavens when she laughs

Square Enix is supplying the toys in factory boxes which contain 9 figures. Buyers will receive the four characters listed above and 1 secret Taru Taru that's yet to be announced. You'll also receive four duplicates in the factory box. The figures are fixed pose and measure between 5.5-6.0cm tall and are constructed of PVC. Please note that NCS is currently only accepting preorders for the Japanese version of the Taru Taru toys which are sold in a box of 9 figures. Square USA will be releasing the toys stateside as well but only for the four aforementioned figures that are pictured in the photo to the upper left at US$25/set.

Preorders are welcome to ship in January 2010 at JPY4050 per factory box of 9 figures or US$45.90 from NCS.

Wii Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers Preorder

From the Publisher
A thousand years have passed since the events of the original Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles. The destruction of the Yuke Crystal during the Great War had at once brought the victorious Lilty Tribe prosperity, the defeated Yuke Tribe apparent annihilation, and the world a new age of science and reason. In this new era exists a rare breed of powerful beings called "Crystal Bearers", whose seemingly magical abilities have led them to be feared and scorned by the public.

The young mercenary Layle is one such crystal bearer, who has been hired to escort the new passenger airship Alexis, the pinnacle of Lilty technology and a symbol of their current dominance. However, when the Alexis is suddenly besieged by a horde of monsters, Layle comes face to face with an adversary thought to have vanished from the pages of history, on a quest that may threaten the future of the world.
FFCC: TCB provides a fresh take on the FFCC series as it combines the storytelling depth, expansive world and graphical quality of FINAL FANTASY with motion-driven, real-time action gameplay. In this world, realistic gameplay and fantastical art direction are brought together for a truly unique experience for Wii users around the globe. Preorders for the Japanese Wii import FFCC: The Crystal Bearers are welcome to ship on Nov 26, 2009.

PSP Phantasy Star Portable 2 Accessory Set - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» Hori has started preorders for a Phantasy Star Portable 2 Accessory Set which includes five items as follows:

» PSP Carrying Case (Compatible with PSP-1000, PSP-2000, PSP-3000)
» Protective Flip Cover (Compatible with PSP-2000, PSP-3000 only)
» Protective Plastic Film (Compatible with PSP-2000, PSP-3000 only)
» Analog Pad Attachment (Compatible with PSP-2000, PSP-3000 only)
» Phantasy Star Portable 2 DLC code for exclusive download items

The Protective Flip Cover bolts onto the top of the PSP and presents a convenient way to protect the LCD from potential damage. The Protective Plastic Film consists of three transparent strips of pliable plastic that cover the back of the PSP to protect it from grime, dirt, and oils from grubby fingers. Preorders are welcome to ship on December 3, 2009 at JPY2839 or US$33.90 from NCS. Product SKU: HPP-353 / Jan: 4961818012455

TOYS figma Drossel von Flügel figure - Reproduction

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» Max Factory has announced a second production of the figma Drossel von Flugel which sold well over the summer months. Well, summer weeks since we sold out of our entire allocation within a couple of weeks.
Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late October 2009 at JPY3080 or US$38.90 from NCS.

NCS Abbreviated Product Synopsis
«©NCSX» Disney cracked into the Japanese animated serial market earlier this year with a little number called Fireball which is designed to appeal to Japanese tastes. The main character is a robot-girl named Hatsune Miki who also goes by "Drossel" and she's accompanied by a spidery robot named "Gedächtnis" which is the German word for "memory." Drossel is a mech-girl, speaks with a strong yet feminine voice and wears a twintail "hairdo" which is the similar to the one that's planted on the popular Hatsune Miku of Vocaloid2 fame.

NEWS General Updates

NDS/PSP Software Release Delays - Update
PSP Kentoushi Gladiator Begins has been delayed to November 12, 2009 from the original release date of October 29, 2009. NDS Blue Dragon Ikai no Kyoujuu has also been delayed from October 1 to October 8, 2009.
NEWS Tokyo Game Show - Next Week
Most of our Hong Kong and Japanese distributors/vendors will be attending the Tokyo Game Show that kicks off on September 24 and opens to the public on September 26. Even though the show doesn't begin until next Thursday, many of our trading partners will be starting their TGS hiatus on September 19. Next week is the last week they'll get a chance to relax before the hysteria of the shopping season starts to build. It's sort of like a snowball that rolls downhill and gains both mass and momentum.
The TGS website describes this year's visual theme as follows:
"The main visual of the TOKYO GAME SHOW 2009 expresses the concept of “Game, It’s so energetic!” using different shapes and motifs all shooting out from a game start button." We thought it was an advert for a new shmup.