In the Yakin Byoutou 2 animation, nurse-in-training Mana Kazama is an innocent young woman who just wants to help patients. Mana signs up for an internship at a hospital and is charged with taking care of a deranged patient named Wataru Mizukawa.
In his previous life, Wataru was a doctor who suffered unrequited love towards Ren Nanase of the original Yakin Byoutou. After Wataru discovers Ren's corruption at the hands of the sadistic Ryuji Hirasaka, he goes mad and is admitted to the hospital. When he meets Mana, he notices her strong resemblance to Ren and plans his twisted machinations...
Japanese manufacturer Toys Planning has started preorders for a Mana Kazama 3D mousepad which ships next month. Similar to the Rio 3D mousepad that was released a few month ago, the "3D" portion refers to the "bosom" that protrudes from the mousepad. We hear that the pillow-like appendages help to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome. The mousepad measures 240 × 290 × 45 mm and the bosom contains soft-gel filling.
Toys Planning released a Ren Nanase Reversible Huggable Pillow last year which featured the infamous nurse of the Yakin Byouyou animation. This year, the company follows up with a Mana Kazama Reversible Huggable Pillow where the Ren look-alike lies prone and seemingly positioned in a defenseless posture.
The "Reversible" bit in the product title refers to the two different images on each side of the pillow. On the top side, Mana is in her crisp nurse uniform. On the flipside, Mana's bosom is revealed and her nurse uniform has been hiked up a tad to reveal white skivvies underneath. Similar to the Ren Nanase Pillow, the Mana version measures 107cm x 45cm or 42.12" long by 17.71" wide. It's also thick and fluffy and filled with stuffing inside.
Pricing for the polyester pillow is set at JPY8400 or US$119 from NCS - the premium is due to the hefty shipping charges for this very large item. Toys Planning is supplying a Mana Kazama Pillow Case which slips over the pillow to protect it from damage at JPY5800 or US$55.
A few years ago, a company named Farmer released a multi-console AV cable which plugged into the Gamecube, PS2, Dreamcast, and original Xbox. It was very convenient.
Fast forward to a new generation and Farmer returns with a component video cable which links the Playstation 3, Wii, and Xbox 360 to a component video compatible television. A four-position switcher built right into the cable toggles between the following settings:
» Xbox 360 HD
» Xbox 360 YPbPr
» Nintendo Wii
» Playstation 3
Build quality is reasonably good and image output is comparable to standard Sony and Nintendo component cables at a lower price. «More details»
Got a gaggle of UMDs lying about your lair with nary a storage slot to slip them into? Why not pony up a measly US$18 for a stand which stores 24 UMDs safely within its confines. In addition to the storage utility of the unit, five blue LEDs light up (three AAA batteries required, not included) for some value-added shiny² illumination.
The UMD Stand is built from clear and sturdy plastic that allows the blue light to shine visibly from within. A swivel assembly at the base gives the stand the ability to rotate 360˚ for some whirling action. At high spin cycles, it's better than a disco ball. «More»
Love is the theme in Sega's upcoming Disney Chibizu Love Love Plushes where three couples pair off. From the left and moving clockwise, the plush sets (which measure about 17cm tall) are:
(A) Mickey and Minnie - The two grab hands and dance
(B) Stitch and Angel - Prepping for a swing dance session
(C) Thumper and Thumper's Girlfriend (she's not given a name in Bambi)
Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late May 2007 at US$12 per couple.
Kotobukiya has started preorders for two new Evangelion figures which are scheduled to ship in May 07.
First up is an Asuka Langley non-scale figure which features the glowing redhead seated atop a stone slab of some sort. Asuka clasps both hands together and smiles at something in the distance. Next, a non-scale Rei Ayanami figure where she's all decked out in a party dress that clings to her like plastic wrap. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late May 2007 at US$39 each.
Since the first Mickey & Minnie Wedding plushes sold remarkably well last year, Sega gives the wedding theme another go this year. In the new plush set, Minnie gets rid of the tiara from last season and goes with a tasteful flower array atop her noggin. A big pinkish heart between the two rodents is symbolic of their love. Or something like that.
The height of the two plushes stands at 22cm or 8.66" tall and the clothing of each plush is of the satiny smooth type. Mickey and Minnie also wear matching white gloves. For added value, little pouches of edible heart-shaped candy are included. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late May 2007 which is right around the start of wedding season.
Corporate officers immersed in the options backdating grift may seek symbolic solace in the Mickey Mouse Shredder. Looking more like a toy than a powerful tool for shredding evidence, the Mickey Shredder measures 15cm tall and chops paper up like a champ with a few turns of the handle. Once incriminating documents have been churned up, use the scraps of paper to line the hamster cage or feed them to the termites in the basement. Two styles are on offer - a (A) black shredder with three images of Mickey on front and a (B) tan-colored shredder with a gang of Mickeys on its face. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late May 2007.
In the Yakin Byoutou 2 animation, nurse-in-training Mana Kazama is an innocent young woman who just wants to help patients. Mana signs up for an internship at a hospital and is charged with taking care of a deranged patient named Wataru Mizukawa. 
