TOYS Ikkitousen Kanu Unchou Miko Version - Japan Preorder

«©NCSX» Kanu Unchou's popularity and her consequent pervasiveness in the Japanese toy market has been taken for granted for a few years now. Manufacturers and vendors expect Kanu to sell well to eager fans without much resistance since that's how things are supposed to be with anything related to Ms Unchou. That changed a bit this year.

NCS has noticed a slower pace of Kanu releases in 2009 but Japanese manufacturer Eyes Project has announced a new 1/6 scale coldcast figure which depicts Kanu as a Miko or shrine maiden. Kanu is dressed in regulation-issue Mike garb with the familiar red and white color scheme. Kanu wields the Blue Dragon Crescent Blade in her hands while her feet are fitted with tabi socks. Kanu's hair is a whippy lash that seemingly billows in the wind. That kind of craftsmanship is to be revered and honored because it isn't easy to make hair look like that. From afar, Kanu almost looks like Koyori of Sengoku Ace fame except Kanu's physique is slimmer and more athletic. Koyori's body type can best be described as "Rubenesque."

Preorders for the fully assembled and pre-painted Kanu Miko figure are welcome to ship in March 2010 at JPY18900 or US$259.90 from NCS.

TOYS R-Type Madou Gokin RWF-9A Arrow Head - Japan Preorder

«©NCSX» Fledgling Japanese toy manufacturer "A-Label" has started accepting preorders for an R-Type RWF-9A Arrow Head diecast toy which is a limited to a mere 2000 units. While discussing the production with one of our Japanese vendors last night, they mentioned that they wanted to buy up 1/8 of the production which is 250 units and sit on them for a few years. They'd probably work out a sweetheart deal on the price but we're not sure it's worth the investment since price appreciation on toys isn't all that. Besides, who knows if there'll be any rabid R-Type fans a few years from now jonesing for a $100+ Arrow Head? Even if it's diecast? We advised caution but they seemed fairly resolute in their RWF-9A hoarding plans.

The Arrow Head looks good with fully painted body, purple cockpit canopy, and a Force Unit that's positioned directly ahead of the ship. No, it's not floating on its own volition but mounted on a plastic stalk that rises from the base of the toy - just like Force Units on the Shooting Game Historica R-Types. The Arrow Head is made of a mix of diecast and ABC/PVC and measures 13cm or 5.11" in length. Preorders are welcome to ship in March 2010 at JPY9800 or US$129.90 from NCS.

TOYS King of Fighters Vanessa 1/6 Scale Figure - Japan Preorder

«©NCSX» We first met Vanessa in King of Fighters '99 Evolution where she served as a Striker. Since her debut, Vanessa has appeared on the Hero Team, Iori Team, and other teams in subsequent KOF releases. Despite her sinewy frame, Vanessa is a pugilist at heart and she punches, jabs, and wallops opponents with fists of fury. Athena Asamiya and Mai Shiranui from KOF normally get most of the attention from toy sculptors but Vanessa warrants appreciation as well. That's where "A Label" steps in to produce a laid-back Vanessa toy figure which measures 30cm or 11.81" tall. She's so relaxed that her shirt's wide open and her bosom may be spied on.
Preorders are welcome to ship in March 2010 at JPY7800 or US$90.90 from NCS. Please note this item will incur dimensional weight and NCS recommends only shipping by UPS Ground within the United States.

EAT One Piece Jolly Roger Fork & Spoon Set - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» Cospa has announced a One Piece Jolly Roger Fork and Spoon Set which appears to be targeted at consumers who have love for the One Piece animated serial and are hell-bent on supping with pirate-themed utensils. The spoon looks to be wide enough to ladle up cereal, soup, and other watery foodstuffs while the fork's four tines should be sharp enough to spear peppers and sausage, omelets, and maybe even flapjacks if you fold them like a "C" or perhaps a "Z" on your plate.

Cospa doesn't specify what the utensils are made of but we're assuming stainless steel which won't react with acidic tomato sauce or the vinaigrette in a zesty salad. Each utensil measures 17 cm or 6.69" in length and is topped by a toothy Jolly Roger wearing a hat. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late January 2010 at JPY1200 or US$18.90 from NCS.

DRINK Luffy Pirates Stainless Steel Mug - Import Preorder

NCS Preorder Synopsis
«©NCSX» The leader of the Straw Hat Pirates is a likable fellow named Luffy who gobbled the Gomi no Mi Devil's Fruit which transformed his body into a highly elastic bundle of pliable flesh. Cospa pays homage to Luffy with a stainless steel mug which bears an image of the Jolly Roger on the front while the names of Luffy and his crew are categorized on the back. Sanji is listed as "Chef" while Nico Robin is branded an "Archaelogist." The skeletal seaman named Brook enjoys the title of "Musician." We would've positioned him under the banner of "Undead-esque."
The mug measures 7cm in height and 7cm in diameter which makes it squat like a mug's supposed to be. Preorders are welcome to ship in January 2010 at JPY1000 or US$16.90 from NCS.

TOYS Transformers Disney Label Mickey Mouse - Restocked

«©NCSX» When one conjures up images of Transformers from the depths of one's memory, visions of Megatron or Bumblebee might waver in the mind's eye. No one really expects Mickey Mouse to appear but there he is. A jovial rodent in the cab of Convoy as if he belonged there. To add insult to injury, the Cybertron logo on the trailer has been replaced by a Mickey Mecha logo with saucer-like ears.

The Transformers Mickey figure measures 4" tall and roughly 3" in width. By tucking, shifting, and swiveling parts, the robot may be transformed into a truck with trailer. NCS sold out of this particular toy a few months ago but we've restock a new batch today and new orders are welcome to ship this afternoon.

TOYS Transformers MP-08 Grimlock - Japan Import, Restocked

«©NCSX» If the Transformers echelon were positioned in terms of power ranking, Optimus would be in the prime spot followed by Megatron. Third place would probably be given to Grimlock - a mighty Dinobot who transforms from bulky robot to mechanical Tyrannosaurus Rex. In robot mode, Grimlock carries an Energon sword to mete out the destruction but in Rex mode, his bite does all the damage. Takara finally gives Grimlock his due respect in the eighth Transformers Masterpiece toy which was released in Japan last week and finally arrived yesterday.

Masterpiece Grimlock is made of a combination of PVC and die-cast metal with numerous points of articulation. A gimmicky LED in its right fist illuminates the included Energon sword while Grim's eyes may change color to red or blue in either robot or dinosaur mode. Accessories that are bundled inside the package include a little helmet which may be placed on top of the Rex's head, a blaster rifle, and more. Grimlock looks good in Rex mode but his arms are too scrawny and don't really match his imposing bulk.

NCS originally imported MP-08 Grimlock in March of this year but a new production was released at the end of last month and the shipment arrived today. All preorders are shipping this afternoon; new orders are welcome.

X360 Real Arcade Pro Twinstick EX - Expected Tomorrow

«©NCSX» Hori released the X360 Real Arcade Twinsticks yesterday and our Japanese suppliers shipped them last night but they didn't consult us on the shipping charges before sending them out. We were estimating each Twinstick to weigh roughly 10-15 lbs but according to the UPS Worldwide Express waybill from last night, each stick weighs a little over 27lbs. Ouch.

Hori didn't provide weight details back in July when preorders opened up and NCS didn't expect them to be that heavy when pricing out the sticks a few months ago. Our import shipping costs have nearly doubled due to the heavier weight. Since there's no other way to say it, we're just going to blurt it out: We'll have to charge everyone an extra $28.63 to cover half of those additional shipping costs and the UPS fuel surcharge. We'll cover the other half of the charge. Sorry about that. We'll send out emails today to request acknowledgement and affirmation of the additional charge but we'll begin preparing orders today for quick and efficient shipping tomorrow.