Hot on the heels of our review of Sunny Day’s Halloween Girl comes the news that his equally Halloween-themed Kinoshita Rumi (devil type) will be coming in PVC from Yamato! One of the heroines of Pia Carrot he Youkoso!! G.O., this version of Rumi hails from the game’s [ERO] Toy Box expansion in which she pilfers some ecchi cosplay attire from co-heroine Kazumi. She’s scheduled for release in February of next year at 7,140 yen retail and 23 cm tall, and is castoffable down to some very appealing lingerie. With her up at Yamato we can expect shop preorders to open soon! (no more)

When I first spotted this figure in the pages of Tech Gian last June I wasn’t quite convinced of her allure. After she was listed for preorder and a few more sample images began to surface however I realized that I’d be forced to trust my luck with Wafuudou yet again - the prospect of the combination of cute and ero from Nanao Naru and Cerberus Project was just too hard to ignore. She came in last night, just in time to ask the question: what would you do if Halloween girl said “Trick or Treat“?

Word is in today from the official Figma site that Max Factory’s action figure line is finally entering production, with its first installment featuring Nagato Yuki from Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu. She’s set to go on sale on February 14th, 2008 at 2,500 yen and 13.5 cm tall; preorders and additional information will be revealed later on in November. In other bishoujo action figure news, the official Revoltech blog reminds us that preorders begin tomorrow for Ayanami Rei, the first in their Fraeulein lineup. They have a considerable lead on Max in the action figure department at this point, but it’ll be interesting to see how their bishoujo lines fare going head to head like this. (no more)

Word came in last night via Amiami that Bandai will be releasing a pair of new “Metamo figures” from Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu, an alternate color version of their earlier released Haruhi kit as well as a new sundress catgirl Nagato Yuki. The Metamo gimmick is that the figures change color based on the ambient temperature, the new Haruhi going from red to black and Nagato from white to black. Both are 1/8 scale (~20 cm tall) and scheduled for release in February of ‘08 at 3,980 yen retail. The Nagato is pretty cute, but I’m not sure if the simplified paint job required for the color change gimmick to work is worth it… (no more)

The phenomenon of the contoured bust mousepad is not a new one, but the dubious accessory is set to undergo a minor step in its evolution with the release of an [ERO] Mizuki-sensei oppai mousepad from Atelier Kaguya’s recently release eroge Enjoy. Featuring the character Onda Mizuki, the item’s chief draw is its faithful rendition of her relatively large bosoms - a sample of which are pictured here, in comparison with the earlier released Asuka-chan oppai mousepad from Osana Najimi to Amaku Sugosu Houhou. I always assumed that these pads were of uniform dimensions with images printed on each regardless of the size of the character in question, but the comparison shots show that variation in fact exists… This peculiar item is available exclusively via Medio’s online shop, and is set for release on December 21st at 4,995 yen. Thanks to Akiba Blog for the scoop! Mousepad images below:

Word came in last night via the Dakimakura Integrated Research Institute that Chara-Ani is producing a hug pillow featuring popular Muv Luv heroine Mitsurugi Meiya. The pillow (both case and pillow included) is scheduled for release on December 16th (Meiya’s birthday!) at 15,000 yen, with dimensions 160 x 50 cm, and featuring original illustrations from Muv Luv character designer Bou. Preorders are open through next March, but to get in on the first batch orders should be placed by November 11th. Pillow cover image below:

When Ignis the White was first revealed back on February 14th of this year it really did feel like Valentine’s Day had come a day early. I was instantly smitten by the figure, the likes of which had previously existed only in my wettest of dreams - we had seen several figure incarnations of the Jingai Makyou heroine already, but none that dared challenge the monumental intricacy of her “undying flame” incarnation. Would the craftsmanship of Orchid Seed rise to the occasion and prove equal to the task of replicating this truly epic sculpt? Read on for the opinion of one humble fan…

First scooped by HD last week, an official page is now online for Goodsmile / Comic Gum’s collaboration Ryomou Shimei (pearl black ver.) PVC figure from Ikkitousen! This is a wide release version of the magazine mail order limited blue version that came out this summer, and which was discussed earlier here. Sculpting duty was handled by French Doll of sculpting circle Cerberus Project, and she’s set for release in January of ‘08 at 7,800 yen retail and 1/7 scale (28 cm tall). As remarked in the initial scoop I’d be happier to see her blue version in wide release instead of this black, but the chance to get her in any format is quite welcome. From the limited batch that came out over the summer we’re only waiting on an unlimited release for the Kanu now… With her up officially at Goodsmile preorders for Ryomou should commence shortly around the interweb shops. (no more)

We’ve been tracking the progress of preorders for Konami’s Beatmania IIDX Lilina PVC figure over the past several months, and with the final deadline back on October 28th it seems she just barely made the 2,500 unit preorder cutoff required to trigger production. She’s set to go on sale on March 14th of next year at 4,935 yen retail and 1/8 scale (12 cm tall). Unlike Iroha, the first Bemani figure in this made-to-order series who cleared her 2,500 unit preorder quota with ease, Lilina required a three week extension to make the cut; while a third installment in the series is apparently planned it seems that if fan enthusiasm continues to wane Lilina may be the last that we’ll see actualized. If you’d like to support HD with your Lilina preorder, she’s available now at Play Asia. Update: figure sample image below:

Word is in from Amiami last night that Taki Corporation’s Komaki Ikuno (DVD jacket ver.) PVC figure is now up for preorder. Based on the jacket illustration from volume 2 of the To Heart 2 OVA, she’s meant to come as a pair with her older sister Manaka. She’s set for release in December at 25 cm tall (16 scale?) and a retail price of 9,240 yen, and is fully castoffable; with a face sculpt that could be use to frighten small children I’m not sure who will be in the market for such a misshapen item, but she’s out there now for fans to pass their own judgement. (no more)

The official site for Queen’s Blade spinoff series Queen’s Gate is now open! Based on the Lost Worlds series of combat game books from Flying Buffalo Press, Queen’s Gate serves as the portal between the Queen’s Blade series and the creative works of other brands joining in partnership to release other characters in the Lost Worlds format. The first two installments are Mon wo Hiraku Mono Arisu, designed by Niθ of Nitro+, and the POP-illustrated Magical Girl Pastel Ink, heroine of the Moetan anime and English otaku phrase book series. Both combat artbooks are scheduled for release on November 30th at 1,500 yen each, and like their Queen’s Blade counterparts will be hardcover and full color. We’ll be keeping an eye out for further news on this series - could Maritan be next? (no more)

The official Medicos Entertainment site yesterday posted an entry regarding their Queen’s Blade trading figure set (the same one featured in this month’s Hobby Japan, and listed on the official Queen’s Blade site for some time). The new Medicos post shows us Reina and Nowa in color, as well as providing further details about their release format: the set is scheduled to hit shelves in mid-February of next year with each figure at ~10 cm tall, though the price has yet to be announced (I’m guessing somewhere in the 700-800 yen range for this quality). The set will contain seven pieces: two color versions each of Reina, Nowa, and Risty, and one “secret”, and will be sold in boxes of six (DAMN YOU MEDICOS >:O). Preorders are scheduled to begin on November 1st, and pricing information along with Risty in color should be appearing soon. We’ll keep an eye out. (no more)

Famous for his fantastic renderings of Ayanami Rei as well as his designs for Scrapped Princess and Brave Soul, doujin artist and illustrator Mogudan opened a new official site earlier today. He had closed his old location some time ago and was operating out of a temporary site for the past several months; hopefully the more robust content at the new site means that he’s found a permanent home. Notably lacking at the new site are any references to his Ayanami doujin line (aside from the site address itself), instead his “works” lineup includes illustrations for Toranoana’s recently scooped doujin compilation as well as his eromanga cover work (primarily for Comic Unreal) and Orchid Seed’s Feane PVC figure based on one such illustration. Here’s hoping this new site migration marks a resurgence in productivity for this bastion of iconic 2D erotica, and thanks to Faust for the scoop! (no more)

Word is in from Happinet Robin today that they’ll be releasing two new PVC figures from their Sugar Mint Complex brand: Kuu and Setsuna from Kyoushirou to Towa no Sora. Both are 1/8 scale and scheduled for release in December at an as-yet undisclosed price. Sugar Mint’s past track record doesn’t make me too terribly excited about this announcement, but it might be something for fans of the show to look forward to. (no more)

Kaibutsu Oujo Hime PVC now in color