Via the Dakimakura Integrated Research Institute: Word is in from character goods shop Machi Chara that they are producing a pair of hug pillows based on characters from the Sky Girls anime: Sakurano Otoha and Ichijou Eika. Original designs are from Shimada Fumikane, though the pillow artwork is not (possibly from anime character designer Iwakura Kazunori?). Both pillows are double-sided, zipper equipped and made from standard “smooth knit” polyester, and are scheduled for release on January 31st, 2008 at 150 x 50 cm and 10,500 yen retail (pillowcase only). Machi Chara pillows are stocked by several international retailers including Hobby Search, and these should be up for preorder soon; pillow images below:
The Dakimakura Research Institute notes that beginning in 2008 150 x 50 cm is being adopted as the new standard size for Machi Chara pillowcases, bringing them into line with many other major dakimakura cover manufacturers (Nijigen Cospa chief among them). I hope they decide to stick with this standard as it will make pillow collection much more convenient for fans.
These look quite nice. I like the extra detail put into them.
Thank god they didn’t make a Karen… I can’t afford to spend anymore.
Aww no Elise? And here I was hoping to buy my first dakimakura :/
Both of these would be welcome to my meager hug pillow collection (just Becky from Paniponi here), so I’d better get a looksie at HS soon – hopefully they come up tonight..
pKjd: who knows, they may kick us in the balls and release Karen and Elise :o
Although the Otoha cover is tempting, I think I’d rather wait for a possible Elise version to be announced.
Oh God… Eika is hot! *A*
Dangit, I want to get both of them~
NOES