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News of the Day

• Figure Review: Orchid Seed’s Comic Unreal cover girl Onna Kenshi Feane
• Magazine Review: Megami vol. 96 (May 2008)

Other Headlines

• Anime: Hayate no Gotoku! 2nd season to be announced following tomorrow’s episode and/or in next week’s Shounen Sunday
• Anime: 3-part Negima OVA to accompany limited edition manga release (vols. 23-25)
• Anime: Kodomo no Jikan 2nd season confirmed
• Anime: Mission E official site online
• Anime: Druaga preview at GyaO, first episode to stream on April 4th
• Anime: Natsume Yuujinchou - Mushishiesque?

Ero news continues below:

After several release delays, Orchid Seed’s Mogudan-inspired Comic Unreal cover girl Onna Kenshi Feane is finally here! Unlike most kits this is one that proved to be in almost every respect better than the production shots available in the past - if Orchid delays mean more figures of this quality, I’m all for them. Read on for a detailed look at the first figure that can truly lay claim to embody the spirit - and the monumental bosoms - of Mogudan’s art.

The May 2008 issue of Megami Magazine was released today, and we’ve got a thorough review of it here! The sticker price was bumped up from the standard 780 yen to 840 yen for this issue, but it comes with a couple of great extras that more than make up for the slight price increase - a double sided pencil board brings us a look at Saber of Fate/stay night as drawn by Nanoha creator Tsuzuki Masaki, with the reverse side an illustration of Fate Testarossa by Takeuchi Takashi. Other extras include large Clannad and Shana posters and an alternate cover for Nanoha StrikerS manga vol. 2, as well as the continuation of Ditama Bow’s Yotsunoha manga. Oh, and there are lots of great posters, too. :3

An overview of 27 new eroge titles on sale this weekend (unedited reissues, “regular editions”, and value packs omitted), touching on all the major titles including the Kiminozo rerelease, new games from the Baldr and Sweet Knights teams, the latest from Black Cyc, Clockup, Studio E.go, Elf, Anim, Lilith, and a whole lot more. This post introduces a new format similar to the one I’ve been using to describe new figures, which will hopefully present the information in an easily accessible form; any comments on the post layout would be appreciated.

News of the Day

• Anime: North Korean abductee anime “Megumi” released
• Figure: Fraeulein Revoltech Futami Mami preorder open
• Figure: Orchid Seed’s Nekomiya Nono preorder begins
• Figure: Goodsmile presents Kimiaru Benisu, Nendoroid Pastel Ink
• Figure: Figma Nanoha, Kyon preorders open

Other Headlines

• Anime: To Love-Ru promotion movie #2 online
• Anime: Kanokon promotional movie streaming at Bandai Channel
• Anime: Druaga episode 1 summary, new trailer streaming online
• Anime: New 15-second Blassreiter commercial online
• Anime: Promo video online for Strait Jacket OVA vol. 3
• Anime: Genshiken OVA to be released on a single R2 DVD
• Anime: Michiko to Hacchin trailer online
• Anime: School Days OVA Magical Heart Kokoro-chan now on sale
• Manga: Doujin Work vol. 5 now on sale
• Manga: Koumei Keito illustrated Spice and Wolf manga vol. 1 now on sale

Orchid Seed’s Feane Finally Ships!

First scooped in July of last year, we’ve been following the production of Orchid Seed’s Mogudan-inspired Onna Kenshi Feane PVC for what feels like eight months now - oh wait, it has been. Originally listed for release in December, three months late has become about par for the course when it comes to Orchid delays. I wouldn’t believe she was actually shipping if I didn’t have the email from Amiami to prove it… as of posting she’s still available at Play-Asia for those inspired to place a last minute preorder. In less inspirational Orchid news, we have a new batch of delays to report:

Delayed to April:

• Anna from Gekkou no Carnevale
• Amaloli Ryofu Housen from Ikkitousen
• Teni from Ikkitousen
• Hankyou Satsuki from Seinarukana
• Chouun Shiryuu from Ikkitousen

Delayed to May:

• Tsuzuki Shiori from Witchblade
• Magical Amber from Type Moon Character Material
• Nao (and Miyazawa ver.) from Mabinogi
• Sherrice from Ma ga Ochiru Yoru

Ero news continues below:

Via Moon Phase Diary: Today an animated version of the story of Megumi Yokota was released for free download by the Japanese Government Abduction Issue Countermeasure Headquarters (政府拉致問題対策本部), an agency that works to resolve the issue of North Korean abductions of Japanese citizens (an official explanation can be found here). It’s a 25 minute short “documentary anime” that covers Megumi’s life from birth through abduction and the subsequent unresolved quest to determine her fate, and seems to have received some budget as the film was simultaneously released dubbed in four languages (Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean). I downloaded the English version first expecting subtitles, and was greeted by a truly awful dub - I shut it down as soon as Megumi’s mom went into labor and decided to watch the Japanese version instead.

This is a fascinating piece from several angles, both as a look at the rare intersection of documentary and anime narrative forms, and in light of its overtly political / propagandistic nature. It’s something I’m sure a visual anthropologist would have a field day dissecting - Moeyo’s initial response is “for this topic, is it really alright to give Megumi such a moe design?” An interesting question, in light of the film’s purpose. (no more)

Kaiyodo’s Fraeulein Revoltech lineup continues with the preorder availability today of Futami Mami (regular gothic princess ver.) and Futami Mami (Friend Shop limited snow strawberry ver.) action figures from The Idolmaster. Both versions are scheduled for release on June 1st at 2,300 yen each, 15 cm tall (non-scale), with 18 points of articulation and 10 “revolver joints” used. Parts included are a policewoman’s hat, a cowbell, cat paws, “demon feet”, six hand configurations, and a display base. The only difference between the two figures is the color scheme, and both seem to be widely available (the snow strawberry version doesn’t seem particularly limited). Like all of the figures in the Fraeulein lineup, sculpting work is from Enoki Tomohide (Pumpkin King/eyewater). Images of both figure versions below:

Figure maker Orchid Seed updated their official site today with an entry for their Nekomiya Nono (bathtime ver.) PVC from Hiquo-soft’s eroge Osananajimi to no Kurashikata (literally “how to live with your childhood friend”). The kit is 1/8 scale (11 cm tall) and retails at 6,800 yen in September, with a sculpt from Ranmaru. The kit comes with various bath goods sized to scale (shampoo, conditioner, toys, etc.), and the “foam” is removable; she is however wearing panties underneath. Uncensored images below:

Goodsmile updated its official site today with listings for a Benisu (Venice) PVC from Kimi ga Aruji de Ore ga Shitsuji de, as well as a Nendoroid Pastel Ink action figure from Moetan. Benisu is due out in July at 1/8 scale (22 cm tall) and 6,500 yen, with a sculpt from Otoyama Houjun (Snow Cat), while Pastel Ink is due out in August at 10 cm tall (non-scale), with a sculpt from Nendoron, and including three face options, two arm options, her “magical stick”, two leg options, and a chair. She is also compatible with the vignette stand that comes with the 1/8 scale Pastel Ink due for release from Goodsmile next month. Images of both Benisu and Nendoroid Pastel Ink below:

Figure maker Goodsmile’s official site was updated today with listings for two new Figma action figures from Max Factory: Takamachi Nanoha (Barrier Jacket ver.) from Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha, and Kyon (school uniform ver.) from Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu. Nanoha comes with two faces, two bang configurations, various hand configurations, ball-joint twintails (!) and two Raising Heart settings: Accel mode and Buster mode. She retails in May at 2,800 yen and 13 cm tall (non-scale).

Kyon come with two faces, various hand configurations, “inner” (schoolwear) shoes in addition to the standard leather ones, as well as a “handy video camera”. He’s also due out in May, at 2,500 yen and 15 cm tall (non-scale). Both Nanoha and Kyon come with the standard Figma supporting arm bases. Images below:

[ April 6, 2008; ] Official Site

[ March 27, 2008 to March 30, 2008. ] Official Site

News of the Day

• Figure: Alter augments August lineup with Nanoha’s Vita, Unison
• Figure: Hatsune Miku Figma announced at TAF

Tokyo International Anime Fair Special Report

In figure news from TAF, both the Goodsmile official blog and Akiba Hobby have chimed in with additional reporting on the Figma, fixed-pose PVC, and Nendoroid Miku lineup. Akiba Hobby’s coverage is especially nice for the close-up shots of just about everything in Goodsmile’s booth, including their advertising posters with English translations.

Akiba Hobby also has a bunch of shots of new Shining-series PVCs and Sky Girls PVCs from Eye Scream, an alternate color version of Beagle’s “Mogudan” Kanu Unchou, and more - but perhaps the craziest piece of figure news is that Goodsmile is planning a Nendoroid Plus collaboration with Animate and FREEing to produce a series of 18 Haruhi character “charms” with cosplay themes from the various regions of Japan. At present it seems they may be limited to sale at Animate stores in the corresponding locations of the country, which could prove to be a major headache for collectors… We’ll bring further news on this and other details from the event over the next couple of days.

In anime news, Moon Phase Diary is going nuts with the scoops tonight. There’s way too much there to mention here, but highlights include:

• TV anime Clannad After Story announced, with the same staff and cast as the original
• Koihime Musou TV anime to air starting in July
• CASSHERN will be getting a TV anime adaption in fall 2008
• RIDEBACK is also to be TV animated in 2008
• ROBO CROSSER TV anime coming in 2009
• NECRODRAGON movie now in production
• official site online for TV anime Bounen no Xamdou
• Hyakko TV anime announced
• Zero no Tsukaima gets season three subtitle: “Princesse no Rondo”
• Birdy the Mighty TVA official site renewal
• Highlander anime movie official site open
• Gurren Lagann movie project begins in September

Further TAF coverage can be found at:

• GA Graphic
• Akibaos

Additional Thoughts on WHF Cancellation

A bit of investigation yesterday following the news that World Hobby Festival is ending revealed that S.E. Inc., the company that runs the event, is primarily in the business of analog art supplies. This is an industry that has been hard hit in the past several years as computer applications become increasingly compelling replacements for the traditional use of screen tones, coloring markers, light tables, and other tools of the trade. It seems possible that the industry’s waning fortunes combined with competition from the newly launched Hobby Complex events would be enough to tip the balance against WHF. Here’s hoping the hobby world grows enough to provide a robust base of support for a similar event to return in the future.

Sekirei vol. 6 Released

The sixth volume of the Sekirei manga was released on March 25th, and after reading it over the past two nights I’ve come away quite happy with the way things are progressing. The Wikipedia entry for Sekirei is here, but it’s full of unmarked, massive spoilers and I’d advise against reading it if you want to stay pure for the upcoming anime and hopefully an official English language manga release. My favorite panel from the volume can be found below the fold - not a spoiler, but a bit too nekkid for conspicuous display on the front page.

Today’s ero news continues below:

While not primarily a figure event, a few makers set up shop at this weekend’s Tokyo International Anime Fair, Goodsmile included. The biggest new item announced today at their booth was a Figma Hatsune Miku action figure, from Crypton’s Vocaloid2 virtual idol line; we don’t know anything beyond the photos yet, but from the looks of it we’ve got another crazy hot item on our hands. Moeyo! Akibajin blog has a look as well, which also includes a color shot of Goodsmile’s 1/8 Hatsune Miku PVC that we scooped back at Wonder Festival. We’ll be on the lookout for further details on both figures as well as other figure fallout from TAF. (no more)

Figure maker Alter updated its official page today with entries for Vita and Unison Vita PVC figures from Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha. Both are due out in August at 1/7 scale (19 cm tall) and 7,140 yen with a sculpt from Tanaka Toushi, the difference between the two being the color scheme and the Graf Eisen hammer head configurations that come with each. The regular Vita comes with Hammerform, Raketenform, and Zerstörungform, while Unison Vita comes with Hammerform, Raketenform, and Gigantform (name source: Wikipedia). With official listings online preorders should follow shortly. Images below:

TAF starts today - on the lookout for news

News of the Day

• Figure: Movic’s Mizuiro Splash Nishiumeda Asamiya preorder open
• Figure: First Class Shining Force EXA Cyrille preorder open
• Figure: World Hobby Festival to end with Ariake 18
• Figure: Nendoroid Petit Lucky Star Season 2 preorder begins April 2nd
• Figure: Resinya’s Shana, Noumi Kudryavka up for preorder
• Figure: Mikuru (culture festival ver.) preorder open

Other Headlines

• Figure: Tokimeki Memorial Only Love Yayoi Mina coming from Atelier-Sai
• Figure: Jun Planning’s Hayate no Gotoku Maria (Amiami-limited black ver.) release announced
• Figure: Review of Jinki Aoba in this month’s Dengeki Daioh
• Figure: <