Today’s Updates

• X-Change Alternative 2 preorder open, release date confirmed
• Clayz clothes-changing Tamaki, Manaka preorders open
• May 2nd eroge release roundup
• Figure Review: New Line’s Kousaka Tamaki (private ver.)
• Volks Miku preorder reopens, PA lists Goodsmile’s
• Bamboo Blade Tamaki, Kanokon Chizuru hug pillows
• Sora no Iro, Mizu no Iro OVA ep. 2 trailer online

It’s an omnibus mainichi post tonight, bringing plenty to last through the drought as I slack off tomorrow (Futaket) and Monday (WHF Ariake 18). I’m aiming to update on both days, but not with much of substance other than reports of the days’ events…

Read on for what to do if you have $600 to spend this weekend on a single figure, a look at a potential new PVC from Wafuudou Ganguten, screenshots from Pink Pineapple’s June eroanime release lineup, and more:

In hibernation for the past several months, following the game’s official site renewal last week news on Crowd’s upcoming X-Change Alternative 2 has been coming in fast and furious. Both the game’s official site and its Getchu product page now list the release date as July 25th (as reported earlier), and Getchu is taking preorder applications – as good a sign as we can have that the game’s production is back on track. As I type this Dream Party Tokyo 2008 Spring has just ended, where XCA2’s demo movie was shown for the first time; we’ll be watching closely for it to come online soon, because with an opening theme from Momoi Haruko and an ending from YURIA there’s bound to be some great musical accompaniment in what’s shaping up to be the most high profile offering from Crowd since the Mogudan-designed Brave Soul. We’ll keep you informed on further developments from Crowd’s gender-bending romantic comedy as they happen.

Related affiliate items

• X-Change Alternative (visuals uncensored, English text)
• X-Change series (1-3, uncensored, English)

Thanks to Diebi Manabu for pointing this out in comments to a recent post: a pair of To Heart 2 figures that we originally scooped last November have finally been made available for preorder. Both are prepainted, assembled PVC figures from maker Clayz and feature sculpts from Miyakawa Takeshi (T’s System). Kousaka Tamaki (swimsuit ver.) is 1/6 scale (height unspecified), and is scheduled for release in July at 6,090 yen. Komaki Manaka is scheduled for release in August, likewise at 1/6 scale (height unspecified) and 6,090 yen retail. No word is yet available on the third Tama-nee sculpt announced last November, but we’ll keep an eye out for the preorder listing and post when it appears. Images below:

The first eroge release weekend of May comes in like a lamb in anticipation of the wallet slaughter awaiting in the month’s final two weekends, which are stacking up to be the worst damage of 2008 in terms of must-have eroge for this addicted gamer. The current weekend’s mercifully light release schedule includes a mere three titles, which we scope out below:

I had never purchased a New Line figure before this one was announced (in the past they were primarily known for expensive cold casts whose looks never quite fit my budget), but when the fishnet version of their “private” Kousaka Tamaki was announced my willpower crumbled and I placed the preorder. Preview shots hinted at a figure that positively exuded erotic pheromones, and it was with high hopes that I embarked upon this review following the figure’s release last month. While ultimately the finished product isn’t quite as impressive as the prototype shots I’m still quite happy with the end result, explored in detail below:

It seems Volks seriously underestimated the popularity of their PVC Miku, as she sold out within 24 hours of her first preorder listing. In response they have once again opened preorders for a second round of the figure, which is available right now and scheduled to ship in October – though once again preorders are limited to a preset allotment so extreme haste is advised if you’re considering a proxy order. In other Miku figure news, Goodsmile’s 1/8 scale Hatsune Miku PVC is sold out in first lot at many online shops as well, but if you’d like the chance to get her as fast as possible and don’t mind paying a bit of a premium, first lot (September release) preorders just opened at Play-Asia. If you’d rather wait until October, cheaper options are still available. (no more)

Via the Dakimakura Integrated Research Center: Listings went online yesterday for a pair of dakimakura hug pillowcases from two recently popular anime franchises. First is the Brain Police announcement of a Kawazoe Tamaki pillowcase from Bamboo Blade. The case is 150 cm x 55 cm in dimensions and features two original illustrations (kendo uniform and school swimsuit) created for the cover. It’s expected to retail in mid-July at 9,240 yen (case only), with preorders opening in early May. The second dakimakura announcement is of Kanokon‘s Minamoto Chizuru, with a case coming from Chara High. It’s expected for release on June 25th at 10,500 yen (case only; preorder by June 5th for 1,000 yen off) and is available for preorder now. Pillowcase dimensions are 150 x 50 cm, featuring two original illustrations of Chizuru in various states of undress. Neither item is expected to appear via standard international retail channels, so it seems that proxy buying may be the only option for those outside Japan. Pillow images below: