Recent Updates

• Haruhi-chan, Churuya-san anime series announced
• Daiki Kougyou launches hug pillow line
• Tech Arts omnibus teaser
• Volks’ Masou Shizuka, Nanbu Kaguya prototypes unveiled
• Fullmetal Alchemist second TV anime series announced
• Tsuruya-san Figma preorder open
• Minamoto Chizuru oppai mousepad unveiled
• Alter announces Odin Sphere’s Gwendolyn, Saber reissue
• Urushihara Satoshi’s “Comiket Girl” preorder open
• Taki’s Minamoto Chizuru preorder open
• Kotobukiya’s Shining Wind Ryuuna, other reissues
• Figure Review: Daiki Kougyou’s Seyada Tara
• Clayz’s Tama-nee, Sasara preorders open
• Catching Up: Dakimakura
• Goodsmile presents Unity Yuuno
• Editor’s Desk: World of Lifecraft

Nothing to see below the fold this time around; I’m still playing catchup, but should be back in the regular pattern of Mainichi updates within the next few days. It’s good to be back in action! (no more)

Moon Phase Diary updates with the news this evening that according to the October ’08 issue of Shounen Ace (on sale August 25th), two new short-episode anime series are being produced simultaneously for broadcast on the YouTube Kadokawa Channel: “Suzumiya Haruhi-chan no Yuuutsu” (based on the Haruhi spinoff manga by the same name) and “Nyoro~n Churuya-san” (based on the popular doujin 4-panel comic by Eretto). The Moon Phase author speculates that these may be a stopgap measure to placate ravenous hordes of Haruhi fans hungry for solid news of a sequel to the original TV series, but I for one welcome our chibi webcast overlords. I hope they give them voices… We’ll keep an eye out for further news on this over the coming weeks. (no more)

The official site of (heretofore exclusively) figure maker Daiki Kougyou was updated today with a listing for an item that breaks new ground for the company: a Kanu Unchou dakimakura cover from Ikkitousen Great Guardians. The case is scheduled to retail in November at 10,500 yen (case only), is sized 160 x 50 cm and features two original illustrations from animator Miyazawa Tsutomu, printed on suede fabric. According to the listing the case is available exclusively via Daiki’s online shop, so international customers may have to use a proxy. Pillow images below:

The various Tech Arts eroge brands got together yesterday and posted an enormous (4721 x 6057 pixel) teaser image including in-progress content from several of their upcoming games. The image is chaotic and not very easy to parse, but from what can be gleaned it seems that there are at least four new games in development from the various brands: a new Mochizuki Nozomu-designed game from MBS Truth (or possibly an OLE spinoff), a new Gunner-L designed game (side-scrolling shooter included) from an OLE, a new Sano Toshihide-designed game from G.J?, and what appears to be a 3D remake of Ane to Boin from Tech Arts 3D. The teaser image is reproduced below:

Those following the saga of the Alice Soft x Volks figure collaboration project over the past several months were rewarded late last night with the posting over at GA Graphic of the first official look at the prototype for the fan-selected #1 popular Rance series character, Masou Shizuka. Preorders for the PVC figure are expected to open on Monday, August 25th, exclusive to Volks’ online shop and brick and mortar locations, so a proxy buy will be necessary for international fans. Release is scheduled for “this winter”, and she retails at 7,140 yen and 1/6 scale (23 cm tall) with a sculpt from Kamio Rintarou (A-Brand).

Also new from Volks is word that the amply-chested Nanbu Kaguya, heroine of Mugen no Frontier: Super Robot Wars OG Saga, is to receive the figure treatment. She’s also scheduled for a winter release, at 7,875 yen and 1/7 scale (28 cm tall), with a sculpt from Chorosuke (A-Brand). Release is once again exclusive to Volks online and terrestrial shops, with preorders opening on August 25th. This combined with her abundant appearance at Comiket 74 mark a meteoric rise to popularity for a character who hit the market just last May, and we can expect to see more from her in the coming months.

Images ganked from GA Graphic below: