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Posted by Michael Pinto on Oct 22, 2010 in Battlestar Galactica, Hobbies and Collections 
Yes I know that everyone thinks the new Galactica (which isn’t so new at this point!) is so much cooler than the old series. But you see what I liked about the original series was that it wasn’t cool — the point of the show that it was deeper (in a bad mystical sort of way) and more geeky than Star Wars. A good example of this were the Cylons — unlike Stormtroopers who were idiots in armor, the Cylons were sort of kinder more gentle version of the Daleks if you think about it. And the above Battlestar Galactica Little Frakkin’ Toasters Classic Cylon sort of sums up that spirit nicely.
Tags: Battlestar Galactica, Cylons
Posted by Michael Pinto on Oct 18, 2010 in Animation, Hobbies and Collections 
I’m not sure if I could ever forgive Hollywood for their shlock epic Dragonball Evolution which nearly ruined the franchise for me! However these authentic Dragon Ball denim jeans might make might up for it. These jeans will be released by Cospa in late December just in time Christmas. Sadly overweight otaku need not apply as the jeans will range from a 30 to 36 inch waste size, but this is a martial arts anime series after all so we’d expect you to be in good shape: Read more…
Tags: Anime, Dragonball, Japan
Posted by Michael Sacco on Oct 16, 2010 in Fandom, Hobbies and Collections 
NASA, in conjunction with Etsy, is running a contest. The parameters: make something really cool by hand, and theme it around space exploration! There are already some really neat entries, like the above necktie based on the recently-declassified Apollo lander manual. The winner gets a $500 Etsy shopping spree and, presumably, the brag-worthy title of Artisan NASA Thought Was The Best.
Official rules are here — you have until November 2nd to turn in your entry. If you’re not the crafty type, you can always just keep an eye on the page and see what awesome space-y stuff the Etsians have come up with. Read more…
Tags: NASA
Posted by Michael Sacco on Oct 15, 2010 in Hobbies and Collections, Star Wars 
Sillof & Glorbes, makers of countless other incredible custom action figures, did this awesome WWII-themed Star Wars reimagining! There’s a lot to love here, from Darth Vader’s technological downgrade to Han Solo’s Millenium Falcon bomber jacket. The Stormtrooper figure above is “the most literal fusion of WWII and Star Wars imagery,” but other characters deviate a bit. Boba Fett, for example, now has a flamethrower arm. Can’t really argue with that. Read more…
Tags: Star Wars
Posted by Christian Liendo on Oct 9, 2010 in Fandom, Hobbies and Collections 
Our fear that with New York Comic Con being kitbashed with the New York Anime Festival that the anime aspect of the show would be swallowed up by the comic book aspect of the show — however the high quality of anime cosplay and lolita fashionistas proved otherwise:
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Tags: cosplay, New York Comic Con 2010
Posted by Michael Pinto on Oct 4, 2010 in Animation, Hobbies and Collections 
Do you want to look like Fujiko Mine from Lupin III? Well here’s your chance: Bandai will be rolling out a line of cosmetics that are based on the beloved anime series by Monkey Punch. I love the fact how some of the items in the line are shaped like bullets — although I’m surprised that Bandai isn’t doing a line of jewelry given Lupin’s occupation. Read more…
Tags: Anime, Japan, Lupin the 3rd
Posted by Tim Sheehy on Sep 30, 2010 in Animation, Hobbies and Collections 
So you love One Piece, and you want to rock some nifty pirate attire but don’t want to bother with an eyepatch? Don’t worry, Japan has you covered. Check out these sweet One Piece sun glasses and frames. Sure, they’re not quite as fierce as an actual eye-patch, but I’m sure anyone who recognizes the logo will envy you. Everyone else? Well, at least they still look pretty classy. I suppose it depends on which color you end up getting. As much as I love Frankie, I’m not sure I’d look pretty good in baby blue shades, and I’m not sure many of you would either. Thankfully, there are plenty of others to choose from, with each color and design for each of your favorite characters. No word on when or if these will be available stateside, though I imagine that if anyone decides to carry them, it’ll be J-List. Until then, just stare in awe.
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Tags: One Piece
Posted by Michael Pinto on Sep 27, 2010 in Hobbies and Collections, Star Wars 
On the big screen the Wampa seems such a terrifying creature from the ice planet Hoth— but alas as a throw rug I sort of feel sorry for this fella. Although as a true fanboy critic I’ve got to say that the rug reminds me more of muppet version of this guy than anything else: Read more…
Tags: Star Wars, Wampa
Posted by Michael Pinto on Sep 26, 2010 in Cinema, Hobbies and Collections, Horror 
The funny thing about horror films is that they are by nature B pictures — so when you’re looking at a new horror flick you have no idea that you may in fact be looking at a future classic film — and such was the case when I first got to see A Nightmare on Elm Street back in the day. Of course every great horror needs a gimmick to make it stand out from the crowd and for Elm Street this was Freddy Krueger’s nasty metal glove. And looking at this Deluxe Freddy Krueger Metal Glove with fresh eyes I’ve now come to see that the glove design was in fact a brilliant unrecognized early example of cinema steampunk if you think about it. Read more…
Tags: steampunk
Posted by Michael Pinto on Sep 25, 2010 in Animation, Hobbies and Collections 
The amount of loving detail on this Sailor Moon bento box is mind numbing! While the box features all the major characters my favorite touch is the inclusion of Luna the cat: Read more…
Tags: Anime, Bento Box, Sailor Moon
Posted by Michael Pinto on Sep 24, 2010 in Animation, Hobbies and Collections 
The popular chain Lawson in Japan will be taking orders for Evangelion Chocolate Cakes which will be shipped right before Christmas! The cake (shown above) also comes packed with an Rei Ayanami figurine holding the “Spear of Longinus” (which as it turns out is a reference to the holy lance in the Bible). The cake is being produced by Bandi which apparently has quite a large business making anime themed cake and candy. Read more…
Tags: Anime, Chocolate, Evangelion, Japan
Posted by Michael Pinto on Sep 24, 2010 in Hobbies and Collections 
It’s usually hard to spot a ninja, but the minute I looked at the Uglydoll ninja themed t-shirt it was love at first sight. The t-shirt is part of a larger line that’s put out by Mighty Fine which feature the ever so kawaii monsters who do everything from pose in sunglasses to offering you a unicorn jumping over a rainbow: Read more…
Tags: t-shirt, Uglydoll
Posted by Tim Sheehy on Sep 22, 2010 in Hobbies and Collections, Tech 
Like so many of you, I spent a good portion of my youth collecting Lego sets. While the little blocks once allowed me fancy myself an amateur architect — though, I realize now that I was far from one — it wasn’t until recently that I discovered my love for photography. Of course, it wasn’t simply that I came across a lovely photo, I had to introduced to field it by a friend who shoots professionally. It was very much a case of “Where has this been my whole life?” and “Why couldn’t something bring it to my attention sooner?” Well, it would seem Pentax has a unique idea that might help solve that problem.
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Tags: Lego
Posted by Tim Sheehy on Sep 21, 2010 in Hobbies and Collections, Star Wars 
It might seem a bit unwieldy, or dare I say a tad cartoonish — if that’s even a word — but I’m pretty sure this is probably one of the coolest plush backpacks a kid could ever want. Modeled after Boba Fett’s original jet pack, as seen in Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, this plush bag comes complete with multiple pockets and adjustable straps that fit both kids and adults alike. There’s even multiple pockets for documents such as Death Star plans, thermal detonators, and more. If you’re interested, you can pick one up from ThinkGeek for roughly $50, though if given the choice, I think I’d rather have C-3PO myself . Still, no kid in their right mind would ever want to haul a protocol droid around school if they could have a rocket pack instead, right?
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Tags: Boba Fett, Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back
Posted by Michael Pinto on Sep 20, 2010 in Hobbies and Collections, Tech 
If you like you sounds kawaii this Speagurumi Cute Carrying Pouch Speaker collection is for you! Each speaker retains it’s block look, thus giving a superdeformed blockhead version of Hello Kitty, Elmo from Sesame Street, Doraemon and a Mukku version of Gachapin: Read more…
Tags: Doraemon, Hello Kitty, iPod, iPod Touch, Sesame Street
Posted by Michael Pinto on Sep 13, 2010 in Hobbies and Collections, Tech 
Hello Kitty has no mouth yet these kitty speakers can amp up your iPod: Available in white and pink each Hello Kitty Dock Speaker for iPod features two speakers and a remote control. Although the cool thing about this neko gizmo is that you can also control the sound caressing kitty’s ears to turn the volume up and down.
Tags: Apple, Hello Kitty, iPod, Japan
Posted by Michael Pinto on Sep 12, 2010 in Animation, Hobbies and Collections 
Yes I know on the surface that this USB Oshaberi Talking Chopper seems like a typical superficial useless office toy — but the reality is that it’s highly educational linguistic device! This talking Tony Tony Chopper can not only blink his eyes and move his cheeks but he can also speak up to 70 lines (in japanese of course) from One Piece. Read more…
Tags: Anime, One Piece, USB device
Posted by Michael Pinto on Sep 11, 2010 in Animation, Hobbies and Collections 
It would look like this! Designer Satoshi Fumihara the genius behind the Japanese MTV series Golden Egg designed these funky Cubic Mouth Disney Key Cover which look cutting edge yet retain the cute qualities of Mickey and Mini. I’ve always admired how Disney has adapted to local culture in Japan by taking chances and this is always reflected in the merchandise — something which I wish Disney would do more often in the United States where the brand play it a bit too safe. Read more…
Tags: Disney, Japan, Mickey Mouse
Posted by Michael Sacco on Sep 8, 2010 in Hobbies and Collections 
Do you ever look down and think “Golly, my shoes just aren’t cute enough”? If so, you may be one of the millions of people worldwide suffering from Sanrio Shoe Deficiency (SSD). Thankfully, there’s a cure: Sanrio and Doctor Martens have teamed up for their respective 50th anniversaries to bring you these overwhelmingly adorable shoes themed around Hello Kitty. Available in both the classic white/blue/red and a punkier pink/black palette, these limited-edition Doc Martens with Hello Kitty bow details are available as boots or Mary Janes. At over a hundred dollars, they’re not cheap, but they’re certainly unique. Perfect for stomping around after your roller derby match or going to the malt shop with your steady. Now where are my Chococat Converse All-Stars, Sanrio? Read more…
Tags: Hello Kitty, Sanrio
Posted by Michael Pinto on Sep 4, 2010 in Hobbies and Collections, Videogames 
The videogame Harukanaru Toki no Naka de (also known as Within the Expanse of a Distant Time) was so popular that it inspired music CDs, a manga series, an anime series and even a live action film and now — a set of Hello Kitty collectables! This is being done to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the franchise which first started off in 2000 as a PlayStation game. Shown above are special stickers and below are cel phone straps: Read more…
Tags: Hello Kitty
Posted by Michael Pinto on Sep 4, 2010 in Hobbies and Collections, Star Trek 
If you were a fanboy child of the 70s you’ll well remember the Mego Star Trek action figures. Of course there was Kirk, Spock and McCoy but sadly if if you wanted that one other character you had to * gasp * use your imagination! Well progress being what it is there is an entire series of all of those other characters you wanted to play with in the backyard but who never were (except on the small screen). Shown above is the Captain Pike action figure which is a nice tribute to actor Jeffrey Hunter who passed on the role of captain in 1965 in favor of a film career — and sadly he passed away in 1969. And on the silly side is the Salt Vampire whose proper name is the now extinct M-113 creature from the episode The Man Trap: Read more…
Tags: Captain Pike, vampires
Posted by Tim Sheehy on Sep 1, 2010 in Hobbies and Collections, Star Wars 
You shouldn’t be tickling a Wookie any way — what do you take them for, Ewoks? This 9 inch Chewbacca plush kind of looks like it could be a Tickle-Me-Elmo, though. Either that, or one of those clowns in an arcade shooting gallery. You know which ones I’m talking about, I’m sure. All kidding aside though, it’d probably make a much cooler gift for any nephew or son than an Elmo doll. It even roars — or does its bear gargle, if you will — when you push on his belly. I’d take that over Elmo’s annoying laughter any day, wouldn’t you? They retail for roughly $26, so if you’re looking to pick one up, head over to NeatoShop.com and even though you’re not ordering it through the official Star Wars online store, don’t fret, it is an officially licensed Star Wars product.
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Tags: Star Wars, Wookies
Posted by Tim Sheehy on Aug 31, 2010 in Hobbies and Collections, Star Wars 
While this is awesome, it’s also kind of terrifying. What you see before you is Lego enthusiast Angus MacLane’s entry into the FBTB MOC Madness 2010 Building Tournament. Each year, Lego Star Wars fan site From Bricks to Bothans hosts the tournament, and in a nod to Empire Strikes Back, this year’s tournament requires you to create your own intergalactic bounty hunter, and their ship. Angus took this opporunity to create his very own McDonalds-inspired Corellian freighter, piloted by what appears to be Ronald McFett and an R2-Grimace. Why he decided to mix the two is completely beyond me. Besides, I’ve always thought the Millennium Falcon looked more like a York Peppermint Pattie.
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Tags: Lego, Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back
Posted by Tim Sheehy on Aug 26, 2010 in Hobbies and Collections 
Recognize this? Sure you do, it’s a briefcase book bag — they’re just in every anime or J-drama I’ve ever seen. While some of you might be a little old to cosplay a Japanese high-schooler, those of you who want to try are going to need need one of these. Made by Matsukameya, a Japanese outlet that specializes in school uniforms, the quality is top notch, and definitely worth the hefty $165 price tag. This model comes complete with a metal lock and key, accordion pocket for large books or laptops, and several other pockets and compartments for documents and more. They’re currently in stock over at J-List, but be prepared to shell out some extra cash for EMS shipping, since they’ll only offer that.
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Tags: cosplay, Fashion
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