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Anime Themed Totebags for Ninja Loving Fangurls
Posted by Michael Pinto on Apr 5, 2009 in Hobbies and Collections
Fangurls will get a kick out of these two anime themed tote bags! The tote bag shown above features kawaii ninja teens. While the tote below features anime pin-up dragon princess girls from a hard-to-find discontinued fabric (Alexander Henry’s Dragon Princess): Read more… Mice! Why did it have to be Mice?
Posted by Michael Pinto on Apr 2, 2009 in Hobbies and Collections
“Little Indiana Mouse loves to go on adventures and find hidden treasure! As handsome as his human counterpart, he comes complete with hat, gun holster, bag and whip. Indiana Mouse was hand made using felt, silks, fake leather, ribbon, cardboard, glue, monofilament and he is stuffed with polyfil. He stands approximately 2.5inches tall (6.5cm) His costume and accessories are not removable.” Read more… Ultraman Soda Porn
Posted by Michael Pinto on Mar 29, 2009 in Hobbies and Collections
Just released this past week in Japan is an Ultraman themed soda which comes in two flavors and 12 different can designs (the flavor shown in the video is cider). But just I love the way this fanboy documented his purchase — not too dissimilar than a tech fanboy doing an unboxing video. By the way if you’re looking for an amazing collection of all things Ultraman check out this Flickr group. Read more… Retro Martian Invader Tin Toy Invades Your Nostalgia
Posted by Michael Pinto on Mar 27, 2009 in Hobbies and Collections
I’ve seen so many tin toy robot sin my day so it’s a nice break to see a retro plaything that’s based on War of the Worlds for a change. This Martian Invader tin wind-up toy is available from zerotoys.com and harkens back to yesteryear with a fanboy affordable price of $13.95. Found via nerdapproved.com. This DeLorean Evokes My Back to the Future Nostalgia
Posted by Michael Pinto on Mar 21, 2009 in Hobbies and Collections
“The way I see it, if you’re gonna build a time machine into a car, why not do it with some style?” It’s funny at the time I didn’t realize just how well Back to the Future captured the spirit of the 80s — a good example of this was the DeLorean featured in the trio of films. In a bit of irony you can keep in touch with your Back to the Future nostalgia with this cute Back to the Future II DeLorean Vehicle model which features actual working gull-wing doors: Read more… Get That “Game Controller Clean Feeling” When You Shower
Posted by Michael Pinto on Mar 20, 2009 in Hobbies and Collections, Videogames
Shower swag is so girlcentric so it was a pleasure for me to come across this NES Nintendo game controller soap on Etsy which is produced by Digitalsoaps: Read more… In Search of Loch Ness, Bigfoot, Chupacabra and Jackalope
Posted by Michael Pinto on Mar 19, 2009 in Hobbies and Collections
This Cryptid Silhouettes Pin Pack which I found on Esty reminded me a great deal of the 70s TV show In Search Of… which featured Leonard Nimoy exploring a new topic every week like UFOs or Bigfoot. This pin collection features Loch Ness, Bigfoot, Chupacabra and Jackalope (although I don’t recall any episodes dealing with Chupacabras or Jackalopes). The pins are illustrated by artists Quincy Pearson and Adam Maron. Read more… Full Metal Alchemist Goes Moe
Posted by Michael Pinto on Mar 11, 2009 in Animation, Hobbies and Collections
It’s funny the one thing that always hit me about the character designs in Full Metal Alchemist is just how cute they seem to be, but this set of Full Metal Alchemist Choco Minto pushes it to the next level. These figurines are part of a merchandising push that ties in with the debut of the latest series which stays true to the storylines established in the original manga. Here’s a trailer for the upcoming series: Read more… I Got to Get a Konata Statuette!
Posted by Michael Pinto on Mar 10, 2009 in Animation, Hobbies and Collections
Captain I’m Afraid This Retro Star Trek Lunchbox is Inauthentic
Posted by Michael Pinto on Mar 9, 2009 in Hobbies and Collections, Star Trek
You can now pre-order the Star Trek Original Series Lunch Box — but frankly the design of this schlocked out trinket misses the point in my book. For starters the side of the lunchbox misses the spirit of the entire show, the typography and graphic symbols have nothing to do with the late 60s. But the biggest missing part is that a lunchbox from that era wasn’t always photographic — in fact for a science fiction show you’d expect to see an illustration. And this I present to you the real deal, an authentic Star Trek lunchbox from the 60s: Read more… Star Wars Mice Invade Etsy
Posted by Michael Pinto on Mar 7, 2009 in Hobbies and Collections, Star Wars
A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away there were these cute little mice! I know this sounds like we’re kitbashing Star Wars with the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy but these adorable sci fi rodents are the precious creations of the House of Mouse and can be found on Etsy on their very own page. There are 14 mice in the entire collection so far and they run between $35 and $40, but bet of all if your favorite character is missing they’re open to doing custom orders. Shown above is Princess Leia mouse and below is Darth Vader mouse. Read more… Star Trek XI New Toys: Design Critique
Posted by Michael Pinto on Mar 4, 2009 in Hobbies and Collections, Star Trek
The new Star Trek film will be hitting theaters in May, but early signs of merchandising are already appearing. Playmates has just introduced a line of toys which will be hitting the streets this month. So far we’ve only seen a trailer for this film, but these toys give us a first real glimpse into the look-and-feel of the film. It’s important to remember that the original Star Trek series was a real breakthrough in terms of production art — a spacecraft no longer had to look like a rocket or a flying saucer, so there’s a real tradition that’s at stake here. That and frankly if Paramount wants to reinvent the franchise they’ll have to top the amazing work Lucas has been doing these past couple of years with Star Wars. Read more… The Original Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head
Posted by Michael Pinto on Mar 4, 2009 in Hobbies and Collections
This is a commercial for Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head from the early 60s or late 50s, you’ll notice that unlike later editions that the original toy kit assumed that you’d be playing with an actual live potato. The toy was invented in 1949 by George Lerner and early versions of the toy were controversial as people viewed it as wasting food (this was just after World War II when food rationing was common). The toy began life as a premium in breakfast cereal boxes, but in 1951 for a mere $5,000 Lerner sold the idea to the company that would later become Hasbro. By 1952 over a million kits were sold, in 1953 Mrs. Potato head was added who was later also joined by Brother Spud and Sister Yam. And alas sadly in 1964 the kit switched to plastic potatoes… Found via vintagetvcommercials.com. Relakkuma Embraces Solar Power
Posted by Michael Pinto on Mar 3, 2009 in Hobbies and Collections
At the recent Toy Fair in New York I was almost depressed at the sheer number of green themed toys that seemed to be destined for landfills. The trouble with most of these toys is that they were plain old plush dolls with some connection to an endangered animal — which on the surface isn’t bad but doesn’t really engage your imagination on any level. That’s why I’m drawn to this Japanese toy which is based on the popular bear mascot Relakkuma: This novelty item features Relakkuma (also known as Relaxuma) and his honey-colored friend Korilakkuma are enjoying the soothing effects of a faux hot tub. When you place the toy in sunlight their wobble as if they’re relaxing in the faux water. You can pre-order the Relakkuma Onsen Solar Mascot from National Console Support. Transformers: More than Meets the Mouse (and a Mickey in Disguise)
Posted by Michael Pinto on Mar 2, 2009 in Animation, Hobbies and Collections
From a quick glance I wasn’t too impressed with the mecha design of this Transformers Disney Label Mickey Mouse — the problem was that it just wasn’t cute enough! But of course the devil is in the details: If you look closely at the top you’ll see the classic Mickey Mouse enjoying being at the controls of his very own giant robot. Star Trek Collections: Live Long and Acquire, err I Mean Prosper…
Posted by Michael Pinto on Mar 1, 2009 in Hobbies and Collections, Star Trek
Shown above is the wonderful collection of Leonard F. Krieger. There’s a small but growing movement of fanboys who are making videos of their Star Trek collections and sharing them on YouTube. I have to admit that while such an endeavor sounds geeky that it’s a very positive use of technology. You see back in the days fans would acquire amazing collections of memorabilia but sadly with rare exception these gems would just sit on a shelf gathering dust only to be admired by a few. But putting these goodies on he web (and not just with video but on other sites like Flickr) fans are building a virtual museum and giving a free visitors pass to the rest of us. Here are a few wings of virtual Trek museum: Read more… Vinyl Toys Come to Life: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Making of Organ Donors
Posted by Guest Author on Feb 25, 2009 in Design, Hobbies and Collections
Editor’s Note: As a creative person I’ve been watching the urban toys scene in awe — and the first question that pops into my head is always “What’s the process of making these cool art objects into reality?” Long time artist David Foox has just introduced a line of toys called Organ Donors, so I asked him as a favor to write up an article giving his start-to-finish experience as a first time creative tackling the world of designer toys. Step #1 Concept The most important aspect of any custom vinyl toy is CONCEPT. “If your concept is solid, your toy is a success.” – Erick Scarecrow, friend. While this is the first step of the project, it is actually the most important step – and the one that is most often neglected. People are typically in a hurry to get to the other steps and fail to adequately delve into the concept that is being developed. In order to best develop a concept, I would advise people to first create an inhabitable environment, world, universe, or cause. Read more… Beware the Wrath of the Fetts! Kubrick’s Boba Fett Collection
Posted by Michael Pinto on Feb 23, 2009 in Hobbies and Collections, Star Wars
Kubrick has put put out a collection of toys based upon everybody’s favorite bounty hunter. The collection includes six versions of Boba Fett including a vintage toy and holiday special look! Read more… Vincent Price Presents the Agatha Christie Collection
Posted by Michael Pinto on Feb 23, 2009 in Hobbies and Collections, Pulp Fiction
My guess is that this commercial dates from the very late 70s or early 80s — I tend to associate Vincent Price more with the horror than the mystery genre although there is a bit of an overlap. By the way it should be noted that the Franklin Library wasn’t a serious book publisher but an arm of the Franklin Mint which was more in the business of selling collectables than literature. From my own point of view these ornately bound books lack the charm that one would find in the cover illustration of low brow mystery paperback. Update: Nick Kent has pointed out to me the missing Vincent Price mystery connection! Price was host of the PBS series Mystery in the 80s: Read more… Yamato Pachinko Machine Features First-Rate CGI Animation
Posted by Michael Pinto on Feb 22, 2009 in Animation, Hobbies and Collections
When I first came across this commercial my first thoughts were “this has got to be an upcoming CGI Star Blazers movie that I’ve been waiting for my entire life!” But then I noticed at the end of the advert that there seemed to be some sort of box — I figured then that it had to be some sort of amazing videogame:
Well after a minuter or two of googling the subject it turns out that this amazing animation is for a new Space Battleship Yamato Pachinko machine! By you’ve got to check out the website — it’s all in Japanese but the interface with make any old school Star Blazers fan weep with joy: Read more… Retro Anime Collectables: Toy Fair 2009
Posted by Michael Pinto on Feb 19, 2009 in Animation, Hobbies and Collections
For us old time anime fanboys PBM Express USA had a great collection of retro goodies at the Toy Fair! Shown above are action figures for Mazinger Z and Grendizer, and below is a highly detailed Captain Harlock Statue: Levitron Anti-Gravity Technology Demo: Toy Fair 2009
Posted by Michael Pinto on Feb 18, 2009 in Hobbies and Collections
The geek friendly company Fascinations (based out of Seattle, Washington) had an interesting display of a technology that would allow you to float and rotate a small object. Their thinking is that this might appeal to fanboy toy collectors looking for a unique way to show off prized items in a unusual way. Shown above is their Stellanova line of floating globes using the technology, and below is a video I shot on the showroom floor: Erector Spykee Robots: Toy Fair 2009
Posted by Michael Pinto on Feb 18, 2009 in Hobbies and Collections, Tech
Sometimes it takes just the right twist to make something interesting, in this case the Spykee Spy is a WiFi robot which is controlled remotely by you but the cool thing is that the robot can take pictures and video. So while at work your robot can wander about your home and report back to you. Each robot features a bitmaped face which lends some humor to the design. But best of all certain models of the robots can act as a cradle for your iPod or iPhone (which is a nice touch): Toy2R: Toy Fair 2009
Posted by Michael Pinto on Feb 18, 2009 in Hobbies and Collections
Hidden in the basement of the Javits Center the Toy2R was a wonderful oasis of urban toys in an ocean of rainbow colored plush at the Toy Fair. The first goodies that caught my eye were the Reservoir Dogs Qee Series shown above and below.
Sadly I’ve grown jaded now that Domo has gone mainstream, but I wouldn’t be ashamed to have these colorful variations hanging out near my computer: |
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