Gawk at these photos of Kotobukiya's Black Hanekawa

7 hours ago - 10:00 PM on 02.07.2012   |   Tianxiao Ma

Look, you've already known about Kotobukiya's Black Hanekawa for a while. There's not much I need to do to sell this one; I think it's one of the few figures Kotobukiya has done better than Alter. Akiba Hobby has photos of a color sample up and she looks terrific... except for that unfortunate, massive seam down her butt.

When you see it, you'll know. It actually looks obscene, and that sucks because the rest of the figure looks so excellent. The figure's taken down a notch - I think saying "ruined" is too much - by something so ridiculous. Hopefully Kotobukiya fixes that in the final version. I'm really praying that they do. Akiba Hobby is certainly not shy about getting right up in her cooter, performing the valuable service of exposing these flaws to everyone. For that, we thank them!

[Pre-order at Hobby Link Japan | Hobby Search | AmiAmi]

Homura gets in a school uniform for WonFes

8 hours ago - 9:00 PM on 02.07.2012   |   Tianxiao Ma

Oh look, another figma schoolgirl! We sure haven't seen enough of those. This is Madoka Magica's Homura Akemi, who apparently decided to dress in something utterly mundane for this winter's Wonder Festival. No elegant evening gown? No clever cosplay? I'm disappointed.

While her base look doesn't get me all that interested, she does come with a machine gun, so that's pretty cool. It's not exactly the most detailed thing ever but then again, these probably aren't shots of the production version. Homura also comes with a bow and a red hair ribbon. I suppose it's better than a re-color, as you are getting a different figure with different accessories.

Homura will be available at the event itself and through Good Smile Company's online shop starting February 12 for ¥3,000.

[via Moeyo (link contains NSFW content)]

Plush Octo-Box rocks my socks

9 hours ago - 8:00 PM on 02.07.2012   |   Natalie Kipper

Hannah Moore, also known as Tomopop's own Hannaconda, is no stranger to adorable plush cephalopods. In early 2011, she was featured here in a promoted post highlighting her handmade Moustache Octopus plush. Recently in her blog, Curious Zoology, Hannah unveiled a plush she had created this last December, the Octo-Box. Say it with me, "D'awww!"

I love the color choices and the interesting design concept (an octopus and box lovechild? Who knew?). The Octo-Box even has little suckers cut from felt and sewn onto the tentacles. 

Keep an eye out for more of Hannah's creations on her blog. She will be cooking up something for February's VOX show and posting some pictures of her creatures. I know I am excited!

The Beast Brothers, Huck Gee present Ivory Skullendario

10 hours ago - 7:00 PM on 02.07.2012   |   Brian Szabelski

The Beast Brothers and Huck Gee have come together to unleash a warrior of mythological proportions ... and quite exquisite detail. Behold, the mighty Ivory Skullendario, a combination of The Beast Brothers' Aztec-inspired Calendario pieces and Huck Gee's Skullhead. Standing 8 inches tall, the hand-painted Ivory Skullendario will come signed by each artist, with red Swarovski crystal detailing and a custom flag on the back of the sculpture. All of this will be sent to you inside a laser-engraved wooden crate.

All of this can be yours for US$475 (plus shipping) on Saturday, Feb. 18, at The Beast Brothers' store. But there's a catch: like the other Calendarios, it will be on sale for 24 hours only, starting at 1 p.m. Eastern on the 18th. I think it's a pretty darn good piece of collaborative art that meshes Huck's style with The Beast Brothers' quite well, but what do you think?

Announcing our Bobble Budd winners!

11 hours ago - 6:00 PM on 02.07.2012   |   Kristina Pino

Remember that Bobble Budds contest we ran with Multiverse Studio Inc. a little while back? We've got the random.org-chosen winners! Here they are:

Third Place:

Matthew D Carrington
Greenboy Pocket
Yasuhiro Inoue
Ray J
Kiyomi

Second Place:

Richard
Croze

First Prize:

Liam Cocks

Are you a winner? Shoot an e-mail over to me (kristina [at] tomopop [dot] com) with your relevant info like name, Tomopop handle and mailing address so we can get the prizes to you. Thanks to everyone who participated, especially to Multiverse for hosting this contest, and congratulations to every person who won something!

[See also: SOTA Store | Bobble Budds on Facebook]

Zombie Gurrrl brings beauty to the undead

12 hours ago - 5:00 PM on 02.07.2012   |   Brian Szabelski

New from the studios of T.K. Miller comes the first piece in their Hot Flossy Babes series, Zombie Gurrrl. The sculpt features the likeness of the awesome Linda Le (a.k.a. Vampy Bitme) and stands about 16 inches tall from top to bottom. And yes, it does kind of have that pin-up girl look, if you're a fan. And it comes in two versions (with or without the cape); you'll need to specify which one you want when you order.

The painted, finished statue will set you back US$375, while the unpainted kit is only US$175. Only 20 of the finished statues have been made, each signed and numbered, and they're available on T.K.'s shop right now. For more photos, check out his Facebook page.

[via toysrevil]

Custom Delights: Kodykoala's Zombie Peach's Lair

16 hours ago - 1:00 PM on 02.07.2012   |   Brian Szabelski

Sorry, Mario ... but I think your princess is in another castle. Kodykoala has completed a new custom vinyl figure featuring a zombified Peach and what's left of poor Mario. The 7- to 8-inch piece has Peach on a spooky looking base, with a dead mushroom serving as her table, of sorts. 

This was a commission originally, but that fell through, so it's up in Kodykoala's shop for US$290. For more photos, check out his Flickr gallery for the custom. A perfect gift for Valentine's Day, isn't it?

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a new Bitsumo

18 hours ago - 11:00 AM on 02.07.2012   |   Brian Szabelski

Rawrs (a.k.a. Dai Tran) has a new variant of the very cool resin Bitsumo figure up for pre-order. The 4.5-inch figure, which features 7 points of articulation, is colored in red for the Lunar Chinese New Year. Like the other Bitsumos, the mawashi is actually made from imported Japanese ribbon that's hand-wrapped around the resin body, which is a very nice touch. 

For US$65, you can add one of the new Bitsumos to your collection from the Rawrs shop. These should be shipping in the next 2-3 weeks. I kind of like the whole design element with the ribbon and I think the piece looks great. Do you agree?

Fate/EXTRA CCC getting an exclusive Saber figma

19 hours ago - 10:22 AM on 02.07.2012   |   Brian Szabelski

I've always secretly disliked seeing Nendoroid Petits and figmas bundled with certain Japan-only titles, in part because the ones that usually get bundled are some of the best-looking ones. Add this one to the list: according to Famitsu, the PSP game Fate/EXTRA CCC is getting an exclusive Saber figma bundled with it. 

Anyone who picks up the Fate/EXTRA CCC Limited Edition TYPE MOON Virgin White Box set for ¥10,479 gets the exclusive Bride Saber figma included. Saber comes with a stand and her sword, at the very least, and as you can see, her dress is a bit scorched. It looks like she's more ready for a fight than a wedding, but that's just my take on it. You'll see her pop up again as she'll be at Wonder Festival Winter 2012, but what are your initial thoughts on this newest exclusive?

Nendoroid Tachikoma and Kamui join Cheerful Japan!

20 hours ago - 9:00 AM on 02.07.2012   |   Jonathan Tubbs

Good Smile Company's Cheerful JAPAN! series of special edition charity products for the relief of those affected by the March 11, 2011 Touhoku region is once again seeing another set join the collection. The tenth part of the set introduces an odd pair for the series.

The first to bring support is Nendoroid Tachikoma from Ghost in the Shell: S.A.C. 2nd GIG in the long since since sold out color of blue. So how does this mechanical tank show support? With banners, a flag, and pom poms! And that's about it. But for such a popular product, it gives those a second chance to get it while supporting a good cause.

The other release is an alternate version of Nendoroid Kamui Kobayashi as the Ganbare Japan Ver. This version features a hat-less Kamui as well as the helmet used in the Malaysia Grand Prix and Chinese Grand Prix. On top of new parts, this version of Kamui also comes with a little pull back F1 race car.

Nendoroid Tachikoma: Cheerful Ver. and Nendoroid Kamui Kobayashi: Ganbare Japan Ver. are available for ¥4,000 each with overseas shipping set at ¥2,000 at the GOODSMILE ONLINE SHOP. Each sale Tachikoma will have ¥1,500 donated to relief efforts while only ¥1,000 will be donated from sales of Kamui. Sales start on February 10, 2012 at 11:00 JST and end on February 27, 2012 at 20:00 JST and have a limit of five figures per person. Each figure is expected for release sometime in June, 2012.

Kat Brunnegraff's latest plush will scoot into your heart

21 hours ago - 8:00 AM on 02.07.2012   |   Natalie Kipper

Meet Scoot. He's a baby octopus. He also happens to be handmade by the epically talented Kat Brunnegraff (check out some of her more recent work here, here, and here). This little plush fellow is the child of two other of Kat's characters, Mr. Squii and Opal, and is based off of one of the artist's old illustrations. It would seem that Scoot's motif is wishing stars because not only does he have one on his forehead (which may grant wishes when kissed) but, upon closer inspection, there are stars in the sweet octopus's eyes as well. So darling!

Scoot is for sale from Kat's Etsy shop at the very reasonable cost of US$20.

[via SpankyStokes]

Under the Radar: Xone Industries unleashes Jim Jam

11:00 PM on 02.06.2012   |   Brian Szabelski

Xone Industries' newest collectible is the somewhat reluctant and slightly mad leader of the Foofnicks, Jim Jam! Standing 4 inches tall with his arms down and 6 inches tall with his arms up, Jim Jam is designed by Robert Curet and sculpted by Heather Scheetz of Little Wonder Studio. He might look crazy, but ... well, he kind of is.

Jim Jam is available for US$20 in the Xone Industries shop, coming in his own neat little box. What do you think of the design, Tomofolk?