Takara Tomy Star Wars x Transformers TIE Advanced x1 Spaceship Transforms into Darth Vader

Posted on 11/10/2017 by Lambert Varias

Impressive. Most impressive. Takara Tomy’s one-of-a-kind take on Darth Vader is called the Star Wars Powered by Transformers 01 TIE Advanced x1. It doesn’t even have “Darth Vader” in its name, but that’s the surprise!

Aside from coming with a tiny Darth Vader figure, the Sith Lord’s ship actually transforms into a robot version of himself, complete with a giant lightsaber. The photo above shows a prototype of the completed transformation.

If you pre-order the toy now, you’ll also get five mini-stormtroopers. Give each of them a different color and you have a Super Sentai squad.

Looks like the Autobots are screwed. You can pre-order the action figure set from BigBadToyStore for $55 (USD).

[via ToyArk]

Make Your Own Giant Gummy Squid!

Posted on 24/08/2017 by Paul Strauss

There are lots of people out there who love the taste of squid, but I’m not one of them. I think it might be the rubbery texture that gets me, but I also don’t think it tastes like much of anything, so why bother giving my jaws the workout? On the other hand, I could get behind chomping on squid if it were made from deliciously sweet gummy candy.

With this kit from Takara Tomy A.R.T.S., you can make your own giant gummy squid. The kit comes with everything you need to make this chewy delicacy, along with two other bits of gummy marine life – a goofy looking blobfish, and one of those adorable flapjack octopi – like the one in the video below:

I’m not sure what flavor the candies are, nor if you can make them in different colors besides orange, purple, and green, but beggars can’t be choosers when it comes to gummy squid.

You can order the kit from Amazon for about $30 (USD), which includes shipping from Japan. It looks like you can get a giant gummy megamausuzame, which appears to be some kind of a shark.

Dodeca Head Inflatable Helmet Costume: Airstyles

Posted on 20/01/2016 by Lambert Varias

Turn yourself into an SD character effortlessly with Takara Tomy’s Dodeca Head. It’s a series of oversized inflatable helmets in a variety of styles. There’s a samurai, a geisha, a knight and a girl with pig tails.

Here’s a demo by YouTuber タケトファミリースタジアム:

You can order the helmets from Hobby Link Japan for around $17 (USD) each. The store also lists three more upcoming styles: a ninja, a kabuki and a pharoah.

Takara Tomy Maglev Model Train: Shinkansen-chan

Posted on 27/08/2015 by Lambert Varias

It may not be as exciting as Lexus’ hoverboard, but Takara Tomy’s new Linear Liner is still pretty neat. Based on Central Japan Railway’s L0 Series trains, this model train also uses magnetic levitation to zip along its track.

The 9.9″ long train floats 2mm above the track and has a top speed of 4.3 mph, the equivalent of 310 mph for a life-size train.

You can pre-order the Linear Liner from Hobby Link Japan for ~$290 (USD).

[via Cool Things]

Sega Genesis Megatron: A Real American Villain

Posted on 17/12/2014 by Lambert Varias

Earlier this year we featured Takara Tomy’s killer crossover combo action figures of Optimus Prime as a Sony PlayStation and Megatron as a Sega Mega Drive. It turns out the toy maker also released a US variant of the latter – Genesis Megatron.

Genesis Megatron has the classic Sega Genesis logo on its chest, as well as on the bundled scale models of the controller and the Sonic the Hedgehog cartridge. Also it’s name isn’t as catchy as its Japanese counterpart.

The Sega Genesis Megatron action figure is limited to 1,000 action figures, making it even more of an oddity. Transform and rise up and head to NCSX to pre-order the toy for $140 (USD).

[via Tiny Cartridge]

PlayStation History Collection 20th Anniversary Edition: Cuteness Awaits

Posted on 04/12/2014 by Lambert Varias

A few years ago Takara Tomy released the PlayStation History Collection 1, which consists of scale models of the four original PlayStation variants. With the console celebrating its 20th birthday this year, Takara Tomy has released the second batch of the collection. The PlayStation History Collection 20th Anniversary Edition features 1:6 scale models of the old gray box’s sucessors.

The set includes both variants of the PlayStation 2, all three variants of the PlayStation 3 and the new kid on the block, the PlayStation 4. The DualShock 2, 3 and 4 are also included, as well as the 8MB PlayStation 2 Memory Card, the PS3 Eye and the PS4 Camera. It appears that at least two of the scale models – the first PS2 and the third PS3 – have movable disc trays.

I have so many happy memories thanks to my OG PS3, but even I have to admit it’s got a case only Ken Kutaragi could love. You can pre-order the PlayStation History Collection 20th Anniversary Edition from AmiAmi for ¥4,130 (~$34 USD), from Play-Asia for $48 or from NCSX for $50.

1:4 Scale Transforming Robot Car: Project J-deite

Posted on 25/10/2014 by Lambert Varias

We’ve featured Kenji Ishida’s progress regarding his transforming robot over the years. The first three models we saw were already coveted toys, but Kenji made it clear early on that his ultimate goal was to create a life-sized car that transforms into a humanoid robot. Kenji, Wataru Yoshizaki and Takara Tomy launched Project J-deite to see that dream through. To launch the project, they showcased the toy’s biggest version yet.

The J-deite Quarter is 1.3m tall (4.3ft) and weighs 35kg (77lb.). It has a 3kW battery that lasts up to an hour per charge. In robot mode, the J-deite Quarter can walk up to 1kph (0.62mph), grip objects and pose like a bad ass. In vehicle mode, it turns into a two-seater that can goes up to 10kph (6.2mph).

Here’s a promo video for the robot:

For those who didn’t watch the video, here’s the group’s roadmap:

Even the most avid gas guzzler fan wouldn’t mind owning this electric car.

[via Project J-deite via Reddit]

PlayStation Optimus Prime & Mega Drive Megatron: Consoles in Disguise

Posted on 09/08/2014 by Lambert Varias

Thanks to the Transformers’ 30th anniversary, we’ve seen Optimus Prime and Megatron turned into glam rockers and bears. Now they’re also video game consoles. Takara Tomy will be releasing limited edition action figures of Optimus Prime as a Sony PlayStation and Megatron as a Sega Genesis aka Mega Drive.

These images of the Autobot leader’s alternate form were taken by Japanese website Radio Kaikan. Prime comes with replicas of the PlayStation’s memory card and its DualShock controller.

Here are Takara Tomy’s shots of its Sega Mega Drive Megatron, which will come with a replica of the console’s controller as well as a Japanese Sonic the Hedgehog cartridge.

Here’s a shot of the arch-enemies for scale:

Takara Tomy will release the PlayStation Optimus Prime early next year, while the 16-bit Decepticon will be available in Japan this Fall. I’ve seen a couple of eBay sellers accepting pre-orders for the Megatron action figure for around $135 (USD) to $139, which for me is a pretty reasonable price, considering these are doubly geeky and will likely be sought after in the future.

[via Takara Tomy & Radio Kaikan via Kotaku]

Takara Tomy Transforming Robot Car Prototype: Brave Robotics in Disguise

Posted on 14/06/2013 by Lambert Varias

Last year Kenji Ishida and his company Brave Robotics released 10 units of his awesome remote controlled car that can transform into a mecha. Unsurprisingly, all 10 units were bought, and there’s no word on when the company will release more. But you might not have to wait for Brave Robotics, because toy maker Takara Tomy is also working on a similar toy.

transforming robot remote controlled car by takara tomy

Before you accuse Takara Tomy of stealing Kenji Ishida’s work, lawyer down. Frankie of Hobby Media spotted Takara Tomy’s prototype at the 2013 Tokyo Toy Show, and apparently he also found out that Takara Tomy is collaborating with Brave Robotics. So we’re all good.

transforming robot remote controlled car by takara tomy 3 300x250

transforming robot remote controlled car by takara tomy 4 300x250

Frankie also said that he saw the toy transform, but he was asked not to film it as it was still a work in progress. Just to refresh your memory, here’s what Brave Robotics’ toy looks like in action:

I think I’ll save up for Ishida’s life-size transforming car.

[via Hobby Media]

Smart Han Food Tube Turns Your Favorite Food into Push-ups

Posted on 12/04/2013 by Paul Strauss

And this single image, my friends, is why I love Japan…

smart han 1

What you’re looking at here is the latest food innovation since the potato chip picker-upper. The Smart Han comes from Japan’s Takara Tomy, and provides you with a whole new way to look at food – by putting an entire meal in a tube! Or as they like to call it “Rice & Material!” And yes, they even make Doreamon and Hello Kitty versions!

smart han 2 That’s right, just fill up this ingenious gadget with rice and any food material you want, snap it together, and come lunch time, you can squeeze your lunch into your mouth. Extra win! Just look at all the places you can eat your lunch that you never thought of!…

smart han eating

And in case you can’t figure out what sort of foods you’d like to turn into a Push-Up pop, they’ve provided an array of suggestions up on their website. Me, I’d like to fill it with lime Jell-o. Or maybe chocolate pudding.

smart han 3

It might take some work to find these here in the states, but I’m sure that someone like the Japan Trend Shop or White Rabbit Express can help you out if you’re in the mood for some totally tubular food.

smart han 4

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