Made by Japan’s Agatsuma Corporation, the AnimeStudio is a standalone animation studio that lets you shoot frame-by-frame video, and store your creations on a 1GB SD card. Once captured, you can play back your animations on your television, with no need for a computer. The studio features a special swivel-mount camera that can be positioned all around a stage on which you can place either 2D or 3D subjects.

As you capture each frame, it’s recorded into a 4-frame-per second video clip you can play back on your TV. Still, it looks fun for really basic animations. While 4fps kind of sucks, you could always just shoot extra frames and then change the frame rate using some video editing software. And in case you want get your videos onto your computer, they do include companion software for your Windows PC as well. While all of the instructions for the AnimeStudio (and this silly video) are in Japanese, it looks like it’s pretty self-explanatory, and should be easy to use.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Up until now the AnimeStudio was available exclusively in Japan, but the guys over at Japan Trend Shop have started shipping the system worldwide for $194 (USD). While you could probably achieve the same with this webcam and one of the myriad stop-motion applications out there, the AnimeStudio looks like a fun toy for budding animators without a computer.

Bandai’s new Anpanman sushi maker toy lets you crank out edible nori maki faces of characters from the famous Japanese kids’ anime series. The process is reminiscent of one of those Play-Doh machines you used to play with when you were a kid, extruding rolls of colorful food through templates of faces. Except this time, you’ll be eating actual food instead of Play-Doh. The diagram below explains it better…

Ready to roll (some sushi)? At this point the Anpanman bento toy is available only in Japan for ¥5040 (appx. $55 USD), but hopefully some enterprising importer will bring them to the rest of the world for all to enjoy.

Mmmm… extruded food!

[Press Release (translated)]

The bold and badass Leiji Meter watch from Japan’s Seahope and ZERO Goods Universe will definitely draw stares when you wear it to your next business meeting. The body of the watch is constructed from a beefy metal superalloy that’s used in the manufacture of aircraft and rockets, and designed to resist oxidation.

Now I have no idea how to tell time on this thing, but I’m guessing it has something to do with those gauges, LED bars, and electroluminescent panels. Or maybe it doesn’t tell time at all. Who knows? Who cares? It just looks cool on your wrist.

You can get your hands on the Leiji Meter watch over at Seahope for ¥39,900 (appx. $462 USD).

These Gundam-inspired ballpoint pens are being released as part of the 30th anniversary celebration of the series, and come in a variety of different styles. While I’ve always enjoyed the graceful, destructive force of a beam rifle, I have to say I’d really like to show up to all of my meetings carrying a pen that looks like a 280 mm Zaku bazooka. I only wish it would fire tiny little rocket-propelled grenades at the guy who creates a 50-page PowerPoint deck that actually has only two bullet points that actually mean anything.

Gundam Ballpoint pen weapons sell for ¥990 (appx. $11 USD) each. You can grab the entire collection over at StrapyaWorld now, but you’d better move fast before they sell out.

According to the article, unlike the corporate-commissioned Gundam statue the Tetsujin 28-go statue was “planned and led by a nonprofit organization made up of local shop owners, who decided to build the monument as a symbol of the area’s reconstruction.” The shop owners managed to raise a whopping ¥135 million ($1.5 million USD) to build the statue. Tetsujin 28-go’s creator, legendary manga artist Mitsuteru Yokoyama, was born in Kobe.

The Manichi Daily News further reveals that Kobe was hit by “the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995″, and  that “today, its population has declined to about 80 percent of pre-quake levels.” Let’s hope the statue brings in commerce and people to Kobe. And because Tetsujin 28-go was granted permanent residence at the park, giant robot statues should consider migrating to Kobe as well.

But seriously the shop owners are real heroes; their idea might not be original but their intentions are pure. I think. Go Tetsujin 28-go! May you be of service to the city and its people.

The picture above is from Flickr user kanegen. It looks like something fired a puny missile from above at RX-78-2, and he’s saying, “Is that all you got?”

That one’s from shuichi. Apparently the enemy admitted that the puny missile was all he had, thereby enraging RX-78-2. Super Saiya- oh wait.

And that’s from the equally mighty Wikipedia. The unworthy opponent has been dispatched, and the people are thanking their savior. All before lunchtime.

Read the full article for more pics and trivia. Here’s one that I particularly like: I already mentioned that the Gundam statue will be taken down at the end of August. But RJ mentions that both the Eiffel Tower and the London Eye, which are also colossal but are infinitely lamer than Tokyo’s champ, were originally put up for temporary display only. And yet they’re still on display. But only because it would be a bitch to take them down. I kid, I kid. I hope that the Gundam statue enjoys the same fate.

[via The Presurfer]

So yeah, here’s the Iron Man trailer:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The evil dude’s transformation was awesome. He looks a bit like Guyver. Mmmm Iron Man vs. Guyver. And here’s the not so awesome Wolverine trailer:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

So many things went wrong. So many things. The anime is supposedly an expanded version – that’s one way of putting it – of a 1980s Wolverine vs. ninjas storyline by Chris Claremont. Details which are now moot because of that trailer. It could be the tale of a power balladeer ninja for all I care.

A 59-ft (18-m) statue of the grandfather of giant robots will be installed in Kobe’s Wakamatsu (“A giant robot statue will be placed here after the giant Gundam statue is finished”) Park. I don’t really know why it’ll be built there but I think it’s because the creator of Tetsujin 28-go, Mitsuteru Yokoyama, was born in Kobe.

If all goes as planned the statue will be finished in September and formally unveiled in October. Also, the statue will be permanently installed, unlike the Gundam statue which will be dismantled in August, a decision that is in my opinion the biggest mistake that Japan will ever make in the history of the universe. Why would you remove something so awesome?! Seriously.

Unfortunately, unlike the edgier Gundam statue in Tokyo, Kobe’s giant robot will have no moving parts. Probably because he’s so old he can barely stand up. heheh. But it does have a more awesome and battle-ready pose. If we push it and the Gundam statue towards each other Tetsujin 28-go win because he’s already in a punching stance. Naisu! Here’s a video of the on-going construction of the statue.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Check out ToysREvil for more pics and details on the statue. Voltron statue next please!

[via The Awesomer]

Okay not really but it’s still awesome. It looks like a chunkier Exia. Of course it does. They’re both Gundams. Giant Robot Statue is making me stupid.

And its head moves too! *sobs*

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

It doesn’t just do “Look at me I’m awesome” poses too, it can also be dramatic, as shown in this shot:

I take that back. He’s actually a bit creepy in that shot. But still awesome. Check out Pink Tentacle for more hi-res pictures.*wipes tears*

Not even the gloomiest and smoggiest of days can shroud the glory of Gundam. Gundam don’t need no sun.

Mr. Hardhat has got to be one of the luckiest men in the world. Tell us Hardhat-san, what’s inside? What do you see? Is there a fondue of awesome inside? I bet there is.

Konnichiwa Gundamu-sama! What I would give to see those eyes glow. Amuro Ray! In the cockpit! Right now!

Although I must say, the statue looks more like a big toy robot than a real robot. Whatever that’s supposed to be. Maybe because it’s made of plastic.

Nevertheless, you are still awesome, Gundamu-sama. It’s a shame that you’ll only be exhibited for a couple of months. I’m sure there are literally millions of people out there – me included – that would love to take you home.

Check out Danny Choo’s website and punynari’s blog for more hi-res pics.

GIANT ROBOT STATUE FTW!!!

[via Topless Robot]

The statue is a life-size model of the RX-78-2 Gundam that appeared in the very first Gundam series, a model from which most successive Gundam designs get their iconic samurai-style appearance.

The Gundam statue is made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic over a steel frame. It will be 59 feet tall and weigh 35 tons when finished, and will “emit light or mist from 50 points of its body.”

The statue will also be able to move its head, so that it can shake it in disbelief at the undoubtedly millions of otakus, fans, and devotees that will come bearing offerings, hugging it and crying at its feet, some claiming to be its long-lost children.

I hope to be one of those drooling man-children. I absolutely really truly must go and see this Gundam. Really.

The statue will be displayed in public from July 11 to August 31, free of charge. Mark your calendars, fellow mecha freaks.

[via robots dreams and anime news network]

Now, however, we’ve finally heard a whisper of localization. Listings have suddenly turned up with several Australian retailers, so this is a rumor with legs. Will new publisher Atari bring the game to the United States? With the film releasing this month in the U.S. on DVD, it would be a good time to do so… and it would also be a major stealth release, considering there hasn’t been a whisper until now.

Seems like a waste of a beautiful game, if so. If you’re into flight games, it’s worth keeping an ear to the ground on this one. An English-language release would be well worth checking out.

[Aussie-Nintendo via GoNintendo]

For nostalgia’s sake, here’s the Anime Yamato:

I like the LEGO version so much more. The Brothers Brick says that it took Vincent Cheung “only” 10 nights to build the ship.

Cannon Extravaganza! The anime Yamato has Shock Cannons, Pulse Lasers, Torpedoes, Side Missiles, Stack Missiles, and the Hado Ho’, or Wave Motion Gun. The Wikipedia article for the Yamato says that the Wave Motion Gun is “enormously powerful; it can vaporize a fleet of enemy ships with one shot.” If such a ship was real, I’m sure there’d be no more room for anything else aside from the weapons systems and the colossal engine.

The LEGO version is about 150 studs or 4 feet long. If you’re a fan of LEGOs and/or the Anime, you owe it to yourself to check out the high-res shots of this amazing creation. Someone build a LEGO version of the 15-vehicle Voltron!

[via Neatorama]

The Anime-style video tells the story of a little girl and her encounter with those pesky Invaders. My favorite part has got to be the Vocoder-processed lyrics“We are Space Invaders. Here we come to be your friend. Space. There’s no need to be afraid…”

And now, sit back, relax, and enjoy – Space Invaders: The Music Video…

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

I thought for sure they came to Earth to destroy civilization in a blaze of laser fire. But apparently, Space Invaders really here to tell us to pick up our trash. Really?

For some reason, the end reminds me of the scene where Ralphie decodes the secret B-E-S-U-R-E-T-O-D-R-I-N-K-Y-O-U-R-O-V-A-L-T-I-N-E message in A Christmas Story.

[Taito]

Um, wow, I guess if you’re really lonely and have a lot of time on your hands this is a good idea. This is a handmade mod, by Katsuya Matsumura, and she’s made from styrofoam and painted by hand. I have to give full props for doing an extremely professional job.

For some reason it’s called ERN006 which is a decidely un-titillating moniker for such a hot-bodded mod. Even if you don’t read Japanese, you can see how he did it by viewing a startling number of photos documenting the process of turning a block of styrofoam into a lady-love, er, casemod.

I mean it’s not the least bit weird or pervy to spend this kind of time and energy on a project of this nature, right? Oh hey, it turns out my fingers were crossed while I was typing that last sentence.

[via Tokyomango]

This Anime Bioshock illustration by Shuugo envisions the little sisters with those bright Anime saucer eyes, making them look more curious than ominous. Big Daddy didn’t get quite as much of a makeover, but he sure like he’s taking a nap after an exhausting day playing with the kids.

[via GayGamer]