Sprave’s version of the weapon has a four-point slingshot, mounted on a staff wrapped with grip tape. The stick has a deadly, sharp point on the end, which can be used not only as a weapon itself, but to hold the staff into the ground. This is an improvement over the original design, in which Usopp basically holds the weapon in mid-air, stabilizing it with his hand. It’s really quite an effective weapon, as you can see in the video below:

I certainly wouldn’t want to be the recipient of either end of this nasty weapon. Though I think I’d rather take my chances with a bruise from a 20mm steel ball versus a puncture wound from its stabby end. Though I guess it depends on how far away you were when he fired it. Either way, they both sound pretty nasty ways to go.

That said, I have developed an appreciation for manga over the years. A lot of people appreciate it a whole lot more than I do, which have led them to create related manga-inspired products like these plates by Mika Tsutai.

But my favorite of the bunch is Nami Mizuguchi’s Carne Vale, which is a micro-safe ceramic bone that can be stuck into a slab of meat to recreate that nostalgic and trademark comic look of chunks of meat on a bone.

Designer Eisuke Tachikawa, who designs by the name Nosigner, appreciates such art as well, which is why he’s endeavoring to create an entire site that’s dedicated on showcasing these manga-inspired products: Comicalu.

The site isn’t done yet though, so you might want to pay them a visit later on, or at least swing by their Facebook page and hit their “Like” button.

[via Spoon Tamago]

Created by Japan’s Lightair, these wet suits are based on the “plug suits” worn by Shinji, Rei and Asuka in the anime film Evangelion 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance.

Is it just me, or is the guy dressed as Asuka doing the Blue Steel pose from Zoolander? Personally, I wouldn’t be caught dead wearing one of these skintight suits in or out of the water, but if you’re a huge fan of the series with lots of money to spare, and aren’t at all self-conscious about showing off your junk or your cameltoe, they’re available for the low, low price of ¥163,800 (appx. $2000 USD).

Now don’t run out and buy all of them. Save some for your friends.

[via Famitsu via Kotaku]

Yeah, the idea of using a snail to record personal memos is weird to me too. But maybe if you’re a fan of One Piece, it’ll make all kinds of sense to you. Of course, at an imported price of $37.80 (USD) for this thing, you’ll have to be a really, really big fan to bother throwing your hard-earned money at such a ridiculous thing.

Giant Gundam holds a beam saber in his right hand, which will start to glow when it gets dark. The only thing that would be more impressive would be if it could actually move around. Maybe next year.

The enormous Gundam statue will be on display from July 24th, 2010, to January 10th, 2011, in East Shizuoka Square. Now that’s good news indeed. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to go to Japan to check him out, so like most of you, I’ll have to admire him from afar. Bandai, it’s time for a giant Gundam worldwide tour!

[Buloblog and Troian via Crunchgear]

Akihabara News points out that the Japanese consider frogs to be bringers of good fortune, although I’m not sure if ricepuppet did become a lucky gamer after painting his console. ricepuppet claims that he can paint over consoles without voiding the warranty, although how he does it is a “secret of the trade.” Fair enough. Check out his deviantART page and his pricelist (pdf) for more details.

[via Akihabara News]

Ever since I saw Back to the Future, I’ve wanted to automate simple tasks at home. From hanging wires all over the place so that I could switch the light on and off from my bed, to opening the curtains, I certainly was trying to make things easier. This little guy would definitely make my morning ritual easier.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

[via Presurfer]

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).

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]

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]