Just a quick note to mention that Getchu's listing for the Ikkitousen Treasure Limited Box we scooped at the beginning of November contains an uncensored look at both the Hakufu bust and the Kanu oppai mousepad that come with the set. Preorders are open through December 2nd for those thinking of picking it up (Amazon and Mangaoh both have it available to international customers). Uncensored picture below:
Read the rest of this entry Entry meta

GA Graphic brings the scoop this evening that (in)famous rookie figure brand Taki Corporation will be producing a PVC figure of Ikkitousen's Ryomou Shimei that, like the rest of their lineup, is looking to be fully castoffable. Unlike Taki's Kanu Unchou they're not content to merely strip Ryomou down, providing her with a bunny suit and an alternate pair of legs to change into should she tire of her standard maid outfit. For those interested the figure clocks in at 1/6 scale (15.7 cm tall) and is scheduled to go on sale in January at 9,240 yen; while her production quality doesn't look much better than what we've seen from Taki before I have to confess to being tempted by the prospect of a nekkid Ryomou adorning my shelf... Pilfered GA gallery below:
Read the rest of this entry Entry meta

Amiami put a preorder listing up this evening for Griffon's (R-Line's?) upcoming [ERO] Kanu Unchou (LTD DX ver.) PVC figure from Ikkitousen. This is a PVC version of an earlier released Griffon garage kit and is sculpted by Ikeda Ryouichi, clocking in at 1/7 scale and 6,825 yen retail. Unlike the original resin kit she comes complete with a "damage version" interchangeable shirt part, and is set for release in December; looks like a winner to me, and I hope Griffon decides to keep on converting their resins to PVCs like this. (no more)
Read the rest of this entry Entry meta

During a habitual run through 2chan's mokeiura board this morning I noticed a most curious item that bore further investigation. It turns out that Wani Books, publishers of the Comic Gum manga anthology in which Ikkitousen is serialized, is producing what they're calling an Ikkitousen Treasure Limited BOX Publication. It's a ...box, apparently, containing seven special limited edition items which are detailed below:
Read the rest of this entry Entry meta

Entering a bit of new territory for HD this evening! We take our first plunge into the world of hug pillow reviews with a look at the recently released Ryomou Shimei and Kanu Unchou offerings from Machi Chara, and I must say they're quite well done. Being new to the pillow review thing this is a somewhat experimental post, though hopefully it will be of some use if you're contemplating a purchase; those turned off by the concept of a body-length pillow with scantily clad 2D girls printed on it will probably not want to read past this point.
Read the rest of this entry Entry meta

First scooped by HD last week, an official page is now online for Goodsmile / Comic Gum's collaboration Ryomou Shimei (pearl black ver.) PVC figure from Ikkitousen! This is a wide release version of the magazine mail order limited blue version that came out this summer, and which was discussed earlier here. Sculpting duty was handled by French Doll of sculpting circle Cerberus Project, and she's set for release in January of '08 at 7,800 yen retail and 1/7 scale (28 cm tall). As remarked in the initial scoop I'd be happier to see her blue version in wide release instead of this black, but the chance to get her in any format is quite welcome. From the limited batch that came out over the summer we're only waiting on an unlimited release for the Kanu now... With her up officially at Goodsmile preorders for Ryomou should commence shortly around the interweb shops. (no more)
Read the rest of this entry Entry meta

We've already covered most of the exciting news from this issue of Hobby Japan thanks to some early leaks (Cattleya in color and various Lineage II and Queen's Blade items, etc.), but now that the magazine is officially on sale one final item caught my attention: Goodsmile and Comic Gum will be teaming up to bring this previously mail order only Ryomou Shimei PVC to us in full and wide release (though in an alternate color). Sculpted by French Doll of circle Cerberus Project, this black version of the original blue-trimmed kit is slated to go on sale in January of next year at 1/7 scale (28 cm tall) and 7,800 yen retail. Magazine scan below:
Read the rest of this entry Entry meta

After giving the first two incarnations of Orchid's gothic lolita Kanu a miss I wasn't originally planning to pick this one up, but an unexpectedly good deal called out to me and I couldn't pass up on the chance to pick up another castoffable Kanu (I think I may be diseased in this regard). Here we are then with the third color variation of what is a decent sculpt, but one with a few production issues that Orchid has hopefully ironed out in their releases scheduled for the near future.
Read the rest of this entry Entry meta

Originally written as a reply to this post, what follows is an attempt to sort out the mess that was the past year in Ikkitousen figure releases (from Goodsmile and Comic Gum alone). Hopefully those tracking Ikkitousen releases will find the following list useful (and will correct me if there are any innacuracies):
Read the rest of this entry Entry meta

Word is in from the Comic Gum manga website that in commemoration of the magazine's 11th anniversary they're releasing a mail-order only Ikkitousen trading figure set. The set consists of six figures plus bases which can be combined into one big diorama, and runs a cool 5,800 yen; procurement is via the typical "clip out the magazine insert" arrangement, and while no release window is specified I'm guessing we're looking at somewhere between February and April of '08. Normally I'd pass this sort of thing over as just another cheap attempt to score extra magazine sales at the expense of international fans (which it is), but I thought it was worth mentioning because sculpting duty is from Shiragami Takayuki, aka he of the twisted torso and the Shiranui Mai kit we reviewed awhile ago (Amiami search). With him at the helm we can expect some really funky, dynamic sculpts out of this set and it's a damn shame it's so limited... we'll keep an eye out in the event an alternate wide release version is announced. (no more)
Read the rest of this entry Entry meta

Taki Corporation is a maker very new to the PVC bishoujo figure business, and this Kanu was definitely a risky purchase in that regard. The prospect of the elusive full castoff proved too seductive to ignore, however, and I succumbed to her scantily-clad lure; in the end I pretty much got what I was expecting, a mediocre production job on a very sexy sculpt (if you ignore the Akagi chin). The lurid details are below:
Read the rest of this entry Entry meta

Hobby shop Be-J has a listing up today for an ero-ero Ikkitousen soft vinyl Ryomou Shimei figure, scheduled for release from maker Zenon in November at 1/6 scale (29 cm tall) and 5,040 yen retail. The single sample image leaves many questions unanswered, and this is the first I've heard of the maker in question, so until we see more in the way of visual evidence I'm thinking this is a dangerous preorder proposition despite the reasonable price for the figure's size. With offerings for My Otome and now Ikkitousen I wonder if we're seeing the beginning of a soft vinyl bishoujo figure boom... (no more)
Read the rest of this entry Entry meta

Yesterday evening Amiami updated with a preorder listing for an ero-ero Shokatsuryou Koumei PVC figure from Ikkitousen, scheduled for release from Griffon in November at 1/7 scale and 8,190 yen retail. According to Amiami's [ERO] sample images her top is castoffable, though there's not much beneath; the kit looks decent except for the face sculpt, which is why I neglected to mention her listing until now. In related news Amiami updated their listing for Griffon's upcoming Ryuubi Gentoku PVC with color images as well, presenting a rather underwhelming sight for 8,925 yen retail... If we see her in the bargain bin come October I hope that teaches Griffon to pick their PVC battles more wisely. (no more)
Read the rest of this entry Entry meta

The astoundingly drop-dead gorgeous Cobra-Kai sculpted ero ero bondage-themed 1/5 scale Kanu Unchou that we've been tracking for months is finally up for preorder! Amazon has first dibs this time around, though with their posting it's guaranteed that other shops will follow very shortly. She's finally got a retail price announced at 13,440 yen, and a tentative release date of December 26th... I don't know about you, but I'll be watching my nearest online retailer like a hawk until she appears. Update: Moeyo! Akibajin Blog has a sample review of her online today, and she's looking fantastic. More enticement for those still on the preorder fence... (no more)
Read the rest of this entry Entry meta

The astoundingly drop-dead gorgeous Cobra-Kai sculpted ero ero bondage-themed 1/5 scale Kanu Unchou that we've been tracking for months is finally up for preorder! Amazon has first dibs this time around, though with their posting it's guaranteed that other shops will follow very shortly. She's finally got a retail price announced at 13,440 yen, and a tentative release date of December 26th... I don't know about you, but I'll be watching my nearest online retailer like a hawk until she appears. (no more)
Read the rest of this entry Entry meta

I missed the release of this Ryofu figure in the transitory period between jobs and moving house last winter, and it was much to my chagrin that I discovered her after she'd seemingly vanished from store shelves. A few months ago Amiami must have dug up a couple of copies from a musty corner of their warehouse because she was listed for a short time once again, and I eagerly availed myself of the opportunity to procure her. Word is in from Yamato that she'll be reissued in October, so if you missed her in the first round she'll be widely available again soon! While not produced to the absolute best spec possible, this is one of those figures with a certain special something...
Read the rest of this entry Entry meta

Saw these two very irresistible Dakimakura that was reported on Heisei Democracy by Shingo, so I couldn’t resist not sharing with you Ikkitousen fans out there. Anyway, the Machi Chara has listed preorder takings for a pair of ero-ero dakimakura which features the 2 gorgeous ladies from Ikkitousen Dragon Destiny: Kanu Unchou (關羽 雲長) and Ryomou Shimei [...]
Read the rest of this entry Entry meta

Via the Dakimakura Integrated Research Institute: character goods shop Machi Chara put preorder listings up yesterday for a pair of ero-ero hug pillows featuring two heroines from Ikkitousen Dragon Destiny: Kanu Unchou and Ryomou Shimei. They're both double-sided, 140 cm x 60 cm and scheduled to retail on October 26th at 10,500 each (pillowcase only). For those looking to purchase internationally, Hobby Search carries Machi Chara goods and should have listings up shortly. :3 Pictures below:
Read the rest of this entry Entry meta

While I might say that I like Ikkitousen as a solid cheesecake franchise, I would not be overstating my affection for Kanu Unchou as more akin to love - not quite obsession, but more than enough aesthetic appreciation of her general hotness to go around. Therefore it was with considerable glee that I preordered this item, confident that her appearance on a Goodsmile page would assure at least a basic standard of quality, and figuring that the eminently reasonable price point was a bargain regardless. In the end, how Kanulicious is this Kanu? Very.
Read the rest of this entry Entry meta

Griffon announced a veritable blitz of releases over the weekend, with preorders going up for Yamamoto Masahiro sculpted October release China Dress Kanu Unchou and [ERO] Ryofu Housen PVCs, a Sugiyama Satoshi sculpted October release Ryuubi Gentoku PVC, a late September release Akiyama Akio sculpted [ERO] nekkid Sonsaku Hakufu cold cast, and the extravagant Hiroman sculpted Queen's Blade Nanael PVC / resin / cold cast hybrid due out in October. I'd pick up the Hakufu if she were in PVC, but as is the Kanu is the only one I'm mildly interested in (especially given the already full October figure release schedule). Announce these things earlier and you might sell more, Griffon! (no more)
Read the rest of this entry Entry meta