Posted by Michael Pinto on Feb 8, 2010 in
Animation,
Hobbies and Collections 
I was pleasantly surprised to come across this Alfin Statue from Crusher Joe because I was convinced that I must be one of a handful of anime fanboys who still remember that amazing film. Yet sadly while most fans today know about Gundam or Yamato very few fans even know about Crusher Joe (クラッシャージョウ). So here’s why the film was important and worth getting your hands on: Read more…
Tags: 1983, Anime, Japan
Posted by Michael Pinto on Feb 7, 2010 in
Cult TV and Movies,
Hobbies and Collections 
The irony of this Back to the Future Lights and Sound Mark I Delorean is that while it doesn’t have the ability to travel into the future just looking at the photo takes me back to 1985. And the strange thing about the 80s was that there was a very self aware consciousness that the decade had its own unique style and look — which I think that may be the real reason why they picked the DeLorean DMC-12 (1981–1982) as their time machine of choice. Of course to quote Dr. Emmett Brown in the film his reason was “The way I see it, if you’re gonna build a time machine into a car, why not do it with some style? ” Read more…
Tags: Back to the Future, Steven Spielberg
Posted by Michael Pinto on Feb 6, 2010 in
Hobbies and Collections,
Star Wars 
My first reaction when looking at this Ralph McQuarrie Darth Vader Concept Helmet collectable was “this makes him look even more evil than the original”. In terms of the design I think the reason is that this early take on Darth Vader is much more angular and lean-and-mean — also the infamous mask has a slightly anime feel to it, and I think that’s because you can see the dark samurai side of McQuarrie’s influence: Read more…
Tags: Darth Vader
Posted by Michael Pinto on Feb 5, 2010 in
Animation,
Hobbies and Collections 
As every Evangelion fan knows Rei Ayanami, Asuka Langley and their friends all go to the Tokyo-3 First Municipal Middle School which requires blue and white school uniforms with a cute sassy red bow! Well now fangurls who want to take a cosplay shortcut can now sport the official Evangelion Trantrip School Uniform which also includes matching socks (I love those little details). Read more…
Tags: Anime, cosplay, Evangelion, Japan
Posted by Michael Pinto on Feb 4, 2010 in
Hobbies and Collections,
Star Wars 
We always vilify poor Jabba the Hutt, but in doing so we overlook the amazing criminal genius that created the Slave Leia look which would infiltrate the minds of countless young impressionable Star Wars fanboys for several generations. However sadly this wanton space fantasy was endangered when anime maid collectables started being produced from Japan en masse — so George Lucas had to do something: And thus we have the Star Wars Slave Leia Animated Maquette shown above.
Tags: Princess Leia, Star Wars
Posted by Michael Pinto on Feb 3, 2010 in
Hobbies and Collections,
Tech 
I’ve seen tons of iPod themed goodies on Etsy but as far as I can tell Google has beaten Apple to the punch in the urban toys market with this set of Android Mini Collectibles Series 01. Frankly the thing that find heart warming about the Android logo is that it’s so darn cute which makes it an ideal collectable, and mind you that this is something that Tux the penguin logo for Linux could never pull off (it was the far body and eyes that made it look so doofy). This set was designed by the artist Andrew Bell and there are a dozen different designs each of which stands at three inches tall and features a rotating head: Read more…
Tags: Google, Robots, Urban Toys
Posted by Michael Pinto on Jan 31, 2010 in
Animation,
Hobbies and Collections 
This collection of Phone cases were issued to celebrate the tenth anniversary of One Piece. The first set of three features Monkey D. Luffy Wanted, Chopper Pink, and a Chopper Black version: Read more…
Tags: Anime, iPhone, Japan, One Piece
Posted by Michael Pinto on Jan 28, 2010 in
Hobbies and Collections,
Japanese TV 
This is such a strange bobble head: It’s suppose to be Ultraman however his head has been decapitated and replaced with an old school television set which is showing Ultraman on its screen. But making this toy even stranger is that the television head will shake and nod which is powered by solar power. Read more…
Tags: Japan, Ultraman
Posted by Michael Pinto on Jan 26, 2010 in
Hobbies and Collections,
Star Wars 
A true Jedi must always be prepared to deal with the dark side — and that includes cloudy days with a chance of showers. But fear not young Padawan for with this Star Wars Light Saber Umbrella you can protect yourself from the wet side of the force. When this telescoping water saber is deployed the shielding mechanism will instantly display a Death Star, an X-Wing Fighter, and of course the Millennium Falcon.
Tags: lightsaber
Posted by Michael Pinto on Jan 23, 2010 in
Hobbies and Collections,
Videogames 
Miyamoto is THE man who made Nintendo what it is today: He got his start with designing Donkey Kong and is also the genius behind Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda. Of course most casual videogame won’t know this, but that’s the joy of this t-shirt featuring a Shigeru Miyamoto gag if you’re a hardcore retro-gaming fan. I also love the Iron Chef reference as well…
Tags: Nintendo, Retro Games
Posted by Michael Pinto on Jan 21, 2010 in
Hobbies and Collections,
Star Trek 
We come in peace — shoot to kill! It’s not powerful enough to kill Klingons but this modified Playmates brand Star Trek Phaser (from 1994) is strong enough to pop balloons: Read more…
Tags: Phaser
Posted by Michael Pinto on Jan 19, 2010 in
Hobbies and Collections 
Dear Mattel it’s the year 2010 and every little girl in America has known for generations that Ken is gay: So why do you continue to keep him in the closet? As we can see with the Barbie Harley-Davidson Barbie and Ken Dolls Gift Set poor Ken is cast playing a role that he clearly isn’t. Ken is obviously suppose to have that dangerous Harley biker look, but instead he comes off looking like George Michael after the break up of Wham! in the 80s. Read more…
Tags: Barbie Dolls
