Summer it-character Gegege Kitaro tie-in products

If there was any question as to whether the latest (and deemed the most authentic) TV anime adaptation of the classic manga series Gegege Kitaro has struck a chord with audiences, then the release of several products featuring the spirit-monsters ought to be proof enough.

NEC is releasing a notebook PC with the Gegege characters, as redesigned by Devil Robots, laser-engraved on the top.

Two versions, the LaVie G type L standard (in berry blue or sugar pink) and the LaVie G type C are available in limited numbers from ¥82,908 and ¥162,645 respectively. Fans can choose from all or just one of their favorite characters.

On the other end of the price spectrum, Family Mart has announced a limited edition bento for the release of a full-length live action Gegege feature, “The 1000-year Cursed Song.” The “Ghost Rice Ball” lunch box features dishes inspired by the main characters and will be available, along with other assorted character products, from July 21 to August 4 for ¥1000.

Other Gegege products we’ve come across lately include this eyeball beach ball and ghost shaped floating device.

The manga series, originally called Hakaba Kitaro, by Shigeru Mizuki, debuted in 1959 and has been adapted for anime both on TV and the big screen numerous times, usually under the name Gegege Kitaro. With the beloved story just shy of its 50 year anniversary, Kitaro has a multi-generational fan base that means product tie-ins for every age group.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with Gegege, here’s what the live version looks like.

And a clip of the classic opening sequence from a 1960’s animated version.

Tags: anime, computers, Family Mart, FMCG, Gegege Kitaro, manga, NEC

Gakken 8mm Camera and Projector Set

Earlier this year, toy and hobby kit maker Gakken released it’s 8mm Film Projector kit as a modern and economical way to experience retro 8mm film without the classic heavy, overheating machinery from the old days.

Now, coming soon, Gakken will be releasing an 8mm Film Camera as a companion to the projector. This is as simple as it gets, but is a great option for aspiring filmmakers to have a low-cost and lightweight camera with no frills. It runs on regular batteries, takes normal 8mm film, and records in all the glory of 8mm with the ease of a disposable 35mm.

While the 8mm Film Projector is available online (product page), the camera is yet to even be announced. Being film nerds ourselves, we’ll be keeping tabs on this one for sure.

Tags: Gakken, Photography, Retro, Toys

Cyber Figure Alice with VIDEO

Today CScout Japan made a trip to the Wireless Japan Expo to check out what’s going on in the mobile world…but mostly we were on the lookout for shiny toys and fun gadgets. We weren’t let down!

Although we still have the Frepar Networks Communication Pod in our hearts (exclusive video coming soon!), there’s a new interactive computer girl on the block. Today we had a chance to play with this nifty little augmented reality toy/software from Geisha Tokyo called Cyber Figure Alice (covered recently by Asiajin).

Included with the package will be software, cubes, and sticks printed with cyber codes. While running the software, if you point your webcam at the cube Alice will then make that her centerpoint for entertaining oh-so-geeky you. She changes costumes, stands on the cube, walks around, and even sweeps up a little!

All is well until you start pestering her with your cyber sticks, each with varying patterns on each side that represent a different tool, such as a big grabber hand or a poking finger, that you can use to to flirt with your new digital girlfriend. Or, if you’re mean, torment her endlessly.

There are still a few kinks to be worked out before the Fall 2008 debut, but in general the experience was quite smooth and fun. We especially loved how the floor opens up with stairs and Alice walks down to change costumes. Using the cubes as frame of reference, there are many opportunities for adding more characters and interactive options. After all, since two cubes are included that could just well mean that we can have two characters at once. Girl fight!

Below is a quick video of Cyber Figure Alice in action. Enjoy.

Tags: Augmented Reality, Toys, Wireless Japan Expo

Jinsei Game of Life pedometer

Are pedometer-based toys the next big thing? Now that the “brain trainer” craze has died down, and all of this stationary game playing is making us fat and lazy, games are now forcing us to get off the couch and go somewhere.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Jinsei Game (otherwise known as the Game of Life), Takara Tomy is releasing a toy that mixes the exercise qualities of the Lap Around Japan toy with the tamagotchi-like interactivity of Takara Tomy’s other “jinsei series” products.

The Jinsei Game Puchi is a pedometer-based game that doesn’t let you play unless you get some exercise! With every 300 steps you take, the wheel gets a single spin to move you through the game. Get a job, make money, have kids, buy a house, and live your life…as long as you keep walking.

For those with a jogging partner, two players can play on one device, or play with the “communication mode” by using more than one.

Jinsei Game Puchi will be available at the end of July 2008.

Product page

Tags: Games, Takara Tomy, Toys

My Napu: Sanitary napkins get eco

It turns out that sanitary napkins are becoming a talking point. In accordance with the current infatuation with all things natural and ecologically friendly, there is a push to exchange disposable napkins for reusable cloth ones.

Women’s lifestyle brand Belle Maison began a campaign from July promoting washable sanitary napkins made from all-natural washi (Japanese paper) fibers, called (what else?) My Napu.

A starter pack of one holder and two reusable pads goes for a pricey ¥3,900, although a few months of dedicated use would make up the initial cost.

There is also Soboku-ya (soboku means simplicity), an online shop specializing in cloth sanitary napkins, that now represents 12 makers and over 200 designs. The site also includes reasons for making the switch (both environmental, health, and comfort) and practical information for use and care.

Soboku-ya has actually been in the ecology market since 1999, experimenting with sales of organic cosmetics and other natural items before settling on its recent incarnation as cloth napkin specialty shop, explaining that the latest is experiencing measurable growth.

Whether or not this will really catch on remains to be seen; however a trial survey on the Belle Maison website states that 77% (of the 200+ surveyed) were interested in trying cloth napkins and 89% will try My Napu in the future.

Tags: Eco, feminine products

Japan Inc. - July 2008: Digital Shopping

Now that the Japan Inc. magazine has gone monthly once again, CScout Japan’s contributions will be ramped up as well. Look out for us every month in the Trends in Japan column, but be sure to check out the entire magazine as well by getting a subscription.

In the recent July 2008 issue of Japan Inc. we talk about the intersection of online shopping with the real world fitting room experience. Can an avatar try on an outfit the same way the user can?

If you have any suggested topics for our column, feel free to let us know!

Tags: Japan Inc., Retail, Web 2.0

Ekipedia highlights train station accessibility

During our Tokyo Trend Tours, one of the most inevitable questions that arises has to do with train stations. Specifically, “How do elderly and handicapped people get around in Tokyo?!”. It’s not exactly a secret that Tokyo’s train stations can be a bewildering maze of tunnels, escalators, gates, and hordes of people rushing around. It’s also true that very few elderly and handicapped individuals can be seen using public transport in these busy areas due to such hectic conditions.

Of course, Japan’s public transport systems all have easy access, but it’s often difficult to know where you’re going (despite the ubiquitous yellow lines to follow). To combat this problem, an online and mobile service called Ekipedia has been developed as a user-generated information source. Created by the Town Guidance Support Network NPO, Ekipedia clearly outlines the routes, elevators, toilets, changing rooms, and other useful facilities for 704 train stations throughout Japan.

With interactive maps and photos, users can easily know exactly where to go before they get to their destinations, and avoid the chaos that comes with trying to find the best (only?) accessible route. Information can be accessed via mobile phones for planning before arrival, but it can also be updated by users in the same way.

After all, unless they need it, most riders pay little attention to station accessibility, but users of the service are now adding their own insights and information to make the best service for them.

Tags: Accessibility, Aging Society, Ekipedia, Train Stations, Transportation

Select shop Beams, now for kids too

Select shop Beams has announced the September grand opening of its first Beams Kids. The store will be in Daikanyama, which is already home to several boutiques in the Beams empire (Beams T, Merrier Beams, Ray Beams, and Beams Boy) and a lot of fashionable mamas.

While children’s fashion has been a booming industry for a while in the West, until recently kids wear in Japan meant Hello Kitty and school uniforms. Last season’s International Fashion Fair, however, featured a selection of children’s apparel brands, mostly from Europe. Considering the market potential, with the children of the materialistic bubble years now becoming parents, Beams’ plan makes sense and it will be interesting to see if other fashionable domestic merchandisers follow suit.

Ahead of the opening, Beams has made their new original kids line Cottidie available on the popular online shopping site Zozo Town.

Tags: Beams, children's apparel, Zozo Town

McBakery Men in cook up McDonalds campaign

McDonalds Japan kicked off their campaign for the McBakery line with a publicity stunt of “McBakery Men” dressed in neon suits, sunglasses, and bread hats.

Passersby who “discovered” a member of the McBakery crew could enter a raffle for a trip to Paris or McDonalds gift certificates by taking a mobile or digital camera photo of the character, a move that promised to get the campaign coverage on blogs.

The grand prize, which would appeal to the same audience that McDonalds is hoping to win over with the bakery line, attracted over 1,200 entrants. The campaign, well-advertised though news broadcasts on the McDonalds website, took place on July 12 in posh Omotesando, where bakeries far out-number fast food joints.

McBakery comes in three varieties, melon bread, chocolate Danish, and sugar croissant priced at ¥100, and will be available from July 18th.

Pairs nicely with the new Premium Roast coffee, and more evidence that McDonalds continues to court the Starbucks market.

Tags: bread, McBakery, mcdonalds, Omotesando

Nobi Nobi Ball Tower from Takara Tomy grows with your tot

Most toys seemed designed to first excite, then quickly bore, paving the way for the next purchase, which will invariably do the same. Contrary to this standard toy marketing logic, Takara Tomy has created a baby toy that is designed to last, and interest, discerning tots from 9 months up to 3 years old.

The Nobi Nobi Ball Tower (nobi nobi is a cute way of saying stretching) starts as a toy for infants just mastering sitting, who can drop balls in holes to create sounds effects, then stretches to a tower for toddlers, to practice standing and send the balls racing down the shoot.

The toy, which retails for ¥6,279, is being marketed as having both intellectual and physical training benefits and its implied longevity fits in nicely with the new wave of reuse, reduce, recycle thinking. The nursing school at Ochanomizu Women’s College consulted on the plans, while Disney lends the character appeal.

While of a different sort, the Nobi Nobi does resemble Takara Tomy and Bandai’s top-selling toy kitchen appliances released in the past year, as part of a noteworthy strain of practical toys.

Tags: Baby, Takara Tomy, Toys