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Gurren Lagann, as a mecha anime, naturally had a lot of potential to generate some sweet toys collectible figures, and here is one of the better and more affordable ones I’ve come across lately.

While this Gurren Lagann stands just less that five inches tall, it features 54 points of articulation and interchangable accessories like a core drill, sunglasses, hands, and head. For $24 US, this should be a no-brainer for die-hard fans.

Whoops: I thought this was new, but it’s actually just been restocked.

[JBOX]

While it’s a bit too rich for my blood, I still enjoyed gawking at this exquisite figure of Gwendolyn from Odin Sphere. Originally seen at the Alter booth from this year’s Wonder Festival, it can now be preordered for $72.79 from Kid Nemo (Tomopop’s suggested retailer, so I’ll trust them). Unfortunately it won’t actually get released until January 2009. More pictures here.

[Tomopop]

Tomopop says that WonFes has made the first Hidamari Sketch figures on the market so far, and they certainly do live up the adorable source material, though fans are already crying foul that there aren’t already figures out of the character’s infamously wide-faced super-deformed personas.

For those of you who haven’t been following the series (one of many Hidamari Series), it’s an exceptionally cute slice-of-life anime tracking the goings-on of some girls attending a high school for art-focused students. I don’t see a price listing, but you can visit this link if you feel like deciphering some moon runes.

[Tomopop]

As if there wasn’t enough merchandise out for this game already, we’ve truly got the icing on the cake here: 7cm tall, young, female, super-deformed, barefoot animé versions of your favorite Metal Gear Solid 4 characters will be available to purchase. Pictured from left to right are Ocelot, Snake, Raiden, and Otacon. They’re priced at ¥2,940 (US $27) and can be found here at komamistyle. Honestly I think these are pretty awesome.

[Kotaku]

Some of you might remember this particular article about augmented reality otakuism written by Nahu a while back. Well guess what? Someone decided to make a potential cash cow out of it!

This augmented reality cyber maid figurine named “Cyber Figure Alice” by Geisha Tokyo Entertainment Inc. looks like it could be the answer for those otakus (or geeks) who don’t have the money or space to invest on actual PVC figurines, nor have the time to go out and look for a proper relationship with, y’know..real girls.

Usage of this deceivingly seedy product seems fairly simple. The purchaser is given a software CD, 2 cybersticks for prodding and 2 cybercubes, one of which is used with a webcam to generate the digital figurine. The cybersticks can be used to do a number of things, some of which include peeping, fondling, and yes, you guessed it, undressing the little thing.

“Cyber Figure Alice” will be out for retail sometime this fall, so those who are desperate interested in acquiring this little gizmo might want to look out for it then.

[CrunchGear via Engadget]

Bandai is running a little expo on Akihabara celebrating the figurine world and inside the expo you’ll find this badass life-sized replica of Sagittarius’ Armor from Saint Seiya. Measuring around 1.80 meters high this sure beats the crap of all those cardboard cosplay armors you see at conventions, hell that thing actually looks lethal!

[Msn Japan]

First 4 Figures, the guys behind the awesome Zelda and Metroid limited edition figures had been quiet for quite a while, turns out they had been working on something awesome, and it shows.

This is their newly released Echoes Gunship model and its their most detailed work yet. Measuring 11.5 inches in length the ship is equipped with 50 LEDs all over the model, in the windshield, engines, the base, pretty much everywhere. The base is also set up so you can tilt the model as you like it and secure it in place. Pretty awesome indeed, this is the first in a series of Metroid ship models set for release.

As usual this figure comes at a premium price of $299.99 USD and its limited to a 750 unit edition. What is different however is that if you buy one you also earn the right to buy the same number of the model next in the Gunship series. Perfect for the fan with $300 bucks to spare, which pretty much counts me out. Ah the life of the starving student.

[First 4 Figures]

What has seemed to go a little unnoticed in all the fuss about E3 is a new limited edition set of figures announced by the venerable figurine company, Alter.

I had meant to post this yesterday, but one can never seem to plan catastrophic hard drive failures out ahead of time. As you can see, they’ve announced a business suit Saber and Irisviel von Einzbern, Illyasviel von Einzbern’s mother. There will be a production run of 5,000 units, half of which will be sold at Wonder Festival Summer 2007 on August 12th, and the rest will be sold online or in normal stores. They are crafted out of PVC, will be about 14cm tall (not to scale) and will have a MSRP of 3,000 yen for the pair. With a little luck, I might be able to pick up one and have a figure review sometime around late august. If not, I’m going to go insane as the Irisviel is just gorgeous.

[Alter]

Welcome to the sixth installment of ‘Figure Review from a Hikikomori’. This time, I am reviewing Kotobukiya’s figure of Eimi Ohba, changing clothing. This is a mighty blast from the past that I found at Anime Central 2007 after missing a chance at her a couple of years ago because I really am quite bad at using alternative websites. She turned three years old this month.

Eimi Ohba is one of the major doujinshi sellers in a series called Comic Party. The series revolves around Kazuki, a doujinshi artist new to the scene, and the interactions and events that happen as he becomes better and more versed in the ways of fan comics. He gets involved and intertwined in Ohba’s life later into the series.

Read more!Eimi Ohba Figure Review

Slightly over a week ago the tax office in Otaru, Hokkaido decided to subject a local Otaku to gruesome torture as they did one of the worst things you can do to an Otaku, they sold his figure collection.

You see, this poor soul committed a big no-no when he decided not to pay his taxes and when The Man came collecting his most valuable possessions were taken to settle his debt. Even though I imagine he would have rather given his kidney away, he got off easy. These figures where collectors edition from old dating sims like the classic game Sentimental Graffiti (pictured above) so they will probably sell for a very good price.

Otaku, the system has set its sights on you, there’s no faking it anymore. You cross the system and the system will hit you, hard.

[Japan Probe]

Its been a while since we last saw anything from Otaku connoisseur Patrick Macias so I though we’d post something we never got around to posting for a little dose of Otaku culture. Last month the NHK show Tokyo Eye had Patrick document Wonderfest, the biggest figure convention in the world.

As we can see there are some truly exceptional sculptors who elevate figures from toys and collectors items into the realm of art. Also, Rei rocking out, awesome!

[Patrick Macias]

Welcome to the Fifth installment of ‘Figure Review from a Hikikomori’. This week I am reviewing Kotobukiya’s Dokuro-chan figure. This is one of the earlier purchases of mine, and it’s also one of the nicest items in my stash, as well as relatively cheap. Unfortunately it’s discontinued. Also, an internet friend of mine also has her and he tells me he likes her very much.

Dokuro stars in an animation about a one Sakura Kusakabe and herself and the adventures they share. She came from the future to assassinate him because of his inadvertent invention of immortality that seems to stop growth at age 12, thus angering god. Throughout the series, various other angels come back to try and kill Sakura, and Dokuro does her best to fend them off. Also lots of gore because Sakura gets killed a lot, but Dokuro revives him. Very nice for people like me who enjoy lots of senseless gore and blood-splatter.

Read more!Dokuro Figure Review

Alex Davis over at First Four Figures sent us, as usual, some pictures of their next release, Sheik. Velcor actually saw this one at last year’s San Diego Comi-con. Sadly the pictures of it were near white from flash flare, Velcor was shooting with a disposable camera and we all know how much those suck. It looks alittle different from the model presented back then. Somehow this one seems a little less detailed. See for yourselves.

This figure looks fit for a mass produced release, and even those tend to look better. Its over $100 bucks so unless you are a die hard Zelda fan with too much disposable income, think twice before buying.

[First Four Figures]

Patrick Macias attended Wonderfest a couple of days ago and he’s posted a load of pictures on the expo on his blog. For those who dont know its the biggest expo for model builders and figure otaku. There was even the appearance of a little friend we say a while ago.

But the best part was this short video of the doors opening for the first time and otaku rushing in like crazy!

Its like someone told them there was a girl willing to date them inside! Run, find her!

Check out the rest of the awesome coverage at Patrick’s blog.

[Patrick Macias]

Welcome to the Forth and another ‘just got this thing’ installment of ‘Figure Review from a Hikikomori’. This week I am reviewing Good Smile Company’s Arin figure. From what I can tell, this is the first available release of an Arin figure. Obviously not the only one that will show up.

Arin hails from the online Mass Multi-player Online RPG golf game ‘Pangya’. She is a magic using sort who fell in love with Max, who is another character in this golf game. Stat wise, she’s great for beginners, but her spin and curve are a bit low. She also bounces a lot.

Read more!Arin Figure Review