Hasta La Gadget!

Bandai recently started a line of smartphone cases called Crazy Case, and they’re backing up their words with action. As you can see in Drool’d’s shot, the first Crazy Case is a Tumbler Batmobile toy car that happens to have a gap at the bottom big enough for an iPhone 5 or 5S to fit in.

The officially licensed case has several LEDs, including a mobile Batsignal. Its front wheels slide to the side to give way to the iPhone’s camera and sleep button. It also looks absolutely juvenile. I want one.

You can order the case from Bandai for about $57 (USD). It originally appeared on the Japanese Premium Bandai shop, but that site seems to be down as of this writing. You can check it out at Bandai’s Hong Kong shop too.

[via Drool’d]

Here’s a thought to make you feel old today: if the first batch of Tamagotchis were human, they’d be almost through with high school. In fact, the egg-shaped virtual pet has just turned 17 (17!), and to celebrate, Bandai is revamping the brand (again) and launching a new line called Tamagotchi Friends. While you still need to feed your virtual pet and pick up its digital poop, this modern-day remake comes with new characters to raise. Also, when two owners bump their Tamagotchi Friends against each other, their pets can go on play dates, and they can interact in-game.

We wish Bandai added other modern features, like a full-color screen, but at least American aficionados can get units with a color background starting fall 2014. Those in Europe will have to make do with the black-and-white version upon launch in December 2013. For now, you can see more info and watch animated shorts on the official Tamagotchi Friends website, or practice your pet-rearing skills on Android.

Filed under: Misc

Comments

Source: Tamagotchi Friends

Most smartphone cases strive to provide as much protection for your device as possible without adding too much bulk or extra weight. But that’s not the approach Bandai has taken with this monstrosity. Squarely targeted at die-hard Batman fans, this case is a perfect replica of the Tumbler Batmobile featured in Christopher Nolan’s films, but designed to protect your iPhone—not the Dark Knight.

Read more…

Gundam fans, here’s a collectible you won’t want to miss. It’s a clothes hanger that conceals a model of a Gundam.

Our pal Francesco, over at Hobby Media (IT) spotted this bit of epicness over at last week’s Shizuoka Hobby Show (JP). Bandai is selling this along with a limited-edition STRICT-G t-shirt. When assembled, it forms a 1/200th scale replica of a Gundam RX 78-2 mech. But I’m not sure I’d want to ever take the parts off of the hanger. I think it looks pretty cool just the way it is.

If you’re lucky enough to be anywhere near Gundam Front in Odaiba, Tokyo – you might be able to find one – and you can see Giant Gundam at the same time. And if you’re anywhere else, I found a couple for sale up on eBay (without the t-shirt.)

[via Hobby Media]

Leading Japanese toy maker, BANDAI, just announced that they will release, in collaboration with Converse, “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” ALL STAR sneakers – “ALL STAR HI/JO” – in December.

They will start accepting orders for the sneakers on May 20.

The ALL STAR “Star” logo is colored like JoJo’s famous star-shaped bruise.

Also, those ordering in advance can get a free “Stone Mask” key chain.

We recently posted another JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure limited edition – it’s SEIKO wristwatch collaboration.

Price: 10,290 yen (including tax)
Period of advanced order: From May 20 to June 20, 2013
Release date: Early December, 2013
Sizes: Men (25.5,26,26.5,27,27.5,28,29cm), Women (22,22.5,23,23.5,24,24.5cm)

The limited edition sneakers can be ordered here.