Hasta La Gadget!

“LINE” is an instant messaging application hugely popular in Japan and elsewhere in Asia for smartphones, tablets and PCs. As of April 30 2013, the number of LINE users exceeded 150 million. It’s a messaging application with a lot of unique cute stamps and new stamp collaborations with big companies. Through these collaborations, more characters get added often on LINE, further increasing its popularity.

Takara Tomy produces goods related to LINE’s major characters such as Cony (rabbit), Brown (bear) and Moon (human). We saw a lot of LINE goods at the International Tokyo Toy Show 2013 last week in Tokyo Big Site.

This new one that we haven’t seen before is called “LINE Town – My Touch”. It looks like a smartphone and kids can use it to write messages, send stamps, etc.

According to Takara Tomy staff who explained to us about the toy, the recognition rate of LINE by elementary school students is more than 30% and many of them have been longing to use LINE. Parents would be concerned if it was a toy that connects to the internet, however, “LINE Town – My Touch” is not internet compliant. It has NFC function built-in and kids can send messages to each other while they are hanging out together. After they return home separately, they are not able to exchange messages.

There is a function that kids can use to enjoy “LINE Town – My Touch” by themselves. If he sends a stamp on the messaging window, the character will send him a reply that matches the stamp he just sent. For example, if it is a smiley Moon’s stamp, he will hear “You always smile.” from Moon.

Price: 6,825 yen
Colors: Green, Pink, Blue
Release date: August 2013

“Nohohon Hana” is now on sale from Takara Tomy Arts’ “Nohohon Zoku” series that has just turned 10 years old.

“Nohohon Hana” is a flower-looking toy that slowly swings when the light shines on it – powered by a solar panel. It is said that the flowers give a relaxing feeling to its owners.

As of 2012, “Nohohon Zoku” series was being sold in 30 countries.

In the past, Famous characters model like Disney characters, Hello Kitty, and Snoopy were sold. Now the latest model is a flower model in “Sweet mint blue” color.

The price is 1,890 yen. The attached pictures show various colors and models sold over the past 10 years.

Nohohon Hana can be ordered here.

Recently, the popularity of football (soccer) among children is soaring because Japanese football players and the Japanese women’s national football team have become very successful around the world. Now, TAKARA Tomy Arts is releasing the “Pokemon and Japan national football team T-shirt” on March 23.
On the doubled-licenced T-shirt, the emblem and mascot of Japan’s national football team, the logo of each team’s nickname “SAMURAI BLUE” for the …