Masamune Shirow Hyperpage

Hot Toys Snap Kits!

1/20 ES.W.A.T Snap Kits
Product code: SK080407
In-stock:COMING SOON
Exclusive:--

Especially Weapons And Tactics! :) Huh?

This SNAP KITS series features below listed five (5) E.S.W.A.T Snap Kits, each stands approximately 10-12 cm tall with 20 points of articulation

* E.S.W.A.T. Deunan Knute

* E.S.W.A.T. Briareos Hechatonchires

* E.S.W.A.T. Tereus

* E.S.W.A.T. Manuel Aeacus

* E.S.W.A.T. Rhoetus

AND

* Approximately 18 cm tall fully poseable LANDMATE (32 points of articulation)

## Each closed box comes with one of the above listed E.S.W.A.T Snap Kits as well as parts of LANDMATE

## A completed LandMate and all ESWAT team members are guaranteed in each display box

## Simply assembly required.

{Release date: Q3, 2008}

**Product shown is not final**

What you get

Landmate- coolness

And in other Hot Toys news...

Bad Boy Tereus in 1/6 scale glory!

TEREUS 1/6 Scale Fully
Poseable Model Kit

Product code: MMS65
In-stock:COMING SOON
Exclusive:--

Product Description:

** Approximate 31 cm tall fully poseable model kit
** over 15 points of articulation
** Weapons & accessories include:
- ES.W.A.T Riffle- HECATE stg 1002
- ES.W.A.T HandGun- HECATE P-08
- HandGun
** Display base with ExMachina logo and Tereus name plate
## simple assembly is required

{Release date: Q3, 2008}

**Product shown is not final**

I should really update more often here :( Missed out on quite a lot of news - like VMF Motoko, Wave 1/10 Ex Machina, Ex Machina DVD release, GITS 1.5 Human Error Processor, Ghost Hound etc.

So it was Tereus and the "Especially Weapons And Tactics" Snap Kits (where on earth did they come up with such a ridiculous ESWAT description) that got me updating again.

Did have a plan to do some kind of massive update on things missed out since Jan 2008, but eh... excuses, excuses. Goodness I'm so broke, and its not even half of the year yet...

Ok, old news I know, but for the sake of comparison I will write something about the Takara CG Deunan Knute 1/6 figure slated for release sometime in February 08.

Appleseed 2 EX MACHINA Deunan in CG (Doll)
Manufacturer: Takara
Scale: 1/6
Series: Cool Girl
Original: Appleseed
Release Date: Late Feb
Regular Price: 19,800 yen

Already up for pre-orders if you feel like owning one :)

With armour and gear

From the back, looks very good :)

Takara's CG line can sometimes be deceiving with the promotional prototype pictures and the actual mass release product, as we experienced first hand with Motoko. This Deunan Knute CG is dubious also, certain angles she looks hot, while other views look a bit off. I guess there's no other way to know for sure until she is released. However, the beauty of CG dolls is that with a good eye and some customizing skills, they can be altered to extremely collectible beauties. More pictures of Deunan with her kit off :)

Deunan actually looks better without the armour in my opinion :) and if the level of detail is anything like the Batman Begins CG costume, I think this will work out quite nicely. Fingers crossed that she will turn out beautiful. At the moment though, seems like the Hot Toys version is more hot... and with Briareos too. Maybe Briareos would be a bit offended to be released as a "Cool Girl" :P

While I reserve judgement on the EX Machina movie proper, in terms of merchandising, EX Machina is looking VERY promising. Have you all heard the news recently about Hot Toys acquiring the license for 1/6 scale Ex Machina figures? Deunan & Bri heads the list.

For the unfamiliar, Hot Toys is a Hong Kong based toy company producing mainly high quality collector's 1/6 figures which contributed to the military 1/6 dolls collecting craze which started years back. Their products are quality, (very expensive) and usually sell out very fast. Ex Machina figures will be under the "Movie Masterpiece" line, and according to Hot Toys website, their first animated show figure set.

Enough with the small talk, on to the important stuff! :)

Best looking Appleseed figures so far!

Briareos Hechatonchires
1/6 Scale Fully Poseable Model Kit
Product code: MMS52
In-stock:COMING SOON
Exclusive:--
~Movie Materpiece series~
Product Description:
+ Approximate 35 cm tall fully poseable model kit
- Weapons & accessories include:
- Analog watch
- PROMETEUS M-08 CYBORG PISTOL x 2
- ENIGMA M-117 ANTI MATERIAL RIFLE
- Display base with Ex Machina logo and Briareos's name plate
** simple assembly is required
Release date: Q4, 2007

Deunan Knute
1/6 Scale Fully Poseable Model Kit
Product code: MM51
In-stock:COMING SOON
Exclusive:--
~Movie Masterpiece Series~
Product Description:
+ Approximate 28 cm tall fully poseable model kit
+ Weapons & accessories include:
- Analog watch
- Knife
- Sheath
- ES.W.A.T Riffle- HECATE stg 1002
- ES.W.A.T HandGun- HECATE P-08
- Display base with Ex Machina logo and Deunan's name plate
** simple assembly is required
Release date: Q4, 2007

Here comes some glamour shots :)

Without a doubt, a very desirable collector's set for any Shirow / Appleseed / 1/6 Scale figures fan :) Me included. Updates on pricing, release dates etc. as and when the information becomes available. Thanks Markus for the tip.

If you are in Japan / Tokyo this weekend why not check out the EX Machina Roadshow? I wish I could...!

Have you guys seen the recent WAVE announcement regarding upcoming figures? It really will WHAM your hobby budgets for the entire next year...! Here's what's coming up, I know the image is a bit small but that's all I can find so far from the WAVE website. Relevant items marked with a Tachikoma(ns) :)

While I cant make out any release dates, let's do some budgeting:

1. WHAM Tachikoma (with feet!) & SSS Motoko = 4725 Yen
2. WHAM Tachikoma (original) & Ishikawa = 4725 Yen
3. WAVE Tachikoma (blue) & Paz = 4725 Yen
4. WAVE Tachikoma (Yellow) & Saito = 4725 Yen
5. WHAM Tachikoma (silver) & Boma = 4725 Yen
6. WHAM Arm Suit (Black Ver) = 7140 Yen
7. WHAM Arm Suit (White Ver) = 7140 Yen

So it works like this. The WHAM Tachikomans are nothing new, except SSS Motoko's, which has feet making it very much more desirable. The rest are the same as the previous WHAMs. More significantly though, Section 9 cast is now complete! Although they're 1/24 scale, this is the first time that we actually have a complete Section 9 cast figures set (Batou, Chief Aramaki, Togusa & Motoko were already released as part of the previous WHAM package).

Just a bloody shame that we have to buy Tachikomans to get the squad :( For the sake of a complete Section 9, total damages incurred = 5 x 4725 Yen = 23625 Yen. Tachikoma cant just idle around doing nothing, so they have to fight. Buy one Arm Suit, and you have just got to get the other colour for the sake of completion. Damages = +2 x 7140 Yen = 37905 yen. That's a hell lot of money!

Next, you gotta ask yourself. Do I like Appleseed? Obviously yes...

Briareos looks quite mean from the pictures, but they are still in prototype stages. You can't have Bri and not Deunan, so just budget another say... 12000 yen for the couple from Olympus. Estimated damage total now = 49905 Yen.

Plus postages and what not... I think... 80000 Yen for the lot? Be prepared, don't run out of money now :)

Now that we've covered the WAVE portion, another very interesting and unique Tachikoma news! Seems like Bandai is releasing a 1/24 chogokin Tachikoma with PC interface. Comes with a software that allows you to manipulate the Tachi. Details are sketchy, Japanese no good ^_^;...

Robot Tachikoma news
Bandai Press Release

電脳超合金タチコマ
Computer Chogokin Tachikoma
Release: February 2008
Price: 13440 Yen

Tachikoma (USB powered?)

PC Interface?

The Tachikoma does come with a CD-Rom software and USB interface, so I do think there must be some kind of control element.

I don't think I need to update the total damages anymore, enough to say that we need a LOT of money for Tachikomas! :) By the way, I have lots of news- new products, EX Machina preview DVD, more Tachikoma-related news.. but alas, my camera broke so I cant snap anything until my new one gets here. Also, I don't have the free time to post much these days... need to keep the cash flowing to support this ridiculous Tachikoma collecting hobby :P (and a family...!) ^_^ Thanks Jeff~!

My Appleseed EX Machina news are kinda mixed up, but hey, better than nothing right? :)

EX MACHINA-エクスマキナ- Evolution of Appleseed (数量限定生産)
Format: DVD
Language: Japanese
Region: Region 2 (This DVD will probably NOT be viewable in other countries. Read more about DVD formats.)
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number of discs: 1
Studio:: Micott Basara
DVD Release Date: 2007/10/03
Run Time: 40 minutes

sTwo says its a limited edition, 5000 copies only. And the MAIN reason I'm getting this for my personal collection:

Oh yeah! :) I'm totally liking the SD Guges! Must have! Would be a great compliment to my SD Briareos resin kit (I broke his leg, which must be fixed sooner or later...)

Pre-orderable from Amazon JP.

Oh, and did you know that if you buy tickets to watch Appleseed Saga Ex Machina in Japanese theaters you can pick up some super limited edition goodies. Man, I'm so jealous of the Japanese fans!

Limited Edition Goodies with Ticket Purchase

Apart from the freely available posters (which isn't so hot anymore after we've been bombarded with the John Woo-ish image of the Hecato-knute couple, man... can't the marketing team come up with a few more images for promotion?) there are also limited Prologue DVD, Deunan Knute (Prada) keychain, and not mentioned here but have been spotted- hardcover Ex Machina design book (I suspect Prada related too).

Prologue DVD

Ok, we get it. Prada designs 2 costumes for Deunan. Big deal... :(

On another totally unrelated subject, this is the Wonder Festival 2007 Summer weekend in Tokyo. Sounds like fun :) But seriously... I'm not expecting much Shirow / GITS this time around. It's kinda yesterday's news already in the ultra-competitive and dynamic Japanese anime/otaku market.

For the first time ever, MSHP visits fashion & women's wear websites to bring you the latest dish on Appleseed Ex Machina (it doesn't get any weirder than this, folks!) :) Honest! Might be old news but I was only aware of this today after reading Goha's post at the Forums.

Who's that?

Ms. Prada Goes to the Movies
Miuccia tries her Midas Hand at Costume Design

© Lesley Scott

Jul 2, 2007
Fashion design giant Miuccia Prada recently designed two cyber-punk costumes for the warrior-heroine of a Japanese animated movie set in a warlike future.

Miuccia Prada recently designed two special cyber-punk costumes for one lucky Japanese anime character, Deunan Knute, the heroine of Shinji Aramaki’s animated Appleseed: Ex Machina. Based on Masamune Shirow’s comic series, it depicts a future where humans are warring with their clones, the bioroids. "Watching the previous Appleseed,'I thought that the expression of contrast in man and machine, violence and love was wonderful," the designer recently said at a press conference about the prequel, Appleseed, known for its innovative use of 3D Live Animation –a cutting edge blend of conventional cell- and computer-animation. "I designed something contemporary that matches the movie's feelings."

Interestingly, as WWD pointed out, the movie appeared connected to her Fall 2006 Metropolitan Armor collection in which discarded the prim look she helped usher in a few seasons prior. Replacing her perfectly groomed 50s lady was an intellectual-looking student type, off to a graduate seminar in politics clad in short sweater dresses made from somber gray chunky knits. “There was no mistaking the new attitude that was unleashed at Prada for fall,” Style.com wrote about the collection. “It charged out of the gate, looking young, angry, sexy, and serious—and dressed to tackle real life. 'I'm tired of being so sweet,' declared Miuccia Prada. 'We women should go back to strength—and the sober side. Stop trying to appeal to everyone, and go out into the world.'"

After Toei Co. releases the Appleseed: Ex Machina in Japan on October 20, Warner Home Video will be distributing the movie in 90 countries.

- via WWD

Source: Suite101
Further reading: because i'm addicted

So Deunan wears a Prada and Briareos does a John Woo... Shirow save us...!

Also, there is a 3-minute footage/trailer thingy. View it here. My impression, very significant improvement on the animation (if this is indeed in-movie footage), but story still remains doubtful. I am maintaining my reservations about Ex Machina...

A girl...

A Cyborg...

A "love" triangle- in case you haven't heard...

And here's our new Prada Girl, doing all the promotional work ;) What do you think? I think Shirow Sensei designs better costumes, but that's just my opinion...

This is so NOT Deunan Knute...

Random shots from the new trailer:

Ok, now I don't feel that guilty about not giving Appleseed Ex Machina its due promotion...

Since I last talked about Appleseed EX for the PS2, I have received my Appleseed EX Limited Box ordered via Sega Direct from Japan together with some other Shirow goodies. Well, bad news I'm afraid...

Firstly just to introduce the Limited Box and it's contents:

Appleseed EX Limited Box

Box Contents: PS2 Game, Appleseed CG Anime Comic, Deunan Figure

For 11,000 Yen, I got the stuff listed above: The Appleseed PS2 Game, Appleseed CG Movie Anime Comic (the 1st movie, not Ex Machina), Deunan 1/8 Figure and also additionally, because I ordered from Sega Direct (I think?) I got a poster and a phone card.

Phone Card

Poster

To be honest, there's not much to talk about. The limited extra items, were ok-ish. Nothing great or anything that really impresses me. But oh my goodness, the game! The bloody Appleseed EX PS2 game is CRAP! I'm sorry to use such a harsh word, but that is the only word I know that fits my opinion of this game. For the sake of this post, I wasted a further 5 minutes of my life playing the game to take some pictures from my TV...

I am seriously very very disappointed at the Appleseed team for this half hearted effort. First the game got delayed, and then the final product is just very awful. I should have known. There wasn't even any effort to produce some new graphic for the game's box art, recycling the very very over-used Briareos holding Deunan image (which makes me suspect that maybe this is the only piece of artwork that looks good coming from this Appleseed effort). The gameplay is very stiff. The character's movements very un-natural and graphics were bad. Even the soundtrack felt out of place. I get the impression that this game project was somehow a rushed product, lacking in every aspect from graphics to gameplay and just some marketing ploy to hype up the Ex Machina movie.

The SNES Appleseed game some 10 years ago was way better than Appleseed EX!

After this awful experience, I really have nothing good to say about Shinji Aramaki's Appleseed anymore. EX Machina, I'm prepared to be disappointed. It can't get any worse than this. The only saving grace from the 11,000 Yen spent is this:

We'll talk more about her in my next post. Sorry for the lack of any useful information this time around regarding the PS2 game. I am just too let down to bother anymore :(

The Tokyo International Anime Fair 2007 (TAF 2007) March 22nd to 25th 2007 is an event promoting current and future releases by big name anime producers including Production IG. Well, after Solid State Society, I think GITS SAC is finally winding down in Japan- no news from the event. However, the following was sighted. From Dannychoo.com:

Appleseed Saga Ex Machina!

Making a big fuss about John Woo :)

That is an awesome promotion poster for Appleseed Saga Ex Machina! Still scheduled for a 2007 release, which is good to know.

Well, there are some figures exhibited at TAF 07, but nothing that we dont know about.

A bit late for this very significant news! Appleseed EX for Playstation 2 was released on 15th February 2007, as promoted. And some might be wondering, but sorry to say, this is a Japanese release.

Appleseed EX for Playstation 2
SEGA (Gun & Action Genre, 1 Player)
6800 Yen (Standard version- game only)

Appleseed EX for PS2

But why get the game alone when you can own an Appleseed EX Limited Box?
Appleseed EX Limited Box
Limited Edition Deunan Knute Figure (1/8, about 13cm)
Kodansha Anime KC Appleseed Animation Comic (Side A + B )
11000 Yen

Not much different to what I posted before, so check my previous post about the Appleseed EX Limited Boxes

Appleseed EX Limited Box

Again, not my box... I wish it was but things take time to ship from Japan. Ah, the sweet taste of torture :( More when I get my set, that much I could say for now.

Also, interesting to note that Shirow specialist sTwo over in Japan posted something interesting about this Appleseed release. Trailer of the sequel Ex Machina perhaps? So cool that I'd borrow a picture to share with you all:

from Shirowledge!

See you this 15th February 2007 on the Playstation 2!

Oh, and there's a new game trailer here.

Some refresher on the prices for the Appleseed EX PS2 game. The standard version is 6800 Yen and the Limited Box 11000Yen.

Also, there's a plug for Ex Machina. Still due in 2007! Very good news, that :)

EX Machina in 2007