CrunchGear » tokyo toy show

Couch-fishing gets real with this new Japanese robot

Serkan Toto — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:05:07 +0000

Here comes another robot fish from Japan. Starting today, toymaker Nakajima [JP] ships “Dynamic Fishing”, a toy kit that consists of an angling rod, a lure and a robotic fish. The set is Nippon-only, but If you are interested and live outside Japan, you can order it via Amazon Japan [JP/ENG] for $27 plus shipping.

The fish is passably similar to a real bass, 22.5cm long and – according to Nakajima – able to swim elegantly, like a real animal. It even moves its lips like a fish in nature. Judging from the video, this seems to be a slight exaggeration.

The robo bass starts to swim automatically after you put it into your bath tub, for example, and will supposedly shy away if you behave too clumsily. However, if the fish jumps for the lure and can’t escape anymore, it’s time to reel it slowly in, while it’s still floundering.

Nakajima has chosen adults as their main target group and claims playing with their robo fish is a good way to practice in order to become a bass hunter in real life. The company showcased their toy during this year’s Tokyo Toy Show.

Tokyo Toy Show coverage, part 3 (final): The coolest electronic toys on video

Serkan Toto — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:00:42 +0000

The following videos I shot show some of the coolest electronic stuff (not including robots) I have come across at this year’s Tokyo Toy Show.

Takara Tomy’s Aero Spider was especially impressive. The same company didn’t allow me to shoot a video of their awesome QFOs (mini UFOs attacking Tokyo). Sorry, but the pictures must do.

Tokyo Toy Show coverage, part 2: Watch A.M.P., E.M.A. and other robots in action

Serkan Toto — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:18:57 +0000

In this year’s Tokyo Toy Show, robots of all kinds and sizes were abundant, the majority of which I found to be very creepy. Especially Sega’s gigantic Golden Retriever is a genuinely scary “animal”.

Below are some videos I shot of Sega robots during the show.

Sega-Hasbro’s A.M.P music robot

Sega’s kissing robot E.M.A. (it really can kiss people and looked amazing)

Sega’s line of robo pets [JP]

Sega’s Golden Retriever robot [JP] (on sale in Japan from September 26th for $300)

Tokyo Toy Show 2008: All award winners, first impressions, pictures

Serkan Toto — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 16:33:30 +0000

Today I went to Odaiba, a strangely futuristic island just off the coast of Tokyo Bay, to cover this year’s Tokyo Toy Show. The event takes place every June and is one of the biggest and most important toy exhibitions in the world. Last year’s show attracted over 110,000 visitors. The picture above shows a huge crowd watching a Power Rangers dance show.

Sorry, I didn’t see any booth babes. But I did see desperate parents, nerve-wrecked staff members and tens of thousands of Japanese kids drooling over the newest Hello Kitty stuff, fancy robots, stuffed animals, mechanical toys, figures etc.

It’s impossible to fit everything in here at once so I will blog videos and pictures on the coolest stuff in separate postings. For now, have a look at what the organizer of the show, the Japan Toy Association, thought what the best toys [JP] were:

Official Grand Prix:

Omise de okaimono oshaberi ippai – Anpanman rejistaa from Sega Toys [JP]
(Buy and talk a lot at the shop – Anpanman cash register)

This is an educational toy for children who can learn basic mathematics by playing store cashiers and customers (on sale in Japan since March for $58). The cash register features Anpanman, a famous Japanese cartoon character.

Award winner in the trendy toy section:
Mugen ni dekiru shiriizu (Mugen puchi puchi puchimoe, mugen edamame) from Bandai [JP]
(Do it forever series (infinite pop pop bubble wrap, infinite soybeans))

With the Mugen Puchi Puchi, Bandai simulates popping bubble wrap. The toy’s built in speaker rewards patient players with a dog barking, a sexy moan or a fart after 100 pops. Available in Japan since October 2007 for $6.

The Mugen Edamame gives you the feeling of popping cute bean faces out of a soybean pod. This toy went on sale in April and costs $6. Pods with 12 different faces and a special edition are available.

Award winner in the basic class toy section:
Pyun pyun saakitto (Wroom wroom circuit) from Takara Tomy [JP]

This toy car motor circuit will be available in August for $78.

Award winner in the high class toy section:
Micro slot car owner’s basic set from Takara Tomy [JP]

This toy car motor circuit is scheduled to go on sale on September 25th for $70 (with one car). It will only feature expensive sports cars like the Toyota 2000 GT.

Award for the best innovation:

Eyeclops from Bandai [JP]

Bandai will sell this digital microscope starting June 28th for $75. The Eyeclops is able to magnify objects by 200x. It can also be connected to a TV or monitor.

Click on the thumbnails below to get an impression of the scope of the show.