Author: Natalie Kipper

Lover of plush toys, Disneyland, and playing JRPGs on the sofa. Fond of using quotes from 'Frasier' and 'The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.' Owner of (possibly) too much manga.

Add ‘Sailor Moon Crystal’ Season 2 To Your Home Library

by Natalie Kipper

It is no secret that I am crazy about Sailor Moon Crystal. The anime earned a 5 out of 5 in my review of VIZ Media‘s Blu-Ray and DVD set of Season One. Now it is Season Two’s turn to head to retail and as we saw in the recently announced One-Punch Man home media releases, there are multiple options available.

Fans can purchase the Limited Edition Blu-Ray and DVD Combo Pack ($79.99), the Standard Edition Blu-Ray and DVD Combo Pack ($69.99), or simply the DVD Set ($39.99). The Limited Edition Blu-Ray and DVD Combo Pack, seen below, contains all 12 episodes of Season Two on both Blu-Ray (in 1080p) and DVD (in 480p) as well as bonus content like clean opening and closing themes, a digital art gallery, and even a special interview with the J-POP group who sang the theme, Momoiro Clover Z. The four discs are packaged in an exclusive chipboard box, stuffed with art cards and a booklet filled with full-color illustrations, episode summaries, and more. Pre-ordering the Limited Edition Combo Pack from RightStuf also scores you an exclusive sun catcher as a gift-with-purchase.

For those who need a refresher, Season Two of Sailor Moon Crystal takes us through the “Black Moon Arc,” where we meet key characters like Chibi-Usa (you may remember her as “Rini” from that dub way back in the day) and Sailor Pluto. The season picks up immediately after the first season, in which a strange, little pink-haired girl crash-lands on Usagi and then proceeds to demand (at gunpoint!) that she surrender the Silver Crystal. I won’t spoil the rest for fans who haven’t watched yet (I am sure there are some of you) but I will say that I am personally excited to own this second season and it is definitely one you should check out.

The Standard DVD Set is available now but the other two, the Limited- and Standard-Edition Blu-ray and DVD Combo Packs, will be released on February 28.

[header image via Sailor Moon News]

Pokémon Center Finally Gives US Fans The Plushes We’ve Been Waiting For!

by Natalie Kipper

Okay, so first is a little backstory.

In October of last year, the Pokémon Center in Japan stocked some glorious plushes of several fan-favorites from the recent Pokémon Sun and Moon games: Mimikyu, Bewear, Solgaleo, and Lunala. It may have taken about three extra months, but U.S.- based collectors can finally get their paws on them! Sure, there were a few measly tidbits in-between but they were disappointing, honestly (Pikipek? really? You guys couldn’t have chosen something more interesting?).

Now, if I had my druthers, it would be a Stufful plush rather than Bewear but the other three toys are delightful. My top picks are Mimikyu and Solgaleo. Lunala is fine and all but its design didn’t grab me as much as the other two. Mimikyu stands 10 inches tall and has the cutest droopy ears. I love the ruffles in the bottom of its disguise and that a teeny bit of the real body pokes through in the back to hold the stick “tail.” It’s the little things, man. As for Solgaleo, this sucker is 10 inches high and 10 inches long, making him quite a bit larger than the rest of the plushes with the exception of Lunala. I think the justification for the huge spike in price (Mimikyu is $14.99 whereas Solgaleo is $39.99) is that beyond the moderate increase in size, the design is substantially more complex.

https://twitter.com/NintendoTweet/status/825033917879181313

So now that the these four have finally made it to our shore, here’s hoping that Japan’s most recent wave (seen in the tweet above) also finds its way to us. I require that Brionne (righside, middle row in the tweeted image) and Lycanroc – Midnight form (bottom on the right), whom I will name John Talbain because Darkstalkers is awesome.

‘One-Punch Man’ Is Heading To Blu-Ray And DVD This Spring

by Natalie Kipper

The popular action-comedy anime One-Punch Man will see its North American home release debut this Spring, courtesy of VIZ Media. The series follows the trials of Saitama, a superhero hopeful whose years of special training left him so overpowered that a single punch knocks any who oppose him flat on their behinds! Check out the trailer below to get a taste of the action (and humor).

This release will be available as a Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack ($59.99), a Standard Edition Blu-Ray set ($49.99), and a Standard Edition DVD-only set ($39.99). The combo pack is a special edition that also includes an exclusive chipboard box, six OVA animated shorts (also available on the Standard Edition Blu-Ray set), six art cards, and a full-color booklet with episode summaries, character profiles, interviews with the team, and more. And of course, Blu-Ray episodes are presented in 1080p HD (DVD ones are 480p). Regardless of which set you choose, it will contain episodes 1-12 of the series, available both in original Japanese dialogue with English subtitles as well as English dialogue.

The Blu-ray/DVD combo pack is limited in edition and available for pre-order now at many retail sites as well as brick and mortar locations. But if you choose to place your order through Right Stuf, you will also receive a special, yet-to-be-revealed gift with purchase (while supplies last). The other two versions are likewise currently available for pre-order at the same places. All are scheduled to release on April 25.

[header image: ©ONE, Yusuke Murata/SHUEISHA, Hero Association HQ]

Bring Kawaii Goodies To Your Door With TokyoTreat’s Trio Of Boxes

by Natalie Kipper

Pretty soon, another subscription box service will be joining Geekscape’s unboxing line-up! TokyoTreat consists of three different series for fans of Japanese culture: the original TokyoTreat, YumeTwins, and NOMAKENOLIFE. Candy lovers and overall snack fiends will be interested in TokyoTreat. This line is broken up into three different box sizes, ranging from $14.99 to $34.99 a month. As you would expect, the more you pay, the more items and variety you receive. Here are some examples of what sort of items you might find in a box:

YumeTwins has a rate of $29.99 a month, with a focus on all things kawaii. Be it a squishy plush, some pretty stationary, or a cute lifestyle item (like the upcoming Totoro handtowel), odds are that you will find something to love. Next month’s theme is Totoro, so if you have an interest in the lovable Studio Ghibli character, be sure to register in the next seven days or you will miss your chance!

Finally, there is NOMAKENOLIFE, a subscription box all about Japanese cosmetics. Items may include skincare, haircare, body care, make-up, bath accessories, and tools. Like YumeTwins, there is only one size of this box at the cost of $29.99 a month but with a variety of payment plans to suit your needs, such as a recurring plan every 1, 3, 6, or 12 months.

Geekscape is now part of Tokyotreat’s referral program so if you are intrigued by any of these three boxes, we would super-duper appreciate it if you used our affiliate links found here: TokyoTreat, YumeTwins, and NOMAKENOLIFE. Look forward to seeing more from the TokyoTreat family in the future!

Mel Gibson In Talks With Warner Bros. To Direct ‘Suicide Squad’ Sequel

by Natalie Kipper

Because the first Suicide Squad didn’t have enough villains, Warner Bros. is now eyeing Mel Gibson for the position of the sequel’s director. He is not the only director being considered, another option is Daniel Espinosa, however Gibson is currently familiarizing himself with the DC Universe, according to sources.

While his film, Hacksaw Ridge, earned an Oscar nomination, there is still something to be said about Gibson’s character flaws, especially his anti-Semitic comments. Does Warner Bros. really want to be associating with this guy?

The final decision on the director’s role is still to come.

[source: Hollywood Reporter]

NIS America To Livestream Press Event This Friday

by Natalie Kipper

NIS America holds an annual press shindig in San Francisco, California, and for the first time, the event will be broadcast live on the company’s Twitch channel! The festivities begin at 7pm Pacific/ 10pm Eastern on Friday, February 17.

What can we expect the Press Event? Here is what has been teased so far:

[via Miketendo64.com]

In an email sent out to attendees, NIS America stated that they have “five new games to announce and maybe even release dates for our first game on Switch and a game featuring an adorable black and white bear.” Now, I don’t know about you but that bear sounds a lot like Monokuma from the Danganronpa series to me. GoNintendo hypothesized that the yet-to-be revealed 3DS game is RPG Maker FES, which was recently announced for localization in Australia.

To keep up to date on the NISA Press Event 2017, head on over to their dedicated Facebook page. Do you plan on watching? Let us know in the comments!

The Adventure Continues With Nendoroid Link: Breath Of The Wild!

by Natalie Kipper

For those of us hyped to get our hands on anything Breath of the Wild-related, Good Smile Company has answered our call with their Nendoroid Link: Breath of the Wild Version figure. Good Smile Company are the same people behind other lovely Legend of Zelda figures, such as figma Link: A Link Between Worlds Version and Nendoroid Link: Majora’s Mask Version, and they certainly have mastered the art of capturing the characters’ essence.

Like the previous figma for A Link Between Worlds, there are two different editions of this Nendoroid to choose from: Standard and DX. The Standard Edition, priced at ￥4,167 before tax, comes with the smaller amount of accessories. For that price, you will get Link’s bow and arrow, quiver, sword, sheath, shield, plus the new Shiekah Slate, pictured below. Also included are two interchangeable facial expressions for Link, a smiling one and a yelling one.

The DX Edition, priced at ￥5,370, has everything from the standard plus an axe, a chicken leg, a club, a hood piece for Link’s head, and most impressive of all, a horse (Epona?). If you can afford it, I would totally splurge on the DX addition.

Nendoroid Link: Breath of the Wild Version is available to pre-order at the Good Smile Online Store (Standard, DX), scheduled to release in June 2017. These figures can also be found on sites like AmiAmi, HobbyLink Japan, and Tokyo Otaku Mode.

Geekscape Unboxes: The Loot Anime January 2017 Crate!

by Natalie Kipper

Just like Alice venturing down the rabbit hole, we embark on our own unboxing adventure, brought to us from the good folks from Loot Crate! This time, we will be digging through the January 2017 Loot Anime crate. The theme for January was “Dimension” and I don’t know about you but I can’t wait to see what’s inside!

This is the sight that greeted me upon opening the package. As always, the goods were securely packed and in good condition upon arrival.

Let’s take a peak at the poster. January features art drawn by Madeleine Rosca. It looks like Loot Anime’s mascot, Yume, has become some sort of magical girl/mage, complete with the Loot Crate logo hidden on her costume and weapon.

I noticed some intriguing box art when I opened the package and, once removing the contents and dismantling it, I was rewarded with this picture. It depicts two different yet parallel worlds, a perfect fit for this month’s theme.

The book included this time actually a light novel rather than a manga, Log Horizon: The Beginning of Another World, Volume 1. The book is published by Yen Press and I believe what makes it a Loot Crate-exclusive is its cover but I am not certain.

Hailing from Sword Art Online II is this Asuna prize figure, made by Banpresto. The figure is relatively detailed for its size and made up of two parts plus a stand and base. I will say that getting the figure to fit with stand was a bit of a chore but it was worth it. The base also has some art on it.

The second exclusive item is a Re:Zero Rem and Ram rotating picture frame. The quality of the art on the frame is good but I think the size and shape of the frame may be a but awkward when attempting to add actual photos inside.

The was another Sword Art Online item in the crate, a pair of Asuna socks. Apparently subscribers either received these ones or socks with the male hero, Kirito, on them.

This shirt features Jibril from No Game No Life. The tee has a babydoll cut, which I am personally not a fan of. It’s a shame, really; the colorful art is beautiful.

The final item is the Loot Anime monthly mobile charm. It has Yume in the same outfit from the poster. I dig her outfit so I am pretty fond of this one.

February’s upcoming box’s theme is “Together” and will feature items from One Piece Gold, Hailyū!!, The Boy and The Beast, and Mr. Osomatsu. Look forward to it!

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first Crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.

[This unboxing was based on a sample provided by Loot Crate. All opinions are my own.]

Crowdfund This: The Animazombs, Series 2!

by Natalie Kipper

After a successful Kickstarter for Series 1 back in 2013, The Animazombs are back for round 2! The campaign launched on Kickstarter on January 31 and has already just about reached the 50 percent mark of their $8,783 (£7,000) goal. You can learn more about Series 1 over at the official Instagram and Facebook but let’s dive into the all the excitement of Series 2!

So far, six undead critters have been revealed (the owl, however is part of a stretch goal). There may be more, should additional stretch goals be reached. Here is the line-up:

Now, each of these precious plushes has its own backstory (head over to the Kickstarter page to get the scoop) and a variety of fun hidden details to find. My personal favorite is Jamie the Walrus (who perhaps bears a likeness to a certain Myth Buster). His design is particularly witty and who doesn’t love a good walrus? But honestly, I don’t think you can go wrong with any of these guys.

You will notice some of the Animazombs don’t have names. That is because one of the pledge tiers (£250) grants backers the privilege of naming them. There are four slots for that tier available. There are plenty of other pledge options available, though. You could choose one plush from either series or even a full set of Series 2 Animazombs plus any potential stretch goals, for example.

The Animazombs Series 2 Kickstarter campaign ends on Wednesday, March 1 at 7 AM Pacific. Check ’em out!

Nendoroid Yuri Katsuki Skates Into Pre-Order!

by Natalie Kipper

Between its mention in my Favorites of 2016 and Ajay’s review, there is no shortage of YURI!!! on ICE fans here at Geekscape. So with great excitement, I am pleased to announce that Good Smile Company’s Nendoroid Yuri Katsuki is now available for pre-order!

The precious Japanese figure skater comes with a bowl of katsudon (pork cutlet bowl to you guys watching the dubbed version), his glasses, and his smartphone (it even has his poodle case on it!). Yuri has three interchangeable expressions: a smiling expression, an embarrassed expression, and my personal favorite, his “Eros” expression from his short program. Alternate hair parts are also included.

Nendoroid Yuri Katsuki is available for pre-order now at the cost of ￥4,500. If you place your order through the Good Smile Company online shop, you will also get a rubber strap of Yuri as a bonus! The figure is scheduled to release in July 2017. And in case you are wondering, yes, Nendoroid Victor is also in the works!

Build-A-Bear Celebrates Upcoming ‘Beauty And The Beast’ Remake With New Plush Line

by Natalie Kipper

We are a little more than a month away to the opening day for the live-action remake of Disney’s beloved Beauty and the Beast and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with a new plush toy! Build-A-Bear Workshop recently launched a new line of plushes and toy clothing, themed to the upcoming film and it is adorable.

Let’s start off with the leading lady, Belle, who will get a bear inspired by her as well as a her ballroom dress, sold separately. The Belle Bear, costing $25.50, has fur with sparkling gold accents as well as commemorative paw pads. Fans will notice that the Belle Dress ($18) is designed after the version Emma Watson wears rather than the traditional one. There are also matching heels for this outfit ($8.50).

I personally prefer the Beast ($28). The dude is fluffy, with a tail and a set of horns. What’s not to love? I also like that the two plushes are to scale, with Belle being 16 inches in height and Beast measuring 19 inches. Like the Belle bear, the Beast has commemorative paw pads, one bearing the film’s logo and the other with a silhouette of his castle. Beast’s Ballroom Costume ($18) is gorgeous, with tons of embroidered detail. Round out the set with a Rose Accessory ($4) and you have a collection fit for any movie fan.

What do you think of this new line? Are you excited for the upcoming film? Let us know in the comments!

Geekscape Unboxes: January 2017’s Wizarding World Crate

by Natalie Kipper

The previous Wizarding World Crate was one of my favorites of all those that I have unboxed. I dove into this month’s crate, bearing the theme “A Matter of Time,” with high expectations and I am pleased to say that I was not disappointed. Sit a spell and let’s pour over the contents!

Upon opening the crate, I was greeted with the image of Hermione’s Time Turner on the upper flap. It was a bit more understated than the previous month’s design but I think that I liked it better.

The first step was to unfurl the scroll that detailed the crate’s contents. The stars next to the titles denote the item’s exclusivity to the crate. I was impressed that, besides the Funko POP! figure, everything fell under that category.

Given this month’s theme, a Time Turner necklace seems like an obvious inclusion. The inner portion of the necklace flips around, as one would expect, although not all the parts move. The Time Time hangs on a leather cord with an adjustable metal clasp. I can see this being a fun everyday accessory to show off your fandom.

Speaking of everyday accessories, I was particularly impressed by the Deathly Hallows Pocket Watch. For starters, it is a real pocket watch, not some decorative piece. The chain it comes on is long enough that you can still check the time while wearing it on your neck.

While not as useful as the pocket watch, the Harry Potter Prophecy Pin still looked pretty, with its milky material in the crystal ball and faux antique metal finish. The pin is relatively heavy, though.

My favorite of the included items was the pair of Platform 9 3/4 Socks. They just looked fanciful and fun.

I got a little teary-eyed at this shirt but I imagine I am not the only one. The memorable quote combined with the picture of Alan Rickman as Snape just really nailed it. It doesn’t hurt that the shirt itself is also very soft.

Like the previous Wizarding World crate, a Funko POP! figure was included. Possibilities included Ron or Hermione dressed for the Yule Ball, Luna Lovegood, or Sirius Black. As you can see, I received Hermione in her Yule Ball gown. This was the only item in the crate that was not a Loot Crate-exclusive.

Loot Crate has so far succeeded in providing a quality subscription box with its Wizarding World crate. Every item chosen in this month’s crate was meaningful and of good quality. I can’t wait to see wait is coming up next!

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first Crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.

[This unboxing was based on a sample provided by Loot Crate. All opinions are my own.]

Another Round of ‘Sailor Moon Crystal’ Is Announced!

by Natalie Kipper

News has been quiet on the future of the anime reboot, Sailor Moon Crystal, since the end of the third season six months ago. Well, the silence has finally been broken with the news of a sequel (presumably the next season). As many a Sailor Moon fan will tell you (goodness knows I do whenever the topic arises), season four a.k.a. the Dream Arc diverges a great deal in focus and plot between the original anime and the manga. Here’s hoping that, like the first season of Sailor Moon Crystal, this new season will continue to follow the manga’s storyline. More information was promised to be provided at a later date.

In addition to the Sailor Moon Crystal news, it was also revealed that two 23-episode compilations from the original Sailor Moon anime will be released on Blu-Ray in Japan on June 14 and August 9. Each disc will cost ￥21,384.

[source: Natalie via Crunchyroll]

Disney’s Monthly Tsum Tsum Subscription Box Returns For 2017!

by Natalie Kipper

Disney fans have no doubt seen those bean-shaped stackable plushes of simplified Disney characters in stores or at the theme parks. They are Disney Tsum Tsum, named for the Japanese verb tsumu which means “to stack.” Last year brought with it the very first Tsum Tsum subscription box, where exclusive mystery sets of the plushes arrived at your doorstep with the assistance of a friendly neighborhood mail carrier. This year’s subscription box was recently announced and it comes with a few twists!

While 2016’s line had a formula containing one small Tsum Tsum and a related mini Tsum Tsum, 2017 is mixing it up with four potential combinations. One is the same combo from 2016’s line. Another option is a three-piece mini set. The third option is a plush “Movie moment” (I am not entirely sure what that typically entails but I suspect it is a scene from a movie judging by the first shipment, which is a The Rescuers Movie Moment). The final combination is a six-piece of the newly-introduced 2.5-inch tall Micro Tsum Tsum plushes.

The 2017 Tsum Tsum Annual Subscription is available now, costing either $270 a year or $24.95 on a recurring 1-month plan. Shipping is included.

[source: My Tsum Tsum]

Nintendo Reveals Pikachu Yellow Edition New 3DS XL, Details On Mario Sports Superstars

by Natalie Kipper

Come February 24, North American gamers can get their hands on another collectable, special edition of the New Nintendo 3DS XL: The Pikachu Yellow edition. The cover features art of the electric mouse Pokémon in a sketch-style. As one would expect, it looks very cute. Although, I personally would have preferred it be a new faceplate for the New Nintendo 3DS rather a whole additional XL but they didn’t ask me. The Pikachu Yellow Edition New Nintendo 3Ds XL will retail for US$199.99.

With upcoming games like Mario Sports Superstars, Poochy and Yoshi’s Woolly World, Tank Troopers, and Pikmin (Working Title), 2017 is looking like a great year to invest in the 3DS if you haven’t already. Mario Sports Superstars brings five different real-life sports to the Mushroom Kingdom – Soccer, Tennis, Golf, Baseball, and Horse Racing – and lets players fine tune their skills in practice before trying their hand in single or multiplayer tournaments. Multiplayer is available both locally as well as online.

Launching alongside the game on March 24 are a series of amiibo cards for the game. Tapping one of these amiibo cards during the game yields a a “variety of fun bonuses.” Intriguing! For a limited time, physical copies of Mario Sports Superstars will come with one card included. Additional amiibo cards can be purchased in five-card blind packs for US$4.99 each.

Geekscape Unboxes: The Loot Wear December 2016 Crate!

by Natalie Kipper

The time has come, the Walrus said, for another Geekscape Unboxing! In this post, we will be featuring the Loot Wear December 2016 Crate, themed to Revolution! My wonderful friend, Rio, kindly modeled several of the items in this shipment for me (they look infinitely better on her than me). Let us begin with my favorite item in this month’s Crate, the Spider-Gwen bi-fold wallet!

The wallet is modeled after Spider-Gwen’s uniform and features pink metallic accents on the outside. The gut of the wallet is standard fare: zippered change pocket in the middle and small sleeves for cards followed by large ones for bills on both sides. The quality seems sturdy and the outside zipper moved smoothly.

Next up is a t-shirt starring the leading duo from Invader Zim. The print was colorful, vibrant, and definitely eye-catching. The shirt’s material was soft and had some “give” to it. The length hit a little below the waist.

I know zero about Rick and Morty so this light-weight hoodie featuring the show’s Meeseeks character was cool but didn’t have as much appeal to me as it did to Rio, a fan of the show. The hoodie has an all-around print and fits like a tunic, reaching below the wearer’s rear.

There was a second Rick and Morty item as well, a pair of men’s briefs. Like the hoodie, it featured a wrap-around print of one of the show’s characters. As is typical of Loot Wear underwear, the briefs were stretchy and smooth to touch. I imagine a fan of the show would get a kick out of them.

The final items were two pairs of socks, one inspired by Guardians of the Galaxy and the other by Mr. Robot. These were thicker ones than the socks I have been seeing in previous shipments. Perhaps it is because of the weather this time of year.

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first Crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.

[This unboxing is based on a sample supplied by Loot Crate.]

It’s Morphin Time In The Latest ‘Power Rangers’ Trailer!

by Natalie Kipper

Many of today’s adult nerds can remember watching Power Rangers on their clunky television sets as children. The Amercan-ized version of the first season  is getting a very swanky movie remake and I can imagine many of us will be lining up to buy tickets. A shiny, new trailer was released today for the film. Let’s have a look.

With its somewhat darker tone, I feel like the film is catering more to the older fans who grew up with the series. That is not to say it looks bad by any means, quite the opposite in fact. I had my doubts initially but this trailer has piqued my interest in the title.

What was your reaction to this trailer? Let us know in the comments!

PSA: ‘Fire Emblem’ Nintendo Direct Today At 2 PM Pacific

by Natalie Kipper

Come 2 PM Pacific/ 5 PM Eastern, all Fire Emblem fans should tune in to today’s Nintendo Direct, focusing on the classic game series. The presentation will be available at Nintendo’s site as well as Twitch.

I suspect some portion of the video will be dedicated to the newly announced Nintendo Switch game, Fire Emblem Warriors, but who can say for sure?

What do you hope will be revealed on today’s Nintendo Direct?

Natalie Kipper’s Favourite Things Of 2016!

by Natalie Kipper

Can you believe that 2016 has come to a close? We’ve finally abolished that dreaded six for ten more years, and a cool, clean, sexy seven has taken its place.

2016 was an incredible year for everything aside from presidential candidates and celebrity deaths, so as always, we wanted to share our favourite games, movies, moments and more of 2016.

We’ve seen Adam’s favorite things, MCDave’s favorite films, Josh’s favourite games, and Derek’s favourite games too,  and now it’s Natalie’s turn! Read on for some of her favourite video games, geek moments, and more from the past year.

Video Games

Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past (Review Here)

While it may not have been perfect, Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past was one of my most pleasurable gaming experiences in 2016. The Dragon Quest series is one of the most colorful and whimsical in the RPG realm and VII was another lovely entry in the series. It somehow managed to escape the tedium that usually comes along with RPG battles. I actually found myself seeking fights in hopes of gaining mastery of over new jobs and potentially befriending the attacking monsters. And oh goodness, it is so darn pretty! The colors simply popped off the 3DS screen.

I also appreciated Square-Enix’s continuing support with DLC. It definitely took some time to be up able to survive those special dungeons but each one was worthwhile. If January’s release of Dragon Quest VIII is anything like VII, I think it is safe to say gamers will have a lot to look forward to.

Pokémon Sun/Moon

While Sun and Moon came out at the tail end of 2016, the titles were worth the wait. I know many longtime fans were tentative about the removal of the standard “Gym System” and its replacement with island trials but I honestly like this way much better. It added more variety to the experience and refreshed the series a bit. I also loved loved loved the introduction of ride pagers instead of relying on HMs to solve puzzles and traverse different environments. I just can’t get enough of the concept of riding on a Stoutland, sniffing out treasure. It cracks me up every time!

The island flavor of the twin titles was lovely and well-done. The details like malasada shops and people calling each other “cousin” were perfect. The overall world feels more fleshed out in my opinion. Regional variations of several Pokémon clinched it.

Animal Crossing: New Leaf – Welcome amiibo

Okay, this isn’t technically a new title but Animal Crossing: New Leaf’s 2016 update, entitled Welcome amiibo, is so brilliant that it deserves a spot on this list. Not only did it manage to reinvigorate a three year old game but also give a boost to the waning interest in amiibo. I even added some older amiibo to my gift list purely for this game. Plus it also introduced a new series of amiibo cards to fuel the collecting addiction. Very clever, Nintendo. Very clever.

Everything Else:

Yuri!!! On Ice (TV Show)

Never in my life did I think I would get interested in (and later obsessed with) an ice-skating anime. Sports-related anime just aren’t my style. Not even Haikyuu!! or Free! could pique my interest. But there is something about the human relationships and emotions in this show that seem so real and relatable that you can’t peel your eyes off it. The relationship between Yuuri and Victor is incredibly touching and one that you become invested in. The opening and ending themes are also super-beautiful.

I urge any anime viewer, sports fan or not, to give Yuri!!! On Ice a look. I am so glad I did. PS- Watch it subtitled, not dubbed. The dub is kind of, sort of, not that good.

https://youtu.be/qh-Olq7caGU

The Re-imagining of the Disney Wonder (moment)

The second of the Walt Disney Company’s fleet of cruise ships got a facelift this year. Featuring a upgraded kids area, re-themed adult hangouts, and the replacement of Parrot Cay, the weakest link in the trio of the ship’s restaurants that are included in rotational dining, with the gorgeous Tiana’s Place (of Princess and the Frog fame). The new eatery focuses on Southern cuisine (can you say beignets?) and features a live Jazz band along with an appearance from the owner herself, Tiana.

While many cruisers prefer the newer, bigger Dream and Fantasy ships, I always had a soft spot for the Wonder. With these improvements, I can see the ship becoming others favorite as well.

The 12 Days of Switchmas: Day 2 – Remember To Accessorize!

by Natalie Kipper

It’s the second day of Geekscape’s 12 Days of Switchmas and that means it’s my turn! For those just joining us, Nintendo is making a big announcement about their much anticipated new console, the Nintendo Switch, on January 12 and the writers here wanted to share in the excitement. We will be taking turns sharing our hopes, concerns, predictions and family recipes, all centered around the Switch. You can read Adam’s Day 1 predictions here!

My main concern actually centers around amiibo, specifically their implementation in upcoming games. In my opinion, the use of amiibo lately has been kind of lackluster and gave the feeling off being tacked on at the last minute. I would hate for them to become obsolete. We already know that the Switch is not backwards-compatible so that already limits some of their use right out of the gate.

My hope is that with this new console, developers will bring about a new renaissance for these accessories. It has been confirmed that Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild not only is compatible with several already-released amiibo but will also be bringing several new amiibo to the table as well. This points to a promising future for amiibo collectors but that is still just one title. It will take more that that to keep amiibo in demand and worthwhile. And while we are at it, maybe they can do something about the way their amiibo have been supplied, in small batches that are easy prey for scalpers. I swear, it was like stumbling onto a pot of gold when you found the amiibo you wanted in-stock. You might want to fix that, Nintendo.

As for predictions, I suspect that launch day for the Switch will have a larger library than the Wii or Wii U. It will have to, if Nintendo expects this thing to succeed. I believe that with a wider range of developers from all around the world throwing their support behind the system, we will see more third-party titles make it to the U.S. Not only that, I predict companies will be more adventurous in selecting which titles get localized. I have particularly high hopes for companies like LEVEL-5, Nippon Ichi Software, and ATLUS, all of whom have announced support for the console in some capacity.

Another prediction I have slightly mirrors what Adam said yesterday about Nintendo making a Launch Day announcement regarding the Virtual Console. I suspect that there will be some big update to the eShop that day that will effect the way our game purchases are recorded. Currently, our purchases are tied to our console but I believe that utilizing some sort of other system (perhaps finally putting My Nintendo to good use?), transferring purchases from one console to the other will be less painful. This ties into the Virtual Console because those purchases would ideally be transferable to the Switch.

If I had to make one crazy, probably-not-going-to-happen wish for this new generation, it would be that Nintendo upgrade the NFC chip in upcoming amiibo to include more than one save file on it. I understand that this isn’t exactly Switch-centric but it is relevant nonetheless. Now, I am not even sure that such a wish is even in the realm of possibility but this is a safe space for sharing our dreams, isn’t it? The reason I bring this issue up is that a good portion of the amiibo already have data saved to them and have I have run across this dilemma in the past. I can already foresee many a Smash Bros. player having a bit of a crisis over whether or not to delete their fighter profile on that Bowser amiibo that they lovingly trained.

And thus ends my portion for the 12 Days of Switchmas. Stay tuned tomorrow for another one of Geekscape crew’s take on the next Nintendo console. Merry Switchmas to all and to all a good night (or morning or afternoon)!

‘Fire Emblem: Fates’ Female Corrin Now Available As figma, Nendoroid

by Natalie Kipper

That Corrin amiibo Nintendo promised to make is still M.I.A. but thankfully, Good Smile Company is filling the void with both a figma and Nendoroid of the female version of Fire Emblem: Fates‘ hero.

figma Corrin (Female) looks graceful and is able to be posed in many positions , thanks to joints and flexible plastic in different parts. The heroine comes with two facial expressions, a calm, smiling one and a yelling one for battle scenes. She is also equipped with her trusty sword, Yato, as well as the Dragonstone. As with all figma, Corrin is packaged with an articulated stand to help support her in her various poses.

figma Corrin (Female) ships in August 2017 but is available to pre-order now at the price of ¥6,296.

If you decide to pre-order her from the Good Smile Company online shop, a bonus accessory, the Omega Yato sword, will be included as a bonus.

For those of you who prefer your warriors on the diminutive side, Good Smile Company has also created the Nendoroid Corrin (Female). The Nendoroid is also posable and comes with a variety of accessories. Unlike the figma, the Nendoroid gets both the Nohr and Hoshido versions of the Yato sword. Also included is a Dragonstone. The accessory that stands out most in my opinion are the head and arm parts that allow Corrin to perform her “Dragon Fang Shot” attack (seen in the last image). Additional facial expressions include a gentle smile and brave, combat-ready face.

Like the figma, the Nendoroid ships in August 2017 and is available to pre-order now. The price is moderately lower at ¥4,815 but there is no additional bonus for purchasing the figure at the Good Smile Smile online shop.

Which of these figures do you like best?

Nintendo Crafts A ‘Poochy & Yoshi’s Woolly World’ Site

by Natalie Kipper

It has been a few months since the announcement of Poochy & Yoshi’s Woolly World, the expanded port of the lovable Wii U platformer, but just days ago Nintendo updated the game site to include the Nintendo 3DS version. Besides just being all warm and fuzzy, the site gives visitors the rundown on new features to expect in the portable edition.

For one thing, gamers can look forward to the addition of Poochy Pups in Mellow Mode. The trio of crocheted canines will not only sniff out secrets hidden in the levels but also act as projectiles in a pinch. The Papa (Mama?) Poochy will have levels of their own, exclusive to the 3DS. If you have use the Poochy amiibo (released as a bundle with game or sold separately), the helpful sidekick can be summoned and, during the Poochy solo stages, reveal additional challenges that unlock Poochy designs.

All you artsy types will certainly get a kick out of the new “Craft Mode,” found at the Yoshi Hut. Using the 3DS touchscreen, you’ll be able to design your Yoshi’s pattern. You can create up to 10 designs and even share your favorite through Streetpass! And just like the previous iteration, amiibo also unlock special Yoshi patterns but this time, more amiibo are compatible.

Poochy & Yoshi’s Woolly World launches in North America on February 3. The stand-alone copy retails for $39.99 while the bundle that includes a Poochy amiibo costs $49.99. A digital version will also be available in the Nintendo 3DS eShop.

Geekscape Unboxes: The December 2016 Loot Anime Crate!

by Natalie Kipper

It is the last Loot Anime crate of 2016 and they did a fantastic job of closing out the year on a high note.

The theme this time around is “Galaxy,” with items from Sailor Moon, Cowboy Bebop, Revoltech, and Space Patrol Luluco. Join me as we unbox this month’s goodies!

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I liked the poster art for this month. Drawn by Finni Chang, it was very pretty and the color scheme was somewhat soothing. As always, the poster’s backside detailed what was included this month. I noted that, unlike every other month since I have been doing these unboxings, there was no manga in the shipment this time.

Another flyer was also packed into the crate. This one advertised Sailor Moon R THE MOVIE‘s limited engagement in U.S. movie theaters in January. Don’t mind the black ink smudge on the logo in the second image; that is my fault.

Tying in with the Sailor Moon movie ad was this bottle opener shaped like the magical girl’s Moon Stick. It is a nice bottle opener and all but I feel like they could have done some other item and had it fit the series better. It feels heavy duty so I trust it would work on actually opening bottles. Too bad I will probably get any use out of it.

The coolest item was the plush of Ein from Cowboy Bebop. The corgi pup is relatively big, about the length of the box if measured from nose to tail. And it is so soft! Definitely a pleasant surprise!

This super-pretty keychain is the “aflutter jewel” from Space Patrol Luluco. It has some decent heft to it. All the same, I would be concerned about the shooting star portion chipping during regular use because it is a little thinner there. It might make a cool sun-catcher, though.

The only item I was kind of “meh” about was the Robotech LED lamp. It is a neat idea but feels a tad flimsy and relies on you providing your own usb charger. The item is exclusive to Loot Anime.

In this month’s phone charm, Loot Anime mascot Yume is shown in a space suit literally reaching for the stars. I liked the addition of glitter to the charm’s finish. It fits the feel and look of the art well.

To sum up, I straight-up loved this month’s crate. The series represented fit the “Galaxy” theme perfectly and the majority of the items were winners. A perfect way to round out a year of anime loot!

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first Crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.

Geekscape Reviews: ‘Tomie: Complete Deluxe Edition’ By Junji Ito

by Natalie Kipper

[This review is based on a sample provided by the publisher.]

Master of horror, manga-ka Junji Ito, known for the manga series Uzumaki and Gyo, plies his trade once again with the haunting Tomie. This book is rated “T+” for Older Teens and with good reason. The stories contained within stick with you long after the book is closed.

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© Asahi Shimbun Publications Inc.

The chapters might be considered a series of separate incidents if not for Tomie’s appearance in all of them. And just who is Tomie? She is a young lady with the supernatural ability to charm men into a murderous rampage and, even though she is usually one of the victims, Tomie always comes back (and often in bizarre, almost nauseating, ways). Her ability to regenerate tends to lead to a sort of anxiety for the reader because even though a character may feel relief that Tomie is “dead,” we know better.

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© Asahi Shimbun Publications Inc.

Ito’s art style lends itself to the well to the story. The images can be quite grotesque, as well they should be. Even the relatively “normal” scenes are a bit unsettling. I chalk it up to the expert use of light and shadow.

The English translation is superb. The dialogue is genuinely disconcerting. Just about every line feels weighted with a sense of foreboding. I appreciate the ability to carry over that emotion from language to language.

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© Asahi Shimbun Publications Inc.

I will be honest, Tomie isn’t the sort of book I would choose to read. Horror is not a genre I particularly care for. I do, however, acknowledge that this title does an excellent job of what it sets out to do: spook the reader. I am still legitimately freaked out from reading this. Between the art style, the well-done translation, and the overall creepiness of the stories themselves, Tomie is a horror fan’s dream (nightmare?) come true, earning it a 5 out of 5.

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© Asahi Shimbun Publications Inc.

Junji Ito’s Tomie: Complete Deluxe Edition releases December 20 in hardcover print for $34.99 as well as digitally on the Viz Manga app and Nook, Kobo, Kindle, iBooks, comiXology, and GooglePlay stores.

Bizarre Creatures Turn Rotund In Hashtag Collectibles’ Oddballz Series

by Natalie Kipper

The odds are good that Hashtag Collectibles‘ newest goods are odd. They are a series of roly-poly critters called Oddballz and I don’t know about you but I think they look awfully fun to squish. Series 1 consists of Blobfish, Water Bear, and Cthulhu.

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All three of the critters are available as a four-inch plush or as a two and a half-inch keyring ornament. I am honestly torn between which style I like more. I think that Blobfish keyring would look great on my purse but then again, who wouldn’t want a Water Bear that looks like it swallowed a tennis ball? Tough decisions! Thankfully, the Oddballz Series 1 set is an option for just such a dilemma. Containing all three characters in both their plush and keychain forms for a total of six plushes, this may be the best option for a collector.

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The plushes in this limited edition series can be purchased individually for $12.99 each or as a set, a $62.94 value, retailing at $59.99.

Geekscape Unboxes: The November 2016 Loot Wear Box!

by Natalie Kipper

[This unboxing is based on a sample provided by Loot Crate.] 

The previous two months of Loot Wear crates, for the most part, haven’t wowed me. The quality has been fine, and all but the licenses used just weren’t within my realm of interests. That completely changed with this month’s shipment. Bearing the theme “Magical,” the titles included are Kingdom Hearts, Harry Potter, Dr. Strange, and Adventure Time.

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My favorite item from this month is the Kingdom Hearts Icons Scarf. It is very soft and consists of several layers, providing a considerable amount of warmth. It is a nice, subtle way to show your love for the game series in the cold weather months.

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Dobby would have loved these. The Harry Potter socks are so freaking cute I don’t know whether to put them on my feet or frame them! The print bears a mix of the story’s characters (Hedwig in the cage!) along with spells. Expecto Patronum!

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Harry Potter‘s other item is the Crest Logo (lounge) pants. Like the lounge pants found in this month’s Loot Anime crate, these are made of a light jersey fabric. The four Houses in Hogwarts are represented here: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. One neat detail about the print on the pants is that House crests are made to look like patches with faux stitching around the edging.

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The second pair of socks is themed to Doctor Strange with the Eye of Agamotto on the top of each. These would make a fun accessory to a cosplay outfit.

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Building on the the whole “ugly Christmas sweater” trend, Loot Wear included a Doctor Strange shirt that imitates sweater patterns. In all honesty, the shirt graphic more brings to mind NES graphics rather than the stitches on a garment. It is still nifty, though.

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I think it is combination of my not wearing men’s underwear and lack of interest in the Adventure Time series that adds up to this pair of Earl of Lemongrab underwear being the least cool item in the crate. All things considered, five out of six is a pretty dang good.

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first Crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.

Geekscape Giveaways: Mastiff’s ‘Gurumin 3D’ for the Nintendo 3DS!

by Natalie Kipper

It is holiday time and people are in a gift-giving mood, especially the kind folks over at Mastiff who generously supplied us with a eShop download code for their game, Gurumin 3D: A Monstrous Adventure! That means you, yes you (provided your Nintendo 3DS is region-coded for North America), might soon find yourself playing a charming action-RPG. For a more in-depth look at the game, check out our review.

 

To enter, all you have to do is sign into the widget below with your email or Facebook login and select the method you wish. There are plenty of ways to gain entries and the more you do, they better your chances are! You can even tweet once a day via the widget for an additional entry. Please make sure that you use an email that you check regularly we will use it to contact you if you win. There will be one winner and while the contest is open to everyone, the code will only work on a Nintendo 3DS region-coded for North America!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck, everyone!

Add Charmander To Your Build-A-Bear Pokédex!

by Natalie Kipper

Build-A-Bear‘s previous Pokémon-themed plushes, Pikachu and Eevee, have been a huge hit with no signs of stopping. Next up is the fiery Charmander!

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With every Pokémon plush they add, a little more detail seems to be added to the design. I love how Charmander’s flame tail looks. Using a fluffy fabric on the tail rather going the cheap route and just having a flame silhouette (or something made out of flimsy felt), adds to the value of the toy in my eyes.

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Both the Charmander and this Great Ball hoodie will be available for purchase separately in stores starting on December 8, costing $28 and $12.50 respectively.

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But if you want to guarantee that you snag all the Charmander goodies, there is also an online-exclusive set available right now. Included in this bundle is a pre-stuffed Charmander with a Charmander sound box, a Great Ball hoodie, a Lucario hoodie (seen above), and an exclusive Pokémon TCG card. The Online-Exclusive Charmander Set costs $61. These are limited in availability so don’t wait on this one.

Will you be ordering a Charmander? What Pokémon do you want to see Build-A-Bear take on next? Let us know in the comments!

Sonic The Hedgehog Joins The Build-A-Bear Family!

by Natalie Kipper

Get those chili dogs ready because the Blue Blur is speeding over to Build-A-Bear Workshop with their new Sonic the Hedgehog line. While the series won’t appear in stores until December 3, you can order them now from the online store. Moreover, an online exclusive plush set also available.

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The web-exclusive set includes a pre-stuffed Sonic plush, a gold ring accessory, and an art print made for the Build-A-Bear Workshop by the Sonic team! The $35 price tag isn’t all that bad considering that many licensed plushes cost in the $25 to $30 range in Build-A-Bear stores. Plus, that gold ring is kind of a necessity.

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If you want to wait to stuff your own Sonic in-store, the price for that hasn’t been listed yet but I would wager it is within the range I mentioned above. There is also a sound box with the Sonic 3 Special Stage background music to pack into your plush, should you feel inclined.

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Sonic isn’t traveling alone either. He is bringing his best buddy, Tails! The twin-tailed fox is only available as a 13-inch pre-stuffed plush.

All Sonic the Hedgehog items are marked as “limited availability” and if this shakes down anything the Eevee plushes, Sonic will be become scarce very quickly.

Geekscape Unboxes: The Loot Anime November 2016 Crate!

by Natalie Kipper

It’s time again for another Loot Anime unboxing, brought to you by Loot Crate! The theme for this month’s theme is “Blade” and there is no denying that there are plenty of anime titles with swords, similar sharp objects, and the people who wield them.

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The monthly poster this time takes the dramatic approach, breaking the art into three panels (complete with sound effects) to illustrate mascot Yume expertly wielding a katana. Flip the poster over for the details on what goods you’ll find in the crate.

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And here is this month’s phone charm, Yume as a swordswoman in chibi-form. There isn’t much to say about about this one. I think I prefer this to what I had anticipated it would be, some sort of sword just hanging there. But all the same, it doesn’t feel like it has the same flavor that the previous charms have.

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Included this month was the first manga volume of Sword Art Online Progressive with a (very shiny) variant cover exclusive to Loot Anime. I know the whole SAO series is super-popular but it isn’t my cup of tea.

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Okay, this item was pretty awesome. It is letter opener modeled after Guts’ sword from Berserk! This thing had some heft to it and the cloth wrapping around the hilt was a nice touch.

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Another item was this Gintama mini wall scroll. I say “mini” because while most wall scrolls I see are too big to hang on a door, this one would probably fit on the inside door of a locker.

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I don’t know why these Bleach lounge pants seem like such a bizarre add-in to me. I mean, in the Loot Wear crates, you get freaking underwear for crying out loud. The fabric is a nice, soft jersey but I just don’t see myself wearing this thing.

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Just like how August’s box transformed into a desk, this month’s container was supposed to be able to turn into, well, something. As you can see from the photo, I never managed to finish this one. It wasn’t for lack of trying either! Many a curse word was uttered before I decided to call it quits.

This month’s crate was a bit of a disappointment. The licenses utilized felt overused and the items, besides the letter opener, were on the boring side. I know that the whole gamble/surprise is a big part of what makes these subscription services so exciting but it also means that, odds are, there will be things that don’t appeal to me on occasion. This was one of those times.

If this unboxing has you interested in subscribing, you can get some money off of your first Crate either by following this link or entering “Geekscape” into the promo code area upon checkout.