DesignerCon hits the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California, on November 19th and 20th. This is no doubt one of the highlights of any designer toy fan’s calendar (it certainly is for me). Tons of artists representing all sorts of mediums from art prints to figures to plushes and just about everything in between will be in attendance.

This is a more intimate convention when compared to those like San Diego Comic Con. Yes, the venue is smaller. But more than that, there is a sense of community housed within. I would say nearly every artist there knows each other. It really feels more like a family gathering. The majority of the goods for sale are handmade and each  booth has their own feel. It is truly unlike any other event I have ever attended.

You can check out the list of vendors here. Those who frequent Geekscape will note some familiar faces: Martin Hsu, Kiki Doodle, BeeFy & Co., and Camilla d’Errico. There will also be event-exclusives. Only one has been announced so far but keep checking back; there usually are plenty.

Tickets are on sale now and there are several options to choose from.  There is a one-day pass for $10, a weekend pass good for both days that costs $15, and a VIP pass that includes the weekend pass along with entry to special panels during the day as well as a Saturday night party.

Are you planning on attending DesignerCon?

I don’t know about you but I sometimes miss notifications on my phone. A good amount of the time, I miss hearing that little ding sound. In theory, I could just change the notification sound (and I have, trust me) but it would definitely be cooler to have a fluffy toy/gadget alert me to updates with witty banter.

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And that is where KiQ comes in. A Kickstarter launched this morning for the wise-cracking feline and over 10 percent of the goal has already been pledged! Here is how the little firecracker works:

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Using its own smartphone app, owners can control the frequency and volume of KiQ’s joke/alerts and tailor what kind of humor they want their new buddy to spout. KiQ’s comedic repertoire is updated weekly so you won’t have to hear the same jokes over and over again.

At launch, KiQ’s function centers around social messages, like texts and Facebook updates. But in the future, the critter will be able to be your desk speaker, find your phone, help with smart home devices (I am assuming like Nest and Hue), and perform other nifty features.

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If you want to get your own little kitty, you will need to pledge $69 (there some limited early bird specials as well), which is a steal considering the six-inch tall toy is expected to retail around $99. I should mention that $69 tiers only allow you to choose between the Siamese and Dark Gray breeds. The Red and Peach ones are exclusive to the Kickstarter campaign and cost $280 each.

You can check out the Kickstarter campaign here. You can pledge until Thursday, November 3 at 7:41 AM Pacific Daylight Time.

It may still be a few days from October but that hasn’t stopped the early launch of seasonal merchandise. Disney does it. Trader Joe’s does it. And it turns out, so does Pokémon Center. Their batch of Halloween-flavored goodness is called “The Halloween Circus Collection.” The collection consists of pins, plushes, and keychains themed to a Gothic circus exhibition. Mostly what that translates into are a bunch of adorable Pokémon dressed in even cuter outfits.

Here are some of the highlights:
p2914_701-00100_01 Pikachu Halloween Circus Poké Plush ($17.99)

It isn’t a party without Pikachu and the little guy is decked out in a Chandelure- themed Jester costume. Its hood is removable (nice touch). The plush stands eight and a half inches tall. If that size is a tad too big for you, there is the plush keychain option as well.

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Gengar, Duskull, Golbat, and Mismagius Costume Pikachu Pin Set ($28.99)

Pikachu shows his spooky side with this four-piece pin set. I am in love with the Duskull pin in particular. You may recognize the Golbat  one from last year’s merchandise.

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Drifloon Halloween Circus Plush Keychain ($9.99)

This plush keychain is my favorite out of the entire collection. Just look at the little guy’s face, with the glaring eyes and all! Also there is just something about a Drifloon wearing a Zubat hat that I find innately endearing. The keychain isn’t that big (four inches long) but than again, neither is the price tag.

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Pikachu Pumpkin Card Case ($14.99)

For those of us who use bus passes or any other form of transportation documentation, card cases like this one are quite handy. With a retractable cord attached to its metal clip, your ticket/pass can stay within the security of the case while being tapped. And unlike last year’s Joltik card case, this one also features a small zippered compartment for cash. If you really dig the whole Pikachu-as-a-pumpkin thing, I would also recommend you check out the plush hatplush keychain, and Poké Plush featuring the same design.

What were your favorite items from the collection? Let us know in the comments!

With all this hype surrounding Pokémon Sun and Moon, it is easy to forget some of our earlier monster buddies that got us into the series in the first place. Toy manufacturer Sanei Boueki is helping to keep that nostalgia alive with their new Pokémon Mochi-Fuwa Cushion set. The trio of squishy plushes stars Slowpoke, Chansey, and Spheal.

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Spheal measures 25 centimeters wide, 30 centimeters deep, and 25 centimeters tall. To pre-order this guy, it will cost¥4,500.

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Chansey is 25 centimeters wide, 30 centimeters deep, and 31 centimeters tall. Like Spheal, this pink Pokémon will cost ¥4,500 to pre-order.

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Slowpoke is slightly bigger than the first two: 23 centimeters wide, 46 centimeters long, and 20 centimeters tall. Because of the size difference, it carries a higher price tag of ¥5,000 to preorder.

All three plushes are scheduled to ship in November 2016.

Word to the wise: I would not recommend waiting if you are thinking about ordering one of these guys. AmiAmi’s allotment is already sold out so I imagine HobbyLink Japan‘s will soon meet the same fate.

Dragon Warriors (a.k.a. Dragon Quest) has some of the best enemy designs in the RPG genre, thanks in no small part to concept art from Akira Toriyama of Dragon Ball fame. The video game series has spawned tons of merchandise and while most of it stars the popular Slime character, other monsters do occasionally get their turn in the lime light. The time around, Square-Enix is celebrating some of the bigger and badder monsters of the series in their new Legendary Dragon Warrior Plush line. The three characters immortalized in this line are Zoma, Sidoh, and Dragonlord.

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Zoma stands 290 millimeters tall and is 230 millimeters wide. His skull bling hangs from an actual chain, which is a nice touch.

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Sidoh is 330 millimeters tall and 330 millimeters wide. His tail has a little mini-head on it. Freaky stuff.

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Dragonlord measures 340 millimeters tall and 300 millimeters wide. His design may seem more simple than the other two but keep in mind that he is from the very first game in the series.

These plushes are available to pre-order now, costing¥6,264 each. They are scheduled to ship in late September 2016.

It is great that Square-Enix is branching out from beyond the more “popular” monsters as subjects for plushes. Now, can we get a Don Mole plush already?

This edition of “Crowdfund This” double-dips into the world of mobile gaming as well that of toys. I am talking about Jelly Realms by Loading Crew Crafts. This free-to-play game belongs to the Match 3 Puzzle genre but adds RPG elements a la Puzzle and Dragons. 

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One of the titles of the cooler elements is its tie-in with a line of plushes made in the likeness of some of the game’s characters. Besides Nomura the Rogue (second from the left) and Kohath the Paladin (second from the right), the remaining roster are part of various stretch goals. I am personally rooting for the spell-casting narwhal, Narlock.

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Why bother with collecting plushes? Well aside from the fact that they are cute and cuddly, each toy will come with a code that will unlock a “Legendary Orange”quality version of that character which will have the highest capacity for stat growth in the game. To be clear: you do not need to purchase these toys to play the game. Every character can be unlocked through normal gameplay.

Speaking of gameplay, there are plenty of features for backers to look forward to. Players will have the ability to design their own jelly avatar as well as customize its skills and those of the whole party. There is a large cast of undersea characters to meet and recruit (along with some real-world guest stars). The game’s cutscenes will also be different depending on who is in your party. Over 50 characters are currently planned for the game, so that are plenty of potential combinations there!

The Jelly Realms Kickstarter campaign has 11 days left and at press time, has received $1,739 of the needed $33,000. You can read more about the Kickstarter (and pledge!) here.

BeeFy and Co. is one of my go-to booths at conventions like WonderCon and San Diego Comic-Con. Owner Menh Voong has such a fun art style to begin with, and lately he has been mixing in characters from popular culture along with his original critters.

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The newest pop culture release is “BMaxpoo,” modeled after Baymax from Disney’s Big Hero 6. The 10-inch tall plush features articulation in its head and arms, removable soccer ball and health gauge accessories, plus a light-up feature on its stomach. BMaxpoo is still available at the BeeFy and Co. online store for $25.

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The SDCC-exclusive plush was Rexypoo, perhaps the most chill T-Rex you will ever see. This dinosaur came with a plush slab of meat that can stick to its tongue. There were only 100 of this guy made.

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With teeny bean-sized plushes being all the rage, it makes perfect sense that the characters from Menh’s “Adventures of Ryupoo” series get in on the action. The new plush line, called “ittypoos,” currently consists of Ryupoo the panda and Unipoo the unicorn.

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Also on display were the slightly larger “minipoos” line. These plushes stand 5 inches tall.

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Attendees also got an up-close look at an upcoming plush. This hot dude is styled after a sriracha bottle. I love the art on the label, done in typical BeeFy-style.

Many of these cuties and others are available from the official BeeFy and Co. store.

The biggest license at Bandai’s booth at San Diego Comic-Con was easily Power Rangers. Merchandise from the series took up the majority of the booth’s real estate. And, I have to tell you, it is a good time to be a Power Rangers fan!

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While there were several items that limited in edition, the majority appeared to be open edition.

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Nostalgia was the name of the game with these toys. Many of the placards read “Legacy” on them and harkened back to the first several seasons of the show.

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Some of the toys on display will be exclusive to certain retailers, like Toys R’ Us or Walgreens. Those effected had the store’s emblem on the placard.

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Real talk: I love Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir so much. But, the merchandise on display, for the most part, disappointed me. The quality reminded me of those Sailor Moon dolls from the 90’s. They just don’t look enough like the characters, especially Adrien (there is something about his eyes that is off, too). The two-pack that was SDCC-exclusive seemed much better in terms of matching the design.

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The portion of the Miraculous toy selection that I liked a great deal was the plush assortment of Tikki and Plagg, the sidekicks /confidantes for Marinette and Adrien. I thought the pair were very cute and their size (6 inches tall) fit their characters nicely.

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One of the big draws for Bandai’s booth was the corner of Gashapon machines filled with Dragon Ball mini-figures. Quite a few attendees were excited about their inclusion. I even witnessed a fan working all four machines at once! That is some dedication, right there.

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Oh, did I mention there was giant plush of Tubbs the cat from Neko Atsume a.k.a. Kitty Collector? It wasn’t not for sale but visitors could pose with it and take pictures. Figures of the game’s lovable felines were also on display at the booth. Attendees had the opportunity to purchase a set of desktop figures starring some of the game’s stars.

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I personally know several people who will be excited about this one: a prototype of Dark Souls III‘s Artorias the Abysswalker along with concept art for the Faraam Knight. Both characters will be part of Banpresto’s DXF Figure line.

What items are you excited about? Let us know in the comments!

I have been a fan of Martin Hsu’s for many, many years. His art perfectly captures the whimsy and fantasy of imagination. He brought with him many con-exclusives, several of which were one of a kind.

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Martin’s Dragon Boy character was given special treatment with these classic figures, customized by the artists: Sean Chao, Jeremiah Ketner, Frank Montano, Cassia Harries, Jim Evans, and Mark Nagata.

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Dragon Boy also materialized as a con-exclusive resin figure, limited to nine pieces. This photo was taken mid-day on the second day of SDCC and the line was already mostly sold out!

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Also for sale was “Dragon  Boy Tales,” an art book that featured daily sketches by Martin. Some of the original art was also for sale at Martin’s booth. You can learn more about the process behind “Dragon Boy Tales” on here.

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For me, the highlight of the Martin’s booth was his adorable Dragon Dog plush. The fellow was inspired by Dragon Boy’s companion, Blacky. He is mostly made of a minky fabric. However, its tongue has a more sponge-like quality and the nose is leathery. I loved the combination of textures!

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Another fan favorite was the Kindreds “Powder” figure set. This con-exclusive completely sold out. It was a 50-piece limited run. Made of resin, these figures had some heft to them. There was something quietly touching about this set. I think it was the concept behind it, that feeling of being safe and protected. Plus, I loved the fact that the child figure can either ride atop the bear figure or hide between its forepaws.

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At Martin’s booth, I was introduced to the smartphone app, PowerCore. The app allows you to register products (there were several at the con that participated in this program) and unlock special stickers that can be used in online chat. Each QR code is unique and is used to authenticate your purchase. It is a pretty cool added incentive for collecting designer toys.

You can check out more of Martin Hsu’s work at his website.

If you are into the designer toy scene, you have no doubt heard of Martin Hsu. The artist has done many custom-painted toys as well as beautiful paintings but he is perhaps most well-known for his own Dragon Boy character. And while Dragon Boy and his faithful Dragon Dog, Blacky, have been made into figures, neither of the pair has touched upon the plush medium.That is, until now.

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For San Diego Comic-Con, Martin is releasing an 8 inch-tall Dragon Dog plush. The limited edition toy will come with a blank name tag (or rather “dog tag”) for you to name your own Dragon Dog.

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And if you can’t make it to SDCC, be sure to head over to Martin’s online store this Thursday, July 14, at Noon Pacific for a chance to pre-order a plush of your own. Each Dragon Dog will cost $35 and US orders of two puppies or more will include free shipping. The sale will run for 24 hours only.

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Martin Hsu will be at San Diego Comic-Con at booth #4530. Be sure to come by and say hello!

Christine Knopp of KikiDoodle recently launched a Kickstarter campaign for plushes of her Purrmaid character. Half-feline and half-fish, these plushes glow with Christine’s signature art style. Each toy is nearly 16 inches tall and features whimsical details like a real bell around its neck.

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Even the page’s description for these furry, finned rascals is adorable and smile-inducing:

Purrmaids are mythical magic sea creatures who live in the oceans all over the world! They love hunting tuna, stealing fish from fisherman, and knocking over items when they’re bored. They look up to Tiger Sharks for their gorgeous markings and sharp teeth. And they hate when sea cucumbers sneak up on them.

The campaign has already met its minimum goal of US$6,500 and will be funded. The first of the stretch goals, the Siamese Fighting Fish or Betta Purrmaid, is next on the list and will unlock when a total of US$12,500 in pledges. At press time, US$10,377 has been pledged and with 34 days left on the campaign, I would say there is a high likelihood of this stretch goal being reached.

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The Purrmaid plush Kickstarter campaign will close on July 4 at 11:59pm Pacific Daylight Time. You can check it out (and pledge) here.

Build-A-Bear Workshop has been diving headfirst into the movie well and two series in their new “Now Playing” line have caught my attention: Finding Dory and Ghostbusters. The Finding Dory items were released a few days ago in anticipation of the film coming to theaters June 17. Alongside the semi-generic “Ocean Bear” are impressively detailed plushes of Dory and Nemo. The pair are available to be stuffed in store, just like the typical bears, kitties, puppies, and ponies. You can also add voice boxes to them, containing dialogue from the movie.

What I am most excited for, however, is their Ghostbusters series. I mean, that is the cutest Slimer I have ever seen. And who wouldn’t want to dress up their plushes in the Ghostbusters uniform? No one! No one, I say! The toys and outfits are said to be released mid-June.

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This article is brought to you by the letters O, M, and G, because oh my goodness, Kristin Palach of Kristin Made Stuff’d is running the sweetest Kickstarter campaign. Her Corgi and Pugasus plush toys are equal parts silly, precious, and fluffy-looking. You can’t have enough corgis (they are fairy dogs, you know) and who wouldn’t want a horned, winged pug? It has a bone as a cutie mark, for crying out loud!

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The pair aren’t alone either! Joining them is an otter friend, whom I presume is named Otter. Each of these 10 inch tall plushes is made of minky, soft fabric and features embroidered details.

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Now, we get to the hard truth. These little ones won’t get made if the Kickstarter’s goal of $15, ooo isn’t met. The campaign has currently earned $8,242 in pledges. Unfortunately, only four days are left to pledge. If you can find it in your heart to pledge some money (and get fun rewards in return – I am looking at you, coloring book), head on over to the Kickstarter page.

Hyper Light Drifter looks to be the next big indie game and We Love Fine has just the thing to celebrate the title’s upcoming release. The online store recently put up pre-order listing for a plush of the Drifter. To celebrate the support for the game’s Kickstarter campaign, the toy will be 15 percent off of the $28 price tag (equating to $23.80) until April 14.

Hyper Light Drifter with sword - We Love FineThe Drifter’s character design made the transition to plush splendidly, don’t you think? It is made from combination of minky and fleece fabrics and comes armed with his energy sword, which can be affixed to the plush’s hand via velcro (unlike the Shovel Knight plushes‘ magnetic limbs and accessories).

Hyper Light Drifter plush from We Love Fine

The Drifter can also be set in all manner of poses with the help of its weighted bottom and feet. The toy is very photogenic, especially with its multiple layers of clothing.

If you plan on purchasing this plush, I would recommend doing so before the April 14 sale deadline. It will still be available to pre-order after that but you will end up paying more. We Love Fine’s Hyper Light Drifter plush is scheduled to ship on July 19.

Man, Square Enix Products knows the key to my heart and wallet: game-accurate plushes. The North American Square Enix Online Store recently listed two delightful stuffed toys based on Final Fantasy XIV minions, little companions for your in-game character: Fat Cat and Goobbue.

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Let’s take a look at the Fat Cat first. This cutie is 8 inches tall and described as “round and pillowy.” Details include little pink paw pads and a puffy nob tail. Check out the store listing to see more images of this darling. Fat Cat will ship June 29 of this year and is available for pre-order now for US$39.99.

 

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While just as lovable as Fat Cat, the Goobbue here is “flat and fluffy,” resembling more of a pillow than a plush. It is also much taller, measuring 21 and a quarter inches tall. I highly recommend checking out the toy’s store listing to see additional images of this gentle giant. Like the Fat Cat, Goobbue will also ship June 29 and is available to pre-order for the same price of US$39.99.

If you want to see the items in “the wild,” a dedicated post on the Final Fantasy XIV developers’ blog has a some fun with them.

What do you think of these two new toys? Are there any other minions you would like to see similar treatment?

The love for Yacht Club Games’ Shovel Knight is still going strong (as well it should) and the thirst for merchandise is real. WeLoveFine started shipping out their musical Troupple King plush just a few days ago and of course, there is always the stuffed version of the titular Shovel Knight but what about the rest of the cast? According to a store email sent out today, two additional characters will be joining WeLoveFine’s exclusive plush collection:Plague Knight and Shield Knight!
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Plague Knight, the star of the game’s expansion, Plague of Shadows, comes packaged with his raven-headed staff and alchemy pouch. Both items can be attached to his body via magnets on Plague Knight’s back, hip, and arms. The staff, when stuck to his back can serve as a stand to prop the fellow up for display.

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Shovel Knight’s friend, Shield Knight comes with her trusty shield, which can be magnetically affixed to her back or either of her arms. She is the tallest plush in the collection, standing 12 inches in height.

Plague Knight and Shield Knight are available to pre-order and scheduled to ship July 7. Like their predecessors, each of these plushes will cost $28.

What Shovel Knight character would you like to see plush-ified?

WonderCon is set to take place in Los Angeles this month and many of us are still wondering what we should expect to spend our remaining money on. BeeFy & Co. (and its creator, Menh Voong) over at the exhibit hall’s booth #1331 delivered some of that news today! WonderCon will mark the release of the plush Totopoo – “Smile” Edition. For those unfamiliar, BeeFy & Co. is a brand that spans toys (both plush and vinyl as well as other mediums), fashion, and art prints. The majority of the plushes are from the “Adventures of Ryupoo” Collection, featuring stylized stuffed critters, some of which come with accessories.

The “Smile” Edition of Totopoo, modeled after My Neighbor Totoro, has a wide grin across his face. Like the other plushes, Totopoo stands 10 inches tall and will cost $25. He comes with a large fabric leaf embedded with a magnet so it can stick to his articulated head. Note that while this variant will debut at WonderCon, it is not exclusive to the event.

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If you prefer your Totopoo to be the stoic type, a regular (not grinning) edition will be released at the Chicago Comic And Entertainment Expo (a.k.a. C2E2)  and Silicon Valley Comic Con.

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Are you heading to WonderCon? Let us know in the comments!

A popular feline character from the comic series Saga will get her turn in the limelight (emerald-light?) when the Lying Cat talking plush debuts at Emerald City Comic Con with an exclusive variant.

The Lying Cat plush stands a whopping 17 and a half-inches and looks absolutely huggable. Give the sun on her collar a squeeze and you’ll hear Lying Cat’s well-known line: “LYING!” Both the standard and the variant editions will include this feature.

So what makes this variant special? The variant Lying Cat’s collar is green, most likely to tie into the whole “Emerald City” part of ECCC. She will also have a limited edition ear tag.

Dying for the variant and can’t make it to the con? ReedPOP, the creator of ECCC, has you covered. The Lying Cat Talking Plush – ECCC Exclusive Variant is currently stocked in their online store. You can purchase her now for $35. I imagine supplies are limited so I wouldn’t sit on this one.

What do you think of this exclusive? Are attending Emerald City Comic Con? Let us know in the comments!

Lying Cat from Saga

After many sleepless nights of browsing on Etsy and eBay, Undertale fans can rest. Fangamer is now making officially-licensed merchandise for the popular moral-dilemma-inducing RPG and dang, do they look sweet!

A simple glance at their Undertale section yields promises of shirts, stickers, posters, and more. Here are some of the highlights:

Toriel Plush (US$28)

This 10-inch tall toy is available for pre-order now and scheduled to ship mid-July.

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Tarot Prints (price TBA)

Illustrated by the artist, Dogbomber, this 18-card set is also shipping mid-July. You can sign up to be notified when it is available to purchase.

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Little Buddies – Series 1 (US$15 individually, all five for US$70)

Buy one, some, or all of these figurines. Like the Tarot Prints, you can’t pre-order them now but you can sign up to be notified.

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What do you think of these merchandise offerings? Is there anything else you’d want to see be made? Let us know in the comments!

There are many ways to express love: a hug, a kiss, flowers, and chocolates. But if you want to make someone feel extra-special, the ladies at the nail salon suggest going with something unexpected. And nothing says “unexpected” like bath tub filled with blobfish plushes!

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Hashtag Collectibles, makers of such toys as the Grumpy Cat Puppet and the original Stuffed Blobfish, have taken the dream of floating amongst a sea of squishy, pink cuteness and made it a reality with their “Bath Time Blobby” special. You have the option of selecting the “Large” variety, which includes eight large Blobfish (the same size as the original plush), or the “Mini,”containing 50 mini Blobfish (matching the single mini found here). These bundles are sold at the discounted price of $280 (value of $320) and $649.99 (value of $749.50), respectively.

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If the price tag gives you a bit of sticker-shock, it is nice to note that 10 percent from every piece of Blobfish merchandise sold is donated to the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. And if you are flying solo this Valentine’s Day (no shame in that), you can always cuddle up with a Blobfish of your very own. I love mine. His name is Blobbington and he is a very special boy.

Update: Tentacle Kitty’s Cyber Monday offer starts now!

Use the coupon code “CyberMonday15” to get 30% off all orders until Monday at midnight (December 1st at 12 am)!

 

For the most part, there are two ways to attack Black Friday: in a line or on the computer. If you favor the latter (or just want to get your cuddly shopping done before the rush), Tentacle Kitty’s online store just announced its holiday deals, active now through until midnight on December 1.

All products get 15% off with discount code: BlackWeek15

25% off any order over $100: BlackWeek25

Not sure which cutie to pick up? You can’t go wrong with Tentacle Kitty in her traditional pink coloring. I would also recommend the Rat Tailed Unicorn (that rodent tail and curly mane combo gets me every time). Want something a little smaller? Those teeny-tiny Little Ones are always a hit. You can even order a Dragon Con exclusive version Little One at present.

Are you planning on taking advantage of this sale? Which Kitty will you be picking up? Sound out below!

[Disclaimer: This is a review of a sample provided by ThinkGeek.]

ThinkGeek recently listed a store-exclusive jumbo plush of Game of Thrones‘ dragon, Drogon. Being a lover of all things plush, I was itching to get my hands on the beast.

Now, onto the review!

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My Drogon is actually a uncharacteristically shy. So let’s start off with the a look at his tag.

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It is a standard tag as far as content but also relatively large. The tag’s size isn’t noticeable because it is dwarfed by the large size of the plush.

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Ah! It seems our scaly star is ready to begin. As you can see, Drogon has an impressive wingspan; 42 inches wide to be exact. The pose-able wires are in the scaly arm portions at the top of each wing (they also run as a skeletal system through the body, tail, and legs). The suede sections of the wings are soft to touch and not at all rough or stiff. The wings also have embroidered detail in the faux suede.

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His toes are where the plush seams are most visible but thankfully, they didn’t look bare or stressed. I am not concerned about the seams bursted or ripping in the future. I was pleased that little dragon claws are a different fabric rather than just painted on. Nice touch!

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Drogon’s back is lined with spines. This is the one area where I am slightly disappointed. Each of the spines are rough around the edges and unpleasant to the touch. Some of the smaller ones on the head also have a tendency lie flat.

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I was thoroughly impressed with Drogon’s face and mouth. Much like the case with his claws, Factory Entertainment (the manufacturer) shirked the cheap, easy route and avoided making the teeth out of single cutouts of felt. Drogon’s chompers are thick pieces of fabric sewn together, which is much sturdier and nicer to look at. And fun fact, you can stick part of your pinky in his nostrils (in other words, they are real little pockets). His detailed face is definitely my favorite feature.

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This plush is a pretty big guy. According to his listing, Drogon is 16 inches tall and 22 inches long, nose to tail. Is he big enough to match his price point ? Well, if you factor in the pose-ability, quality, and attention to detail along with the size, I would say yes.

While I don’t think many people would pay nearly 60 dollars for a dragon plush without having a deep connection to Game of Thrones, I will say that I personally love Drogon and would happily have shelled out the money for him.

You can purchase your own Game of Thrones Jumbo Drogon Plush Dragon at ThinkGeek [link] at the price of $59.99.

Wow, there is A LOT of cool stuff coming out of Toy Fair this year!

 

Comic Images today announced a few new lines of plush toys based on a multitude of popular franchises. Star Wars, Masters of the Universe, and Nightmare Nursery of Goomvania (I haven’t actually heard of that last one) are all getting the plush treatment, and all of these toys are looking pretty badass! Go ahead and buy them for your kids… we all know that they’re really for you.

 

Check out all of the new toys below, and let us know if you’re going to be picking them up!

 

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By the Power of Grayskull! Masters of the Universe® in Super-Deformed Glory

It was a battle for the ages – or at least the ‘80s. Pajama-clad Saturday mornings were defined by the never- ending battle between good and evil: heroic He-Man® and evil Skeletor®. Surrounded by the forces of good, He-Man was a pop culture icon of the era and currently retains this status in cartoons, comics and more.

Comic Images is tapping into that memory vault this spring is, bringing six Masters of the Universe (MOTU) plush toys to market. Five characters – He-Man, Skeletor, Beast Man®, Trap Jaw®and Battle Cat® – are rendered in Comic Images’ own classic 7-inch Super-Deformed style, featuring giant heads on tiny bodies,  the popular look Comic Images innovated and for which it has become known. This will be the first time that plush versions of MOTU characters – as well as He-Man’s 30-inch iconic sword – will be available at brick and mortar stores, as well as online pop culture retailers.

 
“Mention Masters of the Universe at a cocktail party or BBQ and it is amazing what happens,” said Gordon. “You can almost see full grown men’s faces transform back to their youth with the memories of pretending to vanquish Skeletor with He-Man’s sword. It is a cultural touch point for 30- and 40-somethings and now they want to share it with their kids.”

 

MOTU Super-Deformed Plush has a suggested retail price of $9.99 – $11.99. All will be available at traditional and online retailers.

 

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IN A GALAXY NOT TOO FAR AWAY: COMIC IMAGES EXPANDS STAR WARS® LINE
For more than a decade, Comic Images has brought beloved STAR WARS characters to fans of all ages, from Super-Deformed plush to slippers, carry-alls and more. This Toy Fair, the company is debuting its most ambitious line expansion ever, adding the following lines and products:
·         New STAR WARS Creatures – Four favorites requested by fans, these 10’ plush figures include Bantha, Rancor, Tauntaun and Wampa
·         New STAR WARS Rag Dolls – Huggable classic rag dolls to keep any fan company at work or home; including Darth Vader, Yoda, Chewbacca, Boba Fett, Stormtrooper and Wicket
·         New STAR WARS Blox Back Pals – Yoda and Darth Vader rendered in full size backpacks large enough to carry school books – or files and laptops. Also new – the addition of a Wampa Back Buddy to that line.
·         New STAR WARS Plush Vehicles – Seven inch plush featuring the Millenium Falcon, AT-AT, X-Wing Fighter, TIE Fighter and Death Star
·         New STAR WARS Golf Club Covers – For drivers and hybrids, featuring Darth Vader, Yoda, Chewbacca, Stormtrooper and R2D2
… and more.
Star Wars fans are the most discerning fans in the world and Toy Fair is one of the best venues at which to launch new products and show our entire Star Wars line,” said Alan Gordon, president of Comic Images. “One of my favorite things is to see someone catch a glimpse of the products for the first time. It stops them cold. They smile, they remember … and we got ‘em!”
Comic Images offers dozens of STAR WARS items priced from $7.99 – $99. The line also includes slippers, hats, a Chewbacca Messenger Bag and more. (See the whole line at www.ComicImages.com.)

So what do you think? They look cute as hell and are priced right, so I expect them to do well when they hit shelves later this year!