If you spent your childhood in the arcades slamming quarters in a cabinet and practicing your hadoukens then this one’s for you. Kid Robot keeps the big name collaborations going, this time teaming up with Capcom to produce a line of Street Fighter figurines. The big headed toys come in a variety of classic characters that made their debut in Street Fighter II, including Blanka, Zangief, and even Dhalsim with some yoga flame action. The design on these is reminiscent of the chibi’d out characters from the lesser known Street Fighter spinoff Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo. These Street Fighter figures are set to release on July 7th at $9.95 a piece, and it’s a blindbox release so keep your fingers crossed for some alternate editions not shown here. via: Staple

Its borderline absurdity that  in a way makes this the perfect gift for any LEGO meister. Made from durable ABS plastic, the iPhone Brick Case not only protects your precious Apple iPhone 4 from those inevitable drops and occasional toss. It also performs one function – a portable platform for a quick LEGO build out. Though not officially sanctioned by LEGO, the case was designed to be fully compatible. Now you can be completely and absolutely “geek out” with your very own iPhone charging station (worshiping mini-figures sold separately) or a diorama of Mos Eisley Cantina from Star Wars to boast about your skills while talking on the phone. The iPhone Brick Case is now available on where else but Think Geek.

This will definitely make the 2011 list of memorable practical jokes and pranks. As Peter Ronchetti, the General Manager of LEGOLAND California, pulled into his usual parking spot Monday morning, he was to become the target of his subordinates’ prank as they “upgraded” his VOLVO XC60 with a true-to-size VOLVO XC90 – in LEGO bricks. Built by the Model Shop team at the amusement park, the so-named LEGO XC90 first appeared in 2004. In exact ratio of 1:1, the life-size model weigh in around 2,934 pounds and contained 201,076 LEGO bricks. Check out the priceless sequence of events filmed this Monday morning by staff members… via: Autoblog

To coincide with today’s lunar eclipse, A Bathing Ape (or better known as BAPE) unveiled its Transformers Special Collection. Scheduled along with the third and final installment of Transformers live-action movie, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, BAPE decorated a series of BABY MILO graphic tees with the Autobots’ insignia and facsimiles of its leader, Optimus Prime.  With help from toy maker TOMY, BAPE also resurrected the schematic for the original Optimus Prime toy figure, re-done in BAPE First Camo pattern. Available on 2 different release schedules with the first sets launch on July 2nd, the day after the movie release.  The second set, along with the more exclusive t-shirts and Optimus Prime toy figure, will be on July 23rd.

Release Date:
First Set – July 2nd, 2011 (Saturday)
Second Set – July 23rd, 2011 (Saturday)

We already brought you the release info for this exciting new KAWS Companion, and now we have some more detailed images to take a look at if you missed it. This 400% sized Companion was a special collaboration with Japanese furniture manufacturer Karimoku, and the meet up between these two design powerhouses marked the 5th anniversary for OriginalFake. There were only 100 of these produced worldwide, so you can bet they got snatched up quick. The attention to detail on this figure is on par with KAWS’ usual brand of excellence, and the wooden construction gives the Companion a very seamless and natural feel. Follow us after the jump to get a detailed look at this truly one of a kind Companion figure. via: Colette

The scene is reminiscent to launch events before the earthquake and tsunami in March. A week after its impromptu announcement, Japanese wooden furnishing company Karimoku, toy maker MEDICOM TOY, and Brooklyn-base artist KAWS will offer the much anticipated wooden KAWS Companion figure for sale. The release will take place tomorrow, May 28th, at OriginalFake flagship store in Aoyama, Tokyo. With only 100 units made, each numbered and signed by KAWS. Each will also be in a variation of appearance due to the minute difference in wood grain patterns, making each a truly one of one original. Due to the overwhelming demand, OriginalFake will conduct the sale base on raffle ticket system to be fair. Each figure is set for a price of JP ¥252,000, or around US $3,120.

OriginalFake
5-3-25 Minami-Aoyama Oh Bldg. B1 FL | Map
Minato-ku, Tokyo Japan
TEL #: +81-03-3499-3333

Release Date: May 28th, 2011 (Tomorrow!)

Since Satoshi Suzuki introduced loopwheeler loom fabric into the general public’s consciousness, several imitations have joined the fray as well. While he cannot lay claim to be the first to do so, Suzuki certainly can claim to be the most authentic. From the acquisition of the loopwheeler looms themselves, a process hampered by the search of these nearly 100-year old machines, the search for long gone parts, through their notoriously demanding upkeep, Suzuki obliged. Now, the process is documented on the new, just launched website of his label, eponymously named Loopwheeler as well. So far only in Japanese with an English version to come soon, the new site explores the production methodology, the different fabrics and weaves Loopwheeler made, and finally, the various end products. A few interesting secret unveiled too, including the important role of empty milk bottles.

Unlike his usual reconstruction style, the doctor have worked his magic graphically on the upcoming BE@RBRICK releases from MEDICOM TOY. A tongue in cheek graphics can be humorous to those familiar with the work of Dr. Romanelli. Ringer t-shirt, white briefs and tricolor knee high socks all help to make up the ‘American Style’. On the chest of the figure the t-shirt graphic reads ‘Show Me Your Bricks’ and the back design reiterates his love for American style. Two sizes will be produced in 100% and 400% BE@RBRICKS and launch is scheduled for Saturday, May 28th at MEDICOM TOY authorized dealers Japan wide.

Kaws returns with his signature Companion figure, the ubiquitous character from his Original Fake collaboration with Medicom Toy, this time aided by Japanese furniture house Karimoku who come through with a wood carved look, resulting in a very natural feel for the popular toy. We have seen the Companion figure at art galleries and boutique shops around the world and Kaws shows no signs of stopping with yet another limited release. Only 100 of these will be made, with each one numbered and signed by the artist himself. This coveted Companion is set to release this Saturday, May 28th for around $3,000 at the OriginalFake store in Tokyo. Continue reading to get a full look at the 30 centimeter figure from Kaws.

OriginalFake
5-3-25 Minami-Aoyama Oh Bldg. B1 FL | Map
Minato-ku, Tokyo Japan
TEL#: +81 3-3499-3333

In bold letterings and blaring fonts, START TODAY the parent company of ZOZOTOWN online retail concept, started this morning as an international shopping destination for the very first time.  Already the most popular online shopping site in Japan for fashionable goods, ZOZOTOWN added a new web domain address, ZOZOTOWN.com. The simple alteration also mark additional language supports for Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean, and English. START TODAY also made the necessary improvements in logistic, product processing, and payment acceptance. Purchases done from outside of Japan can be ship to 82 different destinations worldwide with more to follow.  Meanwhile, direct payment via PayPal help to eliminate credit issues and currency differences. The 500,000+ merchandises from some 700 brands are searchable through either “category” or “brand” methodology.  The retailer also promised fast delivery through air freight, with a 4-day lapse to most places.  The new ZOZOTOWN also means one thing, no shopper have to sit out on buying that rare Japan only Air Jordan.

Closed for a few weeks due to a major renovation, the Qubic Store in Auckland, New Zealand finally opened its doors again.  A conscious decision during the renovation project, its designers started to use recycled materials extensively. From the store’s pipings on the clothes racks to cash/wrap counters, table tops were all made from used materials and sourced locally. Guests feel quite inviting by the large glass facade out front.  An open layout on the main sales floor extend that invitation further where customers can walk through a great selection of streetwear and athletic brands from around the world. Coinciding with its re-opening, Qubic also launch a new online shop, all redesigned to take the newly designed physical space.

Qubic Store
160 Broadway | Map
Newmarket, Auckland, 1023
New Zealand

Hong Kong’s Eric So and Edison Chen came together to work on collaboration vinyl figure of Edison that has a removable USB drive containing Edison’s newest album, Confusion, as well as 5 different music videos of songs off of the album. This isn’t the first time that the two artists have worked together on Edison’s Confusion album, in fact Eric So actually created artwork that was packaged with the cd as the Confusion Album Art Book. Four different colors of this new vinyl figure were created with one color being exclusive to each of the four JUICE shops that Edison is a co-owner of. The normal version is exclusive to JUICE Kuala Lumpur, the “Green Giant” version is for JUICE Taipei, the “Hellboy” version for JUICE Shanghai, and the “Dragonball Z Gohan” color for JUICE Hong Kong. via: crazytoyzLIFE