Name: Chinshu Hakken!? Mugen Edamame
Category: novelty / toy
Price: JPY630
Release date in Japan: June 28, 2008

Remember the "Mugen Edamame" keychain/mobile phone fob from BANDAI, released barely over two months ago? (You should; it's for some reason the most-viewed gadget on this site.) The maker now has new varieties in stores: "Chinshu Hakken!? (Rare Breed Discovered!?) Mugen Edamame". It seems, says BANDAI, that the original green Mugen Edamame have married with other fruits and vegetables, producing "new breeds" in bright colors that reflect their heritage: Lemon Edamame, Sweet Potato Edamame, Carrot Edamame, and Mint Edamame (a rich blue).

This time around, BANDAI has six new faces readied for the beans, plus one "secret design". The "gadget" still does the same thing as the original: nothing. Give it a squeeze, and a little bean face pops out – a wee diversion for the stressed-out or the really easily amused. (It is cute, though, and oddly addictive, say owners.)

If the toy doesn't interest your serious sensibilities, the numbers might: BANDAI says it's reaching its 1 million unit sales goal for the Mugen Edamame in only two months, and with the help of the new "rare breeds'", expects to sell a total 1.5 million by September. At JPY630 a pop, that's JPY945 million – almost US$10 million – for a keychain! (BANDAI also reports that the beans' predecessor, a popping fake bubble wrap novelty called "Mugen Puchi-Puchi", has sold 2.5 million units at JPY819 each.)

More info: http://www.bandai.co.jp/releases/J2008062401.html
http://www.asovision.com/edamame/chinshu.html
Original Mugen Edamame:
http://www.tekronomicon.com/gadget/2008/04/mugen_edamame_provides_bean_p...
http://www.asovision.com/edamame/
Be sure to catch the movie too: http://www.asovision.com/edamame/movie.html

Technorati Tags: exclusive novelty weird

BUFFALO and Bandai have released two models in the new "SWATTEARS" line of character-shaped USB memory: classic hero Ultraman, and Evangelion heroine Rei Ayanami. Bend the characters' legs into "sitting" position to reveal the USB memory stick for plugging into your computer. Or use the included USB cable, which has a "sofa" on the end to seat the character. (The "SWATTEARS" moniker apparently comes from "suwatte iru" or "sitting".) Don't you sit still, though, character fans: only 3000 units each will be made. JPY2980.
http://buffalo.jp/products/catalog/flash/swattears/

Technorati Tags: exclusive memory/storage novelty short USB

Name: Thanko USB Necktie Cooler 2
Category: fan
Price: JPY2980 (JPY3680 with battery)
Release date in Japan: June 2008

Kids! What do you give Dad on his birthday? A necktie, of course. Ah, but what if dad's a gadget geek? Make that a USB-powered necktie!

Thanko's earlier USB Necktie Cooler was a jokey silicone necktie with a big fan intake on the front "knot". This time they've gotten serious with a real silk tie and a fan hidden within the knot. When you need to cool down, just lower the knot a bit to give the fan some breathing room, and let it blow its cooling magic at you. When guests come, turn it off and slide the knot back up to look all professional-like again.  

Oh, don't forget to first tether your tie to a computer's USB port by the included 1.35-meter cable with fan controls. Hmm, that does limit you to deskwork. If you want cooling plus mobility, attach the cable instead to Thanko's battery pack (4 AAA batteries), which can ride in your shirt pocket.

Thanko is standing by to take orders online, and has even prepared a selection of gift boxes (JPY210). Dads, be afraid.

More information: http://thanko.jp/usbnecktie2/ (Japanese)

Technorati Tags: exclusive novelty other weird

Name: GREEN HOUSE Golf Mouse
Category: computer peripheral
Price: JPY2980
Release date in Japan: early June, 2008

Golf Mouse is a mouse + pad set. The mousepad mimics a golf green, complete with little cup and flag, pea-sized ball, and tiny putter, to give your fingers a little putting practice between bouts of work.

The dimpled, round white mouse completes the golf theme, though comes as a surprise as well - it's the same shape as the infamous "hockey puck" mouse that, while not preventing the success of the original iMac, was roundly despised by the machine's users. (The optical Golf Mouse mouse also lights up in red and blue, something neither iMac-like nor golf-like.)

It's not expected that you'll actually use the mouse yourself, though. GREEN HOUSE offers name and logo printing on the pad, positioning the set as a promotional item, golf tournament prize, etc.

More info: http://www.green-house.co.jp/products/usb/golf_mouse/ (Japanese)

Technorati Tags: computer exclusive novelty peripheral