Gatchaman Keitai Update

We have more details about the Gatchaman cell phones being released in Japan. The following links show some of the skins and features of the new Gatchaman cell phone. Even better, a special gift offered to those who purchase the cell phone is a Gallactor action figure set--three goons per package to gang up on the heroic Science Ninja action figure of your choice. Too cool! And too frustrating for the non-Japanese collectors out there.

http://mb.softbank.jp/mb/special/815T/fan/gatchaman/index.html

Thanks, Tatsunokofan!

Somethin' going on at ToysREvil

Thierry from Limited Toys Design offered the ToysREvil blog a sneak peek at some 1/6 scale action figures of our favorite heroes in bird suits:

http://toysrevil.blogspot.com/2007/10/limitedtoysdesign-g-force-teaser.html

Another interesting coincidence is that "Thierry" was Jason's name in the French version of Battle of the Planets.

Thanks Tatsunokofan!

Imagi signs with Hot Toys for upcoming high-end Gatch toy line

Here's the press release:

IMAGI ANNOUNCES DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT WITH HOT TOYS FOR GATCHAMAN
AND ASTRO BOY TOYS

Hong Kong (October 23, 2007) – Imagi Animation Studios (Imagi) today announced that it has entered into a licensing relationship with Hot Toys Ltd. (Hot Toys) for collectors' action figures based on the studio's next two CG-animated feature films, Gatchaman and AstroBoy. Under the agreement, Hot Toys will design, manufacture and globally distribute highly detailed 12-inch models of the principal characters in the two movies.

The Gatchaman and AstroBoy toy lines are expected to include high-end collectible figures. "We are delighted by the new collaborative relationships we have formed with Imagi, which extends our collectibles product line to CG-animated film-related characters. Many of the Hot Toys staff are long-time fans of Gatchaman and AstroBoy, including myself. With our experience in producing classic AstroBoy collectibles and other finely crafted products, the Gatchaman and AstroBoy collectibles will closely replicate the look and story line of the films," said Howard Chan, President of Hot Toys. The toy lines will ship with the release of the two films, to maximize impact and generate greater interest in both the movie and toys. Gatchaman is slated to release in Spring, 2009 and AstroBoy in Fall, 2009.

"Hot Toys has demonstrated an ability to craft collectible figures with an extraordinary level of detail and realism," said Felix Ip, Imagi's Creative Director. "Imagi's richly-detailed CGI characters are a perfect fit with Hot Toys' meticulous modeling approach."

These high-end figures probably won't be cheap--think in the realm of $90-150. Wowwee/Wah Shing Toys will probably be releasing the lower-priced goodies. The Hot Toys Web site is at www.hottoys. com.hk

Thanks, Tatsunokofan!

Future Web site to watch

Dini Cartoons.com has a Gatchaman forum for the upcoming Imagi movie. No activity yet, but that could change.

http://www.dinicartoons.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=26

Thanks Reboekah!

Gatchaman: 1972 - 2007

The first episode of Gatchaman premiered on October 1, 1972. Happy 35th anniversary!

To celebrate, you can download a Gatchaman desktop image from the Tatsunokommunity Page (scroll down to the bottom lower right). Every once in a while, you'll find Gatchaman comics, news and images, so it's a good page to keep watching.

http://www.tatsunoko.co.jp/tatsunocomm/index.html