His and Herlock
Steve Harrison weighs in with intriguing news from the front lines of Space Pirate-dom. The Japanese site GA Graphic Toy News has posted shots of upcoming Space Pirate Herlock (a.k.a Harlock) prize-toy merch. Chek ’em out: shirts, clocks, towels, and — most importantly — a “Super Mechanic” toy of the Arcadia. Measuring 40cm (16 inches!) and made of plastic, it’s set to hit Japanese shelves in August.
Don’t let the fact that it’s a prize toy fool you. The Super Mechanic Space Cruiser Yamato Taito released in the same series earlier this year turned out to be one of the surprise cheap-toy fixes of the season. (Retailing for less than $15 in some Tokyo shops, it’s one of the best bangs for the buck to come out in years.)
But don’t take my word for it. Let me hand the mic to inveterate Matsumoto Reiji fan Steve himself for the final analysis:
“Holy crud, not ONLY a new (and more anime accurate) Blue Arcadia (and I want and I hope HLJ carries it), but….but..
A Matsumoto Gauge ™ clock.
I have peed myself.
I know it’s a crane game prize. I know that means it’s got a fifty cent Chinese made piece-o-junk clockwork in it. I * DON’T * CARE * !! So I go to a craft store and replace it with a $10 made in China clockwork. Fine! I’ll do it!
Because that, my friends, that is the COOLEST CLOCK EVER.
And the Pirate Flag bath towels are just icing on the cake baby….”
