Kasumi Statue is Wanted: Dead or Alive

A new statue based on one of the most popular characters from the fan favorite video game series Dead or Alive will soon be available exclusively in North America through Diamond Comic Distributors!

In 1996, Tecmo introduced to the world a video game that would not only change the face of fighting-style games in the industry, but also propelled the company to being one of the top game manufacturers in the world. That game was Dead or Alive. With its 3-D boards, smooth gameplay, and beautiful graphics, Dead or Alive became an instant hit, both in the arcades and on home consoles. Since the release of the initial game, the popularity of the series has not shown any signs of slowing down. The recent release of Dead or Alive Ultimate was among the top-selling games on the market. Now, fans of the hit series can celebrate their love of the game with the release of the Dead or Alive: Kasumi PVC Statue.

Imported from Japan and manufactured by Max Factory, this statue depicts one of the most popular characters of the game: Kasumi! This 1/6th scale statue, sculpted by Hiroki Katayama, stands 10" tall and comes packaged in a deluxe window box. Diamond Comic Distributors is proud to represent Max Factory's products on an exclusive basis in the North American market! Scheduled to ship in July 2005, this is one statue that no collector or fan of Dead or Alive will want to miss.

Expand Customer Base with Namco Girls Mini Figures

A new series of mini figures depicting some of the fan-favorite female characters from Namco's video game library will soon hit retailers' shelves, and will be available exclusively in North America through Diamond Comic Distributors!

In the 1970s, Namco Ltd. began their run to becoming one of the top video game manufacturers in the world. Even from their early games - including Galaxian, Pac-Man, and Pole Position - the company was at the top of the market, and the popularity of their games has not shown any signs of slowing down. Games such as Tekken, Soul Cailbur, and Ridge Racer have been the top selling video games during the times of their release. Now, fans of Namco's games, as well as collectors of unique figures, can celebrate their favorite girls of gaming with the release of Namco Girls Mini Figures Series #1, from Tomy Yujin Corporation - one of the world leaders in capsule toy production.

Imported from Japan, this series of Previews Exclusive mini figures features 4" versions of some of the most highly recognized video game girls. From the great weapon-based fighter game, Soul Calibur II, comes the ninja Taki and sword-and-shield wielding Cassandra . And from the fact-paced racing action of Ridge Racer comes the virtual idol, Hitomi Yoshino . Scheduled to ship in August 2005, this first series of Namco Girls Mini Figures is one that can't be missed by any fan or collector.

Set Sales to Soar with Sexy Anime Statue

The anime and manga motifs are hotter than ever, as displayed through the new SRDX: Ikki Tousen Kanu Uncho Figure, available exclusively in North America through Diamond Comic Distributors!

The anime Ikki Tousen - also known in the world of manga as Battle Vixens - was created by Yuza Shiozaki and originally aired in 2003. Since that time, the series has garnered a large amount of acclaim from fans and anime critics. With its "new school" use of vivid colors, and an "old school" feel that reclaims the glory of the fighting-style anime, Ikki Tousen has quickly risen to become one of the most popular anime among otaku. Based on the amount of service the show receives from fans, the new SRDX figure depicting the tough, yet sexy Kanu Uncho should significantly add to retailers' anime customer base.

Imported from Japan, the Kanu Uncho figure is the latest in Yujin's "Super Real Deluxe" line of trading figures. Kanu Uncho stands 6" tall, and perfectly captures the beautiful battler from the fan-favorite series. Scheduled to ship in June 2005, this is one figure that no import toy collector or anime/manga fan will want to be without.

Onegai Twins Success Soars with Trading Figures

From the hit anime, Onegai Twins (also known as Please! Twins ), comes this awesome new trading figure assortment, available exclusively in North America from Diamond Comic Distributors!

Onegai Twins , directed by Yasunori Ide, is a 12-episode anime spinoff-sequel to the hit series Onegai Teacher , and one of the most popular series available. With a unique blend of romance, humor, and drama, the show has attracted a loyal and growing legion of fans. Fans of the show who have rejoiced in Onegai 's captivating plot twists and beautiful character designs can collect stars of the anime with the Onegai (Please) Twins Koto Trading Figures, from Kotobukiya - the company know for best capturing the authentic look of Onegai and other anime products, as evidenced by the sold-out series of Onegai swimsuit trading figures.

Imported from Japan and produced by Kotobukiya, this new series of trading figures depicts the fan favorite characters of Onegai Twins . This assortment will include 2 ½" to 3" versions of Miina Miyafuji, Karen Onodera, Tsubaki Oribe, Ichigo Morino, Haruko Shido, and Mizuho Kazami . Each figure is available in two different bikini colors. Keep an eye out for a special chase figure that is randomly included in the assortment, for a total of 13 figures! Each figure features a display base which, when connected to the other bases, forms a larger group scene. The assortment ships in Mystery Box packaging, disguising the contents of the container, for more exciting collectibility! Scheduled to ship in August 2005, this is one trading figure collection that no fan of Onegai Twins will want to miss!

Full Metal Alchemist Figures Good as Gold

A new series of mini figures based on one of the hottest anime/manga properties - Full Metal Alchemist - will soon be available exclusively in North America through Diamond Comic Distributors!

Full Metal Alchemist has become one of the most popular anime/manga series in the industry. It has been televised in Japan since 2003, and rated as the #5 show in Japan. This past November, the show came across the ocean as part of Cartoon Network's "Adult Swim" programming block. A survey of 3,500 respondents revealed that Full Metal Alchemist is the most popular show within the 11 & up and 14 & up age categories, which should delight fans who are gearing up to add this second series of Full Metal Alchemist mini figures to their collections.

Imported from Japan, the Full Metal Alchemist Mini-Figures Series 2 features some of the most popular characters from the series, including an all-new Edward Elric , the State Army's Fuhrer-King Bradrey , and the Homunculi: Envy and Lust . These blister-carded PVC mini-figures from Square-Enix stand approximately 3" to 5" tall, each with a fantastic level of sculpting and detail. Scheduled to ship in June 2005, this is one series of mini-figures that no fan or collector should be without.

How to Draw Manga Library Continues to Expand

Two great new books from Graphic-Sha's How to Draw Manga series - How to Draw Manga: Computones Volume 2 SC and How to Draw Manga: Ninja & Samurai Portrayal SC - are available exclusively through Diamond Comic Distributors!

The How to Draw Manga series is one of the best-selling "How-to-Draw" properties on the market today. These books are indispensable tools for manga and anime fans, who can read them as reference guides or use them to learn to draw in the popular Japanese manga style. Graphic-Sha is the originator of the How to Draw Manga line, which fans have come to accept as the highest quality in art books.

How to Draw Manga: Computones Volume 2 primarily focuses on the human body and how tone work is used to perfect drawing the subject. Within its pages, readers will learn in detail how to select tone, methods of portrayal using tone, and an abundance of other topics - including lighting effects that make the figure look more dramatic. This 128-page volume also comes complete with a CD-ROM that contains approximately 140 digital tones and examples of effective uses designed to suit the subject matter. The CD-ROM is compatible with Windows, and includes plug-in modules for Adobe Photoshop 5.0/5.5/6.0/7.0/CS, Adobe Photoshop Elements 1.0/2.0, and Jasc Paint Shop Pro 7.0/8.0.

How to Draw Manga: Ninja and Samurai Portrayal - by Naho Fukagai and Team Esaka - teaches aspiring artists how to draw ninja and samurai characters as they appear in historical manga and anime. Readers will discover how to correctly draw the details of these characters. They will how they wielded their weapons, what authentic clothing they worn, and how to to properly draw these aspects. At the end of the 136-page book are characters designed for anime or manga.

Both books are published in English, and are perfect additions to the reference libraries of those involved in illustration, animation, and the fine arts, as well as prospective manga artists!

Fans can find these and other great products based on anime and manga at their local comics shop, or by contacting the Comic Shop Locator Service toll free at 1-888-COMICBOOK (1-888-266- 4226) or online at http://www.comicshoplocator.com.

Source: http://www.comicshoplocator.com/
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