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Anime Hardsuits For Sale

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the halloween-is-only-11-months-away dept.

Fuzzy_Damnit! pointed us at a site where a guy has built authentic looking Anime Hardsuits that he's selling on eBay. Features a quite impressive Nene (from Bubblegum Crisis). No. It doesn't fly. Or have weapons. You might still be able to ride a motorcycle.

26 of 75 comments (clear)

  1. Oh come on... by Pope+Slackman · · Score: 2

    Why buy something that's just for looks when you can get the Ursus Mark VI hardsuit.
    It doesn't have any real weapons to speak of, but
    you could prolly graft a M60 on there pretty easily.

    Hey, it's only $150k...

    --K
    ---

  2. Re:Cosplay by garcia · · Score: 2

    I bet there are some hardcore sex players that would like to get their hands on these and not the schematics... :)

  3. Re:I'm not sure I see the point by Tofuhead · · Score: 3

    Um...ever heard of cosplay? It's not my cup of tea, but if you go to any con, you'll see some otaku dressed as his favorite character.

    It's not just an American thing, either. Watch Gainax's "Otaku no Video" and you'll learn what Japanese really think about fans of anime, sentai, Western and Japanese SF, military stuff, and other hobbyist culture.

    Incidentally, I'm of the opinion that any Westerner who considers himself an "otaku" when it comes to anime fandom really only does so because the term already exists. This is unlike Japan, where "otaku" is a somewhat derogatory term originally used for obsessed people. Hell...it seems like most people in Japan read manga, and public recognition of even moderately-popular characters is immediate and common, so fandom isn't a hard question...it's only a matter of how hard-core you are...and it wouldn't take too much of a hard-core attitude (by Japanese standards) to put one of those suits on.

    The guy who made those suits...now that's an otaku. Next step...Lego version.

    < tofuhead >

    --
    It is still the dark of night.
  4. Manhattan by Fantastic+Lad · · Score: 3
    Remember that great scene in "Manhattan", where Woody Allen was being driven nuts by this blowhard standing ahead of him in a movie line-up, spouting on and on about some bullshit he didn't know anything about but argued that he did because he happened to teach it at some university?

    You don't remind me of Woody.

    -Fantastic Lad -The most amazing script kiddie of them all!

  5. Re:Anime and the loss of Cultural Identity by RickHunter · · Score: 2

    And the parent post covers only a small range of what's available. Even the "sci-fi mecha stuff" that American media loves to portray all Japanese anime as usually has some kind of deeper meaning. (I'm talking about stuff like Gundam and Macross) One of the best things I've ever seen (period) was Wings of Honneamise - that didn't resemble anything I'd ever seen before.


    -RickHunter
  6. No flying?!? No weapons?!? by B00yah · · Score: 2

    Does it at least come with the girls? otherwise, it's not worth buying :P

    --

    How Jaded Are You?
  7. No weapons? by Chairboy · · Score: 3

    If they don't have weapons, why the heck would we want to buy them?

    Darnit, I thought I had finally found a 'parts' hard suit to use in restoring mine, damaged in battle with the Gamalons... Alas, back to Schucks autoparts to pay their outrageous prices for NEW Shojin Blaster firing coils and Yamasuka! brand wrist to air missiles....

  8. uht oh by SethD · · Score: 2

    "...they are designed to fit petite women."

    Well...looks like most of the Harley Davidson folks are out right there...sorry guys! :/

  9. Anime and the loss of Cultural Identity by Kiss+the+Blade · · Score: 2
    I have been interested in Anime from an artistic perspective for quite some time, and it has always seemed to me that one of its central themes is the loss of identity of a culture that has went from fudalism to being the worlds foremost modern international capitalist nation in little under 100 years.

    These suits are another expression of the angst that this loss of cultural identity has caused, as the old certainties of Meiji Japan were ripped away and replaced by the values of the soulless Kairetsu. The warrior ethos and clothing of the Samurai has been replaced by the businesswear and corporate values of the salaryman. These suits, and indeed the entire Anime movement, are an unconscious desire to return to the violent certainties of old Japan, IMHO.

    KTB:Lover, Poet, Artiste, Aesthete, Programmer.

    --

    KTB:Lover, Poet, Artiste, Aesthete, Programmer.
    There is no

    1. Re:Anime and the loss of Cultural Identity by Tofuhead · · Score: 4

      I have been interested in Saturday morning cartoons from an artistic perspective for quite some time, and it has always seemed to me that one of their central themes is the lack of identity of a culture that started out as an British colony and has gone on to being the world's truly foremost modern international capitalist nation in a little over 200 years.

      Scooby Doo Halloween costumes are another expression of the angst that this lack of cultural identity has caused, as the old certainties of British rule were ripped away and replaced by the values of Democracy. The Victorian ethos and clothing of the British have been replaced by the tie-dyed shirts and communist values of the slashdot hippie. These Scooby Doo Halloween costumes, and indeed the entire Saturday morning cartoon movement, are an unconscious desire to return to the oppressive certainties of old Colonial America, IMHO.

      --
      It is still the dark of night.
    2. Re:Anime and the loss of Cultural Identity by Cryptnotic · · Score: 4
      Your use of the phrase "violent certainties of old Japan" betrays your pretense of understanding. By all historical accounts, life in old Japan was anything but certain. And most people were of course, not Samurai, but serfs. No one with any brains would want to go back to the way things were. Their view of the past is a similar fantasy to Americans' view of their founding fathers.

      If anything, popular culture in Japan reflects the dualism of Japanese modern society. On one hand, there is a reverence for the past and the cultural heritage of Japan. On the other, there is the need to be a part of the modern international community. Japan handles this duality marvelously. Women in kimono ride the subway alongside salarymen and office ladies. Neighborhood shrines sit next door to high rise office buildings. If you are a wealthy Japanese man, you can still buy the virginity of the maiko (women who will become geisha). They call this tradition "mizu ageru" by the way.

      Also, you can make as many analyses of the unconscious desires of the Japanese as you want, but they are fundamentally unprovable. What is provable is that there is a growing disinterest among Japanese young people in the traditional Japanese cultural properties. Young Japanese are more interested in learning English than they are in learning to read classical japanese literature. They are more interested in listening to popular music than they are in studying classical Japanese instruments. They are more interested in drawing in popular styles like manga than they are in learning Japanese calligraphy.

      So anyway, there isn't any angst over loss of culture among most young people. And anime isn't made for the older generations in general. So I can't really tell what you were getting at besides an attempt to say something profound.

      Cryptnotic

      --
      My other first post is car post.
    3. Re:Anime and the loss of Cultural Identity by laborit · · Score: 3

      These suits, and indeed the entire Anime movement, are an unconscious desire to return to the violent certainties of old Japan, IMHO

      Yes, but not entirely. The things you mention, along with all giant robo anime, from Neon Genesis Evangelion to Voltron, handle the universal phenomenon of nostalgia with the unique Japanese bent. They blend the technology and eclecticism of the modern world with the personal excellence and honor of the (romanticized) old. This is not an attempt to turn back the clock, but to hold on to the best parts of the past.

      Personal note to KTB: I disagree with you here, but in general I consider you a white hat troll. On the other hand, the people who posted the "it's entertainment" responses are just being dumb.

      -----
      Go ahead, blame me... I voted for Nader!

      --

      -----
      Go ahead, blame me... I voted for Nader!
    4. Re:Anime and the loss of Cultural Identity by linuxmop · · Score: 2

      Yeah, and those fantasy RPGs? They're there because we want to return to medieval times. Nope, I don't buy it. Face it, people are facinated by violence, especially with cool weapons, whether they be physical or an ability of the user. Now, if anime was instead a want to return to old Japan, why would it be popular with Americans, hmm? Especially with many technical people, the exact people who enjoy the technical world and lifestyle.

      By the way, what do you mean by the "old certainties" of Meiji Japan? IIRC, Meiji was the period of Westernization in Japan, not some feudal shoganate period. Culture ripped away? Are you nuts? These suits are just some cool suits used to promote some anime.

    5. Re:Anime and the loss of Cultural Identity by SPrintF · · Score: 5
      Anime is a medium, not a genre. Saying that "the entire Anime movement" (whatever *that* is) is driven by a desire to return to pre-Restoration feudalism is like saying that all American movies are Westerns. Certainly true in some cases; completely off the mark in others:

      Serial Experiments Lain is a meditation on the nature of reality and godhood.

      Cowboy Bebop is a noir-ish melodrama, akin to Hong Kong action theater.

      Saber Marionette J is a sly reconsideration of the role of women in traditional Japanese society.

      Oh My Goddess! is straight romantic comedy.

      Princess Mononoke, for all that it's set during Japan's feudal era, is an essay on the inevitably uneasy relationship between Man and Nature.

      The assertion that (salaryman == samurai), though widely believed in the West, is a shallow interpretation of a deep and complex culture. Good anime reflects many facets of that culture.

      --

      Honesty. Loyalty. Kindness. Laughter. Generosity. Magic!

  10. on that note.. (Daemonette costume) by Ceren · · Score: 4
    On that note, I've been considering selling the second FreeBSD Daemon-girl outfit, to buy a new one. Upgrading, as it were. ;)

    I'll probably sell it on Ebay, with a starting price of what was originally paid for it ($500). The goal is to end up with a comparable (or better!) daemonette outfit, maybe even in time for Linuxworld 2001 NYC....

    It's solid red garment quality latex, made by A woman named Molly (who ran So Hip It Hurts in SF) and sold large amounts of quality latex through Stormy Leather. The two pieces are both custom made from the same batch, and in size small; tshirt and leggings. The shine has partially worn off from the shirt (but still mostly there on the leggings) and it requires several minutes of polishing before it's ready to wear out onto the floor of the convention. This is mainly why I'm selling it. I really don't have this kind of time in the mornings. I'm a reeally late riser. And conventions never seem to happen on 36-hour day cycles. :P

    I'm 5"5", anywhere from 120 to 130, so that should give you an idea of who this costume would fit.

    Watch for this auction between now and early January.

    A friend was good enough to toss a few pics up for me -
    Credit goes to whoever took the lwce pictures at drunkmonkey.org, and MSK who took the staged pictures. I'm sure I don't need to mention that the copyrights belong to the original photographers.... :)

    http://www.freebsd.org/~wpaul/daemonette

    -Ceren E.
    FreeBSD's "Strange Attractor."
    ceren@removethispinkmeat.magnesium.net

    1. Re:on that note.. (Daemonette costume) by drinkypoo · · Score: 2
      BTW, show some pride, Ceren. If you're going to parade around in something that accentuates every roll you might want to consider hitting the treadmill for a little while.

      Show some pride, Shotgun. If you're going to parade your brain around slashdot which accentuates every idiot remark, you might consider being the slightest bit clueful.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  11. A Piece of Anime Fandom History by EXTomar · · Score: 3

    I hope that the person who ends up with either suit recognizes the history that came with these things. Not only does it represent an old show but it represents some of the old fan's feelings for a show they really enjoyed(mainly Woodhead and Takagi).

  12. Bubblegum Crisis by ibanix · · Score: 2

    It's sure nice to see Bubblegum Crisis get some recognition. Usually everybody talks about Tenchi or Sailor Moon or Slayers.

    I think "geeks" like BGC because it has

    o a grity, cyperphunk future (ala Gibson)
    o cool-ass hardware
    o decent plot-lines (ok, so "Scoop Chase" was awful. sue me ;)
    o 80's music
    o cute girls

    Ok, so perhaps those last two are what makes it appeal to ME. It still has a flavor quite it's own, even years after it was over. A pity it was never finished.

    There's also a new BGC, called Bubblegum Crisis 2040, which uses the "alternate universe" idea. Same girls, different hair, sorta-simliar plot, much much more stories, way better animation.
    Check out advfilms.com.

    --
    What came before the Big Bang? Hum, it must have outside of time...
  13. Where these suits came from. by M-2 · · Score: 2

    These hardsuits were built as promotional tools for the original Bubblegum Crisis series. If you watch some of the promos on the BGC tapes or DVDs, there's scenes of the voice actresses for the Knight Sabres wearing them. Three of them were given or sold (depending on who you talk to) to the head of AnimEigo, Robert "I helped write Wizardry" Woodhead. The suits are reasonably articulated - you get to see, in one of the promos, Oomori Kinuko (the voice actress for Priss) wearing one and at least on a motorcycle, if not driving it.

    The Nene and Linna are being sold. Woodhead is keeping the Priss suit. No one's sure where the Sylia suit is anymore.

    So this isn't a cosplay sort of thing. This is promo stuff and literally one-of-a-kind.
    ----

    --
    Brazil has decided you're cute.
  14. Re:I'm not sure I see the point by Cederic · · Score: 2


    That doesn't have to be the case - Crying Freeman is Manga, rather than Anime, but the same principles should in theory apply.

    Now, compare the Crying Freeman Manga series and the Crying Freeman live action film. The film holds true to a great many of its Manga roots, and doesn't ever descend into the farce that is the Power Rangers.

    It's not what you do, it's how you do it. And Anime (and Manga) do it with immense style.

    ~Cederic

  15. Re:Its people like this. Read the FSCKING article! by ackthpt · · Score: 2
    The seller states:

    Many years ago, AnimEigo[the seller] obtained several hand-made hardsuit costumes crafted by Mr. Takagi Ryoosuke, a professional modeller. These particular pieces were showcased in an article of B-Club Magazine in Japan, and one of them (the Nene costume) was worn in the article by Nene's voice actress.

    The pedigree on these suits is not some guy slapping this stuff together in his garage with chicken wire and Bondo.

    --

    --

    A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
  16. Not just 'a guy' by Kuroyi · · Score: 4

    It's not just 'a guy' auctioning these, it's Robert Woodhead of AnimEigo. Bubblegum Crisis is one of their licenses and it looks like these used to be used for promotion at Cons. Bubblegum Crisis was also their first DVD release (unfortunately sublicensed to Multimedia 2000, but the rerelease is pretty good by all accounts). He sent an email to the AnimEigo-DVD list about this Dec 7.

  17. Its people like this... by dasunt · · Score: 2

    ...that give the impression that all anime lovers are fanatic that just can't get over the fact that a movie or series has ended. I mean, paying money for a replica of a hardsuit, how pitiful. Do these people have no life?

    *Sigh* I waste too much time reading the anime articles on slashdot. Now my ranma/akira fanfiction story is going to be late. I must stare at my anime cells for inspiration, and watch akira for the 257th time while doublechecking my notes to see where it departed from the manga.

  18. Military Technology by CamMac · · Score: 2

    I noticed that the most recent bid seems to be from an S_Hussein@StealTheOil.iraq in an apparent attempt to corner the market on Japan's military might.

    Once he powers the hardsuits with Playstation2 consoles, he'll be unstopable. May god have mercy on our souls.

    --Cam

    --
    All jocks think about is sports. All nerds think about is sex.
  19. The ebay page points to his animeigo.com anyways by cpeterso · · Score: 2

    Does he want to sell the suits or not? His ebay page points to his photos on animeigo.com. He must expect it to stand up against ebay traffic to sell his suits.

    --
    cpeterso
  20. This Just In... by Lostman · · Score: 2

    Much to the dismay of hardcore Anime fans everywhere, animeigo has announced that they will not be selling their "Tentacle Monster" hard suit in the near future.

    When asked about this, they responded "Our legal team has told us that this would not be in our best interest--what if a kid..."