astro boy

Seiko Galante Mighty Atom Limited Edition Astro Boy Watch

For Japan only is this incredibly cool Seiko watch for Astro Boy fans. First the bad news, in addition to being Japan only, it will be limited to just 150 pieces, and be priced at just over $5,150. Given the popularity (and importance) that Astro Boy has to Japanese pop culture, the chances of you getting one are slim to none. Though you never know what you'll find online now or in a few years...

Astro Boy first appeared in the "Mighty Atom" manga comic book in Japan in 1952 and is heralded as the very first "anime." Basically it embodied the look that later become known as Anime. Astro Boy is beautifully rendered on the dial of the watch against a realistic space-like background. The colors pop wonderfully, and it is a true showpiece of any fan's collection. The watch uses Seiko's Galante style case, which is one of their higher-end lines. Inside the watch is a Seiko Caliber 8L38 automatic mechanical movement - with an open heart window on the dial to the escapement. On the rear of the watch is another window to the escapement through the sapphire crystal - with a small red heart applied (Astro Boy fans will understand the symbolism). I really loved checking out this watch and look forward to seeing Seiko release more limited edition watches the celebrate noteworthy aspect of Japanese culture.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: astro boy, Galante, limited edition, mighty atom, SBLL005, Seiko, watch

Japanophiles This Way: Drainspotting and Idle Idol from Mark Batty Publisher

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Books

Mark Batty Publisher has added two Japanese-subculture themed coffee table books to its collection: Drainspotting by Remo Camerota, and Idle Idol by Edward and John Harrison. The former takes a colorful look at decorative manhole covers found throughout Japan, with more than 1,700 municipalities having taken the time to adorn their manhoru with regional colors, symbols and markers.

Anyone who's taken a stroll down Tokyo streets – or spent a few hours in the Otaku area – knows of the Japanese affinity for figurines. Idle Idol is a pictorial introduction to life-sized mascots used to greet, sell, get attention, or just show off. Broken up into categories, Hero, Legend, Spokesperson, TV Star, Entertainer, Chef, Doctor, Meeter and Greeter, you'll run into everything from Hello Kitty and Astro Boy to Totoro and Colonel Sanders. Yes, that Colonel Sanders, because there is simply no place like Japan...

Gallery: Drainspotting from Mark Batty Publisher