Anime Character for Your PC

It's not a screen saver or wallpaper; it is in a 3D format.

Buffalo, a computing peripherals manufacturer, will launch a Gundam USB flash memory in late November. It is a 4GB memory for 3980 JPY (about 40 USD), and a limited manufacture of 5000 pieces. It was originally a web-only sale, but with the popular demand, they are accepting pre-orders at PC shops in Akihabara.

Now you may think; "Who'd wanna pay 40 bucks on a 4-gig memory?" Well, don't underestimate the power of anime kyaras (=anime characters). Last June, they sold 3000 pieces of Rei Ayanami version and sold out in hours.

Rei Ayanami ver.

What's interesting is that Buffalo is never 'greedy'; they don't increase the production, period. I think it's a great sales strategy of (presumably) a high-margin product; 1)You just need to pay fixed fee amount on the copyright, 2)You can secure the sales by creating the sense of 'hunger' among the target, and 3)You can sustain the consumer interest in the product for the coming versions. Plus, it just looks cute as it 'sits' by your PC when in use (e.g. Rei Ayanami). Along with Gundam, they are also launching Lupin III version as well.

I shall now take off to Akihabara and get one...

Lupin ver.

source: Akiba Keizai Shinbun