Interest
Macross Frontier's Squishy Phone Inspires TV Remote
posted on by Sarah Nelkin
The Japanese convenience store chain Family Mart announced that, as a part of a collaboration with the anime channel Animax for the 30th anniversary of the Macross franchise, it will begin selling a Macross Frontier "Ōsanshōō-san" television remote control on its online shop. The limited-edition remote is based on the squishy cell phone that the Macross Frontier idol singer Ranka Lee carries.
The outside silicone case of the remote is removable, and the remote has a button that instantly switches to the Animax channel. The remote will be available for preorder beginning this Sunday, October 29, and will sell for 3,900 yen (about US$48). In addition to selling the remote, Family Mart stores nationwide will be playing Macross background music, and ads for Macross will run at the register.
The fictional "Ōsanshōō-san" mobile phone already inspired iPhone cases, plush toys, and other memorabilia in real life. TV Tokyo gave away a similar Pikachu television remote control that has a giant "7" button, so fans can instantly switch to Pocket Monsters: Best Wishes! (Pokémon: Black and White) on TV Tokyo's channel 7 at 7:00 p.m.
The Macross Frontier anime aired its first preview episode in late 2007, and then began broadcasting in full in 2008. The television anime inspired two movies: Macross Frontier: Itsuwari no Utahime and Macross Frontier: Sayonara no Tsubasa.
Source:Nikkei
Update: Typo fixed. Thanks, chronos02.
this article has been modified since it was originally posted; see change history