The fish is passably similar to a real bass, 22.5cm long and – according to Nakajima – able to swim elegantly, like a real animal. It even moves its lips like a fish in nature. Judging from the video, this seems to be a slight exaggeration.

The robo bass starts to swim automatically after you put it into your bath tub, for example, and will supposedly shy away if you behave too clumsily. However, if the fish jumps for the lure and can’t escape anymore, it’s time to reel it slowly in, while it’s still floundering.

Nakajima has chosen adults as their main target group and claims playing with their robo fish is a good way to practice in order to become a bass hunter in real life. The company showcased their toy during this year’s Tokyo Toy Show.

Takara Tomy’s Aero Spider was especially impressive. The same company didn’t allow me to shoot a video of their awesome QFOs (mini UFOs attacking Tokyo). Sorry, but the pictures must do.

More videos below…

Remote controlled micro submarine “U-Diver”
(length: 15cm, available only in Japan for $68 starting August or September)

Pekoppa, Sega Toys’ moving toy plant, which reacts to humans talking to it

USB dogs (humping and – new – doing sit-ups) and some dozing USB owls

Aero spider from Takara Tomy
(a remote-controlled mini car capable of driving up walls and on ceilings, to be released in Japan on September 19th for $37)

Flower Rock 2.0 (dancing and singing flowers) from Takara Tomy

Takara Tomy’s QFO

The so-called QFOs are mini remote-controlled UFOs. Takara Tomy will release the QFOs in Japan starting September for $38. Watch a trailer of the QFOs attacking Tokyo (in English) on the official homepage.

Below are some videos I shot of Sega robots during the show.

Sega-Hasbro’s A.M.P music robot

Sega’s kissing robot E.M.A. (it really can kiss people and looked amazing)

Sega’s line of robo pets [JP]

Sega’s Golden Retriever robot [JP] (on sale in Japan from September 26th for $300)

Sorry, I didn’t see any booth babes. But I did see desperate parents, nerve-wrecked staff members and tens of thousands of Japanese kids drooling over the newest Hello Kitty stuff, fancy robots, stuffed animals, mechanical toys, figures etc.

It’s impossible to fit everything in here at once so I will blog videos and pictures on the coolest stuff in separate postings. For now, have a look at what the organizer of the show, the Japan Toy Association, thought what the best toys [JP] were:

Official Grand Prix:

Omise de okaimono oshaberi ippai – Anpanman rejistaa from Sega Toys [JP]
(Buy and talk a lot at the shop – Anpanman cash register)

This is an educational toy for children who can learn basic mathematics by playing store cashiers and customers (on sale in Japan since March for $58). The cash register features Anpanman, a famous Japanese cartoon character.

Award winner in the trendy toy section:
Mugen ni dekiru shiriizu (Mugen puchi puchi puchimoe, mugen edamame) from Bandai [JP]
(Do it forever series (infinite pop pop bubble wrap, infinite soybeans))

With the Mugen Puchi Puchi, Bandai simulates popping bubble wrap. The toy’s built in speaker rewards patient players with a dog barking, a sexy moan or a fart after 100 pops. Available in Japan since October 2007 for $6.

The Mugen Edamame gives you the feeling of popping cute bean faces out of a soybean pod. This toy went on sale in April and costs $6. Pods with 12 different faces and a special edition are available.

Award winner in the basic class toy section:
Pyun pyun saakitto (Wroom wroom circuit) from Takara Tomy [JP]

This toy car motor circuit will be available in August for $78.

Award winner in the high class toy section:
Micro slot car owner’s basic set from Takara Tomy [JP]

This toy car motor circuit is scheduled to go on sale on September 25th for $70 (with one car). It will only feature expensive sports cars like the Toyota 2000 GT.

Award for the best innovation:

Eyeclops from Bandai [JP]

Bandai will sell this digital microscope starting June 28th for $75. The Eyeclops is able to magnify objects by 200x. It can also be connected to a TV or monitor.

Click on the thumbnails below to get an impression of the scope of the show.