Both FuRyu and MegaHouse are back again this year with new sets of Shin Megami Tensei and Persona merchandise!

FuRyu has its next figure candidates for set 2 of it’s “Real Figure” [リアルフィギュア] series: Lucifer [ルシファー] and Kerberos/Cerberus [ケルベロス]. Lucifer is about 20cm [8"] tall, and Kerberos is 19cm [7.5"] long. Release date for these are July 25, 2011. They retail for 1,200 Yen each or 2,400 Yen for the full set.

Otacute is taking pre-orders for both: Lucifer | Kerberos

Hobby Link Japan has listings up but not taking pre-orders yet: Lucifer | Kerberos

amiami has their full set bundle pre-order sold out, but Kerberos alone is still available [no listing for Lucifer alone]
Full Set [sold out] | Kerberos

There are no official English news articles on this release, but more images and information in Japanese are here:
Gigazine.net | AtlusCh Blog

Game Characters Collection Mini Part II continues the figure series by MegaHouse, featuring these Persona 3 & Persona 4 characters: P3P female protagonist, Aegis (kimono), Mitsuru Kirijo, Akihiko Sanada, Yosuke Hanamura, Kuma/Teddy, Chie Satonaka, Nanako Doujima and one secret character. In the same style as the first series, these are small figures measuring 3cm [1.25"] tall. Release date is late May 2011. Retail price is 4,560 Yen for a random box of 12 figures.

Boxes are available for pre-order from:
Hobby Search | amiami

Atlus has been busy! There’s a bunch of SMT and Persona related figures in the works to be released later this year.

First are the “Real Figure” [リアルフィギュア] series by FuRyu, a set of 2 demons, Shiva [ シヴァ] and Thor [トール]

These figures are 17cm [6.75"], and are available as a set, priced at 2,200Y, or individually for 1,100Y each.
Hobby Link Japan is taking pre-orders for both figures individually. To be released October 10th, 2010.

Next are the Game Characters Collection Mini series by MegaHouse, featuring these Persona 3 & Persona 4 characters: P3 protagonist, Aigis, Aigis (uniform), Orpheus, P4 protagonist, Teddie/Kuma, Shadow Teddie/Shadow Kuma, Izanagi, Naoto Shirogane, Rise Kujikawa and 2 secret figures.

They are only 3cm [1.25"] tall, and are currently available for pre-order in boxes of 12 [randomly assorted] figures at 4,788Y a box [or 399Y each]. To be released September 2010.
Many online shops have boxes stocked for pre-order, including Otacute.com and Animaxis.com.

And finally, a Jack Frost soft vinyl figure! Manufactured by ArtStorm:

It’s 23cm [9"] tall, and no assembly or painting is required. No set release date yet, although it will be later this year. Here are a few sites still taking in pre-orders:
Otacute.com | AmiAmi.jp | HobbyFan.com

Info Sources: Tomopop.com: Real Figure / Jack Frost | fumuo.com | Animetsu blog

Atlus USA’s website for Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey is now online. SJ marks the series’ Nintendo DS debut and according to the website is slated for a March 23rd release.

Mark your calenders and cancel all engagements!!

Included are a handful of character bios, as well as some background info on the gameplay and general setting, and some series history.

Much like the old Super Famicom Shin Megaten games, Strange Journey consists primarily of immense first person dungeons. There will also be demon recruitment, endings that vary based on alignment, and cryptic white-haired characters who may or may not be fallen angels in disguise.

Don’t forget to visit www.atlus.com/strangejourney/ »

Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey, the next title of the Megaten franchise, has been confirmed to be in development for Nintendo’s portable console, the Nintendo DS. Megami Ibunroku Devil Survivor’s success was a big hit, and appears to have inspired Atlus to develop their next game for the same console. This time around, Kazuma Kaneko will be taking the lead as the character & devil designer and producer. Other development team members include: Eiji Ishida (Director) - Shogo Isogai (Scenario) - Shoji Meguro (Composing)

As for story, this time you are a soldier enlisted on an expedition to investigate the dimensional rift at the south pole. There are 4 distinct crews in this exploration team, each in a different ship: Red Sprite No. 1’s crew are the commanders; Blue Jet No. 2 & and Gigantic No. 4 specialize in battle, and Elves No. 3 are scientists.

In order to survive in this alternate realm, the scientists have created Demonica Suits; armor that improve abilities and can be customized. Allied explorers will also play a part in the story; you cannot win alone. Your interactions with your teammates will affect the progression of the story.

With approximately 300 devils, including some new designs by Kaneko never seen before, battles will be far from dull. These devils will be obtainable as allies mainly through negotiation and fusion. Allied devils are able to give quests to find rare items, and cooperate with one another to perform extra-special maneuvers.

The game will be released on October 8th, of 2009 in Japan; no scheduled release date is confirmed elsewhere as of yet. It will be a Nintendo DS first-person view RPG with a retail price of 6,279￥. No word yet on any “innovative” stylus/touch screen features. Stange Journey hasn’t a “IV” in sight, so this is not the “next-gen” SMT game fans have been waiting for, but regardless looks to be a fantastic new addition to the Shin Megami Tensei series.

The teaser website is to be replaced by the actual official website soon, so be ready to visit once it’s open to the public.

Sources: Silconera, Wii @ Everyday, Atlus USA forum

Atlus has revealed a new teaser website of what appears to be the next Megaten game, Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey. Showing a picture of Earth with the South Pole imploding and showing messages like: “This is a soldier’s hand. It’s trustworthy.”, “For us, it’s ‘hope’!”, “Don’t lose sight of yourself!”, “You came here from a rich country just to die?”, “For the future of mankind, let’s both hold our ground!”, “South Pole”.

A Japanese blogger was able to grab what seems to be the logo of the game, from the page’s source code before Atlus removed it.

Atlus will reveal more about this game on July 24th, 2009 and, supposedly, it will be released on October 8th, 2009 for Japan. But the lack of the most important details have left us hanging; will it be a spin-off? a sequel? what genre? and for what console?

October 23rd has been set as the Japanese release date for Devil Summoner Kuzunoha Raidou vs. King Abaddon, the new installment in the Devil Summoner series. A limited release version subtitled “Plus,” will also be available and features an extra disc: “Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne Maniacs Chronicle Edition,” a new edition of Maniacs rumored to have Dante’s character replaced by Raidou. The regular edition contains a bonus soundtrack CD.

King Abaddon throws you back into the role of Raidou some years after the events in the previous game. This time around there’s over twice the amount of recruitable demons and up to two can be summoned at once. Demon negotiation has been brought back from previous titles and your demon companions are able to help you out in the process. You are even able to forge your demon partners into new types of weapons.

As of yet Atlus USA has made no announcement on a possible North American release of the ‘Plus’ edition of King Abaddon or of ‘Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne Maniacs Chronicle Edition.’

Retro-posted October 6th, 2008