Explore the World of Jet Set Radio Future!

Here at SEGA Memories we're all about anything outside the games (as detailed way back in the very first post), but sometimes there is something game related that is just too cool not to share. In my regular internet browsing, I came across a blog entitled JSRF Inside. The blog is dedicated to ripping models, textures and environments from the XBOX classic Jet Set Radio Future. What is so insanely cool about the blog is that the owner and model ripper provides a number of amazing images and files detailing every character, NPC, animal and piece of graffiti that litters the world of Tokyo-to.

One might consider it a "digital collection", as one can download every character icon (perfect for avatars), high res logos and listen to a number of sounds. Really awesome stuff! If you're a JSRF fan, make sure to add this to your favorites and download as many bits as you want.

Toys"R"Us Shows Sonic & SEGA Some Love

I felt like a kid in some kind of store!

Just as things were looking grim for Sonic and SEGA at my local Toys"R"Us, a recent visit brought with it a surprising number of new items! Last month I checked in on the video game figures aisle only to find that Sonic had been relegated to a foot length of shelving, with the only toys available being Knuckles in an ATV and a dozen werehogs. But enough about the sad past, the Sonic and SEGA section is bumping! Let's check out what is new in the world of figures and take a closer look at what I bought!

First up is the Vector and Espio comic 2-pack! While I didn't pick this one up, it is a real cool package. The Vector is spot on, and Espio is very detailed. I had to abstain from this one just because if I did get it, I'd be opening the door for even more figures. I have enough collecting addictions as it is, so I've told myself I am only allowed to buy the following Sonic figures: personal favorites Eggman and Metal Sonic, classic sculpts of the original Genesis cast, quality sculpts of modern Sonic, Tails and Knuckles and non-Sonic characters from the Sonic and SEGA All-Stars Racing line.

Oh heck, I know in a week I'll be picking this 2-pack up. It's too cool to avoid!

Next up is the Super 3-pack! This is a very cool pack, with the super forms of the main three hedgehogs as well as seven emeralds. Super Sonic is awesome, however the inclusion of Shadow and Silver caused me to not pick this one up. I just can't see them standing in my limited display space, and I have a feeling we'll be seeing single figures of the three in the near future. Still, if you like Shadow and Silver as well and collect the 3.5 inch line, this is a must buy. Note: nerds such as myself and those at The Sonic Stadium forums noticed that the emeralds are incorrectly colored. For shame, Jazwares!

Here is something I DID buy, the SASASR figure 4-pack! There are so many awesome elements to this set, the first being the inclusion of Beat. How often does Jet Set Radio get a figure? Well I can tell you right now: two times. Once as a figure from Joyride studios and the second time in this set. There is also a very cool JSRF Hot Wheels car however no figure is included, it's just a detailed car. The second awesome element is the box itself, emulating the Seaside Hill track found in the game. While I'll admit, I only bought the set because it is the only way to obtain Beat, the other three figures are equally cool.

Eggman is riding in his converted Egg-O-Matic monster truck, appropriately called the "Egg Monster". This is my favorite of the set, simply because it is so rare for Sonic's arch rival to receive his own figure.

Tails is riding in his Tornado Racer. The detail of the face, especially the eyes, is great considering how tiny the figure is.

Sonic's face suffers a bit as his nose is not entirely painted, making it look like Sonic has a goofy Simpsons-style nose. I checked out all five copies that TRU had in stock and all five looked the same. Oh well, at least his car looks cool.

Here's a closer look at Beat. Yeah, he looks rather wonky but then again for the size of the figure it looks quite good when not held under a magnifying glass.

Check out the sweet JSRF logo on the hood of the car. The car itself is known as the "De La Custom GGs". Did I mention I love Jet Set Radio?

The second and final figure I picked up was a single package of Amigo in his Sun Buggy. I honestly think this is the first time Amigo has received his own action figure! There may be some rare plushies out there from Japan, but this must be the first figure.

Like Tails, the face is surprisingly detailed. He has his eyes, little nose and trademark toothy smile. I still wonder why his car is number 38. I also wonder how a monkey learned to drive. In addition to Amigo, the store also had Aiai, Amy and Shadow in single packs. I didn't pick those up, but I have a feeling those will be hanging on the pegs for a while.

On my way out of the store I passed this SASASR Sonic in remote controlled car. Pretty cool item! If only it shot spring loaded boxing gloves.


BONUS ITEM
While that concludes my visit to Toys"R"Us, upon arriving home I found a tiny envelope that had come in the mail. Inside was a tiny plush Wisp I had won in a giveaway at The Sonic Stadium. I'll allow 10" Sonic to show it to you.

JSRF Gets Larger Than Life

The world of Jet Set Radio merchandise is a small one. Even the most avid collector could only fill a single shelf with what Sega has to offer. Thankfully a company thought outside the shelf by applying the JSRF license to large-format repositionable wall graphics!


LTL Prints, the company responsible, was founded in late 2008 by by entrepreneurs Kendall Schoenrock and Carsten Petzold. Taken from their own "about" page: "We set out to create a platform for creative expression that would bring larger-than-life repositionable wall graphics to empty walls everywhere," according to LTLprints founder Kendall Schoenrock. "And we are working with the worlds' premier artists, designers, and brands to literally CREATE a new medium."


VP of Marketing John Doffing was nice enough to get me in touch with Kendall and Carsten, and I was surprised to find out that both LTL Prints and myself are located within in the same city (Philadelphia)! What more, I was a short ten minute subway ride from their HQ! So taking an extended lunch break, I headed on over to LTL Prints. Once there, I was greeted by Kendall and Carsten and was able to have a look about. The printer they use is enormous, think "the grand piano of printers", while the walls of their office was covered in a variety of images available on their online catalog.

An example from the LTL catalog, laptop sizes go for $14.99

Carsten revealed to me that JSRF was VP of Marketing John Doffling's idea. “we did JSRF as the first video game license for one simple reason: cel-shaded characters look AMAZING as big wall graphics and I personally LOVED this game! I approached SEGA directly to make it happen, and we just launched!" said an enthusiastic Doffling, "I personally am a huge fan and proponent of VIDEO GAME ART, and this new medium is a perfect way to bring this artwork to consumers globally."

Before I left LTL, I asked what other Sega licenses they were considering. Carsten turned the question around and asked what I'd like to see. Of course, any Sega image would look awesome on a wall (with the exception of maybe Silver the Hedgehog), but I limited my requests to Virtua Fighter, Outrun, Space Harrier, HangOn, After Burner, Panzer Dragoon (Saga and Orta), classic Japanese Sonic art and the original Jet Set Radio (which LTL actually has some images of, though they aren't seen in the catalog... yet).

Before leaving, LTL was nice enough to let me choose a JSRF image from their catalog to place on my wall and to share with all of you! Of course, I chose my favorite character Bis (aka Bisu aka Rhyth aka Mew) holding an iconic yellow spray can. Take a look at my hanging process below:

Note that LTL's prints are fabric, not vinyl, so there is no fear of ripping. The adhesive will not damage walls or stick to skin or any other surface in the way that a usual sticker would.



Upon applying Bisu, I discovered that she was crooked and that her arm was going behind the shelf. Thankfully, LTL promises that their prints can be moved 100 times without losing adhesion. So after a few removals and readhesions, Bisu was in place!

Special thanks to LTL Prints. Head on over to look at their extensive JSRF catalog. Even the electric police fences got their own page!