Anime fans can now store information on two of the genre's most famous characters--Lupin the Third and Gundam. Both USB figurines come with little extra accessories (like a pistol for Lupin and a shield for Gundam) and store 4GB of stuff. When you want to use them, twist their legs into sitting position and a USB port will pop out the back. Yeah, you're loading info into Lupin and Gundam's butts. Got a problem with that? The Gundam USB will be available in late November, and the Lupin one will come mid-December. Pricing was not yet available. [Buffalo Japan via Akihabara News]

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While browsing the usually awesome Tokyu Hands, I found only one really great thing: These Gundam slippers, with faux gold trim. They make giant robot stomping noises as you walk. Video:

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People keep finding photos in their new iPhones, and these keep getting weirder and weirder. This time, Giz reader Bryan Offenhauer found this funny shot of an anonymous guy next to a human-sized Gundam:

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I'm not entirely sure what this thing is. Here's what I know: it's from Japan, it has something to do with Gundam, it's called Haro, it's got a split personality, and it perkily yells things at you in Japanese. Other than that, I'm at a loss. Anyone want to cue me in to just what this little orange guy is supposed to be or do? [Impress]

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While we're all about powered exoskeletons to accelerate soldiers' badassery, Japan builds them for stuff like carpentry. Apparently the suckiest aspect of the job is fitting in ceiling boards, which requires a lot of raw power in an unnatural body position, since it's all done over-the-head. Nagoya University's robot suit basically makes their arms like Jax from Mortal Kombat, so they can toss 'em up there, slam in the screws and be done without breaking a sweat. I wanna wear a robot suit to work. [Physorg via The Raw Feed]

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A full-scale Gundam robot is one thing, but how much would it actually cost to build one that could actually walk? According to an estimate published on the SciencePortal website run by the Japan Science and Technology Agency, the total cost for parts alone would be $US725,000,000. That figure would not include labour, fancy weaponry, or any flying capabilities. The whole shebang would be powered by and IBM Blue Gene supercomputer and 30 giant 400KW motors.

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Six Japanese government drones in the Agriculture Ministry were given a verbal wag of the finger for dumping hours of worktime into editing Wikipedia, with one guy racking up over 260 contributions to Gundam-related entries. Speaking for the ministry on the matter, an official commented that "the Agriculture Ministry is not in charge of Gundam." (No joke.) Yeah, that would be the Ministry of Giant Robots. (Joke. Maybe.) [Yahoo!/AP, Flickr]

Another day, another helmet. But this one is awesome. It wasn't stolen from a Giant Panda, neither would it look better on your butt. No, this is a bike lid that looks like our favorite robot. Available in Japan, there's a price on Gundam's head and another image after the jump.

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This gigantastic glowing Gundam mech may not be as massive as the full-scale 59-feet solid Gundam, but it's as tall as a house and is made of several AT&T 300-page bills. OK, it's not, but at least that way those bills would make some sense. [Gizmodo Japan]

These days, wearing a giant robot on your shirt just isn't enough to be ostracized from the party. Step up your game with the the Swarovski crystal hand-stitched Gundam tee. Not only is it a worthy homage to your favorite battle robot, but to Swarovski-covered tech everywhere. (On a side note, when will manufacturers tire of the same old, cover it in crystal method of making gadgets more expensive. How about just manufacturing more amazing tech?) So just how much is too much to spend on geek fashion? I'd wager $1,690 is, at minimum, a starting point for the discussion. [plasticbamboo]