Orders open for new Char Aznable inspired Gundam headphones
Japanese audio company Onkyo has announced a new collaboration model of its “ANIMA AOW03” over-ear headphones, themed around the iconic Mobile Suit Gundam character, Char Aznable.
The new product is a partnership between Onkyo and the earphone brand ANIMA, which frequently collaborates with anime and pop culture franchises.
This new “Char Aznable Custom” model features a number of exclusive design elements.
The aluminum housing plate on the right earcup is decorated with a motif representing the Principality of Zeon, while the left plate features Char’s personal emblem.
A major feature of the headphones is the inclusion of custom voice guidance.
A total of fifteen different system voice prompts, such as for powering on and off or for pairing, have been newly recorded by Shūichi Ikeda, the original voice actor for Char Aznable.
The packaging for the headphones also features a new, original illustration of the character wearing the product.
The “ANIMA AOW03” is a hybrid model that can be used both wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.4 and with a wired connection.
It supports various high-quality audio codecs, including aptX Adaptive, and is compatible with the “ANIMA Studio” companion app.
In addition to the headphones, a separate line of accessory merchandise featuring the new collaboration artwork will also be released.
These items include an acrylic stand, an aluminum headphone stand, and a headphone pouch.
The headphones are a made-to-order product, priced at ¥25,000 (approx $ 170 USD/£128 GBP), which includes tax and shipping (within Japan).
The accessory merchandise will be sold separately, with prices ranging from ¥1,500 to ¥4,400.
Pre-orders for the headphones and the direct sale of the accessories will begin on Wednesday, the 6th of August, at 3:00 PM Japan Standard Time.
The products will be available through the “ONKYO DIRECT” online store and at the “ONKYO DIRECT ANIME STORE (Oto-Ani)” in Akihabara, where a physical display of the headphones will also be available for viewing.
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