UPDATE: You can now buy the Homestar PRO 2nd Edition online.
This week we had the chance to see the latest offerings for 2009 from Sega Toys, a company that has gone from just making toys for kids to creating innovative lifestyle goods for the adult market. We’ll be covering several in a row here, the first of which is the continuation of a classic in this “Ippin Mono” (rare goods) series from Sega: The Homestar Pro Second Edition.
Picture via Impress
It’s been a long run for the Homestar Series of home planetariums, which has combined education with good design, and turned it into a truly modern home accessory. The new 2nd Edition, to be available from the summer, is combining multiple features (moon, 10,000 stars, earth) into one disc for wall and ceiling projection and changing the case design slightly, but still keeping the LED power, shooting stars, and other features that have made it famous.
From the original Homestar Homestar Pro to the bath time Homestar Spa and the latest high-end Homestar EXTRA, Sega has provided a steady stream of products around a popular theme (space & astronomy) for a generation of consumers that still loves its toys. A shrinking market for kids is a primary reason of course, but the approach from Sega has been steady and well-targeted.
UPDATE: Now available online!
Michael is founder and director of the 
In what languages is the presentation available?