While Okami has always been a very stylish game resembling the Japanese ink style of sumi, it's taken a turn for the adorable with its followup Nintendo DS release, Okamiden. Now, I know some people get a little huffy when their epic games get cutesy, a la Zelda, but I welcome this transformation. Mostly because it brings adorable merchandising that my inner child will throw the biggest tantrum for. And who doesn't want to snuggle up with an Okamiden pup anyway?

Measuring in at 45 cm, the Okamiden pup plush makes for the perfect little spoon to bring along with you to all those slumber parties and cuddle dojos. Wow. That sounded sweeter in my head, but in the harsh light of reality, "cuddle dojo" is far from a respectable establishment. Sorry. Moving out sans metaphors.

The Okamiden plush will be available in Japan come October for $60.00. That means that little pup won't even be available until after the DS game's release in September. So if you're jonesing for some of that Celestial Brush, you may want to hit the Wii or PS2 copies to hold you over. This little guy won't be keeping you warm for a while.

Personally, I love it, but cuteness does have a price limit. A price tag like that is a little, dare I say, ridiculous, especially when I'll be spending half of that on the game itself. Then again, the only reason it would ever be that expensive is because there are people who are actually willing to pay for it. Crazy. I'll reconsider after a serious price cut, thank you.

[Famitsu via Kotaku]