10.09.2008 · by Eva
New Slayers Announced
Though Slayers Revolution, the most recent addition to the Slayers universe, is currently airing in Japan, plans for the creation of a new Slayers series was announced on the anime's official website yesterday.
Slayers started as a series of fantasy themed light novels written by Hajime Kanzaka and illustrated by Rui Araizumi, receiving anime incarnations in 1995, 1996, and 1997 as Slayers, Slayers Next, and Slayers Try, respectively. Including Slayers Revolution, the first new series in over a decade and currently airing on Japanese TV, this most recent announcement would make for the fifth TV anime installment. Details regarding the new series still haven't been released, but will in time be announced through the official website.
Tags: anime 0 Comments
10.09.2008 · by Eva
Doll Photo Contest
Tablier Marketing will be accepting entries until September 30 for its "Situational Doll Photo Contest," which can be submitted at the GEE!STORE in Akihabara among other locations.
Entries for the contest should feature either child company Cospa's line of Resinya! Portrait Collection dolls, or Azone International's Pure Nemo. Both are spherical-jointed posable 1/6 sized dolls, inspired in design by popular female anime characters.
Applicants are asked to pose their dolls in a situation of their choosing, paying special attention to costuming and props, and submit their entry via the Little World website or participating shops, where they will be displayed. Only one entry will be accepted per applicant. Winning submissions will be announced in mid October.
Tags: figures dolls 1 Comment
08.09.2008 · by Eva
Jump Shows their "Roots"
In honor of Shonen Jump's 40th anniversary, Roots canned coffee ads featured panels from One Piece, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, and others.
Pictured here is Akira Toriyama's Dr. Slump, taken on the Hibiya subway line.
Translation: Encouraged, they shine brightly! Intuitively, they know smiling will piss him off. Roots - Drink and go!
Tags: manga 0 Comments
06.09.2008 · by Eva
Frauleins Galore
Stopping by the Kaiyodo store in Radio Kaikan, I noticed the new October Fraulein... Yoko from Gurren Lagann! The sculpt looks great.
It seems she'll have two faces which you can change depending on her mood.
As a bonus, the Fraulein band was playing.
Tags: Figures 0 Comments
04.09.2008 · by Eva
Game Music Event EXTRA
Game music event "EXTRA," a special musical event gathering a wide range of video game and video game inspired musical composers, was first held in July of last year. Headlining with the Black Mages (a rock-style outfit led by Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu) and featuring everything from DJs to big-bands, the event was considered a dream come true for many fans. The organizers realized they were on the right track, and nearly a year later have announced the second EXTRA-HYPER game music event to take place October 13.
One of the main acts featured at this year's event goes by the name "Trio the DS." Composed of Nobuyoshi Sano, Yasunori Mitsuda, Michio Okamiya of the Black Mages, instead of traditional instruments the group will be using only the KORG-10 software for the DS. KORG-10 is a synthesizer simulation program, made for the DS by one of the world's top musical instrument producers. Essentially turning the DS into a virtual MS-10 synthesizer, it also allows for multiple units to connect via wireless link for unified composition.
Though more artists may be added to the line up, currently confirmed are : Trio the DS; Asami Imai, Mayako Nigo, Hiromi Hirata, and Akiko Hasegawa (all of idolm@ster fame); Motoaki Furukawa with Voyager (Gradius / Namco); Hip Tanaka (Metroid, Dr. Mario, Earth Bound); Betta Flash (Ghouls'n Ghosts); H, composed of Hiro and Takenobu Mitsuyoshi from Sega (Fantasy Zone, Virtual Fighter), KPLECRAFT (modern 8-bit musicians); and Uraken (Metal Gear Solid series).
Tickets go on sale September 13 for 5,800 yen. EXTRA will be held at Studio Coast in Shinkiba, Tokyo.
For more information, please visit the event site at : http://ex-project.com/.
Tags: music video games 0 Comments
03.09.2008 · by Eva via AKS
New Anime Magazine for Girls
Publisher Emujitsu recently released a new animation guide magazine for the ladies entitled Supplementary Anican R007: Sweets. Available at Toranoana and Animate in Akihabara, as well as other book retailers, the first issue was released near the end of July.
Compiled by anime news and information outlet Anican and sold through Emujitsu, the magazine is an extension of the Supplementary Anican R anime info-zine series. The sub-line "Sweets" was chosen in order to reflect the female reader target audience. The current issue features the anime Neo-Angelique Abyss, currently airing in its second season on Japanese TV. In addition to production coverage and interviews with male voice actors from the series, the issue also contains an interview with voice actor Mamoru Miyano of Pure Romantica and Prince of Tennis fame.
According to the editorial department staff, "There are very few anime info-zines for a female target audience compared to those geared towards men. Since we got a huge response for a product with a female main target audience through Supplementary Anican R, we decided to publish a new magazine. It's only been about a month since the initial publication, but we've gotten a great response from the stores carrying it." However, when asked about continued future publication of Sweets, they responded that they're "still uncertain."
At 132 pages, Supplementary Anikan R007: Sweets retails at 1,050yen.
Tags: anime girls magazine 0 Comments
02.09.2008 · by Eva via AKS
Lucky Star Akiba Souvenir Snacks
In early August, edible memento enterpriser Daito launched a new series of souvenirs featuring characters from the anime Lucky Star. The three available varieties include: Lucky Star Strawberry Cakes; Lucky Star Chocolate Cornet Flavored Cookies, based on character Konata's favorite food; and Lucky Sen, a set which features round senbei (rice crackers) branded with illustrations of the four main characters and mini star shaped senbei in soy sauce, sugar, and green tea flavors. Each package retails for 630yen.
Published in Kadokawa Shoten's Comptiq, Lucky Star is a serialized manga which follows the everyday lives of four high school students, and features an otaku-styled female lead character. Currently, the series has been expanded into drama CDs, game software, televised animation series, and now souvenir snacks.
In addition to their Lucky Star line, Daito recently released the similarly veined "Boarding Student's Vinegared Konbu," a sour seaweed snack featuring artwork from female game designer Noboru Takatsuki, and "Akiba Style Vinegared Konbu," featuring a kitsune fox spirit clothed as a shrine maiden. Each retail for 210yen.
Tags: Akiba Lucky Star food 0 Comments
01.09.2008 · by Eva
Chrono Trigger DS Release Date Announced
With Akira Toriyama's character design and over 2 million copies sold, Square Enix finally announced that the Nintendo DS version of legendary masterpiece RPG Chrono Trigger is scheduled for release November 22 of this year.
Despite the thirteen years which have passed since its initial release, Chrono Trigger still boasts a robust following. As screen shots have been made available to the public, even in this day of rich 3D graphics fans have rejoiced in Square's decision to maintain the original 2D interface.
Though it's uncertain how this latest release will make use of the DS's dual screen feature, expectations in it providing a fuller, richer action adventure experience are high.
Source: Otasuke
Tags: Square Enix Games DS Chrono Trigger 0 Comments
01.09.2008 · by Eva via AKS
Exploding! Fist of the North Star Figures from Revoltech
Today, September 1, 2008, Kaiyodo releases the first two figures in their new Revoltech action figure series "Fist of the North Star Revolution." The two figures, Kenshiro and Exploding Jeed, are available at Hobby Lobby Tokyo as well as many other locations.
The new "Fist of the North Star REVOLUTION" series is part of the 25th Anniversary celebration of the "Fist of the North Star" manga, and is also the fourth installment in Kaiyodo's Revoltech line. Just as the series Revoltech Yamaguchi and Fraulein Revoltech, figures will generally be released one at a time on the first of each month. Future line ups are announced in advance to give collectors an image of the series in its completion.
Joints of the figures are embedded with Kaiyodo's patented Revoltech Joint system, allowing high posability with durable joints that click into place. However, this is the first implementation of their new "exploding gimmick." Aimed at people who are fans of the "Fist of the North Star" series, but may not have experience purchasing figures, it will certainly appeal to a wide audience.
This first release includes the two figures Kenshiro and Exploding Jeed. Kenshiro stands 145mm tall, and has 19 points of articulation with 14 specialized joints of various sizes to enable a wide range of motion. Also included are nunchaku, optional right upper arm and shoulder, an additional option head, 8 different option hands, and a display base.
The Exploding Jeed figure gets its inspiration from a classic "Fist of the North Star" scene, upon which enemies struck with the legendary North Star Heavenly Blow are subject to an episode of explosive evisceration. The parts are designed in way that allows for infinite reconstructions of the scene, the first of perhaps many figures to include what is being called their "exploding gimmick." The torso of the figure unfolds to reveal an array of bone and internal organs, in what can only be described as "gross." Included are an axe and a display base.
Each figure retails for 2,490yen.
Tags: Kaiyodo Revoltech figures Fist of the North Star 0 Comments
31.08.2008 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Sentai 'Shunkin'?!
"A Portrait of Shunkin" (1932) is an important short story by Tanizaki Junichiro, where he describes one man's idolatry for a woman who can only be described as tsundere. The literary classic has been called the source of that otaku aesthetic, and many fans are looking forward to the movie adaption coming September 27, 2008. That said, the cast is so full of otaku favorites that it's humorous:
Sasuke (otaku that worships Shunkin): Saito Takumi of "Prince of Tennis" musical fame
Shunkin (tsundere): Nagasawa Nao of "Ninpu Sentai Hurricane-jaa" fame
Toshitaro (desires Shunkin as doll): Matsuda Satoshi of "Kamen Rider Ryuki" fame
For now, all we can surmise is that this will be a "super" film. Thanks to Rosey for the heads up.
Tags: tsundere cinema A Portrait of Shunkin 0 Comments
30.08.2008 · by Eva
evangelion dance number
I know no details on this incredible Evangelion inspired dance routine, featuring Tamashi no Rufuran and Cruel Angel's Thesis, but I can't seem to stop watching it.
Tags: evangelion dance gainax 0 Comments
29.08.2008 · by Eva via AKS
Maid Cafe Offers Giant 1kg+ Burger
Situated along Choudori in Akihabara on the 6th floor of the Sumiyoshi Building, maid cafe and bar Maidreamin will be offering a limited quantity new menu item entitled "Big Bang Lovely Burger." They started offering the new item in early August.
Based on the concept image "Country of Dreams," Maidreamin specializes in foods with emoticon themes, such as the "Here Comes the Gigantic Maidreamin Om-rice ━━━━(゜∀゜)━━━━ !!" They also established a booth space featuring video games for two or more players.
Their most recent offering, the "Big Bang Lovely Burger," is just one of the items listed on the popular "Gigantic Menu," and is limited to only three orders per day. The dish features rice topped with a soft boiled egg, underneath a 500g, 30cm ground beef patty - about the size of a notebook computer - covered in demi-glace sauce. All together, the combined weight is said to exceed one kilogram.
"The other day, we had a guy come in and order it by himself," said the store manager. Noting that the dish comes not only with a drink of your choice, but also with a commemorative photo featuring all of the staff he says, "There are some people who order it just for the picture."
In other news, Maidreamin is scheduled to have new staff uniforms, starting September 10. Since the one they've used up until now isn't an original, but rather a generic pre-made costume, they say switch was planned from the beginning. The new costumes will be made of a dark colored fabric with pink accents, featuring short skirts and a figure flattering shape. In order for staff to give their uniform personal flare, a series of original appliqués are also in the making.
Hours of operation are weekdays 11:30am-10:00pm, weekends and holidays 10:30am-10:00pm. Bar hours start from 6pm.
Tags: maid cafe food 0 Comments
29.08.2008 · by Eva via AKS
Yandere Girls CD Released
From the Edge Records label run by recording studio parent company Beatniks based in Chiyoda Ward, Yandere Girls Who Love You to Death So You Can't Sleep AAHHH! CD was released in late June of this year. The term yandere is used to describe a character whose "good will" towards their partner crosses the bounds of sanity, and often comes to express itself in violent or brutal ways.
This drama CD marks the fourth installment in the company's Can't Sleep series which began last January. Retailing for 2,000 yen, the sequel is said to contain a compilation of various topics circulating on popular otaku forums such as Niconico Douga and 2 Channel. It features five characters enacting various dramatic yandere episodes, voiced by Kaori Mizuhashi, Ryo Hirobashi, and Tomoko Kaneda among others.
In regard to the CD's concept, a company spokesman said, "As for the Can't Sleep series, we hadn't planned on doing a yandere theme first, but rather a tsundere theme. However, the market is overflowing with products that have tsundere content, so we decided to take a different approach and release the yandere CD first."
In addition to EDGE RECORDS, a recording label designed for a predominantly male target audience, Beatniks is currently developing a label featuring recording products geared more towards the ladies called Luv Records.
This story is brought to you by AKIBA Today
Tags: yandere tsundere CD 0 Comments
28.08.2008 · by Klopz
Zettai Shougeki ~Platonic Heart~ Promo Movie
Finally a few seconds of footage. Ten major companies have combined their forces to bring the new anime with character designs by eroge star "Jin Happōbi". We'll have to wait and see if the story can deliver what the designs appear to promise. Don't forget about the clocks either, they are still are rare treat.
Tags: Anime Platonic Heart 0 Comments
28.08.2008 · by Eva
Yotsuba&! Release - Azuma in Trouble?
The eighth volume of the immensely popular Yotusba&! comic, serialized in the monthly Dengeki Daioh publication, was released in Japan yesterday. Though the period between releases is generally 8 months, this much anticipated title took closer to 11. In response to anxious fans, mangaka Kiyohiko Azuma wrote in his blog, "I have neither the power nor the ability - I'm sorry."
Due to an increasing work load, a position for assistant illustrator was also recently announced through his blog, though applicants were to apply through Dengeki Comics directly.
Tags: Yotsuba&! manga 0 Comments
28.08.2008 · by Eva
'Railway Girls' Figure Series Gets TV Drama
In the October edition of Dengeki Daioh, released today, it was announced that the Tomytalk figure series "Railway Girls" is slated for a TV dramatization. Other details, including the cast, are as of yet still unclear.
The "Railway Girls" series is a group of collectible figures based on original characters designed by mangaka Natsuki Mibu. The characters are all dressed in realistic railway-related uniforms, including station master, conductor, dining car waitress, attendants, and maintenance crew. Up until now, there have been six different series, with a total of 36 unique characters.
However, in addition to the figures an array of other related goods have also been in production, such as the Railway Girls Character Songs CD series released last year. It seems you'll also be able to enjoy them in casual wear via the Nintendo DS release Railway Girls DS - Terminal Memory scheduled for October 9.
In the past, we've seen everything from GTO to the recent Nodame Cantabile and Negima! get dramatizations - but this isn't the usual anime turned drama switch. How in the world will a dramatization based on a figure series come out? Will it materialize at all? We have now only to find out.
source: Otasuke
Tags: trains figures TV drama 0 Comments
27.08.2008 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
First 'Bullet Train' goes to Train Museum
Japan's bullet trains, or shinkansen, were a mark of the nation's technological and cultural advancement when they were released before the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. Today, they carry about 375,000 people a day at speeds from 188 to 361 mph on over 1,500 miles of special track crisscrossing Japan. Now, the first "0 Series" train is going on display at the Train Museum in Saitama.
See more on trains here.
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25.08.2008 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Shoko-tan and Otaku2!
Nakagawa Shoko, idol, seiyuu and anisong queen just posted an image of herself in the Otaku2 "Moe = Deculture" shirt. Check out her blog.
Tags: Shokotan Idol 3 Comments
25.08.2008 · by Adrian A. Lozano
Wonder Festival 2009 Postponed Indefinitely
Due to the escalator incident at this months Summer Wonder Festival next years Winter Wonder Festival will not be taking place as scheduled. Currently there are many agencies investigating what caused the escalator to break which lead to 10 attendees being injured in the opening rush of the show. Kaiyodo the company that runs Wonder Festival expects investigations to continue in the upcoming months which will prevent them from obtaining licenses for vendors in time for their scheduled date of February 15th 2009. As of now Wonder Festival activity is suspended until things clear up.
Source: From Our Friends at Over-Drive-Inc
Tags: figures garage kit cosplay wonder festival wonfes 1 Comment
21.08.2008 · by Eva
Tamiya Opens Official Shop in Shinbashi
Well known plastic model, RC model, and mini 4WD manufacturer Tamiya will be opening another official shop in Shinbashi, Tokyo on Akarenga Dori. Set to open September 17, the store will carry Tamiya's complete product line, including tools, paints, and printed publications, exceeding 4,000 unique items. Dubbed the "Plastic Model Factory," this is the second official Tamiya shop, following the first opening in Yokohama's Tressa shopping facility last March, which makes it the first large scale official shop in Tokyo.
The Shinbashi location will occupy three floors, including one floor reserved for event space. Future events are said to include mini 4WD and RC car races, new product displays, construction workshops, seminars, and guest speakers. From September 17th, hours of operation are Monday through Friday 12pm-10pm and Saturdays 10am-8pm; closed Sundays.
Tags: Tamiya Tokyo Shop 0 Comments