21.08.2008 · by Eva
Macross F Single Debuts in 3rd Place
The long awaited CD containing the new Macross F opening and ending themes entitledLion, finally went on sale yesterday. And without delay, it immediately debuted at 3rd place in Oricon's Daily Single Rankings, selling 11,715 copies, also earning it a spot in the best 10.
Overall, yesterday was a pretty good day for anime singles, with Buono!'s Gachinko de Ikkou! from TV anime Shugo Chara! in 4th place and CHEMISTRY's Life goes on, the theme from Antique Bakery in 8th - all debut spots on the chart. Take a look for yourself (Japanese).
Source: Otasuke
Tags: Anime Macross F Macross 0 Comments
18.08.2008 · by Adrian A. Lozano
The Iceman Cometh, Jedi Go Home!!!!!
This past Saturday I wasn't waiting in line to get into Comiket instead I was up bright and early in line for a summer sale at Mandrake in Akihabara. Lucky for me I was standing in the shadow of Mandrake building, because Saturday was one heck of a miserable hot and humid day. Across from Mandrake there is a small shop of all sorts of goods, and for the past month or so they place a massive block of ice in the entrance walkway of their shop every weekend in order keep things cool.
While watching the delivery guys set up I felt like yelling "Hey.... head three blocks down, make a right toward Chou Dori on the corner you will find three Penguin that need the ice more than anybody else in Tokyo will ever need it".
Hey check out the guy with the Transformers bag, I wonder if he thinks it is an Energon Qube.
After the sale I headed to Comiket and there he was the Jedi that betrayed and murdered Lukes father, hunted all the Jedi Nights and single handedly kill the Star Wars franchise with his bad acting faster than any fully operational Death Star could.
Tags: Mandarake Akihabara Penguins Clone Wars Transformers 0 Comments
18.08.2008 · by Eva
Gurren Lagann Exhibit at Tokyo Anime Center
On August 12, the Tokyo Anime Center announced that it will be holding an exhibit of original art work from popular the Gainax anime Tengen Toppu Gurren Lagann. In addition to the theatrical rendition of the first part of the series, scheduled to hit Japanese theaters September 6, the exhibit commemorates the first bound collection of Gurren Lagann artwork. Admission to the exhibit is free, but the Anime Center will be offering a barrage of limited edition goods and special contests for customers. The exhibit will be on display until Sept. 21.
For more information, please visit the Tokyo Anime Center homepage.
Related, CURE MAID CAFE' will be holding a collaboration event to commemorate the Gurren Lagann theatrical release Aug.22 - Sept. 15.
Tags: Gurren Lagann Gainax Tokyo Anime Center 0 Comments
17.08.2008 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Comike 74: Getting hotter in more ways than one
1) After experiencing hours and hours of demos on doujin software in West Hall 1 and 2, it became clear that more and more talented people are getting better at making these games and also that their themes are rather erotic. After seeing the tons of software and the energy of the men and women after them, a mysterious overblown sign in the industry section above reading “I H8 You, Pornogame Players” was made even more esoteric. A whole new use of “H” straight from Japan.
2) Likewise, the sheer volume and diversity of Vocaloids – i.e., Hatsune Miku, Kagami Rin and Ren, Leon, Kaito, etc – in articulations from doujinshi to products to software and CDs cutting across concerns of genre, gender or even taste made one particular creative circle name sum up the day: Vocaloid Masturbation Smile. Something for everyone in vocal synthesizing software, apparently.
3) A sign reading "Girlish Comics for Boys and Girls." All right, I was aware things in the otaku world are getting a bit confused, but to make it explicit kind of just hurts deep down...
4) Hellish passages with temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius and hoards of people that stagnated frequently. The walkway between West and East halls was unventilated and already limited escalators were closed or slowed (the militant message was “Please leave one step on the escalator between you,” a response to the Wonderfest incident). Worse, the escalator to the fourth floor industry booths and cosplay area was down, meaning people had to go outside and climb the stairs. While this unleashed havoc on pedestrian traffic, the staff closed the cosplay balcony and suddenly moved it to the courtyard outside the path to East Hall, further confusing the flow of hot, irritable people now trying to get to the cosplay exit or push on to the East Hall. To add insult to injury, at this the hottest intersection in Big Sight, there was a UNCEF photo essay on global climate change.
5) The Global ‘Otaku’ Corner was opened in the industry section, the culmination of years of smaller efforts by the Comike Preparation Committee to make the event more international. It consisted of photographs of events held in and doujinshi bought in India, China, Taiwan, France, Russia, Thailand, Brazil, the United States, Korea and so on. The collection represents the private journey of a sponsoring company chairman who hoped his contribution to Comike will increase inter cultural communication. Seeing "Chobits" in Arabic was a nice wake up call.
Runner up: Police were out in force because of a bomb threat posted on 2channel. The man had been kind of enough to specify his full name and that he would attack Comike on August 16 (the girls’ day) at 13:00. He was apprehended on day one of the event, but day two still had the men and women in blue making sure there wasn’t a copycat.
Runner up: Pinafore’s maids were out performing idol songs in front of the Mainichi Shimbun booth, meaning the industry area was subject to spontaneous otagei attacks that kept the sweat flowing.
Tags: Comiket Doujinshi Manga 0 Comments
14.08.2008 · by Eva via AKIBA Today
Neural Impulse Driven Computer Interface
Since the beginning of August, the Tsukumo PC Main Store has been offering the OCZ Neural Impulse Actuator (NIA) – an interface that allows you to interact with a personal computer using brain waves.
One of the features of the device is the ability to control mouse clicks and other movements without using your hands. Built by OCZ Technology, based in America, the device is geared towards PC gamers and gizmo fetishists, and it is now available at Tsukumo through import. It "reads your mind" using a headband which converts neural impulses into signals for your computer, read by a device which connects via USB, the commands of which are set up using the accompanying software.
The system is inspired by the electrocardiograph and other modern medical technology. When worn at the forehead, the headband reads both brain wave and facial muscle movement, converting these into electric signals. These perceptions are then used to control various aspects of game play. Each reaction can be set as to represent the equivalent of one keyboard stroke or mouse click. The device cannot, however, be used identically to a mouse or standard USB game controller. In addition, initial set up and calibration of the device is necessary before use.
In regard to system requirements, Mr. Suzuki, floor sales staff at Tsukumo, said, "You'll need Windows XP or the 32-bit edition of Vista, and at least 512 megs memory. The accompanying instruction manual also recommends at least a 1 gig processor, but I'd say the absolute low end – especially for PC gaming – would be a dual-core. I'd really recommend a quad."
And, what about the product's reception? "Well, at first we didn't get too many orders and people thought it'd be really difficult to use. However, after we introduced the product on the store blog, we really basked in the gaze of many computer hobbyists and game makers. Reservations have been going up ever since."
The NIA comes with headset, set-top box, cable, and English instruction manual at a set retail price of 24,800 yen. Tsukumo is open from Monday-Saturday 10:30 – 8:00, and Sundays 10:30 – 7:30.
This story is brought to you by AKIBA Today
Tags: Brain control controller Neural Impulse Gadget PC Akihabara shop tsukumo 0 Comments
14.08.2008 · by Eva
New Fall Anime Titles Hit Record High
As noted on batsu3.org last week, the current number of new anime titles announced to air on Japanese television this fall is staggering, and there's still a month and a half to go. Today, otasuke.com announced that it's official: the number of titles has already surpassed fall of last year, with the recent successive announcements of four new titles. This brings the current total count to 34, compared to last year's 32.
Though it's often recited that the market is already so saturated with anime that decline is eminent, the line up this fall seems to illustrate just what those people know about anime. With Comiket 72 and the TBS Anime Festa 2008 going on this weekend, it's anticipated that even more new titles will be announced.
Moon Phase is already predicting that there will be about 50 new titles by October. Batsu is currently making a listing of all new fall 2008 titles in English, including TV air times, premier dates, and summaries, to assist fans overseas.
Tags: Anime TV 0 Comments
14.08.2008 · by Eva
1UP Mushroom Burger
This is the "first draft" mushroom burger. The bread for the bun was baked in an automatic rice cooker, and painted green using food coloring. The patty is predominantly made of Japanese mushrooms, including maitake, shiitake, funashimeiji, shimeiji, and enoki. Other ingredients include mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, and basil pesto.
It gave me the strength to defeat Bowser, but Princess broke up with me in the end. Something about "not being big enough"...
Tags: Games Mario Nintendo 0 Comments
12.08.2008 · by Eva
Yotsuba&! Figures at 7-Eleven.?
In what seems to be a new angle in marketing, figures from Kiyohiko Azuma's Yotsuba&! series, currently running in the Dengeki Daioh monthly publication, have been branded yet again.
It all began last winter, when amazon.com offered a special Danboard figure - a character dressed in an array of cardboard boxes - wearing exclusively . This time around, 7&i Holdings is getting in on the action, offering not only 7-11 branded version of Danboard, but Fuka as well. Both manufactured by Kaiyodo, which offers an ever widening variety of Yotsuba&! series figures, the 7-11 Fuka edition will have two alternate bodies, just as the original. One will feature a 7-11 brand t-shirt and matching skirt, while the other body will feature a yellow shirt with "goya" written on it. The shirt references an episode in the comic involving Okinawa, famous in Japan for goya - a green, bumby and uniquely flavored vegetable known as balsam pear, bitter melon, and bitter gourd in English.
Both figures are available from Seven-Net, 7-11's online shopping service. Pre-orders, which started July 29, will continue to be accepted through September 9, and figures will be shipped as to arrive at 7am on November 27.
Tags: Yotsuba&! Figures 0 Comments
11.08.2008 · by Klopz via AKIBA Today
Robot Contest at Niku no Mansei
Tsukumo plans on holding a special robot event on August 23. and and 24. including a competitive contest meaning great news for Tokyo's robot fanatics.
Despite the location not appearing to be in any relation to robots, after all "niku no mansei" is host to a big number of restaurants, the event seems to be organized in a rather normal fashion. There will be three stages of events every day with the first one being the robot contest across various disciplines. The second one includes the observation of the latest robot developments and the third one actually teaches the audience about the assembly, guiding first timers into producing their very own robot.
Visitors will also have the chance to control some of the top developed robots and a tie-up with the movie Iron Man (in theaters September 27.) guarantees entertainment even for small children.
This story is brought to you by AKIBA Today
Tags: Robots Event Akihabara 0 Comments
08.08.2008 · by Eva
To Blog or to Brag?
The new summer Yostuba freakin' rocks.
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08.08.2008 · by Klopz
Zettai Shougeki ~Platonic Heart~ Clocks
As I'm actually looking a bit forward to the first episode of the Zettai Shougeki anime released on October 25th I found these kind of nice. Almost like a simple version of Doki Doki Majo Shinpan, well not quite but still nice. You can choose your favorite characters and put them on your blog or website and let your readers play with them.
You can get them
here
03.08.2008 · by Adrian A. Lozano
Wonder Festival 2008 Summer Escalator Accident ワンダーフェスティバル エスカレーター
Today at Tokyo Big Sight, the bi-annual figure and hobby event known as "Summer Wonder Festival," opened its doors at 10:00a.m. to thousands of attendees. Once inside, attendees scattered in an uncontrolled frenzy to purchase event-exclusive merchandise. At about 10:06a.m, some of those attendees charged to West Hall's side-by-side four story escalators. One led to the popular non-retail sale and cosplay area and the other led back to the first floor. All of a sudden a thunderous crash followed by grinding metal came from the ascending escalator. The weight of all the people made the speed the escalator descend in reverse twice as fast giving people no time to react, and within seconds people ended up piled up on top of each other in front of the base of the escalator.
A Wonder Festival staffer used the emergency stop button to slowly bring the escalator to a complete stop. The escalator buckled under the weight of more than 100 people being on the escalator at the time same. Ten people suffered light injuries and were transported to the hospital. The four story escalator remained closed for the entire show, leaving only one elevator and multiple non-connecting stairways as the only access to the fourth floor. Incidents like this are usually followed by an investigation for any negligence, and will definitely bring both Tokyo Big Sight and Kaiyodo's crowd control and safety measures under scrutiny. This month's Comiket, which will also be held at Tokyo Big Sight will most certainly be affected by some new safety precautions.
Tags: Wonder Festival Wonfes Wonder Fest 0 Comments
01.08.2008 · by Adrian A. Lozano
Maid Cafe ikimasu!
Dolce's Macross event came to a close last night. Great times, and the staff there is top notch! I'll forever be a regular at Queen Dolce. This month, I will also be making a return to Maid Cafes in Akihabara and any in the surrounding area. Maid Cafe reviews will be coming to the site! Patrick and I created an extensive review format for our previous project, but the new format will be more entertaining and EVA will be bring a lot of improved perspectives to it as well.
Until then enjoy Super Dimension Cinderella Ranka in the new opening for Macross Frontier.
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31.07.2008 · by Eva
Doki Doki 2 Release... Today!
If you feel your heart fluttering, there is probably good reason.
Unveiled at last year's Tokyo Game Show, today the sequel to internationally controversial SNK Playmore title Doki Doki Majou Shinpan, playfully referred to as the "witch touching game" in internet circles, will hit Japanese shelves. The DS title was ranked as the best pre-order seller by Amazon.com, and the sequel was offered in two different pre-order package varieties.
The story revolves around teenage protagonist Akuji, who is chosen by the angels to rid his high school of witches. Though the witches themselves might be oblivious to their plight, they can be identified by a rune that appears on their bodies though a series of "investigative" measures, which include touching them via the DS stylus. The sequel, entitled Doki Doki Majou Shinpan Duo, employs a similar game mechanic and will also feature some of the same characters, including the protagonist. For a preview of the doki-doki (a Japanese onomatopoeia for pounding of one's heart) action, features a promotional video of the game; one of the first utilizations its new flash media player.
Though the game received quite a bit of criticism from international gamers and gaming magazines, the release of the first Doki Doki title did not spark much controversy at home. There is even speculation that the original title was planned for international release, due to the English, Chinese, and Korean versions of the game's homepage. These ideas were perhaps scrapped due to negative international reception, mainly founded upon speculation, but the release of this second title once again verifies its strong national fan base.
Tags: Doki Doki Games 0 Comments
31.07.2008 · by EIN
Akiba Today launches
Some of our friends from Akiba Keizai Shinbum (Akiba Financial News) have created an english website called Akiba Today. The site basically resembles AKS as the news sources are the same but with some original content like videos or simple japanese lessons.
The best thing on there are probably the videos because they even take the time to properly subtitle them.
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30.07.2008 · by Eva
Cure Maid Cafe vs. Gurren Lagann Event
CURE MAID CAFE' recently announced a collaboration event featuring Gainax's immensely popular Tengen Toppu Gurren Lagann anime. The event will highlight the release of the Gurren Lagann movie, which will hit Japanese theaters September 6. From August 22 through September 15, CURE will be decorated the part, including special costumes and goods, and feature a special character themed menu.
In conjunction with the theatrical release, Gainax announced a series of music videos featuring alternate tellings of the Gurren Lagann story set to songs from the original soundtrack, which will also be playing at CURE throughout the event. And though the movie itself is said to be a summary of the first fifteen episode story arc with some fresh animated sequences, it's safe to say from last year's promotion of Rebuild: Evangelion 1.0 that Gainax will roll out a slew of figures and among other merchandising opportunities in the wake of this film. Licensed anime good distributor and CURE affiliate COSPA will be offering an assortment of these refreshments at the cafe, for the standard market price.
Tags: Cure Maid Event 0 Comments
28.07.2008 · by EIN via Akiba Today
Pokemon Exhibition at Anime Center
With the new Pokemon Movie "Giratina to Sora no Hanataba Shaymin," out in the theaters since July 19th, there has been a big promotion wave here in Japan. Not only are there Pokemon themed bullet trains, happy meals and lunchpacks, now there is even a special Pokemon exposition at Tokyo Anime Center for those that can't get enough of Pikatchu and friends.
In it, one can see and buy various Pokemon goods and also get deeper insight into the movie production. One of thee more interesting things was a photo set and video footage (on that huge TV screen set made up from 36 smaller ones) which shows the actual scenery the location hunters documented for the illustrations of the backgrounds. In one scene, a scout team went to Norway recording and photographing the local fjords and other landscapes.
The Tokyo Anime Center spokesman said: "It is very rare to publicly show the footage used during the location huntings for an animation feature. We hope it helps people appreciate the special atmosphere and immerse themselves more into the story."
The release of this film also celebrates of the 10 year anniversary of the Pokemon series. Visitors at the theaters will be able to download a rare Pokemon to their Diamond or Pearl version called "Shaymin."
Exhibition hours are from 11.00 to 19.00 until August 31.
News in collaboration with Akiba Today
and
Anime Center
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28.07.2008 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
The International Gundam Society
Mixi News has reported that organizers of the Robot Anime Expo at the Hiroshima Animation Biennale 2008 (Auguest 7-26) have announced the formation of the International Gundam Society.
While not the first of its kind, the event is signifigant for its high profile setting at the Bienalle, which is expected to draw big names such as Hashizume Shinya and Yamaguchi Etsuko and some 400,000 guests.
The main theme is the socioeconomics of the future as seen in Gundam, that is the kinds of pressures that would push humanity into space, into war issues and the realistic possibilities of life on a space station or even the White Base. Other issues are the continuing popularity of Gundam and the culture industry.
Subjects to be touched on include:
Space emigration due to overpopulation
Elitism and human conflict
Psychology of space dwellers and "Newtypes"
Longing for Earth and home
Facism and the Zeon revolution
Technocracy and the Earth Federation
Warfare and reframing conciousness
The economics of the global Gundam franchise
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28.07.2008 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Japan to investigate "Cool Japan"
According to Mixi News, the Japanese government, stirred by the continued talk of the cool image of Japanese fashion and anime overseas, have announced that they will conduct an official market analysis of industries falling under the unbrella of "Cool Japan."
It will be the first official survey of its kind, coming after the controversial Nomura Research Insititute's private 2005 study estimating otaku alone are worth $3.5 million annually.
Proponents of the sure to be highly funded and promoted study include Aso Taro and Kondo Seichi, both of whom remain keen on Douglas McGray's original theory of Japan's "gross national cool" as influence around the world.
Meanwhile, academics are planning to meet at Waseda University to discuss "Embracing the Embarrassing: Japanese Governmental Policies towards the Anime Industry."
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24.07.2008 · by Eva
Annual Akiba Uchimizukko Splash the Streets
August 2 will mark the 5th annual Akihabara Uchimizukko. The event will involve a variety of costumed girls splashing the street with water, including many representatives from area maid cafes. The opening ceremonies will begin 3:00 at Kanda Myojin Shrine, and then take to the streets at 4:30 to cool the whole town.
Uchimizu actually finds its roots in traditional Japanese custom, and even today you can see men and women alike of all ages splashing outside areas with water. People perform this action to abate dust, or in this case cool the area. The evaporating water feels refreshing to the skin, and offers a temporary ease from the sweltering heat. It is usually performed with a small bucket or other container of used water (like bath water) or rain water, as opposed to fresh tap water, and is disbursed in small quantities using a hand or ladle.
Last year, the uchimizukko undertook the noble task of combating global warming... by spilling a bunch of water on the street. This year, organizers seem to have a more realistic sense of the event, making "moe" costumes rule number one for participants. Spectators will surely be packing zoom lenses. There was also a hilarious video last year detailing the right and wrong way to uchimizu, but this year's site still encourages people against splashing others.
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