02.10.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Nippombashi image character
Her name is Neon (音々), and she was drawn by none other than Itou Noiji of "Haruhi" and "Shana" fame. She was unveiled in March at the annual street festival in Den Den Town, Nippombashi. Maybe she was drawn just as a gimmick to draw in tourists, but I for one will take it! Why can't Akiba have an image character, man? I may have to move out to Pombashi to be closer to Neon-chan...
Tags: Anime Tourism 2 Comments
28.09.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Nippombashi pictures
Just some pics of the guys from Macross World and local Japanese otaku that showed me around Nippombashi last week. Thanks again Howard, Rob, Takumi and Shacho!
By the way, I think Rob may be the only guy who can claim to be banned from K-Books. Check it out here.
26.09.2009 · by Adrian A. Lozano
Lucky Star X Macross Frontier Ichiban Kuji Now On Sale!!!
Lucky Star X Macross Frontier hit 24 hours convenience stores in Tokyo at 12am this morning. Radiokaikan should be flooded with people at 10am when they open in the morning. I found a Family Mart selling them, and at 22 past midnight all the Cosplaying Rankas' were gone.
I tried my luck and bought two tickets for a Cosplaying Klan and ended up with doubles of Konata cosplaying as Aiku. Damm you KyoAni!!!!
Tags: Figures Anime Toys 0 Comments
26.09.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Akiba Game Fair
I missed Tokyo Game Show due to business, but was able to catch this smaller gathering in Akihabara. Lots of moe moe contents! It was my first time, but won't be the last.
Tags: Games Akihabara 0 Comments
25.09.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Moe graffiti
I was in Nippombashi, Osaka, in the care of some really great guys, Howard and Rob from Macross World, and Takumi and Shacho, standard Japanese otaku. All were experts in the area, the "Akiba of the West," and extremely generous with their time. Thanks so much! Walking around one of the backstreets in search of forgotten hobby shops, we happened across some graffiti of moe. On closer inspection, it became clear that the culprit had mistakenly drawn the Chinese character. (Click second image for a closeup.) Priceless!
23.09.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Licca-chan parfait!
I was down at Mos Burger and just had to order this, a tribute to Japan's Barbie. As I ordered the old man behind the counter asked if I intended to fill up a stamp card to earn a Licca-chan mirror; maybe he was ribbing me, but I considered ordering three of the things to get the stupid mirror. Hey, when in Akiba, do as the moe otaku do! But good thing I only ordered one. It was so sweet I literally got a headache after.
15.09.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
'20th Century Boys' trilogy complete
I finally got a chance to go see the final chapter of the film series in theaters last night, and it was great. Well, the movies themselves are perhaps not so great, but I couldn't help but enjoy the show. I can't help but feel that the author of the original manga, Urasawa Naoki, is really making a statement on the past century in Japan, specifically the downward slide and disenfranchisement among kids since Expo 70. This is the era when otaku,and also Aum Shinrikyo appeared, and kids committed acts of unspeakable violence. I couldn't help but shudder when Tomodachi said, "I am the 20th Century Boy." He describes the century as that best and worst chapter of human history - right before he talks about destroying all of humanity except for the reconstructed Expo 70 site. Chilling stuff. The ending with Kenji singing was forced, I think, as was his redemption in going back with a machine to apologize to Tomodachi as a kid for setting him up to be bullied and ignored his whole life. It doesn't change anything to apologize in your own memories, ass. But the movies makes it seem like it does - Tomodachi helps Kenji write the song that unites the world and ends the movie by saying he finally made a friend. Very uplifting, but totally nonsensical. How is it that in an alternative version of the past he helped write a song Kenji has already sung? I guess the movie's director wanted to redeem Kenji by allowing for the apology. I did not read the original manga, but someone who did, is this how it ended? I hope the epic tale was not reduced to this in that version, too.
Tags: Movies 0 Comments
11.09.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Creamy Mami
Nice to see advertising for this event in Shibuya station. Designers getting together to honor one of the queens of the magical girl shows! Pity I didn't make it, or post the notice in a timely manner... If anyone did attend, please let me know how it was! m(_ _)m
Tags: Anime Event 0 Comments
21.08.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Moe Hello Kitty!
I often joke with friends that moe will conquer the world. They laugh, and I present an official Sanrio souvenir Akihabara towel with Hello Kitty asking, "Moe?" I bought it years back in Shinagawa station. Comike 76 provided more evidence. Kitty made her debut, courtesy of two of my favorite illustrators, Okama and Pop. These guys are squarely in moe territory, and that Sanrio tapped them, and at Comike no less, is a pretty big statement for the expanding cultural power of moe. Or the fall of the once great character designers.
16.08.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Otaku2 in the pages of doujinshi!
Coming off of Comike 76, we have some very happy news. First, John Hathway, who provides the art for the site, released his new book and science mystery game. Next, Adrian Lozano had some of his artwork displayed in a doujinshi celebrating "Megazone 23."
Last, our tour made it into a doujinshi exploring Akihabara. I wonder if anyone bought these!?
Tags: Doujinshi Comike Otaku 0 Comments
15.08.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Square Showroom hours
I stopped by Shinjuku to pick up something for my brother, in the process missing most of Comike.... But I did discover that the operating hours have changed at the Square Enix Showroom. The store is now open from 11:00 a.m. to 7 p.m. everyday, except for Thursdays. At least it will be easy to coordinate a visit now, but it is still a long hike!
Tags: Videogames Square Enix Shopping 0 Comments
15.08.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Young Anime People - Yappies!
Matt Alt has just posted a fascinating page from the history of otaku, discovered in "The Anime," circa August 1984. Wild stuff! Check it out here.
Tags: Otaku Academic 0 Comments
11.08.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Tokyo Figure Show
It was a rocking time at Danny Choo's Tokyo Figure Show this past week. The event was held in the new art space in Harajuku promoting Coca Cola's Vitamin Water. Danny collaborated with Good Smile Company to introduce high society to a little moe culture. There were a lot of Nendoroids and Figma in attendence, mainly from "Haruhi" and "Lucky Star." The Hatsune Miku exclusive from Wonder Festival, which sold out in a manner of minutes, was also on display. I was personally hoping to see something from "K-On!" or "Strike Witches," but no such luck. The real star of the night was Mirai-chan, Danny's mascot character who is now in hug pillow and Figma form. Way to go!
10.08.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Ultra Cider!
I went camping in rural Kanagawa Prefecture this past weekend, and all I have to show for it are bug bites and a sunburn. But I did happen across a vending machine selling cans of cider - Ultra Cider, that is! Each can was a different "Ultraman" design. I chose an old favorite, Ultra Seven, and was pleased to find the back of each can listed one of the kaiju from the show. Seriously cool stuff! My only regret is that I didn't have the money or fortitude to buy up all the cans and port them back to Tokyo.
Tags: Tokusatsu Weird 2 Comments
05.08.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Eva Phone ad
Just saw this walking through Harajuku. I think it's funny how iconic the text-on-image style has become since Eva. The Sound Only in the middle is priceless in this cell phone ad! If there was a phone styled after SEELE I would so buy it...
Tags: Gainax CM 0 Comments
29.07.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Nakano Fujoshi Sisters at Comike
I just got word that the girls, dressed as boys again, will be performing at Comike. I guess they are going to be the only band there this year. Could be fun, and pictures are supposedly allowed for members of the press (read: anyone with a blog). I think I will be going just to get in on the action - idols surrounded by oceans of hungry otaku buying doujinshi. If the energy of the cosplay area tells us anything, the energy at this performance will be something to remember.
What: Fudanjuku Summer Live in Comike
When: 8/16 (Sunday) at 14:45 (doors open at 14:00)
Where: 7th floor Kokusai Kaigiba, Tokyo Big Sight
Tags: Idols Comike 0 Comments
14.07.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
Dolls on display at posh Harajuku opening
I was invited to the opening of Glaceau Gallery an art space in Harajuku. It is on the 9th floor of the H&M Building, and considered very posh. Apparently the scheduled events in the space are to promote Glaceau VitaminWater from Coca Cola. It really isn't my scene, but old friend Akagi Shigure had his dolls on display so I went to visit. Of course, everyone was downstairs partying and these beautiful works were largely ignored. It almost would have been better if they were ignored. One ass literally wearing sunglasses at night in the darkened gallery was seen posing lewdly with the dolls. Luckily Akagi, who is not known for going out much, was not there to see it. Let's see how the rest of the otaku lineup fares! I am going to be presenting on July 18 (Saturday) from 3pm to 6 pm, and Danny Choo will be hosting the Tokyo Figure Show there from August 4 to 9. All the otaku on standby in Tokyo - admission is free, as are drinks and entertainment. Come on in and geek out!
Tags: Dolls Cool Japan 0 Comments
11.07.2009 · by Adrian A. Lozano
Busy week ANN and a vist to Danny Choo's office WooHoo!!!
This week was my four year anniversary living in Tokyo. I moved here on Saturday July 8th 2005 the opening day of Star Wars Revenge of the Sith and the day after the airing of the first episode of Densha Otoko. The last four years have been great, with a few major and minor ups and downs but I wouldn't trade it for the world. This week has been one of my busiest weeks in the past months. It started last sunday with a visit to Danny Choo's office with my fellow toy expert TokyoHunter. We went there to check out his Figure.FM site and talk about.............. well toys. Danny's dolls are really awesome, he asked if we started venturing into the doll realm. Currently no but it does seem more appealing more and more the past year. Danny has allot of really cool stuff coming down the pike.
Root Beer and Sexy Figures a perfect combination!
Later that night I went to see the new EVA movie, which is very good just a bit lacking on cold blooded characters and death the original series had. This week the Kaiyodo Hobby Lobby dressed Rei up as a maid, why I'm not sure.
July 7th was Tanabata, and luckily the rain stopped long enough to enjoy the moon and stars for the night. If only the humidity would let up, but it's only going to get worse. Yuck!
I got to catch up with my friend Jamie Lano in Yuracho. She took me to the Berry Cafe for some crazy fancy deserts. These things were crazy elaborate at an amazingly cheap price. Jamie has been so busy the past few months with work.
I ended my work week on Friday meeting up with Patrick and Christopher Macdonald the CEO and Editor-In-Chief of Anime News Network at @home cafe in Akihabara. It's been awhile since I've been there and while waiting for the elevator Hitomi-chan was on the way up too and we got to talk about old times when I use to be an @home regular a few years back. We talked to Christopher about how Otaku2 all started and how Patrick's Encyclopedia came to be a book, and the anime industries present state. After we did some Transformer toy hunting for Egan Loo but came up empty handed.
Well today is the big Gundam day in Odaiba, but I just don't have the strength to make it out there. Here's to another year in Tokyo and Otaku life!
09.07.2009 · by Patrick W. Galbraith
CafeDoll Tokyo becomes Doll Tokyo AV Actress Cafe
The maid cafe was replaced by something akin to a hostess bar. Sexy chicks who appear in Japanese porn are available for chat and drinks. The price is mighty high, too. (Click second image to see.) I know that the maid cafe market is saturated while sex always sells, but I can't help but feel discouraged by this sign of the times. Is AV really what Akiba needs more of? It makes it all the more bitter that CafeDoll Tokyo was a favorite of Lani Lee, who was with Otaku2 last year. Her review is here. I also saw that one of my favorite spots, the venerable Cafe Corona in the Radio Center, has finally closed. ortz
06.07.2009 · by Adrian A. Lozano
Macross Frontier The Movie Teaser Poster and Trailer
Shinjuku Wald9 cinema has the teaser poster for Macross Frontier The Movie: Itsuwari no Utahime (The False Songstress) displayed in their main lobby. The poster features the entire art work that was uploaded last week on the “official Macross Frontier site”. The new movie trailer was also attached to Evangelion 2.0: You Can (Not) Advance. The trailer had new music and about sixty percent of the animation was all new footage while the rest was from Frontier episodes one and two. This was an all new trailer and not the (Tentative title) trailer shown at the Macross Launch Event back in February.
