Asuka November 2012 Now On Sale

Luka... This is for you. I made a lucky charm. Will you take it? ... It's the only thing I can give. Although it's not half as much compared to what you're doing for me.   

Get your money over to CD Japan today as the November issue of Asuka is for sale. The magazine is home to "Uragiri wa Boku no Namae wo Shitteiru" as die hard fans know, so who better to grace the cover than Luka Crosszeria himself!

Actually it can get even better when the bonus item inside is Luka's protection charm, given to him by Yuki in Act 36 of the manga. The black cross features the rose emblem of the series and comes with a mini-chain. And when I say mini, I mean it. It's a shame that it isn't a necklace like in the manga and it's way too small to wear as a bracelet unless you are a chibi, but nevertheless it is a nice freebie to add to any "Uragiri" collection, especially if you are a Luka fan (*points to self*). [Partial scanlation image credit to Stargazing Scanlations]

Evangelion Rei Ayanami Slide

As part of the Shiohaku Expo 2012 summer amusement event, an 18.5 meter (60 foot) long figure of Rei Ayanami (Neon Genesis Evangelion) will be built outside of the NTV Tower in the Shiodome area of Tokyo.

The "Gundam-sized" figure will feature a slide that attendees can slide down during the event, which will take place from July 25th through August 26th, 10 am to 6pm daily.

And if that wasn't enough, a third branch of the beautiful wallet-breaking Evangelion store will open in the nearby NTV building and will feature limited edition merchandise.  Check out the official NTV site as more details (and hopefully pics) emerge. [Source: Evangelion via ANN]

Ghost in the Shell "Tachikoma" Sneakers

Shoe maker Reebox teams up with Japanese figure maker Megahouse for a super duper limited edition run of "Ghost in the Shell" sneakers.  The design for these GiTS sneakers were inspired by the cute walker bots Tachikomas.  The "Tachikoma-blue" coloring is perfect and I love the little details such as the "Section 9" logo found on the heel side.

If these "feets of fury" tickle your fancy, get your battle face ready and shopping strategy set as you attempt to get your hands on one of the 500 pairs that will be available in the world.  Yes, just 500 pairs will be made and will be available in Japan starting next month for 21,000 yen. [Source: Megahobby via Kotaku]

Shinsei Rock Musical Bleach REprise Cast

The rock musical remake of Kubo Tite's Bleach manga is returning to Tokyo this summer in Shinsei Rock Musical Bleach REprise. This is a revival of the musical that was performed in six locations nationwide last year.

The musical will run from August 30th through September 9th at the Shinagawa Stellar Ball. The cast includes several new cast members, including a new Ichigo actor from last year's Shinsei run.

• Masashi Ōyama as Kisuke Urahara
• Eisuke Tsuda as Jūshirō Ukitake
• Kōhei Norizuki as Ichigo Kurosaki
• Miki Satou as Rukia Kuchiki  
• Kōsuke Kujirai as Renji Abarai  
• Yūya Kido as Tōshirō Hitsugaya
• Motohiro Ōta as Byakuya Kuchiki
• Isamu Ishizaka as Shunsui Kyrōraku
• Kanami Ayano as Haruka (original stage play character)
• Shinya Niiro as Niiro Shinya (original stage play character)

Check out the official website here.  [Source: Natalie via ANN]

Baltimore Comic-Con 2012 Registration Now Open

Attention comic lovers, one and all!  I'm happy to announce that registration is now open for this years Baltimore Comic-Con!!! So head on over to baltimorecomiccon.com to grab yours now.  The awesomest event will take place September 8-9 at the Baltimore Convention Center.  And of course Third Impact will be there to bring you all the goodies, and not to mention expand certain collections till we are counting dollars to make sure we've got enough for parking (yes, this happened to us last year).

Tickets that are now on sale include: General Admission for Saturday and Sunday, as well as Single-Day admission for both days; Stan Lee VIP Experience Tickets for Saturday only; and tickets for photo and autograph sessions with Stan Lee for Saturday only.

More exciting announcements are waiting for us in the coming weeks.  And believe me, you won't want to miss it.  Last year was massive in attendance and goodness and I can only anticipate what insanity will insue this year!  Once you've gotten your tickets, make sure your comic book databases are up to date, and hopefully before we know it, Baltimore Comic-Con will be here!

Kotobukiya Makinami Mari Illustrious -PLUG SUIT Style- Figure

Because even the vision impaired can kick ass!

Kotobukiya couldn't screw up if they tried as they once again create a fantastic Evangelion figure. Standing at about 10" tall with twin tails flowing, helmet in hand and tubing in glove (haha), Mari is ready to be paired with last year's previously released Rei and Asuka Kotobukiya PLUG SUIT figures. Making it even more unique, an added aspect to this version is that our Eva Unit 05 pilot's red glasses can be removed to show off those secretive blue eyes. If you are like me and prefer Mari in her green plug suit than her pink, which most figures of her are, this is a must have for your Eva collection.

Get your November preorder's in now over at BigBadToyStore for $114.99.

Uragiri Boku no Namae wo Shitteiru Limited Edition Volume 10

Call it "Uragiri wa Boku no Namae wo Shitteiru." Call it "The Betrayal Knows My Name". Whatever title you know it by, Hotaru Odagiri's supernatural tale of the "touched by God" Zweilts and the demon class Duras has garnered a legion of fans since its debut in 2005, and publishing house Kadokawa Shoten has a special treat for the volume 10 release in Japan. If you have already placed your order, be prepared for a large box from your delivery person, because this manga will not fit in a packaging envelope...

I was perfectly aware prior to its release earlier this month that the limited edition version of volume 10 would include a tote bag, but how pleasantly surprised was I that this bag is no mere trinket like what you might expect folded up as a giveaway in Asuka magazine. The material is not at all flimsy but instead a heavier, black polyester with a sateen-like finish. Both Yuki's silver cross emblem and the series name adorn the center of the bag within a violet rose border. The aubergine lining wihtin is very interesting, featuring a pattern of fleur de lises, crosses and Luka's adorable demon pet, Sodom. I am quite taken with the drawstring type closure of the lining that keeps all your precious cargo from spilling out when you set down the bag.

The main highlight of this set has to be the artwork, which is nothing less than Odagiri's usual gorgeous standards. The beauty that is a bloody and bandaged Luka Crosszeria are featured for the book's cover and box, both of which are definitely "display-worthy" (I've already decided the circular cutout on the front of the box can double as a "frame" for a Yuki postcard ^_~).

But the goodies don't end there! If the manga and bag weren't enough, you will also receive a 20-minute drama CD and script (yes, another piece of new Yuki art!). I dare say that those of you waiting for the volume 4 American omnibus release in August 2012 should console yourselves with a little Uraboku shopping therapy by heading over to CD Japan and picking up the limited edition while supplies last; however, if you are a little short on cash, you can invest in the regular edition manga that comes sans presents.

EVA Vol. 13 Worldwide Simultaneous Release

The newest volume of Neon Genesis Evangelion manga is due November 2nd and will be available in North America the same day as the Japanese release, both in print and digitally!

The wait for the next volume has always been daunting.  Not too long ago its release date was confirmed in Japan and retailers were already taking pre-orders for the limited edition of the book which features a special cover, 3D card, and six postcards by none other than Sadamoto himself; and what I can only assume to be immensely beautiful, a 50-page Sadamoto chapter illustration book.  No word yet if Volume 13 will be the final volume or not.


"In Volume 13, as mankind tilts on the brink of the Third Impact, human feelings are fault lines; good, for cracking the world open, or bad, to be welded forever shut. Once Shinji didn’t care about anything; then he found people to fight for – only to learn that he couldn’t protect them, or keep those he let into his heart from going away.

The world hangs in the balance as Asuka fights to survive an onslaught of Evas determined to destroy her. Shinji rushes to help but he may be too late – deep inside the NERV command center, Dr. Ikari is about to set in motion the last act of the Instrumentality Project. Everything has gone according to Ikari’s plans so far, but even he cannot foresee the role Shinji will play in determining the future!" [Source: VIZ and Crunchyroll]

Love Stage Returns This June

Aching for some Eiki Eiki goodness? My lame pun on the mangaka's name aside, one of my current favorite BL's is back this June in Japan: "LOVE STAGE!!"

Though not yet released in the US (seriously publishers, someone snatch this up!), you can pick up volume two of the Japanese manga this month. We pick up where we left off in volume one with introverted otaku Izumi Sena continuing to deal with the pressure of living with an all entertainer family. And matters have become more complicated as hot actor Ryouma Ichijou went from being crushed and angered over discovering his childhood dream girl turning out to actually be a nerdy man to realizing he is still madly in love with him after seeing Izumi's naked body! O_O All Izumi wants to do is win first prize in a manga competition and prove he can be an independent from his family (so dreams the college student that lives at home and draws like a five-year-old). Papparazi, crushed dreams and growing pains all bring trouble, but perhaps love can show the way to success. Quick! Someone call for Izumi's manga heroine LaLaLuLu!

There's another act to our comedy in the newest issue of Asuka Ciel magazine on sale, which comes with a "Junjo Romantica" and "Sekaiichi Hatuskoi" stamp set for all of you Shungiku Nakamura fans! Both volume two and Asuka Ciel are available at CD Japan.

With all the loving going around, this Third Impact contributer is very much hoping for more chapters of "LOVE STAGES!!" side story "BACK STAGE!!" very soon. The short, comedic and very sexy scenarios between family manager Rei and its J-rock star Shougo Sena are truly some of the star moments from the series. Besides, you can never have too much BL.

Bad Teacher's Equation Volume 3

There are few manga that can perk me up when I'm feeling low and one of them is most certainly "Bad Teacher's Equation" (that's "Kusatta Kyoushi no Houteishiki" to those of you familiar with its Japanese title). Once more I must thank Digital Manga Publishing for releasing the Bunko editions under their June division of fine yaoi and BL titles (ARIGATOU!). The third volume of Kazuma Kodaka's comedy continues to follow the sweet and hysterical events of high-school student Atsushi Arisawa's romantic relationship -or at least the hope of such- with the gorgeous (and self-proclaimed straight) Masayoshi Shibata. Minor spoilers ahead!



COMEDY-DRAMA

It's been an uphill battle for our starry-eyed teen to land the school nurse and, through perseverance and "winning" a gentlemanly agreement, he finally succeeds to acquire that long desired date! However, if previous chapters have taught us anything, Arisawa's wish won't be without it's issues like Masayoshi's brother-complex, the hazards of an amusement park, fawning girls and a nosy foursome of friends & family determined to oversee (and, if lustful best friend Inagaki has his way, ruin) Arisawa's first and perhaps last date with his dream man. This is only the start of the many laugh-out-loud moments from the volume, which also include the introduction of the over dramatic & spiteful Haruhiko "Sunshine" Satsuki (whose constant misinterpretation of events leave him to believe Masayoshi is a gay playboy!) and Atsushi's attempt at creating sexy dreams with childhood pictures of Mr. Shibata under his pillow only to wind up in what could be called "Nightmare on Yaoi Street."

Hilarity is balanced with drama in "BTE" as arranged marriage talk arise in the Shibata household and an interesting new woman, Mizuha Toda, enters Masayoshi's life. Atsushi begins to doubt the possibility of ever becoming the one-and-only to his one-and-only. But what may seem like a cliche injection into any yaoi storyline receives the Kodaka treatment as our adolescent is given a much needed pep talk from Masami and goes "into battle" with Mizuha's father to stop any possible funny business between beautiful daughter and playboy-face Masayoshi at a hotel in one of the funniest moments from the book:

Atsushi: "You need to burst in there and yell, 'I won't let you have premarital sex with my daughter!' Okay?! And, I'll do what I can to hold back Mr. Shibata!"

Toda: Er... Right!

ROMANCE

Of course any good yaoi has a healthy infusion of romance and feelings accumulate into touching confessions in this volume as Atsushi puts his heart on the line once again. Though seemingly naive, his forwardness make him appear the more adult of the two. Masayoshi begins to set aside his fears of being spurned by love for a chance at real happiness with someone who accepts both his merits and his faults. If Atsushi can meet his conditions of becoming a strong adult who really means what he says about love, he'll wait for him; otherwise, the curse he places on Atsushi for forgetting about him will take effect. How is he cursed you ask? Well, let's just say I'm with Atsushi when he pleads to be cursed again. ^_~

ART

The artwork may look dated to you newer BL lovers out there. After all, "BTE" first started in 1993 (the clothes certainly reflect it). Plus there is no denying the current look of the 10-year gap between thin Atsushi with his serious boy school haircut and the laid-back adult Masayoshi. But as volumes progress and characters age through years, Kodaka's style matures into something more akin to those familiar with her "Border" series without losing the essence of its roots. And please believe this long time fan when I say cute, little Arisawa's steps into adulthood is worth the time put into the series (love and milk does a body good).

ADULT CONTENT

"BTE" is rated 18+. Violence is mostly comical with the exception of a drugging for devious intentions by "Sunshine." Nudity is at a minimal with nothing more than a brief shower scene for you out there who prefer the ladies. Other than a disturbing hook up between two surprising character (thank you censorship blur! 0_0), for those of you looking for more than passionate kisses between the books main couples, you'll have to keep taking a cold shower until the next volume. One of the things I find refreshing from "BTE" is that our characters don't just jump into bed for the heck of it (no matter how much Atsushi might want it; sorry kid!). Sometimes it is nice to enjoy the little things and Atsushi's innocence with his stealing kisses can be quite sweet. Though his attempt to be more adult in an earlier scene sets up for has a very comical ending when he shows off his proud work to Masayoshi's friend and brother's lover, Toru:

Starry-eyed Atsushi: "See? This hickey right here is from me. I did a good job, didn't I? ... That's it. I'm going to start focusing my studies on how two guys properly make love! That way... I'll make sure that I'm able to satisfy Mr. Shibata when we..."

Terrified Masayoshi: "Save me...! Toru...!"

Most stores won't have volume three for sale until March 13th, but no need to wait! Online retailers Akadot and Yaoi Club have it in-stock and discounted today! Don't forget while you are there to pick up volumes one and two, if you don't have them already. With these being Bunko releases each book is two of the original Japanese volumes in one! Seriously, what are you waiting for?

1/1 Scale Fist of the North Star Kenshiro Statue

"It belongs in a museum!!"

Because this is exactly what your collection is missing, the good folks of Comic Zenon (Tokuma Shoten's Monthly magazine) brings forth the creation of a life-sized figure of Fist of the North Star manga lead Kenshiro.

Kenshiro stands at 185 cm tall (about 73 inches tall) and did I mention that he happens to be inlaid with 500,000 Swarovski crystals! The crystals alone are worth 10 million yen (about $130,000). Figure maker Kaiyodo produced the life-size figure under the supervision of Fist of the North Star's very own creator, Tetsuo Hara.

Comic Zenon will offer the fully decked Kenshiro figure in a charity auction on their online store. For those with sparkly determination and a sparkling wallet to match can join in the auction which starts in mid-November. Minature version of the figure will also be sold at their online store.

The 1/1 scale statue was officially unveiled at Tokyo's Ginza Hakuhikan store with the opening of the Comic Zenon Online store. The first 77 people who bought the December issue of Comic Zenon there were given a photo-op with the statue and received a 7-inch Kenshiro figure. Starting today, "Swarovski Kenshiro" will be on display at Tokyo's Haneda Airport.

Check out Mainichi Shimbun's Mantan site for more close-ups of the statue. [Source Mantan Web via ANN]

ANiMiX Finder no Hyoteki DVD News

The b-boy website has announced hot news on Friday (with emphasis on the word HOT)!

The very long wait for the ANiMiX "Finder no Hyouteki” DVD looks to finally be over with a projected release at the end of this year. Note that this is not an anime film of Ayano Yamane’s popular yaoi series. ANiMiX, to put it simply, is taking the manga and giving it an anime look with voice actors and minimal animation. According to the homepage post, three stories will be included (Finder no Hyouteki, FIXER and Love Surprise).

Voice cast will include Tetsuya Kakihara as Akihito Takeba and Takaya Kuroda as Ryuuichi Asami, both who will also be voicing the drama CD released this month. Kuroda voiced Darcia in “Wolf’s Rain” and between that voice and this sexy picture of Asami, I will surely be on the lookout to acquire my the DVD upon its release.

Hybrid Child Grows Into Anime Adaptation

Exciting news for all Shungiku Nakamura fans!

The September issue of Ciel magazine proudly announced that not only has "Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi" has been renewed for a second television season, but yet another one of our favorite yaoi mangaka's work is being transformed into an animated series. "Hybrid Child" will reportedly be debuting on Japanese television later next year. This will be the third animated series based off Nakamura's creations (the first being the successful run for "Junjo Romantica"

that completed in 2009 after 24 episodes).

Unlike the ongoing volumes of "Junjo" and "Sekai," Hybrid Child was a fantasy one-shot manga published in Japan in 2005 and spawned a drama CD in 2008.

The story takes place during the Meiji period and features the separate lives of Kotaro, Seya and Kuroda: three men (a number true to Nakamura's romantic formula) in possession of organic android-type creations known as the Hybrid Child, or HC, whom develop strong emotional ties to their owners in order to grow.

So congratulations Nakamura-sensei! We are all so very proud. Now, where is volume 15 of Junjo Romantica? Just asking...

Oshii to Novelize Satoshi Kon's Unfinished Seraphim

Mamoru Oshii, the acclaimed anime director and the original story creator of the late Satoshi Kon's unfinished Seraphim: 2-Oku 6661-Man 3336 no Tsubasa (Seraphim: 266,613,336 Wings) manga, will publish a novel version of the manga in the Spring of 2012.

"Seraphim" is set in a world plagued by a deadly disease. To solve the mystery of this disease, three wise men and a girl named Sera embark on a journey to the heart of Central Asia where they encounter many enemies and conspiracies.

According to Kon, Oshii created the story's original concept and then asked Kon to make a manga of it. Kon originally serialized the manga in Tokuma Shoten's Animage magazine from the May 1995 issue to the November 1996 issue, but the story was incomplete after 16 chapters. After Kon passed away last August, Tokuma reprinted part of the manga in Monthly Comic Ryū magazine and then compiled Kon's entire run into a book last December. Tokuma is also publishing Kon's first manga series (Kaikisen) this Friday and Kon's short manga stories (Yume no Kaseki Kon Satoshi Zen-Tanpen) on February 17. [Source: Comic Natalie via ANN]

Buddha Kuro - SDCC Exclusive

Going to San Diego Comic Con this year? Lucky you. As a huge Camilla d'Errico fan, you bet I'm jealous, as SDCC commemorates the launch of her Giant Buddha Plush!! This "plushzilla" is seriously H-U-G-E. He stands a full 2 feet tall, 60", he's about 1 foot wide and 1 foot deep.

Only 100 Buddha plushes will be available (to be picked-up at the convention, from booth #4920). The price per plush is $125 USD. To pre-order, write to cderricostore@gmail.com to reserve yours! As an added special, if you get yours on PREVIEW NIGHT, Camilla will even be on hand to make an extra special signature/sketch on his giant hang tag! (squeeee)

But for us poor schmucks that won't be going to SDCC, there is a silver lining to this. You can still get on the pre-order list!!

Steins;Gate Kurisu Makise Kotobukiya Figure

My latest favorite title is Steins;Gate. It's great, and I've been disappointed to see that the title isn't widely known. It's tough finding the manga/visual novel and I've been anxiously waiting for the PC release of the game (initially released for the Xbox 360 back in October 2009). In the midst of writing my review of Steins;Gate and promoting this title, I came across a beautiful figure of the main heroine, Kurisu Makise.

As you will read soon enough, visually, Steins;Gate is stunning and I am happy to see that this figure does it justice. My eyes immediately jump and swoon over that spectacular base. This figure alone culminates what Kotobukiya can do. In 1/8 scale, Kurisu is perfectly represented down to the very last details of her clothing and to those mysterious eyes.

Retailed at 7,800 yen, preorders are now available at Hobby Search. Watch for Kurisu this September.

Tokyopop to Tour U.S. for "America's Greatest Otaku"

The North American manga publisher Tokyopop will be touring the U.S. this summer (from July 1 through the end of August) to promote the company and film a reality show called "America's Greatest Otaku," in which Tokyopop CEO Stu Levy, Associate Producer Daisuke Kinouchi, and six interns will "search America for the #1 otaku."

According to Publishers Weekly, the Tokyopop Tour is "best described as the otaku version of MTV’s reality show, Road Rules. In this case a group of six otaku (or super fans of Japanese pop culture) will travel across the country in a bus with Tokyopop founder, CEO and COO Stuart Levy. The tour will stop at manga and anime conventions across the country and footage of the visits will be broadcast online." In the interview, Levy describes the Tokyopop Tour as "actually two things with one united purpose. It is an outreach program and also a reality show called 'America's Greatest Otaku.' It's purpose is to meet fans nationwide. "

The official Tokyopop Tour site can be found here. [Source: ANN and Publisher's Weekly]

GSC Junjo Romantica Nendoroid Set

About one year ago, I first saw sketches of a new set of petit nendoroid figures by Good Smile Company. It was of a series I've been meaning to pick up, especially with the excited behest of two best friends. The series -- Junjo Romantica. Whether or not you are a fan of the series or even just a Nendoroid fan, the sketch alone of Usagi-san will make you go head of heels -- or least that's what happened to me. Announced as a Chara-Ani exclusive, it was set to be released August 2009. But August came and went, and no figures.


Now a year later, sketches have become reality as Chari-Ani takes pre-orders for its exclusive. The Junjo Romantica Petit Nendoroid Limited Mail Order set includes Misaki, Akihiko and Suzuki-san! The set is retailed at 2,100 yen (super cheap, but if you're not in Japan and are intent on getting your hands on one, the set will probably be much more). I can't wait till my set arrives on August 2010! I am still squealing and shaking as I type...wahhhh!

Viz Acquires Vampire Knight Anime Series

It really has been a long time coming which has been very surprising to me, but Viz Media has finally announced that it has acquired the Vampire Knight anime series, during its second Saturday panel at Comic-Con International. Rejoice!

Viz Media will release Matsuri Hino's eight manga volume next month.

CLAMP designs costume for Tekken 6

The all female mangaka group CLAMP is designing special console exclusive costumes for the home release of TEKKEN 6. The special costume is for Jin Kazama and is in this week’s issue of Famitsu. Jin looks hot CLAMP-style! [Source: SD Tekken]

UPDATE (7/01/2009): Added clearer photo. HOTNESS!