Con Report - Katuscon 13

It's been 3 straight days of anime, manga, video game galore at Katsucon 13 held this past weekend at the Omni Shoreham in Washington, DC, and my body has only now succumbed with extreme exhaustion and satisfaction. There is no doubt that I'm glad that today is a holiday...I need time to recuperate. There's just so much to report (so get ready for a looong entry) and I'm sure to miss some highlights from Katsu 13 - both the good and the bad. This year, I spent less time with the live programming and concentrated more on the merchant's room and on the video programming. There were only a handful of live events that caught my interests. So with that all said, let's hop to it!

COSPLAY

Cosplay this year seemed dry and ordinary. In addition, I felt that the number of cosplayers have been decreasing for the past 2 years. I was unable to get a costume ready in time for this con, unfortunately. But anyways, there's only so much Sailor Moon, Naruto, Full Metal Alchemist, and Bleach I can stand...give it up already!! Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts is always a popular theme for cosplay. They made their appearance once again, but at least the frequency of FF cosplayers were subdued. I was happy to see less Inu Yasha cosplaying (thank you!!!) but there was enough there to start to tick me off. Silent Hill also made an appearance, as well as The Sims. There weren't any costumes that blew my mind comparing to other years...I still remember the Jin-Roh and FF: Spirits Within cosplayers about 3 or 4 years ago.

LIVE PROGRAMMING

The usual events graced its presence at Katsu 13 - dance, iron artist, artist alley, and cosplay to name a few. Peelander Z, the j-pop/rock band gave 2 hyperactive concerts (Friday and Sunday) -- they're hilarious if anything. Some events worth mentioning includes the Art of Speed Grapher. It was great to see others who enjoy the series and hear from the Associate Art Director of Funimation, Antimere Robinson. I also enjoyed the WOW TCG Demo.

Hayato and Val of Duel Jewel had an autograph and photo session and showed their exclusive live concert from their recent performance in Japan. It was a great and life-stopping moment when I came across Hayato and Val in the Merchant's room, they definitely took me by surprise.

VIDEO PROGRAMMING

If there were any improvements at Katsu this year, it was with its live programming. I was able to catch a good range of anime and live action series.

Let's start with live action, most of which I'm happy to report were in its original language. "Great Yokai War" is a remake of the 1968 film and has a nice plot and a nice amount of comedic elements. A young boy is chosen as the "Kirin Rider" and is given the responsibility of leading Japan's ancient Yokai spirits in their war against the evil monsters empowered by the "things thrown away by humans." I'm not very versed in history, but if you've seen enough anime like me, you can recognize some Yokai spirits. For example, if you've seen Azumanga Daioh, the second year culture fest episode includes references to the wall and paper umbrella spirits.

From good old samurai movies to old-school anime to street gang movies, "The Hidden Blade," "Tetsujin," and "Time and Tide" brought more veteran anime fans together. "Time and Tide" was a pleasant surprise.

Moving on to anime. Looking for nonsense laughter, I was able to sit down and catch "Kamichu," Ninja Nonsense," and "Super Gals" Season 2. Another pleasant suprise was "Paradise Kiss." The animation is flawless and the plot is nice and light. A stressed-out 3rd year high school student runs into some design students preparing for their annual school fashion show. Though "Paradise Kiss" may seem like your ordinary romantic comedy, I think that both guys and girls will enjoy it. Other series include "Coyote Ragtime Show," "Disgaea," and "Gakuen Heaven."

MERCHANT'S ROOM

Ah, the merchant's room, where every fan can find that perfect item or items for their collection. There was a really great selection of stores this year, probably the best for Katsucon. I was happy to see that the FF potions were available for purchase and the pinky street finally makes an appearance. It seems that more and more people are jumping into the pinky:st craze. The Tohru and Henrietta pinkys, 2 of the rarest pinkys, was also available for about 100 dollars. My wallet was definitely impacted, but it was worth it. Some items I took home include a Last Exile Figure and some artbooks including Range Murata's Form Code 3rd edition - stunning beauty to say the least. I had always seen screen shots for the Cloud and Sephiroth figure, but never got to see it up close. If I could have gotten anything during Katsu 13, it would have been this magnificent piece of art belonging in a museum. Sadly, it'll have to stay on my wish list. The picture does absolutely no justice to the figure. Just seeing it is breathtaking.

So, what was my whole take on Katsucon 13 (16 Feb-18 Feb 2007)? Overall, I thought Katuscon 13 provided some nice entertainment and a bountiful stash of anime goodies. There was a great number of younger kids on Saturday, but luckily most did not stay for the entire con. I was able to "be with my own kind" and share my appreciation and passion of the industry. I still haven't found the spark I felt in Katsucon in the past years. They really slipped up last year, but made a vast improvement this time around, though not in all respects. Their lack of Japanese guests was trifling. The guests are one of the most important aspects of cons for me. This is also for the first year the photo areas were implemented. While I understand the need and feel that it did make a difference, I felt that some potential photo ops were discarded simply because of the unwillingness to stop what you were doing and walk to the nearest photo area. Be that as it may, hopefully this marks the beginning of recuperation. Based on the experience, I hope to go to Katsucon 14 next year.

Live Programming = C+/B-
Video Programming = B/B+
Merchants Room = B-/A
Cosplay = C+/B-
Organization = B
Guests = D/F
Overall = C+/C (Average)

Evangelion Drinks

Yes, you heard me. Evangelion Drinks! Gainax and Animate has just announced the release of Evangelion drinks. Oh why must you torture me so? You can buy the individual cans. But I've got my eyes set on the case. I feel ecstatic just as I'm writing this, I've gotta catch my breath. Okay, the case will have 6 cans (2 cans of Black Coffee with the words "Don't Drink This"; 3 cans of LCL Orange Juice; and a coin bank for those who buy the case) at 945 Yen.

The case is awesome in it of itself. On it lies the perfect parody, straight from the first episode - Gendo says: "If you're going to drink, hurry up. Otherwise, go home!" Shinji responds: "I don't even know what's in it! There's no way I'm drinking this."

The Evangelion drinks will be on sale at the Gainax Eva Store and Animate stores on April 12, 2007. I've already emailed all my import stores about it. In some cases, they first hear about some products from me, then it's available for purchase! This was the case for the Final Fantasy Potions Energy Drink. I just wish I had a guarantee of getting some of these cases. I'll take any help I can get!

Trexi

During my spare time in Atlanta, Georgia last week, I was able to fit in some touristing in the midst of working. One of my stops was the World of Coca-Cola. There I tasted some of the world's sodas (there were some pretty nasty ones, and of course, the japanese one was my favorite). I also had a fateful encounter with "Trexi." The first time I came across the Trexi figures was while I was shopping at ningyoushi.com some years ago. I tried to avoid them, knowning my obsession, nay, passion for figurines. And what should I encounter at the World of Coca-Cola? Exclusive Trexi figures.

I was able to find five "We all speak Football" Trexi figures I was searching for. I'm still looking for the "Archangel" (pictured here) but have not had any luck locating one. For those of you not fully versed in "Trexi," be sure to check out www.trexi.com.sg. But be warned, if you're as crazy as me, it might be better if you avoid clicking on the link.

The Attack of Live Action Movies

It seems that all I've been writing about is the upcoming releases of anime/manga turned Live Action. Is it just me, or has the volume of live action movies increased over the years? I've expressed my feelings on this several times, so I won't bore you with the details. But overall, while I love the idea of Live Action movies, especially for my favorite anime and video game titles, it instills in me great fear and uncertainty. I don't want anything, such as bad casting, screenplay, lack of production resources, etc. ruining the integrity of the original piece. The increase of live action titles must reflect the growing popularity of some titles, but in the end, unless you can produce live action movies with uncompromising quality, don't do it at all.

With that said, in addition to some of the ones I've already mentioned like "Death Note" and "Ghost in the Shell", and many others not discussed, live actions are definitely surfacing at a much greater pace. A "Metal Gear Solid" movie is in the works (thanks for the info. Gendo77) with Hollywood production associations -- scary. And the filming of "Blood: The Last Vampire" live action movie (with French production associations) has already commenced. That movie is tentatively set to be released in the U.S. by Spring 2008. There are many others that have been in the beginning stages for quite some time. One such title is the coveted "Evangelion." I really hope those "thoughts" don't surmont to anything but just that -- thoughts.

Only time will tell. Let us hope that these titles are in good hands and that these creators/artists think before they leap.

Solty Rei

Three pasts, two hearts, one end.

It's been 12 years since a mysterious even known as "Blast Fall" took numerous victims and left many more injured. The survivors are now equipped with "Resemble," mechanistic parts that provide superior performance -- arms, legs, human organs, whatever was damaged during the incident. This is where we find Roy Revant, a bounty hunter with a broken past. During a fight, he meets a "Resemble" that is 100% machine! After some altercations, Roy becomes "guardian" of Solty.

Solty Rei delivers entertainment, but is somewhat lacking that enticement we normally encounter in Gonzo works (or maybe I was just spoiled after Speed Grapher). The soundtrack is mediocre, but some pieces are rightly befitting. The animation is beautiful as 3D CG visuals and background gracefully intertwine with the non-CG animation.

At the beginning, the whole bounty hunter aspect reminded me of Cowboy Bebop, but that thought was wiped away almost immediately. The series has its moments, but the overall plot is not concrete. If anything, character development got me hooked. Roy, a cold and distant, multi-layered being, is matched up with an optimistic and innocent girl. The 2 extremes of the Roy and Solty relationship and the changes they both make balances any of the otherwise "less perfect" elements. Roy makes my list of favorite characters possibly because he reminds me of me in some ways -- this could be true for Solty as well (as with several other anime characters). But all in all, I wouldn't pass up this series. There's enough originality and flavor to make Solty Rei very entertaining.

Speed Grapher Vol. 5

Speed Grapher, Volume 5, picks up the slow pace it had last volume. Suitengu's past is revealed and desperate attempts at resolution is out of reach as a blockade of lies and deception steer our heroes on the wrong path. The meanings behind justice and freedom continue to be tested as the true nature of humans lies closely to power and corruption. Volume 5 ends at a critical point, leaving the viewer anxiously waiting to pick up the final volume, to be released in the U.S. on March 6th.

Le Chevalier D'Eon

Le Chevalier D'Eon, Volume 1 is undoubtedly bewildering and absolutely breathtaking. The story is set in France in the time of Louis XV - the story's historic references are plentiful and double meanings are scattered throughout the story and its characters.

D'eon de Beaumont discovers the body of his sister, Lia, in a coffin with only the word "psalms" on the cover. Set to uncover the mystery behind her death, D'eon joins the secret police to the king. They come across other victims that have received similar fates as his sister. As the story and mystery unravels, the search for the truth gets even more sinister and intricate as connections with some dark occult organization, Le Secret de Roi, and D'eon's sister, Lia, as well as other prominent members of royalty are revealed. Metamorphesis seems to be one of the overlying themes as the conceptes between vengeance and happiness are intertwined.

Volume 1 starts out very strong and maintains that edge till the very end leaving you exasperating for more. It is nicely paced and perfectly balanced with all the elements we love best -- the animation, plot, and character development are all stunning. The musical score definitely plays a huge role in the total ambience of the story. The prospects of this series are extremely high as I have yet to find any "weak spots."

I've only said this to one other anime title (Tonari no Totoro), but the english dubbed version actually does some justice. I am still squirmy about the actual voice characters, but I think the translation is superior as poetry and verses are significant in the series. I'd recommend Le Chevalier d'Eon to all anime fans. I'm sure the levels of appreciation of the minute elements, etc. will vary, but the level of entertainment is sure to be high for all.

Gedo Senki

Goro Miyazaki's first movie, Gedo Senki (or Tales from Earthsea/Les Contes de Terremer - see blog entry 06/07/06), was released in Japan last year. There have been mixed reviews that cover both ends of the spectrum -- from horrible to wonderful. We've also known that his father, the renowned Hayao Miyazaki, was against the thought of Goro directing the movie. Nevertheless, the main point to get is that Goro is trying to step out of his father's shadow (a difficult feat at best) and create his own style. I can't help but feel a little biased since Hayao is my number one director, but I'm sure that many fans went to watch Gedo Senki because of Hayao's past works.

Gedo Senki will be open in French theaters earlier than scheduled -- April 4, 2007. Unfortunately, licensing problems still remain in the U.S., so it looks like it won't get released there earlier than 2009! While I can only go on conjecture, it seems that your take on the movie will depend on what you expect from it before watching it. Hopefully, I won't have to wait too long to watch it.

Alvis & Henrietta

I'm a sucker when it comes to absolutely stunning figurines that are simply oozing with beauty and perfection. I don't know if I can resist the temptation, but the Alvis E. Hamilton (Last Exile) and Henrietta (Gunslinger Girl) figures just has to be in my possession. I don't see how that's going to happen, as I have placed a spending restriction on myself, that is, with the exception of Katsucon of course. The Last Exile figure came out a while ago, but has recently been restocked.

Every figure is unique in its own way. There's no way I can pinpoint what certain allure some figures have for me. I don't want to over-generalize, but anything with wings, super-details, any Range Murata work, any Evangelion, any Five Star Stories, and definitely any Final Fantasy figures are sure to catch my attention...ah, evil temptress, what is this hold you have over me?

I hope I can hold out till February and I hope I'll find both Alvis and Henrietta in Katsucon at a reasonable price.

Pinky:st x Choro-Q = ?

Pinky Street teams up with Choro-Q once again. This red car is tentatively set to be released at the end of July this year. I imagine a re-paint will be released subsequently. Pla-Japan (http://www.plajapan.com) is now taking preorders.

No Oscar for "Paprika"

Complete and utter dismay filled my entire body when I learned of the Oscar nominations for Best Animation this year. Please tell me why "Paprika" does not merit an Oscar nomination and why "Happy Feet," "Cars," and "Monster House" deserve it? Forums reflect pages and pages of disdain and confusion.

I find it simply amazing that works of higher caliber are not even mentioned. Look at "Advent Children" or even "Appleseed" and tell me those weren't incredible CG movies. This just goes to show you the extent of US's knowledge. Though I wasn't totally surprised at the turn of events, I'm just simply saddened at the current state of affairs. The notion that animation is just for kids seems to be living true and bold in America even today -- no adults allowed. To have a world that appreciates true art seems to be out of reach. I guess so long as fans continue to appreciate the art of animation and manga, that acknowledgement will just have to do. My props to Miyazaki for landing some awards, but Kon definitely deserves it for "Paprika."

Resistance: Fall of Man

There are plenty of reviews out there for PS3's "Resistance: Fall of Man," part of the opening lineup of games, and almost all of them say the same thing: "Resistance" is hot, hot, hot! At first glance, "Resistance" looks to be a regular first-person shooter simply with better graphics. You could even compare it to "Call of Duty" or "Socom." But underneath the surface of it all, lies a world that's totally different. I won't go into much detail since there's a ton of info. out there. In my attempts to avoid too much redundancy, here's the gist:

It's 1951 and Europe has been run over by an alien life form, Chimera. As Sergeant Nathan Hale, we join the British in battle. The storyline is probably the only thing that's lacking, only because all the other aspects are simply beyond belief.

One of the greatest facets of the game is its multiplayer online capabilities. It is absolutely incredible. The ease of joining a game with 8, 14 or even 40 people with no lag time, definitely gives "Resistance" an edge of its own. Your game stats are recorded as you gain rank, ribbons, EXP, etc. A game on its own, I find myself playing online for hours on end almost everyday.

I try to avoid games such as these, because they are extremely addictive..that's why I stay away from "Warcraft." But "Resistance" is in layman's terms, simply hard to resist. I have no regrets for picking this up, and you won't either.

Katsucon 13 Preview

Now, you've got the basics: hall costume contest, cosplay, masquerade, dance, art show, video gaming room and the all-important merchant's room. Then you've got the guests -- probably the one element that differentiates one con from another. You're always bound to get the regulars -- english voice actors, doujinshi artists, etc. Hence, the ones you can assume will be there unless they have recording or another event that day. International guests, by no surprise, are announced closer to opening day. But over the years, Katsu has turned up great artists -- I've had the priviledge of meeting Range Murata (I even got to play Rock-Paper-Scissors with him and about a dozen others), Satoshi Shiki, and Tsukasa Kotobuki, for example. It's not a new concept, but more and more cons have j-pop/rock concerts as the main event. I've gotta say, this has made Katsu even more enjoyable these past couple of years. We've had Duel Jewel, Psycho le Cemu, Jack Takuro, Salia, and Funny Stones.

But the picture looks grim this year. Less than a month remains till Katsu 2007 and other than the appearance of 2 members from Duel Jewel, the line-up looks dry. You've got the basic VAs, blah blah blah. Still no Japanese artists. Peelander-Z, another con regular, has a concert -- not a group I'm aching to see...We're in the same hotel as last year, and in response to the photo dilemnas, photo areas have been designated all around the hotel. I just hope that it works out okay, I'd hate to miss out on a good photo simply because people didn't want to walk over to the right place to take a pic.

The con as it stands now, still has some allure - the merchant's room is at the top of my list and it would be interesting to see what the popular series of the year will be in cosplay-world. Hopefully, we'll have some good panels (the schedule is not up yet) as well and the anime rooms will have a good selection of subtitled works.

I don't mean to be long-winded and pessimistic, and I understand the logistics of scheduling guests and events, but my expectations were pretty high, since last year's con was pushing the envelope just a bit. I don't know if I'll have to find another con to attend from now on. There's still time till the con, but if things don't turn up, I'm sure that it'll prove to be enjoyable regardless.

Paprika U.S. Site Open

The critically acclaimed "Paprika" opens May 25, 2007 in the U.S. The official website is now up and running. Click here to check it out. The site has a nice gallery of 55 pics. Seeing it brings back great memories. Take my word for it, or better yet, take it from everyone who has already seen it. I guarantee that they will all agree when I say that this is a movie that truly cannot be missed.

Ghost in the Shell Live Action

Production I.G. has received permissions from Kodansha to produce a Live Action "Ghost in the Shell." Negotiations with the U.S. have commenced, but I can't help but feel torned. "Ghost in the Shell" is, in its own genre and beyond, perfect. Producing a live action is great in theory but leaves open the chance of degrading the true essence and allure that is "Ghost in the Shell." However, based on the huge fan-base in America, I still have hope that this will turn out to be a great theatrical experience, especially with the response that SAC has received from U.S. fans. I guess only time will tell if justice will have been done.

MGS Portable Ops Tournament

GameSpot is holding a $1000 PSP Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops "Snake Wars" Tournament. 48 players will compete in death-match mode. "Every match will pit six players against each other and only the top three will advance to the next round." Registration has been open since yesterday. Those 48 spots are bound to go fast, so if you're interested, click here to sign up now.

Also, be sure to catch the finals on Friday, January 26th at 4PM, which will be broadcast on LIVE on GameSpot Tournament TV with commentary, in-depth gameplay analysis, and interviews.

Anime/Gaming Downloads Resource

I've been asked countless of times for any good websites to download anime/video game trailers, episodes, and music. Yesterday was no different. Rather than spewing the same answer every time, I've decided to list some of these resources here.




Central Park Media (www.centralparkmedia.com/ipod) has a nice collection of full anime episode downloads and trailers for free. It's format-friendly for iPods and PSPs.

Google Video (http://video.google.com) uses the power of the Google search engine to search for videos on the web. The save feature makes it easy to download to your computer, iPod, PSP, Blogger, MySpace, and more.

Galbadia Hotel (http://gh.ffshrine.org) is your one-stop source for soundtracks galore. Their collection of video game and anime OSTs continues to grow almost daily. You're sure to find what you've been looking for and it doesn't hurt that it's all free!

Keiichi Anime Forever (www.keiichianimeforever.com) is another one of those all-in-one anime resources. You can watch full anime episodes and movies in dubs (english, spanish, french, portuguese, etc.) and subtitles (japanese). Online manga and a collection of anime MP3s are also available.

Blue Laguna (http://bluelaguna.net/pages/selectmp3.php) can't be forgotten -- a great collection of video game OSTs.

YouTube (www.youtube.com) and other streaming video sites carry a lot of anime and video game clips and episodes. There are some software available that allows you to save these clips to upload on your iPod, for example.

iTunes - U.S. (www.itunes.com) is beginning to broaden its anime section. Trailers and related podcasts are available. A decent collection of the Final Fantasy series OSTs are available to buy as well.

This list is by far not expansive, but should point you in the right direction. There are more sites popping up every time, it's just a matter of finding it. If you know any good sites worth visiting, let me know.

Lament of the Lamb

The "Lament of the Lamb" (Hitsuji no Uta) manga ended back in 1997 and the anime version was developed in 2003. A live action is rumored to be in the works as of 2006. Although the manga is being distributed in the US, it doesn't look like the anime is available in the states. It's a pity though for those who only buy mainstream titles, especially true for dub-fans (I just shudder at the thought). There are a plethora of titles worth picking up that many in the US never get exposed to. "Lament of the Lamb" is one such title.

Something has been troubling Kizuna, the story's main character, for the past month. Kizuna learns more about his past and of a sister he never knew existed. The beginnings of high school romance are stopped abruptly as an onset of an apparently hereditary disease strikes Kizuna, giving him a sensational thirst for blood.

"Lament of the Lamb" is not your ordinary run-of-the-mill vampire story. Instead, the word "vampire" is used only as the best analogy available to describe this "Takashiro curse." The rest of the story follows Kizuna and Chizuna (his sister) as they struggle to defend against the curse. Dark and gloomy throughout the whole series, this anime is not for someone looking to get or stay in a cheery mood. The absolutely stunning animation complements the story perfectly.

In some ways, similar to "Fruits Basket" or "Evangelion," there is deep distraught in these characters between the lines of body and mind, where affectionate love can never be acheived. To sit here and try to explain the unattainable love in "Evangelion", for example, would be extremely exhaustive. That discussion will have to be saved for another day. Nevertheless, despite the fact that both Chizuna and Kizuna have someone that love them, the family curse is simply too strong to overcome the inevitable. The transition to love can never be for these characters. [Note: Though hints of incestual "romance" begin to transpire, I don't know if it actually surmonts to anything, as I have yet to pick up the manga.] Suicide may, in fact, be their only release.

Vampire Hunter D Vol. 6

Avid readers of the novel series, "Vampire Hunter D," will notice a great change of pace in Vol. 6 Pilgrimage of the Sacred and the Profane. Hideyuki Kikuchi spends the expanse of the book with character development. This does not come without sacrifice. The overall read of the book seems extremely slow and it lacked the suspense and drive I felt in all the past volumes. Lies, deception, and secrecy are all great themes for stories, but this volume takes it to an extreme. The "end" took forever to get here and when it arrived, it felt short and abrupt and unsatisfying.

As always, Kikuchi writes beautifully. He especially has a keen sense of specifics and individuality and knows how to deliver suspense. This volume does not portray the true genius of Kikuchi. For Vol. 1 through 5, I found myself ecstatic to turn each page and the time between each volume's release seemed like an eternity.

On a higher note, The preview of the next volume, Demon Journey to the North Sea, Part One seems very promising. Due this May, I have a feeling that it will deliver. This is the first 2-part volume of "Vampire Hunter D," and it should prove to represent the true caliber of Kikuchi, as did Volumes 1 through 5.

New EVA Pinky:st Figures

WonderFest 2007 is just around the corner, and with it comes figurines that take your breath away. The Pinky:st has had a strong reputation at revealing the most beautiful figures and this year is no exception. Pinky:st has a new version of the Asuka and Rei (from "Evangelion") p:cos series. The chances of landing these school uniformed-Asuka/Rei duo this February are pretty slim. But my hopes aren't completely shattered, as there is word for a regular release of the new Eva figures, sometime this June or July. If anyone has any concrete information, please let me know.

Duel Jewel at Katsu 13

2 members from one of my favorite j-rock bands, Duel Jewel, will be coming to Katuscon 13 this February 2007. They will also be at Megacon. You might remember that they gave an electrifying concert at Katsucon back in 2004. Hayato, the lead vocalist, has been confirmed to appear at Katsu 13, while the other member accompanying him is still unknown.

They will have a autograph/photo session at the J-rock Ent. table in the merchants room. Auctions for dinner with Hayato and the mystery member will be open soon. For more information, check out www.jhouserock.com.

Speed Grapher Vol. 4

"Speed Grapher" Volume 4 drastically turns down the momentum it had in Volume 3, but still holds its credibility and its elements of lust, greed, and betrayal to the very end. The secrets behind the actual chemistry of Kagura's state and the world of Euphorians continue to unravel. Episode 16 marks the series' first, if not only, recap episode. "Speed Grapher" smartly uses an annual report of expenses as a means of recapping all the events that have occured thus far. The end of the volume also seems to hint at more flashbacks as the end of the series inches closer.

To avoid too many spoilers, I will only ask this: "Could Saiga and Suitengu's first encounter with each other actually be before their meeting during the botched ceremony at the club?" I'm sure some questions will be answered in Volume 5 which is set to be released Janunary 16, 2007.

2007 A.D.

2006 has gone and another year awaits. Old New Year's resolutions reemerge once again as we try to fill the empty voids in our lives. 2006 has been full of deep searching and momentary highs and 2007 brings in renewed hope, whether real or false. Whatever state we are all in, or think we're at, one thing always remains true. No matter how secluded we actually are in any respects, there is something that connects us. This vague "thing" may be hard to define now, but nevertheless exists. And so we continue to move forward hoping that strength, courage, and bravery will aid us in whatever mission we seek to accomplish...2007 could very well be that year.

On another note, many great anime and manga titles, video games and consoles, and movies, for example, have graced its presence in 2006. The releases of the Nintendo Wii and Playstation 3 marks the end of 2006 and the beginning of the new era in video gaming. New anime titles continue to be released and its accessibility in the U.S. continues to grow as well. It would be hard to list all the new series of 2006. So rather than do so, I invite you all the take a moment to reminisce and appreciate how the anime and gaming world truly shapes our lives. Thanks to all animators, writers, creators, etc. for giving me a world I can call home. Happy 2007!!!

Manga Cafe - Paris

Of all the greatest finds during my trip to Paris, the Manga Cafe sits at the top of my list. When my cousin first told me about the Manga Cafe, my immediate thoughts centered on scenes from "Comic Party" and those you can find all over Japan, but I knew that would be too good to be true.

Much to my surprise, the Manga Cafe reached beyond any of my expectations. A warm sense of hospitality and a sense of belonging is not without presence. Shelves upon shelves of manga are available at your fingertips for 3 euros for the first hour (4 euros during peak hours). The air and environment of it all is hard to explain, but you really get a sense of an atmosphere that's full of other manga-loving fans. The manager is super nice and even remembered us when we came back for a second visit.

A soiree just happened to be the main event that night as fans learned how to play Go (Japanese Checkers - recall "Hikaru no Go"). Coffee is obviously available (part of your 3 or 4 euro bill) andsecond hand mangas (bound to have some rare titles) are available for purchase, as well as DVDs. Video games (PS2 Naruto that night) and free internet access is also available. The seating arrangements allow maximum lounging capacity. The words and pictures really tell only half the story. If you're ever in the Paris area, the Manga Cafe should definitely be one of your stops.

For more information, check out www.mangacafe.fr (in french only) and be sure to check out their gallery.

Paprika

Satoshi Kon does it again. The genius who brought us "Perfect Blue", "Millennium Actress", and of course, "Tokyo Godfathers," blesses us with another Kon-original. I was fortunate enough to catch it in Paris, released just 2 weeks before. This movie is set to be released in the U.S. in May 2007.

Much to Kon's style, the music, animation, and plot is anything but ordinary. Anyone who's seen at least one of his movies knows they are in for a treat. Straying away from the dark and gloomy theme, though not avoiding it, this movie crosses the realms of interpretation as the boundaries between reality and the dream world are examined. Set in the not-so-distant future, a device called the DC Mini, which allows people to enter dreams originally created for therapeutic purposes, is stolen. It's up to Dr. Atsuko and her alter ego, Paprika, to try to save the day.

"Paprika" is wonderfully done and makes you question what is real and what is just a dream. A beautiful soundtrack, flawless animation, and recognizable voice actors like Megumi Hayashibara makes "Paprika" in a league of her own. I'd recommend watching it at least twice...there's no way one can fully appeciate the artistry with one sitting.

Death Note

I finally sat down to watch "Death Note" Live Action DVD. For those who have read the manga or at least seen the anime, the live action may not live up to your expectations. The movie is well done as far as actors, graphics, and length goes. But the overall flow of the movie felt choppy as each scene from the manga is pushed in. I have to admit that it is difficult to incorporate important events from the manga and transcribe them on to the big screen, especially with a story like "Death Note."

The movie is still worth picking up and the ending leaves you wanting more. I would urge you to pick up the manga before you watch the live action. I think past readers will more fully appreciate the movie. Jumping into the movie may dissuade some potential readers out of an awesome manga.

Extreme Jubiliation

In the midst of all the commotion in Paris, I decided to check my email half way through my trip. As if my trip wasn't going great already, more awesome news were on its way. Two of my colleagues wrote that we got christmas bonuses and the amount wasn't too bad. It was, in actuality, quite perfect. As a couple of minutes passed, I opened an email from ebgames.com saying that my PS3 had been shipped. Evening out never sounded better as my bonus just about covered my PS3 expenses. I was in extreme jubilation when I heard that my PS freaking 3 was sitting in my room waiting for me.

I got pretty sick on the way back home from Paris so I was unable to delve into my PS3. I finally hooked everything up yesterday, and I must say, it is one beautiful piece of technology. All that's left now is to wait for Tekken 6, Metal Gear, FF XIII, and Silent Hill 5 (hopefully???).

The PS3 definitely does not compromise. It no doubt delivers and lives up to all expectations. To those of you who have a PS3 already, have fun. And to those who are still fighting for one, keep going, the wait and all your effort is SO worth it!!

Yakuza

My birthday has come and gone again this past Friday, December 8th. And with that, I finally have my hands on the PS2 game, "Yakuza." This game has been out for quite some time and have heard nothing but great things about it. This is by far one of the coolest games I have ever played. This is definitely a game worth playing on the PS3 (which I have unfortunately yet to attain - boo...).

We start off in Tokyo, year 1995, as a young and rising Yakuza star. Some altercations occur and a murder coverup lands us in jail. Now after 10 years, we return to find that the Yakuza world has drastically changed.

Gameplay screams ease and fluidity in all aspects. Its movements allow free manuverability and realistic interactions as you make your way through the back streets of Tokyo. You'd be crazy not to pick this up, that is, if you haven't already.

PS3 Launches

Ahhh...the PS3 launch day has come and gone. I am sad to say that I am not a proud owner of this wonderful piece of the ultimate gaming machine...yet. Friday, November 17th was definitely at day full of diminishing hopes and filled with breath-taking, heart-stopping, light-headed moments. I am sure that most everyone has great stories to tell of their victories and/or defeats.

Here's my abridged story:

After getting a notice the day before from costco.com, my hopes of gaining a PS3 was rising. My hopes had been staggering as launch day was steadily approaching. 11:00 am was the magic time when a limited quantity of PS3 would be available online (PS3s will not arrive at their warehouses until later this year). I had 3 laptops and 2 desktop computers going...I logged in at 8:30 am to make sure my membership info. was up-to-date and all systems were go. 30 minutes before that "magic" time, the beautiful PS3 was displayed on their homepage -- that is, if you were lucky enough to even see it, despite errors and server overloading. I was able to add it to my cart. My heart was racing as I clicked on "Check Out." Time literally stood still as the page slowly loaded, and I mean slowly. After a good 20 minutes passed by, I was greeted by a miserable message -- OUT OF STOCK. I won't go into the details...I'm sure you can fill in the blanks.

With numerous obstacles, such as limited quantities of materials, the number of PS3s shipped on launch day was extremely way below the projected numbers. Even those who luckily pre-ordered their PS3 were still not guaranteed a PS3 on the spot. What's really annoying is the amount of PS3s up for auction on eBay. They make up a whopping 10% of all available units nationwide. With the extremely limited number of consoles available, it would be nice if those who were able to purchase one were true gamers and have the sincere desire and passion to have a PS3. So it pisses me off that many of us won't get one because people who have no intention of owning one but are only looking to make a profit are able to purchase a unit. I have to admit that I know quite a few people who bought their PS3 for the sole purposes of making a hefty profit. A radio station pissed me off even more when they were looking for ideas of how to destroy their PS3s. Now, I'm all for jokes and stunts, but this really bothered me. They made it clear that they weren't giving them away, but were taking calls on methods of destroying the console.

On a happier note, more PS3 are being shipped to the U.S. on a daily basis. We still have a tough road ahead of us, but you can bet that this girl will not stop until the hollow spot under my T.V. is filled.

Ban Rule of Rose?

The mayor of Rome wants to ban Playstation 2's horror/action video game "Rule of Rose" for its depictions of violence. In all actuality though, there are not many violent scenes in the game. What makes "Rule of Rose" a horror game is the suggestive and disturbing actions and scenes that is portrayed. The eerie mood of the game and what makes this game unique is that it portrays a child's view of the world given certain circumstances. Sure, the game depicts more disturbing scenes rather than violent ones, I don't know if there's any merits to ban the game.

Dir en Grey U.S. Tour

Dir en Grey continues their Inward Scream Tour in the U.S. and Canada this coming February in 2007. Pre-sale has ended for most locations, but you can buy your tickets on Thursday, November 16, 2006 at 5pm from Ticket Master (www.ticketmaster.com/artist/1013924). Check out their tour dates below:

For more information, visit the Dir en Grey Fan Community website at http://direngrey.tickets.musictoday.com/DirEnGrey/calendar.aspx

Pinky:st Preview

New Pinky:cos figures have been slated to arrive January 31, 2007. This duo is a must-have for all collectors -- it is based on the Playstation 2 game, Wild ARMS: The Vth Vanguard.

Pinky:st Release Delayed

We've seen it happen many times...Pinky:st delays come to no surprise to avid collectors. Luckily, we don't need to wait that much longer for their actual release. While the delay of the new Pinky:st yukata style was not unexpected, I was disappointed to here about yet another delay on the RM series. That's right...the 3 Range Murata pinky:st have been delayed yet again, this time it carries at November 30, 2006 release date. I can't remember how long it has been since I pre-ordered these beauties. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the first release date for these figures must be close to one year ago. One wonders if these figures will ever be released.