T.M. revolution is set to appear at New York Comic-Con during the April 18-20 weekend. The soloist will perform a live concert on April 19. His previous work include: D.Gray-man, Dark than BLACK, Ruroni Kenshin, Gundam Seed and of course Gundam Seed Destiny.
It had to happen sooner or later...and I'm just glad it's sooner rather than later.
Weep and you shall find happiness... At least, that's what Bandai Namco Japan are saying. They recently announced the release of "99 no Namida" (99 Tears) for Nintendo DS. The game's purpose? To make players cry, with the decree that crying can have a moving effect of relieving players from daily stress.The game takes place in a city where people have forgotten how to cry. One day, on your way home from work, you encounter a store named "Namida no Moto Arimasu" (Source of Tears).
Players will read through a 15 minute graphic novel and answer a few questions on a daily basis. 99 stories to be precise, developing more tears as they encounter the stories. "99 Tears" is due for release later this year in Japan.
The official Japanese website for the "Shigofumi" supernatural suspense anime has confirmed that the sixth episode ("Sakebi" or "Shout") will be preempted by the Sun TV broadcasting station in central Japan. No explanation was given for the preemption. The sixth episode would have aired on February 12. Instead, the station will skip this episode and air the seventh episode ("Kirameki" or "Glittering") on February 19.
Bandai Visual USA continues to surprise me, and I couldn't be more ecstatic. Adding to their high-def anime line-up, Bandai brings us the GONZO smash hit action five-part OVA "Yukikaze" in a Blu-ray Disc Box set with deluxe features, including never before seen footage.
Based on the press release, the set with come with 3 discs, Japanese and English Language with Optional Japanese and English subtitles. Bonus features include: 6-minute Yukikaze Experimental Movie, 28-minute feature 'Aircrafts in Yukikaze from pilot's eyes,' 20-page full color SAF Flight Manual, and exclusively designed box. Retailed at $149.99, this set is due for a super early US release April 8, 2008. Hopefully, the set will look just as sweet at the Japanese box set just recently released.
What may seem like an ordinary high school romantic story, turns out to be a refreshing, sincere, and subtle anime series, all to its own advantage. "True Tears" follows a boy Shinichiro and the confusion and woes of high school life. Living in the same house as Shinichiro after her parents died about a year ago is Hiromi, of which Shinichiro is certain there are tears behind her gentle smile. After four episodes, the love triangle has ballooned to craziness - he loves her, but she loves this other guy who loves this other girl, or does he?
The word "Shigofumi" comes from the combination of the Japanese words for "after death" (shigo), and "letter" (fumi), which literally translates to "after death letter." Based on the 4-part Japanese light novel series by Tomoro, Yuzawa, "Shigofumi" follows Fumika, a mail carrier who delivers letters called Shigofumi written by people after they die to the living recipient. The letters' contents vary -- divulging the identity of their killer, a last message, and their deepest sentiments. Fumika and her rather talkative magic staff named Kanaka, encounter the living as they make their deliveries - an interesting story revolving around life and death.
The Japan DVD release of the completely revamped new Evangelion animated theatrical feature, "Neon Genesis Evangelion: You are [not] Alone 1.0," has just recently been announced. Part 1 of the planned trilogy brings us to the beginning of it all. Fifteen years since the apocalyptical "Second Impact" event, 14-year-old Shinji Ikari is summoned to NERV HQ, a special forces organization led by his father, Commander Gendo Ikari. Shinji, with the use of a man-made automaton called an Evangelion, is given the task of defeating the mysterious angels that threaten -- all this without knowing the truth behind his endeavors.
I doubt that anyone has actually never played "Myst" before. I can't believe it's been over a decade and a half since the game gained so much avail among millions of players around the world. “Myst” re-hit shelves in Europe via Nintendo DS a couple months ago and is now making its way to North America. Though Myst DS has gotten mediocre reviews, I think it’ll still entice many old and new players. The lower screen of the DS acts as the original game, with the top screen providing information and some interface features, like magnifying images. The game hits stores this March.
Phenomenal. Simply Phenomenal!! "Strait Jacket" delivers a quick blow of perfection within a mere couple minutes into the first of three episodes. I haven't felt such an instant adrenaline rush like when I first saw "Ghost in the Shell" or even "Full Metal Alchemist" for what seems like ages.
Aired in Japan November 2007, Manga Entertainment has been granted licensing rights. You can expect "Strait Jacket" to hit anime shelves around August 2008 in the U.S.
I am really not a huge fan of romantic, harem-ish anime series. I watch them occasionally. I may be overgeneralizing here, but there's o
nly so much of it that I can watch when there always seems to be a full cast of school girls and one "poor" guy stuck in the middle of it all -- a matter of preference I suppose. Anyways, there are definitely times when a title steps a little out of that box and delivers something more. What immediately compelled me to try out "H2O: Footprints in the Sand" was its synopsis. 
Takuma Hirose, a blind young male middle school student, though the case for his blindness undetermined. After his mother died an unexpected death, it left an deep emotional scar on him, which caused him to become very lonely and reserved. Due to this, Takuma and his father move from the city out into the suburbs. At his new school, he meets several new girls, though three of who he gets to know the most out of anyone else. They are the firm and obstinate Hayami Kohinata, the kind and obliging Hinata Kagura, and the cheerful and mysterious Otoho. As Takuma interacts with these girls, his medical condition gradually begins to heal. 
Production I.G. and acclaimed director of the Ghost in the Shell: SAC Series, Kenji Kamiyama, transforms Nahoko Uehashi's fantasy novels to a compelling and beautifully animated series in a project entitled "Guardian of the Sacred Spirit (Moribito)."
"Guardian of the Sacred Spirit" is wonderfully done. A keen attention to detail is immediately evident in both the characters and their surroundings. It has been a while since a refreshing series such as this has emerged. With one episode alone, "Guardian of the Sacred Spirit" accomplishes much and shows us just how an anime should be. If you get a chance to watch this series, don't hesitate.
Representatives of ADV, the guys that brought us the Newtype magazines, have contacted retail partners to inform them that the February issue of Newtype USA will be the last. The company is planning to replace Newtype USA with another magazine that has yet to be disclosed. Newtype USA was launched by ADV back in 2002, Newtype Japan has been going strong since 1985. [Source: ANN]
You may have already heard that Skype is coming to the PSP in late January in Japan. You can grab the pack including a USB microphone peripheral for about 40 bucks (25 for just the mic). The first screens of Skype in the PSP XMB are provided by Famitsu.
A science fiction adventure set in the Tsutomu Nihei's "BLAME!" universe, "NOiSE" serves as a prequel to the epic ten-volume manga and focuses its spotlight on Detective Mosubi Susuno. While investigating a series of child kidnappings, her own partner, Kloser, is viciously murdered. The investigation takes a brutal turn and Detective Susuno is suddenly confronted by the killer known as "The Order." -- and his sadistic silicon creature.
I've been thinking about this particular post for some time now. It's been quite a topsy-turvy adventure this year -- not at the very least uneventful. As I try to sort out the whirlwind stuck in my head for what seems like an eternity, I may have to admit defeat and hope things mull over themselves. Be that as it may, the anime and gaming world also had one hell of a year, both good and bad, both revolutionary and devastating.
UPDATE 05/06/2008:
Makoto Konno, Pinky Street style, from The Girl Who Leapt through Time," is finally released and arrived at my doorstep this afternoon. As described in my earlier posts, 2 version of the Tokikake figure have been release, one donning Makoto with her red bicycle and the second showcasing Makoto brandishing a baseball bat. A Chara-Ani exclusive, each figure is retailed at about 1,500 yen.
As the site warns, Akiba is constantly changing and growing, so you won't be able to find every single venue currently available. But nevertheless, this map is impressive. No doubt we will see its features continue to expand. Check out the map for yourself at http://akiba-ch.com/map.
From the guy who brought us the "Shin Megami Tensei series," Kouji Okada takes us on an adventure through seven mysterious realms breaching the lines between the human world and the netherworld. "Folklore" features two main characters with dual stories that are closely connected. Ellen, 22 years old, searches for answers and finds herself in the town of Doolin when she receives a letter from her supposedly dead mother. Keats, a 27-year old journalist for an occult magazine, receives a phone call from an unknown female asking for help. Ellen and Keats first encounter at Doolin sets forth their magical adventure with discovered special powers and odd encounters.
The streets of Tokyo have become littered with waves of mysterious deaths involving zombie-like occurrences. And with it stands the last line of defense -- an odd group of high school students consisting of the slacker, the president of the student council, the transfer student, the archer, and the wrestler, each with their own powers.
The Anime Network, the cable on demand service available in the U.S., is bringing Gainax's "Gurren Lagann" via streaming video online. The best part is, it's in its original japanese language and english subtitles are provided!
If you didn't watch the Starz premiere of "Anime: Drawing of a Revolution" last night, here's what you missed. An hour-long documentary, "Anime: Drawing a Revolution" looks at anime in America and its impact on live-action movies.
Deemed too shocking to release, Eiji Otsuka's "MPD-Psycho" finally finds a distributor willing to bring anime fans what they want. Dark Horse Manga presents the manga, uncut and uncensored in all of its controversial and unflinchingly grotesque glory.
If you've ever indulged yourself in the saga of Hideyuki Kikuchi's "Vampire Hunter D," whether a little taste or an entire soak, then you know all too well the story of Doris Lang...first seen in the original novel, then adapted in anime, and now serving as volume 1 of the new manga series.
This was without a doubt a birthday weekend to remember as thousands of anime fans from coast to coast flocked to the big apple for this year's New York Anime Festival (NYAF).
"Alive: The Final Evolution" Volume 2 gets it right with flying colors. Story and character development are set at a perfect pace and reveal and hide enough to make you keep asking for more.
I'm trembling with utter joy and surprise as I type this. Every anime fan has at least one been blocked from getting that special item available only in Japan. We've developed different tactics to overcome this restraint -- from hoping your favorite importer(s) will get a hold of the item to paying extra money using a proxy service. But for Americans and the Japanese, this stops now. Yahoo! Japan and eBay have announced that the two companies would link up their services in 2008. This in turn will allow American bidders easier access to Japanese auctions, and vice versa. Starting in March next year, Japanese consumers will be able to directly bid on international eBay items within Yahoo Auction Japan. And sometime in the middle of ‘08, similarly, a site will be set up that will allow Americans to bid and buy Yahoo Japan auction items through the eBay site. Thus eBay will be your one and only proxy service for Yahoo! Japan.
Today the two companies have already launched the website Sekaimon (”gateway to the world”) that translates international eBay auctions into Japanese in order to help Japanese speakers deal with payment and shipping. [Source: Moetron.com]
Kotobukiya releases an impressive figure of our very own NERV Operations Director Misato Katsuragi from the famed series "Neon Genesis Evangelion." This 1/6 scale PVC statue is very inquisitive with meticulous detailing. This is definitely Misato at her best making this statue extremely difficult to resist. Measuring about 7.5 inches tall, this statue will be released February 2008.
D, the mysterious vampire hunter, is back in his best adventure yet. The talents of Hideyuki Kikuchi most certainly knows no end. In Volume 9, "The Rose Princess," Kikuchi delivers an amazing and intricate story combining every element that makes his novels such a success, in a perfect balance that is beyond any explanation. "The Rose Princess" has easily become my favorite volume from the "Vampire Hunter D" series and can be taken as a standalone story or as part of a series.
The New York Anime Festival is just around the corner and with it comes a celebration of classic and cutting-edge anime, manga, and Japanese culture, taking place December 7-9 in the heart of New York City via the Jacob Javits Conference Center. NYAF has developed an impressive list of premieres, screenings, exhibitors, musical guests including Unicorn Table, and guests of honor featuring Kobun Shizuno (co-Director of "Evangelion: You are [not] alone 1.0")!!
Posts
All Comments
