Internationally Acclaimed X Japan Members Yoshiki & Sugizo to attend/perform at Otakon 2010

As if listening to the East Coast woes of convention world - while we endure guest announcement after guest announcement of what promises to be yet another incredible Anime Expo (July 1-4 Los Angeles, CA) for example, the con angels seemingly appear out of nowhere bringing sweet treats two-fold.

"Are you ready? Are you ready for this?" I'll take that as a yes, assuming after you read the title of this blog, you fainted and finally got passed the first paragraph and are ready as you will ever be...

YOSHIKI and SUGIZO, of the legendary visual kei rock band X JAPAN, will make a VERY special appearance AND give a brief performance at Otakon 2010’s Masquerade. This is just one week prior to the band’s appearance at Lollapalooza in Chicago. YOSHIKI previously appeared at Otakon in 2006, but this will be SUGIZO’s first visit to the convention.

Otakon's Masquerade is the convention's largest single event: a costume and skit contest featuring dozens of competitors, and drawing as many as 8,000 attendees. It will be held on Saturday, July 30 in the 1st Mariner Arena. Two prior Otakon guests have performed in the Arena -- L'Arc~en~Ciel in 2004 and JAM Project in 2008 -- but the Arena has a long history of drawing top acts such as Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, and U2.

Avid fans already know this duo's glorified bios quite well, but heck it doesn't hurt to remind us of their awesomeness.

YOSHIKI
The heart of X JAPAN is Yoshiki - songwriter, drummer, and classically-trained pianist who also plays guitar, bass and trumpet. His double-record classical album, Eternal Melody (1993) was co-produced and arranged by the legendary George Martin, recorded with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and remains one of Japan's most successful classical releases. For Kiss My Ass: Classic Kiss Regrooved, the 1994 KISS tribute album, Yoshiki arranged and produced "Black Diamond" as a piano concerto, prompting Rolling Stone magazine to comment in its CD review, "the ingenuity award must go to Yoshiki..." Yoshiki has produced some of Japan's most influential bands, including Dir \en grey and Glay. At the request of the Japanese government in 1999, Yoshiki composed a piano concerto and performed it with a 77-piece orchestra to commemorate the Emperor of Japan's 10th anniversary on the throne. In 2005, he was named the Music Director for the 2005 World Expo, composed the event's theme song, and conducted the orchestra at the opening ceremonies. Yoshiki also wrote the X Japan song "I.V." for the 2007 international blockbuster film, "Saw IV," which played over the film's closing credits.

SUGIZO
Originally the guitarist of another pioneering visual kei band, Luna Sea, began performing with X JAPAN in 2008 for the X-JAPAN’s Tokyo Dome reunion concerts and was made a formal member of X JAPAN last year during the Hong Kong stop of the band’s world tour.

X JAPAN
Calling X Japan the most successful rock band in Japan is not a statement made lightly. X Japan has sold more than 30-million albums, singles and videos, headlined and sold out Japan's 55,000-seat Tokyo Dome 18 times - so far - and has started playing to tens of thousands of fans outside of Japan. Going back to the 1980s, the band's look and sound sparked a global interest in Japanese entertainment, especially with the Japanese cultural rock phenomenon, "Visual-Kei," a movement X Japan pioneered that went on to become a catalyst for today's worldwide Anime craze.

X Japan was formed in 1982 (calling themselves X) by Yoshiki and Toshi while still high school students. Over the next 13 years, the band released five studio albums - Vanishing Vision (1988), Blue Blood (1989) Jealousy (1991), Art of Life (1993) and Dahlia (1996), as well as six live albums, 10 compilation albums, and 15 video albums. X Japan was one of the first Japanese bands to achieve mainstream success while on an independent label - Yoshiki's own Extasy Records. The band was so popular, SEGA produced an X Japan video game. In the fall of 1997, the band's lead singer, Toshi, decided to leave X Japan, which lead to the dissolution of the band. Four months later, Hide, X Japan's original lead guitarist, was found dead in his Tokyo apartment. At his funeral, more than 50,000 fans came to mourn his passing, and in May, 2010, even more fans stood in line at a memorial service to pay their respects and mark the 12th anniversary of his tragic death. In early 2007, Yoshiki and Toshi started working together again, and later that year, X Japan officially reformed. During 2008-9, the band launched its reunion tour, being bigger than ever, and sold out everywhere it played. In January, 2010, X JAPAN filmed a music video on the rooftop of Hollywood's Kodak Theatre, with a throng of some 8,000 U.S. fans taking part in the shoot on Hollywood Blvd.

The members of X Japan - Yoshiki, Toshi (vocals), Pata (guitarist), Heath (bass), and Sugizo (guitar) - have been spending time in Yoshiki's Los Angeles recording studio working on what will be the band's U.S. debut, and its first album sung in English. "We decided to record English lyrics for four or five of our most popular, previously released songs," Yoshiki explained, "and then write an additional four or five brand new songs, also sung in English. We have worked very hard on this album, and are very excited to present our music to the American rock fans."

Immediately following their August Lollapalooza set, X Japan will fly back to Tokyo where they will play their biggest concert ever - headlining two nights at the Nissan Stadium, performing to nearly 150,000 fans.

Otakon 2010 (www.otakon.com) will be held July 30 – August 1 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland. If you haven't registered yet, what are you waiting for?

Make sure to check out my blog as I will post full details on YOSHIKI and SUGIZO's appearance in the coming weeks.

Say it with me...WE ARE....X!

LBP Heavy Rain Costume Pack

LittleBigPlanet has never failed in releasing the cutest sackboys and sackgirls ever. My favorites have especially been Ezio from Assassin's Creed, as well as the entire Metal Gear Solid line. But it's been a while since a package has been released that has made me squealed. Enter Heavy Rain! The subtlety yet exactness of these adorable Sackboys is just too much. So go on, dress your Sackboy as the infamous origami, or in Scott Shelby's trench coat, or Norman Jayden's ARI glasses, or even Ethan's facial hair.

The LittleBigPlanet Heavy Rain costume pack is available today in North America, Wednesday for the UK, and Thursday for the rest of Europe.

Gackt European Tour - July 2010

The one and only, legendary GACKT will, for the first time, tour Europe, stopping by 5 cities at a "very selective choice of clubs in London, Paris, Barcelona, Munich, and Bochum. This is sure to be an amazing experience for all fans world-wide. Tickets will go on sale on June 7th!

July 16th
O2 Academy Islington / London / UK
www.ticketweb.co.uk

July 18th
Alhambra / Paris / France
www.fnac.com, www.digitick.com, www.ticketnet.fr

July 20th
Salamandra 1 / Barcelona / Spain
www.ticketmaster.es

July 22nd
Theaterfabrik / Munich / Germany
www.neotokyo.de

July 24th
Zeche / Bochum / Germany
www.neotokyo.de

[Source: JAME World]

Fate/stay night Umbrella

With the onslaught of recent thunder storms we've been getting, you'll definitely need a good reliable umbrella. And while I've seen some pretty nifty ones like the awesome samurai sword that can even be worn over your shoulder, this one takes the cake. Or rather, this one takes the sword.

Movic presents a sword umbrella inspired from the series Fate/stay night. It's looks deceptively real - even when I first glanced at the picture, I couldn't tell it was an umbrella in it's closed form. The handle itself is quite detailed.

This Fate/stay night umbrella (with Avalon cover) will set you back 10,000 yen and is due out August 12th. Check out the official site (Japanese) for more views and details. [Source: Canned Dogs]

More Otakon 2010 Guest Announcements

Before you know it, Otakon 2010 will be here. On the American side joining Vic Mignogna and Maile Flanagan, are voice actress and producer Clarine Harp; voice actor Patrick Seitz; american actor, director, producer and writer Todd Haberkorn; and voice actress Amy Howard.

Check out their stats below:

Clarine Harp
This will be her first time attending. Clarine was first cast by FUNimation Entertainment in 2003 to give life to the character of Tweedledee in Kiddy Grade Since then, Clarine’s talents have been featured in a broad range of roles: Burst Angel, Akira Kurosawa's Samurai 7, Speed Grapher, Negima , Shin chan. Witchblade, and RIN ~Daughters of Mnemosyne~, Clarine can also be heard in El Cazador de la Bruja, Claymore, Jyu-Oh-Sei, Trinity Blood, Beck, Romeo x Juliet, Kaze no Stigma, Yu Yu Hakusho, Spiral, Fullmetal Alchemist, Case Closed, Evangelion 1.0, Hell Girl, Bamboo Blade, Aquarion, Desert Punk, Origin - Spirits of the Past, Mushi-Shi, Suzuka, Ouran High School Host Club, Ghost Hunt, Peach Girl, Sgt. Frog, One Piece, Save Me! Lollipop, Baki the Grappler and The Galaxy Railways. Out of the booth, Clarine spends her time producing DVDs for FUNimation, tending to her horde of rabbits and proudly spreading the gospel of sock knitting. She is also the inspiration behind the character Aubrey, a regular cast member on the popular web comic, Something Positive.

Patrick Seitz
This will be his second time attending. Patrick Seitz is a Los Angeles voiceover actor, script adapter and ADR director who has lent his efforts to over 100 anime and video game titles over the last few years—including Monster, the dub of which he feels exceedingly fortunate to have directed. With most of his resume occupying that odd point where zany, evil, and ethically ambiguous converge, Patrick’s roles include Grimmer in, Nekozawa in Ouran, Isshin Kurosaki in Bleach, George in Paradise Kiss, Hazel in Saiyuki Reload Gunlock, Dhaos in Tales of Phantasia, Raul in Ergo Proxy, Koshiro in Koi Kaze, Charles Beams in Eureka Seven, Lee Linho in ROD the TV, and Luke Valentine in Hellsing and Hellsing Ultimate.

On the video game side of the ledger, you can hear him as Ragna the Bloodedge in BlazBlue, Scorpion and Deathstroke in Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, Arthas Menethil and Garrosh Hellscream in WoW: Wrath of the Lich King, Dracula in Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia, Judgment and The Dracula X Chronicles, Chopin in Eternal Sonata, and Radi Jaeger in Valkyria Chronicles. In addition to the voiceover work, Patrick has done script-adapting and/or ADR direction for Naruto, Blue Dragon, Honey & Clover, Hell Girl, Girls Bravo, Kamichu!, Tales of Phantasia, The Melody of Oblivion, Zegapain, Guardian of the Spirit and Rumiko Takahashi Anthology.

Todd Haberkorn
This is also Todd's appearance at Otakon. Haberkorn received his BFA in acting from Southern Methodist University and works professionally primarily in Texas and surrounding states as an actor, director, producer, and writer. As far as shows go, catch Todd's voice as lead roles in Sgt. Frog as Keroro, Suzuka as Yamato, Ghost Hunt as Naru, Claymore as Raki, Holic as Wataknuki, D. Gray Man as Allen Walker, Sands of Destruction as Kyrie, Soul Eater as Death the Kid, and will undoubtedly play more lead roles in the future. Among his supporting roles are Itsuki in Shuffle, Ichimoruken in Hell Girl, Firo in Baccano!, Kono in Darker Than Black, Hikaru in Ouran High School Host Club and Khoza in One Piece. When not doing voicework, Todd is a producer with his company, Out of the Office Productions. He also produces a weekly podcast with Leah Clark called Popcast Weekly (popcastweekly.com). Todd Haberkorn is currently a proud member of the anime community and continues to be its humble servant by way of English dubbing. Todd is represented by The Horne Agency.

Amy Howard Wilson
This is her third appearance at Otakon and her first since 2000. Born in 1955, Amy hails from Detroit, and was "bit by the acting bug" at the age of 15. A proud graduate of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City in 1975, Amy worked as a receptionist in a casting/talent payment agency; as a sales rep for a jingle composer; and in 1979, she was a contestant and winner on the “$20,000 Pyramid”. She has starred in the highly popular series “Star Blazers” as the role of Nova, as well as appearing in an episode of “The Irresponsible Captain Tylor OVA” as the voice of Miranda.

Otakon 2010 will be held July 30 – August 1 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland.

God of War Art Exhibition

Prepare to feast your eyes on the beautiful and exquisite artwork of God of War. If you are a fan of the video game series, then you know the stunning art , the dirt and blood and awesomeness of God of War.

This Saturday night, May 29th, the Gnomon Gallery will open its gates of Olympus for "The Art of God of War III." The opening reception will run from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm.

Showcasing the dark brutal world of ancient Greece, this exhibit features the imaginative concept paintings and impressive 3D assets created for the hit Playstation 3 video game, God of War III, and provides an opportunity to meet the artists that make the world of Kratos come alive.

Artists include:

• Cecil Kim
• Andy Park
• Jung Ho Park
• Izzy
• Patrick Murphy
• Erik San Juan
• Kevin Anderson
• Katon Callaway
• Tyler Breon
• Peter Tumminello
• Chris Sutton
• Nate Stephens
• Timo Pihlajamaki
• Bryan Koszoru
• Sukru Gilman
• John Dobbie
• Lewis Walden
• Robert Taube
• Ryan Peterson
• Paul Coda
• Shane Estanislao
• Wade Mulhern
• Mike Altamirano
• John Palamarchuk

For more information, be sure to check out the gallery's site.

If you are fortunate enough to be in the Hollywood area, you won't want to miss this. (I'm really getting tired of these east coast woes...if anyone is going, please let me know. I'd love to get your insights and pictures).

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.

X JAPAN film World Premiere at Anime Central

With speculations surfacing this week - now confirmed, the infamous Yoshiki (from X JAPAN) will be making a video chat appearance at this weekend's Anime Central Rosemont, IL.

On Saturday, May 15th, during Anime Central's Masquerade intermission, the world premiere of the film "YOSHIKI history through X JAPAN" will be showcased and as an added bonus, Yoshiki himself will personally introduce the film via video chat. You'll want to make sure you arrive early for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

JAPAN will appear at the Lollapalooza music festival in Chicago from August 6 to August 8.

Life-Size Evangelion Bust Built Near Foot of Mt. Fuji

Japan's Fuji-Q HighLand amusement park, located near the foot of Mt. Fuji, has announced on Wednesday that it will open a new pavilion called "Evangelion: World - Life-Size EVA-01 Construction Project" on July 23. The pavilion will house the world's first life-size recreation of the scene where the Evangelion anime's main character Shinji Ikari encounters the Eva-01 unit for the first time. The recreation will have a mockup of the Evangelion unit from the bust up.

The pavilion will also have a life-size cockpit of an Evangelion unit (from where visitors can pay to have their photos taken), a life-size figure of the character Kaworu Nagisa, a video corner, a museum, a studio gallery for taking photographs, and a shop.

I don't know about you, but this is something I've always just dreamt of. I would love the privilege to see the life-size EVA-01 bust and replay Shinji's first encounter in my head. And the thought of even being next to a life-size cockpit has me giddy. Bring on the LCL!! With the wonderful monument-sized Gundams making several appearances, it's wonderful news to see that my favorite "robot" is getting the spotlight.

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

UT x MGS: Peace Walker! Hideo Kojima @ UNIQLO in NY

KOJIMA ALERT! HIDEO KOJIMA ALERT! Must - get - to - NYC - June 11th . . .

The worlds of gaming and fashion collide as Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. announced a partnership with Japanese clothing retailer UNIQLO Co., Ltd. to produce an exclusive collection of limited edition t-shirts inspired by the upcoming game METAL GEAR SOLID: PEACE WALKER for the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system. This line is the latest from UNIQLO USA’s UT Project (UT is short for UNIQLO t-shirt), which consists of limited edition collections of t-shirts designed by renowned artists, designers, photographers, and musicians created to allow people to express themselves through fashion and wear what they love. The two companies had previously collaborated with a collection of METAL GEAR SOLID 4: GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS t-shirts just prior to that game’s release in 2008.

“Our partnership with UNIQLO Co., Ltd. to create a limited edition t-shirt line for the highly anticipated upcoming release of METAL GEAR SOLID: PEACE WALKER will give fans and fashionistas the opportunity to showcase their adoration of the iconic Metal Gear franchise,” said Shinji Hirano, President of Konami Digital Entertainment Inc. “As a follow up to the 2008 limited edition t-shirt collaboration with the company for METAL GEAR SOLID 4: GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS, we suspect the 2010 limited edition line will be a coveted and celebrated style, which is another reason why we are so thrilled to collaborate with them.”

The collection will feature 10 exclusive t-shirt designs displaying images and themes from the upcoming game, and will be available in all UNIQLO USA stores and online starting on June 11th, 2010. Each t-shirt will also come with a special code that, when entered, will give fans access to both the same t-shirt of purchase as well as a soldier in the game. With the new line, fans will once again be able to show their METAL GEAR SOLID love as they anxiously await the latest release in the best-selling franchise!

To celebrate the launch of this collection, Mr. Hideo Kojima – the man behind the highly-acclaimed METAL GEAR SOLID series – will be greeting fans and signing autographs at the UNIQLO USA’s Global Flagship store in New York City on June 11, 2010 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Additionally, UNIQLO will be giving away prizes such as a Sony PSP entertainment pack bundle, collector’s edition software, copies of the Artbook, and coversheets of the game.

Check out NTT's site for more information.

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]

Evangelion-themed Convenience Store - Lawson Tokyo-3 Shop in Hakone

Step inside the world of Evangelion - to the Lawson Tokyo-3 Shop in Hakone, that is. The japanese convenience store franchise, Lawson, has launched an Evangelion-themed convenience store in Hakone, Kanagawa - the location of the fictional city Tokyo-3) - filling it with a slew of Eva goodies.

In addition, several character panels (with the EVA pilots including Nagisa Kaworu and Makinami Mari) line the ceiling with phrases such as a Rei Ayanami one saying: "You won't die...I'll protect you."

From the images I've seen, the Lawson Tokyo-3 Shop is sure to make any EVA fan, especially the avid fan, swoon and go weak at the knees. From evangelion tie-in snacks, UCC's coffee, tissue paper, stationary, headphones, action figures, manga, and more...And to top it all off, your purchases will be put in a Lawson Tokyo-3 plastic bag! Be sure to check out Gigazine for more pictures and a detailed [Source: GIGAZINE]


UPDATE (4/28/2010): Seems that Lawson was forced to shut down the store temporarily only a few days after it opened. Apparently, there were too many Evangelion fans and they jammed up both the streets and the parking lots. All these led to illegal parking and the otaku mob just created to omuch trouble for the local residents. In the end, Lawsons had to temporarily shut down the convenience store. [Source: Alafista]

Almost feels like a press cover-up and all this was really due to an angel attack...

Miyavi 2010 U.S. Tour Dates

I bring exciting news, especially to those who were disappointed with the cancellation of last year's scheduled U.S. Tour. MIYAVI RETURNS!!! Now announcing Miyavi's Neo Tokyo Samurai Black World Tour 2010. This massive tour to include Japan, Canada AND the U.S. is long awaited! Get your tickets now!!

6/10 San Diego, CA / House Of Blues
6/12 Los Angeles, CA / Club Nokia
6/13 Anaheim, CA / The Grove of Anaheim
6/15 San Francisco, CA / Fillmore
6/17 Vancouver, BC / Commodore Ballroom
6/18 Seattle, WA / Showbox
6/23 Chicago, IL / House Of Blues
6/24 Toronto, ON / Sound Academy
6/25 Boston, MA / Wilbur Theatre
6/27 New York, NY / Irving Plaza
6/29 Washington, DC / 9:30 Club
7/1 Atlanta, GA / Masquerade
7/3 Dallas, TX / House Of Blues
7/4 Houston, TX / House Of Blues

Ticket sale will be open to the public beginning March 27th at 10 am. Are you ready to rock?

Japan Nite US Tour 2010

HearJapan is excitedly continuing our tradition of bringing the world a free Japan Nite compilation with Japan Nite 2010 Free Download!

Spanning 14 years, the Japan Nite tour is the longest running US tour featuring Japanese artists. This year's line-up features many returning members, as well as some new faces. OMODAKA, Riddim Saunter, JinnyOops!, GEEKS, BO-PEEP, The Dolomites, Camisama and Red Bacteria Vacuum will be bringing their own unique sounds to stages across the US from March 18th to the 27th.

HearJapan is offering a free compilation album featuring a special MP3 download from each artist. From 8bit to ska, punk to goth, all with a strong independent spirit, the Japan Nite 2010 Free Download collection has something for everyone. Just like the tour itself!

Check here to download the entire compilation instantly, get the full tour itinerary, watch videos and read more about each artist. Even if you're nowhere near a stop on the tour, you can put on your own private show with this free compilation!

Hatsune Miku Treasure Hunt

Think you know your Vocaloid songs? HearJapan is here to test that knowledge and is bearing gifts in celebration of Hatsune Miku Day [3 (mi) + 9 (ku) = miku; March 9th] and another year of music from the world's premiere Vocaloid singing idol.

Step 1: Download a selection of 10 free Vocaloid samples from Hatsune Miku Treasure Hunt at HearJapan...yes, they're all free! The only problem is that they seem to be missing their names. Step 2: Sift through the Vocaloid collection on HearJapan (that's over 150 releases!) by listening to the 30 second samples and figure out the names of all 10 songs. The songs are a selection of both new and old tunes, possibly even the newest Avtechno “Free” and Reng “Nextone -Krnt Edit- “ releases. Ten lucky winners will be randomly picked from the correct answers.

The 1st place winner will receive a Hatsune Miku Nendoriod Figure (courtesy of Good Smile), complete with several expressions and even a leek to spin, a Hatsune Miku calendar and 5,000 yen in HearJapan credits.

2nd, 3rd and 4th place will get a figure of their choice from Kagamine Rin, Kagamine Len or Megurine Luka, plus 2000 yen in HearJapan credit. 5th through 8th will get a calender plus 1000 yen in HearJapan credit. 9th and 10th will get 500 yen in HearJapan credit.

JICC Hosts Miyori in the Sacred Forest

As part of their "JAPAN: Nature and Culture for the Future" project, the JICC is hosting a screening of "Miyori in the Sacred Forest," this Wednesday, March 10th at 6:30pm. Based on a manga by Oda Hideji titled "Miyori no Mori," this beautifully animated film explore on explores of environmental preservation in Japan.

When 11-year old Miyori’s parents decide to go their separate ways, her father takes her to live with her grandparents in the countryside. Angry about her exile from the bright lights and modern conveniences of Tokyo, Miyori greets her new natural surroundings with scorn and contempt. But that night as she sleeps, a river spirit visits her, leading her into the forest where a host of mystical woodland creatures welcome her as a long lost friend. She may not remember them, but they’ve been waiting for her return. They soon show Miyori that life in the countryside isn’t that bad—until she discovers that the home she has come to love will be flooded by a new dam. Filled with a new sense of awe and appreciation of nature, Miyori will do everything she can to save the forest.

The film is directed by Nizo Yamamoto (art director of Hiyao Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke and Laputa: Castle in the Sky). The event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited and granted on a first come, first served basis. Doors close at 7:00 pm. Reservations required. Only two (2) spaces can be reserved at a time. If you wish to reserve more spaces, please send additional email requests. Please send your name, affiliation, and the name of your guest to jiccrsvp@embjapan.org. Check out the flyer for more details.

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!

X JAPAN Announces Concert and Move to L.A.

The infamous leader of X JAPAN, Yoshiki, revealed on Friday that the entire rock group plans to relocate to Los Angeles and hold a concert there as its first official American performance. Yoshiki revealed the plans during the unveiling of his Yoshiki jewelry brand's new collection in collaboration with Kuwayama. Guitarist Sugizo made a surprise onstage guest appearance at Friday's event before about 120 invitees, where Yoshiki made the announcement that all of X JAPAN will be moving to Los Angeles. [Source: Sankei Sports via ANN]

Massive Global PS3 Network Shutdown

After gaming all weekend, finally hooking up with Alistair vis-a-vis "Dragon Age: Origins," I decided to give my PS3 a break. At approximately, 7:30 p.m. eastern time, I booted up my PS3, tried to sign in to the Playstation Network, but was instead greeted with an error (#8001050F). So, like my fellow gamers (many as I will soon find out), I scowered the forums to try and find a cause and resolution. And within minutes of refreshing, a forum that was 3 pages long became 30 pages long filled with PS3 gamers having the same exact problem. It didn't take long to realize this was no mere coincidence.

Speculations surrounding the source of the problem went first with a possible maintenance or update problems, to the Playstation Network server being down. After learning that PS3 slims seemed to still be functioning, unaffected by this "problem," other theories arose, including a problem with the calendar (a leap-year miscalculation, perhaps) on older PS3s. It's been more than 12 hours now, and gamers (including this one) are getting worried and anxious. Sony will want to reconcile this ASAP, especially with the release of 2 certain titles just around the corner -- God of War III and Final Fantasy XIII; and especially since is affecting Playstation's most "loyal" fans. Those that purchase the original PS3s upon first release, etc.

So here's what we know:

All around the world, PlayStation 3 consoles simply aren't functioning preventing people from even playing some offline games. Non of my trophy-enabled games work and all my downloaded games have reverted back into their "trial" form. Game saves are lost as well as trophies and several themes. It seems like only original consoles are having problems, as PS3 slim users are able to log in with, supposedly, no problems. And most have noticed that their system date has been reset. Could it be calendar problem, a PSN problem? Then why are some offline games being affected.

According to SonyPlaystation on twitter:

• We're aware that many of you are having problems connecting to PSN, and yes, we're looking into it. Stay tuned for updates. about 13 hours ago
• PSN status update: We're narrowing down the issue and continue to work to restore service to all. Updates as soon as we have them. about 10 hours ago
• PSN status update (part 2): Readers/followers are confirming that "slim" units (120/250 GB models) are connecting normally. about 10 hours ago

PS3s still aren't functioning and no official update has been made in 10 hours. Watch this space for updates and if you have more information, let me know.

UPDATE (3/1/2010, 11am): While Playstation US hasn't provided an update for the past 13 hours, Playstation EU gives us a little word. 2 hours ago, the following was posted: Rest assured, we've many people working on fixing this issue. As soon as we have some news, we'll let you know. They also note not to trust info. unless it's from an official Sony source. While this isn't any "new" news...it's at least 3 posts within the last 3 hours...This is agony...

UPDATE (3/1/2010, 12:20pm): Sony has posted a statement regarding this issue.

We believe we have identified that this problem is being caused by a bug in the clock functionality incorporated in the system.

We hope to resolve this problem within the next 24 hours. In the meantime, if you have a model other than the new slim PS3, we advise that you do not use your PS3 system, as doing so may result in errors in some functionality, such as recording obtained trophies, and not being able to restore certain data.

Get the full details here.

UPDATE (3/1/2010, 9:30pm): At approximately, 9:30pm (eastern time), about 26 hours since PS3 global meltdown, Playstation Network Service was restored. And theories that this may be a internal clock problem are confirmed. According to Sony's statement:

We are aware that the internal clock functionality in the PS3 units other than the slim model, recognized the year 2010 as a leap year. Having the internal clock date change from February 29 to March 1 (both GMT), we have verified that the symptoms are now resolved and that users are able to use their PS3 normally.

If the time displayed on the XMB is still incorrect, users are able to adjust time settings manually or via the internet. If we have new information, we will update you through the PlayStation.Blog or PlayStation.com.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

So, if you haven't done so already (I did right before posting this update), go on and boot up your PS3 and catch up on lost time...now I can finally open up "Heavy Rain."

Range Murata at the Taipei Int'l Book Exhibition 2010

It's no secret which artists make my top list, so you can imagine how envious I am that I was unable to attend this rare and monumental event. The unique and totally awesome artist that is Range Murata attended the Taipei International Book Exhibition 2010 in Taiwan. Along with meeting fans and signing autographs, Murata-sensei graced fans with a incredibly rare opportunity - an illustration demonstration. *Insert Fangirl Squeal*

The folks at ANN covered the event and boasts a nice gallery of the demonstration. Be sure to check out all the photos. Using Adobe Photoshop and Wacom Cintiq, Murata-sensei creates a piece of art from start to finish (that's including coloring, folks) in 55 minutes.

Assassin's Creed II: Discovery

Assassin's Creed makes its way into your palms with the iPhone/iPod Touch rendition of Assassin's Creed II: Discovery. Developed by Ubisoft and Griptonite Games, this expanded version the DS game is leaves no shortcomings. And as it is an Assassin's Creed II game, you play as not Desmond, but Ezio de Auditore.

"Discovery" is essentially a side-scroller adventure game set during the "missing" 12th and 13th chapters of Assassin's Creed II. Discover an untold chapter from the Assassin’s Creed® II storyline. Follow Ezio as he travels to 15th-century Spain to rescue fellow assassins being held under the guise of the Inquisition, only to uncover a Templar plot to sail west and discover the New World. Ezio moves swiftly through his memory segments. Run, climb walls, leap off buildings, and hide into bushels of hay. Enter stealth mode and surprise your enemies or battle them head on. Suprises like hidden art to use as wallpapers can also be uncovered.

Audio and visuals are spectacular and gameplay is smooth providing an stellar experience. This is how a handheld game ought to be. Assassin's Creed II: Discovery is now available through the iTunes store for $9.99.

The Yoshida Brothers to Perform at Otakon

The first official guest announcement for Otakon 2010 is here. The Yoshida Brothers will perform on Friday night, as well as signing autographs and participating on a panel. "We've been trying to enhance our cultural content over the last few years," said Jim Vowles, Otakon Guest, Industry, and Press Relations Chief. "Since we're kind of well known for musical acts, we've wanted to bring in a traditional music act for some time. We actually approached the Yoshida Brothers two years ago, but this is the first time their schedule and ours have meshed well enough to bring them. We're very excited."

The Yoshida Brothers were born in Noboribetsu, Hokkaido. Each picked up the shamisen at the tender age of 5, and began studying Tsugaru shamisen under Takashi Sasaki I in 1990. After sweeping prizes at national Tsugaru shamisen conventions, the brothers made their major debut in 1999. The debut album sold over 100,000 copies, an extraordinary figure for a traditional folk music release. Ever since, they continue to make leaping strides. In 2009, the brothers collaborated with notable talents, including an inspired cover of "The National Anthem" from Radiohead's Kid A.

Vowles said, "While most of our membership will know the shamisen music from those Nintendo Wii commercials, the Yoshida Brothers are one of Japan's best exports — internationally acclaimed and respected for their skills, and crossing genres to work with some of the hottest acts around. They bring a traditional Japanese sound, but infuse it with a very modern energy."

Check them out at www.domo.com/yoshidabrothers. Otakon 2010 will be held July 30 – August 1 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland.

X JAPAN to Perform at Lollapalooza

During the Grammy's on Sunday, Yoshiki announced that X Japan intends to play at this year's Lollapalooza festival, scheduled for August 6-8 in Chicago. Tentative reports of X Japan performing there first surfaced last month, but now it appears that the possibility will become a reality. It is said that X Japan received an offer from the festival's organizers to play on the main stage, and the band has decided to take it. A formal announcement with details is expected to be made later this month.

X Japan would be the first Japanese artist to perform on Lollapalooza's main stage. It would also be the band's first U.S. concert, though they already have plenty of fans around the world. They had planned a world tour in 2009, but due to various circumstances, they canceled most of their shows. However, if all goes well, X Japan is aiming to revive the world tour this year, starting with the Lollapalooza performance. [Source: Tokyograph]

NY Int'l Children's Festival Hosts Anime U.S. Premieres

The New York International Children's Film Festival (NYICFF) will host U.S. premieres of three anime features as well as several shorts during its 2010 Festival from February 26 thru March 21.

Kicking off the festival will be the U.S. premiere of Mamoru Hosada's Summer Wars. This cyberpunk/sci-fi story revolves around Kenji, a teenage math prodigy recruited by his secret crush Natsuki for the ultimate summer job – passing himself off as Natsuki’s boyfriend for four days during her grandmother’s 90th birthday celebration. But when Kenji solves a 2,056 digit math riddle sent to his cell phone, he unwittingly breaches the security barricade protecting Oz, a globe-spanning virtual world where millions of people and governments interact through their avatars, handling everything from online shopping and traffic control to national defense and nuclear launch codes. Now a malicious AI program called the Love Machine is hijacking Oz accounts, growing exponentially more powerful and sowing chaos and destruction in its wake.

NYICFF will also host the U.S. premiere of MADHOUSE's "Mai Mai Miracle" anime film. The story is set in 1955 in a town in southwestern Japan, where a nine-year-old girl named Shinko has an ancient family connection to a thousand-year-old province known as Suo. Shinko joins Kiiko, a new transfer student from her school, on a magical adventure. Mai Mai Miracle will premiere on February 27 with a repeat showing on March 6.

Next up is Production I.G's "Oblivion Island: Haruka and the Magic Mirror" (Hottarake no Shima - Haruka to Maho no Kagami) fantasy film. The computer-animated feature follows a girl named Haruka as she discovers where all of our childhood keepsakes and memorabilia go. Creatures from a different dimension gather these trinkets and forgotten treasures as their owners grow up. With their booty, the creatures have built their own city called Oblivion Island. Oblivion Island: Haruka and the Magic Mirror will also premiere on February 27 with a repeat showing on March 6.

On February 27 and March 13, NYICFF will show the U.S. theatrical premiere of Yasuhiro Yoshiura's Time of Eve (Eve no Jikan) net anime series. The festival will show one 15-minute episode of the series. As a huge fan of "Mizu no Kotoba," I'm especially glad to see this addition by Yoshiura and Studio Rikka.

For more details and the full schedule and line-up, be sure to visit the NYICFF site. [Source: ANN]

UPDATE (2/22/2010): Director Mamoru Hosada will make a special guest appearance at the "Summer Wars" premiere.

God of War III Ultimate Edition Revealed

I knew to expect something spectacular for the "God of War III" Ultimate Edition, but consider me completely taken by surprise. The Ultimate Edition has got it all for GOW fans and what better way to see off the final chapter of the GOW trilogy. The ghost of Sparta is back and he bringeth us gifts from the Gods. Enter the Ultimate Edition...

Along with the game, and an artbook that's sure to please, fans will also get a nice helping of exclusive digital content including: God of War Combat Arena containing an exclusive environment and seven challenges; Premium Dominus Kratos skin; Full-length movie documentary called "God of War: Unearthing the Legend;" The GOW trilogy soundtrack; and the GOW: Blood and Metal EP - a heavy metal homage.

And for the "piece de resistance," all this comes in your very own high-end sculpted Pandora's box. And if you pre-order from Amazon now, you get access to the E3 2009 demo and well as an in-game Apollo Skin. The Ultimate Edition is due out March 16th and is retailed at $100.

So do you dare open Pandora's Box?

Vocaloid Toeto Vinyl Figure

Warning...the following you are about to witness holds an incredible degree of cuteness not for the faint of heart...

The popular character 'Toeto', created as a spin-off from 'Character Vocal Series 03: Luka Megurine', is a bashful, cuter version of Luka wearing an adorable cat hat - and now she is getting her very own big soft vinyl figure care of Good Smile Company. Pre-orders are open with a release date of April 2010 and a price tag of 3,500 yen.

Hard to resist? Then reserve yours at Hobby Search and AmiAmi. [Source: Good Smile Company]

Silent Hill: Shattered Memories

Welcome back to Silent Hill. And when I say "back" I mean back to the roots that started it all, to the beginning of what made Silent Hill fans hooked, back to what it meant to roam the streets of Silent Hill, but with a new twist. For long time fans, gameplay will seem familar yet refreshingly new and updated.

Psychological terror. The power to instill the most fear is indeed self-inflicted, and Shattered Memories puts you in the hot seat. Literally. You are immediately greeted with a warning that "this game plays you as much as you play it." By the end of the game, you gain insight to yourself as Shattered Memories psychologically profiles you.

In this nightmare, the heavy fog is replaced with snow and just like in a dream you are helpless to defend against any abominations. That's right, you can't fight back, all you can do from preventing your inevitable end is to run. And all this running most definitely adds to the hype and fear of what lurks around every corner. In short, the game focuses on providing the most perfect atmosphere for great psychological storytelling.

Harry Mason's world begins to take a turn for the worse, when he loses control of his car in a town called Silent Hill and awakens to discover that his 7-year-old daughter, Cheryl, is missing. As he sets off searching for Cheryl and piecing together the fragments of the memory of the accident, his path crosses several residents.

Shattered Memories does a great job in pacing and has a nice blend of perspectives. You may find yourself roaming the stormy streets of Silent Hill, and then suddenly confronted with the "other side" of Silent Hill, trapped in a maze of puzzles and nightmares. You'll also find yourself in several first-person sequences as you and your therapist hash it out during your sessions. You'll be asked to complete simple exercises and answer uncomfortable personal questions about fear and sexuality. There's even a fun little exercise where you color a picture. Without giving away too much, the answers you give affect the characters you'll encounter and the story that unfolds.

I have very little negative criticism to offer. Firstly, Shattered Memories is incredibly short. Though the pacing was on point and the storyline solid, the game is not very long at all. In fact, the first play through took me about 7 hours and subsequent plays took no more than 6 hours. Other than that, the nightmare mazes can seem a bit redundant, daunting, and frankly, pretty frustrating. There were at least 2 mazes that required several attempts. Nevertheless, these shortcomings don't hinder gameplay. Shattered Memories is a refreshing addition to the Silent Hill franchise and pays homage to its roots of psychological terror.

Square Enix Digital Clock Give-away

If you are anything like me, you have a profound adoration for all things Square Enix...or perhaps, all things Final Fantasy. The Square Enix Shop has always been a favorite of mine -- that hard-to-find piece of merchandise with prices that match the high-quality straight from the source.

Well as a special thanks for Square Enix customers, the online shop is offering a Square Enix Digital Clock to customers placing orders exceeding $100.00 (excluding tax and S&H) between January 19th and February 19th. This free gift is only available while supplies last. This comes in perfect timing with the arrivals of some very stunning Final Fantasy XIII collectibles.

So if there's something you've been meaning to get, perhaps now might be the right time...

FF XIII Release Date Announced

"The date has been set. The rest is up to you." Such simple words, but they hold so much more. Nothing is better than having that affirmation we have yearned for so long.

Straight from Square Enix -- Influential and always pushing new boundaries, FINAL FANTASY has transcended generations and cultures for over 20 years. Behind each entry in the series is a team of the most talented minds devoting years of their craft to create. Now, the creative minds that brought you FINAL FANTASY VII and FINAL FANTASY X take the acclaimed series into an entirely new realm with FINAL FANTASY XIII, an entry that touts the series' most impressive cinematic experience, once again setting the new standard in RPG gaming.

Square Enix is truly excited to announce that FINAL FANTASY XIII will be released on March 9, 2010. The much anticipated FINAL FANTASY XIII is the first FINAL FANTASY title developed specifically for high-definition consoles, and also marks the beginning of a brand new chapter in the franchise, FABULA NOVA CRYSTALLIS FINAL FANTASY XIII.

Dealt a fate that marks them a threat to Cocoon—humankind's floating haven in the sky—Lightning, Snow and the others must find the strength within themselves to break free of their curse and fight for what they believe in. An immersive story of destiny, decisions and faith is about to unravel.

All Hallow's Eve 2009

Happy Halloween to all. I bring you my 2009 pumpkin, now bring on the candy!

Fender USA + EVANGELION

If you live a life of the dreaded Evangelion Collector like me, then you know the angst and crave in my tone. If you're like me, then this post only re-states what you already know. Get ready, EVA fans, to be hit hard....very hard. Sure, being an avid EVA collector is draining yet we continue to yearn in its dedication (or exploitation) and beauty. So here comes a glorifying addition to the "Dead Sea Scrolls" of EVA brought to us in a whole other level.

Made by Fender and built by the renowned Yuriy Shishkov - Rei Ayanami Stratocaster and Telecaster, done, if I may say so, deliciously splendid. The Lance of Longinus inlays are stunning! And even the case makes a perfect finishing detail. Check of the specifications of these beauties here: http://www.fender.jp/evangelion/spec.html

These guitars will be auctioned off this December 1st (*frantically calculates budget*). I'll add more details as I find them and if anyone has more information regarding the actual auction, please contact me at eva001berserker@aol.com.

AKB48's U.S. Debut at NYAF 2009

Rumors have been swirling around and now the New York Anime Festival officially announces AKB48! AKB48 is a female music group created in 2005 by songwriter Yasushi Akimoto. The group was born under the concept of "idols you can visit" and is based in Akihabara, the center of Japanese anime and manga culture. Members of AKB48 regularly appear in movies, television shows, and theater, and they are on top of Japan's pop culture consciousness, singing at Japan's biggest New Year's Eve broadcast, joining Prime Minister Taro Aso for cherry-blossom viewing, hosting their own weekly television show, and collaborating with artist Takashi Murakami on multiple projects. They perform almost everyday at their own theater in Akihabara, have performed internationally in Paris, and now they're coming to NYC!

AKB48 will hold a Q&A session, autographing, and short concert at the Jacob Javits Center on Saturday, September 26, and the musical group will then present a free concert at NYC's Webster Hall on Sunday, September 27th.

AKB48 is an awesome addition and this announcement is sure to perk up fans' ears. If you are still contemplating on whether or not to attend NYAF this year...AKB48 may be there to make your decision a bit easier. [Source: MediumAtLarge]

Far East To East Showcase Returns to NYAF with 4 Musical Acts

Last year, the New York Anime Festival and Karaterice launched the Far East To East Showcase at The Knitting Factory. It was a celebration of indie, punk, rock, and pop both from Japan and NYC. This year, NYAF and Karaterice -- now with the super name Superglorious -- are bringing FETES back, and bringing it into the iconic Webster Hall.

From Japan, FETES hosts Kokusyoku Sumire and Swinging Popsicle, and from NYC, FETES features Echostream and Gelatine. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 the day of the show and available now at www.ticketweb.com and www.websterhall.com. The show is open to audiences of all ages.

Kokusyoku Sumire, Swinging Popsicle, Echostream, and Gelatine are four amazing bands -- bands selected not because of their involvement in anime, but selected because of the intensity and integrity music.

For more on the Far East To East Showcase, Superglorious will hold a FETES Press Panel on Saturday, September 26 at the New York Anime Festival. Superglorious will also maintain a booth at NYAF all weekend long where various FETES artists will appear. [Source: MediumAtLarge]

Guild Wars 2 Teaser Trailer

The grounds are starting to rumble as NCsoft and ArenaNet bring us the Guild Wars 2 teases we've been waiting for. First we got confirmation that the project is still fully underway, second, some incredibly beautiful concept art, and now straight from GAMESCOM in Cologne, Germany, we have the trailer, just under 5 minutes long!

The few glimpses of concept art was just the beginning -- the trailer boasts stunningly gorgeous concept art that words simply can't describe. And from the look of things, GW2 is shaping up to be the sequel we've been wishing for. A vast amount of environments that not only look beautiful but bring such variation. No two places look alike. Though there isn't any gameplay, you do get some hints as to what the actual game will look like. The characters -- allies and foes alike -- bring just as much diversity as the environment. Let's just say, it seems like they are on the right track. So without further delay, here's the trailer...you HAVE to see it for yourself. Welcome back to Tyria!

Guild Wars 2 Lives On...

Back in 2007, we heard the first word on the official full sequel to NCSoft's original Guild Wars games -- Guild Wars 2. Since then, all has been quiet on the western front. Too quiet, in fact that I, like many other fans, were getting worried and contemplating GW2's release.

Well ArenaNet Mike O'Brien is here to ease those woes. In a letter to the fans on Guild Wars Wiki:

I want to thank all our fans for their patience as we developed the game to the point where we can start talking about it publically. I know you've all been anxiously awaiting this moment. You'll soon understand how ambitious we've been and what we've accomplished during these past two years of development. We still have a lot of work ahead of us, but from here on out we'll be able to provide you with more regular updates.

Guild Wars 2 is going to be a huge leap beyond the original. We have the best team in the industry executing at the top of their game, and I'm very proud of what our team has accomplished so far. As I said last week, I'm confident that when you get your first look at what we've been working on, you're going to love what you see. Stay tuned for an exciting week ahead.

Excitement!! Let the teases commence. Check out the official Guild Wars 2 website...not much there, but it brings enough affirmation as it is. Follow them on twitter (and Facebook) to get the updates we so crave.

18-m Eva Movie Poster on Charity Auction

Evangelion 2.0: You Can [Not] Advance celebrates its two millionth viewing of the film by auctioning an 18-meter-tall movie poster charity on the Yahoo! Auctions Japan website. The poster features Co-director Kazuya Tsurumaki's storyboard sketch as well as his autograph. 3.5-meter-wide (11.5-foot-wide) poster, which was created with weather-resistant printing on vinyl-covered cloth, hung on the 109-2 department store building in Tokyo's Shibuya district for three weeks starting on June 13. The auction will benefit the Japan Committee Vaccines for the World's Children (JCV).

A separate 2.78-meter-tall (9-foot-tall) character poster is also being auctioned for the same charity. The second poster features an illustration of the three main Evangelion pilots by animation director Hidenori Matsubara as well as Matsubara's autograph. The poster hung during the elaborate opening weekend event just outside a participating theater in Tokyo's Kabukicho neighborhood on June 27 and 28. Both auctions end on August 19; as of August 14, the larger storyboard poster is going for 70,000 yen (about US$734) while the smaller character poster is going for 111,000 yen (US$1,160). [Source: ANN]

Gurren Lagann: The Movie at NYAF 2009

New York Anime Festival will play host to the East Coast Premiere of Bandai and Aniplex's offspring, Gurren Lagann: The Movie - Childhood's End.

Gurren Lagann: The Movie - Childhood's End is a feature film retelling of the first half of the Gurren Lagann series, a feature film that's rarely been seen outside of Japan. So NYAF go-ers...REJOICE!

For those who miraculously haven't jumped on the Gurren Lagann train, the series is about a boy named Simon who's spent his entire life digging in the dirt. But when Simon finds a strange little drill buried deep in the soil, he starts on a journey that'll take him into the sky, into space, and busting through heaven. Gurren Lagann -- from the studio behind Evangelion and FLCL -- is one of the most acclaimed animations in years, and it deserves every ounce of praise it's received. [Source: MediumAtLarge]

Shiny Metal Qees

In a collaborative effort between TOY2R USA and FULLY VISUAL - fans of QEE can now celebrate the release of real metal 2.5" Qees. Available for a limited time in extremely limited amounts - FULLY VISUAL will drop the figures this today, Thursday, August 13th at 11am (PST) on their online store.

In addition - customers who purchase the set of all three will receive a special bonus chase figure that is so cool!![Source: Qee 4 All]

Official Silent Hill Attraction

Sinister Pointe, the mind behind the official "Saw" haunted attraction, teams up with Konami to bring us a fright that is sure to grab your attention and scare you out of your wits. That's right, ever imagined stepping foot in Silent Hill and striking fear onto yourself?

Enter the Silent Hill Haunted Attraction. The Silent Hill maze is located in Brea, California and will feature elements from both video games. The fright begins October 2nd. Be sure to check out Sinister Pointe at www.sinisterpointe.com for more details. Cue the nurses...