Sideshow's Gambit Legendary Scale Bust

Dayuuummmmmmmmm!!!!! *drool*

Okay, now that I've gotten that out of the way.  I know I should hang to the side on this one and let my newest contributor, Sam, take the reins on this...BUT, I have lost voluntary control of my hands and need someone else to bask in this hotness!

The Cajun that needs no introduction, X-Men's Gambit will be joining the ranks of Sideshow Collectibles' Legendary Scale Bust Series.  And boy is it anything but quiet.  I'm struggling not to break my keyboard right now! So forgive me if I start to ramble.  This sexy piece of....ahem....Gambit will cost you $224.99 for either the exclusive edition that has a beautiful Gambit nameplate, and is limited to 200 pieces, as well as the regular edition.  Each bust is individually painted and finished, each with its own unique quality and detail!  Gambit is due out early next year.

Sideshow's Exclusive Gambit Nameplate

Now I'm sorry to say that the exclusive edition is now sold out, but if you hurry, you can still grab the regular edition here.

That card-wielding, heart-throbbing, master thief never looked so H-O-T!

Ordermade Bandai's GUN-PRI

Okay people, it doesn't take a Gunpla aficionado such as myself to notice the beauty that is Gunpla. Nevermind if you've never touched the stuff. You don't need to partake in the goods to recognize how totally b****ing Gunpla boxes look. I'm an avid Gunpla builder with perfect decal-ing placement skills (LOL!!), and finding places to show-off the latest Gunpla build can be tough, but what can be even tougher is how to display those massive beautiful boxes they were housed in.

Well for those living in Japan (*stares with contempt and jealousy* one day...one day), Bandai has created a solution. Introducing the Gunpla Print Service, "GUN-PRI." Seriously, this is freaking great! The GUN-PRI service lets you select from over 100 MG packages, and order said design to be printed on a plethora of items. Create T-shirts, bath towels, and wallscrolls of your favorite gunpla design and logos. In a world where anything was possible, this is where I'd be screaming, "I would like to order 100 t-shirts!"

Not including shipping and handling, t-shirts will run you about 4,000 yen and the towels and wallscrolls are just under 3,000 yen. Orders will take approximately one month to fulfil. Go forth and build that awesome shirt at http://p-bandai.jp/ordermade/! Hell, even if you can't, do like me and check out the beautiful designs and salivate.

[Source: Gunjap.net]

New Junjo Romantica DVD-BOX Collections

It appears that Shungiku Nakamura's "Junjo Romantica" will continue to be my most expensive yaoi addiction to date. As if I didn't shell out enough money on the two U.S. box sets, all of the original twelve Japanese limited edition DVDs and Egoist & Terrorist fan-special discs of the smash hit anime, now there's this:

The "Sekai-Ichi Hatsukoi" Official Website on September 23rd that season's one and two of "Junjo Romantica" will be released in DVD-BOX collections in Japan early next year. Each box set will retail at 13,650 yen and feature twelve Director's Cut episodes of the anime on 3-discs in addition to creditless openings/endings, bonus footage, a special 20-page full-color booklet and original illustrated box.

"Junjo Romantica" DVD-BOX will be available Junary 27, 2012
"Junjo Romantica 2" DVD-BOX will be available February 24, 2012

Do I really need to buy the series again? Probably not. Will I be buying it again because I'm a crazy fan who needs the original illustrated box? .......... Do I really need to answer that?

New "An Assassin" Trailer

My October movie watch list is quite long and near the top of said list is Director Go Ohara’s “An Assassin”. The action film noir premiering in Japan on October 8th is led by one of my favorite Japanese actors, the talented Ryoma Baba (star of such films as “Crazy-izm” and “Takumi-kun: Pure”) in addition to Sayuri Iwata (“Lupin no Kiganjo”) and Yuki Kubota (“Local Boys!”).

Story summary translation from Official Website :

Ryo Hanaki (Ryoma Baba) was raised to be a professional assassin. During one mission though, things go horribly wrong after an attractive high school girl named Rio (Sayuri Iwata) accidentally gets in the way. Hanaki has always spent days as a heartless assassin, but his life starts to change after he helps Rio. By a twist of fate, Rio, who was a complete unknown, suddenly becomes a target overnight. A single mistake from his decision to save Rio has seemingly decided the destiny of the masses...

The promotional theme "Heroine" by Sindy can be purchased at CD Japan.

Catch the new 90-sec trailer below or visit the movie’s Official YouTube Channel page for this and previous entries.

Ai no Kusabi OVA Gets 2012 Release Date!

Anyone who has followed the ups and downs of AIC Studio and director Katsuhito Akiyama's remake of "Ai no Kusabi" knows how much of a rollercoaster it has been. Previously adapted into a two-episode anime in 1992 and 1994, a new relaunch of the popular yaoi novel by Rieko Yoshihara was announced back in 2009 with a new voice cast and updated character design by Naoyuki Onda. The graphic and tragic love story between different members of a class-based society (gang slum-dweller turned voyeristic "pet" Riki the Dark, and his owner Iason Mink, the genetically engineered elite revered by his fellow "Blondies" and the world of Amoi's ruling Artificial Intellegience: Jupiter) was set to unfold over thirteen episodes. Sadly, despite two appetizing trailer releases, financial reasons caused the project to be postponed and then eventually dropped in 2010.

But on September 23rd @Kusabi_Official on Twitter announced their Official Website is having a special reopening celebration. The News section neglects to share any details as to why, but surely it could only mean one thing! While several sections are still being revamped, head over to the Information section and happily discover that January 18, 2012 heralds the release of Volume One! Subsequent volumes are set to release each following month.

Three versions for the first volume, "Ai no Kusabi ~petere Kanju~", will be available (first editions will sport a specially designed jacket by Naoyuki Onda):

Regular Editon
Regular Edition Blu-ray
Limited Edition Blu-ray (includes special booklet, script, creditless opening & ending, promotional videos and pet ring with leather string)

Yes, you heard right... you can have your very own pet ring. (Umm... No need to share the details as to what you'll be doing with yours.)

Resistance 3 Review

Ooooooweeeeeee, it feels great to pick up that Bullseye and Marksman and whoop me some Chimeran ass after all this time!!! My trigger finger is happy.

Resistance 3 is finally out, and takes it home with a well-balanced game, an awesome arsenal available at your finger tips, and a variety of bad guys. As Nathan Hale, you spent your life battling the Chimera invasion, and battling your own spreading infection. And after setting aflame the Chimeran towers, his fellow colleague Joseph Capelli is forced to kill Nathan with his infection completely spread (gotta love those yellow glowing eyes!).

Things pick up where Nathan Hale leaves Resistance: Fall of Man and Resistance 2, as we play the recently dishonorably discharged Joseph Capelli. The world was left in disarray, yet humanity clung on. And after 4 years of what seems like a never-ending struggle as humanity attempts to rebuild, it would seem all of Nathan's efforts didn't exactly eradicate the damn pests. They're back and now there seems to be a huge portal piercing the skies with an imminent threat of what baddies will be coming through from the other end.

Now Joe doesn't have that same "save-the-world/hero/cool" kind of attitude as one might expect from a shooter game. He has a wife and kid that he doesn't want to leave. But the characters he meets, coupled with a stellar array of environments, make for an awesome campaign. The first half of the story seemed to flow and pace very nicely, though as the game progressed there were a few moments when that flow was somewhat broken and disjointed. I am one chapter away from beating the game, but can strongly state that the campaign story and gameplay was action-packed and loads of fun.

Enemies varied to the point where choosing the right strategy and the right weapons were the key to success. You are drawn to the game -- with enemies just popping out of nowhere, when there is scarcely any light available, when you notice the eerie soundtrack or even when things go too quiet, and when you realize you are down to your last mag. The environment alone was stunning to just stare at. You'll easily be drawn into playing the game with no breaks.

Co-op gameplay also proves itself worthy. While I was sad to see the lack of class-based co-op from Resistance 2, co-op in general doesn't suffer. You get the experience you are looking for. And if you've got the gear, the fun doesn't stop there. Be sure to whip out your Playstation Move gun and your 3D specs and stop that invasion!

Good Smile Company's Makise Kurisu PVC Figure

Tis the season, I suppose, when my figure/statue buy-list grows to ridiculous proportions. And after gazing my eyes over this little beauty, it comes to no surprise that it joined the ranks of "ze list."

As a huge Makise fan (my latest cosplay venture included the premiere of my Makise cosplay at Otakon this year), I must say Good Smile Company has made one hell of a beautiful figure. And it's great to see steins;gate getting more recognition and love. And not just your average love, but the release of stellar, top-quality figures. I still find myself staring at one of my favorite figures in my room (the gorgeous Kotobukiya figure of Makise).

This breathtaking 1/8 scale PVC figure of Future Gadget Laboratory's Lab Member No. 004, Kurisu Makise is now available for pre-order with a retail price of 6,800 yen and a release date of March 2012.

Check out more pics at Good Smile Company. Come hither, Makise!

Messiah Gets Live Action Adaptation

One of the most recent live action adaptions I’ve been keeping an eye on is Akira Hiyoshimaru's “Messiah.” The manga currently seralized in Kadokawa Shoten’s “Gekkan Asuka” magazine tells the story of SAKURA, an elite intelligence group for the Fifth Unit of the Special Police Bureau with a license to kill. Like any good undercover operative who erases their past and dons a secret identity, the movie version follows SAKURA candidate Eiri Kaido (played by D2 Member and “Pole Dancing Boys” star Atsushi Arai) and his assigned partner Haku (played by "Tenimyu" alumni Masahiro Inoue), who pose as students at a high school to protect and monitor the activities of a student whose brother is a terrorist. However, no mission is ever simple and that is when Eiri and his fellow teammates must rely on their Messiah, which within their cirlce are their partners to protect them from danger and possible death. Who doesn’t like handsome guys who wear high school blazers by day, long black coats at night, pack heat and can kick your ass? Other stars in the film include "Tenimyu" and “Kamen Rider” series actors Syo Jinnai and Minehiro Kinomoto.

Director Shunsuke Kaneko, who helmed “Death Note”, will see his finished product on the screen in Japan on October 15th.

For our Japanese-reading followers out there, pick up the most recent issue of “Neo Actor” magazine for an interview with stars Atsushi Arai and Syo Jinnai.

Check out the trailer:



Official Messiah Website

Kyo and Gara in MASSIVE Volume 3

If you're a DIR EN GREY or MERRY fanatic, I highly recommend you pick up Volume 3 of MASSIVE. The bands respective vocalists, Kyo and Gara, are the featured cover story, with a combine 62-page interview and pictorial discussing their art, their recent album drops and shots from their recent tours. Trust me, the full-page shots of these two talented men together is worth the money alone.

Also included in this month's issue are other joint interviews and concert coverage from LAID BACK OCEAN's Yafumi and UVERworld's Takuya∞. Kazuya Yoshii, sads, cali≠gari, J, RIZE, 9mm Parabellum Bullet, and SIAM SHADE.

The high quality work put in MASSIVE has quickly made it one of my favorite periodicals from Shinko Music Entertainment's extensive line of music books and magazines. The current volume ranks #6 on CD Japan's Top Book listing. Buy yours today.

Tenimyu Single: Jumping up! High touch!

Seeing as I’m back on my "Prince of Tennis" musical (or "Tenimyu") kick lately, I bring news from this autumn’s volume 15 issue of "Neo Actor" magazine, which includes an interview with Yuki Ogoe, Daiki Ise and Kazuhiro Okazaki (performing as Echizen Ryoma, Wakashi Hiyoshi and Shinji Ibu respectively). The folks in Japan can catch the "Dream Live 2011" concerts on November 5th and 12th, but we all don’t have to wait to enjoy the 2nd Season tunes. Just when I thought I got the chorus from "F.G.K.S" out of my head, this energentic diddy comes along...

Four editions of the musical anchor single “Jumping up! High touch!” are set to release on September 28th. Fortunately CD Japan will "serve" up all four!

• TypeA: [Limited Editon] CD featuring All Members version and Seigaku Members version, karaoke, and Voice Collection, including DVD bonus of the single's promotional video filmed on July 26th at Tokyo Dome City Hall and "Making Of" special.
• Type B: [Regular Edition] CD featuring All Members version, Fudomine Members version, additional track, karaoke and Voice Collection.
• Type C: [Regular Edition] CD featuring All Members version, St. Rudolph & Yamabuki Members version, additional track, karaoke and Voice Collection.
• Type D: [Regular Editon] CD featuring All Members version and Hyotei Members version, additional track, karaoke and Voice Collection.

DSS 606: Third Impact Welcomes New Contributor!

I created Dead Sea Scrolls 606: Third Impact years ago at the behest of some of my friends suggesting I should write about what I love -- anime, manga, video games, comic books, japanese music, collectibles and figures, and everything else in between . Modest beginnings (with crazy schedules sometimes preventing me to write), with a neverending drive to keep striving for more.

With that said, I feel privileged and content to officially announce and welcome Third Impact's newest contributor! Sam is a long-time Third Impact reader but is no stranger when it comes to this blog. Reader turned "unofficial" reporter and now turned official contributor has, over the years, played an active role in Third Impact's shenanigans. (If you've seen me at recent conventions, you'll no doubt have noticed an extremely tall (at least through my shortie perspective) gal following my stride).

It gives me great pleasure to introduce my bestie and your newest contributor, Sam J. Our likes and dislikes complement the tone of Third Impact and I'm excited to see what future posts will bring (need I mention that she's a fellow Marvel fan!!!). Of course, she will be covering a slew of topics here and there, and in my efforts to continue to expand, Sam will be bringing news and reviews on the latest in the realm of Japanese rock music, drama, and yaoi (lovely combination, if I do say so myself). But enough of me jabbering, straight from Sam's fingers:

"Blasting DIR EN GREY from the speakers, watching "Evangelion" on the DVD player, hanging "Junjo Romantica" and X Japan on the walls, rearranging "Mirage of Blaze" and "Takumi-kun" on the shelves, weighing down the messenger bag with "The Walking Dead", taking cosplay to the dry cleaners and signing for the FedEx package for the latest ikemen and music magazines...it's just the typical life of Sam.

I'm still waiting for my mutant abilities to awaken so I can save (or rule) the world, but until then I'm honored to use my writing powers as a new blog contributor. If it's Japanese rock music, actors or yaoi titles, it's up my alley and I can't wait to share my knowledge and passion here at Third Impact, where the uniqueness of Japanese entertainment and culture is celebrated.

Glomps, kisses and devil horns to all!"

Let me say once more, "Irrashaimase Sam! Welcome!"

Be sure to check out Sam's blog posts to date:

- Hybrid Child Grows Into Anime Adaptation

- LUNA SEA Reunion Concert DVD

- ANiMiX Finder no Hyoteki DVD News

- Sugizo Announces Tour and Single

- Miyavi 30th Birthday Celebration

Top Cow's 2011 Pilot Season

Top Cow's Pilot Season is back with its 5th year! In their continued mission to bring us the newest and best, eight new comics join to battle it out till there's only one comic standing. And we, the fans, get to do the picking. So here we go...

PILOT SEASON: TEST #1 (10/5/11)

story JOSHUA HALE FIALKOV

art RAHSAN EKEDAL

cover BAGUS HUTOMO of IFS

The Harvey nominated creative team of ECHOES, JOSHUA HALE FIALKOV (I…Vampire) and RAHSAN EKEDA (Solomon Kane) reunite to kick off 2011’s PILOT SEASON competition with TEST. A group of ten strangers wake up in a mysterious town with no memory of who they are and how they got there.

They are the lone survivors of an apocalyptic event, chosen to repopulate the Earth. But what is the true nature of their fate?

PILOT SEASON: CITY OF REFUGE #1 (10/2/11)

story MORGAN DAVIS FOEHL

art & cover DENNIS CALERO

Over a decade after Terminal, the residents of San Francisco live a peaceful and prosperous existence thanks to the Program. Every resident of the city is hand-selected and implanted with the chip Secura, which removes the human capacity for violence to maintain the greater good. Only the city's security forces are allowed a brief reprieve from Secura through use of the drug Freestone in order to do their jobs. Now, rumors of Freestone getting out into the open market threaten to upset the delicate balance keeping humanity from extinction.

PILOT SEASON: THE BEAUTY #1 (10/19/11)

story JEREMY HAUN & JASON HURLEY

art & cover JEREMY HAUN

Modern society is obsessed with outward beauty. What if there was a way to guarantee you could be come more and more beautiful every day? What if it was contagious? In the world of The Beauty, physical perfection is attainable and while the mass majority of the population has taken advantage of it, Detectives Foster and Vaughn will soon discover it comes with a terrible price.

PILOT SEASON: FLESH

DIGGER #1 (10/26/11)

story SHANNON ERIC DENTON & BRAD KEENE

art ALEX SANCHEZ

cover BERNIE WRIGHTSON

A random act of kindness can be damning. When a man witnessed the ruthless beating of an innocent woman, he rushed to help her and was brutally murdered for his trouble. Now driven by revenge, sorrow, and guilt, the woman enacts arcane forces to resurrect him. From out of the earth he'll rise, a twisted, worm-riddled monstrosity forced to carry out vengeance to maintain whatever life he has left, all while confronting the unimaginable truth of his new, hideous existence. Is he forever damned to be a rotting monster driven by an insatiable bloodlust...or is it possible to shed the curse and return to normal? The torment belongs to the living nightmare they'll call Fleshdigger. God help anyone who gets in his way!

PILOT SEASON: MISDIRECTION #1 (11/2/11)

story FILIP SABLIK

art CHRIS DiBARI

cover MICHAEL GAYDOS

Vince Martinez raced cars for a living, now he can’t even drive. A tragic mistake took Vince from the height of success to losing his career, his family & his freedom. When he is unwittingly made the getaway driver for a bank robbery gone wrong, will Vince head back to jail or show the world why he was NASCAR’s hottest driver in one of the heaviest trafficked cities in the US.

PILOT SEASON: THEORY OF EVERYTHING #1 (11/9/11)

story DAN CASEY

art THOMAS NACHLIK

cover ERIK JONES

Charles Witten is a brilliant scientist capable of inventing devices that will change our world. Unfortunately, most of the scientific community thinks he’s a crackpot. As does the government, until… a precision team of heist men rob a bank in Switzerland using what appears to be Witten’s dimension hopping technology. Technology that Witten designed, but never completed…

PILOT SEASON: ANONYMOUS #1 (11/16/11)

story ALAN McELROY

art MICHAEL MONTENAT

cover ERIK JONES

Marcus Walsh was an elite Special Forces soldier involved in black ops all over the world. Wet work like this takes its toll and Marcus wanted out, but this wasn’t a job you quit. There was only one way out. Now believed dead and completely anonymous, Walsh struggles to use his black ops skills to atone for his past sins.

PILOT SEASON: SERAPH #1 (11/23/11)

story LANCE BRIGGS & PHIL HESTER

art & cover JOSE LUIS

The angelic warrior now known only as Seraph was once a sinner. After living a life of selfishness and sin, personal tragedy drove him to kill himself. Plucked on his way to Hell by Heaven, the man was made Heaven’s soldier in an endless battle. Charged with fighting an ancient war, but bound by God’s law, can Seraph triumph over opponents not restricted in the same way and regain his faith in the process?

With a record number of competing titles, the voting this year will be done in a triple elimination system in December. After the final release in November, fans will be able to log onto TopCow.com and vote for their favorite for two weeks with no restriction on the number of votes per day. Then the top four will compete for a week with one vote per fan per day allowed. Finally the top two square off for one week with one vote per fan per day.

Top Cow has always had a tendency to keep outdoing themselves (not that I'm complaining), and this year's pick is no exception. The crop of writers and artists alone speak for themselves. These one-shot titles will be out later this year. All PILOT SEASON one-shots are 32-page full color comic books that will go on sale for $3.99.

For your first look at the eight titles, be sure to pick up Pilot Season: Declassified 2011 today for just a buck! [Sources: Image Comics; Top Cow]

Guild Wars 2 Charr Plush

The Charr. Guild Wars players world over know them all too well. Vicious, ferocious, blood-thirsty conquerors......and loveable??? ArenaNet announces the release of this super adorable plush version of GW2's battle-ready Charr.

This huggable Charr is 17-inches long and is ruggedly constructed from soft, high-quality material that will stand up to the latest centurion invasion.




Supplies are limited, so you'll want to pick up your Charr companion soon exclusively from the Penny Arcade Store (in North America) or the NCsoft Merchandise Store (in Europe). [Source: ArenaNet]

UPDATE (9/15/2011): Charr plushies already sold out in Europe!

UPDATE (9/23/2011): Charr plushies sold out in the U.S.!!! Glad I swiped one for me before they were all goooone...

Durarara!! Izaya PVC Figure

Alter brings us a hot, and sexy dose of Izaya from Durarara!! Retailed at 6,800 yen, Izaya is set for release in January of 2012. Black never looked so good!! *faints*

Miyavi 30th Birthday Celebration

Someone has a birthday coming up! On September 14th singer-songwriter and aptly nicknamed “Samurai Guitarist” Miyavi is turning 30 and he wants you to join in the celebration.

Starting at 11pm on Tuesday, September 13th (Japan Time) you can head to the MIYAVI USTREAM channel for his “From Tokyo 2 the world” broadcast. Show will end at 12:30am Wednesday, September 14th (Japan Time).

MIYAVI OFFICIAL USTREAM CHANNEL: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/miyavi-official

LIVE BROADCAST: http://live.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv62896926

Let this tie you over until the kick-off of his world tour, starting October 20th in San Francisco. Don’t forget that Miyavi’s single with hip-hop star KREVA, “STRONG” is being released on October 5th. This will be the first collaboration release from Miyavi’s “SAMURAI SESSION WORLD SERIES.” Pre-order your Limited Edition copy (with DVD) at CD Japan.

Final Fantasy XIII-2 Lightning Play Arts Kai Figure

It was love at first sight when I laid eyes on the Final Fantasy XIII-2 Lightning Play Arts Kai figure. After the initial drool, my second thought was "ooooo, this will looking b****ing next to my vicious Odin figure. Lightning comes with her sword and shield, as well as an optional hand part.

Lightning strikes this December, listed at 5,200 yen. Pre-order now at discounted prices at any of these wallet-loving retailers:

CD Japan

Hobby Search

HLJ

AmiAmi

Sugizo Announces Tour and Single

If you’re a LUNA SEA, X Japan or Juno Reactor fan, you must know of their mutual member Sugizo. The 42-year-old musician, singer-songwriter and record producer has announced on his Japanese website this week he is kicking off his solo live tour “SUGIZO TOUR 2011 STAIRWAY to THE FLOWER OF LIFE” on December 20th in Japan with eventual stops in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Sugizo’s digital single “PRAY FOR MOTHER EARTH” (featuring Toshinori Kondo) will be released on September 11, 2011 and will be available on iTunes.

Color Ink Book - Camilla d'Errico style

Listen up people! If you thought your coloring book days were over, think again!!

If you know me, at some point you would have heard me sing praises on one of my favorite artists of all time -- Camilla d'Errico. Well, right before San Diego Comic-Con, Camilla announced that she would be a featured artist in the Color Ink Book Volume 12 and cover artist for one of the limited editions.

To celebrate the public launch of this 100+ page collection, Camilla is hosting a special D.I.Y. Coloring Contest, which runs from now until September 30th.

You can enter 1 of 2 different ways.

Option #1:

1) Order a copy of the Color Ink book Vol. 12 from the online store.

2) Choose any Camilla d'Errico image from the book to color. You can scan the image to color digitally, or color with any medium you decide.

3) Scan, or take a photo of, your completed page from the book and send it to info [at] camilladerrico [dot] com.

Grand Prize: Four different 12" x 18" art prints, plus an original page from Color Ink Book Vol.12 that has been colored and signed by Camilla d'Errico.

Option #2:

1) Download Camilla's black and white Color Ink Book cover image - "Wireseat" here.

2) Print your own sheet of the black and white image to color with the medium of your choice, or digitally color the image with computer software.

3) Scan, or take a photo of, your completed page from the book and send it to info [at] camilladerrico [dot] com.

Grand Prize: One randomly selected 12" x 18" art print.

Check out the Camilla's blog for full details and lots of photos of previous volumes.

ANiMiX Finder no Hyoteki DVD News

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

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

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

Call of Duty: MW3 Hardened Edition Details Revealed

Some details on the Hardened Edition of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 has been released!

Included within:

- The Call of Duty: MW3 game disc, featuring unique disc art

- 1-year Call of Duty Elite premium membership, including:

• 20 pieces of Modern Warfare 3 DLC delivered over a 9 month period
• Incredible variety, including new MP maps, Spec Ops missions and game modes
• Ownership of all DLC, even if your membership expires
• Prized Events, Operations, Leagues and custom in-game playlist and modes

For more information, visit http://www.callofduty.com/elite/whats-included.html


- Special Founder status on Call of Duty Elite, including:

• Unique Founder weapon camo and profile skin
• Exclusive Founder in-game Player Card and Emblem
• Access to the private ""#Founder" Group
• Special Founder Clan XP boost
• Special Founder Operations, Events and Leagues
• Exclusive Founder prizes and experiences
• Premium, collectible steelbook case
• Exclusive Special Ops Juggernaut Xbox LIVE outfit

- Limited edition, collectible field journal chronicling the entire saga with 100+ pages of authentic military sketches, diagrams and written entries.

Pre-order now for $99.99. Watch this space for details for other gaming systems.

LUNA SEA Reunion Concert DVD

Seeing LUNA SEA live in concert may forever remain on my bucket list without a cross out line, but Ryuichi Kawamura, Sugizo and the rest of the guys are at least still putting out the goods that allow us all to enjoy their music in front of the glow of our television screens and region 2 DVD players.

October 19th is the release date for "Ichiya Kagiri no Fukkatsu Live LUNA SEA Chinmoku no 7 Nen wo Koete" (whoa, that’s a loooong title). The DVD will feature a documentary of the band’s 2007 Christmas Eve reunion concert in addition to 14 NHK song performances spanning from 1993 to 2000, including some of my personal favorites like "ROSIER" and "gravity".

This release comes just in time for "A Promise to the Brave", the band’s sold-out charity concert on October 22nd in Saitama. All proceeds from the concert will be donated to the victims of the earthquake through the Japan Red Cross.

You can pre-order your copy at CD Japan or YesAsia.

Kotobukiya's X-MEN Fine Art Statue - Magneto

Available for pre-order, Kotobukiya presents one bad-ass cold cast statue of one bad-ass mutant, X-Men's villian...Magneto! As part of the Fine Art Statue collection, the master of magnetism boasts at 14 inches tall (1/6th scale) atop the ruins of Professor Charles Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. The intricate details is incredibly fluid and powerful. The statue comes with 2 interchangeable heads, with or without his trademark helmet.

Check out the Kotobukiya website for more photos. A certain shelf in my room will be awaiting Magneto's arrival, due April 2012.

Hybrid Child Grows Into Anime Adaptation

Exciting news for all Shungiku Nakamura fans!

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

that completed in 2009 after 24 episodes).

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

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

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

Satoshi Kon Exhibit Available Online

Today marks the one-year anniversary of master animator Satoshi Kon's untimely death on August 24, 2010. In memory of Satoshi Kon, an exhibition in France was organized during Japan Expo Sud (Feb 25-27, 2011 in Marseille) and Japan Expo 12th Impact (June 30-July 3 in Paris).

An online version of their exhibition is now available on Catsuka (in English, French, and Japanese). It contains 40 beautiful images from French artists representing Satoshi Kon himself, and works from Millennium Actress, Paranoia Agent, Paprika, Perfect Blue, and Tokyo Godfather.


Launch the exhibition diaporama here. [Photo from Catsuka/©Kosal Sok]

Guild Wars 2 Gamescom Trailer

Check out the all-new Gamescom trailer "Guild Wars 2" -- showing off more of its beautiful art, actual gameplay, sequences, and the vast classes and worlds Guild Wars 2 has to offer. Not to mention, a taste of what can only be described as an absolutely stunning soundtrack.

Waiting for Guild Wars 2 is getting tougher and tougher...

"Awakening" Creators at Baltimore Comic-Con 2011

"Awakening" -- it was one of those comic book titles I just happened to pick up back in 2009 for its dark, haunting yet subdued cover. And ever since then, I've been hooked. With the concluding volume released back in November 2010, what's next for the dynamic duo of Nick Tapalansky and Alex Eckman-Lawn?

Well if you are heading to Baltimore Comic-Con this weekend, maybe you can get them to drop some hints on their next book. Both Alex and Nick will be there (table A105), along with copies of Awakening Volume 2 (for those who haven't picked it up yet) at just $10 at the con.

Even better is that not only is Archaia releasing an omnibus of said title (in stores next month, retailed at $24.95), but advance copies will be available at Baltimore this weekend for just $20.

The zombie noir graphic novel is a must-read for any comic book fan. I was able to meet them at last year's Baltimore Comic-Con (check out the pic I took of them - now why wouldn't you want to pick up "Awakening" from these cuties? (^_^)

Be sure to visit Nick's site for more details and check out their Facebook page here.

Baltimore Comic Con 2011 This Weekend

The wait is almost over...and it would seem that all good things come to those who wait. Baltimore Comic-Con 2011 returns for its 12th year this Saturday and Sunday, August 20-21.

The Baltimore Convention Center will play host to countless legends this weekend, with the one and only Stan "The Man" Lee leading the way as the Guest of Honor. Just over 150 guests, over 100 exhibitors and retailers and a packed artist alley await. I am especially excited to check out what Top Cow has in store for the coming year! The ever popular costume contest returns for its third year, with a new date and new (and bigger) room.

Check out the full line-up of Baltimore Comic-con heroes here and be sure to view the full schedule here.

If you've gone to the past conventions, you know why I never miss it -- the perfect getaway for the comic book junkie. So what are you waiting for, get that list of missing back-issues you need, grab those comic books that are itching for an autograph, and bask in "Nerd-vana." If you haven't registered yet, one- and two-day passes are still available.

It's time to get our geek on...

(Be sure to check back here for Baltimore Comic-con updates, photos, and recaps!!)

Release details on X JAPAN's 1st single "JADE"

(June 14, 2011) -- "Jade," the long-awaited new single from X Japan, one of the most influential rock bands in Japanese history, will be released in North America, Europe and Latin America on Tuesday, June 28 in all digital
formats. "Jade" is the first track from the band's English debut album, currently in the final stages of recording.

A "Jade" full-length ringtone will be made available exclusively in Japan on June 28, and the single will be released there and in Southeast Asia two weeks later on July 13.

Yoshiki, X Japan's leader/producer/songwriter/drummer/pianist stated:

This is a years-long dream of X, to release a record in the Americas and in Europe/... is very powerful, and we believe it can help us bridge the gap between east and west. We hope that "Jade" will be the first step.

Written and produced by Yoshiki and mixed by Andy Wallace, "Jade" was recorded in both Japan and at Yoshiki¹s Los Angeles studio, the same studio where Metallica recorded its classic Black album before Yoshiki bought it and turned it into a private facility.

The song features the thunderous drums and bass of Yoshiki and Heath, respectively, the searing twin guitar work of Pata and Sugizo, and Toshi's dynamic vocals. With most lyrics sung in English, Jade is a hauntingly romantic tale of embracing the beautiful sadness of death, and showcases X Japan's eclectic mix of rock, goth, and classical music.

The release of "Jade" coincides with the X Japan's June 28 sold-out show at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire and the kick-off of their world tour that includes stops in Europe and South America. Click here for more details.

Yoshiki to Auction off his "Crystal" Piano to Aid Japanese Earthquake/Tsunami Victims

LOS ANGELES, CA ­ March 15, 2011 ­ Yoshiki, leader of the Japanese rock band X Japan, will put his favorite "crystal" piano on the auction block, donating all proceeds to help provide aid to the victims of Japan¹s earthquake and tsunami.

The custom-made, plexi-glass "Yoshiki Signature Piano by Kawai" with Yoshiki¹s name engraved on it, was used when the band played their legendary shows at the Tokyo Dome.

The Japanese-born Yoshiki, who lives in Los Angeles, felt the earthquake tremors while in a Tokyo recording studio working on X Japan¹s first North American album, and was shocked by the large-scale damage across Japan. "It took awhile to locate my mother, but she is, thankfully, OK," said Yoshiki, "and I¹ve spoken with [band members] Toshi, Pata, Sugizo and Heath, and they are all safe as well. I am praying for the people here who are still trying to locate their family and friends."

X Japan has decided to postpone the release of their first U.S. single, "Jade," that had been scheduled to be released today, so that they may focus their time and energies on helping with the recovery.

In addition to raising money by auctioning his "crystal" piano, Yoshiki will collect donations for the Japanese disaster relief through the Yoshiki Foundation America, his California non-profit, public benefit corporation with tax-exempt status as a section 501(c)(www.yoshikifoundation.org ).

The Yoshiki Foundation has already donated to American organizations such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, the Grammy Foundation, and St. Vincent Meals on Wheels.

This will be an incredible item to win, not only for the great cause, but to own such an iconic piece from X JAPAN! Whew...

Dragon Age 2 Demo Confirmed

MARK YOUR CALENDARS (you know I sure as hell did)!! The date -- February 22nd!

The entire world stands on the brink of war, and you are the one person at the center of it all. On February 22, 2011, BioWare™ will release a demo for Dragon Age™ 2, allowing gamers on all platforms to experience a portion of this epic action RPG.

In the demo, players will venture through the game's prologue, choosing from three different character classes. They'll also learn more about Hawke (that hawtness walking with flames in hand...) and hone their skills and abilities that will make them the ultimate hero. After finishing the prologue, players will enter a key new location in the world of Dragon Age, Kirkwall, befriending Isabela, a romantic interest in the game who is also a deadly smuggler.

Upon completion of the demo, players will unlock a special weapon, Hayder's Razor, an ancient dwarven blade which increases health, mana, and combat abilities, in the full release of Dragon Age 2.

Dragon Age 2 will be available on the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system and PC on March 8, 2011 in North America and March 11, 2011 in Europe.

Japan Nite US Tour 2011

2011 U.S. tour dates have been announced for Japan Nite. Japan Nite will hit up Austin, New York, Chicago, Seattle, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco from March 18th through March 27th. Check out the line-up and schedule below.

2011 TOUR SCHEDULE
March 18 - Austin @SXSW Japan Nite
March 20 - New York @ Bowery Ballroom
March 22 - CHICAGO @ Empty Bottle
March 23 - SEATTLE @ Chop Suey
March 25 - Las Vegas @ TBA
March 26 - LA @ Viper Room
March 27 - SF @ The Independent


MO'SOME TONEBENDER (www.myspace.com/mstbofficial)
Leading alternative rock band

Lolita No. 18 (www.myspace.com/destroinlolita18)
Pioneer of all girl punk

Hystoic Vein (www.myspace.com/hystoicvein)
All Girl Post Punk Glam Rock

ZUKUNASHISISTERS (www.myspace.com/zukunasi)
All girl soul blues band

white white sisters (www.myspace.com/whitewhitesisters)
Electoro rock band rookie

oh sunshine (www.myspace.com/oh_sunshinejp)
ex: Tokyo Jihen, Mikio Hirama new project

Be sure to check out their site for more details.

Oshii to Novelize Satoshi Kon's Unfinished Seraphim

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

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

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

Final Fantasy XIII-2 Announced for Winter 2012

Square Enix has just confirmed the sequel to Final Fantasy XIII. Final Fantasy XIII-2 is slated for next winter with a "new story...that stems from the previous title, a battle system that is evolved from 'XIII' and more..."

UPDATED 1/19/2011: Check out the trailer below!

CoD: Black Ops NEW ERA Fitted Caps

In case you missed it, New Era has teamed up with Activision and Treyarch Entertainment to bring us a pair of limited edition New Era 59Fifty Fitted Caps. At $44.99, each cap is oozing perfection -- one black adorned with the Black Ops shield; and the other in beautiful military green. Take my word for it, you'll want to wear your cap all the time.

Grab yours here (and from now till Jan 14th, get 20% off). For each cap sold, New Era will donate $2.00 to the Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) in support of U.S. troops.

All Hallow's Eve 2010

Happy Halloween to one and all. This year, I present you awesome folks with my 2010 pumpkin. I had such a blast painting my God of War/Kratos-inspired pumpkin. This particular pumpkin has to be one of my favorite one of my creations.

Hope you all have a blast on the one day when everyone else has an excuse to cosplay, and for us cosplayers -- just another day.

Nolan Announces Plans for an "Inception" Video Game

Lately, it seems that it is almost customary, if not expected for movies to have a self-titled video game inspired by said movie. I've never been a fan of that. I'm all for video games turned movies (if done right); but usually not vice-versa. But here's one idea I hope comes to fruition.

The genius who brought us "The Dark Knight" and "Memento" wants to transform his latest film, a little movie called "Inception," into a video game!! As an uber "Inception" fan who has gone to see the movie at a certain questionable rate (a number that shall remain confidential), it's my (unbiased) opinion that "Inception" is just one of those unique and brilliant worlds that I think would do spectacularly as a game. Nolan tells Variety, all the right things.

"One thing we are looking at doing is developing a video game based on the world of the film, which has all kinds of ideas that you can't fit into a feature film...that's something we've been talking about and are looking at doing long-term, in a couple of years."

As much as I would love the "Inception" video game yesterday, I am happy to wait in the "long-term," if that means an adaption done right. To date, "Inception" has grossed over $750 million worldwide. [Source: Variety via Kotaku]

Miyavi x Good Charlotte Collaboration

Just announced -- MIYAVI, the genius that rightly imbues the title "samurai guitarist" is teaming up with American band GOOD CHARLOTTE on their new song, "Like It’s Her Birthday,“ providing awesome riffs in a way only MIYAVI can do!

“Like It’s Her Birthday” will be released on the new album on November 27th in Japan; prior to its release in America.


GOOD CHARLOTTE’s staff actually saw MIYAVI's New York City performance and recommended him to the brothers. MIYAVI met up with the band in Tokyo on August 26th to begin work. The members already had a lot of positive things to day about the guitarist. Benji Madden said, “When we were recording ‘Like It’s Her Birthday’, I heard MIYAVI’s guitar and I liked it instantly. It was the best. I thought that it was the sound I wanted for the new album and got so many ideas.”

MIYAVI has already been preparing for his new album, “WHAT’S MY NAME?“, and it’s due to come out on October 13th. It will contain album versions of “SURVIVE” and “SUPER HERO.” It will also have his new single “TORTURE,” bringing the track number up to 14 songs total. [Source: tokyohive]