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]

Director Satoshi Kon Passes Away

There has been speculation through some posts from Twitter that anime director Satoshi Kon passed away today at the age of 47. This news apparently coming from a tweet by Gainax's Yasuhiro Takeda.

Kon has been a true visionary, redefining innovation in anime and it's hard to imagine a world without his genius. I am sure many will agree, but Kon could do no wrong. Many of the titles on my top lists include Kon titles.

Each one of his titles brought something unique and unlike anything anyone had seen before. Perfect Blue; Millennium Actress; Tokyo Godfather; Paprika; Paranoia Agena; Memories!

I am still trying to gather up details, but I am at a loss. I will update as more information is revealed.

UPDATE (8/24/2010): It saddens me to confirm Satoshi Kon's passing. Jim Vowles, a member of the Otakorp Board of Directors for the Otakon convention, announced that director Satoshi Kon has passed away. The staff of Otakon confirmed his passing with MADHOUSE studio founder Masao Maruyama.

Volks 1/4 Bayonetta Figure

For the collector that has to have their hands on the highest quality, the piece de resistance, the creme de la creme. The collector that is always waiting for that incredible figure. Not your 50 dollar figure, not your 100 dollar figure -- they just don't do it for us. Just not good enough. If you belong to the same group I belong in, then listen up.

Volks finally gives us color shots of their 1/4 scale Bayonetta and the wait for me has been worth it. All that work finally comes to fruition and I gotta say, I am speechless. It's absolutely brilliant, insanely detailed, and _____ _____ _____!!!!!


This stunning beauty carries a hefty price, rightly so with the level of caliber. Retailed at 46,000 yen, are you ready to shell out half a grand? If so, take my hand and join me. Bayonetta will be available for purchase next weekend at Chara Hobby. It is currently an event exclusive, so getting your hands on her will take some work. [Source: Volks]

AC Brotherhood Collection's Edition Details Announced

Decisions, decisions!! I hate making decisions. The question isn't whether to buy the collector's edition or not, but it's which version do I get (and hence, where do I get it from)??!? HELP!!!

Regardless of where you buy your collector's edition, The Assassin's Creed Brotherhood Collector's Edition will come with one awesome creepy-tastic jack-in-the-box. If you go the Gamestop way, you get the Harlequin; if you go any other way, you'll get the Doctor.

In addition to the jack-in-the-box, the collector's edition will include: two exclusive single-player maps (Aqueduct and Trajan Market), an art book, a "hard copy strategy map" of Rome, the game's soundtrack and a disc containing trailers, a making-of video and a preview of the AC: Brotherhood comic.

So, which version will you be getting? I think I am leaning towards The Doctor, but I keep wavering. Assassin's Creed Brotherhood is due out this November 16th with the Collector's Edition set at $99.99.

Hikaru Utada on Hiatus

Singer-songwriter Hikaru Utada has announced on her web diary on Monday that she will go on an indefinite hiatus from her musical career starting next year. Before she takes time off, she will release her Utada Hikaru Single Collection Vol. 2 album this fall. This will be her first "best-of" album in six and half years, and it will include her recent songs such as "Dareka no Negai ga Kanau Koro," "Be My Last," and "Beautiful World," as well as new material.

Utada explained in her Monday message that since she began her musical career at the age of 15, there is a part inside her that stopped growing. When she will return to music is still undetermined, but she said that she feels it will probably be after she has had time to grow a little as a person and naturally wants to share her music again. She added that she does not know if it will take two years, five years, or however long it will be.

Utada is an internationally known, bestselling pop artist born in New York City and raised in Japan and the United States. Past works include her debut album, 1999's First Love, Kingdom Heart's Hikaru and Sanctuary, and Evangelion's Beautiful World and Kiss & Cry. She recently released a U.S. album entitled, This is the One, and toured the U.S. and U.K. last year. [Source: ANN]

NYCC/NYAF Special Ticket Packages

Special ticket packages for this year's New York Comic-Con/New York Anime Festival go on sale today July 15th at 12 Noon EST. Standard tickets for NYCC and NYAF are available for purchase now at www.nycomiccon.com or www.nyanimefestival.com.



All special packages will include: (1) NYCC/NYAF Weekend Badge; (2) First access to the show floor; (3) separate entrance to the show floor; (4) VIP Lounge; (5) VIP Coat Check; and (6) NYCC or NYAF 2010 poster.

• SPECIAL ACCESS PACKAGE (limited to 350 fans, $150) gets you all of the aforementioned pieces!

• IGN THEATER PACKAGE (limited to 100 fans, $300) gives you guaranteed seating for all events in the IGN Theater/Special Events Hall.

• MINORI CHIHARA CONCERT/MASQUERADE EXPERIENCE (limited to 200 fans, $150) gets you guaranteed, reserved seating for the NYAF concert and the Masquerade on Saturday night in the IGN Theater/Special Events Hall.

• STAN LEE FRIDAY EXPERIENCE PACKAGE (limited to 65 fans, $400) gets you: (1) Meet-and-Greet with Stan Lee on Friday; (2) Autograph from Stan Lee; (3) Stan Lee PopFun Collector’s Glass; and (4) Guaranteed seating in all of Stan Lee’s panels.

• STAN LEE SATURDAY EXPERIENCE PACKAGE (limited to 65 fans, $400) gets you: (1) Meet-and-Greet with Stan Lee on Saturday; (2) Autograph from Stan Lee; (3) Stan Lee PopFun Collector’s Glass; (4) Stan Lee and J. Scott Campbell Lithograph; and (5) Guaranteed seating in all of Stan Lee’s panels.

Okami's Amaterasu Polystone Statue

There's no question how exquisite the art of Capcom's "Okami" is, and even more beautiful is the gorgeous Amaterasu. As shown on GA Graphic, this stunning polystone statue of Okami's Amaterasu will be displayed at this year's International Tokyo Toy Show.

If you can get your hands on this, Amaterasu will set you back 15,540 yen. With the lack of Okami statues available, I'd jump on it! [Source: GA Graphic via Tomopop]

X Japan Details North American Tour, New Album

In a press conference on Thursday, Japanese visual-kei rock band X Japan announced their first North American tour and a new album. Though this merits a bit of deju va (since we've heard this before, this time -- I hope -- it's different as more details arise). The tour will begin on October 1 in California and travel to more than 10 cities, including Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, Vancouver, San Francisco, and Boston.

In related news, this fall we will see X Japan's newest album will ship simultaneously in the U.S. and in Japan. The album will have about 10 songs, including the new song "Jade," which will be the first American single. The album will also have "ART OF LIFE" and the English versions of the songs "Tears," "Rusty Nail," and "Kurenai."

X Japan will perform in the U.S. prior to their North American Tour. The band members already appeared at the Yoshiki Foundation launch party with comic creator Stan Lee in Los Angeles on July 1. During the benefit, X Japan performed an acoustic version of "I.V." and then recorded a music video with audience participation. The event also included a fashion show and a masquerade contest. Members of X Japan is set to perform at the Baltimore-based anime convention Otakon this July 31 and at the Lollapalooza music festival in Chicago in August. [Source: Sankei Sports via ANN]

ACII Ezio Auditore 1/6 Masterpiece Figure

Honk Kong company Hot Toys boasts an incredible figure that will have every Assassin's Creed fan swooning. In the past, we've been stuck with few choices to show off our AC love, but seems our patience has paid off. Based on the Assassin's Creed II video game, Hot Toys presents a 1/6th scale figure of our very own Ezio Auditore. As part of their VideoGame Masterpiece Series, Ezio is seductively fully poseable and highly detailed from head to toe, from his eyes to his costume to his weapons.

Approximately 30 cm tall, with over 30 points of articulations (sigh), Ezio comes with his fair share of accessories including:

- 3 pieces of interchangeable posing palms
- Real-like hair sculpture with detachable ponytail
- Complete costume (white version)
- Slew of weapons: a long sword, short sword, 2 hidden blades inside forearm gauntlets, and 6 throwing daggers
- Necklace and figure stand with Ezio nameplate

Specially hand-painted, with an incredibly insane amount of detail, you can bet Ezio will carry a hefty price. No specifics yet, but the figure will be released later this year.

*shuffles frantically to rearrange her budget*

Buddha Kuro - SDCC Exclusive

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

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

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

Happy 4th of July!

Minna-san...HAPPY 4th of July!! Hope your day is full of pretty fireworks and good friends.

Things have been hectic on my end, but thanks for all for your patience. Watch this space as I use this time to myself to write...write...write. Updates to include convention coverage, video games reviews, and concert coverage.

My next scheduled convention is Otakon...less than one month away!! Can't wait to see everyone.

Dewa mata ne! And enjoy your day off (hopefully) tomorrow!