You’ve gotta see this!

The first 8 minutes of the upcoming CG movie “Resident Evil: Degeneration” can now be streamed at IGN. You can start watching Here. As usual, they cut when it just get to good part ^^;

After watching the preview, I’m so looking forward to this. DVD and Blu-ray will be on sale on December 30th, 2008

[Source: WCloudX (Kumo)]

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF BLEACH AND DEATH NOTE UNCUT FOR DOWNLOAD ON XBOX LIVE

Episodes Of Two Of The Hottest Animated Series To Sweep North America Are Now Available For Download-To-Own From Leading Entertainment, Gaming And Social Networking Outlet

San Francisco, CA, November 11, 2008 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced the availability of the hit animated action series BLEACH and DEATH NOTE (both Uncut and English dubbed) on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment console from Microsoft. Fans in the U.S. will now have the ability to watch these episodes on a Download-To-Own (DTO) basis through Xbox LIVE for 160 Microsoft Points per episode.

BLEACH features episodes 1-41 dubbed in English with more to be added, and DEATH NOTE features the full 37-episode series dubbed in English. The two series join NARUTO Uncut, which has been offered on Xbox LIVE since November 2007 and currently features episodes 1- 52 dubbed in English as well as episodes 1 – 24 subbed (with English subtitles), with more to be added. Episodes and more information are available at: www.xbox.com/live.

“The anime genre enjoys a huge following among millions of avid Xbox 360 owners and the addition of the BLEACH and DEATH NOTE series to the Xbox LIVE library will be a big attraction,” says Scott Nocas, group product manager for Xbox LIVE.

Xbox LIVE provides viewers with easy access to hundreds of full-length TV shows for Download-To-Own and the latest feature films for Download-To-Rent. Xbox 360 is also the first gaming console to offer Standard and High Definition TV shows and movies via digital distribution. Xbox LIVE currently includes a worldwide social entertainment network reaching more than 14 million members and offering 24/7 online access to gaming, movies, music, TV shows and more.

“We are very excited to team with Xbox LIVE to feature episodes of BLEACH and DEATH NOTE,” says Ken Sasaki, Vice President, Strategy & Business Development, VIZ Media. “The combination of the hottest television and movie programming, video gaming and social networking interaction makes Xbox LIVE a compelling platform to present these smash hit animated dramas. As the convergence of digital technology presents an innovative new way to access and download a wide array of content, we look forward to fans across the United States turning to Xbox LIVE for the latest in online animated programming from VIZ Media.”

DEATH NOTE (Uncut): Rated TV-14
DEATH NOTE is based on the manga series of the same name and is currently one of the hottest animated titles in Japan. The series depicts the adventures of Light Yagami, an ace student with great prospects but who is bored out of his mind. All of that changes when he finds the Death Note, a notebook dropped by a rogue Shinigami death god. Any human whose name is written in the notebook dies, and now Light has vowed to use the power of the Death Note to rid the world of evil. But when criminals mysteriously begin dropping dead, the authorities send the legendary detective L to investigate, and he is soon hot on the trail of Light, who must now reevaluate his one noble goal. Dedicated website at www.deathnote.viz.com.

BLEACH (Uncut): Rated TV-14
BLEACH follows the story of Ichigo Kurosaki, a fifteen-year old student with the ability to see ghosts. His fate takes an extraordinary turn when he meets Rukia Kuchiki, a Soul Reaper who shows up at Ichigo’s house on the trail of a Hollow, a malevolent lost soul. Drawn to Ichigo’s high level of spiritual energy, the Hollow attacks Ichigo and his family, and Rukia steps in to help but is injured and unable to fight. As a last resort, Rukia decides to transfer part of her Soul Reaper powers to Ichigo. Ichigo, now a full-fledged Soul Reaper, and Rukia join together to face the challenges that lie ahead. Dedicated website at www.bleach.viz.com.

[Source: Viz Media]

Here is one of the coolest origami pieces I have ever seen. What makes it so cool is that it’s totally otaku. I will admit, I didn’t have a clue what he was making till the music suddenly changed into the intro music that gives it away. I wont tell you when it starts to play, you just have to watch it for yourself.

[Source: Xorsyst]

Emperor Akihito and King Juan Carlos of Spain got to travel to the Tsukuba Space Center yesterday using the Japan’s special Imperial train:

It marked the first official use of this particular Imperial train, which was completed by JR in 2007. Only one car of the express train was exclusively built for the Imperial family’s use, while 5 other luxury cars attached are occasionally used by JR for special events.

[Source: Japan Probe]

When asked what is a translation, many people would probably reply that it is converting words from one language to another. Although this is fundamentally correct, the true beauty of translation lies not within the words, but is held deep inside the thoughts, feelings, and emotions that those words try to convey.

And that, friends, is where the fun comes in! Most anime fans I have talked to seem to think that accuracy in translations is most important. Of course, we do not want to put words in the original author’s mouth, but by aiming solely to translate word for word, the accuracy of those original thoughts behind the words begins to become skewed. By ‘localizing’ a translation into a different culture, you can better convey those feelings the author originally intended to portray.

Just for fun, I take this idea one step further and try to harmonize a song to a specific anime character. It’s a little more complicated with matching voices and personalities, but it’s quite fun when you have the time.

[Source: Tenori-Taiga]

Atelier Sai - 1/6 Mina Yayoi PVC (Summer Uni Ver) [Tokimeki Memorial Only Love]
Atelier-Sai - Berlinnetta -Seraphic Form- [Duel Maid DX]
Atelier-Sai - Panthera -Seraphic Form- [Duel Maid DX]
Atelier-Sai - Berlinnetta -Seraphic Form- [Duel Maid DX]
ALTER - 1/7 Hayate Yagami PVC [Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS]
ALTER - 1/8 Yukiko Amagi PVC (Reg/Ltd Ver) [Persona 4]
ALPHA x OMEGA - 1/8 Klan Klang PVC [Macross Frontier]
ALTER - 1/8 Mitsuru Kirijo PVC [Persona 3]
ALTER - 1/8 Jibril Zero PVC (Reg/Ltd Ver) [Makai Tenshi Jibril]
ALTER - 1/8 KOS-MOS Ver.4 PVC [Xenosaga]
ALTER - 1/8 Asa Shigure PVC [Shuffle!]
Beagle - Shion Hyakkisyo PVC (FS Ltd ver)
chara-ani / ALTER - 1/8 Haruhi Suzumiya PVC (School Uniform Reg/Ltd Ver)
CM’s Corp - Lynn Minmay PVC [Macross]
Daiki Kougyou - Kanu Unchou PVC [Ikkitousen]
ebCraft - 1/7 Rider PVC [Fate/stay night]
figma - Kagamine Rin & Len PVC [Vocaloid]
figma - Miyuki Takara PVC [Lucky Star]
figma - Ryouko Asakura PVC [The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya]
figma - Rin Tosaka PVC [Fate/stay night]
#figma - Fate T.Harlaown PVC [Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS]
figma - Miku Hatsune PVC [Vocaloid]
FREEing - 1/7 Ryofu PVC [Koihime Musou]
Griffon - Al Azif PVC [Demonbane]
Griffon - Saber PVC [Fate/stay night]
Griffon - 1/7 Haruhi Suzumiya PVC [Swimwear Ver]
Griffon - 1/8 Kyoko Kirisaki PVC [Black Cat]
Griffon - 1/7 Mikuru Asahina PVC (Gothic Punk Ver)
#GSC - 1/8 Miku Hatsune PVC [VOCALOID]
GSC - Nendoroid Rin Kagamine & Len Kagamine PVC [Vocaloid]
GSC - 1/7 Shiki Ryogi PVC [Kara no Kyoukai]
GSC - 1/8 Human Mage PVC [lineage]
GSC - Nendoroid Shana PVC (Reg/Ltd Ver) [Shakugan no Shana]
GSC - Nendoroid Neuro Nogami PVC [Majin Tantei Nogami Neuro]
GSC - Nendoroid Yako Katsuragi PVC [Majin Tantei Nogami Neuro]
GSC - Nendoroid Puchi San Seto PVC [Seto no Hanayome]
JUN Planning - Craft Label Misa Amane PVC [Death Note]
JUN Planning - 1/8 Kanu Unchou PVC (襦袢 ver) [Ikkitousen]
Kotobukiya - 1/8 Riannon PVC [Tears to Tiara]
Kotobukiya - 1/8 Louise PVC (Reg Ver) [Zero no Tsukaima]
Kotobukiya - 1/5 Nanako PVC (Neko School Swimsuit Ver) [ToHeart2]
Kotobukiya - 1/8 Senhime PVC [Sengoku Lance]
#Kotobukiya - 1/7 Asuka Langley Soryu PVC (Gothic Lolita Ver) [Evangelion]
Kotobukiya - 1/8 Index PVC [To Aru Majutsu no Index]
Kotobukiya - 1/6 Kokoro PVC (Reg/Ltd) [Dead or Alive Xtreme 2]
Kotobukiya - 1/7 Haruhi Suzumiya PVC (Beach Ver)
Kotobukiya - 1/8 Noemi Itou PVC [With You ~Mitsumeteitai~]
Kaiyodo - Revoltech Haruhi Suzumiya PVC (Uniform Ver)
Kaiyodo - FRAULEIN Revoltech Rei Ayanami PVC (Bandage Ver) [Evangelion]
Kaiyodo - Fraulein Revoltech Pocco PVC
#Kaiyodo - Revoltech Fraulein Haruka Hasegawa PVC [Moyashimon]
Kaiyodo - Revoltech Danboard PVC (Ltd Ver) [Yotsuba&!]
Kaiyodo - Fuka Ayase PVC (7-11 Store Exclusive ver) [Yotsuba&!]
Lilics - 1/8 Ruka Hoshikawa PVC [Hoshiful]
Lilics - 1/8 Kotone Kusuhara PVC [Hoshiful]
Lilics - 1/7 Kanalu PVC [Shunya Yamashita]
Lilics - 1/6 Limit Gunz PVC [Mine Yoshizaki]
MegaHouse - NEO-3 Roronoa Zoro PVC [One Piece]
MegaHouse - 1/8 Portgas D. Ace PVC [One Piece]
MegaHouse - EMC 1/8 Nanaelle PVC [Queen's Blade]
MegaHouse - EMC 1/8 Melancholy of Chaina-san (Reg/Ltd Ver) [Spirit of Wonder]
MegaHouse - NEO-EX Tony Tony Chopper PVC [One Piece]
Max Factory - 1/8 Aoi Kannaduki PVC [Kaito Tenshi Twin Angel]
Max Factory - 1/8 Haruka Kannaduki PVC [Kaito Tenshi Twin Angel]
movic - 1/8 Ayame Ikaruga PVC [Ashita no Yoichi!]
movic - 1/7 Musubi PVC (Anime Ver) [Sekirei]
Organic - Kino PVC [Kino no Tabi]
Organic - Chun-Li PVC (Black Color Ltd Ver) [Street Fighter]
Orchid Seed - 1/7 Lala PVC [Comic Aun]
Orchid Seed - 1/7 San Seto PVC [Seto no Hanayome]
#Orchid Seed - 1/7 Aya PVC [The Onee Chanbara]
Orchid Seed - 1/6 Kanu Unchou PVC (Summer Vacation) [Ikkitousen]
Resinya - 1/6 Komari Kamikita PVC (Reg/Ltd Ver) [little Busters!]
Shueisha - 1/8 Aika Hiiragi PVC [Mx0]
Solid Theater - 1/7 Kuon Setsuna PVC [Samurai Girl]
Solid Theater - 1/7 Rin Takami PVC [Lyrical Lyric]
SMC - Belldandy PVC [Ah! My Goddess!]
SMC - Chouhi Ekitoku PVC (Reg/Ltd Ver) [Ikkitousen]
Taki Corp - 1/8 Chizuru Minamoto PVC [Kanokon]
Taki Corp - 1/7 Kugen Tenko PVC [Wagaya no Oinari-sama]
Taki Corp - Ryofu Housen PVC (School Uniform Ver) [Ikkitousen]
Toy’sworks - 1/8 Haruka Saigusa PVC [little Busters!]
TOY’S PLANNING - Konomi Yuzuhara PVC [ToHeart2]
VOLKS - 1/6 Rin & Len Kagamine PVC [Vocaloid]
Wafudoh Ganguten - 1/7 Chihaya Kisaragi PVC [Idolmaster Xenoglassia]
WAVE - 1/5 Tomomi Aizawa PVC (Maid Ver) [Pia Carrot 2]
WAVE - 1/8 Yoko PVC (Space Look Reg/Ltd Ver) [Gurren Lagann]
WAVE - 1/8 Yuki Haruna PVC [Fortune Arterial]
WAVE - 1/8 Xecty PVC (Reg/Ltd/Miyazawa Ltd Ver) [Shining Wind]
YAMATO - Creators’ Labo #12 1/8 Non Non PVC
YAMATO - SIF EX Ringo Noyamano PVC [Air Gear]
YAMATO - VMF Kanu Unchou PVC (Ltd Ver) [Ikkitousen]
YAMATO - CL #016 Ignis PVC [Jingai Makyo]
YAMATO - Akira PVC [Fantasy Figure Gallery]
YAMATO - Raphael PVC [MMB Angel Device]

[Source: Figurakuen]

Newtype November 2008 features Setsuna and Tieria from Gundam 00 S2 in their sexy Power Rangers suit! Woots! Magazine was at a special price of 590 yen. And it doesn’t have a lot of content - no wonder we have such a special price. Magazine was ordered from Amazon JP!

[Source: Zotaku]

A Japanese man has launched an online petition to allow the legal marriage of fictional characters. Taichi Takashita has started the online petition to allow himself to marry an undisclosed Manga character and has requested an amazing one million other people to follow suit by signing up.

[Source: Otaku News]

by Theron Martin

Kure-nai

Rating: 5 (of 5)

Review: The best series aren’t necessarily the flashiest, and that certainly holds true with Kure-nai. Despite having its own very distinct visual style, it packs nowhere near the visual pizzazz of, say, Macross Frontier. What it offers instead is a subdued, earthy, mature look, a (gasp!) even-tempered teenage hero with woman troubles, and fantastically involving writing and storytelling. That not all of the details are clear at this point does not detract from how exceptionally well-constructed this first episode is.

In this story, teenaged Kure-nai Shinkurou is a Mediator, a sort of freelance enforcer who apparently has some kind of special body. Though he attends school like any normal teenager, he gets thrown for a loop by an assignment to protect Kuhoin Murasaki, a six-year-old rich girl who has been cloistered away since birth but has decided to leave her former home. For her protection she must stay in Kure-nai’s dingy apartment, a prospect initially difficult for both of them.

As typical as the above summary may sound, nothing is typical in execution about this series. Neither Kure-nai nor Kuhoin fall into any easily-definable archetypes, and while Kuhoin may be cute enough in appearance, her disposition doesn’t match. In fact, none of the character look, act, or sound anything like what you may be used to seeing in anime. For its style, it offers some great artistry and a perfectly complementary musical score which includes a unique-looking opener and closer.

This one is quite a ways off the beaten path, ladies and gents, but that should only give you further reason to check it out. While it may be premature to make such a claim, based on the first episode alone this one has the potential to be one of the year’s best.

[Source: Anime News Network]