So this year there’ll be a change of pace for me. In 2 days I’m going to Japan again, but I’m in for the long haul this time. I’ll be in Tokyo for 2 weeks to mess around a bit, then I’ll head off to Osaka where I’ll be studying at Kansai Gaidai University for a year. I’ve set up another blog for documenting my exchange experiences, and other Japan(but not anime) related articles. If any of those topics interest you don’t hesitate to head over and read some of my posts at my Exchange Student blog.
Phoenix Wright Live-Action Movie.
Wow, I can’t believe that a Phoenix Wright live-action movie is actually coming out. As a law student, and aspiring attorney, the Phoenix Wright/Apollo Justice(Gyakuten Saiban in Japanese) series of games has been one of my favourites. Even the Ace Attorney: Investigations spin-offs cost me a small portion of my life.
New Gundam Unicorn Trailer.
August 31, 2011
I know – it may be old news – but I just thought I would point out to everyone that the new Gundam Unicorn trailer for episode 4 is being streamed on the official website. Some of us don’t have time to check feeds everyday, right? You can find an index of all the trailers there, but just to make lives easier you can watch it on YouTube above. Enjoy it!
Cyber One, Online TCG.
August 10, 2011
Wow so in late October(the 28th to be specific) Bandai is releasing an online trading card game called ‘Cyber One’. The story of this game is apparently set in 2030. Players can create avatars and use cards to summon creatures to battle with. Boosters packs will cost about 315 yen and the game will have approximately 120 different cards to start with. Check out the Japanese trailer above!
Anpanman Vending Machines!?
August 2, 2011
When I woke up this morning I jumped onto AnimeNewsNetwork and immediately saw an article about new vending machines that will start rolling out in Japan during September. They feature popular cartoon character Anpanman(best known from Soreike! Anpanman!) and are being produced by Meiji. I took a quick read through the Oricon article to gain a little more of my own understanding. The vending machines will talk and play music, they will be offering Meiji’s own paper drink(juice?) boxes for children and will also be offering coffee(on the top rows of the vending machine) for children. Studying law and economics helps me spot a good economic compliment when I see one! Not only that, the Anpanman illustration on the machine has purposely been made 90cm tall so children are able to take commemorative photos with the character. How do the Japanese manage to make something as menial as buying a drink from a vending machine so fun?
Tekken: Blood Vengeance.
August 1, 2011
So, did you know that a Tekken movie premiered last Tuesday? I only found out a couple of days ago through my usual web-wanderings. I guess I’ve really been out of the loop lately, and anybody could tell that with the frequency of my posts on Anime Shell. More over, there was another short Tekken film in the past. The 3D version of the film was shown across selected cinemas in the US on Tuesday. Check out the trailer above, make your own judgement. I can say for myself that if this film hits cinemas in Australia more than once I’ll be there watching it.
Uematsu iPhone Application
Acclaimed Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu now has an official application on the iPhone. It dropped on Friday(29/07/11) and includes a profile, news updates, Twitter Timeline/Facebook status updates, a Ustream channel and even a YouTube channel. You can find information on the bi-lingual application in English or Japanese. Happy appuri-ing~!
Hatsune Miku – Virtual Pop Star!
November 13, 2010
Wow I didn’t know this technology even existed to this extent, but in Japan there is a virtual pop star who’s hologram plays to full arenas with 1000′s of fans waving glow sticks! This would be great for a Gorillaz concert.
“Hatsune Miku is a rising star in Japan and abroad, singing catchy J-pop that matches her blue-green hair. She’s also a virtual avatar created by Crypton Media using Yamaha’s Vocaloid voice synthesizer. That hasn’t stopped her from amassing a legion of fans who really love her work. I mean really love it. Check out the crowd frantically waving glow-sticks and singing along with Hatsune Miku as she appears via a ‘3D hologram’ on stage in the videos.” via Rogan Board
Some more videos embedded after the jump.
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Valkyria Chronicles 3, OVA.
November 11, 2010
Soooooooo, the last couple of weeks I’ve been buried in textbooks and printouts in a desperate battle with my final exams for this year. But guess what? IT’S OVER. So I can POST STUFF again! Something that immediately caught my eye this morning over at Anime News Network was the announcement that there would be a Valkyria Chronicles 3(or Senjō no Valkyria 3 “Dare ga Tame no Jūsō” for all you dirty, dirty weaboos) OVA to accompany the new PlayStation Portable game. Apparently, this new project was announced on Thursday and singer May’n will be master of the opening theme. Having a closer look at the valkyria3 twitter production for this fantastic piece will begin in Spring(Japan’s spring so – sometime between next March/May). Above is some footage of the upcoming game.
Fist of the North Star Demo, PSN/XBL.
October 20, 2010
TOEI has announced that a demo for the North American release of Fist of the North Star: Ken’s Rage will be available for download on Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network today. Too bad I live in Australia, or I’d be downloading it right now. The full game will be released on November 5th. Above is the game’s E3 2010 debut trailer.
