英語版

Nana Mizuki releases Nanairo Generator as Nanami Madobe !

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:00:01 +0900

A character song of Nanami Madobe by seiyu, Nana Mizuki has come out. It has been released on the 12th as a gift pack of DSP edition Windows 7 Ultimate's limited edition.

This CD will contain Nanami Madobe (who is voiced over by Nana Mizuki)'s "Nanairo Generator" (words by Makoto Furuya / music by Miki Watanabe) with key words from Windows 7's "window, seven colors" and self-made PC's "manual, bolts" sprinkled in the tune. This CD is a not-for-sale item, making it a must have for both Nana Mizuki and Nanami Madobe fans.

The CD is a 77,777 copy limited. With real cover/booklet (word card), the disc will be a picture label with Nanai Madobe printed on the disc.

Akiba shops are holding campaigns of giving original Nanami items to shoppers.

details below:
to http://akiba.kakaku.com/pc/1003/12/201500.php

"Mobile Suit GUNDAM Unicorn" Vol.1 BD/DVD out!

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:30:01 +0900

Vol.1 of OVA "Mobile Suit GUNDAM Unicorn" BD/DVD has come out.

Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn is an animation based on the light novel series by Harutoshi Fukui serialized in GUNDAM Ace magazine. Based on a OVA format, 6 episodes are scheduled to be released. The main story takes place in U.C. 0096, three years after the events of Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack, gaining attention from fans from previous titles.

The story evolves around Banagher Links, a 16 year-old boy who is a student at Anaheim Industry Technical School in the colony "Industrial 7" meets a mysterious girl, Audrey Burne （=Mineva Lao Zab/age 16) is drawn into a new conflict centering "Laplace's Box".

Mechanical design by Hajime Katoki, many attractive Mobile Suits like the pure-white "Unicorn GUNDAM (Unicorn Mode)", the psycoframe luminescence phenomenon "Unicorn GUNDAM (Destroy Mode)", a phycomu equipped "Kshatriya" based on NZ-000 QUIN-MANTHA, "Sinanju" that resembles MSN-04 Sazabi. Naturally, the familiar Nahel Argama, Jegan, GM, and NEMO can be seen.


Vol.1 of OVA "Mobile Suit GUNDAM Unicorn" BD/DVD episode 1 "Day of the Unicorn (Part 1)"		cover pic

This first volume BD/DVD features episode 1 "Day of the Unicorn (Part 1)". Shows the terrorist bombing attack of the Earth Federation prime minister known as the "Laplace Incident" in Universal Century 0001 with other background stories that lead to the main story in a full 60 minute volume. It also features the fight scenes in a beautiful OVA quality.

BD editions will have subtitles in 6 languages （Japanese/English/French/Spanish/Mandarin/Cantonese) /voices in both English and Japanese, both BD/DVD will come with a spacial sleeve (first press special) by Hajime Katoki and special booklet (in each volume).

Akiba shops held a wide display for this GUNDAM prequel. Both BD/DVD editions had good reservation acceptance, with "It's the first day and is selling well, we are expecting the first generation fans for the weekend" "Reading the the novel, I knew the sotry but it was good to see Mineva" were heard. Other comments heard were; " Got good impression with both BD and DVD versions held back the special to keep the price down" "With the BD sold at theaters, DVD might sell better".

The prices are 5,040 yen for te BD edition and 3,990 yen for DVD.


Sofmap Akihabara main store	"Great to know Minerva is fine" "And how she has grown"	Sofmap amusement store. held demo with PSP"GUNDAM Assault Survive" on their large screen


Comic TORANOANA Akihabara store B	"The beautiful fight scene is a must!"	Asobit Hobby City sold with "MG 1/100 UNICORN GUNDAM HD Color+MSCAGE"

Anime Mags on sale on the 10th (April 2010)

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:15:01 +0900

Introducing the latest issue of 3 major names in Anime Magazines (all on sale the 10th every month)"ANIMAGE (Tokuma Shoten)" "ANIMEDIA (Gakken)" and "NewType (Kadokawa Shoten)!

Last month's cover (November issue) had "Kuroshitsuji 2", "The Vanishment of Haruhi Suzumiya" and "Toaru Kagaku no Railgun", but this month, 2 issues synchronized with ANIMAGE and ANIMEDIA featuring "K-ON!". NEWTYPE featured "Mobile Suit GUNDAM Unicorn".

It is the first for both titles to become a cover feature for the 3 major mags. Both highly expected titles for the spring season, and "Mobile Suit GUNDAM Unicorn" will release BD/DVD on March 12th and "K-ON!" will start its syndication on 28 stations through TBS from April. (TBS will start its on-air from April 6th).

ANIMAGE and ANIMEDIA featured "K-ON!" with ANIMAGE featuring interview of director Naoko Yamada and Aki Toyosaki (Yui Hirasawa). ANIMEDIA , which enlarged its size from this issue to a A4-wide size prepared a double-print file as an appendix with the cover copy of "K-ON!! THIS IS IT".

for further details, check out their official website.


ANIMAGE by Tokuma Shoten April 2010 Cover: "K-ON!" Yui & Azusa Appendix: "Inazuma Eleven" calendar, Yutori-chan CD-ROM etc.


ANIMEDIA by Gakken April 2010 Cover: "K-ON!" Yui Appendix: "K-ON!" "Big Windup!" double covered file set , Anime calendar (the image on the right is a Gamers special)


NewType by Kadokawa Shoten April 2010 Cover: "Mobile Suit GUNDAM UNICORN" Appendix: original BE@BRICK, Anime character poster book etc.


NEWTYPE special picture card of comic TORANOANA	Special area at Gamers & special pic cards of Gamers ("Nanoha" card only given at AKIHABARA GAMERS main store)


The large-sized ANIMEDIA seemed almost the same size as the other two. Gamers Honten handed out ad posters to early shoppers

The List of Covers of the 3 Anime Magazines from April 2006 to April 2009 by Akiba Souken

	Tokuma Shoten "Animage"	Gakken "Animedia"	Kadokawa Shoten "Newtype"
April 2010 (The latest issue)	K-ON!	K-ON!	Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn
March 2010	Kuroshitsuji 2	Toaru Kagaku no Railgun	The Vanishment of Haruhi Suzumiya
February 2010	Sengoku BASARA	Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha The Movie 1st	Mobile Suit Gundam 00 The Movie
January 2010	Hetalia Axis Powers	Tegamibachi	Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha The Movie 1st
December 2009	Macross Frontier The Movie: The False Diva	Macross Frontier The Movie: The False Diva	Macross Frontier The Movie: The False Diva
November 2009	Hetalia Axis Powers	Macross Frontier The Movie: The False Diva	kobato.
October 2009	K-ON!	FAIRY TAIL	Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
Sepember 2009	FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST	FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST	Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
August 2009	K-ON!	K-ON!	EVANGELION:2.0-YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE-
July 2009	FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST	Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2	EVANGELION:2.0-YOU CAN (NOT) ADVANCE-
June 2009	Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2	Hayate the Combat Butler	FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST
May 2009	FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST	FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST	Shangri-La
April 2009	Mobile Suit Gundam 00	Mobile Suit Gundam 00	Mobile Suit Gundam 00
March 2009	Kuroshitsuji	FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST	Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya（ New Animation？）
February 2009	Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Second Season	Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2	Macross Frontier Theatrical Feature
January 2009	Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2	Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Second Season	Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Second Season
December 2008	Kuroshitsuji	Kuroshitsuji	Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Second Season
November 2008	Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Second Season	Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Second Season	Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Second Season
October 2008	Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2	Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2	Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2
Sepember 2008	Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Second Season	Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Second Season	Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2
August 2008	Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea	Macross Frontier	Mobile Suit Gundam 00
July 2008	Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2	Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2	Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya New Animation
June 2008	「Mobile Suit Gundam 00」	Soul Eater	Soul Eater
May 2008	Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2	Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2	Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2
April 2008	Mobile Suit Gundam 00	Mobile Suit Gundam 00	Mobile Suit Gundam 00
March 2008	Shakugan no Shana II	Mobile Suit Gundam 00	Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2
February 2008	Mobile Suit Gundam 00	Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion	kobato.
January 2008	Bleach the Movie: The DiamondDust Rebellion, Another Hyorinmaru	Bleach the Movie: The DiamondDust Rebellion, Another Hyorinmaru	Mobile Suit Gundam 00
December 2007	Shakugan no Shana II	Shakugan no Shana II	Mobile Suit Gundam 00
November 2007	Mobile Suit Gundam 00	Mobile Suit Gundam 00	Mobile Suit Gundam 00
October 2007	Hayate the Combat Butler	Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS	EVANGELION: 1.0 -You Are (Not) Alone-
September 2007	Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion	Hayate the Combat Butler	EVANGELION: 1.0 -You Are (Not) Alone-
August 2007	Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion	Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion	「Mobile Suit Gundam 00」
July 2007	okiku Furikabutte	Hayate the Combat Butler	Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
June 2007	Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion	Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion	Heroic Age
May 2007	Shakugan no Shana	Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS	Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
April 2007	Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion	Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion	Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
March 2007	Heroic Age	Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion	Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
February 2007	Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion	Negima!?	Negima!?
January 2007	BLEACH	BLEACH	Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY
December 2006	Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion	Kekkaishi	Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
November 2006	Gin'iro no Olynssis	Buso Renkin	Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
October 2006	BLOOD+	Negima!?	Rebuild of EVANGELION
September 2006	Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY	Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle	Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
August 2006	Gedo Senki - Tales from Earthsea	xxxHOLiC	Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, xxxHOLiC
July 2006	Ouran High School Host Club	Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY	GOTHICMADE
June 2006	Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY	Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle	Mobile Suit Gundam SEED the Movie
May 2006	Okama related films ("Getsumento Heiki Mina" "Diebuster" "Himawari!" etc.)	xxxHOLiC	GOTHICMADE
April 2006	Mobile Suit Gundam III-"Love is the Pulse of the Stars	BLACK CAT	The Five Star Stories

"Summer Wars" for the Best Anime at Japan Academy Awards!

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 22:45:01 +0900

The 33rd Japan Academy Prizes was held March 5th and "Summer Wars" received an Award of Excellence in Animation.

*for more on "SUMMER WARS", see article below:
to http://akiba.kakaku.com/hobby/1003/02/203000.php

Director Mamoru Hosoda will receive the honor two titles in a row since his "The Girl That Leaped Through Time" at the 30th Japan Academy Prizes.

Below are some of the honors that "Summer Wars" has received:

TAF2010 The 9th Tokyo Anime Awards
Animation of the Year, Best Domestic Film, Direction (Mamoru Hosoda) , original title (Mamoru Hosoda) , screenplay (Satoko Okudera) , art direction Youji Takeshige) , and character design (Yoshiyuki Sadamoto)

The 64th Mainichi Film Awards Feature Animation award
The 60th Berlin International Film Festival filmed at Generation 14plus category
The 13th Japan Media Arts Festival Animation awards Grand Prize
The 24th Digital Content Association Grand Prix The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Awards
The 42nd Sitges Film Festival Feature Animation Grand Prix
The 31st Yokohama Film Festival 8th Domestic film
The 83 Cinema Junpo Yearly Top 10 8th place


"Summer Wars" BD edition	"Summer Wars" DVD edition

Other nominees for Best animation at the 33rd Japan Academy Prizes were "Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance", "Doraemon The Movie: The New Record of Nobita: Spaceblazer", "Oblivion Island: Haruka and the Magic Mirror" and "Case Closed: The Raven Chaser".

(C)2009 SUMMERWARS FILM PARTNERS

【Related article】(Japanese)
http://akiba.kakaku.com/hobby/1003/02/203000.php
http://akiba.kakaku.com/hobby/0904/30/141500.php
http://akiba.kakaku.com/event/0903/18/210000.php
http://akiba.kakaku.com/event/0903/18/194500.php
http://akiba.kakaku.com/hobby/0807/25/200000.php

【Related site】
http://kakaku.com/hobby/
http://bbs.kakaku.com/bbs/-/CategoryCD=4512/
http://s-wars.jp/

The 4th Seiyu Awards Winners Announced!!

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:30:01 +0900

The 4th Seiyu Awards Ceremony was held March 6th at UDX Theater in Akihabara.

* for more details on "Seiyu Awards", read articles below:
to http://akiba.kakaku.com/event/0903/07/201500.php
to http://akiba.kakaku.com/event/0803/08/203000.php
to http://akiba.kakaku.com/event/0703/03/222222.php

The nominees were first voted from the general audience (via ballots ay hobby shops, Website and Keitai sites) between October 1st,2009 to January 1st,2010. Then the committee narrowed them down for the 8 categories for group 1 and the selections for 6 categories of the special awards of group 2. "Kids Family Award" was added to award a title from children's perspective.

The votes were for any of the following genres that has been released from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009. A newly released TV anime. A released DVD or video. A new work that was aired for the first time or was streamed on the internet. A game. The special awards were approved by the committee for their achievement during the years.

Winners of the 4th Seiyu Awards are as follows:

A talk show of the winners will be held on March 28th at the Tokyo International Anime Fair 2010.

Best Actor in leading role Daisuke Ono （"Black Butler"Sebastian Michaelis, "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya-chan"Itsuki Koizumi, "Umineko no Naku Koro ni" Battler Ushiromiya)	Best Actress in leading role Miyuki Sawashiro （"CANAAN"Canaan, "Tegami Bachi" Lag Seeing, "Kimi ni Todoke" Ayane Yano)
Best Actors in supporting roles Daisuke Namikawa （"07-GHOST"Mikage, "Kimi ni Todoke"Shota Kazehaya) Shinichiro Miki （"FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST" Roy Mustang, "MobileSuit GUNDAM 00"Lockon Stratos) Best Actresses in supporting roles	Best Actresses in supporting roles Kikuko Inoue （"CLANNAD ～AFTER STORY～" Sanae Furukawa, "Macross Frontier" Grace O'Connor) Yui Horie （"ToraDora" Minori Kushieda, "Bakemonogatari"Tsubasa Hanekawa)
Best Rookie actors Atsushi Abe （"Toaru Majutsu no Index" Toma Kamijo) Tomoaki Maeno （"WHITE ALBUM" Toya Fujii, "Sora no Manimani" Saku Oyagi)	Best Rookie actresses Kanae Ito （"Sora no Manimani" Mihoshi Akeno, "Taisho Baseball Girls" Koume Suzukawa) Aki Toyosaki （"K-ON!" Yui Hirasawa, "Kanamemo" Kana Nakamachi)
Best Musical Performance Houkago Tea Time(Aki Toyosaki,Yoko Hikasa,Satomi Sato,Minako Kotobuki,Ayana Taketatsu)	Best Personality Masaya Onosaka （"Atsumare Masakano Henshubu" "A&G GAME MASTER GT-R")
Achievement Award Tessho Genda Kazuko Sugiyama Nobuo Tanaka Special Achievement Award Kazue Takahashi（The Lucy Show's Lucille Ball and more)	Synergy Award MobilSuit GUNDAM" (Toru Furuya, Shuichi Ikeda) Kei Tomiyama Memorial Award (Topical Award) Nana Mizuki Overseas Fan's Award Saiga Mitsuki（Peacemaker Kurogane" Okita Soji, "Kyo Kara Maoh!" Lord Wolfram von Bielefield) Kids Family Award Wasabi Mizuta（"Doraemon" Doraemon)

Promoted by：Seiyu Award Comittee
Co-hosted by：Tokyo Anime Center, Kadokawa Shoten, Shogakkan, Shogakkan-Shueisya Production, Bunka Hoso, AII
Special Sponcer：DWANGO
Sponcers：ANIPLEX, Toho, BANPRESTO, Pony Canyon, Anime/Seiyu Schools
Supported by：Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Japan Audio Producers' Association, Association of Japanese Animations, Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association, Japan Satellite Broadcasting Association
Cooperation：Japan Actors Union, JSYCC, Tokyo International Anime Fair Executive Committee, Institute of Creative Industries & Culture, NTT Urban Development Corporation、DAIBIRU Corporation, KAJIMA CORPORATION, AKIHABARA CROSSFIELD

The recipients/presenters of the 4th Seiyu Award (click of bigger view)

Press waiting by the red carpet

congratulations to all the winners!

3 million as a first-run is a Japanese record! Vol.57 of ONE PIECE out

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:30:01 +0900

The comic that set a Japanese record of publishing 3million copies for its first-run, the 57th volume of "ONE PIECE" has come out.

"ONE PIECE" is a comic by Eiichiro Oda about a boy named Monkey D. Luffy, inspired by his childhood hero "Red-Haired" Shanks, sets out on a journey to find One Piece, the legendary treasure of the King of the Pirates, Gol D. Roger and has been serialized from 1997 in Weekly Shonen Jump. The TV animation has been syndicated for over 10 years, its 10th theatrical feature "ONE PIECE FILM STRONG WORLD" was released December 2009. It can be said that it has become as popular if not more than the world famous anime "Dragon Ball".

The 3 million copies in its first publication of its 57th volume has surpassed the 2.9 million copies of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" in 2004. Vol. 56 set a record for most copies in its first-run publication as a comic book with 2.85 million copies in December 2009, but set a new all time Japanese record.


Vol. 57 of "ONE PIECE" by Eiichiro Oda
World's strongest pirate in action! The "White Beard" fleet declares war against "KAIGUN" and "Seven Warlords of the Sea" in order to retrieve Ace .!! Will Luffy make it in time for the clash…? Action drama centering "The Great Hidden Treasure"!! (from the official website)

The accumulated total copies sold is 185.6 million and has swept the top 4 spots of "ORICON 2009 Book Ranking" with volumes 52 to 55 (all volumes ranked in within the top 200) and beat out 2nd place "NARUTO" by double figures.

This week will also have Eiichiro Oda's first art book in 4 years, "ONE PIECE Eiichiro Oda Art Book EAGLE COLOR WALK4" hit the shelves. 60 pieces ,interview with "Anpanman" artist Takashi Yanase and illustrations commemorating 100 million accumulated copies are included.


Poster publicizing 3 million first-run publishing	"ONE PIECE Eiichiro Oda Art Book EAGLE COLOR WALK4"

ANIMEDIA large-sized! Published in size A4 from April 2010 issue

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:45:01 +0900

The anime mag "ANIMEDIA", published by GAKKEN will be published in size A4-wide from its April 2010 issue that will hit the stores on March 10th.

"ANIMEDIA", first published in June 1981 is the second oldest Anime magazine after "Animage" and is known as the top 3 anime mags that hit the stores on the 10th with "NEWTYPE". The magazine differentiates from the other 2 titles by targeting younger and female readers with their articles and appendixes and the publication is estimated at 96,000 copies (Japan Magazine Association, Oct. 1st,2008 to Sept. 30th, 2009).

The previous size of A4 will be changed to A4 wide from April 2010 issue (on sale March 10th)becoming bigger in size. The cost per page might be more expensive but if the amount of information were not to be changed, it will mean that the total page will be saved resulting in the cost cut in printing (is the forecast of the writer).

A friend that works in a printing company confirmed that "the cost of the paper might not change that much" "but considering that publishers will not want to pay more for printing, you may be not far off" "or might put more ads while keeping the same page numbers".

According to the announcement on the "ANIMEDIA" up-sizing (pdf), that was sent towards related companies, ""we would like to upgrade our quantity and quality of information that can be readable for both entry level fans and otakus alike with upgrading our visuals to most effectively show the genre of anime along with upgrading the quality of appendix values. We hope to continue our basic concept of "See, read, decor and take part" and hope to publish articles that will brighten up the anime world".

Anime shops in Akihabara displayed posters that read, "ANIMEDIA is now bigger!" and showed the cover of the April issue (K-ON!) and the appendix.


Ad-poster of ANIMEDIA displayed at comic TORANOANA Akihabara store and Gamers


Pics of the clear file folder that is the appendix of the April issue		It seems that this poster will be the first customer special

SUMMER WARS BD/DVD out! Specials are Hanafuda, film and more

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:30:01 +0900

Animation feature film, "SUMMER WARS" has come out in Blu-ray and DVD.

"SUMMER WARS" is an original theatrical feature released in August 2009 by Mamoru Hosoda, director of the anime feature, "The Girl That Leaped Through Time". The film focuses on a timid eleventh-grade math genius who has been falsely implicated in the hacking of a virtual world and, with the aid of a classmate's extensive family, must prevent the real and computer-simulated worlds from colliding.

In its 4 month run, the movie collected over 1 million audience and 1.65 billion yen in sales. SUMMER WARS also swept away awards by receiving an award for new media from Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, won an Award of Excellence in Animation at the 33rd Japan Academy Prizes, awarded .7 times in Tokyo Anime Awards (Animation of the Year, Best Domestic Film, Direction, original title, screenplay, art direction, and character design). Receiving high responses from overseas, such as receiving the feature Animation Grand Prix at 42nd Sitges Film Festival in Spain, it was shown at the 60th Berlin International Film Festival.


"SUMMER WARS" Blu Ray edition		"SUMMER WARS" DVD edition

The package will be a 2 disc set of the feature title and a special disc for both BD and DVD Blu-ray special disc will contain comments using the BD-J system. Viewers can enjoy illustrated movie, cast/staff interview, CG making, BGM commentary, and picture gallery. Special movies include precious footage of promotion movies, stage appearances, and interview of the director Mamoru Hosoda. Appendixes include original avatar-pic hanafuda cards, backdrop arts, film bookmark, OZ official sticker and more. The DVD edition will not contain some special movies of the BD version but will come with a 16 page booklet and OZ official sticker.

Akiba shops displayed largely by using the newly released platforms. With customers stopping to catch a glimpse of the demo, it seemed that it is being noted to general fans as well. It seemed that it was selling well "with the rate of 7 to 3, the BD edition is selling better" was a comment heard. But other comment heard was "Yes, it is a good title, but (the BD edition is) too expensive..." The prices are 10,290 yen for the BD edition and 5,040 yen for the DVD edition.


Special sticker as a first come special(* for both BD and DVD)	Comic TORANOANA Akihabara store B	AKIHABARA GAMERS main store


Sofmap Akihabara main store	Poster by shop staff

(C)2009 SUMMERWARS FILM PARTNERS

【Related article】(Japanese)
http://akiba.kakaku.com/hobby/0904/30/141500.php
http://akiba.kakaku.com/event/0903/18/210000.php
http://akiba.kakaku.com/event/0903/18/194500.php
http://akiba.kakaku.com/hobby/0807/25/200000.php
http://akiba.kakaku.com/hobby/0704/20/200000.php

【Related site】
http://kakaku.com/hobby/
http://bbs.kakaku.com/bbs/-/CategoryCD=4512/
http://s-wars.jp/

【Related shop】:AKIHABARA GAMERS main store&Sofmap Akihabara main store&comic TORANOANA Akihabara store B&Sofmap amusement store&MAG*mani Akihabara store

4th grade Cosplayer! Mameshiki Toho Project Reimu Hakurei sales event

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 19:15:01 +0900

LIQUID STONE's "Mameshiki Toho Project Reimu Hakurei" figure sales event was held on the27th at Akihabara's MESSE SANOH Doujin soft store.

"Mameshiki Toho Project Reimu Hakurei"is the first distribution of Liquid Stone's "Mameshiki"- a 2.5 chibi sized action figure. Materialized "Reimu Hakurei" from the famous doujin game series"Tohou Project" in a 100mm height. With each movable parts in various areas, it comes with facial stickers and a specialized base.


MESSE SANOH Doujin soft store	Liquid Stone "Mameshiki Toho Project Reimu Hakurei" Original mold by Fuuka

To commemorate the sales, a sales event was held at Messe Sannoh Doujin Softkan. A 4th grade daughter of a Liquid Stone staff that came from Kobe handed out picture cards in a Reimu outfit. Actually, she is quite a famous figure herself that works as a sales staff for the company's booth at such events as Wonder Festival. Her dream to "To go to Akihabara and sell something" was the motive for this event.

Although she was a bit nervous in her first Akiba experience, her real "Mameshiki Reimu" look caught attention of many passers-by and gradually collected many Akiba-ites. According to a Liquid Stone staff (her father), "with this bad weather, we were not sure how it would turn out. But, having this much people, we both enjoyed this experience".

The samples of "Mameshiki Toho Project" series' part 2 "Marisa Kirisame",part 3"Sanae Kochiya",part 4 "Remilia Scarlet" were also on display.


Part 1 "Reimu Hakurei", part 2 "Marisa Kirisame", part 3 "Sanae Kochiya"(uncolored),and a sample of part 4 "Remilia Scarlet"(uncolored)


	A 4th grade daughter of a LIQUID STONE staff came out in Reimu cosplay and handed out flyers to customers in the cold

The Sneaker, next issue will feature a portion of The Surprise of Haruhi!

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:30:01 +0900

The April 2010 issue of "The Sneaker Magazine" has come out.

"The Sneaker" is a bimonthly light novel magazine published by Kadokawa Shoten. The magazine features the latest titles from "Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko" light novel label series published from the same publisher. Also features comic title such as "The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi-chan".

This April 2010 issue of "The Sneaker" sent a buzz prior to the publishing with ads of the 10th novel from the Haruhi franchise, "The Surprise of Haruhi Suzumiya". This "The Surprise of Haruhi Suzumiya" was first said to be published on June 1st, 2007 only to be postponed due to "various reasons" and .still yet to be released to this date. It has been said that "It’s surprising that it is not on sale" "Or, even the fact that if it ever does go on sale will be surprising" and "Release the surprise already" has become a greeting on the net.

The announcement published on the April 2010 issue of "The Sneaker" said: we will publish a part of "The Surprise of Haruhi Suzumiya" on our June 2010 issue that will go on sale April 30th. The cover of the June issue is said to be a picture of Haruhi by Noizi Ito, according to the official website.

There was, however, "The author and publishing staff are working together now to give readers more details on our next issue" giving a question mark to its real publishing of the full version. All eyes are on the 3 year-pull.

The official guide book of the movie "The Vanishment of Haruhi Suzumiya" was released this week as well.


April 2010 issue of "The Sneaker"			Shipment at Gamers


"Official Guidebook The Vanishment of Haruhi Suzumiya"

DVD of the OVA Mudadumo Naki Kaikaku out!

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:15:01 +0900

DVD of the OVA "Mudadumo Naki Kaikaku-The Legend of KOIZUMI-" has come out.

"Mudadumo Naki Kaikaku-The Legend of KOIZUMI-" is an OVA based on Hideki Ohwada’s satirical mahjong comic, "Mudadumo Naki Kaikaku". The premise of the manga is that international diplomacy is settled on the mahjong table, with real-life politicians depicted as masters of mahjong, with mahjong techniques such as "Rising Sun", "Thousand Wind" and "Emerald Green" used as their finishing move.

The director is Tsutomu Mizushima, known from titles like, "Bludgeoning Angel Dokuro-chan", "xxxHOLiC", "Big Windup!" and "Kemeko Deluxe!" with screenplay by the author, Hideki Ohwada. The cast are as follows:

Junichiro Koizumi : Toshiyuki Morikawa
Taijo : Jun Fukuyama
Yukari-tan : Shizuka Itoh
Taro Aso : Kinryu Arimoto
"Papa" Bush (George H. W. Bush) : Tesshyo Genda
George W. Bush :Nobuo Tobita
General Kim : Misugi Ootori
Jong-nam : Wataru Takagi
President Hu : Banjo Ginga
Premier Wen : Rokuro Naya
Yukio Hatoyama : Keiji Fujiwara
Mrs. Hatoyama :Hitomi Namatabe
Vladimir Putin : Joji Nakata
Yulia Tymoshenko : Rina Satoh
Premier Mao : Kenji Utsumi


OVA "Mudadumo Naki Kaikaku-The Legend of KOIZUMI-" DVD limited edition/regular edition episode 1 "North", episode 2 "Middle" part 1, episode 3 "Middle" part 2

The DVD contains episode 1 "North" (vs General Kim) , episode 2 "Middle" part 1 (vs President Hu) and episode 3 "Middle" part 2 (vs President Mao). Limited edition will have a soundtrack CD, special movie "Gekitotsu! Mahjong Taikai starring Hideki Ohwada, Tsutomu Mizushima, Tessho Genda, Shizuka Ito" and audio commentary by Hideki Ohwada and Tsutomu Mizushima.

The anime shops in Akiba held large campaigns by putting them face up on the newly released area. Although there were comments showing concerns of the sales like "Don’t know how we will sell after the reserved copies are sold", "Don’t think it will sell right away to people who don’t know the comic, but it is a nice title and we hope people can see that in the demo".


Sofmap Akihabara main store		MESSE SANOH Doujin soft store


comic TORANOANA Akihabara store B. Purchace specials are picture card and Mahjong piece cell phone strap

Bomb detector test at Akiba! Elements screened at the gates

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:45:01 +0900

A verification test of Hazardous Material Detection Device was held between the 23th and 24th at JR Akihabara Station.

This was a test of Hitachi's integrated gate-type detection device. This new system catches elements that flows from explosives.

Specifics are: "Warm breeze will be sent from the vent and the air that passed near the human body will be sucked into and screened. The chemical substance contained in the air is checked thoroughly and recorded if any signals of explosives are traced. By these procedures, we will be able to trace explosives from railway passengers when passing the gates." (press release of Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, Sports and Technology).

The impression after passing the gate was, no breeze or sound were noticed and did not feel any different to ordinary gates. Although the dates of practical application has not been set, it is expected to be set at terrorist target areas such as train stations, airports and event spaces.

Strange odor (or just bad smell) is commonplace for the town of Akihabara and Akiba shops have their own countermeasures.

Bakemonogatari BD/DVD Vol.5 Tsubasa Cat Part 1 of 2 out!

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:15:01 +0900

BD/DVD of the TV animation "Bakemonogatari Vol.5 Tsubasa Cat part 1 of 2" has come out.

* for other "Bakemonogatari" article, see below:
to http://akiba.kakaku.com/hobby/0909/29/214500.php

This "Bakemonogatari Vol.5 Tsubasa Cat part 1 of 2" features first 3 episodes of the class president Tsubasa Hanekawa that got hooked on to cats. Episode 13, "Tsubasa Cat part3" was not televised and only distributed through internet. The limited edition will have the CD of theme song of Tsubasa Cat, "sugar sweet nightmare".

The 3 editions are the complete limited edition（BD/DVD） and the regular DVD edition. The specials are as listed below.


"Bakemonogatari Vol.5/ Tsubasa Cat part 1 of 2" Blu-ray limited edition/DVD limited edition/DVD regular edition episode 11 "Tsubasa Cat part 1", episode 12 "Tsubasa Cat part 2", episode 13 "Tsubasa Cat part 3"

Degi pack by character designer Akio Watanabe
feature disc＋special CD(theme song of Tsubasa Cat, "sugar sweet nightmare" & original soundtrack（1）
3 way Clear case
Special 12 page booklet
Original Character commentary by the creator Ishin Nishio
3 end card posters
Super-picture Label
Special movie

Although it counts the 5th volume, Akiba shops seemed to be selling well." It sells on its own, so we’re not worried" "We won’t be surprised how much it sells anymore" were the comment heard.

However, there are voices "has it lost its momentum?" compared to the smash hit thanks to loli-power vol.4, eyes are set how much the sales will grow with the un-televised episode.


Comic TORANOANA Akihabara store B


Sofmap Akihabara main store	Sofmap amusement store	MAG*mani Akihabara store

Yasashii Boukyaku (theme from The Vanishment of Haruhi Suzumiya) out!

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:00:01 +0900

From the "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya" franchise, Minori Chihara's "Yasashii Boukyaku" (theme of "The Vanisment of Haruhi Suzumiya") and "Imaginary ENOZ featuring HARUHI" has come out.

"Yasashii Boukyaku" is the 8th single by Yuki Nagato's seiyu Minori Chihara. The title track is the theme song of the now playing movie "The Vanisment of Haruhi Suzumiya" and written by the author Nagaru Tanigawa and Ani-Song hit maker Aki Hata. The arranged versions of the title track is recorded as the c/w tune.

The photo used in the video and the cover was shot at Hyogo prefectural Nishinomiya Kita High School, which is a model of "Kenritsu Kita High School" in the story.


Minori Chihara"Yasashii Boukyaku" (theme song from "The Vanishment of Haruhi Suzumiya") Yasashii Boukyaku / Yasashii Boukyaku -sonority-/ Yasashii Boukyaku -sincerity-/ Yasashii Boukyaku -Aru hi No Yume		AKIHABARA GAMERS main store special cashier


ENOZ & Haruhi Suzumiya (CV: Aya Hirano) etc. "Imaginary ENOZ featuring HARUHI " Star way to heaven/Secret of sensation/When I was in love/God knows.../Lost my music/First Good-Bye		Sofmap Akihabara main store. Demo-play

The "Imaginary ENOZ featuring HARUHI" is a mini-album of "ENOZ", a girls-band from the high school light music club in the animated edition of "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya" The 6 tracks including 3 new tunes featuring "God knows.." and "Lost my music" of rerecorded vocals done by Haruhi Suzumiya (CV: Aya Hirano).

* member info of "ENOZ" can be found:
to http://akiba.kakaku.com/hobby/1002/19/120000.php

Shop specials at Akiba shops included postcards and picture cards. Also, a campaign for "Vanishment" soundtrack and "Yasashii Boukyaku" double purchase is under way. The special here is the B2 size double sided poster of the 2 CD covers.


Comic TORANOANA Akihabara store B


Sofmap Shops inc. Sofmap Akihabara main store		MAG*mani Akihabara store


AKIHABARA GAMERS main store		Double-sided poster as a double purchase special (photo taken at AKIHABARA GAMERS main store)

Nico Nico Douga Cosplay PhotoBook Toraretemita out

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 23:00:01 +0900

Cosplay PhotoBook "Toraretemita Niko-Niko Douga GIRL'S COLLECTION" has come out.

"Toraretemita Nico Nico Douga GIRL'S COLLECTION" is a photo collection of 18 popular female dancers tagged "Oddotemita". 80 pages are filled with girl’s profiles are printed with their cosplay of VOCALOID, maid, school uniform,anime characters and more. Also, a DVD featuring the making, interviews of the girls, slideshows of unreleased photos will be included. The dancers are as follows:

Ire/Asuka/Kagura./Eiko/Kyoko/Giriko/Kurumi*o（Theta）/Suimin/Doako/Nikogori/Makoron/Miiri/Milli@Kigurumin/Mirou/Yuki/47/Ruko

The collected time of play of movies add up to more than 60 million times. There are dancers who have revealed their face for the first time in this book.

There will also be a publishing event held. To participate, and/or for more information, check the official website.


"Toraretemita Niko-Niko Douga GIRL'S COLLECTION"


Giriko	RuKo	Makoron	47