.

Yup folks! The A.C.M.E II is over, and I am sure a majority of the participants return home yesterday tired and happy. The event started way before the opening at 11am thou… The folks that started the queue at Sculpture Square will tell you that, with the first person already there since 9am on Friday, while the queue master is only supposed to be there at 8:30pm. I salute them!

Nonetheless, the actual event starts at 11am with the hall already half full. The queue thou would continue to be long until about 2pm in the afternoon. I am lucky enough to be the last in the queue, yay!

Well at least I got to queue before it disappears and everyone is allow to buy directly… By this time, all the rare stuff are gone, don’t need me to say…

The other booths seems to also have a great deal to share with everyone, Hobby Art Gallery for example is offering my models kits on discounts up to 40%… And that is amazing! Of the people from Comics Pandora have also prepared some event only merchandise, the mascot of A.C.M.E II Miru, in post card and Coaster forms, so cute!

I even got a set of the coasters.

On the next building, The Card Geeks are have their games. The competitive aura there is so strong! Everyone seems to want to kill someone… They just want to win but for this rounds of competition, it’s a team competition. So team effort counts.

TCG s even have a booth at the arena doing sales, selling WS and Victory Spark cards. They even have some Comiket 78 exclusives all the way from Japan.

Talking about competitions, we go back to the main hall where the “Touhou Hisoutensoku” tournament is going on. The prizes are from the Touhou Deform series, making the competition even more keen, attracting nearly a hundred people filling the hall to watch the games.

When I spoke to some of the booth owners, they have pointed out that their sale have increased compared to other events. Making A.C.M.E II a great success!

Now maybe I should do a post of what I have got. And maybe a simple giveaway, so look forward to it!

Before that, look at the album below and see for yourself, what have happened!

Popularity: 6% [?]

“People call me Kabukicho’s number one host, but I’ve paid a high price for my success. I’m embarrassed to say this, but…no one here can look his parents in the eye.” – Kyoshiro (Gintama)

Recently, in Japan, male host clubs have been featured very heavily in popular media. They have been featured in anime, manga, movies, documentaries, and even comedic skits. A lot of women are actually interested in & frequently venture these clubs. Why have they become such a phenomenon? Maybe because host clubs highlight certain flaws of people in regards to the idea of “paid companionship”.

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 6% [?]

As mentioned in my previous cdjapan arrival post, I have a new shipment coming in this week. Unfortunately, due to a little hiccup, my package came 2 days after the actual release date. Well, better late than never.

This time round, the main items will be Scandal’s 2nd album titled 『TEMPTATION BOX』. This release comes in 3 different versions, 1 regular, 1 CD+DVD and 1 CD+Photobook. And from my shopping experience, I say grab both the DVD and photobook versions first. The following photos will explain why I went for those 2 versions despite the fact that both will contain the exact same songs.

This album is a original album, featuring new songs in addition to those that were released in singles earlier in the year. Particularly, “放課後1H” has a very cheerful tune to it, and eager to hear Mami singing? Here’s a chance, she did most of the vocals for “少女M”. “GIRLism” is a interesting song, with this part keep on looping in my head, ‘YES is NO! No is YES’ NO is YES is NO!’

And haven’t decide whether to buy? I say grab it while stocks last especially for the CD+DVD and the CD+Photobook version.

There is some stocks available at cdjapan, you can order it now.

CD+DVD
CD+Photobook

Popularity: 7% [?]

Ok, I am late… So I thought I can be late for a few more days… Nah… I was involved in a very big event for the nation and really got the time to write this post only recently, event thou I already got my pictures ready.

So here It goes,

Look, I didn’t get Starcraft 2. Yes, I find it very over priced and my pocket accountant just don’t want to thrown out the cash to get it… But I might just get it later in the year… Since there is so many copies floating around, even the US version can be found for $20 cheaper then the local version. Very soon, the price will drop, trust me, so no hurry on that.

Now my pride and glory for the month, my Misaka Mikoto Figurine, by GSC. She is just so beautiful, despite her scary look, the figurine even have a option either to display the particle sword or not. The coin thou is a nice touch, btw I chose not to display the sword.

Then for some weird reasons, I managed to buy 2 Nendoroids… They are just so cute and I can’t seem to ignore them, whenever I drop by KKnM, they are like calling out to me… So I really have no choice not to buy them… Ah Azusa! And the other would be from the Martian franchise, the Japanese SDF representative, and she comes with a lot of fun accessories.

Next, August’s G’s Magazine which I stalked the shop to get… It comes with a Petit Nendoroid of Tachibana aka Angel from Angel Beat! So irresistible, I was lucky to get a copy after a friend give up his 2nd copy…

I also got myself Scandal’s latest album, thanks to Kenneth for the mass ordering. Won’t say too much since Kenneth will be bringing you a better review. I got the DVD version while he got both the photo book and the DVD, I’ve seen the photobook, and it’s really quite delicious…

Lastly, I got myself the game, Uncharted 2. They say it’s a epic movie like game and for now it’s still good. Although I haven’t really progress a lot yet.

Still no Blu-ray anime to review yet… … Hopeful by September I can get my hand on the Blu-Ray of the Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya. Hopefully…

Over and out!

Popularity: 6% [?]

I would like to wish Singapore a Happy 45th Birthday. So here goes,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SINGAPORE!!!

Next I would like to Dedicate this song from Corrinne May, Sing a song for Singapore

This song is just so beautiful and meaningful, especially if you are an Anime Fan… In the past that I remembered, I am only able to watch an anime on the national TV and the Cable Vision don’t really come along until I’m like 7 years old and I don’t watch cable TV until I’m 21…

Animax only arrive on our shore in the year 2004, and it’s so wonderful how far we have moved on from there. Being the few countries to first get same week telecast, the first in the world to watch the new EVA movies outside of Japan and many more.

My generation have also witness the growth and decline of the local Anime VCD/DVD scene,  and the disappearance of once great Cosplay Clubs and their events.

Nonetheless I am at the beginning of Anime Festival Asia and ACME, along with the recent rise of the many activities to do with anime, even Anisong singer are coming to Singapore. And very soon, the first true LIVE SOLO Anisong concert is going to happen at the St James Power Station.

Not to say, I have also seen with my own eyes the growth of KKnM, and the starting of Genesis Frontier. I’m just so glad they are based in Singapore.

Also I love our Airport, with the direct flights to Tokyo, now if only there is a budget one way flight… Thou without it, a ticket to Japan is still attainable.

So, I am grateful for all the privileges I got as a Anime Fan in Singapore and I truly wish Singapore a Happy Birthday and may there be many more to come!

It’s JUST so good to be a SINGAPOREAN!

Screen Grab from Setokai no Ichizion thanks to Speed Knight. The rest are photos from the NDP 2010 Rehearsals and Previews.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Updated: With the web links to the rest of the artist and groups.

At A.C.M.E II the artist booths are collectively managed by WatzART! They are back to promote the interaction of artist and the trading of their works. Here is a quote of what they are about:

watzART! is the brain-child of two Japanese animation and manga lovers. We organise mini conventions, with the aim to bring together budding local artists and artist groups to showcase their works and share their passion in comics, manga and animation art and alternative art. We also seek to promote trade and interaction among these aspiring artists and bring awareness of the culture of local comics and animation community to the public.

After years of hiatus, today, together with A.C.M.E, watzART! continues the dream of becoming a great venue for the aspiring artists to display their talents.

And this time, they have organised a whole lot of artist and art groups based in the region to participate in A.C.M.E II filling up all the available booths. They have even kindly released a list of the individual or groups for us to preview, speculate and to look forward too!

A record of 14 different groups are taking part, and they are

Artist and Art groups

• Daiyaku
• RP Comic IG
• Debby Yup
• E SPRIT
  Represented By:
  knightcat.deviantart.com/
  linlilian.deviantart.com/
• DOKI DOKI
  Represented By:
  alexiussana.deviantart.com/
  mandachan.deviantart.com/
• The NPCs
  Represented by:
  luches.deviantart.com/
• Ice Berry
• Metamorphose
  Represented by:
  kuso-taisa.deviantart.com
• Asgard Aliens
  Represented by:
  sakachan.deviantart.com
• Neet Conceptions
• Collateral Damage Studios

Establishments

• Wyndra Studios
• Comics Society(Singapore)
• Comix Pandora

Out of the many individual and groups, unfortunately I only know of a few. But from that few, they are very good and worth supporting.

Daiyaku for example, they recently helped us, with a BRS background for the site. And this time around in A.C.M.E II, they will be selling their the stuff from their BRS project. I heard also that there is some Top Secret stuff that will be revealed in the event… Hmm Interesting.

Ice Berry will be attending the A.C.M.E II, what a pleasant surprise! She is very talented and her works are just in front, mounted on my wall just as I am typing this post out. Her booth is definitely a must to go visit, if you are fan of good art. You might even be lucky enough to see her perform her magic, turning a piece of plain paper into a priceless piece of art!

Collateral Damage Studio having just return from their conquest in New Zealand, will definitely wow you in both their skill and their ability to tell a story. Their work is what you would usually call quality, I’m still loving the WORKING car decal like drawing… That reminds me… I haven’t tried sticking it to my car yet… Hmm…

Btw this time, CDS might be working with a Malaysian Art Group to present you with more stuff of high temptation index…

Updated Inject: Looks like there will be a new Dojin by C.D.S, the project have already been shown off in New Zealand and will be available in Singapore during the A.C.M.E II

Here is a preview.

Title: CDS0020: 東方百雲の夢/ Touhou project: A hundred clouds of dreams

Format: B5, 24pages full color artbook

Featured CDS artists: TC, Xeph, Haimerejzero, WaHa

Featured Guest artists: Ichitakaseto, Tiyoro, Bane, Siua, Kuonn P, Astrobunny

Event Prices: SGD $20/ NZD $20

Sold at: Doujin Overload 2010, New zealand, 24th July 2010 (limited stocks)/ Acme II, Singapore, 28th August 2010 (TBC)

note: there will be no reprints of this item!

Information is taken from the C.D.S Website, and yes, it’s based on the Touhou Project.

Comics Society(Singapore) will be attending an event, finally! The group founded by local veteran Wee Tian Beng(Celestial Zone) will be making a showing at A.C.M.E II, with regards to what they will be doing there… Hmm I don’t know… Since it’s really their first in the attendances of such event since their founding 2 years ago.

Then we have Comix Pandora, the Big Sister/Brother in the local dojin(self-made manga/comics) scene. They will definitely be bringing their ready stock of titles like, My dearest girlfriend, Vespa, Black Heart and etc to the event. It’s unknown for now if there will be any new titles in the mix. But I strongly recommend Black Heart, since it’s really very interesting!

Btw, did you know, that the Event mascot Miru-chan is drawn by Comix Pandora’s Xuan? She is also the creator of Dream Walker.

Update!:Yes! Another talented artist is going to be attending A.C.M.E II, Manda under the grouping Doki Doki. She is good I tell you, her Hetalia projects will wow you.

Source: A.C.M.E II Presser

Website: A.C.M.E II

Popularity: 9% [?]

Want to grow your money?!

Do it now with the Figurine Investment Fund(FIF) where the you can just put in a fix amount of money everyone and be repaid with the figurines that you wanted or not. The investment fund will turn those money into more plastic for you, locking in the value of your acquisitions.

But why invest in figurines?

Why? Because collectors are looking for the figurines. For the beauty of it, the cuteness and most importantly the rarity  of the figures. Some just don’t get a re-issue regardless of how popular they are.

These can be view as a chance to make that extra bucks as collectors race to find and to keep the available stock in the market.

How does it works?

By putting a sum of money with the credit management firm, we will be pre-ordering the most sought after releases and calculating the possibility of either a re-issue or a limited edition.

Some of the recent examples that can be found in the market today,

Azusa Nendoroid, the first run’s market value rose from 3500 yen(54 SG$) to over SG$90. Before the 2nd release reduce the price back down to SG$59.90. Our assessment is to buy the 2nd run as there might not be a third run.

But who will be managing the fund?

The Figurine Investment Fund is managed by both  Ani-culture.net Money & Credits and KK&M Credit Investment & Assessment Company. We both have plenty of experience in the figurine market.

To sign up, please fill in the following non-existences form and submit it to the Comment box below. Then you can wait for the approval from us to join the program. Either that you can sign-up at the participating non-existences outlets.

After that may you have fun collecting the figures and playing with them!

Disclaimer: I know it’s not April Fools, but this is just a Joke… It’s not real. Why so Serious?

This is just a joke that was thought off when I was at KKnM today, watching a fellow mate tearing his hair out whether to buy the Azusa Nendoroid, me and Sharon(owner of KKnM) created the Figurine Investment Fund(FIF) to offer him a second option in return for his month allowance… Naturally he didn’t take it up, LOL!

And just a note, you won’t be able to make big bucks trying to do resell to collectors.

P.S: Do you like my new Nendoroid Azusa? She is just so Kawaii don’t you think?

As for the example above about the Azusa Nendoroid, it really quite true, since at some places which still do have stock of the Nendoroid is indeed retailing it at SG$90.

Of cos, the 2nd run have already been released, but most of it, are either already been reserved or pre-ordered. Thou you can still find 1 or 2 left at KKnM(as of today, 29th July 2010) selling at SG$59.90. They also have 1  or 2 Nendoroid Francesca Lucchini in the shop… going at SG$64.90. So better make you way there ASAP… @_@

Popularity: 4% [?]

July 28th is here and what do I have with me. . .

My orders from cdjapan is here! ! !

And this time round, what did I brought in, let’s see.

I have『Ready Go!』single by May’n, 『涙のリグレット』by Scandal and lastly,『心の羽根』by Team Dragon from AKB48.

This new single by 部長 is an instant hit on me! The song “Ready Go” has an catchy tune that gets me hooked up fast. And I do agree with one of my friends on this, the song is has a very anime feel to it among those sung by May’n so far.

Don’t believe me? Take a look at Ookami-san to Shichinin no Nakama-tachi’s OP and you will get what am I trying to say.

And yes, there is a first press bonus that came along, I shall go to that later.

Next up, Scandal’s new release, and this time round, the main song is a ballad. The title translates to “Tears of Regret”. Haruna did most of the vocals for the song and her voice seemed very suited for this type of song isn’t it?

Lastly, 『心の羽根』by Team Dragon from AKB48. This is one of the song used in the Dragonball Kai anime, and unfortunately, don’t expect the kawaii girls like them to sing gar out of the blue. The song is still the normal girl group like pop tune to it, but the MV that they did for this song is impressive I would say. I had a fun time watching the MV and the extra footage that came along in the DVD with the single.

Yes, I did mentioned about first press and all the singles came with something extra.

Yes, a B3 poster of May’n!

That’s all for now, my next shipment? ETA 11th August, main highlight? Scandal’s 2nd album!

Stay tuned!

Popularity: 4% [?]

Just got this fresh from May’n wiki. May’n will be releasing her 3rd single in the month of October and it will be titled 『シンジテミル』(Shinjitemiru). It will be the theme song for a movie 「インシテミル 7日間のデス･ゲーム」(The Incite Mill: 7-Day Death Game).

And cdjapan has this single up for pre order.

And if you are curious about the movie, here’s trailer of it.

Credits: May’n wiki

Popularity: 3% [?]

Update: The Tickets are now available via Gatecrash

Mikuni Shimokawa singer/songwriter will be coming to Singapore, for the first time, with her band for the ASIAN LOVER Tour 2010, so named “Replay”. They will be making their presence felt this August 22nd at the St James Power-station.

For those not in the familiar, Mikuni Shimokawa sang the quite a few songs, including theme songs for Full Metal Panic, Blue Dragon, Fairy Tale and Dragon Drive.

One of her more famous work would be Sora Ga Ai Desho, the opening song for the Full Metal Panic: Fumoffu. Unlike the other anisong performances done in Singapore before, she will be bringing her band down to Singapore presenting a true LIVE performances with unpredictable music as with every other live band.

“Replay!” is also the name of her latest cover album, covering songs like Cruel Angel Thesis, Hare Hare Yukai, Only my railgun, and XTC.

Futhermore, many guest like Jam Project, Haruko Momoi and PSYCHIC LOVER plus more.

The album also comes with a DVD featuring a previous ASIAN LOVER tour concert in Shanghai, it’s released on 21st July and CDJapan have only 17th left…

If we are lucky, we might get to hear from this awesome selections of songs.

I’m already looking forward to the concert but as of publishing, the price for each ticket has not been revealed. So, here is one more item to make August really happening!

Will you be attending?

Either way, here are the details for the concert,

Event: Mikuni Shimokawa & Band ASIAN LOVERS Tour 2010 “Replay” in Singapore
Date: 22nd August 2010 (Sunday)
Time: 5:30pm
Location: Movida, St James Power Station
Price: TBA
Presented/Promoted by: CLS and SOZO pte ltd

After the concert, there’s even a hand shaking session with Shimokawa, for the fans.

For more information of the event, you might want to “like” the concert’s official facebook page, Mikuni Shimokawa SEA (South East Asia).

Other songs sang by Mikuni Shimokawa,

P.S: The ASIAN LOVER Tour 2010 will be going to places like Korea(14th August) and Hong Kong(22nd August) before touching down in Singapore on the 22nd. So if you are in these other places, rejoices!

Webiste: Mikuni Shimokawa SEA facebook page | SOZO Pte Ltd | CLS | St James Power-Station | Mikuni Shimokawa Website

Popularity: 30% [?]

Today, we got news regrading the volume 2 of the Gundam Unicorn OVA. It will be titled “The Red Comet”.

It is set for release in Blu ray and DVD on the 12th of November at 6090 yen and 5040 yen respectively. The first press edition will be released with a special sleeve design as drawn by Mr. Hajime Katoki and a special booklet that is filled with 16 pages.

Also, there will be a series of events promoting this new volume in Japan during the period of 30th October till the release day itself, 12th November. One highlight of this event is at Shinjuku Piccadilly 08 theater where fans can actually buy a special limited blu ray consisting of the first episode and the new episode.

And, PSN will be getting the new volume as well. The full HD will cost 1000 yen whereas the SD will cost 700 yen.

The blu ray and DVD is available for pre order.

Blu ray.
DVD.

Credits: GA Graphic

Popularity: 9% [?]

AKA Asobi Ni Iku Yo! is not what you would usually expect from a show with a cat girl with large boobs… and a guy with 1 active female childhood neighbor, a quiet shy looking girl friend that adores you, and a Sexy Teacher.

Everything on the poor guy’s front looks really promising and it’s really turning out to be a 2005 type Harem show all over again… You know the Childhood friend, quiet school mate and the mature women fight over a guy’s heart type of show…

No. That would be boring right? Since that is so not in fashion now after the out-break of the harem kind 5 years ago, I still remember when half the show in a season is made up of harem shows, killing any appetite for watching anime. Most of them I just cannot remember now…

Asobi ni Iku Yo! is not as simple as it looks, with it’s simple minded alien and all. Behind the outside appearance conceals a deadly Sci-fi flick, with guns, betrayer and underground killings.

In episode 1 for instance, the girls/women that the main character met other then the alien and his mom is out to kill him, figuratively.  So much for the good relationships huh?

But all that I wrote kinda changed in the second episode… I’m so glad I haven’t published the post yet… The dark sinister feeling of the anime somehow turned 180 degrees, bringing a sense of over happiness and etc… Are the aliens are really that carefree?!

I guess so. Since when you are invincible, you don’t really need to worry about things like the enemies and resources, yah? That explains a part of the plot and why they are so well evolved…

Then, the momiji thing that Futaba kept on mentioning, well that suit will really garner quite a lot of fans with that DFC theme going on. Best of all she is most likely legal and can drive. And she can become a rather deadly opponent in a battle, compared to her quiet shy type in school, piping any interest?

Well I better not say any more, I might really get arrested for being a lolicon… So this might be come the new watching point of the show.

On the other hand, did you notice that Elis have always been promoting Okinawa Food? From the layered pork to the Grilled beef, this turns out to be a very convenience plot hole.

Hence I don’t know what to rate this anime, but I can say that, it’s going to get interesting and even if it’s not, it will be good entertainment, atleast for now. Just hope it don’t go beyond 13 episodes plus a few ovas… Afterall this is a production by the Harem Experts, AIC. So I sure hope they don’t let me down…

Website: Anime News Network entry on Asobi Ni Iku Yo

Popularity: 4% [?]

Oops is a little late this month… but hey I still made it.

You have already seen a few of my precious buys in an earlier post but I did buy some other items. Could be more if i have went to Cosmo during the day. Now a look at my miserable purchases for this month… … I’m poor… damit…

Ok I bought a total of 3 CDs… And that is a lot from my pitiful resource…

But I’m so glad I got them, especially Hirano Aya’s Hysteric Barbie. The single is filled with high tempo songs, from the hysterical first song which sound like a rap to the the third slightly more conventional and slightly soothing. The DVD that came with the single is also a treasure for me…

Girldemo’s first and last album didn’t really provide much of a surprise, as the songs are as they were, funny is that it didn’t include the original opening… Perhaps proving that it’s really not sung by them in the anime. Nonetheless, atleast Yui’s suicidal version is inside, along with her rendition of “My Song”, in place of the original by Iwasawa.

Within the booklet of the album, there is a note by the composer and musical director, Jun Maeda. It is to me 2 pages of words i don’t understand… So anyone wanna try translating it?

Last by not least, “LOVE” by the Death Devils… It’s a bit of a disappointment… The song is not really that good for a death metal and you can really hear it. Plus there is really no extras… 2 songs and 2 non vocal… that’s all… then end it off with a Death that looks almost funny… It’s not death metal at all… Just not what I had expected…

At the time of writing this post, I just found out that 2 volume of the Mangas I am following is out… They are Black Lagoon Vol. 6 and Ouran High School vol. 16. I have already placed an order for them so, this considered a buy?

This is also the first time I’m trying out Chuang Yi’s e-market, but taking 2-3 days to process an order seems a bit too much… Nonetheless, it’s a good try. Let’s just wait and see then… So…

Popularity: 5% [?]