.

Yup Animax MUSIX Fall’s edition, on 3rd November, have announced the Singers taking part in the event. And here is the list!

Updated list of artists participating:
May’n, SCANDAL, Mikuni Shimokawa Kotoko, Tamaki Nami, Kalafina, Akino from Bless 4, ORIGA, Elisa, Himeka, Kita Shuuhei, Sasaki Sayaka, Shoko Nakagawa, GRANRODEO, Lia, LISP (Kiyoshi Kana Abe, Risa Yuu Hara, Kataoka Adusa), Saki Sato gauze flowers and many more.

Yup, that is the list of artists set to perform at the 17,000 capacity Yokohama Area and what a line up it is.

The live concert is unknown whether to be airing on Animax Channels around the world, that is to wait until further confirmation…

Source: Animax Musix Fall website via @mayn_wiki

Popularity: 10% [?]

A sequel of the anime OVA Cencoroll is green lighted for production, after the creator, Atsuya Uki, announced on his website. The storyboard and design for the anime is now in production.

Cencoroll, the anime that was made by a one man studio, Director, animator and producer Atsuya Uki. The anime itself is a 1 episode OVAA produced and released in the year 2007.

The original story involves a girl, who discovered and then took over the monster controlled by a young man, named Tetsu. Cencoroll have also been shown at many other arts festival in Japan and since have been critically acclaimed worldwide.

Source: 2ch Via ANN | Niralog
Website: Cencoroll website

Another do it all person would be Makoto Shinkai(Voice of a Distance Star), before he joined up with his current studio. I really admire people like them, they are so good at what they are doing and have the patients to endure thur the whole production process…

That reminds me… Where did my DVD went to?

Popularity: 3% [?]

Close look on the cover. Lovely isn't it? :3

Just short of a month after releasing their 2nd album『TEMPTATION BOX』, SCANDAL has announced that they will be releasing their 8th single with different limited editions on the 6th October!

The new single will be titled 「スキャンダルなんかブッ飛ばせ」(SCANDAL Nanka Buttobase) and there will be 3 limited editions along with the regular edition.

Now, the main part, what will the different versions hold.

All the singles will contain the new song “Nanka Buttobase” and the instrumental version. The difference here will be the special DVD each edition gives.

The edition A will come with 「涙のリグレット-SPECIAL CLIP-, edition B will come with 「太陽と君が描くSTORY-SPECIAL CLIP-」and edition C will come with 「瞬間センチメンタル-SPECIAL CLIP-」.

The limited edition singles will cost ¥ 1,020 each and the regular will cost ¥525.

For a single, the price is cheap even for the limited edition! As for the clips, my guess is that they are behind the scenes footages in the process of making the PVs of the songs mentioned.

Pre orders are now available at cdjapan! Click on the links below to bring you to the pre order page.

Limited edition A

Limited edition B

Limited edition C

Regular edition

And October do promises to be a release packed month. . .

Credits: SCANDAL blog

Popularity: 3% [?]

With all the focus on the ACME II, we sought of have forgotten about another milestone event… even thou we have not yet recover from the last… monetarily…

Tomorrow is the Gundam Fiesta, the 2nd in the series held at Compass point in Seng Kang, Singapore. It’s like a big road road but it will be featuring quite a lot of interesting things and offers.

Last year, Bandai brought the 1/1 size foot print to Singapore, which obviously is not enough for us… So this year, they brought along the hand of the Original Gundam!

If that is not enough, there will be a mega Diorama using the Sangoku Den’s SD characters. There will also be Dioramas made in Japan on exhibition at the show. The quality of the exhibits alone should be a draw to any Gunpla fans!

In-addition to the above, there will also be perfect grade show case and many other interesting stuff.

For activities to be done, if you are a parent really to corrupt teach your child,  the fun of Gunpla, then sign up for the Gunpla workshop. Or if you yourself is an avid gunpla maker, then take part in the meet and greet with Mr. Kawaguchi, the creator of the MG series of gunpla.

Of course… The most important will have to be the merchandise offer and the event exclusives. Take a look!

They all look so delicious to me, especially the MSIA Gundam Wing Custom Metallic version… No need to build, perfect for a guy with not much time…

I’ll be heading down to the fiesta tomorrow, but the fiesta will last for 2 weeks. From the 1st to the 13th of September, so do head down when you are free!

BTW, event exclusive are also going to be quite limited in stock… O_O.

Website: Gundam-Singapore | Sheng Tai Toys | Gunpla Club SEA Facebook

Popularity: 7% [?]

Satoshi Kon didn’t die suddenly like we have read on the reports but a gradual death. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in may this year and was told he will have not long on this world.

Before he left, he has written this post, which his family so kindly published for him, and translated by Makikoitoh.com. In it, he noted down his worries and what have been done along with the thanks to the family, other people and the fans. Whom have supported him during this painful 3 months.

I, myself will not be able to convey the same message effectively for I am equally touched and speechless by the end of the article. We have really lost a great man.

Without a doubt, I cried a little when I read the post…

The Japanese TV studios will be airing memorial tributes to Satoshi Kon thou his movies and works,

Fuji TV station will be airing a special episode of the popular Talk show “情報プレゼンター とくダネ!” on 31st August while Animax Japan and WOWOW will be showing Satoshi Kon’s movie on the 4th and 15th respectively.

Source: Saniani.net | Makikoitoh.com

Website: Translated Version of Satoshi Kon’s Final Blog post by Makiko Itoh

Popularity: 5% [?]

On August 24th 2010, Director Satoshi Kon, aged 46, died suddenly due to pancreatic cancer, and the world loss a brilliant director that to me changed the anime scene.

I will not profess on how much I love him, since I hardly know him personally… But he is an important man for the way he used the anime media, giving it a boost when he directed Perfect Blue. An anime that is as good as a art film, showing that anime as a media is just as powerful as any others.

Of the movies that he have directed, I have watched all of them other then Paranoia Agent, without a doubt they are very big influence for me. From the first one shown by my polytechnic friend “Tokyo Godfather” during a camp and to the latest “Paprika”.

These films open my eyes to a world where anime is not just a medium to reach the children, they are more than it. It can be serious, and matured. Anime is not like the American’s animation, where everything is really mean to be at most a PG. It’s a serious media, where a message can be passed along for serious thoughts.

Not all Anime is childish and I only truly understand it for the first time in my life when I first watched “Tokyo Godfathers”. This line of thinking is further reinforced by Satoshi’s other titles, “The Millennium Actress”, “Perfect Blue”, and finally “Paprika”. Of course, there are other directors that produces the same genre of anime, but Satoshi Kon’s influence is the one that got me started at looking from a different view.

Much like how Yoshihiro Tatsumi changed the manga scene, Satoshi Kon to me changed and matured the anime scene.

If you haven’t seen any of Satoshi Kon’s work, do seek it out and take a look. I sure hope the person taking over his role as Director in “The Dream Machine” will be able to continue in spirit, his creative, goodwill and legacy.

One of his final works as a director, from the Ani*Kuri project, “Ani*Kuri 15: Good Morning”.

To the family of Satoshi Kon, you have my condolences. For we too have loss a great director, a talented artist and an influential leader.

You will forever have my thanks and will be missed, so Rest In Peace, Director Satoshi Kon.

Popularity: 4% [?]

ACME II is coming this Saturday and if you think you can just waltz into the event hall and buy everything that you wanted like that plushy or that merchandise of a certain anime than you will be sorely disappointed, since the more popular items will be gone. Snapped up by the people who are well prepared.
The rest will be left with the left-over to be contented with.
So here at Ani-culture.net, we have prepared a list of things to take note of. It’s for a more present experience at ACME II

Home-Work

The first thing you should get ready should be your shopping list. It’s a tradition of Charafest to release a list of merchandise on sale, a few days before the actual event.

Information taken from ACME Website:

The long awaited announcement from Chara Fest!

The list of merchandises will be uploaded latests by this Wednesday, 25 Aug 2010.

KKnM will be doing the same this year, so it’s your job to make a list of what you want to buy, in advance, instead of standing at the booth pondering.It’s a possibility that they might just serve the ones behind you first, who came more prepared. Even if the crew don’t mind, the one’s behind will!

Of course, it’s also your job to bring enough cash for the items you want to buy. Cash is preferred, since it’s unknown if they will be accepting Nets or Credit cards.

Preparing for the Queue

Well, I’m not an expert when it comes to queuing, in fact I hate it! But for this article, I have made a visit to the pros, nope, not the StarCraft II guy… but better.
These pros have been to Japan and have participated in one of the longest and hashest queues of Japan. They are also veterans, when it comes to queuing for the Chara-fest.
Their advise is a no-brainer but it’s still practical, simple and easily overlooked.

• Water Bottle
• Some Snacks
• Things to do, a book, a pack of cards or your PSP
• Something to Sit on, like a mat or a stool(if you don’t like the floor) but make sure it’s easy to be kept.
• Some Knowledge of the area(Toilets, Mini-marts and etc)
• Your Phone
• A Sleeping bag!
• A Friend
• And lastly, Your common Sense, which includes that spirit of the SINGA Lion!

Where is the location?

It’s address is 155 Middle Road, Sculpture Square, Singapore 188977‎. Still don’t get it? Nevermind, just goto google map for a look.

The Location

A reproduction of the Layout based on Spy photos and FIF Intel

ACME II is held at the sculpture Square for the first time. It’s just next to the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and is a Heritage building as it used to be a Church built in the 19th Century. It’s now converted to becoming a Art’s Venue used by Artist as a location for exhibition or festival like events.

Where and when to queue from

If you want to queue overnight, you can look for the Queue master only after 20:30 hours at the Sculpture Square. Before that, there might be an exhibition going on… And remember, follow the instructions of the Queue master.

Instruction taken from ACME website.

Queue for A.C.M.E II
As announced earlier, there will not be member’s priority queue this year.

All who are queuing overnight, please look for the queue master at the venue on 27th Aug, Friday, after 8.30pm. Please note that you are doing this at your own risk, please ensure you have enough to eat and drink. Please behave in an orderly manner or you will be asked to leave.

When you are Queuing

You are at the event grounds and have join the queue, so what are you going to do now? The pros who taught me about queuing gave me advise like talking to the people queuing with you and make some friends.
After all, you are all interested in the same things yah?

Of course, you are expected to behave properly when queuing and not litter the area.

At the Event

Finally! ACME II started! During the event everyone is invited to look at the booths and buy whatever you liked and generally enjoy the event.
But a few things should be noted

• ACMEII is not a Cosplay event. A lot of people will be around the small area and thus Cosplay is really not advised.
• NO Shop Lifting, Anyone caught will be punished according… Police report…. …
• Please do not litter! Keep the area clean and we can all have fun.
• DO NOT do anything Disruptive or Destructive or Disturbing…

And Lastly from the writers of the Ani-Culture.net, we wish you a fruitful and enjoyable ACME II!

Popularity: 4% [?]

OMG she looked and smiled at me!!!! Mikuni actually did that!!!!

This is so great!!!

Not to say, the performances are AWESOME too! With the live Band, oh the Guitarist is so cool!

Mikuni even sang solo, a cappella for Singapore ONLY! Those who didn’t attend the Concert this evening will live to regret it!

But now, we are kinda low on batteries and a strict no photography inside rule applies so, notthing much to see here…

However, this post will be updated with set-list and a proper review, once we recover from the shock and got into the working mode…

BTW Robin, GOOD JOB!

Update: If you cannot wait for our update, do visit our friend at The Bonkurasu Brigade for their review of the concert!

And here is the Set list provided by The Bonkurasu Brigade.

1/3の純情な感情
輪舞-revolution-
ハレ晴レユカイ
MC
それが、愛でしょう
tomorrow
Alone
MC
蕾～tsubomi～
ねずみは米がすき
XTC
プラチナ
Truth
MC
夢の途中で
Naked
MC
南風
イ～じゃナイ!?
君がいるから

Encore
残酷な天使のテーゼ
MC
愛・おぼえていますか
MC
Love song on the radio

Popularity: 5% [?]

(Soho Host Club. From L-to-R: Alex, Christian, Andy, & Ken)

Hey everyone, I just wanted to do a quick follow-up on the entry I did on host clubs. I want to inform you guys about a “host club” I met at a mini-convention in Soho, NYC a few weeks ago (a very positive club, I might add). These fine, outstanding gentlemen you see above are the Soho Host Club. I met them at AniMiniCon Soho. They went around interacting with all the attendees of the 3-day event, especially the females. I think a few girls even got crushes on them. :]

I spoke to one of the organizers of the event, Alexandra Honisberg, about the concept behind the Soho Host Club.

She told me why and I quote.

“I’ve been in the arts since I was a kid. And especially lately as a single musician and newly-minted into the whole anime/manga scene the past 3-4 years or so. I’ve noticed some things. Dating is crazy and both sides of all ages and all cultures complain about it. The arts are being devalued, especially in this recession, because they’re seen as stuffy and superfluous. People are tense and losing their patience with each other.

I play at or go to an arts event and the coupled people stay in couples or hang out with other couples and the single adults tend to do just what we did in 8th grade — stand on either side of the room, huddled in same-sex groups that have little or nothing to do with sexual orientation. So, basically, beauty is sorta wasted because too many people are uncomfortable in the social settings and are not experiencing its value.

Then a friend showed me Ouran Host Club back in October and I laughed and cried and fell in love (I was the awkward, smart, poor kid who’d gotten into a fancy school on scholarship and hung out with the gorgeous rich guys who mostly treated me like their buddy). And in the January doldrums, after the holiday crush of arts and socializing, late one night alone, a light bulb went on — why should the kids have all the fun? Why should the arts suck? Why should dating suck? Why can’t we have a Host Club for adults that focuses on chivalry & elegance, is relaxed enough for them to be ladies & gentlemen, and enjoy the arts, the world of beauty, for real?”

Alexandra did a lot of research on Japanese host clubs and wanted to make sure that her club wasn’t like them. She emphasizes realism & sincerity in all the hosts she chose. You have to give her huge props & respect because she is using an idea that may not be well-liked by certain people and turning it into something that can build a community for a positive purpose.

One more thing I would like to add is a conversation I had with one of the hosts, Ken. I asked him if he knew about the nature of host clubs in Japan and he said yes. Ken went on to point out one, very important thing and I quote.

“You have to understand, Japan is very sexual.”

As much as people can blame host clubs for certain things, Japanese society can be blamed as well. Their harsh standards can force people to ignore their love life. They also look down on those who stay single. Sexual frustration develops and women/men resort to going to the red-light district for their sexual needs. Host clubs don’t just highlight the flaws of people involved in host clubs. They also highlight the flaws of society in general. Why do you think we have people dating body pillows?

At first, I was a little skeptical about the Soho Host Club. But, after meeting them, they were pretty cool guys. I thought to myself that they did an amazing job in chatting with the attendees. More importantly, the hosts were absolutely enthusiastic & had fun interacting with them. The attendees were really receptive towards the hosts. AniMiniCon had an AMAZING turnout despite being on the same weekend as Otakon.

For those looking to start a host club in a positive manner, the Soho Host Club can be a source of inspiration on how to get it done. Who said chivalry was dead?

- Tony

You can find this article and much more at Manga Therapy (http://www.mangatherapy.com)!

Popularity: 4% [?]

Another Century Episode: R will surprise the players even before they start playing after the launch of the game on the 19th of August, happily.

As a leak in of the game’s instruction manual indicates that the game will be making use of almost forgotten 6-Axis function and equally forgotten custom Background music.

The motion sensing part of the game might not be as popular but, it will be interesting as to how it’s being implemented in the game, in real life. But as you can see from the picture, the standard pitch left, pitch right, front and back motion. This function have almost been forgotten by the general gaming population and the Developers… So it’s quite a surprise that it’ included… No idea if it could be omitted thou…

Next, the Custom BGM. A function totally forgotten by almost every developer in the world… … This function exists on the PS3, the game developers just need to enable it…

And it can Play any music you can use listen to on the PS3. But there is a recommended range thou.

It’s recommended that your music should be encoded in AAC 128kbps or MP3 128kbps atleast. Now, I know a certain someone will be looping Sheryl Nome’s song while flying on a VF-25 Messiah… …

Maybe you will like FMP better… Looping Shimokawa’s song while playing as Bon Ta Kun.

That would be amusing… lol!

Source: Esuteru.com | Temple Knights

Btw: did you know, Mass Effect 2 is coming to the PS3… Told you so.

Popularity: 5% [?]

“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% [?]

The official twitter account for Bandai have let out word that the Second Macross Frontier Movie -- “Sayonara no Tsubasa” or roughly translated as “Wings of Goodbye” will be starting it’s run in the Japanese movie theater on February 26th 2011. The announcement was first made at the Girasama Carnival, a Macross Frontier Themed event hosted at Pacifico Yokohama last Sunday.

The 2nd movie have long been anticipated since it’s teaser at the end of the first Macross Frontier Movie based on the TV series.

The same event have also revealed plans to release a compilation of the Music Videos used in the Macross Frontier series, featuring new animations, to be shipped this December 15th.

Yoko Kano, the composer for Macross Frontier’s music will also be presenting a 2 night event in December, first at the Budokan on the 22nd followed by the Kobe’s Port Island Hall on Christmas Eve.

More details regarding the event will only be released on the September 9th at 9pm

Lastly, Bandai also announce at the Girasama Carnival, that it will be release a Chougokin of the VB-6 König Monster bomber and the transformable SD Infinity of the VF-25 Messiah Valkyrie fighter in September

P.S: Did you know that on the opening day of the second Macross Frontier Movie -- “Sayonara no Tsubasa”, It will also be Ani-Culture.net’s 1st Anniversary!

I am so Happy!

P.p.s: Funny that Kenneth didn’t post this up…

Source: http://yunakiti.blog79.fc2.com/via ANN |guNjap | A Gabriela Robin Site

Popularity: 7% [?]

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.

Big box, guess the weight? A whooping 3.3kg.

Fully packed.

A 'Scandalicious' order. . .

The CD+DVD is on the left and obviously on the right is the photobook version.

Close look on the cover. Lovely isn't it? :3

The photobook version features an alternate cover.

The photobook is a book of its own.= on the left.

The photobook cover.

:3

My favorite photo among the many beautiful takes found in the book.

Not to forget B.L.T Voice Girls volume 3. Again, no prizes for guessing why this book came along with the order. . .

Answer is here! May'n部長! <3

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% [?]