The Wallflower manga to be made into TV drama

From Anime News Network:

This year's 18th issue of Kodansha' Bessatsu Friend magazine has announced on Friday that a television drama series based on Tomoko Hayakawa's The Wallflower (Yamato Nadeshiko Shichihenge) manga has been green-lit for a January premiere. The story follows four teenaged "pretty boys" who are invited to stay at a posh mansion, free of charge—provided they can transform the owner's standoffish, weird niece into a proper young lady. More details about the drama version will be published in future issues of Bessatsu Friend.

The manga has been running in Bessatsu Friend since 2000, and 24 compiled book volumes have been published so far. Del Rey will publish the 22nd volume in North America next January. The story has already been adapted into a 2006-2007 25-episode television anime series, which ADV Films released on DVD.

Reina Tanaka to get own anime series

From Hello! Online:

"Modeled after Morning Musume's Tanaka Reina, the on going 4 square manga series "Kaito Reinya" (Phantom Thief Reinya) that's currently serialized in "Shoukan The Television", "Gekkan The Televsion", "Gekkan Newtype", "Shounen Ace", "Comptiq" is finally being made into an anime! It has been decided to premier beginning January 2010 on KBC TV (Kyuushu Asahi Housou)!"

More at link!

Ai Kago gives tips for living and studying in America

Ai Kago has a section at navi ROAD with tips on how to deal with being sick, ordering food, shopping, and etc. while living abroad.

CLICK HERE

Susan Boyle to sing Eagle Talon anime fim theme song

From Anime News Network:

Susan Boyle, the 48-year-old Scottish woman who became globally famous after performing on the television competition Britain's Got Talent, is singing the theme song for next January's Himitsu Kessha Taka no Tsume The Movie 3 ~http://takanotsume.jp wa Eien ni~ anime film. The film is the third one based on the Flash-animated Himitsu Kessha Taka no Tsume gag comedy television shorts from the animator FROGMAN. The story follows the Eagle Talon secret society and its bumbling attempts to take over the world.

Boyle gained international attention after her televised cover of Les Misérables stage musical's "I Dreamed a Dream" song spread like wildfire across the Internet in April. The YouTube website alone has served up the video over 300 million times. The same song will be the theme song of the third Eagle Talon film, and it will serve as the title track for Boyle's first album in Japan on November 25.

Crunchyroll Adds Yumeiro Pâtissière Pastry-Baking Anime

From Anime News Network:

The Crunchyroll media-distribution website has announced on Friday that it will begin simulcasting the Yumeiro Pâtissière (Dream-Colored Pastry Chef) pastry-baking anime series on November 8. The anime adapts Natsumi Matsumoto's shōjo manga about a 14-year-old girl named Ichigo Amano (Aoi Yūki) who wants to be a pâtissière (female pastry chef), but is stymied by her own clumsiness. One day, she enrolls in St. Mary Academy, a culinary school for sweets, and meets a "spirit of sweets."

Director Ko Suzuki and Studio Pierrot premiered this anime in Japanese television on October 4. Crunchyroll's video streams will be available in the United States, Canada, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and the United Arab Emirates. Crunchyroll's subscribed Anime Members can see each new episode, in 720-line progressive resolution, within one hour of its Japanese premiere. Other users can see the same episode in standard definition for free one week later.

Yumeiro Pâtissière, episode 1

夢色パティシエール (2009)

Ichigo Amano is pretty average. Her looks don't really stand out, she can't play any sports and doesn't do very well in school. Even though she and her younger sister, Natsume, have been taking piano lessons, only Natsume excels at it enough to win an award. While attending one of her sister's concerts, she comes across a sweets festival and eats a slice of cake that tastes eerily familiar. When Ichigo confronts the one who made it, she comes to find a Frenchman named Henri Lucas. It turns out her recently deceased grandmother attended the St. Marie school in Paris, where she learned to be a Patissiere. Not only that, "Madame Michiko" was quite famous, and Henri is further impressed that Ichigo was able to identify such a thing with just one bite. He encourages her to enroll in the Japanese division of the school. Remembering the declaration she made as a little girl that she would be a Patissiere too, she becomes determined to do so.

Trigun movie coming in Spring 2010

From Anime News Network:

The official website for the Trigun the Movie project has opened on Friday with an announcement of the movie's opening in spring of 2010.

The story is set in Makka, a town surrounded by quicksand. With rumors spreading that the legendary robber Gasback has his sights set on the town, the mayor Kepler has brought together bounty-hunters to protect the town. These bounty hunters have been following Gasback from town to town in hopes of bagging the prize. Meryl and Milly, two characters previously seen in Yasuhiro Nightow's manga and the later television anime series, have come to town to assess the situation as insurance agents, but are shocked by this turn of events. Moreover, Vash the Stampede is also in town, along with the female bounty hunter Ameria and the fan-favorite character Wolfwood.

Fans of MST3k do their own projects

Some fans of Mystery Science Theater 3000 took it upon themselves to personally riff movies and old shorts that the people behind the show never did or could. Check them out!

1000 Huzzahs

CapperMSTing

Fun With Shorts

Maintenance Science Theater 3000

Media Center Theater

Soiled Shortz

Video footage of Anne Frank, only one in existance

This is absolutely chilling!

Sims 2 'The Secret Show' Photoshoot

Featuring Victor, Anita, and their twin kids, Vic and Andy.

Made in China by Reed Darmon

This book features colorful ads and merchandise illustrations from the early 1900s to as recent as the 1980s. It's a fascinating look into Chinese culture and displays how much delicate work was put into something even as simple as a box of matches. I highly recommend it!

Buy HERE!

Live action Barbie movie in the works

From Variety:

Universal Pictures has added Barbie to its star stable.

The studio has made a deal with Mattel to build a live action film around its signature toy line. Studios are placing a premium on building films around well-known concepts. Universal brass feels it has landed the queen of globally branded toy figures.

Laurence Mark will produce.
According to Mattel, the 50-year old Barbie has 99% worldwide brand awareness, is the number one girls property in the toy industry, the top doll property in the U.S. and the number one worldwide property in the traditional toy industry.

“Barbie is the most famous doll in history, a unique cultural icon in the world of brands,” said Universal Pictures chairman Marc Shmuger. “So many representations of Barbie frequent pop culture, but never before has she been brought to life in a motion picture. We’re grateful to Mattel for entrusting us with this extraordinary opportunity.”

More at link!

Cosmic Baton Girl Comet-san, episode 13

(コメットさん) 2001

12-year-old Princess Comet has no interest in her royal duties. She'd much rather play with little stars in the Haromonica Star-World system than fulfill anyone's expectations. On the evening of a ball meant to introduce Comet to the prince of Tamborine Star-World, he runs away, and the only way to know him is from the "twinkle" in his eyes. Now it's been decided that Comet will go to Earth to find him and set things right - but can she make the time between having so many fun adventures?

The march into summertime is approaching, and while Comet's host mom prepares her store for the new season, Keisuke is also training to be a lifeguard. But in the middle of practice, he trips and injures his leg. Comet was witness to the whole thing, and tries to help, but Keisuke stubbornly refuses treatment. So, Comet enchants his bike, bringing him right into the doctor's waiting room. But the injury is more serious than Keisuke assumed, and he can't really use his leg for a week. But he has to get ready for the beach to open for the summer, so that just won't do! Can Comet help him heal in time so his dream won't be ruined?

New items in my mom's Etsy shop

Etsy Buy Handmade shesuchacard

Kusumi Koharu to graduate from Morning Musume

More information and statements from Tsunku and Kusumi herself here!

Kirarin Revolution, volume 8

-Hiroto and Izumi have some filming to do at a hot springs resort, and Kirari sneaks along disguised as a crew member. She can't just leave him alone with Izumi! While there, with a prompting from an elderly woman, Kirari signs up for a kimono modeling contest. When Izumi finds out, she joins in on the contest and attempts to sabotage Kirari from winning; because if she did, as per a deal she makes with Kirari, Izumi would have to leave Hiroto alone.
-Izumi isn't a she - she is a he! And Hiroto knows him very well. His real name is Izumi Hyoutarou, and Hiroto and himself were childhood friends. Hiroto once made a promise to Izumi that they would start a duo pop group together, but that was obviously broken after Izumi's family moved away. He decided to go under the guise of a girl and become famous to get close to Hiroto again. But just because he is no longer a threat to Kirari physically, it doesn't mean he won't keep trying to win Hiroto's heart.
-Kirari has been asked to draw a comic for a magazine, but as with everything else she tries to hand make, she can only draw mushrooms. Enchanted with a mangaka she sees on TV, she decides to go to the woman for help. But the life of a mangaka is no party, as she quickly learns. It drains away the hours and fun in your life, making you tired and haggard. Can Kirari make the poor woman feel happy again?

Nozomi Tsuji sings song for Kiwi commercial

Tsuji is singing a song called "Bokutachi ZESUPURI KIWII Da ne" for Zespri Kiwi. If you visit the official website you'll find clips of the commercial, along with a link to buy the song on iTunes.

Zespri Kiwi

Yet more of gamers playing games...

If you like to watch people playing/reviewing, and/or love to learn about the world of video games, check these out:

2-Bit Gaming

Classic Gaming Room

CornshaqGaming

Famicom Dojo

Hello Project's Tsunku makes voice acting debut

From Anime News Network:

Not-So-Daily Link of the Day: Tsunku♂, the Hello Project producer best known for assembling the Morning Musume female idol group, is making his voice-acting debut in the anime adaptation of Tomoko Nishimura's Gokujō!! Mecha Mote Iinchō high school romance manga. He is playing Nijūkyu-sensei, the advisor of Musashino Moriyama Academy's light music club. (The Television magazine posted side-by-side pictures of Tsunku♂ and his character.) In the story, Mimi Kitagami is a kind, level-headed girl who aims to be the best, coolest student council president of her high school class. However, three trouble-making boys are always causing her grief — and she has a one-sided crush on one of the boys, Ushio Tōjō.

In addition to being a character in the anime, "Nijūkyu-sensei" is credited with composing the "Mecha Mote I Love You," "Kirei ni Naritai," "Daisuki ni Nare—!" and "Kokoro Kimi ni Todoke" theme songs. Tsunku♂ is the actual composer of these songs. The songs' performance are credited to "MM Gakuen Gasshō-bu" (Musashino Moriyama Academy Choral Group), Mimi Kitagami (voice actress Mana Ogawa), and MM3 (the characters Ushio, Ao Nishizaki, and Namito Nagumo as played by voice actors Ryo Oshima, Ryutaro Abe, and Tomohiro Watanabe, respectively).

After his dialogue post-recording session, Tsunku said that the voice-acting stint was basically his first job outside his usual work in the music business and was most fascinating. Tsunuku played the character with an accent from the Kansai region south of Tokyo.

Tsunku assembled Morning Musume from the finalists of the televised auditions for his own rock band, Sharan Q. In addition to producing Morning Musume and other musical acts under the Hello Project umbrella name, Tsunku♂ once sang several hit songs for Sharan Q, such as DNA²'s "Single Bed" and Orphen's "Ai Just on my Love" and "Kimi Wa Majutsushi." He also composed and wrote music for Hyakko, Kirarin Revolution, Patalliro Saiyuki, School Rumble: 2nd Semester, and Yo-Yo Girl Cop. (Some of these anime- and manga-related projects feature current members and alumni of Hello Project.) He appeared at Anime Expo this past July.

Japan's video, anime sales drop furthur

From Anime News Network:

On Tuesday, the Japan Video Software Association announced its survey results on Japanese video software sales for the first half of 2009. The overall market, which includes DVDs, Blu-ray Discs (BDs), UMDs, and video cassettes, amounted to 127.731 billion yen (about US$1.381 billion). That is 90.3% of the sales in the same period last year — a drop of almost a full tenth in sales. Despite its declining sales, the DVD format is still the overwhelming bellwether with 93.1% of the video software market.

The sales of Japanese animation DVDs for general audiences was 22.447 billion yen (US$242.6 million), or 91.2% of the sales in the same period last year. This is the latest annual drop in the segment; sales in the first half of 2008 had been 88.1% of the sales in the first half of 2007. Still, anime continues to be the largest segment of overall DVD sales, with 30.4% of the yen spent and 24.1% of the raw number of releases sold. However, less anime DVDs were rented — 88.1% of last year's total.

Now that last year's Blu-ray Disc/HD DVD format war is a fading memory, BD sales jumped 386.8% to 8.443 billion yen (US$91.2 million). 1,744,105 copies were sold — an increase of 312%. BDs now represent 6.6% of the overall video software market by yen spent, and 4.5% by copies sold. Anime dominated BD sales with a 56.6% share; last year, it was only 20.9% of the market. However, only 32.7% of the BDs rented were anime.

Interesting Parody of Morning Musume's hit "Love Machine"

It's incredibly strange yet somehow gets in your head. I think I spot Tsunku in there ;)

Morning Musume at AX in LA video

As broadcast by NHK World, here is a video about Morning Musume's trip to America:

The Wallflower, volume 18

-Led to believe that in the process of remodeling the estate the landlady removed their rooms, the boys are in a panic. Sunako is given no choice but to get a job if she wants to keep living in her tiny apartment, but her choice is questionable. It's in the red light district at a hostess bar! And the boys freak - if the landlady finds out they'll never be able to go back.
-Takenaga moves back in with his family, a very prominent one who disapproves of his lifestyle and company and prefer he simply stay on the path of inheriting the family business. Will the boys be able to get him to come back? What about poor Noi?
-It looks like Sunako has finally recovered from the incident that pushed her into complete seclusion. Now Noi thinks she needs to move on and fall in love with Kyohei, like she should have ages ago! But trying to get that girl involved in romance is like trying to teach a duck to climb a tree - pretty impossible.

Hime-chan no Ribbon manga remake launches

From Anime News Network:

Hime-chan no Ribon Colorful shōjo manga launches on Thursday

Shiho Komiyuno, the artist who adapted the Demashita! PowerPuff Girls Z anime into manga, has launched a remake of Megumi Mizusawa's classic Hime-chan's Ribbon (Hime-chan no Ribon) manga in the October issue of Shueisha's Ribon magazine on Thursday. In the original 1990-1994 manga, Princess Erika of the parallel-world Magic Kingdom gives a human tomboy named Himeko a magical ribbon that can transform her into any person she sees. Komiyuno's Hime-chan no Ribon Colorful remake takes the characters and background story and brings them into the 21st century.

Toei Animation adapted the original manga into a popular 61-episode television anime series from 1992 to 1993.

Nozomi Tsuji selling a line of "relax wear" in the Ameba blog celebrity shop

Shop is located here!

Tokyopop to lose Kodansha licenses

From Anime News Network:

The North American manga publisher Tokyopop has confirmed that the Japanese publisher Kodansha has decided to let their manga licensing contracts expire. That means Tokyopop will not be allowed to complete any ongoing manga series from Kodansha or reprint its back catalog of Kodansha titles once the existing stock runs out. According to Tokyopop, the company does not know Kodansha's reasons for the decision. Among other titles, Tokyopop has licensed Chobits, Love Hina, Samurai Deeper Kyo, Rave Master, Initial D, Kindaichi Case Files, Life, GetBackers, and Love Attack from Kodansha.

Source: MangaBlog

Update: Tokyopop's Germany office had acknowledged in January that Kodansha let their manga licenses in Germany expire. Just like Tokyopop's American office, Tokyopop Germany said that Kodansha had not given a reason for the decision. Another North American manga licensee of Kodansha manga, Dark Horse Comics, is no longer listing Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira and Masamune Shirow's Ghost in the Shell in its catalog as of this year.

Update 2: In June, the North American publisher Del Rey announced that it acquired the newer volumes of Samurai Deeper Kyo. Tokyopop had published the first 34 volumes, and Del Rey will publish an omnibus book that will combine volumes 35 and 36 in December. Dark Horse confirmed at Comic-Con International last month that it is publishing omnibus versions of Clover, Chobits, Magic Knight Rayearth, and Cardcaptor Sakura — all Kodansha titles by CLAMP that Tokyopop once licensed.

Update 3: ICv2 has confirmed that Random House is distributing the Akira and Ghost in the Shell manga on behalf of Kodansha in North America; the two titles have already appeared on the pre-order lists from the online retailer Amazon and the August issue of Previews magazine. The About.com:Manga website has posted the lists of Tokyopop's incomplete Kodansha titles, Kodansha titles that have been relicensed, and completed Kodansha titles that are out-of-print for now. Tokoypop emphasized to ICv2 and AnimeVice that it minimized the effects of Kodansha's decision a few years ago by diversifying the sources for its content. The publisher added that the decision "wasn't completely unexpected" and "has little bearing on Tokyopop's current or future stability." Thank you to Aaron Deslauriers for the Previews news tip.

Cosmic Baton Girl Comet-san, episode 12

(コメットさん) 2001

12-year-old Princess Comet has no interest in her royal duties. She'd much rather play with little stars in the Haromonica Star-World system than fulfill anyone's expectations. On the evening of a ball meant to introduce Comet to the prince of Tamborine Star-World, he runs away, and the only way to know him is from the "twinkle" in his eyes. Now it's been decided that Comet will go to Earth to find him and set things right - but can she make the time between having so many fun adventures?

Meteo-san has the whole country believing that she and "Imashun" are dating, even setting up a concert at her house without his consent - and all because they "happened" to be on the same flight back from his recording session in Los Angeles. When Comet's host mother finds out about it, she begs Comet to get her a ticket, seeing as she knows Meteo. Of course, Meteo wouldn't ever do such a thing, and Rababou insists they go to Imashun directly and ask. When Comet refuses, he goes off on his own and gets kidnapped by Meteo's "agent number six." Meteo decides to try to keep Comet away from the concert using her beloved companion as blackmail, but it very well may blow up in her face, especially when Imashun and Comet meet once again.

Mari Yaguchi in a "Make Japanese Girls Cute" online project

Mari Yaguchi is taking part in a "Cute Creation Team (Kawaii o Tsukuru Dan)" project, which, as she puts in her blog, is meant to "make Japan brighter and more cheerful by making Japanese girls "cute"." From what I can tell they have information on recipes, makeup, and how to capture the "cute" look of the girls featured.

I don't know how long it'll be up so check it out soon here!

My Darling Is A Foreigner: The Movie

From Anime News Network:

Hana Yori Dango's Mao Inoue to star as wife whose "Darling is a Foreigner"

Shooting began in Tokyo on Saturday for the live-action film adaptation of Saori Oguri's 2002 autobiographical Darling wa Gaikokujin (literally, My Darling is a Foreigner) manga. 22-year-old Mao Inoue (Hana Yori Dango [2005], Boku no Hatsukoi o Kimi ni Sasagu) stars as Saori, a Japanese woman who marries a foreign husband named Tony (played by 35-year-old Jonathan Sherr). Commercial director Kazuaki Ue is overseeing the film for an April opening in Japan.

Oguri has already written two sequels (Darling wa Gaikokujin 2, Darling wa Gaikokujin with Baby) as well as a spinoff book (Darling no Atama N Naka) with her real-life journalist husband, Tony László. Digital Manga Publishing once printed a volume in English under the title Is He Turning Japanese? in its How to "Read" Manga series.

Personally, I'd love to see this! Very curious about what message they'll send, or if the husband will speak broken Japanese in a funky accent (which I sadly see a lot) or something.

Old interview with Ai Kago's mom, Aki

Confession scoop:

The mother of Morning Musume member Kago Ai reveals the background reasoning she used when allowing her daughter to live in Hawaii together with that person (age 35).

With her three younger brothers and sister having a different father, and the parents having a quarrel about their divorce, she shoulders the burden of their lives.

A daughter who was hurt by being told about her parents’ divorce. – “She’s just a victim.”

“Going on a trip during her suspension with a man who is 16 years older than her, and smoking once again.” As a result, she was fired from her office. As her fate remains unknown, her mother reveals the hidden truth behind her smile for the first time. This is the true Kago Ai, not the “Kago-chan” everyone is familiar with.

“She said her listening skills are getting a lot better than before. And also, she said happily that she was praised by people around her, like, ‘You have a good ear, because you’ve played music from a young age. You’re progressing quickly.’ She’s also good at cooking. She likes to cook a variety of dishes in her own way. Apparently, she cooks all the time at the house where she’s staying now.” Going on a hot springs trip during her suspension with an older man, and also having her smoking being exposed, the former member of Morning Musume, Kago Ai (age 19) got the shocking pink slip from her office on March 26th. After all that fuss, she hasn’t been heard from again. But her mother says that after a temporary stay in Hawaii, she’s currently living in New York. It’s her birth mother, Aki (age 38) who has been watching Kago Ai with gentle patience, giving pep talks to her at times. She lives in Nara, and raises her oldest son (age 7), second daughter (age 6) and second son (age 2) by herself. She gave birth to Ai when she was 19. She’s 38 years old now. She’s wearing a small white one-piece and leggings, and has nicely curled brown hair. It’s no wonder she was mistaken by some media reporters for Kago’s sister.

She has kept in touch with Kago by phone or e-mail every day since she moved far away from her. She says she’s still doing it. Having a look very similar to her daughter in her eyes, she slowly started talking about her daughter’s debut and dismissal, what they’ve been doing lately, and the problems she’s facing now – the interview lasted 2 hours.

Tearful apology

Kago Ai and her mother Aki’s whole lives were changed by the coverage of her smoking in the Friday magazine which was released in February 2006. As a result, she was given an indefinite suspension.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry…” She made a phone call to Aki and apologized in tears. “I was surprised. I didn’t know she smoked. Because I became a mother at a very young age and caused my parents a lot of trouble, I was always trying to be strict with my children. So it’s like, ‘It can’t happen to my child.’ I’m very sorry for giving so much trouble to the fans, insiders of the company and all the people around her.”

At that time, Aki was worried about the divorce from her husband. Actually, he isn’t Kago’s biological father. Aki got married at 17 and gave birth to Kago at 19. However, she got divorced when Kago was barely 1 year old. She remarried when Kago was in fifth grade, and had three children together with him since then. It was just before Kago joined Morning Musume that she was told about the existence of her real father. She thought that her “father” was the one who had always been with her ever since she could remember.

“Until then, I had never told her those kind of ‘adult’ stories. But I was having trouble with my husband back then, and being slightly in a panic, I found myself talking to her about it. In retrospect, I think she must have gotten hurt by that. She’s just a victim in that way.”

Read the rest HERE!

Check out these handmade cards by my mom!

Etsy Buy Handmade shesuchacard

Key words: scrapbooking, scrapbooks, handmade, etsy, greeting cards

Cosmic Baton Girl Comet-san, episode 11

(コメットさん) 2001

12-year-old Princess Comet has no interest in her royal duties. She'd much rather play with little stars in the Haromonica Star-World system than fulfill anyone's expectations. On the evening of a ball meant to introduce Comet to the prince of Tamborine Star-World, he runs away, and the only way to know him is from the "twinkle" in his eyes. Now it's been decided that Comet will go to Earth to find him and set things right - but can she make the time between having so many fun adventures?

Comet's parents (well, father) are worried about her, so a Star-Person is being sent to earth to check on her. Meanwhile, a love triangle seems to be developing between Comet, Keisuke and "HIM" (as Keisuke calls him, and even if Comet doesn't really realize what's happening). Comet also discovers that the local high school has a baton club, and decides to demonstrate her skills for them; they are of course impressed.

Pokemon "Pokeshipping" Sims 2 Photoshoot

Starring Ash and Misty!











I hope to have more eventually!

Ai Kago sings in Magical Girl anime CD

From Anime News Network:

Not-So-Daily Links of the Day: Former Morning Musume singer Ai Kago (Mini Moni the TV) and Public Enemy producer/guitarist Brian Hardgroove are among the dozen duos performing electronic-music-influenced covers of magical girl anime theme songs on the Kirakira Majocco Cluv album. The other duos include Christopher Just and Tomoe Shinohara (Kodocha), Franck Muller and Erika Asakura, Paolo Scotti and the female idol group AKB48's Miho Miyazaki, DJ Scotch Egg and Nakano Fujoshi Sisters' Chiaki Kyan, Bymski and Yumi Sugimoto, Electrocute and Marin Nishitani, Plastic Operator and Mao Miyaji, Maho Thaidisco and AKB48's Tomomi Kasai (ICE), Sexy-Synthesizer and former Idoling!!! member Mira Takiguchi, Pan Pacific Playa and Sayaka Isoyama (Chouseishin GranSazer), Kazuo Gondayama (a.k.a. Cherryboy Function) and Mina Fukui.

The album's 26 tracks range from the earliest magical girl theme songs like Mahōtsukai Sally to recent hits such as Zettai Karen Children's "Over the Future." In between are songs from Cutie Honey, Urusei Yatsura, Magical Princess Minky Momo, Kiki's Delivery Service, Sailor Moon, Card Captor Sakura, and Zero no Tsukaima. The album will ship on October 7.

In related news, Turn A Gundam and CAPCOM character designer Akira Yasuda has drawn the cover art for the Gundam Rock album by Andrew W.K. The Californian singer is performing English-language covers of theme songs and rock versions of background music from Yoshiyuki Tomino and Sunrise's first Mobile Suit Gundam television series and its movie trilogy remake. Andrew W.K. is also reenacting the opening narration and Garma Zabi's funeral speech by Gihren Zabi (a.k.a. the "Sieg Zeon!" speech) from the anime in English. The album ships in Japan on September 9, 2009.

Muppets at Walt Disney World Outtakes (1990)

Something really cute I found on Youtube!

Maigo no Kemonotachi (The Stray Beasts)

Mermaids are never to wander outside on the day of a storm; if they do, they'll be stolen by demons, who believe consuming mermaid flesh will give them magical powers. Young Myuu and her best friend Chisha don't really believe the story, and so head out one stormy day to recover a lost hair ornament. But suddenly, without warning, they're swept up by a strong wind, and Myuu awakens in a strange land. Could it be the demon world? Where's Chisha? Myuu is soon found by a demon named Jirou, who is on a mermaid hunt. Because Myuu can give herself legs on land, he is tricked into believing she is simply a lost girl. They may find unexpected friendship (and love?) on the mission to find Myuu's home.

There's also a mini story at the end of the book. 16 year old Ruty has been selected to marry the prince of the land, in what she calls a Cinderella-like story. Deciding, without permission, to do some exploring of the country's capital where the prince lives, she comes across a magic show and volunteers to take part in a trick. What she didn't expect was to be turned into an ant-human hybrid, and the culprits responsible taking off before she can make them change her back. What will she do?! Her royal escorts don't recognize her, and how will she be able to marry the prince looking like a monster? Sad and roaming the streets, she comes across a bakery where the owner has also been victimized by the magician (turned into a kitchen utensil). He also has a cute son named Saki, whose dream is to bake for Princess Ruty (and he doesn't know it's her). Can Ruty be changed back? And if so, will she be willing to leave her new friends behind?

This is a very sweet manga, that has a dark undertone to it. I definitely recommend it!

More of gamers playing games...

If you're like me and you find it fun to watch others play video games, check these out.

Dshban

Frankomatic's Obscure Game Theater

Happy Video Game Nerd

Kirarin Revolution, volume 7

-Kirari is set to appear on a TV show in which celebrities undergo obstacles, and that's when she meets Izumi. Izumi is a pretty, pink-haired girl who is polite to Kirari at first, and is quite flirty with Hiroto (which upsets Kirari). When Kirari hurts her ankle in the ball pit and gets stuck, Hiroto goes to get her and Izumi sees them in a supposedly intimate position. Angry, Izumi steals Hiroto's first kiss and claims she's in a relationship with him, both at the same time on live TV! And from then on, she's quite hostile towards poor Kirari, and definitely out for blood. When a photo is taken that could compromise everyone's careers, Hiroto steps up to the plate and breaks Kirari's heart (in two different ways!).
-Hiroto, like his parents, has to be away a lot, and he'll be gone for a few days to work, leaving his younger brothers to fend for themselves. Kouta, the second youngest, asks if Kirari can lend him Na-san for the duration as a babysitter. But he gets way too used to the special attention, and doesn't want to give him back when the time is up. What will poor Kirari do, who can barely function without her cat?

Kirarin Revolution, volume 6

-Kirari is still fighting to write a song, but after some inspiring last minute words from Hiroto, she's finally ready to get it all out. But despite her finally finishing, Fubuki has a twist. Technically not against the rules, Fubuki gets a hot new pop duo from her talent company, RHINOCEROS, to do back up dancing and make her performance flashier. How can Kirari's simple love song match up to that?
-Now both girls must rely on the CD sales of their songs to see who wins. When Kirari comes out on top, Fubuki is not happy. She's not ready to be number two at ANYTHING, least of all to a girl she finds simple, unprofessional, and unworthy of even sharing the stage with her. Later, at a celebratory party, Kirari shares an awkward moment alone with Hiroto. Will there be confessions?
-There are also two extra stories in this volume. In the first one, Subaru's cat, Mr. Na, runs away from home to find pizza. In the second, Kirari and Erina compete in a sweets contest.

New items added to my store!

I have added some DVDs and photobooks to my online store. Subjects include:

-Hello! Project
-Morning Musume
-Maki Goto
-Rika Ishikawa
-Ai Takahashi
-Miki Fujimoto

Find them here!

Kirarin Revolution, volume 5

-Kirari's is really cutting it close with her creation. But it comes with a twist that nobody would've expected! Kirari not only decorated her dress with balloons, but underneath is colorfully wrapped candies that she throws at the audience. Will this sweet gesture be enough to beat out her opponent's skillfully stylish number?
-There's still one more round to go, and that involves writing a love song! Kirari decides to focus on her enthusiasm for food, but is told by SHIPS that's not really a universal subject that will do her any favors. Instead, she should focus on love. But poor Kirari struggles to come up with something, and who exactly to use as inspiration: when she tries to think about Seiji, Hiroto pops up. Having left the house to clear her head, she ends up getting harassed by some fans, and is saved by Hiroto. They run onto a bus to escape, and end up on the beach. Will she find her lyrics there?
-Kirari's older brother, Subaru is back! He's been staying in America to study acting, and as such has no idea that his sister is now a celebrity. When he does find out, he's not happy. Jealous of her success, he has his cat, Mr. Na, steal her schedule book. Because they look alike, Subaru decides to pretend to be her and enjoy some attention for once, which may lead to unplanned complications and the biggest favor he's ever done.
-Kirari is going to be Cinderella in a play, but not if she can't fit into her costume! The people putting the play together are not happy: if Kirari can't stop her constant snacking, there will be big trouble ahead.

Kiss kara Hajimaru (It Started With A Kiss)

Miki Nakatani isn't exactly the most popular girl in school. In fact, everybody thinks of her as an ugly nobody (even her own sister!). Despite this, she still finds herself falling in love with an upperclassman student body president. When he misplaces a mechanical pencil, she decides to take it as a momento. But somebody has seen her crime! A fellow student referred to only as Satou. In exchange for not spilling the beans, he proposes she kiss him! Not wanting her crush to think badly of her, she reluctantly agrees. But the story doesn't end there: Satou is a terrible kisser (as she later remembers, it was rather childish and boring), and that's surprising, considering he's very popular and has probably had dozens of girlfriends. To make matters more complicated, he seems to think this signifies that they are now dating!

This is a very cute manga, and features one of the most slow-headed love interests in shoujo history! There's a lot of kissing, though, as the title implies. People are either kissing or thinking about kissing. So if that sort of thing annoys you, I wouldn't look this up.

Daniel Radcliffe in Japan

Here is a cute clip I found of Daniel Radcliffe (for Harry Potter) in Japan:

Inuyasha final manga chapters gets anime

From Anime News Network:

This year's 34th issue of Shogakukan's Weekly Shonen Sunday magazine will announce next Wednesday that an Inuyasha Kanketsu-hen (Inuyasha Final Chapter) television adaptation of Rumiko Takahashi's manga has been green-lit. The anime will broadcast on Japan's YTV this fall and cover the story in volumes 36 to 56 of the manga — the final 21 compiled book volumes. The original staff and cast will reunite for the new anime adaptation.

Shonen Sunday had promised earlier this month that it will be including a special news announcement about Inuyasha in issue #34. Takahashi had ended the Inuyasha manga in the same magazine last June. She has been serializing a new manga called RIN-NE (Kyōkai no Rinne) in the magazine as well as on TheRumicWorld.com website for North America readers since April 22. Viz Media has been releasing the Inuyasha manga in North America, and it has also released the original 2000-2004 television anime adaptation.

Little Lulu: Lulu's Umbrella Service

If you're interested in expanding your comics horizon, how about looking to the past with Little Lulu? It may not have the ACTION and ADVENTURE of Superman or villain foaling of Spiderman, but it's got a certain charm to it. It's something you can look at and smile, maybe get a chuckle or two, and cheer you up.

In this volume (7), Lulu does her typical activities: fooling the prankster boys in the neighborhood, telling stories to the annoying kid next door, and generally being smart-alecky and strong minded. You'll be amused by some of the slang everybody uses (ex: "fellers"), the fashion, and the way Lulu is brought up by her parents (there certainly was a lot of spanking back then!). If you're a Peanuts fan, it's similar, only the adults are actually shown.

Barack the Barbarian review

The story begins in an ice-age future, as a shaman tells a group of children about the legend of Barack the Barbarian. Barack has been traveling the roads, and arrives in the corrupt city of Warshington, a place of violence and filth. He runs into "Manny the Fixer" who tells him they've been hoping for somebody to bring change, and invites him to a local pub for some food. There, he runs across "Sarah the Red," who, along with her partner, have been sent to destroy him.

This is a pretty amusing comic. It's not "laugh until milk comes out of your nose" funny, but it's entertaining and pretty spot on with a few things. Despite the abundance of scantily-clad women, I'd say most ages can read this (maybe 13 and over?). I definitely recommend this to Obama fans and those amused/invested in the 2008 elections.

Miki Fujimoto married!

Miki, former member of Morning Musume, has recently married her fiance, Shouji Tomoharu of the comedy group "Shinagawa Shouji," in July of 2009. Congratulations!

Anime to ease your stress...

If you find yourself wound up and tense from a stressful day, or are simply worried about something, these shows can sooth your nerves and make life a little better.

*Little Snow Fairy Sugar
*Omishi Magical Theater Risky & Safety
*My Neighbor Totoro
*Kiki's Delivery Service
*Oh! My Goddess!
*Cosmic Baton Girl Comet-san