Jim Henson's Return to Labyrinth, volume three

After a long, LONG wait, volume three is finally out. I can't say I was itching with anticipation to read it, and the artwork still really bothers me (but I suppose it's too late now to change the artist). At the rate Tokyopop is going, we probably have to wait another year or so for the last volume, if it comes out at all.

The danger in Toby's life is rising; nothing is really as it seems. We learn where Moppet came from, why Sarah changed so much (shedding fairy tales and dreaming for the droll life of an average adult), and even the truth behind Mizumi's supposedly loyal daughters. Jareth is wandering the streets, a lost soul, while Sarah feels a sad yearning for something she didn't realize she'd ever needed the most. After Toby is corronated, things move to their worst amidst war and betrayal. What will become of everyone?

Yakko, I Love You CD

1. 恋は突然
2. なぜなぜナゾナゾ
3. あなたの似顔絵
4. ドーベルマンのように
5. 愛は光の中で
6. Oh! Yeah! ジュリアーノ
7. あなたが消えない
8. 雨のララバイ
9. 純白のジューン・ブライド
10. ぼくのジュリアーノ

This album was originally released in 1983. Though I have only seen the first handful of episodes, it's proving so far to be a pretty fun show. And the music is just as fun and cute! I especially like tracks 1, 5, 8 and 9. If you love retro shoujo, this is definitely something to check out!

Archie proposes to... Veronica! First cover revealed

From Archie Comics:

THIS AUGUST, PREPARE YOURSELF FOR THE ARCHIE STORY YOU NEVER THOUGHT YOU'D SEE, AS ARCHIE PROPOSES TO VERONICA!

The eternal love triangle is the cornerstone of Archie Comics for over 65 years--and the bane of Archie Andrews' existence! In fact, over the years it has not only defined the Betty/Archie/Veronica relationship, but has even threatened to dismantle it a time or 20.

Never was this more evident than in the landmark "Love Showdown" storyline from 1994 and '95. When Archie Comics announced that Archie Andrews may finally choose between Betty & Veronica once and for all, the response from the media, fans and retailers alike was unprecedented--and with good reason! The landmark "Love Showdown" storyline threatened the certainty of the love triangle and all it stood for, nearly bringing an end to the friendships of all three characters as Archie chose old flame Cheryl Blossom at story's end!

Readers had nothing to fear, as ultimately Cheryl wore out her welcome in Riverdale. While she's been an occasional presence (and to Betty and Veronica, an occasional nuisance) in the last 15 years, life has returned to normal for Archie and his friends. And that includes his seemingly never-ending inability to choose between Betty and Veronica, no matter how many times he takes them out.

More at site!

Mini Moni revival in the works?

Tsunku has revealed on his blog plans to revive Mini Moni, and the first member already chosen is "H!P Eggs" girl Fukuda Kanon.

Personally, I think without Mari and company it just isn't the same and won't match up. We'll just have to see what happens.

Kirarin Revolution, volume 4

-There's a new girl in town! Her name is Fubuki, and she's been modeling since she was little. Soon she'll be making her idol debut, and right off the bat she has a problem with Kirari. Though Kirari is of the school that thinks smiling and making fans happy is most important, Fubuki finds her completely unprofessional. To see who's the better star, the model challenges Kirari to a contest, to be judged by fans online and through phone calls and consisting of three parts. Whoever wins at least two of them will be the victor.
-The first challenge involves each girl dressing like a bride and acting like a happy couple with a member of SHIPS. But who will Kirari choose as her groom, and can she handle the heartache of who she didn't pick getting cozy on stage with Fubuki?
-The second challenge tests their talent for design and sewing, in which they must think up an outfit that they will make themselves and model. While Fubuki is quite skilled, Kirari couldn't sew a button on a shirt to save her life, and no matter what she does, a phantom mushroom appears on everything. Can Hiroto, who is experienced with domestic chores from caring for his younger siblings, help her in time?

Archie Andrews is getting married

At least, according to Archie Comics.

From New York Post:

The world's oldest teen is becoming an honest man.

After six decades of indecisiveness, Archie Andrews is going to settle down with his longtime love -- but will it be Betty or Veronica?

The perpetual teenager will pop the question to either best friend Betty Cooper or to the beguiling Veronica Lodge in Archie Comics No. 600, which is due in comic-book stores in August.

"What would lead Archie to have marriage on his mind? And who would he choose, Veronica or Betty? How will Betty react? How will Veronica react? Can Archie shake off his klutzy past and hold down a steady job . . . for more than a month? One thing is certain: This will be the biggest Archie Comics story ever!" a solicitation for the comic says.

"You will see him make the decision," said Archie Comics' editor-in-chief Victor Gorelick of the sixissue storyline, which features a glimpse of Archie and the Riverdale gang five years down the line.

Archie, Gorelick said, is able to sneak a peek into the future he's never been able to reach in the comics in the landmark 600th issue, when he takes a right turn down Memory Lane.

"He goes a bit into the future when he becomes engaged and married," Gorelick said -- but he wouldn't say to whom. "We're not saying anything," he said. "The office is in lockdown.

Gokujou!! Mecha Mote Iinchou, episode 1

(極上!!めちゃモテ委員長) 2009

Mimi Kitagami is a kind, level-headed and pretty student council president (iinchou) at her school, who aims to be the best she can be at her post. But the MM3 (a group of three troublemakers) may prove to be a rather large roadblock to this goal, even though Mimi's decided she'll shape those boys into model students no matter what. First up is Ushio, who gave up running after breaking his leg in middle school and refuses to be on the athletic team no matter what anybody says. When Mimi declares that if she can beat him in a race he'll have to do so, a small but meaningful connection is made between them, especially in Mimi's heart. But will she be able to do it? Meanwhile, the prestigious Princess Rose Club, reserved only for beautiful and special people, wants her to join their ranks.

Now... let me first say that the only reason I've stuck with Kirarin Revolution despite the complete 180 in animation quality, is because I'd already watched over 100 episodes before it changed, might as well finish. But here, the terrible CG starts from the very beginning. Not only that, it can't seem to decide whether it wants to be in 2D or 3D, and keeps switching on you from scene to scene, frame to frame. It's not the worst shoujo ever, but the animation is so distracting I'm having a hard time concentrating on the story. Is this cheap CG thing a new trend? I sure hope not! There's also an overabundance of sparkles, crippling brightness and rose petals - I'm not sure if they're making fun of these staple shoujo cliches or actually being serious.

Shoujo Beat to end in June with July issue

From Anime News Network:

Viz Media's Shojo Beat magazine is no longer accepting subscriptions over the phone or online, and one of its distributors, Alini Magazine Services, reports that the magazine "is ceasing publication with the July 2009 issue." Telephone representatives of the company that handled Shojo Beat's subscriptions say that the company has not been accepting subscriptions "for several weeks" as of Tuesday, and add that more details will be available on the shojobeat.com website. The website currently displays the fifth issue of the fifth volume of the magazine (pictured at right).

The Kuri-ousity website reports that Viz will offer issues of Shonen Jump magazine to replace the remaining issues of current Shojo Beat subscriptions.

UPDATE. Viz confirms, plus further information HERE

Kirarin Revolution, volume 3

-Hiroto has been given the role as male lead (after Arashi tried to manipulate his way in), and now Kirari has a whole new problem. She can't seem to get into her part of playing a lovesick schoolgirl, as she's never had a boyfriend or even been on a date. So, Seiji and Hiroto offer to take her on a sort-of date around the city. But shortly into it, Seiji spots a girl companion for Kame-san in a pet shop, and they lose him. Now it's just Kirari and Hiroto! Alone! Even if she survives, she still has to *gulp* give him a kiss in the last scene of the drama.
-Na-san wants his shot a fame, too! But the audition he goes to shuns him, and the heartbroken cat worries Kirari. There must be some way to bring the happy Na-san back.
-Erina and Kirari are filming a TV special at a creepy inn, which the owner claims is haunted. Business is poor as a result, and he wants their help. The two girls decide to get to the bottom of it once and for all!
-Erina and Kirari work at a sweets shop.

Cosmic Baton Girl Comet-san, episode 9

(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?

In this episode, Shun Imagawa is a young, new artist who loves to make music but works himself into near exhaustion. Meanwhile, Comet's host family is trying to get tickets to his sold out concert, with no luck. Comet and the twins are tired from their trip to get the tickets, so Comet creates a special cloud they can nap on. But before they take off, a boy collapses on it, and he's so out of it they decide to leave him there. But it's Shun (they don't realize this), and if he doesn't wake up he won't make it to his own concert!

I guess the lesson today is not to work yourself to the bones, but don't spend your life napping? I don't know :P

Highlighted Series - Nyan Nyaga Nyan

Nyan Nyaga Nyan is the story of a young girl named Chieri and the feline that would change her life forever. One day at school, Chieri is chasing a black cat that had stolen her cookie (which she was planning to give to somebody she had a crush on), but just as she's caught him, a limo arrives. They're looking for "Rin-sama," which turns out to be the cat, and somehow Chieri gets pulled along. As she later finds out while bathing in the mansion she's taken to after an exquisite meal, Rin can transform into a boy, and now the whole staff thinks they're getting married. As if that's not weird enough, his cat-like behavior is a constant annoyance and her classmates may eventually catch on that he's not exactly human. Still, he's very sweet and protective.

This is a very cute one-shot I meant to pick up a few years ago but never got around to. If you're looking for faces as fresh and cherry cheeked as babies, and preciously entertaining love stories, you'll definitely find it here.

Kirarin Revolution, volume 2

-Somebody is playing mean pranks on Kirari and SHIPS, most of them involving sea creatures (fish, turtles, etc.). At first it seems fairly harmless, but things get intense when this person starts messing with Kirari's wardrobe, right as she's performing on stage! The culprit turns out to be a childhood friend named Arashi, who moved away years ago and has recently returned. His goal is to make Kirari retire from the idol life, and make do on her promise to marry him (which she never actually did).
-Kirari has been cast in a TV romance drama, but the director is having trouble choosing who the male lead will be. The choices are between Seiji, Hiroto, and Arashi. Of course, Arashi doesn't miss an opportunity to sabotage and hypnotizes the director into not only choosing him, but completely changing the script. He wants Kirari's first kiss, and nobody is going to stop him!
-Kirari is visiting a school festival, but it won't be for their food. Kirari has been banned from snacking in public, as her love for gorging on sweets has been deemed unidol-like by her superiors. But it will be hard, especially with an eating contest on the grounds!

Anime industry head says bubble has burst

From Anime News Network:

Yasuo Yamaguchi, managing director of The Association of Japanese Animations (AJA), described the anime industry as a "bubble several years ago that burst. The marketplace is on a falling curve due to declining birth rates and the recession." He added that he thinks that the industry is heading from times of surplus toward restructuring. AJA reported that the number of anime television programs rose from 124 in 2000 to a historic high of 306 in 2006. However, that number has since fallen to 288 in 2008. In 2006, a record 60 anime programs premiered in April, but only 30 anime programs were expected to premiere this past April.

The Japan Video Software Association (JVA) reported that domestic sales of Japanese anime releases (on DVD and laserdisc) brought in 97.1 billion yen (about US$982 million) in 2005 and dipped to 95 billion yen (US$960 million) in 2006. In 2007, domestic anime DVD sales fell further to 89.4 billion yen (US$904 million). Even when DVD, Blu-ray Disc, and HD DVD sales are added together, sales of domestic anime releases dropped to 77.9 billion yen (US$787 million) in 2008.

The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) estimated that the Japanese anime marketplace in the United States (including character goods) peaked in 2003 at US$4.84 billion. It then fell to US$2.829 billion in 2007. The sales of just anime DVD and videotape releases peaked in the United States in 2002 at US$415 million.

More at link!

Kirarin Revolution manga ends, Miracle Revolution next

From Anime News Network:

After five years, manga creator An Nakahara has ended her Kirarin Revolution series in the June issue of Shogakukan's Ciao shōjo magazine on Friday. The romantic comedy centers on Kirari, a teenaged girl who aspires to be a singing idol after being inspired by different members of a boy idol group. To commemorate the ending, the magazine is offering the 53 color opening illustrations from the different manga chapters over the years, along with a photo frame signed by Nakahara, to 30 readers in a drawing.

The next issue of Ciao magazine will ship on June 3 with a spinoff one-shot manga called Miracle Revolution by Rio Fujimi. The manga will recount the real-life rise to stadom of "miracle idol" Koharu Kusumi, the single-charting voice of Kirari in the Kirarin Revolution television anime series and a member of the Morning Musume girl group. The anime version just ended last month after three years and 153 episodes. Viz Media has been pitching the anime (under the names Kirari and Kilari) to potential overseas distributors at trade conventions. Kusumi and the rest of Morning Musume will be performing at Anime Expo in Los Angeles this July.