Studio Ghibli’s “Princess Mononoke” to get stage play adaptation in London

It was announced that anime film “Princess Mononoke“, which Studio Ghibli released in 1997, will be getting a stage play adaptation in London.

“Princess Mononoke” was written and directed by Miyazaki Hayao, and it was the first animation film to receive the Best Picture of the Japan Academy Awards.

This adaptation is the collaboration between Studio Ghibli and theater company, Whole Hog Theatre. Reportedly, the plan was already made a couple of years ago, but it took over a year to make a theatrical adaptation. Though the details on the play have not been revealed yet, the music for the play will be newly written. Moreover, as the story tells the disharmony between civilization and nature that raises an environmental issue, giant puppets made from recycled materials will make appearances in the play.

This play will be presented at New Diorama Theatre in London during April 2nd ~ 6th 2013, and there is no plan on bringing it to Japan at this moment. Also, all the tickets for the play have already been sold out.

More information can be found here.

Source: Tokyohive

2013 Doraemon Anime Film Revealed in 1st Trailer

The official website for the Doraemon anime films began streaming the first 92-second trailer for next year's film entry, Eiga Doraemon: Nobita no Himitsu Dōgu Museum (Doraemon the Movie: Nobita's Secret Gadget Museum), on Friday.

In the film, a mysterious entity steals the bell that Doraemon, the robot cat from the future, wears around his neck. Doraemon, his hapless owner Nobita, and their friends track down the thief and arrive at a magnificent secret gadget museum.

This latest film inspired by Hiroshi Fujimoto and Motoo Abiko's manga will open during Japan's annual spring vacation next March.

Source: ANN

New Costumes from Hatsune Miku Project Diva F Previewed

Recent magazine scans have revealed new modules (costumes) that will be featured in the upcoming Hatsune Miku -Project Diva- F PlayStation Vita rhythm game. "Agitation," "General," and "Bad Boy" modules designed by Nagimiso, "Guilty," "Innocent," and "Amour" modules designed by Ichiyou Moka, as well as swimwear modules were previewed in the pages. The swimwear modules were also shown in a recent preview video for the song "Summer Idol" by Oster Project.

A video previewing eight new songs was posted last month. The game will feature an AR mode that uses the PS Vita's camera to superimpose Hatsune Miku in the real world.

Sony will release a PlayStation Vita Hatsune Miku Limited Edition in Crystal White as a bundle with the game on August 30. Regular editions of the game will also ship on the same day. 

The PS Vita Card version will cost 7,329 yen (about US$92), and the downloadable version will cost 6,600 yen (US$83).

Source: ANN

5pb.'s Robotics;Notes TV Anime Promo Streamed

The official website for the Robotics;Notes television anime opened on Saturday with a new promotional video as well as the anime's staff and cast lists. Chiyomaru Shikura, the head of the original game's developer 5pb. (MAGES), also confirmed on Saturday that the anime is slated for two quarters of a year (kūru/cours).

The third "science adventure game" (after Chaos;HEAd and Steins;Gate) is set in an alternate future world after Tokyo's Shibuya district was destroyed in 2009, followed by the destruction of the Radio Kaikan building in Tokyo's Akihabara a year later. The world is immersed in realistic augmented reality technology in 2019, but a high school robotics club in danger of being disbanded after shrinking to just two members. The club's revival is tied to the robot it is building.

The game and anime's shared cast includes Ryohei Kimura (Kaito Yashio), Yoshino Nanjou (Akiho Senomiya), Rie Kugimiya (Airi), Kaori Nazuka (Frau Koujiro), Yoshimasa Hosoya (Subaru Hidaka), Sora Tokui (Junna Daitoku). Kazuya Nomura (Sengoku Basara 2) is directing the anime at Production I.G. Jukki Hanada (My Ordinary Life, sola, Steins;Gate) is in charge of the series scripts under the supervision of the game's Tatsuya Matsubara and Naotaka Hayashi. Chikashi Kubota (Shikabane Hime: Aka, From the New World) is adapting Tomonori Fukuda's original game character designs for the anime. The original game's Takeshi Abo is scoring the music with television composer Yūki Hayashi.

The series will premiere in Fuji TV's late-night Noitamina programming block this October. The game already shipped in Japan last month.

Source: ANN

PSotD - Immoral

Title: Immoral

Artist: Piko
Year: 2011

Notes: ♪ ☆ ★ ♪ ♥ ♡♡♡ ♥ ♪ ☆ ★ ♪

DDL: 

PSotD - Corruption Garden

Title: Corruption Garden

Artist/Composer: Megurine Luka feat. CAZ

Year: 2011

Notes: One of the best Vocaloid music videos I have seen. The animation is very detailed and of the futuristic style. It reminds me of Final Fantasy animation.

DDL: MikuDB

PSotD - Dancer in the Dark

Title: Dancer in the Dark

Artist/Composer: Megurine Luka feat. - fatman-P

Year: 2010

Notes: Catchy song!

DDL: Here

PSotD - Magnet (ver. GakupoxLuka)

Title: Magnet

Artist/Composer: GakupoXLuka/ minato (ryuuseiP)
Year: 2009

Notes: At first I had doubts about this pairing, but it turns out the harmonies are pretty good. Luka's alto voice goes well with Gakupo's wide range.

DDL:

Hatsune Miku Meat Buns to Be Unveiled in Japan

The official website for the collaboration between Hatsune Miku and FamilyMart convenience stores announced on Monday that "Mikuman" meat buns will be unveiled. The website noted that samples were offered at a recent presentation event in Tokyo.

Traditional nikuman are steamed buns made from flour dough and pork or other fillings. The collaboration website will add more details about the Hatsune Miku buns in the future.

The Vocaloid idol "hijacked" four stores as part of her "Many 39s Giving Day" (Miku no Hi Dai-Kanshasai) concert event in March and began offering limited edition "Sakura Miku" and "Snow Miku" goods. FamilyMart also launched its crowdsourced Hatsune Miku promotional campaign in March.

Source: ANN

PSotD - Capsule

Title: Capsule

Artist: Mix Speaker's Inc.
Year: 2012

Notes: An insert song for the anime Daily Lives of High School Boys. 
I really like how the voices of the band's two vocalists harmonize and mix well together.

DDL: From AnimeMp3.

PSotD - My Pace

Title: My Pace

Artist: Sunset Swish
Year: 2005

Notes: Sixth ending song for the anime Bleach.

I was playing all my anime songs on shuffle and this song came up. It brings back good memories of Bleach. This was one of the ending songs during the Bount Arc, which in my opinion was a terrible filler season. It kind of ruined the original Bleach. 残念だったね？

DDL: From Gendou music (Requires account - it's easy to make one!)

PSotD - Continued Story

Title: Continued Story

Artist: Hitomi Kuroishi
Year: 2008

Notes: Insert song for the anime Code Geass. This song was played at the end of season 2. The song is so light, sweet and gentle, it brings tears to my eyes.

DDL: From Gendou music (Requires account - it's easy to make one!)

And the live version

Mamoru Miyano, Chiwa Saito Lead 009 Re:Cyborg Cast

The official website for Kenji Kamiyama's 009 Re:Cyborg film revealed the film's main cast on Wednesday:

Sakiko Tamagawa as Cyborg 001: Ivan Whisky 

Daisuke Ono as Cyborg 002: Jet Link 

Chiwa Saito as Cyborg 003: Françoise Arnoul 

Toru Ohkawa as Cyborg 004: Albert Heinrich 

Teruyuki Tanzawa as Cyborg 005: Geronimo Jr. 

Tarou Masuoka as Cyborg 006: Chang Changku 

Hiroyuki Yoshino as Cyborg 007: Great Britain 

Noriaki Sugiyama as Cyborg 008: Pyunma 

Mamoru Miyano as Cyborg 009: Joe Shimamura 

009 Re:Cyborg, which is Kamiyama's first in full-3D animation, re-imagines Shotaro Ishinomori's classic science fiction manga Cyborg 009. Kamiyama's previous credits include Eden of the East, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, and Moribito - Guardian of the Spirit.

In the original manga, the secret Black Ghost organization transforms nine unsuspecting humans into cyborgs. However, the nine cyborgs turn on their masters and protect the rest of humanity from Black Ghost's plans for world war.

The film will open in Japan on October 27, and it will also open simultaneously in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea.

Kamiyama auditioned the voices by blindly listening to the tapes of over 200 candidates. 

Source: ANN

Pokémon Black 2/White 2 Games Sell 1.619 Million

Enterbrain's Famitsu.com website reported that 1,618,621 units of Nintendo's Pokemon Black 2 and Pokemon White 2 games were purchased in their first weekend in Japan. Famitsu.com also reported that since release, 32,855,241 Nintendo DS units have sold (including DS Lite, DSi, DSi LL/XL) and 6,288,334 Nintendo 3DS units within Japan alone, as of June 17.

The companion games are set for a 3rd quarter release in North America and Europe under the titles Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2.

Nintendo streamed its second English trailer for the games on Thursday.

Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 are set two years after the first Pokémon Black & White games. They will introduce two new forms of legendary Pokémon (Black Kyurem and White Kyurem) and new characters. New locations have also been added to the land of Isshu (known as Unova in North America).

Source: ANN

PSotD - Like a Bird

Title: Like a Bird (Boku wa, Tori ni Naru)

Artist: Hitomi Kuroishi
Year: 2008

Notes: Insert song for the anime Code Geass.

"I wanted to reach out to you, but time did not allow it."

DDL: From Gendou music (Requires account - it's easy to make one!)

Google Chrome's Hatsune Miku Ad Also Wins Silver in Cannes Lions

Google Chrome Japan's commercial with the Vocaloid idol Hatsune Miku won another prize — the Silver Lion Award in the Branded Content & Entertainment Lions Shortlist for "best use or integration of user-generated content" — at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. The awards honor "excellence in creative communications" in the advertising industry. The festival, the world's largest dedicated to advertising, ran in the French city of Cannes from June 17 to June 23 (roughly one month after the more famous Cannes Film Festival).

The ad also won the Bronze Lion in the Direct Lions Short List for Corporate Image & Information.

Source: ANN

PSotD - Shiawase Neiro

Title: Shiawase Neiro

Artist: ORANGE RANGE
Year: 2008

Notes: The first ending song for the second season of the anime Code Geass.
I'm continuing rewatching Code Geass. I really do have the hots for blonde guys like Gino and Schnizer. I totally forgot that Rolo had Geass power. キャアアー Rolo is so cute and loyal. I really like Lelouch's evil laughter.

I actually ship this paring. ;)

DDL: From keiichianimeforever.com 

PSotD - Mosaic Kakera

Title: Mosaic Kakera

Artist: SunSet Swish
Year: 2007

Notes: The second ending song for the first season of the anime Code Geass.
I've been rewatching Code Geass and Suzaku's character has been growing on me. Initially, I didn't like Suzaku because of his arrogant personality but I've recently realised how cute he is.
I've also noticed that in addition to my big addiction to characters with (long) white hair, I have a huge fetish for meganes (characters that wears glasses). I was smiling when Guilford came onto the scene.
I really like the main melody of this song, it's very simple and catchy.

DDL: From keiichianimeforever.com  

Anime Review (v.P): Brave10

I was very excited when I first saw the preview for this anime. A samurai story full of bishies definitely catches my eye. Further, a lot of the famous male seiyuus participated in this production. However, after reading many negative reviews regarding this anime, I got pretty downhearted. After spending less than 6 hours watching it, I believe that this anime isn't as bad as how other people portray it.

If you ignore the lack of storyline, character development, background music and rushed ending, and focus on the wonderful quality of the artwork, character designs (costumes and weapons) and, of course, the bijins, then it's not too arduous to watch pretty men (and women) battle after battle after battle (yes, for the full 12 episodes, it's all battles).

Synopsis: (from myanimelist.net)

A young ninja named Saizo Kirigakure is trying to find meaning and direction in his life when he encounters Isanami, who is fleeing from assassins. He manages to save her life, and she then asks him to act as her bodyguard until she reaches her destination. When they arrive in the protected territory of Sanada, Saizo falls into a meeting with Sasuke Sarutobi, leader of the famed ninja group. Sanada has gathered these bold and talented ninjas together in order to bring an end to Japan's era of war. Meanwhile, Isanami's mysterious hidden power comes to light.

Review:

[STORY]

The story is absurdly simple.  The main female lead (Isanami) has something which everyone desires. The main male protagonist (Saizou) fights to protect her and along the way gathers comrades to achieve this goal.

This anime starts with a battle and ends with a battle. For every episode, it's just ongoing fighting right up to the very end. Albeit the lack of storyline, they included quite a few decent comedy relief sketches. I started getting into the flow of this series around episode 6 (halfway through). The climax occurs in episode 9, where they attempt to explain the mysteries in the story. I must say that the explanations are rather stupid, but this is fantasy so I'm not going to get too picky with it. The ending was so terrible that I had to give myself 3 facepalms. In the end, none of my questions were answered, and only more flaws issues were raised.

One thing that puzzles me is what exactly is Saizou fighting for? He's not fighting for pride, like in most shounen themes. The story never explained why Saizou agreed to protect Isanami, nor did it reveal when and why Saizou and Isanami became friends.

So, what's the point in all this fighting? Who cares. As long as I get my dose of good looking characters showing off their skills then I'm satisfied. Right? It somehow gives me the feel of the later Bleach (Aizen/Arrancar Arc). There's so much fighting that you forget the reason of fighting. The problem with this anime was that they never explained in the beginning why they had to fight. I guess because this is a story about a bunch of warriors, ninjas, samurais and assassins set in the Sengoku period (fighting period) of Japan, it's understood that fighting is necessary, and that it is the inherent and central theme of the anime.

Rating: 3

[ART] 

You could tell that the producers dished out a lot of money to the art department. The character designs (costumes and weapons) were very creative. Furthermore, the backgrounds were extremely detailed (for a 12 episode anime). The special effects looked really cool.
Rating: 9

[SOUND]

Wait-! What background music? Did I go deaf? The producers must've cut all the funding to the sound department after giving their all to the arts. Nevertheless, I loved the opening and ending songs.
Rating: 4

[CHARACTER]

As far as character designs goes I really enjoyed the costumes, weapons and fighting abilities. Sadly, there were no character developments whatsoever. It just keeps introducing character after character in each episode, without giving details about their backgrounds. It's even worse than Bleach or Code Geass (Season 1). They don't explain how these characters tie in with our main protagonists. They don't show the growth of everyone's relationships. It feels like everyone can become buddies after battling against each other. Ridiculous!

What I can't hold back from is, of course, the fact that all of the characters are bijins! I can't decide a favourite. I love them all, both heroes and villains. Even the female characters. My favour may lean towards Rokuro because he reminds me of Saito Hajime from Hakuouki with his right eye covered by his lovely dark purple/blue hair which is tied back in a pony tail.
Rating: 5

[ENJOYMENT]

If you ignore the fact that there's no interesting (or even meaningful) storyline nor character development, and you purely enjoy watching bijins in action, then this anime series is endurable.
Rating: 6.5

[OVERALL] 

Otaku haven. Plenty of hot/sexy men (and women) wielding awesome weapons, showing off their power by fighting each other. Your visual senses will be doused in their flashy costumes covered in blood and sweat, while your aural senses will be drowned in the resonating voices of your well-known and loved seiyuus.
Rating: 7

PSotD - Just a Game

Title: Just a Game

Artist/Composer: Gumi/ takamatt
Year: 2010

Notes: I've been on a Vocaloid hiatus for a month because I was getting tired of the "electronic" voices. I think now is a good time to rekindle my passion for Vocaloids as very soon there will be releases of some very good albums that I've had my eyes on.
This song gets your toes tapping with a (latin) tango/Jazz style of music. I've not had much contact with Gumi's voice but I do like her deep and dark timbre.

DDL: MikuDB