Pumpkin's Palette: メイドです！ (I'm a maid!)

I saw Suwabe's maid cosplay from his twitter and I couldn't help but make a parody of it.

Characters that Suwabe has voiced recently.
Left to right: Yamato (Devil Survivor 2), Kaname (Brothers Conflict), Ren (UtaPri)

Brothers Conflict - Episode 8 [v.P]

Hey Bro! Apologies for the lateness of this post. My annoying internet/modem was playing up again. I wasn't able to connect to my life the internet for 90% of today, and I am indeed rather annoyed about that.
But here is my weekly fangirl dump.
Conflict 8: Nightmare.

HOW CAN YOU RESIST TRIPLETS!!!

The main focus of this episode is the relationship between Azusa and Tsubaki, and Tsubaki confronting his deepest feelings. This episode takes from volume 5 and volume 6 of the original novel series (*spoiler warning, reading the novels may spoil your anime experience).

WildStar has wild approach to subscription model

Highly anticipated MMORPG Wildstar, by NC Soft, will introduce a unique approach to the subscription based MMO model.

The game will follow the standard "buy the box and then pay subscription" trend common among MMORPGs, but will also introduce to its players a unique way to buy game time. The in game item C.R.E.D.D adds a month of game time to your account when activated. C.R.E.D.D can be purchased by in game currency from other players, or with real life money, but for a higher price than then standard one month subscription fee. This strategy is in place to help fight against the illegal gold farming trend, common in almost every MMO. Players who wish to buy in game currency with real money can instead buy C.R.E.D.D, and then sell it in game for in game currency.

And yes. This also means that there is the potential for players to never have to pay subscription fee after the initial purchase. Whoopee! Technically F2P!

Check out this IGN article. Read all about it!

Frankly, I think this is a genius move by NC Soft, and I'll most likely pick it up when it releases.

Mind blown

Rhycen

[Translation] Kuroko no Basket Taiwan Event Report

Last Saturday (17-Aug-2013) there was a special KuroBasu event at Taiwan's Comic Exhibition. Seiyuus Ono Kenshou (Kuroko) and Suwabe Junichi (Aomine) were invited as guests, where they held a Q&A session, a signing session, an "アフレコ" (dubbing) session and played games with fans.

Left: Suwabe (Aomine), Right: OnoK (Kuroko)

GNN Gamer reports the details of the event (in Chinese). I will provide an English translation of the report below.

Along with Suwabe and OnoK, another member of the Generation of Miracles, Suzumura Kenichi (Murasakibara), appeared as a surprised guest, who came on stage presenting two bouquets of flowers for Suwabe and OnoK. Since SuzuKen was to hold a separate mini-concert later that evening (in Taiwan), so he decided to give his fans an early greeting at the KuroBasu event (Unfortunately he didn't stay long).

(Hear the fangirls screaming. Suwabe's mandarin is funny "你是誰?"/Who are you?)

Q: This is the second time that OnoK and Suwabe are in Taiwan, and this is SuzuKen's first time. What are your thoughts about coming to Taiwan this time?
OnoK: Overall, the people are very friendly, the food is delicious and I'm very grateful for everybody's support so that I can come to Taiwan again. This time I get to perform with Suwabe and Suzumura. Also, everyone check out my hair, Kise came to Taiwan too! [laughs]

Suwabe: Very comfortable. All the men are good looking and the ladies are very cute~~!

SuzuKen: Hi everyone! Although this is my first time in Taiwan, but it certainly doesn't feel that way. I feel like I'm back home. When I turned the television on at the hotel, I was very surprised to discover that there's so many (Japanese) anime airing (in Taiwan)!

[Download] Karneval Character Single #5 - Gareki

DL here.

To be honest, I don't really like it. Just something in Kamiya Hiroshi's voice that bugs me. But I'm sure it'll grow on me as I keep listening on repeat.

Starcraft makes you smarter!

Look how happy he is!

It's already well known that video games have the ability to improve co-ordination and problem solving skills, but a new study from London has shown that real time strategy games, Starcraft in particular, can increase mental agility and cognitive flexibility.

Check out the CNET article HERE!

If Starcraft makes you think faster, why do I think so slowly? I gotta get back into the game!

Gotta go train!
Rhycen

[Download] Marginal#4 - LOVE★SAVIOR

Bishies.

Bishies everywhere!!

I previously fangirled about Marginal #4's teaser of their latest single LOVE★SAVIOR. And today someone was kind enough to upload the single, dl here.

Marginal #4 is a 4 person musical unit comprised of seiyuus: Masuda Toshiki (増田俊樹), Takahashi Naozumi (高橋直純), KENN and Suzuki Yuto (鈴木裕斗).

Once again these delicious bishies throws kisses in the chorus of their songs. *bam*bam* -dies-
This set of songs are just as catchy as their previous single. I wish I could see these boy live. ^drools^

Seiyuu appreciation post: Sakurai Takahiro

Sakurai's got quite a few roles this season, including: ServantXService, Danganronpa, Inu to Hasami, Recorder to Randoseru mi, Senyuu 2 and Uchouten Kazoku.

Zedd - Zelda remix

Do you need some music to pump up your gaming experience? Well I've got just the song for you! Check out Zedd's remix of the classic Legend of Zelda theme song.

I was instantly impressed by this awesome remix. Get your headphones out and pump up the bass!

Rocking out!
Rhycen

Anime hot guys problems

If you're a hot and popular anime male character then it's highly likely that you may encounter the following problems:
1) Neck pain

2) Back pain

[Download] Karneval Character Single #4 - Karoku + Uro

Yes! I finally found the dl (here) for Karneval character single #4! I've been craving for this CD since my Suwababy is singing!

The vocal coordination of this pair, Souichirou + Suwabe, still cannot beat CD #3 with OnoD and Hirarin. But I really love the instrumental accompaniment in this song. 

FYI: Their song is titled 'vanitas vanitatum'.  vanitas vanitatum means "vanity of vanities, futility (frequently as an exclamation of disillusionment or pessimism). The phrase is late Latin and comes from the Vulgate translation of Ecclesiastes 1:2." (thanks Google!) This makes sense considering the personalities of these two characters, in particular Uro is a trickster, and Karoku is a character full of mysteries.

Seiyuu appreciation post: Suwabe Junichi

Bonus double seiyuu post tonight!
Suwabe's latest tweet says that he's back safely in Japan and he's gone straight to the studio for a narration/recording session!
Oh Suwabe dear, you should take a small break and enjoy Taiwan, especially the food!! >o<

Seiyuu appreciation post: Suwabe Junichi, Ono Kensho + Suzumura Kenichi

There was a KuroBasu (Kuroko no Basuke) event in Taiwan today and Suwabe, OnoK and SuzuKen were invited as guests. After the event OnoK went to Yum-cha and sight seeing.

Check out the other snaps of their adventure in Taiwan at their twitters: Suwabe, OnoK, KuroBasu Official.

Pokemon: The Origin

The Pokemon Game Show was held in Tokyo yesterday, and revealed a whole bunch of new information on Pokemon X and Y. Not only that, they announced a special Pokemon anime episode to be released alongside X and Y!

The anime is called Pokemon: The Origin, and is based on the first games, Red and Green. It follows the adventures of Red, and his rival Green, on his path to be a master Pokemon trainer.

I am extremely excited to hear of this, a breath of fresh air from the lame main series. The art looks mature, but neat. I think it will definitely capture the original charm of Pokemon.

I can't wait for it to come out!
Rhycen

Miku Vocaloid 3 and the English version

Left or right?

Kagerou Project 2nd Anniversary Illustration Contest at Pixiv

Starting August 15th, Monthly Comic Gene and pixiv are collaborating to bring you the Kagerou Project 2nd Anniversary illustration contest!

The theme of the contest will be about Kagerou Project and winners will have prizes along with their entries printed in Media Factory’s Kagerou Days Anniversary Fanbook.

Contest period is between Thursday, August 15th 2013 to Tuesday, September 17th 2013 23:59 Japan Standard Time.

Entry details available at pixiv.

Judging will be by Kagerou Project creator, Jin (Shizen no Teki-P), Jitsu, Wannyanpu, and Mahiro Satou.

Kagerou Project to be adapted into anime

Japan's Tower Records revealed that anime studio Shaft and director Akiyuki Shinbo have been attached to a project inspired by vocaloid producer's Jin (aka Shizen no Teki-P) Kagerou Project (Heat-Haze Project). The anime will share the name of Jin's first album, Mekakucity Actors. ("Mekakucity" being a portmanteau of "mekakushi"/"blindfold" and "city")

Hinting at the format, they say that the airing date hasn't been decided.

Source: CR

Anime Review : Nerawareta Gakuen

Synopsis:

Spring marks the start of another new school year at a junior high school in Kamakura. A new transfer student, Ryoichi Kyogoku joins the 8th grade. Kyogoku has a very special proficiency in telepathy and has been ordered by his father to use this ability to scan other people's minds and take over the school.

He instantly gains popularity at school from his good looks and charisma and he sets about taking control of the school. As people begin to fall under Kyogoku's spell, he covertly manipulates his followers and pushes aside anyone who gets in his way.

With the school almost completely under the control of Kyogoku, only one boy seems unaffected—Seki. Does Seki have what it takes to save everyone from the clutches of mind control?

Source : Scotland Loves Animation

Hanging Story Line (4)

     I don’t mind cliché themes here and there, but this movie is built on it. First, you are introduced to a mistaken pervert (Seki Kenji) who is in love with the big-breasted airhead (Harukawa Kahori), and a violent yet really emotional girl (Suzuura Natsuki) who loves the pervert. And to make it even worse, another character is involved in this complicated love triangle. Meet the typical hot transfer student (Kyougoku Ryouichi), a psychic from the moon. Yup, a psychic from the moon. You would expect a lot of sci-fi elements in this movie but instead, the first half of the film focuses on the character development and relationship, and the idea that cellphones are wicked creatures that destroy communication.

The psychic element

     After the careful build up in the beginning, you would expect the same for the ending. Unfortunately, you couldn’t be more wrong. Slowly, Kyougoku takes control over the mind of the other students, giving them psychic telekinesis powers, manipulating them but for what reason, the movie does not seem to answer. And as expected, the underdog main character can’t be possessed and he has to save the day, which he eventually does in the most confusing and incomprehensible way. To top it all of, Seki does it in the last five minutes of the film. . One of the worst endings I have seen in anime and I usually tend to think I have an open mind.  

Beautiful Watercolours (9)

     Unlike the story, the artwork is spectacular. The watercolour backgrounds are gorgeous and colourful. Some scenes are a little too bright but it is easy to overlook. Character designs are decent, the characters having unproportional bodies. The animation is smooth, fluid and sometimes even breathtaking. It really is a shame that the art is wasted on a terrible story line.

Kyougoku, the transfer student, and Harukawa

Good Soundtrack (7)

     Nothing spectacular but the sound clips of nature and the piano are beautiful and fit in nicely with the animation. The seiyuu cast is okay. Hanazawa Kana and Ono-D, as usual, do a great job. Although he’s young, Honjou Yuutaro provides a surprisingly nice voice for Seki. The opening and ending song are good but they aren’t anything amazing.

Cliché Characters (5)

     The individual characters themselves are okay, a little cliché but okay. Put them together, and it becomes unbearable. I really did like that they tried to build the childhood relationship between Seki and Suuzura though I am a little disappointed that all that effort didn’t do much to contribute to the story. The love triangle (square or whatever you call it) between them is unrealistic. I have seen love triangles among my classmates but the one presented here seems too forced and sudden. It is kind of disappointing, because there was potential for each character, for each romance, but the psychic element had to come in and screw up everything.

Confusing Experience (5)

     I was literally lost. There were too many things happening at once and too many different elements that were tossed together that I got confused. I had to playback several scenes because I thought I misunderstood something, but I came up with nothing, no hidden lines nor symbolism. The movie just jumped from one cliché point to another with nothing to connect the pieces.

Overall : Fine (5)

     Nerawareta Gakuen is too cliché and too confusing of a movie for me to enjoy. Sure, you can simply watch this movie for its art but don’t expect a wonderful storyline with it. A better alternative would be Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo (The Girl who Leapt Through Time) or Summer Wars.

Nankurunaisa
sana_salim

The Humble Origin Bundle!

The humble bundle is back at it again, and this time, with an impressive collection of triple A titles!

The Humble Origin Bundle features 6+2 games, all by EA. As you can guess from the title, the games are all available for download through Origin, but only a few of the games are available on Steam.

The pack features:

• Dead Space
• Burnout Paradise: The Ulitmate Box
• Crysis 2
• Mirror's Edge
• Dead Space 3 (wheres DS2?)
• Medal of Honor

Pay over the average to unlock:

• Battlefield 3
• The Sims 3 + Starter pack

Get this epic deal while it's hot!

Game Spotlight: Gone Home

I am a huge fan of indie games, and this one has me extra excited!
Gone Home is an indie game by The Fullbright Company, due to be released on the 15th of August. It is a first person mystery exploration game set in the 90's.

The premise is: You are a girl that has just returned home from travelling abroad. However, when you arrive, you find that your large house is completely empty. The objective of the game is to explore the house, picking up clues as to where your family may be. The entire house is searchable. Every door, cupboard, drawer and closet can be opened and interacted with.

As stated before, the game will be available on the 15th, for the price of $20.00 US. I am very eager to put my sleuthing skills up to the challenge! I wanna solve a mystery!

The Fullbright Company website

Patiently waiting
Rhycen