Life Is Money (Manga Review)

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Title - Life Is Money
Author - Asaniji Teru
Illustrator - Yaguraba Tekka


Story - Ten contestants agree to put their life on the line to have a chance of winning 100 million yen. To win, they must survive 10 days inside the prison. The story is centered around a guy named Meguru, he is a guy who is down on his luck. His sister is dying from a illness and she is in need of a transplant in order to survive. Meguru tried to raise money for the surgery using help from a fundraiser organization, but he was lie too and they took all the money he earned. Now with no hope in sight he is approach by a mysterious guy in the bar who overhears his story. He offers Meguru a chance to win the 100 Million Yen for his sister's operation. However he will have to gamble his life in order to do it. Meguru agrees to the join the game with ten other participants who were also tricked into this game. 

 For ten days the players will be locked up in this prison constantly being monitored by the people who brought them there. There are two important key items in this game, the first item is a bracelet which monitors the heart rate and mental stability of each player. If a player goes over a certain level they will then be killed and their share of the money will go to everyone else still alive. The game is played on a mental level, you have to keep yourself calm and cool or you will have an emotional overload, however it's not as easy as it sounds because the second item will test you. The second item is the dice which will determine which of the five senses the player will lose. Each day players will have to roll the dice, and depending on what number they roll, they will either lose one of the senses or if they rolled 6 they will regain everything back. For instance if you rolled one you lose your sight and will be blindfolded, if you rolled two you lose your hearing and force to wear sound proof headphones and etc. This brought a very interesting concept to the story because being in a place you don't know locked away for ten days is stressful enough, but now you have to add the fact that you lose your five senses and your mind starts to panic. The game is a test on endurance and players try to explore each other's mental weakness for personal gain, some players will use friendship to get ahead, others will be very manipulative and some are just naive but deadly. 

 The manga is well written and does a great job of giving detail characterizations on all the players. The player you will connect with the most is the protagonist Meguru and that is due to the fact he's in this game to save a life. His goal is noble and you will cheer for him to make it out this game for the sake of his sister. His opponents are just as compelling to read, each player deals with a social issue that you might relate too, such as bullying, financial issues, sexual identity issues, religion and more. I like how the writer depicts these issues and uses them to either make a statement, or exploit the characters weakness. The psychological aspect is used heavily not just on the players, but on the readers. There are actions, and things said that might rub you the wrong way especially when religious debate is involve. However I found this to be the best part of the manga. It made you feel like you're part of the game when certain actions are done. You start to question would you do the same thing if you're in this situation, and that's what I felt worked for the manga.


Art - The art is very well done. Artist Yaguraba Tekka does a great job of catching the emotional aspect of this manga. Since this manga main drive is psychological and emotional aspect the job of the artist is to capture that. Yaguraba Tekka hit a home run when it came down to the emotional breakdowns of the characters. The facial expressions, the tears and even the way they die is spot on related to the characters emotions.

 Final Grade A-/9.0 - "Life Is Money" is a fun and compelling manga to read. It's filled with a great concept that is executed well, great characters with enough backstory so that you can relate too, and finally it makes you think. This is a manga you should check out.

AKB48′s Yuki Kashiwagi’s Porn Star Date Enrages Fans

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AKB48 idol Yuki Kashiwagi has released the group’s latest scandal, after she was reported to have gone on a secret date with Minami Minegishi, a porn star and three athletes, and fans have not been taking the revelations well, a few going so far as to make the ultimate sacrifice – disposing of their creepy collections entirely.


 According to reports published in weekly gossip rag Shukan Bunshun, 21-year-old AKB48 B Team member Yuki Kashiwagi – “Yukirin” to her fans – attended a late night “goukon” style mixed date with both men and one of her porn star chums.
She is of course popular for her charming personality and sweet looks:






 

  Accompanying her on the date was infamous AKB48 skinhead Minami Minegishi, an unidentified female friend of hers, and “G cup” porn star Kirara Asuka, gratuitously pictured:


 

Male participants in the date included a J League footballer and two virile young Olympic athletes.
Although “romance” is officially forbidden for AKB48, most notably resulting in the recent shaving of Minami Minegishi and now being criticised as a “human rights violation,” there has been some controversial weaselling by the starlets’ wranglers as to what constitutes a “date” and who their charges can acceptably cavort with.
Kashiwagi’s agency admits she went on the date but says she “was invited” and that “didn’t know beforehand there were men present or that Miss Asuka would be in attendance.”
Minegishi’s agency denies there was a date at all: “It wasn’t a date. We hear it was just a social gathering of female friends.” However, they apparently knew the baseballer was present.
The lack of humiliating sacking, demotion or other rebuke has also apparently been explained by AKB48′s management adopting the curiously liberal position that “[goukon] dating is not romance,” and so opting to ignore the matter.
Online there has also been some surprisingly un-Taliban-like leniency from idol fans, who generously concede that just mixing socially with unrelated members of the opposite sex may be a permissible liberty for them to take.
None of this has washed with her creepy core fans however, who are outraged that the apple of their eye would dare go on a date or be found in the company of a professional strumpet, prompting much online wailing and even some fiery disposal of collections.

Source:sankakucomplex


 

INTRODUCING: Gamer Mama

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Hey moms! Have you ever felt lost in this video game world that our children live in today? You try to understand your kids and what games they play but you yourself don't even know any of the games that are out there? Well this is Gamer Mama here to tell you its OK I got your back!!! I will help you to learn what games are actually appropriates for you tikes and teens.



First off lets start with an oldie but goodie from Japan rated E. (2007)

Basic story line: Your a really small alien prince who goes to Earth collecting or "stealing" things that get rolled into a ball to bring back to your home planet Uranus. You start off the game watching your dad play tennis hitting the ball hard enough to go into space and make this black hole, which sucks everything out of Uranus. He then tells you to go to Earth where your adventure begins.


This game has the easiest controls, the concept is easy to grasp and it really is fun for everyone. The moral of this game is literally just roll a ball, collect stuff, possibly some random family members, and grow your ball from 1 cm to 1 meter in 1 minute or more to restore the things that the black hole sucked out.


I personally rated this game :F for FUN FOR ALL.

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA HYRULE HISTORIA IS THE 1 BOOK IN AMERICA

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THE LEGEND OF ZELDAHYRULE HISTORIA LANDS #1 ON NIELSEN BOOKSCAN WITH 400,000 COPIES AND COUNTING
February 8, MILWAUKIE, OR—In an amazing show of demand for Dark Horse’s newest hallmark in video game art book history, The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia™ soared to the top of the Nielsen BookScan charts last week, making it the #1 book in America!
In addition, the book has reached #1 on the Wall Street Journal and New York Times Bestseller list.  Dark Horse is also announcing a record print run approaching 400,000 copies, with the number continuing to grow as The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia dominates sales in the UK, China, Italy, Spain, and Canada.
This handsome hardcover contains never-before-seen concept art, the full history of Hyrule, the official chronology of the games, and much more! Starting with an insightful introduction by the legendary producer and video-game designer of Donkey Kong™, Mario™, and The Legend of Zelda™, Shigeru Miyamoto, this book is crammed full of information about the storied history of Link™’s adventures from the creators themselves! As a bonus, The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia includes an exclusive comic by the foremost creator of The Legend of Zelda manga—Akira Himekawa!

The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia is a must-have for any Legend of Zelda fan!

Praise for The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia:

“Perfect for Zelda fans and appealing to gaming historians, Zelda: Hyrule Historia is a shelf worthy piece of non-fiction about a great fiction.”—Newsarama

“With the full gamut of chronology on full display and a nearly ridiculous amount of history and artwork to sift through, this collection is huge and exhausting. It’s also well worth it, as this guide is the only one in its existence that could gather so many facts about such a beloved series and make it as terrific looking as it is.”—EGM Now / Digital Noob

“Hyrule Historia fulfills on its premise: a history of Hyrule, the wonderful, legendary world we’ve been falling in love with again and again since 1987. If you’re looking for the latest collector’s piece to celebrate your love for the franchise, look no further: Hyrule Historia is it.”—IGN

Look for this highly sought-after release at your local comic shop or bookstore today! Order online through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Things From Another World!


New People Travel Mag

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One thing I love is traveling. I think exploring new places, new cultures and seeing the sights is one of the best things to do. There is so much to see on this planet and since traveling cost money. I like to read about other people's experiences about traveling. New People Travel is a site otakus should check out. Why is this travel site different than other sites, mainly because this site has essays and stories written by some of the top guys in anime such as directors, artist and producers such as Katsuhito Ishii (Redline), Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell, Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, Sky Crawlers), Dice Tsutsumi (Art Director at Pixar, Toy Story 3), and Yoshitaka Amano (Artist, Final Fantasy, Gatchaman, Vampire Hunter D). 

 The essays are very intriguing and enjoyable to read.You don't just get insight on what it's like in Japan, but you also get a little insight on some creation process on they work, locations inspirations and more. I think my favorite one was Mamoru Oshii, and how he joked about not being able to read a map to save his life. It was a very enjoyable essay and you get a little more in depth look at the director of Ghost In The Shell. The great about the essays/ interviews is the length, each one is at least four pages long and you get some great pictures as well. Here are some excerpts from the essay of Mamoru Oshii.
“In Tokyo, I only ride trains. It manages to take me to my destination even if I am completely lost in thought. I can have some time to myself in a train by reading books and imagining things. I don’t have to be part of this world. It’s purely my own time. Thus, I like to put all responsibility on others while I am en route.” 

 Mamoru Oshii Director Of Ghost In The Shell
“I am hopeless even with simple train maps, so put me in a car, and I will only drive near my house. I wish the car and the GPS could do all the driving for me. The basic GPS provides information as the outside world approaches, so I have to react to it every time. But I don’t want to have any responsibility while I am driving. Please make ‘by when’ and ‘to where’ happen for me, so I don’t have to think about any of it.”

 For more of the essay and articles. Check out New People Travel. The webzine gets update bi-weekly with a new person. Keep checking to see who will pop up next to talk about their travels, locations and more.

 Visit the site
http://www.newpeople.jp/travel/eng/index.html

Square Enix's Tomb Raider DeviantArt Contest

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Crystal Dynamics™, a Square Enix® studio, today announced a contest sponsored by Gamestop, Microsoft® and deviantART inviting fans to submit interpretations of the new Lara Croft from the TOMB RAIDER® reimagining releasing March 5, 2013. The grand-prize winner will get $6,000, a TOMB RAIDER custom Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and have an art print of their artwork sold in the official TOMB RAIDER store which opens for business later this month.

In 2012 Crystal Dynamics hosted a digital art exhibition to celebrate the 15-year anniversary of TOMB RAIDER. The team commissioned eight original pieces by a selection of esteemed artists. Andy Park, the primary penciller for the original TOMB RAIDER comics, contributed an iconic “Deviation” for the exhibition. These pieces of art sparked a wave of fan-created artwork. The initiative inspired Crystal Dynamics to draw from the international talent pool directly through a partnership with the biggest community showcase platform, deviantART.

“Over the past fifteen years TOMB RAIDER and Lara Croft have garnered a passionate and talented fan base from around the world. As such, many have naturally flocked to deviantART as a portal to showcase their creativity,” said Karl Stewart, global brand director for TOMB RAIDER. “Partnering with deviantART was a perfect fit to challenge and inspire our established followers, while engaging the artistic efforts of the greater deviantART community.”

“DeviantART is thrilled to be working alongside Square Enix to promote TOMB RAIDER,” said Daniel Bornstein, vice president of global advertising and sales for deviantART. “The deviantART community has embraced the iconic Lara Croft, and participants from all over the globe are invited to submit their entries for a chance to have their original TOMB RAIDER interpretations featured on a print to be sold within the official TOMB RAIDER store.”

Prizes include:
1st place:
  • The winner’s work will be featured on an art print that will be sold internationally via the official TOMB RAIDER store
  • TOMB RAIRDER custom Xbox 360 console
  • $6,000 cash
  • 8,000 deviantART points
  • dA PRO digital artist backpack
  • One-year premium membership to deviantART
  • One t-shirt from the deviantART store

2nd place:
  • TOMB RAIDER custom Xbox 360 console
  • $3,000 cash
  • 4,000 deviantART points
  • 6-month premium membership to deviantART
  • One t-shirt from the deviantART store

3rd place:
  • TOMB RAIDER custom Xbox 360 console
  • $1,000 cash
  • 4,000 deviantART points
  • 6-month premium membership to deviantART
  • One t-shirt from the deviantART store

Additionally, 22 semi-finalists will receive a TOMB RAIDER Xbox 360 Limited Edition Wireless Controller, a 3-month premium membership to deviantART and 2,000 deviantART points.

More information about the contest and prizes can be found at: www.deviantart.com/tombraider.


Lenni Reviews: Ninja 1000 Years of the Shadow Warrior

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Many an otaku has had the desire to find out more about the culture they’re exposed to in manga and anime. I, for example, took a semester of Japanese in college. In retrospect, my GPA would have been better off if Ninja: 1,000 Years of the Shadow Warrior, by John Man had been around instead.

While this book’s concept is interesting, it’s told through vividly detailed accounts of history and Man’s personal stories of meeting ninja families in Japan. The book is really meant for people who are interested in a deep history of real ninjas and their role in the ever changing landscape of medieval Japan and through World War II. It’s dense and fact filled. Some of the battle stories are interesting but overall, it read like more of a vacation story with some ninja facts thrown in. I learned some really cool facts but only serious Japanese history buffs are going to enjoy this. A casual reader may get bored or dizzy by so many names and dates flying at them.

To see the birth, use, and latter demise of the ninja is fascinating despite the clunky nature of this book. It can’t be helped since many concrete records of real ninjas have been lost to history, so Man is working with whatever he’s got. I recommend this book for serious Japanese history fans looking read whatever they can about ninjas. For a passing interest, it may be too heavy and boring for you.

MEDIAS W Dual Screen Android Smart Phones

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In April Japan will get a chance to get they hands on Medias W Android dual screen smart phone. The phone will run on Android 4.1. firmware, gives the user a resolution of 1080 x 90 and the great part is you can run applications on both screens. You want to watch Youtube on the top screen and check out the net on the bottom you can. Pretty cool right. It also runs on 1.5GHz dual-core processor supported by 1GB of RAM and has 16 GB of memory. Check out the video below for a cool demonstration.

Long Time ... But Let's LOLITA On!

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My apologies that I haven't posted in forever! However, I've been extremely active on our Tumblr, OtakuTime, with otaku related and Lolita reposts and shares. So I guess I should update you guys since this is our first time getting together since 2013 happened. I do believe I shared my あけおめ(Happy New Year's) vlogs via Facebook, but in case I didn't ...I'd like to personally wish you a Happy New Year. I truly hope January has been kind to you!



English (above)
日本語（下）



So! Though I've been away a bit, I still have time to make things better I hope. My 2013 intentions, here, on Otakus and Geeks are to not bore you too much with my Lolita rants BUT to share more art and fashion. Of course, Lolita will come up often, but let's get into some other J-fashions and trends. Also, some Lolita art has my life! Not that it's anything new that art is my obsession, but I'm definitely excited to doing my Lolita inspired art. With all of that said, I have no real excuse to not be with you at least once a month. Let's choose the 15th ... because the 1st & the 15th are dear to my life!

My two lifestyle obsessions (tattoo/ art & Lolita) are recently taking to liking each other. I've been fortunate to meet so many kind Lolita's. Some from every walk of Lolita life (Classic, Sweet, Country, Alternative) and made a few friends. Since I've been introducing myself in communities, I've taken care to share that I am an artistic Lolita with my trade being tattooing. It's my hope that I reach Lolita's of alternative career lifestyle and business oriented. I've found that these lovely ladies (& gentlemen) inspire me to grow in Lolita.

As such, my first IRL (in real life) ambitious effort was to organize my first meet-up. I did it at Pinz-N-Needlez Tattoo, my place of INKPLAY in Washington, DC. Our friends from The Sovereign Space stopped by for a bit to take some video and flicks, but being the beauties we are, there were plenty cameras on deck.

*MY CO-ORD*
...was SUPER party girl busy! I received my Bodyline shipment and was excited to have a dress that I'm utterly in love with. Reminiscent of Emily Temple Cute, a brand that I've been considering obsessing over, I have been awestruck by this dress. I assume it's because it's far away from my usual dresses that are easy to lend themselves to a bittersweet type of styling. At any rate, this dress and I have a love/ hate relationship, but the minute I've styled it to my liking I'll be sure to share!
For now, here are a few flicks of my coordinates, all Bodyline and topped of with a Minty Mix split wig, of which I also have to learn to style better as I move into learning how to abuse the use of wigs during the winter.

*The MEET-UP*

... was a make-up and tattoo play date, scheduled for late January, where we could all take over Pinz in our cutest ruffles and bows and talk tattoo while others got quick make-overs, compliments of Kelly Crown, special effects make-up artist and piercer apprentice. I planned/ created the event, as the brainchild of myself and Kelly, back in November and only a few people responded. So I was more than thrilled and excited at the turn out. non-Loli's and dudes came, too! With everyone comfortable, thoroughly down for the cause, and enjoying themselves, I'd rate this event SUPER DOPE!

             

There would be too many introductions to give, but it wouldn't be fair to share that each of these guests are amazing in their own rite. From bakers, to military, seamstresses, photographers, etc. Told yah I'm pretty fortunate to be acquainted with beautiful folks! ^^

*I Scream ... You Scream ... WE ALL SCREAM*
... for RAMEN! at DC's newest ramen spot which isn't too far from the shop, by the way. So what better way to conclude Lolita life for the day than breaking bread with friends at Adam's Morgan's own, Sakura Ramen. I think this part of our meet was a bit more personal, so I'll end here and simply say ... if you want to know, you should plan to come to our next meet-up. ^^ OH! And that Sakura's pan fried gyoza is oisssssshhhiiiiiiiiiii (delicious ;-D)

 Hopefully I'll be back sooner than later, but if nothing else ... the 15th of March is all you, BOO! 'Til then, though, I'll miss you bunches, but will be ready to share some more MISS-Adventures!

 Remember to paint your days bright!
~je t'adore!

Should AKB48's Minegishi Minami Be Demoted?

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If you're not paying attention to the J-Pop world let me bring you up to speed. One of the first generation members of AKB48 Minegishi Minami has been demoted to trainee status, due to spending a night at her boyfriend's Alan Shirhama's house. One of the main rules of AKB48 is that you're not allow to date. Minegishi Minami age 20 broke the rule and was demoted, she later on went to shave her head and made a public apology to her fans. The video is now private on the AKB48 official Youtube channel so you won't get to see the apology. However I did find another channel that had a few seconds of the clip. Check it out below. 

 Minami did break the rules but should she be demoted and kicked out? Personally I think the rules of no dating for AKB48 should not effect the stars that are 18 and up. AKB members that are below 18 I think that rule should apply to them. Minami is 20 years old and naturally love will eventually come across her path, she is a human and urges and feelings will take over. A 20 year old is at the stage where they really get serious exploring the dating world, this is a time they find out about themselves. It's an important stage in a young adult's life. However looking at it from the perspective of a manager or business. Minami did know the rules and broke them. It's like playing sports, if you miss a number of practice sessions the coach will bench you. There are rules we all must follow and if you break something that you agreed on, you have to be punished simple as that. I think the apology was going a little too far. A simple apology to her fans on a social network like Twitter would have been fine. I think the self punishment was a little overboard. Do I think Minami should be demoted? No! Do I think she should punished for breaking the rules she agreed too? Yes maybe like a miss performance or something like that. What do you think? Was Minami demotion too far? Was her apology too far? 



CRYSTAL DYNAMICS AND DARK HORSE BRING LARA CROFT BACK TO COMIC BOOKS

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CRYSTAL DYNAMICS AND DARK HORSE 
BRING LARA CROFT BACK TO COMIC BOOKS STARTING WITH 
TOMB RAIDER: THE BEGINNING
MILWAUKIE, OR, JANUARY 30 – Crystal Dynamics™, a Square Enix® studio, and Dark Horse Comics, today revealed they have partnered to bring the re-imagined Lara Croft back to print in the world of comics. Look for news on the new series following the release of TOMB RAIDER®, the highly anticipated origin story for Lara Croft®, available March 5, 2013, and will chronicle Lara’s journey after her harrowing adventure in the Dragon’s Triangle.

To kick off the partnership, Crystal Dynamics and Dark Horse have teamed up to create “TOMB RAIDER: The Beginning.” This will be the first installment in the new TOMB RAIDER comic book series, and is a prequel to the events in TOMB RAIDER. “TOMB RAIDER: The Beginning,” was written by lead game writer Rhianna Pratchett. Fans can get the first series early when they pre-order TOMB RAIDER at Best Buy.

A 48-page, six-part hardcover omnibus, “TOMB RAIDER: The Beginning” follows the story of how the crew came together for The Endurance's fateful mission to discover the lost Japanese kingdom of Yamatai. Originally intended to feature as the latest instalment of Dr. James Whitman's successful archaeology show, Whitman's World, the show-biz archaeologist gets more than he bargained for when he enlists the help of Captain Conrad Roth. As Roth's unique and eccentric crew gradually come together and share their stories and secrets, the expedition faces unexpected threats before it's even begun.

“Lara Croft is an icon across all forms of media, including comic books,” said Karl Stewart, global brand director for TOMB RAIDER and Crystal Dynamics. “The team at Crystal Dynamics has worked closely with Dark Horse on ‘The Beginning’ to bring the relatable, re-imagined Lara Croft back to the comic book world.”

"Whilst penning Lara’s origins story for the game I had lots of ideas about the world she and the other characters inhabited, and the story behind their voyage: as great to be able to flesh out the world of TOMB RAIDER and work with the talented team at Dark Horse to bring Lara Croft back to comics,” said Rhianna Pratchett, lead game writer for TOMB RAIDER.

"The bold new vision of the game demanded we bring an equally fresh approach to the comics," said Dave Marshall, editor at Dark Horse. “We’re excited for TOMB RAIDER fans to experience a new side of Lara Croft as they accompany her on the earliest parts of her first adventure.”

To celebrate the partnership, Crystal Dynamics and Dark Horse revealed four pages from “TOMB RAIDER: The Beginning.” The full comic is available as a bonus when you pre-order TOMB RAIDER at Best Buy. More news on Tomb Raider comics will be available in the coming months.


VIZ Media Launches Original Graphic Novel Series "Max Steel"

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VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has announced its newest forthcoming original graphic novel series with the launch of MAX STEEL. Scheduled to debut in the Fall of 2013, MAX STEEL will be published under the VIZ Kids imprint, is rated ‘A’ for All Ages, and will carry an MSRP of $7.99 U.S. / $9.99 CAN. Developed by Mattel, MAX STEEL is a global boy’s entertainment franchise spanning toys, publishing and consumer products. In addition, a new MAX STEEL CGI animated series co-produced with FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) will premiere in the U.S. on the Disney XD channel on March 25, 2013.

  Max Steel is the ultimate aspirational teen hero with a secret! The story revolves around the trials and tribulations of a teenaged boy named Maxwell McGrath™ and his out-of-this world alien companion, Steel. Both have super strengths and powers, Max with Turbo energy and Steel with alien intellect. Steel gives Maxwell the ability to harness his power while merging his own to create one unified super force, Max Steel. When they combine forces to create Max Steel, the ultimate superhero is unleashed- unlocking their inner heroes. “MAX STEEL is a fun and action-packed adventure that we look forward to launching this year,” says Beth Kawasaki, Senior Editorial Director, VIZ Kids. “Max and his sidekick, Steel, embark on all sorts of adventures as they battle evil forces and monstrous villains while balancing school, first dates and homework. Our latest original graphic novel property will add an exciting new dimension to the MAX STEEL franchise. Max and Steel will soon discover that facing challenges together is always better than facing them alone and the power of two is always greater than the power of one!” The new original graphic novel series from VIZ Media and the forthcoming animated series launches the MAX STEEL storyline with exciting characters, villains and a superhero for today’s tech forward kid. For more information on MAX STEEL or other VIZ Kids titles, please visit http://www.vizkids.com.


New Genshiken Anime Announced

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Top creepy otaku manga Genshiken is to receive a new anime adaptation, covering its second post-hiatus incarnation and new cast of characters, it has been announced.


 Amongst fans a certain amount of trepidation has attached to the amount of material available to be adapted and whether any remaining material from the first manga will be used, but otherwise there seems to be a great deal of anticipation.


Article from Sankaku Complex

Movie 43 Review

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Movie 43 is a comedy that stars and all star cast of some of Hollywood's best today. The tagline to promote the movie reads "The most outrageous comedy you will ever see, the biggest cast ever assemble." Does this movie hold up to that promise? 

 Story - Okay for me to say that Movie 43 has a story that follows the overall standard rules of story like a beginning, middle, ending, character development, themes, plot, sub plots you would call me a liar. This movie has no real basic story. If there is any story in this movie it's that Dennis Quaid character is a down on his luck screenwriter who is looking to pitch a movie he wrote. This movie is the basis of a series of comedy sketches that will be a hit or miss. The problem with this movie is the fact that it has no sense of story structure, it's just one interchangeable joke to another joke which has no connection what so ever to each other.  Having Hugh Jackman character have a disability on his neck was funny for the first minute, then the joke ran too long and the sketch fails. That is one of the big problems with the movie, when the joke is working it doesn't know when to end. The jokes are a hit and miss, most of them are a miss. The best sketches are Halle Berry's (Truth Or Dare), Terrence Howard (Victory's Glory), Seth Macfarlane (The Pitch)and Sean William Scott (Pot Of Gold). Other than these four sketches the movie is not funny at all. The jokes are awkward downright immature that only a child will laugh hard at it. The homeschooling sketch is a fail and really awkward especially with an incest kiss. The children machine rubbed the audience the wrong way. I have no idea why the writers would think child labor was funny. The Batman and Robin speed dating was working, but it ran way too long and it took you out of it. The first period sketch gave you a little bit of a laughs, however it got silly. The worst of the worst sketches was Anna Ferris (The Proposition) and Elizabeth Banks (Beezel) I won't spoil it for you but it just took a joke and kept hitting you over the head with it, like hey this funny, laugh at it and it really wasn't.

 Acting - The acting has some of the most talented people in Hollywood right now. The problem is they have nothing to really do. This movie might have been better with comedic actors, or some upcoming actors who are trying to make a name for themselves. Maybe comedic actors could have made the movie more funny by the use of improvisation, because the mega stars just didn't really make you laugh with the performances. Even the outtakes wasn't funny.  

 Music & Film-Making - The music is nothing memorable and there is barely a score for you to check out an OST. The film itself looks good for a comedy film. The set pieces, camera angels do they job, but some effects like Beezel could have been done way better and would have better if it was a CGI cat instead of a drawing.

 Final Thoughts - Movie 43 is disappointing. It could have truly been one of the funniest movies of this year if it had better writing, a story, and less immaturity and more smart comedy. These talented actors talents are wasted on silly joke gags that only last for only thirty seconds. If it had more comedic actors and better assemble cast this movie would have been worth considering, but this one you should wait till it hits Netflix.

 Final Rating



GARTH ENNIS RETURNS TO HORROR WITH CROSSED: BADLANDS #25

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Hey Otakus and Geeks fans, today we're bringing you some news and previews of Garth Ennis's return to horror in Crossed Badlands #25 which will be onsale in March. Now I've been a fan since a friend recommended I read the original Crossed series. For those of you who might not be familiar with Crossed Badlands, here is a quick run down of the series.

 Crossed Badlands features short story arcs of varying length, by different authors. Issues #1-3, by Ennis and Burrows, follows a group of United Kingdom survivors traveling across Scotland. The leader of the group, Ian, relates his introspection on the purpose of survival when there is no hope. By the end of the third issue, the entire group is killed and/or turned.

In issues #4-#9, by Jamie Delano and Leandro Rizzo, the story follows individual survivors in the Everglades banding together, only for their individual psychosis to ultimately cause them all to become Crossed, the last survivor coming over willingly.

from Wikipedia

 GARTH ENNIS TALKS ABOUT HIS RETURN TO HORROR WITH CROSSED: BADLANDS #25
The Second Annual C-Day this March will do more than just celebrate a year of publishing two issues of Crossed: Badlands every month on time... it will also mark the long-awaited return of the man who created Crossed, Garth Ennis!



In the comics industry, no doubt you have heard the name. Perhaps you think of his grueling reinvention of The Punisher for Marvel. Maybe you cringe and chuckle at his Preacher epic with Vertigo. Perhaps you thought he “Out-Preachered” himself with Dynamite’s The Boys.



But if you haven’t read Crossed by Avatar Press, you haven’t seen Ennis at his most extreme.



This March, Ennis returns to the world he created with Crossed: Badlands #25.


"Funny thing is," Ennis admitted, "I never really intended to be a horror writer. I'm not the world's biggest fan of the genre. I like a book here, intermittently follow a writer there. I like one zombie movie, one vampire movie, a couple of werewolf flicks, but I'm not really what you'd call dedicated. Yet here I am."

 
Listed in this month's Previews catalog, Ennis returns to the plague-infested world where those infected carried out the vilest of acts. These are not mindless zombies that survivors would run from or fight. These are living sentient beings who act upon their most evil thoughts, committing the most heinous of acts ever known to mankind. Their sole unending drive is to satiate their basest of needs and cruelest of thoughts to whomever is closest, usually former loved ones and friends.



This is real horror.



Ennis sees his new story as a great jumping-on point for fans of horror, as Crossed: Badlands arcs are normally self-contained and easy to pick up. 



"Like any worldwide horror setting," Ennis explained, "... the possibilities are endless. You can do stories about anything, anywhere. Ideas suggest themselves all the time. And I do feel a sense of responsibility to come back from time to time, help keep things ticking over." 



Ennis’ new story arc, “The Fatal Englishman,” is Ennis at his best; interesting characters with dialogue that is both thoughtful and full of particular dialect, meticulous details regarding the militaristic cast, a nod to the history of the land, as well as the over-the-top brutality and insanity one expects in the world of the Crossed.



The story centers on a small band of soldiers who have decided enough is enough, and decided to fight back. They will take the fight to the Crossed hordes and have a plan for wiping them all out. But can they actually follow through? 


Ennis is committed to exposing more people to the infection that is Crossed, as he will be writing and directing live Crossed webisodes later this year. These 4-6 minute stories will be available for free online, hoping to attract new interest in the world of the Crossed comics, as well as generate interest for a possible feature film.



Prior to the webisodes debuting, however, Ennis returns to tell a new story in the comic, with the first issue to publish on March 13, 2013. That day, comic shops all around the globe are planning on celebrating the Second Annual C-Day (or “Crossed Day”) with cos-play for staff and fans, creating videos, store displays, contests and generally having fun with letting their inner-Crossed play for a little bit.



To help comic shops celebrate C-Day on March 13th, Avatar Press is offering a Promo Kit in the January Previews catalog, filled with Crossed temporary tattoos, buttons, postcards, stickers and new Crossed masks.



To help create more excitement, Avatar Press is increasing the amount of covers for Crossed: Badlands #25, giving fans more choices for which cover(s) they want to celebrate Ennis' return (eight $3.99 covers, one $14.99 leather cover, two retailer incentive covers and one collector's box set). Also, available for the first time in the January Previews catalog are Crossed T-Shirts - starting at only $8.99 retail.


2013 promises to be a big year for Crossed. It all starts with the return of Garth Ennis and the Second Annual C-Day this March. 

  Information provided by Avatar Press.
 Crossed Badlands # 25 looks like it's going to be a great story arc and I will be sure to give a review of the new issue. Until then here are some previews of the upcoming covers.







































































Interior art pages



 





Aniplex of America launches the Nisemonogatari Limited Edition Blu-ray Box Set on February 26, 2013

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Recently on their live panel on their Youtube channel, Aniplex of America Inc. announced that the Nisemonogatari Limited Edition Blu-ray Box Set is set for release on February 26 th , 2013 and will be available through anime distributor RightStuf.com and official retailers (http://aniplexusa.com/retailers/). The Director of Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Akiyuki Shimbou, returns to direct the critically acclaimed sequel of the hit series Bakemonogatari. Nisemonogatari continues the story of Koyomi Araragi as he further deals with more mysterious characters in his life. In addition, Koyomi Araragi’s life gets more complicated as his sisters (a.k.a. the Fire Sisters) get involved with these new characters. 

 The Limited Edition Blu-ray box set features the entire series (11 TV episodes) on 5 Blu-ray discs, a 36-page deluxe booklet, textless openings and endings, trailer collection and more! All of the discs and bonus materials will be packaged inside a sturdy rigid box featuring key art from the series.“If you are a fan of the Monogatari series, the Nisemonogatari Blu-ray box set is a must own item for your collection” says Hideki Goto, the president of Animation Business of Aniplex of America. This release is a US and Canada Exclusive and available while supplies last.
The Nisemonogatari Limited Edition Blu-Ray can be pre-ordered and purchased at:
Right Stuf:   
http://www.rightstuf.com/1-800-3386827/catalogmgr/1U6UNih3veIVi8xLTX/browse/item/97476/4/0/0

 Official Retailers: http://www.AniplexUSA.com/retailers



Geeks Who Do Music #4: Level Boys

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We're back with another addition of Geeks Who Do Music. This time we head back into Hip Hop world with the duo Level Boys. The anime rap duo is based in Chicago and released their first EP "Project Otaku" last year in July. To check the out the EP go http://www.levelboys.com/#!musiclevelboyscom/cqyt. The highlight track on the EP is Animated/Otaku and 60 Billion Double. 

Here is there song Naruto Flow




Who's Hotter ( Scooby Doo ) Character Comparison

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Hey Otakus and Geeks fans, Sean ( the true comic fan ) bringing you another segment of Who's Hotter. This time we are going to compare two retro cartoon characters from a great cartoon Scooby Doo. Daphne and Velma were the only two girls part of what is now called Mystery INC. In the original cartoon Daphne was always the hotter of the two, but that's the she was drawn. In the recent and updated cartoons, artist have had a different take on how Velma is drawn.

So now that both characters have been drawn equally as hot, who do you the fans think is HOTTER!
I have submitted a cosplay picture above of two sexy models. One playing Velma and one playing Daphne. I am also showing examples of  drawings from the original cartoon and sexy updates. It's now up to you fans to pick who's Hotter. Like last time I will cast my vote first. This was a tough decision, but Imma have to go with the sexy nerdy girl Velma!!

Have fun with this Guys and Girls. Let us know what you think.


Velma Dinkley is a fictional character in the American television animated series Scooby-Doo. She is prone to losing her glasses. She is usually seen wearing a baggy orange sweater, short pleated skirt (or in later episodes an A-line skirt, or sometimes shorts), knee socks, and Mary Janes. She is seen as the brain of the group.
Throughout her various incarnations, Velma is usually portrayed as a highly intelligent young woman with highly specific interests in science (which in the Scooby and Scrappy Doo series leads her to pursue a career as a NASA research scientist) or merely being very well read on obscure fields, such as ancient Viking writing (as in the third Scooby-Doo series The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries).





Daphne Anne Blake is a fictional character in the long-running American animated series Scooby-Doo. Daphne, depicted as coming from a wealthy family, is noted for her red hair, her fashion sense, and her knack for getting into danger. Daphne has appeared in more adaptations than the other characters, aside from Shaggy Rogers and Scooby-Doo. Together with her other teenage companions, Fred Jones, Shaggy Rogers, Velma Dinkley, and Shaggy's pet Great Dane Scooby-Doo, Daphne would engage in solving various mysteries. In the first series Daphne was portrayed as the enthusiastic but clumsy and danger-prone member of the gang (hence her nickname, "Danger-Prone Daphne") who always follows her intuition.










Velma


 

 Daphne