DVD/CD Haul of the Day

Paprika code 3 DVD and Superwoman KTV CD from Music Junction.

Haul of the Day

Sky Girls



With this third piece Rai-Jin, I hope this Sonic Diver collection is completed. So far, no other news of future releases. See Rei-Jin and Fu-Jin.

Konami Busou Shinki


MMS Werkstra and Valona. These are the first in a new light armour series.

Music Recommendation - Blade of the Immortal Opening

I was introduced to the Blade of the Immortal manga like more than 10 years ago (I think, maybe less), from a shop keeper. I told him I was into comic art, and he told me to check out this series. Since then, I have been buying each translated volume, but still, have not read a single one. haha. Anyways, the anime was released a couple of months ago, and I just happen to chance upon it. Only seen one episode, and was kind of ok.

It has a nice opening though, Akai Usagi (Red Rabbit) by Makura no Soushi.

Music Recommendation - New Naruto Shippuuden Ending

Naruto Shippuuden ending theme 7, Long Kiss Goodbye by Halcali.

Music Recommendation - New Naruto Shippuuden Opening

Naruto Shippuuden Opening 4, Closer by Inoue Joe.

Haul of the Day

CM's Master Action Series (MAS)
The wait is finally over. The first set of Blocker Corp Machine Blaster Sundaio and BossPalder has arrived, courtesy of the guys at TFH, who helped me get this from Japan, as well as one for Marcus.


Revoltech

Picked up the latest Revoltech Mouse Generation Street Fighter Online (SFO) He Tie Shou, as well as the regular #62 TengenToppa Gurren Lagann Final Form and #63 Ricky.
Did not pick up Ryu, as I did not quite like the figure. Until it grows on me, it is not on the ToGet list. The Mouse Generation is roughly 3.75" tall (or rather short) by the way.

Upcoming Yamato Macross 1/60 Weathered Destroid Tomahawk Update

More pictures from the recent 48th Japan Model Hobby show.



The weathered effect seems to be overdone. Somehow it just does not feel "weathered". Maybe it is too flat.

Related link.

Upcoming Yamato Macross 1/60 Olive Dark Destroid Tomahawk

You knew it was coming. More repaints, announced during the recent 48th Japan Model Hobby Show.

This is the OD, or Olive Dark version.

Upcoming Max Factory Figma figures

Here's a preview of some of the upcoming figma figures that I might be picking. Something about girls with swords just gets me excited.


Shana from Shakugan no Shana anime. This is the red hair version, and there will be another version with black hair.


Still in prototype stage, Reika from Gantz. ETA is June 2009, and is packed with vol 26 of the manga. Not sure if we will see a normal release. These figures packed with manga are quite difficult to get, let alone being expensive to import, like the previous Rei from Evangelion manga, and Gally from Gunnm: Last Order manga.

Photo Review - Soul Eater Trading Figure

Soul Eater Trading Figure
Surprised to get what I hoped for, though I am not sure what this character is. To find out more about Soul Eater, click here.













I have not watched the anime, but it looks good. Maybe will find time to check it out later.

Music Recommendation - Brand New Day by D-51

I did not like the anime One Piece when I first watched a few episodes, because it was very draggy. But later I realise some of the weekly anime from Japan are like this (eg Naruto, Bleach, etc), to drag out the show or let the manga have some breathing space.

Lately the cable TV was showing a new installment of the anime, and I decided to give it another try. Surprisingly, I found it quite interesting, though still draggy.

And what actually caught my attention was the opening theme, Brand New World by D-51.

TV 6th Opening


Promotional Video

Music Recommendation - New D.Grayman and Naruto Shippuuden Ending

D.Grayman ending theme 8, Changing by Stephanie. Another great song from this anime series.


Naruto Shippuuden ending 6, Broken Youth by Home Made.

Singapore Toy and Comic Convention 2008 - Cosplayers

I saw more players dressing up as D.Gray Man characters that were not in the competition.

Lavi.


Kanda.


Lavi and Kanda.


Another Lavi, but much better costume.


The winner of the anime Cosplay was Lenalee by the way.
Note all the characters above are actually male in the anime and manga.
(D.Gray Man is currently shown locally on Arts Central every Friday night at 11pm, same week telecast in Japan.)

Yamato from Naruto Shippudden.


Some miscellaneous players.





This is the first time I have seen cosplayers up close, and I really take my hat off to them for the amount of work and effort they put into their passion and hobby.

Singapore Toy and Comic Convention 2008 - Batman Gotham Knight Asian Preview

I was there on the 2nd day of the convention where they screened Batman Gotham Knight. Though I did not win any tickets, and did not had a chance to sit through the entire screening (of all the 6 shorts by the way), I managed to catch some bits and pieces.

The first chapter "Have I Got a Story For You" itself below my mind away. It was animated by Studio 4ºC. You can tell straight away from the distinct style of animation. The animation alone sold me to get the DVD when it is released.

The other 2 Japanese studios are Production I.G. and Madhouse, both renowned for their superb animation.

The plots are darker, and so is the mood of the animation. The characters are animated in the usual Japanese styles, so they do not look like any of the Western counterparts. This is quite refreshing.

Go get the DVD when it is released !

In case you could not see the preview, here is a sneak peak clip from youtube.

Music Recommendation - Naruto Shippuuden New Opening/Ending

End of the last story arc, and start of a new one comes with a new opening and ending.

Opening - Blue Bird


Ending - Surface

Music Recommendation - Wish by Sowelu

This beautiful song is used by D.Grayman anime as it's 6th ending theme. D.Grayman's ending images are very nice, the way the characters are collaged together to form the image.

Anime Ending


Music Video

Video - Nurse Witch Komugi parodies

While looking for some clips of Gatchman on Youtube, I came across a parody in this anime called Nurse Witch Komugi about Gatchman. Quite hilarious.


And there is also a small parody of Gundam in the sequel OVA.


Seems that the anime itself is a parody.

Music Recommendation - Kimi Monogatari by Little by Little

Full promotional video of Kimi Monogatari by Little by Little.

This is the 3rd ending theme for Naruto Shippuuden.

Music Recommendation - Anata ga Koko ni Iru Riyuu

This is the fifth ending theme for the anime D.Gray Man, sung by the delightful Rie Fu.

Here's the anime ending theme version.


And the full PV.

Music Recommendation - Kekkaishi OP and ED

Caught this new series over the local cable (CH56). An interesting and funny anime, which consistent animation. The opening and closing themes usually show clips from the current and next episodes respectively. The opening theme has a nice rock feel to it, while the first closing theme has a very nice sentimental feel (maybe it's the guitar). I also like the way the episode ending blends/fades with the first ending theme.

Sumimura Yoshimori, a 14-year-old junior high school boy, is a descendant of Kekkaishi, or an exterminator of monsters He is vying for the heir to the family with Yumikura Tokine. Tokine is older than him, and she is his childhood friend as well as his rival Kekkaishi. To save people from the crises, and to make himself stronger, Yoshimori fights against monsters tonight, too.

Opening theme MV - "Sha la la -Ayakashi NIGHT" by Saeka Uura


Ending theme #1 - "Akai Ito" by Koshi Inaba (eps 1-15,38)