// random notes

  • Anime Expo was kind enough to offer these photos taken from the KOTOKO concert that occured earlier this month… and as a bonus: [Desktop wallpaper]

  • I also want to take the moment to welcome another new member to the team^^:

    AnimeDreamer36 (Alia) -> Local Anime-related News Reporter/Reviewer

  • Broccoli will have some rare bishoujo bath towels available for sale at this upcoming Comiket 68. If I could get my hands on these I would…

// anime sector

  • Sunrise’s official Mai-HiME website has been updated with new character info and art from the new second installment of the franchise: My-Otome.

  • I just love these! Click here to see side-by-side comparison shots of real actual spots and locations as seen in the promotional images for Kamichu!
  • A 15-second glimpse into the Banner of the Stars III OVA is now available at Bandai’s Digital Beat. The first episode is slated for an August 26th DVD release.
  • The official website to the series Gunparade Orchestra is now ready for launch.

// manga sector

  • Starting this August, Shounen Champion will have the serialization of the new My-Otome manga. Satou Kenetsu is said to once again lend his talents to the new series.

  • Have any of you had a chance to check out Boku wa Imouto ni Koi wo Suru? If you haven’t then you should read this quick synopsis before continuing. Heheh, makes KoiKaze look like an episode of Sesame Street XD. You know this theme is already too common in shoujo manga. But now its really making its way into anime as well. Hmmm, makes you wonder if the mazocon fans will ever catch a break ;P … Anyway, a live-action film based on Kotomi Aoki’s manga is currently in the works…. and since we’re on the subject, how ’bout some wallpaper, yes? [Boku wa Imouto walls]

    [Random fact: The "Boku wa Imouto ni Koi wo Suru" manga has been reported as to having sold over 4 million copies in Japan alone. Who knew?]

  • Fujisawa Tohru’s TOKKO manga is slated to becoming an anime in 2006.

// gaming sector

  • The new R.O.D. TV doujin side-scrolling action game titled “ElePaperAction” is now up for pre-order from Toranoana. The street date is marked for August 14. Eight awesome screenshots are also available for a glimpse of what’s to come.

  • NEKONEKO-SOFT has updated their site recently with these awesome Sanarara wallpaper. [1280x960, 1024x768].
  • Dengeki reports that a special B2 clear poster will be included with the purchase of the new Ichigo Mashimaro game for the PS2.

// music sector

  • This one from Gunota Headlines: Two See-Saw audio clips, “Kimi wa Boku ni Niteiru” (Gundam SEED Destiny 4th ED) and “Seijaku wa Headphone no Naka,” can be heard at Victor Animation Network’s website. The new single arrives August 3rd at a price of 1,200 yen.

  • [2chan headline]: Fukuda Asuka, the original member of Morning Musume who left the group some time ago and created an uproar among their fans and the entertainment industry in general, appeared on TV for first the first time since the famous departure. However, she asked not to be interviewed. This was really a Nihon TV interview with her mother instead. Asuka just happened to be there. From what we know she works at her father’s nightclub as an assistant and is doing well.

// figure sector

  • Remember I mentioned that Dead or Alive Kasumi C2 Ver. PVC in my last entry? We’ll a photo gallery has been placed online for all the enjoy!

  • Moe-tan and friends: figures that are just dripping with moe and charm ;P
  • Here’s a quick look into the August release of the Gundam SEED Destiny EF Collection #3 trading figures. Also available soon is the Haro Capsule figures. Coming this October. Price? 2,880 yen.
  • Orchid Seed’s release of Mai-HiME’s Tokiha Mai is set for release in the end of July.
  • Available at this summer’s upcoming Wonder Festival will be the rare Kuro Shinobu PVC version of Shinobu (2×2 = Shinobuden).
  • On sale now: Fate/stay night’s Sakura, Rider, and this Saber swimsuit resin kit from Kotobukiya.
  • TASTE has set up a photo gallery of each PVC previously mentioned.