EXCLUSIVE NEWS HERE ON RSV3.0

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LINKAGE

[The announcement was made at the 2005 Rondo Robe event in Japan]

// anime sector

• It appears that the new ‘Mai Star MAiD’ series will now be known as ‘Mai Otome’ (maidens). [See Pic] An article released earlier introduced two familiar characters from the original Mai-HiME series, Natsuki and Shizuru. However, this time around, they will be playing new roles. Natsuki is the headmaster of the school that Arika (the protagonist) is attending. Meanwhile, Shizuru, one of the few ‘My Star Maidens’ will be there to support her. MOONPHASE currently list the new ‘Mai Otome’ series to debut this upcoming fall season.
• ‘Yuu Yuu Hakusho’ fans rejoice! Vol.31 is OUT! Just one more volume left before we can actually finish the ‘Three Kings’ arc and restort to some kind of closure for the series. The last and final volume is set for release on July 19th.
• ‘Ichigo 100%’ OVA 2 was released earlier this week. I still have yet to see it though. Oh, and did I forget to mention that I had officially dropped the TV series a while back >_>
• The official website to ‘Gun Sword’ has been updated with a 30 second trailer (look under “CM”), descriptions for the first 5 episodes (including sreencaps for the first two), and much more (well not really but check it out anyway.)

// manga sector

• In neko mimi news, Keitaro Arima’s Tsukuyomi ~Moonphase~ manga series has officially been licensed by TOKYOPOP. December seems to be its release date. Joy!

// gaming sector

• You know, I had no idea Japanese fans still cared about ‘Cowboy Bebop’, did you? o_O … A new CB game for the PS2 will go on sale in Japan on Auguest 25th. The official website for the game is open and includes a look at the character designs (check out Priscilla ^_~ ), inside screenshots, and additional info (such as the price: 7,140 yen – about $65USD). Also included is the limited edition box set with bonus goods starting at 12,800 yen – about $120 USD.
• Live in the Osaka area? Are you a big-time Pokemon fan? If yes, then preorder your very own Nintendo DS Mew Edition before its too late. You know you want it…
• The NIS American release of ‘Phantom/Makai Kingdom’ is soon on its way. But if you happen to pre-order your copy you’ll get:
  1) A Special Art Book containing 40 pages of beautiful Makai Kingdom art! (Oh my gackt!)
  2) A Pram Decal (ｷﾞｬ―――(＾Д＾)―――!!)

• 3rd ‘Fullmetal Alchemist’ PS2 Game. Check the site’s ‘special’ section for the trailer.

// figure sector

• The ‘Hoi Hoi-san’ collection figure set is finally ready for pre-order! Make sure to spend that paycheck wisely ^_~
• Palm Characters’ release of their Disgaea Version 2 Fig Set has been delayed from July to late August.
• Check out these ‘Gundam Seed Destiny’ capsule figures from Bandai. Also, for the HiMM fans out there, check out Izumi on Gainax’s official site.
• Afghanis-tan anyone? XD
• How about your very own Shikku (Rozen Maiden) doll? [Pic 1, Pic 2, Pic 3] Sorry, you can only order one from the January 2005 issue of Animage Magazine,フフフ. (The anime entertainment magazine just celebrated 27 years of circulation.) Softbank Games has some more details and pictures.

// music sector

• The unofficial T.M. Revolution international fan clubs “Winds-Turbo” and “Brigade” will have their own booth and panel at this year’s Anime Expo. The fan panel is expected to be there on Friday, July 1st from 7:30pm to 8:30pm. They’ll also be holding a booth in the Exhibit Hall (aka the “Dealers’ Room”) to promote T.M.Revolution’s latest album “Vertical Infinity”.
• Hamasaki Ayumi will release a new single titled “Fairyland” on 08/03. Also check out the new layout at her official website.
• Reminder: Amuro Namie’s new album “Queen of Hip Pop” hits stores July 13. Check out her site for more info.

// random notes

• California residents, now its our time to shine. The drawing for MEGA MILLIONS is on tonight @ 8 (PST), w/ a $42,000,000 jackpot for the taking… ODDS OF WINNING: you have as much chance of being struck by lightning 6 TIMES!! Last night I had a chance to catch game 7 of the NBA Finals (still I’d much rather prefer a Miami/San Antonio match-up but what can you do)… and to everyone’s surprise (yeah right) the Spurs won with a score of 81-74 at home over the Pistons… (and of course, this is where the sports media begin to start comparing the team to legacies like the Bulls and Lakers) Three championships in the last seven years can get people to talk I guess. Then again, with Duncan, Ginobili, and Parker having contracts extended to the 2009/2010 seasons, I wouldn’t be surprised if the team completely dominates the West in the future to come, let alone the entire league. As for the Lakers, re-hiring Phil is just one piece of the puzzle we got complete. Forming a decent team / re-focusing on the triangle offense is the other. Having a real center wouldn’t be such a bad idea either (Yao Ming anyone?)
• Also last night, I caught the Gorillaz’s new video ‘Feel Good Inc.’ again for the second time on the tele-’. In case you don’t know who the Gorillaz are… well, they’re made up of 4 digital members: 2D (vocals, keyboards), Murdoc Niccals (bass), Noodle (guitars) and Russel Hobbs (drums, percussion). It was originally a music project formed by Damon Albarn (of Blur) and Jamie Hewlett (of Tank Girl fame). Make sure to catch this new awesome video if you can!
  
  
• ‘Media Updates’ will be up soon enough. (Maybe later tonight, like around 3:00 AM (PST);P, or tomorrow morning around 11:00AM (PST)) We’ll just see… Hope you kids liked my new format of blogging, b/c it’s here to stay ^_^;;

In memory of the end of World War II, the production staff at Studio Kerumadikku will release ‘Ashita-Genki’ (a movie taking place in Japan towards the end of the war.) It is scheduled to be released this summer to mark the 60th anniversary since the end of the war. I personally can’t wait to see it b/c I’ve always did love watching movies (whether live-action or animated) that focused on real life historic events. I’m also proud of Studio Kerumadikku for working on such a project since it’s very important (not only to those who experienced it but to our youth) to never forget the actions of man and the innocent lives that were lost during that time period…

Ashita-Genki Site

VIZ Article Link

“On the heels of the U.S. debut of NARUTO on Cartoon Network this Fall, Hot Topic, the cutting edge retailer plans to introduce a comprehensive and exclusive NARUTO product line which will focus on apparel and accessories for the retailer’s core clientele. The Hot Topic line will include junior girls T-shirts, men’s T-shirts, and men’s hoodies as well as NARUTO branded stickers, pins, patches and headbands (in stores and available at HotTopic). Devoted fans of NARUTO will also be able to browse and shop for exclusive NARUTO apparel on the official VIZ Media website (VIZ) at the VIZ Media Store. Additionally, Hot Topic will carry the best-selling NARUTO manga in stores.”

Should this really come as a surprise to anyone? (No, it shouldn’t)

How are old fans gonna take this? (Not too good, but they’ll get over it soon enough. However, the ever-so common narutard might have to urge to kill or go on a rampage, or use the almighty powers of the interweb and openly rant sayings like:

“I swear to God I’m punching the first m*****f***** I see at my local mall wearing a giant Rock Lee face on a shirt.”

I DEMAND SOME SCREENCAPS!!

The 4th trailer to the new ‘Hagaren’ movie… I’ll try to post a translation as soon as I get it. Enjoy!

FMA Movie Trailer #4 [MB]

In theatres July 23rd.

(*Side note – From now on, I’ll try to make sure that all my links open on a seperate window ^_~ … )

So here it is, L’arc’s new album before it hits the stores’ shelves, courtesy of “aznmp3″ and (everybody’s fav. nifty prog) Winny! The album includes previously released singles such as “New World”, “Jiyuu he no Shoutai”, and the ‘Fullmetal Alchemist Shambala’ Movie Outro “Lost Heaven”. The official release is set to come out on 06/22:

L’arc~en~Ciel CD “AWAKE” [75MB]

01. New World
02. LOST HEAVEN
03. Jojoushi
04. TRUST
05. Killing Me
06. AS ONE
07. My Dear
08. EXISTENCE
09. Jiyuu he no Shoutai
10. Ophelia
11. Hoshizora
12. twinkle,twinkle

Also, if you’re just looking for the “Hagaren” movie outro, here it is:

L’arc~en~Ciel – “Lost Heaven” [6MB]

By request, I’ve uploaded KOTOKO’s “Re-sublimity” promotional video in it’s entirety. Now you all know where I got the name for my blog from ^^ … Also included is the song itself (…and don’t forget, KOTOKO is scheduled to perform @ this year’s Anime-Expo in Anaheim) -

“Re-Sublimity” PV [107MB]

“Re-Sublimity” MP3 [12MB]

*courtesy of: immortal-anime.net

(*Note – Remember to send all requests to juroujin@sbcglobal.net w/ subject: REQUEST)

Peach-Pit (creators of ‘DearS’ and ‘Rozen Maiden’) are scheduled to appear at this year’s AnimeExpo! Part of the line-up for Tokyopop.

Check out Expensive Noise for some really awesome moe icons. Yeah, you know you want em’ ;P

… and for ‘Fate/Stay Night’ go here.