Theodore Mak
Theodore is the current Executive Editor of The-O Network.
Dolls Party 22: Mai Shiranui Dollfie and More
The next major Dollfie event, Dolls Party 22, has been announced for December 6, 2009 at the Tokyo Big Site in Odaiba. The more exciting announcement, Volks will be releasing some new limited items including a Dollfie Dream doll of Mai Shiranui from the King of Fighters series and a doll of Mahiro Mito from Tayutama -Kiss on my Deity-. Mahiro Mito will also have an alternate clothing set available for 14,490 yen. Three older clothing sets will be rereleased including Rei and Asuka's school clothing from Evangelion, and Saber's normal clothes with a lion plush, and her casual outing wear from Fate/Hollow ataraxia.
More images inside.
CG Anime "To" Trailer
Japanese entertainment company Avex Network has released a ten minute trailer of Fumihiko Sori's To on their Youtube channel. The film is an adaption of Yukinobu Hoshino's 2001 Nights science fiction manga. Fans of the CG movie adaption of Appleseed and Vexille will instantly recognize the character designs as Fumihiko has previously worked on both. Interestingly, Aya Hirano is part of the voice cast. The movie will be released on December 18, 2009 in Japan. Video included inside.
Winter 2009-2010 Anime (Updated)
A preliminary list for the upcoming winter season of anime has been released. Gainax's Hanamaru Kindegarten adaptation announced eariler this year at Anime Expo will be debuting. We'll keep you updated as more series are announced.
Hatsune Miku on Google Chrome Commercial
While working on the site and watching my routine television shows on the internet video site Hulu, a commercial featuring the different themes of Google's internet browser Chrome popped up. The commercial flashed through around 50 themes including the popular voice synthesizer idol character, Hatsune Miku. Chrome users can download this theme from Chrome's theme homepage here. As an added note, a Good Smile Company theme and K-ON! theme is also available.
2nd Gurren Lagann Movie US Debut
The November lineup is out for the San Francisco theater, Viz Cinema, and local fans are rejoicing. The second Gurren Lagann movie, Lights in the Sky are Stars will be making its American debut on Tuesday November 17, and Wednesday November 18 at 7:30PM. The film originally was shown in Japanese theaters on April 25, 2009 and will not be released on DVD until January 27, 2010. Viz will also be showing the first film on the same nights at 5PM. Viz Cinema is located in Japantown at the recently opened NEW PEOPLE building.
Now if only Viz can get the rights to show the Rebuild of Evangelion movies...
(Video) Gundam 00 Movie Trailer
A new trailer for the Gundam 00 movie has appeared online. The trailer starts with the production staff working together, Seiji Mizushima (Director) and Yosuke Kuroda (Writer) both can be seen. Towards the middle, a first glimpse of the new Gundams are introduced: Raphael, Zabanya, Harute, and 00 Quan[T]. Video can viewed inside.
Animelo Summer Live 2009 Report
August is typically a packed month for otakus in Japan with the largest doujinshi convention, Comic Market and hobby event Wonder Festival held merely weeks apart. What some fans may not realize is that one of the largest anime-themed concert in the world, Animelo Summer Live (AniSama), is held the same month. This year marked AniSama's fifth anniversary titled "RE:BRIDGE," and was held on August 22 and August 23 at the Saitama Super Arena in
Day 1: Akihabara Impressions (Japan Trip 2009)
Continuing from my previous post, we headed off to Akihabara main street after stopping by Yodobashi. We visited the Taito Game Station and pleasantly impressed how the arcade business is still booming in Japan. First floor is mostly filled with UFO catchers, while the upper floors are devoted to games. As a quick note, most stores in Japan do not allow for photography apart from some larger department stores and company stores like figure makers Kaiyodo and Kotobukiya.
K-ON! Live Action Ending
An adult adaptation of K-ON! was release recently by TMA titled Keion!, and oddly enough they recreated the ending credit sequence for the series and at least 15 minutes of other scenes from the series. Check out the videos inside.
Day 1: Yodobashi Akiba (Japan Trip 2009)
Continuing our journey in the land of the rising sun, we couldn’t resist heading off the famed holy land, Akihabara. After a brief stop at bank to exchange more money and the local bakery for some breakfast goods, we ventured off on foot. Took us roughly 15 minutes to reach the eastern edges of Akihabara and realized that most stores do not open until 10AM or 11AM. We went inside the giant department store, Yodobashi (Akiba branch) and was quickly overwhelmed by all the electronics on the first floor. The building itself has about 11 floors of goodies including one floor that sold nothing but video games, model kits, puzzles, and gashapons.