Archive for February 2011
“Media Mix” is an entertainment industry buzzword for having a property – in this case, let’s say THE IDOLM@STER – span various different types of media in its quest to conquer the universe. So it starts off in its original form (for Im@s, a game) then branches out to other forms (anime, manga, radio shows, live performances, whatever else you can think of).
Chihaya wants you to buy her manga, "Idolmaster 2 - Sleeping Beauty".
The strategy is to increase awareness and to get more overall sales by having a bunch of products available for people to buy. It works, too, because although not everyone can afford $60-80 for a game or a Blu-Ray disk, it’s much easier on the budget to buy a manga magazine or a light novel for $4-5.
Rotte gets a Name Change
Posted on: February 25, 2011
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The upcoming TV anime Rotte no Omocha (“Rotte’s Toy”) is now called Astarotte no Omocha (“Astarotte’s Toy”).
The new logo, with the new name.
Why, you might ask? Well, the food and candy conglomerate Lotte (spelled and pronounced exactly the same as Rotte in Japanese) likely has something to do with it.
Rotte no Omocha manga volume 5, with the old logo.
How much will this matter? Not much. Astarotte is actually the character’s name, and Rotte was her nickname. Still, did they really think they were going to get away with using the name of a major Japanese company like that? Excuse me as I finish writing my manuscript for “Tales of Micro and Soft”.
Lucky Star Musical Confirmed
Posted on: February 24, 2011
- In: News | Previews
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I’m sure you’ve been thinking, “What ever happened to Lucky Star? Is there going to be a sequel?” The answer is now available, and it’s a definite “not exactly”. In this month’s Comp Ace, Kadokawa announced that they are making a musical. You know, like Spider-Man!
Live action dancing, and singing, and... yeah. WTF?
Details, such as who’s playing the roles, when it’ll be on stage, what kind of story it’ll have, and what they’re smoking, have yet to be announced. At least one or two of those questions may be answered in the April issue of Comptiq magazine, on sale March 10.
So, have you watched Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai (My Little Sister Can’t Possibly Be This Cute) episode 12 True Route? Did you think, “They can’t possibly end it like this!” Well, you’re right, and help is on the way. In the form of at least three more streamed episodes.
Picture only vaguely related to the story.
Episode 13, “Ore no kouhai ga konnani kusatteru wake ga nai” (My junior can’t possibly be this rotten) will be available in the last week or so of March. Episodes 14 and 15 are in production and are due to be released in April and May, respectively. No titles are available for 14 and 15 yet.
Kirino and Kuroneko, on their previously-mentioned twitter accounts, hinted at the contents of next month’s episode 13. In particular, Kuroneko mentioned that a new girl will be introduced. Hmm, I wonder who that could be… Well, we have about a month before we can see for ourselves.
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After a long weekend, there’s always a lot of news. First off, the K-On! Movie hits theaters on December 3, 2011. That’s with one exclamation point, which would suggest this is a repackaging of the original TV series.
They're back and bigger than ever!
But wait, there’s more! Lots more.
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Yesterday, GONZO announced that the new anime TV show “LASTEXILE -Fam, The Silver Wing-” (apparently, the new official English title) will make its world premiere at Anime Expo in Los Angeles this July.
Fam, Giselle, and Milia from the new Last Exile
Anime Expo will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center from July 1-4, 2011. (Dom’ll probably be there, but I probably won’t.)
Weird Wednesdays: Can’t sleep…
Posted on: February 16, 2011
Are you having trouble sleeping? Maybe it’s because your older sister is giving you orders all the time. Or perhaps it’s because your little sister is following you around all over the place. Maybe there’s a girl that loves you so much that it hurts… literally? Well, there’s an app a CD for that.
Can't sleep... or this girl is going to kill you, she loves you so much.
Edge Records, a company known mostly for its drama CD production, has been producing the Nemurenai (“Can’t Sleep”) CD series since 2008. The first was about older sisters giving you orders. The series really took off, however, with the Yandere CD, featuring the girls who loved you so much they’re willing to kill, and that actually spawned two sequels.
This isn't the most appealing picture of her, but I like it anyway.
This is Takagaki Ayahi. She got her first starring role in 2007’s Venus Versus Virus and after a few well-received roles (like Isurugi Noe in True Tears, a personal favorite), her career really took off after she joined the seiyuu idol group Sphere in 2009. Along with young stars Tomatsu Haruka (Kannagi), Toyosaki Aki (Yui, K-On!) and Kotobuki Minako (Tsumugi, K-On!), the four of them have gotten pretty popular as seiyuu and singers. You may have heard Sphere’s music while watching recent shows like Sora no Manimani, Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaou, or Asobi ni Ikuyo.
But in my mind, Sphere isn’t long for this world, because Takagaki Ayahi is due to bust out and leave her less-talented group members in the dust. Why do I think this?
I’m glad you asked.
Amusingly, Seiya has pointed out that this isn’t just any version of “Oh Happy Day” – it’s the exact version that appeared in Whoopi Goldberg’s immortal hit, Sister Act 2. Don’t believe me? Check it out for yourself.
More of her music after the jump, along with my favorite game, “spot the anchor”!
The last episode of last season’s Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai (My Little Sister Can’t Possibly Be This Cute) was labelled “GOOD END”. And if you follow the kind of games that Kirino likes to play, you probably figured out that “GOOD END” means that’s not what really happened.
Picture only vaguely related to the story.
Starting February 22, those of us who haven’t been reading the light novels will get to find out the real scoop. The “TRUE ROUTE” of the 12th and final episode of the first season will be availble on the official site, plus four other streaming sites, free of charge (in Japanese, and don’t hold your breath for any subtitles).
This should set up nicely for a second season, hopefully later this year. My money’s on Kuroneko, because as Wesley Snipes once said, always bet on black.
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Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope your Valentine’s Day is going better than Itaru from the upcoming anime Steins;Gate.
Are you dreaming of a magical girl?
Steins;Gate has a collaborative illustration on their website today, with Itaru dreaming that Madoka wants to be his wife. The other characters, Rintarou and Mayuri, are wondering what a super-hacker would be dreaming of, and noting that he looks so happy. Steins;Gate, based on the Xbox 360 and Windows game of the same name, will begin airing in April.
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