The Nerima culture center was hosting a pretty unusual event today: a performance of the Secondary-work Opera “Higurashi no naku koro ni”, a two-act operatic adaptation of 07th Expansion's sound novel. It was quite an interesting experience, and I'd like to jot down some quick thoughts about it, bullet-point-style. read more
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Expecting Ookami Kakushi to be like Higurashi/Umineko would almost be like expecting Sora no Woto to be like K-on, just a smaller magnitude of wrongness… I remember how, at the beginning of winter season, many people were looking forward to Ookami Kakushi being one of the better ones of the season, as it was the adaptation [...]
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According to Natalie, new Youkai manga “Higanbana no Saku Yoru ni (At Night When the Amaryllis Bloom)” by Higurashi creator Ryukishi07 starts serialization in Dragon Age magazine’s May issue on sale April 9th. The art will be handled by newcomer mangaka Tsunohazu Ichiro. The story will be about the popular urban legend “The Seven Mysteries [...]
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The merciless, fierce battle called International Saimoe League reached the end of the Preliminary Period and the rest of the Regular Season participants have been decided. The list of all 50 Regular Season contestants is as follows.Aisaka Taiga (Toradora!)Akaba Chizuru (Seitokai no Ichizon)Akiyama Mio (K-ON!)Asahina Mikuru (Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu)C.C. (Code Geass)Fate Testarossa (Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha)Fujibayashi Kyou (CLANNAD)Fujibayashi Ryou (CLANNAD)Fukuji Mihoko (Saki)Furude Hanyuu (Higurashi no Naku Koro ni)Furude Rika (Higurashi no Naku Koro ni)Furukawa Nagisa (CLANNAD)Haramura Nodoka (Saki)Hiiragi Kagami (Lucky Star)Hiiragi Tsukasa (Lucky Star)Hirasawa Ui (K-ON!)Hirasawa Yui (K-ON!)Horo (Ookami to Koushinryou)Ibuki Fuuko (CLANNAD)Ichinose Kotomi (CLANNAD)Ikaros (Sora no Otoshimono)Ilyasviel von Einzbern (Fate/stay night)Izumi Konata (Lucky Star)Katsura Hinagiku (Hayate no Gotoku)Kawashima Ami (Toradora!)Konjiki no Yami (To-Love Ru)Kushieda Minori (Toradora!)Louise Françoise le Blanc de la Vallière (Zero no Tsukaima)Maria (Hayate no Gotoku)Minami Chiaki (Minami-ke)Misaka Mikoto (To Aru Kagaku no Railgun)Nagato Yuki (Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu)Nakano Azusa (K-ON!)Nymph (Sora no Otoshimono)Okazaki Ushio (CLANNAD)Saber (Fate/stay night)Saginomiya Isumi (Hayate no Gotoku)Sakagami Tomoyo (CLANNAD)Sakurano Kurimu (Seitokai no Ichizon)Sanzenin Nagi (Hayate no Gotoku)Saten Ruiko (To Aru Kagaku no Railgun)Sengoku Nadeko (Bakemonogatari)Senjougahara Hitagi (Bakemonogatari)Shana (Shakugan no Shana)Shiina Mafuyu (Seitokai no Ichizon)Shiina Minatsu (Seitokai no Ichizon)Sunohara Mei (CLANNAD)Suzumiya Haruhi (Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu)Takamachi Nanoha (Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha)Tousaka Rin (Fate/stay night)Now for some interesting data and figures.18 contestants are KyoAni girls (8 from CLANNAD, 4 from K-ON!, 3 from Lucky Star, and 3 from Haruhi)(btw, no Kanon girls, unfortunately)11 contestants are J.C.Staff girls (4 from Hayate, 3 from Toradora, 2 from Railgun, 1 Shana, and 1 Zero no Tsukaima)9 contestants are Studio DEEN girls (4 from Seizon, 3 from Fate/stay night, 2 from Higurashi)12 girls are from other studios.16% of contestants is from Clannad.Former big aces such as Kinomoto Sakura, Kawasumi Mai, Suigintou or Ryuuguu Rena didn't make it in.Nary Rozen Maiden character advanced to the Regular Season. A bit pitiful.5 pairs of characters bear the same surname. 6 if we count Furukawa as Okazaki. Namely, Hiiragi sisters, Shiina sisters, Fujibayashi sisters, Hirasawa sisters, Okazaki mother and daughter, Furude Rika and Hanyuu.About 20 contestants are from 2009 anime, not counting 2009 aired sequels.
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It appears as if pirates have once again struck a blow against the industry, and we would not even have known if it wasn’t for the one man’s account of the vicious pirate attack. His name is John, but better known as Kouryuu on the interweb. Kouryuu works for Manga Gamer as a translator, translating Japanese visual novels into english. In a recent interview, he spoke about the business, and of course when you talk about business, the subjects of pirates is not far off. As you might of guessed, the business of selling visual novels is not quite booming here in America, but according to their business plans, it could be doing a lot better. He states that Kira Kira, and Higurashi are “Nowhere near as high as we wish they’d be. If our sales could reach those goals, it would be much easier for us to license some of the games that are out of our reach right now.” He goes on to state, "I also wish less people would pirate our games. For a multi-million-dollar console game developer, a few hundred or a thousand copies lost isn’t very significant, but for a small company like ours, every single loss hurts. As it stands, our best seller, Shuffle, has still only sold half the copies we’d like it to, and our next best sellers, Da Capo, Higurashi, and Kira Kira, have sold even less. People have asked us about whether or not we would ever publish hard copy print-runs, but the fact of the matter is that those are impossible if we can’t anticipate sales equating our current goal." But I wonder, if it’s really the pirates that are taking away all of their business, or maybe a combination of other things? For one each game is probably about $50 each, which is a bit pricy for a game that’s nothing more than a glorified book. Either way this interview is not all gloom and doom, he goes on and gives good advice to becoming a good translator, and what his daily life looks like. Check it out if you have ever wondered what it’s like to work as a translator.
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Artwork by: 透音 @ Pivix. You know, one of the worst things that can ever happen to you when you visit a doctor is probably the needles part. I mean, who likes having sharp and pointy things being poked into them? While majority of the people would just endure the prickly feeling that comes to them [...] Related posts:Japan Opens “Science” Cafe? Random Thoughts on Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (Anime/Manga) Being A Police In Japan Is Tough Work
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News of the Higurashi no Naku Koro ni games being licensed came as one of the best surprises of the year. Being able to have the opportunity of play the original material which the anime version was based on was something fans always wanted. Like many would, I perceived this as a chance to express my gratitude and pay my respects to the author, support those involved and legally purchase the original games. The enthusiasm massively quieted down when the fans who purchased the first batch of 4 games (questions arcs) were treated to a extremely poor translation. At first I was sure they were exaggerating and blowing things out of proportion after seeing..[...] tagged: Higurashi no Naku Koro ni
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Here are today's "really cool products" that I've picked out for you, out of the 30+ new items we've added to the J-List and JBOX.com sites today. Note that some products may be "not safe for work" but that all links will allow you to redirect yourself either to the J-List or JBOX.com websites. To see all the J-List products, check out J-List or the JBOX.com updated products link. Figure Maniacs vol. 37 ~ Otome Gumi This is issue 37 of the great magazine Figure Maniacs -- the anime figure lover' bible, which focuses only on awesome prepainted figures that you can buy and own. Comic Rex Mar 2010 Then, sit back and relax with hundreds of pages of awesome manga from Comic Rex, including some of the most interesting manga in Japan today. The new issue is in stock. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni ~ Kizuna 4 The fourth and final installment in the Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Nintendo DS version, Higurashi Kizuna, has arrived! It's got great art, all new content, and is compatible with any DS in the world. Moe Moe Cthulhu Encyclopedia The Moe Moe Encylopedia heads into an awesome new area this time, into the world of H.P. Lovecraft. Enjoy moe versions of his most memorable creations! Death Note, Hetalia Toys The new Nendoroid Petite Death note figures are in, and they are as excelelnt as you can imagine, with unique versions of all your favorites in displayable sizes. Also: limited stock of the gorgeous Hetalia Mini Figures is in stock too. Star Wars USB Hubs Restocked The most excellent USB hubs for Star Wars fans are back in stock, with a very cool R2-D2 hub and matching Darth Vader hub, both of this move, make sounds and generally become the coolest things in whatever room they're in. Edo Happy Happi (Festival Kimono) A happi coat is a short kimono for summer festivals or for any event that can be made more fun by dressing in traditional Japanese style. Made in Japan, and very cool. Daruma & Lucky Cat Origami w/English Instructions Build Japan's most famous symbols, from Daruma to Lucky Cat and more, out of folded paper. Everything you need is included, including full instructions in English! Also see the Cake Chop Origami restocked as well. UNO Fiber Neo Hair Wax - Three Types Fans of Japan's hair-care products, we have some awesome hair wax from UNO Three different types for three kinds of hair -- which are you? FLOS ~ Zebra Stylish Pen & Stand Set for Reception Always have a pen when you need one, with this stylish Zebra pen with matching base, which is held in place via magnets so it's always there for you. Also: the Signo Erasable 8 Color Pen Set is restocked today. Restocked Anime Games for PSP You can play some really great anime games on the Sony PSP, including the most popular visual novels ever released. Today we've got AIR for PSP, Final Approach 2 and ToHeart 2 Portable, all in stock and ready to buy. Queen's Blade Artbooks Restocked We've also restocked the popular Queen's Blade artbooks, including the awesome assassin Fang Iruma (Irma) and the sexy thief Risty. New Snacks from Japan Super new snacks from Japan today. First, enjoy Rainbow Bubblicious that's sold only in Japan, making it really awesome, plus Meiji Pucca, fish-shaped Pretzel shells with strawberry milk goodness inside. Also, Salted Caramel Pretz! Miso Noodle FURIKAKE (Hokkaido) Man, this sounds delicious -- the flavor of Hokkaido-style miso ramen in powdered furikake form, which you can sprinkle over white rice or even bring with your bento. "Food Drops" also restocked: Hokkaido Miso Ramen, Tokyo Ningyo Yaki, and Osaka Okonomiyaki. Little Twin Stars DX Slim 2 Tier Bento Box Set J-List aims to make the world just a little more kawaii each day, and today we've got a super Little Twin Stars 2-tier bento set with a separate chopstick set w/case. Wonderful! Restocked Bento Boxes Got restocked bento boxes too, including the Sengoku Samurai Bento which not only are large for heavier eaters, they have awesome kanji on them. Also see the Rilakkuma Bento Box restocked today. Perfect Sushi Molds, Gyoza Makers Then, make sushi the right way with this excellent sushi mold, which will press the rice into just the right shape for beautiful sushi creations. Or go for some gyoza (aka "pot stickers"). Easy Boiled-Egg Shapers Also: how do you like your eggs -- fried, scrambled, or boiled into amazingly cute shapes, like rabbits, hearts, cars, bears, and so on. These popular items have been restocked today. DX Long Study Flashcards for Study See fresh stock of some great tools for learning Japanese, including several popular flashcard sets for memorizing Japanese the right way. KYOTO - OMURO DX SAKURA Bath Salt Being a fan of onsen hot springs as I am, I highly recommend the sakura bath powder we have in stock today. Made in Kyoto! Totoro Blankets, Cushions and More The Totoro blankets that J-List sells are nothing less than the software, most awesome blankets you will ever touch. We've reduced the price of all them today. Get yours before they sell out! GummiX Gummi Insect Builder *Preorder* This is incredible: a set of molds that let you create amazing "gummi" insects that are fun to eat. The Mother Center has the lab to make your creations with, and two mold kits give you other creatures to make. Japanese kids love 'em! Ritsu Tainaka Figma w/Drums *Preorder* Another awesome Figma for K-On! fans, this is Risu, the heart of the band. This figure comes with many extra parts for creating any pose you want -- even think of some yuri scenes with the Mio Figma, which is posted for preorder today. Nendoroid Petit Bakemonogatari Figure Set *Preorder* Then, if you're a fan of the highly stylized anime Bakemonogatari, we have the fabulous Petite Nendoroid posted for preorder now. 'Baka Test' Figures and More for Preorder Another popular anime on TV right now is Baka to Test to Shokanju (Idiots and Tests and Summoned Beats). See figures of the awesome Mizuki and the "trap" Hideyoshi and more, on the site now. Black Lagoon, Chopperman Products More preorder goodies for you today. We've got a large 1/6 scale figure of Revy from Black Lagoon, which is great if you think that all sexy women should be issued guns. Also, a Chopperman shampoo bottle for bathtime. Sabra Magazine Mar 2010 Last issue It brings us great sadness to announce the last regular issue of Sabra, but great joy because this great issue is such a special one, filled with Japan's most beautiful faces. Inazuma Underworld 2 Then we have a super doujinshi offering by master illustrator Inazuma, this time featuring his superb tribute to Gurren Lagaan. Wow! Domin-8 Me, Other English Manga If you like your "H" in English, and we certainly understand if you do, we've restocked the outstanding TAKE ON ME by Sessyu Takemura, published as Domin-8 Me. Also, the English version of Gas Panic. Restocked Toys for Stress Relief Stress can really pile up on you if you're not careful, which is why J-List stocks innovative tools to take the edge off. See Tenga Egg Lotion, the Bible Black Hiroko Takashiro Cup plus the amazing Love Cover Kumi pillow toy. Little My Maid One game I recommend often is Little My Maid, which combines a super story involving three very sweet maids, a magical place called Ryugu. Only $14.95 as an Internet Download Edition game! AV Debut -- Ai Haneda Do you want to see the most beautiful girl in the world? Do you? Then click now and feast your eyes on former professional idol Ai-chan's lithe body. If I'm wrong, tell me.
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Here are today's "really cool products" that I've picked out for you, out of the 30+ new items we've added to the J-List and JBOX.com sites today. Note that some products may be "not safe for work" but that all links will allow you to redirect yourself either to the J-List or JBOX.com websites. To see all the J-List products, check out J-List or the JBOX.com updated products link. Final Fantasy XIII Clear Poster Mini vol.2 Full Set Here's a cool item for Final Fantasy fans: a set of beautiful printed "clear posters" (standard posters) similar to the vertical banners the company has been displaying around the world. Available individually or as a complete set. Black Rock Shooter Mug Cups Then, two Black Rock Shooter coffee mugs to choose from, how cool is that? A black and a white cup are both in stock. From Cospa. Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni Visual Complete Guide You know what I want? A Higurashi/Gundam crossover parody called Higurashi no Naku COLONY. Until then, I have this fine artbook for me to gaze at. with a massive 160 pages! Also: the just-released Higurashi DS game! Bishoujo Figure Yearbook 2009 This outstanding book documents *all* the gorgeous prepainted figures that were released in 2009, making it a superb item for collectors and fans in general. Top quality photographs representing every anime figure, a super book. Queen's Gate -- Destined Kunoichi Kasumi The awesome Queen's Gate Kasumi book is in, featuring sexy artwork of one of our favorite video game girls. Use it as part of the Queen's Blade book-based RPG combat system, or just stare at the beautiful art for hours. Pixiv Girls Collection 2010 Artbook The Pixiv online art community in Japan is a fantastic place, creating some of the most breathtaking artistic images for us to enjoy. We've gotten in the brand-new Pixiv Girl's Collection artbook today. Other Restocked Photobooks See some other restocked artbooks too, including the oh-so-delicious Queen's Blade Evil Eye Visual Book plus more Moe Moe Encyclopedia books, which document the world around us through kawaii anime girls. Evangelion iPod nano Case -- Rei Ayanami The Evangelion cases for iPhones and the current iPod nano are a smash hit, and we've gotten in a new Rei Ayanami version of the latter. "Your iPod won't die...I will protect it." Horo Plush, Chopperman USB Toy The cutest wolf-girl in all anime-dom is of course Holo, and this is a plush toy of her complete with furry ears and tail. Also, got that Chopperman USB toy in stock today. Revoltech Queen's Blade Cattleya Figure Also, got that sexy Revoltech figure of Cattleya in stock, made with dozens of points of articulation so she can be placed in any pose you like, even fairly ecchi ones. Comes with the hugest sword ever wielded by a female, too. Haruhi Suzumiya Cosplay set Long Sleeved Type We have a new size of the popular Haruhi uniform in, size L, so that almost everyone can enjoy an awesome cosplay experience at the summer's anime conventions. Mousse-chan Fuwa Fuwa Paper Clay Set Got a deluxe new Fuwa Fuwa Paper Clay mold toy set, which lets you make your very own cute house with tons of decorations for it. The molds can be used again and again and with other kinds of clay (or dare we say, chocolate?). Awesome New Snacks from Japan Today's new snacks include traditional sakura rice crackers and traditional diamond-shaped Hina Okoshi snacks, plus a new flavor of the hilariously named Collon, plus Fit's Gum, complete with a link to the new CM starring Nozomi Sasaki. Restocked Sake, Beer Food Drops Then see fresh stock of the popular traditional "food drops" candies in Sapporo Beer flavor, plus Sake, Hokkaido Baked Potato w/Butter, and ukiyoe Green Tea candies. High-grade Sakura Genuine Lacquered Bento Box Set Once again I'm really impressed at the high quality from Haokya, with this lacquered bento box with sakura petals and deluxe chopsticks w/case included. Very nice styling. 'Hana-zen' Bento Series Restocked Also posting fresh stock of one of our popular Hana-Zen bento series, which combines beautiful traditional design with outstanding functionality. Bear Kawaii Kid's Rice Bowl Enjoy rice in style with the two cute rice bowls we are posting today. Cute images of a bear or cat on the side, and they won't break if dropped. 'How to Bento' Books We love to carry books that help you enjoy your "bento life" more, and we've got many fine ones in stock now, including how to make decorated rolled sushi or traditional Japanese sweets or kawaii character bento. Hello Kitty Bread Shaper & Deco Powder Stencil Got another awesome Hello Kitty item from Japan. This is a "bread shaper" that can cut bread or toast in the perfect Hello Kitty shape. Then add the face with cocoa powder using the included stencil. Kawaii Bento Items Level up your cute bento life with these Hello Kitty bento items. See our Die-Cut Mayonnaise Cup and Spoon Set, the Hello Kitty Furikake Bottle and Mickey Mouse 3D Egg Shaper. More Ghibli Plush Toys Fans of Hayao Miyazaki, browse the restocked plush toys we have for you today, including the Plush Keychain Sets featuring Totoro and other characters, plus the Soot Sprite and Cat Bus decorations for hanging in your car. Rilakkuma Deodorizer San-X's popular character "Relax Bear" is back, and he's ready to make your car or home smell nicer! Just place this room deodorizer in a place that you'd like to smell nicer, and commence relaxing. Zebra Green 'Check Set' ~ Best for Memory Retention Enjoy this new version of the popular Zebra Check Set study system. Here's how it works: highlight ideas you want to memorize, then hide the page with the plastic sheet to test yourself. Ink erasing pen also included. Who Invented Natto? Bilingual Encyclopedia of Japan Another outstanding "bilingual book" that presents English on one page and Japanese on the other, this is a discussion of various concepts from Japan's culture or history. Very interesting reading! SOS-Dan Mug Cup, Eva Tote Bags Awesome products for anime fans today, including your very own SOS-dan coffee cup ("For Haruhi's use only!"), plus Evangelion tote bags featuring Asuka and Rei -- kawaii! Ranka Lee & Sheryl Nome DX Figure Set of 2 Macross Frontier is an outstanding anime, and here are two figures for your collection. Featuring Ranka and Sheryl, two of our favorite anime singers. Preorder now and we'll ship it to you in June when it's released. Mio Akiyama 1/8 Figure Maid ver. ~ K-ON! *Preorder* Then taste this awesome prepainted figure of Mio from K-On! doing her maid cosplay, with her Moe Moe Kyun! pose. This will be popular so we recommend you preorder it. Prestige vol. 65 Sep 2009 Another issue of Prestige, put out by the popular JAV studio, which presents their top models and lets you sample them to see who your favorites are. 220 minute DVD included, too. My Girlfriend -- Shiori Tsukimi The awesome Shiori-chan will be your virtual girlfriend in this new glossy photobook from Japan. In all the amazing photographs she delights your senses in every way. Other Restocked Photobooks Got some superb photobooks restocked for you too, including Tsubasa Amami's popular glossy hardcover photobook, plus Tomoka's Pure Heart offering. Enjoy! Yuri Hime Wild Rose Restocked I'm personally a big fan of yuri, the anime and manga of girls in love with other girls, and today we've restocked the entire Yuri Hime Wild Rose manga series, with great "hard" themes. TENGA Flip Hole, Hole Warmer, e-Rotar Massager Even more stock of the popular TENGA Flip-Hole, which is incredibly well-designed and popular with our customers, plus the compatible TENGA Hole Warmer, for that realistic feeling. Plus the most excellent designed Japanese "rotar" [sic] for the ladies. New Cast Off Figures We have the dreamy Kanu Uncho "cast off" figure of her eating ice cream on a summer day, plus the not-to-be-believed figure from OH! Great, creator of Tenjo Tenge. Enjoy both! Japanese Eroge In Stock J-List now carries Japanese import games, and we've restocked that awesome Real Kanojo virtual CG dating-simulator. Also, the highly enjoyable DS eroge dating-simulator Love Plus.
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So, no one doubted that Love+, the manga, would happen; but that they would make five of them was a bit shocking. However, as I dwell on it, I realized that the evolution of these games was not only profitable, buy maybe even good for the viewer.  So, step by step I wanted to look at how this genre, of flipping interactive to non-interactive stories can both frustrate and excite the user, creating a more powerful experience. Okay, so maybe I'm the last person to pull back the wizard's curtain, but it suddenly just clicked...   Step 1: Open it up Medium of Story: Video Game Approachability: +++++   Control: +++ Plot: +++ Complexity: ++   Make a game. The characters are a little contrived, but hey... its a brand new video game, and the player is "in control." The game is highly approachable, since the players can regulate who they explore, and when they absorb it.   Step 2: Focus it down Medium of Story: Manga/Video Game/TV Series  Approachability: +++  Control: +  Plot: +++++ Complexity: ++++    Plot goes through the roof, but control goes to squat as the creator literally tells the player how the story goes. Characters will get left in supporting roles, but that'll only further fuel obsession with them. Fan reception will probably be overwhelmingly critical, yet it will be amazingly popular.    In the case of Love+, the manga, the player will have to read 5 different stories, develop a favorite, and then wait for an OVA or animated series to tie them all together. Adding an additional layer.  Step 3: Open it up, again   Medium of Story: Video Game  Approachability: ++  Control: ++++  Plot: +++ Complexity: +++   Approachability goes further down, since the work is now being built on layers, but fans don't care. Fired up from how the "official" interpretation varied from, or matched, their expectations, the viewer rushes out to procure the game where they can once again have control over the experience again. Here, they A) Joyously use their control to explore the nuances and new details.  B) Joyously use their control to focus on the characters they felt were too ignored previously.   Conclusion I'd complain, yet all they've done is exploit the formula to create an indepth, complex experiences. From Fate/Stay Night to Fire Emblem, Higurashi to Halo Legends, constant shift from interactive to non-interactive medium leaves an engaging struggle and frustration that ultimately ends up with more complex works. Well, that and empty wallets. I'd complain, but, well, its kind of Brilliant. (Outro note: Almost every somewhat generic (and some not so generic) high school romance series is based off a dating sim game.  Air Ef: A Fairy Tale of Two Kanon Myself, Yourself Night WizardSchool Days Shuffle  Tokimeki Memorial True Tears Triangle Heart To Heart Welcome to Pia Carrot White AlbumHow many more can you name?
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