Normally, badges for cons aren't anything special. With most every con, you've got some plastic, some paper, and maybe even some laminated paper hanging off a piece of a lanyard. Nothing much, right?

Well, when I got our badges for the New York Anime Fest contest in, I was stunned. These badges looked totally different from the standard fare I've seen at just about every other con. Want proof? Check out Kagami's show and tell after the jump, where you can see badges from years past.

A few years back, I wouldn't have seen something like this coming, but these days, series that were once obscure eroge have managed to find their way into the mainstream. One such example is Fate/stay night. While I'm sure some of you have tracked down versions of the original adult visual novel, most of you have probably already heard about or have seen some of the animated series that was released in 2006. I was pretty impressed with how the franchise seamlessly transitioned from an adult game into an all-ages television show. The very next year, an all-ages version of the game was produced for the PS2 with full voice acting.

The anime itself was filled with plenty of intense action, and gave way to a countless number of AMVs that I came across at the various cons I've been attending over the last few years. Now, it seems Capcom is publishing an upcoming fighter based on the series, titled Fate/unlimited codes. Featuring over 17 unique characters, and boasting stunning 3d graphics, I couldn't wait to sit down with it, and I was recently given that opportunity. 

Read more of our preview after the jump.

I really love the seasonal anime previews from niconico@nime.TV. I don't like reading boring show descriptions -- I'd much rather see acutal visuals and art and hear the accompanying score. I don't know about you, but I think these videos are an awesome service. As we've said before, not knowing Japanese puts you out a little, but you can still get most of what you need out of the videos.

So here's what I'm hot for this summer after watching the above 25+ minute video (TV is only about 8 minutes):

Fight Ippatsu! Jyuden-chan! looks like my jam, but I totally get how it wouldn't be everyone's. It could be stupid, but I'll try it anyway.

Tokyo Magnitude 8.0. Duh. Look at it!

Hetalia Axis Powers 2. Personified countries come back.

Umi Monogatari looks pretty interesting. Loving gazes in a flowery field? Sign me up.

Umineko no Naku Koro ni: if nothing else, it certainly looks interesting. Give it at least a first episode watch, eh?

OVA Honorable mentions: To-Love-Ru and Kodomo no Jikan Second

Things I'm kinda meh about:

• Zan Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei
• Spice and Wolf 2

Don't kill me on those last two! What does it look like you'll be watching this summer season?

Getting lost in Tokyo can be fun...for awhile. Then there comes this point where you start to realize that everything looks the same, and that addresses aren't easily accessible or understood. Sure, you could carry a map, but Tokyo is a huge city, so that would be a pretty big map. Plus, you'd be that guy with the map and the fanny pack.

Find!Tokyo packs in thousands of bilingual maps of the city into an app for your iPhone or iPod Touch. These maps are fully scalable, and include train and subway maps, as well as a directory of maps of hotels and attractions. There's even maps of the insides of major stations, which are like little maze cities themselves. Many of the locations are tagged with relevant information, and the whole program is self-contained, so no internet needed!

The program sounded pretty handy, so we nabbed it on the iTunes store this morning to give you a sort of review.

Hit the jump to see what we think of Find!Tokyo.

It’s time for the new season, and time for all of us to start planning out what needs to be watched, and what doesn’t. This is a hard task, because at first everything always looks like crap. But once you start doing your research, the gems really start to shine; hence why it is my duty to do some of the digging for you.

This is my barebones, one sentence preview of the new season, without listing silly things like the seiyuu, director, or interns. This is also highly opinionated, because we all know God Len does not enjoy things without explosions. So check it out after the jump and tell us what you are excited for. I’m excited for the series listed with the (*), though it really isn’t a surprise to which ones I’m going to pick.

Yes, its true, Japanator is in your Facebook, stealing your friends. No, seriously, after getting bored in summer classes I start group inviting everyone of your friends. This is done hoping you were a closeted fan, and thus would garner reprisals and awkward looks for being in the group called "Japanator.com: For all your Otaku needs." Just kidding! I would never do something so itentionally malicious to anyone other than Gia, or Len... maybe Brad. Okay, okay, maybe I'd do it, but never to Dale... or you. I like all of the readers.

This week's show will be conversational one, and we'll talk about the many ways jtorians can idle out (myspace, facebook, podcasts, radio shows, twitter, forums, etc.) This will, of course, be in conjunction to all of those wacky new news tidbits. If we're lucky, we might just drill Gia for a recommendation or two off of her Summer preview.

When I say here, I totally mean over at Giapet.net, where our famous godess Gia posted her renowned feature that covers new shows in the up and coming season of anime. The Summer season of anime is finally here; actually, Ikki Tousen played its first episode today. We have 24 new shows this time around, though most of you will probably only follow three or four of them.

As Gia points out we have a lot of familiar faces this season like Slayers, Code-E, Zero no Tsukaima, Hidamari Sketch, and Ikki Tousen. You could consider Blade of the Immortal a familiar face because a lot of us have read at least a portion of the manga before; the same can be said with Antique Bakery as well.

My fanboyish stuttering can’t do her justice; check out her fantastic preview of the next season at her site here. Personally, I am looking forward to some Blade, and some more Blade, and well, I’m sad to say that’s it; but who knows what will be good until you actually watch it? What is everyone else looking forward to?

Trust me, there is absolutely no symbolism inside the fact that Podtoid-san will be recording on Aprils fools day, its just coincidental. Since it'll be the first chance for a couple of us to talk since Matsuri, I'm confident it'll turn into discussions of the things either too nice or too naughty to be put up on the website. Since April fools day is all about fantasy anyway, expect us to drool over the unreal Gurren Lagann movie trailer. Oh, and as you may have noticed... Mothra! This week's Mothra came to us from the mind of Chicken008, so give some props and then go make your own.

It's that time of the year again to be thinking about new anime and new obsessions. Spring time brings us action, science fiction, and more action. Say goodbye to moe, because it will be gone for a long time -- well, at least until the moe renewal movement of 2012. Now, you are probably wondering where you might find a place that lists all these different series, and unfortunately, that place is not Japanator. To find this list, you will have to journey to that deceptively evil area known giapet.net. Gia, Empress of Otakudom, has once again crafted a list explaining all the spring shows for all of you to drool over. So pack your knife and your potions and head over there to check it out.

I have to say that I'm looking forward to this season. With all these action shows to pick from there has to be a couple in there that will blow me away; I think there is a scientific rule explaining this phenomenon somewhere. The ones I'm looking forward to watching are, Allison to Lillia (anime based off of visual novels are usually good), Code AWSOME 2, Druaga no Tou ~the Aegis of URUK~ ('cause it doesn't take itself too seriously), Golgo 13, Kamen no Maid Guy (I think I made this show), Macross FRONTIER, and Soul Eater (I think I stated my reasons before.) What do you want to watch? 

And here we are, already at the end of our little jaunt through January and February's anime offerings. As you read this, I am probably driving through blizzards and ice (…well, okay, snow flurries) to get back home to Portland. So you guys double up on the cocoa and blankets for me, eh?

This last chunk features Shigofumi through one of my most anticipated series, Zoku Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei. Parts one and two can be viewed here and here, and I have also posted a little printable cheat sheet over at a geek by any other name. I hope you enjoyed the preview, and that you enjoy whatever you decide to watch!