Even though its ship may have sailed when it comes to popularity, I'm still proud to own all twelve volumes of Death Note in manga form. Though the second half had many weak moments, it's still an engaging story that addresses the death penalty in an interesting way, and I'm a big fan of artist Takeshi Obata's style. Of course, beyond the anime adaptation - which, from the portions I watched, was an excellent production that didn't constrain itself structurally to the manga like most Shonen Jump anime do - and live-action films, there isn't much activity left in the franchise beyond supplemental material and anime recap movies.

However, with Warner Bros. pushing forward with their own live-action adaptation, Viz is planning to repackage the manga into a more compact collection in order to draw in new fans potentially made by the American adaptation. (The American adaptation is slated to be closer to the manga than the Japanese films were, though I could see them changing the setting to America with almost no impact on the story.) Starting in February 2011, Viz will be releasing a Black Edition of the series: each volume will contain the material of two original volumes in a oversized trade paperback size with black trim. No pricing or release schedule has been announced, but I'd be surprised if they didn't release a volume every month or two.

So basically, it's a Viz Big release, but not quite as big. I'm certainly not going to go buy the series again, but for new fans (especially if the American film moves into production), this seems like it could be a good deal. If you haven't read the series yet, is this repackaging (and my recommendations) enough to push you over the edge?

[via Mania]

When I think of medieval samurai warfare, the first image that comes to mind is not, that of clashing swords or charging horses or even the distinctive kabuto-style helmet. Instead, I think of flags. Yes, flags.

Specifically, I think of the little "sashimono" banners that every soldier in a sengoku-era army had to wear strapped to their back. Stiffened at the top by a small bamboo crossbar, the sashimono made a fight between samurai armies look almost like a pageant or festival. Except with a lot of killing. Sashimono have also been used as a great tool for drama in period films and imagery, like Akira Kurosawa's Ran or Kagemusha. Broken flags floating in reddened water, banners stuck haphazardly into the ground at strange angles, all evoke the image of Japanese warfare more than any col sword or grand helmet crest to me.

Thus, color me overjoyed when I saw the latest screenshots and video from Shogun 2: Total War. As ever, developer Creative Assembly really seems to get it when it comes to visualizing a battle scene. As you'll see in the trailer embedded below (all captured using the in-game engine), the game is overflowing with hot sashimono-on-sashimono action, with the flags of the Chosokabe and Takeda armies fluttering in battle. An especially nice touch during the night battle is the appearance of soldiers who hold little lanterns during the charge. Very dramatic.

Check the gallery below for more screenshots, as well as some concept art for Date Masamune, Oda Nobunaga, and Takeda Shingen. A far cry from their Sengoku Basara incarnations, indeed.

Seriously, I think NISA is trying to drown me in screenshots. That's the only conceivable reason why they could distribute so many of them at once, and just for one game!

Then again, a game with a title like Zettai Hero Project: Unlosing Ranger vs. Darkdeath Evilman is so long and ridiculous that it deserves more screenshots. Still, in an effort to avoid overwhelming your minds with awesomeness (and avoid clogging the front page up), I've once again picked out some of the best English screenshots. You'll see what dungeons look like, the exaggerated specials, and even what the story looks like (starting with this screenshot).

Seems as though the Unlosing Ranger is late to his climactic battle with Darkdeath Evilman, but gets run over by a car on the way there and dies. He gives the closest person, you, his powers, but since you're level one, you die and end up on "Bizarro Earth," where you'll train under the tutalage of your guardian spirit, the previous Unlosing Ranger, and some girl wearing a bunny hat.

It's certainly a funny premise, and I like how the initial battle with Darkdeath Evilman takes place as though it were an NES game. I'm looking forward to this game, and now that the premise is clearer, are you excited too?

When I first started watching anime, I had never heard of the word otaku. However, in 1983 Japanese author Akio Nakamori wrote a little series called "An Investigation of Otaku" in loli manga mag Manga Burikko, and the word caught on as a Japanese slang word referring to a person with an obsessive interest, specifically in manga, anime or videogames. Sound familiar?

One thing a lot of American Japanophiles may not know, however, is that otaku is often considered a disparaging term by the Japanese. That would definitely be news to people proudly toting their copies of Otaku USA and wearing their clever logo baseball caps to cons, and rightfully so -- how much do these fans truly know about Japanese culture? And what does it mean to be an "otaku", anyway, since the meaning is clearly so variable depending on what country you're in when you utter it?

Hit the jump to hear my take on it.

Otousan > Cody Maverick.

Since the precursory evolutions of the modern-day surfboard in the 50s and 60s, people have been trying to get dogs to surf. Sometimes it's cool, and sometimes it borders upon retarded. Yet, when one takes a beloved canine mascot like Otousan and plants him atop an aquatic longboard, you've got comedy gold. Unequivocally.

The scenario for this ad is simple. Otousan can do anything. We've seen him tackle the likes of dominating an election, straight up macking on schoolgirls, and bowling with black people, amongst other non-dog-like activities. It's summertime, so why not surfing? His daughter imagines the superstar pooch hanging ten like it's no big deal. Ah, SoftBank. You never let me down.

Hit the jump to witness expert wave carving by this king amongst dogs.

I don't see Farmville or any of Zynga's other properties appealing to the Japanese public, but I guess I didn't see them appealing to me either. I'll admit that I'm addicted to Frontierville, Zynga's newest Facebook-based social game. Don't ask why -- I'm not even sure myself.

Zynga has definitely conquered the U.S., but now it looks like they're prepared to be "big in Japan" with a new partnership between Japanese mobile company Softbank and Zynga. Zynga will develop and distribute social games there, armed with the $150 million that Softbank pumped into the American company.

It sounds like the plan is to bring their brand of addictive, time-wasting games to Japanese mobile devices. Perfect for the train ride.

Hey, maybe they could make a game using Softbank's talking dog mascot, Otousan!

A press release was just sent out and a press conference will take place in Tokyo later today. We'll keep you posted on any new developments. 

We have to admit, we were a little bit surprised to see the badge decor choices at this year's Otakon (and thanks for Pedro for snapping this photo for us). I mean, I get that the state of the anime industry is not so hot and everything, but when you don't even have .selections from anything currently airing ... well, it does not bode well on the selection out there. That's all I gotta say. And no K-ON! I mean, I'm not into it, but isn't like, everyone else on earth really into it?

Well, anyway, at least we have some good old standbys here. Gundam 00 is always good. As is Hetalia. Personally, I'm going straight for that Eden of the East badge, because I am all about my crush on Akira. Aren't you shocked? Hah! Which badge are you going for, if you are attending (or even if not, which would you pick)?

Otakon is tomorrow, and we're all currently en-route to the sweet and delightful city of Baltimore. Except for Dale. He's sitting in BWI this very minute, waiting for me to pick him up. He's got some time.

This weekend, we want all of you who are attending to have some fun. The con, with its 30,000 or so attendees, will be fun, but with Japanator by your side, it'll be double rainbow fun. How will we manage this? Why, with a Japanator Scavenger Hunt, of course!

Down after the jump, we've got ten items to search for. Take photos, win stuff. Whoever's got the most photos from our list down below will win fabulous prizes! At the very least, that'll include part one of Toradora!. We've got more things hidden at the office, but I know not what. Rest assured, though, the prizes will be worth your time, and will make your Otakon truly memorable.