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PHP Institute branches out with Smash Bunko light novels
by Karen Gellender, 02/09/2010
PHP Institute branches out with Smash Bunko light novels photo

Publisher PHP Institute has started their own light novel label- and not just any light novel label. Apparently the company is referring to the titles published under it's Smash Bunko division as "super-light", or illustration-heavy as opposed to text heavy. Three titles have been announced, and my favorite title of the bunch- Oshiete! Mermaid- is already listed on Amazon Japan. Actually, all three of them are- I just wanted an excuse to single that one out. Me likey mermaids.

Seriously, the "super-light" concept is interesting to me; it's like they're trying to get the best of the manga format and the best of the light novel format into one shiny little ¥500 package. I didn't used to take much of an interest in light novels, but one day I woke up and found that every freakin' anime is now based on a light novel as opposed to a manga (okay, not EVERY SINGLE ONE, but a lot.) I don't know if the new offerings from Smash Bunko will turn out to be my cup of tea, but I'm definitely going to pick up a few light novels the next time I find myself in Kinokuniya.

If you're interested in Smash Bunko, their first group of titles- Oshiete! Mermaid, Shiken ni Deru Dragon Taiji, and Hakouji Neruno to Daten Ressha Jikan, will drop March 9th.

[Via Lightnovel.org]

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 Japanator AM Episode 4: Love and Durararararararara!
by Karen Gellender, 02/08/2010
Japanator AM Episode 4: Love and Durararararararara! photo

Surprisingly, our Valentine's Day episode isn't really all that sappy; I'm kind of torn as to whether or not that's a good thing. You can listen to it here.

This week, we discuss the news on Gundam, Dragonball, and Sailor Moon like the minted-in-the-90's otaku that we are, and dip into something a little more eclectic with Katawa Shoujo. Also, love it or hate it, you have to say this for the winter season: it gives Jon and I plenty to argue about (and we cover Durarara!, so please don't kill us.) Finally, Tim and Colette give everybody a primer on the best of Jdrama from the last few years, which is really quite useful- I certainly know what I need to watch now.

Hit the jump for some especially impressive show notes and addendum.


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  15 comments Latest by TheGoldenDonut
" sounds pretty cool, I may just have to check that dorama out."...read more



 Endless Eight gets an R1 box set
by Jon Snyder, 02/08/2010
Endless Eight gets an R1 box set photo

The ASOS Brigade has posted another viral video... this time, revealing that the second season of Haruhi will be released as a single complete box set.

And that's it. No release date, no info on pricing. Thanks for the non-annoucement, Bandai.

Slow news day? What makes you say that?

[Via Anime Vice]


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  10 comments Latest by u nick
"YES! So happy about this news. 'not singles' is a great confirmation. It makes sense these days, but you never know what these companies are going to throw at us these days. The only thing that..."...read more



 Apple iPad may be especially useful for Japanese study
by Karen Gellender, 02/08/2010
Apple iPad may be especially useful for Japanese study photo

Want to know what I carry around with me on a daily basis, now that I'm studying Japanese? I have my Tuttle Kanji Cards, blank flashcards for making my own vocabulary cards, writing utensils, oh and a few notebooks for writing practice. Oh, and also my MP3 player for listening to Japanese dramas and things at random times. Oh, and sometimes my DS for My Japanese Coach (and hopefully for one of the better Japanese programs soon). So when an editorial on Japundit addressed the idea of Apple's new ipad potentially lightening my load, I stood up and took notice.

Now, there's nothing the iPad does that can't be done with a tablet PC, but the idea of having everything I need in a comfortably light 1.5 pound package really is pretty appealing. I've noticed that the greatest impediment to doing something that requires consistent effort (like learning a language) is the logistical complications factor. I've been good about doing my flashcards and such lately, but that's because I finally idiot-proofed my system for learning so that my cards are pretty much in front of my face all the time. With my flashcards, Kanji-writing software, MP3's, and Japanese ebooks all at my finger tips, won't that just make studying even easier still?

I'm not completely sold on it yet, but I'm seriously considering buying an iPad for this reason- also, the fact that I can use it as a digital sketchpad doesn't hurt. It may sound silly, but I can't emphasize enough how much organizing your study materials can affect your productivity; when you make it so that you can study while still being pretty damn lazy, you'll find you tend to study more.

[Via Japundit]

  8 comments Latest by DGX Goggles
"Nooooo, please don't promote more of Apple's needless shovelware."...read more



 First teaser for Karigurashi No Arrietty shows up
by Ben Huber, 02/08/2010
First teaser for Karigurashi No Arrietty shows up photo

Normally, any post by me about a new Studio Ghibli film would essentially be reduced to "OMG OMG OMG" but this isn't really normal -- this teaser is really a teaser, showing barely 60 seconds of film. This is actually from a Japanese TV spot that focused on the creation of the theme song of the movie, by Cecile Corbel. Apparently, she is also doing the rest of the soundtrack for the film, which is very interesting news as well. All the recording is being done in France and then sent to Ghibli in Japan. Miyazaki is mostly absent from the creation of this film as well: he only contributed some storyboards and ideas, and is pretty busy being a badass and animating his own short.

The director is actually Hiromasa Yoenbayashi, 36, an animator at Ghibli who has made his way all the way up to the director's seat. Personally, as much as I love Joe Hisaishi and Hayao Miyazaki, I think it's fantastic that they're very much absent from the creation of this film. Hiromasa and his team really need to carve a new path and begin creating films on their own, as Miyazaki isn't going to be around forever (not to be gloomy or anything). Sure, we might be thinking to ourselves, "I'd rather see what Miyazaki is doing," but Karigurashi No Arrietty could be more important in Studio Ghibli's life than we might give it credit for. 

But, we still have a bit of a wait: the movie will be arriving on July 17th, which seems so far away right now. Alleviate the pain of waiting by clicking through for the teaser!

[via Twitch]


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  3 comments Latest by Zepwich
"The song fits well. I hope this ends up being another hit for the studio."...read more



 IKEA manga sheets will bring you Swedish mochi balls
by Josh Tolentino, 02/08/2010
IKEA manga sheets will bring you Swedish mochi balls photo

Sadly, I'm kidding about the mochi balls. The IKEA manga sheets are a real thing, though.

The Swedish artist (and workout for the site's special text support) Åsa Ekström was commissioned by the flatpack furnishing giant to design a series of fabrics around the theme of "Scandinavia meets Japan," to be displayed and sold in IKEA department stores worldwide.

The results were dubbed the "CHARLOTTA" collection, which include bedsheets featuring stylized Vikings, origami animals, and famous Scandinavian buildings being demolished by Godzilla. On balance they don't look half as bad as one might have imagined they could turn out. The patterns certainly don't look as embarrassing as, say, a Street Fighter blanket.


  9 comments Latest by DorjiFAU
"Thats very cool, I tried looking for it on Ikia's web site but all i could find was the fabric no pillow cases or bed sheets... That makes me kinda sad as there is no way in hell i can make my ow..."...read more

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Japanese man attempts to renew his license while drunk
by Tim Sheehy, 02/08/2010
Japanese man attempts to renew his license while drunk photo

I've heard my fair share of stories about stupid people, especially here in America, but this is a first for me. Apparently Susumu Moriya entered a Japanese police station around 9:30 AM to renew his drivers license while completely intoxicated. After experiencing a bit of trouble with the touch screen interface that's used to print out the request form, Moriya asked for help. Unable to understand the officer who came to assist him, he became belligerent, even going as far as to throw his license to the floor in anger.

When the officer had smelt the alcohol on Moriya's breath, he asked how Moriya had arrived at the station. Moriya then lied, stating that he had walked. However, the moment he was asked to leave, Moriya went straight to his car. I love how the guy was clearly lucid enough to lie in the first place, but then walked to his vehicle without even considering that maybe someone would follow him outside to see if he was telling the truth. 200 meters later, and Moriya was arrested for drunk driving.

He later informed the police that he had started drinking as early as 6 AM and had consumed two beers and several glasses of shochu. While I'm sure the beer probably didn't help matters, I'm willing to bet that it was the shochu that did the trick. After all, the stuff tends to sneak up on you. I just can't believe he thought it was a good idea to visit a police station after that, can you?

[via Japan Today]


  9 comments Latest by The Japan Girl
"You're technically correct, but I'm just so itching to go into grammar nazi mode over differences between American and British English use for "smelt." I'll pass though, I've been enough of a sna..."...read more

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Nippon Ichi gets hammered, profits down 97.5%
by Josh Tolentino, 02/08/2010
Nippon Ichi gets hammered, profits down 97.5% photo

It's a painful time at Nippon Ichi, dood.

As was noted at Destructoid noted earlier today, Nippon Ichi Software took a major beating this fiscal year, with its operating profits down by a staggering ninety-seven-point-five percent. It got so bad that the JASDAQ securities exchange was forced to freeze the stock's price after investors bailed out, taking another 20% of share value with them.

Siliconera took a look at this year's release history and compared it to last year's, finding, as our own Dale North commented, that this fiscal year has been heavier on ports and sequels. Also, fiscal 2010 has seen a significantly higher number of total releases, which subsequently increased the risk being taken on by the now-beleaguered publisher. 

It's not completely over yet. Nippon Ichi is still profitable (though only just), and between Japan and North America still has several games due before the end of the fiscal period, including Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love and the crazy Ultimate Hero Modding Project. Here's to hoping they can ease the pain.

  10 comments Latest by runimina
"Hmm, I am kinda surprised! I love Nippon Ichi games and know many other people that do too. They have some nice RPGS, but I can't stand all he SRPGs. (I am too impatient for any SRPG lol. But I d..."...read more



 MC Happiness: The rapping, tap-dancing Buddhist monk
by Dale North, 02/08/2010
MC Happiness: The rapping, tap-dancing Buddhist monk photo

Kansho Taga? He doesn't go by that anymore. Try MC Happiness. He's a 49-year-old Buddhist monk/rapper from Kyoouji Temple in central Tokyo. He has been rapping Buddhist sutras since 2006 to spread the good word in a new fashion.

"When I listened to rap music for the first time, it was in English so I couldn't understand a word," Tagai told Reuters.

"I realized that the same can be said for Buddhist sutras because most people can't understand a word. And the thing is, listening to rap music makes you feel good even though it may be incomprehensible."

 If that's not crazy enough, he plans to add tap dancing to the mix. Pro dancers will tap to MC Happiness' beats. Word is that he might also take the stage. He's also evaluating samba as a new medium.


view full story & comments

  10 comments Latest by runimina
"Well that was adorable and just made my day. xDD lol. "...read more



 Nobuo Uematsu to appear at Anime Boston
by Tim Sheehy, 02/08/2010
Nobuo Uematsu to appear at Anime Boston photo

Like many of you, I spent my childhood glued infront of a game system, devoting hours of my life grinding away in battle after random battle in an effort to beat the latest Final Fantasy. Each time, I fell in love with the story and characters, but most of all I grew to appreciate the music. There was always something that set it aside from the music you'd find your typical video games, and while there are a number of reasons for that, the man responsible for it all was none other than Nobuo Uematsu.

I've been fortunate enough to have had the chance to meet him several times in the past few years, and I can vouch that the man is incredibly kind and out-going. Unfortunately for most of his fans, getting to meet him in person has been rather difficult, and most of them have had to settle with just seeing him perform or conduct at various video game concerts--that is, until now.

It seems Anime Boston has announced Uematsu as their first Japanese guest for 2010. Those of you who want a chance to see him in person, without having to buy a ticket to an expensive concert, might want to consider making the trip. The convention is currently scheduled for April 2nd through the 4th at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, MA. For more information, check out their official site.

  7 comments Latest by runimina
"JEALOUS! D: He is amazing! But not as much as that time Yoshitaka Amano came to Florida a few years back. He had a gallery up in Orlando or Tampa, (I can't remember which) and I wasn't able to ..."...read more






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