Y’see, pretty much everyone I know that bought or wants to buy a Vita has cited playing PSP games they missed out on as a major factor in their decision. Which, of course, makes the first official list of PS Vita-compatible PSP games very important.

Currently, 275 games are on it and Sony will be adding more over the coming weeks. They’ve pledged to eventually make almost every digitally available PSP game Vita-compatible. While there are some notable absences from this first batch (Valkyria Chronicles 2, though users claim it does work), other must-have titles are available, including Tactics Ogre, Corpse Party, Fate/Extra, ZHP, the Disgaea, Dept. Heaven and Persona series, Final Fantasy Tactics, Dissidia, and Petz Hamsterz Bunch. Gamers who already own the games digitally will be able to download them again free (though there are some limitations)

Check out the full list below. I've taken the liberty of highlighting some more prominent games. Is there anything you’re happy about seeing there? Anything missing that is critical to your decision? Anything that you own on UMD and are now pissed about having to buy again because Sony killed the UMD Passport program?

[Via Vocaloidism] 

If you are going through the same situation as I am, then you are in luck. Ultraman Another Genesis is actually an alternate retelling of Ultraman's origin (I assume the original). Something tells me that Another Genesis might be the next movie project that they are working on. Which would do justice to those who were not satisfied with the idea of AKB48 playing an important role in the upcoming Ultraman Saga film. 

In order to satisfy the desires of toy collectors, there are also plans in mind to create figures based off these new designs. You can thank Bandai Collector Devision and Dengeki for this one. Keep an eye out for them at the Dengeki Magazine Wonderful Festival, which is going to be on February 12.

Instead of talking about how good the concept art for this new project is, you can see it for yourself in the trailer below.

[via JEFusion]

Let's make one thing clear: This newest episode of Japanator AM is good. Maybe not "Brad Rice reading erotic fanfiction before orgasming in his booming voice" good, but everyone this week has a lot of cool and funny things to say to make the next 45 minutes of this podcast fairly entertaining to listen to, if I may speak so conceitedly on behalf of us all. If anything, you should take my word for it: I had to edit these voices together for hours on-end, listening to these assholes...

Hopping on this time for us, as usual, is our friendly reviews editor Hiroko Yamamura and our dude on location Elliot Gay. Joining us for their second and first time respectively this week are Salvador G-Rodiles with Josh Totman, as well as our newest addition to the crew, Michelle Rodanes. Is she mature and well-mannered to contribute to our conversation, or is she  really creepy and socially awkward to the point that we just kick her from our Skype call? Well, I don't want to say anything to ruin the fun for you all, but either one makes for a great first impression.

This week, we talk NONSTOP about the stupidest crap, but it's the kind of talk that everyone can enjoy: trash-talk. Not much is spared this episode, as we range from typical Gainax controversies like Panty and Stocking and the inevitable Neon Genesis Evangelion debate, to the more subtle bashing of Star Driver and Megazone 23. We also discuss "popping the anime cherry", exercises in patience with Revolutionary Girl Utena and Record of Lodoss War, as well as our standard catch-ups on the current Winter season and what we've been doing/watching. Amazing.

Also, say hello to another installment of Japanator Aftershow, a separate download featuring all of the bloopers, outtakes and extra stuff that we recorded that there just wasn't enough time to include. More Evangelion, more Elliot talking shit, and more of us being jaded and unloved. Hit the jump for all of this and more!

In regards to the voice acting, you can expect to hear over 20,000 different voice patterns being performed by 157 characters. Which is actually a new record on Falcom's behalf (Congratulations Falcom!). But that's not all folks, you will also be getting 75 newly arranged tracks (Now that's what I am talking about.). If that's not enough to win you over, how about a nice mini games of darts. For all you animation fans, it also includes some new cut scenes that are going to be animated (Hip hip hurray!).

Okay, I am going to be honest with everyone, I have never played a game in the Legend of Heroes series (The cat's out of the bag.). But that will not stop me from acknowledging the good that this series has done for fans of JRPGs. Based on the new additions for the Vita port, it might be a good place to start in the series (If it ever gets localized that is.). Once again, I am routing for you XSEED. Best of luck in picking this game up, if it is within your desire to do so. 

[via Andriasang]

Upon watching the video, I remembered watching a few similar clips by the same artists a little over two years ago. This bunch also features a mechanically-modified version of the idol known within fan art communities as Calne Ca, or Calcium. 

And so, I have decided to put together a lovely compendium of creepy Hatsune Miku videos for your viewing pleasure. I like her much better this way, but then again I'm a creep. A word of warning though --these might be ever-so-slighty NSFW.

[Via Patrick Macias, Deino3330] 

Kazuma Kamachi, the author of Index's original light novels, is starting a new series in the March issue of Dengeki Bunko Magazine this Friday. Called Waltraute-san no Konkatsu Jijou, or Waltraute's Marriage Hunting Situation, the story is about the relationship between a regular boy and Waltraute, a valkyrie with special powers. Illustrations will be provided by Nagi, an artist who has been collaborating with Kamachi since the debut of the Heavy Object light novel series in October 2009.

Of course, he'll still be working on the sequel series to Index, New Testament: A Certain Magical Index, but it'll be interesting to see if this new series gets picked up for any adaptations. The premise seems tailor-made for an anime version once the series has a few light novels published.

[Via ANN]

I'll admit, I'm nearing the end of places I can write about. Having only visited the country on holidays, my time there has been rather limited, so I figure it's high time I focus on some of the more specific places you might want to visit. I'll be talking about three particular stores/places in each of these articles, rather than locations like it my other articles, so I suppose you can consider this as an expansion pack of sorts. Expansion packs are cool. 

So, as you may know, the term 'otaku' isn't exclusive to anime fans. The places I talk about after the jump will cover many interests, so pay that some mind! Without further ado, I bring you Kotobukiya, the Jump Store and the almighty Pokémon Centre!