Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann

When I was younger than I am now one of the anime series that had a huge impact upon me was Neon Genesis Evangelion. I remember being young and watching it for the first time and really not being too sure what exactly was going on but I was sure that on some level it was IMPORTANT. Meaningful even. Of course as time passed and the list of imitators grew many people began to forget the impact that NGE had when it first came out.  I never really thought that I would see a show that would rival the affection I still feel for Evangelion.

I certainly never forgot the people that produced it: Studio Gainax. Once of their recent productions is Gurren Lagann. Chances are if you are reading a blog about anime or are even vaguely a fan of anime you will have heard about it. Well this is a show that quite honestly is the best thing I've seen in probably close to a decade. Not because of the animation (which is great) or the characters (which are memorable) or even the story (which is superb) but for one simple reason: It's fun. I mean serious fun. Fun that involves smiling at your TV screen like a demented monkey, fun like your pulse is racing, fun like you've had a bad day and your now watching something that gets that and says you know something, don't worry about it.

Gurren Lagann is special and it is worth watching and I am very very grateful to Studio Gainax for producing it.

Gurren Lagann opening song courtesy of Youtube:

Familiar of Zero: Nendoroid Louise

The Nendoroid series of excessively adorable PVC figurines are released by Good Smile Company. The latest announcement to the line comes from Familiar of Zero a series of light novels and the accompanying anime adaptations. For more details on the anime take a look at Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero_no_Tsukaima

Louise is a prime example of why I love this figure line. She is adorable. It's an undeniable fact. The usual series of facial expression changes are great and cover a wide range of emotions. The production values will no doubt be up to the usual Good Smile standards. The only issue I have with Nendoroids is that they do tend to be a little on the small side, 14cm is not tiny but sometimes I do yearn for just one extra inch. I was still talking about Nendoroids there, get your mind out of the gutter. ;)

Image comes courtesy of the official Good Smile website:

http://www.goodsmile.info

an excellent source of information on some of the very best figure releases.

Simultaneous transmission of anime in Japan, South Korea and the US

Bandai Entertainment recently announced that the anime adaption of Kurokami is going to air simultaneously in Japan, South Korea and in the US on the iaTV network. I cannot help but wonder if this is a sign of things to come. What will be most interesting to note is whether it cuts down on the downloading of the original broadcasts or not. It will also be interesting to see if the anime fansub groups still release the series. Either way the series sounds cool and will hopefully be a hit for Bandai Entertainment. What I would like to see is an ad supported online streaming option to see the episodes with subtitles rather than dubs. Growing up watching a lot of foreign films made me very open to subtitles and somewhat averse to dubs. Definitely a step in the right direction though.

Promotional image courtesy of Bandai Entertainment.

Soul of Chogokin

Soul of Chogokin is a toy line from Bandai aimed at the collectors market. First started in 1997 it really is mainly focused on mecha from some of the most popular and memorable shows of the 70s and 80s.

The first thing you should know (this is an obvious one) is that they tend to be expensive. Think hundreds of dollars. For your money you do get a high metal content and access to some of the best robot toys to come out of Japan in a very long time. If you've taken a look at the S.O.C releases in the past but have been put off by not knowing what series they are from then it's a great way of introducing yourself and becoming familiar with some truly excellent shows. On occasion you do come across some of these releases on sale, if you can get them for a good price they really do add a little bit of prestige to both new (and small) and older (read: it's taking over the house!) collections.

Image is of the front of the box of the S.O.C Mazinger Z release.

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya: Haruhi Suzumiya Live Version

This is probably one of the most impressive figures I've seen in quite a while. Although I must admit to suffering a little from Haruhi figure fatigue this one did still stand out as something just a little bit special. The detailing on the outfit and the guitar just look great, really impressed with the recent figure work from Max Factory. I do believe the other Haruhi girls are getting similar releases, assemble the band for an admittedly expensive yet awesome jam session. :)

The closing song that's now permanently established in anime fandom courtesy of Youtube:

Japanese Disney Merchandise

Here in the West Disney merchandise is everywhere, there is so much of it available that you quite often forget just how consistently present it is in stores, malls and product aisles everywhere. Disney really is amazingly good at getting its brand in front of peoples eyes. Like everywhere else, Japan also has its fair share of Disney merchandise.

One of the things that interests me the most though are the Sega produced Disney UFO Catcher prize items. For some reason Sega seem to be able to produce items that are of a higher quality than many of the items you'll find in the Disney Store. As the picture shows some of the releases are very Japan-centric but I still believe there is a market for that kind of item in the West. Those two plushes will typically sell for between $20.00 and $30.00 - at just over a foot tall that's a real live bargain right there. ;)

So for all you Disney fans (or friends of Disney fans) next time you want to get yourself something excessively cute take a few minutes to search for some Sega Disney releases, you might find something a little more unique than your average Wal-Mart offering.

Final Fantasy Dissidia

As someone who has been playing videogames since I was about 8 years old Final Fantasy is a game series that seems to have been present at almost every stage of my life. Final Fantasy: Dissidia is a game set for release on the PSP, not a traditional JRPG but this time an action game, I admit to being rather curious as to how this game will play.

The character roster features both heroes and villains from many of the Final Fantasy series. Ever wanted to know who would win in a fight between FF6s Kefka and FF7s Sephiroth? This may be the game for you. :) So far the reviews from Japan have been very promising. This is a game I'm very much hoping lives up to its potential.

One good thing, the box artwork is done by Yoshitaka Amano who remains one of my favorite artists.

Re-Ment Miniatures

Japan has long had a reputation for taking things and making them smaller. Well that philosophy has been taken in a somewhat unexpected direction. Re-Ment are in the business of creating very small but really quite stunningly detailed miniature versions of everyday household items. I dare anyone to spend time browsing through the official North American site at www.re-mentusa.com without feeling just a little hungry by the end of it. :)

Image source: www.re-mentusa.com

Monster Hunter - Game Characters Collection DX

These figurines from MegaHouse are based off of the Capcom videogame series Monster Hunter, which oddly enough I am playing on the PSP at the moment. They are adorable it must be said. :) Looking at them they remind me of what I would expect figures based off of the Redwall Abbey books by Brian Jacques to look like. Set for release in February with pricing at 4,000Y each. I think if I ever saw these on sale they'd be definitely purchased.

Kuroshitsuji (Black Butler) and why it's ok to like dolls

Kuroshitsuji AKA Black Butler is a manga series (and now and anime series) about Sebastian Michaelis who is your average run of the mill demonic butler who because of a contract spends time carrying out the wishes of Ciel Phantomhive, the 12 year old head of an english noble family.  If I've said it once I've said it a million times...you just cannot have too many demonic butlers. ;)  The premise of the show sounds interesting and it's one that appeals to me.  

While I was looking around for info on the show and manga I came across the dolls that are pictured.  Now when I was a kid dolls were (unsurprisingly) not really all that interesting to me.  However, I honestly think these ones look cool in a way that most do not.  I'm not sure if its because of the subject matter of the anime or not but these really do appeal to me.  Pullip items are not cheap however but I do find myself in the unusual situation of hoping that for my next birthday I somehow manage to get given a pretty dolly.  Clearly it's time to go watch sports or something involving trucks. ;)

1/12 Cobra & Airbike

This is a pretty cool release from MegaHouse. Cobra is a manga classic which was turned into a successful anime move and tv series in the early 80s. In 2008 there was also a new 4 episode OVA series. It is a little pricey at 15,000Y but for fans of the original series this may prove very very tempting. :) Set for release in Japan in mid March.

Super Robot Shows - Brave Raideen

Recently with the success of the Gainax anime Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann there seems to be a bit more interest in the classic Super Robot shows from the 70s and 80s.  One of the ones I remember the most is Brave Raideen.

Brave Raideen first aired in the 70s, I remember watching repeats of it when I was very young.  Growing up in the 80s spoiled me when it came to the robot shows. :)  Raideen was also one of the very first Super Robot shows to be shown in the US.  Raideen looks awesome, I liked the show but even someone with no attachment to the original series should still be able to appreciate it if they approach it with an open mind.

Taken from Wikipedia, here's a quick breakdown of the show:

After a slumber of 12 millennia, the Demon Empire awakens to seize control of the Earth. Reideen, the giant robot-like protector of the lost continent of Mu, senses the evil presence and awakens within its golden pyramid. A young Japanese boy, Akira Hibiki, is alerted about the Demon Empire by a mysterious voice and rushes to the pyramid. It is soon revealed that Akira is a descendant of the ancient people of Mu who must help Reideen save the Earth.

In typical anime style, Akira is aided by Mari Sakurano, who happens to be the daughter of a prominent scientist, and his friends from the soccer club. Reideen was able to transform into a robotic eagle.

Even now, reading that still seems like a great concept for a show. :)

Here is the original opening song:

UFO Catcher prizes and why you should care

UFO Catcher prize goods are one of my favorite ways of getting cool anime and video game related items without going bankrupt. ;)  In my opinion the best ones are generally made by either Banpresto, Sega or Taito.  Relatively inexpensive and usually of a surprisingly high quality  they are always worth a look.

Many of the initial product announcements are sometimes just shown as concept art.  Like the Vocaloid figurines by Sega shown below:

Figures like this will normally retail for approximately $20.00 which considering the size is a great deal.  Most online retailers will carry figures like this so if you ever feel like purchasing something new try a prize good - they might just surprise you. :)