Continuing our journey in the land of the rising sun, we couldn’t resist heading off the famed holy land, Akihabara. After a brief stop at bank to exchange more money and the local bakery for some breakfast goods, we ventured off on foot. Took us roughly 15 minutes to reach the eastern edges of Akihabara and realized that most stores do not open until 10AM or 11AM. We went inside the giant department store, Yodobashi (Akiba branch) and was quickly overwhelmed by all the electronics on the first floor. The building itself has about 11 floors of goodies including one floor that sold nothing but video games, model kits, puzzles, and gashapons.
Kotobukiya recently released their prepainted HoiHoi-san figure kit to retailers and unveiled new ones at the recent Hobby Show 2009. Joining the lineup, Combat-san will be joining HoiHoi-san as well as a wide variety of HoiHois, equipped with different costume/gear variation (including a gas mask, cockroach outfit, a military uniform, and vacuum cleaning vehicle) and new faces. These lovable exterminators are coming Spring 2010. Until then, check out the photos inside!
Mana Khemia 2: Fall of Alchemy takes place 15 years after the first game, Mana Khemia: Alchemists of Al-Revis. Much has changed, including the famed Al-Revis Academy's budget. In a desperate attempt to revive the school, Marta Silweste is appointed as Chairman and enacts new policies including accepting nonalchemists. To much applause, the school prospers and at the height of the Chairman's influence, proposes to rid the academy of alchemy classes once and for all.
Metal Gear Solid Philanthropy, a fan made movie based on Hideo Kojima's Metal Gear Solid (MGS) series has final been released online available for download or stream after numerous delays. The film runs roughly an hour long ending with a cliffhanger. Hive Division, the fan made studio, has expressed interest in making two more sequels, though they are awaiting for fan and critic responses. Surprisingly the voice for Snake in the film sounds quite similar to David Hayter, the American voice actor for MGS. If you are a fan of MGS, you might as well hop on over and watch the film if you haven't already.
Fans of Korean MMORPG Lineage II will instantly recognize this figure donning the rank A Majestic Robe Set. The figure will come with a staff and a sword. Her jacket is removable; however, there is a rather obvious seems line visible on the arms. Not much more can be said about this figure until it's release. Orchid Seed has had a rather mixed history with overall quality of their PVC figures. So far from the available pictures, the figure looks pretty impressive.
More pictures inside.
May Nakabayashi, best known as May'n on stage, made her major break in 2008 as the singing voice of Sheryl Nome from Macross Frontier. May'n returned to perform at this year's Animelo Summer Live, one of the largest anime themed concert, on August 22, 2009. Unfortunately due to scheduling issues, we were unable to arrange for a full interview. We were able to get a quick photoshoot and a few questions in briefly with her.
[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWiennHYAY0]
A short one minute clip of Nana Mizuki performing live at Animelo 2009 popped up online. It looks like some type of promotional video. I'll let you know when I find out more information. Don't forget, we're still waiting for approval to publish our pictures of Animelo and we have a lot of Nana!
After having returned from Japan, we've finally sorted out all the cosplay photos we took at Comiket 76, day 3. It was pretty hot and humid that day and we like to thank all the cosplayers who allowed us to photgraph them. The only thing we regret is not being to take more! Check them out now in our gallery.