I support this Ichigo-chan

(tags food, illustrator, Aoi Nishimata, Japan, mail-order)

Yes I bought the rice, and now I'm planning to buy the strawberries.

Very nice indeed. "Ugono Ichigo-chan". It'll be winter soon, though.

Fanboy Square-Enix, Hate

(tags game, Final Fantasy, failure, Xbox 360, Japan)

The big gaming news this week for me was Square Enix's Final Fantasy XIII coming to the Xbox 360. What a coup! As a gamer who doesn't have a PlayStation 3 yet, I feel pretty happy about spending tens of hours leveling up on my Xbox (with Achievements mmmh).

Unfortunately, the current word is that only North America and Europe will be getting it. WTF. For Japan, FF XIII will be PS3 only. WTF WTF. If there's an Asian version (usually Chinese market), I'm going to buy it with the quickness. But probably this one game will be region locked hard. A friend of mine speculated it will be brought over as an "International Version". Sounds likely, but aren't those versions released 1 year later after the original installment?

This is why I hate... who to hate? Square Enix, who's hands are probably tied behind their back because of a Sony contract?? Well I want to hate on Sony, but SE is the one that has to deal with Sony, so its their fault as well. Who cares, the Xbox 360 version has probably just started development. I bet you it will be released late 2009.

As an aside, I have no idea how the game is supposed to play, but if there's no Gambit "programming" system, I'm not going to jump on it on opening day.

Couldn't find a Comic Blade: Aria, Fairial Garden

(tags manga, magazine, Japan, Fairial Garden, failure)

I forgot to get the latest Monthly Comic Blade issue (2008-04), which has the latest episode of Fairial Garden. Woops. I checked today (after its been on the stands for two weeks) but it seems to be sold out at all the shops. Why?

(Monthly Comic Blade 2008-04)

According to a user review at Amazon and of course the front cover, it's the last episode for Aria. I don't follow Aria, but any manga that gets a third season anime TV series must be a cash cow.

I'm going to go to the less trafficked stores during the weekend. I hope there'll be a copy for me.

Pikachu in World Hobby Fair 2008

(tags convention, Japan, Osaka, game, Pikachu, character goods, Wii, Dual Screen, PlayStation Portable)

Today was the World Hobby Fair 2008 in Osaka. To me it's a mainstream electronic game and toy hobby fair for kids ages 12 and under. These days one must bring a DS and PSP for the special goodies and opportunities, but I didn't bother. I went because I was planning to go to Den Den Town anyway. Plus there were video game demos from top-tier companies major like Nintendo, Sega, Capcom, etc. I know its ultimately a waste of time which is why I didn't go last year, even though I did go two years ago.

OMG hypocritical thoughts: There were far too many kids games about collecting or battling. It's horrifying to think about all this free time wasted on games, especially the fad games. I saw kids with hundreds of cards from those card battle games, toy cars on race tracks, kids/tweens walking around while playing whatever RPG on their DS lite or PSP, etc. Decadently vulgar mass consumerism. I wanted to shout, "Read a m!%'%'-f%)%(% book! And not a manga!" I kept on thinking to myself, man if ever become a father... yeah right. But this is what people will pay for, so the companies will provide. So essentially I was ignoring 95% of the wares being hocked.

Ahem, back to sparkle gazing. :-)

I saw the Star Soldier R download game for the Wii which was great because of my recent shmup mood (thanks Shikigami no Shiro 3 and Omega Five). It seems like it has a slightly tweaked power-up system, but it's definately Star Soldier, for better or worse. It makes me want to play my Gamecube or PSP version. I didn't bother entering the 2 minute high score contest because I already saw a contestant get one million and first place with excellent technique (eg shoot both targets at the same time). If I ever buy a Wii I'll probably get this. Are there any other shmups besides Shikigami no Shiki 3?

Super Smash Bros. for the Wii was up and playable in groups of four, though the demo movies were the same ones from E3 2006. I was surprised to see that it is in a widescreen format, because I always thought the Wii was only 4:3. And I've never played this franchise though, so the details are lost on me. I mean come on, Pikachu had 105% health but 30 seconds later it became 0%? Wut?!? I still want to get the SSB for the Gamecube because it was said to have a interesting collection mode. But I haven't wanted to buy it in the 6 years it has been out, so I don't think I'll ever get it.

Sony had their booth with the newest Ape Escape game. I wanted to play the Patapon demo, but I wasn't in the mood to wait in line. I also saw the refresh of the Taiko no Tatsujin for the DS, "7" something or other, but only in passing. Um what else? Nothing else I can remember, so the rest is not important.

On the non-video game front, I was surprised to see Speed Stacks there. I don't hold it in high regard, sorry to say, but it is indirectly useful for my Rubik's Cube hobby. They were selling the mat and timer for 5040 yen, ouch. I am kicking myself for not asking if the timer hooks up to the 2_0000 yen competition display. Show some courage, big guy. Well, I still don't need it yet.

Regarding anime and manga goods, the only thing that I found interesting was Hayate no Gotoku goods, but I resisted buying even a pencil card. The big A2 non-sale poster/tapestry at the back was a desirable Nagi design, ooh white dress. Okay that's enough.

The Pocket Monsters franchise had a big booth as always. I just had to take this picture of the inflatable playroom and big movie poster. I adore Pikachu but I have no idea about the stories or TV. Pikachu occupies the same area as Hello Kitty in my mind. It's enough just to sit around looking cute and kawaii.

Lastly I took a stroll through the exclusive goods area. I braced myself for the sell out signs because I arrived in the afternoon but all the Pikachu goods I wanted were available. Huh, lucky me. Unlucky wallet. Of course I want to show my haul:

I usually don't buy 3D representations of Pikachu (eg plushie dolls, figurines) but this coin purse was pretty much spot on. The silicone case for the DS lite was new to me, but its not an event exclusive, rather a regular Pokemon Center sale item. Lastly I never say no to pencil cards because they are relatively cheap and light to keep and store. Whoa, I have come to the conclusion that my favorite color must be yellow. :-)

The event was held at the Kyosera Dome Osaka, which I believe is an indoor baseball stadium. After leaving the event, I visted the baseball hobby shop on the first floor. I was surprised to see U.S. merchandise like official Major League Baseball shirts and hats. Even my home town team the San Diego Padres had some decent stuff there. Of course, there were a lot of fan goods of the Japanese dudes who made it big in the U.S. like Ichiro.

WHF has come and gone. At least Pikachu was there for me to keep me interested. :-)

Pikachu "Hatsumode" (2008)

(tags food, Pikachu, kawaii, promotion, collectable, 200801, Japan)

Greetz and howdy to your 2008. Hope you are having fun.

So, I did it. I went to McDonalds on New Year's Day and asked for the "Happy 2008 Pikachu ga ippai 50 pose sticker sheet", which meant I had to jump through the hoop of buying a Happy Set which I know as a Happy Meal but no fancy cardboard box. I did not bother to choose to recieve the default Happy Set toys, though. Gotta set the limit somewhere. :o

What is the phrase in Unreal Tournament? "It's been decades since I've seen one of these". :-)

Every time I think of McDonalds now I think of that picture of that Michelin tire fat kid sitting with the McDonalds bib. Going to McDonalds on New Year's Day just breaks all sorts of Resolutions, imagined or not. I'm not making any resolutions for this year but I'm going for goals. One goal is to make one Pikachu related post every month. :-)

Pikachu love: McDonalds Happy... ga ippai

(tags food, Pikachu, kawaii, promotion, collectable, 200801, Japan)

I ate at McDonalds yesterday, so Super Size Me. Anyway there's a special Pikachu sticker promotion if I buy a McDonalds' Happy Meal starting 2008-01-01. I didn't count how many pictures of Pikachu it was but... Oh wait, its on the net: Happy 2008 Pikachu ga ippai 50 pose sticker sheet.

I'm going to do it.

I'm going to do it so I can decorate my Pikachu DS lite. I'm going to do it so I can digitize it and use it as my wallpaper (to offset all the bishoujo moe).

Uh. I will be in a McDonalds on January 1, ordering a Happy Meal. I. Am. Sad. :-/

Moving Ballads: Midori Karashima and Carrie Underwood

(tags music, Midori Karashima, Japan, USA, country)

This week I swung by the Tower Records Kobe to pick up my anticipated Bouquet Garni (ブーケガルニ) CD by Midori Karashima (辛島美登里). Unfortuately it wasn't prominently displayed in the eye-catch racks. :-/ And yeah, I already like the new track (no. 4) "dakishimite" 「抱きしみて」. And the lovely revised version of "anata no ai ni naritatai" 「あなたの愛になりたい」, is an update of the song from her 1997 album. It totally reminds me of my spelunkering and puttering around Tokyo at the time. Geez, 1997.

While I'm talking about her, I may as well mention that I found the YouTube video of her song for the Yawara! television anime, called "Egao o Sagashite" 「笑顔を探して」. I never watched Yawara! though, even though I got the CD single. 8cm CD! Geez, 1990.

I drifted over to the other half of the store which was foreign music section. I checked out some favorites, but Carrie Underwood's (newest?) CD stood out. I passed on Trisha Yearwood, sorry! I'm now entranced by her rendition of "I Told You So". I first heard this song through Randy Travis, which has to be my favorite from him. Geez, 1988.

Quick hero: Nakaji-kun

(tags Rubik's Cube, Japan)

Still the backslapping and national pride is continuing with "Nakaji-kun", ie Yuu Nakajima (中島悠), the Japanese youth who won the Rubik's Cube normal event at the World Rubik's Cube Championship 2007.

(from Asahi Shimbun, 2007-10-21 Sunday edition)

Recently I read an article about him in the newspaper (above). He practices 4 or 5 hours a day, for at least 2 years and he knows 500 moves. In comparison I practiced probably 40 minutes a day (on a concentration-robbing commute) for the last 3 months and I know only 7 moves. That is the difference between 12 seconds and 90 seconds.

Also, more recently he's been awarded a special commendation by the mayor of Kushiro city (Hokkaido, Japan). (Thanks Rubik's Cube Diary (ルービックキューブ日記), Hokkaido Shimbun, Kushiro Shimbun). It's great to celebrate local heroes.

3rd in the world!?!? Idolm@ster leads Xbox live item downloads

(tags Xbox 360, Japan, online, kawaii)

According to the same Microsoft press event at Tokyo Game Show, The IdolM@ster's Xbox Live Item download count is the third largest in the world. (Thanks Geemaga Blog)

This game is Japan only, and coupled with the fact that there are 400,000 consoles in Japan while the US and Europe have like 11 million, does this mean Japanese otaku are picking up the Xbox slack or other territories don't buy into (or pay money for) Xbox Live Arcade online goods? How is this even possible?

Wanting a Xbox more and more: Ikaruga announced

(tags Xbox 360, Japan, online, Ikaruga)

Well it was rumored that Ikaruga (斑鳩) was coming out for the Xbox. I even wrote a me-too post on it back in 2007-02-15. Now it's officially announced, at the Microsoft Press Event at the Tokyo Game Show 2007.

(photo from Game Watch Impress)

There's no question now that I'll get a Xbox 360. I wonder what will this do for the used Ikaruga game market? Still this game fetches 8000 yen or more at auctions, and 10000 yen at used game stores.

The other game I wanna try is Rez HD, but you know what, I need to play it first on my PS2 with the "Trance Vibrator". I don't have a HDTV and VGA won't cut it, I bet.

not gonna waste my holiday on gaming, yeah right

(tags game, holiday, Japan, Dual Screen, PSP)

This week is a whole week off holiday from work. I should be out enjoying the sunshine. And I will as soon as am done with this catch-up post.

Last Friday, while out in Nipponbashi, I started off the holiday by buying two new games, Metroid Pinball for the DS and The Warriors (US version) for the PSP. I bought Metroid Pinball on recommendation from somari on the #insertcredit channel. I only had a chance to open it but it reminds me of Super Mario Ball. You can infinitely nudge the table using the touch panel, but unfortunately the natural grip position with thumbs on the buttons makes this a bad control config. Also it is as frustrating as Super Mario Ball. The visuals are very good. The rumble pak doesn't do anything for me. I've already put it out of my mind, so maybe I won't get back to it.

I am almost done with Doki Doki Majo Shinpan (どきどき魔女神判) for the DS. There's just one more chapter to finish. The in-game clock says 13 hours. I figured out a technique during the fight scene that makes the game totally easy. And shinpan as always is "great".

Sudoku Deluxe for the DS is almost complete. 94.1%. Maybe just another couple of hours, because there are 13 Difficult and 7 Extreme boards left. I am dreading the data input for this game since there about 400 boards and Microsoft Excel doesn't make it easy to input. We'll do some pre-processing or something with Emacs.

Other than that I did try a little of that Dead or Alive Extreme Volleyball for the Xbox 1. Very nice to look at, but its not fun. I suppose I should work on mastery of the volleyball game, but if I'm stuck in front of the "TV" I might as well look at the Internet.

Pastel PSP, 1-seg PSP, Crisis PSP

(tags game, hardware, PlayStation Portable, Japan, collectable)

I am excited about this news (thanks PSP Fanboy for linking to the original press release). Sony will be release 6 different colored PSPs "lite" (PSP-2000) on 2007/09/20 (Thursday).

Rose Pink and Lavender Purple are the fourth and fifth from the left. Both are pastel colors that look wonderful. I can't decide which one I want so maybe I'll get both. :-)

Also Sony will be release the 1-seg digital TV tuner, something I wondered about before. I tried 1-seg before on my computer, but I am not watching it now. Sony has to gall to make this a PSP lite exclusive. I can't use it on my PSP "phat".

Finally, Square-Enix will be releasing a limited edition PSP "lite" for the Final Fantasy VII "Crisis Core" game on 2007/09/13 (Thursday) (thanks PSP Fanboy). Is this also in my sights? I don't know FF 7 and I felt like I got burned buying that Final Fantasy XII Revenant Wings DS Lite bundle and finally it's silver, so I will pass. Though "exclusive" and "limited-edition" always perks my ears up. I am a sucker.

Hajimaru yo! Gakuen Utopia Manabi Straight!

(tags anime, season 2007/01, DVD region 2, Japan, telephone card)

Manabi shouts, "Hajimaru yo!" (Start it up! lol)

Gakuen Utopia Manbi Straight! (がくえんゆーとぴあ まなびストレート!)

What a totally positive anime. I saw the first three episodes back in January and decided to get/watch the DVDs instead. Then again I already got the 5 character songs set last Autumn.

Yui Horie (堀江由衣) headlining this anime, with babyface Ai Nonaka (野中藍), I-don't-know-her-yet Marina Inoue (井上麻里奈), no-talent Aya Hirano (平野綾), and I-just-saw-her-on-Tokimeki Saki Fujita (藤田咲).

In another way, it's "starting up" for me too:

Another 6 DVDs and I'll have another telephone card, heh.

Am I going to mention the CD character song set with pencil box? The PlayStation 2 game with telephone card? The magazine telephone card? The character goods? Links to the future posts here.

Mix two great tastes together: Sweet and Salty

(tags food, snack, Japan)

I like Japanese salty snacks. It comes from living near an asian store and sucking on Mafran. But here's something I've never imagined:

Strawberry flavored Japanese soy sauce crackers. Um, yummy.

Slap a "Made in China" sticker on anime

(tags anime, China, Japan, criticism, kawaii, season 2005/04)

One of my favorite English-based anime bloggers, Matthew, had an interesting report on how Futago Hime is being shown in the Chinese TV prime-time despite being a Japanese-made anime, because it is restamped as "made in China". This anime has all the audio parts in Chinese, voices, OP and ED songs, but the visuals are the same as the Japanese version.

He in turn links to a Japanese speaker who is conversant in the Chinese anime otaku scene with 3 posts (「ゴールデンタイムに日本のアニメを「中国で制作した」として放映？」:1, 2, 3) on this very issue.

Summarizing (hopefully not too crudely), the company that made the 2005 TV anime Fushigi Hoshi no Futago Hime (ふしぎ星の☆ふたご姫) is the HAL Film Maker Co,. Ltd, which is one company in the TYO Group. TYO Group also has a 31% stake in the Chinese company Da Lian Eastern Dragon Cartoon Development Co., Ltd, who is responsible for this "made in China" anime.

So the transfer of assets seems legitimate. It sounds like a business strategy to repurpose a successful product towards a different market. I'm sure that the "made in China" stamp is so that the show garners more eyeballs, which in turn will feed the toy purchasing.

But it's the same situtation as when any U.S. based (or elsewhere) dubbing company releases a Japanese anime. Do you call that product "made in the U.S.A"? I didn't think so.