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A monthly roundup of SGcafe.com News covering anime, manga, cosplay, vocaloid, dollfie, hatsune miku, otaku, akb48, jpop
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August 3rd, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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SGCafe : Cosplay | Vocaloid | Otaku | Pop CultureA daily publication about Cosplay, Vocaloid, Otakuand Japanese Pop Culture
Arma 2 glitch provideshilarious dance offSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/arma-2-glitch-provides-hilarious-
dance-off/
By Xharky on August 3rd, 2012
Some weird glitch present in the landscape of a vanillainstallation of Arma 2 provides an impromptu stage for adance off between several players…hilarity ensues.
Arma 2 is a First Person Shooter game which differs fromCoD or Battlefield by realistically simulating all ballisticsin the game. Rounds will travel in parabolic trajectoriesand are affected by bullet drop tendencies based on theircalibre. Bullets will also ricochet from surfaces based on theangle which they impact, along with material penetration,with rounds suffering from velocity and directional changes.The game also allows extensive mods to be created, with acomplete toolset for developers who intend on making theirown content.
And apparently, not just attempting to be a realistic versionof CoD or Battlefield, even the player models have savvydance moves!
A.C.M.E IV first wave ofhighlights revealedSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/a-c-m-e-iv-first-wave-of-highlights-
revealed/
By sentinel011 on August 3rd, 2012
A.C.M.E will be returning for its 4th year, this time in abigger and better location! Here are the important details ofA.C.M.E IV that you should take note of.
Date: 25th August 2012Time: 10am to 6pm
Location: Singapore Expo, Garnet Rooms
And here are some of the highlights of A.C.M.E IV that youshould watch out for:- Bushiroad Trading Card Game tournaments, broughtto you by Bushiroad SEA and Genesis Frontier
- Touhou Hisoten tournament, brought to you byHisoutenSEA community and KKnM.
- Retailers such as The Card Geeks and Toy Coin willbe attending to satisfy your craving for anime goods!
Last but certainly not least, registrations for doujinshibooths are now officially open with booths available whileslots last. Please read and download the Booth Terms andConditions and Registration Forms from the following links:
http://www.acme.sg/acme4/ ACMEIV-TermsConditions.dochttp://www.acme.sg/acme4/ ACMEIV-BoothRegistration.doc
All applications must be signed and mailed to (or droppedoff at):
Kareshi Kanojo no Mise (The Anime House) 1 Selegie Road,PoMo #B1-17, Singapore 188306
Please note that cosplaying in A.C.M.E IV is highlydiscouraged by the management of Singapore Expo. Moreinformation will be available in the coming weeks, so staytuned!
Corpse Party OVA in theworksSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/corpse-party-ova-in-the-works/
By shia on August 3rd, 2012
Mages, the company that brought to us Corpse Partyannounced today 02 August 2012, that they will beproducing a new OVA for Corpse party.
The new anime, Corpse Party: Tortured Souls will serveas a sequel to Corpse Party: Missing Footage, which waspackaged with the limited edition of “Corpse Party HystericBirthday 2U”.
The original Corpse Party game follows a high schoolstudent who are trapped in an elementary school thatwas later demolished and turned into their high school.The elementary school is haunted by children who haddisappeared to grisly murders. In “Corpse Party HystericBirthday 2U”, an anthology game based off the original,several writers tell the story of the birthday of unfortunateSachiko, one of the students who cursed the school after hergrisly death.
August 3rd, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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Mages has not given a date or price on the release of the OVAas of press time.
Source : ANN
Miku Flick 2 to release with 0day DLCSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/miku-flick-2-to-release-with-0-day-
dlc/
By shia on August 3rd, 2012
Famitsu reports that there will be 3 new songs added to MikuFlick 2 as a DLC that will be released on the same day as therelease date of Miku Flick 2.
Miku Flick is a music game that uses flick, the typing methodof choice for the Japanese language for the iPhone to typeout the lyrics as she sings along.
Miku Flick 2 comes with other vocaloid characters, such asRin/Ren and Luka and there will be duet songs. Sega plansto release these 3 songs as a additional DLC pack that will bereleased on the same day as Miku Flick 2. The date and priceare unconfirmed as of press time.
Cantarella by WhiteFlame
Gemini by Dixie Flatline
Colorful X Sexy by Team MOER
Sega might want to look at how things turned out whenMass Effect 3 released with Day 0 DLC contents, the generalopinion was very negative and to some people it felt like acash grab. In my humble opinion, Sega should just packageit into Miku Flick 2 and charge more or at least delay the DLCfor a few weeks so as to not ruffle the feathers of consumers..
InformationTitle : Miku Flick 2Maker #Sega
Date of release#Soon
Price#Undecided
Platform#iPhone#iPod touch#iPad#iOS 5.0###
Copyright##C)SEGA #C) Crypton Future Media, Inc
Source : Famitsu
Kyuubey asks if you wouldlike to sign a credit cardcontractSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/kyuubey-asks-if-you-would-like-to-
sign-a-credit-card-contract/
By shia on August 3rd, 2012
Kyuubey here has a interesting preposition for you, it asks ifyou would like to sign for a Madoka Magica Credit card.
August 3rd, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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Kotaku Japan reports that the Orient corporation will bebringing Madoka Magica Mastercard to the market and itwill feature the 5 ill-fated magical girls from Madoka Magicain collaboration with the launch of the movie. The card isnamed “Mahou Shoujyo Madoka#Magica Mastercard UPty”
Card Benefits• No yearly fee
• As long as card is used once a year, there will not be acard fee.
• if you sign up before 20th August 2012 , 200 luckywinners will get tickets to the Madoka Movies(part1&2)
• 8 different original premium cards will be randomlysent to you
With such benefits I would like to sign up too! But there mustbe some catch right ?
Well, it is a revolving credit card and might have a very highinterest rate on the credit you use and hence fall into a debttrap , as expected of Kyuubey that devious little thing!
Mahou Shoujyo Madoka#Magica Mastercard UPty is nowavailable for contract on their official site. Would you like tobe contracted too?
Source : Kotaku Japan, OHP
Anime Festival Asia 2012contents and guest line uprevealed in today’s pressconferenceSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/anime-festival-asia-2012-contents-
and-guest-line-up-revealed-in-todays-press-conference/
By sentinel011 on August 3rd, 2012
Southeast Asia waits in anticipation as to what would be theguest list and programs for this year’s Anime Festival Asia inSingapore will be like. The first venue of the very first AFA,Singapore is looking to end the year with an awesome firstrelease line-up.
AFA is known for many things, and one of it is its uniquecontent creation. The Anime Festival Asia held in Singaporeis AFA’s flagship event, and we are promised that only thebest will be available in Singapore.
At the conference, Festival Directors Mr Haruhiko Miyanofrom Dentsu and Mr Shawn Chin from SOZO spoke towardsan audience of sponsors, partners, media and bloggers,sharing what’s in store for us in Singapore this year.
Mr Haruhiko Miyano spoke of the increased response ofcontent partners, and introduced a new concept that willbe replacing the Cool Japan segment in the previous AFAscalled Japan Future Entertainment.
Partners such as Amuse, A-Sketch, Horipro and KingRecords are currently in the list. If you do not know whothey are, they are the managing companies of past, presentand future artistes performing in Anime Festival Asia and J-Live Asia. These companies will be having booths showingexclusive content at AFA12. More companies are currently
August 3rd, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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in the works, so we can expect to see more in the next waveof updates from AFA.
Without further ado, we present to you the special guestsannounced earlier this afternoon.
Special Guests
Shinichiro Watanabe
Easily one of the most influential directors of the animeindustry to incorporate music heavily into his works,Watanabe has worked on many hit anime series such as“Macross Plus”, “Cowboy Bebop” and “Samurai Champloo”.The director has also worked together with Yoko Kanno onthe recently concluded anime series “Sakamichi no Apollon”,with the last time working with the musical matriarchsince “Cowboy Bebop”. We thoroughly enjoy the musicalproductions and direction he has done with his anime, andcan’t wait to see what he has to say on his journey in animedirecting.
Go Nakanishi
Go Nakanishi is no stranger to AFA, having attended lastyear. This year, the top anime producer will share andfeature his latest work, “K” in AFA. More details as weexplain further down below!
Danny Choo
Danny Choo has definitely branched out and worked intandem with AFA over the years, having supported the eventwith his Mirai Millennium as we as being the event’s officialhost. The jovial host’s own content has spawned out a webportal, TV show and products about Japanese pop culture!
Featured Content
“K” anime showcase
Upcoming anime “K” will be featured in AFA this year!The visuals and camera directions of this anime wereoutstanding, based on the short clip shown to us during thepress conference. To further up the ante with content, therewill be a separate cosplay competition focusing on the title,with the grand prize sending the winner to Japan for a future“K” event as an official cosplayer!
In addition, AFA’s guest cosplayers will be cosplaying ascharacters of the anime series. Do look out for them!
Anime KARAOKE MA’☆ (pronounced as ‘Master)
The latest iOS app specializing in Japanese Anime openingand ending theme songs will be showcased in AFA12! theapp allows you to adjust various options such as volume,pitch and tempo controls on top of its main karaoke function.You can post scores on Twitter once you are done. The appalso allows one to practice their Japanese as it displays bothphonetic English and the original Japanese lyrics.
August 3rd, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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Guest Cosplayers
KANAME☆
KANAME# has been with AFA since its second year, havehave attended every available AFA ever since, includingthe past Malaysia and the upcoming Indonesia AFAs. Hiscosplay still astounds many current cosplayers, and hisvision and advice still inspires both cosplayers and animefans alike.
SINGI
We can’t help but to be captivated by SINGI’s cosplays.Simple characters are portrayed with aplomb, dependingon the character’s personality. We are looking forward toher elaborate cosplay showcases and attendance at thisyear’s AFA12.
I Love Anisong – Electric Groove
T.M. Revolution
T.M Revolution, also known as “Takanori MakesRevolution“, is no stranger to both the Japanese pop scene aswell as the Anison scene. Takanori Nishikawa is no strangerto singing for anime titles, as Rurouni Kenshin’s third endingtheme “Heart of Sword (Yoake Mae)” was also Nishikawa’sthird single. His fanbase has soared since then, and TMR hassince sang for numerous anime titles, such as Mobile SuitGundam SEED, Darker than Black, Sengoku BASARA, SoulEater, Bleach, and many more.
Nishikawa is also no stranger to attending and performingoverseas conventions, having been to Taiwan, New York, andother various conventions in USA.
Fans not only from Singapore, but Southeast Asia will surelyanticipate TMR’s high octane performance come Novemberat Anime Festival Asia!
Sphere
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Four popular voice actresses who are selected to becomeAnison’s idol unit are made even bigger through Sphere!
Sphere consists of the following voice actresses:- Haruka Tomatsu (Nagi from Kannagi, Naruko Anjo fromAnoHana, Ichika Takatsuki from Ano Natsu de Matteru,Asuna Yuuki from Sword Art Online)- Minako Kotobuki (Mugi from K-On!, Rika Dobashii fromHatsukoi limitied, Yuko from A Channel, Karina Lyle/BlueRose from Tiger & Bunny )- Ayahi Takagaki ( Feldt Grace from Mobile Suit Gundam00, Noe Isurugi from True Tears, Touko Zaizen fromInazuma Eleven, Wakana Sakai from Tari Tari)- Aki Toyosaki (Yui from K-On!, Momo Deviluke fromMotto To Love-Ru, Momoka Oginome from MawaruPenguindrum, Chiyuri Kurashima from Accel World)
Anime fans will rejoice that not one, not two, but four voiceactresses are coming to Singapore! Not to mention, two ofthem have attended AFA’09 with the rest of the K-On cast.Sphere has performed numerous concerts in Japan and alsoat the largest Anison concert in the world, Animelo SummerLive!
FLOW
Southeast Asia will never get enough of FLOW’s electrifyingperformance, and this will be the third time performing inSingapore! We sure hope that FLOW will be performingtheir latest song from the recent Eureka Seven AO series,
titled “Blayblue”. FLOW has performed the first series’first opening theme, “Days”. They have performed for AFAMalaysia earlier in June this year, and will return later in theyear to perform for their fans and Anison lovers this comingNovember!
fripside
Composer Satoshi Yajinuma (SAT) and voice actressYoshino Nanjo made up this synthpop group. Fans of thecurrent fripside will definitely know that they have producedtheme songs for popular anime series “To aru Kagaku noRailgun”. Under their belt are 5 singles (three which hit thetop 5 Oricon weekly charts) and 2 albums. The duo haveperformed at Animelo Summer Live twice. Check them outat AFA this year!
SEA*A
The wonderful local girls of SEA*A will be performing attheir fourth AFA, their second time in Singapore! We areespecially proud of local talent, and SEA*A’s songs are noslouch, with DREAM SHOOTER being one of the themesongs for Cardfight! Vanguard anime series! Do not miss outon their bubbly dances and songs!
May’n
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May’n has grown together with Anime Festival Asia since2008, from a young artiste to a veteran performer, holdingregional concert tours as well as large localized concerttours. Her most recent song, “Chase the World”, was sungfor the hit anime series “Accel World”. Singapore will onceagain be fired up by May’n's performance.
—–
After the press conference, media guests had a photo op withthe butlers and maids from all three AFAs, as well as its firstRegional Cosplay Championship winner-turned-judge CliveLee in his wonderful Unicorn Gundam costume.
With such an awesome line-up and contents for the fans,they will no doubt be elated. As this is the first round, thereis no mention of the ticket pricing nor when will the onlineticketing sales be launched for its I Love Anisong segment.Check out our article at a later time as we continue to updatemore on AFA12′s first wave of contents!
More information can be accessed through Anime FestivalAsia’s facebook and official site.
Star Wars: The Old Republicofficially going Free2PlaySource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/star-wars-the-old-republic-officially-
going-free2play/
August 3rd, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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By Xharky on August 3rd, 2012
Turns out all the speculations were true, and player hopeshave been fulfilled. EA|Bioware has officially announcedthat their hulk of a MMO; Star Wars: The Old Republic, willbe transitioning to a Free2Play model sometime later thisyear.
Free2Play players will be able to reach the current level50 cap in the game, and will also have access to all 8classes. However, there will be minor restrictions that haveto be removed through microtransactions (so you still haveto pay…something). When new content and level caps areintroduced, Free2Play players will have to purchase them,either through subscribing, or through individual purchases.
For existing subscribers however, they will receive anallowance of the new cash shop currency ‘Cartel Coins’ forevery month that they have subscribed to the game since itslaunch, until the Free2Play release date.
After the Free2Play launch, existing subscribers cancontinue their subscription, and they will receiveunrestricted access to all ingame features, content and anyfuture updates. They will also be given a certain amount ofCartel Coins every month for spending in the cash item store.A bonus amount of Cartel Coins will be given based on thenumber of months they have subscribed to SWTOR beforethe Free2Play launch.
Star Wars: The Old Republic will also be going on sale thismonth, for US$14.99 including a 1 month subscription.
Sources: Official Press Release, SWTOR Free2Play Page
IdolM@ster Cinderella Girlsto “hijack” Akihabara trainstation advertisement spotsSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/07/idolmster-cinderella-girls-to-hijack-
akihabara-train-station-advertisement-spots/
By shia on August 3rd, 2012
Bandai Namco has announced on the 31st July 2012that they would be promoting their mobile social game“Idolm@ster Cinderella Girls” for the iPhone/Docomomarket by running advertisements at both the JR Akihabarastation and Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line’s Akihabara station.
Bandai Namco has named the campaign “Akihabara StationAdvertisement Hijack” and will be putting up posters from
01 August onwards. From 6th August to 19th August, BandaiNamco plans to put up more posters of different designs atmore locations. A small sample of posters are available in thegallery below.
IdolM@ster Cinderella Girls is a spin-off social game basedoff the wildly popular game “The Idolm@ster” that is on themobile phone platform. Bandai Namco has invited over 100popular artists to draw the illustrations of the idols in theform of cards. Players can collect cards of the idols and trainthem to become the No.1 top idol unit.
Source : 4Gamer, OHP
Piko to attend this year’sSTGCCSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/07/piko-to-attend-this-years-stgcc/
By sentinel011 on August 3rd, 2012
Famed nico singer Piko announced at a live concert in HongKong yesterday evening that he will be attending STGCC thisSeptember.
At the 14th ACGHK with an estimate of 700,000 attendees,Piko mentioned to the 5,000 strong audience that he will be
August 3rd, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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attending Singapore Toys, Games, and Comics Convention2012 on the 1st and 2nd of September. It is not known if hewill be there for a performance, or purely a meet-and-greetsession, or maybe both. Nonetheless, Utaite fans will rejoicewith Piko’s appearance at STGCC.
While confirmation has come from Piko’s side, no publicword has been confirmed from STGCC as yet. We expect fanseagerly waiting for more details to be revealed by STGCC.
Source: musicman-net
OniAi to air in October, 1sttrailer streamedSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/07/oniai-to-air-in-october-1st-trailer-
streamed/
By shia on August 3rd, 2012
Onii-chan Dakedo Ai Sae Areba Kankei Nai yo ne, alsoknown as OniAi in short, will be airing this October and theproduction company T.O Entertainment has released the 1sttrailer for our viewing pleasure.
The story revolves around Akito, who was separated fromhis twin sister, Akiko while they were young, and after somecircumstances, they are living together again and going tothe same high school. Akiko has a severe brother complexwhile Akito fends off his younger sister’s advances in a lighthearted romance comedy.
Daisuke Suzuki, whom is the author of the series, launchedthe series in 2010 with illustrations by Gekka Uruu. The lightnovel series has over 430,000 copies in print.
Suzuki’s previous works include the hilarious Goshuushou-sama Ninomiya kun, that lead to the animation adaptationof the series with the same name.
Our previous news about the series can be found here.
Source : ANN, OHP
August 8th, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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SGCafe : Cosplay | Vocaloid | Otaku | Pop CultureA daily publication about Cosplay, Vocaloid, Otakuand Japanese Pop Culture
Game Review: Record ofAgarest War Mariage PSPSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/game-review-record-of-agarest-war-
mariage-psp/
By sentinel011 on August 8th, 2012
Gratuitous fan service, annoyingly hard bosses andinter-generational relationships, Record of Agarest WarMariage[アアアアアアア Mariage] (Agarest M)(Yes it is written as
“Mariage” ) is the 4th in the series of Adventure RPG thatCompile heart has put onto the market.
Record of Agarest War Mariage was released on 19 July 2012by compile heart and goes for 6,090 yen for the normaledition and 8,190 yen for the limited edition.
The limited edition also includes a pencil board, a materialsbook and a set of posters of the heroines.
If you like blatant fan service, grinding levels and brutal bossfights in a J-RPG this is the game for you.
Read our full review here!
Steins;Gate skin released forFeel On “comics experience”Twitter appSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/steinsgate-skin-released-for-feel-on-
comics-experience-twitter-app/
By KarbyP on August 8th, 2012
Feel On! for Twitter by Japanese app developer LisB (read“L is B”) is an iPhone Twitter client that lets you frame yourthoughts in comic or manga-style panels, and publish themto the popular social network.
The app was released throughout the world in the regionaliTunes app stores of 139 countries last year.
But the version you really want is the one from the JapaneseiTunes store.
That’s the only one that has access to a Steins;Gate skin forthe app, released earlier today as an in-app purchase forexisting users of Feel On! for Twitter in Japan.
The Steins;Gate skin costs 350 yen from the iTunes appstore, while the app itself is free to use.
This is the first in-app purchase – ever – for the Feel On!Twitter client, and we get the feeling that it won’t be thelast. Especially since 5pb and MAGES head honcho ShikuraChiyomaru is a pretty big fan of Twitter.
Plus, Twitter plays a pretty heavy role in Robotics;Notes,5pb and Nitroplus’s latest entry in the Science Adventureseries of visual novels that takes place in the same universeas Steins;Gate, in the year 2020.
This is just speculation on our part, but we think that at somepoint in the future – say, sometime after Robotics;Notesbegins its TV anime run on Fuji TV’s Noitamina time slotlater this year in October – LisB and MAGES will probablywork on releasing a Robotics;Notes skin for the Twitter
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client as well. It’d make perfect sense – but again, all of thatis pure speculation right now.
It’s not like we have access to an actual time machine, or theability to receive D-mails from the future, after all.
… Or do we?
Source: Feel On, 5PB Mobile site
Miku Flick 02 30-secondtrailer recaps all of thesequel’s new featuresSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/miku-flick-02-30-second-trailer-
recaps-all-of-the-sequels-new-features/
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By KarbyP on August 8th, 2012
“Hatsune Miku is baaaack on the iPhone!” the playful voiceof Saki Fujita teases in this new 30-second promotionaltrailer for the soon-to-be-released iPhone game app, MikuFlick 02.
Like its predecessor, this rhythm-action sequel has playersperform taps and flicks on a Japanese-style smartphonekeyboard in sync to a number of popular Vocaloid songsperformed by digital singer Hatsune Miku. This time round,her friends Kagamine Rin, Len, and Megurine Luka will alsojoin in on the fun. Some of the songs here will be duets.
This new trailer is nowhere near as satisfying to watch as theprevious, two-and-a-half-minutes-long play video that Segareleased for the app.
For the most part the new trailer is a recap on all the newfeatures Sega is adding to Miku Flick 02. Apart from theaddition of an “Extreme” difficulty level, which is a notchabove “Hard”, there will also be three new modes of play:Replay, Karaoke, and Climax.
Only one of the modes is clearly defined on the game app’sofficial website: Replay mode is where you go to view yourbest hi-score or “super play” performances.
Karaoke mode is pretty self-explanatory, which leaves uswith Climax mode, which we’re not entirely sure refers towhat exactly. Could this be the new name for the nigh-impossible “Break the Limit” mode in the original MikuFlick?
The official website has also been updated with a list of songs(nine tracks + one hidden… any good guesses on what thehidden track might be?) that will be included in the game.Like we previously reported, the game will also support DLCsong packs, the first of which contains three duet songs.
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Miku Flick 02 for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad (iOS 5.0and above) will be released on the iTunes App Store soon(date is to be determined), to be sold in Japan for 900 yen.
As with the first Miku Flick, an English international versionof the app is also planned for release in the near future.
Source: Miku Flick/02 -アアアアアア/02-アアアアアアアアiPhoneアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアア
AKB48 3rd Dating Sim nowfor PSP & PS VitaSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/akb48-3rd-dating-sim-now-for-psp-
ps-vita/
By GermanSausage on August 8th, 2012
More cheers for getting a PSP or a Vita this Christmas.
For AKB, this will be it’s 3rd dating simulation game. AKB1/153: Love Election is published for the PSP and Vita. Thedating simulation to be published by Namco Bandai willfeature idols from AKB48, SKE48, NMB 48 and HKT 48.Making a total of 153 idols for players to meet, date andprogress all the way to the nuptials.
The game will feature voice samples and photos of idolssimulating Valentine’s Day, Xmas, Wedding and other redcarpet events. The “Super Deluxe Box” is to include
• 1 copy of AKB 1/153: Love Election (2UMD for the PSPedition)
• 4 making of DVDs with AKB 48 idols totaling 400 mins
• 3 making of DVDs with SKE 48 idols totaling 300 mins
• 2 making of DVDs with NMB 48 idols totaling 200mins
• 1 making of DVDs with HKT 48 idols totaling 100 mins
• A 150 pages swimsuit photobook featuring all 153 idols
• 10 Photos of the idols
• Code for downloadable content
The “Super Deluxe Box” will be on sale for 14,679 JPY. Thestandard edition will be priced at 7,329 JPY. The pre-orderswill come with an additional three idol photos. AKB 1/153:Love Election will be on sale in Japan on December 20.
Source: ANN, SiliconEra, Jefusion, Japandman, アアア
The next Final Fantasy XIIISequel will be announced onSeptember 1stSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/the-next-final-fantasy-xiii-sequel-
will-be-announced-on-september-1st/
By GermanSausage on August 8th, 2012
On September 1, the next Final Fantasy XIII title willbe announced at the Final Fantasy Anniversary event atShibuya.
According to Famitsu, Square Enix’s Yoshinori Kitase hasconfirmed with the gaming magazine that work on the sequelhas “just begun”. More information will be revealed by thepublisher during the anniversary event at the “Final FantasyXIII Lightning Saga: New Development Presentation”.
Square Enix has been constantly intheheadlines with goodand bad news, as well as many floating rumours about itsgames.
Source: Kotaku, Andriasang
Arc System Works hasunveiled the new BlazblueChrono PhantasmaSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/arc-system-works-has-unveiled-the-
new-blazblue-chrono-phantasma/
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By Kyoka on August 8th, 2012
Arc System Works has just revealed their new successorto the fan favourite Blazblue franchise. Known as BlazblueChrono Phantasma, was announced at Arc System Works’syearly event “BlueFes 2012 -Riot Summer Again-” justyesterday.
The game has new updates and features, and introduces 3new characters to join the fray. The game is scheduled tolaunch in Japanese arcades by winter 2012, while locationtests will take place at Akihabara’s Hey arcade from August6 through August 12. So if you’re in Japan, do have a sneakpreview of the game. Arc System Works has a promotionalvideo shown below, also screend during its sunday event.
New updates:
• Renewed background graphics
• Character design drawn by Mr. Toshimichi Mori( Director and Producer of the Blzablue series)
• New game BGM music
• 3 new characters “Amane = Nishiki”, “Barrett” and “Azrael”
• Changes to the design parts of existing characters
• Added new moves to existing characters
• Configurations and screen changes ( guard primer nownot shown)
Barret
Amane = Neshiki
Azreal
Source: 4Gamer
Ano Hana theatrical releasedated for Summer 2013Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/ano-hana-theatrical-release-dated-
for-summer-2013/
By shia on August 8th, 2012
Oreteki reports that the theatrical release for “Ano himieta hana no namae wo bokutachi ha mada shiranai”(AnoHana) has been dated for Summer 2013. Unfortunately it isunknown as of press time if there will be any changes in thestaff producing it.
Ano Hana is follows the story of 5 kids who have grownup after growing apart due to a unfortunate accident thatclaimed the life of one of their friends, in which the mainprotagonist, Jinta has become a shut-in after the accident,until one day he starts seeing the ghost of Meiko , the girlwho had died in the accident. She returns with an unfulfilledwish that she has forgotten and hopes that Jinta can fulfill it.
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Mages is developing the game for Ano Hana and it will be onthe PSP and it will be release on the 30th August 2012. Readmore about it from our earlier post here.
Source : oreteki , Ano Hana Movie OHP
Sony releases 5thAnniversary Hatsune Miku SSeries WalkmanSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/sony-releases-5th-anniversary-
hatsune-miku-s-series-walkman/
By Kyoka on August 8th, 2012
Its been five years since the huge success of the ever popularvocaloid idol Hatsune Miku sang to the hearts of fanseverywhere, and to commemorate its 5th anniversary Sonyhas released its Limited Edition series of Hatsune Miku SWalkman.
Limited to only 3939 units per walkman design, it comesin Black or Turquoise. Why the strange limited quantitynumber you ask? It appears to be a word play on Miku’sname, “Mi” refers to the number 3, or “Mitsu” and “Ku”meaning the number 9 in japanese, which is properlypronounced as “kyu”, hence the term Mikumiku “3939″.
This special walkman is only available in Sony Japan pricedat 12,800 Yen without speakers, and 15,800 Yen withspeakers.
Features:
• Original 5th Anniversary Hatsune Miku Walkmanwallpaper art
• Shipped with Pre-installed full version of “Fragmentsof the star”
• Official numbered serial number engraved on back ofWalkman with original art
• Bonus Hatsune Miku Walkman neck strap
Source : Hatsune Miku Project F Official website
Back Design
Colors
Walkman Neck Strap
Special interview withArisaka MikaSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/special-interview-with-arisaka-mika/
By bj0rN on August 8th, 2012
Early last month, jazz singer Mika Arisaka was in town forthe grand opening of KAWARA Cafe & Bar. We are happy tobe able to meet up with her for a little chat and interview.
For those who are unaware of who she is, Mika Arisakasang for one of the Gundam SEED ending themes, titled“Life Goes On”. She is also pretty well-known amongstthe Japanese Jazz community; SGCafe dropped by herperformance at The Still Bar prior.
How’s your stay in Singapore so far and what do you thinkof it?
It has been wonderful! There’s good food and I had GingerChicken and Bak Kut Teh. There was some Garden Festivalat the Orchid Garden now but I can’t attend it sadly eventhough I like flowers. I haven’t been to much Asian countries,only Bali and Thailand. Too bad the Merlion is underconstruction so I couldn’t get to see the real thing. I thinkSingapore is amazing. There’s so many things to see and allhere and I hope I do have enough time to explore more.I’ll definitely would love to come back again.
Great show on Friday at Still Bar with DJ Takizawa Kentaro,I would presume it’s your first performance in Singapore?
Yes, it’s my first time in Singapore however it’s not myfirst time to perform with Kentaro. We’ve collaborated onnumerous occasions in Japan for a long time. I also have achoir with about a hundred children called the Sun Showers.
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More about yourself, so what got you into music andperformance? You even went to pursue studies in Americaat Berklee College of Music.
I was born in Japan with two elder brothers and an eldersister. They are a lot older than I am and as I grew up, I listento various kind of music, such as Reggae, Rock, R&B, Funk,Classical as well. I also play the classical piano as a child. Ithen decided to go to the States to live with my sister when Iwas 15 and spent about 10 years there and went to BerkleeCollege of Music. I was heavily involved in Jazz there andeventually I decided that I want to be a vocalist.
How was life in America for you during the times you pursuemusic there?
It’s been 12 years since I’ve been back so it was before the9/11 when I was there. It was interesting with a lot of thingslike cultural influences, racial and political issues. I tried tofind my identity there as an Asian and a Japanese, so it wasa refreshing experience there.
So you’ve also sang for some animes along the way, howis it different to sing for an anime compared to what younormally do?
It was different in a way. They have all sorts of theme,especially Gundam. There’s like a written image for it whereI was to try write the song to fit the theme of the series andhad to do my research. I also added in some homage to it withthe first Gundam series with ” moeagare” and i used that in‘Life Goes On’ to try to make a connection.
What are your source of inspiration and motivation to be asinger?
With music, I can communicate with people and its likean international language that I can connect people with.That really inspires me to encourage a lot of children tosing especially with a live band. It’s somewhat different fromkaraoke but the feeling of performing with a live band is awhole new experience for them too. It’s one of my lifetimework to provide these opportunities for them.
It’s been quite awhile since your last album release. Anyfuture plans of releasing new singles or albums? Or do youplan to do more live performances like what we saw onFriday at Still Bar?
I’m trying to get the Sun Showers together and go to Tohokuregion to get the children from both there and Tokyo to gettogether to make a live album. I would like to make my ownjazz album and have guest to collaborate together. I’m moreinterested in teaching nowadays rather than doing my ownstuff. It’s great to see my student have their own releases andwatch them go far. I still sing with Reggae Disco Rockers butwe’re probably gonna make something next year.
—–
We hope she will be back in sunny Singapore for morelocal delicacies as well as spreading the love for jazz and allthings good. SGCafe wishes Mika Arisaka continued successand fulfilment with her career and life ahead.
[By: Bj0rN; Editor: sentinel011]
World Cosplay Summit 2012ResultsSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/the-world-cosplay-summit-2012-
results/
By sakurazaki on August 8th, 2012
This year’s World Cosplay Summit has shown a myriad ofcosplayers from all over the world with beautifully craftedarmor and costumes. What makes this year’s WCS differentfrom last year’s? Let’s find out!
The “World Cosplay Summit” also known as WCS, wascreated to promote international exchange through theJapanese youth culture of manga and anime. The cosplayevent sponsored by TV Aichi has grown from a weekendevent in 2003 to an international event comprising of theparade and championship. The event is now held annuallyon the Saturday and Sunday of the first weekend of Augustsince 2006.
The World Cosplay championship began in 2005 andis designed to determine a Grand Champion throughstage performances by representative teams from eachparticipating country. The championship is graded on thefinish of the costume design and the teams performance onstage.
This year, England, Indonesia and Russia have joinedto bring the total participating nations to 20. The
championships held on the 4th of August 2012 has just cometo an end and indeed it has been one of the most excitingyears. With amazing performances and fabulous costumesthat one will only witness once every few years!
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Representatives waiting for the results to be announced
Team Japan won the top prize clinching the Championshiptitle for the World Cosplay Summit 2012!
Team Singapore placed second with a breath takingperformance and commendable costumes
Team Indonesia placed third with their amazing costumesand well-choreographed performance
The Best Wig award went to team Brazil
The Brother award went to Team Singapore once again
Italy claims the prize for faithfulness to the original series
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Performances from the other countries
For more information check out the following websitesWCS Official Website : http://www.tv-aichi.co.jp/wcs/e/WCS Twitter Main Site : https://twitter.com/cosplay_summit
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SGCafe : Cosplay | Vocaloid | Otaku | Pop CultureA daily publication about Cosplay, Vocaloid, Otakuand Japanese Pop Culture
Miku Flick 02 released iniTunes Japan and Singapore,new 60-second trailerfeatures “Just Be Friends”Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/miku-flick-02-released-in-itunes-
japan-and-singapore-new-60-second-trailer-features-just-be-friends/
By KarbyP on August 10th, 2012
Sega has just released Miku Flick 02 on the iTunes app storeand – guess what – it’s available to Singapore iTunes accountholders! I kid you not: you can buy the app right now for S$13.98! In Japan it’s sold for 900 yen.
We’ve also checked the US iTunes app store, and it appearsthat currently Miku Flick 02 has not gone live over there yet.
Keep in mind, though, that the iTunes app store updates atdifferent times for different regions; so US readers, if youcheck back with Apple later in the day, who knows, you mightindeed be able to spend your day happily Miku-flicking.
To commemorate the game’s release, Sega has also put out anew 60-second trailer, this time featuring Megurine Luka’sJust Be Friends.
Like the previous trailer, this one also recaps all the newcapabilities added in 02. This new trailer also offers a goodlook at what we believe to be Climax Mode.
We’re not hundred-percent certain of this yet, but payattention to the new trailer and you’ll see that at one pointSega shows the game being played with a single virtualbutton (with a musical note on it), as opposed to thetraditional Japanese virtual keyboard.
That, we think, is Climax Mode – a super-easy mode whereyou can focus on taking in the sights and sounds rather thanworry about typing the wrong Kana and what not.
Head over to the iTunes app store today to get it, pronto!
Source: Miku Flick 02
A.C.M.E IV: Bushiroadannounces TCG tournamentschedule, groups releaseinformation of their waresSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/a-c-m-e-iv-bushiroad-announces-
tcg-tournament-schedule-groups-release-information-of-their-wares/
By sentinel011 on August 10th, 2012
More exciting news ahead, with A.C.M.E IV announcingtheir Bushiroad tournament schedule of their card games,while doujin groups Colleteral Damage Studios andMetronome dish out new wares for sale at the venue.
Bushiroad TCG Tournament schedule and details at A.C.M.EIV
This is the day that all Bushiroad TCG fans have been waitingfor! Today we will be revealing the format and schedule ofall Bushiroad TCG tournaments at A.C.M.E this year, so allBushiroad fans, sit tight and start reading!
Weiss Schwarz Tournament
Time: Registration starts from 10am to 10.45am,tournament starts from 11am to 3pmNumber of participants: 256
Format: Double elimination, random pairing
Cardfight!! Vanguard Japanese tournament
Time: Registration starts from 1pm to 1.45pm, tournamentstarts from 2pm to 6pmNumber of participants: 128
Format: Double elimination, random pairing
Cardfight!! Vanguard English tournament
Time: Registration starts from 2pm to 2.45pm, tournamentstarts from 3pm to 6pmNumber of participants: 64
Format: Double elimination, random pairing
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Chaos TCG tournament
Time: Registration starts from 2pm to 2.45pm, tournamentstarts from 3pm to 6pmNumber of participants: 32
Format: Double elimination, random pairing
Victory Spark tournament
Time: Registration starts from 2pm to 2.45pm, tournamentstarts from 3pm to 6pmNumber of participants: 32
Format: Double elimination, random pairing
Of course, the tournaments will be held at A.C.M.E, at thefollowing date and location:
Date: 25th August 2012Location: Singapore Expo, Garnet Rooms
Hopefully this information will help all TCG players to plantheir schedule in advance. Have fun in your games, and goodluck!
—–
Continuing on, we have the doujin groups ColleteralDamage Studios and Metronome teasing us of what’s in storefor us:
Colleteral Damage Studios: Superscenic 2: The DefinitiveCollateral Damage Studios Artwork Collection – Pre-orderyour copy at A.C.M.E IV!
The first Superscenic, #CDS0001, was put together by theoriginal Collateral Damage Studios (CDS) artists back in2007. It was announced during the first Kaleidoscope anddebuted at EOY of the same year. A compilation artbookfeaturing the work of various artists in the group and someguest art, it was unlike anything else the doujin communityhad offered then. It captured the spirit of the young groupthen; the raw skills and talents along with an earnest desireto showcase their works to the public.
Five years on, thanks to all the support the communityhad given the group, CDS had grown to be popular andmore importantly, better. Going by product number, wehad produced about thirty products by now. It was time totest our limits and do something memorable to mark theoccasion, something both familiar and different from whatwe usually do.
It was time for another Superscenic 2.
Superscenic 2 collects the original works from the nineactive artists within the CDS team along with somecommissioned works that we have done in the past over80 pages of A4 prettiness. Xeph, WaHa, Tragic Comedy,Haimerejzero, GreenTeaNeko, JUN, IdleErrant, Setsuriand Semi-Shigure. Some of them had been with the teamsince its formation while others had only joined as recentas last year.
Check out what lurks beneath the minds of these artistswhen left un-inhibited by fandom. Enjoy their individualityand their styles as they illustrate their imaginary worlds.Learn from the team’s experience of working with eachother and working with clients to create some really prettyartworks.
The book itself will be officially launched at SingaporeToys Games Comics Convention 2012 (STGCC) on 1st-2ndSeptember 2012 at Marina Bay Sands Convention Hall atthe price of $50. If you buy at STGCC, you will get thebook and two postcards, all within a specially designed bagto carry them in. The preorder price is $46 and it comeswith an extra print. To preorder, simply drop by the CDSbooth at either ACME (EXPO on 25 Aug) or ICDS (NgeeAnn Polytechnic on 26 Aug) and leave your name/contactnumber and email. As a promise, you will also need to leavebehind a $1 deposit. Yes, just one gold-looking coin. Thencollect it on the day of STGCC itself. If you are unable tocollect, we can make arrangements for you to collect yourpre-ordered copy at another event.
Subsequently, Superscenic 2 will be available at futureevents that CDS goes to and, if we are lucky, somebookstores.
We are also giving away two fully autographed copy of thebook for only $1 for anyone who helps us spread the wordaround. Just follow some simple steps.1. Share our posts on Superscenic 2 on Facebook or retweetany Superscenic 2 related posts on Twitter.
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2. Bonus points if you include a short write-up on why youwant the book yourself in your report.3. ‘Like’ or ‘Follow’ CDS on either Facebook or Twitter(obviously)4. Pre-order the book.5. Lucky draw closes on 31st Aug, 2359 and two luckywinners will be chosen randomly. You will get theautographed book upon collection during STGCC itself.
Site | Facebook
Metronome: Kuroyukihime (Accel World)
Would you like to do some accelerating together withKuroyukihime? Link up with her at the upcoming ACME!
Please email us at [email protected] with yourname, contact number, item name and sizing, to place yourorders. Thank you!
##08
- KUROYUKIHIME#Series: ######### (Accel World)#Price: $30.00#Color: Black#Size: S / M / L / XL#Silkscreen#Cotton T-shirt#Design & Art Works By bj0rN / CDS Disclaimer: Thisdigital image is intended to give an idea of how the actual
product will look like. The final design may be subjected tochange.
More information to come as the clock ticks to A.C.M.E IV!
Concert overview: NakagawaShoko Asia Tour in SingaporeSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/concert-overview-nakagawa-shoko-
asia-tour-in-singapore/
By sentinel011 on August 10th, 2012
Last weekend was a blast, with Nakagawa Shoko performingin Singapore for the second time. What’s the differencebetween her own solo performance compared to the one atAFA09, and was it any better? Read on!
Nakagawa Shoko, or Shokotan as her beloved fans call her,was in town last Saturday on the 4th of August to perform herlast leg of her ASIA TOUR at Singapore’s Kallang Theatre.An estimate of about 600 fans and attendees came, with afew of them in costumes and fanclub outfits.
The concert was scheduled for an 8pm performance, butonly until 8.15pm did the concert begin. Shokotan startedher concert with a bang with tunes from popular animeseries Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, wearing a colourfulneon UV reactive dress. Performing ‘Sorairo Days’ asa starting song immediately got the audience pumping,followed by 2 other popular tunes from Occult Gakuen andShokotan’s on variant of Saint Seiya opening theme.
Her first emcee was lively as she introduced herself. Alarge screen behind provided the audience some backgroundinformation about Nakagawa Shoko, switching betweenEnglish and Chinese text. The theatre had this very warmand fuzzy atmosphere as Shokotan tried her best to expressherself to the audience in a mix of English and Japanese.
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A medley of tunes of favourite anime titles soon followed,from series such as K-On!, Macross Frontier, Sousei noAquarion and Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu . Shokotanbelted a few more classic songs before performing herown original songs. The Interlude that came after keptthe audience hyped up, while Nakagawa Shoko blasted outin a shimmery red and black outfit. Her second emceesegment had bits of Singlish inside, with one particularsentence saying “Is everyone feeling shiok? (“Shiok” meansgreat/awesome in English). She also taught her famouscatchphrase for awesome – “GIZA!”
More hard hitting tunes followed, ending the concert withBeezelbub’s ending theme “Tsuyogari”. But…..
….the concert ain’t over till the lady said so! Calls of encorecalling out “SHOKO!!” resonated the hall for 5 minutes, withNakagawa Shoko dressed as Hatsune Miku! She proceed tosing a classic Sailormoon theme song “Moonlight Densetsu”,followed up by a Mandarin variant of “Sorairo Days”. Thelive concert came to an end as Shokotan’s band memberscame foward to be introduced to the audience. A specialmessage appears at the end for the audience, expressing herthoughts and wishes of this ASIA TOUR.
With that, here’s the song list:
1. 空空空空空 Sora iro Days2. 空空空空空空空空空空空空 Flying Humanoid
3. 空空空空空空 ver.Ω Pegasus Fantasy Ver.Ω
4. Medley: Don’t say “lazy”(K-On!) + 空空空空Seikanhiko(Macross Frontier) + 空空空空空空空空空 Sō Sei NoAquarion (Aquarion) + God Knows… (Haruhi Suzumiya noYuutsu)
5. 空空空空空空空空空 Cruel Angel Thesis
6. 空空空空空空空空 Namida no Tane, Egao no Hana
7. CAT Life
8. souffle secret
9. rainbow forecast
10. pretty please chocolate on top
11. ARENA (band solo)
12. TYRANT too young
13. calling location
14. 空空空空空 Horizon
15. 空空空空 Tsuzukusekai
16. 空空空空 Tsuyogari
Encore:17. 空空空空空空空空 Moonlight Densetsu
18. 空空空空空-空空空ver.- Sora iro Days Chinese Ver.
We feel that all otaku should experience Nakagawa Shoko’sconcert, to get the feel of an otaku performing for her fellowotaku friends. Her live performance gives off much bettervibes than what you can experience from her DVD footage.That said, Shokotan hopes to perform in Singapore again inthe future, so keep your fingers crossed and wait for her nextlive! All in all, it is a very satisfying 90 minute concert for all,especially for those who are new to her live experience.
Special thanks to Akiba no Hoshi for the photos and ani-culture for the set-list information.
Watch 150 people danceto Weekender Girl in thisHatsune Miku Project Diva fpromo videoSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/watch-150-people-dance-to-
weekender-girl-in-this-hatsune-miku-project-diva-f-promo-video/
By KarbyP on August 10th, 2012
A while back Sega announced that they were looking for 150volunteers to appear in a Hatsune Miku Project Diva f promovideo, where they’d be dancing to the beat of kz[livetune] andHachiouji-P’s Weekender Girl.
Well, the PV’s finally done – here it is!
There are guys. There are gals. Professional dancers. Officeworkers. Hipsters. Otaku. Fashionistas. A cafe barrista. Awaiter. Socialites. Famous Vocaloid creators. And, of course,Saki Fujita (pictured above), the voice of Hatsune Miku…Everyone’s here for Miku!
Will you be there for Miku, too, when her game (HatsuneMiku Project Diva f) drops August 30 in Japan and Asia?
Oh and in case you’re looking for the original dance tutorialvideos, so that you may join in on the fun at home:
Read more about Hatsune Miku here on SGCafe!
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Halo 4 Developer 343Industries release video ofUNSC weaponsSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/halo-4-unsc-weapons/
By Xharky on August 10th, 2012
For all FPS buffs out there, Halo 4′s developer 343 Industrieshas released videos of UNSC weapons in action, along withrebuilt sound effects for them.
Halo 4 will be the first game in a new trilogy (named the‘Reclaimer Trilogy’) in the Halo universe of games. It beginsfour years after the ending in Halo 3, and features the returnof the Master Chief and Cortana.
The game itself will be released in the usual Standard andLimited Editions. The limited edition will include access tofuture DLC in the form of competitive multiplayer maps, anddigital items for avatars and customization of the player’sin-game Spartan IV characters. An extended version of theseries ‘Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn’ and a special BriefingPacket will be included.
A Certain Magical Indexmovie’s subtitle – Endymionno Kiseki (The Miracle ofEndymion) – revealed inSummer Comike PVSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/a-certain-magical-index-movies-
subtitle-endymion-no-kiseki-the-miracle-of-endymion-revealed-in-
summer-comike-pv/
By KarbyP on August 10th, 2012
Will your favourite character make an appearance in ToaruMajutsu no Index: Endymion no Kiseki (The Miracle ofEndymion)? Find out in this minute-and-a-half PV trailer,the first for the forthcoming movie.
In addition to returning ensemble characters, the moviewill also see three new characters in a plot, penned byseries author Kazuma Kamachi, revolving around Endymionwhich is a newly-constructed space elevator in AcademyCity.
One of the new characters is Arisa Nago (pictured above), aLevel 0 girl who Index and Kamijou meets at the outset of themovie, and is subsequently revealed to be targeted by StiylMagnus and his team of magicians.
The movie’s synopsis, according to Mangahere:
Academy City’s space elevator Endymion. One dayas its completion nears, Kamijou and Index meeta Level 0 girl named Nago Arisa. Index and Arisahave a mysterious connection in their ravenousappetites. While the three are enjoying their timeafter school, Stiyl (who has brought in some othermagicians) suddenly attacks. His target is Arisa.Why is a member of the science side like her beingtargeted by the magic side? With the attack formthe magic side underway, Academy City deploysa unit meant to maintain order led by its femaleleader Shutaura. As the situation developing aroundKamijou, Index, and Arisa grows more and moreconfused, Stiyl says, “That girl could likely cause awar between the magic side and the science side.”When science and magic cross paths, the storybegins with Endymion as its stage!
J.C. Staff, the studio that produced the TV anime series, willonce again take up production roles for the movie. DirectorHiroshi Nishikiori, who was involved with both the Index Iand Index II TV anime series, also returns as director for thefilm.
A Certain Magical Index (空空空空空空空空空空空空空空 空空空空空空空空空空空) the movie will begin playing in cinemas in Japan 23February 2013.
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[Via Hachima]
World of Warcraft loses 10%of subs in 3 months, willGuild Wars 2 dethrone it?Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/world-of-warcraft-loses-10-of-subs-
in-3-months-will-guild-wars-2-dethrone-it/
By Xharky on August 10th, 2012
Recently, according to an officially published report fromActivision Blizzard that World of Warcraft has currently 9.1million subscribers, down from the 10.2 million from the lastreport in May. This has brought up much discussion over onreddit on whether this giant in the world of MMOs is finallygoing down.
However, with upcoming AAA+ title Guild Wars 2 releasinga month before WoW’s upcoming expansion Mists ofPandaria, will this giant finally be toppled?
Guild Wars 2 builds on AreaNet’s well received and editor’schoice award-winning Guild Wars, by extending the loreand world of Guild Wars approximately 200 years into thefuture. With new mechanics like dynamic events, an updatedcombat system, the game is set to welcome players into theworld of Tyria on August 28th (25th for preorder headstarts)
Some information on the new stuff:
• Dynamic Events: This replaces the MMO tradition offixed quest elements by allowing players to completequests in different ways, and changes the types ofquests given based on what is happening in the area.For example, if you defend a village from invaders, theymay return with siege weapons to resume the attack,or regroup in nearby caves which forces you to exploreand clear them out. You can choose between defendinga town’s water supply, or help workers repairing thedamaged pumps later on. Every action by players carrya consequence, whether it is intended or not.
• Updated combat system: Environments will affectskill damage, and tactics are rewarded. Most skillsbenefit from positional play, and environments willprovide additional weapons from flammable objects,to catapults and even siege golems. Players can alsoteam up to combine skill effects, such as firingarrows through a firewall will create a rain of fire,and combining necromantic dark magic and weaponattacks to be able to life-steal from enemies.
Will Guild Wars 2 overtake WoW in playerbase? Or will thistitan continue to roll? Guess it’ll just have to wait till pandasinvade Warcraft.
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1st Maoyuu Maou Yuusha PVis curiously described as “ver0″Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/1st-maoyuu-maou-yuusha-pv-is-
curiously-described-as-ver-0/
By KarbyP on August 10th, 2012
Does this mean there’ll be a “ver1″ that’s going to blow ourminds even more than this 1st 0th trailer already has?
Pony Canyon streamed on the Web today a first trailer forMaoyuu Maou Yuusha, an anime adaptation of the fantasylight novel series about a hero (“yuusha” in Japanese) and ademon queen (“maou”) becoming friends after she explainsto the young hero that the war between humans and demonsis a complete farce. Not all demons are evil, not all humansare good, and the ongoing war was apparently forged forsocial and economy reasons.
For instance, if the war were to end, soldiers would lose theirjobs, and the economy would descend into recession.
The story told in Maoyuu Maou Yuusha began life aspostings in a 2Ch message board thread.
Source: Yaraon
Shoko Nakagawa playsRagnarok Odyssey, Personaon her PS Vita, wants to seeGod Eater and FF10 remakeon itSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/shoko-nakagawa-plays-ragnarok-
odyssey-on-her-playstation-vita-wants-to-see-god-eater-and-ff10-
remake-on-it/
By KarbyP on August 10th, 2012
Japanese TV personality and popular Anisong singer ShokoNakagawa is a gamer.
Not only that, she’s a platform-agnostic gamer.
Although Shoko-tan is a presenter on the Nintendo-affiliated TV-Tokyo kids show Pokemon Sunday (read allabout her thoughts on Pokemon in our interview with herhere), the 27-year-old talent also plays games on her Xbox360, PS3 and – most recently – the PlayStation Vita.
So, what does Shoko-tan think of the PS Vita? In a blogpost yesterday, she said:
I’ve been playing a lot of Ragnarok Odyssey eversince I took the Vita out of its packaging. Thegraphical fidelity is amazing almost to the point ofdisbelief, and I like the inclusion of a touch panel too.
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It’d be heavenly to see God Eater, Resident Evil, ora Final Fantasy on this screen! If only! And whatabout that HD remake of FF10, there’s still no wordon if it will really come out on the Vita?
It’s shame that right now there aren’t too manysoftware titles, even though there’s such greatpotential in the hardware.
I want to get Persona 4 because I’ve heard it’s good…but wait, I also want more time in general! (^ω^;)(;^ω^)
And also the update for archives [support forPlayStation Archives, or PS1 games on PS Vita], it’snot ready yet, huh…”
That was yesterday. In another blog post earlier today:
Got a red Vita case, a less-bulky AC adaptor, andPersona 4 Golden today!! I want to try and maketime in my schedule to play the game~~~!!! (###)At first I was worried that the red case might be atight fit, but as it turns out it’s roomy enough to store3 game cards [on top of the PS Vita] as well as thecompact AC adaptor, hurray! (###) Why the heckwas the original PS Vita AC adaptor that came in thebox so ridiculously big anyway?\
Looking forward to finally playing Persona! (###)“
You and everybody who’s waiting eagerly for Persona 4Golden’s English release (or the Chinese localised version,which comes out next week on August 16), Shoko-tan.
—
Shoko Nakagawa’s new album, nsum – Nakagawa Shoko gaUtatte Mita! (nsum # #############), goes on sale inJapan August 15.
Shoko-tan is also a guest vocalist in DECO*27′s latest album,Love Calender, available now both at retail stores in Japan,and internationally through iTunes.
Here’s the official music video for Shoko-tan’s trackin the album, TAKING SWEET SHELTER feat. ShokoNakagawa / ### feat. ####:
Source: Shoko Nakagawa’s official blog [via Kotaku]
2nd Madoka Magica TPSAndroid game app stars MamiTomoe; 1st game (HomuraAkemi ver.) ported to iOSSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/2nd-madoka-magica-tps-android-
game-app-stars-mami-tomoe-1st-game-homura-akemi-ver-ported-to-ios/
By KarbyP on August 10th, 2012
Frontier Works today released Mahou Shoujo MadokaMagica TPS Featuring Tomoe Mami (空空空空空空空空空空空 TPSFEATURING 空 空空), the second entry in their series ofMadoka Magica-themed third-per-shooter game apps.
The game has you looking over the shoulder of Mami Tomoe,almost as if you were tagging along behind her, as thefirearm-equipped Mahou Shoujo ventures forth into danger,dropping foes like flies until she gets to the witch lurking inthe dungeon’s deepest pits.
Initially Mami is only equipped with a single-shot pistol.But there are also stronger weapons that will be unlockedwhenever Mami falls in combat (to make the game easier),or whenever Mami manages to take down a witch.
Apart from shooting, Mami can also use magic to help hervanquish her enemies. Tapping on the Soul Gem icon on theupper-left-hand corner of the screen will cast a spell thatstops all enemies in their tracks. Each use of magic will,however, cause the Soul Gem to gradually lose its shine.When it’s completely shrouded in darkness, you won’t beable to use magic any longer (although that’s a pretty fairconsequence, compared to what actually happens in thecritically-acclaimed anime series).
August 10th, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica TPS Featuring Tomoe Mamisupports Android devices running version 2.2 or above, andis available from the Google Play store now, priced at 630yen.
The first entry in the series, Mahou Shoujo MadokaMagica TPS Featuring Akemi Homura (空空空空空空空空空空空 TPSFEATURING 空空 空空空), is also available for Android and –starting today – for iOS devices on firmware 4.3 and above.Available from the Google Play and iTunes app stores (Japanregion) for 630 and 600 yen, respectively.
Source: Famitsu
August 13th, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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SGCafe : Cosplay | Vocaloid | Otaku | Pop CultureA daily publication about Cosplay, Vocaloid, Otakuand Japanese Pop Culture
Sleeping Dogs: launch trailervs live-action fight film vsscreenshot gallerySource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/sleeping-dogs-launch-trailer-vs-live-
action-fight-film-vs-screenshot-gallery/
By KarbyP on August 13th, 2012
Sleeping Dogs, arguably the biggest video game title inAugust, comes out tomorrow, August 14.
In this open-world cop drama set in Hong Kong, you play asChinese-American undercover cop Wei Shen, who infiltratesand gets in deep with the triad organisation known as “SunOn Yee” (it’s a reference to a real-life triad gang).
Expect chopsocky fisticuffs that mixes martial artswith improvisational fighting styles. Expect blazinggunfights on the streets of Hong Kong where someunfortunate fruit-seller’s stall may be the only cover foryou to duck under for a brief respite, before you jump outand shoot bad guys in the head mid-dive. Expect moralambiguity, in a storyline whose missions will sometimesrequire you to be a bad guy in order to be the good guy.
Also expect top-notch voicing work, from an internationalcast that includes Will Yun Lee, Edison Chen, Emma Stone,Kelly Hu, and more.
Take a listen in the launch trailer for the game:
Apart from the launch trailer, Square Enix has also put outa live-action fight film based on the game – which is itselfinspired by Hong Kong cinema.
Warning: This short film contains drug use, violent content,and strong language which may be pretty intense for someviewers. Viewer discretion is advised.
Which did you like better?
Sleeping Dogs is available for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation3 consoles August 14 in Singapore and the United States,available at all good video games retailers.
August 13th, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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Singapore: VS Arashi startstonight, 8pm on Channel U;“J-Dorama” Full Throttle Girlpremieres SaturdaySource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/singapore-vs-arashi-starts-
tonight-8pm-on-channel-u-j-dorama-full-throttle-girl-premieres-
saturday/
August 13th, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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By KarbyP on August 13th, 2012
Two variety shows and one J-dorama: This August, ChannelU has prepared quite the treat for fans of Japanese televisionprogramming.
VS Arashi
The J-Wave on Singapore TV starts tonight with VS Arashi,a game show where a guest team of celebrities take onArashi, the enigmatic J-pop group that has taken Japan bystorm since their debut (“Arashi” literally means “Storm”),in a number of wacky physical-challenge attractions: KickingSniper, Bound Hockey, Giant Crusher, and more.
What in the world could “Giant Crusher” possibly entail?You’ll just have to watch to find out!
VS Arashi airs every Monday 8PM on Channel U.
Run for Money
Then tomorrow, August 14, watch Japanese TV personalitiesand regular folks alike push their limits in Run for Money,a reality game-show where participants are told to escape
from the clutches of three Hunters – agents dressed in black– for 60 minutes. The rules? Stay within the pre-definedgame zone – which is usually a famous Tokyo hang-out spotlike Shibuya – and safety-first: those who are caught in anysort of minor accidents are disqualified.
Should the participants succeed, a handsome prize money ofsome 600,000 yen awaits them.
But it’s not as easy as it sounds; some of the participants arefriends who are likely to travel together and, as the sayinggoes, “when chased by a bear, you only need to run fasterthan the person beside you.”
The things people do to not get eaten by a bear for money.
Expect thrills, spills, and heartless acts of betrayal in Run forMoney, Tuesdays 8PM on Channel U.
J-dorama: Full Throttle Girl(Zenkai Girl)
Finally, J-dorama fans can look forward to Full ThrottleGirl, an 11-episode love comedy starring Yui Aragaki, RyoNishikido (from Kanjani Eight or 関関関関∞), and HirokoYakushimaru.
Here’s the synopsis from Fuji TV:
Devoted to becoming an international lawyer,Wakaba Ayukawa (Yui Aragaki) is full of ambition.Her hard work pays off when she lands a job at aninternational law firm, but to her disappointment,the first prestigious assignment that is given toher is to babysit the boss’ (Hiroko Yakushimaru)5 year old daughter, Hinata. Wakaba loathes kidsand nursing, but unwillingly takes on the job asshe is fixated on wealth and success. One day whenshe goes to a preschool to pick up Hinata, shemeets a man named Sota Yamada (Ryo Nishikido).Sota is a man without higher education, wealth,or a future goal, someone that Wakaba absolutelycannot stand, the complete opposite of her ideals.Once again, contrary to her will, she ends uplooking after Hinata and a few other kids along withSota. Despite being exhausted from all the first-timeexperiences in child care, Wakaba begins to realizewhat is truly important to her. A heart-warmingcomedy about work, relationships and love.”
Full Throttle Girl premieres on Channel U Saturday, August18, at 11.30PM.
August 13th, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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Source: Xin MSN
Gran Turismo 6 is indevelopment… but Yamauchiwon’t say when it’s comingoutSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/gran-turismo-6-is-in-development-
but-yamauchi-wont-say-when-its-coming-out/
By KarbyP on August 13th, 2012
Gran Turismo 6 as well as further GT5 DLC are in theworks. But When can we expect them to be released? Seriesproducer and CEO of developer Polyphony Digital KazunoriYamauchi wouldn’t say.
“If I carelessly talk about when it’s coming out, whatwill happen is people will claim that we’ve fallen behindschedule if we ever decide to change the release date, soI won’t ever speak of such things (unofficially at events orinterviews) ever again,” Yamauchi explained with a bittersmile when fans asked him the million-dollar question oneverybody’s mind, in a talk session at the Gran TurismoAsian Championship 2012 grand finals held in Japan’sKanagawa prefecture on Saturday.
In 2009, prior to the release of Gran Turismo 5, Yamauchirevealed in an interview with Eurogamer that “we’ve actuallyreached a point where we can probably release [GT5]anytime, except that you can also keep working as long asyou want to as well, it’s just a matter of timing.” In theend, a release date was only decided upon consultation with“various parties at Sony”, and after additional features likeYouTube replay sharing in HD were implemented.
GT5 was in development for a total of five years, and wasfinally released on 24 November 2010.
It’s still early days for now, but when Gran Turismo 6 comesout, what features do you hope to see in it?
Souce: 4Gamer [via My Game News Flash]
Hatsune Miku projected in adifferent “light” in this musicvideo for Project Diva f themesong, Odds&EndsSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/hatsune-miku-depicted-in-a-
different-light-in-this-music-video-for-project-diva-f-theme-song-
oddsends/
By KarbyP on August 13th, 2012
Earlier today the full music video for ryo (supercell)’sOdds&Ends was leaked onto the interwebs, depicting whatwe assume to be ryo and his band mates rocking out to theProject Diva f theme song. Hatsune Miku also appears in thisvideo, but not in the sort of form you’re used to seeing.
And no, we’re not talking about the 2D animated versionof Miku, as seen in the picture above. It’s something else.Something pretty mind-blowing. You’ll know what we’retalking when you see it. I don’t want to spoil it for you.
If for whatever reason you really need to skip to the momentof truth (serious, why would you? Watch the whole thing!),the awe-inspiring sight begins right around the 04:30 mark.
The CD single for Odds&Ends also features Sky of Beginningby Jin feat. Hatsune Miku (and not a kz/livetune track,which Famitsu and ourselves previously speculated on), andwill be released in Japan on August 29 – one day beforeHatsune Miku Project Diva f for the PlayStation Vita goes onsale.
A limited-edition version of the CD single also comes with aBlu-ray or DVD containing the music video, plus a HatsuneMiku Grafique – that squarish, cardoard-like plushie thatappears in the music video. For more details on that, readour previous story.
Source: Crunchyroll
Tsukihime remake is amongstthe topics covered in Type-Moon’s 10th AnniversaryPhantasm art bookSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/tsukihime-remake-is-amongst-the-
topics-covered-in-type-moons-10th-anniversary-phantasm-art-book/
By KarbyP on August 13th, 2012
August 13th, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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Type-Moon 10th Anniversary Phantasm is not simply just anillustration book or a collector’s item. Nope.
To fans of the visual novel maker, it might as well be a holybible, what with over 400 pages covering everything fromFate/Prototype to the upcoming Tsukihime remake, and allthe stuff in between: the original Tsukihime, Canaan, MeltyBlood, Mahou Tsukai no Yoru, etc.
What you see above is an image – courtesy of Akibablog(same pic as this watermark-less one Japanator found)– of some of the concept art from the Tsukihime visualnovel remake, announced way back in 2008. Now thatMahou Tsukai no Yoru is finally out, Type-Moon is finallyproceeding with the remake, full speed ahead.
Apart from your first look at new Tsukihime, the bookalso contains interviews with voice actors, profiles andcommentary from key staff members, and numerousgalleries for all manners of Type-Moon things: April Fool’sDay 2005-2012, Ichiban Kuji Premium Illust Art Gallery,and – in my opinion the highlight of the book – a freakingSaber Gallery.
The book is out now in Japan (released on August 10,2012), but has already been sold out at various places online,including Amazon Japan – which lists a bunch of second-hand copies for nearly twice the price of a brand new one.
Readers in Singapore who’d like to pick a copy up shouldcheck with Kinokuniya Books.
Tell us in the comments below if you know where else folkscan go online to grab a copy of this much-coveted holy bible,or any thoughts you might have on the new look in theTsukihime remake.
August 13th, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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Source: Akibablog (warning: NSFW)
Next week’s Music Stationwill be Atsuko Maeda’s finalAKB48 TV performanceSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/next-weeks-music-station-will-be-
atsuko-maedas-final-akb48-tv-performance/
By KarbyP on August 13th, 2012
Next week’s Music Station, to be aired on August 17 in Japan,will be Maeda’s final AKB48 TV performance, Japanesemusic news site Natalie reports.
The 21-year-old, regarded by many as the “face” of AKB48,will be leaving the popular Japanese idol group on the 27ththis month, after a 3-day live concert performance at theTokyo Dome from August 24 to 26.
In a statement released to Japanese media, Atsuko Maedasaid that her most memorable Music Station moment was“when I tripped over during the Super Live performance on2010 December 24. ‘Yabai (Oops)’, everybody made fun ofme.”
(Above) AKB48 at the Music Station Super Live 2010broadcast
The idol group has planned a special AKB48 medley forthe August 17 broadcast of Music Station. For her finalTV performance with the group, Maeda says she’s aimingfor perfection and wants to finish her it gracefully andbeautifully – without any slipping or tripping over, of course.
AKB48 first went on Music Station back in June 9, 2006. Atthe time the group was still part of an indies label, and Maedawas only 14 years old. The group performed Skirt, Hirari ontheir maiden appearance.
(Above) AKB48 on the June 9, 2006 broadcast of MusicStation
Since then, AKB48 has been on the programme a totalof 22 times. Of those, Maeda has appeared in 21 ofthe performances – she had not been part of the “Uekara Mariko” TV performance as the front-lining membersof that single were determined by a rock-paper-scissorstournament.
In addition to appearing as an AKB48 “senbatsu” (front-liner) member, Maeda also has had two solo appearances onthe show.
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The group performing Manatsu no Sounds good! (真真真Sounds good !) for the first time on Music Station on 25 May2012.
Apart from reminiscing about past Music Stationappearances, Maeda also aired her thoughts on theupcoming AKB48 Tokyo Dome concert:
“I’m really glad to be able to participate in our Tokyo Domeconcerts from August 24 to 26. To me, it [the significance ofperforming at Tokyo Dome] feels like, ‘we started out as asmall group but look how far we’ve come!’
Performing at Tokyo Dome has always been a goal for themanagement behind AKB48, and so all of us performers inthe group wanted to live up to that and achieve the goal – buthonestly, we never dreamed that this day would really come.
So if I were to have graduated from the group before we wereable to perform at the Dome, I think I would have regrettedit.”
Source: Natalie
Family Mart X Hatsune Mikupresents: Kagamine Rin’sOmelette NapolitanSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/family-mart-x-hatsune-miku-
presents-kagamine-rins-omelette-napolitan/
By KarbyP on August 13th, 2012
Plus a look at the final packaging for the Hatsune Miku PoPi Po vegetable juice. It costs less than 200 yen!
Rin’s Omelette Napolitan
Finally, a Kagamine Rin themed item! It’s a perfect matchfor her image colour (yellow)!
From August 14 to September 10 Family Mart outlets inJapan will carry a Rin’s Omelette Napolitan (真真真真真真真真真真) as part of the Hatsune Miku 5th Anniversary Miku LovesFamiMa campaign (関関関関関 関th Anniversary 関関 LOVES 関関関関関関関関関関関関).
Judging from the pictures alone you might think that this tobe a regular plate of omelette rice.
That’s not the case, however. In an attempt to switch thingsup a bit (since omu rice is so blatantly common), FamilyMart decided to go with Spaghetti Napolitan covered underthat fluffy omelette instead of fried rice.
Two slices of cheese garnished on top evoke Kagamine Rin’strademark head-ribbon.
Customers are also advised to use the ketchup that sits on theside to draw their favourite sayings or a face on the omelette.
Also worth noting: this dish, Rin’s Omelette Napolitan, ismade and produced under the supervision of Good SmileCafe. Only 40,000 packs will be available throughout thepromotional period nation-wide.
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Miku Vegetable JuiceThis week the Family Mart X Hatsune Miku blog also shareda little more detail on the previously-reported vegetable juicethat’s themed after the song Po Pi Po.
The final name for the drink is Po Pi Po Mirai Yasai (真真真真真真 真真真真). It will be sold at all Family Mart outlets betweenAugust 14 and September 10, available in two form factors:a 350ml pet bottle (158 yen), or a 200ml juicebox (105 yen).I’m a little surprised that the drink would be sold for wellunder the 200 yen as “advertised” in the Po Pi Po song,but that’s Family Mart for you. Competitive, mass-marketpricing for all.
In case you’re wondering, FamiMe is keenly aware of the 200yen meme from the song, but decided to price it lower toencourage sales. So now you don’t have an excuse to pick oneup.
A total of six designs are available for the illustrations thatadorn both the pet bottle and juicebox containers.
Source: Family Mart X Hatsune Miku
Mad Catz test-launchesa new line of low-noisejoysticks in Japan; pre-ordersfor the PS3 version begintoday [video]Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/mad-catz-test-launches-a-new-line-
of-low-noise-joysticks-in-japan-pre-orders-for-the-ps3-version-begin-
today-video/
By KarbyP on August 13th, 2012
Only in Japan for now: Mad Catz has launched throughAmazon Japan a new line of PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360joysticks – the Team Mad Catz Arcade FightStick VersusSeries SH – that are similar in construction to the StreetFighter X Tekken FightStick V.S., but fitted with low-noiseSanwa parts.
Pre-orders for the PS3 SH stick will start later today (August11), at 13:00 hours Japan Standard Time (GMT+0900hours) exclusively from the Mad Catz shop on AmazonJapan.
The stick will be sold for the special “test-launch” price of19,800 yen (US$253) to monitor market demand. 4Gamernotes that this is 4,000 yen cheaper than Mad Catz’s StreetFighter X Tekken VS Edition sticks in Japan (23,800 yen).
As the market price for a set of low-noise joystick parts andbuttons from Sanwa alone is roughly 7,000 yen, 4Gamerbelieves that Mad Catz will adjust the price of the stickaccordingly for future batches.
Expected shipping date for the PS3 stick is tentatively August30.
An Xbox 360 version of the stick (pictured below) will shipsometime in September. Mad Catz is not ready to announcepre-order details for the X360 stick at this point, but the test-launch price will be the same.
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Why launch the stick in Japan first? According to Famitsu,Mad Catz’s decision for the Japan test-launch is due toconsumer demand there for a quieter joystick solution thatwould not annoy family members or neighbours duringplay, especially at night. Apartment complexes in Japan arenotorious for their thin walls.
In addition, Mad Catz sponsored pro players DaigoUmehara, Hajime “Tokido” Taniguchi, and Kenryo “Mago”Hayashi have also reportedly told the company that low-
noise buttons provide an advantage in tournament matches,due to the fact that you are less likely to telegraph yourcombo inputs to your opponent in such situations.
There may be some truth to the notion that low-noise joysticks can lead to improved chances of winning.In a Daigo Umehara column published in Arcadiamagazine a while ago, renowned Japanese Sagat playerBonchan revealed that Ryan Hart, a top European StreetFighter IV who plays Sagat, uses the negative edgetechnique (performing special moves by releasing buttonsinstead of hitting buttons) when throwing out Tiger Shots soas not to telegraph his fireballs.
But just how much quieter is the new SH series joystick, andis it quiet enough to give you a competitive advantage?
4Gamer took an SH stick to the test in this video, performingback-dash cancels in Tekken and comparing it to a secondjoystick loaded with regular Sanwa parts:
What do you guys think?
Are low-noise joysticks something you’d consider when it’stime to get a new one?
Keep in mind, however, that a microphone sensor’s audiosensitivity is different from that of the human ear, so the SHstick may in fact be quieter than as heard in the video.
Source: 4Gamer, Famitsu
New system announced forthe selection of SingaporeWCS representativesSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/new-system-announced-for-the-
selection-of-singapore-wcs-representatives/
By sakurazaki on August 13th, 2012
Singapore has been a faithful participant of the WorldCosplay Summit since the year 2006 and now to up theexcitement of the competition, a new system has beenintroduced to determine the representatives.
The World Cosplay Summit began its prestigious WorldCosplay Championship since year 2005, and was designed todetermine a Grand Champion through stage performancesby representative teams from each participating country.
The new system will aid in the selection of Singapore’s WorldCosplay Summit Representatives for the year 2013!
The following information is adapted from Cosfest Asia:
All interested cosplayers/non cosplayers willregister with us first as individuals. You will beinterviewed and auditioned by us. We will also
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explain to you what is required to join the WorldCosplay Summit. At this point, you are not requiredto have any costumes ready yet. We will thenannounce the shortlisted group of cosplayers whowill then go on to the next phrase. Bear in mind thatlots of physical stamina is required to be the WCSSingapore National Team because you will have togo around in many costumes at Nagoya during theChampionship!
After that, the WCS Singapore manager team willhold a session where all who have signed up to beconsidered for WCS Singapore draw lots to decidewho they have been paired up with.
In this system, you do not form your own readyteams but instead, be paired up with anothercosplayer.
Only after you are paired up, then do the both of youstart on costume discussion, performance planningand costume making.
The purpose of this is to encourage more interactionbetween various cosplayers and for you to makemore friends.
If you are interested, message us here at the CosfestFacebook with your:Full nameNick nameBirthdayContact number:Series you would like to cosplay to enter the WorldCosplay Summit Selection rounds
Let’s have a great WCS Singapore 2013 Nationalselection round!”For more information visit the following sites
Cosfest Asia Mainpage : https://www.facebook.com/COSFESTASIA
Pre-order Fate/stay nightRealta Nua, receive a bonusHanafuda game that tellsthe story of the “Holy GrailOnsen”Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/pre-order-fatestay-night-realta-nua-
receive-a-bonus-hanafuda-game-that-tells-the-story-of-the-holy-grail-
onsen/
By KarbyP on August 13th, 2012
We first told you about a PS Vita port of Fate/stay nightRealta Nua (apparently Irish for “a new star”) – originally
an all-ages PS2 port of the PC visual novel Fate/stay night –back when it was still a rumour.
Since then, the game has been officially announced atType-Moon Fes, and now Crunchyroll brings word thatthe official website for the game has been updated with abatch of screenshots taken from Realta Nua’s opening intro(produced by ufotable, the studio behind Fate/Zero) – whichwill be on display on actual PS Vita demo units at thisweekend’s Comic Market event in Japan.
To view the screenshots, go to the official site through thislink.
Also in today’s update, Type-Moon has provided a littlemore detail on the bonus “Hanafuda” digital card game thatfolks who pre-order will receive a product code for; it’s adownloadable PSP title that supports Game Sharing andlocal ad-hoc wireless play.
This downloadable game is a sequel to the bonus includedwith the original Realta Nua on the PS2 that wascalled Tobidase! Trouble Hanafuda Travel Journal (真真真真真真真真真真真真真真).
Although the PS Vita/PSP Tobidase! sequel had a workingtitle that simply added a “2″ to the original’s ridiculous longmoniker, Type-Moon had a change of heart, announcingtoday that the downloadable game will instead becalled Tobitate! Chojikuu Toraburu Hanafuda Daisakusen(関関関関関関関関関関関関関関関関関, which translates into somethinglike Take off! Super Dimensional Trouble Hanafuda AttackPlan).
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Tobitate! will feature a “Seihai Onsen” or “Holy Grail Onsen”story scenario penned by various creators: Kinoko Nasu, GenUrobuchi, Hoshizora Meteo, and Yuichiro Higashide.
It’s also said that Fate/Zero’s Archer, Rider, and Berserkercamps will also play a part in the Holy Grail Onsen scenario.
Source: Fatevita [via Crunchyroll]
August 15th, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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SGCafe : Cosplay | Vocaloid | Otaku | Pop CultureA daily publication about Cosplay, Vocaloid, Otakuand Japanese Pop Culture
Perfume releases World Tour1st site and ticket pricingSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/perfume-releases-world-tour-1st-
site-and-ticket-pricing/
By sentinel011 on August 15th, 2012
SGCafe has previously reported on Perfume’sannouncement of their first overseas live tour, and todaythey have released a comprehensive site, complete withticket pricing and more!
Granted that the locations are all in the Asian region, makesyou wonder why it isn’t called Asia Tour instead. As of now,the only additional information that is shared on the site isthe ticket pricing and the live commencement timing. TheTour Goods list has yet to be updated, though.
VIP – SGD$128General Admission – SGD$88
Doors open: 18:30 (SGT)Show time: 19:00 (SGT)
We have also heard that a good percentage of VIP tickets areallocated for P.T.A fanclub members through their officialsite. (Check their news post on 9 August!)
Links: J-live ASIA facebook, Perfume WORLD TOUR 1stofficial site
Guild Wars 2 pre-purchasers:get ready to stress test someservers later todaySource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/guild-wars-2-pre-purchasers-get-
ready-to-stress-test-some-servers-later-today/
By KarbyP on August 15th, 2012
Brace yourself, Guild Wars 2 pre-purchasers, for yet anotherchance to play The Game before it officially comes out nextweek.
Developer ArenaNet has just announced on their Facebookpage that they will be conducting a server stress-test latertoday/tomorrow (depending on your timezone).
It’s scheduled to start on Pacific Time (GMT-0700 hours)August 15 from 12:00 noon to 4PM, which translates toSingapore time (GMT+0800 hours) August 16, 3AM to 7AM.
If you’ve participated in any of the previous weekend betasor server stress-test events, your save data will carry over.
If you’ve only participated in weekend betas, but never astress-test, and are contemplating taking leave tomorrow soyou can take part in this one, fair warning from us: they reallymean it when they say this is a stress test. There have beenreports of players not being able to log-in at all when theservers were overloaded during these tests.
Besides, Guild Wars 2 comes out two weeks from now,August 28. And all gamers who’ve pre-purchased the gamewill access it three days earlier, on August 25 (all dates givenrelate to Pacific Time). So let someone else do the stresstesting, and improve the game experience for you, two weeksfrom now.
Even if this is the game that critics expect to finally dethroneWorld of Warcraft, there’s really no rush!
Guild Wars 2 can be pre-purchased from https://buy.guildwars2.com/en-gb/
If you’ve pre-purchased Guild Wars 2, let us know whichserver you and your friends are planning to play on in thecomments below.
Source: Guild Wars 2 Facebook page [via Guild Wars 2 Guru]
Tekken Tag Tournament2: Spruce up your pre-fightVS screens with illustrated“character panels”Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/tekken-tag-tournament-2-spruce-up-
your-pre-fight-vs-screens-with-illustrated-character-panels/
August 15th, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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By KarbyP on August 15th, 2012
What you see above is not an actual Tekken Tag Tournament2 screenshot, but an artist’s (*cough*mine*cough*)impression of what your pre-fight VS screens in the gamecould look like, should you decide to use custom “characterpanels”.
Once you unlock them with fight money, you can swapout the default 3D character panels with 2D ones. Threedesigns are available for each character in the game, eachillustrated by Tomio, Fujisawa, Shunya Yamashita, andJUNNY respectively.
Before we take a look at what each illustrator’s characterpanel designs look like, here’s an actual example usingpictures that did not come out of MS Paint:
Tomio Fujisawa (フフフフフフフ)A graphic designer and a part of Spooky Graphic, a team ofartists whose work in videogames includes Metal Gear SolidPortable Ops and Peacewalker, and Sega’s Kurohyo: Ryu gaGotoku Shinsho (Yakuza New Chapter on the PSP).
Fujisawa previously worked with Project Tekken on a line offantastic Tekken 5 Dark Resurrection posters that you’ll seebelow.
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Shunya Yamashita (フフフフフフ)Did weapons and NPC design for Final Fantasy X, cardillustrations for Square Enix’s Lord of Vermillion arcadegame, etc.
Has some fascinating video games and anime-based artworkover at the illustration gallery on his blog. To get to thegallery, click on “イイイイイイイイイ” (WARNING: NFSW).
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JUNNYDid the cover illustrations for the two SoulCalibur novels (イイイイイイイイ イイイイイイイイイイイイイ) that came out in Japan inJanuary this year, a poster for the Mastercup 4 5-on-5Tekken 6 BR tournament in Japan sometime last year, andway too many other non-video-games-related projects tolist.
More of his amazing work can be found on his blog (again,NFSW).
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Character profiles are a feature that’s actually alreadyin the arcade version of Tekken Tag Tournament 2 (click onthe links to see your favourite TTT2 characters drawn in thestyles of each of the three illustrators), which was why wedidn’t include Famitsu’s information on character panels inour earlier story on collaboration costumes.
But we figure there might be a lot of folks who do not alreadyknow about the character panels functionality, since TTT2 isthe only fighting game (as far as I can recall) that has such afeature. Although custom character portraits in SoulCaliburV and SoulCalibur: Broken Destiny are somewhat similar tothis.
Also, I wanted to take the opportunity to show off my madMS Paint skills.
“…………….”
Tekken Tag Tournament 2 for PlayStation 3 and the Xbox360 is scheduled for a September 11 release in Singaporeand the US.
Pre-order details for Southeast Asia can be found at the endof this post.
Read more about the Tekken series here on SGCafe!
Source: Famitsu, Gamersyde
PlayStation All-Stars BattleRoyale adds DmC’s Dante toroster; buy PS3 version, getVita port free [video]Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/playstation-all-stars-battle-royale-
adds-dmcs-dante-to-roster-buy-ps3-version-get-vita-port-free/
By KarbyP on August 15th, 2012
Update: now with video.
Original story: When PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royaleships in November 20 this year (delayed from its originalOctober 16) its roster DmC Devil May Cry’s Dante, LittleBig Planet’s Sackboy, Spike from Ape Escape, and Ratchet &Clank from, well, make a guess.
The four characters were announced today at a SonyComputer Entertainment Europe press conference atGamescom in Cologne, Germany.
Today’s roster announcement brings us one step closer torealising what’s rumoured to be the final roster for the game,which Eventhubs reported on last month. There was also aleak on the official website.
But that’s not all the PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale newscoming out of Germany today.
SCEE also announced that the PlayStation 3 and PlayStationVita versions of the game will be included with every copypurchased, in something called the “Cross Buy” programme.
What this means is that if you buy the PlayStation 3 version,you’ll automatically get the Vita port for free – and vice-versa.
Sony is currently doing a similar thing with Sound Shapes,a downloadable rhythm-based platformer available digitallythrough PlayStation Store. Buy the game, and you’reautomatically entitled to download both the PS3 and PS Vitaversions.
Could Sony’s generosity encourage the fighting gamescommunity to pick up PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale asa competitive title? We’ll find out when the game launchesin November.
A private beta for the game is currently being conducted forPlayStation Plus subscribers.
Source: Destructoid
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Tekken Tag Tournament 2:Extra costumes designed byvarious illustrators, includingUK’s Simon BisleySource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/tekken-tag-tournament-2-extra-
costumes-designed-by-various-illustrators-including-uks-simon-bisley/
By KarbyP on August 15th, 2012
That’s Alisa, Heihachi, and Anna you see in the imageabove, donned in a set of special “collaboration” costumes –designed by various illustrators in Japan (and one abroad) –that will be featured inTekken Tag Tournament 2.
Famitsu revealed images for six of these collaborationcostumes today. Some of which were designed by illustratorswhom the Project Tekken team worked with for extracostumes in previous games.
Which is your favourite?
JayceeDesign: Mutsumi Inomata (イイイイイイイ), who designed Jinand Xiaoyu’s extra costumes in Tekken 5, and Zafina’s in6. Has also worked on the Tales of series, and Mobile SuitGundam Seed and Seed Destiny.
AlisaDesign: Shigeto Koyama (イイイイイイ), who’s credited fordesign works on Eureka Seven AO, Gurren Lagann movie,Evangelion 2.0 movie, and more.
MiguelDesign: Ryouji Minigawa (イイイイ), who did Lee Chaolan,Marshall Law’s extra constumes in Tekken 5, Roger Jr.’s in 6.
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AnnaDesign: Ito Oogure (イイイイ), better known as Oh! great (AirGear, Tenjho Tenge). Did Asuka Kazama’s third costume inTekken 5, Lili’s third costume in Tekken 6. Also designedAshlotte for SoulCalibur IV.
HeihachiDesign: British comic-book artist Simon Bisley.
KunimitsuDesign: Katsuya Terada (イイイイ), character designer forBlood the Last Vampire. Also did creature designs forKamen Rider W.
Read more about the Tekken series here on SGCafe!
Source: Famitsu
Tekken Tag Tournament 2opening intro has Angel,demons, and fearless fightspectatorsSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/tekken-tag-tournament-2-opening-
intro-has-angel-demons-and-a-fearless-fight-spectators/
By KarbyP on August 15th, 2012
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Namco Bandai posted the new opening intro for the consoleversion of Tekken Tag Tournament 2 this week. Hit thejump to see it: it’s got Angel, demons, and a fight audiencewho’s not afraid of anything. Pretty cool guys (and so is theopening).
Why aren’t the spectators spooked at all by Ogre and Angel’sunconventional ring entrances?
Aren’t they worried at all if they might get hurt in the clashbetween Ogre’s flaming breath and Angel’s laser attack?
Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada, who decides on many ofthe minor details within the Tekken universe, has the answeron his Twitter stream:
“The spectators are American!” he replies in Japanese to afan who was impressed by the audience’s bravado. (It’s ajoke, of course.)
The opening CG you see above won’t be the only onestored on the console release of Tekken Tag Tournament 2.Responding to fans who were disappointed to see that theirfavourite character wasn’t featured, Harada explained thatthe original TTT2 opening will also be included:
Also on Twitter, another fan in the fighting gamescommunity recently asked Harada which member of K-On!is Tekken sumo wrestler Ganryu’s favourite.
For those of you who have been wondering:
Read more about the Tekken series here on SGCafe.
Source: Eventhubs, @Harada_Tekken
Vergil is in DmC: Devil MayCry [Gamescom 2012 trailer]Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/vergil-is-in-dmc-devil-may-cry-
gamescom-2012-trailer/
By KarbyP on August 15th, 2012
Vergil, Dante’s long-lost twin brother appears in this newGamescom 2012 trailer for Capcom and Ninja Theory’s DmCDevil May Cry – a reboot for the series.
The silver-haired older twin appears before dark-hairedDante to recuit him for The Order, an organisation thatseeks to free the human world from grasp of demons – whoapparently ran the orphanage where Dante was raised.
Vergil’s bio in DmC Devil May Cry:
Vergil is Dante’s twin brother. While Dante wasput into an orphanage run by demons and endedup a street kid, Vergil was adopted into a rich,educated and very privileged home. A highlyintelligent and gifted individual, he wrote a securityencryption program that eventually made him amulti-millionaire before he even finished school.Vergil hates the demons for having killed his motherand enslaved his father and uses his riches inthe single minded pursuit to bring them down.Calculating and dispassionate, Vergil’s decisionsare always logical, strategic and never emotional.He formed the underground organisation known as
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The Order to research the demons with the goal oftoppling their hold over humanity.
The trailer also contrasts Vergil’s cold, calculative nature,with Dante’s hot-headed brashness, when one of their own– Kat, a female psychic – is trapped in Limbo. Vergil optsto abandon her lest risk the fate of humanity, but Dante isunwilling to leave without her.
Source: Xbox360GamerSA
Shoko Nakagawa to host 24-hour-long live broadcast tomark new CD release; guestsinclude kz and sasakure.UKSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/shoko-nakagawa-to-host-24-hour-
long-live-broadcast-to-mark-new-cd-release-guests-include-kz-and-
sasakure-uk/
By KarbyP on August 15th, 2012
To commemorate the release of her new album tomorrow,Shoko Nakagawa is hosting a very special episode of herregular Nico Nico Live broadcast that will run for 24 hourslong.
The broadcast will begin August 15, 12-midnight JST (GMT+0900) – which is August 14, 11PM Singapore time (GMT+0800) – all the way till the same time the following day.
The stream is entitled:Shoko-tan’s Nico-user Live (in Harajuku): ShokoNakagawa tries to sell her new mini-album nsum~
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Exclusive 23-hour TV – You can save Nakagawa with yourpurchase of a copy(イイイイイイイイイイイイイイイnsumイイイイイイイイイイイイイ イイ24イイイイイ -イイイイイイイイイイイイ-) .
And it will include a music video showcase of past ShokoNakagawa songs, a live feed of various fans’ meet-and-greet handshake sessions throughout the day, as well as talksessions with invited guests Hyadain (イイイイイ), Hachiouji-P(イイイP), Merochin (イイイイ), kzイlivetune), sasakure.UK, andHyakka Ryoran (イイイイ).
中中中中中nsum中中中中中中中中中中中中中中中CD+DVD中
During the broadcast Shoko-tan will somehow attempt tosell 3,000 copies of her newly released mini-album from herlive location (it’s not stated how fans are supposed to buya copy that will count towards this tally; probably only thecopies sold at the Harajuku location will count).
Even if you can’t tune in to the the full 24-hour broadcast,at least try to tune in near the end to find out if Shoko-tanmanages to accomplish her goal or not.
Shoko Nakagawa’s new mini-album, nsum~NakagawaShoko ga Utatte Mita! comes out tomorrow, August 15.
Alternate CD jacket illustration, forthe regular CD (without DVD) version
Here’s the link to the livestream: http://live.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv102717479Nico Nico Douga regular and premium users alike can hitthe yellow button that says イイイイイイイイ to DVR the entirebroadcast, so that you can skim through the entire 24-hourlong video to get to the parts you want to see.
Full program schedule as follows:
00イ00—Music videos and selected live footage
12イ00—Fans’ handshake session live-feed (session 1)
12イ45—Fans’ handshake session live-feed (session 2)
13イ30—Fans’ handshake session live-feed (session 3)
14イ15—Guest appearance!Hyadain (イイイイイイイ) plays a game live on streamイ
15イ00—Fans’ handshake session live-feed (session 4)
15イ45—Fans’ handshake session live-feed (session 5)
16イ30—Fans’ handshake session live-feed (session 6)
17イ30—Guest appearances!sasakure.UK talks about the albumイ
Hyakka Ryoran-san (イイイイイイ) tells us about his occasionalvisits to the Nico Nico Douga siteイ
19イ15—Guest appearances! kzイlivetuneイand Hachiouji-P (イイイP) talks about the albumイ Merochin (イイイイイイ)choreographs for a song live on streamイ
21イ00—Fans’ handshake session live-feed (session 7)
21イ45—Fans’ handshake session live-feed (session 8)
22イ30—Special Talk SessionイイCan Shoko-tan sell 3,000 copies of her new mini-albumイ
What will happen to Shoko-tan if she doesn’t sell 3,000copiesイ
A final spurt for the goal in this 24-hour broadcastイイ
24イ00—Results announcement イBroadcast Overイ
イ Schedule times are a rough approximation.イ Events might be moved forward or back, depending oncircumstances.
Source: Natalie, Barks
Hatsune Miku X FamilyMart campaign starts today[commercial videos & phototour]Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/hatsune-miku-x-family-mart-
campaign-starts-today-commercial-videos-photo-tour/
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By KarbyP on August 15th, 2012
The Miku Loves FamiMa campaign (イイイイ 5th Anniversaryイイ LOVES イイイイイイイイイイイ) start today!
All those Hatsune Miku food items we’ve been telling youabout are finally available on store shelves!
To get the word out, the convenience store chain put out atelevision commercial:
There are some hilarious outtakes too:
Crunchyroll’s Scott Green notes that FamiMa’s HatsuneMiku CMs are similar in nature to the Corolla + Miku “BaconWrapped Hotdog” commercials from a while ago:
Do we have places that sell bacon-wrapped hotdogs inSingapore? I kinda want one now, thanks to Miku (althoughI think the intention of the Corolla commercials was to sellcars).
Well, they don’t sell bacon-wrapped hotdogs in Family Martin Japan either. But you know what they do sell?
Bread that’s shaped like leeks (イイイイイイイイ):
Family Mart East Ikebukuro SeikoBuilding Branch (photo tour)During the campaign period (39 days, from August 14 toSeptember 10), a particular branch of Family Mart locaedin the Seiko Building in East Ikebukuro (イイイイイイイイイイイイイイイイイイ) will also be plastered with Miku loves FamiMadecorations, including illustrations from Miku designer Keiand other artists.
Famitsu visited the store and did a photo tour:
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More (decorations, food items sold at the store, and aHatsune Miku X Family Mart smartphone app):
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Source: Crunchyroll, Famitsu
Shakugan no Shanaillustrator Noizi Itou tweetson coming to Singapore forSTGCCSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/shakugan-no-shana-illustrator-noizi-
itou-tweets-on-coming-to-singapore-for-stgcc/
By sentinel011 on August 15th, 2012
Last year STGCC invited Hanasaku Iroha’s illustrator,Kishida Mel to give a talk about his works and a meet-and-greet session. This year’s special guest has been officiallyannounced – or not?
Famed illustrator Noizi Itou tweeted the following:
Speaking of which, I will be heading to Singaporeend August for an event called STGCC. I am bothnervous and thrilled, since this is my first time inSingapore.
The image below is a screen capture of her twitter account:
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The quote is highlighted in red
STGCC has not officially announced yet, but luck has beenour side so far with our discovery of Utaite artiste Pico beforetheir official announcement as well.
Noizi Itou is a manga and game artist who draws for severalhigh profile anime series, which includes The Melancholyof Suzumiya Haruhi, Shakugan no Shana, Another andmore. She has released almost 10 illustration art books todate.
Source: Noizi Itou’s Twitter
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SGCafe : Cosplay | Vocaloid | Otaku | Pop CultureA daily publication about Cosplay, Vocaloid, Otakuand Japanese Pop Culture
Metal Gear Rising:Revengeance and DmC DevilMay Cry demo play videosfrom Gamescom 2012Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/metal-gear-rising-revengeance-and-
dmc-devil-may-cry-demo-play-videos-from-gamescom-2012/
By KarbyP on August 17th, 2012
Can’t get enough of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance andDmC Devil May Cry from just the official Gamescom trailersalone?
Then watch Raiden and Dante go at it (separately) inthese play videos captured on cameras from the Gamescomshowfloor in Germany.
Raiden’s robot friend sadly doesn’t make an appearance atthe Gamescom demo (maybe at TGS?). Still, you get to watchRaiden slice up some poor sod’s car, and some other poorsod (who’s probably not the owner of that classy car) likesashimi.
DmC Devil May Cry’s Dante makes some sashimi too. Buthe prefers to use only fresh, live demons from the world ofLimbo for ingredients. If you were worried that this seriesreboot might stray too far from the core gameplay experiencethat Devil May Cry’s been known for, this video below shouldput you at ease.
Borderlands 2: Watch “live”as UK graffiti artists SamHope and Dave More createGamescom wall muralSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/borderlands-2-watch-live-as-uk-
graffiti-artists-sam-hope-and-dave-more-creat/
By KarbyP on August 17th, 2012
Borderlands 2, the video game, is done. Development workon it has been completed, and now Gearbox Software is busymaking that awesome Mechromancer DLC character thatgamers who pre-order the game will get.
Borderlands 2, the awesome 20ft wall mural, on the otherhand, is not quite done yet. But it will be, in about 13 hoursfrom the time this post is up.
Until then, you can watch UK graffiti artists Sam Hope andDave More go at it at Gamescom in Germany in this livefeed: http://www.aworkofart.eu/
Stay tuned to SGCafe over the next couple of days, wherewe’ll bring you loads and loads of Borderlands 2 coverage.We’ve played quite a lot of the four-player co-op shooter-slash-RPG when Gearbox Software CEO Randy Pitchfordwas in Singapore this week, so expect more details on theMechromancer, skill trees, cool character skins, and much,much more very soon.
Borderlands 2 comes out in Singapore September 21.
DJMax Technika Tune 9-minute-long “Let’s Play”trailer kicks off “Summer Fes’2012″ campaignSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/djmax-technika-tune-9-minute-long-
lets-play-trailer-kicks-off-summer-fes-2012-campaign/
By KarbyP on August 17th, 2012
Find out howDJMax Technika Tune is played on a PS Vita inthis 9-minute-long trailer, hosted by popular Niconico “Let’sPlay” video-maker Gacchiman (ガガガガガ).
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This is but only the first in a series “DJMax SummerFes’ 2012″ campaign trailers that features various popularNiconico users singing, dancing, and otherwise doingsomething with DJMax Technika Tune.
Next week’s trailer, to be released on August 24, featuresNiconico user Yuge (ガガ) – renowned for his “Let’s trysinging” videos – who will perform Keys to the world fromthe game.
August 31′s video is a “songs introduction” trailer hosted byVocaloid producer KagomeP (ガガガ P). The tracks Ooh La La,Brand NEW Days, and RockSTAR will be covered.
And finally, two “Let’s Try Dancing” videos featuringBoutou (ガガ) and Apricot* (ガガガガガガガ) will be streamed onSeptember 7 and 14, respectively. Again, these are folks whoare famous on Japanese video upload site Niconico Dougafor their dance videos.
Boutou will dance to A Song of Sixpence, while Apricot*performs to the beat of Shining My Boy.
DJMax Technika Tune for the PlayStation Vita goes on saleSeptember 27 in Japan.
Source: 4Gamer
Niconico Live to streamAnimelo Summer 2010, 2011performances; Hatsune Mikua special guest in 2012Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/niconico-live-to-stream-animelo-
summer-2010-2011-performances-hatsune-miku-a-special-guest-
in-2012/
By KarbyP on August 17th, 2012
This year’s Animelo Summer, codenamed Infinity, will takeplace at the Saitama Super Arena on August 25 and 26. Toget fans of the annual anison event hyped up for the actualconcert, Niconico Live will be broadcasting concert footagefrom 2010 and 2011, viewable for free, on three consecutivenights.
The fun begins August 22 (Wednesday), 9PM JST (GMT+0900 hours) or 8PM Singapore time, starting with Day 1 ofthe Animelo Summer Live 2010 -evolution- concert (lookslike this is the entire thing, as seen on DVD and Blu-ray).
August 23 (Thursday) night, 9PM JST’s broadcast willfeature the Day 2 concert of Animelo Summer Live 2010.Each day’s concert features entirely different artistes, so youmight want to catch both.
Finally, on August 24 (Friday) night, a digest video ofAnimelo Summer Live 2011 -rainbow- will be streamedonline. It’s not the entire concert because the DVDs and Blu-rays for that are still on sale.
As usual, Niconico users free and premium alike can click onthe ガガガガガガガガ button to DVR the broadcasts, so that theymay watch it any time after the broadcasts.
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To go to each day’s broadcast page, click on the respectivelinks below:
ガガガガガガガ2012ガガガガSPガガガガ Animelo Summer Live 2010 -evolution- 8.28ガガガガガ2012ガ8ガ22ガ(ガ) 21:00ガ26:00(ガガ)>>ガガガガガガガ
ガガガガガガガガ2012ガガガガSPガガガガ Animelo Summer Live 2010-evolution- 8.29ガガガガガ2012ガ8ガ23ガ(ガ) 21:00ガ26:00(ガガ)>>ガガガガガガガ
ガガガガガガガガ2012ガガガガSPガガガガ Animelo Summer Live 2011-rainbow – ガガガガガガガガガガガ2012ガ8ガ24ガ(ガ) 21:00ガ24:30(ガガ)>>ガガガガガガガ
Hatsune Miku in Animelo Summer2012 -INFINITY∞-
Apart from today’s news on the Niconico broadcasts, we’djust like to take a brief aside to tell folks that Hatsune Mikuwill be a performer at Animelo Summer 2012 -INFINITY∞-.She’s an artiste for Day 2 (August 26, Sunday).
Nothing like a good Hatsune Miku live performance to makeyour summer all mellow-mellow (heh… geddit? Animelo…nevery mind).
Source: Anisama
Nintendo 3DS LL PikachuYellow edition launched,sold exclusively at PokemonCenter stores in JapanSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/nintendo-3ds-ll-pikachu-yellow-
edition-launched-sold-exclusively-at-pokemon-center-stores-in-japan/
By KarbyP on August 17th, 2012
Been a while since we’ve heard news of a Pokemon-themedlimited edition Nintendo portable. Between August 25 toSeptember 14, Pokemon Center Tokyo will be taking pre-orders for a Pikachu Yellow version of its 3DS LL (3DS XLin the West) handheld.
Quantities for the Nintendo 3DS LL Pikachu Yellow editionwill be limited. Nintendo does not plan to put this on retailshelves; it’s only available to those who pre-order. If you do,you’ll get one September 15.
As with any regular 3DS LL sold in Japan, one of these babieswill run you 18,900 yen (price not including AC adaptor; inregions outside Japan an adaptor is included).
Those of you lucky enough to be in Japan in theaforementioned period, try and get one from a PokemonCenter store in these branches: Sapporo, Tohoku, Tokyo,Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka (we’re not sure if that’sall of the Pokemon Center store branches in Japan).
Better yet, go to all of the aforementioned stores, and tellus if there’s a Nurse Joy at every branch to heal your Poke-manhood.
Source: 4Gamer
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One OK Rock’s “TheBeginning” – theme song forlive-action Rurouni Kenshinmovie – posted on YouTubechannelSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/one-ok-rocks-the-beginning-theme-
song-for-live-action-rurouni-kenshin-movie-posted-on-youtube-channel/
By KarbyP on August 17th, 2012
Here’s the music video for One OK Rock‘s 7th single, TheBeginning, taken from the J-rock band’s official YouTubepage.
Comprising four members – Taka (vocals), Toru (guitar),Ryoto (bass), Tomoya (drummer) – the enigmatic J-rockband was formed in 2005 and was recently here for theSingapore stop of their Start Walking the World Tour.
One OK Rock’s The Beginning, set to be released August22 in Japan, is also the theme song for the live-action Rurouni Kenshin movie that’s headed to cinemasthere August 25.
A set of hi-res movie trailers, putting the spotlight on thevarious ensemble cast members in the movie, surfaced onthe Interwebs this week. Between the seven clips, you’relooking at over three minutes of footage from the movie,which we can’t help but get excited about.
Kenshin KaoruSanosukeSaitoMegumiKanryuJineSource: Crunchyroll
Tekken Tag Tournament 2“World Tekken Federation”trailer: Don’t get hung-up onthe word “premium”Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/tekken-tag-tournament-2-world-
tekken-federation-trailer-dont-get-hung-up-on-the-word-premium/
By KarbyP on August 17th, 2012
Geddit? WTF? That the acronym you can use to refer toTekken Tag Tournament 2‘s expanded online functionality,and it’s really quite apt, given the staggering amount offree content - all DLC characters, stages, and techniques- Namco Bandai is giving away to fans. (Seriously, folks,you’re missing out on a lot if you don’t pre-order.)
On top of the basic online functionality (6-player lobbies,replays; game updates that will add even more modes like50-player lobby arenas and 16-player lounges), a “WorldTekken Federation” service will let you track detailed playerstats, leaderboard rankings, and create teams – this isessentially clan support in Tekken Tag Tournament 2.
Just don’t get hung up on the phrase” a new premiumservice” when the emcee says it in the trailer. Many inthe fighting games community were concerned, since theword “premium” usually means “paid” content in MMOs andother free-to-play titles, but in Tekken Tag Tournament 2′scase, it’s really not used in that context.
The World Tekken Federation service is free to all players,according to Mad Catz’s Mark “Markman” Julio whoresponded to a query on Twitter asking if WTF wassomething that had to be paid for monthly or annually.
Oh, and in case you were wondering, the emcee’s CorissaFurr, who played Lili in the “Bad Girls” “Girls Power” trailerfor TTT2:
Tekken Tag Tournament 2 is scheduled for release onSeptember 11 in Singapore and the US.
Read more about the Tekken series here on SGCafe!
Source: Eventhubs
Project Diva developerteasing Hatsune Miku onAndroid announcement[speculation]Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/project-diva-developer-teasing-
hatsune-miku-on-android-announcement-speculation/
By KarbyP on August 17th, 2012
Expect some kind of video, relating either to Hatsune Mikuon Android, or Project Diva f’s AR functionality – latertoday from Sega’s Project Diva development team latertoday. Possibly Android-related (and Hatsune Miku-related,of course).
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Sega’s Hatsune Miku Project Diva team loves the iPhone. Ordeveloping for the iPhone. One or the other. Maybe both.
And that’s probably why they’ve already put out not one, buttwo Hatsune Miku game apps for the iOS platform – MikuFlick, and Miku Flick/02.
We hear it all the time from our readers: “Why iOS? Whycan’t it be for Android? I’d gladly buy the app right away if itwere available for Android!”
Well, folks, it looks like the Project Diva team may finallyhave gotten to work on something on Android… We don’treally know yet; this is all just rumours and speculation fornow.
Late last night, the Twitter account for one of the memberson the development team posted the image you see above, ofHatsune Miku being displayed on an Android device.
Chances are, that’s not Miku Flick or Miku Flick/02. Whichdoesn’t feature a landscape mode (can someone confirm thisfor us? Tell us in the comments).
What is it then? Your guess is as good as mine.
But we’ll find out soon enough. Earlier on the developer’stwitter stream, it’s mentioned that they’ve prepared somesort of video announcement they’d like to share withfans, but declined to because the Hatsune Miku lovesFamiMa campaign had just started. They didn’t want theirannouncement to detract from that. So they’ve decided torelease the video on Thursday.
The video may or may not necessarily be connected to theAndroid image. It could also be another Hatsune MikuProject Diva f trailer, this time centered on its AugmentedReality (AR) functionality.
But given the timing of these hints, as well as Sony’sPlayStation Mobile announcement – over 30 “PlayStation-like” titles will be released for supported Android devices –yesterday at Gamescom in Germany, we’re hoping it’s notProject Diva f-related.
What do you think? Could we be hours away to a HatsuneMiku Project Diva on Android announcement? You know,
now that the series is on PS Vita, it’d make perfect sense torelease the older PSP entries for smartphone devices.
Check back with us later today to find out for sure.
Source: Twitter
Hunter X Hunter: PhantomRouge film synopsis revealed– Kurapika’s scarlet eyes“stolen” from himSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/hunter-x-hunter-phantom-rouge-
film-synopsis-revealed-kurapikas-scarlet-eyes-stolen-from-him/
By KarbyP on August 17th, 2012
Kurapika goes blind in the plot for the upcoming HunterX Hunter: Phantom Rouge movie, when a mysteriousmalevolent party assaults and robs him of his prized eyes -which have the ability to turn crimson red when Kurapikagets emotional.
It’s a trait all Kurta clan members have, which makes theireyes one of the seven most beautiful wonders in the world.But it’s also the reason why the entire clan was nearlydecimated (Kurapika is the sole surviving member) by thePhantom Troupe, a gang of pirates who committed themassacre because they wanted those eyes.
And Kurapika would have ended up dead just like the rest ofhis clan, had it not been for intervention from the rest of theHunter X Hunter heroes (Gon, Killua, Leorio), who managedto retrieve the last-remaining Kurta member from death’sdoor before it was too late.
Just as our heroes manage to save Kurapika and catch abreather, the Phantom Troupe appears before them.
As it turns out, our mysterious big band is a member of thetroupe.
Specifically, the one with the No.4 spider tattoo – allmembers of the Phantom Troupe are marked with a spidertattoo bearing a different number (do you see the tattoo inthe first and third images below?).
Who is this mysterious assailant? How did they manage toentrap Kurapika – and why now?
And will Kurapika ever regain his sense of sight?
Find out in Hunter X Hunter: Phantom Rouge, when it hitstheatres in Japan January 12 (and subsequently on Blu-rayand DVD).
August 17th, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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Source: Hachima
Metal Gear Rising:Revengeance has a finalrelease date, Gamescomtrailer expands upon E3′sSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/metal-gear-rising-revengeance-has-
a-final-release-date-gamescom-trailer-expands-upon-e3s/
By KarbyP on August 17th, 2012
Kojima Productions and Platinum Games’s lightning-bolt-action blockbuster title Metal Gear Rising: Revengeancegets a release date at Gamescom: February 19, 2013 for US,February 21 in Japan.
Also, Raiden gets a pet in a new Gamescom trailer thatexpands upon the one you saw from E3 in June. The newstuff starts from 03:18.
Players assume control of katana-wielding cyborg ninjaRaiden in this Metal Gear Solid spin-off that’s less on tacticalespionage, and more about confronting your foes in the moststylish way possible, giant sword in hand.
August 17th, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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The game was at one point cancelled by Kojima Productions(like Sleeping Dogs once was), but subsequently resurrectedwhen the studio outsourced development to PlatinumGames – hence the “Revengeance” in the title.
Why feature a robo-dog in the game? That’s probably adecision on Platinum Games’s part. Several NeoGAF forumusers noted that a robot dog was originally planned to beincluded in Platinum Games’s Vanquish, but was ultimatelycut out.
All that research on a controllable robo-dog is now goinginto Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance… with a vengeance.
It could also be a homage to Casshern, some other forum-goers noted.
We’ll try and get information on an Asian release date on thishighly-anticipated PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 action title.In the meantime, enjoy these beautiful stills:
Source: NeoGAF
August 22nd, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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SGCafe : Cosplay | Vocaloid | Otaku | Pop CultureA daily publication about Cosplay, Vocaloid, Otakuand Japanese Pop Culture
Persona’s Elizabeth & Aigis,characters from FantasyEarth: Zero and Sora noKiseki are also guests in Lordof VermillionSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/personas-elizabeth-aigis-characters-
from-fantasy-earth-zero-and-sora-no-kiseki-are-also-guests-in-lord-of-
vermillion/
By KarbyP on August 22nd, 2012
Over the past weekend, Square Enix announced at a Lordof Vermillion national tournament in Japan that the nextversion of the game, to be released in arcades there Autumn2012, would feature guest characters from the Persona series– and possibly more.
Only one character, Yu Narukami, was detailed at the event.
Now, courtesy of the latest issue of Weekly Famitsumagazine, we finally have details on a couple more of thoseguest characters that will be added in Lord of VermillionRe:2 ~Saisei~ (ロロロ ロロ ロロロロロロロRe:2 ロロロロ).
Persona series ()From Persona, Elizabeth and Aigis will be joining theaforementioned Sister-Complex Kingpin of Steel (that’s Yu’s“nickname” in Persona 4 Arena, for those of you who didn’tpick up the amazing fighting game).
Fantasy Earth: ZERO ()Free-to-play MMORPG Fantasy Earth: Zero‘s joining thefight too. Lyle and Tivarece, who are both rulers in thegame’s universe, are your FE:Z guest characters.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in theSky / Sora no Kiseki ()Estelle Bright, the heroine in Falcom’s The Legend ofHeroes: Trails in the Sky RPG is the final guest characterannounced in this week’s Famitsu reveal.
August 22nd, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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Now, if only arcades in Singapore would bring in thisexcellent tabletop collectible-card-game, which is based onthe same technology as seen in Sega’s Sangokushi Taisenseries.
Source: 1, 2, 3
Hatsune Miku Project Diva f:five more songs revealed inthe latest issue of FamitsumagazineSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/hatsune-miku-project-diva-f-five-
more-songs-revealed-in-the-latest-issue-of-famitsu-magazine/
By KarbyP on August 22nd, 2012
Five more songs from Hatsune Miku Project Diva f arerevealed in the latest issue of Weekly Famitsu magazine,which brings us to a grand total of 30 known tracks so far.Only two more to go!
Which songs are you hoping will fill those final two slots inHatsune Miku Project Diva f’s song roster?
Expect a proper trailer from Sega sometime later this weekintroducing the five new songs Famitsu revealed. For now,here are some samples taken from YouTube:
Kamikyoku / 神神Artiste: AnyuuP (ロロロロP)
Kagamine Hachi Hachi HanaGassen / 神神神神神神神Artiste: MojyaP/Niregiru (ロロロP/ロロロロ)
Tengaku / 神神Artiste: Yuuyu (ロロロ)
Stay with meArtiste: shu-t
(We weren’t able to find any clips for shu-t’s Stay with me…could this be an original?)
Sadistic.Music∞FactoryArtiste: cosMo@BousouP (cosMo@ロロP)
(No clips for this track too… let us know if you’ve heard thistrack before; we’ll update this story accordingly as soon aswe have more)
Hatsune Miku Project Diva f for the PlayStation Vita goeson sale in Japan and Asia August 30.
Source: Imagebam
Hatsune Miku Project Divaf, Diva Arcade merchandisepart of September &October’s Sega Prize line-upSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/hatsune-miku-project-diva-f-diva-
arcade-merchandise-part-of-september-octobers-sega-prize-line-up/
By KarbyP on August 22nd, 2012
Back in June, Hatsune Miku Project Diva f’s producer,Seiji Hayashi, had refused to talk about merchandising tie-ups when asked about it by 4Gamer, as they were stillbrainstorming for ideas.
August 22nd, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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Now that the PS Vita rhythm-action title is on the verge ofrelease, those merchandising ideas have finally been filteredthrough and materialised – the first batch of which will beincluded in the October line-up of Sega Prizes.
Miku fans can attempt to capture and win these Sega Prizesfrom UFO Catcher machines, or buy them directly fromplaces like Amazon.
October’s Sega Prize line-up also includes some Projectmirai themed items.
There’s also something for Project Diva Arcade fans. Butunlike the rest of the items mentioned here, these will comemid-September.
Which of these items tickle your fancy? Let us know in thecomments below.
Hatsune Miku Project Diva f Multi-PouchA 20cm-long pouch for your PlayStation Vita (also has spacefor a couple of small items). Two designs are available.
Hatsune Miku Project Diva fCleaner StrapA cleaner strap and cloth perfect for wiping the PS Vita’stouchscreen after play. Three designs available, all of whichare 10cm in length.
Hatsune Miku and Future StarsProject mirai Mascot Cleaner Vol.4Features the Vocaloid stars in costumes relating to thesong Sakasama Rainbow (逆逆逆逆逆逆逆逆). 10cm in length,eight designs in total.
Hatsune Miku Project Diva ArcadeDedicated IC Card Case VersionBThree designs in all, these 8cm-long card cases are theperfect way to keep your Hatsune Miku Project Diva ArcadeVer.B IC card in pristine condition.
Hatsune Miku Project Diva ArcadeMicro-fibre TowelTwo designs, 70cm in length.
Source: 4Gamer
August 22nd, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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Borderlands getting afour-part comic series inNovemberSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/borderlands-getting-a-four-part-
comic-series-in-november/
By KarbyP on August 22nd, 2012
2K Games and Gearbox Software’s Borderlands is gettingthe comic-book treatment this November, with the releaseof the first issue in a four-part series from publisher IDW.
Entitled Borderlands: Origins, the series is illustrated byAugustin Padilla, written by Mikey Neumann (who served aswriter for the first game; Anthony Burch is penning the storyfor Borderlands 2), and provides an insight into the originsstories for Roland, Mordecai, Lilith, and Brick – the originalvault hunders from Borderlands 1 who will return as non-playable characters in the sequel.
Here’s a plot synopsis for the first issue:
“Roland.” For the millions and millions of fans of thesmash-hit video game BORDERLANDS, a lingeringquestion exists: how did the Vault Hunters get onthe bus with Marcus in the first place? Find outhow Roland got on the bus with Mordecai, Lilith,and Brick in this exciting look at the soldiers ofthe Crimson Lance and what made him leave theirranks and search for the Vault. Surprises abound inthe first part of a four-issue series chronicling whereBorderlands began.”
Two covers will be available for this first issue: one featuringRoland, and a variant cover – a piece of fan-art fromrenowned comic-book artist Ray Dillon – that has theplayable cast of Borderlands 2 on it.
August 22nd, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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An insert ad for Borderlands: Origins will be included withevery copy of Borderlands 2, which is slated to hit PC,PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on September 21 (pre-orderdetails here).
Source: Newsarama [via GameInformer and VG24/7]
A.C.M.E. IV revealsmerchandise from retailerToy CoinSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/a-c-m-e-iv-reveals-merchandise-
from-retailer-toy-coin-goods/
By sentinel011 on August 22nd, 2012
More news on merchandise to be released at A.C.M.E. IV thiscoming Saturday! The committee reveals some upcominggems and exclusives to be sold at the event.
There will be exclusive figurines such as Nendoroids andexclusive Ichiban Kuji items up for sale. Below is the write-up of A.C.M.E. ‘s press release:
Once again, we have several updates for you. As youmight know, A.C.M.E IV is on this coming Saturday.We hope you are prepared for it!
Anyway, first up is an announcement for Toy Coin.As previously announced, Toy Coin is one of theretailers who will be present in A.C.M.E IV, so let’stake a closer look at the items that they will bebringing in to the event!
As you can see, Toy Coin will be bringing in theIchiban Kuji for OreImo and Angel Beats!, so fansof these two highly popular series better startpreparing for the Toy Coin booth!
Singapore Toys,Games and Comics Convention(STGCC) in conjunction with A.C.M.E IV willalso have their own promotion within the event!Basically, buy your STGCC tickets at A.C.M.E IV andstand a chance to win a Hatsune Miku VN02 Mixtoy! The lucky draw will be conducted at 5.45pm andthe lucky winner will collect the prize on the spot!
We would also like to announce several new featuresof A.C.M.E IV that would cater to their respectivefanbases:
- Show Dolls will be attending the event, solook out for a display of beautiful dolls from variousanime and manga series!
- Garage Sales Booth: Check out nifty itemslike artbooks, games, Nendroids, PVC figurines alllooking for a new home at unbelievable prices!
And finally, in response to enquiries about ourGundam vs Gundam tournament format, thetournament will be held in 1 v 1 format, withsingle elimination and the winner decided by thebest of 3 rounds. We are only preparing for a 16player tournament, so interested Mobile Suit pilots,please send your registration to the following emailaddress: [email protected]
August 22nd, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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That’s all we have for this round of announcements!We are certainly saving the most importantinformation for our last article, so stay tuned andvisit our website (www.acme.sg) regularly!
Persona 4: The Ultimate inMayonaka Arena skins foryour iPhone 4/4S, PS3, andDual Shock 3 controllersSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/persona-4-the-ultimate-in-
mayonaka-arena-skins-for-your-iphone-44s-ps3-and-dual-shock-3-
controllers/
By KarbyP on August 22nd, 2012
Tell the world which character you “main” in Persona 4: TheUltimate in Mayonaka Arena with these iPhone 4/4S casesfrom maker Dezaegg. 13 designs are available in all, eachcorresponding to a different fighter.
Also available: Persona 4 Arena-themed PS3 and Dual Shock3 skins.
Pre-orders from Dezaegg’s official website starts today. Thecases and skins go on sale September 28.
This is not the first time Dezaegg has made Persona-themediPhone 4/4S cases; back in July a groovy set of Persona 4:The Golden-themed cases was released.
iPhone 4/4S “Deza Jacket”Each case comes with a protective film for your iPhone’sfront bezel, as well as a matching digital wallpaper. Priced at3,980 yen.
Scroll down to the end of this post to view all designs.
PS3 DezaskinsTwo designs are available for the PS3 skins, which also goesfor 3,980 yen. Note that the price does not include any DualShock 3 skins – those are sold separately.
Dual Shock 3 DezaskinsLike with the iPhone 4/4S cases, 13 designs are available forthe Dual Shock 3 skins. Each skin will run you 980 yen.
August 22nd, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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Source: Dezaegg
Atsuko Maeda’s finalperformance at the AKB48theatre to be live-streamedAugust 27 on YouTube andGoogle+Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/atsuko-maedas-final-performance-
at-the-akb48-theatre-to-be-live-streamed-august-27-on-youtube-and-
google/
By KarbyP on August 22nd, 2012
Atsuko Maeda graduates from the idol group AKB48 August27. On that day, she will be performing live at the AKB48theatre in Akihabara for the last time, and it – as announcedby the group’s management earlier today – will be streamedlive on YouTube and Google+.
August 22nd, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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The broadcast begins at 6PM Japan time (GMT+0900hours) or 5PM Singapore time. To catch it, go to the officialAKB48 YouTube channel, or Atsuko Maeda’s Google+ page.
The decision to live-stream Maeda’s final performance at theAKB48 theatre was made due to an overwhelming numberof applications for tickets to see AKB48‘s “absolute ace” forthe last time: a whopping 229,096 fans entered the ballot forAugust 27′s 250 “premium tickets”. The odds of landing oneof these tickets were 1:916.38.
This was the biggest number of ticket applicants sincethe 250-seat theatre opened in December 2005. Thus themanagement’s decision to live-stream the entire event, inpart of appease fans who were not able to obtain one of themuch-coveted premium tickets, despite their best efforts.
Apart from the live-stream, the AKB48 management willalso be running a Google+ campaign where fans can attemptto get their messages to Maeda.
Beginning August 21, fan messages posted on Google+with the hashtag “ロmaeda0827″ will be compiled andsubsequently printed on flower petals, to be sprinkledon the AKB48 theatre like confetti during the August 27performance.
Additionally, fans can also collaborate on an Atsuko Maedagradauation album through the social network by sharingtheir photos with one another.
Source: Oricon
Guilty Gear XX ΛCore Plusto hit consoles late October;low-noise GG joystick inSeptemberSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/guilty-gear-xx-%CE%BBcore-plus-
to-hit-consoles-late-october-low-noise-gg-joystick-in-september/
By KarbyP on August 22nd, 2012
Arc System Works has refined the release date for theconsole version (PlayStation Network / Xbox Live Arcade)of Guilty Gear XX ΛCore Plus from a vague “Summer 2012″to a slightly more concrete “late October, 2012″.
Guilty Gear XX ΛCore Plus (read as “Accent Core Plus”) wasoriginally released on the PS2 in 2008 and featured Kliff andJustice as playable – but overpowered – boss characters.
In a press release, Arc System Works says that theforthcoming PSN and XBLA release of Guilty Gear XX ΛCorePlus will contain everything as seen in the 2008 PS2 release,with the addition of online mode (if you’re played BlazBlue,Arcana Heart 3, or Persona 4 Arena you should know whatto expect for online).
At launch, it will not feature the balance tweaks (especiallythose for Kliff and Justice) that were made in Guilty Gear XXΛCore Plus R, a new version that’s coming out in Japanesearcades September 20.
However, at some point in the future a patch will be releasedfor Guilty Gear XX ΛCore Plus on PSN/XBLA that willupdate it to reflect the changes made in R – just take notethat this won’t be at launch.
Guilty Gear Low-Noise Stick -Sanwa Edition- 神神神神神神神 神神神神神神神-SANWA EDITION- 神
Although the game itself will only be available from October,Arc System Works will be bringing out a Guilty Gear-themedPlayStation 3 joystick that’s fitted with low-noise parts fromSanwa on September 6, to be sold at Enterbrain’s Ebtenstore.
For 15,540 yen including tax, the stick comes with a specialposter illustrated by Guilty Gear creator Daisuke Ishiwatari.Alternatively, you can opt for a poster-less version of thestick for 13,980 yen.
August 22nd, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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The parts used in this stick from ASW are the same ones asthose featured in Mad Catz’s SH series.
Source: 4Gamer
Persona characters tocome in as guests in Lord ofVermillionSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/persona-black-shooter-and-mahou-
tsukai-no-yoru-characters-to-come-in-as-guests-in-lord-of-vermillion-
re2-saisei/
By KarbyP on August 22nd, 2012
Persona 4 Arena’s Sister-Complex Kingpin of Steel,Narukami Yu, will be the first in a new line of guestcharacters featured in Lord of Vermillion Re:2 ~Saisei~ (ロロロ ロロ ロロロロロロロRe:2 ロロロロ), an expansion to the current LoVRe:2 that will be released in Japanese arcades Autumn 2012,Square Enix announced yesterday at a national tournament.
In LoV Re:2 ~Saisei~, Narukami’s special technique isZiodyne, which does lightning-based damage to one enemyunit within his attack range, and lowers the target’s defenseand movement speed for a set amount of time.
Although Narukami (which the Japanese has taken to calling“Bancho” or ロロ as he was the nameless main character inPersona 4) was the only character announced at yesterday’sevent, Square Enix said fans can expect to see morecharacters from Persona 3, Persona 4, as well as Persona 4:The Ultimate in Mayonaka Arena to make an appearance inthis card-based, tabletop arcade game that plays similar toSega’s Sangokushi Taisen.
Outside of the Persona series, Square Enix also announcedthat characters from TV anime Black Rock Shooter andType-Moon’s visual novel Mahou Tsukai no Yoru willbe making guest appearances. Keeping in mind thatLord of Vermillion is essentially about a war betweenmythological creatures, who do you think will be featured asguests? Update: Black Rock Shooter and Mahou Tsukai noYoru guest characters were already part of a previous versionof Lord of Vermillion Re:2.
August 22nd, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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Finally, Square Enix announced that five cards from theoriginal LoV that didn’t make it into Re:2 will return in theSaisei expansion. One of which features Izanami – but notthe same one as seen in Persona 4:
For more images of these five cards, head over to 4Gamer’sreport.
Source: 4Gamer
Engadget China goes hands-on with Hatsune Miku limitededition PlayStation VitaSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/engadget-china-goes-hands-on-with-
hatsune-miku-limited-edition-playstation-vita/
By KarbyP on August 22nd, 2012
Colour us envious: The lucky, lucky folks from EngadgetChina were able to go hands-on with a final retail unit of theHatsune Miku limited edition PlayStation Vita a whoppingtwo weeks before it goes on sale (if you want one of thesebabies, better pre-order before they’re gone).
So they’ve done their due diligence by giving us a first lookat the much-coveted handheld in a detailed hands-on reportthat includes comparisons with a regular Crystal White PSVita.
Sold for HK$3,488 in Hong Kong, the Hatsune Miku limitededition Vita comes with a 4GB memory card, an original-
design protector sheet, AR card, and a PS Vita Trooper Packpouch.
According to Engadget China, a glossy screen protector ispart of the Hatsune Miku protector sheet; the entire thingcomes as a single piece, so you won’t be able to removethe glossy screen protector part and replace it with yourown matte screen protector, unless you decide to cut it outyourself.
They also appeared to be surprised that you’ll have to applythe protector sheet on by yourself (only the illustration onthe back panel comes pre-attached on the PS Vita unit). Butnot to worry: the protector sheet comes with an instructioncard that shows how you’re supposed to align the wholething properly.
This was something we already knew about quite a whileback – Sega chose to do it this way as the protective sheetis a pre-order bonus for the regular version of the game, forthose who already own a PlayStation Vita.
Due to the method of printing used on the sheet, its surfaceis smooth and slippery to the touch, which could be a minorconcern for some.
Compared to that, the bigger concern Engadget had wasthe fact that the Hatsune Miku protector sheet – like mostother protective films of such nature – was susceptible toscratches. There was already a demo unit at the event theywere at that had plenty of scratches on it. If your fingernailsare long, you’re bound to scratch it at some point, theyexplained. If it were a regular protective film, that wouldhave been fine, but this is a one-of-a-kind design that’s notfor sale.
August 22nd, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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Our advice: you might want to consider applying a secondprotective film to keep the Hatsune Miku protector sheetpristine.
Finally, Engadget China added that the rear touch panel onthe Hatsune Miku limited edition PS Vita, despite sportinga special illustration, has the exact same texture as a regularCrystal White PS Vita. Apart from the special illustration,the limited edition Vita is no different from a regular CrystalWhite.
August 22nd, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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Source: Engadget China
August 23rd, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
1
SGCafe : Cosplay | Vocaloid | Otaku | Pop CultureA daily publication about Cosplay, Vocaloid, Otakuand Japanese Pop Culture
Hatsune Miku Project Diva fdevelopers talk Dreamcast& Phantasy Star Online 2references in this videointerviewSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/hatsune-miku-project-diva-f-
developers-talk-dreamcast-phantasy-star-online-2-references-in-this-
video-interview/
By KarbyP on August 23rd, 2012
The Dreamcast controller makes a cameo in the PV forRemoCon (リリリリ). Did you notice that from watching any ofthe previous songs trailers for the game?
In the following video interview, the Hatsune Miku ProjectDiva f development team says that as much as possiblethey’ve tried to include interesting parodies or referenceshere and there throughout the game for players to find.Some of it will be obvious, some of it won’t. The Dreamcastcontroller falls under the former category – it’s an actualitem that you’ll be able to use as decoration in the My Roomfeature of the game.
The developers also talked about the story behind thePhantasy Star Online 2 tie-in as seen in the PV for thesong Online Game Addicts Sprechor (リリリリリリリリリリリリリ).
When it was decided that Online Game AddictsSprechor would make it into Project Diva f’s track list, theteam really wanted to have actual MMOG references in thePV for it. Which means they would have to approach anactual MMOG maker to ask for permission to include anysuch recognisable elements.
Fortunately, Sega already has a current MMOG property:Phantasy Star Online 2.
So they approached the PSO2′s producer Tabata Sakae, whotold them “well, since within Sega we’re pretty much the onlyMMOG property… and since it’s Hatsune Miku, sure, we’llgo along with it.”
AR LiveThe above video interview you see above is actually thesecond of a two-parter.
Here’s the first part, which has the developers discussingthe process they took with creating character modules, anda brief demonstration of the game’s AR Live function.
Dead or Alive 5 will have 2-player online training & 16-player tournament modesSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/dead-or-alive-5-will-have-2-player-
online-training-16-player-tournament-modes/
By KarbyP on August 23rd, 2012
Famitsu.com takes a look at the online modes in KoeiTecmo’s Dead or Alive 5. Other than standard rankedmatches, a two-player online training (which was firstintroduced in the genre by Street Fighter X Tekken) and 16-player tournament modes will be included.
There’s also text chat support, for those of you who don’t feellike putting on a headset and chatting with your opponentwhen you’re about to slaughter them in the 3D fighter.
August 23rd, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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Famitsu also has a batch of images that shows Brad Wong,Elliot, Helena and La Mariposa (Lisa) slugging it out. Thefour characters were the latest to be confirmed for Dead orAlive 5, which comes some seven years after the previousnumbered title in the series, 4.
Dead or Alive 5 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles isscheduled for release on September 25. Like with TekkenTag Tournament 2, pre-orderers are entitled to a set ofswimsuits for the characters:
Source: Famitsu
Spec Ops: The Line adds 2-player co-operative mode infree DLC packSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/spec-ops-the-line-adds-2-player-co-
operative-mode-in-free-dlc-pack/
By KarbyP on August 23rd, 2012
Thought you finished your tour of duty in Dubai as ColonelJohn Konrad in 2K Games’s Spec Ops: The Line, didn’t you?Well, think again, pardner.
Developer Yager has just added four brand new 2-player co-operative missions to the game, available via a 200+MB DLCpack.
These co-op missions are playable online as well as offlinevia system-link.
August 23rd, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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Here’s what each of the four new missions entail. Considerthis your mission briefing:
• Carpark Extraction – Reach the chopper before adevastating sandstorm prevents your extraction
• Gorge Top – Locate and assassinate the 33rd VIP.Get out of there once the target is down beforereinforcements arrive!
• Refugees – You are a part of a refugee insurgency in anencampment held by Konrad soldiers. Your objectiveis to get out of there alive!
• Graveyard Sabotage – Hack the Com Stations in orderto scotch communication with Enemy-HQ
Each mission can be played on four difficulty levels, with thehardest being FUBAR (F***ed Up Beyond All Recognition).
Even on the easiest difficulty level, these missions are nocakewalk. In Graveyard Sabotage, for instance, you start themission by going into a firefight with unidentified targetsthat you can’t see, due to a sandstorm, and ends with aheavily fortified area filled with tangos who are trying toflush you out with rocket launchers.
The co-operative mode DLC pack is available now, free to allSpecs Ops: The Line players.
Kyubey from Puella MagiMadoka Magica: “make acontract with me, eat myface cake”Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/kyubey-from-puella-magi-madoka-
magica-make-a-contract-with-me-eat-my-face-cake/
By KarbyP on August 23rd, 2012
I bet this was exactly what Mami Tomoe had in mind whenshe told Madoka Kaname to “wish for a cake” if she didn’tknow what to do with her wish.
(In the world of Puella Magi Madoko Magica, the magicalcreature Kyubey offers to grant talented individuals a wish –anything they desire – on the condition that they enter intoa contract with him to fight demons as a Mahou Shoujo orMagical Girl.)
Bandai’s official online store Premium Bandai has beguntaking pre-orders today for a “Kyubey Face Cake”, made withvanilla mousse and cranberry sauce, that will ship out inNovember to fans of the anime series who’d love nothingmore than to take a bite into the villainous magical cat’slikeness.
August 23rd, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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This is not the first time Premium Bandai has offered a cakebased on the critically-acclaimed anime series from 2011.
A Mami Tomoe-themed “Mou Nani mo Kowakunai” (“I’mnot afraid of anything anymore”) cake with pineapple andpeach fruit bits in it was made available earlier this year.
To commemorate the forthcoming theatrical release of twoPuella Magi Madoka Magica films, Premium Bandai willonce again take pre-orders for the Mami Tomoe-inspiredcake later this year in October.
Source: Comic Natalie, Premium Bandai
Tales of Xillia 2′s Rowen J.Ilbert has really fast fingers[character intro video]Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/tales-of-xillia-2s-rowen-j-ilbert-has-
really-fast-fingers-character-intro-video/
August 23rd, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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By KarbyP on August 23rd, 2012
Don’t let his mild-mannered, refined appearance fool you.Tales of Xillia 2′s Rowen J. Iibert – one of your partymembers from the first game returning for the sequel – is amaster at typing text messages on mobile handsets.
I’d love to see him go toe-to-toe with Steins;Gate’s ShiningFinger, Moeka Kiryu.
Heck, this guy might even be able to clear the hardest songin Miku Flick in Break the Limit mode.
Watch Rowen (CV: Makoto Terada) fight alongsideprotagonist Ludger Will Kresnik in these two following clips,also published today:
Tales of Xillia 2 is set one year after the original Xillia, and itsstory revolves around 20-year-old Ludger Will Kresnik (CV:Takashi Kondou) and 8-year-old Elle Mel Mata (CV: MariyaIse).
In many of the promotional materials it is hinted that atsome point in the game the player may have to be preparedto “destroy the entire world for the sake of one girl”.
Other characters returning from the first gameinclude Alvin.
Tales of Xillia 2 for the PlayStation 3 is slated for aNovember 1 release in Japan.
Namco Bandai Games will release an English version of theoriginal Tales of Xillia sometime in 2013.
Singapore: Former supercellvocalist Nagi Yanagi will behere for A.C.M.E. IVSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/singapore-former-supercell-vocalist-
nagi-yanagi-will-be-here-for-a-c-m-e-iv/
By KarbyP on August 23rd, 2012
Late last night (in the AM), the organisers for ACertain Magical Event dropped a massive bombshell uponunsuspecting fans on their Facebook page.
Nagi Yanagi, who performed songs like Kimi noShiranai Monogatari (Bakemonogatari ED) and SayonaraMemories while she was a guest vocalist with the musicgroup Supercell (led by Odds&Ends‘ Ryo) between 2009 and2011, will be coming to Singapore for A.C.M.E. IV.
Apart from the aforementioned two singles, Yanagi alsoprovided vocals for the majority of Supercell’s second albumToday is A Beautiful Day (2011); for their first album,Supercell’s leader Ryo had relied on Hatsune Miku forvocals.
Yanagi also has a solo career, and was the artiste behindsongs like Vidro Moyou (リリリリリリ, the ED for Ano Natsu deMatteru) and Ambivalentidea” (ED for Jormungand).
Outside of anime, she’s also worked with visual novel makerKey on two songs for Rewrite, and a concept album (acollaboration with Key’s Jun Maeda) entitled Owari noHoshi no Love Song.
To meet Yanagi in person and receive her autograph, all youhave to do is purchase one of her CDs at A.C.M.E IV fromthe Cantaria booth. The autograph session will take place atthe venue 3PM.
From A.C.M.E.’s Facebook page:
********SPECIAL NEWS ALERT********
We have just confirmed an appearance of a veryspecial guest!!!..and that person is none other thatYanagi Nagi-san!!
Well, unfamiliar with that name? But we believeyou will not be unfamiliar with songs like “Kimi noShiranai Monogatari” and “Sayonara Memories”by supercell. Indeed, she is the lead vocal for thesesongs under the alias “nagi”.
She produced her first single under her ownname “ビビビビビビ” (ED theme for Ano Natsu deMatteru), followed by “Ambivalentidea” (ED Themefor Jormungand). That is not all, she sang for twosongs in the OST of Key’s visual novel, Rewrite andcollaborated with Jun Maeda of Key to produce theoriginal concept album “Owari no Hoshi no LoveSong”.worked with visual novel maker Key on two songsfor Rewrite, and a concept album (a collaborationwith Key’s Jun Maeda) entitled Owari no Hoshi noLove Song.
Yanagi-san would be having a signing session at3PM. You would only need to buy 1 of her CDsin A.C.M.E. and you would be able to get a freeautograph by Yanagi-san in person! (hmm maybewe should change the conditions, this seems too easy>.<)
The autograph session and sales of her CDs wouldbe at the Cantaria booth. (they would also be theones selling Suzuhira sensei works >.<) So see youall there!!”
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Persona 4′s Jiraiya & Izanagino Ookami, Fatal Fury’s TerryBogard are the next BandaiD-Arts action figuresSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/persona-4s-jiraiya-izanagi-no-
ookami-and-fatal-furys-terry-bogard-are-the-next-bandai-d-arts-action-
figures/
By KarbyP on August 23rd, 2012
Jiraiya (Yosuke’s Persona) and Izanagi no Ookami (theevolved form of Yu Narukami’s Izanagi) from Persona 4,and Fatal Fury’s Terry Bogard are the next in line to receiveBandai’s D-Arts movable-parts PVC figure treatment.
Feast your eyes on these glorious images of the figures invarious poses, courtesy of Famitsu.com.
Then scroll down for pricing and availability details.
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PersonaJiraiya is available in stores sometime in September, to besold for 3,675 yen including tax. The figure is about 160mmtall. Comes with a pedestal for Jiraiya to stand on.
Izanagi no Ookami is about 170mm tall, comes withhis trademark spear, interchangeable hand parts, and apedestal. Available mid-November for the price of 3,990 yen.
Apart from Jiraiya and Izanagi no Ookami (white), aprevious line of the D-Arts figures featured regular Izanagi(the black Izanagi as seen in the image above) andKonohanasakuya (Yukiko’s Persona).
Fatal FuryTerry Bogard comes with a ridiculous number ofinterchangeable parts: hair, power wave, burning knuckle,power geyser, facial expressions, and three types ofinterchangeable hand parts for both the left and right arms.Plus a haversack accessory part that’s tied to a specific handpart.
This guy’s roughly 150mm tall, and will be sold for 4,410 yen(what a deal, considering the crazy amount of accessoriesyou’re getting). Available late-November.
Source: Famitsu
Little Battlers Experience Wdelayed to OctoberSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/little-battlers-experience-w-delayed-
to-october/
By KarbyP on August 23rd, 2012
Level 5 today announced that the next entry in theirminiaturised robot combat video game series, Little BattlersExperience W (リリリリリリリW) will have its September 27release date delayed to October 18.
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Fans of the Little Battlers Experience (known as DanboruSenki in Japanese) franchise -there’s an anime series as well– will just have to wait slightly longer before they can finallyget their hands on this latest installment, which is beingreleased simultaneously for the PSP and the PS Vita. Cross-platform multi-play is supported in W.
In typical Japanese-developer fashion, no real reason wascited as to why the game’s being delayed for three moreweeks, other than that publisher Level 5 is doing it to ”furtherimprove the game’s quality, provide an even more fulfillingamount of content, and ultimately ensure a great userexperience for all customers.”
But you know, developers do not simply wake up one dayand decide they’re going to delay a game’s release just to“make it better”. Unless the game you’re making is, well,Gran Turismo. In which case the delays are justified.
Little Battlers Experience is set in a futuristic universewhere teenagers and adults alike collect combat-readyminiaturised robots called “Little Battlers” that they dobattle with, Pokemon style.
All’s swell, until a mysterious terrorist group suddenlyhijacks all of the Little Battlers in the world, and sets themto attack innocent bystanders.
… …
You’d think the folks who made all these robots would haveseen this coming a mile away. That maybe it’s not such agood idea to equip these robots with tiny machine vulcans.
Ludicrous plot mechanics aside, the game itself looks likea blast to play. Guess we’ll find out when Little BattlersExperience W ships October 18.
Source: 4Gamer
Minami-ke Omatase’s (OVA)ensemble cast prepares forHalloween in this PVSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/minami-ke-omatases-ova-ensemble-
cast-prepare-for-halloween-in-this-pv/
By KarbyP on August 23rd, 2012
The tenth volume of slice-of-life gag manga Minami-ke willcome bundled with a special original video animation DVDcontaining a one-off episode, Minami-ke Omatase, thatfeatures scenarios in depicted in five chapters from series.Publisher Kodansha today uploaded a promo video for theOVA. For those of you who’ve been following the manga series,
these are the five specific chapters that will be featured inthe OVA:
• Chapter 179: リリリリリ / Because the weather’s hot
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• Chapter 181: リリリリリ / For some reason
• Chapter 185: リリリリリ / Words of Magic
• Chapter 189: リリリリ / Ambience
• Chapter 192: リリリリ / On a whim
The Minami-ke Volume 10 + Minami-ke Omatase OVA DVDlimited edition set is scheduled for an October 5 release, tobe sold for 3,700 yen including tax. Pre-orders begin August28.
Prior to the Omatase OVA, the series has seen three TVanime seasons - Minami-ke (2007), Minami-ke Okawari(2008), and Minami-ke Okaeri (2009). There was alsoanother OVA released in 2009, entitled Minami-keBetsubara.
Source: Yaraon
Facebook mass-deletescosplayer accounts withoutwarningSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/facebook-mass-deletes-cosplayer-
accounts-without-warning/
By KarbyP on August 23rd, 2012
If you’re a cosplayer who goes under an alias on yourFacebook profile, it might be a good idea to go to yourAccount Settings – right now – and click on “Downloada copy of your Facebook data”.Also, try to avoid commonwords in your username. It might potentially save you froma lot of trouble and heartache.
Several cosplayers found themselves in for a rude shockwhen they accessed the popular social network serviceFacebook earlier this week, only to discover that their useraccounts – along with years of accumulated personal dataincluding photos, videos, and hundreds if not thousands ofcontacts – had been deleted.
According to news site Examiner.com, their accounts weredeleted due to a mass purge Facebook performed on Mondaythat targeted usernames containing the word “cosplay”, inan attempt to clamp down on “duplicate” or “fake” accountsthat go by an alias rather than the users’ real names.
These “duplicate accounts” were said to compriseapproximately 8.7 percent of Facebook’s monthly activeusers.
When the social network revealed this 8.7 percent figure ina regulatory filing made earlier in August, the informationdid not sit well with investors and caused a dip in thepublicly traded company’s stock price. This might have
been the prompt for the mass account purge on Monday,in an attempt to dwindle the figures and restore investorconfidence.
It is unclear, however, why Facebook has chosen to targetspecifically user accounts with the word “cosplay” in it.
Oddly enough, it would seem that users who had the word“cos” – a term that many Japanese cosplayers include intheir cos names – were not affected at all.
It could very well be that the term “Cosplay” is simplythe most frequent term employed in Facebook usernames(possibly the sole silver lining to this gloomy story:“cosplay” could be the most popular term included inFacebook usernames).
Examiner.com postulates that other common terms found inuser account like “photography”, “gamer”, and “sports”, arelikely to be targeted next.
Our hearts go out to cosplayers affected by Facebook’sthoughtless, extremist measure.
Source: Examiner.com, New.com.au
August 27th, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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SGCafe : Cosplay | Vocaloid | Otaku | Pop CultureA daily publication about Cosplay, Vocaloid, Otakuand Japanese Pop Culture
Atsuko Maeda’s final AKB48interview: “I might trystudying abroad in NewYork” [full transcript]Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/atsuko-maedas-final-interview/
By KarbyP on August 27th, 2012
Earlier today Atsuko Maeda held her final AKB48 pressconference at the AKB48 Theatre in Akihabara, Tokyo,where she will be performing for the last time as an AKBmember (streamed live today from 5PM Singapore time;YouTube link here).
At the press con she spoke about future showbiz plans, aboutAKB48′s iron-clad “no-romance” rule (which she’s no longersubjected to beginning tomorrow), and the possibility ofstudying abroad – by herself – in New York.
The full transcript from the session, as follows:
-
–The dream-like 3-day Tokyo Dome concert has finallyconcluded.
This concert was really the one I’ve been happiest with, in allof my almost seven years [with AKB48]. Whenever I go onstage to perform, I get so anxious that my mind simply goesblank, and so I never got to truly take in the entire experience[of performing on a big stage]. It always felt to me like, “isthis a dream?”
However, for this performance I did not want to let myselfget carried away. I mustn’t let it feel like a dream [I toldmyself]. It’s a joy to be able to perform on stage, and I wasable to experience and savour that sense of joy for real thistime.
—Moving forth what do you think AKB48 will be like withoutyour presence? How would you like the group to evolve?
I’d really like for the AKB48 to remain as a groupand maintain its own identity regardless of whomever isgraduating.
Yesterday, after everyone came to see me off [before I mademy way here to Akihabara], I turned and saw a bunch of newAKB songs on the monitors behind me. And that made meponder.
As I would be graduating today, yesterday I began to seemyself as someone outside of the loop, as someone whocould view AKB48 from an objective viewpoint. Looking ateverything around me, [when I saw how wonderful it was]gradually a smile began to form on my face. And when I saweveryone else’s faces, it put me at ease too.
From now on I’ll be supporting everybody’s activities from aspectator’s point of view. And I look forward to seeing theirgrowth.
—Maeda, in the past you’ve often blogged about about thesplendourous breakfasts you allow yourself to indulge infrom time to time (note: two weeks ago the AKB48 CAFE &SHOP announced that it will introduce a new breakfast itembased on something Atsuko Maeda has blogged about, to bevoted on by fans). How was your breakfast today?
Ah, I didn’t manage to grab a bite this morning. In fact Ihaven’t had anything yet. During the 3-day Tokyo Domeconcert period, althought there was time allotted for sleep, Iwas so anxious that I woke up super early for the past threedays in a row. Now that the concert’s done, I was able to feelat ease, and as a result I overslept this morning. So therewasn’t time to eat breakfast (laughs).
—Once you’ve graduated from AKB48, that means aromantic relationship is no longer forbidden, right?
I wonder about that. As a joke I told Akimoto-sensei(producer for AKB48) that as soon as today’s over, at 0:00midnight on the 27th, I’ll go and fall in love, or somethinglike that.
But in reality I don’t have any such person in mind. Evenwithin my inner thoughts, it feels like romance is somethingthat’s still a ways off, so I don’t know about that.
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—Once you’ve had some time to unwind and settle down,what would you like to do?
I’d like to go to various places, if there’s time for that. But Iwant to go to all those places by myself.
Maybe I should live and study abroad in New York, which isthe one place I’m most interested in amongst all the variouscountries. But if I do that I’d like to do it by myself. Nothaving an insider’s perspective to the place, I think I’d beable to challenge myself in many interesting ways.
—How about taking your former stint with being in AKB48as a title, and continuing your career in showbiz as “AtsukoMaeda”?
Hmmm… If I were to think about it [and weigh the pros andcons] calmly, I think if I were to go into showbiz that way itwould make me very uneasy.
However, if Akimoto-sensei and everyone with AKB48,including the members, staff, and fans, think that I should doit and would support that endeavour, then at the very least,I wouldn’t want to let everybody down. I’d try my best.
—After leaving AKB, how about taking on the path of anaspiring actress with the goal of one day walking down thered carpet at the Academy Awards?
Although I’ve considered becoming an actress and aimingfor that sort of lofty dream before, eventually I felt that Ididn’t quite have the conviction to work hard for that sortof goal yet. So not right now, but someday I might aspiretowards that.
Atsuko Maeda’s final greeting at the photo-session:Actually I cried quite a lot yesterday, so I’m sorry if my facelooks less photogenic than before (laughs). I’m really gladthat so many of you have come. Today is my last day withAKB48… but since I already did all the crying yesterday,I’m hoping that today I’ll be able to finish everything allsmiles. I’d like for everyone to have a good time today, mysincerest thanks to everyone. Please continue to support us,both AKB48 and Atsuko Maeda. Thank you very much.
Source: Oricon Style
Hatsune Miku Project Diva f’slist of trophies leaked [minorspoilers]Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/hatsune-miku-project-diva-f-
trophies-leaked-minor-spoilers/
By KarbyP on August 27th, 2012
Hit the jump if you’re interested to find out what the game’strophies are. You’d have to guess what the conditions tounlocking these trophies are, however; it’s not specified inthe trophy description.
All of the trophies have to do with unlocking profile titles inthe game. The sole exception is the Platinum Trophy, whichis unlocked when all other trophies are.
Although the conditions for unlocking these titles/trophiesare not specified, you do get a sense of what you’re supposedto do simply from the name of the title.
Here’s the list of trophies in Japanese, followed by a roughtranslation of all the titles you’re required to obtain to unlockBronze, Silver, and Gold trophies in the game. Note that thefirst item on the English list (Bronze-Silver-Gold-Platinumorder) is the very last one on the Japanese list (Platinum-Gold-Silver-Bronze order).
Hatsune Miku Project Diva f comes out in Japan and Asia(including Singapore) August 30.
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BronzeThis is who I am (ここここここ)That’s good!
Begun making Edits
Live tour
Good morning (こここここここここ)
Itadakimasu
Esper
Home interview
Art Colection
I love DIVA
Welcome to DIVA!
SilverShooting StarIf it’s for you…
Beautiful furniture
A place to rest (こここここ)
EditP
MEIKO’s Manager
KAITO’s Aibo (partner)
Luka’s Tea Buddy
Len’s Friend
Rin’s Play Buddy (こここここここ)
Miku’s Partner
Hobby: PV Appreciation
GoldMemories AlbumModule Collector
Entertainer
Super Player (こここここここ)
Expert Player (こここここここ)
Source: Jin
The World Ends With You -Solo Remix- out today foriPhone and iPadSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/the-world-ends-with-you-solo-
remix-out-today-for-iphone-and-ipad/
By KarbyP on August 27th, 2012
One of the best games to ever grace the Nintendo DS isgetting an iOS port. Square Enix’s The World Ends WithYou (Subarashiki Kono Sekai or ここここここここここ) was a stylishaction RPG set in real-world Shibuya.
Not only that, but it had a killer soundtrack and an intriguingstoryline as well: as an amnesiac Neku Sakuraba, you haveto work with a partner to try and clear seven missions onseven consecutive days, in a cruel “Shinigami Game”; fail
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any of the missions, and Neku ceases to exist. Clear all themissions, however, and an unspecified reward (well, you’llfind out halfway through what this “reward” is) is yours.
Above all, The World Ends With You featured a uniquecombat system that required you to take control oftwo separate characters, simultaneously, fighting on twoseparate screens.
In enemy encounters, you and your partner are teleportedinto different realms but fight the same enemies (an enemydefeated on one screen will disappear on the other).
On the DS’s lower screen, you controlled Neku by slashing,tapping, dragging, and rubbing away at the touchscreen.Simultaneously, you also controlled Neku’s partner with thed-pad, who performs combo attacks (hit the left or right d-pad directions) that can be modified by hitting up or down.
For The World Ends With You’s iOS port, however, SquareEnix has reimagined the combat system so all of it takesplace on one screen now (hence the subtitle -Solo Remix-). Your partner now appears to be AI-controlled, but to makeup for the lack of multi-tasking, there are new combatelements as well (as seen in the trailer from 1:10 onwards).
By the way, even though the trailer below is in Japanese, thegame is out now internationally in English as well.
Outside of the core game there is also a Beyblade-likemultiplayer mini-game where you slide a pin badge aroundattempting to knock others’ pin badges off the playing field.
If you didn’t have the chance to pick up this cult classic on theDS, I heartily implore you to check it out. This game was soamazing that even if you’ve finished the original DS version,enough time has passed since it came out that it might be agood idea to revisit it again on iOS – I know I will be.
The World Ends With You -Solo Remix- is now available onthe Singapore iTunes app store for S$ 22.98.
That may seem a little pricey for an iOS game, but this wasoriginally a DS RPG about 30~40 hours in length – now withits graphics redrawn in HD.
“Madoka Magica” movietrailer features a new themefrom ClariSSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/madoka-magica-movie-trailer-
theme-by-claris/
By IceTea on August 27th, 2012
A new trailer for the upcoming Madoka Magica movieswere recently aired in Japan, featuring a new theme song“Luminous” by the teenage female duo, ClariS, who alsoperformed the OP “Connect” for the anime series.
“Luminous” will be the theme song for the first movie,Gekijou-ban Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica Zenpen:Hajimari no Monogatari and the CD single is expected to goon sale on October 10.
Producer Atsuhiro Iwakami had revealed that the filmtrilogy will begin with a two-part compilation of the TVseries, followed by the first movie Gekijou-ban MahouShoujo Madoka Magica Zenpen: Hajimari no Monogatari
which will open on October 6. The 2nd movie, Gekijou-banMahou Shoujo Madoka Magica Kohen: Eien no Monogatri,will follow on October 13 as well.
Kalafina is expected to be returning to perform a theme songfor the films too.
Borderlands 2: play this “16-bit demake” while you waitfor the full gameSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/borderlands-2-play-this-16-bit-
demake-while-you-wait-for-the-full-game/
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By KarbyP on August 27th, 2012
Borderlands 2 developer Gearbox Software has put out abrowser-based game – entitled “The Border Lands”, a 16-bit“demake” of their successful FPS/RPG franchise – as part oftheir promotional efforts for the highly-anticipated sequel.
And guess what, folks, it’s actually pretty good!
You pick from one of four characters – Salvador, Maya, Zero,or Axton (who are also the playable cast of Borderlands 2)– each with different stats, and proceed to slug away at themyriad foes of 16-bit Pandora.
Slain enemies will occasionally drop a weapon chest, whichlets you swap your currently equipped weapon for one of twooptions, including: a twin-shot that cover your front andyour back simultaneously, rocket launchers that can piercethrough terrain, and even a spread-shot that fires in random,uncontrollable directions.
Here’s the official game description according to a pressrelease:
The Border Lands’ is a 16-bit lo-fi game whichoffers a tantalizing glimpse into the origins of manyelements still present in today’s hit franchise. It maynot have 87 bazillion guns, or dynamic online co-op but it does fit on five floppy disks! For those whoperhaps unsurprisingly no longer have a workingfloppy disk drive, the game can also be played onlinefor free online.”
The web-based game is accessible from the URL http://www.wubwub.eu/demake.php
Be sure to let us know how far you got and what your besthigh scores are in the comments below!
Borderlands 2 for the PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360gaming platforms comes out internationally on September21.
For Borderlands 2 price and pre-order campaign details inSingapore, click here.
“Madoka Magica” girls put onsummer yukatas for Mobagesocial gameSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/madoka-magica-girls-put-on-
summer-yukatas-for-mobage-social-game/
By KarbyP on August 27th, 2012
Ever wondered how the cast of Puella Magi MadokaMagica would look like in yukatas? The 13-episode animeseries never got the chance to dress its cast of characters upin any sort of fan-service costumes.
But thanks to Mobage’s Puella Magi Madoka Magica socialgame, we’re finally able to take a look at Mami Tomoe’syukata sugata (Japanese for “yukata appearance”).
As long as you’re not actually spending any time or moneyplaying these bloodsucking excuses for a video game, thesesocial game thingamajigs are actually pretty awesome! Interms of the amount of eye-candy they provide, that is.
Card Illustrations
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Event cutscenes
If for some reason you’re interested in picking up thesocial game, then you might be happy to learn that –like many Mobage social games – there isn’t an IP blockor any such other means being employed to keep non-Japanese players out (pity the same can’t be said of MadokaMagica Online). As long as you’re able to register for aMobage account through your smartphone (a fair amount ofJapanese literacy is required), then you’re in.
That said, paid content for the social game will only beavailable to players who can authenticate their account witha Japanese mobile number. Even on the free level of service,many of the promotional items and in-game campaignscannot be accessed unless you’re verified.
Source: Crunchyroll
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Start your weekend withthese Hatsune Miku musicvideos: “Weekender Girl” and“Fake Doll”Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/start-your-weekend-with-these-
hatsune-miku-music-videos-weekender-girl-and-fake-doll/
By KarbyP on August 27th, 2012
Music videos for kz/livetune and HachioujiP’s feel-goodHatsune Miku song Weekender Girl, as well as HachioujiP’selectro-ballad Fake Doll are up now on video sites YouTubeand Niconico Douga.
Both are original tracks written and composed specificallyfor Sega’s Hatsune Miku Project Diva f.
Which do you like better?
Not that you’d have to choose between them: Fake Doll is thecoupling track for Weekender Girl in a CD single that will bereleased in Japan August 29.
Two versions of the single will be available: a regular editionCD priced at 1,050 yen, as well as a limited first-print CD+DVD+bonus gift: Hatsune Miku keyholder [こここここ:CDこDVDこここここここここここここここここここWeekender Girlここここ] thatwill be sold for 1,785 yen. Prices include tax.
Readers in Singapore might want to check with HMV; there’sa good chance they’ll bring it in, but it may not be the CD+DVD version. For that you might have to order online.
A digital copy of the CD single will also be sold on iTunesSingapore on August 29 for the low, low price of S$4.98. Atotal of four tracks are included – Weekender Girl, Fake Doll,and their respective karaoke (instrumental) versions to doyour own covers with.
iTunes has started taking pre-orders for Weekender Girl/Fake Doll, so if you want to be amongst the first to downloadthe songs, head to the iTunes store online today!
~Tip sent in by SGCafe reader Luvmichan.
Atsuko Maeda’s AKB48graduation parade on August27 cancelledSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/atsuko-maedas-graduation-parade-
in-akihabara-on-august-27-cancelled/
By KarbyP on August 27th, 2012
A “graduation parade” event where fans lining up on thestreets of Akihabara could catch a glimpse of Atsuko Maedaprior to her final performance at the AKB48 Theatre hasbeen cancelled, AKB48′s management announced today.
The event was born out of a request from Atsuko Maedaherself after she heard that the odds of landing one of thepremium tickets to her final performance at the AKB48Theatre had been 1:916.38.
“Can we somehow arrange for me to meet more of my fansin person?” Maeda reportedly asked the management, whohad assented to it after consulting with both the local policeas well as residents on safety measures.
However, today the management had a change of heart, andannounced the event’s cancellation to allay safety concernsposed by a potential overcrowding situation on the streets ofAkihabara reminiscent to the 500,000-man parade at Ginzathis past Monday, when Japan’s 71 Olympic medalists rodethrough the metropolitan Tokyo area on five double-deckerbuses. In the interest of public safety, police had advised forthe graduation parade to be cancelled.
On the AKB48 official blog, the popular Japanese idolgroup’s management apologised for the unfortunate turn ofevents.
Fans, however, can still watch Atsuko Maeda perform at theAKB48 Theatre for the last time on August 27 via a livebroadcast on YouTube, Google+, and the Fuji TV channel inJapan.
August 27th, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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Source: AKB48 official blog [via Natalie]
Yanagi Nagi appearancedetails, merchandiseexclusives from KKnM at thisSaturday’s A.C.M.E IVSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/yanagi-nagi-appearance-details-
merchandise-exclusives-from-kknm-at-this-saturdays-a-c-m-e-iv/
By sentinel011 on August 27th, 2012
Our previous article has mention of guest Yanagi Nagi. Nowto wrap things up, the A.C.M.E committee has shared withSGCafe some very exclusives for all to salivate over.
Of course, more details of Yanagi Nagi’s appearance arealso featured below. Gundam VS Gundam and Tohoutournaments’ rules and regulations are also featured. Ofcourse, for those who intend to queue overnight, comiketstyle; there are also details about that too!
All these and more are explained in the press release below:
In the last article of our A.C.M.E series, the spotlightshall be on the products that will be on sale at theevent, along with a special guest that we will beannouncing shortly. So without any further ado,head over to the KKnM website to see the items thatwill be on sale: http://www.theanimehouse.com/ACME%20IV/KKnMacme2012.htm
In addition to the items in the above link, KKnMis also happy to present the following two sets ofIchiban Kuji:
Here are the details for the Ichiban Kuji:
~~~~~
Time 3:00pmTicket Price: $16.00 each tickets
*No Reservations of Kuji tickets*No Pre Sales would be done
*First come first serve only, limited amount oftickets per purchase round for each title.
(e.g. Typemoon 10th Anniversary – 3 tickets onlyper purchase round, Puella Magi Madoka MagicaPart 2 – 3 tickets only per purchase round)
*No Discounts would be given, all prices at fixedprice
~~~~~
Sheng Tai Toys has the following promotion atA.C.M,E IV as well:
English Version of One Piece Carddess Promotionspecially at ACME at KKnM booth! Buy 3 packsand flash your cards to receive a One Piece BeforeMeister Vol. 2 mini figurine!!
~~~~~
The entire list of items looks tempting, yes? But thatis not all! Cantaria, in conjunction with SuzuhiraHiro, has also brought us a whole slew of productsthat are illustrated by Suzuhira-sensei herself.Here’s a picture for your reference:
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The price list for these items would be released onthe day itself as there could be more items arriving,even as we speak. So worry not!
There’s also an autograph session for Suzuhira-sensei! Conditions for the autograph session wouldbe a minimum purchase of SGD100.00 worth ofSuzuhira-sensei’s works and items.
A limit would be imposed, and please note that theautograph session would be at 1.30pm at Cantaria’sbooth.
Cantaria also has something to say about theother special guest that they have specially invitedfor this event. The following except is liftedstraight from the A.C.M.E Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/acme.sg):
~~~~~
We have just confirmed an appearance of a veryspecial guest!!!..and that person is none other thatYanagi Nagi-san!!
Well, unfamiliar with that name? But we believeyou will not be unfamiliar with songs like “Kimi noShiranai Monogatari” and “Sayonara Memories”by supercell. Indeed, she is the lead vocal for thesesongs under the alias “nagi”.
She produced her first single under her ownname “ビビビビビビ” (ED theme for Ano Natsu deMatteru), followed by “Ambivalentidea” (ED Themefor Jormungand). That is not all, she sang for twosongs in the OST of Key’s visual novel, Rewrite andcollaborated with Jun Maeda of Key to produce theoriginal concept album “Owari no Hoshi no LoveSong”.
Yanagi-san would be having a signing session at3PM. You would only need to buy 1 of her CDsin A.C.M.E. and you would be able to get a freeautograph by Yanagi-san in person! (hmm maybewe should change the conditions, this seems too easy>.<)
The autograph session and sales of her CDs wouldbe at the Cantaria booth. (they would also be theones selling Suzuhira sensei works >.<) So see youall there!!
~~~~~
Ok, that is a lot of new information for a post.Now, for A.C.M.E attendees who would like to queue
overnight for their desired item, fear not! You canlook for our friendly overnight queuemaster ChinYong at the Changi Point MacDonalds. He will beholding A.C.M.E IV signage and he will be equippedwith queue numbers to be given to fans who arequeuing overnight.
Please note that Chin Yong will be at Changi PointMacDonalds at 10pm, so basically the first personto contact him personally at that time will be first inthe entire A.C.M.E queue.
And finally, we would like to send a friendlyreminder to the gamers out there who areparticipating in A.C.M.E IV’s Touhou Hisouten andMobile Suit Gundam Extreme Versus tournaments.Here are the links to the rule, regulations and timingfor the respective games:
Touhou Hisouten: http://www.acme.sg/touhou2012.php
Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Versus: http://www.acme.sg/gvg.php
That’s all for now. All that is left is to attend the event
on 25th August, and be at Singapore Expo’s GarnetRoom at 10am. See you then!
Us at SGCafe feel that there’s a need to point out to allinterested merchandise hunters and Yanagi Nagi fans onhow to get to A.C.M.E IV. We have provided the site map andlayout from their facebook page:
Site Map
Event layout
Look out for SGCafe as well, as we are having a specialactivity for all our forum members! Take a picture of yourselfwith your loot of the day at A.C.M.E and post it up onto ourforum and win special prizes from us! For more information,head over to our forum thread.
August 27th, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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Kami Jigen GameNeptune V’s 6th PV details“Informants”, “Disc Make”,and “Nepstation” gamemechanicsSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/kami-jigen-game-neptune-vs-6th-
pv-details-informants-disc-make-and-nepstation-game-mechanics/
By KarbyP on August 27th, 2012
You can make your own game discs in PS3 JRPG Kami JigenGame Neptune V (ここここここここここここV), the third entry in theHyperdimension Neptunia series.
However, as this 6th PV shows, there’s a chance that yourcreation might be certified as a “Sh*t Game” by peoplewho’ve never even played it.
Watch the promo video, then scroll down for the full play-by-play to find out what’s going on.
Dungeons
Fight monsters to level up, search for rare items, jumpover obstacles. That’s the basics of dungeon exploration inNeptune V.
Informants System (見見見見見見)
Some of the NPC characters in the game – IF, Famitsu-chan,Dengeki-chan (Famitsu and Dengeki are two of Japan’sbiggest video games magazines, by the way) – are informantsthat you can send on expeditions to find out more about thedungeons you’ll be visiting. The more they go on expeditions,the faster they’ll level up.
Informants will return from each expedition with credits,items, and occasionally information that may or may not behelpful to you. For instance, in the PV Famitsu-chan claimsto have found a great way for increasing the amount of EXPyou accrue in combat. If you choose to believe her, you’llearn 1.4x the amount of EXP on your next trip to a specificdungeon. Keep in mind, however, that sometimes believing a piece of information can lead to your detriment.
While an informant is still out on an expedition, you canincrease the chance that she returns with rare informationfor you by going into the same dungeon and triggering/disabling flags. That said, fair warning: sometimes triggeringa flag might summon an enemy that’s tougher than even thedungeon’s boss.
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Disc Make
In the world of Neptune/Hyperdimension Neptunia series,game “discs” are what your party members use to conjurespells and other actions.
New in Neptune V is the ability to make your own game discsby picking out three “Idea Chips” – which can be anythingfrom game genre (“RPG”, “Simulation”) and mechanics(“Synthesis”), to other means of elevating a gane’s status(“Have a popular actor be part of your voice cast”, “Pre-orderCampaign”, “Famous Game Creator”) – combining theseideas, and burning the finished product onto a Blank Disc.
Then the game is promptly certified by people who’ve neverplayed the game as either a Godly Game (こここここ) or a Sh*tGame (ここここここここ), which will have an effect on the skill’sstats.
Just like in real life.
Combat
In combat you can build up an Exe Drive gauge to unleashEX Finish and ExeDrive moves.
Nepstation
Get your play style rated by a panel of judges. Score well, andyou may be rewarded with an otherwise unobtainable item.
This is clearly a parody of Sony’s Weekly Toro Station, whichis hosted by the PlayStation mascot cats Toro (white) andKuro (black).
Character Challenge
How deep is your love for the game’s characters? Characterchallenges are goals you can attempt to clear while in controlof specific playable characters. Examples of these challengesinclude “Jump 10 times” and “Travel 1,500″ while in adungeon.
Clearing challenges will not only buff a character’s stats, butunlock bonus voice samples.
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Kami Jigen Game Neptune V (ビビビビビビビビビビビビV) for thePlayStation 3 comes out in Japan August 30.
An English release has not yet been announced.
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SGCafe : Cosplay | Vocaloid | Otaku | Pop CultureA daily publication about Cosplay, Vocaloid, Otakuand Japanese Pop Culture
Hatsune Miku Project DivaArcade: Songs for September,new modules released todaySource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/hatsune-miku-project-diva-arcade-
songs-for-september-new-modules-released-today/
By KarbyP on August 31st, 2012
Three songs originally featured in Hatsune Miku ProjectDiva Extend will be making their way to Project Diva Arcadeon September 6.
• Nekomimi Switch / Cat Ears Switch (ねねねねねねねね);Music & lyrics by daniwell, illustration by Miro (ねね)
• Rin Rin Signal -Append Mix- (ねねねねねねねね -AppendMix-); Music & lyrics by Dios/SignalP (ねねねねP),Illustration by Watarinarumi (ねねねねねね)
• Lovers Suicide in Oblivion / Boukyaku Shinjuu (ねねねね); Music by OPA, lyrics by Asaki No’9, illustration byIchika (ねね)
The new songs will be selectable once Project Diva Arcade ispatched on September 6.
There’s actually an update for Project Diva Arcade today aswell, but it’s not for new songs.
Instead, three new modules have been released:
• TYPE2020 – 250vp, designed by Supercell’s ShirowMiwa (ねねねね)
• Sonic Style (ねねねねねねねね) – 250vp, designed by Sega’sYuji Uekawa (ねねねね)
• Loreley (ねねねねね) – 250vp, designed by Anko (ねねね)
August 31st, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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Asia: Final Fantasy XIII/XIII-2Dual Pack announced as partof series’ 25th AnniversarycelebrationsSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/asia-final-fantasy-xiiixiii-2-dual-
pack-announced-as-part-of-series-25th-anniversary-celebrations/
By KarbyP on August 31st, 2012
Square Enix and Sony announces a Final Fantasy XIII/XIII-2 Dual Pack for Asia just one day before the FinalFantasy makers are set to unveil to the world “newinformation about the direction of Lightning’s story“ at theseries’ 25th Anniversary Event in Tokyo tomorrow.
The two-pack compilation for PlayStation 3, officiallycalled “”Final Fantasy XIII/Final Fantasy XII-2 DualPack” features both games with Japanese voices andinterchangeable English or Chinese text, and will beavailable in Singapore and other Asian regions on September12, to be sold for the recommended retail price of S$99.90(although Play-Asia is listing it at a much higher price).
On top of both games, the set also comes with a a set ofpost cards: the “Final Fantasy XIII & XIII-2 Post Card Best8 Selection”, as it’s called.
If tomorrow’s announcement does indeed turn out to be aFinal Fantasy XIII-3, then it might be a good idea to grab thedual pack so that you have a good idea on the story so far.
Although no official pre-order campaign has beenannounced yet, readers in Singapore who’d like to make apre-order should head down to their favourite PlayStationpartner shop. We recommend enquiring with Gamescore orFunzCentre.
Persona 4 The Card Battlesocial game launches inSeptemberSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/persona-4-the-card-battle-social-
game-launches-in-september/
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By KarbyP on August 31st, 2012
You’ve played the Persona 4 RPG. You’ve played the Persona4 fighting game. Now play Persona 4 The Card Battle, asocial game for smartphones and feature phones that Atlusannounced today.
Persona 4 The Card Battle will be released on the GREEsocial platform in late September, but pre-registration forthe free-to-play title starts today. Players who pre-registerwill receive a bonus Rare card, at random (you might endup with a Super Rare or an Ultra Rare), at the outset of thegame.
All told, Persona 4 The Card Battle will boast some over 400character cards based on the RPG franchise.
In the game, players explore the rural town of Inaba as theygather increasingly powerful Persona cards. As they do sothey will run into many of the characters from the originalRPG series.
Apart from the typical social game “player vs. player”combat, Persona 4 The Card Battle appears to also featurea co-operative “player vs. environment” mode. Specifically,there will be rival boss battles in this social game that youwon’t be able to defeat alone; the only way is to communicatewith other players, and work together.
Source: Famitsu
Marvel vs. Capcom Originslaunches September 25(PSN), 26 (XBLA)Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/marvel-vs-capcom-origins-launches-
september-25-psn-26-xbla/
By KarbyP on August 31st, 2012
Capcom today has announced a concrete release dateforMarvel vs. Capcom Origins, a compilation of two games– Marvel Super Heroes and Marvel vs Capcom – updatedwith HD remastered graphics and GGPO-enabled onlineplay.
The compilation will be released on the PlayStation Networkfirst on September 25, a Tuesday, priced at US$14.99/€14.99/£11.99/AUD23.95. A price for Singapore has not yetbeen announced.
Subsequently, Marvel vs Capcom Origins will be broughtout to X360 owners via Xbox Live Arcade on the followingday, September 26, to be sold for 1,200 MS Points.
If you’re wondering why PlayStation 3 owners will be gettingthe game one day earlier than their Xbox 360 counterparts,the explanation is really quite simple: PlayStation Networkreleases usually come out on a Tuesday, while Xbox LiveArcade releases are scheduled for Wednesdays.
Marvel Super Heroes and Marvel vs. Capcom were releasedas arcade titles in 1995 and 1998 respectively. Two otherinstalments – X-men vs. Street Fighter, and Marvel SuperHeroes vs. Street Fighter – also came out in between thoseyears.
Capcom went with MSH and MvC for this particularcompilation because they felt these two were the most iconictitles in the series.
Despite requests from the fighting games community for are-release of X-men vs. Street Fighter, Capcom Senior VPChristian Svensson has gone on record to say that “anything‘X-men’ specific is off the table due to licensing reasons.”
August 31st, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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Hatsune Miku Project Diva f:all 82 character “modules” inone videoSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/hatsune-miku-project-diva-f-all-82-
character-modules-in-one-video/
By KarbyP on August 31st, 2012
Plus official pictures for Black Rock Shooter and the restof yesterday’s reveal, such as Border Break, Shining Blade,and Puyo Puyo collaboration costumes. Now that the game’sfinally out (released today), Sega’s not holding back!
“Hatsune Miku Project Diva f AllModules” trailerIf the homage to Niconico Douga at the beginning didn’tput a smile on your face, then the rest of this trailer, whichshowcases all of Hatsune Miku Project Diva f‘s 82 modules(character costumes), probably will.
Sega also mentions in the description of the video that aProject Diva f demo is out now on the PlayStation store. Docheck it out, those of you who aren’t quite convinced if thisis something you’ll want to pick up yet (we obviously thinkit’s a killer app for the Vita).
This Week’s Songs RevealYesterday we reported that Black Rock Shooter and Yumeno Tsuzuki were the final two songs included in Hatsune
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Miku Project Diva f, as revealed in the latest issue of WeeklyFamitsu magazine.
Today Sega has brought out some images from the respectivesongs’ PVs… not that it matters any more since you’ll be ableto get a better look in-game anyway!
Black Rock Shooter
Yume no Tsuzuki
This Week’s Famitsu WeeklySpeaking of Famitsu Weekly, guess who’s gracing the coverof this week’s issue?
The cover illustration was done by KEI, who was the originalillustrator that decided on Hatsune Miku’s look.
Singapore readers who’d like to pick a copy up should checkwith Kinokuniya Books, who usually brings them in onFriday (check with them tomorrow).
This Week’s Modules RevealAs usual we’ll do a simple roll call for all the modules Segahas revealed this week. Many of these modules should befamiliar to Miku fans, but there are quite a few surprisecostumes as well, including collaborations with Sega’sarcade third-person shooter Border Break, PSP RPG ShiningBlade, and puzzle series Puyo Puyo.
Hatsune Miku Append (ねねねね ねねねね)Design: Masaki Asai (ねねねね)
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Kagamine Rin Append (ねねねね ねねねね)Design: Osamu (ねねね)
Kagamine Len Append (ねねねね ねねねね)Design: Osamu (ねねね)
Racing Miku 2012Ver (ねねねねねねね 2012Ver)Design: GAN
Sorcerer Apprentice / Madoushi no Tamago (ねねねねねねね orliterally: Egg of Sorcerer)
From: Puyo Puyo series (ねねねねねねねねねねねねね)
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Elf Princess of the Forest / Mori no Yousei Hime (ねねねねね)From: Shining Blade (ねねねねねねねねねねねねねねねね)
BB Operator (BBねねねねねね)From: Border Break (ねねねねねねねねねねねねね)
Hatsune Miku SW School Competitive Swim / School Kyouei(ねねねね SW ねねねねねね)
Design: Sega (no particular designer was mentioned for allof the swimsuit modules here)
Kagamine Rin SW School (ねねねね SW ねねねね)
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Kagamine Len SW Boxers (ねねねね SW ねねねね)
Megurine Luka SW Competitive Swim Type / Kyouei Type(ねねねね SW ねねねねね)
KAITO SW Half-spats (KAITO SW ねねねねねねね)
MEIKO SW Waterpolo (MEIKO SW ねねねねねねね)
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Sakine Meiko (ねねねねね)Design: daigoman
Hatsune Miku Project Diva f is out now in Japan and Asia,available from all good video game stores and digitallythrough the PlayStation store.
Limited special release ofTouya Hibiki’s winter ROM atSTGCCSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/limited-special-release-of-touya-
hibikis-winter-rom-at-stgcc/
By Neubronner Eugene on August 31st, 2012
If you adore famous cross-player Touya Hibiki then you’dbest make your way down to STGCC this weekend. She’sannounced a special, extremely limited run of her 2012winter ROM release at her booth at the event held at MarinaBay Sands Expo halls on September 1st and 2nd.
The cd-rom full of awesome photos (See her preview pictureabove) will be released at 6pm at her booth in the event hallon a “first-come, first-served” basis. We recommend liningup well in advance because it’s sure to sell out.
These goods, according to her twitter, were meant to bereleased for Winter, but “as a special service” she’s bringingdown an extremely limited run (Numbers unknown) to theevent! Be sure to check her out there, and we’ll be sure tobring you the reports with our hands-on showfloor presence.
Source: Twitter
Hatsune Miku Project Divaf: Black Rock Shooter andYume no Tsuzuki are yourfinal two tracks [video]Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/hatsune-miku-project-diva-f-black-
rock-shooter-and-yume-no-tsuzuki-are-your-final-two-tracks-video/
By KarbyP on August 31st, 2012
Plus a look at a batch of new character modules, courtesy ofthis week’s Famitsu Weekly magazine.
Last week Weekly Famitsu revealed the titles of all but thefinal two tracks in Hatsune Miku Project Diva f.
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Info on the final two tracks is finally “unlocked” this week,now that we’re less than 24 hours away from the officialrelease of the game (for those of you who’re planning to buythe download version, the PlayStation store usually updatesaround 12 to 2PM, going by experience).
The final two tracks are:
Black Rock Shooter (ブブブブブブブブブブブブブ); artiste: ryoYume no Tsuzuki (ブブブブ); artiste: Dixie Flatline
As a bonus we were able to find a video of Project Diva f’sversion of Black Rock Shooter running in PV appreciationmode.
Unfortuantely, as the Vita doesn’t allow for any form of videooutput (unless you have very specialised equipment), thevid maker shot the footage on a handycam. So pardon thevideo quality (or lack thereof); it’s just going to look infinitelybetter when you finally get your own copy of Hatsune MikuProject Diva f.
According to the vid maker, he used Hatsune Miku’s defaultmodule for the PV as there is no “matching module” so as tospeak. Or at least, he wasn’t able to unlock it despite havingcleared Black Rock Shooter on all difficulty levels.
And here’s Yume no Tsuzuki. Note that the video here isn’tthe one in Project Diva f.
New modules ()
Apart from the song reveals, Famitsu also had a full spreadon a bunch of new modules from the game revealed for thefirst time. These including Racing Miku and Hatsune MikuAppend.
Expect to hear more about these modules and songstomorrow (possibly with a hi-quality video), as new HatsuneMiku Project Diva f is usually revealed officially everyThursday.
Hatsune Miku Project Diva f for the PlayStation Vita comesout in Asia and Japan August 30.
A Hatsune Miku limited edition PlayStation Vita + gamebundle is also available.
Source: Imagebam
Shoko Nakagawa is playingFinal Fantasy VII on herPlayStation VitaSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/shoko-nakagawa-is-playing-final-
fantasy-vii-on-her-playstation-vita/
By KarbyP on August 31st, 2012
The 27-year-old voice actress, anisong singer, and presenterTV Tokyo programme Pokemon Sunday is thrilled byher PlayStation Vita’s newfound ability to run PlayStationClassics, thanks to yesterday’s firmware 1.80 upgrade.
On her official blog, Shokotan shared these pictures of FinalFantasy VII running on her PS Vita, and had the followingto say:
Super! Lololololol God-like hardware lololololamazingggg!Downloading FF56789 [through PlayStationClassics/Archives] and PSP software [from thePlayStation store] was pretty quick, and I like theway all these game app icons line themselves upneatly on the homescreen, all on my Vita! Now Iwant to see FFT, Chrono Trigger, Tactics Ogre on
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my Vita too!!! If we can have the FF4 remake on itas well that would be heavenly!!
FF7′s finally hereeeee! It was refreshing to seeMidgar as rendered on the Vita’s screen, which isso much more vivid than the original Playstation[playing on my TV], just so awesome that I canbring it everywhere with me, kyaaaa that reallycheers me up! What a blast of nostalgia, seeing AerisCloud Barret aaaaaah!
Oh it’s still in the process of being downloaded [ontomy Vita] so I guess I’ll go attend to some work.
To be able to play these many games just with a setof Vita, that’s really awesome. I’m glad to have livedto experience this, so much that it brings tears of joyto my eyes!
Written from my iPhone”
Final Fantasy Tactics, Chrono Trigger, and Tactics Ogre?
One step at a time, Shokotan!
Source: Shoko Nakagawa official blog
Asia: 221 “PlayStationClassics” now playable onyour Vita thanks to firmware1.80Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/asia-221-playstation-classics-now-
playable-on-your-vita-thanks-to-firmware-1-80/
By KarbyP on August 31st, 2012
The long-awaited PlayStation Vita 1.80 firmware update hasfinally been released today, allowing gamers access to over200 “PlayStation Classics” from the Asia PlayStation store(600 in the Japanese store).
Apart from adding support for PlayStation Classics, 1.80also boasts a long list of upgrades, including the ability tonavigate menus on the Live Arena homescreen and varioussystem apps with the Vita’s physical buttons (previously itwas touchscreen only).
For details on all the shiny new upgrades, watch thisintroduction trailer:
Important: Do note, however, that beginning with firmware1.80, memory cards in your Vita are now “locked” to yourcurrent PSN ID. Previously it was possible to store contentdownloaded using various PSN IDs on one memory card;this is no longer possible.
For those of you who’ve been swapping PSN IDs around onyour Vita by going into Settings and choosing to restore yoursystem to factory defaults, you will now have to reformat
your memory card before it can be used by another PSNID. Alternatively, just remove the memory card prior torestoring to factory defaults, and insert a second one for yourother PSN ID.
PlayStation ClassicsWe’re not going to list all of the 221 titles available fromthe Asia PlayStation store; just go on your Vita and browsethrough all the good stuff!
That said, we do understand that a lot of the PlayStationClassics games on the Asia PlayStation store are in Japanese,which can be quite frustrating if you’re just looking forsomething to play with that doesn’t require JLPT lessons.
So here we’ve put together a partial list of gems that gamersfrom all walks of life should be able to play comfortably –even if the only Japanese words you know are “sushi” and“moe”.
Games that do not require Japanese language proficiency(our top picks):
• Crash Bandicoot (platformer)
• Cyberbots (fighting)
• Darkstalkers 3 (Vampire Savior EX Edition, fighting)
• Dead or Alive (fighting)
• Dodonpachi (2D plane shooter)
• DonPachi (see above)
• Everybody’s Golf 2 (sports)
• Fatal Fury Wild Ambition (fighting)
• GuiltyGear (fighting)
• Gunners Heaven (2D side-scrolling shooter, similar toMetal Slug)
• Metal Slug, Metal Slug X
• Mr Driller (action/puzzle)
• Plasma Sword (fighting)
• Pocket Fighter (fighting)
• R4 Ridge Racer Type 4 (racing)
• Real Bout Fatal Fury Special (fighting)
• Rockman 1 to 5 (platformer)
• Samurai Shodown 1 to 4 (fighting)
• Silent Bomber (action)
• Tekken 2 (fighting)
• The King of Fighters 95 to 99 (fighting)
• The Last Blade (fighting)
• Um Jammer Lammy (rhythm-action)
• XI[sai] JUMBO (puzzle, download the free trialversion)
And here’s a list of our top picks for those of you who canread the language:
• Arc The Lad I to III (RPG)
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• Atelier Elie, Atelier Marie Plus (RPG)
• Biohazard 1 to 3 (survival horror)
• Bokujou Monogatari Harvest Moon (simulation)
• Breath of Fire IV (RPG)
• Grandia (RPG)
• Klonoa: Door to Phantomile (platformer)
• Legend of Dragoon (RPG)
• Metal Gear Solid (tactical espionage action)
• Popolocrois (RPG)
• Silhouette Mirage Reprogrammed (side-scrollingshooter)
• Spectral Force 1 and 2, Spectral Tower 1 and 2
• The King of Fighters Kyo (turn-based… RPG?)
• Wild Arms (RPG)
For a partial list of games from the UK and UK PlayStationstores, check out Examiner.com’s story here.
Hyperdimension NeptuniaJRPG series to receive animeadaptationSource: http://sgcafe.com/2012/08/hyperdimension-neptunia-jrpg-
series-to-receive-anime-adaptation/
By KarbyP on August 31st, 2012
Idea Factory and Compile Heart’s Hyper/UltradimensionNeptunia series of JRPGs is getting an anime adaption, thisweek’s Dengeki PlayStation magazine revealed.
No further details are available at this point; we don’t know ifthis will be a TV anime series, or an original video animation.A production studio has not been named as well, althoughthe voice cast will likely feature the same ones as heard inthe game.
The games’ voice cast includes: Rie Tanaka (Mariafrom Hayate no Gotoku) as Neptune or Purple Heart(the goddess of Sega-inspired country Planeptune) andImai Asami (Steins;Gate‘s Kurisu Makise, Idolm@ster‘sChihaya Kisaragi) as Noire or Black Heart (Sony-inspiredLastation), and Eri Kitamura (Lollipop Chainsaw) as Uni(the PlayStation Portable, personified).
Set in a fictional universe known as Gamesindustri that’ssplit into four regions – Lastation (a parody on Sony’sPlayStation), Leanbox (Xbox), Lowee (Wii), and Planeptune(Sega Saturn) – the games’ stories are based loosely on real-world gaming events.
For instance, the original Hyperdimension Neptunia beganas a parody on the console wars and Sega’s eventual exit fromthe hardware business, but later had all the console makersregions’s goddesses unite against a common threat: piracyArfoire the witch, who’s named after the infamous NintendoDS flash cartridge.
The second game – Hyperdimension Neptunia Mk.II – wasstill about combating piracy, but featured the goddesses’younger sisters – the personification of portable gamingdevices from all four hardware makers – as playablecharacters instead.
The latest instalment in the series, Ultradimension NeptuniaV or Kami Jigen Game Neptune V (ねねねねねねねねねねねねV) is setto come out for the PlayStation 3 in Japan this Thursday onAugust 30, and will have the protagonists travel back in timeto “Gameindustri 1989″ where they will meet new charactersbased on 16-bit consoles.
For more info on this third game’s new mechanics – suchas the ability to make your own “game discs” by combiningIdea Chips such as “Genre: RPG” and “Pre-order Campaign”or “Employ Famous Voice Actor” – read our previous storyhere.
Although there’s no word yet on an English version, giventhat the previous two games were given the full localisationtreatment, chances are we’ll see Ultradimension Neptunia Von store shelves sometime in the future too.
August 31st, 2012 Published by: VR-Zone
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Source: Flickr
