SGcafe Anime, Manga, Cosplay, Vocaloid News For Otaku Apr 2012 Issue by VR Media Pte. Ltd.

April 5th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

SGCafe : Cosplay | Vocaloid | Otaku | Pop Culture A daily publication about Cosplay, Vocaloid, Otaku and Japanese Pop Culture

Project Diva Arcade: new Sakura Miku is all pretty in Spring Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/project-diva-arcade-new-sakuramiku-is-all-pretty-in-spring/ By KarbyP on April 5th, 2012

Hatsune Miku Project Diva Arcade Version A Revision 4 is released in Japanese arcades today! The upgrade introduces a new Sakura Miku module along with some additional Rin and Ren ones, as well as several new features, like the ability to change the volume of button sound effects. Sakura Miku module (for 300vp) The star of Revision 4 is none other than Sakura Miku, of course, who’s sporting some spiffier threads since her appearance in Project Diva Extend – artist Putidevil (pixiv page here) made some refinements to her costume. 【【【【【【【【【Project DIVA Arcade【【【【【【【【【【【PV【【【【【

Kagamine Rin Suou & Kagamine Ren Aitetsu (150vp each) Also new this month are Rin Suou and Ren Aitetsu modules for Project Diva Arcade. These look pretty much like the ones in Project Diva Extend, except now there’s also a “fox spirit” version of both modules.

April 5th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

Not April Fools: Shoko Nakagawa to star in Madoka Magica live-action parody Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/not-april-fools-shoko-nakagawa-tostar-in-madoka-magica-live-action-parody/ By KarbyP on April 5th, 2012

Kagamine Rin Suou & Kagamine Ren Aitetsu (Youko or “fox spirit” version; 200vp each)

“Magica Shirabe”, a 15-minute Madoka live-action parody unveiled on April 1 not a joke, will actually be shown at Nico Nico Chokaigi later this month as the fifth entry in the Nico Nico the Movie series. The tagline for this parody? “Form a contract with me, and become a premium member.” 【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【 Originally unveiled as part of a “special” Nico Nico Douga (NND) news bulletin on midnight, April 1, most viewers – even those in Japan – assumed that this was all just a very funny joke. After all, in the same news bulletin the newscaster claimed that NND users could now “play back videos on the site simply by tapping on the screen (even nontouchscreens)”, and “improve visual quality by up to 100 times through a slider bar” . Also in the same bulletin: Shoko Nakagawa joins Nico Nico Douga as an employee, will host a regular show on Nico Live Broadcast (this part is apparently true – Shokotan herself said so during the very first broadcast, held earlier today). Shoko Nakagawa, of course, stars as Madoka in this parody film, which takes the popular characters from Puella Magi Madoka Magica and casts them into a classic rakugo tale, “Daigu Shirabe” (“Carpenter Investigation”). Actress and gravure idol Hatsune Matsuhima (Akihabara@DEEP’s genius programmer Izm) will play the role of Sayaka, while Hamar@Killer (Hamar【【【【; real name Akira Hamamoto), a popular Nico live broadcast host will play the role of Mami.

Source: (Sega) Shuukan Diva Station

April 5th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

the NND guys, it will unfortunately not be streamed on the popular Japanese video site – at least for the time being. Source: Gadget homepage

As for Akemi Homura…. well… she’s being played by someone called Hiroyuki Nishimura. “Who’s that,” you ask? A master at trolling, that’s who Hiroyuki Nishimura is.

Tsuushin,

Magica

Shirabe’s

official

Hilarious Idolmaster M.U.G.E.M. mash-up references PS3 game, anime, and… Umineko?! Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/hilarious-idolmaster-m-u-g-e-mmash-up-references-ps3-game-anime-and-umineko/ By KarbyP on April 5th, 2012

Also: the director of Niwango, Inc, and a founder of Japanese forum 2ch.

Kyubey is played by Takeshi Natsuno, a professor at Keio University, and the former Senior Vice President of NTT DoCoMo. Natsuno is also credited as being the inventor of i-mode. Finally, veteran Japanese newscaster Souichirou Tahara plays the part of a magistrate in this film.

Yesterday, April 3, was the birthday of Idolmaster’s Haruka Amami. To celebrate, one fan (going by the handle-name, “haloveli“) decided to update his previous work on a Haruka playable character for M.U.G.E.N. Called “Haruka-san REST@RT version”, it’s loaded with references from the recent anime series, as well as some moments from the Idolmaster 2 game (PS3, Xbox 360). While he was at it, he decided to turn Mujin Gattai Kisaragi (【【合合合合合合 or “Endless Combine Kisaragi”; refer to YouTube video at the bottom) into a playable character as well. Nico Nico Douga user IEnai made a special match video between the two aforementioned Idolmaster characters. As a bonus, he throws in some additional fight footage featuring Hatsune Miku, Ange Ushiromiya from Umineko, and a few Hokuto no Ken and Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure characters as well. Needless to say, hilarity ensues. Check out the Nico Douga video below. (Note: if you didn’t watch the Idolmaster anime series, you might want to check the YouTube video below for a brief introduction to what in the world Mujin Gattai Kisaragi is first) Source: haloveli’s Twitter account

Magica Shirabe will be shown exclusively on April 28 and 29 at Nico Nico Chokaigi, to be held in Chiba’s Makuhari Messe, from 11AM to 6PM daily. Although the short film is made by 3

April 5th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

Atsuko Maeda talks about graduation, withdrawing from AKB48 elections on YouTube Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/atsuko-maeda-talks-aboutgraduation-withdrawing-from-akb48-elections-on-youtube/ By KarbyP on April 5th, 2012

In a heartfelt video address to fans on AKB48′s official YouTube channel unveiled today, Atsuko Maeda announced that she will be withdrawing from the AKB48 Senbatsu elections this year. This announcement comes slightly over one week after Maeda shocked fans on March 25, the final day of AKB48′s Saitama Super Arena concert, by announcing that she will be graduating from the pop idol group soon. No concrete reasons have yet been given with regards to why she decided to leave. However, in the YouTube video, Maeda – or Acchan, as fans affectionately call her – does talk a little about her decision. Maeda says that she’s had thoughts about leaving since quite a while back. Naturally, she couldn’t really tell the other members in the group, but she did consult with Team A captain Minami Takahashi, other Team A members, and AKB48 producer Yasushi Akimoto.

合合合合合合合合合合合合 Don’t cry, Acchan!

Idolmaster Cinderella Girls tracks for your (trial) listening pleasure Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/idolmaster-cinderella-girls-tracksfor-your-trial-listening-pleasure/ By KarbyP on April 5th, 2012

“At the time, all the talk felt incredibly unreal… if I didn’t have AKB48 in my life, what else is left? All of it made me feel very queasy,” Maeda said. A member who’s been with AKB48 since the very beginning, Maeda goes on to reminisce on the idol group’s accomplishments over the years. Winning the Japan Record Award (for the single “Flying Get”). Announcing their first Tokyo Dome concert (to be held later this year). Being invited to perform on NHK’s end-of-year music program, the Kouhaku Utagassen, for the very first time. These were all once nothing more than mere hopes and dreams the AKB48 members held. But now that these dreams have turned into reality, Maeda says that she feels like it’s time for her to move on to the next phase in her life. Maeda also mentions that the date for her graduation has not yet been decided. In the meantime, she will withdraw from the upcoming AKB48 Senbatsu elections, to be held on June 6 – putting to rest fan speculation that the AKB48 star might graduate before the elections. The actual graduation date will be one with delicate timing, with input from various relevant parties. “I’m sorry [about withdrawing from the AKB48 elections, and the sudden graduation announcement]. I really wanted to convey my apologies to fans myself, and so we arranged for this little video here, as an avenue for me to do so. “Although I won’t be an AKB48 member for much longer, after my graduation, yoroshiku onegaishimasu. I would be incredibly humbled if my fans would continue to support me. And, above all else, please continue to support AKB48.”

Like we previously reported, this month Nippon Columbia is releasing a series of five CD singles based on the characters of Idolmaster Cinderella Girls, a trading card-esque social game for smartphones and feature phones that does not actually feature a single line of voiced dialogue (other than in the TV commercial, of course). Of the five characters, only two of them are attached to renowned voice actresses – Kaede Takagaki is played by Saori Hayami (Love Plus’s Manaka Takane), while Anzu Futaba is played by Igarashi Hiromi (Papa no Iukoto Kikinasai’s Hina Takanashi). The rest of the cast appears to be voiced by newcomers. So, how do they stack up against the regular Idolmaster members? This week we finally get to find out, as Nippon Columbia has uploaded some sample clips on the Idolmaster Cinderella Master official website. Go to http://columbia.jp/imas_cinderella/ and click on the CD cover of the idol whose song you’d like to sample. Then let us know what you think of these new idols, via the comments below. Should Nippon Columbia release more Idolmaster Cinderella Master CDs?

April 5th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

and two DLC packs (“Echo Scrapyard Rifter” and “Maw of Despair Outcast” packs).

Of the five, Kaede Takagaki’s my favourite. Who’s yours? Source: Idolmaster official blog

Preorder Starhawk, download Warhawk (PSone), DLC packs for free Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/preorder-starhawk-downloadwarhawk-psone-dlc-packs-for-free/ By KarbyP on April 5th, 2012

The offer is only valid while stocks last, however, on a firstcome, first-served basis. So if you’ve been thinking about picking up Starhawk on day-one, well, better lock down your preorders fast! You won’t want to be the only one who can’t access the Maw of Despair Co-Op Mission (or have to pay to get it) at launch. If you play multiplayer games on the PS3, make sure to tell your online buddies about the deal too, don’t leave them in the dark! Starhawk hits stores in Singapore May 8.

Gaming Review Roundup – The Darkness II, Mario Party 9 and Street Fighter x Tekken! Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/gaming-review-roundup-thedarkness-ii-mario-party-9-and-street-fighter-x-tekken/ By Neubronner Eugene on April 5th, 2012

Preorder the upcoming PS3-exclusive third-person shooter now, and receive over US$20′s worth of DLC for free! A while back Sony announced that gamers in the US who preorder Starhawk would automatically be upgraded to a “limited edition” and receive about US$20 worth of DLC for free - if they preordere from GameStop. Since then, there’s been no news on if a similar deal would be making its way to gamers outside the US – until now. Today, Sony announced that gamers in Singapore who preorder the standard Chinese+English edition of Starhawk at $69.90 from PlayStation partner shops in Singapore will stand to receive a free Deluxe DLC Pre-order Bundle, containing the original PSone classic Warhawk, a Starhawk concept art PS3 theme, a digital soundtrack to to the game,

Have you guys checked out last month’s reviews? They’re off there, to the right on the sidebar. This month, we’re bringing you a wide range of titles. From the niche nuances of Street 5

April 5th, 2012

Fighter x Tekken throwing things wide open for newcomers, to party game Mario Party 9, and even some M18 content in The Darkness II (Don’t let your kids read the article folks!) Check them out, and leave a comment on your thoughts!

Kanako Itou’s Latest Album Released!

Published by: VR-Zone

Today: May’n, LiSA, Idolmaster & more livestreaming from ACE2012 Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/03/today-mayn-lisa-idolmaster-morelivestreaming-from-ace2012/ By KarbyP on April 5th, 2012

Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/kanako-itous-latest-album-released/ By Sakamoto on April 5th, 2012

It’s the first day of Anime Contents Expo 2012! Can’t be there? No worries, Nico Nico Douga has got you covered with a series of livestreaming programmes all day long. The fun starts early in the morning with May’n, and ends at night with performances from LiSA and the Idolmaster voice actresses! Kanako Itou’s 5th full album, “spark!”, has just been released on 28 March 2012. Featuring a collaboration with ZIZZ BAND, this album focuses on the past, present and future of Kanako Itou’s career as a singer. “【【【【【【” (“Niji ga Deru Made”), a song featured during the 1st Anniversary of the Tohoku Earthquake Charity Concert, a few unreleased songs, and also a cover version of a song that was featured in the anime “Andromeda Galaxy Express 999″! The limited edition also features an extra CD which includes 4 songs featured in PC games as well. You can find more information about her latest album here. Here’s a list of the songs featured on the album: 1.【【【【【 2.spark! 3.【【【【【【【 4.【【【 5.【【【【【【 6.【【【【【【 7.【【【【【【 8.【【【【【 9.Lullaby 10.【【【【【【 11.【【【【【【【【999-SAYONARA- (cover)

From 9AM Japan time (8AM Singapore time) on Saturday morning all the way till 6PM in the evening, Nico Nico Douga will stream a special 9-hour broadcast featuring hosts and guests from all over the anime spectrum. May’n is the topbatter here, playing host to guests Kaori Ishihara and Asami Seto from Rinne no Lagrange as well as Moretsu Space Pirates’ Mikako Komatsu, so be sure to tune in right away! 【【【【【【【【【【 ANIME CONTENTS EXPO 2012 9【【SP 【【【【【【【【【 (Anime Contents Expo 9-hour Special ~From Makuhari to the world~) URL: http://live.nicovideo.jp/gate/lv84201745 Some highlights (full program schedule here): 09:00~09:50 (8:00AM~8:50AM Singapore time) Radio Wave Research Society (【【【【【) MC: May’n, Takeshi Washizaki Guests: Kaori Ishihara and Asami Seto from Rinne no Lagrange, Mikako Komatsu from Moretsu Space Pirates 11:00~11:50 (10:00AM~10:50AM Singapore time) ACE2012 Special Collaboration Program ~The First Chikichiki ACE Cup Gachinko Battle~ Performers: Idolmaster (Eriko Nakamura, Akiko Hasegawa, Azumi Asakura, Manami Namakura) Milky Holmes (Suzuko Mimori, Sora Tokui, Mirai Sasaki, Izumi Tachibana) Nanamorichu Gokurakubu (Shiori Mikami, Yuka Ōtsubo, Minami Tsuda, Rumi Okubo) 12:00~12:50 (11:00AM~11:50AM Singapore time) Radio Wave Research Society (【【【【【) MC: Satomi Akesaka, Sayaka Sasaki Guests: LiSA, Marina Kawano

April 5th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone By KarbyP on April 5th, 2012

Apart from the Nico Douga 9-hour special, there will also be individual livestreams for various stage shows at the Red and White Stages at ACE2012, including live performances by LiSA and other artistes. Go here for the full schedule.

The good news: the Idolmaster Mobile i app is totally free to download, and just by downloading and launching the app, you’ll be able to play with an interactive Haruka Amami 3D character model – without even having to log into the game service proper.

Some highlights:

The bad: unfortunately you literally have to be in Japan to actually play this, or even access most of the non-gaming features (like the augmented-reality photo-taking mode).

10:10~10:40 (9:10AM~9:40AM Singapore time) Milky Holmes & D.C.III Talk Show & Mini-live Performers: Milky Holmes, yozuca, Momoka Ariyasu URL:http://live.nicovideo.jp/gate/lv84109731

(Unless you can trick your iOS device’s GPS sensor by spoofing your location, that is… a little bird – no, not 765′s Kotori Otonashi [【【【【] – tells me there’s an app for that in Cydia for jailbroken devices).

16:25~16:55 (3:25PM~3:55PM Singapore time) Moretsu Space Pirates & Rinne no Lagrange Special Stage Performers: Director Sato, Mikako Komatsu, Kaori Ishihara, Ai Kayano, Masami Seto URL:http://live.nicovideo.jp/gate/lv84101285 18:30~20:20 (5:30PM~7:20PM Singapore time) ACE Special Live Stage Performers: LiSA, Idolmaster (Eriko Nakamura, Akiko Hasegawa, Azumi Asakura, Manami Numakura), Zwei, Ray, Ayane, Marina Kawano URL:http://live.nicovideo.jp/gate/lv84114073 Do also check out and “Like” or subscribe to our Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/sgcafe.cosplay), where we’ll be posting reminders throughout the day for some of the special stage shows! Source: Nico Nico Douga ACE2012 page

Idolmaster Mobile i app released in iTunes App Store (Japan) Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/03/idolmaster-mobile-i-app-released-initunes-app-store-japan/

Anyway, there’s a very good reason why Idolmaster Mobile i is, quite literally, Japan-only: the developer calls this an 7

April 5th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

“area game”, and what it means is that you, as a humble producer for one of 765 Productions’ aspiring idols, are supposed to schedule work for your idol in various locations in Japan – any of the 505 areas within the country’s 47 prefectures – and physically travel to that location by a certain date in order to “clear” the assignments. If that sounds a little preposterous to you, well, you don’t really have to go out of your way to clear these assignments. Suppose if you live in Ueno and travel to, say, Shinjuku for work. Along the way you’re going to pass by Akihabara, Akasaka, central Tokyo, etc – if you picked up any jobs offers for your idol in those locations, one train ride will clear all of those jobs in one go – provided you’re lucky enough to find offers in those areas on the same day.

Apart from the main “area game” itself, there’s also a builtin Twitter client, an augmented-reality photo-taking mode, and a clock feature – tap on the time to have the idol you’re currently managing tell you the time. Unfortunately, none of these features are actually accessible until you’ve logged into the game service proper – which you can’t access unless your iPhone’s GPS coordinates say that you’re in Japan (I’ve tested this myself). Why the developers weren’t generous enough to at least offer a taste in some sort of “attract mode”, I’ll never understand. Regardless, Idolmaster Mobile i is a pretty novel app, and one that series fans should certainly check out – if you’ll be visiting Japan anytime soon. The app is compatible with the iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, and iPod Touch (4th generation) running iOS5.0 and up. That said, you will eventually want to have cleared job assignments in all 505 areas of Japan for trophies and improving your idol and producer ranks – although, again, players are not actually expected to physically go to all 505 areas. Instead, producers can entrust job offers in out-ofreach areas to other producers. An in-game message board functionality will help facilitate such exchanges.

Source: 4Gamer, iTunes App Store

April 10th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

SGCafe : Cosplay | Vocaloid | Otaku | Pop Culture A daily publication about Cosplay, Vocaloid, Otaku and Japanese Pop Culture

The best of “Perfume Global” dance motion videos Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/the-best-of-perfume-global-dancemotion-videos/ By KarbyP on April 10th, 2012

&amp;amp;lt;a href=”http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/ sm17407141″&amp;amp;gt;#########MMD#Perfume #######&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;Mine… craft…? (Yes, Minecraft.) &amp;amp;lt;a href=”http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/ sm17432528″&amp;amp;gt;#########Minecraft# Minecraft x Perfume_Global #prfm_global_site&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;Which is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below, or at our Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/sgcafe.cosplay). Perfume’s new single, Spring of Life, comes out on April 11.

Tiger & Bunny On-Air Jack heads to the small screen: PSP Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/tiger-bunny-on-air-jack-heads-tothe-small-screen-psp/ By KarbyP on April 10th, 2012

Late last month, as part of the promotional materials for their upcoming single, “Spring of Life”, Perfume released a graphic motion data file containing a minute-long dance routine performed and motion-captured from the trio – the same data used for the 3D animation that you see when you visit their official website. The team behind this project – Perfume global site project #001 – encourages fans to be creative: You’re allowed to use the data however you like, just as long as you link back to the project site. Naturally, most of the hobbyist 3D animators out there took this to mean “let’s feed the data into Miku Miku Dance (MMD), apply some skins to the dance data, and throw something quick together.” Like the very last video featured in Engadget Japan’s article here. And while there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, a small subset of these hobbyists decided to go the extra mile, playing around with backgrounds, and camera and lighting effects – or just a really funny concept (oh, you’ll see). Here’s a look at some of them. Vocaloids &amp;amp;lt;a href=”http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/ sm17418023″&amp;amp;gt;######## #Perfume#perfume-dev#BVH#VMD###&amp;amp;lt;/ a&amp;amp;gt;Idolmaster &amp;amp;lt;a href=”http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/ sm17493593″&amp;amp;gt;######## #MMD#Perfume_Global#Idolm@ster#&amp;amp;lt;/ a&amp;amp;gt;Tiger & Bunny

Not too long ago we heard that Sunrise’s Tiger & Bunny was headed to the big screens. Today, thanks to a leaked magazine scan, we’re learning that it’s also headed for the small screen: as a PSP game! Players take control of Wild Tiger in this “TV Show Action” game on the PSP where you’ll go on dangerous missions while being filmed on live TV in Tiger & Bunny’s unique setting: superheroes participate in a reality TV show and compete with one another to earn points, in order to appease each hero’s sponsors. The scenarios in this game mostly follow after those depicted in the anime series, according to the leaked Dengeki magazine scan. However, if you do well on missions, and appeal to your fans every chance you get, you just might be able to make Wild Tiger the King of Heroes – something that never happened in the original anime series.

April 10th, 2012

Tiger & Bunny On-Air Jack is scheduled for a 2012 Autumn release on the PSP. Not much else is known about this game, except that the dialogue will be fully-voiced.

Published by: VR-Zone By KarbyP on April 10th, 2012

Speculation: Sega’s new Hatsune Miku game could be for the PS3 Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/segas-new-hatsune-miku-gamecould-be-for-the-ps3/ By KarbyP on April 10th, 2012

The new Hatsune Miku game Sega is set to reveal this Thursday could be for the PS3, if a recent trademark filing that the Project Diva publisher made is to be believed. Here are the titles registered in the filing: MJ Salon Hatsune Miku virtual LIVE featuring maimai Hatsune Mku -Project DIVA- complete HD Ver. §ＳＳＳＳＳＳＳＳＳＳＳＳ Hageshii KAZAAAN!! So chances are the new game will be either a complete HD version of Project Diva (likely on the PS3), or something to do with that maimai game we reported on a while back – this could either be the maimai arcade game being rebranded, or adapted for a gaming device that has a touchscreen interface (PS Vita, 3DS, or smartphones). Place your bets, ladies and gents, what’s the new game gonna be? Source: Hachimaki

Konomi Suzuki, Anison Grand Prix winner, to debut this month with “Choir Jail” Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/konomi-suzuki-anison-grand-prixwinner-to-debut-this-month-with-choir-jail/

This is one up-and-coming Anison singer you ought to look out for: 15-year-old Konomi Suzuki debuts this month with the CD single “Choir Jail”, the opening theme for the anime series Tasogare Otome X Amnesia (also known as: Dusk Maiden of Amnesia), which began airing in Japan this past Monday.. Konomi Suzuki was the winner of the 5th All-Japan Anison Grand Prix last year, beating 10,233 other hopefuls for a chance to be produced as an Anison artiste, under renowned lyricist Aki Hata’s watchful eye. Hata – the lyricist behind Idolmaster’s “Watashitachi wa Zutto… Desho?” – also wrote the lyrics to Choir Jail. At a press conference where both were present, Hata said that her first impression of Suzuki was one of “an adorable girl with barely any defence mechanisms. But soon she was able to stand for herself and take flight, with the vivacity of a cheerful little chick (laughs).” “Because of that cheeriness I gave a lot of thought on how to bring out the sorrowful melancholy of the song from her, since it didn’t quite match up with her natural personality,” Hata continued, delving a little into her process with writing the Choir Jail’s lyrics. As for Suzuki, the young artiste says that she found the lyrics “to be immensely profound and well-steeped in Amnesia’s universe.” “It’s a song that one can sing to bring out and express the innermost hopes and dreams that lay dormant in one’s heart.” When asked if she has any artistes in particular that she looks up to, Suzuki said: “”I’m a big fan of May’n-san! The other day I was finally able to attend one of her live concerts for the very first time, and it left a very deep impression in me… If I could ever sing as well as her I’ll definitely try my best to!” Konomi Suzuki’s debut single comes out in Japan on April 25, to be sold for 1,260 yen. Here’s a clip of her performing Choir Jail on-stage at Anime Contents Expo earlier this month: ############×##### CHOIR JAIL##### ##### Source: Web Newtype

April 10th, 2012

Miss Yakuza 5/Ryu Ga Gotoku 5 Promoter Nominees Revealed!

Published by: VR-Zone By KarbyP on April 10th, 2012

Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/miss-yakuza-5ryu-ga-gotoku-5promoter-nominees-revealed/ By Kyoka on April 10th, 2012

It’s that time of the year again for Yakuza/Ryu Ga Gotoku Fans Out of the thousands that entered, Sega has selected 15 finalists for the Miss Yakuza 5 / Ryu Ga Gotoku 5 competition. Three finalists each from Sapporo, Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka have made it to the final round, and from this point on it’s up to us to choose one for each city.

Nae Tennouji from Steins;Gate (the daughter of Yuugo Tennouji or “Mr Braun”) is all grown-up in 5pb and Nitroplus’s upcoming visual novel and anime series Robotics;Notes, set about a decade after the events of Steins;Gate, a leaked scan from this month’s Comptiq magazine (May 2011 edition) reveals. Update: Here’s a closer look at the two-page spread.

The final five will be promoting the upcoming game Yakuza 5/Ryu Ga Gotoku 5 later this year through various commercials and events. The final results will be announced in July.

Cast your vote in the Official Yakuza5/Ryu Ga Gotoku 5 Audition site. From there, you’ll also get to know more about the finalists such as their hobbies, blogs and others, as well as view a short interview video on each finalist. Be sure to also like the Official Audition Facebook Page. Here’s a compiled audition video of all the girls. Source: Andriasang, ryu-ga-gotoku-studio

Scoop: Steins;Gate’s Nae Tennouji is all grown up in Robotics;Notes Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/scoop-steinsgates-nae-tennouji-isall-grown-up-in-roboticsnotes/

April 10th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone By KarbyP on April 10th, 2012

According to the magazine scan, Nae is a new researcher working over at JAXA Chofu Space Center (currently called: JAXA Chofu Aerospace Center). Although she usually puts on a bright and smiling face, occasionally she lashes out with a bit of a poison tongue. When she’s determined to accomplish her goals, it appears that she becomes a “wild and reckless girl” who’ll use whatever means necessary. I guess that means we won’t be seeing Nae right from the very beginning, as Robotics;Notes’ story is set primarily in Tanegashima and the JAXA Tanegashima Space Center. Still, it’s good to know that Nae didn’t grow up to be a… well, go to this link and click on the “show spoiler” button if you want to know – this sequence of events appeared only in the original visual novel, and was heavily altered for the anime series. In the scans it’s also mentioned that this is but one of two Robotics;Notes scoops featured in this very issue of Comptiq magazine (May 2012) – which goes on sale in Japan April 10. Do pick up a copy for the full Robotics;Notes coverage from your local import books store (Singaporean readers should call and check with Kinokuniya; it should be coming in around April 13~16).

Fuji TV has a very conspicuous building in Odaiba, Tokyo, where you can go to purchase memorabilia tied to any of a number of J-doramas they produce. But if you’re looking for goods based on their noitaminA latenight anime time-block, it’s a better idea to head on down to Parco (part I) in Shibuya instead, the home of the official noitaminA store. (Or you could just order everything online through noitaminA’s web store and have them send it to your hotel… but where’s the fun in that?!) Crunchyroll’s Mikikazu Komatsu recently visited the noitaminA shop in Shibuya and brought us a quick look at what’s in store at the moment.

Source: Yaraon, MyAnimeList, ow.ly

Crunchyroll visits the official noitaminA store in Shibuya, Tokyo Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/crunchyroll-visits-the-officialnoitamina-store-in-shibuya-tokyo/

April 10th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

This image – possibly a scan from a magazine – appeared on the Internet earlier today courtesy of an anonymous Japanese forum-goer. Fan reactions to the alarm clock have been rather mixed: “If only the clock featured Saber and Airi instead… I’d buy it right away.” “That sure is one pompous way of waking oneself up, lol.” “I’d buy it if it were Gil instead… Berserker would have been good too!” “Woah, do want!” “How flatulent! I’ll take one!” “What the heck… sure, judge me or whatever but I really want one! Although the price is a little much…” The Fate/Zero Archer/Rider alarm clock will go on sale in Japan this summer. Speciality shops in Japan should be accepting pre-orders any time now. Source: Yaraon

Sega to unveil new Hatsune Miku project on April 12 Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/sega-to-unveil-new-hatsune-mikuproject-on-april-12/ By KarbyP on April 10th, 2012

Head over to Crunchyroll for the rest of the pictures.

Would you buy this Fate/Zero alarm clock? Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/would-you-buy-this-fatezero-alarmclock/ By KarbyP on April 10th, 2012

Sega may have had a terrible fiscal year in 2011, forcing them to do some corporate restructuring in their American and European offices. But none of that bad news appears to have affected their development studios over in Japan – in particular the Hatsune Miku Project Diva & Mirai team, who announced on their blog today (well, the announcement is dated tomorrow, since it’s technically April 9 in Japan now) that they will be ready to unveil a new project later this week on April 12. You can check out a teaser image at the new project’s official home page here. Will it be a new Project Diva? Perhaps one on the PS Vita (the 3G version of which is launching in Singapore this Saturday)? It can’t possibly be another 3DS game so soon, right? For 7,140 yen (~S$110), this Fate/Zero alarm clock will summon the dignified voices of Fate/Zero’s Archer (CV: Tomokazu Seki) and Rider (CV: Akio Ohtsuka) to wake you up for a glorious start to your day, every morning.

Could it be related to the Next Hatsune Miku: Project Diva teaser video that was published on Christmas Eve last year?

April 10th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

Any good guesses? (Let us know in the comments, either below or via our Facebook page). And do check back with us on Thursday, April 12, for the answer. Please, whatever it is, please don’t let it be another iOS app. At least let it be an Android one. Source: Shuukan Diva Station

This is how Hatsune Miku might look like in Phantasy Star Online 2 Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/this-is-how-hatsune-miku-mightlook-like-in-phantasy-star-online-2/ By KarbyP on April 10th, 2012

If Hatsune Miku were in Phantasy Star Online 2, here’s what she might look like. This image comes courtesy of the folks behind iOS app Miku Flick; they decided to take a stab at making a Miku look-alike in the Phantasy Star Online 2 character creation demo after Sega released the benchmarking tool earlier this week. Click on the image for a closer look.

“Kyou no, watashi wa kawaii no yo!” Like what you’re seeing? Fancy giving PSO2 character creator a shot? Download the creation tool from the game’s official homepage here. You might need to refer to this translation guide here for help. Phantasy Star Online 2 is scheduled for release on the PC, PS Vita, and iPhone and Android devices in Japan sometime in 2012. A closed beta will begin later this month. Sega has not announced any plans for an English version yet.

April 13th, 2012

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SGCafe : Cosplay | Vocaloid | Otaku | Pop Culture A daily publication about Cosplay, Vocaloid, Otaku and Japanese Pop Culture

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Got 150 dollars or more to burn on Gundam Chic?

Source: Kotaku Japan

Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/got-150-dollars-or-more-to-burn-ongundam-chic/ By Neubronner Eugene on April 13th, 2012

Watch Miku Emerald and Luka Ruby square off in Next Project Diva trailer Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/watch-miku-emerald-and-luka-rubysquare-off-in-next-project-diva-trailer/ By KarbyP on April 13th, 2012

Ever thought sometimes you wanted to be a bit more… discrete… with your love for all things Gundam? The trescool people at Bandai Namco have got you covered. Two new stores called “Strict-G” are opening in both downtown Tokyo and Shizuoka featuring Gundam-inspired wear that won’t stress out non-fans. Featuring works from famous brands like jeans-making Edwin (I swear by their stuff), Swan’s glasses and Jam Home Made’s men’s accessories, beauties such as the above. In the press release (In Japanese here) Bandai Namco are also stating they will release their own line of clothes that will start at prices of US$100 and up later. The shop details are as follows: Tokyo – 19th April Diversity Plaza, 7th floor, Free zone area Mondays to Fridays: 10am to 9pm Weekends: 9am to 10pm Shizuoka – 14th April Shizuoka City

When Sega opened its official website for Next Hatsune Miku Project Diva, I thought it weird that there was no PV trailer released. As it turns out, Sega was just holding out on us; last night they finally put the trailer out. The trailer shows off the Miku Emerald and Ruby Ruka modules as the two Vocaloids engage in a dance-off in World’s End Dancehall, as well as offer a brief taste of Pierretta Miku in the music video for Catfood. We also get to see in action the new “Scratch” mechanic we detailed yesterday – when star-shaped targets overlap on star icons, tap the screen. The trailer notes that this mechanic is only present in the Vita version of the game and not the PS3 one, for obvious reasons. As a bonus, Sega has also put up a “How to Play” movie for the English version of Miku Flick: Source: ANN

Aoiku Ward In front of the food area (I don’t make this up) 1258 ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ 2012■4■19■■■■OPEN ■ ■ ■■■■■■■■■1■■1■10■ ■■■■■■■■■ ■■■7■ ■■■■■■■■■■■■■ ■■■■■■■ ■■■■ ■■■ 10■00-21■00 ■■■■ 9:00■22:00

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 comes home to consoles in September Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/tekken-tag-tournament-2-comeshome-to-consoles-in-september/

April 13th, 2012 By KarbyP on April 13th, 2012

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thought it was a better idea to tackle the existing problem at its root. At first the Tekken team tried simply giving players the option to pick two of the same characters. “We tried this out, and it turned out to be extremely discomforting! (Laughs) For instance, if Lili were to launch her opponent and tag out, in comes Lili again… what the?! (Laughs) Also, suppose all four characters on both teams were Lili, we don’t even know what’s going to happen anymore,” Harada told 4Gamer. “To be sure, we had a bunch of test players come in to give this [duplicate characters on a team] a go. The feedback received was unanimous: ‘this is just not very fun…’ So we had them try 1-vs-1 instead. As this format was pretty similar to past Tekken games, naturally it played well.”

Home version to be based on Tekken Unlimited Tag Tournament 2 (you can find the game in certain arcades in Singapore) which lets players choose between jumping into the fight with a team of two characters (Tag) or just one (Solo). There is also a “Pair Play” mode also allows two players to fight on the same team; up to four can rumble at once. When you play Solo and go up against Tag teams, your health regenerates, your attacks hit harder, and you have more chances to go into Rage mode during which you dish out significantly more damage.

Once 1-vs-1 was included, Harada had the testers tried 1vs-2. All the testers found this to be incredibly interesting after about five minutes of play, he said. “Tag players who couldn’t beat their opponent would switch to Solo play. And then when they lose as a Solo player, they go back to Tag.” Harada also talked a little about Pair Play, claiming that this will allow two gamers in a team to defeat stronger opponents that neither can defeat on their own, due to the switching of play styles in the middle of a match. Although initially the two team mates would likely step on each other’s toes (not unlike Asuka and Lili).

Conversely, each character on a Tag player’s team has less health than their Solo counterparts. However, Tag players benefit from having more options at their disposal – like extended combos and a defensive manoeuvre called “Tag Crash”, where your benched partner will dive in from the top to save your point character from taking heavy damage. In Solo vs Solo and Tag vs Tag matches, the game will function similarly to Tekken 6 and the original incarnation of Tag Tournament 2 – which came out in Japanese arcades September 2011 – respectively.

Tekken Unlimited Tag Tournament 2 cabinets in Singapore arcades do not appear to support Pair Play at this moment – they are hooked up in head-to-head set-ups – so we’ll just to wait till the console version is out to verify if Harada’s claim is true.

In a previous interview with 4Gamer, Tekken series producer Katsuhiro Harada said that the decision to introduce the option to go Solo in Unlimited was prompted by fan feedback “When we did a survey on Tekken players, the responses returned were split in half. One half absolutely loved Tag Tournament 2, while the other half said that they couldn’t remember the move sets for two separate characters and asked for the home conversion to be released soon so they can practice,” he said. Rather than simply acquiescing with fan requests and release a console version right away, Harada said that he

The console version will feature more characters – over 50 as opposed to Unlimited’s 44 – as well as the usual overload of modes you’ve come to expect from Tekken home conversions. One mode that’s been revealed so far is Fight Lab. In it, according to the press release, “players can customize the moves and appearance of new training character, Combot.” Sounds like the create-a-ghost-data feature in the PSP versions of Tekken 5 and 6, albeit in upgraded form. Tekken Tag Tournament 2 will be released for the PS3 and Xbox 360 in September this year – almost exactly one year from the original arcade release (September 2011), and half a year after Unlimited (March 27). Source: Joystiq, 4Gamer

April 13th, 2012

New Little Busters anime in the works, KyoAni “too busy” to work on it

Published by: VR-Zone

HASSHA! Super Robot Wars busts the bank on week one sales Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/hassha-super-robot-wars-busts-thebank-on-week-one-sales/ By Neubronner Eugene on April 13th, 2012

Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/new-little-busters-anime-in-theworks-kyoani-too-busy-to-work-on-it/ By Neubronner Eugene on April 13th, 2012

For those in love with (mind-screwing) Key’s Little Busters! we have some good news, and some bad news. You may want to be sitting down, arms firmly wrapping your favorite girl right now. The good news: The series is finally getting an anime adaptation. Rita’s opening song “Little Busters!” as well as the original game’s ending theme “Alicemagic” are slated to be included as the show’s OP and ED respectively. Key also quickly noted that there would be no animeonly characters, sometimes an incredibly divisive subject amongst fans (Though there seem to be very few coming from the Eva camp at the inclusion of Mari…) and that the anime will “strictly adhere” to the game’s story plots. Seiyuu fans will be happy to note that Recorder and Randsell’s Tomoe Tamiyasu has signed on to voice main chick Rin Natsume, while Fate/Zero’s Hikaru Midorikawa will be voicing Kyousuke Natsume, the elder brother. The rest of the cast is also seeing the return of the original game’s voice cast, which in and of itself is probably worth writing home about already. Now the bad news. Many fans were seriously hoping that KyoAni would be the ones behind the anime when rumblings were first heard on the possibility of a Little Buster’s anime adaptation. Unfortunately, according to Key’s CEO in a Twitter response to fans, KyoAni was apparently “too busy” to work on the title. Fear not however! J.C. Staff is taking over the reigns here, with direction by Hatsukoi Limited’s Yoshiki Yamakawa, story by Michiru Shimada and character designs by Haruko Iizuka.

With over 60(!) games under its storied series belt, BandaiNamco’s unstoppable Super Robot Wars series is probably one of the few titles the publisher can rely on to make day one profits. And Day One profits it made in spades, selling well over 265 THOUSAND copies of the latest PlayStation Portable title – Dai-2-ji Super Robot Taisen Z Saisei-Hen in its first week of sales alone. To put things in perspective here, SquareEnix’s latest Kingdom Hearts 3D for the 3DS sold “just” 213 thousand titles in its debut week the week before. If you want to rub salt in it, even including second week sales, Kingdom Hearts 3D still can’t beat the robots, edging in just under at 255 thousand inclusive of its second week of sales. Dai-2-Ji Super Robot Taisen Z Saisei-Hen should be available at your local import stores now. Source: 4Gamers

Next Hatsune Miku Project Diva’s official website opens Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/next-hatsune-miku-project-divasofficial-website-opens/ By KarbyP on April 13th, 2012

Source: Animenewsnetwork

Go on, take a look inside. We’ll wait for you right here. …Back? 3

April 13th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

Yesterday we reported that the Next Hatsune Miku Project Diva would take advantage of the PS Vita’s capacitive touchscreen by allowing you to rub on it during certain segments. What we didn’t know was that the game officially calls this gameplay element a “Scratch”, and that these segments will happen during the instrumental parts of the song, as opposed to button presses when your chosen Vocaloid module is singing. Star-shaped targets will appear, and when they overlay a similarly star-shaped icon, that’s when you perform a scratch to continue your combo. In addition, there’s also something called “Technical Zone”, which awards you with bonus points if you manage to land a full combo during specific phrases in a song. Sega also mentions that all the modules (costumes) in this new game have been designed from scratch. Today the developer is ready to talk about three particular modules: Pierretta (designed by “nezuki” specifically for the song of the same name), Hatsune Miku Emerald (designed by “bob”), and Megurine Ruka Ruby (designed by “bob). Miku Emerald is a matching costume for World’s End Dancehall (by “wowaka”). As for Ruka Ruby, well, they just wanted to have Ruka in a Chinese dress… to complement Miku Emerald. Source: Next Hatsune Miku Project Diva homepage

Namco Namja Town to serve Bakemonogatari, Nisemonogatari treats Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/namco-namja-town-to-servebakemonogatari-nisemonogatari-treats/ By KarbyP on April 13th, 2012

As part of a “Bakemonogatari Nisemonogatari in Namco Namja Town” collaboration, the East Ikebukuro theme park will be serving up an entire menu of food items inspired by Nisio Isin’s anime and light novel series, for a limited time period between May 18 and July 8. Yesterday, Namja Town revealed two of the items that will appear on the special menu via tiny thumbnail images on their homepage: a Bakemonogatari-themed cold dessert, and a Nisemonogatari hot sandwich. Gamer.ne has the scoop (pun unintended) and bigger pictures. Ararararagi-san! Soft Cream Parfait desu yo! (tentative title)

“Fire Sisters’ Sunny-Side-Up Hot Sandwich” (tentative title) Original: “Fire Sisters no Medamayaki Hotto Sando”

April 13th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

You might wanna stop by if you’re planning a trip to Tokyo, Japan during those dates! ■■■ ■■■ in ■■■■■■■■■■■. ■■■■ ■■■ in ■■■■■■■■■■■■■5■18■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ ■■■■■■■■■■■■Gamer

Miku Flick now available in iTunes app store worldwide Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/miku-flick-now-available-in-itunesapp-store-worldwide/ By KarbyP on April 13th, 2012

If you have a Singapore iTunes account (that’s the one I’ve got logged into my iPhone right now), the app will run you S$13.99. International readers, feel free to let us know how much Miku Flick is priced at in your region.

Hatsune Miku’s hit song, “Tell Your World”, may not be available for digital purchasing in the iTunes store for users in Asia (outside of Japan) – it never will, unless Apple finally decides to extend iTunes music store access to all of us over here residing in Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and our neighbouring countries. But at least now there’s a way to officially buy some Miku loveliness for your iOS device: Sega has released the “English” version of Miku Flick for global audiences in the app store this week. “English”…? Don’t worry, folks, the songs themselves are still in Japanese. There’s no funky dubbing business to deal with here. Just menus that are completely in English, and an option to swap out the Japanese keyboard input method in the game for a “Romanized Lettering” (aka: Romaji) variation.

Miku Flick is compatible with the following devices (must be running on iOS 4.3 or above): iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation) and all versions of the iPad. Source: MikuFlick Official Site■Hatsune Miku comes to the iPhone! via Japanator.

Shin-sg’s Anime Contents Expo 2012 cosplay photos Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/shin-sgs-anime-contents-expo-2012cosplay-photos/

For a full list of songs and modes, check out Miku Flick’s official homepage.

April 13th, 2012

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By KarbyP on April 13th, 2012

The inaugural Anime Contents Expo was held at the Makuhari Messe earlier this year from March 31 to April 1. Figure.fm user shin-sg was there, and he was courteous enough to bring the rest of us a nice lilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; omiyage: some of the best ACE 2012 cosplay photos youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find on the Net. Here are a few of our faves:

April 13th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

April 13th, 2012

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First Look: Next Hatsune Miku Project Diva (PS Vita, PS3) Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/next-hatsune-miku-project-divaworking-title-comes-to-ps-vita-in-2012-ps3-in-2013/ By KarbyP on April 13th, 2012

Like we reported earlier this morning on our Facebook page, Next Hatsune Miku Project Diva (working title) is coming to the PlayStation Vita Summer 2012, and will subsequently make its way to the PS3 in 2013. Now we have the scans to prove it! Update: and now with pictures of Hatsune Miku Emerald and Megurine Ruka Ruby modules!

Head on over to shin-sg’s post for the rest of his excellent work. And do check out his previous photo-blog on ACE2012 for a good look at the annual anime mecca.

Staff from both the Project Diva Arcade and Project Diva (PSP) development teams have converged to work on this title. Sega’s Seiji Hayashi, who’s overseen development on the entire series, will serve as Producer for this game, while Project Diva Arcade’s Makoto Osaki will serve as R&D Producer. Gameplay-wise, Next Hatsune Miku won’t be too different from previous titles. That said, the game will make use of the Vita’s capacitive touchscreen: rubbing on it during specific “Chance Time” segments of a song will allow you to continue your combo and earn bonus points. Three songs and two modules were unveiled in Weekly Famitsu (which goes on sale in Japan tomorrow): Songs Catfood (doriko) Pierretta (nezuki) World’s End Dancehall (wowaka) Modules Hatsune Miku Emerald

Source:

Megurine Ruka Ruby

Anime Contents Expo Cosplay Anime Contents Expo 2012

April 13th, 2012

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For the following scans, click on them for a closer look:

April 13th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

Sega is set to unveil the game officially tomorrow afternoon at 1PM Japan time (12noon Singapore time). Check back with us then for more details. Source: Hachima

April 17th, 2012

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SGCafe : Cosplay | Vocaloid | Otaku | Pop Culture A daily publication about Cosplay, Vocaloid, Otaku and Japanese Pop Culture

God Eater Burst Alicia figure announced Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/god-eater-burst-alicia-figureannounced/ By Kyoka on April 17th, 2012

Although there’s been a few keychain-sized, super-deformed (SD) figures of the characters from Namco Bandai’s hit PSP hunting action game God Eater Burst (if you’ve never heard of this game, think Monster Hunter except with a story and generally better gameplay, but is otherwise less popular), there hasn’t been one done in non-SD dimensions — until now. Alicia Amiella, one of the main heroines, has been been announced as a new 1/7 figure that’s part of the PLUM series (Pretty Lovely Unique Mechanism), due to be released in July priced at ¥8,190.

April 17th, 2012

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Fans can vote for up to five different figures in each category. In addition, voters can fill out a survey for which figure they want GSC to create. Nendroid Voting Page Figma Voting Page Scale Model Voting Open Requests Page To respond to the Open Requests Page, type on your request in this format: [Series Title] [Character Name] [Figure Type]. For example: [Uta no Prince-sama] [Masato Hijirikawa] [Nendroid]. The voting will take place between 10th April and 1st May 2012. The results of the voting may or may not affect the outcome of the re-releases. Although GSC will do their best that all the top-voted items will receive a re-release, they are requesting the fans’ understanding and cooperation in case their favorite figures are passed over. Source: Mikatan Blog

Manga University to Open in Osaka Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/manga-university-to-open-in-osaka/ By magnetic_rose on April 17th, 2012

Vote to Get Your Favorite Good Smile Figure Rereleased! Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/vote-to-get-your-favorite-goodsmile-figure-re-released/ By magnetic_rose on April 17th, 2012

Japan’s Ministry of Education is discussing the approval of a future “Osaka University of Manga Arts & Design”. The university is focusing on developing individuals who can work in the field of manga/comic art globally. Kyoto Seika University in nearby Kyoto is well-known for its manga studies course, but the new Osaka University of Manga Art & Design will be the first Japanese university which has manga creation as its core subject. The private university is scheduled to be opened in April 2013 at in the Nanko district of Osaka. The quota of their “Digital Manga/Digital Comic Art” department is limited to ninety students. To celebrate their 10th anniversary, Good Smile Company (GSC) is asking fans to vote on which figures released in the previous year they want the company to re-release. Nendroids, Figmas, and scale models released in the past twelve months up to April of this year are eligible for the resell vote.

Contact information: “Osaka University of Manga Arts & Design” Address: 1-10-12 Nanko-kita, Suminoe-ku, Osakacity, Osaka, JAPAN Phone: 06-6376-2100 2

April 17th, 2012

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Source: Sponichi

Kotobukiya to Release Kashiwazaki Sena Ani*Statue in August Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/kotobukiya-to-release-kashiwazakisena-anistatue-in-august/ By magnetic_rose on April 17th, 2012

Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai (僕僕僕僕僕僕僕僕) is a Japanese light novel series written by Yomi Hirasaka and illustrated by Buriki. It tells the story of several misfits at St. Chronica’s Academy who have a hard time making friends due to different circumstances. They decide to create a club to learn social skills. One of the members of the club is the lovely but abrasive Kashiwazaki Sena, who has no female friends because of their jealousy over her many suitors. Sena is brought to life by sculptors Takaku & Takeshi (epoxy parfait), in perfect 1/8th scale.

April 17th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone By Kyoka on April 17th, 2012

Need for Speed could be racing to a cinema near you. Most of us have, at some point in the past, played with EA’s signature racing series Need For Speed. Heck, some of you may even have played every single title in the series (or at least have a few favourites). If you’re one such fan, then this next EA project may be just the thing you need to stay glued to your steering wheel. According to Hollywood news magazine Variety, Electronic Arts (EA) has hired George Gatins and John Gatins (who did the screenplay for “Real Steel”) to adapt “Need for Speed” into a feature film. John Gatins along with EA will be producing the movie. United Talent Agency (UTA), being a long time representative for EA since 2008, assembled the package and so far interested studios include Warner Bros., Sony and Paramount. Since 2008 EA has contracted the agency (UTA) to reach out to film and TV audiences, with EA’s mainstream titles like Mass Effect, Dead Space and The Sims being reportedly in the spotlight for film. EA’s latest in the series of games, Need For Speed The Run was designed to be different from the rest by implementing a plot and main characters, and it looks like this project follows that idea. Source: Variety

The figure’s necktie is a cast-off, allowing you to view Sena’s charms without any interference. Sena will be released in August in Japan for a retail price of JPY 7,140. Source: Kotobukiya.

Need for Speed: The Movie?

Technical Overview of Hatsune Miku Project Diva Arcade systems Part 1 “AntiAliasing” Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/technical-overview-of-hatsune-mikuproject-diva-arcade-systems-part-1-anti-aliasing/ By shia on April 17th, 2012

Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/need-for-speed-the-movie/

Sega’s official Hatsune Miku Project Diva Blog has just been updated with the third instalment of their “technical brief” 4

April 17th, 2012

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series of blog posts that describe how they bring out the clarity of the Vocaloids in the arcade game. I will be going through each of the articles here in a series of posts. 1. Anti-Aliasing

The picture above shows Miku after the application of Temporal AA and MLAA . As you can see along the edges are now more smooth. As you can see from the above image Miku above has lots of jagged edges as pixels on any screen are square in shape and these artifacts are known as aliasing effects/noise.

How MLAA works in a nutshell is by blending the neighbouring pixels to form a “gradient” to give it a more natural smooth. (More on MLAA here)

So to remove this “noise”. The solution is to use a technique known as “Anti-Aliasing” Anti-Aliasing is the technique of minimising the distortion artifacts known as aliasing when downscaling a highresolution image at a lower resolution. Until Version A of Project Diva Arcade, an AA method known as “Temporal Anti-Aliasing” (Temporal AA), which was also used in Virtual Fighter 5 , was used.

More Facts and explanations. 1. While it’s now nice and smooth, you will notice that Miku seems to be oversmoothed till some of the edges can’t be seen. Thus a sharpening filter is used to sharpen the edges.

From the image above you can see that the “noise” on Miku has been reduced by quite a bit and the sharp edges are now less prominent.

2. The basics of Anti-Aliasing is to draw the image on the buffer a few times and then “smooth” out the edges by blending all of them. But as this is a real-time rendering of the game , to draw it into the buffer many times per frame is too computationally expensive. Thus the previous frames were used as a guide.

Temporal AA uses frame data from previous frames and “blends” them with the current frame, to achieve a “gradient”. While this method significantly reduces jaggies in still frames, if there is high rate of motion, Temporal AA will be less effective as the rate of change will be too fast to “smooth” the image. Which was a problem for Project Diva Arcade (PDA) as the series uses lots of zooms and panning of the camera. Thus the effects of Temporal AA are quite limited.

3. Temporal AA with Camera Blur can still keep up with the camera motions but, in the test with Virtual Fighter 5 , There were cases where there was image glitches where the image was uncompleted. Thus we dropped Camera Blur.

And thus in Version A Revision 1, Morphological AntiAliasing(MLAA) was implemented.

-End

4. The video card has Multi Sampling Anti-Aliasing (MSAA) functions built in, While MLAA produces a great effect,it is also very computationally intensive, thus during the song selection screen where it does not require such great rendering, MSAA (NVIDIA’s CSAA to be precise) is used. Part 2 of this series will be about Camera Motion Blur. Source: Original Article

April 17th, 2012

Hatsune Miku *might* be opening for Microsoft Japan event Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/hatsune-miku-might-be-openingfor-microsoft-japan-event/ By KarbyP on April 17th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

Music: Treow (looks like this video was directed by Masataka too) Source: Hachima

Anime Contents Expo 2012: In Pictures Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/anime-contents-expo-2012-inpictures/ By magnetic_rose on April 17th, 2012

Update: A tweet from the event’s official twitter account has clarified that the opening movie MasatakaP is working on will be showcased during Windows Developer Days’ keynote address on the second day, Wednesday (April 25), and not on Tuesday as we previously thought. We’re still trying to ascertain if Hatsune Miku will be involved. Update No.2: MasatakaP has confirmed to us on Twitter that the WDD 2nd Day keynote opening video that he’s working on will, in fact, not feature Hatsune Miku. However, minutes after, the talented MMD maker and director also tweeted that he feels compelled to make another PV starring Miku-san, so we may be seeing a new Miku MMD from him soon. We’ll keep you posted. Original story: Two renowned Vocaloid producers – music composer Treow and Miku Miku Dance (MMD) video maker MasatakaP – have revealed through their respective twitter accounts that they’ve been commissioned to work on an opening song (Treow) and accompanying music video (MasatakaP) for Microsoft Japan’s Windows Developer Days event next week, to be held on April 24 and 25. Treow and MasatakaP are best known for their Hatsune Miku videos (two of which are appended at the end of this post). So chances are, this is a Miku song and music video they’re working on.

Anime Contents Expo was held for the first time this year on 31st March and 1st April, at Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture. Last year’s inaugural event was cancelled at the last minute due to the Great East Japan Earthquake. It drew over 50,000 guests in the course of two days, and hosted exhibitions from companies such as Kadokawa Shoten, Nico Nico Douga, and Aniplex. The event was conceptualized by what was known as the Comic 10 Society — a loosely-based group of animation producers, manga publishers, and game developers. The group was protesting against Tokyo Anime Fair and its ties to the government (more specifically, Governor Shintaro Ishihara and the Tokyo Youth Development Ordinance).

But there’s no guarantee that everyone’s favourite virtual idol will actually grace the event – Miku’s name was not mentioned in the tweets. It should be noted, however, that long before there was Hatsune Miku X Google Chrome, there was Hatsune Miku X Microsoft’s Nico Nico Messe (a version of Windows Messenger that played Nico Douga videos). So, will Hatsune Miku be opening for Microsoft Japan’s Windows Developer Days event? Chances are, yes… but until there’s official confirmation, don’t get your hopes up. We’ll find out for sure next Tuesday Wednesday. Hopefully Microsoft will stream the opening on the Web. In the meantime, here’s a quick look at some of Treow and MasatakaP’s handiwork: Directed by MASATAKA 6

April 17th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

Although much smaller in terms of floor space and attendance compared to TAF, ACE had a more carnivallike atmosphere, with lots of cosplayers, ministage events, 7

April 17th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

and booth activities. ACE also had two additional paid areas — Red Stage and White Stage, that hosted fan events for specific titles. Overall, ACE 2012 was a great start to what promises to be another long-lived anime convention series. Source: magnetic-rose.net

Tokyo Anime Fair 2012: In Pictures Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/tokyo-anime-fair-2012-in-pictures/ By magnetic_rose on April 17th, 2012

The 2012 Tokyo International Anime Fair (TAF) is one of the biggest and most well-attended anime conventions in the world. This year’s convention was held on the 22nd to the 25th of March at Tokyo Big Sight in Odaiba, after last year’s event was cancelled due to the Great East Japan Earthquake.

April 17th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

Although this year’s event was still huge compared to other conventions — with a turnout of close to 100,000 attendees, this figure represents a huge drop from their peak attendance of about 140,000 back in 2010. This may be due to the withdrawal of several anime, manga, and gaming companies who opted to exhibit at Anime Contents Expo 2012 instead. Source: magnetic-rose.net

AKIBA’S TRIP Plus announced Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/akibas-trip-plus-announced/ By shia on April 17th, 2012

Acquire has just announced a renewal to their hit game “AKIBA’S TRIP”

What is AKIBA’S TRIP ? AKIBA’S TRIP is an action game set in Akihabara, Tokyo, Japan that features you, the player, who was attacked and almost killed by a vampire but saved by another female vampire – by turning you into one. You are embroiled in a 9

April 17th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

battle between several factions for the control of Akihabara while trying to find out who saved you and why. The vampires in this game look like normal people, except that you are unable to see them in reflections and in photos. The only weakness an vampire has is to sunlight. They will turn to dust after being exposed to too much sunlight. To defeat the other vampires you have to strip them of their clothes and once they are down to their undergarments they will turn to ash. The player included. Depending on the player’s choices and actions taken throughout the story. There are quite a huge amount of endings that the player can acquire. What’s new in AKIBA’S TRIP Plus? 1. Full Voice – the original game was voiced only during major cutscenes. Now there are voices for everyone. 2. Updated areas of Akihabara, new areas added. 3. Secret live performance segments fully animated instead of 3d Models. 4. Update of 3D models. 5. Data continuation from original AKIBA’S TRIP 6. New missions, weapons, apparel and more 7. More fluid motion and reduction in load times The game is set for a release date of 21st of June 2012 , priced at 3,990 yen. Title: AKIBA’S TRIP PLUS Genre: Action-Adventure Console: PlayStationPortable CERO: C(For teens aged 15 and above) Players : 1 Source : OHP AKIBA’S TRIP Plus , OHP AKIBA’S TRIP

April 21st, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

SGCafe : Cosplay | Vocaloid | Otaku | Pop Culture A daily publication about Cosplay, Vocaloid, Otaku and Japanese Pop Culture

Idolm@ster 2 DLC Catalogue 7 is about Vampires and Ryo Akitsuki

• Azeria bride : 750 Yen

Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/idolmster-2-dlc-catalogue-7-isabout-vampires-and-ryo-akitsuki/ By shia on April 21st, 2012

• Lizard queen : 750 Yen

• Inter-stellar flyer : 750 Yen Bandai Namco has revealed details for the 7th DLC for Idolm@ster 2 for the PlayStation 3. Full PV after the jump. The theme for Catalog 07 is “vampires”. If you find some of the content here familiar, such as the song “Kyun~! Vanpire Girl”, that’s because this was already released for the Xbox 360 version of the game (released in February 2011), in the months leading up to the PS3 version of the game (October 2011).

• Pack that contains Azeria bride, Lizard queen and Inter-stellar flier : 1980 Yen

What’s new here, and exclusive to the PS3 version of the game, is Ryo Akitsuki from Idolmaster: Dearly Stars. Who is a guy cross-dressing. For a good reason (okay, maybe not). In the “true” ending for Ryo Akitsuki in the Nintendo DS Imas title, the cross-dressing idol does a coming-out on stage, and sings the “male version” of the song Dazzling World (done in a lower key)… which I’m guessing might have been a little too much to ask for DLC, huh? Two versions of the same song. Here’s what Catalogue 07 includes :

Accessories Vampire set : • Vampire mouthpiece : 300 Yen

Song • Kyun~! Vampire girl(きききききききききききききき) : 1800 Yen

• Heart of vampire : 300 Yen

Apparel • My dear vampire : 1500 Yen 1

April 21st, 2012

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Gothic set is required for the trophy “Best 10″ • Sold as a set : 1480 Yen

• Bloody nail : 300 Yen

• Toro plushie : Comes free.

• Flying bat : 300 Yen

Others • Sold as a set : 980 Yen

Gothic set :

• Akizuki Ryou (Stage4You) + Costume + Song”Dazzling World” : 1600 Yen

• 300k Monies(In game currency) : 450 Yen

• Gothic headdress : 450 Yen

• 600k Monies : 800 Yen • Gothic rose corsage : 450 Yen

Special • Gothic frill bracelets : 450 Yen

• Gothic frill anklets : 450 Yen

If you complete the full set, you will get a ”Sticky Hamuro” free.

Read more stories about Idolmaster on SGCafe here. Source : OHP

April 21st, 2012

New “Academic” class cannon-blasts her way into Dragon Nest SEA Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/new-academic-class-cannon-blastsher-way-into-dragon-nest-sea/ By KarbyP on April 21st, 2012

When you mess with time travel, time travel messes with you – that’s one lesson the Academic’s professors clearly never taught her. A lesson the rest of us know all too well, owing to the wonderful world of anime. But I digress. Meet the Academic, a brand new profession that’ll be unlocked in Dragon Nest SEA come Tuesday (April 24). A time traveller who hails from Lagendia fifty years in the future, she’s been sent back in time on a mission to rewrite history and prevent a doomsday scenario. During the course of time travel an unknown accident occurred, causing the Academic’s physique to regress back to when she was a young sapling. But if you think that’ll make the Academic a push-over in combat, well, don’t judge this bookish gal by her cover; check out the giant cannon she’s packing! Players also have the option to equip a Bubble Gun. Apart from being well-versed in ranged combat, this expert strategist can also demolish multiple enemies at a go with area-of-effect (AOE) attacks, and summon her loyal robobuddy Alfredo to act as a tank, perform crowd-control duties, or simply to further increase this class’ damage-per-second (DPS) potential. “The introduction of the Academic gives players a whole new level of game play,” said Mr Addison Kang, VicePresident and Producer of Shanda Games International, who described the Academic as a versatile class with a unique skill set that makes her an ideal tanker or healer in a party. Two sub-class specialisations are available when the Academic reaches level 15: the offensive-oriented Engineer gives you increased damage output and the ability to summon multiple Mechaduck familiars, while the Alchemist is an all-rounder armed with elemental attacks and healing buffs for your team-mates.

Published by: VR-Zone

Which specialisation would you go for? Let us know in the comments below, or at our Facebook page (http:// www.facebook.com/sgcafe.cosplay). Also, if you can’t wait to go hands-on with play as the cutesy Academic, visit Dragon Nest SEA’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/dragonnestsea) where they’re counting down to the new character’s unlock.

Oh, and just in case you’re deeply invested in Dragon Nest’s lore, here’s a brief synopsis of the Academic’s back-story. From the press release: The Academic class hails from the future, at a time where Lagendia has been completely destroyed by the evil Red Dragon. Many of the great heroes have perished in the great battle, and survivors are few and far between. Feelings of despair and hopelessness run rampant in the lands, and survivors decide to abandon their current world and create a new one, to prevent the imminent destruction and death. In order to do so, they will need to go back in time to save Prophet Rose and activate Goddess Altea’s Monolith. Spearheading the mission is Academic Jasmine, the Chief Developer of Berlin Corporation and the granddaughter of Kelvin and Lily. After fixing her grandfather’s Apocalypse airship, which is capable of travelling through time and space, she sends her younger sister (Playable Character) to the past, to complete the mission of creating a new world. However, during the course of the time travel, Academic Jasmine’s sister is struck by an unknown accident and she ends up in current Lagendia. Having travelled 50 years backwards, to the present time, her physical form has taken on that of a child. Now in order to save Lagendia from its impending future, Academic Jasmine’s sister will have to unravel which time period she has ended up in and race to save the prophet to complete her mission. Her only means of communication with Jasmine, who is in the future, is the Academic Station. With Lagendia on the brink of chaos, time is of the essence. Now young Academic, the future of

April 21st, 2012

Lagendia is in your hands! Go forth and light the beacon of hope for the people of the future!

First Project X Zone trailer streamed – and it’s epic Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/first-project-x-zone-trailerstreamed-and-its-epic/ By shia on April 21st, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

Game Information Name : Project X Zone(Pronounced as Project Cross Zone ) Platform : Nintendo 3DS Sale date: 2012 Price : unconfirmed Players : 1 Cero : unconfirmed Source : OHP.

It’s finally here: the first trailer for Namco Bandai Games X Capcom X Sega’s Nintendo 3DS simulation RPG, Project X Zone (read as “Project Cross Zone”) . And it sure is epic! Scheduled for release in Japan later this year, Project X Zone features heroes and heroines from all the three aforementioned companies joining forces to combat some yet-to-be-unveiled great evil. Battle and animation sequences are similar to those in Mugen Frontier.

God Dimension Neptunia V(Victory) unveiled Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/go-dimension-game-neptune-vannounced/ By shia on April 21st, 2012

A quick recap of some of the characters unveiled so far (more to come, the trailer teases) :

Capcom • Bio-Hazard revelations : Chris Redfield, Jill Valentime • Devil may Cry : Dante • Vampire Series (Dark Stalkers Series of games): Demitri Maximoff • Street Figher : Ryuu, Ken

Compile Heart has just announced their latest game in the Neptunia Series, God Dimension Neptunia V(Kamijigen Game Neptune Victory ききききききききききききききききき) and has put up some screenshots for our viewing pleasure. More screenshots after the jump. The official site is now open with screenshots of the game.

• Rockman X : Exe and Zero

Sega • Valkyrie Chronicles 3: Kurt Irving, Riela Marceris • Sakura Taisen Series : Ogami Ichiro, Shinguji Sakura • Virtual Fighter 5 : Yuuki Akira, Pai Chen • Shining Force EXA : Toma, Cyrille • Space Channel 5: Urara

Bandai Namco • Tales of Vesperia : Yuri Lowell, Estellise • Tekken 6 : Kazama Jin, Ling Xiaoyu • .Hack// Series : Kite, Blackrose • Xenosaga Series : KOS-MOS, T-elos • Super Robot Taisen OG Series: Sanger Zonvolt Do check out the official webpage here for more screenshots and voice samples. 4

April 21st, 2012

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Story After a few years of peace since defeating the Arfoire group in Neptunia MK2, the Gameindustri world was relatively peaceful and the goddesses went around their business without much trouble. One day, the goddess of Planeptune, Neptune had a strange encounter and was sucked into another dimension. The dimension felt old and retro , just like the Gameindustri of the 1980′s. But unknown to Neptune, the dimension was being targeted by a mysterious organization known as the “Seven Sages”. To return to her original dimension, Neptune must once again protect this alternate Gameindustri and so a new adventure begins for our heroine…

Additional Information The game will be released summer 2012 for the Playstation 3, available in both a ”god premium” and normal versions. The god premium version features an additional two figurines, an original soundtrack CD and a voice CD: “What if a goddess became your wife and gave you lots of love.”(きききききききききききき’きききき’きききききききききき). For those who are preordering the game, Compile Heart will throw in a Visual Guide book filled with goodness from the game. Compile Heart has brought in funnyman Izawa, who did the Xbox 360 promotional marketing videos, to promote the game. You can watch some of his promotional videos for the game here. A sample of his work for the Xbox 360 in Japan can be found here(Safe) and here(Warning: Watch at your own eye scarring risk)

Product information • Name : God Dimension Game Neptunia V(Kamijigen Game Neptune Victory ききききききききききききききききき) • Platform : Playstation 3 • Genre

: RPG

• Date

: Summer 2012

• Price

: 7329 Yen(Normal)/10479 Yen(Premium)

Source : OHP

April 21st, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

Persona 4 Arena Game Modes and Story Screens Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/persona-4-arena-game-modes-andstory-screens/ By bj0rN on April 21st, 2012

More updates on the upcoming console port of Persona 4 Arena (PS3/Xbox 360) have been released, along with screen captures of the various game modes and story screens. The title screen shows the following options: • Lesson Mode • Story Mode • Arcade Mode • Score Attack Mode • Training Mode • Challenge Mode • Versus Mode • Network Mode • Contents Market • Replay Theater

Source: Famitsu

• Gallery Mode • Option In Story Mode, you have four characters to choose from to play. Yuu Narukami, Chie Satonaka, Yosuke Hanamura and Yukiko Amagi. You’ll gain access to the other characters as you play on while unlocking them. Here are also some of the screen captures from the story mode.

Persona 4 Arena to be released on PS3/360 with new Story Mode Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/persona-4-arena-to-be-released-onps3360-with-new-story-mode/ By bj0rN on April 21st, 2012

April 21st, 2012

The PS3/Xbox 360 port for Persona 4 Arena has been announced to be released on August 2 at ¥7,329. Along with the announcement, screens of the new story mode has also been released. Even new characters like Labrys, voiced by Takatatsu Ayana, has her own story now.

A Famitsu DX Pack version of the game will also be released by Enterbrain at ¥9,480. It includes a visual pamphlet with an original drawing from Soejima, a rubber card case and a “multi cloth” featuring the game’s concept art.

Published by: VR-Zone By magnetic_rose on April 21st, 2012

One of the biggest Vocaloid-only events in Japan will be held at Nico Nico Douga’s Chokaigi event, on 28th and 29th April 2012 at Chiba’s Makuhari Messe. Over six hundred Vocaloid doujinshi circles and song producers will take part — the highest number so far for the quarterly event. Participating circles have already posted promotional videos on NND and YouTube. Source: Crunchyroll

“Steins;Gate” Themed Cafe to Open in Osaka Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/steinsgate-themed-cafe-to-open-inosaka/ By magnetic_rose on April 21st, 2012

Source: Famitsu

THE VOC@LOiD M@STER Slated for Nico Nico’s Chokaigi Event Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/the-vocloid-mster-slated-for-niconicos-chokaigi-event/

A three-month-only limited “Steins;Gate” themed cafe will open in Osaka’s Nipponbashi district. The menu will feature Future Gadget Laboratory inspired dishes to complement the decor, exhibits, and merchandise. More pictures after the jump.

April 21st, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone By shia on April 21st, 2012

Part 2 of the technical overview will be on camera motion blur.

The current picture was taken at a shutter speed of 1/20th of a second while the train was passing by.

“Hajimete no Koi Owaru Toki” by Ryo(Supercell) intro, normal without motion blur. In “Ver A Rev.2″ the additional song “Hajimete no Koi ga Owaru Toki” starts with a camera view rushing down the platform. The game camera will not blur even while moving at high speeds. It will look like a still picture because the shutter speed is zero. Watching the animation, it would have looked like as if the platform was moving in reverse. To avoid this, camera blur was added.

The cafe will be open from 14th April to 14th July 2012 (weekdays 15:30 to 22:30 and weekends 11:00 to 22:30). Source: Afilia Official Website

Technical overview of Hatsune Miku Project Diva Arcade systems Part 2 “Camera Motion Blur” Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/technical-overview-of-hatsune-mikuproject-diva-arcade-systems-part-2-camera-motion-blur/

The same cut, Camera Blur has been added to simulate the shutter speed to be at 1/120 of a second. A blur in the direction of movement is now added, and the picture looks more fluid. The movement in the animation looks normal now. Not all scenes are currently added with the camera blur but, it will be upgraded in the next version up. 8

April 21st, 2012

Additional information

Published by: VR-Zone By bj0rN on April 21st, 2012

1. When you take a photo without firmly gripping to your camera and it may turn out blurred.But nowadays, digital cameras have sensors that can reduce blurring due to shaking are very common. 2. Seemingly going in reverse or if the tires looks like they are going reverse are the products of insufficient sampling and is a form of aliasing, “temporal aliasing”. 3. As the game is going at 60 Frames per second, the psudo shutter speed was at 1/120 seconds. In reality in a dark station at 1/120 of a second shutter speed would be quite dark. But as it is just a a game it looks fine. 4. Camera blur was actually covered in the 1st article, each single pixel will seek the previous frame and multiply it into a blur by interpolating between the position of the current frame and the previous frame. 5. While in the first article it was explained that during the test in “Virtual Fighter 5″, the processing power was not satisfactory and camera motion blur was dropped. “Project Diva Arcade” uses Sega’s RINGEDGE arcade board which can process motion blur at quite . As hardware improves we are able to use techniques that used to be too intensive. We plan to upgrade the technologies used as we continue on. -End Part 3 of this series will be about “Miku Thanks Giving Festival” and “Virtual Fighter 5″.

First look at AKB48+Me from this week’s Weekly Famitsu featuring your favorite AKB48 members in Mii form.

Source: Original article

AKB48+Me places players in the role of a prospective AKB48 candidate. Within three year period, you get need to interact with the AKB48 girls, trying to be the same as them and being a member eventually.

AKB48+Me

Things like AKB events, including television appearances and hand shake meets are also featured in the game. The stage events is like a rhythm game, with the AKB48 member Miis dancing and singing.

You can look in this video at 00:35-00:37 to see the motion blurring action.

Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/akb48me/

Upon achieving the Success Story, the game includes a Theater Mode, where you become your own director by creating your own stage. There is also a mode where you can enjoy trying on new outfits. AKB48+Me will be released on the 3DS within this year. Source: Famitsu

April 30th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

SGCafe : Cosplay | Vocaloid | Otaku | Pop Culture A daily publication about Cosplay, Vocaloid, Otaku and Japanese Pop Culture

Airu Puzuru/Felyne Puzzle game announced! Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/airu-puzurufelyne-puzzle-gameannounced/ By Kyoka on April 30th, 2012

their opponent’s fields. Similar colored blocks explode, while gathering similar colored gems creates a Power Gem. Chain attacks and special moves are included, a staple for most falling blocks puzzle games. Airu de Puzuru/Felyne Puzzle will be released for the PlayStation Portable system (PSP) on July 19, priced ¥2,990 in UMD format and ¥2,700 on digital download format from Sony Entertainment Network.

News source: mynavi

World of Tanks Rumbles Through South East Asia Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/world-of-tanks-rumbles-throughsouth-east-asia/ By magnetic_rose on April 30th, 2012

Everyone’s favourite monster hunting pet cats are back in their very own puzzle game! Capcom has released a trailer for the game Airu De Puzuru, which translates to Felyne Puzzle. The game begins as everyone in the village (cats in the Monster Hunter series behave more like humans)receives a letter from the village chief, announcing a puzzle festival taking place in the town plaza. The winning cat of the festival will be granted a wish from the elder. A competitive game at heart, players guide falling blocks into place, all the while properly organizing stacks of colored blocks and gems. Destroying gems enable players to attack

Tank battle MMO World of Tanks roars through South East Asia with the opening of their SEA servers in Singapore! The award-winning and Guiness World Record-holding game can now be accessed by players based in Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand. Best of all, the game is free to play — guaranteed! A special press event was held by World of Tanks creators Wargaming.net at Fort Canning Park’s The Battle Box — an underground bunker used by British forces during the 2nd World War. At the event, Wargaming.net CEO Victor Kislyi walked everyone through the basics of the game, and 1

April 30th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

explained why World of Tanks has a lot of potential in the South East Asia online gaming market.

The good news is, the paid options are especially designed not to break the game — even at the higher levels. As Wargaming.net CEO Victor Kislyi puts it, “We are truly free-to-play. If 80% of our players decide not to pay us anything, we’re happy with that. If the remaining 20% decide to purchase something, it will only cost the same as a movie ticket. There is no $10,000 item you can buy that will kill everyone!” The game’s creators are also working hard on making the player community vibrant and engaging. They are working on special in-game events such as clan wars and coop missions. They are also in the process of having World of Tanks included in e-sports events, where the best players can win thousands of dollars in cash prizes.

World of Tanks puts you at the helm of a WWII-era tank from either the Allied or Axis sides of the battle. You have a choice of tanks (light, medium, and heavy), tank destroyers, and artillery to lay waste the enemy’s defenses. In the game’s popular Random Battle Mode, you can engage in one-onone tank battles as part of a squad of fifteen tanks, taking on fifteen other players in intense five-minute battles. World of Tanks is completely free to play — it is possible to advance to the higher levels without spending a dime, simply by playing the game and playing it well. However, for those who want more options, micro-transactions are available for items such as cosmetic customization for their tanks, EXP transfers between tanks in your garage, or special shells and repair kits.

World of Tanks is poised to attract over one million new users in South East Asia — a modest start on the road to matching their impressive numbers in Europe and the US. Who knows — South East Asia may be the one to break the 2

April 30th, 2012

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Guinness World Record the game currently holds for Most Players Online Simultaneously on One MMO Server (FYI, it was 250,000 players on their Russian server). Feel the tank power! Play World of Tanks today!

Nico Nico Chokaigi 2012: Day 1 cosplay round-up Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/nico-nico-chokaigi-2012-day-1cosplay-round-up/ By KarbyP on April 30th, 2012

Today marked the first day of Dwango’s Nico Nico Chokaigi event! What’s Nico Nico Chokaigi, you ask? Think back to all the crazy but awesome stuff you’ve ever seen on popular Japanese video site Nico Nico Douga, and imagine what it’d be like if all of it materialised into the real world… in other words, yes, Vocaloid cosplay. Lots and lots of Vocaloid cosplay. While we couldn’t be there, a number of Japanese media outlets made it to the otaku mecca and covered the event, documenting the state of Japanese cosplay today for the benefit of the rest of us. We’ve picked out a few of our faves from their galleries. Without further ado, here’s a quick cosplay round-up from Day 1 of Nico Nico Chokaigi!

April 30th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

In the meantime, visit these Nico Nico Chokaigi cosplay galleries for more:

[ nico超2012 ]超超1超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超chokaigi : Kotaku JAPAN.

[ nico超2012 ]超超超超超超超超超超超超超超RQ超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超chokaigi : Kotaku JAPAN. Check back tomorrow evening for more photos from Day 2 of Nico Nico Chokaigi, as well as some highlights from the event in general.

April 30th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

Source: NERV Keitai OHP

Maon Kurosaki’s Nico Nico Douga LIVE/Ticket sales 3rd May Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/maon-kurosakis-nico-nico-dougaliveticket-sales-3rd-may/ By Neubronner Eugene on April 30th, 2012

超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超1超超超超超超 | 超超超超超超超超.

Fans of Maon Kurosaki take note – You may have to end up deciding between her and KOTOKO. On the same night KOTOKO’s off to South Korea, fans of Kurosaki-san will want to tune in to Nico Nico Douga’s live stream television segments for a full on interview about her own upcoming album “HELL:ium”. News on her official website indicates that they fully expect – and will even answer – a barrage of questions from the usual sources. The album itself goes on sale on the 9th of May the week after that. On the same day, ticket sales for her concert featuring the songs go on sale from 10am at Pia. Concert details below. Where: Nico Nico Douga Channel: 超超超超超 Date: 3rd May 2012 超超超超超超超超“超超超超超超超”超超超超 – 超超超超超超超超超.

Evangelion Phone Teaser: You Can (Not) Drop Calls Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/evangelion-phone-teaser-you-cannot-drop-calls/ By magnetic_rose on April 30th, 2012

Time: 8-9pm GMT+9 (7-8pm Singapore time) The track list for HELL:ium features four songs: 01.超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超3超超超超超 02.I’m still breathing… 超超超超超超超超超4超超超超超 03.Just believe. 超超超超超超超超超5超超超超超 04.超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超超 -instrumental05.I’m still breathing… -instrumental06.Just believe. -instrumentalTour listing (All in Japan, at United Cinema)

After countless photos of the soon-to-be released Evangelion phone from NTT Docomo, we finally have a teaser video on how the (customized Android) phone interface will work. The concept of the special Evangelion-NTT Docomo smartphone is that the device is the same as the governmentissued phones carried by NERV operatives. The phone is scheduled to hit the streets in June 2012.

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Published by: VR-Zone

The ‘I Love Anisong’ segment of Anime Festival Asia has always been one of the main highlights of the event. Now available to fans in Malaysia, here are some of the artistes that will be performing:

FLOW

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Having performed in Singapore twice, including at the previous Anime Festival Asia, FLOW is set to rock the I Love Anisong segment with tunes from anime series such as Naruto, Eureka Seven, Code Geass and many more. FLOW has released over 23 singles, 7 albums and 3 compilations since their début in 1998. They have also performed at several anime conventions in USA.

KOTOKO

We’re not finished with that! “unfinished” by KOTOKO’s new single launch Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/were-not-finished-with-thatunfinished-by-kotokos-new-single-launch/ By Neubronner Eugene on April 30th, 2012

While we mentioned that KOTOKO will be making an appearance at Anime Festival Asia Malaysia, we nearly forgot to mention that the singer will also be releasing a new single titled “unfinished” on the 16th of May. The single is the ED song for Accel World and you can check the video out above. If you really, really, really can’t wait for her though, and fancy your chances against nuclear Armageddon, KOTOKO will also be live in South Korea next week May 5th in Seoul, South Korea as part of her continued travails on her Asia tour. Of course, if you happen to be in Japan during its hellish Golden Week next week, you may want to skip out of Tokyo and head to Chiba on the 3rd (A Thursday, yes, but part of Golden Week’s national holiday schedule) instead for her local leg.

No stranger to Anison fans and Visual Novel gamers out there, KOTOKO has been performing since 1999 as part of the I’ve Sound music production group.Since then, she has sung for numerous Visual Novel games such as Muv Luv Alternative and fighting games such as Blazblue. KOTOKO has also sang for anime titles such as Shakugan no Shana, Hayate the Combat Butler, Onegai Teacher, Kannazuki no Miko and most recently, Accel World. With 17 singles and 5 albums under her belt since she joined Geneon in 2004, there’s bound to be a song any Anison fan can relate to, and love.

Maon Kurosaki

To keep up to date with the rest of her schedule, check her official site here

Anime Festival Asia – Malaysia details up Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/anime-festival-asia-malaysia-detailsup/ By sentinel011 on April 30th, 2012

Just moments ago, there was a press conference going on for Anime Festival Asia – Malaysia. What new artistes and programs can we expect from the event?

Maon Kurosaki has been active in the Anison scene of late, ever since her first album release, “H.O.T.D” from the anime adaptation of Highschool of the Dead. Her subsequent first single, ”Magic∞World” got her into 20th place in 6

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oricon weekly charts, an achievement of a start-out Anison singer. ”Magic∞World” was sung for the anime Toaru Majutsu no Index II. She had her first one-man “live” in Harajuku last year, as well as performing at Animelo 2011, which is considered as the biggest Anison concert in Japan. With Move’s Mototaka “Motsu” Segawa and fripside’s Satoshi “Sat” Yaginuma, Kurosaki formed the band Altima, of which they have produced for both ending themes of Shakugan no Shana Final.

Kalafina

Published by: VR-Zone

The song also marks the first time any Anisong artiste recorded the same song in Japanese, English and Chinese. The name Sea☆A is made of three parts. SEA is short for South-East Asia, as all four members who come from South-East Asia. The star represents the stars that they hope to be. And finally, A is for their passion for Japanese anime and the wish to spread their songs throughout Asia with their activities.” We feel that the quartet have great potential, and can only get better. After performing in Singapore during AFA11, it is great that they are able to perform in Malaysia as well, since it is Winnie’s hometown. – Following up are the other distinguished guests that will grace AFA MY.

Mitsuhisa Ishikawa President, Production I.G Originally created to sing for the anime adaptation of Type Moon’s Kara no Kyoukai – Garden of Sinners- which began in 2008, the trio continued to sing the opening and ending theme songs for anime such as Kuroshitsuji, Sora no Oto, Puella Magi Madoka Magica and more recently, Fate/Zero. They have also performed numerous one-man “lives” within Japan and several large ones such as Animelo and Animax Musix.

Sea☆A

Formally from Tatsunoko Production, Ishikawa went on to establish his own company and produced many game works and animations. His many notable works include Ghost in the Shell, otherwise known as Koukaku Kidoutai in Japanese. The animation, which was produced in 1995, ranked 1st on the U.S. Billboard charts, and was the herald for many anime titles to come. Other award-winning animations include Innocence (2004), and one of his works, BLOOD THE LAST VAMPIRE (2000), was reference to documentary film Last Blood in 2009.

The following was taken from AFA MY’s official site: “From Anime Festival Asia’s very own Moe Moe Kyun maid cafe comes the latest Anisong idol unit to debut in Japan, Sea☆A! Made up of Winnie, Beryl, Valerie and Estelle, Sea☆A hopes to capture the hearts and minds of anime fans, both in Japan and overseas, with their own special brand of appeal. Their first single, Dream Shooter, has been featured as the third ending theme of the hit TV anime, ‘Cardfight!! Vanguard’. Their next single, ‘DELI-DELI☆DELICIOUS’, will be the ending theme of Toriko. Last November, the girls performed at the prestigious Animax Musix 2011, in Yokohama Arena, alongside names such as May’n, Shoko Nakagawa and angela. Their latest single, “Friendship Birthday -Arashi no Yoru ni-” is the opening theme of the animated TV series “Arashi no Yoru ni -Himitsu no Tomodachi-” (“One Stormy Night – Secret Friends “). Not ony has the show started its broadcast in Japan, it will be shown in over fifteen countries in the Asia, Europe, North and South America!

Danny Choo AFA host

There isn’t a person who has attended Anime Festival Asia who hasn’t known Danny. In addition to his blogs, he runs MIRAI Inc., an Internet solutions provider, and produces and hosts Culture Japan, a weekly program on Japanese culture on Tokyo MX. He will be the official host of AFA MY for many of its main stage segments.

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KANAME☆ AFA Cosplay Ambassador

Easily one of the most popular male cosplayers in the world, KANAME超 pulls off the characters he cosplays with striking resemblance every time, having cosplayed Ichigo from Bleach, Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy VII, Benten from Zone 00, amongst many other characters. A magnet for fangirls and (some) fanboys alike, he is set to appear in AFA MY this time.

Published by: VR-Zone

Atelier Royale Butler Café

This summer, Atelier Royale Café will grace the very first Anime Festival Asia Malaysia. From what we at SGCafe know, Malaysian guys are better at grooming themselves to look better. Perhaps standards will be higher than usual? Only the fangirls – and us – will find out.

Moekana

– Other attractions include the following:

Ultraman Zone

The brainchild of Danny Choo, Moekana is a set of cards that helps to teach the basic Japanese syllables and their symbols, hiragana. Learning Japanese will be more fun and intuitive, unlike those place cards that students use to remember Japanese vocabulary. Ultraman Live Show 2012 will take place during the Anime Festival Asia Malaysia. It will be a big blast for all the Ultraman fans, come and be the first to watch it ‘LIVE’ In Malaysia.

Regional Cosplay Championship Malaysia Preliminary 2012

Fans of nostalgia might want to lap this up, we think.

Moe Moe Kyun Maid Café

After going back to the basics in AFA11 to bring out the cafe’s original theme of “Moe 超超”, Moe Moe Kyun Maid Cafe is heading to AFA Malaysia this June. Can we expect some of the original MMK maids from 2009 to make an appearance there?

The most coveted cosplay competition in Southeast Asia (aside from the worldwide World Cosplay Summit) is back, and this time preliminaries are held earlier, thanks to AFA MY. Which team will be chosen to represent Malaysia in the finals in Singapore? What we know is that standards will only be higher, as cosplayers don’t just look like their character, they come up with interesting and engaging scenarios to gather points for the best cosplay team in Southeast Asia!

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Bushiroad

Published by: VR-Zone By KarbyP on April 30th, 2012

No details yet for Bushiroad, but we believe more details will be updated in the near future. –

Ticketing

Some of you may be familiar with the “Chance Time” mechanic in the PSP Project Diva games – or maybe you’ve seen it in the game, but didn’t quite understand what it does. Basically, in each song there is a Chance Time segment (usually during the apex of the song) where the top and bottom strips on the screen – which displays your score and rhythm meter – suddenly gets blackened out, which gives the PV a more cinematic look. During this segment, if you manage to land a full combo, you’ll receive a massive amount of bonus points. But drop the combo once or twice, and the bonus you receive gets significantly lowered. In previous games Chance Time served solely as a high-score mechanic. In Next Hatsune Miku Project Diva, however, the PV for the song will actually be modified depending on how well you perform during Chance Time. Here’s an example from World’s End Dancehall (by wowaka). During Chance Time, a star-shaped meter appears in the bottom-left corner of the screen. Fill this up, and a giant star-shaped target will appear at the end of the segment (read our previous report if you’re curious about the star-shapes). At this point, what you want to do is tap on the touchscreen and give it a good rubbin’… and then something good’ll happen! Just like in real life!

For the full details, please visit the link here. Source: AFA MY

Chance Time in Next Hatsune Miku Project Diva will have on effect on PVs Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/chance-time-in-next-hatsune-mikuproject-diva-will-have-on-effect-on-pvs/

This is usually what happens after Chance Time finishes (if you didn’t do particularly well)…

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Published by: VR-Zone By bj0rN on April 30th, 2012

A joint campaign between razor blade brand Schicks and “Evangelion:3.0 – You Can (Not) Redo” is currently on, featuring your favourite characters with shavers. There’s a purchase bonus consisting of 7 different kinds of Evangelion puchi keychains whenever your purchase their products.

But if you do really well during Chance Time…

Holy Miku! The number of back-up dancers increase twofold! One other new mechanic Sega has revealed this week is the addition of a graph that charts your progress on the results screen.

Apart from the puchi keychain promotion, there’s also a special package that bundles a Rei Ayanami figure and shaver stand along with a Schtick Hydro 5 razor and shaving gel, available in limited quantities. The site also teases a second run for this figure stand + shaver package that will feature Asuka Langley Soryu.

In addition, Sega has also gave a little more detail on the shocking reveal we mentioned earlier today, that should be coming in next week (early May, they say): it’s about some kind of merchandise related to Next Hatsune Miku Project Diva. Any good guesses? Let us know in the comments or via our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/sgcafe.cosplay) Read more stories about Hatsune Miku here on SGCafe! NEXT HATSUNE MIKU Project DIVA(超超).

Schicks X Evangelion Campaign Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/schicks-x-evangelion-campaign/

There’s also a daily horoscope reading at their website along with some movie trailers. Source: Shicks X Evangelion

It’s official: Next Hatsune Miku Project Diva release date and preorder bonus Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/04/its-official-next-hatsune-mikuproject-diva-release-date-and-preorder-bonus/

April 30th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

By KarbyP on April 30th, 2012

That, my fellow Vocaloid fans, is the pre-order bonus for Next Hatsune Miku Project Diva you’re looking at: a Mikuthemed protection film (design not yet final) for your PS Vita, the game’s home page revealed today along with confirmation on the August 30 release date we previously reported. That’s one day before Hatsune Miku’s birthday on August 31! As much as the developers would love to have the game come out on Hatsune Miku’s birthday itself, new games in Japan typically go on sale on a Thursday, so we’ll have to make do with August 30 instead of 31 – think of it as getting the game early! A similar scheduling conflict happened with Hatsune Miku Project Mirai and Future Stars, which came out on March 8, one day before Miku’s Day (Miku no Hi, March 9). According to the site, the protection film’s design is not yet final, but it’ll definitely revolve around Hatsune Miku. And you won’t be able to buy this anywhere – it’s only available as a freebie when you pre-order from a Japanese retail store. The retail version of Next Hatsune Miku Project Diva will be sold for 7, 329 yen (including tax), while a digital copy will be sold through the Sony Entertainment Network store for 6,600 yen. That’s it for Next Hatsune Miku Project Diva news today! But do check back with us early next week (Golden Week in Japan), as Sega is teasing some kind of reveal so shocking that it’ll make Miku and Luka go wide-eyed like in this image:

In the meantime, if you happen to be in Tokyo, make sure you swing by the Nico Nico Chokaigi event, where you’ll be able to go hands-on with a demo build of Next Hatsune Miku containing Catfood and World’s End Dancehall. Read more stories about Hatsune Miku here on SGCafe! NEXT HATSUNE MIKU Project DIVA(超超).