SGcafe Anime News For Otaku Dec 2012 Issue by VR Media Pte. Ltd.

December 3rd, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

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

Soul Sacrifice’s Japanese release set for March 7, 2013; demo to drop on PSN sometime in 2012 Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/soul-sacrifice-ps-vita-release-setmarch-7-2013-ps-vita-bundle-twin-pack-announced/ By KarbyP on December 3rd, 2012

Earlier today, Sony Computer Entertainment announced that Soul Sacrifice, the 4-player co-op action title (reminiscent of Monster Hunter) it’s co-developing with Marvelous AQL for the PS Vita, is now set for a March 7, 2013 release date for the Japanese market. Along with the release date announcement earlier today were details of a “PlayStation Vita Soul Sacrifice Premium Edition” bundle (29,980 yen including tax, includes all of the accessories you see in the images below), and a double-pack deal where gamers could take home two retail copies of the game for 7,980 yen instead of paying the full 5,980 yen price for just a single copy. The game will also be sold digitally through PSN for 4,900 yen.

December 3rd, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

Game service for Final Fantasy Artniks, one of two social game collaborations between Square Enix and GREE (the other being The World Ends With You Live Remix), went live late last Friday, November 30. Previously known simply as “Final Fantasy X GREE (working title)”, Final Fantasy Artniks is a GREE-developed (with supervision from Square Enix) social game in which players collect cards featuring items and characters from just about every single FF title – all numbered sequels and most spin-offs. A full list of participating FF titles can be found at the end of this story.

As it turns out, however, the Soul Sacrifice price and availability announcements earlier today weren’t everything that SCE had planned to share on the action title today. Nope, Sony had actually been saving an itsy bitsy nugget of information – the juiciest part – in store for a “PlayStation Awards 2012″ event that they were organising this afternoon. Moments ago, Sony Computer Entertainment Japan announced at the tail end of its “PlayStation Awards 2012″ event that PS Vita owners won’t have to wait till March next year to be able to experience a portion of Soul Sacrifice for themselves (for those who didn’t play the demo at Tokyo Game Show, anyway). A Soul Sacrifice demo – a prologue chapter of sorts – will hit the PlayStation Network by the end of the year, Sony said at the event. Exact details as to what this prologue demo would cover, or when exactly it’ll go up, are to be announced soon. How soon? Well, sometime within the next 28 days, that’s for sure. Note that although it’s been confirmed that Soul Sacrifice will see a global release, the announcements today are meant specifically for the Japanese market.

Final Fantasy Artniks is the official name for ‘Final Fantasy X GREE’ social game collaboration; Kefka its first boss enemy Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/final-fantasy-artniks-official-finalfantasy-gree-social-game-collaboration/ By KarbyP on December 3rd, 2012

December 3rd, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

From time to time in Final Fantasy Artniks, players may run into events that are reminiscent of key moments from past FF titles, or be able to take on a “Wanted: Enemy” monster quest where they have to join forces with other players in order to defeat the insanely strong enemy. Unlike Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade, the other FF-based social game, card illustrations in Artniks do not have a unified art style. Instead, the characters, items and weapons are rendered in whatever form they were seen as in the original games. Players form battle decks from the cards they’ve amassed, and go on quests where they take on series enemies in enemy encounters where the combat is done classic FF style.

The first such “Wanter: Enemy” boss enemy is none other than Final Fantasy VI antagonist, Kefka Palazzo. Players will have to work together and share clues in order to track Kefka down and defeat him. All who manage to do so will earn a rare Vivi card. Furthermore, the MVP in each group will net himself a Umaro card.

GREE users in Japan can access Final Fantasy Artniks by going to the following URL on their smartphones: http:// gree.jp/r/40823/1 FF works involved in Final Fantasy Artniks FINAL FANTASY、FINAL FANTASY II、FINAL FANTASY III、FINAL FANTASY IV、FINAL FANTASY IV Complete Collection、FINAL FANTASY V、FINAL FANTASY VI、FINAL FANTASY VII、FINAL FANTASY VIII、FINAL FANTASY IX、FINAL FANTASY X、FINAL FANTASY X-2、FINAL FANTASY XI、FINAL FANTASY XII、FINAL FANTASY XIII、FINAL FANTASY XIII-2、DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY、DISSIDIA 012[duodecim] FINAL FANTASY、FINAL FANTASY TACTICS、FINAL FANTASY 3

December 3rd, 2012

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TACTICS ADVANCE、FINAL FANTASY TACTICS 、、、、、CRISIS CORE -FINAL FANTASY VII-、DIRGE OF CERBERUS 、FINAL FANTASY VII-、FINAL FANTASY 、、、FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES Ring of Fate

‘Cardcaptor Sakura’ social game begins service on Mobage in Japan today Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/clamps-card-captor-sakura-socialgame/ By KarbyP on December 3rd, 2012

A Cardcaptor Sakura social game on Japan’s Mobage social network service platform officially launched today, the title’s developer Arika (also the developer of the Street Fighter EX series as well as three Cardcaptor Sakura games on the PlayStation back in 1999 and 2000) announced. Playable on feature phones, Android and iOS devices in Japan beginning today, in Cardcaptor Sakura ~Sakura and the Mysterious Card~ (、、、、、、、、、、、、、、、、、、、、、、、、 or Cardcaptor Sakura ~Sakura to Fushigi na Card~), players form decks comprising four cards each (one of which has to be a Clow Card, judging from the image below) and subsequently do battle with one another under the premise that they’re sealing away Clow Cards as Sakura.

Outside of Clow Cards, there are also Leader Cards and Action Cards. Leader Card illustrations always depict Sakura, while Action Cards are based on scenes that occurred in the original manga and anime series. Here’s a smattering of these Leader and Action cards (I can’t tell the two types apart, other than, well, whether or not Sakura is on it):

So basically everyone is Sakura in their own instanced world, but when they engage one another, their opponent is not Sakura.

December 3rd, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

Developer Arika is said to have designed the game’s play mechanics to evoke Cardcaptor Sakura’s universe wherever possible. For instance, once per day you’ll be able to send out Sakura and her friends to patrol the streets of Tomoeda for Clow Cards, just like in the original series. You gain a patrol point for each day you do so; collect three, and you earn the right to do battle with a Clow Card that you can seal and subsequently own. It’ll certainly take players a while to collect all 52 Clow Cards in the game. A portion of the cards here with Sakura illustrated on them will also playback voice samples, recorded by titular protagonist Sakura Kinomoto’s voice actress Sakura Tange specifically for this game, that feature classic lines from the source material. Existing Mobage Japan users can access Cardcaptor Sakura ~Sakura and the Mysterious Card~ by scanning the following QR codes with their phone (top QR code is for feature phones, bottom one is for smartphones). Although users outside of Japan can access and play the game, provided they’ve already registered for a Mobage Japan account, certain features may be restricted until you authenticate your account with a valid Japanese phone number. Users who install and play Cardcaptor Sakura ~Sakura and the Mysterious Card~ on their Mobage account before the end of January, 2013, will be treated to an exclusive ultraare card drawn by the all-female manga artist group Clamp.

Source: 4Gamer

Scandal to grace Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand March 2013 Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/scandal-grace-indonesia-singaporethailand-march-2013/

December 3rd, 2012 By sentinel011 on December 3rd, 2012

Regional fans of the “Most powerful Japanese Girls Band”Scandal will be happy to know that the ladies (no longer girls!) are coming to Southeast Asia this coming March. Scandal‘s official twitter announced earlier today that they will be visiting Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand. We are guessing that they might be here for a regional live tour. The ladies are scheduled to perform at Osaka City Hall on the 3rd of the same month, so we can be sure that they won’t be attending any of the countries on that day.

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Following the machinations of the mind-lusting air dragon queen Crucia (She of the really hot bod on the front box) the continents of Brevane and Dusken have been nearly overrun, their populace scattered after their own version of the Ward falls. It’s up to you, Ascended, to save the world again. Four new souls – one for each class – and new content including the amazingly fun Dimensions housing project, look set to entice old and new players. Want to know what we think? Check out our review right here.

Sword Art Online: get your very own “Asuna Newly-Wed Life Set” at this year’s Winter Comike (or wait till March 2013) Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/sword-art-online-asuna-newly-wedlife-set-years-winter-comike-or-wait-march-2013/ By KarbyP on December 3rd, 2012

Scandal has performed in Singapore twice, the first time in AFA X for its I Love Anisong concert segment back in 2010, and in La Salle SIA Theatre in 2011. Source: Scandal Twitter, scandal-4.com

Mind controllers, new souls, massive continents… Oh and a bunch of Stormtouched Legions on the side. Reviewed! Rift’s new expansion, Storm Legion! Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/mind-controllers-souls-massivecontinents-bunch-storm-touched-legions-side-reviewed-rifts-expansionstorm-legion/ By Neubronner Eugene on December 3rd, 2012

Character apparel and goods maker Cospa is planning to sell at Comike 83 a very special set of home-living goods themed after Sword Art Online‘s heroine, Knights of the Blood guild sub-leader Asuna Yuuki. The Asuna Newly-Wed Life Set comprises four items normally, but during the set’s initial limited run, Cospa is throwing in a bonus fifth item: • A soup dispenser bottle (75mm in diameter, 210mm tall, capacity 650ml) • A smooth cushion cover (45x45cm, smooth type) • A tissue box cover (a full cover that fits most “slim type” tissue boxes) • A set of coasters (4 coasters that are each 9cm in diameter, full-colour, and made of paper) • Bonus: an Asuna-themed paper bag to carry all of it home with you

For those looking to lock themselves away during the Christmas season and beyond, nothing quite beats an MMO. There’s the full gamut of free-to-play titles, but if you’re in the market for something distinctly more subscriber-based that delivers quality, Trion World’s have released their latest expansion in Rift: Storm Legion.

December 3rd, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

Fortunately, then, Sword Art Online fanatics will have at least two chances to snatch the set up along with that intricately-designed bonus paper bag. The Asuna Newly-Wed Life Set will first make its debut at this year’s Winter Comic Market (Comike 83) at the Tokyo Big Sight convention centre from December 29 to 31 later this year, available from Bushiroad’s booth (No.151). The Comike allotment will be extremely limited, however, as this is considered an advance goods sale ahead of the actual retail date. Subsequently, Cospa plans to sell the Asuna Newly-Wed Life set at all Gee! character goods stores across Japan (they have five branches: in Akihabara, Sendai, Nagoya, Osaka, and Fukuoka) sometime in the middle of March, 2013. So if you can’t make it to Comike 83 this year, you’re not exactly out of luck. If you want to ensure that you’ll be able to obtain one of these babies when they go on sale in Gee! stores, then make sure to place a pre-order from Gee! online from now till January 11, 2013. At the moment, a second pre-order campaign period that will begin January 7, 2013, is also planned, but may be scrapped depending on demand for the home-living goods set. Outside of the Comike and Gee! stores, Cospa may also sell the set in advance of its March retail release date at other special events, but don’t count on it. The Asuna Newly-Wed Life Set will retail for 5,250 yen including tax. Source: Cospa

Movie Review: 009 RE:CYBORG Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/movie-review-009-recyborg/ By sentinel011 on December 3rd, 2012

Cyborg 009 strikes as a campy superhero team with special abilities as early as anime fans in the 60s, and people who have read the manga would probably be having kids of their own by now. How did director Kenji Kamiyama and his team from Production I.G. fair in this latest film iteration of this classic manga series? 7

December 3rd, 2012

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Rurouni Kenshin tells the life of a wanderer swordsman called Himura Kenshin, who casts out his past and swears to never take a life after taking numerous lives to pave way for a new era in the history of Japan back in the mid-late 1800s. 10 years have past since he last took a life, and encounters Kamiya Kaoru, a young swordswoman trained in an a sword style that doesn’t take lives.

The nine cyborg warriors known as the 00 Cyborgs were humanity’s efforts to keep peace. As time goes on, the cyborgs are forgotten, but not before the world plunges into chaos once again, and the 00 Cyborgs slowly uncover a deeper conspiracy to it all. People familiar with director Kenji Kamiyama’s works will find it at home with many twists in his anime direction, as it is apparent with Ghost in the Shell S.A.C and Solid State Society, amongst others. The ‘campy’ feel of the team from Cyborg 009 has left, with all the realism and elements of cyber terrorism intact, with a dose of Kamiyama’s magic. To make it more palatable to the masses, the movie doesn’t dive too much into riddles and in-depth references, but does enough to keep one constantly thinking. The direction also caters to paying loads of homage to the original manga series, not to mention elements that keep female anime fans interested. Both action and text are heavy here, so come prepared to pay 100% attention to the movie. The voice cast of the characters are no slouch, either. Mamoru Miyano voices the male lead 009, with many popular and veteran voice actors in the fray, such as Chiwa Saito, Daisuke Ono and Toru Okawa. Veteran actor Nobuyuki Katsube lends the voice of Professor Isaac Gilmore, despite being already in his 70s. Rating: 4/5 If you fancy catching the movie, you better do it quick, as RE:CYBORG 009 will only air later today at GV Vivocity, so hurry on to grab the tickets!

Movie Review: Rurouni Kenshin [Live Action]

Director Keishi Ohtomo is adept at capturing the hearts of both fans and newcomers to Rurouni Kenshin’s storyline, having selected a great cast that depicts each of the iconic characters almost to near perfection. Takeru Sato (Kamen Rider Den-O) is a familiar face to many recent Tokusatsu fans, and portrays the titular character Himura Kenshin with ease, including the character’s trademark ‘Oro’. Emi Takei’s Kaoru was extremely good, as with veteran actor Yosuke Eguchi as Hajime Saito. Fight scenes are gritty and realistic, showing the raw carnage that is within Bakumatsu‘s (Late Tokugawa Shogunate) era, with sword fights done with finesse and flair. With the original Mangaka Nobuhiro Watsuki holding the movie’s advisory role, it is no wonder the cinematography was superb. Our only grouse was that the soundtrack could have done without too much Western influences. Whether you are an anime fan in the past or present, or simply someone that appreciates movies about Samurai, Rurouni Kenshin serves to entertain, and it does very well. Rating: 4.5/5

Star Driver the Movie’s 2nd trailer and new key visual image hints at mecha battles set in Shinjuku Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/11/star-driver-movies-2nd-trailer-keyvisual-image-hints-mecha-battles-set-shinjuku/ By KarbyP on December 3rd, 2012

Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/movie-review-rurouni-kenshin-liveaction/ By sentinel011 on December 3rd, 2012

Anime fans in the mid 90s will surely remember the days where AXN broadcast the popular anime series, then titled “Samurai X”. 15 years on, how will the movie adaptation fare through the passage of time?

Star Driver the Movie’s official website was updated earlier today with a second trailer and a new key visual image that appears to be set in Shinjuku – or a fictional modern city with buildings that look like those in Shinjuku, at least.

December 3rd, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

Ayane, Rachel, and Momiji) and some new modes not found in the original Sigma 2 on the PlayStation 3, according to the game’s official website which just opened today. For starters, in the playability department, a “Hero mode” (this sounds to us like a new difficulty setting) will be added to the game. In Hero mode, auto-guard will be activated whenever Ryu Hayabusa – or any of the selectable heroines – is in a pinch, for those of you who might be worried that playing NGS2P during the commute and getting distracted due to a random bump or a sudden swerve might result in accidental deaths in the game. You’ll also be able to aim and shoot ninja shurikens simply by tapping on a target via the touchscreen. As for hardcore Ninja Gaiden fans whom never found a problem with the game’s cut-throat difficulty, two other modes outside of the main game are also being introduced into Sigma 2 Plus that should give these Obi-Wan Shinobis a run for their money. Ninja Race Produced by animation studio Bones, Star Driver: Kagayaki no Takuto (STAR DRIVER 輝輝輝輝輝輝 or Star Drive: The Radiance of Takuto) revolves around Takuto, a boy who washes up on a fictional Southen Cross Isle island one night, after he almost drwoned from swimming in the waters near mainland Japan. Takuto eventually enrolls into Southern Cross High School, and eventually discovers a group of giant robots – called Cybodies – harboured beaneath the school grounds that can be controlled by humans in (and supposedly only) an alternate dimension known as Zero Time. That said, Cybodies can function outside of Zero Time, however. In fact, seals from four Shrine Maidens all across Southen Cross Isle were the only mechanism keeping Cybodies from activating outside of the alternate dimension.

First, in Ninja Race you’re tasked escape to a goal as quickly as possible. Beating up enemies consecutively will build up a “Chain” meter that rapidly increases your strength, allowing you to slay enemies faster. Items found in the envrironments can also let you increase your speed, and extend the mission’s time limit. Tag Missions

Star Driver the Movie heads to cinemas in Japan February 9, 2013.

Ninja Gaiden Σ2+ (Sigma 2 Plus) comes to the PlayStation Vita February 28, 2013 Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/11/ninja-gaiden-%CF%832-sigma-2plus-playstation-vita-february-28-2013/ By KarbyP on December 3rd, 2012

The other new mode detailed on the website is something called Tag Missions, in which you’ll have to tackle and clear trials by switching back and forth between all four playable characters. To get fans hyped up about playing with all four characters, new costumes have been also been added to Sigma 2 Plus. Head over to the official website now to check out some luscious shots of the three heroines (and, er, Ryu Hayabusa, I suppose). They’re not in those aforementioned new costumes, however, so you’ll have to settle for vanilla.

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus for the PS Vita will feature four playable characters (Ryu Hayabusa and series heroines 9

December 3rd, 2012

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Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus is slated for a February 28, 2013 release on the PlayStation Vita in Japan. International release dates may vary. NINJA GAIDEN ÎŁ2+ Official Site

December 5th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

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

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance gets “ZanDatsu” PS3 bundle in Japan; playable demo hits PSN Japan December 13 Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/metal-gear-rising-demo-ps3-bundle/ By KarbyP on December 5th, 2012

Zan-Datsu??? Zan-Datsu, by the way, is a special technique within MGR where the player has to accurately cut up the enemy cyborg in a specific way in order to expose his core robot parts, which protagonist Raiden then absorbs into his system.

The Metal Gear Rising Revengeance 斬斬 Package (Zan-Datsu Package) comes with a 250GB PS3 model, a wireless Dual Shock 3 controller, a copy of the game, an exclusive custom theme for the PS3′s XMB, and an in-game code for a “Cyborg Ninja” skin. All for the cool price of 31,960 yen (~US$389, ~S$473) including tax in Japan. Available on February 21, 2013 in Japan – which is also the launch date for the title over there (February 19 in the US, February 28 for the Europe… where availability of the Zan-Datsu PS3 console has not yet been announced for). Of course, since this is Kojima Productions and Metal Gear we’re talking about, gamers who cough up the dough for the Zan-Datsu pack will not be walking away with any regular old 250GB PS3 or Dual Shock 3 controller.

If you’re unfamiliar with the Zan-Datsu technique because you haven’t had the chance to check out MGR via the demo that came with Zone of the Enders HD Edition (which was also the same demo displayed at Tokyo Game Show), then you’ll be pleased to know that the demo will be made available to everyone on Japan’s PlayStation store next week, on December 13. A “technical play” video based on the aforementioned demo can be found at our previous story on MGR here. Raiden armor skins Konami did not provide an image for the PS3 custom theme or the Cyborg Ninja skin that folks who pre-order the ZanDatsu package (or just the game stand-alone) will receive. But it looks something like this:

The Zan-Datsu edition of the PS3 console sports Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance‘s image colour – blue – prominently with stripes on its exterior, and bears the Kanji symbols for Zan and Datsu on two opposing corners of the system. The Dual Shock 3 controller is also coated in a special design and colour that Konami is calling “Dark Blue Skeleton”.

They did, however, provide pictures of the following three DLC skins that will be given out as additional pre-order bonuses at specific game store chains in Japan. This is what Japanese gamers get when they buy from Konamistyle or Loppi: White Armor

December 5th, 2012

Tsutaya customers get: Inferno Armor

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Soul Sacrifice (Japanese ver.) game and ‘Premium Edition’ bundle to launch in Asia same day as Japan Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/soul-sacrifice-japanese-versiongame-premium-edition-bundle-launch-asia-day-japan/ By KarbyP on December 5th, 2012

Digging that snazzy new “Soul Sacrifice Premium Edition” PS Vita console that Sony announced for the Japanese market earlier on Monday? And gamers who buy from Geo! stores receive: Command Armor

Guess what, Asia? You’re getting it too: Sony Computer Entertainment Hong Kong announced today that the the Japanese version of Soul Sacrifice and the aforementioned game-plus-PS-Vita bundle will also be sold in Singapore and other Asian territories on the same day it hits retail stores in Japan. A boxed copy of Soul Sacrifice (Japanese version) will go for the recommended retail price of S$69.90 in Singapore. Sony also plans to distribute the game digitally via the PlayStation store in Asia, but a price for that has not yet been determined. Meanwhile, the “PlayStation Vita Soul Sacrifice Premium Edition” bundle – which packs an intricately designed PS Vita Wi-Fi model, a copy of the Soul Sacrifice game, a 4GB 2

December 5th, 2012

memory card, Cosmic Red inner-ear headphones, a pouch, cleaning cloth, and other standard accessories like the power adaptor and AR Play cards - will carry a price tag of S$469 when it’s sold here in Singapore, available for a limited time only.

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When one of your party members die during a mission, you will also have to make a similar decision: give up some of your health in order to revive your friend, or “sacrifice” him to call forth a powerful summon creature.

(For bigger pictures of the individual items contained within the set, check out our previous story here.)

Here’s what the story in Soul Sacrifice is about, from a press release: The story begins in a hopeless nightmare. You are thrown into a cramped prison cell with no explanation, slave to a cruel sorcerer. The day of your death draws ever nearer, but one day, you encounter a book. This mystical tome has the power to draw its reader in, allowing them to experience what is inscribed within. The story begins with the discovery of this book. A book… or rather, a monster in “book” form. Is it an enemy, or your ally? Battles beyond your wildest imagination await.

Soul Sacrifice, a 4-player co-operative action game conceptualised by Keiji Inafune (Megaman, Dead Rising, Yaiba), and co-developed by Marvelous AQL and Sony Computer Entertainment’s Japan studio with input from , is most often compared to Capcom’s Monster Hunter franchise.

Fate/Extra CCC has 3 new characters who resemble Sakura from the previous game [Images] Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/fateextra-ccc-2-characters-resemblesakura-meikyo-previous-game-images/ By KarbyP on December 5th, 2012

Despite their similarities, however, Soul Sacrifice creator Keiji Inafune, in a post on his blog made after Monday’s announcement, wanted gamers to know that if they “think of Soul Sacrifice as just another simple ‘Hunter’ game, then they should be prepared to have those expectations betrayed – in a good way.” In the same post, he also said the development team has been getting a lot of positive feedback from previous builds of the work-in-progress title, and that he’s looking forward to seeing more player feedback later this month (December 20) when a beefy demo of the game comes out on PSN in Japan. Although the premise in Soul Sacrifice is fairly similar to Monster Hunter and other games of its ilk, this title places an emphasis on magical attacks, story development, and consequences of player choice: After defeating each boss monster, the monster reverts back to his original human form, and at that point you and your friends have to decide if you’d like to save his soul (improves your defensive stats), or sacrifice the poor sod to power up your attacks.

This week’s issue of Famitsu (and possibly Famitsu.com) is revealing on Thursday three new characters for Imageepoch and Type-Moon’s JRPG Fate/Extra CCC (PSP). Curiously, all three characters bear striking resemblances to Sakura Matou from the previous Fate/Extra. The three new characters are named BB (character voice: Noriko Shitaya), Merutoririsu (斬斬斬斬斬斬, CV: Saori

December 5th, 2012

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Hayami), and Passionrip (斬斬斬斬斬斬斬斬, CV: Yui Ogura). Brief descriptions after the pics.

The screenshot below her portrait shows a scene where Merutoririsu talks about her plan to try and steal BB’s eyes, in order to infiltrate some place. Fate/Extra CCC for the PSP is slated for release in Japan 21 February 2013.

‘Taily’, a robotic cat tail that wags when the wearer is happy, hopes to raise £60,000 in production funds via Kickstarter Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/taily-kick-starter/ By KarbyP on December 5th, 2012

The day when cosplayers can strut down the aisle at the next cosplay convention in autonomously-moving nekomimi (cat ears) and a matching shippo (tail) isn’t too far off. That is, if Shota Ishiwatari’s “Taily” kickstarter project manages to reach its pledge goal of 60,000 Euros by 6 January next year.

BB A mysterious girl who’s said to be the one who created the Sakura Labyrinth (斬斬斬斬斬). It’s also unclear who or what gave birth or created BB. She resides in Tsukimihara Academy’s infirmary, and remarkably resembles Sakura Matou. Also, curiously enough, it would appear that Sakura knows about BB’s existence.

In fact, this day could come as early as August 2013. That’s when Ishiwatari expects to complete a retail version of Taily – a robotic tail whose swinging and wagging movements change depending on the rate of your heartbeat, which it detects via a sensor belt that users strap to their waist – and ship out 3,000 pieces to the Kickstarter project’s backers.

The screenshow below BB’s full-body portrait shows a piece of dialogue between Sakura and herself. In it, BB is introducing herself to Sakura, and says that she doesn’t mind if Sakura calls her Bebe, Baby, or whatever she likes. Famitsu’s description of the screenshot adds that BB claims to be an unusual, dangerous AI.

Passionrip (パパパパパパパパ) Part of her arms on her upper body have been turned into gigantic talons. Resembles BB, but the game does not reveal to the player who or what exactly Passionrip is. Although initially Passionrip is friendly to the Main Character (you), at some point due to commands from her “mother” (“斬斬斬斬”), she will attack MC.

Merutoririsu Lilith?)

(パパパパパパ…

Melt

A girl who has giant pointed needles for feet, a penchant for fighting, and an uncanny amount of fighting ability. Like Passionrip, Merutoririsu has a face that resembles BB as well.

December 5th, 2012

Currently there is already a brainwave-controlled pair of autonomously-moving cat ears out on the market – NeuroSky/Neurowear’s Necomimi, which Ishiwatari says he had a hand in helping developed. Taily the robotic cat tail is meant as a complement accessory to Nekomimi, and at launch Ishiwatari is thinking of making the product be available in four colours (White, Black, Gray, and Golden Brown). The tail part of the accessory is interchangeable, however, so users will be able to swap it out for other colours.

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The current prototype is holding up really well, but there are always cases in product design when concerns arise regarding the product’s durability or safety. In such cases the problematic elements must be fixed, which of course has a knock-on effect on production and delivery. We will, of course, keep our supporters in the loop with regular updates on the production of Tailly. For more information on Taily, and how you might be able to fund it, head over to the product’s Kickstarter project page.

Of course, no Kickstarter project is possible without risks. Especailly not with an expensive project like this one that involves a massive amount of manufacturing work.

“Tailly”, the tail that wags when you get excited by Shota Ishiwatari — Kickstarter [Via Crunchyroll]

In Taily’s case, Ishiwatari has highlighted two risks and challenges that a product of this nature faces – the accuracy of which heart rate can be measured, and durability to ensure that the product itself will not easily break – that he hopes to improve upon in the product design and, eventually, manufacturing phases (currently it appears that he already has a working prototype).

‘Tiger & Bunny campaign’ coming soon to Lawson convenience store chain (January 2013)

From Taily’s Kickstarter page:

Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/toger-bunny-lawson/ By KarbyP on December 5th, 2012

RISKS AND CHALLENGES There are always risks involved in designing and manufacturing new products. We would like to take on the challenge of overcoming these risks, and we feel that there are two major challenges with “Tailly”: 1) Measuring heart rate With the prototype we were successful in measuring our heart beat, but we cannot guarantee that it will work with people of all ages, body types and races in all living conditions. We aim to develop “Tailly” so that it can be used by as many people as possible, but since this is not a project for developing medical equipment, it might not function perfectly under all conditions. 2) The strength of the product. We are carrying out our product design and looking into trial production, and we are giving careful thought to the strength of the product, but since “Tailly” is built with plastic and motors there is a limit to its strength – we can’t guarantee that “Tailly” will not break if handled roughly or if you sit down awkwardly whilst wearing it, although we will do our best to try and make it as durable as possible.

Lawson, the second biggest convenience store chain in Japan, will be running a Tiger & Bunny promotional campaign early 2013, a page on its official website revealed today. Specifically, the campaign will run for two weeks from January 1 to January 14. No concrete details on what the Tiger & Bunny campaign will involve have been revealed. All we have to go on is the following teaser image.

We have already started thinking about product design and manufacturing, but only after the completion of the Kickstarter project will we go into full-scale action. When deciding upon our target sum and deadline, we have done our best to allow for any delays and price fluctuations, however, we cannot deny the possibility of late delivery due to unforeseen circumstances, such as the availability of factory space or material shortages. However, if a situation like that does arise, we’ll do our best to overcome the situation as smoothly as possible.

December 5th, 2012

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Rurouni Kenshin Movie extends run in Singapore, increases time slots and larger theatres Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/rurouni-kenshin-movie-extends-runsingapore-increases-time-slots-larger-theatres/ By Kageshi on December 5th, 2012

To those who have yet to see the movie Rurouni Kenshin, would be most pleased to hear that the movie has been extended by Filmagarde. More sessions will be opened for this movie as well as a bigger screen hall for your viewing pleasure, starting from this Thursday onwards.

Lawson, of course, is no stranger to collaborations with anime and video game franchises. Earlier this year the convenience store chain did a collaboration with 2011 hit TV anime series Puella Magi Madoka Magica (heralded by an image of the Madoka Magica girls in Summer yukata). There was also one they did with Araki Hirohiko’s Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure manga and anime series. If past collaborations are an indication, chances are we’ll be hearing about a slew of exclusive Tiger & Bunny merchandise from Lawson very soon (well, the campaign kicks off approximately three weeks from now!) Tiger & Bunny is animation studio Sunrise’s 2011 hit TV anime series, about a group of masked superheroes who fight crime and supervillains “live” on television, as part of a reality TV show that goes on air whenever the metropolitan police encounters a situation they’re ill-equipped to handle. To spice things up for reality TV, these superheroes compete amongst themselves – points are awarded to heroes who are first to appear on the crime scene, whenever they save human lives, apprehend criminals, or perform other heroic actions. At the end of a season, the points are tallied up to determine the heroes’ rankings. The anime series puts a spin on classic superhero fiction, by treating portraying superheroes as sports stars rather than the typical vigilante molds; every superhero’s outfit is plastered with sponsor logos, from Pepsi Cola and Calbee (potato chips) to Nico Nico Douga and DMM. Outside of the TV anime series, Tiger & Bunny has also been adapted into two feature-length films that tell an abridged version of the anime’s plot with new scenes and side-stories inserted. The first movie, Tiger & Bunny: The Beginning, was shown in Singapore earlier this year in October. The second film, Tiger & Bunny: The Rising, is expected sometime in 2013.

Rurouni Kenshin: The movie received overwhelming response, with almost every session filled with fans and film goers This might be contributed to nostalgia many people had in their childhood, and possibly Encore Films wasn’t ready for such a response. It is the first time in 10 years that Encore Films has seen such a turnout. Some fans have even watched the movie multiple times since it started screening on 29 November. More showtimes will be released tomorrow. The film is currently airing at Filmagarde Cinemas located in Bugis+ and Kallang Leisure Park. Source: Encore Films Facebook

Hatsune Miku: Project Diva f’s ‘Minna to Issho Collab Set’ trailer demonstrates why The Mask of Toro is awesome Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/hatsune-miku-project-diva-fs-minnaissho-collaboration-dlc-trailer-demonstrates-cat-masks/

December 5th, 2012

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By KarbyP on December 5th, 2012

I want it, nya!

“Buy my collab DLC set, or else!” says the unidentified Vocaloid singer hidden behind The Mask of Toro (that’s not what the item’s actually called, but I’m running with it anyway). When news of Hatsune Miku: Project Diva f‘s “Minna to Issho Collabo Set” DLC pack first broke last month, I bet there were at least some of you who thought “man, 600 yen for a special edition of Po Pi Po and a couple of lame PlayStation mascot cat accessories is pretty expensive. “After all, Po Pi Po was already in previous Project Diva games to begin with. As for the seven pieces of Minna-toIssho-inspired customisation accessories? I’m never going to use them.” Or at least, that was what I thought. But that was before I had a chance to see this new trailer that Sega just put up today to promote the DLC pack (the second one to be released for Hatsune Miku: Project Diva f), which has just been released on the Japanese PSN store hours ago. My thoughts on the collab DLC have since come a full 180 after viewing it. Po Pi Po isn’t the star of the Minna to Issho Collabo Set DLC. The Toro and Kuro customisation items are. To be more specific, the possibilities that yield from equipping these catty accessories on Hatsune Miku and her fellow Vocaloid stars, and watch them perform songs like Catfood and the Nyancat song, are the real reason why anybody would buy this DLC pack.

Unfortunately, it would appear that the only way Project Diva f players can buy and access the content within this new DLC pack is if they’re logged into a Japanese PSN account on their PlayStation Vita; it was not listed when I checked the Singapore and Hong Kong PSN store a moment ago. For some reason, the Minna to Issho pack isn’t available on the Asian PSN stores. Even though the first Project Diva f DLC pack made it here in Asia just fine. Quite the odd situation, given that since Sony owns the intellectual property behind Minna to Issho. Apart from Project Diva, Toro and Kuro were also included as guest characters in Street Fighter X Tekken. Toro is also one of the playable characters in PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale.

LUNA SEA final stop over in Singapore for Asia Tour 2013 Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/luna-sea-final-stop-singapore-asiatour-2013/ By Kageshi on December 5th, 2012

For the first time ever, LUNA SEA will be performing in Singapore for the very first time on February 8, 2013 at The Star Theatre. Since their disbandment in 2000, the band LUNA SEA once again come together after their 10year hiatus for a reunion tour.LUNA SEA will be making Singapore their final stop of their Asia Tour, which will cover countries such as Taiwan, Hong Kong and Thailand. A veteran in the Visual Kei and J-Rock music scene, their popularity is not limited locally in Japan, but also to other countries around the globe. The band has sold over 2.5 million CDs within 1998, which includes popular drama theme song “I For You” for the series ”God, Please give me more time!”. SGCafe is proud to be the official online media for LUNA SEA’s Asia Tour in Singapore. More details to be released soon, as SGCafe have several exclusive goodies for J-music fans. Tickets will be up for sale from November 17, 2012 via SISTIC, and are priced at $238, $168 and $128. Their “LUNA SEA LIVE 2012-2013 The End of the Dream” in Japan was sold out. There is a possible chance that the Asia Tour might receive the same response from J-music fans in the region. For more information: 7

December 5th, 2012

Ticketing – SISTIC Source: MTVAsia

LiSA hits 100,000 sales record for single [Crossing Field]

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Black Cat Channel presents “The Not-So-Real Escape Game” Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/black-cat-channel-presents-the-notso-real-escape-game/ By sakurazaki on December 5th, 2012

Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/lisa-hits-100000-sales-record-singlecrossing-field/ By Kageshi on December 5th, 2012

It is not surprising for LiSA fans to expect that their idol managed to get over 100,000 downloads of her hit single Crossing Field through Japan’s ‘Chaku Uta’ service, 3 months after its release.

Black Cat Channel (BCC) is proud to present the 1st edition of Singapore’s very first anime and Japanese pop-culture inspired escape game concept – “The Not-So-Real Escape Game Vol. 1: Escape from the Doomed Ship”.

The single, which is the first opening theme song for hit anime series “Sword Art Online”, is also within the top 5 weekly ranking in Japan’s coveted Oricon charts in terms of CD sales. LiSA’s performance in Singapore ended earlier last month at AFA 2012, one of the largest anime conventions in the region thus far with 10 performers and artistes, gathering audiences of 83, 800 within 3 days. Her live performances do not restrict only in Japan and Singapore, but also in Los Angeles, Shanghai and Indonesia throughout her existing career. LiSA’s live performance is now on sale via e-tailers, with her latest DVD featuring her first outdoor performances “LiVE is Smile Always: LOVER’S”MiLE” held at Hibiya Open-Air Convert Hall on April 30,2012. Also available in Blu-ray, the live performance includes behind-the-scenes footage which documents the day of the live as an added bonus. LiSA will be having a solo live at Zepp Tokyo on December 23, 2012, her last scheduled live in 2012. (Picture credits: © Anime Festival Asia 2012) Source: kawaii-girl

Black Cat Channel is an initiative by passionate anime, comics and games (ACG) lovers and the People’s Association. Based in Chengsan CC, BCC brings fun-filled ACG activities, such as Anime Karaoke and Video gaming sessions (on a big screen!) to fans across Singapore. Inspired by the hit interactive live game events created by Japanese company SCRAP Co. Ltd., The Not-So-Real Escape Game marries the best elements of the original – puzzles that require players to work together to solve them within a limited amount of time – with a compelling anime oriented slant that’s targeted at the pop-culture loving crowd. In the 1st edition of Not-So-Real Escape Game, ‘Escape from the Doom Ship’, the venue is reimagined as the interior of a luxurious cruise ship that has been rigged with explosives that will eventually detonate, sending it to the bottom of the ocean. As the clock starts ticking down, the players must work together, use their deductive skills and logic to gather clues and solve the puzzles, finding a way to prevent the destruction of the vessel and to escape before it is too late! Venue : Mountbatten Community Club (35 Jalan Satu, Singapore 399479, near Dakota MRT station) Game Timings: 15th Dec 2012: 1 pm, 3 pm, 5 pm (three sessions) Each game session runs for about 90 minutes, including 60 minutes of game play and time for debriefing. Ticket Pricing: S$5 (At the Door) 8

December 5th, 2012

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Light refreshments will be provided. For further information and regristration, please email blackcatchannel@gmail.com

December 7th, 2012

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

Fate/Extra CCC’s 3rd short movie puts the spotlight on Jinako Karigiri Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/fateextra-cccs-3rd-short-movie-putsspotlight-jinako-karigiri/ By KarbyP on December 7th, 2012

More details to come later today. Check back later.

First Dead or Alive 5 Plus and Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus screenshots (PS Vita) [Updated] Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/dead-alive-5-plus-ninja-gaidensigma-2-plus-screenshots-ps-vita/ By KarbyP on December 7th, 2012

Marvelous AQL today put up a new promo video for Imageepoch and Type-Moon’s PSP JRPG Fate/Extra CCC. This third short movie focuses on Jinako Karigiri, a new Master who will make her appearance in CCC.

Update: The screenshots below for Dead or Alive 5 Plus are actually from the console version of the game, according to Tecmo Koei Europe. Some new screenshots of BB, whom we detailed in our previous story here, were also shared today. Original story: Dead or Alive 5 Plus, a port of the X360 and PS3 fighter with bonus content is coming to the PlayStation Vita early 2013, Team Ninja’s Yosuke Hayashi announced this week via a YouTube video on the IPLFighters’ YouTube channel. Here’s what the game looks like on the Vita:

December 7th, 2012

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Apart from the Dead or Alive 5 Plus screenshots, today Koei Tecmo also shared a fresh batch of hi-res screenshots for Ninja Gaiden 2 Plus, which we briefly detailed in our previous story.

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus

December 7th, 2012

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December 7th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone By JLZeta on December 7th, 2012

Cheesecake hack-’n-slash Lollipop Chainsaw will be getting a special Valentine’s Day re-release in Japan on February 14 that comes bundled with additional bonus material, alongside a “Premium Edition” that retails for 1,000 yen less but omits the extras. Odd naming conventions aside, the bonus material included with the Valentine’s Day edition includes a new sleeve design, perfect unlock code, and a pair of Valentine Edition DVDs containing PC wallpapers, Windows themes, trailers and a collection of the in-game movies. A Valentine’s Day commemoration manga is also included. Pictures of the extras for the Xbox 360 version, courtesy of Famitsu:

And the PS3 version’s extras:

Lollipop Chainsaw to get special Valentine’s Day premium edition Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/lollipop-chainsaw-special-valentinesday-premium-edition/

Lollipop Chainsaw Valentine Edition will be available on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 for 4,980 yen. 4

December 7th, 2012

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Source: Famitsu

‘Metal Gear 2013 Snake Calendar’ looks like it’s printed on corrugated cardboard Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/metal-gear-2013-snake-calendarprinted-on-corrugated-cardboard/ By KarbyP on December 7th, 2012

… But is actually printed on kraft paper. What’s the difference? Corrugated cardboards are often made of multiple layers of kraft paper. Available later this month (December 17) exclusively from Konamistyle, the “Metal Gear 2013 Snake Calendar” is a desk-sized conversation piece filled with the glorious artwork of Yoji Shinkawa, lead artist on many of Kojima’s titles, and character designer for Metal Gear Solid series. Although some of the illustrations in the calendar were taken from past work Yoji Shinkawa did for the series, the ones on the January, April, June and July calendar months are freshly done just for the calendar. Every single page of this calendar – which Konami says celebrates the “Year of the Snake” in 2013 (10 February 2013 to 30 January 2014) according to Chinese Zodiac – is filled with an illustration of Snake. All versions of Snake (it’s part of the theme) throughout the fictional universe’s history, beginning with the original Snake who became Big Boss, and most likely ending – I’m guessing – with Old Snake. As an added touch, each Yoji Shinkawa illustration is accompanied by a famous quote from the games. For instance, the quote “A strong man doesn’t need to read the future. He makes his own” rests beside Shinkawa’s portrait of Solid Snake on the month of January. Here are some preview images that showcases three of the calendar pages:

METAL GEAR 2013 SNAKE CALENDAR Maker: KONAMI Release Date: 17 December 2012 (Sunday) 5

December 7th, 2012

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Recommended retail price: 1,575 yen (tax inclusive) Product page on Konamistyle http://www.konamistyle.jp/item/72167 Note: Konamistyle.jp does not ship internationally.

Gran Turismo 5: 2013 Edition (known as GT5: Academy Edition in Europe) comes to Asia December 21 Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/gran-turismo-5-2013-edition-knownas-gt5-academy-edition-in-europe-comes-to-asia-december-21/ By KarbyP on December 7th, 2012

Asia is the first territory outside of Europe where the new retail version is sold. GT5: 2013 Edition includes over 3GBs worth of game updates (until Ver2.00) since the game’s 2010 release, plus S$36′s (~US$30) worth of premium DLC, all on a single disc. Specifically, here are all the different DLC packs you’re getting in one complete package via the 2013 Edition: Note: all of the DLC packs marked with an * below are also contained in a Complete Pack DLC deal. • Car Pack*

If you’re wondering how this new 2013 Edition is different from Gran Turismo 5: XL Edition that was released back in January this year (only in US, Japan, and Asia), basically this new package adds Car Pack 3, Speed Test Pack, Twinring Motegi Pack, and the Nissan GT-R N24 Academy’12 car. GT5: 2013 Edition or Academy Edition was originally an upgraded version of the XL Edition released exclusively in Europe because the XL one was never made available there.

GT5 Special Edition Challenge

• Course Pack* • Special Paint Pack* • Racing Gear Pack* • Car Pack 2 • Car Pack 3 • Speed Test Pack • Twinring Motegi Pack Price for Gran Turismo 5: 2013 Edition here in Singapore? S $39.90 (~US$33), or S$4 more than if you bought all of the DLC digitally online. But wait, there’s more: the 2013 Edition also includes a Nissan GT-R N24 GT Academy ’12 car that Gran Turismo series creator Kazunori Yamauchi personally driven himself at the Nürburgring 24H race held in central Germany earlier this year. This was a piece of content added specifically to Gran Turismo 5: Academy Edition when it came out in Europe. Since then, it’s also been made available on the PlayStation store as paid DLC in other territories.

To commemorate the release of GT5: 2013 Edition in Asia, Sony will also be holding a “Special Challenge” competition from December 20 this year till January 10, 2013. All GT5 users, regardless of which version they bought, can participate in the competition. Simply log into the game online and access the seasonal event mode , which has players competing on the “London” city track in the aforementioned Nissan GT-R N24 GT Academy `12. As a special bonus for the online event, players will earn double the regular amount of credits (in-game currency used for unlocking cars and items) for clearing the event. All participants a free PS3 custom theme designed exclusively for the online event. The top 50 drivers in each 6

December 7th, 2012

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individual Asian region will also stand to win PlayStation Store vouchers. Gran Turismo 5: 2013 Edition will be available in retail stores in Asia on December 21, 2012. Priced at S$39.90 in Singapore.

AKB 1/149 Renai Sousenkyo awarded Guinness World Record for ‘most pop singers featured in a video game’ Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/akb-1149-renai-sousenkyo-awardedguinness-world-record-most-pop-singers-featured-video-game/ By KarbyP on December 7th, 2012

I did not know it was possible to win a Guinness World Record for this. Then again, I’m sure Borderlands and World of Tanks didn’t have the record books in mind when they won their respective GWRs for “most guns in a game” or “most players online simultaneously on one MMO server“. AKB 1/149 Renai Sousenkyo (Love Election, AKB1/149 恋恋恋恋恋), the third instalment in Namco Bandai Games’ romance dating sim series for the PSP and PlayStation Vita and scheduled to be released later two weeks from now on December 20, features a grand total of 149 pop singers from four different J-Pop idol groups produced by - AKB48 (teams A, K, B and 4), SKE48 (teams S, KII, and E), NMB48 (teams N, M, and B) and HKT48 (Team H).

Love Election was preceded two other games in the series were: AKB 1/48 Idol to Koishitara (Fall in Love with an Idol) and AKB 1/48 Idol to Guam de Koishitara (Fall in Love with an Idol in Guam). The premise in Love Election involves all of the 149 idol group members simultaneously falling in love with the player, who will then go on dates with each of these girls, cruelly reject 148 of them, before finally getting to a happy ending with his (or her; nobody said girl gamers can’t play this) one true love. Earlier today, Namco Bandai Games held an event in Tokyo to inaugurate and receive the “Most pop singers featured in a video game’ award from” World Guinness Record, and also to simultaneously unveil a new commercial for the game to the Japanese press.

December 7th, 2012

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Mayu Watanabe

Present at the event were AKB48 Team A members Minami Takahashi (also the General Manager for the entire AKB48 idol group), Mayu Watanabe (second most popular member across all the groups, after Team K’s Yuko Oshima), and Yui Yokoyama (who serves double-duty as a concurrent member of NMB48). Here’s what they had to say about the game and receiving the award, according to Famitsu:

Yui Yokoyama

Love Election goes on sale on December 20, so that’s something to look forward to in addition to Christmas. For folks who [are not really looking forward to Christmas because they] think it’s going to be a lonely one this year (in Japan Christmas is associated more with romance and spending it with your date, rather than spending time with family and friends), please do pick up the game and give it a shot. As the game features not only AKB members but also those from our sister groups, please do spend some quality time with us!

Minami Takahashi

Now that the game is in its third incarnation, the number of members featured have really ballooned, so now you can pick who you’d like to date, who you wouldn’t want to date, from as many as 149 members. In my case, I’d definitely pick to go out with Mayuyu-san (Mayu Watanabe) for sure. (At this point Minami Takahashi butted in with a ‘tsukkomi’: “What about me?”) As for Takamina-san… I refuse [note: the exact word she used were "Okotowarishiteokimasu"] *Laughs*. That said, since one playthrough of the game is about two hours long, you’d be able to go through the game and pick different girls 12 times in one day *laughs*. So I hope that everyone will pick to go out with all of the members!

This time around, like the “1/149″ in the title implies, there are really a lot of members involved – to the point of shock, huh? *Laughs* However, because of the surprisingly huge number of members involved, we caught the attention of Guinness World Records, so this game franchise has really grown to be something bigger than just a simple evolution of the 1/48 series. I think there’s a lot to be excited about in this game, and a lot of fun to be had by going all “Heavy Rotation” on all the members involved in Love Election. This Christmas, please do snuggle up with this game in the cosy comforts of your bed! There is one thing I need to mention though. It’s been like that for the past two games too, but every time once the game is out, the people around me keep telling me “hey, I went and blew off Takamina!” That makes me a little dejected deep down inside, so once the game is out, make sure to pick me, okay? *Laughs*

December 7th, 2012

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New Commercial Beginning December 10, a new commercial for AKB1/149 Renai Sousenkyo will hit the TV airwaves in Japan. There will be a total of six different variations of the TV commercial, in which an AKB1/149 player is surprised when one of the following three idols – Yuko Oshima, Mayu Watanabe, Minami Takahashi (two variations of the spot for each idol) – suddenly appears behind them while they’re playing. Following that, a tagline for the game appears: “Can you bear to reject/blow her off?” Namco Bandai Games plans to upload the TV spots to the game’s official website at a later date, so look out for that. In the meantime, here are some screens from the commercials:

December 7th, 2012

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AKB 1/149: Love Election for the PlayStation Portable and PS Vita comes out December 20 in Japan. Source: Famitsu

Kasumi infiltrates Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge as part of free DLC update Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/kasumi-infiltrates-ninja-gaiden-3razors-edge-part-free-dlc-update/ By KarbyP on December 7th, 2012

Dead or Alive’s lead heroine is finally crossing over to the other video game franchise that Koei Tecmo’s Team Ninja is famous for. As a playable character, that is – Kasumi previously made a brief cameo appearanc in Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2… an enhanced version of which happens to be headed to the PS Vita next year (you know what I’m thinking, Team Ninja?). An update to Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge on the Wii U sometime in the future will add the DOA protagonist into the game as a playable character – for free. She appears in the game not in her default Dead or Alive costume that’s been with her since the first game, but in the sexy stealth suit that you unlock later on once you’re close to clearing the Story Mode in DOA5.

December 7th, 2012

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Developer Team Ninja has not yet determined a date as to when the Kasumi DLC update would be ready, but what they do have is a date for the previously announced Momiji DLC: December 8 is when fans can expect to go hands-on with Momiji and her trademark Heavenly Dragon Naginata and Heavensong Bow weapons. Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge is an enhanced port of Team Ninja’s 2011 PS3 and X360 action title, Ninja Gaiden 3, that adds several new weapons (for a total of six weapons: Katana, Scythe, Claws, Dual Katana, Staff and KusariGama), improved enemy AI, new modes, and various other system tweaks like Ryu Hayabusa’s character upgrade path. A new playable character, Ayane, is also available in the game right from the get-go. As a bonus, Team Ninja also said that they would add a number of free DLC characters to the Wii U port, and so far they’ve delivered quite amply on that promise with Momiji and Kasumi. Will there be more DLC characters for Razor’s Edge? You know, now that Kasumi is in Ninja Gaiden 3, there is only one ninja left in DOA5 that hasn’t made the jump over as a playable character… There is, however, one big problem with bringing over that last ninja from DOA5: the game’s playable cast would no longer comprise Ryu Hayabusa and his harem of demon/ ninja-slaying babes.

Ninja Rantaro gets 2nd liveaction movie Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/ninja-rantaro-2nd-live-action-movie/ By JLZeta on December 7th, 2012

Fans of the classic anime Nintama Rantaro (恋恋恋恋恋恋) will be pleased to know that a sequel to the live-action movie has been green lit. The titular role will once again be played by child actor Seishirou Katou, and Takashi Miike will be replaced by Ryuuta Tasaki ( Kamen Rider Den-O, Unofficial Sentai Akibaranger ) as the director. The plot for the second live-action movie appears to revolve around a mystical sword that contains great power, drawing the attention of ninja throughout the land. Will the ninjasin-training be able to claim the sword before it falls into the wrong hands?

Kasumi is the second uch free DLC character to be added Razor’s Edge; the first DLC character Team Ninja announced was Momiji who made her first appearance in the Nintendo DS action title Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword.

The movie is scheduled to open on the 20th anniversary of the anime (10 April 2013). Source: animeanime.jp

December 7th, 2012

New Resident Evil 6 content scheduled for release midDecember

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manage to take down one of the remaining human players will return to humanity, and the last human (or human team, if playing in teams) standing wins.

Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/re6-content-due-mid-december/ By JLZeta on December 7th, 2012

Onslaught:

Capcom announced on its blog this week that there will be a free update for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of Resident Evil 6 on December 17. The update includes a new difficulty mode, the option to adjust the in-game camera to get a larger field-of-view and an optional co-op partner for the Ada campaign (no word on the identity of said partner, though). Also announced was the first batch of add-on content (read: DLC) for Resident Evil 6, which will be made available to Xbox 360 owners on December 18, and consists of 3 new multiplayer modes. The new modes are a timed console exclusive, so PS3 owners will have to wait before getting their hands on the following new modes: Predator:

The ever-popular Horde mode, but played head-to-head instead of co-operatively. Two players compete to be the first to clear waves of enemies; chaining kills causes more enemies to be sent to your opponent.

For more pictures and videos of the new modes, check out Capcom’s blog at Capcom Unity

Arc System Works bringing ‘Noel & Mu-12 Dakimakura Covers’ (NFSW) to Comiket 83 Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/blazblue-comike-83-goods-mu-12dakimakura-ragna-calendar/ By KarbyP on December 7th, 2012

A mode for 2-6 players, in this mode one player plays as the Ustanak (the fearsome B.O.W. that stalks Jake Muller throughout his campaign) and attempts to kill the rest of the human players before they kill him or time runs out.

Survivors: One day before the madness that is Comic Market 83 begins, Arc System Works will also sell the “Noel & Mu-12 Dakimakura”, and a bonus “Guilty Gear & BlazBlue 2013 calendar” at confusingly-titled “Akihabara Denkigai Matsuri in Shinjuku 2012 Winter” event. Details on the whereabouts of both events can be found below. First, let’s take a look at all that precious ASW loot. An Evil twist on the classic Deathmatch, players who are killed in this mode will respawn as a zombie. Zombies who 12

December 7th, 2012

1) “BlazBlue: Chrono Dakimakura Covers

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Phantasma”

Noel

Mu-12

Product name (in Japanese): 恋恋恋恋恋恋恋恋恋恋恋2013恋恋恋恋恋恋 Price: 1,500 yen (including tax, event special price) Product name (in Japanese): 恋BLAZBLUE CHRONOPHANTASMA恋恋恋恋恋μ-No.12- 恋恋恋恋恋恋 Price: 10,000 yen (including tax, event special price) Material: Spandex Size: 150cm x 50cm

A 2013 year calendar that features plenty of artwork from BlazBlue and Guilty Gear. This item will, sadly, only be available at the Akihabara Denkigai Matsuri in Shinjuku 2012 Winter (try saying that really fast three times in quick succession).

This piece of hot swag will be available at both the Akihabara Denkigai and Comiket 83, although the allotment at each individual event will be quite limited. At Comiket 83, the dakimakura covers will be sold at Broccoli’s booth (booth no. 214).

Event Details

The illustrations you see on the dakimakura covers were drawn by series producer Toshimichi Mori (Mori P) himself.

Akihabara Denkigai Matsuri 2012 Winter in Shinjuku

So when you look at these beautiful covers, don’t think “ZOMG, Noel and Mu-12 are in… partial states of undress.” Think “wow, what an amazing piece of artwork illustrated beautifully by Toshimichi Mori the talented creator behind BlazBlue, who poured his heart and soul into the illustration.” Have a healthy discussion about it with your family members and friends. 2) Ark System Works 2013 Calendar

There may also be other surprises or free swag for attendees as well, so make sure to drop by both events if you’re in the area.

Event name in Japanese: 恋恋恋恋恋恋恋恋2012 WINTER in 恋恋 Date: December 28, 2012 (Friday) Time: 9AM to 5PM (tentatively) Venue:Belle Salle Shinjuku Grand Homepage:http://www.denkigai.net/dg/

Comic Market 83 Date: December 29 to 31, 2012 (Saturday to Monday) Time: 10AM to 5PM (4PM on the last day) Venue:Tokyo Big Sight Booth: Broccoli booth, no.214 Homepage: http://comiket.co.jp

December 10th, 2012

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

Persona 4 The Golden Drama CDs next year to re-unite the Investigation Team, including Marie Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/persona-4-golden-drama-cds-yearre-unite-investigation-team/ By KarbyP on December 10th, 2012

Nanako and Mai were worried about leaving the cats under the bridge by the riverbed, especially in the cold weather. So the Investigation Team had a discussion, and thought about who amongst them might be able to adopt the cats. Unfortunately, it appeared that nobody would be able to keep them, and so Yukiko suggested finding folks who could. Nanako’s friend Mai, however, did not want that. And so she offered to keep the cats at home. And that was that, or so everyone thought – until the cats ran away from Mai’s home. After hearing about what happened from Nanako and Mai, Yosuke decided to re-unite the Investigation Team form a “Self-Proclaimed Cat Disappearance Incident Investigation Team”… but the plot thickens. Plot and cast in Japanese: アアアCDアアアアアアアアアアアアアアVol.1 アアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアア

Two volumes of a new Persona 4 The Golden drama CD or “dorama” CD series are planned, to be released in March and April 2013 respectively.

アアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアア

Vol.1 will hit retail stores on March 27, 2013 in Japan, sold for the price of 2,940 yen including tax. Vol.2 is slated to be released on April 24, for the same price.

アアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアア――ア

Fans who purchase a first-print copy of either drama CD will receive a special bonus track, which has the voice actors involved sounding out their thoughts on the drama CD recordings (アアアアアアアアアア).

アアアアアアアアアアア

All the voice actors for the Investigation Team will be involved in the drama CDs, along with those for Nanako and Ryotaro Dojima, Persona 4 The Golden (PS Vita) newcomer Marie, and an original character and Nanako’s friend Mai, whose voice actress has not yet been announced. Here’s a rough translation of the plot covered in Volume 1 (original Japanese text appended at the end): Drama CD “Persona 4 The Golden” Vol.1

アアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアア

アアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアア

Although the calendar indicates that Spring has begun, a cold wind blows in Inaba.

アアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアア

On that day, the self-proclaimed Investigation Squad had been taking a stroll along the river bed in the freezing weather, when they ran into Nanako and her friend Mai tending to some stray cats that they had found.

アアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアアア

December 10th, 2012

Trailer for The Phantom Pain… might actually be for Metal Gear Solid 5 Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/trailer-phantom-pain-metal-gearsolid-5/ By JLZeta on December 10th, 2012

Could Kojima be at it again? Those of you who were watching the Spike Video Game Awards might have noticed a seemingly-innocuous trailer for Phantom Pain, under development by previously-unheard-of Swedish developer Moby Dick Studio. The trailer in question can be viewed below (click here if the embedded video doesn’t load): Notice anything suspicious? Users on the NeoGAF forums did, and they’ve come to the conclusion that the trailer is actually a teaser for Metal Gear Solid 5. Observe:

Published by: VR-Zone

• The word “phantom” is used in the tagline for Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes: “Two phantoms were born.” A forum member has also identified Kyle Cooper, who previously designed title sequences for Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3, in the photograph below (he’s the one on the right). The photo was taken at a Konami Party after the Video Game Awards.

The evidence is mostly circumstantial so far, but given Kojima’s reputation for trolling his fans it is entirely possible that this subterfuge was done deliberately in order to fuel speculation and cause the video to go viral. More pictures and screenshot comparisons can be found at the original thread.

Street Fighter X Mega Man scheduled for December 17 release Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/street-fighter-mega-man-scheduleddecember-17-release/ By JLZeta on December 10th, 2012

Convenient how the logo happens to have spaces in all the right places, isn’t it? Here’s a list of some other points of interest: • Joakim Mogren is the founder of Moby Dick Studios. Joakim is an anagram for Kojima (Kojima Productions’ boss Hideo Kojima). • According to their Whois record, MobyDickStudio.se has only existed since November 19, 2012. • The man in flames looks like Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater‘s Yevgeny Borisovitch Volgin. • The hallucinating petals look similar to those from Metal Gear Solid 3‘s ending. • Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes‘ Snake bears similar facial scars to the character in the trailer.

No, it’s not a hoax, and you’re not dreaming either. Capcom has announced that they will be releasing Street Fighter X Mega Man as a free (yes, free!) PC download on their blog. The timing of the release for Street Fighter X Mega Man is, appropriately enough, right between the 25th anniversaries for Street Fighter and Mega Man. The announcement trailer can be viewed below: As you can see, Street Fighter X Mega Man is an 8-bit platformer in the style of the classic Mega Man games; jump,

December 10th, 2012

slide and shoot your way through eight stages to fight bosses and collect their weapons.

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

The twist, of course, being that the bosses in this game are characters from the Street Fighter series, complete with their iconic special moves and what appears to be a meter that functions the same way as the Ultra gauge from Street Fighter IV (it’s the empty bar in the screenshot below; you can see it fill up as the boss takes damage in the announcement trailer above).

On top of a sneak preview of Dead or Alive 5′s Christmas costumes DLC pack (coming December 11), developer Team Ninja also showed off a video of Dead or Alive 5 Plus – running on a PS Vita unit – to those present at Tecmo Koei’s official tournament in Tokyo today. According to Famitsu’s event report of the tournament, Dead or Alive 5 and 5 Plus producer Yosuke Hayashi said that the team originally did not plan to develop a PlayStation Vita version. However, after having heard from numerous fans that they’d like to be able to play Dead or Alive 5 even while on the go, the team eventually decided that a port was worth a shot. Interestingly enough, the game itself was in development by a Singaporean fan (Seow “Sonic” Zong Hui, who’s also a competitive Street Fighter player) as far back as 2010. It seems he approached Christian Svensson (Senior Vice-President of Consumer Software at Capcom) with a prototype of the game during EVO 2012 and managed to impress him enough to get Capcom to officially endorse the game. According to the news post, Capcom is currently working with Zong Hui on putting the finishing touches on the game and A_Rival has been engaged to create the soundtrack, which will be an 8-bit mashup of music from the various Street Fighter and Mega Man games. The post also hinted that Mega Man fans could expect more announcements in the coming year, which should help ease the sting for those who were disappointed with the cancellation of Mega Man Legends 3 and the rather underwhelming trailer for Rockman Xover.

“It’s still in the development phase, but right now the current build we have runs at almost 60 frames per second,” Hayashi-san said. “We do not want the Vita port be seen by players as being inferior to the console versions, so we want to keep the game’s high-quality visuals and have it run silky smooth.” Dead or Alive 5 Plus for the PlayStation Vita is scheduled to be released in Japan March 20, 2013. “At that time, hopefully we’ll be able to hold another tournament similar to this one,” Hayashi said. Although the following images do not quite show the quality of Dead or Alive 5 Plus’s visuals in great clarity, it sure beats fake screenshots taken from the console versions of the game that look mighty sharp, but demonstrate absolutely nothing.

For those who are curious, the trailer for the game circa 2010 can be viewed below: Street Fighter X Mega Man will be available for download at Capcom’s blog on December 17. Source: Capcom-Unity

Dead or Alive 5 Plus (PS Vita): current build is running at ‘close to 60 frames per second’ [Updated] Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/dead-alive-5-ps-vita-current-buildrunning-close-60-frames-second/

Update: Japanese games site Gamer also managed to snag the following shots from the video Hayashi showed off at the event, of him playing a development build of Dead or Alive 5 Plus.

December 10th, 2012

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

It was Japan versus Korea in the grand finals of Tecmo Koei’s first ever Dead or Alive 5 Official Tournament, held earlier today at the Tokyo-based games publisher’s head office – right about the same time as Korea’s Infiltration took on Japan’s Daigo Umehara and Hajime Taniguchi (Tokido) in the respective grand finals for Super Street Fighter IV and Street Fighter X Tekken at Capcom’s Street Fighter 25th Anniversary world tournament in California. A total of 22 DOA5 players were seeded into the invitationalonly grand finals through qualifiers across four cities in Japan (and apparently one in Korea), as well as last-minute qualifiers at the same venue in the morning before the top-22 tournament began. Amongst the players were hot favourites Yuu (ア) and Mochi. Konidash (アアアアアア), who beat Singapore’s very own Wilson Chia (BigHeadedTetra) to secure the gold medal at World Cyber Games 2005′s Dead or Alive Ultimate grand finals here in Singapore, also qualified. I could be wrong, but I believe that the Shinobi (アアア) mentioned in the full list of 22 seeded players below is a Korean top DOA player who also came down to Singapore during the World Cyber Games 2005 grand finals. Here’s a full list of players and what their characters were: アアアア (Mila) アFLACK (Haybusa) アアアア (Ayane) Source: Famitsu, Gamer

アアアアア (Kokoro)

Dead or Alive 5 Official Tournament: Japan VS Korea in grand finals, Christmas costumes coming December 11

アTON (Mila)

Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/dead-or-alive-5-official-tournamentjapan-vs-korea-christmas-costumes/

アアア (Elliot)

アアア (Tina) アアアアアア (Jahn Lee) アアアアア (Helena)

アアRock (Lei Fang) アPONG (Tina) アアアア (Kasumi) アア (Christie) 4

December 10th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

アAKA (La Mariposa) アアア (Lei Fang) アTestTeam (Kokoro) アSRF (Akira) アアA (Sarah) アアアアアアア (Jahn Lee) アアア (Kokoro) アNCR (Bayman) アアアア (Kasumi)

Dead or Alive 5 producer Yosuke Hayashi was also present at the event, naturally. In his opening address, he said that Dead or Alive 5 was designed and tweaked for the purpose of being a big-scale tournament game. “Therefore the official tournament that we were able to organise this time around is like a dream to us.” As a special surprise and bonus treat for DOA fans in attendance (and those watching at home via a Nico Live netstream), Hayashi announced that the grand finals would be played on a slightly (very slightly) newer version of Dead or Alive 5: a build that has got Christmas costumes for all characters (coming out as DLC on December 11) installed in it. Famitsu, who covered the event, managed to snag a few pictures showing off the new costumes. Here’s a brief look at what’s coming December 11:

After numerous heated battles, the final four came down to Yuu (ア, Christie), MochiA (アA, Sarah), Kagayaku Rock (ア Rock, Lei Fang), and Korea’s TestTeam (Kokoro). On one side of the semi-final brackets were Yuu versus TestTeam, and on the other, MochiA versus Kagayaku Rock. TestTeam and MochiA emerged from their respectival semifinal matches for a Koreea VS Japan title match (full tournament brackets here). In the end, Japan’s MochiA emerged victorious over his Korean counter-part, in a 2-1 comeback win (TestTeam had taken the first game), and was crowned champion. For placing 1st, MochiA took home a 30,000 yen gift certificate. First runner-up TestTeam walked away with a 20,000 yen gift cert. Third-place winner Kagakayu Rock was also awarded with a gift certificate, worth 10,000 yen. In the aftermath of the tournament, producer Yosuke Hayashi once again took the stage, and apologised for hardware hiccups that occurred during the event that had temporarily put a stop to the Nico Live stream. “If we ever get an opportunity to do this again, we’ll return fully prepared and strive for perfection. A big thank you to everyone for supporting the event. We recorded replays for all the matches in the tournaments, so for the matches that you weren’t able to view at home due to the hiccups, please do check them out once they’re uploaded.” We’ll link to the Dead or Alive 5 Official Tournament 2012 match replays once they’re uploaded. In the meantime, Nico Video/Nico Live registered users can access about one hour of footage from the tournament’s Nico Live feed earlier today (note: it may be restricted to premium users only): DEAD OR ALIVE 5 Official Tournament 2012 アアアアアア 5

December 10th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

Source: Famitsu

In what can only be described as an unorthodox collaboration, perfume company Nescre will be releasing a line of fragrances based on basketball series Kuroko no Basket.

Trailer for new Dragonball Z movie released

Despite what you might assume, the line will not actually smell like stale sweat and locker rooms. Instead, the line of perfume is described as being inspired by the “image” of 5 of the characters from the series.

Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/trailer-dragonball-movie-released/ By JLZeta on December 10th, 2012

Fuji TV has aired a new trailer for the upcoming Dragon Ball Z movie, featuring actual scenes of the Z warriors and the new antagonists (the previous teaser trailer only showed Goku standing on a cliff). The upcoming movie takes place during the 10-year timeskip at the end of the series directly after the end of the Majin Buu arc, sometimes referred to as the “lost decade” of the story. It will apparently be an official chapter in the Dragon Ball Z story instead of a spin-off.

For those who prefer a somewhat less abstract description, the product information page contains links with a brief note on the main scents used as well as the feeling that is meant to be evoked by each item. Then again, the information might not be all that useful; the description of Kuroko‘s perfume roughly translates to “A scent made from fresh green mango with a touch of lotus flower. You may not be able to see it as it blends into the background, but this unusual scent will be ingrained upon your senses.” Prior to this, Nescre has also released similar perfume lines for One Piece and Tiger & Bunny.

Series creator Akira Toriyama is stated to be closely involved in the production of the movie, although the actual script will be written by Yuusuke Watanabe (Future Diary, Gantz). The movie will be directed at Toei by Masahiro Hosoda (Dragon Ball Z episode director) The movie is scheduled to be released on 30 March 2013.

Kuroko No Basket to get a line of….perfume? Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/kuroko-basket-line-of-perfume/ By JLZeta on December 10th, 2012

Hold the “Eau de Toilette” jokes, please.

Kuroko and Kagami’s perfumes will go on sale in February; Kise, Midorima and Aomine’s perfumes will be available in March. Source: product information page

License2Play: What to see and do [Photo Gallery] Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/license2play-photo-gallery/

December 10th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

By KarbyP on December 10th, 2012

Games, merchandise, competitions, performances, cosplay and booth babes… what are you waiting for? License2Play is happening at the Sands Expo & Convention Center Hall E this weekend (Marina Bay Sands; a two-minute walk after alighting from Bayfront MRT station), and tomorrow, Sunday, is your last chance to catch all the action – so don’t miss it! License2Play is also the only venue to check out Cherry Credits’s upcoming MMO shooter Avatar Star before its closed beta test, scheduled to begin sometime in early 2013. Here are a few of the things we saw at License2Play today. Check back with us later for more photos. For more information, head over to License2Play‘s official website here.

December 10th, 2012

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m.o.v.e is disbanding in March 2013, after a good 15year run Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/m-o-v-e-disbanding-march-year/ By KarbyP on December 10th, 2012

J-pop unit m.o.v.eannounced today on its official homepage that they are disbanding after a farewell concert (free admittance to fans who buy their upcoming bests album) at Tokyo’s Akasaka Blitz next year on March 16. The two-member unit, with Yuri Masuda (yuri) on vocals and Mototaka Segawa (motsu) on rapping (a third-founding member, producer Takashi Kimura or “t-kimura” left in 2008), is most renowned for their Initial D anime theme songs. The duo hit their 15th anniversary earlier this year in October. To commemorate the occasion, a best album, Best moves, was slated to be release later this month on the 19th. But seeing as the 15th anniversary commemorative album would be their last release, now that they’re disbanding, m.o.v.e and record label Avex Tune have decided to delay the album for two more months, so that the band may add two more new songs to it. This is on top of the five original new tracks contained in the album, for a total of seven new tracks, not counting the collection of the group’s most representative hits. Accordingly, the new bests album has been renamed from “Best moves” to “Best moves ~and move goes on“. Its new release date is now February 27, 2013. Fans who purchase a copy of Best moves ~and move goes on will be entitled to admission into “m.o.v.e The Last Show アChampagne Fightア”, the band’s final concert to be held at Akasaka Blitz next year. It is unclear if admittance is determined via a lottery system, or if anybody bearing a copy of the album can simply show up and be admitted into the audience for free. According to a statement released to Japanese media, it’s said that m.o.v.e is disbanding because the members would like to take on new challenges. After numerous discussions, yuri and motsu decided on disbanding so that they may better prepare themselves for their respective new roads ahead. The duo have also left individual messages for their fans through this video on YouTube: 8

December 10th, 2012

yuri (Yuri Masuda) I know this is sudden, but I wanted to share something with you all. I would like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for being with us for the past 15 years. In that timespan, we were able to meet some wonderful people and create irreplaceable memories. They will always have a special place in my heart.

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To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Final Fantasy series, Square Enix is porting the Nintendo DS version of Final Fantasy IV to iOS on December 20. The game will also be available on Android in the spring of 2013.

Lately we have been discussing what the future of m.o.v.e is, to ensure we keep moving forward towards our dreams, and this is the conclusion we have come to. I wonder how all of you will react? I hope you aren’t upset or disappointed… We debuted with the name m.o.v.e, and because of all of you, our fans, we were able to turn m.o.v.e into more than just a name. We’ve turned it into a special place built from your love and support. We couldn’t have done any of this without you. m.o.v.e isn’t just us, you all are a part of m.o.v.e too, and this has made me happier than you will ever know. Next year we will perform our last live concert. As this might be our last time together, we want to make it a big celebration for our bright future! We want this to be the greatest party we’ve ever had, and we need your help to achieve that! So let’s scream until our voices crack, dance until our feet hurt, and have the most fun we’ve ever had in our lives!! I love you all so much, and these memories will forever fill me with warmth and happiness. Thank you so much!”

motsu (Mototaka Segawa)

While it’s not particularly obvious from the screenshots released so far, the graphics and sound quality are going to be improved for this port so as to take advantage of the superior hardware available in the 6 years since this version of the game was originally released for the DS. Naturally, the game will also keep the voice-acting that was present in the DS remake, although there’s no word on whether Square-Enix will allow players to switch between the English and Japanese voice tracks (highly unlikely considering their track record so far, with the exception of Final Fantasy III on the PSP).

I’d like to thank all of you who enjoyed our music, those who have been checking out our works, those who have always come all the way to come see us at our concerts. I’d like to thank you very much for all your support. We’ve decided to go on with our own ways. The mountain roads we will be running will be different, but the music we’ve created will keep going. Source: Natalie, m.o.v.e homepage

Square Enix to release yet another version of Final Fantasy IV

The most significant change, besides the obvious switch to touchscreen controls, is the ability to change the difficulty level, intended to allow even beginners to enjoy the game.

Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/square-enix-release-version-finalfantasy-iv/ By JLZeta on December 10th, 2012

Because nothing says “25th Anniversary Celebration” like another port of a 21-year-old game.

Also, to commemorate the release of the iOS version of Final Fantasy IV, there will be a limited-time-only discount on the previously-released iOS Final Fantasy games starting on December 14. Final Fantasy IV is scheduled to be released internationally on the iTunes app store. In Japan it will go for 1,800 yen. Source: Famitsu

December 14th, 2012

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

Megpoid the Music♯: rhythmaction game system and ‘Groove Gauge’ detailed Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/megpoid-music%E2%99%AFrhythm-action-game-system-groove-gauge-detailed/ By KarbyP on December 14th, 2012

Each note marker corresponds to two specific buttons. On the highest difficulty level where there are four markers, the top one is for “up” and “triangle”, and is followed by the respective markers for “right” and “circle”, “left” and “square”, and finally “down” and “X” at the bottom. Unlike in Hatsune Miku Project Diva, it appears that Megpoid the Music discriminates between directional and face button presses, which should increase the difficulty for expert players looking for a challenge. Another unique trait in Megpoid the Music is the way simultaneous button presses are done – a white line joining different notes from different rows signifies when you have to press which buttons simultaneously. Outside of simultaneous button presses, there will also be long notes where you have to hold down the button. Will developer ParaPhray mix the two types of special notes – simultaneous presses and long presses – together? We don’t know yet, but I certainly hope so – in Project Diva Arcade, one of the main draws (that you won’t find in Project Diva console) is that the musical scores are designed to have you hold down certain buttons while hitting other ones. It’s a lot of fun, and the main reason why I enjoy Project Diva Arcade more than the console versions (although I’m not a big fan of having to travel and pay money each time I want to play). Hopefully the ParaPhray development team are big fans of Hatsune Miku Project Diva Arcade themselves and realise that this is a lot of fun. One other really cool feature in Megpoid is the way its life bar system – the “Groove Gauge” – is implemented. As you do well or miss notes throughout the song, the Groove Gauge at the bottom of the screen will change to indicate your performance. You really do not need any more info than the meter at the bottom to tell how well you’re doing in a song, but as a nice touch the developers have implemented a digital icon on the bottom-left corner of the screen where (dot-matrix) Vocaloid Gumi’s facial expression changes based on your performance.

We were amongst the first sites in the world to tell you about a little Vocaloid-inspired PSP rhythm game known as Megpoid the Music♯. It’s been two months since the title’s reveal, and now developer ParaPhray is finally ready to talk gameplay details. Today the game’s official website has been updated to include a section on “System” where we get to see – for the first time – how Megpoid the Music♯ will be played. While playing a song, musical notes corresponding to any of eight buttons (up, down, left, right, Circle, X, Triangle and Square) stream in from the right side of the screen, towards between two to four note markers (depending on the difficulty level) on the left-hand-side of the screen.

Last but not least, the system mechanics page also mentions that, just like in Project Diva, there will be plenty of items (rhythm-game play items, presents for Gumi, room decorations) for fans to buy using points earned while playing the game regularly. Clearing songs under specific conditions will also unlock additional hidden items. Source: Megpoid the Music♯

God of War Ascension demo build plays like a full fledged release Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/god-of-war-ascension-demo-buildplays-like-a-full-fledged-release/

December 14th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

By sentinel011 on December 14th, 2012

The God of War franchise has paved the path with its cinematic third-person slashing action, along with nudity to boot. That doesn’t stop the game from releasing its 4th console adaptation. We managed to get some hands-on on the demo build of the game, slated for release mid March next year. SGCafe managed to fiddle about with a test build of the gory cinematic hack-and-slash game. The current developer, Santa Monica Studios, refreshed the cinematic experience with filters that better suit the environment and Kratos himself. While God of War III have pretty decent action segments and on screen sequences, this new release builds on the franchise with an equally promising look, yet with a visually different direction than previously done in the past iterations.

Kratos moves with improved fluidity, but there’s an enhanced feeling of control compared to its predecessors. moves have more flashy effects, with every pound, stab and crunch Kratos deals to his enemies using the Blades of Athena. Kratos also has the ability to turn back time at specific structures at will, giving him a passageway to an otherwise impassable route. The mini-puzzles in the game are standard God of War style, and it doesn’t make you feel frustrated trying to work around the puzzles to get through the next area. Our only complaint was that our large screen makes it pretty difficult to get the Quick TIme button presses when they are at all 4 corners of the screen. It might be because of the exceedingly large screen during our play-through demo, but we figured that the previous Quick Time events were better. Granted that the demo build is only about 5 to 10 minutes worth of play time, it does feel very solid, almost a full-fledged release.

All in all, we are excited for God of War: Ascension to be released on 15 March 2013 exclusively for the PS3. If you want more action out of the latest God of War, you can register yourself for the multiplayer beta come 8 January 2013. More official trailers and beta access can be found at the official site. Of course, you must be over 18 to do so.

New commercial for ‘One Piece Film Z’ movie Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/commercial-upcoming-piece-movie/ By JLZeta on December 14th, 2012

A new commercial has begun airing in Japan for the upcoming One Piece movie, One Piece Film Z. The commercial also previews one of the two theme songs to be used in the movie (“Bad Reputation” and “How You Remind Me”) by Canadian singer Avril Lavigne (huh-bluh?) The commercial features a fight scene between the Straw Hat Pirates and the former marine general Zetto Shuurai, touted as the Straw Hat Pirates’ “strongest enemy yet”. The movie itself is said to take place after the Fishman Island arc. To commemorate the 15th Anniversary of One Piece, the first two million movie-goers can also expect to receive a special goodie bag which apparently contains a special card designed by Eiichiro Oda (creator of One Piece). The original trailer for the movie also mentions a limited edition manga version of the movie (with the rather hyperbolic title of One Piece Volume 1,000) that will be given away as well. Watch the full trailer for the movie here: One Piece Film Z will open in Japan on December 15. Source: Official movie page

December 14th, 2012

First trailer for Super Robot Wars UX released Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/trailer-super-robot-wars-uxreleased/ By JLZeta on December 14th, 2012

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- Ninja Senshi Tobikage (♯♯♯♯♯♯) * Virtual-On series Fei-yen HD (♯♯♯♯♯♯♯♯♯♯♯♯♯♯♯ ♯♯♯♯ ♯♯♯♯♯) - Aura Battler Dunbine (♯♯♯♯♯♯♯♯) - Gundam SEED DESTINY (♯♯♯♯♯♯♯♯SEED DESTINY) * Gundam 00: Awakening of the Trailblazer (♯♯♯ ♯♯♯♯♯♯ ♯♯♯♯ -A wakening of the Trailblazer-) * SD Gundam Sangokuden Brave Battle Warriors (SD♯♯♯♯ ♯♯♯ BraveBattleWarriors) * Mazinkaiser SKL (♯♯♯♯♯♯♯SKL) * HEROMAN - Macross Fronter: The False Songstress (♯♯♯♯♯♯♯♯ ♯♯♯ ♯♯♯♯♯♯♯♯) - Macross Frontier: Wings of Goodbye (♯♯♯♯♯♯♯♯ ♯♯♯♯♯ ♯♯♯♯♯) - Dancougar Nova (♯♯♯♯ ♯♯♯♯♯ ♯♯♯) *denotes series making their debut

Hot on the heels of the announcement in Famitsu, Namco Bandai has released the first trailer for Super Robot Wars UX, showcasing the battle animations for the upcoming 3DS title. As we reported earlier, download codes for a campaign map and a shogi-style “TsumeSupa” game will be included in the first copies of the game. A bundle with a special SRWthemed Nintendo 3DS LL will also be available. But that’s not what you came for, is it? On to the trailer! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6ALAgHdmyM Animation-wise, the quality seems to be somewhere in between the DS titles and both parts of Super Robot Wars Z 2 for the PSP, with nary a recycled sprite in sight despite several series being present in the last few DS SRWs. Presumably, Namco Bandai declined to put in any 3D effects or backgrounds (a la SRW:OGs2) in order to have enough space on the cartridge to fit in the voices. Regardless, the animation is suitably impressive (as expected of the series) and the fact that they managed to squeeze in the voices for the battle animations should help make up for the rather small series list this time around:

What big eyes you have… In what is quickly becoming a series tradition for standalone releases on handhelds, UC Gundam and Getter Robo are missing from the series list, and even the Mazinger series is limited to the recently released Mazinkaiser SKL. On the other hand, the lack of the “Holy Trinity” of SRW is usually accompanied by the inclusion of unusual series that wouldn’t normally make the cut, and SRWUX is no different; how many fans can honestly say that they expected to see the SD Gundam series appearing alongside their bigger brothers in SRW, googly eyes and all? Fei Yen HD probably takes the cake here though, being based on a PVC figure that hasn’t actually shown up in any of the Virtual On games (the Project Diva module doesn’t really count, even if Miku herself does show up in a cut-in).

- Linebarrels of Iron (♯♯♯♯♯♯♯♯) * Demonbane (♯♯♯♯♯♯♯♯♯♯) - Fafner in the Azure (♯♯♯♯♯♯♯♯) * Fafner in the Azure: Heaven and Earth (♯♯♯♯♯♯♯♯ HEAVEN AND EARTH) * Wings of Rean (♯♯♯♯♯)

December 14th, 2012

She even has the trademark leeks! Big robots, bigger explosions and more hot-blooded yelling than you can shake a leek at; it’s definitely a good time to be a mecha fan. Be sure to hit the Famitsu page for more screenshots of the game in action. Super Robot Wars UX is slated for a March 13, 2013 release date with an expected retail price of 7,140 yen. Source: Famitsu

Type-Moon Ace Vol.8: Akiyuki Shinbo directing Fate/Extra CCC’s OP, new key visuals for Tsukihime Remake

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the game, as well as some new key visual images for Type-Moon’s other highly-anticipated project, a remake of Tsukihime. Fans of Type-Moon works looking to pick up the new issue of Type-Moon Ace should check with their local import book stores (in Singapore, that means Kinokuniya Books) on when they can expect the magazine to come in. In the meantime, here are a few images of what’s coming in the new issue, courtesy of Akiba Jigoku who managed to snag an early copy:

Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/type-moon-ace-vol-8-fateextra-cccsop-directed-akiyuki-shinbo-key-visuals-tsukihime-remake/ By KarbyP on December 14th, 2012

Freelance animation director Akiyuki Shinbo is a busy man. Currently, the esteemed director is busy working on the third Madoka Magica movie as well as 2013 TV anime series Sasami-san@Ganbranai. Nevertheless, he’s making time to direct Fate/Extra CCC‘s opening intro, which is being produced by animation studio Shaft, the upcoming issue of Type-Moon Ace magazine is revealing on Friday (available in Japanese book stores December 15). Outside of revealing Akiyuki Shinbo’s involvement in the opening intro for Imageepoch and Type-Moon’s upcoming PSP JRPG Fate/Extra CCC, the January 2013 (Vol.8) issue of Type-Moon Ace also has got several new images of 4

December 14th, 2012

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nor Toho (the films’ distributor in Japan) were ready to announce any details. But since Studio Ghibli co-founder and famed director Hayao Miyazaki previously did a two-part manga miniseries entitled Kaze Tachinu (The Wing Rises), longtime anime fans quickly made the connection. As for Kaguya Hime no Monogatari, well, that’s the Japanese title for a well-known 10th century folktale over there. The folktale is also known as The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter or Taketori Monogatari (♯♯♯♯).

Source: 1, 2

Studio Ghibli officially announces 2 new movies: ‘Kaze Tachinu’, ‘Kaguya Hime no Monogatari’ Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/studio-ghibli-officially-announces-2movies-kaze-tachinu-kaguya-hime-monogatari/ By KarbyP on December 14th, 2012

Today at an event held in Toho’s headquarters in Hibiya, Tokyo, the two Studio Ghibli flicks were officially unveiled for the first time. Kaze Tachinu was just exactly what everybody thought, an anime film adaptation of Miyazaki’s manga series of the same name, about the life of Jiro Hirokoshi (an actual person) – the man who designed Japanese fighter planes during World War II (from IMDB). The movie is director Hayao Mizayaki’s first new film project in five years, after 2008′s Ponyo or Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (♯♯♯♯♯♯♯), and seen as a comeback to the cinema world from the veteran director. Kaguya Hime no Monogatari, on the other hand, will be directed by Isao Takahata, who has been gradually working on the conceptualisation of this Japanese folklore for several years now. This will be his first film directing credit in 14 years, after My Neighbour the Yamadas (♯♯♯♯♯♯♯♯♯♯♯♯ ♯♯) in 1999.

It’s not exactly been a big secret that Studio Ghibli, makers of fine animated films such as Spirited Away and My Neighbour Totori, have been working on two new featurelength movies for 2013: Kaze Tachinu and Kaguya Hime no Monogatari. The titles of these two films were first unveiled last month when the Tokyo-based animation studio registered domain names for the unannounced films, according to SlashFilm and Ghibliblog. At the time, neither Studio Ghibli

December 14th, 2012

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What could Namco Bandai be up to? Last week, Siliconera reported that Namco Bandai has filed trademarks for The Idol Master and Shiny Festa in Europe, and had the pictures to prove it:

Source: Eiga.com

Namco Bandai registers US and EU trademarks for Idolm@ster, Shiny Festa Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/namco-bandai-registers-eutrademarks-idolmster-shiny-festa/ By JLZeta on December 14th, 2012

The trademark application status as of last week This week, they’ve gone one step further and registered Shiny Festa and Idolm@ster (not “The Idol Master”) as trademarks in the United States, but have yet to make any formal announcements regarding an international release. Shiny Festa, being a rhythm game instead of the usual idol training/management sim, would be the most likely game in the series to be exported, so this is certainly an interesting turn of events. In all likelihood Namco Bandai is simply keeping their options open, but if world domination by cuteness is on the cards, then I for one welcome our new moe overlords. Source: Siliconera

Nana Mizuki’s new album ROCKBOUND NEIGHBORS to come with special download code for Shining Ark Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/nana-mizukis-album-rockboundneighbors-special-download-code-shining-ark/

December 14th, 2012 By JLZeta on December 14th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

ROCKBOUND NEIGHBORS retails in Japan for 3,000 yen (3,9800 yen for the DVD/Blu-Ray limited edition).

Details revealed for next year’s Super Sentai: Jyuden Sentai Kyoryuger Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/details-revealed-years-super-sentaijuuden-sentai-kyoryuger/ By JLZeta on December 14th, 2012

Is it just me, or does the code also come with potential spoilers for Shining Ark? Nana Mizuki’s new album “ROCKBOUND NEIGHBORS”, which also includes the theme song for Shining Ark (Kiseki no Melodia / ♯♯♯♯♯♯♯♯), will be released in Japan today with a special bonus: the first print of the album comes with a code that allows you to download an extra character in Shining Ark when it is released on February 28.

This week saw the release of a boatload of information on the 37th Super Sentai series, Jyuden Sentai Kyoryuger, including plot details and scans of the suit and mech designs. More details after the jump. Kyoryuger is the third dinosaur-themed Sentai series, following Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger and Bakuryu Sentai Abaranger (adapted in the west as Might Morphin’ Power Rangers and Power Rangers Dino Thunder, respectively). The plot this time revolves around a team of warriors who fought off an alien invasion during the era of dinosaurs. Now, in the modern world, they return using the powers of the Beast Batteries to fight off a renewed attack from the alien forces.

Seraphim, the “Songstress of the sky”, attacks at long range with a bow and light magic. She can also use powerful “Songs of Magic” and will be voiced by Nana Mizuki, who, as previously noted, also voices Viola. (Hmm…) It should be noted that each code can only be redeemed once and you’ll need to reach a certain point in the story before the new character becomes playable. 7

December 14th, 2012

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Jyuden Sentai Kyoryuger is scheduled to premiere on February 17. Source: Rising Sun Tokusatsu

Unlike this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters, the suits for Kyoryuger have returned to being mostly spandexbased, with a single spiked pauldron on the left shoulder. In a first for the Sentai series, the basic sidearm for the team (the GabriVolver gun) is also the henshin device. The team is also equipped with a short sword (GabriCalibur) that can also be combined with the GabriVolvers.

Ragnarok Online 2: Legend of the Second, Interview with the game developers Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/ro-ii/ By Kageshi on December 14th, 2012

Another first for the series involves the use of the mecha. While each team member starts off with their own mecha as usual, not all 5 will be used for the combined form of the main mecha Kyoryujin (at least, at first), yet another first for the series. Instead, the arms can be swapped out to allow Kyoryujin to change weapons and tactics to suit the situation. Finally, the gimmick for the series is the Beast Battery (JyuDenchi); 55 different varieties have been planned so far, and inserting a different Beast Battery into the various items in the toy line will cause different sounds and music to be played.

December 14th, 2012

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With this, we are planning to do a level of update whereby the Third and Rebirth Class will be introduced by stages. The Third class system somewhere in the first half of 2013 and the “Rebirth” shortly after. Why did your team change the ability to customize the character stats when gamers first create it in RO1 and to how it is now?The original team tells us that they find that most people during the stage of customizing their character’s stats, are more prone to ‘spoiling’ their characters by misplacing the few stats points by mistake into the wrong category. We are trying to give the feeling of RO in RO2 by improving parts from RO before carrying it forward into RO2, and find that with fixed stats added to our character creation helps to make things easier. This also eliminates the possibility of making minor mistakes that might attribute to our character creation in the later parts of the game.

Over the weekend of License2Play (L2P), we caught up with Korean game developers over a cup of tea and coffee to ask about the long awaited Ragnarok Online 2: Legend of the Second. (RO2). SGCafe: Why did they decide to change the original RO2 (Ragnarok Online 2: The Gate of the World) concept to its current one? Gravity: Before Ragnarok Online 2: Legend of the Second, there was Ragnarok Online 2: The Gate of the World (a couple of years ago), in which the game developers find that it was not really complete. Our team felt that the game was incomplete, and started to change the theme and its gaming engine. And with the new change of members to our team of game developers, it too resulted in RO2 being changed in certain ways, as well as giving the game a new ending. What is the Dual Life System in RO2?In RO2 the concept is like reality whereby people need to work to continue living on. For example, merchants job class are people who control the economy and everything else. The professions that allow the characters to sell something and to earn from it, and another part of the duo life is to encourage interactions among the characters that have been created in the game.

Which part of the engine did your team change? Formally we were using the original game engine used in creating RO, and have since changed over a few times for a more efficient engine used to create RO2.

Card System of RO vs. RO2: Why the limitation of 12 vs 5 cards?The Card System is something important in RO content, and depending with the way gamers use the card, the equipment can become something ‘god-like’ whilst it become strong than other weapons originally created of higher level.

Is your team planning to bring back the Third class and Rebirth class system to RO2?Third and Rebirth system class will be reintroduced again in RO2. However there will be some changes made to the Rebirth class system. In RO during one Rebirth, the character would start from the beginning again, whereas our team find it hard to start over and they find that Rebirth is a process to change into Third Class rather than from the beginning of the game again. 9

December 14th, 2012

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In RO2, we emphasize on the Role-Playing element of the game, where each character or player will have a role to play in the world of RO2. The system within RO2 also encourages players to also interact and coordinate with one another. How is the Party System like this time in RO2?The more people in your party the more experience points that you can get. Different areas bring different experience points and perks, and it also requires certain group or party of Characters to join in as to kill different types of monsters. Share your comments on how fans of RO shared with us on similarity in game system of RO2 & WoWWe ensured that the game interface of RO2 is more similar to that of RO for everyone to draw more relation to as compared that of WoW.

Gamers also know that there are special cards that can only be bought at the cash shop. We also do not want gamers who do not purchase in-game items to be too underpowered compared to gamers that are able to attain the card via in-game purchases. This is a way/their way of leveling the playing field and to make it fair for everyone. With the current Card System retained fr0m RO but reducing the number of slots, it enabled us to develop a new system called Rune Slots, that helps to upgrade the equipment in RO2. We wish to allow new gamers to RO2 the chance opportunity to try out the game for themselves before they start experimenting with Rune Slot combinations that their character could use to find the best combination for their equipment to suit their pre-selected stats and Character Class. What can we expect in RO2 (Based on the Korean game server)?There will be new race updates for Korea server come mid December. For the rest of the months, an update on collectible items can be expected on February 2013, followed up by adding more levels for your Character to level come March 2013. There will also be a major update during April, and we have planned to re-introduce Wedding System on RO2 in May 2013.

As the game of RO2 progresses, there will be more links and similarities that gamers would start to draw more from between RO into RO2.

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The close beta servers will cease from 12 December 2012, and open beta servers will commence this weekend, 15 December 2012. Players who hit Level 25 during close beta will get to keep their Character name, that should be brought forward onto the open beta. All other player data will be wiped during the transition from closed beta to open beta. Until then, look forward to the latest updates Ragnarok Online 2: Legend of the Second from SGCafe!

What is the most significant changes that your team have made between RO and RO2? In RO, emphasis on single play, creating cohesion amongst big communities and harmony across all the different Races were most significant.

December 15th, 2012

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

Shining Ark PSP Accessories Set to go on sale February 28 Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/shining-ark-psp-accessories-set-salefebruary-28/ By JLZeta on December 15th, 2012

Sega has released a list of the Shining Ark-themed PSP accessories set that will be released on the same day as the game itself (February 28). The full list of accessories in the set are as follows: • PSP pouch with interchangeable cover sheets. • PSP casing • Screen cleaner • PS Vita wallpapers • 2 sheets of stickers You can check out pictures of the items in the set in the gallery below.

The Shining Ark accessories set will retail for 3,129 yen. Source: Shining Ark official website

December 15th, 2012

Suisei no Gargantia’s 1st teaser PV takes the extra mile to introduce its starstudded production cast Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/suisei-gargantias-1st-teaser-pv-takesextra-mile-introduce-star-studded-production-cast/ By KarbyP on December 15th, 2012

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frontiers alongside his comrades as mankind was facing extinction from a threat known as the Hideous (so-called presumably because they are a monstrous lifeform). At some point during combat, however, Redo and Chainbar – the mecha he’s piloting – gets sucked into a time-space distortion that sends him into some strange planet he’s never heard of. There, he meets a seafaring tribe aboard the battleship Gargantia, and with no known way to return to his home planet, spends time with its crew. Source: Crunchyroll

Senran Kagura Shinovi Versus’s latest trailer runs through all 20 playable characters and who their CVs are [NSFW] Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/senran-kagura-shinovi-versusslatest-trailer-runs-20-playable-characters-cvs-nsfw/ By KarbyP on December 15th, 2012

Earlier this week we brought you the first details on Suisei no Gargantia, a new TV anime series that will premiere sometime in April next year as part of the Spring 2013 season. And now a first teaser PV for the series – which is being backed by an all-star production cast – has been streamed onto the Web. As expected from a star-studded cast, the visual quality in Gargantia as seen in this brief teaser trailer, is quite impressive. But beyond that, I’m also quite moved by the extra mile taken to introduce who the production cast members are – specifically, what they’re best known for – just in case whoever is watching this has never heard of, say, Gen Urobuchi. Gen Urobuchi, of coursei, was the guy also behind the scripts for anime smash hits Puella Magi Madoka Magica andFate/ Zero. With Suisei no Gargantia he’s once again serving as scriptwriter. As amazing as Urobuchi’s imagination and aptitude for drama is, however, he’s actually not the one who came up with the concept of Suisei no Gargantia. Instead, Shoujo Material manga artist Hanaharu Naruko did. In the trailer you’ll see below, Naruko is credited not only for character conceptualisation, but also for the concept behind the new anime series – the first time he’s done so. Other stellar production members include director Kazuya Murata, and Taro Ishiwashiro who will be in charge of the series’ musical compositions. The two previously worked together on Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos.

Famitsu has got an exclusive first look at a new PV trailer for Senran Kagura Shinovi Versus, Marvelous AQL’s notsafe-for-work ninja action game for the PlayStation Vita. This trailer is particularly “meaty”, not only because it runs through all of the game’s 20 playable characters along with who’s voicing them, but er, it literally shows a lot of flesh. Do note that although the first few bits in the trailer show seemingly safe-for-work content, that there’s really a not of potentially objectionable content in here. Viewer discretion is advised. Originally Senran Kagura was about two factions of rival ninja schools – our heroines are students in the staterecognised Hanzo Academy for young shinobis (国国国国国国) while the anti-heroines are from the Viper Academy private institution (国国国国国国国) – but it would appear that the Vita title has increased the number of factions to four.

Suisei no Gargantia tells the story of Redo, a mecha pilot and teenage soldier who fought bravely on the galaxy’s 2

December 15th, 2012

And there are even more factions in Senran Kagura New Wave, a social game on GREE that has 50 different characters. A TV anime adaptation of Senran Kagura is slated to go on air in Japan in January 2013. If you’re actually intrigued by the ninja babes in high school premise of the series, but find the content in the video games a little too risque for your liking, I recommend simply sticking to the TV anime arm of the franchise instead – because of a little something called TV censorship. Senran Kagura Shinovi Versus -Shoujotachi no Shoumei(閃閃閃閃閃 SHINOVI VERSUS -閃閃閃閃閃閃-) comes out in Japan 28 February 2013. Source: Famitsu

Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods anime movie trailer now comes to you without scanlines Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/dragon-ball-z-battle-gods-animemovie-trailer-scanlines/ By KarbyP on December 15th, 2012

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Finally, the day has come when we can all enjoy seeing Goku take on the God of Destruction in a full-length trailer to the feature-length movie, coming to Japanese cinemas March 30, 2013. Interestingly this trailer was streamed on the Web exactly one week before December 21, 2012 – the date on which the world was supposed to end, according to the Mayan doomsday prophecy. While watching the following trailer, I’d like to think that Goku is fighting to save us from the Mayans’ prediction. What happens in Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods? From Saiyan Island’s translation of the synopsis (via Crunchyroll): The story takes place a few years after the fierce battle with Majin Buu. Bils, the God of Destruction who maintains the balance of the universe, awakens from a long slumber. Hearing rumors that a Saiyan defeated Frieza, Bils goes on a search to track down the warrior who championed this feat – Goku. King Kai advises Goku to avoid a confrontation, however, Goku is ecstatic that a new opponent has appeared after many years and decides to fight. Unfortunately, Goku is no match for Bils’ overwhelming power and is defeated. Bils leaves, asking if “there is anybody on Earth more worthy to destroy?” Will Goku and the Z Warriors really be able to stop the God of Destruction?!”

Epson brings wireless features and other innovative functions in their latest line of projectors and printers Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/epson-brings-wireless-featuresinnovative-functions-latest-line-projectors-printers/ By sentinel011 on December 15th, 2012

Earlier this week, when we posted a trailer to forthcoming anime movie Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods (which opens in Japanese theatres March 30, 2013), it wasn’t without any caveats: the video had on it this ugly blemish called scanlines. Which I’ve been hating on ever since the day I got my Xbox 360 (at launch) and a HDTV (scanlines in oldschool fighting games are A-OK with me, though). At that point in time it couldn’t be helped. Toei Animation, who distributes the film, had not yet streamed on the Net the full trailer of the highly-anticipated movie – the first Dragon Ball movie in a while to return to the series’ roots by introducing a new “animal type enemy”, according to SGCafe reader Salem (国国国). The footage from that previous post was recorded by some kind soul in Japan, where a TV variety show had briefly featured the new movie and showed a brief snippet from the trailer.

Epson brings about some exciting products for the consumers as well as businesses. We check out on what’s hot for both market sectors.

December 15th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

annotate and save the document at the same time.

Images like this will probably look like the actual thing. Many printers in the market are unable to print out ultra glossy images without bursting the bank in purchasing photo quality paper and ink. But with the new Epson SureColor T series printers, consumers and businesses not only are able to print glossy posters from the get-go, they can also print out high quality chrome finishings on their paper.

The EB-1410wi(above, left) and the EB-436Wi(above, right) retails for S$2,399 and S$3,299 respectively. The EB-1410wi will be available in stores come the start of 2013, while the EB-436Wi is available now. We reckon these projectors are very useful for both teaching institutions as well as business meetings.

We sure hope local printers can adopt this printer for sale, as it will benefit local doujin artists to add a dash of metallic color to their art, especially chrome.

From left: SC-T3070, SC-T5070 and SC-T7070 SC-T3070, SC-T5070 and SC-T7070 prints in 24-inch, 36inch and 44-inch formats respectively, and retails for S $4,445, S$6,670 and S$7,705. Other interesting products include the line of 3D projectors as well as the short throw and ultra short throw projectors. We were impressed with the Integrated Interactive short throw projectors were the EB-1410wi and the EB-436Wi. We love all the features these 2 projectors have. Just check out the list below: • Ability to be used as an interactive whiteboard without the need of an attached PC. • Ability to project content from a diverse range of input devices – including Wi-Fi and cable connection from PCs, smartphones and tablet devices, PC-free projection from USB memory devices, scanners and printers. • Dual-pen capability that allows two users to write / draw on the projection simultaneously.

What we are really interested in, is Epson‘s EH-TW8100 Full HD 3D projector. Replacing the older EH-TW8000, this monitor is good enough for wireless HD transmission via its WirelessHD receiver. We foresee the projector to be a hot favourite for gamers and movie buffs alike, since the refresh rate in 3D is also pretty fast, as with what we have tested. The EH-TW8100W will retail for S$4,599 and is currently available in stores.

Hatsune Miku: Project Diva F (PS3) – This is what the final box-art looks like Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/hatsune-miku-project-diva-ps3-finalbox-art/ By KarbyP on December 15th, 2012

• Multiple output options for annotated projections – direct saving of screens into common formats like JPG and PDF to USB memory devices, email or specific network folders – all without the need for a PC. • Compatibility with Microsoft Office ”Ink” that allows users to write on Microsoft documents and save them back into their native format (PPTx, XLSx, DOCx). • Ability to facilitate interactive collaboration for up to four locations across the network where users from all four locations can see, 4

December 15th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone By Neubronner Eugene on December 15th, 2012

Is that a… Kei illustration on the final box-art for Hatsune Miku Project Diva F that I see there? Not much to say… except, erm, Miku-san Maji Tenshi? (Which means “Miku is truly an angel!”… why is this not a meme yet?)

We usually save the best for last, and this year’s reviews are showing up one of the best for last. Far Cry 3 blasts into our life with an atmospheric world breathing with deep nuance and perfect open-world environs. There’s no question we’re in love with this game (And totally still not over uPlay’s always-on DRM for PC versions) but if you’re wondering what it’s like to get lost on a tribal island filled with pirates, mystics and crazies smoking mushrooms (Seriously) read on for our review.

One Piece: Kaizoku Musou 2 teaser trailer streamed on the Net ahead of Jump Festa 2013 Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/piece-kaizoku-musou-2-teasertrailer-streamed-net-jump-festa-2013/ By KarbyP on December 15th, 2012

Hatsune Miku: Project Diva F for the PlayStation 3 is slated to be release in Japan and Asia on March 7, 2013. More details to follow soon. Check back later!

I feel like, Lion tonight, like Lion tonight! Far Cry 3 is FANTASTIC! Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/feel-like-lion-tonight-lion-tonightcry-3-fantastic/

December 15th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

Muramasa: The Demon Blade PS Vita’s first gameplay footage reminds us how intense the ninja action game can get Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/muramasa-demon-blade-ps-vitastrailer-reminds-intense-ninja-action-game/ By KarbyP on December 15th, 2012

When we first reported on One Piece: Kaizoku Musou 2‘s reveal in the new issue of Jump magazine, we said that the hack-and-slash action title would be making its playable debut at Jump Festa 2013 later this month, along with its first trailer. Like everyone else, we assumed that we’d have to wait till Jump Festa to happen before we’d be ,. As it turns out, earlier today Namco Bandai Games decides to surprise fans by putting out Kaizoku Musou 2′s first teaser trailer on the Net before the actual event. I’m sure there’ll be an extended cut at Jump Festa itself, so if you’re a true fan of the One Piece Pirate Warriors series who’s crazy enough to book an air ticket just so you can attend Jump Festa 2013, don’t go contacting your travel agency to cancel yet. Not much new is shown in the teaser trailer anyway, which for the most part simply reiterates all the information we’ve already read about from Jump magazine: it’s coming sometime in 2013 to the PS3 and Vita, it focuses on the Grand Line, and like in the first game, the Straw Hats Pirates will take on beyond 100,000 pirate enemies throughout their adventure. The teaser trailer may also have offered a first look at the Vita version of the game. I don’t know for sure, but something about the following image (taken from the trailer) strikes me as different from the rest of what’s shown. Maybe the rendering or shader used in this scene is different? What do you guys think?

When Marvelous AQL first announced that Muramasa: The Demon Blade (国国国) – one of my favourite Wii games – would be coming to the PS Vita, I was worried how the action title’s speedy fights and gorgeous visuals (comprising layers upon layers of hand-drawn 2D art) would translate to the smaller screen. Having seen this first gameplay footage from the PS Vita port that Marvelous just put up today, however, I have to say that most of the fears I previously had were allayed all at once. Although the video (which you’ll find below) is rendered in the low resolution of 360p, and thus poor indication of how the final game will look like when played on the PlayStation Vita, it does show off that the Vita port will handle the game’s intense, speedy ninja fights quite amicably. Quite amicably, indeed. I’ll reserve final judgement for when I get to see the sprawling vistas of Western Japan in the PS Vita port. In Muramasa: The Demon Blade, backdrops are rendered in multiple different layers (several planes for rice fields, mountains, and the Sun) scroll along independently to give you a surreal sense of depth of field. The art was so fantastic that I actually enjoyed backtracking because it gave you an opportunity to run past those beautiful vistas and see them scroll in the opposite direction. Other highlights in Oboro Muramasa (that’s its Japanese title) include eating food – you are literally presented with a traditional Japanese snack, drawn in beautiful watercolour art, that you can then take bites out of every time you hit the action button – and a tragic love story that should move fans 6

December 15th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

of historical period dramas (or just really sad love stories in general).

This one’s centred on Karuna (voiced by Kouji Yusa), who is servant to Jinako Karigiri.

Outside of this first trailer, Marvelous AQL also revealed that gamers in Japan who pre-order the title from a participating store would receive a bonus soundtrack CD, filled with the BGM tunes from the game and featuring CD jacket artwork by Vanillaware, the developers for Muramasa: The Demon Blade.

Apart from the new video, two new in-game screenshots of Passionrip (… or is it Passionlip?) and Melt Lilith were also shared in today’s quick update on the game.

Oboro Muramasa for the PlayStation Vita comes out in Japan March 28, 2013. PS Vita国国国国国国国国国国

Fate/Extra CCC’s 4th short movie puts the spotlight on Karuna, servant to Jinako Karigiri Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/fateextra-ccc-4th-short-moviekaruna/ By KarbyP on December 15th, 2012

More details shortly… watch the trailer first and check back later!

Marvelous AQL today shared a new short video for Imageepoch and Type-Moon’s PSP JRPG Fate/Extra CCC.

December 17th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

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

Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus (XBLA, PSN) patch details announced Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/guilty-gear-xx-accent-core-patchdetails-announced/ By KarbyP on December 17th, 2012

Today Arc System Words has refined “some point in the future” to “Spring 2013″. The Yokohama-based 2D fighting games developer has also apparently ironed out details on what the Spring 2013 patch will contain as well – on top of the balance tweaks made in Plus R, there are also quite a few useability improvements. Here’s what the game update next year will change: +R Version changes Note: Updating to +R version is a two-step process. First, you need to launch the game and receive an automatic game update in it (when it’s available). After the update, you’ll still need to download a piece of DLC from the Xbox Live marketplace of PlayStation store before the +R changes go into effect (I hope that doesn’t mean you have to pay for the +R version upgrade; it wasn’t mentioned if this was free or not). Earlier in June this year, Arc System Works announced that they would be bringing Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R, a rebalanced version of Accent Core Plus (PS2, PSP, Wii), to the arcades. Shortly afterwards, they also revealed that Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus would also be coming home to the consoles – but not with the fresh round of balance changes in version R for the arcades, at least not at launch (both the Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network versions of the game came out in October). The balance tweaks would be introduced at some point in the future to the XBLA and PSN versions via a game update.

• The game’s title screen will change to that for version “+R” • Help & Options: You’ll be able to freely swap back and forth between versions “ACP” (Accent Core Plus) and “ACP+R” (Accent Core Plus R) under Game Settings. • In each mode of play, • Ranked Match: Kliff and Justice are now playable • Player Match: Kliff and Justice are not playable in all online Player Match sessions, regardless of settings (previously you had to tweak a setting to allow them) • Ranking: There will be a new rankings leaderboard specifically made for +R. The currently existing leaderboard will not be discarded or reset. • Trophies and achievements: new ones will be added for +R. Useability changes 1

December 17th, 2012

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These changes will take effect after an automatic game update. • Character Selection screen: the game now remembers who your previously selected character was, and which character colour you picked. • Network infrastructure: when finding matches with area or network quality restrictions turned on, the game’s matchmaking infrastructure is now stricter in finding potential matches. • Ranked Match: the time it takes for finding a match in automatic mode has been reduced, and changes have been made to help players find appropriate matches more easily. When using the Custom Search feature, a “Retry” function has been added to allow players to keep searching for their ideal match until they find something (note: this can be cancelled mid-way). Once a match has been found, the new pre-fight screen will now show your opponent’s connection quality. While searching for matches, you can also set for a sound effect, voice sample, or for your controller to vibrate to notify you when a match has been found. • Player Match: Player Match rooms can now accomodate multiplayer players. The player-rotation order can also be set to “Winner Stays”, “Loser Stays” or “Random”. Voice chat is supported in player match rooms after the patch, and you will be able to spectate other players’ matches. When a new player enters the room you can also set for a sound effect, voice sample, or for your controller vibration to go off.

When Namco Bandai Games first teased Project Versus J, a 3D fighting game developed in part to commemorate Weekly Shounen Jump’s 45th anniverssary, the new title announcement came without any concrete information – we didn’t even know which platforms the new fighter would be coming to. That all changes today. Namco Bandai Games has finally announced platform information for the title: Project Versus J is coming to PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita sometime in 2013, just like with One Piece Kaizoku Musou 2. Accompanying the platforms announcement are these two screenshots that offer fans a brief taste of what’s to come. It would seem that NBGI is eschewing the tried-and-tested celshaded graphics – done to death in 3D anime games – for a grittier look that’s closer to Capcom and CyberConnect2′s Asura’s Wrath.

• Options: You will be able to set a preference for the 1P or 2P position during online games. In cases where both players have set to play in the same position, the game will randomly assign who’s 1P and 2P. Outside of the arcade, PSN and XBLA versions of Accent Core Plus, a PS Vita port is also planned. Source: Famitsu

Project Versus J is a PS3 and PS Vita fighting game [1st screenshots] Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/project-ps3-ps-vita-fightinggame-1st-screenshots/ By KarbyP on December 17th, 2012

(Bigger: 1, 2) Project Versus J is said to be a “team battle action game”, and an opportunity for all of Weekly Shounen Jump’s characters to duke it out and determine who’s No.1. So far three characters have been confirmed – Son Goku from Dragon Ball, Luffy from One Piece, and Toriko from Toriko: Gourmet Monsters – but the wording in today’s announcement certainly sounds like we can expect to see the protagonists from all the other major Jump franchises to make it into the title. Who would you like to see featured in the game?

December 17th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

(*Note: a full list of videos contained in Disc 3 can be found near the end of this post.) All-told, you’re looking at over 150 minutes’ worth of footage in this third extra disc – and that’s not counting all the event footage contained in discs one and two. The box set also comes with a fourth disc: a “Type-Moon Fes. -10th anniversary drama CD ~Stardust Operator~” (プププププププププププププ) edited together by renowned Type-Moon scribe Kinoko Nasu. ププププププププププJ | ププププププププププププププププ

All of it comes together in one neat package – illustrated for the occasion by Type-Moon’s artists, of course – that goes on sale in Japan January 16, 2013. For the price of 9.800 yen.

TYPE-MOON Fes. -10TH ANNIVERSARY EVENTBlu-ray Disc Box’s 3rd disc contains a smattering of OP videos Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/type-moon-fes-10th-anniversaryevent-blu-ray-disc-boxs-3rd-disc-smattering-op-videos/ By KarbyP on December 17th, 2012

Special footage shown at Type-Moon Fes

Couldn’t make it to the Type-Moon Fes -10th Anniversary Event- held earlier this year in July? Then you’ll want to pick up the TYPE-MOON Fes. -10TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT- Blu-ray Disc Box, which has got most of the talk sessions at the event recorded down – two whole Blu-ray discs’ worth of video footage – for your viewing pleasure. Apart from the two main Blu-ray discs covering stage events, the box set will also include a third Blu-ray disc whose contents have finally been revealed this weekend: it contains a smattering of special videos shown at the 10th anniversary event – including a new, 26-minutelong Carnival Phantasm episode, a promotional video for anime movie Kara no Kyoukai: Mirai Fukuin, and a trailer for ”Next Type-Moon Contents” that offers a sneak peak at what’s coming ahead – plus a collection of numerous opening intros from past Type-Moon games.

プTYPE-MOON Fes.OP 1st day プTYPE-MOON Fes.OP 2nd day プFate/stay night [Realta Nua] for PS Vita PV(Saber route ver.) プププププププププププププププSpecial season ププププププププププププププププププププププププ PV 3

December 17th, 2012

ププFate/EXTRA CCCプPV ププFate/EXTRAププププCDププPV プププププププププププププププPV プププププププププププププププPV プNEXT TYPE-MOON PRODUCTS Past game OPs and more

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- Special digi-pack contents Source: 4Gamer

Street Fighter X Mega Man doesn’t just have a ‘last boss’, but also a ‘secret last boss’ Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/street-fighter-mega-man-last-bosssecret-boss/ By KarbyP on December 17th, 2012

プPCプFate/stay night OP (Saber route ver.) プPCプFate/stay night OP (Rin route ver.) プPS2プFate/stay night [Realta Nua] OP (Saber route ver.) プPS2プFate/stay night [Realta Nua] OP (Rin route ver.) プPS2プFate/stay night [Realta Nua] OP (Sakura route ver.) プPCプ Fate/hollow ataraxia OPプataraxia ver.ププPCプ Fate/hollow ataraxia OP(hollow ver.) プPSP ププププ/プププププププププ OP プPSP ププププ/プププププププププププププ OP プププププププPV ププMELTY BLOODプPV プTYPE-MOONプププVOL.4 ププププププププププププププププププ Fate/ wondering journeyプ(ププププププTYPE-MOONプププVOL.6 プププププププププ/プププププププププププププププププププププ Product Specifications - Release date: January 16, 2013 - Price: 9,800 yen - Product Code: ANZX-6455 Product Contents: - 4 Discs (2 Blu-ray discs covering the main event; 1 “extra features” Blu-ray disc, 1 drama CD)

Who could it be? It’s just one-and-a-half more days to the December 17 release of free-to-download PC gameStreet Fighter X Mega Man, created by Singapore’s very own “Sonic” Seow Zong Hui (you’ve seen some of his handiwork behind in the sprite animations for Cross-Counter Asia’s 8-bit opening intros). To drum up even more hype to this highly-anticipated tribute to two of Capcom’s strongest video game franchises, Capcom-Unity has put out a quick documentary video to tell the origins story of Street Fighter X Mega Man, complete with interviews with all the parties involved in making this amazing release a reality. As a bonus, the video contains some footage of the Vega/ Claw stage that has yet to be shown in any of the trailers or gameplay footage of Street Fighter X Mega Man that has come before it, and during his interview bit, creator Zong Hui also drops a megaton bomb for fans looking: it won’t just have a last boss (cos, you know, it wouldn’t be a Mega Man game if you didn’t have to fight through all eight bosses again before confronting a final boss), but also a secret last boss. Make sure you download Street Fighter X Mega Man come December 17 (US time; December 18 our time) from the Capcom-Unity blog! And tell all your friends about it! Source: EventHubs

- TYPE-MOON illustrated box 4

December 17th, 2012

Team Ninja’s Yosuke Hayashi on Dead or Alive 5 Plus development build: “right now it’s running at 60FPS” [Video]

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Although the purpose of his appearance was mostly to introduce Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge on the Wii U, at some point Hayashi once again took out his PS Vita to show off a little bit of the DOA5+ development build.

Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/team-ninjas-yosuke-hayashi-deadalive-5-development-build-right-running-60fps-video/ By KarbyP on December 17th, 2012

It’s unknown if the one he has on Friday’s livestream was the exact same one he showed off a week ago, or if it’s been improved. Nevertheless, this time, while showing off the game, Hayashi-san did not resort to any weasel words. “Right now it’s running at 60 frames per second,” he said on the stream, to which Takahashi Meijin expressed his amazement. “60 frames?” Meijin asked. “Yes, it’s running at that,” Hayashi once again proclaimed. Dead or Alive 5 Plus for the PS Vita comes out in Japan March 20, 2013. In the US the game is slated to be released March 19, 2013. Last week, at Tecmo Koei’s first Dead or Alive 5 official tournament, Team Ninja leader Yosuke Hayashi showed off a development build of Dead or Alive 5 Plus for the PS Vita briefly to those in attendence (as well as viewers watching at home through a livestream) and said – according to Famitsu – that it was running at “close to 60 frames per second”.

Trailer for ‘One Piece Glorious Island’ teases at an episode of the anime you won’t be able to see

But why did Hayashi-san say “close to” 60 frames per second? Was it because the development build’s framerate, at the time, wasn’t quite 60FPS yet? Is it even possible for trained eyes to tell if the game was running at 55FPS or 60FPS. Why did he say “almost” (ププ in Japanese).

Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/watch-trailer/ By KarbyP on December 17th, 2012

Personally, I think Hayashi was just being modest; as many of you gamers would know, the framerate of a video game rarely ever stays the same. It fluctuates depending on what’s going on in the game. Sometimes the fraterate gets a little higher, from 60fps to, say, 63 fps, and sometimes it dips a little lower to maybe 55fps. But even if it dips to under 60fps by a few frames, it’s still technically accurate to say that the game is locked down at 60fps. Thus maybe Hayashi-san was afraid that the framerate might dip to 50-something during the more intense moments in the game, while he was showing off the build at the tournament last week. But that no longer matters. Because this week, Team Ninja’s head ninja Yosuke Hayashi is manning up. The DOA5 producer appeared as a guest on a Geccha (gaming channel) livestream held late this past Friday hosted by Ayana Tsubaki and Takahashi Meijin (the legendary man who can hit a button 16 times in one second, and split a watermelon doing so). 5

December 17th, 2012

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Because One Piece Film Z: Glorious Island, one of several lead-ins to One Piece Film Z which premiered in Japanese cinemas this weekend, is exclusive to NOTTV. What’s NOTTV, you ask? Why, depending on your perspective, it’s either the most ingenious idea, or the stupidest one, that mobile execs in Japan came up with. An idea conceived shortly after the Japanese TV industry fully switched to digital broadcast, NOTTV is essentially a form of mobile TV that uses the now-abandoned analogue broadcasting spectrum to provide video content to specific mobile devices (you need a special antenna in your phone or tablet to access NOTTV; only 17 devices from Japan’s leading telco NTT DoCoMo can connect to the service). The NOTTV service currently comprises three channels – NOTTV1, NOTTV2, and NOTTV News. So basically NOTTV is a form of television accessible to only a very limited number of devices (and thus, customers). It’s certainly not TV – which most mobile devices in Japan can access thanks to a little something called 1Seg Tuner.

Source: Crunchyroll

Snow Miku 2013 Nendoroid pre-orders open tomorrow; Project Diva Arcade and Diva f (PS Vita) modules coming soon Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/snow-miku-2013-nendoroid-preorders-open-tomorrow-project-diva-arcade-diva-ps-vita-modulescoming/ By KarbyP on December 17th, 2012

How do these clever mobile execs get people to tune in to NOTTV, then? Simple. Broadcast exclusive content, such as the One Piece Glorious Island anime short, which you’ll want to watch if you’re a big One Piece fan. Here’s the trailer for it: Fortunately, One Piece Glorious Island isn’t the lead-in to bridge the story gap between the main One Piece anime series and One Piece Film Z. There’s also a One Piece: Episode of Luffy: Hand Island Adventure: And worse comes to worse, you can always just stick with episode 577 of the main anime series, which alludes to the new anime film:

Earlier in Spring this year Good Smile Company and Sega gave us a Sakura Miku 2012 Nendoroid and Project Diva Arcade module to usher in the season of beginnings. Now that 2012 is drawing to a close, the two companies have once again teamed up to bring us a new seasonally themed 6

December 17th, 2012

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Hatsune Miku Nendoroid and Project Diva module: meet Snow Miku 2013, in all her various form factors.

Nendoroid Snow Miku 2013

Starting tomorrow, December 17, the first batch of Nendoroid Snow Miku 2013 figures – also known as Nendoroid Snow Miku Strawberry White Kimono Ver. (プププププププププププププププVer.) – will be open to pre-order balloting over at the e-plus online store. The online balloting for the new Nendoroid figure will take place between December 17 1PM Japan time, to December 23 11:59PM, and the results will be announced on December 27. If you didn’t (or couldn’t) snag one during the online balloting period, you could also pick one up during Wonder Festival, to be held on February 10 next year at the Makuhari Messe, or directly from the Good Smile X Karaoke no Tetsujin Cafe from February 10. The Snow Miku 2013 Nendoroid will subsequently be sold online as well, but only sometime after it’s been made available through the avenues mentioned above. One point of interest with the new Snow Miku 2013 Nendoroid is that you can freely change the figure’s hair style from the default look to that of Miku’s original twin tails.

December 17th, 2012

Snow Miku 2013 Arcade modules

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Project

Diva

Snow Miku 2013 AS (プププ2013 AS, 300vp)

Tomorrow, December 17, also marks the release of two new Hatsune Miku Vocaloid modules in Sega’s Project Diva Arcade game: the Snow Miku 2013, and Snow Miku 2013 AS – a version that sports Miku’s trademark twin tails, just like with the Nendoroid. Snow Miku 2013 (プププ2013, 300vp)

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way~ O what fun, it is to play, Project Diva Arcade with both Snow Miku 2013s in the same song, hey!~

December 17th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

Source: Mikatan’s blog (Japanese)

‘Haiyore! Nyaruko-san’ TV anime: title and key visual for second season (2013) revealed Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/haiyore-nyaruko-san-w-second-

Snow Miku 2013 Project Diva f module

season-2013/ By KarbyP on December 17th, 2012

And the fun doesn’t stop there; gamers who own Hatsune Miku: Project Diva f on the PlayStation Vita will be able to join in the festive fun as soon. At some point in the near future Sega plans to roll out the Snow Miku 2013 and Snow Miku 2013 AS modules into the Vita’s Project Diva f as DLC (probably paid… we’ll see). Here’s what they look like. Note that the facial expressions are different from the same modules for Project Diva Arcade – in a previous interview Sega did mention before that the character models in Project Diva f are actually more advanced than those in Diva Arcade, after all, to the point that certain things like facial expressions can never be ported over fully.

Back in September animation studio Xebec announced that TV anime series Haiyore! Nyaruko-san (ププププ! ププププププ) would be getting a second season sometime in 2013. Since then, we haven’t heard any new details about the romance comedy anime’s sequel – we don’t even know what it’s called. That three-month drought of new information ends today, however, as the new season of the show finally has an official title: Haiyore! Nyaruko-san W (ププププ! ププププププW), with W being read as “double” in Japanese. The title announcement was made at a “Nippon Housou Music and Comic Presents: Anime Kohaku Utagassen Vol.2″ (ププププププププププププ presents ププププププププ Vol.2) event held 9

December 17th, 2012

earlier today that featured live musical performances from renowned anisong artistes such as Sphere, Aya Hirano, and the special unit Ushiro Kara Haiyoritai G, comprising three of the voice actresses involved in the Haiyore! Nyaruko-san anime series. The unit performed the opening theme for the anime.

Published by: VR-Zone By JLZeta on December 17th, 2012

Along with the title reveal, Xebec has also shared a new key visual for the title. Here it is from the show’s official website:

In other Nyaruko-san related news, Japanese broadcaster TV Tokyo has scheduled a re-run of the anime’s first season to happen in the second half of January (between January 15 and 31), and a series of six character song CDs have also been announced today. Part 1: February 20 (Wednesday) Ushiro Kara Haiyoritai N (Nyaruko) / ププププププププププププププププ Ushiro Kara Haiyoritai M (Mahiro Yasaka) / ププププププププププププププププ Part 2: March 6 (Wednesday) Ushiro Kara Haiyoritai C (Cthugha) / プププププププププCプププププ Ushiro Kara Haiyoritai H (Hastur) / プププププププププHプププププ Part 3: March 20 (Wednesday) Ushiro Kara Haiyoritai Y (Takehiko Yoichi) / プププププププププ Yププププププ Ushiro Kara Haiyoritai T (Tamao Kurei) / プププププププププTププププププ All six character song CDs will be sold at 1,260 yen each (including tax). Source: Haiyore! Nyaruko-san W

Cacpcom releases new Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate Wii U videos

Getting pounded into paste by giant monsters never looked this good.Capcom has released teaser videos for the english version of Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate showing highlights from 3 of the monsters in the game (Lagombi, Zinogre and Brachydios). As usual, the hunters in the videos are rank amateurs, but the videos are definitely worth checking out to see how well the monsters have made the transition to HD (all 3 have only appeared on portable systems previously). Note that the videos are from the Wii U version; Capcom has stated that save data is transferable between the Wii U and the 3DS versions and that cross-platform multiplayer will be possible. Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate is slated to be released in March for the 3DS and the Wii U.

Capcom announces Professor Layton Vs Ace Attorney artbook, Okami anthology comic Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/capcom-announces-professor-laytonace-attorney-artbook-okami-anthology-comic/ By JLZeta on December 17th, 2012

Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/cacpcom-releases/

December 17th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

No objections, your honour!Capcom has announced that they will be releasing a Professor Layton Vs Ace Attorney artbook and an Okami anthology comic next February.

The Professor Layton Vs Ace Attorney artbook weighs in at 176 pages; the A4-sized artbook will contain rough sketches and designs of the characters, similar to the artbooks that Capcom has released for their other series.

The Okami anthology comic, on the other hand, is a totally different animal. This 116-page A5 volume will contain manga, illustrations as well as a cover done by mangaka Satsuki Yuu (ププププ), who appears to be one of the concept artists for Okami, judging from her Pixiv profile. Oddly enough, the announcement page on Famitsu only has placeholder images instead of shots of the covers; presumably, Capcom has yet to finalise the cover designs on either release. The Professor Layton Vs Ace Attorney artbook is slated to be released in mid-February at 2,625 yen. The Okami anthology comic is scheduled for a February 28 release with a price tag of 840 yen. Source: Famitsu

December 19th, 2012

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

Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers headed to the West Spring 2013 [Teaser Trailer] Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/shin-megami-tensei-devilsummoner-soul-hackers-headed-west-spring-2013-teaser-trailer/ By KarbyP on December 19th, 2012

on a centuries-old mystic society, and a battle for control over humanity’s fate is about to begin. In the classic tradition of Shin Megami Tensei, players will have the compelling choice throughout their dungeon exploration to fight the enemy demons they encounter, or negotiate with them in an attempt to turn them into allies and teammates. Soul Hackers on 3DS includes access to 30 additional demons, a new opening animation movie and theme song, improved controls, and quicker loading times. Additionally players can use the 3DS’ bottom screen as an auto-mapping function, and engage a COMP hack to change difficulty levels on the fly and fill out maps without walking through. After clearing the game initially, the 3DS version of Soul Hackers also delivers an extra dungeon, where players will witness the appearance of Raidou Kuzunoha from the previous Devil Summoner games.”

Yes, Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers for the 3DS is being localized for Western audiences, Atlus USA announced today together with a teaser trailer for the English version. The game is slated for release Spring 2013. This is the first time Soul Hackers, originally a Sega Saturn (1997) and PlayStation (1999) game, has been officially localized in English, although there have been fan translations (playable with hacked ROMs) before. What’s Soul Hackers about? According to Atlus: Soul Hackers delivers a first-person, dungeoncrawling RPG experience set in a future where technology and otherworldly forces meet in a macabre fusion of cyberpunk futurism and gothic horror. A first-person sci-fi RPG epic, Soul Hackers tells of a city held up as a beacon of humanity’s triumph of technology, but with an infernal secret. In this would-be utopia, a group of hackers takes

December 19th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

— clampfestival 2012 (@clampfestival) December 2, 2012 So far, the cast list includes:

Live-action xxxHolic series to begin airing February 24 Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/live-action-xxxholic-series-airingfebruary-24/ By JLZeta on December 19th, 2012

Anne (Taira no Kiyomori, Yokai Ningen Bem) – Yuuko Ichihara, Shota Sometani (Tsumi to Batsu: A Falsified Romance, Koishite Akuma) - Kimihiro WatanukiMasahiro Higashide (Kekkon Shinai) - Doumeki Shizuka Karen Miyazaki (GTO 2012) - Kunogi Himawari The live-action xxxHolic is slated to to premiere on February 24. Source: WOWOW’s site, Crunchyroll

Steins;Gate Senkei Kousoku no Phenogram – Rintarou Okabe and Yuugo Tennouji story chapters detailed Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/steinsgate-kousoku-no-phenogramstory-chapters-detailed/ By KarbyP on December 19th, 2012

A CLAMP work with no noodle people? Madness! (I kid, I kid)CLAMP’s popular series xxxHolic will be getting a liveaction drama adaptation and a teaser image depicting the two lead characters has been released (as you can see above). The series is scheduled to air for eight 50-minute episodes; there’s been no word on whether the live-action series will have cameo appearances from other CLAMP series like in the manga, but one can dream, right? The manga itself appears to be getting a new series in Young Magazine under the title of xxxHOLiC・・ (xxxHolic Rei), according to WOWOW’s website and the following tweet: 【【【【【【2013【2【【【【【【【【【【【【【XXXHOLiC【【 < 【【 >【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【【HP【【【【【【【【【【CLAMP【【【clampnet.com 【clampfestival

In Steins;Gate Phenogram of Linear Restraint (STEINS;GATE ・・・・・・・・・・・), apparently series protagonist puts on a superhero costume – “Alpaca Man”, he calls himself – and spends his carefree days protecting the city of Akihabara. Looks like the self-proclaimed mad scientist has truly gone mad. But Rintarou Okabe’s story is only one of the self-contained chapters featured in Steins;Gate Phenogram of Linear Restraint (STEINS;GATE ・・・・・・・・・・・). When this new Steins;Gate sequel was first announced, it was said that the story in the new visual novel will be told not just through the eyes of series protagonist Rintarou Okabe, but also that of the other laboratory members; that “there are as many stories as there are LaboMen, coming in Spring 2013″, the 2

December 19th, 2012

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Japanese text you see in the picture above loosely translates to. As this week’s issue of Famitsu magazine reveals, however, there are actually more stories than there are LaboMen, unless you consider Yuugo Tennouji (also affectionately known as “Mr Braun” due to his love for CRT TVs, called “Braun-kan” in Japanese) a laboratory member. Last I checked, he isn’t. The new magazine, which officially goes in sale on Japanese newsstands tomorrow, has detailed the synopses for two of the character chapters in Phenogram of Linear Restraint. Synopsis translations after the pictures, as follows:

Rintarou Okabe’s scenario ・・・・・・・・ (Dr.Jekyll on lines) Scenario writer: Shimokura Bio (・・・・・, a scenario writer involved in the original Steins;Gate and Phantom ~Requiem for the Phantom~) Assuming the role of “Alpaca Man”, a hero and ally of justice who protects the peace in Akihabara, Rintarou Okabe resolves incidents in the city of geeks through the use of Dmail and his time-slip machine. The only person who knows Alpaca Man’s true identity is Mayuri Shiina, the one who made the Alpaca Man costume that Rintarou now carries with him everyday as he patrols the streets of Akihabara. Rintarou’s story scenario begins on a day just like any other; except it wasn’t. On this very day, Kurisu Makise appears before Rintaou in a mourning dress, to inform him of a shocking piece of news. Note: One screenshot here depict Ruka Urushibara being held hostage by 4-degrees-C, the group of no-gooders who previously harassed him in the previous Steins;Gate game. Another shows an alpaca appearing on a TV screen, who is supposedly Alpaca Man’s commanding officer. 3

December 19th, 2012

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Yuugo Tennouji’s scenario ・・・・・・・・・・・ (A Strange Building Filled Of Love)

illustrators), who’s one of two artists involved in creating the PV or music video for Mozaik Role (・・・・・・・) that you see above.

Scenario writer: Shogo Sakamoto (also the scenario writer for The Idolm@ster series and Way of the Samurai)

In Megpoid the Music・ akka has put together a new piece of illustration for Mozaik Role:

Yuugo Tennouji, also known as Mister Braun, owns a CRT TV store called the Braun Tube Workshop in Akihabara, and lives in a building made out of Japanese cypress wood with his daughter Nae Tennouji. A doting father, Yuugo has been thinking about how he might be able to improve Nae and his living conditions, when he wins the top prize in a lottery. He decides to use the money to renovate the building (or possibly rebuild it from scratch, I’m not sure). When the renovation works were done, however, Nae’s facial expressions turned way gloomier than before, which Yuugo found disstressing. And so Rintarou Okabe suggests to Yuugo the idea of sending a D-mail back to the past, in order to fix the situation. Source: Katakoto Nikki

Megpoid the Music♯: ‘Mozaik Role’, ‘Jinsei Reset Button’ are in the game Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/megpoid-music%E2%99%AFmozaik-role-jinsei-reset-button-game/ By KarbyP on December 19th, 2012

Finally, in Famitsu’s article a new costume for Megpoid the Music・ star Vocaloid Gumi, Idol Princess, was also introduced. Unfortunately the full-body portrait of Gumi that shows off the new Idol Princess look is cut-off in the image above, so you can’t really tell how it looks like exactly. But since Weekly Famitsu magazine typically goes in sale on Japanese newsstands on a Thursday, I’m guessing we won’t have to wait too long before official images of Gumi’s Idol Princess costume surface on the Net. Do pick up a copy of Weekly Famitsu, if you have the chance to, for all the full details. Megpoid the Music【 (read as “Megpoid the Music Sharp”) for the PSP comes out in Japan on March 28, 2013. The game’s limited edition comes with Petanko Mini and Puchikko Mini Gumi character figures. Source: Famitsu, 2

Konami releases 2 Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance “Boot Camp” videos battling Metal Gear Ray, Mastiff units Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/konami-releases-2-metal-gear-risingrevengeance-boot-camp-videos-battling-metal-gear-ray-mastiff/ By sentinel011 on December 19th, 2012

It’s official: Deco*27′s Mozaik Role, the Vocaloid song that has been hinted at to be featured in Megpoid the Music・, has finally been announced to be part of the PSP rhythm game’s music line-up alongside Jinsei Reset Button (・・・・・・・・・) from Vocaloid producer Kemu, this week’s Weekly Famitsu magazine reveals. Apart from the two songs, the Famitsu magazine feature also announces the participation of one additional illustrator, akka (not listed in the original list of participating

Many of us are hyped up on how Platinum Games are revolutionizing how Metal Gear is played with this side iteration as a hack n’ slash game. Most of us have seen the battle between Raiden and the robot dog LQ-84i “Bladewolf”, and now Konami releases 2 new videos on their Youtube channel. Remember the Metal Gear Ray battle shown earlier this year in the trailer? Now you can watch how to decapitate the hunk of a mech, piece by piece.

December 19th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

Who says there isn’t any stealth involved? Watch this video and see how you can use it to your advantage to dispatch your enemies. Where possible, watch the videos in full HD glory. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is slated to release for the PS3 and Xbox360 on 19 and 21 February 2013 for the North America and Japan region respectively. Source: Konami Youtube channel

First Official Hatsune Miku Costume Now Available Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/official-hatsune-miku-costume/ By ellehaym on December 19th, 2012

Arm covers

There are tons of Hatsune Miku costumes available online. But if you want the authentic outfit of your favorite virtual diva, it’s time to order the official Hatsune Miku costume. This is the first official costume release from Crypton Future Media Inc.

Necktie

Cospa Inc., the official partner of Crypton Future Media in the creation of the costume, is currently accepting orders for Hatsune Miku’s emerald green dress (which is her main outfit). This product was released under Cospa Inc.’s TranTrip label. Below is the whole outfit set:

Hair accessories and headset (adjustable)

Sleeveless jacket and pleated skirt

December 19th, 2012

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Capcom announces release date for PC version of Resident Evil 6 Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/capcom-announces-release-date-pcversion-resident-evil-6/ By JLZeta on December 19th, 2012

Boots

Now if only they’d do something about that giraffe-looking logo…

Cospa is a company known for creating cosplay costumes of premium quality. They offer comfortable party costumes at reasonable prices. The official Hatsune Miku costume costs 13,440 JPY (160 USD). Their TranTrip label has released outfits from popular anime series including Gundam, Neon Genesis Evangelion, One Piece and Dragon Ball. It’s the company’s first digital idol wardrobe.

Capcom has announced that Resident Evil 6 is headed for PCs in the form of a digital download for North America, while European markets will see a physical release. They’ve also promised that the PC version will come with all of the content available in the console versions and will include all free content updates (like the one previously reported here) in the future for the game. On a side note, the announcement page mentions that the Steam release will also include cloud saves, Steam achievements, friend support, game overlay and leaderboards.

Since it’s a costume designed under the supervision of Crypton Future Media, there’s no doubt that the outfit set comes with excellent details. We know that some cosplayers love to be creative and design their own costume. However, it’s a totally different feel when you know that the details of your costume are exactly like Hatsune Miku’s dress. Unfortunately, the package doesn’t include a wig. You would need to purchase from other stores to complete your Hatsune Miku get-up. If you’re interested in wearing your favorite virtual idol’s official outfit, you can visit the official product page.

The system requirements are as follows:

Source: Asahi Shimbun

Minimum specs • OS: Windows Vista®/XP, Windows 7, Windows 8 6

December 19th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

• Processor: Intel® CoreTM2 Duo 2.4 Ghz or better, AMD AthlonTM X2 2.8 Ghz or better

R for the PS Vita, naturally those old animated scenes will be brought into the new Vita title – but it won’t just be that.

• Memory: 2 GB RAM

There’ll be new animated scenes. Over 10 from studio Production I.G., in fact, this week’s issue of Weekly Famitsu is revealing on Thursday.

• Hard Disk Space: 16 GB free hard drive space • Video Card: NVIDIA® GeForce® 8800GTS or better • DirectX®: 9.0c or greater • Sound: Standard audio device Recommended specs • OS: Windows Vista®/XP, Windows 7, Windows 8

Apart from the increased number of animated scenes, Famitsu has also got a couple additional details on the game (which may not be new per se, and may have been lifted directly from the DS version) along with some new screenshots. Check back with SGCafe later in the day for more information (and hopefully, scans or images) from this week’s Famitsu magazine.

• Processor: Intel® CoreTM 2 Quad 2.7 Ghz or better, AMD PhenomTM II X4 3 Ghz or better • Memory: 4 GB RAM • Hard Disk Space: 16 GB free hard drive space • Video Card: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 560 or better • DirectX®: 9.0c or greater • Sound: Standard audio device

Resident Evil 6 for the PC will be released on March 22, 2013. Source: Capcom Unity

Tales of Hearts R (PS Vita) features over 10 new animation scenes from studio Production I.G. Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/tales-hearts-ps-vita-features-10animation-scenes-studio-production-i-g/ By KarbyP on December 19th, 2012

Source: Imepic

AKB48 Member Tomomi Kasai to graduate from the group soon Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/akb48-member-tomomi-kasaigraduate-group-2/ By ellehaym on December 19th, 2012

After thanking her fans for their support on her solo debut single, Masaka, at the Tokyo Dome City Hall, 21-year-old member Tomomi Kasai reveals that she will soon graduate from the group. The sad news on her departure from AKB48 was announced during The 2nd AKB48 Kohaku Taikou Uta Gassen on December 17.

Production I.G. (Robotics;Notes, Psycho-Pass, 009 RE:CYBORG) worked on a bunch of 2D animated scenes for the original Tales of Hearts for the Nintendo DS back in 2008. Now that the game is being re-made as Tales of Hearts 7

December 19th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

I’m not sure what’s going on with the Western release of Phantom Breaker, 5pb’s 2D fighting game for the Xbox 360 that came out in Japan last year, and was supposed to have been released earlier in 2012. But at least Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds, a 4-player side-scrolling beat-em-up spin-off, is still well on track for a Spring 2013 release both in and outside of Japan. “I joined AKB48 when I was 14, and have been in the group for 6 and a half years. It made me learn a lot of things. Now that I’ve received a chance for a solo debut, I would like to convey the messages in my songs with my own ability from now on,” Kasai explains with tears in her eyes after her apology on the sudden news. She appeared alone on stage when making the announcement. We’ve seen members of this girl group graduate for the past few years. And we have to admit, every time a member leaves, it’s heart-breaking for every AKB48 fan. Still, let’s look forward to the future activities of Tomomi Kasai. As a solo artist, we’ll surely see more of her individual appeal as we watch her sing and perform solo on stage. The details on the graduation, including when and where it will be held, have yet to be announced. Source: tokyohive

Learn how to play ‘Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds’ (XBLA, Spring 2013) with these character move trailers Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/learn-phantom-breaker-battlegrounds-xbla-2013-with-these-trailers/ By KarbyP on December 19th, 2012

Call it a benefit of digital distribution or what you will. I’m just glad that gamers outside of Japan won’t have to wait an entire year (or possibly longer) after the title’s maiden release in its home country just to be able to buy and play the game. Especially since every new video of the title publisher 5pb has shown has only been further indication that this will be the next great 4-player co-op experience, right up there with past XBLA greats Castle Crashers and Castlevania: Harmony of Despair (I’m not counting Hard Corps or Guardian Heroes since they only support 2-player co-op).

Opening movie It’s still a good three to four months longer before the sidescroller sees the light of day digital release. Nevertheless, if you’re inclined, you can start learning how to play and formulate team tactics today, for 5pb has just put out a bunch of character move trailers that run through all of the playable characters’ special attacks. There’s also an opening movie (as seen above), which for some reason claims that the game has four playable characters (even though 5pb put up six character move trailers). 5pb has yet to announce anything on the DLC front, I believe, but the incongruity between what the opening movie is claiming and the actual number of playable characters available can only mean one thing: two of the six characters are either hidden at the start, or DLC.

Main heroines Secret or DLC characters:

December 21st, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

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

Sony & EA team up for PlayStation Vita festive offer Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/sony-ea-team-festive-playstationvita-bundle/ By KarbyP on December 21st, 2012

pick up one of two EA titles for an additional 30 bucks. The EA promotion will last till January 31, 2012, But if you’re planning to pick up the bundle, you might want to do it early to capitalise on PlayStation Plus PS Vita’s launch titles (the free games change every month, and once they’re gone, if you didn’t grab them, you’ve missed it). Do note, however, that Sony and EA’s offer does not apply to the new Cosmic Red and Sapphire Blue PS Vita models that just hit stores in Singapore earlier this month. That said, even if you do not take up the EA games offer, all PS Vita Wi-fi units purchased at S$399 at participating retailers are eligible to receive the 180-day subscription to PlayStation Plus (while stocks last). If you’re looking to pick up a 3G/Wi-Fi unit, you’ll receive a full year’s subscription to PlayStation Plus instead, as well as Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken, developed by Ratloop Asia who are housed right here in Singapore. Again, the freebies are while stocks last.

Christmas comes a little early this year for gamers thinking of picking up a brand new PS Vita along with one of two hallmark EA titles to spend the holiday season with. Beginning today, December 21, gamers who pick up a Crystal Black or Crystal White PlayStation Vita Wi-Fi model along with either EA’s FIFA13 or Need for Speed: Most Wanted for S$429 at participating retail stores will receive two bonus gifts: a 4GB memory card, and a 180-day subscription to PlayStation Plus, Sony’s special membership program that gives PS3 and PS Vita users access to free games every month. For reference, the recommended retail price of a PS Vita WiFi model is at S$399, while the 3G/Wi-Fi unit is priced at S $469. So essentially this promotion means that you can also

Currently, the free games on Asia’s PlayStation Plus service include Vita titles Uncharted: Golden Abyss, Unit 13, as well as PlayStation Classic games The King of Fighters 98 and Tekken 2 (PS Classics also work on the PS3). 1

December 21st, 2012

Here’s a list of participating stores for the promotion:

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It is unclear at the moment if this new series will be a continuation of the first two instalments of the Hayate no Gotoku TV anime shows, the events in which largely follow that of Hata’s manga series, or a follow-up to the recent Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, where the story is an original one – penned in part by Hata himself – based on ideas that never made it into the manga. The art style in Can’t Take My Eyes Off You was also quite a tad bit different from the first two anime series. Perhaps the illustrations accompanying the new Hayate no Gotoku anime announcement are meant as a hint for discerning fans to spot?

New ‘Hayate the Combat Butler’ anime series in the works, to air in Spring 2013 Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/hayate-combat-butler-tv-animeseries-2013/ By KarbyP on December 21st, 2012

Source: @MangaNewsJapon [NSFW]

Sunrise’s TV Anime Series ‘Valvrave the Liberator’ to Premier in April 2013 Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/sunrises-tv-anime-series-valvraveliberator-air-april-2013-japan/ By ellehaym on December 21st, 2012

Can’t get enough of Kenjiro Hata’s gag comedy anime series Hayate the Combat Butler (also known as Hayate no Gotoku or ハハハハハハハ!)? Especially now that Hayate no Gotoku: Can’t Take My Eyes Off You has just finished its run on Japanese TV this past week? Then you’ll be glad to know that the series’ producers are planning a brand new season of the show to air as early as Spring 2013, according to a magazine page photographed by Manga News Japon. The new TV anime series will begin airing on TV Tokyo next Spring. 2

December 21st, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone By JLZeta on December 21st, 2012

Finally, another mecha anime from Sunrise is coming next year. On Friday last week, the official website for Valvrave the Liberator showed a key visual image (seen above) and streamed the series’ first 15-second TV commercial which only showed the wings, head and hand of a red-colored mecha. The second ad released earlier now reveals the main staff of Sunrise’s new anime. According to Mainichi Shimbun’s Mantan Web, the story takes place in a futuristic age where 70% of mankind lives in cities located in the outer space. The series’ main protagonist is Haruto Tokishima, a high school student who lives in Jiōru, a small and neutral nation between Dorushia Military Pact Federation and the Atlantic Ring United States (ARUS) – the two major powers. During the invasion of the Dorushia army, Haruto Tokishima encounters the mysterious Valvrave, a gigantic, humanoid weapon. Aside from the newly streamed video, the anime series’ staff information was also posted on the official website. • Directed by Ko Matsuo

Namco Bandai is now accepting orders for “clear materials poster” sets for The iDolm@ster: Cinderella Girls, the spinoff game for mobile phones.The A4-sized posters come in three sets of four, one for each type of idol in the game (Cute, Cool and Passion). Each poster in the set will be signed by the idol it depicts; in addition, the index also includes a ‘thank you’ message from the idols. Click the image below for a larger view of the posters:

• Series Composition by Ichirou Ohkouchi • Original Character Design by Katsura Hoshino • Character Design by Tatsuya Suzuki • Mechanical Design by Makoto Ishiwata, Naohiro Washio and Kunio Okawara Source: Official Valvrave Website, Mantan Web

Preorders open for signed Idolm@ster: Cinderella Girls posters Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/preorders-open-signed-idolmstercinderella-girls-posters/

December 21st, 2012

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Since only 12 of the 100 or so idols from the game are getting posters (for now, at any rate), Namco Bandai is throwing in a little bonus: a random poster in each set will be replaced by a special “shiny parallel” version of said poster, with shiny bling-bling glitter on the signature and parts of the background.

For reference, the idols in each set are: Cute set: Uzuki Shimamura, Sachiko Koshimizu, Miho Kohinata, Anzu Futaba Cool set: Ranko Kanzaki, Rin Shibuya, Kaede Takagaki, Riina Tada Passion set: Airi Totoki, Jougasaki, Kirari Moroboshi

Mika

Jougasaki,

Rika

Each set goes for 2,100 yen; orders close on 4 February 2013. Source: Famitsu, Namco Bandai’s order page, im@s wiki (Cinderella Girls characters page)

‘It’s Not My Fault That I’m Not Popular!’ manga to be adapted into anime series

Watashi ga Motenai no wa Dō Kangaetemo Omaera ga Warui! (ハハハハハハハハハハハハハハハハハハハハ! or WataMote for short), an on-going manga series in Square Enix’s Gan Gan Comics Online service written and illustrated by Nico Tanigawa, is getting an anime adaptation, according to a page in an unspecified anime magazine (likely one of Square Enix’s Gangan Comics magazines) spotted by blogger IEEE802.11. IEEE802.11 believes that this is likely the announcement Gangan Comics Online has in store for its readers on December 22, 2012, at the stroke of midnight. If you go to Gangan Online’s homepage now, and look towards the right, somewhere in the middle there is a widget counting down to a “Christmas present announcement”, with approximately one day and two more hours on the clock to go. If the Christmas present announcement indeed refers to the WataMote anime adaptation that IEEE802.11 unearther today, this wouldn’t be the first time Gangan Comics has revealed a manga-to-anime adaptation in such a manner: the TV anime version of Daily Lives of High School Boys (ハハハハハハハハ) was also unveiled via a countdown on the website.

Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/its-fault-popular-manga-adaptedinto-anime-series/ By KarbyP on December 21st, 2012

What’s WataMote about? According to TVtropes: Tomoko Kuroki is a legendary high-school girl with over fifty years’ worth of romantic experience and over one hundred male admirers… in the otome gaming world. In the real world, she 4

December 21st, 2012

is an unattractive, lonely, creepy fifteen-yearold Otaku schoolgirl with severe self-esteem issues, so much so that she avoids all contact with her classmates. When she enters her first year of high school expecting her life to suddenly turn around, she is stunned when absolutely nothing changes. This forces her to take a hard look at herself for the first time, and resolve to become more sociable and popular. Hilarity Ensues. ハハハハONLINE -SQUARE ENIX- [via IEEE802.11]

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here. Some of these modules may be familiar to you if you’ve been a Project Diva fan for a while now. Stylish Energy, for instance, is in Project Diva f (for the song Remocon or ハハハハ). A few of the other costumes were also added to Project Diva Arcade in the past.

Nameless 200vp)

No.1

(ネネネネネ

No.1,

No.7

(ネネネネネ

No.7,

Hatsune Miku: Project Diva Arcade – 4 more modules for December Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/hatsune-miku-project-diva-arcade-4modules-december/ By KarbyP on December 21st, 2012

Valkyria Chronicles 3 costumes come to Project Diva Arcade in the third batch of new modules for the month of December. Yep, you read that right – this is the third batch of new modules Sega has added for December (here are the first and second batches). They sure are in a giving mood this month. The four new modules (two each for Rin and Len) will be added to Hatsune Miku: Project Diva Arcade via an update on December 27. Two of these (Nameless 01 and Nameless 07) are a collaboration with Valkyria Chronicles 3 (in case you’re wondering, 01 is Imca and 07 is Kurt Irving), while the other two are from a piapro contest that Sega organised a while back, asking fans to design Vocaloid costumes that would be used in the loading screens for a game they tentatively called “Project MMT”. I could be wrong, but I believe Project MMT was the codename for Maimai, and at an earlier point of development Sega considered introducing Vocaloid characters in the arcade rhythm-dancing title.

Nameless 200vp) Designed by Sega

Nevertheless, if you’re curious which other Vocaloid designs also won the contest, head over to the piapro page over 5

December 21st, 2012

Tradschool (ネネネネネネネネ, 250vp) Designed by Hakiri (ハハハ)

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Student Council Executive (ネネネネネネ 250vp) Designed by Hatsu (ハ)

December 21st, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone By KarbyP on December 21st, 2012

This bit of news come to us from the future. Specifically, from tomorrow. The official website for fantasy-novel-series-turned-TVanime Red Data Girl has just received an update – one that’s dated December 21, 2012 – in the form of a new key visual illustration on the top page. It was also announced on the newly-updated site that the show would be airing on Japanese TV sometime in April 2013. (In case you’re wondering, it’s not even December 21 in Japan yet, at the time we’re posting this.)

‘Red Data Girl’ TV anime series to air in Japan April 2013 Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/red-data-girl-tv-anime-series-airjapan-april-2013/

Other than the brief announcement and visual refresh, the site’s “Staff & Cast” section has also now been furnished with a partial list of production and voice cast members. Saori

December 21st, 2012

Hayami will play the role of Red Data Girl’s 15-year-old protagonist, Izumiko Suzuhara.

Published by: VR-Zone By KarbyP on December 21st, 2012

On the Staff & Cast section, fans of the original novel series can also read a special message (in Japanese) from Red Data Girl author Noriko Ogiwara. Red Data Girl tells the story of 15-year-old middle-school student Izumiko Suzuhara, a girl who’s born and raised at Tamakura Shrine, a world heritage site located in the mountains. Despite her shy personality and an odd afflictment that causes any electrical device that she touches to be broken, Izumiko’s guardian Yukimasa Sagara decides to enrol her in a high school in Tokyo. There, Izumiko is reunited with her childhood friend Miyuki Sagara, and eventually discovers that their fates are intertwined along with a mythical entity known as the “Himegami”. Red Data Girl is being produced by studio P.A. Works, with character designs from the venerable Kishida Mel.

Contrary to popular believe, Japan doesn’t always get all the cool video game-y stuff way ahead of the rest of the free world. God of War: Ascension, for instance, will arrive in Japan on March 14, 2013, two whole days after it’s out in the US on March 12, because video games have to come out in Japan on Thursdays (unless it’s a public holiday on Wednesday, apparently).

ハハハRDGハハハハハ

God of War: Ascension gets a classy original Dual Shock 3 controller in Japan Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/god-war-ascension-classy-originaldual-shock-3-controller-japan/

And it’s not just God of War: Ascension we’re talking about. Every single recent Street Fighter release, America and Asia gets it a couple of days ahead of Japan’s Thursday game release cycles – even though the fighting games were developed in Japan. Also, Halo 4 came out on November 6 in every single country in the world, except for Japan, where the game was launched on November 8. Take that, Japan! I’m not too familiar with the situation, but I think game publishers in Japan may actually be required by law to release their titles on a Thursday or something. Or it could simply be a logistic thing, who knows. Anyway, so God of War: Ascension gets a March 14, 2013 release date in Japan, and if it were any other game, that would have been the end of it. But Sony’s being extra nice this time around. When the game drops in Japan, gamers will be given the choice to pick up just the game alone, at 5,980 yen, or add 4,000 yen to that and pick up a limited edition “game plus Dual Shock 3 controller” bundle (God of War: Ascension ハハハハハ DUALSHOCK®3 ハハハ). Also included in the bundle is a download code for “Judgement Blade”, a weapon for use in GoW:A’s multiplayer mode. The thematic Dual Shock 3 controller is gold in colour, and bears the God of War franchise logo (an “Omega” greek sign), as well as the protagonist Krator’s mug. Pretty classy.

December 21st, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

What a waste for Sony to make the bento lunch box only to have their party guests finish eating it in a matter of minutes! Or so Kojima Productions director Hideo Kojima thought, when he was at Sony’s party two days ago.

At the moment it’s not announced yet if the GoW:A themed controller would be available in other regions, but given that a lot of gamers around the world love the God of War series and would probably… in light of the recent tragedy (which has nothing to do with video games), let’s just leave it as, these gamers pick up the sweet, sweet controller in a heartbeat.

Unbeknownst to everyone, the esteemed Metal Gear series producer and famed mind-games trickster had apparently asked Sony for one of the Metal Gear bento sets to take back to the Kojima Productions office, where he had his people run a 3D capture scan on it, so that they may reproduce the whole thing digitally. Today on Twitter, Kojima showed off the results of his studio’s work on it, along with a few shots to document the process (note: the second image you see below is a raw 3D scan of the bento lunch box, rendered in Fox Engine under the “normal map” setting).

God of War: Ascension for the PlayStation 3 comes out March 12 in the US (and likely Asia… no word on that yet), March 14 in Japan, and March 15 in Europe.

Ultimate Metal Gear character bento lunch box forever immortalised in Kojima Pro’s Fox Engine Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/ultimate-metal-gear-character-bentolunch-box-immortalised-kojima-pros-fox-engine/ By KarbyP on December 21st, 2012

The final result is the image you see below. Kojima said that this level of detail is possible with his studio’s Fox Engine after spending about two hours working on the bento’s raw 3D scan. Imagine that!

Sony’s Ultimate Metal Gear bento lunch set (the one with Old Snake, Big Boss, and Raiden’s faces in it) was absolutely amazing. It must have taken Sony’s food artisans an incredulous amount of time (and creativity) to make it.

On Tuesday Kojima said that the faces in the bento were made with mashed potato, the hair and beard made from green onion, the eyes are quail eggs with tapioca used for eye colours, and that the bandanas are seaweed. Looking 9

December 21st, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

at the digitally recreated bento, you can definitely see those ingredients in the image’s glistening detail. “This is SCE’s specially-made MG25 anniversary ultimate character lunch box, digitally recreated in FOX Engine!” Kojima proudly proclaimed in another tweet.

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII 1st trailer — Lightning’s new look comes complete with bat-goggles Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/lightning-returns-final-fantasyxiii-1st-trailer/ By KarbyP on December 21st, 2012

“Since I first tweeted about the ultimate character lunch box [two days ago], the tweet has been retweeted over 10,000 times, and so I was surprised! You guys must really like character lunch boxes, huh? Maybe we’ll release this as an in-game item *laughs*,” he continued. Want to see that happen in a Kojima Productions game someday? Then make sure you go over to this tweet over here, and RT the hell out of it.

Square Enix today streamed on the Web the first trailer for Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, which offers a fairly detailed look at gameplay in the new JRPG – said to be world-driven, as opposed to story and player-driven in the first two FF13 games. Like we reported earlier this week, Lightning’s sporting a spiffier look in this third instalment in the FF13 franchise, and I have to say: pictures do not do her new costume justice. It just looks that much more stylish in motion, to the point that Lightning looks almost like an anti-hero or even a harbinger of doom rather than a heroine who’s the entire world’s last hope. Just look at that pair of bat-goggles Lightning puts on (image above)! Apart from a cloak on her back and two straps that attaches the front-body armour to her, it would seem that Lightning’s back and sides are not fully covered, perhaps taking a page from Dante’s Devil May Cry 3 costume (i.e. you don’t need to be fully covered up if your enemies aren’t fast enough to hit 10

December 21st, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

you), trading fortification for lightweight mova… oh, what the heck am I going on about, it’s a video game! It looks cool. Period. From the trailer it’s quite apparent that Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII is running on a game engine similar to that in XIII-2, but with a number of tweaks since this time around Lightning is apparently going alone. What I’m liking so far: it would appear that you no longer need to bring out a Paradigm Shift menu in order to switch between your character roles – at one point in the video goes from the “Enchanter” role to “Cerberus” mid-combat after launching a Reaver enemy into the air with Firaga. Rather than picking commands from a menu, it would also seem that every role now comes with four commands mapped to your face buttons on the PS3/X360 controller. Each button press gradually depletes your action gauge (in blue), which slowly recharges over time. The button-press commands make a lot of sense: in XIII-2 one of the main strategies for surviving boss fights was to switch to the Defender-Defender-Defender (or whatever the role is called in the English version) paradigm whenever you see the boss enemy bring out their one-hit-kill special attacks (usually highlighted to you by means of an indicator up top that tells you the name of the enemy move). Right after that, you’d switch to your healing paradigm to regenerate your health. What that means was that, in order to allow players enough time to switch to the Defender paradigms, Square Enix basically had to ensure that every game-ending attack had a bit of a wind-up to it, which made them super easy to counter – there were entire boss fights where I just had to blast the boss with everything I had, and then occasionally switch to Defender roles when they bring out the big guns. With Lightning Returns’s system, instead of changing roles all the time, the guard command is just mapped to a button. Hopefully that will mean that bosses will have some hardhitting attacks that will come out so fast that it’ll test the player’s reactions. If not, at the very least, the new style of commands will lend an action game feel to the JRPG to match its already-action-game-ish stylish presentation.

December 24th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

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

sasakure.UK X Deco*27′s Hatsune Miku song ’39′ coming to Project Diva F, Diva Arcade, Maimai, LSP in March 2013 Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/sasakure-uk-deco27s-hatsune-mikusong-39-coming-project-diva-f-diva-arcade-lsp-march-2013/ By KarbyP on December 24th, 2012

Sega’s Merry Christmas PV, which has Hatsune Miku singing and dancing in a Santarina costume, is a homage to the original from akka, non and hie, as you’ll see in the video below. And here’s the original PV by akka, non and hie, for comparison’s sake: Full music production credits are as follows: Music by sasakure.UK Lyrics by DECO*27 Arranged by sasakure.UK & DECO*27 GuitarミDECO*27 & yuxuki waga (s10rw / fhána) Bass: ミミミミ (Scop) Drums: kous Keyboards: 40mP ChorusミDECO*27 Synthesizerミsasakure.UK Programmingミsasakure.UK & DECO*27 Original Nico Nico Douga PV credits: Concept Design: akka Illustration: ミミ Movie: hie

39 in Sega feat. Hatsune Miku Project games It’s almost Christmas, and boy, does the “Sega feat. Hatsune Miku Project” development team have a present for you. Today the Tokyo-based developer has shared on the Net a very special “Merry Christmas” PV for this year’s Hatsune Miku 5th Anniversary song, 39 (read as “San Kyuu” or “Thank You”). The song, written by Deco*27 and composed by sasakure.UK (both producers also worked together on the song’s arrangement), was used earlier this year between August and September as the TV commercial theme for Family Mart’s Miku Loves FamiMa Campaign (ミミ LOVES ミミミミミミミミミミミ, CM videos at this link). When 39 was first uploaded and shared on Nico Nico Douga back in July of this year, ahead of the Family Mart campaign, the song was accompanied by a PV music video featuring the talents of akka (concept design for the PV), non (ミミ, who worked on the illustrations), and hie (movie production).

Of course, like with Sony’s Ultimate Metal Gear bento, it’d be a waste to make this PV specially for Christmas and just leave it at that. Sega had to go through the trouble of licensing it and everything, after all (it’s said that the Project Diva Arcade theme only managed to finish production on this PV just in the nick of time for Saint Nick). So Sega will be introducing the song in almost all of its Sega feat. Hatsune Miku Project titles.

December 24th, 2012

39 will be featured as a non-playable song in Hatsune Miku: Project Diva F‘s (PS3) Live Studio mode when the game comes out on March 7.

Published by: VR-Zone By ellehaym on December 24th, 2012

In March, the song will also be added to Hatsune Miku: Project Diva Arcade (late March), Maimai (early March), and Hatsune Miku: Live Stage Producer.

Are you anticipating the release of Lelouch Lamperouge’s brand new figure? Then here’s the good news: Hyper Hobby magazine has announced that the SH FiguArts Zero is slated for an April 2013 release in Japan. This gallant figure of Code Geass‘ antihero stands 140 millimeters tall and comes with an alternate head. You can also remove the cape and interchange the hands. Upon release, the SH FiguArts Zero will cost 3,990 JPY (around 47 USD).

Source: Crunchyroll

Mark your calendars for SH FiguArts Zero’s April 2013 release

First movie preview of ‘Saint Young Men’ comes in time for Christmas Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/movie-preview-saint-young-mentime-christmas-season/

Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/mark-calendars-sh-figuarts-zerosapril-2013-release/

December 24th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

By ellehaym on December 24th, 2012

As previously reported, the cast includes actor and musician Gen Hoshino (as Buddha) and movie, stage and TV actor Moriyama Mirai (as Jesus). Staff: Directed by Noriko Takao Script written by Rika Nezu Character designs by Naoyuki Asano The anime movie is an A-1 Pictures production and will open in theaters on May 10, 2013. The OVA, on the other hand, will be released with a limited edition of Vol. 8 and with July’s Vol. 9 release. Check out the trailer below: Source: Comic Natalie via Crunchyroll With Jesus’s birthday just around the corner, the first trailer of Saint Young Men gets streamed on the Net. In addition to the preview, a special will also be released on Christmas Day as promised by the official website of this anime movie. Saint Young Men, a seinen comedy manga by Hikaru Nakamura (Arakawa Under The Bridge), is to be adapted into a movie and OVA. It follows the lives of Gautama Buddha, The Enlightened One, and Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Once again, they both experience the life of a mortal, the modern way—living together in a small apartment in Tokyo as roommates.

‘Bodacious Space Pirates’ anime movie set for Winter 2014 Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/roadshow-release-bodacious-spacepirates-set-winter-2014/ By ellehaym on December 24th, 2012

December 24th, 2012

After the ending credits of the final episode rolled, we were left with a clue that a Bodacious Space Pirates movie would be released.

Published by: VR-Zone

Finally, on December 21 (the day that the world was supposed to end), the teaser site of the title’s feature film opened and left us a big clue: The movie opens in winter 2014.

The New Year looks promising especially for gals (like me!) who are waiting for romance anime titles like Amnesia. Let’s face it. Not all girls are able to play otome games. That’s why an otome game that gets an anime series is something to rave over.

Other than the big announcement, the website also teased us with a big key visual photo which is placed on top of the site (above).

The Amnesia preview streamed on the official site last Friday reveals the cast and staff of the anime adaptation of Otomate’s game for the ladies.

Additionally, the home video release of Bodacious Space Pirates by Sentai Filmworks starts next month. Let’s just hope to hear more specific details about the film after the holidays.

The main protagonist is an amnesiac girl who wakes up

Sources: Crunchyroll and Bodacious Space Pirates Official Site

The female protagonist then receives a phone call from an unknown man, claiming to be her lover. She meets her boyfriend, regardless of the fact that she can’t remember him.

Promotional Video for ‘Amnesia’ anime streamed Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/promotional-video-amnesiastreamed/ By ellehaym on December 24th, 2012

on the 1st of August. A boy suddenly appears, introducing himself as a spirit named Orion. He aids the heroine in regaining back her memories.

In the promotional video, you will also hear the opening song of the anime entitled Zoetrope sung by Nagi Yanagi. The series’ ending theme is Recall sung by Ray, according to the official site. Cast: Female protagonist: Kaori Nazuka Shin: Tetsuya Kakihara Ikki: Kishou Taniyama Kento: Akira Ishida Touma: Satoshi Hino Ukyou: Kouki Miyata Orion: Hiromi Igarashi The series is directed by Yoshimitsu Ohashi, with character designs by Maho Yoshikawa. The series script editor is Touko Machida. Amnesia is a production by Brains Base. It premieres on January 8. Source: Amnesia Official Website

Regional Pokemon goodies now available in Japan! Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/regional-pokemon-goodies-japanavailable/

December 24th, 2012 By ellehaym on December 24th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

There are prints such as Oshawott in a ramen, Pikachu with an Okonomiyaki, Meowth eating a Japanese melon and Eevee holding an ebi fry. So if you’re a Pokemon fan visiting Japan within the said period, don’t forget to stop by a Pokemon Center to get these goodies!

Source: RocketNews24

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: AllStar Battle — 3rd PV feature characters & rivalries from Parts 3 to 6 Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/jojos-bizarre-adventure-all-starbattle-3rd-pv/ By KarbyP on December 24th, 2012

Gotta catch ‘em all, regional style! Starting this season until March 2013, all Pokemon Center retail stores in Japan are selling limited edition regional Pokemon merchandise. Pikachu, Meowth, Eevee and Oshawott pose with a famous item that a particular region has. These Pokemon Center stores are located in Hokkaido, Sendai, Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka. The famous Pokemon characters are printed on different items including the following: Earphone Jack Accessory – 609 JPY (7.24 USD) Beaded mobile phone charm – 525 JPY (6.24 USD) Socks – 420 JPY (4.99 USD) Small towel – 525 JPY (6.24 USD) Ballpen – 630 JPY (7.49 USD) I’m a little disappointed that Dio – really the true star of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (in all of its various parts) doesn’t get an entire PV trailer dedicated to all of his magnificence. But the way this third PV for JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: AllStar Battle ends (by highlighting a key moment in Part 3 of Hirohiko Araki’s long-running manga series) more than make up for the lack of screentime for Dio. Before we get to that though, the trailer briefly introduces the lead characters from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Parts 3 to 6 first, starting with Part 6: Stone Ocean’s Jolyn Kujo and Hermes Costello, and working its way back to Part 3 where we get to see Avdol, Hol Horse, Kakyoin and Polnareff in action. 5

December 24th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

In case you missed it, here are the game’s first and second PVs as well. The first one is just an announcement trailer with brief snippets of gameplay, while the second offers a deeper look at Kotaro Kujo (Part 3 protagonist) and young Joseph Joestar (Part 2′s hero). Young Joseph Joestar’s exploits can be seen in the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure anime that’s currently airing on Japanese TV (and taking the nation by storm, might I add). An aged version of Joseph Joestar also appears as a lead hero in Part 3: Stardust Crusaders, which was adapted in two sets of OVA series released in the mid 90′s and early 2000′s respectively. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle for PlayStation 3 is slated for release sometime in 2013.

the

Fully Colored Dragonball Z Manga to be Reprinted and Released in February 2013 Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/fully-colored-dragonball-mangareprinted-released-february-2013/ By ellehaym on December 24th, 2012

Dragon Ball Chōzenshū, on the other hand, will be released in 4 volumes monthly, from February 4 until May 9. An art exhibition, Akira Toriyama: The World of Dragon Ball, will also tour to Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya from March until September accompanying the release of the new film, Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, which opens in Japanese theatres this coming March. Sources: Kanzenshuu and Manga-news Japon

Megpoid the Music♯: a closer look at akka’s new illustration for Deco*27′s ‘Mozaik Role’ Dragonball Z’s popularity never falters.

Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/megpoid-music%E2%99%AF-closerakkas-illustration-deco27s-mozaik-role/ By KarbyP on December 24th, 2012

And that’s why the popular action and adventure manga by Akira Toriyama is getting a fully-colored reprint, set to be released on February 4 next year. On the same day, the reference book named Dragon Ball Chōzenshū will also be released. According to V Jump’s February 2013 issue, the fullycolored, three-volume manga will cover the Saiyan Arc.

December 24th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

Megpoid the Music♯ (read as “Megpoid the Music Sharp”) for the PSP comes out in Japan on March 28, 2013. The game’s limited edition comes with Petanko Mini and Puchikko Mini Gumi character figures. Megpoid the Musicミ Official Site

We’ve routinely been one of the first sites in the world to bring you the latest on ParaPhray’s Vocaloid Gumi-themed PSP rhythm-action game, Megpoid the Musicミ, and we aren’t going to disappoint you now – even though today’s update is a tiny one.

Fate/Extra CCC’s 5th short movie: it’s finally BB’s time to shine Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/fateextra-cccs-5th-short-moviefinally-bbs-time-shine/ By KarbyP on December 24th, 2012

Earlier in the week we reported that Mozaik Role and Jinsei Reset Button have been confirmed to be featured in Megpoid the Musicミ, and sure enough, today the songs have been added to the music list on the game’s official website. The site’s list of participating illustrators have also been updated to include akka, who was one of the artists working on the PV for Deco*27′s Mozaik Role (you can find the video in our previous story), and who has drawn a new piece of key visual illustration for the song, exclusively for Megpoid the Musicミ. You can see the illustration on the official homepage’s list of songs, but here it is anyway, with and without the game’s logo:

Call her Bebe, Baby, or whatever you want. By any name BB’s voice sounds just as sweet, for she is played by Noriko Shitaya, the seiyuu who is also behind Sakura Matou in Fate/ Stay Night, Carnival Phantasm, and the previous Fate/Extra game. Like we previously reported, BB is a mysterious girl (and possibly villain) who created the Sakura Labyrinth in the virtual reality world of Fate/Extra CCC. An AI whose creator has yet to be revealed, she’s been made to resemble Sakura Matou in many regards. In terms of design, BB is the most human-like among the three new Fate/Extra CCC characters who resemble Sakura.

If you haven’t had a chance to check it out, here’s the game’s opening movie:

December 24th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

Fate/Extra CCC for the PSP is slated for release in Japan 21 February 2013.

December 26th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

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

‘Tiger & Bunny -The Rising-’ trailer released: Could it be the last day of Sternbild City? Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/tiger-bunny-the-rising-trailer-daysternbild-city/ By ellehaym on December 26th, 2012

Aside from the dreaded “last day”, the movie also reveals that we’ll be seeing “the shocking fate of the hero combi!!” The same production team and cast return for the second movie of Tiger & Bunny. Cast: • Wild Tiger/Kotetsu T. Kaburagi: Hiroaki Hirata • Barnaby Brooks, Jr.: Masakazu Morita Staff: • Director: Yoshitomo Yonetani • Screenplay/Stordy Director: Masafumi Nishida Our favorite sponsored superhero duo returns in a second movie! On Christmas Day, the official website streams its first teaser trailer for Tiger & Bunny -The Rising- movie. The short video clip shows us what’s happening on the supposed “final day of Sternbild City”. Will our favorite Tiger and Bunny combo and the rest of the superheroes be able prevent this from happening? We’ll find out as it premiers in autumn 2013.

• Character Design Concept/Hero Design: Masazaku Katsura • Distribution: Shochiku and T-JOY • Planning/Creation: Sunrise Tiger & Bunny -The Rising- will feature a new story which will serve as a sequel to the TV anime series. And if you look at the preview, it seems that the superheroes will be facing a brand new antagonist. I haven’t a clue of who he is because only a shadowy figure emitting a strange light can be seen. Sources: Tiger & Bunny -The Rising- Official Site and JEFusion

These are the costumes Kasumi will wear in Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge [Video] Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/costumes-kasumi-wear-ninjagaiden-3-razors-edge-video/

December 26th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

By KarbyP on December 26th, 2012

A couple more stills to satiate your bloodlust:

Back when Tecmo Koei and Team Ninja announced that Dead or Alive Kasumi would be making her way into Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge as a (free) DLC playable character, they didn’t say which costumes the Mugen Tenshin kunoichi would be able to wear in the Wii U action title – other than her default appearance, in her new stealth suit costume as introduced in DOA5, of course. Does this mean that Kasumi would come without additional costumes, since the DLC update is free to begin with? Of course not. Don’t be silly. Team Ninja is legendary when it comes to fanservice (which YouTube user BloodBurger has done a good job documenting in these videos). Team Ninja simply wasn’t ready to share specifics on Kasumi’s appearance yet. Today, they finally are, and have come forward not only with new screens featuring Kasumi in all her various forms of kunoichi fanservice, but also a deadly trailer to prove that she kicks high she’s kick-ass. Costumes-wise, other than the stealth suit you have to unlock in DOA5 by almost-clearing the Story mode, Kasumi will also have the option to don on her classic Player 1 and Player 2 costumes that have been stalwarts in the entire Dead or Alive series, as well as a fourth costume that appears to be brand new (at least, I don’t believe I’ve seen it in any DOA title).

December 26th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

Hatsune Miku: Project Diva F (PS3) accessory set comes with skins for every PS3 model in existence Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/hatsune-miku-project-diva-ps3accessory-set-skins-ps3-model-existence/ By KarbyP on December 26th, 2012

December 26th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

Also contained in this seven-item PS3 accessories set are a Dual Shock 3 controller skin, a controller stand, mascot figure, cleaning cloth, a charm strap, and a set of four (earphone) cord managers themed after Hatsune Miku, Kagamine Rin, Kagamine Len, and Megurine Luka. The Dual Shock 3 controller skin and stand, as well as the Hatsune Miku mascot figure contained in the pack can be seen in the image above. And here are what the cleaning cloth, charm strap, and set of four cord managers look like:

As for gamers who own the gigantic first-generation model of the PS3 (like myself), well, that’s even more real estate:

As for the PS3 skins, if you own the latest “super slim” model, you have a choice between two designs (both are apparently included in the pack, and you’re encouraged to swap between them the same way you do Vocaloid modules in Hatsune Miku: Project Diva games): If you happen to more than one of the three types of PS3s as shown above, then you’re in luck: all four of the skins above will be included in the pack. It strikes me as a little odd, since normally it’s pretty costly to buy just one PS3 skin alone, much like get a pack of four skins (at least two of which the typical PS3 user would not lead) as well as a bunch of other cool accessories. But according to this image provided by Amazon Japan, everything does indeed come in one package.

Owners of the previous model, the “slim” PS3, will have quite a little more real estate to work with, so an image of Hatsune Miku herself will actually grace the top of your console:

December 26th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

The art style of Senyu may be simple, but this manga by Robinson Haruhara has been reaching milestones ever since its initial serialization in Niconico Seiga, an online illustration site. And now, this manga series is having a big break with a TV anime premiering next month.

Price for the entire pack? According to Sega, the recommended retail price is 4,179 yen including tax.

Not all manga titles get a chance to have an anime adaptation (yes, I know this because I have been watching Bakuman). But I would have to say Senyu is impressive, being one that has only been serialized in Jump Square in its June 2012 issue. Probably because of its references to popular fantasy JRPGs (*cough* FFVII’s Cloud *cough*)? Nonetheless, by just seeing its fast-paced progress, one can have big expectations for this upcoming anime. I’m looking forward to the laughs that this series will bring.

But! If you go to Amazon Japan now, you’ll see that they’re offering a discount for the set, slashing the price down to 3,409 yen for the whole thing!

Senyu is directed by Yutaka “Yamakan” Yamamoto with the series composition written by Michiko Yokote. The cast includes:

On AmiAmi (who ships internationally), the same set can also be pre-ordered for 3,540 yen (not including shipping). For that price it’s quite unbelievable that Sega is including four PS3 skins in one package, but if you try to order the accessories set there does not seem to be a field where you can indicate which PS3 skin you’d like. There’s also no other indication that each customer is entitled to only one of the PS3 skins per pack. Regardless, if you want this, you ought to pre-order it right away. On Amazon’s site at least, they’ve said that they are anticipating high demand for the item, and thus will allow only one order per customer. The Hatsune Miku Project Diva F PS3 accessories set comes out the same day as the game itself, on March 7, 2013.

Gag fantasy anime ‘Senyu’ to premiere on January 8, latest preview released Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/gag-fantasy-anime-senyu-premierejanuary-8-latest-preview-released/ By ellehaym on December 26th, 2012

• Ai Kayano • Hiro Shimono • Yuuichi Nakamura • Jouji Nakata • Kenichi Suzumura The story goes like this: Satan Rchimedes goes back to earth after getting sealed by a hero for a thousand years. In attempts to reseal Satan, the King sends out the descendants of the hero. But the problem is that the genuine descendants are hard to find. As a solution, the King selects 75 people who are hero-like. The story follows the adventures of Alba (hero number 45) and Ross (Alba’s monitoring fighter). Check out the previews below: Latest: Sources: Crunchyroll and MyAnimeList Forum

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3′s 4th PV runs through all nine of the series’ Jinchuuriki Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/naruto-shippuuden-uns3-4th-pvall-9-jinchuuriki/

December 26th, 2012 By KarbyP on December 26th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone By ellehaym on December 26th, 2012

It’s amazing how anime and manga deal with almost every aspect of life’s passions. And now, even a manga on bicycling will get an anime adaptation soon. If you’re an anime fan and a passionate cyclist at the same time, you might want to keep a look-out for Yowamushi Pedal (Weakling Pedal). Wataru Watanabe’s (Densha Otoko) cycling manga will be getting an anime adaptation planned for a release next year, as revealed in this week’s issue of Shōnen Champion magazine.

In the ninja world of Masashi Kishimoto’s manga and anime series Naruto, there are nine Jinchuuriki – ninjas who are also human vessels that have the power of these gigantic Chakra monsters, the “tailed beasts” sealed within them. For the first time in a video game, you’ll be able to play as all nine of the Jinchuuriki ninjas, in Namco Bandai Games and CyberConnect2′s Naruto Shippuuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3, due to be released in March 2013.

The series has been running since 2008 in Akita Shoten’s magazine. The manga is a story about Sakamichi Onoda, a high school freshman and otaku who is trying to rebuild an anime club that has recently broken up. When two student cyclists, Shunsuke Imaizumi and Shokichi Naruko, see Onoda ride the mamachari, a bulky bike he owns since he was young, they see his skills and potential. The cyclists found out that Onoda is their schoolmate and tries to convince him into joining the bicycle racing club.

If you haven’t been catching up on your Naruto, this new trailer (the 4th official trailer so far) for Naruto Shippuden UNS3 that Namco Bandai Games shared on the Net today does a pretty good job of introducing who the nine Jinchuurikis are. The great thing about all Ultimate Ninja Storm games is that you really do not have to be familiar with the Naruto franchise – every title always covers enough story scenes from the entire scope of the story to make sure you’re not left out. In UNS3′s case, the story begins from as far back as before Naruto is born, and shows the feud between his father, 4th Hokage Minato Namikaze, and series villain Obito Uchiha, before diving deep into the latest chapter in the series. Well, even if you consider yourself a true blue Narutard, you’ll want to watch the new trailer anyway, for a sampling of what they can do in-game and to see if the game versions live up to the manga and anime series’s counterparts. Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 is due in March 2013.

The anime series’ official site is at yowapeda.com, but right now, it’s still empty.

Yowamushi Pedal to be adapted into a TV anime

Yowamushi Pedal previously had a stage play adaptation. It starred Ryouta Murai, the actor who played Kamen Rider Kuuga from Kamen Rider Decade.

Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/yowamushi-pedal-adapted-tv-anime/

Source: Crunchyroll

December 26th, 2012

Compile Heart’s Christmas announcement is for Mugen Souls Z Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/compile-hearts-christmasannouncement-mugen-souls/ By KarbyP on December 26th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

PlayStation magazine this Thursday (December 27) to find out what Compile Heart is really announcing. But the fact that this announcement involves a “Keiji Shootingstar Inafune”, who’s said to have “succeeded the title” from the previous general producer, is a huge hint. Back when JRPG Attoteki na Mugen Souls was first announced, Compile Heart pulled a similar marketing gimmick, and said that the producer was one “New Keiji Inafune” who is not the actual Keiji Inafune but who respects the real deal a lot. This New Keiji Inafune person was said to be the General Producer in the Idea Factory group. Although the real Keiji Inafune wasn’t the producer of Mugen Souls, he did come up with character designs for the game. In case you don’t remember: In any case, we know for certain now that this new title that Compile Heart is announcing on December 27 through Dengeki PlayStation magazine is in fact Mugen Souls Z, thanks to this week’s issue of Famitsu magazine. The new game is a sequel to the first, and will star a new “absolute god” protagonist, Sirma (稲稲稲), who seeks to conquer the 12 worlds created by a certain other “absolute god”.

The producer for this game is some guy who calls himself “Keiji Shootingstar Inafune” (稲稲稲稲稲). Presumable this new producer is not “New Keiji Inafune”, who was named producer for the first Mugen Souls. Neither of these people are the real Keiji Inafune (Soul Sacrifice, Yaiba). But before we get to that, let’s dial back the clock a little, and provide you with a little context on what we’re dealing with over here. Since last week, Compile Heart has been teasing on its official site some sort of major announcement that it would be making on Christmas Day. The announcement was said to be its last big announcement of 2012.

Now that it’s Christmas, the link to the big announcement is finally click-able. Doing so will lead you to this site, where the following video is embedded: The video itself technically doesn’t really say anything. Instead it’s telling viewers to pick up a copy of Dengeki

In the first game, absolute goddess Chou-chou sought to conquer the seven-colour planets in the first game; which inadvertently meant that she had to liberate those planets from their demon-lord kings. I didn’t exactly play the game so I have no idea what happens in the end, but there are apparently multiple absolute gods in Mugen Souls’s universe. Ryoji, Nanamedakei, A-10 and other artists who worked on the first game once again return do to the character designs for Mugen Souls Z, with music by Tenpei Sato (he also provided the catchy tunes for the first Mugen Souls). Idea Factory’s Kenta Kanno serves as Director on this sequel. We’ll update this post later if any further information is revealed. For now, if this is the first time you’re hearing about Mugen Souls, here’s a PV:

Atelier Meruru Plus is real; new costumes include Rorona’s garb Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/atelier-meruru-real-costumesinclude-roronas-garb/

December 26th, 2012 By KarbyP on December 26th, 2012

Published by: VR-Zone

One more tiny morsel of info to share before we go: like we mentioned yesterday, Atelier Meruru Plus will include new events that will leave fans salivating. Apparently, one such event is some kind of showdown between Meruru and her master. In the PS3 version there was already something like that, however, so at the moment we don’t know if this Meruru and master showdown refers to that quest on the PS3, or a brand new one. It’s also mentioned that there are other shocking developments new in Atelier Meruru Plus, but we’ll have to wait quite a while longer before we find out. Atelier Meruru Plus (稲稲稲稲稲稲稲稲 Plus 稲稲稲稲稲稲稲稲稲稲3) for the PlayStation Vita is slated to be released in Japan March 20, 2013.

Preparations for the 10th anniversary of Natsume Yuujinchou begins Stop the presses! Atelier Meruru Plus is real! 7netshopping didn’t make a mistake in listing it on their site!

Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/preparations-10th-anniversarynatsume-yuujinchou-begins/ By ellehaym on December 26th, 2012

According to this week’s issue of Famitsu Weekly, one of the new costumes for Meruru added in Atelier Meruru Plus for PlayStation Vita is that of Rorona’s. We don’t have any images of Meruru in Rorona garb for now, but here’s what Rorona from Atelier Rorona, the first game in the Apprentice of Arland trilogy, looks like:

The celebration may be months away, but as early as now, Natsume Yuujinchou (Natsume’s Book of Friends) is getting prepped for its 10th year anniversary. The popular supernatural/slice of life manga created by Yuki Midorikawa started out as a one shot in LaLaDX’s July issue which went available in May 2003. Afterwards, it began its serialization in 2005 and in 2008, it was transferred to the main LaLa magazine.

So far there hasn’t been any images or scans on the Net from this week’s issue of Weekly Famitsu, but as usual, we’ll update this post later if we find any.

Natsume Yuujinchou is a story about Takashi Natsume, a teenager who sees spirits since he was a child. He inherited a strange notebook (called the Yuujinchou) from his deceased grandmother and soon finds out from a spirit cat (he calls Nyanko-sensei) that it is the reason why spirits are always after him. Each leaf serves as a binding contract between the spirit (who owns the name written in the notebook) and the possessor of the Yuujinchou. After discovering this, Takashi 8

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decides to return the names of the spirits to set them free and makes a deal to transfer the ownership of the notebook to Nyanko-sensei after he dies. If you’re enjoying Takashi Natsume’s heart-warming adventures with the fat, yet adorable Nyanko-sensei and the other spirits, I would bet that you’ll be looking forward to the soon-to-be released novel, which is a part of the anniversary celebration. Sadayuki Murai (the script writer of the Natsume Yuujinchou TV anime) will be writing the manga series’ novel counterpart. It is slated for release on January 4 together with the 15th volume of the manga. On the same day, a special give away will also be launched.

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Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII — ‘Styles’ take the place of ‘Paradigms’, costume colours can be changed Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/lightning-returns-final-fantasy-xiiistyles-place-paradigms-costume-colours-changed/ By KarbyP on December 26th, 2012

In Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, you do not have Paradigms to shift into. Instead, you create various “Styles” that you switch during combat, each style comprising of a weapon, a shield, accessories and abilities you set beforehand, according to the latest issue of Famitsu magazine. These abilities do not include just commands that you can take during combat with the press of a button, but also actions that you can take on the field, apparently. The new combat system, with Styles and everything you saw in the recent LR:FF13 trailers, does not yet have an official name, but is tentatively called “Amazing ATB (temporary name)”. Apparently it’s called that because the new combat system is basically derived from the classic Active Time Battle system, except now you take direct control of your character in terms of movement and pressing buttons for commands.

But wait, there’s more! As part of the festivities, MANGART BEAMS is working on the anniversary t-shirts. If you want to keep yourself posted about the 10th year anniversary of Natsume Yuujinchou, just follow @Natsume_Nyanko on Twitter. Source: Crunchyroll

With this new system, Square Enix says that even though you’re only controlling one character, in terms of the play experience, it actually feels as if you’re fighting with multiple characters simultaneously (or at least, that’s how they’re spinning it). You’ll be able to finely tune Lighning’s abilities and performance to accomodate your play style; but it’s not the only thing you’ll have quite a lot of control over. Lightning’s appearance can also be customised fairly extensively. Specifically, even though in the recent trailers you saw Lightning running around in a sexy stealth suit (designed by Tetsuya Nomura, according to the article), you 9

December 26th, 2012

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will be able to change costumes throughout the game, as well as change costume colours. In Famitsu’s story there are also some additional details on the world-driven nature of the game. Like what Square Enix has discussed before, in this title time is ever-flowing, and the locations of non-playable characters will change all the time. Of course, it wouldn’t be quite fair if you’re busy spending time thinking through your Style sets, and as a result, waste one of the 13 days (said to be approximately two hours of real-world time) in the game. So the flow of time will stop while the game menu is open when you’re on the field. When we say “field”, we actually mean, “pretty much anywhere in the game”. Unlike traditional Final Fantasy games, monsters can appear even in towns and cities. But for a real challenge, you’d ideally want to be at certain locations at a certain time, where a black haze known as the “Cie” will appear, which is the game’s way of indicating to you that an area is monster territory. And you’ll want to seek out the toughest monsters, because defeating monsters (any monster) provide you with items that you can use to strengthen your equipment, as well as points that can affect the flow of time (extending it). Although in Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII you’ll battle a lot of the monsters you’ve seen in previous games, Square Enix claims that about half of the monsters in this new title are designed from scratch. They’re also stressing that, unlike Final Fantasy XIII-2, this time around the story will be complete within the confines of what’s on the game retail package, meaning you won’t have to buy DLC to see the end of the story (which is kinda what you had to do in Final Fantasy XIII-2, if you want to understand the significance of a particular scene they show you in the ending, where Lighning is found in crystallised form). Square Enix is also promising that fans of characters from the previous FF13 games will be happy with those characters’ stories in this new title, that loose ends will be tied up. Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII is slated to be released sometime in 2013.

December 28th, 2012

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

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII — producer Yoshinori Kitase’s stage presentation at Asia Game Show [Video] Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/lightning-returns-final-fantasy-xiiiproducer-yoshinori-kitases-stage-presentation-asia-game-show-video/ By KarbyP on December 28th, 2012

In his presentation, Kitase announced that the game would receive a full Traditional Chinese localisation, and talked a little about Lightning’s new appearance (which he got Tetsuya Nomura to design with the direction that it has to communicate to the player that Lightning has been poweredup) and the setting in the new game. It’s not really new information. For more information on Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII (PS3, X360), check out our most recent stories on the game here and here.

Vocaloid song ‘Senbonzakura’ selected as the source material for Dwango’s 10th Nico Nico Musical Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/senbonzakura-selected-as-sourcematerial-for-10th-nico-nico-musical/ By KarbyP on December 28th, 2012

Over the weekend, Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII producer Yoshinori Kitase paid a visit to the Asia Game Show (December 21 to 23) in Hong Kong to give fans a quick presentation on some of the new features in the game. Droves and droves of fans lined up to watch Kitase’s presentation, all of them eager to greet the esteemed producer as they proudly display their Final Fantasy memorabilia by holding it high up in the air. As you’ll see in this video that Square Enix just shared, some of these fans even showed up in cosplay! And listen to the fangirls cheer the moment Kitase producer said that he had a new video of the game (the Jump Festa trailer) to show them! And that exuberant applause at the end of it all!

Dwango, the company behind Nico Video, announced today that they will be adapting Kurousa-P’s immensely popular Vocaloid song Senbonzakura into a stage musical, the tenth “Nico Nico Musical” they’ve done so far. The musical, which will see a total of 17 performances held between March 13 and 24, features an original story dramatised from the lyrics Kurousa-P wrote for the song about a dystopian mid-18th century world whose denizens suffer the depressing effects of being embroiled in a wartime scenario, and will star Kazuki Kato (“Kamen Rider Drake” in Kamen Rider Kabuto) as the male lead Vocaloid Kaito.

Hong Kong Final Fantasy fans sure are a passionate bunch.

December 28th, 2012

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‘Dokidoki! Precure’ official site updated with the TV anime’s theme songs and character profiles Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/dokidoki-precures-official-siteupdates-tv-animes-theme-songs-character-profiles/ By ellehaym on December 28th, 2012

Other leading characters in the musical include Hatsune Miku, Meiko, Kagamine Rin, Kagamine Len, and Megurine Luka – all of whom are Vocaloid software stars under Crypton Future Media. The actors who will play these roles will be announced at a press conference to be held January 10, 2013. Ginza Hakuhinkan Theatre (銀銀銀銀銀銀銀) will be staging the production, and tickets to the live performances will begin to be sold online from January. Nico Video premium users will be given first pick of the tickets, and may purchase the tickets in advance of everyone else from January 10 to 15. After which, ticket sales will open to the general public from January 19 to 25 (advance ticket sales period), and subsequently from January 27 onwards. The tickets can be purchased from all the usual joints in Japan: Sunrise Online, Ticket Pia, e-Plus, Lawson Ticket, and directly from Hakuhinkan in Ginza. On top of “Real” tickets to the physical shows, Nico Video also plans to stream the performances live on their site, available to all users who buy a “Net” ticket to watch. The livestreamed performances do not need to be watched at the time the real performances are playing; one of Nico Video’s most popular features is the ability to “timeshift” livestreams for later viewing (essentially a DVR function for paid livestreams). “Real” ticket will cost 6,800 yen (including tax), while a “Net” ticket will be sold for 1,800 Nico Video points if purchased in advance, and 2,000 points if purchased on the day of the performance (1 point or pt is the equivalent of 1 yen). Kurousa-P’s Senbonzakura has been viewed over 4,800,000 times on Japanese video sharing site Nico Video, and was the most popular user-edit song on Hatsune Miku: Project Diva f for the PlayStation Vita since the game’s launch in August this year. User-edit songs are fan creations made by loading an MP3 onto the PS Vita’s memory card and creating a musical note chart and custom promo video for it.

A new mahou shoujo anime will premiere next year. The upcoming TV anime series, Dokidoki! Precure, has updated its official website with new information—including the introduction on the main characters, theme songs and story. Dokidoki! Precure’s story goes like this: Mana Aida, an Oogai 1st Middle School second year student, was on her way to the top of the town’s Clover Tower when a monster suddenly appeared. She meets a fairy from the Trump Kingdom named Charles. With the magical fairy’s aid, Mana transforms into Cure Heart. Character introduction: Mana Aida (a.k.a. Pure Heart). Mana is the president of the student council. She has a cheerful and energetic personality. Both her fellow students and adults rely on her. Her actions usually get ahead of her thinking and she resolves problems by herself. Mana’s partner is the fairy with a warm heart, Charles.

The song is also currently rumoured to be included as one of the six new songs in Project Diva F for the PS3. Souce: Nico Video

December 28th, 2012

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Cure Sword. She is a warrior from the Trump Kingdom who escaped together with Queen Mary Ange to Earth. She regrets being unable to save her kingdom. Now separated from Queen Mary Ange, Cure Sword is in constant search for the queen. Her partner is Dabby, a fairy who is worried about Cure Sword not wanting to rely on her comrades.

Rikka Hishikawa (a.k.a. Cure Diamond). Rikka is Mana’s childhood friend and neighbor. She is the wise and quiet type. Rikka is supportive of her childhood friend, especially when she gets into trouble. She likes studying and even got into the top ten of the national mock exams. Rikka’s partner is the fairy with a mature personality, Raquel. The title of the opening theme is Happy Go Lucky! Dokidoki! Precure sung by Tomoyo Kurosawa. On the other hand, the ending song is Kono Sora no Mukou by Hitomi Yoshida. According to the website, the theme song compilation CD will be released on March 6, 2013. Dokidoki! Precure will start airing on February 3, 2013. Aside from the TV series, the anime franchise will also release 銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀 (Precure All Stars Zenin Shuugou銀Let’s Dance) for the Nitendo Wii console. The dance game is scheduled for release on March 28 in Japan. Sources: Dokidoki! Precure Official Website and Famitsu

Arisu Yotsuba (a.k.a. Cure Rosetta). Arisu is the lady of the Yotsuba clan. She previously went to the same elementary school with Mana and Rikka, and is currently studying in Nanatsuhashi Academy, a prestigious school. Her high stature makes her say things that are outrageous for the common people. Arisu’s partner is the spoiled and the youngest of the fairies, Lance.

Kyoto Animation’s ‘Tamako Market’ streams new previews, plus more info on its fantasy elements Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/kyoto-animations-tamako-marketstreams-previews-info-fantasy-elements/ By ellehaym on December 28th, 2012

December 28th, 2012

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• Hiro Shimono as the prince who owns the bird • Yuri Yamaoka as the prince’s attendant Tamako Market premieres on January 9. Sources: Crunchyroll and Ultimatemegax’s blog

Eva’s Spear of Longinus crashes down to Tokyo Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/spear-longinus-crashes-tokyo/ By ellehaym on December 28th, 2012

Tamako Market, the new comedy series airing next month, gets a new set of previews in Kyoto Animation’s YouTube Channel (while the previous ones were deleted). The cooking TV anime is about Tamako, the daughter of a rice cake owner shop. She loves hanging out with her friends, Midori and Kanna, at the badminton club of her school, creating new rice cakes and helping out with their shop at home. Tamako warmly treats all the store owners at the shopping district like her own family. Tamako has a childhood friend named Mochikura, who happens to be the son of a rival rice cake shop owner on the other side of the street. Mochikura is secretly in love with Tamako. Unfortunately, she is oblivious to his actions. Tamako’s birthday is on New Year’s Eve, so people at the shopping district would hold a special event for her. This is unfortunate for Mochikura, who wants to give her a birthday present all this time. Nonetheless, he is determined to confess his love this year. A splendid looking cockatoo suddenly appears in the shopping district at the same time. The story unfolds in a shopping district that’s getting busier as the year ends. Now you might wonder why there’s a bird in this series. And on top if its presence in the anime, it was revealed that this cockatoo talks. In an interview with the staff, director Naoko Yamada relates that the story originally started with a lot of fantasy elements (which includes the heroine having special powers). As they kept revising story, the only fantasy element left was the talking bird.

The Spear of Longinus has crashed down in front of the Tokyo Skytree. Or so it seems. Don’t worry, the Angels aren’t coming. It’s just the replica of Eva’s Spear of Longinus which was set up because of Evangelion 3.0: You Can (Not) Redo’s screening at the Tokyo Skytree Town commercial complex. The replica looks like it “crashed” because there is a pile of rubble around it. And if you go underneath the spear replica, you will see that it pierces through the ground. Check out this picture:

The cast were also revealed this month: • Aya Suzaki as Tamako Kitashirakawa • Yuki Kaneko as Midori Tokiwa • Juri Nagatsuma as Kanna Makino • Yurie Yamashita as Shiori Asagiri • Atsushi Tamaru as Mochikura Ooji • Rina Hidaka as Anko Kitashitakawa • Takumi Yamazaki as the talking bird 4

December 28th, 2012

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This exhibition is part of the promotional tour for Evangelion’s anime feature film. It was done in partnership with Nico Nico Douga (a Japanese video sharing site under the management of Niwango, Inc.). The entirety of the exhibition entitled Eva Caravan Shogoki Kyoka Keikaku (Eva Caravan Unit 01 reinforcement project) is indeed a sweet treat for Evangelion fans, especially now that the movie has grossed over 1.6 billion JPY since its opening. Sources: 銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀 and The Asahi Shimbun

The spear replica is not the only attraction of the exhibition. People who pass by the area can set their eyes upon a torii gate inspired by the colors of the Eva Unit-01. A replica of the Eva Unit-01 can also be seen.

Southeast Asia wins big at Gunpla Builders World Cup 2012 Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/southeast-asia-wins-big-at-gunplabuilders-world-cup-2012/ By KarbyP on December 28th, 2012

Master Gunpla (Gundam plastic models) builders from Southeast Asia won big this past Sunday, December 23, when they were honoured as some of the best in the world at the Gunpla Builders World Cup 2012 crowning ceremony. The ceremony was held at the Gundam Front Tokyo shopping complex in the Japanese capital’s futuristic district of Odaiba.

December 28th, 2012

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Open Course

In the Open category for builders aged 15 years and above, Philippines’s Aristeo Lamig Saavedra Jr. (pictured left in the image above) came in second with his creation, the “1/100 AGE Titus”. Aristeo was narrowly beaten out by Hong Kong’s Edy Ng, whose masterpiece “Project GWEN – ReZEL FA+FW” impressed judges with its complex beauty; Ng’s creation used a Rezel (from Gundam Unicorn) Gunpla as its base, but mixed in various other parts to achieve its distinctive look.

3rd place winner : Ko Kwon Chul – South Korea “The ZAKU (Return of the J. Ridden)”

1st place winner : Ng Edy – Hong Kong “Project GWEN – ReZEL FA+FW”

Junior Course

2nd place winner : Aristeo Lamig Saavedra Jr. – Philippines “1/100 AGE Titus”

Meanwhile, in the Juniors category for those aged 14 and below, Indonesia’s Allen Ferbrianto (pictured center, with Hong Kong’s Vincent Hui on the left and Thailand’s Krit Somabha on the right) bagged the top prize with his creation, simply entitled “Kabuki”, so-called because he 6

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painted the face of the Gunpla model in a way similar to the classic Kabuki technique of putting make-up on, known as Kumadori. 1st place winner : Allen Ferbrianto – Indonesia “Kabuki”

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Kyary Pamyu Pamyu World Tour 2013: She’s coming to Singapore Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/kyary-pamyu-pamyu-world-tourcountries/ By KarbyP on December 28th, 2012

2nd place winner : Vincent Hui – Hong Kong “Saving Gundam Base”

We don’t know the exact date yet, but on Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s official website event organiser Asobisystem has confirmed that the Harajuku electro-pop performing sensation will indeed be making a stop here in Singapore as part of her 100% KPP World Tour 2013.

3rd place winner : Krit Somabha – Thailand “Jesta Special Operation”

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s 100% KPP World Tour 2013 is said to be the 19-year-old musical act’s first worldwide oneman live tour (within Japan, Kyary previously held her first ever one-man live tour earlier this year), and will see the energetic performer holding concerts in 20 different locations across 11 coutnries: Japan, Belgium, France, UK, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, USA, Thailand, Singapore amd Australia. Dates and specific locations for Singapore, Thailand and Australia have yet to be decided, but otherwise here is the full schedule: The schedule of “100%KPP WORLD TOUR 2013″ (In the world except Japan) Belgium : 9 February at “Vk* concerts” Brussels France : 10 February at “La Cigale” Paris UK : 13 February at “O2 Academy” London

2012 was the second time that the Gunpla Builders World Cup was held. Regional qualifiers were held in a total of 13 different countries, namely: Japan, Italy, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, North America (this qualifier was for America and Canada), China, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Thailand. Source: Sankei News, Gundam Model Kits

South Korea : 9 March -Unfixed: (The place) Taiwan : 15 March -Unfixed: (The place) Hong Kong : 17 March at “Music Zone@E-Max” Kowloon Bay U.S.A. : 12 April at “Club Nokia LA Live” Los Angeles 7

December 28th, 2012

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U.S.A. : 14 April at “Best Buy Theater” New York -Unfixed : (The date and the place) Thailand Singapore Australia ** NOTICE ** The details have not yet been decided. The schedule is subject to change on very short notice. For those of you interested to know the dates and locations within Japan (written in Japanese), refer to this page here. Different from her overseas concerts, event organiser Hot Stuff Promotion is responsible for handling Kyary’s concerts within her home nation. Born Kiriko Takemura, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu first gained recognition for being a fashion blogger and model for several Harajuku fashion magazines, before making her debut in the music scene with her break-out single PonPonPon, produced by Yasutaka Nakata (also the producer for Perfume since 2003). Kyary’s next single, Kimi ni 100 Percent/Furisodation, is a double-A-side release that comes out on January 30, 2013 which is one day after her 20th birthday. Kimi ni 100 Percent is the next theme song for longrunning Japanese anime series Crayon Shin-chan, while Furisodation is a very special song that Yasutaka Nakata has written specifically to celebrate Kyary’s 20th birthday – the age at which an individual is considered an adult in Japan.

Regular edition

The accomplished artiste (and her production staff) previously won an award for the jacket design on her debut album, Moshimoshi Harajuku. On receiving the award, Kyary said that “[the staff] would like to continue putting out such quirky and funny-looking designs for our future releases.” True to her word, the jacket design for her next single features a quirky concept as well: ”What Kyary Pamyu Pamyu would look like after she’s become an adult.” On the jacket for the limited first-print edition, fans will get to see “what Kyary would look like on her wedding day”, while the cover on the regular edition shows “what Kyary would look like if she became an actress”. Limited first-print edition

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December 28th, 2012

Fate/Extra CCC’s 2nd full PV quietly announces that the game has been delayed to March 28, 2013 Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/fateextra-cccs-2nd-full-pv-quietlyannounces-game-delayed-march-28-2013/ By KarbyP on December 28th, 2012

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Hyperdimension Neptunia TV anime coming Summer 2013; from studio David Production Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/hyperdimension-neptunia-tv-animesummer-201/ By KarbyP on December 28th, 2012

Updates on the upcoming anime adaptation of Compile Heart and Idea Factory’s Hyperdimension Neptunia (銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀 the Animation) series of JRPGs have been few and far apart. After a string of short movie trailers each focusing on a different key character in PSP JRPG Fate/Extra CCC, Imageepoch and Type-Moon has finally decided to put out the game’s second full promo video. Well, they pretty much had to – they needed some way to announce that the game has, once again, been delayed. Previously the by-now somewhat ill-fated JRPG was slated to be released on February 21, 2013. The game has now been pushed back to a March 28, 2013 release in Japan. Publisher Marvelous AQL has issued a statement to the Japanese games media earlier today stating that the reason for the delay is “to further improve the quality of the game”, the typical statement that a publisher makes when they don’t really have anything in particular reason to pinpoint and attribute the real reason to.

Back in October we learned from Rie Tanaka, who plays the lead heroine Neptune in the JRPG series, that the anime adaptation would indeed be a full season on TV as opposed to an original video animation (OVA), and since then there’s been nary a whisper on Hyperdimension Neptunia the Animation — until now. An official website for the anime series has just went live today, and it reveals that the show will air as part of the Summer 2013 anime season on Japanese TV, and that it’s being worked on by the legendary studio David Production (founded by former Gonzo president and producer Kōji Kajita and producer Taito Okiura back in 2007), whose credits include the currently-airing JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, and Inu X Boku SS.

This is not the first time Fate/Extra CCC has been delayed. When the JRPG was first announced in late 2011, it carried a release date of Spring 2012 before being delayed to February 2013. Fate/Extra CCC, sequel to 20′s Fate/Extra, is a JRPG in which you play the role of a generic Master who can freely choose who your Servant is at the start of the game (four are available in this game: Saber, Archer, Caster, Gilgamesh). The game takes place in a computer world, set after a failed Holy Grail War that was attempted in the first Fate/Extra.

Hyperdimension Neptunia is set in a fictional universe known as Gamesindustri that’s split into four regions – Lastation (a parody on Sony’s PlayStation), Leanbox (Xbox), Lowee (Wii), and Planeptune (Sega Saturn) – and the storylines in the original JRPGs are based loosely on realworld gaming events, like Sega’s exit from the hardware business and Nintendo’s war against the R4 flash cart. 9

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Although the voice cast for the anime has yet to be announced, it will likely follow that of the games’, which include: Rie Tanaka (Maria from Hayate no Gotoku) as Neptune or Purple Heart (the goddess of Sega-inspired country Planeptune), Asami Imai (Steins;Gate‘s Kurisu Makise, Idolm@ster‘s Chihaya Kisaragi) as Noire or Black Heart (Sony-inspired Lastation), and Eri Kitamura (Lollipop Chainsaw) as Uni (the PlayStation Portable, personified).

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Accompanying modules for Tokyo Teddy Bear and Yumekui Shirokuro Baku are “Scissors” Kagamine Rin (designed by Shidu, who also came up with the original PV from Nico Nico that you see above) and “Tricker” Kagamine Len (designed by Tama who, too, did the original PV for the song before Sega remade it) respectively. Scissors (銀銀銀銀) Design: Shidu (銀銀)

TV銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀銀

Hatsune Miku: Project Diva F — two new songs revealed, more module silhouettes to guess Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/hatsune-miku-project-diva-songsrevealed-module-silhouettes-guess/ By KarbyP on December 28th, 2012

Tokyo Teddy Bear and Yumekui Shirokuro Baku are two more of the six brand new songs being made for Hatsune Miku: Project Diva F (PS3), Sega has revealed this week in an exclusive Famitsu story. The two songs unveiled today are the 3rd and 4th entries in the list of six new featured songs for the PS3 version. The first two were Tell Your World and Sweet Devil. Both Tokyo Teddy Bear (銀銀銀銀銀銀銀, song by Neru) and Yumekui Shirokuro Baku (銀銀銀銀銀銀銀, by Nem) are songs focused on the Vocaloid twins Kagamine Rin and Len respectively. And since December 27 happens to be the birthday for Rin and Len (like we said before, make sure to go into My Room in Project Diva f on the PS Vita for something special!), Sega has put out an official Project Diva F PS3 trailer to demonstrate what these songs look like in the game, after they’ve undergone the Project Diva treatment:

Tricker (銀銀銀銀銀) Design: Tama (銀銀)

Here are the original PVs for both songs when they were shared on Nico Nico Douga: 10

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title, it appears that Live Studio Mode is similar to Live Appreciation Mode in Dreamy Theatre Extend. In other words, it’s one way for Sega to introduce songs into the game – that you can watch as a performance – without having to create a PV or a musical score chart for you to play.

All four of the songs found in the AR Mode in the PS Vita’s Project Diva f will be viewable as performances in Live Studio Mode. In addition, Sega is including four more songs that were featured in the Hatsune Miku Sega Joypolis minilive concert held back in August. • World Is Mine ~39′s Giving Day Edition~ • Miracle Paint • I’ll Make You Do the Miku Miku銀 (You’ll Do It) (Miku Miku ni Shite Ageru銀(Shite Yanyo)) • 1/6 -out of the gravity- ~39′s Giving Day Edition~ • Four more songs

Two more module silhouettes to guess

Live Studio Mode Although the web version of Famitsu’s Hatsune Miku: Project Diva F story did not mention anything about module silhouettes, you pick up the new issue of Weekly Famitsu magazine and read the full story you’ll see that Sega has once again dropped two hints – in the form of silhouettes you see pictured above – on what fans can expect for new modules (outside of the ones that already come attached to the six new songs) they’re including in the PS3 version. You can look at the previous module silhouette – which bears a remarkable semblance to Hatsune Miku’s appearance in a certain Senbonzakura PV – in our previous story here. Famitsu’s story also has a few more details on Live Studio Mode, the new mode introduced in the PS3 version of Project Diva F. Unlike the rhythm game portion of the

The fact that Sega has shared a total of three module silhouettes thus far gives credence to our theory that Senbonzakura may not actually be a song featured in Project 11

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Diva F â&#x20AC;&#x201C; there are two more songs waiting to be revealed, but three module silhouettes. Besides, in the first place the Sega feat. Hatsune Miku Project development did say before that there will be more new modules than new songs in the PS3 version. On the flipside, Sega did license Senbonzakura for use in their other rhythm game, Maimai Plus. What do you guys think?

Source: Famitsu, scan 1, scan 2

December 30th, 2012

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

Full trailer for AKB48’s third documentary film released Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/full-trailer-akb48s-documentaryfilm-released/ By ellehaym on December 30th, 2012

Finally, this week, a full trailer of the documentary film was released through the idol group’s official YouTube channel. The film will focus on Atsuko Maeda’s graduation, the threeday Tokyo Dome concert, the members’ involvement in different scandals and other activities of AKB48 this 2012. Like the first two films, DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 to be continued 10 Nengo, Shoujo Tachi wa Ima no Jibun ni Nani wo Omou no Darou? (released last January 2011) and DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 Show must go on Shoujo Tachi wa Kizutsuki Nagara, Yume wo Miru (released last January 2012), the third documentary film is directed by Eiki Takahashi. Check out the full trailer below: DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 No flower without rain Shoujo Tachi wa Namida no Ato ni Nani wo Miru? premieres February 1, 2013 in Japan. Sources: tokyohive and JEFusion

Space Battleship Yamato 2199 teases us with the 4th movie’s first ten minutes Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/space-battleship-yamato-2199teases-4th-movies-ten-minutes/ By ellehaym on December 30th, 2012

Behind every success are tears, struggles and hard work— this is what the full trailer of DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 No flower without rain Shoujo Tachi wa Namida no Ato ni Nani wo Miru? conveys to every fan of the popular Japanese idol group. Last October, it was announced that AKB48’s third documentary film will premiere in February 2013. Then last month, we were teased with a 41-second video.

The release of the 4th Space Battleship Yamato 2199 movie may only be a few weeks away, but if you can no longer wait for the next instalment, here’s something that can make you jump with excitement: Bandai Channel has streamed the first ten minutes of the film. Check it out below:

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Space Battleship Yamato 2199 is a remake of the 1974 TV anime. The fourth film covers episodes 11 to 14 of the original series. The movie’s ending song is Kioku no Hikari (Light of Memories) by Kokia (Gunslinger Girl: Il Teatrino, Mobile Suit Gundam AGE). Space Battleship Yamato 2199: Ginga Henkyou no Koubou (The Remote Area of the Galaxy’s Offense and Defense) is slated to premiere on January 12 in Japan and will be available on home video on February 2.

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Yuri Komagata as Aki Torii This slice of life/comedy anime series is produced by Dogakobo (the studio behind Myself; Yourself and Koihime Musou). The New Year is indeed filled with laughter with its premiere next month along with the other comedy anime titles. Mangirl starts airing on January 2 (just a few days away from now). Source: Crunchyroll and MyAnimeList

Sources: Crunchyroll and JEFusion

Mangirl lightens up the manga scene with its latest preview [Video] Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/mangirl-lightens-manga-scene-latestpreview-video/ By ellehaym on December 30th, 2012

We know how stressful manga production is. But with Mangirl’s latest preview that exudes cheeriness and moeness, you might just cast the manga industry’s reality aside. The upcoming TV anime series is adapted from a 4-panel manga created by Kagari Tamaoka. It follows the story of a group of girls without any experience on manga editing. Regardless, they run towards their dream of creating Japan’s biggest manga magazine. Nothing runs smoothly but they don’t stop working hard. Staff: Directed by: Nobuaki Nakanishi Series written by Reiko Yoshida Cast: Moemi Otaka as Tsugumi Haraki Ayaka Ohashi as Ringo Nishijima Kanako Miyamoto as Hana Sasayama

Chuunibyou Demo Koi ga Shitai’s Blu-ray & DVD volume 7 contains unaired extra episode [PV] Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/chuunibyou-demo-koi-ga-shitais-bluray-dvd-volume-7-unaired-extra-episode/ By KarbyP on December 30th, 2012

The official website for romantic comedy anime series Chuunibyou Demo Koi ga Shitai has been updated today with a promo video reel for an extra episode – not part of the anime’s original run – contained within Volume 7 of show’s Blu-ray and DVD home releases. Chuunibyou Demo Koi ga Shitai tells the story of Yuuta Togashi, a high-school freshman who used to suffer from something the Japanese call describe as “chuunibyou”, which is not a real disease, but rather a comedic term used to refer to those who delude themselves into thinking that they are superheroes blessed with ESP, and other such “adolescent delusions of grandeur”. The term chuunibyou literally means “disease from middle school, grade two (in Japan)”. Middle school grade two is the equivalent of eigth grade in the US, and secondary one in Singapore, and the term was so-coined as such adolescent delusions of grandeur typically occur at that age, between 13 and 14.

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In the anime series, Yuuta decides to shed his chuunibyou past in high school, due to the alienation from peers that he experienced back in middle school, when he told everyone that he had supernatural powers and was the “Dark Flame Master”.

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

His plans to graduate from Eighth Grade Syndrome, however, when a delusional female classmate, Rikka Takanashi, learns of his past and becomes interested in him. Although the anime series recently finished its 12-episode run on Japanese TV, fans who’d like to own the entire show can look forward to collecting all seven volumes of the Bluray and DVD releases. The first volume has already gone on sale, and volumes two to seven are slated to be released from January to June 2013.

I know, I know. Why couldn’t Sega have just revealed the results for nine more songs and call it the top 39. Regardless, the Sega feat. Hatsune Miku Project team has decided to give fans a first-hand look at how their favourite songs are doing in the recently unveiled Project Diva Sousenkyo (Project Diva featured songs election), which the developers will reference when deciding which songs to remake for the PS3 and PS Vita version of the game. At the moment, Vocaloid producer doriko’s Romeo and Cinderella is sitting at the top of the charts! Each of the first six volumes contain two episodes from the TV anime series, while the seventh and final volume is a collection of six 6-minute “Lite” Internet shorts (streamed on YouTube in Japan; it’s region-restricted) and the aforementioned unaired episode.

Just a quick word before we get to the charts: Like we explained in our previous post, a “remake” here refers to Sega taking a previously featured Project Diva song, and giving it a brand new spin by making a new promo video and musical note chart (the sequence of buttons you have to hit) different from the one in its original PD instalment.

In the US, the series is licensed and known as Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions.

So when we say remake, we don’t mean this:

Hatsune Miku ‘featured songs election’: These are the current top 30

1. Romeo and Cinderella / ロロロロロロロロロ 2. Ura-Omote Lovers / Two-faced Lovers / ロロロロロロ

Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/hatsune-miku-featured-songselection-results/

Total votes counted: 21,960 (as of December 28, 24:00 JST)

3. Melt / ロロロ 4. Rolling Girl / ロロロロロロロ 5. World is Mine / ロロロロロロロロロ 6. Sakura no Ame / Rain of Cherry Blossoms / ロロロ standard edit 7. Ai Kotoba / Love Words / ロロロ 8. SPiCa -39′s Giving Day Edition9. Sekiranun Gurafiti / Cumulonibus Cloud Graffiti / ロロロロロロロロロ

December 30th, 2012

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10. Tsugai Kogarashi / Pair of Wintry Winds / ロロ

results review Sega’s way of politely reminding you fans that your vote matters.

11. Hatsune Miku no Shoushitsu / The Disappearance of Hatsune Miku / ロロロロロロロ 12. Clover Club / ロロロロロロロロロ 13. Uta ni Katachi wa Nai Keredo / Though a Song is Formless / ロロロロロロロロロ

You can vote for one song everyday (at 12 midnight JST you get a fresh vote) untill 15 January 2013 at 6PM JST.

14. Luka Luka Night Fever / ロロロロロロロロロロロロロ 15. Roshin Yuukai / Meltdown / ロロロロ

Do let us know in the comments which song you’re voting for! Read our previous story on the Sousenkyo to understand the rules of the poll (make sure to indicate which part of the world you live in!). The Sousenkyo voting page is at this link here.

16. Kocchi Muite Baby / Look this Way, Baby / ロロロロロロ Baby 17. Just Be Friends 18. Musunde Hiraite Rasetsu to Mukuro / Hold, Release; Rakshasa and Carcasses / ロロロロロロロロロロ 18. Cantarella / ロロロロロ

Latest peek at josei anime ‘Karneval’ [Video] Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/latest-peek-josei-anime-karneval/ By ellehaym on December 30th, 2012

20. Sennen no Dokusouka (DIVA edit) / A Thousand Years Solo (DIVA edit) (ロロロロロロ (DIVA edit)) 21. Miku Miku ni Shite Ageruロ(Shite Yanyo) / I’ll Make You Do the Miku Mikuロ (You’ll Do It) / ロロロロロロロロロロロロロロロロロロ 22. Karafuru x Merodii / Colorful x Melody / ロロロロ×ロロロロ 23. Electric Angel / ロロロロロロロロロロロロロ 24. Koi wa Sensou / Love is War / ロロロロ 25. Marginal / ロロロロロ 26. Yellow 27. magnet 28. Hajimete no Koi ga Owaru Toki / When the First Love Ends / ロロロロロロロロロロ 29. Paradichlorobenzene / ロロロロロロロロロロ 29. Hatsune Miku no Gekishou / The Singing Passion of Hatsune Miku / ロロロロロロロ

Why your votes matter In case you’re wondering, yes, the PS3 and PS Vita version is exactly how Sega has worded it on the Sousenkyo voting page. The developer did not say that the re-made songs would necessarily be released as DLC for Project Diva f (PS Vita) and Diva F (PS3). Because they have not decided how these songs are going to come in yet (the specifics will be announced when they’re ready to, according to the poll’s rules). But obviously there are two possibilities here: the songs could either come out as paid DLC for Project Diva f/F, or come in as part of a next game (don’t get too excited; they haven’t said they’ll make a sequel yet). In any case, if you’re a Hatsune Miku or Project Diva fan, and haven’t been putting in your votes on a daily basis (bookmark the page!), then consider today’s early

Been on the look-out for 2013’s anime for the ladies? Then I’m sure you’ve noticed Karneval among the upcoming titles. The josei TV anime series’ producers have streamed its latest promotional video. This time, the characters along with the voice cast are introduced. Now, I know that the show’s not slated to air for at least a few more months, and that female anime fans can hardly wait for this series – it’s a male harem wonderland after all! But patience nets many virtues, ladies! For now, just watch the 4

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trailer below and take your pick from amongst the gorgeous guys of Karneval:

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Yogi – voiced by Mamoru Miyano (Rintarou Okabe from Steins;Gate)

Karneval is about a boy named Nai who is in search of a person by the name of Karoku. The only clue he has is a bracelet. Nai ends up partnering with a thief named Gareki after a chain of unfortunate incidents, and they eventually learn that the bracelet they hold is an identification card from “Circus,”a defense organization. Cast: Nai – voiced by Hiro Shimono (Ryosuke Kaga from Dakara Boku wa, H ga Dekinai)

Tsukumo – voiced by Aya Endo (Sheryl Nome from Macross Frontier)

Gareki – voiced by Hiroshi Kamiya (Takashi Natsume from Natsume Yuujin Chou)

Hirato – voiced by Daisuke Ono (Sinbad from Magi)

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Jiki – voiced by Yuichi Nakamura (Sakata Kintoki from Gintama)

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Akari – voiced by Daisuke Hirakawa (Suguru Ohmi from Hiiro no Kakera)

Tsukitachi – voiced by Koji Yusa (Lunatic from Tiger & Bunny) Iva – voiced by Youko Honna (Ange from Koi suru Tenshi Angelique: Kokoro no Mezameru Toki)

December 30th, 2012

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This series is by the production studio behind Hayate the Combat Butler! Can’t Take My Eyes Off You and The World God Only Knows, Manglobe. Karneval premieres Spring 2013. Source: Crunchyroll

Devil Survivor 2 the Animation’s 1st PV reveals character and demon design credits Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/devil-survivor-2-animations-1st-pvreveals-character-demon-design-credits/ By KarbyP on December 30th, 2012

Kiichi – voiced by Eri Kitamura (Sayaka Miki from Puella Magi Madoka Magica)

Looks like the update on Persona 3 the Animation wasn’t the only Shin Megami Tensei-related anime news today; Atlus has just streamed on the Web a first promo video for Devil Survivor 2 the Animation, a TV anime adaptation of the Nintendo DS JRPG that has the same name. The anime is being produced at studio Bridge, and its production credits include Seiji Kishi (Persona 4 the Animation) as director, Yoshimichi Hirai as assistant director, with Makoto Uezu responsible for the series’ scripts, and Kotaro Nakagawa scoring the show’s musical compositions. Newly revealed in today’s trailer are credits for character designs and demon designs. Etsushi Sashima (ロロロロ, we don’t know much about him) is doing the character designs, while the demon designs are being worked on by Hiroyuki Kanbe or ロロロロ, who was director on the OreImo TV anime series, and who also did monster designs for Chrono Crusade and Rosario + Vampire Capu2. Karneval is directed by Eiji Suganuma (Kodomo no Jikan, Mashiroiro Symphony – The color of lovers-), with the scenario written by Touko Machida (Saiyuki Gunlock, Fortune Dogs). The josei TV anime’s character director is Toshie Kawamura (Smile Precure!, Yes! Precure 5).

Devil Survivor 2′s character were first conceptualised by Suzuhito Yasuda, and Mohiro Kitoh – who designed Evangelion 2.0′s Third Angel – came up with the original concepts for the Septentriones invaders. 7

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

In Devil Survivor 2, mysterious race known as the Septentriones invade Japan and begin their assault on mankind on one Sunday. Their goal: annihilation. Time limit before the end of the world? Seven days. In an attempt to stop the Septentriones, 13 individuals make a pact with the devil and turn into Devil Messengers, who must defeat the alien threat within seven days (the Septentriones show up and attack at least once a day). Here’s what the DS game’s cover looks like:

As a test for the feature, Dead or Alive 5′s game director Yohei Shimbori today uploaded the following match replay to Koei Tecmo Japan’s official YouTube account. The match, fought between Zack and Rig, may also contain some hints with regards to gameplay and move list changes made in the Ver 1.03 patch (we’re not sure; but was Zack’s “Zack Beam” taunt previously useable as an attack?) Do note, however, that uploading match clips to YouTube is a feature only accessible in the PS3 version of the game. Facebook uploads, on the other hand, can be done from both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions. The video resolution for clips you upload directly in-game from Dead or Alive 5 to your YouTube and Facebook accounts appear to have a maximum resolution of 360p (640×360), so don’t go throwing away your Avermedia capture cards and what-not; the feature is not meant as a replacement for traditional video games capture hardware. That said, there is one thing I’m really liking about the YouTube/Facebook clip upload feature here, over the one included in Capcom’s Street Fighter III: Third Strike Online Edition.

Devil Survivor 2 the Animation is slated to be aired on MBS’s Animeism time slot (late nights on Thursdays; technically Friday’s wee hours) sometime in April 2013.

Dead or Alive 5′s Ver. 1.03 update lets you upload match replays directly to YouTube and Facebook

Many moons ago I remember being fairly excited about the feature in Third Strike OE, only to be disappointed when I realised that you couldn’t actually upload it to your own YouTube account. Instead, you had to find your clip from the “sf3onlineedition” YouTube channel, which can be quite a pain to navigate, especially if you were being lazy and decided not to retitle your video upload when prompted. Dead or Alive 5 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 is currently available at all good video game stores; an enhanced port for the PS Vita, Dead or Alive 5 Plus, is slated to be released next year on March 19 in the US, and March 20 in Japan.

Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/dead-alive-5s-ver-1-03-update-letsupload-match-replays-youtube-facebook/

December 30th, 2012

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K-Books Akihabara to offer ‘Sword Art Online’ and ‘Accel World’ treats for a limited time in January Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/k-books-akihabara-offers-sword-artonline-accel-world-treats/ By KarbyP on December 30th, 2012

Kuroyukihime Cake (from Accel World, 680 yen) A chocolate cake with black currents baked into it, and dressed with purplish whipped cream. This cake was made to evoke the image of Kuroyukihime’s school avatar.

For a limited time in January, the Patisserie Swallowtail booth at K-Books Akihabara New Building (K-Books ロロロロロ) will be offering a slew of tasty desserts themed after author Reki Kawahara’s sci-fi light novel and anime franchises Sword Art Online and Accel World. Four different confectioneries – two from each franchise – are available, and they will be sold only from January 12 to the 20th at K-Books Akihabara. Or at least, it’s not mentioned if the treats would be made available at either the Patisserie Swallowtail White Rose main store down in Ikebukuro, or at the Butler Cafe Swallow which is located a few blocks away from White Rose. Both are premises that KBooks Inc also operates.

Accel World Cookies (680 yen) A set of six milk cookies with Accel World’s character illustrations printed on them.

All confectionery purchases come with a complimentary Sword Art Online or Accel World hardboard coaster, one of two available designers for each franchise:

Asuna Cake (680 yen) Made with a base of yogurt-and-cherry-flavoured mousse, the Asuna Cake is topped with red-tea-flavoured whip cream as well as two pieces of chocolate: one made to resemble the Sword Art Online heroine’s trusty rapier sword Lampent 9

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Light, and another piece bearing the mark of the Blood Knights.

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

(This is a piece of cake Nobuyuki Sugou – otherwise known as Oberon the Fairy King in Alfheim Online – would enjoy biting into. Buy it. Honour the fairy king’s lusty ambitions.)

Sword Art Online Macaron (300 yen each) Macarons with Asuna and Suguha’s likeness printed on them. Asuna’s is strawberry-flavoured, while Suguha’s is lemon.

If you’re a fan of The Idolm@ster, Yuruyuri, and Kannagi, then oh boy, did the stars in the skies just completely aligned for you.

(Be sure to buy some Suguha Macarons for your favourite cousin who may or may not be carrying an torch for you. Let them taste some “Suguha”, which means “unrequited love” in Japanese [not really, no].)

Comic REX’s The Idolm@ster manga series (the last item we detailed here in our previous story) will finally see its first “tankoubon” volume released early next year, on March 27. (For those of you who may not be familiar with the term “tankoubon”, it’s the Japanese term for what in American comics is called a trade paperback – basically, a tankoubon volume collects the various chapters first published in weekly or monthly manga anthologies into a neat paperback book.) To make the occasion extra special for Idolm@ster fans, publisher Ichijinsha has decided to release a special edition of the manga’s first tankoubon volume (ロロロ THE IDOLM@STER 1 [ロロロロ]) that comes with a mini-album CD, filled with cover songs from Yuruyuri and Kannagi: Crazy Shrine Maidens (both of which are Comic REX properties that have received anime adaptations) performed by the voice cast from Idolm@ster.

Patisserie Swallowtail :: ロロロロロロロロロロロロロロロロロロロロロロロロロロロロロロロロロ [via Crunchyroll News]

The Idolm@ster Comic REX Manga: 1st tankoubon volume to come with Yuruyuri, Kannagi cover songs CD Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/idolmster-comic-rex-manga-1sttankoubon-volume-yuruyuri-kannagi-cover-songs-cd/

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A total of five songs split between the two manga and anime franchises will be featured. From Yuruyuri are the tracks Yuriyurarararayuruyuri Daijiken (ロロロロロロロロロロロロロロ) and My Pace de Ikimasho (ロロロロロロロロロロロロ or Let’s Go at My Pace). From Kannagi, the songs are Motto Hade ni ne! (mottoロロロロロ or Be More Flashy), Jun Ai Circulation (ロロロロロロロロロロロ, Pure Love Generation), and Ichiban Boshi (ロロロロロロ). The Idolm@ster manga series, illustrated by mangaka Mana (ロロ) and written by Tatsuya Takahashi who also penned the script for the anime, begins shortly after the 13th episode of the franchise’s TV anime series, and depicts various neverbefore-seen side-stories centred around the various idols, one at a time. Source: Comic Natalie