Available for pre-order today! So watch out for him at your fav hobby stores!

Title: Nendoroid Kamui Gakupo ねんどろいど 神威がくぽ
Price: 3,500 Yen (w/tax)
Preorder starts: 10 May 2012
Release Date: September 2012
Maker: Goodsmile Company

Revealed during a niconico event! I hope they will make enough of him so that we can all get our hands on him and avoid a Kaito situation ^^;; Looking forward to his release!

Update 28 April 2012: Coloured prototype revealed!

Last updated 13 February 2012: One of the best announcements out of Winter Wonderfest 2012

This is HIGH up on my wishlist. I’m definitely getting this nendoroid when it is released. I’m sure he will be awesome like Nendoroid Kaito but I hope he doesn’t sell out as quickly as Kaito though ^^;;

Some background information
Camui/Kamui Gakupo (神威がくぽ) is the official mascot character of Gackpoid (がくっぽいど / Gakuppoido) which is a singing synthesizer application software powered by Yamaha’s Vocaloid2 series and was published by INTERNET Co.,Ltd. in July 31, 2008. His voice is provided by Gackt.

The Vocaloid software itself is under the official name Gackpoid, and Kamui Gakupo or Gackpo is the avatar character of the software drawn by the illustrator Kentaro Miura (三浦健太郎 Miura Kentaro).

His character Item is Eggplant. (Info from (http://vocaloid.wikia.com/wiki/Kamui_Gakupo)

Been wishing for Gakupo and Kaito’s figma for years… I hope the wish comes true some day.

Curious what he sounds like? Song samples available here from the CD: EXIT TUNES PRESENTS 煌千紫万紅大雅宴 feat. 神威がくぽ from GACKPOID (VOCALOID) (ジャケットイラストレーター 鈴ノ助)/ オムニバス

What can you expect in the first volume of Ai no Kusabi first press limited edition Blu-ray? (Loads of pics follow)

I received this item quite a while back but I’ve procastinated writing this post because… I don’t have a blu-ray player! ^^;; I wanted to do a more detailed review that included the contents of the disc but till now I’ve not bought a player. I also don’t think I’ll buy a player anytime soon. So here it is.

Title: 【Blu-ray】Ai no Kusabi ~petere kanju~ First-press limited edition 間の楔 ～petere 檻獣～ ＜初回限定版＞ (10,500 Yen)
Normal edition: 【Blu-ray】間の楔 ～petere 檻獣～ ＜通常版＞ (7,140 Yen)
DVD: 【DVD】間の楔 ～petere 檻獣～ (6,090 Yen)
Available: 18/01/2012
Official site: http://ainokusabi.jp/

The limited edition Blu-ray contains Episode 1. 30 minutes. Video special 【映像特典】, Special edit promotion video 特製PV, Textless opening ノンクレジットオープニング and Textless ending ノンクレジットエンディング

Beautiful packaging and high quality print as expected. This is the front view.

Back view with the usual disc information.

Contents: Blu-ray disc, script and box of goodies.

Let’s look inside. Disc and booklet.

Viewed side-by-side.

Back view.

All the pieces inside.

First application card of the “Full set purchase coupons” used to exchange for a specially written spin-off story booklet by Ai no Kusabi author, Rieko Yoshihara sensei 吉原理恵子 (全巻購入特典応募チケット) Collect all four cards from four volumes.

Instructions.

Detail. I’ll make another post about sending in the application card. Deadline is 30 June 2012.

Publicity flyer.

Other side of the flyer shows Takumi-kun Series Ano, Hareta Aozora DVD which is also distributed by Pony Canyon. Hmm nice poster :3 Anyone watched this before?

Pony Canyon Premium member registration. I think you can accumulate points and exchange for items.

The 14-page booklet. Full colour. (Special booklet 特製ブックレット)

Features character setting.

Relationship chart.

Background settings.

Interview with Yoshihara-sensei.

Last page. Staff credits.

The 49-page script of volume 1. (Script アフレコ台本)

Information/Credits.

Title of the volume.

Character names, seiyuu cast and their agencies list.

Quite a number of seiyuus appeared in the first episode.

Which scene is this? :D

One of the sex scenes of course ^^;; Riki’s punishment scene with Iason.

Goodies box.

Back view.

First press limited edition special: Pet ring with leather string ペットリング（革紐付き）and Plate Key holder (Riki) プレートキーホルダー（リキ）Information and warnings. The first line says, “Please use the pet ring as it is meant to be used” (In this case, as an accessory/necklace and not as a real pet ring lol~) The next one warns of possible skin irritation, so if it happens, please seek medical advice… and so on.

The key holder is much larger than what I expected. About 6-7 cm. And that’s Riki’s pet ring :D

Back of the key holder.

Close-up. Riki’s chibi is cute :D It looks better than expected.

And the pet ring. It actually feels quite heavy and definitely looks and feels solid.

Back of the ring. We’re supposed to wear it strung to a necklace. I don’t think it is meant as a real pet ring :D but I’m having pervy thoughts now, just by looking at it… /shot

Riki’s size? XD

Overview of unboxed goodies.

I’m not sure if more volumes will be produced but I sure hope that the sales do well enough for them to finish all 13 episodes. Hopefully everyone who can afford the discs will buy them! The only gripe for most overseas viewers is that there is no English subtitles but think about it, most people would have watched the English-subbed videos and know how awesome the OVA’s production quality is. This series is definitely worth collecting \(;A;)/

Okie, I’ll post the rest of the volumes soon!

Freebies arrived safely!

Remember in a previous post back in February 2012, I was talking about sending in the application cards for the freebie boxes? The boxes arrived!

Title: Shukan Soine CD “Application for All” Service 週刊添い寝CD 応募者全員サービス
Available: end April 2012
Info: http://www.blackbutterfly-cd.com/short/shortk1.html

1) Buy Vol. 7, Vol. 8 and Vol. 9 to get the postcard and 2 coupons to exchange for Collection box for vols 1-6
2) Buy Vol. 10, Vol. 11 and Vol. 12 to get the postcard and 2 coupons to exchange for Collection box for vols 7-12

Although I mailed the cards together in the same envelope, they were processed separately and cost me a few dollars extra handling fees cos I had to combine the package at the forwarding service ^^;; oh well…

Technically speaking, these freebies are not “free” for overseas  customers since there are forwarding and additional shipping costs involved. Frankly, they aren’t that worth it if you think practically. They’re just cardboard boxes and they cost at least 10-12 bucks each in the end D: But I guess it’s still good to have the option nowadays :)

The box is sent flat which is great cos it saves postage costs. The small note included has some information about the box and who to contact if it is damaged.

The cardboard is hard and printing quality is great!

Front of box to house volumes 1 to 6. Black background.

Back of box

Front of box to house volumes 7 to 12. Dark brown background.

Back of box

Folded up.

It’s nice of them to bother giving us these items :D

Another view of the folded boxes.

With CDs inserted. The only volumes I’m missing are Vols. 03 and 04 :-\

The design is simple but beautiful!

Other side :)

There’s also an extra vol.13 that will be released in 25 May 2012. Voiced by Morikawa Toshiyuki, I’ll write about his character when I can. More info: http://www.blackbutterfly-cd.com/short/short13.html

Update: Don’t our coloured prototypes look great?

Title: Uta no Prince Sama Maji LOVE 1000% Nendoroid Puchi Petit figure A Class 『うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪マジLOVE1000％』 ねんどろいどぷち
Price: ??
Release date: Autumn 2012
Maker: Goodsmile Company

Revealed during Super Comic City 21

I think this is a must-buy :D

Pity about the blurred pic but the boys look good! Characteristics captured very well.

Shou’s hat is removable :D and Natsuki is simply adorable.

Last update 12 February 2012: The boys will be released as trading figures, in blind boxes. There will be total 6 designs and 1 secret. The S class boys, Kurusu Shou 来栖翔, Jinguuji Ren, 神宮寺レン, Ichinose Tokiya 一ノ瀬トキヤ are currently in development.

From left, the A class boys, Hijirikawa Masato 聖川真斗, Shinomiya Natsuki 四ノ宮那月 and Ittoki Otoya 一十木音也

I’ll definitely try to get my hands on these cuties but who knows… Uta no Prince sama is so popular now, maybe full-size nendoroids of the boys are also in development?

Also planned are 1/7 scale figures of all the boys, with the first one being Ittoki Otoya, made by Alter (ALTAiR product line). I think the rest of the figures for Starry Star boys after Kinose Azusa will probably be on hold now that this is announced?

Update! Cecil Ajima is Maji huggable 1000% too!

Title: Uta no Prince-sama うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪ Plushies
Planned characters: Ichinose Tokiya (一ノ瀬 トキヤ), Ittoki Otoya (一十木 音也), Hijirikawa Masato (聖川 真斗), Jinguuji Ren (神宮寺 レン), Kurusu Sho (来栖 翔), Shinomiya Natsuki (四ノ宮 那月) and Ajima Cecil (愛島 セシル)

Title: Ajima Cecil うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪マジLOVE1000％　ぬいぐるみシリーズ5 愛島 セシル
Link: ???
Price: should be 3,150 Yen (w/tax)
Available: ???

He is CUTE! Reminds me a little of Kurosuke (sweet version!? /he doesn’t exist/)

Title: Hijirikawa Masato うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪マジLOVE1000％　ぬいぐるみシリーズ3　聖川真斗
Link: http://giftshop.jz.shopserve.jp/SHOP/n185.html
Title: Jinguuji Ren うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪マジLOVE1000％　ぬいぐるみシリーズ4　神宮寺レン
Link: http://giftshop.jz.shopserve.jp/SHOP/n186.html
Price: 3,150 Yen (w/tax) each
Available: Released in May 2012

Ren and Masato. Their hair looks kinda… ^^;; Cute that Masa’s mole is faithfully reproduced lol~

Back view

Sample plushies of the next couple revealed! Sho looks so cute but Natsuki seems a little weird? Maybe it’s the angle of the photo? Not available for order yet.
Title: Shinomiya Natsuki うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪マジLOVE1000％　ぬいぐるみシリーズ5 四ノ宮那月
Link: http://giftshop.jz.shopserve.jp/SHOP/n187.html
Title: Kurusu Sho うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪マジLOVE1000％　ぬいぐるみシリーズ6 来栖翔
Link: http://giftshop.jz.shopserve.jp/SHOP/n188.html
Price: 3,150 Yen (w/tax) each
Available: Released in July 2012

Back view looks ok.

Sho’s hat is removable :D

Title: Ittoki Otoya うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪マジLOVE1000％　ぬいぐるみシリーズ1　一十木音也
Link: http://giftshop.jz.shopserve.jp/SHOP/n175.html

Title: Ichinose Tokiya: うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪マジLOVE1000％　ぬいぐるみシリーズ2　一ノ瀬トキヤ
Link: http://giftshop.jz.shopserve.jp/SHOP/n176.html

Price: 3,150 Yen (w/tax) each
Available: 17 January 2012 (Released in May 2012)

Preorders open 17 Jan 2012! Japan time 1pm.
Our wallets are in danger!

According to GIFT, all six characters from the series are planned and they’re currently undergoing production quality checks :D

I think the boys may be revealed during Winter Comiket 81 on 29-31 December 2011! Let’s watch out for them! I hope they’re the cheaper sitting versions that cost around 2,500 Yen and not the more articulate versions with movable legs that cost around 3,200 yen.

To take part in the contest, please take a look at THIS POST

And Spray sent me a birthday message by Kichiku Megane’s Midou Takanori 御堂孝典<3 with the difference that I have his dakimakura this year (^///^) *ignores Mr R on the other side*

おめでとう。
今日のために君が好きそうなシャンパンとワインを用意した。
鴨肉のローストと合わせて楽しもう。店でディナーを予約しても良かったんだが、家の方が気兼ねなく飲めるだろう。それに私の気持ちを素直に伝えるには、周囲に人の目がない方が都合がいいからな。
その後のことは君の希望に添おう。
では、帰りを待っている。
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Takanori Mido

Let’s play basketball!  Kise Ryouta and his Kurokocchi.

Title: Kuroko no Basuke 黒子のバスケ (Kuroko’s Basketball)
Broadcast Date: 7 April 2012
Official website: http://www.kurobas.com/
Rating: Recommended

Summary (from wiki/ANN):

Kuroko Tetsuya is a former member from the legendary middle school basketball team known as “The Generation of Miracles”. Upon meeting Kagami Taiga, a naturally gifted basketball player at Seirin High School, Kuroko decides upon becoming his shadow to help him become Japan’s greatest basketball player. Based on a 2008 Japanese manga about basketball written and illustrated by Fujimaki Tadatoshi 藤巻忠俊. The anime adaptation is by Production I.G.

Comments:

I can’t remember when was the last time I watched a sports anime. Kuroko’s Basketball (also known as The Basketball that Kuroko Plays) is the only sports anime this season and I watched it without any expectations. It has surprised me in being rather entertaining so far. Although the main cast consists of relatively new seiyuus, they delivered.

The plot is pretty straightforward but it is well-paced and intriguing enough for me to keep watching to see how Kuroko can achieve his goal. The characters have their individual quirks and it is fun to discover more about them as the story progresses.

For example, Kuroko seems to be small and not in a good shape for basketball. As the audience wonder how he can be the rumoured 6th player in the Generation of Miracles that will help his team win the championship, he surprises us with his abilities.

Animation-wise, the action during basketball matches are pretty exciting. I don’t play basketball or contact sports like this in real life ^^;; but I enjoy watching guys play. Girls’ basketball is scary *_* I remember being scratched during a Physical Education class in school lol~ and caring too much about not accidentally hurting the opponents during the game pretty much rendered me a relatively ineffective player ^^;;

Besides a number of cute guys to ogle at. there’s also a smart female character who is the Seirin High basketball team coach to watch for. Plus, there’s some officially-sanctioned BL fan-service here and there to pique this fujoshi’s radar.

Here’s some official BL-fan service shown during ending credits in some of the episodes. That’s Kagami Taiga (left) and Kuroko Tetsuya. I love watcing Kuroko’s deadpan reactions versus the rather expressive oresama-type Taiga in the anime.

Generation of Miracles member, typical Prince-type, Kise Ryouta giving his Kaijou High basketball captain, Kasamatsu Yukio a flirty phone call? lol~

Main cast:
Ono Kenshou as Kuroko Tetsuya 黒子テツヤ
Ono Yuuki as Kagami Taiga 火神大我

Saito Chiwa as Aida Riko 相田リコ
Ono Daisuke as Midorima Shintarou 緑間真太郎
Inoue Go as Tsuchida Satoshi 土田聡史
Nojima Hirofumi as Izuki Shun 伊月俊
Naoki Mizutani as Furuhata Kouki 降旗光樹
Kimura Ryohei as Kise Ryouta 黄瀬涼太
Miki Shinichiro as Aida Kagetora & Narrator
Hoshi Souichiro as Kasamatsu Yukio 笠松幸男
Eguchi Takuya as Koganei Shinji 小金井慎二
Suzuki Tatsuhisa as Takao Kazunari 高尾和成
Sasaki Tetsuo as Fukuda Hiroshi
Yoshimoto Yasuhiro as Kawahara Koichi
Hosoya Yoshimasa as Hyuuga Junpei 日向順平

Wake up to the voices of Kings! Manly voice alarm clock!

Title: Fate/Zero Voice Alarm Clock Archer & Rider
Fate/Zero　音声入り目覚まし時計 アーチャー & ライダー
Price: 7,140 yen (w/tax)
Release date: Summer 2012
Animate/Movic exclusive: http://www.movic.jp/index.php?ctrl=sheet&code=19463

Description
Size: approx. 180 x 120 x 60 mm
Materials: metal (clock), with full color print on paper (face)
Requires three AA batteries (included)

Specially recorded so that you can wake up to the voices of King of Heroes and King of Conquerors!

Archer アーチャー CV: Seki Tomokazu 関智一

• 貴様ごときの起床の手助けをせよと！？この我に指図するとは、大きくてたな！
• 誰の許しを得て寝ている？雑種めが。よい、起床を許可するぞ。
• 貴様の寝顔…実に我好みだ。見ていて飽きぬ。
• 決められた時間に起こせ、とは。随分とつまらぬ些事に我を煩わせたものだな。この非礼…どう詫びる?
• おあえが我の許に下るというのなら、安らがな睡眠という褒賞も与えよう。だが、今は起きる時だ。目を覚ますがいい。

Rider ライダー CV: Ootsuka Akio 大塚明夫

• おい、起きろ坊主。戦の時間だ！さっさと仕度せい！！世界地図と「イリアス」を忘れてはならんぞ。
• AAAALaLaLaLaLaie！！…む。余の「遥かなる蹂躪制覇」を受けてまだ起きんとは。よし、もう１回だ。
• お！？もう朝か！徹夜でゲームをプレイしとった知れたらまた怒られるかも知れん。寝とるうちに片付けておくか。
• 起きろ、坊主。起きろー！むぅ…余一人では起こしきれぬか…　なら、余の軍勢全員で叩き起こしてやろう!

Comments:
I didn’t watch this series, so I’m not sure about the story and characters. I read info about them from wiki. But since the clocks are voiced by male seiyuus, I thought I should give them a mention :D I’ll translate when I can find the time. Generally the lines by Archer can be quite moe if oresama types are your kind of thing lol~

Any comments about this anime?

Sample track updated! :D
Adding some spice to your Honeymoon trip with a do-Esu hubby!

Title: Honeymoon vol.4 Ryou Kashiwagi 柏木稜
Price: 2,000 Yen (w/tax)
Available: 28 April 2012
Seiyuu: Yusa Kouji 遊佐浩二
Cover Illustrator: Fujino ふじの

Description: After you married your beloved husband, both of you set out on a dreamy Honeymoon trip! This time, you travel to Hong Kong and Macau with your husband, Ryou, a company president. You get to take in the million dollar night view, enjoy extravagant meals and the excitement of experiencing the casino. With your intellectual and sexy husband as your escort, you get drunk on the gorgeous and celebrity-like honeymoon trip…

Imagine me doing that little squeee when I saw that this volume will be voiced by Yusa Kouji 遊佐浩二.

Yucchi’s character, Ryou Kashiwagi, is in his early 30s. He is the president of the company that you are working at. When he turned 30, he succeeded his father’s company and became the president.

He is intelligent and has a slightly sadistic streak (do-S!!) He gives off a sexy and erotic aura (double kyaa!!!) I’m expecting lots of sexy moments with this guy (*q*) COME OVER HERE NOW!!!

And guess what… his hobby is teasing his newly wed bride. Kyaaa~ I love Yucchi voicing characters like these :D

He refers to himself as “ore” 「俺」 and your as “omae” 「お前」.

Similar to how Hirakawa Daisuke’s character in Vol. 1 gives me the Starry Sky Aozora Hayato vibe, I think Yucchi’s character seems similar to Starry Sky Mizushima Izu too. Typecast? But I don’t care! Lol~ Yucchi is awesome when he voices characters with a bit of do-S (sadistic) lol~ so I’m sure I’ll enjoy this :D I guess fortissimo definitely know what they’re doing when they cast these seiyuus for the Honeymoon series. Even without, dummy head microphone, the first two CDs have delivered!

The demo track sounds promising :D *dokidoki*

View the CM here: http://www.otome-ff.jp/work/notice61.html

Other CDs in this series:

1. Honeymoon vol.1 Hanamori Yuuto voiced by Hirakawa Daisuke.
   
2. Honeymoon vol.2 Otoya Kosaka voiced by Toriumi Kousuke
3. Honeymoon vol.3 Mizunuma Daichi voiced by Fukiyama Jun

fortissimo’s official
Link: http://www.otome-ff.jp/work/work10.html

Simply oozing with sex appeal…
Available Now! Sold out within a day *_*

Title: Anikuji Uta no Prince-sama Maji LOVE1000% アニくじ　うたのプリンスさまっマジLOVE1000％
Price: 500 Yen per try lucky dip
Available: 26 April 2012
Order page: http://www.animate-onlineshop.jp/products/detail.php?product_id=1128328
As suggested by Nagara9, you can try ordering with this proxy. Or as urusaii pointed out, if you’re not comfortable with a private proxy, try registering for a forwarding address with a service like Tenso.com and buy directly from Animate Japan’s online store. Good luck everybody :D

Are you feeling sick from the whirlwind yet? lol~ They’re flooding the market with so many types and varieties of Utapri goods, its hard not to find something you like orz;;; but since this series of goodies feature new artwork, I shall forgive.

It’s like the otome version of Tiger & Bunny merchandise phenomenon, hot after the heels of another otome game turned anime Hakuouki.

Prizes: Set A~E
Prize A: Jumbo cushion, 3 types A賞　ジャンボクッション（全3種） Size： about 46 x 56cm
Prize B: Pouch, 2 types B賞　ポーチ（全2種） Size： about 20 x 16 x 8cm
Prize C: Key Holder, 3 types C賞　キーホルダー（全3種） Size： about 16cm
Prize D: Mini cushion cleaner strap, 6 types D賞　ミニクッションクリーナーストラップ（全6種） Size：about 8 x 5cm
Prize E: E賞 Scrunchie, 6 types シュシュ（全6種） Size：about 10cm

Official info: http://www.animate.co.jp/special/kuji/20/pc/

Available at Animate Japan only. It’s possible to try your luck online but you’ll need a proxy :3

The dimensions are slightly different from their previous anikuji cushions. Which boy do you want? :D

 I would use these pouches :D

The key holders are quite nice too. At 500 Yen per piece, its still acceptable.

Simple phone cleaners usually cost about 365 Yen each? But since it features new artwork, it is not that bad ^^;;

Pretty scrunchies with chibi designs. Probably also around the range from 200-500 Yen. The quality is usually very good, so I guess it is still acceptable in anime goods standards. But we all know that the real cost to make them is less than 20% of the price ^^;;

This, I’m definitely getting :D

Title: Angel Alarm Clock homme Kishio Daisuke「天使の目覚し時計 homme」 岸尾だいすけ
Price: 9,240 Yen (w/tax)
Available: ??? (Order before ??? if you want to customise your name) No cancellations allowed.
Important: This item is made-to-order only and Comi Comi (ships internationally). Search for keywords: 天使の目覚し時計 homme
Official site: http://capolla.jp/
Comicomi Order link: will be updated when available.

Capolla.jp is back with character setting featuring adult men :D yay~

The sixth clock from capollo features Kishio Daisuke who is the voice behind games and anime, such as, Mita Makoto (Sweet Pool), Haruki Naoshi (Starry Sky), Takatsuki Shinobu (Junjou Romantica/Terrorist arc), Kuran Kaname (Vampire Knight) and Heiwajima Kasuka (DRRR!!)

You can choose how you want Kishio Daisuke to call you by when he wakes you up. There’s a name list the company provides but if you can’t find your name, you can submit it if you order before 15 May 2012 (at the official site. Comicomi orders cut-off date to be updated).

Tutorials on how to Register a Comicomi account and Order from Comicomi.
Take note: We have to write “___name___でお願いします” at the comments box when we check out, so that Comicomi know the name we want.

If you’ve ordered a voice clock before, it is possible to order only the SD card version (without the clock) from Capolla.jp directly but you’ll need a proxy service like fromjapan.co.jp to help you with it.

In this clock, Kishio Daisuke voices 3 characters that you can pick to wake you up. There is one wake up voice for each season and a normal wake up voice pattern, so total of 15 voices to choose from as well as special voices like Oyasumi, etc.

Character bios! \(^0^)/

1) Potter/ceramic artist 陶芸家
Vital stats: 27 years old (27歳)
Description: He is young but is a talented, up-and-coming potter. He is gentle but is also strong and stoic in character. (若いけれど才能のある新進の陶芸家 優しいけれど、芯が強くストイック )

2) Celebrity beautician カリスマ美容師
Vital stats: 28 years old (28歳)
Description: Experienced and confident. He is witty and pleases the people he deals with (I think) (経験による自信がうかがえる 語り口は軽妙で、人を気をそらさない)

3) Prep school lecturer 予備校の講師
Vital stats: 32 years old (32歳)
Description: He is blunt and has a sharp tongue. An “S”-type yet he is still a very popular lecturer among both male and female students. (そっけないもの言いやSっけがあるのに なぜか男女ともに大人気の講師)

Ooo~ “S”-charas are popular :D

List of names you can choose for Kishio Daisuke to call you by (Standard list I think):

Technical details:

1) Alarm 目覚し時計
- Can set up to 3 alarms.
- You can choose the voice you like or own music.
- 5 minute snooze.

2) Player. 2G memory
- Format: mp3・wma
- It can copy audio from your PC with USB cable.
- SD card usable
- Random play, sleep function.
- Sleep function between 10 to 60 minutes

3) Speaker
- Can be used as a speaker for PC and mobile phone with line-in cable.

Birthday Celebrations again :D

Yep, my birthday is coming up in May, so similar to Birthday Celebrations 2011, I’m holding a contest again. This time, I’m late in planning it cos work and real life kept me very busy orz;; I decided to keep the same theme and see what surprises you guys can give me this year :D Please take part ok? \(;A;)/

General guidelines:

1. The illustration should have a “LalaParadise” theme. Based on your interpretation of the word :) Please feel free to let your imagination fly!
2. Original male characters allowed but the illustration must also have at least -one- other existing male character, from any anime, manga, games, drama cd, etc, I’ve written about at my blog.
3. If you have an original character, please give a short introduction of who he is when you send in your entry.
4. If you’re thinking of drawing pairings or multiple characters, it can be any combination of characters BL or non-BL. Cross-overs are ok too.
5. The characters don’t necessarily have to be love-love mode. Crack and comedy is ok. Simply posing is fine as well.
6. Coloured entries preferred but B/W ok too
7. NO 18+ entries this time round. Maybe next time :P
8. Multiple entries allowed. But they must be visually different from one another in terms of layout, etc.
9. I’ll collect all the entries then post them up for voting. Ponytale’s Top 3 picks + Viewer’s Choice Award.
10. I may add more prizes based on the number of entries I receive :D
11. Each illustration will be credited and linked back to your blog and/or url of your choice.

Where to Submit your art/Technical specs:

1. The illustration should be at least 2480 x 3508 (vertical or horizontal), about A4 size so that it is big enough for me to make them into wallpapers.
2. If you’re drawing on paper, please scan the picture at 300 dpi.
3. Drawing and/colouring with software like Adobe Photoshop and/or traditional media like pencil/pen are all ok.
4. Please save the final file as a TIF file and zip it up.
5. Please email your entries as attachment or download link to contest@lalaparadise.com
6. Indicate: Your name/nickname, Email, Url to link to.
7. Please also feel free to send me your questions about the contest if you have any.

Last day of submission: 31 May 2012 (I hope the date doesn’t clash with your exams ^^;;)

Prizes include: ??? To be announced. I’ve just spent the past few days exterminating ant colonies at home orz;;; I’ll sort out the prizes and post them up soon.

Submit your entries today (^-^)/

Viewers choice poll will be open for voting after all entries have been submitted!

To get an idea how it works, take a look at Birthday Celebrations 2011 post.

Aoba and Ren! Aww~ aren’t they the cutest couple! :D 

It’s Aoba’s birthday on 22 April! Being newly released, DRAMAtical Murder characters get all the loving attention. There’s a wonderfully illustrated birthday wallpaper and special voice messages for our blue-haired protagonist.

Limited period goodies available only till 30 April 2012!

Wallpaper Link: http://www.nitrochiral.com/game/dmmd/wallpaper/

Birthday Voice Messages Link: http://www.nitrochiral.com/game/dmmd/2012birthday/

What birthday presents did Aoba receive and from who? :D

Happy Birthday Master!

The seme that makes JJ go all otome-like in Omerta ~Chinmoku no Okite~
Toudou Jyouichirou’s birthday is on 21 April.

Birthday short story here: http://omega.karin-e.jp/BD_sp/a_01.htm

Limited period special wallpapers should be at the official site in about a week’s time.

In case I don’t have time to make a post, there’s a Twitter event on 22 April to celebrate one year anniversary of the game’s release. More information here: http://omega.karin-e.jp/05_sp/14_gakuen_info02.htm

Especially when those saying awful things to you are some of the hottest seiyuus now: Morikawa Toshiyuki 森川智之, Tachibana Shinnosuke 立花慎之介, Yasumoto Hiroki 安元洋貴 and Yusa Kouji 遊佐浩二 ^^;;

Title: Shin.Batou CD 真・罵倒CD (Real Verbal Abuse CD)
Price: 2,500 Yen (w/o tax)
Available: 25 April 2012
Company: Frontier Works

Description: Morimori is a doctor who is usually friendly and brotherly to people but only treats you roughly. Tachibana Shinnosuke is a prince who has a bad habit of deriving enjoyment from making fun of people of lower status. Angen (Yasumoto) is a host who has a very bad attitude towards customers who he thinks are ugly. Yucchi is a candy (sweets) fairy (lolol~) who condemns you every time you give in to temptation and fail your diet plans.

To soothe the damage you receive from listening to these verbal abuses, the makers will also include 2 different “sweet” tracks at the end where the seiyuus would scold you with love instead.

Listen to the samples here: http://www.animate.tv/pv/details.php?id=1333943788

Comments:
This is not the first CD that is tailor-made for do-M (どM) listeners ^^;; Before this CD came along, Frontier Works already made:

a) Ai Aru Batou!! 愛ある罵倒!! Vol.1 (24/9/2011)
Sample clips: http://www.animate.tv/pv/details.php?id=1311925613
b) Ai Aru Batou!! 愛ある罵倒!! Vol.2 (21/3/2012)
Sample clips: http://www.animate.tv/pv/details.php?id=1330677114

I’m buying THIS particular volume because of Yucchi orz;;; Honestly the sample track sounded quite damaging already D: but DO-S Yucchi is such love~ lol~ The other tracks sounded pretty abusive … I mean, good too… *damaged* XD

Some funny pics of our lovely seiyuus’ reactions to having to record Shin.Bato CD

 Morikawa Toshiyuki, So mean D:

Tachibana Shinnosuke. SIGH HE IS SO ACIDIC! :D (Btw, He looks like Kamiyan here)

Yasumoto Hiroki (asking for forgiveness lol~) He sounded REALLY rude in the sample track. I believe it’s probably going to get worse in the full track. Electrifying lol~ :D

Yusa Kouji :D Yep, him too lol~ SO RUDE XDD Oh my heart lololol~

Check out the interviews here: http://otalab.net/news/detail.php?news_id=2463

If you’re looking for similar CDs. there’s also:

1) O To Na Gentei Otogame CD Penalty Series (オ・ト・ナ限定 お咎めCD Penalty)
Verbal abusers include:
a) Penalty I: Okamoto Nobuhiko (childhood friend who is obviously in love with you), Midorikawa Hikaru (Your boyfriend)
I found this CD rather sexy, especially Midorin’s scenario. The character is very manly (^///^). Okamoto is really cute and sweet too. These guys scold or nag at you but with love… nothing at the level of Shin Batou CD voice samples lol~ I enjoyed both of them fussing over the listener.
b) Penalty II: Okiayu Ryoutarou (oresama), Toriumi Kousuke (kichiku)
c) Penalty III: Kakihara Tetsuya (noble/aristocrat), Chiba Shigeru (ojisama… a prince? Or older guy type like Tiger & Bunny’s Kotetsu?)

2) O To Na Gentei Kanbyo CD Kartel series (オ・ト・ナ限定 看病CD Kartel)
Verbal abusers include:
a) Kartel I: Kishio Daisuke (Younger friend), Konishi Katsuyuki (Older friend)
b) Kartel II: Seki Tomokazu (oresama), Kamiya Hiroshi (kichiku).
Listening to this CD is like having the perfect image of Durarara!!’s Orihara Izaya as your boyfriend and being bullied by him… He sure is MEAN… orz;; which it is strangely enjoyable and amusing ^^;; I would recommend this CD just for his parts alone lol~ I didn’t have special feelings towards the character voiced by Seki Tomokazu though cos he doesn’t sound like my idea of oresama at all.
c) Kartel III: Ono Daisuke (butler, so typecast lol~), Inoue Kazuhiko (husband/master of the house)

Well, I haven’t listened to all the CDs, since I only bought 2 of them. If you have, what do you think? :D

Slutty-cute Y-Shirt Akira, now smaller in size but equally lethal if not more so. 

Title: Nitro+CHiRAL Plushie strap series 4 Akira Y-shirt ver.  ニトロプラス キラル ぬいぐるみストラップ4 アキラYシャツver.
Price: 2,100 Yen
Preorder opens: 15 May 2012 (1pm Japan time)
Available: June 2012
Company: Gift/Goodsmile Company
Shop Link: http://giftshop.jz.shopserve.jp/SHOP/n191.html

Although for his design, he is really expensive compared to similar sized Konoe (also 2,100 Yen but he has a lot of details like furry cat ears, cape etc) and Youji (1,575 Yen)… HE IS Y-SHIRT AKIRAAAAAA… Sure looks as cute as the original sized version. I wonder if we can strip him too?

My money… (;A;)

Guess who’s coming over to play?
Update 20 April 2012: Release date announced!

Title: Nitro+CHiRAL Plushie series 19 Aoba ニトロプラス キラル ぬいぐるみシリーズ19 蒼葉
Price: 3,150 Yen (His legs don’t seem to be bendable, so I’m hoping he’ll be the cheaper version)
Preorder opens: 15 May 2012 (1pm Japan time)
Available: 31 March 2012 – 1 April 2012 June 2012
Venue: Anime Contents Expo
Company: Gift/Goodsmile Company
Shop Link: http://giftshop.jz.shopserve.jp/SHOP/n192.html

DRAMAtical Murder Aoba Plushie 「ドラマティカル マーダー」「蒼葉ぬいぐるみ」

Update: 20 April 2012. They’re really taking advantage of the popularity. 3,150 Yen for non-bendy legs plushie! So expensive :( I also think his head is too big and round compared to the unofficial photos previously released orz;;

24 March 2012: Aoba’s plushie will be on sale during the event!!! Its just 1 week away! (*o*) Ready your proxies, my friends. I hope they have a general release but judging from past Nitro+Chiral plushie records, I’m not very hopeful :-\

Aoba is SUPER CUTE! I’m gonna save my monies for him :D

Pic taken from here: http://blog.livedoor.jp/geek/archives/51329476.html

Guest review by sugarcakey! Enjoy :D

Welcome back! Now I’m going to present Chiral Gakuen Coin Figure set 2.

Title: One Coin Grande Figure Collection Chiral Gakuen 2nd Period/Limit  ワンコイングランデフィギュアコレクション キラル学園 2 限目
Price: 6,300 Yen (w/tax) for box of 10 figures (including the secret). Total 12 figures to collect because of the colour variations.
Available: 26 December 2011

Konoe and Asato welcome you just like set 1′s box, set 2′s box has a diarama setting on it’s backside. This time, it is the school yard, plus a small room.

Again, the latches of the individual boxes feature two characters that aren’t included – Rai and Bardo!

I don’t see the parallels to Gunji and Kiriwar though~ Any idea why they picked these two?

Now to the figures~

First we have Shiki and Kiriwar! Those two sure look badass!

As you can see, I got Shiki’s white version. I think it looks gorgeous, but black suits him as well. You don’t get a card with Shiki in white uniform though, as his card features the black one.

Next we have Asato and Tetsuo.

Love all the details on Asato, as well as Tetsuo’s little cat! So cute

Now Gunji and Zenya..Those two could be siblings! They have the same kind of pose…
Again, lovely details on Zenya, since he comes with his pet and a patterned bag.

Shui-sensei and Kamiya-sensei! I love Shui, but I think this figure of him looks a little bit..mean? ;U; Still pretty though!

And last but not least….Konoe and Nano (secret character)!

Konoe is such a cutie! I want to cuddle him, because he looks like such a happy school boy! Nano comes with his cute little cat, which – in comparison to Tetsuo’s – looks a bit grumpy.

Here’s Nano’s face upfront:

Ponytale told me that a friend of her’s got Nano without his kitty! Again, it seems like the quality check lacked a bit… The figures are lovely, and have pretty designs, but they could have done better with Rin’s hair and check for missing pieces. I didn’t check for too-wide seams between the hair parts or anything, but nothing was too obvious. So I guess the overall quality is good.

Group photo time no.2!

And their cards:

Remember part 1? Again, the backsides of the cards are puzzle pieces, and both sets together reveal a lovely artwork of Akira and Keisuke! Isn’t it pretty?

So as you can see, the coin figures are as lovely as ever. But I bet you already knew that due to the designs and stock photos! In my case, the quality was good (except for Rin’s hair….but ponytale said that her Rin looks the same, so it’s serial), but there might be exceptions. However, both sets are definitely worth buying! Especially if you’re a collector like me ;> The details are gorgeous – especially for figures that small! – and the poses are dynamic and varied.

Unfortunately, I had to put them back into their boxes, because right now I lack the space to display them (or a box with glass front, so they won’t get dusty)…. ;U;

Ponytale: Thanks sug again for the awesomely detailed and enjoyable review! \(^o^)/

Please check out sug’s review of the 1st set here if you haven’t done so!

Hajimemashite~!

I’m sugarcakey, sug in short. Some time ago, I promised ponytale to write a guest review for her, and this is the result!

Today, I’m going to present you the Chiral Gakuen Coin Figure sets 1 & 2.

Let’s start with no.1!

Title: One Coin Grande Figure Collection Chiral Gakuen 1st Period/Limit  ワンコイングランデフィギュアコレクション キラル学園 1 限目
Price: 6,300 Yen (w/tax) for box of 10 figures (including the secret). Total 12 figures to collect because of the colour variations.
Available: 16 September 2011

On the backside of the main box, you can find a diarama to display your figures. Set 1 has a class room setting, even with props! :D

The individual boxes feature Akira and Keisuke upfront (the sides show the characters included in the set).

When you open them, the latches show Gunji and Kiriwar – which is a bit weird, because they are not even included in this set. I guess that’s the first signal for you to buy the other set as well ;)

I already unpacked the figures once, in order to see which versions I got. But I took the photos today in the random order when I took them out of the box.

First are Rin and Bardo!

Bardo looks as relaxed as ever – and just look at the nice details! In general, both sets’ figures are quite detailed, so you see the care that was put into the design and in the realization of it.

However, I’m a bit displeased with Rin – his hair colour really bothers me! It’s too dark and orange-y, and does not really fit the picture on the card, the stock photos, or his older figure. It’s sad, because he is one of my favourites…

When I took him out of the plastic case, I was really shocked, because his head fell off!

That’s when I realized that the card’s case also had an extra paper, which seems to explain Rin’s loss of head…

I guess you can have some fun with switching the characters bodies ;) But I was really shocked at first, because his head was so loose.

Next are…the “food brothers” – Keisuke and Makoto!

Again, Makoto has lots of detail (even the Bub-logo on his bag) and Keisuke just looks really cute!

Leaks and Rai both looks grumpy – I guess it’s because Shui and Konoe are in the other set (Rai probably doesn’t approve Konoe being alone with Asato ;D)

Following….The two main protagonists of this set – Akira and Youji!

I love how Youji smiles softly, and how both have headphones. As you can see, I got the black ‘n silver head phones for Akira. They are removable, but I don’t know if they’d fit any other character’s head.

Youji comes with an extra arm and instruction – you can remove his headphones and mp3 player.

But why does Akira look so displeased? I guess this is why:

Kurosuke is there as well (he’s the secret figure)! He looks creepy- and his knife is rea~lly bloody. As you can see, I got Motomi’s red version. The red looks very nice and I think it suits him.

Group picture time!

As always, each figure comes with a character card.

This time, however, the backsides are puzzle pieces! Let’s see the result of set 1…

It’s Keisuke! But it is not complete yet – another hint to buy set 2 ;) I will reveal the complete picture in the review of set 2.

As you can see, the figures are very lovely and cute; and in general they realized the design pretty well. Except for Rin. Maybe Kotobukiya had too many tasks at once and didn’t check the colouring properly? I liked the old Rin’s hair better…. (sorry for the whining, haha) Rai’s hair seems less silver-y than his old figure, which doesn’t bother me. I didn’t really compare them side-by-side with the older figures, though.

Ponytale: Thanks sug for the awesomely detailed and enjoyable review! \(^o^)/sug’s review of the 2nd set by is posted here! Hop over now! :D

Looking sexy. Shiranui Kazuki 不知火一樹 Birthday desktop wallpaper

Aries boy Shiranui Kazuki’s birthday is 19 April! Its the same day as my mum lol~

Special wallpapers for download for a limited time here!

http://www.honeybee-cd.com/starrysky/special/index.html