Iason Revived.

Title: Ai no Kusabi 2012 間の楔 2012
Official site: http://ainokusabi.jp/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/kusabi_official
Account: @kusabi_official

Here are the list of BluRay/DVDs announced and probably more will be added later:
Each DVD/Blu-ray contains one 30 minute episode.

2012/01/18
Limited edition: 【Blu-ray】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)

Details for Limited edition Blu-ray.

First-press limited edition special items 【初回限定版特典】

・Pet ring with leather string ペットリング（革紐付き）
・Plate Key holder (Riki) プレートキーホルダー（リキ）
・Script アフレコ台本
・Special booklet 特製ブックレット
・Full set purchase coupon used to exchange for a specially written spin-off story booklet 全巻購入特典応募チケット
・ Limited quantity for first press items.
・ 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
・Textless ending ノンクレジットエンディング

First press and regular feature 【初回・通常版共通仕様】
・Illustrated jacket by Onda Naoyuki 恩田尚之特製描き下ろしジャケット
・Color picture label

***************************

2012/02/15
Limited Edition: 【Blu-ray】間の楔 ～pardo 折翼～ ＜初回限定版＞ (10,500 Yen)
Normal Edition: 【Blu-ray】間の楔 ～pardo 折翼～ ＜通常版＞ (7,140 Yen)
DVD: 【DVD】間の楔 ～pardo 折翼～ (6,090 Yen)

Details for Limited edition Blu-ray.

First-press limited edition special items 【初回限定版特典】

・Music box (autographed by Yoshihara Rieko sensei) オルゴール（吉原理恵子先生サイン入り）
・Plate Key holder (Iason) プレートキーホルダー（イアソン）
・Script アフレコ台本
・Special booklet 特製ブックレット
・Full set purchase coupon used to exchange for a specially written spin-off story booklet 全巻購入特典応募チケット
・Limited quantity for first press items.
・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
・Textless ending ノンクレジットエンディング
・First press and regular feature 【初回・通常版共通仕様】
・Illustrated jacket by Onda Naoyuki 恩田尚之特製描き下ろしジャケット
・Color picture label

***************************

2012/03/21
Limited Edition: 【Blu-ray】間の楔 ～congressus 邂逅～ ＜初回限定版＞ (10,500 Yen)
Normal Edition: 【Blu-ray】間の楔 ～congressus 邂逅～ ＜通常版＞ (7,140 Yen)
DVD: 【DVD】間の楔 ～congressus 邂逅～ (6,090 Yen)

Details for Limited edition Blu-ray.

First-press limited edition special items 【初回限定版特典】

・Blu-ray box to house all volumes (New illustration) Blu-ray全巻収納BOX（新規描き下ろし使用）
・Premium setting guide 豪華設定資料集
・Plate Key holder (Guy) プレートキーホルダー（ガイ）
・Script アフレコ台本
・Special booklet 特製ブックレット
・Full set purchase coupon used to exchange for a specially written spin-off story booklet 全巻購入特典応募チケット
・Limited quantity for first press items.
・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
・Textless ending ノンクレジットエンディング
・First press and regular feature 【初回・通常版共通仕様】
・Illustrated jacket by Onda Naoyuki 恩田尚之特製描き下ろしジャケット
・Color picture label

***************************

2012/04/18
【Blu-ray】間の楔 ～retino 淫縛～ ＜初回限定版＞
【Blu-ray】間の楔 ～retino 淫縛～ ＜通常版＞
【DVD】間の楔 ～retino 淫縛～

Details for Limited edition Blu-ray.

First-press limited edition special items 【初回限定版特典】

・3D Crystal ３Dクリスタル
・Plate Key holder (Katze) プレートキーホルダー（カッツェ）
・Script アフレコ台本
・Special booklet 特製ブックレット
・Full set purchase coupon used to exchange for a specially written spin-off story booklet 全巻購入特典応募チケット
・Limited quantity for first press items.
・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
・Textless ending ノンクレジットエンディング
・First press and regular feature 【初回・通常版共通仕様】
・Illustrated jacket by Onda Naoyuki 恩田尚之特製描き下ろしジャケット
・Color picture label

Summary:
In the future on Amoi, a planet controlled by a supercomputer named Jupiter. Among the mostly male human population, the light-haired elite class is allowed to temporarily keep the dark-haired “mongrels” as pets. One elite member, Iason, encounters a mongrel named Riki in the slums and decides to take him in. However, Iason keeps Riki longer than it is socially approved, and rumors abound about their possible relationship.

Main cast:
Riki リキ: Itou Kentarou 伊藤健太郎 (Original: Seki Toshihiko 関俊彦)
Iason イアソン: Ookawa Tooru 大川透 (Original: Shiozawa Kaneto 塩沢兼人)
Guy ガイ: Toriumi Kousuke 鳥海浩輔 (Original: Kojima Takayuki 小島貴幸)
Katze カッツェ: Miki Shinichirou 三木眞一郎 (Original: Tanaka Hideyuki 田中 秀幸)
Kirie キリエ: Morikubo Shoutaro 森久保 祥太郎 (Original: Matsuno Taiki 松野太紀)
Daryl ダリル: Hanawa Eiji はなわ えいじ 花輪英司 (Original: Okiayu Ryoutarou 置鮎龍太郎)
Raoul ラウール: Kuroda Takaya 黒田崇矢 (Original: Hayami Shou 速水奨)

As a side note, it takes some time to get used to Ookawa Tooru’s Iason, especially for fans of the original seiyuu for Iason, Shiozawa Kaneto. Partly because Ookawa Tooru reminded me too much of the yakuza he is often cast in BLCDs. However, he sounds better in the latest volume of the BLCD remake, so I’m hopeful. Itou Kentarou’s Riki is good so no complaints there.

Other info (from ANN):

Studio: AIC (worked on the original anime)
Director Akiyama Katsuhito (worked on the original anime)
Character designer Onda Naoyuki (worked on the original anime)
Script: Yoshihara Rieko
Sound: Abe Nobuyuki

In the meantime, we can re-watch the few previews to tide us over till they arrive in a few month’s time.

Update: Unfortunately, the project has been dropped :( Let’s hope someone picks it up again someday. Ai no Kusabi 間の楔 is going to be a 13 episode OVA!!! KYAAAA……………………….. I hope the DVDs are not too expensive *dies*

To be launched later quarter in 2009

Postphoned: Expected release date all 13 episodes on Spring 2010 (March?)

Project scrapped ( T~T)

From the poster, Iason looks kinda sickly o_O but Riki looks great!

Update March 2010!
Anime preview event in March 2010. More information here.

Update January 2010!
Thank goodness Ookawa Tooru’s Iason so sounds much more in character (and not like a Yakuza in the drama CD remakes anymore!) I’m REALLY looking forward to it now that this mental hurdle was overcome. View the 8-minute episode 1 preview. Seriously HOTTT~ If they maintain the quality throughout it’ll be a really awesome release.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Update October 2009 Comiket Trailer

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Update March 2009!
Official preview shows a much better looking Iason and ooo~ such delicious Riki!

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Title: ANiMiX Finder no Hyouteki DVD (ANiMiX 「ファインダーの標的」 DVD)
(Target in the Finder /You’re my loveprize in Viewfinder)
Price: 6,200 Yen (w/tax)
Available: 29 February 2012
Official site: http://www.b-boy.jp/animix/
First-press version: Special slip case, cast freetalk CD 特製スリーブ・キャストフリートークCD

Exclusively sold at: Animate Japan and Libre Japan.
Libre store: https://www.libre-pub.co.jp/shop/commodity/00000000/ANMX-002/
Libre freebies include FIXER version postcard set
Animate Japan: http://www.animate-onlineshop.jp/pn/pd/1083467/
Animate freebies include Viewfinder version postcard set
CDJapan Proxy Buying service

It’s been years after ANiMiX for Finder no Hyouteki (Target in the Viewfinder) by Yamane Ayano was first announced back in July 2008…

According to the latest update posted at the site, the DVD will include the stories Finder no Hyouteki 「ファインダーの標的」, FIXER 「FIXER」and Love Surprise 「ラブサプライズ」.

The images in the title pic may be black and white but we can clearly see that the characters look almost exactly like their original designs. They look fantastic!

To recap, ANiMiX is not an anime that has full animation. It’ll be like manga given the anime coloured treatment with sound and voice but has minimum animation of the mouth, eyes blinking etc. More about it in this post about ANiMiX when the productions were first announced.

The last update was back in April 2011 where various screenshots were shown as sneak peeks… it seems that we may finally see it this coming winter 2011 :) Better late than never! And I think we can expect pretty good quality when the production is finally released. I can’t remember exactly how I felt about the new cast when I listened to the short drama CD of the manga quite a while back ^^;; but I think I had a relatively good impression of how they sounded.

A couple of screenshots revealed in April 2011

ANiMiX / New drama cd cast
Takaba Akihito 高羽秋仁: Kakihara Tetsuya 柿原徹也
Asami Ryuuichi 麻見隆一: Kuroda Takaya 黒田祟矢
Liu Fei Long 刘飛龍: Tobita Nobuo 飛田展男

桐嶋 啓: Kawahara Yoshihisa 川原慶久
蘇芳一美: Miyake Kenta 三宅健太
山崎刑事: Ishii Kouji 石井康嗣
コウ: Hirakawa Daisuke 平川大輔
タカト: Tachibana Shinnosuke 立花慎之介

I am one-eyed dragon, Masamu-nya!

Title: Nyanpire, The Gothic World of Nyanpire にゃんぱいあ
Rating: Recommended-nya~

Summary (wiki):
Nyanpire is a Japanese doujinshi manga series written and illustrated by Yukiusa. In the story, a small abandoned kitten is rescued by a vampire (voiced by Tachibana Shinnosuke), who feeds him some of his blood, allowing him to be reborn as a vampire cat named Nyanpire. The series follows Nyanpire as he spends his days living with his human owner, Misaki, and meeting other cats.

Cast:
Koshimizu Ami 小清水亜美 as Nyanpire にゃんぱいあ
Sugiyama Noriaki 杉山紀彰 as Masamunya Dokuganryu 独眼竜まさむにゃ
Fukuyama Jun 福山潤 as Nyatenshi にゃてんし
Goto Yuko 後藤邑子 as Chachamaru 茶々丸
Hirota Shion 廣田詩夢 as Misaki-chan 美咲ちゃん
Tachibana Shinnosuke 立花 慎之介 as Vampire/Narrator

This short 3-min episodic anime turned to be surprisingly cute with clear shounen-ai themes as seen from episode 2 XD silly but true lol~ The following will contain SPOILERS so be warned.

It is epic to listen to Hetalia’s seiyuu for tsundere character UK, Sugiyama Noriaki voicing the proud Masamu-nya (parody cat version of historical Japanese samurai Date Masamune) nyaaaa-ing his tsundere ways in the episode.

Nyanpire is taking his usual walks and singing about yummy food he ate. There he is confronted by Masamu-nya who wants to get rid of this “demon” cat. But instead of being afraid, Nyanpire thinks the samurai cat is cool. Lol~

Unfazed by the open admiration, the brave samurai cat charges towards the vampire cat……. and trips on a stone OTL;;; Nyanpire asks, “Are you ok?” (^^;;; LOL)

Masamu-nya quickly picks himself up and tries to explain that the fall was nothing to a samurai. But Nyanpire only sees the yummy blood from the scratches he got from the fall. Instinctively Nyanpire attacks his lunch lol~

And licks him all over~~~~~ XD

Masamu-nya: STOP STOP… AaaAAaahhHhhhHhh~~~~ (felt so good lol)

Epic moan by Sugiyama Noriaki here.

Satiated, the two cats sit side by side and Masamu-nya became all tokimeki (love-struck) and deredere (sweet) because of how daring Nyanpire was. But like any proper Japanese cat, he wants to get to know Nyanpire better before they take their relationship any further (LOL)

Masamu-nya: So what’s your type?
Nyanpire: Long hair and big boobs. OH YEAH!

Are you a boy???

REALITY BITES lol XDD

Poor Masamu-nya <3 First love and first kiss stolen by a boy XDDD

FAREWELL…. trips and falls down again.

In the next episode Jun jun will show up as a white angel cat who was kicked out of heaven for his womanizing behaviour XD NYAAAA~

Check out these cute Nyanpire Color Collection Character Mascots! XD

Thanks to reactions to the first episode of anime No. 6, I did not miss a potentially good sci-fi story (and possible BL too) lol~

Title: NO. 6

Quick summary:

Set in the near future, the science fiction takes place in the ideal city “NO.6″.

On the night of his twelfth birthday, Shion (vo. Kaji Yuki) met a beautiful boy called “Nezumi” (vo. Hosaya Yoshimasa) who had escaped from a reformatory. Although the boy was wanted by the Security Bureau, Shion protected him, treated his injuries and gave him food. The next day Nezumi disappeared but left a deep impression in Shion’s heart about questioning the truth behind the city they live in.

Four years later, Shion encounters another mystery of people dying from premature aging and once again begins to question what NO.6 really is.

Based on the novel by Asano Atsuko (あさの あつこ).

Shion: Why did I open the window that stormy night?

Screen shots shown are not in chronological order.

I watched the first episode partly due to the reactions to the BL shown in the episode. To be honest, I don’t think I would really classify that as real BL due to the situation the boys were in at that point in time. However, as you can see in some of the screen shots, I think the animators MAY be trying to pique fujoshi interest and get more viewers for their anime :P It’s more like BL-fanservice if you really want to be delusional ^^;;

A naive and cute Shion, at 12 years old.

When asked why Shion extended help to him, he said he thought Nezumi was a girl and besides being injured, he also looked weak but in truth, he also didn’t know why he did it. Potential premise for BL in the future?

This scene was shown after Nezumi released Shion whom he had pinned down and threatened with a spoon.

And to that, My guess is that for someone like Nezumi who probably had not experienced kindness from others, he would have been very touched by the warmth Shion had shown him. That’s where the hand squeezing occured (and probably where all those homophobic reactions came up). When he said that people who are alive feel warm, my guess is that he escaped from a place where people he cared about die all the time.

As the anime has only begun, there is still so much not revealed about NO.6 and the story. Even if there wasn’t BL, I’ll continue watching it for the plot. I feel sorry for people who dismiss this potentially good anime because of their over-reaction and homophobia.

But for the sake of being a fujoshi, here’s one cute BL-ish shot.
Shion: Ah~ you’re feverish.
Nezumi: Aren’t you getting hot too? (something to that effect XD)

Main cast:
Hosoya Yoshimasa as Nezumi ネズミ
Kaji Yuki as Sion 紫苑

Shindou Kei as Inukashi
Yasuno Kiyono as Safu
Terasoma Masaki as Rikiga
Sakuma Rei as Karan
Miki Shinichiro as Yoming
Morohoshi Sumire as Lili

Official site: http://www.no-6.jp

Update 19 August 2011: 7 Episodes on, yes, I’ve finally decided to officially classify this is as a BL anime on my blog although I was convinced much earlier than this lol~ Please watch it if you haven’t done so yet!

If you have these bishonen towels XD~

Attack of the Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi 世界一初恋 goods! And we can expect more to come :D For those of us melting under the summer sun, wipe those sweat away with these mini towels…

Title: Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi Mofu-Mofu Mini Towel Ritsu Onodera & Masamune Takano
Title: Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi Mofu-Mofu Mini Towel Chiaki Yoshino & Yoshiyuki Hatori
Title: Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi Mofu-Mofu Mini Towel Shota Kisa & Kou Yukina
Price: 1,000 yen each (w/o tax)
Size: 25 x 25 cm
Description: Micro-fibre towel. Supposedly great quality and absorbent :P Sweat away my friends!

Not enough? Take a cold shower and this large towel will come in handy…

Title: Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi Mofu-Mofu Large Towel Key Visual 1
Price: 8,800 yen each (w/o tax)
Size: 100cm × 150cm

But if you’re chilling in the cool weather (or low temperature air conditioning) blankets and mufflers to keep you warm…

Title: Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi Mofu-Mofu Muffler Towel Ritsu Onodera & Masamune Takano
Title: Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi Mofu-Mofu Muffler Towel Chiaki Yoshino & Yoshiyuki Hatori
Title: Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi Mofu-Mofu Muffler Towel Shota Kisa & Kou Yukina
Price: 2,000 yen each (w/o tax)
Size: 110cm × 20cm

Title: Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi Mofu-Mofu Lap Blanket Key Visual 2
Price: 4,800 yen each (w/o tax)
Size: 100cm × 75cm

Expect them to be released in July 2011.

June/July is going to be another $$$ month OTL, so I’ll keep these as wish list items for now. DVDs on their way too ^^;;

Boy version Lucky star? A slice-of-life, high school-life comedy to look forward to :)

Kimi to Boku 君と僕。 (You and I) based on shounen manga by Hotta Kiichi 堀田 きいち will be animated!

Summary (from Baka-updates)
Shun, Kaname, and the twins Yuuki and Yuuta have been friends since kindergarten. It’s a little hard to tell if they actually get along or not – but even as high-school students, they hang out together. Recently, they’ve had a new addition; a half-Japanese transfer student Chizuru, who has started to liven up the group. This manga is really just about their daily lives, which aren’t particularly passionate or exciting. A tranquil and sometimes comedic story of youthful friendship…

Comments:
I enjoyed Lucky Star らき☆すた when it was aired a while back and I’m definitely looking forward to another slice-of-life comedy! It makes it even better because the leads are guys this time.

The five main boys (left) Kaname, Chizuru, Shun and twins Yuuki and Yuuta :3

One of my all time favourite manga was Koko wa Gurin Uddo (ここはグリーン・ウッド/Here is Greenwood) by Yukie Nasu 那州雪絵 which was about a bunch of high school guys staying in the same domitory and their comedic daily misadventures. It’s silly but this manga series was the reason for one of my biggest wish… that was to stay in a dormitory as a student (but that wish didn’t come true ^^;;;) I haven’t been catching up on manga much nowadays and missed gems like Kimi to Boku cos a quick check on the web shows lots of very positive reviews of this manga series. It has quite a number of Drama CDs that was released too. Would the anime be using the same cast?

Here’s a quick look at Kimi to Boku’s Drama CD cast:

Kaida Yuki 甲斐田ゆき as 浅羽悠太
Minakawa Junko 皆川純子 as 浅羽祐希
Suzumura Kenichi 鈴村健一 as 塚原要 (child cv: Paku Romi 朴璐美)
Takayama Minami 高山みなみ as 松岡春 (child cv: Kugimiya Rie 釘宮理恵)
Takeuchi Junko 竹内順子 as 橘千鶴
Saitou Chiwa 斎藤千和 as 佐藤茉咲
Morikubo Shoutaro 森久保祥太郎 as 東晃一
Kobayashi Yumiko 小林由美子 as あきら

Generally speaking, both series Kimi to Boku and Here is Greenwood have shounen-ai elements where one main character is mistaken as a girl at first (Their names happen to sound the same too lol~ what a coincidence. Both are “Shun”) and the characters have very close friendships. However, such shounen-ai elements are not the only reasons I enjoyed a series like Here is Greenwood. Basically, it was great storytelling and characters that made me love it :) I had a quick read of Kimi to Boku and it reminds me of what I loved about Here is Greenwood too.

Looking forward to the actual release!

Update August 2011:

Official site: http://www.kimiboku.tv/

Kimi to Boku anime will air in October 2011

Anime cast:

Uchiyama Kouki 内山昂輝 as Asaba Yuuta 浅羽悠太
Irino Miyu 入野自由 as Tachibana Chizuru 橘 千鶴
Kimura Ryohei 木村良平 as Asaba Yuuki 浅羽祐希
Toyonaga Toshiyuki 豊永利行 as Matsuoka Shun 松岡 春
Ono Yuuki 小野友樹 as Tsukahara Kaname 塚原 要

Toriumi Kousuke 鳥海浩輔 as Azuma Kouichi 東晃一
Satou Miyuki 佐藤美由希 as Sato Masaki 佐藤茉咲
Nakajima Saki 中島沙樹 as Kaori-sensei かおり先生
Kaji Yuuki 梶裕貴 as Akira あきら

Cute figure straps :D included with upcoming limited edition manga available for order! Preorder deadline: 28 November 2011. Release date: March 2012

Preorder sales figures for the DVDs must have been very bad.

According to latest news published on Togainu no Chi 咎狗の血 anime website, release of the anime in 6 DVD volumes when they’re clearly not even ready for prime time will be cancelled.

The first DVD containing 2 episodes was supposed to be released in 23 March 2011.

Instead, the 12 episodes will be released together in just one DVD Box set.

Reason cited as production issues and the production team is “remastering” the anime before releasing the final box set within one year. (Aren’t sure if that means reworking the anime)

After that incredible disappointment and abomination of Togainu no chi anime that was broadcast in 2010, this sounds like awesome news for fans of the game. But still, I’m not going to get my hopes too high up.

Official site: www.togainu.tv

Other information about Togaino no Chi here.

Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi 世界一初恋 by Junjou Romantica 純情ロマンチカ mangaka Nakamura Shungiku 中村春菊 was aired in Japan on 8 April 2011.

Update: Well generally speaking, Sekai Ichi anime didn’t disappoint. I’ve watched the OVA and like to say that it reminded me of everything I loved about Junjou Romantica <3

From the looks of it, the art style of the manga/anime definitely looks very Junjou-ish. The main characters Onodera Ritsu and Takano Masamune also look like a younger Miyagi x older Shinobu from Junjou Terrorist.

By the way, the story is set at the same publishing company in Junjou Romantica, so we’ll get to see a familiar face or two from the manga, such as Isaka Ryuuichiro.

They’re also keeping the original cast from the drama CDs which is great. Generally, I find that in terms of the entertaining and comedic factor, Junjou Romantica is a lot funnier. I’ve read comments however that this series is a lot more believable and down-to-earth. What do you think?

As a sneak peak and commemorative gesture for the upcoming anime, a 20-minute anime DVD will be bundled with the manga that will be released in March 2011. I hope it has different content from the actual TV broadcast :)

Title: Sekaiichi Hatsukoi Vol. 5 Ritsu Onodera no Baai
「世界一初恋～小野寺律の場合～」
Price: 3800yen
Release date: 23 March 2011
Limited edition includes a bonus DVD (20 minutes) and a special box.

Summary (adapted and edited from animenewsnetwork)
The story follows the tension between a newly recruited manga editor and his tyrannical editor-in-chief – who happen to share a common past. Onodera Ritsu (Kondo Takashi) has just transferred from his father’s publishing company to Marukawa Shoten. Assigned to the shoujo manga division, he crosses path with the person he’d least expected to meet. Takano Masamune (Konishi Katsuyuki) is the editor-in-chief of the division Ritsu is assigned to, and the two seem to get off on the wrong foot right from the very start when Takano unexpectedly kisses him. However, there is more to it than what meets the eye… Takano is actually Saga, Ritsu’s senpai and high school love whom Ritsu had thought to have played him for a fool by taking his affections for granted and dumping him after he confessed.

Cast:
Kondo Takashi 近藤隆 as Onodera Ritsu 小野寺律
Konishi Katsuyuki 小西克幸 as Takano Masamune 高野正宗
Tachibana Shinnosuke 立花慎之介 as 吉野千秋
Nakamura Yuichi 中村悠一 as 羽鳥芳雪
Kamiya Hiroshi 神谷浩史 as 柳瀬　優
Horiuchi Kenyuu 堀内賢雄 as 横澤隆史
Morikawa Toshiyuki 森川智之 as Isaka Ryuuichiro

Sekai Ichi vol. 1 DVD! XD Ordered!!!

Oo~ guess whose cute little butt that belongs to? :3

After Sweet Pool’s Tetsuo x Youji one-coin chibi’s debut in the miniature bath tub, I took Banoni‘s suggestion to make Junjou Romantica bath scene too :D

It is possible to balance Nendoroid Petite heads on some one-coin chibi bodies as you can see in my previous Junjou Petite review. But this time, we’re using Y-shirt Akira’s naked body and Nendoroid Petite Misaki’s head. I tried but there was no way that tiny body could support the big head without some help.

So this was what I did. Notice that there are no ball-joints available to connect Misaki’s head to Akira’s body. So I used a plastic wire fastener and twisted it into something that will fit both holes.

The resulting wire fastener (is that what it’s called anyway?)

Don’t be shy Misaki, you look per…fect…ly…. cute -NAKED- now! :D~ Yay~

Misaki: Usagi-san…mi naide (don’t look)
Usami: Misaki… kawaii… *smoochies*
See? Usami agrees too…

Anyway, this is the scene I decided to recreate, based on art of a Junjou Romantica bromide I bought.

Usami x Misaki <3 What do you think :D Pity I didn’t have the exact props though…

Usami: Come, Misaki. Let me scrub your back.
Misaki: *_* Iyadda! No… I don’t… want… you… to… *struggles & frowns & pouts*

To be honest, the pics I took after that turned out to be REALLY *coughpervycough* (yarashii) *_*
I decided to upload the milder one on photobucket and…

The NSFW one elsewhere (in case it gets flagged)

Misaki: Umm… Usagi-san Yame… (>_<)
Usami: Suki-desu, Misaki…

*****coughcoughcoughcough****
It’s scary how Usami’s hand is like… in such a -PERFECT- angle for this… *hides* OTL.
*****coughcoughcoughcough****
And Akira’s naked body’s hand also has the Tsundere-Uke-Resisting-The-Seme angle ^^;;;

Speechless? (^///^) *sweatcoughsweat*
Junjou Romantica Love!~

That’s because Misaki is a tsundere and cute little teddy bear! XD

Lots of photos shall follow…

Yes, after months and years, the much awaited Junjou Romantica Nendoroid Petit (Puchi) has finally arrived…

Title: Junjou Romantica Nendoroid Puchi Mail Order Exclusive Misaki & Akihiko & Suzuki-san set (純情ロマンチカ ねんどろいどぷち 通販限定 美咲＆秋彦＆鈴木さんセット)
Damage: 2,100 Yen (w/tax)
Size: about 65mm
Release Date: 26 August 2010
Available exclusively at Chara-ani

If I remember correctly, this set of figures was first announced after the end of the second season of Junjou Romantica anime and supposed to have been released in Oct 2009 but it was delayed a few times until they finally decided to delay it all the way till now. I think part of the reason could be the bad economy in 2008/2009 which would probably have made it a lot more expensive to manufacture.

Anyway, I’m so very very glad the set made it through and is released successfully! :D

Perfect pose for kissing
As I was shooting the figures, I found that we can achieve such a cute and perfect kissing angle with Usami’s arm positioned like this! And Misaki has the “I don’t want to be kissed by you but you are so persistent I can’t resist” tsundere frown. LOL SO CUTE! XD

The following is the box packaging of the figure set. It’s a pink and cheery box decorated with pink lace, dainty flowers and petals, crying out for your love and attention. Oh notice the also -pink- pen at the bottom. It’s a free gift that came with the order.

The package, side view and top. Just screams cute :P

Back view of the box. Looks like vital stats page and lists the contents of the package. Only 3 figures and their respective bases.

Unboxed. Notice that even the cover was given a cute design treatment with a flower :3 And a close-up of the pen. Nothing special though… except for the main logo design of the series.

The mandatory mugshot. The two boys are leaning against the backdrop while Suzuki-san can actually stand by its own without its base for support. The figures look really good in pics right? They are even cuter in real life :3 Usami’s oresama and slightly cheeky look is perfect. I just noticed one little detail that is off… Misaki should have been a bit shorter than Usami… but that’s probably asking too much for a Nendoroid Petit.

Another angle. See? Suzuki-san is standing away from the wall. I’m trying very hard not to type the word cute in every other sentence but I’m going to fail. Misaki is so cute!!! From this angle too!

Here’s the side view. I tried to make Usami and Misaki stand facing each other without their bases but Misaki’s bangs poked out and refused to cooperate, so they kept falling over. Putting them leaning against each other is fine tho’ :D Cute butt!

Back-view lol~ Doesn’t it look like Usami is whispering some secret to Misaki and Suzuki-san is trying to eavesdrop on them? I placed them flat, face-down.

Usami and Misaki disassembled heh… And when I did that, I realised that we were cheated of the opportunity to change Misaki’s arms because of his design. *pouts* But notice the cute detail of his belt. Actually you can’t even see it when it is attached to his body. I’m glad they didn’t skim on that. Painting details of the figures were crisp and nicely done.

I have to confess, when I first saw the planned release included Suzuki-san, I thought we were being ripped-off. That’s because although he is the mascot, I rather they made another character instead of the bear. But now that I have the actual Suzuki-san figure, I’m really glad he was made. Cos we can make teddy bear Misaki! XD Or any other Nendoroid Petit character you have into a ribbon bowed bear!!! See those paws Gaaa~ The whole effect is just too cute! (again)

They really could have made more accessories or interchangeable parts for this set of figures. I mean… look at the box. It can allow for so much more items! But only the 3 figures were made and Misaki didn’t even have removable arms. And they cost the same as the Bakemonogatari ones too… well, minus the fact that most of us have to go through a proxy to get them.

I’m praying that sales for this set go extremely well, so that we can get the rest of the couples made.

Oh well, complaints aside… I’m very glad to have them! And I think they are very much worth the wait and price cos they are so much cuter than I expected them to be. They are still available at Chara-ani, so grab them if your budget allows! :)

Before we go, here’s an omake pic of the couple… kekeke… I just couldn’t resist XDDD

Well, it sucks to be sick :( but at least there’s something to look forward to… cos Junjou Romantica Petites are on their way to me! XD YES! After waiting for so long!

Will update again when they arrive :3 Have you received your shipment notice yet? ^^

SO CUUUUTTTEEEE!!! XD

Newly announced at Wonderfest 2010 Summer!

Nendoroid Plus Charm Collection of Shiki and Akira from Nitro Chiral’s BL game, Togainu no Chi 咎狗の血 are currently in the works! OMG! Togainu no Chi being animated has got to be one of the best news for BL fans this year :D

Special features of this new product line:
1) A 40 mm tall small character charm figure which comes with a base
2) A voice unit that features up to 4 different famous lines of the character.

I was really excited when I saw the pics but on closer scrutiny on the product specs, I can’t help but feel a little disappointed. They are not action figures and are about the same size as the one-coin figures by Kotobukiya.

An actual Nendoroid would have been much better but it’s a promising start! I wonder how much it’ll cost us this time.

In fact, I seriously prefer to have figmas of these boys cos they are more true to the original character design and it’ll be so awesome to be able to pose them!

Anyway, packaging of the finished product is expected to look like these K-On! ones.

Update: 28 December 2010. Hugely disappointing anime. It is something you have to see to believe (disbelief) and one of the main reasons I didn’t want to write my comments about it until I’ve watched everything… I was still holding to the hope that it would get better and continued watching because of loyalty and love for the series and the seiyuus. Anyway, you’ve been warned. Can the animators redeem themselves with the reworked DVDs? Let’s wait and see.

There are 12 broadcast episodes and a rumoured episode 13. I think it may appear as a DVD-only special, featuring Yukihito, a new character first introduced in Togainu’s PS2 port, voiced by Kamiya Hiroshi who was listed as part of the anime cast. Last checked, his name isn’t there anymore tho… so don’t hold your breath :-\

Update: 22 March 2010 Hyperventilate! XD

Togainu no Chi True Blood 咎狗の血

Official site: www.togainu.tv

Summary (grabbed from wiki)

After being devastated in the third World War (known as The Third Division), Japan was divided in two. Several years after the end of the war, a crime organization called Vischio has taken control of the destroyed city of Toshima (formerly Tokyo, Japan’s capital city), where they are holding a battle game known as “Igura”. The game’s main character, a young man named Akira, is falsely accused of a crime. Once arrested, a mysterious woman appears before him, offering him freedom if he agrees to participate in Igura and defeat Igura’s strongest man: the king, or “Il-re”. The story follows Akira’s life in the harsh, lawless Toshima as he fights both to survive and to unravel the mysteries developing around him.

Voice Cast:
Akira アキラ Toriumi Kousuke 鳥海浩輔
Keisuke ケイスケ Sugita Tomokazu 杉田智和
Rin リン Fukuyama Jun 福山潤
Motomi 源泉 Ichijo Kazuya 一条和矢
Shiki シキ Midorikawa Hikaru 緑川光
Arubitro アルビトロ Okano Kousuke 岡野浩介
Kiriwa キリヲ Konishi Katsuyuki 小西克幸
Gunji グンジ Taniyama Kishio 谷山紀章
Nano ナノ Yamazaki Takumi 山崎たくみ

Old information:

Promotion movie (PV) will be shown during their cafe party event on 22 March 2010.
(http://www.nitrochiral.com/pc/event/chiral_party/)

Thanks m for the youtube link ^^

Youtube link is dead visit Nitro+Chiral’s site for the official trailer

29 March 2010 Update (Thanks hammerhammer!)

Youtube link is dead visit Nitro+Chiral’s site for the official trailer

AWESOME LOOKING! I think we’re in for a visual treat, at least in the action animation bits.
I don’t think I’ll even mind it if there isn’t very much BL/fan-service ^^;;; as long as the story is told well.

23 March 2010 Update!

Screen grab of the trailer shown during Nitro Chiral’s 5th anniversary party

Well, we can only see Akira and Shiki’s heads for now but it sure looks promising :D

Source: journal.mycom.co.jp/news/2010/03/22/011/

29 March 2010 Update (Thanks hammerhammer!)

The video cannot be shown at the moment. Please try again later.

AWESOME LOOKING! I think we’re in for a visual treat, at least in the action animation bits.
I don’t think I’ll even mind it if there isn’t very much BL/fan-service ^^;;; as long as the story is told well.

Summary (adapted and edited from wikipedia)
Sakurai Yuki was abandoned right after he was born. Because of his past, Yuki strives for independence and hates being a burden to anyone.

Since young, he can feel people’s emotions though touch. Unable to control his power, he often made insensitive blunders in the past. He later encounters a mysterious yet beautiful man who saves his life, but somehow he feels like he has met him before.

With death threats and his powers increasing, a man who claimed to be his older brother suddenly appears. What will happen to Yuki now?

Comments:
I really love Odagiri-sensei’s early shounen-ai works but for UraBoku, I’m not sure if I have the patience to sit through this type of reincarnation story anymore *dodges rocks from fangirls*

So yeah, I admit haven’t read the manga. ^^;;;

Anyway, it is supposed to be a story with shounen-ai hints using the reincarnation plot device that I would consider quite typical in shoujo manga when they want to explain the BL bits. *shrugs* Should it be given the BL anime tag? Hmm… what do you think?

I’ll give it a try when it shows and see how it goes. I do love the lead Sakurai Takahiro and the other stellar seiyuu casts in the anime are very attractive too. But it’s giving me a very Vampire Knight kind of vibe. (*whispers* I dropped that anime after the first episode) *dodges more boulders* ^^;;;

Trailer (Thanks m! ^^) View the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5-_LQ3luEU

Update 13 April 2010: I quite enjoyed the first episode cos boy Yuki is rather likable and the girl in his previous life seemed pretty cool too. The first episode also establishes the scene and main characters quite well. The “if I’m destined to die, then I want you to kill me” angsty plot-device is used to death already but it still works here ^^;;; From the vibe I get from the first episode, it also doesn’t feel pretentious and unbelievable like Vampire Knight’s anime (Vampires and humans in the same school… yeah right… =_= )

I think I’ll continue watching Uraboku anime and just enjoy it as an action shoujo work. But I can’t help but go mini-kyaaa in my heart during the expected scene where Sakurai Takahiro’s character rescues boy Yuki and hugged him while flying through the air in slow-motion lol~ I love Sakupyon <3

Official Site: http://www.uraboku.jp/

Cast:
Hoshi Souichirou 保志総一朗 as Yuki Sakurai
Sakurai Takahiro 櫻井孝宏 as Luka Crosszeria

Ishida Akira as Kanata Wakamiya
Ono Daisuke as Hotsuma Renjou
Fukuyama Jun as Tsukumo Murasame
Narita Ken as Isuzu Fujiwara
Miyano Mamoru as Shusei Usui
Inoue Marina as Touko Murasame
Miki Shinichiro as Tachibana Giou
Koyasu Takehito as Takashiro Giou
Yukana as Yuki

Super quick summary: It’s  a school boys love story about a boy who falls for another one who can’t help but give out COME-XXX-me phermones. Lol~ Of course there’s more to it than that but my head hurts. Down with flu. (T_T)

Vol 1 expected release: 27 November 2009
Vol 2 expected release: 30 April 2010

Damage: the usual wallet busting 9,975 Yen for the Limited edition.

Animated by PrimeTime, the trailer of this 2-part OVA is out~ No voices yet but expect some provocative, nosebleeding scenes at the end. ^^ I screencapped the most pervy scenes from the trailer, since we’re all pervs anyway. ////////// Not worksafe. YOU’VE BEEN WARNED! Lol~ Enjoy! //////////

Yummy~yummy~ (^///^)

Ah… more to come?

For the full trailer: http://www.primetime.gs/product/seitomov.html

Main Cast:

知賀:Sugita Tomokazu 杉田智和
国斉:Toriumi Kousuke 鳥海浩輔
近藤:Kishio Daisuke 岸尾だいすけ
阿久津:Koyasu Takehito 子安武人

Music by:
Vol. 1 ~ MOKA, pigstar, SCRIPT
Vol. 2 ~ MOKA, pigstar, JUNED

Mini Drama Seiyuu:
Takahashi Misaki 高橋美咲: Sakurai Takahiro 櫻井孝宏
Usami Akihiko 宇佐美秋彦: Hanada Hikaru花田光
Takahashi Takahiro 高橋孝浩: Taniyama Kishou谷山紀章
Misaki (Young): Ise Mariya 伊瀬茉莉也
Obasan おばさん：Nishizawa Hiroka 西沢広香

Review/Comments:
Junjou Romantica Sound Collection 1 features all the music composed by MOKA for season one of the anime as well as the TV-sized versions of opening and ending songs.  Junjou Romantica Sound Collection 2 has that of season two. As an omake of sorts, both collections also contain five super-cute mini dramas each. These ten mini dramas were adapted from the mini comics that were on the inner covers of the original Junjou Romantica manga.

One of the things I love about Junjou Romantica anime is the music. Refreshing, evocative yet quirky at times. The varied style, melody and instruments used in the compositions are never out-of-tune with the pace of the drama in the series. In fact, I just can’t imagine how Junjou anime would’ve turned out if the music wasn’t this good. Who wouldn’t have their hearts skipping a beat or ache whenever Usami and Misaki’s love theme 夢見ごこちBOY comes up? And the anxiousness we feel when we hear Nowaki and Hiroki’s ONE-SIDED theme drumming up the pace in the background at their impending break-up? And the sweetness of 幸せの予感… ah~ there are just too many perfect pieces in both collections for each scene to mention.

The piano and violin versions of the opening, ending songs as well as certain themes are also very beautiful. It is just amazing how changing musical instruments and arrangements can bring out a completely different atmosphere in the same composition. I’m glad they included the TV-sized versions of the opening and ending songs in the CDs. This is the only gripe I have with the lovely Antique Bakery anime soundtrack which did not do so… but that is for another review post.

The mini-dramas are little gems by themselves. The placing of the dramas within the track listings flows well with the other music pieces and are non-disruptive. The mini-drama in Sound Collection 1 is generally about a younger Takahiro gushing to Usami about how cute kiddy Misaki is and the things he does, but most of the time, they are silly enough to make Usami wonder if Misaki is an idiot lol~ As for Sound Collection 2, Takahiro keeps running to Usami for advice on how to deal with young Misaki’s rebellious behaviour amongst other growing up issues.

The dramas are very well-acted and funny. They also give us a deeper insight about the friendship and interaction between Takahiro and Usami. We  get to know Takahiro as a person better and boy, he -is- cute! I really like young Misaki’s voice too.

Both CDs have beautifully illustrated covers which are in bright, happy colours. Even the discs and inner sleeves are printed with cute designs of duck, bear and panda mascots. They’re definitely something you’ll love to have and own.

Vol. 1 Track Listings:
1. 純情ロマンチカ
2. 純情テロリスト
3. 純情DAYS
4. 君=花 (piano ver.)(OPテーマ)
5. ミニドラマ1 (Mini Drama)
6. 純情エゴイスト
7. ONE-SIDED
8. よろこびの瞬間
9. 変わりえぬ、ひと
10. ミニドラマ2 (Mini Drama)
11. 夢見ごこちBOY
12. 純情LOST
13. 純情行動派
14. ベイビーロマンチカ (piano ver.)(EDテーマ)
15. ミニドラマ3 (Mini Drama)
16. 抵抗中
17. 不安な夜
18. 幸せの予感
19. 誤解DAYS
20. ミニドラマ4 (Mini Drama)
21. …一緒
22. 青空ワルツ
23. キツいテンション
24. 木漏れ日
25. ミニドラマ5 (Mini Drama)
26. 純情ペシミスティック
27. 君とのテンション
28. やすらぎ
29. 純情ロマンチカ (strings ver.)
30. ヒミツの企み
31. 君=花 (TVサイズver.)(OPテーマ)
32. クマのぬいぐるみ
33. ベイビーロマンチカ (TVサイズver.)(EDテーマ)

Vol. 2 Track Listings:
1. 突然のロマンス
2. 純情エゴイスト デートver.
3. 純粋恋心
4. 2OP「衝動」piano ver.
5. ミニドラマ6 (Mini Drama)
6. 俺はあなたを
7. 僕らの旅
8. 星の部屋
9. 優しい抱擁
10. ミニドラマ7 (Mini Drama)
11. 誰にも言えない悩み
12. 抑えきれなくて
13. 幸せ、たくさん
14. 2ED「相生」piano ver.
15. ミニドラマ8 (Mini Drama)
16. 疑い惑う心
17. そよ風 ※気分屋の 削除
18. うつむく街角
19. 哀しみの理由
20. ミニドラマ9 (Mini Drama)
21. 散歩日和
22. 浮かないキモチ
23. 悪い予感
24. BOYS’ MEMORIES
25. ミニドラマ10 (Mini Drama)
26. ひとりごと
27. 別れの始め
28. 純情テロリスト violin ver.
29. 好きと言えなくて・・
30. 純情ロマンチカ, forever
31. 一生の恋
32. 2OP「衝動」TV ver.
33. ひつじ雲
34. 2ED「相生-アイオイ-」TV ver.

Label: Frontier Works Inc. (PLC) (M)

Update: 24 Feb 2010

Finally some pics of the final figures! Thanks to planck-chan for the heads-up!

Overall I think the boys are worth the price tag. Have you ordered yours today? XD

Date: Jan 15, 2009

I’m not just your typical chibi Usami….

xoOoOoxxxxxxxOoOxxxxxxxoOoOox
I AM NENDOROID PETIT USAMI!
xoOoOoxxxxxxxOoOxxxxxxxoOoOox

Good news Junjou fans! We’ll be able to get our hands on Nendoroid Petit Misaki, Usami and Suzuki-san soon! Thanks to nici for the heads-up.

Currently, only an illustration of Usami’s figure design is out. Goodsmile’s site doesn’t have any official information yet.

Damage: 2,100 Yen (w/ tax) for set of 3.

Available: August 2009 (delayed till December 2009) August 2010

Update 10 Dec 2009: FURTHER DELAYED TILL August 2010 (Almost TWO F**KING YEARS! Considering they opened for pre-orders since Dec 2008 This is turning out to be another one of those Pre-ordering nightmares… see my other nightmare). Blame it on the bad economy? =_=

Additional info: Approx 65 mm tall. Chara-ani exclusive. Not available in stores. -SOLD OUT-

I’ll be placing an order at Nihonju (Thanks nici! ^^ Did you get one too?) Although it is slightly more expensive at 2,730 Yen (shipping not included) but I guess its ok just to secure a set first. OMG~ this means we’ll be seeing more BL figures in the future! AWESOME! (sigh~ but why must it happen when Japanese Yen is so strong… totally bank breaking. ) And since Goodsmile is involved… you never know, even FIGMA perhaps? WOAH~ can’t wait.

Akiyama, our dream for more BL/male figures are coming true… and *cough* maybe x-rated ones won’t be so far away after all *dies*

Limited edition Junjou Romantica DVD Vol. 6 tokuten is a pair of cute Piyo-chan socks (something I will probably never wear/use… kinda wasteful ^^”) and a mini manga.

Episode 11 is the continuation of the Junjou Terrorist arc (Miyagi x Shinobu) from the previous volume. There is some angst involved but overall still okay.

Episode 12 is Junjou Romantica (Usami x Misaki) arc. It is also the concluding episode of Season one.

There isn’t much to censor in both clips but the darkened areas were removed, so we can see the “compromising positions” clearly :)

There’s still some con-non-con in Junjou Terrorist but is less disturbing and Misaki’s hilarious but seriously cute attempt to service an amused Usami. Enjoy! XD

1) Episode 11 Miyagi x Shinobu

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

2) Episode 12 Usami x Misaki

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Limited edition Junjou Romantica DVD Vol. 5 tokuten is a cute Panda mechanical pencil (kindly modelled by Lulu ^^) and a mini manga. It contains episodes 9 and 10: Junjou Minimum and Junjou Terrorist.

Chibi Usami x Hiroki is super adorable. There wasn’t anything to censor but I have to say, it is one of my favourite episodes in the first season. Sweet! xD

As for Junjou Terrorist arc (Miyagi x Shinobu), personally I don’t enjoy it as much as the other two. I’m not exactly sure why although I like Inoue Kazuhiko who voices Miyagi.

If you’ve already watched the censored TV version, you’ll know that there’s a non-con in this episode. I understand that Miyagi only intended to “scare” Shinobu off or something to that effect… but watching the uncensored version, I felt rather disturbed by Shinobu’s ordeal and it felt worse for me when I saw him in tears, so I didn’t include that part in this video clip.

Warning! There’s some non-explicit non-con (which didn’t go all the way but still…) if non-con in any form (forced kissing, etc) disturbs you, please don’t watch the video clip.

1) Episode 10 Miyagi x Shinobu

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Honestly, its been a while and I can’t remember what exactly were the censored scenes already lol~ Anyway, DVD 4 features Romantica couple Usami x Misaki again ^_^ Episode 7 and 8… eh… was it the one they went on a date? xD Very cute DVD covers. Hmm, I’m still behind on posting images of previous DVDs… the special for this limited edition is drama CD Junai Parallel (純愛パラレル) Fairy tale starring the Junjou Romantica characters hehehe Prince Usami ^^ and boy in the forest Misaki.

Update! On to the sweet yet smexy H-scenes ^^ Pantsu-less MISAKI Kyaaaa~

1) Episode 7 Usami x Misaki Cute… *ahem* window smex XD

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

2) Episode 8 Usami x Misaki By far the most revealing scene to date…

Click here to view the video on YouTube.