Archive | November, 2009

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Tetsujin 28 gets to appear on Tokyo’s NTT Ad

Posted on 28 November 2009 by admin

Speaking of Tetsujin 28 statue on my last post,  Japan’s mobile phone telecommunications provider, NTT Docomo, not long ago aired their new TV commercial, featuring Mitsuteru Yokoyama’s Tetsujin 28 (Gigantor in English).

tetsujin28_ntdocomo_promo

Basically, the main attraction behind this is to grant the computer users the ability to gain remote control on any movable vehicles or devices using NT Docomo’s wireless data communications adaptor (via USB port).

And when they mean any, they literally do mean ANY.

And what better way to give their latest telecommunication gadgets the ultimate test is to use an 18-foot giant robot as the prime example to show off its power capabilities.

After reviewing their website, I had a quick browse.  By passing all their nifty Flash player presentations (just like any other ordinary company websites’ that wish to show off their media content) explaining about their latest telecommunications invention,  I found several downloadable wallpaper images of the Tetsujin 28 (select link 05 on the main page).

docomoforpc_tetsujin1

docomoforpc_tetsujin2

docomoforpc_tetsujin3

docomoforpc_tetsujin4

These images are 1024 x 768.  There are larger ones as well you can try ie 1280 x 1024 and 1680 x 1050, if you have a bigger LCD screen with bigger resolutions.  So those are sure nice to have.

There’s also this wicked screensaver you load onto your computer once downloaded (which I downloaded and tested it).  And what it shows you is the computer prompt screen that loads some OS code and after a few seconds, you’ll see number of blueprint images of Tetsujin 28 appearing on the right half of the screen.

For a telecommunications provider to come up with a design like this and little or no relation to Japan’s  anime industry, they sure deserve the big pin-ups for great media works such as these.  Good on them for making such effort!

Source: ANN.com, NTDocomo

Bookmark and Share

Comments (4)

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Odaiba Gundam Statue won best design awards.

Posted on 28 November 2009 by admin

Real Gundam Robot

Gundam Statue in Odaiba Park before being dismantled in early September this year

Reading a couple of anime feeds from ANN.com, I can see that several bloggers posted a lot on how Gundam won one of the best awards in Japan in the category of art and design.

For the team of Green Tokyo Gundam, they sure certainly deserve a great praise by the public.  A very honourable praise.  Good on them for their outstanding achievement!!   With so many Gundam bloggers online, it’s difficult to see how such a ‘recreational’ figure (why I call it recreational it’s because technically it was part of Odaiba parks’ recreational activities) that’s been crafted to such extraordinary lengths.

And it won’t be long before Tetsujin 28 statue will have its turn to get nabbed for award nominations, since its unveil in early September October.

Not sure about its design potential though.  Maybe more comic potential?

Source: ANN.com, Youtube.com

Bookmark and Share

Comments (0)

Tags: , , , ,

Jitsubutsudai gandamu

Posted on 22 November 2009 by admin

lifesized_gundam_concept

Just learned a new Japanese phrase over the past week.

Jitsubutsudai gandamu.

Or life-sized gundam in English.  That’s one phrase I’ll definitely want to remember if I ever travel to Japan in the future.

At least it’s a start.  Along with 59 other cool phrases to go, if you read this interesting post by a Japanese online publisher, who annually conducts a survey of best Japanese phrases used in Japan’s mass media.  There will be some judging panel that will nominate the 10 best phrases used in 2009.  Hopefully, they’re in turn will become as catchphrases for masses.

I’m pinning high hopes that jitsubutsudai gandamu will be amongst the nominations! It’s paramount for the people wanting to appreciate the true life of an otaku, should they ever learn a lot of things in Japan.  Otherwise, how would they know such a real-life 18 metre Gundam actually exists (before Gundam Projects Team decided to remove them from premises) so they set foot in Japan to travel or live?

Source: PinkTentacle.com

Bookmark and Share

Comments (1)

Tags: , , , , , ,

Japan’s Anime Industry: Taking a fresh look into making ‘tangible’ business

Posted on 22 November 2009 by admin

After reading this headline from MyAnimelist,  there will be some drastic changes going on with the way anime business is conducted in Japan with the recent announcement of Bandai’s dropped plans to broadcast Unicorn Gundam on TV.

mobile_suit_gundam_unicorn_poster

Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn

Instead, they  decided to do two things.  One, having its theatrical release,   Two, having its online streaming.  With these approaches, they claim that they can combat with the industry-wide issue of declining DVD sales in the current market, hoping that things will turn around for the anime industry.  One of the arguments also suggests (and supports) past outstanding performances by Kara no Kyoukai would prove to be the solid indicator on how much more other anime firms can benefit from this so-called new-found business model of online media marketing.

Yet, in the forum, people were not wholesomely enthused with Bandai’s ‘enthusiasm’ to conduct such business practices as they believed the reason Kara no Kyoukai fares so much the better just because of its one-hit wonder of success so it would be very hard for Bandai to emulate that level of success.

Read more from the forum.

Source:  MyAnimelist.net

Bookmark and Share

Comments (0)

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Evangelion 2.0 scoops up a major award at AFF

Posted on 21 November 2009 by admin

EVA2 Poster

Reading my news feed here, TV-adapted movie, Evangelion 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance, was announced the award winner of the 15th Asian Film Festival (AFF) in the best animation category in Lyon, France. Knowing that I was there in France on a long holiday, I’m familiar with the fact that sout-eastern parts of France are well-known for many film festival activities, be it cult or independent-related films.  Cannes is a good example for its Cannes Film Festival. I never had the chance to travel down there while I was holidaying around the French Riveria. Our tour group were scheduled to stay there for two short days only.

Pity that…

Nevertheless, it was a great experience. I’m sure Lyon would be a great city to travel as well.

While browsing about it online, I found the festival video link that featured all Asian films and amongst one of them is a TV clip from the early episodes of the Evangelion.

Parfait!! (excellent in French)

Source: MyAnimeList.net, FestivalFocus.org

Bookmark and Share

Comments (3)

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Astro Boy slowly descends further in US box office rank

Posted on 21 November 2009 by admin

imagi_logo

Reading the latest news feeds from Animenewsnetwork.com, our favourite hero of the great anime classics is experience a ‘major’ fault with his rocket-powered legs which prevents him from skyrocketing at the top of the USA box office charts.

Astro Boy Movie Poster
Astro Boy Movie

The US $65-million film by Imagi earned nearly US $18 million after remaining in the cinemas for almost four weeks now. It’s ranked from its 10th place to 13th last week. Think the American audience’s feedback was generally harsh with it? Don’t know. Hard to say. I heard sources from online reviews saying the film has several cliché themes were overused especially (spoilers!) in the middle and end. That could explain why it contributes to its drop. But I doubted it’s got anything to do with the plot’s weakness in telling its own unique story as compared to the original so one wouldn’t expect too much originality in its perfect form, even for the hardcore fans. It’s an adapted film after all.

Find out more info about its US Box office ranks and its comparison with other films.

Source: ANN.com

Bookmark and Share

Comments (1)

Tags: , , , ,

Macross(Robotech) Creator Artist interviewed at Dako TV

Posted on 18 November 2009 by admin

Was watching this video clip last night, which I received as a group email from one of the mecha-related forums.

It’s a great thrill to know this interview was conducted almost a week ago and I bet there’s a lot exciting developments Shoji Kawamori (Macross founder) has in store for long-time Macross fan lovers!!

Here you’ll find many outstanding facts about his contribution, not only to his epic masterpiece, but  also to several globally well-known cartoon series like Transformers G1.  Especially on how he came up with the design of the transforming 18-wheeler truck, aka Optimus Prime.

Have a look!

Source: Youtube.com

Bookmark and Share

Comments (2)

Tags: , , , , , ,

From the makers of Gundam Musou 2…

Posted on 14 November 2009 by admin

koei_logo

Koei’s  proud to present you a whole new gaming experience of their signature game classic series, Dynasty Warriors.  JapanVideoGames.com released the latest video game development news from the hack-’n-slash-action gaming vendor, that their new game title Shin Sangoku Musou Multi Raid (or Dynasty Warriors Multi Raid in English) might proved something like a eye-opener for the video game enthusiasts or dynasty warriors hardcore fans alike. It’s said for the first time, it’s got multiplayer capabilities so players can play co-op online. It’s available for PSP, PS3 and Xbox 360 versions so any players from different gaming systems can join a co-op game or fight against each other.

As you would expect for any multiplayer-typed games, it comes with text and voice chat functions as well.

After watching the trailer, (and speaking from a former avid fan of Dynasty game series myself) I must admit this is one of the coolest gaming from the series Koei has ever come up with. I used to love spending hours hacking and slashing away huge hordes of enemies in what-appears-to-be limitless boundary on all Dynasty Warriors series from Dynasty Warriors 3 to 5. (Haven’t tried the 6 cause I don’t have my own PS3). And they’re incredibly fun thanks to this ridiculously simple formula of hack/slash pattern we never so get tired from. I notice plenty of familiar characters get plenty of ‘facelift’ when they transform into demi-gods if you perform certain special moves to attack your opponents.

Hmm. Very exciting!

I wonder what will their plans be for  Gundam Musou 2 (see below) counterpart? I wonder what special demi-god’s powers would they be imbued to take on hundreds or thousands of enemy Zakus?

One would wonder…..

Currently, it’s on sale for a retail price of USD $79.99.

Source: JapanVideoGames.com

Bookmark and Share

Comments (3)

Tags: , ,

Cool Transformers Computer Gadget!!

Posted on 12 November 2009 by admin

Was reading this post at Coolest Gadgets.com. If you really like Transformers 2 after watching it, you can have this awesome 4 Gig USB memory stick selling for about USD $30.00. Something that’s just been released this month. It comes with a shape of the Autobots’ ensignia and its usb head piece is just the forehead of the Autobot forehead.

Really neat! You gotta check it out!

Source: Coolest Gadgets.com

Bookmark and Share

Comments (2)

Tags: , , ,

Getter Robo Music: On Gameboy?

Posted on 11 November 2009 by admin

Found it interesting..

Was surfing around Youtube links for any sight of fascinating super robot links. And this is what I encountered. A Gameboy music game that focuses on honing your skill in timing your note-hits on popular songs or music. Which in this case it’s Getter Robo’s theme.

Not as bad as compared to the original theme (below). But definitely very ‘well-versed’ to make such a great copy of classical music theme.

I wonder if I could get a copy of this game in the market anymore, since it’s been out for a few years?

Source: Youtube.com

Bookmark and Share

Comments (3)

Advertise Here
Advertise Here

Follow us on

Toy Blogs - Blog Catalog Blog Directory