Personal Review: The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya

Review By Jong Chung

The Haruhi Suzumiya series should be familiar to most anime and manga fans. At various anime conventions, one can often see a large group of amateur performers that would bust out a (roughly) 4 minute dance with accompanying music playing in the background somewhere. In cosplay, more often than not. Even if one is not a fan of this particular series, it is hard not to be affected by its very existence, as it has become such a huge name within the anime and manga world.

YuGiOh TCG Machina Mayhem Structure Deck

KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT, INC. UNLEASHES A MYRIAD OF MONSTERS WITH LATEST Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’sTRADING CARD GAME STRUCTURE DECK RELEASE

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (February 23, 2010) – Let the mayhem commence with the first 2010 Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) Structure Deck release. Ready-to-play, with an arsenal of automatons, Machina Mayhem includes 11 brand-new cards and gives Duelists the tools they need to Summon awesome engines of destruction designed to pulverize an opponent’s monsters!

Tokyopop Trailers: Shutter Island Graphic Novel

Shutter Island Graphic Novel

Yes, it is related to the movie starring Mr. Leonardo DiCaprio and directed by Mr. Martin Scorsese, which is based off the novel by Mr.Dennis Lehane. Awesome movie by the way. The storytelling is such a twist. I hope the graphic novel can pull off the same story telling technique. (^_^)

To learn more about the graphic novel, check out the Shutter Island Graphic Novel at Tokyopop.

Namco Bandai Games Announces Dragon Ball: Origins 2 Exclusively for Nintendo DS

NAMCO BANDAI GAMES ANNOUNCES DRAGON BALL®:
ORIGINS 2 EXCLUSIVELY FOR NINTENDO DS™
Comic Mischief and Adventure Await as
Next Handheld Chapter of Popular Anime Series
Unfolds with New Features,
Several Playable Characters and Co-op Gameplay

SANTA CLARA, Calif., (Feb. 18, 2010) – Leading video game publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., announced today that Dragon Ball®: Origins 2 exclusively for Nintendo DS™ will be available in North America this summer. A follow-up to the original Dragon Ball: Origins for DS, Dragon Ball: Origins 2 continues the story of series hero Goku’s early years as he and his friends search the world for the seven enchanted Dragon Balls. The new action-adventure game includes an array of features including the ability to play as different characters along the way and the option to team up with a friend for co-op multiplayer challenges.

FMA: Brotherhood available for DTO on PlayStation Network and Zune Marketplace

The Elric brothers are back! "Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood" will debut on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim this Saturday, February 13. Hear the English dub of Brotherhood for the first time ever. The series will air at 12:00 a.m. ET/PT each Saturday.

New Guests From New Creative Areas at C2E2!!

C2E2 ANNOUNCES SIX NEW GUESTS
FROM SIX NEW AREAS OF COMICS CULTURE
Art Baltazar, Dash Shaw, And More Come To Chicago

Norwalk, CT, February 18, 2010: Organizers of the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) have added six more creators to their growing list of special guests who will be appearing at the new pop culture convention which is being launched April 16-18, 2010 at Chicago's McCormick Place Convention Center -- Art Baltazar, Michael Capps, Chip Kidd, J.J. Sedelmaier, Dash Shaw, and Mark Waid. C2E2's guest list currently includes such comics greats as Alex Ross, Geoff Johns, Gail Simone, and Adam Hughes, and today's additions not only mark more industry talent participating in the event, but very different industry talent.

Getting to Know: Mary Moos and the Lolita Fashion Part 5

Please read Part 4 of the interview before reading Part 5

In a Metamorphose dress with her fellow Philly lolitas,
including her sister Gini

Perspectives continuation

Getting to Know: Mary Moos and the Lolita Fashion Part 4

Please read Part 3 of the interview before reading Part 4

Burgerlita 2.0 in the middle of NYC at NYAF

Perspectives

Getting to Know: Mary Moos and the Lolita Fashion Part 3

Please read Part 2 of the interview before reading Part 3

Modeling for her friend Tyler's brand, Lily of the Valley Designs. From left to right: friends Aisha, Martha and Mary Moos

Lolita Fashion Activities

Getting to Know: Mary Moos and the Lolita Fashion Part 2

Please read Part 1 of the interview before reading Part 2

Left to Right: Friend Kammie and Mary Moos in her Burgerlita Jumperskirt

Lolita Fashion

Getting to Know: Mary Moos and the Lolita Fashion Part 1

Mary Moos was a panelist and model during the lolita fashion related events at the New York Anime Festival 2008. If you did attend the fashion show event, you may remember a young girl on stage with long red hair in a lolita dress. However, what made me remember her was what she said at the event. During the fashion show, there was a mentioning about those who said people who wear lolita fashion should act a certain way. She responded by saying those people are “stupid.” It was great to finally hear someone say that, because one should not be required to behave a certain way when wearing a lolita outfit. However, if one prefers to present themselves in a certain way, it is one’s choice, but it does not mean that others should follow suit, unless one feels it is fitting.

FUNimation Entertainment acquires Trigun

FUNIMATION ENTERTAINMENT ACQUIRES
“TRIGUN” FROM FLYING DOG

Flower Mound, Texas (February 14, 2010) - FUNimation® Entertainment today announced that it has acquired home entertainment, theatrical, broadcast, digital and merchandise rights to the 26 episode action comedy space western “Trigun” from FlyingDog, Inc.

English Dub Cast of Dragon Ball Z Kai

FUNimation Entertainment Announces
English Dub Cast of Dragon Ball Z Kai

Flower Mound, Texas – February 14, 2010 -- FUNimation® Entertainment has announced the English cast of the latest chapter of the genre-establishing Dragon Ball franchise, “Dragon Ball Z Kai.”

Legal Times: Old and New, Christopher Handley Manga Obscenity Case

Introduction to Legal Times: Old and New

After reading the IcV2 articles and the MTV Splash Page article, I already became worried and still worrying. I fear that this case will affect both the manga and comics industry and the fans. It will probably affect even those outside of the anime and manga world. As I said in my introduction post about Legal Times: Old and New, I am no legal expert. I hope you guys will look at the articles I dug up and understand the situation.

Happy Chinese New Year 2010!!!

Happy Chinese New Year! 恭喜發財! The Chinese calendar year is 4708. Yes, China has a long history. I hope all those who are born in the year of the tiger, which is the third zodiac sign in the Chinese twelve year zodiac cycle, have a successful and joyful new year. Make it the best tiger year!

Please do not mind the color, cause the red background color did not upload right.
© 2010

FUNimation Entertainment Highlights and Events at Katsucon 16

FUNimation Entertainment
Highlights and Events at Katsucon 16!

FUNimation® Entertainment, the foremost producer and distributor of anime in North America, will be at Katsucon at the Gaylord National Hotel and Resort in Washington, DC this weekend with news and premieres that no blizzard can prevent. Welcome to con season everyone!

Konami showcasing at Toy Fair 2010

KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT, INC
SHOWS ITS HAND AT TOY FAIR
Top-Selling Trading Card Game Products to be Showcased

El Segundo, Calif. (February 10, 2010) – Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. (KDE) announced today plans to feature their Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) products at this month’s American International Toy Fair in New York City. KDE will introduce their 2010 product line at Booth #5627, Level 1 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

Kinokuniya Valentine's Day Sale

Hey guys!

Kinokuniya Bookstore in New York City at 1073 Avenue of the Americas, has recently announced an anime and manga sale from February 10, 2010 to February 14, 2010. The coupon is good for a 10% discount off all manga and anime in the store. To receive the discount, you can print out the coupon and hand it in to the cashier when you are ready to purchase the merchandise(s).

Happy Valentine's Day!

Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo 2010 Guest Writers

C2E2 ANNOUNCES LINE UP OF WRITERS!
Massive Guest List Keeps Growing as Pop Culture Event Focuses on All Areas of Artistic and Creative Talent

Norwalk, CT, February 10, 2010: Officials at C2E2 (Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo), which is set to debut in April 2010, have announced another round of guest appearances, further adding to a burgeoning guest list that now includes top talent from all areas of artistic and creative expression in the pop culture world. The most recent guest announcement focuses on preeminent writers including Peter David, Dan DiDio, Michael Easton, Seth Grahame-Smith, Paul Levitz, Greg Pak, and Daniel Way. Many of these notable writers have had stellar careers which have extended well beyond their talent as writers and which have impacted all areas of the comic and pop culture world. C2E2 will take place at Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center, April 16 – 18, 2010.

FUNimation Entertainment and Shocker Toys LLP, Anime Toy License

FUNimation Entertainment Awards
Multi-Series Toy License To Shocker Toys

Flower Mound, TX – February 10, 2010 - FUNimation Entertainment today announced the signing of multi-year, national licensing agreements with toy manufacturer Shocker Toys LLP, now a toy licensee for several high-profile action-adventure anime properties including Soul Eater, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Dragon Ball Z and One Piece.

New York Comic Con and TimetoPlayMag.com Partnership

TimetoPlayMag.com and New York Comic Con to Form Partnership
New Toy Pavilion and Popular Kid’s Day Events Will Be Focus of
Cooperative Venture

Norwalk, CT, February 9, 2010: Organizers of New York Comic Con (NYCC) have announced a partnership with TimetoPlayMag.com which will significantly enhance the presence of toys and toy manufacturers at the show, as well as build on massive entertainment and programming opportunities devoted to kids and their parents. TimetoPlayMag.com, a popular destination website which provides information, entertainment, and services on what’s fun for children and their families, will be a sponsor of a major new toy pavilion which NYCC organizers plan to launch in 2010. TimetoPlayMag.com will also work closely with NYCC organizers to promote the convention’s enormously popular Kid’s Day, which takes place on the last day of the show (Sunday), and which attracted 6,000 kids in 2009. New York Comic Con will take place October 8 – 10, 2010 at the Jacob K. Javits Center.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood on Adult Swim 02/13/2010

FUNimation Entertainment Announces U.S. Broadcast Debut of
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
New Series to air on Adult Swim beginning February 13

Flower Mound, TX – February 5, 2010 – The Elric brothers are back! FUNimation® Entertainment announced today that the mega-hit “Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood”, a fantasy action-adventure series, will debut on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim on Saturday, February 13. The series will air at 12:00 a.m. ET/PT each Saturday.

Upper Deck Forced to Settle with Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.

UPPER DECK FORCED TO SETTLE WITH KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AFTER ADMITTING TO
COUNTERFEITING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF
Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME CARDS
The Upper Deck Company permanently barred from acting as an authorized distributor of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME

El Segundo, CA – (February 3, 2010) – Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. (KDE) is pleased to announce that it has resolved its litigation against The Upper Deck Company (Upper Deck), KDE’s former distributor of its immensely popular Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG). The lawsuit was settled to Konami’s satisfaction following opening statements during the trial in Federal Court in Los Angeles on January 26, 2010.