AMV Of The Week (Sort Of): A Cosplay Parade

Hey! Did you know that it is Halloween today? Y'know, the holiday that is basically now an excuse to dress up in costume (err, cosplay, really) and walk around the neighborhood knocking at people's doors, hoping they give you candy and not a shovel in the face? Yeah, that holiday! 

This week’s AMV-but-not-really is all about dressing up and walking around too! Except at an actual convention where that kind of thing is normal. Yay, cons! Also further proof that the UK does everything better.

AMV: Raise Your Glass

Author: CosplayFeverBook

Music: P!nk's "Raise Your Glass"

Warnings: Some very scary cosplay, including a . . . zombie Nazi? Yeah.

PR: Deluxe Collector's Edition of CLAMP's Apocalyptic Manga Series X Coming Soon!

© CLAMP 1992, 1993

Manga Powerhouse CLAMP Delivers A Prophetic Vision Of The End Of The World That Ponders Man’s Biology, Ethics And Ideals

San Francisco, CA, October 27, 2011 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has announced the upcoming release of a deluxe collector’s edition for X, the apocalyptic action epic from the internationally renowned manga (graphic novel) creative team of CLAMP. X 3-in-1 Edition, Volume 1, debuts on November 8^th, is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens, and will carry an MSRP of $19.99 U.S. / $22.99 CAN.

Each of VIZ Media’s X releases bundles three complete manga volumes and features 24 pages of gorgeous, full-color illustrations never before published outside Japan! The pages are also printed in their original right-to-left reading order and presented in the highest quality.

As X (previously released in the United States as X/1999) opens, Kamui Shiro is a young man followed by mystery. He was taken from Tokyo by his mother while still a child and had to leave behind his dearest friends, including the gentle Kotori and her brother Fuma, following a terrible incident that claimed their mother's life. Returning to Tokyo following his mother's death, Kamui is a changed young man – moody and distant to his old friends, yet determined to protect them from the dark forces that swirl around him. It turns out that he is the nexus of a great cataclysm to come, and the inheritor to a strange destiny that could decide the fate of the entire world.

PR: VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES THE LEGEND OF ZELDA MANGA BOX SET

Just in Time to Celebrate Video Game’s 25^th Anniversary, Collection Features Complete Set of THE LEGEND OF ZELDA Manga Volumes In A Keepsake Box

San Francisco, CA, October 26, 2011 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, will delight gamers and manga (graphic novel) fans nationwide with the release of THE LEGEND OF ZELDA Manga Box Set, just in time to celebrate the series’ 25^th Anniversary. The set, available in stores now, is rated ‘A’ for All Ages, includes all 10 volumes of the fantasy action adventure series as well as a full color poster, and carries an MSRP of $69.99 U.S. / $80.99 CAN.

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA celebrates its 25^th Anniversary this year, and is the best selling role-playing, puzzle-solving, action title for Nintendo video game platforms. More information on the history of THE LEGEND OF ZELDA and its anniversary is available at: www.zelda.com/25th.

THE LEGEND OF ZELDA manga series takes place in the mystical land of Hyrule, where three spiritual stones hold the key to the Triforce. Whoever holds them will control the world. A boy named Link sets out on a quest to deliver the Emerald, the spiritual stone of the forest, to Zelda, Princess of the land of Hyrule. The journey will be long and perilous, and Link will need all his skill and courage to defeat evil. The battle for Hyrule and the Sacred Realm has begun!

“THE LEGEND OF ZELDA Manga Box Set bundles Link’s entire magical quest into a single collection that is a must-read for any true fan of the classic video game,” says Beth Kawasaki, Senior Editorial Director, Children’s Publishing. “The series wonderfully transforms the game’s fast-paced action into a linear storyline, and has been a consistent bestseller since VIZ Media published the first volume in 2008. This new box set is an eye-catching way to revisit the entire series and commemorate the 25^th Anniversary of this groundbreaking game title.”

Titles: To Translate Or Not To Translate?

On the left: Rurouni Kenshin: Tsuiokuhen.
On the right: Samurai X - Trust & Betrayal.
The difference? None.

These are just one of the things I think about when I think about how I can find media titled Fushigi Yuuji in stores but not media titled Natsume Yuujinchou. This post is for anyone who has ever gotten into an Internet argument with a fellow otaku over the fact that Bandai 'refuses' to sell your favorite series under the title Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu (or, even more obnoxiously, 宮ハルヒの憂鬱).

You are an average consumer with an interest in anime, walking through the aisles of your local DVD store looking for some series to pick up and give a try. Which titles are more likely to peak your interest - Seto no Hanayome or My Bride Is A Mermaid? Mahou Shoujo Tai Arusu or Tweeny Witches? Rurouni Kenshin: Tsuiokuhen or Samurai X: Trust And Betrayal? This is a problem that confronts companies like Funimation and Media Blasters on a regular basis, as well as manga companies like Viz Media and Vertical, and it all boils down to one question: do you translate the title or not?

PR: SuBLime, A New Yaoi Manga Line fr. VIZ Media, In Partnership with Animate & Libre!

VIZ MEDIA PARTNERS WITH JAPAN’S ANIMATE AND LIBRE PUBLISHING TO LAUNCH SuBLime, A NEW YAOI MANGA LINE

North American Manga Publishing Powerhouse Launches A Bold New Initiative To Deliver Acclaimed Boys’ Love Titles Digitally And In Print To An Eager Fan Base

San Francisco, CA, October 24, 2011 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has announced the launch of its highly anticipated new yaoi manga (graphic novel) line – SuBLime – which represents an innovative new partnership between VIZ Media and Japan’s Animate, Ltd. (Animate) and Libre Publishing Co., Ltd. (Libre Publishing).

This bold, global publishing initiative will present English-speaking fans everywhere with a broad selection of high quality titles. SuBLime will offer titles digitally worldwide on its dedicated web site at SuBLimeManga.com, with many available in Download-to-Own format, and selections in print also available in English-language editions worldwide. From the supernatural men of Naono Bohra’s tales of fantasy to the sexy actors portrayed in some of Youka Nitta’s best works, SuBLime will offer something for even the most discerning yaoi manga fan.

“The yaoi manga genre enjoys a sizeable and very passionate following, and the launch of SuBLime will give fans around the world an entirely new outlet that will deliver an exciting range of titles,” says Leyla Aker, Vice President of Publishing, VIZ Media. “We invite fans to join us as we prepare to bring some of the best new boys’ love manga titles to North America and beyond!”

“I’m very excited to open the way to providing boys’ love manga to fans all over the world,” says Shingo Kunieda, Director of Animate's Overseas Division. “There are many wonderful yaoi manga titles released every month in Japan, and we know that fans want to read them as soon as possible. We are always moving forward to find new ways of doing business, and by partnering with VIZ Media, we can make yaoi fans happy and release boys’ love titles as quickly as possible!”

AMV Of The Week: Vocaloid Thriller

This week’s AMV is one of the coolest uses of Miku Miku Dance I’ve ever seen. To be honest, I would have never thought to mix the King of Pop with computer-generated pop stars but I’ll be damned if it doesn’t work. And it’s certainly awesome to see all of these various Vocaloids dance around to one of the catchiest pop songs about zombies and monsters in recent history.

Now, if only we could get an actual Vocaloid vocal cover of Thriller . . . ?

AMV: MMD Thriller Vocaloid All-Star

Author: Syusyu3939

Music: Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”

Warnings: N/A, surprisingly enough

Initial Thoughts: Guilty Crown

Spoiler warning: Following post contains spoilers for the premiere episode of Guilty Crown/ギルティクラウン. Read with caution!

The story takes place in Tokyo in 2039. After the outbreak of the unidentified virus "Lost Christmas" in 2029, Japan has been under the control of a multinational organization called GHQ. Ouma Shu is a 17-year-old boy who has a psychic power in his right hand. He can use the power "Ability of King" to extract tools or weapons from his friends. He has been avoiding making trouble for others but his life changes when he meets a girl named Yuzuriha Inori, a member of a resistance guerrilla group called "Undertaker", whose members pilot mecha weapons to fight against the government. (Source: MAL)

Forgive me. I won’t be long. Mainly because there isn’t much to talk about, except for how much I wasn’t blown away by arguably this season’s biggest and most anticipated series, Guilty Crown. And I normally eat this kind of sci-fi mecha fantasy drama oddball anime for breakfast, lunch, and dinner – but the premiere of GC did not give me much incentive to keep watching, or to stop making mental comparisons between it and shows like Code Geass and Fractale. 

So: forgive me if I don’t automatically lavish it with praise and dub it the best show of the series, because it has yet to do anything to deserve any of that.

Manga Review: One Piece GN 58

One Piece volume 58

Author: Eiichiro Oda

Viz Media/Shonen Jump

208 pages

Spoiler warning: Review contains major freaking spoilers for the events of volume 58 of One Piece, especially the ending. Read on with caution – or else!

With Whitebeard injured, the Navy launches a counterstrike to finish the pirate rebellion once and for all. And as the three Navy Admirals stand in his way, Luffy will need one last trick if he hopes to save his brother Ace from being executed.

Dear folks who still labor under the delusion that One Piece is primarily a humorous shonen series with not a single serious bone in its body: I present to you the Paramount War arc, which truly builds up to a horrifying peak in this volume. And this truly is a war, one between the pirates and the Navy with Luffy caught in the middle, someone who just wants to save his brother. 

But Luffy just may end up being an essential part of this war in the end, considering his impressive lineage not to mention his awesome powers inherited from the Gum-Gum Fruit. Whether you are on the side of the pirates or of the Navy, this volume is momentous for both readers and characters alike – and definitely cannot be missed for anything.

PR: NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: BONDS Added to VIZAnime.com Marathon!

VIZ MEDIA ADDS NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: BONDS TO NARUTO MOVIE MARATHON ON VIZANIME.COM AND HULU

Limited Time Marathon Celebrates Upcoming DVD and

Blu-ray Release of Latest Movie, And Includes All Five NARUTO Movies

To celebrate the upcoming DVD and Blu-ray release of NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: BONDS (in stores October 25^th), and the birth month of the Naruto character, VIZ Media has just announced the addition of the NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: BONDS (dubbed) to the special NARUTO movie marathon on VIZAnime.com, the company’s own website for free anime, as well as on the streaming content provider HULU (www.Hulu.com).

A total of 5 feature films featuring the spunky ninja are now available to stream from both sites thru October 23^rd. The marathon includes NARUTO THE MOVIE: NINJA CLASH IN THE LAND OF SNOW, NARUTO THE MOVIE 2: LEGEND OF THE STONE OF GELEL, NARUTO THE MOVIE 3: GUARDIANS OF THE CRESCENT MOON KINGDOM (all movies rated TV-14), available with either subtitled or English dubbed dialogue tracks. NARUTO SHIPPUDEN:THE MOVIE is also available dubbed on both streaming sites.

In NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: BONDS (rated TV-14), a group of mysterious flying ninja have arrived from overseas to launch a sudden attack against the Hidden Leaf Village, leaving behind a wake of destruction. The group is revealed to be the “Sky Ninja” from the Land of Sky, a nation thought to have been destroyed by the Hidden Leaf Village long ago. To save their village, Naruto and his friends set out to stop this new threat. During the course of the mission, Naruto crosses paths with Sasuke, his friend who has parted ways from the Leaf Village.

The NARUTO movie marathon may be accessed from the dedicated site at www.VIZAnime.com/naruto-movie-marathon/. More information on NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: BONDS is available at www.Naruto.com and www.VIZ.com/naruto-shippuden-movie-video. 

Fujoshi O'Clock: The NYAF & Webcomic Edition

What time is it? It's . . . Fujoshi O'Clock, the new weekly feature at Nagareboshi Review, when I bring to you the latest fujoshi-related news and reviews and various shiny BL-flavored things. Why? Because rotten girls need love too!

This week on Fujoshi O'Clock, from NYAF:

• Sunday had Viz Media announcing its license of Yun Kouga's Loveless, a license rescue from Tokyopop's enormous list of dropped/lost licenses post-initial closing. There are no plans to republish the first eight volumes, only the two that Tokyopop failed to release.
• W-wait, that's it? How disappointing. Still, better than nothing!

Webcomics!:
Note: Assume any and all links below this are NSFW. Enter at your own discretion! Hurr, that's what he said!

• Emirain's story of the men and ladies of the night at the classiest of brothels, Teahouse, is a must read. The art is gorgeous, the sex scenes steamy as hell, and the Teahouse itself is populated with a truly colorful cast of character, from the foulmouthed punk Axis to the smirking pervert and resident troll-face Mercutio.
• Shiei and Adam Arnold's new yaoi fangirl classic Aoi House is about two boys thinking they've made it big when they find residency in a house of fangirls - except they just so happen to be fujoshi of the most wicked-minded kind! So imagine two straight dudes moving into a dorm run by Bishiecon staff members ;P Don't forget the panty hamster!
• Alex Woolfson and Winona Nelson have a surefire hit on their hands with the BL-friendly sci-fi thriller Artifice. Deacon is a machine, created by man to go on missions and kill their chosen targets. He's not supposed to have emotions - so why is he so concerned with a stranger that crosses his path on a particular mission? Some real powerful stuff, Artifice.

Am I missing your blog? Got some awesome fujoshi-related news and reviews you think deserve a shout-out? Poke me with a link and a bit of description over at my Twitter: @theseventhl. I'm always on the look out for more BL love!

Manga Review: Natsume's Book of Friends GN 9

Natsume's Book of Friends volume 9

Author: Yuki Midorikawa

Viz Media/Shojo Beat

192 pages

Natsume learns that no good deed goes unpunished when an irate yokai accuses him of stealing her ring when she came to the Fujiwara house to get her name returned. Natsume thinks he knows where the ring has disappeared to, but can he find it in time, or will the place he’s come to think of as home be destroyed by the vengeful yokai?!

Spoiler warning: Contains major spoilers for the Natsume Yuujinchou manga series so far. Read on with caution!

There are no words in the English language yet invented to describe how much I absolutely love the Natsume Yuujinchou manga. The linguistics of the world have not yet accurately formed a vocabulary for the feelings that well deep inside my heart every time I open the latest volume of Natsume’s stories, or the feelings that linger within me when I close the book for the last time, already anticipating the next volume in the series. 

It is one of those magical series that you have to read to understand why, and volume nine is a landmark volume for everyone involved – for Natsume, for Nyanko-sensei, for his friends both human and yokai – but it does all of these things quietly, intelligently, in typical Yuujinchou fashion. And this is what makes Natsume’s Book Of Friends a must-read manga across the board.

Initial Thoughts: Phi Brain - Kami No Puzzle

Daimon Kaito is a high school boy, who loves puzzles. One day, the president of the student council gives him a mobile device and it leads him to an underground ruin buried in the school. He challenges an "insolvable puzzle" hidden in the ruin with his girlfriend Nonoha, but the puzzle turns out to be the dangerous "The Puzzle of Sage" created by the black society "POG". He manages to solve the puzzle but it's the beginning of a puzzle battle against POG. (Source: MAL)

Spoiler warning: Following post contains spoilers for the first two episodes of Phi Brain: Kami no Puzzle. Read with caution!


It doesn't have wizards or moe squid girls or King Arthur reincarnated or anything like what the other shows this series has, but Phi Brain: Kami no Puzzle does have one thing the others don't have: puzzles, of course. Brain ticklers, cryptic cryptograms, mind bogglers, puzzling parables - you name it, Phi Brain is solving it. From crosswords to Sudoku, riddles to logic grids, not to mention mazes upon mazes, this show manages to be about the pursuits of the nerdy intellectual without becoming so burdened by the intimate details of them that the less-nerdy can't follow what is going on. The fact that it does all of this without becoming boring or just plain stupid and still be watchable should be sign enough that Phi Brain is a show to watch - at least for a couple weeks more.

AMV Of The Week: Level L Sensei

This week’s AMV is one of those odd cut-together mash-ups of clips from Level E that is apparently meant to parody Durarara!!, and it is certainly odd enough to claim that successfully. What’s the point of it? None, really. But it is incredibly amusing and is choc-full of Prince Baka, so you know it’s gonna be good.

AMV: Level-L-Sensei

Author: lostsanityreturned

Music: L-sensei by Limone Sensei

Warnings: Amazingly fast edited audio/video clips with the usual slapstick violence found in Level E.

Interesting Article About Manga (That Isn't Completely Condescending!) Of The Day

At WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) Magazine: The Manga phenomenon, first published in September 2011. Excerpt from it below:

Manga is a major part of Japan’s publishing industry, accounting for over 25 percent of all printed materials in the country. They offer something for everyone and can be purchased from a wide range of retail and online stores. As Mr. Teiji Hayashi, former Director of the Public Diplomacy Planning Division, Public Diplomacy Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Japan explains, “manga has a wide range of fans, from small children to senior citizens, because its storylines are clear and the characters are rich in humanity.” This is why they are often “utilized not only for entertainment but also to provide simple explanations about difficult matters like history, natural science and social issues.”

Popular manga have a far-reaching influence. Many become books, television shows, anime2, collectable figures and video games. Nearly every aspect of Japanese popular cultural production can trace its roots to the industrial complex that is manga which has become a mainstay of the Japanese economy and culture.

My God, a fairly mainstream article acknowledging the influence of manga on Japanese culture, as well as intelligent commentary on the reprecussions of scanlation culture on the industry with? Be still, my beating heart, my dream is coming true: the world is starting to slowly move beyond the outdated thinking of manga is only for little kids and perverts, and that manga is worth serious reflection in mainstream circles outside of academia. At least I can hope it is - right?

There is also an interview with manga-ka Emiko Iwasaki, whose manga about counterfeit goods won the WIPO Manga Competition. Also worth a read! I believe you can also read some or maybe all of the winning manga, Honmono, at the site linked above.

PR: News at NYCC: Digital WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA, Coming January 2012!

VIZ MEDIA TO DEBUT WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA

NORTH AMERICA’S ONLY NEAR-SIMULTANEOUS

DIGITAL MANGA MAGAZINE

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA Brings Fans The Most Popular Manga In The World Faster Than Ever Before

San Francisco, CA, October 14, 2011 – VIZ Media, the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in the North America, announces the countdown to the launch of WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA (WEEKLY SJ ALPHA), a weekly serial anthology of some of the most popular manga series in the world: BAKUMAN｡, BLEACH, NARUTO, NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN, ONE PIECE, and TORIKO. The first issue of WEEKLY SJ ALPHA goes on sale January 30, 2012, and will be available through VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga apps for iPhone™, iPod™ touch and iPad™.

Each new digital issue of WEEKLY SJ ALPHA brings manga fans in North America the latest chapters of their favorite series only two weeks after it debuts in Japan’s massively popular WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP Magazine. Currently, Japanese releases are often several months to years ahead of North American print titles; WEEKLY SJ ALPHA eliminates the delay in unprecedented fashion.

“Simultaneously publishing an official translation of the most popular comics magazine in the world has been a dream since manga publishing began in North America in the 1980s,” said Alvin Lu, Senior Vice President & General Manager. “This is how manga is meant to be read in English – weekly, current, authorized and on the go. Now with WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA, it’s about to happen for real.”

TOKYOPOP Uses Revive - But Is It Super Effective?

You may soon be seeing the Tokyopop robofish
on new manga volumes in a bookstore near you.

Via ANN: Tokyopop Confirms Intent To Publish Manga Again.

The new TokyopopManga Twitter account confirmed on Wednesday that it is "hoping that [it will] be able to release new manga very soon." The account mentioned it is "laying the groundwork for publishing new manga again," but added that because all of its previous titles had "reverted back to their Japanese publishers" that the company would "have to work to get them back." The Twitter account also stated the company's "ultimate goal is to start publishing manga again."

The Twitter account noted it is "planning on starting with an old license." The account also stated it plans to release manga in both print and digital form.

You can also read some other angles on this development at anime/manga blog Organization Anti-Social Geniuses and otaku blog The last stop on the bus (this link has actual screenshots of some of the conversations at @TokyopopManga).

As for me, I have to admit my initial reaction to reading of Tokyopop's left field revival were . . . less than kind. Below, my gut reaction tweets after first reading of the event on the OA-SG blog.

• So wait, TOKYOPOP is back & publishing manga again? Let me check my account of f--ks to see how many I can give at this moment. Oh. None.
• After all that push + pull crap over Hetalia's third volume and the fact that Stu Levy still has a job, I don't care as much as I once did.
• Plus, I thought they said it was soooo hard getting their manga licenses back? So what the hell are they going to publish? JFC, what a mess.
• However, if it means getting more ARIA and PAVANE FOR A DEAD GIRL and SAIYUKI RELOAD, I could be ready to believe in TokyoPop again.

My priorities: I has them and they are clearly in order. But more clear than that is my continued bitterness and hostility towards the Tokyopop brand. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice - well, you know. Plus, my initial knee jerk reaction to anything with Stu Levy's name has been for the last couple of years undisguised disgust. 


But - could I actually be glad to see Tokyopop's shaky return to manga publishing in the States? 

PR: VIZ Media Highlights for New York Comic Con!

VISIT VIZ MEDIA AT NEW YORK COMIC CON, BOOTH #932

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES FOR 2011 NEW YORK COMIC CON

VIZ Media Welcomes NARUTO Japanese Voice Actress And Announces NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: BONDS U.S. Film Premiere, Along With A Special Panel Discussions, Booth Activities And Giveaways

San Francisco, CA, October 5, 2011 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has announced a packed schedule of events, panel discussions, promotional giveaways, theatrical film premieres, and rare guest appearances for the 2011 New York Comic Con, taking place at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City, October 13^th – 16^th. VIZ Media will be located in Booth 932.

The annual New York Comic Con is the largest gathering on the East Coast dedicated to comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies, and television. Complete details on New York Comic Con is available at: www.newyorkcomiccon.com.

Digital technology and distribution has forever changed the way fans read and purchase manga, and VIZ Media will showcase its industry-leading VIZ Manga App for the Apple iPad™, iPhone™ and iPod™ touch in a fun interactive demo as well as its online manga web portal at VIZManga.com. VIZ Manga currently features more than 40 popular manga series and over 400 volumes.

This year, VIZ Media is proud to welcome Junko Takeuchi, the Japanese voice of Naruto, who will participate in a special NARUTO SHIPPUDEN panel discussion on Friday, October 14^th from 1:15pm to 2:15pm in Room 1A22. Come welcome the actress for her first-ever U.S. appearance, and hear her experiences performing the voice for the world’s most popular ninja!

VIZ Media will excite NARUTO SHIPPUDEN fans even more with a special U.S. theatrical premiere of the latest action-packed feature film. The NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: BONDS event will be on Saturday, October 15^th at 6:00pm at the School of Visual Arts Theatre (SVA), located near the Javits Convention Center at 333 West 23^rd Street. Join Junko Takeuchi to celebrate the U.S. premiere of this exciting new film. Check a posted schedule at the VIZ Media booth for designated times for free ticket giveaways! All fans that attend the premiere will receive a special Heroes of Anime gift bag that includes the new NARUTO SHIPPUDEN™: Ultimate Ninja Impact™ PSP video game from Namco Bandai Games of America (released on October 18^th), in addition to other fun NARUTO collectibles.

Fujoshi O'Clock (10/12/11)

What time is it? It's . . . Fujoshi O'Clock, the new weekly feature at Nagareboshi Review, when I bring to you the latest fujoshi-related news and reviews and various shiny BL-flavored things. Why? Because rotten girls need love too!

This week on Fujoshi O'Clock:

• Via ANN: Crunchyroll is now streaming the second season of Sekai-Ichi Hatsukoi as a simulcast.
• Until the 19th, Nase Yamato's BL manga Mr. Convenience will be on a 20% sale exclusive at the Akadot site.
• Speaking of sales, all 801 manga is on sale at the low price of - wait for it? - 8.01 dollars. Sweet.

Reviews:

• ふう子 at Hazukashii Kedo reviews Lovely Talk by Kumonosuke, Mou Ikkai by Manako, and Doutei no Mahou by Patriciana Kikuchi. Note: some of the images are NSFW.
• Kristin at Comic Attack.net reviews Souya Himawari's Temperature Rising and the first volume of Seven Days by Venio Tachibana & Rihito Takarai, and is pleased by some of the more relaxing aspects of them.
• Kimi-chan of Kimi-chan Experience reviews Mr Tiger And Mr Wolf by Haruno Ahiro and has an issue with the translation but not the manga itself. 
• She also reviews Healing Music by Tatsumi Kaiya, and is wholly impressed by the beautiful look of the book's art.
• Connie at Slightly Biased Manga reviews the second volume of You Higuri's Gorgeous Carat and finds her reading propelled by both the fast-paced story and the wonderfully detailed art.

Am I missing your blog? Got some awesome fujoshi-related news and reviews you think deserve a shout-out? Poke me with a link and a bit of description over at my Twitter: @theseventhl. I'm always on the look out for more BL love!

License Line: I Want To Believe In Baka

What is License Line? Put simply, it's a bi-weekly feature on Nagareboshi Reviews in which yours truly posts about a certain anime/manga series that truly, desperately needs to be licensed and put on my shelves ASAP - from the obscure but well-deserving manga to the stream worthy but not yet DVD licensed anime.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet Prince Baka. Also known as the trolliest troll to ever troll humankind. He has come to Earth in the name of the greatest cause of all – to avoid responsibility! Despite being the greatest genius in the universe, this Prince has decided to spend his precious time on our planet in the name of some hardcore pranking of our native populace. So if you see a skinny blonde ponytailed guy with a baseball cup and big eyes lurking off in the distance, looking like he’s up to no good, you have just spotted the Dogurian race’s – and ours – biggest headache.

This Prince of pranks is the star of License Line’s latest license request as well as this blog’s newest favorite anime of recent seasons, Level E/レベルE. And quite frankly, the fact that you can’t buy Baka’s most excellent adventures in DVD or graphic novel format is an outright shame. Considering that both Yu Yu Hakusho and Hunter X Hunter – in both anime and manga form – have been licensed, isn’t it time that another of Togashi Yoshihiro’s works be brought to North American shores? I think so.

What is Level E? Only one of the most creatively humorous sci-fi shows that I’ve seen in the last couple of years, a shining example that such a serious genre that often go the comedy route with great success. You know, I could rehash my feelings on this wonderfully chaotic anime but I won’t bore you with a recap of my review of the Level E series tonight. But I will mention that it is based on a manga of the same name by manga-ka Togashi Yoshihiro, and at only three volumes it is a tight well-crafted read – not to mention any sort of major investment for those manga publishers squeamish about picking up an off-kilter science-fiction manga from 1995.

So what is it about Level E that begs for a license? I dunno – how about everything? It is bizarre yet charming, has a cast of characters as zany as the premise itself, and the music for it is just plain awesome. Seriously, try walking down the street when the opening theme pops up on your iPod without turning what was a normal walk into a Prince Baka-esque strut through town. This series fits in quite perfectly with Funimation’s line of similar series, and the manga would be right at home among its fellow manga-ka’s works over at Viz Media’s Shonen Jump imprint. You really can’t go wrong with more Prince Baka in your life.

If you want to find out for yourself, be sure to watch Level E currently streaming on Crunchyroll!

Manga Review: Cross Game GN 4

Cross Game volume 4

Author: Mitsuru Adachi

Viz Media/Shonen Sunday

376 pages (2-in-1 omnibus edition)

With Ko in his second year of high school and Aoba in her first, the regionals for Summer Koshien are about to begin! The third round pits Seishu up against mighty Ryuou Gakuin—one of the teams favored to win the whole shebang. Do Ko and team have what it takes to even advance that far in the tourney? But first, Aoba’s cousin enters the picture, and he might shake things up on a different front.

Spoiler alert: Spoilers for the Cross Game series so far is beyond the jump. Read with caution!

It's getting harder and harder to write up a review of Mitsuru Adachi's awe-inspiring baseball manga Cross Game, but not because it's getter worse, oh no; it's because it's a series that is just constantly quality stuff on a very consistent basis at a level I don't see much shonen manga these days being able to match. So what can I even contemplate on saying about this latest batch of chapters, released in svelte omnibus format by Viz Media, other than what I've been saying for the last three volumes? Well, if there's one thing you can never fault CG for doing, it's for not having anything happen.

AMV Of The Week: Nippon Pon Austria

This week’s AMV is technically a MAD, which may fall outside the idea of a traditional AMV, but when the heck has Nagareboshi Reviews done things the proper way? As a gleeful look at the Code Geass series, it is rude and hilarious and straight up silly. Besides, any MAD that opens with a picture of a literal Orange-kun gets full marks in my book. I dare you to get this catchy bit of audio manipulation out of your head once you watch it.

AMV: Nippon Pon Austria

Author: Maurogcha (re-uploaded from Nico Nico Douga; original author not specified)

Music: N/A, uses dialogue from Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion

Warnings: Fast moving clips, heavily edited, and equally heavily edited audio sometimes verging on glitchy-sounding. Spoilers for most of season one.

PR: VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES NARUTO MOVIE MARATHON ON VIZANIME.COM AND HULU

Note: I don't usually post press releases one after the other (especially in the same day) but this is terribly exciting stuff!

The World’s Most Popular Ninja Takes Center Stage In Four Action-Packed Feature Films Set To Stream Throughout October

To celebrate the upcoming U.S. theatrical premiere and DVD and Blu-ray release of NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: BONDS, and the birthday of the Naruto character on October 10^th, VIZ Media has just announced a special NARUTO movie marathon on VIZAnime.com, the company’s own website for free anime, as well as on the streaming content provider HULU (www.Hulu.com).

A total of 4 feature films featuring the spunky ninja will stream on both sites from October 7^th thru October 23^rd and will include NARUTO THE MOVIE: NINJA CLASH IN THE LAND OF SNOW, NARUTO THE MOVIE 2: LEGEND OF THE STONE OF GELEL, NARUTO THE MOVIE 3: GUARDIANS OF THE CRESCENT MOON KINGDOM. For the first time, these films will also be made available to stream with either subtitled or English dubbed dialogue tracks. NARUTO SHIPPUDEN:THE MOVIE will also be available dubbed on both streaming sites.

VIZ Media will premiere the latest NARUTO feature film – NARUTO SHIPPUDEN THE MOVIE: BONDS – in a special theatrical event to be held at the New York School of Visual Arts Theatre (SVA) on Saturday, October 15^th as part of the company’s activities at the 2011 New York Comic-Con. Esteemed Japanese voice actress Junko Takeuchi, who provides the original voice for Naruto, will also attend the event.

 

NARUTO THE MOVIE: NINJA CLASH IN THE LAND OF SNOW (Rated TV-14)

A land forever covered in ice... A princess missing for ten years... And one high-spirited ninja named Naruto!

In this first NARUTO feature film, Naruto and the rest of Squad 7 take on a new mission: bring popular movie star Yukie Fujikaze to the Land of Snow, where they're filming the final scenes of her latest movie. Trouble is, she's even more headstrong than Naruto, and she doesn't want to go! Her reluctance may be connected to what else lies in wait for them – three rogue Snow ninja and a tyrannical ruler seeking the key to a mysterious treasure.

NARUTO THE MOVIE 2: LEGEND OF THE STONE OF GELEL (Rated TV-14)

Naruto, Shikamaru and Sakura are in the middle of returning a lost ferret to its owner--the easiest mission ever. Or so they think! When a young knight, Temujin, attacks them out of nowhere, they are drawn into a fierce struggle over a treasure harboring legendary power – the Stone of Gelel. Temujin's master wants to use the stone's power to create a utopia, while the last of the clan who once controlled the stone wants to keep it sealed away forever. Naruto and the others, along with help from Gaara and Kankuro, must protect the stone from those who want to misuse its power. When the dream of utopia becomes a nightmare, it'll take a ninja to set things right!

NARUTO THE MOVIE 3: GUARDIANS OF THE CRESCENT MOON KINGDOM (Rated TV-14)

Naruto, Sakura and Kakashi team up with Rock Lee to protect Prince Michiru and his son Hikaru on their return home to the Crescent Moon Kingdom. Easy enough, until the royal family becomes a royal pain!

Prince Michiru can't help indulging his son, even buying him a circus along the way! Naruto has a tough time putting up with both the spoiled Hikaru and a saber-toothed tiger, but the real adventure begins when they reach the Land of the Moon and find themselves facing a villainous uprising. Does Naruto have what it takes to save an entire kingdom?

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: THE MOVIE (Rated TV-14)

A powerful spirit that once threatened to destroy the world is back! Naruto's mission is to protect a priestess named Shion, who is the only one with the power to seal away the monster. She also has the uncanny ability to predict someone's fate. Her latest prediction: Naruto will soon die. Naruto's only hope is to abandon Shion, but that's not Naruto's style. He decides to face her fatal prediction head-on – and die!

More information on NARUTO is available at www.Naruto.com.