Nakano Broadway & Pixiv Gallery Event

It was my first trip to Nakano but It was cut short since I had to sudden meet up with my friend at Ikebukuro. Therefore, decided to go for round two the next day with intention to buy since I have a jotted down the price in Ikebukuro & Nakano.

Levi looking pissed @ Nakano's Lashinbang store

I went to Mandrake and bought two Bungaku Shoujo aka Book Girl illustration book, Tari Tari (rare find) guide book and an old Haruhiko Mikimoto illustration book. Next, I went to a small figurine shop that sells unwanted stuff cheaply and I was pretty lucky to find "Macross 30th Anniversary" banner. That i had always wanted since my friend showed me early this year. The plastic was in a rough shape but the banner was still in good shape so bought it without second thought. Later, I tried to find my favorite retro poster shop but to my dismay it closed down. I went to the other poster shop for answer and they said, "Mandrake bought it". SHOCK 101%. It used to sell a lot of old anime in the 80s to early 2000s where cel animation was still used. That was where I got my "Kimagure Orange Road" posters and cheap cel animation from. But the good news is that "Lashinbang" opened two store at Nakano Broadway ^_^v so more competition for Mandrake! I bought a "Macross 30th Memorial Album", well not a real photo album ^_^"" but still pretty cool with a pictures of past to present Macross characters in it. Total loot spent: Y12,000.

An advice for serious figurine/illustration book buyers ONLY! Do take your time to find what you want. The prices differences can be between Y500 to Y2000 on each area. It is better to check Akiba for a rough or standard price before checking out Nakano or Ikebukuro (Do take note that Ikebukuro sells mostly girls stuff therefore you might find guy stuff cheaper at Ikebukuro's Lashinbang 2nd floor).

My LOOTS!!

Opposite Lashinbang store, there was a Pixiv Gallery Event. I did not check the name of the artist. But he/she did a pretty job on the showcasing the artwork. There was a video of his/her doing coloring to the drawing. I will post a few of the work but do click my Facebook album below to see more.
Pixiv Gallery Photo

Pixiv Gallery

Bayonetta ~Bloody Fate~ Review

I should have posted this 2 weeks ago but I was having so much fun in Ikebukuro, Nakano and Shinjuku. Anyway, I managed to catch Bayonetta ~Bloody Fate~ Movie @ Ikebukuro Cinema. As usual the price of the ticket is expensive Y1,800 but for me it was worth it, since I am fan of Bayonetta. The movie had been screening for some times, I was watching on the a small theater about 75 sitter. There were only a handful of people watching but amazingly about 70% were girls @_@. A bit weird since it main target was for mostly guys. Also I didn't know Bayonetta had a strong female fan base in Japan. The movie had the same story plot as the game. However, I believed it would still be a decent animation movie for any fans ^__^v as for those that didn't play the game it might get confusing at some part of the plot in the movie. I would highly recommend for those that are into fighting anime or had played Bayonetta game. 

Overall:

Aninmation: 9/10 very top notch stuff, produced by Gonzo.

Story: 6/10 same as the game but can be confusing for non-Bayonetta gamer

Seiyuu: 8/10 simply great, fits each character well but I played in English so not used to the J version

Fight Scene: 7/10 early on was fun to watch but after that it just slowed down and mostly fan service (Bayonetta vs Jean would be the highlight scene)

Music: 9/10 I enjoyed the BGM and the ending theme song was great (do watch the Ending MV, it was great)

 

I bought a mini movie illustration book:

Anime & Doujinshi Event in Japan 3

Area - Hokkaido

SNOWMIKU 2014 @ Sapporo, Oodori Park (2014/02/05 - 2014/02/11)
The event is held together with "Sapporo Snow Festival" so you can expect to see a Miku snow sculpture and many more beautiful sculpture. As for Miku fans, there would be stage event, Miku's tram car (which most of you have seen it on the net), goodies for sale and mini concert. For more update please visit the website or twitter.
Website: http://snowmiku.com
Twitter: @cfm_snowmiku

 


Area - Iwate

Tono-Monogatari @ Aeria Tono (2014/03/02)
An all "Touhou doujinshi event only" being held at Iwate prefecture, Tono City. It starts at 12noon and ends at 3pm, guess this would be a small event catering for Touhou fans. As for now, there is not much information from the pamphlet or the website. You can expect more update and info on the website.
Website: http://yumemichi.koromu-toho.com/
Twitter: @koromu_th
Google Map

Area - Osaka

大阪の陣　出撃します! (Osaka Camp Sortie!) @ ALFIC Osaka (2014/03/10)
An all Kantai Collection (Combined Fleet Collection) doujinshi event only. Begins at 11am and ends at 3pm. For those that is unfamiliar with Kantai Collection abbreviated as Kan Colle in Japan. From what I know It is originally an online card game where you play with card game with a moe looking kanmusu (Fleet Girl?). It is currently the new "it" thing with my otaku friends in Akiba. They gave me a poster of "Atago" and made me a fan of her (^_^"). They told me a new PSP game and anime is coming out next year.
More About Kan Colle: http://kancolle.wikia.com/wiki/Kancolle_Wiki
Website: http://cosxcos.mobi/comicos/newkankore/
Address: 〒 556-0013 Osaka-shi, Osaka Naniwa-ku Ebisuhon cho 1-8-20
Google Map

Cinderella Stage 2 @ Osaka OMM Building (Merchandise Mart), C Hall (2014/02/09)
For those "Idolmaster" fans, this is an Idolmaster doujinshi only event in Osaka. From 11.30am to 3pm (unconfirmed). Not much info about this event since I never visit it but from the recruitment of 150+ space. It would be a small/medium size event, you can expect a lot of Idolmaster fan made goodies!
Website: http://cin-stage.com/
Address: 〒 540-6591 Osaka Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Otemae 1-7-31
Google Map

This may be the last update for Anime & Doujinshi Event in Japan, unless I get my holiday ~_~" and also I am moving to Jakarta for work. Sigh~~~ gonna miss Singapore~~~ 

Anime & Doujinshi Event in Japan 2

Area - Tokyo

Comitia 107 @ Tokyo Big Sight East Hall 5,6 (2014/02/12)
The doujinshi event will be held as the same place as Comiket but at a smaller scale. The event will start at 11am and ends at 4pm. This event held 4 times a year at Tokyo and other prefecture (Nagoya, Osaka, Niigata) with the intention for artist to create their original works by including restriction on sell parody or copy works from licensed anime/manga. You are also required to buy the guidebook (Y1000/Y1250) to gain access for the event unless you are under 12years ^__^.
Website: http://www.comitia.co.jp

 

Area - Nagoya

Nagoya Comitia 44 @ Nagoya Kokusai Kaigijyo (Nagoya Congress Center) (2014/04/30)
Same rules apply as above. But size wise it is much smaller.
Starts: 11am to 3.30pm
Address: Japan, Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya, Atsuta Ward, Atsuta Nishimachi, 1-1
Google Map
Website: http://nagoya-comitia.daa.jp

Area - Shiga

Sakura High school - Welcome all New Students @ Toyosato Elementary School (2014/05/05)
A K-ON! only event with doujinshi & festival(?) being held. I did not go for this event but one of my friend that went had a very fun time. You were given a rare chance to explore the school where the cast of K-ON! had their fun time playing their songs. It would be a priceless journey for all K-ON! fans. Oh yeah, an advise from my friend, the space seats and space were for children so for adult it would be a squeeze.
Starts: 12noon - 4pm
Address: 〒529-1169 Shiga-ken, Inukami-gun, Toyosato-chō, Ishibatake, 518 Toyosato Elementary School.
Google Map
Website: http://toyosatoteatime.info/ss/

Eva x Japanese Sword @ Mori Art Museum Review

Just drop by the Museum today. It was really a great exhibition with Japanese sword makers reproducing swords for the Evangelion exhibit which cost Y1,000 for entry. In addition, there was an Eva figure exhibit which cost Y500. For any huge Eva fans it would be worth your money to visit the exhibition before 23 Dec.

At the museum entrance there were Eva mecha & characters cardboard cutout which i took some pictures before the cold weather got the best out of me and decided to buy the ticket quickly. Before getting in the staff would explain a few rules on the entrance (no flash photography n etc). Later, I was greeted by a human size Eva mecha and beside it a guide on making Japanese swords (Katana, Wakizashi and more). It also explained the different era of swords in Japan. I am no expert in this field but from what can I observed the length and ornaments of each swords were different. There was also a corner to test out the weigh of the sword (damn heavy) and a detail video demonstration on making Japanese sword.

From next section on it was basically Eva sword reproduction. Everything was made by different sword makers there were also pictures of them making it and maker:s title on the handle of the swords. It was a sight to look at and very elegant too. The one that caught my eye was a Wakizashi with metallic Asuka on the blade. I was kind of speechless when i saw it, he must a lot of free time or a very huge Asuka fan to make it so detail. After snapping a lot of pictures and checking out the merchandises store. I continued my photo taking to the figure section where the figures on stage replicated scenes from Eva animation TV and Movies. Sadly, I only brought my digicam so I could not took any good pictures. But I did my best ^_^".

More pictures at my facebook album:
https://www.facebook.com/aoi.je.9/media_set?set=a.238471462984653.1073741835.100004654028054&type=3&uploaded=184

 

Anime & Doujinshi Events in Japan 1

Area - Tokyo

Evangelion and Japanese Swords (11/23 - 12/23)
There is an event at Mori Art Museum in Ueno, Tokyo. Opens at 10am to 5pm but be careful if you intend to visit on Monday as it is usually close (Happened to me last Monday) . It cost Y1,000 for adult unless you are Japanese high school/elementary student then there is a discount. 
Website: http://www.eva-and-swords.com

 


Love Live! @ UDX Building Akihabara (12/21 - 12/31)
A special movie screening at 18:03, 19.03, 20.03. I am not sure about the details but I guess they are going to air it at UDX big screen. I found the detail on Akiba Gamers before checking the website. For those that understand Japanese better than me please translate~~ *Thank you*
Website: http://news.lovelive-anime.jp/app-def/S-102/news/


Sunshine Creation 63 @ Ikebukuro Sunshine City (2014/4/13)
A doujinshi event at Ikebukuro area, starts at 11am - 3.30pm. It worth to have a good at the artist booth as some of them try to sell the leftover from Comiket or could not participate on the event. I had been there once two years ago, the crowd is smaller than Comiket so for those that hate long queue then it is for you. The contents in the booths were mostly for guys. (Come early if you want the good stuffs)
Website: http://www.creation.gr.jp

 



Comic1☆8 @ Tokyo Big Sight, East Hall 4,5,6 (2014/4/29)
A doujinshi event that held at the same place as Comiket but at a smaller scale. Starts at 10.30am - 3.30pm(TBA). From the pamphlet that I have there are contents for both guys and girls. So basically for all type of anime and game otaku (^з^)-☆
Website: http://www.comic1.jp

 


To be continue with events around Osaka and more. By the way, I am currently in Tokyo for my holiday, will update what is new around Akiba and etc. ^_^v