[Wii] Are you hoping to get a Wii this Christmas?

Nintendo Wii’s continue to be a hard-to-find album for the second straight Holiday season.

A recent article from the Associated Press, “I couldn’t find a single Wii system on the shelves — literally as I was walking into a Wal-Mart at 11 a.m., someone was walking out with the last one,” Fils-Aime said in an interview Tuesday at the company’s new Redwood City office. “Consumers are buying every game we can put into the system.”

“Fils-Aime predicted a new sales record the week before Christmas, despite being “very concerned” about the U.S. economy and the rising price of gasoline. About 40 percent of Wii sales have been in North America and Latin America, while 35 percent were in Asia, primarily Japan, and the rest came from Europe and the Middle East.”

“He dismissed speculation online that the Kyoto, Japan-based company — maker of Pokemon and Super Mario games — is deliberately constraining supply of the $250 console to generate buzz.”

“A shortage benefits no one,” he said. “We’re disappointed. This was all about how we didn’t accurately estimate demand. We need to be more bullish about the potential for the Wii.”

More on this article 

 

[WORLD GROOVE] Currently listening to KEMURI – BLASTIN!

BAND: KEMURI

ALBUM: BLASTIN’!

LABEL: avex io

CATALOG #: IOCD-20228

DURATION: 44:40

RELEASED ON September 26, 2007

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

1. Ato-Ichinen
2. birthday
3. the rhythm
4. 白いばら
5. Rainy Saturday
6. On the Street
7. Rules
8. Workin’ Dayz
9. ancient wind
10. 葉月の海
11. Knockin on the Door
12. in the perfect silence
13. 鉛の花
14. P.M.A. (Positive Mental Attitude)
15. five o’clock at night (BLASTIN’ version-)

The ska band from Japan known as KEMURI has been entertaining fans for over a decade and unfortunately, all good things often come to an end and the same with the band.

KEMURI has decided to call it quits and will breakup officially on December 9th.

With their albums going into re-release in Japan, the group released one last studio recorded album on September 26, 2007 titled “BLASTIN!”

I’ve listened to a lot of ska bands for a long time and one thing that made it easier for me to play among friends before a surf session is that the band mostly sings in English. Needless to say, they have a strong fanbase outside of Japan as well.

So, if you are a ska fan, one thing I will say with “BLASTIN’!” is that the majority of the songs are all in English and their songs are positive or P.M.A. (Positive Mental Attitude).

The album features newer tracks and previous released tracks.The first track “Ato-Ichinen” is actually one of the few Japanese only songs on the album that is very distinct. Up-tempo, guitar driven and a song that is just quick and frenetic and fun. The track along with the track “Workin’ Dayz” were originally both offered on the band’s 1997 album “Little Playmante”.

“Workin’ Dayz” is one of those songs that shows a good balance of horns and guitar. The song is one of the few tracks with profanity but is about the typical overworked employee who works 24/7… or in the case of this song, 24/8. About working and not even caring about your wife and child because all you have done is work. One of my favorite all English songs on the album.

A song that sounds very old school Kemuri is “Rainy Saturday” which goes from a simple, normal-tempo and then transitions to a fast paced track and also a reggae-like segment near the end. The song is about a rainy saturday, thinking about someone you love that is distant from you and making it alright.

The ninth track “ancient wind” is originally from their 2000 album “Senka Senrui”.

The 14th track “P.M.A. (Positive Mental Attitude” is somewhat of a song that describes KEMURI’s music. Living with a positive mental attitude and the song along with the 2nd track “birthday” are featured on the band’s “77 Days” album from 1998.

The 15th track “five o’clock at night” features a BLASTIN’ version of the track featured from their album “emotivation” (from Oct. 2001).

All in all, you get a good balance of songs old and new on this album and with fifteen tracks total.

The CD insert comes with lyrics to all songs on the album with a few pictures of the band performing live. Also, interesting is that there are Japanese lyrics for the English songs on this album. The CD packaging is a fold out cardboard piece with the insert booklet going on one end, the CD on the other end.

Many have wondered if ska is dead. Does anyone care for ska anymore? With KEMURI breaking up, is this a signal of times for ska music? Not too sure about if its the end but KEMURI lasting for 12 years in Japan for the kind of music they have done is pretty cool.

The band has managed to accomplish a lot in their career, attracting fans from all over the world and showing that Japan can do ska and do it well.

KEMURI’s “BLASTIN’!” is an album that has a good balance of music from the past-pace guitar driven songs, to songs that feature a good balance between the brass horns and rock that effectively makes awesome ska music that KEMURI is known for.

For fans of KEMURI, again you get a collection of old and new with this album and you can’t go wrong. The album is a fitting end to KEMURI’s succesful twelve years as one of Japan’s awesome ska rock bands.

 

[WORLD GROOVE] Currently listening to Mink – beautiful/One Suitcase

ARTIST: mink

CD SINGLE: beautiful/One Suitcase [Limited Release]

LABEL: rhythm zone

CATALOG #: RZCD-45267

DURATION: 31:24

Released on October 5, 2005

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

1. beautiful
2. One Suitcase
3. If
4. Omashinai – yukihiro fukutomi remix
5. beautiful – jazztronik remix
6. beautiful – instrumental

My first fore into the musical world of mink was back in 2006 with her CD single “Hold onto a Dream” and also the soundtrack for “Chisaki Yusha Tachi Gamera Original Soundtrack”.

Since then, I have been eager to get mink’s older material (along with her newer material as well) but was very stoked when I received the limited edition release of mink’s “beautiful/One Suitcase” CD Single.

I’ve been told many times of how beautiful this CD single was and let me just say that I agree.

The CD single features a total of six tracks. The main song “beautiful” is just that. A beautiful CD ballad showcasing mink’s vocals as strings, bass and piano play gently in the background with a beat that makes the song absolutely charming and effectively translates into a breezy, whimsical track.

The song (a theatrical edit version) was used for the live film “Initial D”.

The coupling track “One Suitcase” is a track that features mink’s English vocals. Just to remind everyone that mink (which stands for “made in Korea”), this is the same Korean artist who has done well not just in Japan but also in the US with her International CD single “Glory of Life” which did very well on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Chart.

If there is any artist that has demonstrated that she can take it Internationally is mink because her English pronunciation is spot on, no difficulty, confident and is able to transition back to English and Japanese perfectly.

With “One Suitcase”, definitely a song with Western flair and a very catch tune that is done quite well.

The second coupling track “if…” is another ballad that features a beautiful melody that is just as strong as the main track “beautiful”. A hybrid song that features both Japanese and English lyrics.

The fourth coupling track “omashinai – Yukihiro Fukitomi mix” is definitely a nice collaboration from one of the most well-reknowned figures in jazzy house music. Fukitomi’s spin on “omashinai” is a pleasant surprise addition to this CD single showcasing another breezy, melodic track from mink but a nice rhythm and hypnotic beat remixed by Yukihiro Fukitomi.

The fifth track is also another awesome collaboration as mink collaborates with Nozaka Ryota aka “Jazztronik” known for his nu jazz and jazz house music. Where Yukihiro Fukitomi goes hypnotic, Jazztronik goes with a catchier beat made simple yet vibrant.

The final sixth track is the instrumental version of “beautiful”.

As for the CD insert, the interesting thing about this CD single is that it’s packaged in a 4 x 5 case. The album cover art and interior cover is done by ena (who you can peruse artwork at www.digmeout.net). Underneath where the CD is placed is a CD cutout with the lyrics for “beautiful” and credit listing information for the CD single’s tracks.

Also, a promotional flyer for Rhythm Zone artists who had releases back in October 2005.

I really enjoy mink’s music and I agree with many people that “beautiful/One Suitcase” is one of her best CD single releases if not the best that she has done so far.

The CD single has a great balance of ballads, up-tempo tracks, English and Japanese songs and two remixes that were collaborated with two people are the top jazz house remixers from Japan.

If you are a mink fan, if you happen to spot this CD single…used or new. Definitely check it out!

 

[WORLD GROOVE] Currently listening to Acid Black Cherry – Black Cherry CD Single

BAND: Acid Black Cherry

CD SINGLE: Black Cherry

LABEL: motorod

CATALOG #: AVCD-32089/B

DURATION: 8:17

Released on September 26, 2007

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

1. Black Cherry
2. hatsukoi

DVD: Approx. 16 minutes, 4:3, Region 2

1. Black Cherry
2. Off Shot

I really enjoyed Black Cherry’s debut CD single “SPELL MAGIC” and with their second CD single “Black Cherry” out, was definitely curious to see how the second CD single would turn out.

For those not familiar with Acid Black Cherry, the band features JANNE DA ARC lead vocalist Yasu and a collaboration with different musicians.

For “Black Cherry”, Acid Black Cherry’s Yasu collaborated with musicians YUKI (of DUSTAR-3), SHUSE, Kozo Suganuma and female brass group Pistol Valve.

“Black Cherry” features an almost rockabilly style that is very reminiscent of Stray Cats and even old school Adam Ant. The song is actually very cool and with the bass line and horns, it’s definitely something different. Although, not as J-Rock frenetic as the guitar-laden “SPELL MAGIC”, “Black Cherry” is pretty cool.

The coupling track similar to the last CD single “Hatsukoi” features something totally different as the main track. For this CD single, “Hatsukoi” is a beautiful acoustic ballad which is a cover of a popular 1983 song by Murashita Kozo.

The actual interesting part of the single is the DVD. For the DVD version, “Black Cherry” features Yasu and the his band members in a gangster like setting (reminiscent of the 1920-30′s gangster films but in modern times) in a club, up to mischief, while on stage features Yasu as a woman (yes, Yasu cross dresses).

The music video is quite fun featuring Yasu and band members in various outfits such as the gangsters, computer nerds and playing in the band (which Pistol Valve can be seen playing as well).

The Off Shot track features Yasu cross dressing for the CD single cover and the promotional video and the band having to dress up in various outfits. Very humorous and enjoyable to watch.

The CD insert features the lyrics and credits and a flyer promoting the live and backstage concert for November 2007.

I am really enjoying the music from Acid Black Cherry. The second CD single is totally different from the first. I know some people may prefer the J-Rock first CD single of “SPELL MAGIC” but I get a feeling that perhaps that Acid Black Cherry is definitely a musical project which Yasu can go into doing different things and not be compared to his JANNE DA ARC music.

And so far, with two CD singles and four songs, he manages to do something different in all four songs and succeeds.

Acid Black Cherry’s latest CD single “Aishtenai” is currently out this week and I look forward to that CD single coming up.

Definitely another awesome CD single with a very cool DVD to accompany it. Check it out!

 

[WORLD GROOVE] Currently listening to the “SAIYUKI – Original Soundtrack”

ARTIST: Various

ALBUM TITLE: SAIYUKI – Original Soundtrack

LABEL: Rhythm Zone

CATALOG #: RZCD-45663

DURATION: 1:13:13

Released on August 1, 2007

21 tracks with 19 of the songs being instrumental tracks by Takebe Satoshi and two vocal tracks. Track 20 is “Tabibito” by Takasugi Satomi and the final track “Around the World – movie ver.- by MONKEY MAJIK.

The following review is for the soundtrack for the film “Saiyuki” starring SMAP’s Katori Shingo.

Back in 2006, Katori Shingo, Fukatsu Eri and a few others did a drama on FUJI TV based on the character of “Saiyuki” (or Monkey King) that was not exactly based on the Chinese book. It was more of a humorous take on the adventures of the monkey king and of course, was very different for the story and was to be taken light heartedly.

Thus the film came out continuing those adventures and the soundtrack was released.

Interesting enough, the soundtrack does feature vocal tracks. For those who have purchased a drama or film soundtrack in Japan, you typically get an instrumental version of the vocal track or some weird remix.

All in all, you get 21 tracks featuring instrumentals by Takebe Satoshi which range from lighthearted, traditional Japanese music. Some that may sound new world type of music but the majority that utilize traditional Japanese instruments. There are some that feature scores that are serious and dramatic and overall, for the music featured in the soundtrack, you get a good balance of music on the soundtrack.

As for the vocal tracks, you get “Tabibito” by singer and gravure model Takasugi Satomi which features a pop song utilizing a blend of Chinese and Japanese instruments. The song is actually quite good and having never heard of Takasugi’s vocals but knowing she was a gravure model, I wasn’t expecting too much. But for this track, well sung.

And of course, the popular song on the soundtrack features MONKEY MAJIK’s “Around the World – movie ver.-” Which happens to be a song that help catapult the band to its current popularity and an awesome all English song nevertheless.

The CD insert features tracklist, no lyrics for the songs and just cast information for the film.

Personally, I wish I can go into depth of how the music and the film work great together but having never seen the film, it makes it a bit difficult in that aspect.

But listening to the overall soundtrack, the film’s score is actually pretty good. You get a good balance of a well-scored instrumental tracks that sound adventure driven and something from a big budget film to tracks that combine traditional Japanese and Chinese instruments and then give it a more modern spin.

“Tabibito” by Takasugi Satomi is actually very cool and MONKEY MAJIK’s “Around the World” is one of my favorite songs from the band, so it was nice and a surprise to hear that track on this soundtrack.

If you enjoyed the film and its music, this soundtrack is definitely for you!

 

[DS] NINTENDO OF AMERICA REPORTS HISTORIC SALES WEEK

Nintendo DS Passes Game Boy Advance Sales Record, Wii Becomes Must-Have Gift

REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 27, 2007 – In the first week of the 2007 holiday shopping season, Nintendo of America has sold more Nintendo products than at any other time in its history. This includes more than 653,000 Nintendo DS™ portable video game systems, 350,000 Wii™ home systems and millions of games and accessories throughout the United States – and the season is just getting started.

Nintendo DS set a new all-time sales record for Thanksgiving week, eclipsing the previous mark of 600,000 Game Boy® Advance systems sold during the same period in the United States in 2005. Nintendo DS remains on track to be the top-selling video game system of 2007.

Nintendo’s 350,000 Wii systems represent the highest one-week U.S. sales total outside of its launch week one year ago. Wii has been dubbed the must-have gift of the 2007 holiday season and has been placed at the top of numerous gift lists. Nintendo has repeatedly increased its shipments and its fiscal-year sales forecast for Wii in an attempt to meet soaring demand. Wii reached 5 million sold in the United States faster than any video game system in history, after only 12 months of availability there.

Both Wii and Nintendo DS have continued their yearlong momentum into the holidays without altering their prices. And both remain attractive values for shoppers: Wii has an MSRP of $249.99, while Nintendo DS has an MSRP of $129.99.

“As shoppers look for ways to maximize their limited holiday spending money, they turn to gifts that can be used by the entire family,” says George Harrison, Nintendo of America’s senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. “Wii and Nintendo DS offer something for every member of the family. They’re the most fun video game experiences at the most affordable price.”

With higher gas prices and fuel costs, and the lukewarm expectations for the 2007 holiday shopping season, Wii and Nintendo DS might be just what Santa ordered: Thirty-five percent of consumers said they plan to spend less than they did last year, according to a survey conducted by Opinion Research Corp. for the Consumer Federation of America and the Credit Union National Association. Similarly, a USA Today/Gallup Poll showed that 25 percent of Americans expect to spend less on gifts this year than they did in 2006.

Note that the internal Nintendo of America numbers referenced in this release represent sales from Sunday, Nov. 18, through Saturday, Nov. 24.

Remember that Wii features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other Wii features, visit Wii.com.

The worldwide innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii™, Nintendo DS™, Game Boy® Advance and Nintendo GameCube™ systems. Since 1983, Nintendo has sold nearly 2.5 billion video games and more than 430 million hardware units globally, and has created industry icons like Mario™, Donkey Kong®, Metroid®, Zelda™ and Pokémon®. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, visit the company’s Web site at www.nintendo.com.

 

[DS] NEW NINTENDO DS GAME TURNS YOUNG MAGICIANS INTO ‘MASTERS OF ILLUSION’

It’s a Modern Twist on Classic Magic Tricks

REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 27, 2007 – You see here before you a video game. By all outward appearances, it’s a simple video game. Feel free to inspect it to confirm it is, in fact, of the standard video game variety. Note that I have nothing up my sleeve, nor do I have any confederates among the audience. Now allow me, if you will, to insert the game card into the Nintendo DS™ portable gaming system. With a few taps of the touch screen with my magic wand stylus … Voilà! Instantly you are transformed into a Master of Illusion™!

This remarkable new Nintendo product has the power to mystically change anyone into an eager apprentice magician with abilities sure to astound friends and family alike. A full repertoire of tricks awaits discovery and practice. Best of all, Master of Illusion comes with a deck of magic cards to get trainees started on the path to magic mastery.

Master of Illusion, rated E for Everyone, is yet another way the Nintendo DS transforms the notion of what constitutes a video game. Note: rabbit not included.

The worldwide innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii™, Nintendo DS™, Game Boy® Advance and Nintendo GameCube™ systems. Since 1983, Nintendo has sold nearly 2.5 billion video games and more than 430 million hardware units globally, and has created industry icons like Mario™, Donkey Kong®, Metroid®, Zelda™ and Pokémon®. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, visit the company’s Web site at www.nintendo.com.

 

[WORLD GROOVE] Currently listening to Shinichi Osawa – The One

 

ARTIST: Shinichi Osawa

ALBUM: The One

LABEL: Rhythm Zone

CATALOG #: RZCD-4566/B

DURATION: 1:11:08

Released on September 26, 2007

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

1. Star guitar
2. Detonator
3. Electro411
4. Dreamhunt
5. Push
6. Rendezvous
7. The Patch
8. Last Days
9. State of Permission
10. Foals
11. The Golden
12. Maximum Joy
13. Ami Nu Ku Tuu (The One Version)

DVD: Region 2, 4:3, 41 minutes

1. Star Guitar
2. Our Song
3. Push
4. Last Days
5. Our Song (A Lonely Girl Version)
6. Electro411
7. Rendezvous
8. The Golden

For many people familiar with Mondo Grosso, the music of Osawa Shinichi (or Shinichi Osawa for those who know of his work in the US) or perhaps were introduced to a few of his songs via the Sony PSP game “Lumines” have enjoyed his music for years.

The last time I reviewed a Mondo Grosso album or promoted a live concert, Mondo Grosso/Osawa was on a Sony label, so I was a bit surprised to find out that Shinichi has jumped on the Avex label through Rhythm Zone label (Koda Kumi, EXILE, Kiyokiba Shunsuke, etc.).

But nevertheless, it’s great to have one of the finest musicians back and his latest album “The One” is a digital smorgasborg of digital music that combines his frenetic digital style intermeshed with rock music which Osawa calls “electro”.

The album features a mix and mash of music genres of digital pop, rock and a bit of the 80′s New Order/Pineapple electropop that old school fans can help but smile to. Also, one of the coolest part of the album is the various collaborations on this album, thus giving each song its own unique vibe.

For those wondering why Osawa chose to go via his real name instead of Mondo Grosso, Osawa has mentioned in various interviews that you are seeing the DJ side of him and what he has experienced through various gigs. Thus, this is the first album sporting his name.

The first track “Star Guitar” is a remix of Thomas Owen Rowlands/Edmund John Simons (aka Chemical Brothers) popular track. Osawa’s remix of “Star Guitar” is a beautiful song incorporating rock and digital music and collaborating with the digital music trio Au Revoir Simone (Anna, Erika and Heather) with a very cool utilization of electronic drums and guitar. One of my favorite songs on the album, with the dreamy vocals of Au Revoir Simone really gives this song a stylish and enjoyable feel to it.

The second track “Detonator” continues Osawa’s “electro” sound and teams up with Swedish model/singer/DJ Princess Superstar who is currently gaining popularity all over Europe and Asia. I found the song very cool with the various transitions and Princess Superstar’s vocals gave it a cheery/rave-like feeling to the song.
The third track “Electro411″ is trademark Osawa. Frenetic techno interspersed with various forms of digital slabs that I just love listening to over and over.

The fourth track “Our Song” features Osawa collaborating with ULTRA BRAIN and another “electro” sound featuring rock with digital music. It’s like an indie J-rock song but instead of guitars ablazing, it’s Osawa’s digital prowess in control of the music.

The fifth track “Dreamhunt” features Osawa collaborating with Simone Rubi of the trio indie group Rubies. As previous collaborations featured the electro sound with digital music and rock. This one does not feature the rock factor but all electronic music.

The sixth track “Push” features the collaboration between Osawa and Swedish model/singer Ania and possibly one of the most catchier songs on the album and incorporating a Daft Punk style to it.

The tenth track “State of Permission” features vocals by Tamara Barnett-Herrin and co-produced by Freeform Five’s Anu Pillai known in the UK for their house/club music. This track is the sole slow-jam track on the album.

The eleventh track “Foals” is actually a very interesting collaboration with Osawa and electronica/rock artist Nelson. I guess you can say the track is like Osawa’s digital music mixed with The Killers but then a transition in the music suddenly changes to something that sounds like the Fixx. Hard to explain but the best way to explain is Osawa’s “electro” going through a modern rock to 80′s rock transition that goes back and forth. One of my favorite songs on the album.

The final track “Ami Nu Ku Tuu (The One Version)” is a very awesome collaboration between Osawa and RYUKYUDISKO (a popular DJ in Japan). Although, both do not combine their frenetic nature which would be awesome to listen to, for this track features a beautiful drum track with koto and traditional Japanese music.

For those wanting more Osawa-only tracks, you get a good number of them with songs such as “Rendezvous”, “The Patch, “The Golden” and “Maximum Joy”. You get the frenetic Osawa trademark tracks such as “Rendezvous” and “The Golden”.

As for the DVD, for the limited edition version of the album, you get a total of eight DVD tracks. Some tracks made into a non-stop VJ mix.

The first track “Star Guitar” features club visuals with laser lights and models and then you get to see the female trio Au Revoir Simone singing.

The second track “Our Song” featuring ULTRABRAIN features the group performing live in concert and also various people singing the vocals of the song.

The third track “Push” is a sexy music video featuring Ania. Very cool!

The fourth track “Last Days” features an animated ink blot video.

The fifth track “Our Song (A Lonely Girl Version)”, unlike the previous video featuring the band and various people singing the song, for this one features a woman singing the song and waking up, going to the work, going to the club and then back home. It’s actually a very cool concept as the girl sings at various locations throughout Japan. At home, walking to work, at work at Tower Records, at the club and more.

The final three DVD tracks are a non-stop VJ mix that you would expect to see on big video screens at a club or rave featuring Osawa’s trademark frenetic music tracks such as “Electro411″, “Rendezvous” and “The Golden”.

As for the CD insert, the lyrics are included, flyer for Osawa’s mobile site and a Rhythm Zone promotional for September and October 2007 releases.

I really enjoy the work of Mondo Grosso but I was very pleased with Shinichi Osawa trying something different and also collaborating with various digital/electronic music artists on this album and I felt that gave the album its unique style.

The songs are well-balanced and you get something different with each track.

The Japanese release of the album has two more tracks than the US release and the CD+DVD (if you can find the version with the DVD out there) version of the album is definitely worth checking out because the music videos are very cool to watch and similar to the album, you get something different with each DVD track.

If you are a fan of Osawa’s work, I highly recommend checking this album out. Highly recommended!

 

Tokyo Majin Vol. 1 (a J!-ENT Anime DVD Review)

DVD: Tokyo Majin Vol. 1

DISTRIBUTED BY: ADV Films

DURATION: 125 minutes (Episodes 1-5)

RATED: TV MA V

RATIO: 16:9 Anamorphic

RELEASE DATE: December 11, 2007

OFFICIAL WEBSITE (US) | JAPAN

Tokyo is the setting of where waves of mysterious deaths happening throughout the city and the dead have reawaken and are controlled by monstrous creatures and are seeking power that could bring about the final apocalypse.

As the police and the people of Tokyo are helpless, five unlikely heroes have come to save the day. They are students of Tokyo Majin!

“Tokyo Majin” (Tokyo Majin Gakuen Kenpuchō: Tō) is an anime that has already ran for two seasons this year on Japan’s satellite anime channel Animax and has spawned a PlayStation and PlayStation 2 video game years earlier.

Similar to the popular “Megami Tensei” video games, fans of the video game series (first game was on the PSX back in 1998) have been wanting an anime series and now, here it is.

The series revolve around five students of Megami Academy. The school has been rocked by students that have gone missing at their high school and deaths are mounting.

A new student named Hiyu Tatsuma has come to the school and gets acquainted with the other students such as the brash Horaiji Kyoichi of the kendo club, Daigo Yuya of the wrestling club, Sakurai Komaki of the archery (kyudo) club and Misato Aoi, the student body president and from a wealthy, powerful family.

Throw in a few characters for comedy relief which including Tohno Kyoko, reporter of the school newspaper (behaves like one of the paparazzi) and Maria Alucard, a teacher at Megami Academy.

Upon watching the first volume, I will say that the first episode was a bit confusing. You are introduced to characters from days old, to characters in the present and without any proper introduction until you get to the second episode. But what you do see from the first episode are cool characters, cool animation and fighting and violence that you come away wondering if this is like an “X-Men” or “Persona” style of anime that takes place in high school.

But once you get to the second episode, you get to know a little bit about the characters and how each of them are so different from each other. What you are able to piece together is that Tatsuma was sent to the school for a reason, Kyoichi is a fighter but a total dick and even more to Aoi, Daigo is a tall brute that wrestles but loves to cook and has a thing for Komaki and both Komaki and Aoi are best friends.

Episode 2 goes into the five discovering their powers.

In episode 3, crows are attacking the city and also, a mysterious figure is spying on the five. This leads to a battle between the five and Umon Raito, a lightning wielding fighter and former lead vocalist of the rock band CROW.

In episode 4, you are introduced to Karasu Ryouchi, the leader and lead guitarist of the rock band CROW who joins with the bad monsters and is given the power to manipulate lightning and electricity and takes on the five students. It appears that Ryouchi doesn’t like his former bandmate Raito for a reason.

In this episode, you get to learn about the band CROW and why the band disbanded. Also, the five learn that they are not the only people gifted with supernatural powers and that there are others using their power for evil.

In episode 5, the five heroes discuss their new lives and how living a normal life will never be the same. Students continue to die and this time, the next target is student body president Misato Aoi. This is the introduction of doctor Iwayama Takako who has the power to treat patients wounded by demons.

The animation for “Tokyo Majin” is pretty cool. What I like is the different color usage for day, night and early evening. I enjoy the character designs. It’s very stylish and hip.

The audio for the English dub and the Japanese are both well done. I watched both series completely in English and Japanese and both are cool in their own cultural way.

As for the DVD special features, the first volume features the clean opening and closing animation, ADV previews and DVD credits.

 

“Tokyo Majin” is a very fast-paced anime that features a good balance of over-the-top humor and violence.

I know during these times of anime such as “Bleach” and even “Naruto”, anime about teamwork and the team taking on evil may be a bit overplayed. But I’ve seen it through the years form “Ranma 1/2″, “Fushigi Yuugi”, “Rurouni Kenshin”, “X” to the current cream of the crop anime with similar storylines.

And I suppose, one would wonder what makes “Tokyo Majin” so different from the others out there.

I suppose with “Tokyo Majin”, it reminds me of the popular NBC sci-fi show “HEROES” where people are suddenly with special supernatural powers and in this case, people are dying, the dead are coming alive ala zombies and some unfortunate things are happening in Tokyo. Then you have the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Angel” type of feeling with high school people (who would probably never hang out), joined together for a common cause to eliminate the evil and take on those with powers who use it on the side of evil.

Now will “Tokyo Majin” rise up to be a classic like the other anime that I have mentioned? It’s too early to say.

It has a cool style to it, it has cool character designs and also cool J-Rock music. I found the characters mostly to be quite likeable and overall, I feel “Tokyo Majin” to be a very cool anime with a lot of potential.

Because this game is pretty much based on a popular video game, not too say that I was not expecting much but I will say that it definitely exceeded my expectations.

As for the DVD, I was a bit surprised that there were only just the offering of clean opening and ending themes but looking at the Japanese release of the DVD, it’s pretty much the same.

So far, I am enjoying what I have seen so far of “Tokyo Majin”.  Awesome action featuring an akward team of heroes, each with special abilities going against hardcore demons, zombies and evil in general.  A little humor hear and there.  But it’s nice to see the human side of high school students who want to use their powers for good and those who just want to go on living their high school life and have fun and know that they will need to make a choice on how to live their life.

I definitely look forward to watching more episodes of this series!

 

[WII] WII-KLY UPDATE: THREE NEW CLASSIC GAMES ADDED TO WII SHOP CHANNEL

Nov. 26, 2007Let’s hope you all survived the long holiday weekend. With all the eating, traveling and family fun, isn’t it time to do something just for you? So take a few minutes and do a little shopping from the comfort of your couch, away from the chaos of the malls. This week you can get into a game of hoops, do a little faux gambling or head out to sea with your favorite dolphin friend.

Three new classic games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the Wii™ Shop Channel every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week’s new games are:

DOUBLE DRIBBLE™ (NES®, 1-2 players, rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): DOUBLE DRIBBLE, the first 5-on-5, full-court home basketball game, is pure hoops action at its finest. While still a surprisingly accurate basketball game for its time, the frantic action keeps you on your toes as your players run from one end of the court to the other. Choose from a handful of teams and multiple levels of difficulty as you take on the computer alone or challenge a friend and see who has the better skills. Take the ball and sink shots from locations all over the court, or get in your opponent’s face and do your best to block the shot. Better yet, drive the lane and rock the rim to see one of the game’s trademark slam-dunk cut scenes. He shoots, he scores!

Vegas Stakes™ (Super NES®, 1-4 players, rated E for Everyone – Simulated Gambling, 800 Wii Points): Feel like taking a road trip to Las Vegas? Let your inner high roller go wild as you try your luck at five different games-blackjack, slots, poker, craps and roulette. Start with only $1,000 in your pocket and play your way through five casinos, each with a different theme and varying limits. But no one wants to gamble alone, right? Not a problem, as you’ll be able to choose one of four friends to tag along and offer advice when you need it. Further enhancing the experience is the fact that you’ll be presented with a slew of interactions with random casino patrons. Best be careful, though-your choices in these situations could either get you closer to the millions of dollars you’re after or cost you a pile of that hard-earned cash. Roll the dice, spin the wheel, hit or stand-do whatever it takes to stake your claim in Vegas and beat the house!

Ecco Jr.™ (Sega Genesis, 1 player, rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points): The aquatic adventures of Ecco come to life for a younger generation of gamers. Perfect for kids, Ecco Jr. finds our young hero heading out to sea with a variety of tasks he must perform in order to get there. Along with his friends Tara the baby orca and Kitnee the young Atlantic dolphin, Ecco Jr. will interact with sea lions, sea horses and other aquatic life as he makes his journey to the Big Blue. Introduce your kids to the classic series of Ecco the Dolphin titles by downloading Ecco Jr. today.

For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com.

 

Next Page »