[VIDEO GAMES] Echochrome for the PSP and PS3

Christoph Mark of the Daily Yomiuri reported, “With so many graphics-intensive video games on the market, one in which the player moves a nondescript mannequin around a screen composed of nothing but black lines and white space seems an unlikely hit. But Mugen Kairo (infinite corridor), also marketed as Echochrome, is proving to be just that.”

“The concept is deceptively simple: “In this world, what you see becomes the truth,” the game’s narrator explains. By changing the camera angle on your screen to alter the reality of the game’s world, you can help your character pass over nonexistent bridges or avoid falling through holes or being blown upward by fans. In a way, the hazards of this M.C. Escher-like world are a lot like the Bugblatter Beast from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: If you can’t see it, it can’t see you.”

“Upon first playing Echochrome, which is available on the PlayStation 3 and the PlayStation Portable, players are presented with a quick tutorial that runs through the Five Laws or “mysteries”: Perspective Traveling, Perspective Landing, Perspective Existence, Perspective Absence and Perspective Jump. These rules are all one needs to play the game, making it vastly more simple than much of what’s out there.”

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[MANGA] Shogakukan to suspend publication on two long running manga magazines

Mainichi Daily News reported, “Major publisher Shogakukan will suspend the publication of two of its manga magazines, including “Weekly Young Sunday,” the company announced Friday.”

“Weekly Young Sunday” was first issued in 1987 as a semimonthly magazine, and was changed to a weekly publication in November 1995. Many of the popular serials from the magazine have been made into a TV drama, such as “Dr. Koto Shinryojo” (Dr. Koto’s Clinic) and “Kurosagi” (The Black Swindler).

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[CAPCOM] Street Fighter IV coming out for XBOX 360, Playstation 3 and PC

CAPCOM^® BRINGS MARTIAL ARTS HOME WITH CONSOLE VERSIONS OF

Xbox 360^®, PLAYSTATION^®3 System and Windows-based PC Versions of Coming for Street Fighter IV

SAN MATEO, CA — May 27, 2008 — Capcom®, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today announced the development of Street Fighter® IV, the next iteration of the genre-establishing fighting game series, for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and , Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and Windows-based PC.
Few videogame series have had such a strong impact on their perspective genres the way Street Fighter® has over the decades. Creating a global legacy spanning over twenty years of fighting games, the Street Fighter series has become a pillar in the fighting videogame genre. Street Fighter IV for Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system and Windows-based PC continues this tradition of excellence with a return to the classic 2D Street Fighter fighting action mixed with new characters, amazing visuals, and next-generation fluid gameplay.
Street Fighter IV features a mix of returning favorites such as Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li and Guile along with new characters created for this game, such as Crimson Viper, Abel, El Fuerte, and Rufus. Characters and environments are rendered in stylized 3D, while the game is played in the classic Street Fighter 2D perspective with additional 3D camera flourishes. Six-button controls for the game return, with a host of new special moves and features integrated into the input system. Mixing classic genre-defining game mechanics the franchise is known and loved for with all-new, never-before-seen gameplay systems, Street Fighter IV brings a brand new fighting game to fans the world over. With the inclusion of Capcom’s latest advancements in new generation technology, Street Fighter IV promises to deliver an extraordinary experience that will re-introduce the world to the time-honored art of virtual martial arts.

For more information, visit http://www.streetfighter.com

Features:
• Classic “2D” Street Fighter gameplay with stunning 3D characters and environments

• New special moves that go beyond any Street Fighter fan’s wildest imagination, including Focus attacks, Super Combos, and the revenged-fueled Ultra Combo system.
• Classic Street Fighter characters recreated for a new generation of gamers, including the original cast of
Street Fighter® II

• New brawlers: female super-spy Crimson Viper, lucha libre wrestler El Fuerte, mixed martial artist Abel and more!
• Amazing locations never seen before in a Street Fighter game

• New gameplay elements provide new challenges for both newcomers and the most seasoned Street Fighter pro.

 

[CAPCOM] FIRST STREET FIGHTER IV COMMERCIAL TO AIR DURING CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS MIXED MARTIAL ARTS (MMA) EVENT

New Trailer, Preorder Campaign Kickoff On StreetFighter.com Immediately FollowingWhen: Saturday, May 31st, 2008 at 10 P

Where: CBS (check local listings)
URL: http://www.streetfighter.com, http://fight.proelite.com/elitexc-primetime.html

SAN MATEO, CA – May 28, 2008 – Capcom®, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today announced that the first television commercial for Street Fighter® IV will debut during the CBS EliteXC Saturday Night Fights mixed martial arts (MMA) event. The EliteXC bout takes place on CBS on Saturday, May 31 at 9 PM EST. Immediately following the bout, the Street Fighter IV trailer will debut on the newly redesigned StreetFighter.com, along with the first chance for gamers to preorder Street Fighter IV for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system exclusively through GamesStop.

Viewers tuning in to catch the first MMA fight to ever air on US broadcast television featuring internet phenomenon Kimbo Slice battling British fighter James “The Colossus” Thompson, will be treated to the network premiere of a 60 second Street Fighter IV trailer and 30 second Street Fighter IV television spots, which feature a combination of stylized CG animation and game play, ending with a call to action that will drive viewers to the newly designed StreetFighter.com website.

On the website, players will be able to watch the new “artistic” trailer, featuring a stylized brawl between Street Fighter favorite Guile and new character Abel along with several other Street Fighter IV trailers and then immediately pre-order the Xbox 360 or PS3 version of the game from GameStop. Fans who pre-order Street Fighter IV will receive a limited edition collectable Street Fighter Tribute artbook, illustrated by top artists from the comic book and video game industries. A countdown currently running on the website tracks the time remaining until the new trailer unlocks.

 

[VIDEO GAMES] NY Times article on Nintendo’s Miyamoto

The New York Times reported, “IT’S O.K. to liken Shigeru Miyamoto to Walt Disney.”

“When Disney died in 1966, Mr. Miyamoto was a 14-year-old schoolteacher’s son living near Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital. An aspiring cartoonist, he adored the classic Disney characters. When he wasn’t drawing, he made his own toys, carving wooden puppets with his grandfathers’ tools or devising a car race from a spare motor, string and tin cans.”

“Even as he has become the world’s most famous and influential video-game designer — the father of Donkey Kong, Mario, Zelda and, most recently, the Wii — Mr. Miyamoto still approaches his work like a humble craftsman, not as the celebrity he is to gamers around the world.”

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J!-ENT PICTORIAL: Zeebra and many more artists at Tokyo Night 2008

Hi everyone,

Just a quick plug for our latest J!-ENT Pictorial by Nergene Arquelada for “Tokyo Night 2008″. He covered hip-hop artist ZEEBRA and several others who performed that night:

http://www.nt2099.com/J-ENT/INTERVIEWS/TOKYONIGHT/

Please check it out!!

 

[VIDEO GAMES] WJFK FM interviews Michael Hollick (voice of Nico on GTA IV)

Here is a very cool interview with voice actor (and singer) Michael Hollick who plays the voice of Nico on GTA IV by Big O & Dukes of WJFK FM

 

[WII] WII-KLY UPDATE: TWO WIIWARE GAMES AND TWO VIRTUAL CONSOLE GAMES ADDED TO WII SHOP CHANNEL

May 26, 2008

This week’s Wii-kly Update pretty much covers the full spectrum. Maybe you’ll want to blast away with an arsenal of old-school weapons. But then again, three-day weekends are a good time to relax. So maybe you’ll take a wild road trip or settle in for some table tennis. And if you overdo it, we have a physician standing by.

Nintendo adds new and classic games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time 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:

WiiWare™

Dr. Mario® Online Rx (Nintendo, 1-4 players, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): The doctor is in! Mario™ takes a break from his adventuring ways and once again dons his stethoscope for a new generation of germ-battling mayhem. In addition to the classic mode of using vitamins to exterminate viruses, you’ll find two battle modes and an online multiplayer mode where you can hone your skills against players from around the world. Feel like challenging a friend who doesn’t have Dr. Mario Online Rx? Then the WiiWare-exclusive Friend Battle Demo is just what the doctor ordered. Or maybe you’d like some help taking on those nasty viruses? Try out Virus Buster, where four players can simultaneously move capsules simply by pointing at them with a Wii Remote™ controller. Any way you look at it, Dr. Mario Online Rx is a prescription for fun that everyone can enjoy.

Family Table Tennis (Aksys Games, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points): It’s time for some good old family fun, and what’s more fun than table tennis? Just like a real family, choose your character from a cast of four, which includes Daddy, Mommy, Sarah and Billy. There are four table tennis-tastic stages where it doesn’t matter if you’re an indoors or outdoors table-tennis player. Pick your poison from a gymnasium, a forest park, a beach or even an amusement park. Choose from Single or Versus mode, or select a minigame to play. In Versus mode, you and a friend can play against each other to see who is the better table-tennis player. And if Single and Versus modes aren’t enough, select between three minigames, which include Target Table Tennis, Thrilling Table Tennis and Matching Table Tennis. The appealing cell-shaded graphics and endearing music, on top of the super-fun game play, will have you and your family playing from morning till night. Get your paddles ready.

Virtual Console™

City Connection™ (NES®, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone – Comic Mischief, Tobacco Reference, 500 Wii Points): Based on the arcade hit, a young man born in California sets out to tour famous sites and cities around the world. As he drives the highways surrounding these locations, the road is painted white as proof of his visit. Only once all sections of the road have been painted will he move on to the next location in his world tour. Not surprisingly, the local police will chase the driver and do their best to stop him from completing his goal. In addition, cats roam the highways and spikes lie in wait for unsuspecting drivers. To combat these dangers, the driver’s customized car can jump, fire cans of oil and collect balloons to warp to a new stage. It’s the ultimate road trip.

Metal Slug (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated T for Teen – Blood, Violence, 900 Wii Points): Released in 1996 by SNK, Metal Slug is a side-scrolling military-action game. Players control Marco and Tarma, both members of the special-ops force Team Peregrine Falcon (commonly known as Team PF), and battle their way through stage after stage of intense action. The goal is to try to overthrow General Morden and win back the stolen weapon, the Metal Slug. Players must blast through waves of enemies and machines (while also jumping over any obstacles in the way) to advance through the stages. It’s not as hopeless as it might sound, though—weapons such as heavy machine guns, shotguns, rocket launchers and flamethrowers, as well as the Metal Slug itself (which appears frequently in the game), will make the battle easier. Take on General Morden with a friend to lighten your load and ramp up the excitement even more.

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

 

Demon Prince ENMA Vol. 1 (a J!-ENT Anime DVD Review)

“When you watch a dark anime from Go Nagai, you know you will get a dark storyline filled with humor, fan service but a twist on the horror genre. ‘Demon Prince ENMA’ is another awesome interpretation of a Nagai manga that is definitely worth checking out!”

DVD INFORMATION:

DVD TITLE: Demon Prince ENMA Vol. 1 (aka Kikoushi Enma)

DURATION: Approx. 78 minutes (2 OAV episodes) + 20 min. for special feature

DVD INFORMATION: COLOR/NTSC / Japanese Audio (Dolby Digital 5.1 ch and Dolby Digital Stereo / English subtitles, 16:9LB (except on bonus content)

CATALOG #: BUDH0111

COMPANY: Bandai Visual/Honneamise

RATED: 16 UP – Contains violence and brief nudity. Parental Guidance required.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

STAFF INFORMATION:

STORYBOARDS & EPISODE DIRECTOR:: Kanbe Mamoru

SCREENPLAY: Yoshioka Takawo

DIRECTOR OF ANIMATION: Tanaka Ryo

PLANNING: DYNAMIC PLANNING

ORIGINAL STORY: Nagai Go

ANIMATION CREATION: BRAIN’S BASE

CAST INFORMATION:

Enma – Tokumoto Yukitoshi

Yukihime – Chiba Saeko

Kapaeru – Saito Setsuji

Grandpa Chapeauji – Nagashima Yuichi

Lola – Komatsu Yuka

Hata Nanami: Noto Mamiko

Enma is a character created by the genius manga artist Go Nagai, known for such masterpieces as Mazinger Z and Cutey Hone. Now, the popular character makes his appearance in an all alluring Japanese horror anime for adults. It’s a hair-raising erotic suspense in which Enma takes on complicated and gruesome incidents caused by demons. The anime, with its fear-intensifying 5.1 ch sound and beautiful erotic and grotesque images, is a must-see.

Demons lurk in the darkness. But humans have lit up the darkness of the night with neon lights and turned their world into one that never sleeps, so demons now lurk in the “darkness of the human heart.” Unfulfilled hearts, suppressed hearts, despair…such darkness of the heart is the place they lurk.

Enma is the Demon Prince of the Underworld, a demon “Born of Fire.” His mission is to take back or destroy demons that have escaped to the human world from the Underworld. Along with his partner, Princess Yukihime, “Born of Ice,” and the monster, Kapaeru, Enma set up “Enma’s Detective Agency.” Tonight, like any other night, they will roam the sleepless city. Horrific incidents that could not possibly be human acts occur one after another. The stench of evil lingers at the scene… Enma’s fire rips through the darkness.

If you have never watched a dark anime (or read a dark manga) by Nagai Go, you’re in for a treat.

Nagai was the first anime creator that I’ve met and I literally have his autographed artwork in my office because I’m such a fan of his work.

He has created so many manga titles and anime based on those titles which people are familiar with. Titles such as “Cutey Honey”, “Mazinger Z”, “Devilman”, “Getter Robo” and the list goes on. The man is truly a legend.

One of his earlier manga titles “Dororon Enma” was created back in 1973 and even spawned an anime series featuring a child demon prince named Enma (born of fire) and his partners Princess Yukihime (born of ice) and a monster named kapaeru as they take back or destroy demons that have escaped to the human world.

Granted, the anime was targeted more towards children back in 1973 but here we are 35 years later with the first volume of the “Kikoushi Enma” four-part OAV series aka Demon Prince ENMA from Bandai Visual/Honneamise.

This time around, the demon prince and his partners are grown up and make their return to the human world.

Enma is more or less a demon prince who really could care less about human life. All he wants to do is bring back or destroy the demons that have escaped to the human world. He’s quite brash, insensitive and also quite perverted.

His partner Princess Yukihime is a bit more caring towards human life but has short fuse when Enma gets into his lecherous ways. She is fond of Enma, has trouble discussing her feelings but is very calm and collected.

As for Kapaeru, he is a Kappa (which is a demon monster in Japanese folklore of that resemble frog, lizards, turtles in human or monkey-like form) that speaks good English and in a strange twist of situations in the human world, humans accept that he is a weird person that is wearing an outfit or someone cosplaying a kappa (when actually he is a real monster).

The fourth character assisting the team is Grandpa Chapeauji. Which is a hat demon and a hat that Enma wears. Grandpa has deep knowledge of the Underworld and can detect demons.

And in order for the team to catch these demons, they form a detective agency.

The first episode is titled “Nobusama: Rot-Pus Suck Demon” and shows the group having returned to the human world. The story focuses on Lorelai Heinrich. A woman who is born to a German father and Japanese mother.

Her father Professor Schtrolheim Heinrech thinks the world of his daughter and sees his wife in Lola but unbeknownst to him is that Lola dates and sleeps with men for money. She does this to relieve her stress from her overbearing father and one day as she takes a bath, the bath starts to fill with blood.

All of a sudden, all these men that she is with end up dead and mutilated? What is going on?

The second episode titled “Piguma: Corpseless Demon” is a story that revolves around a girl named Hata Nanami. She is a hostess at “Cutie College”, a cabaret club. Her co-workers think she’s a bit unusual because she holds this ningyo doll (given to her by her boyfriend) while working.

One day, she comes home from work to catch her boyfriend in bed with another woman. She kicks them out of her apartment and throws the doll out.

Her boyfriend and his new girlfriend see the doll but something is weird about it. He kicks it and it comes back. Is this doll possessed by a demon?

DEMON PRINCE ENMA Trailer

Watching the first volume of “Demon Prince ENMA” is almost the same feeling I had after watching “Devilman” for the first time.

Watching an intriguing yet somewhat dark and twisted anime with humor and fan service (or nudity) but a touch of gore that is genuinely a true Nagai horror story. “Demon Prince ENMA” embodies that similar Nagai style for those familiar with his works but takes the childlike manga from the past and gives it a more modern, mature and dark storyline.

Humor and a nudity is definitely included but this anime is not for the timid. There is blood, gore, violence and it’s all out an animated horror series.

What I found very interesting is how the main characters of Enma and partners view humanity and how they are anti-heroes. They are not there to save humans, they just want to bring their demons back to the Underworld and if they resist, destroy them.

Even in an interview with Enma voice actor Tokumoto Yukitoshi (on the special features), he even mentions how when he played the role, he was told to play Enma as a villain. So, that was quite interesting.

So, each storyline has a dark and tragic side to it but how its done is quite interesting, involving and you do care for the victims and hope they can be rid of their demon possession.

Each episode is a stand alone story but does have a relation to the next as police are investigating the murders and are reluctant to believe that vampires or monsters are causing this.

So, after watching these two OAV’s, I was clamoring for more “Demon Prince ENMA”. I really enjoyed it!

The animation is pretty cool and colorful and dark when they need be. There is talent behind the directing of animation as Tanaka Ryo (known for his work on “Getter Robo”, “Macross Plus”, “Yu Yu Hakusho: The Movie” and many others) is part of the staff as well as “Elfen Lied” director Kanbe Mamoru who is the director of the “Demon Prince Enma” OAV episodes. Animation is provided as 16:9LB and in DVD-9 format.

The audio is actually very well done. I watched this and found it cool to hear the audio use, especially dialogue with Yukihime on the right and Enma on the left and to hear the rear audio in place as well. So, I really enjoyed the 5.1 mix for the audio. Both audio mixes are encoded at 448 kbps.

The voice acting is also well done as Tokumoto Yukitoshi gets his first major role as Enma and Yukihime who has a long list of acting roles on her portfolio, does a great job as well. But I really have to give a thumbs up to those who played the victims in each episode. Komatsu Yuka as Lola and Noto Mamiko as Hata Nanami really had to showcase happiness, sadness, terror and they did an excellent job in showing various stages of emotions.

As for special features, you get a ten minute interview with Japanese voice actor Tokumoto Yukitoshi (Enma) and with Komatsu Yuka (Lola).

Included with the first volume DVD is a 16-page booklet which feature character profiles, settings and even short manga pages of “Demonic Prince” by Nagai and Dynamic Pro.

I really enjoyed this anime. Nagai is just a master in creating mecha, cute girl and dark anime storylines and with “Demon Prince ENMA”, it’s definitely an interesting twist to the “detective agency” style of anime of ghostbuster type of teams.

Enma and team are not there to save the world or humanity, they just want to retrieve their demons and bring them back to the underworld and if they resist, well they get destroyed.

So, for those who are expecting the victims to find solace by a typical feel-good happy ending which you tend to see from anime with a hero or heroes coming to save the day, then prepare for the Nagai twist because what you think is probably not what you’re going to expect.

And that is a good thing.

Again, this anime is full of humor, some nudity but definitely a lot of blood and gore. So, don’t openly watch this with the kiddies.

But all in all, definitely a enjoyable first volume and can’t wait to watch the final two episodes in the next volume!

Highly recommended!

+ Definitely a Go Nagai story

+ A twist on the ghostbuster/detective agency types of anime with the main detective team being anti-heroes in some way.

+ A horror anime OAV series not afraid to showcase perverted humor

+ Very good voice acting!

+ Creepy sound utilizing the digital 5.1 channels really well

- No English dub for those who need or prefer there anime with that included

 

the pillows – TOKYO BAMBI (a J!-ENT World Groove Music Review)

“The latest CD single from The Pillows features a trio of songs with catchy guitar riffs, all-out fun atmosphere and a polished sound. Definitely one of their best releases so far.”

GROUP: the pillows

CD SINGLE: TOKYO BAMBI

LABEL: avex trax

CATALOG #: AVCD-31309

RELEASED ON JANUARY 30, 2008

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

1. Tokyo Bambi
2. Go! Go! Jupiter
3. Across the metropolis

DVD: Region 2, 4:3, Duration: 7 minutes

1. Tokyo Bambi (Video Clip)
2. Go! Go! Jupiter

Perhaps a move to a new label definitely makes a difference?

The trio known as the pillows featuring Yamanaka Sawao (Vocals and rhythm guitar), Manabe Yoshiaki (lead guitar) and Sato Shinichirou (drums) have released quality material since their move to the Avex Trax label and their 27th CD single “Tokyo Bambi” features three songs that did fairly well on the Oricon Daily Charts (#4) and the Weekly Charts (#9).

I’ve listened to this CD single so many times and it’s quite an enjoyable CD single with each song featuring catchy riffs and overall a hip sound and easy to get into and I have to definitely give lead vocals Yamanaka Sawao another thumbs up for three awesome songs.

The first track “Tokyo Bambi” features a fun rock track that incorporates brass horns and in a similar fun, hip track with “Go! Go! Jupiter” (track 2) and both have catchy riffs and smooth like butter vocals from Yamanaka. And I like the chiming guitars from Manabe and Yamanaka, especially Manabe’s solo portions of each song.

The the third track “Across the Metropolis” is actually a mild track from the band but performed in a way that the vocals become hypnotic and you just relisten to the chorus of “Nothing’s gonna change…your world today”. The guitar playing by Manabe was quite atmospheric and I suppose you can say fairly rote.

All in all, I felt the three songs to be enjoyable and having seen videos of them performing “Tokyo Bambi” live, they save the bulging chord progressions and reverbed guitar playing for the live performance, a difference from what you would hear on the CD single track.

Nevertheless, the fact that it has been on rotation for nearly a week now for daily listening is because of it’s catchy and enjoyable and melodic feel throughout each song.

The DVD features two music videos.

“Tokyo Bambi” feels more of a party video as the group are in party-like atmosphere with Sato in a party hat and playing drums in a bathtub, while Sawao is singing while holding a trumpet and dancing with balloons and confetti throughout the room.

The music video fro “Go! Go! Jupiter” features an animated music video with the guys performing in a space ship in space. The video was created by long time designer/illustrator for the Pillows, Ohshika Ken-ichi of Shikachan Studio who has designed many of the covers and t-shirts for both the Pillows and Noodles.

The CD insert is a bi-fold that includes the lyrics and production credits and flyer promotion for the pillows official fan club “What’s pillows”.

As mentioned in my review, this CD single is one of my favorites from the band. Since signing with avex trax, I noticed an increase in production quality with their music. The music sounds polished but yet still keeping the coolness that the pillows are known for and a lot of their jumpy, rock out craziness is still evident from this year’s performance at various venues in the US.

Twenty years later and these guys still are great to listen to and even watch them perform live.

All in all, “TOKYO BAMBI” features three awesome songs. The DVD inclusion of two music videos was pretty cool and if you are a pillows fan, definitely check this CD single out!

 

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