I wish all Heralds of Unicron were this cheap

I received the first of my two bargain fiver Transformers from Play.com today in Universe Classics Galvatron. The other was Animated Oil Slick, but I won't get him until Monday at the earliest now.


It's a nice toy, but I'm not going to transform him too much because it was a right pain in the ass. The left arm on mine is ridiculously loose and pops off way too easily for my liking.

ChäoS;HEAd NoAH is getting translated!

How do you make an awesome VN which received a terrible anime adaptation better as a whole?

Well, there are a few ways like having a voice patch for example. But in the case of ChäoS;HEAd, it'd be extracting all the new content from the recently released Xbox 360 ChäoS;HEAd NoAH port and integrating it into the PC version like these guys will be doing.


This is one translation project I'll be keeping my eye on very closely, as I'd love to go through the additional heroine routes that were created for the console version of the game.

The final calm before the storm in CLANNAD

There's only a few episodes of CLANNAD ~AFTER STORY~ left now, so I'm going to keep giving my meagre take on the anime until there is no more.

Episode 20 saw Tomoya meeting another familiar face from his school days. The violent dictionary throwing tsundere turned kindergarten teacher, Kyou Fujibayashi (along with her pet Botan of course).


Things were really going well for Tomoya and Ushio until fate decided to ruin it all once again. And going by how episode 20 ended, one can only assume episode 21 will conclude with that other tragic event from the VN.

The Miku cosplay of Kagami Hiiragi has a figma!

The WonderFest exclusive cosplay figma of Konata Izumi will have her first partner in crime as Max Factory are releasing Kagami Hiiragi in her Miku Hatsune cosplay from the Lucky Star OVA.


It wasn't an unexpected move as they've already released Miku Hatsune in the figma range. And then there's that Nendoroid version of the popular cosplay GSC are making as well.

All I'd like to see now is a figma of Kagami in her Rin Tohsaka cosplay in the near future cos it too appeared in the OVA very briefly.

Should we sing with Saya before crying over Higurashi?

Saya no Uta had a v1.0.0 patch released a few days ago which you can get from TLWiki.

I'd be more excited about this new patch if I hadn't already finished the VN when the last patch came out in early January.

However, that doesn't subtract from the awesomeness (and yes, I know I use that term a lot) of this little adventure in the disturbing world of Saya.


And while I'm on the subject of patches.

This'll also mark the start of me beginning the VN of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni with that Onikakushi-hen patch by Sonozaki Futago-tachi.

I thought it'd be a good idea to play Higurashi as it's made by the guys who created Umineko, and it'll also kill some time in my Episode 4 waiting game.

A hard choice in picking Kiva or the Dirty Red

I couldn't be bothered to create two separate posts for these items, so I'm bunging them together.

On one side, we have the new Project BM! Kamen Rider Kiva that isn't due out till September according to the pre-order listing I found on Ami Ami.

And on the other, we have a lovely figure of Touko Aozaki from Kara no Kyoukai by Alter.

Of the two, I'd say I'm more interested in owning Touko at this point, as she'll be released three months before Kiva.

The Calligraphy Rangers are more impressive than I thought

I'm behind on watching Shinkenger as I was waiting for TV-Nihon to sub it. I could have gone with Order of Zeronos, but I decided not to because I'm weary of trying new fansub groups in case they suddenly 'die' while doing a series I'm following.

Anyway, I initially thought Shinkenger wouldn't be any good. However, after watching the debut fight of ShinkenRed, I'm now having second thoughts.

It has a more serious tone to it than Go-Onger, and that interests me a lot. If they can keep that up, I'll be looking forward to great things from this years Super Sentai series.

The Queen of Starfish returns to her throne

Episode 19 of CLANNAD ~AFTER STORY~ served as the perfect continuation to the events of episode 18.

But that wasn't the only special thing in this particular episode.


That's right. After about a 34 episode absence, we get to see Fuko Ibuki brightening our screens with her old starfish fetish and new plans for making Ushio her little sister.

I thought they might have had a moment where Tomoya somehow remembers his encounters with her from his school life given the larger role she had in the anime, but I guess it weren't to be.

Signposts can be scary if you disobey them

I've heard the horror stories about MangaGamer's translation of Edelweiss, and after I've been playing it for myself I'd agree with them. It was quite a shock to see this amount of grammatical errors and typos in a professionally released product (I'm just glad they'd improved slightly by the time Da Capo came out).

Thankfully though, I was still able to understand and enjoy this hilarious VN despite the fact they left huge chunks of spoken dialogue out of the translated script. It's a good job I can recognise the odd Japanese phrase here and there when I hear it.


Anyway, I'm not saying anything on the finer details of the story because that'd spoil the fun. The characters here are lively and funny in a Sunohara sense, especially the boys. Although it does head down the road of melancholy once you begin the individual character routes.

And after I'm done with this VN, I'll be waiting for Edelweiss Eiden Fantasia to get translated for the added Sakura and Rin routes.

The Roots of the King are wasted on this belt

Today saw the arrival of my 80% off DX Sagarc Belt from HobbyLink Japan. And I'm glad I didn't have to pay full price for this thing, cos it isn't that feature leaden to warrant it.


While it's a nice belt to have because it represents Kamen Rider Saga. I feel it could've been better to be honest.

The Jacorder looks pathetic as a sword, and the Fuestle action can be activated using your finger. But what the hell, at least I got it for under a tenner!

Final Road of Justice for Go-Onger

Go-Onger to me was a fun series to watch. It didn't take itself too seriously, and I liked it for that.


I loved the fact both the Go-Ongers and Go-On Wings spent most of their final battle helmetless. It made it more interesting to watch, even though the finishing blow came from that clusterfuck monstrosity, Engine-O G12.

And although it's time to bid farewell to Go-Onger (at least until TV-Nihon release the movie and Go-Onger Vs. GekiRanger), I can at least try and look forward to Shinkenger which starts this weekend.

Whimsical decisions can lead to interesting purchases

I had a 10% off voucher that needed to be used on eBay, and I couldn't think of anything I really wanted. So, I used on this Miku Hatsune figure by Good Smile Company I bought from lotte6818.


Miku isn't a well known character to me, but I do like the look of her, so I went for her on a whim.

Bounty Hunter Yoko Littner is a must have figure

See, this is exactly what I meant about the downfall of liking character cash cows.

Along with the Yoko we saw yesterday, we now have Alter giving us their take on Yoko Littner in her awesome looking bounty hunter gear from episode 26 of Gurren Lagann.


I may complain about the constant milking Yoko has had at the expense of the other characters in the show. But I'll probably buy this figure anyway because I really do like the character.

Hell, I think I might have started collecting more figures of her than Saber.

Revenge is Coming, and I'm not feeling excited one bit

After the camcorder taping of the trailer for Revenge of the Fallen made it's onto various streaming sites, you knew it was only a matter of time before the real deal got uploaded.

I'll admit I'm more interested in seeing the movie now. But I still don't want to set my hopes too high. I won't let myself be so utterly disappointed again because of the lacklustre first movie.

Don't get me wrong. I want to like this movie, I really do, but I'm finding it hard to so.

Even most of the toys for RotF are a waste of good plastic. Just look at Devastator for example. That's no gestalt, it's a bloody poor excuse of a Megazord!

Who'll say no to more figures of Asuka and Yoko?

It's tough liking characters that are popular cash cows, cos you never know when figure companies will spring another release on you.

Gainax and this practice go hand in hand perfectly, especially when it concerns two of the biggest properties, Evangelion and Gurren Lagann.

And these pre-order listings for Kotobukiya's newest offerings will either have you saying either awesome or dammit.

First we have Asuka Langley Sohryu dressed as a maid which will come in mass market and limited exclusive flavours, and it goes without saying these will complement the mass market and limited exclusive flavours of their Rei Ayanami in a maid uniform.

Next we have another Yoko, although this one is meant to be a representation of her appearance in the movie.

That's three episodes of Umineko completed

Now that the roller-coaster ride called the Banquet of the Golden Witch is over, I feel kinda sad, as here begins the waiting game for The Witch Hunt's translation of Episode 4, Alliance of the Golden Witch.

It's annoying, but it'll be worth it in the end without a doubt.

Umineko just gets better and better with each passing Episode and Episode 3 is no exception. It had epic moments to rival (and possibly surpass) the awesomeness Episode 2's Rosa Musou. Not to mention a brilliant tale of intrigue, suspense, brutality and revelations that'll surely leave a look of surprise on your face when you reach the climax.


How will Episode 4 top the splendour of Episode 3? I don't know, and I won't know the answer until a patch for it is released so I can resume the journey to the Golden Land.

Damn you, Max Factory! Damn you for this unholy creation!

I know I said they were going overboard on Haruhi, but this figma release is totally uncalled for!


I don't care if Billy Herrington is a popular internet meme in Japan. I do not want them willingly including things like this with my figmas. It's wrong! It's wrong!! It's all wrong!!!

Ugh, this is just so fucking unfair to figma completionists it fills me with murderous rage!

Vanilla flavoured Kanon patch is good for voices

I've been so preoccupied with Umineko lately that I missed the release of the newest patch for Kanon by Non-Directional Translations.


It still isn't fully translated yet, but at least you can complete Shiori Misaka's route. Although the best bit about this patch for me is that they've included the means to enable voices this time.

A new beginning for Tomoya and Ushio

CLANNAD ~AFTER STORY~ reaches its 18th episode, and here I am feeling more miserable than these characters of fiction.


Nevertheless, I loved this episode. Everything from the train ride to the meeting with Shino Okazaki was just as I had been anticipating from KyoAni. Although I would have liked a bit more time spent on the reminiscence scene at the end.

figma of the Corpse Princess (and MOAR Haruhi)

More new figmas get announced, and guess what? There's another Haruhi, but with the meagre difference of Summer Clothes. Good one, Max Factory. Are you going to keep re-releasing the whole SOS Brigade in every bleeding clothing variant known to man?!

At least there's one new offering here, and that's Makina Hohimura from Shikibane Hime. I don't know much about her as I had to stop watching the fansub due to Funimation licensing it.

Although you could possibly describe her as an undead version of Revy.

That's two episodes of Umineko completed

And that's it for Turn of the Golden Witch. I get through these things rather quickly if they hold my interest, and you could even call it a testament to their greatness.

Anyway, I thought Episode 2 would bore me slightly after the slow start. But as the story progressed it got a lot more interesting, and intriguingly freaky.

There's a lot I'd like to say about it, but I won't cos I'd hate to spoil too much of this awesome VN. Seriously, it's well worth checking out if you haven't already.



All that's left for me now is to begin Episode 3, Banquet of the Golden Witch. Which should be a right blast and a half on the ol' awesomeness meter.

That's one episode of Umineko completed

Umineko no Naku Koro ni, or simply Umineko for short, is the VN I'm spending the most time on right now. Which is hardly surprising when it's incredibly awesome, and has an equally awesome character in it called Battler!

Anyway, at the original time of writing this entry I'll have recently finished Episode 1, Legend of the Golden Witch. And before I can begin Episode 2, Turn of the Golden Witch. There are a couple of Tea Parties to attend first?



Tsk, they'll no doubt be some weird spectacles where the characters talk about the events that transpired in Episode 1, and have Beatrice scaring the shit (along with other bodily fluids) out of everyone.

A Certain Magical Index is walking the path of Shana-tan

In the beginning there was Shana-tan, then Hecate-tan, and now Index-tan. So, how long will it be till we see Louise-tan and Taiga-tan in the '-tan' family?


These specials were funny to begin with. But when you start referencing other shows you've produced, it becomes almost too funny.


Index-tan acting like Shana-tan was classic, even before the blatant shameless plugging of a Shakugan no Shana DVD.

Oh, and the brief cameo of a certain Palmtop Tiger was highly amusing.

Sagarc won't accept being shunned anymore!

Who wants a DX Sagarc belt for an absolute bargain of a price?

If so, head on over to HobbyLink Japan, where they're currently selling it at whopping 80% off!


Seriously, you'd have to be a complete fool to say no to a DX Kamen Rider belt that's going for under £10, as these things tend to go up in price as time goes on.

I'm preying that HLJ will reduce the other DX belts from Kiva to a similar price range, then the DX IXA and DX Dark Kivat belts will be mine for the taking!

You've grown a lot since last week, Ushio

There isn't a lot I can say about episode 17 of CLANNAD ~AFTER STORY~.

They kept Tomoya's five years of angst filled depression down to a minimum. And although it's accurate to the VN, I'd have liked to have seen more coverage of it.

Nevertheless, this episode did have one enjoyable factor to it, and that was Ushio.


She looks more like Nagisa here than she did in the VN, which is a nice touch I think. Her voice did take some getting used to when I first heard it, but I couldn't picture her without it now.

The episode finished with Tomoya and Ushio going on their trip. A trip that will greatly affect their current estranged relationship before the return trip home, and gives us the viewers one of the all-time memorable scenes from the VN.

A fresh twist on the usual milking of Yoko

Why can't we get cool movie exclusives like these? Seriously, it'd encourage me to see more films at the cinema than just waiting for the inevitable home release.

But that's enough about that, cos we're here for this sweet looking variation of Revoltech Fraulein Yoko who isn't afraid to let her hair down.


Obtaining her is going to be a pain, as she'll only be available with advanced ticket sales for the Gurren Lagann: Face Chapter movie (due for release on April 25th) via Animate.

There are of course options of importing her through a proxy, but our lousy exchange rates will drive the overall price up (much to my never-ending annoyance).

UPDATE 17/02/2009 - Trust me to not notice this simple fact sooner.

After checking the Fraulein section of Kaiyodo's Revoltech website, I now know there'll be two versions of this Movie Ver. Yoko. The exclusive Animate one I mentioned above, and another for the mass market without Boota lodged in her cleavage.

Was this movie a Sprial Paradox or a Paradox Sprial?

I finally made some time to watch the fifth Kara no Kyoukai movie, and I'm still trying to figure out what was going on for the most part.

Hell, these movies are confusing enough for me already with each chapter taking place at different points in the chronological timeline without adding weird shit like that.

I'd call it pure mindfuck, but there's probably a method to Nasu's writing madness I'm not seeing.


Leaving complex details aside, I was able to thoroughly enjoy watching this movie. It had plenty of screentime for Shiki Ryougi to showcase her Mystic Eyes of Death Perception; while wielding a sword no less.

I liked watching Souren Araya, as he had that vibe of likeableness about him that's comparable to what you get from Kirei Kotomine, which is probably thanks to Jouji Nakata being the seiyuu for both these characters.

Cornelius Alba was a hateful nutjob with a inferiority complex that made me picture Urataros every time he spoke.

Nevertheless, I'm now looking forward to movie 6 so I can see just how similar Azaka Kokutou is to Tsukihime's Akiha Tohno.

Snow won't keep Nemmy from his toys

The weather outside may look like a winter wonderland, and the temperature bloody freezing. But luckily for me that didn't stop Parcelfarce from delivering my newest goodies from Japan.

The first needs no introduction. It's the DX Decadriver from the new Kamen Rider Decade series, which I got from toy-wholesaler.jp for roughly £80 including EMS shipping. Pricey, but it was worth every penny to this Heisei Rider fan.


Next up is my haul from Ryan a.k.a. Fan2Fan.

This shipment from him contained Enterbrain's Rider figure from Fate/stay night, Alter's Signum figure from Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha, both versions of Wave's Lena Sayers figure from Mai-Otome, the Dengeki Daioh Ver. of Nendoroid Shana from Shakugan no Shana, and Revoltech Ricky from Doko Demo Issyo.


And if that weren't enough, I even got this transforming beetle robot as a free gift. Haven't got a clue as to which range it comes from though.


Well, I'd say today was a good day for receiving toys. You could almost call it a second Christmas for me with all the snow we've had.

There are no secrets to this gorgeous figure

The world just can't get enough of the loveable Mikuru, and Max Factory must know this because they're releasing this Mikuru Asahina Adult Ver. figure in May.


Isn't this like the forth (or fifth if you count the Mikuru Beam! Ver.) one they've done of her? I'm not complaining about it, but it'd be nice to see them do more of the secondary characters like Emiri Kimidori.

Ah well, I know of at least one other person besides myself who'll be wanting this beauty.

G.I. Joe Vs. Transformers on the silver screen

Hasbro are going to be raking it in big this summer, or not given the current state of global economy.

But we're not here for that, are we? Not when new ball grabbing teasers for G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen aired during the Super Bowl.

First off, G.I. Joe isn't really my thing. I've watched the animated movie, read a few comics, and fiddled with the odd figure or two. Other than that, I hardly know anything about the franchise.

But this teaser for the movie gets me the impression that it'll be worth seeing.

Then we have the teaser for Bay's sequel to Transformers, subtitled Revenge of the Fallen, or simply RotF to us fans.

I didn't get much enjoyment out of the last movie; too many humans and not enough Transformers among other things. But it seems RotF is set to change all that from what I could decipher here.

Carnage on the Armed Forces, glimpses of Ravage, the new bots in town, Starscream attacking Sam, Optimus Prime getting pummelled, and that fucking HUGE Constructicon wrecking absolute havoc.

What more could one desire from a teaser?