SGcafe Anime News For Otaku Jan 2013 Issue

January 4th, 2013 Published by: VR-Zone
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SGCafe : Cosplay | Vocaloid | Otaku | Pop Culture
A daily publication about Cosplay, Vocaloid, Otaku
and Japanese Pop Culture
Summer-themed ‘Yotsuba&’
cell phone strap mascots
coming out in Winter
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/summer-themed-yotsuba-cell-phone-
strap-mascots-winter/
By KarbyP on January 4th, 2013
Revoltech maker Kaiyodo must have missed the note about
February being a Winter month in Japan.
For the company is planning to release in February a set
of five character straps themed after Kiyohhiko Azuma’s
(Azumanga Daioh) manga series Yotsuba&, depicting
protagonist Yotsuba Koiwai in all manners of apparels worn
during Summer.
Or maybe that’s their strategy all along, to strike while the
iron is hot the weather is still cold: Maybe fans of the comedy
and slice-of-life manga are more likely to buy these Summer-
themed Yotsuba& straps in Winter, so that it may serve as
a portable source of warmth in the blistering cold. A pillar
of strength that encourages the strap owner to hold out and
bear the cold weather for just a little longer, for Summer is
just around the corner (actually, no, Summer’s a long ways
off).
In any case, Yotsuba’s cutesy appearance is bound to keep
fans’ moods evergreen all year round, those fickle things we
call “weather” and “season” be damned.
Kaiyodo’s Yotsuba& strap mascots will go on sale in Japan
starting February 15, for the price of 500 yen per box, or
6,000 yen for a case of 12 boxes.
Five designs are available, but which of the five you get from
a single box is completely random.
Natsu Matsuri (夏夏夏)
T-shirt (T夏夏夏)

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In the Rain (夏夏夏)
At the Beach (夏夏夏)
Cicada Style (夏夏夏夏夏夏夏)
Source: Natalie
Free Nanoha poster from
Comiket 83 gets sold for $316
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/free-nanoha-poster-comiket-83-
sold-316/
By ellehaym on January 4th, 2013
In this day and age, a Warashibe Choja-esque (Straw
Millionaire) episode – where a peasant makes a series of
trades, starting with a piece of straw, to eventually becoming
wealthy – would be deemed unimaginable.
But the events in this Japanese folk tale unexpectedly came
to pass in a modern day setting — at the Comiket 83 this past
weekend.
This time, of course, the trade did not start with a straw stalk,
and there weren’t too many successive trades. It started with
a blood donation instead.
As most of you are aware, otakus that frequent the Comiket
at the Tokyo Big Sight would do anything to possess the

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rarest of items. That would include paying a high sum of
money for a limited edition poster which can be obtained for
free.
At the event, the Japanese Red Cross Society held a blood
donation drive where they offered a free poster in exchange
for a 400 ml of blood. The prints featured characters from
Minato Soft, Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha, AQUAPLUS and
Overdrive.
Only 3000 posters were given by the organization. So the
disappointed otakus who failed at getting the Nanoha poster
saw their chance at obtaining it in an online auction. The bid
closed at an overwhelming price of 27,500 JPY (316 USD).
So if you want to become a modern age Warashibe Choja,
trade your blood for a free limited edition poster at the next
Comiket (if’ they’re doing it again) and start your own Straw
Millionaire legend from there.
Source: RocketNews24
Flow gets busy this 2013
with an album, a single and a
nationwide tour
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/flow-busy-2013-album-single-
nationwide-tour/
It will be a busy year for Flow, the J-rock band known for
performing theme songs for popular anime titles (including
Naruto, Code Geass and Eureka Seven), as they launch an
album and a single this coming March. Aside from the new
releases, their nationwide tour will commence in April.
The details of the album and single haven’t been revealed
entirely, but the exact dates of both releases were already
announced. The double A-side single is slated for a March
20 release. It includes a new track plus Flow’s rendition of
CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA (the theme song for the upcoming
Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods movie).
On the other hand, Flow’s 8th album, FLOW THE MAX!!!,
will launch on the 27th on the same month.
FLOW LIVE TOUR 2013: Tour THE MAX!!! is a two-
part nationwide tour: LAST MAX!!! and MAX!!! no Mukou
Gawa. Tickets for the first part of the tour can be reserved
through the band’s official website starting January 24.
The nationwide tour has 48 shows all in all. Below are the
tour dates and venues:
FLOW LIVE TOUR 2013: Tour THE MAX!!! ~LAST MAX!!!
~
• Chiba: April 12 at Chiba LOOK
• Gunma: April 20 at Takasaki club FLEEZ
• Kanagawa: April 21 at F.A.D YOKOHAMA
• Ibaraki: April 26 at Mito Lighthouse
• Hokkaido: April 29 at Sapporo cube garden
• Aomori: May 1 at Aomori Quarter

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• Iwate: May 3 at Morioka Club ChangeWAVE
• Yamagata: May 4 at Yamagata Showa SESSION
• Tochigi: May 6 at HEAVEN’S ROCK Utsunomiya VJ-2
• Osaka: May 11 at Shinsaibashi BIG CAT
• Aichi: May 12 at Nagoya Electric Lady Land
• Saitama: May 18 at HEAVEN’S ROCK Saitama
Shintoshi VJ-3
• Yamanashi: May 19 at Kofu KAZOO HALL
• Toyama: May 25 at Toyama MAIRO
• Nagano: May 26 at Nagano Live House J
• Kyoto: May 28 at Kyoto MUSE
• Okayama: May 30 at Okayama IMAGE
• Fukuoka: June 1 at Fukuoka DRUM Be-1
• Miyazaki: June 2 at Miyazaki SR-BOX
• Oita: June 4 at Oita DRUM Be-0
• Ehime: June 6 at Matsuyama Salon Kitty
• Tokushima: June 8th at Tokushima club
GRINDHOUSE
• Hyogo: June 9 at Kobe VARIT
• Mie: June 11 at Matsuzaka M’AXA
• Okinawa: June 22 at Ginowan HUMAN STAGE
• Tokyo: July 2 at LIQUIDROOM ebisu
FLOW LIVE TOUR: 2013 Tour THE MAX!!! ~MAX!!! no
Mukou Gawa
• Miyagi: July 5 at Sendai CLUB JUNK BOX
• Akita: July 7 at Akita LIVE SPOT 2000
• Fukushima: July 9 at Koriyama CLUB夏9
• Niigata: July 10 at Niigata GOLDEN PIGS RED STAGE
• Ishikawa: July 12 at Kanazawa vanvan V4
• Gifu: July 13 at Gifu Club-G
• Wakayama: July 15 at Wakayama GATE
• Tottori: July 17 at Yonego AZTiC laughs
• Shimane: July 18 at Matsue AZTiC canova
• Kochi: July 20 at Kochi X-pt.
• Kagawa: July 21 at Takamatsu DIME
• Yamaguchi: July 23 at Shunan TIKI-TA
• Nagasaki: July 25 at Nagasaki DRUM Be-7
• Kumamoto: July 27 at Kumamoto DRUM Be-9 V2
• Kagoshima: July 28 at Kagoshima SR HALL
• Saga: July 30 at Saga GEILS
• Hiroshima: August 1 at Hiroshima Namiki Junction
• Nara: August 3 at Nara Neverland
• Shiga: August 4 at Shiga U-STONE
• Fukui: August 6 at Fukui CHOP
• Shizuoka: August 7 at Live House Hamamatsu
Madowaku
• Chiba: September 7 at Maihama Amphitheater
[UPDATE] Here’s a preview of Flow’s version of CHA-LA
HEAD-CHA-LA aired by Tokyo FM.
Source: tokyohive and Crunchyroll
Banpresto holds Hunter x
Hunter Scarlet Eyes figure
lottery in promotion for the
upcoming movie
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/banpresto-holds-hunter-hunter-
scarlet-eyes-figure-lottery-promotion-upcoming-movie/
Ichiban Kuji, a lottery by the Japanese toy company
Banpresto, is now increasing the excitement of Hunter x
Hunter fans as they begin this month’s lottery. The major
prize is a Kurapika Scarlet Eyes figure which is related to the
main plot device of the upcoming Hunter x Hunter Phantom
Rouge movie.
Lottery tickets can be bought at 7-Eleven convenience stores
for 500 JPY (5.75 USD).
Here are the prizes of the lottery:
Prize A

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Prize B
Prize C
Prize D
Prize E
Last Chance Prize:
Second Change Prize
On Hunter x Hunter Phantom
Rouge
Phantom Rouge follows the story of Kurapika’s revenge on
the Phantom Troupe, a Class-A crime group that killed the
people of his clan for their unique eyes—the scarlet eyes. The
eyes of the fallen Kurta clan are considered one of the world’s
most beautiful treasures. Whenever a person of the Kurta
clan becomes agitated or angry, his eyes turn scarlet.

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As Kurapika continues his search for the Phantom Troupe,
an unknown group steals his scarlet eyes. Killua, Leorio
and Gon come to Kurapika’s rescue, saving his life.
Unfortunately, they were hindered by the Phantom Troupe.
In this movie, the real identity of the person with the 夏4
spider tattoo will be revealed.
Hunter x Hunter Phantom Rouge is directed by Yuzo
Sato, with the script written by Shoji Yonemura. The
chief animation directors include Satoshi Tasaki, Takahiro
Umehara and Haruhito Takada.
Sources: Crunchyroll and MyAnimeList
Zippo lighters: Featuring
Studio Ghibli films
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/zippo-lighters-featuring-studio-
ghibli-films/
Lo and behold! Studio Ghibli classics may be for the younger
audiences but the renowned anime film studio has taken its
merchandising strategies on a different level: having their
anime feature films engraved on Zippo lighters. From old
films to recent ones, a variety of designs are available online.
Now, it shouldn’t be a problem for Studio Ghibli’s co-
founder Hayao Miyazaki—he is one hell of a chain smoker
after all! In fact, he even reveals in an interview that his
parents were heavy smokers and that he had his lungs
checked only to find out that there were no problems.
Check out the different designs below:

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Not all fans of Studio Ghibli films are smokers, but with the
sleek and elaborate designs of these merchandise, even non-
smokers might just be enticed to purchase a lighter or two.
The prices of these Studio Ghibli Zippo lighters range from
100 USD to 210 USD.
Source: Crunchyroll
Maaya Sakamoto to return
with her 8th studio album this
March
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/maaya-sakamoto-return-8th-studio-
album-march/
Seiyuu and singer Maaya Sakamoto has previously worked
with prominent composers such as Yoko Kanno in her
previous tracks and albums. No wonder her songs are always
amazing. And if you have been patiently waiting for her
return since the release of You can’t catch me in January
2011, rejoice and be glad! She will be back with her own songs
for her 8th studio album, Singer Songwriter, to be released
on March 27.
The upcoming album will feature eight tracks—all written,
composed and produced by Sakamoto Maaya herself. Aside
from her self-produced songs, a remix of Everywhere (from
her third compilation album) and a rearrangement of Chikai
(from her second mini-album) will be included. The song
arrangements are by Kouno Shin and Watanabe Zentaro
(Fate/stay night).
A limited edition DVD will also be released. It will include the
music video of the lead track as well as a documentary that
features the recording and songwriting of Maaya Sakamoto.
A few days after the album’s launch, Sakamoto Maaya will
be holding hall tours in three cities.
Tentative Maaya Sakamoto Hall Tour Dates:
March 30 and 31- Osaka International Convention Center
Main Hall
April 19 and 21 – Aichi-ken Geijutsu Gekijou Dai Hall
April 24 and 25 – Bunkamura Orchard Hall (in Tokyo)
Source: tokyohive
Comics Fiesta 2012: Bless4
interview
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/comics-fiesta-2012-bless4-interview/
By sentinel011 on January 4th, 2013
When Comics Fiesta suddenly announced that they have
gotten bless4 as a guest performer on the last week leading
to the event, SGCafe managed to gather up this exclusive
interview with the quartet.
From left: Aiki, Kanasa, Akino, and Akashi

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1) Welcome to Malaysia! I understand that you performed at
Taipei a couple of days ago before Comics Fiesta, how do you
find the crowd?
They were really nice and wild! They were really honest,
like when Akino asked “Do you love anime?”, everyone
responded with “suki desu!”, and Akashi joked saying that
“Thank you for saying you love me so much!”
They were really fun. We’re looking forward to the concert
tonight too!
2) Everyone loves bless4 here, and everyone loves the
Aquarion series! Have you watched Sousei no Aquarion or
Aquarion EVOL?
We watched Sousei no Aquarion, as for Aquarion EVOL we
were watching it real time, we were travelling around many
countries but we had it recorded. We haven’t watch till the
end yet, but we really want to watch it! We really like it
because it has a lot of important messages inside of it. The
visuals and the fight scenes just stands out.
3) Who is your favourite character in the most recent
Aquarion anime, Aquarion EVOL and why?
Akino: I really like Fudo Zen because he’s strange. He makes
you go “What is he trying to say?” but in the end, there’s
always a message all the time that makes you realize “oh, I
need to think more!”
Akashi: I’d like to say, Mikono. She’s cute!
Kanasa: I kinda like Jin and Yunoha, that was like my
favourite episode.
Aiki: I like Andy, Andy’s cool. Kagura is cool too. Amata
is okay but usually guys that waits for the girls are called
“herbivores” in Japan, and I think Amata is a herbivore.
Maybe if he’s a bit of a carnivore then…maybe. But nah I’m
just kidding!
4) How long did you guys take to learn Japanese?
I guess you can understand the language within 6 months
if you live there, but speaking it actually depends on the
person. At the 6 months point you can probably tell people
what you want, like it’s not very fluent but you can get
through the people. 6 months is a good mark!
5) Any messages to your fans out there?
Akashi: Thank you very much, it’s our first time here in
Malaysia, we’re just happy to be here and we’re looking
forward to meeting everybody here! My message is that, just
stay true to yourself and be cool, just have fun!
Aiki: It’s our first time in Malaysia and we’re really having
a blast. The food is great, the people are really nice.
We still want to have a lot more fun with you guys,
like jump together, sing together. We haven’t finished our
performance yet but we’ll love to come back.
Kanasa: Like everyone said, it’s our first time here, and we
have a positive impression of Malaysia and definitely wants
to know more about the country and all of you, and also the
anime here, the culture, etc. And in order for us to do that we
want to have fun with all of you so we’ll get ourselves ready
for that!
Akino: We’re just having so much fun, it doesn’t feel like a
first time because everyone’s so warm. We don’t really know
Malay but the next time we come, we’ll like to speak a little
bit more! So we’ll work on that. Ganbarimasu! Yoroshiku
onegaishimasu!
—–
We are glad that the energetic bless4 didn’t disappoint
during that night’s performance – well, how could they ever?
Look out for more of our CF2012 posts soon!
LiSA wishes fans a Merry
Xmas and a Happy New Year
— in several languages
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/lisa-wishes-fans-merry-xmas-happy-
year-in-several-languages/

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English, Chinese, Indonesian, and Portugal – those are
languages that anisong artiste LiSA isn’t exactly fluent in.
But that didn’t stop the spirited performer from wishing fans
– many of whom love her songs despite not being fluent in
Japanese either – her warmest seasons’ greetings in their
native languages via a number of videos that Kawaii Girl
Japan has been publishing all week long.
The 25-year-old singer-songwriter, best known for singing
the OPs to TV anime series Fate/Zero (Oath Sign) and Sword
Art Online (crossing field), first graced our shores here in
Singapore in 2011 as part of Anime Festival Asia’s “Rock
Your Soul!” concerts.
In 2012, the energetic performer appeared at both the
Singapore and Indonesia legs of Anime Festival Asia.
LiSA’s third album, Lover”S”Mile, came in at 夏1 on Tower
Records Shinjuku’s list of best-selling anisong CDs for the
year of 2012.
New Year Message to Indonesian
fans
X’mas Message to Indonesian fans
X’mas and New Year Message to
English-speaking fans
X’mas Message to Chinese-
speaking fans
X’mas and New Year Message to
Portugese-speaking fans
Source: Kawaii Girl Japan
‘Street Fighter X Mega
Man’ getting an updated V2
release in January
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/street-fighter-mega-man-updated-
v2-release-january/
An updated “V2″ iteration of Singaporean fan developer
Seow Zong Hui’s (also known as DM MCZ Sonic) Street
Fighter X Mega Man free-to-download PC game will be
released soemtime in January, according to Capcom’s
Online/Community Manager Brett Elston (Brelston).
Although Capcom has not officially announced yet exactly
what’s been changed in the new V2 iteration, community
manager Brelston said on the Capcom-Unity forums that
it will address at least some of the issues that forum user
gatordile pointed out in the thread he started, entitled
“Glitches in SFxMM”:
1. If you lock your computer or close your screen
with game running the video doesn’t want to come
back. You have to close the game and restart. I think
it’s an issue with your computer needing to refresh
the screen.
2. If you get killed at the same time as you kill the last
boss in the boss rush you can’t re-enter their tube.
You are stuck in the level. I’m not sure if this is a
problem with any boss during boss rush or if it’s just
the last boss you fight.
3. The top of ladders don’t seem to want you to grab
them. Some full jumps are awkward.
4. Esc key should have a yes or no menu to safely
close the game. I’ve exited on accident a couple
times.
5. (Not really a issue since I don’t do it, but) Urien
can be easily killed by pausing game with mine
sweeper explosion over him.
Since Capcom first released Street Fighter X Mega Man last
month on December 17, creator DM MCZ Sonic has been
monitoring player response to his work, along with any bugs
or serious problems that he hoped to be able to fix and
release as an updated version of the game – if Capcom would
allow him an avenue to do so.
As the game was a one-off deal, there was no guarantee that
an update to the title would happen, especially since Capcom
is distributing the game for free.
Street Fighter X Mega Man was a collaboration between
Capcom and DM MCZ Sonic made possible only by the
stars aligning on one fateful day back in July 2012,
when Sonic ran into Capcom USA’s Senior Vice-President
Christian Svensson at EVO, the world’s biggest fighting
games tournament event, and promptly showed him a half-
finished build of the PC title.
According to Svensson, normally Capcom’s legal team is
forced to shut down any such fan game creation, no matter

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how amazing it might be (which Zong Hui’s work no doubt
was), simply because it might interfere with the global
video games conglomerate’s rights in holding on to their
intellectual properties in certain territories.
Fortunately for Sonic (and Mega Man and Street Fighter
fans all over the world), Capcom happened to be looking for
something big to launch their plans to celebrate the Mega
Man franchise’s 25th anniversary, and Sonic’s fan game was
not only impressive, but doubly more apt because it involved
Street Fighter – whose 25th anniversary ends right around
the start of Mega Man’s 25th birthday bash.
Street Fighter X Mega Man V2: bug
fixes… plus more?
Street Fighter x Mega Man is a game full of easter eggs for
fans to discover. For instance, by entering a code in the
menu, you can replace the game’s entire soundtrack with just
one song (that will now play in every single situation): an
8-bit remix of Guile’s theme from Street Fighter 2, entitled
“Goes with Anything”.
Which begs the question: now that Capcom has green-lit
an update to the title, will V2 simply contain bug fixes, or
will the development team be implementing a couple more
special easter eggs, if only to get those who’ve already cleared
the game to revisit it?
Of course, given that the game itself has only been released
for about two weeks, chances are outside of bug fixes, the
development team may not have had any extra time to
include something special for the fans. So we’re not holding
our breath here.
That said, last week, Capcom producer Yoshinori Ono did
tweet the following image to DM MCZ Sonic Capcom’s Brett
Elston, asking that it be “joined” into Street Fighter X Mega
Man:
Of course, chances are Ono’s simply jesting (as usual; he’s
not called “Trollono” by his fans online for no reason), but
you never know.
[Update] The 8-bit Ono pixel art that you see above was
actually drawn by DM Sonic himself, as a gift to the
venerable producer. We were mistaken in thinking that Ono
came up with the drawing and sent it to SFxMM creator DM
Sonic and Capcom’s Brelston, as Team DM’s Samuel Ong
(Shen Ou) points out to us. Thanks for the clarification!
Will there be anything extra? We’ll just have to find out later
this month when the updated version of Street Fighter X
Mega Man is released.
Until then, we leave you with this link of Singapore
sponsored player and Canadian Cup SSF4 champ Ho Kun
Xian (DM Xian) failing badly at Street Fighter X Mega Man.
If, like me, you previously thought SFxMM was too difficult
for your gaming aptitude, all it takes is a couple minutes with
Xian’s contrived attempt at clearing the game to realise that
you’re not alone in your plight.
In fact, if anything, watching Xian play the game (badly) is a
good way to re-invigorate your fighting spirit, so that you’ll
be prepared to square off against 8-bit world warriors when
the new version of the fan game drops.
Source: Eventhubs
Cast for ‘Magical Suite Prism
Nana’ revealed at Comiket 83
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2012/12/cast-magical-suite-prism-nana-
revealed-comiket-83/

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From studio Shaft, the makers of Puella Magi Madoka
Magica, comes yet another highly-anticipated mahou shoujo
anime: Magical Suite Prism Nana. The story has yet to be
revealed, but what we know for certain is that it will focus on
three female elemental magic users (fire, earth and water).
At the Comiket 83 this past weekend, Shaft sold DVDs that
included seven pilot shorts of the upcoming anime as well
as its original soundtrack. The voice cast for the three main
characters of Prism Nana was also confirmed.
Itaru Washioka (the red-haired girl on the picture
above) is voiced by Suzuko Mimori (Nanami Momozono
from Kamisama Hajimemashita). Kotone Oribe (the blue-
haired girl) is voiced by Eri Kitamura (Karen Araragi
from Nisemonogatari). Lastly, Asuka Asagi (the green-
haired girl) is voiced by Asami Imai (Kojuurou Katakura
from Sengoku Collection and Chihaya Kisaragi from The
Idolm@ster). The original character designs were provided
by Kantoku (Hentai Ouji to Warawanai Neko).
Aside from the confirmation of the cast, Nendoroid
prototypes of the three main characters were also exhibited.
Although Prism Nana’s pilot shorts were already streamed
on the net, the release date has not been announced yet.
The project was initially revealed last August and it was
showcased at Comiket 82 on the same month.
Sources: Crunchyroll, MyAnimeList and Otakomu

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CyberConnect2 CEO Hiroshi
Matsuyama: ‘We’ve got 3 new
games in the pipeline’
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/cyberconnect2-3-games-pipeline-
ceo-hiroshi-matsuyama/
2013′s going to be a busy year for game development studio
CyberConnect2. Not only are they working on the finishing
touches for Naruto Shippuuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm
3(March 2013), they’ve also been concurrently working on
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure All-Star Battle (PS3), as well as
GREE smartphone action game Night Runner (Working
Title) and additional contents for its other smartphone title,
Guilty Dragon.
And that’s not all. The Fukuoka-based developer has
apparently got pretty big plans for 2013.
In a New Year’s message YouTube video that just went live
today, CyberConnect2 CEO Hiroshi Matsuyama teased that
the game developer plans to unveil three more unannounced
titles later this year in 2013.
Matsuyama-san described these three new titles as “original
new works” (オオオオオオオ), which is Japanese-game-industry
speak for “brand new IP”. So I suppose that means right off
the bat we can cross out Asura’s Wrath 2 and anything .hack
related from our list, huh?
(No, wait, Matsuyama did not say that these three games will
be the only new titles they’d be announcing in 2013, after
all.)
Since the video’s meant as a New Year’s message,
Matsuyama decides to close off by doing a kakizome
calligraphy, writing out one of his favourite character quotes
from Takahiro Ozawa and Asako Seo’s manga series Giga
Tokyo Toybox: “Besides my hopes and dreams, the other
weapons I’m armed with include diligence! And guts!”
Giga Tokyo Toybox, a sequel to Tokyo Toybox (also by
Ozawa and Seo), is about a group of young protagonists
chasing their dreams and coping with the struggles of
working in the video games industry. When the manga series
developed from Tokyo Toybox into Giga Tokyo Toybox,
several new regular characters were added to the story. One
of those characters added was Momo Momota, whom the
character quote Matsuyama wrote out belongs to.
“Momo Momota is a female protagonist who’s a newcomer to
the video games industry. As she’s a newcomer, she doesn’t
really have much of anything apart from her hopes and
dreams. So when she needed to draw from a source of
strength to embrace the challenges ahead, she realises that
the only weapons she’s armed with are diligence and guts.
And that’s how her story begins in Volume 1,” Matsuyama
explains.
This is something Matsuyama says that he can relate to,
especially in recent years, during which the games industry
has underwent numerous changes that presented various
new difficulties. For instance, console games are getting
harder and harder to make (due to production costs, etc) and
so people often question what’s going to happen to the future
of the console games business.
“Well, something like that [difficulties a developer faces
when making a console game, the future of console gaming
being questioned], actually that’s been a part of the video
games industry all along since the very beginning. The path
towards creating a product isn’t always smooth-sailing, and
it’s not always fun and games. Naturally there are tough
battles to overcome too.”
“But it’s just like what the main protagonist of Giga Tokyo
Toybox Taiyou Tenkawa says: ‘this line of work is tough,
but it’s also a lot of fun’. I feel that he’s absolutely right,
and that, especially in light of today’s challenges in the
games industry, we as developers need to meet them with
diligence and guts. Well, it’s been like that in the past too,
but now more than ever, we need to re-examine the meaning
of those words [even though CyberConnect2 are no longer
newcomers to the industry].”
Matsuyama, who’s a big fan of the manga series, says that in
the story there is a scene where the character quote is taken
one step further: you start with “hopes and dreams”, arm
yourself with “diligence and guts”, and then after that, you
stand your ground and brace yourself for the harsh impact (オ
オオオ). It’s a scene that Matsuyama says is a tear-jerker, and

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he recommends that gamers check out the manga - pretty
much everyone in CyberConnect2 is a fan of the series.
Source: Excite News
Kyary secretly arrives in
Singapore
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/kyary-secretly-arrives-singapore-
announcing-twitter/
While it was previously reported that Kyary will be having a
concert in Singapore, the dates are still unknown, even till
today. However, the eccentric artiste tweeted on her arrival
at Singapore’s Changi Airport just moments ago.
In Kyary’s twitter message posted about an hour ago, she
said ” In Singapore now. Really hot.” in Japanese.
A lucky fan managed to catch Kyary at the international
airport, and even took a picture of her fan and tweeted about
it. Below is the excerpt of the tweet post:
pamyurin: When I arrived at Singapore’s airport
I was surprised to find someone (the girl pictured
here) waiting to greet me☆
suzuluv_xoxo: Kyary-chan is nice and cute and
cute and cute I love her! Thank you very much for
shaking my hands and signing an autograph for
me! o(>☆<)o
Kyary’s arrival is highly suspected to be related to her
upcoming World Tour. Of course, a little touring around the
Lion City might follow. Her unannounced trip will surely
create a bigger hype amongst the local fans in Singapore.
[Update @ 16:15PM]
Munching on Sarpino’s Pizza along Orchard Road outside
Lucky Plaza?
Source: Kyary’s Twitter
Nyanko-sensei on a little
teapot, short and stout
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/nyanko-sensei-teapot-short-stout/

3
Nyanko-sensei, from Natsume Yuujinchou by Yuki
Midorikawa, gets painted on a teapot and cup set along with
the other series of LaLa magazine. The other designs are
based from Gakuen Babysitters by Hari Tokeino, Ookami-
heika no Hanayome by Mato Kauta and Akagami no
Shirayuki-hime by Sorata Akiduki. Each set is conveniently
designed with the teapot placed atop the cup.
When you hear about Takashi Natsume’s cat spirit partner,
I would bet that the first thing that comes to your mind is
his shape as round as the maneki neko’s. And that’s exactly
how the creator designed the teapot. It retains the stoutness
of Nyanko-sensei.
One teapot and cup set costs 1200 JPY (14 USD). It’s a part
of a pre-order campaign which runs until March 9.
We have previously reported that Natsume Yuujinchou will
be celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. As a special give
away for fans of Midorikawa’s supernatural shoujo manga
series, LaLa magazine’s February issue comes with a free
squishy Nyanko-sensei strap.
The display of Nyanko-sensei’s cuteness doesn’t end with a
tea set and a strap. Famima.com has teamed up with Animax
in offering limited edition Natsume Yuujinchou goods. A
Nyanko-sensei saucepan which costs 3580 JPY (41 USD)
and a Nyanko-sensei Reversi board game which costs 3150
JPY (36 USD) can now be pre-ordered.
Sources: Natalie, natsume-blog and Famima.com
Makoto Shinkai to release
‘Kotonoha no Niwa’ this
spring
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/makoto-shinkai-release-kotonoha-
niwa-spring/
One man army anime filmmaker, Makoto Shinkai, has
announced that he’s working on Kotonoha no Niwa (The
Garden of Words—no official English title as of today), a new
anime movie scheduled for release in Spring 2013.
In a blog post by Shinkai, he wrote that it’s his first time
taking on a love story movie. However, the story of Kotonoha

4
no Niwa isn’t something that focuses on the typical meaning
of love. Shinkai writes that the concept of romance (オオ) did
not exist in the Japanese language before the modern period.
オ (love), was written as オオ (solitary sadness) since the 8th
century. He adds that the present concept of love (オ) was
imported from the West.
Now, with all of Shinkai’s historical background on the word
love, you would probably think that Kotonoha no Niwa will
be a historical romance.
Actually, that’s not the case.
Shinkai has emphasized that Kotonoha no Niwa is set in the
present day. The story will interpret the ancient meaning of
love—“an emotion of longing for someone that can only be
felt in solitude.”
Makoto Shinkai’s previous works include Voices of a Distant
Star, The Place Promised in Our Early Days, 5 Centimeters
Per Second and Children Who Chase Lost Voices.
Sources: Otaku USA and MyAnimeList Forum
Anime studio Shaft to issue
a second batch of Madoka
Magica the Movie ‘Key
Animation Note extra’ art
book
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/anime-studio-shaft-issue-batch-
madoka-magica-movie-key-animation-note-extra-art-book/
One of the most coveted items at Comic Market 83 last
weekend was anime studio Shaft’s “Madoka Magica the
Movie Key Animation Note extra” art book which, like all
good things at Comiket, was promptly sold out at the event…
…Only to be found available again shortly afterwards on
Yahoo! Japan Auctions and other similar sites where the
book is now listed for some far-fetched price several times
its initial going rate. Because normally such event-specific
items are sold only at Comic Market and never again re-
issued.
Fortunately for Madoka Magica fans who weren’t able to
make it to Comiket 83, however, Shaft has decided to issue
a second batch of the Key Animation Note extra art book,
now slated to hit book stores all across Japan at the end of
February, with pre-orders beginning from January 7. Talk
about a kick in the teeth for those blood-sucking, money-
grabbing, greedy online auctioners.
The 368-paged A4-size art book contains over 1,000 pieces
of original sketches and illustrations, all of which centered
on the new scenes featured in the pair of Madoka Magica
movies – like the intro sequence that visually accompanied
the movie’s new opening theme Luminous, and the various
heroine’s Mahou Shoujo “henshin” sequences. Additionally,
the cover of the art book (pictured below) was illustrated by
Junichiro Taniguchi specially for this release.

5
For the most part, the pair of Madoka Magica movies were
really an abridged “director’s cut” re-telling of the TV anime
series’ story with new scenes inserted here and there, so the
fact that the “Key Animation Note extra” art book doesn’t
contain any illustrations from the TV anime series is pretty
reassuring, since there was already an art book released for
that.
Although the art book was previously sold for 4,000 yen at
Comiket 83, when it’s sold at book stores all across Japan
in February it will now be priced at 4,200 yen instead.
This second-press edition will also not come with the bonus
“Rakugaki Note” (a collection of messages and sketches
from the anime movie’s staff, including Gen Urobuchi and
Junichiro Taniguchi) mini-booklet that was given out to fans
who bought the book at Comiket; it just wouldn’t be fair to
those who lined up otherwise.
Outside of the Madoka Magica art book, Shaft also had on
sale exclusively at Comiket 83 new art books for Hidamari
Sketch x Honeycomb and Bakemonogatari, as well as a
Magical Suite Prism Nana “Prism Box” set that contains
the show’s pilot animations and a CD soundtrack. Although
today’s announcement is only for the Madoka Magica art
book, Shaft says on its website that they are looking into
possibly doing a second batch of these other goods as well.
Hidamari Sketch x Honeycomb Production Note
オオオオオオオオオ×オオオオオオオオオオオオオオオ
Contains reference materials (characters, settings) used in
the production of the anime. The form factor of the book is
designed to resemble the Hidamari Apartments that Yuno
and her friends reside in.
Specifications
• Cover illustrated by creator Ume Aoki
• B5-Size
• 288 full-colour pages
• Includes a case
Bakemonogatari Key Animation Note prologue
オオオオ KEY ANIMATION NOTE prologueオ
Contains original illustrations for part of episode 1 in the
Bakemonogatari TV anime series. Specifically, the materials
here cover the start of episode 1 all the way until right before
the OP begins (from the part where protagonist Koyomi
Araragi meets up with Tsubasa Hanekawa, until the part
where he catches a falling Hitagi Senjougahara)

6
Specifications
• Cover illustrated by Akio Watanabe
• Size: 195x200mm
• 208 full-colour pages
• Includes a case
Magical Suite Prism Nana PRISM BOX
オオオオオオオオオオオオオオオオ PRISM BOXオ
Set Contains:
• Pilot PV Animation PV (all 7 animations, a total of 14
minutes’ runtime)
• Original soundtrack (all 7 tracks)
• Special booklet
• Size: 297x297mm
Comiket attendees who purchased any of the
aforementioned books (the Prism Nana box set didn’t
count, as it was sold at a partner’s booth, instead
of at Shaft’s) also received special paper bags with
Sasami@Ganbaranai illustrations printed on them to take
home their merchandise in; I don’t think we can expect to
see these reproduced even if Shaft decides to re-issue every
other item they sold at Comiket 83.
Here’s what the illustrations on the paper bag looked like:
Source: Shaft
Saki Episode of Side A:
‘bonus episodes’ PV runs
through DVD/Blu-ray release
and on-air dates
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/saki-episode-side-a-bonus-episodes-
pv-runs-dvdblu-ray-release-on-air-dates/
The TV anime adaptation of Saki Achiga-hen episode of
Side-A (a spin-off of the original Saki series, which you
can watch for free on legal streaming site Crunchyroll) was
originally planned as a 12-episode series that finished its run
on Japanese TV back in July 2012.
Shortly before the end of the TV anime series, however, the
show’s producers announced that they would be putting out
a couple more bonus episodes. The first one, episode 13,
already aired on December 24, 2012. Episode 14 is slated to
premiere on Japan’s AT-X channel on January 29 this year.
This week the show’s producers have put out a new PV that
includes clips from the upcoming 14th episode, along with
various dates with regards to when and on which channels

7
Japanese viewers will be able to watch episodes 13 and 14, or
otherwise purchase it on Blu-Ray and DVD.
Outside of Japan, anime fans worldwide can catch the entire
series at the Saki Achiga-hen episode of Side-A show page
on Crunchyroll. Unlike Saki (2009), which is available for
viewing online even for free members, Achiga-hen episode
of Side-A will require a premium Crunchyroll membership
subscription to watch.
Episode 13 or the first bonus episode of Saki Achiga-
hen episode of Side A is already on Crunchyroll, and the
legal streaming service announced previously that it will be
streaming the second one “simulcast” (at the same time)
when it airs in Japan.
Source: Crunchyroll
DmC Devil May Cry: get
psyched as Eurogamer walks
us through Missions 8 and 9,
new CG trailer [Video]
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/dmc-devil-cry-psyched-eurogamer-
walks-missions-8-9-video/
Publisher Capcom and developer Ninja Theory’s DmC Devil
May Cry comes out in a little more than a week from now.
Still not convinced that the new title, a series reboot that’s
being outsourced to England-based Ninja Theory (Heavenly
Sword), would live up to the original games’ reputation?
Then you’ve absolutely got to check out these two videos
Eurogamer has just put up, offering an in-depth look at a
middle portion of the game – Missons 8 and 9, to be specific
– after Dante’s got access to an additional few weapons and
powers in his arsenal that he didn’t have in the brief demo
that’s currently available for download from the Xbox Live
Marketplace and PlayStation Network.
What’s different in this DmC is that protagonist Dante is no
longer half-demon, half-human son of devil knight Sparda.
Instead, Dante’s mother is apparently an angel in this game,
making his lineage one that’s half-demon and half-angel –
which explains why the Dante here has access to special
powers from both factions,
Like Eurogamer’s Ian Higton explained in the Mission 8
preview video you saw, certain enemies in DmC Devil May
Cry will only be susceptible to attacks from one faction
– either the demon side or the angel side – which I’ve
got to admit, is a pretty refreshing idea when seen in the
greater context of the Devil May Cry series, although it
would be incredibly easy to point fingers and speculate that
the guys over at Ninja Theory are probably big fans of
Treasure’s Ikaruga or Ubisoft’s Outland.
Althought DmC Devil May Cry is considered a series reboot,
it’s not without elements that fans of the series will be
familiar with. For instance, right from the get-go Dante is
armed with his trusty sidekicks the Rebellion longsword and
Ebony & Ivory pistols (if you haven’t had a chance to go
hands-on with these returning weapons in DmC, we highly
recommend checking out the demo).
Dante’s long-lost twin brother Vergil is also back in the
rebooted franchise. In fact, he’ll have his own playable
chapter – only available for free to gamers who pre-order the
title, however (check with your local retailer on details, and
make sure you do it soon… did we say the game comes out
in a little more than a week?)
DmC Devil May Cry for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
comes out January 15. A PC port is also slated to be released
January 25.
Shounen Jump celebrates
recent “Kuroko’s Basketball”
milestones by releasing 32
character wallpapers
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/shounen-jump-celebrates-kurokos-
basketball-milestones-with-32-character-wallpapers/
One new wallpaper, each focusing on a different character
from Tadatoshi Fujimaki’s hit manga and anime series
Kuroko’s Basketball, to be released on Shonenjump.com
every day – starting from today (January 4) with Tetsuya
Kuroko – as part of a web campaign meant to commemorate
a series of recent milestones for the series.

8
What milestones are we talking about? Well, for starters the
TV anime adaptation of Kuroko’s Basketball has just recently
received the green light for a second season (like we reported
last month).
This month, the series is getting a 19-page full-colour
chapter in the new issue of Weekly Shounen Jump (WJ) that
just went on sale today (January 4).
Finally, on February 4, tankoubon (trade paperback
compilation of the chapters serialised in Weekly Shounen
Jump) volume 21 of the series is slated to be released.
Not exactly gigantic milestones here, but given the string of
terrible Kuroko’s Basketball news lately (by no fault of the
series creator Tadatoshi Fujimaki or anyone else involved in
the manga and anime production), I’d say any cause is a good
cause for fans to celebrate.
The campaign will last all the way till the day volume 21
comes out, February 4, and a total of 32 such character
wallpapers will be released. Will your favourite character
make it in the list of 32?
To grab these desktop wallpapers, simply head over to this
link here and click on the various dates on list of available
character wallpapers somewhere in the middle of the page.
Apart from desktop wallpapers, Shounen Jump will also
release a slew of 32 iPhone wallpapers that users can
access and download through a free shonenjump.com app,
available from the iTunes App Store.
32オオオ!! 32オオオ!!オオオオオオオオオオオオオオオオオ!!オオオオオオオオオ
オオオオオオオオオオ shonenjump.com
Cable broadcaster WOWOW
to turn Pasela Resorts
Shibuya’s B1 floor into
Yuko Ichihara’s shop from
‘xxxHolic’
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/wowow-turn-pasela-resorts-
shibuyas-b1-floor-yuko-ichiharas-shop-xxxholic/
If watching the live-action drama adaptation of Clamp’s
xxxHolic, which begins airing on Japanese cable channel
WOWOW in February 2013, isn’t good enough for fans to
visualise what the atmosphere within witch Yuko Ichihara’s
store must be like, then maybe going into a real-life replica
of the store will.
Cable broadcaster WOWOW today announced that it has
teamed up with Karaoke chain Pasela Resorts to turn the
B1 floor of the chain’s Shibuya branch (note: there’s a
Pasela Resorts Shibuya, and also a Pasela Resorts Grande
Shibuya; in this case we’re referring to the former) into a
xxxHolic Cafe Mise – “mise” being Japanese for “shop” –
conceptualised after the store operated by the manga and
anime series’s heroine, Yuko Ichihara.
The xxxHolic Cafe Mise (xxxHOLiCオオオオオ) will feature
tableware and props lifted directly from the live-action TV
series. The actual costume that actress and model Anne wore
in her portrayal of the Yuka Ichihara will also be displayed
within the store.

9
Fans who’ve always dreamt of visiting Yuko’s shop from the
series will have about a month or so to make their way to
SHibuya and drop by the replica cafe; the xxxHolic Cafe Mise
will begin operations on January 21, and will operate till
March 30.
xxxHolic the live-action drama adaptation airs on WOWOW
in Japan beginning February 24. A total of eight episodes are
planned for the series.
xxxHolic Cafe Mise (xxxHOLiCオオオオオ)
Period:January 21, 2013 (Monday) to March 30, 2013
(Sunday)
Operating Hours: 11:30AM to 11:00PM (Sundays to
Thursdays, and Public Holidays), 11.30AM to 6:00AM the
following day (Fridays and the eve of Public Holidays)オオオオ
オオオオ11オ30オ6オ00
Address: Pasela Resorts Shibuya B1F (オオオオオオオオ1-22-9 オオ
オオオオオオオオ)
Source: Excite News
Moe Shochu in Japan now
features Vocaloid Lily
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/moe-shochu-japan-features-vocaloid-
lily/
From smart phone cases to PS3 accessories, a variety of
items and products sold in Japan have already gone through
a Vocaloid makeover. And now, alcoholic drinks are no
longer an exception. So if you’re a wine-collecting Vocaloid
fan, a Moe Shochu Lily is something worth adding to your
growing collection.
Alcoholic drinks with moe girls on the bottle labels are
increasingly popular in Japan. And the latest offering is the
Moe Shochu Lily designed with the Vocaloid Lily wearing her
oiran outfit.
The illustration on the Moe Shochu Lily label was created
by the original character designer himself, KEI, who also
drew Hatsune Miku, Megurine Luka, Kagamine Rin and
Kagamine Len. Lily’s voice was provided by m.o.v.e’s
vocalist, yuri.

10
Moe Shochu Lily has an alcohol volume of 12%. It is lighter
compared to regular shochu’s that have 25 to 35% alcohol
volume. The 300 ml bottle costs 1200 JPY (13.70 USD).
Source: Crunchyroll

1
Koda Kumi to release a cover
album for commemorating
her 13th anniversary in the
recording industry this year
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/koda-kumi-release-cover-
album-13th-anniversary-2013/
Koda Kumi’s lucky number is one that’s usually considered
unlucky: 13. She was born on November 13. And on top of
that, her music career’s 13th anniversary falls on this year,
2013!
To celebrate her 13th anniversary in the Japanese music
industry, the ero-kakkoii (sexy-cool) icon will be launching
her second cover album on February 27. We have yet to
hear the title of this upcoming release, but the track listing
information is already out. In addition, the singer herself has
revealed that it has an “entertainment cover album” concept.
“I widened the selection of music and challenged myself to
various tastes of arrangements,” says the Jpop singer.
The cover album is to be launched two in regular editions
(CD-only and CD with DVD) and a limited edition (DVD and
photo booklet included).
Below is the info on the cover album:
CD
• Pink Spider (originally sung by hide with Spread
Beaver)
• Lovely (originally sung by Ozawa Kenji)
• Shake Hip! (originally sung by Kome Kome CLUB)
• Dounimo Tomaranai (originally sung by Yamamoto
Linda)
• Jounetsu (originally sung by UA)
• Blue Velvet (Kudo Shizuka)
• Otoko (originally sung by Kubo Ruriko)
• Koyoi no Tsuki no You ni (originally sung by Elephant
Kashimashi)
• One more time, One more chance (originally sung by
Yamazaki Masayoshi)
• Alone (originally sung by Okamoto Mayo)
Regular Edition CD with DVD
• Pink Spider (MV ~Album Version~)
• Lovely (MV)
• Shake Hip! (MV)
• Lovely (MAKING VIDEO)
• Shake Hip! (MAKING VIDEO)
Limited Edition DVD
• Documentary
• Pink Spider (MV ~Album Version~)
• Lovely (MV)
• Shake Hip! (MV)
• Lovely (MAKING VIDEO)

2
• Shake Hip! (MAKING VIDEO)
Source: tokyohive
Kyary in Singapore for
television program “Catherine
the Third”
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/kyary-singapore-television-program-
catherine-third/
Many KPP, or Kyary Pamyu Pamyu fans were guessing that
the artiste and fashion celebrity was in town earlier this week
to settle details for her upcoming Live Tour in Singapore, but
that is not the case.
Apparently, Kyary is also one of the hosts for a variety show
in Japan called Catherine the Third, and her other 2 co-hosts
were featured in a photo uploaded in her twitter account.
Thus, it is highly speculated that the trio was in town to
film and host a special segment in the variety show. Kyary
commented “Catherine the Third in Singapore loca(tion)!”
in her twitter photo post.
Although Kyary was in town for less than 2 days, she
managed to dine local delicacies like cereal prawns, visit the
world famous Night Safari, as well as lounging at Marina Bay
Sands’ Skypark.
Source: Kyary’s Twitter page
Know your Metal Gear Rising
moves and combos with
these videos
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/metal-gear-rising-moves-combos-
videos/

3
So you got your grubby hands on the Metal Gear Rising
Revengeance demo released on the PS3. Are you finding it
tough to take down your enemies? Don’t fret, as we trawled
the internet to find some gems to make your game play a
little bit more fulfilling with these combos.
This comprehensive list of moves show you what each move
does and how to execute it on your gamepad. The moves
recorded in the video also tells you roughly what each move
does, such as a Devil May Cry style “Stinger” move as well
as air combo moves. The end of the video also shows one of
the many challenging combos you can do to your enemies in
the game.
With the move list in mind, the next step is to play like a
pro with several combos under your belt. One such player,
Master LL, records his playthrough with a list of combos.
Here, you can watch how a skillful player does 2 air combos
in a row. Unfortunately, there isn’t exactly a move list
recorded from the video, but you will get the rough gist of it
as you play more of the game.
Master LL also shows us how to be a sadistic Raiden, by
decapitating the limbs of his enemies first before finishing
them.
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is slated to release for the
PS3 and Xbox360 on 19 and 21 February 2013 for the North
America and Japan region respectively. For more Metal Gear
Rising goodness, check these out.
Hiro Mizushima to make a
comeback on the big screen
with Kuroshitsuji
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/hiro-mizushima-comeback-big-
screen-kuroshitsuji/
Hiro Mizushima is not yet done with showbiz.
After a three-year hiatus, he is returning with the movie
adaptation of Yana Tanaboso’s popular action and fantasy
manga, Kuroshitsuji (Black Butler).
In the upcoming film, Mizushima will be playing Sebastian
Michaelis, Ciel’s bodyguard and the demon butler of the
Phantomhive estate. The movie adaptation will take place
130 years after the events on the manga, which means we’ll
be witnessing a completely different storyline.
Mizushima was last seen on the big screen when he played
the role of Ryusuke Minami in the movie adaptation of Beck
(2010). He also acted in live-action series adapted from
anime and manga titles including Hanazakari no Kimitachi
e (where he played Minami Namba), Absolute Boyfriend
(where he played Soshi Asamoto) and Gokusen 2 (where he
played Hiro Misawa). His popular lead role is Souji Tendou/
Kabuto from the sentai series Kamen Rider Kabuto.
Mizushima left showbiz to pursue his writing career
(with Tomohiro Saito as his pen name). His debut work,
KAGEROU, was selected as the 5th Poplar Publishing Grand
Prize for Fiction.
Now that he has made his comeback as an actor, Mizushima
is losing weight for the role and is currently in training for
the actions of the character he’ll be portraying. The filming
for the movie starts in April.
Kuroshitsuji will be directed by Otani Kentaro (Nana) and
Keiichi Sato (Tiger & Bunny). The film is slated for a release
this year.
Sources: tokyohive and JEFusion
Pre-orders for Nendoroids
Kagamine Rin: Append and
Kagamine Len: Append
commence
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/pre-orders-nendoroids-kagamine-
rin-append-kagamine-len-append-commences/
It’s a double treat for fans of the adorable Vocaloid twins.
Good Smile Company has begun accepting pre-orders for the
soon to be launched Kagamine Rin: Append and Kagamine

4
Len: Append. These Nendoroids will be released together on
June 30. Each sold separately.
Both Nendoroids are 100mm in height and will each sport
three different facial expressions.
Rin comes with a happy expression, a winking face and a
pleading face. The last one allows you to make it seem like
Rin is begging something from Len. The Kagamine Rin:
Append Nendoroid gives off a more mature appeal.
The Kagamine Len: Append, on the other hand, displays
a more modern look. Just like Rin, he has a cheerful
expression and a winking face. Len also comes with
a confident expression that exhibits his coolness.
Each package includes a background board, allowing you to
easily take photographs of Rin and Len.
Although these latest offerings from Good Smile Company
won’t be sold in a set, they are designed in such a way that
they can have great poses together. They can be arranged
back-to-back. The charming twins can even hold hands
while winking.

5
With a variety of features offered by these Nendoroids,
let your imagination fly and create different poses of the
Kagamine twins.
Sources: Crunchyroll and Mikatan’s Blog (English Version)
‘Hanasaku Iroha: Home
Sweet Home’ anime film’s
story revealed
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/hanasaku-iroha-home-sweet-home-
story-revealed/
Last month, we were teased with a short clip of Hanasaku
Iroha: Home Sweet Home, but we heard nothing about the
plot of the movie.
Finally, a new movie listing has revealed the story of the
upcoming anime film.
The story of the HSH anime film (according the listing) goes
like this: Ohana is getting used to her lifestyle in Kissuisou,
the hot springs resort managed by her grandmother. One
day, the successor of Kissuisou’s rival inn, Yuina, arrives
at Kissuisou to learn how to become a landlady. As Ohana
watches Yuina in training, she discovers -a certain item-
while cleaning up the storage room.
Now, most people who have watched the entire series are
probably assuming (or hoping) that the upcoming movie will
be an epilogue—something that shows us what happens to
Ohana Matsumae [SPOILER ALERT] after her grandmother
closed down the Taishou era hot springs inn, Kissuisou.
Unfortunately, it won’t be as we expect it to be. Based on the
summary provided by the listing, the film takes place at a
time when Ohana is getting used to her life in Kissuisou.
Here’s a short recap on what happened in the series:
The story revolves around Ohana, a teenager living with
her single-parent mother in Tokyo. She was left under
her estranged grandmother’s care after her mother decides
to elope with a boyfriend. She arrives at Kissuisou and
discovers that the hot springs inn is owned and managed by
her grandmother.
Ohana starts working at Kissuisou at her grandmother’s
imposition. Although she tries her best, things don’t run
smoothly for her. She is at odds with the customers and her
fellow employees.
Ohana becomes disheartened at first, but eventually sees
all the hardships as opportunities to make herself better.
She works harder to improve her relationship with her co-
workers and for a brighter future.
While the movie may not be an epilogue of the TV anime
like what fans expected, do not be too disappointed. The
series, after all, ended in a satisfying manner. Plus, if you’re

6
fond of Yuina Wakura (Ohana’s dialect switching friend), the
HSH movie is gradually shaping up to be something fans can
eagerly anticipate.
Sources: @ultimatemegax via Crunchyroll
Babymetal: ‘We’ll conquer the
world in 2013′ [Video]
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/babymetal-conquer-world-2013-
video/
With just two more days to go to the release of Babymetal‘s
major debut single, Ijime Dame Zettai, Kawaii Girls Japan
has put together a short video interview with the teenage
trio, who talk a little about the song and the music video for
it (which was shot in a cave; check it out for yourself in the
second video embedded below), as well as their ambitions
for the new year ahead of them.
A trio comprising leader Suzuka Nakamoto (Su-Metal;
formerly a member of Karen Girl’s, the unit that performed
Zettai Karen Children’s first OP, Over The Future),
Mizuno Yui (YUIMETAL), and Kikuchi Moa (MOAMETAL),
Babymetal is part of a greater girl idol group called Sakura
Gakuen that was formed in 2010.
Units within the Sakura Gakuen group are each considered
a bukatsu (部部) or co-curricular club within Sakura
Gakuen. There’s the Baton Club (Twinklestars), Newspaper
Club (SCOOPERS) Science Club (Kagakubu Kagaku Kyumei
Logica?) and more.
As for Babymetal, well, you’ve heard of the keionbu (部部
部, literally “light music club” in Japanese) in K-On!. right?
Well Babymetal is sort of like an antonym of K-On – within
Sakura Gakuen the trio is referred to as the Heavy Metal Club
(部部部).
Babymetal’s major debut single, Ijime, Dame, Zettai (部部部部
部部部部部部部) hits CD stores in Japan January 9, 2013. For
more information on the various editions of the release, refer
to Kawaii Girl Japan’s story.
Source: Kawaii Girl Japan
A romantic treat from
Premium Bandai: Barnaby
White Day Cake
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/romantic-treat-premium-bandai-
barnaby-white-day-cake/
How sweet it would be to receive a Barnaby White Day Cake.
The day when men give women romantic presents (in return
for the chocolates they received) may be two months away,
but as early as now, Premium Bandai is already accepting
pre-orders for the White Day Cake with a design inspired by
Barnaby Brooks Jr. from Tiger & Bunny.
The Tiger & Bunny White Day Cake from Barnaby follows
the previous Premium Bandai Valentine’s Day offering, the
Tiger & Bunny Valentine Cake from Kotetsu.
This cake is considered as Barnaby’s present to his fans. The
interior is a white sponge cake, a strawberry mousse with
raspberry sauce atop. The exterior is a cream cheese mousse
glazed with nappage and topped with raspberry sauce.
It comes with a gorgeous figure of Barnaby wearing a
patissier uniform, holding a cake knife and a small replica of
the White Day cake.

7
Premium Bandai’s White Day cake costs 3990 JPY (46 USD).
The pre-order doesn’t have a deadline. It will continue until
supplies last. The cake ships in March this year.
Sources: Crunchyroll and Premium Bandai
Monogatari series’ second
season to begin airing July
2013
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/monogatari-series-season-airing-
july-2013/
According to a magazine scan posted anonymously on
Japanese forum 2ch, studio Shaft’s anime adaptation of the
second season in NisiOsin’s Monogatari light novel series
will begin airing on Japanese TVs sometime in July 2013.
What’s more, the new anime show will apparently stay on the
air for a total of six months (2部部部 in Japanese), although it’s
not mentioned if there will be a break at some point between
the broadcast dates.
Before we go on, it’s important to clarify one thing: “first
season” and “second season” of the Monogatari series are
the terms used specifically to refer to volumes 1 to 6, and
volumes 7 to 12, respectively, of the original light novel
series.
The anime adaptation of the Monogatari series’ second
season (light novels) will comprise some 20-odd episodes
that covers the stories told in volumes 7 to 12 of NisiOsin’s
popular light novel series of the same name.
• Nekomonogatari (White) (部部部(部))
• Kabukimonogatari (部部部)
• Hanamonogatari (部部部)
• Otorimonogatari (部部部)
• Onimonogatari (部部部)
• Koimonogatari (部部部)
As for the Monogatari series’ first season — that’s where it
gets real confusing.
First season (light novels volume 1 to 6) was actually
split up into several anime shows: Bakemonogatari (2009),
Nisemonogatari (2012), and the recent Nekomonogatari
(Black)which was streamed on Nico Nico Douga and will be
making its way to TV channels soon.
There is also an upcoming anime film, Kizumonogatari, that
will cover the story told in Volume 3 in the original light
novels.
All-told, the first season of NisiOsin’s light novel series are
titled in the following manner (from top to bottom, volumes
1 to 6):
• Bakemonogatari (volume 1) (部部部(部))
• Bakemonogatari (volume 2) (部部部(部))
• Kizumonogatari (部部部)
• Nisemonogatari (volume 1) (部部部(部))
• Nisemonogatari (volume 2) (部部部(部))
• Nekomonogatari (Black) (部部部(部))
Outside of the first and second seasons, the light novel series
also comprises a “final season”:
• Tsukimonogatari (部部部)
• Owarimonogatari (部部部)

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• Zokuowarimonogatari (部部部部)
Anime adaptations of the final season in the Monogatari
series’ light novels have not yet been announced.
Source: 2ch, Wikipedia
Steins;Gate Phenogram of
Linear Restraint dated for
April 25
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/steinsgate-phenogram-linear-
restraint-dated-april-25/
Visual novel Steins;Gate Phenogram of Linear Restraint
(PS3, X360) now has a confirmed release date. Publisher
5pb today announced that the title, a psuedo-sequel to the
original Steins;Gate (2009), will go on sale in Japan April 25
instead of the previously vague “Spring 2013″ release period.
The regular edition of the game will go for 7,140 yen in
Japan, while a limited edition – which includes a replica of
the “SG001″ phone that protagonist Rintarou Okabe uses in
the series – will sell for 11,550 yen.
Although the replica is not a fully-functional mobile handset,
it will actually play back some character voice samples when
a certain button on the device is pressed. No details were
given as to which characters’ voices would be featured here.

9
For more details on Steins;Gate Phenogram of Linear
Restraint (STEINS部GATE 部部部部部部部部部部部), including what
two of the visual novel’s character-focused scenarios will
entail, read our previous story here.
Source: Famitsu

1
Create your own logo, Dragon
Ball Z style!
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/create-logo-dragon-ball-style/
Do you want to see your name written just like the logo of
Dragon Ball Z? That’s easy! And I tell you, mad Photoshop
skills aren’t necessary. All you need to do is visit, Toei
Animation’s official website for the upcoming Dragon Ball Z:
Battle of Gods movie and use their MOJI MAKER Z app.
The page is in Japanese so I’ll give you a bit of a walkthrough.
In step 1, you need to type your first name and last name in
the two separate fields. Note that these fields do not accept
spaces. If you type your name with a space, an error message
pops up. So if your first name consists of two names, just
pick the best one or you can do it like this: JohnMark (the
final result of the logo tightly packs all the letters together,
anyway). The fields only accept roman letters. I tried typing
my name in katakana, but it gave me an error message.
In step two, just choose from among the four backgrounds.
After typing in your name and selecting your preferred
background, hit the dragon ball that says “GO!”
Wait for it to generate the logo. Afterwards, you’ll be taken
to a page where you can see your name written in Dragon
Ball Z font style. The app generates a rectangular and square
banner, so pick whichever you like (or get both!). You can
share the logo you’ve created through Facebook and Twitter.
The site doesn’t limit you with one background. You can try
all four backgrounds available. And that’s precisely what I
did!
Here are the logo designs I got:

2
For more information on Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods
movie, just read our previous post.
BoA to return to the Jpop
scene with ‘Only One’ (with
unique promotions)
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/boa-return-jpop-scene-only-one/
After more than a year of hiatus in Japan, Korean singer BoA
is going to make a comeback with a single that includes the
Japanese version of her self-composed song, Only One.
The multilingual singer has previously announced in her
website that the single will be launched on February 20. But
the last minute editing on the single has delayed it for a week.
Its new release date will be on February 27.
The single will also contain The Shadow, another song
written by BoA herself. Below is the tracklist information:
CD+DVD
CD tracks:
1. Only One
2. The Shadow
3. Only One (Instrumental)
4. The Shadow (Instrumental)
DVD:
1. Only One (Music Video)
2. The Shadow (Music Video)
3. Only One (Making Video)
4. The Shadow(Making Video)
(25 minutes total)
CD-only:
1. Only One
2. The Shadow
3. Only One (Instrumental)
4. The Shadow(Instrumental)
Only One was part of BoA’s 7th Korean studio album (of the
same title). It gained popularity because it was BoA’s original
song.
In promotion for BoA’s Japanese single, a campaign called
“Only One Cocktail” was launched. Selected cafes in Tokyo
are selling a cappuccino and a cocktail drink topped with a
QR code. Once a smart phone has scanned the code, a site
that lets people listen to BoA’s new songs can be accessed.
The campaign perfectly suits the upcoming single because
the drama version of the Korean Only One MV was set in a
cafe.
While I’d love to go to Tokyo and scan the codes before I take
a sip of these drinks (because I am a BoA fan), reality slaps
me in the face, telling me I have no money for such luxury.
Luckily, I found a preview of the Japanese version of Only
One on YouTube. Check it out below:
Sources: KpopStarz, BoA’s Twitpic account, tokyohive and
Oricon
SCANDAL officially releases
‘Playboy’ music video
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/scandal-officially-releases-playboy-
music-video/

3
You have probably listened to SCANDAL’s Playboy during
their performances (either live or on YouTube). This
track was written back in their indie days. They’ve been
performing the song since their debut, but it wasn’t officially
released in any of their albums or singles.If you have been
endlessly hoping for an official release of this track, then
your long wait is over. SCANDAL has released their MV of
Playboy. The song will also be included in their soon to be
launched compilation album “ENCORE SHOW”.
Check out the music video below:
SCANDAL’s second compilation album comes out on
February 6. It will be released in two editions: A Regular
Edition CD and a Limited Edition CD+DVD. The upcoming
album will include B-Side songs from their singles. If you
pre-order from CDJapan today, a free sticker will be given
as a bonus treat.
Below is the ENCORE SHOW’s track list information:
1. S.L. Magic
2. TOKYO
3. Natsu Neiro
4. FUTURE
5. SO EASY
6. Hoshi no Furu Yoru ni
7. KOSHI-TANTAN
8. Midnight Television
9. Shining Sun
10. CUTE!
11. Emotion
12. Satisfaction
13. Want you
14. Kimi ni Shitto Chuu
15. Hikare
16. PLAY BOY
ENCORE SHOW limited edition jacket cover:
ENCORE SHOW regular edition jacket cover:
Sources: JEFusion and tokyohive
Solid launch date revealed for
the North American release
of Naruto Powerful Shippuden
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/solid-release-date-naruto-powerful-
shippuden-north-american-revealed/
The announcement on the North American release of
Naruto Powerful Shippuden with the 3DS as its battlefield
was good news indeed. But the lack of a launch date left
us hanging. Finally, Namco Bandai Games America has

4
announced that the Naruto spin-off is coming out on March
5, so mark your calendars now!
Fans of all ages can enjoy the side-scrolling gameplay of
Naruto Powerful Shippuden. The characters are designed in
their miniature appearance, or most commonly known to us,
anime fans, as the chibi form.
Below are the features of the game:
• Explore two different stories—you can either play as
Naruto or Rock Lee. Enjoy the different campaigns
each story has to offer.
• Two modes of gameplay. Beat up enemies nonstop in
the endless battle mode or complete the story mode.
• Amusing graphics and comical character actions and
expressions.
• Dynamic gameplay. Strengthen your characters by
earning experience points. You can also ask help from
other characters during battles or raise the power of
your special attacks using the touch screen function.
• QR code feature. Access other bonuses from the game
by scanning QR codes.
The release date is about two months away. That’s a bit of a
long wait. So in the meantime, just enjoy Naruto Powerful
Shippuden’s trailer below:
Sources: Gaming Unwrapped, Nintendo Life and Namco
Bandai Games
Hikounin Sentai Akibaranger:
2nd season green-lit for
production
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/hikounin-sentai-akibaranger-season/
A second season of “tokusatsu” or special effects TV
show Hikounin Sentai Akihabaranger (非非非非非非非非非非非非非;
“Hikounin Sentai” translates to “The Unofficial Power
Rangers”) has been green-lit for production, according to the
official website for the show.
Simultaneously, Akibaranger’s second season was also
announced at the tail end of a “Kamen Rider X Super Sentai
Live & Show 2013″ event, held earlier tonight at the Tokyo
International Forum in Japan.
The show’s official website did not provide any specifics as to
what Akibaranger’s new season would entail, choosing only
to tease that more information on the new season would
come soon.
Who are the Akibarangers?
Hikounin Sentai Akibaranger tells the story of three civilians
– bike courier and Super Sentai fanboy Nobuo Akagi (played
by Masako Wada), student and martial artist Mitsuki Aoyagi
(Kyoko Hinami), and cosplayer Yumeria Moegi (Karin
Ogino) – hand-picked one day by a certain Professor Hiroyo
Hakase (played by voice actress Maaya Uchida, who’s Rea
Sanka in Sankarea) to form a new Power Rangers squad
assembled specifically to protect Akihabara from evil-doers.
The trio were picked specifically for their uncanny ability to
fantasize delusions, which serves as a source of power after
our heroes “henshin” or transform into the mighty morphin’
Akibarangers – or so Akagi and gang believed.
After the newly formed Akibaranger squad defeats their
first monster, however, it’s revealed that the Akibarangers
are not considered official Super Sentai heroes. There are
stringent requirements – such as having your own network-
broadcasted TV show – that have to be met before they could
register as an official squad. Not only that, but apparently
all the fighting that Akagi and gang thought they did was
actually one grand delusion – shared by all three of them –
that occurred only in their heads.
Net idol Kozue Aikawa (formerly of the group “Danceroid”)
and current Danceroid leader “Itokutora” also have bit
roles on the show, playing assistants in a Super Sentai-
themed cafe that Professor Hakase runs. Certain Ranger

5
characters from the official Super Sentai series also make
cameo appearances.
Unlike TV Asahi’s Sunday morning Power Rangers or
“Sentai” tokusatsu shows which are meant for audiences of
all ages, Hikounin Sentai Akihabaranger is instead aimed at
mature audiences and aired on a late-night timeslot.
Source: akibaranger.jp, @techwin009
Raiden cosplays as Gray
Fox and his MGS4 self in
this new Metal Gear Rising:
Revengeance trailer
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/metal-gear-rising-revengeance-
raiden-cosplays-gray-fox-custom-body-trailer/
Raiden masquerades as MGS1′s cyborg ninja Gray Fox in
this new trailer for Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance that was
uploaded to the Web today.
The so-called “Custom Body chapter” trailer also offers a
brief look at four other DLC custom body suits – namely, the
“White Armor”, “Inferno Armor”, “Command Armor”, and
“MGS4 Raiden” costumes.
Ganers in Japan receive the Gray Fox skin as long as
they snag a first-print copy of the game in any edition –
including the digitally-downloadable version sold through
the PlayStation store. Konami Japan describes availability
for the Gray Fox body suit DLC codes as ”while stocks last”.
Additionally, Japanese gamers who pre-order a copy of the
game from certain participating retailers will also receive
one of the aforementioned three “Armor” skins – each
exclusive to specific retailers (for details on that, check out
our previous story here).
These “Armor” body suits will confer upon Raiden the ability
to carry slightly more items of a certain category: White
Armor lets you carry more health replenishing item, Inferno
(red) increases your grenade capacity, and Command
(green) does the same for missiles.
The last of five DLC skins mentioned is the Metal Gear Solid
4 Raiden (MGS4 Raiden) body suit. Codes for MGS4 Raiden
are issued out in Japan only to gamers who tweeted their
impressions of the game’s demo (downloadable now on the
Japanese PlayStation store) in a Twitter campaign organised
by Konami.
Although currently the MGR:R demo is downloadable only
on the Japanese PSN Store (but otherwise made available
worldwide as a bonus included with Zone of the Enders
HD Collection), Kojima Productions have said that they’re
planning to make the demo downloadable on PSN and Xbox
Live in the Western world sometime in January.
As for the body suit DLC codes, in the US and Europe they
will be doled out in similar pre-order campaigns for the
highly-anticipated action title. The details vary per region,
but in general gamers will receive different body suit DLC
codes depending on which retailer they pre-order from, as
well as the edition of MGR:R they’re buying.
METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE OFFICIAL
WEBSITE
Megpoid the Music♯: 2nd
gameplay video, 3 new songs
unveiled
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/megpoid-music%E2%99%AF-2nd-
gameplay-video-3-songs-unveiled/

6
Watch Vocaloid Gumi strut her stuff to Megu Megu Fire
Endless Night in this second Megpoid the Music非 gameplay
video that developer ParaPhray has uploaded today.
Also shared today: the titles of three more songs from the
game’s featured track-list. Music videos embedded after the
jump.
Megu Megu Fire Endless Night (非非非非非非非非非非非非非非非非非非)
Song lyrics, composition and arrangement by Vocaloid
producer samfree.
Note: the following three music video seen below are self-
published works first uploaded to Japanese video-sharing
site Nico Nico Douga, and not representations of what
players will see in Megpoid the Music非
Ama no Jaku / A Born Coward (非非非, song by “164″)
A powerful song about unrequited love from renowned
Vocaloid producer”164″, that’s seen over two million views
on Nico Nico Douga.
Illustrator Takumi Torigoe provided the illustration seen in
the video below.
Kiritorisen / Cutting Line (非非非非非非. song by “40mP”)
In 40mP’s (read as 40-meter-P) Kiritorisen, Gumi sings
about the bitter-sweet subject of love to a tune composed of
light-hearted melodies.
Everything – lyrics, song, and illustrations – you see and
hear in the video below were done by 40mP.
Raid of Glass (song: “maya”)
A song about the pains of falling in love.
Song produced by “maya”. Illustrations in the original music
video you see below were done by Kanae Fujishiro (非非非),
and the video itself was put together by “Nyto”.
Megpoid the Music♯ (read as “Megpoid the Music Sharp”)
for the PSP comes out in Japan on March 28, 2013.
Megpoid the Music非 Official Site
First trailer of Gundam
Unicorn Episode 6 released,
expect more battle scenes
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/trailer-gundam-unicorn-episode-6-
released-expect-battle-scenes/
Nearing the climax of the Gundam Unicorn saga, episode
6 has its first trailer released yesterday on Bandai’s
AnimeChannel youtube page.
The movie, titled Two Worlds, Two Tomorrows, features
their first trailer with Banshee having new equipment, and
Minerva is spotted wearing the Neo Zeon military attire.
The movie will have a worldwide premiere broadcast
over Playstation Network on 2 March 2013. Countries
covered are USA, Canada, United Kingdom and France. For
Zune/Xbox Live, it covers a greater area, on top of the
countries mentioned earlier, viewers from Ireland, Belgium,
Denmark, Finland, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Mexico will
be able to catch the movie.
For Singapore, Bandai South Asia has released a campaign
for fans to catch the movie for an exclusive 1 time only

7
screening by purchasing selected gunpla. More information
within their facebook post.
DVD and Blu-ray sales will commence from 22 March 2013.
Fans can expect to purchase
Toyota Auris Char Aznable
Custom by end 2013
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/fans-expect-purchase-toyota-auris-
char-aznable-custom-2013/
Toyota has announced earlier this Wednesday on 9 January
on commercializing the production of the Toyota Auris. It
is no ordinary production, as it is a collaboration between
Mobile Suit Gundam’s iconic antagonist, Char Aznable and
his trademark red.
Decked out in custom fins, vents and a Zaku II styled
antenna, the Toyota Auris Char Aznable Custom will also
have custom decals and styling on the chassis. The both the
interior and exterior will have the Toyota logo replaced by
the iconic Zeon logo from the anime series.
The original voice actor for Char Aznable, Shuichi Ikeda,
graced the product announcement as well, together with a
model dressed as the character.
The Toyota Auris Char Aznable Custom is scheduled to be
on sale within Japan by end 2013. It is still unknown if
this particular model will have a limited run, or if the car
will be launched globally. Char Aznable fans with driving
licences will surely put the Toyota Auris into their check list
of items to purchase, granted that this is arguably their most
expensive to date.

8

9
Source: Response
Details of Yuki Kajiura’s
10th concert “Kaji Fes 2013″
released
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/details-yuki-kajiuras-10th-concert-
kaji-fes-2013-released/
Many Anison fans would have heard of artistes like
Kalafina, Fictionjunction, and Yuuka Nanri. Yuki Kajiura,
the matriarch who composes all of the artistes’ music, will be
having her 10th concert this coming May.
The famed composer produced many soundtracks of anime
titles such as .//Hack, Madoka Magica, Mai HiME, Kara
no Kyoukai and Fate/Zero. Her past concerts have set lists
that include both theme songs and soundtrack titles. The
concert will feature many singers who have collaborated
with Kajiura.
The concert will be held at Tokyo International Forum, Hall
A on 11 May 2013. Ticket sales will commence from 7 March,
and are priced at 8,400 yen per ticket.
Full details as follows:
Yuki Kajiura LIVE Vol.非10 “Kaji Fes.2013″!
Date: 11 May 2013
Location: Tokyo International Forum, Hall A
Time: Doors open 14:00, concert begins 15:00
Ticket price: 8400 yen (begins selling March 7)
Singers:
Yuki Kajiura/FictionJunction (Kaori Oda, Yuriko Kaida,
Wakana, Keiko)
Kalafina (Wakana, Keiko, Hikaru)
FictionJunction YUUKA (Yuuka Nanri)
Emily Bindiger (Fiction II, Pandora Hearts OST, SIGN OST,
Anime Expo 2003)
Yuri Kasahara (Noir OST, Mai-Otome OST, Fiction, Rekishi
Hiwa Historia OST)
Hanae Tomaru (RHH OST, Mai-Hime OST, Kara no
Kyoukai OST, Kalafina background chorus)
Eri Itou (Tsubasa OST, RHH OST, Xenosaga OST, YK live
vol. ♯2)
Musicians:
Flute: Rie Akagi
Guitar: Koichi Korenaga
Drums: Kyoichi Satou
Bass: Tomoharu “Jr” Takahashi
Violin: Hitoshi Konno
Keyboard: Hirotaka Sakurada
Manipulator: Yoshio Ohira
Source: FictionJunction

1
SeaA’s 1st album to be
released in Japan March 27
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/seaa-1st-album-march-27/
Southeast Asia-based Anisong unit SeaA is cutting its first
album, record label Lantis announced today. The four-girl
unit’s first album will be released in Japan on March 27.
SeaA’s first album will feature all four of their singles
released so far, as well as a couple of additional songs thus
far only included in editions released outside of Japan. In all,
this album release includes a total of 10 songs.
Three of the four members in SeaA – Beryl, Valerie and
Estelle – were born and bred in Singapore. The three of
them are joined by Malaysian gal Wynnie, and all four of
them were scouted to form the Anisong unit when they
were working at the maid cafe booth at Anime Festival Asia
2008 here in Singapore. Since then, their songs have been
featured as opening or ending themes to anime titles such as
Cardfight!! Vanguard and Toriko.
Here at SGCafe we previously did an interview with SeaA’s
girls back in 2011.
Source: Natalie
Fate/Extra CCC’s 6th short
movie: Caster returns from
the first game, finds herself
strapped in a new costume
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/fateextra-ccc-6th-short-movie-
caster/
Caster is one of five selectable Servants in Imageepoch and
Type-Moon’s upcoming and oft-delayed PSP JRPG Fate/

2
Extra CCC, a sequel to the original Fate/Extra in which
Caster was also a selectable Servant.
In both games, the story is set in a virtual world where you,
the Main Character (name and gender up to you) must team
up with a Servant in order to fight against the dangers in the
computer world – including other similar Masters and their
Servants.
Fate/Extra CCC’s new short movie, which we’ve embedded
below, reveals that Caster returns in this sequel in a costume
that’s way more revealing than before.
Why is that? Well, Caster doesn’t really know – in the video
she says that she found herself strapped in this new costume
from the moment she was summoned into this world and
awoke.
Fate/Extra CCC for the PSP is scheduled to be released in
Japan on March 28.
These Puchimas! -Petit
Idolm@ster- Twitter icons are
not IP-blocked
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/puchimas-petit-idolmster-twitter-
icons-ip-blocked/
In Japan, Net anime Puchimas! -Petit Idolm@ster- is
streamed daily (each episode is only about two minutes long)
on Nico Nico Douga and Animate TV – both of which are IP-
blocked and accessible only from within Japan.
In the US, FUNimation announced that they will be
streaming the Idolm@ster spin-off series, starting today,
January 14. But again, the streamed episodes with English
subtitles are accessible only in the States – they’re IP-
blocked.
But you know what’s not IP-blocked?
Twitter.
Also, Dengeki Online, where you can go to download these
awesome Puchimas! -Petit Idolm@ster- (ぷぷぷぷぷぷぷぷぷぷぷ
ぷぷぷぷぷぷぷ) Twitter icons. There’s 14 of them in total –
petite idol versions of all 13 of the series’ main stars, plus
that of Kotori Otonashi, the office clerk in 765 Productions
(pronounced “Namco Productions” due to an alternate
reading for the numbers in Japanese).
If you want to download the entire zip file containing all 14
Twitter profile icons, head over to Dengeki Online’s story,
and hit the giant pink button that has funny moon language
on it.
Alternatively, we’ve listed the icons here in our gallery, and
titled them accordingly – just in case you don’t know the
names of these petite Idolm@ster creatures (they’re kept as
pets by the characters in the main series), and you’d like to
find out.

3
There are also a couple more screen captures from the actual
Puchimas! anime series over at Dengeki’s story, so go there
if you want to check those out.
For more information on Puchimas! -Petit Idolm@ster-,
check out our previous coverage of the series here.
Source: Dengeki Online
Get physical with Oda
Nobuna no Yabou-inspired
cycling jerseys
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/physical-oda-nobuna-yabou-
inspired-cycling-jerseys/
The Oda Nobuna no Yabou (The Ambition of Oda
Nobuna) anime franchise is targeting cyclists with its latest
merchandise.
AmiAmi has begun taking pre-orders for their red long-
sleeved and green short-sleeved cycling gears. Both jerseys
are designed with Oda Nobuna at the front part and the
characters of the anime series at the back. The long-sleeved
one costs 11,730 JPY (around 131 USD). The short-sleeved
gear, on the other hand, costs 9,980 JPY (about 112 USD).
Both unisex cycling gears come with thee pockets at the back.
The character and hobby online shop has also commenced
pre-orders for bicycle wheel and frame stickers that you
can use to pimp your ride and transform it into an itachari
(a bike with anime or game inspired designs usually seen
in Akihabara). The sticker for the wheel costs 7,540 JPY
(around 84 USD) and comes in two designs, while the bike
frame sticker set costs 2,500 JPY (28 USD).

4
All products are slated for a late April release.
Oda Nobuna no Yabou is a historical comedy anime that
retells the Sengoku era of Japan. The series, however,
replaces the powerful landlords and warriors with beautiful
female characters. It was adapted from a light novel by
Mikage Kasuga with illustrations by Miyama-Zero. The
anime series ran from July to September last year.
Source: Crunchyroll
Tales of Hearts R’s (PS Vita)
first-print edition comes with
‘Infinite Evolve’ bonus game
[Video]
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/tales-of-hearts-r-infinite-evolve-
bonus-game-in-first-print-edition/
You get both the old and new schools of “Tales of” RPG
gameplay in one package. That is, if you pick up a first-print
edition copy of PS Vita JRPG Tales of Hearts R on day one.
The first-print edition comes with a download code for
Tales of Hearts R Infinite Evolve, a reworked version of
the 2D battle system from the original DS game Tales of
Hearts whose gameplay is more similar to that of the older
Tales games in the 90′s.
In later titles, however, when the Namco Tales Studio
development team decided to switch to 3D graphics for its
games, they also added the ability for the player to move
around in the 3D field during enemy encounters, although
the fighting is still locked to a 2D plane. The Tales of Hearts
R main game, a remake of the DS JRPG, is built on this
second style of play.
For comparison’s sake, here’s what the 2D gameplay in Tales
of Hearts (2008) on the Nintendo DS used to look like:
What’s especially interesting about Tales of Hearts R
Infinite Evolve is that characters included in this bonus
game do not simply stop at Hearts. From the video above
you can clearly see that Infinite Evolve will include gues
characters such as Lloyd Irving (Tales of Symphonia, PS2/
GameCube), Yuri Lowell (Tales of Vesperia Ps3/X360), Jade
Curtiss (Tales of the Abyss, PS2/3DS), and Stahn Aileron
(Tales of Destiny, PS1/PS2).
Who else would you want to see included as selectable party
members in Infinity Evolve?
Tales of Hearts R for the PlayStation Vita comes out in
Japan and Asia on March 7, 2013.
Evangelion’s Unit-01 and
Angels go under a Sanrio
makeover
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/evangelions-unit-01-angels-sanrio-
makeover/

5
It’s impressive how the Japanese never ever run out of exotic
ideas. I mean, who would have thought that the terrifying
EVA Unit-01 could turn into something… so kawaii?
Legendary anime franchise Evangelion is collaborating
with Sanrio to offer fans a variety of extraordinarily cute
merchandise.
Without further ado, I now present to you their latest
offering: here’s Hello Kitty as EVA Unit-01!
This plushie can be pre-ordered from ZOZOTOWN. It costs
2,100 JPY (around 23 USD). And if you can’t get enough
of this purple Hello Kitty plushie, you can get its miniature
version in a form of a keychain which costs 1,050 (about
12 USD). Shipping of both products will commence around
mid-March.
That’s not the only result of the unlikely collaboration. We
all know that Sanrio is famous for turning anything into
something cute. And now, even the monstrous Angels have
become adorable.
Strap-ya, an online shop offering mobile phone accessories
based in Kanagawa, is currently offering iPhone 5 cases
with designs of Hello Kitty as EVA Unit-01 together with
chibi versions of the Angels wearing Hello Kitty’s red ribbon.
Goodness! Even the Spear of Longinus, which crashed into
was displayed in Tokyo last month, has a ribbon tied on it.
Check them out:
Each polycarbonate casing costs 1,980 JPY (around 22
USD).
This isn’t the first time an Evangelion x Hello Kitty
collaboration has happened. Last year, boxer briefs were
offered by the official Evangelion store. The underwear
designs featured Hello Kitty as Rei and Asuka.
Source: ぷぷぷぷぷぷぷぷぷぷぷぷ, RocketNews24
Kyary appears in self-
designed ‘Furisode’ kimono
at Shibuya’s Coming-of-Age
ceremony
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/kyary-pamyu-pamyu-self-designed-
furisode-kimono-shibuya/
Today’s a public holiday in Japan. Specifically, it’s “Coming-
of-Age Day”.
A day when the entire nation congregates at coming-of-age
ceremonies held at local or prefectoral offices to congratulate
those who would be turning 20 – the age of adulthood over
there – in the new year.

6
As one of those would-be-twenty-year-olds, Kyary Pamyu
Pamyu - who turns 20 on January 29 this year – was
invited to perform at the coming-of-age ceremony in Tokyo’s
Shinjuku ward (ぷぷ25ぷぷぷぷぷぷぷぷぷぷぷ), held at the ward’s
town hall.
Before the ceremonial rites began, there was also a brief
press conference where Kyary greeted Japanese media in
a shocking-pink furisode (a long-sleeved kimono) that she
designed herself, and spoke at length on a number of topics.
First, the media asked Kyary to share what the concept
behind her furisode dress design was.
“Its image is themed after the cosmos,” the bubbly performer
said.
“And there are planets on the obi sash’s design (note: an
obi sash being the cloth belt that fastens the kimono). As
I’ll be going on a world tour beginning in February, it feels
like I’m spreading my wings and flapping them all across the
universe. So there’s a unicorn pattern on it. [To sum it up,
the motif is] ‘unicorn’ and ‘cosmos’. Once that was decided,
I wanted to go with my favourite shocking pink colour, and
aimed to design it in a way that would make me stand out as
the flashiest ‘new adult’ in Japan!” Kyary cheekily said.
Turning 20 and becoming a full-fledged adult is clearly a big
deal to her.
“Wearing a furisode is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so
right now I’m extremely elated just being able to wear it!”
Kyary continued with a sparkling smile on her face.
At the same time, however, the 19-year-old performer also
expressed her regret in not being able to participate in the
day’s after-hours drinking parties, since there’s still two
more weeks to go before she’s officially 20 years old, the legal
age at which the Japanese can buy and consume alcoholic
drinks.
“I can’t go to drinking parties yet, so later on I’ll just be
attending the after-event party, and head home after that.
Which is too bad, because I’m no good around strangers, and
I’d really like to borrow the power of sake (alcohol) so that I
can talk with them more! *Laughs*”
Kyary also commented briefly on her look and costume for
her upcoming single Furisodation.
“Up till now I’ve had a lot of looks where I’m sporting twin-
tails.
“But this time around it’s my first-time going with a ponytail.
Personally for me, that in itself [the change in hairstyle] is
my first step as an grown-up.”

7
Speaking of grown-ups, the press wanted to know who Kyary
feels is the one female grown-up (keep in mind that in the
Japanese context, “grown-up” or “adult” basically means
“over 20-years-old”) that she admires the most.
To that, Kyary responded by naming female artiste Yuki,
formerly the lead vocalist of Japanese punk-rock band Judy
and Mary and who’s currently pursuing her solo singing
career.
“Even after she got married and gave birth to a baby, she’s
nonetheless still shining brightly as a star and solo artiste as
before, continuing to exude that charm of hers which I love.”
Lastly, when asked about her outlook for the new year, Kyary
said:
“In 2012, I was invited to go on Kouhaku [NHK Red And
White Year-End Song Festival], appear in commercials, and
as a result many people got to know through watching the
TV that this person called Kyary Pamyu Pamyu exists, or so
I think that was how 2012 went.
“As for 2013, as a solo artiste I want to focus even more on
my music, and give it my all with that.”
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu‘s new double-A-side single, Kimi ni
100 Percent/Furisodation, comes out on January 30.
The accomplished fashion blogger, model, and TV host will
also be here in Singapore sometime in 2013 as part of her
musical world tour.
Source: Natalie
Perfume official world
fanclub starts payment
registration, receives
Doraemon styled versions of
themselves
Source: http://sgcafe.com/2013/01/perfume-official-world-fanclub-
starts-payment-registration-receives-doraemon-styled-versions/
Fans of Perfume all over the world can now officially take
part in Perfume’s fanclub registration, or at least, be able to
make payment for their membership.
In the official P.T.A world fanclub site, one can begin
their annually membership subscription payment starting
from today. However, the official commencement of the
membership will begin on 13 February 2013, 9PM, GMT
+9. If in the event that you are already a P.T.A fanclub
member, you need not register again, as the fanclub’s perks
and privileges remain the same, if not better. The yearly
membership is priced at 1,200 yen.
Ironically, fans who have pre-registered on the site last year
did not receive any information about the commencement of
the subscription payment.
At press time, 330 fans have made payment to their
membership.
On a recent Doraemon episode, a snippet of Perfume’s
upcoming single Mirai no Museum was featured as the
ending theme, with the girls being portrayed in Doraemon’s
art style. Perfume has mentioned that it was a dream for
them to be featured in a childhood anime, especially one
such as Doraemon.
[EDIT] Thanks to a fan in the local community for clarifying
the pre-registration, and that it was only to declare interest.
The actual benefit was an email to tell fans about the details
of the implementation of the worldwide fanclub wallpaper.
It stated on the site itself at the bottom of the page that the
actual registration will open on 14 January onwards, and if
fans register before 13th February, they will be able to watch
the P.T.A. TV Live 5 hour special broadcast online on the
13th of February.
In short, anybody can register and pay for P.T.A. World
fanclub starting from today, and not just applicable to those
who pre-registered. Registrants will receive a member ID

SGcafe Anime News For Otaku Jan 2013 Issue

SGcafe Anime News For Otaku Jan 2013 Issue

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