VIZ MEDIA EXPANDS VIZ MANGA APP INTEROPERA​BILITY FOR GOOGLE NEXUS 7

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VIZ Media has notably expanded the range of digital devices that feature the VIZ Manga App to the recently released Google Nexus 7.  The VIZ Manga App, which is available for free from the Google Play store, is now available for 7-inch Android tablets and smaller in addition to smart phones running Android 2.2 or higher.

With the VIZ Manga App, VIZ Media’s innovative digital manga application allows fans complete interoperability to read manga from supported Android-enabled devices as well as for the Apple iPad®, iPhone® and iPod® touch, and with VIZManga.com for desktop/laptop computers. With one account, registered users are able to view their purchases across more devices than ever. Content purchased on Android devices will be synchronized across the entire VIZ Manga digital network, including VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga apps for iOS devices.

Fans are invited to take advantage of the VIZ Manga “End of Summer” sale on ALL digital manga (graphic novel) titles currently available for digital download through the VIZ Manga App and featured on VIZManga.com. The sale runs through August 20th and offers up to 20% off on over 700 digital manga volumes across 80 different series (Reg. MSRP: $4.99).

VIZ Manga Android device users can also subscribe to WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA, which brings manga fans in North America the latest chapters of their favorite series only two weeks after they debut in Japan’s massively popular WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP Magazine. This week’s issue features the latest chapters of BLEACH, BLUE EXORCIST, NARUTO, TORIKO and YU-GI-OH! ZEXAL, as well as two hot new action series, BARRAGE and TAKAMA GA HARA. A special ROAD TO NARUTO MOVIE manga one-shot by creator Masashi Kishimoto is also featured.

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP ALPHA is available through an annual membership that provides access to 48 weekly issues for 52 weeks for just $25.99. Single issues of WEEKLY SJ ALPHA can be read for a four-week rental from the time the reader purchases it for only $0.99. Each issue, once received on one device, can be read on all other enabled devices through the easy-to-use integrated VIZ Manga app and website.

The VIZ Manga App is available for free through the iTunes Store and the Google Play store, and all manga volumes are generally available for purchase and download in the U.S. and Canada within the application for $4.99 (U.S. / CAN) per volume. More than 80 series and 700 volumes are currently available. Download the free VIZ Manga App for all Android and iOS devices at www.VIZ.com/apps.



Project Imaginat10n

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Hey film geeks and inspiring film makers check out this news.

 The first photography-inspired film festival in history, aligning with five influential celebrities from five diverse disciplines who will direct short films under the tutelage of two-time Academy Award winner Ron Howard.  Eva Longoria, Jamie Foxx, Biz Stone, Georgina Chapman and James Murphy have signed on for year two of Canon’s “Long Live Imagination” campaign and the next endeavor, “Project Imaginat10n,” where consumer photographs will inspire Hollywood films.  

 A new exploration of the creative exercise, “Project Imaginat10n,” kicks off today at  http://imagination.usa.canon.com , where consumers will have the chance to submit photos to be narrowed down by Canon, Ron Howard and community voting.  The “10” in “Imaginat10n,” represents ten storytelling elements and ten films that will ultimately be produced, five of which will be directed by our creative icons to be showcased at a special Canon “Project Imaginat10n” Film Festival in 2013.   The other five film directors will be announced at a later date.  


  “Project Imaginat10n” Rules


 The contest entry period runs from Tuesday, August 14 – Monday, September 24, 2012.  To enter, visit  http://imagination.usa.canon.com/  and follow the on-screen entry instructions.  The “Project Imaginat10n” contest will feature ten storytelling themes in which consumers can submit their photos:  Setting, Time, Character, Mood, Backstory, Relationship, Goal, Obstacle, The Unknown, and a surprise 10th theme, which will be revealed at a later date. There will be a public vote on the finalists from Tuesday, September 4 – Monday, October 1.  With input from the online community, Canon and Ron Howard, the entries will be narrowed down to 91 winners and the five celebrity directors will select ten photos, one per theme, to inspire their films.    The films will then be showcased at a special Canon “Project Imaginat10n” Film Festival in 2013.



Capcom's New IP "Remember Me"

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Today Capcom announced a new IP coming to the PS3, PC and Xbox 360. It's called "Remember Me." Check out the details, gameplay footage and screenshots.

 Details:
Neo-Paris. 2084.
Personal memories can now be digitized, bought, sold and traded. The last remnants of privacy and intimacy have been swept away in what appears to be a logical
progression of the explosive growth of social networks at the beginning of the 21st century. The citizens themselves have accepted this surveillance society in exchange for
the comfort only smart technology can provide. This memory economy gives immense power over society to just a handful of people.

 Remember Me is a 3rd person action adventure where players take on the role of Nilin, a former elite memory hunter with the ability to break into people’s minds and steal
or even alter their memories. The authorities, fearful of her knowledge and capabilities have arrested Nilin and wiped her memory clean. After her escape from prison, Nilin
sets out on a mission to recover her identity, helped by her last and only friend. This search for her past leads to her being hunted by the very people that created this
surveillance society.

 Gameplay Video:

Features
Speculative, stunning vision of our future - Discover Neo-Paris 2084, where augmented reality and memory digitization
have taken control of people’s lives.

 • Play as Nilin, an elite memory hunter with a clouded past - Become the most wanted memory hunter in Neo-Paris
and experience the power to break into people’s minds to steal their memories. Gain the information you need directly from people’s heads, to complete your missions and recover your own memory.

 Memory Remix - This innovative new gameplay mechanic allows players to use Nilin’s powers and alter parts of
people’s memories in real-time gameplay. This will change characters’ complete perspective on their self-image and the people around them, which can have grave consequences for the world in 2084.

 • A balanced mix of combat and exploration - Fight your way through the different environments Neo-Paris has to offer, using Nilin’s proficiency in martial arts, as both hunter and prey!

  Localized voice over – Remember Me will include fully localized voice over in English, French, German, Spanish and
Italian as well as subtitles in Russian, Polish, and Brazilian.

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Video Podcast: It's An Otaku Thing Episode 2 -"The Otaku Rises"

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On episode 2 of "It's An Otaku Thing." Justin rises from a state of shock of watching the Anime movie "Harmagedon." Fandubs, Anime Villains, Olympic Gods Manga style, and of course Kingdom Hearts. Running time 55 Mins. Of course we do not own footage of DBZ or TeamFourStar spoof. 


Loss Of A Comic Book Icon

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                                                 Joe Kubert passes away at age 85


Hey Otakus and Geeks Fans, Today we morn the loss of a comic book icon Joe Kubert. Kubert was one of the creators of Sgt. Rock, a World War II Army soldier character that debuted in 1959, as well as the prehistoric Tor, one of the first comics presented in 3-D. He also famously drew Hawkman, starting in the 1940s. Here is a quick history about Mr Kubert:

Kubert was born September 18, 1926 to a Jewish family in a shtetl called Yzeran (Jezierzany), in southeast Poland (now Ukraine). He emigrated to Brooklyn, New York City, United States, at age two months with his parents and his two-and-a-half-year-old sister Ida. Raised in the East New York, neighborhood, the son of a Kosher butcher, Kubert started drawing at an early age, encouraged by his parents.
In his introduction to his graphic novel Yossel, Kubert wrote, "I got my first paying job as a cartoonist for comic books when I was eleven-and-a-half or twelve years old. Five dollars a page. In 1938, that was a lot of money". Another source, utilizing quotes from Kubert, says in 1938, a school friend who was related to Louis Silberkleit, a principal of MLJ Studios (the future Archie Comics), urged Kubert to visit the company, where he began an unofficial apprentice and at age 12 "was allowed to ink a rush job, the pencils of Bob Montana's [teen-humor feature] 'Archie'". Author David Hajdu, who interviewed Kubert and other comics professionals for a 2008 book, reported, however, that, "Kubert has told varying versions of the story of his introduction to the comics business at age ten, sometimes setting it at the comics shop run by Harry "A" Chesler, sometimes at MLJ; however, MLJ did not start operation until 1939, when Kubert was thirteen".
Kubert attended Manhattan's High School of Music and Art. During this time he and classmate Norman Maurer, a future collaborator, would sometimes skip school in order to see publishers. Kubert began honing his craft at the quirkily named Harry "A" Chesler's studio, one of the comic-book packagers that had sprung up in the medium's early days to supply outsourced comics to publishers.

* Joe Kubert history from Wikipedia


Myself and the staff at Otakus and geeks would like to send our condolences to the Kubert Family.

 
                                                          R.I.P Joe Kubert  (1926-2012)

 

The Wizard Of Oz (Graphic Novel Review)

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The classic story of "The Wizard Of Oz" is told again for a new generation. This time the story is told in the form of a graphic novel with illustrations from artist Ben Caldwell. The graphic novel for the most part sticks very closely to the original tale. Classic characters like the Scarecrow, Tinman and the Lion return. However the tale while following the same format keep it fresh some with new characters and interpretations. For example Dorothy is a little more brave and bold. The Tinman has a mustache and you get a more background story on how he became the Tinman. This Wizard Of Oz has a little darkness to it. It's not too dark that your kids won't be able to read it. However there are times when The Wicked Witch becomes truly wicked. Not to give too much of a spoiler, but capturing the Lion and sentencing him to starvation really shows how wicked she is. Overall the story is enjoyable to read and the new characters such as the Mouse Queen, and a different twist on our favorite flying monkeys are a welcome addition. The theme of each character remains. The Lion must find the courage, Tinman must find the heart, Scarecrow the mind, and Dorothy must learn the importance of helping others. 

 The art style I really did adore. This looks like it would have been made into cartoon. Caldwell style is simply amazing and I love his design on Dorothy she is innocent looking, but she gets tough when she has too. The environments come alive with each page. Caldwell's Emerald City has a great concept which you will see with the glasses the characters wear walking through the city. It gives a new meaning to Emerald City. The art has great use of colors and it has a unique interpretation on the characters we love. It's like reading a cartoon. Overall this is a good interpretation of The Wizard Of Oz. I would have like to see more of the Munchkins and more of the importance of the slippers. Otherwise it's time to take another trip to Emerald City and fall in love once again with these characters. 

 Final Grade A+ - With The Wizard Of Oz you can't really go wrong. This adaption has a little more dark approach to The Wicked Witch. The characters have more backstory and it looks great. 





The Art of Video Games" Debuts in Florida at Boca Raton Museum 10/24

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The Boca Raton Museum of Art will be the first museum in the nation to host the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s groundbreaking exhibition, The Art of Video Games, following its enormously successful presentation in Washington, D.C.

Running from October 24, 2012 through January 13, 2013, the Boca Raton exhibition, presented by FMSbonds, Inc., explores the 40-year evolution of video games as an artistic medium, focusing on striking graphics, creative storytelling, and player interactivity. During its stay in South Florida, the Boca Raton Museum of Art will offer a variety of associated programs and educational opportunities for visitors of all ages and interests.

The Art of Video Games

The Art of Video Games is a groundbreaking exhibition exploring the legacy of video games as a medium for artistic expression. Curated by Chris Melissinos, former chief evangelist and chief gaming officer for Sun Microsystems and Founder of PastPixels, the exhibition will give viewers an opportunity to explore the evolution of video games since they were first introduced 40 years ago. The Art of Video Games focuses on the interplay of graphics, technology, and storytelling.

“Video games are a prevalent and increasingly expressive medium within modern society,” said Melissinos. “In the 40 years since the introduction of the first home video game, the field has attracted exceptional artistic talent. Video games, which include classic components of art, offer designers a previously unprecedented method of communicating with and engaging audiences by including a new element, the player, who completes the vivid, experiential art form by personally interacting with the game elements.”

The exhibit highlights some of the best games for 20 gaming systems ranging from the Atari VCS to the Playstation 3. It will feature 80 video games presented through still images and video footage. In addition, the galleries include video interviews with developers and artists, historic game consoles, and large prints of in-game screen shots. Five featured games, one from each era, will be available in the exhibition galleries for visitors to play for a few minutes to gain some feel for interactivity. The playable games – Pac-Man, Super Mario Brothers, The Secret of Monkey Island, Myst, and Flower – will demonstrate how players interact with the virtual worlds, highlighting innovative new techniques that set the standard for many subsequent games.

Silenced Review

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Gang In-ho, who is working to earn money for his daughter's surgery, is appointed to a school for hearing-impaired children in Gwangju. But what he discovers there is an ugly truth: the children are being physically and sexually abused by their teachers. When he decides to fight for the children's rights and expose the crimes being committed at the school, In-ho teams up with human rights activist Seo Yu-jin. But he and Yu-jin soon realize the school's principal and teachers, and even the police, prosecutors and churches in the community are actually trying to cover up the truth.

Kingdom Hearts 3D Review

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It has been a long time coming. Months of anticipation, months of speculation have finally come to an end. The road to Kingdom Hearts 3 has come to it's conclusion. The last stop on the road to KH3 is Kingdom Hearts 3D for the Nintendo 3DS. How does the last filler for Kingdom Hearts hold up? Is it a hit or miss? Or should we stay asleep?

 Story - Sora and Riku enter the Sleeping Worlds to take the Mark Of Mastery Exam to become true Keyblade masters. Sora and Riku must travel to the seven sleeping worlds and unlock the keyholes in order for the worlds to wake up. However a new foe called "Dream Eaters" which have two forms Nightmare and Spirits are there to aid or stop them from achieving this goal. That is pretty much the story in a nutshell. If I say anything else it will be spoiling the experience. However I will say that the story definitely leads to Kingdom Hearts 3. In pure Kingdom Hearts fashion the story gets complex and knowledge of the previous games will be needed. Thankfully the game provides a glossary on all the previous games to get new comers and veterans up to speed. The story is all over the place in Kingdom Hearts 3D but it will all come together in the end.

 Gameplay - The gameplay is probably one of Kingdom Hearts best. It maintains it's basic mechanics with a few new additions that make the gameplay more fun. The usual hack and slash, level up mechanics are in tact. However the new addition of the Flowmotion system is really fun to use and abuse. The Flowmotion system allows Sora and Riku to get the upper hand on the enemies by using the environment around them. Bounce off of walls and do a powerful attack, use the poles to do a spin move attack, and many more. The Flowmotion system also makes traveling through levels quicker. Another great addition is the use of Dream Eaters. The friendly companions replace Disney characters as you allies, even though the Disney characters are missed, the Dream Eaters surely make up for the absentees. Each Dream Eater has their own special abilities, strengths and weakness. You can have three Dream Eaters at a time, each aiding you in some shape or form. In addition to using the Dream Eaters you will also have to take care of them. I found this to be a game in itself. As Sora or Riku you have the responsibility of feeding the Dream Eaters, training theme, giving them new abilities and making sure they morale level with you is in sync. During my gameplay  I didn't take care of them too much. It's not a huge factor but it will make battles a lot less stressful if you level them up properly and take care of them. Finally for the Dream Eaters throughout the game there are recipes scattered all over the seven worlds. These recipes can be use to create more Dream Eaters each with different set of powers. It's fun trying to find all the Dream Eaters and what recipes can be combine with others to make new ones. The last addition to the game is the Drop element. The Drop is used to switch the characters at anytime during the gameplay. I wasn't a big fan of it a first because it gives you a time limit on how long you can play with Sora or Riku. However I did like that it brought a strategy element to it on when you should drop and go to the next character. A little tip drop before you do a boss battle otherwise if your time is up, expect to fight that boss all over again. That was probably my biggest complaint about the game.

 The game will take about 15 to 20 hours to beat depending on the difficulty. You travel to seven different worlds some new and some old. The level designs are good and pretty linear so you don't get lost like previous installments, but it does give you room to explore. Square Enix made great use of the touchscreen making it useful in battle, but not so much that it takes away from the original Kingdom Hearts design. Overall the gameplay is solid. The game sticks to the basic but gives us something new and refreshing.

 Gameplay Video -

 Graphics - Kingdom Hearts 3D is the best looking RPG on the 3DS. It might even be the best looking game on the 3DS next to Resident Evil Revelations. This game you must play in full 3D in order to get the feel of the game. The games strongest graphics is TRON Legacy. This is when the graphics can even rival some of the strongest Nintendo Wii games. Detail is the name of the game on this level the joys of the Lightcycles, the close up shots on Kevin Flynn are phenomenal. It truly will blow you away.

 Sound - The voice acting is solid all around from Disney favorites like Mickey, Goofy and Donald. To the returning cast of Sora and Riku and many others who I won't spoil. The performances bring heart and add more emotion to the game with the help of the composition by Yoko Shimomura. The music is awesome as always from tracks like "Dearly Beloved", "Riku Theme", "Organization XIII" and many more. Most of the tracks are from previous games with some new orchestrated feel to it. The only disappointment is that Daft's Punk's music was not featured for the TRON Legacy level.

 Replay Value - With recipes to gather, a secret ending to unlock and a New Game + mode. Kingdom Hearts 3D has a lot of replay value. The game story will have you playing it at least twice to grasp the full complex plot. This game is not a one trip deal.

 Final Grade A-/9.0 - Kingdom Hearts is back in full form and on full course for one epic conclusion. The set pieces are now in place for the grand finale. Kingdom Hearts 3D is an awesome experience with solid gameplay, solid music, and emotional story that will have you cheering for the heroes. This is one game you don't want to miss.




J-Pop Summit Festival In S.F. To Host Japanese Fashion Events

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The 2012 J-POP Summit Festival, which takes place across the city’s Japantown district on Saturday and Sunday, August 25th and 26th. Catch the latest inspired designs from cutting edge Japanese brands such as Liz Lisa, h. NAOTO and Baby, The Stars Shine Bright as they stage several fun and free fashion shows and contests throughout the weekend. For event schedule, please visit www.j-pop.com.

The J-POP Summit Festival is honored to welcome Japanese fashion brand, Liz Lisa, for a first-ever appearance in the United States. Founded in the popular Tokyo shopping district of Shibuya, the Liz Lisa brand is built upon a fashion fusion of retro-meets-trendy, infused with a touch of feminine luxury and sensuality to accentuate the wearer’s charm and allure. During the 2012 J-POP Summit, Liz Lisa will host a pop-up boutique inside the NEW PEOPLE retail store offering an array of fashions and unique accessories for sale. Shoppers that spend at least $50 at the boutique will also enjoy free Liz Lisa eyelash makeup on-site by the brand’s official girls team that flying all the way from Tokyo to join in the festival.

Liz Lisa will also host a rose flower-inspired “Shibuya Girls Fashion Contest,” scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 25th at 1:00pm on the Main Pagoda Stage at Peace Plaza. Attendees that feel they that are the best example of a Shibya Fashionista are invited to participate in the contest and show their style at the J-POP Summit Festival! For entry information, check http://www.j-pop.com/2012/liz-lisa-fashion-contest. Prizes will include gorgeous Liz Lisa items. More information on Liz Lisa is available at: http://www.lizlisa.com/en.

Harajuku fashion will also bloom at the festival. Edgy Harajuku fashion brand, h. NAOTO has issued a call to potential female models to participate in their special live J-POP Summit fashion show showcasing the latest Autumn and Winter collections from the new FRILL and GRAMM clothing lines. The show will take place on Saturday, August 25th at 3:00pm on the Main Pagoda Stage in Japantown’s Peace Plaza. FRILL is the brand’s new Lolita-inspired line, while GRAMM is h. NAOTO’s romantic and more organic, “mori” (meaning forest) girl-inspired brand. More information on h. NAOTO is available at: http://www.hnaoto.us.

World renowned Lolita fashion brand Baby, The Stars Shine Bright has been a favorite with festival attendees since the very first J-POP Summit in 2009. The popular brand, which hails from the trendy Harajuku district of Tokyo, opened its first boutique in the U.S. in 2009 at NEW PEOPLE. For the 2012 J-POP Summit, Baby, The Stars Shine Bright invites fans to attend and participate in an Alice In Wonderland-themed fashion contest and show scheduled for Sunday, August 26th at 2:30pm on the Main Pagoda Stage at Peace Plaza. For entry information, please visit: http://www.j-pop.com/2012/baby-fashion-contest/.


New Dragonball Z Movie Trailer For 2013 Release

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Well the wait is finally over. The New Dragonball Z movie is not only confirmed but given a release date. Not much is known about the plot, but check out this quick teaser. I love how the animation looks for this one, it seems that we will get a DBZ unlike any other before it. 


VIZ Manga Series Will Debut Simultaneously In Print And Digitally

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Beginning today, all VIZ Manga releases will debut on Tuesdays. In addition, digital volumes of current releases will debut on the same day as its print debut. This will also include future VIZ Media titles available from the NOOK Store™ for the Barnes & Noble NOOK Color and NOOK Tablet. 

The VIZ Manga App is available for free through the iTunes Store and the Google Play Store, and all manga volumes are generally available for purchase and download in the U.S. and Canada within the application for $4.99 (U.S. / CAN) per volume. More than 80 series and 700 volumes are currently available for download. Plus, don’t miss the VIZ Manga End of Summer Sale going on now until August 20, 2012, saving fans up to 20% Off all series available on VIZManga.com and the VIZ Manga app for the iPad, iPhone, iPod touch and now Android phones!

Today’s Day-and-Date VIZ Manga Releases Include:

AI ORE! Vol. 6
BAKUMAN Vol. 13
BLEACH Vols. 44-45
DAWN OF THE ARCANA Vol. 5
NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN Vol. 10
PSYREN Vol. 6 - Debuts one month before street date of Sept. 4th!
TEGAMI BACHI Vol. 10
TORIKO Vol. 11
ULTIMO Vol. 7
YU-GI-OH! GX Vol. 9

Additional Titles Debuting Today On VIZ Manga Include:

THE GENTLEMEN'S ALLIANCE Vol. 8
HIKARU NO GO Vol. 12
HUNTER X HUNTER Vol. 13
KEKKAISHI Vol. 32
LIBRARY WARS Vol. 3
ORESAMA TEACHER Vols. 3-4
OURAN HIGH SCHOOL HOST CLUB Vol. 15
SEIHO BOYS HIGH SCHOOL Vol. 7
SHAMAN KING Vol. 7


LiSA’s Upcoming Single “crossing field” is Coming to America

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Here is some J-Pop News from our friends at Aniplex.

Aniplex of America is set to release the Sword Art Online opening single “crossing field” by LiSA here in North America. The upcoming single release will be available in three different versions including a Regular, Limited and Anime Edition. Both the Limited and Anime Edition will include a Bonus DVD featuring the textless opening from Sword Art Online. These releases will be imported and will be available on August 14th. In addition, the official digital downloads of “crossing field” will be available on iTunes and Amazon on August 21st. Pre-orders for these releases are now open.


For detailed information, please visit:
http://www.aniplexusa.com/lisa/


All of LiSA’s Releases can be pre-ordered and purchased at:
Right Stuf: http://www.rightstuf.com/rssite/main/

Here is LiSA Music Video "Oath Sign"






Olympics 2012 Fashions

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My my my Otakus & Geeks! I have truly missed my fam during this break. But what better way to come back than to talk the hits & misses of this year's Olympics fashions.

From Team Japan to the ever controversial Team USA, I'll be spending the next few Sundays during the 2012 Olympics to see what we can gather about these hits & misses and how to do some everyday wear with any of these looks to make them complete HITS! ... who knows?! Some of these looks could definitely show up in Lolita.

So far, here are my basic hits & misses ... join in & let me know yours since we'll be digging into this yumminess and all of the geeky fashion ways it may have brought with it!

                                                           Undecided         HIT 
                                                                       HIT        HIT
                                                                       HIT        Undecided

                                                                             Miss         Miss


                                                            Undecided         HIT
                                                     Undecided         Undecided

                                                 Undecided         Undecided
Of course HITS are what they are ... and nothing's gonna change my mind. Misses can be changed, some are growing on me the more I look at them, but it could just be because I have to keep looking at them. These undecided picks can definitely go either way, so I'll probably watch those a bit closer in action to make any final decisions.

What's your fashionable thoughts? Email me at imani@otakusandgeeks.com
Until next week
~je t'adore!



The Venom Cosplay Photos That Facebook Banned

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Hey Otakus and Geeks fans Sean (True Comic Fan), I came across and article on Bleedingcool.com about Cosplay Photos banned on facebook. Now my personal opinion, the photos aren't any worse than what people put up on Facebook every day. Check out the Photos and let me know what you think.

*original article from Bleeding Cool.com Written on August 2, 2012 by Rich Johnston*

Link: http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/08/02/the-venom-cosplay-photos-that-facebook-banned/