The Walking Dead: Hidden Messages In Opening Credits

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Are you ready for the latest Walking Dead conspiracy theory? There’s a rumor going around that the producers of The Walking Dead might have done a little foreshadowing and included hidden messages in the credits for season three of The Walking Dead.

For instance, Andrew Lincoln’s name appears next to Rick Grimes’ badge, lying in the dirt. Could the way the badge is on the ground be symbolizing Rick’s moral struggles during season three? Rick passed by the hiker on the way to his hometown and he was going to turn Michonne over to The Governor, before finally having a change of heart and taking in the Woodbury refugees in the finale.

Ok, so maybe that explanation sounds like a stretch, but some of the other images next to names in the credits offer even more compelling stories. For example, Sarah Wayne Callies’ and Laurie Holden’s names appear next to two shell casings. Of course, they both died by a bullet to the head in order to avoid transforming into walkers. Could the shell casings have been foreshadowing their deaths by bullet?



 Norman Reedus’ name appears next to two arrows in the credit. That one is pretty straightforward as Daryl is known for using a crossbow as his weapon of choice. Daryl also got a new crossbow during season three. The fact that there are two arrows could also symbolize Daryl reuniting with his brother Merle.


 Steven Yeun’s name appears next to a pocket watch. Of course, Hershel gave Glenn a pocket watch, and one of the plot lines in season three revolved around how the pocket watch helped Glenn to realize he should ask Maggie to marry him.


 Lori and Andrea died by bullet before turning into walkers, and the actresses who played them had their names appear next to shell casings in the credits. Merle wasn’t as lucky as Lori and Andrea, as he turned full walker after getting shot in the chest by The Governor. So what does Michael Rooker’s name appear next to? Would you believe a close-up of a walker’s eye?


 Now, this one is just kind of funny. One of the biggest Walking Dead memes revolves around Carl staying in the house. So what does Chandler Riggs’ name appear on top of in the credits? Yes, you got it, a house!


 Seven cast member names matched up pretty well with seven credit images that seem to relate to their characters. However, these last three we’re kind of stumped on. Lauren Cohan’s name appears next to a graveyard, Danai Gurira’s name appears near light shining through from under a door, and David Morrissey’s name appears between a couple tattered window curtains. Of course, the graves could symbolize that Maggie (Lauren Cohan) was with Lori as she was dying, and the light under the door could symbolize that Michonne (Danai Gurira) was behind a door with Andrea, when Andrea shot herself. As far as David Morrissey (The Governor), we’re at a complete loss as to what his credit image might have related to.








Source:  http://walkingdeadpictures.tumblr.com/

Batman: Arkham Origins & Arkham Origins: Blackgate Announced

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Warner Bros announced today that next installment in the Batman Arkham series will be “Arkham Origins” which will be released on October 25th 2013, the game will not be developed by Rocksteady. Instead the game will developed by developers from Warner Bros Montreal. The new team will keep key engines and core elements from Rocksteady’s previous installment. Arkham Origins serves as a prequel to Arkham Asylum and Arkham City as you play the role as Batman as in his younger years, the villain Deathstroke has been announced as one of the villains in the game. Warner Bros also announced a handheld counterpart for the Playstation Vita and Nintendo 3DS entitled “Arkham Origins Blackgate.” The game will take place after the events of Arkham Origins and it’s being developed by Armature Studio.

Inuyasha The Movie: The Complete Collection On Blu-Ray

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VIZ Media brings the classic anime feature film action of INUYASHA home to fans across North America with the brand new release of the INUYASHA THE MOVIE: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION. The new 2-disc set is available now on Blu-ray, and contains 4 complete feature films from the venerable fantasy action adventure franchise, each rated TV-14, including INUYASHA THE MOVIE 1: AFFECTIONS TOUCHING ACROSS TIME, INUYASHA THE MOVIE 2: THE CASTLE BEYOND THE LOOKING GLASS, INUYASHA THE MOVIE 3: SWORDS OF AN HONORABLE RULER and INUYASHA THE MOVIE 4: FIRE ON THE MYSTIC ISLAND.

The INUYASHA MOVIE COLLECTION carries an MSRP of $29.99 U.S. / $37.48 CAN, and features bilingual language options including English dubbed as well as original Japanese audio with English subtitles. Bonus features include a production art gallery and the original theatrical trailers for each film.

The INUYASHA movies are based on Rumiko Takahashi’s highly successful manga about the adventures of a Kagome, a Japanese schoolgirl who is transported back in time to feudal era Japan, where she encounters and befriends Inuyasha, a half-demon boy. Together they battle against evil demons and make new friends and allies. In these four feature films, our heroes take on new challenges and battle strange foes. With their crew of demon-slaying friends, Kagome and Inuyasha will face the adventures of their lives! 

Interview With Robert Redford & The Cast Of The Company You Keep

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We were at the "The Company You Keep" press conference on April 1st 2013. The film stars Robert Redford, Shia LaBeouf, Terrance Howard, Stanely Tucci, Brit Marling and Jackie Evancho. Redford, Tucci, Marling and Evancho were on hand for the press conference. Here are some of the questions that were asked. Most of the questions I had written down to ask, where asked so here it is. 

OtakusandGeeks.com: Mr. Redford what attracted you to the project?

Robert Redford: It was a book that I read about five or six years ago. That was the very start of this project, it was actually had a lot of plot-lines and stories and it capture my attention and Lem Dobbs came in with a screenplay, which took a lot of reshaping and rewriting. It was kind of sculpting. 

OtakusandGeeks.com: Brit what attracted you to the project?

Brit Marling: When I read the script I was really moved by it, about how this group is set in present day and how this radical group deals with they choices and would they make those same choices or do things differently now. I was really interested in that part of the story. 

OtakusandGeeks.com: Mr. Tucci how did you approach your character? You play a newspaper editor Ray Fuller how did that work out.

Stanely Tucci: I have to say it was all there on the page and it was very well written. I didn't have too much to do in terms of rehearsal and plus I had Shia who has great energy to work of. The scenes are very straightforward, but I do think Ray is the classic editor and he is especially an interesting character in this day and age. 

OtakusandGeeks.com: Jackie how this being your first movie how did it feel?

Jackie Evancho: I was extremely nervous and extremely honored to have the chance to act with these guys. I was really excited to get the role.

The Company You Keep Trailer

OtakusandGeeks.com: Mr. Redford what would like people to take from this movie?

Robert Redford: There are probably a lot of things I would like people to take from this, but to simplify it I would like people to think. Some films are made not to necessarily for you think, but to make you feel a wonderful ride and it's over. Others make you at least ask a question afterwords and have you discuss it with somebody which I would prefer. The second thing will be a criticism I have. I don't think we're very good at looking at history as a lesson to be learn, so we don't repeat a negative historical experience. I think it's such an American traditional to be so busy pushing forward and driving forward and doing and doing, and we need to look back and say gee what can I do to learn from the mistakes from before. 

OtakusandGeeks.com: What made you interested in the journalist storyline cause Shia's character is very driven to get the story out.

 Robert Redford: It's a tricky business when an artist messes with journalism.   The media plays such an important role in our society. I'm very concern if it's ever threaten, I think the internet has dramatically turn altered the landscape of journalism, because now you have so much information, sometimes too much information, now you have ask how do you find the truth sometimes it's far right and far left. In terms of this film, I saw Shia's character with a little hint of two stories I always loved growing up "The Phantom Of The Opera" because I always wanted to play that part and "Les Miserables." I saw similarities in Shia's character and mine in a sense to these two stories. The idea of Shia's character was too me was more interesting is he going after the story for his own gain, or going for it the truth. But what should be un-mistakable is what he learns. It was exciting to me.

 OtakusandGeeks.com: Final question how did you get Terrance Howard in the role?

 Robert Redford: I met Terrance during Hustle and Flow and I thought he was really good, and I wanted him in the role, he's an amazing actor. 







New York International Autoshow 2013 Pics

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I went to the New York International Autoshow 2013 as I do every year with my friends. This year I must say was kind of a let down. There were some cool cars and the models we're good but it was missing something. I don't know what it was maybe it was the lack of celebs, or promotion it just didn't scream Autoshow excitement as it did in previous years. But anyway here are some cool cars that I did see and photos are done by my good friend Ben. Check it out.

Why We Geek (and You Should, Too) By T, Michael Martin

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We got a sent a video by a regular reader about being a geek and this video points out some really good points on what being a geek is about. This is something you guys and gals might want to check out. It's by upcoming author T. Michael Martin who will be releasing his first novel "The End Games" http://www.amazon.com/The-End-Games-Michael-Martin/dp/0062201808/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351025555&sr=8-1&keywords=the+end+games+t.+michael+martin check it out.





Lenni Reviews: Dreams and Shadows by Robert Cargill

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*This review has been framed as a letter. Because I can.

Dear Mr. Cargill,

I have a bone to pick with you, mister. Your book, Dreams and Shadows, has caused me to lose sleep, having been sucked so completely into your world. Once picked up, I could not stop. I can see you have created a very in depth and ambitious world of many mythologies and characters I fell immediately in love with. You have found my dark fantasy weakness, sir, with drunken genies, wild magic, and wacked out fallen angels.

Yours is a tale of innocence lost, love, tragedy, and strength. Some parts get lost in between the education entries about specific creatures, but the next chapters pulled be right back in to Colby and his best friend and trouble magnet, Ewan.

You have been compared to Neil Gaiman, my good sir, and your novel has done to me what Gaiman’s have done; created a macabre world of interesting characters that sucked me in from word one.

Now, since you owe me for some sleepless nights of ravenous page-turning, I must insist on being repaid with another book. Go write more stuff.

~Lenni

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain Unveiled

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Hey Otakus and Geeks Fans, Here is a look at the Extended trailer of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. A Teaser was shown on Spike Tv's Video Game Awards. GDC 2013 sees Kojima and company announcing the next full title in the Metal Gear series – Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, for PS3 and Xbox 360. So far only a trailer and not much else has been released, Kojima being almost as good as tantalising release shenanigans as he is as designing hit games:



A new engine is promised as a major feature – although with both platforms now being hopelessly obsolete the developer’s promises of “photorealism” ring more than a little hollow.






Toriyama: Hollywood’s Dragon Ball Sucked

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With unusual candour for a top mangaka, on the eve of the release of the first animated Dragon Ball movie in over a decade series creator Akira Toriyama has taken some time out to bash the notoriously bad Hollywood adaptation he authorised.

A recent interview with Akira Toriyama about the new (2D) Dragon Ball Z movie, which for the first time he is helping to script, includes the admission that he was less than pleased with the Hollywood version:
With the Hollywood live action version, the script didn’t contain much evidence of the distinctive Dragon Ball world, and wasn’t even that interesting, and despite me warning them and suggesting changes they were so sure of themselves that they ignored me.
What they came out with in the end was a movie I can’t really call on par with the usual Dragon Ball.
Prior to the movie’s release he esteemed “the super talent of the production staff and actors” and enthused that “thanks to their power this may become a major masterpiece!”, and since its release has generally kept quiet about it.


Source: Sankaku Complex

Is The Mother In "How I Met Your Mother" Actually Dead In The Future?

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Before I begin. I just want to say this article contains spoilers of last week's "How I Met Your Mother" episode "Time Travelers." Last week Ted was seen trying to decide whether or not he should go see Robots vs Wrestlers: Legends. He is greeted by his future self, and future Barney and throughout the episode he's trying to decide whether he should go. The episode includes a sub plot of Marshall and Robin dance off, and the return of the coat check girl. But the true highlight of the episode is the ending when it's reveal that Ted was imagining everything, that he was actually in the bar by himself with a single ticket to Robots vs Wrestlers cause nobody could make it. It was a great twist and character study to show how Ted mindset is at this time, he's alone. The end has Ted making a speech to the mother. This speech has fans asking the question is the mother dead? Here is the speech and I will give my take on it below the video.

 45 Days


What has fans questioning whether the mother is actually dead in the future, is Ted saying "I want those extra 45 days." Why would Ted want more days with the mother? Does that mean she's dead in the future? Allow me to explain this scene for those that are confused. The entire episode is showing what Ted is feeling at this time. His best friend is married with a baby, his other best friend is engaged to the woman he always wanted. He just failed at another relationship, and naturally anyone looking for love will feel alone, insecure and depress. This scene is just Ted asking the mother to have extra days with her, so he won't feel what he is feeling right now. The mother is Ted's happiness and he doesn't want to be alone, he wants what his friends have. Ted wants to escape from this feeling of loneliness that is why he is so desperate to try to find her. This is why he tells the mother what will happen in 45 days and what will the future will hold for them, in addition he says he wants those extra days because those are happy days. In the future he has the love of his life, the kids, the house everything he ever wanted. If you knew your dreams were 45 days away, wouldn't you want them 45 days earlier? I don't think the writers will set us up for 8 seasons soon to be 9 to let us know the mother died. That would be a very depressing ending to a lighthearted series. One thing is for sure the mother is coming and I can't wait. 


Can Toonami Survive The Digital Era?

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A couple of days ago I posted a question to our readers on our Facebook page. The question was "With Netflix, Crunchyroll and other ways to watch anime. How many of you actually stay up and watch Toonami?" I was surprise to see some people still stay up to watch or DVR the classic program. However with a time slot late at night 12 AM to 5 AM and only showing once a week, not to mention it's pack with a program card with shows that many otakus have seen over and over, can Toonami stay in the league with the digital age of streaming and Blu-Ray and DVD's.

 The Challenges Of The New Toonami: As much as I love Toonami and I' am rooting for the new revival success. I have to be a realist and point out the huge challenges it faces now. When Toonami debut in 1997 there was nothing like it. It was rare to find anime on your T.V. during the daytime or even at all unless you had the VHS or DVD. There wasn't really Dragonball Z, Yu Yu Hakusho, Robotech showing on other channels. Toonami was bringing anime to a whole new audience that didn't know anything about it. Anime wasn't just underground anymore. Heck! Some of the otakus will tell you what got them into anime was Toonami. It was truly something different and change the way animation was looked at for those who never seen anime. The old Toonami had something the new Toonami doesn't have, it had an afternoon block. When I would come home from Junior High School I would change it to Toonami and watch the weekday anime block that they had. Eventually Toonami expanded to afternoon and late night, and soon just late night but it was still five days a week. Scheduling and Streaming is the first challenge the new Toonami faces.

 1. Scheduling & Streaming: Right now Toonami only airs once a week and that is on Saturday 12 AM to 5 AM. If this was 1997 where streaming really didn't have a thought this would have work. It would have work because you will be anticipating every week for your next episode. There wasn't no other ways to see the show unless the studio's released them on VHS or DVD's, but even those were pricey especially if your just a kid. Your only option would have been Toonami. However in this day and age you can get the same content somewhere else and you won't have to wait a week. The anime"Soul Eater" has been on Netflix for as long as I can remember, if I wanted to watch the entire series I would just turn on my Netflix and do a marathon of it. I won't have to stay up late night on a Saturday for one episode, especially now that I can watch it all in one sitting if I chose too. Legal streaming is making it easier for otakus to get access to anime without television. It's becoming more convenient, you don't have to wait depending on what services you use. It's mainly on you when and how you're going to watch it. Large companies are starting to see that streaming is soon going to be the way we get our entertainment. A good example of this is CBS. If I miss my favorite show "How I Met Your Mother" on Monday, it doesn't bother me anymore I can just go to CBS.com and catch the streaming of the episode that aired. Yes it will be up for the limited of time, but I can still catch it. The key to Toonami surviving will be for Cartoon Network to find a way to capitalize on the streaming and learn how to utilize that market as well. Streaming is the future and it's time for companies to figure it out how to use it.

 2. Exclusives & Premieres: In order to have Toonami roaring back into it's glory days again, it's going to need some new anime and some exclusives premieres. The lineup right now is showing the basic anime m.o. like Bleach, Naruto, Inyuasha. The addition of Soul Eater is a welcomed addition, however one thing our readers want is some exclusives. Give them shows that they can't find on Netflix, Crunchyroll or anywhere else. Give them a reason to stay up once a week and tune in. If Cartoon Network is serious about trying bring Toonami back in full force then it's going to need some exclusives that we can't get anywhere else.

 How Can Toonami Survive The Digital Era: If Toonami is going to survive it will need ratings, but it's up to the network to actually get some things done. Toonami will need exclusives or a batch of new shows, new anime movies. It's going to need to go back to it's five day after school slot and late nights for shows that are a little more uncut. Most importantly it needs marketing not just from the people who grew up with the show and the voice actors on the actual shows. The network needs to start marketing Toonami like it did in the past. Toonami needs commercials, web ads, give the program a push that it needs and you will have Toonami back. 

 Final Thoughts: I love Toonami, I grew up with Toonami and I want this program to succeed. However in order for it to survive it's going to be on the network to actually give the program a push, trust in it's core audience will tune in. In addition it will have to find a way to enter the streaming market and capitalize on that is well. Will Toonami survive the Digital Era? Only time will tell. You can teach an old dog new tricks.








"Hyperdimension Neptunia" Anime Coming This Summer

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I have some cool news for fans of the "Hyperdimension Neptunia" RPG fans. It was announced that the popular videogame series will be turning into an anime. The promotional video was recently released which contain the song "Dimension Tripper" by NAO. The anime will be slated for this summer. You can check out the PV video below. Anime Rules!!!!!

One Piece, DBZ and Toriko Crossover Anime Special Coming April 7th

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This seems to be the year of the Goku and his friends. With the upcoming release of "Dragonball: Battle Of The Gods" around the corner. We get more great news for fans of Dragonball. The crossover anime special "Dream 9 Toriko & One Piece & Dragon Ball Z Cho Collaboration Special" will air in Japan Sunday April 7th 9:00 A.M. Check out two amazing commercials below. Anime Rules!!!


Aniplex Acquires New Series Valve the Liberator

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Recently at their industry panel at Sakura-con in Seattle, Aniplex of America Inc. announced the acquisition of Valvrave the Liberator, created by Sunrise studio (Cowboy Bebop, Mobile Suit Gundam), and that the series will be streaming online. Valvrave the Liberator will be available one day after its initial airing in Japan. Set in a world where 70% of the human population lives in space, Valvrave the Liberator follows the story of a high school student 
named Haruto. Haruto is a kind young man who hates fighting, but all that will change as his peaceful 
town will be invaded by a military force. Everything will change once Haruto’s encounter with a mysterious humanoid weapon called Valvrave.

A synopsis on Valvrave the Liberator: A new age where 70% of the human population lives in space 
thanks to the development of “Dyson Sphere”, a city in space. The world is divided into two main 
powers: The Dorrssia Military Pact Federation, a power which grew out of a military alliance, and the 
Atlantic Rim United States (ARUS), which grew in power as it expanded its trade agreements. The 
minor nation of JIOR has declared neutrality between these two forces and maintains its peace through 
economic prosperity. Within the JIOR’s Sphere, Haruto Tokishima lived an ordinary life as a high 
school student in the division known as “Module 77”-until the Dorssian military begins their sudden 
invasion! But the whole world will be shaken when Haruto meets the mysterious humanoid weapon, 
Valvrave!

“Valvrave the Liberator is an exciting new series that fans have been looking forward to watching” says 
Hideki Goto, the president of Animation Business of Aniplex of America. “Valvrave the Liberator is 
another example of how we continue to provide the fans with the latest and greatest content right after it 
airs in Japan.”


NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN Coming April 2nd

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VIZ Media will gives anime fans a new dose of supernatural anime action as it announces the upcoming DVD and Blu-ray release of NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN on April 2nd.

The fantasy adventure series about a young man who is part human and part supernatural demon is rated TV-14 and will carry a DVD MSRP of $44.82 U.S. / $43.24 CAN and a Blu-ray MSRP of $54.97 U.S. / $66.15 CAN. The new 2-disc set features Episodes 1-13 presented with original Japanese (with English subtitles) and English dubbed dialogue options. DVD bonus features include production art and the official U.S. trailer. The Blu-ray edition features a color production art gallery, clean opening and the official U.S. trailer.

 Rikuo Nura is an average middle school student by day and yokai (a supernatural demon) by night. He’s not just any yokai – he is the grandson of Nurarihyon, the Supreme Commander of the Nura clan! Rikuo wants to live a normal life. However, his grandfather wants him to succeed as the rightful heir. When an inter-clan conflict threatens the stability within their organization, Rikuo must decide whether he will live his life as a human or accept his yokai heritage.

 “Anime fans everywhere are going to love the action-packed storyline of NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN, which incorporates elements from Japanese mythology and updates them into a kinetic new supernatural adventure,” says Charlene Ingram, Sr. Marketing Manager, Animation. “The talented cast of top U.S. voice actors, including Kyle Hebert, Grant George, Mela Lee, and Darrel Guilbeau in the lead role of Rikuo Nura, really brings the action to life. Fans won’t want to miss the entire first season of this riveting anime series!”

 The NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN anime series (English-dubbed) is also featured on Neon Alley, VIZ Media’s 24/7 anime channel available for the PlayStation®Network and the PlayStation®3 (PS3™) system, and now also for the Xbox 360 and Xbox Live®.

 NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN is based on the bestselling NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN manga series created by Hiroshi Shiibashi (rated ‘T’ for Teens; also published by VIZ Media’s Shonen Jump imprint). Hiroshi Shiibashi debuted in Japan in Business Jump magazine with the series, Aratama. NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN is his breakout hit.









So Far in J-Fashion UPDATE!

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It's been a while since we have just chatted about all around J-Fashion. I think it's time to get back to our roots. Don't worry though! It will definitely be sprinkled with a bit (okay a LOT!) of Lolita fashion.

So for the better part of March, this is what I have been obsessed within J-Fashion. Even the shared Lilttle Lolita Moment

TOKYO GIRLS COLLECTION

Tokyo Girls Collection Spring/Summer 2013 was held in Tokyo this week. Over 30,000 young Japanese women converged on Harajuku for the 16th edition of Japan’s most famous one-day fashion event. Where traditional fashion shows focus on what’s coming to stores next season, next year, or never, Tokyo Girls Collection presents exactly what’s trendy on the Japanese street today, and allows attendees to instantly buy most everything they see on the runway. In addition to the fashion, TGC features celebrity appearances, performances by top Japanese musical groups, and more. Countless similar events have followed in their footsteps over the years, but there is still only one Japanese fashion show that is a do-not-miss for young trendy women all over Japan – Tokyo Girls Collection! (source: Tokyo Fashion)
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HARAJUKU FASHION WALK
A great time seemed to have been had during Harajuku Fashion Walk #15. Check out the video & more! by part contributor, part participant, The Rainbowholic. 

 Gonna be in Tokyo in March? Make sue you head to HFW #16, March 31. 
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Japan Fashion Week is taking over Tokyo next week. The capital city will host countless fashion shows, some of them open to the public, and the increasingly popular Shibuya Fashion Festival. (source: Japanese Streets) 
I am elated to share some of what designers have presented to the Japanese fashion market. Hopefully one day, this will be off my bucket list and I'll be attending in real life!

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LITTLE LOLITA MOMENTS
iOS Game: Line PLAY (Apple/ Android)
O-M-G!!!!! This game is everything a Lolita could play and more! I've literally been playing it with friends, fans, lolitas, people from Tumblr ... my gosh! EVERYONE!

Though I've shared some screen shots of my own, check out Milk White Girl's review of something so Lolita ... sooooo KAWAII!

If you decide to play, add us! (Usernames: ipukekawaii & milkwhitegirl)
My room ... before a full kawaii transformation!
 
Visiting friends & having imrpomtu sleep overs *a kee kee kee*

Next month's post will happen sooner than you think! So until then, thanks for being you & be sure to paint your days bright! >^.*<
~je t'adore!

The Wolverine Trailer

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The first full trailer for "The Wolverine" paints a very different picture than anything we've seen in the previous "X-Men" films. Most noticeably, the main conflict takes place largely in Japan, a location that fans of the comics know as one steeped in Wolverine lore.

Once in Japan, Wolverine meets a man who owes him a debt. Apparently, during another World War II flashback, Wolverine saved the life of a Japanese soldier by shielding him from the heat blast of an atomic bomb. Now that the man is old and rich, he has the resources to hunt Wolverine down and give him what he deserves the most: a normal life, one that would eventually end.



VIZ Media Naruto Shippuden Design Contest

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VIZ MEDIA has announced a special NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Design Contest, sponsored by NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN licensee WeLoveFine (WeLoveFine.com), beginning today and running through midnight, on Tuesday April 16th.

Fans are encouraged to channel their inner ninja and flex their artistic muscle to create an original “stylized” or “super deformed” (Chibi-style) rendering of a prominent NARUTO SHIPPUDEN character. All designs MUST incorporate characters and themes from NARUTO SHIPPUDEN and not from any previous episodes or manga volumes of the NARUTO series. Art pieces should be scanned and submitted to WeLoveFine. Submittals must be 100% original; exact copies of NARUTO manga or anime will not be accepted; do not trace any original NARUTO manga or anime artwork. Complete contest details are available at: http://www.welovefine.com/contest/39-naruto-shippuden-design-contest.


Contest submissions will be judged and winners personally selected by WeLoveFine, along with esteemed Guest Judges Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN, Joe Otsuki, Editor of the NARUTO manga, and Hayato Date, Director of the NARUTO SHIPPUDEN anime series.

The Grand Prize winner will received a paid 3-days 2-nights trip to attend Anime Expo 2013, the nation’s biggest anime convention set to be held in Los Angeles, CA, July 4-7 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Prize package includes a 4-day Anime Expo membership badge, 1 round trip airfare (limited to U.S. domestic flights only) and lodging near the convention center.

The three Guest Judges will also select their personal favorite design for a “Judges Pick” winner, and each of those artists will win $300 in cash! One runner-up winner will receive a $150 gift certificate for WeLoveFine.com and five Honorable Mention winners will each receive a $50 gift certificate for WeLoveFine.com.

Created by Masashi Kishimoto, NARUTO was first introduced in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in Japan in 1999 and quickly became that country’s most popular ninja manga targeting tweens and teens. The manga series (rated ‘T’ for Teens, in print and digital editions) and animated counterpart (NARUTO rated ‘T’ for teens, and NARUTO Shippuden rated ‘T+’ for older teens) are some of VIZ Media’s most successful properties and have captivated millions of fans across North America, Europe and South America. NARUTO is a co-production of TV TOKYO, VIZ Media parent company Shueisha Inc., and Pierrot Co., Ltd.

Author/artist Masashi Kishimoto was born in 1974 in the rural Okayama Prefecture of Japan. After spending time in Art College, he won the prestigious Hop Step Award for new manga artists with Karakuri (Mechanism). Kishimoto decided to base his next story on traditional Japanese culture. His first version of NARUTO, created in 1997, was a one-shot story about fox spirits; his final version, which debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1999, quickly became the most popular ninja manga in Japan.

In the NARUTO manga and animated series, Naruto Uzumaki wants to be the best ninja in the land. He's done well so far, but Naruto knows he must train harder than ever and leaves his village for intense exercises that will push him to his limits. NARUTO SHIPPUDEN begins two and a half years later, when Naruto returns to find that everyone has been promoted up the ninja ranks – except him. Sakura’s a medic ninja, Gaara’s advanced to Kazekage, and Kakashi… well he remains the same. But pride isn’t necessarily becoming of a ninja, especially when Naruto realizes that Sasuke never returned from his search for Orochimaru. Plus, the mysterious Akatsuki organization is still an ever-present danger. As Naruto finds out more about the Akatsuki’s goals, he realizes that nothing in his universe is as it seems. Naruto is finding that he’s older, but will he also prove wiser and stronger?

More information on NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN is available at www.Naruto.com. 

BioShock Infinite Collectors Edition!

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Today's the day! BioShock Infinite/Collectors Edition is out on store shelves, and downloadable on PSN right now.
 
BioShock® Infinite Overview
Indebted to the wrong people, with his life on the line, veteran of the U.S. Cavalry and now hired gun, Booker DeWitt has only one opportunity to wipe his slate clean. He must rescue Elizabeth, a mysterious girl imprisoned since childhood and locked up in the flying city of Columbia. Forced to trust one another, Booker and Elizabeth form a powerful bond during their daring escape. Together, they learn to harness an expanding arsenal of weapons and abilities, as they fight on zeppelins in the clouds, along high-speed Sky-Lines, and down in the streets of Columbia, all while surviving the threats of the air-city and uncovering its dark secret.


Features List
  • The City in the Sky – Leave the depths of Rapture to soar among the clouds of Columbia. A technological marvel, the flying city is a beautiful and vibrant world that holds a very dark secret.
  • Unlikely Mission – Set in 1912, hired gun Booker DeWitt must rescue a mysterious girl from the sky-city of Columbia or never leave it alive.
  • Whip, Zip, and Kill – Turn the city’s Sky-Lines into weaponized roller coasters as you zip through the flying city and dish out fatal hands-on punishment.
  • Tear Through Time – Open Tears in time and space to shape the battlefield and turn the tide in combat by pulling weapons, turrets, and other resources out of thin air.
  • Vigorous Powers – Throw explosive fireballs, shoot lightning, and release murders of crows as devastatingly powerful Vigors surge through your body to be unleashed against all that oppose you.
  • Custom Combat Experience – With deadly weapons in one hand, powerful Vigors in the other, and the ability to open Tears in time and space, fight your own way through the floating city of Columbia to rescue Elizabeth and reach freedom.
  • 1999 Mode – Upon finishing BioShock Infinite, the player can unlock a game mode called "1999 Mode" that gives experienced players a taste of the kind of design and balance that hardcore gamers enjoyed back in the 20th century.