Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Vol 37 Review

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In TMNT issue #37 the heroes on the half shell are not present. Instead the focal point of this issue is on Shredder and Krang. Shredder is on Krang's boat trying to get the general to join his side. Krang feels that he has all the power, all the resources that he doesn't need Shredder at all. I won't get into more details because it travels into spoiler area. I will say that what transpires is pretty epic and shows how much of a bad ass Shredder really is. This issue not only shows Shredder true intentions, but also a makes you actually cheer for him. Even though Shredder's intentions are completely evil, I couldn't help myself cheering for him when Krang was being all arrogant. Yes Shredder is evil, but he is human at the end of the day and you see layers of his loyalty to his foot clan and people who place faith in him.

Overall this issue was very well written. The action was packed with Shredder stealing the scene. Reading this made me respect Shredder and really hate Krang. Even though the turtles weren't in this issue I didn't miss them, and that was thanks to ole Shred Head. The art is great especially the action that takes place on the boat. Facial expressions, movements of the battle made me really wish this was longer. If you're a fan of Shredder this is an issue that you have to check out.

Final Grade: 9.0/10

World Trigger “TV Anime”

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On July 8 of last month Toei Animation officially announced that it’s working on the upcoming TV Anime adaptation of Daisuke Ashihara’s sci-fi action manga World Trigger. Yuki Kaji, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Rie Kugimiya, Jun Fukuyama, Hideyuki Tanaka, Nao Tamura and Tomo Muranaka have been listed as cast of the TV anime adaptation to debut this October 2014.

The upcoming anime adaptation is going to be working off the manga that debuted in last year's 11th issue of Japan's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine. VIZ Media added the series to its digital anthology version of Weekly Shonen Jump, and it will publish the first print volume on October 7.

Plot Summary:

Destroy thy Neighbor! A gate to another dimension has burst open, and invincible monsters called Neighbors invade Earth. Osamu Mikumo may not be the best among the elite warriors who co-opt other-dimensional technology to fight back, but along with his Neighbor friend Yuma, he’ll do whatever it takes to defend life on Earth as we know it.

The World Trigger television anime will premiere on the TV Asahi station and its affiliates in October 2014.  Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine's Jump Special Anime Festa will screen a World Trigger anime at its tour this November 2014. In the meantime you can check the World Trigger Manga Promotional Video below.


GENIUS Issue #1 Review

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                                                 image credit: Image Comics Art By: Afua Richardson

Hey Otakus and Geeks fans, Today I want to talk about a new series out from Image Comics called Genius. From writers Marc Bernardin and Adam Freeman (Alphas, X-Men Origins: Nightcrawler, The Authority, The Highwaymen), rising-star artist Afua Richardson, and Top Cow’s Minotaur Press.

What if the greatest military mind of our generation was born to a people who are already supremely conditioned to wage war, who know nothing but violence since birth, and must continually adapt to new predators in order to survive? What if the second coming of Alexander the Great, of Genghis Khan, of Napoleon, of Patton...what if it was a teenaged girl from South Central, L.A. named Destiny?

Review:

The first issue is a great introduction to the life and horrors the main character ( Destiny ) has had to face. Destiny is calculating, intelligent, and passionate to the point that every single one of her actions feels like it exists to ultimately help the cause and her well-crafted back story gives some much needed insight as to just how far she will go to reach her goal of peace among the streets. Another character that stands out in this issue is a cop named Reginald Grey. Grey is the only one that thinks there is something bigger going on than just the gang war. At this point in the story he has no idea who Destiny is. He  has put together a profile on who the leader of the gang is, but his profile is of a male not female. It will be interesting to see how Grey approaches his investigation when Destiny is revealed.

The art is  great for the issue and the cover is amazing. Richardson often utilizes a thick, colorful outline around characters that’s reminiscent of graffiti art. Genius will be a short series, but definitely a series you should pick up and add to your collection.

Genius
Story By: Adam Freeman and Marc Bernardin
Art By: Afua Richardson
Published By: Image comics





by Sean Tucker

Nas Announces Upcoming Fall 2014 Tour Dates

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As some you know I' am a huge Nas fan. He is my favorite Hip-Hop artist ever. I had the pleasure of watching his documentary at Tribeca Film Fest. I also review the film which you can see here /www.otakusandgeeks.com/akusandgeeks.com/2014/04/time-is-illmatic-review.html. Well Nas has announced his offical fall tour date in conjuction with "Time is Illmatic."

Nas will be kicking off a North American Fall Tour on October 2, 2014 in Rochester, NY (see below for full tour routing), in conjunction with a special screening of his documentary film, Nas: Time is Illmatic. Each show on the tour will be a special event where the film will screen followed by Nas performing Illmatic start to finish. The film will open theatrically via Tribeca Film beginning in New York on October 1st, with a national expansion to follow. It will be available on demand and iTunes starting October 3rd. The tour and the theatrical release of the film will cap off Illmatic’s 20th anniversary celebration.
Nas: Time is Illmatic follows the trajectory of his 1994 landmark debut album, Illmatic. It traces Nas’ influences and the insurmountable odds he faced in creating the greatest work of music from hip-hop’s second golden era. The documentary is directed by multimedia artist, One9, written by Erik Parker, and produced by One9, Parker, and Anthony Saleh. The film was supported by The Ford Foundation’s Just Films, Tribeca Film Institute’s Tribeca All Access program, and Hennessy V.S. to help bring Nas’ inspiring story of tireless pursuit of excellence to audiences nationwide.
"I want to thank Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and the Tribeca Film family for all of the love & support they've given Time Is Illmatic,” said Nas . “It is an honor to be in partnership with them, and I feel there is a cultural kinship bonded by the city of New York."
“When we started this project, Erik Parker and I couldn’t imagine that audiences would one day be able to experience the film with a live performance of Illmatic, the album that started it all. It will make each night a truly special moment for the culture. We are sure people of all generations will be inspired by the story of Nas, the Jones family, and electrified by a live performance,” said One9.
Nas recently released a special 20th Anniversary edition of the album, titled Illmatic XX. PRESS HERE to download it now. In support of the album, Nas will be going on tour this upcoming fall.
 
 

Hatsune Miku US Expo Coming to NY & LA

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"Hatsune Miku Expo" is coming to this U.S. this fall. Part of a worldwide event inaugurated in Indonesia this spring, the expo will bring the cyber-celebrity Hatsune Miku to Los Angeles and New York City this October. The "Hatsune Miku Expo" will give fans a chance to celebrate the cultural movement surrounding the success of this global icon through a comprehensive expo featuring a revolutionary 3D live show, fan-gathering activities and art exhibitions.
Hatsune Miku will perform at Los Angeles' Nokia Theatre on October 11 and 12, and New York's Hammerstein Ballroom on October 17and 18. While in Los Angeles, a two-day Halloween-themed event and exhibition will take place in downtown LA. In New York, the Lower East Side gallery and concept space Wallplay will host, over a period of eleven days, a selection of outstanding Hatsune Miku artworks using various media.

The Hatsune Miku 3D Live Show is a new form of entertainment with no limits to the viewer's imagination. The 3D live show is where the most popular songs issued from the community are performed by a live band along with the projected virtual singer Hatsune Miku, who thanks to cutting-edge technology is made to appear as if she was actually on stage. These shows are a unique event where creators can go and celebrate their own art among the other fans.
The Hatsune Miku 3D live show sold out immediately upon its announcement in Japan and several other cities around the world, and saw Hatsune Miku perform in front of an estimated 85,000 people. In the spring of 2014, Hatsune Miku was chosen as Lady Gaga's opening act on her North American Art Pop tour.
 
 

Sailor Moon Press Conference With 1990's Cast Members

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At Otakon 2014 we had the pleasure of attending the 1990's Sailor Moon press conference. In attendence was Sailor Moon herself Linda Ballantyne, Sailor Mars played by Katie Griffin and voice director John Stocker.

You can listen to the press conference below and a watch a clip below.

Yowamushi Pedal “Compilation Anime Film”

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This year's combined 36th/37th issue of Akita Shoten's Weekly Shōnen Champion magazine formally confirmed that the recently concluded 38-episodeYowamushi Pedal anime television series will get a recap movie next month. The “Yowamushi Pedal: Re:RIDE” feature film will summarize the first half of the TV series  with some cuts of new footage added. The movie based on Wataru Watanabe’s cycle racing manga will get limited Japanese theatrical release from September 19 to October 2. While supplies last, each moviegoer will receive one of 15 randomly distributed metal character badges.

Weekly Shōnen Champion is also announcing that the upcoming second television anime season will have the title Yowamushi Pedal: Grande Road. The staff and cast of the first TV series will return for the upcoming season.

The anime is created by TMS Entertainment and directed by Osamu Nabeshima with character design by Takahiko Yoshida.

The manga follows Sakamichi Onoda, an otaku at Sōhoku High School. He loves anime and games so much, that he would ride his commuter bicycle to and from Tokyo's Akihabara shopping district in a 90-kilometer (about 60-mile) round trip over steep slopes after school. Onoda's life changes when he encounters his school's cycling team, and he ends up joining the competitive sport of bicycle racing.

The television anime premiered last October, and Crunchyroll streamed the anime outside of Japan as it aired. The second season will premiere in October. Japanese theater chain TOHO Cinemas had already listed a Yowamushi Pedal film opening on September 19.

Wataru Watanabe launched the original manga in Akita Shoten's Weekly Shōnen Champion magazine in 2008, andAkita Shoten has printed 10 million copies of the manga's volumes. Besides the anime, the original manga also inspired stage plays and spinoff manga.

 For those not familiar with the anime check out the preview trailer of the first season.

Working!! Manga Coming To An End

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It pains me to say but the manga series Working!! has announced it final volume which is set for December 25 in Japan. A limited edition of the final volume bundling that will come with a new year's calendar. Working is known as Wagnaria!! states side the anime counter part has two seasons that you can watch on Crunchyroll.Are you a fan of Working? Let us know.

Justice League: Throne of Atlantis Sneak Peek

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While we have to wait to see the big screen debut of Aquaman in the upcoming Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice, we get to see another great DC animated film based around the origins of Arthur Curry in Justice League: Throne of Atlantis. Many fans have been clamoring to see Atlantis get some love after all the Batman and Superman animated projects. We do get to see some Aquaman in Flashpoint Paradox, but he finally gets the chance to shine in his first full feature. This film picks up where Justice League: War left off so I encourage you to check that out first before watching this.

Here is a preview of what to expect:



Square Enix Announces Brand New Episodic Game Entitled Life Is Strange

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Square Enix today announced that the brand new, episodic, digitally delivered, narrative driven adventure game entitled LIFE IS STRANGE™ is coming to the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, the Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360 and Windows® PC.

Developed by DONTNOD Entertainment, the Paris-based studio who released their debut game REMEMBER ME™ last year the game takes place in the fictional town of Arcadia Bay, Oregon, where senior student Max Caulfield returns after a 5 year absence. Reunited with her former friend Chloe, the pair will attempt to uncover the uncomfortable truth behind the mysterious disappearance of fellow student Rachel Amber.

LIFE IS STRANGE is a story-driven experience where choice and consequence play a key role in how the narrative unfolds. But there is a twist. At the beginning of the game Max discovers she has a remarkable power… the ability to rewind time. In LIFE IS STRANGE the player has the power to affect the game’s narrative and also change the course of history itself.

“Everybody at DONTNOD is excited to be working on such a refreshing title” said Jean-Max Moris, Creative Director at DONTNOD Entertainment. “We’re not only crafting the best game we possibly can, we also feel we’re providing the type of experience that perfectly fits today’s renewed taste for originality and diversity”.

“When we first saw LIFE IS STRANGE we immediately realised that DONTNOD have created a unique experience, something special” said Jon Brooke, VP Brand and European Marketing Square Enix Europe. “Everyone who’s seen the game has instantly fallen in love with its distinctive style and mood”.

 

Next Gen Port of Sleeping Dogs Announced

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For those sleeping dogs fans out there if you could not tell by the title of this article a next gen port of sleeping dogs has been announced. And square has decided to follow up on Tomb Raider's next gen port and call it Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition, it is set for a North American release of October 14th . It will come with all 24 packs of dlc an run at a native 1080p and be released on PS4, X Box One and PC. Is Square doing to much? are you gonna buy this re-release? Let us know, And check out this live action trailer below.



New Characters Announced For Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax

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I'm sure everyone  knows SEGA is no stranger when it comes to games featuring anime our favorite anime characters, and it seems Dangeki Bunko Fighting Climax will be no different! Check out the new trailer below.


SEGA is out to make a anime fighter that will rival "J-Stars Victory Vs" using all our favorite characters from non jump anime. Includes characters from sword art online, Durarara!!, Strike the blood,the devil is a part timer, and even Oreimo. All characters under the ASCII Media Works umbrella. The two new characters announced are Yukina Himeragi from "Strike the Blood" and Rentarō Satomi from "Black Bullet". Dangeki Bunko Fighting Climax is slated for a japan only release for Playstation 3 and Playstation Vita On Novermber 13, 2014. So go to your local import store to pick that up!

At Devil's Door Review

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At Devil's Door is a horror film written and directed by Nicholas McCarthy. The film stars Naya Rivera (Glee). Is this film truly a slice of devil's pie or should you ignore the beast that is knocking?

Story - When ambitious young real estate agent Leigh is asked to sell a house with a checkered past, she crosses paths with a disturbed girl whom she learns is the runaway daughter of the couple selling the property. When Leigh tries to intervene and help her, she becomes entangled with a supernatural force that soon pulls Leigh's artist sister Vera into its web - and has sinister plans for both of them.

At Devil's Door does a fine job of giving you what you don't expect. The movie starts off as a typical horror formula. A real estate agent named Leigh is assigned to selling a house. While doing a routine check up on the house, a girl wearing a red hoodie is wandering the house. Who is this girl? Why is she living in this abandon house? However that's not all that's wrong with the house. A mysterious black substance is appearing on the door frames. Something happens to Leigh during her check up and it's up to her sister Vera (Naya Rivera) to find out what happen. For the sake of spoilers and twist and turns I will stop right there. I will say that Nicholas McCarthy did a good job on taking the audience on a ride. When you think the movie is going in a direction he flips the script and takes it somewhere else. The movie wasn't scary for me but the concept had me asking a question. What if evil does what it needs to do to survive? 



One thing I took from the movie is evil will pull out the cards to live. The characters are develop enough for you to care about what happens to them. I found Vera to be the emotional focal point of the film, as well as the mysterious hoodie girl. The two characters are well grounded into the script that you can relate to them. I think Nicholas McCarthy did a solid job with these characters. Overall the story is good, I personally wasn't scared by it but some of the concept had me intense. The story tries it's best to be as original as possible and for the most part it succeeds.

Acting - Naya Rivera shines in her first feature film lead role. She brings the character of Vera with emotion, complexity and when the scene gets intense she sells it well. The supporting cast does well Catalina Sandino Moreno is great as Leigh and the scenes with her and Naya work well.

Music - The music for the film works setting the tone. The music is not use heavily, but when it's needed it adds an element that you need for a horror film. It's nothing really memorable or something you can hunt the ost for but it works well.

Final Thoughts: At Devil's Door is a horror film that takes you one direction and then another. It has solid acting, the pacing is good, but scary tactis it has it's moments. Check it out on VOD.







Kill la Kill “Real Action Heroes Figure”

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From the hugely popular, action-packed anime Kill laKill, comes two striking figures as part of Medicom Toy’s high-end Real Action Heroes figure line.  Both figures come with very revealing Kamui Senketsu, and every detail of it has been meticulously sculpted for supreme accuracy.

Ryuko in her sexy battle outfit with her special weapon! 

Note:
The first production run on the figure will feature a Katatachi Basami mode of the scissor blade (the actual scissor shape) in addition to the standard Tachikiri Basami ("rending scissor") part.

 Size: Approx. 27cm tall, selling for the premium price of 21,500yen.

The set includes
-Main figure
-Expression parts
-Eye expression parts
-Katatachi basami
-Articulated figure stand
[Initial Production Limited]
-Katatachi basami buttagiri mode

Satsuki in her battle mode, ready to show who is in charge!

Note:
First production run comes with shouting face part.

Size: Approx. 27cm tall, selling for  the premium price of  23,760yen.

The set includes
-Main figure
-Expression parts
-Eye parts
-Weapon part "Bakuzan"
-Articulated figure stand
[Initial Production Limited Bonus]
-Shouting face part

Pre-order, now available from the following sites: CDJAPAN, HOBBYSEARCH, YESASIA, J-LIST, and PLAMOYA.

Scroll down to see pictures of each of the available characters: Matoi Ryuko and Kiryuin Satsuki. Click on them for bigger and better views.

MedicomToy REAL ACTION HEROES No.664 Kill la Kill Matoi Ryuko Kamui Senketsu Ver.
Release Date: November 2014


MedicomToy REAL ACTION HEROES No.683 Kill la Kill Kiryuin Satsuki Kamui Junketsu Ver. 
Release Date: May 2015



VIZ Media Debuts Black Rose Alice Manga & Vampire Knight DVD Complete Box Set

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BLACK ROSE ALICE, Vol. 1 is now available in print from the Shojo Beat imprint and is rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens. Volumes each carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN. Future installments of this continuing series will be released in English on a bi-monthly basis.
A digital version of BLACK ROSE ALICE, Vol. 1 is also available for $6.99 (USD/CAN) from VIZManga.com and through the VIZ MANGA App for the Apple iPad®, iPhone® and iPod® touch, Android-powered smart phones, as well as through the Nook, Kobo, Kindle, iBooks and GooglePlay stores.
In BLACK ROSE ALICE, Dimitri Lewandowski is a celebrated tenor in early 1900s Vienna. When he is killed in an accident, his corpse is colonized by the seeds of a vampire master. At first, Dimitri denies that anything has changed, but as the people around him start dying, he is forced to accept the ghastly truth.
“BLACK ROSE ALICE is a dark supernatural romance with a suspenseful storyline that puts its own unique twist on the vampire genre,” says Pancha Diaz, Editor. “After a prologue set in a beautifully rendered 1900s Vienna, the series flashes forward to modern Japan where Dimitri, who has become a fully developed vampire, appears in the dreams of a heartbroken woman to present a sinister proposal – he will save her fatally injured love, for a terrible price!”

Setona Mizushiro’s professional debut, Fuyu ga, Owarou Toshiteita (Winter Was Ending), won the 1993 Shogakukan Manga New Author Award. Her gender bending psychological thriller, After School Nightmare, was nominated for an Eisner Award and also recognized by YALSA as a Great Graphic Novel in 2007.
 
VAMPIRE KNIGHT: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION is available now and is rated TV-14. The 4-disc set is available exclusively on DVD with an MSRP of $44.82 U.S. /$43.24 CAN.
The new box set contains VAMPIRE KNIGHT as well as VAMPIRE KNIGHT GUILTY, for a total of 26 episodes. Gorgeous O-card box art features foil embossed stamping, and a special illustrated chart is also included that shows the relationships between all of the series’ key characters. English dubbed 2.0 audio is available as well as the original Japanese dialogue track with English subtitles.

Yuki Cross can’t remember anything earlier than the day ten years ago when she was saved from a vampire attack by Pureblood vampire Kaname Kuran. Now Yuki, along with her partner, Zero, is a Guardian at Cross Academy, where two groups of students, the Day Class and the Night Class, coexist in relative harmony, despite the fact that the Night Class students are all vampires! But their peaceful existence is threatened when Yuki’s memories of a bloodstained past begin to emerge, and a dark shadow of evil looms ever closer!
“Audiences can return to the ominous Cross Academy and savor the gothic romance and bloodlust, dark characters, and beautiful artwork that have made the VAMPIRE KNIGHT series such a hit among anime fans,” says Charlene Ingram, Senior Manager Animation Marketing. “For the first time, both seasons of VAMPIRE KNIGHT are available in a single complete DVD box set. For anyone that has yet to see this acclaimed series, the new release is also an ideal way to catch it in its entirety.”
VAMPIRE KNIGHT and VAMPIRE KNIGHT GUILTY are based on the best-selling manga series created by Matsuri Hino (rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens; published in North America in-print and digitally by VIZ Media), who burst onto the scene in Japan with her debut title, Kono Yume ga Sametara (When This Dream Is Over) in LaLa DX magazine. With the success of subsequent series such as CAPTIVE HEARTS and MERU PURI (both also published domestically by VIZ Media), Hino has become a major force in the world of shojo manga.
Also don’t miss the VAMPIRE KNIGHT FANBOOK and THE ART OF VAMPIRE KNIGHT, both available from VIZ Media.
For more information on VAMPIRE KNIGHT, or other award-winning anime titles from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.