G.J? new game update
Sano Toshihide eroge brand G.J? updated the teaser page for their new game yesterday night, as promised – with yet another teaser. The page layout is the same Nico parody as before, only this time there’s a video playing of a sniper whose target turns out to be Ole’s new game, [ERO] Tsuri Baka. The single bit of art from the new G.J? title on the page shows the hand of a silver-haired woman wearing a black shirt and holding a sake bottle, with text promising a new update on the 30th (when the game will be scooped in Dengeki Hime magazine). I know that’s just four days from now, but the wait is killing me. ;_;
Yamashita Shunya Kasumi mystery solved?
Amiami‘s evening update today brought word that the Yamashita Shunya designed Kasumi prize figures we’ve been tracking since last May are now on sale – at the lower price initially expected, not the one listed at Tecmo’s online shop that we covered last December. As prize figures they’re officially “open price” so they can be sold however the retailer wants (though technically they’re supposed to be won in UFO catchers and not sold at all); that may account for the discrepancy, but it still seems like Tecmo was smoking something potent with their inflated price, different height measurement and release date.
Taimanin Asagi vol. 3 on sale today
(none of the following links are work safe) In addition to being a big eroge release weekend several major eroanime came out yesterday: MS Pictures represented with Hime Kishi Angelica vol. 1, After vol. 2, and Megachu vol. 3, while Pink Pineapple brought Warau Kangofu vol. 2 and Suzuki Mirano released Renketsu Houshiki. The third episode of Pixy’s Taimanin Asagi went on sale via download today as well (package version out on Feb. 1), featuring the distinctive directorial stylings of Murakami Teruaki laid over the game‘s original Kagami designs.
Space Yoko / Yomako dakimakura mini review
I’m a bit disappointed with the Space Yoko / Yomako pillowcase that I received from Cospa yesterday. The craftsmanship is fine, it’s a typically sturdy piece that speaks well of Cospa’s production ability; the illustrations lose a lot of their appeal when viewed up close, though, and I’m beginning to think that this is more the rule than the exception for Cospa pillows (this is my second after NHK’s Misaki, which looked a lot better online than in person). I doubt I’ll get another Cospa pillow unless the design is obviously exceptional (Donne Anonime) or it’s of a character I can’t do without (Ohno? Please?). I’d only recommend this pillow if you really like the design and don’t mind it looking sketchy up close, or if you’re a huge Yoko fan.
Zounds! Figure review backlog
The picture says it all… I’m trying to figure out ways to streamline the review process so it doesn’t take as long, because there’s so much stuff I want to do with the site I can’t afford to spend the 3-4 hours per review that it’s sometimes taken in the past. The first step will be to concentrate on keeping the images to a manageable number, as that saves time at nearly all stages of the process; expect future reviews (to resume soon, hopefully) with closer to 20 images than 200. Some special figures will still merit the full court press when my itchy trigger finger gets out of control, but moderation has to take hold at some point… or does it?
Play-Asia recommendations
hmm…those Shunya busts really do look awesome….just…wish they could bring their legs back from the 5th dimension…
And Taimanin is totally boss. Especially the bj scenes in the middle lol. Just wish they would tone down the hyper action that is the staple of Murakami style though. He worked on Gakuen2 in which the hyper movement was toned down and animation was smoothed out, and it looked incredible. Wish he would do that with all of his releases.
My my…. 2 Shunya Kasumi for 2453yen only?! Or do i miss out something important here? lol it sounds too good to be true even if its 2453yen for one.
It says something like rare/limited stocks from the note at amiami site.(do i get it wrong?) Hopefully its available for international purchase.
Oh.. btw Shingo, that is really an Awesome purchase of figurines! lol The only thing i can say is… WOW. I will be starving like hell to make that much of purchase. lol Will be glad to read up those reviews~ :)
Jeez, how did you get a Tandem Twin Dog already? The ones I ordered won’t bew coming to the states for a few more months! So many figures that need reviewing…..I see a few there that I am patiently waiting for as well.
Oh well- thanx Shingo- sorry about the Cospa pillow case, that’s rough.
>>Shingo
What’s wrong with the Yoko dakimakura? From the photos you posted, I see they’re quite clear and sharp.
I do have Anonime on preorder. But if the quality is bad, I can free up much cash for other things as the covers aren’t exactly cheap. (e.g. the upcoming resin QB stuff from Griffon)
Thanks.
Printing quality of Cospa pillows doesn’t bother me for some reason. Maybe I’m just used to it :/
O.O, how do you afford all these?!
>>leofoe
Those kasumi figures are actually sega prize figures, which are supposed to be won in UFO catcher type machines, and not sold. Basically quality isn’t up to par with full fledged “real figures,” but not terrible like gashapon figures either I guess. A lot of import stores are selling each individual figure for $30-40. I had a set preordered, but decided to cancel cuz my lust for quality figures totally exploded my brain lol
>>suneo
I’m not aware of Murakami’s work on an eroanime with “Gakuen2” in the title; it’s not listed among his credits in his Wikipedia entry, and I’m pretty sure I’ve tracked down most of what he’s worked on in the past. Could you share some more details on the title?
>>leofoe
The Yamashita Kasumi pair are prize figures, not standard releases – they’re produced with cheaper materials at a lower standard of quality than most standard PVCs, and are meant to be won from UFO catcher machines and not sold via standard retail outlets (though they end up there anyway).
These do seem to be a cut above most other prize figures, which is no doubt why they’re sold out everywhere already (Play Asia still has them, but expensive). [blue ver. – white ver.]
Edit: oops, beaten by suneo :3
>>Work_Ethic
Figures typically come out in Japan a few months before they hit US-based stores, at least those who use AAA Anime as their wholesaler. Save a few bucks, delay shipment by a few months… it’s the tradeoff you make for not ordering from Japan-based shops like HLJ or Play Asia. :/
>>blacklotus, wildarmsheero
There’s nothing wrong with the printing quality, it’s just that the images seem simple and undetailed when viewed at close range and at the enormously high resolution required for pillow printing. The lines look a bit sketchy, like the illustrations were whipped out on a tight schedule (which they probably were).
The Donne Anonime pillow will be a different case entirely (no pun intended), as art duty was handled by Niθ, who is both an elite CG artist and the original character designer – not just some grunt anime cel shading guy. Cospa should have no trouble accurately reproducing Niθ’s superlative illustrations for the Anonime pillow.
>>The-O
I’d use “they’re cheaper in Japan” as my excuse, but really it comes down to having very few expenses other than food, rent, utilities, and otaku stuff. Sacrifices are made; I don’t do much else with my life beyond this.
If anybody wants the kasumi figures, Kidnemo still has the set (set as in, both blue and white figures) for preorder for $22. This is where I had a set preordered for $30 after tax and shipping, but yea…I eventually cancelled it. It still strikes me as odd that they’re the only places that have it available for preorder and for so much cheaper than other places as well.
>>Shingo
Gakuen2 is produced by Himajin. It’s not in Murakami’s famous art style, but I believe he worked on the original design and animation (if that’s what 原画 means) with a guy named Kimura Gou and Toma Seizan (I think that’s his name). I think Murakami and Kimura may be partners or part of a group called “stえるぎるど”, as credited in the credits. In the end, the character designs are Kimura Gou’s work, but traces of Murakami’s animation style can definitely be found during the sex scenes
学園２. Sorry I can’t find any online credit listings or anything for this title. I can’t even find the title on Himajin’s page lol.
Shingo: Yeah, I suppose that’s true. But, once again, I have no problem. I guess I have low standards :V
Suneo,
I have seen the two figurines together on a Japanese website or two but Kid Nemo is the only english one I’ve seen offering it. I’m currently on preorder for it but I have to admit feeling the way you did.
LOL- Silly question- what’s a “UFO Catching Machine”? I’m sure we have something like that in the states but the only thing I can think of are those claw droppers where you try and lower a claw down on too a toy to scoop it up.
>> Shingo
Thanks. I will keep my pre-order for the Anonime pillows then. 8)
As for the pair of Shunya Kasumis, I’m tempted to cancel my pre-orders to save cash. But at this price and from the pics you posted, the quality looks pretty decent. I guess I will keep them as well.
>>work_ethic
Same thing. The claw catcher is known as a UFO catching machine in Japan. 8)
See Pixar’s Toy Story 1 for an inside closeup look of the machine. 8)
>suneo
Looks like they didn’t transfer a lot of the product catalog info when Himajin became Amour.
I found some screencaps for Gakuen2. Although some of the visual reminds me of Murakami I don’t actually see any online references to him working on it. Then again my written JP skills are terrible.
NSFW obviously =p
http://memo.donmai.us/post/list?tags=gakuen2
I see… Thx for the info, suneo + Shingo. At first, the pix of the Kasumi figures are quite impressive which makes me think of pre-ordering it. In some case, i guess never judge the figures by pictures. Quality does matter :D
(Saving up monies for a next HighGrade Wonder Fest figure)
>>Work_Ethic
yup that thing lol
UFO Catchers!
http://segaprize.com/read/machine/
just to clear things up, the art style isn’t in Murakami Teruaki’s style, rather, the character designs are from Kimura Gou, with whom Murakami worked with on this title. Both Kimura when listed by himself, as well as when Kimura and Murakami were listed together, were credited under another name in parantheses (stえるぎるど), but unfortunately I can’t find any information on it. As the first comment in that donmai blog that Outlawed mentioned, they referenced Murakami Teruaki as well, saying the animation style was reminiscent of his, and I agree.
Here’s a screencap I took of the rolling credits at the end of Gakuen2 just to make sure I wasn’t going crazy and maybe read the name wrong lol.
>>suneo
Thanks for the clarification, I wasn’t aware that he’d done work for shows that he didn’t design and direct as well, though it certainly makes sense. I’m surprised I missed Gakuen2; it seems to have come out in the 1-2 month gap last summer when I wasn’t following eroanime closely. Must go hunt it down…
The third episode of Pixy’s Taimanin Asagi; featuring the distinctive directorial stylings of Murakami Teruaki laid over the game’s original Kagami designs.
But it looks more like the show’s just using the same-old animation “banks.” And yeah; I feel sorry for that blonde ninja who had her breasts expanded, and that female lead’s boyfriend.