From the “(beaten like a) red-headed stepchild” bureau of news so old it’s petrified, word is in at the official Haruhi site as of 4:00 AM this morning that a “Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu new animefication” is planned for next year. Moon Phase speculates that the copyright listing of “2007, 2008, 2009″ might imply that the series will start in the fall of ’08 and run for two seasons into the spring of ’09; we’ll be keeping a corner of an eye on this as more information comes to light. In other anime news, Moon Phase reports today that Higurashi no Naku Koro ni is getting a third season. No details have been released yet, but are expected to appear shortly at the show’s official site. (no more)

It’s a general roundup of news from the past few days in another installment of the increasingly inaccurately named Mainichi Junk! We’ve got stuff from all corners of the otakuverse today, starting with a heaping helping of Comic Market 73 (the latest on Momoi’s AX DVD, Keumaya’s new doujin figure project, and hug pillows galore), new moves on the anime scene (trailers for Mnemosyne, Code Geass season 2, and Kite Liberator), eroanime news (featuring a new Pixy title in the “valkyrie vs. orc” genre), a few bits of figure gossip (Orchid’s Erika shipping for reals, Donne Anonime too, and Shuraki mangafication) and a new MOSAIC.WAV eroge movie that is certainly worth your viewing time.

Via Moon Phase Diary: This month’s edition of Newtype, due out on December 10th, will confirm the speculated airing of the second season of Code Geass TV anime starting in the spring (April) of 2008, according to advance notice obtained by Moon Phase. Recent speculation had it that Geass would be inserted in the break between two half-year seasons of Gundam 00 in the Saturday evening prime time slot on the TBS network, and while we don’t have confirmation of this detail it seems likely to be the case; we’ll bring further information on this development as we obtain it. In other news, the same Moon Phase post reports that Macross F will air next spring as well; seems like an epic science fiction season in the making! Thanks to Rawshark for the tipoff on this. (no more)

I wasn’t able to pick up last month’s issue of Megami soon enough to do a timely review, but we return this month with a look at the latest the bishoujo anime pinup magazine has to offer. As was the case two months ago it seems Megami has once again outshone the competition from Comp Heroines with another great issue! Check it out for particularly delectable offerings from Bamboo Blade, Kodomo no Jikan, Dragonaut, and more.

Joining the chorus of bajillions of other anime blogs that have no doubt already reported on this, Moon Phase diary posted early this morning with the news that a second season of Gundam 00 is scheduled to air in October of 2008. Speculation arose when it was first revealed that 00 would only run for half a year that it would be followed in its coveted Saturday evening prime time slot by a second season of Code Geass, and while this has not been confirmed the news that the slot will be vacant from April through September is highly suggestive – something has to go there, so why not make it a show that’s actually good? Haven’t had one of those since FMA… we’ll be keeping a close eye out for any further news of a possible Geass sequel. (no more)

Illusion put up a demo movie on its official site yesterday for Jinkou Shoujo 3, their latest venture into polygon-based ero (first scooped here in August). The movie is mostly a compilation of flash videos that can already be found on the site, but there’s a bit at the end that makes downloading worth while. While you’re there a download of the free character construction tool is recommended as well, I’ve been playing around with it and have managed to come up with some fun stuff. Despite the limitations still evident in the gameplay (they’re using the same cheesy sound effects they’ve used in every game since 2002) this is a title I’ve been anticipating for years now and I can’t wait to get my hands on the full version when it comes out on November 30th. For no apparent reason an attempt to build a vaguely Mogudan-esque Rei is below:

We reported exactly a year ago today that Sei Shoujo (Erogamescape), the legendary artist and scenario writer behind Bible Black, Discipline, and Cleavage (among others), was working on a new game for the Skunkworks brand entitled “Starless”. The game was originally given a release window of summer 2007 (which has obviously passed), but thanks to an update at the Skunkworks site Starless has been given a revised date of spring 2008! This alone would not necessarily indicate that Sei Shoujo was still alive and kicking, but HD has it on good authority (secondhand from the president of Will) that work on the game is in fact proceeding. If this news is any indication, his nearly three year absence from the eroge world should soon be coming to an end – we’ll be watching closely for further confirmation. (no more)

Plans have been in the works for several months to produce a second artbook compilation of the works of Horibe Hiderou (Wikipedia), the promising illustrator and character designer who died a tragic death of heart failure last year at age 36. Word is in today from Mangaoh that the details of the volume have been confirmed: the book known as COLORS is being produced by Jive Publishing, scheduled for release in late December at 2,604 yen (tax included), at size A4 (total page number unknown). The volume will contain illustration material not included in Yours (his first artbook), drawn from the various PC and console games he worked on including Interlude, Elf’s [ERO] Shuusaku and Kisaku, as well as his unfinished work on unpublished games and several memorial illustrations and newly colored images. I’m glad to see that such a talented illustrator is being honored in this way after his death… the book is currently available for order internationally via the Mangaoh link above. (no more)

We’ve been tracking the production of Macross F since it was first announced in March that a new “utahime” was being sought to star in it. She was found, and today we get our first look at Satelight‘s tour de force that brings together the talent of mech designer and writer Kawamori Shouji, composer Kanno Youko, character designer Ebata Risa (responsible for [ERO] this) and director Kikuchi Yasuhito in a trailer, at least, that is looking quite simply spectacular. The series seems to be Kawamori’s to screw up at this point, but hopefully the rest of the production staff won’t let his more bizarre flights of fancy get too far out of hand. We’ll be watching closely for further news! (no more)

A surprise announcement from eroge maker G.J? on Tuesday that they will be releasing a new version of their summer 2005 title Shichinin no Online Gamers. Dubbed “Shichinin no Online Gamers THE ANIME” it’s set to retail on November 22nd at 6,090 yen, and is described as containing “full screen cel animation” scenes; it’s a common gimmick for DVD player compatible versions of games to include additional bits of animation like this at around this price point, which makes me wonder why this is a PC release and not aiming for the wider DVD market. Regardless it’s hard to see it as anything other than a quick cash infusion between titles (the fact that there’s no official product page or samples of the animation speaks volumes). I just hope it’ll bring in enough fundage to feed Sano Toshihide and his family until the master’s next magnum opus is released. Whoredom below the fold:

During a habitual run through 2chan’s mokeiura board this morning I noticed a most curious item that bore further investigation. It turns out that Wani Books, publishers of the Comic Gum manga anthology in which Ikkitousen is serialized, is producing what they’re calling an Ikkitousen Treasure Limited BOX Publication. It’s a …box, apparently, containing seven special limited edition items which are detailed below:

That’s right, the Momoi Haruko concert from AX 2007 is coming out on DVD! Despite being treated with neglect and disrespect by the convention staff (Canned Dogs coverage) Momoi managed to keep her spirits up and prepare for the concert, presenting herself to the small crowd of fans gathered in the ghastly Monday morning time slot allotted her with a true professionalism and genuine energy that is hard to describe without having been there. It was easily one of the top five concerts of my life, and I’ll definitely be picking this up to relive the experience (despite the hefty 7,560 yen price tag… ;_;). The disc is set for release on January 1st of next year, with initial sales planned at the Toranoana booth at Comiket 73 (December 29th through the 31st). (no more)

New eroanime brand Suzuki Mirano opened its official site on October 29th, along with the news that the first title in its production pipeline will be “Grope: Yami no Naka no Kotoritachi” and is based on the 2003 May-Be Soft eroge by the same name. Looking at the character designs and the font used in the page’s promotional text I’d bet dollars to donuts that this joins Himajin and Amour in the Anik brand portfolio, but with the current lack of information on the site it’s impossible to say for sure. It seems we can expect a full site opening some time in December. (no more)

The official site for Queen’s Blade spinoff series Queen’s Gate is now open! Based on the Lost Worlds series of combat game books from Flying Buffalo Press, Queen’s Gate serves as the portal between the Queen’s Blade series and the creative works of other brands joining in partnership to release other characters in the Lost Worlds format. The first two installments are Mon wo Hiraku Mono Arisu, designed by Niθ of Nitro+, and the POP-illustrated Magical Girl Pastel Ink, heroine of the Moetan anime and English otaku phrase book series. Both combat artbooks are scheduled for release on November 30th at 1,500 yen each, and like their Queen’s Blade counterparts will be hardcover and full color. We’ll be keeping an eye out for further news on this series – could Maritan be next? (no more)

Loyal Ar Tonelico fan and HD webslinger Jetfuel today represents with a translation of the Dengeki Online article that appeared on October 25th in commemoration of the Ar Tonelico 2 release, describing the premium event held on the 21st with the game’s seiyuu and producers. Reproduced here with his permission is the full translation of the article, which contains some amusing anecdotes from the production staff as well as an explanation of part of the game system:

Next was the explanation of “Dualstall”, sometimes called the “Bath System”. Dualstall is a system by which you submerge a Dualisno crystal into a bathtub, then the heroines bathe together, warming up their bodies and gaining power.

Read on for the full translation!

Ar Tonelico 2, the most highly anticipated console RPG title of the year (in my own brain, at least) is now on sale! Its release was commemorated on October 21st by a premium event held in conjunction with the currently running Akihabara Enta Matsuri at which the creative talent behind the game rocked out, literally and figuratively, in praise of the title’s many obvious merits. Those wondering what all the fuss is about are advised to check out the demo movie available via the “special” tab on the game’s official website; the Wikipedia entry for the original game may also be of service. If you’d like to support HD with your purchase the game is currently available (Japanese version only) at Play Asia, as is the OST; shots of what you get if you are truly insane below:

The December ’07 issue of Hobby Japan magazine had an advertisement for a third anthology volume of manga based on the characters from the Queen’s Blade series of combat artbooks. It’s set for release on November 24th, which is at this point all we know about the book (other than that the cover will be penned by [ERO] Jibril and Nanael character designer Kuuchuu Yousai); past volumes of the anthology have included work from artists such as F.S, Rebis, and Kokuryuugan, and as such are basically officially sanctioned borderline ecchi doujin compilations. We’ll be keeping an eye out for a list of contributors coming online in the next few weeks. Cover image from the advertisement below:

Moon Phase Diary reports that Shureishi, a manga currently serialized in Comic Gum (preview here), is scheduled to receive an eroge adaptation. While there have been plenty of adult game to all-ages manga conversions in the past, to my knowledge this is the first example of the opposite occurring. That fact alone is worth a bit for its trivia value, but what really has me excited about the project is the fact that mangaka Ryuu Mokunen will be handling the game designs as well. He draws some of the most purely erotic doujinshi I have ever seen, and I discovered him just in time to pick up a couple of his books in ’05-’06 before his doujin activity stopped (presumably to start work on this manga) so it’s great to know that he’s coming back to the world of adult illustration. The scenario will be penned not by manga author Takaoka Yoshiaki but instead by veteran galge writer Futaba Akira, and the game is set for release in early summer of 2008. We’ll be keeping watch for further details as the project unfolds. (no more)

Via Moon Phase Diary, the Integrated Dakimakura Research Institute, and the G’s Magazine official blog: Great news for the [ERO] Sengoku Rance fans! Not only is the game still rated over Fate as most recommended eroge by readers of Tech Gian, word is in from the latest issue of Dragon Age Pure that starting with its next issue (on sale December 20th) a Sengoku Rance comic will be serialized within, penned by none other than up and coming (ero)mangaka Sameda Koban. For those who can’t wait two months for their Sengoku manga fix, the first volume of Dengeki G’s Festival! COMIC will include not only an ero-ero Uesugi Kenshin dakimakura cover but also the beginning of a serialized Rance manga by Naruse Hirofumi. The latter is due out on November 26th, but as of posting I can’t find anywhere that has it up for preorder… We’ll be keeping a close watch on this one. Update follows:

According to Moon Phase Diary a manga featuring Yamaha’s virtual idol Hatsune Miku will begin serialization in the January 2008 issue of Comic RUSH (on sale November 26th), and will be penned by Miku character designer KEI. I haven’t done much Miku reporting (Zepy‘s the man to go for for up to the minute news on everyone’s favorite voice synth) but this is a great development in my book; too often characters are poorly interpreted by mangaka other than the original creator, but with her designer on board for the project I’d say Miku is in safe hands. (no more)

The Yomiuri Online today reports that the Metropolitan Boueki Kaikan Taitou building in Asakusa, the site of several dozen small doujin events each year, has closed its doors to adult doujinshi – perhaps for good. The Yomiuri article cites investigation of the content sold at Abnormal Carnival as the reason prompting the closure (declaring it “judged as an unfit use of public space”), but apparently it’s not just ABC that is affected: Queen’s Coliseum II has been contacted, and we can assume that other near-term events have as well. This development has the potential to put a serious dampener on the niche doujin scene that had depended on the facility for space, and while other privately owned locations are no doubt available for rent it is unclear in what form such events will survive. I’ve sold there as a circle myself on two occasions and been there as an attendee many more, and I’m going to miss the place… we’ll be keeping a very close eye on this situation as it develops. Update: further details below:

Ichijinsha, publishers of Comic Yurihime, released a volume of ecchi yuri manga dubbed Yurihime Wildrose yesterday (October 18th) in conjunction with the release of the manga serial’s 10th volume. Akiba Blog has a look inside, and the [ERO] content seems quite charming indeed. :3 While nominally “by women for women”, the fact that Ichijinsha put a column up at Akiba Blog reminds us that the beauty of the lily is appreciated by all genders… International fans can obtain Wildrose via Amazon and Mangaoh, and the standard Yurihime serial is available as well. Now if only we could get more news on the fourth season of Marimite… Update: the title of (non-ero) yuri game of the year is likely going to Kogado’s Solfege, due out on December 21st. Tanoshimi da wa~ Update 2: Akiba Blog has an uncensored look at Wildrose up this morning. (no more)

Word is in from the Tokyo Anime Center website that social networking service (SNS) Filn will be launching a web radio program with Momoi Haruko as the main personality and Tsuji Ayumi as co-anchor. Flin describes itself as “a social networking service for fans of anime, manga, games, cosplay, IT gadgets, etc. – ‘otaku’ or ‘akiba-kei’”, and the name is an acronym for “Friend “Intersects” “Looks” and “Nerd”. The radio program will have its pre-debut on October 20th under the title “The Rise and Fall of the Filn Empire”, and in addition to Momoi and Tsuji will feature nine young seiyuu who are being called “Filn Children” (I’m not making this up). Each of these Children will be responsible for a corner of the web radio, whose contents will be gleaned from communities within the SNS in a sort of social networking radio content fusion; the premiere episode this weekend will serve to get the word out and introduce the service. I’m almost curious enough to join up and witness the spectacle first hand… (no more)

The official site for the Kodomo no Jikan anime posted an apology yesterday clarifying the chain of events leading up to the show’s broadcast cancellation on the AT-X cable/satellite network. As AT-X had earlier claimed, the network wanted to broadcast the show (in its fully censored version) with an age warning attached. The anime production committee did not agree, citing a desire for the show to reach “the broadest audience possible”, and thus the broadcast was pulled. Earlier the official Kojika anime blog had claimed that the blame for the cancellation lay entirely with the AT-X editorial staff, a claim which was retracted yesterday by erasing of the offending post. Out of sight, out of mind, apparently… at any rate, at present broadcast has been confirmed to continue on both Chiba TV and KBS Kyoto, as well as the upcoming free Biglobe webcast. The future of the controversial show is secure, for now. (no more)

Both Akiba Blog and Moeyo! Akibajin Blog are reporting on today’s sale of Merona and Claudette, the two latest entries in the Queen’s Blade combat artbook series, and as usual they just barely skirt the border of all-ages material. As we reported back in August F.S. and Hisayuki Hirokazu reprise their design roles here, with F.S.’s Merona especially eye-catching as a shape shifting ooze creature who takes the form of the other Queen’s Blade protagonists. This release snuck up on me, but I’ll try to get reviews up as soon as I can grab copies for myself… (no more)

The long awaited conclusion to the Bible Black saga is upon us! Amazon’s listing says so, and it fits in with MS Pictures‘ standard release pattern. There is some sort of poetic justice (injustice?) here… Fans of Sei Shoujo not occupied with more wholesome pursuits this holiday season will have plenty to look forward to, what with this and the release of the Discipline eroge on December 18th. (no more)

The second episode of Genshiken 2 aired last night, and unlike the first episode it features the OP animation and opening theme song in all its glory – frankly it’s nothing like what I was expecting, and it blew me away. The entire OP sequence is directed by veteran animator and eromangaka Urushihara Satoshi, and unlike the original Manzo OP which centers around the club enjoying their daily activities this one soars into the realm of otaku myth, transposing characters into the roles of giant robot heroes. The OP theme song itself does the job fine, but what really knocks you off your feet is the animation. I can’t believe they had the budget to do this. It’s not up on YouTube yet, but Nico has it here (registration required); screencap of the Urushihara credit below:

Akiba Blog yesterday reported the release of Moyuru Kami no Kuni!, a 270-page moe-clad manifesto from Ikaros Publishing (not to be confused with Icarus Publishing) of what appears to be softcore Japanese nationalist propaganda. Art is from miko legend Tanaka Shoutarou, with text by Suzuki Doitsu, author of Gundam and the Second World War, among others; the book’s content includes such themes as “the reason Japan hasn’t been invaded until now is the presence of the JSDF and the US military”, “there are other righteous wars that should be fought beyond wars of self-protection”, “in order to be accepted as a trusted, normal member of the international community, we must amend the constitution”, “rational countries such as Japan should possess nuclear weapons”, “are there any other countries beyond China, North Korea and South Korea who object to devotional shrine visits honoring our war dead?”, and “sexy miko in lingerie”. If this book becomes a best-seller, one of the above themes in particular seems to stand out as why… (no more)

In a twist on past seasonal rundowns, we present the fall 2007 batch of anime as a top ten list (plus one) of the shows most likely to receive a warm reception by the doujinshi community this winter. Want to know what you’re likely to see out of Comic Market in December? Read on for our impression of the new season, doujin style!

Animate.tv brings us the news that Genshiken 2 web radio will begin streaming on October 9th, coinciding with the TV show‘s terrestrial broadcast. The radio program will be anchored by Hiyama Nobuyuki (Madarame) and Mizuhashi Kaori (Ogiue), who will engage in philosophical discussions that will deepen (or not deepen) their understanding of otaku life. Corners include Mizuhashi’s “Fujoshi no Hanazono”, where she listens to and resolves the concerns of female otaku listeners, and Hiyama’s “Koko ga Hen da yo Ippanjin!”, where otaku turn the tables and point on the bizarre behaviors of “normal people”. The show will be called “Genchoken Otaku na Radio” (Genchoken = Gendai Choukaku Bunka Kenkykuukai, or the society for the study of modern audio culture), and will stream new episodes every Tuesday consistent with the broadcast of the TV show. This is going to be fun… :3 (no more)