My day at the facts convention

I know, i should've posted sooner, but i've been busy with the beta of trackmania united (i'm a complete trackmania fanboy). i'll probably devote a post to it in the near future, but i promised you some stuff about facts :D.

First of all: the stuff i got. You already saw the list in my previous post, and i must say i'm pleased with what i bought. I've already been reading the manga's, and i like them. some of the dvd's were already borrowed by a friend, and they were good, so that's good news (although it just adds to the pile of "anime to watch"). The figurines and gashapons have already found a place on my desk/around my computer, and they're absolutely lovely!
I may have spent a bit more money than planned, but i don't regret it. i may even have payed a bit too much for some things, but when they're good, i don't mind :).

Then, the convention itself. I loved the atmosphere, very relaxed, and lots of cosplayers (as could be seen in the pictures i posted). Also everyone i asked if i could take their picture responded very enthousiastic, and that also made the day great :).
Also the people i was with (users from a forum i often visit) were good company, and being with a group adds a lot to the fun you have at such a convention :).

i'll update this post after the weekend with some pictures and descriptions of the things i bought, but you'll have to do with this now. I'd go play tmu now, but i haven't got an account for it on this pc, so i'll have to endure till after the weekend.

cya soon, boredom will have to strike me sometime tomorrow, probably enough to inspire me for a next post :)

Densha Otoko -- 電車男 -- Specials

Ok, after the enormous emotional climax of Densha Otoko episode 11, I sat down and watched the two specials. Densha Otoko SP was released quite quickly behind the TV series, and without spoiling it, I can describe it as a sort of epilogue where you get to know the forum gang a bit more. It's executed in the same excellent manner as the series, and is highly recommended. In fact, it really is quite "must see" if you've watched the series.



Spoiler 1, highlight to view:
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I didn't like Matsunaga and Kawamoto dubbed the crucial emotional climax from episode 11. I saw it coming, I fast forwarded through it, but it still left a blemish on that pristine scene. I loved everything else though, it's great to see the last episodes play out from the perspective of the forum gang. The "strategist" getting together with his Korean sweetheart is the icing on the cake. And even that moron Matsunaga's horrid ballad was nice.
_____
On September 23rd, the second and last special was released: Densha Otoko SP Deluxe. It features almost the entire cast from the TV series. Although not 100% certain, this 2 hour special will most likely be the final chapter in the Densha Otoko drama universe. The anime spin-off "Getsumen Toheiki Mina" or "Moon-faced Rabbit Weapon Mina" is set for January 2007.





Spoiler 2, highlight to view:
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This entire special reminded me of Love Hina's Summer Special. I think it was the tropical island. I also love Jinnkawa-san, after about 25 minutes without her I was afraid she wasn't going to show up at all. Luckily the Vader-theme put me at ease. Kitamuri Kazuki is a great villain, I hated him from the start. His psychotic state at the end was even better. The ending is very satisfying, but you'll have to admit that's it's kinda "seen it, been there, done that". Once again the forum team throw themselves in battle to save Densha. But although predictable, it's again very well executed, albeit not so earthshattering as episodes 9-10-11. And of course, we have the whole "ke...--cut to Sambomaster" and ringless finger scene at the very end. Although in my heart I utterly despise this and called my PSP names (Densha Otoko should have an ultimate, happy ending!) it's probably done on purpose. Either we'll get one, final "honeymoon/marriage" special, or the director wanted to point out that it's all still based on a real story. Densha would've probably picked another time/place to propose and Densha and Hermes will live and experience their relationship on a more mature, calm and non-J-dorama pace.
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And so (probably) ends the entire Densha Otoko story. In drama-form, that is. I must say that this television show has moved me more than any other show ever has. It's a modern fairy tale, a legend that will reverberate across popular (Japanese) media for years to come. And let's not forget how funny this show is. The reason I like Densha Otoko so much probably is my stubborn belief in old-fashion friendship, love and happy endings. Despite the collective, snobistic intellectual reflex to dispel such stories, Densha Otoko manages to come across as loveable, honest and endearing.



電車男とエルメスさん、またね。

FACTS 2006: Made it back --two--

Ok, I admit. Today was the first time I went to a convention. Although I started this blog, and pronounced to be a total otaku, I'm a total noob at this.

The convention was FACTS, by the way, abbreviation explained by Race. In Western Europe, it is one of the most noteable conventions for anime, but even moreso for Star Wars and fantasy.

To my surprise, months of intensive googling, ebay/webshop purchasing, and visits to fellow anime blogs have rendered me quite adept at picking out merchandise. While the convention floor was pretty large, I finished a preliminary tour in 30 minutes, despite the packed crowd and accompanying parents (who have been great sports). I triaged three locations: one had a 1/60 Wing Zero plamo (technically crap like the entire GW HG series, but big and kick ass). Another had a lot of figures, some new ones (GSC's Melissa Seraphy) and a few rarer older ones (a 1/6 Yamato Mizuho in swimsuit). He was also cheap, 20-30 euro for most of the stuff. The last location had a lot of Star Wars stuff..but also a few Final Fantasy VII items. And amongst them was a Kotobukiya coldcast 1/8 Cloud.



I bought that on the spot. I mean, the box says 12000 yen. And the guy gave it away at 32 euros (5000 yen). Ok, the box was slightly dinged and clearly opened but *who the f--- cares* for *thirty freakin' euros*!! Anyway, score one.

I then decided to proceed to the Gundam guy and get that 1/60 Wing Zero. I remember being in highschool and oogling that plamo after watching Gundam Wing. Upon arrival, I had some kind of timeshift experience. I saw this guy who kinda looked like me, but 7-8 years younger. He paid up and..took the Wing Zero. Damn.

The thunderous stamping of feet interrupted my disappointment, as the stage was filled with Star Wars cosplayers. I mean, is the Stormtrooper costume thé pinnacle in cosplay, or what?



I tried catching a Stormtrooper for a pic-op, but failed due to..well..too many
scifi..otaku..people..*dizzy*

I then proceeded to the cheap figurine guy for some serious, point-blank, up-close and personal browsing through his inventory.

On my way, I came across this other guy who handpainted his resin kits. They were absolutely stunning, here's a shot from the rare Kenshin resin, masterfully crafted and finished.



At the figurine guy, after 15 minutes I realized that I didn't really need any of these figurines, despite all their Nihon-cuteness. Either I didn't like one specific element of them (the face is all wrong, the pose is all wrong, the hair is all wrong, the base is crap,..) or I just didn't know the character. With a sense of unhealthy levelheadedness I left the figurine den.

I was lucky to run into Racemaniac and the Telenet Forum gang. Race (after thoroughly bragging about his conquests) pointed out that there where Genshiken gashapons.

Hold the phone.

Genshiken gashapons? Widely appreciated and sold out? Here? Available? URYAA!!!!

With renewed otaku-powah I rushed through the stands. The only good material form of Chairman Saki was waiting..(GSC's has no nose and Yamato's face is slightly wrong and the ankles are weak, cfr. Race's post) After much elbowing and scifi-fan shoving I found it.

Then I remembered what gashapons are.

Evil..closed..boxed..things..of evil.

I must've looked quite pathetic, shaking the boxes one by one in a desperate attempt to discover Saki-chan. In fact, I must've been enormously pathetic, as the dealer went up to me and asked "hey, just tell me which one you want". It was one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me...*sniff* arigatou!!



Oh, and I also picked up Ohno, cuz she was one of the "dropouts" prior to Saki showing up.



So, FACTS was great for me. I scored bigtime three times, and it cost me less than 50 euro. All that I lacked was a Stormtrooper.



Hah. Bunny Stormtrooper. Hah. FACTS was great. Hah.

PS: In-depth reviews of Saki-chan, Ohno-san and Cloud will follow. As will some Gundam and other figurine reviews (Mizuho-sensei!!) Watch this space :p

Made it back

Hi there, I'm back from facts, photo's can be seen here
things I bought:
-some gashapons (d'oh), from genshiken and chobits
-chii figurine
-3 azumanga daioh mangas
-2 shaman king manga's
-.hack sign and legend of the twilight dvd's
-t-shirt of hellsing
-another naruto headband ^^ (starting to form a pattern, since i bought one last year too
-ah my goddess artbook

that's about it I think :).
I'll get into more detail after the weekend.

Ready for battle!

Here I am, up early, ready to go to the facts convention.
for the non belgians: a convention all about fantasy, ANIME, comics, toy's & sci-fi. Shonen will probably be there too, so expect some new exciting things we can soon blog about!

Densha Otoko -- 電車男 -- キター！！

I just finished Densha Otoko. I...can't quite put into words how I feel. I'll do it at the end of this post, perhaps.

Densha Otoko (Train Man) is a J-Dorama (Japanese TV Drama) adapted from a true story. Yamada Tsuyoshi is a typical 23 year old otaku. Nice, dorky, and a bit of a loser, things never seem to swing his way. But one day, a beautiful woman is harassed by a drunk and Yamada gathers all his courage to put a stop to this. She sends him a gift, and not knowing what to do, Yamada decides to turn to a BBS for help and advice.

And so, the legend of Densha Otoko is born.

I'm sure many of you know the story and have probably have seen the series/specials/movie. If you didn't, I can wholeheartedly recommend it.

There's so much to like from this series. First of all, the actors (leads Misaki Ito and Atsushi Itou but also all of the auxiliary cast, not in the least the BBS gang) are so believable and endearing. The story, whilst very simple (it's a boy meets girl story, in its core), is so well executed that it never grows stale. Densha Otoko also succeeds in intercutting the sometimes very involving love theme with lighter arcs (Jinnkawa-san! Sakurai-san!), that will leave your sides thoroughly split.

Also, last and not least, the otakuculture and akiba-kei is expertly depicted here. And as opposed to Genshiken, what you see is all on location and real. Densha Otoko is a testament to the entire identity of what it is to be a Japanese Modern Art fanatic. Not just the crazed frenzy, but also the fact that we are living, breathing people that are afraid, cry and love just like anyone else.

http://www.fujitv.co.jp/denshaotoko/index2.html (TV official)
http://www.trainman-movie.com (movie official)
http://www.geocities.co.jp/Milkyway-Aquarius/7075/trainman.html (the real BBS)

Invasion of the gashapons

Hi, my name is Racemaniac, and I'm a gashapon addict
*starts crying*

Well, maybe it isn't that bad yet, but it's more or less becoming an issue... Everytime I go to the local anime/manga shop, I seem to return with yet another gashapon (for those not familiar with otaku terminology, it's a small figurine, that's sold in a closed box so you can't see which you buy, and is meant for trading). Right now I've got a total of fifteen gashapons standing behind my keyboard (or  rather in front of my monitors (two), since they're already with so many that the line up is wider than my keyboard.

If you don't recognise them all on the photo: the left six are from Mai Otome (bought because they look pretty good, and even better now i discovered you can undress them), the right 4 are from kujibiki unbalance (the series in the universe of Genshiken (yes, we love that anime)), and the others are from Genshiken itself. I've also got one from amaenaideyo (who came up with that name) lying around somewhere, but it isn't as beautiful as the others(very cheap and plastic look)...

Luckily, being an otaku (who buys this junk) is pretty  rare here in Belgium, so I haven't really got friends yet to trade these gashapons 
with. But their rapid increase in numbers is worries me!, soon I'll run 
out of space to put them, I'll have to start selecting...
Right now, I guess Ihave no choice but to go along with it, and see where Iend up, but just in case, has anyone heard about a gashapon rehab centre?