Tag: Japan

Hellsing is Getting Updated on a Dark Horse

With supernatural horrors haunting the streets and preying upon humanity, the shadowy Hellsing Organization fights back against hell’s minions.

Hellsing (Second Edition) Book CoverDark Horse Comics

The legions of the damned again threaten to cover the earth in darkness in new paperback editions of Hellsing. Featuring revised translations available previously only in the deluxe hardcover editions, Kohta Hirano’s epic action/horror manga is now even closer to the author’s terrifying vision that spawned the international hit anime series. Hellsing blends gothic horror, violent action, and dark humor in a bloody brew that has fired the imagination of otaku everywhere. These updated and redesigned editions are perfect for Hellsing devotees and a great jumping-on point for new readers.

With supernatural horrors haunting the streets and preying upon humanity, the shadowy Hellsing Organization fights back against hell’s minions. Hellsing’s secret weapon? Alucard, a vampire lord of immense power, specially trained and equipped to destroy the undead. But vast evil forces are on the march, and even the agents of Hellsing may not be able to stem the black tide that threatens to engulf England—and all humanity!

Hellsing Volume 1 2nd edition will arrive in bookstores November 7, 2023 and in comic shops November 8, 2023. It is available for pre-order now on Amazon  and at your local comic book shop and bookstore and will retail for $14.99.

First Hot Glimpses Inside Namco Akihabara’s Arcade in Electric Town

We got a an early glimpse in this photo gallery inside Namco Akihabara and how everything is laid out for gamers (of any time) to enjoy!

Namco Akihabara Front at NightAlthough the Sega GiGO Akihabara Building is long gone, Namco has taken over the space to open its own collective of products for gamers to enjoy. This six-floor game centre simply known as Namco Akihabara opened March 1st, and we are fortunate to have a friend who’s in Japan right now, willing to take snaps for us.

Special thanks go to Gerald Parkin for providing info and some insight to this new operation. He’s living an otaku’s dream in this trip and reported that not every floor here was open during opening week. These dedicated levels are for (collectable) trading card games on the fifth floor, capsule toys on the fourth, music based video games on the third, lots of claw machines for the second and first and your traditional arcade cabinets in the basement.

Continue reading “First Hot Glimpses Inside Namco Akihabara’s Arcade in Electric Town”

Dancing with Inu-Oh on Home Video!

Inu-oh can be religiously enjoyed for the experience that it is not only in cinemas but also at home with this release.

Inu-Oh
Available for purchase on Amazon USA

The home video release of Inu-Oh is here! Not only can I finally learn about Masaaki Yuasa‘s thought process, but also learn more about the elements I didn’t notice in my early viewing. Instead of reviewing the entire film again (it can be read here) with this additional knowledge, what I’ll explore is the bonus material. This filmmaker has been on my radar since discovering Lu Over the Wall; on television, he directed Devilman Crybaby.

After he named one of my favourite bands, Queen, as a key influence, I knew I was dead on with one musical montage in this film. He also explained why American and the history of music’s greatest moments are important to the crafting of this film. From The Beatles to Jimi Hendrix to Michael Jackson, a signature moment was actually snuck into the work, and that alone is enough reason to watch Inu-Oh multiple times. Not only can fans seek these frames out, but also they can listen for it too. Although Hendrix’s moment is with an action and we are told where it is, I have to search for the other easter eggs.

Continue reading “Dancing with Inu-Oh on Home Video!”

Gekidan Shinkansen’s Rock n’ Roll Odyssey with Fortress of Skulls Coming to Theatres (Canada-wide)

The choice isn’t hard on which version of Gekidan Shinkansen’s Fortress of Skulls is worth watching. The one now playing across Canada at select cinemas is shorter.

Fortress of SkullsIn select theatres Jan 26 and Jan 28 across Canada (ticket link)

Anyone who doesn’t want to watch the nearly three-hour version of Gekidan Shinkansen’s Fortress of Skulls (Wind mix) on Netflix now has an option! This gorgeous production has been edited down to a tighter work, and it’s now playing across Canada at select cinemas.

This theatre company delivers quite the experience when you can see one of their shows live. There, the seating moves with the action (more on this later), but for others going to see it at a movie theatre, the performance has a different feel. While we don’t get the sensation of the stage in motion, we will be assaulted with other terrific bits to make us feel like we’re in the play’s environment. Not only do we get a rousing score that blends rock and roll with traditional music, but also find the lighting design is straight out of a heavy metal concert.

Many cameras are used to track the action with this updated experience. One is locked off to frame the entire stage, and the rest are located at strategic spots to nail specific instances, and rest roaming one to nail close-ups. Had this been aired live, the director has to be on his A game to call the camera change. With up to twenty that can be used in total, that’s a lot!

Continue reading “Gekidan Shinkansen’s Rock n’ Roll Odyssey with Fortress of Skulls Coming to Theatres (Canada-wide)”

Are You ‘Up’ to the Challenge to Wait for Arcana of Paradise–The Tower?

The survival videogame, Arcana of Paradise–The Tower is delayed. Fans can expect it later this year.

Arcana of ParadiseArcana of Paradise–The Tower is a real-time roguelike deckbuilding survival videogame is getting its release date pushed to later this year. Those fans who saw the product demo at Japanese-language Indie World showcase will have to wait just a bit longer. The trailer shows a wonderful design aesthetic that will have many anxious for the final product, and for now, the news is that the Nintendo Switch version and its Steam (PC) counterpart now has a date of April 20, 2023 so the developers can iron out the kinks.

SHUEISHA GAMES, a new video game publishing arm of prestigious manga publisher SHUEISHA (One Piece, Naruto, My Hero Academia, Demon Slayer, Death Note), is working hard at getting the game properly running.

Continue reading “Are You ‘Up’ to the Challenge to Wait for Arcana of Paradise–The Tower?”

%d bloggers like this: