PhotoFunia - Play with your photos

Thanks to a post by fellow blogger, Bluedrakon, I spent some time playing with PhotoFunia and had a lot of fun. Basically, PhotoFunia is a widget that lets you merge your photos into prepared templates and create very funny pictures. There is quite a wide choice of templates so you can place your photos on walls of skyscrapers, set up at a gallery exhibition, put on cover of a magazine, use them for wanted posters, and many more.

Some of the templates are powered by a face-detection system, so you must use a photo of a face. It didn't recognize faces of anime characters, at least in all my cases, but you can use anime characters in all the other templates which are not marked as using face-detection.

It's free and you can save created pictures to your disc. All pictures are automatically deleted 2 hours after being created.

It wouldn't be fair if I didn't share at least some of my created pictures with you. Not all of them have turned out well, but I have saved the good ones and I must say that I really love some of them.

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In Memory of Michael Jackson

I have read an article about MJ and some stupid comments annoyed me a lot. That's why I have decided to make a post in memory of Michael Jackson and look for some anime AMVs containing songs by this unforgettable superstar and hero of many people. I hope you will enjoy them and honor MJ.

I wasn't any big fan of MJ, but I liked some of his songs. I respected him and news about his death made me really sad. His contribution to popular music can't be denied.

R.I.P. Michael!

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Umineko no Naku Koro ni OP Screenshots

Some screenshots from opening of Umineko no Naku Koro ni anime, which starts airing on July 2, have leaked on the internet. I have been assured that Studio DEEN's drawing of Battler didn't meet my expectations, but the rest looks great, judging from the screenshots. They've made amazing scary and creepy expressions, as I have expected of them. After all, they did a great job at horrifying scenes in Higurashi.

Not only screenshots, but also a part of opening song has been streamed on video uploading sites. I don't like as much as Umineko no Naku Koro ni song which is opening for Umineko visual novel, but still it's a great song. Its name is 片翼の鳥 (which probably reads Katayoku no Tori) and it means One-winged Bird. Quite a characteristic name, since Ushiromiya family has an eagle wing in their crest.

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Do Not Ban Eroge!

As you have probably read somewhere by now, Japanese eroge industry has become a target of many verbal attacks by foreign politicians and feminists who don't have anything better to do. Everything began when a very ero game, RapeLay, appeared at Amazon UK and it got noticed by some people who most likely called media attention to it. Unfortunately, it was a game that was really evil, and should not have been produced at all. Therefore, everything went very quickly and feminists and even other people started to criticize eroge. I don't really know the details about what happened next, because I didn't think that it could bring about any changes or bans. However, I was wrong and it resulted in taking measures very unpleasant to foreigners.

In order to keep Japan's eroge industry working, the Japanese government decided the best possible solution is to cut off any connection of eroge market with foreign countries. Eroge isolation. A beginning of another isolation of Japan? I hope not.

Minori, one of the leading eroge companies, have taken action and blocked access to their sites from abroad. The reason as they have stated is the recommendation by politicians, but they are not happy about it. Yet, they have done it because their freedom of game-making was in jeopardy. Nobody knows if it will ensure it to them, though.

Minori encourage foreign people to spread this news and also write some mails to influential people, like politicians. Only a mutual understanding can do something about this situation and some action needs to be done to convince non-Japanese people to stop their attempts to ban ero games.

If you think that eroge are evil, think twice about it. Only a small part of eroges are those like RapeLay. In most cases, eroges focus on a story, relationship developments, characters and their development, daily concerns, common troubles, etc. Many popular anime series are in fact based on eroge visual novels. They are those kind of eroge where you must concentrate on relationships and there's just some sex scene at the end of the game. I believe everyone of you knows at least some of them, they are for example Kanon, and AIR by Key Company, ef - a tale of memories and ef - a tale of melodies by minori, School Days or Fate Stay Night. You can see that many great anime would never have been made if it weren't for eroges.

If you still doubt the worth of eroges, I encourage you to read this article. I'd like to point out this line from it:

Although many eroge still market themselves primarily on sex, eroge that focus on story are now a major established part of Japanese otaku culture.

I hope that this whole issue will reach a conclusion that will please those who understand the values of eroges and all the bans and seclusion will be lifted. Because if this had unhappy ending for eroge, the people who seek "public safety and purity" could decide to continue the purification of Japan and turn their attention for example to moe aspects of anime or something like that. And I'm sure that would induce a tidal wave of anger, hatred, and despair. In order to prevent the worst from happening, let's try to destroy any possible threat in its roots. I'm not telling you to resort to some threatening or anything like that. I'm just asking you to help to spread this news, if possible then to people who have connections or power and are willing to do something to bring an end to these attempts to eradicate eroge.

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Mizuhara Arisa - Pastel Ink

The latest cosplay photoshoot of Mizuhara Arisa, Pastel Ink from a very interesting anime Moetan. You cannot deny Arisa's cuteness in these photos.

You can also visit Arisa's site, where you can find lots of photos of various cosplays of hers.

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K-ON! Character CDs score high in Oricon

Recently released K-ON! Character Image Song CDs of Akiyama Mio and Hirasawa Yui have both managed to climb high in the Oricon Weekly Rankings and have gained 2nd and 3rd place, respectively.

The stride of K-ON! is unstoppable and they have probably made quite a ruckus among non-anison artists. Let's see how Image Song CDs of Ritsu and Mugi, who are undoubtedly less popular characters in keionbu, will perform. Regarding Azusa, I think there's no doubt she will attack the top, like Mio and Yui.

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Touhou Nendoroid Series Announcement

Nendoroid Touhou Series
To be released at Comic Market 76!
Details will be announced soon!!

Good Smile Company has announced on their Nendoroid sites very pleasant news for any Touhou fan. They will produce Touhou Nendoroid series.

According to their short and brief announcement, they will be released at Comiket 76. Whether they will be Comiket exclusive or will come to shops after the event hasn't been mentioned in the news. However, GSC has promised to reveal more information in a few days.

If it was only Comiket exclusive, it would be quite a shame both for fans and GSC, because Touhou Nendoroids will certainly sell very well. The fandom of Touhou seems to know no borders and lots of fans will definitely crave for Touhou Nendoroids.

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WonFes Summer '09 - Miku figma and scale figure exclusives

Wonder Festival's Wonderful Hobby Life stage sites has been set up and two figures have been announced so far. They are both figures of Hatsune Miku. One is figma Hatsune Miku Live Stage ver., and the other one is 1/8 scale figure of Hatsune Miku called CM version.

Live Stage Miku figma costs 2,500 yen and one person can buy 3 of them at most. In total, 3,000 Live Stage Miku figmas are to be available. Live Stage figma comes with a special di:stage stand, and additional accessories such as keyboard and wings-like thing. One Miku's face is singing with a smile, and the other one is closed eyes expression.

1/8 scale figure Miku CM ver. costs 4,500 yen, which I find quite cheap considering how impressive she looks. One person cannot buy more than 2 of them, and only 1,500 are going to be sold (This will be sold for astronomical prices on eBay). This Miku figure is sculpted by YOSHI, same as the regular 1/8 Miku figure. What can be considered a little disappointing is that apart from her face and stand, she is virtually the same as the regular one. Still, this face of her will definitely make many people interested in this figure even if they've got the regular one.

WonFes takes place on 26th July at Makuhari Messe. It opens at 10AM and the admission fee is 2,000 yen.

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Obama and Pope drink Oishi Green Tea

Yesterday, I mentioned on Twitter that I saw a hilarious advertisement on a bench at the bus stop in front of my home. It is an advertisement for some green tea called Oishi, and their way to promote their products is quite unique, at least in my country. I know they use Obama for advertisements for example in Japan, but I hadn't seen one in my country until yesterday. It's partly because the advertisements here are quite boring and stereotypical. So this is one of the few funny ones where they didn't stick to any common standards.

When I saw it, I couldn't help laughing. I said inwardly, "That's pretty lame!" But still, even though I found it stupid, it was good enough to make me laugh. Which means it pretty much did the trick. Draw people's attention, and engrave itself in their mind.

Yeah, I almost forgot. The heading reads "New beginning". The line below reads "The first real tea without preservatives and coloring". And Pope says "Nothing but Oishi for me". And Obama says "Nothing but Oishi for me as well".

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Tissue Hime - Cagayake Girls & Don't Say Lazy

Tissue Hime, who is a bass guitar player, very popular on the Internet, has played the opening and ending songs to K-ON!. Hime's performance was awesome, as usual. You can see/hear it in the videos below.

Just one more thing. Some people say the one playing these videos is not Tissue Hime, but I disagree with them. Fingers, thighs, tsurupettan, Nagato cosplay, everything looks the same.

For those who don't know this mysterious person, Tissue Hime is target of one major question. "Is Tissue Hime a man or a woman?" That is what is the question. Well, "it" is most likely a man. "It" itself admitted this fact in its comments a few times. Furthermore, "it" is very tall and is quite unlikely to be a woman with that height. You can see how tall Tissue Hime is for example in this video:

Despite these facts, some people still believe that Tissue Hime is a female. They often point out that "it" has womanlike fingers. However, fingers cannot be taken as proof, because there's a lot of men with fingers which many women would be envious of.

Another fact that indicates that Tissue Hime is a guy is mune (chest). It's totally flat. If it was a girl, it would be a 100% pettanko. But since Tissue is so tall, I think that if "it" was a girl, "it" would have at least some breasts. However, as you can see in the videos, Tissue has none.

Well, there's just too many factors that imply Tissue Hime is a guy. Though "it" would make a quite cute girl. Still, it's not that important whether Tissue is a guy or a girl. What's important is that "it" plays the bass very well and "it" does excellent crossdressing cosplays, particularly that of Nagato Yuki.

I have here one more video, where they do photoshoots of Tissue Hime. There are also some daring poses, so you might be interested to see it. Or you might not, since it's most likely a trap.

Omake

Hare Hare Yukai by Tissue Hime

World is Mine by Tissue

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Possible Akiyama Mio Figure?

This photo of very appealing rough figure of Akiyama Mio was posted on the internet. Whether it is a photo taken in a workshop of some figure making company, or not is unknown. Which means there's no info about any possible release of this figure. However, if this really was an upcoming project of any of the leading figure making companies, it would definitely please many fans of K-ON! and it may even soothe their sorrow as K-ON! is approaching its end.

I really like the pose of this figure. Though I believe that when it comes to Mio, any pose would make it a great figure, as long as the producers don't screw it up. For example, it would be nice to see a figure of embarassed Mio. But she should still hold her bass, because it is something that just belongs to her. Don't you agree?

Well, I'm really curious what the first official K-ON! figure will look like. And I wonder if it will really be a Mio figure, or other character from K-ON! But I think it should be Mio, because she carries the fighting spirit of keionbu. And she also has the largest fanbase that even won her the title of the Top Anime Wife.

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My Pleasant Otaku Dreams

Last Friday, I set out for a field trip with my class. We went canoeing for four days and we left all the civilization behind us. That was why I thought that I would be cut off from anime, figures, and moe world and I felt a little empty the first day. I really didn't have anything on me that would remind me of who I am and what my hobbies are. But these feelings faded away when rain clouds came and annoying raindrops began falling upon us. Since then I was busy being concerned about the weather. Day ended in a gloomy atmosphere, inside a cold tent on a riverbank.

I would have never imagined that I could have such a pleasant dream in such terrible conditions. Nevertheless, what I saw in my dream was something that I would really like to share with you. It's a shame that one's dreams cannot be visualized yet. I believe that many of you would enjoy that dream as I did.

Now you must be asking, "What did he see?" Okay, I will tell you now. In my dream, I was at a swimming pool and when I looked who is swimming there, my eyes were granted a spectacular sight. There were otaku's dream wives such as Sakagami Tomoyo, Hinagiku Katsura, Akiyama Mio, Fate Testarossa and others, but I can't remember all of them. However, they were small and young, about 5 years old. So cuuute! And then, suddenly, their mamas appeared. Mamas in bikinis, babies in school swimsuits. I felt as if I was in paradise, despite sleeping on a cold and hard surface.

When I think back about it, I find it pretty impressive that human brain can visualize even something that it hasn't seen. I mean, I've never seen any fanart of Hinagiku or Tomoyo as a baby, and still I was able to screen it in my dream. Isn't it great? Human brain really is something. I admire its powers more and more.

Well, that was the first night, and it doesn't end there. I saw an awesome dream even the second night. The conditions were a little bit better then. Though the surface was still hard as a rock, it was at least a little warmer. So much for the surroundings, now for the important part, that dream of mine. It wasn't as wonderful as the dream I saw the first night, but every figure collector would appreciate it.

I don't know where it took place. I think I didn't really recognize that room, but that's not important. I received an unexpected package and when I opened it, I found about 10 nendoroids inside. I can't remember all of them, but I recall there was Shana with black hair, and two yet to be made nendoroids, Mio and Yui. I wish it had been reality, and not just a dream. But I tell you, if Mio and Yui nendoroids turn out at least as good as those in my dream, we can look forward to something very nice ^^

The last night of the trip, I didn't see any dream, which is a little shame because I believe that I might have another great one. Those places where we slept seem to have some good effects on person's dreams, because my usual dreams are totally nonsensical. I never understand what's going on there and completely forget it in 10 seconds after waking up. The only thing that remains in my mind is that I know I didn't get what was going on in that dream at all.

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Alter Nanoha and Saber Lily Reservations Open

Alter Takamachi Nanoha figure was announced only yesterday and it's already open for reservations, at least at some shops such as Hobby Search. She looks really stunning and it will definitely make a spectacular view if she is displayed alongside Alter's Fate.

Nanoha is supposed to have 27 cm in height. The retail price is same as Fate's, 12,800 yen, which is quite a killer, isn't it? On top of that, the fact that she is due just two months after Fate is even more unpleasant for many people, including me. It's not an easy task to find money to afford two such expensive figures in such a short time. Still, I guess I'll try my best to get her somehow ^^'

Besides Nanoha, Alter also announced their Saber Lily yesterday which is also open for reservations at retail price of 7,800 yen. I don't really like her and I think that GSC's Saber Lily looks much better and emits the right aura that matches Saber.

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Umineko no Naku Koro ni New PV

Another 45 second long PV for Umineko no Naku Koro ni anime version, which is to broadcast this summer, was released to public. Some bits of in-anime scene videos are shown, which also bring a better look on the character designs. I don't really approve of how Studio DEEN have drawn Battler and Maria, but I like their de-rounding of George's head, and the way they have drawn Jessica, Natsuhi, Kanon, and Rudolf.

Umineko no Naku Koro ni broadcast beginning is scheduled on July 1st at 25:30 JST on Chiba TV.

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Teana Lanster by Alter - figure review

I received my Teana figure about two weeks ago, but because my camera had been under repair until Tuesday, I couldn't take any photos of her.

Click on the photos to see them in a bigger size.

I bought her at HLJ in their Anniversary Sale for some I think 4,800 yen. Hadn't it been for their discount, I wouldn't have got her, so I'm very thankful for their generosity.

Some info about the figure; It's made by Alter. The used material is only PVC. Teana has 16 cm in height, her scale is 1/7. The extremely skilled sculptor who made her is called Mumei. She was released in late January of this year at retail price of 6,800 yen.

You can still get her for example at HLJ.

For those of you who don't know who Teana Lanster is, she is a character from my favorite mahou shoujo series, Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS. She undergoes a stern and severe training introduced by her senpai, The White Devil (read Takamachi Nanoha). Her best friend is Nakajima Subaru and she fights along with her and others against evil Scaglietti's organization. She was named after Nissan Teana car model.

Detail on her weapon named Cross Mirage in its Dagger Mode.

She wears a lovely skirt with awesome level of detail.

This photo is my favorite. I like how the shoe in foreground has turned out a little blurry.

When you look at her right from the front, you can't really see in her face. So when I wanted to take a nice photo of her face, I had to do a little low-angle.

Very nice accessory.

Awesomely detailed hair.

That white blot on her shoe is just some dust.

Indomitable gunner. They surely chose an intriguing nickname.

She comes with four interchangeable arms. You can display her with Cross Mirage either in Dagger Mode or Gun Mode, or you can combine them. Her jacket is also removable.

Without jacket, in Gun Mode.

The shirt she wears is very nice, too. But I still prefer her with her jacket on. She looks more cool that way.

Gun detail.

She looks good from any angle.

What I like the best about her is probably that expression of hers.

But I do like her pantsu as well ^^

And a lot as you can see.

A shot to judge her roughness ^^

One more panchira.

I can't wait when I get Alter's Fate and display them together. But Fate will be twice the size of Teana, so I wonder if they will look good next to each other. Well, I'll see when I get Fate, so it's at least two months far away future.

You can see some more Teana photos taken in a lovely scenery of Yoyogi Park in Tokyo at Punynari's blog.

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