Well, it seems like Hello Kitty has once again taken the world by storm after somewhat losing her popularity for a bit. From Hello Kitty plushes to a Hello Kitty hospital in Taiwan, it seems like these super cute character can’t stay away from the kitchen either. If you’re a Hello Kitty fan and want to find a way to make your breakfast cute then you’ll probably want to own a Hello Kitty toaster.

That’s right. With the Hello Kitty toaster you get to have Hello Kitty imprinted onto your toasts and English muffins. Who knows, it’ll probably match the Hello Kitty Coffee Maker too!

Source: Japan Today

Eye-Fi Japan KK created a new SD (secured digital) memory card that is unique compared to its competitors: Eye-Fi Share, an SD card with wireless LAN. That’s right, wireless LAN. It holds up to 2 GB which can upload photos stored within itself to a PC in a wireless network. This awesome memory card does require a software installed into the PC to do transfer the files. The software is compatible with at least Windows XP and Mac OS X 10.3.

So how can this relate to anime fans? Imagine after attending an anime convention anime fans can immediately upload their photos of cosplayers, guest, and more to their computer as soon as they’re within range. No need to connect the camera directly to the computer or placing the SD card into a memory card reader. How convenient is that?

Visit http://www.eyefi.co.jp/ for more information.

Source: Japan Today

It used to be that that new anime and manga titles would flood the American markets with no end in site. Unfortunately, that’s no longer the case. With the entire world in recession, many customers cannot afford the latest volume of great titles, such as Vampire Knight and Code Geass, or anime dvd titles like Bleach and Naruto. What does this mean for us anime fans? Japan is going to start focusing on releasing anime at home and less on the rest of the world. Well, according to Keisuke Iwata of Tokyo TV that’s probably what’s going to happen starting next year.

Iwata credits the beginning of the rise of the global anime market to Neon Genesis Evangelion. He also believes that series Pocket Monsters (Pokemon to those who live outside of Japan) and Yu-Gi-Oh! helped boost the market even further. Just when you thought the anime market couldn’t get any better, Naruto pushed the market to even higher levels.

However, a lot of TV stations have started airing fewer anime than usual since last year. Even Cartoon Network has shown fewer new anime titles, although they have been re-broadcasting older anime titles on Adult Swim for those like to stay up late. According to Iwata, the anime market has begun to become saturated with global markets becoming more unreliable. Iwata states that the global recession and illegal online distribution, which includes fansubs sadly.

I have nothing against fansubs, in fact, I appreciate all of their hard work and dedication to helping anime fans to understand their favorite anime series since the majority of those outside of Japan don’t speak Japanese fluently. However, the overwhelming choices of viewing fansubs via video streaming Websites and online distribution is hurting the anime market more than helping. Anime fans can support the anime market by purchasing the mangas or dvd when sold in stores like Borders and Best Buy; however, with the recession’s end not beyond sight that’s not always possible.

Although television broadcast of anime has gone down tremendously, many Japanese anime companies have begun to allow Websites that have legal rights to stream popular anime titles like Naruto Shippuuden. These sites include Crunchyroll.com and Hulu.com. Crunchyroll.com provides anime fans with the latest episodes one hour after they’ve been broadcasted live in Japan for a low $7 monthly subscription. Those who wait one week after initial broadcast can watch them for free. Help support the anime market by visiting sites that legally shares anime episodes, like Crunchyroll.com, whenever possible.

Don’t get me wrong, anime isn’t going to completely disappear. Instead, there will be less available for the rest of the world to enjoy until the world economy recovers and Japan sees new hope in global market. Until then, enjoy anime online instead of on television.

Source: ANN

Singer and Aoyama Gakuin University student, Nana Tanimura, 21, gave a sneak preview on Wednesday of her video for her new single “Crazy For You,” which will go on sale Feb 18. Tanimura plays two characters in the video clip – one is a spy dressed in a tight, bright red body suit, and the other is a more regular girl, in a bikini.

Tanimura said: “I was invigorated by the red bodysuit and felt dangerous. I’ve injected a bit of stealth and some futuristic moves into my dance. You haven’t seen anything like it.”

Tanimura will attend an event at Sunshine City in Ikebukuro on Feb 21 to promote her new song.

Source: Japan Today

NHK to launch all-English international TV broadcasting service

Thursday 29th January, 06:07 AM JST

By Taro Fujimoto

TOKYO —

Public broadcaster NHK will make its Japanese/English bilingual international broadcasting service “NHK World TV” Japan’s first 24-hour all-English news channel on Feb 2, NHK and its subsidiary commercial company Japan International Broadcasting (JIB) Inc announced Wednesday.

“Without an all-English international broadcasting service, Japan will be always left behind in global trends. We have to be more active in the international arena,” said Hatsuhisa Takashima, president and CEO of JIB Inc. NHK and JIB expect the current global viewership of 80 million to increase to 110 million this fiscal year

NHK World TV will be available from Feb 2 in about 70 countries and regions in the world through satellite and cable television as well as its Internet website. The existing “NHK World Premium” will mainly target Japanese expats, according to NHK.

Yoshinori Imai, vice president of NHK, said, “As for editorial independence, NHK is guaranteed control. The most important thing is fair, balanced news. Our responsibility is to show the world how government policies and public opinion are formed in Japan.”

Takashima, who is a former NHK journalist and press secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also said, “A critical eye on what is happening in Japan is necessary for journalistic work.” He cited the Arab network Al-Jazeera as a successful example that provides diversified viewpoints on global issues.

The new channel is funded by resources from NHK, including tax money and viewer fees, and JIB, which is owned by NHK and private companies, such as commercial TV stations and telecommunication companies. The service will broadcast commercial advertisements and publish banner ads on its website.

For more information, visit: www.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/

Source: Japan Today

Italian manga fan and independent film maker Francesco Sanseverino dropped us a link to his impressive short film Berserk: The Black Swordsman, based on Kentaro Miura’s popular manga. Francesco says, “I want to specify that this movie is made with zero budget, so it has been realised in 4 months. I hope you enjoy it and let me know your impressions.” Exceptional work for a “zero budget.”

Posted in Omake

BERSERK – The Black Swordsman (ENG Subtitles) from Led Production on Vimeo.