After a little hiatus we are finally back we have been busy with some other projects and we just couldn’t find the time to add news. We will continue to provide you guys with your one stop for all things anime were sure we lost some readers but hopefully we will get them back in due time!

[Edited]
Okay, so we kind of taken a six month holiday to figure some things out. But this time for sure, we are truly back. We like to apologize to those who may have felt abandoned without any warnings and to say “Thank you” to those who continued to visit us.

To the new visitors who have just registered with us, we would like to thank you too for giving us a chance to help give you news from Japan.

So look forward to new posts from us within the next few days we continue to find new sources to bring you news that not only matters, but entertaining too.

VIZ recently announced the publication of Starting Point: 1979-1996, a book that covers the first 20 years of Hayao Miyazaki’s career that includes a collection of essays, interviews, memoirs and manga. The book has an estimated release date of August 4th, and carries an MSRP of $29.99 USD and $34.99 CAN.

Starting Point: 1979-1996 covers Miyazaki’s rise from humble beginnings that lead him to create memorable animated films such as Nausicaä Of The Valley Of The Wind, Castle In The Sky, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service and Porco Rosso. It also informs reader of how Miyazaki launched Studio Ghibli.

“Hayao Miyazaki is known and loved around the world for his imaginative films that continue to delight children and adults,” says Gonzalo Ferreyra, Vice President, Sales & Marketing for VIZ Media. “STARTING POINT presents, in Miyazaki’s own words, his philosophies towards life, his work, the animation industry both in Japan and abroad, and his creative inspirations and motivations. He also offers lots of stories, many of them quite humorous, which show the extent of his complete dedication to animated film and the people with whom he works. We invite fans to enjoy this chronicle of the life of a man whose own dreams have come true.”

Before Miyazaki became the well-known legend, he was simply a salaried animator with a vision of his own. If you really want to learn more about his journey, definitely get Starting Point: 1979-1996.

Source: VIZ

Many of you adored the Gundam shoes a while back, but have you seen the custom Nike shoes that Daniel “Brass Monki” Reese created? Reese has been sharing his customized Nike shoes designs on his site.

You should see some of his designs as they’re awesome. Keep in mind that the designs are concepts only. However, you can definitely order your own custom shoes. It’s not exactly clear how he charges for each design though.

Source: Anime Vice

Update:
Anime Vice was able to get an idea of how much Reese charges per design. Check out the details below courtesy of Anime Vice.

Well pricing usually works out like this:

£60 – trainers for UK size 6-12 (prices vary smaller or larger)
£60 – design
£15 – usually cover shipping unless you live on a private island
+ any extras you may want, laces, customizing soles, inner soles and so on!

ALSO!! If you can supply the shoes at a lower price than £60 then please feel free!

Update source: Anime Vice

Well, it seems like Joost decided to downsize and reorganize after losing the consumer-oriented advertising-supported video market to competitor Hulu. It was a tough fight between the two companies, however, Hulu had the hand support with NBC Universal, News Corp., and Disney supporting them. It also helps that Hulu had a better premium catalog that people actually want to watch.

When it was founded in 2006 Joost was the first Web company to sign online distribution deals with big media companies (CBS and Viacom) and it attracted more than $45 million in investment. But in the words of Advertising Age, both Joost and the Michael Eisner-backed Veoh (which has already given up online ad-supported streaming) were “blindsided by Hulu, which was backed by NBC Universal, News Corp. and, more recently, Disney. Hulu has both a far superior catalog of premium video and has gathered up much of the available ad spending in the premium-video space.”

So now Joost will be offering their services to other companies that wish to provide online video. For your information, Joost was one of the first companies to stream anime online legally.

Thank you Joost for the memories and good luck.

Source: ICv2

How many of you remember having to learn the periodic table of elements from Chemistry? It was probably very boring, unless you’re a chemist then you might have found some joy.

Someone with too much time found a way to relate the cast of Final Fantasy to the periodic table and, oddly enough, it kind of works. Check out the image below and then visit Raficus, the one who probably did all of the work, for a full interactive view of the table.

Maybe schools should use this version in classrooms

Now you have something you can do when you’re bored and want to kill time.

Source: Topless Robot

According to Animation Magazine, Big Tent will be creating TOKYOPOP merchandise to be sold in Toys R Us starting next month.

The licenses will see TOKYOPOP branded merchandise from Bell Sports, Trinity Products, and Jem Sportswear and Awake Inc.

Bell will release TOKYOPOP branded skateboard decks due to hit Toys R Us in April and followed by a line of helmets and pads. Trinity will produce apparel, such as T-shirts, sweatshirts and fashion tops for men, women and juniors. Jem will create a line of girls and juniors T-shirts to appear at Target stores this summer.

Source: Animation Magazine