SPJA.org reports that online pre-registrations for Anime Expo 2008 will start today at 12 PM PST.

Save Money, Save Time, Register Online
Pre-Registration Special Available Only Till End of the Year

Anaheim, California (December 28, 2007) — Anime Expo® 2008 announces that online pre-registration for attendees, industry members and press representatives will be made available Saturday; December 29, 2007 at noon PST. More information can be found on the website www.spja.org.

One of the most anticipated changes for Anime Expo® 2008 is the new FULL-SERVICE Registration Support. Anime Expo®’s full-service registration support will include:

* A seamless full-service process including an online pre-registration site with customized registration pages, group reservation options, hotel reservations and self service in registration changes
* “Scan and go technology” which pre-registered attendees will be able to print a bar code confirmation and have a separate entrance to receive their expo credentials quickly and easily
* Access to a Call Center with professional representatives to help with questions and concerns regarding the housing and registration process
* Consultation and implementation of on-site registration to include line placement and equipment set up
* 100 registration stations, including 60 manned stations and 40 self registration kiosks
* Experient registration personnel on site to assist and help manage the registration process

A pre-registration special for attendees of $45.00 U.S. for all four (4) fun-filled days and nights of anime/manga goodness will be available till the end of 2007. Online pre-registration accepts American Express, MasterCard and VISA. Attendee Pre-registration for all four (4) days after the 2007 deadline will be $50.00 U.S. Attendees, industry members and press representatives that do not pre-register can also register onsite during the convention held during the 4th of July weekend (July 3 - 6, 2008) at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Anime Expo® Registration Division Head Elizabeth Wang states, “We are very excited the registration process will be much easier and faster for attendees. That way attendees can spend their time attending events instead of waiting in line.”

Attendees, Press and Industry Members are also encouraged to view the video coverage site of the 2007 convention at www.AXBackstage.org.

Link

filed in: frontpage by rottenronin
No Comments

Here’s a preview of a new romantic comedy Anime titled Rosario + Vampire set to air next week.

filed in: frontpage by rottenronin
1 Comment

This is a short fan video from outside of Japan. They are just fooling around worshipping Saber of Fate/Stay Night. All in good joking fun.

filed in: frontpage by rottenronin
No Comments

American viewers will be delighted to know that Nickelodeon will be airing two minute Domo-Kun animated shorts in 2008.

The ICv2 retail news source is reporting that the Nickelodeon television network will air the Domo series of animated shorts in America in the first quarter of 2007. The stop-motion anime, which is based on the Domo-kun mascot of the Japanese public broadcast NHK, consists of 26 two-minute episodes.

Link | Photo

filed in: frontpage, news by rottenronin
No Comments

I decided to try a new anime Kanon which has been very popular in the fansub circuit. The animation is beautiful, bight and high quality. The setting is a nice town where one would wish to visit. Unfortunately this is utter boring moe fluff.

The set up similar to many H games or harem anime in which a guy moves into a town and meet may girls. The girls then either live with or dote on this guy with an exception or two in the group. It starts out very slow in the first episode and you don’t know if this will ever go anywhere.

The chracters so far are all cliches of others in anime and the biggest example is Ayu. She is the uguu spouting kid looking teenager who is semi retarded and catchphrase is “Uguu!” The only other annoying chracter I could think of is Subaru of Comic Party Revolution which is a parody knock off of Ayu. Another would be the main characters cousin Nayuki who has the relative you love too much role.

So far this isn’t impressive at all. After research I found that it has a supernatural undertone in the story later on. Even if that was interesting it’s hidden underneath all the moe bargle.

I still give this one a try if you aren’t familiar with the genre. If you are a more jaded fan then toss this.

filed in: frontpage by rottenronin
No Comments

2007 is nearly over with just a couple of days more to spare. I’m sure everyone has been busy this year with all the anime to watch and the manga to read.

A lot of anime series have been released for 2007 and as tradition states, it’s time for the obligatory “TOP 10 LIST FOR 2007!”

If you’re still wondering what the top 10 list is for, you better double check what you’re reading. You’re in an anime blog, so it’s pretty obvious that we’re listing the…

Top 10 Anime for 2007!

filed in: frontpage by rottenronin
1 Comment

Sanrio is developing Hello Kitty products aimed for young men.

The cute cuddly white cat from Japan’s Sanrio Co., usually seen on toys and jewelry for girls and young women, will soon don T-shirts, bags, watches and other products targeting young men, company spokesman Kazuo Tohmatsu said Friday.

Link | Photo

filed in: frontpage, news by rottenronin
No Comments

According to Genshikens website a new novel titled ‘Return of the Otaku’ is scheduled to be released in January 23rd 2008.

Thanks to SDS for the heads up on this: according to the recently updated Genshiken anime site, the tale of otaku life and love in a college “modern visual culture” club is set to receive novel treatment. Writing duty for the book’s original story has been passed to Iida Kazutoshi, director of independent game maker Artdink whose past work includes Doshin the Giant and Aquanaut’s Holliday. I’m not sure how this qualifies him to pen a Genshiken novel, but perhaps designing quirky niche games grants one mystical powers… the book is entitled Hainyuu Ranjin no Yabou ~Return of the OTAKU~ and is scheduled for release from Kodansha on January 23rd at 940 yen; the first part of the name translates roughly as “the ambition/treachery of the Dutch pilgrims”, which makes absolutely no sense to me at this point but will hopefully be clarified in due time. Shimoku Kio seems to have given the project his blessing, so I’ll probably pick the book up to see what all the fuss is about

Link

filed in: frontpage, news by rottenronin
No Comments

Before you head out to Otaku Central - Akihabara to search for the latest doujin or figures, you should check out this interactive map provided by the guys at Akihabara Channel. This should help you find your way around Akihabara.

Link

filed in: frontpage, news by rottenronin
No Comments

Diamond Dust Rebellion, the second installment in the Bleach movie series, opened at number 4 in the Japanese box office this weekend.

1 I Am Legend (Warner Bros.)
2 National Treasure: Lincoln Ansatsusha No Kikki (National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets; Disney)
3 Mari To Koinu No Monogatari (A Tale of Mari and Her Three Puppies; Toho)
4 Gekijouban Bleach The Diamond Dust Rebellion - Mohitotsu No Hiyorinmaru (Movie Ver. Bleach - The Diamond Dust Rebellion - The Other Hiyorinmaru; Toho)
5 Louis To Mirai Dorobou (Louis & The Future Bandit/Meet The Robinsons; Disney)
6 Eiga De toujyo! Tamagochi Doki Doki! Uchu No Maigochi!? (Our Movie Debut! Exciting Tamagochi! Lost In Space!?; Toho)
7 Always Zoku: San Cho Me No Yuhi (Always - Series: Setting Sun on 3rd Avenue; Toho)
8 Mouryou No Hakou (Demon Box; Showgate)
9 Koizora (Toho)
10 Tsubaki Sanjuro (Toho)

Link

filed in: frontpage, news by rottenronin
1 Comment