Fate/stay night Unlimited Blade Works

Started as an adult game created by Type-Moon, adapted into a 24-episode anime that was aired in Japan by TBS, and distributed worldwide to please international otakus, serialized as a manga, made possible by Kadokawa Shoten, and now, the much anticipated motion picture event of the year is now showing at theaters all over Japan. In my opinion, this movie adaptation of the game-turned anime-turned manga is the cunning rival to the sensational Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha the Movie 1st. (Despite the fact that both of these anime movies slotted the same January 23 date, as you say it)



Fate/stay night Unlimited Blade Works pools out the entire 24-episode anime, loaded with cinematic special effects, improved music score made possible by Kenji Kawai (who is also behind the BGMs of the Death Note trilogy movies), add something that is never been told in the original TV series, and lastly, surprises the entire Fate fans with the intense feeling they will surely never forget.

The story is simple (for those who didn't saw the original or those who wanted to tell it again), it chronicles about a teenager named Shiro Emiya, who wanted to achieve justice that his stepfather failed to do. What he did not realize that this town named Fuyuki is the battleground for the masters, which Shiro was one of them. Each master has his or her own servant (Saber, Archer, Lancer, Berserker, Rider, Assassin, and Caster) to join alongside with and the goal is simple: only one pair will win and take the power of the Holy Grail. Saber, a servant, was the servant who saved Shiro's life from the attacks of the servant Lancer, and henceforth greeted him with the question:
are you my Master?

So this is how the titanic movie begins. I may not tell you what just happened to the whole movie, but I'll tell you how the movie feels. The fight scenes were great, these battles you saw on the original anime series were greatly upgraded for cinematic perfection. Aside from the battles, fans will grow fetishism over Saber and Rin Tohsaka, which in fact Rin was also one of the masters whose the servant Archer joins alongside with her. Most Fate fans who watched the movie might say, "Hey, this movie is cooler than the anime I've watched", "Rin is one of my favorite characters, thanks to her tsundere personality", "Saber is number one!" and much more words that most Fate fans might post it in their Facebooks, tweeting this once-in-a-lifetime moment on Twitter, having their say on 2channel, and everything.

The song that completes FSN:UBW is none other than Sachi Tainaka's new song, titled Imitation. Although the song for the movie is more powerful and delivers a massive punch to their overall enthusiasm, it still can't keep up with the Lyrical Nanoha the Movie 1st's opening song, Phantom Minds, sung by Nana Mizuki. For those who wanted to find that song titled Imitation by Sachi Tainaka, the only album you can find is the Ricordanza: Fate/ stay night TV Song Collection, which is on sale now, and made possible by Geneon Universal Entertainment.

If you're done watching the movie, two Blu-ray discs that covers the whole 24-episode anime, packed with new special features, perfect sound, and perfect picture, is up for grabs. Both of them are on sale and packed with the arranged Sachi Tainaka's Disillusion song, titled Disillusion 2010.

Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha the Movie 1st

From the success of the three Lyrical Nanoha seasons (from the first one to the StrikerS story), comics as seen on the premiere Japanese anime and video game bishoujo magazine, Megami Magazine, and the PlayStation Portable video game that was already on sale all over the Japanese market, the ultimate treat for all Lyrical Nanoha fans is the once-in-a-lifetime spectacle fans would remember it forever. Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha the Movie 1st (日本名：魔法少女リリカルなのはthe Movie 1st) revolves on the first Lyrical Nanoha season that was aired in Japanese televisions since 2004, and packed with remastered graphics and never before told stories give Nanoha fans some thrills and squeals while taking a gander on the epic battle between Nanoha Takamachi (voiced by Yukari Tamura) and Fate Testarossa (voiced by Nana Mizuki) in the quest to find and seal the Jewel Seeds. Since everyone's in the theater, they are ready to anticipate the difference of the first Lyrical Nanoha season to Japan's most anticipating thrill ride event of the year, Lyrical Nanoha the Movie 1st leaves fans hearing both Nanoha and Fate's battle cry with cinematic clarity than the television series. (You know what that means) From its majestic special effects, rewritten storyline and expected moe-ism over Nanoha and Fate, Lyrical Nanoha the Movie 1st blasts the movie viewers with more action, more drama, more laughs, and of course, more kawaii-ness.

Because of the Lyrical Nanoha series tradition of having Fate's seiyuu, Nana Mizuki, opens the show with the song while Nanoha's seiyuu, Yukari Tamura, closes the show with a song, the opening theme song for the movie, Phantom Minds, sung by Nana Mizuki, is an explosive welcome for those who are ready to watch the movie from the beginning, and Yukari Tamura ends Lyrical Nanoha the Movie 1st with a song, titled My Wish My Love. As a matter of fact, most fans love the opening theme because, can you yell "I LOVE NANA MIZUKI'S NEW SONG" in Japanese? If so, good luck listening to this song 20 or more times!

Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha A's Portable: The Battle of Aces

With Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha the Movie 1st's showing date in Japan is just a few days left, fans of the Lyrical Nanoha series braced themselves for the PSP game based on the second Lyrical Nanoha season (known as Lyrical Nanoha A's) and it is a "much talked" on the premiere Japanese anime and video game bishoujo magazine, the Megami Magazine. For some reason, Megami Magazine keep posting updates on what's going on behind the scenes of the Lyrical Nanoha series' first video game available on PSP.

Despite being a one-on-one versus game, the game play of Lyrical Nanoha A's Portable may somewhat similar to some unlockable content from PS2's Zone Of The Enders video game, meaning you can control your character everywhere while dodging the other player's attacks. From here, you can use attacks, block the other player's attacks, or break the player's defenses, giving yourself the advantage to attack it either normal or magical attacks. Please note that the MP gauge will decrease when using your character's special attack and attacking your other player with normal attacks only recharges the MP gauge, giving you some advantage or some strategy to knock down your opponent, before your opponent knocks you down first!

There are nine playable characters to choose from:

- Nanoha Takamachi (CV: Yukari Tamura)

- Fate Testarossa (CV: Nana Mizuki)

- Hayate Yagami (CV: Kana Ueda)

- Chrono Harlaown (CV: Mikako Takahashi)

- Reinforce: The Book of Darkness (CV: Sanae Kobayashi)

- Signum (CV: Kaori Shimizu)

- Vita (CV: Asami Sanada)

- Shamal (CV: Ryoko Yuzuki)

- Zafira (CV: Kazuya Ichijo)

Tip for first-timers: Customization is vital for your character, because when you customize your character's skills such as defense, attack, speed, and every one of the stats, it will give you the opportunity to win against your opponent. It's basic for the ad-hoc versus mode, and prove you got what it takes!

Limited Edition: Nanoha fans better be hurry up to avail this rare Lyrical Box limited edition set. This limited edition not only includes the UMD for the game, but also some of the paraphernalia such as the Nanoha Takamachi figure (made possible by Good Smile Company), three-set posters with Nanoha, Fate and Hayate, big-sized Nanoha towel, reversible pouch, cleaning cloth with the picture of Nanoha versus Fate that looks like the actual gameplay, decoration sticker set, and the visual archive book that has more about this game. Best to be hurry because the Lyrical Box has very limited availability.

One More Thing: The CV of Fate Testarossa, Nana Mizuki, provides the opening theme for the video game, while Nanoha Takamachi's CV, Yukari Tamura, providing the ending theme of the video game, keeping the tradition of the Lyrical Nanoha series of having Fate's seiyuu doing the opening while Nanoha's seiyuu doing the closing song, but they'll also expecting it on Lyrical Nanoha the Movie 1st, showing in Japanese cinemas this Saturday.

More at the game's official site (Japanese Only):http://nanoha.namco-ch.net/

The battle of the "Korean car designs"

With the "Peter Schreyer design" plunged all over Kia Motors since the face-lifted Lotze/Optima/Magentis takes place since June 2008, and the fluidic sculpture from Hyundai taken the new role since the face-lifted Verna/Accent Korean Domestic Model sedan takes place since last year of June, most car enthusiasts with the passion of Korean cars can't tell the difference which Korean car design will prevail. To the eyes of the enthusiast, one must think about which design will win....

BUT WHICH WILL PREVAIL?

Kia's new Peter Schreyer design?

or

Hyundai's fluidic sculpture?

Before you decide, here are some explanations on both of these designs:

From the Kia side, when Peter Schreyer takes place as the new design chief of Kia Motors, he revolutionize Kia's new design platform with the form of the H-grille. It was introduced on some concept cars and production models such as this:

and on the Hyundai side, the fluidic sculpture is an abundance on most concept cars in past auto shows and now, this new design language is applied in most models:

Now, you know...

With the new look of these Korean car makers, there is no surprising that these two Korean car designs is truly a battle of wits. It's quite a spectacle for me who wanted to take a look on these designs. I can't wait to see who wins...

What's a dakimakura?

OK guys, you may not know what this is, but when it comes to this there is just one big question you ,anime otakus in the bedroom, may ask:

"Excuse me, but, what's a dakimakura?"

You may not know what a dakimakura is but here is a sample of what it looks like:

You see, that's how a dakimakura looked like, if I hoped that Comic Alley, the number one anime merchandise store in the Philippines, sells one of these cutesy pillow covers for your tall pillows.

A dakimakura is a kind of a tall pillow cover with a picture of an female anime character on it. (Like I shown it to you)

I know it sounds too weird to be true, but in the eyes of an otaku, its his or her (if any) prized possession in their bedroom.

To all otakus living in the Philippines, feel free to ask any of the anime stores all over your favorite malls (SM, Festival, Town Center, Greenbelt, or any mall you know) and tell them if the dakimakuras are on sale.

Take your time, guys!

What is the true meaning of the word "fan service" to you?

Hey readers, you know who this is. As I recalled most of the otakus from all over the world saying the two words spiced it up for something which I can't remember what this is, I don't really know what's the real meaning to the word some of the anime otakus called it "fan service" .
SO WHAT DOES FAN SERVICE MEAN TO YOU ANYWAY?
In people words, the word "fan" is used on people who take affection on everything popular, while the word "service" clearly states, well, um, help. I mean, what you help. Help. That's what service is. Service is what you help or serve to other people.
So what just meant on every kind of anime show that has the "fan service" treatment for otakus? Come on! Am I not the only otaku who know this kind of genre? Does a fan service anime creeps me out?

Uh-huh, an anime with a fan service genre really creeps me out. Oh, the naked stuff, and the "what's under her" stuff? I can't see it, it totally creeps me out to leaving one room to another, thinking it is way too sexy? Fantasizing a female anime character for something for your senses?

Aw, Eww, Ewww! I can't watch those kind of fan services? I mean, this is how fan services in anime shows treated fans like something gross?

No, this isn't fan service, it's uh.....uh.....
(PANTING)

(HYPERVENTILATING)

(STILL HYPERVENTILATING)

(STILL, STILL HYPERVENTILATING)

(STILL, STILL, STILL HYPERVENTILATING)

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I CAN'T WATCH!

Just kidding!

Look. From my point of view, unexpected blowing of a female characters' skirts (especially that blonde-haired Akari Kirishima, from the new anime series, Nyan Koi!), gentle teasing, some moments from Fight Ippatsu Juden-chan, Kanokon, and others, wasn't simply more than just fan service, it's like you're relieving an (I'll put something irrelevant for my clarification) episode from Family Guy where Peter, Chris, Stewie and Brian drank the whole ipecac syrup, and vomit altogether! Imagine I was about to vomit and break hives when I saw such nudity as part of the fan service genre.

As always, not all fanservices seem bad. Well, it depends on your pleasure for female anime characters, but not much. It would be a mess.

Third-Generation Audi A8

2011 Audi A8

Most Audi fans decided to give an all-out love-it-or-hate-it description about Audi's list of new cars coming this year; these were the ultra-luxury A8 premium sedan, a stylish compact known as the A1, the Spyder model for the R8, with the top dropped, a hybrid variant for the Q5 crossover, and the Porsche Panamera-killing A7. There will be more to come but I shall start talking about the first car to hit this year, the Audi A8.

One look of the new A8 reminds me of something that is somewhat familiar at its appearance. The third-generation A8's design looks somewhat a combination of the A4 compact sedan and the previous-generation A8, all combined into one unique package.

Although I must say, others might think it looks stale, but some people think it is best to look at the new design. From a fresh start, the new A8 has a choice among the 4.2L FSI V8 engine, 3.0L V6 TDI diesel engine, and the 4.2L TDI diesel engine. Most of them are rigged with a 7-speed S-tronic or a 8-speed tiptronic transmission. When the 4.2 FSI engine is a good start, I always prefer a 4.2 TDI diesel engine because of the capability of the diesel turbo engine on this premium German sedan.

As for the interior, I might think it is the same as the previous A8, but the interior design is truly a modern living for adults. In addition, it is armed with conveniences such as Internet connectivity via GPRS, cruise control, lane departure warning system, night vision system, blind spot monitor, pre-crash safety system, and two of the world's first technologies such as the human-machine interface which memorizes the drivers' input between the phone and the navigation system, equipped with Google Earth system.

What has been great about the A8: New technology features, Google Earth-enabled navigation system, grown-up comfort

What has not so great about the A8: Stale design, others think it is somewhat a facelift


Photo: Audi