A brief history of THE IDOLM@STER

THE iDOLM@STER

2015 marks the 10th anniversary of THE IDOLM@STER series since the arcades went off the stands on 26th of July, 2005, and expanded to multiple franchises from console games, mobile games, animated series, music CDs, and numerous merchandising rights. As everyone in Japan is prepping up for the big 10th anniversary of the ever-favorite idol-raising game that won every otakus' hearts, time now for a quick history lesson about everyone's favorite idol-raising game.

THE IDOLM@STER (Arcade, 2005) - This is how it started it all. Launched in July 26th, 2005, the IDOLM@STER arcade game works in numerous ways. As the producer of 765 PRODUCTION, you have to produce one of the nine idols and raise your producer rank to the highest as nurture your idol to become famous on-stage.  First and foremost, you can't send your idol into the audition process without lessons that will boost one of the three stats; Visual, Vocal, and Dance. This arcade game runs in two cards; the producer card that will keep track of your idols and a unit card  which shows the last idol you've used, the last song she performed live, and the number of fans garnered. The more fans earned, the higher the rank. Simple.

THE IDOLM@STER (XBOX 360, 2007) - With the success of the iM@S arcades, the producers decided to bring the same iM@S experience at the comfort of their home with this XBOX 360 game. It features the same stuff they love from the arcade but now with added contents and with the addition of Miki Hoshii.

IDOLM@STER XENOGLOSSIA (TV series, 2007) - For some unknown reasons we don't understand, the stars from IDOLM@STER games featured in a mecha anime series made by the same folks behind the Gundam animes with an all-original storyline that feels somewhat average for some iM@S fans many, although some would call it a witchcraft. 107 years ago, the moon was destroyed in a cataclysm that shattered Earth's former satellite into a numerous pieces but the Earth survived from the massive disaster but no one knows what happened. It starts with a girl named Haruka Amami who was auditioning for something called the IDOLM@STER Project, but instead, she winded up to a top secret academy run by the Mondenkind Agency, alongside other girls chosen to pilot a powerful robot designed to intercept falling chunks of moon rock. As the story progresses, the conspiracies against Mondenkind lurkens and how will the fate of the world rests in Haruka's decisions.

THE IDOLM@STER Live For You! (XBOX 360, 2008) - This installment has a new twist to the iM@S formula fans love because in IM@S L4U, you can enjoy your favorite idols' live shows just the way you want. Select your favorite idols, choose a song, select a costume, and achieve the highest results. You can even challenge your friends at the online rankings or purchase additional content on the XBOX Live Marketplace.

THE IDOLM@STER SP (PSP, 2009) - IM@S goes portable with the PSP game called THE IDOLM@STER SP. This installment splits into three different versions; Wandering Star (allows you to produce Ami and Mami Futami, Yukiho Hagiwara, and Iori Minase), Perfect Sun (allows you to produce Makoto Kikuchi, Yayoi Takatsuki, and Haruka Amami), and Missing Moon (allows you to produce Azusa Miura, Ritsuko Akizuki, and Chihaya Kisaragi). Whichever version players choose, you will still be greeted by the same iM@S formula we all love; raising your underdog into a top-class celebrity. As you work your way to the game, you'll be face off against idols from Project Fairy consisting of Takane Shijou, Miki Hoshii, and Hibiki Ganaha. Producers surely need their own "A game" to outsmart 961 Pro's finest.

THE IDOLM@STER Dearly Stars (Nintendo DS, 2009) - A spinoff to the hit franchise, Dearly Stars takes you in charge as the producer of the 876 Productions' trio of hopefuls; Ai Hidaka, Eri Mizutani, and Ryo Akizuki.

THE IDOLM@STER Mobile (Mobile Phone, 2010) - In preparation for the upcoming IM@S 2, there was a mobile browser game of THE IDOLM@STER where surprises await in different locations across Japan and score numerous items for your 765 PRO idol of your choosing.

THE IDOLM@STER 2 (XBOX 360/PS3, 2011) - Launched in February 2011, THE IDOLM@STER 2 follows the same chemistry of its predecessors, combining the elements of a dating sim game and some Dance Dance Revolution-style button-mashing action at the same time. Every rehearsals, every concerts, every dates, everything you need to know as a producer is the key to achieve higher rankings and every idol's happiness. Once more, personalization can be a notable feature. Every idol's style can affect the outcome of the game and how you personalize your idols is up to you. As the producer, you are taking responsibility to the idols of your own choice; from Haruka, Hibiki, Miki, Makoto, Chihaya, Takane, Yukiho, Mami, and Yayoi. You can even stand a chance against Ryugu Komachi consisting of Ami, Iori, Azusa, and the person in charge; Ritsuko.

For the first time, a PS3 version was offered in late October 2011 and much to the annoyance of those who owned the XBOX 360 version, additional storyline and PS3-exclusive outfits such as Dressy Alice, Rainy Suzuran, Random Color Beauty, Digital Spacecraft, Cutie Insect, Weeping Wisteria, Burning Performer, Stratos Butterfly, Full bloom Yukata Dress, Starlight Agent, My Baby's Breath, Corduroy Country, Circuit Architect, Prima Concerto♪, Cardigan Schooler, Traditional Maid, Bright Eaglet, and Exotic China. Sadly, the Punkish Gothic as seen of the XBOX 360 version, never seen the light of day on the PS3 version.

THE IDOLM@STER (TV Series, 2011) - Fans of the franchise got their wishes come true as the full-fledged IDOLM@STER anime series aired in the Summer of 2011 on TBS for 25 episodes. The anime series features the life and times of the 765 PRODUCTION idols, their secret origins, and how a young producer steps up to send his aspiring idols to the top of the summit even when faced with obstacles.

THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls (Mobile Game, 2011) - With over a 190 idols to collect, raise, and idolize, no other mobile game does better than THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls. Originally launched as a browser game for Mobage in late 2011, it later became an app game available on App Store and Google Play.

Puchimas! Petit Idolm@ster (Web Series, 2012) - This spinoff of short animated skits features super-deformed versions of their favorite 765 PRO idols as they encounter one hilarious misadventures after another, much to the case of spilling water of Harukasan's head. This web series ran for two seasons and a total of 138 episodes.

THE IDOLM@STER Mobile i (App Store, 2012) - The same goodness from the iM@S mobile is now offered for iPhone users as Mobile i offers the same surprises waiting in numerous locations across Japan, there's even a feature where you can take a pic of your 765 PRO at a very desirable location of your choosing. You can even share it in most social networking sites as well!

THE IDOLM@STER Shiny Festa (PSP, 2012/App Store, 2013) - Launched in late October 2012, Shiny Festa consists of three versions; Honey Sound (with Haruka Amami, Chihaya Kisaragi, Azusa Miura, and Ritsuko Akizuki), Groovy Tune (with Miki Hoshi, Takane Shijou, Makoto Kikuchi, and Yukiho Hagiwara), and FUNKY NOTE (with Ami and Mami Futami, Hibiki Ganaha, Yayoi Takatsuki, and Iori Minase). About Shiny Festa, this game is becoming a "rhythm action" game, much like the Hatsune Miku Project Diva video games before. So what you gonna do is simple, you gonna need a lot of concentration and timing to push the buttons right while listening to your favorite IDOLM@STER songs. A year later after these PSP versions were launched, they're made available on the App Store for outrageous prices as well as the hefty load of data needed to download.

THE IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE (Mobile Game, 2013) - Social media network GREE decides to have a shot at it. With the help of game maker, Bandai Namco, GREE launched a new iDOLM@STER social game that will rival mobage's Cinderella Girls. Just like Mobage's iM@S Cinderella Girls, you have different choice idols for you to produce but just like Cinderella Girls, this is nothing more of a collectible card game. Each idol is categorized into three types such as VOCAL, DANCE, and VISUAL, and if a producer seized its opportunity against the odds, with the right training and the right idols, they will progress further to become a TOP IDOL. Well, this is much more like the Cinderella Girls game to be honest. There were NORMAL, RARE, SUPER RARE, and others. There's so many variations of each idol and each variation comes with different stats.

IM@S CHANNEL (PS3, 2013) - As a free-to-play destination to all things iDOLM@STER, iM@S Channel offers fans to play a PS3 version of Shiny Festa called SHINY TV and take pics of their favorite 765 Pro idols in Gravure For You. There are numerous DLC available on the PlayStation Store. It even served as the destination for the digital version of the PS3-exclusive iM@S OFA as well.

THE IDOLM@STER MOVIE 輝きの向こう側へ！(Movie, 2014) - THE iDOLM@STER franchise, started from video games to the anime franchise, spawned its much awaited film under the title of THE IDOLM@STER MOVIE 輝きの向こう側へ! (To The Other Side of the Sparkle!) In this movie based on the hit video game franchise, the idols of 765 Productions continue their quest for fame and friendship as they take on their first arena concert. The producer of the 765 Productions happy to announce the girls that there will be some new ones joining the ranks as back-up dancers and in a amusing-but-mind-shattering kind of way, the girls as seen from the Million Live social game such as Minako Satake (voiced by Eri Ōzeki), Kana Yabuki (Ibuki Kido), Yuriko Nanao (Miku Itō), Seriko Hakozaki (Momo Asakura), Anna Mochizuki (Shiina Natsukawa), Shiho Kitazawa (Sora Amamiya), and Nao Yokoyama (Yui Watanabe) were the ones showed up as special guests of the film itself.

THE IDOLM@STER ONE FOR ALL (PS3, 2014) - Although not very pleasing for iM@S purists about why did they made OFA a PS3-exclusive game, One For All is by no means the best iM@S game ever made because for the first time, producers are now in charge to produce all 13 idols from 765 Productions from Haruka to Ritsuko. There's even a new storyline where you can get to know more about your favorite idols. There are special guests from Cinderella Girls and Million Live via DLC as well as additional songs, costumes, and more, to keep the ante on iM@S OFA.

THE IDOLM@STER SIDE M (Mobile Game, 2014) - The girls had their fun, now it's time for the males to take the spotlight. Side M is a rather unusual mobile game in the franchise where male idols are now the center of attraction. Although, it's all about the big boys singing your hearts out while overcoming their past jobs, it's still a card game much like Cinderella Girls and Million Live. As the producer of 315 Production, you are tasked to find the best male idols and group them to become the best. Apart from the new male idols made specifically from this mobile game, you can even produce the members of the fearsome boyband Jupiter as well! Ah, our old enemies...

THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS (TV Series, 2015) When the producers of the iM@S anime series announced that they'll be making a anime series based on the Cinderella Girls mobile game, the world rejoiced, and when the year 2015 began, the fun begins when the iM@S CG anime aired for 13 episodes and with another more coming this weekend! In this anime adaptation, teenage girls Uzuki Shimamura, Rin Shibuya, and Mio Honda are on a wonderful journey at 346 Production to become aspiring idols. Throughout the series, we witness how 346 Production's finest tackle everyday obstacles in their life and on the mid-season finale, we witness how far the Cinderella Project girls pushed their way to the summit despite all odds. Look forward to the second half of the Cinderella Girls anime this weekend as we can expect more from the Cinderella Project and what new challenges will face on the road to stardom.

THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS Starlight Stage (App Store/Google Play, COMING SOON) - Coming soon on the App Store and Google Play is a brand new rhythm game based on THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS and like any other rhythm games, you need the right timing and the right coordination to tap to the right spot and score as many combos as possible.

Let's Do The News! (July 16, 2015)

- Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is focused on completing the bailout deal agreed with the eurozone despite problems in a critical vote to push through tough reforms, according to his spokesman after he won the late-night vote but with over 30 of his own MPs voting against him. The government of Greece lost its majority but is expected to survive.

- Japan's lower house has approved two controversial bills that change the nation's security laws despite protests in Tokyo. These changes would allow Self Defense Forces to fight overseas for the first time since World War II. These bills require approval from the upper house by it will be most likely to be passed into law.

- Coastal areas of South Korea will be hit by strong winds and waves through Saturday as Typhoon Nangka heads towards Okinawa, Japan.

- NASA revealed their new close-up look of Pluto, a day after the agency confirmed its New Horizons spacecraft successfully completed its flyby of the dwarf planet on the edge of the solar system.

- As Ricardo Marquez is named as the new Chief Director General of the Philippine National Police, Philippine President Benigno Aquino III admitted that he's aware of the PNP's "Kampo-Kampo System" and he states that under Marquez's leadership to the PNP, those mistakes will never be allowed. The President ordered termination and punishment against corrupt members and award those working for the betterment of the PNP.

- Believe it or not, rapper Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson has filed for bankruptcy.

- The PS3-exclusive, free-to-play, flight shooting game Ace Combat Infinity released their 10th update featuring the Aerospace Center Defense (HARD) mission, special Pilot Aptitude Test mission, Satellite Interception IV special raid mission, a Come Back Bonus for players who haven't signed in for long periods of time, new parts, new challenges, and four long-awaited crafts such as the J35J Draken, Su-27 Flanker-B, MiG-1.44, and the GAF-1 Varcolac from Ace Combat Joint Assault, among many others!

- Disney officially announced that they'll be working on a sequel of 2012's animated film Wreck-It Ralph, according to John C. Reily, the voice of Ralph from the film.

TTFN!!!

Minions (2015 film)

The Minions of Despicable Me. They're cute, lovable, downright funny, and everyone in the whole world wants one. Upon witnessing their crazy antics in the first two Despicable Me movies, we got indulged into the Minion rush and developed our love among these banana-loving, gibberish-speaking, critters. Thanks to the Minions' popularity, they even got themselves their own film which served as a prequel to the Despicable Me films, about the secret origin of the Minions, and how did they live. In fact, they only live on obeying their masters.

In order to save the minion race, their only hope lies to the minions named Stuart, Kevin, and Bob, as they search for their master in the world of humans. Their quest starts from New York right until to the fateful encounter of one of the most ruthless supervillains in the world, Scarlet Overkill (played by Sandra Bullock).

Like most family movies, this movie balances the things that were right and the things that were wrong. One of them is the storyline because while this is mostly focused on the Minions' secret origins, it kinda felt rubbish as the story progresses but despite that, the sense of humor is highly inescapable because when the Minions pulled off one of their ridiculous moments, these moments will always leave viewers smiling with happiness. What this is is a feel-good family movie of the summer and despite the storyline feels so wrong, it's essentially enjoyable to watch right up to the ending that really surprises everyone.

Thanks to the Minions movie, it's never too late to join the Minion rush. If you're new or familiar with them, it doesn't really matter because it takes to getting used to it.

My rating: 3.9 our of 5

Kia All New K5 (JF)

2016 Kia K5

That, ladies and gentlemen, is the all new Kia K5, better known to the world market as the fourth-generation Kia Optima, and while it looks nearly the same as the previous model, it's an entirely new model that is ready to have everyone interested on having one of these more than its Japanese and European rivals.

2016 Kia K5

For this new model, there are two designs to choose from; the MX model for those who are looking for something civilized and the SX model for those who want to live out a sporty lifestyle after office hours. Most models do come with 2.0L petrol, 1.7L diesel, and a 2.0L LPi but exclusively for the SX model; two turbocharged direct-injection engines are available such as a 1.6 T-GDi and a 2.0 T-GDi. What bothers me the most that the 2.0L T-GDi engine is now designed from the ground up and it produces 245PS of power, which is 26PS less than the previous model's 2.0L turbo engine. That's quite of shame for power-loving car enthusiasts. The 1.6L T-GDi engine, which is new to us, produces 180PS of power and that's not bad for a small engine of that size.

For 2.0L variants, a 6-speed automatic gearbox is standard, but on models equipped with smaller engines from a 1.6L T-GDi to a 1.7L diesel, they're equipped with a new 7-speed double clutch gearbox, a first for a Kia.

2016 Kia K5

Because the latest-generation K5 (codenamed JF) uses the same underpinnings as its cousin, the Hyundai Sonata (LF), it has multilink suspension setup which allows this saloon to handle like a European car, as a theory. For safety reasons, the new K5 has a brand new Auto Emergency Braking system which detects incoming objects on its twelves and triggers and automatic braking in an event of a pre-collision. It also comes with an Advanced Smart Cruise control which detects the distance to the car in front of the separate acceleration/braking distance while driving. Useful for highway driving.

2016 Kia K5 interior

Like the previous model, the interior comforts aren't so bad and it's very tech-savvy as well thanks to its convenient features such as an available JBL surround sound system, rear-view camera, available sat-nav with a touch-screen, and the UVO telematics sytem which allows your smartphone act as a carkey for your K5.

The new K5 begins at a reasonably 22,450,000 KRW which is surprisingly cheap than its cousin, the Hyundai Sonata, but you'll gonna need more moolah if you want to spec it out to your liking. Still, you can afford one than any other European midsize saloons, making it a great value for your buck. If there are doubts, you'd better be off with models with a 7-speed DCT, even the one with the smaller 1.6L T-GDi engine, because while the new dual-clutch gearbox is questionable, that small engine feels nippy and it's easy to live with.

Available colors: Snow White Pearl, Silky Silver, Platinum Graphite, Pluto Brown, Gravity Blue, and Aurora Black Pearl.

Photo: Kia Motors

Let's Do The News! (July 15, 2015)

- The International Monetary Fund attacked the eurozone's bailout deal for Greece as one of the creditors states that Greece's public debt become "highly unsustainable" and it needed relief from its debts. Right now, the Greek parliament has until Wednesday to pass four pieces of legislation or face exit from the eurozone for good.

- Economic growth in the People's Republic of China has increased by 7% in the second quarter but it was still the weakest showing since the global financial crisis when it fell to 6.6%. Growth was hampered due to weaker property market and factory production for one of Asia's superpowers but Beijing rolled out series of stimulus measures in the midst of the crisis.

- Possession of child pornography is banned in Japan. Last year, the law was revised to penalize the possession of pornographic materials of minors under the age of 18. It included a one-year moratorium, when those who already owned such images were expected to dispose of them but the moratorium has expired. Offenders will face a year of imprisonment or pay the 1 million yen fine.

- Researches in southwestern Japan said that they've excavated two fossilized teeth of what it could be from a large tyrannosaur ever to exist in Japan. The unearthed fossil in question has an estimated size of about 10 meters long.

- Former governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., one of the masterminds behind the Maguindanao Massacre, is allegedly went to coma Tuesday night. Last month, Ampatuan was rushed to the National Kidney and Transplant Institute due to Terminal Liver Cancer.

- The Department of Science and Technology states that somewhere in the National Capital Region lies a Filipino equivalent of Silicon Valley as they allocated a 35 million peso grant for equipment and operating expenses of the two Innovation Hubs in Intramuros, Manila and UP Diliman campus in Quezon City in 2017.

- Yesterday, Senator Bong Revilla has been granted by the Sandiganbayan to visit his ailing father, Ramon Revilla, at St. Luke's Medical Center at Taguig City because of "metabolic encephalopathy secondary to dehydration and aspiration pneumonia" since Saturday.

- Horror hits home as the official trailer for Five Nights of Freddy's 4 hits the net. Watch it if you really dare.

- Seiyuu Miyu Matsuki, known for her roles as Isumi Saginomiya from Hayate the Combat Butler and many others, goes on hiatus due to pneumonia. She noted that she had a fever since the start of the year and she found ut that she had acute pneumonia after she repeatedly went to the hospital for check-ups.

- Actress Lovi Poe gets bitten by her own dog twice last Friday and right now, she has been given six shots of anti-rabies vaccine when she was rushed at the hospital.

- Louis Tomlinson from from the popular boy band One Direction is going to be a dad for the first time.

Seattle's Chinatown International District Dragon Fest 2015

Last weekend, I went to Seattle's Chinatown International District to experience the sights and sounds of the Dragon Fest 2015, where the best of Asian culture come together and celebrate to the hearts and minds of Asian Americans in the Pacific Northwest. Yes, I've been there last year but because of my enjoyment of going places, I decided to go there again, for the sake of enjoyment during the long summer days in America.



More photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHskcBGaii

My Video Journal:

Let's Do The News! (July 14, 2015)

- Greek PM Alexis Tsipras is on a fight to win support from coalition partners for the third bailout offered by eurozone leaders. Four pieces of legislation must be passed by the end of Wednesday including pension and VAT reforms. However, Defense Minister Panos Kammenos already opposed the measures. If the deal fails, Greece will be forced to leave the eurozone for good.

- The Mexican authorities are offering a 60 million peso reward for the capture of Joaquin Guzman, the nation's most wanted drug lord, who escaped from a maximum security prison on Saturday through a 1.5km-long tunnel.

- Korean president Park Geun-hye ordered her senior secretaries to look further in the subject of the need of amnesty in preparation of next month's 70th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule.

- Typhoon Nangka is expected to affect the southern and eastern parts of South Korea and Jeju Island, by weekends. This typhoon is moving northwards towards Japan and it's forecasted to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds.

- Over 200 South Koreans have embarked on a very special ride on the grand transcontinental train journey known as the Eurasia Friendship Express. They're divided into two teams; one will take Trans-Siberia Railway from Vladivostok while the other will depart from Beijing and take Trans-Mongolia Railway. It's a 20-day journey where participants will travel ten cities in five different nations, and establish ties. The final stop will be at Berlin, Germany.

- The Department of Education is already investigating the food poisoning incident in the CARAGA Region. They said that the students affected from the food poisoning were given proper health care, most were fully recovered and discharged from hospitals. Meanwhile, the Department of Health stressed the importance of food safety on acquiring and intake of unknown products as 1,925 people were reportedly affected last Friday, July 10, after they ate candies.

- September 6 is officially recognized as Shigeru Matsuzaki day according to the Japan Anniversary Association. It is the day when the famed singer made his debut. If you're a fan of the Katamari Damacy games, then you'll most likely to remember him for singing one of the game series' songs.

- The death toll from the General Motors ignition switch defects rises to 124 while 390 are reportedly injured.

- At last weekend's SDCC, the BBC announced a remake of the classic British children's cartoon, Danger Mouse and now, it's targeting for international audiences as possible. Actors Alexander Armstrong, Kevin Eldon, Stephen Fry, John Oliver, and Lena Headey will lend their voices for the upcoming animated series.

TTFN!!!