First of all, today is my birthday, I’m 16 now! Yay ^_^ Putting that aside, I learnt this song a few days ago, at first it was just for fun, but I’ve decided to upload it in the end. Well, Dango Daikazoku ~piano~ is the first video I uploaded here (wow, almost 7 months already), so I thought, why don’t I upload the guitar version as well. It’s just a simple video, nothing flashy, no backing track, no multiple instruments, it’s just me and my guitar. Watch in HQ

With the recent conclusion of my Japan trip and the return to my warm and fuzzy room (not that the accomodation there was bad. Just that my room has the smell of home, literally), I could finally access some proper internets and watch my anime decently.

And now that my catching up with the online world has conluded, I can finally do this little post.

Everything after the jump folks.

To swat off any comments about why didn’t I go to Akihabara or what not, I’d just like to say that it wasn’t in the itinerary.

And as much as I’d like Washinomiya Shrine to be in Kyuushuu, it ISN’T. (Bah)

Sunrise from the plane

The flight set off at 1am in Singapore time and needless to say, I didn’t exactly sleep well.

I touched down at Fukuoka Airport, a decent sized airport though not as big as the one in Singapore. ^^

And so for the next few days, I visited the various tourist traps in Kyuushuu, hopping from destination to destination.

Pick-up point of Fukuoka Airport

My first stop was a branch of the NHK TV Station in Fukuoka.

Not a very big place and I personally think it was catered abit more towards the children. Still, it was nice seeing Domo-kun.

Empty studio

Photo spot for kids?

Domo-kun plushie!

Next stop was the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Memorial Museum (I did say it was a study trip).

It was quite educational in my personal opinion. The museum artfacts were interesting but the story told to us by a survivor was probably the most effective at getting the message across. To me at least.

The center pillar at the back holds the registry for atomic bomb victims

Interestingly, we  managed to get onto the papers. I have no idea why though.

I personally find reading vertically a headache =P

Close by is the Nagasaki Peace Park, in the center of which is the supposed epicenter of the nuclear blast.

In it, various statues and sculptures are placed in display, donated by various countries it seems.

Supposed epic center of the blast. 500 meters up that is.

I paid a visit to Kumamoto Castle as well, probably the biggest tourist trap in the itinerary list.

Still, it was nice to get a look up close at the artitecture and engineering employed in those times. Nails and cement didn’t exist then I believe. Imagine your house being one giant jig-saw puzzle.

How to build your house without nails 101

Contrary to popular belief, computers existed back then and this is a replica of the War Room.

The first thing that crossed my mind was my Pokemon dungeon guidebook…

The scenery up there was pretty decent too, even though it may be mostly urban scenery.

Yet another tourist trap I visited was Mt. Aso.

Never seen a mountain that tall before (then again, Singapore has no mountains). The trip up the blasted place was not pleasant though.

It was very foggy that day and you watching the rolling green disappear into the white mist from the bus window can only be so interesting. Not to mention that the road was so damn meandering that I was pretty much ready to hurl when I hit the top.

So yeah, nothing to do up there except stare at the mist which in its own way was kind of mysterious.

Nothing to see here……move along…

Next stop was the Takachiho Gorge which apparently boasts some nice scenery…

A love declaration I think. Though people usually carve it on trees and not on sign boards.

I also paid a visit to the Asia Pacific University in Beppu as part of the study trip. It’s quite a nice place with a wonderful view all around.

NUS on the other hand is full of stairs and gets a nice wonderful view of the sea port. Wee~

Anyway, Beppu is apparently famous for its hot springs and white steam can be seen spouting from various places in the city.

Imagine having your University right next door to onsen paradise. (Nope, no onsen near NUS)

White steam spouting everywhere…..

I paid a visit to one of the more famous spots there called Umi-jigoku (literally sea hell) where hot water bubbles up.

Oooooooo…..

Gotta love Engrish

Apparently they had one of these around

Anyone care to hop in? :D

From Beppu, it was back to Fukuoka where I visited the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. It’s no Washinomiya but it works =P

I tied one too ^^

No anime related ones here though

I wish the person all the best

This ends the Tourist Trap part of my Japan trip. Stay tuned for the others which will show my wanderings around during my trip. ^^

One of the main key events in Shine Youth Festival 2009 launch event in Singapore was the showcase of Kurobara Girls. The lovely costumes and also the interesting dolfies they have brought with them. I was able to hold on till the night to witness the event which was kinda interesting. I dedicate this post only for the Kuro Bara Girls.

Photos are taken with Nikon D90 and 18-105mm VR lens at ISO 800 with the default flash. Enuff talk, let the pictures do the talking.

the hosts of the event

nice costume

closeup

blocked by a cap

pink haired dolfie

flowery costume

the cap intrudes

twintail? ;O

mmmm…

nice pink dress…

nanoha dolfie? i dont know :P

5!~

a gathering..

a K-on “walkabout” …anyway, nice hello kitty guitar

another “K-on performance”

closeup shot

another closeup..

3 girls..3 guitars.

it was a good thing I managed to secure the front area.

full black with a rose..

purple dress…

stretching of arms.. ?

closeup shot

closeup view

black..and more black.

nice costume ^^

pink..

nice smile

nice pose

closeup view

duo..

nice smile..

kurobara babes

more kurobara babes..

the big boss..

This concludes my part 2 coverage for the Kuro Bara girls (well, there are guys, but I decided to skip them :P ). Next post post coming up will be some dedicated high end shots from our photographers Hexlord and Shiro. Stay tuned

]]> http://www.thebanzaieffect.com/articles/ooga/shine-2009-festival-launch-coverage-kuro-bara-girls/feed/ 5 http://www.thebanzaieffect.com/articles/jellokun/the-banzai-beat-39-more-indecency/ http://www.thebanzaieffect.com/articles/jellokun/the-banzai-beat-39-more-indecency/#comments Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:01:22 +0000 jellokun http://www.thebanzaieffect.com/?p=4788

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[This weeks show]

Would you watch an anime about middle school girls and their underwear? Jellokun reviews Clevage plus all the news, dvd picks and so much more on this weeks show. Also for anyone wanting to join us live, we will be broadcasting every Friday night on Blog Talk Radio from 9PM CST (10pm EST) and on Stickam too.

* New Macross movies
* Chu-bra anime green lit
* Anime sales fall only 2% from Q1 08 vs Q1 09
And more!

Loads of fun and Cosplay In Ngee Ann City (ears ftw)

As part of the Shine Youth Festival, the official launch was made yesterday in front of Ngee Ann City with loads of fun and events taking place, despite the burning weather. The Shine Youth Festival is a series of events that takes place from 27th June to 1st August. Yes, more events will come up in the coming weeks.

Featuring activities from Kurobara Gothic Lolita Cosplay, J-rock band performances and some street gigs, despite H1N1 being a well aware issue here, the crowd is still there and participants are as jovial as ever. I had taken my Nikon D90 out for her first outdoor walk today along with my kit lens 18-105mm VR and 50mm f1.8 lens.

This will be a multi post between other photographers in TBE and me. All armed with Nikon DSLRs.

geared up..lots of nice songs and performances, those boys rock with their songs ;)

50mm, f1.8 @ ISO 400. (I should set a lower ISO eh? but crap, i forgot ^^)

nice expression on the face..

personally, i love this shot, perhaps one of my best shots of the day. 50mm, f2.5, ISO 250

Mario returns as a youth

Spiderman with boobs?

*Smash!* – kids, dun try this at home

I believed most of you who went there would have agreed that the weather was so hot in the early afternoon, not to mention…it was bright as well. There were different performances from schools to dojos.

concentrating…focusing his inner energies into united force?  – plain blabbering

the soldier is here too.

many gordonators? there can only be one. (seriously, i don’t know if that’s him, but kudos bro, finally see u in person yesterday ;P  )

black … ? nice buttons there. which is the reboot button?

nice folks there, they posed for me. =)

cosplayer…

Lich King didn’t melt under the heat… :P

Girls promoting Games Convention Asia. Event will be held in Suntec from 17-20 Sept.

…ultraman?

scary monster is scary.

I caught this lil girl taking a shot with her camera..so cute!

if transformers were girls… hmm

Batman..and Joker..and kids = ?

candid is love ;)

Is that Gordonator getting the ice cream ?

thumbs up!

nice flowers ;)

Francis from Left 4 Dead.

Etheldreda and Al Azif from Demonbane

nice lovely costumes

a girl from kurobara, nice costume there

nice expression there.

Shana

nyan~

miss “nyan~” was being ‘captured’ by 987fm DJ and put on public stage display

pigeons..and tsukasa

a winner from the babe contest?

a rat..

and a rabbit…

ah.. yes, Bill..from Left 4 Dead giving some speech…where is the HUNTER?!

Bill..executing “Shun Goku Satsu”

Time for a rest, the next post coming up will be a post dedicated for a night event yesterday – Kurobara Gothic Girls Showcase . As this is first time I am trying out my Nikon outdoors, pardon me if some pics look bad to you.

Equipment:

Nikon D90
18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens
50mm f/1.8 lens

Finally back on Singapore soil.

It’s been fun and I now have a terrible task of sifting through the thousands of photos ahead of me.

I wasn’t expecting any anime merchandise to be available but shopping around resulted me in finding 2 Lucky Star gems. I guess you can call them the proverbial cherry on the top of this Japan trip cake.

Will get down to posting my photos when I’m done sifting through them ^^

Not really a fan of the series, but I have to say, this is an amazing song.
So much sad emotions are contained in this one song, and you have to admit that fact after listening to it for hundreds of episodes, in various scenes in the anime.
The song really means a lot to Naruto fans..

Watch in HQ

It’s day 4 in Japan and I have finally got hold of some internets.

Now posting from the city of Beppu in a nice little hotel. Will finally get a chance to sit in one of those hotsprings that I’ve heard and seen so much about.

I don’t look forward to sifting through the thousands of photos at the end of this trip. ^^

I am helping someone to spread a word for this little girl – Charmaine who is suffering from Neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma is one of the rare human malignancies known to demonstrate spontaneous regression from an undifferentiated state to a completely benign cellular appearance. Charmaine is suffering from Stage 4 Neuroblastoma, which is dissemination of tumor to distant lymph nodes, bone marrow, bone, liver, or other organs.

Charmaine’s family will need all the help they can get to tide through these difficult periods. Let’s do our part and spread the word. Every contribution and words of encouragement helps. Our local soccer icons are having a charity soccer match. Proceeds of the match will go to Charmaine and her family.

It is happening this Sunday 28th June and tickets are priced at $10.

In order for us to help Charmaine fight this cancer battle, we require our friends and people who know us to help raise funds for the substantial medical expenses and the expensive treatments which would last more than a year.

More information and donations can be found here

SCEE have redeemed themselves, at least in my Australian eyes. Gone are the days where we Aussies would be neglected by the European wing of Sony, and now we recieve much better regular updates. First we got Final Fantasy VII on the Playstation Network, which was mana from J-RPG heaven (mana pun intended) since it usually takes six months for a European Playstation Store update to come along which is actually interesting for PSN.

Now we get the home entertainment music video service Vidzone, which is only available in selected European countries. Australia, fortunately, is one of those selected countries taking part in the Vidzone program. Australia may be deprived of decent internet, but at least we now get a decent music video service which is customisable and has a great free catalogue of music videos to watch and put in playlists.

From what I’ve used of it so far it lends actual credibility to the Playstation 3’s claim as a “home entertainment system” rather than a games console masquerading as one. Yes, it’s a Blu-Ray player, but Blu-Ray is expensive right now, whereas Vidzone is a free service that costs nothing to the PS3 user, just a free download off PSN which takes up minimal space on your PS3 hard drive.

As far as video and sound quality goes it is superb. Considering most PS3 owners already have good video and sound systems if they bought one, Vidzone is the feature I reckon makes the most out of that hardware. It is a useful party tool, since it has a range of both recent music videos and classic ones which can be watched individually or put into playlists in order to be watched in any order you please.

Most parties I have been to have pretty dull use of TVs which can’t be turned on at the same time as the stereo because people at the party want to listen to music. However with Vidzone you could have the music video of the music playing running along with the music itself, it might not be as extensive a music collection as the average teenager’s music collection yet, nor will it satisfy the most hipsterish of hipsters in video catalogue selection, but it’s a service which is fresh, and new. More videos are added to the service all the time, and often you’ll find videos on there which you just didn’t expect to be there already.

The potential of this to the music industry is amazing. I can check out bands I wouldn’t normally check out using Vidzone, and buy their albums, whether in a record shop or off iTunes. The music industry needs all the help it can get, so I’m guessing that this might help.

* * * * *

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[This week]

This week’s show is 2 hours long with two (not three) show reviews! Mahoromatic and El Hazard are on the chopping blcok this wek are they good we’ll let you know if you should spend your time on them. Also lots of news from more Funimatino server hacks and 60 foot Gundam statues.

And here’s nutcase23 posting from Japan!

It’s been day one and as you can see from the photo above where I’ll be sleeping for the day. XD

Have a long day ahead tomorrow and the flight was not helpful for my sleep.

Only one day and it has already been an eye opener. Makes me wonder how the next 5 days will be like ^^

I’m probably the last one to post-up the Streetfest report. (as usual lol!)
Anyways, the event is back to it’s original venue (since 2005 at least), instead of last year’s venue which is held at Suntec.
Even though people are roasted and sweating mad in the heat, but I think it’s all worth it, it’s more like a streetfest at *scape Youth Park.

Ok, less talk, more photos, I will be posting up a little of each of the event.

I will start-off with some photos of the event commitees.

One of the organizers, Emerson (Jun).

The other organizer, Cedric (Kunio).

One of the emcees, Jolyn.

A couple of photos of the booth owners.

Cheryl

Ivan from the hairstyling booth.

Next up, photos of the Singapore Dark Alternative Movement (SDAM) community, do visit the site if you’re interested in it, they are an active community, having night’s out mainly on Friday.

Nevar

Mervyn & Nigel

Nigel

Karugi

Karugi

Karugi

Lauren Jane Coops & Karugi

Now let’s move on to the cosplay photos, which I think most of you guys are waiting for!

Teru (Versailles -Philharmonic Quintet- [Prince & Princess Version])

Hizaki (Versailles -Philharmonic Quintet- [Prince & Princess Version])

Teru & Hizaki (Versailles -Philharmonic Quintet- [Prince & Princess Version])

Teru & Hizaki (Versailles -Philharmonic Quintet- [Prince & Princess Version])

Meiko (Vocaloid)

Gundam 00

Lacus Clyne (Gundam Seed)

Skip Beat!

Kyo (Dir en grey)

Ichigo Kurosaki & Rukia Kuchiki (Bleach)

Ichigo Kurosaki & Rukia Kuchiki (Bleach)

Ichigo Kurosaki (Bleach)

Rukia Kuchiki (Bleach)

Ryomou Shimei (Blue Nurse ver.) [Ikkitousen]

Ryomou Shimei (Blue Nurse ver.) [Ikkitousen]

Ryomou Shimei (Blue Nurse ver.) [Ikkitousen]

Benten (Zone-00)

Benten (Zone-00)

Benten (Zone-00)

Benio (Zone-00)

Benten, Benio, Bishamon (Zone-00)

We have come to the last segment, couple of bands photos.
First up, Aries Kaiser!

David, Allan, Elson, Iru, Ridz

Next band that I shot is One More Stop!

Xinyi

Jee Yon

Emerson (Jun)

Ai Pheng

Yirun

Emerson (Jun)

This wraps up my coverage of Streetfest DJ Party 2009, hope you guys enjoy it!

Equipment used:

Nikon D300
Nikon SB800
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 (all the shots except band photography)
Nikon 85mm f/1.4 (band photography)

Right in Iluma in Bugis, Singapore.

Colosseum LAN Entertainment Centre will be having a opening launch promotion for Gamers!

From 20th June to 28th June, all Colosseum members enjoy $1 per hour LAN Gaming up to a maximum of 4 hours. The place is at 7th floor of Iluma – the new shopping centre opposite Bugis Junction.

This promotion is for Members only, and you can sign up for membership right on the spot!

There will also a launch party on 20th June, 10.30 am onwards – there will be some free or cheap Gaming for public walk-ins… Remember to check it out!

I still remember my previous Team Fortress 2 gaming with Vr-zone guys… w00t! ;)

What? May updates? Isn’t tad slow ? Indeed, it is not much of a priority for this month’s stats as I was busy with many other things. I won’t be touching into detail on the stats, but it is now official for that The Banzai! Effect will undergo a facelift and I am  trying out different themes to find one that suit my taste and I found one which I am doing testing with it. (yes, i know, i have been repeating that for some times and it was all NATO – No Action, Talk Only)

PS: It’s my birthday tomorrow and I received a real special birthday gift …gawd..I can’t sleep.

The keyword to the next theme design is neat. Hence here is a preview image of the next theme’s layout. Of course, this is not the finalized design and the sidebar is not fixed yet but you get the picture. The theme is not designed by me so credits to the guy who did that. More details will be revealed soon.

A closer integration with Otakucafe will be also be implemented.

Setsukyie’s music posts have been warmly received and I believed you guys had enjoyed it a lot. His article topped the month’s post. Our spring’s anime reviews are still beign read, well to add on a note, we are gonna work on a summer post although we are slow on it. :P

Next, it is my birthday tomorrow (20th June) and seriously, I didn’t expect a gift but someone special gave me a real big suprise…. here’s what I get for this year’s birthday gift….

OMGWTFBBQ! A Nikon D90!!! w00t!

now the thing, I have to learn how to use a Nikon as I am a total stranger to it

Found out about the song after watching the cover for the song by 7208133
Actually, I tried listening to the original song (by Yui) first before watching the cover one.
For some reason, I didn’t like it at first…
So I gave the cover one a try, and I instantly fell in love with the song (the video is godly, watch it)
And then I tried listening to the original song again, and I love it.
lol…yea, I’m weird..

Anyway, I haven’t watched Fullmetal Alchemist, let alone the sequel, so I came across the song a few months late..(2 weeks if you count the full version)
But it’s better late than never, so I picked up my guitar and learned the song and covered the song 2 days later ^_^

And I finally solved the sync issue in my videos, I just have to upload videos in a different format xD

Eden of the East possibly ranks as the show with the most number of naked male bodies in a single episode.

Across the world we can hear screams of joy and shrieks of horror as naked young men in their skinny bodies run around naked in glorious 1280×1024 resolution on our LCD monitors, flashing their small white patches of censorship.

Okay enough with that. XD

NEET brain power…

Akira in a surprising re-entry, demontrates his master anti-missile plan, recruiting the creative juices of the 20,000 NEETS to devise a method of shooting down the 60 missiles and getting Juiz to employ it. Upon it’s success, Akira gives Juiz an order to make him “King” of Japan and proceeds to, if I heard the sound right, erase his own memory once again.

A very exciting last episode with a cliffhanger of an ending. What happens now remains to be seen as we wait for the thearatical release of the next 2 episodes starting with the first on Nov 28th this year. Can’t wait.

HE LIVES!!!

Sadly, I’m going nowhere near Akihabara nor the sacred holy land that is Washinomiya shrine T_T

I am, however, going to Japan for a week in a few days’ time as a study trip.

Certainly been long time since I stepped out of the country.

Pictures are a given since I need it for my study report but naturally I’ll be posting on the blog as well.

So since there will not be much access to teh internets there I guess I’ll be on blackout for awhile. ^^

Cya when I get back.

Even more revelations this episode as Akira meets up with Selecao I and X

Mr. Outside’s identity is revealed and he turns out to be dead.

Or is he?

Juiz turns out to be a supercomputer.

Or is she?

This episode only brings up more questions than it answers but at least for now we are privy to the background of the Selecao system as well as I and X’s perverted plot to change Japan by taking over “Juiz” and dropping another 60 missiles on Japan.

Akira is approached with an offer to join them in their endeavour which is promptly rejected.

The bitch of I then reveals the reason of Akira’s memory wipe, shocking him with Akira’s own tale of betrayal.

Saki and Mikuru overhear the conversation through Akira’s intentionally left connected phone and are shocked by the news.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Eden of the East gang recieve the data Itazu sent before he became a martyr and discover the phone logs. But how will they interpret the data?

In a sudden twist of events, Number XII suddenly steps into the ring, ordering the moving of Juiz to a hidden location, thereby throwing a major wrench into the plans of I and X. Is XII the supporter?

Thoughts

Why I and X don’t simply order Juiz to be repositioned back at the research lab is beyond me though there maybe something else at play.

Saki once again proves that emoing is the only thing she can do.

Looks like Akira has gone into a depression on discovering he was betrayed by the people he had helped saved from the missile attacks though I cannot see how it led to him erasing his own memories. I’m pretty sure the mystery man we saw in episode one talking to Juiz in the car was Number I now.

I wonder how they are going to finish this series in a movie?

To finish off, wtf is this?

OMFG!!! Mass naked NEET invasion!!?!?

A hot Saturday afternoon did not prevent a large number of cosplayers, photographers and curious onlookers from descending to the SCAPE! Youth Park to attend this year’s Streetfest event.

I can see that nutcase23 have already given a detailed coverage of the event so I’ll be brief: Link

To me, this is my fifth time attending Streetfest (I felt kinda old, somehow) so I would like to say that even though the event have received greater publicity compared to the past, there are a few things that remained the same.

1. The heat (except for Streetfest 2008 but that’s another story)
2. The location (ditto for the above)
3. Epic J-Rock and Visual Kei cosplayers

I guess I can speak for the rest when I say that hopefully the weather will be better next year… now, onto the photos!

Hey hey, it’s Naruto!

Shugo Chara.

Prince of Tennis.

Undertaker from Kuroshitsuji.

Meiko and Luka from Vocaloids.

Tsumugi and Yui from K-On.

Konata from Lucky Star.

A bunch of guys having fun here, check out the expression of the guy on the right!

Another Luka from Vocaloids.

Hallelujah from Gundam 00.

Shino from Naruto.

I have never seen anyone doing this version of Naruto and Sasuke before in Singapore!

An army of Vocaloids.

Amazing Versailles cosplay.

Toshiya from Dir En Grey.

Nyanko-sensei! From the series Natsume’s Book of Friends.

Zone-00 cosplay. The characters are brothers.

Seeing the light, Hatsune Miku from Vocaloids.

The Sagan boys from the series Loveless.

Nurse characters are always interesting. 呂蒙子明 from 一騎当千

Francis from Left4Dead (L4D)

From an otome game, which I forgot to ask them the name.

Close-up shot.

Sebastian Michaelis from Kuroshitsuji.

Some of the more epic cosplays during the event itself.

Hizaki from Versailles.

Photographers had a field day taking shots of the cosplayers there. However, there’s a lot of people roaming around!

Kyo from Dir En Grey (Diru).

Last but not least, Die from Dir En Grey (Diru).