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    Blood Types - A, B

    posted @ 3/09/2007 08:30:00 PM by MagicMystic
    Ever since podcast episode 32: “It’s in the Blood” people have been asking me to make a written hard copy of my bloodtype analysis notes. In my notes I had a much more comprehensive look at the traits and lists of characters that I never got around to talking about. So, I figure this is the perfect time to show off all the research I did for the podcast. Course, I wrote way too much, so it's coming at you in two parts.

    Persons having Rh- blood types are extremely rare in the Japanese population estimated at less than 1% of the total population, due to it’s rarity the type never developed any special signifigance. So, sorry but some of you are shite outta luck for this bloodtype interpretation thing.

    Type A blood is the most common in Japan and Germany while type O is most prevalent in the United States.

    A “The Farmer” –
    A is most compatible with A and AB.

    The honor student type. A’s are very responsible. They take charge when there are things to be done, often preferring to take care of things themselves. A’s have an innate inner strength that allows them to stay calm in extreme situations when everyone else is panicking. However, they try to avoid confrontation and can feel very uncomfortable around other people. They generally seek balance and are very polite and socially aware, but at the same time feel that they never really fit in with others. A’s can be shy and sometimes withdrawn. A’s usually respect customs, rules and common sense but contrarily, some A’s repel interaction and social norms.

    A people crave success and are perfectionists. This perfectionism and their stubborn nature is easily combined to form argumentative personality. A’s seldom apologize. A’s have a double nature formed from their gentleness and stubbornness. They are also very creative, and the most artistic of all the blood types, most likely because of their sensitivity.

    People with blood type A are also likely to be considered classic "type A's": stressed and conscientious. A’s are generally considered to be less expressive than O’s and B’s.

    Positive Traits: Calm, obeys rules, values relationships with others, very sensitive, cautious and careful, obedient, sympathetic, empathetic, self-sacrificing, polite, studious, disciplined, outwardly serious, willing to compromise, honest, loyal, perfectionist, aware of morality (knows what’s right and wrong), considerate, tries to be optimistic about past, thinks conventionally

    Negative Traits: Worries a lot, hesitant to express emotion, internally emotional, weak-willed, taciturn, stoic, indecisive, introverted, anti-social, slow to trust people, wishy-washy, nervous, detached, stressed, conciencious, perfectionist, slow to recover from emotional wounds, pessimistic about future, anxious

    B “The Hunter” –
    B is most compatible with B and AB.

    The well meaning eccentric type. B’s are the most practical of the blood groups. They are specialists in what they do. When they start a project, they spend extra time understanding and trying to follow directions than others might. When they are doing something, all of their attention is focused on it. They tend to stick to a goal and follow it through to the end, even if it seems impossible. B’s are never still even in times of physical rest they use their brains continuously. As interest is directed to the external world, thought becomes scientific and practical with respecting facts.

    B’s are stubborn and hate red tape and minor rules, they live by their own moral compass. They tend to be less than cooperative, as they tend to follow their own rules and their own ideas. It’s hard for B’s to learn and remember manners and greetings that suit their surroundings and society. They are well-meaning individualists but are ruled by their impulses. B’s pay attention to their thoughts a little more than their feelings, and therefore can sometimes seem cold and serious.
    Bs aren’t influenced by common sense or customs, so are often considered more relaxed, freewheeling, and unconventional than other types, although not necessarily to an unacceptable degree.

    Type Bs are familiar with everyone despite societal standards and do not discriminate, they automatically trust in people. B’s aren’t strongly emotional, it just seems that way because they express everything and don’t restrain their feelings at all. B’s are very empathetic and able to comprehend other people's situation. B’s are compassionate and sometimes take action instantly.

    Type B's personality is unconcerned with the society and surroundings in contrast with Type A. Gets straight to the point, not as much as O but more than A and AB. Not very ambitious, less than O and A, but more than AB. A Type-B person does not considers profit and loss like O nor do they calculate worldly value like Type A.

    Positive Traits: Does things at his or her own pace, strong personality, optimistic about the future, easy to get along with, adventurous. Cheerful, outgoing, exuberant, optimistic, adventurous, active, sensitive, kind. Continuous, intensive and wide-ranging interests. Emotional wounds heal quickly and completely. Pragmatic and objective thinking.

    Negative Traits:
    Forgetful, undecided, disorganized, noisy, spontaneous, prone to exaggeration, inclined toward dabbling in many areas and not focusing on anything, dislike restrictions, oblivious, rude, tactless, not domestically inclined, acts without thinking, self-concious

    Who shares your bloodtype…
    A-

    Juri Arisugawa, Touga Kiryuu, Keiko Sonoda (Utena); Michael Bison [Balrog/Vega], Edmund Honda, Sakura Kasugano, Sodom, Chun-Li Xiang, Zangief (Street Fighter); Jet Black (Cowboy Bebop); Mamoru Chiba [Tuxedo Mask], Setsuna Meioh [Pluto], Ami Mizuno [Mercury] (Sailor Moon); Chiriko, Hotohori, Tatara (Fushigi Yuugi); Tomoyo Daidouji, Sakura Kinomoto, Rika Sasaki (Card Captor Sakura); Cyan Garamonde, Irvine Kinneas, Yuffie Kisagari, Quistis Trepe, Vincent Valentine, Ward Zabac (Final Fantasy); Jim Hawking, Twilight Suzuka (Outlaw Star); Fuu Hououji, Umi Ryuuzaki (Rayearth); Gendo Ikari. Shinji Ikari, Misato Katsuragi, Asuka Sohryu Langley, Kaji Ryoji (Evangelion); Ayeka Jurai, Kiyone Makibi (Tenchi Muyo); Relena Peacecraft, Heero Yui (Gundam); Aoshi Shinomori (Kenshin); Ichigo Kurosaki, Yasutora Sado, Tatsuki Arisawa (Bleach); Hinata Hyuga, Rock Lee, Baki, Third Hokage, Zabuza Momochi, Kidomaru, Tayuya, Kimimaro Kaguya, Dosu Kinuta, Moegi, Shizune, Ebisu, Anko Mitarashi, Ibiki Morino (Naruto)

    Real People:

    George H. W. Bush, Ayumi Hamasaki, O.J. Simpson, Britney Spears, Alan Alda, Adolf Hitler, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Jet Li, Maki Nomiya, Rick James

    B-
    Sagara Sanosuke, Yahiko Myojin, Megumi Takani (Kenshin); Adon, Ibuki, Juli, Blanka, Karin Kanzuki, Ken Masters, Victor Sagat, Cammy White (Street Fighter); Minako Aino [Venus], Haruka Tenoh [Uranus] (Sailor Moon); Amiboshi, Suboshi (Fushigi Yuugi); Relm Arrowny, Celes Chere, Zell Dincht, Gau, Cid Highwind, Tifa Lockheart, Laguna Loire, Selphie Tilmitt (Final Fantasy); Wufei Chang, Duo Maxwell (Gundams); Washu Hakubi (Tenchi);Lee Honglan, Sumirie Kanzaki, Kanna Kirishima, Soletta Orihime (Sakura Wars); Tasuki, Tetsuya, Tokaki, Keisuke Yuuki, Miaka Yuugi, Nuriko (Fushigi Yuugi); Nanami Kiryuu, Shiori Takatsuki,
    Utena Tenjou (Utena); Meiling Li (Card Captor Sakura); Toji Suzuhara (Evangelion); Faye Valentine (Cowboy Bebop); Orihime Inoue (Bleach); Naruto Uzumaki, Ino Yamanaka, Choji Akimichi, Kiba Inuzuka, Maito Gai, Tenten, Kankuro, Jiraiya, Tsunade, Orochimaru, Jirobo, Konohamaru, Hiashi/Hizashi Hyuga, Fourth Hokage (Naruto)

    Real People:
    Akira Kurosawa, Jack Nicholson, Luciano Pavarotti, Tom Selleck, Mia Farrow, Paul McCartney, Leonardo DiCaprio, Vince Young


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    Finish what you start...

    Gantz Review

    posted @ 1/17/2007 12:04:00 PM by Douceswild
    What do you get when you cross, teen lust with aliens and more violence than Jack Thompson can shake a stick at? If you’re answer is jail time then you’re probably right also, but in this case you’d get an anime that isn’t so good but keeps you interested just enough to want to know what happens next.

    So a month ago, I was in the market for another anime series to get into when I came across Gantz. The summary that I read was enough to peak my interests. “Humans who have died find themselves killing aliens to survive.” When I read this, I was thinking, “If they are dead, then why are they trying to survive?” Puzzled and curious, I began watching the series. Twenty-six episodes later I still don’t know what was going on.

    So here’s what I do know about the anime, Gantz. While rescuing a drunken bum who fell off a subway platform, Kei Kurono along with childhood friend Masaru Kato, are killed by the approaching train. Well, that’s what people think. Actually, Kei and Masaru have been transported to an apartment in Tokyo by a mysterious orb with an unconscious man, named Gantz, hooked up to some sort of breathing apparatus inside of it. Along with a group of others who have "died” in various ways, they quickly learn why they have been brought together.

    Armed with suits that enhance their abilities, and futuristic weapons, the group must kill invading aliens who are specified by Gantz in order to be returned to their “normal life” or as normal of a life as someone who had died can get. Those that don’t survive are dead for real. After each hunt, the members are transported back to the apartment by Gantz and allowed to leave and go back to their lives until he summons/teleports them again.

    There’s something that I HAVE to mention about this anime. It’s EXTREMELY violent and sexual. Impaling, decapitation, and bludgeoning, are frequent throughout the series. At times, it seems that more attention was given to the details of the violence than other aspects of the anime like the actual plot and although the sex is nowhere near as frequent as the stronger hentai floating around, there are still moments that not even the birds and the bees would be caught dead doing.

    Since the anime is based off the manga, there may be a clearer explanation as to what the hell is going on with Gantz and these aliens in the books. If anyone has read them, I’d love to know what the deal is. There’s also a point system that Gantz has in play, which is determined by who actually kills the aliens, but the anime never explains what the prize is.

    At the end of the day, I have to give Gantz two M&M’s out of five. It’s an ok series but aside from all of the violence and sex, there’s just not much else to this one. I was able to sit through the entire series ONLY because I was hoping to find out what the hell was going on, but sadly, the anime does not deliver. So Gantz is getting a light purple because it’s decent, but just might not do it for those looking for something deeper. I’m giving it a red for its violence and gore.

    If someone passes this anime to you, then give it a watch, but don’t go out of your way to check Gantz out. You’re not missing anything but boobs and blood…

    Uhm, is it too late to change my rating?



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    New Podcast Episode

    posted @ 12/25/2006 12:47:00 AM by Ninjasistah
    Ok, I'm going to make this quick because I have to get to bed... you know, Santa won't blow up my spot until I'm "asleep" and all. [I'm really hopin' that mofo will give a sistah what she's so desperately been needin'... a new 5.1 surround sound system from Logitech]

    So here's the new podcast episode.

    In this episode MagicMysticGrl talks about the importance and relevance of bloodtypes in anime and manga, Pandalicious shares His and Her Circumstances [Kare Kano] and NinJaSistah kicks the hour off with her final thoughts on the PS3. PS3 fanboys that think I'm a XB360 fangirl have your keyboards at the ready. Episode 32: It's In The Blood is my gift to you.

    Congrats to our Candy Bitches Mike Costa and Tooky!

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    Where's the Remote??

    posted @ 12/05/2006 12:19:00 AM by Douceswild
    If there’s anything that I’ve learned from being a gamer, it’s that the games you enjoy playing say a lot about you. Here at ESH, we focus a lot of our attention on gaming and anime. Every once in a while we dip our toes into other pools like music and technology. Hey, what’s a true geek without a love for gadgets? Well what about television programs?

    When my thumbs are sore from button-mashing on a console video game or I’m just too exhausted to pwn-all on World of Warcraft, I like to unwind with a good snack and a great show. Depending on what day it is, I’m enjoying anything in the realm of action, comedy, and romance. That’s right. I said romance. Even the Douce gets a little sentimental at times. I’d like to take this opportunity to get to know all of you a little better. No, I don’t want you social security number or blood type, but I’ll settle for what television programs you just absolutely can’t wait to watch every week and would kick someone out of your home to tune in for.

    To get the ball rolling, I’ll list my favorites and the days I watch them. You’ll probably going to laugh at some of them but don’t worry because I’m sure I’ll do the same to yours. Ok here they are:

    Sunday: Robot Chicken, Venture Brothers
    Monday: Prison Break, Heroes, What About Brian, The Closer
    Tuesday: Nip Tuck, Boston Legal
    Wednesday: Bones
    Thursday: Smallville, Supernatural, The O.C., Grey’s Anatomy
    Friday: Vanished, Las Vegas, Battlestar Galactica
    Saturday: Adult Swim (all of it)

    There are some shows that I watch that air every day such as Attack of the Show, X-play, and Avatar: The Last Airbender. AoTS and X-play are not absolutes because sometimes they aren’t reviewing anything I’m interested in or just being too stupid to hold my attention.

    Who’s next to step up and list their favorites and must-sees’. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. I got The O.C. on my list. How much worse can yours be?


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    Basilisk ~Ninpo Cho~

    posted @ 12/02/2006 10:54:00 PM by Douceswild
    Do you cry every time you hear or see the story of Romeo and Juliet? Do you rewind certain sexual scenes of Ninja Scroll and drool over them? Well the Douce has got the anime for you. If you want war-torn lovers mixed with ninja that can’t pass up well-endowed females, then look no further.

    Basilisk ~Koga Ninpo Cho~ is the story of two clans that have been at war for centuries. An uneasy truce was formed in hopes of uniting the clans. The series starts with that truce being shattered. What makes the situation worse is the leaders of the clans are in love and had plans to be married. Now ten of the best ninja are chosen from each clan to fight with the remaining clan being pronounced dominant.

    As the battle of ninja arts commence, the leaders must try to hold on to their love for each other and be loyal to their respective clans. The action and ninja abilities are on par with Ninja Scroll and the there’s the occasional fan-service for all of those that just can’t get enough of it. The series is made up of 24 episodes and is a must-see for those who love a combination of action and romance rolled into one.


    I'm giving Basilisk 3 out of 5 M&Ms. It gets a dark blue M&M because seeing lovers get torn apart by war always tugs at my heart. A red one is also in order due to the amount of violence, blood, and gore that takes place. I’m definitely giving this one a teal M&M because it has some of the sexiest women I’ve seen in an anime and the “predicaments” that they find themselves in will have you blowing the dust off (and probably passing a wet-nap over) your copy of Ninja Scroll.


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    Daily News: New Anime Reviews

    posted @ 11/11/2006 12:11:00 AM by evermore
    As we did earlier in the week for games, this issue of the ESH Daily News will focus on new reviews of Anime titles the Sistahs haven't gotten around to reviewing yet. Enjoy!

    Basilisk: The Spoils of War (Vol. 2): Aaron Burkhart reports on Northern Light Online: "The animation is still excellent, and the music adds to the dark mood and action without overpowering the scenes. While the mature content isn't gratuitous, it is more intense than the last volume and might be best kept away from younger ones." Get it here.

    Paradise Kiss, Vol. 1: Jamie S. Rich reports on DVD Talk: "As it stands, Paradise Kiss is a mature soap opera with individualistic characters and a strong sense of style. The first volume teases out just enough of the various romantic entanglements to satisfy viewers while leaving them anxious for volume two." Get it here.

    The Castle of Cagliostro (Lupin the III) - Special Edition: Mark Hodgson reports for Blogcritics Magazine on this early Hayao Miyazaki film: "While there's action, a little slapstick, and some exaggerated face-pulling to please younger viewers, there's also a little blood, lots of gun-play, a little swearing, an under-age wedding, and several characters smoking like chimneys! Like Spielberg begging the censors not to cut Jaws and the Indiana Jones movies, Miyazaki has to push boundaries to keep both audiences happy." Get it here.

    Saiyuki: Complete Collection: Jessica Severs of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports: "The high priest Sanzo, the half-human, half-demon Gojyo, Hakkai, the human who became a demon by slaying 1,000 demons, and the mysterious/mischievous Goku travel west to root out the cause of the demon uprising. It's part Wild West, part Far East, and all good." Get it here.

    Speed Racer: Volume 5: Troy Rogers reports for UnderGroundOnline: "Although some hardcore fans have expressed their displeasure over the fact that the series on DVD has been split into several volumes instead of one complete set, Speed Racer is still a must-have for your collection." Get it here.


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    Emergence Day

    posted @ 11/07/2006 02:45:00 PM by Ninjasistah
    Yeah, you know it's official Gears of War day today, and I'm anxious to get my hands on the game.

    I'm sitting here writing this with my eye glancing up at my window hoping to see the USPS mail truck pulling up at any moment and bringing with it my copy of Gears. I have spent a big chunk of my day steering away from reviews of the game to try and keep them from tainting my own experience with notions I conceive previously to actually having my own hands on with the title. I gotta tell you it's hard... but since I have yet to play the game [c'mon mista postman!] what can I talk about? What can I offer to you, my friend, about this game that I haven't even laid my hands upon? I can tell you what I expect.

    I expect that Gears of War will be the first real "next-gen" title offered up by MS on their XB360 platform. By that I mean that I expect this game to offer me up some visuals, load times, control schemas, story, and just engaging experience that a console which pats itself on the back for being "next-gen" would [at its naked core] bring to the end user. I expect solid gameplay, characters that I find myself aligning with on an emotional level without even noticing it. I want to find myself cussing at the baddies on screen, explaining to them how good that can of whoop that I just opened up on their ass tasted. I want a game that when I get through a level I HAVE to pause, jump up off my couch and bust out with a celebratory cabbage patch or even "ed lover dance" of joy. Yeah I said it. I love it when games get me so involved with the outcome and my progress that I have to celebrate when I succeed, but keep trying when I don't. I love it when a game makes me feel like I've let someone down by not being able to get past a level so it's my responsibility to get better at it so I can. I expect Gears of War to be like this. I expect Gears of War to serve me this kind of experience on a blood drenched platter.

    I've seen the images, and they look great, but MS has made it so I can't set the bar any lower for this game. The viral marketing of the game, the suspense they built with the website and released videos not just showing how to get through a level with a synopsis of the game, but rather inviting you to try it and find out on your own... yeah, I get it. I want it. You got my attention. Now let's see if your game can really hold it... let's see if it's really next-gen.

    Bring it on Gears of War, I'm game... if you are!

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    OH NO! Not Again!

    posted @ 11/02/2006 05:21:00 PM by Ninjasistah
    Bad movies based on video games are bound to happen. They're like a case of crabs... you do all the stuff you need to in order to get rid of them, then you mess around with some skank [male or female] and BOOM! Another infestation.

    This time, it's of the Street Fighter and Castlevania kind.

    You know, I thought, especially with the disasters that were Alone in the Dark and DOOM that the movie studios might have learned that maybe movies based on video games are not the best idea right now. Not because the idea can't work, it's just that the studios change many things that make a game unique or enjoyable as a player but don't necessarily fit the movie cookie cutter frame that they, in the end, make a movie that barely resembles the video game product that they were banking on to help put asses in theater seats.

    Then I read the news about the upcoming Street Fighter and Castlevania movies and my heart sank to the floor. I've always thought that Castlevania plotline would be a great foundation for a feature length film. A bloodline curse to create the intrigue, vampires and the lone figure that stands against them to which you add the style the classic dark and dreary 16th century style and you have the makings of a great period, action, drama. If that doesn't ring the alarms of all studio heads nothing will. So I understand the desire to get this thing green lit... I was excited about it as well. Then I saw who would be helming the pic, Paul W.S. Anderson, and I realized the movie that I was seeing in my head was not the movie that was going to be made. If you aren't familiar with the name Paul W.S. Anderson you may know him from such films as Resident Evil, Mortal Kombat, and Event Horizon. Do I really need to say more? It's going to suck. It's going to suck more than The Covenant sucked... which is an amazing feat in and of itself. Which is sad because all the of the elements to create a movie that you can get EVERYONE to go to... action and killing for the dudes, lost love for the ladies, and being a period pic, if done right might even get the academy's attention round Oscar time. But no, that's not going to happen.

    And just when I think the news can't get any worse, one of the FRESHpeeps sends me an email about the Street Fighter movie. Now, why this is happening I've no fucking idea, but this time around the story is going to be centered around Chun-Li as opposed to the whole SF crew. I'll reserve my "it's gonna suck more than..." until I hear a little more. But the thing's going to be written by the dude doing the Voltron movie. You heard me right, I said Voltron movie! Don't even get me started on how pissed I'm going to be if this thing turns out to be the bastard child of The Mighty Morphing Power Rangers and that Thunderbirds movie

    But I'm nearly out of rage so I'll stop there. But I'll be writing about that Voltron shit, please believe me!

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    November Tokyopop Releases

    posted @ 11/02/2006 01:23:00 AM by MagicMystic
    It was three whole months ago now that I got my fall issue of Takuhai from Tokyopop. It detailed a whole list of releases for each month. After this November list there will only be one more left, December.


    November Releases:
    12 Days
    Blame! 6
    Boys Be... 11
    Dears 8
    Devil May Cry, Novel 2
    !The Dreaming 2
    *Elemental Gelade 2
    Gatcha Gatcha 3
    !GetBackers 16
    Gundam Seed X Astray
    Happy Feet Cine-manga
    !ID_ENTITY 8
    !*Immortal Rain 7
    Initial D 24
    Kat & Mouse 2
    The Kindachi Case Files 14
    King of Hell 14
    Last Fantasy 3
    Le Portrait De Petite Cossette 2
    !Mark of the Succubus 2
    My-Hime
    Neck and Neck 6
    !Never Give Up 3
    Off*Beat 2
    One 10
    !Otogi Zoshi 2
    Peppermint 2
    Queens
    Recast
    Redrum 237 2 (of 3)
    Remote 10 (of 10)
    Rose Hip Rose
    Samurai Deeper Kyo 20 (of 31)
    !*Shutterbox 4 (of 6)
    *Strawberry Marshmallow 2 (of 4)
    Telpathic Wanderers 4 (of 4)
    !Satisfaction Garanteed 2 (of 9)
    Trinity Blood

    The manga I plan to check out in November are Queens and Recast.

    Queens is the story about Pil-Hyun Jun, a feminine bishonen trying to learn to be a manly man in order to win over the heart of his crush, Song-Ah Che. Pil-Hyun finds a comicbook "Escape from Being a Pretty-Boy" that reads as an account of his life. He seeks out the author, hoping to learn a thing or two, but the author turns out to be a SHE with sexually over-zealous roommates. Somehow he ends up moving in with the girls in order to learn the art of comicbooks and being a man. Meanwhile his crush is falling in love with a manly jerk.

    Recast is about JD, a young boy raised an groomed by his grandfather to become the last hope for the world. He's a terrible student and is far more interested in the newest and most popular magical items than in conflict between good and evil. So when bounty hunters from the Fourth World come after JD and his grandfather will he grow into his powers or die trying?


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    Daily News: Want a Cheaper PS3? Sony Says Wait Til 2007!

    posted @ 10/26/2006 11:27:00 PM by evermore
    In today's news:
    • Sony shoots off mouth
    • Midway shoots wrestling fans
    • Philips shoots light and wind at gamers
    • Shoot, I'll go to this kind of prom
    • Shooting silver bullets


    Should you wait on a PS3? Sony says so! The following doesn't come from a fanboy site -- it comes from the New York Times, who spoke to Nobuyuki Oneda, Sony's chief financial officer: "Mr. Oneda said he expects the company to mark down PlayStation 3 prices in 2007 once the supply problems are solved." See? Even Sony thinks the PS3 is priced too high.

    Midway shoots wrestling fans: If you were at a pro wrestling match in Orlando Monday night, you might be immortalized in an upcoming video game. The staff of Midway Games filmed crowd footage and recorded noise and chants for the upcoming debut Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling video game. According to PWInsider.com, "The level of detail (in the game) was said to be so precise you could see a scar on (wrestler A.J.) Styles' lip that he suffered from a Samoa Joe bout."

    Philips' amBX immerses you in game: Know how Philips' Ambilight washes the wall behind the TV screen in a light whose color is complimentary to what's currently on the screen? Now imagine that along with sattelite lights, sounds, wind and rumble features for your keyboard and your wrist. It's called amBX and is due out early next year for PC games. To get everything will set you back $399 and requires games that are specifically coded for amBX to get the full effect, but if it catches on, it's gonna be hot. Ryan Kim of the San Francisco Chronicle played around with it a little and says, "It makes games seem a little more cinematic and full. And when done right, a software developer can use the lights to help cue players as to where to go by lighting up one light."

    Kids bored with prom come up with anime theme: The teen services director of the Tecumseh District Library in Michigan was listening to kids in the library's anime club talking about the prom. "They didn't know if they were going," she said, "because it's the same all the time." That gave her the bright idea of incorporating an anime theme in a prom party. According to the story in the Tecumseh, Mich., Herald: "Attendees were encouraged to come dressed as their favorite anime character.... Regular prom traditions were preserved, including the crowning of a king and queen. In a wry spoof on the royalty ritual, the crowns were cardboard and came from Burger King."

    Trinity Blood: Chapter 1: In the distant future after the destruction brought about by Armageddon, the war between the vampires and the humans continue to persist. In order to protect the humans from the vampires, Vatican has to rely on other allies to counter the situation. The protagonist, a priest called Peter Abel Nightroad, travels through the countries as a representative for the Vaticans. However, he is also part of "Ax", a special operations group controlled by the Cardinal Catherina. His encounter with a young girl called Esther will determine the struggle and survival between the human race and the vampires. So there.


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    Daily News: All I Want for Christmas...

    posted @ 10/20/2006 11:32:00 PM by evermore
    In today's news:
    • The mother of all shortages
    • The top 10,000
    • Out like a Lamb
    • Just some good ol' boys
    • Another Case Closed


    Want a Wii or PS3 before Christmas? Forget about it: "This is going to be the mother of all shortages," said Larry Haverty, associate portfolio manager of Gabelli Global Multimedia Trust. He and others have told Reuters that purchasing this year's new consoles at the regular retail price before Christmas might be impossible.

    The 10,000 most important gamers in the world: Are you part of the Nielsen 10,000? If you are, you're one of the most important gamers in the world. Nielsen, the folks who measure TV viewership, will be measuring videogame usage in its Nielsen GamePlay Metrics. Some 10,000 gamers have been chosen to represent the worldwide audience of videogame fans. "We are not targeting homes of gamers specifically," said Jeff Hermann, VP of Nielsen Wireless and Interactive Services. "The panel represents the media consumption habits of the US consumer. Since the panel is statistically representative of all U.S. consumers, the gaming population is a subset of the overall panel and statistically projectable to represent game title and duration of play of the entire gaming population."

    Noise of "The Lamb": Tokyopop's animated production of its long-running manga series "Lament of the Lamb" will be spotlighted at the 2006 Tokyo International Film Festival next week. Described in Tokyopop's press release as "a gut-wrenching horror story of a young man who shockingly discovers he may be the last in a bloodline of vampires," the manga version was created by Kei Toume and originally published in Japan by Gentosha. While TOKYOPOP'S popular manga properties, "Priest" and "Pet Shop of Horrors", have been recently acquired for film adaptation by Sony Screen Gems and Focus Features, respectively, "Lament of the Lamb" signals the company's first move into theatrical feature film production.

    Why I don't live in Alabama anymore: James Wilson and Lance Borchert, both of Athens, Ala., were playing their favorite teams in a Playstation college football game Sept. 30 -- a game that became a little too serious. With Borchert's Tennessee team leading Wilson's Auburn team, Wilson became upset when Borchert quit the game and went to bed. Wilson, Borchert's wife's cousin, allegedly entered the Borchert's bedroom and stabbed Borchert in the back with a butcher knife. Although the knife punctured Borchert's lung, it did not kill him. Wilson ran from the Borchert home into the nearby woods and was tracked down by dogs from the Limestone Correctional Facility.

    Exploding Skyscrapers? Don't Blame Godzilla: The city is in the grip of a crazed bomber in Case Closed: The Time Bombed Skyscraper - The Movie and nobody is safe as a crushing wave of terror washes over the innocent citizens. Planes, trains and massive towers all threaten to light up the night sky -- the sick whims of a brutal lunatic played out in sudden balls of fire. Conan Edogawa finds himself in a desperate race against the clock, an explosive game of cat and mouse with a deviant madman, and every second counts. Can he unravel the maniacal malcontent's scheme before the next timer reaches zero? Awww, probably, but you should check it out anyway.


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    Tell Him You're A Gamer Too

    posted @ 10/12/2006 05:02:00 PM by Ninjasistah
    I try not to take up "girl gamer issues" while writing for the site, but I've been asked this question so often that broke down and put this together.

    Most of my guy friends are gamers, and ask me how they can convert their girlfriend into a gamer. It has always been my belief that all girls are gamers, it's just finding the right game for the right girl. At the same time, I get asked in conversation by my girl gamer friends how they should break it to the guy they are dating/boyfriend that they are a gamer. I am not "Dear Abbey" or [belch] "Dr. Laura" but I offer this as help.

    No. 5: Accessory Love
    Wear some game related article of clothing or jewelry accessory. Some 1up mushroom earrings, or a t-shirt featuring some well known game character that you like When he notices it, he'll probably mention how cool your earrings/shirt/whatever is and why he thinks it's cool. This is your opening to share your knowledge of games and start the "I've been playing video games since..." conversation.

    No. 4: Technology To The Rescue
    It might seem simple but let your tech speak for you if you [for whatever reason] don't know how or when to start this conversation. Got a computer? Set your desktop wallpaper background to one from a video game you love playing. There are plenty of game wallpaper resources out there. You can visit the official websites of video games and check out their downloads or media sections for wallpapers, Google image searches, they all work. Or, you can change your ringtone to some well known tune from a video game. Many cell phones today can play MP3's as ringtones, so get you a transfer cable [if neither your computer nor phone have Bluetooth] and slap one of these tunes on your phone. I find it's a definite attention getter, and you'd be amazed how many other gamers you'll "out" using this technique. In any case, either of these things will help get the "I enjoy video games" idea passed on to your man.

    No. 3: Magazine Oppsies
    Now I have one friend that was terrified that the guy she had been seeing for a couple of months was going to ditch her when he found out she was a gamer. I don't know why but she was absolutely positive he was going to think she was some kind of masculine chick hiding in a petite girl body. I know, it's stupid, but as she went on and on about how she was hiding her game systems before he came over, I realized it was a serious fear in her mind, so I had to help. I told her instead hiding all of her OPM and Computer Gaming magazines, leave a couple out on the coffee table. When the boyfriend comes over, let him in and offer him a seat on the couch by the mags, then excuse yourself to the bathroom to finish getting ready and leave him there with nothing but the gaming mags to keep him entertained while you are away. When asks when you got into gaming [because he's never seen this stuff before] just be honest. Say you've been into gaming for a while and why, and then just say that you put all that stuff away because you didn't want him to think you were weird. I'll all but guaranty that 10 times out of 10 he'll be excited and cool about it.

    No. 2: Don't Hide Your Systems.
    The same friend from suggestion number 3 was also hiding her game systems every time the dude came over to pick her up. I told her she needed to stop that shit... pulling all those cables out and putting them back a few times a week had to have been a huge PITA. Leave them out. Duh, he'll get the clue. [I told you he would Jenn ;)]

    And finally, No. 1: Just Tell Him You're A Gamer.
    I know it seems over simplistic, but admitting that you are a gamer is not like owning up to a case of herpes... no one's going to start running for the hills because you like Halo2, and if they do they're an asshole plain and simple. Being a girl an enjoying video games doesn't make you any less feminine, attractive, smart, or anything. It's nothing to be ashamed of, or hide. I'm really tired of having to play 20 questions with women that I meet to find out if they are a gamer. Most of the ones I ask directly if they like video games go all the way round the bush, "Oh, I guess they are ok... I don't really have time to play them... My brother has a system and makes me play with him." But once I get to know them, find out that they are as into gaming as I am and I get a little pissed. I think about all the time we missed out on playing together, sharing game tips, raggin' on Sony and their fanboys, and all because of some stupid presumed stigma of being a girl gamer. Get over it already. A lot of other girl gamers have. There are more and more girl gamer clans out there that actually have some hard core gamers in their clan... if they can be proud to be gamers that happen to be girls, so should you.

    As I said, I usually stay away from this kind of topic because I hate being in a position to enable these kinds of feelings in other girl gamers. That being said, I'm also getting tired of the look of astonishment on guy gamers when I tell them I'm a gamer. First I get the look, then I get the "you probably play stuff like Nintendogs and The Sims [which I do] but I also play God of War, Devil May Cry, Amplitude, BloodRayne, Dynasty Warriors, and Zone of The Enders. After that list, the next thing that happens is I get a little respect out of them, and then they want to know how to get their girlfriend into gaming. I say ask your girlfriend if she likes video games. Whenever you are dating with people, especially if you are just starting out, you have that conversation where you talk about all the stuff you like and don't and crap. Bring this up then. "I dig playing video games with people, how about you?" It's short, sweet, and to the point. Here's the hard part: listen closely to the answer. If you get the, "My brother makes me play with him, I think they are cool, but I don't really play all that often" lines just follow up with a, "Would you like to play with me sometime?" Put the ball in her court and don't push. Let her decided if this is an activity that she wants to share with you or not. If she says sure, ask her what kind of game she likes or thinks she would like, don't just make her play something that you have because you're the bomb at it. [She'll think your a controlling douchebag]

    And that's that. I've done my good deed for the day in trying to help folks out on both sides of this thing, so no more complaining.

    Date, play, and be merry!

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    Japanese Influence at a Ren Faire?!

    posted @ 10/09/2006 11:19:00 PM by Pandalicious
    Who would have thought that even possible.

    Hello All, Pandalicious here once again delivering interesting news, OR rather what I feel is interesting news.

    As most of you are NOT aware of, I have an infatuation with medieval times. I'm obsessed really... the jewelry, the fashion, the bloodlust, all share a deep intimate part of my "normal" everyday life. It isn't something I'm going to grow out of, though I'm sure many people wish I would.

    Getting back to the point, the other morning, I gathered a small group of pals to travel with me to the "local" Ren Faire known as King Richard's Faire. It comes around this time of year and I've only recently started attending it. I would eventually like to go to the Robin Hood Faire, which is a lot closer in distance but much smaller in size. [and a lot cheaper too!]

    Did I dress the part? HELL YES! I had on my giant skirt... slightly peasant top adorned with my double black and red velvet cloak, and what I've labeled my "battle staff." [BTW It has an attack rate of 120-205 dmg over 25 seconds and a buff that boosts Intellect by 5 ^^ (WOW JOKE)]

    Magic Mystic Girl was with me yesterday, and I would never have made it there without her. [Alas, I do not posses an innate sense of proper direction analysis... go figure.]

    We got there just fine, and me and my group and Rennies just enjoyed the day. The most interesting fact of the day was that while checking out the Coat of Arms, I was shocked to look upon to samurai!! They were authentic too! I had to bow and pay them respect because it was a crowning achievement. There were a few warlords too and all anyone could do was stare.

    It was the right era just wrong place. But I'm sure [as were many others] that they knew that.

    I wonder why they don't have Japanese festival faires like King Richard's Faire? I know people would flock to em just like Ren Faires. Would you go to a Japanese Festival Faire?

    Thats all I've got for you today!
    Ja!

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    ESRB Under Fire

    posted @ 10/09/2006 06:52:00 PM by Ninjasistah
    Have you ever had to apply for any kind of federal funding? How about a college loan? Ever had to fill out any kind of paperwork for the gub'ment at all? Remember how large of a PITA that was? Apply that process to video game rating and that's what the future of video games may hold for us all.

    In a "they must be out there Bob-damned minds" moment, the Republican Senator Sam Brownback and pals are trying to get some legislation together and passed that would force the ESRB to play every game through, in it's entirety [which would mean all difficulty levels, finding all Easter eggs, etc,] before it can be rated and then released. Um, yeah... what bonehead told the Esteemed Gentlemen from the great state of Kansas that this was an executable idea, let alone a good one? It's obvious that it wasn't anyone who was an actual gamer, because there are way too many game franchises that will never pass this kind of inspection. Allow me to explain, or rather pose some questions of my own.

    How does one play Everquest, World of Warcraft, Second Life, or any MMORPG through in it's entirety? Throw into the mix user created content, patches, and the hallowed expansion pack and the review process is neverending... like the story. [Which is an AWESOME ass movie, TYVM] I doubt Blizzard wants to create a game or gamescape that never sees the light of day because it hasn't completed the review for rating by the ESRB process. What about the level of ability of the ESRB folks that will have to play the games? Will we have to wait an extra 10 months for a game to be rated and released because the person at the ESRB assigned the title happens to balls out suck at that particular type of game?

    Think about it this way, how long does it take the average gamer to get 100% clear in any game? Even with a guide, on average how long does it take? Few months? Tack on to that the fact that these people will have to be noting every instance of violence, potential violence, sexual content, and language in every scene. Add on a few more months for that. Then they will have to create a report that backs up why they believe the game deserves the rating they have suggested... and a committee goes over the document and then agrees or disagrees. Another month. Looks like 9 months to push that baby out the door if we are lucky and everyone agrees. What developer can afford to add an additional almost year to their development and release cycle?

    Senator Brownback has been quoted as saying:
    The current video game ratings system needs improvement because reviewers do not see the full content of games and don't even play the games they are supposed to rate. For video game ratings to be meaningful and worthy of a parent's trust, the game ratings must be more objective and accurate.
    Which I think is slightly off the mark. While I agree there are flaws within the ESRB rating system, it's better than not having a system at all. Many politicians and ESRB critics are quick to cite the GTA: San Andreas "Hot Coffee" incident and the Oblivion re-rating. Out of the hundreds upon hundreds of games that are released every year on the PC, console, and handheld gaming devices, two only have 2 notable misses [which aren't even bonafide misses... the "Hot Coffee" content was not intended to be seen as the triggers for the content had been removed by the games developer, and the Oblivion deal required a PC only 3rd party hack... hardly something the ESRB could be expected to find] I think is doing a pretty damn good job of screening games. I doubt that many of the already rated games would be re-rated if the ESRB had played them all the way through.

    What sends shivers down my spine is that if this legislation gets some power behind it and becomes law, it will mean the end of the ESRB. There is no way that the ESRB could keep up with the amount of games that they would have to review, so they would have to throw their hands up and say, "NO MAS!" Which would mean the government would step in and create a rating board system. And if you thought the ESRB process was going to be long, can you imaging how long the "Federal Rating Process" would be. Can you imagine your local federal representation assigning people to play games through in their entirety? Huh? Can you? Most times ougub'mentnt works, but it works ssss-lllllll-ooooooo-wwwwwwww people. It takes a lot of paper pushing, and lobbyists to get anything done in all honesty. AKK! Video Game Lobbyists?!?! Those words scare the shit out of me, they should scare the crap out of you too.

    I never thought I would write anything where I was coming to the aid of the ESRB, but they aren't the bad guy here. Personally I always thought that games should kind of be rated on their contents. If I was to rework the rating system, it would look something like this:

    Games for kids age 11 and under, would carry a KS - (kid safe) rating.
    Games like Super Monkey Ball, and most games that currently carry the EC, E or E 10+ rating.

    Games for young adults suitable for people age 13-16 that have most likely been exposed to violence (i.e. a fight in real life, or seen the TV news) and have heard or used strong language, and/or watch MTV... i.e. they've experienced the real world would carry the YA - Young Adult rating.

    Games that have nekkidness, next to nekkidness, allow you to slice an opponent in half with kick ass blood spurts, you know, the stuff you know when you play it no one with a still forming brain should play, would carry an A - Adult rating.

    And we'll keep the RP - Rating Pending rating from the original ESRB system for games that are still under review when their print ad campaigns start.


    Now is thst so difficult? Require that a more detailed explaination of potential game content appear on the back of the game box art [you know, contains violence, naughty language, and sexually suggestive stuff] and be done with it. Make a special area at the bottom on the front of the box art case [make it the standard template for the entire industry] and allow them to use whatever highlight color they want so as not to interfere with the artwork, and put the rating in there clearly. For some examples click on the images below.




    These are just some of the thoughts that have been bouncing around my head since I read this comic from Penny Arcade. They make a valid point... a scary, valid, on point, point.

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    Tokyopop's October Releases

    posted @ 9/27/2006 08:27:00 AM by MagicMystic
    Here's October, the second month of Tokyopop's fall release schedule.


    Note:
    ! - Means that I have read a previous volume in this series and I liked it (the more "!" the more I liked it)
    * - Means that there is a review somewhere in the archives.

    October Releases:
    .Hack//Another Birth 2
    Ai Yori Aoishi 14
    !Angel Cup 2
    Avatar: The Last Airbender Cine-manga
    Beyond the Beyond 2
    Blood Sucker 2
    Boys of Summer 2
    !Broken Angels 3
    Daphne in the Brilliant Blue
    Dragon Head 4
    Dragon Voice 7
    !!!!DramaCon 2
    Earthlight
    Et Cetera 8
    Good Witch of the West
    GTO: The Early Years - Shonen Junai-Gumi 2
    I Luv Halloween 3
    Judas
    !Kamichama Karin 5
    Kami-Kaze 3
    Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories
    Lights Out 5
    !Liling-Po 5
    Loveless 3
    Mitsuki Mihara's: Haunted House
    !!!!PHD: Phantasy Degree 7
    Planet Blood 5
    !Platinum Garden 2
    !!The Queen's Knight 7
    RA-I
    !RG Veda 7
    Snow
    !Sorcerer Hunters 7
    Steady Beat 2
    !Threads of Time 8
    Tramps Like Us 10
    !Ultra Cute 4
    Welcome to the NHK

    The manga I'm going to check out in October are Snow, DramaCon, PhD: Phantasy Degree, The Good Witch of the West, Earthlight, Queen's Knight and RA-I.

    I have already read previous volumes of DramaCon, PhD and Queen's Knight. I am super really excited that they are all being released this month. I will be checking the shelves of the nearest bookstores at least once a week for these mangas.

    From what I can tell, Snow is a tounge and cheek sci-fi comedy about planetary domination and decimation. The Good Witch of the West seems to be a manga style fairy tale, Earthlight is a school drama on the moon and RA-I is about a detective who finds a boy with paranormal powers. I'll have to get back to you later in October with reviews of each of these manga and what I thought.



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    Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Toupee

    posted @ 9/16/2006 12:10:00 PM by MagicMystic
    Although none of you know this, because the ‘cast hasn’t been posted yet, Ninja and I had a conversation yesterday about anime hair colors and the personalities typically associated with each color. We also argued about which color, purple or red, is better. Ninja loves purple haired anime men, and I go for the redheads.

    So I started taking Quizilla “What Color is Your Anime Hair?” online quizzes like crazy to see the descriptions for each hair color. Did you know that there are literally hundreds of versions of that test? It was not easy, and I got a whole lot of totally wrong or made up personality descriptions. I’ve edited it down to the basic colors and the personality traits I’ve seen them display. I’ll start with the typical “normal” colors and then get into the more bizarre shades. I’ve had to divide the post into two parts because it ended up being a two page word document. I don’t know about all of you guys, but my eyes glaze over if I try to read a page with that much text. I’ll post the second part tomorrow, so stay tuned.

    Click here for part 2 of this story.

    Black/Brunette: The basic colors. These colors are the default setting for Japanese characters, indicating traditional everyday characters. Usually, if the main character has black or brown hair they are an everyman, someone the typical Japanese person can relate to. These colors indicate a proper and polite character, someone who is honest and straightforward. These characters usually show great physical or moral strength and intense dedication to loved ones. (Tomoyo Cardcaptor Sakura, Yuri Kyo Kara Maoh, Ryu Argentosoma) Note: Ryu was in a horrible accident and now half of his hair is silver, he is also no longer mentally stable and some of his actions could be considered villainous. His personality is literally half black and half silver.

    Blonde: As I mentioned black and brown are the default settings for Japanese characters, but as anime becomes more of a global phenomenon blonde has been showing up more and more as well. Unsurprisingly blondes are usually of foreign descent, or if they are Japanese they are a delinquent kogal. There are several blonde archetypes, what’s important to remember is that blondes ALWAYS mean trouble. In general blonde characters are elegant, beautiful and are associated with nobility or aristocratic manners, but have flawed personalities. The two typical blonde types are the airhead and the conniving bitch. The air-headed blonde is playful and ditzy, but clumsy to the extreme. The conniving bitch is vain, scheming and manipulative. Either way they mean trouble. Blonde also means that the character is the focus of chaos and trouble follows him/her. It is possible for a character’s hair to transform to blonde with a great influx of power, usually this is accompanied by a change of eye color. In these cases their personalities are still the same as before. (Vash Trigun, Rosette Chrono Crusade, Chi Chobits, Serena Sailor Moon, All the Sayans DB/DBZ/DBGT)

    White/Silver: Ok, here’s a shocker occasionally white hair indicates that the character is old. Yeah, that one surprised me too. On younger characters white or silver hair indicates dignity and skill, usually with hidden spiritual power of immense strength. Spiritual power is traditionally purported to prematurely bleach hair. These characters are very self-controlled and because of emotional difficulties can come off as distant and cold. Although they are incredibly strong these characters avoid fighting. If a character is a white or silver haired bishounen he is typically a villain. White is a stereotypical color for evil in anime and manga. It makes sense to me, blood shows up so much better on white clothing. (Muraki Descendents of Darkness, Sephiroth FF7, Rosiel Angel Sanctuary, Nataku X, Sesshoumaru Inuyasha)


    Sorry, I know you're all excited to read about the exotic colors. You're gonna have to wait until tomorrow for that.



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    Trinity Blood On Adult Swim

    posted @ 9/08/2006 02:25:00 PM by Ninjasistah
    MMM vampire anime. I heart vampire anime.

    Actually, I basically just heart vampires, so when I saw that Trinity Blood was going to be on Adult Swim Fix [the AS video streaming stuff that they do each Friday with new items being posted at 6pm EST] I about bit through my own lip. I have never seen this series, only read about it online and tried tracking it down via the naughty naughty way with absolutely no luck. =/

    But yet again, AS has come to my rescue and is about to start airing episodes of Trinity Blood via the web starting today! If I needed another thing to help me kick off the weekend this sure would be it.

    I'm not trying to hype this up ok, [not intentionally anyways] but it's just nice to see some new anime appearing in places that I can get a hold of it. I mean, Magic and Panda have all kinds of exposure to all things anime and have seen so many different things in the anime genre, but it's still all really new to me. I don't know diddly about mangas, haven't been to an anime con yet, never cosplayed, don't have a subscription to New-Type, hell I've never seen all of Miyasaki-san's movies...so I tend to get really excited when series that I've barely [or never] heard of that Panda or Magic haven't mentioned around me before show up somewhere that I get to watch them.

    The basic line of the series focuses around the Vatican's secret weapon against vampires: a man named Abel Nightroad who's no mere human. [hint, hint] If you bounce over to the AS Trinity Blood page you can get the low down on what's going down, but the characters look great so I'm in. I'll try anything once.

    I have no idea if Trinity is going to be good or not, but I'm looking forward to the experience.

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