It’s contest time again! Danny is giving away $150 in credit for J-List to the best “my desk” photo. Above is my entry (click to enlarge). Now to make my shopping list…
And now for something completely different
As an aside from general otakuness, I give you the following video (taken today):
Feel free to go “awwwwww.” Regular service might resume later on. ^.^
First impressions: Star Trek 2009
After a two year wait, I finally got the chance to see the new Star Trek movie. Captained by Sci-Fi demigod J.J. Abrams, this new journey into final frontier is heralded as the great reboot of an aging franchise. Old fans and future fans alike are supposed to enjoy this movie. It is supposed to excite the senses and get you to fall in love with the characters all over again or for the first time. This new Trek is supposed to cast off the nerdy stigma that has plagued the franchise for so many years.
When I first heard about this new attempt at Star Trek, I was slightly worried. Along with many other fans, I didn’t know what to think about taking a long cherished story and rewriting it for the masses. Like the Star Wars prequels before it, die-hard fans wondered how this new installment would fit in with the long established time line and universe. Any tiny misstep, any creative liberty taken had the potential to destroy 40 years of Trek canon and send the universe into chaos. A mistake of that magnitude would not be tolerated and could only be punishable by death, or at the very least an hour in the agony booth.
I’m happy to report that it has succeeded with flying colors. In one word, “wow.” In two words, “simply amazing.”As a lifelong Trekkie, I’m very satisfied with this new Star Trek. The actors chosen filled their roles masterfully (though a bit culturally confused… Sulu is played by a Korean, Uhura is Latino, and Scotty is British) and canon was dealt with masterfully (all I can say is, it doesn’t actually matter anymore).
I was originally intending on writing more on the film, but I don’t think I’d be able to give it proper respect. I would highly recommend that everyone go and experience this movie first hand. Even if you’re not a fan of the original Star Trek, just remember one of the commercials: “This is not your father’s Star Trek.”
The replacement figma
I came home today only to find an interesting bundle sitting in the middle of my driveway. It seems that the postman had put a package in a plastic bag (it was raining most of today) and dropped it off on my driveway. It was blocking my car from getting into the driveway, so I had to retrieve it before coming in. It seems that my two figmas had arrived from eBay! To get to them, I had to go through several layers of packaging. The outside was wrapped in thick paper, which was covered in tape. Inside was two cardboard boxes wrapped together with tape. Once I got the boxes open, there were layers of bubble wrap. Lastly, each figma box was wrapped in tissue paper. Talk about thorough! As a result, both arrived intact and in good condition.
I immediately set to opening them up, checking them out, and posing them in all sorts of interesting ways.
Quick review: Negima!? Neo volume 1
“Negi Springfield is ten years old . . . and a powerful wizard! This boy wizard is the greatest prodigy ever to graduate from his magic school in England. After graduation, however, Negi’s given an unusual assignment: teach English at an all-girl school in Japan. Now Negi has to find a way to deal with his thirty-one totally gorgeous–and completely overaffectionate–students . . . without using magic! Based on the Negima! anime, this is a fresh take on the beloved Negima! story.”
As a faithful reader of the Negima! manga, I was curious about this new release. At first glance, it didn’t seem to line up with the Negima! I’d grown to love, nor did it seem to be a sequel of some sort. I decided to pick it up and give it a read to see what it was all about. Negima!? Neo is a retelling of the Negima! story by Akamatsu Ken. More accurately, this manga is based on the Negima! anime that was based on the Negima! manga. So a manga based on an anime that was based on a manga.
This rendition is penned by Fujima Takuya, and the differences are immediately clear. While the art and character designs are heavily influenced by the work by Akamatsu-sensei, there is a distinct style that sets it apart from the original work. Overall, the art has a lighter and more childish feel. The girls, in particular, are drawn to look like their actual age (no one is overly endowed beyond what is expected at their age). This leads me to believe that there will be far less fan service in this version. I guess one can think of it as a PG version of Negima (whereas the original work was PG-13).
In terms of the story, both the cover and foreword make note that this is an adaptation of the anime. Since I hadn’t watched much of the anime (wasn’t a big fan, honestly), I can’t really comment to how well it sticks. From the first volume, a lot of the main scenes seem to line up with the original manga, though it does seem a bit faster paced. Evangeline shows up much sooner and the Pactio with Asuka happens rather quickly. Side character development seems to take a back seat to action and primary storyline, so you don’t get as much disposition of the other students in Negi’s class.
In addition to the quick story progression, a “chapter 0” is included that provides some interesting back story on Negi and his graduation from the Magic Academy. Anya (Negi’s childhood friend) is introduced here as they set off for the graduation exam. There seemed to be a bit of Harry Potter influence here, with the atmosphere and Negi’s aspirations to become a great wizard like his father. It is also at this point where he really awakens as a wizard and expresses his power and potential.
After going through the first volume, I’m not sure who the intended audience is. Fans of the original manga (like myself), aren’t likely to enjoy the retelling with modifications, while fans of the anime would likely go for the original manga to experience the stories that didn’t make it into the animation. So that leaves me with one conclusion. This manga is for those who want to enjoy the parts of the Negima story that weren’t written by Akamatsu Ken. This is probably also aimed at readers who wanted to read Negima, but were turned off by the fanservice and overly busty junior high girls.
I’ll likely not be picking up the second volume, though if you’re interested in checking it out, Negima!? Neo can be had at your local bookseller or any of the online retailers. Retail price for this Del Rey release is US$10.99/CA$12.50.
My computer area (AKA Otaku Lounge pt. 2)
Due to the compliments I received from the last post and all the questions asking about other areas in my house, I was encouraged to clean up the computer area that is next to my otaku lounge. After sorting away some papers, tidying up the desk, and removing the junk from the floor, the area was finally photo worthy.
From this angle, you can see how the upstairs area is completely open. This was actually the thing that sold me on this house and I’d always envisioned making this area my little haven. Typically, if I’m entertaining guests, they’ll be downstairs as that is where the TV, XBOX, and kitchen are. Occasionally, I’ll bring people upstairs just to give them the tour. Sadly, most of the people that come over aren’t terribly otaku, so most of the decor is lost on them…
Here’s a better view of the desk area itself. Not too much here to talk about except for the couple of interesting decorative items I have. Above the desk are three posters from the MegaTokyo webcomic (all available from the Megagear store): Polesitting, Kimiko, and Ph34r teh Cut3 Ones. I also have the .N1T3Z poster, though that is hanging on the wall of my cubicle at work. I also keep a shelf of Figmas above the monitor (shelf is a LJUSDAL from IKEA) and they’re lit by a set of LACK LED pendants.
Continue reading “My computer area (AKA Otaku Lounge pt. 2)”
Completing my otaku lounge
Since Danny’s “Your Room” contest, I decided to make a couple of improvements to my upstairs loft area. A couple of trips to IKEA later, and I’m proud to show off the final product!
The changes are fairly subtle, but I decided to do away with the coffee table in the middle and replace it with a smaller side table. The chair and footstool came from IKEA’s clearance section (both were floor display models and in excellent condition) as did the reading lamp. I think the entire area only has two furnishings that aren’t from IKEA… the lamp in the far corner and the DVD storage rack.
I particularly like the side table, as it gives me a place to put things like books and other trinkets. The Altec Lansing Zune Dock and Zune are to be permanent fixtures on the table and will allow me to have music while sitting and relaxing. The wireless sync ability will allow me to easily download new music to the player. I’ve also decided to keep my DS charger here.
Taking stock, here’s what has wound up in this area over the past year:
- NORREBO bookshelf (apparently no longer available)
- DETOLF display cases with LACK LED lighting
- LACK side table
- POANG chair and foot stool (my cat seems to like that piece quite a bit)
- NOT floor/reading lamp
- Atlantic CD/DVD storage unit
- Floor lamp with paper shade
I’m quite happy with the results. At some point, I may consider changing out the flooring and replacing the carpet with a hardwood floor. Tatami panels might be interesting and fit with the theme. For now, however, I’m content with the way it is.
Hello Kitty… Beer…?!
I’ve seen a lot of Hello Kitty items. From the classic Hello Kitty Vibrator to the Hello Kitty Exhaust Pipe, I thought I’d seen it all. Apparently I hadn’t. I give you the following:
That’s right. It’s Hello Kitty Beer. Apparently following in the footsteps of the Hello Kitty Wine and Hello Kitty Sake, Hello Kitty Beer serves up another way to get plastered with the Sanrio mascot. Yes, Hello Kitty is found on everything. Nothing is safe from her branding.
Switching over to WordPress
After a short stint with Live Spaces, I’ve decided to make the jump over to WordPress for awhile. While I like Spaces and all the built in functionality it offers (I especially like the photo tools), it doesn’t quite offer the same level of user friendliness when it comes to everyone else on the internet. I’ll still continue to upload photos there and use those features, but will be doing all the writing up at the new area. Now if only I can figure out if the free version allows for custom widths… The current format of my entries (notably the pictures embedded in them) don’t seem to transfer over right. Either I’ll use a flexible width layout or go back and edit everything to fit into a fixed width layout…
I think I’ll just leave it as it is with a fixed width layout. It’s much easier to edit on the netbook that way. For those interested in the posts prior to this one (and want to see the original formatting), check out How Do You Figure? @ Windows Live Spaces.
New Arrival: Aika Granzchesta
My longtime quest to obtain all the 1/6 scale ARIA figures is one step closer to completion! A packaged arrived the other day containing one Aika Granzchesta figure from Solidworks. Unfortunately, there aren’t very many ARIA figures out there and even fewer full figure series featuring all of the characters. Ever since I picked up Akari at Animazement ‘07, I quested for the remaining 5 girls.
Aika still in the box
As with the other figures in the series, Aika comes with an oar, nice display stand (she’s attached to it using screws), and a rendition of her company’s mascot (in this case, President Hime). This particular figure is unique in that she comes with two heads, each with a different hairstyle and expression. The default head is her original look at the start of the series. The alternate head is modeled after her accident during a barbeque and subsequent change in look. Personally, I prefer the original style better, however I had grown to like the later style when she is in civilian clothing.
Aika’s “new look”
Overall, quality of the figure is good with very few noticeable seams or defects. I’m also a big fan of the way the uniform’s wrinkles are colored to give the impression of shadows even in low light. The only flaw I’ve noticed is with the way she was packaged. Since she came with the original head on, the ends of her pigtails were pressed into her back. Since she has blue hair, the friction had caused some of the paint to transfer to the white uniform. This could have easily been remedied by a thin piece of plastic wrapping stuck to the back of the figure prior to packaging.
Aika posing in front of a backdrop from ARIA artbook “Stella”
How Do You Figure? 
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