List of 2012 Top New Manga Series

Based on the previews of conventions and blogs… more on About.com

Heart of Thomas: Done by Moto Hagio, a tragedy/drama that was one of the earliest examples of shonen ai (boys' love) manga. This 3-volume story from 1974 has been on many manga connoisseur's wish lists for years, so it's a real joy to see that Fantagraphics will be publishing the entire saga in English in one volume.

NonNonBa: An elderly woman who had a very special relationship with the creatures that go bump in the night, a Shigeru Mizuki work of arts.

Soul Eater NOT!: Work of Atsushi Ohkubo, a sequel to Soul Eater series.

Attack on Titan: An instant hit in Japan, Attack on Titan from Hajime Isayama, has sold over 5.5 million copies of its first five volumes. Kodansha Comics is hoping that this action/adventure series will catch on in North America as well, when this new series launches in Summer 2012.

Durarara!!: Action/suspense anime series by Ryohgo Narita.

Fallen Words: Written by Yoshihiro Tatsumi, a new collection of short stories about love, betrayal, jealousy, and human foibles.

Three Wolves Mountain: A story of two brothers who are traveling around the countryside when they encounter an inn, and decide to stay a few nights (author: Naono Bohra).

5 Centimeters Per Second: Makoto Shinkai's acclaimed anime feature 5 Centimeters Per Second has been adapted into a 2-volume graphic novel that Vertical will be releasing as a double-sized volume. A story of best friend who was forced to lived apart.

Avatar The Last Airbender: The Promise: Fans are treated to a new look at their favorite characters, who are now a few years older, but facing a new threat from the Fire Nation that threatens to plunge the world into another war.

Vampire Knight (ヴァンパイア騎士)

Posted on Solamon Otakus Facebook Page

Vampire Knight

Anime News Network |  Yuki's earliest memory is of a stormy night in winter, wherein she was attacked by a vampire... And then rescued by another. Now 10 years later, Yuki Cross, the adopted daughter of the headmaster of Cross Academy, has grown up and become a guardian of the vampire race, protecting her savior, Kaname, from discovery as he leads a group of vampires at the elite boarding school. But also at her side is Zero Kiryu, a childhood friend who’s hatred for the creatures that destroyed everything he held dear, is now determined never to trust them. This coexisting arrangement seems all well and good, but have the vampires truly renounced their murderous ways, or is there a darker truth behind their actions. Is Kaname's infatuation with Yuki the beginning of a forbidden romance, or is it something in her forgotten past that draws him to her. Because in this world of secrets, nothing is as it seems. And the price of misplaced trust may even be worse than death.

Crunchyroll Anime App Heading for Xbox 360 | This Is XBOX

 - this is XBOX

Crunchyroll, a leading Anime and Asian drama streaming service has announced the upcoming release of its own branded application on the Xbox 360 console in more than 30 territories, across all six continents.

Crunchyroll premium members will be able to enjoy the latest Anime shows with English subtitles within hours of Japanese TV broadcast, including hits like NARUTO SHIPPUDEN, HUNTER x HUNTER, SPACE BROTHERS, and SWORD ART ONLINE, as well as their favorites from the massive Crunchyroll catalog, without advertisements. Current Crunchyroll titles can be accessed from Crunchyroll.com, the free iPad and iPhone application, the Android application, the Windows Phone application, PS3, Google TV, Samsung TV, Roku, Boxee, Vizio VIA, WD TV Live and additional set-top channels, and affiliate partners.

Crunchyroll premium members have access to the largest anime selection, same-day access for simulcasted titles, no advertisements; can be viewed in 480p-to-1080p quality on selected titles.

A specific app release date on the Xbox 360 has not been announced.

Solamon Energy Otakus: Yu-Yu Hakusho

Yu-Yu Hakusho

This anime/manga series is another great work from the maker of HunterXHunter and OnePiece, Yoshihiro Togashi. Yu-Yu Hakusho is a story of a felonious student who died on a car accident for saving a little girl. On afterlife underworld he was given tests by the son of the ruler to be able to get back to life. Soon after he had finished all the ordeals prior of going back to earth he was given a mission to become an Underworld detective.

YuYu Hakusho won the prestigious Shogakukan Manga Award for shounen manga in 1993. The animated series won the Animage Anime Grand Prix prize for best anime in 1994 and 1995.

For the Kids: Youth Activity Registration, Otaku Club

Source: pearlriver.patch by Ryan Buncher

Each week, we'll give you the info on family activities or events for the week.

You're time-pressed enough, so we're happy to do the research and find the best things to do and places to go, both locally and within reasonable striking distance.

Look for the kids' planner each Wednesday, and help us build the planner with your own suggestions and tips ‚ just add them to the comment box. We want to hear from you.

Teenage Holocaust Survivor: When/Where: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22 at the Nanuet Public Library

Why Go: Watch a free screening of the documentary film Teenage Witness: The Fanya Heller Story about a girl born into a traditional Jewish family in a small Ukrainian village and her miraculous survival in the face of hunger and death at the hands of the Nazis.

Following the documentary, Heller will speak about her experiences and how they have influenced her decision to dedicate her life to sharing a message of tolerance and hope with inner city teenagers. Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Nanuet Library, JCC Rockland, and The Holocaust Museum & Study Center

Cost/Contact: Free / Register online at jccrockland.org

Pearl River Public Library Children’s Activity Registration - When/Where: Pearl River Public Library until 8 p.m. Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.

Why Go: Sign up your children for a series of activities including Preschool Party (Sept. 20 for ages 2-5), Big Kid Story Time (starts Sept. 25 for ages 4-6), Prevent a Thirsty Parent (Sept. 26 for children in grades K-3) and After School Stories (Sept. 27 for children in grades K-3).

Cost/Contact: All activities free, but registration must be done in person with Pearl River Public Library Card and the child’s birth certificate. For more information, contact Pamela Gunning at (845) 735-4084, extension 126.

Otaku Club: When/Where: Pearl River Public Library Storytime room from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday

Why Go: The Otaku Club is for people interested in anime, manga, Japanese culture and games. Otaku is Japanese for nerd, but in this group, they mean it is a compliment.

Cost/Contact: Free, but for older kids. Must be 15 years old.

Catherine Konner Sculpture Park @ RoCA: When/Where: Saturday, Sept. 15, 10:00 am/Rockland Center for the Arts, 27 S Greenbush Rd, West Nyack

Why Go: Visit the Catherine Konner Sculpture Park at Rockland Center for the Arts (RoCA) to see the permanent sculptures on exhibit and impressive landscaping.

Cost/Contact: Free/jamie@­rockla­ndartcenter.­org

'To the Arctic' at IMAX Palisades: When/Where: Saturday, Sept. 15, 10:00 am  / IMAX Theatre at Palisades Center, 4270 Palisades Center Dr, West Nyack

Why Go: West Nyack’s big screen is the only theater in the region showing this polar bear biopic. Grab the kids—the flick is narrated by Meryl Streep, with songs by Paul McCartney.

Cost/Contact: $9 / (845) 353-5555

Apple Picking at The Orchards of Concklin: When/Where: Saturday, September 15 starting at 10 a.m./2 South Mountain Rd, Pomona

Why Go: The Orchards of Concklin celebrates 300 years of growing apples since 1712

and invite you to pick-your-own apples every weekend through October 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Concklins grow over 20 varieties of apples and they cost $18 a peck bag. For additional fun for kids, every weekend through October 21, from noon to 5 p.m., there are inflatable slides, bouncies, Jurassic Adventure and Kid's Haunted House.

Cost/Contact: $18 for peck bag of apples and additional cost for rides from 50 cents to $1/845-354-0369

Get Fit Feel Great Kickoff Party at Bounce!: When/Where: Saturday, Sept. 15 at 10 a.m./612 Corporate Way, Valley Cottage

Why Go: Bounce! Trampoline Sports hosts benefit for Rockland Farm Alliance. Get Fit Feel Great is a pilot program sponsored by Bounce! Trampoline Sports, New York area sports nutritionist Dr. Michael Wald, and Rockland Farm Alliance. At the Kickoff Party, kids, ages 12 to 15, and parents will have an opportunity to meet Victor Byrne, head trainer, participate in mini aerobic and acrobat classes, see trampoline demonstrations by top athletes.

Cost/Contact: $12/ www.bounceonit.com or 845-268-4000.

Make & Take Crafts: When/Where: Saturday, Sept. 15 from 1-3 p.m. at A.C. Moore

Why Go: Stop by A.C. Moore in Nanuet this Saturday with your kids for a hands-on demonstration with Darice Washi Tape and Embossing Folders

Cost/Contact:  A.C. Moore / Free

About this column: A weekly calendar of kid-friendly activities and new places to try out with children.

Manga Review: Case Closed Volume Four by Gosho Aoyama

Written by:  Lesley Aeschliman on blogcritics

Detective Conan

Case Closed Volume Four is a manga by Gosho Aoyama, and it was published in North America by Viz Media in 2005. The series is rated “T+” for older teens; with what I’ve read of the Case Closed series, I would agree with this rating.

Case Closed focuses on Jimmy Kudo, a teen detective who was shrunk back down to his first grade self after a crime organization forces him to take an experimental poison and leaves him for dead. In order to hide his identity, the younger version of Jimmy takes on the name of Conan Edogawa. Without letting on that he is Jimmy, he goes to live with his friend Rachel Moore and her bumbling detective father, Richard Moore.

There are a total of three mysteries that appear in this volume of Case Closed. While all three of these stories appear in the animeseries, the beginning of the third mystery is told a little differently between the two mediums.

The first mystery sees Conan, Rachel, and Richard going to an art museum after hearing about a suit of armor at the museum moving around by itself. While they are there, they meet the curator, and learn that the museum will be shutting down because the new owner wants to turn the property into a hotel. The new owner of the museum is murdered while Conan and the others are there, and Conan helps to crack the case. There’s really no difference between the telling of this story between the manga and the anime. Continue

Eyeshield 21 (a story by Riichiro Inagaki) about a weakling boy who was a favorite subject for bullying. Thought despite of this Sena (the lead character) happens to be the secret weapon of an American football team.

biasedotaku.blogspot | Milanoo.com - Scam/Fraud or Not? Neither

A famous Chinese Wholesale website deemed as a "scam/fraud" by many trustworthy websites continues to scam many. While many know of this website, there are some who do not. Well, like the lot of you, I had placed an order to them. While many got scammed, I did not.

"Milanoo should just be shut down!"

Milanoo is a Chinese Wholesale website, correct? Their products are most likely rip offs. I don't care. You shouldn't neither if you ordered something from an unknown wholesale website. But since they are what they are, then ordering something that requires too in-depth detail will most likely give either nothing, or low-quality items. It's a no brainer that you'll get ripped off somehow. If not, you're just lucky like I was.

Hypothetical numbers, but probably damn close to how this really works:

Ordering something that requires in-depth detail, or requires too much work (e.g. dresses, heels, cosplay) will have a 20% of arriving to your door step, and an unknown chance of decent to good quality.

Ordering something requiring only simple printing, or simple putting together (e.g. dakimakura, sneakers) will have 3-4 times better chance of arriving to your door step, and 80% or more chance of being good quality.*

*However, I'm basing my own experience as a reliable source since no one else has ordered and submitted any kind of review on what I bought myself.

Stories

There have been cases where people did or did not get their money back. Lots of people were persistent towards getting their refund. There was one chick's story I read where she was trying to connect for two hours, and spent a bunch of time getting her money back, which she only got half back.

I've heard many stories, but they all only speak of the [lolita] dresses, cosplay outfits, heels, etc. Those had nothing to do with what I ordered, so I was scared too. Most of the recent comments about milanoo are like "I just ordered something too! I'm scared now!" Yeah. I felt the same way a day after making the order. But what was different about me? I got my order, and it's of top quality [thus far].

Also, the pillow case I ordered. When I opened it, it felt amazing. No joke. It felt like silk. Maybe it is!

Considering the huge numbers of negative stories, it's hard for a person who may have not gotten ripped off say anything positive or they'll be marked as "milanoo accomplice" or.....continue on biasedotaku.blogspot

Scams of AnimeFiesta Kuala Lumpur 2012

Published by sakurazaki - posted in Cosplay, Events, SGcafe Reviews, Vocaloid4

Anime Fiesta 2012 is currently the most talked about event and not due to the right reasons. The event which is stated to be held on the Friday 30 March 2012 till Sunday 1 April 2012 at KLCC Convention Centre, Malaysia has been rumoured to be a scam.

The event is said to also be holding the Hatsune Miku Live Party Concert and have started selling tickets. With the lowest pricing ticket going at a high amount of RM220 with is about SGD90 and the most expensive ones, the Super VIP tickets going at RM680, about SGD280, fans are starting to doubt the event. Writer Volvagia356 has reviewed the event site and discovered certain flaws that one should look out for. More information can be found at the Typical Storm Website.

For more information regarding the event check out the following links:

Anime Fiesta Website : http://kualalumpur.is-into-anime.com/index.php

Typical Storm Website : http://typicalstorm.com/2012/01/scams-of-animefiesta-kuala-lumpur-2012/

Anime Fiesta Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/pages/Anime-Fiesta-KualaLumpur-2012/236278823111541?sk=info

Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai

Anime Planet | based on 12 of 12 eps watched - Warning to readers: This is a meta-review targeted mostly at YOU! Especially those who HAVE watched a few episodes and DID like it a lot. In case you haven’t seen a single episode, just pretend this anime is described by others as WOAH AWESOME and now you are reading a second opinion. A negative one that is. Do not view this text as an attack to your integrity or something because the show itself is an attack to your common sense and feelings and I am just counterattacking it by using the same method.

This is another case of a show trying to mask its shallowness with a serious premise and once again hundreds of people are biting the lure. Busyness as usual. Let me start with some cold-hearted facts that many of you readers haven’t realized or don’t want to admit to, probably because you don’t like the idea of your escapism shows regarding reality to be so damn fake.

- “Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai” (made by the same studio) is NOT an awesome serious show about otakus being accepted as normal people by the non-otakus. It is fan catering nonsense bordering incest and fascination over porn games.

- “Yosuga no Sora” is NOT an awesome serious show about true brother/sister love. It is fan catering nonsense which go as far as resetting the story every few episodes as means to have the lead male having sex with everybody. NOT just his sister.

- “Bakuman” is NOT an awesome show about how to become a great mangaka. It is fan catering nonsense about a guy who has everything going rosy in his life and even getting a girlfriend out of someone who he never spoke to in his all life because DESTINY DEMANDS IT. Plus, it is patting at Jump Shounen fans too obviously.

In the same way, “Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai” is NOT a show about making friends. Seriously, where the hell do you see the educational aspect in this show? It is fan catering nonsense about some anti-social people gathering in a room and playing porn games all day long, while insulting one another with overused boob size jokes. Very social and helpful indeed. It is also about cosplaying to fit in as many fetishes as possible in the same character. Yeah, that’s how you make friends. Nobody ever thought of, I don’t know, trying to talk to other people in an honest way helps? Nope, five minutes and they all give up trying to not be viewed as a misinterpreted stereotype and head on to become a different stereotype. One defined by boob size, hair colour, and uniform fetishes. Oh yeah, the depth is oozing out of their ears...continue

Is KyuuCON a Scam?

article from: otakunews

After posting the press release from KyuuCon yesterday, it's been brought to our attention by various members of UK anime fandom that there is something fishy about KyuuCON. Firstly it appears that the venue mentioned the Plymouth Pavillions has not heard of KyuuCON or the organisers in question. The second major alarm bell is where the payments are going, into a personal bank account and not a building society account/non-profit account in the conventions name.

What's also interesting is their sudden change of heart, and the way they've just moved everything back a year. Plus this thread brought to our attention at the AyaCon Forum. At this current moment in time, based on what we have heard, we believe that KyuuCON is either very poorly organised or a cash grabbing scam, either way, we suggest you avoid KyuuCON for now.

Normally when people run anime conventions they've had previous experience in fandom, running anime clubs or sci-fi/fantasy clubs and similar events. At the very least people who want to run a convention would have experience as a gopher at a convention to see what is involved. The people running KyuuCON don't seem to have any of this, yet they appear to be attempting to run an anime convention larger than anything else in the UK before.

So for your general amusement we suggest you visit KyuuCON's forum and read this thread and at least one LiveJournal Posting. All current evidence points to another estranged anime fan with delusions of grandeur, we hope this is not the case since the UK could always do with another anime convention, after all the more the merrier.

Anime Collections of Solamon Otakus

Originally posted by energysolamon @LiveJournal

You can find a diverse title collection in our database, from comedy/slice of life to adventure/scifi/mecha (and yeah, we also have shoujo). And as a bonus for our dear readers, we also do anime reviews, story arc guides and character profiles (full-pledge descriptions with energy rankings and all that jazz). As a start solamon energy otakus have the three manga hit: Rurouni Kenshin Series, Hunter X Hunter and Katekyo Hitman Reborn.

Hunter X Hunter

Hunter x Hunter manga by Yoshihiro Togashi is quite a success as it garnered three awards from the recent Manga Awards 2011 hosted by Mangahelpers, winning in the Best Shounen and Best Manga of 2011 categories.

Privacy of Solamon Energy Otakus

From solamon energy otakus

We regularly share statistical data with third parties and the general public. But under no other circumstance do we share your personal information with a third party except in the form of statistical data.

We limit internal access to your personal information and personally identifying information to staff members that need such information in order to carry out their assigned tasks. It is not provided to other staff.

Our software may need your personal information in order to fulfill its primary functions that have nothing to do with said personal information. For instance, your e-mail address is required in order to sign up to the forum, this is used to deter abusive behavior and provide you with any notifications you may request to have automatically delivered to you.

「るろうに剣心」 Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Arc (Part 1)

Kyoto Arc follows the adventures of Himura Kenshin with his comrades Yahiko, Sanosuke and Kaoru, along with their new-found allies, the Oniwaban group.

The main antagonist is the former successor of Kenshin as the Imperialists’ hitokiri, Shishio, who vows to create chaos once again in Japan because he was not able to actively take part in the Bakumatsu.

Okubo, the only living founder of the Meiji Restoration and now the head of the Interior Affairs, has been assassinated by Shishio’s subordinate, the young prodigy Soujiro. Okubo has previously confronted both Saito, a former Shinsengumi, and Kenshin, asking for their help in vanquishing Kenshin’s kohai, Shishio, who plans to wreak havoc in the newly-established government which he sees as a fraud. But before Kenshin even get a chance to give his answer to Okubo, the latter was killed.

This event prompted Kenshin to go to Kyoto and put Shishio in his place, noting that he cannot stay on the sidelines anymore with all the bad developments happening in the country.

Kaoru, Yahiko and Sanosuke were left behind in Edo (Tokyo) but the three resolved to follow Kenshin anyway, despite warnings from Saito that they will just drag Kenshin down.

Sanosuke took off on his own, vowing to train hard to be able to aid Kenshin in his inevitable battles, especially after a confrontation with Saito made him realized he will lose miserably as he only relies on his own offensive energy. On the way, he met a monk who taught him the technique Futae no Kiwami, which enabled him to pulverize an object through two quick successive hits by...more on solamon energy otakus

Solamon Energy Otakus - Anime and Manga Reviews

...a tribute to all otakus worldwide who wants to glean more information about their favorite anime and idol characters brought to you by solamon energy otakus.

This blog regularly features an extensive collection of anime series complete with OVAs, movies, character descriptions, OST lyrics and episode list.

Privacy Policy - Solamon Energy Otakus

We at Solamon Energy Otakus regularly share statistical data with third parties and the general public. But under no other circumstance do we share your personal information with a third party except in the form of statistical data.

We limit internal access to your personal information and personally identifying information to staff members that need such information in order to carry out their assigned tasks. It is not provided to other staff.

Our software may need your personal information in order to fulfill its primary functions that have nothing to do with said personal information. For instance, your e-mail address is required in order to sign up to the forum, this is used to deter abusive behavior and provide you with any notifications you may request to have automatically delivered to you.

This Blog may use certain services provided by third party service providers. Under all circumstances, our relations with these companies adhere to the above guidelines, including the policy of not sharing any personal information or personally identifying information with them. However through their services, they may be able to collect statistical and other information about our readers. Their use of this information is governed by their own privacy policies.

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Solamon Energy Otakus - About

Solamon Energy Otakus is dedicated to all otakus worldwide who wants to glean more information about their favorite anime and idol characters.

This blog regularly features an extensive collection of anime series complete with OVAs, movies, character descriptions, OST lyrics and episode list.

Of course we have all the big names in our repertoire but we are more in favor of those ones who don’t get as much coverage as NRT, BLCH and OP are getting. And we’re not all about shounen either — you can find a diverse title collection in our database, from comedy/slice of life to adventure/scifi/mecha (and yeah, we also have shoujo).

And as a bonus for our dear readers, we also do anime reviews, story arc guides and character profiles (full-pledge descriptions with energy rankings and all that jazz).