Manifest X: Summing it all up.

Melbourne Anime Festival’s tenth anniversary has come to an end. Victorias, and no doubt Australians largest Japanese Culture festival finished off on a good note with most, if not all attendants. After much hard work over 10 years of Manifest, this years festival has no doubt been the best received. Manifest has been through its trouble times, after almost closing before the 2008 festival due to lack of organisation and bad reputation from its predecessor of 2007. The committee of the festival pulled through onto a fresh start with strong determination to make the Manifest of 2009 the best one yet.

And they did just that.

Moving from its crowed home of Melbourne university, Manifest moved to the superior Showgrounds, providing more space, more facilities and better organisation. While the showgrounds lacked the “already available” screens, seats and accommodation that the Melbourne university had, it didn’t take long for the committee to find the businesses to supply such needs. The main events room at the university could fit a maximum of 500 people, at the showgrounds, it could fit 1400 (which still managed to fill). Since Manifest has entered the “main stream” category of conventions, legal rules have been emplaced for what anime they screen. While in previous years, there have been 5-7 screening rooms, each running with fan dubbed anime and already licensed anime, this year the committee has done things differently receiving licences for all sorts of anime, some still airing in Japan (Saki, Natsu No Arashi) while others have no license for Australia (Clannad). This year featured 3 screening room, which was enough to keep anyone from being bored, showing a variety of anime from the 80s, 90s and now. As well as screening, Manifest had plenty of other things to do, gaming, drawing, traders, maid café, cosplay shoots, panels and main events to name a few. Most of all, it was spacious!

The community is really what makes Manifest what it is, the gathering of geeks to share in a fun filled weekend, the friendliness (most of them) of each person, very willing to take part in chat and have a cosplay photo taken (or many!). While spread all around Victoria, and even Australia, when we all come together for a single event, its great fun meeting new and interesting people that have the same hobbies of you. Its even better when you meet someone cosplaying as one of your favourite characters.

Cosplaying is highly recommended, it increases enjoyment a lot.

Pros

• Spacious area

• Friendly people

• Great Traders

• Social Activities

• Artistic Activities
  

• A+ Cosplays.

Cons

• For those of you who are new to the anime scene and have nobody to go with, don’t come, you will bore yourself easily.
  

• The Weapon Policy was all over the place, there was a massive inconsistency with what could be kept as a prop and what couldn’t (even with permission from committee)

• Each Panel I went to seemed somewhat basic, but that may have just been me.

Manifest this year has no doubt been the best, and I hope to see many of you there next year. Feel free to tap me on the back!

Manifest 2010: August 20^th – 22^nd

Manifest: Here

Manifest Forums Profile: Here

Manifest Day 3: Over for another Year...

The last day of the best weekend of the year… how depressing. Yes, unfortunately
Manifest is over for another year. This isn’t going to be a long post because I am very tired at the moment.



I’m going to miss the atmosphere and the endless sea of people who have similar interests to you even though I can’t seem to find many outside of cons. We also managed to catch the screening of Clannad which has yet to be licensed in Australia (Madman please license this very soon). Clannad already looked visually stunning but on the DVD version it is just… wow.



The loot for today is as follows:

Sloth-X:
Death Note Boxset
Total: $150

Envy1138
Cowboy Bebop Fatpack
The Place Promised to us in our Early Days
Black Lagoon The Second Barrage Boxset
Total: $170

Passing Sparrow
The Place Promised to us in our Early Days
School Rumble Second Season Collection 1
Air - Kano Kirishima Figure
Ranma 1/2: The Moives DVD
Total: $160

GRAND TOTALS

Sloth-X: $235
Mitch: $290
Passing Sparrow: $405
Envy: $430

Wow, I lost. I did spend over $400 at Supanova earlier this year and havn’t had much shifts between that.

WE MISS YOU MANIFEST

Manifest Day 2: The Second Barrage

The busiest, most crowded day of any convention: Saturday. We were really thankful for the new location on this day otherwise the trading hall would just be unbearable. For us this day wasn’t really a spending day, it was more social and photo taking with other cosplayers.

But, the best possible thing happened. We were told there was a Fuko (Clannad Character) cosplayer waiting in the ever so long ticket line. We ran to find her searching high and low. And then… We found her, she was actually Nagisa, the guy got confused. But this was better! What could be more perfect? Lucky she was a really good sport and we took a lot of photos together!



Now as I mentioned earlier that this was not really a buying merch day for us but anyway here are the totals

Sloth-X:
Fullmetal Alchemist Post
Total: $10

Envy1138
School Rumble Season 1 Fatpack
Total:$65

Passing Sparrow
1/7 Chobits “Maid Alice” Chi Figure
Kodomo no Jikan Trading Figure
Total: $80

Manifest Day 1: 3,2,1 Lets Jam

Today the members of TAHO went to the biggest anime con Melbourne has to offer. Lucky for us our school had a day off so we were free to visit the showgrounds and empty our wallets. Yes, we realise this is only the first day of this weekend of non stop anime fun but some of us… May have spent a little more then we should have.

This year the event was hosted at the Melbourne showground instead of Melbourne University. Lucky for this change we have plenty of breathing space within the traders hall, ignoring the fact that Friday would be the least busy day.

Yes, all the writers of this blog cosplayed this year. We went as the male cast of Clannad: Passing Sparrow as Sunohara, Envy1138 as Tomoya and I as Akio. We were glad to have follow convention goers recognise our characters since, cosplayers in Australia generally go for the more popular series.

Anyway here are some pictures from the event:
Pictures pending

The loot for Friday Night alone:

Sloth-X:
Code Geass vol 5
Code Geass vol 6
Gurren Lagann vol 2
Total: $75

Envy1138:
Azumanga Daioh Fat pack
5 Centimetres per Second
Star Trek Manga
Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney Vol.1
Battlestar Galactica: Echoes of New Caprica
Fullmetal Alchemist Manga Vol 19
Nyron~n T-Shirt
2x Fullmetal Alchemist Trading Figures (Ed and Al)
Total: $195

Passing Sparrow
5 Centimeters Per Second
Gurren Lagann vol.2
Negima vol. 21
Negima vol. 23
Rosario + Vampire Vol. 2
Rosario + Vampire Vol. 3
Rosario + Vampire Vol. 4
Rosario + Vampire Vol. 5
Rosario + Vampire Vol. 6
Shuffle Collection 2
Total: $185

Mitch (our Pack Mule and Camera man for the day)
Fullmetal Alchemist Collection 1
Fullmetal Alchemist Collection 2
Fullmetal Alchemist Conquer of Shambella Special Edition
Fullmetal Alchemist vol. 19
2x Fullmetal Alchemist Trading Figures (Ed and Al)
Gurren Lagann Vol.2
Total: $290

I am the bone of my sword...

The recently announced Fate/Stay Night movie has been confirmed to follow the second path of the original Type-Moon Visual novel. The movie is titled: Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works and is set to be released on January 23 2010 in Japanese Theatres.

The movie is not a continuation of the 2006 Anime series but, an alternative setting of the Holy Grail War. The only common thing between the paths is the first two or three days and then from that the plot dramatically changes. Even though it is not a continuation I would strongly suggest watching the anime or playing the visual novel beforehand seeing how they will cut a lot of character development.

Though I will be looking forward to be able to see this I am questioning how effective this movie will be, considering the length of the visual novel. The Unlimited Blade Works path alone took me about 24 hours of game play to finish. Can they really sum this up in a movie successfully? The TV adaptation of the first path was 26 episodes long and still struggled to fit in all that was contained in the Fate path. All though the dojo episodes could have run a lot shorter and another fact is they added an extra arc to include Assassin and Caster and in this extra arc used some scenes from the other paths: Unlimited Blade works and Heaven’s Feel. I would prefer if they made Unlimited Blade Works a full anime series and not just a movie.

The anime series was beautifully animated and I hope we can look forward to the same quality because Unlimited Blade Works has some awesome fight scenes that had me at the edge of my seat. I am not going to spoil much but for those who have not played the visual novel you will have an awnser to the biggest question the original series left us with “Who is Archer?”

Moe + Clothing Accessories = Big Money?

Is there any other way to put it? K-On Ties. Obviously Otaku consumers are losing money while the corporates rake it in big time. Whats that? Do i here "DO WANT?" from those who are reading this? Well your in luck, I've done some seaching and have found a little website that sells outside of Japan here. Mind you, you'll be waiting till they get them instock on the 31st of October, then you'll have to get them sent out to you, which could take another 14 days. By the time it arrives all the hype about them will be over. They do look good as a tie though. "What was i thinking!? Wearing this in public?!"

Oh come on, we know you love to show your true fandom to the real world.

Sources: Sankaku Complex

"SHUFFLE! Essence+" in the making

While sources are few, it has been confirmed that there is a new SHUFFLE! game on the horizon. First released in 2004, SHUFFLE! proved a hit with visual novel lovers looking for a "good time"with sexy characters, and Navel (the creators), went on to create three expansions following its franchise. Now, they're back with their fourth expansion, but few would call this an "expansion" and more of an add-on.

As quoted by a HongFire source

"Shuffle! Essence+, carrying the essence of the original Shuffle! and the Playstation2 port "Shuffle! On Stage", then taking it to a new level for its welcome return to the PC.

With delicious new, improved CG images and the inevitable adult content for Kareha and Mayumi's routes in the game. As well as two new Gods. Starting with the purple haired Daisy, a naive, energetic girl"; and Ruri Matsuri, a "princess-type, just as she appears to be." Both who are rumoured to be relations of Sia's."

Basicly, an Add-On would be a more suitable word, for the orginal SHUFFLE! storyline for each "old" character still exists, with the add of more CG images. Two new girls are in on the game of love, both appear to be Gods (sweet!) and of course we have the add ins of some new-old characters from the previous expansions. What a harem!

Girls of Shuffle!Essence+

- Lisianthus (SHUFFLE!)


- Nerine (SHUFFLE!)


- Kaede (SHUFFLE!)


- Asa (SHUFFLE!)


- Primula (SHUFFLE!)


- Kareha (SHUFFLE! On The Stage!)


- Mayumi (SHUFFLE! On The Stage!)


- Nadeshiko (Really?! Really!!)


- Tsubomi (SHUFFLE! On The Stage!)


- Sakura (Really?! Really!!)


- Daisy (SHUFFLE! Essence+)


- Ruri (SHUFFLE! Essence+)


- Kikyou (SHUFFLE! Essence+) - ????????????




11 + 1 Mystery! You guys have quite a selection there. Its a pitty no character from Tick! Tack! made it in, then again thats part of a completely different timeline!

Release Date: 30th October 2009

Source: Navel Offical Website, HongFire.
Credits: All Rights To Characters and Games belong to Navel.

An open letter to the good people at Ezydvd

Yes, I’m a bit of a douche making my first post a rant about a relatively inane subject, but damn it! I want my Battlestar already!


Hailing frequencies open.


Dear EzyDvd,
I write to you concerning you practices as an online dvd retailer. Some time in July, I pre-ordered the “Battlestar Galactica (2004) - The Complete Series (25 Disc Box Set)” which was slated for release on the 12th of August 2009. I waited patiently, and when the day had came I looked gleefully at my inbox to see an invoice and conformation that my boxset had been processed and was awaiting dispatch. The date was the 11th of August, So I figured “cool, they’ll send it out tomorrow and I’ll get it by the end of the week. But no. It is now Friday the 14th and my order still has not been dispatched, meaning it is not even in the postal system yet, which in turn will mean another 3-10 day wait for the delivery.
Now, I understand that nobody is perfect; however I feel you’re missing the point of pre-ordering. When I pre-order, I expect to have my product on my doorstep on its official release date. While I realise that you may not actually receive the item needing to be sent until a day or so before it is set to be released, it surely should be dispatched as soon as possible (ie, the next time post is sent, usually 6pm each working day.) What grinds my gears further is that not only do I have to wait longer than I should have to, I’m also paying an extra $30 for this privilege. Places such as K-mart and JB-Hifi have the exact same product (in JB’s case, the Limited edition version) for a cheaper price. Which leads me to wonder, why exactly should I pre-order from you ever again? The shipping is slow (with no option for express post or courier delivery) and the prices are easily beat by almost all retail stores. Also your “exclusive collectors tins” usually only contain the single disc edition of the product. Why would anyone who is a collector only want the singe disc edition? But that is off-topic.
Yes, Pre-ordering is technically only a safe guard for the product being out of stock, but with most other retailers you are also assured quick and easy access to your item as soon as possible. I am very disappointed by the service I have encountered, and have now learnt my lesson and shall not pre-order from you, or any other online retailer again and I shall urge all I can to do likewise.

Live long and prosper,
Envy1138

~Edit~ 14/08/09

Okay, I may have been a little hasty. I got my Boxset today, But still. More expensive! 3 days later than it should’ve been! *cough* yep, the letter is still semi-justified.

Welcome to TAHO

What is Two and a Half Otakus I hear you ask? It is a blog comprised of 3 friends, two otakus and one anime and western geek culture fan.


Two and a Half Otakus (or TAHO for short) originated from the though that me and Passing Sparrow had while having an involved discussion while we suppose to be doing our math work in class. We simply want to share our views to the community and get feedback from fellow internet dwellers who have similar interests.

All three writers for this blog are Australian males who are currently studying year 12 and plan to get into very different career paths. Now enough with broad statements I bet you want to know a little about the writers themselves hmm?


Sloth-X: Oh me? I’m Just an ordinary border line Hikikomori who enjoys Anime. I started watching anime when I was a child; my favourite shows included Digimon, Dragon Ball Z, Ziods, Pokemon. I started watching anime as a fan in 2009 with completing a childhood favourite of Dragon Ball Z and then moved onto other series and genres. My current favourite series are (but not limited to) Tengen Topa Gurren Lagann, Death Note, Code Geass, Fullmetal Alchemist and Full Metal Panic. Unfortunately I am not all that into Manga as of now, reading it on the computer loses a lot of the feel and I don’t have the cash or time to buy many series, though I do have an outdated collection of Black Cat volumes.


Passing Sorrow: The louder, more confident and outspoken member of our little group. Being an Otaku is hard because it difficult to find other who shares your passion for Anime (and I really can’t talk about much else) so I am glad I met him. We can talk about anime for hours on end and we often do, despite the fact we could be doing something productive. When it comes to personal choice, there is one clear answer of his favourite anime and that is Clannad. Like the Haruhi fans are called Haruhist I would call this guy a Clannadist. With Nagisa as his Goddess he follows his religion very purely and obsessively. Some other titles that would rank under Clannad are Ranma ½, School Rumble and Toradora. As you can see he tends to prefer Slice of Life anime but, he is known to venture into other genres.


Envy1138: The half that makes up Two and a Half Otakus. His interests are not as one sided as the other two members but he still holds a great interest in Anime. He refers to himself as “Neutral Geek”. If he is not browsing the internet, watching Star Trek, listening to music, playing games or Not Sleeping (double negative anyone?) he is likely to be watching anime. Some treasured series of this insomniac are Clannad, Death Note, Fullmetal Alchemist, Azumanga Daioh and Toradora. As you can see not only is he a mix of many geek cultures but his favourite anime series are also a mix of Passing Sorrows and my self’s personal favourites. Some of his favourite non anime series include Firefly, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, The Big Bang Theory and Scrubs.


Now you know a little bit about our blog and us. Hope you stick around for more posts by your new favourite three geeks. Keep in mind the site is very much still in construction. End communication

(I hope you enjoy the post done by a guy with very tired eyes)