Sweet Freebies in Asuka 3 2011

This is Asuka Issue 3 for 2011!  It comes with sweet freebies:

This two-sided plastic thing (table place mat maybe ???)  I don't know what you do with it, but it's nice. And there a FABULOUS color illustration book:

Here's a peek inside.  This is the last pages that shows a small sample of what's inside!

 

Do you want these sweet freebies? Here are some ordering links:

• Amazon Japan
• Akadot (link will be live when it comes in stock)

Really Nice Wall Calendar in Asuka 1/2011 -- Buy it Now!

Do you want this sweet wall calendar? Well then buy yourself a copy of Asuka Magazine 1/2011.

Buy Asuka 1/2011 on Amazon Japan (Link)
Buy Asuka 1/2010 from Akadot (Coming Soon)

You can also get the magazine from Sanseido Books.  Call them up and they'll deliver it to you if you are in the US.

I can't scan this calendar because it's actually too big to fit on my scanner when opened.  Anyhow, it features:

• "Psychic Detective Yakumo"
• "Barajou no Kiss"
• "Betrayal Knows my Name"
• "Kyou Kara Maoh", etc...

This issue also comes with mini post cards and a "Psychi Detective Yakumo" DVD!

@oloore -- Here's a picture of the cheesy Lala Calendar in comparison.

It's about the size of a small postcard.  Don't buy Lala 1 for this.  Buy Lala 1 for the manga instead...I hope they come out with another calendar mid-year.

Saiunkoku Monogatari Fans Go Get Asuka 5/2010 Issue!

In the May issue of Asuka magazine there is a large Saiunkoku Monogatari poster!  It's really nice :)!

Additional stuff in the magazine:

• Psychic Detective Yakumo Book Cover
• Zone-00 Postcards (the package is nice, so I'm afraid to open it)
• Bookmarks
• Anime series preview DVD
• Oh, and the Kyou Kara Maou color title splash page is ADORABLE!!!!

I bought my copy from Amazon Japan.

Saiunkoku Monogatari Wallpaper and Images

There was treasure in this month's Asuka magazine for "Saiunkoku Monogatari" lovers!  This magazine was a bit hard to come by because it sold out quickly.  Anyhow, there are 11 images in all.  Two are PC desktop wallpaper sized 1600x1200 pixels and the others are 800x1200.  Enjoy!

Link to Saiunkoku Images from Asuka 3/2010

If you really must have your own copy of this picture book (there are more images and an extra story), you may be able to get a copy of Asuka 3/2010 from Akadot on backorder.  You can still get it from folks selling on Amazon Japan, but it's gonna run you at least $42 + plus waiting for a very slow boat...

DNAngel is Back!!!

DNAngel is back in production with a 123-page chapter in March's Asuka magazine. Included with the magazine is a DNAngel picture book -- very nice. I imagine scans from the picture book will show up sooner or later for computer desktop enjoyment. Yippee!!!

New Manga (to me): Otomen

After reading a brief synopsis on Manga-Updates, I finally decided to check out "Otomen." This has got to be one of the cutest manga I've read in a while. It's the story of Asuka, a young man who likes girly things and had girly hobbies (Otome + man), who hides his true self to please his mother. He was doing pretty well until he started crushing on Ryou. In comes Tachibana, an irritant, who decides that he's going to propel Asuka's relationship with Ryou on for his own selfish reasons. The cutest thing about this is Asuka, who is strong and cool and oh, so pure hearted and somehow this combination of protector and nuturer seems much more manily than physical strength alone. I also believe that there are more men out there like Asuka, who like things that are stereotypically considered girly, and hide their tendencies for fear of being called "gay" and ridiculed. I think this is a tragedy. Guys who can cook and have soft hearts are HOT!!! Anyhow, I liked this series so much, I bought all the available volumes of this manga from Yes Asia. The series is also currently running in "Bessatsu Hanato Yume", which I also get. The first 6 chapters are out there in the ether, so check this series out! As I read through the bunko, I'll give updates :).

Anime Review: Code Geass: The Lelouch Rebellion

It's taken me a couple of months to process "Code Geass: The Lelouch Rebellion." That's because it was just plain shocking. It's not that anything particularly shocking in a weird way happens, it's more like nothing goes as expected and I can't say whether Lelouch is a hero or a villain. This story takes place in the future when the Empire of Britannia (looks like the North American continent is taken over by Britain -- or maybe it's an alternate reality in which the Americans lost the war for Independence. It's not really clear and it doesn't matter) has taken over most of the world, including Japan. Japan is stripped of its name and is referred to as "territory 11". The former Japanese, now call 11's, have become 2nd class citizens in their own country. Small terrorist groups fight a pointless battle to reclaim Japan, but faction after faction is crushed by the huge Britannian Army. Enter Lelouch who goes to an elite school for Britannians. Lelouch is Britannian, but has no love for Britannia. One day he gets mixed up in a terrorist plot and saves a girl who gives him the power of "Geass." His "Geass" is absolute order, and when used upon a person, that person is absolutely compelled to follow his order.

Lelouch decides to use this power to destroy Britannia. To start, he disguises himself and takes the leadership of one of the Japanese terrorist factions. Lelouch has a childhood friend, the son of the former Prime Minister of Japan, named Suzaku, who has decided that he wants to change Britannia from the inside by becoming an honorary citizen of Britannia, a position that doesn't grant the full rights of a Britannian, but it is better than being an 11. Suzuku, in every way, represents the good soldier, while Lelouch is a renegade. Stuff happens and Lelouch is forced to make some moral decisions and face the consequences of his decisions. How Lelouch conducts himself is the most interesting part of the show. We see the wheels turning in his head and we understand why he makes most of his decisions and are shocked at the realistic consequences of his decisions. This show holds no punches with the consequences, and that is why it's so shocking.

My husband and I were riveted to this show through all 26 episodes, wondering what was going to happen next and how Lelouch was going to get out of the tough situations presented. Lelouch is definitely a controversial character and if this were reality, his personality and actions would make for lengthy scholarly study and debate. 5/5 for another great anime series. I can't wait until season 2. And oh, BTW, it's a gundam anime!

This is also running as a manga series in "Asuka" magazine.