Celebrate Your Geekdom
from The Legend of Neil:
Neil lovers, the fun continues as Neil enters the store and finds much more danger than he bargained for! Check out the second episode here! Catch up on the first episode if you haven’t caught it yet (is that even possible?!) For up-to-the-second reports, contests and other goodies be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or RSS. Oh and buy an official Legend of Neil t-shirt. It goes a long way to helping us get you more of what you love, more Neil!
from VIZ Pictures:
NEW PEOPLE, a dynamic entertainment destination bringing the latest examples of Japanese popular culture to North American shores, announces its Grand Opening next Saturday, August 15th.
Thousands will gather in the heart of San Francisco’s Japantown for a day-long celebration that begins at 11:00am with a ribbon cutting ceremony and a traditional Kagami-wari (breaking of a sake barrel for good luck) at the building’s entrance located at 1746 Post Street.
A variety of fun Japanese pop-inspired events including fashion shows, a film premiere, live art performances, and mini-concerts by some of Japan’s hottest punk and alternative bands are scheduled throughout the day both inside NEW PEOPLE, and also at the adjacent Peace Plaza and areas in between. Innovative companies from the Bay area and Japan will exhibit an array of products for sale in open air displays on both sides of Post Street. A food court will further complement the celebration with delicious Japanese cuisine. The event is free to the public.
“There has never been a venue of this type before outside Japan and we will become a unique cultural and entertainment outlet unlike any other in the country,” says Seiji Horibuchi, the founder/CEO of VIZ Pictures as well as the J-pop Center Project. “Our Grand Opening celebration will give visitors a sample of pure Japanese pop culture in a variety of forms and we invite San Francisco and the world to join in the fun, celebrate our launch, and explore all NEW PEOPLE has to offer!”
Yoshitaka Amano Exclusive Exhibition Opening
Famed artist Yoshitaka Amano makes a rare U.S. appearance to personally open NEW PEOPLE’s SUPERFROG Gallery with his newest exhibit, DEVA LOKA USA. Amano is renowned for designing the characters for the hit video game, Final Fantasy, as well as for anime films including Vampire Hunter D, Guin Saga, Final Fantasy, and Front Mission. His new exhibit was created especially for the gallery as an ode to his childhood love for American comics, culture and automobiles. For more information, visit superfroggallery.com. Yoshitaka Amano hosts an insightful panel discussion at 12:00pm on the Main Stage in front of NEW PEOPLE with a rare autograph opportunity scheduled from 4:00-5:00pm.
Special Movie Premiere Event
VIZ Cinema, which is located in the basement of NEW PEOPLE, invites visitors to the country’s first movie theatre with a dedicated Japanese film program and will cap off the day’s celebrations with the San Francisco premiere of 20th Century Boys, a stirring action film based on the smash hit manga comic by Naoki Urasawa. The 143-seat subterranean theatre features plush seating, digital as well as 35mm projection, and a THX-certified sound system.
Gothic And Lolita Extravaganza
The influence of Japanese Harajuku fashion is undeniable and NEW PEOPLE welcomes four edgy labels from Tokyo’s hippest fashion district — Baby, the Stars Shine Bright, Black Peace Now, 6%DOKIDOKI and SOU • SOU; each opens its own brand boutique on the building’s second floor. Visitors are invited to explore all of the designs and accessories from four of Japan’s hottest labels and catch a special Gothic & Lolita Fashion Show presented by Baby, the Stars Shine Bright and Black Peace Now on the Main Stage in front of NEW PEOPLE at 1:30pm.
Harajuku Kawaii Makeover
Other couture fun continues at the Harajuku Kawaii Experience at Peace Plaza, located just adjacent to NEW PEOPLE. A Harajuku fashion makeover contest is scheduled for 12:00pm and will award a free trip to Tokyo, Japan to the lucky winner who will be transformed into the most convincing Harajuku girl. Finalists’ fashion show and announcement of the award will take place at 3:00-4:00pm. Appearing at 4:15 will be OMODAKA, a duo that offers an ambient and ethereal sound-mixing Minyo (Japanese traditional-flavored folk music) and electronic music, and a special performance art dance piece by fashion label 6%DOKIDOKI. A Harajuku Kawaii-themed dance party will continue in the plaza from 5:00-6:00pm.
Japan Nite Special: Girls Rock Explosion
NEW PEOPLE, in co-sponsorship with MTV Iggy and Japan Airlines, also presents the Japan Nite Special: Girls Rock Explosion! as part of the first annual 2009 J-Pop Summit Festival, also in Peace Plaza. A special mini-concert begins at 12:45pm and features the punk and alternative rock sounds of TsuShiMaMiRe, Red Bacteria Vacuum, and Noodles.
A second full-set show is scheduled at Yoshi’s S.F., the U.S.’s largest Jazz club / Japanese Restaurant, located near Japantown, on August 16th at 8:00 p.m. Tickets: $10 at the door. Tickets are now available at http://yoshis.com/sanfrancisco/.
Yuichi Yokoyama’s Art performance and Autograph Session
Yuichi Yokoyama, the Eisner Award-nominated creator of New Engineering and Travel, illustrated the abstract faces that adorn the manga balloon inspired interior walls of NEW PEOPLE: The Store, which is located on the mezzanine level and was designed to be not only a retail space, but also a giant art installation. NEW PEOPLE: The Store offers a fantastic selection of carefully selected Japanese products that include apparel, accessories, books, toys, DVDs, music, and design items for the home and office. Yuichi Yokoyama will have a live painting performance at 12:00 pm at the corner of Post and Buchanan Streets, within the same block as the NEW PEOPLE building. Also he appears for the special autograph session at NEW PEOPLE: The Store at 3:00-4:00pm.
NEW PEOPLE offers the latest films, art, fashion and retail brands from Japan and is the creative vision of the J-Pop Center Project and VIZ Pictures, a distributor and producer of Japanese live action film. Located at 1746 Post Street, the 20,000 square foot structure features a striking 3-floor transparent glass facade that frames a fun and exotic new environment to engage the imagination into the 21st Century. A dedicated web site is also now available at: NewPeopleWorld.com.
Made in Switzerland of Aluminum and containing our special SIGG liner, this bottle is 100% BPA free — even the cap, and every piece of plastic that goes into making the cap is BPA free (as will all SIGG bottles and tops). This fun bottle features our Space Robot design, is .4 Liters and is one of our best sellers in the kids department.
Our SIGG SHARKY GLOW .6L size reusable water bottle! This bottle is BLACK with white Shark design and features a glow in the dark cap. As with all of our Aluminum bottles, this .6 liter reusable water bottle is made with love in Switzerland and features SIGG’s exclusive liner that will not leach any harmful metals or chemicals into your beverage. You drink pure when you drink from SIGG. Why are SIGGs SUPERIOR to any other bottle on the market today? Check out our SIGG FAQ page and find out! See the FAQ for care and use instructions too!
Order directly through the SIGG website, or buy at Amazon.com and select retailers.
It’s finally here!
Now available for pre-order on Amazon: Farscape: The Complete Series on DVD.
List Price: $149.95
Amazon’s Price: $104.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping.
You Save: $44.96 (30%)
Order now!
You’ll be ready to protect the world from evil in this sexy superhero ensemble. It starts off with an underwired bra top made of the sparkliest red fabric trimmed with gold faux leather. An adjustable halter strap keeps everything in place. The box pleated star-spangled hipster wrap skirt attaches with Velcro at the golden waistband. Gold-colored garter straps end in red satin bows. The matching red cape with suspender grips attaches to the bra straps and can be removed when you are not flying. Impressive gold star buttons add the perfect touch throughout this costume. A “Wonderful” matching headband adds just the right POW! to this fantasy outfit.
Order directly through the LoveFifi.com website.
Come see Cinematic Titanic Live! For more info visit Live Tour.
Violet
Official Nabaztag Website
Adopt a Rabbit
This gifted robot moves his ears, speaks 36 languages, reads, listens, his body lights up and he even detects the presence of other objects (by sniffing them). As he is permanently connected to the Internet, he can act, react, transmit or broadcast many types of content available over his network, news, messages, music, text, alerts, radio, etc.
He can hear you, obey your commands and even recognize things you give him to sniff.
Reading out books, or interacting with objects thus ushering in the pioneering of the RFID revolution are new skills Nabaztag:tag has acquired, adding to his multiple existing talents.
When connected to the Internet this marvellous Rabbit has infinite potential.
The first Nabaztag was born in 2005. He has since become an Icon for the new era of the Internet of Things.
from StarWars.com:
There is one week left to go in the Empire Muggs Back charity auction — a chance for you to score a fanastic one-of-a-kind piece of Star Wars art, while also helping out The Make-a-Wish Foundation.
Artists, comic book creators, toy designers, and celebrity fans have used their markers, paint brushes and glue guns to transform blank versions of Hasbro’s distinctive Mighty Muggs toys into unique pieces of Star Wars art.
These highly-collectible urban vinyl toys have been available in a variety of characters from Star Wars and Indiana Jones, among other comic book and film franchises. For this special project, called The Empire Muggs Back, Lucasfilm asked popular artists, comics book creators, toy designers and celebrity fans to take blank Mighty Muggs (donated by Hasbro) and transform them into their favorite Star Wars characters, scenes, ships and more.
“StarWars.com wanted to show off the talents of artists and fans, who represent a wide-range of artistic disciplines, in an unique way while raising money for a good cause we have long supported,” said Bill Gannon, Director of Online Operations at Lucasfilm Ltd.
Among the artists contributing to the project is Supervising Director of The Clone Wars animated series, Dave Filoni. “I have met several Make-A-Wish families due to my involvement in The Clone Wars and I have seen first-hand what a difference a little kindness can make for people,” he said. “It is a great privilege to get to be involved in a project like this, which combines my love of Star Wars with helping others. It’s the Jedi way after all.”
Over 60 one-of-a-kind customized Mighty Muggs toys are up for auction through August 14. To find out more about this project as well as see all the pieces and enter the auction, visit StarWars.com’s page dedicated to The Empire Muggs Back here.
Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. The Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 65 chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish every 40 minutes and has granted more than 180,000 wishes in the United States since inception. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit http://wish.org. To give to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and help courageous children experience their most heartfelt wishes, please visit our Giving Section.
from Weta:
Hey Weta fans,
This time I would like to draw your attention to a beautiful trailer for Peter Jackson’s upcoming movie The Lovely Bones. Weta helped out with design and specialty props as well as digital visual effects for the movie. We’re really looking forward to the release of the movie in December. See the trailer here! Enjoy!
In the News:
We are incredibly proud and pleased to finally be “back in Middle-earth” again and we’re full of anticipation of exciting times ahead. So, without further ado, we declare our range of Miniature Shields from The Lord of the Rings open for Pre-order!
New Products:
Running Out:
The Dragon’s Gold has been found!
The Hunt for Dragon’s Gold at Comic-Con was a race down to the wire. In fact, it was so close, it was a dead heat. The two winners were Jared Sarajian and Jeff Cox. The hunt was announced by Richard Taylor at the panel organized by our good friends at TORn (theonering.net). It took them just 45 minutes to decipher the series of clues placed around the Convention Hall. Read more!
This is how you find us online!
http://fans.wetaNZ.com/Magnus/ | Twitter: @wetaworkshop | Facebook: Weta Workshop
from The Guild:
We’ve been very busy since Comic-Con getting Season 3 ready for launch, but we wanted to catch up anyone who didn’t manage to meet us down there on what happened!
First, we had a booth and met probably thousands of fans over the weekend! Thanks to each and every person who stopped by the booth or waited patiently in line to meet us, we were overwhelmed with all the support! Web video is hard work with low pay, so meeting fans is the thing that gets us through the solitary-behind-the-computer months. We met tons of people; check out lots of awesome photos in our Flickr Guild Group.
Xbox, our sponsor, treated us to a party on Thursday night with Beatles Rock Band and 50 lucky fans who completed our scavenger hunt got to attend with us! It was a very fun “easter egg” evening.
Next, we had a completely sold-out crowd for our Friday Morning panel, where we screened our bonus Music Video and Episode 1 of Season 3. We surprised attendees with appearing IN OUR AVATAR COSTUMES. 😀 It was quite a thrill for us and we know the audience enjoyed it! Also, we revealed that Wil Wheaton will be appearing as a Guest Star in Season 3, and there will be a Guild Comic being made with Dark Horse Comics so it was an hour full of surprises. We wish every single one of our fans could have been there with us.
Here are links to The Guild Panel (minus the two videos screening) in 6 parts!
Panel Part 1
Panel Part 2
Panel Part 3
Panel Part 4
Panel Part 5
Panel Part 6
All of us had a fantastic time in San Diego, but we’re already back to work! We’re launching our Music Video, “Do You Wanna Date My Avatar” on Xbox Live Monday, August 10th, and excitingly the video will go everywhere on the 17th, embeddable and purchasable as a video and a song! After that, Season 3 will launch to Gold Xbox members on August 25th and then on MSN/Zune on the 1rst of September, rolling out every week throughout the fall. We hope you enjoy, it’s gonna be a bigger season that we’ve ever tried before!
Also, we have more convention appearances lined up in the coming weeks, so subscribe to our RSS, fan us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to stay up to date! 🙂
from VIZ Media:
VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced the release of Ooku: The Inner Chambers, Fumi Yoshinaga’s historical manga epic set in an alternate version of Edo-era Japan. Ooku, which will be released under the company’s VIZ Signature imprint on August 8th, is rated “M” for Mature Audiences and will carry an MSRP of $12.95 U.S. / $15.00 CAN.
In Edo period Japan (1603 to 1868), a strange new disease called the Redface Pox has begun to prey on the country’s men. Within eighty years of the first outbreak, the male population has fallen to a quarter of the total female population. Women have taken on all the roles traditionally granted to men, even that of the Shogun. The men, precious providers of life, are carefully protected and the most beautiful of the men are sent to serve in the Shogun’s Inner Chambers.
Fumi Yoshinaga is a Tokyo-born manga creator who debuted in 1994 with The Moon and the Sandals. Her series Ooku: The Inner Chambers has received numerous prestigious awards, including the 2009 Osamu Tezuka Cultural Prize and the 2006 Japan Media Arts Festival Excellence Award. Fumi Yoshinaga was also nominated in the United States in 2008 for the Eisner Award for Best Writer/Artist.
“Ooku: The Inner Chambers is an acclaimed story that blends science fiction themes with strong female characters and will captivate readers with a mix of historical drama and royal intrigue,” says Gonzalo Ferreyra, Vice President Sales & Marketing, VIZ Media. “Incorporating the richly detailed history of Edo era Japan, Ooku presents a unique portrayal and examination of gender roles in Japanese society. The series was a commercial as well as a critical success in Japan and we look forward to the readers in the US and Canada discovering this unique story.”