Category: Arts & Culture

VIZ Media Announces the Premiere of the Latest Season of “Bleach” on Adult Swim

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 nationwide premiere of the latest season of Bleach on Adult Swim. The latest English-dubbed installment — Episode 168 — of the hit animated action series will air on August 28th. Check local times for availability (Bleach Show Schedule on Adult Swim).

In the newest season of Bleach, after Sosuke Aizen’s rebellion, Gin Ichimaru’s departure from the Soul Society left the captain’s post of Squad Three empty. Shusuke Amagai is appointed as the new captain much to the squad’s dismay. But over time, Shusuke proves himself to be a good leader and wins over the team with his ability and personality. Meanwhile, a mysterious girl named Rurichiyo Kasumiohji appears in Karakura Town. Rurichiyo is the princess of a noble family in the Soul Society and a target for assassination. Worried for her safety, Rurichiyo’s guardians ask Ichigo to become her bodyguard. With new faces in the mix, another spectacular battle is about to begin in the Soul Society!

“Bleach is a powerhouse property that delights millions of fans across North America each week, and we’re very pleased to have Adult Swim’s continued support for the series,” says Ken Sasaki, Senior Vice President & General Manager of VIZ Media. “Check out the newest adventures of the Soul Society in the launch of the riveting new story arc, and then stay tuned to Adult Swim for a new episode of the other hit VIZ Media anime series Kekkaishi that immediately follows!”

Bleach is a popular manga and animated series (both rated “T” for Teens), distributed domestically by VIZ Media, that follows the adventures of Ichigo, a 15-year old student with the ability to see ghosts. When his family is attacked by a Hollow — a malevolent lost soul — Ichigo encounters Rukia, a Soul Reaper, and inadvertently absorbs her powers. Now, he’s dedicating his life to protecting the innocent and helping tortured souls find peace.

Bleach is also a tremendously successful property internationally. The manga series, created by Tite Kubo, has been licensed to more than a dozen countries and has sold over 50 million copies in Japan alone. In North America, the manga has sold more than 2 million copies, and the dubbed version of the animated series is viewed weekly by millions in the United States and Canada on cable broadcast. This success has further spawned an array of related video games, apparel, action figures and other merchandise. The subtitled version of the anime can be viewed for free online anytime on VIZAnime.com.

More information on Bleach is available at Bleach.viz.com.

J!NX: Design Arcade Winners!

from J!NX:

New J!NX Classic Tee: Control Freak
For a gamer, control is key. In game and IRL, we don’t like anyone or anything to make a move that we did not plan for in advance. The more control you have, the more controllers you need, and that’s when things get tricky. One day, there will be one to rule them all… /shudderwithfearandlonging

New J!NX Classic Tee: Gamer Rage
We’ve all been there. It’s late. You’ve been gaming for hours, or maybe even days. You’re one boss-fight away from victory, and that boss simply will not die. There’s something wrong with the game. It’s a bug. It has to be a bug! Stupid Game!

The J!NX Design Arcade: Submit and Win!
Both of the designs we released this week were harvested from the lush, talent-rich Design Arcade, where J!NX minions (like Mephistoau and ste7en) can submit their art to be voted on by their peers and become immortalized on their very own J!NX T-shirt! Oh, and then there’s the cash prize that we award to those designs deemed worthy of printing. If you aren’t familiar with the Arcade, check out all the submissions here, and vote for your favorite. Don’t see anything you like? Then put your art where your mouth is and submit your own design here.

MIMOBOT designer USB flash drive Artist Series: tokidoki

Adios & Ciao Ciao by tokidoki

It’s pronounced mee-mo-bot.
Refresh. Enjoy. MIMOBOT!

Flash drives, while extremely useful, aren’t generally the most exciting looking pieces of technology. They’re usually just little lozenges of plastic in a limited selection of solid colours. In 2005, Mimoco changed the face of flash drives forever by introducing MIMOBOT, a line of designer USB flash drives. Inspired by pop culture, and borrowing from the idea of collectible toys, Mimoco turned flash drives from merely practical devices into a means of artistic expression.

MIMOBOT come in three categories: original characters created in-house by Mimoco, a series of collaborations with popular artists, and licensed brands. Currently, these categories include Mimoco’s Core Series, Artist Crossovers (such as FriendsWithYou and tokidoki), Community-Designed ‘bots contributed by talented MIMOBOT fans, and the hugely popular Licensed Crossovers, or “Artist Series”, that includes Hello Kitty and Mimoco’s most well-known output, the Star Wars MIMOBOT Series. There’s even a line of keychain “outfits”, called protoHoodies, that clip MIMOBOTs to bags or clothing while preventing wear to their painted cases.

As if having a beautiful computer accessory wasn’t enough, every MIMOBOT is preloaded with exclusive avatars, icons, wallpapers, screensavers, sound bytes, and other multimedia goodies, including the latest issue of Mimoco’s video publication, mimoZine. Since MIMOBOTs are compatible with Mac and Windows, their bonus contents come in formats for both systems. All drives are available in 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB sizes, and feature a tail light that flashes when the MIMOBOT is plugged in.

Aside from their unique appearance, the most interesting thing about MIMOBOTs is that they have a back-story, which claims that the flash drives are sentient creatures who hail from Planet Blõôh. The MIMOBOT designs are merely identities that they adopt on Earth to better enable them to infiltrate human society. One set of these disguises is provided by tokidoki.

Renowned Italian artist Simone Legno’s tokidoki brand is crossing over to the consumer tech world with the introduction of the tokidoki for MIMOBOT collection of designer USB flash drives, another entry in the MIMOBOT Artist Series. tokidoki, which means “sometimes” in Japanese, was named such because of Simone’s love for Japanese culture and his belief that “everyone waits for moments that change one’s destiny.” After his destiny-changing moment arrived in 2003, he went from being an artist who used his website to promote his freelance work to an artist who successfully built tokidoki into a world-famous international brand!

The tokidoki MIMOBOT collection was launched by a pair of tokidoki x MIMOBOT characters, Adios and Ciao Ciao, with the slogan Love is… in the Air:

As legend has it, Adios spent 500 years in fire and brimstone before the devil discovered his good-natured ways and kicked him out of hell. Too mischievous for heaven, Adios was condemned to live forever on earth, in his modern grave-loft with his girlfriend Ciao Ciao. Together, Adios and Ciao Ciao wander the world, sharing with others how to make the most out of this life… A perfect love story for fashion-tech lovers everywhere.

This gothic-anime duo, in a matching “his-and-hers” style for the tech crowd, ensures that couples won’t accidentally grab each other’s data. They make great little gifts for any romantically geeky occasion, and, like true love, will also withstand the test of time — MIMOBOT flash drive cases are made of a thick, sturdy, molded plastic, and the caps, while easy to remove, snap on firmly. The boldly coloured designs are cleanly applied, with no paint overlap or bleed, and Adios and Ciao Ciao’s silver and gold caps offer a hint of metallic flair. Bellissimo!

Transfer Rate: Hi-Speed USB 2.0 (backwards compatible with USB 1.1).

Mimoco encourages the recycling of their packaging and products, so check out the GreenBot USB Recycling Program (GURP). It offers discounts on future MIMOBOT purchases when you send in your old flash drives… assuming that you can bear to part with them. Even non-functional MIMOBOTs still have value as tiny works of art. This collectibility is really the only downside to MIMOBOTs, as soon you’ll have so many, you won’t know where to display them all. Then again, can a techno geek ever really have too many flash drives?

Order now at Amazon.com:
MIMOBOT

Or order directly through the Mimoco website.

MIMOBOTs and protoHoodies are distributed by Mimoco. For more information on tokidoki, please visit the official tokidoki website.

Looney Labs Releases “Back to the Future: The Card Game”

Back to the Future: The Card Game

from Looney Labs:

It’s been 25 years since Marty McFly strapped himself into a modified Delorean DMC-12 and traveled “Back to the Future” to 1955. Today, Looney Labs, creators of the run away hit card game Fluxx (a coincidental name but no relation to time travel), has created an exciting new card game based on the Back to the Future trilogy. The game is developed through a licensing agreement with Universal Partnerships & Licensing.

Back to the Future: The Card Game is based on all three movies and features an innovative take on traditional card games. One fourth of the cards in the deck are arranged on the table in a grid, forming a “Timeline” of events that functions similar to the gameboard of a board game.

Using a patented game mechanic (US Patent 6,474,650) the Timeline allows players to put themselves into the movie plot and rewrite movie history via time travel. Players take on the roles of future descendants of the characters in the films, who must protect their existence by making sure specific “Linchpin” events are put right.

The game is “pure genius!” says Stephen Clark, Back to the Future blogger. Clark provided expert input into the time of key events to keep them authentic to the story. “The level of detail that Looney Labs was able to pack into this game is incredible. They’ve put quite a unique spin on the timeless film series by making the goal of the game to be the first player to un-invent time travel.”

The game features spectacular new artwork by Derek Ring, noted for his excellent work on previous Looney Labs games including Zombie Fluxx and EcoFluxx.

Back to the Future: The Card Game goes on sale in game stores in the U.S., Canada, and the UK on September 3, 2010 just weeks ahead of the Blu-ray debut and DVD release of the Back to the Future 25th Anniversary Trilogy on October 26, featuring all-new restorations of the classic films.

About the Back to the Future Franchise:
From the Academy Award-winning filmmakers Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis comes Back to the Future — the original, groundbreaking adventure that sparked one of the most successful trilogies ever! Starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, the phenomenally popular Back to the Future films literally changed the future of the adventure movie genre. Powered by innovative special effects, unforgettable songs and non-stop action, Back to the Future is an unrivaled adventure that stands the test of time. Back to the Future immerses you in all the breathtaking action, groundbreaking comedy and sheer movie-making magic of one of the most brilliantly inventive, wildly entertaining motion picture triumphs in Hollywood history!

About Looney Labs:
Based in College Park, Maryland, Looney Labs designs, produces, and markets award winning specialty card and board games. Founded in 1996 by Andy and Kristin Looney, both former NASA engineers, Looney Labs proudly manufactures all of their games in the USA. The Looneys believe that one of the most important things they create is the fun people have while playing their games. To learn more about Looney Labs and to see a complete listing of all their games visit looneylabs.com.

Looney Labs games are for sale in thousands of specialty game stores around the world. To find a Friendly Local Game Store near you visit roster.looneylabs.com and enter your zip code.

VIZ Media Announces Encore Broadcasts of “Bleach” Feature Films on Adult Swim

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Media has announced special encore presentations of two Bleach animated feature films — Bleach the Movie: Memories of Nobody and Bleach the Movie 2: The DiamondDust Rebellion (both rated “T” for Teens) — on Saturday, August 14th on Adult Swim. Check local times for availability and airtimes (Bleach Show Schedule on Adult Swim).

Based on the wildly popular animated series and best-selling Bleach manga series, created by Tite Kubo (both distributed and published in North America by VIZ Media, and rated “T” for Teens), Bleach the Movie: Memories of Nobody begins as unidentified beings known as “Blanks” start popping up. They are soon followed by a Soul Reaper named Senna who makes them disappear. Puzzled by these unknown beings and the even more mysterious girl, Ichigo and Rukia set out to learn more, but uncover an evil plot when a menacing clan tries to kidnap Senna. Banished from the Soul Society long ago, the clan’s leader has sent the World of the Living and the Soul Society on a collision course, and Senna seems to be the key to his diabolical plot for revenge. Can Ichigo and his fellow Soul Reapers save the two worlds from annihilation?

Bleach the Movie 2: The DiamondDust Rebellion continues the action-packed adventures of Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki. After the treasured Ouin is stolen, Toshiro Hitsugaya disappears and becomes suspected of treason. When the Soul Society calls for his capture and execution, Substitute Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki vows to prove Hitsugaya’s innocence. Will the secret of the Ouin and Captain Hitsugaya’s motives be revealed before his honor, his life, and the Soul Society are destroyed?

The Bleach manga and animated series follows the adventures of Ichigo, a 15-year old student with the ability to see ghosts. When his family is attacked by a Hollow — a malevolent lost soul — Ichigo encounters Rukia, a Soul Reaper, and inadvertently absorbs her powers. Now, he’s dedicating his life to protecting the innocent and helping tortured souls find peace.

Bleach animation can be viewed on Adult Swim and also through a variety of web-based video download and streaming outlets that have partnered with VIZ Media, including iTunes, Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, Amazon, and Hulu. To view subtitled Bleach animated episodes for free online anytime, please visit VIZAnime.com.

More information on Bleach is available at Bleach.viz.com.

Star Wars MIMOBOT Series 6 is here — Yoda, Luke & more! Also, watch the Wampa Attacks video!

from Mimoco:

NEW! Star Wars MIMOBOT Series 6!
Mimoco Releases Star Wars MIMOBOT Series 6 at Star Wars Celebration V

The four new characters — Yoda, Hoth Luke, Wampa and Snowtrooper — and the joint 2010 San Diego Comic-Con and Celebration V exclusive, Lobot, are devoted to Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary. At Celebration V, the new ‘bots will be featured at Mimoco’s booth, #312. Come see us! Buy Now!

Video Premiere: Wampa Attack!
In observation of the 30th anniversary of arguably the “best” Star Wars movie, The Empire Strikes Back, we’ve recreated a lost gem — the infamous “Wampa Attack” Deleted Scene now starring MIMOBOTs. We hope you like it!
Star Wars Deleted Scene: Wampas Attack

FREE Shipping on orders over $75*! Click here for more info.

Shinigami Death Gods and the Hunt for a Serial Killer Conspire in New Blue-ray “Death Note Collection”

from VIZ Media:

VIZ Pictures, an affiliate of VIZ Media, LLC that focuses on Japanese live-action film distribution, will debut the Blu-ray Death Note Collection on August 24th, 2010. The 3-disc set includes 2 feature films — Death Note and Death Note II: the Last Name — as well as a bonus disc containing more than two hours of all new behind-the-scenes footage. Both films feature Japanese audio with English subtitles as well as an English dubbed dialogue track. MSRP for the Death Note Collection is $39.98 U.S. / $57.99 CAN.

To celebrate the new release, VIZ Pictures will hold a special screening of both films at VIZ Cinema, located inside NEW PEOPLE in San Francisco’s Japantown (1746 Post St., San Francisco, California 94115) on Saturday, September 4th. Death Note plays at 12:00 noon and Death Note II screens at 2:30pm. Special combo tickets are available for $35.00 and include passes for the screenings, the Blu-ray release and a poster. Regular combo tickets are $15.00 for tickets for both shows (no Blu-ray or poster), while general admission for one screening is $10.00. Tickets and information are available at vizcinema.com.

As a special offer to U.S. and Canadian Death Note fans, VIZ Pictures will award three lucky winners posters for Death Note and Death Note II along with an autograph from one of the three lead actors — Tatsuya Fujiwara (who played Light), Erika Toda (Misa) and actor Kenichi Matusyama (L/Ryuzaki), one of the most promising actors in Japan, who can also be seen in films such as NANA (2006), Linda Linda Linda (2005) and Detroit Metal City (2008). The campaign runs until September 24th. For more details about the campaign, visit viz-pictures.com.

“Death Note is an intense psychological crime thriller and we’re very proud to debut both films in a special new collection on Blu-ray,” says Seiji Horibuchi, President and CEO of VIZ Pictures. “Death Note established a new benchmark for Japanese anime, manga, and film and we invite domestic fans to savor all the tension and imaginative supernatural drama of this exciting new release from VIZ Pictures!”

Death Note is a battle of wits based on the acclaimed manga series written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata (published in North America by VIZ Media, rated “T+” for Older Teens). Law student Light is upset with the justice system and when he finds the Death Note dropped by a Shinigami death god, he vows to rid the world of evil. Any human whose name is written in the notebook dies. As criminals all over the world begin to perish mysteriously, a world-renowned detective known only as “L” is put on the case to stop this serial killer that the public calls “Kira”. The battle between Light and L continues in Death Note II: the Last Name as Light joins the investigation team. L suspects Light of being Kira while Light attempts to learn L’s real name. Time becomes even more crucial with the appearance of a second Kira. Whose name will be the last written in the Death Note?

For more information on Death Note or other VIZ Pictures titles, please visit viz-pictures.com.

Max Headroom: The Complete Series

from Shout! Factory:

The ubiquitous, outrageous icon Max Headroom is baaack!

Max Headroom: The Complete Series
Starring Matt Frewer, Amanda Pays, W. Morgan Sheppard and Jeffrey Tambor

Featuring Eye-Popping Limited-Edition 3-D Lenticular Packaging, This Long-Awaited Collectible 5-DVD Box Set is Packed with All 14 Original Enthralling Episodes and Bountiful Bonus Content

Own it on DVD!
In Stores Nationwide August 10 from Shout! Factory

In the futuristic world of computers and fantasy, anything is possible, including the rise of the opinionated, computer-simulated multimedia personality Max Headroom. A pervasive pop culture icon, Max Headroom heralded the coming of trans-media age like a mad prophet of the airwaves, bolstered by his own international talk show, music video, countless major brand endorsement, merchandising and TV series. The landmark 1980s TV satire Max Headroom explored the television industry through the unique view of a sci-fi lens, featuring quirky visuals and adventurous, timely plotlines. One of the first TV series aimed at the video/computer generation, the critically acclaimed Max Headroom, starring Matt Frewer, W. Morgan Sheppard, Jeffrey Tambor and Amanda Pays, found instant fan support from the moment it debuted on ABC in 1987. Never mind Broadcast News or Network: it was Max Headroom taking on the truth about TV, in what was then an unthinkable 4,000 channel universe, where television sets are never turned off and cameras watch you everywhere.

For a long time, fans have been anticipating the home entertainment debut of the show critics called the first cyberpunk series. On August 10, 2010, Shout! Factory, in association with Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., will unleash Max Headroom: The Complete Series in a collectible 5-DVD box set featuring all 14 episodes and a payload of exclusive bonus features that reveal the genesis, life and afterlife of the series with all-new interviews featuring the cast and creative team! A must-have for collectors and loyal fans, this deluxe DVD box set is further sparkled with a visually stunning 3-D lenticular exterior packaging and is priced to own at $49.97 SRP.

Extensive DVD Bonus Features Include:
• Live on Network 23: The Story of Max Headroom — Co-creators/directors Annabel Jankel and Rocky Morton, co-creator George Stone, executive producer Peter Wagg, producer Brian Frankish and writers Steve Roberts and Michael Cassutt share their stories behind the British movie and American TV series that created an icon.
• Looking Back at the Future — An intimate roundtable discussion with Amanda Pays, Jeffrey Tambor, Concetta Tomei and Chris Young, moderated by Max Headroom superfan and creator of The Middleman Javier Grillo-Marxuach.
• The Big-Time Blanks — Morgan Sheppard and Concetta Tomei reflect on Max Headroom and the friendship that has endured over the 20+ years since the series’ cancellation.
• The Science Behind the Fiction — Co-creator George Stone reveals his own philosophies and technology’s role in the creation of Max Headroom.
• Producing Dystopia — Producer Brian Frankish recounts the chaotic and rewarding task of producing a series set 20 Minutes into the Future.
• The Writers Remember — Executive story editor Steve Roberts and story editor Michael Cassutt share their stories of writing for the world’s first computer-generated TV star.

And just who exactly is Max Headroom? The answer starts with Edison Carter (Matt Frewer), a no-nonsense star reporter for Network 23. He has a talent for digging up a deadly secret that could shake up his station’s dominion over its viewers. This is just the kind of breaking news that network big wheels like to bury.

After Edison is pulled from a story, he’s immediately suspicious, especially when he’s also chased away from a secret room. Escaping from the scene, he crashes his motorcycle, and Network 23’s one-man tech department/teenage computer hacker Bryce Lynch (Chris Young) takes advantage of Edison’s misfortune. Bryce creates a computer-generated image of the unconscious reporter, and the cyber-result is a freewheeling personality who calls himself Max Headroom (“Max. Headroom. 2.7 m.” — the maximum clearance vehicle height — were the last words Edison glimpsed before his crash into a road barrier.).

The brash Max is also portrayed by Frewer, thanks to cutting-edge computer effects, and is an unpredictable, darkly humorous guy — who resides in a TV set, of course! A computer glitch provides his distinctive, sometimes s-s-s-stammering speech pattern. He serves as Edison’s unfiltered, outspoken alter ego, who makes no secret of his contempt for the TV business. Even as Edison recovers and continues his investigative journalistic quest, Max remains an unhinged presence, always ready with a quip that hits home. ”You know how to tell when a network president is lying?” asks Max. ”His lips move.”

The series also starred Amanda Pays as Theora Jones, Edison’s computer-savvy partner; W. Morgan Sheppard as “Blank Reg,” a buddy who broadcasts underground news from his bus; and Jeffrey Tambour as Murray, Edison’s harried, neurotic boss. Pays, Sheppherd and Frewer reprised their roles from the British film that inspired the series: Max Headroom: 20 Minutes into the Future. The series first appeared on ABC as a mid-season replacement in 1987, and quickly became a hit, returning in the fall and airing until 1988.

With a fast-paced irreverence and witty writing, the show delved into all aspects of the television business, from political advertising to televangelism, news coverage and the ratings game — all laced with a cynically comic edge. Max, the first computer-enhanced celebrity, was the undisputed star of the innovative but short-lived series.

A sci-fi program like no other, Max Headroom gazed into the not-too-distant future, and found that, surprise, the future is now!

Max Headroom is a production of Chrysalis/Lakeside in association with Lorimar Telepictures.

Get your Reefer Madness tickets early for a chance to win a RiffTrax iPad!

from RiffTrax:

Buy your tickets early for a chance to win this iPad!

We’ll pick one winner from anyone who has purchased advance tickets (either online or at the box office)! The person we choose will get this exclusive, one-of-a-kind iPad engraved with art, specially drawn for us by Ethan Nicolle, co-creator of Axe Cop!

To enter: simply buy your tickets BEFORE the day of the show. (We need to choose a winner before the guys go onstage!) Then email us some kind of proof — a picture of you with the ticket, or a confirmation email from Movietickets.com (or Fandango) to ipad@rifftrax.com. You must do so by 11:59pm Pacific Time on 8/18 (the day before the live show) in order to be eligible.

For more information, visit here.

Check Out What’s New for Celebration V This Week

from StarWars.com:

Only 1 Week Left Until Star Wars Celebration V!

Where is My Badge?
If you are within the United States and purchased your Celebration V badge(s) prior to July 18, 2010 you will receive your badge in the mail by August 6. Please note: Badges have mailed in batches. They will not arrive on the same day for everyone. If you do not receive your badge by Friday, August 6, please contact our client services department at 888-334-8719. If you are outside of the United States, your badge will not be mailed in advance of the event and must be picked up onsite at Level 1, B Lobby of the Orange County Convention Center upon your arrival.

Where Do I Pick-Up My Pre-Ordered Merchandise?
If you purchased a Limited Edition Star Wars Celebration V t-shirt or Commemorative Guide online in advance of the event, it will not be mailed. You must bring your confirmation number to the Official Celebration Show Store onsite (in the back of the exhibit hall) where you will receive your pre-ordered merchandise. If you weren’t so lucky and didn’t get a chance to purchase online, be sure to stop by the Official Celebration Show Store — don’t wait, onsite quantities and sizes are limited, these t-shirts will sell out! Still haven’t purchased your Commemorative Guide? It’s not too late to pre-order, order online before THIS Friday, August 6 to guarantee you receive the Collector’s Edition Commemorative Guide onsite. Buy now!

Official Show Hours and Parking Information
Show Hours
Thursday, August 12: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday, August 13: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday, August 14: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday, August 15: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Star Wars Celebration’s Exhibition Hall and other exhibits close nightly at 7 PM (and 5 PM on Sunday), but select panels, screenings, and special events will go on later.

Star Wars Celebration V is located at:
Orange County Convention Center*
9800 International Drive (West Building)
Orlando, Florida 32819
*Note: The Orange County Convention Center will not open for Celebration V until August 12 at 6 AM. Fans that arrive prior to this time, will not be permitted inside the convention center.

Parking is available at the designated parking lots. Shuttles will be provided from the Orange County Convention Center owned and operated lots only. This shuttle schedule will be available onsite. Click here for directions and designated parking locations. Star Wars Celebration V will offer attendees free shuttle service between the Orange County Convention Center and select hotels in the official room block. Click here for the shuttle service schedule. Please note: Times and schedules are subject to change. Please check back closer to the show.

Planning Your Time at Celebration V
Be sure to utilize the My Show Agenda Planner — The best way to get organized for the show. Start researching which exhibitors you need to see, and save yourself and your feet many steps in the process. Navigate the show floor, schedule show-related appointments and save it all under your profile by using the My Show Agenda Planner. Get started now!

Download Star Wars Celebration Mobile App!
Keep the website close at hand when you visit Celebration V with the iPhone or Android Celebration app! Complete program schedule and Exhibitor list is now available! Download the FREE Star Wars Celebration V Mobile App today!

Important Information About the Main Event
This event is free with admission to Star Wars Celebration V — no additional tickets are required — but the event is first come, first served. The hour-long interview between comedian Jon Stewart and Star Wars creator George Lucas will happen on Saturday, August 14 on the Celebration Main Stage, (Chapin Theater) inside the Orange County Convention Center. Because we want as many fans as possible to enjoy The Main Event as it happens, we have created a wrist band entry system. One wristband will be given out per attendee beginning at 6 AM on Saturday, August 14. We are unable to provide additional wristbands to attendees who wish to provide them later to family or friends who have not yet arrived. Please read this FAQ and prepare to make the most of this historic event!

Join the Bounty Hunt
Ever wanted to be a bounty hunter? Think you’re as good as Boba Fett, Bossk or Cad Bane? The Bounty Hunters Guild is looking for the smartest and quickest trackers at Star Wars Celebration V to compete in one of its Bounty Hunt challenges! Three different Bounty Hunt competitions will be offered at Celebration V: Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. The Bounty Hunt is open to all Celebration V participants, but spots are limited to 100 teams per race. Visit the Bounty Hunt registration desk on-site, booth #1526, to sign up. Click here for more information on the Bounty Hunt at Celebration V!

Milky Way and the Galaxy Girls: Chibi Contest Winners Announced

from Milky Way and the Galaxy Girls:

Congratulations go to recruits Lilith Romig of Pottstown, PA; Ashley Thornton of Dover, NJ; and Lori Francz of Eden, NY!

These MWGG Space Cadets are the winners of the Milky Way Polar Fleece Chibi Contest! The Chibis have been shipped out at warp speed, and should be docking into their new homes shortly. Thanks again to everyone who entered.

Missed out on the contest? Bummed out you didn’t win? Well don’t get too bummed. More Interstellar Contests will be coming your way soon. So keep checking back to the website and the blog for more contests, updates on the gGirls, and all that encompasses the ever expanding Girlaxy.

Over and Out!

Mother Earth

MIMOBOT Celebrates Sanrio’s 50th Anniversary Plus Inside Peek at Puroland!

from Mimoco:

Six new characters join the MIMOBOT family,
sharing in SANRIO’s small gift, big smile philosophy

Mimoco will help SANRIO celebrate its 50th anniversary with the introduction of new SANRIO characters to the MIMOBOT collection. Available now, Mimoco proudly introduces SANRIO characters — My Melody, Chococat and TuxedoSam as MIMOBOT flash drives. My Melody was born in the forest of Mari Land and is one of SANRIO’s most popular vintage characters. Also new to the line is Chococat, who gets his name from his chocolate-colored nose. This little boy cat has antenna whiskers, making him ultrasensitive to your most important data. Rounding out the new SANRIO MIMOBOTs available in August is TuxedoSam, the bow-tie wearing penguin who is fluent in both Penguinese and English.

Video Premiere: Inside Puroland!
And to celebrate Sanrio’s historic anniversary, we sent mimoZine to Puroland — Sanrio’s famous and surreal theme park outside Tokyo. A place of magic that is rarely seen by Westerners. Enjoy! WATCH NOW!

FREE Shipping on orders over $75*! Click here for more info.