Celebrate Your Geekdom
from Mimoco:
MIMOBOT Twitter Contest — Alphabot. 26 Days of Saving & Playing. Just because our post Thanksgiving sales are over, doesn’t mean the fun is over! Introducing Alphabot. Everyday for the next 25 days, we’re giving away a MIMOBOT for up to 32 GB. Crazy huh? And everyone wins because winnable bots will also be on sale. So… WANNA PLAY?
from VIZ Media:
VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, will delight manga (graphic novel) art fans with the release of D.Gray-man Illustrations: Noche on December 6th. The new art book arrives just in time for the holidays and will carry an MSRP of $21.99 U.S. / $25.99 CAN.
Enter the lavish fictional 19th century world of D.Gray-man in this new collection featuring nearly 100 pages of full-color character art, magazine covers, and other original compositions by series creator Katsura Hoshino. Also featured are insightful Q&A’s between Hoshino and two manga creators that inspire her: Takeshi Obata, the artist behind Hikaru no Go, Bakuman, and the smash hit Death Note (all published in North America by VIZ Media); and Osamu Akimoto, whose manga series, Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Koen Mae Hashutsujo, has been serialized in the best-selling boy’s manga magazine in the world, Weekly Shonen Jump, for 35 years and remains the magazine’s longest-running manga series. D.Gray-man Illustrations: Noche also includes an exclusive, double-sided full-color poster.
Set in a fictional version of 19th century England, D.Gray-man (published by VIZ Media’s Shonen Jump Advanced imprint; rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens) is the story of Allen Walker, a 15-year-old boy who roams the earth in search of Innocence. Washed away to unknown parts of the world after The Great Flood, Innocence is the mysterious substance used to create weapons that obliterate demons known as akuma.
“D.Gray-man Illustrations: Noche is an ideal collection of the work of Katsura Hoshino, and shows off many of her most memorable characters from the hit series,” says Andy Nakatani, Editorial Director. “Fans can savor lush renderings of Allen Walker, Lenalee Lee, and the evil Millennium Earl and learn more about Hoshino’s background, influences and the evolution of D.Gray-man in an enlightening interview conducted by two of the biggest names in the manga world! This new release also makes a thoughtful gift for that special fan this holiday season.”
Born in 1980 in Japan’s Shiga Prefecture, Katsura Hoshino’s hit manga series D.Gray-man has been serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump since 2004. Her first series, Continue, debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump in 2003.
For more information on D.Gray-man, or other Shonen Jump titles from VIZ Media, please visit ShonenJump.viz.com.
News is just beginning to get out that one of my favorite authors, Anne McCaffrey has died. It is my personal belief that she played a massive role in creating the current fascination with, as well as the mythology for, dragons in contemporary literature. Even if you have never read her work, you have felt the impact of it, however unknowing.
I can remember reading the Dragonriders of Pern series when I was a child. Her writing played a large part in my falling in love with science fiction and fantasy novels. Because of authors like her and Piers Anthony, when other little girls were reading Sweet Valley High and Nancy Drew, I was poring over my dad’s collection of thousands of science fiction and fantasy novels, discovering classic authors like Edgar Rice Burroughs and H. Rider Haggard and contemporary authors such as Arthur C. Clark and L. Sprague DeCamp.
The literary world has suffered a great loss, but her influence will continue to live on for generations.
from Alpha Airlock:
The literary world has lost one of its greats. Anne McCaffrey, the author of nearly 100 science-fiction and fantasy books, died Nov. 21. She was 85.
Random House, her longtime publisher, confirmed her death to Media Bistro on Tuesday.
Reports are that McCaffrey suffered a stroke, and died peacefully in Ireland, which has been her home since 1970.
Born April 1, 1926 in Massachusetts, and began her writing career with the publishing of Restoree by Ballantine Books in 1967. However, she is best known for her Dragonriders of Pern series, which now counts 22 novels and several short stories. Some included her son Todd McCaffrey as an author as well.
Check out the full article published by Alpha Airlock.
from ThinkGeek:
Loosen your belt!
Are you ready for the long Thanksgiving weekend? We’ll be impatiently waiting for our bacon-wrapped bird to roast while lamenting that dual-wielding pickaxes in Skyrim doesn’t let us mine twice as fast. All this while wearing our comfy pants. It will be glorious!
To those who will brave the malls this weekend, we salute you. Good hunting! Ooh, and one last thing: don’t forget to enter our $1,000 shopping spree before 11/25/11!
Portal Turret LED Flashlight with Sound
“There you are!” If there’s one thing about turrets, it’s that they’re uncannily good at seeing things that are in front of them. And then riddling those things with holes. This tiny turret does not include working dual machine guns, but if you give it a squeeze, it’ll light up the dark places in your world with a bright LED and explode with sound effects straight from the Portal and Portal 2 games.
Take $10 Off – Happy TARDIS Day tomorrow!
We haven’t figured out a way to make your stomach bigger on the inside for Thanksgiving, but we do have a way to make your wallet bigger on the inside for acquiring some ThinkGeek loot this week! Use code TARDISDAY for $5 off $30+ or $10 off $50+ orders, good through 11:59pm ET 11/24/11.
Find more What’s New items at ThinkGeek!
from J!NX:
The inaugural Minecon is now past us, leaving portions of the Mandalay Bay Convention center in disarray, as though a herd of creepers came barreling through. Any of the 4500 attendees can tell you that it was an awesome two days of nothing but love for what is arguably the best indy game ever. For those who couldn’t make it out, though, we want to make sure that you can still get your hands on some of the items that debuted there. We’re not just talking tees, here, though we do have some of those. If Minecon was any indication, you need to get this new stuff quickly, because it’s sure to go fast.
Save 5% off your order of $30 or more
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Use Promotion Code: SAVINGTHROW
This offer expires Saturday, December 24, 2011 at 11:59PM PDT, so don’t wait!
*can’t be combined with any other offers, sale prices, or discounts
from VIZ Media:
VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has announced the availability of the acclaimed novel, Ten Billion Days and One Hundred Billion Nights, by author Ryu Mitsuse. The hardcover book is published by the company’s Haikasoru imprint and carries an MSRP of $25.99 U.S. / $29.99 CAN. The eBook edition is also available on the Amazon Kindle, the Nook, and Apple’s iBooks Store for $9.99.
Haikasoru publishes some of the most compelling contemporary Japanese science fiction and fantasy stories for English-speaking audiences, and is the first imprint based in the U.S. dedicated to Japanese science fiction and fantasy in translation.
In Ten Billion Days and One Hundred Billion Nights, the philosopher Plato, in his exploration of the ruins of the fabled city of Atlantis, travels through time and space to determine the secret history of the human race, encountering Christ, the Buddha, and other iconic religious figures on the way. This celebrated novel of philosophy and the future has been named the greatest Japanese science fiction novel of all time.
“Ten Billion Days and One Hundred Billion Nights won the title of the greatest Japanese science fiction title ever written in a 2006 poll by Science Fiction magazine,” says Nick Mamatas, Haikasoru’s Editor. “The novel, which comes with a striking glow-in-the-dark dust jacket, delivers a cosmic adventure in the style of Arthur C. Clarke, covering the evolution of humanity, the lives of some of history’s most iconic religious figures, a future techno-dystopia, and the very death of the universe itself. Originally published in 1967, author Ryu Mitsuse revised the novel in later years and republished it in 1973. We’re truly honored to finally release this masterpiece to North American readers.”
Born in Tokyo in 1928, Ryu Mitsuse graduated from Tokyo University of Education with a degree in the sciences, after which he took up the study of philosophy. He debuted with “Sunny Sea 1979” in 1962, and his work – which often combines Eastern philosophy and hard science fiction – includes Tasogare ni kaeru (Returns in the Twilight) and Ushinawareta toshi no kiroku (The Chronicle of a Lost City). Mitsuse made SF history when his short story “The Sunset, 2217 A.D.” was translated into English for inclusion in Best Science Fiction for 1972. With artist Keiko Takemiya, he created the manga Andromeda Stories. Ryu Mitsuse died in 1999.
For more information on Ten Billion Days and One Hundred Billion Nights and the Haikasoru imprint, please visit haikasoru.com.
from VIZ Media:
VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, has announced the release of the latest Bleach feature film – Bleach the Movie: Fade to Black. The movie is available on DVD and Blu-ray, is rated ‘T’ for Teens, and carries an MSRP of $19.98 for DVD (U.S. / CAN) and $24.98 for Blu-ray (U.S / CAN). Bleach the Movie: Fade to Black offers both English and Japanese dialogue options as well as bonus features including production art and the original theatrical trailers.
The film is also available for Download-to-Own (DTO) for only $9.99 and for Download-to-Rent (DTR) for only $4.99 from digital partners including on iTunes (iTunes.com), Amazon Instant Video, and ZuneR on Xbox LiveR. DTO and DTR availability for PlaystationRNetwork is forthcoming.
In this newest supernatural adventure, a strange disturbance in the World of the Living sends Ichigo and Kon to the Soul Society, where the Seireitei has been devastated by an explosion of reishi and Rukia is missing. Stranger still, none of the Soul Reapers remember Ichigo, and they think he’s the one responsible for the destruction. Now on the run, Ichigo is forced into a lonely battle in order to find Rukia and stop the real culprits!
The Bleach animated film and TV series are based on a smash hit manga (graphic novel) series created by Tite Kubo, and 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 a tremendously successful multimedia property internationally. The manga 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 been a sales hit and the popular animated series (both rated ‘T’ for Teens) is viewed weekly by millions in the United States and Canada. This success has further spawned an array of related video games, apparel, action figures, trading cards and other merchandise.
For more information on Bleach please visit bleach.viz.com.
from Mimoco:
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from Nintendo of Canada:
The most epic game Nintendo has ever produced is set to soar into stores. On November 20, Nintendo introduces The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword exclusively for the Wii home console. It’s a sweeping adventure that all players, regardless of the type of video games they play, will want to pick up. Critics are already lining up with their accolades: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword has earned perfect-10 reviews from leading outlets Game Informer and IGN.
“The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is a once-in-a-console-generation game,” said Ron Bertram, Nintendo of Canada’s vice-president and general manager. “This new adventure offers intense sword combat, engaging puzzles and a beautiful, stylized look. Once again, The Legend of Zelda franchise finds ways to surprise and challenge players.”
The world of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is expansive. The game takes players flying in the air, searching through dungeons and exploring on land. Players help heroic Link explore volcanoes, forests, deserts and the sky itself. The epic quest lays the foundation for the events in the critically acclaimed The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and marks a turning point for the franchise.
The game uses the motion controls of the Wii Remote Plus controller (or a Wii Remote controller with a Wii MotionPlus accessory) to immerse players in the action. Every motion, whether swinging the sword to fight enemies, tossing bombs or shooting arrows, feels natural and intuitive. Players must solve each battle by analyzing enemies’ attacks and defenses and coming up with effective countermeasures.
The game will be available at a suggested retail price of $49.99 in Canada. A limited-edition version will be offered at a suggested retail price of $69.99 in Canada, which includes a gold-coloured Wii Remote Plus controller.
As an additional treat for fans, every game in the initial production runs will include The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Special Orchestra CD at no extra charge. This special recording features 45 minutes of iconic music spanning the
25-year history of the Zelda franchise and offers fans who weren’t able to attend the sold-out Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Symphony concerts in Los Angeles, Tokyo and London an opportunity to hear some of the arrangements created for those shows.
Remember that Wii features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other Wii features, visit nintendo.com/wii.
For more information about The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, visit zelda.com/skywardsword.
from ThinkGeek:
Has it been that long?
We love bringing you snippets of geek history as part of our newsletters, but sometimes it makes us feel old. Can you believe that the movie Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was released exactly ten years ago today? ThinkGeek was just a wee handful of geeks and products back then.
But like young Harry, we’ve only grown more magical as the years have passed. Geeks don’t get old — we get awesome.
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Happy birthday to Shigeru Miyamoto, the man behind some of our most treasured video games! Without him, we wouldn’t have Mario, Donkey Kong, Zelda, or Star Fox. Celebrate his genius by picking up some old school gaming goodies with code MIYAMOTO for $5 off $25+ orders or $10 off $50+ orders, good through 11:59pm ET 11/19/11.
Find more What’s New items at ThinkGeek!
from HalloweenCostumes.com:
Looking for a way to make this holiday more memorable than the year that nana lost her hearing aid in the mashed potatoes? Thanksgiving costumes! HalloweenCostumes.com has a wide variety of costumes that will be sure to make your Thanksgiving event fun and unforgettable. Shop now to find the turkey, Native American, and pilgrim costumes perfect for your holiday event. You’ll be thankful that you did!
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from VIZ Media:
VIZ Media expands its November digital manga update even more with the latest announcement of a Bleach ‘Jump Ahead’ that will deliver 3 new volumes of the hit supernatural action saga throughout the month to users on VIZManga.com and for digital download on the VIZ Manga App for the Apple iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. This is part of a Shonen Jump Digital Warp, a speed-up of selected titles to bring U.S. readers up-to-date with Japanese releases and prepare for the launch of VIZ Media’s Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha on January 30, 2012. The new outlet will be North America’s only near-simultaneous digital manga magazine.
Bleach volumes available include (print editions forthcoming):
Bleach, Vol. 49 – available now!
Bleach, Vol. 50 – available November 21st
Bleach, Vol. 51 – available November 28th
Bleach Volume 49 jumps ahead to the latest story arc in Japan for the Bleach series. After the big battle, Ichigo finds himself without his Soul Reaper powers. Free from the rigors of defeating Hollows, he tries to settle back into a normal and peaceful life as a high school student. But inside Ichigo still burns with the desire to protect his friends, and when new enemies appear, Ichigo is powerless. However, he is soon approached by a mysterious man who offers to help Ichigo regain his lost powers…
The popular Bleach animated and manga series, created by Tite Kubo, follow 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 a tremendously successful multimedia property internationally. The manga 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 been a sales hit and the popular animated series (both rated ‘T’ for Teens) is viewed weekly by millions in the United States and Canada. This success has further spawned an array of related video games, apparel, action figures, trading cards and other merchandise.
VIZ Media’s digital manga platforms allow for universal access to read manga from an iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, and now, VIZManga.com for desktop/laptop computers and Android-powered devices with built-in web browsers. With one account, registered users may access their purchases across even more devices than ever.
The free VIZ Manga App continues to be the top app for reading manga on iOS devices and features a rapidly growing library of the most popular manga series in the world, currently offering over 45 series and almost 500 volumes, with new additions and free Chapter 1 previews added weekly.
For more information on Bleach please visit Bleach.viz.com.
For more information on VIZ Media digital manga, please visit VIZManga.com or VIZ.com/apps/.
For more information on the forthcoming Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha, please visit ShonenJump.viz.com.