Walking Dead Season 3 Teaser

I've been a terrible blogger this week. So while I finish my current projects at work, have a teaser image from The Walking Dead season 3.



Take what you want from this picture. Rick didn't have that gun before and it that a silencer or is it something else? I don't think the prison has any worn down wooden doors, but then again this isn't the same prison from the comic. Rick is also is pointing the gun at someone or something and not the owener of the shoulder on the right side of this picture.

Damn, we really have to wait how long?

Model Kit Review: Gundam Astray Red Frame HG 1/144



I have actually had this kit completed for over a year now. This was my 10th-ish (Unsure exactly) HG 1/144 Model Kit and the first Seed Astray kit. I had to actually google a picture (below) of it with zero details so I could eventually show what it looked like before I went all crazy with my gundam markers.

Straight Build (No details/Paint) Picture Belongs to ww.hexdidnt.clara.net. Used to show the model kit pior to detailing.

Out of the Box:

Red Frame Astray was not a very difficult piece to build. Easier then some of the 00 series High Grades. It came with simple pieces with no surprises. The Katana itself came in all silver with the rest of the kit coming in white, red, and dark grey skews. Nothing overly difficult so it was perfect for me when I was still new at building. It is still a great kit for newbies who are doing HGs.  5/5

Coloring & Detail:

There was some light detailing around to body, coloring dark areas either dark grey or black. This is one of the few kits that I used a black detail pin on the white for panel lining. I originally tried gray but the black set this kit off with a little more style. There was some heavy detailing on the katana and it's scabbard. As you can tell from the earlier straight build picture, the katana is all silver and the scabbard is all white. Some fine red detail pens would of been useful, but in the end I painted the entire hilt of the sword red and painted over the lines of the scabbard. I then used a Elmer's Eraser to take off the red that I didn't need. It took a bit to get this done correctly. After I tossed on some gold and dark grey and the kit was good to go. Kit came with a few stickers but I only used the logo for his left shoulder and his eyes. 3/5. It's going to take some love if you want your weapon looking good.

Stability & Movement:

There isn't a whole lot of possible joints when compared to say Gundam Exia, but the kit is good for what it is worth. It stands on it's own very well and I have been able to get it into various poses such as Kenshin's battojetsu pose as well as some other cool poses. For a HG I was very impressed. 4.5/5

Overall:

If memory serves me correct the PG Astray Red Frame was a new item at Anime Expo 09, so being able to build a smaller (and more cost effective) version made me feel like I was still one of the cool kids. As soon as I completed this kit back in 2011 I added the Blue and Gold Frames to my Amazon wish list. Unfortunately a year later, they remain there.

4.2/5

Adult Swim's Toonami Line-Up Revealed!

   Originally to be unknown till this coming Saturday, Adult Swim's Toonami lineup has been revealed with two new anime accusations. Here is the schedule:

12:00 a.m. - Bleach
12:30 a.m. - Deadman Wonderland
1:00 a.m. - Casshern Sins
1:30 a.m. - Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
2:00 a.m. - Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG
2:30 a.m. - Cowboy Bebop
<Repeat>

  Former Toonami front-man and newly appointed VP of Cartoon Network Jason DeMarco has reveled that Steve Blum will return as TOM, but we will not be seeing his computer Sara nor will we hear Peter Cullin calling the shots in between shows. DeMarco has also mentioned that this Toonami has a very small budget to work with and that they will need alot of good ratings to make more money to buy new shows. He also mentioned that shows such as One Piece, Inu Yasha: The Final Act, and Fairy Tail would be great shows to bring to Toonami in the near future.  

  As for the two new shows Deadman Wonderland & Casshern Sins, here is a brief introduction to both stories:

DEADMAN WONDERLAND

   From MangaReader.net: "The Great Tokyo Earthquake. Ten years ago, it destroyed lives as it tore buildings asunder. Among those who lived through the disaster was Ganta Igarashi, now a middle school student finally getting a footing in his own life... that is, until the day the 'Red Man' appears at his school and turns his world upside down again. Ganta's entire class is brutally murdered, and although innocent of the crime, Ganta is sentenced to death and sent to the bizarre prison known as 'Deadman Wonderland.' There, a brutal game of survival begins, where Ganta must discover the truth behind his classmates' murder. Can Ganta break out of Deadman Wonderland... or will it break him first?"

CASSHERN SINS

From Wikipedia: "Casshern Sins tells the story of a world where robots subjugated humanity after becoming self-aware. Their leader, Braiking Boss, ruled over the world with an iron fist. One day, a mysterious girl named Luna is summoned by the people, in order to bring the salvation of mankind. Fearing her as a potential threat, Braiking Boss sent three of his most powerful cyborg warriors to dispose of Luna: Casshern, Dio, and Leda. Casshern, the strongest warrior, manages to track down and kill Luna. However, this triggers a cataclysmic event which sets into motion the end of the world. Hundreds of years later, the world's atmosphere is filled with poison, and, due to the inability of most remaining humans to reproduce, as well as the constant threat posed by the robots, humanity is on the brink of extinction.^"

   As for shows such as Durarara & Kakaishi, Adult Swim still can play them whenever they please. I would expect to see them again once Cowbhoy Bebop or GitS ends or sometime in the near future. They will probably end up being tossed into the rotation of anime that is played in the later evening too. My Fiancee will be sad to now have Durara & Kakaishi on, but we own Durarara so maybe it wont be so bad. I look forward to watching Deadman Wonderland though. ^^x

Anime Expo 2012: Guest Update #3

From Anime-Expo.org;



"Anime Expo (AX), North America’s largest anime, manga and Japanese pop culture celebration, will feature a live concert by acclaimed composer and producer Yuki Kajiura when it returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 29 – July 2, 2012. Kajiura brings her unique fusion of Japanese and European styles to AX with “FictionJunction,” her music project featuring the composer on keyboards and a special guest vocalist. Kajiura brings her unique fusion of Japanese and European styles to AX in ”FictionJunction,” her music project featuring the composer on keyboards and a special vocalist.
The multi-talented Yuki Kajiura began her music career performing in the female trio See-Saw. She has gone on to establish herself as a solo musician, composing music for other artists as well as producing for TV, commercials, films, anime and games. In 2002 she had a major hit with “Annaniisshodattanoni,” the ending theme song of TV anime “Mobile Suit Gundam SEED” and featuring See-Saw. In 2004 she launched her “FictionJunction” project. In 2007 she produced the music for “the garden of sinners” theatrical series, and since then she has produced the popular group “kalafina,” whose latest album “After Eden” reached No.3 in ORICON weekly chart.
Kajiura has produced music for diverse areas of entertainment including the film “Achilles and the Tortoise” directed by Takeshi Kitano, the NHK historical documentary “Rekishi Hiwa Historia,” (soundtrack), and the soundtracks for TV anime “Puella Magi Madoka Magica”, “Fate/Zero”, and “Sword Art Online.” Last year she released “FICTION II”, the sequel to her first solo album “FICTION.” Kajiura previously wowed Anime Expo fans in 2003 when she performed songs from “FICTION.” The date and time of “Yuki Kajiura/FictionJunction” concert will be announced shortly."

"Anime Expo, North America’s largest anime, manga and Japanese pop culture celebration, announces its first AX Fashion Guest of Honor, Cyril Lumboy, as it brings the best in Japanese-inspired fashion to the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 29 – July 2, 2012.   Known to fans of Lolita fashion throughout the world as dolldelight, Ms. Lumboy’s designs will take center stage in an Asian Street Fashion Show on Sunday, July 1 at 3 p.m.
“Japanese fashion and particularly the styles born in Tokyo’s Harajuku district have become powerful design influences around the world,” said Marc Perez, CEO of the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation, the non-profit that produces Anime Expo. “With Cyril Lumboy and other popular designers to be announced, Anime Expo will be the place to see and shop for the most up-to-the-minute Japanese-inspired street styles.”
Working out of her home city of Manila, the Phillipines-born Cyril Lumboy developed her custom line, inspired by Harajuku street fashion, drawing from a broad range of Lolita subsets.   She launched dolldesign four years ago creating headpieces and quickly expanded the brand to include a line of custom dresses.   Now U.S.-based, she has received accolades for her progressive work that incorporate Sweet, Gothic, Punk and other aesthetics.   Lumboy is also recognized for her artistry in mixing prints in her dolldelight designs.

In addition to staging the dolldelight fashion show, the designer will also participate in a panel on Saturday, June 30 to discuss her creative process and how she built her brand through online social networks and live fashion shows.  For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/dolldelightpage."

"Anime Expo (AX), North America’s largest anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture celebration, today announced “Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt” voice actress Monica Rial as an Official Guest of Honor, when it returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 29 – July 2, 2012.   Rial, who is the voice of Stocking, will participate in a meet-and-greet, autograph signing and a focus panel with Jamie Marchi, the voice of Panty.

Monica Rial has been working in the anime voice over industry for over 13 years. She has lent her voice to over 250 anime including “Baccano!” (Chane), “Black Butler” (Mei Ren), “Black Cat” (Kyoko), “Negima” (Konoka/Kazumi/Satsuki), “Soul Eater” (Tsubaki), “Witchblade” (Maria), and many more. She can be heard on the Cartoon Network in “ShinChan” (Ai), “Fullmetal Alchemist” (Lyra/Dante), “Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood” (May Chang), “Case Closed” (Amy), and “Trinity Blood” (Vanessa). You can also catch her on Nicktoons and the CW as Bulma in “Dragonball Z Kai.“  Rial is also an ADR script adaptor and occasionally a director for Funimation Entertainment."

FFXI: Dynamis - Qufim SAM/DNC Solo Round 2

After an evening of failed Voidwatch runs (Funny how I do these after a failure) I decided it was time for another Solo Dynamis run. Before I get into the run I need to point out a few equipment changes I have made sense the first run.

WS Equipment Set:

Mekira-oto

TP Equipment Set:

Unkai Haidate +2

Ace's Leggings

 And of course, I finally finished my Amano-place holder:

Kantonotachi; A perfect G. Katana for anyone who does not have a relic/empy. Gives Shoha a 33% damage increase. Looks pretty epic too.

Ran out from Behemoth's Dominion to Qufim, stopped to get a RR from the book and ran to the entrance. Checked the zone population and saw only 8 other PCs, only two being Solo Beastmasters. Once I entered the zone I was able to take out the 20min TE who happened to be hanging out at the edge of where the Quadavs and Sea Monks meet. From there I ran to the 10min Quadav TE. He was hanging out on the edge near where the Raptors I farm are. Easy pull, but my Shoha left him alive long enough to gain the attention of one of Quadav BLM. Violent Flourish was stunning Tier 3-aga spells until he let off Manafont. The trick here is to stun him in between spells so Manafont wears before he can nuke you to death.

Headed east to the Yagudo TE and killed with no issues. Goblin TE on other hand ended up pulling 4 Goblins. (RNG, RDM, THF, and WAR) I aimed to take out the RDM at first but the WAR was pulling some decent damage off me. Killed off the Statue, the WAR and RDM, but RNG decided I needed to be reminded how funny it looks when I get Eagle Eye Shotted.

After reraising (and realizing I had no other form of RR) I rested to full. Of course, this took about 10 minutes off my farming time. While I was waiting to unweaken, I was able to Meditate twice (240tp) to help take out the final TP. I died last time to the Quadav SMN, so I do not have an advantage over my last run.

Protip: Go into each TE fight with enough TP for a Shoha. Statues move slow so links are often the downfall to the solo player.

Used the normal rotation of Raptors (Who where never overcamped) to Trio Bats (That where way over-camped) and finally Giant Bats (Who where not being camped at all.) No issues today other then at one point having to hold 4 bats at once. Proccing weakness helps with terrorizing them and my 2h really saved my bacon.

Protip: Always bring RR item and food. Don't be cheap!

During the last 10 minutes of the run I decided to try a DC Sea Monk. (Bat Trios where over-camped again) Of course I pulled two and died, but I was able to get the first one to about 10% before being tentacle-raped via Maelstrom. Worked out pretty well though considering I didn't have a Instant Warp Scroll on me.


Can't wait to find a better body to TP in.



Loot: 17 Bynes; 29 Bronzes, 19 Whiteshells. 67 Total! (Left with about 75 total coins a night later when I trio'd the same zone.) 2 Forgotton Journys; SMN-1, THF-1, and another BLM-1. Great run, and I beat my coin count from my previous attempt. I still need 60 100 Bynes for my next upgrade. That would be able 90 solo runs if I trade Bronzes and Whiteshells for Bynes. Ouch. Looks like I need to start doing Dynamis every day if I want the Amano before the servers are shut down in 2090. >.>

To all the SAM/DNC or other jobs who don't have BST leveled or PUP unlocked, Thanks for your effort in trying to Solo these zones as well. Sense I have started doing it myself I have noticed other players such as DRG/DNCs and BLU/NIN coming out to solo Dynamis. In a few once I gain some new equipment I will try for round 3. Round 3 will be my final SAM/DNC Solo Qufim run. I will eventually attempt other zones such as Valkrum and San d'Oria. Stay tuned.

Pokemon Black & White 2: Characters from Previous Games to Appear!

We knew Pokemon Black & White 2 would be taking place in the same region as the previous games but just recently was it announced that this game takes place sometime after the original Black & White. Your rival from the first game will appear as a gym leader and Bianca will be taking over for Professor Juniper. Also some old friends from previous games will be appearing, including Brock, Misty, and Gary from the original generation.

Good to see at least a few people are wearing different clothing.

Even though you still have to start with the newer Generation's starter types, the Pokedex itself has been expanded. Nintendo will also be releasing two 3DS apps to compliment the release of this game including an Pro version of the PokeDex 3D and an AR Pokemon Game where you can catch Pokemon in reality and port them to your DS game. I'm actually pretty excited about this.

Toonami returns, taking place of Adult Swim's Saturday Schedule

Congratulations to everyone who pushed this movement., Starting on May 26th, Adult Swim will air Toonami for their nightly block. Currently no line up is announced and the schedule on adultswim.com is currently empty.

The currently line up for Saturday Night includes Bleach, Fullmetal Alchemist, Durarara, FLCL, Cowboy Bebop, ans Ghost in the Shell: SAC 2nd Gig. All that is really required here is to toss in some retro shows and put good old T.O.M. in between commercials. I currently like Adult Swim's Saturday Lineup, so I am hoping not alot is taken away. Perhaps instead of replaying the same episode of Bleach all night, we can get some DBZ or Trigun? Toonami should also cover the hours before midnight. I think we get enough of Peter and Stan during the week.

I do have a little concern; I hope they intend to bring us some new shows as well as old shows and the current anime Saturday lineup. Only the future will tell.

Edit: Adult Swim has announced that there will be "new original anime programming" for the block. They have also confirmed that it will run from Midnight to 6am. 
Update: Adult Swim is keeping the line-up secret until the time of it's premier.

Keep up to date here: http://www.adultswim.com/shows/toonami/index.html