[Anime of the Week] Sword Art Online (8/26-9/1/2012)

Image copyright goes out to A1 Pictures.

SAO screamed ".hack//" to me when I first started watching this what turned out to be wonderful anime. While this anime does share similar elements with .hack// (people getting stuck in an mmo world with only a drastic means of escape); so far the anime has proven to be different enough to not only be enjoyable but seen as its series. Unlike .hack//, this one is based on a series of light novels rather than a video game series.

Type: light novel
Rating:Teen

Synopsis:In the near future, a Virtual Reality Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (VRMMORPG) called Sword Art Online has been released where players control their avatars with their bodies using a piece of technology called Nerve Gear. One day, players discover they cannot log out, as the game creator is holding them captive unless they reach the 100th floor of the game's tower and defeat the final boss. However, if they die in the game, they die in real life. Their struggle for survival starts now...

[previous AOWs]

EP-con 2012: Anime Theater Schedule

The El Pas Comic Con is only 2 weeks away! With that Augmented Reality is proud to present our readers with a first view of the Anime Theater Schedule for this years EP-Con.
(you can click the image for full size)

[Anime of the Week] .hack//Beyond the World (8/19-25/2012)

Image copyright goes out to CC2 Sai

I've always been a pretty hard core .hack fan so seeing a movie that takes place more so outside of the game world seemed, and turned out to be a pretty good concept. This isn't your run of the mill .hack due to the movie taking place more so outside of the game, but we still have some familiar parts such as the return of Aura and Kite. The best part is this movie was released as a hybrid bluray with a VERSES fighting game taking place in the .hack universe but we'll probably never seen a NA release as the PSP game never came here :(

 

Type: game
Rating:Teen

Synopsis:In 2024 almost every teenager plays the online game The World. FMDs (Face Mounted Display) can now connect to your phone and you can play online even on the go. Technology has evolved to incorporate more connectivity via the internet, and even tests are now done on a touch-screen computer. However for 17 years old Sora this matters little. She comes from a strict home and has never played any computer game. That is until she reluctantly tried The World and learns the joys of adventuring in a virtual world with friends. But not all is well in The World: a malicious virus has been spreading around the net and will soon cause a new network crisis. Aura, the omnipotent goddess of The World has devised a plan to stop the virus, and although Sora might not know it yet that plan requires her cooperation.

 

[previous AOWs]

Alicia // "Akia-chan"

Name: Alicia Bracken

Blog Nick Name: Akia Tomiyo aka Akia-chan

About the Nick Name: In middle school one of my friends was taking an introduction to various languages class. One of the languages was Japanese. She was learning the basic alphabet and wanted to write out my name but since there is no L in the Japanese alphabet she used the letters for "A" and "Ki". The Tomiyo part I really have no idea... I just remember that sounding like a cool last name.

Role: Editor-in-chief

Specialties: All things "otaku" such as manga, anime, dramas and the like.

Add Akia on the web:

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Hi interwbz, as you can see I am Akia and I'm here to bring you coverage on all things otaku while helping out the Augmented Reality crew with convention coverage, original films and anything else we can come up with. I've been blogging since early 2008 when I was part of Itadakimasu! Studios (a website dedicated to being otaku through podcasts, a webzine and original videos), then later joined up with NewTypeZone (which was being hosted on a forum with plans to eventually expand to being a webzine as well). In early 2009 I even started my own blog, Reader//Watcher[girl], which I used that format to help co-find Augmented Reality which is a mash up of my blogging/vlogging (I used to do a vlog series on YouTube called "An Akia Vlog") format with The Captain M Show. I hope you'll stick around as long as we are here to make content!

I've also staffed and volunteered at many conventions including but not limited to WinterCon, SummerCon, The El Paso Comic Con and Fellow Anime Lovers Convention. I much prefer being one of the hands that put a convention together in El Paso rather than just attending. Helping out is a lot of fun and a real magical experience. I can't say I've ever had a bad experience <3 Also being part of AugReal has defiantly gotten me into the door at a lot of convention and events.

+Favorites+

Cartoon: Adventure Time & Regular Show

Anime: My Sister Can't Be This Cute & The World God Only Knows

Manga: Elfen Lied

Drama: 1 Litre of Tears

Movie: The Girl Who Lept Through Time

Book: Uglies series

Food: (good) fried Okra

Game System: anything Sony

Game: Trauma Center, Pheonix Wright, Katawa Shoujo

[Manga of the Week] Blank Slate // Otomen (7/22-28/2012)

Image copyright goes to Aya Kanno and Hakusensha.

Normally I would only pick one manga title for this feature but due to the fact both of these titles are drawn by the same artist and are equally good I decided to feature both.So I guess this is technically a special edition of AOW buuuuuuuuuuuut I won't label it as one XD

Blank Slate

# of volumnes:2

Rating: Older Teen

Synopsis:

Zen, a man with no memory from before being found by a band of thieves on the verge of death, and no interest in his forgotten past, wanders a war-torn country while wanted by the new government for committing unspeaking acts of evil. Not because he seeks to commit acts of evil, but simply that he does whatever, wherever, whenever, and to whomever he wants, and if a few rules or law-abiding citizens happen to be in the way then he destroys them without a moments hesitation or regret. After a chance encounter with the daughter of the army’s general, and the surviving family member of a terrorist organization, he comes to suspect someone is controlling him … a prospect he cannot accept. This drives Zen to set off with the doctor who just patched him up, a physician willing to treat any patient, to rediscover his lost past and eliminate those controlling him. All for the sake of returning to his life of complete freedom.

# of volumnes:14+

Rating: Teen

Synopsis:

Smart, tall and handsome Asuka Masamune, chairman of the kendō team with accomplished judō and karate skills, is considered as "THE man of men" of Ginyuri Academy. However he has a big secret (or secrets): he excels at cooking, sewing, household chores and loves sweets, pink, shōjo manga and stuffed animals/plushies and is afraid of darkness. None of the above sounds "manly" in any way, and he tries hard to hide his hobbies in order to preserve his image, until he meets an extrovert girl named Ryō Miyakozuka who has just transferred to Ginyuri Academy.

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[Anime of the Week] 5cm Per Second (7/15-21/2012)

Image copyright goes out to CoMix Wave Inc

Being a fan of Japanese animation, it was almost impossible for me not to notice the work of Makoto Shinkai who's first full length animation project was done %100 on his own about a cat. All of his work has this particular "feel" to them- bright pastel colors play a big role in his film as do emotional stories of love and moving on. Now, for those who know of this director you may be asking why I am not featuring his most recent film Children Who Chase Lost Voices but instead I am featuring 5cm Per Second. My answer is simple- Children Who Chase Lost Voices does not feel like a Shinkai film to me but more of a Ghibli film =/ I wanted to feature a Shinkai film and so happen to have stumbled across the manga version of 5cm Per Second at my local Barnes and Noble the other day.

# of "parts": 3

Type: original
Rating:Teen

Synopsis:The Story is set in Japan beginning from the 1990s and ending in modern day, with each segment centered on a boy named Takaki Tōno. It is important to note that the first episode takes place during a time period when cell phones are uncommon and email has not yet reached the general populace.

 

[previous AOWs]

[Anime of the Week] Mezzo DSA (5/20-26/2012)

Image copyright goes out to Arms Corporation.

Not to be confused with the prequel Mezzo FORTE!

Mezzo DSA is one of those "girls with guns" anime but after watching 10 episodes I can say that this one does not focus solely on that aspect which makes me really, really happy. There are story arcs that last about an episode or so and I'm really liking the characters and voice talent behind the characters. It's a fantastic watch as the animation is crisp... too bad animation is no longer like this.

I tried finding a cool trailer.... but no luck so you're stuck with the opening video for the show.

# of episodes: 13

Type: original
Rating: OT

Synopsis:Mikura, Kurokawa, and Harada are the 3 members of the Danger Service Agency (DSA). Mikura is the brawn of the group, Harada is the brains, and Kurokawa is just a bitter ex-cop who likes to think he's in charge. They'll take on any job as long as it involves lots of danger and, of course, money. Their biggest case, however, could prove to be finding out why someone wants Kurokawa assassinated.

[previous AOWs]

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[Manga of the Week] Tokyo Red Hood (5/20-26/2012)

Image Copyright goes out to Benkyo Tamaoki.

Fair warning, Tokyo Red Hood is an M+ rated guro comic about a loli who's ultimate goal is to get consumed by the big bad wolf. Yup, it's one of those closer to Grimm Fairy Tale versions of the Red Riding Hood story (not that the original children's tale wasn't dark enough). I'm not going to lie, I've been on a guro trip lately... er or should I say I've been on a showing off what I know of guro manga trip. I really want to find more like this one though because while it is guro, there are good reasons for the guro and there is an actual story. Ya, from my experience a lot of guro doesn't have story.

Oh snap! I know the perfect anime to put as anime of the week now that kind of is similar to this - Memnemosyme ~Rin Daughters of Darkness~ ;( I sure am not posting kid friendly stuff this time around.



# of volumnes: 4

Rating: Mature (21+)

Synopsis:

Tokyo Red Hood is about an eleven year old girl who usually just goes by the name of Akazukin (Little Red Riding Hood). She has a sick obsession with a being known only as Mr. Wolf and wants nothing more than to be eaten by him to end her "immortal" life. Akazukin has lost all of her memories and doesn't even know who she really is. Her reason to want to be eaten by Mr. Wolf is not even known to her, instead it's a desire that is locked deep within her consciousness.

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[Moosic] Nihonbashi Kouka Ka R Keikaku [pv clip]

Nihonbashi Koukashita R Keikaku from Takuya Hosogane on Vimeo.

I'm not really a fan per-say of the voice software Vocaloid but the newest one IA Aria on the Planetes has a really nice character design that veers from the usual Vocaloid and her voice ain't half bad.


[clicky for more Moosic]

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[Manga of the Week] Noblesse (4/1-7/2012)

Image copyright goes out to Son Jae Ho and Lee Gwang Su

Ok OK! So it's not %100 manga and is actually technically a web comic as well but the style fits and this is my series so I do what I want. *hmph* ANYWAYS, you better actually read this one... cause even though it's about a vampire it's damn well drawn and the story ain't far from fantastic. 

I don't really have a video for this one so clicky on this secret link to be able to read this one in English.

# of "chapters" so far: 230

Rating: Older Teen

Synopsis:

Noblesse is about a powerful, noble vampire - Cadis Etrama Di Raizel (also called Rai) - who has been asleep for 820 years with no knowledge of mankind's advancement and scientific successes. He has recently woken up in an abandoned building in south korea,and is starting to get used to the modern world. He goes to a school where he meets his loyal servant Frankenstein. With Frankenstein's help, Rai enrolls into Ye Ran high school, and inadvertently befriended Shinwoo - an athletic teenager, Ik-Han - a computer geek, Yuuna, Shinwoo's crush, and a few others. Noblesse follows the group's often dangerous adventures against a secret organization while uncovering Rai's past. This Webtoon Manhwa started on the 30th December 2007 and is still publishing.

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[Drama of the Week] 1 Liter of Tears (4/1-7/2012)

Image copyright goes out to Satoko Kashikawa

My first drama series was Densha Otoko followed by 1 Liter of Tears which to this day remains one of my favorites and go to dramas when people ask me for recommendations. It actually is a drama in the sense you will be tearing up either from time to time or through out the whole thing like I was. It's ok men, crying is a sign of strength ;)

Runtime: 24 min/ep
# of episodes:11

Type: Novel/ based on true story
Rating: Teen
Synopsis:
This beautifully moving drama is based on the real-life struggles of a 15-year-old girl named Aya who suffered from an incurable disease, but lived life to the fullest until her death at 25. The script is based on the diary Aya kept writing until she could no longer hold a pen. The book that later followed entitled “One Litre of Tears" has sold over 1.1 million copies in Japan alone. Fifteen year old Ikeuchi Aya was just a normal girl, soon to be high school student and daughter of a family who works at a shop that makes tofu. As time passed, unusual things started happening to Aya lately. She started falling down often and walking in a strange way. Her mother Shioka, takes Aya to see the doctor, and he informs Shioka that Aya has spinocerebellar degeneration - a terrible disease where the cerebellum of the brain gradually deteriorates to the point where the victim cannot walk, speak, write, or eat. A cruel disease, as it does not affect the mind in the least. How will Aya react when told about her disease? And how will Aya live from now on?

[previous DOW's]

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[Anime of the Week] Qwaser of the Stigmata (4/1-7/2012)

Image copyright goes out to Hoods Entertainment.

Seikon no Qwaser is borderline "why'd I bother material" but there is one redeeming quality about this anime that is keeping me from putting it in that dreaded category- there's a reason for being so much fan service and milk drinking! Now.... this doesn't mean it's a "good" anime to watch, in fact you could watch D.Gray-man and get the same enjoyment without have to endure heaps of over the top fan service, but hey it's all about preference. Oh and btw, this one is NSFW. Don't say I didn't warn you!!!

# of episodes: 24

Type: manga
Rating: Mature
Synopsis:
At St. Mihailov Academy, strange things are happening. Not only did the dean disappear, leaving his daughter Tomo and adopted daughter Mafuyu alone, but girls in the nearby city are being killed by an unknown foe. However, the blades begin to fly when a Russian boy named Sasha arrives. He is a Qwaser, a person able to manipulate the elements after ingesting Soma, breast milk, and he’s not the only one. Soon Tomo and Mafuyu find themselves in the middle of a battle between two groups of Qwasers whose goal is to either protect or steal the Theotokos of Tsarytsin.

[previous AOWs]

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[Anime of the Week] Another (3/25-31/2011) [Why'd I bother]

image copyright goes out to P.A. Works

Lately there have been a fair amount of horror and guro anime being released in Japan, most notable Mirai Nikki (Future Diary) and today's anime of the week Another. For those who know about both of these series are probably wondering why I would choose Another.... well, I haven't done a "why'd I bother" in a while, and between the two Mirai Nikki is actually quite good while Another could be easily passed up and will most likely be forgotten in the years to come. Honestly I had been looking forward to this anime (wanted something that had a horror aspect similar to Kara no Kyoukai). The first few episodes were very slow, and then things took a turn for the violent. I'm 5 episodes in this short anime... things don't seem to be looking up but I have plans to finish it despite my dislike right now.




# of episodes: 12
Type: light novel, manga
Rating: Older Teen (borderline mature)
Synopsis:
26 years ago, in a third-year classroom of a middle school, there was a student named Misaki. As an honors student who was also good at sports, the charming boy was popular with his classmates. When he suddenly died, his classmates decided to carry on as if he was still alive until graduation. Then, in the spring of 1998, a boy named Sakakibara Kouichi transfers to the class, and he grows suspicious of the fearful atmosphere in that classroom. In particular, there is a beautiful, aloof girl named Mei Misaki who wears an eyepatch and is always alone drawing pictures.

[previous AOWs]

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PES- Peace Eco Smile (Toyota x Studio 4C)

Japan dishes out some of the best marketing campaigns that I've ever seen, especially when Studio 4C is involved (you should check this drug awareness online add that doubles as a mini-adventure game while I'm telling you about Studio 4C. this add was a collaboration with France). They may have been extremely lazy when working on the recent Thunder Cats anime but their newest work, a collaboration with Toyota, is quite a breath taking experience. While it may not seem like a car commercial at first You have sleek animation 4C is known for with the edition of a well rendered 3D Toyota vehicle along with good music and characters that scream "you should have us be in an actual anime series!!". It's not like commericals have ever really been obvious as to what they're trying to sell you till the end of the commerical :P Check the video below to experience the add for yourself~~~

Oh and since you probably do not speak Japanese, here's the translation for the information contained in the info box on YouTube (thank you good ol' Google translate, but I've fixed the grammar so it makes more sense... or at least I fixed some... I just don't know how to fix the rest):

"Toyota Motor Corporation along with Studio 4C presents a new WEB promotion for 2012! "in the energy / person that loves to make people out there are always impressed", and: to expand the "PES Peace Eco Smile" "series. WEB this campaign, from (Thursday), published March 22, the PES Special Site. Within the site, in turn, to expand snow, the animated short film (3-4min). In the PES special site, you can report to the world, at any time approach, also occur in Japan in conjunction with planning the work world, the whereabouts of little love."

There's also an official site for the web campaign but at the moment it only has the above trailer. You have to scroll down to see it. BUT it says trailer one so it's possible this is only the first in a series of Studio 4C Toyota commercials for 2012. I hope for more :) Also if you're curious about more works by Studio 4C you can view their site in Japanese and English. Go check it out!

dat Mass Effect anime

From The Floor: SXSW 12 - Mass Effect Teaser... by DM-Exclusives

I may have never finished a Mass Effect game (played a chunk of the first one) but anime adaptations of non-Japanese properties seem to have been getting fantastic treatment lately. Take a look at the Halo Legends anime if you want a good example of video game anime and all of the Marvel anime adaptations that came out recently (Wolverine, X-Men, Blade and Iron Man) if you want to see what different studios can do. Overall, there is not a worry in the world that this anime will please Mass Effect fans and well as fans of anime.

Nooooow, this may be some heart breaking news for fans of the game franchise but the anime is a side story... not an actual adaptation of the game. BUT don't fret because EA, FUNimation and Production IG are collaborating on this; all 3 are major companies. EA with the games, FUNimation one of the few anime dubbing companies that have continued to be around and Production IG which is one of the best anime studios in Japan considering they made Ghost in the Shell.

For more information, check these links:
Japanator
ANN

[Anime of the Week] .hack//QUANTUM [3/18-24/2012]

image copyright goes out to Kinema Citrus

.hack// is a HUGE universe comprised of video games, manga, anime, light novels and more. I've played the original games and really want to one day play the PSP one but I'm not sure if it ever came out in the US. Anyways, this anime is actually a 3 episode OVA that is insanely well anime. It takes the main character Kite gender bends and creates a new story. Most of the characters are still their original genders. My good friend Elijah who's a big fan of .hack// Legend of the Twilight Bracelet really likes this one, and it is closely related to that and the original set of games.




# of episodes: 3
Type: manga, video game
Rating: Teen
Synopsis:
The story follows the path of three players: Sakuya, Tobias, and Mary, and their playing of the world's largest MMORPG, "The World R:X" created by CC Corp. As is the case, these players were on a quest in their party of three, when they are caught in a strange circumstance of fate.

[previous AOWs]

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[Moosic] Idiotape- 0805

I...I.... I really do not know what kind of music this is. At first I thought it was straight up dubstep or electronic but after listening to more and more of the piece there really wasn't a specific category I could place it in.... oh well, enjoy!

[clicky for more Moosic]

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[Anime of the Week] SKET Dance (3/4-10/2012)

image copyright Tatsunoko Animation

Support, Kindness, Encouragement, Troubleshoot- or SKET for short.
I have no idea why this anime fell away from my radar considering it's already past 40 episodes. I remember hearing about it back when it had a green-lit announcement but I guess it never really occurred to me to actually watch yet another longish running comedy anime. Several reviewers on myanimelist have said this anime gets only within 30 episodes... well I'm only on the 5th and it's still fun to watch.

Runtime: 24 min/ep
# of episodes: 51?
Type: Manga
Rating: Teen
Synopsis:
At Kaimei High School, the Living Assistance Club (AKA the Sket Brigade) was organized to help students with problems big or small. Most of the time, though, they hang out in their club room, bored, with only a few trivial problems floating in every once in a while. In spite of this, they still throw all their energy into solving these worries.

[previous AOWs]

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