Otaku Dan: The Life of an Anime Fan: February 2010

Figure Photo Shoot: Figma Yuki Nagato

Sunday, February 28, 2010 2/28/2010 Posted by Otaku Dan
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It was about time that I get Figma Yuki Nagato. For some reason, I would put off getting her and ended up buying other figures. It took me about two years to get this figure and I finally have her. I know that there are ton of Figma Yuki Nagato figure photo shoots in the net. But I decided to do an all black and white photo of her to spice it up a bit.

I know that it's a small photo shoot, but this has inspired me to do more black and white photography.

Miku Hatsune, The Music

Friday, February 26, 2010 2/26/2010 Posted by Otaku Dan
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I will tell you the truth, I have not been a big fan of Miku Hatsune songs. I was attracted to her mainly because of her look and I really never paid attention to the music. In the last month, I forced myself to sit down and listen to songs that have been created. It's really good.

The thing that I like about these songs, their created by different people. There are fans all over the world who are creating original songs with the Vocaloid program. Each song is unique from any other and I like that. These are a few Miku Hatsune songs that I recommend for you to check out. If you do listen to Miku Hatsune songs, what are your personal favorites?

I'm Back

Wednesday, February 24, 2010 2/24/2010 Posted by Otaku Dan
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Well, I'm back from my small break from blogging. I needed this break because my mind and body was asking for it. .

The reason why I took this break, I felt the symptoms of burning out settling in again. However this time, it was not because I was tired from blogging, it was more like I was too physically exhausted to do a thing. I have been pushing myself too hard when it comes to college. I will be honest, there have been times that I've focused so much on studying that I forget to eat or sleep.

I recently went 3 and half days straight with minimal sleep(about 4 - 5 hours ) studying for a test and getting ready for a speech. Now that I have overcome those obstacles, I'm getting back in to the flow but first, I'm going to sleep for 16 hours and catch up with about 3 weeks of anime that I have missed. I do have a figure photo shoot coming up and License This is making its comeback. Since this post is a little short, why don't you check out a few of my personal favorite posts:

Why Do We Blog?
Interview: Patrick W. Galbraith
Your Parents and Anime
How to Act at an Anime Con

Beast Master

Sunday, February 21, 2010 2/21/2010 Posted by Chibi Shadows
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Hajimemashite, it's Silver-chan! Time to be reviewing, Beast Master. (Disclaimer: These are my views, which Otaku Dan may or may not share. But he should!)

Beast Master Vol 1 & 2

This manga’s main story is about a normal if overzealous animal-loving girl, Yuiko Kubozuka and a not so normal looking boy, Leo Aoi. Leo Aoi looks scary with his wild eyes and glare. So no one at his new high school will go near him! There are even all sorts of rumors that he beat a bunch of thugs almost to death! Or that he lived in a dangerous place like L.A.! But Yuiko isn’t so sure he’s that dangerous. She has seen Leo’s special connection with animals. But he does have a few secrets. When ever Leo sees blood he goes berserk. Will Yuiko be able to help him during these violent moments? Or will Leo's ferocious side turn on her?

Now I rate these volumes of manga a 4 out of 5. The main story was rather good in both volumes. The art is lovely, even when showing some strange emotions, but then it was funny. All questions you have are answered, which is always nice.

I didn't like the bonus story in the first vol. I give it a 2. Even the mangaka says she wrote it some time ago. It would have been better to have an extra chapter for the main story. Now the bonus story in vol. 2 was better. I give it a 4. It was amusing, though now I know more about cactus than I think I need to.

All in all, I think both volumes are well worth what I paid for them. I will read them again and maybe let my friends borrow them. Nah, they can buy them. You should always support the mangaka. Also, I think I will see about other manga that she has written. She has a nice style, flows and they were funny.

Well, this is what I think and feel, and it's up to you if you want to read it. Ja ne'

MayFlash Arcade Stick Mod

Friday, February 19, 2010 2/19/2010 Posted by Otaku Dan
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Well, I modded the Mayflash Arcade stick that I reviewed the other day. It was a lengthy process but it was fun. This is pretty much some of the things I did.

Before I started anything, I covered the lid with electrical tape. This is for just in case if a wire becomes loose during gameplay, it won't short circuit the PCB.

What I'm placing is the big PCB for the buttons.

I'm painting the case, joystick, and dust cover. I first sand it down, so the primer can stick to it. Since I'm going to be using the arcade stick a lot, I use a special paint that is meant for cars. 2 coats of paint should be enough but I used the entire can.

came out nice.

I used a desoldering braid to remove the solder from the PCB.

I solder the new wires and used quick disconnects for the buttons. For the buttons, I had to make the holes bigger by 2 millimeters.

A wiring diagram for the buttons. Thank you, MS paint.

Final product

Special thanks to K1TSCHY. He has great a tutorials for on how to mod the mayflash arcade stick and he even made the template for my stick. I used Sanwa OBSF-30 buttons. As for the Joystick, I did not replace it because there is a wide range of choices. And I really did not know which one to pick.

Mid February Figure Preorders

Thursday, February 18, 2010 2/18/2010 Posted by Otaku Dan
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I find it awesome that more figure preorders are out. These new figures are pretty nice and several of them are a must get. Come on in and check them out.

Senhime by Alter. This figure will come out in June for the price of 6630 Yen.

Erica Hartmann by Kotobukiya. This figure will come out in May for the price of 5,780 Yen.

Sanya V. Litvyak by Alter. This figure will come out in June for t the price of 6,630 Yen.

Konata Izumi Beach Queen Version by Wave. This figure will come out in late August for the price of 3,230 Yen.

Kagami Hiiragi Beach Queen Version by Wave. This figure will come out in late August for the price of 3,230 Yen.

Azusa Nakano by Alter. This figure will come out in June for the price of 5,440 Yen

Asakura Nemu by Circus. This figure will come out in May for the price of 7.480 Yen.

Nendoroid Azusa Nakano *Second Shipment* by Good Smile Company. This figure will come out in June for the price of 2,833 Yen.

Tomoe by Griffon Enterprises. This figure will come out in mid April for the price of 5,440 Yen.

Figma Rider by Max Factory. This figure will becoming out in May for the price of 2,429 Yen.

I'm will be getting both Konata and Kagami. They look so cute together. I may also get Figma Rider but at the moment, I'm not sure. So, what are you going to preorder?

MayFlash Arcade Stick Review

Tuesday, February 16, 2010 2/16/2010 Posted by Otaku Dan
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I recently acquired the MayFlash arcade fighting stick. I have been needing to get a new one for about several years. This arcade stick is meant for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and PC. It is also compatible with the GameCube, Wii and Xbox 360 if you buy the special adapters. The cool thing is that I got it for $30 USD. This arcade stick sounds like it came for the heavens but its too good to be true.

I will admit, that I like the design and button layout of this stick. But that's were my love for this stick ends. The actual buttons that original come with the stick sucks. At times, they are not responsive and to get any form of response from it, I would have to press hard. I hurt my index finger due to this abomination. Also, for some strange reason the joystick would not respond with some of my games.

This thing looks so dull

In overall, this arcade stick is the worst of its kind. And I'm glad that it is because I am going to be modding it. I will be replacing the original buttons and give it a new paint job. As for the joystick, I will leave it be because I like the feel of it. I may do a pad hack as well but I'm not sure if i should do it.

Visual Novel Recommendations

Monday, February 15, 2010 2/15/2010 Posted by marmar04
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Top 5 Visual Novels for Beginners

#1 One: to the Radiant Season (AKA One: Kagayaku Kisetsue)
I recommend this as a first because it's a classic. It's a pre Key visual novel made by many of the people who would go on to form Key. Many of you unfamiliar with eroge and vn's are fans of the anime Kanon, Air, and Clannad. All of these anime were based on vn's made by Key.

#2 Kana Little Sister (Aka Kana Imouto)
This was the first vn I played and I found it very hard to stay dry eyed towards the end. This one is licensed and available from J-List or what ever online anime retailer you prefer.

#3 Snow Sakura (AKA Yuki Sakura)
Cute, soft, and simple harem eroge. Won't amaze you with a stellar story or bring you to tears, but it's entertaining all the way through with cute character designs and decent ero scenes. Also available from J-List and other retailers. Saki-chan = love

#4 Shuffle.
love the op Simple, brain dead simple... But of course has the famous anime based on it. Cute character designs and art from the famous artists Hiro Suzuhira and Aoi Nishimata. First VN I was able to collect all the CG from without a game guide. Available for download from Manga Gamer. Tho honestly... the way they translated the h-scenes suck.

#5 Da Capo
Another one that has a popular anime based on it. Available from Manga Gamer... tho once again they messed up the ero scenes. (Referring to women's genitalia as a love tunnel? Are you serious guys?) Other than that everything is fine.

Top 3 recommendations for people who already read Visual Novels.

#1 Tsukihime.
Pretty long. In fact I've yet to finish one story route and then another hidden one. H Scenes aren't the greatest but believe me, the story in this VN is outstanding.

#2 A Drug that Makes You Dream (Yume Miru Kusuru)
Slightly dark with beautiful artwork and character designs by Kiyotaka Haimura, known for Toaru Majutsu no Index. Available at J-List too.

#3 Wanko to Kurasou
Perverted and filled with delicious high quality ero scenes. Mikan = love

Top 2 non-ero Visual Novel recommendations

#1 Planetarian: Chiisana Hoshi no Yume.
Guaranteed to make you cry. You have to be completely heartless to stay dry eyed through this one. Quick read and there's no choices in this visual novel. Story by Key and art by C02A. A must read for anyone.

#2 Clannad.
Has the extremely popular anime based on it. But believe me, the visual novel is much better. Tomoyo = love

And for the heck of it here's a couple visual novel ops I like. Bittersweet Fools, Little Busters, Kanon, Figu@Mate, Moonlight Cradle, and Tomoyo After.