Sony is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Walkman. The first model of the personal stereo-audio cassette player, TPS-L2 (pic), was introduced in Japan on July 1, 1979.
The Walkman brand was synonymous with portable personal audio devices until the emergence of iPod in 2001.
People who grew up in the 80s (like me) would have fond memories with the Walkman… most of you here are probably not from that era though.
A life-sized 18m Gundam model was assembled at Odaiba Island in Tokyo to mark the 30th anniversary of “Mobile Suit Gundam”, the very first Gundam anime series which evolved into a highly successful franchise over the years…
The real scale Gundam can do a few simple tricks, no big deal… but the details of the model itself is still pretty impressive.
The Gundam is going to be displayed for only two months unfortunately, it could turn to be Tokyo’s new tourist attraction if it’s kept for a much longer period.
Video via Akibahobby; check out some of their pics [Jp] as well.
Korean pop group So Nyeo Shi Dae, aka Girls’ Generation, looking good in navy uniforms to promote their 2nd mini-album, releasing on June 25… [via Kbites]
[update] Check out the girls’ solo marine pics.
Mikoshi is a large portable shrine used in traditional Japanese festivals; but the folks at Akihabara, Japanese otaku centre, had different ideas.
Instead of the traditional setup, the folks created a mikoshi in late April decorated with a PC, anime figurines, manga, video games and misc gadgets.
A mini-festival was then held with female cosplayers (mostly) parading the mikoshi to “drive away the economic downturn and unpleasant incidents.”
Magazine scan of Japanese voice actress Aya Hirano, about her photoshoot in Malaysia last December which created quite a buzz among Malaysian netizens.
The photos (or probably in videos) are included in Hirano’s “I Love You” DVD which was released in March 2009… [image via Sushipafu]
The 2nd Philippine Cosplay Convention was held on March 28th in Manila; sharing some of the event photos [image courtesy of Philanime]…
Animax Asia is set to make the world’s first same-time simulcast of an anime TV series with “Tears to Tiara”, premiering on April 6th simultaneously (same day, same time) to the series’ 1.35am (Tokyo) debut in Japan [more on Animax]
Korean actress Jun Ji-hyun, or Gianna Jun, is kicking off the promotion campaign for her supposedly Hollywood debut movie “Blood: The Last Vampire”, a live action adaptation of the same title Japanese anime film.
Jun is beginning her promotion in Japan where the movie will make its global premier on May 29th (titled as “Last Blood” in Japan). The actress looks pretty cool in the stills, but things are not doing too well for the film at the moment.
There’s not much buzz created for the movie; and the trailer (British version) looks kinda disappointing… seems like it would have to rely on Jun’s fans and the original anime’s fans to support the box office.
But, as compared to the likes of “Dragonball” and “Chun Li”, the Blood anime probably doesn’t have a similarly huge fan-base to begin with. And if there’s no other attractions being pulled out in the next few weeks… things are not looking good.
The movie will be released in Europe in mid-June, but the US release date has not yet been set, which could be another huge concern. In worst case scenario, the US distributor might turn it into a DVD release if it’s not doing well in other markets… I wonder if it could still be called a Hollywood debut for Jun if it happens.
Best of luck to Jun Ji-hyun, because she really needs some luck for the film.
[Update] Sony Pictures has acquired the US rights for the movie; Gianna is getting a Hollywood debut after all.
