Wednesday, June 12, 2013

The 2013 Adventures of Anne in Japan Starts Now!

If all goes according to plan, by the time this post goes live, I'll be soaring over the Pacific Ocean! My destination? Japan, of course!

Since this is my first time back to my home-away-from-home in four years and I'll be attending my host sister's wedding while I'm there, this trip is a rather big event for me. You know, I always refer to the family I stayed with when I lived in Japan for a year as my "host family," but more accurately, they're my Japanese family - we may not be blood related, but they hold a very dear place in my heart, and not only did they make the trek down to Australia for my wedding, but we have kept in touch over these past four years, which I think says a lot! I consider myself very lucky to be able to call them my second family.

Host mom helping me put on a yukata
But enough of that! What else is on tap for my trip? Well, lots of shopping and eating and visiting all of my favorite places, of course! Here are just a few things I'm particularly looking forward to (all photos from my last trip, 08-09)...

A necessary pilgrimage for any fan! 
Awesome signage
My favorite local bar
Crazy tie-in merchandise and campaigns
Weird advertisements...

And, of course, good eats
Unfortunately, I haven't planned any additional posts for while I'm away, but I'll be posting pictures of our travels in real-time. If you want to stay updated, be sure follow me on Twitter and/or Instagram! I'll be posting all pictures to Instagram for archive purposes, but everything will be cross-posted to both.

Finally, I hope to do a few round-up post throughout my trip of particularly noteworthy events, which will consist of photos taken from my Instagram feed and some additional commentary. Of course, I'll also write up much more in-depth posts when I get back at the end of the month, so please look forward to them!

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Time to add Culty's Animal Crossing bag to my growing tote collection

If the search terms leading to my blog and my Twitter feed are any indication, people are excited for Animal Crossing: New Leaf. I'm certainly not complaining - it's wonderful to finally be able to have my American, Australian, and European pals visit my town and gush about the game together!

The release of a game in new territories is always exciting for the new fan art and products it inspires, too. And it just so happens that the fine folks at Culty are celebrating Animal Crossing: New Leaf's NA release... with a new addition to their store: an Animal Crossing-themed "Hit the Tracks" tote bag!

Looks like they're also celebrating with some wine! 
I absolutely adore the "earthy" feel of this design and how so many different aspects of Animal Crossing have been incorperated in subtle ways! The fact that the illustration is reminiscent of an Aztec calendar both evokes the fact that the game works in real time and the way the map itself is rounded, too! I also particularly like the little train cars along the edge and Mr. Resetti's angry mug at the bottom.


Look at all that detail! Though K.K Slider's DJ garb is specific to his appearance in New Leaf, the rest of the design encorporates familiar Animal Crossing icons such as the various tools and collectables in the game such as fish and everyone's favorite gyroids.


Now that's a tote bag! Any tote fan knows that having multiple bags in multiple sizes (including favorites such as "lunch bag" tote to "single book and maybe small laptop" tote) is a must. Wait, I'm the only person who does that? Moving on...

Seriously, though, the large size makes this tote perfect for shopping or the busy student! And the design is subtle enough that it would compliment a wide variety of outfits, if you're the kind of person who likes to cordinate your tote bag with your outfit like me! (I'm the only one who does that, too? Oh...)

But Culty aren't the only ones celebrating Animal Crossing: New Leaf with sweet new merchandise. Fangamer also has an amazing tshirt up for sale, and I'm sure there are many other great new products popping up for us rabit Animal Crossing fans to throw our wallets at. Is there any new merch that's currently tickling your fancy?

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Chic Pixel Plus Episode 3 – Countdown to E3 and Japanland

Now, this is unexpected! An episode of Chic Pixel Plus is actually up early?! No, it's not a dream – due to the fact that episode 3 contains some pre-E3 speculation, I've decided to go ahead and post it a few days ahead of schedule with the hope that everyone has time to listen to it (or at least the pre-E3 portion of the discussion) before all the new announcements start rolling in. So let's get right to it, shall we?

Beautiful retro game boxes by The Gay Gamer
For this game-tastic week (sorry, anime fans!), I'm joined by a very special guest: Bryan, one of my fellow podcasters on The Nichiest Podcast Ever, and the curator of The Gay Gamer! We cover a whole range of topics, including our localization announcement hopes for E3 and what it's like to be a gamer learning Japanese. I also take the opportunity to blab about all the games I'm planning on buying during my impending Japan trip, and I ask Bryan the ultimate question: if you could only buy one retro game console in Japan, what would it be? And somehow the GameBoy Advance manages to sneak its way into the conversation once again!? 

Also, you may have noticed something a little different about the site... That's right, I've got my own domain! I'll also be hosting all future podcasts on my own server from now on, and will try to get an RSS feed and iTunes downloads set up as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience!


Download [HERE]

Time codes: 
00:00:32 - Introductions
00:01:40 - News (Cave, Time of EVE Kickstarter, Class of Heroes 2)
00:07:15 - Pre-E3 speculation (Localizations! Next gen consoles! Who needs next gen consoles?!)
00:24:26 - Nerds learning Japanese
00:44:08 - Anne's upcoming trip to Japan (PC Engines, Guru Logi Champ, Ys, GBA games...) 
01:16:00 - Closing remarks

Opening ♫ - Trader - Ys I & II Chronicles
Closing ♫ - Results Music – Guru Logi Champ

Thanks for listening! Any and all feedback is always appreciated! 

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Memos from Mamemura: Weeks 23-27

Look how the time flies! The North American release of Animal Crossing: New Leaf is but a week a way, meaning I'll soon have a whole new bunch of pals to share this heartwarming game with! I know I mentioned that I wanted to have my town all decked out by the time others started playing so I could show off my digs, but unfortunately I've been lazy and haven't really gotten my act together in that regard. The fact that Jenni of Siliconera has already built the café after having the game less then a month (through the mayor ambassador program) when it took me six is, honestly, a little depressing... But Animal Crossing is a series that's meant to be played at your own pace, so I'll just keep on enjoying it at my own speed! Even with that in mind, there's still a lot that's happened over the last month in Mamemura! 

Afternoon bulletin board viewing with Lobo
Donning the Children's Day paper samurai hat (Boy's Day in the western version)

Believe it or not, this was my first time making a custom item! This is a music box, which is made using one of K.K Slider's songs and a white scallop shell.


This is, without a doubt, my biggest achievement for the month of May in Mamemura – Brewster's café! Don't mind the random fruit on the ground... I had to cut down a few trees to make room for it!

Sitting down for a cuppa with Lobo 

You may have noticed her in the café inauguration screenshot, but Britney (Pancetti in English, she's new to New Leaf) here is one of two new villages to move to Mamemura this month. For some reason I'm not a big fan of animals that look like they have human-like hair on their heads, but I've never had a pig villager before, so the more the merrier, I say!


Rebecca the squirrel (Pecan in English) was the second villager to move in this month. She's actually my 10th villager, making this the first time I've had the maximum 10 villagers at one time, I believe! Nine is the max that can move in "normally," but if you have the campsite or visit other towns you can entice a 10th resident to move in.

As an aside, don't you think it's funny that both of the villagers I got this month have western names in the Japanese version, but names based off food in the English version? Too funny!


Here I am visiting @LachyStar, who was kind enough to hold on to a silver slingshot for me after I lost the only one I've ever found in my town due to forgetting to save (and I never forget to save!). Look at this awesome room! Cakes, coffee... I'm in heaven!


He also has this lovely snow-themed room. Check out that custom Kirby stained glass design!


But I didn't just visit other towns... I also got a few special vistors who have early copies of the game. Here I am relaxing with none other than my Nichiest Podcast Ever co-host shidoshi!


Jenni also stopped by to give me some of her custom-made clothing designs in exchange for some of my fruit! Aren't they great? I love the Yuna dress I'm wearing in the above screenshot, and the Boo t-shirt just to the left of my speech bubble is equally amazing. Of course, the rest are great, too! Hopefully she starts sharing her QR codes soon.

You can read all about her adventures in the English version of Animal Crossing: New Leaf over at Siliconera. I highly recommend you go check it out, especially since yours truly makes an appearance in the latest update!

"Are you in there? It's me, Rocky!" (bonus: my messy house)
I also had another visitor... One of my own villagers! That may not sound all that exciting, but I've never had a villager come to my door when I was in my house before.


Well look at that, Rocky just invited himself in! It's amazing how, after months of play, I'm still surprised by the occasional new event in Animal Crossing: New Leaf.


Finally, can you guess what dream village I visited? Why, it's the Game Center CX town!


Unfortunately, there's not a whole lot in the town itself that evokes the Game Center CX television show, but there are a few quirky references here and there. The real highlight, however, is inside...

Arino's jacket! I want one! Unfortunately they weren't sharing the design
Check out the scrolling banner!

And there you have it, my five minutes of Game Center CX hosting fame. It may not look like much, but the trained eye will recognize that this setup is a reproduction of Arino's gaming room in the actual show! It's definitely worth a visit for any fan of the series.


Well, by the next time I post a Mamemura update, the rest of the world will have their hands on the game! I'm so excited to finally be able to share Mamemura with all of you! If anyone who is planning on getting the game wants to swap friend codes, feel free to let me know in the comments. I look forward to seeing you in Animal Crossing: New Leaf!

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Japan Envy: Funghi x Lawson food and folder campaign

In honor of the recent announcement that Touch Detective 3 will be coming to Nintendo 3DS sometime this year, I thought now would be as good a time as any to talk about more Funghi merchandise. Honestly, I never thought I'd say I'm a fan of Funghi, but I do think the phallic little mushroom is warming on me! There's something charming about his lack of cuteness, I suppose, or perhaps I'm just morbidly fascinated by the fact that he's so darn popular in Japan right now. Just like Hello Kitty or Rilakkuma, Funghi, or Nameko, as he's known in Japan, has spawned numerous lines of stationary and other goods, mobile games, and even a puzzle game for the 3DS!


The official Funghi portal site also features some adorable comic strips, among other things:

Funghi planting rice
Anyway, the latest Funghi-related goodness comes from the convenience store chain Lawson, which will be stocking special Funghi food products from the 6th to the 17th of June. The campaign just happens to occur when I'm in Japan, so you can bet your cartridges that I'll be seeking out a Lawson shop to try them out!


The first tasty treat in the series is Funghi-branded Tirol candies. I don't believe I've actually had a Tirol chocolate square before, but I can tell you I'm already getting hungry looking at some of the delicious flavors shown on their website! The two Funghi flavors are mitarashi dango (a traditional Japanese desert that consists of three glutenous rice balls on a skewer, covered in sweet soy sauce) and strawberry. I think it's safe to say I'll go the mitarashi dango route, though the strawberry Funghi is pretty adorable!


Next up is the "neba neba" Funghi soba, which of course consists of a number of toppings including okra, seaweed, and some of Funghi's nameko mushroom brethren. Try not to imagine you're eating poor little Funghis when you dig in! "Neba neba," by the way, means "sticky," or "gooey," which probably is an accurate description of what eating the above soba dish would be like. For a great writeup on "neba neba," go here!


Finally, anyone who purchases two of the Funghi food products at once (you could get two Funghi neba neba sobas, but should you?) will get one of five exclusive Funghi x Lawson clear file folders. I have to admit, I'd probably make all sorts of weird food purchases if it meant obtaining limited-edition goods. I'm particularly partial to the yellow folder on the bottom left – I love all the different Funghi characters in the background and the fact that the Funghi in the foreground is carrying a Lawson bag!

Well, I know what I'm adding to my list of things to do in Japan!

Monday, May 27, 2013

Chic Pixel Plus: Episode 2 – Otaku Gaming

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's another episode of Chic Pixel Plus! To the surprise of everyone, including me, I've managed to get the second episode of my new podcast out the door on schedule. Sure, considering I called the first episode the pilot this technically is only episode one, and I managed to completely botch my opening and closing remarks, but we all have to start somewhere, right?

Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory
This week I'm joined by Matt Sainsbury of DigitallyDownloaded to discuss a particular niche of Japanese games often dubbed "otaku games." Together, we hash out what makes these games appealing, why they tend to have a bad rep outside Japan, and what our favorite otaku games are. Of course, with the recent Xbox One reveal, we couldn't help but add some of our thoughts, and I took the time to gush about the recent Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN- announcement. Even if you're not a fan of otaku games, be sure to tune in – you might learn something new!
Time codes:
0:00:25 - introductions
0:01:48 - what are otaku games?
0:09:00 - Love Plus
0:19:15 - Photo Kano Kiss + Photo Kano anime
0:34:00 - Atelier series (Arland trilogy + Ayesha)
0:46:10 - Hyperdimension Neptunia series
0:59:45 - hurdles of publishing otaku games outside Japan, Mugen Souls, otome games
1:09:40 - upcoming otaku games (Time and Eternity)
1:13:48 - news! Xbone, Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN-, BlazBlue anime, Freedom Wars
1:26:21 - closing remarks

Anne Lee || Chic Pixel || @apricotsushi
My Xbox one thoughts are included in this compilation of staff impressions at VGW

Matt Sainsbury || Digitally Downloaded || @DigitallyDownld
Matt's Xbox one reaction piece

Opening ♫ Koi suru lens – Photo Kano
Ending ♫ Dimension tripper!!!! - Hyperdimension Neptunia The Animation

This time around I used a different program to record the audio, and unfortunately I don't think it turned out as well. Since I'm still getting the hang of all this, your feedback would be greatly appreciated! 

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Japan Envy: Nerdy Latte Art

You know what I like? Japan. Oh, wait, you already knew that? Okay, you know what else I like? Coffee. Oh... you knew that too? Well, what if I told you this Japan Envy post combines both of those things into one unprecedentedly awesome Chic Pixel update?! That was obvious from the title?? Okay, moving on...

Catbus and mini Totoros! (source)
Believe it or not, I don't think I ever witnessed the standard heart or leaf drawn in a fresh frothy coffee drink until I went to Japan for the first time. That may be because I went to Japan for the first time when I was 14 and can't imagine that I even drank coffee before that, but let's pretend I come from the wilds of Vermont where we're under the constant threat of being attacked by bears and barely have time to pour a cup of joe, let alone draw hearts and flowers in it.

Tonberry! (source)
Recently, I've been seeing more and more amazing "latte art" popping up on the internet, and let me tell you, the vast majority of it comes from Japan. Just one more reason for me to be envious of the land of the rising sun, I suppose. The pictures posted above are by my current two favorite latte artists, and I highly suggest following them on Twitter and Instagram if you can, as they update with new creations every day.

The first fellow, George (real name Kazuki Yamamoto), doesn't use any color, but he crafts some amazing pieces that actually utilize the foam in some pretty crazy ways. He also does famous people along with anime, manga, game, and some Disney characters, which isn't as common in the latte art I've seen.

Sugi, on the other hand, does mostly anime and game characters with a few cute mascot characters and other designs thrown in. Unlike George, she actually uses color, which really makes her pieces stand out (all edible, too!). She has her own YouTube channel where she's recently started uploading videos of her making some of her creations, and it's really amazing to see how she makes them. Check out this amazing Card Captor Sakura one, which took 15 minutes for her to make:

Now, join me in drooling over these awesome designs: 
Cobra by Sugi
Goldeen by George
Little green man by George
Sailor Venus by Sugi
Such talent! Now I'm inspired to make latte art of my own... But I'd have to learn how to make a proper latte first!