Sunday, March 27, 2011

Anime Five Cites Cosplay Charity Event!


I was so happy with the turn out of the Anime Five cites Cosplay Charity Event! We were able to raise $160.00 for the Direct Relief International Fund who is helping Japan by sending over medical help which in a time like this you can never get enough. We had lots of fun prizes and donations were optional but we were still able to raise so much money. This makes me feel so amazing to see all the fans getting together to help Japan. If you guys live in the Central Coast of California or want a small convention to be apart of check out the Anime Five Cities website.
You can also donate to Direct Relief International from the site too.
Again Thank you everyone for all the support through this tough time. You guys are outrageous. Truly truly outrageous!
~Envy DND

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

An introduction to my HeartGold Nuzlocke challenge...

Recently I've discovered a plethora of Pokemon comics that tell the story of gamers undertaking the 'Nuzlocke Challenge'. For those who don't know the rules of a Nuzlock challenge, here are the two main rules:
  1. When a pokemon faints, it is dead and must either be perma'boxed or released
  2. Only the first pokemon in each area may be caught, if killed no second chances
The unspoken rule is that each pokemon must be nicknamed. Obviously the challenge not only adds a level of difficulty to the game, it also adds a layer a depth as trainers begin to bond with pokemon and play more cautiously to avoid their death...


Never give up, never forget, grind like hell

For my own sanity I added extra rules and modified the second:
  1. Same as the original
  2. Only the first available pokemon in each area can be caught, I can choose to pass over unwanted ones
  3. No duplicates (for example, no multiple Pidgeys)
  4. Only TMs, HMs, evolving stones, and held items can be used, healing can only be done at Pokecenter. (For Arceus-sake I'm only breaking this rule for the Elite Four, I can't be that cruel)
  5. No trade pokemon, in-game or otherwise
And that pretty much covers it, I'll be reporting my progress as I go along. I plan on presenting a story exclusive to the blog so look forward to that.

So without further ado, let me introduce the trainer of my story:
Auggie and his Totodile Brosidon!






Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Crisis in Japan - My thoughts - How you can help

Ever since the earthquakes, tsunamis, and now possible nuclear meltdowns in Japan, my eyes, ears, and heart have never been more focused on the island nation of Japan. My thoughts, prayers, and current and future support go out to those who have lost loved ones, those who are still out there in the middle of everything, those who are trying to survive in this disaster and more.

As many of you may know, I have been a big fan and supporter of Japan ever since I was introduced into its culture through anime in the early 2000's. My dream came true in April of 2006 when I went on a trip to Japan where I was introduced to the country firsthand. The sights and sounds were amazing and were more than what I could expect from a nation such as this. Here, I took in so many memories and made friends that are guaranteed friends for life. Its sad for me to think that if I ever go back again, it may not be the same.

The future of Japan may be uncertain as the aftershocks continue and the threat of possible nuclear meltdown occuring, but one thing has been clear to me, is the overwhelming support that the world has and is giving to Japan. This and the mentality of the Japanese people remaining strong, through all of this disaster, it will rebuild and become stronger through this.

As many people are still missing after the devastating tsunamis, friends and family still search for their lost loved ones. Communiations including phonelines have been overworked and possible inoperable due to the events. Myself, being a fan and admirer of anime, games, and manga of Japan, those in the industry have been checking in as they can through offical media or social medias such as blogs, twitter, and facebook.

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-03-11/anime/manga/game-industry-members-check-in-after-quake

Unfortunately, there are still some that have not been able to check in as they may have no possble means to.

http://hashihime.blogspot.com/2011/03/earthquake-seiyuus-still-not-heard-from.html

Let us hope and pray that they are ok.

Through this blog, I hope to be able to bring together the different organizations, peoples, and places supporting the efforts going towards Japan.

A link from Yahoo gives us a number of groups helping the situation.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_newsroom/20110311/wl_yblog_newsroom/japan-earthquake-and-tsunami-how-to-help

Here you can donate directly to the Japanese Red Cross Society.

http://www.google.com/crisisresponse/japanquake2011.html

Anime News Network provides a list of where you can help.

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-03-11/relief-funds-for-march-11-earthquake/tsunami-in-japan

The people at New People in San Francisco have listed two trusted organizations to help aid Japan.

http://www.newpeopleworld.com/2011/03/14/donate_to_japan/

"We Heart Japan" is having a charity art event in Los Angeles this Thursday, March 17th where 100% Proceeds benefit Japanese Earthquake Victims through the Japan NGO Earthquake Relief and Recovery Fund.

http://www.weheartjapan.com/

The One Piece Podcast and others will be holding a 24hr podcast starting this Saturday, March 19th.

http://helpjapan.onepiecepodcast.com/

With this, I sign out for now. I hope that those that read this can be able to help in one way or another, either by donating what they can towards the relief efforts, supporting local fundraisers for the rescue efforts, and by helping by any way you can.

Thank you for your time,

Mike.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Anime ,Manga ,Game Events Cancelled After earthquake

The following events have been canceled in the aftermath of the earthquake:

Friday, March 11

Tokyo - Ikebukuro: Makoto Shinkai Special Night
Tokyo - Shibuya: Hiroyuki Imaishi Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt Signing

Saturday, March 12

Tokyo Big Sight: Hakurei Jinja Reitaisai 8
Tokyo - Mikata: Ghibli Museum is currently considering whether it will open on March 12 and is offering a ticket change for all March 11-12 tickets

Yokohama: Suite Precure Theme Song CD Mini-Concert
Tokyo - Roppongi: 7th Media Arts Open Talk
Tokyo - Shinjuku: Gekijō-ban Anime Nintama Rantaro Ninjutsu Gakuen Zenin Shutsudō! no Dan Opening Day Greeting
Tokyo - Neo Romance Festa
Tokyo - Haruka Shimotsuki Album "Hoshizora Ensemble" Promotion Event (announcement)

Tokyo - Hetalia Cinema Live Event

Saturday-Sunday, March 12-13

Hakone: Evangelion x Hakone-machi x Toyota Electric Power Instrumentality Project
Tokyo - Akihabara: eb! Fes 2011 ~10-Shūnen Kansha Sai
Tokyo - Steins;Gate Event
Tokyo - Yuu Kobayashi Bus Tour

Sunday, March 13

Tokyo Big Sight: Gesai#15 (delayed to a later date)

Tochigi: Tochi-Tele Anime Festa!
Tokyo - G Festival x Emotion Festival 2011

**The broadcasts of several anime programs are being or will be pre-empted by news coverage of the earthquake.**


 information received from ANN

Friday, March 11, 2011

Help Japan!



We are all very scared about the earthquake and tsunami in japan that happened yesterday that had after shocks the size of huge earthquakes all night. It is reassuring to hear that our idols and celebrities in Japan are doing ok but there are estimated to be thousands of deaths that did occur. I am doing my best to raise money to donate to the red cross and other organisations to help out the country we love so much. If you would like to contribute to my fund raiser here is the flyer. Together we can make a difference! がんばって日本!

Our worlds been shaken up!

























This blog I wish was more informative... maybe one later but I am sure many of our readers are well aware of this unless you are sleeping now then lay peacefully. It is 3:49 and I am finally calm enough to mention it. ( I was in a earth quake and an in a area under tsunami warning so I am freaking out.) But yes so the news it that a 8.9M earthquake went off in the ocean around 80 miles from Japan around 1 am Pacific time. It was so big that Tokyo felt it for several minutes and are having aftershocks up to 6.0M. There was also a tsunami that has taken over most of Sedai.
Right now I am watching the news hearing about Hawaii preparing for the tsunami hit and i am nervously await news on when I should evacuate it California.
I will write a way better post when my head is screwed on! But I want to post the news up while it was fresh.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

On Pokemon, some observations after 3 days traversing Unova

So like every other nerd on the planet I have been playing the latest pokemon game, White specifically. I just can't get enough of those racist undertones. But I digress, I've yet to beat the game so unless something drastic happens I doubt my opinions will change.

First off let's talk design. Going into this I had very low expectations about the pokemon I would be encountering. I had seen quite a few of them on various sites and I wasn't impressed. But, as I traversed the region of Unova(merica) I began to discover quite a few pokemon that I thought were, amazing. So yeah, its about an even split between the good looking ones and the crimes against nature. Type-wise, which past this I don't care about details, there are a few interesting combinations. Bug-electric, dark-dragon, ghost-fire, and so on. Then there's Deerling: Normal-Grass.

Normal-Grass.

Just why? I mean normal I can understand, and grass because it changes with the in game seasons, whatever. Maybe its just me and my categorical psychosis, or something but I think that's just wrong.

On the subject of legendaries, people complain constantly about the influx of legendaries in this version. Well think about it from a story perspective. Its a new continent with its own mythos and what not. Of course there's going to be a bunch of legendaries to fill to gaps. I mean at least you don't have pokemon that lord over space and time or Poke-god. They're just pokemon that are really powerful that achieved a sort of mythological standing to them, and not gods to be commanded by teenagers.

Moving on, the music is great. I love the music in this game. Past games the music never really stuck out to me. This one is different particularly the legend battle and rival battles, the music is just really enjoyable for a pokemon game.

The, Environments are pretty cool. The 3-D effects can get a bit annoying to navigate but nothing really game breaking, plus it give the game an added sort of depth/excitement. The designs of the towns are unique and charming, and there is a nice change in atmosphere going from place to place. My biggest complaint is that some of the routes and areas are a bit small and like all pokemon games the encounter rates can get maddening. Aside from that the locales are all neat and I don't find myself glazing over parts just to get to the plot.

The Plot, having not played every generation I can't really judge if its improved but, your rivals are much more fleshed out than just a douche-bag that has a lust for power, like blue/silver, and they actually have some compelling development other than just learning that its wrong to view pokemon as tools. The Team, Team Plasma, actually has a reasonable goal: Liberating pokemon so that pokemon and humans are equal. Granted they go about it in the most radical criminal way possible. Their Leader N is actually a pretty like-able guy not just some raving lunatic, its a shame every other member of the Team is an unspeakable frothing dip shits. Granted I haven't finished the game so I could be dead wrong about all of this.

Online. I don't normally use online features mainly because I A: usually have bad connections B: Always saw them as kinda dumb and C: Am forever alone. Just kidding about that last one. This game just by the sheer volume of online connectivity, with friend codes, the survey side quests, being able to see other people activities in real time, and so much more even to a guy like me I have to say it's amazing.

All in all this game, is everything you're looking for in a pokemon game. The same gameplay you love but all wrapped up in a shiny new exterior. Its got it's faults sure and it may be using much of the basic pokemon structure but they're so outweighed by the new and exciting things that it doesn't matter. If you were on the fence about buying this game: Buy it. If you want to buy this game but haven't: Buy it faster, its 35 bucks that's not a lot and you can go with out a few meals. If you are dead set against it and everything it stands for: give it a shot. Borrow it for a few days from a friend. It may just change your mind.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Zombies! They do exist!


They are real! OK so they aren't the zombies your used to in the movies or comics you see but there is proof of real zombies.
The deffinition od zombie is:

zom·bie

[zom-bee]
–noun
1. (in voodoo)
a. the body of a dead person given the semblance of life,but mute and will-less, by a supernatural force, usuallyfor some evil purpose.
b. the supernatural force itself.
2. Informal .
a.
a person whose behavior or responses are wooden,listless, or seemingly rote; automaton.
b.
an eccentric or peculiar person.
3.
a snake god worshiped in West Indian and Brazilian religiouspractices of African origin.



So now that we know the definition of a zombie let's look at the reality. According to a link on Yahoo news there has been some kind of discovery of zombie ant fungi! So they are zombie ants! This fungi will control ants like zombies but then slowly kill them off. So these zombies aren't dead like our fantasy of zombies.
If you want the scientific facts from the sorce I got it from here is the link!
I just dumbed it down way too much but in all WE ARE NOT SAFE!
So how will you prepare for the apocalypse?

Envy~DnD nerding out!

geek and gamer girls music video.

Being a geek/gamer girl myself seeing music videos on it just makes my day. I saw this video on my Facebook. It really has been making it's rounds on there.. So I watched it and i think it is hilarious. The voices of the girls are pretty annoying but if you put that aside it is quite enjoyable.