Otaku no Podcast

Episode #0039 – PMX 2012

The Ghost in the Machine — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 09:40:36 +0000

Thanks to a combination of busy work schedules, holiday obligations, and the dreaded Winter Cold, we are super late with our PMX 2012 wrap-up, but here it is at last. Today I am joined by Avi of the Fashion Monster blog. We talk about what we saw and what we thought of PMX, and of course, we bring you our freshest anime picks.

We are still working on getting our PMX 2012 photos and videos up. Keep checking our YouTube and Flickr!

Today’s Sponsor: Listeners like you! Please help us continue to bring this blog and podcast to you.

Today’s Theme: “Junjou Spectra,” by Zwei. OP to the 2012 anime Robotics;notes.

Links to stuff we talked about:

It’s holiday shopping time again! Let us help you with that…
It’s time for the 12 Days of Kurisumasu to return for 2012!
Version 3.0 Build 224 of the Otaku no Podcast app is out!
Otaku Call to Action: Help us raise our search rankings and stuff (An old post but all the information and links are still valid)
Otaku no Podcast YouTube channel (Some PMX 2012 videos up, more on the way)
Otaku no Podcast Flickr set for PMX 2012 (Still working on pics, check back often!)
Fashion Monster (lots of PMX 2012 coverage, including photos)
Fairy Tale Fashion Boutique
Guidebook App for iOS, Android, BlackBerry and Windows Phone OS

Our Picks:

Donald – Little Busters!, Robotics;Notes. Get a Crunchyroll Premium Membership!
Avi – BTOOOM!, K, Magi. Get a Crunchyroll Premium Membership!

Gothic & Lolita Products, magazine subscriptions from Japan

Episode #0038 – Lost Treasures II – The Anime Expo 2012 Interviews

The Ghost in the Machine — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 08:19:31 +0000

Today we bring you another in our series of Lost Treasures. We didn’t get very many interviews at Anime Expo this year, and I had thought I lost the two that we did get in the Great Hard Drive Crash of 2012. Fortunately iTunes (believe it or not) unknowingly made an automated backup of them when I synced my iPhone (which I was using to record the interviews). So here, at long last, we present our two Anime Expo 2012 interviews. We interviewed Ejen Chuang of Cosplay in America as well as Peter Payne of J-List.

Important Note Please help us out by taking our quick audience survey. Also be sure and nominate us in both the Blubrry and Stitcher Podcast Awards. Your Supreme Leader commands you!

Today’s Theme: “crossing field” by LiSA, OP to the 2012 anime Sword Art Online. Get a Crunchyroll Premium Membership!

Links to stuff we talked about:

A First Look at Neon Alley
The Reverse Thieves announce the 2012 Secret Santa Project!
Otaku no Podcast on App.net
Nominate us for the 8th Annual Podcast Awards! (Updated)
Another Nomination Request: Nominate us for the Stitcher Awards!
Otaku Call to Action: Please Take our Listener Survey!
Do you know of any good anime cons? Please tell us about them!
NosillaCast (Get the App!)
91.8 The Fan
Anime Vegas, November 10-12, 2012 at the Cashman Center, Las Vegas, NV
Pacific Media Expo (PMX), November 9-11, 2012 at the Hilton LAX Airport, Los Angeles, CA
Cosplay in America
Cosplay in America: The Book
J-List (all products) or JBox (PG/kid-safe products only)

Cosplay in America
$79.99

Hentai PC dating-sim games at J-List

Episode #0037 – The Long-Lost Anime Expo 2012 Wrap-up Episode

The Ghost in the Machine — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 06:11:10 +0000

Thanks to a combination of an excessively busy work schedule, a flaky computer and a crashed hard disk, our Anime Expo 2012 wrapup is… a bit late… and in fact we almost lost it entirely. But, at long last, and against all odds, we still manage to bring you our usual panel-style wrap-up of Anime Expo 2012. Today we are joined by Tom Langston of Nigorimasen!

I’d like to take the opportunity to thank the makers of three excellent products, SpinRite, DiskWarrior and CrashPlan. No, they didn’t sponsor this episode (no sponsors this time other than you, my listeners); but without these fine products, this episode would have been irretrievably lost. (Pro tip: BACK UP. Do it now. Seriously. BACK UP.)

Today’s Sponsor: Listeners like you! Help us bring this show to you.

Today’s Theme: “My Soul, Your Beats!” (GirlsDeMo version), OP to episode 4 of Angel Beats! (Yes, I know I’ve used this one before; but again, I felt I had to again in honor of LiSA’s appearance at AX. Plus it’s just a damn good song.)

Links:

Rejoice, PlayStation3 owners: The Crunchyroll app for PS3 is here!
Otaku no Podcast’s Anime Expo 2012 coverage
Otaku no Podcast’s Anime Expo 2012 liveblog
Otaku no Podcast Photo Gallery (working on posting Anime Expo 2012 photos, check back often!)
Otaku no Podcast YouTube channel (working on posting Anime Expo 2012 video, check back often!)

Our Picks:

Me – Fate/zero; Hyakko; Usagi Drop; Mikunopolis. (Get a Crunchyroll Premium Membership!)
Danny – Kids on the Slope (Get a Crunchyroll Premium Membership!)
Tom – Tsuritama (Get a Crunchyroll Premium Membership!)
Michelle – Pray for Japan (available now on DVD and Blu-ray); TOKYOPOP

Our Plugs:

Beep – 710.0: A Life with Lupus
Danny – The Barer Cave
Tom – Nigorimasen!; Follow @calaggie on Twitter

Hentai PC dating-sim games at J-List

Episode #0036 – FanimeCon 2012 Wrap-up

The Ghost in the Machine — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 07:02:01 +0000

At last, we bring you our wrap up of FanimeCon 2012. Sorry for the delay; you can blame a combination of work and computer issues. Today I am joined by Tom Langston from Nigorimasen! and Patz from Insert-Disc.

(Note: I wanted to get this out asap, so didn’t really have the time to finesse things as I normally do during editing. My apologies.)

“Like” GoToMeeting on Facebook for your chance to win an iPad!

Today’s Theme Song: “Oath Sign,” by LiSA, OP to the 2011 anime Fate/zero (first season). Get a Crunchyroll Premium Membership! (Yeah, I know I’ve used this song before; but in honor of LiSA’s appearance at Anime Expo, and the awesome end of Fate/zero, I just had to use it again.)

News:
Otaku no Podcast is now on eBay!
Culver City’s Royal/T To Close at the End of August
Royal/T to Close: Top 5 Memorable Events at the Culver City Maid Cafe

Conventions:
Anime Expo 2012, Friday through Monday, June 29-July 2 at the Los Angeles Convention Center
Karaoke at Anime Expo 2012
Got any questions for the Anime Expo 2012 Guests of Honor? Ask ‘em!
Otakon, July 27-29 at the Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD
More upcoming anime conventions

FanimeCon:
Our pics from FanimeCon (still working on getting these posted, check back often!)
Our video from FanimeCon (Still working on it. Most of it is pretty unsalvageable though.)

Picks:
Star Driver (part 1 DVD, part 1 Blu-ray, part 2 DVD, part 2 Blu-ray)
Mysterious Girlfriend X
Sankarea
Get a Crunchyroll Premium Membership!

Plugs:
Nigorimasen!
Insert-Disc
Otaku no Podcast is now on eBay!

Star Driver Part 1 (DVD)
$34.99

Star Driver Part 1 (Blu-ray)
$68.98

Star Driver Part 2 (DVD)

Star Driver Part 2 (Blu-ray)

ChibiCast #0026 – Last minute FanimeCon announcements (+ AudioBoo test)

Donald Burr — Thu, 24 May 2012 00:15:05 +0000

Last minute FanimeCon announcements (+ AudioBoo test)

Gothic & Lolita Products, magazine subscriptions from Japan

Episode #0035 – The Japan Travel Extravaganza, Part 3

The Ghost in the Machine — Tue, 22 May 2012 04:55:29 +0000

Our Japan Travel Extravaganza continues! This week we conclude our conversation with the fine folks from TJX: The Japan Xperience as we talk about travel within Japan (trains, subways, etc.) and – my favorite topic – FOOD!

Today’s Theme: “To the Beginning” by Kalafina; OP to the second season of Fate/zero. Get a Crunchyroll Premium Membership!

Links:

FanimeCon, May 25-28, San Jose Convention Center, San Jose, CA
AM2, June 15-17, Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
Anime Five Cities (website, Twitter), date and location TBA
Anime Expo, June 29-July 2, Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA
Otakon, July 27-29, Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD
AnimeNEXT, June 8-10, Garden State Exhibit Center, Somerset NJ
Anime North, May 25-27, Toronto Congress Center, Toronto ON CA
Anime Central, April 27-29, Hyatt Regency O’Hare/Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, IL
San Diego Comic-Con International, July 12-15, San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA

More upcoming anime cons

Royal/T Cafe

Pop Japan Travel
Pop Japan Travel makes its grand return with the Amazing All-Japan Alpha+Omega Adventure Tour!

TJX: The Japan Xperience

J-List is a peaceful island of Japanese pop culture for you

Episode #0034 – The Japan Travel Extravaganza, Part 2

The Ghost in the Machine — Mon, 07 May 2012 06:22:05 +0000

Our Japan Travel Extravaganza continues! In today’s episode, myself, co-host Danny Barer and the fine folks from TJX: The Japan Xperience talk about our suggestions for places to see and things to do while in Japan.

Sponsor: GoToMeeting with HD Faces makes it easy to collaborate online anytime. Try it Free! Use the promo code “PODCAST”

Today’s Theme: “I am a Love Beginner (T_T)” (恋のビギナーなんです（T_T） Koi no Beginā Nan Desu (T_T)?) by Rie Yamaguchi; ED to the second season of Is this a Zombie? (aka Kore wa zombie desu ka?). Watch Season 1 on FUNimation’s website (season 2 will start streaming later this spring)

Links:

More upcoming anime cons

Pop Japan Travel
Pop Japan Travel makes its grand return with the Amazing All-Japan Alpha+Omega Adventure Tour!

TJX: The Japan Xperience

Click for J-List now!

Episode #0033 – The Japan Travel Extravaganza, Part 1

The Ghost in the Machine — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 08:53:51 +0000

Today we begin a series of episodes which I am calling “The Japan Travel Extravaganza!” And as its name implies, we will be talking about travel to Japan, and the various things you can see and do while there. You’ll find out that it’s alot easier and cheaper to do than you might have thought.

Newsflash: Pop Japan Travel (whom we interviewed in this episode) are back and have announced their latest tour!

Sponsor: GoToMeeting with HD Faces makes it easy to collaborate online anytime. Try it Free! Use the promo code “PODCAST”

Today’s Theme: “***Passionate” (***パショナート ***Pashonāto?) by Iori Nomizu; OP to the second season of Is this a Zombie? (aka Kore wa zombie desu ka?). Watch Season 1 on FUNimation’s website (season 2 will start streaming later this spring).

Links:

Our Picks:

Urusei Yatsura (sadly AnimEigo lost the license and it is now out of print)
Planetes
One Piece

Planetes
$65.94

Episode #0032 – Lost Treasures I – A Chat with Lauren Landa

The Ghost in the Machine — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 07:37:16 +0000

Introducing a new segment on Otaku no Podcast, “Lost Treasures,” where we unearth audio and/or video that I just plain forgot I had. (Or, more likely, never got around to editing thanks to my legendary inertia.)

In this first installment of "Lost Treasures," we bring you a random but fun chat we had with voice actress Lauren Landa at last year's Anime Five Cities.

Sponsor: GoToMeeting with HD Faces makes it easy to collaborate online anytime. Try it Free! Use the promo code "PODCAST"

Today's Theme: "XTC," Lyrics/Composed by YOFFY, Arranged by Kenichiro Oishi, Performed by PSYCHIC LOVER. 1st OP to the anime Witchblade.

Links:
Pray for Japan: The Charity Screening
AnimeConji March 16-18 at the Town & Country Resort, San Diego, CA
SakuraCon, April 6-8 at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center, Seattle, WA
The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival, April 14-15 and 21-22 at San Francisco JapanTown
FanimeCon, May 25-28 at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, San Jose, CA
More upcoming anime convention listed here

J-List is a peaceful island of Japanese pop culture for you

Episode #0031 – 2011 Year in Review (Finally!), Part 2

The Ghost in the Machine — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:22:40 +0000

By now you are no doubt aware of our prime directive here at Otaku no Podcast: "Better late than never." In that spirit, we bring you (finally!) our 2011 Year in Review episode. (Part 2 of 2. Be sure and listen to/download Part 1 as well.)

Sponsor: GoToMeeting with HD Faces makes it easy to collaborate online anytime. Try it Free! Use the promo code "PODCAST"

Music: "Noruniru" (ノルニル?). Lyrics, composition: Tika･α / Arrangement: Naoko Etō / Singing: Etsuko Yakushimaru Metro Orchestra. 1st OP to the 2011 anime Mawaru Penguindrum.

News:
Otaku Call to Action: Help us raise our search rankings and stuff
Pray for Japan: The Charity Screening
Bandai Entertainment to Stop Releasing New DVDs, BDs, Manga
Funimation Sues A.D. Vision, Sentai, Others for US$8 Million
AnimeConji, March 16-18, 2012 at the Town & Country Resort, San Diego, CA

Deaths:
RIP Steve Jobs
NTV Chair/Anime Film Producer Seiichiro Ujiie Passes Away (Updated)
‘Utena’ voice actress Kawakami Tomoko passes away
Anime Director Osamu Dezaki Passes Away
Cosplay Queen Saya Passes Away
Anime Director/Designer Toyoo Ashida Passes Away
Anime Director Kazuyoshi Yokota Passes Away
Voice Actor/Narrator Junpei Takiguchi Passes Away
Steve Rutt, an Inventor Behind Early Video Animation, Dies at 66
Gene Colan, R.I.P.
Voice Actress Cassandra Hodges Passes Away

The implosion of Borders:
Borders Delays Payments as Execs Depart; B&N Sales Up
3 More Executives at Borders Store Chain Resign
Borders Negotiates Credit Line, Delays More Payments
U.S. Borders Store Chain Reprieves 5 More Outlets
Borders Chain Seeking Deal to Avoid Store Closures
Direct Brands Parent Agrees to Make Bid for Borders
Books without Borders (a really great article written by a former Borders front liner)
Viz Media, B&N Team Up

The Tohoku earthquake and tsunami:
Our coverage of the earthquake, tsunami and aftermath
Radio Kaikan building
Culture Japan writeup on the Radio Kaikan building

Bill 156:
Comic Market Sets Winter Attendance Record of 520,000
Tokyo Manga Ban Now In Effect
How will the entertainment industry in Japan be affected by Tokyo's "Anti-Otaku" Bill 156?
LDP Petition: Japan's Child Porn Laws Should Apply to Manga/Anime/Games
SOFT POWER HARD TRUTHS / Can fansites help industry's digital survival?
Akamatsu's J-Comi Site Posts Adult Manga Restricted by Tokyo Law

The move to digital distribution:
Netflix's Reed Hastings Expects DVD Rental Decline in Four Years
Netflix Raises Price of DVD and Online Movies Package by 60%
Netflix raising prices as much as 60%
Breaking: Netflix Splits DVD And Streaming Businesses; Creates Qwikster For DVDs
Netflix: Qwikster is No More
Sony Movies Pulled From Netflix Streaming Service Over Starz Contract Issue
Yuji Kamosawa's Japanese Xie Manga Added to Kindle
Yen Press Launches iPad Storefront Application
Animate Puts Play Boy Blues Boys-Love Prologue on Kindle
JManga
JManga Site Lists 12 New Titles
JManga Site Launches with Works Never Printed in U.S.
Akamatsu's J-Comi Site Starts English Beta, iOS App (Updated)
FLCL, Vampire Knight Guilty Put on iTunes Before DVD/BD

AX vs. AM2:
The Battle of the Cons: AX vs. AM2
AM2 Site Hacked

Notable new licenses/releases:
Madoka Magica Sets New 2ch Record!
Mahou Shojo Madoka Magica Discussions
Garden of Sinners' U.S. Debut in San Francisco February 5
1st Live-Action Gantz Film to Get Hollywood Premiere
Gantz Stars to Attend Screenings in Japan, U.S. on Same Day

Our Picks:
Donald – Fruits Basket; Firefly (DVD, Blu-ray); Serenity (DVD, Blu-ray)
Michelle – Hugo (DVD, Blu-ray, 3D Blu-ray)
Danny – Chihayafuru (Get a Crunchyroll Premium Membership!); Last Exile – Fam, the Silver Wing; Guilty Crown

Fruits Basket

Firefly (DVD)
$18.28

Firefly (Blu-ray)
$19.78

Serenity (DVD)
$7.99

Serenity (Blu-ray)
$23.99

Hugo (DVD)
$13.00

Hugo (Blu-ray)

Hugo (3D Blu-ray)
$34.19

J-List is a peaceful island of Japanese pop culture for you