Tatsuya Ichihashi Arrested

This isn't something I would normally post, but I have been following this story fairly closely and was very happy to see the arrest of Tatsuya Ichihashi. He is accused of killing a young British teacher named Lindsay Ann Hawker two years ago, and has been a fugitive from justice ever since.

More details about the case and Ichihashi's arrest at Mainichi Daily News.

二ノ国 / Ninokuni

The impressive new Studio Ghibli project is not a new movie, though this trailer might trick those not looking closely. It's a major score for reputable game maker Level 5, and Ninokuni is a Nintendo DS game. Let's hope we get this stateside. The buzz has already started. Check the official site for high quality video and more details (in Japanese).

Podcast 010: Horror Manga for Halloween

The latest episode of Sci-Guys is online. This episode in the Manga Minute we talk Kazuo Umezu and Junji Ito horror manga just in time for Halloween. Fast-forward to 36:56 to hear the Manga Minute. Our next podcast will be online at Sci-Guys on Tuesday, Oct. 27. We will talk more horror talk and Four-Eyed Price.

Manga News Launches in Japan

ANN reported today about the launch of 漫画の新聞 AKA NewsManga.com. Every day a handful of timely news stories from all sections of the news realm, from finance to sports, are presented in manga form. You can see above the announcement of Windows 7. Despite the dip in profits in recent years in the 5 billion dollar a year Japanese manga market projects like these are launched. Legitimate online manga (read: cell phones) is on the rise and News Manga will probably appeal to that audience.

Former PM Koizui to Star in Ultraman Movie

Popular former Prime Minister of Japan Junichiro Koizumi will take on the role of Ultraman King (on the right in the photo above). Koizumi will not appear, but just his voice will be used for the regal Ultraman King. Koizumi originally turned down the offer, but was convinced by his sons to take it. It is not clear when the release date for Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy Legend, The Movie is. More info at TIME.

Your Mouse Might be a Spider

These creepy Japanese mouse offerings are available here at Thanko.jp. I think I would have a hard time wrapping my fingers around an encased tarantula or scorpion, but some buggy types might enjoy.

Star Wars 和てぬぐい

How sweet are these? These are 34 x 90cm "Japanese hand towels" that can't be beat.

At about 1500 yen (almost $17 USD) they ain't exactly giving them away, but I would have a hard time not picking up a set of six if I were in Japan now.

Check out more pics and other Japan exclusive items here and here.

Podcast 009: MPD Psycho Reviewed

In this latest Sci-Guys podcast we do the Slurpee Smackdown to some dubious results. We also do our summer movie wrap-up. If you want to hear The Manga Minute you can skip to 33:45 where we talk MPD-Psycho manga (as well as the live-action Japanese release and the American live-action license), the untimely passing of Yoshito Usui, and Sci-Guy Scott talks Ikigami: The Ultimate Limit.

Smap → Softbank Commercial

Good commercials leave the viewer asking questions and wanting more, and Japanese commercial makers are the king of this.

For the uninitiated Smap is the NKOTB of Japan, if NKOTB stayed together and never lost popularity. Softbank is, naturally, a cell phone company.

Neon Genesis Evangelion Review Posted

Check out my review of Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Shinji Ikari Raising Project here at Comics Village.