October 2009

  1. Nintendo announces their new gaming handheld: the DSi LL

    Nintendo announces the new addition to the Nintendo family, the Nintendo DSi LL.  It has been just about a year since the DSi was released in Japan before this announcement.  The DSi LL would be the 4th version of the popular gaming console and is set to be sold in Japan by November 21.

    The DSi LL boasts bigger screen at 4.2 inches.  It is considerably larger than it's DS Lite and DSi counterparts, with the DS Lite at 3 inches and the DSi at 3.2 inches.  As it comes with a larger screen, the whole handheld is also the largest in the Nintendo DS line.  The DSi LL will initially be released in 3 colors, the Wine Red, Dark Brown, and Natural White.

    Interestingly enough, the DSi LL will also include 2 stylus instead of one.  One fits neatly into the DSi LL as it is with the other older models.  Another is a much larger pen-shaped stylus that is 129.3mm long that is carried separately.

     

    Comparison between the DSi and the DSi LL

    Aside from being able to use standard DS cartridges and DSi cartridges, the DSi LL will be capable of downloading and playing DSiWare.  The DSi LL will come with included software: the DSi Browser, Flipnote Studio, Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters, Brain Age Express: Math, and Meikyou Kokugo Rakubiki Jiten, a dictionary software.

  2. Mega Masquarade all day tomorrow in Megamall Megatrade Hall

    Cosplay.ph and Hobbylink brings us Mega Masquerade this Halloween.  It will be held in SM Megamall Megatrade Hall 2 tomorrow, October 31, 2009.  This will be a whole day event packed with activities.

    Inspired by the famous Venetian Masquerade and Mardi Gras, the Mega Masquerade aims to bring a little of the Italian Renaissance with activities taht everyone will enjoy.  Everyone is encouraged to come in colorful costumes and attire and where masks to hide your identity in true Masquerade fashion.  There will be Carnival Games like the ring toss and balloon darts; Entertainers and Performers like those found in medieval Europe; and a variety of booths and merchandise to be sold.  The event will culminate to a grand Masquerade ball towards the evening.

    I have attended and have been part of the Victorian Valentine events and I can truly say that we need more similar events and I personally look forward to seeing the concept of a Masquerade event come to life. I just hope it doesn't rain hard tomorrow and I get some time to at least pass by. 

    For more details, please visit the Cosplay.ph website.

  3. UP AME Fair 2009 presents AME no Jidai

    AME no Jidai TeaserThe University of the Philippines Anime Manga Enthusiasts (UP AME) proudly presents this year's fair entitled AME no Jidai.  In its ninth year of anniversary celebrations, UP AME will bring us back in time to a period of the samurai and warring lords of Japan's feudal era.

    UP AME is the first ever recognized collegiate anime organization in the country which aims to gather anime and manga enthusiasts based in UP Diliman.  They are behind some of the succesful anime events such as the Una kAME!, kAME Ulit!, AME Matsuri, AME Gakuensai, and AME 8th Avenue.

    AME no Jidai, like previous fairs, is a themed event, this time focusing on Japan's feudal era.  Many of the activities are geared towards re-enacting the time period and experiencing some of the traditional festival activities in Japan.  Some of the activities included are the traditional Japanese fortune telling booth, a tea room with snacks served by waiters in traditional outfits of the time, and the ever popular goldfish catching that is still done in modern day Japanese festivals.  Everyone is encouraged to come and dress up in Japanese inspired outfits or maybe dress up as your favorite samurai or one of the many feudal lords and ladies.

    And of course, what is an anime event without cosplay.  AME no Jidai will have both individual and group cosplay.  I am already excited to see what everyone will come up with for this event.

  4. Dokissaten Cafe at the Rockwell Power Plant Mall

    Our favorite maids and butlers will grace us with their presence again at the Rockwell Power Plant Mall.  Dokissaten Maid and Bulter Cafe has first debut at the Kourtyard Cafe in Katipunan as a trial run for Shizen Orchestra.  They would later make appearances in Cosplay Fusion and later at the Mech Cafe of Cosplay Mania.

    So this November 14, I urge everyone who has not tried it to come and visit them at the Sango! the Burger Master.  They will be there the whole day.  My friends and I will definitely come and support them too.

    Sango! the Burger Master is located at the ground level of the Power Plant Mall in Makati.  Visit the ClicktheCity.com for a map of the venue.

  5. Kyo Ritu Art Grand Opening in Cubao AliMall

    Kyo Rito Art Photo Studio had a grand opening last Saturday, October 13, 2009 at Cubao AliMall.   Not your typical photo studio, Kyo Ritu Art caters to taking studio shots in cosplay.  Yes, that's right, cosplay.  While it's not unheard of for cosplayers renting out a photo studio to have their cosplays photoshoots, this is probably the first studio that actually focuses on cosplay.   A great concept, if you ask me, especially with the boom of cosplay in today's generation and the growing appeal of wearing some sort of costume.

    Sese and I had heard about the photo studio way back in August and we were pretty much excited when we got news that they were launching this October.  Once you enter the shop, you can already see that this was not your typical photo studio.  Instead of seeing pictures on the wall or a set menu of services, there were costumes of all shapes and sizes.  They also had weapon props displayed on the wall as well as various colored wigs.  Some of the costumes are of basic design, some from anime and from games.  I personally found the Sora costume from Kingdom Hearts for kids adorable.  LOL.

    Kyo Ritu Art also flew in their in-house photographer all the way from Japan, Mr Katsuhiro Nishikawa (or if you prefer Nishikawa Katsuhiro-san XD).  I am curious as how good is he but from what I hear, he's used to taking cosplay photos so it should really be interesting to see.

    GMA coverage of the ribbon cutting