To begin with, the CD “Imaginary ENOZ featuring Haruhi” has three new songs and three old songs by ENOZ. The old songs are the two insert songs featured on the Tsumeawase CD “God Knows….” and “Lost my music” as well as the final song on the SoundAround Drama CD “First Good-bye” which takes place chronologically following the Live A Live Concert.

So what’s new? Three songs entitled “Star Way to Heaven”, “Secret of Sensation”, and “When I was in Love.”

When I first heard the new songs, I didn’t think anything about them was special, but after listening a few times, I’ve noticed that the chorus beat in “When I was in Love” has a rhythm that I find rather catchy making it my favorite of the bunch (even over the old songs).

Hirano-san brings her best vocals to the job and makes this album sound much better than Super Driver or any of her character songs. She’s consistent in her vocals and doesn’t try to overdo any note. It’s a good mini-album.

The inserts are shots from the Live a Live show. Due to the small size, I cannot tell the quality to see if Kyoto Animation has made any touch-ups on the shots. The original footage was some of the higher quality animation from the 2006 episodes, so it still looks very nice.

The only negative I can really state about this CD is the cost. For the price of a real album, to only have three new songs on it is rather cheap of Lantis and Kadokawa. I don’t regret buying it as a Haruhist with a little bit of extra money, but others may (and have in Japan) vary against it. If you really like Aya Hirano and would like to support the Haruhi music, then get it. If not, there’s always Youtube when you have it stuck in your head.

Up later this weekend will be a review of the Gensou DVD and next week’s review features the music for the Disappearance movie and a surprise!

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The Infini school offers various classes for wannabe brides and grooms at a time when many people in Japan are either shunning the institution of marriage or are finding it very difficult to hook up with a partner.

The school, which is open to men and women, teaches students how to talk, walk and present themselves elegantly in a bid to capture the hearts and minds of prospective partners and their parents, who are often a major obstacle to successful unions.

Infini, which opened last month, now has about 30 female students. An almost equal number of males has signed up, but those who actually turn up to class are much fewer than their female counterparts.

“I had never even thought that my boyfriend’s mother could play such a big role in my relationship, but now I’ve realized I need to start thinking seriously about how to impress my future in-laws,” said Kozue Sugawara, 29, who joined the school after her previous marriage plans failed.

With women wielding increased economic clout and changing social attitudes toward marriage, more Japanese in their 20s and 30s are single than ever before.

Government statistics show nearly two-thirds of women under the age of 34 are unmarried, despite some 3,800 firms in Japan offering match-making services.

The average age of the school’s female students is 30 years.

“Before, people would find it easy to get married because families and society would connect them in some way, sometimes pushing them to get married. But nowadays, people have too many choices and cannot seem to make up their minds,” said Etsuko Satake, principal of the Infini marriage prep school.

Instructors provide critiques about students’ dress, posture and even details such as how they cross their legs or get out of a car. Men and women are taught different skills, which range from how to set a table well to how to be more emotionally expressive.

Students also simulate dates, during which their instructors grade their performance and point out what they did wrong.

The school charges an annual fee of 200,000 yen ($2,217) for unlimited access to its classes.

And some students, such as 32-year-old Mei Oda, seem to think it’s an investment worth making.

“I’m looking for a man who makes more than 10 million yen (110,000 dollars) a year, doesn’t ask me to live with his parents and takes good care of me,” said Oda, a contract office worker.

Experts say that with Japan’s economy plunged deep into recession, many women are taking a renewed interest in marriage and the economic stability it could provide, and are actively seeking a partner through “konkatsu” or spouse-hunting activities.

Source: Reuters / Video

I dont know if I should cry or laugh about the 10 million yen a year part…I think She is looking for a CEO and not exactly just a husband!

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Dengeki conducted an online poll on the popularity of the anime movies shown in the fiscal 2009. Fans voted for the best anime movie they watched.

1, Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance
2, Summer Wars
3, Macross Frontier ~Itsuwari no Utahime~
4, Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha The MOVIE 1st
5, Tales of Vesperia ~The First Strike~
6, The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya
7, One Piece: Strong World
8, (Up by Disney)
9, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann Movie: Lagann-hen
10, Kara no Kyoukai 7: Satsujin Kousatsu (Part 2)

ref. the box office ranking of the anime movies in 2009.
Rank / box office/ screens/ weeks
*1, $48,192,309 194scr *7w One Piece: Strong World
*2, $40,631,237 366scr *5w Pokemon Diamond & Pearl the Movie: Arceus – Choukoku no Jikuu e
*3, $40,303,632 109scr 14w Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance
*4, $35,292,488 303scr *8w Detective Conan Movie 13: The Raven Chaser
*5, $23,825,776 288scr *8w Doraemon: The New Record of Nobita – Spaceblazer
*6, $17,425,019 114scr 10w Summer Wars
*7, $11,004,517 311scr *6w Major: Yuujou no Ikkyuu
*8, $10,097,019 153scr *6w Crayon Shin-chan Movie 17
*9, $*9,099,022 146scr *5w Eiga Precure All-Stars DX: Minna Tomodachi – Kiseki no Zenin Daishuugou
10, $*8,341,362 148scr *6w Fresh Precure! Omocha no Kuni wa Himitsu ga Ippai!?
11, $*7,769,864 266scr *3w Naruto: Shippuuden Movie 3 – Hi no Ishi wo Tsugu Mono
12, $*7,522,074 308scr *5w Penguin no Mondai Movie
13, $*6,112,698 311scr *5w Layton Kyouju to Eien no Uta Hime
14, $*6,074,952 *24scr *5w The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya
15, $*4,839,216 *31scr *5w Macross Frontier ~Itsuwari no Utahime~
16, $*4,319,940 213scr *5w Uchuu Senkan Yamato: Fukkatsu-hen
17, $*4,010,476 255scr *3w Eiga! Tamagotchi Uchuu Ichi Happy na Monogatari!?
18, $*3,130,376 211scr *3w Hottarake no Shima ~Haruka to Mahou no Kagami~
19, $*2,444,050 *19scr *3w Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha The MOVIE 1st
20, $*2,017,918 124scr *2w 10th Anniversary Gekijouban Yu-Gi-Oh! ~Chou Yuugou! Toki wo Koeta Kizuna~
21, $*1,853,535 149scr *4w Anpanman Movie 2009
22, $*1,630,434 *11scr *5w Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann Movie: Lagann-hen
23, $*1,139,719 144scr *4w Keroro Gunsou Movie 4: Gekishin Dragon Warriors de Arimasu!
24, $**,941,610 *34scr *2w Tales of Vesperia ~The First Strike~ 34screens 2weeks
25, $**,702,155 210scr *1w Yatterman 2008 Movie
26, $**,505,349 **7scr *2w Higashi no Eden – Movie I: The King of Eden
27, $**,400,773 *12scr *1w Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works
28, $**,292,467 *29scr *2w Eagle Talon Movie 3
29, $**,215,163 **1scr *5w Kara no Kyoukai 7: Satsujin Kousatsu (Part 2)

Sources: Dengeki, Box Office MOJO, Anime!Anime! via MAL

One note…Japan fiscal year ends in March so movies like Haruhi and Fate Stay Night that were released before that month are included.  Do you agree with the list? I agree with most of it…Now, I need to watch them…

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Minutes later, I discovered that I bought the last one….

The price tag for that figure was 12,580 yen (15%OFF)  about 139.28 USD but I got it for less than half the price…Thanks Point System…Yay! The figure was shipped today, so expect a full review pretty soon. While We wait, take a look at her…It is just a tidbit, Can you guess who is She? The answer should be easy…

Have you ever had the experience of buying the last one?

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If you are interested, there are photos on how they made it.  Now, this is what I can call a good reminder of things that are coming…

Source: Albotas via Kotaku / Pixalated Geek via Gizmodo

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Sleeping with Hinako is a completely different story. The girl still cute but the interaction is just BORING…For most part of the video, you can check virtually every side of Hinako (I will leave that to your imagination), her sleeping habits, some dream sequences, etc…

But honestly…watching her sleeping for most part of the 45 minute video is some sort of torture…or maybe, thats the goal of the video…to make you sleep…Of course, that doesnt work if you have a fast forward button!

Another thing is the TV setting.You need a good TV and place it somewhere in a manner that you can fully enjoy the experience. I can recommend two ways…Words or Sarcasm are not enough!

Source

Now, thats a really cool bed right?

Overall, for a cheap price and a virtual girl, you can enjoy the experience of sleeping with an anime character  in “Sleeping with Hinako”….But I think there are better ways to enjoy the experience like Dakimakura for example…

A little bit expensive, but it is more interactive. One thing is for sure…I really want to know what other ideas, Hinako creators will bring next!

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This edition looks at something that until the first week of February, I had no intention on buying. I do not have the capability to read Japanese; in fact, I just finished reviewing over hiragana two days ago. Once I saw the cover, I was sold.

The book itself is an A5 size book with 175 pages of full color illustration. It begins with the story of the movie and then goes into a bunch of interviews. Not knowing how to read Japanese, I will only be able to point out who is in each interview at this time. I do hope that by the end of the year I’d be able to read some of this. The rest of the content review will be captions with the pictures I’ll provide.

How the book comes (slip included)	The true cover of the book

The movie begins with the usual scenery	Day 1 begins!

Japanese reads right to left and top to bottom, so start your eyes at the top right and go left in the picture below.

A new adventure, right? Right?!

The usual scenery again	Interview with the novel author and both directors

Interview with Minori Chihara

There are interviews with each of the Seijuus, even though minor ones like Tsuruya-san are limited to a few questions. I figured with such a big following that Minori-san would be the best to highlight.

Character designs for Yuki (look at how to put a scarf on in the lower left)

Background art

Hey, remember this picture?

There are A LOT MORE pictures than just this. I couldn’t in good faith scan them all, but I knew this would be a hit.

PV Minori image

Thanks to all the people who worked on the film and book. Special thanks: All Fans

I do feel that this is an exceptionally well-made book. The cover has Yuki and Kyon in a significant point in the book and is removable if you were insane and wanted to remove it.

The illustrations printed and the screens from the movie look absolutely amazing. I sped read the pictures and was amazed at the quality put into this book.

If you are on the fence about the book, I’d say to get it. It’s a steal at 1200 yen and is amazing.

All images are copyright of Kadokawa Shoten. Images are used for previews only. Please support the great people who have produced Haruhi since before 2003 in any way that you can.

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Demographics

Between the 18th and 21st of December 2009 1,077 members of the goo Research monitor group completed a private internet-based questionnaire. 51.0% of the sample were female, 8.7% in their teens, 15.3% in their twenties, 27.0% in their thirties, 27.8% in their forties, 11.9% in their fifties, and 9.3% aged sixty or older. Note that the score in the results refers to the relative number of votes for each option, not a percentage of the total sample.

Q: At what moments do you realise as you have a dog you don’t need a partner? (Sample size=1,077)

Rank		Score
1	When they’re so pleased to see me when I return home	100
2	When they snuggle up close just at the right times	71.1
3	When they know who’s boss	66.9
4	When they only relax when they are by my side	63.3
5	When they are ready and waiting behind the door when I return home	60.8
6	When they get so excited even just for walkies	49.4
7	However often I call them they always come running	47.6
8	Regardless of how foul a mood I am in they don’t get angry	45.8
9	Their sad cries whenever I am going to go out	45.2
10	When they are bored and drop their chins to the floor and look up at me	42.8
11	Even though I give them the same food every day they eat it with gusto	36.1
12	When they look up at me when out for walkies	29.5
13	They always look as if they are smiling	29.5
14	Even right after waking they are all ready to play	24.7
15	When they don’t get moody	22.3
16	When they never get bored retrieving the same toy	19.3
17	When they get so exited when they are going to be left home alone	16.3
18	When they wake me with a smiling face and a passionate kiss	13.3
19	When they eat scraps off the floor	9.6
20	When they get all groggy and car sick	3.6

the moments when people realise as they have a dog they don’t need a partner.

Source: What Japan thinks / Image Source

Well, I can understand some of the answers…and some others are just plain silly.

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New Japan Airlines are considering sewing security chips into their stewardess uniforms because they have become so popular on the black market.

The airline (JAL) have found the uniforms, which feature grey jackets or waistcoasts, skirts, hats and a red neckerchief, are so in demand in the sex industry that they can be sold for a fortune.

In addition, worn uniforms are incredibly popular with fetishists. While many shops sell credible copies for under £100, genuine JAL uniforms can reach a fortune if sold on the black market.

Consumers believe the prospect of former staff selling their uniforms after being made redundant is highly likely.

Yu Teramoto, who owns a costumier in Tokyo, said: ‘It’s hard to say but it is at moment of confusion and anger like this that the black market for uniforms should do well.’

JAL are now considering following in the footsteps of Japan’s All Nippon Airways, who had a similar problem with their uniforms, by sewing computer chips into the outfits.

After installation, the chips can be tracked from space.

A spokesperson for JAL said the company would be using a new protocol which would mean it was ‘virtually impossible for an individual to hold on to their uniform after they have left their job’.

The spokesperson also admitted that after a uniform worn by staff in the business class lounge surfaced on an internet auction site, JAL paid £1,500 to keep it off the black market.

Source: The Daily Mail

This news reminded me of that Mai Otome episode where there was a black market for Otome Uniforms…Stranger than Fiction? Nah…

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Amazon Japan shipped out my Sigh III and IV DVD last Friday in Japan and I received it today. With the leading actress in the movie starting on the cover of the first DVD, the leading actor should star on the following one and Koizumi looks marvelous on the cover.

This set includes the episodes The Sigh of Haruhi Suzumiya III and IV. After the Endless Eight incident and the slow start of this novel, these two episodes really start to pick up the 2009 new episode run with the Mikuru Beam and the showdown between Kyon and Haruhi.

As always the animation is top notch (being that it was actually animated in HD). One of the shots I captured was a screenshot where Haruhi fires the BB pistol and you can see the smoke coming off of the BB as it was shot. Kyoto Animation deserves a lot of credit for the fine work they did in these two episodes.

As a fan of Koizumi, the start of Sigh III begins a lot of screentime for him (coincidence that Haruhi states that he’s getting more in the cafe perhaps?) and it really shows a lot of his character. He’s always there to give a hand, as seen when he helps Mikuru gain composure after being smacked with the microphone.

As well he helps to save the world by preventing Kyon from hitting Haruhi and details how much the world is changing afterwards. He attempts to get Kyon to cheer Haruhi the next day, but to no avail. It’s nice to see him be so active in these scenes.

The special features on the DVD are the same as always. We have two stations’ TV spots for the re-airing, a staff location scouting, and the making of the Super Driver PV. This time the staff go to the shrine seen in Endless Eight V and Sigh III. It’s a beautiful shrine and I hope to visit it sometime. The Super Driver making clip actually has Aya-san go onto a TV show to advertise the show and her CD.

On the Limited Edition DVD, we have the soundtrack, Taniguchi’s Mysterious Voyage, and the SOS Dan memory album again. There’s a lot of upbeat tunes this time, which more than make up for the two discs with mysterious music from the Endless Eight bunch. For Taniguchi’s travels, he visits a rocket museum and a kart track.

One of the special things about Haruhi DVDs is the random extras you can get. In the 2006 DVDs, there were extra sticker sets. In this set you have special coasters and film bookmarks. Yes, they are the same style as the Disappearance bookmarks in my earlier post today. Koizumi-kun just so happened to bring one to me today, which thrilled me. It’s the family watching the Mikuru vs Yuki battle at 9:08 in Sigh III. Not an exciting one, but I’m not turning down a film bookmark!

So there is one final DVD to obtain. Sigh V will be on the 5.99999 volume out later this month. Kyon has the final cover and I can’t wait to finish this set.

As always, I’ve uploaded many more pictures and screen captures here in order to save Toonleap some bandwidth. It’s going to be a busy busy month. Look forward to a surprise review later this week! I didn’t even plan on buying this until about three weeks ago and it’ll be here soon!

Edit: This volume of the Haruhi series sold 12,320 sets in Japan over the weekend. Another increase from the previous volumes, but still down about 9,000 from Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody. It doesn’t help that Sigh isn’t a very popular story, but compared to Endless Eight, it is.

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