You Light Up My Life...

Hikaru skirt, the place where zettai ryouiki becomes komorebi ryouiki.

Happy Independence Weekend!

Here is the West Palm Beach fireworks display as seen from the inside:



Drone was a DJI Phantom 2 with a GoPro Hero 3 camera. Amazing.

Little Golden Manga...

...by Matt Reedy:

Matt Reedy, an artist in Alton, Illinois, is developing a series that he calls Little Golden Manga. It shows the covers of Japanese comic books as if they were part of the classic Little Golden Books series. I remember my folks teaching me to read with books from the Little Golden Books series when I was 3 or 4 years old.

That was a LONG time ago... -_^

Vector Tribute

by Orlando Arocena

Young and Beautiful - Vintage 1920's Version

What Lana Del Rey's Young and Beautiful would have sounded like in the 20's:


Excellent! I'm a big fan of Lana Del Rey, and also of music from the 20's and 30's era (especially blues from that period) so I absolutely love this! If you like, checkout some of their other videos as well.

Grumpy Catbus

By Tim Doyle.

Great Last Minute Gift Ideas from RACS!

We'll, we're down to the wire for Christmas shipping, but it's still not too late to get something for that special Otaku!

RACS store orders (shipping within the US) can still be there by Dec 24th if you use our flat rate 2nd day air shipping option as long as your order is placed before 4pm EST on Thursday afternoon.

Don't forget, RACS e-newsletter subscribers can get FREE 2nd Day Air shipping thru 4pm tomorrow on any order over $200 by using our SHIPFAST coupon at checkout.

After that, Dec 24th delivery is still possible if you select our FedEx Next Day Air option and place your order no later than 3PM EST on Friday afternoon.

If you are still pondering that last minute gift, and just can't figure out what the right thing would be, here are some RACS staff recommendations you really can't go wrong with:

Bunny Drop Complete Collection DVD/BD Combo Set (Premium Edition)
Natsume's Book of Friends Seasons 1&2 DVD Collection (Premium Edition)
Serial Experiments Lain Complete Series DVD/BD Combo Set
Children Who Chase Lost Voices DVD
Haibane Renmei Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set
The Book of Bantorra Collection DVD
A Certain Magical Index (Toaru Majutsu no Index) DVD
Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere DVD
Hakuoki: Dream of the Fleeting Blossom Season 1 Collection DVD
Ai Yori Aoshi / Ai Yori Aoshi Enishi, Complete Collection DVD

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind , Graphic Novel Box Set (Vol #1-7) (Hardcover)
Ouran High School Host Club Graphic Novel Box Set (Vol #1-18)
Legend of Zelda Graphic Novel Boxed Set (Vol #1-10)
Pokemon: Diamond and Pearl Adventure, Graphic Novel Box Set (Vol #1-8)
Vampire Knight Graphic Novel Collectors Boxed Set (Vol #1-10)

xxxHolic 16" Mokona Back Pillow
Sonic The Hedgehog: 20" Plush Bag / Bakpack - Sonic

I Don't Have Many Friends: Yozora Mikaduki ~ Monster Hunter Version ~ 1/8 Scale PVC Figure
Tekken TT2: Asuka Kazama Bishoujo Statue
DC Bishoujo Wonder Woman Statue
Cowboy Bebop Spike Spiegel Play Arts Kai Action Figure
Guilty Crown: Inori Yuzuriha 1/8 Scale PVC Figure
Last Exile: Alvis & Lavie 1/8 Scale PVC Figure
Mayo Chiki! Nakuru Narumi 1/4.5 Polyresin Figure
Linkin Park Nendoroid Petite Action Figure Set
Working!! Aoi Yamada Nendoroid Action Figure
Puella Magi Madoka Magica Sakura Kyoko Nendoroid Action Figure
One Piece: Jewelry Bonney Portrait of Pirates NEO-DX 1/8 Scale PVC Figure
Queens Blade Rebellion Annelotte Blue Knight Princess ExModel Core PVC Figure

All of the above items are currently in stock at our Winchester, VA fulfillment center. Don't forget, our big figurine sale ends Dec 21st, so there are only two days left to save big on hundreds of different Anime figures and toys. Don't miss out!

We also have some great exclusive deals going on at our Amazon store, and if you are a prime member you can get free 2nd day shipping there. Checkout some of these great deals, all under $25:



Our inventory for all of the above items are already in stock at Amazon's warehouse and ready to ship directly to you!

We'll be breaking for the long holiday weekend at the close of business on Friday, so 3pm EST on Dec 21st is going to be our drop dead for any orders to ship out prior to Christmas. After that, consider giving an RACS e-Gift certificate. They come in domination's as little as $25 and will be available for delivery via e-mail including your personal gift message right up through Christmas eve on the 24th.

Time for me to get back to work. Happy holidays everyone! :-)

Animated Short - Paths of Hate

Some of you have probably already seen this, but it was recently made available in full length and is spectacular. The film was created at Poland’s Platige Image, home of Tomek Baginski, Grzegorz Jonkajtys, Michal Socha and, of course, Paths of Hate director Damian Nenow.

It features what is probably one of the best animated aerial war scenes ever made and reminds me of the kind of great stuff that Japanese producers like Production I.G. and Gonzo USED to do - you know, before M.O.E. ran everyone off the railroad tracks.

Now, to start your weekend off with something a little different:



Caution: Stop at 5:40 for the happy ending... You can download the movie in HD here.

Neurowear Necomimi Cat Ears - On The Way!

After pursuing the folks at Neurowear for almost a year to get their new Necomimi Cat Ears imported to the states, I'm happy to announce that our first shipment of the official North American version is on the way and will be in stock in a few days!

You can order your pair right here and we'll ship them as soon as they arrive next week!

Features:
• Move the ears with your emotions.
• Choose ears that fit your style.
• Based on safe brainwave tech.
• Easy to wear and simple to use.
• Totally safe! Only two light-touch sensors on your forehead and ear.

Details:
• 4 AAA batteries (not included)
• Ages 14+
• 10 oz.
• Conceived in Tokyo
• Designed in Silicon Valley
 
I have had a sample pair of these ears for a couple of months and I have to tell you that they really do work, though there is a 'break' in period while you get used to getting them to do what you want.

 
 
Many thanks to YouTube user 'twunks' for her most excellent review of the ears that she picked up at Fanime!

RACS is going to be a stocking dealer for Neurowear, and while the current white/pink model are the first ones they are going to make available, a black version will begin shipping later this summer as well as more styles to follow later this year. They are great fun! :-)
 
 

Funimation's June Releases - Now Available for Pre-Order!

Everyone seems to be in a hurry to get their new schedules out this week, so when it rains it pours! We've also laid our hands on Funimation's June release schedule, and we now have them up on the store site for pre-order.

Here's what's coming:

Dragonball Z Kai Season 1 Part 5 DVD Boxed Set (Eps #53-65) - Jun 7th
Dragonball Z Kai Season 1 Part 5 DVD Boxed Set (Eps #53-65) (BLURAY) - Jun 7th
Tenchi Muyo Ryo Ohki Complete DVD Boxed Set (Classic Collection)- Jun 7th
TO (Tou) Anime Movie DVD/BLURAY Combo Pack- Jun 7th
Tsubasa Season 1 Collection DVD Box Set (Eps #1-26) (S.A.V.E. Edition) - Jun 7th
Tsubasa Season 1 Collection DVD Box Set (BLURAY) (S.A.V.E. Edition) - Jun 7th
Dance in the Vampire Bund Complete Collection DVD/BLURAY Combo Set (Limited Edition) - Jun 14th
Fruits Basket Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Collectors Edition) - Jun 14th
Last Exile Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Classic Collection) - Jun 14th
Blue Gender Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set + Movie (Classic Collection) - Jun 21st
Baka and Test Complete Collection DVD/BLURAY Combo Set (Eps #1-13) (Limited Edition) - Jun 28th
Gungrave Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (Classic Collection) - Jun 28th
Gungrave Complete Collection DVD Boxed Set (BLURAY) (Classic Collection) - Jun 28th
Rideback Complete Collection DVD/BLURAY Combo Set (Eps #-1-13) (Limited First Pressing) - Jun 28th
Sgt Frog (Keroro Gunso) Season 3 Part 1 DVD Boxed Set (Eps #52-64) - Jun 28th

So, a few notes and observations:

1) The original release of Rideback set for April 12th has been scrubbed and a new DVD/BLURAY combo set put in it's place, new streeting on Jun 28th. The price is the same, so all existing pre-orders for the old version will automatically be upgraded to the new version scheduled for Jun.

2) We will only be offering the Limited First Pressing version of both Dance in the Vampire Bund and Baka and Test for pre-order. As always, we are pricing this version at the same price at the regular edition which we will not offer until the limited version is sold out.

3) Funimation is showing some 'corporate' level decision making (i.e. not smart) to re-release the Tsubasa S.A.V.E. edition as separate seasons when they have already released a 'complete' collection of the series. I think the nice 'Collected Memories' edition still offers the best value, and we will keep this version in stock as long as possible. I recommend you pass on the upcoming S.A.V.E. version unless you absolutely don't care about anything except 'cheap'.

4) Funi has added a BD version of Gungrave to the schedule along side the prevously delayed DVD re-release. Both of these are being re-streeted under the 'Classics' label, as are Last Exile and Tenchi Ryo-Ohki

5) I'm not sure what the Fruits Basket 'Collectors' edition is going to entail yet, but we should find out in the next couple of days. All we know right now is that it will be released at a higher price than the previous Viridian edition, so hopefully the contents of this version will justify that.

6) Glad to see the DVD/BD 'combo packs' taking hold.

7) All you loli fans out there can rejoice - Dance in the Vampire Bund will be 100% UNCUT.

To OVA

The year 2068. Human kind has established a moon colony with a vast population of 300,000 inhabitants. They need supplies and the easiest way to send them is via the Moonlight Bazooka, a gas propelled launcher that shots the containers to the moon orbit. Then one day the 078962-EK ship, best known as the ghost ship Flying Dutchman docks after a 15 year travel carrying the most precious energy resource known by humanity. Space travel is cruel since the travelers only age 2 years while the rest of humanity ages 15 in the process. The second OVA takes place around 100 years later, humanity now is trying to establish colonies around other stellar systems, but still they don't travel as one and carry their national identities and the seed of war. The planet where they find the most suitable colonization terrains soon shows them that living as separate beings in the universe is not a good way to survive.

Dance in the Vampire Bund

Mina Tepes, the Princess of the ancient covenant and ruler of all vampires, wants her race to stop hiding from the humans. Using her vast wealth, she has paid off Japan's entire national debt and by doing so, gained the right to create a district off Japan's coast that is to become the future haven to vampires worldwide. But when she finally attempts to make public the existence of vampires to the world some politicians, terrorists and rival factions are plotting to assassinate Mina before she has a chance to get Japan's and International recognition for the Vampire Bund. Now she must rely on her strength, cruelty and those closest to her, while trying to make a normal life.

Baka and Test

Advanced placement into a school of higher grade proof-reading is determined by the results of the Promotion Test strictly for class type. Ranging from A class with the best facilities anyone can offer all the way down to F Class which is composed of low dining tables, rotten tatami mats and other worn out facilities. Students can change classes by competing using the Examination Summons Battle system or ESB. Students summon characters with their equivalent test mark scores and use them to compete with other classes.

Solstice Lunar Eclipse - Begins at 1:33AM (EST)

Off topic, but if you're up, don't forget the step outside tonight to see the Solstice Lunar Eclipse. It's the first solstice eclipse in 456 years, and will be the only one that happens in our life times.

Per Nasa: The eclipse begins on Tuesday morning, Dec. 21st, at 1:33 am EST (Monday, Dec. 20th, at 10:33 pm PST). At that time, Earth's shadow will appear as a dark-red bite at the edge of the lunar disk. It takes about an hour for the "bite" to expand and swallow the entire Moon. Totality commences at 02:41 am EST (11:41 pm PST) and lasts for 72 minutes.

Just remember to dress warm!

Is There Anything They Can't Do?

Japanese Water Fountain:

Evening Shopping in Akihabara

Evening Shopping in Akihabara at the Sato Musen electronics store:


Thanks to Sean for e-mailing!

Freedom Commercial Doesn't Suck

In consideration of Independence day coming up in a couple of weeks, this is the first piece of marketing material to come from the People's Automotive Collective #3 that I've seen in a long time that doesn't suck:



Sorry to our Brit friends, but how could the Redcoats be expected to stand against Washington's legions of attacking Dodge Challengers. Remember Lord Cornwallis held the line at Yorktown until redoubt #10 fell to the charging columns of hastily built but powerful Shelby GT's (though it's said Washington in his Chevy Camero did not personally participate in that attack).

Nothing is more American than a really phat muscle car that goes really fast and gets really shitty gas mileage - except perhaps a good German muscle car with similar specs - unless of course the American car is bristling with weapons.

And if you're scratching your head and wondering why Washington would attack the British instead of trying to 'use diplomacy', then you probably drive a Prius. I've heard the advancing British columns used to eat those up for breakfast...

HEH.

Pirates & Idiots

I like this:




Sometimes a little civil disobedience is a good thing.

Oh, and by the way, fuck you Nickolas Levasseur.



I hope the voters in NH toss this ass hat out in the next election. I'm going to send him a copy of Barefoot Gen tomorrow! If anyone wants to tell him how you appreciate his comments, his e-mail address is nickolas.levasseur@gmail.com , and his legislative history can be found on the New Hampshire House of Representatives page here.

Apology NOT accepted.

Medicom Evangelion Unit 01 Meter Tall Figure - Now In Stock!

If you are crazy for really expensive but super cool Anime items, we have managed to lay our hands on several of the Evangelion Movie 1.01: You Are Not Alone EVA Unit 01 1/80 Scale Vinyl Statue from Medicom.

This 1+ Meter Tall Eva Unit 01 statue comes in packaging the size of a small refrigerator, and is of very high quality. Once our shipment of these cleared customs and got loaded on the truck carrier to come to us, they were so big they could only fit 4 on each pallet!

They are now in our warehouse and ready to ship to you.

An Italian fan has one and posted lots of great pictures of the figure on his blog here.

And don't worry, if you guys don't buy them all I'm going to unpack a couple and put them in our lobby! :-)

Lots more new figures in stock this week here.

Better than an IPad

I only wish they had these when I was 14...

Via Ace of Spades: