Endless Eight: Not So Endless After All

(hover over images for my comments)

As previously stated, this week marked the end of the traumatic Endless Eight arc. A belated blessing, but a blessing all the same. Having watched the episode in Japanese (it’s worth mentioning, for the sake of clarity, that I don’t actually KNOW Japanese), here’s what you’ll all have been waiting to finally see:

WARNING, THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS

If you’re bothered by episode spoilers, I suggest not reading beyond this line. Though, doubtless, most of you will be wanting more substantial proof that the arc has, indeed, ended. Continue reading

Endless Eight End Confirmed

The latest volume of Newtype magazine confirms that the controversial Endless Eight arc, which has stretched on for seven episodes of Haruhi’s “second season”, will conclude this week with its eighth and final episode. This development comes as no surprise to Haruhi fans, many of whom correctly predicted E8’s length several weeks ago. The new episode is scheduled to air in Japan in approximately twelve hours.

–Via ANN

K-On! Enters the Record Books

The fans have spoken, and they love K-On!

Riding the impressive wave of Blu-ray sales, K-On! has claimed the record for the most opening-day sales from its previous holder, Code Geass. With 33,000 Blu-rays and 8,000 DVDs under its belt, K-On! has topped Haruhi’s best opening-day record by 1000 sales. When taken in the context of equally impressive television ratings and CD sales, it would seem that Kyoani has created another goldmine.

Despite some opinions as to K-On!’s perceived lack of quality, it seems the franchise is here to stay.

–From Sankaku Complex (NSFW)

K-On! and Haruhi DVD Sales

According to the latest Amazon Japan DVD sales rankings, both the Haruhi and K-On! DVD releases are performing quite well. Of particular interest are the K-On Blu-ray releases, with the Volume 2 Blu-ray (August 19 release) occupying the #2 ranking, Volume 1 at #16, and the Volume 3 (September 16 release) at #21.

The first Endless Eight Haruhi DVD (September 25 release) is currently ranked at #11, but has accrued quite a few negative one-star reviews, for a cumulative score of 1.5 stars. This would seem to indicate that Japanese fans are just as frustrated with Endless Eight as we are, but are still willing to purchase the DVDs.

Endless Eight and the DVDs of Despair

The eighth episode of the new Haruhi ‘season’ has aired, and (suprise) it’s another repetition of Endless Eight. The common wisdom now is that next week’s episode with be the last E8 loop. We can only hope.

Meanwhile, in even more depressing news, the DVD release details for Endless Eight have been revealed. It seems that E8 will be released across 4 DVDS, with two episodes per DVD. Each release will retail for ¥6,930 (approximately $72 USD).

Yes, you read that right. That’s seventy-two dollars for two episodes. That means buying the entirety of E8 on DVD will cost $288.

I think I’ll wait for the box set.

–Via Random Curiosity and Sankaku Complex (NSFW)

K-On! Music Tops Charts

K-On!’s most recent release, Hōkago Teatime, has become the first character album ever to top the Japanese charts, selling 67,000 copies since its release last Wednesday. With Maddy Caddy set to release in a few weeks and hype at an all-time high, K-On! looks set to fill the void left in otakus’ hearts by Endless Eight…

–From ANN

Lucky Star: Net Idol Meister announced

According to Japanator, the game Lucky Star: Net Idol Meister has been announced for the PSP, and is slated for a December 24th release in Japan. The game challenges the player to raise a Lucky Star girl to become a popular net idol, via a series of minigames. In this respect, it seems to be either an homage or a parody of the Idolmaster series. Your girl will be able to visit Akihabara, Bukuro, their own hometown and (naturally) the internet.

–Via Japanator