Microsoft Creates Official Windows 7 OS-tan


As stated in the previous post, many of you are probably familiar with the OS-tan meme, which delights in portraying Windows operating systems as cute anime girls. Originally from 2chan, this meme has become extremely popular, spawning thousands of pieces of fanart, as well as flash videos, internet communities, manga, doujinshi, and even its own wiki. The Japanese branch of Microsoft has realized the huge marketing potential of this concept, and decided to create an official OS-tan for Windows 7, by the name of Nanami Madobe. This name is, naturally, a pun: “nana” is Japanese for “seven”, and “mado” means “window”. Images of Microsoft marketing featuring Nanami can be found below.

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CGI Sci-Fi To Trailer Revealed

The second trailer for Fumihiko Sori’s To has been released, giving us a taste of what the director of the Appleseed film has in store for us now.

Kinda puts Gonzo’s CG to shame, doesn’t it? The original 90-second trailer can be viewed below.

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Aya Hirano Sings for Dragonball Kai

Aya Hirano, who was recently cast as Dende in Dragonball Kai, will record a Dende character song for the upcoming Dragonball Kai Song Collection CD. The song, entitled “Cure~Boku ga Koko ni Iru you~”, will appear alongside other DBK music, including the OP “Dragon Soul” and ED “Yeah! Break! Care! Break!” by Takayoshi Tanimoto, and songs by Yo Yamazaki and Ryo Horikawa (Vegeta’s VA). The CD is set to be released on October 21st.

Dragonball Kai’s OP and ED, both rolled into one convenient video, can be found below.

–Via ANN

Hatsune Miku… IN SPACE!

A figure of Hachune Miku (the chibi version of Hatsune Miku) is set to be launched in a rocket later this month. The rocket, built by the Social Media Satellite Development Project (SOMESAT) will be taking part in the eXtreme Performance Rocket Ships challenge. XPRS, closely linked to AERO-PAC, involves a group of amateur rocketeers who frequently meet in the Nevada Desert and attempt to win one of several rocket launching contests. Entries into the event are varied, covering everything from minature replica Patriot missiles to Astro Boy.

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New Negima Feature in 2011

Ken Akamatsu’s wildly successful shonen/fantasy/action/romance/harem/comedy manga Negima is set to receive an “anime feature”, tentatively set to be released in 2011. Based on earlier comments by Kodansha producer Yoichi Ishomoto, some are speculating that a Negima theatrical adaptation is in the works. This is only conjecture, however, as details are still scarce.

Akamatsu is, naturally, no stranger to adaptations of his works. Negima alone has thus far spawned two TV anime series, four OVA sets, a live-action series, a spin-off manga and a musical. However, thus far, these adaptation have all been disappointments, and by many accounts failed to live up to the original manga. Hopefully, this new project can reverse that trend.

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Negima: Another World

The second trailer for Magical Teacher Negima: Another World, a four-episode direct-to-dvd OVA, was recently revealed. Like last year’s Negima: The White Wing, this release will be an exceedingly faithful adaptation of the Magic World arc of the manga. However, whereas The White Wing focused on the fanservice-oriented chapters,  Another World looks a good deal more action packed. Personally, I’m looking forwards to seeing Fate Averruncus fight…

Although the animation isn’t anything to write home about, it’s nice to see a Ken Akamatsu work finally getting a halfway decent anime adaptation.

The series will be released on a DVD included with the 27th volume of the Negima manga, which hits Japanese bookshelves on September 17th.

–Via ANN

Another Record for K-On!

Tsumugi Kotobuki, Ritsu Tainaka and Azusa Nakano

Tsumugi Kotobuki, Ritsu Tainaka and Azusa Nakano

K-On!’s recent trifecta of character albums for Tsumugi, Ritsu and Azusa, which were released on August 26th, have made history by all appearing in the top 10 Oricon singles charts. This is the first time that three character album releases from the same anime have appeared in the top 10 together, earning K-On! another spot in the record books. Azusa Nakano proved to be the most popular, selling 28,000 copies for a #3 spot on the charts. Ritsu Tainaka followed close behind, coming in at #5 with 26,000 sales. Finally, Tsumugi Kotobuki brought up the rear, with 25,000 sales and a #6 ranking.

This is, naturally, only the latest in K-On’s long line of retail successes. It seems there’s no end to K-On!’s popularity… at least, until Kyoani figures out a way to ruin it for everyone.

–Via ANN

Ponyo Blu-Ray Will Include English Subs

Yes, this is actually a character from Ponyo.

Yes, this is actually a character from Ponyo.

Disney has confirmed that the Japanese Blu-Ray release of Ponyo, which is the first Studio Ghibli Blu-ray release ever, will include multiple subtitle tracks in eight languages. These languages are: Japanese, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Korean, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese. Additionally, the release will include audio tracks in seven languages: Japanese, French, Italian, Spanish, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, and Cantonese Chinese. Oddly enough, English is the only language to receive subtitles, but no audio track. This likely has to do with Ghibli’s licensing agreement with Disney.

Since both Japan and the United States adhere to Region A Blu-ray coding, American fans who wish to watch Ponyo subtitled can now import the Blu-ray disc when it is released on December 8th. Unfortunately, our Australian and British friends will have to wait for a Region B release.

–Via ANN

She’s Turning Japanese

Movie star Kirsten Dunst, most famous for her role as Mary Jane Watson in the Spider-Man film series, was spotted recently in Akihabara… and it appears that she’s gone local.

Apparently, she was starring in a video being filmed by McG, the director of Terminator Salvation. Although the nature of this project is unknown, it will be screened at an exhibition later this year in London.

More images of Kirsten’s crazy cosplay, as well as an opinion poll, can be found below.

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