While I have always thought that it takes an alternate form of hardcore otaku to enjoy extended forms of anime crossovers such as characters singles, I came across this fantastic example which made me have a quick rethink:
A great opportunity for Yoko fans to visualise her as a J-idol, seeing her in all forms of cosplay and even art style! This video is part of the boxset of her debut single, featuring a decent catchy tune, performed by seiyuu Inoue Marina (must get!).
Although released two-three weeks ago in the US, Terminator Salvation only just officially opened up in the UK last Wednesday, when I happened to catch it (funnily enough with Orange Wednesdays 2 for 1 offer still valid). I hadn't been to the Empire Leceister Square in years and its changed quite considerably. For the movie, there were quite alot of nice promo displays including the one-sheet style posters and banners as well as the impressive cardboard cut out and props displayed inside the foyer area:
The movie itself? Apart from the nice actionsequences, gunshots & the loud explosions (there was a LOT of them), it wasn't a necessary addition to the franchise. Christian Bale was back to donning his growly Dark Knight voice while Sam Worthington's Marcus Wright seemingly had more screen time. It was a fair effort from McG but the hype just left us expecting more.
My good friend, Juan Carlos Cambon, of Nipponaisuki is constantly drawing, every moment he gets which makes him a remarkably busy man. Although he's renowned for his fine art of women, he's currently working on a few projects and commissions here and there which involve more then that. Anyway, one day out of the blue, I asked him how his version of Street Fighter's Chun Li would be and he managed to cook up a sketch version in a few hours and coloured by the next day:
Awesome! Remember to visit his site, Nipponaisuki for samples of his work and an upcoming online store!
Following whole Batman R.I.P. fiasco comes the new Batman Reborn story line, featuring an all new Dynamic Duo from the aftermath of Battle for the Cowl.
BATMAN & ROBIN #1 -------------------- The team that brought you New X-Men and All Star Superman now take on the new iteration of Gotham's Dark Knight and sidekick. As expected with any introductory issue, fast paced to start, character moments in the middle and things to come at the end. Its a fairly light, enjoyable issue and not as bizarre and surreal as other Grant Morrison stories. For new readers, Frank Quitely's art can be hard to get used to but once you're there, you'll see how detailed it truely is, right down to hand-drawn "sound" effects.
COMICBOOK CHEESECAKE OF THE WEEK --------------------------------------- A tough week this week, not alot of pin-ups to be found on the comic shelves (apart from a Greg Land cover, but I can't stand his repetitive digital painting so no thanks). So not the best in pin-up shots but this week: J Scott Campbell's STORM (BLACK PANTER 2 #5)
Hope you're having a great weekend! Possible post tomorrow!
First of all, I have to express what a week I've been having! Its been a non-stop rollercoaster ride from early starts to the day to finishing up late into the night as well as stopping to catch Terminator Salvation mid-week, its been great! Hopefully it can only get better.
Another (yet tiny) new stock update:
AKIRA KANEDA & TETSUO PVC STATUES FROM YAMATO/APLHA IN STOCK! A pivital manga/anime which has been watched by anime and non-anime fans alike comes these fantastic 2003-release PVC statues of main protagonist & antagonist, Kaneda and Tetsuo. Each pre-posed, fully painted PVC statue is window boxed in a beautiful die cut window box and is ready for display. Each is a hefty piece, where retail price in Japan was¥5,800 (~£40)! Take the opportunity to own each at a fraction of the original price! Information on the website http://www.outerhavenltd.co.uk to link to eBay Buy it Now.
More Gundam & anime-related stock on the way! Have a great weekend!
After taking time out to see the new yesterday-release of Terminator Salvation at the amazingly refurbished Empire Leicester Square (I hadn't been for 2-3 years so its all new to me), I return to find my first new delivery!
CULT CLASSICS TERMINATOR 2 NECA IN STOCK! Currently 3 versions of the T-800, Pescadero Escape, Man or Machine & Endoskeleton. Pescadero Escape & Man or Machine heads can be interchanged while the Endoskeleton is a new retooled version. Each with multiple points of articulation.
Information on the website http://www.outerhavenltd.co.uk to link to eBay Buy it Now (set of 3 also available at discounted price)
More on the way soon! Thanks a million! Have a great day!
Sorry for the lack of a post yesterday, was fighting against sleep deprivation and it won!
Managed to finally catch some anime on Monday night and it so happened to be done by my favourite studio since the "Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya". For those that aren't in the know, K-On! is and will be the next big anime over her when it hits full steam, much in the same way as Haruhi and Lucky Star did before it. Again, like Lucky Star, based on a 4-koma (panel) manga, its got its nice comedic moments its enjoyable unrealistic instances and some crazy supporting characters apart from the main lot. I reckon its like a lighter, female version of BECK.
With episode 9, a year has already passed since episode 1 and the keionbu (light music club) have just found themselves a new member (a big deal for japanese school clubs) in the form of 1st-year student, Azusa. Hence, see the new OP additions:
The episode really just touched upon the current members new reaction to a new member and how its really come to our attention how they haven't been as such a light music club as opposed to a tea-party, ahahaha, as well as lighter version of Haruhi-style unintentional sexual abuse, especially from Sawa-sensei. Mio has been trying to get this band fully established since the start even though its Ritsu's dream so its interesting to see how the addition of Azusa (who looks a bit like a Mio-lite) will help support it.
See what I mean by enjoyable unrealistic instances? I love Kyo-ani!
Hopefully another update tonight (hint: stock?). Have a good day, folks!
Today was supposed to be an anime update with some that I managed to catch over the weekend...unfortunately, I didn't manage to!! It was busier then usual, so why not give you folks an update on whats going on with Outer Haven Collectibles?
Each day for me has been early starts and late finishes but thats because I strive to get this business to a decent position very quickly. In terms of stock, new items should be on its way very shortly, as soon as mid-week this week. I've managed to secure a few contacts in Japan, one in Hong Kong, one in the US and a few more in the UK so a bit of diversity in the stock that I carry. Keeping checking back here for quick stock updates will eventually make it to the website and on eBay!
So bear with me during this transition. You guys rock! Have a good evening!
A spoiler-free review and a brand new feature all in one post!
WOLVERINE #72 -------------- With the tantalizing cliff-hanger in #71 followed by the early release of #73 due to the upcoming Dark Wolverine storyline crossovers making this the first book to read this week (and on a Friday too due to Bank Holiday Monday making New Comic Day a day late, damn them), I couldn't help but feel somewhat satisfied by the expected and the unexpected. Although we saw the conclusion from a mile off, the ability of knowing it and finally seeing it are completely different. Typical solid dialogue from Mark Millar and as top notch artwork as to be expected by Steve McNiven and rest of the Civil War art team, I enjoyed seeing the New Captain America in the flashback which makes this future seem all the more believable, although we all know it'll be ret-conned once again...
COMICBOOK CHEESECAKE OF THE WEEK --------------------------------------- New feature, just the best pin-up cover of the week featuring a scantily clad female member of a superteam or otherwise. This week: formerly known as Moonstone, now Dark Avenger, its Mike Deodato's lovely rendition of MS MARVEL (Ms. Marvel #39, MARVEL)
This post is dedicated to a good friend of mine, Juan Carlos Cambon of nipponaisuki. Not only did he help me design the "Outer Haven" logo based on a crappy rough sketch I did, he did about 7 different versions of it (outlined, outlined with red gradiant fill, outlined with grey gradiant fill, white version etc etc) and his own moo.com Mini Cards gave me the idea to use them as little fliers when I send out the products that I sell! Thanks a million, man!
These came in the post this morning and I'm happy with how they turned out although the cutting cuts out the web address on the front a few times *sigh* can't win them all. The back basically has the URL to this blog and my main website.
You can check out Carlos' work on his website: Juan Carlos Cambon nipponaisuki. He also does alot of shows and sells his art prints. Whenever I see the guy, he's always sketching away, hehehe.
Let me start with a little story. I love Ranked Battles, whether its completely showing up a novice player (sorry) or finding a challenging opponent, attempting to outwit them with new combinations and movements and then earning points based on your performance. One late Saturday evening, I decided to have a few Quick Matches and came across kikijin who had an icon I hadn't obtained yet, even after 60 hours of play. So it looked like a promising match. Unfortunately, his Akuma/Gouki was suffering quite a bit against Ryu and beating him would have sufficiently raised up my battle points...and then they rage-quit.
Rage-quit 1. To purposely disconnect your connection to the internet before suffering an embarassing loss to cheaply prevent your "hard-earned" points going to a better, more deserving player.
If I had beat him, I believe I would have earned a nice chunk of BP but I think he only earned so much was due to rage quitting and therefore never losing a match! We at Outer Haven Collectibles do not condone RAGE-QUITTING!!!
Making up a new iteration of Street Fighter IV is more tiring than I thought so I saved myself the trouble and gave up on it :D
Tonight, I'm gonna spotlight another new Street Fighter IV product, this time mini-figures from Bandai under their "Soul of Hyper Figuration" line of ultra detailed and accurate sculpting.
4 main figures, each with an additional colour variant and the "secret" figure...which we all know is Seth! I can't find anywhere which tells me how big they are...but am I trying my hardest to get them in? Damn straight I am, watch this space!
No, the title doesn't represent the latest iteration of the much loved beat-em up franchise! I did however want to start spotlighting some new Street Fighter products that seem to be hitting stores in Japan thanks to the 20th Anniversary celebration as well as release of IV all those months ago.
I received this two weeks ago (on my sister's wedding day no less), she bagged a husband and I received the must have artbook...ever. Titled "Street Fighter Artworks HA", the sheer size of the book makes you think of it as some kind of beast. And it really doesn't disappoint. I for one own the UDON release of Street Fighter Eternal Challenge and that was quite a nice artbook. Although alot of reprinted material, theres an extensive catalogue of Street Fighter-related images, and not just Street Fighter-only. You have Street FIghter EX from Arika, Capcom vs SNK, Namco x Capcom, Capcom Design Works, SNK Vs Capcom SVC Chaos, if theres a Street Fighter character in the piece of art, its in this book!
Lets run though my favourite parts, shall we?
(above) Nishimura Kinu: They included concept art for the anime "Street Fighter II: MOVIE"! That's amazing! A great painted shot of Chun Li and an apple even my sister approved!
(above) Ikeno: A very new book brings very new images! The character select screen art as well as come concept designs for SFIV. While some of this you can unlock in the game, its nice to have it printed.
(above) UDON: Those familiar with the ongoing Street Fighter comic (now on Street Fighter II Turbo) will have known canadian comic publisher, UDON, who worked on Super SFII Turbo HD Remix and provided the ending comics for Capcom Fighting Jam. They're even in this artbook.
Feeling a bit under the weather so thats all for now (you didn't think I was gonna show you the whole book, right?). I definately recommend it, its chunky, it'll look great on your shelf and it just reeks of spendid hard work inside.
While some might say that their God has returned, it doesn't change the fact that seeing a brand new episode after three years absence brings tears of joy to our otaku eyes. What has really surpised many fans was how the supposed new season (that was rumoured and later confirmed many times with viral campaigns and Newtype double spreads) ended up in between the recent re-airing of the acclaimed first season. I was expecting the new season to follow on from the re-airing but if speculation is correct, the new episodes seem to be inserted chronologically with the new broadcast. Given that the first season was an adaptation of the first light novel and bits and pieces from the later ones, it makes for a much accurate representation which should please fans.
Techinically the new episode 8, this episode reminded me of why I went SOS-dan crazy all those years ago. Great seiyuu acting, a fresh story combining slice of life with very clever science fiction with a touch of the new era of KyoAni-isms (you can see it looking more CLANNAD After Story mixed with some Lucky Star). And lets get re-acquainted with Chibi-Haruhi:
Hirano Aya does a top notch job making her sound a little younger but still the demanding version of Haruhi we've come to know and love. I wonder if we'll see more time variants of the Ultra-Director?
Just when I thought I couldn't be smitten for Mikuru even more, she stepped up her kawaii-ness with a secret meeting with Kyon and with Time-Variant Mikuru at the same time? I'm fairly certain my mind melted!
And on that bombshell, I hope to see more Haruhi s2 soon! Enjoy Bank Holiday Monday!
For those that aren't literate in Japanese romanji, the title says "Nice to meet ya!!" or some vague equivalent...
And it really is! Let me firstly introduce myself and what this blog is for. I am the owner and director of Outer Haven Collectibles, a very new and hopefully upcoming venture focusing on the import of anime, comics and TV/Film collectibles to the UK. This includes all kinds of products like figures, statues, model kits, art books, you name it, we'll try to get it!! We sell on eBay, amazon marketplace and via mail order and we can ship worldwide!! We strive to bring you products before anyone else in the UK, sell only 100% official products and provide the best service possible. And with our growing number of suppliers, let us know if you can't find something and we'll try and find it for you. Easy!!
This blog is to coincide with the new website, http://www.outerhavenltd.co.uk where this blog will be updated every day to give you stock updates, what we think is cool, what we'll be getting in as well as spotlights on the items we do have and really think you should get one too. Along with all that will be random musings about very random topics to fill out the week! But don't forget to check the website for updates on the "In Stock List" as well as images of the up and coming products and preorders for order-to-sell items.
btw you may have noticed that the theme is very "Metal Gear" over here at Outer Haven Collectibles and you'd be right! My name isn't really "The Boss" but it sounded much better than the name I got from a Metal Gear Name Generator: "Carnivorous Beaver". I guess you can call me, Mr. OH.
Anyway, be sure to check back for more daily posts *fingers crossed*. Have a great Bank Holiday Weekend!
