Wednesday, March 31, 2010

[News] CLAMP-NET

CLAMP-NET's beginning of April update: it's someones' birthdays

Kobato. ~ [Newtype - monthly drops]
~no new scheduling breaks~
April 10: CLAMP-illustrated present with Newtype 5

April 15: Anime novel 1
April 23: DVD Volume 4
May 18: Kobato. Official Guide Happy Memories
May 28: DVD Volume 5
Other DVD release dates

xxxHOLiC・Rou ~ [Bessatsu Shonen Magazine - monthly chapters]
April 23: Volume 17 (also available with OAD)
May 19: one-shot in Shonen Magazine (16 pg with color splash)
May 20: Shiritsu Horitsuba Gakuen #4 in Zoukan Magazine SP
June 9: starts with ch 205 in Bessatsu Shonen Magazine


ETC.
August(?): Mangettes: Gate 7
September: CLAMP in America
September 24: Angelic Layer re-release on DVD & Blu-ray

*updates

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

[Review] Chobits Omnibus Volume 1

Chobits Omnibus Volume 1 printed by Dark Horse compiles 4 original volumes into 1 hefty book (48 chapters total).
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Admittedly, I do not have all of Chobits nor had I planned on collecting it, but this 2-volume set is appealing and hey, 2-volumes!

Firstly, a word about the translations and text. DH has a note about the font choices in the back. They try to distinguish between persocom speak, human speech, and the 'book' narration. The background sfx are translated next to the japanese. DH credits the same translator that Tokyopop used eight years ago, but the editing is clearly different. They keep -san instead of using Mr. or Ms. like Tokyopop did. They kept the reference to Doraemon instead of changing it to 'fairy godmother'. There's also differences in sentence structure in some places. It feels like while Tokyopop tried to make stuff palatable to an American, DH tries to bring it back to a manga fan...who would have some idea who 'Doraemon' is, and also tries to keep it readable in a slightly different style than what was previously presented.

And the printing? Like the Clover Omnibus, all the color splashes are included with 6 extra textless illustrations in the back. Very nice. The paper isn't the same smooth, bright stock that was used in the Clover Omnibus, but is still decent.

The overall presentation is just attractively nostalgic. Everything seems to be closer to the original manga. Even the cover, which has the original layout, signals a closer nod to the original manga...AND the ink color isn't so Tokyopop-garish.

My only wish is that these omnibuses were released in hardback. Which from a business standpoint would be the next step in emptying a fan's pocketbook..though I wouldn't have minded if these current releases had been a few dollars more and hardback right now. It is somewhat awkward holding an 800 page book, and how good is the binding? Maybe an e-book release would be the next money-maker?

Oh right, about the story. Google 'Chobits' and you will probably find spoilers and/or the summary on wiki...and/or the whole manga or anime for download *cough*. Basically, Boy meets robo-loli-girl. Can he live a normal life with her? Sure, it's CLAMP.

The next/last volume comes out in June with 40 color pages. DH's Cardcaptor Sakura Omnibus comes out in July.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

[Cover] xxxHolic Volume 17+

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CLAMP-NET updated with the cover to xxxHolic Volume 17. It will be released April 23rd.

And there will be special chapters coming up, too.
May 19: xxxHolic one-shot in Shonen Magazine
May 20: Shiritsu Horitsuba Gakuen in Zoukan Magazine SP (the 4th Horitsuba comic)
June 9: xxxHolic resumes in Bessatsu Shonen Magazine with a color cover and chapter pages

For all three magazines, CLAMP will draw 3 different KUO cards.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

[Cover] Kobato. DVD Volume 5

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Here's the cover of the 5th volume of Kobato. The extra in the limited edition will be 'Memories of Kobato' photoset postcards. Volume 5 will be released May 28th.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

[Update] CLAMP in America

Apparently, Del Rey is in no rush to sell this.
Amazon just sent me an email updating the release date for CLAMP in America to September 28th (back from May). Del Rey's site also confirms the September release.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

[Webshow] All Night Newtype x Kobato.

The All Night Newtype webshow is up now. Act 2 features Kana Hanazawa (Kobato) and Megumi Nakajima (Chise & Chiho).

Thursday, March 18, 2010

[News] xxxHolic to move to Bessatsu Shonen Magazine

xxxHolic chapter 204 will be the last chapter in Young Magazine. The series will then be printed in Bessatsu Shonen Magazine starting June 9th and will continue at a monthly rate.

[credits: heiji-sama]
ETA: confirmed at CLAMP-NET

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Monday, March 15, 2010

[News] CLAMP-NET

CLAMP-NET's mid-March update: not much to add

Kobato. ~ [Newtype - monthly drops]
~no new scheduling breaks~
March 24: OST 2: Sakura saku koro
March 26: DVD Volume 3
April 1: Anime novel 1
April 23: DVD Volume 4
Other DVD release dates

xxxHOLiC・Rou ~ [Young Magazine - weekly chapters]
~no new scheduling breaks~
April 23: Volume 17 (also available with OAD

ETC.
March 20: CLAMP illustration in Newtype 25th Anniversary Event Limited Edition 1985-2010 brochure - coincides with the ALL NIGHT NEWTYPE show with Kana Hanazawa and a Kobato act. More event goods here
May 25: CLAMP in America
August(?): Mangettes: Gate 7
September 24: Angelic Layer re-release on DVD & Blu-ray - the date has been moved back, but on the website you can listen to a clip of Atsuko Enomoto's new version of 'Be My Angel'.

*updates

[News]Tsubasa DVD/Blu-ray box set

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Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE: Collected Memories Box Set for DVD or Blu-ray will be available on May 4th from FUNimation. This will contain both tv seasons plus the Tsubasa and xxxHolic movies.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

[Music] Maaya Sakamoto

Maaya Sakamoto's website has some sample clips from her new compilation album, everywhere. Tsubasa's ending theme, Loop's new sunset side version is up. (youtube clip in case the website stalls)

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

[Scans] NT 4

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Aurelia has uploaded the Kobato. articles from Newtype 4. Click the above images to take you to moe.imouto.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

[News] Aoi Tori

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For Aoi Tori fan club members, there will be downloadable wallpaper calendars available to members during 2010. CLAMP will be illustrating September for the Witch's Mansion series (downloadable in September with a fan club password).

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And here's the cover to the upcoming novel. Out March 17th.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

[Cover] Kobato. OST 2

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The cover of Kobato. OST 2 Sakura Sakukoro is out (click image for a larger look). The album will be released March 24th.

Monday, March 1, 2010

[Music] Kobato. ending theme 2

Megumi Nakajima's first album will be released June 9th. It will contain Watashi ni Dekiru Koto, the 2nd ending theme to Kobato. [credits: official website]