■After that we would say “we put a lot of work in it, please judge it”.

Q: One day Mr. Aki of Good Smile Company said “it’s not good for contents to become free, because it can’t return the profit to the creator”. So the fact that “se・KIRARA” which came from the same Matsudo team became free downloadable was so astonishing for me.

Max Watanabe: I don’t think that’s good for the contents become free. However, the way to restore the value has maybe changed. You know, there is no guarantee to get the profit at the very first investment stage in any work; animation, game, or movie, although it’s a little bit different story about the sequel to the famous work. In that no guarantee condition, you have to promote the product by for example, making it toy or book… by any means. What we have done this time in “se・KIRARA” is no different from it. That is “streaming in TV for free” promotion. So I think “watch this for free” and “take the software for free” are basically the same thing. If there were a bit difference, it would be in the very first stage, something like R&D.

Q: What’s R&D?

Max W: It’s what we call Research & Development. Something like, “I created this. Will this do? If it will, I will put more effort on it” you know. So this is more Research & Development than the investment in movie or work. It’s more like testing research cost, not the market model which restores its own cost by the only software itself.

Q: Research & Development?

Max W: I mean the stage before becoming restoring model like “we created new fabric” or “we created new metal”. After clearing the stage, we can step forward to next one. If the challenge of “se・KIRARA” succeeded, we would be able to hand the game to the next stage, that is, animation company or something like bigger contents company, the professionals. If it didn’t go well, that would mean the R&D was wrong. I thought if it went well, we could go to the next.

Q: It sounds like gambling.

Max W: Yes, hahaha. To begin with, the development of contents is gambling. We just do what we believe with the staff we believe in. I think the title and contents will have its value after people play it. We worked out very hard to make the story and characters. I’m sure it is very fascinating. Users have to take their time to play the game, right? Then, the first wall, I mean the money, should be taken away for users. Originally it seemed like more R&D for me than product. Off course, the more to get the good fruit from the product, the more people will recognize it. But actually there are too many contents in this world in which it is hard for se・KIRARA to survive. So, we decide that distributing the title for free first and making people play it, after that we would say “we put a lot of work in it, please judge it”.

Q: That means you made the game free just for making people play it?

Max W: Yes. After that, one day, the figma or other related goods would come maybe, which would restore the creating cost. But it depends on the people’s evaluation. If people don’t think it’s good, it would be nothing.

I got a contact saying “you can consult me”

Q: Although you made the software free downloadable, didn’t other Bishoujo-style game makers call you saying like “don’t waste our industry”?

Max W: I got a contact saying “you can consult me” hahaha and “If you get some troubles, please call me without any hesitation”. Maybe everyone in the Bishoujo-Style game makers would think “someone will do that someday”. But on the other hand they also said that “we were sure that some Bishoujo-style game makers would someday distribute software for free as the big reform of the industry. But we never expected the company which doesn’t belong to the industry did it”.

Q: Max Factory produces many figures of Bishoujo games. Don’t you worry about that?

Max W: Yes we produce a lot. But we do work sincerely and honestly as it is. So I don’t think the relationship with other Bishoujo game makers will be affected by the project.

Q: You said that free distribution of se・KIRARA is kind of R&D. Do you intend to do in the second sequel?

Max W: I really think nothing about that. Besides, we don’t even afford to do that hahaha.

Q: Really?

Max W: Off course! We can’t do that so many times hahaha, in aspect of the cost, development resource or else. Actually creating the se・KIRARA cost three times as much budget as we expect.

Q: Speaking of budget, the blog (http://algernon.livedoor.biz/archives/1231094.html) calculates how many figmas need to be sold to restore the developing cost according to the profitability. It says approximately 78 thousand, how about this?

Max W: Great, it’s not so far! The calculation actually makes sense. Really good. I want to take him to our team (Matsudo team)! He will work very well.

Q: Have you decided how to distribute the software or where you do that?

Max W: We have been proceeding now, consulting other related companies.

Q: Thank you very much.



―昔、グッドスマイルカンパニーの安藝さんが『コンテンツがタダになるのは良くない。みんなタダだと思っちゃうから。クリエイターに還元出来なくなる』って言われてたと思うですが、同じ松戸チームから発生してきた「se・きらら」は、無料なのがびっくりなんですが。

MAX渡辺　コンテンツがタダになるのは良くないと思います。でも、制作の対価の回収方法は変わったのかもしれない、と思います。テレビアニメでも、映画でも、かなりの金額の投資があって、ヒットした作品の続編とかは話が違うかもしれないけど、オリジナルを一発目って言ったら、その投資の段階では何の確約も確証もないじゃないですか。その状態からプロモーションをかけたり、オモチャ化であったり、本にしましょうとか……。色んな複合技で攻めていこうとするんです。それと今回「se・きらら」でやろうとしているのは大差なくて、テレビでタダで流しますよプロモーションです、見てください。っていうのと、ソフトをフリーでタダにするんで手にとって下さいよ。というのは同じなんじゃないか、と思っています。少し違うとすれば、これは一番最初のところであってＲ＆Ｄに近いと思うところかな。

―Ｒ＆Ｄとは？

MAX渡辺　いわゆる研究開発ですね。こういうものを頑張って作ってみました。『これは行けますか？行けるんだったらもっと頑張ります』と。これは映像投資とか、作品投資とかっていうよりは、研究開発ですね。試験研究費的なもので、ソフト単体での回収モデルではない。

―研究開発？

回収モデルに乗せる手前の、「新しい生地を開発してみました」「新しい金属が出てきました」みたいな段階なのかも。ただ、その段階があって、改めて次の段階にいける。もし「se・きらら」のこの試みが上手くいくならば、次のステージに渡した方がいいんじゃないかと思っています。アニメ制作会社さんとか、コンシューマー制作会社さんとか、もっと大きなコンテンツビジネスをやってらっしゃるプロの方々に。上手くいかなかったら研究開発が間違ってた。上手くいけば次の段階に進めるんじゃないかなぁと。

―すごく博打チックな気がするんですけど

MAX渡辺　そもそもコンテンツ開発は博打ですよね（笑）。信じたスタッフと、信じる事をやる。このタイトル、コンテンツが価値を持つのは、みんながプレイしてくれた後じゃないですかね。一生懸命キャラを作ったし、お話も練った。どうぞ手にとって下さいと。きっと面白いと思います。ユーザーさんには時間も消費してもらわなきゃいけないじゃないですか。であれば、まず最初の壁=お金を取っ払ちゃおうって考え方ですね。もともと売ろうとしてたときも、研究開発的だなぁとは思ってたんです。もちろん良い結果が出せればより認められる。でも実際は、コンテンツが山ほど沢山ある状態のなかで「se・きらら」はちょっと分が悪いし、それであれば無料で配布して、とにかく見て貰いましょう。「一生懸命作って、精一杯やってみた。判断してくれ。」と。

―無料配布はお客さんにゲームをプレイしてもらうためだけ？

MAX渡辺　そうですね。その後で、シリーズのfigmaや関連商品がいっぱい出せるようであれば回収の目もあるんでしょうけど、それも、お客さんから作品を認めていただけなれば、まったく意味が無いので。

―　今回、「se・きらら」無料配布を発表したことで、美少女ゲームメーカーさんや美少女ゲーム流通から、「ウチらの商売を荒らすんじゃねぇよ」とか電話かかってきませんでしたか？

MAX渡辺　「相談に乗るよ」って連絡はありましたよ（笑）。「困ったことがあったら遠慮無しに声かけてください」って言って貰えました。美少女ゲームメーカーのみなさん、たぶんうっすらと「誰かがやるだろうって」と考られていたことだと思うんですよ。そういう言われ方だったんです。「美少女ゲーム業界の中から変革の1つとして、無料配布が出てくるものかもしれないとは思っていた。ただショックだったのは、それが美少女ゲーム業界からじゃなかった」ってね。

―マックスファクトリーさんとかって美少女ゲームフィギュアってあるじゃないですか。その辺りの心配とかはないですか？

MAX渡辺　美少女ゲームフィギュア、沢山やってますよ。それはそれで誠実にやらせてもらっているので、これだけで壊れる関係では無いと思っています。

―今回「se・きらら」の無料配布はＲ＆Ｄということですけど、２発目はやるんですか？

MAX渡辺　本当になにも考えてないです。というか、そんな余裕ないんですよ（苦笑）

―えー？

MAX渡辺　そんなに何度もできねぇ（笑）。開発リソース、金銭的にもそうですし。「se・きらら」だってもともと予定していた予算の優に３倍ですからね。（苦笑）


―そういえば、このブログさんはfigmaの計算を利益率から、いくら売れば回収出来るだろうって計算されてるんですよ。７万８千体って・・・どうですか？

MAX渡辺　凄いですね。結構読めてますね。そんなに間違ってない数字を弾かれてます。たいしたものだ。この人、うちら（松戸チーム)にひっぱりましょう！話が早いでしょう(笑)。

―最後に「se・きらら」の無料配布の実施店とか、配る方法って決まってるんですか？

MAX渡辺　関係各所と調整しながら進めています。

―ありがとうございました。



News Sauce: http://blog.livedoor.jp/geek/archives/50996100.html


OPINION by FuangPing
I'm playing it now, getting indulged...

Using every minute of my precious holiday, once in a week, I'm playing the game now without doing anything. I mean, you will never regret playing it. Just download and play it right now.

oh, I have to go back to the game. Excuse me.

Interview with President of Max Factory, Max Watanabe.
Max Factory the company which created the "se・KIRARA"

■Why you made it free?

Q: Free Download of "se・KIRARA" has been so big news though, I heard that you originally intended to sell it. Why you made it free?

Max Watanabe: One day, the idea occurred to me “oh, let’s making it free”. Actually I have been wondering that why PC video game is so expensive, or how can we get the title popular and make a lot of people play the game. I’ve been thinking it while creating the game though, when the idea hit my mind, everything seemed to get clear. Off course, the creating the software cost too much. And calculating the cost, it was obvious that it was impossible to make it free. But anyway I just want people to take it.

Q: what is the benefit for making it free?

Max W: It would have the both merit and demerit.

Q: How much cost it took to create the game?

Max W: It’s not cool to say that. But it took time more than expected. So I think it cost more than average.

Q: How long it took to create?

Max W: Since the idea was planed, it has been 3 years, practically 2 years.

Q: When did you come up with the idea of making it free?

Max W: I thought it was around January, 2010.

Q: Didn’t you receive the reservation of the title until then?

Max W: Off course, we had marketing strategy. But actually I had wondered about the idea just before the moment. So I didn’t. “Something had to be changed or I couldn’t even stand on the stage” yes, it seemed like a new singer before the debut.

Q: And the conclusion was that distributing it for free. Some people thought that the company intended to attach the figma (figure of the animation character) to the software to make ends meet. Is it true?

Max W: I think it’s too difficult to make ends meet. The profit of the figma only would not be enough to compensate the all creating cost…

Q: Actually it’s hard to understand. You don’t expect to get the profit even for the creating cost. If you already had the offer of animation of the game, it was understandable. But…

Max W: Not at all hahaha.

Q: But you still intend to distribute the game for free?

Max W: Yes hahaha. What I want to do is to get people to know the title by all means. I believe that is the best way for us to stand on the start line.


■なんで無料にしたんですか？
―「se・きらら」の無料配布が話題になってますが、もともとは売り物予定だったんですよね？
なんで無料にしたんですか？


マックスファクトリー社長　MAX渡辺　 ある日「そうだ、無料にしよう！」と思い立ったんです。それまでずっとモヤモヤモヤモヤしてたんですね。PCゲームってどうしてこんなに高いんだろう？とか、人気タイトルになるためには、沢山の人に遊んで貰うためには、どうすればいいんだろうって。制作中ずっと悩んでいたのですが、そう思い至ったらスパっと吹っ切れたんです。もちろん開発費はたっぷり掛かってますし、まじめに計算すれば無料になんか出来ないことは明白だったのですが、「とにかくまずは手にとってもらおう」ってね。

―無料化にはメリットがあるのですか？

MAX渡辺　メリット、デメリット、そして功罪、両方あると思います。

―「se・きらら」の開発にはいくらくらい使われたんですか？

MAX渡辺　金額は野暮なので言いませんが、思ったよりもずっと開発に時間がかかったので、通常のPCゲームよりも多めに開発費を使っているとは思います。

―開発期間は？

MAX渡辺　企画発足から３年、実質の開発期間は2年間です

―「se・きらら」を無料配布しようと思ったのは、いつの段階ですか

MAX渡辺　２０１０年の１月に入ったころ、ですね。

―それまではパッケ―ジとして店頭予約とかはしてたんですか？

MAX渡辺　もちろん営業戦略は組み立ててはいましたけど、やる直前まで悩んでて実際に受付はしてないですね。このままじゃステージに立たせてもらうことすら出来ない、そう、デビュー前の新人歌手みたいな感覚でした。

―それをタダで配る？ figma付き限定版でペイするんじゃないかと予想している人もいるんですけど、実際どうなんですか？

MAX渡辺　それはかなり難しいと思います。figmaだけで「se・きらら」の開発費をペイする計算は・・・なかなか成り立ちそうにないです。

―ペイも出来ないのにやるっていうのが不思議なんですけど。例えば、もうすでにアニメ化があるとかなら分かるんですけど。

MAX渡辺　まったくないです。（笑）

―それなのにタダで配る？

MAX渡辺　はい(笑)。このタイトルを世の中にちゃんと染みこませようという、スタートラインに立つには、この方法が一番良いだろうなと。

news sauce: http://blog.livedoor.jp/geek/archives/50996100.html

Official Site of "se・KIRARA"
http://se-kirara.jp/index2.html



OPINION by FuangPing
Creator creates the dream

Actually, there are a lot of free download game in the internet. However, I have to say that basically the quality of such a kind of free game is not so good. But this time, it seems like a bit different.

As the president of the company said in the interview, the title "se・KIRARA" was originally usual game software which has price itself. And you will recognize it once you watch the animation of the game.

The thing is its contents.

To be honest, I still haven't played the game.
As the editor of ADJ, I must play and estimate it. yes.
Not for my libido, off course.

ADM report Correspondent
FuangPing

Akihabara District Map report again. In this time, it’s about Kami Husen, the second-hand Hentai game shop. When it comes to Hentai video game, it’s off course Akihabara. And actually there are a lot of big shops which have the variety of such a kind of software. However, even in such a big shop, serious trouble sometimes would happen”No game title I’m looking for!!!”

In that case, just go to Kami-Husen.
Kami-Husen, paper balloon in English, is a small shop and located in the relatively quiet place compared to Sofmap or Yodobashi Camera. However I’m sure you will find the one you demand and often in the less inexpensive price than that of big shops. Its first floor is literally occupied by the Hentai games! For Otaku who loves such a kind of game, the scene would looks like a pile of treasure.

You can get the game at the price of, in average, approximately 2500~3000 yen. If you are not good at Japanese, the video game can be useful as a textbook of the language. It will, in a way, keep on stimulating your interest in Japanese.

Libido is always driving force to get new language and ability.


Official Site of Kami-Husen
http://www.kamifusen.jp/top.html

Contact
03-5297-8398

Adress
3-10-3 Sotokanda Chiyoda-ku Tokyo

大きな地図で見る

“Dolphin hunting is so cruel” Louie Psihoyos the filmmaker has ranted. However, the opinions against his rant have occurred so much “Is there no problem about cow and pig?” In the interview of FNN, denying the specific discrimination, he replied to this question “It has nothing to do with cow or pig. Dolphin has a very high intelligence.”

Compared to the massacre of Auschwitz, Japanese dolphin hunting “can be the guilty against the human beings to the very same extent” Mr. Psihoyos said in the interview with Saizo. On the other hand “In 1986 I had a look at slaughterhouse. It made me hate to eat the beef and pork. But I have never imposed my thought to my wife and children, neither to Japanese.”

Especially in the West, the society for the prevention of cruelty to animals has often criticized, saying “Livestock has been raised and controlled just for eaten in the very severe condition and they end up with killed cruelly, finishing their short lives”. The filmmaker has never forced people to have same belief with him about livestock. Then, how and why can he justify his private opinion and the fact to impose it to people.

What is the reason for animals which have high intelligence ONLY to be protected? “The fact” that they have high intelligence cannot be the enough reason to “protect” the specific animal and to have “faith”. So the propose cannot become public ethics, it is no more than his private belief. If he intends to change the reason of “high intelligence” as the basis of justification, the logic itself to protect his belief will crumble down.


イルカ漁は残虐だというルイ・シホヨス監督に対して、「牛や豚は
問題ないのか」との批判が以前から相次いでいた。すると、監督はFNNのインタビューで持論を展開。種差別主義であることを否定し、「牛かイルカかという問題じゃないんです。イルカは高い知能を持っている生き物なんだ」と答えた。

アウシュビッツでの虐殺と比較して、日本のイルカ漁は「私は同じ程度の人類に対する犯罪行為であると考えている」と、サイゾーのインタビューで監督は発言した。一方、「86年に屠殺場を見た経験から牛や豚を食べられなくなった。妻や子どもには食べるなとは言わないし、日本人にもそれを要求しない」という。

Local Development Approach by Anime; Saitama prefecture propose tentative plans.

Let's put anime-song on, and make students' uniforms same design as anime-character.
Saitama prefecture committee of studying anime-tourism which were organized by the prefecture government for make good use of animes and mangas originated Saitama for tourism and local development formed a proposal. The prefecture government announced 18th March. The proposal included plans of sending anime imformation, invitation events, and giving productive spaces for creater, etc.

Saitama is the stage of "Raki-suta", "Kureyon Shin-chan" and other attractive animes and mangas. Thus, the committee which consist of manga authors and animators have discussed how these contents promote local development.

The proposal is based on the policy which "Funs local community, and creaters in a body, face to face with the contents and share it", and suggest, for examples,
・to throw anime-music on streets,
・to change uniforms of schools modeling for animes, to that like anime-character worn,
・to produce anime-goods by local materials or traditional techniques.


The prefecture gov. will distribute the propoasal to local communities and commerce and industry organizations, for a advice of local development.
Furthermore, based on the proposal, The prefecture gov. herself have a plan to produce an original anime next year, and summed up 1,9630,000 yen as a budget of this matter.

YAMAMURA Takatoshi, associate professor of Hokkaido University center for advanced tourism studies, who is chairperson of the committee, said that this proposal contained plans looks like lack of common sense for normal administrations, however, we hope that it would become as a basic plan for further discussion.

Asahi Shinbun, Saitama local version, 19th March, 2010
(photo by Sankei Shimbun Saitama Local news
http://saitama.iza.ne.jp/blog/entry/708816/)

町おこしにアニメ活用

◇街角に主題歌　制服を同じに


　街でアニメの主題歌を流したり、キャラクターと同じ制服にしたり――。県内ゆかりのアニメや漫画を、観光や地域振興に生かそうと、県が今年度に立ち上げた「県アニメツーリズム検討委員会」による提案書がまとまった。県が１８日、発表した。アニメ関連情報の発信やイベントの誘致、クリエーターへの制作スペースの提供といった提案が盛り込まれている。


◇県の検討委が提案書


　「らき☆すた」や「クレヨンしんちゃん」など、県内にゆかりがあるアニメを町おこしにつなげようと、漫画家やアニメ制作関係者らでつくる同検討委を設け、議論を重ねてきた。


　提案書では、「ファン・地域・制作者が一体となって作品に向き合い、共有する」ことを基本に、街角でアニメの主題歌や挿入歌を流す▽アニメのモデルとなった学校の制服を、キャラクターと同じものに変更する▽ファンの声を生かしたイベントを開催する▽地元の素材や伝統技術を使ったグッズの製作・販売――などを取り組み例としてあげている。


　県は、提案書を県内の市町村や商工団体などに配り、町おこしのヒントとして活用してもらうことにしている。
県としても同検討委の議論で出たアイデアから、新年度にオリジナルアニメの制作に取り組む予定で、当初予算案に１９６３万円を計上している。
同検討委座長の山村高淑・北海道大観光学高等研究センター准教授は、「通常の行政の常識を超えたアイデアも含まれているが、批判も含めて、今後の議論のきっかけとしていただければ」とのコメントを出した。

2010年03月19日
http://mytown.asahi.com/saitama/news.php?k_id=11000001003190004

It's a unique idea but...
Comment by Shirokitsune

Saitama have Washimiya, a town known as one of the most successful example for developing local economy by using anime "Raki-Suta", so it is understandable for the gov staffs attempt to use their own resource.

But some proposals seems to be very radical...
If high school uniforms in Saitama changed to that of "Raki-Suta", ...I'd feel pitty for them.

I heard that Washimiya succeeded by long and careful research. Saitama gov too should follow that path.

Let's name the E5 bullet train "Hatsune"!!

In spring 2011, the latest bullet train "E5" will be supposed to debut at Tohoku Shinkansen (Literally, Tohoku New Main Line, one of the Japan big railway groups which operates the bullet train). JR HigashiNihon (the company which is in charge of all east-side Japan JR train operation) is now raising the nickname of the new train “E5”. The color arrangement of the train is that green and pink stripe

The thing is that the color of the train whose maximum speed can be 300 km/h has similar color contrast with the one of “Hatsune Miku”, the best well-known Vocaloid (picture above). Now, in the “Hatsune Miku” community of mixi (the most popular SNS in Japan) the promotion of voting has launched; “Let’s name the E5 bullet train Hatune!!”

Also, on the Twitter, another promotion has started simultaneously in the hushtag “#E5_mikumiku”. The deadline of the voting is by 24:00 31th March (wed). People who love the nickname Hatune, just go to the homepage of JR HigashiNihon and to vote for the name. You can vote for one nickname per one entry, although you can send the application anytime.

初音ミクカラーのE5系新幹線を「はつね」に！

2011年春、東北新幹線に新型高速新幹線車両「E5系」がデビューする。現在、JR東日本では、新しい東北新幹線の列車愛称を募集中だ。最高速度300km/hでかっ飛ばすE5系新幹線のボディーカラーは、緑にピンクのストライプ。そう、初音ミクと同じ配色なのだ。現在、mixi上の「初音ミク」コミュニティを中心に、投票を呼びかける活動が始まっている。

またTwitterでは、ハッシュタグ「#E5_mikumiku」で、投票のサポート活動が行われている。投票締め切りは、3月31日（水）24：00。愛称「はつね」に賛同できる方は、JR東日本の投票ページへGO。応募1件につき愛称1件だが、複数件の応募は可能になっている。


News Source: http://www.su-gomori.com/2010/03/e5.html


OPINION by Fuangping
"on purpose?"

Some Japanese netizens say in the 2ch (biggest BBS in Japan) that "it goes too far". And I think, too, it's right, maybe. Making best of the popularity of Anime stuffs is off course on the right track. But, in my opinion, when it comes to very public affair, it must require very serious consideration. And the name of the bullet train could belong to the area. Not only temporal populism, prudence should be necessary.

But one the other hand, seeing the arrangement of the color of the latest bullet train, I can't help but thinking just one idea; "didn't they dicide the color on purpose, knowing about Hatsune Miku?", because it's too much suited...

I don't know the truth though, can't miss the result of the voting.

Nintendo announced that its new portable video game console “Nintendo 3DS” in which you can enjoy 3D images without any glasses will go on the market in March 2011.

It is the successive console of Nintendo DS series. Reportedly the latest version of the Nintendo DS has compatibility with the old one’s software.

About the detail, Nintendo will be supposed to announce it at E3 which is going to be held in Los Angels, U.S. in 15th June 2010.


任天堂は、裸眼で3D映像によりゲームが楽しめる新型携帯
ゲーム機「ニンテンドー3DS」を2011年3月期に発売すること
を発表しました。

「ニンテンドーDS」シリーズの後継機となる新型携帯ゲーム機。現在のニンテンドーDSソフトとも互換性があるとのこと。

詳しい詳細については2010年6月15日からアメリカ合衆国の
ロサンゼルスで開催されるE3にて発表される予定です。

News Source: http://www.inside-games.jp/article/2010/03/23/41154.html



OPINION by FuangPing

When I was a elementary school student, I played "Super Mario" in Family Computer with so much excitement. After 20 years since then, the game console has kept evolving... Super Family Computer, Game Boy, PC Engine, Sega Saturn, Play Station, X-Box, Nintendo DS, Play Station Portable... And finally 3-dimensional vido game will come in very near future. uhhhh.... too fast to catch up for me...

When it comes to 3D images, what I come up with first is SF anime or movie; domestically, "Doraemon", "Evangelion" and "Ghost in the shell" etc. internationally, "Back to the Future", "Star Wars" and "Matrix" etc.

That kind of SF world will partly come to reality. How fantastic and also, astonishing. I'm not confident to get along with these high technology... OK then, I will go to movie theater first and watch "Avater". I still haven't watched it.

"Practice makes perfect"!!

ADM report Correspondent
FuangPing

The First Akihabara District Map (ADM) report!
In this report, ADJ will give you the informaition about the cool shops and products in Akihabara. And in this memorial first report, Please let us introduce "Gachapon Hall".

Fisrt of all, What is "Gashapon"? If you don't know that, Mr wikipedia will tell you. →　http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gashapon

Gashapon Hall is the world biggest Gashapon collective store!!
The store is literally filled up with Gashapon. Although Gashapon has a great variety, you will find almost all of them in this shop!! Yahoo!!

By the way, to be honest, logically thinking, playing Gashapon can be waste of time and money, because if you want something in the capsule you can get exactly what you want in Akihabara, or even second or third floor of the Gashapon Hall. Actually, you can never expect what is going to come up out of Gashapon no matter how much you spend time and money.

Nevertheless, still a lot of young Japanese play Gashapon. You will see many customers in the Hall. Why? Obviously that's not efficient. In my thought, although people actually want what you want packed in the capsule, they get enjoyed the playing the Gashapon ITSELF. Maybe the something in the capsule for some people are even byproduct...




Official Site of Gashapon Hall
http://www.akibagacha.com/

Contact
03-5209-6020

Adress
3-15-5 Sotokanda Chiyoda-ku Tokyo

大きな地図で見る

Sagamihara-city, Kanagawa prefecture is now supposed to turn into a government ordinance city. For getting this designated city renowned, the corroboration of the young entrepreneur and the old brewer of soy sauce has come true.

The young company “Moekko Kikaku (project turning-on girl)” and the old soy sauce store which has 135 years history “Inoue-Syoyu (Inoue Soy Sauce)” has together started to launch its brand-new soy sauce. The soy sauce was named “Sakura Hime (princess of cherry blossom)” after the famous and beautiful cherry blossoms in front of the city municipal office. The president of Moekko Kikaku, Tatsuro Yamaguchi (27) proudly said “the one which is put vibrant youth into tradition together”.

Inoue Syoyu, the brewer of soy sauce, was established in 1875, and since then the store has never changed the traditional way to brew the soy sauce, using the Japanese cedar cask which has been used since the establishment. the Inoue’s soy sauce “Tamakyuu Syoyu” has been loved by locals as the specialty of the city for such a long time.

Yamaguchi has grown up with the traditional soy sauce in his daily life. In August last year, he started new business whose goal was to make local specialty famous. And what he came up with first was the Tamakyuu Syoyu which was created by Inoue Syoyu. “Unfortunately Sagamihara city is likely regarded as not having traditional history, but actually that’s wrong. I would like people all over the nation get to know about our city. The traditional local soy sauce is the best for achieving it” said Yamaguchi. Thinking the transition of the city into government ordinance one in April 2010 as a good opportunity, he offered Inoue Syoyu the project; creating the original soy sauce.

“It’s difficult” the company’s president Inoue said “because we can’t manufacture”. In addition, Inoue Syoyu which has stuck to the traditional way to brew has ever never cooperated with other companies since its beginning. He declined the offer first. However, Yamaguchi who got fascinated by the sauce couldn’t give up. By dropping in at Inoue store again and again, Yamaguchi had tried very hard to persuade Inoue, saying “I would like people in this country get to know this taste”. Inoue eventually nodded “I got moved by his young passion”. As the result, “Sakura Hime” has finally come to alive.


政令指定都市に移行する相模原市の知名度アップを目指し、若手起業家と老舗しょうゆ醸造元のコラボレーションが実現した。「萌ッ娘企画」（相模原市横山）が、創業１３５年の老舗「井上醤油」（同市大島）と共同で新作しょうゆの販売を開始した。市内の名所、市役所前の桜並木をイメージして「桜姫」と命名。企画した萌ッ娘企画の山口達郎代表（27）＝同市横山＝は「伝統に若さを加えた一品ができた」と胸を張る。

井上醤油は、１８７５年創業の老舗しょうゆ醸造元。創業以来使っているという杉だるで、１年間発酵・醸成させる昔ながらのしょうゆ造りにこだわっている。「タマキュウ醤油」の名前で、市の名産品として愛されてきた。

相模原市出身の山口さんは、幼いころから井上醤油の味に親しんで育った。昨年８月に地元名産品のＰＲを目指す萌ッ娘企画を起業。頭に浮かんだのは、井上醤油のしょうゆだった。「相模原市は歴史が浅いと思われがち。市の伝統の味で、相模原を全国の人にも知ってもらいたい」。相模原市が４月に政令市に移行するのを機に、オリジナルしょうゆの販売を打診した。

「量産できないので難しい」。創業以来、他社と共同で製品を販売したことがない井上醤油の井上芳太郎社長（75）は、当初は依頼を断った。しかし、井上醤油の造る味にほれ込んだ山口さんは「全国の人にこの味を伝えたい」と何度も足を運び、説得。「若い人の熱意に乗ってみようと思った」と、井上さんの協力を得て、「桜姫」が誕生した。


news source: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1003150004/



OPINION by FuangPing

I got touched by this corroboration of the new and the old. In any time and place, the passion of young people has very big possibility to change the world.

On the other hand, I got question. The manga picture of the label. Off course it's understandable for using "moe" character to promote the product. As a matter of fact there are several successful cases. But something reminds me that almost all of these success end up turning out to be very temporary success. Although cute manga characters can attract people's attention, it seemingly won't last so long according to the similar precedents.

I, as one of the young, really hope that the audacity of the entrepreneur will overcome the precedents this time.

Japanese manga has attracted not only domestic but also foreign popularity. However, the market has deteriorated and shrunk by 6% compared to last year’s number; the worst ever decreasing. That’s because reportedly the last year’s big economic recession has influenced consumers’ mind, besides, so many hit mangas did not come up this year.

According to the survey conducted by the Publication Science Institution of Tokyo, the joint sales of mangas and magazines of last year amount to ￥418.7 billion, plummeting by 6.6% from previous year; the worst depreciation ever. In this bad situation, the sales of the comic books have especially fallen down, by 9.4% to ￥191.3 billion from previous year. It ended up being under ￥200 billion for the first time in 18 years.

The sales of manga related issues had peaked in Heisei 7 (1995) and after that the amount has kept gradually decreasing. The institute reported that the ground of shrinking market would be attributed to recent economic recession and as the result, consumers has stopped purchasing the issues at book stores, instead they would likely to go to Manga Kissa (Internet Café which has a lot of manga) to read these stuffs without buying. In addition, only a few successful mangas would emerge one of these days.


日本の漫画は海外からも高い人気を集めていますが、国内の漫画の雑誌や単行本の売り上げは、景気の低迷で漫画ファンの間にも買い控えが広がっていることや、ヒット作が少なかったことなどで、去年は前の年より６％余り減って過去最大の落ち込みになりました。

東京の出版科学研究所のまとめによりますと、去年１年間の漫画の雑誌と単行本の売り上げはあわせて４１８７億円で、前の年に比べて６．６％減少し、過去最大の落ち込みになりました。このうち、特に漫画雑誌の売り上げの減少が著しく、全体では１９１３億円と前の年に比べて９．４％減少し、１８年ぶりに２０００億円を下回りました。

漫画の出版物の売り上げは平成７年をピークに減少する傾向が続いており、その背景として、出版科学研究所では、▽景気の低迷で漫画ファンの間にも買い控えが広がり、書店で漫画を買わずに漫画喫茶などで読む傾向が続いていることや、▽大ヒットといえる作品が少なかったことなどがあるとみています。

News Source: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/k10013248411000.html#


OPINION by FuangPing
Actually, I can't believe this... I know and read a lot of comtenporary masterpieces of Manga, many, really. But on the other hand, I also can't deny that I sometimes go to Manga Kissa to read Manga without buying as exactly the article say.
But after considering this fact, I get to think that I have to pay money with respects to Manga and it's author as the investment on the industry for Japanese subcultural future!!!! Everyone, just follow me!!

A guy (31) was arrested for allegedly throwing his own "excreta" to some first-met women on 18th March.

According to the investigation of police agency, the guy is alleged for throwing his "body waste" to strange ladies on the road of Saitama Pref.

In the police interview, the guy said that "I did because I got too much stress in my work". Also he admited other over 40 similar criminal cases.


埼玉県川口市など県南部で一昨年秋以降、女性がすれ違いざまに人の排せつ物を投げつけられる事件が相次ぎ、県警が強制わいせつ容疑で逮捕した男が関与を認める供述をしていることが、捜査関係者への取材でわかった。県警は１８日にも男を暴行と器物損壊の疑いで再逮捕する。

捜査関係者によると、男は、さいたま市南区に住む会社員（３１）。今年１－２月、さいたま、川口市で女性計３人に排せつ物を投げつけ、服を汚した疑いが持たれている。

県警は、同区内で昨年１１月に起きた帰宅途中の女性に対する強制わいせつ事件で、２月下旬に男を逮捕。排せつ物事件の犯人と特徴が似ていたため追及したところ 「ストレス発散でやった。女性が驚く姿に興奮した」と関与を認めたという。

News Source: http://news.mixi.jp/view_news.pl?id=1146568&media_id=88



OPINION by FuangPing
As everyone knows and I also recognize by myself, I'm a pervert. But even for me, I can't understand at all about his behavior... What turned him on...?
Anyway, one thing is for sure. my pervert is not criminal, but his criminal.

AFP-JIJI

A group of Japanese Cartoonists have lodged a protest over a Tokyo Metropolitan Government plan to tighten rules on sexual images of minors in comics, animation and comuter game software.

Cartoonists, including prominent artist Machiko Satonaka and Tetsuya Chiba, held a news conference 14th March (Mon) to voice their opposition to the plan before metro assembly votes on the proposal Friday (19th March). "This could violate freedom of expression," they said in a joint statement to assembly members of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan(DPJ).

The metro government has proposed to call on publishers to excercise greater restraint on sales on any cartoon works that feature sexual dipictions of characters that people would assume to be underage. Its ordinance, effective only in the capital, would also designate comics showing sexual violence as "noxious publications." and tighten restrictions for under-aged readers.

Japan is a major global source of child pornography. Although producing and distributing is illgal, possession is not criminalized, and images of "nonexistent" underage characters in "manga" comics are legal.


(fuangping)

Tokyo Metro Gov. bring in the child porn amendment bill in congress to regulate Manga porn

12th March,Tokyo metropolitan government submitted amendment bill of ban on child porn, to metropolitan assembly.
The bill provides that traders should ristrict voluntarily mangas,animes, and games describing porn of under 18 yearsold children, and products contending anti-social expression was prohibited. The administration committee of the congress will adopts the bill on 19th.
According to the government, the purpose of the bill is response to situation that harmful mangas animes and other contents dipicting children's porn are free; it is first time challenge for "unreal children's porn". In other hands, some critics insist that the bill may causes "violation for free of expression".

By the Bill's definition, "Unreal Children" seem under 18 yearsold by their cloth, belongings, or school grade in mangas, animes, and games etc. And the bill request for traders to stop voluntarily selling and opening thier porn.

Especially, the government may define contents including extremely immoral expression, for example rape, as "immoral books", and restrain it.
FUJIMOTO Yukari, Associate Professor of Meiji University, comment that the government could apply arbitrary the bill because criteria whether characters are under 18 yearsold or not, or what is immoral are very vague.

2010/03/12 17:57 Kyodo News

http://www.47news.jp/CN/201003/CN2010031201000762.html

野放しの漫画児童ポルノを規制へ　都条例改正案、反対論も
　東京都は１２日までに、１８歳未満と判断される子供への性行為を描写した漫画やアニメ、ゲームソフトを業界の自主規制の対象にした上で、反社会的な内容の商品は青少年への販売、閲覧を禁止する青少年健全育成条例の改正案を定例議会に提出した。１９日の総務委員会で採決される。

　都によると、「野放し状態」となっている漫画やアニメの児童ポルノ的な描写を規制するのが目的で、全国でも初めての試みという。一方、識者からは「表現の自由が侵害されかねない」などの反対意見も出ている。

　改正案では、漫画などで、服装や所持品、学年などから１８歳未満と判断される子供を「非実在青少年」と定義。こうした子供への性行為を描写した商品を、青少年に販売しないよう業界に自主規制を求めた。

　そのうち、強姦など著しく悪質な内容の商品は不健全図書に都が指定するとした。

　藤本由香里・明治大准教授は「１８歳未満とか、何が健全なのかの判断は、いくらでも恣意的に解釈できる」と危惧している。

2010/03/12 17:57 【共同通信】


OPINION by Shirokitsune
It's true that child porns are awful bad contents and they may harm weak and not clever children. but I think that there are two important points.
First, overflow of porn do not have certainly linkage to sexual crime. There are no data connecting between amounts of porn and rate of sexual crime. Yes, in case that child porn used real children, it was surely crime even if it did not occur any other effect. But, in case of Manga porn, who is victim? She (or he) is only "Unreal children" .
Furthermore, since we gave birth all kind of art, porn contribute to improve it. Few marvelous artists require crowds of not exllent artists. Porn has support their amateur artists. For instance, Ukiyoe is Jpanese proud tradittional art. Katsushika Hokusai or Kitagawa Utamaro are world-wide famous artists. In other hands, many artist earned their livelihood by making Shunga(Japanese sexual pictures in Edo period), and trid to be next Hokusai,or Utamaro.
Today, Japanese manga and anime sweep world subculture. Japanese Government Agencies, of course Tokyo metro gov. too, are promoting it and use it for their policies(activation tourism and local economics).
Japanese manga and especially anime culture are supported by very large amounts of amoteur artist genre, called Doujinshi. Many Doujinshi products contented sexual expression and child porn. But if they are banned, Doujinshi culture would suffer heavy damage, and number of Japanese anime and manga's comming generation artists would decrease.
One hand of Tokyo metro gov. promote anime, and the other hand crash anime. Isn't it contradiction?

The last day, The Japanese giant BBS "2ch" had been attacked by Korean netizens. Reportedly the IT company which has the attacked server has consulted with FBI about the crime and also deliberated about legal action towards the problem. They have seemingly regarded the crime as severe cyber-terrorism from Korea.

According to the internet site of the IT corporation related to the company controlling the 2ch server, in 1st Feb, the American IT company PIE in which 2ch server is located had gotten cyber-attacked and the internet-terrorism had caused serious troble. Severe damages of not only 2ch's one but also other servers including the one related to U.S government was reported. According to the report, the amount of damege would amount to approximately $2.50 million.

PIE spokesman said that "we got cyber-attacked by many computers world wide including Korea. Now on investigating about the issue, we have deliberated about it with FBI and San Francisco Police, considering even legal action."
One of Korean prominent media "Chuo Nippou" broadcasted on 2nd March that Korean netizens had cyber-attacked to the server of 2ch. The media attributed the cause of the accident to the insulting on the BBS towrds Korean Vancouver Gold Metalist Kim Yu-na.

ネット巨大掲示板「２ちゃんねる」が攻撃され、アクセスしづらい状況が続いた問題で、サーバーに被害を受けた米ＩＴ企業が米連邦捜査局（ＦＢＩ）などと協議、攻撃に対する法的措置を検討していることが２日、分かった。韓国からの大規模なサイバーテロの可能性が高いとみられている。

２ちゃんねるのサーバー管理会社に関係する国内ＩＴ企業のサイトによると、サーバーが置かれている米サンフランシスコのＩＴ企業、ＰＩＥ社に１日からサイバー攻撃が行われ、大規模な障害が発生した。２ちゃんねる以外のサーバー利用者にも被害が出ており、中には米政府機関に関係するサーバーも含まれていた。損害額は約２５０万ドル（約２億２０００万円）に上るという。

ＰＩＥ社では、「韓国を含む多くのコンピューターから、かつてない深刻な攻撃を受けた。詳しい状況は現在調査中だが、ＦＢＩやサンフランシスコ市警と協議しており、法的措置も検討している」と話している。

韓国有力紙「中央日報」（日本語電子版）は２日、韓国ネットユーザーが独立記念日の１日に２ちゃんねるへ大規模なサイバー攻撃を行ったと報道。バンクーバー五輪の金メダリスト、キム・ヨナ選手に対し、２ちゃんねる上で多数の批判が寄せられていたことが原因としている。

Source: http://sankei.jp.msn.com/economy/it/100302/its1003022017002-n1.htm


OPINION by FuangPing
How can I say about this? but huhh.... I don't know. If there is one thing I can say, "before you commit to something, just make sure that where is your target." Anyway, I and you should never forget this accident. You know, as proverb say "I today, you tommorow"