In a brilliant attempt to circumvent me running out of steam doing a day-by-day recount of my trip, this time, I’ll be writing just one post featuring only the juicy bits – Akihabara, Comiket (doujins) and more!
I’ll organize this post by sections that go in chronological order. At the end of the recount, will be a section that is dedicated to all the acquisitions that I got during my trip.
Without further ado, here we go!
(Warning! Image intensive and somewhat NSFW. Also, the changing aspect ratio of the pictures is due to the fact that a number of them were taken with different cameras.)
LUCKY STAR IS GETTING A BLU-RAY BOX SET RELEASE!!! (^o^)
Release Date: 27th May 2011
24 episodes spread over 4 Discs
Bonus Disc 1 & 2 – Lucky Star in Budokan
Bonus Disc 3 – Special Features
– Non-Credit OP (lyrics included)
– Best Scenes
– OVA (Original na Visual to Animation)
– Lucky Star Channel at Shin Tokyo Circuit
– Lucky Racer Digest
1080i, 1080p, LPCM stereo (Japanese, English)
Subtitles (Japanese English)
Comes in an Artbox + 3 normal cases
Total run time: 1000 minutes
…and where ever Japanese Blu-Rays and DVDs are sold.
———
Honestly, I think that this is a amazing, amazing release. Finally, one of my all time favorite series is getting a Blu-Ray release. I am usually hesitant when it comes to purchasing Blu-Ray releases of entire series due to the price. I’ve held off on buying the Blu-Ray releases of the Haruhi Series, Ga-Rei Series and Cardcaptor Sakura Series. However, I just cannot say no to this.
Besides holding great sentimental value for me, being one of the first series that actually made me ‘dedicate’ my life to Otaku Culture, the release itself looks really great.
First off, it’s Lucky Star in HD!!! The release also has ENGLISH SUBTITLES, okay special features and it even includes the Lucky Star in Budokan footage. I would have liked it if they had added more behind the scenes stuff (interviews and the like), but that’s just me.
I have seen many Ani-Song concerts including the Macross Frontier ones, Haruhi ones, K-On ones and of course the Lucky Star one. Out of all of them, I have to say that the Lucky Star concert was the best. It had the best staging, the best performances (yeah, the Haruhi one was really bad at times) and most importantly, the best feel. You could really tell that everyone was really into it, enjoying it and giving it their all. I was simply blown away by Shiraishi Minoru. Not only did he host the event and conduct the interview, he was still able to pull of an amazing performance. How that man was able to keep his voice going for so long I’ll never know.
In short, I myself really enjoyed watching the concert and definitely recommend every Lucky Star fan to watch it.
Oh, did I mention that the set comes with ENGLISH freaking SUBTITLES? Next up on my agenda, the Haruhi Blu-Ray set! (^o^)
As I have mentioned numerous times in previous posts, on my channel and on various online forums, this loot was going to be a whopper. Yes, I did actually purchase everything you see in the picture above last month, but everything only arrived a few days ago. Now that everything’s been sorted out, let’s see how this loot can blow your mind, shall we? (^o^)
Next stop on my Lucky Star pilgrimage is Kasukabe where Kyoei/Kyouei High School, the real-life high school that Lucky Star’s Ryōō High School is based on, is located!
Saying that it was a surreal experience being at the school would be an understatement. I really wonder how the school would be like during regular school days. Since it was the New Year, everyone was off on their holidays. I guess that this was all for the best. Didn’t want any awkward stares. However, according to numerous sources, the town should be pretty used to that by now. (^.^;)
In this installment of Actar’s Road Trips, follow me on my Lucky Star pilgrimage as I travel to Saitama, home of Lucky Star! To usher in the New Year, our first stop is none other than the shrine where Hiiragi sisters work at as Mikos, Washinomiya Shrine!
Disclaimer: It is not my intention to offend any person or religion with this video. This video is meant to introduce the wonders of Japanese Culture and Tradition to others. Comparing the Anime scenes to the real-life counterparts shows how accurately Japanese Anime is able to portray and convey one’s culture to others. As with any religion, I understand and honor the traditions and rules and abide by them respectfully.
Akemashte Omedetou!!! Happy New Year! The final installment of Actar in Tokyo ironically takes place out of Tokyo in the quaint little prefecture of Saitama. Don’t know the significance of Saitama? Read on!
Being the New Year and all, I decided to spend the day in traditional Japanese fashion, by visiting a shrine. However, that would hardly be epic enough for me, so, the shrine I visited was none other than the one where our favorite purple haired, twin sistered miko work, Washinomiya Shrine! (^o^)
That’s right! Saitama is the setting of everyone’s (mostly) favorite slice-of-life Anime, Lucky Star.
You could say that this visit is one of the main reason for choosing this time to come to Japan. What better way to celebrate the very first ‘official’ Anime I watched that got me hooked on Japanese Modern Visual Culture, Lucky Star!
Let’s GO! (Caution, relentless onslaught of pictures ahead!!!)
The Lucky Star Figma Figures are here again! First in the line once again is Kona-chan! This time all decked out in her Summer school uniform. Also included are some really interesting accessories along with an echangable head of Yutaka.
Da dum~ The last two notes of Hare Hare Yukai just ring in my ears when I see this pose.
YOUR VOTE MATTERS (Click ‘Read the rest of this entry’)
Well, just as Shana has to eat Melonpan, School has to start. However, like any dark cloud, there is always a sliver lining. This year will be my final year of Junior College or perhaps High School as commonly known elsewhere in the world.
Posted by Actar 
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