Category Archives: Catch-up Corner

Hello Kitty, Copyright, and My New-ish Co-written Paper

It’s been a while since I just wrote a blog post that wasn’t a review! The news that Hello Kitty was appointed as the Copyright PR Ambassador of Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs seemed like the perfect time to mention my latest co-authored article on the Sanrio series Sanrio Danshi… Well, that news came out in August, and my article came out all the way back in April, so it’s not exactly timely, but time doesn’t pass the way it usually does in 2020, right?

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Chic Pixel’s Decade in Review

As we inch closer and closer to January 1st, 2020, everyone is not only reflecting on the last year, but the whole decade. Instead of rounding up my favorite games, anime, or other media, I thought now would be a great time to look at how my tastes and interests here at Chic Pixel have changed. After all, a lot can happen in 10 years!

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Catch-Up Corner: Pondering the New 3DS and Funassyi

Just my luck – the one day I decide to go to bed at the ripe hour of 9 pm, Nintendo decides to hold a major Nintendo Direct! When I woke up the next morning, all the internet was abuzz with news of the New 3DS. I’m still trying to wrap my head around what it’s all about… and what’s up with that awful name!

new Nintendo 3DS models
Coming to Japan on October 11th!
I know a lot of people were clamoring for an additional thumb stick, so it’s great to see Nintendo finally add one in. Apparently it’s closer to the GameCube’s C-stick than the circle pad that’s been on the left hand side of the 3DS since the original model… Honestly, I can’t say much about that since I never owned a GameCube and don’t have a whole lot of experience with the controller. I’m sure it will function fine for things like the camera in Monster Hunter 4G, but the size and positioning puzzle me a little, as it seems quite close to the command buttons. 
Speaking of those buttons, though, I absolutely love the fact that they’re colored like the original SNES buttons. What a neat touch! It looks great on the smaller new 3DS model, but it’s a shame they didn’t go with the same color scheme on the new 3DS LL/XL models. 
Since there are plenty of sites going into all the juicy details, I won’t bore you with all of the specifics of the new models, but other improvements I’m particularly intrigued by are the improved 3D capabilities and enhanced CPU. I hardly ever use the 3D when playing now, but the idea that it can be viewed without holding the 3DS the perfect distance and angle from your face is pretty exciting, and makes using the 3D much more appealing. 
Xenoblade Chronicles art
Yet another game I’ve been meaning to play… 
All I really understand about the enhanced CPU is that it will allow for more technically robust games to come out on the system, such as the port of Xenoblade Chronicles that was announced in the same Nintendo Direct. Unfortunately, this also means that games developed for the new 3DS will not work on old 3DS models… Which makes one wonder, will Nintendo and 3rd party developers gradually move over to the new system, or will it be somewhat of a flop, like DSi-exclusive games were in the past? 
Though I can’t say I was personally hoping for a new 3DS model anytime soon, all of the new features do sound pretty appealing. Unfortunately, I just don’t have it in my budget to buy a new one in the near future, and a single exclusive game isn’t the push I need to break the bank for it just yet. Most likely, I’ll wait until there’s a limited edition system and game I’m really excited for. 
Now, I may seem like a person that likes pretty much any and all cute things from Japan. But, believe it or not, there are some things I just don’t “get.” Case in point: Funassyi (pictured above). The yellow pear character is an unofficial mascot for Funabashi, Chiba, but has still managed to become immensely popular in Japan over the past year or so. I had no idea just how popular it was until I went to Tokyo last month and saw for myself how it’s permeated any and all media in the country. In fact, Funassyi even features quite heavily in the promotional material for the arcade game Gunslinger Stratos 2: 
I understand that the idea of a mascot character speaking and moving around in a crazy manner is rather novel, but I actually find Funassyi really irritating! Is this a sign that I’m getting old? Am I no longer hip? I guess I’ll go back to my rocker on the porch and yell at a few kids. 

Catch-Up Corner: FFXIV: A Realm Reborn’s birthday and stressing over figure purchases

Happy almost Birthday, Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn! I don’t play you anymore, but I’m so glad you’re still going strong!

art by Junko Watarai (source)

That’s right, Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn turns one year old on Wednesday, August 27th! It’s crazy to think that this time last year I was obsessively leveling my cat boy Chive. While I never expected to enjoy, much less stick with, an MMO, FFXIV: ARR hooked me during the open beta, prompting me to preorder the limited edition and be a paying subscriber for nearly six months! Every time I hear about new content and patches (did you know you can dye your chocobo now?!) I feel a twinge of regret that I let my subscription lapse, but I ultimately felt I just didn’t have the time to merit paying the monthly fee… Plus, I have so many other games I want to play!

Still, that doesn’t stop me from loving the world of Eorzea and looking forward to hearing about team’s plans for the game’s future. With over 2 million subscribers, I have a feeling it’ll be around for a while! If you’re like me and prefer to enjoy the media surrounding FFXIV: ARR without actually playing the game, I highly suggest checking out the awesome anniversary illustration countdown that I took the above image from.

In other news, it’s on secret that I’ve been on a bit of a figure kick lately. While I’ve mostly been sticking to Nendoroids and am trying to stay far, far away from scaled figures (we’ll see how long that lasts), the impending release of the Etrian Odyssey IV sniper gal, pictured above, had me pining over whether or not I was ready and willing to enter the world of plastic models.

Now, plastic models are different from other figures in that you are required to assemble, and often paint, the figure yourself. While I do consider myself relatively crafty, I don’t think I’m ready to go full-on plastic model enthusiast and buy all the paints and tools needed to assemble them, which is why I felt so torn about the sniper girl. According to numerous blogs and descriptions on Japanese sites, the sniper girl comes pre-painted, so she’s supposed to look relatively good even if you don’t want to bother with painting her. Fingers crossed that that’s the case, as I eventually broke down and ordered one! The idea of assembling my own figure does sound like a rather neat project, so worst case scenario, it will be a learning experience that ends in an miserably ugly mess of a figure. But it would be pretty great if she ended looking as neat as the above photo, don’t you agree?

Catch-Up Corner: Tokyo Coverage 2014

I’ve been really, really bad about updating the site while I’ve been on my trip, and I feel horrible about it! I had all these grand plans to be covering things as I experienced them, but unfortunately I’ve been so busy that I’ve only had the energy to do quick Twitter and Instagram updates as I go along, for the most part. But to keep you all from thinking the site is dead, here’s a very overdue Catch-Up Corner to get you up to speed with some of the things I’ve been doing!

Me with this awesome Free! mural in Akihabara!

First of all, if you’re still not following me on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook and want to keep to date with everything I’m experiencing in Japan as it happens, please consider doing so! While I’ll do more long-form coverage of some of the more standout things I’ve done over the course of the past couple of weeks once I get home in a few days, there will still be some photos/information on my social media that you probably won’t see here on the main site.

While I was initially considering doing some out-and-about video coverage, I’ve found that I’m just too shy to film most things… Luckily, I’ve been able to take a few short videos, and have posted a couple of things I filmed from my University of Tokyo dorm. The video above is an unboxing of a Gatchaman Crowds rubber strap blind box. I was so excited to find some Gatchaman Crowds merchandise!

If you only have the time/tolerance to watch one video of me today, though, make it this one – it’s an Apricotsushi Samples straight from Japan! Better yet, it’s of some random “hangover remedy” drink I was handed in the streets of Tokyo, so you’ll get to hear me talk about that whole experience, too.

Finally, I did a very short impromptu Apricotsushi Samples video of me trying lemon ginger foat ice cream on my Instagram, since it was too hot to carry it home to film properly. The video is available in two separate parts, so be sure to watch both! I suppose you also get to experience some of the summer Tokyo atmosphere – namely, cicadas and my sweaty face.

Well, there’s a whole slew of video content that will hopefully keep you busy for a little while, if you haven’t seen them already! I’ve got many more Apricotsushi Samples on the way, including posts about my various experiences, such as the Square Enix and Rilakkuma cafés. Sorry for the wait, but I hope you’ll look forward to them!

Catch-Up Corner: A YouTube Giveaway and the 1st Brisbane Monster Mash

It’s already the beginning of the new week, but I so enjoy these Catch-Up Corners that I’d hate to miss one! I had to push it back so I could get my review for A Fujoshi’s Guide to Japanese vol. 2 posted, so please check that out if you’re interested in Japanese language learning materials! 

I’m currently having a giveaway on my YouTube channel to celebrate reaching 100 subscribers, so definitely enter that if you haven’t already! Japanese Treats was kind enough to offer one month of their Japanese snack subscription service to the lucky winner of my contest. If you’re curious to see what kind of goodies might be included in said box, check out my review of Japanese Treats! The giveaway is open until July 10th at 9 pm EST, after which I’ll post a video announcing the winner on my channel. As always, if you haven’t subscribed yet, please consider doing so! I have a new episode of Apricosushi Samples coming in the next couple of days. 
I mentioned last week that I was hoping to sew a Felyne hat as a prize for the Monster Hunter event I had coming up. Well, I’m happy to say I managed to finish it, and the event was a success! It was so funny to see the difference in atmosphere from my usual StreetPass meetups. Everyone was so focused on hunting that the chatter wasn’t nearly as loud as when everyone’s hanging out and doing their own thing! I brought in some Monster Hunter-themed treats (pictured above), including “meat sticks” I tried to make using straight pretzels and marshmallows and some colored sodas that I labeled with names of potions from the series. 
For the competition, I had everyone try the Lagombi Arena Challenge in Monster Hunter 3U and submit their best time. The winners were tied at 2:21! I’m not sure I could manage to kill a Lagombi that quickly… My new Twitter pal @Doodlyboops was one of the top scorers with her longsword time, so it was really nice to be able to give the hat I made to someone who will appreciate it! I just wish I wasn’t rushed to finish sewing it, as the ears came out a little crooked…  
By the way this time next week, I’ll be in Japan! I don’t want to make any big promises, but I’m hoping to get a few bite-sized videos filmed while I’m there (hopefully some even “on location”!), along with the usual photos I post to my Instagram and Twitter accounts. As always, I’ll be sure to update here with any videos I post, but if you want to see everything as it goes up, make sure to follow my various social media accounts! If you’re the kind of person who just wants everything all in one place, it’ll all be cataloged on the official Chic Pixel Facebook page. I look forward to updating you all from Japan! 

Catch-Up Corner: Monster Hunter Madness!

I’ve been pretty heavily saturated in Monster Hunter-related things lately, so instead of the regular Catch-Up Corner mishmash, I’ve decided to keep this one Monster Hunter-themed! First, to finish up my week, I spent the majority of the weekend working on my very own Felyne hat:

handmade Monster Hunter Felyne felt hat

I have to say, I’m surprisingly proud of how it turned out! I got a sudden bolt of inspiration while I was out grocery shopping on Saturday, and proceeded to pick up the required felt materials from my local Daiso so that I could draft up the pattern and get it sewn over the weekend. Since I don’t have a sewing machine, it was all completely sewn by hand, which meant it took pretty much the whole weekend to finish. For the curious, all of the face details are glued on with fabric glue, but the ears, hat seam, and hemming is all sewn.

I originally got this idea because I wanted to make some kind of prize for the Monster Hunter event I’m holding this Sunday (stop by if you happen to live in Brisbane!). Since this first one turned out so well, I think I should be able to finish a second one by then!

Monster Hunter Compilation "Re:" Mix Chiptune album cover

Next up is a really cool event that is scheduled for while I am in Japan! Capcom is releasing a Monster Hunter chiptune remix album titled Monster Hunter Compilation “Re:” Mix Chiptune and will be hosting a launch party on July 20th at 2.5D in Shibuya! (very close to where I’m staying) While I was originally very keen to go, they will be streaming the whole thing live on the night and tickets cost $20 to attend, so I just tune in from the comfort of my dorm… I’m also embarrassed to say that don’t really recognize any of the Monster Hunter music in the song clips provided on the site! Even so, it still seems like it could be a cool event, and those of you who don’t live in Japan should mark your calendar so you can watch the livestream (starting 6:30 am on the 20th, Eastern time).

UPDATE: Whoops, I got the date completely wrong! It was on the 3rd. Oh well!

Monster Hunter Frontier G receptionist Nendoroid

Finally, there was one last announcement this past week that combines my love of Monster Hunter and Nendoroids: a limited edition Nendoroid will be released with the premium edition of Monster Hunter Frontier G! I know next to nothing about Frontier G, but it’s basically a Monster Hunter MMO and has never been released in English. The Nendoroid is modelled after the G-class quest receptionist, and though she certainly has a unique design, I don’t actually find it all that appealing… I guess I should consider myself lucky, as I wouldn’t want to import a premium-priced copy of Frontier G, anyway!