Chic Pixel Plus Episode 28 – The Red Child Conspiracy

8 / 27 / 15

In this week’s slightly overdue episode, Sarah digs deep into Gatchaman Crowds insight, I accidentally watch all of Gangsta., and the stars align for not one, but two anime fashion montages. We also announce our next Manga Book Club pick, Hakumei to Michiko, talk about the exciting world of Japanese ice, discuss a new Yowamushi Pedal app, and offer some first impressions of Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls!

Don’t forget to share your own summer anime impressions using #TGIAnime!

[Yowamushi Pedal Puchitto Racers Tutorial]

Opening ♫ – “Nazo Nazo” by Bakubaku Dokin

Closing ♫ – “renegade” by Stereo Dive Foundation

[DOWNLOAD] [ITUNES] [RSS]

Chic Pixel Plus Episode 27 – Princes, Boyfriends, and Chii-chan

8 / 13 / 15

Yume100 Parody Comic — Sarah’s Yume100 parody comic

Episode 27 of Chic Pixel Plus is full of princes and boyfriends! Prince boyfriends, if you will. Oh, and we also discuss our first Manga Book Club pick, Chii-chan wa Chotto Tarinai and reminisce about our youth. Ah, to be young and have prince boyfriends.

Other exciting topics include that absurd new Final Fantasy XV trailer, a comic called Otaku Dad, our bi-weekly anime recap, and a woeful tale of failure in Sarah’s Nippon Neighborhood Watch report. Enjoy, and don’t forget to send us feedback! We love hearing from you.

[Japanese Kindle tutorial, Japanese iTunes tutorial]

Opening ♫ – “This New Year” by Big Tree

Closing ♫ – Squid Sisters song

[DOWNLOAD] [ITUNES] [RSS]

Chic Pixel Plus Episode 26 – Anime Insight

7 / 28 / 157 / 28 / 15

In the first official episode in the new season 2 format, we reveal our first Manga Book Club pick, discuss the first two episodes of the summer anime we’re watching, and swoon over the new Odin Sphere HD remake (note: English version was confirmed after we recorded). The Death Note drama gets what might be its final update on the show, and Anne implores everyone with a Crunchyroll subscription to read the Princess Jellyfish manga. We even unveil a brand new segment, App Attack, where we gush over the adorable smartphone game Alphabear. As always, feedback is greatly appreciated! Send it on over to podcast@chic-pixel.com.

[Chii-chan wa chotto tarinai on Amazon Japan, Japanese Kindle tutorial]

Opening ♫ – “Kakusinteki☆Metamaruphooose!” by Aimi Tanaka

Closing ♫ – “WHITE ASH” by Insight

[DOWNLOAD] [ITUNES] [RSS]

How to Purchase Manga from the Japanese Kindle Store

7 / 26 / 1510 / 21 / 16

Importing Japanese manga can be a daunting endeavor, with exorbitant shipping fees often costing more than the books themselves. While my last tutorial on importing manga lots from Amazon Japan provides a method for decreasing those costs, the obvious other option would be to cut out shipping all together! By purchasing digital volumes of manga and other Japanese books and magazines for the Kindle, you can get everything for shelf price or less, and never have to worry about shipping again.

Hello Kitty, Hello 40: A 40th Anniversary Tribute Review

7 / 17 / 154 / 20 / 18

Hello Kitty is as an iconic character as they come, and likely one that anyone with even a passing interest in Japan has a trinket or two of. As a wee young Anne, friends and family would always falling back on Hello Kitty items as the obvious gift choice for my Japan-obsessed self. Now, the billionaire international superstar Hello Kitty is the ripe old age of 40, and Viz Media has decided to celebrate the occasion with Hello Kitty, Hello 40: A 40th Anniversary Tribute.

Amazon Japan Trick: How to Import Manga for Super Cheap

3 / 31 / 1511 / 8 / 15

Amazon Japan can be a little intimidating for importing Japanese products, but it’s also has some of the best deals on books and manga. On top of that, recent decrease in its international shipping costs means that you can get a packaged shipped anywhere in the world faster and cheaper than ever. But did you know that you can get virtually any number of Japanese-language manga shipped for just $10.50? I thought it was too good to be true, but I can confirm that it works. The secret is buying manga lots!

Ten volumes of The Rose of Versailles and a magazine for only $54.42 shipped! (and it arrived in two business days!)

Boys Over Flowers Season 2 Manga to Launch on Valentine’s Day

2 / 9 / 159 / 13 / 15

In a surprise announcement from Viz Media, acclaimed manga artist Yoko Kamio is returning to her seminal Boys Over Flowers manga with a sequel titled Boys Over Flowers Season 2 that will debut in North America this Valentine’s Day!

The original Boys Over Flowers, or Hana Yori Dango, was published over 10 years and finished with a whopping 37 volumes, making this sequel announcement even more of a shocker. Twelve years after the final volume was published, the series is back with a new set of faces at Eitoku Academy, two years after the F4 have graduated.

What’s particularly exciting about this announcement is the fact that the series will be released bi-weekly simultaneously in Japan and North America, and on top of that, Viz Media is offering current chapters for free on VIZManga and the Viz iOS and Android apps. The first three chapters will also be featured in Weekly Shonen Jump as part of the Jump Start Initiative, so if you’re already subscribed, you’ll be able to read them on February 16th (or you can subscribe online for only $19.99 for 12 months!).

I’m one of the many who is more familiar with the Boys Over Flowers drama than the actual manga, but since Boys Over Flowers Season 2 debuts with a whole new cast, I don’t believe you need to have much knowledge of the original series to enjoy it. I know I’m excited to see how Yoko Kamio will update the 90’s classic for a modern audience!