Anime Expo 2011

• Anime, Japanese

  Anime Expo 2011: Hatsune Miku Mikunopolis Impressions and Gallery

  July 11, 2011 | Chris Ling | 4 Comments Share this Anime Expo 2011: Hatsune Miku Mikunopolis Impressions and Gallery

  

  Although it has been a few days since Anime Expo has concluded, it is clear what impact a certain virtual idol has had on the West. Hatsune Miku, a Vocaloid software developed by Crypton has risen to the levels of super-stardom with a multitude of artists utilizing her mesmerizing voice, figure lines, and concerts in Japan which thus brings her to Los Angeles for her first international experience.

  With concert tickets sold out in 4 days, it was a packed house of leek-shaped glowsticks at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles as everyone anticipated this groundbreaking concert. I had the opportunity to attend this concert and not being a fan I was certainly curious to know if this concert would change my opinion of Hatsune Miku and her virtual diva friends.

  Did the concert deliver? Am I now a convert? Hit the jump and find out! (more…)

• Anime, Japanese

  Anime Expo 2011: Kalafina in Concert

  July 7, 2011 | Jayson Napolitano | 2 Comments Share this Anime Expo 2011: Kalafina in Concert

  

  It’s been awhile since we covered the work of Kalafina. For those who don’t remember, the group is a trio of vocalists with none other than Yuki Kajiura as their music producer, and their beautiful harmonies and Gothic musical styling have made them a favorite of anime fans, as they’ve recording some very high profile opening and closing themes.

  We were fortunate enough the see them perform live at the 20th Anime Expo this past weekend. They performed a small set at the intimate Club Nokia in front of an enthusiastic crowd. Our last look at Kalafina was at Anime Boston a couple years back, so join us as we get reacquainted. (more…)

• Game Music

  Anime Expo 2011: Rusty Hearts is Sounding Mighty Fine

  July 5, 2011 | Jayson Napolitano | Comments Off on Anime Expo 2011: Rusty Hearts is Sounding Mighty Fine Share this Anime Expo 2011: Rusty Hearts is Sounding Mighty Fine

  Have I mentioned that I love what Korean game developers have done with the audio in their games over the years? I admit I didn’t know much about Rusty Hearts prior to checking it out at Anime Expo 2011 this past weekend, but I’m definitely a whole lot more interested after what I saw and heard.

  So, what is Rusty Hearts? It’s a free-to-play beat ’em up MMO title developed by Korean-based Stairway Games, and in addition to featuring some impressive anime-inspired visuals, it also sports some pretty amazing music. One of the game’s producers was on-site to show off one of the game’s new characters, the half-vampire Frantz. I explored a dark Gothic-style town that acts as one of the game’s central hubs where I heard some moody acoustic guitar and concert piano work that reminded me of a dark, loungey version of Granado Espada.

  Upon entering the wine cellar, one of the game’s opening dungeons, I bashed through enemies with special attacks using both the computer keyboard and an Xbox 360 controller. The producer noted that Rusty Hearts draws on titles like Devil May Cry, Final Fight, and even Castlevania as influences, and I definitely picked up on the Castlevania influence in the music department. While the looping track was short, I was loving the electric guitar work and overall Gothic rock style of the track.

  While we only heard two tracks in the demo, I’m looking forward to hearing more and finding out who’s doing the music.  Perfect World is opening up a closed beta, so head over to their website and sign up. We’ll have more on this game soon, so check out the above trailer and let us know what you think.

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