zone otaku

Godzilla in Japan

zenical — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 17:30:32 +0000

Apologies for the non-updates. Real life issues calls, including gaming.

On to my post, in August I travelled to Japan for Animelo 2014 concert and I visited the 22-foot statue of Godzilla, located in Tokyo Midtown Garden.

They even have a 1/1 scale footprint of Godzilla, if he ever was to set foot in Japan.

Love how Japan always have such interesting events when I am there for a short break!

I Made a Jump to the Samsung S4

zenical — Fri, 03 May 2013 09:34:52 +0000

I’m sure some of you know by now – I made the jump from being an iOS user to.. Android now! Previously my first smartphone was a HTC, followed by the iPhone 3GS to iPhone 4 and now Samsung S4. This is my first android phone so it’s all pretty new to me. I am still learning everyday from my phone.

Bought it for 328 SGD over here in Singapore on a phone contract. Got it on launch date here, on 27 April.

So with some customizing I was finally able to get this lovely lock screen featuring Ishihara Kaori.

My home screen is also Kaori. Used the Metrostation icons pack to make my homescreen neat (at least they are of the same color).

Asking around, some comrades recommended me to try the official Twitter app for my phone. I really hate how Twitter app works on the iOS (I use Tweetbot). After tinkering a while, I guess the Twitter app on the Android ain’t that bad after all.

Picked up a 6 dollars TPU blue-colored case from a guy in Singapore. I will be changing it soon as I prefer a flip case..

While the S4 is selling pretty well, at the same time there are criticism from people that there isn’t much improvement from S3. Then we have people comparing the Note II with S4.

So if you ask me? Just get the phone you think you will like. Don’t read reviews comparing which phone is the superior one. If you like a big screen phone whereby everyone can see what you are typing: Get the Note II. Of course if you are going to paste a privacy screen protector over it then getting the Note II is pretty dumb of you ^^”

Regardless I also have an iPad (3rd Generation) so the Note II was a no go for me.

I don’t have a Note II to compare with the iPad and S4 as seen above, but it’s somewhat between an iPad and S4.

Overall I am pretty satisfied with my new phone. The camera is really amazing that I think I might use my phone camera to snap all my incoming loots!

Taken with Samsung S4 Camera

Launched! Zotaku.com v3.0

zenical — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 18:00:28 +0000

As promised, Zotaku is back with a new layout which was coded by me. It is my first time building a theme using a framework – I have never really coded much things in my entire life since I am always downloading a specific theme and tweaking it according to how I want the layout to be. As such there are always limitations when I am looking to change to a new theme.

So Zotaku hasn’t had a change of clothes in forever, until today. Very proud to have completed the new layout after 5 late nights ;_;

We have a small banner the last time, so I decided to go for a more “WOW” banner, making it big. Of course I received some criticism that the banner is too overwhelming so I have decided to tone down a bit by using another picture for the banner.

The banner picture you see at the top was originally this:

Cropped quite a bit at the sides; so hopefully it won’t be an eyesore for some folks >_<.

As v3.0 is a responsive theme, this means reading on your smartphones or smaller resolution screens is okay! The only con is that the reader won’t have a nice-looking banner. Oh well, content is more important no matter the screen size? ;)

Viewed at 940px

Viewed at 1920px

Viewed on the iPad!

Being fond of the grid layout I see in some themes nowadays, I decided to play around with the codes to get the grid layout. They are only available if you browse through the AUTHORS, TAGS or CATEGORIES links. Was perhaps going to have a grid layout for the main page but decided it would be boring as I need to convert to a simple banner.

What you will see if you browse the FIGURINE category.

I have also linked Facebook/Twitter to Zotaku so it will be easier and faster to share the love frequently now. No more MIA from me.

It’s been ages since I last looked at CSS. It was extremely tedious to design a menu bar last time and now it is so simple to create your own menu bar! WordPress sure has evolved!

Anyway I hope you enjoy the theme I designed and I will still be tweaking some minor stuff but I don’t think you will notice ^^.

Culture Japan Night Singapore 2012

zenical — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 21:58:15 +0000

Made my way to Culture Japan Night Singapore which was held at Kallang Theater on 12 November 2012.

The venue was packed with folks and there was hardly any air-conditioning! LOL. Also took my DSLR to there but I ended talking more than taking pictures ^^”. Only took a few, so enjoy these shots.

For more pictures do check out my Flickr.

Gardens by the Bay at Night

zenical — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 13:05:02 +0000

Gardens by the Bay, is known as a City in a Garden. Located in Singapore, it opened to the public on 29 June 2012.

Made 2 trips to Gardens for some photoshooting. This is also my first night shoot with my new DSLR. Previously I was using a D3000 and now, D7000.

For more recent updates on my photographs check out my Flickr account.

Japan Day 1 2012 – Shiohaku Event

zenical — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 11:32:31 +0000

As some of you may know, I went to Japan in August. I have yet to post up any pictures but for some folks who have been looking at my twitter or the Facebook fanpage would probably realised I’m working on the pictures occasionally and sharing them!

Pictures are taken on 24 August 2012, which was the day I reached Japan ^^.

At Shinjuku area, going to check in.

First meal in Japan. Rather expensive place we ate at since we were undecided where to lunch. But the meal is oishii desu! :3

Rather late after checking in, so rushed down to Shiohaku Event before they ended for the day.

The whole main point of going down was to take THIS!! Ayanami Rei 18-foot long slide. LOL.

For more pictures (and also probably faster updates of pictures) do check out the links below:

Zotaku Meishi

zenical — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 04:35:36 +0000

Just recently I had too much of time so I finally set down and designed some Meishi for me to pass when I meet comrades at events. Meishi are business namecards.

Did two types of namecards. One of them being designed by me while the other is based off the Facebook page.

The facebook version -

Personally I think the ones I designed are better, but I still feel I could improve more on the design itself. LOL.

Other side of the namecard.

Well will be passing around if I see anyone I know. Unfortunately I won’t be attending the recent TGX, STGCC or ACME this/next month as I will be away. AFA 2012 yeah? :D

Prepping For AFA 11

zenical — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 06:34:48 +0000

I haven’t been active around the whole anime community in Singapore – partly because school is draining my energy juices! Just a little heads up to all my readers that this weekend Anime Festival Asia 2011 will be held at Suntec City Convention Centre, 12 and 13 November 2011. Technically it will start on 11 November too, but only for the Cool Japan Forum and Hatsune Miku Live concert!

To me, I feel that the focus of AFA this year is on the I Love Anisong concert! Spreaded over 3 days of concert, we get to immerse ourselves in the largest showcase of Anisong Artistes (well this is nothing comparable to Animelo Summer!)

I’ll be heading to Day 3 I Love Anisong concert. I wasn’t intending to go on Saturday for the Festival + Stage access, but things changed my mind, so yeah I’ll be heading there on both Saturday and Sunday! Do give me a tweet if you’re interested for a meetup ^^.

This year I’m more than ready for the autograph session and concert. Yes. I am so well-prepared as compared to last year xD.

Check-list

Lightsticks
Poster Holder
Towel

I meant to take a picture of the T-shirts I’ll be wearing but unfortunately someone kept rushing me to throw them into the washing machine ^^”.

CDs of Kalafina! Well found my copies and it’s time to refresh my brain with their music ;)

Also powered my spare battery and also equipped myself with a spare memory card!

This is the event guide for AFA11. Have you memorised it? You’re good to go then. I’ll see you guys there!

What’s Happening This Week? [19-21 August, Singapore]

zenical — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 06:41:51 +0000

A little update on what’s up for me this week. Tonight is the screening of the Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos in Cathay Cineleisure. The movie will be screening for 3 days starting from today. The movie has already premiered in Japan back in July 2011. Really lucky to be able to catch the movie in Singapore too!(even though it’s one month late ha)

Next up will be Natsu Matsuri 2011 happening on Saturday night. It is located at the Changi Japanese School. A lively event where you can have a taste of Japan right in Singapore (well just a little). I always found it a hassle to get the tickets as people line up just to get the tickets which are priced at 2 dollars each. This year I was able to get the tickets thanks to Nanopulp! Will be making my way down to the school tomorrow ^^.

Singapore Toy, Game & Comic Convention (also known as STGCC) will be held on Saturday and Sunday.

I will be attending the event on Sunday as seiyuu Itou Shizuka will be there!! I like her voice, and it would be great to see her in person! Other highlights would be Kishida Mel, who is known for the original character design for the popular anime “Hanasaku Iroha” which is currently airing in Japan. He was also involved as an illustratior for “Kamisama no Memochou” that is currently airing in Japan for the Summer anime season.

Updates will be slower these few days as I will be out attending these events ^^.

Away For Holiday, Be Back 21 June!

zenical — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 18:25:56 +0000

Dear all readers, I will be away for some time as I head to the West Coast of America for some relaxation :D!

Guuzen will probably be keeping this blog alive. I will try to post when I am there but I doubt I can edit much images since I am in a rush to install it on my laptop ^^”. Just bought it yesterday!

Going to sleep now, have to wake up in a few hours time to head to the airport.. T_T.

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