Anticipating for the movie, but at the same time, why no Erika Toda?!?! T-T

Source: ANN

The announced order is:

First Half

1. Hamasaki Ayumi – progress

2. NYC – 100% Yuuki NYC

3. Angela Aki – One Family

4. flumpool – Akashi

5. AKB48 – Kouhaku 2011 AKB48 Special Mix ~Ganbarou Nippon!~

Ashida Mana & Suzuki Fuku – Maru Maru Mori Mori!

6. FUNKY MONKEY BABYS – Soredemo Shinjiteru

7. Nishino Kana – Tatoe Donna ni…

8. AAA – CALL

9. Kawanaka Miyuki – Nirinsou

10. Hirai Ken – Itoshiki Hibi yo

11. Fuji Ayako – Ayako no Okuni Jiman da yo ~Ganbarou Tohoku!! Kouhaku Special~

12. Hosokawa Takashi – Nebuta

13. Mizuki Nana – POP MASTER

14. Porno Graffitti – One More Time

15. Inawashirokos – I love you & I need you Fukushima

16. Godai Natsuko – Kinmokusei

17. L’Arc~en~Ciel – CHASE

18. Mizumori Kaori – Shounai Heya Kaze no Naka

19. Mori Shinichi – Minatomachi Blues

20. Shiina Ringo – Carnation -Akagumi Nara Daredemo

Natsukawa Rimi & Akikawa Masafumi – Asu to Iu Hi ga

Second Half

21. KARA – KARA 2011 Special Medley

22. Tokunaga Hideaki – Jidai

23. Perfume – Laser Beam

24. TOKIO – Miageta Ryusei

25. Shoujo Jidai – GENIE

26. Go Hiromi – Go Smile Japan

27. aiko – Koi no Super Ball

28. Yuzu – Hey Wa

29. Koda Kumi – Ai wo Tomenaide

30. Tohoshinki – Why? (Keep Your Head Down)

31. Hirahara Ayaka – Ohisama ~Taisetsu na Anata e~

32. Sen Masao – Kitaguni no Haru

33. Kobayashi Sachiko – Onna no Sakaba

34. Nishida Toshiyuki – Ano Machi ni Umarete

35. Ayaka – Minna Sora no Shita

36. Nagabuchi Tsuyoshi – Hitotsu

37. Wada Akiko – Ano Kane wo Narasu no wa Anata

38. Arashi – 2011 Kouhaku Special Medley

39. Ikimono Gakari – Aruite Ikou

40. Itsuki Hiroshi – Furusato

41. Matsuda Seiko & Kanda Sayaka – Ue wo Muite Arukou

42. Hikawa Kiyoshi – Jounetsu no Mariachi

43. Sakamoto Fuyumi – Yozakura Oshichi

44. Fukuyama Masaharu – Kazoku ni Narou yo

45. Matsutoya Yumi – (Minna no) Haru Yo, Koi

46. EXILE – Rising Sun

47. Tendo Yoshimi – Ai Sansan

48. Kitajima Saburo – Kaero Kana

49. Ishikawa Sayuri – Tsugaru Kaikyo Fuyugeshiki

50. SMAP – SMAP AID Kouhaku SP

It is also said that Lady Gaga has been confirmed as a participant, through a video “message from the world”, which is planned to be recorded in New York on 30 December 2011 (that’s 31 December in Japan). Video to be shown during the second half of the program.

As part of the same corner, actor Jackie Chan will also appear in a video message, and soccer player Hasebe Makoto will make a live appearance.

Source: Tokyograph

Actor Shota Matsuda (Hana Yori Dango) will reprise his lead role as the genius Akiyama, while Mikako Tabe (Kimi ni Todoke) will play the heroine Yuu in a new game. As previously reported, the main actress of the 2 TV seasons and 1st movie was Erika Toda, but she won’t be reprising her role in the 2nd movie.

Does it not feel stranger without baka Nao?

The film will premiere in Japan on 3 March 2012. Hopefully Singapore will get the film distribution rights too!

Source: ANN

The goal of the video is convincing gamers to donate to the Red Cross’s earthquake and tsunami relief effort, showing us how important Japan is to the video game industry. They interview with people that some of you are probably familiar with the gaming world, talking about both video games and just Japan in general.

Well, we all love anime and Japanese video games so I’m sure this video will be interesting for you guys.

Donate @ www.gamersheartjapan.com

Here is a radiation chart to show you how much radiation you are exposed to in your daily life! (Click for larger picture)

Chart is done by the guys over at XKCD. It’s comprehensive, informative and serves as a great reference point given Japan’s current situation.

Looks like flying is dangerous too. ^^.

Source: Gizmodo

The three big screens are turned off to conserve electricity.

If you are reading this do spread the word that Tokyo is not a Ghost Town. I really hate how the media(worldwide) is spreading so much disaster and despair >_<. You can view more pictures over at DannyChoo.

This is what it’s like when we could find the dogs at the actual disaster area. The white has gotten weak but the brown one is not allowing to get closer. The TV crew shot this. We have already got these dog. But it too two hours to take them to the closest shelter. The guys who had done that had the bigger plastic cage on the back of the bike. Having such weight on the back is risky for going the way with no road…Those two dogs are rescued. The one which came close to the camera is in the better condition. The other White, Gray and Black was weak. So it is in the vet clinic in Ibaraki Prefectre. The other dog is in the shelter of the same area. But please know that those two are just the tip of the iceberg. There are more and we need help.”

You can help the animals too by sending donations through PayPal to rescue@butch-japan.jp. Kenn Sakurai is the President of Butch Japan. The company is importing safe dog and cat food in Japan and are assisting in animal rescue efforts. All animal lovers do spare some cash for the poor dogs and cats out there!

Source:  OutImpact

Tons of upcoming events and shows had been cancelled due the earthquake. Konami is even cancelling Metal Gear Online service as the Japanese are now strongly advised to conserve energy.

There is no need for fancy wordings here. Pray for the safety and health of those affected.

andriasang – Events cancelled following earthquake
ANN – Anime/Manga/Game Events Cancelled After March 11 Quake
ANN – Anime/Manga/Game Industry Members Check In After Quake
ANN -Relief Funds for March 11 Earthquake/Tsunami in Japan
BBC – LIVE: Japan quake update
CNN – CNN.com Blogs

The icons are drawn using red, green and blue icing. Looks yummy doesn’t it?

The idea for the biscuits came from one of her customers, who asked her to make a look-a-like of the iPod touch media player for her husband’s birthday gift in October 2008.

Kudo mistook the gadget for the very similar iPhone, which had just appeared on the market, but the customer was delighted by the end product.

News of Kudo’s creation did not spread widely until a message on the Internet micro-blogging site Twitter in January by the well-known economic critic Kazuyo Katsuma.

With that, news of her edible iPhone cookies spread quickly.

When Kudo was invited to an event held by Softbank Corp. in March, she handed President Masayoshi’s son one of the biscuits, who had earlier posted on his Twitter saying: “I want one!”. Upon receiving his iPhone cookie he was overjoyed: “I’m so happy. I cannot possibly eat this,” he said.

Kudo, who makes all her own cakes and biscuits, says she can create no more than 20 iPhone cookies a day. One biscuit is priced at 2,730 yen, including tax.

Kudo has received requests for iPad cookies. She said she has experimented, but “it turned out to be too big, heavy and difficult to make.”

Looks yummy! The actual iPhone cost way more than that xD. It would be perfect for a gift for friends :)

Source: Asahi via Japan Probe

That’s an image of a McDonalds in Tokyo’s Odaiba area. It’s being converted to the “Pokemon Flagship Shop” from September 18 through October 18.

Collaboration between Pokemon Co. and Japan Macdonalds is to promote the upcoming Pokemon Black and White, hitting retail stores this September 18 in Japan.

Over the one month period, the Pokemon Flagship Shop, which also apparently goes by the name Pokemon BW Mac, will have its interior and exterior decked out in the colors of Pokemon Black & White. It will also have a gallery showing the Pokemon who appear in Black & White.

This is a fantastic idea of promoting the game. I know I would check it out myself. Pity we won’t get to see such promotions in Singapore.

Source: andriasang