YOU KNEW NAMCO WAS GOING TO DO IT SOONER OR LATER.

Welcome to the near end of February with the newest DLC coming out for Namco’s favorite idol game (Unless they like their AKB game more, I have no clue). Catalog 5 for the PS3 version and Catalog 13 for the 360 version features the song Brand New Day! from the 16th episode of The iDOLM@STER anime; originally a Ganaha Hibiki song.  This months PS3 exclusive idol is Mizutani Eri from the 876 crew.  She comes with two songs, Purigoku and Shiny Smile.  Rejoice, Eri fans, she is now in shiny PS3 graphics!

Note: Some of the translations are a bit eh this time around, lol.  Either I messed it up, or did not know how to express it in English

*This clued into me now, but it’s cheaper to buy this pack instead of the two extend costumes separately (PS3)
**I had troubles translating  アナザー so I left it out completely.  Also, for some reason, Dengeki lists this as a hand accessory, but the picture on the official website makes it look like a head accessory, so there could be a typo here

765 Academy Jerseys without and with Accessories, School Girl Wear

 Ocean Blue Lace, Black Swan X-1, Windy Cherries

Eri Outfit on idols, Mizutani Eri in Purigoku, then in Shiny Smile

Personal Thoughts: There’s honestly not that much I can say any more, seeing as I stopped buying DLC…  I’ll probably get back into it once I save up money and go back into playing the game, but I guess it’s fun to watch the new catalogs come out and get some-what hyped about the new stuff.

Okay, except I’m a little ): Namco is just releasing songs from the anime instead of coming out with new ones, but I didn’t really expect them to spend money on making new songs when they have a whole lot to pick from (that hasn’t been released as DLC).  Brand New Day! Was kind of a random pick imo, I expected Yakusoku (ep. 20 ED iirc) or something, everyone sung it already (lol).  I’m not a fan of Brand New Day! either though, I like Hibiki’s TRIAL DANCE more, but I highly doubt they would use that lol.

Eri being brought to the PS3 platform isn’t surprising, but it’s nice they used her “cool and sexy” style costume, 876 Idols had the best imo, I really liked all of them.  So everyone in Eri’s cool and sexy = +1 good job Namco, sort of.  Speaking of costumes, the Jerseys are kind of cute, but the school girl wear is so tacky I don’t even know any more…

I also wanted to translate the glasses as “Harry Potter Glasses” (or nerd glasses lol) but I don’t think anyone would like that…

Oh well, Namco, call me when you decide to bring something awesome to DLC (which won’t occur for a while unless they make something completely new).

Get this month’s DLC on March 1 (make sure to check the marketplaces a day or two before since NBGI always releases it early)

Sources:

http://news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/461/461539/

http://www.bandainamcogames.co.jp/cs/list/idolmaster/im2/

A quick run down of new catalog posts, written out in English for those who snoop my blog looking for the idolmaster 2 stuff, I know who you are.  (I actually don’t).  I’ll try to translate to the best of my ability, and try to keep up with the catalog posts!

Catalog 12 (360) / Catalog 4 (PS3) featuring second iDOLM@STER Anime OP, CHANGE!!!.  You know it would’ve happened sooner or later.  And as always, PS3 exclusive content.  The return of Miku-chan, although you may have known this from andriasang that she was returning this month.  She comes with her “append” outfit this time around, plus singing her song “melt”.  Chart follows of what else comes + pricing for both versions.

*This charm changes the stage into complete white with colours (assuming respective colours of each idol) flying every where during a burst appeal, can only be used in trios/quintets (unless NBGI doesn’t know what they’re talking about, or I can’t ready right lol).
**Listed on Dengeki and seen in the PV; There is a pack where you can buy all 9 idol mails.  I wasn’t sure about the price of these because it’s not listed on the website.  But nonetheless, I think this is the individual rate (if you can still buy it individually).
***It’s also listed you get a trophy “Once In a Life Buy” if this is bought.

CHANGE 2 MY COLOUR before and after change, Colourful Star Charm Effect (PS3 only)

Valentines Plum, Cassiopeia Heart, Dancing Tiger

Miku Append outfit on idols, Miku Append w/ Melt song

Personal Thoughts: I WAS HOPING FOR A DIFFERENT SONG, but then it dawned on me they would have had to included CHANGE!!! sometime soon.

Personally, I haven’t been all that impressed with the catalogs as of late.  I think the only thing I was really excited about was last catalogs, “Marionette’s Heart” since I was in love with that song…. And well, y’know, my favorite idol group singing it pleases me to no end.

I was more of a READY!!! fan than CHANGE!!!! fan, so the song is just “okay” this time around.  The outfit is kind of cool that it changes to the idol’s respective colour, but I only think this happens in CHANGE!!!!.  Someone test it and get back to me when the catalog comes out (I’m much too busy at the moment to play ;_; ).  I think what really caught me is that charm that NBGI threw in, where it changes the burst appeal into white field and rainbow colours every where; trying to re-enact the second OP I think.  While I think it’s a nice touch, I’m not sure if it’s worth the ￥450 price tag that’s on it.  But hey, typical NBGI pricing, right?

That’s it from me, comment to post your thoughts on the PV, or point out any errors I’ve made (which is possible).  Or even possibly any changes I can make for the next catalog post!

Sources:

http://news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/448/448742/

http://www.bandainamcogames.co.jp/cs/list/idolmaster/im2/

Wishing everybody a Happy New Years!  See you all in 2012!

(Maybe that’s why Ritsuko wants to beat you silly…)

Anyways, I wanted to update the blog for … those who… still read it…???  It seems that I still get a small amount of views, mostly people looking for iDOLM@STER 2 stuff, with the release of the PS3 port, and everybody else being able to play it now, they seek out English resources or fans.  Sorry guys, I don’t have any guides or anything kicking around (as I use mostly Japanese resources to play the game).

As the first term ends… today (it’s passed midnight here!), I’ll be studying for exams, even more intensely than I did last year, as my courses are much harder this time around, and well, I’m not doing so hot.  So, why post here Picup, shouldn’t you be studying?

(*edges away from paper fan of death*)

I have 4 courses left to study for (with their exam on 10, 12, 14, 17), so I pretty much have to start studying… the latest, on Thursday.

Most likely a schedule would go out like this:

Head to school
Study Subject with the closet exam (2-3 hours)
-break- (1 hour)
Review for the remaining exams (ranges from 1-3 hours, an hour per subject)
-break- (1 hour)
Back to studying subject with closet exam (2-3 hours)

Total: 7-11 hours

in those 1 hour breaks, I was planning on eating and working on some posts that I’m going to do for the blog.  So, what is upcoming in the blog?

- Long overdue “Spinning” post! (a bit of a secret about this spinning!)
- Not really catch up with Sunday Video watching (seeing as it’s like what, xx amount of weeks behind, hahaha), but to do a general favorite/recommendation on the two festivals I’ve watched/plan on watching (Specifically, KAKU-tail 6 and VER Rock 2011)
- new layout and a freckin’ about me page finally lol
- iM@S manga talk

The last one will be one of the projects I’ll do a bit later, seeing as I’m waiting for Nemurihime’s tankoubon to come out =3= (which I’m excite for, I mean come on, Producer x Chihaya!)

But yeah, that’s about it for now.  If anyone has any suggestions on what to blog about, please feel free to comment with a recommendation.

Taken from tweets made on Saturday:

“PicaPicup: After a nice back and forth tweeting with @kusion I’ve been thinking of doing an open imas character discussion post in my blog…”

So, here we are, at my blog, starting up an open character discussion.  Some opening lines/kinda rules to this:

Anyone can post and talk about who they like and dislike, but everyone has to respect each others opinion.  It’s okay to disagree, but it’s not okay to throw profanity around or hate someone for not liking their character or not going along and etc.

Alright, let’s do this.

those who actually read my video watching, it’ll come sometime soon, i have a lot of weeks to catch up on so it’ll take a while to write…

1.) Haruka Amami

Description:  Haruka is what you could call the “heroine” of The iDOLM@STER.  She is 16 years old in the original game, and 17 in the recent installment, The iDOLM@STER 2.  She’s always cheerful and tries to keep everyone optimistic (iirc some really cheesy line in a doujin was that Haruka was the smile that kept everyone going or something, hence why her image song is “Taiyou no Jealousy” (Sun’s Jealous)).  She is clumsy at times, but always makes it up with her laugh and smile.  She enjoys making sweets, being with friends, and singing/karaoke.

Character Quirks/Fandom Stuff: Haruka’s infamous のワの face has become a staple to all im@s fans.  Another interesting thing is that they have also created a “Dark Haruka” (はるかっか, basically “Her highness”).  Sometimes, when people decide to pause their game at certain times when their eyelids are half open, some really sinister look  can appear.  … That and Haruka’s I Want makes everyone bow down to her.

or Eririn… (4th live anyone? 4th live?)

Picup’s Opinion: Honestly, when I first got into im@s, Haruka wasn’t all that appealing to me.  I mean, sure I liked her design picup actually likes everyones character design so this is an invalid point but she just didn’t, how do you say, “shine”.  As I grew more into the series, I started to like Haruka a little bit more.  I can’t say she’s one of my favorites, but I do like her from time to time.  I’ve especially enjoyed her in groups (specifically, my 十七歳 group from im@s2) rather than an individual.  But that’s what I think makes Haruka stand out, is that if she’s with others, you notice her more.

What actually bugs me sometimes now is that Haruka becomes the bad guy sometimes.  Sure Harukakka is evil, but she doesn’t steal men or boys from whoever, she wields a killer katana and kills people, now that’s cool.

Err, back on Haruka being an evil boy stealer–Haruka, honestly doesn’t feel like that to me.  I can see Haruka maybe liking a certain male, and getting upset over it, but there are somethings I don’t think Haruka would do to the other female that would cost them a friendship.  Afterall, Haruka likes being around friends.  To me, Haruka would chose close friend over love, or something like that.

But yeah, Haruka, not one of my favorites, but I don’t mind her.  Harukakka on the other hand… aweyea (lol).

2.) Chihaya Kisaragi

Description: Stoic, cold and calm, Chihaya is no doubt, the genius songstress of 765 Productions despite being 15/16 (1/2).  Backed with a tragic past, Chihaya is someone who puts everything into singing, making no attempts to be friends or to open up to anyone.  She wants to perfect her singing so that one day, everyone can hear her.  On her off times, if she’s not concentrating on singing, music is still her passion with other side hobbies (I only know in 2, it’s classical music and training… I forgot 1, yay!)

Character Quirks/Fandom Stuff: Spoiler: CHIHAYA IS ACTUALLY NOT THAT MEAN.  Chihaya is quite the character sometimes.  I’ve read (well attempted) at some of the official manga, and Chihaya can be quite funny and somewhat dense.  Chihaya also has another counterpart (sort of?) like Haruka and Harukakka, Chihaya has Mecha Chihaya.  A fanmade thing created after Japanese people laugh at Mingos singing Ohayou Asa Gohan — which sounds super mechanized, and Mecha Chihaya is born.  Also, if you make fun of Chihaya about her chest, she hates you, a lot.  72 is some sort of Chihaya meme that is used from time to time (72 = bust size).

Picup’s Opinion: Wow, Chihaya, I don’t know where to start.

If you know me well enough… or maybe you don’t have to know me well enough (pssst look on my twitter profile), Chihaya is my favorite character in The iDOLM@STER.  I actually really like her cold personality, it was something that won me over about her.  I have something with tragic characters, I just always like them, I don’t know why.  In my opinion, the relations manga by Yumehito Ueda, was the best adapted Chihaya by far.  While iDOLM@STER 2 Chihaya always has a place in my heart, I find myself always indulging in relations version Chihaya.  Her coldness and tragic history was always a key point with me.

of course, I really do like non!cold Chihaya too.  Her in puchimasu was really good as well.

Okay to hell with it, I love Chihaya, the end.

3.) Yukiho Hagiwara

Description: Frail, hesitant, and a bit cowardly, Yukiho is the shyest idol in the Production.  She’s the same age as Haruka and Makoto, the latter being her best friend (although I can debate that I think Yukiho is as close to Haruka as she is with Makoto).  She comes from a very strict family (rumor being that her Father is a higher up in the Yakuza (JPN mafia) or something) and is very formal and respectful.  She likes tea and writing poems (1), in 2, it seems that she likes to blog in addition to her hobbies in 1.  While she is extremely frail, Yukiho has a strong heart and will inside of her.

Character Quirks/Fandom stuff: Yukiho can pull out a shovel from no where and will bury herself in a hole when she feels that she is a failure (I actually would like to be like this too but I don’t like carrying a shovel every where I go…).  She is also afraid of dogs (and supposedly boys but there are some doubts with that in Danketsu 2010 and a really odd communication in imas 2).  She is also sometimes called “Yukipo”, which I’m not all the familiar on why (her puchimasu counter part is called Yukipo too!)

Picup’s Opinion:  Just as of recently, my fondness of Yukiho has raised.  Which is extremely odd because I paid almost no attention to her in 1.  But as 2 came out, and her CV switched over (Yurina Hase -> Asakura Azumi), she’s started to become a character I like a lot.  The difference between Hase’s and Asakura’s is that in 1, she seemed to cry a lot, and in 2, she seemed to blow a lot of people’s ears out.

Okay, I was a bit exaggerate with Azumin’s Yukiho, but sometimes…  Even still, Yukiho has probably one of the best stories in im@s2.  Her hole stuff can make a few chuckles go around which is always good.  I feel that Yukiho has probably the strongest character development compared to everyone else, but I think her personality and how she is really helps that out.

Fun fact: Yukiho is probably one of the most popular characters.

4.) Yayoi Takatsuki

Description: Yayoi belongs to a family of 2 younger brothers and a younger sister, making her the eldest out of her siblings (I might be wrong on the sibling count, please correct if needed).  Because her Mother and Father work to keep food on the table (as they are somewhat of a poor family), Yayoi has the duty to take care of her family.  She cleans and helps with house duty, which in turn makes her useful around the office as a cleaner.  She’s always energetic and hates it when people are sad (“IF YOUR SAD I”M SAD TOO WAHHH” or something like that, I haven’t listened to that mini drama in a long time).

Character Quirks/Fandom stuff: Everyone calls Yayoi 200% Energetic because of her profile from iDOLM@STER 1.  To Picup and some others, Yayoi is the eternal loli because she will always be an eternal loli.  Her transition from 1 -> 2 still made her the loli of the series (she didn’t grow in height, but her chest size did get bigger, much to Chihaya’s dismay).  Despite all of loli goodness from Yayoi, people still bullied her in iDOLM@STER 1… Not sure about 2 (I don’t doubt they still do though).  People being the players, the other idols seem to like Yayoi.  Yayoi is also very asian a bit cheap.  She doesn’t like to waste things, and digs for coins in vending machines (appearently).  She will also attend any sale if she can.

Picup’s Opinion:  I’ll always ask the question on why a lot of people like Yayoi.  And it seems to boil down to, she’s a loli, and people like lolis.

I guess from that statement, you can tell I’m not all that fond of Yayoi.  Sure, she has some cuteness (iDOLM@STER anime sure pulled that one off), but for some reason I just don’t like her as much as the other characters.  What’s extremely strange is that I have a feeling that Yayoi’s story will be the best for me in 2 because Yayoi is all about family, and that everyone to her is like a family member to her.  I like that, while I do enjoy romance, what shines above everything is acting as a family together and the sort.

That is the only point I like about Yayoi.  I could care less about her loliness.

5.) Ritsuko Akizuki

Description: Fresh out of High School, Ritsuko is smart and hard working.  Sure she is an idol, but she is also one of the people who deals with the paper work at 765.  In 2, she actually becomes a Producer (and a bit of a rival) and produces and leads her group, Ryuuguu Komachi (Iori Minase, Ami Futami, and Azusa Miura).  She is the only idol who wears glasses.  Ritsuko is pretty much an academic, so she enjoys paperwork and looking at data and the sort.

Character Quirks/Fandom stuff: Ritsuko’s hair is never down in the whole series, only in her pajama costume or whatever.

Picup’s Opinion: I am so sorry that Ritsuko’s description is so small, the time I’ve written the first half, I’ve been drawing big blanks about what to fill in for Ritsuko.

Ritsuko, honestly, is also one of my favorite characters.  I love megane (glasses), so that’s always a huge plus for me.  Something about Ritsuko being all about hard working and no slacking makes me really like her and look up at her from time to time.  It also scares me from time to time because Ritsuko will punish you for misbehavior.

6.) Azusa Miura

Description: Azusa is the oldest idol in the Production, being 20 and 21 the first series and it’s sequel respectively.  Because of her age, Azusa is like the big sister to everyone in the Production.  While she is very kind to everyone, she is an airhead at times and has the worst sense of direction.  She is part of the Production, according to the first game, to find “her true love”/”special someone”.  She likes walks and talking to her friends (not sure if this changed for 2, I can’t even remember anymore)

Character quirks/Fandom stuff: Similar to 72, Azusa has F91.  91 being her size, but people throw in the “F” due to a Gundam reference.  And yes, Azusa can get lost very very easily.  In the puchimasu manga, Azusa went somewhere with Takagi… and was lost for 3 months (or something like that).  While Azusa treats everyone with kindness, it seems that she is especially nice with Chihaya.  Their relationship is a very older-sister, young-sister like. I blame Mingos and Chiaking’s radio show

Picup’s Opinion: I’m very on and off with Azusa.  I like her a lot, and then there are times where I dislike her for some odd reason.  I feel that even though she’s not around a lot in 2, I like Azusa’s character a bit more in 2 (and her short hair actually).  I like her a lot in the week 26 or something scene, where she lies the blame on herself for their lost, but Iori steps in to make sure she doesn’t take all of it.

Something about that, and her dynamic with her group is just great.  Azusa is a well liked character, and I respect that.  But as I stand, I sometimes like her, and sometimes I just don’t.

7.) Iori Minase

Description: The ever so loving Ojou-sama; Iori comes from a rich family and basically gets almost anything she wants.  She’s sweet and cute to fans and the public, but behind the scenes she has a quick tongue and takes any opportunity to talk any of her colleagues down (although, it’s pretty much the Producer she belittles).  She is also somewhat of a trouble maker and likes to get others to do things for her (ie. if you choose to, Iori makes you go get her a can of juice in im@s2).

Character quirks/Fandom stuff: Iori is voiced by Rie Kugimiya, is who pretty much the “Queen of Tsunderes”.  Iori is also no exception, as she’s pretty much the “perfect tsundere” of the series.  Iori mouths off to anyone, but it seems that she doesn’t when it comes to Yayoi, as these two are close friends (in games and all the adaptations).  Iori and Yukiho also know each other well, as they play tennis together (in both 1 and 2).  Some fans believe Iori can shoot beams from her forehead as well (which in turn, Iori’s puchimasu counterpart, Io, can shoot beams from her forehead).

Picup’s Opinion: First thought – oh dear it’s another Kugyuu character.

… Though just remains as I plow through the series.

I actually don’t mind Iori all that much.  I find her absolutely hilarious sometimes and enjoy her character a lot–well, I enjoy it when she’s being sweet and tender, then goes back to being a tsundere (“I-I’m not doing this for you!” “You should be grateful!”).  She is a bit of a trouble maker, which has made her cross paths with the other idols (ie. Makoto vs. Iori in the anime?  Ami vs. Iori in 2 until Ritsuko yells at them both) although I do admit that latter example, Ami had it coming to her.

I find Iori’s relationship with the idols extremely interesting too.  Especially Yayoi.  It seems that the eternal loli can make her do almost anything with her.

8.) Makoto Kikuchi

Description: A masculine (although now down to tomboyish in the im@s2) girl whose only wish is to be more feminine.  Makoto’s Dad had always wanted a boy, so he basically raised Makoto as one.  Makoto had no choice but to be raised like this, but as she is older now, she wishes to be more like a girl.  Makoto loves sports, and knows karate.  She is somewhat laid back and cheerful with the other girls, and is quite talented when it comes to dancing.

Character quirks/Fandom stuff: Makoto is deathly afraid of bugs.  If one is in her sight, she freaks out and doesn’t even make a move to get rid of it.  It is said that if she gets more fan mail from girls, she gets pretty depressed.  When referring to herself, Makoto uses “boku” which is usually used by boys when they refer to themselves.

Picup’s Opinion: Would you believe me if I said, when I first got into this series, Makoto was honestly my favorite character?

Maybe you will, or maybe you won’t because of how much of an obsessive Chihaya fan I am.

But yes, Makoto was my favorite of the series.  I enjoyed her in Xenoglossia (lolololololol) a lot, and when I made the transition into getting to know everyone in the original, I still grew attached to Makoto.  While I admit, she had the worst clothes, ever, she was still an interesting character.  I could relate to her a lot for some reason, being a little tomboyish myself.  In 2, Makoto’s design and singing altogether is really good and I love it.

I don’t like her story though.  For some reason, I’m just really annoyed at it (that I forced myself to restart after the 21st week).

Fun Fact: Picup likes Hiromi Hirata (Makoto’s CV) much more than Makoto!

9.) Ami and Mami Futami

Description: Ami and Mami are identical twins (moreso in 1 than in 2) and are the youngest of the Production.  They are very mischievous and playful most of the time.  They like to play games and fool around in general, much to the dismay of Ritsuko (who probably yells at them half of the time).   In 1, the twins were just “one” idol, debuting under Ami’s name, but in 2, they are separate idols (Mami being one of the idols you can produce, and Ami belonging to Ryuuguu Komachi).

Character Quirks/Fandom stuff: Due to Ami and Mami’s childish nature, they have a nickname for everyone in the office (Producer being Nii-chan (big bro), Haruka being Harurun etcetc.).  Ami and Mami also like to do imitation.  The Futami twins, or rather Asapon is rather skilled in imitating the other idols as seen in Talk 8 of the Master Artist 06 CD.

Picup’s Opinion: Similar to Azusa, i’m on and off with the Futami twins.  I didn’t have any particular taste for them when I got into the series, but knowing more and more about it, they have their moments.  Sometimes I really like their crazy-ness and randomness, and other times I can’t stand them at all.

… Yeah I don’t have much of an opinion for them, woohoo.

10.) Miki Hoshii

Description: The easiest way to describe Miki is that she’s lazy, likes to sleep a lot, and has a big chest.  Miki’s lead a simple life and didn’t have to do much to get where she is today (coming from a higher-up family).  You can say she’s very seductive for her age, and doesn’t have much shame in showing a lot of skin.  Miki loves eating onigiri.  In an event in im@s 1, if you choose certain options, Miki will cut her hair and stop dying it blonde (she’s actually a brunette).

Character Quirks/Fandom Stuff: When Miki is infatuated with the Producer, she calls him “Honey” all the time and is all lovey dovey towards him.  Is this in 2?  I have no clue, I have made almost no attempt to even touch Miki’s story yet.  In iDOLM@STER SP (specifically Missing Moon), Miki quits 765 Production and works for 961 Pro in Project Fairy (alongside with Hibiki and Takane).  Miki refers to herself in third person all the time, and ends most of her sentences with nano.

Picup’s Opinion: Well… Miki, uhm…

Okay, I don’t really like Miki a lot, honestly.  You can say she’s similar to my opinion of the Futami twins and Azusa, but to a lesser extent.  It’s not that I don’t like her type of character, something about Miki always pushes me the wrong way sometimes.  I do admit, I like her a lot better when she’s blonde compared to brunette nowadays.

And saddly enough, as I hate to admit it, I’m like Miki when it comes to laziness.

11.) Takane Shijou

Description: The other “Princess” like character in the series (well, somewhat, at least, that’s what the twins call her), Takane is a mysterious girl with brilliant silver hair.  She was well-mannered, polite, and intelligent.  She enjoys watching the sky at night (specifically the moon).  She was first introduced in iDOLM@STER SP: Wondering Star as the “Vocal” portion of rival group, Project Fairy from 961 Productions.  In the second game she is part of 765 Productions and one of the idols you can produce.

Character Quirks/Fandom stuff: Because of Takane’s very mysterious and somewhat high-class air, some people believe she is an alien and comes from the moon (????).  People also believe that Takane works at 7-11 (this is just some random fandom meme) because she wanders around late at night.  Takane also really likes ramen… Or at least, that’s what I’ve seen.

Picup’s Opinion: I like Takane.  To me, she’s a combination of Ritsuko and Azusa with her own quirkyness added in.  But I like Takane even more around the other idols.  She seems to be somewhat strict, but when introduced to new things, is quite mesmerized.  Her interactions with the others is interesting and appealing.

12.) Hibiki Ganaha

Description: Okinawan born, Hibiki in a way, is quite similar to Yayoi.  She doesn’t come from a family like Yayoi’s, but she’s almost just as energetic as the eternal loli.  Energetic and easy-going, Hibiki gets along with pretty much anyone (including the very cold Chihaya).  like Takane, she was first introduced in iDOLM@STER SP: Perfect Sun, as the “Dance” portion of the 961′s Project Fairy.  Also in the second game, Hibiki is part of 765 Productions and an idol you can produce.

Character Quirks/Fandom stuff: Hibiki has a million pets.  Okay that was really exaggerate, but as I’ve seen someone say “she has more pets than you”.  I can’t exactly remember them all, but I think there was around 10.  Don’t hold my word to it though, I really don’t remember.  Also, Hibiki often loses her pets, and makes others help her find them.  Hibiki also has some “Okinawan” slang that she uses in the series, her most famous “nankurunaisa” which basically is “Don’t worry about it” or something like that.  Another interesting note is that in the second game, she somewhat teaches you  more Okinawan slang.

Picup’s Opinion: I really like Hibiki.  Just sometime after I deemed Chihaya as my favorite (and kicked Makoto out), I started to take a strange liking to Hibiki.  Maybe it was because I started to pay a little bit more attention to iDOLM@STER STATION!!! Which is a radio show with voice actors Asami Imai (moved to a different radio show and replaced with Azumi Asakura), Yumi Hara, and Manami Numakura.  I started to like Numu, and then ended up liking Hibiki.

In other words.

Picup doesn’t actually really know when she liked Hibiki.

But Hibiki is just a type of character I really like, and somewhat associate myself as well.  Although, I do admit, I wouldn’t like all those pets around, hahaha.  And, if you just came from watching the anime and going to bash Hibiki — I really don’t blame you, because Hibiki was generalized down to her character quirk — WHERE THE HECK IS HAMUZOU? (which she spent half of her time trying to find him, or Inumi, her dog a few times in both SP and 2)

And that’s pretty much the “main” characters and my opinion on each of them.  Since this is open character discussion, anyone can talk about whoever, just be nice and respectful as we outlined in the beginning.  Feel free to also talk about other characters not discussed in this entry (Kotori, Takagi Shachou, etc.).  This is also not limited to talking about characters, you can further on talk about relationships or pairings you like with them as well.

Just note that I’m a die-hard Producer/Chihaya fan, that if you bring that pairing up I’ll either cry in tears of happiness or something.

Happy discussion guys!

Note: Also taken from twitter:

“PicaPicup: I hope people would join or I’ll end up having a discussion with myself about why Chihaya is number 1 and how Haruka is not evil…………”

Note 2: Credit goes to Kusion for the idea!

Today I was trying to think of a name for my 360.  A lot of my equipment has names like:

Tempastas – giant bulky laptop
Edelweiss – lighter laptop
Imber - (NA) Xbox 360
Heims – Wii
Nubilum – PS3
Nebula 1 and Nebula 2 – DS + PSP

You can see it’s influence heavily on games/anime I am in to.  I”ve been trying to think of a name for my new 360, i came up with a bundle of names:

Eleinshart
Silver Star
Fujiwara Star
Kodachi

This time based off of Sakura Wars 5 stuff.  The last one is just like “dagger”.  I like the name, Kodachi lol.  If any one has any other suggestions, throw it at me.

troll names are allowed too, i’ll just probably laugh at it.

With some unfortunate news, I STILL have no xbox.  The parts being delievered are a lot slower than he anticipated, while I predicted it was due to the Canada Post strike, he said it wasn’t.  Ah well, I guess we do what we gotta do, right?  The requests are also starting to pile up (again).  I appreciate everyone for their consideration in choosing me to do their request and extremely sorry for the delay.

But none of that, let’s get down to the MADs of this week!

iDOLM@STER MADs (Nico Video Account Required!):

Original URL: http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm14650008

I”M NOT EVEN GOING TO BOTHER PUTTING A DESCRIPTION HERE.

In other words, you’ll either cry at this or be in awe at it’s cuteness.  I still don’t know how people think this is CUTE

Enjoy your きゅんきゅんきゅんはぁぁんきゅんきゅんきゅんはぁぁんきゅんきゅんきゅんはぁぁんきゅんきゅんきゅんはぁぁんきゅんきゅんきゅんはぁぁんきゅんきゅんきゅんはぁ -HEADDESK-

Title: アイドルマスター 雪歩 『Out of the Blue』(Debbie Gibson) (The iDOLM@STER Yukiho Out of the Blue Debbie Gibson)
Original URL: http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm14737281
Features: Hagiwara Yukiho
Song: Out of the Blue by Debbie Gibson

I enjoyed how well put together this MAD is.  The colours were the most part the highlight of the whole MAD.  It had a very blue theme (you can tell by the preview picture) which is great, but Yukiho wears a red flower that stands out the most, which I liked a lot.  It was a very nice song to listen to as well.  It was nice and slow paced, which I kind of feel like it fits well with Yukiho.

Title: 萩原雪歩　短編　「恋」 (Hagiwara Yukiho Tanpen Koi)
Original URL: http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm14738054
Features: Hagiwara Yukiho
Song: Fisherman’s Horizon from Final Fantasy 8

This actually isn’t an MAD, but a Novelm@ster.  Basically, it’s a fan-made “visual” novel using characters from im@s.  This is actually a hard video to understand if you don’t understand Japanese.  I featured it however because it’s very touching and beautiful in my opinion.  I didn’t recognize the background music at first until it clued in to me it was from FFVIII.  I think I only know it because a friend of mine is playing this song at her recital this upcoming Saturday.

Anyways.  This Video basically is a quick run down of Yukiho’s route in Im@s 2.  It captures it very well.  I might spend some time this Summer in translating it because I feel that everyone should get a piece of it.

Mind you, it’ll take a very long time because I’m the most terrible translator in the world.  I’ll work hard though!

But if you can, just please watch it and just listen to the gentle piano playing.

Title: アイドルマスター「Ｋ＠面ライダーＷ」 (The iDOLM@STER K@men Rider W)
Original URL: http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm14763424
Features: All stars, but Haruka is the main star here.
Song:  W-B-X ～W-Boiled Extreme～ Kamiki Aya with TAKUYA (OP of Kamen Rider Double show)

I admit when I saw the preview image for this video, I had no clue it was going to turn out like this.

This is a heavily edited video using im@s L4U videos (with some im@s 2, but very little).  It’s much easier to use L4U to make the idols dance on different backgrounds and the sort because of green/blue screen action you can use.  However, some MADers are using some sort of program to take out the backgrounds in im@s 2.  I would love to know what they use, or if I do an MAD that I want to change the background, I’ll be locking myself up in my room and masking for the next few weeks…

Anyways, enough of my little chatter.

The MAD was great, I watched a little of Kamen Rider OOO, but not a lot, so I’m not that familiar with the series, other than the fact it’s pretty much like saving the world in suits.  It’s like the Japanese version of Power Rangers.  It seems that Haruka and Harukakka are the heroes of the day, using the variety of transformations to save the day.

or something like that.

just watch it! that’s all i can say, hahaha.

Title: アイドルマスター　「スター」　天海春香 (The iDOLM@STER Star Amami Haruka)
Original URL: http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm14755812
Features: Amami Haruka
Song: Star by Aiko

I really liked this MAD.  The song feels like it fits Haruka, but the synchronization was just spot on.  Something about it just screams it’s so pretty to me.  I can’t exactly put a finger on it, but it just is.  I think it’ll be enjoyable for any Haruka fan, so please give it a go!

Title:  アイドルマスター　『ANGELIC DESTINY』 (The iDOLM@STER ANGELIC DESTINY)
Original URL: http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm14769796
Features: Miura Azusa, Kikuchi Makoto, Kisaragi Chihaya
Song: ANGELIC DESTINY by Sakakibara Yui

I think this takes my favorite MAD of the week.  A light techno, very pop-ish like song by Sakakibara Yui featuring one of im@s’ popular trio, ACM (Azusa Chihaya Makoto).  And I admit, while it seems that I’m all for Imas Sation (old) trio (Chihaya, Hibiki, Takane), ACM always has a place in my heart since iDOLM@STER 1.

The slow downs, the blurs, the “beats” are all spot on and make this video so appealing.

I hope you do enjoy this as much as I did.

Title: アイドルマスター2 我那覇 響 ハッピー☆マテリアル (The iDOLM@STER 2 Ganaha Hibiki Happy Material)
Original URL: http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm14764374
Features: Ganaha Hibiki
Song: Happy Material cover by Manami Numakura (Hibiki’s CV)

Happy Material was an opening to an anime that I have no clue/watched before.  And with volume… uhh… 2 I think of the horrible manga, iDOLM@STER BREAK!!! limited edition came with copies of some of the iDOLM@STER characters doing covers of certain anime openings.  iirc, Haruka did something from Sailor Moon (FIGHTING EVIL BY MOONLIGHT no Picup that’s the English version.  Oh…), Takane did something from that ever long lasting harem series… uhh Negima or something like that, and Chihaya did rise from Ghost in the Shell (funny how that’s the only one I basically remember).  Hibiki did this one as part of that package I mentioned, and yeah here we have Happy Material.

And my god Numu, why must you make it sound so cute.

The simplicity is what makes this one stand out.  Because with such simplicity, it’s still really good.  It coordinates well with the song and Hibiki is just too cute to not watch.

Gosh, I sounded like a totally Hibiki fangirl right there didin’t I…

And that’s all for this week.  Thanks for tuning in and join me next week.  I REALLY WANT MY XBOX TO BE FIXED ToT.

—–

Have a MAD you want Picup to feature?  Just comment here and it’ll be included in next weeks segment.

Don’t have a nico video account?  Lots of guides are around google you can take a look at, here’s one I just pulled out of random

Most videos here are (most likely) featured on The iDOLM@STER MAD World Service so please take a look over there for other great creations!

Original

Text:

P: よし　イエスッ！
P: この曲はイケるぞっ！
H: わぁ！　キモいテンションですね　プロデューサーさん！
H:今度の私たちの新曲そんなに良いんですか？
P: ちがうコレAKB!!!

Note: This really isn’t an accurate translation, but it’s the jest of what I got from reading it… Feel free to edit, I learn if you do!

A jam packed entry full of two weeks worth of MADs!  I actually had Week 7′s MADs around, I just didn’t get the time last Sunday to post an entry.

Videos on Youtube:

The full-version of Kyun! Vampire Girl came out during the week 6.  Honestly, I think right when I posted the entry, a few hours later, it appeared on the market place.  Anyways, I have no version of my own, but my xbox might be repaired this week luckily enough.  I pulled up a version from youtube, and came across the ACM (Azusa, Chihaya, Makoto) version.

I kind of like the song a little bit more than I initially did when it first came out.  I’m a bit surprised it’s a vocal song, although a BPM of 145 made me a bit sad.  Probably not a great point grabber song compared to something like Ai Like Hamburger.  I think a lot of the English fanbase really enjoys this song, so I guess a +1 for NBGI?

(I’m still waiting for a slow and somber song by Go Shiina, what is this NBGI)

I waited so patiently for someone to make this.  And well, yeah. はああああああああああああああん

If you found a kick out of that, the guy who did this posted a　んああああああああは version.

http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm14616030

I have no clue why.

Week 7′s MAD (Nico Account Required!):

Title: 【アイドルマスター2】彼女はBeautiful Monster (The iDOLM@STER 2 Kanojo wa Beautiful Monster)
Original URL: http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm14636121
Features: Akizuki Ritsuko, Miura Azusa, Shijou Takane, and everyone else makes a brief appearance
Song: Beautiful Monster by Ne-Yo

With the release of Cat. 4 a couple weeks back, it seems that everyone is digging the vampire fangs.  I was entranced by the camera in this MAD.  It was well used with the song and the dance.  I feel that the song was telling like a story, if something were to happen to any of the girls (ie. turn into vampires?!??!), we would still like and love them (“beautiful monster”).  That’s how I feel at least.

Of course the emphasis on the oldest idols was interesting.  It seemed to really pay attention to their fangs.

Title: アイドルマスター2 four-leaf 【真】 (The iDOLM@STER 2 four-leaf Makoto)
Original URL: http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm14645400
Features: Kikuchi Makoto
Song: four-leaf from beatmaniaIIDX14 GOLD

Something about four-leaf caught my attention.  I just enjoyed  how Makoto danced with the song, it’s all well put together and in time with the music.  There are very subtle effects you can see that go with the song as well, which was a plus for me.

Title: アイドルマスター2 『NEU!』 (The iDOLM@STER 2 NEU!)
Original URL: http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm14650888
Features: Shijou Takane, Kikuchi Makoto, Kisaragi Chihaya
Song: NEU! by √thumm

Captured by the Perfume like song, you can’t help but just watch and get entranced by the video and song.  A great MAD that utilizes the song very well.  There seems to be a lot of ones like that this week!

Title: 【アイマス2エディテッドPV】きゅんっ！ヴァンパイアガール (Imas2 Edited PV Kyun! Vampire Girl)
Original URL: http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm14651880
Features: Hoshii Miki, Kikuchi Makoto, Shijou Takane
Song: Kyun! Vampire Girl from The iDOLM@STER 2

An amazing edited PV, one of the best I’ve seen in my opinion.  It’s very simple, but the camera work was so good.  There are very subtle effects you may notice, which made lots of nice touches to the PV.  My favorite part is when they went はああああああん.

Title: 【HaRuKaNi`UNDER11】鏡の森【アイドルマスター２】 (HaRuKaNi`UNDER11 Kagami no Mori The iDOLM@STER 2)
Original URL: http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm14652257
Features: Amami Haruka is the star, but everyone else is in it too.
Song:  Kagami no Mori by Katakiri Rekka

This was an enjoyable MAD to watch.  While it focuses a lot on Haruka, when it’s the chorus like part where everyone sings together, it shifts to the other 765Pro idols.  That touch right there was cool, and the whole opening, yeah gotta love that opening.

Funny thing, in the video description, is a little skit between the MAD creator and Haruka.  Basically he’s telling Haruka he chose a new song for her, and she wants to know where it’s from, and he hesitantly tells her it’s from a game, and she asks what kind of game…

And he shoos her off to go to work.  The song is actually from an Eroge game.  What’s eroge?  Just think about what it sounds like or search google.

Title: 【アイドルマスター２】STAR DRILLER 貫きのユキポ【ＰＶのような何か】 (The iDOLM@STER 2 STAR DRILLER tsuraneki no yukipo (PV noyounananiga)
Original URL: http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm14655825
Features: Hagiwara Yukiho, Kikuchi Makoto, Futami Mami, Hoshii Miki, Amami Haruka
Song: SHINING☆STAR by 9nine (ED of Star Driver anime)

SHOOT FOR THE SKY, GO YUKIPO!

Er.  Anyways.  Something about this PV also caught my attention.  I think it was somewhat of a parody off of the Star Driver anime, but I’m not really too sure because I watched the anime once, when it was actually being aired…. So it was in the middle of the series and it was a RAW on top of that.

But yeah, I just enjoyed this PV.  I can’t exactly put a finger on why… The song is really good though!

Title: アイドルマスター2 春香さん達がきゅんっ!エロティカ・セブン (The iDOLM@STER 2 Haruka-santachi ga Kyun! Erotica Seven)
Original URL: http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm14657988
Features: Amami Haruka, Ganaha Hibiki, Kikuchi Makoto
Song: Erotica Seven by Southern All Stars

The colours here are what stand out the most the PV.  The song is really cool too.  Their dance was well put together, and the ending was just great!

Week 8′s MAD (Nico Video Account Required!):

Lots of excellent MADs for Week 8, but I’ve only featured just a small amount because my flash player keeps crashing…

Title: アイドルマスター2　何度も言えるよ　雪歩 (The iDOLM@STER 2 Nandemoieruyo Yukiho)
Original URL: http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm14715260
Features: Hagiwara Yukiho
Song: Nandemoieruyo by Asakura Azumi (Yukiho’s CV in iDOLM@STER 2)

Nandemoieruyo is one of my favorite songs from the MA2 albums, and I was delighted to see a PV for little Yukiho here!  This was a very cute PV, the opening was really good with the stills and the drawn effects.  Any Yukiho fan should watch and enjoy this!  大好きだよ！

Title: 【iM@S2】Hands【m-flo】(imas2 Hands m-flo)
Original URL: http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm14730334
Features: Miura Azusa, Minase Iori, Futami Ami
Song: Hands by m-flo

A 竜宮小町 PV!  Drawn in by the very blue-like PV, that changes colour as the song moves, I couldn’t help but get into this PV so much.  The camera was very interesting and very close up with the idols.

Title: アイドルマスター2 目覚め -彼女たちの流儀-  (The iDOLM@STER 2 Mezame -Kanojotachi no Ryuugi)
Original URL: http://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm14727078
Features: Hoshii Miki, Futami Ami, Futami Mami, Kisaragi Chihaya, Kikuchi Makoto
Song: Håll om mig by Nanne Gronvall

Holy crap.

There’s no word in the world that I can think of that can describe the sheer awesomeness of this PV.

A breathtaking PV, that is literally like a Music Video.  Typically you can say a music video has two parts to it, one part where the singer is dancing and singing their song, and the “story” of the MV in conjunction with the lyrics of the song.  You have Futami twins and Miki singing the song, and you have Chihaya and Makoto telling the story of the music.

I don’t want to spoil it, but really, no, you have to watch this.  This is just simply amazing.

Laburey was very kind in doing an English translation of the lyrics [: Give her a big thanks and follow the lyrics with the song, then you can really get the PV.

Hold me

That our world needs to have
more love every day,
both you and I know
Let us start here and now

So hold me
Do not let go of me
Am like bewitched by you
And I want you
Come and hold me now

Yes, come closer for a while
Can you hear my breaths?
The blood is coursing wild and hot
Yes, in many different ways

So come and hold me
Do not let go of me
Am like bewitched by you
And I want you
Come and hold me now
The pulse is beating, I see your gaze *aaah♥*
I am in a helpless state
And will be saved only if you
give me mouth-to-mouth resuscitation now *kiss♥*

So hold me
Do not let go of me
Am like bewitched by you
And I want you
Come and hold me now

Yes, come and hold me
Do not let go of me
Am like bewitched by you
And I want you
Come and hold me now

Am lost and seduced
I am shaken and moved
The heart is beating so hard
To stay away from you will be too much
And I think you can tell
that I am surrendering more and more

Hold meeee…

Yes, hold me
Do not let go of me
Am like bewitched by you
And I want you
Come and hold me now

Yes, come and hold me
Do not let go of me
Am like bewitched by you
And I want you
Come and hold me now

Come and hold me
Do not let go of me
And I want you
Come and hold me now

And that ties up this weeks MAD watching.  I hope to bounce back next week and actually post something on youtube… This week, my 360 is bound to be repaired and usable and…

-stares at a stack of requests- This’ll be fun!

—–

Have a MAD you want Picup to feature?  Just comment here and it’ll be included in next weeks segment.

Don’t have a nico video account?  Lots of guides are around google you can take a look at, here’s one I just pulled out of random

Most videos here are (most likely) featured on The iDOLM@STER MAD World Service so please take a look over there for other great creations!

Sakura Wars ~So Long, My Love~ or also called サクラ大戦V 〜さらば愛しき人よ〜 (Sakura Taisen Faibu ~Saraba, Itoshiki Hito yo~) is the fifth installment of the Sakura Taisen series–one of the most popular gaming franchises in Japan.  In the NA, it’s dubbed “Sakura Wars”, and Sakura Taisen V is the first game to come to NA for the PS2 and the Wii.  I had the opportunity to play the fifth game on my Wii when I saw it for cheap at Game Stop.

And this is my overview of such a great game that I enjoyed to the fullest (or well, still enjoying)

If you’re not familiar with Sakura Wars series as a game, it takes place in an alternative 1920s, where you are a male character who has recently joined what you can say, the “secret force” that protects and safeguards the world in giant mecha suits.  Yes, I know, giant mecha suits in the 1920s.  This male character is then thrown into events to safeguard and save the world from horrible destruction, while dealing with his social life.

In Sakura Wars ~So Long, My Love~ you play as Shinjiro Taiga (or as everyone calls him Shin for short), a young male with a bold samurai spirit!  He joins the Japanese Imperial Task Force (or something like that I forgot), but ends up being sent to the new New York Battle Revue by his uncle, Ichiro Ogami, who is the protagonist in the previous games.  Because of his appearance, the New York Battle Revue actually dislikes him (or at least some of them) at first, but after an unfortunate event, he ends up leading the group in battle.

The primary system in leading Shinjiro along his daily life is LIPS.  LIPS, Live Interaction Picture System, is comparable to the interactive Visual Novel, where you choose an option to say or do to the character you are interacting with, which affects your relationship to that character.  The trust that builds between you and your comrades is useful in battle because it strengthens your joint attack, which is especially useful in levels, such as the Ahab level in Chapter 7 (-shudders horrible at that battle-).  Not only that, but you get special scenes with the character if you choose the right choices and have a high level trust.

When you’re in your giant mecha, you go through a system that follows mobility points, where certain actions cost mobility points.  This same system is the basis for popular strategy game, Valkyria Chronicles.

Picup’s Experience with Sakura Wars ~So Long, My Love~

If you follow my twitter, I blabbed a lot about the game for the first half.  But as I continued on, I got pretty rabid when playing the game that I stopped posting what was happening on twitter.  For some reason, I was just so entranced and grabbed by the game that I couldn’t put it down.

There are 8 chapters.  And each chapter can hit up to 5-6 hours each.  I think my first play through, I finished at around 13 hours, so I kind of rushed things.  I know at the beginning, I didn’t do a lot that I missed a lot of scenes with the individual characters.  I didn’t find any of the battles really challenging, I only started losing my units in the last two chapters.  Which was bad, but now I’m comfortable with them, I should be able to make it through with not a lot of troubles.

I was so hooked on the Daily Life thing, it just added a whole new breath of air.  You can compare it to Persona 3 and Persona 4′s daily life thing, but I guess I prefer Sakura Wars myself, since I don’t have to just make choices all the time.  As in, sometimes, you have to do some really weird button combinations to successfully do a task.  Plus, the game plays out like a visual novel a bit, which I really liked.

My favorite character?  It’s really hard to say honestly, I loved everyone in Sakura Wars ~So Long, My Love~, but I guess the character who stood out the most for me, that I adored a lot, would be Ratchet Altair.  … Yes the secondary character in the whole game.  But funny enough, you can get an ending with Ratchet!

I’m not sure, but something about Ratchet, I really enjoyed.  Although, I’m surprised NIS didn’t use her name that was from the Movie (which was localized here, and said name is Lachet).  I enjoyed her calm and composed work mind, but still looked out for the best of Shin and everyone.  I see a lot of Japanese artists like to have her with Sunnyside oddly enough… (which is a bit weird in my mind.  They have a lot of scenes together, but I can’t say I like them as a pair compared to Shinjiro and Ratchet).

And if you’re going to ask if I watched the Sakura Wars movie yet (where Ratchet/Lachet actually first makes an appearance), no, I haven’t.  I’ve watched the scene where Ratchet and Sakura fight the guards (where Ratchet is friggen awesome and nearly kills a guard), and the ending where Ratchet and Sakura sing Subete wa Umi e.  That song, has litterally been my favorite song for the last week.  I like Maria and Sakura’s version too, but because I like Ratchet… yeah… I’m just waiting for the perfect day to watch it, and just savour the movie… and then watch it again… and again…

Although.  I did not get Ratchet’s ending in Sakura Taisen 5.

I know, it’s tragic.

I messed up my trust points with her the whole time.  I seemed to be really good with Cheiron because she was honestly the person I had the highest trust points with.

But I got Diana’s ending instead.  Gotta love those cross road decisions lol.

But her ending made me fall in love with her song, Looking to the Blue Sky

Anyways, enough rambling from me.  I would really recommend this game if you enjoy the little dating sim like aspects, with a touch of strategy role-playing to it.  The game has wonderful scenes and art, and the music is just great.  You can find a lot of the BGM and such on youtube to sample, but buy the OSTs and support the series.  And check out the vocal songs from SakuraRuroni’s youtube channel, there is a lot of spectacular songs on there!  Thank you for your hard work Sakura Ruroni!

Now if you excuse me, I still have Ratchet’s ending to get in my second play through…