Checkpoint: K-ON!, Gantz, Patlabor, Tiger Mask

Last update - Jan 10, 21:22 GMT (16:22 EST, 13:22 PST)

How much would a replica of Yui's guitar from K-ON! be worth, one that's signed by all five of the anime's seiyuus? 3 million yen? 20 million yen?... 9,999,999,999 yen?! All these are actual (albeit dubious) bids for such a guitar that's being offered at an online auction, on the Yahoo! Japan website. The latter one - obviously a dupe - would be about $120 million. But since then, the auction has been re-listed, in hopes for more serious bidders. Fat chance!




The two lead actors from this month's live-action Gantz movie - Ken'ichi Matsuyama and Kazunari Ninomiya - will appear in person at the film's January 20 premieres from both Japan (in Tokyo) and the U.S. (in Hollywood). Indeed, that very same day! Brrr, have fun with the jet-lag, guys.


A new Patlabor-related book by Mamoru Oshii is being listed for release in Japan this January 31. Its title - Bankuruwase: Keishi-chou Keibi-bu Tokushu Sharyou Ni-ka (Shocking Upset: Metropolitan Police Special Vehicles Section 2) - borrows the name of the police section from the Mobile Police Patlabor anime franchise, which Oshii co-created; though you may know him better for his other works, like the Ghost in the Shell and The Sky Crawlers anime films, or last-year's live-action movie Assault Girls.


Four more cases of anonymous charitable acts have been signalled in Japan, echoing the by-now-famous Tiger Mask / Naoto Date gift from last Christmas. This time the benefactors targetted a prefectural child welfare office in Atsugi (Kanagawa prefecture), another child welfare facility in Gifu (Gifu prefecture), an orphanage in Nanjou (Okinawa island - yes, again there), and a welfare center for children, women and the disabled in Nagasaki (this one delivered by an old woman, survivor of the atom bomb).

A total of 14 school backpacks and assorted toys were donated this time. And the grand total of all similar donations to date equals to 42 backpacks and other goodies. Kids are obviously overjoyed whenever a Tiger Mask anon visits their place, "saying the manga hero has come to [their] office, too". Pardon the emoticon, but... Sweet :)


Update: Since Crunchyroll is already streaming them, I'll just slip here the 3 new anime series that began airing tonight in Japan (even though they're listed for January 11 here on Animekon, which is technically correct in Japan). Plus links to other local goodies.