Pop Japan Travel Returns With a Vengeance

After a year long hiatus Pop Travel Japan is once again offering Japan Tours. To kick things off they've planned their biggest tour ever, The All Japan Alpha+Omega Tour. The tour runs from 8/29/12 to 9/7/12 and covers nearly everything you'd want to do while in Japan, anime, fashion, manga, cuisine, music, TV, history, theater, and tradition. The tour starts at $2490.00, but could run higher depending on any options you want to add. The cost does NOT include airfare to Japan, which is the only downside to this tour. The deadline for signing up for the tour is June 29th, 2012.

The price for this tour includes:

• 6 days, 5 nights in Tokyo; 1 day and night in Kyoto; 3 days, 2 nights in Osaka - all with fully guided tours

• Full hotel accommodations

• Transportation to & from tour activities

• Admission and a booth at the Comitia dojinshi market

• Admission to the Ghibli Museum and the Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum

• Seats for a Takarazuka Revue show

• A special two-hour calligraphy experience, with Japanese tea and sweets in Kyoto's Gion district

• A traditional farewell banquet on the banks of the Kamo River in Kyoto

• A private bus tour of Kyoto

• Admission to Kinkakuji Temple, Nijo Castle, Sanjusangendo Hall, Kiyomizu Temple and Saihoji (the elusive "moss temple")

• The "Pop Japan Gourmet Course" includes meals every day at culinary hot spots (optional)

• Professional, bilingual tour guides

• Customized tour guidebook with maps, descriptions, and Japanese phrases

Price does not include air transportation to Tokyo. We will meet you after your flight at Narita International Airport in Tokyo. We can arrange air travel for you from your closest airport. Contact go[at]popjapantravel.com.

The tour sounds really awesome, but the registration deadline is just to soon for me to get that much money together. But if anyone decides to go be sure and tell them Ziroc's Anime Blog sent you. 



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Selling Some Stuff on Ebay (Updated 5-7-12)

Star Wars Micro Machine Collection 1

Starting bid 3.99

Deluxe Han Solo with Smuggler Flight Pack

Starting bid 4.99

Deluxe Crowd Control Stormtrooper

Starting bid 4.99

Electronic F/X Emperor Palpatine

Starting bid 4.00

Darth Maul Die Cast Watch

Battery is dead. Otherwise in good condition.

Starting bid 2.00


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Dark Crystal Returns to Comics

It's been awhile since I've done a blog post, but I had to post about this. Went to Books-a-Million today and picked up The Dark Crystal: Creation Myths, and A Game of Thrones. This is the second time a prequel comic has been made for the Dark Crystal in the last few years. The first, Legends of the Dark Crystal, was published by Tokyopop and only ran for 2 volumes. Unfortunately it was never finished due to Tokyopop shutting down their manga publication business in the US.

The story in Legend of the Dark Crystal took place shortly after the Crystal was broken and corrupted. This new comic from Archaia takes place prior to the Crystal becoming corrupted. Archaia also has a Jim Henson's The Storyteller comic. It seemed to be a collection of stories by different artists. I'll probably pick it up next paycheck.

I've been hearing a lot about A Game of Thrones, so decided to pick it up. Any book that can spawn a TV show, two video games, and a board game must be good right? Plus I have a friend who's read it and said it was a good read.

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The Avengers Trailer is Out

Apple Trailers has the Avengers Trailer up for viewing. I can't wait for next May. Read more On "The Avengers Trailer is Out"!

New Books and Dark Souls

Picked up Dark Souls for the 360 from Gamestop this week, since Best Buy sold my Collector's Edition I ordered from them. Having played Demon Souls the starting areas of the game where fairly easy since I knew the controls and attack patterns of the basic enemies. I'm currently past the Boar in the Undead Parish and it's getting a bit harder. Preparing for the fight with the Belfry Gargoyles.  Anyone else playing Dark Souls? How are you enjoying it?

Also got some new books. The new Percy Jackson book is out "The Son of Neptune". I got 5 of the "New 52" DC Comics consisting of Wonder Woman #1, Superman #1, Green Lantern Corps #1, The Flash #1, and Teen Titans #1. And two new manga volumes, Negima 31, and Higurashi: Eye Opening Arc 3. I liked the way Teen Titans started with their #1 issue. It was the only one to open in an origin story style with the Teen Titans not having been formed yet. What's everyone else take on the "New 52"? Read more On "New Books and Dark Souls"!

Ryan Reynolds Green Lantern Costume

Entertainment Weekly has a pic of Ryan Reynolds in his Green Lantern costume for the upcoming movie. I believe the costume is supposed to be completely CG and in my opinion looks hideous. If you look at this large version of the image at Collider it looks like the mask is actually part of his skin as you can see the pores on his face. The same with the costume it looks like his neck starts to turn green and flow into the odd muscle design of the suit.

Anyone actually like the design of the suit? Or do you think they should of stuck with a more classic look from the comic?


Fan Made Green Lantern Trailer featuring Nathan Fillion as Hal Jordon.

Source: Ain't It Cool News

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Thor, Odin, and Loki in Costume

The LA Times has posted this first look of Anthony Hopkins (Odin) and Tom Hiddleston (Loki) in costume, Chris Hemsworth has been shown in costume previously. I like the Odin costume, but I think they really should of kept the horns that Loki sports in the comics. I'm hoping they just didn't add them for this image, and they are actually featured at some point in the film.

What are your thoughts on the look of the cosutmes?


Entertainment Tonight interview and behind the scenes footage I found on YouTube.

Source: Ain't It Cool News

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