[PS3 P4U2] Shadow Labrys PV posted

The PS3 version of Persona 4 The Ultimax Ultra Suplex Hold will be released on August 28.

P4U stage play announced

Persona 4 The Ultimate in Mayonaka Arena stage play is announced in Japan. You read that right, this's not just a stage play of Persona 4, but the fighting game P4U1.

How does that work? We don't know. Air-dash and push button and expect opponent not to block seems easy in the game, but not a stage play. Surely, they need a lot of wires.

P4U stage play will be held between December 19-23 at Tokyo Geijutsu Gekijou Play House theater.

Note that there's already Persona 3 stage play and Persona 4 stage play.

[PS3 P4U2] Chie Satonaka PV posted

The PS3 version of Persona 4 The Ultimax Ultra Suplex Hold will be released on August 28.

Dengeki Fighting Girls audition announced

Dengeki Fighting Girls audition is announced today. This project is to find 4 presenters who will appear in an event promoting Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax. It seems to be Sega's answer to Taito's USF4 Girl Club.

Conditions

1. Female from 18 to 40 years old
2. Pro/Amateur irrelevant
3. Love Dengeki Bunko (magazine)
4. Can work around metropolitan area
5. Not working as presenter for other games

[Video] Umehara vs. Gachi-kun from TOPANGA Banzuke

TOPANGA Banzuke match between Daigo Umehara (Evil Ryu) and Gachi-kun (Sagat) from June 15 was shown last night on TOPANGA TV.

The last move at the end of this match supports the reason why Umehara switched to Evil Ryu. It opens up a new dimension to his offense.

(Skip to 01:35:00 for the match)

KSK team, 2 teams of 5 Juri confirmed for 4th TOPANGA Charity Cup

TOPANGA has updated its entry list of The 4th TOPANGA Charity Cup last night. Notable teams are below.

Mada Hashiritai (a group of mostly people who host fighting game talk show)

• Oshino Pepe (Sagat)
• Sentos (Poison)
• R (Guy)
• Soushihan KSK (Abel)
• Nekojita (Abel)

Iyasarerunenna

• Yossan (Juri)
• Younashi (Juri)
• Aiai (Juri)
• Waike (Juri)
• Shin (Juri)

TOPANGA Fight Club (a group of TOPANGA students)

• Murata (Yun)
• Meso (Akuma)
• Natsu (Yun)
• Jones (Gouken)
• Misaki Suzuki (Yang)

TOPANGA Charity Cup is the biggest community-organized fighting game tournament in Japan in term of number of well-known players. Since the entry fee goes to charity, people do it for the hype. Character duplicate is allowed, and 2 teams of 5 Juri already confirmed for this year. (Fingers crossed for whoever said Juri will never win a tournament!)

4 new characters from Strike the Blood and Black Bullet announced for DBFC

It's announced today that 4 new characters from Strike the Blood and Black Bullet will be added to Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax this Summer.

Strike the Blood

• Yukina Himeragi (playable)
• Kojo Akatsuki (support)

Black Bullet

• Rentaro Satomi (playable)
• Enju Aihara (support)

Kana Ueda learns English for Evo 2014

Veteran voice actress Kana Ueda, who will be coming to Evo 2014, revealed today that she has enrolled in an English conversation school today, in order to be able to communicate better to the people at the (Evo 2014) venue.

Too bad, Ueda probably didn't know that there's an American BlazeBlue player who's teaching in Japan who could offer her some free lessons!

First Attack S3 Ep7 - USF4 Basics

The latest episode of the only informative stream in the entire FGC (sadly, this's why this community sucks) UltraChen's First Attack teaches you about the basics of Ultra Street Fighter IV. This's a must-see and will be a good reference for beginners.

07:50 - Movement, normals, systems, meters
38:00 - Blocking, cross-up, throw, hit-stun, combo (chain & link), Focus Attack, Frame Advantage
1:18:20 - Delayed Wake-Up, Reversal, Counter Hit, Crouch Tech, Frame Trap, juggle, P-linking

Kotobukiya announced Amil Manaflare

Kotobukiya announced today Amil Manaflare (from Shining Hearts) figure. The 20cm figure is priced at 9,200 yen and will be released in November. Shops are already accepting pre-orders.

Figures from Shining series is one of the most successful in the business considering the number of releases and their prices.

Kana Ueda confirmed for Evo 2014

One of a few good things about BlazeBlue is coming to Evo 2014!

Veteran voice actress Kana Ueda confirmed by herself and via press release that she'll be attending Evo 2014 and having autograph session at BlazBlue booth.

This's not entirely just her job, it's also a dream comes true for her. After Ueda got to know Daigo Umehara and friends, she showed some interest in attending Evo since then. She even mentioned about it in a radio show.

Nicknamed "Kana-sama", Ueda is a gamer herself. Although she doesn't play fighting games, she plays various games at above casual level. Like recently, she's into World of Tanks and already played 2,000 matches.

Video below is from a World of Tanks show on Sunday where Ueda appeared together with KSK. (Also a proof why she wins our most adorable smile award)

New Shining Resonance character details

Some new details of Shining Resonance character is revealed today.

Rinna Mayfield (picture above)
- She's destribed as "whirlwind spirit user."
- Her class is Witch.
- She excels in Wind magic.
- She maintains good atmosphere in the party.
- She looks innocent, but is a wicked tongue older sister character.
- She looked after Kirika since she was a child so Kirika puts a lot of faith in her.
- "Uhuhuhu, so this party is Mr. Dragon's harem. I really like the feel of competing."
- She has a green penguin named Fromage as a companion.

Fromage
- She's a female penguin.
- She's a "Sound Spirit."
- She gives advices to the party.
- She's the mascot character of this game.
- Despite the title "Sound Emperor Penguin" her music is annoying.

2 new characters TBA
- 2 silhouettes are shown in the Famitsu news.
- It looks like they're the last two party members.
- Yuichi Nakamura will voice a male elf who uses Armonix spear.
- Miyuki Sawashiro will most likely voice the user of Armonix gun.

Saint Seiya: Legend of Sanctuary now in theaters

CG-animated film Saint Seiya: Legend of Sanctuary was released in Japan's theaters yesterday.

Saint Seiya is a legendary series from manga that was first published in 1986. This film is a remake of Sanctuary saga, with new storytelling, new character personalities, and redesigned saint armors (called Cloth). The serious atmosphere is toned down by some Hollywood-cartoony presentation. The armor transformation now looks more like Transformers. Nevertheless, this's a must-see for everyone. More trailers go here.

Due to its nature, Saint Seiya is made into a fighting game from time to time. The last one was Brave Soldiers (2013), and Ultimate Cosmo (2012) before that. Seiya is also playable in J-Star Victory Vs (2014).

Griffon announces Sakuya Mode Gelblitz

Griffon Enterprise announced yesterday that Sakuya Mode Gelblitz figure will be released in August. The 23cm tall figure is priced at 9,200 yen. Shops are already accepting pre-orders.

From Shining RPG series, Sakuya appears in many forms and it looks like almost all of them is getting a figure.

Sakuya Mode Noir
Sakuya Mode Blossom
Sakuya Mode Cerulean
Sakuya Mode Crimson
Sakuya Mode Grune
Sakuya Mode Seraphim
Sakuya Mode Violet

Sakuya will be playable in Blade Arcus in 3 modes: Mode Noir, Mode Grune (as a super move, picture below), and Mode Crimson (as a super move).

Figures from Shining series is one of the most successful in the business considering the number of releases and their prices.

Is this the best looking MadCatz fightstick?

It's announced tonight that P4U2 Arcade Fightstick Tournament Edition 2 from Mad Catz will be released in Japan.

[PS3 P4U2] Tohru Adachi PV posted

Tohru Adachi promo video from PS3 version of P4U2 (Persona 4 Arena Ultimax) is posted today. The game will be released on August 28.

[PS3 P4U2] Yu Narukami PV posted

Yu Narukami promo video from PS3 version of P4U2 (Persona 4 Arena Ultimax) is posted today. The game will be released on August 28.

Let's laugh at PS3 UNI OP

The opening movie of PS3 version of Under Night In-Bith Exe:Late (coming July 24) is uploaded today.

UMvC3 sayonara sale: now only $8

It's announced today that the download version of Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 for PS Vita on Japanese PS Store is getting huge price cut, from 4,095 yen (tax excluded) to 800 yen (tax included). All of its DLCs (14 packs) is also getting 50% price cut.

Furthermore, the game and all of its DLCs will be taken down from PS Store on June 25.

Yes. Buy it now for cheap or miss the chance to own this broken fighting game that was quite popular in 2012.

New Shining Resonance info: Ilban human form, list of voice actors

Famitsu revealed yesterday the first details of voice actors in PS3 RPG Shining Resonance. It also revealed that the legendary dragon protagonist also has a human form. In fact, the dragon form is for combat.

Voice Actors

• Yuma Ilban voiced by Nobunaga Shimazaki (Date A Live, Photo Kano, Ano Natsu)
• Sonia voiced by Asami Seto (Chihayafuru, Valvrave, Magical Warfare)
• Kirika voiced by Saori Hayami (Sora no Otoshimono, Oregairu, Tari Tari)
• Rinna voiced by Ai Kayano (No Game No Life, Guilty Crown, Ano Hana)
• Agnam voiced by Mamoru Miyano (Gundam 00, Stein; Gate, Death Note)
• Georg voiced by Rikiya Koyama (Fate/Zero)
• (To be announced) voiced by Yuichi Nakamura (Ore Imo, Macross F, Clannad)
• (To be announced) voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro (Rozen Maiden, Durarara!!, CANAAN)

Yuma Ilban

• He's the human form of Shining Dragon Ilban.
• He's described as a boy who possesses heart of dragon.
• He is suffering from his fate.
• He's not used to human society so he tends to leave decision making to others.
• His sword doesn't appear to be an Armonix like the rest of party, maybe it has final form?

Rinna

• Rinna will be revealed in this week's Famitsu magazine.
• It appears that she's the witch with Armonix rod.

Umehara confirmed for 4th TOPANGA Charity Cup

Ten players, two teams are now confirmed to compete in The 4th TOPANGA Charity Cup on July 5.

Revealed last week was a team that consists of Nyanshi, Mago, Nemo, Misse, and Umehara.

Revealed last night was a team that consists of Bon-chan, Kazunoko, Fuudo, Tokido, and Sako.

Note that Sako will return again after last year's absence.

Umehara Today

A cool picture of Daigo Umehara and Reiko Mihashi taken today at Taito Station Shinjuku Minami-guchi game center (aka. the usual place).

Reiko Mihashi, a model, is currently working as a Taito's presenter. She's the head of USF4 Girl Club, a group of 3 girls hired by Taito to lure players to Taito game centers.

[Ougon Musou Kyoku Cross] new Aki Horona's online matches

Aki Horona, the well-known Virgilia player, uploaded yesterday new video of his online matches.

 

1. Kanon & Shannon vs. Virgilia & Rosa
2. Kanon & Shannon vs. Virgilia & Rosa
3. Virgilia & Willard vs. Jessica & Eva
4. Virgilia & Rosa vs. Jessica & Eva

Watch ChocoBlanka sing anime song

Some of you probably already know that ChocoBlanka is a band vocalist, but probably don't know how good she is.

This footage is from iPhone streaming yesterday when she went to karaoke with R (MC, commentator, Guy player) and Itabashi Zangief.

The song is Kouga Ninpou Chou (by Onmyouza) from Basilisk anime. She chose this song because it has the word "Ninpou" (ninja arts) which reminded her of Momochi (who is a descendant of a ninja, although Iga clan, not Kouga clan).

(It seems like she quit the band when she moved to Tokyo with Momochi in May.)

Shining Blade collabo announced for PSO2

It's announced on Sunday that F2P online action RPG Phantasy Star Online 2 will get 6 new costumes of 6 characters from Shining Blade. The update which is planned for June 25 will also add weapons and voices of respective characters.

Costumes in "Shining Heroes" collaboration

• Rage
• Altina
• Cerberus
• Sakuya: Mode Crimson
• Misty
• Yukihime

This's not the first time for such collaboration. Shining Girls Festa costume batch was added in May 2013.

Rage & Yukihime, Altina, Sakuya are playable characters in Beast Note's most anticipated fighting game Blade Arcus.

Phantasy Star Online 2 is available on PC and PS Vita. The English version is only available for South East Asia region. An offline edition of the game which also supports multiplayer, called Phantasy Star Nova, is planned for PS Vita.

TOPANGA Banzuke Day 2 results

Daigo Umehara went to Fukuoka this weekend to compete in TOPANGA Banzuke in that region, with Nyanshi, Momochi, Mago.

Results

• Umehara won Gachi-kun
• Umehara (E. Ryu) lost to Mago (Fei Long) (pic)

Overall results of notable players

Points	Players
4-0	Mago
3-1	Umehara, Momochi
2-0	Nemo, Nishikin, Santaro, Mizoteru, Gachi-kun, Kazunoko, Bon-chan
1-1	Tsuna, Fuudo, Zangi-tan, ChocoBlanka, Itabashi Zangief, Dogura, Tokido

[PS3 P4U2] Sho Minazuki promo posted

Sho Minazuki promo from PS3 version of P4U2 (Persona 4 Arena Ultimax) is posted today. The game will be released on August 28.

Capcom issues statement: No pay-to-buff, no SF5

Due to miscommunication in a news article, Capcom representative director was reported to say something that implies that Street Fighter V will feature pay-to-win. Now Capcom has issued a statement telling that "pay-to-buff a character" is not an option, and SF5 is not yet announced.

In 2012, Capcom released Street Fighter X Tekken which had DLC Gems to strengthen characters and also had DLC characters which were already on the disc.

Umehara's yearly income is at least $196k - Sources

An article about the growth of e-sports from Sankei Biz has mentioned Daigo Umehara in one paragraph. (Sankei Newspaper has the sixth highest circulation for a newspaper in Japan.)

There're also world-class Japanese players. The leader is Daigo Umehara (age 33). According to several people who are in the business "With the income from the sponsors, he should make at least over 20 million yen ($195.9k) a year."

Umehara (Hugo) vs. Sako (Decapre) in latest USF4 promo

The second USF4 promo of "Umehara Sako try out USF4" is revealed today.

Notes
- This time they introduce Online Training Mode and YouTube Upload feature.
- In the first round, Umehara didn't know the range of Psycho Stream, they laughed about it.
- In next promo, Umehara, Sako, Mago, Bon-chan, Itabashi Zangief, Kazunoko will try 3 on 3 mode.

First video: Umehara's Evil Ryu in competitive match

TOPANGA TV tonight showed a recorded video of a match of Daigo Umehara from TOPANGA Banzuke tournament on June 1.

Note that Umehara purposely used that costume and color gold for Evil Ryu with English voice.

(Skip to 01:53:00 for the match)

Beast Note's Evo 2014 Wishlist

A month left.

• Ougon Musou Kyoku Cross in Bring Your Own area
• Live brackets on the stream since pool play
• A video that briefly showcases fighting game released/scheduled in/for 2014 (to promote fighting games as a whole) during an intermission
• A short video that introduces (characteristic/rules/system) every Evo 2014 games in the morning before the tournament or during an intermission
• Finger cam for top players
• Commentator who focuses on play-by-play
• Commentator who teaches viewers the game, instead of moaning why people don't get it
• Commentator who realizes that he's communicating with the entire world, not just his friends, not just the FGC
• No commentator who cheers someone instead of telling the big picture
• No commentator who says nothing but buzzwords and memes
• No commentator who says nothing but exclamation
• No commentator who uses the stream for his own exposure
• No commentator or interviewer who creeps on female guest
• No commentator who sings
• Show names of the commentators instead of just their Twitter URL

New DOA5UA character introduces floor taunting

It's revealed last night by the producer that the new character Nyotengu in Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate Arcade will introduce (fighting games) world's first "floor taunting" (after a knockdown, 0:49 in the video). However, this move is just for fun, she's still vulnerable to an attack.



Nyotengu will be available in location test starting today (June 6) in 5 selected game centers.

[PS3 P4U2] Yosuke and Yukiko PV posted

Atlus released promotional video of Yosuke Hanamura and Yukiko Amagi from PS3 version of P4U2 today.

The game will be released on August 28. The first press limited edition of the game comes with DLC character Tohru Adachi and DLC scenario Episode Adachi.

Four new characters added to DBFC today

Previously announced four new characters were added to Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax today. An official promotional video is also posted.

Umehara vs. Sako in latest USF4 promo

So this was the reason Sako came to Tokyo?

Capcom has Daigo Umehara and Sako try USF4's edition select in the latest promo video.

Notes
- Sako tried SF's Cammy at first.
- Umehara tried SSF's Guile (which does good damage and has better Sonic Boom).
- Sako tried SF4's Akuma because of HK loop.
- Umehara tried SF4's Sagat so Sako can show Akuma's HK loop.
- Exhibition match: Sako (SSF4's Cammy) vs. Umehara (AE's Yun) 
- This's considered a rare footage, because Sako had never fought Umehara's Yun.
- The promo is the first in "Umehara Sako try out USF4" series, so expect more of this in near future.

New DBFC exhibition matches posted

A new set of Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax exhibition matches was posted today. This time it's a 4-man tournament.

Bob (Kiroyukihime/Leafa) vs. Jin (Asuna/Leafa)


OZ (Shana/Leafa) vs. Niga (Kirino/Kino)


[For 3rd place] Niga (Kirino/Kino) vs. Jin (Asuna/Leafa)


[Final] OZ (Shana/Leafa) vs. Bob (Kiroyukihime/Leafa)

New Shining Resonance information

Dengeki posted new information about world and character settings of Shining Resonance today. This includes new details about Sonia, a playable character in Blade Arcus.

Information about Shining Dragon Ilban

• There was ancient continent, a holy land, called Alfheim.
• The fallen dragons' hearts became crystallized, then scattered around the world.
• Ilban, the protagonist, a legendary dragon, used to live in Alfheim. He's the survivor.
• For his power, Ilban is hunted by The Empire, The Church, The Dragon Slayers.
• Ilban was once rescued by a girl long time ago, that's when he falls in love with her. He's now searching for her.
• Ilban lost his power.

Information about Sonia

• Sonia's class is Magic Knight.
• She uses sword and shield.
• She excels in lightning magic.
• She's princess of Astria Kingdom.
• Her title is "Lightning Princess of Astria."
• Her kingdom is at war with The Empire.
• She rescued Shining Dragon Ilban from The Empire's research facility.
• She's the one who starts the adventure. She organizes Dragooners to fight for Ilban.
• She inherited an instrument called Armonix, yet unable to use it.
• It appears that she possesses Armonix sword & shield that can be played as violin.
• "Stop worrying, just follow me. There are people that need your power. That's it!" - Sonia

Information about Dragooners

• Some party members such as Agnam and Kirika are Dragooners.
• They are tasked to protect Ilban.
• They can use Armonix.
• Armonix can invoke the power of dragon.
• Agnam has Armonix staff that can be played as guitar.
• Agnam's class is sorcerer. He excels in fire magic.
• Agnam is described as "explosive fire artist."
• Kirika has Armonix bow that can be played as harp.
• Kirika is the heroine of the story.
• Kirika's class is Song Maiden. She excels in holy magic.
• Kirika is described as "maiden who inherits ancient songs."
• Kirika can sense a nearby dragon.
• Kirika lead a sheltered life so she isn't very good at communication. She may look cold but she's in fact gentle.
• "I'm sorry, I'm not interested in human. All I want to know is dragon's heart......" - Kirika
• Four more Armonix are shown without the wielders.

Information about enemies

• There're dragon hunters and dragon tamers.
• Georg is the leader of Beowulf elite force of The Church of Lombardia Empire. His class is Arc Paladin. He's a sword user.
• The Empire possesses legendary dragons that were resurrected from the research.

No Game No Life episode 8 feat. Umehara

The 8th episode of No Game No Life anime that was aired last week has a reference to Daigo Umehara.

In the scene that shows the protagonist dominating leaderboards of various games, it appears that there's a player named "UMEBARA" (2nd place) and "LET'S GOJUSTIN!" (3rd place) on the top left of the screen. (The second Kanji in Umehara can be read either Hara or Bara.)

Get to know USF4's EX Zesshou Hohou

A guy made a video explaining why Yun's EX Zesshou Hohou in USF4 is not a game breaking move like some people thought.

Shining Resonance release date, limited edition announced

It's announced today that PS3 RPG Shining Resonance will be released on December 11. A standard edition, both physical and download, will be available at 8,222 yen (tax included). A limited edition, 16,800 yen, that comes with a 1/7 figure of heroine Kirika and her in-game swimsuit code is also planned.

Details
- 26 centimeter tall including base (1/7 scale)
- Maker: Alphamax
- Sculptor: 2% (who also made Velvet and Sakuya: Mode Violet)

At least one character from Shining Resonance will be playable in Beast Note's most anticipated fighting game Blade Arcus.

Taito's "Grade A" tournament named, prizes detailed

New details of Taito's "Grade A" tournament were revealed on the stream.

- Will be called "Isshuu Sengeki Hai"
- Will accept applications in mid June
- Will announce players in mid July
- Qualifier in Tokyo on August 23
- Qualifier in Osaka on August 30
- Finals in mid October

Prize money for single tournament
1st - 1 million yen
2nd - 100,000 yen
3rd to 8th - 10,000 yen
Special prize for good performance - 5,000 yen each

Prize money for team tournament
1st - 1 million yen
2nd - 100,000 yen
3rd to 8th - 10,000 yen
Special prize for good performance - 5,000 yen each

USF4 Ver.1.01 + Decapre coming June 3 for Japanese arcades

It's announced on the Ver 1.01 pre-launch stream that the arcade version of USF4 will be updated to version 1.01 with Decapre on June 3 for Japan.

Umehara enters TOPANGA Banzuke

It's reported that Daigo Umehara has entered TOPANGA Banzuke tournament held at Taito Station Wakou (Saitama Prefecture) today. He won all two matches in his first day.

Results

• ChocoBlanka 1-1
• Fuudo 1-1 
• Mago 2-0
• Mahou Shoujo Zangi-tan 1-1
• Momochi 2-0 (using Ken today)
• Nemo 2-0
• Umehara 2-0

Twitch flying 3 JP players to CEO, we help you pick

You probably already heard that Twitch will fly 3 Japanese players of people's choices to CEO 2014. This post is to ensure that you pick the right ones.

Our first pick is Yossan. Because Juri is cute. Pink/White Juri is a plus! (Just ignore the fact that he's now ranked 1st in Kanagawa prefecture and top 10 national in term of BP.)

Our second pick is Acqua. He plays Sagat, Yang, Cammy, so his chance of winning CEO is high. Why fly people who will get eliminated early? Most importantly, Acqua has a very good personality.

Our third pick is Akimo. This "Taito Station warrior" plays both Honda and Elena. You won't see a one trick pony here.

The reason why we don't pick Dunhill, KojiKOG, and Nishikin is they aren't cost-effective or simply because the above players look better. Koji also did badly in latest TOPANGA League B (4 win/11 loss), we don't think things will change even after T Hawk buff. Hype? Definitely. Performance? Highly questionable.