It’s a tuned JDM Mitsubishi Evo GSR … oh, wait a minute … it’s an econo-box base Mirage with Hello Kitty stickers. This limited edition Mirage will be tuned by Sanrio to kick-off Hello Kitty’s 40th birthday.
Japan: Hello Kitty Econo-Box
October 29, 2013 by 3 Comments
New York Comic Con 2013 Teaser!
October 16, 2013 by Leave a Comment
I’m still jet lag after 3 days, our Ramen and a Half team had a great time in New York City and checking out New York Comic Con 2013 which took place this past weekend – October 10-13, 2013. Stay tuned to our Retrenders.com and our YouTube Channel for videos from NYCC 2013!
Kidrobot DamGun ‘Bots
September 29, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The Ramen crew visited Kidrobot SF for the release of the DamGun ‘Bots. If you’re a Gundam fan or just an anime mech-head, then you might like these ‘Bots. Kidrobot pays homage to these plastic snap-on model kits with their own DamGun ‘Bots.
Japan Only: Butt Pudding (Crayon Shin-Can)
September 26, 2013 by Leave a Comment
From the Japanese manga series by Yoshito Usui comes the Crayon Shin-Can butt-shaped edible pudding. The dessert kit comes with DIY instructions and when you’re done you can eat Shin-Can’s twerking butt.
Drink: Hello Kitty beer
September 16, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Sanrio surely has licensed Hello Kitty on everything and anything, now a limited edition batch of Hello Kitty beer. This fruity alcoholic concoction has 6 tropical flavors like Lemon Lime, Peach and Banana. The beer is produced by Taiwanese beer maker Long Quan.
Kidrobot x Street Fighter Series 2 Release Party
September 5, 2013 by 2 Comments
I still remember that feeling of saving up all my quarters for the week and rushing to my local 7-Eleven store where they would have video game arcades like Space Harrier, Daytona USA, Thunder Blade, Operation Wolf, Afterburner and of course Capcom’s Street Fighter! Those were the days, but let’s move on … Kidrobot’s first Street Fighter 3″ vinyl figures were super popular and now it’s back with a Series II.
Ramen goes Snack Tasting @ Japan Expo 2013
September 4, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Not all anime-cons are about cosplay, manga, buying toys and going to the different panels, our Ramen and a Half team goes snack tasting at Japan Expo 2013. The convention took place August 23-25th, 2013 at the Santa Clara Convention Center, CA. Our host Eddie and Jonelle hit-up JFC International to taste all the yummy snacks and candies. With their stomachs full, they also headed to the Yakult booth to drink the healthy yogurt drink.
Interview with Legendary Character Designer: Yoshiyuki Sadamoto
September 4, 2013 by Leave a Comment
At Japan Expo 1st Impact 2013, Jonelle from “Ramen & a Half” had the pleasure of interviewing iconic artist and character designer Yoshiyuki Sadamoto. His famous works include Nadia, Neon Genesis Evangelion, FLCL, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and Summer Wars. Emanuel, the agent for Yoshiyuki Sadamoto was our translator during the interview.
+++++++++++++++++++++
RTNDR: What was your background and inspiration in becoming a character designer and artist?
Sadamoto: First, it was the director Yamaga Hiroyuki, the director of The Wings of Honneamise who asked him to do the character design. It started here. Up to that time, it was manga that had led him to draw his own characters for his personal works and this, in turn, led him to work in character design.
The Highlights from Japan Expo 1st Impact 2013!
September 2, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The anime convention imported from France, Japan Expo (JX) landed into Santa Clara, CA on August 23-25th, 2013 and our Ramen crew recapped the highlights from the 3-day event.
For more info, go to: Japan Expo.
Kidrobot x Street Fighter Series 2 Release
August 30, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Yesterday was the release of Kidrobot’s Street Fighter Series 2 vinyl figures and our Ramen team was at the Release Party to cover the event. We had a blast trading, buying, playing Street Fighter and just having fun talking about geeky toys in general.
Uniqlo Tezuka Osamu Graphic Tee
August 29, 2013 by Leave a Comment
It’s been 50 years since the debut of Tezuka Osamu’s iconic creation Astro Boy. Uniqlo celebrates the anime legend Tezuka Osamu with a line-up of UT graphic tees that feature some of Tezuka’s most popular characters. The first out of the gates is commemorating the 50 years of Astro Boy. Look for more US releases from this UT x Tezuka Osamu Collection.
Kidrobot x Street Fighter Series 2
August 29, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Today – August 29th, 2013 is the release of Kidrobot x Street Fighter Series 2 vinyl figures. Our Ramen team will be at the release party tonight @ the Kidrobot retail store in San Francisco’s Haight/Ashbury area.
Devil May Cry: The Chronicles of Vergil
August 22, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The Capcom horror-gothic hack & slash video game “Devil May Cry” first appeared on the PlayStation 2 and has now spawned many video game sequels and other multimedia tie-ins. This collected hardbound comic-book from Titan Comics – DmC: The Chronicles of Vergil is a prequel story of events leading up to the first Devil May Cry video game.
Giant Gundams drop by Hong Kong’s Times Square
August 21, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Image via Gundam.Info – Gundam Docks at Hong Kong
This past summer 2013 Bandai H.K. and Times Square presented Gundam Docks at Hong Kong Exhibition. This is one of biggest Gundam showcases outside of Japan. The Gundam Exhibtion runs through September 1st, 2013. So, if you’re on the Hong Kong island side, stop by Times Square to see the large diorama. Take the MTR and stop at Causeway Bay station!
S.H. Figuarts’ Sailor Moon Figure
August 6, 2013 by Leave a Comment
With Sailor Moon celebrating it’s 20th anniversary, S.H. Figuarts known for their Power Rangers action figures, will be releasing this classic Sailor Scout – Sailor Moon action figure these next few months. The Sailor Moon will feature various points of articulation, 3 interchangeable faces, 3 interchangeable left hands, 5 interchangeable right hands, 2 Moon sticks and her friend Luna.
Ramen and a Half @ Jpop Summit 2013 SF
August 2, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Jpop Summit 2013 was held in San Francisco’s Japantown and Union Square districts simultaneously on July 27-28, 2013. The Ramen crew was there to check out this thriving event. We also see Eddie hyped up for Jpop superstar singer Kyary Pamyu Pamyu and Ramon tasting some drinks and having a frightening fun interview with “The Killer Wolf.”
Attack on Titan Playset!
August 1, 2013 by 1 Comment
Everybody’s been talking about this anime Attack on Titan (Shingeki no Kyojin) and at anime conventions I see many cosplayers dressing as characters from this anime, so I think it’s about time I start watching it once I finish watching my kdramas. Fans of the anime can pick up this cool diorama piece by the Good Smile Company.
Custom LEGO Transformers: Ironhide & Ratchet
August 1, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The Transformers G1 Ironhide and Ratchet were always cool toys but the transformation from car to robot mode never looked right. Then a few years ago, iGear produced very accurate G1 Ironhide and Ratchet lookalikes from the cartoon series, but they were tad expensive for knock-offs.
AX 2013: Adventure Time & X-Men Cosplayers Collide
July 25, 2013 by 1 Comment
Our Ramen crew Ame and RJ interview more cosplayers from Anime Expo 2013. They interview a couple of groups – The Adventure Time group: Fiona, Marceline, IceQueen and IceKing; and the X-Men: Mystique, Jean Grey, Jubilee, Storm, Pixie, Bishop and Deadpool drops by with Starbucks coffee and Cyclops chit chats with fans. Plus RJ sprinkles a few random interviews with anime swimmer Haruka and Darius from League of Legends. Now that’s a jam pack Ramen episode!
AX 2013: Captain Falcon & Crew!
July 24, 2013 by 1 Comment
From Anime Expo 2013 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, we interview 3 cosplayers – Captain Falcon, Zero Suit Samus and Fox McCloud. We also hit-up downtown LA for the Anime Expo after-party at the Exchange. The drinks were on and the bass was pumping.
AX 2013 – Alodia! Porno Graffitti! CARAT!
July 10, 2013 by Leave a Comment
This past weekend one of the biggest anime conventions here in the States – Anime Expo took place in SoCal, the LA Convention Center. Our team was ushered in and out of press conferences asking questions and taking pictures with Anime Expo’s special guests – world famous cosplayer Alodia Gosiengfiao, Jrock band Porno Graffitti and Jpop girl group CARAT.
Viral Video Friday: Final Fantasy Dance Tribute
July 5, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Dance choregraphers Mike Song and Tony Tran really like Final Fantasy and here’s there dance tribute. Lock and pop!
SciFi Currency Converter
July 1, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Ever wonder how Creds are from Dredd, Federation Credits from Star Trek, Galatic Credit from Star Wars, Bottle Caps from Fallout: New Vegas in terms of real-world currency like the Dollar ($), Pound (£) or Euro (€)? Well, now you use this cool SciFi Currency Converter.
RETRENDERS highlight trailer for Big Wow Comicfest & FanimeCon
June 2, 2013 by 1 Comment
Continue to check back with RETRENDERS for upcoming segments from Big Wow ComicFest and FanimeCon!
Ramen at FanimeCon 2013
May 29, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Ramen and a Half was video recorded before a live convention audience for their podcast as they talked about what FanimeCon is all about and discussed a serious topic on how some Cosplayers can be uncomfortably handled by costume admirers and sometimes get perverse images taken of them without one’s consent – then get posted on the internet.
Johnny Moreno
Edward Ballar
GuestContributor
kellyannbrooke
Ramon Angel
Al Woo
SW biko
Retrenders 