Atobe Keigo's 2nd album bonus disc details

According to NEC Interchannel, the bonus disc for Atobe Keigo's 2nd album, "THE ULTIMATE HARD WORKER" is titled KEIGO ATOBE WORLD TOUR [To be continued]. The bonus track in this disc is named "Koori no Sekai" (World of Ice) which should be in reference to his new specialty technique displayed during the match against Echizen Ryoma during the Nationals.

Otanjoubi Omedetou, Shishido Ryou & Kurobane Harukaze!

Today, we celebrate the birthdays of 2 characters i.e. Shishido Ryou and Kurobane Harukaze from Hyotei Gakuen and Rokkaku respectively! First of all, here's a detailed profile of Shishido from fanbook 20.5 followed by that of Kurobane.

Name: Shishido Ryou
School: Hyoutei Gakuen Year 3
Date of birth: 29 Sep
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Height: 172cm
Weight: 60kg
Blood Group: B
Play-style: Right-handed, counter-puncher
Favourite shoes: YONEX Power Cushion 199 (SHT-199)
Favourite racket: YONEX SRQ Chitan 800 Pro
Special technique: High-speed rising counter
Favourite food: cheese sandwich and mint gum
Hobbies: Billards
Family members: Parents, elder brother and a dog
Father's occupation: Teacher at a primary school
Subjects good at: Geography and history
Favourite colours: Red and purple
Favourite type of girl: Boyish and wilful

Name: Kurobane Harukaze
School: Rokkaku-chuu Year 3
Height: 184cm
Weight: 73kg
Blood group: A
Play-style: Right-handed, serve & volley
Favourite shoes: asics Challenger FX-II (TLL618 0142)
Favourite racket: Wooden racket made by Oji
Special technique: Combo in the Air
Favourite food: Yaki-morokoshi
Hobbies: Playing by the sea
Family members: parents, younger brother and 2 dogs
Father's occupation: Employee at a manufacturing company
Subjects good at: Maths and sports
Favourite colour: Red
Favourite type of girl: Someone enjoyable to be with

Actually, by looking at their profiles, they do not have many similarities despite being born on the same day and of the same age. Other than the fact that they are famous for playing doubles and has a regular partner i.e. Ootori and Amane Hikaru to pair up with and both naming red as their favourite colours, they are rather different in terms of temperament and character.

Atobe Keigo's new album cover

Here's the cover of Atobe Keigo's 2nd album, "The Ultimate Hard Worker" due to be released on his birthday i.e. 4 Oct! Please refer to my previous post for the track list. It seems like there won't be any guest seiyuus on this album after all since such details would have been announced at least a few weeks before the release date but there is no info on this aspect despite the album going to be released next Wed. Anyway, I'm still eagerly awaiting the day when I'll receive the album and will post the review once I manage to find time to do so.

EXILE's new vocalist used to be part of Tenimyu's cast

EXILE's newly selected vocalist TAKAHIRO (real name Tazaki Takahiro) won the public audition on 22 Sep among 10,000 hopefuls. However, it is little known that Tazaki was actually not a freshie to showbiz as claimed even though his official occupation was listed as a freelancer.

In actual fact, Tazaki was part of the cast for Tenipuri's musical where he was due to play the role of Kaidou Kaoru for the "Tennis no Oujisama Advancement Match Rokkaku feat. Hyotei Gakuen" during 3rd to 27 Aug. Despite the fact that the production crew had been waiting for him to join in the rehearsals, it was announced on 25 July that Tazaki had quit from this musical with the reason cited as illness.

The surprising thing was that he then took part in the EXILE vocalist audition from 30 July which goes to show that he wasn't unwell to the extent of being unable to sing. As such, this is causing a stir because of the fact that Tazaki wasn't honest about his background and the unconvincing reason given for quitting from Tenimyu at the last minute.

Atobe Keigo's 2nd album, "THE ULTIMATE HARD WORKER"

Here are the details of Atobe Keigo's 2nd album due to be released on his birthday i.e. 4 Oct 2006:

Title: THE ULTIMATE HARD WORKER
Artiste: Atobe Keigo (Suwabe Junichi)
Date of release: 4 Oct 2006 (Wednesday)
Catalog number: NECA-30174
Price: 3000 yen

Track List
1) BROKEN
2) Wild Soul
3) DEEP
4) UP TO YOU
5) EXISTENCE
6) KING'S GAMBIT
7) SHOOT DOWN
8) Eternal
9) Betrayal
10) WILL
11) Dream Maker
12) Oblivion...

First press premium: bonus disc

Otanjoubi Omedetou, Kirihara Akaya!

Today's the birthday of Kirihara Akaya, the "baby" from Rikkaidai who has changed his ways to become a better player in terms of his ethics on the court. Actually, Akaya appeared as a relatively harmless guy in the beginning but his sudden change on the court to someone who's ruthless enough to do anything so as to secure victory did make it hard for me to like him. Now that he has changed his ways partly due to the "trashing" by Fuji during the Kantou finals, Akaya has become a more likeable guy and I must say that the change should have helped to salvage his image and reputation among the fans. Then again, his frizzy locks, kawaii looks and tendency for his eyes to turn red when provoked makes him stand out among the huge bunch of handsome guys we see in the series so even if he didn't change his ways, I'm sure there would have been fans who like him for the "evil" streak in Akaya.

Name: Kirihara Akaya
School: Rikkaidai Fuuzokuchuu Year 2
Date of birth: 25 Sep
Zodiac sign: Libra
Height: 168cm
Weight: 61 kg
Blood group: O
Play style: Right-handed Aggressive baseliner
Favourite shoes: DT WILSON DYNOSPHERE Technology
Favourite racket: PRO STAFF 5.5 WILSON STRETCH
Specialty technique: Knuckle Serve
Favourite food: yakiniku and sushi
Hobbies: Playing games especially fighting types
Family: Parents and elder sister
Father's occupation: Employee of an MNC
Subjects good at: Japanese and sports (worst at English)
Favourite colour: original colour
Favourite type of girl: Cheerful

OVA Zengoku Taikai Hen INVITATION DVD

Bandai Visual will be releasing the OVA Zengoku Taikai Hen INVITATION DVD on 22 Dec as a form of celebration for the start of the second leg of the Nationals OVA DVD series releases. The catalog number is BCBA-2777 and it costs 2625 yen (inclusive of tax). The 60-minute long DVD will contain an INVITATION digest (details not clear at this moment), cast talk and some exclusive footage from the second half of the OVA series which is effectively about Hyotei vs Seigaku only.

The only thing which I find rather bewildering is the fact that the release date of the INVITATION DVD is one month later than OVA Vol 5 which officially marks the beginning of the Hyotei arc. Shouldn't this be released before Vol 5 if it's meant to be something like a separator from the previous Higa arc?

Fuji Shuusuke - Billy's Target

Track List:
1) Billy's Target
2) Billy's Target (Instrumental)
3) Talk time ~ Uzee no Kaikou~

Release Date: 13 Sep 2006
Price: 777 yen
Catalog Number: NECM-10048

I've not heard the song yet but judging from the title, this seems like an interesting number though. I wonder what the title means...

Yukimura Seiichi - Yume no Tsuzuki (The Continuation of Dreams)

Track List:
1) Yume no Tsuzuki
2) Yume no Tsuzki (Original Karaoke)
3) Talk Time ~ Vol.34 P180~

Date of Release: 29 Aug 2006
Price: 777 yen
Catalog Number: NECM-10049

I've listened to the song but doesn't feel anything special towards it. As for the talk section, I think the content refers to a particular point in the manga i.e. Vol 34's page 180 but I don't see any page 180 for that volume. Thus, I have no idea whether that is referring to the manga or the anime's DVD after all.

Higa Player Series' CDs

Here are the CDs from Higa members under the Best of Rival Players series:

The Best of Rival Players XXVI: Kite Eishiro
Track List:
1) Autumn Breeze
2) Autumn Breeze (Remix Version)
3) Autumn Breeze (Original Karaoke)
4) Voice Message

Release Date: 19 Aug 2006
Price: 1190 yen
Catalog Number: NECM-11036


The Best of Rival Players XXVII: Tanishi Kei
Track List:
1) COSMOS
2) COSMOS (Remix Version)
3) COSMOS (Original Karaoke)
4) Voice Message

Release Date: 19 Aug 2006
Price: 1190 yen
Catalog Number: NECM-11037


The Best of Rival Players XXVIII: Chinen Hiroshi
Track List:
1) Michishirube
2) Michishirube (Remix Version)
3) Michishirube (Original Karaoke)
4) Voice Message

Release Date: 19 Aug 2006
Price: 1190 yen
Catalog Number: NECM-11038


The Best of Rival Players XXIX: Hirakoba Rin
Track List:
1) I*FEEL*FREE
2) I*FEEL*FREE (Remix Version)
3) I*FEEL*FREE (Original Karaoke)
4) Voice Message

Release Date: 19 Aug 2006
Price: 1190 yen
Catalog Number: NECM-11039


The Best of Rival Players XXX: Kai Yujirou
Track List:
1) Diida no Shima
2) Diida no Shima (Remix Version)
3) Diida no Shima (Original Karaoke)
4) Voice Message

Date of Release: 19 Aug 2006
Price: 1190 yen
Catalog Number: NECM-11040

Tenipuri Calendars

There are 2 Tenipuri 2007 calendars to be released in Oct where one is produced by Shueisha (the publisher which releases the manga) and the other by Try-X which is based on the anime images. As such, the pictures featured on both items will not be the same in addition to the dimensions being different.

Shueisha version
Catalog Number: NEOSL-11389
Price: 2000 yen (inclusive of tax)
Release Date: 10 Oct 2006

Try-X version
Catalog Number: 2007CL-177
Price: 1680 yen
Release Date: 21 Oct 2006

Otanjoubi Omedetou, Mukahi Gakuto!

Today's the birthday of Mukahi Gakuto, the "jumping" specialist from Hyotei who is usually paired up with Oshitari Yuushi. The only exception was seeing him go solo against Momoshiro during the Karuizawa training camp and in the Nationals where his partner was Hiyoshi Wakashi. Mukahi and Oshitari call each other by their first names which suggests how close they must be since the others call one another by their surnames. To be honest, I am always reminded of Gackt whenever Mukahi's first name is mentioned because of the similarity in the pronunciation but they are as different as chalk and cheese. Still, it never fails to tickle me whenever I am reminded of Mukahi and I really wonder if it was deliberate on Konomi-sensei's part to give him such a name.

Name: Mukahi Gakuto
School: Hyotei Gakuen Year 3
Date of Birth: 12 Sep
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Height: 158cm
Weight: 48kg
Blood Group: B
Playstyle: Serve and Volley, Left-handed
Favourite Shoes: K.SWISS Preventor 2000
Favourite Racket: BRIDGESTONE Wing Boom M45
Special Technique: Moon Salute
Favourite Food: Deep-fried chicken, nato
Hobbies: bungee-jumping, collecting accessories with feathers
Family: Parents, elder sister and younger brother
Father's occupation: Owner of an electrical appliances store
Subjects good at: chemistry, English and physical education
Favourite colour: Red

Tenipuri Handphone Strap with Fortune-telling can

Mekke! has a new item in the Tenipuri product range where a handphone strap with a fortune-telling can is now available via its website. There are five versions of lots to be drawn featuring famous lines of characters i.e. "Kanpeki Paapeki" - Kikumaru Eiji (Very Lucky), "Yuudan Sezu ni Ikou" - Tezuka Kunimitsu (Moderately Lucky), "Mada Mada Dane" - Echizen Ryoma (Slightly Lucky), "God Damn!" - Kawamura Takashi (Lucky) and "Ground Hyakushuu!" - Tezuka Kunimitsu (Very Unlucky). The catalog number of this item is 4530430128037 and it's sold at 800 yen. The charater featured in this product measuring 128mm is Echizen Ryoma.

Rajipuri Sep 2006

The hosts for Sep 2006's Rajipuri will be Onosaka Masaya and Kusunoki Taiten who play Momoshiro Takeshi and Sanada Genichirou respectively.

As for the theme songs, the OP will be "Billy's Target" by Fuji Shuusuke while the ED will be "Yume no Tsuzuki" by Yukimura Seiichi.

OVA Vol 5 Information

OVA Vol 5's DVD will be released on 24 Nov 2006 and consists of episodes 8 and 9. More information as follows:

Specifications: 46 mins / Colour / Dolby Digital Stereo
Price: 5250 yen
Catalog Number: BCBA-2465
Freebies: 2 photos of characters & audio commentary by Sengoku Kiyosumi and Dan Taiichi

Ep 8: Arashi no Yokan (The signs of a storm)
About Hyotei's resolve to beat Seigaku as revenge for the defeat they suffered during the Kantou Tournament first round and Ryoma's first meeting with Tooyama Kintarou from Shitenbouji.

Ep 9: Orenai Kokoro (The heart which refuses to admit defeat)
About the S3 match between Momoshiro Takeshi and Oshitari Yuushi

Fuji Shuusuke's 3rd maxi single, "Billy's Target"

Fuji Shuusuke will release his third single on 13 Sep and the details are as follows:

Title: Billy's Target
Artiste: Fuji Shuusuke (Kaida Yuuki)
Date of Release: 13 Sep 2006
Catalog Number: NECM-10048
Price: 777 yen

In conjunction with the launch of this single, there will be 2 talkshows featuring Fuji's seiyuu, Kaida Yuuki on 7 Oct, Saturday (which also happens to be Tezuka's birthday!). The first session begins at 12.30pm while the latter begins at 3pm. The venue is at Yoyogi Animation School's Akiba Campus

To get tickets for the event, fans will have to purchase the single at Gamers' stores and collect the tickets on the date of the CD's release from 11am onwards. Tickets are issued on a first-come-first-served basis but fans can choose which session they wish to attend. Branches taking part in the distribution of tickets include those in Machida, Akihabara, Shinjuku, Omiya and Tachikawa. Note that the Machida store will distribute the tickets at 10.30am instead of 11am in the other stores.

Echizen Ryoma 2004 Live Concert Goods on Sale

Animate will be selling goods from Echizen Ryoma's 2004 concert at its stores except the Tokushima branch which were previously available at the concert venue on an exclusive basis. However, the range of goods to be made available at the stores will vary. Here's the list of items which are now on sale:

- Pamphlet 2000 yen
- T-shirt 2800 yen
- Camisole 2500 yen
- Handphone strap 1000 yen
- Misanga 1200 yen
- Clear File 315 yen
- Paper Bag 700 yen