Donna Burke in concert

Donna Burke in her Tokyo studio

This year mega-hit video game Metal Gear Solid (over 50 million games sold worldwide) turns 30 and the big anniversary will be celebrated on August 2nd with a stylish concert at Tokyo International Forum Hall A.

The Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra will play the saga's iconic music while huge screens will show some of the game's famous scenes.

And last but not least, voice actress and anime singer Donna Burke, whom I've had the pleasure to interview twice, will sing some of the songs.  

The Japanese concert will be followed by a World Tour. 

Comiket Nostalgie

Comic Market - or Comiket, as this event is usually called - is the world’s biggest dojinshi (fanzine) fair and arguably Japan’s largest otaku gathering, visited by more than half a million people twice a year.

Here's a great video about the 28th edition (1985)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqtzepfEt-I where you can see how cosplayers looked back in the day.
You can find more information on dojinshi, Comiket, and other such events in the Odaiba chapter (p. 116-124) of the brand-new Tokyo Geek's Guide.
https://www.amazon.com/Tokyo-Geeks-Guide-Cosplay-Ultimate/dp/4805313854/ref=zg_bsnr_16797_4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=2REEK0JNGHT4XMZY98K4

171 posters for 171 stations

Rokudenashi Blues poster in Ikebukuro Station (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)

If you are in Tokyo NOW you may want to go on a manga poster treasure hunt of sorts.

World-famous Shonen Jump magazine turns 50 this year, and they have decided to celebrate by creating 171 different posters featuring some of their more popular manga stories - one for each of the 171 stations of the huge Tokyo subway system.

Here are some of Tokyo's main stations.

City Hunter poster in Shinjuku Station (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line

Cat's Eye poster in Ginza Station (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)

Captain Tsubasa paster in Tokyo Station (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)



Ginga Nagareboshi Gin poster in Shibuya Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)

Dr. Slump poster in Asakusa Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)

Fist of the North Star poster in Roppongi Station (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)

Dr. Slump poster in Akihabara Station (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line)

Dragon Ball poster in Nagatacho Station (Tokyo Metro Nanboku Line)

The posters will be on display until August 31.

But if you are not in Tokyo or you are too lazy to brave the muggy weather, do not despair: You can actually see all the 171 poster here http://www.huffingtonpost.jp/2017/07/20/story_n_17548064.html

Therse are the posters on the Nanboku Line. Click on こちら when you reach the end, and you can jump to different subway lines.  

For more information on manga, anime, and how to get around in Tokyo, don't forget to check out my brand-new otaku guide to Tokyo!

https://www.amazon.com/Tokyo-Geeks-Guide-Cosplay-Ultimate/dp/4805313854/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493858420&sr=8-1&keywords=tokyo+geeks+guide

 

Tokyo Geek's Guide reviewed (6)

The Japan Times was kind enough to review my book.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2017/07/22/books/book-reviews/tokyo-geeks-guide-mapping-epicenter-otaku-culture/#.WXP4JdIUlMt
Yeah, I know what you all think: Gianni contributes to the JT, so no way they are going to trash his book. Don't you dare! The JT is a serious paper; one of the few reliable papers left in Japan.

Tokyo Geek's Guide reviewed (5)

Zoom Japan, the UK edition of the ever-expanding Zoom publishing empire, reviewed my book.
http://www.zoomjapan.info/2017/07/17/no53-book-tokyo-the-capital-of-pop-culture/
Zoom Japan is the go-to magazine for all things Japan. Check it out!

Tokyo Geek's Guide reviewed (4)

Japan Daily has just published an interesting review of my book by ace comic artist Adam Pasion.
https://japandaily.jp/tokyo-geeks-guide-4237/
Adam is, among other things, one of the organizers of Comic Art Tokyo http://www.comicarttokyo.com/, the new kid on the block of the crowded comic/manga event calendar. Check it out!

Tokyo Geek's Guide reviewed (3)

This review comes from UK's Game Spew, the go-to place to keep updated on anything video game-related.

https://www.gamespew.com/2017/07/we-found-the-perfect-guide-for-the-traveling-otaku/

Tokyo Geek's Guide reviewed (2)

Here's a new review of my book courtesy of Absolute Anime.
http://www.absoluteanime.com/reviews/tokyo_geeks_guide/index.htm
Thanks Ken Innes IV for the kind words.

(158,000 monthly visitors)

 

 

 

Tokyo Geek’s Guide

Manga, Anime, Gaming, Cosplay, Toys, Idols & More- The Ultimate Guide to Japan’s Otaku Culture

By Gianni Simone

ISBN: 9784805313855 ● $16.95 ● Paperback ● July 11, 2017

 

 

“The book is filled with pictures which help to capture the experience for those that have not been to Japan, and they do a very good job. Even though it's been almost 20 years since I've been those pictures instantly brought back memories of seeing the shops and the women dressed up in anime-inspired outfits trying to get you into the stores. Overall, a very well-laid out book for those anime fans who will be traveling to Japan.”-Ken Innes IV, Absolute Anime 

 

 

See the review here.

 

COMITIA 121

COMITIA is coming again like clockwork at the end of August.
Here's the poster design for the upcoming edition.

COMITIA is one of the Big Three dojinshi events in Tokyo (it is featured on page 122 of my Tokyo Geek's Guide).

Though smaller than the Comic Market and Comic City, COMITIA has a wider geographical reach as it is held in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Niigata and Sapporo. In Tokyo it is held in February, May, August and November.

The other noteworthy peculiarity is that niji sosaku (manga parodies) are banned so only original productions can be sold—not only manga but CDs, accessories and other items as well. Following the same logic, even cosplaying is not allowed. On the other hand, professional artists can sell their works along with the amateur circles but only as individuals (i.e. company booths are not admitted). 

There's no admission ticket but you need to buy the catalogue (1,000 yen at the door). Among other things, the catalogue will show you where each artist's booth is located.

20 August (11:00–16:00) Tokyo Big Sight.

If you can read Japanese, their website is definitely worth a look.

http://www.comitia.co.jp/