______Wing Of Tears______

Friday, July 29, 2011

\\*Damn it.*//

Damn it. damnit damnit damnit. FUCKING parents. What the heck. WHy the hell. Comparing me to my cousin. GOD FUCKING DAMN IT. I am very pissed.

Teared On|2:06 AM|

Monday, June 7, 2010

\\**//

I'm bored. and i'm tired. Have fun

********************
Games:
A survey of 3,000 Japanese gamers asking them to identify their favourite Square Enix game franchise yields results which are predictable, if at times out of step with actual sales…

The ranking, not including overseas (i.e. Eidos) titles or Square Enix’s line of DS travel guides, which otherwise would somehow manage to rank 6th:

1. Dragon Quest – 30.3%

2. Final Fantasy – 20.4%

3. SaGa – 6.7%

4. Seiken Densetsu (Mana) – 5.7%

5. Chrono Series – 4%

6. Itadaki Street – 3.4%

7. Kingdom Hearts – 2.9%

8. Front Mission – 2.8%

9. Valkyrie Profile – 2.7%

10. Full Metal Alchemist – 2.7%

NOt gonna post anything else.

Teared On|1:21 AM|

Saturday, May 22, 2010

\\*Of Vocaloids, Teachers, Square Enix, Loli, and Hikikomori.*//

A day of band has just passed. Yay! Here's the news.
*********************************
Vocaloids: A Vocaloid album, Vocalogenesis, has hit the number one spot in Japan’s national album charts. The Oricon charts ending for the 18th of May listed the Vocaloid album “Exit Tunes Presents Vocalogenesis feat. Hatsune Miku” as the top selling album, either demonstrating that concentrated otaku buying habits are the stuff marketers dream of, or, more flatteringly, that Vocaloid music is earning mainstream appeal. The tunes in question will probably be familiar to Vocaloid fans.

A female teacher is alleging she was cowed into submission and then sexually enslaved by one of her students.

The teacher, in her forties and working at a Chiba prefecture high school, claims she was the victim of a male first year pupil.

It is alleged that for three months in 2009 she exchanged 657 emails with the boy, as well as giving him lifts in her car and taking him out to dinner.

She also reports late night meetings with the boy, in which he requested she kiss him – she obliged.

The boy withdrew from the school for unrelated reasons, and she was later to claim that he had enslaved her:

“I was controlled by my student, I didn’t know what he’d do to me if I didn’t go along with his demands. I’m the victim of indecent assault!”
The prefectural board of education disagreed and punished her for abuse of trust with a disciplinary pay cut, though only 10% for 6 months.

Just whether this is a genuine case of a schoolboy sexually enslaving his teacher or merely one of a teacher trying to get herself off the hook by claiming she was being raped is an interesting question.

*********************************************
Square Enix:
Interviews with the developers of Square Enix’s new Nier franchise reveal a bizarre development saga in which arguments over whether western audiences could stomach a typical girly JRPG lead eventually lead to the company making two versions of the game.

Square Enix’s new “Nier” franchise launched with two games, Gestalt (PS3/360) and Replicant (PS3), each with radically differnet character designs for the hero; however only Gestalt was released in the west, as “Nier” – comparisons of the two attracted some attention.

The interview concerning this odd decision included publisher Square Enix’s Executive Producer Yosuke Saito, and developer Cavia’s Nier director Taro Yoko:

Saito: We were initially planning an Xbox 360 target, which we expanded to PS3 multiplatform afterwards. However, the production process turned out to be quite storied.

Yoko: At first we were just doing the youthful protagonist version (which became “Replicant”), but Square Enix started taking talking about international markets during development.

Yoko: In fact, an argument erupted at Square Enix’s Los Angeles studio, over whether a thin looking male character [hereafter translated as “girly”] was possible for the game. For the North American consumers, it was decided to provide a macho main.

Yoko: A heated discussion ensued once the American and European staff were gathered to discuss it. It was said that “A slender and girly protagonist like this couldn’t possibly swing a huge sword like that, it’s ridiculous.” Certainly, if you look at American games it’s always muscle bound mains who look like they play American football.

Saito: We thought that as it’s a new IP, it really must sell, and we were persuaded [by the Japanese staff’s desire to make a girly lead] – we opted to leave the Japanese version with the girly character, and instead make two different versions.

Saito: We did realize that not all international audiences are the same though – it was thought that Replicant [the girly version] might be suitable for the French, as they have a greater appreciation of Japanese culture.

Yoko: That meeting was pretty amazing. A lot of people were arguing for making only the macho old guy version for cost reasons, and we [the Japanese developers] were saying “But if we don’t make a girly version we’ll lose heart and it’ll take even longer.”

Saito: As a result, the Japanese PS3 version only became the girly version, and both PS3 and Xbox 360 international version were the macho old guy versions.
Curiously, the obvious choice of eschewing the entire “Epic vs Enix” problem by just making universally sexy Kainé the protagonist seems not to have occurred to them, although considering the approach they took to depicting her in the US comics this is perhaps for the best.

The obsession Japanese RPG publishers have with supplying western audiences with its crude interpretation of the muscle bound heroes they see as key to the success of American games seems almost pathological – Square Enix actually made two games rather than have to risk releasing an insufficiently masculine lead to supposedly testosterone loving American audiences.

Unfortunately for both supporters and detractors of macho protagonists, the Nier games have received mediocre reviews and would likely have sunk without trace were it not for the cunning inclusion of futanari Kainé – finally proving whether western audiences (apparently shorthand for “American audiences” amongst RPG publishers) really can’t stomach girly androgynous protagonists will have to wait.
Original

Western

**************************************************
Loli:
Top loli manga anthology Comic LO has a stark message for its substantial online-only illegal readership, hammered home by a weeping loli – “When you illegally upload, you’re killing our lovers!”

More sinisterly, they tell fans that illegal uploads allow even dirty foreigners to get their hands on Japan’s arts, which could encourage more censorship, as ever missing the point that it is Japanese extremists pushing for a ban in pursuit of their own interests.

The rest of their missive to lolicon pirates runs thus:

Illegally uploading magazines or manga is an unforgivable betrayal of manga culture. To protect lovely 2D girls, you mustn’t do it!

Illegal uploads are really getting out of hand!

If you thoughtlessly spread Japanese ero-manga overseas, you may cause needless international friction due to the differences in expression. In the worst case, it might cause manga censorship. Minors might see them too.

Illegal uploads are akin to betraying your otaku brothers, and are practically robbery. Whether you have money or not, uploads bring a danger of causing others to forget the value and importance of manga.

By damaging sales of manga you decrease the morale of mangaka – won’t they just think “If I’m not going to be rewarded, why even bother?” Some creators have become so discouraged by the prevalence of illegal uploads they had to stop writing. The environment which allows the creation of 2D bishoujo is really under threat!
Just whether the magazine’s child fancying readership can be relied upon to maintain the ethical standards LO seems intent on encouraging remains to be seen, although sadly they probably can be relied upon to respond favourably to a call to xenophobia.

******************************
Hikikomori:
The Japanese government has published research suggesting 80% of the nation’s hikikomori may be mentally ill, with two thirds of those diagnosed having such serious conditions as schizophrenia or mental retardation.

A research group from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare cooperated with psychiatrists working at 5 mental health treatment centres over several years. They examined hikikomori cases involving subjects aged 16-35 who approached the centre for assistance.

Approximately 80% of the cases resulted in a firm diagnosis, and of those a third involved mental conditions such as schizophrenia or anxiety disorder, all of which were considered to require medication.

A further third involved mental retardation and developmental disorders.

The remaining third were considered to have generic “personality defects” or “maladjustment,” and were prescribed treatment centred on counseling.

Researchers guess there may be as many as 260,000 child hikikomori in Japan, and are urging that they receive attention from mental health professionals lest they develop into lifetime hikikomori.

The wider implications of even conducting such research suggest the government may be interested in addressing its inconvenient hikikomori problem by redefining what has traditionally been seen as a social phenomenon as a medical condition, an approach which could perhaps eventually culminate in involuntary treatment for hikikomori.

Teared On|4:25 AM|

Monday, May 17, 2010

\\*Tears Period Begins*//

Here's the new blogskin. Quite simple. What i'm worried about is the pics. They can't be seen fully. Oh, well. Now begins the Tears Period.

Teared On|3:46 AM|

\\*Of Pwnage, Number 1 Wives, Difficult Games, and Probably a New Skin.*//

Oh, well. Today was kinda nice. 3 on 4, and 3 won. Me, Jy, and WX pwned LY, SQ, MK and QJ. Pwnage on either situations. Anyway, not really much news today. Here's some random news.....
*********************************

A ranking of the current season’s anime conducted by retailer Cospa by way of polling of Akiba shoppers reveals a major upset, with longtime imaginary wife Yui supplanted by the angelic Tenshi-chan…

The new top 3 otaku wives:

1. Tenshi

2. Hirasawa Yui

3. Akiyama Mio

The top 10 series:

1. K-ON!

2. Angel Beats!

3. Working!!

4. Mayoi Neko Overrun

5. Arakawa Under the Bridge

6. Ookiku Furikabutte

7. Shin-Koihime Musou

8. Kaichou wa Meido-sama

9. Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaoh

10. B-gata H-kei

A challenger to K-ON! may well have arisen this season.
**************************************

A ranking of the most difficult games ever to torment gamers with their release has prompted many to observe just how many of the list are Japanese in origin…

The ranking:

1. Ninja Gaiden Black (2005, Team Ninja / Xbox)

2. Super Ghouls ‘n Ghosts (1991, Capcom / SNES)

3. Contra (1987, Konami / NES)

4. Demon’s Souls (2009, From / PS3)

5. Battletoads (1991, Rare / NES)

6. Ikaruga (2001, Treasure / Dreamcast)

7. Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening (2005, Capcom / PS2)

8. Shinobi (2002, Sega / PS2)

9. Metal Gear Solid (1998, Konami / PS1)

10. Jet Set Willy (1984, Software Projects / ZXS)
*******************

Yeah. As I said. I'll probably get a new skin. Probably on Hearts now. Current one is on Rider from Fate/Stay Night, just so you know what period it is. This is currently the Rider(Fate/Stay) Period.

Teared On|3:17 AM|

Sunday, May 16, 2010

\\*Of Beautiful Painted Sceneries, Train Vocaloids, and Jealousy.*//

Hi, guys. Nick here. Stumbled on a veeeeeeeeeery nice painting of a rural Japan.

*******************************************

Hatsune Miku fans have been enraged by the decision of Japan Rail East to throw out the top voted names for its new E5 Shinkansen, which included “Hatsune,” instead picking the name which came 7th with just 2% of the vote.

JR put the naming of its new locomotive to the vote, and the train soon captured the attention of Miku fans with its familiar green styling, causing them to flood the poll with “Hatsune” votes.

In the final count, 150,000 votes in all, “Hatsune” came second, with first place going to “Hatsukari,” the name of a scrapped train, likely block-voted by creepy train otaku.

However, organisers ignored these and selected “Hayabusa” (“Falcon”), which came 7th with only 3,129 votes, saying they liked its “sense of speed” and its “friendliness.”
****************************************

And here are ten top seeds of jealousy for both genders.

For jealous women:

1. A wide circle of friends

2. Lucky

3. Nice body

4. High income

5. Rich family

6. Cool or cute

7. Nice skin

8. Gift of gab

9. Lovely spouse

10. Popularity
The survey is once again too polite to say “large breasts,” although it can probably be inferred that this is the major component of a “nice body.”

For jealous men:

1. High income

2. Luck

3. Popularity

4. Gift of gab

5. Rich family

6. Good at work

7. A wide circle of friends

8. Clever

9. Lovely spouse

10. Cool or cute
Similar sentiments seem to be felt by both genders, with the very conspicuous exception of the number one spot in both rankings – money and friendships are, not surprisingly, valued rather differently across the sexes.
***********************************

Well....I'm done. Not much for 16/05/10. Viva la Vitae!!!

Teared On|3:53 AM|

Saturday, May 15, 2010

\\*Of Depression, Pantsu, Racism, Spouses, Sony, Stupid Videos and REVIVAL VIVA LA VIDA!!!!!*//

Tch. Not very happy........uwahhh!!!!! *cries* oh, well. nevermind. let's go. news time.

The lascivious behaviour to be undertaken by Japan’s precocious schoolgirls takes the form of an inexplicable act of schoolgirl exposure, the girl in question apparently demanding $60 for a glimpse of her precious pantsu.

The incident reportedly took place in Wakayama prefecture as a middle-aged area resident was walking about town; he was approached by what appeared to be a middle or high schoolgirl. He was shocked to find that instead of striking up a conversation, the girl instead struck up skirt, laconically telling him “5,000 yen.”

All he could get out was “What are you doing?” before the girl had trotted back to her two waiting friends and left the scene. Whether a new marketing ploy for her pantsu, a random act of exhibitionism or a half-conceived act of extortion, nobody can say. ............

*************************
Racist Japanese have bullied a Chinese Vocaloid fan into deleting his Hatsune Miku MAD, all because he had the temerity to have the virtual idol sing in Chinese.

The song in question, 月・西江, was shaping up to be quite popular prior to being deleted. After uploading to NicoNico Douga, he was subjected to the usual deluge of racist comments which await anything China or Korea related coming to the attention of 2ch or Nico.
The storm of negative comments soon discouraged the uploader, a 20-year-old student from China’s southern province of Guangxi, and he felt he had no option but to remove the video, saying in Japanese: “Thank you all for your support. But rather than preventing everyone from getting along thanks to this video, it is perhaps better I delete it.”

Of course, many Japanese were disgusted by the antics of the hyper-xenophobic fringe which constitutes much of the userbase of 2ch and NicoNico Douga – unfortunately their words of encouragement came too late

*******************************************
A survey of Japanese men and women reveals just what qualities it is they seek from a prospective husband or wife; the results may very well not be surprising…
For women:
1. Stable work
2. Kindness
3. Desires children
4. Health
5. Compatibility with your parents
6. Good at housework
7. Saves money
8. Is serious
9. Independent from his parents and family
10. Possesses fortitude
The survey’s wording is too polite to say “he has lots of money” (although other surveys are not so circumspect), so it is reasonable to equate this to the “stable job” requirement.
For men:
1. Kindness
2. Good at housework
3. Desires children
4. Understanding about your work
5. Understanding about your hobbies
6. Healthy
7. Compatibility with your parents
8. Calm
9. Possesses fortitude
10. Doesn’t interfere all the time
Leaving aside the desire for a reasonable personality shared by both sexes, quite a gulf between the expectations of the sexes is evident, with women rather concerned with what their partner will do for them in material terms, and men apparently more concerned with what they can avoid having done to them by their partner.

****************************************
The US Air Force is less than pleased with Sony for removing the PS3’s Linux support, although unlike most Sony critics it does actually use the OtherOS feature, in a supercomputing cluster of PS3s which it complains is now doomed by a lack of replacement units. The US Air Force Research Laboratory built a 53 teraflop cluster of 336 PS3s in 2009 by way of a test, and then added a further 1,700 PS3s in early 2010 after being satisfied with the results. It claims the PS3 cluster solution is much cheaper than the conventional alternatives. The Air Force Research Laboratory now publicly laments the decision by Sony to remove Linux support, as although it does not connect to the PlayStation Network or use games, it does make it impossible to replace broken units: “This will make it difficult to replace systems that break or fail. The refurbished PS3s also have the problem that when they come back from Sony, they have the firmware (gameOS) and it will not allow Other OS, which seems wrong. We are aware of class-action lawsuits against Sony for taking away this option on systems that used to have it.” Sony’s supposed advertising of such alternative usages of the PS3 has been mentioned in the lawsuit, so the Air Force may yet find itself drawn into the fray. Sony for its part is probably happy to be rid of its research customers – console hardware is usually sold at a loss, with profits coming from software sales, so from Sony’s perspective cluster users are little better than parasites taking advantage of its subsidised Cell processors. The PR benefits of such usage may well be vastly outweighed by the cost of such subsidies. Equally, cheapskate research institutes cobbling together supercomputers from subsidised home consoles are hardly in a position to complain – on the contrary, the Air Force appears happy to suck up the loss and has no intention of stopping with the PS3: “The gaming and graphics market continues to push the state of the art and lowers the cost of High Performance Computing, FLOPS/WATTS per dollar. This is important for embedded HPC, our area of expertise. The HPC environment is rapidly changing; leveraging technology that is subsidized by large consumer markets will always have large cost advantages. This gives us the experience (lesson learned) to develop HPC with low-cost hardware, benefitting the tax payer, Air Force, Air Force Research Lab while utilizing limited DoD budgets.”
*********************************
Stupid video of the day: (it took me 10 days to do this. please appreciate it. some are taken from h-animes, but none show explicit material. that's the truth. I'm just so......depressed to lie..... T.T)

Teared On|7:05 AM|