Anime Review: Toaru Majutsu no Index II

Sequels tend to be more fan service with little or linear story development and here it seems to be the case. Whereas the story continues on throwing in random events, it does little to explain the plot and has left many questions unanswered.

Synopsis:

Index is still a fugitive and many powerful Magical organizations and individuals want to take her to use the books in her memory eliminating her in the process. War between those organizations is also starting to emerge. Index can only rely on her friend Touma who has always protected her along with Misaka and other friends from the Academy.

Review:

WARNING: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS.

Gameloft unveils five new free-to-play casual games for Android

Gameloft has announced that they will be expanding their Let's Play brand with five more games launching this summer on Google Play. Let's Play is geared towards casual mobile gamers in a free-to-play (read IAP-heavy) format. The new games will be:

• Cosmic Colony: The action unfolds on a mysterious planet where players must create and organize their colony and make it prosper. Surprising events and space missions await players of all ages as they become space pioneers.
• Monster Life: With its original design, this game lets both the young and the young at heart interact with 3D papercraft monsters, build their habitats, take care of them, and train them to battle other monsters throughout various quests.
• MY LITTLE PONY : Featuring everyone’s favorite characters such as PINKIE PIE and TWILIGHT SPARKLE from the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic animated series, created by Hasbro Studios and currently airing on the The HUB TV Network in the US. Girls and fans of all ages will look forward to building their very own town of Ponyville, while enjoying a series of mini games that are sure to please.
• Kingdoms & Lords: In this simulation and strategy game, players can build their own kingdom and form an army to hold off barbarian invaders. Players can battle each other to prove who has the better army in this compelling title.
• UNO® & Friends: This new game will let the huge worldwide base of UNO® fans connect with one another on smartphones, tablets or Facebook. Players will enjoy having the ability to challenge up to 3 other players in real time, while interacting using the in-game chat modes as well. A game started on a smartphone or tablet can be finished on Facebook, and vice versa

[via Android Central]

Studio Ghibli’s “Princess Mononoke” to get stage play adaptation in London

It was announced that anime film “Princess Mononoke“, which Studio Ghibli released in 1997, will be getting a stage play adaptation in London.

“Princess Mononoke” was written and directed by Miyazaki Hayao, and it was the first animation film to receive the Best Picture of the Japan Academy Awards.

This adaptation is the collaboration between Studio Ghibli and theater company, Whole Hog Theatre. Reportedly, the plan was already made a couple of years ago, but it took over a year to make a theatrical adaptation. Though the details on the play have not been revealed yet, the music for the play will be newly written. Moreover, as the story tells the disharmony between civilization and nature that raises an environmental issue, giant puppets made from recycled materials will make appearances in the play.

This play will be presented at New Diorama Theatre in London during April 2nd ~ 6th 2013, and there is no plan on bringing it to Japan at this moment. Also, all the tickets for the play have already been sold out.

More information can be found here.

Source: Tokyohive