*update* Here’s a copy of a letter sent by odex. (Found by TJ HAN) It’s quite interesting the number of episodes that he was concurrently downloading. Some thoughts by Darkmirage on this issue. Not sure how right he is, but he does make some good points.

*update 2* Zaobao reports that a total of 17 letters were sent out.

Look what I got in my mailbox today, an email from the NUS PROVOST.

Recently the University was approached by a representative of a local authorised distributor of foreign television programmes, including anime, and of the Anti-Video Piracy Association, Singapore and was informed that various illegal online downloads of anime had been made from IP addresses belonging to NUS during the months of March and April this year.

I guess this pretty much confirms whether those warnings about clamping down on illegal downloads of anime are real.

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The last time I blogged about this illegal downloads topic, I actually got news that while it’s true, they were not really starting to execute it yet. But it seems like all that is about to change.

You can see a list of liscensed anime here.

After asking various people that I think would know better, I can’t confirm whether this is actually happening, although my instincts tell me that the government is serious this time. Don’t ask me things like whether Bittorrent / youtube / crunchroll is illegal. I have no idea, and if you’re worried, you shouldn’t try any of them but should buy the licensed VCDs instead. Besides I think it’s hard to quantify whether the actual creators of anime gain or lose out by the use of fansubs.

Don’t bother debating what effects this has on the anime community in Singapore. Whether good or bad, it has been debated to death over and over again. I guess the government believes that it’s vital to uphold Singapore’s reputation as a place that protect intellectual property.

Obviously I have no idea whether this is fact or fiction, but you’re better off stopping downloads.

Anyway, personally for this blog, I haven’t decided what to do with it. I’m considering whether to continue blogging about unlicensed anime titles, (compared to the list mentioned above), and letting my jap friends fill in some blanks as well.

Yup. No idea where I would go from here. But the most sad part to me is that this would definitely mean the death of the current local anime blogging community. (It will probably still exist, just in a modified form)

*update* Odex is updating their website to include translator’s blog, paid anime downloads. That should be interesting.

*another update* Actually, I’m pretty upset with the comments I see in the singapore blogsphere in general with regards to anime downloads. It shows how much we’ve come to think of anime as “free stuff”. I’m quite excited with what Odex and companies are planning to do, why won’t people just give them a chance. Time to do things within a legal framework. Half the time, the reasonings I see behind arguments are just plain excuses.

*update 3* Check out latest entry regarding more updated information, especially some news article that appeared on straitstimes and newpaper.  Information available includes how much is the fine ($3k-5k) and which isp are affected. (Singnet and Starhub definitely are. Pacnet has recieved a court order to ask them to match users to the I.P. addresses.)

Urban Attic is having their next quarterly sale, this time they have liaise with have liaise with MyToyBox, ToyCrazi from Singapore; FreePro Marketing from Hongkong. The sale is divided into 3 parts, from 11-2, 2-4, 4-6 (not sure what this actually means). But the queues were horribly long last time round, so go early. See figurines on sale from $20-50 (I think, they were dirt cheap the last time round) Urban attic is located on 5th floor at funan

If you were like me, you would have blinked and missed ordering Max Fac’s Nagato online. (HLJ for me) It’s alright, I’m slow and just discovered that treasure island does pre-orders as well. Their pre-orders cost the exact same price as HLJ’s retail price. (but no shipping costs!) I put down an order for GSC’s nendroid Nagato (which will cost S$38) and Max Fac’s Nagato (S$72). The pre-order is until 14th march, and the actual retail price is around $42 and $82 respectively (if I didn’t see wrongly) If you’re overseas and want to, I suppose I could help u order.

Just for my own note…. I’m going to go broke. I’ve got Zero Louis and Nayuki arriving by SAL soon…. March has E2046’s nagato… April has restock of fate testorossa and Max Fac Haruhi. May has Nendriod Haruhi and Mai from Kanon. June will see the Nendroid Nagato and Max Fac Nagato.

Just wanted to bring some more attention which I first read on theOtaku.com. For the first time, Seiyuus were honoured with awards at the Tokyo Anime Center in Akihabara, Japan. I’ve always looked out for the seiyuus in an anime series, because I think they play a major role as well.

Unfortunately though, I either didn’t recognise the seiyuu, or didn’t think that they particularly stand out. (Doesn’t mean they don’t deserve their awards). Of course there weren’t many surprises, like Aya Hirano winning one for Best New Comer.

I wanted to highlight Yui Kano though, who voices Momoko in Sumomomo. Her voice acting as Momoko was just absolutely unique and suitable. You could just go on hearing her chant “Koushi-dono!”

Born 22nd Dec 1983, She’s from Sumida, Tokyo. (um. that’s all I know about her!) Seems like Momoko is her first major role. ANN Wikipedia 

Hopefully this would mean more major roles for her in future seasons.

List of awards after the break

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Akiharabanews reports a new USB gadget which is basically an anime figurine that connects to your computer and reads out your outlook appointment and tasks. It’s even voiced by the original seiyuu and includes software you need to install, and basically speaks only japanese.

Try more varieties of figurines and I might just be interested in getting one, even if I totally don’t understand japanese.

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I hope everyone enjoyed their valentines day. Me? I celebrated Singles Awareness Day instead… haha. Not a single chocolate recieved today, so there’s no need to give away anything on White day in a month’s time.

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