RA:N

The State Of RUN AROUND:NETWORK

noreply@blogger.com (Hikaru Kazushime) — Wed, 01 May 2013 13:02:00 +0000

As some of you may or may not know, RA:N has been in the process of reorganizing and restructuring the company and website for the past several months.

Almost a month and a half after a very successful relaunch in August 2012, CEO, Founder, and Lead Editor Hikaru Kazushime announced on his official Facebook page that he would begin to issue a plan that would quickly "redo" some things around the site, and that some of the "inner-workings" of RUN AROUND:NETWORK would be changed up to better support the company's goals for 2013 and beyond.

He also stated that while he was pleased with the general reception of RA:N's relaunch, he still felt that with a little more time and change, we could present a product that is even closer to his ideal vision for the current state of the company and overall design for the website.

Starting at the end of October and leading through the 2012 holiday season, Kazu came down with several cases of The Flu, Bronchitis, and Sinusitis that has resulted in the prolonged maintenance and "stalled-state" hiatus of the website and company.
Kazu is the soul organizer, developer, and everything else here at RA:N, so until he recovers things will be on-hold.

However, Kazu is currently on the road to recovery and would like to announce that activity around RA:N should be returning soon in the coming weeks.
A reorganized layout is on the way, followed by several big announcements that Kazu is very excited to share with you.

In the meantime, there will be several changes around the website and in the RA:Extend/social networks as things will be prepared for what Kazushime is calling, "A major comeback."

Below is a statement from RA:N CEO, Hikaru Kazushime:

"Be prepared for a major comeback. We've went down a long time, came back, and went down again. But that doesn't mean the cycle will keep repeating as it has in the past. Even when things are down I am still working behind-the-scenes to prepare for what's coming and also working on what has yet to be revealed. Time will tell. I'm very aware of all of the competition in the industry and I honor many of the other folks' brands and talent. In fact I pattern myself after many of them. But I think people will really take a liking to what I have in store...and notice that its different from the other intellectual properties out there- that I do my business, articles, and projects a bit different and I want to lead RA:N towards that fact- that it is something new. Not the same rehashed idea that anyone can report coverage, have a mascot, and share news. We're going to turn a lot of heads. Even with our previous success locally and overseas...this is a different, adaptable, and better RUN AROUND:NETWORK."

Also in related news, breaking a streak of 16 attended events in a row since the event's initial beginnings, Kazu has made it clear that he himself and RA:N was not present at the Sac Anime Winter 2013 convention due to what he calls: "...misinformation and several bouts of drama mixed with a myriad of other problems, politics, disorganization, and overall strictness." -and that it was intentional and not due to illness.
He has also stated that he will indeed be returning to the Summer event and that until then he looks forward to meeting all of you at FanimeCon 2013.

So there you have it!

Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available and keep on running around with us!

-RA:N Staff

[Review] Dishonored: Biggest Suprise of 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Hikaru Kazushime) — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 23:00:00 +0000

Sometime in 2011 I was able to see a glimpse of Bethesda's Dishonored.
At that time I had no idea what to think- to me it seemed like a mix of Half-Life meets Assassin's Creed?
That's not the best way to describe it- but its out now, and its surprising quite a lot of people.
Whether you're thinking about getting it or have already beat it and want to know what other's think, here is your review- with plenty of in-game screenshots might I add.

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Get Your Retro Gaming Fix With Scoops

noreply@blogger.com (Hikaru Kazushime) — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 21:30:00 +0000

He goes by "Scoops" and he's a new guest writer here on Run Around:Network.
Scoops wants to bring you back to the past and flood you with wonderful nostalgia with retro game reviews and posts related to the fine art of Retro Gaming. Read on for his introduction.

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[NYCC] Mass Effect 3: Omega DLC Release Date

noreply@blogger.com (Hikaru Kazushime) — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 19:29:00 +0000

As mentioned on my Twitter and Facebook, Run Around:Network journalists are on the scene at New York Comic Con, while I toil away from my office here in Sacramento, California.
The convention began yesterday and runs until Sunday, October 14th.
This is the first post of our NYCC coverage, and with that said, the first news up today from NYCC is some fresh new details that have emerged concerning the upcoming Mass Effect 3: Omega DLC.

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Xenosaga III x Dollfie Dream

noreply@blogger.com (Hikaru Kazushime) — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 18:17:00 +0000

TheRedLion over in the RA:Community portion of the site has been updating the exciting recent news of the Xenosaga III x Dollfie Dream project that Volks has graciously begun as the 5th Limited Dollfie Dream Pre-order Project. Read on for more information.

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[PAX] PAX Prime 2012 Pt.2

noreply@blogger.com (Hikaru Kazushime) — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 21:26:00 +0000

We thought it was over too- but when I checked and found out that there was nearly 20 more photos added to our exclusive PAX Prime 2012 coverage, I was making an expression similar to the one Morgan Webb is making above. "Ohhh yea...."
Can't keep them to myself of course, they're just too awesome.
Hope you enjoy this unexpected part 2. Check out the first part if you haven't yet.
Above is Morgan Webb and Cliffy B. from the awesome but sadly dying brand- G4TV- who we spotted during the event.
Gonna have to get one of those Minecraft Creeper Jackets soon...
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[PAX] Prime 2012 [updated]

noreply@blogger.com (Hikaru Kazushime) — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 16:06:00 +0000

Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) is a series of gaming conventions created by the Authors of the highly popular Penny Arcade webcomic, Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulic. The two decided to have a go at making a gamer con simply because they wanted to attend an event that equally supported console gamers, computer gamers, and tabletop gamers. This particular event, "PAX Prime" is one of 3 of the main events in the PAX series, specifically taking place in Seattle, Washington in the USA with an attendance of 70,000 plus.

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[SAS'12] The Conover Podcast Ep.9

noreply@blogger.com (Hikaru Kazushime) — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 11:17:00 +0000

As the Sac Anime Summer 2012 hype is finishing its course, Anthony from Mission Start Podcast/The Conover Podcast and I, along with several other podcasters and bloggers, recorded the latest episode of The Conover in which we discussed the SAS'12 convention weekend alongside our thoughts for the future of Sac Anime. Continue to listen here via YouTube!

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In One Month

noreply@blogger.com (Hikaru Kazushime) — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 11:20:00 +0000

Launching a little over one month ago, this site (runaroundnetwork.com) has posted 26 items related to Japanese Pop-Culuture, Conventions, Interviews, Comics, Movies, and more- that being with a few off-days, a busy convention weekend, and maintenance periods.
Read on for our exciting statistics!

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[SAS'12] Sac Anime Summer 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Hikaru Kazushime) — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 13:14:00 +0000

It was the final year at the Woodlake Hotel, and Sac Anime went out with a bang! As next year grows closer, the people's sights are set on Sac Anime's big move to the Sacramento Convention Center- but for now let's enjoy some photos from this past weekend at Sac Anime Summer 2012.

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[SAS'12] The Art of Itasha Panel

noreply@blogger.com (Hikaru Kazushime) — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 12:57:00 +0000

Kicking off our Sac Anime Summer 2012 coverage with our very own panel that commenced at 6:30pm last Friday. This panel was the latest RA:N x Team LoveHate collaboration, the last one being "Cosplay Fiesta" (which I'll have photos of up soon for you) back in June. It also served as the next installment of "Run Around:Sacramento"- an event or meet-up that I hold during Sacramento conventions or RA:N exclusive events where you can meet and talk to me, while meeting and speaking with other bloggers, techies, industry folk, press, and fellow geeks. Although we had to make it short this time, I had a great time meeting many of you, including people who attended the panel. Read on to learn about our panel and watch the video recorded live from SAS'12!

Is this Final Fantasy XIII-3?

noreply@blogger.com (Hikaru Kazushime) — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 00:37:00 +0000

No. But it is a sequel. Confused? Let me clear things up for you.

Above is a promotional painting made for the new game announced by Square Enix last friday at the Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary Event in Tokyo, Japan, which is being called: "Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII". Technically it is a sequel to Final Fantasy XIII-2, and takes places hundreds of years in the future. Lightning is the only playable character, and you control her while she explores and interacts with a dying world. Motonobu Toriyama has also stated that Lightning Returns will be the final game in the FFXIII trilogy and the Lightning Saga. Read on for concept art and more info on the game.

RA:N x SacAnime

noreply@blogger.com (Hikaru Kazushime) — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 05:36:00 +0000

Once again I will be returning to Sac Anime to engage readers, talk about my work, cover the event for all of you, and participate at a panel. Recently I posted, "The Big Guide to Sac Anime Summer 2012" which serves as a guide for the event this weekend and fills you in on whats going on and such. However I wanted to make this post since many of you from Facebook and Twitter have been asking me what my personal schedule is and where/how can you see me during the con.

Featured Cosplayer: Elspeth

noreply@blogger.com (Hikaru Kazushime) — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 04:33:00 +0000

Tonight we're looking at more Shadow Hunters cosplay, that's 2 in one night! Above, we can see cosplayer "Elspeth" is cosplaying "Renea The Witch" from Scattered Comics's Shadow Hunters series! Read on for full interview!

Featured Cosplayer: Tina

noreply@blogger.com (Hikaru Kazushime) — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 03:53:00 +0000

Today we're looking at 2 more featured cosplayers from the Shadow Hunters series by Scattered Comics! In this post we've interviewed Tina who goes by the cosplay name of Rukia Hitachiin. Above is the character, "Eileen" who she is cosplaying.

Tips For Bloggers: Video Recording

noreply@blogger.com (Hikaru Kazushime) — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 09:06:00 +0000

At the office Haruhi-chan is showing off the Sony HandyCam HDR-CX130 that we use for filming oppai and pantsu. Today we're going to give you a few tips to help you out if you too wish to film oppai and pantsu.
This will also be very helpful to bloggers and online journalists trying to get their content out, but unsure which camera is best.
We'll be covering 5 things you'll need.
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Cosplay Spotlight: Iris S.

noreply@blogger.com (Hikaru Kazushime) — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 04:28:00 +0000

Welcome to the next entry in our Cosplay Spotlight series, as we are currently taking a look at several cosplayers who have cosplayed characters from Scattered Comics's Shadow Hunters! I was able to sit down with Iris S. who is cosplaying "Jessika" from Shadow Hunters, and interview her about her new cosplay. Check it out.

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Man VS Machine

noreply@blogger.com (Hikaru Kazushime) — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 04:21:00 +0000

Team Fortress 2's new CO-OP/Horde Mode came out around a week ago or so and I thought I'd give it a try! Please excuse the audio quality of my mic, I'm working on making it better! The new mode is pretty fun, and like almost all things TF2, its FREE! Check out the video below to see gameplay!

-Hikaru Kazushime

Facebook Bans Cosplayers

noreply@blogger.com (Hikaru Kazushime) — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 02:55:00 +0000

If you didn't already hear about it from friends, family, or just general internet chatter- Facebook has begun a mission to delete over 82 million accounts based on their accusations that the accounts in question are "fakes" or duplicate accounts and that they make up nearly 8.7% of Facebook. Many of the "fakes and duplicates" that they have begun to annihilate, are cosplay profiles and Like Pages that many cosplayers make to either promote themselves in the industry or to just keep their cosplay organized aside from their main profile. Facebook apparently announced it's plans for this around the beginning of the month, but as of the last 2 days the effects have become increasingly noticeable as several major cosplayer's Facebook Like Pages have already disappeared.
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Cosplay Spotlight: Deveraux Tirapelle

noreply@blogger.com (Hikaru Kazushime) — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 05:04:00 +0000

For today's Cosplay Spotlight we've got cosplayer "Deveraux Tirapelle", and she's cosplaying "Kala" from Scattered Comic's, "Shadow Hunters"! We actually have several cosplayers from Shadow Hunters that we will be featuring over the next day, so this will be the first of several Shadow Hunters Cosplayer Features and Interviews!
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The Dark Knight Rises Review

noreply@blogger.com (Hikaru Kazushime) — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 10:00:00 +0000

*Spoilers Ahead! You have been warned!*I'm beginning this review a bit baffled, as I have just returned from the Arden Fair United Artists theater with one thing on my mind: I just saw The Dark Knight Rises, and it was and wasn't what I expected. I have almost asked myself, "What did I just watch?" I've stayed away from all spoilers, information, and media buzz so I could see what I expected to be a powerful movie, and also an end to a much respected trilogy- and that's what I got. But I have to say I haven't seen a movie like this in a very long time.

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Top 15 Decent Anime That Sold Terribly

noreply@blogger.com (Hikaru Kazushime) — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 22:15:00 +0000

Folks over at biglobe.ne.jp have compiled a list of anime that have sold an awfully low amount of copies- mostly less than 2,000 or so copies per volume- and have arranged them in a top 15 with Kaichou wa Maid-sama! taking first place. Although not highly recommended titles, most of these shows are decently good. Why they have sold so horribly is up for debate, and there could be a number of reasons why, such as other popular titles being released at the same time.

The Ranking below has semi-official sales numbers for each volume of disc release, with "unknown" indicating an extremely low number- too embarrassing to say.

1. Kaichou wa Maid-sama! (1,707)

2. Taishou Baseball Girls (1,392)

3. Chihayafuru (Unknown)

4. Kurenai (1,922)

5. Kamisama Dolls (1,355)

6. True Tears (2,079)

7. Croisée in a Foreign Labyrinth (1,234)

8. Kill Me Baby (Unknown)

9. Princess Jellyfish (1,321)

10. Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit (1,997)

11. Sora no Manimani (1,231)

12. Shiki (1,225)

13. Softenni (783)

14. Wandering Son (1,007)

15. Sasameki Koto (Unknown)

Out of all of these I actually watched Softenni which wasn't bad at all. Discuss!

FINAL FANTASY XIV "Redo" Screenshots Surface!

noreply@blogger.com (Hikaru Kazushime) — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 02:27:00 +0000

The Final Fantasy XIV redo project titled, "A Realm Reborn" has been underway for several months now, and now that Gamescom is here we are finally starting to see some screen shots that show a little bit of what we can expect the new Final Fantasy XIV to look like.

The Big Guide to Sac Anime S'2012

noreply@blogger.com (Hikaru Kazushime) — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 10:15:00 +0000

Sacramento's bi-annual event "Sac Anime" has grown to become much more than a local anime convention. These days there are many anime and Japan related events happening all over the world, and here in the US just about every major city in the country has its own anime convention/s. Most sport the usual vendors room and cosplay masquerade w/guest combo, slinging along a gaming room and usually an artist alley. Sometimes you'll also get a musical performance- this can range from local bands and/or singers who perform anime songs- all the way to the big-time artists who have sung many anime opening and ending themes.

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Project Diva F: New Trailer!

noreply@blogger.com (Hikaru Kazushime) — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 23:55:00 +0000

A 9 minute trailer has been released by Sega for Hatsune Miku Project Diva F for the Playstation Vita. Project Diva is an ongoing series of Vocaloid rhythm games. Until now they have been exclusively on the PSP with a special edition hitting the PS3 titled, "Dreamy Theater". Its pretty popular too- as sales in Japan for the series are always good in the first weeks a new Project Diva title releases. How many of you play Project Diva games?

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