Thursday, February 4, 2010

A bad case of Toyota's mass recall

Last month, Toyota Motor Corporation made a recall on the best-selling models due to the case of the accelerator problems. I am not sure why they did this thing but it's for the safety of the Toyota owners.
The full details of the Toyota recall can be found at this site:
http://www.autoblog.com/toyota_recall/guide
The recall for all Toyota models started in the United States and now in Europe and Asia at the same time! I wonder if most of the latest Toyotas and Lexuses might be possible victims of the mass recall such as:

1. Toyota Alphard and Vellfire


トヨタ ヴェルファイア グレード比較 | オートックワン

2. Toyota iQ



3. Lexus RX & RX Hybrid



4. Toyota Crown Athlete, Royal, and Hybrid series



5. Toyota Crown Majesta



6. Toyota Wish

トヨタ ウィッシュ

7. Toyota Prius



8. Lexus IS Convertible



9. Lexus HS 250h



10. Toyota Land Cruiser Prado



11. Toyota Mark X



12. Toyota SAI



Ugh... the mass recall for all Toyota models turned those first-time car buyers a choice they make... Recalls come in advantages and disadvantages. Just what if the extinct Toyota car which was loved by Filipinos, known as the Tamaraw FX (also the Tamaraw FX Revo), also joins the recall? Who knows?
I hope everything would be OK for Toyota, despite this automaker is facing drastic measures...

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Estate

2011 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG T-Modell
For those who remember the aesthetics of the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG in sedan form, the E63 AMG gets even more space with the Estate variant! Premiered in Frankfurt since September and destined for European sale in February, the same raw feeling of the E63 AMG with the spaciousness of the E-Class Estate combined into one beastly machine with the spacious feeling.

From the outer view of the E63 AMG Estate, you can really see this monstrous wagon fitted with the same AMG treatment you will find on the sedan variant. Aside from the monstrous exterior, the 6.2-litre V8 Natural Aspiration Engine is truly a corporate muscle for this grand touring sports wagon. With 525PS of power, top speed of 250km/h, and a split 0-100km/h time of 4.6 seconds, the E63 AMG Estate still has the breath-taking experience that the sedan variant have. Not only that, the Speedshift 7-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters adds fun for this muscular touring wagon, because the driver can also set the transmission from automatic to manual for an added challenge. To make things interesting for the E63 AMG Wagon, there are several options to adjust from, giving hardcore drivers some thrilling experiences which are fun to experiment on city roads to race tracks.

My thoughts about the E63 AMG Estate:
With the estate-like look and the sports car-like feel, the new E63 AMG Estate is truly a monstrous muscle built for real men. Other sports wagons cannot stand a chance by muscling in to this muscular Autobahn monster that releases 500 horses and almost 300km/h of top speed. Be warned, this sports wagon has the respect from Mercedes-Benz's AMG division, and you will never take it away.



Photo: Autoblog

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Phantom Minds



After moments for Lyrical Nanoha fans experienced Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha The Movie 1st, that was showed in Japanese theaters since January 23, they'll just can't get enough on listening the official opening theme song from this movie, Phantom Minds, sung by the seiyuu of Fate Testarossa from the Lyrical Nanoha series, Nana Mizuki.

This maxi single CD is packed with the official opening theme song of this movie, plus the other three songs sung by this lovely seiyuu which fans love to listen this maxi single CD everywhere. Forget the other three songs included in this CD, I'll talking about my reaction of this song;

This song is definitely a must-listen not only for the Lyrical Nanoha series fans, but also die-hard fans of Nana Mizuki-san herself. It packs a lot of powerful tempo, dynamic tones, and the lyrics which fans of Nana Mizuki find it enjoyable all over. Although I must say, this is truly the best Nana Mizuki song ever listened! Although, the song, Phantom Minds, is one of the best Nana Mizuki songs ever listened by fans, you'll just can't stop humming over the song's powerful and majestic tone over and over again.

I guess this song is too good for those who have already watched Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha The Movie 1st, and the odds is definitely higher than Yukari Tamura's My Wish My Love, which of course the official closing song for this movie.

Renault-Samsung SM5 -Full Model Change-

2010 Renault Samsung SM5 (L43)

The true rival to the recent Hyundai YF Sonata and the upcoming Kia K5 (Optima or Magentis) sedan is now set to prove even the smallest Korean automaker can easily rise from the everyday challenges in this economy. For Renault's Korean arm, Renault-Samsung Motors, the all-new SM5 was born.

Let us take a history class, shall we? The SM5 was originally a Nissan Cefiro based sedan with some minor alterations to the front and back. This car was launched in March 1998. Then in January 2005, a month after its big brother, the prestigious SM7 (based on the Nissan Teana) was released, the Cefiro-based SM5 was modified into a Nissan Teana-based SM5, having the design borrowed from the Teana but with different Korean aspects to fulfill customer satisfaction. Now, in January 18, 2010, the new SM5's design was original and it was not based on the Nissan Teana. This new model borrowed some aspects from the Renault Laguna, and it gives some new mods, new exterior and new interior similar to the Renault Laguna.

At its maiden appearance, most Koreans consider the SM5 as the brand's status symbol thanks to its unquestionable personality and performance. Of course, the previous design was mostly Japanese because it was an OEM version of the Teana, but now on its third generation, the SM5's design is truly Euro-Korean, thanks to appearance that looks similar to the Kia Lotze facelift, but still, it is undeniable that you want to take a test drive for your taste. As for the interior, the SM5 boasts exceptional luxury with an array of premium features such as the rear side curtains, DMB navigation system, Samsung Super Plasma Ion air con, and Arkamys 3D Sound System. These features are sure enough for the seasoned SM5 owner to take advantage of its newly evolved form.

With the CVT as its main weapon, the new SM5 is powered with the 2.0L CVTC-II L4 engine capable of releasing 141PS of power and the fuel economy of 12.1km/Litre. Sadly, the new SM5's engine was not fit enough to take down the fuel economy of the Hyundai YF Sonata and the Kia K5, which means the new SM5 has a dent on its newly found performance.

My thoughts about the SM5:
The new SM5's design was revised to be original, and it no longer became the copycat of the Japanese Nissan Teana sedan (almost, because they still selling the Teana-based SM7) that others find it confusing. I am glad to see the brand's first step to succeed from the local stage to the world stage. However, will the brand level up to become one of Korea's finest automobile manufacturers with this new form? With the pricing of about 20,800,000 - 26,500,000 Korean Won (about 900,000 - 1.2 Million Philippine Pesos), it is clearly that the SM5 is a smart buy for medium sedan consumers. Let us hope that the new SM5 will hit the European market sometime as a Renault, or we want to have our own Renault-Samsung distributor in the Philippines to experience this one-of-a-kind machine.




Audi R8 Spyder

Audi's première sports car, the R8, still proves that this is the greatest Satanic road mauler adults urinate themselves in fear. But the fear over the German behemoth is now also in convertible form. This convertible version of the R8 made its début at the 2009 IAA in Frankfurt, Germany.









Audi's new R8 Spyder carries the same semblance of dualism, as seen on the regular coupé form, while taking the heat (or wind) of the convertible at the same pace. Surely, this is the monster every sports car fanatics bow down before the supercar's might, the R8 Spyder only carries the high-revving 5.2 FSI V10 engine, which is capable of releasing over 500 PS of power and the 0-100km/h runtime of below four seconds. With the V10 engine equipped, this Autobahn behemoth is truly a spectacle among enthusiasts, waiting to get their pants urinated for fear.

My Thoughts about the R8 Spyder:
Designed as an open-top road mauler for adults, the R8 Spyder might strike others to put this car to the list of fearsome creatures. Although the fearsome V10 FSI engine is the only engine available for this monster, it is surprising that the R8 Spyder is a twisted metal machine that strikes fear on the highway. Once you are inside, you will never get out of this road-killing sports car that surprises other people on a Saturday night, despite the pricing is just under 170,000 Euros. (11 Million Pesos)

Have fun enjoying this exotic sports car with a true evil heart and soul inside.



Source: http://leopauldelr.multiply.com/reviews/item/200

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Fate/stay night Unlimited Blade Works

Started as an adult game created by Type-Moon, adapted into a 24-episode anime that was aired in Japan by TBS, and distributed worldwide to please international otakus, serialized as a manga, made possible by Kadokawa Shoten, and now, the much anticipated motion picture event of the year is now showing at theaters all over Japan. In my opinion, this movie adaptation of the game-turned anime-turned manga is the cunning rival to the sensational Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha the Movie 1st. (Despite the fact that both of these anime movies slotted the same January 23 date, as you say it)



Fate/stay night Unlimited Blade Works pools out the entire 24-episode anime, loaded with cinematic special effects, improved music score made possible by Kenji Kawai (who is also behind the BGMs of the Death Note trilogy movies), add something that is never been told in the original TV series, and lastly, surprises the entire Fate fans with the intense feeling they will surely never forget.

The story is simple (for those who didn't saw the original or those who wanted to tell it again), it chronicles about a teenager named Shiro Emiya, who wanted to achieve justice that his stepfather failed to do. What he did not realize that this town named Fuyuki is the battleground for the masters, which Shiro was one of them. Each master has his or her own servant (Saber, Archer, Lancer, Berserker, Rider, Assassin, and Caster) to join alongside with and the goal is simple: only one pair will win and take the power of the Holy Grail. Saber, a servant, was the servant who saved Shiro's life from the attacks of the servant Lancer, and henceforth greeted him with the question:
are you my Master?

So this is how the titanic movie begins. I may not tell you what just happened to the whole movie, but I'll tell you how the movie feels. The fight scenes were great, these battles you saw on the original anime series were greatly upgraded for cinematic perfection. Aside from the battles, fans will grow fetishism over Saber and Rin Tohsaka, which in fact Rin was also one of the masters whose the servant Archer joins alongside with her. Most Fate fans who watched the movie might say, "Hey, this movie is cooler than the anime I've watched", "Rin is one of my favorite characters, thanks to her tsundere personality", "Saber is number one!" and much more words that most Fate fans might post it in their Facebooks, tweeting this once-in-a-lifetime moment on Twitter, having their say on 2channel, and everything.

The song that completes FSN:UBW is none other than Sachi Tainaka's new song, titled Imitation. Although the song for the movie is more powerful and delivers a massive punch to their overall enthusiasm, it still can't keep up with the Lyrical Nanoha the Movie 1st's opening song, Phantom Minds, sung by Nana Mizuki. For those who wanted to find that song titled Imitation by Sachi Tainaka, the only album you can find is the Ricordanza: Fate/ stay night TV Song Collection, which is on sale now, and made possible by Geneon Universal Entertainment.

If you're done watching the movie, two Blu-ray discs that covers the whole 24-episode anime, packed with new special features, perfect sound, and perfect picture, is up for grabs. Both of them are on sale and packed with the arranged Sachi Tainaka's Disillusion song, titled Disillusion 2010.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha the Movie 1st




From the success of the three Lyrical Nanoha seasons (from the first one to the StrikerS story), comics as seen on the premiere Japanese anime and video game bishoujo magazine, Megami Magazine, and the PlayStation Portable video game that was already on sale all over the Japanese market, the ultimate treat for all Lyrical Nanoha fans is the once-in-a-lifetime spectacle fans would remember it forever. Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha the Movie 1st (日本名:魔法少女リリカルなのはthe Movie 1st) revolves on the first Lyrical Nanoha season that was aired in Japanese televisions since 2004, and packed with remastered graphics and never before told stories give Nanoha fans some thrills and squeals while taking a gander on the epic battle between Nanoha Takamachi (voiced by Yukari Tamura) and Fate Testarossa (voiced by Nana Mizuki) in the quest to find and seal the Jewel Seeds. Since everyone's in the theater, they are ready to anticipate the difference of the first Lyrical Nanoha season to Japan's most anticipating thrill ride event of the year, Lyrical Nanoha the Movie 1st leaves fans hearing both Nanoha and Fate's battle cry with cinematic clarity than the television series. (You know what that means) From its majestic special effects, rewritten storyline and expected moe-ism over Nanoha and Fate, Lyrical Nanoha the Movie 1st blasts the movie viewers with more action, more drama, more laughs, and of course, more kawaii-ness.

Because of the Lyrical Nanoha series tradition of having Fate's seiyuu, Nana Mizuki, opens the show with the song while Nanoha's seiyuu, Yukari Tamura, closes the show with a song, the opening theme song for the movie, Phantom Minds, sung by Nana Mizuki, is an explosive welcome for those who are ready to watch the movie from the beginning, and Yukari Tamura ends Lyrical Nanoha the Movie 1st with a song, titled My Wish My Love. As a matter of fact, most fans love the opening theme because, can you yell "I LOVE NANA MIZUKI'S NEW SONG" in Japanese? If so, good luck listening to this song 20 or more times!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha A's Portable: The Battle of Aces

With Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha the Movie 1st's showing date in Japan is just a few days left, fans of the Lyrical Nanoha series braced themselves for the PSP game based on the second Lyrical Nanoha season (known as Lyrical Nanoha A's) and it is a "much talked" on the premiere Japanese anime and video game bishoujo magazine, the Megami Magazine. For some reason, Megami Magazine keep posting updates on what's going on behind the scenes of the Lyrical Nanoha series' first video game available on PSP.

Despite being a one-on-one versus game, the game play of Lyrical Nanoha A's Portable may somewhat similar to some unlockable content from PS2's Zone Of The Enders video game, meaning you can control your character everywhere while dodging the other player's attacks. From here, you can use attacks, block the other player's attacks, or break the player's defenses, giving yourself the advantage to attack it either normal or magical attacks. Please note that the MP gauge will decrease when using your character's special attack and attacking your other player with normal attacks only recharges the MP gauge, giving you some advantage or some strategy to knock down your opponent, before your opponent knocks you down first!

There are nine playable characters to choose from:

- Nanoha Takamachi (CV: Yukari Tamura)

- Fate Testarossa (CV: Nana Mizuki)

- Hayate Yagami (CV: Kana Ueda)

- Chrono Harlaown (CV: Mikako Takahashi)

- Reinforce: The Book of Darkness (CV: Sanae Kobayashi)

- Signum (CV: Kaori Shimizu)

- Vita (CV: Asami Sanada)

- Shamal (CV: Ryoko Yuzuki)

- Zafira (CV: Kazuya Ichijo)

Tip for first-timers: Customization is vital for your character, because when you customize your character's skills such as defense, attack, speed, and every one of the stats, it will give you the opportunity to win against your opponent. It's basic for the ad-hoc versus mode, and prove you got what it takes!

Limited Edition: Nanoha fans better be hurry up to avail this rare Lyrical Box limited edition set. This limited edition not only includes the UMD for the game, but also some of the paraphernalia such as the Nanoha Takamachi figure (made possible by Good Smile Company), three-set posters with Nanoha, Fate and Hayate, big-sized Nanoha towel, reversible pouch, cleaning cloth with the picture of Nanoha versus Fate that looks like the actual gameplay, decoration sticker set, and the visual archive book that has more about this game. Best to be hurry because the Lyrical Box has very limited availability.

One More Thing: The CV of Fate Testarossa, Nana Mizuki, provides the opening theme for the video game, while Nanoha Takamachi's CV, Yukari Tamura, providing the ending theme of the video game, keeping the tradition of the Lyrical Nanoha series of having Fate's seiyuu doing the opening while Nanoha's seiyuu doing the closing song, but they'll also expecting it on Lyrical Nanoha the Movie 1st, showing in Japanese cinemas this Saturday.

More at the game's official site (Japanese Only):http://nanoha.namco-ch.net/

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

The battle of the "Korean car designs"

With the "Peter Schreyer design" plunged all over Kia Motors since the face-lifted Lotze/Optima/Magentis takes place since June 2008, and the fluidic sculpture from Hyundai taken the new role since the face-lifted Verna/Accent Korean Domestic Model sedan takes place since last year of June, most car enthusiasts with the passion of Korean cars can't tell the difference which Korean car design will prevail. To the eyes of the enthusiast, one must think about which design will win....

BUT WHICH WILL PREVAIL?


Kia's new Peter Schreyer design?


or


Hyundai's fluidic sculpture?




Before you decide, here are some explanations on both of these designs:


From the Kia side, when Peter Schreyer takes place as the new design chief of Kia Motors, he revolutionize Kia's new design platform with the form of the H-grille. It was introduced on some concept cars and production models such as this:






and on the Hyundai side, the fluidic sculpture is an abundance on most concept cars in past auto shows and now, this new design language is applied in most models:



Now, you know...

With the new look of these Korean car makers, there is no surprising that these two Korean car designs is truly a battle of wits. It's quite a spectacle for me who wanted to take a look on these designs. I can't wait to see who wins...

Thursday, January 7, 2010

What's a dakimakura?

OK guys, you may not know what this is, but when it comes to this there is just one big question you ,anime otakus in the bedroom, may ask:

"Excuse me, but, what's a dakimakura?"

You may not know what a dakimakura is but here is a sample of what it looks like:



You see, that's how a dakimakura looked like, if I hoped that Comic Alley, the number one anime merchandise store in the Philippines, sells one of these cutesy pillow covers for your tall pillows.

A dakimakura is a kind of a tall pillow cover with a picture of an female anime character on it. (Like I shown it to you)

I know it sounds too weird to be true, but in the eyes of an otaku, its his or her (if any) prized possession in their bedroom.

To all otakus living in the Philippines, feel free to ask any of the anime stores all over your favorite malls (SM, Festival, Town Center, Greenbelt, or any mall you know) and tell them if the dakimakuras are on sale.

Take your time, guys!

Monday, January 4, 2010

What is the true meaning of the word "fan service" to you?

Hey readers, you know who this is. As I recalled most of the otakus from all over the world saying the two words spiced it up for something which I can't remember what this is, I don't really know what's the real meaning to the word some of the anime otakus called it "fan service" .
SO WHAT DOES FAN SERVICE MEAN TO YOU ANYWAY?
In people words, the word "fan" is used on people who take affection on everything popular, while the word "service" clearly states, well, um, help. I mean, what you help. Help. That's what service is. Service is what you help or serve to other people.
So what just meant on every kind of anime show that has the "fan service" treatment for otakus? Come on! Am I not the only otaku who know this kind of genre? Does a fan service anime creeps me out?

Uh-huh, an anime with a fan service genre really creeps me out. Oh, the naked stuff, and the "what's under her" stuff? I can't see it, it totally creeps me out to leaving one room to another, thinking it is way too sexy? Fantasizing a female anime character for something for your senses?

Aw, Eww, Ewww! I can't watch those kind of fan services? I mean, this is how fan services in anime shows treated fans like something gross?

No, this isn't fan service, it's uh.....uh.....
(PANTING)

(HYPERVENTILATING)

(STILL HYPERVENTILATING)

(STILL, STILL HYPERVENTILATING)

(STILL, STILL, STILL HYPERVENTILATING)

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I CAN'T WATCH!

Just kidding!

Look. From my point of view, unexpected blowing of a female characters' skirts (especially that blonde-haired Akari Kirishima, from the new anime series, Nyan Koi!), gentle teasing, some moments from Fight Ippatsu Juden-chan, Kanokon, and others, wasn't simply more than just fan service, it's like you're relieving an (I'll put something irrelevant for my clarification) episode from Family Guy where Peter, Chris, Stewie and Brian drank the whole ipecac syrup, and vomit altogether! Imagine I was about to vomit and break hives when I saw such nudity as part of the fan service genre.

As always, not all fanservices seem bad. Well, it depends on your pleasure for female anime characters, but not much. It would be a mess.

Friday, January 1, 2010

Third-Generation Audi A8

2011 Audi A8


Most Audi fans decided to give an all-out love-it-or-hate-it description about Audi's list of new cars coming this year; these were the ultra-luxury A8 premium sedan, a stylish compact known as the A1, the Spyder model for the R8, with the top dropped, a hybrid variant for the Q5 crossover, and the Porsche Panamera-killing A7. There will be more to come but I shall start talking about the first car to hit this year, the Audi A8.

One look of the new A8 reminds me of something that is somewhat familiar at its appearance. The third-generation A8's design looks somewhat a combination of the A4 compact sedan and the previous-generation A8, all combined into one unique package.

Although I must say, others might think it looks stale, but some people think it is best to look at the new design. From a fresh start, the new A8 has a choice among the 4.2L FSI V8 engine, 3.0L V6 TDI diesel engine, and the 4.2L TDI diesel engine. Most of them are rigged with a 7-speed S-tronic or a 8-speed tiptronic transmission. When the 4.2 FSI engine is a good start, I always prefer a 4.2 TDI diesel engine because of the capability of the diesel turbo engine on this premium German sedan.

As for the interior, I might think it is the same as the previous A8, but the interior design is truly a modern living for adults. In addition, it is armed with conveniences such as Internet connectivity via GPRS, cruise control, lane departure warning system, night vision system, blind spot monitor, pre-crash safety system, and two of the world's first technologies such as the human-machine interface which memorizes the drivers' input between the phone and the navigation system, equipped with Google Earth system.

What has been great about the A8: New technology features, Google Earth-enabled navigation system, grown-up comfort

What has not so great about the A8: Stale design, others think it is somewhat a facelift


Photo: Audi