Pixel x Pixel

We're all a little mad here on the Chic Pixel Plus podcast! In this more-than-a-little-late episode, I'm joined by dynamite duo Roy and Sarah of My Fair Hunter, Culty, and Asobee fame to chat all about their various creative endeavors along with the usual Japanese entertainment fare. In addition to discussing craft beers, Monster Hunter (how could we not?!), Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD, Persona, and the anime Silver Spoon, we manage to turn half the internet against us with our lack of interest in Vocaloids. Opening ♫ - Monster Hunter Tri Main Theme Closing ♫ - Levan Polkka – Hatsune Miku Sarah's comic – https://gumroad.com/l/rayoflight2013 [DOWNLOAD] [ITUNES] [RSS]

We’re all a little mad here on the Chic Pixel Plus podcast! In this more-than-a-little-late episode, I’m joined by dynamite duo Roy and Sarah of My Fair Hunter, Culty, and Asobee fame to chat all about their various creative endeavors along with the usual Japanese entertainment fare. In addition to discussing craft beers, Monster Hunter (how… Read More The post Chic Pixel Plus Episode 12 – Only a Little Insane appeared first on Chic Pixel.

This week on Chic Pixel Plus, Elliot Gay (@ryougasaotome) makes his triumphant return after 10 long episodes to celebrate the preteen years of the podcast!  ... Rather, we mostly talk about how he likes to inflict pain upon himself in the form of bad media for the entertainment of others. In this jam-packed 2 hour+ episode, we discuss miserable 14 hour plane rides, moms, the kissing RPG Exstetra, the third Madoka Magica movie, Senran Kagura "boob ninja" Burst, the baby-making RPG Conception, (Xbox)Ones and (PS)Fours, anime we're watching, a couple important Nintendo releases... and a hell of a lot more! Stick around for our first ever Q&A session at the end! Opening ♫ - Baccano! – Nagai Nagai Yume no Naka no Utage Closing ♫ - Bravely Default: Flying Fairy – Prelude: Moving Toward Hope  [DOWNLOAD] [ITUNES] [RSS]

This week on Chic Pixel Plus, Elliot Gay (@ryougasaotome) makes his triumphant return after 10 long episodes to celebrate the preteen years of the podcast! … Rather, we mostly talk about how he likes to inflict pain upon himself in the form of bad media for the entertainment of others. In this jam-packed 2 hour+… Read More The post Chic Pixel Plus Episode 11 – Elliot’s Dilemma appeared first on Chic Pixel.

In the 10th episode of Chic Pixel Plus, it's 100% more hip nerdy ladies as I'm joined by Alison Rapp (@mnemosynekurai), researcher, product marketing specialist at Treehouse, and self-proclaimed feminist waifu! We chat about our nerdy academic pursuits, how she landed her sweet new job at Nintendo, and have a lot of feels about Puella Magi Madoka Magica. Our Madoka discussion (beginning at 00:41:30) assumes you've watched the 12 episode anime, and I'd hate to spoil such a great show for anyone, so be sure to turn the episode off when you reach that section if you intend to watch it someday! Kotaku article on Treehouse – http://kotaku.com/inside-the-treehouse-the-people-who-help-make-nintendo-1301809672 Opening ♫ - Puella Musica – Kyūbey no Eigyō Theme Copy ver. by TAM Closing ♫ - Puella Magi Madoka Magica – Connect [DOWNLOAD] [ITUNES] [RSS]

In the 10th episode of Chic Pixel Plus, it’s 100% more hip nerdy ladies as I’m joined by Alison Rapp (@mnemosynekurai), researcher, product marketing specialist at Treehouse, and self-proclaimed feminist waifu! We chat about our nerdy academic pursuits, how she landed her sweet new job at Nintendo, and have a lot of feels about Puella Magi… Read More The post Chic Pixel Plus Episode 10 – Academia Magica appeared first on Chic Pixel.

Super Game Girl CameraI may have jumped the gun by proclaiming this podcast episode 10 when it is in fact episode 9 (you'll see what I mean when you tune in), but the fact that Chic Pixel Plus is now on iTunes is 100% accurate! In the interest of keeping the iTunes descriptions short, I'm going to start cutting back on the content of these posts. But please subscribe, and leave a (hopefully positive) review! In a fall anime special of Chic Pixel Plus, Shaun makes his triumphant return so we can throw down our first impressions of five new anime: Kill La Kill, Log Horizon, Kyoukai no Kanata, Samurai Flamenco, and BlazBlue Alter Memory. We also briefly discuss Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn and Rayman Legends. Opening ♫ - BlazBlue Alter Memory – BLUE BLAZE Closing ♫ - Rayman Origins – Tricky Treasure Chase [DOWNLOAD] [ITUNES] [RSS]

In a fall anime special of Chic Pixel Plus, Shaun makes his triumphant return so we can throw down our first impressions of five new anime: Kill La Kill, Log Horizon, Kyoukai no Kanata, Samurai Flamenco, and BlazBlue Alter Memory. We also briefly discuss Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn and Rayman Legends.I may have jumped the… Read More The post Chic Pixel Plus Episode 9 – This is (Not) Episode 10 appeared first on Chic Pixel.

This week on Chic Pixel Plus I'm joined by Andrew of The Menu Bar podcast for a very special crossover episode... The Pixel Bar! In honor of The Menu Bar (which I highly recommend if you're interested in Apple and general tech discussions, among other things) we start things off a little differently by having some deep thoughts on podcasting and internet friendships. Then, it's east meets west as we swap manga and graphic novel recommendations, where I manage to actually make my favourite series sound infinitely less interesting than they actually are. We touch on everything from Paranoia Agent to Monster, Sandman to Blacksad and even have a quick discussion of one of our current mutual favourite cartoons, Adventure Time! Pour yourself a drink and pull up a chair... Since I'm on vacation this week, I wasn't able to put in intro and outro music, but I promise the podcast is as fun content-wise as ever! In true Menu Bar spirit, we also ramble on for a good 10 minutes before the podcast "officially" starts, so I've chopped that bit out and added it in at the end for those interested in checking it out. Download [HERE] [RSS]

Why, if it isn't another episode of Chic Pixel Plus! I bet you were getting worried, huh? Well never fear, both myself and Chic Pixel Plus are alive and well! A bout of a fiendish flu had me out of commission for most of the week, but I've finally bested the microbes. I promise the next episode won't be so hellishly late! This week I'm joined by someone so famous they even have their own Wikipedia page! Hayden Scott-Baron is a professional game designer, illustrator, and manga artist, so it was great to virtually sit down and chat with him about his interests, inspirations, and past and current projects. His game experience ranges from the LostWinds series to Tumbledrop, and he even came in second place in the the third volume of the UK & Ireland edition of the Tokyopop Rising Stars of Manga contest. I could go on, but I think it's best if you just listen to the podcast and hear the man speak for himself!  Not only do I grill Hayden about his professional life, but we talk extensively about anime, manga, and games, as well. In particular, Hayden teaches me a thing or two about importing and the joy of interesting games that aren't necessarily good. We also reminisce about the early days of anime in the west, while Bomberman Fantasy Race makes us stop to consider the possibilities of a Bomberman universe canon... The podcast clocks in at just about two hours, making it my longest yet, but I do hope you give it a listen!  Download [HERE] [RSS] In the interest of getting this podcast up in a timely manner, I've decided to come back and add the time codes later, as I'm not sure how useful they are to folks anyway. Please let me know if you like to have them! Opening ♫ - Mr. Driller's Theme – Mr. Driller Drill Land Closing ♫ - Theme Song – Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea  Get in touch with Hayden via Twitter or his website!

Come one, come all, for a very special themed episode of Chic Pixel Plus! This week, I'm joined by Final Fantasy MMO nut and general nerd Mog for an in-depth discussion of Final Fantasy: XIV: A Realm Reborn! And we make a pretty good duo, if I do say so myself:  Of course, it wouldn't be a proper episode without some news, so we also discuss the pre-TGS Sony Japan press conference that was chock-full of exciting and not-quite-as-exciting game and hardware announcements! What's this newfangled PS Vita model? Did Sony say something about a Soul Sacrifice sequel? What exactly was so bad about the original Final Fantasy XIV? And why do we keep bringing up that other Japanese online game, Phantasy Star Online 2? Find out the answers to these pressing questions and a whole lot more in Chic Pixel Plus episode 6! Download [HERE] [RSS] Time codes: 00:00:32 - Introductions 00:00:52 - Sony Japan's pre-TGS press conference (Soul Sacrifice Delta, Phantasy Star Nova, new Danganronpa, Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD PS Vita) 00:13:33 - PS Vita 2000, PS Vita TV00:24:06 - FFXIV makes Anne consider a PS400:30:18 - Main topic: Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, our MMO backgrounds00:35:08 - Final Fantasy XIV 1.000:43:43 - From beta to launch01:00:27 - Endgame01:20:15 - Closing thoughts Opening ♫ - By Design – Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn Closing ♫ - Akachan wa doko kara kuru no? – The Rub Rabbits! (feat. in Phantasy Star Online 2) Bonus image: No, my avatar doesn't look sketchy at all... 

Podcast was super effective! Okay, that was the dumbest joke in the book, but this wouldn't be Chic Pixel if I didn't throw in some bad puns or blatant video game references, right? Besides, I've always wanted to type "a wild husband appears!" But I'm not just typing it – he really did! That's right, I finagled my benevolent husband Shaun to podcast with me this week (well, nearly two weeks ago now, but who's keeping track)! Shaun and I dressed up in garb inspired by our favorite 'mons, Psyduck and Swadloon! art by the wonderful IoIn this glorious fifth episode of Chic Pixel Plus (pronounce "plus" with a French accent to make it sound more cultured than it is) we chat all things anime and games... but mostly anime! Things start off with me grilling Shaun on his first and favorite anime and games as a way to introduce him to you lovely listeners (keep an ear out for when I call you "viewers" in the podcast). Then, not only do we give the 411 on currently airing series Free!, Shingeki no Kyojin, and Hunter x Hunter, but we also give our full impressions of an interesting little anime that aired earlier this year called Hataraku Maou-sama!.  Games discussion is limited to SteamWorld Dig (it's not Japanese shh), some brief news, and contemplation of the Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn phase four beta. Since that's already come and gone, that makes this podcast feel extra late!  Regardless, I do hope you find something interesting in this week's episode. As always, please leave any comments or questions here, and make sure to speak up if you like Shaun as a guest... if you do, I may be able to arrange for him to make a regular appearance!  Download [HERE] Time codes:  00:00:29 - Introductions, Shaun's first and favorite anime and games00:19:08 - Little Witch Academia Collector's Edition preorders00:21:27 - Hataraku Maou-sama! anime impressions00:30:11 - Free! ep. 1-5 discussion (mild spoilers)00:41:36 - Attack on Titan ep. 1-18 discussion00:51:34 - New Hunter x Hunter anime discussion01:00:09 - Game news: FFXIV: A Realm Reborn open beta, Culty's Monster Hunter gunner guides, Nintendo direct, Senran "boob ninja" Kagura localization announcement01:21:24 - SteamWorld Dig01:34:52 - Closing remarks  Opening ♫ - Departure! - Hunter x Hunter Closing ♫ - SLASH FREE - Free! I'd also like to get some Q&A for future episodes, so shoot me your questions about anything nerdy or Japan related you like! If I get any, I'll be sure to answer them on the show. Thanks! 

The long wait for a new Chic Pixel Plus episode is finally over, and I think you're all in for a treat! Following episode 3's Japanese language and game-centric podcast, I was lucky enough to snag freelance translator Gabe Glick for a great discussion on game localization, Japanese language learning, and raising a family in Japan. If you're at all interested in any of those things, then this podcast is for you! A quick caveat: we recorded two days before I left for Japan, so there is some brief pre-Japan talk, but it doesn't really affect the content of the podcast as a whole. I just don't want anyone to think they're going nuts since I'm already back! Download [HERE] Time codes: 00:00:20 - Introductions 00:04:13 - Freelance translation/game localization discussion (feat. Chaos Rings, Tales of Graces f, and more!) 00:16:18 - Translation methods and difficulties 00:20:50 - Advanced Japanese language learning, JLPT 00:35:20 - Living in Japan/raising family as a foreigner 00:48:20 - My whirlwind Japan romance 00:58:53 - Character tie-in campaigns and convenience stores 01:10:36 - Closing comments Opening ♫ - Merchant's Song – Chaos Rings Closing ♫ - Domino's app feat. Hatsune Miku ad Be sure to check out Gabe's online portfolio for the full list of games and guides he's worked on! He can also be contacted on Twitter, and I'm sure he'd be delighted to answer any Japanese language or localization-related questions. I hope you enjoyed the podcast! Now that I'm back from Japan, I plan to get back to a regular bi-weekly schedule and perfect my weirdly abrupt closing comments (sorry about that!). As always, please feel free to leave any comments or suggestions you may have!

Now, this is unexpected! An episode of Chic Pixel Plus is actually up early?! No, it's not a dream – due to the fact that episode 3 contains some pre-E3 speculation, I've decided to go ahead and post it a few days ahead of schedule with the hope that everyone has time to listen to it (or at least the pre-E3 portion of the discussion) before all the new announcements start rolling in. So let's get right to it, shall we? Beautiful retro game boxes by The Gay GamerFor this game-tastic week (sorry, anime fans!), I'm joined by a very special guest: Bryan, one of my fellow podcasters on The Nichiest Podcast Ever, and the curator of The Gay Gamer! We cover a whole range of topics, including our localization announcement hopes for E3 and what it's like to be a gamer learning Japanese. I also take the opportunity to blab about all the games I'm planning on buying during my impending Japan trip, and I ask Bryan the ultimate question: if you could only buy one retro game console in Japan, what would it be? And somehow the GameBoy Advance manages to sneak its way into the conversation once again!?  Also, you may have noticed something a little different about the site... That's right, I've got my own domain! I'll also be hosting all future podcasts on my own server from now on, and will try to get an RSS feed and iTunes downloads set up as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience! Download [HERE] Time codes: 00:00:32 - Introductions00:01:40 - News (Cave, Time of EVE Kickstarter, Class of Heroes 2)00:07:15 - Pre-E3 speculation (Localizations! Next gen consoles! Who needs next gen consoles?!)00:24:26 - Nerds learning Japanese00:44:08 - Anne's upcoming trip to Japan (PC Engines, Guru Logi Champ, Ys, GBA games...) 01:16:00 - Closing remarks Opening ♫ - Trader - Ys I & II ChroniclesClosing ♫ - Results Music – Guru Logi Champ Thanks for listening! Any and all feedback is always appreciated! 

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's another episode of Chic Pixel Plus! To the surprise of everyone, including me, I've managed to get the second episode of my new podcast out the door on schedule. Sure, considering I called the first episode the pilot this technically is only episode one, and I managed to completely botch my opening and closing remarks, but we all have to start somewhere, right? Hyperdimension Neptunia VictoryThis week I'm joined by Matt Sainsbury of DigitallyDownloaded to discuss a particular niche of Japanese games often dubbed "otaku games." Together, we hash out what makes these games appealing, why they tend to have a bad rep outside Japan, and what our favorite otaku games are. Of course, with the recent Xbox One reveal, we couldn't help but add some of our thoughts, and I took the time to gush about the recent Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN- announcement. Even if you're not a fan of otaku games, be sure to tune in – you might learn something new! Download [HERE] [RSS] Time codes: 0:00:25 - introductions 0:01:48 - what are otaku games? 0:09:00 - Love Plus 0:19:15 - Photo Kano Kiss + Photo Kano anime 0:34:00 - Atelier series (Arland trilogy + Ayesha) 0:46:10 - Hyperdimension Neptunia series 0:59:45 - hurdles of publishing otaku games outside Japan, Mugen Souls, otome games 1:09:40 - upcoming otaku games (Time and Eternity) 1:13:48 - news! Xbone, Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN-, BlazBlue anime, Freedom Wars 1:26:21 - closing remarks Anne Lee || Chic Pixel || @apricotsushi My Xbox one thoughts are included in this compilation of staff impressions at VGW Matt Sainsbury || Digitally Downloaded || @DigitallyDownld Matt's Xbox one reaction piece Opening ♫ Koi suru lens – Photo Kano Ending ♫ Dimension tripper!!!! - Hyperdimension Neptunia The Animation This time around I used a different program to record the audio, and unfortunately I don't think it turned out as well. Since I'm still getting the hang of all this, your feedback would be greatly appreciated!