If you have any suggestions for what to highlight on an APB drop us a line via email or Twitter.

Narutaki’s picks:

• Hone Your Monkeybrain!
  A new independent comics publisher debuted their new line this week and everyone is already Monkeyficizing their comics collection. This line has variety and a great price point. I picked up 3 of the 5 and enjoyed each, but if I was going to recommend one I’d say go for French thief Bandette. If you’ve been curious to read some American comic this is a great place to start.
• The Second Best Thing to Owning the Real APO
  You know you want to own the adorable (and heroic!) dog from Space Brothers, well now you have the chance. This plush APO is way cute and he is actual size!
• Sailor Moon Rides Again!
  Yeah, this will also be in the Line-Up for July, but I’m putting it here, too, as there is probably no other news this year I’ll be more excited about! And this is forewarning that I won’t stop talking about this any time soon.
• France Invades California
  If you haven’t heard of Japan Expo which is held in Paris, you may be better off because you will be filled with jealousy looking at their enormous guest lists. Now they are bringing their brand of convention to the U.S. in the late summer of 2013. With it happening in California I doubt I’ll be able to attend, but I’ll keep my options open.
• Saving Sally
  Not sure I’ll ever get to see this Filipino production, but I just had to share the trailer. It has a lot of quirk with the actors, animation, motion graphics, paintings, etc. Perhaps it will show up at next year’s NYAFF.
• NOW it is Marvel’s Turn to Change Things Up
  Remember when DC Comics did the New 52 last year? Marvel has their own designs on a relaunch this fall as well. You can find various articles all around about what we know so far, but of course it includes returning titles to #1. This article is about some of the good ideas and some of the less, like the mistake of #1’s. I agree with Brett, I’d really prefer superhero comics to number things for whatever story arc it is (ex. New Avengers: Search for the Sorcerer Supreme #3 ). Brett also suggests including the actual number along with that, though at this point all numbering everywhere is confusing as hell.  Randomly starting at #1 is annoying, especially when trying to buy trades in order. In any case, I’ll be curious about the titles but I’m not sure I’ll check out as many as I did with the New 52.

Hisui’s picks:

• “Now watch closely, everyone. I’m going to show you how to kill a god particle.”
  A wonderful video if you are still confused what the big deal about the Higgs boson and its discovery is. It does not go into the full grizzly details of the mathematics and implications on advanced particle physics but it is not that sort of video. It is more focused on the broader picture of how and why for the everyday person.
• The Adventure begins Again!
  That’s right! Alongside the new Jojo’s game they announced that they were also starting a new JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure anime. You can just watch the little teaser for the anime here. There are not a lot of details but it was clear that they used characters from all eight parts of the story. Here is crossing out fingers that they are going to animate all eight parts in full. That would be quite sweet. If nothing else that news explains why there was JoJo’s stuff all over Kinokuniya when I went there on the 4th of July.
• When Science and Magic Collide!
  A Certain Magical Index and A Certain Scientific Railgun fully commingle in the new PSP game A Certain Magical and Scientific Ensemble. As AnimeNext taught me I am apparently not the only Index fan in the US I decided that I will share that little bit of news.
• So Begins Con Season!
  • The Ninja Consultants look at Anime Boston.
  • Daryl Surat goes to Sakura-con.
  • The AniGamers talk about AnimeNEXT and Anime Boston.
• Type-Moon News Roundup
  
  • Take the Holy Grail War With You: Fate/Stay Night Réalta Nua is coming to the Vita with new opening from ufotable. (Side Note: Réalta Nua is the version with all the sex scenes removed. Just so you know.)
  • The Last Meal: The final Fate/Zero Cafe menu. Meals from the final four of the 4th Holy Grail War.
  • The Photo Round Up: This picture and this one nicely finish off the production of Fate/Zero.
  • An Odd Interview: Some very unusual questions and equally strange answers from Nasu and Urobuchi about Fate/Zero.
  • The Phantasm Carnival: The Type-Moon Festival was this week so …
  • Here is a little round up: I might do an article as official news reports come out over the week.

The reason is obvious.

If you have any suggestions for what to highlight on an APB drop us a line via email or Twitter.

Hisui’s picks:

• Welcome to the Violet Mansion
  We have further confirmation that there will be a third season of Hayate the Combat Butler. The good news: More Hayate and Nagi. Also the cosplay queen. The bad news: The blonde usurper. Still no matter what it will be a good time. I liked the movie so I am hopeful for the third season. Do us proud Studio Manglobe.
• The Sea of the Stars is Where Pirate Gundams Sail
  The Gundamn crew looks at the Crossbone Gundam manga. It has always been sort of a legendary manga. But is it worth all the hype? Everyone knows the Crossbone itself is cool but what about everything else? They also weigh in on all the exciting news from E3 (or the lack there of.)
• Where Have All the Magical Girl Shows Gone?
  The Ani-Gamers look at the recent phenomenon that is Puella Magi Madoka Magica. It is this generations Evangelion? What does that phrase even mean? Also maybe some … uninformed … opinions of the magical girl genre.
• Did You Ever Think There Was One Thing Missing From Kannagi?
  Was it Yuri?
• Type-Moon News Roundup
  • Sliding Doors Starring Gilgamesh: Some details about the plot of the new Fate/Extra CCC have emerged. Apparently what ever cased this variant path from the original storyline has convinced everyone to try an escape the Moon Cell ASAP. I look forward to seeing how that plays out.
  • The GIFT of Red Saber

Narutaki’s picks:

• Extend the Hand of Gender Equality to Bronies
  This is a great little article about how many of us praise women for not falling in line with what is socially accepted as “girl stuff” but still can’t do the same for guys. It brings up good points and I don’t even like My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic!
  
• Invent Techniques to Make Your Movie Better
  This has been a long standard for Disney and now Pixar is part of that tradition too with their animation. This video is about how Pixar used new sound techniques to really bring Brave to life.
• Jurassic Park 4 Could be Good?
  Well, maybe if they pay attention to this list from TOR about ways to make sure it doesn’t suck. We all love the first movie, I have amazing fond memories of seeing it in the theater, but the sequels have been terrible and that’s putting it nicely. After reading this list, I’m cautiously looking forward to the newest installment, at least until more news is released about it.
• Spend the Year with Hark! A Vagrant
  Kate Beaton is releasing 2013 calenders! They will be available at San Diego Comic-Con first but will eventually be released online, too.

Speaking of the cultural reach of Magical Girls outside of its demographic:

If you have any suggestions for what to highlight on an APB drop us a line via email or Twitter.

Narutaki’s picks:

• New Cowboy Bebop . . . Figures
  I’m rather impressed that the two figures Play Arts Kai are leading with doesn’t include Faye. I will definitely be on the look out for Spike and if he can really stand in that kicking position they show in the photos that would be cool. Not sure about the face, doesn’t really look like him. Now I’m conflicted about the figure!
• The Ultimate Troll?
  If you are a fan of The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes cartoon, then you may have heard the rumor that the show is being canceled. Turns out it may be an elaborate plot by a really angry Spider-Man fan.
  
• Game of Thrones Attack Ads
  There is a lot of politics in Game of Thrones. There is also a lot of political ads going on right now for the upcoming U.S. Presidential election. So naturally these two things had to meet. No, sadly our presidential hopefuls are not using GoT in their own ads. Instead the war in Westeros is being wagged through SuperPac television ads now!
• Guess I Won’t See You at the Movies
  Movie attendance just gets worse and worse and The Avengers stands as an anomaly. I personally love going to the movies but have to pick and choose carefully because ticket princes in NYC are $13-15 for non-3D showings! But apparently even the relatively lower prices elsewhere don’t encourage people.
• 8-Bit in 8-Minutes
  Okay, fine, it is just under 8-minutes. This is a quick little documentary from PBS about the evolving artform of 8-bit art be it paintings or music.
  

Hisui’s picks:

• Boldly Go Back to Where No Man Had Gone Before
  I nice little reinterpretation of the opening to Star Trek: The Animated Series for all you old Trekkers.
  
• Here Be Dragons
  Chaos Theater look at the Dragon Age games. As always the have nothing but praise for the first and a whole lot less love for the second. Also since Chris finally played all the Mass Effect games the inevitable topic of the ending of the third game had to come up. I myself am interested in playing the first game but the second seems to be so uncooked as not to be worth it unless it is part of a bundle with the first.
• Song of Lasers and Swords
  A video podcast with an interview with George R. R. Martin. He talks about Boba Fett syndrome, shipping, Ant-Man and even Wild Cards. They also interview the author of Game of Thrones and Philosophy but I am sure you don’t care anywhere as much about that.
• Prometheus Gave Man Fire and Man Was Less Generous in Return
  Two stern warnings to keep you away from Prometheus just in case you wanted to see it.
  • Warning 1
  • Warning 2
• Type-Moon Roundup
  • Have Lunch with the “Best” Dad Ever: I just like Fate/Zero cafe posts to see what meals they attach to what characters. 
  • Mix and Match Gone Horribly Wrong: Those are some strange pairings.
  • So Many Figures. So Little Money: Will get also get Rider’s Chariot?
  • The Kuonji Mansion Witch Project: A solid interview about Mahou Tsukai no Yoru.
  • Rider to Saber’s Three: The only way to play chess!

This person does amazing A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones) fan-art. This picture I’m posting is full of spoilers from the books so be aware.