KARAS (anime) Debuts on XBLM (JPN) - Approx 10min trailer - Awesome

[LinkinPrime]

Simultaneously with today's Xbox 360 Media Briefing held in Tokyo, Microsoft Japan released the first episode of KARAS on Xbox Live Marketplace.

Xbox 360 users with a game profile associated with Japan can download now, directly from Xbox Live Marketplace, the first episode of "Karas: The Prophesy" in 720p High Definition and 5.1 surround sound.

Produced by Tatsunoko Productions, one of the most respected Japanese animation companies of all time, KARAS is a two-part anime film that blends 2D and 3D/CGI animation. KARAS takes place in a futuristic Tokyo and borrows from numerous animated and live-action sources, including Ghost in the Shell II, Demon City Shinjuku, Spider-Man, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

Synopsis

The worlds of humans and demons have overlapped since time immemorial, and a young woman named YURI and her servant, KARAS, have long maintained order and balance between the worlds. But humans have finally lost their fears of the denizens of darkness. Disgusted by human arrogance, KARAS turns his back on the laws he helped uphold for so long, taking the name EKU and leading a group of mechanized demons in an attack against the human race.

Meanwhile, a detective named KURE who works at the police division in charge of demon-related incidents opens a case involving a series of bizarre murders that look like the work of a water demon. Elsewhere, the demon NUE, who came to town to fight EKU, spots a water demon disguised as a famous warrio; and then YURI shows up with a new KARAS. This new guardian of the city is determined to stop evil ambitions, but he has a fierce fight ahead of him.


http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/10660/KARAS-Episode-Debuts-on-Xbox-Live-Marketplace-Japan/

[LinkinPrime]

Did some google'ing and came up with this:

http://img.verycd.com/gallery/1111807153/gallery_318011_1406_27883.jpg

http://www.icv2.com/images/339985karas_postermd.jpg

[Brainwave0]

Interesting...What are they charging?

[zewone]

So if I setup a Japanese account I can download this right now?

[LinkinPrime]

Havent had a chance to check it out but I think that yes you can. I'll check it in about 30min and let you guys know.

It should be free.

[LinkinPrime]

Ok the file is almost 700megs. Been watching about 5min, its pretty sweet so far. It starts off with two futuristic samurai/ninja looking guys fighting in the air, Matrix Revolutions style, the visuals and sound is great. From what I've seen so far, is a must DL. It doesnt give me the option to FF so I dont know how long it is but I assume 20-30min. Once I see the whole thing I'll post more.

[LinkinPrime]

Ok I saw the whole thing, its briefly 10-15min. It looks pretty sweet, they got some CGI mixed with the anime, the characters are really cool looking. There's not much talking involve just sweet action. I would definately check these out if they were to come to the US.

[Zoglog]

Karas is actually pretty decent. It's story is written by the storywriter of onimusha.
I originally saw it screened back in Feb 2005 at a tokyo anime fair event in Hollywood. Ironicly I found tickets to tokyo for 199 round trip around the same time so I actually went to the fair. But yeah. high Production values and good CG.

[LinkinPrime]

Karas is actually pretty decent. It's story is written by the storywriter of onimusha.
I originally saw it screened back in Feb 2005 at a tokyo anime fair event in Hollywood. Ironicly I found tickets to tokyo for 199 round trip around the same time so I actually went to the fair. But yeah. high Production values and good CG.

Do you know if ever made it here on DVD Dubbed (preffered) or subtitled?

[jrutz]

Here's some info on the title:

http://www.animenfo.com/animetitle,1689,fffltp,karas.html
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=5002

Licensed by Manga Entertainment, US release on DVD and UMD scheduled for April 25, 2006 (and CHEAP too!).

http://www.rightstuf.com/cgi-bin/catalogmgr/CjNH7o=nuqiC=i30LD/browse/item/68491/4/0/0

Thanks for the preview MS, I will definitely be buying this title at its US release.

Jeremy

[LinkinPrime]

Here's some info on the title:

http://www.animenfo.com/animetitle,1689,fffltp,karas.html
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=5002

Licensed by Manga Entertainment, US release on DVD and UMD scheduled for April 25, 2006 (and CHEAP too!).

http://www.rightstuf.com/cgi-bin/catalogmgr/CjNH7o=nuqiC=i30LD/browse/item/68491/4/0/0

Thanks for the preview MS, I will definitely be buying this title at its US release.

Jeremy

Thanks for the info man, will definately pick this up!

Guess I should have searched. I thought it was brand new, didnt think it would get here yet.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?type=category&id=pcmcat84200050026 $14.99 @ BB.com a trailer is in link for those of you who dont want to create a JPN Silver acct.

[zewone]

Is there somewhere that explains how to make a Japanese account again?

[LinkinPrime]

Is there somewhere that explains how to make a Japanese account again?

First off you should go to the passport site : http://www.passport.com/. Make sure you are not logged in, and click on the "create hotmail account" link. Now, here is the important part, the site will ask you where you are from, select either Japan, the US, or Europe. Remember, this is the country where the demo is available, not where you really live! You will require some information regarding those countries so Microsoft will allow you ro register the e-mail address.

Here is the info we used:

United States
Postal Code: 10012
State: New York, City New York City
Phone Number: 1-866-530-1234

Japan
Postal Code: 150-2345
Province: Tokyo-to
Phone Number: 3201-3331

Germany
Postal Code: 54292
City: Trier
Phone Number: 065112345

You can use any valid address and phone number from the country where the demo is available.


Once you have filled out the info and applied for the Hotmail account, activate it and turn on your Xbox360. Press the guide button and choose "switch profile" (X Button). Now create a new profile, and a new Xbox Live Account, make it a Silver account instead of a Gold (so you dont have to pay). Next you will require the phone number mentioned above to use your passport. You could theoretically take care of all the passport stuff on the Xbox, but it will go much faster on PC with a keyboard.

Well, that is about it folks! Pretty sweet huh? The cool thing is that you can disable (they actually are disabled from the start if you have already a gold membership installed on your box) the auto sign for the foreign accounts, hence leaving your primary "Real" account hassle-free. Ejoy the demos!

http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75443&page=2

[zewone]

Thanks LinkinPrime, downloading now.

[danked]

finally i have a use for my jap account

[eshbums]

Here's a couple pics of the box art and inside (the little booklet on the left is a mini-comic).

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/4861/karasbox8wy.th.jpg (http://img522.imageshack.us/my.php?image=karasbox8wy.jpg)

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/9663/karasopen9gb.th.jpg (http://img502.imageshack.us/my.php?image=karasopen9gb.jpg)


Our normal anime reviewer was out sick so I watch this a couple of weeks ago. Amazing battle sequences...the 2D/3D art style is so cool.

[LinkinPrime]

Here's a couple pics of the box art and inside (the little booklet on the left is a mini-comic).

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/4861/karasbox8wy.th.jpg (http://img522.imageshack.us/my.php?image=karasbox8wy.jpg)

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/9663/karasopen9gb.th.jpg (http://img502.imageshack.us/my.php?image=karasopen9gb.jpg)


Our normal anime reviewer was out sick so I watch this a couple of weeks ago. Amazing battle sequences...the 2D/3D art style is so cool.

Awesome!!! The 25th can't come soon enough. Nice packaging too. Is the comic in english?

[eshbums]

Awesome!!! The 25th can't come soon enough. Nice packaging too. Is the comic in english?

The comic is in English. It's a little tiny Dark Horse comic.

[daphatty]

Man, if they started selling Anime on XBLM here in the states, oh boy... MONEY!!!

[XxFuRy2Xx]

Thanks for everything linkin!

[LinkinPrime]

Thanks for everything linkin!

Your welcome. Its no big deal. Gaming is my hobby and I love posting here. :D

[I AM WILLIAM H. MACY]

http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75443&page=2
Oh cool, thanks, I'm gonna check out both Japan and Europe's Marketplace.

[LinkinPrime]

FYI

Circuit City has it listed for $8.99 :shock: next week:
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91063

[KaneRobot]

Moderately interested after seeing that trailer, although I think part of the appeal was the fact it was in 720p. I'm usually not into that kind of stuff, although for $8.99 it wouldn't be a big loss anyway.

[danked]

blockbuster online say Karas: The Prophecy (2005) (http://www.blockbuster.com/catalog/DisplayMoreMovieProductDetails.action?movieID=1671 98&channel=Movies&subChannel=sub#Cast) is released today so i will be renting it looked pretty sweet

[moojuice]

So, if I use some random Japanese phone number, would I potentially screw someone over in Japan?

[LinkinPrime]

FYI:
Out today.

Circuit City $8.99
Best Buy w/exclusive featurette $14.99

[Zoglog]

man I just saw episode 3 of this show and it still makes no sense. the CG Is top notch quality tho