SonicJPNews archive blog: March 2019

2019/03/31

SEGA of Japan and April Fool's Day

News from 2019.03.31-04.03
Archived on 2019.04.18

April Fool's Day for SEGA is always fun, because they've got this one standard joke:


Later, SEGA Official had an interview about this incident above asking if it was intentinoal: the answer was no.
"We didn't intend it to make it a joke; we just needed to load them separately for transportation, that's all. It was a new look to us, too."
- SEGA Official
"For your info, corporate logos are usually used under a guideline. There are many companies releasing usage rules and manuals for logo information on clear space, minimum size, colors etc."
- SEGA Official

Even unintentional moves become a source of our small joy in everyday life. Very SEGA-like!
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Summary of SEGA FES 2019!

News from 2019.03.30-31
Archived on 2019.04.17

Summary of SEGA FES 2019!

On the 30th to 31st of March 2019, SEGA of Japan held their annual event SEGA FES in Akihabara, Tokyo.
SEGA fans gathered in Akihabara that weekend or watched the livestream of the stage events to enjoy the atmosphere of SEGA-ness.

And of course, there were news to each of their franchise. Let's have a look!

DAY 1

Before the event start...

"Today and tomorrow is SEGA FES at Akihabara! Such crowd even before the event start! The passion of SEGA fans. Famitsu will report on the event through articles!"
- Famitsu





Everybody is getting ready for the start!
Oh hey, the person behind SEGA Official will be there too!
"This is my 7th year running the official Twitter account, but I still get very nervous when working on SEGA FES...my stomack hurts..."

Thanks for the good work, please have a good rest after this...!

And at last...
SEGA FES 2019 STARTS!

Sonic also there to welcome visitors.
Have fun, everyone!

Official Livestream DAY1 Stage #1



Official Livestream DAY1 Stage #2



Official Livestream DAY1 1F Booth #1



Official Livestream DAY1 1F Booth #2

NEWS1: Tokyo Olympic Game titles from SEGA are announced!









NEWS2: MEGA DRIVE MINI announced with first 10 titles out of 40!







"Software development is by us, M2. Please look forward to it."

Mazin-san is so happy about Mega Drive Mini!
"Amazing reproduction of the shell!! Perfect recreation of movable parts! The detail of letting the attachment slot open without actual function! I'm definitely going to get it as a miniature display too!"
"I'll have to buy normal and W versions of Mega Drive Mini for their packages, lol. Well, I'm going to need one for storing and display anyway, and I want at least 3 USB fighting pad 6B so it's fine that way. Because it's SEGA hardware, my wife would allow this to me easier than other stuff I buy. I could actually buy 2 normal editions, in total 3 Mega Drive Minis."


Additionally, MEGA DRIVE MINI's US version GENESIS MINI was announced officially from the SEGA of America side!


NEWS3: New sequel to Sakura Wars series!






NEWS4: YAKUZA series fan meeting!



"Ryu ga Gotoku (YAKUZA) series fan meeting 2019 in SEGA FES. SSR Kazuma Kiryu was announced for Ryu ga Gotoku Online; moreover, the fans enjoyed the Ryu ga Gotoku cult quiz by the guests. "

NEWS5: 6 more titles for SEGA AGES announced!


"Thank you for coming to SEGA AGES stage despite the cold weather. The surprise news surprised us too."

Event: Demo-play Team Sonic Racing!


Event: Play with huge SEGA Saturn Control Pad!



Merchandise is also very popular!


"SEGA FES merchandise booth waiting time is currently 45 minutes. I'll give up today and will buy them when they come to our company's shop, even if I'll have them a little later."

The bakery Shiro-Cooppe's Sonic Chili Dog and SEGA's Taiyaki Shop!


Cool stuff here and there...

"The 'Japan's best singing office worker' Takenobu Mitsuyoshi-san was at SEG AFES 2019, so I aimed my camera at him - and he showed various expressions!"

"Obtained the Sonic Umai-bou!"
It's the special Sonic edition only available here at SEGA FES!

And as always, there is Mega UFO Catcher too! Become the catcher yourself and grab as many items as you can!



Event: Hiroshi Fujioka-san's talk on his experience as Segata Sanshiro

"Our eyes are wet while listening to Hiroshi Fujioka-san's passionate and sincere talk and behind-the-scenes of Segata Sanshiro"
"Highlights of Segata Sanshiro CM series and now-told rare episodes"

He carried heavy SEGA Saturn on his back and walked on gravels with bare foot, went out in cold, and punched the buttons so hard that his hand was bleeding... so much energy he put into the making of Segata Sanshiro CMs. Respect!
"We started off laughing as we watched Segata Sanshiro CMs but we were having tears in our eyes at the end - and as finale, we sang the 'SEGA Saturn, Shiro' song together with everybody."
"A group picture with Segata Sanshiro."

This talk event was summarized later in a passionate 4 page long report by CNET Japan, which Okunari-san was happy to read.

And the Day 1 comes to its end!


"Mega Drive Mini's select screen music is done by Koshiro-san, but the music itself sounds more like Sonic sounds or the music of Land Stalker played with OCM data.
Alright, I might get on my way home now. It was a fun event! Tomorrow is Sege-ichi."



DAY 2


The start of Day 2!

Sonic at SEGA FES!

A surprise guest...


Official Livestream DAY2 Stage #1



Official Livestream DAY2 Stage #2


Official Livestream DAY2 1F Booth #1


Official Livestream DAY2 1F Booth #2






Play UFO Catcher for free at SEGA FES!


SEGA logo Taiyaki sold out!



At the end of SEGA FES...





And even later...

It was a great event! Thank you SEGA!!!

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2019/03/30

Senoue-san will perform live at FACE to FACE vol.2!

News from 2019.03.20
Archived on 2019.04.18

Senoue-san will do another live performance at FACE to FACE vol.2!
SONIC ADVENTURE MUSIC EXPERIENCE lead by Jun Senoue will play Sonic music there!
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Naka-san's 35 anniversary of being a game creator

News from 2019.03.30
Archived on 2019.04.18

Naka-san on his life as game creator.

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Maekawa-san on behind-the-scene of a Sonic Heroes cutscene

News from 2019.03.30
Archived on 2019.04.17

Another interesting backstory from Maekawa-san on production of Sonic!
This time it's about Sonic Heroes, the last cutscene of Team Dark's story.
Wow, they didn't understand the scene? That's so sad, I don't understand whny they didn't get it either.
It must've been a hard time for Maekawa-san trying to convince them...
And Iizuka-san did a good job there! Thanks to them we have the great scene as it is meant to be. Good grief.

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Alex Kidd Trivia from SEGA

News from 2019.03.29
Archived on 2019.04.18

Did you know this about Alex Kidd?
I didn't.

Which version did you have?
Buy SEGA AGES and try it out yourself!

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2019/03/29

TSR new BGM "Haunted Castle" by Tee Lopes, Jun Senoue and Tei Sena!

News from 2019.03.28
Archived on 2019.04.17

Showcase of new stage music for Team Sonic Racing!

"Haunted Castle!"
A team-up between Tee Lopes, Jun Senoue and violinist Tei Sena!

This is an original music composed by Tee Lopes specially for the game.
It sounds soooo good!!!



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New trailer for JUDGEMENT for the west!

News from 2019.03.28
Archived on 2019.04.17

More update on JUDGEMENT for the west!
New trailer with replaced model for Kyohei Hamura!
Pre-order now!
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The Official Sonic Livestream is back today!

News from 2019.03.28
Archived on 2019.04.17

The Official Sonic Livestream is back today!
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Alex Kidd is coming to SEGA AGES!

News from 2019.03.28
Archived on 2019.04.17

Do you miss Alex Kidd? Don't you worry anymore!
'Alex Kidd in Miracle World' is coming to SEGA AGES!
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Kanemaru-san on Chaos Emerald

News from 2019.03.28
Archived on 2019.04.17

Kanemaru-san on Chaos Emerald:
"When I hear the word 'Chaos Emerald', a song called 'The Legend of Emerald' goes through my head."


It's a song by The Tempters, a pop song group of Japan from the 60's. A very popular song that sold over a million copies.

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2019/03/28

Don't miss the opportunity to get your own Segata Sanshiro at SEGA FES!

News from 2019.03.28
Archived on 2019.04.17

This weekend is SEGA FES!

"This weekend is - finally - SEGA FES 2019!
'Let's go! SEGA FES!'
Are there - SEGA logos - around - you?!
'Yes there are!!
Find SEGA logos around you and post their pictures with the hashtag!"

"Here are my recommendation for merchandise available at SEGA FES this weekend.
Matching for 'SEGA SATURN 25th ANNIVERSARY THANK-YOU FESTIVAL' event, 'Segata Sanshiro' goods will be sold for the first time!"

Don't miss the opportunity to get your own Segata Sanshiro at SEGA FES!
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Tomorrow is SEGA FES 2019!

News from 2019.03.28
Archived on 2019.04.17

It's finally time! SEGA FES 2019 is starting tomorrow and show us new stuff from SEGA over the weekend!

Here are words from the officials:
"It's SEGA FES 2019 from tomorrow for two days, but never stress yourself too much!"
- Sonic Committee

"I don't have a job as DJ this year, but if you are goin to SEGA FES, please enjoy it. (As for myself, I might have something to announce in the next few days!)"
- Tomoya Ohtani

"Tomorrow is SEGA FES. Asuka & Asuka, CHAGE & CHAGE. Final Form Ride-!
I'm planning to go to Akihabara before noon. I've got to see the stage event for Mega Drive Mini. I don't know anything about what's going to be revealed, so I'm very excited!"
- Mazin (Masato Nishimura)

Each to their own. Enjoy SEGA FES if you are going!
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Tails x Avengers?!

News from 2019.03.29
Archived on 2019.04.17

Uh-oh.
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Naka-san: Rolling is fast and Mario is like Sonic in Super Mario Odyssey

News from 2019.03.27
Archived on 2019.04.17

Naka-san's thought on this news on Super Mario Odyssey speedrun:
"Watching the time attack of Super Mario Odyssey, Mario is rolling very often that he reminds me of Sonic. I guess rolling is fast after all."

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SoJ's Giveaway of Team Sonic Racing merchandise!

News from 2019.03.27
Archived on 2019.04.17

SEGA of Japan is doing a giveaway event for merchandise of Team Sonic Racing!

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2019/03/27

Space Channel 5 is coming to PaxEast2019 as VR!

News from 2019.03.27
Archived on 2019.04.17

Hey there! Cool news on Space Channel 5!
It's coming to PaxEast2019 as VR!
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SEGA Official's Casual Poll - which Sonic pose do you like the most?

News from 2019.03.27
Archived on 2019.04.17

As you already know, SEGA Official is holding a Casual Poll with theme Sonic - and today is the last day to vote!
What's your favorite pose out of the 5? Choose and vote!

It's also tied to a giveaway campaign of Sonic Jacket, a collaboration product vetween Sonic the Hedgehog and jacket brand XLARGE (the campaign is only available for people living in Japan).


And Sonic-related people also chose their favorites!
Interestingly, they all chose a different pose!!





This is getting interesting. Which one is your favorite?

Also, this poll made Sonic a trending word in Japan this day! Woo-hoo!


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SEGA Official shows around the arcade center Ikebukuro GiGO!

News from 2019.03.27
Archived on 2019.04.17

SEGA Official shows around the largest arcade center of Ikebukuro, Tokyo: "Ikebukuro GiGO".
It's really huge and colorful!
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Mazin-san celebrates birthday of various games of Mega Drive!

News from 2019.03.27
Archived on 2019.04.17

Mazin-san celebrates birthday of various games of Mega Drive!
"Mega Drive's Turbo OutRun, Cosmic Phantasy Stories, Pit Fighter, Thunder Pro Wresling, Shadow of the Beast, Storm Road, and Art ALIVE, happy birthday! Cheers!"

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Kotodaman's revival event for SEGA FES! Get Soinc, Eggman and SEGA Hardware Girls!

News from 2019.03.26-27
Archived on 2019.04.16

SEGA's online word puzzle game app "Kotodaman" will have a special comeback event in preparation to SEGA FES!

Players will be able to obtain characters which were available at the release of the game, such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Dr. Eggman, and six SEGA Hardware Girls in the one-week event.

Play the game and get the exclusive characters now!




Watch & listen to character voices! Yes, that's him!
Kanemaru-san's Sonic voice is simply perfect.

"[Character introduction] Sound of Speed Hedgehog: Sonic
'I'm Sonic. Sonic the Hedgehog!'
Nothing can keep him and he won't stay at one place. A cool and spiky hedgehog who runs at the speed of sound."

"[Character introduction] Ultra speed: Super Sonic
'Can you catch up to my speed?'
Sonic who transformed by the power of Chaos Emeralds. With every stats powered up and the ability fly in the air, he is the fastest and strongest hedgehog."

"[Character introduction] Dr. Eggman
'I am the world's most superior genius, Dr. Eggman!'
A self-centered and self-indulgent, self-proclaimed evil genius. He likes mechas over anything."
"[Character introduction] Explosive armor: Dr. Eggman
'Ho-ho-ho-ho-ho!'
The evil genius with IQ of 300.
He plans to conquer the world for building his own Eggmanland."


"[Character introduction] SG-1000
'Game center's excitement at home!'
A home console game machine released on July 15th, 1983. Removing the PC-function from SC-3000 released at the same time, this machine is specialized for gaming."
"[Character introduction] SEGA Hardware Girls: SG-1000
'Ohh, I'm sorry...'
Crybaby, shy and clumsy girl. But once she becomes truly angry, the suppressed power will be released from the monolith on her back, no one will be able to stop her."

"[Character introduction] SEGA Mark III
'Game leader!'
Released on October 20th, 1985. A new machine powered up on graphics and more from SG-1000 series."

"[Character introduction] SEGA Hardware Girls: SEGA Mark III
'Alright, it's showtime!'
Lively and cheerful mood maker. She likes to entertain people, and always prepares various tricks with her."
"[Character introduction] Mega Drive
'The 16-bit of the age'
Released on October 29th, 1988. This 16-bit home video game system was a great hit worldwide and spread the name of SEGA around the world."
"[Character introduction] SEGA Hardware Girls: Mega Drive
'Uh-huh, I see.'
A high-achiever who is respected by everyone with her vast knowledge and precise analysis skills. But sometimes she fails because of her augumentative nature."

"[Character introduction] Game Gear
'Lot's of colors, that's why it's fun!'
Japan's first handheld game console with full color display released on October 6th, 1990. You can even watch TV with TV tuner pack!

"[Character introduction] SEGA Hardware Girls: Game Gear
'......I'm Game Gear, so what?'
A reticent, chill and easy-to-tire introvert. She likes to talk about things negatively and is not good at getting along with others."
"[Character introduction] SEGA Saturn
'Right onto your head! SEGA Saturn!'
SEGA's 6th home video gaming console released on November 22nd, 1994. A 32-bit machine which can show enhanced expression on 3D and movie scenes."

"[Character introduction] SEGA Hardware Girls: SEGA Saturn
'Well...I can help out, if it's really necessary.'
She never take things the way they are and shows she has emotional leeway, but when somebody plays a funny-man, she can't help but play the straight-man."
"[Character introduction] Dreamcast
'Connect our dreams!'
A home video game console carrying modem released on November 27th, 1998."
"[Character introduction] SEGA Hardware Girls: Dreamcast
'Remember, we are always connected!'
A gentle girl full of sense of justice. She values connection between people, and she can become friends with anyone."

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