• Code Geass R2:

Code Geass – Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 premiered yesterday in Japan and you can get the RAW of episode 1 via TokyoTosho from many different sources. You know the steps, just type Code Geass in their search field to get the results.

As reported previously, CLAMP drew the illustrations for the Ending sequence:

You can download the full ED sequence, featuring these and other illustrations, here (.AVI, 26 MB). Credits for the rip goes to Memento.

The illustrations are just beyond gorgeous! It’s basically Code Geass through CLAMP’s eyes xD The drawings were done by Mokona but Nekoi painted them using CG. I was surprised with the total amount of illustrations, I thought they would be fewer. Beautiful work, CLAMP.

• XXXHOLiC◆Kei:

Amazon.co.jp has a list for all the upcoming XXXHOLiC◆Kei DVDs. There will be 7 volumes, and each one of them will have a limited edition coming with a Drama CD and a booklet. The first Drama CD will be written by Nanase Ohkawa.

According to Amazon, the release schedule and product details goes as the following:

Volume 1

Release date: June 25.
Running time: 25 minutes.
First edition limitation: Post card, booklet and Drama CD scripted by Nanase Ohkawa.

Volume 2

Release date: July 23.
Running time: 50 minutes.
First edition limitation: Booklet and Drama CD.

Volume 3

Release date: August 20.
Running time: 50 minutes.
First edition limitation: Booklet and Drama CD.

Volume 4

Release date: September 24.
Running time: 50 minutes.
First edition limitation: Booklet and Drama CD.

Volume 5

Release date: October 22.
Running time: 50 minutes.
First edition limitation: Booklet and Drama CD.

Volume 6

Release date: November 26.
Running time: 50 minutes.
First edition limitation: Booklet and Drama CD.

Volume 7

Release date: December 17.
Running time: 50 minutes.
First edition limitation: Booklet and Drama CD.

Thanks to for the heads up!

More information, such as extra features or a box to hold the DVD cases, can be added anytime.

Basing on the DVDs running time that Amazon.co.jp is reporting, XXXHOLiC◆Kei will have only 13 episodes.

I’ve been seeing this (quite a lot) in articles and interviews about the the new season, but I thought the series could be expanded to 26 episodes when we get halfway through it. But after this, I’m getting more and more convinced.

So for now, 13 episodes only.

Last but not least, ASCII.jp has their report on the XXXHOLiC◆Kei event at LOFT/PLUS ONE (they have a bigger version of the CLAMP and Mizushima picture), and Hobby-Channel has an article about the XXXHOLiC◆Kei stage event at TAF2008. Phew!

The ASCII article states that, up to the event’s day, Episode 1 was done, Episode 2 was in the middle of after-recording, Episode 9 was being drawn and Episode 12 storyboarded.