Hello There!

I drafted this piece this after I played maimai DX PRISM+ for the last time… only to finish this after CiRCLE hits our arcades. I’ve already seen fellow players complain to Quantum about the price increase for a single game credit. Here’s what I was thinking as I try my best to understand and sympathize with the rest of the player base: Prior to the increase, you play a single game credit for 10 regular tokens. Soon, it will be a single Gacha token for a game credit. Both cost Php50 anyways, so why the fuss? One factor to this is the bonuses (or discounts) everyone gets when playing at Quantum. For example, (at some branches) you place in a single Php100 bill in the token changer and it will give you extra 2-3 tokens. It accumulates enough to give you enough tokens to play more maimai DX. Another factor is that Quantum didn’t even announce the change at all, players just saw the coin slot got upgraded (?) along with the game cab. Quantum’s Gacha tokens are specifically used for crane games, as well as the newly-arrived Pokemon Mezastar machines, and both gives tangible items for each win. There’s no tangible item in maimai DX other than your Amusement IC card (aime, Bandai Namco Passport, e-Amusement card) which you need to pay for one yourself to save gameplay data. In comparison, you can play maimai DX at Timezone for Php60 per game. I’m already anticipating that Quantum’s Q Power Station will match this rate once the cabinets are updated soon (and damn, I was right). Before the increase, I can play maimai DX 3 times for Php100. Now I can only play two for the same price, which of course is saddening. I saw myself no longer affording to choke on charts to increase my DX rating. Yesterday (Sunday), I taught my good friends and fellow maimai DX players how to leverage Timezone’s ‘Buy One Get One’ (BOGO)1 offer which was extended till the end of the day. It was a bit of a hassle navigating through the transaction on the app, but at the end of the day, my friends got the sweet deal. Doing the Math (?) Casual players who don’t regularly drop by the arcades can at most play maimai DX twice for a hundred pesos. ...

X/Twitter gave a present to everyone this holiday season: The ability to edit (read: manipulate) photos in many ways without your consent. Its ‘Imagine’ function lets you edit any image posted on the site — whether if it’s your IRL photo, your artwork, et cetera. Generative AI is becoming more and more inevitable at this point. It’s not just people who are affected by this — brands, companies, newsrooms will also be dragged into this whether they like it or not. For example, The New York Times posts photos on the platform similar to how they do it on Instagram (minus the ’link in bio’ note). I’ve taken one sample from their media tab and used a prompt to make the text different. ...

I’ve been enjoying playing in the arcade nowadays that I eventually gained a circle of friends who are also just enjoying maimai. I’m thankful I discovered maimai, and at the same time I wish I could have discovered it before the pandemic so I can have a way to de-stress. There are other rhythm games to explore in the arcade, and with the release of the NIJISANJI Dance Club collaboration on Dance Dance Revolution WORLD, I decided it’s time to use my Aime card to play BEMANI games. That’s where I dabbled on DDR, GITADORA and Sound Voltex (SDVX). So far, I’m able to get over both DDR and Sound Voltex, but not GITADORA. ...

My first introduction to VOCALOID was a long time ago — I can’t remember exactly when, but I remember listening to Yellow. That kz(livetune) song s a core memory for me, so much that I joined a Pikarmy song cover to bade Pikamee Amano farewell (thanks Rentikoy)). I also recall reading commentary on the first Miku Expo in Indonesia through Ahotaku (who, through his posts, introduced me to J-pop culture in Indonesia). ...

I am about to return to my usual business after spending 4 days outside: First was the three-day Philippine Game Show in Taguig, second was the long-awaited Miku Expo Manila 2025, and lastly the three two-day rally at Luneta. We talk about the PGS’ debut first. I’ve yet to gather all the stuff that have happened during the three-day smorgasbord of games, cosplay, and J-pop, but there’s an elephant in the room which needs to be addressed: There was a gambling brand facing the stage area. I do not know why they’ve been placed there, I don’t know why it’s there, but I am made aware of who put them there. ...

I did my best documenting my journey into this washing machine-looking arcade game. Ever since Madekuji-san taught me how to play maimai DX in Cebu (of all places!) last February, it has become my go-to hobby. Maybe it’s because of the top-load washing machine jokes. Maybe it was because of the memes posted on Music Game Hell. ...

Long time no see, I guess? I was so focused with VTuber NewsDrop that I only blog here sparsely. Now that you’re here, allow me to welcome you to my new website. I lost track of what version is this on, but I’ll put this on v6. This time, we’re on a different platform – Hugo. My friends use it, VTubers use it, and now I’m using it. It’s been a journey learning how to deploy v6 online, and I’m thankful for every small wins I earned throughout. ...

Those who have followed the manga prior to the film have seen how it’s adapted, while those who are new to the popular anime franchise were immersed into the series’ universe on the spot. A handful of scenes were a critical hit with the audience, and some of them have become emotional watching things unfold in front of their eyes. —Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Kept Fans, Moviegoers Glued to their Seats (August 19, 2025)

Fans of Bushiroad’s mixed-media projects gather at the Quantum Skyview area of Gateway Mall 2 in Quezon City on the weekend of June 7-8, 2025 for this year’s Manila leg of Bushiroad Expo. Last year, we saw voice actress Rin Tateishi and Cardfight!! Vanguard commentator DifferentFight at Ayala Malls Trinoma. It’s understood that this year’s Expo was set up alongside the Manila leg of the Anisama World concert tour wherein Bushiroad star Ave Mujica performs songs alongside FLOW, nobodyknows+, ASH DA HERO, Toshiya Miyata, Hiroshi Kitadani, Mayu Maeshima, and MindaRyn. ...

“(Hololive is) best-known for having one of the largest fan bases in VTubing — and their success in the industry attracts fans and potential talents to either join the agency or set up their own,” says Jay Agonoy, editor and publisher of the website VTuber NewsDrop. [NewsDrop’s editor] points out another difference in that, unlike with [AKB48’s Yasushi] Akimoto, “Most English-speaking fans forgive Tanigo if Cover makes mistakes, as long as Hololive’s talents are treated well.” The support remains strong, even after a string of high-profile “graduations” (idol-speak for departures) from the agency. “You rarely see that kind of reverence toward other executives in this young VTuber industry.” ...