For those of you about to rock, Kawaii Kon salutes you.

Word came in to Cel Shaded Central last week about a musical guest added to the local anime convention's guest roster for 2009: Tsu Shi Ma Mi Re, an all-female Japanese rock trio that was voted “;Best All-Girl Rock Group”; by Shojo Beat readers in 2007.

Never heard of Tsu Shi Ma Mi Re? Consider these excerpts from the band's Wikipedia entry, regarding its music:

» “;In the rap-rock title song from 'no-miso shortcake' ('brain shortcake'), lead singer Mari invites the listener to eat her brain.”;

» “;In 'Kamaboko' ('Fish Cakes'), all three girls play the roles of food ingredients in Japanese hotpot, with fish cakes (Mari) feeling rejected and lonely because she is never added to hotpot.”;

» “;'Tea Time Ska,' the song which often closes their live shows, features a unique mix of punk-rock screaming and sweet harmonies.”;

Brain-eating, lonely fish cakes, punk-rock screaming AND sweet harmonies? I am SO THERE.

Samples of their music are available on their MySpace page (myspace.com/tsushimamirejp) or via a search of the band name on YouTube. The best way I can characterize their sound is as being similar to Puffy AmiYumi, the rock duo that did the theme song for the “;Teen Titans”; cartoon and starred in its own Cartoon Network animated series, “;Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi.”; If there are any Tsu Shi Ma Mi Re fans out there who can think of a more mainstream parallel to their music, please write in and let me know.

I also got word last week that just by reading this fine column, you can now get a 10 percent discount on Kawaii Kon three-day passes when you pre-register online. Just go to www.kawaii-kon.org, click on the registration link and use the discount code “;celshaded”; on the ticket information page.

The discount lasts through the end of the preregistration period on March 31. But if you want to save even more money, pre-register before Jan. 25; with the discount in place, adult passes are $36, and passes for children ages 6 to 12 are $27. (Children under 6 are free.)

That's a savings of $14 for the at-the-door price of an adult pass, and $13 for a children's pass—and a bit of extra money available for you to spend instead in the dealers' room or artists' alley.

Kawaii Kon runs April 10-12 at the Hawai'i Convention Center ...

Bargain hunting

While we're on the subject of bargains: Animania is returning to Suncoast Video stores at Pearlridge and Windward Mall on Sunday, bringing with it the usual array of discounts and general anime-related fun. Buy one anime-related item—DVDs, wall scrolls, T-shirts, toys, stuff like that—and get a second item at half price. Trivia contests with free giveaways will be held throughout the day, and a cosplay contest will be held at 3 p.m. ...

For those of you who are looking for cheap used manga, Rainbow Books & Records in Aiea (99-185 Moanalua Road, Suite 100) is running a 15 percent off sale on all merchandise through this month. Most of the manga is already around $4.99 to $5.99 per volume, making it a greater deal ...