Otaku Experience

Master animator's legacy crossed borders

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 08:53:07 -0800

SAGA--The 1964 U.S. puppet animation film "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" that is so beloved by children around the world owes much of its magic to a Japanese animator.

But even in his homeland, Tadahito Mochinaga (1919-1999) is not well known.

Moves are afoot in the city of Saga, where Mochinaga spent his early childhood, to recognize anew how much he contributed to the film industry.

via asahi.com

Permalink | Leave a comment »

Blatant plagiarizing by Gene Simmons' son?

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:29:00 -0800

Pretty damning pics posted by Bleachness of Nick Simmons, Gene Simmons' son, engaging in blatant plagiarism of Bleach manga. I've picked some of the most obvious examples, especially the first two, which practically looked traced! There are more allegations of plagiarism against Nick Simmons in other areas of art, including him ripping off an Audioslave song in Bruce Kulick's Hand Of The King. (credit where it's due)

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Permalink | Leave a comment »

Spring 2010 lineup

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 21:38:00 -0800

Overall only about 3 of these interest me; Ichiban, B Gata H Kei and Senko no Night Raid.

Senko no Night Raid - Spies from a secret organization? This might be interesting, based on that on paragraph description. I'll have to fish for a trailer.
Iron Man - Oh Marvel...now that you're owned by Disney, there's no depths to which you sink that will surprise me.
Yojo-han Shinwa Taikei - A little strange slice of life. I wonder if college students do as much weed in Japan as they do here
Arakawa under the bridge - WTF is up with that Starhead man? This might be interesting!
Rainbow - A dark period piece which will likely have tons of teen angst. It'll be a hit!
House of Five Leaves - An Edo period piece about a ronin serving under a gang leader. Fun?
Heroman - Stan Lee. I think I covered my feelings about you with Iron Man. Still...it IS Studio Bones. Might be worth checking out.
Ookiku Furikabatte 2nd season - I don't care for baseball at all. Next.
Angel Beats - a yuri anime about hot angels with guns? Sign me up!
Ichiban Ushiro no Dai Maou - I must confess, I love fantasy anime about magicians in magical academies. Zero no Tsukaima's first season had me hooked, the 2nd too, but the 3rd fell flat. Hopefully this one can save my faith in magical anime-kind.
Working! - Restaurant-centered anime. I don't think there's anything particularly interesting about that premise.
Giant Killing - Football. No thanks.
Hetalia Axis Powers 3rd season - I'll watch the first two seasons and get back to you on this...
Ring ni Kakero 1 Shadow - Fight-o!
Major 6th season - 6 seasons of baseball? Thanks but I wouldn't get past the 1st...
B Gata H Kei - A virgin who aspires to have 100 casual sex encounters, but focuses on a single boy...I'm watching this.
Kaichou wa Maid-sama! - What is it with Japan and maids? Maids in school for that matter. Hayate no Butler suits all my needs in this area.
Hakouki: Shinsengumi Kitan - Shinsengumi and magic are always a winning combo, right?
Uragiri wa Boku no Namae wo Shitte Iru - A whiny little empath meets a guy who might be his older brother. Meh.
D.C. ~Da Capo~ Ext - Meh.
K-ON 2nd season - YES!!!!!
Mayoi Neko Overun - A nekogirl in a sweet's shop. That'll work.
Kiss x Sis - Eh...next.
Ikkitousen: Xtreme Xecutor - It's Xtreme!
Shin Koihimi+Musou Otome Tairan - Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Can't get enough of this stuff...wait, yes I can.
Yutori-chan - "the first anime distributed by email". Huh...worth a look.
SD Gundam Sangokuden - Romance of the Three Kindgoms...with SD Gundams...meh, I have a soft spot for the little retarded mechs anyway.
Bakugan Battle Brawlers New Vestroia - Hey "Cartoon" Network, here's that new season you want...
Hime Chen! Otogi Chikku Idol Lilpri - Distributing cards to get kids to do stuff. There's a bright idea. Maybe we'll avoid more high school dropouts...

Permalink | Leave a comment »

In 1998 John K, creator of Ren and Stimpy, responded to a letter by a 14 year old fan

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:03:43 -0800

In 1998, aged just 14, aspiring young cartoonist Amir Avni decided to get in touch with the creator of Ren & Stimpy, John Kricfalusi. Being a hardcore fan of Kricfalusi's work, Amir sent him an introductory letter along with a few cartoons he'd drawn, some of which contained relatively unknown characters of John's. To call Kricfalusi's response 'generous' would be an understatement...

...

Dear Amir,

Thanks for your letter and all your cartoons to look at.

We're having trouble opening your flash files, though; when I click the player it opens a blank screen. I have somebody trying to figure it out. If it doesn't work, maybe you can post them on the web and give me the URL.

Your comics are pretty good, especially your staging and continuity. You might have the makings of a good storyboard artist. I'm sending you a very good how to draw animation book by Preston Blair. Preston was one of Tex Avery's animators. He animated 'Red Hot Riding Hood' and many other characters.

His book shows you very important fundamentals of good cartoon drawing.

Construction. Learn how to construct your drawings out of 3-dimensional objects. Learn how to draw hands so they look solid. I want you to copy the drawings in his book. Start on the first page, draw slow. Look very closely. Measure the proportions. Draw the drawings step-by-step, just the way Preston does.

After you finish each drawing check it carefully against the drawing in the book. (if you do your drawings on tracing paper, you can lay the paper on top of the book to see where you made mistakes. On your drawing write the mistakes. Then do the drawing again, this time correcting the mistakes.

Here's another important piece of information for you:

Good drawing is more important than anything else in animation. More than ideas, style, stories. Everything starts with good drawing. Learn to draw construction, perspective.

Ok, now it's up to you.

Oh, by the way - OLD cartoons (from the 1940'a especially are better than new cartoons. If you copy the drawings in new cartoons you won't learn anything - except how to get bad habits. Look at Tom and Jerry from 1947 - 1954 or Elmer Fudd + Porky Pig from the 40's + early 50's.)

I'm amazed at how much you know about us. How do you know about BIGLOAF? and MILDMAN!

You can see Jimmy + George Liquor on the internet. Oh, I guess you know that.

Allright Bastard, let's get to work. Draw! and slow now.

My email address is [redacted] if you have any questions - not too many I hope! I get a lot of email and it's hard to answer it all.

Your pal,

John K.

via lettersofnote.com

You can view the original letter at lettersofnote.com. John K's letter was illustrated with pictures demonstrating the advice he gives, and also included a copy of a book mentioned, as well as a drawing just for Amir. This just about brings a tear to my eye. It's beautiful to see when an animator from a previous generation takes time to mention one who is looking to follow in his footsteps. What's even more awesome is that he found the post on lettersofnote.com and someone suggested he do an AMA on Reddit. http://www.lettersofnote.com/2010/01/your-pal-john-k.html?showComment=1263241241504#c3687675921479540530

OMG the creator of Ren and Stimpy is/will be a redditor!

Permalink | Leave a comment »

Dance in the Vampire Bund Episode 1

Sat, 09 Jan 2010 18:53:31 -0800

Dance in the Vampire Bund is a new 12 episode anime by SHAFT airing right now. In the present day, vampires are but legends to humans. However, Mina Tepes, the Vampire Queen, exposes the existence of vampires to the world, as well as her wish to create a kingdom for all vampires in a reclaimed bund in Tokyo, hence the name Dance in the Vampire Bund.

The format of the first episode is a lame Japanese gameshow where they try to decide who is behind the Suginari Serial killer case, and if it's really a vampire. They call into question the existence of vampires this drags on for a good 15-20 minutes, until the killer reveals himself, as does Mina. Those final few minutes of action and dark vampire action made up for the mind-numbing pace of the japanese game show format...I really, really find those types of shows boring, but hopefully this will shape up to be another one of the good vampire anime.

Here's some screenies for you:

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Permalink | Leave a comment »

Why it's time to lighten up about "weird" Japan - Boing Boing and a small update on my status

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:30:00 -0800

The simple fact that I'm Japanese quickly became one of my greatest advantages as an aspiring writer. I started paying attention to my motherland as a repository of story ideas. I looked at things differently when I went back home, honed my story-finding skills, and launched my own blog, TokyoMango. I got major Japan-related assignments from magazines, consulting gigs from print and radio outlets, and a book deal. It was really strange for me, because all I thought I was doing was telling people about the place I came from. One thing was clear: Weird Japan sells. It's an almost guaranteed success for book publishers and major traffic bait for blogs.

Being majime (too serious) is not cool in Japan; likewise it is important for voyeurs of Japanese culture to recognize that most everything pop-culture-y that is exported to the West comes at us with a wink. If you're all up in arms about it, then maybe the joke is on you.

On the outside, guys like Sal9000 (the guy who married his DS girlfriend) and Nisan (the guy with the body pillow girlfriend) may seem "weird" or "crazy." But they've really just found creative ways to toy with amorphous concepts like love and romance that complement their own unique lives.

via boingboing

A very interesting post about modern Japanese culture and why it's not so weird as some might think.

Personally, I'm gearing up for a trip to Japan hopefully within 2 years, and while I'm fairly open-minded, I'm going precisely because it's so different. I'm not disgusted by a lot of the weird Japanese things, neither am I obsessed. I'm just in awe. I also want to go to Russia, comrade!

I'm going to be writing some anime-related posts over at timmaughanbooks.com, since he's going on vacation in the new year, and it's easy to see that his website gets far more traffic than this blog. Hopefully I'll clean my act up a bit more on this blog, since I always write better when it's for someone else. I'm very informal on this page, and I think that's why I like doing it.

Permalink | Leave a comment »

Fairy Tail episodes subbed by Siempre Fidelis

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:35:00 -0800

I'm gonna start watching Fairy Tail, though I also need to watch Kaiji. Oh well, I have time. Fairy Tail looks to be the next big shounen title in anime.

Permalink | Leave a comment »

Elemental Gelade review - Disappointing, short, full of fluff

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 19:58:00 -0800

I'm not quite sure what I was thinking when I first started watching this anime. All the warning signs were there, and I should have avoided it, but I figured I'd go ahead and watch it. What puts Elemental Gelade below greatness isn't any single thing, but more a combination of mehs and boring concepts and executions. But I digress, because we both know I put myself through this just to procrastinate. On with the show.

In the world of Elemental Gelade, there exist humans, and alongside them exist the Edel Reids. The Edel Reid are simply put, living weapons. They look just like humans, and their only distinguishing feature is a gem somewhere in their bodies, called an elemental gelade. These gems give them the power to transform into weapons when they React with a human, who is thereafter called a Pleasure. Reacting forms a contract between the human and the Edel Reid, so no other two can React as long as the pleasure is alive.

The main character, Coud van Gireut, has the good luck of Reacting with the most powerful of all the Edel Reid, Reverie Metherlance, who likes to be called Ren for short. Of course, many want the power of this Edel Reid, so Coud's life is often thrown into peril by those seeking to kill him. Along the 26 episodes this anime has, Coud meets several other Edel Reids and Pleasures, in a typical quest format that doesn't really create any lasting impressions or bond between the viewer and them. As is the usual for these type of series, Coud and Ren reform those who they run across, thanks to their deep bond of love.

Coud and Ren's entourage are Cisque, Rowen and Kuea, members of the Guardians, a group that seeks to protect the Edel Reid by giving them a safe, protected place. At first they try to steal Ren away, but eventually settle in with Coud and Ren on their journey to find the Garden of Eden, a place where Ren yearns to go, as she feels some strange sort of connection. This is spoilerrific, but the Garden of Eden is the base of the Chaos Choir, the main "antagonists" of the series. I put antagonists in quotation marks, because the show tries to draw parallels between them and the Guardians...and fails at really doing so. One of the methods the show uses to accomplish this is the appearance of the Edel Reid Hunter Wolx, the typical bad boy who gets reformed by the good guys. He only appears for about 2 or 3 episodes, so again, doesn't create a lasting impression, other than showing the perpetuation of yet another cliche in this type of anime.

This anime gets 6/10 from me, the concept is good, but the execution fails because of the many cliche developments this anime goes through. Good to see if you already watched better anime like Kiba, but you won't miss much if you skip it altogether.

Permalink | Leave a comment »

Innocent Venus #anime review

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 11:28:42 -0700

Wow, where to even start? For a 12 episode anime, this was pretty solid. I admit I was expecting it to match up to Jyu-Oh-Sei, and on that it fell short, but this amazing anime stands tall in the land of anime so short most people forget.

Innocent Venus is the the story of Sana, a strange, pink haired little girl who is watched over by Jin and Jo, two ex-members of a mysterious and deadly military group known as Phantom. They're tailed by an annoying little shrimp named Gora, who is in what appears to be a Santa suit. This fashion statement isn't explained, but considering this is your typical almost-post-apocalyptical world we can cut the kid a little bit of slack.

Sana has an attachment to Jin, a charismatic white haired man with a tragic past and a strange obsession. Jo is a bit more of a mystery throughout most of the anime, not having as much as a backstory as Jin, so we can assume he was a member of Levinas, the lower class in this world.

Though the first couple of episodes are just spent running away from Phantom, much of the 12 episodes of this anime are spent trying to find out why the military has such interest in Sana. Towards the last two episodes, we see Sana growing through this ordeal, standing up for her right to know her own origin instead of running away. This mystery isn't quite as suspenseful as it could have been, and leaves me wanting for a bit more depth, though there is one character in this series that was always entertaining.

That character that was always worth watching? Drake, the leader of Phantom. Though we know he's the main antagonist, we're not quite sure what his end goals are, or how we wishes to accomplish these. After Jin's betrayal (come on, after like the 3rd episode you know that's coming) we see him occasionally interact with Jin, each time revealing a bit more of his plans, and we see what almost appear to be the trappings of a madman, but alas, the rather anti-climactic ending sees his end in less than 15 minutes.

Is it worth watching? Only because it's 12 episodes long and you could finish it in a week or two fairly easily. The plot feels as if it is executed with a bit of originality, which is rare in an anime like this, though it would probably lag if it were as long as the Gundams or Bleachs of the anime world. Go watch: http://www.animeseason.com/innocent-venus/

Permalink | Leave a comment »

Good quote that summarizes Needless

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:31:45 -0700

This quote pretty much summarizes Needless up to the current episode, #7:

"Simeon is a loli-friendly working environment, Mio's butt is a lethal weapon, and Adam Arclight is a tentacle monster with a vagina for a stomach that prefers the flesh of small children."

Permalink | Leave a comment »

First episode peek: Umineko No Naku Koro Ni

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:02:31 -0700

Umineko No Naku Koro Ni (When The Seagulls Cry) is a story about the wealthy Ushiromiya family, who congregate on a private island called Rokkenjima, to discuss how the assets of the head of the family, Kinzo Ushiromiya, will be divided, as he is very much near death. Several members of the family arrive on the island, including Battler, the main character, and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Also on the island are five of Kinzo's servants and his personal physician.

There is a legend of how Kinzo brought the family to wealth, involving a legend of a golden witch called Beatrice, who gave Kinzo a fortune in ten tons of gold in exchange for his soul. Much of the first episode is spent discussing this between the adults, all who are greedy and have their own reasons for wanting the gold. The youngest member of the family, Maria, is a very imaginative girl, and has studied a lot about Beatrice and seems to be keenly aware of something sinister on the island.

Overall the feeling of the anime, especially that given by Maria, is eerily similar to Higurashi. Previously I had mentioned how Needless was the new TTGL, well When The Seagulls Cry is the new Higurashi.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Permalink | Leave a comment »

First episode peek: CANAAN

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 17:30:20 -0700

CANAAN is a new series based on a game titled 428. The story centers around Canaan, a mysterious mercenary (aren't they always) with synesthesia, the blending of senses. There are several apparent mercenary factions, some which have members with synesthesia as well. It's good to watch the opening of this anime to really get a feel for it, otherwise I couldn't even begin to describe it:

See and download the full gallery on posterous

"I think he's dead John" "Let's see if he has any money"

Google-fu, activate!

Damn, that's some good stuff...probably should be viewing this in public

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Ask, and the fashion guru shall answer child

See and download the full gallery on posterous

"I was young, and my boyfriend said it wasn't permanent"

"My boyfriend's tat came out so bad, he drowned himself because of it"

"You're ugly"

Film still lives!

"Of course it does, the pros all use film"

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Shanghai: Where random old men let you into their jackets

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Looks like these two already know each other

Roof surfing. Ranma, eat your heart out

Pole dancing, mercenary style

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Synesthesia: good for spotting your enemies

See and download the full gallery on posterous

I believe I can fly

Alright guys, one at a time ok?

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Permalink | Leave a comment »

First episode peek: Needless

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:21:07 -0700

If you loved Tengen Toppa Gurren Laggan, as you well should, then you'll love Needless. Madhouse Studio's newest series features the same archetype characters as seen in Tengen Toppa Gurren Laggan in a brand new world. The same over the top action that characterizes TTGL is present in spades in Needless. Needless are humans who have acquired special abilities after a disaster in the past created an area known as the blackhole, which somehow granted people these powers.

The main character is Cruz Schild, which might seem like Simon with green hair to fans of TTGL:

See and download the full gallery on posterous

A complete crybaby at first due to being hunted by the villains in this series, he runs into our new Kamina, knowns as Adam Blade. Blade is the unbeatable hardcore guy in this series, and you'll love every bit of his excessive personality:

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Filling the fanservice is this cute lady, who is a real firecracker and cracks down on Simon, sorry, Cruz a lot for his crybaby attiudes:

See and download the full gallery on posterous

They're both accompanied by this old doc, whose place in this series isn't quite there yet:

There are many Needless in this series, including the members of Simeon, the evil pharmaceutical corporation which exercises tight control over the world distributing illegal drugs:

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Interestingly enough, both the priest Adam Blade and the main evil guy have numbered collars...how will this play out in the future? For now we'll have to wait, whilst we watch crazy awesome battle sequences such as these:

We quickly get a peak into the extent of Blade's powers, although at first he appears dismissive:

He quickly faces a foe, and dispatches him in style:

See and download the full gallery on posterous

I don't want to spoil too much of this episode (since I haven't read the manga either so I'm not entirely sure myself) so I'll leave you with a peek at what awaits:

Permalink | Leave a comment »