Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in lmwise's LiveJournal:

[ << Previous 20 ]

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009
3:42 pm	Tuesday, September 1, 2009--annother INFAMOUS "Tuesday Morning In September"! Breaking News.   That's it---just "Breaking News".   8 years ago, on a bright, crisp clear and sunny Tuesday morning in September (exactly like today, as a matter of fact), the United States Of America was changed forever.  That day was Tuesday Morning, September 11, 2001 @ 9:00 am EST. Today, Tuesday Morning, September 1, 2001 @ 9:00 am CMT, the United States Of America was changed forever, once more.   The mighty, mighty ADV Films has shut down shop and Called It An Era.   An unbelievable 18 exact years--yes, a full generation.  It was September 1991.  The place (for me, at least) was EROLS Video, DC's homegrown video chain (soon to be swallowed up by Blockbuster).  I went to get that used copy of "PROJECT A-KO" I recently rented, which was now up for sale.  I DID--and also picked up something that just came out that day (and luckily for me, it was "payday").  It was in a black clamshell VHS box.  The cover featured a (American) drawing of a young girl about 16, in a red China-Doll dress, red pumps and gold ankle gauntlets brandishing an ornate (and very large) broadsword, leaping up backwards against a brilliant blue sky.  She had the face of an angry angel, her hair in two very unique circular braids, and a paper-cut scar on her right cheek trickling blood.  She was in the midst of a fight with an unseen foe, and compared to the equally funky cover to the PROJECT A-Ko VHS, took "Bad-Assittude" to the 500th Degree.   What also made me surrender my $24.99 (EROLS discount, down from SRP of $29.99+tax!!) was something that US MANGA's packaging of PROJECT A-Ko didn't have--a real live, honest to goddamn TAGLINE:  "She's Young!!  She's In Love!!  She's 'DEVIL HUNTER YOHKO'!!" THAT!!    WAS!!!    IT!!!!    Sure, it was subtitled, but I was hooked.  People who saw the packaging had this "what-the-fuck" look on their faces.  Remember, at that time, AKIRA was what all the 'otaku-to-be' knew about at the time.   We (well, THEY)weren't ready for some babe ready to kick some serious ass.   Hey, "Kids", when I was in Junior High School, this black boy had PAM GREIR and CLEOPATRA JONES and (for you Kung Fu heads) BRIDGETT LINN back before you got hip to her in the '90s as "The Bride With White Hair"---in the '70s, she was "Lady Boxer"!!  Plus, we had Italian Amazons (half-naked, and ARMED) kicking medieval male ass!!  All in the movie theaters (and now, thankfully, on DVD).  I was more than ready for A-Ko and Yohko.  Hell Son (and Daughter)---in my day, We Had BATGIRL (from the Adam West/Burt Ward BATMAN), Charlie's Angels, and WONDER WOMAN, literally MY Homegirl!!!  (yup, in case you haven't READ any of my PREVIOUS Entries, DC is "protected" by Lynda Carter!!  Remember that!!!)  So, give me a hot anime chick for the '90s.   Prior to Yohko, there was Nova from Star Blazers, that chick from G-Force/Battle Of The Planets, Trixie from "ThatShowWhichIHateToMentionBecauseTheyTalkedFastLikeThis", and TV's ONLY Bare-Chested Cartoon Heroine, Neptina from Marine Boy.   But enough with the rambling.  Lots of VHS labels had One-Shot Anime Releases ("Warriors In The Wind", anyone?), but AD Vision immediately followed up (13 days later) with Sol Bianca.   More kickass chicks (led by a sexyass Black Chick!!!) who were space pirates with hearts of gold.   And, that "Goddess Ship".  There was another tagline.  So, I brought it as well.  AD Vision was from (at the time) Bintliff, TX.--a few miles from Houston, and founded by Matt Greenfield...a DC transplant.  Maybe that's why I felt a silent kinship with ADV, that DC connection.  Or, maybe it was because, unlike Animego, which took the "scholarly" (read: "niche") route, Matt--a true promo man--pushed his acquired licenses for the mass market.  You see, Yohko caught on, and naturally, video stores wanted more.  He supplied.   The VHS issues were exceptional quality, in stereo and digital (digital was experimental in '91, so anime companies--who were smart--used it to get ahead of the curb, causing HOLLYWOOD to shit their drawers!!).  The transfers were at SP (full speed), producing a crisp image and sound.  The packaging is what really sold AD Vision product.  Lorraine Reyes was Matt's original partner in crime, and resident artist.  She approximated the Japanese images by hand for the covers.  By late '92, the Japanese companies (especially TOHO and Dreamy Express Zone/Daiei) gave the original Japanese packaging to AD Vision because of their marketing success.  And their subtitles were dead on, thanks to resident fan-turned-co-producer Dwayne Jones.   Finally, AD Vision--like Animego--had direct mail-order (of which I participated!), but did most of their work via the video store, comic-book style.  That means, they would put out one or two new titles a month, bringing you back to the same store week-after-week (of course, helping to create the VIDEO STORE boom of the '90s).   When AD Vision started dubbing their titles around '96--5 years in--they moved from Bintliff to Houston, and acquired local Houston theater actors Rob Mungle, Marcia "Marcy" Ray, Amanda Winn and Jason Lee (no, not THAT "Jason Lee"), along with AD Vision staffers Tiffany Grant and Shawn Swasey to round things out.  Needless to say, this stable was a smart move on Matt Greenfield's part, because these folks had great voices and can act wonderfully, complimenting the original Japanese Seiyu without patronization.  I affectionally called AD Vision's Acting Stable "The Outlaws"--not after that Prog-Country Rock band, but because 1) they were based in Houston, Texas, and 2) they were NOT "wooden" actors, but loose and free-flowing.  Plus, AD Vision produced STARS:  Amanda Winn and Jason Lee were the power-couple.  They would sell a VHS off of name value alone.  Tiffany Grant was Amanda's "straight-woman", but can hold her own in dramatic situations.  Tristan McAvery was AD Vision's 'Rich Little"--had 1001 voices and also a damn good producer.  Marcy Rae did sexpots, bad bitches, milfs, and complex adult characters like cops--and some hentai characters, too--and had the most distinctive southwestern rasp you've ever heard.  Allison Kieth (soon-to-be Sommerall)started small, like Tiffany Grant, but came into her own as the ONLY American Voice for Cat-Girl Nuku-Nuku (with the approval of the QUEEN herself, Megumi Hayashibara).  Shawn Swasey was the nerd boy, the little brother, the character actor to call upon in a pinch, who later became one of AD Vision's director-du jour!  Vic Minogna is a Shakesperean-trained stage actor who is also a mentor-like presence.  Kira Vincent Davis, a successful swipe from Central Park Media, fully adopted AD Vision as her home, and cemented herself in the hearts of fans everywhere with her portrayal of Sayoko in Galaxy Fraulein Yuna.  Cynthia Martinez, also of Yuna, has the funniest girlish squeal in the world, and also the distinction of being the ONLY OTHER ACTRESS in America to be called Lina Inverse.  There are quite a few others who have stepped thru the doors of ADV, but the final praise goes to the MAN himself--there from the start, there to the end:  Rob Mungle.   The elder statesman of ADV, Mr. Mungle took all the other cast to task.  It was his job.   Sorta the enforcer.   Mr. Mungle, along with Tiffany Grant and Marcy Rae, were in the very first DUB from ADV, Guy-Double Target.  From there, Rob had a major part in Blue Seed as Chief Kunikida, and a few other roles in ADV's canon.  But, in 2000--some 5 years in--Rob Mungle sealed his legend thanks to Shinichi Watanabe ("Nabeshin") and the insane anime EXCEL SAGA, in which he held audiences in comedic suspense for well over a year as Pedro.  And, it was officially with Excel Saga that the acting troupe came into their own.   The rest was history.............. and now, sadly, as of this morning, LEGEND.    As a name, ADV Films has gone down into legend, but their properties are being distributed by Sentai Filmworks and other related subsidiaries.  As for the mighty mighty Outlaws, they have previously been farming themselves out to FUNimation (located "down the street" in Dallas, TX)for the past 6 years--especially since FUNi has stopped being the "Dragonball Z"-label.   Their presence meant more licenses for FUNi, greater quality of their releases, and most of all, the assurance that the legacy of US Anime Distribution continues.   Thank You Very Much, ADV Films For Nearly 20 Years Of Bringing America The Best Of Anime, Opening Our Minds And Hearts To The World Of Japanese Culture And Media, And Most Of All, For Being The COOLEST And Most BADASS Anime Distributor In The US of A!!!  You Were BY THE FANS and FOR THE FANS, And Most Of All, You Did It In The Name Of LOVE For The Anime Artform------- And you NEVER Forsaken Your "FIRST GIRL": As we close the chapter that is ADV Films, let me note that, YES, after 18 3/4 Years, DEVIL HUNTER YOHKO is STILL in the ADV Catalog and STILL in Print!!!  While ADV may have been feeling the repercussions of this hellish economy for the past 2 years, by holding onto YOHKO, ADV FILMS Went Out On TOP!!!!! And That, Kiddies, Is The Way To Do It!! NEXT UP: The way Hanna-Barbera inspired anime, and vice versa.  (and maybe "QUEENS BLADE", too.) Thank You Very Much, ADV FILMS (1991-2009). -Lawrence Wise (fan from the start, and bloggist for "My Anime Fix") Current Mood: crushed Current Music: Superheroes, Winx Club(Elisa Rosselli) (Comment on this)
Monday, August 31st, 2009
3:52 pm	We've Got It "MAID"--Again!!! "MAHOROMATIC" Returns!!!  Everybody Rejoice!!! (and no, I haven't forgotten about my previous topic, "Queens Blade", but this is NEWS--so, I once more do "The Bump" to our semi-hentai heroines.......for now.) Anyways, it has been confirmed (via Anime News Network), that a side story to "Mahoromatic-Something More Beautiful", entitled "Mahoromatic-Tadaima Okaeri", will air on Japan's TBS in 2 parts this October (10-17-2009 and 10-24-2009).  WOW!!  Let's add "Mahoromatic" to the list of long-running die-hard anime series (quite a few have been given a 2nd life).   And, the good news is, the gang is (literally) all here (that's right, check the credits on your Japanese-Language DVD....everybody is back!!).   Robert of "Robert's Anime Corner" (store and blog) surmised that a DVD release in Japan might happen close to Christmastime, which could mean a matching US DVD (via ADV/Sentai Filmworks) around late spring/early summer.  Which would be great, provided that Sentai reopen their recording booths and place a phone call to the original Bang-Zoom/New Generation cast.  Hell, I'll be waiting.   In related news, Chisa Yokoyama is recovering quite nicely from a scooter accident she had around August 27.  "Sasami" was sideswiped by a car door which opened up on her as she was coming down the street. (from firsthand experience, let me tell you that when a driver who's been sitting parked for 15 minutes suddenly opens up his/her door without looking, and you're riding into on your bike/scooter, you literally go head-over-heels.  Among other things!)  Chi-Yo suffered a broken left arm and a few bruises, but fear not fans-- Our beloved 39-year-old Jurian Princess should be up and at'em in about 3 weeks.  Let's wish her the best. On the US-Made Anime Front:  3 weeks and counting for "THE CLEVELAND SHOW", Seth MacFarland's latest entry into FOX Sunday Night.  Mike Henry will be all over this project ("Cleveland", the writer, the co-producer and co-director), and he's actually brought Bobcat Gothwait back to TV (as a Bear).  That's a positive thing for US Anime.   Of course, the negative is CW4Kids, which reverted back to it's previous FOX state.  No set schedule, and the constant shuffling of "HUNTIX" and "Kamen Rider".   Plus, the incessant promotion of the game-based "Chaotic"--no story at all in that series, I'm sorry, but it's true.   Finally, the big fuck-up:  totally shafting The WINX CLUB (thank goodness for YouTube, where we get the Real RAI Deal!).   Movie-wise, "Ponyo" has done decent business--not great, nor bad, just decent (Disney STILL doesn't know HOW to promote a Japanese anime, even though they have a long term contract with Studio Ghibli).  Lots of 3D 'kid flicks' being released, with (I'm serious here) "G-Force" kicking everyone's ass.  No offense, but Jerry Bruckheimer's FIRST animated flick (well, part-animated/part-live action) was a full-on BRUCKHEIMER Film.  Nothing watered-down for the kiddies at all (and yes, the chase scene was pure Jerry B.).  "TRANSFORMERS" and "G.I. JOE" were OWNED by some Bruckheimer Guinea Pigs.  (plus, I STILL have the Real 3D Glasses--heh heh). Now, back to more ANIME News:   ITALY:  WINX CLUB Season 4-"Believix" is 26 episodes being issued over 2 parts.  The first part premiered on April 26, and ended this past July.  The second part will premier on September 22.  RAI's English Language version of volume one should be broadcast worlwide (except on 4Kids) by time part two premiers. JAPAN:  Yes, Aika is BACK.  The next chapter in our sexy future scavenger's series has her now at 19, and meeting the Delmos for the first time.  Bandai should give the US a DVD-Box by either December or January (just like Aika R-16 happened).   No sign of Rei Sakuma coming in as Aika, yet.   USA:   Pickups and Salvaging!!!  Lots of Pickups, Lots of Salvaging.  ADV/Sentai is picking up Popotan and a couple more from Geneon, while FUNimation is reissuing ADVs UFO Princess Valkyrie Seasons 3+4, and Magikano--among others.  Naturally, these are now all BOX sets (Man, the days of going to the video store on a weekly/monthly basis are sadly over!).  CRITCAL MASS/RIGHT STUF is bringing La Blue Girl and Magical Woman M over from (the gone-down-into-legend)Anime-18.   But, the BIG NEWS: Finally, after 2 years, SGT. FROG gets its US Premier thru FUNimation (this September and November).  Lets hope that this will even extend to the movies.   Speaking of which:  the WINX CLUB Movie, "The Secret Of The Lost Kingdom", has an English voici track that sounds like RAI went to New Generation to pull off, possibly for a direct-to-DVD FUNimation issue.  That's just MY speculation (after comparing the RAI English tracks for the WINX series--Canadian/New Zealand--to the definite American voices for the movie;  very familiar--albeit non-credited--cast.  Last but not least, DC has taken it's catalog of superheroes in a more grown-up direction.  Already this year, I've purchased (and enjoyed 400%) "Justice League-New Frontiers", "Superman-Doomsday", "Wonder Woman" and "Green Lantern-First Flight".  Andrea Romano is pulling no punches in getting celebrity voice cast who aren't hammy and play these entries as full-on feature films (they are just that good).  Each one is worth their PG-13 ratings.  This is the way that American Action Anime should be.  This puts DC's animated DVD Features on par with the best of Japan's studios. By now, you've probably read the above and though the I either forgot my agenda, or just plain LOST IT.  Well, neither.  I'm simply expanding on related turf.  Mainly because, until we get the proper saturation of Japanese Anime that we experienced about a decade ago, I've got to include ALL forms of animation on the market (yes, even CGI).  But, as you've also read above, don't expect for me to go light, because I love to put these creators to the test.  After all, I am, first and foremost, a fan and lover of all types of anime, and second, I am a consumer--and we speak with our pocketbooks.  Dig. NEXT UP: Gonna do a little HISTORY and talk about Hanna-Barbera's influence on Japanse anime (and just maybe, hopefully, sneak-in something about the 2nd anime series that I'm afraid of, "Queens Blade").  Oh, by the way, did you know that HB was decades ahead of the curve when it came to anime, and that a certain mystery-solving great dane was actually designed by a Japanese-American?  See Ya' Next Time!!   Current Mood: cheerful Current Music: Keep It Low, OSMOSIS (Comment on this)
Monday, August 3rd, 2009
5:00 pm	BREAKING NEWS: Geneon Pick-ups from SENTAI FILMWORKS!!! Nothing really elaborate on this blog, so I'll just get right down to it:   ADV Films (a.k.a. SENTAI Filmworks) has been pulling a major stealth comeback in the past few months.   They're NOT going the Major Promotion route that made them famous (mainly because there are truly NO American Anime Mags anymore--save OtakUSA).  Instead, you'll have to check blogs like this (and Anime News Network) for what they're gonna do.   So, here goes:   POPOTAN, DAPHNE IN THE BRILLIANT BLUE, DOKODAI and (the bane of MY existence) SUGAR-A LITTLE SNOW FAIRY are amond the titles joining MAHOROMATIC on Sentai Filmworks.   These are the VERY SAME Geneon/Pioneer issues, except a little tweaking on the packaging department (and label, 'natch!).   It also appears as though these will be re-issued "as is"--which is a good thing for those who missed them the first time around.   Also, HAPPY Carrot is a re-do of ADV's old Soft Cell Pictures.  We've already recieved GUY: DOUBLE TARGET in all of it's classic glory (the picture is excellent as is the sound).   Plus, to hear the First Generation 'pre-Outlaws' (Rob Mungle, Shawn Swasey, Tiffany Grant, Jason Lee and Amanda Winn--remember when THEY were ADV's "power couple"?, and Marcy Rae) sounding damn good in the new sound remix.   Like I said quite a few times before, ADV may have took it on the chin, but they got right back up.   Damn, I LOVE 'em!!!    Also, in not-quite-anime-related news, "MONSTER X STRIKES BACK" ("The Return Of Guillala") is doing BIG BANK for Media Blasters.  Minoru Kawasaki had his tounge planted firmly in cheek for this one, and it shows.   Plus, to see BOTH "Hayata" and "Ultraman" together in the same flick, in the same scenes, at the same time....ahhhhhhh, classic.    The cast was great, and the guy who played Kim Jong Il was pure 'South Park' evil (check out his badass 'pleasure squad'!!).   Still, the REAL kudos go to Hurricane Ryo as "Guillala" (in the current footage) and Beat Takeshi (yup, it's HIM!!) as "Take-Majin", milking their scenes for all they're worth.   Man, Ryo has been B-U-S-Y in the past 27 months (yes, he was even in the GPS commercial as the hero!!).    Hey, Kaiju and Anime--and a director with the Inoshiro Honda attitude of bringing the world together with fantasy---all is right with the world again. Which brings me to a "subject" I've been sidetracking again, and again:  Ruyo No Senshi/QUEEN'S BLADE.    I caught a couple of episode, but I need to see more.   I won't go into detail UNTIL I properly post the review, but I will.   Say.    This: BEER!!!   Lots and Lots of BEER is needed just to get thru ONE Episode.    (oh yea, you'll NEVER think about "milk" the same, ever again!) So, as a quick recap:   SENTAI Filmworks/ADVFilms is re-issusing Geneon/Pioneer rescues;  HAPPY Carrot is bringing back the adult ADV classics (let's hope for the ENTIRE Twin Dolls/Twin Angels epic!!), and Media Blasters is raking it in with Minoru Kawasaki (as is Synapse Films, which has Kawasaki's OTHER releases!).   NEXT UP (or until we get some OTHER breaking news--and provided I don't have a HANGOVER!!): QUEEN'S BLADE  (and, we'll leave it at that) Current Mood: awake Current Music: Disclaimer, OSMOSIS (Comment on this)
Monday, July 27th, 2009
10:56 am	Don't be alarmed--it's STILL "My Anime Fix"!!! All I did was simply change my Profile Picture to put it in line with the REST of the "internet ME".    Lawrence Wise And The Cosmic Funk Orchestra / OSMOSIS are the 'music names' I've been using for well over 2+ decades.   You can check out that other (actually, ORIGINAL) ME at: www.MySpace.com/CosmicFunkOSMOSIS      &     www.Soundclick.com/LawrenceWiseAndTheCosmicFunkOrchestraOSMOSIS Well, enough of the shameless self-promotion (heh-heh):   Like I mentioned on my previous entry, I'll be reviewing QUEENS BLADE.   So, Stay Tuned.   It will be posted eventually. Current Mood: artistic Current Music: "Stellaar's Secret Rendevous", Lawrence Wise And The Cosmic Funk Orchestra (Comment on this)
Saturday, July 18th, 2009
5:52 pm	Answering the Musical Question: "Does it have to come from Japan to be Anime?" Well, when it comes to Italy's prime animated import "WINX CLUB", the answer is, "Evidently Not".   And for a show geared towards young girls between 6 and 12, WINX CLUB has not only the Fairy Tale angle going for it (it IS a Fairy Tale, by the way), but also those sci-fi/mystic fantasy elements that most anime lovers, like myself, just plain love.  Of course, we hear in the STATES got WINX CLUB practically fresh when it brought here by (man, I really HATE to say their name, but, I digress...) 4KidsTv about 7 years ago.   Now, there's word that that same company has licensed season 4.   After (sorta) redeeming themselves with proper treament of RAI's "Huntix" (which was issued "pure", or NOT at all--it being a 3-way international collab on behalf of RAI-Fiction), I'm gonna hold on with baited breath, as they say.   But in the meantime, we have YouTube, and just like with true Japanese anime, Italy's Winx Club (in the original Italiana-and subtitled!!) has taken off, big time.   That includes the MOVIE which we haven't gotten here yet, "Il Segreto Del Regno Perduto".   Errrr, to those of us who are NOT of Italian descent, WINX CLUB creator Ignio Straffi translates that as "The Secret Of The Lost Kingdom".   And, it literally is a (probable, if issued to US TV) 3-part, 92-minute WINX CLUB episode.  (or, if you're so inclined, Season 3-Episode 23.) Picking up and finishing Season 3 was a great idea (and was brought on by the fans, worldwide), because at the end of Season 3, "Princess" Bloom finally saw the truth about what happened to her homeworld, but sadly, wasn't able to rectify the situation.  Also during that year (in the REAL version--RAI's English dub, NOT 4 KidsTV's) we've learned that Daphne, the spiritual being who's been watching over Bloom since Episode 1 in the First Season, is (WAS) actually Bloom's elder sister, who DIED at the hands of the Ancestral Witches--but not before sending Bloom to Earth.   The last image we saw in Season 3 was Bloom's (supposedly dead) parents embracing each other in the full moon.  It was dark (for a cartoon) and sad, because all the rest of the WINX CLUB (Stella, Tecna, Flora, Musa and Aisha/Layla) all had their "Happily Ever Afters", if you will.   They STILL had thier home planets and real families.   Yet, the story's main heroine was left hanging.  Like I said, the was pretty dark for a cartoon--even though it kinda kept things "real" in the Real World sense. Which brings us to a couple of CGI "movies":  Instead of "The Secret Of The Lost Kingdom", MATTEL gave us "BARBIE:  MARIPOSA" and DISNEY gave us (the terribly contrived, heavily promoted, but awfully disapointing and insulting "TINKERBELLE".).  I would NEVER let my niece WATCH either of those movies, because, well, they're junk.  In "Tinkerbelle", we FINALLY hear Disney's blonde-bimbo version speak---what a squeaky-ass 'voice'.   FOX's 1993 "PETER AND WENDY" (remember that Monday-Friday series starring Tim Curry as "Captain Hook"--STILL not out on DVD, yet!) had a more matter-of-fact Tinkerbelle (I think it was Tara-Jayne Strong), who wasn't afraid to take Peter to task.   But, anyways....... "The Secret Of The Lost Kingdom" SHOULD be seen on the BIG SCREEN.   It takes full advantage of the widescreen format.  If not the theater, then HD-DVD/Blu-Ray, because the artwork, while not quite DREAMWORKS/PIXAR photo-realistic, has that otherworldly flow that makes Euro-Fantasy so damn great.   Especially from Italy.  The colors are brilliant and crisp, while the backgrounds simply inspire dreams.  There is extra care paid to the details of the character designs, so as not to deviate from the (exceptionally-drawn) fantastic 2-D cartoon originals.  The characters look exactly the same, but a little more "fleshed-out".   There is a slight problem with 'walking', but it's barely noticable.   Vocally, the original cast (RAI-Italy) reprised their roles with aplumb, and the international English cast (RAI-Italy, again, via New Zealand), aren't really exceptional, but they approximate the vocal nuances and styles of the characterizations well (I was suprised to hear that Stella had the same brash, "Heather"-type inflection in the original Italian as we've first heard her portrayed here on FOX and RAI-English....probably the ONE character that was approximated in all versions).   I do notice that the RAI-English versions have great respect for ADULT women characters like Head Mistress Faeraganda, having them sound like TRUE women and not 'high-class divas', 'crones', et.al., because to me, Fearaganda-after earning MY Respect against Baltor in her showdown with him in season 3, is Flippin' Hot for a 50+ lady.   The vocal suprises, for ME--and a pleasant surprise at that--we The Specialists.  In the 4Kids version, these BOYS (and they ARE Teenage Boys) sounded too old.   That was rectified in the English version of "The Secret Of The Lost Kingdom":  They sound just like the (now)17-18 year olds they truly are.   Storywise, Bloom and the rest of WINX have finally graduated from Alfea and are now the Guardian Fairies of their respective homeworlds.  But Bloom won't rest until she finds her parents and (hopefully) save here home planet of Domino/Sparks.  So, she and the girls enlist the aid of a reluctant member of the Company of Light to help Bloom achieve this goal.  He refuses, until Faeraganda--his former lover--intervenes.   Before The Winx can officially head off to Sparks, Bloom has issues with Brandon after a hot-n-sexy lady general comes from HIS homeworld, Arachian, to retrieve him.   Also, Alfea has to contend with the super witch Mandragora, a fiend with the ability to control the insect world.   Mandragora, a former enemy of the Company of Light, has been contracted by the Ancestral Witches to STOP Bloom from trying to revive her world.  Eventually, WINX turns her back, and from there, heads off to Sparks.  Now, you're not gonna believe this, but as I was posting the REST of the blog (because there was a lot more after this), the wireless connection fizzed, and it was all lost.  Yea, that's frustrating.  So, instead of redoing the whole thing, I'm just gonna say that "The Secret Of The Lost Kingdom" is not the BEST, but it's not the WORST either.   It's very entertaining and a must for your anime collection.   NEXT UP: I'll be reviewing "QUEENS BLADE".  It's the latest Battling-Babes-n-Blades sword-n-sorcery epic, starring Aya Hirano, Mamiko Noto and Ayako Kawasumi...... OK!!   It's Got FAN-SERVICE to end All FAN-SERVICE.   And, it's next.   Peace out! Current Mood: chipper Current Music: Keep It Low -OSMOSIS (Comment on this)
Wednesday, July 8th, 2009
6:42 pm	"Mmmmmmm, Cream Lemon....Yummmmmmm" THE STUFF OF LEGENDS If you are a true otaku (and I don't mean you folks who wait for DISNEY to release the next Miyazaki flick), then, if you haven't even SEEN IT yet, you at least KNOW about it.  I'm talking about "CREAM LEMON", the series of (now)classic first-generation OAVs which turned SILVER (25th anniversary) in this year of our lawd-awmighty 2009.    And, you wanna know what makes this scary?   Much like "Project A-Ko" (which was begat from this series--that's coming later!), "Cream Lemon" has surprisingly aged well.   And, it wasn't really ahead of it's time, either (trust me--it's DEFINATELY '80s!!!).   So, why am I trumpeting this series, one which is very hard to find (if at all) in the land of the free and the home of the brave (that's the good U-S-of-A!)? Well, because, I've noticed certain things about it that says it was made to last.  For starters, if you're a Hentai lover (or a follower of 'slice-of-life'/'teen-romance' anime), then you should know the name DR. POCHI.  Yes, it's a psuedonym, but this dude (or probably, chick[?!?!]) is the creator of this unique series, an ANTHOLOGY--much like, mmmmm, in this case, I'll say "THE LOVE BOAT" and/or "FANTASY ISLAND"--which featured amazing storylines, plots, voice-acting (ooooh, you won't believe who I found passing thru this series!!!), artwork (lots of '70s-style and early '80s) and just great all-around quality.   Oh, and there IS the SEX---lots of it, but not too much to make this balls-to-the-wall porno!! Which is probably the FIRST thing I've truly noticed with this (now) pioneering series.  For starters, like I said, "Cream Lemon" is a first-generation OAV series (a forgotten space-opera beat Cream Lemon to the starting line by 4 1/2 months to become the first-ever OAV).  Meaning, it was still pretty experimental.  Maybe, that's why DR. POCHI decided to go the anthology route;  different 'flavors' each month.   Also, some pretty big names made their way thru the doors of Cream Lemon.  Among them was Yuji Moriyama and Toshiro "Toshiki" Hirano.  NO--I'm NOT kidding!!!  Mr. Hirano was fresh off of "Super Dimensional Fortress MACROSS:  Do You Remember Love?" (the anime classic-movie of ALL TIME--period!) when he climbed aboard.  And boy, did he and Mr. Moriyama leave their marks.   Cream Lemon's signature series (each episode--in the classic 16 between 1984 and 1986, at least--was part of a mini-series)was it's first one, the (infamous) "AMI Series" , which (sorta) made a "legitimate" appearance here in America during the late 1990s-early 2000s, via a porno company that kept the artform straight (subtitled only--shabbily translated, at that).  If I recall (and I DID rent a couple of these during '98-2000), I think only about 4-5 was released here, with no mention of their source.   These titles have since vanished into the myst of time, but the BOX ART you see here is from ONE of those issues (I remember renting THIS one).   One of the true reasons you WON'T see this 'mini-series' (or quite a few of Cream Lemon) get a full North American license is, sadly, the LOLITA factor:  most of the characters (especially the female leads) are either depicted as teenage tramps or just as (I'm definately not pulling your chain here)very underage elementary school girls.   But don't get the wrong idea here---it's all within proper story context.   So, don't be shocked when Amii (in particular) thinks back to a little incident between her (then-)5-year-old self and her then 8-year-old step-brother, for it turned her into the confused tart she is.   There were at least 3 different (to my knowledge) Cream Lemon OAV series between 1984 and 1992, but the first 16-episode OAV series (1984-1985) remain the pinnacle.  It's influence is still being felt throughout the anime world.   Toshiki Hirano and Yuji Moriyama, naturally, took this series as a major springboard (and I wouldn't be surprised if Masami Obari got his feet wet with the second or third OAV series.).   Mr. Hirano, via a couple of episodic mini-series ("Escalation" and "Ikenai Mako-Chan!!  Mako's Sexy Symphony"), introduced character designs for his lead heroines in BOTH series which would later become (respectively) "Vampire Princess Miyu" (resemblence to Rie in "Escalation") and "Iczer-One" (Mako's DUAL resemblence to BOTH Nagissa and later Iczer-One, especially in part 2 ).   Yuji Moriyama, on the other hand, perfected his classic "Girls, Giggles, and Panties" style on a couple of super funny episodes, the infamous "Pop Chaser" and "Star Trap" (and YES, that IS Yoshiko Sakakibara of "Bubblegum Crisis" and "Hellsing" as the lead heroine in "Pop Chaser";  and YES, in "Star Trap", that knockoff of Star Trek's USS ENTERPRISE is actually called the "MISHCIEF IV"--you just KNOW where THAT episode is going!).  This brings us to the legend of "Project A-Ko":   Mr. Moriyama actually intended "A-Ko" to be a 30-minute Cream Lemon episode, but when "Pop Chaser" took off--BIG TIME!!--he decided to go the mainstream route and turn it into a full-length feature.  Still, a part of the movie was originally animated almost prior to AIC approving the transition:  B-Ko's 'bathing scene' is all that was made of the aborted 'Cream Lemon' version.  I don't know if either of these two legendary masters did any more Cream Lemon OAVs after thier mid-'80s breakouts.   But, Sci-Fi Erotica aside;  Cream Lemon's episodes truly ran the gamut.  There was coming-of-age dramas, romantic comedies, sword-and-sandal/future-medival fantasies,  parodies and--oh, you're gonna love this--erotic gothic horror.   If you're a fan of gothic hentai like "The Maiden Series" (a.k.a. "BIrd In A Cage")--a signature release for Kitty Video during the '90s, then you're gonna love "Black Cat Mansion".  It might have been by the same writer (sadly, my copy was not subtitled and I'm trying to find out who created that erotic horror masterwork).   To put it simply, with the exception of the sex--which was just there, and not truly a selling point, except on certain entries (like "Escalation", "Amii" and "Mako-chan"), most of Cream Lemon was able to pass artistic muster, thereby aging pretty well.   25 Years Old, and still relevent after all this time.   Now, if we can find a proper licensor (maybe Kitty, or-preferably-Critical Mass), we can get the original series here.   I mean, there should be such a thing as statute of limitations, right. NEXT  UP: We're gonna get down with The WINX CLUB.   I know, you're gonna dropkick me (it's not Japanese, but Italian!!), but for about 7 years, it's been as close to real anime as most Western/Occidental productions get.   In this case, I'll be reviewing the 2007 movie, "Il Segreto Del Regno Perduto"---er, I mean, "The Secret Of The Lost Kingdom". See You Then!!!!   Current Mood: cheerful Current Music: "Black Or White", Micheal Jackson (r.i.p. 1959-2009) (Comment on this)
Tuesday, June 16th, 2009
9:12 pm	MAN!! Don't you just HATE IT when THIS HAPPENS?! I Do!!!! ANIME INVASION MAGAZINE BITES THE DUST!!!!!! Don't You Just HATE IT When That HAPPENS?!?! Man, I swear!!   I was intending to blog about the LIVE-ACTION "CUTEY HONEY" film starring Erica Sato, and THIS HAPPENS!!!  (among OTHER things in this past 40+ days!) WOW!!   Now, I'll admit that it took me a quick while to warm up to Anime Insider (formerly known as Anime Invasion), simply because of Wizard Entertainment's annoying juvenile attitude (the word balloons, ya'll--and the smartass comments).  But, recently, we've been seeing anime magazine after anime magazine in the USA just bite the dust.  (HEY!!!  YOU!!!  I'm giving you to the count of FIVE to put down that copy of QUEEN's "THE GAME", before I dropkick you out that door!!) It really sucks to see anime retail in America--in general--hit the skids like it's been doing in the past year and a half, but now, we're officially down to only ONE US publication (OTAKU USA--my 'Locals', from Northern Virginia), and sadly, they're only a Bi-Monthly thang.   Wow.  Just where do I begin?   I remember ANIMAZE Magazine, the first, which evolved into (in my view STILL the BEST) ANIMERICA Magazine.   This was the ONE.  It got the attention of Japan's NEWTYPE (the grandfather of ALL anime magazines!!), and helped bring everyone from the past 17 years in.   (Animerica's in-depth, respectful stories and info put other upstarts on notice--including Britain's ANIME-FX!!)  WIZARD publications came about during the late '90s, when Animerica was at it's peak.  ANIME INVASION magazine came about in late 2001, mainly as a one-shot (as admitted by Robert Bricken, AI's Producing Editor), but caught on, and continued as a bi-monthly mag until the Anime Boom really exploded around 2002, when it became a monthly.  It kinda turned off us Animerica purists (with that juvenile attitude I mentioned earlier), but also brought in younger fans--which eventually put Animerica to rest (although, Animerica did attempt to carry on as a free quarterly mini-mag at Best Buy---but you could easily miss it when you shop, so that too bit the dust---PLEASE, DO NOT PLAY THAT SONG OFFA THAT QUEEN ALBUM.....yet !).   Let's not forget ADV Films licensing NEWTYPE for the American market (as NEWTYPE USA).  It was a virtual translation of the Japanese version (with certain USA flourishes).  Alas, Newtype pulled-out after some 4 years (mainly because ADV used it as a forum for the majority of their licenses).  ADV countered this by creating a magazine similar (included in TITLE) to PLAY magazine---it tanked fast!!  (we were all expecting a continuation of the former Newtype USA, but ADV went in all directions--the wrong directions.  Anime, NOT Games, NOT NASCAR[?!?!]--ANIME, please!)   OTAKU USA came into being about 2 1/2 years ago, and is bi-monthly.  Still, it's profile isn't as high as the previously mentioned magazines.  I'm worried that it might quickly go stagnant and then vanish.  A previous issue kinda confirmed this when the editors mentioned their (semi-collective) disdain for the one genre that usually brings in the big bucks--MOE.   Now, don't get me wrong;  titles like AFRO SAMURAI and GHOST IN THE SHELL are great, but they're--how do I put this--bland (even for action titles).   Also, those titles suffer from the DRAGONBALL-Z syndrome (meaning, stores stock them because they are--ahem--popular...among young boys only, who eventually outgrow those same titles after they reach college age...leaving those same titles taking up shelf-space from non-sales and being returned as used/cut-outs).  Sadly, we don't need this. PROTOCULTURE ADDICTS tucked it's tail between it's legs and retreated back to the comfort of the internet, where it's page, ANIME NEWS NETWORK, flourishes.  It's always been on the one with it's constantly updating (by the HOUR!!) info, but with it out of the magazine business, the pathway was cleared for ANIME INSIDER to be the high profile mag.   Alas, Wizard's juvenile style--and lack of in-depth stories from the source (JAPAN)--turned off a lot of true otaku (yup, even me).   Now, don't get me wrong---I AIN'T A KID, so I have NO PROBLEM with some good hentai (which Animerica actually had the chutzpah to review and promote alongside of all the other anime available, thereby broadening fan's horizons), yet Wizard has an unspoken political correctness which stopped it from reviewing certain titles, even if they were from some of anime's big names (say ANGEL BLADE and Masami Obari, as per example).   I felt as though I was 'aged-out' while reading Anime Insider, but I stuck with it because it was practically ALL there is. Sadly, not anymore.   The cover you see above is the LAST Anime Insider cover.   Yup, it's HISTORY.  The entire staff was laid off, and publication was shut down.  That's it.  No advance warning.   Just, zzzzzzzzpt!!!  Goodbye!   (OK, it's cut # 4 on SIDE ONE of QUEEN's "THE GAME"----HIT IT!!!    "An' another one's gone;  An' another one's gone--Another One Bites The Dust!!" (c)1980 QUEEN Music, BMI (F. Mercury and B. May) ) Well, here we go again.  On the bright side, The Right Stuf, ADV Films, FUNimation and BANDAI are still kickin' it, albeit with full-season box sets instead of monthly volumes.  And, YouTube has opened up to anime, with ADV's Anime Network finally joining both BANDAI and FUNIMATION by setting up channels that show FULL-LENGTH episodes (24-25 minutes, not the 10-minute sections YouTube is famous for).  Also, hats off to the fansubbers who are bringing (currently) unavailable anime to America with great quality and nice, on the ball subtitles.   Let me add HULU to that list for bringing (subtitled) anime to American computer screens in record time (4 days after it airs in Japan!!!!   No, I'm serious--the new SLAYERS is a major hit!!).   So, anime will survive in the USA, fly-by-night magazines be damned.   Maybe, just maybe, Funimation might experiment with it's own magazine (to which I say, WHY NOT!).  Personally, I would hope so (plus, with Navarre's backing, it can run for years).  But, in the meantime, fans, we'll just keep carrying on. Anime Insider....just like that.   Damn. NEXT UP: My review of the LIVE ACTION "Cutey Honey" will come in due time.   Instead, I've finally had my prayers answered, as I've come across some subtitled episodes of the (now) groundbreaking hentai OAV series "CREAM LEMON".  Some of anime's biggest names left their mark on this pioneering series of mini-series that comprised Cream Lemon.   And, in July, Cream Lemon turns SILVER (25!!!).  And need I say, it's about time.  So, I'll see you then.   Current Mood: artistic Current Music: "Keep It Low" -OSMOSIS (Comment on this)
Sunday, March 8th, 2009
3:39 pm	"The NIGHT-SHIFT NURSES Are Here!! (How's Your Insurance?!)", pt. 3-FINAL!! ( You are about to view content that may only be appropriate for adults. ) Current Mood: amused Current Music: The Grind, OSMOSIS (Comment on this)
Friday, February 27th, 2009
5:47 pm	BREAKING NEWS (Now Hear THIS:)   You Want Things Right?!                                                                               DO     IT     YOURSELF!!!!                                                  (or, "It Sure Took Ya'll Long 'Nuff To Figger It Out!!")   I'm just gonna relay to you what I learned today (Friday, February 27, 2009) from Anime News Network, and decipher what it means (in MY opinion, that is): TV Tokyo President and Co-CEO Masayuki Shimada has announced in a Thursday press conference that his company will establish a tentatively titled "Anime Department" in April to oversee its anime business, with an emphasis on overseas sales. The anime department will consolidate the existing anime units into three sections to handle operations, production, and business matters. TV Tokyo manages the licensing and distribution of such popular works as the Pokémon, Naruto, Gintama, Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Shugo Chara! anime series. It is also launching several new projects this April such as Mainichi Kāsan. By expanding the sales of anime with this new department, TV Tokyo aims to increase the percentage of revenues from sources besides broadcasting from the current 15% to 20%. In the end, the company hopes to raise the level to 30%. Keisuke Iwata, the executive in charge of TV Tokyo's AT-X animation channel and its current animation division, gave a lecture in January in which he discussed the global prospects to anime and the industry's "road to survival." SOURCE:  Mainichi Shimbun's Mantan Web (via Anime News Network, 2009-2-27 5:34PM EST) This brings me back to my pet peeve, 4KidsTv (before they screwed up):   The majority of the anime we saw thru that 'network' came from TV TOKYO.   And now that TV TOKYO is establishing it's own "Anime Department", that would mean--to ME, at least--that we may see the likes of "Tokyo Mew Mew" and probably the new "Slayers" anime back on US airwaves soon.  Most foreign companies are now distributing thier own properties in the US, giving them more control (think Pioneer/Geneon, Bandai Entertainment, TOHO/Sony, and yes, RAI from Italy).   If TV TOKYO does establish a US-Wing, this might also do wonders for the DVD market as well (hey, we're talking close to a quarter century of back catalog here). Meaning, in my opinion, this is good news.   (also, if they DO decide to 'piggy-back' on a US distibutor, I hope it's one where they can have a solid relationship with---think GONZO/Funimation and TOHO/Tokyo Shock-Media Blasters.) I Believe That This Can Work.   All they need now is a US Broadcast Network to step up for airing rights (and personally, I think FOX's 'sub-network', MyNetworkTv is ready to step up to the plate). NEXT UP: Us "grown folks" are gonna git "KRANKE" wit' dem "NIGHT-SHIFT NURSES". (Put dem Young'uns to bed and let's play "doctor"!!!) See Ya' Then!!   Current Mood: accomplished Current Music: Groove Control, OSMOSIS (Comment on this)
Wednesday, February 25th, 2009
12:31 pm	The NIGHT-SHIFT NURSES Are Here (How's Your Insurance?!)!!, pt. 2 ( You are about to view content that may only be appropriate for adults. ) Current Mood: accomplished Current Music: Girls With Muscle Make Boys Hustle!!, OSMOSIS (Comment on this)
Tuesday, February 10th, 2009
11:08 am	The NIGHT SHIFT NURSES Are Here!!! (How's Your Insurance?) (pt.1) ( You are about to view content that may not be appropriate for minors. ) Current Mood: cheerful Current Music: Inner Beast, OSMOSIS (Comment on this)
Monday, February 2nd, 2009
8:24 pm	(already a)Forgotten Classic(?!) "MOLDIVER"                                                                                                   Ahhhhhh, Silly Memories!! Back when PIONEER started to make inroads in the "good".  "ol' ".   "u-s-of-a".,  they decided to issue their anime the same way as in Japan:  one 30-minute episode-per-month......at the low, low price of $29.95 per VHS.   WOW---what a deal!!! OK, but seriously--- The "one-episode-per-month" deal worked because it kept folks coming back to the video store (just like comic books used to do, before "The Dark Knight" came and made BATMAN a "High-Class Yuppie Icon"----but those of ya'll born AFTER '87 don't KNOW that....oh, well....).   Another reason this kind marketing worked is because it made "stars" out of voice actors.    I ranted about that time and time again.   Still, I ask you:  Just because it's 'anime', should you BUY it--simply because that's what is being given to you?   Well, we did.   And, as the OTAKU Generation (as we dubbed ourselves) became more savvy (read:  "semi-snobby"), we learned about this thing called "Staying Power".   Some have it, Some just can't quite obtain it.   "MOLDIVER" falls into the latter--sadly.   This was not only Pioneer's 2nd Series (right after "TENCHI MUYO!!  Ryo-Ohki"), but unlike that legendary anime, "Moldiver" just..... ....well...... "Moldiver" didn't DATE too well!!!   It was set in one of those Utopian-type Future Earth.  You know, the "Jetson" future.   Also, the story was so dang basic:  "Boy-Genius"...well, "Young Adult-Genius"...creates a super invention that can turn him into a Superhero;  uses said invention against the evil forces of master Supervillian Dr. Machinegal;  has a Sexy Teenage Sister with a cliche' name ("Mirai" means "Future" in Japan---get the JOKE;  her name translates as "Futura"!!!);  a bratty, equally genius little brother;  hotass robo-babes;  super science;  idol-singers-in-distress;  hotass robo-babes-vs.-hotass-Super-babe;  teenage romance;  fast-n-funny Superhero/Superheroine action;  hotass-robo-babes-vs.-hotass-Super-babe;...... In otherwords, nothing really to set "Moldiver" apart from other post-"Macross"/"Project A-ko" '80s anime.   Hell, outside of some of the big names in the cast (the late, great Jyoji Amane as "Dr. Machinegal"  and Kikou Inoue and Emi Shinohara and Yuri Amano--3 of the QUEENS!!--as some of the "Machine Gals"), it seems as though this is one of those cases where the STAR of the show just doesn't do anything else after this first big break (well, almost nothing else:  she DID do "Hyperdolls"---and then, vanished!!).   Maybe, that's why "Moldiver" didn't have true staying power---it's "star" pulled a "Kinuko Omori".  (She played "PRISS" in the original "Bubblegum Crisis".   Was supposed to be the Star, but got ahead of herself, and wound up being upstaged by the other 3 "Knight Sabers"--all of whom are STILL active, and are megastars today.   Ms. Omori, a legitimate rock star during the '80s, vanished after "Bubblegum Crisis".  Her 'example' is used to describe these certain one-shot diva actresses.) It's kinda funny that "EL HAZARD" and "ARMITAGE III" are the only other 2 from Pioneer's first era which are fondly remembered and enjoyed over and over.   Oh, well...... NEXT UP: OK, no more beating around the bush (HA!!  What a crazy cliche'!).  This time, I'm gonna DO IT:   "NIGHT-SHIFT NURSES"!!!!!! It is the anime that I was afraid to touch with a 10-foot-pole (no, there I go again!!).   Well, that same "pole" has just been whittled down to a nub after finally watching and....... ...man, I'll never look a dozen of EGGS the same..EVER......AGAIN!!!!!!!!!! (And next time, you'll all find out WHY!    Most Evil Hentai In The World!!!!!!!) Current Mood: amused Current Music: Unica, WINX Club (Elisa Rosselli) (Comment on this)
Monday, January 26th, 2009
4:22 pm	"BOKUSATSU TENSHI DOKURO-Chan"---This Anime Is BAD For You (and that's what makes it good)!                                                                                            AT LAST---AN ANIME HEROINE(?!) WHOM JASON VORHEES AND  FREDDY KRUEGER COULD LOVE (Ohhh, The Humanity!!!!!!!)!!!!! First off, before I go any further, let me say that SAEKO CHIBA ("Sae-chan") is a bonafide star.   After a nearly a decade, she's right up there with the queens of anime and is not afraid to go 'toe-to-toe' with the best (Kikuko Inoue, look out, baby!!).  Just in the past 13 months, she's scored (count 'em) 2 soon-to-be-licensed anime monsters:  "BIRDY THE MIGHTY-DECODE" and "ROSAIRO + VAMPIRE"---2 seasons of each.   Sure, there are the minor roles (of which there are plenty)--you've GOT to build that BACK CATALOGE--but, then along comes the HIT that will send you over, big time.    "UFO PRINCESS VALKYRIE" officially brought this spitfire actress front and center to American audiences, as "Akina Nanamura" (no offense to Sae-chan's American 'channeller', Cynthia Martinez, but Sae-chan "rocked"--more on THAT....later).   It was from that springboard she could do whatever she damn well pleased. SO, HOW MANY CASES OF ASAI BEER DID IT TAKE FOR SAE-CHAN TO AGREE TO  MAKE THIS?!?!?!?!?!    Hell, after only 1 episode, I put my DVD player on pause and ran down to the corner store to grab a 6-pack, and came back to finish the first disc.    See, lemme tell ya':  I grew up watching (the ORIGINAL) TOM AND JERRY, and POPEYE reruns, and THE FLINTSTONES (the REAL ones) where Fred was not above going upside someone's head when he got mad.   And yea, Popeye ate his spinach, got mighty, and blasted Bluto with a well-placed uppercut to the jaw.   And Tom and Jerry used almost EVERYTHING against each other---yup, even (as the old cliche' goes)the KITCHEN SINK....no, Don't.  Even.  Ask!! But, Dokuro-chan........... This crazyass bitch uses a big black spiked-baseball bat named "EXCALIBORG" (The "G" is added by the Japanese creators to SEPARATE this 'heavenly weapon of truth' from King Arthur's 'heavenly weapon of truth'---a'ight!?).   Ok-Ok-Ok...I know-I know-I know:  "Does she REALLY USE it?!   Like, 'On-Target'?!  Like, 'On-Camera' (on the DVD, at least)?!"              DOES JASON LIKE "FILET O'NAKED TEEN-VIXEN"?!    DOES FREDDY KRUEGER LIKE TO TAKE NIGHTLY STROLLS DOWN "ELM STREET"?! Yea, she USES it---graphically.   And, as weird as it sounds, it's actually funny as hell.  And, her intended TARGET deserves it EVERY SINGLE TIME.     Uhhhh, lemme explain that: See, there's this ordinary boy named "Sakura".   He's just your average Middle-School student.  Nothing important.  No big deal. FAST FORWARD TO THE YEAR 2025:   The world isn't much different from today, except that the SECRET TO IMMORTALITY has finally been uncovered.    That's really great news.   Except, there's this one little side effect:  all of Earth's FEMALE POPULATION stops physically aging at AGE 12.   No shit:   You have 40-year-old 'barkeeps' who are biologically and physically junior-high age;  a 21-year-old 'college student', who looks like she should STILL be a "Hannah Montana" fan, taking a drag off of a Newport in the "no smoking" section of the cafeteria;  34-year-old 'office ladies' who look like they're coming home from school, instead of the office. And WHO is the MAD GENIUS responsible for finding the cure to immortality, yet stopping all the WOMEN of earth from looking their AGES, and thereby incurring the wrath of the ALMIGHTY Himself?! YUP---you guessed it---SAKURA.   While what he did was with Noble Intent, Sakura has a "Lolita-Complex".   Yup, the kid likes 'em YOUNG!!!!!!    And, it's those "Lolicon tendencies" which got in the way of his 'invention', thereby pissing off THE ONE!!!   Can't have that, kiddies (I mean, HE'll hit you with a "Great Flood" in a heartbeat if you so much as cross a Cat with a Dog!!), so, as a premptive strike, The ONE calls upon the "Lululite Agency", and dispactches one of it's top Angels from the future, Dokuro-chan, to go 20 years into the past and (**ahem**) nip this situation in the bud.   YOU GOT IT:  DOKURO-Chan IS LITERALLY SAKURA'S "ANGEL OF DEATH" (albeit, a very kawaii one). Oh, and does she have a temmmmmmperrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.................. The slightest thing that Sakura does to piss her off (even take a side-glance at a cute girl---just a GLANCE, no words, just a GLANCE!!!) will have Dokuro unsheathe Excaliborg and swing it to bust the boy's head clean open/off his body/impale him clean through/bust him in two/split him down the middle/shatter him to a million gooey chunks of bloody meat................ and, with the silly (and ANNOYING) magical chant of "Pi-Pi-Pi-PiruPiruPiru-Pi-Pi" (you've GOT to HEAR that--preferably when you're DRUNK!!!), Dokuro returns to poor schmuck to LIFE!!!   Again.    And   AGAIN!!!      AND..........AGAIN!!!!!!   She literally KILLS poor Sakura at least 3-4 times per episode!!!! Naturally, when Sakura's classmates find out WHO/WHAT Dokura truly is, and WHY she's doing to Sakura what she's doing, they just don't seem to care.   They have the attitude of "he broke bad with GOD, so he's getting what he deserves".    GREAT FLIPPIN' FRIENDS, eh! Well, Sakura's life gets a bit more complicated with the arrival of the (equally kawaii)"ram-horned" Sabato----Dokuro's RIVAL, and the wielder of a magical 'electric cattle prod'.   Sabato comes to take over Dokuro's job because she's been letting Sakura LIVE instead of fully taking him out---and act of TREASON in the eyes of Lululite.   Only problem is, Sabato has a terrible cloud of Bad Luck hanging over her head.   She winds up being (HA!) "The Angel Of Destitution" due to HER constant failures.   This leads to the arrival of one of the strangest characters in the series:  Dokuro's 9(?!)-Year-Old "Little Sister"-In-A-20-Year-Old's-Body, ZAKURO-Chan.   (no, seriously......despite obvious appearances, she's 9!!!!   Definately a 'reverse by-product' of Sakura's "immortality cure".)   She SUCCEEDS in retrieving her treasonous "big sister" and returning to the future---- --until a pissed-off Dokuro escapes and returns to the year 2005.   She no longer wants to kill Sakura;  as a matter of fact, Dokuro NEVER wanted to kill that mensch, because ever since she first arrived, Dokuro fell in LOVE with the kid.   Her crime of treason was due to her wanting to CHANGE the future properly WITHOUT KILLING SAKURA.   We'll never really know if that truly worked or not, because the remaining episodes reveal that, yup, a "Jerk" is a "Jerk", and Sakura is....well, "Sakura" (heh heh). So, the "Love-Bludgeonings" continue, and Dokuro and Sakura lived "happily ever after".     Well, if you call having Zakuro-chan (and all her 'mature/immature' sexiness) move in with them;  Dokuro's mohawked, and perverted, 'agent' Zansu popping in and out like a genie on occasion;  Sabato still living the homeless life;  Sabato's hot (and extremely LETHAL) Mother (who happens to be CHAIRMAN of Lululite) Babel paying visits, as well as the regular "bloodshed-in-the-name-of-love", "happily ever after". (I think I'd better get ANOTHER beer. ) NEXT UP: To quote Jimmy Castor:   "What We're Gonna Do Is Go BACK!!!"  We're gonna talk about MOLDIVER, one of the First from Pioneer/Geneon (well, it was actually the SECOND from Pioneer), wayyyyyy back in 1992---a whole generation ago now.   Next to "TENCHI MUYO! Ryo-Ohki", MOLDIVER set the format for Pioneer's style, which has firmly taken hold today.    Shame there was only the 6-episode OAV.     See Ya' Then, Ya'll!! Current Mood: amused Current Music: Girls With Muscle Make Boys Hustle!!, OSMOSIS (Comment on this)
Wednesday, January 14th, 2009
8:23 pm	Well, Well, Well--Will Wonders Ever Cease! Y'know, for the past couple of entries, I've been promising a blog/essay on Japanese Anime's American Counterparts (being mainly FOX Sunday Night and ADULT SWIM), but since lots of events are happening regarding REAL Anime (and NOT it's US Counterparts), I've suddenly taken the "new attitude" of The Cookie Monster, and said "WHO CARES?!  CHUCK IT!!"   Let's get down to some REAL NEWS: I think it was the LAST ENTRY where I mentioned that Funimation should go for a "sub-label" to handle all of its new entries.   Well, I guess SOME  folks are reading this blog after all:   To handle their Geneon pick-ups, the mighty-mighty ADV FILMS has unleashed upon us all the new label, SENTAI FILMWORKS.   And the first issue:   "MAHOROMATIC-Automatic Maiden", in a 2-disc set with all the extras of it's previous Geneon/Pioneer issue----but, just so compact (and at under $30, cheap too!).   I had to make a double check on the package for some sort of ADV Films identity, and it's there (the familiar 'stats graph', and John Ledford's name, as 'Executive Producer', in the credits on the back.). Well, I guess that means there is big hope for the bulk of Geneon's back catalog yet.  Now, Central Park Media on the other hand.....well......... Another trend I'm seeing (whether this is a 'budget saving' move or not remains to be seen) are certain companies (Media Blasters 'Anime Works' being a big 'offender' in this) putting out whole entire 13-episode series with minimal (or NO)advertising and un-dubbed (subbed only) in convient 2-disc packaging.   That would be GOOD, but with the exception of a quick glance on the web (here or there), most of these shows are 'untried' here in the states.   That's like picking up a DVD simply because Tom Cruise's gleaming mug is on the cover, only to take it home and discover that you've plunked down $19.95 of your hard-earned-post-Bush-Economy-bucks on some Pure.  Indeed.  B--LS--T!!!    Now, some of these are kinda good (BOKUSATSU TENSHI, starring Saeko "Sae-Chan" Chiba, is 'Tom-and-Jerry-gross' but really funny---as an example), but without promotion--or a decent English Dub--we're back to buying "Anime-Just-Because-It's-Anime" (a practice that I thought we'd long since grown past---I mean, this ain't 1988-1991, ya'll!!)! Then again, it could be that unless said DVD label has it's own Acting Company (yup, the mighty-mighty ADV "Outlaws" are company players), then hiring a dubbing house like Band/Zoom-New Generation or The Ocean Group on a project-to-project basis would literally break a DVD label (hey ya'll, The "Queen" WENDEE LEE and CRISPIN FREEMAN don't come cheap--even though their names will sell a product in a heartbeat).   Which brings me to the Promo angle:  If something is being issued as a "Complete Series" box without prior knowledge to the public at large, then something like a half-page ad saddled next to your 'big-gun title'(sorry Bandai, but I'm calling YOU out on that) just ain't gonna cut it.   Time for DVD labels to bring back the 'mass-market ideology' they had just prior to the big crash of November 2007.  (and maybe, a few TV ads wouldn't hurt either;  after all, that's how OAVs are sold in Japan--via TV spots.   If you can do it for any 'Straight-to-DVD' action/horror/comedy that didn't make the theaters, then you can do it for Anime.   I think the ONLY company that DOES promote it's made-for-video/DVD product has to be---let me hack up a 'furball' for a moment'---disney [lowercase on purpose, because I just can't stand the House Of The Mouse--thank you!]) I mean, for example, if Funimation (which ALREADY pulled this a couple of times last year with a pair of "Event Titles"--which shall remain 'nameless') does this to something like "ROMEO x JULIET" (which is to be The BIG GUN this year), and lump it all in One.  Great.  Big.  Box-Set---without any fanfare--, then they would cheapen a title that would become a major breakout.  I know PRICE is a big thing these days, but c'mon...a little class, a'ight!  (Besides, the fun of Anime DVDs was the bi-monthly serialization of a title.  Some of us just LOVE the drama and enjoy listening to your favorite Voice Actor 'step up to the plate' when the role called for it.   Lumping a full 13-dubbed episodes together right off the bat feels so 'workaday'--well, to ME, at least.) NEXT  UP (and this time, I MEAN IT): It's back to the REVIEWS.   And, the aforementioned BOKUSATSU TENSHI Dokuro-Chan (which translates as "Bludgeoning Angel" Dokuro-chan) is the subject.   Man, I went thru about 4 six-packs over as many weeks trying to get into the frame of mind for this.   And, you'll read why. See Ya' Then!! Current Music: 'Girls With Muscle Make Boys Hustle!!", OSMOSIS (Comment on this)
Saturday, January 3rd, 2009
3:24 pm	Talk About Your "CATACLYSMS"---Saturday Morning TV is nearly GONE (thanks alot 4Kids and FOX)!!     SATURDAY MORNING, JANUARY 3, 2009                       The END of An ERA (of sorts) I was gonna make this entry about American Anime (most of the FOX Sunday Night and Comedy Central entries), but after what happened this morning (the above date), also in regards to FOX..... well, it just HAD to be reported.   And, this IS Big. As promised, 4KidsTv jumped off the FOX network.   Sure, they mentioned that their shows were going to be online (http://www.4KidsTv.com), but let's be real:   who truly resorts to their computer monitors on Saturday Morning for their animation fix?   Anyways, what does this say about Saturday Morning animation on the MAJOR BROADCAST NETWORKS?   How's about "Next-to-None". It used to be (at one time), every network had animation on Saturday Morning: The BIG THREE (between 1964 and 2001) were no slouches.    There was a wealth of animation (each studio unique in their own way, and ALL Home-Grown----and non-Disney!!).   With Hanna-Barbera, Warner Bros., Filmation, Jay Ward Studios, Terrytoons, UPA, Walter Lantz Studios, DePate-Frieling, Ruby-Spears and the original DiC all ruling the roost, we didn't really have to go outside of the US (or Canada) to get your anime fix.   It's when things got slow around the late '80s (with Hanna-Barbera and Filmation losing power) that we begin to (finally) direct a whole generation's attention to all the good stuff coming from other nations, mainly Japan.   And, in terms of animation, Japan came in a very close 2nd right behind the USA (with Canada coming in 3rd and the UK in 4th place).     Network startups like the "mini-three" (early FOX, UPN and The WB) not only picked up the mantle which began to slip thru the fingers of the Big Three (with original programming), but also brought in a few imports to bolster their Saturday Morning rosters.   Alas, UPN and The WB eventually consolidated to become The CW (which is slowly getting rid of former traces of it's 2 parents), and FOX completely went major in '95 (thanks to "Married..With Children", "The Simpsons", "Cops" and "America's Most Wanted".).   As for it's own Saturday Morning;  once the WB came into existence in '97, and FOX sent ALL of it's Warner Bros./Stephen Spielberg produced animated shows there, FOX stepped up it's independent in-house productions (with the assistance of MARVEL Studios and Saban).   Naturally, once 4KidsTv got too big for syndication, FOX jumped at the opportunity.   Things went smooth, until the past couple of seasons. You would think that FOX (a Major Network for 14 years now) would've had a BACKUP PLAN (to put it in perspective;  FOX BOX/4KidsTv was the 'backup plan' for FOX KIDS).  Sadly, that answer was a resounding "NO".     This morning, all we got were informercials and public access dreck.     Needless to say, the "Disneyfication" of ABC has destroyed it's version of Saturday morning.   NBC and CBS have resorted to what made them NETWORKS in the first place:  Thier NEWS divisions.  (and their sad 90-minute blocks of Nickelodeon simulcasts are simply poor.) Which leaves us with The CW.   So far, 4KidsTv isn't screwing with The CW's more action-based Saturday format which began with KidsWB.   As for ANIME, in the traditonal Japanese sense, "Yu-Gi-Oh 5D" and "Dinosaur King" have found a home there.   "Sonic" (and probably "Kirby") is the only other survivor waiting in the wings.   This brings us to RAI of Italy.  After the worldwide success of WINX CLUB, producer Ignio Straffi has created a 5-nation-collaboration (Italy, Ireland, United States, Great Britain and Australia) called "HUNTIK", which is 'canonized', much like WINX.  Plus, it's not truly 'game-based' (even though there IS a 'card game' involved, it doesn't take center stage).  There's more STORY than game play.     I think that HUNTIK will have a successful run (52 episodes are ready), but this all depends on The CW's status as a Network:  if it stays or dissapates.   If the unthinkable happens, then (unless MyNetwork TV--a FOX off-shoot gets it's act together and THINK like a Network) animation on Broadcast TV will be relegated to what's being fed to us every Sunday Night on FOX.   NEXT TIME: The FOX/Comedy Central versions of anime, American Style.  Current Mood: accomplished Current Music: Girls With Muscle Make Boys Hustle -OSMOSIS (Comment on this)
Sunday, December 28th, 2008
2:07 pm	Ahhhhhhhhhhh, Now I SEE How FUNIMATION's Doing This. SMART!!! I was wondering what the full arrangement with FUNIMATION and Geneon Animation was in regards to its distribution deal, and now I think I have some kind of IDEA (if not an 'connection' of sorts):   Studio Gonzo.   This explains the acquisition of titles like "VANDREAD" and just recently "THE COUNT OF MONTE CHRISTO".   Both of the above (and a couple of others not named here) were both distributed by GENEON, but were not a part of the distribution package of GENEON pickups.   But, in my theory, since Funimation is doing major Gonzo titles on its own ("Witchblade", "Gunslinger Girl", etc.), it's only natural that Gonzo would have Funimation as it's new North American "go-to".   This is not just great;  it's "Excelsior", as STAN LEE normally says.   This means that the majority of the Gonzo titles originally distributed by Geneon (but were NOT included in the pickup deal) will definately see a return to store shelves, and soon ("Vandread" is due in late March!!!).  (This might mean that we'll eventually see BOTH "Birdy The Mighty-Decode" and "Rosario + Vampire"/"Capu 2" within the next year as well, so take a deep breath and exhale ya'll!) This brings us to "Ikki Tousen" (and possibly "Ikki Tousen-Dragon Destiny"):  Funimation, in a bold move--and probably out of spite of Geneon--went directly to ENOKI FILMS to acquire the license for this show.   Now, if all this gets too big for Funimation, that's where their parent company, Navarre comes in:  a possible "sub-label" to help with all the possible acquisitions and lack of 'shelf space' might not be out of the question.   Case in point:  While the first of the former ADV titles are being re-labeled with the FUNIMATION brand banner (same ADV packaging though), remember that 73% of ADV's catalog was stripped---all of which Funimation has picked up. This plus the Geneon pickups;   and some Central Park (so far, only "SLAYERS", but there are other huge hits like "UTENA" and "PROJECT A-Ko" still waiting for a return);  plus Funimation's OWN catalog------- A "sub-label" under Funimation and thru Navarre should happen.   Otherwise, in this blogger's view, we might see a repeat of the past 15 months----- and in this case, it would truly be CATACLYSMIC.   So, if Funimation considers it, a "sub-label" would be a way to take some of the wieght off.  (hmmmmmmmm.......... ADV-Films-a division of Funimation, distributed by Navarre sounds like a winner to me....mainly because of ADV's titles and yes, The OUTLAWS themselves.......hmmmmm, just thinking.) Like I mentioned in a previous entry, it's a "scratch-my-back, I'll-scratch-yours" scenario.  I predict in 2009 the ressurection of Anime Mass Marketing in America.   Down--like everything else at the moment (thankyoupresidentbush)--but not out.   NEXT ENTRY: The "secret underground american-anime"......... well, not ALL that secret.   I'm talking about those Prime Time (not quite)cartoons on FOX.   Yea, when one thinks anime, they Japan.   But, anime means ANIMATION in Japan, and some of ours is doing big business over there.   Plus, FUTURAMA's new "made-for-DVD season" just smacks of that anime original, OAV.     Oh yea, I'm gonna get down on all of that next time. See ya' then. Current Mood: amused Current Music: "Crusher", The SHAKEN-BOOTY SYNDROME (Comment on this)
Wednesday, December 24th, 2008
10:22 pm	THE BEST (and The WORST) of 2008 in ANIME Well, no use beating a dead horse, as they say:  Here We GO!!!                             THE BEST FUNIMATION rescuing (and resurrecting) the GENEON Catalog and ADV Films titles left in limbo due to the big distribution shakeup of November 2007.   VANDREAD has just been added to FUNIMATION's roster, as well as the new EVANGELION 2.0---the former wasn't even part of GENEON's original pickup deal.  So, there's hope for the GENEON/PIONEER back catalog. BANDAI for going the deluxe route on THIER back catalog reissues (love that SILENT MOBIUS movie/soundtrack CD package), and becoming it's own force in US distribution (I'm afraid to see how SGT. FROG finally gets promoted--big time!). ADV-FILMS for not throwing in the towel after being uncerimoniously stripped of (practically)everything (most notably, DEVIL MAY CRY, GURREN LAGAN and SGT. FROG).  Instead, ADV is pushing it's back catalog (which I thought was long since deleted, but I digress--great work Matt!!!), focusing on some live action films it acquired (hopefully, we may see some proper GAMERA film issues from the '60s--pretty please), and keeping it's acting stable intact (as well as finishing the dubbing on THE WALLFLOWER). YOU TUBE, CRUNCHYROLL and ZOMG ANIME for keeping free (new) anime coming on the internet, thereby keeping anime-addicts (like myself--heh heh!)"fixed".   Plus, the fan-subs are getting much, much better. THE RIGHT STUF which turns 'street-legal' in 2009 (happy 20th, guys!!!), with a great in-house dubbing studio, fantastic box-sets, NINJA NONSENSE--I'm sorry, but it's a guilty pleasure--, sharp podcasting, and most of all, those discounts on anime and merchandise.   ROBERT'S ANIME STORE turning 18 in 2009, this Florida-based market is an alternative to The Right Stuf, and has the cutest mascots (admit it, guys:  we all LUST "Ms. Noeme", righhhhhht!) and magazine ads.  Bar None! WIZARD PUBLICATIONS the now go-to for game-based and anime-based magazines in the US.  Always fun, always bright, and---after over a decade in existance---growing up, so to speak.  Sure, ANIME INSIDER and the other mags have that adolescent silliness, but deep down, you get the low down on what's new, voice actors, music, and a little bit of 'culture' thrown in.   Suhhhhh-weeeeeeet!!! BEST BUY and FYE whereas BEST BUY is the 'Anime Store' (with excellent cataloging and great prices), FYE is the 'Anime Ultra-Store' (inheriting the late SUNCOAST's cataloging, mechandising and enthusiastic knowlegable staff). HARDCORE US ANIME FANS who were shaken like an earthquake by the turn of events from November 2007, but hung in there and packed conventions showing their undying support for the artform they love.  Big Props, ya'll!! And Finally.................. NEW GENERATION PICTURES what a long strange trip it's been for AMERICA'S Anime Voices (from 1988 as US RENDITIONS, thru the early 1990's as ANIMAZE, then from the mid-'90s to mid-00's as BANG/ZOOM ENTERTAINMENT, until finally settling as NEW GENERATION PICTURES).   The home of Crispin Freeman, Wendee Lee, Mona Marshall, etc.   They pre-date Central-Park's house and ADV's "Outlaws"--and have outlasted the FORMER!!                                  THE  WORST TOEI  for keeping their best properites in licensing hell, and away from the US market (gosh, what I wouldn't do for a decent box-set of SAILOR MOON STARS!!!!). 4KidsTV for getting so 'creatively stagnant' and blowing their finances on CHAOTIC and DIGATA DEFENDERS--two sadly contrived 'anime-wanna-be-knockoffs'--that they not only wound up bankrupt, but kicked-to-the-curb by FOX (and possibly soon, The CW).  I mean, how many times can you run TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES in 4 Hours--and on 2 separate Networks at the same time?!   I dunno, you tell me. CENTRAL PARK MEDIA for ZAPPING EVERYTHING and not putting those titles up for re-licensing.   That means, EVERYTHING--even their Anime-18/Anime Hot Shots catalog (with the exception of what NuTech grabbed late last year)--GONE!!!   ZIP!!!  ZAPPED!!  damn. TOHO (yup, 'Godzilla'-Studios) for showing the world how scary their lawyers can be.   Yea, ADV did do a fantastic job on MACROSS--even getting the one, only (true) "MINMAY", to dub her lines in English and re-amp some of her songs.  But, thanks to TOHO---which took back "DESTROY ALL MONSTERS" from ADV in Sept. 2007---we may NEVER see a DVD issue (in the US, at least) of the one piece of MACROSS ADV is missing (and that one peice could've financially kept ADV cool):  "MACROSS--Do You Remember Love".   NOTE: If you still have a VHS copy of "Clash Of The Bionoids"-bad dubbing and severe editing and rotten image and all-that's the only version of that classic that we're getting here (and that VHS is probably older than some of ya'll---sad). ANIMEGO for going 500% obscure.   Now being distributed by IMAGE video (the high-quality archivists), Animego is, well, so far gone that it's unbelievable.   No marketing of it's hit properties (BUBBLEGUM CRISIS, VAMPIRE PRINCESS MIYU, OH MY GODDESS OAV, URUSEI YATSURA), no word on what they're doing (even though they STILL exist)--nothing.   (and they used to be big guns back in the day.   they could simply save face and 'call it an era'--Central Park did--but no.  so, what up?!) CARTOON NETWORK Toonami bit the big one after 10 years.  Sure, there's still some stuff floating around on ADULT SWIM (Naruto, Bleach), but that's it.  No diversity.   SONY for their 'so foreign'/almost nonexistant ad campaign for PAPRIKA--remember that movie?!  Me neither, which is sad.  Oh, they did it AGAIN.....how come MEGUMI HAYASHIBARA (the queen of anime and STAR of the film) or her character (she is PAPRIKA) didn't get full--or proper--billing in the ad art or press?   Oh yea, that's right:  unless it's from P***AR and has a B-list Hollywood Celebrity in the cast and is CGI, it gets no respect (especially if said animated movie is from a Foreign Nation---no WINX CLUB:  THE SECRET OF THE LOST KINGDOM is US Theaters, kids.   sorry.). THE WACHOVSKI BROTHERS who, just like Roland Emmerich 10 years earlier, took a Japanese product and got it ALL.   COMPLETELY.    WRONG!!!! For starters, that----thing----was too hard to watch in a darkened theater.   Also, it----just------say, wasn't that PETER FERNANDEZ doing a Cameo?   You Betcha.  Oh, who's Peter Fernandez?    Hey young'uns, Mr. Fernandez not only is one of the founders of TITRA PRODUCTIONS, but was actually the VOICE of the original-US DUB-of SPEED RACER.   Yea yea, I know I know:  "You mean SPEED RACER is NOT an AMERICAN Cartoon?" Moving right along: US TELEVISION SYNDICATION for not taking a chance with weekend prime-time anime.   Not the stuff we associate with Saturday Morning, but shows like "KARIN" or maybe "EARTH SOS".   The former--despite having a cute Vampire girl as it's lead, is a 'slice-of-life' show, while the latter is part invasion show/espionage show.   Oh well, you know how those things go. WELL, that's "My Anime Fix's" BEST/WORST List of 2008.   What Does 2009 Have In Store For Anime Fans In These United States Of America?   We  shall see.  So until then, have a Merry Christmas and see ya' in January 2009!    Current Mood: amused Current Music: "EVIL CLAUZ!" -OSMOSIS (feat. Mikey Blanco) (Comment on this)
Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008
1:34 pm	ALRIGHT!!! EVERYBODY, JUMP ON THE BANDWAGON!!! (or, The Creativity Crunch!)                 (or, 'Does Anybody Smell A TREND Here?) CREATIVE RUTS hit everything, even Anime.   Man, I've seen a couple of the worst in my time ("Space Operas", "Transforming Robot-Teams"), but wherever you go in entertainment, there's going to be some (**ahem**) "trend".   And like I said, I've been thru a couple in my youth.   Sadly, it's these "trends" which the mainstream base their views of Anime on--- and usually, not very "Polite" views.    (Case in point:  that racist "SIMPSONS GO TO JAPAN" episode, with the "Mighty Seizure Robots"-sequence.)   Well, what I'm gonna do is break down some of these creative ruts and show you just how annoying they can become (with constant exposure). PEEVE NO. 1:   The SPACE OPERA. When it is done right, it can be something downright groundbreaking ("STAR BLAZERS" and "MACROSS" are the two best examples).   When Leji Matsumoto created his 'Space-Battleship Yamato' canon in the mid 70's (encompassing 'Yamato'/'Star Blazers', 'Galaxy Express 999', 'Space Captain Harlock' and 'Queen Emeraldas'/'Maetel Legend'), it was a commentary on mankind's (mis)treatment of his fellow man, and the Earth itself, thru war and corruption.   What truly made Star Blazers work was the Human Story involved.   Mankind had a REASON to go to war in space (even though the eventual price for both Earth, and Gamillon, wound up being extremely high).    In the case of 'Macross', Mankind's hope for salvation didn't exactly lie in firepower, but the power of love as essayed thru a song.   A shared 'culture' between Mankind and the enemies, Zentradi and Meltrandi, who were (in actuality) Mankind's 'relatives'. NOW, WE JUMP ON THE BANDWAGON (part one): 'Star Blazers' is a HIT!   'Macross' is a HIT!!   We need a HIT!!  Make MORE 'Macrosses'!!  Make More 'Star Blazers'!!   It'll get BIG, BIG Ratings!!!   Well, yea.   The imitations kept coming at a rapid pace ("Baldios", "Aura Battler Dunybyne", "Southern Cross", etc.), until everything between '79 and '86 was some variation of the same two shows---- and the bulk of them sucked!!!  Big Ratings?  Yea, initially.  Disposable?   You betcha. PEEVE NO. 2:  "The 5-Person Color-Coded SuperTeam/Transforming Robot Show". Something that's distinctly Japanese.   This trend goes back a lonnnnnnnnnng way.   "ULTRAMAN" and "GIANT ROBOT"--two live action shows from the '60s--were the forerunners of this deal, and TOEI (home of "GIANT ROBOT") made it a trademark.   Here's your format:  5 people (mainly 'teens'/young adults) of varying personalites (smart, strong, shy, braggart, mechanic, etc.) are brought together (usually with major corporation or military backing) to drive/pilot experimental cars/planes which can all join together to become one kickass giant robot to destroy the bad guys.   VOLTRON/Go Lion is the classic example.   And about 25-30 more such shows over nearly 20+years (recently culminating in "Godannar", which parodied that genre and a couple others in the process in 2005!).  Oh, did I forget to mention (even though it AIN'T Anime, might as well have been--so, say it with me:) "MIGHTY MORPHIN' POWER RANGERS"?     And yup, it's all TOEI (that's TOEI's 'creative rut'). Ahh, here's a goodie: PEEVE NO. 3:    "GIRLS.     WITH.     GUNS.   (and, who sometimes ARE 'Guns'!!)" STRICTLY a 1980's/early '90s thang--thank goodness.   Don't get me wrong:  I LOVE a good asskicking heroine show, but the 'gun-lust' shows are a bit too much.  In these shows, the 'gun' is usually so BIG that it would be impossible to conceal in real life (a GLOCK with a 3 1/2-ft. long barrel, for example---see "HELLSING" and "TRIGUN"!!).   And, a pretty chick weilding that same weapon is supposed to make it 'sexy'.   (errrr, uh-huh, riiiiiiiiiigghhht.) Anyways, the "Grand-mamas" of that genre are Kenichi Sonada's "BUBBLEGUM CRISIS"'s Knight Sabres and "RIDING BEAN's" Gunsmith Cats.   (Hell, might as well add "GAL FORCE" into that equasion as well).  The above are original in the fact that the violence was deliberately over the top (in BUBBLEGUM CRISIS, people's heads were literally blown off---even though those heads belonged to "Boomers", as in androids).   Rally Vincent of the Gunsmith Cats would be the poster girl for the NRA (if she was a real person, the late Charlton Heston would've married her!).  To her, a gun is equivilant to a child (what with all the loving care she shows her firearms).   While not as prevalent as during the early '90s, there's still some 'Gun Babes' around;  some being played strictly for laughs ("Grenaidier" and Gloria from "Daphne In The Brilliant Blue"), while some are just plain cold-n-mean (Revy from "Black Lagoon").   (and fortunately, this genre has a hard time moving DVDs today.) PEEVE NO. 4:   "HAREM ANIME" It took record-time for this genre to become trashed and annoying.   "TENCHI MUYO" may not be the first Harem Anime, but it truly set the benchmark, although it didn't quite raise the bar.   The format is simple:  An ordinary guy (a real average joe), usually very nice and smart and...well, honest...who couldn't get a girl to give him the time of day, is romantically pursued by a super hottie (she could be an ordinary girl, or an exceptionally hot alien babe).  This attracts the attention of other girls who take a fancy to this guy (usually the first girl's friends or rivals), and soon, the poor bastard has as many as 5 hot chicks of varying styles, backgrounds and personalities all vying for his love.   Yet, his true feelings of romance are for the FIRST Babe, while the others pine for him at a (close) distance in a form of 'sisterly' competition.  Oh yea, the dude then merely becomes "window dressing" (a.k.a. 'a plot device'), while the girls become the REAL stars of the show. That's how it's supposed to be done.   But, in the interest of making a quick buck, you have shows which throw as many as 2 dozen chicks together for one guy, who comes on like a complete jerk.  No real romance, story, character development---nada!!  Zippo!!  Just insanity.   (For example:  "NEGIMA" is a Harem Show;  all the girls love that little 'Harry P.'-wannabe, while "GIRLS BRAVO" is a mean 'wet dream'---yup, 'Puny'-Nari does come off as a jerkwad as the show progresses, while Miharu takes STUPID to a whole new level!). FINAL PEEVE NO. 5:   "The 'Card' Shows". "POKEMON" and "YU-GI-OH" have produced so many imitators within the 10+years both shows have been in existance, that it's mind-boggling..... Already sent ONE major Anime Licensor in the USA to bankruptcy (it shall remain nameless).   Each show has so many 'clones' that they literally share the same plot (and in some cases, very same production companies and--especially in the USA dubs--casts).  Same thing, different title.   The originality died after "DIGIMON", a truly original 'clone', was canceled after a succesful 5 seasons in Japan.  The Card Shows aren't as grating as the Robot Team/Transforming trend of the '80s, but it did give Anime in the USA it's recent 'stereotype' (that "SIMPSONS" episode, and the term 'Pikachu'--which can equal certain other 'racial' epithets which shall not be mentioned, but you get the deal.). While not totally gone from the Anime Scene, these five troublesome genres have been, in the best cases, reduced to satire and outright parody.  "GODANNAR", for one, slams not only the Giant Robot/Super Team genres, but Girls-With-Guns and Space Opera, all in one.   That's one positive, and creative example.   What Anime truly needs is a creative shot in the arm.   Most of the above trends have since become a "safe formula" ("Make A Show Using These Examples And It'll Get Big Ratings").   Sometimes, the "formula" clicks ("Mahoromatic" was a classic example), while most of the time, it simply out-and-out sucks ("Coyote Ragtime Show" was a major waste). But hey, like with all entertainment, eventually Anime will get a little better.   We'll just have to stick with it.   And, that's the fun of it. NEXT UP: MY "BEST AND WORST" OF ANIME 2008.   So, until then, PEACE!!! Current Mood: amused Current Music: "CRUSHER", The SHAKEN-BOOTY SYNDROME (Comment on this)
Thursday, December 18th, 2008
1:08 am	THIS JUST IN (RE: 4Kids-FOX Debacle) HERE'S SOME BREAKING NEWS:   4KidsTV has announced just yesterday (Wednesday, December 17, 2008), that it is laying off 15% of it's workforce (because of the current economic client), thereby (sadly) hurrying with it's termination of it's agreement with FOX sometime before December 2008 is thru. This info I'm relaying to you is courtesy of ANIME NEWS NETWORK.   Like I mentioned in my last entry, some poor fool has given me some HEAT for mentioning these turn of events in my prior entry.  Well, sadly, this is VERIFICATION.   If you wish to read this yourself, I'll give you the link: www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-12-17/4kids-entertainment-lays-off-about-15-percent-of-workforce Now, look--- you're not going to like it (especially if 4Kids WAS your intro to Anime), but hey, at least I was on the level here. So, what now, especially in the case of FOX Saturday Morning, period?    That remains to be seen.   Also, I'm sticking with my word about The CW and it's shakiness as a "network".   If that "network" should falter, then 4Kids is truly out of luck (and Saturday morning in general)--and American exposure to anime in particular.   So, sadly, it's something to consider.  What Next? Current Mood: accomplished Current Music: "Crash Landing (Joyriders)", Lawrence Wise And The Cosmic Funk Orchestra (Comment on this)
Tuesday, December 16th, 2008
1:08 pm	DVD or Internet? How Should We Get Our ANIME Today? WOOOs HOOO!!!!   GREAT BIG HEAT!!!  YES!!!!!! On my previous entry (in regards to 4Kids and FOX---information which is provided by ANIME NEWS NETWORK, to which my blog was a commentary on), it appears I rubbed some poor soul the wrong way.   Awwwwwwwwww, I'm soooooo NOT sorry.   Remember:  my blog is MY opinion.  So, it stands. Now, down to business:  HOW SHOULD WE GET OUR ANIME TODAY--DVD or INTERNET? Well, I don't know about YOU, but my answer is BOTH.   I'm sticking with my YouTube "Defense" of using that site (as well as CrunchyRoll, and Funimation Network--among others) to "preview" new anime and THEN have companies like BANDAI, ADV and FUNIMATION License those same anime so that we can buy them.   That's how buzz is created.  Yet, due to the economic state of our nation, most of these properties might not see a DVD-issue anytime soon. And, that's a shame.  There's some damn good stuff that we're gonna miss.   For example: "ROMEO X JULIET" was one of the biggest things in anime news in 2007 (even went as far as to have Lena Park's "You Lift Me Up" as it's theme song).  It was on the verge of getting a US release (probably thru GENEON), before everything went topsy-turvy.   "DRAGONAUT" is another big title that we would love to see on DVD here in the USA (it rocks on CrunchyRoll!), but until we get a company to license it for DVD, the Internet "preview" is all we have.   As a matter of fact, we've been missing a LOT in the past 2 1/2 years, which we've ONLY seen via the web.  Most of this is due to what certain marketers think "The American Public" would like, and what "The American Public" wouldn't like.   (Kinda sounds like mainstream Hollywood, doesn't it?)  So, something that's a big hit on the web, via a (well-done)"Fan-Sub"--like, let's say, "BIRDY THE MIGHTY-DECODE"--"Might Not Appeal To The Masses At Large", as the marketers might say. Don't you hate that?   I DO!   So, until a DVD happens (Hellllooo, FUNIMATION!!), we'll just make it a hit on the web.   Sad, because I would LOVE to have 'product' in my hands, and not rely on 'virtual entertainment' all the time. So, I'm offering a challenge to the remaining Anime Distributors in America (Media Blasters, ADV, FUNIMATION, Right Stuf and BANDAI---plus, on the 'other end of the spectrum', NuTech and JAPANIME):  Listen to the fans and the people who buy your DVDs and bring those internet "hits" to American DVD. That's all.   Ain't too much to ask, now is it. NEXT INSTALLMENT: Creativity (or the lack thereof):   ALL ARTFORMS DEAL WITH CREATIVE RUTS, and ANIME (hell, ANIMATION in general) is of no exception.   Where are the 'groundbreakers' today?   Must everything play it "safe" with a Set Formula?   The shows or movies you remember are those which were completely "left-of-center";  so wild that they either blew your mind, inspired you, or both.             I'll talk about that next time.  See ya' then.   Current Mood: calm Current Music: "EVIL CLAUS!" -OSMOSIS (feat. Mikey Blanco) (Comment on this)