A little late for my initial post, but I finally got my photos from Fan Expo 2008 all uploaded. So if you’re interested in larger versions of the pictures I included in my short write-up, along with a bunch of others, I’ve got thumbnails to them all posted under the cut. Be warned, fairly image heavy page!
Posts Tagged Anime
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As I said, here’s a little write-up of some observations and comments from my recent trip to Fan Expo 2008. So if you’re interested in a manga/anime focused peek, then… enjoy?
YTV‘s fall line-up has finally been announced. Not too much notable, but it’s confirmed that YTV’s Bionix line-up is being moved to Saturday nights instead of Fridays. The anime, Blue Dragon, will also begin airing during the Bionix block in the Fall, the only anime appearing on the short premiere list. I am looking forward to the new X-men animated series however (Wolvervine and the X-Men), especially since I didn’t think it’d be hitting TV until 2009! (via Zannen.ca)
Seems unfortunate, but it looks like we’ll never again see a solid anime-based lineup as we’ve enjoyed in past years thanks to Bionix. Where once we enjoyed series like Witch Hunter Robin, Full Metal Alchemist, Eureka Seven, and lots more, we’re now seeing less and less animation in general and more pre-teen aimed live action television series. You make me sad YTV!
While my time watching anime is a mere fraction of my time reading manga, I realized I still have things to say about it! Go figure? So expect some sporadic updates like these as I share some thoughts on some recent viewings. Let’s get started with random-sporadic anime update number one shall we?
With releases that couldn’t get here fast enough for me, I’ve recently been enjoying the first three discs of XXXHolic, as released by Funimation.
Based on the manga by CLAMP, XXXHolic is a story about a boy named Watanuki who can see spirits. After trying to escape an especially persistent batch, he winds up in a mysterious shop run by the beautiful but equally mysterious, Yuko. She makes a deal with Watanuki: she will help him with his problem of seeing spirits and he in turn will work for her to pay off the debt.
Funimation has done it again! After yesterday picking up a portion of Geneon’s titles, this morning it’s been revealed that they’ve nabbed lots of ADV titles as well. Watch out as Funimation becomes an anime releasing powerhouse, bringing quality and affordable anime to DVD shelves everywhere! Shocking, right? …Not really, but also not entirely expected (and here people were talking about Funimation having big problems like ADV). Ah well, all looks up so far and much better than licensing limbo!
A few interesting links worth checking out tonight:
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KOSEN has posted some preview pictures of their upcoming Tokyopop release, Daemonium. The books look really nice and I’m looking forward to that August 15th release date!
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Svetlana Chmakova has updated her site with a pretty new background image and word on her previously announced animated series, My Life Me as well as her upcoming series, Nightschool, which will be released in Yen Press’s anthology magazine, YenPlus.
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Gia continues to share her mastery of con blogging with live blogs from Anime Expo. Always worth checking out so make sure to keep visiting her site over the weekend to keep up to date. So far she’s checked in from the ADV Sneak Peek panel and the Aniplex panel.
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And though word has already spread to most corners of the internet, I share the good news here none-the-less! Funimation has stepped up and acquired a portion of Geneon’s titles for distribution. Join in the internet-wide blog reaction of finally. Thank you, Funi! Numerous collections shall now cry no longer (while wallets may continue weeping a tad).
Also, don’t forget to check out some of my recent manga reviews for my thoughts on some great titles worth picking up! With less days in the summer than I have reviews ready for posting, expect to see the occassional double reviews per day (like today) for the next little while.
About a hundred Japanese animators are coming together this month to form a union titled JAniCA: Japan Animation Creators Association. They seek to bring attention to the working conditions of Japanese animators which include low pay and long, long days as well as support and general union rights to fellow animators in Japan.
Somehow I missed this news when ANN announced it back on June 6th but coming across it now, I’m really happy for the animators involved and wish them all the best. As someone working towards entering the North American animation industry (and as a current workforce employee in general), I can honestly say I’m saddened, and in minor disbelief, everytime I read something about the working conditions of Japanese animators. Minimum wage and 12+ hours a day with little luck of advancement or vacation? Goes to show how much goes into all the animes we enjoy, literal blood and sweat at times. I hope that this union helps and brings the animators some rightly deserved support in all regards.
(via Cartoon Brew)
While I don’t make a point of posting each time a new anime is licensed, I make the occassional exception for series I really like. Today is just such an exception as Gia has posted that Funimation has acquired the distribution rights to Ookiku-Furikabutte (“Big Windup!”).
It’s a anime that revoles around the sport of baseball with a lot of charming character drama and a likeable cast of characters. I have to say I’m surprised by this choice by Funimation but very happily surprised, especially with the feeling that with Ookiku in the hands of Funimation, I can be confident in the fact that the DVDs will actually show up someday, even if they are taking forever with certain other series (where’s my Ghost Hunt, Funi?).
A press release by Corus Entertainment (parent company of YTV), states that as of July 19th, Bionix will be moved to Saturday evenings and cut down to two hours.
BIONIX – NEW TIMESLOT WITH NEW EPISODES!
Attention all Anime fans – Saturday evenings are all yours! Beginning Saturday, July 19 from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m., YTV’s Anime block Bionix will begin in its new timeslot with Avatar. The Anime fun won’t doesn’t stop there as this new Bionix timeslot will include new episodes of Naruto, Zatch Bell and Bleach.
Bionix is a late Friday-night block of shows on YTV that consists of several anime titles presently including Bleach, Gundam Seed Destiny, DeathNote, Full Metal Alchemist, Eureka Seven and Naruto.
(via Zannen.ca)
While I plan to write up a full review for this in due time, I’m taking a minute of this slow Saturday to plug one of the best games I’ve played in ages: No More Heroes for the Wii (nothing like you’ve ever played on the Wii, not for the kiddies!). You play as the main character Travis, a fan of anime and Mexican wrestling, on his way to becoming the top assassin. It’s a hilarious, beautiful stylized and over the top action game that makes great use of the Wiimote’s capabilities, taking the hack and slash action platform to a much more entertaining level. Extra recommendations if you like a challenge; this game has some of the toughest bosses I’ve ever faced in a video game. It’s also a bit of a parody, poking fun at the game genre stereotypes with both plot, dialouge delivery and in-game play actions. Much more shortly put: I loved it and cannot recommned it enough for a good time (and finally an anime fan representation whose really awesome, once you get past the 27 year old virgin part).
And completely unrelated but added for my purely anime/manga visiting fans: Amazon has a new listing for an exclusive complete Inu-Yasha series set, $419.99 f0r 3900 minutes of Shikon searching action. Glad I’m not really a fan. I have trouble enough getting past $70 boxsets! Ouch. Good for those who’ve been waiting to get it all in one go though I suppose.
