News
August 29, 2005
Otaku Discount
According to Yahoo News Japan, a theater located in Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa prefecture has set an otaku discount for the movie, Densha Otoko. To accept a discount, you have only to refer to yourself as an otaku at the ticket office of the theater, Fujisawa Chuoh, and you will save 400yen.
The discount is highly regarded by all movie-lovers. Some of the people who are enjoying the discount don't look like an otaku, but the general manager, Nitta, doesn’t mind. He says "As the movie is about a shy otaku who builds up his courage, we wanted real otakus to make a personal statement though we were half-joking at first.”
Thanks to the good reputation, the theater decided to extend the show.
The discount is highly regarded by all movie-lovers. Some of the people who are enjoying the discount don't look like an otaku, but the general manager, Nitta, doesn’t mind. He says "As the movie is about a shy otaku who builds up his courage, we wanted real otakus to make a personal statement though we were half-joking at first.”
Thanks to the good reputation, the theater decided to extend the show.
August 09, 2005
World Cosplay Summit 2005
World Cosplay Summit 2005 took place on August 7th at the Aich Expo.
40 cosplayers from 7 countries (America, China, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and 4 teams from Japan) who had won in their domestic competition performed in front of the audience many of who are in costume too.
The winners of each award
Grand Champion (The best country): Italy
The best team: France
The best individual: Giorgia Vecchini (Italy)
Brother: Middle Japan
The themes each team performed
America: Rosen Maiden
China: Samurai Spirits
France: Tokyo Mew Mew
Germany: Magic Knight Rayearth
Italy: Soul Calibur 2
Spain: Fullmetal Alchemist
East Japan: Inuyasha
Middle Japan: Lupin III
West Japan: Aim for the Top
WWW Japan: Sailor Moon
Various characters were played for the best individual award. In his blog, Emperor System Zero, Hoshino who attended it says, “Silen from ‘Devilman’ was overwhelming. As soon as she appeared, she received a lot of applause. Both the visual impact and her eloquent play left nothing to be desired. As I expected, she won the best individual award. Every cosplayer was splended, but no one could compete with her. ”
Silen was played by Giorgia Vecchini from Italy. After singing the theme, she played a secen from Devilman in Japanese.
You can view the photos on the websites as follows.
World Cosplay Summit 2005 result report
Aichi Expo Official Site
Emperor System Zero
Golgo 31
Sazamani Kaihen
40 cosplayers from 7 countries (America, China, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and 4 teams from Japan) who had won in their domestic competition performed in front of the audience many of who are in costume too.
The winners of each award
Grand Champion (The best country): Italy
The best team: France
The best individual: Giorgia Vecchini (Italy)
Brother: Middle Japan
The themes each team performed
America: Rosen Maiden
China: Samurai Spirits
France: Tokyo Mew Mew
Germany: Magic Knight Rayearth
Italy: Soul Calibur 2
Spain: Fullmetal Alchemist
East Japan: Inuyasha
Middle Japan: Lupin III
West Japan: Aim for the Top
WWW Japan: Sailor Moon
Various characters were played for the best individual award. In his blog, Emperor System Zero, Hoshino who attended it says, “Silen from ‘Devilman’ was overwhelming. As soon as she appeared, she received a lot of applause. Both the visual impact and her eloquent play left nothing to be desired. As I expected, she won the best individual award. Every cosplayer was splended, but no one could compete with her. ”
Silen was played by Giorgia Vecchini from Italy. After singing the theme, she played a secen from Devilman in Japanese.
You can view the photos on the websites as follows.
World Cosplay Summit 2005 result report
Aichi Expo Official Site
Emperor System Zero
Golgo 31
Sazamani Kaihen
August 01, 2005
The oldest animation film in Japan discovered in Kyoto
According to Asahi.com, an animation film which seems to have been made in Meiji period was found at the personal residence of an old family in Kyoto.
Matsumoto, adjunct instructor of Osaka University of Arts, estimated the period by the technique it was made by. The technique is called “kappa-ban”which used to be used on a lantern slide in Meji period (1868 – 1912).
If it is verified, it will break the record of Japan’s oldest animation film, 芋川椋三 玄関番の巻 (Imokawa Ryouzou Genkan-ban no maki) made in 1917.
The newly discovered film is 35mm wide and it consists of 50 frames, making itself a three-second show. In the film, a boy in the sailor uniform turns around with the letters 活動写真 (cinematograph) in the background. Along with the film, an old projector and several imported films are found at the house.
Tsuken, the collaborator of Matsumoto, says “However the question whether we should regard it as one of modern animation films or not remains*, it is an outstanding discovery that there was an animation film in the Meiji period.”
They will continue their investigation to specify the date it was printed and will publish a paper.
* Kappa-ban is almost the same method as stencil.
Matsumoto, adjunct instructor of Osaka University of Arts, estimated the period by the technique it was made by. The technique is called “kappa-ban”which used to be used on a lantern slide in Meji period (1868 – 1912).
If it is verified, it will break the record of Japan’s oldest animation film, 芋川椋三 玄関番の巻 (Imokawa Ryouzou Genkan-ban no maki) made in 1917.
The newly discovered film is 35mm wide and it consists of 50 frames, making itself a three-second show. In the film, a boy in the sailor uniform turns around with the letters 活動写真 (cinematograph) in the background. Along with the film, an old projector and several imported films are found at the house.
Tsuken, the collaborator of Matsumoto, says “However the question whether we should regard it as one of modern animation films or not remains*, it is an outstanding discovery that there was an animation film in the Meiji period.”
They will continue their investigation to specify the date it was printed and will publish a paper.
* Kappa-ban is almost the same method as stencil.
July 25, 2005
New design
I have just changed the design for this blog.
After painting the new character with orange hair above, I found Saint Seiya and Yu-Gi-Oh! had a great influence on my art style.
In fact the only doujinshi I published were about Saint Seiya and Yu-Gi-Oh!
I hope you like the new design.
After painting the new character with orange hair above, I found Saint Seiya and Yu-Gi-Oh! had a great influence on my art style.
In fact the only doujinshi I published were about Saint Seiya and Yu-Gi-Oh!
I hope you like the new design.
July 22, 2005
Yaoi girls, never miss Otome Road!
On July 17th, Sankei Web reported the current trend of Ikebukuro district where six doujinshi shops gather almost in a row. They mostly deal doujinshi for women in contrast with Akihabara where many otaku shops aim at male customers.
When the manga information magazine, Puff, introduced the area, it was called Otome Road and afterward came to go by so in the manga fandom.
Otome is Japanese for "maiden."
If you are lucky, you might come across a BL manga artist’s autograph session in one of the shops.
Access: 10-minute walk from the East exit of JR Ikebukuro Station. Otome Road faces the famous shopping building, Sunshine City.
When the manga information magazine, Puff, introduced the area, it was called Otome Road and afterward came to go by so in the manga fandom.
Otome is Japanese for "maiden."
If you are lucky, you might come across a BL manga artist’s autograph session in one of the shops.
Access: 10-minute walk from the East exit of JR Ikebukuro Station. Otome Road faces the famous shopping building, Sunshine City.
July 07, 2005
What I Bought Yesterday
I bought Shonen Ace at last and it proved the information was right, however the order of the pages were edited in the photo.I also picked up Jump Heroes (an irregular edition of Shonen Jump) and two tankoubon all together. I took some free brochures too.
June 3rd was the publication day of the lineup of Shonen Jump. While I was picking up DEATH NOTE vol.7 and 魔人探偵脳噛ネウロ vol.1(Majin Tantei Nougami Neuro), two girls passed by me with D.Gray-man and ムヒョとロージーの魔法律相談事務所(Muhyo to Roji no Mahouritu Soudan Jimusho) in their hand at the store. I thought Manga fans different from each other in taste again.
June 30, 2005
"Cromartie High School" Sued by Cromartie
Some news sites reported that Cromartie, former pro baseball player of Yomiuri Giants, filed for an injunction of the movie “Cromartie High School” to Tokyo District Court yesterday.
According to Asahi.com, he claims his publicity right, saying “ I have not allowed them to use my name. Students in Cromartie High School are depicted as gangsters. I feel angry that my name is used in such a film.”
According to Sansupo.com, he alerted Kodansha, publisher of the manga, last August, but the company answered that there is nobody looks like him in the manga, and that they don’t intend to stain his honor.
This time too the distributor, Media Suits, refused his complaint and answered “We believe that this movie is innocent in terms of defamation. We will sincerely deal with this matter and ask for his understanding.”
Sansupo com. concludes “Despite Cromartie’s anger, this case would boost the movie a great deal.”
It is true that the name “Cromartie” reminds many Japanese of this self-conscious ballplayer. But let me correct him; students in Cromartie High are not gangsters but geeks or weirdos who fail to be a gangster in spite of their effort to be. Some of them are not even human being, but we love all those idiots.
According to Asahi.com, he claims his publicity right, saying “ I have not allowed them to use my name. Students in Cromartie High School are depicted as gangsters. I feel angry that my name is used in such a film.”
According to Sansupo.com, he alerted Kodansha, publisher of the manga, last August, but the company answered that there is nobody looks like him in the manga, and that they don’t intend to stain his honor.
This time too the distributor, Media Suits, refused his complaint and answered “We believe that this movie is innocent in terms of defamation. We will sincerely deal with this matter and ask for his understanding.”
Sansupo com. concludes “Despite Cromartie’s anger, this case would boost the movie a great deal.”
It is true that the name “Cromartie” reminds many Japanese of this self-conscious ballplayer. But let me correct him; students in Cromartie High are not gangsters but geeks or weirdos who fail to be a gangster in spite of their effort to be. Some of them are not even human being, but we love all those idiots.
June 28, 2005
Manga Department in the University
According to Yomiuri Online, Kyoto Seika University announced that they will set up Japan’s first Manga Department next spring. The scheduled number of students is 200.
The University already has Manga Course (60 students) in its Fine Art Department and it will be transferred to the new department.
Along with the Manga Course, the new department will offer Manga Produce Course and Animation Course.
It is great in that manga was recognized as an academic subject worth studying, but it will scarcely effect any change in Japanese manga works because theory doesn’t advance the quality of each manga.
There already are many practical schools (専門学校/ senmon gakkou) which have a manga course as well as an animation course. We can find 103 schools through the searching service. Students can learn how to write a script and how to draw objects, but the school doesn’t certify that the graduates can be a mangaka, animator, or writer. They still have to apply for the contests or have an appointment to an editor to sell his/her manga like any other wannabes who didn’t learn how to draw manga at school.
Ironically, it is the case that the editors judge their manga not so much by their skills as by their originality and potentiality.
I admit I’m a bit harsh on the guys studying at manga school. It must because I have heard a teacher of a manga school complain “I’m not a counselor…”
She continued that many of her students entered the school not because they wanted to be a professional manga artist but because they just didn’t have interest in other subject than manga and anime. They have no idea what to express in their manga. They have little first-hand experience in the life and can’t get along with other people. They come to her, their first teacher who doesn’t say not to read manga, to consult their personal problems instead of turning in their manga homework.
Of course there must be diligent students who have original ideas to express in manga and eager to develop their skills. But for those who want to escape from the harsh reality, manga schools are the nest where they indulge in everything. The schools should have evaluated them before allowing them to enter.
The University already has Manga Course (60 students) in its Fine Art Department and it will be transferred to the new department.
Along with the Manga Course, the new department will offer Manga Produce Course and Animation Course.
It is great in that manga was recognized as an academic subject worth studying, but it will scarcely effect any change in Japanese manga works because theory doesn’t advance the quality of each manga.
There already are many practical schools (専門学校/ senmon gakkou) which have a manga course as well as an animation course. We can find 103 schools through the searching service. Students can learn how to write a script and how to draw objects, but the school doesn’t certify that the graduates can be a mangaka, animator, or writer. They still have to apply for the contests or have an appointment to an editor to sell his/her manga like any other wannabes who didn’t learn how to draw manga at school.
Ironically, it is the case that the editors judge their manga not so much by their skills as by their originality and potentiality.
I admit I’m a bit harsh on the guys studying at manga school. It must because I have heard a teacher of a manga school complain “I’m not a counselor…”
She continued that many of her students entered the school not because they wanted to be a professional manga artist but because they just didn’t have interest in other subject than manga and anime. They have no idea what to express in their manga. They have little first-hand experience in the life and can’t get along with other people. They come to her, their first teacher who doesn’t say not to read manga, to consult their personal problems instead of turning in their manga homework.
Of course there must be diligent students who have original ideas to express in manga and eager to develop their skills. But for those who want to escape from the harsh reality, manga schools are the nest where they indulge in everything. The schools should have evaluated them before allowing them to enter.
June 21, 2005
Order from Pizza Hut and get Fullmetal Alchemist
You might get the full-size armor of Al's by lottery!
Pizza Hut announced the tie-up campaign with Fullmetal Alchemist the movie this summer.
When you order a pizza by phone (they offer only deliverly sevice in Japan) tell them that you will use the coupon (newspaper insert.) You will receive an application card in exchange for your coupon along with the pizza .
The card has a serial number. Access the site indicated on the card and submit your number, then you can apply for a prize out of three courses.
Course A: Three winners will get Al's two-meter-tall armor.
Course B: 300 winners will get the alarm clock with the alarming sound (voice) by Ed and Al.
Course C: 300 winners will get a pillow with Ed's print on the surface.
Unfortunately we have no Pissa Hut in our town. That's Ok, I'll eat at Shakey's after watching the Movie!
Gekijouban Hagane no Renkinjutsushi official site
Pizza Hut announced the tie-up campaign with Fullmetal Alchemist the movie this summer.
When you order a pizza by phone (they offer only deliverly sevice in Japan) tell them that you will use the coupon (newspaper insert.) You will receive an application card in exchange for your coupon along with the pizza .
The card has a serial number. Access the site indicated on the card and submit your number, then you can apply for a prize out of three courses.
Course A: Three winners will get Al's two-meter-tall armor.
Course B: 300 winners will get the alarm clock with the alarming sound (voice) by Ed and Al.
Course C: 300 winners will get a pillow with Ed's print on the surface.
Unfortunately we have no Pissa Hut in our town. That's Ok, I'll eat at Shakey's after watching the Movie!
Gekijouban Hagane no Renkinjutsushi official site
June 20, 2005
BS Anime Yawa Airdate
NHK announced the upcoming BS Anime Yawa, talk show or panel discussion on the widely-recognized anime titles. This program often discloses rare information such as Asuka's final line in The End of Evangelion.
June 27 11:00pm
未来少年コナン
Mirai Shounen Conan
Nippon Animation official site
Bandai Visual official site
June 28 11:00pm
劇場版エースをねらえ！
Gekijouban Ace wo Nerae!
TV series official site
Manga official site
June 29 11:00pm
超時空要塞マクロス 愛・おぼえていますか
Chou Jukuu Yousai Macross Ai Oboeteimasuka
Official site
June 27 11:00pm
未来少年コナン
Mirai Shounen Conan
Nippon Animation official site
Bandai Visual official site
June 28 11:00pm
劇場版エースをねらえ！
Gekijouban Ace wo Nerae!
TV series official site
Manga official site
June 29 11:00pm
超時空要塞マクロス 愛・おぼえていますか
Chou Jukuu Yousai Macross Ai Oboeteimasuka
Official site
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