For The Curious: 2012 Opening Moves

For the curious, the beginning of this most unique New Year has largely seen more activity elsewhere. And in that regard, it feels a lot like things have started on a more heavy-handed note than initially expected. In the days following the demise of US anime distributor, Bandai Entertainment, a post occurred on Kotaku regarding one of the oldest, creakiest arguments against piracy that essentially tipped me into hyperdrive. Having actually worked within the industry, and witnessing many things for myself, this post was the last I could take of such notions..and thus...Anime Diet became home to something that was wholly unexpected, and has become far more impression-making than I had even remotely anticipated.


And speaking of Bandai,..I think Mike Toole said it best..




In other news, the halls of Cel Count Media are beginning to glow with the warm colors of diversity, as another show entered the fray- and a most welcome return to a show I truly missed!

Join Jenny P. and myself as we restart our journey into our mutual lives as cinephiles from one generation to another with The Double Chop, where our first go-round pitts the lesser-remembered Jackie Chan in America romp, The Protector against John Carpenter's still-infectious paean thumb of the nose to whitebread Hollywood, Big Trouble In Little China! Join our monthly show, as we share personal movie memories, and stack them up against ones we both know we like. Truly unusual, fly-on-the-wall, verite podcasting!

With seeking new forms of employment, my focus is a little out of the realm of heavy blogging at the moment, but it should return at full speed soon enough. Posting will continue to happen when the inspiration occurs. Until then, Twitter is always the best way to see what's currently happening with me, and current projects. With a bit of extra work, and yes luck, things should be back to pseudo-normal. Either way, thanks for the feedback, and dialogue. It is always appreciated.

Convergence: We Heart Japan 03/17/11

What to share here that Liz at LA Weekly hasn't in her wonderful post?

Well perhaps some of my more internal feelings regarding this valiant, last moment effort to help the many people now enduring terrible hardships in the aftermath of the Tohoku Quake & ensuing tsunami in Japan. While the many of us stateside watched in growing, creeping horror, many were spurred into action, leading to a volley of events such as this one. But the particular itch this one had for me was multi-fold, and finally taking the time (and much needed money-to be honest) to stop by and support this led to some of the most surreal crossovers I have yet to experience. It was much like a scrappy, small scale surreal & yet hopeful twist on a Fellini film. Everyone other person around you a part of your past. Many in mildly new, yet similar roles to which I has knew them to embrace, and others advancing in ways mysterious.

                                            Where stages of life converge.

To be honest, with the crowd growing, and the energy increasing, Meltdown Comics that night was nothing short of dreamlike. Much like how anime conventions used to feel to me once upon a time, but this time blessed with a sense of knowing. Knowing that we all felt a deeper need to be there. Feeling that this was what many of us had done as workers and as fans of this culture. This was something ingrained deep, and no financial difficulty was going to stop us from helping make it happen.

Whether it be meeting the promoters, the voice actors, or just finally getting acquainted with fellow bloggers in that much anticipated local meetup, I'd say this was effort well made. It's a reminder of why I chose to live in this community, and of what comes when voices come together on common cause, regardless of cosmetic differences, and circumstance. Voice actors, artists, staffers, bloggers, reporters, photographers, co-workers, friends...This is what it means to have community. And with community, whether here, or in Sendai, there is hope.

Special Thanks to Liz Ohanesian, Stephanie Sheh, Dianne Garcia, Chase Wang, Daniella Orihuela Gruber & so many more for making such a memorable evening possible. Here's to doing more for the islands that have given us so much. Cheers.




(Those looking for a return of the usual Kaijyu & Anime Diet shenanigans. A little more patience, please.)

AX 2010. Bigger than a Tweet.

Still alive. And here for a final round before posting heats up here and abroad. Much was covered yesterday regarding photos & mingling with friends new & old. Despite not being there for the onslaught of GoH panels and concerts, we were able to enjoy a surprise in the form of seiyuu & production icons visiting industry promo panels at a time where most attendees missed out. (can't wait to fill that report!) Aside from this, an overall feeling that the industry can only go up at this point as we grow more open toward embracing the technological possibilties.

Pretty worn out this morning, but have plenty of vigor left for the big wind down that is often AX's last day. So until next time...