Basking In The Ember Glow

Still recuperating from a week of settling back into work, as well as writeups on Anime Expo, but it felt peaceful just long enough to put a spotlight on some house objects scattered about.

At the moment, trying to set aside time for some fun editing for something hopefully very fun this weekend.

With Anime Diet, columns like Bridging The Gap, Otaple Talk, and Analog Diaries will in fact be continuing very soon. As of right now, I'm formulating where AD is going specifically. Just so many memories in that particular pool to dip from, it was really tough to pick a single one for the next post. And Otaple Talk is definitely something I'd love to do more of in the near future. Always a fun time to help better meld the 2D vs 3D in strange, hopefully revealing ways. As always, BDG is perhaps the one most closest to my heart.

Perhaps now would be as good a time as any to remind readers that The Kaijyu will again be in the audio form within the coming weeks. As time zero stands at almost night, I can best sum it all up by saying that the planning has been as good as is possible given the technical limitations we have. So I guess I just want folks to know that even if the first few episodes begin with a scrappy feel, we are aware of these and hope to have a final format & maintenance system down. Until then, I hope we can offer an insightful look at pop culture events large and small from three wildly diverging viewpoints. In the past several weeks, it has become crystal clear just how different the three of us are. And in this, the hope is that we can cover an impressive range of viewpoints, and maybe, just maybe...offer something altogether new in the podosphere (is that even a word...yet?).

Also very overdue is another Infant Island Podcast, which should reemerge very soon. The Kiyo and I have been incredibly busy with watching and discussing shows old and new. And I'm certain that we have a memorable one for our next show. This is one that is a little easier to produce as (surprise!) it's all in house with us here at The Cube. As for when, it truly depends on our respective work situations before a new installment can become a reality.

So on one level, I'm a little relieved that con season is almost over, and the new anime season seems to be under way. Whether it'll be fun, or another dark, tarry abyss remains to be seen. (the guys at Diet have been getting some peeks, and seem to like a few- personally I just want to see Occult Academy)

Anime Expo 2010 Surprise! Toradora! Q & A With Horie & Kitamura!

                                                

                                                      


Pardon the suddenness. This post was initially not on any plan of any kind, but upon getting the tip that two of the principal roles of a favorite recent show of mine were to actually be a part of a Saturday morning panel, there simply was no way I could resist the opportunity. Especially when one of these performers has been a personal favorite of mine for well over a decade now.

That's right, not only was the Toradora! panel hosted by anime distribution babes, NIS America going to feature a cool preview of a surprise close to my own heart, but to have two of the show's core triumvirate of stars in attendance! The thought of not being able to catch seiyuu superstar, Yui Horie at a panel a day before broke my heart, so you better believe I listened when informed that she would be at the Toradora! panel alongside co-star, Eri Kitamura. For those unfaimilar yet with the series & characters, I highly recommend catching this series as soon as possible because for my money, this is one of the few new releases that screams owning. NIS's Premium Edition sets for the series are second to none in packaging and extras. The series itself is a brilliant take on the classic high school coming of age story, armed with some of the best characterization the medium has to offer today. And in the roles of loopy-hyper crush Minori Kushieda & the at-times nebulous beauty queen Ami Kawashima, both Horie and Kitamura aquitted themselves as true troopers and open souls.


With the show's producer, Takahiro Yamanaka in tow, the duo took part in a Q & A session featuring questions that were entered on a sheet of paper that was at the NIS America booth in the exhibit hall over the previous two days. With questions ranging from the typical "What made you want to be a voice actor?" to some erm..interesting ones "Which character would you have like to have played in the show if not the one you took?", the festivities were great fun, and made most interesting because I suddenly realized that...despite the fact that photography and video was strictly prohibited in the large Concourse Hall(which was near to full upon our estimation- we were three rows from the actors), they didn't say the same for audio recorders!

So without any futher delay, here's part one of my audio (with notation for your assistance- I know my recorder isn't the best. Didn't I say this was wasn't planned?)

Let the service begin! The recording begins as Kitamura is asked about, what else? What inspired her to become a voice actress..


(please forgive our annoying voices in this edit. Over the course of the Q & A, I realize this and begin toning myself down. My fanboyishness rears its ugly head from time to time. Working on it!)



[00:35 - 01:05] Horie-san explains her original inspiration on the form of a blue-haired Lovely Angel! (upon us reciprocating her mention of the show, she then proceeded to applaud with her hands out to Kiyo and I. Classic. We seemed to be among the few who responded to her enthisuasm for the show as she mentioned it. So that was a big fan/artist moment for us.)

[01:35 - 04:26] Kitamura & Horie are asked to provide advice to those interested in becoming a VA.(the Emcee accidentally begins to ask another question before everyone catches him, allowing Horie to add her two cents)

"I can do it, I can do it, I can do it!"

[05:35 - 07:39 ] The stars are asked if they ever wished to play another character in Toradora! And if so who? And could they do an impersonation for the audience? The answer is pretty noisy and hilarious for all in the house...Horie's is especially noteworthy.(WARNING: Squawking ahead.)


[08:07 - 10:30] Discussing the biggest challenges of playing Kawashima & Kushieda respectively. It is revealed here that much like TV here, it pays to cast against type with voice actors. The switch between both actresses and their temperaments works beautifully in this show. Truly liberating for both of them for sure.

Just taking a break to say that I especially loved Horie-san's translator. His demeanor never wavered, and his ability to handle even the more frenetic responses of our stars was fantastic.


Now onto the last half!




[00:00 - 00:20] Horie-san's translator conveys her liberated feeling at playing such a hyper, carefree character. (seriously, this character almost steals the show. And only doesn't because of such great writing and performances all around.)

[00:42 - 03:03] Asked about what is perhaps the most fun part of working on Toradora! Again, this plays on the fact that both ladies are playing characters that allow the two to let loose in ways that previous jobs had not. Kitamura in reality seems to be the more hyper type, as Horie-san seems more collected. Either way, great listening.


[04:08 - 05:15] Okay, this one dates me. But the pair are asked if there were seiyuu they still would love to work with in the future. And if so who? Their answers made me smile ear to ear.

[06:03 - 06:29] Now we're totally going Toradora! fanchild here. Two two are asked to chat with each other in character. (The poor translators.)

[07:20 - 08:10] Saying, Thank You!

[08:50 - END] Last question: Saying, "I love Anime Expo" in character voice. Anime Expo Dai suki!


Of course, no cheesy recording or commentary could match the feeling that was filling the room that morning. My only wish is to have been able to get actual photos. An amazing little function, and a sweet way to usher in a new name in quality for anime in the US. Here's to more in the future.


For more coverage with Horie-san, please check out Anime Diet for a live-blog of her panel the day before. And also for more coverage of Anime Expo 2010!

AX2010: Mementos In Image Volley No,1

So much to transcribe, edit, write, retouch, upload and share regarding the weekend's festivities, so I'll do my part to just say that Anime Expo 2010 was a mixed event, but filled with a rare sort of vibe. The kind that is finally willing to embrace the now, and take some much needed risk amidst a crumbled market hampered by sameness & safety. A reality check has been in the needing for some time, and it's nice to see that clearly on so many faces. It's a pretty decimated, yet strangely exciting time. One of great promise for sure.


That said...onto the pics, featuring V.Zero's own resident icon, Miss Kiyomi Park! (An entire set is in fact coming- the whole bloody affair is huge, and will likely disperse throughout here, Anime Diet, as well as Hobby Yokai, so keep those links ready!)

                                                              A terrific Toradora! pair.

                  Possibly the cosplay I was most seeking out this year. Shinra & Celty from Durarara!!

 

Busiest day is still Saturday.

                              The almighty Exhibit Hall, while light on presence, was still quite busy!

                                                Okay. How can you go wrong with good ol' Dan!?

                                                      A great pair of Katamari kids!

   An unprecedented crowd at the Artists Alley!(integrated Comic-Con style within the Exhibit Hall this time)

                                Kiyomi in a time warp! Where's the frickin' TPDD when you need it?

The time rupture was massive, eventually the equipment was found beneath that pile of Jimmy Eat World CDs. (Great Haruko though.Image Courtesy of Kiyomi Park)

The culprit of this particular time crime was found, and was promptly dealt with. The Kiyomi's brand of justice is perhaps best kept a mystery. (but trust me, it's pretty frightening)

 No sooner that the criminal been managed and subdued, another timequake occurred with slightly more erratic results. What're you gonna do?



Again, there will definitely be more news and commentary regarding the event. Seriously, I haven't even posted my personal favorite images yet. So stay tuned here, as well as on Anime Diet & Hobby Yokai!

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...

AX Anxieties & Anticipation

                                                           Crap! It's HERE.

So yes, this year's AX is going to likely be a strange one filled with marketing, cosplay, & many happy reunions. But most importantly, much more visual than last year's battery fail-laden excursion. And even as I may be missing the bulk of the weekend's big tickets (Click Here For The Painful Reaction), it still feels more like a normal con than I had been concerned it wouldn't be. With so many things in the air regarding the future of the anime industry, it should prove fascinating if word comes through from on high that things are not only evolving from the newly embraced streaming business model, but that perhaps the medium has a little more on its plate than the apocalyptic talk hovering around as of late. As everyone has seen , things are not so different from what Hollywood has been resorting to as of late, and it isn't looking terribly like that's going to sustain everyone in the long run. So with this, I hope that folks from both the creative, administrative, and even press can congeal enough thought to provide some much needed ideas.

And here I am again, unable to start the con from the beginning. Something which is perhaps just as well. The combination of work situation, marketing talk, new videos, and podcast preparation, it has been a little mad around here as of late. But it all culminates this month as AX tends to be ground zero for many of these activities. It's just a tricky thing, balancing both work and play in an event that for years was merely a playground for me. Much has changed over the years.

That said, I'm really looking forward to sharing some memories from the convention. Perhaps a few chats & video will be involved, so stay tuned for updates!

The Starry Night Of Haruhi Suzumiya

And so they came en masse. All hoping to capture a glimpse of a world without her.


What at first seemed like an undersold show at Laemmle's Sunset 5 in Hollywood, became a fankid free-for-all when Bandai unleashed the much anticipated feature film, The Disappearance Of Haruhi Suzumiya for a one-night engagement. The Jen was with me as we witnessed Haruhiism for the first time sans a convention setting, which imho served as a nice annual buffer for the madness that will be Anime Expo next week. Thankfully,(or to a detriment, depending on who's asking) the crowd is a little more subdued than the crowds that filled the New People Viz Cinema Theater in San Francisco several weeks ago. Regardless, the fandom for this show is very much an interesting variation of the atypical anime otaku. Demanding a rare craving for imagination, knowledge, and a streak of geeky humor ten miles wide, these fans were not disappointed by the festivities as well as the centerpiece...The epic-length feature, centering on the continuing tales of  the oddball high school club, the SOS Brigade, voice of sanity, Kyon, and the uber-Mary Sue club president who would be a sleeping deity, Haruhi Suzumiya.

And even before walking in, we had an opportunity to chat & get autographs with english version actors extraordinaire, Wendee Lee (Haruhi), & Crispin Freeman (Kyon), all while being lavished with some goodies courtesy of Bandai, Crunchyroll & Yen Press.

Having seen the film previously (my review on Diet), it was possibly a much richer experience watching it surrounded by friends old and new. There is an almost "slice-of-life" element to the film that becomes bolder the more I begin to think about it. As an animated work, it isn't imperative that they let the camera linger on a quiet moment. Most films just get on with it. But to take that kind of time and care in something like this shows a grand deal of dedication & heart, making it something of an anti-blockbuster. One that demands we stew in the moment, rather than hop to the next convenient plot point. The story, while at times painfully drawn out, is this way by design, and to that end makes the film have a uniquely ambitious quality that one rarely sees in films where only so little actually happens.

Kyoto Animation's work here still impresses as the film's at times glacial pace allows us to immerse ourselves it its world. Whether it be via character action, or merely the motion of the city & its outskirts, anime reaches an at times uncanny valley which works beautifully with the series' totem of playing the absurdism of anime in a slightly tweaked, but very real setting. It knocks me out to consider how exciting it was at times just to see doors open, characters running, focus shift as the camera represents the vision of our narrator.

But even greater still was the experience of discussing the film, and the story of Suzumiya thus far. I was able to listen to some great theories as to how it all will culminate in later volumes of the popular Japanese light novel series that inspired the anime. So much of it reflects a giant section of modern geekdom that longs for something not merely entertaining, but something a little more introspective & original. This is a franchise as comfortable with intimate rumination as it is with laser-precise nerd comedy.

Being able to really clock the entire package, along with the audience's reaction was a bit of a blast, personally. A part of me still wishes more people could have a chance to catch this film in a local theater before the US DVD release, but that almost always seems to be the case with films such as this. Its a film that while trapped in a myriad of genre, asks us to be patient, and just enjoy the atmospherics.

 Previous Haruhi fans or no..It is a singular experience.

(Also finally had the historic opportunity to finally meet two of the minds behind Anime Diet in the 3D! Stop on by as I'm sure there'll be coverage & video. Great stuff all around last night.)

Axioms Of Change (More thoughts on Toy Story 3)

Do we even need addressing here? I suppose it might be, in order to have a record of my feelings on the ideas shared on the film while they're still fresh. But it seemed pretty clear to me that PIXAR was not only going for broke with their grand finale, but also looking to better illuminate a world that has only recently opened up toward lifestyles & solutions long ignored by the mainstream. And much like a humble parent, Unkrich, Doctor, Lassiter, and the rest of the Toy Story crew have taken great pains to spotlight a changing planet gleaming with the kind of possibilities a child has with their imagination.

- The Sunnyside Day Care tale is one of division brought about by an individual convinced of the inevitable pain brought forth by allowing unconditional emotions to reside. His solutions make sense to a population unsure of their place in the world as confused victims of whatever circumstance left them donated to the day care center. And in the hands of this leader, the aptly named Butterfly & Caterpillar rooms are an interesting play on words for divided states of maturation. A sort of, pre-emptive lifestyle designed to shield certain people from what can be considered "public service". Something a certain number of folks do not see as an enviable position.

- Ken. It's written in strokes the width of a superhighway. Despite the relationship between he and Barbie, it is clear that he is among the more misunderstood citizens of Sunnyside. And even as he had for a time attained a certain level of power before Andy's toys came, he was obviously in a relegated position with noone to really grasp what he was truly about. Much of this begins to change as the recently dejected blonde happily accepts him as a part of a "complete set". Being that they are toys, it is in the clothes-loving that things take a pretty obvious metaphor, and are upgraded by a sense of playfully adult humor without beating his thematic change into our minds. It's a sweet little subplot that ends pitch-beautifully by making him a new leader. Someone who grasps the hopes and dreams of the whole, as opposed to the fearful few.

- To a lesser degree, but no less amusing, Buzz Lightyear's Demo Mode mishap. By leaving the ever-dashing rocket man in Espanol mode, he takes on a romantic persona that comes off as a little superficial until one realizes, we're watching a big budget family film with aggressively fast subtitles. Something that could never have been considered ten years ago. A little something that only gets better as part of the Buzz/ Jessie subplot gathers steam throughout the whole film. And Jessie's growing approval of Mr. Lightyear via this technical goofup is a more than appropriate testament toward shifting cultural attitudes. It could also be argued that the switch on Buzz's back can be seen as a visual nod toward the splintering changes that are beginning to blossom in most unexpected places.

- Andy's decision in the finale & the inclusion of little Bonnie are also strong notions that change, while inevitable, do not have to remain bittersweet as long as there are new minds pouring new thoughts into the mix. After all, in the Toy Story universe, a toy's greatest joys are to be played with & to be there when a child needs them most. For Andy to keep Woody with him at college is fine and sweet. (It is indeed possible that the classic cowboy doll was a keepsake of his never seen father's) But in order for the toys to have a longevity of need, it is important that they remain in the service of the young. Hence the transition. As much as I love many of my old toys, it does pain me to merely leave them shelved. To see Woody and friends in the hands of such a spry, imaginative soul is not only evidence of the immortality of the inner child, but of all of us who long to retain the spirit of one.