Bubble Gum Crisis Live Action Movie Updates

Singapore joined a consortium of 6 countries to produce live action Bubblegum Crisis, a hard hitting cyberpunk mecha anime in 90s. It is set to be the first feature film made under Singapore-Australia, Australia-Canada, Canada-Singapore, China-Australia and China-Canada co-production treaties. Principal is by Mokko Studios in Australia with most shots will be taken there (I wonder which part of Australia that looks cyberpunkish?) The movie also aimed at Chinese market, apparently. Notice the absence of Japan in the setup despite the origin.

30 million USD were available in making of the movie, slated for 2012 CE release.

Very intriguing setup and cooperation, I must say.

Source

K-On! / けいおん！【巡音ルカ】 [Don't Say Lazy] ED variations

Someone posted this and I thought the German dub sounds better.



English Dub



German Dub

Cheers.

Pokemon and Pikachu as business entity

This amusing title talks on how softpower Japan conquer the world using Pikachu as their spearhead in early 2000. The rise of Pikachu and Pokemon, how it conquered the world by enticing children plus not to mention the massive collective headache by the parents thanks to this simple, unassuming game.

I still remember the story where Mexican church denounced Pokemon as subversive anti Christian and burn the cartridge in front of his parishioners. Not to be overshadowed, the mullahs of Saudi Arabia went a step further by claiming it has Star of David in the content, therefore it is an Israeli propaganda in converting Muslim youth to uncouth, unIslamic life.

I personally knew few anime comrades who wanted to skewer Pikachu for sullying anime with hyperbole crass commercialized cuteness. As for me, I won't watch it but I won't go as far as having murderous thoughts. Ha!

But this article is entertaining to read.

Pokemon Capitalism

Eden of the East / 東のエデン Impressions so far

Yes, yes, YES!

After 4 episodes, this is the definitive anime of 2009 besides Rideback. These 2 are great saviour to largely lackluster 2009 so far. When Oasis was used for OP, I knew this series have some extraordinary touch and I was right on the money after 4 episodes.

Considering the unusual lack of manga or light novel adaptation nature of the series, Kenji Kamiyama (Ghost in the Shell: SAC, Seirei no Moribito) took a very big risk in crafting this one. What is even more unothorodox is his usage of Honey and Clover diminutive mangaka, Chika Umino which well known for soft character designs. The story is hard edged sci fi but with these gentle, almost serene character designs serves as stark contrast. What statement is Kamiyama is making in doing so? The Japanese fans were very intrigued by this series earlier on and Eden of the East ratings is pretty high for late night anime airing. So far, the series have sustained quite well.

Nevertheless what struck me is deep feeling in this series, the people definitely take time and dedication to create this gem of the season. Someone asked me why all her work so far always feature a short, little girl as heroine. The hint? This is photo of mangaka (the one in the middle).



As you can see, she is fond of doing self insertion (my guess that is)

Reviews will be up after 11 episodes and a movie(?).

Manga and Visual Novel as Teaching Tool

This journal describe the positive power of visual narrative to help modern kids in their quest of education. Since current generation of students were exposed to multimedia like Internet, console gaming and PC which highly visual instead of traditional textual medium like books that old timers (me!) used to. The authors described what happened to the focus group in San Diego school when they run this field study using these teaching tools.

Article

Russo- Japanese Anime collobration, First Squad / Первый отряд / ファースト・スクワッド part 2

Remember this fantastical World War 2 themed anime series by joint Russian and Japanese effort?

Finally there is more details and full trailer.


Okay, the German Army occult unit (not too far off since Himmler is very interested in occultism in real life) invoked vengeful spirits from old Eastern Crusade which Germanic order of knights "Teutonic Knights" spearheaded against pagan or Othrodox East European in 15th century. Their efforts were broken in 1410 at Battle of Tannenberg which also symbolizes the emergence of nationalism of Polish since the Polish King lead the opposing side. The battle is depicted in painting above.

In 1942, German Army is on offensive again after stabilized the line from Zhukov counteroffensive in late 1941 near gates of Moscow. This time though the Russian Army is ready for them. In the movie, the Russian vengeful spirits killed in 1941 were back helping Nadya the 14 year old NKVD/STAVKA agent to fight the mythical German Army crusaders.

Sounds like good fun. Someone did remarked to me it looks like Blood+ but with blond swordsgirl killing Nazis this time. LOL.

The movie soon will be premiered in Cannes Du Marche Films at May 13th and Palais C at May 16th and 17th 2009. Made by Studio 4C with cooperation of Molot Production, directed by Yoshiharu Ashino.