Suzumiya Haruhi ep 8 is new?

Alright, looks like fans of 2006 best anime series can rejoice as episode 8 " Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody" is on schedule 22 May 2009. However as far as I know, it is part of "renewed" airing of the series on Japanese TV, not part from long awaited season 2 of Haruhi series. Chronologically, this time the 2nd season will focus on Haruhi's alternate timeline (hence the longhair) and how they met when she is still young. This episode supposed to start this part of story. One station airing list this one as part of program schedule.

The episode is not aired in original 2006 broadcast hence the excitement from the fans right now. Truthfully, I am puzzled. Why Kyoto Animation shooting itself in foot, by jeopardizing K-On! current glory with this stunt? What are they actually hoping to achieve if this going to pass? Or they got so arrogant that they did not think it will do anything drastic to the ongoing series?

Oh not surprisingly, Kadokawa asked the offending station to delete it from scheduled program listing much later. However, part of me thinks this is part of elaborate PR exercise to hype up excitement.

One wonders.

Yoshitoshi ABe new work "Desperant" / デスペラント

Another hit or miss director, Yoshitoshi ABe the guy who gave the world famous mindfuck anime Serial Experiments Lain ( I am still not sure if I like it or not), pleasant hit Haibane Reimei (awesome series) and disappointing Texhnolyze (what's with the bug eye?) Now he announced a new work in progress, Desperant / デスペラント based on Taisho era.

Apparently he is working with his old buddies from Lain project and we shall see the work next year earliest.

Source and some sample work from new project

Nice non Japanese cosplay

I kinda like Saber. Nice stuff here.



Cheers.

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