A very unique mahjong anime announced, ムダヅモ無き改革 or Legend of Koizumi

Erm yeah,

Mudazumo naki kaikaku / ムダヅモ無き改革 or Legend of Koizumi, a satire manga about global top leaders playing mahjong to shape the destiny of geopolitics is getting anime treatment soon. So, we have tenpa moe Saki (fan service school girls in short skirts) and now we have errr...macho gar real life politicians with cool hair in mahjong genre.

From what I know so far, the latest arc now involves Ukranian PM Tymoshenko, Pope, Koizumi, Putin and Bush Snr playing all stakes high game to prevent global domination by resurgent Adolf Hitler and his Nazi cohorts who build a base on moon. Yeah baby, whatever the mangaka (Hideki Owada) is smoking, I want some too.

That's pretty trippy and I still in daze hearing this. I waiting for Obama to show up, showing some cool mahjong moves. Or maybe in local patriotism, my country's PM Najib show up but that will be strange since Muslims are not allowed to gamble.

It is not known if there is going to be OAD or movie or series. Whatever it is, I wonder if the political backlash will be as severe as Hetalia-Korea affair or worse since they involve real life current political leaders. And yeah, I am still in shock and awe about this development. More pictures and detail can be seen here.

John Lasseter talks about Hayao Miyazaki

Successful John Lasseter who created shows like Toy Story, A Bug's Life which vaulted Pixar into powerhouse name in animation world talks about his Japanese counterpart, Hayao Miyazaki. He is pratically gushing about Miyazaki, no surprise considering how charming his works have become worldwide.



This discussion is about Miyazaki supposed successor, Yoshifumi Kondo who directed Whisper of Heart. It gives an insight on how American top guns regarded Miyazaki talent and skill as maestro animator.

Interesting thing is discussion on Goro Miyazaki, the son who debut with Tales of Earthsea. Apparently there is schism between father and son which prompted the elder Miyazaki comeback in Ponyo as if to prove a point. Perhaps he felt his son is not to the mettle?

Another interesting human drama here.

Tokyo 2016 Olympic Captain Tsubasa

The man who responsible for Captain Tsubasa series, Yoichi Takahashi, launched few illustrations to bolster Tokyo's bid to host 2016 Olympics. Reportedly the series inspired a lot of current superstars of soccer such as Torres, Del Piero and Totti. Tokyo Olympic bidders, learning a cue or two from Taro Aso's softpower concept and diplomacy hoped to inspire local youths to support their bid for 2016 Games.

Source

Fate/Stay Night the Movie

Good news for TYPE-MOON fans, Fate/Stay Night the movie is announced not long ago and the main site featured Archer's Reality Marble Unlimited Blade Works as background picture. My suspicion is the movie will be on 2nd story arc Unlimited Blade Works after the anime series finished the route on Fate.

It means Rin Tohsaka will be main heroine this time and we got to see how awesome Archer is. And awesome scene where Unlimited Blade Works go against Gates of Babylon in ultimate bladed weapons spam. Needless to say, it is my favourite arc of the game.

It would seem that TYPE-MOON will focus on this after they are done with Kara no Kyokai movie saga.

Yeah babey.

Main site
Announcement

Haruhi's Endless Eight Parody

To be honest, this is first time in long while I see how a good franchise can be gutted with one big bad decision. I don't know about most people, but 8 looping episodes is really stretching my patience beyond breaking point. To me, it smacks of arrogance and hubris by Kyoto Animation. They really, really think people can swallow 8 looping episodes with no complaint and still lap up on Haruhi franchise. Haruhi Season 2 is easily the biggest letdown with Endless 8 arc fiasco. Yutaka Yamamoto must be having tight knots in his stomach looking at direction of Season 2 goes. 30 pages in light novel can only be stretched so much.

Sigh.

Summer Wars (2009) /サマーウォーズ first 5 minutes sneak preview

The movie is opening on August 1st 2009 in Japan. Looks good and Sadamoto's subtle character design is always a delight to watch.



Trailer.



I think it is one of those slice of life story with genuine characters involved in extraordinary circumstances. I enjoyed Tokikake, so my expectations for this is high too.