« November 2004 | Main | January 2005 »
December 28, 2004
random bleach thought
ohhhkay - so is it just me or are Ishida and Orihime being paired up in the merchandise? first there was the figurine set, now there's the pin set...Personally I think they're cute together because Orihime's so bubbly and Ishida's so... not.
Also, Ichigo and Rukia are also being paired up more.
And Renji is being paired with... Byakuya - now that is simpwy adowable.*snrk*
Posted by Innocent Sidekick of Evil at 04:52 PM | Posted to Bleach | Comments (0)
December 27, 2004
Samurai 7 ends
The last 2 episodes of Samurai 7 aired on Saturday, and the raws are now available. I've been waiting for these, because now I can start watching again. I almost wish I didn't know how the movie ends because this made me leery of watching after the attack on the village began until I had all the episodes (I detest cliffhangers!). I wonder what other surprises await. and I hope it's worthy. (and I hope they didn't subcontract the animation to a bunch of kindergarteners again.)
Posted by Innocent Sidekick of Evil at 10:54 AM | Posted to Samurai 7 | Comments (0)
.hacking my time
I like the .hack franchise. I really do. But I just took a look at the latest level 35 field in Mutation that I have to clear COMPLETELY, and there are at least a dozen monster spinny things on the field alone. And I am saddled with a level 33 Wavemaster (Mistral - at least she's fun to talk to) and a level 30 Twin Blade who's so terse that he won't say anything till he's DEAD. And Armor Evils. ohhhh how I hate Armor Evils. I can't seem to find a spell that works against them, or an element booster to withstand their attacks. The irony is once I'm level 44 or so, I will be able to dispatch Armor Evils with a flick of the thumb. That is assuming I HAVE any thumbs left to get to level 44.^^;
Posted by Innocent Sidekick of Evil at 10:31 AM | Posted to Games | Comments (0)
December 26, 2004
naughty but nice Suncoast!:)
I got vol 4 of R.O.D. The TV at Suncoast last week. Turns out it's not supposed to be on shelves till this Tuesday (the 28th) ehehehehe.
I also got the... final.... volume... of Azumanga Daioh. WAAAAHHHHH!!! It's over AGAIN! ;_;
Posted by Innocent Sidekick of Evil at 10:09 AM | Posted to Anime/Manga | Comments (0)
December 24, 2004
omake da!
I checked under the dust jackets of my two AQUA manga to see if there was anything special. (you never know....) And there was! Each one has a little 4-panel extra comic on the front cover with the characters in chibi. Silly little vignettes, but very cute. Now I wonder if ARIA has them too.
Posted by Innocent Sidekick of Evil at 10:40 PM | Posted to Aria | Aria_All | Comments (3)
December 21, 2004
seeking evidence
I've been all over the Mag Garden site looking for news about the alleged Aria anime, but the only anime they're talking about are Elementar Gerard and Jinki Extend (and PMK and tactics... ad infinitum...^^;). Google doesn't turn up any results either. I wonder if, as in the initial Tsubasa anime mix-up, there might have been a mistranslation somewhere. (But OTOH, the Tsubasa anime WAS finally confirmed later.:D) The fact that Amano-sensei says nothing on her site is rather worrying, though. She does have release dates for the two new drama CDs coming out next year. Ganbatte kudasai Amano-sensei!
Posted by Innocent Sidekick of Evil at 09:53 AM | Posted to Aria | Aria_All | Comments (0)
December 20, 2004
aria calendar:D
My Aria calendar came today! It's actually a little (5"x7") hardcover booklet and comes with a little stand to prop it open. It has 12 full-color illustrations from the manga - some I recognize as cropped versions of the tankoubon covers, one is the Alpha cover, and the rest I think are from Comic Blade color inserts. But it only has the girls! Akari, Aika, Alicia, Alice and Akira, plus Aria-shachou and Hime-shachou of course - and the third "water fairy" from Orange Planet, whose name I don't know. No Akatsuki. Dang. I was hoping to see what color his uniform was.^^;
Posted by Innocent Sidekick of Evil at 01:21 PM | Posted to Aria | Aria_All | Comments (1)
December 18, 2004
Licenced stuff I want
R1 anime releases I'm looking forward to in '05:
Kodomo no Omocha(!!! w00t!)
Samurai 7
KURAU Phantom Memory
Tactics
FullMetal Alchemist
Rumiko Takahashi Theater
Yotsubato! has been picked up by ADV Manga, apparently. I thought it was too quirky, but since it's by the manga-ka who did Azumnaga Daioh, it's not that huge a surprise.
Posted by Innocent Sidekick of Evil at 08:08 PM | Posted to Anime, American Style | Comments (0)
Giant Robot Man
The Japan Times has reviewed the English translation of the Mobile Suit Gundam trilogy (Amazon link) issued by Stone Bridge Press. According to the review, the novels - Awakening, Escalation, and Confrontation - were originally written by Gundam creator Yoshiyuki Tomino as a cynical response to the sprawling franchise he had to watch his creation become. Might be worth checking out.
Posted by Innocent Sidekick of Evil at 08:53 AM | Posted to Anime/Manga | Comments (0)
December 16, 2004
aria vol 3 cover error?
I happened to line up all 3 of my (English) Aria volumes last night, and noticed that the spine picture for vol 3 was the same as the one for vol 2. I'm just speculating, but this MIGHT account for the scarcity of vol 3 in brick & mortar stores.
No word yet on when vol 4 will be out. ADV Manga is apparently not releasing anything in December and January, according to their own site.
Posted by Innocent Sidekick of Evil at 09:52 AM | Posted to Aria | Aria_All | Comments (0)
December 15, 2004
aria fanlisting
Must remember to add this to my site tonight.
http://www.obiwanmarie.co.uk/aria/index1.htm
and with that absolutely adorable Aria-shachou (NYU!♥) icon. eee! so cute!!!!#^___^#
Posted by Innocent Sidekick of Evil at 02:55 PM | Posted to Aria | Aria_All | Comments (1)
December 14, 2004
proof of intelligence in anime fandom?
I never thought I'd see the day, but Animefringe has published an incisive, intelligent essay examining a central theme (political intrigue) in Gasaraki.
Every time I mention how good Gasaraki is, I'm immediately drowned out by others complaining about how boring they found it. So I'm glad to see someone else appreciate it for what it is (an intelligent, plot-driven political thriller with elements of Shinto mysticism) rather than what it isn't (stereotypical "only this hormone- and angst-driven teenage pilot of a giant robot can save the world" show).
Posted by Innocent Sidekick of Evil at 01:32 PM | Posted to Anime/Manga | Comments (0)
December 13, 2004
No Guts, No Glory!
Now THERE'S a blast from the past. The Adventures of The Galaxy Rangers is FINALLY being released on R1 NTSC DVD, years after it was released on R0 but PAL (British) format so I couldn't even import it. 2 volumes are already out with 2 more scheduled - hopefully all 65 episodes will eventually be released. (Box set! BOX SET!) It doesn't look like they're being released in sequence, though, which kind of sucks, because I wasn't really paying attention to the early episodes and there was some Important Plot Stuff going on.
GR was one of my favorite series of all time, and, though very few knew it at the time, extremely anime-like. I knew there was a reason I liked it. I hope it's still worthy of my fond remembrances, though. I've found that very few things that I loved in my childhood have held up through the years. Oh, the bitter, bitter disappointment of Thundercats reruns!
Read more of "No Guts, No Glory!" [possible spoiler alert!]
Posted by Innocent Sidekick of Evil at 09:11 PM | Posted to Anime, American Style | Comments (0)
Macrossxephon
Perhaps this is good a time to finally buy my own set of the original SDF Macross TV series from AnimEgo, seeing as they are planning to discontinue it after Dec 31. Gah. NOW they say. I foresee a mad rush for the last few sets in their inventory and subsequent ridiculous eBay bidding wars.
Anyway, about Macross Zero - yow. I knew it was more serious than the others in the Macross series (Macross 7 - yick), but I wasn't expecting that ending. I also was not expecting it to be so much like RahXephon. Or maybe it's the other way around. ...then again the original SDF Macross didn't have the apocalyptic mysticism theme. Then again maybe it did and I wasn't paying attention.
Read more of "Macrossxephon" [possible spoiler alert!]
Posted by Innocent Sidekick of Evil at 08:12 PM | Posted to Anime/Manga | Comments (0)
BOHAHAHAHA!
Since my favorite subbers are all having finals blues (good luck, guys!) I've only been able to watch the raw of Bleach 10. And what a trip it was. Again, much more was orginally in English than I expected ("Supiritsu aru oruwaysu vizu yu!") And the pacing was superb. That was a really fun episode! (I wonder if they're going to animate the "Kon runs away" omake at some point. I really want to see that in motion.>:D)
Where does Rukia keep her paper and markers? She must draw at the speed of light to do those flip-animation doodles. I wonder what kind of marks she got in art in Shinigami school.
Posted by Innocent Sidekick of Evil at 08:04 PM | Posted to Bleach | Comments (0)
ADV Manga's long holiday break
So... no ADV Manga releases at all from December 04 through January 05, huh? guess the whole manga staff must be out picketing Comcast or something.XD
Whatever the bug is, they'd better fix it soon.
Posted by Innocent Sidekick of Evil at 02:22 PM | Posted to Manga Manga | Comments (0)
December 12, 2004
New on Amano-sensei's site
Aria WIP color sketch: Akatsuki and Akari. SO cute. ^___^ (Go to Gallery and then click on the last aqua square in the ARIA category [as of 12/12/04]) The caption mentions a "Comic Blade Special Edition" double (?) cover. I guess that this is probably for an upcoming issue of Comic Blade - doesn't say which one though (Amano-sensei, you tease! ;___;).
There are also several interesting pieces in the "Rough Sketch" section (directly under etc.) It's fascinating to see Amano-sensei's work as it progresses and how many versions it goes through.
Posted by Innocent Sidekick of Evil at 12:13 PM | Posted to Aria | Aria_All | Comments (0)
New News Page
I've created an Aria news page, generated from my anime blog. I hope to use this to share new information as I come upon it, quickly and efficiently. Yoroshiku onegai shimasu!
Posted by Innocent Sidekick of Evil at 11:27 AM | Posted to Aria | Aria_All | Comments (0)
December 11, 2004
Future Cosplay Plans
I decided to list all the cosplay I've done and plan to do before I start forgetting stuff.
Mama (Kodocha)
Rakka (Haibane Renmei)
Reki (Haibane Renmei)
Shinigami Rukia (Bleach)
Shigure (Fruits Basket)
Shia (PitaTen)
Sakura Shinguuji (Sakura Wars)
Yomiko Readman (Read or Die)
Haruka Shitou (RahXephon)
Cosplay I plan to do:
School uniform Rukia (Bleach)
Akari (Aria/Aqua)
Roy Mustang/Sgt Ross (FullMetal Alchemist)
Alpha (Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou)
The Prince (Katamari Damarcy)
Sakura (Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle)
Stick Figure Dom (MegaTokyo)
Long shot Cosplay:
KON!!! (Bleach)
Rosette Christopher (Chrono Crusade)
Yuuko (XXXHolic) (Yeah, right XD)
Erika Hayasaka (MegaTokyo)
Posted by Innocent Sidekick of Evil at 09:51 PM | Posted to Conventions | Comments (0)
December 10, 2004
Bleach PSP screenshots
Hurrah! they're doing this in 2D animation! And what cool 2D animation it is!
However, I beg to differ with the fight pairing in these screenshots.
After all, she's the one who has to heal his wounds afterwards...
Posted by Innocent Sidekick of Evil at 04:49 PM | Posted to Bleach | Comments (0)
December 09, 2004
now we're cooking
It looks like Dr Hattori from Iron Chef (and of course the Hattori School of Nutirtion) will be making a cameo appearance in ep 7 of Yakitake! Japan. This for an episode arc that's already featured tributes to Ming the Merciless and the token Masked Blonde Gundam Guy.
Posted by Innocent Sidekick of Evil at 08:46 PM | Posted to Anime/Manga | Comments (0)
December 07, 2004
Ah! Competition! part deux
I've cooled off a bit, and am mature enough to admit that I was perhaps too hasty in outright condemning ADV for inciting anime fans to get Comcast to pick up the Anime Network. It seems that their actual ultimate goal is to get their linear 24-7 network on Comcast, rather than the Comcast Anime Network On Demand option. Which is reasonable in the spirit of fair competition.
However. That does not excuse the language and tone of their press release, which clearly was not reviewed by a responsible adult before it was sent out. The press release gives the impression that the Anime Network believes only they have the right to make an all-anime channel, and that all other anime channels are inherently inferior because they had the poor timing to not be the first all-anime cable channel (in the US).
Perhaps ADV was trying to sound cocky and with-it and speak (what they thought) was the target audience's language, but such adolescent "us against them" rhetoric came off sounding arrogant and made them look, frankly, like hotheaded young punks posturing and blustering in their faux leather jackets and mile-high pompadours. As a whole, it reflects poorly upon ADV's professionalism (or lack thereof) that they need to use such inflammatory language and juvenile put-downs of the competition. If they had just said something like (without all the exclamation points), "We know that there are other anime channels in the works, and while we wish them the best in the spirit of otaku brotherhood, we want to make sure that you have access to the widest possible array of anime available on TV. Right now Comcast is only offering TAN on demand, and that's why we are asking you to write and tell them to pick up TAN's linear 24/7 network in addition to whatever they're planning" instead of making it sound like TAN is the only worthwhile game in town.
So yes, I admit I fell victim to slashdotters' knee-jerk syndrome of responding to the post and not to the article. But I still frown upon ADV's tactics. It's time for them to grow up a little. (But not too much ;) - lest they really lose their love for anime completely.)
Posted by Innocent Sidekick of Evil at 04:37 PM | Posted to Anime, American Style | Comments (0)
still no pretty pictures ;_;
Alas, Sasuga Books also does not have Alpha in stock. I also checked publisher Mag Garden's site, and it appears that they are sold out at the source. *kicks self for not getting it at Otakon* I am still getting the 2005 calendar, however.
Posted by Innocent Sidekick of Evil at 11:45 AM | Posted to Aria | Aria_All | Comments (3)
2004 Annie noms
Quick note that ASIFA has announced their nominations for the 32nd Annie Awards. GITS2: Innocence is the sole Japanese anime representative, but some of its competition looks strong. On the TV side, I'm pleased to see Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends nominated in 3 categories, including Best Animated TV Production. But Puffy Ami Yumi for best character design? ...I think not.
Posted by Innocent Sidekick of Evil at 09:44 AM | Posted to Anime, American Style | Comments (0)
December 06, 2004
Ah! Competition!
ADV has issued an appallingly whiny press release trying to rally fans to speak out against Comcast starting a competing anime network.
Do they have actual professionals working at ADV? Reading the arrogant wording of the press release, I am completely disgusted by their attitude that they and only they deserve the right to distribute anime on cable in America by virtue of being the first. Hello? Capitalist society? Free market? Consumers' choice? Competition?
Rumor has it that Comcast signed a deal with Sony, who owns AXN among other things, and that AXN may be the one that Comcast may be drawing programming from. In which case I say, GOOD FOR THEM! The Anime Network isn't - and shouldn't - be the only game in town.
And I can't wait for this to backfire in ADV's collective faces. By bringing this to the attention of the anime community, they've made us aware that there WILL be a choice - and that there CAN be a choice. Bring it on, Comcast! Despite the problems I have with their yucky digital cable lineup, I don't believe that anyone has the right to stop them from starting a new enterprise, least of all a company that's doing a lousy job to begin with. Last time I checked, offering a competing service against a monopolist isn't illegal. I, for one, welcome them to the race, and may the best service win.
Posted by Innocent Sidekick of Evil at 08:11 PM | Posted to Anime, American Style
the quiet popularity of Aria
Well, it seems that vol 3 of Aria just flew off the shelves. On a random check of Arlington bookstores while holiday shopping over the weekend, no one had it - including the Borders where I got mine during lunch two weeks ago. 
Lucky!
Anyway, many good revelations in vol 3. Not the least of which:
Read more of "the quiet popularity of Aria" [possible spoiler alert!]
Posted by Innocent Sidekick of Evil at 12:07 PM | Posted to Aria | Aria_All | Manga Manga | Comments (0)
Howl Makes Waves Across the Pacific
Today's Washington Post has an article (free registration req.) about the incredible success of Howl's Moving Castle and, by extension, the worldwide anime boom yadda yadda yadda.
Considering it hasn't even been released in the US, this is a fairly major accomplishment for an anime movie. It is Ghibli-san after all.
Posted by Innocent Sidekick of Evil at 09:43 AM | Posted to Anime/Manga | Comments (0)
December 04, 2004
S/he Said
Gender confusion appears to be the shoujo flavor of the week over at Viz-ya. Hana Kimi has a girl disguising as a boy to sneak into the all-boys' school her idol attends. Here is Greenwood has the beguilingly femme-from-the-neck-up Shun. There is of course the granddaddy of all cross-gender confusion comedy, Ranma 1/2, and possibly the first yuri series to gain attention in the West, Revolutionary Girl Utena. And then there is W Juliet, which I picked up yesterday, which turns the genre on its head by having a girl who looks like a boy discovering that her pretty new classmate is actually a boy who has to dress like a girl in order to prove a point to his domineering father. (Yes. Scorecards recommended.) It's hard not to notice a trend.
Posted by Innocent Sidekick of Evil at 10:03 PM | Posted to Manga Manga
December 02, 2004
unique song stylings, part deux
Now there's a difference between badly pronounced Engrish and properly-pronounced ungrammatical English.
Engrish with a few extra syllables somehow is more tolerable. Maybe because it's limited to one or two words in an otherwise all-Japanese song. Full sentences of badly pronounced Engrish are fairly rare, probably because the songwriter realizes that it would be cruel to the singer.
The second type is what creeps me out because it's said perfectly - it's just 179 degrees south of making sense. >.< There's the refrain in Obsession, and also there's the chorus in Saiyuki's second OP. "Make Your Treasure"? What the hell?:P Also Chrno Crusade's OP, "Tsubasa wa Pleasure Line." I have no idea what a pleasure line is, but it sounds vaguely naughty.
On occasion both types collide, as in the little coda to Hikaru no Go's 3rd (4th?) OP, Fantasy. "make progress" is the phrase in question, and is both a contextual "huh?" and pronounced "make puRO-GURESS" (I guess I should just be glad that the traditional "su" goes unvoiced).
Posted by Innocent Sidekick of Evil at 05:52 PM | Posted to Anime/Manga | Comments (0)
unique song stylings
Sometimes, in order to withstand the Engrish in some anime theme songs, I pretend that it is actually Japanese. This came to mind when I was listening to .hack//SIGN's OP, "Obsession." (sample lyric: How come I must know, The direction of relieving)
I guess they must have saved their good English for their other songs. "The World" and "In the Land of Twilight" are practically Whitman in comparison. And "Emerald Green", despite 2 extra syllables in Emerald, (it just wouldn't sound the same without them) remains one of my favorites in the whole .hack series. (See Saw's stuff is good. Why aren't they more famous?)
Posted by Innocent Sidekick of Evil at 03:03 PM | Posted to Anime/Manga | Comments (0)
