The Dream Could...Work?

I haven't had much time to sit down and jot down some new content here things have been busy. A lot of my life in March and through now has been the build up to, and the subsequent decompressing from Anime Boston. (the pillows were a hit, in case you are wondering) Gears have also switched a bit into focusing some more time into working on getting the ball rolling on Providence Anime Conference. (by the way, online registration is now available )


Two days ago I came across this article in the gadgets section of Boing Boing.

On one hand, it's Dreamworks which has a track record that isn't too atrocious, and their CGI work is some of the best around.

On the other is trying to an American company looking to remake an anime film that is already close to flawless, and known well enough on its own.

the pillows Are Coming to Anime Boston

Waiting for this announcement to go public has been driving me insane. As I've stated several times before, the music of the pillows is one of the things that made the anime series FLCL so great. I've enjoyed much of their work beyond what they've done for series.

I look forward to what should be an amazing show. Anime Boston's announcement for the event can be found here.

Random Musing(s) #5

-Last week I finally purchased and read the final volume of the Akira manga. While the film adaptation is still stunning, its scope pales in comparison to manga. The biggest example of this is the priestess Miyako (pictured above) who while virtually invisible in the film, is pivotal to things in the manga. It’s a shame Dark Horse’s copies, while so-so in quality (I’m not a fan of translating onomatopoeia and flipping orientation) are out of print because Otomo’s six volume piece is amazing both in art and story.

-Over the weekend the 18th episode of Gundam 00 aired. I’ve been following this series rather closely and although I’ve had my suspicions that Mizushima Seiji was a decent director after finishing the first half of Full Metal Alchemist, the recent strain stuff in the plot has been downright amazing. It’s still got some elements of a Gundam title, but the differences the show goes for are the right ones to strive for. Mizushima is showing that he really know how to make the shit hit the fan. I suspect that when the break between seasons hits at the end of next month, waiting for October and the second half of the series is going to be nothing short of torture.

Sumoku on za wata

This is too awesome not to share.



Real content post coming soon.

Sapporo Snow Festival and Slightly Beyond

A standing goal of mine is to take a trip to Sapporo in the beginning of February some time to see the annual snow festival. While I’m unable to make it this year, the allure of trying to make it for the 2009 festival which will not only be at the same time as my birthday, but also be the 60th year of the event. Additionally, the festival’s start date and my birthday would coincide and I have never been anywhere that could be considered far from home during a birthday.

The snow festival is home to some amazing snow and ice sculptures. From massive dinosaurs, to famous landmarks, to anime and manga characters, to traditional Japanese cultural icons like daruma and oni, the creations in snow run a whole gambit of subject matter. Pink Tentacle recently did an article on some of the snow festivals across Japan, including some great pictures of some of the various sculptures and tips for ways that one can look up more photos. The link to the article is listed below.

http://www.pinktentacle.com/2008/01/happy-fun-snow-creatures/

Two other stops I hope to make on this ideal trip into Hokkaido would be to the Sapporo beer museum/biergarten (A famous brand like that, you can’t pass up the chance to visit it) and the small nearby city of Otaru. It’s a small place, but it’s got some interesting sights to check out. Thanks to Takashi Shin’s vivid artwork in Saikano, I can’t help but be tempted to take a walk to the lookout point there as well.

My Dinner with Kon Satoshi

Andrew has tagged me with the My Dinner With Blank, meme. Here goes:

1. Pick a single person past or present who works in the film industry you would like to have dinner with. And tell us why you chose this person.

2. Set the table for your dinner. What would you eat? Would it be in a home or at a restaurant? And what would you wear? Feel free to elaborate on the details.

3. List five thoughtful questions you would ask this person during dinner.

4. When all is said and done, select six bloggers to pass this Meme along to.
(Not doing this one. Sorry, but the only person I could think to tap is the one who tagged me)

5. Link back to Lazy Eye Theatre, so people know the mastermind behind this Meme.

The stereotypical answer would be someone like Kurosawa Akira, but I don't know his films as well as I probably should. It's something that I've resolved to fix in the future. Moving into the Anime Medium, again it's tough to say. Miyazaki Hayao falls into the same category as Kurosawa, though my viewing record with his works is a bit better. What about Tomino Yoshiyuki? While he is the mastermind behind a good deal of anime that I've enjoyed, I did get to ask a question of him when I saw him at the 2006 Chicago International Film Festival, and frankly, I was left underwhelmed. Boy, this is going to be a tougher than I thought.
As I lean back in my chair and try to drum up some inspiration, my eyes naturally begin to wander toward my DVD racks, as is often the case as I think about what I want to write about in this blog that is my small corner of the internet. Over 300 DVDs sitting there, something has to be laying there amongst the crowds. Finally, I see it. Sitting between my copy of Akira and Otaku no Video (I really need to set aside some time to better organize these) sits Paranoia Agent and Paprika. Two of the works by Kon Satoshi. Jackpot.

What puts Kon above all these others? Compared to the others mentioned, he's a newcomer to the anime scene, but he's a newcomer with a certain punch. His works can leave an audience rolling with laughter or at the edge of their seats in anxiousness, often changing within the blink of an eye. It's part of his talent which is blurring the lines on so many things. Kon might not be the first name thought of when someone asks us to name an anime director, but the punch his films have is undeniable. A mind with so many creative ideas like his has got to be fun to chat with.

As for dinner, I'm packing my bags and meeting the man in Japan. (Let's face it, I'll take just about any chance I can to take a trip over there) And so long as it doesn't involve Tako (octopus) I'm letting him choose a favorite place for him to take me for a fun relaxed and casual chat. Doesn't have to be too fancy, and like any place on earth, trust the locals, they know where the good places to eat are. If Kon-San insists it's my choice, I'm voting for just some good zaru-soba from a konbini and chatting in the lounge at the studio. Maybe a some Sapporo beer to top if off too. This is one instance where I'd rather just be laid back and make it a low key chat.

Five Questions:
-Which of your works was the hardest to let go to be finished? If you could go back and keep working at one, continuing to improve it, which would it be?

-One of your best talents (in my opinion) is often blurring the line between reality and something from someone's imagination and animation is a tool that really assists in making this transition seem much more real. What do you think makes animation such a great art form to work in?

-Your works, along with many other anime titles are among the works that have been brought over to other audiences, especially in America. Do you think there is too much of "Japaneseness" that will be lost on viewers who aren't well versed in the native culture of these pieces? If yes, what do you feel is the best remedy for this problem is?

-What's one of your favorite stories from working on one of your projects?

-Are there any directors or films, Japanese or otherwise, that you feel have particularly inspired your style of filmmaking?

Random Musing(s) #4:

Some random reflections as 2007 comes to an end:

- It's bizarre to think that a year ago, I didn't know who the Blue Hearts were.

- I never really said much about this, but attending part of the Cool Japan lectures at Harvard and learning not only that what I was expecting Afro Samurai to be was way off (in a good way) but getting to hear the Okazaki's thoughts was special. Do yourself a favor and go grab this one. With only five episodes, it's easy to grab and watch in one sitting. (And watching a bonus feature that opens with Sam Jackson saying "Nothing is as exciting as manga and anime" just makes my day)

- Gundam Battle Chronicle made me glad that PSP games are region free and made commutes on the T much more tolerable.

- Best Anime Movie/Film not viewed until 2007: Royal Space Force Wings of Honneamise
Honorable Mention(s): Paprika, and Arcadia of My Youth

- Best Anime TV series not viewed until 2007: Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann (This really shouldn't be any surprise to anyone by now)
Honorable Mention(s): Paranoia Agent

- Most Anticipated Releases for 2008: The rest of Gundam 00, Macross Frontier, and the next installment of Rebuild of Evangelion

- Goals for 2008: Tracking down and reading the final volume of the Akira manga, watching Voices of a Distant Star, The Place Promised in Our Early Days, and at least one more work by Matsumoto Leiji, as well as adding to my list of Kurosawa films I own.