Anime Expo 2016 | Geekscape

Geekscape Interviews: Kazue Kato – The Creator Behind the Hit Manga Series “Blue Exorcist”

by Kari LaneJuly 27, 2016

One of the guests of honor at Anime Expo 2016 was Kazue Kato, the creator behind the hit manga series Blue Exorcist, which is also a successful anime series (season 2 comes out in 2017 and there is also a film). She took a moment to speak with us (via a translator) about her process, her visit to the United States (this was her first time here!), and more!

Read on to learn about the beloved series creator Kazue Kato!

How has your experience at Anime Expo been?

I wasn’t sure how many U.S. fans there are, and I came to Anime Expo not really understanding that. It was my first time seeing my U.S. fans, and it was the first time that I could visually see all of these fans that are reading my comic. Yesterday, I was able to meet them during the autograph signings. I was actually able to meet all my fans live and in person and get their reaction and feedback. They are very warm. I was very touched by their friendship and support.

Did you see many cosplays of your characters?

Yes. Yesterday, at lunch, there were some Rin cosplayers who came in to where we were having lunch just by pure accident, so it was fun.

There were a lot last year.

You are saying compared to this year?

Yeah, because they screened the film.

I see.

You kind of touched on it a little bit, but how has your stay in the U.S. been so far?

My stay in the U.S. has been a lot of fun. I have been doing some sight seeing in between too. It was my very very first time in the U.S. so…

Welcome, welcome.

I’ve always kinda looked to the United States through movies and TV that I see, so I am really excited to be here.

Who and what inspires you?

Oh, Hollywood films and TV. I get a lot of influence from anything overseas pretty much.

How do you come up with your character designs?

I try to read as much manga as I can and design things in a way where they are easy for readers to understand. That aspect is really important to me. I work in my own tastes while taking that into account.

What are some of your favorite mangas to read?

I get asked that pretty often. At this point, it is getting hard to have a favorite.

What are your top three manga?

Maybe Sato Zakuri, but I’m trying to think of what I have read lately, but I can’t think of anything. In the past, there was Akira and Neon Genesis Evangeleon, but lately Attack on Titan and what else… There is also Kimi ni Todoke… but I am not sure there is a U.S. release for that [ed note: it’s published in North America by VIZ Media]. Oh, From Me to You is the English title. My Love Story and some other Shojo manga. So, not the top three, but those are the ones that are current.

Your art has changed a little bit over your career. Would you like to talk about your growth as an artist?

So, this is based on Time Killers?

Yes. (In Time Killers, a collection of Kazue Kato’s short stories, she talks at the back of the manga about how her art has changed over the past 5-9 years).

Back in the day, I was just drawing because I liked to draw. But now, I am very conscious about how my fans, how my readers, will understand and read my works so it has changed that way. There is more of a fan input influence compared to when I first started. So, now, I feel like my older habits are starting to come back these days. I am always sort of teeter tottering between my habits versus giving my fans what they want. Yeah, that is about it.

What do you enjoy drawing the most and what is the hardest thing to draw?

Let’s see. Do you mean characters or manga?

In general.

Let’s start with the hardest – the story and how to build the story is really difficult. The regular pattern is that we are really working on the story so much that I have to cram the drawing process. I feel like I have more… I am starting to feel a little bit more joy in the story and the storytelling process compared to back in the day when that was just really hard. It was a struggle. I am starting to find the joy in the storytelling part too. As far as the drawing… Yeah, there’s parts where I can just… like it was breathing air, completely effortless. When I am really in that concentration zone, it is great.

With the first question we kind of touched on this, but when you started drawing characters for Blue Exorcist, did you have any idea that it would be as big as it is now?

My life has had a lot of mistakes and things that haven’t gone well, so being able to… At first I thought, I mean now it is series, but I thought I would only have one or two volumes and that was it, but it is an entire series now, so that was unexpected.

Who is your favorite character?

I get asked that often, but I keep answering that I don’t really have a favorite. I might pick one now… I like everyone. Maybe, just for the record, I will say Rin. Yeah, because Rin took a lot of effort to develop his character.

It is like a parent having to pick their favorite child.

It is very similar, yeah.

Do you have more in store for Blue Exorcist?

In the manga or the anime?

Manga.

There are things coming up. I would definitely like to make it more fun and entertaining.

Your self-portrait is a rabbit… Why the fascination with rabbits?

Yeah, people ask me that pretty often. That one derives because I just generally like animals. When I was a child, I tended to draw more animals than humans. In Japan, there are a lot of rabbit toys. There are these little characters called Sylvanian Families and they are these biped animals that are about this big and a little bit furry. And the main family of the Sylvanian Families series is a family of rabbits. So, with that, I would always be drawing rabbits all the time. So when I would write letters to friends, in the little corner next to my names I just draw a little rabbit. It is from those days and I kind of continued doing it.

Ah, kawaii (cute). Have you been to the bunny island in Japan?

I know about the cat one, but… is it a theme park?

No, I went in October. It is just an island where there is a hotel and you can stay there. When you walk out the front door, they are everywhere. You can feed them and they will come sit on your lap.

Kawaii.

It is very pretty. It is a beautiful island.

Yes, I am Japanese and I didn’t even know that.

Next field trip – it is research.

*laughs*

You can pick which one speaks to you, but which character, short story or manga are you most proud of?

Hmm what am I most proud of? That is a cool way of phrasing it. I wish I had a really good response. Maybe just having had a career in drawing. Maybe, overall… Right now, there is nothing I could say I am really proud of because I am in the middle of that career process, but having not quit. Yeah, I think I am about to come upon that… This is what I am going to be proud of. That is definitely a goal, to create something I am proud of.

What are you currently working on?

Mostly Blue Exorcist and maybe contributing a little bit to the anime, but nothing outside of that. Yeah, and developing the next big storyline.

Another one stemming off that, as a manga artist and character creator, how are you liking the anime version of your creation?

Yes, so Sasaki-san, Keigo Sasaki, is the character designer. So my manga is actually living and breathing, moving on the screen. Everyone has been telling me that he has really captured who and what my characters that I created are about. I have been getting good feedback. Before the anime started, I was told that there are some isms, my isms that in my characters and I was worried how that would transfer over to anime, but now Sasaki-san … you know his version of my characters are obviously equivalent, but it has been a smooth transition. I think it really had to be Sasaki-san doing the character design, otherwise, it would have been difficult to capture everything. There is a new season of the anime coming out and Sasaki-san is in charge of that as well.

How did you feel when you first watched the anime of Blue Exorcist?

It didn’t really hit me, there was no, “this is really happening”, it did not quite hit me. It was like, “oh. they’re moving.” And even around me too, everyone is like “Wow, it is an anime now”.

That is great. Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Anime Expo 2016: A Virgin Adventure

by Matthew MorrellJuly 3, 2016

Not to push the metaphor, but this writer’s first adventure into the Anime Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center, being held from Friday July 1st – July 4th, seemed like it lasted a lot longer than it actually did and afterwards left a lot of linger questions, namely: what the hell is this thing?

"Okay, I was speaking in general, but yeah, I'd like an explanation for that thing to." — “Okay, I was speaking in general, but yeah, I’d like an explanation for that thing to.”*

Before the internet rage boils over, we at Geekscape obviously recognize Anime as an objectively acclaimed style of art that permeates into just about every medium that it can be expressed in to convey said style. There is without a doubt more than enough substance behind that style too. Just look to the massive fanbase that shows up annually to support their favorite characters, series, games, artist… to a first timer, the sheer amount of fans is unreal.

"Pictured: Zero breathing room." — “Pictured: Zero breathing room.”

It’s safe to say that Japanese Anime is no longer a niche market. Nearly every every inch of the 720,000 square foot space was used by fans, cos-players, merch booths, panels, and lots of lines. For the uninitiated that want to know what the meat, the draw, the substance is behind AX, it may seem a daunting task to pinpoint an exact answer to, “What is AX?”

Okay, maybe look a little higher.

If one were exceptionally cynical, the easiest answer behind, “What is Anime Expo?” It’s a mall. Within the exhibit hall AAA Companies like Capcom, Bandai Namco, Funimation and dozens more compete for attendees hard earned cash. Plushies, collectables, samurai swords. Stuff. ALL THE STUFF!

Before this writer awakens the ghost of McCarthy for not upholding the sacred principles of capitalism, let’s be honest; all that stuff, is really cool. Did I not mention the samurai swords? Do you know how hard it is to see a rack full or Master Swords and Hylian Shields and not just buy ALL of them? Really hard.

Naturally, if you’re a fan, and you’re in love with a franchise, you show your support. You buy the merch. You get an exclusive box set of the series. You wait in line, in the heat, for hours just to get a glimpse of your favorite voice actor.

“Or, you attend the panel before yours starts so you can get a glimpse of your actual favorite voice actor from the front row. #TeamAgil #TeamPatrickSeitz”

To the non-cynic looking to dig deeper, look no further than the actual setup of the convention. Sure, all the name brand merchants are in the exhibit hall, but underneath, the very base of it all is Artist Alley. It may seem like a concrete dungeon, but fear not. Located in Kentia Hall is actually the beating heart of AX.

It’s the artists. They are both figuratively and literally supporting the convention upon their shoulders.

Not to diminish those that buy stuff though. We all buy stuff. We support our interests. But, to those that are inspired to create, that’s the foundation of the artistic movement that is AX.

We had the opportunity to speak with an exceptionally talented up-and-coming artists, Faye, who has toiled for the better part of a year to exhibit their art. Masterfully imbued with a style that is undoubtedly of the anime form, Faye and other artists add their voices into the collective community whose substance goes beyond simply merchandising. In their own words…

“Being a rather repressed (and oppressed) individual, art is a way to express myself without necessarily needing any further explanation. I can only hope that it can express what I’m feeling to like minded individuals.” – Faye

“But seriously, don’t just stare, open your adult wallet, and support this artist." — “But seriously, don’t just stare, open your adult wallet, and support this artist.”

So beyond the cosplay, the merchandising, dances, video games, and promotions of anime to come till the end of time: it’s about the artists. From the talented independents like Faye, to the Big Dogs upstairs, Anime Expo is about an artistic movement and those that revel in it.

Make no mistake that art doesn’t happen without the artists who create the content you love, and the fans that support it. Let it be known that if 90,000 plus people are showing up to support art over Fourth of July weekend, there may be hope yet for this country, and perhaps the world.

Fourth of July AND Japan: proof you can have your cake and eat it too. — “4th of July AND Japan: proof you can have your cake and eat it too.”

Artwork from Faye can be found at squaredprince.tumblr.com

Follow them on instagram.com/squaredprince

*Of course someone put time and effort to build Ikkakumon, and we at Geekscape commend them for the hundreds of hours spent digivolving, and hauling it to AX.

Bluefin Announces Exclusive Collectibles for Anime Expo ’16

by Kari LaneJune 25, 2016

Leading Japanese collectibles distributor, Bluefin, returns to Anime Expo (July 1-4) with new Dragon Ball figures and a wide array of new Gundam model kits! They have also announced a colorful collection of exclusive products that will be displayed and available for purchase during AX.

Bluefin will be located in Booth #1401.

Dragon Ball fans that purchase a Bandai Scouter headset at the Bluefin booth will receive Super Saiyan Hair that can be placed snugly over the head.

Read on to learn what figures/model kits will be available:

Bandai Figure-rise Standard “Dragon Ball Z” Super Saiyan Son Goku

Height: 6 Inches

A new breed of action figure model kit that blends high articulation and detailed sculpts together in one package! Super Saiyan Goku is constructed using layered colored plastic techniques that blend the seam lines together with the folds of his outfit and contours of his muscles leading to a natural appearing joint system.  Simple construction patterns ensure it will be an easy to build figure even for those who have never built a model kit before!  Includes different hand parts for various martial arts poses, and 2 types of kamehameha effect parts with stand, and one powering up facial expression!

Bandai Figure-rise Standard “Dragon Ball Z” Final Form Frieza

Height: 5 Inches

A new breed of action figure model kit that blends high articulation and detailed sculpts together in one package! Frieza is constructed using layered colored plastic techniques that blend the seam lines together with the contours of his muscles leading to a natural appearing joint system.  Simple construction patterns ensure it will be an easy to build figure even for those who have never built a model kit before!  Includes different hand parts for various signature poses, and 2 types of energy weapon effect parts with stand, and one wicked facial expression!

Notable Bluefin Anime Expo GunPla products include:

Bandai HG Full Armor Gundam Thunderbolt (Theatrical Clear Variant)

***Anime Expo Exclusive!!***

MSRP: $34.99

A clear special model kit variant originally made available only at the Japanese theatrical screening locations for the animated short, “Gundam Thunderbolt.” It’s now a special Anime Expo exclusive. Don’t miss your only chance to score one this summer! Features 4 shields on movable arms, double barrel beam rifle, back mounted beam cannon and missile launcher, missile pods, beam sabers and propellant tanks. Limit 1 per person.

The Bandai Gundam Thunderbolt kit also will be included as part of an exclusive new Blu-ray bundle set that will be available (MSRP: $120.00) and offered during Anime Expo.

Mr. Hobby Mr. Super Tool Set

MSRP: $29.99

A specially designed tool kit with everything necessary to expertly build your GunPla model. Set includes a metal file, tweezers, a nipper, knife with replacement blades, and a black Gundam marker for panel lining. A must-have for the true GunPla model builder.

Bandai Shokugan Gundam Converge LTD 2016

MSRP: $29.99

This special 3 pack consists of metallic colored versions of the Gundam MK II in AEUG and Titans colors along with G-Defenser that can combine with either figure to create the Super Gundam. It has been made specifically for select regions such as the U.S.!

Bandai RG Wing Gundam Zero EW Pearl Gloss Version

MSRP: $36.99

A special event exclusive RG Wing Zero Ver EW that has been coated in a beautiful pearl gloss finish. Utilizing the Advanced MS Frame that allows armor to be mounted on to a skeletal support structure, this iconic angel winged Gundam from “Gundam Wing Endless Waltz” is capable of performing its signature poses with its Twin Buster Rifle.

Bandai MG Hi Nu HWS Ver Ka Mechanical Clear Variant

MSRP: $114.99

The MG Hi Nu Gundam Ver Ka fitted with a specially designed Heavy Weapons System in clear transparent outer armor designed to show off the amazing mechanical skeleton underneath.  Based on its original illustration by Yutaka Izubuchi, this Ver. Ka brings its original proportions into modern kit form from esteemed mecha designer Hajime Katoki.  Includes beam rifle, hyper bazooka, beam sabers, shield, and detachable HWS system which was originally a P-Bandai Web item.  Available in limited quantities for the U.S.  Limit 1 per person.

Bandai HG Barbatos Clear Variant Set

MSRP: $16.99

The iconic and radical Gundam from the “Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans” TV anime series in a special clear form which can show off the incredibly detailed Gundam Frame underneath.  Includes parts to recreate Barbatos first and 4th forms and comes with Sword, Mace, Shield Arm, Long Range Cannon, and Mobile Worker. Available only for purchase at special events!  Limit 1 per person.

Bandai RG 00 Raiser Trans Am Clear Version

MSRP: $35.99

A translucent version of the RG 00 Raiser from “Gundam 00” in Trans Am colors originally available only in Asia.  Special clear colored plastic allows display of the amazingly detailed Advanced MS Frame with the outer armor on. Includes a number of weapons and accessories including GN Sword III, GN Sword II, beam sabers and O Raiser which can detach from the body of the main Gundam.  Limit 1 per person.

Bandai Petit’guy Mass Production Type

MSRP: $7.99

A cute little beargguy colored in Gundam’s iconic mass produced Zaku green! Includes one puzzle piece display stand which can connect to other Petit’gguy models!  Build your growing Beargguy army with one of these limited Petite Bears!  Purchase limited to 2 units per person.

Bandai HGUC RX-78-G3 Gundam

MSRP: $13.99

A special limited color variant of the RX-78-2 Gundam in its G3 color scheme!  Featuring renewed proportions from the “Revive” campaign, this highly articulated Gundam features a beam rifle, shield, bazooka, and 2 beam sabers.  Limit 1 per person.

About Bluefin

Based in Irvine, CA, Bluefin built its reputation as a leading distributor of Japanese toys, collectibles, novelty and hobby products. In recent years, Bluefin has grown to include a range of high quality collectible lines from the United States, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore and established itself as the official North American consumer products and retail development partner for Studio Ghibli. Selling to thousands of specialty, chain and independent stores, Bluefin is an official North American distributor for Bandai Hobby, Kotobukiya and Capcom, is the sole provider of Bandai Tamashii Nations products, and is also the exclusive and official distributor for Hero Cross, Beast Kingdom, Mr. Hobby, SEN-TI-NEL and X-Plus. Bluefin also represents TruForce Collectibles products worldwide. Additional information is available at: www.bluefincorp.com.

Geekscape Interviews: FAKKU is Back for Anime Expo ’16!

by Kari LaneJune 24, 2016

Next week Anime Expo returns to the Los Angeles convention center and FAKKU will be there! I interviewed Mike Ingraham, Creative Director at FAKKU, about their exciting new changes and special event at AX 2016!

No idea who/what FAKKU is? Read our 2014 interview with them to learn all bout this hentai website/company.

******WARNING***** Adult content discussed below!

Gearing up for AX 2016, how do you feel?

Haha, what’s the best way to put this? Nervous yet excited. It’s another big year for us and there are a lot of odds and ends to wrap up before the big weekend!

What can fans look forward to at the expo?

FAKKU has a lot going on this year at Anime Expo 2016! Where to start… Besides our booth in the Exhibit Hall (booth #705), we are bringing out two Japanese guest artists, Napata and saitom. They will be doing signings and panels over the course of the weekend so be sure to come check them out! We have some limited merchandise including a dakimakura with art by Napata, and a 6 doujinshi box set of saitom’s work. Really excited to have those for the convention!

This year, FAKKU is also an official sponsor of Anime Expo! We’re throwing a big party on June 3rd at Lounge 21 at the convention center! It’ll be from 9PM-1AM and we’ll have an area for photos with the guests, drinks, giveaways, and live music! There will be three sets by HentaiDude, Revolution Boi, and Meishi Smile. It’s the first time we’ll be hosting an event of this size and I couldn’t be more excited. I’m ready to party! And anyone who comes through the door gets a free 7 day subscription to FAKKU. Be there!

Since our last interview, FAKKU got into publishing. How has that been going?

It has been quite a year for FAKKU publishing. Not only have we published 24 books but we also launched our magazine subscription service. The magazine service publishes ~1,200 pages of brand new content straight from Japan every month. We get comic Kairakuten, Shitsurakuten, and X-EROS that have some of the most top tier artists. A subscription costs $12.95 a month and that’s roughly the same amount it would cost to purchase these 3 magazines in Japan.

Any other new changes?

As most people know, FAKKU removed all unlicensed content some months ago. It caused somewhat of an uproar but we are proud to have made this change.

What started these new changes for the site/company?

It was inevitable that we would have to take down unlicensed content . Hosting unlicensed content is how we started to combat the service problem of getting high quality hentai in English but we have now gone through the motions to remedy that. We now have new content flowing in every month where the artists get royalties from us.

Were there any difficulties in changing things up?

There were no immediate difficulties other than hiring enough people to put out this much content haha. Our team has grown significantly over the year and I’m happy to have everyone that works for us. People were upset that we lost so much free content and that’s perfectly understandable. But we have a lot of support and subscribers and I’m thankful for that. It keeps us afloat and gives FAKKU the potential to grow and do even more things in the future.

What are you most proud of regarding FAKKU’s new adventures?

I’m proud of everything FAKKU has done! Seeing our people work on daily magazine releases, new books, t-shirts, web development, and everything that makes FAKKU run is truly inspiring. We have some passionate people here and I’m proud of us. If I had to pick one recent project that I’m personally proud of, it would be the saitom box set that we are selling at Anime Expo. It was awesome speaking with saitom and his design team directly and working to bring this set to fruition. The last doujin in the set is Wrapping 2, which will be released by us before Japan even sees it. That’s a major milestone in my mind and I’m happy FAKKU has the opportunity to be a part of it. I hope you all enjoy it!

What are some of the recent conventions FAKKU has had a booth at? And how did things go with the fans?

FAKKU was recently at Phoenix Comic Con, Kawaiicon, and Fanime to name a few. We love going to conventions and meeting all the fans that support us. It’s kind of funny because our convention staff is typically just our work staff. When you go to a con you will meet the people who are working in the office. Graphic designers, typesetters, project managers, etc. All the people who are working on the content itself are the ones selling your hentai! Most people don’t know that and we are always happy when customers are happy with the product we worked so hard to create.

How has the feedback been from fans online and at the conventions?

The feedback has been great! It’s really something when, in one way or another, people let you know they’ve fapped to your work haha. But the fans make it all worthwhile. I love it when people come up and talk about the content we’ve published, offer some suggestions for books, or just stop to say hello.

Anything else new that you can share?

We just recently put up a Kickstarter for Toshio Maeda’s Urotsukidoji: Legend of the Overfiend. We’re super pumped to have the opportunity to work on Toshio’s work! There’s a lot of really cool tiers including original artwork by Toshio, and even dinner with him in Japan! I hope we get enough backers so we can release this awesome series for everyone. Of course, we have some secret things in the works that we hope we can announce the second half of this year.

Where can people find out more?

Be sure to check out our website (www.fakku.net) and follow us on Twitter (@FAKKU)!