Kari's Corner | Geekscape

Kari’s Anime Corner: ‘Dragon Ball Z: Battle Of Gods’

by Kari LaneJuly 8, 2014

It is hard to believe that it has been 17 years since release of the last Dragon Ball feature film! If you had cable in the early to mid 90s you probably have seen some Dragon Ball/Dragon Ball Z or at least heard the phrase “Next time on Dragon Ball Z!” Fans can rejoice because this new film, Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, is an original work by Dragon Ball creator, Akira Toriyama!

Following the events from the internationally renowned animated television series, Dragon Ball Z, after the defeat of Majin Buu, a new power awakens and threatens humanity. Beerus, an ancient and powerful God of Destruction, searches for Goku after hearing rumors of the Saiyan warrior who defeated Frieza. Realizing the threat Beerus poses to their home planet, the Z-fighters must find a way to stop him before it’s too late.

The film is super funny and, as one would expect, it has some awesome action scenes! They did an excellent job of making a film that anyone can enjoy regardless of how much of the TV show/films one has seen. There are inside jokes for those who know the series well but many of those jokes are explained without being bothersome to the veteran viewers. I only watched some of the show as a kid but I never felt lost while watching the film. It was nice to see old characters again and the film did a good job of capturing the feel of the TV show. The animation is sharp with vivid colors while still retaining the look of the original material.

I was able to speak with Kyle Hebert (best known as the English DBZ narrator) and asked him about his experience working on the new film.

It’s been amazing to get to return to characters I first voiced well over a decade ago, with brand new adventures. Dragon Ball is where my career began so it will always be special to me.

If you are looking for an anime with lots of action and humor or if you have ever seen any Dragon Ball/Dragon Ball Z, then you will definitely want to check out Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods!

Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods hits theaters nationwide on Tuesday, Aug 5, 2014. For more details about the US theatrical release, visit www.dragonballz.com

Get Your Hands On The Action Anime Series ‘K’!

by Kari LaneFebruary 20, 2014

The wait is finally over! The psychological anime action thriller K will be released as a special limited edition Blu-ray/DVD combo pack, as well as a standard DVD edition, on February 25th! Read on to learn more about the awesome combo pack and engaging series!

The acclaimed 13-episode series is rated TV-14 and will be offered as a special 4-Disc limited edition Blu-ray/DVD combo pack with an MSRP of $69.99 US/CAN. The Blu-ray/DVD combo pack will come packaged in a luxurious collectible specialty print chipboard box holding the art booklet and disc case. The set also includes a full-color 80 page premium art booklet containing individual episode synopses, character profiles, poster art, translated song lyrics, an exclusive KANAME☆ K cosplay photo gallery and interview, and much more! The standard edition 2-disc DVD set will be offered at an MSRP $44.88 US/CAN.

If you are not familiar with this cool title, here is the exciting synopsis!

K introduces viewers to Shiro, an easygoing teenager content with just being a student – until his seemingly perfect life is suddenly halted when a bloodthirsty clan, glowing red with fire, attempts to kill him in the streets. Unbeknownst to Shiro, he is suspected of murdering a member of their clan and will need a miracle to escape their vengeance. Miraculously, a young man named Kuroh Yatogami swings in and aids Shiro in his getaway, only to reveal afterward he’s also after Shiro’s life. Now a hunted man, Shiro will have to evade the clans of seven powerful kings and desperately try to prove his innocence – before it’s too late!”

VIZ Media premiered K in North America on its VIZAnime.com streaming service on the same day as the Japanese broadcast debut and the series continues to grow in popularity in rotation on the company’s Neon Alley 24/7 anime channel.

Here is the Neon Alley trailer (English) for K !

“Filled with gorgeous imagery, attractive characters and an engaging story from GoRa and GoHands, K became a viewer favorite during its simulcast premiere and subsequent runs on Neon Alley,” says Charlene Ingram, VIZ Media Senior Manager, Animation Marketing. “With such a fantastic fan response, we’re pleased to have K be our first Limited Edition Blu-ray/DVD combo pack title. With such beautiful packaging and loads of extras, we hope fans will become as excited about this upcoming release as we are!”

For more information on K and other animated titles from VIZ Media please visit www.VIZAnime.com.

Kari’s Manga Corner: First Impressions of ‘Library Wars’ And Film Review Special!

by Kari LaneJanuary 12, 2014

I noticed Library Wars (manga) at my local library but never picked it up because they were always out of v1 or I was reading something else at the time. The LA Eigafest (Japanese film festival) rolled around in December and I saw that they were going to screen a live action version of Library Wars. I hurried out to read the manga but was only able to finish v1 before the movie screening. The film covers the main storyline from v1-v4, so for v2-v4, I ended up seeing the movie version before reading it. It was a unique experience for me because I was able to partially read it before seeing it and partially see it before reading it. This is probably one of the few times where I loved both mediums equally and each just made me enjoy the other that much more!

Library Wars is set in the near future where media censorship has been taken to the extreme! The Japanese government passed the Media Betterment Act in 1989 which allowed the censorship of any material deemed “inappropriate” and said material would be confiscated and possibly destroyed. Local governments who opposed this act passed The Library Freedom Act which provided armed units to protect the libraries and continue to offer library collections to citizens.

The story takes place in 2019 with Iku Kasahara, who is the first female to apply to the library Defense Force. She is a spunky, often reckless and a tomboy, but it is her determination that sets her apart. When she was in high school, a library Task Force officer saved a book that was about to be taken from her by a Media Betterment officer. From then on, she idolized that man as her “prince” (though she does not remember what he looks like) and she wants to defend books just like him! Well, it turns out that being part of the library Defense Force is much harder then Iku expected with instructor Dojo working her into the ground (at least from her point of view). Will Iku find her “prince”? Why is Dojo picking on her? What will happen to Iku in training? Will she be able to keep up?

The manga is a fun and easy read and I am currently on v5 (still loving it!). I thoroughly enjoyed the movie as well! It is an action story with comedy, lots of heart and it encourages standing up for what you believe in. I also enjoyed having a female character that was able to keep up, and at times, surpass the boys. She often needs rescuing but on many other occasions she is able to fend for herself and take out the bad guy. Iku feels like a real person who is just trying to do her best but can often let her emotions dictate her actions. I feel the love story develops in a believable way with a logically slow progression which just makes you all warm and fuzzy inside when the romantic moments happen. Shojo manga is all about relationships, and not just romantic ones; friendship is equally important.

Since Library Wars is based in a realistic setting (not fantasy or sci-fi) it translates well to live action. In the manga, the characters are drawn younger and some are better looking but that is partially due to the style of manga (Shojo). At first, I was thrown by what instructor Dojo looked like in the movie but then he grew on me. Iku was perfect casting and I felt she embodied the character and her mannerisms spot on. The stories in the film and the manga are pretty similar but the film cuts out some of the side stories from the manga which is for the better (in terms of having a coherent movie). There are some more action scenes in the movie which are really cool. All the changes that were made for the film make sense. I highly recommend checking the movie out, even if you are not into anime/manga because it is a highly entertaining film. Then, if you like reading manga, you should definitely read this title because it offers all you want in a Shojo manga (romance, humor, excellent characters and good looking artwork) along with a believable and engaging storyline.

‘Weekly Shonen Jump’ Celebrates Their Anniversary With A Special Issue!

by Kari LaneJanuary 11, 2014

VIZ Media marked Weekly Shonen Jump‘s 2 Year Digital Anniversary with the debut of All You Need Is Kill, by acclaimed manga creator Takeshi Obata, in a special issue debuting TODAY, January 11^th.

Weekly Shonen Jump takes a short break in Japan next week, but to launch this highly anticipated new series, VIZ Media’s Shonen Jump editors have prepared a very special Takeshi Obata-themed edition that coincides with the sophomore anniversary of the digital launch of the publication.

Scheduled for a Saturday release, this bonus issue will feature Chapter 1 of ALL YOU NEED IS KILL along with previews of Obata Sensei’s greatest hits. ALL YOU NEED IS KILL is the story of a futuristic soldier who dies in battle and is reborn each day to defend Earth against deadly alien invaders called Mimics. Takeshi Obata is a renowned artist of several massively successful manga series including DEATH NOTE, BAKUMAN。, RALΩGRAD, and HIKARU NO GO (all titles also published in North America by VIZ Media)

The original ALL YOU NEED IS KILL novel, by author Hiroshi Sakurazaka, has been called, “science fiction for the adrenaline junkie,” and is published in North America by VIZ Media’s Haikasoru imprint. The novel been notably adapted into a forthcoming sci-fi live-action blockbuster, titled Edge of Tomorrow, scheduled for release this summer from Warner Bros. and starring Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt and Bill Paxton.

“WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP is the world’s leading ambassador for manga content and, aided by the advent of digital technology, we are able to oversee the simultaneous release of the latest chapters of some of the world’s most popular series to fans in North America as well as in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Oceania,” says Editor-in-Chief Andy Nakatani. “We were honored to be the first publication to bring Takeshi Obata’s newest work to North American readers and we look forward to him reaching an even wider international fan base with the debut of the ALL YOU NEED IS KILL manga.”

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP is the world’s premiere manga brand and leading weekly manga magazine. VIZ Media offers North American fans single issues for only $0.99 each and 1 Year Memberships are available for only $25.99 and include 48 weekly digital issues as well as exclusive Yu-Gi-Oh! Collectable Trading Cards, special one-shot manga, exclusive digital-only promotions, and access to additional subscriber-only content including creator interviews and insightful promo videos. Current subscribers can also access their accounts via VIZManga.com, the VIZ Manga App, or with the Apple iPad Newsstand App.

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP is further available to North American fans as well as readers in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa via the Newsstand App for the Apple iPad^® and iPad^®Mini or the WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP App on the Google Play Store for Android devices. International issues debut each Monday at 10:00am (PST) and monthly subscriptions are available with automatic monthly renewals. (*Note: Yu-Gi-Oh! cards are not available to iPad Newsstand or international subscribers) Additional information on international subscriptions is available at: http://shonenjump.viz.com/international-wsj-app.

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP International Subscription Pricing:

U.S. – $2.99 / month

UK – £1.99 / month

Ireland – 2,69 € / month

Australia – $2.99 (AUD) / month

New Zealand – $4.19 (NZD) / month

South Africa – R24.99 / month

WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP features an award-winning roster of the very latest chapters of popular ongoing manga series such as BLEACH, BLUE EXORCIST, NARUTO, NISEKOI, ONE PIECE, ONE-PUNCH MAN, SERAPH OF THE END, TORIKO, WORLD TRIGGER, YU-GI-OH! ZEXAL and a colorized version of the classic DRAGON BALL.

For more information on WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and exclusive subscriber offers, please visit shonenjump.viz.com.

For more information on VIZ Media manga titles, please visit www.VIZ.com.

Kari’s Manga Corner: First Impressions of ‘Nisekoi: False Love’

by Kari LaneJanuary 8, 2014

Remember you first crush? How old were you? Did you make a promise to your special someone? Well, that is what Raku Ichijo did in Nisekoi (False Love) by Naoshi Komi. He is the heir of a yakuza clan and ten years ago he made a promise to his childhood sweetheart. She gave him a lock pendent, she kept the key, and they promised to get married when they meet again as grownups. Now, Raku is in high school and still believes he will meet her again but he has forgotten her name and what she looks like! Things get complicated when a new girl, Chitoge Kirisaki, transfers to Raku’s school. Immediately the two fight over EVERYTHING! It turns out she is the daughter to a rival gang and in order to keep the peace, Raku’s father and Chitoge’s father implore the two to date. Both kids can think of nothing worse but soon realize that their fake love might really be the only way to stop the gangs from fighting each other.

Volume 1 is full of action, extreme emotions (it is high school after all) and the romance is fun to read. Will Raku fall for the brute Chitoge? Will Onodera (the girl Raku actually has a crush on) turn out to be the locket girl? I am actually kind of torn between the two girls and who I want to end up with Raku which goes to show how well written the love story is. The art style shows off the emotions and action sequences well with expressive facial expressions and lots of lines to show the tension and movement.

At first, I thought the potential love plot line between Raku and Chitoge would be cliché, but Komi has pulled me in. The characters have depth and you really want to know what happens to them. You will have to check out volume 1 to find out what happens! I will be on the look out for volume 2!

Volume 1 is currently available for $9.99.

Nisekoi, Volumes 1-6 are also available for digital download for $6.99 each on VIZManga.com and through the VIZ MANGA App for the Apple iPad®, iPhone® and iPod® touch, Android-powered smart phones, and also for NOOK, KOBO, and KINDLE tablets and devices.

The Edgy Anime Series ‘K’ Is Available On Hulu In English!

by Kari LaneDecember 19, 2013

I recently posted an article announcing the upcoming release (February 25th, 2014) of the special limited edition Blu-ray/DVD combo pack and standard DVD edition of the anime series K. Well, now you can watch the complete series (13 episodes) dubbed in English on Hulu and Hulu Plus until Wednesday, January 15th! Please visit www.Hulu.com for complete details.

Wondering what this show is about? Read on to learn more about this action/thriller!

K introduces fans to Shiro, an easygoing teenager content with just being a student – until his seemingly perfect life is suddenly halted when a bloodthirsty clan, glowing red with fire, attempts to kill him in the streets. Unbeknownst to Shiro, he is suspected of murdering a member of their clan and will need a miracle to escape their vengeance. Miraculously, a young man named Kuroh Yatogami swings in and aids Shiro in his getaway, only to reveal afterward he’s also after Shiro’s life. Now a hunted man, Shiro will have to evade the clans of seven powerful kings and desperately try to prove his innocence – before it’s too late!

K also is also currently featured in Japanese with English subtitles on VIZAnime.com, VIZ Media’s own website for free anime.

For more information on K and other animated titles from VIZ Media please visit www.VIZAnime.com.

Kari’s Anime Corner: First Impressions of ‘Accel World’

by Kari LaneDecember 16, 2013

Hi! My name is Kari Lane, and I’ve been an anime lover since I was a little girl. Those good old days when classics like Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball/Dragon Ball Z, Card Captor Sakura, Digimon and Monster Rancher were on the most basic of cable.

Over the years, I have expanded my anime repertoire and have attended numerous anime conventions. I’m currently a host on Neo-Cinema, a web-based anime and Japanese live-action movie review show. Recently, I’ve been watching the first few episodes of various anime series’, and thought it an excellent idea to write reviews based on my “first impressions”. Of course, you’ll have many unanswered questions after viewing just 4, 5, or 6 episodes, but you can get a feel for the show and decide if you want to continue watching! I hope my reviews will help introduce you to some awesome anime, or help you avoid the more mediocre junk that’s out there!

I heard about Accel World at Anime Expo 2013 and was reminded about it with the recent press release announcing season 1 was available for purchase. It looked like a cool show and it did not disappoint. This was a show where I blazed through season 1 in one day (12 episodes). The episode structure flows from one to the next and you just want to know what happens next.

Accel World is set in the near future where everyone has a neuro-link to manage anything and everything in their daily lives; it is networking and Google Glass to an extreme. The main character, Haruyuki “Haru” Arita, is a short fat boy who is constantly bullied and finds his only escape from the harshness of reality in virtual reality games. In the virtual world, he feels he can be the best he can be and not be tormented for being a little different. It is funny though because he chose a cute little pig as his avatar. While in the Sims-like virtual world, Haru is approached by the beautiful and super popular student counsel Vice-President, Kuroyukihime, who asks him to meet her in the real world! They directly link into each other (a thing only couples do!!!) and Kuroyukihime invites him to try Brain Burst and enter an accelerated world.

The virtual reality environment of Accel World is primarily a fighting game but what makes it addictive is in the real world you can essentially “freeze time”. Time does not stop but rather you are able to process the situation faster and are able to step out of your body to fully understand your surroundings. Kuroyukihime explains that people use this to their advantage for fame, power, money, whatever you can think of. How many times you can “brain burst” is determined by how many points you have and the only way to gain points is to battle in Accel World. Time in Accel World is accelerated such that you could be in the game for a year and only a day will pass in the real world.

The concept and art style are similar to Sword Art Online (another really good show), but the shows are also very different. Accel World has a good amount of humor, some of which arises from Haru’s awkward interactions with girls. Though there is a lot of cool battles/fight scenes, at its heart Accel World is about relationships (friends, family, mentor-protégé, boyfriend-girlfriend, and more). Through the course of the season, the relationships between characters are explored and go through their ups and downs. Also, the show is about getting past your own insecurities and not letting anything hold you back.

Why did Kuroyukihime recruit Haru? Will Haru be able to stay friends with his childhood companions? Who is the real enemy in Accel World? If want a cool action/sci-fi type of show you should check this one out! I look forward to season 2 to see where our hero and friends go next!

For more information on Accel World please visit www.VIZAnime.com/accelworld.

Geekscape Reviews ‘Spiritual Police’ Yaoi Mature Content

by Kari LaneDecember 6, 2013

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

I have read manga for many years but only recently started reading yaoi (see SuBLime interview for more info). I enjoy the emphasis on relationships, especially the ooey gooey romantic stuff, and yes, I enjoy reading the sexy time parts. One of the first titles I read was Spiritual Police by Youka Nitta.

Police officer, Nagatsuma, visits a special massage therapist on the recommendation from one of his senior detectives. Nagatsuma is good at his job but he is too empathic and the harshness of his job puts stress on his overall well being. He is skeptical of the treatment at first but soon realizes masseur, Aoi (who is blind), not only mends bodily ailments but also taps into something greater. It seems that with his blindness, Aoi has gained another kind of sight – a sight into the future. Aoi warns Nagatsuma of some impending danger and this just makes Nagatsuma more curious (and apprehensive) about this beautiful man.

Aoi is a person who “sees” beyond one’s sex and Nagatsuma is blindsided by his developing feelings for Aoi. Other characters mention how attractive Aoi is and one even says, “The doc there’s so pretty it’s a pity he’s a guy, don’tcha think”? Another interesting example of gender switch ups is occurs when a character thinks to himself about Nagatsuma, “What kind of man is he? He’s a woman…” Yaoi is a genre where gender roles can be expressed in various ways. The relationship between Nagatsuma and Aoi progresses rather naturally with Nagatsuma giving in and slowly embracing this new kind of relationship. Unfortunately, towards the end of volume 1, a conflict comes up and Nagatsuma instead of asking Aoi what is going on he does something rather frustrating. I did not care for that part of the story but enjoyed the rest enough to overlook that segment.

The art style depicts emotional moments well with many blush lines, expressive eyes, and movement indicators (lines, light bursts, etc). The characters/environments are drawn/shadowed/textured well and reflect the one of the more common styles of manga/anime. Yes, the men are nice to look at and have gorgeous hair and slender bodies. The private parts are mostly whited out, but you can still tell the shape and what is going on. I did find a few of the dialogue boxes hard to follow, but each character has their own style of speaking so it was not too disruptive to my reading.

This volume peaks your interest when it introduces a mysterious organization (possibly evil) that wants to keep Aoi prisoner and use his powers for their own benefit. Will Aoi be able to escape? Will Aoi and Nagatsuma be reunited? I enjoyed the extra element of the psychic abilities, and the developing mystery and I am excited to read what happens next!

Spiritual Police is rated ‘M’ for Mature Readers, and retails for $12.99.

For up-to-date news and release information, please visit the SuBLime website at www.SuBLimeManga.com, or follow SuBLime on Twitter at @SuBLimeManga and Facebook at facebook.com/SuBLimeManga.

‘Madoka Magica Part III’ Movie Premiere!

by Kari LaneDecember 5, 2013

Hollywood got a taste of anime glamour Tuesday night at the Egyptian Theater with the premiere of Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part III: The Rebellion Story. I spoke with Marketing Specialist at Aniplex, Joanna Metoki, about the event. She mentioned the first people to get in line arrived around noon (the event page said doors open at 5:30PM with the film starting at 7PM). Anime fans are dedicated! Regarding the fans, Metoki said, “you could feel the excitement” and that you “could tell the fans were serious about this movie.” She also added “the fans were amazing!” I asked Metoki which Madoka character she liked best and she said Mami was her favorite because “she was so passionate about what she was doing,” and she liked that Mami was a mentor and helped the other girls.

From Left to Right: Christina Vee (Homura), Sarah Williams (Sayaka), Mitsutoshi Kubata (President of Shaft), Atsuhiro Iwakami (Aniplex producer), Lauren Landa (Kyoko), Cassandra Lee (Kyubey), Christine Marie Cabanos (Madoka), Alexander von David (English ADR Director) *The voice actors are from the English cast*

As I surveyed the fans I noticed many cosplayers dressed in Madoka Magica outfits. One of the first groups I talked to came all the way from Las Vegas, Arizona and New Mexico to attend the premiere! They arrived in full cosplay around 2PM. When asked if they had trouble picking out who will cosplay which character, they said their choices just fell into place. They have all been cosplaying for a few years and met mainly through conventions but stayed in touch via Skype. This event was such a big deal to them that they planned their trip as soon as they saw the trailer on part 1 and 2 of Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie (part 1 and 2 screened together last year).

From Left to Right: Ana, Katrina, Aubree, Jude

Another friendly group came from a closer location, Claremont, CA. They also have been cosplaying for a few years and met through school. Last year, some of them saw part 1 and 2 twice because not everyone could make it to the same screening. Jacob decided to crossplay (dress as a character of the opposite sex) because there really are no boys in the show. He also mentioned that it was actually nice to wear a skirt and tights. I was rather impressed that he even wore fake lashes thought he mentioned they were hard to put on.

From Left to Right: Jacob, Samantha, Madelynn

Getting in line somewhat on the later side, around 6PM, this young lady still managed to rock her cosplay. She attended a screening last year but was not able to make it to the premiere. As soon as ticket sales were announced (a friend clued her in) she made sure to get a ticket to this year’s premiere! She mentioned she has been casually cosplaying for about five years and she chose Kyoko because she likes that Kyoko is bratty in order to cope with the troubles she has endured.

Hope

Along with cosplays of specific characters, I spotted a cute gothic lolita outfit. She mentioned she had just got the dress and wanted an occasion to wear it. The premiere of an anime film was the perfect opportunity and she felt the unicorns on the dress suited the event. She was also sporting a Madoka key chain/charm that she purchased at last year’s event.

Karlee

Not only were there fans who cosplayed, there were some professional cosplayers at the event that posed on the red carpet with the voice actors, handed out gift bags and added a huge slice of kawaii (Japanese for ‘cute’) to the event. I spoke with Madoka herself (Jessie) about her experience at the event.

Characters from Left to Right: Mami, Kyoko, Lauren Landa (English voice of Kyoko) Homura, Madoka, Sayaka

K: How was it cosplaying at the Madoka premiere?

J: A lot of fun! It’s always nice getting to meet people who go to these events and work with the companies.

K: Did you make your costume?

J: Yes.

K: How did you get involved with Aniplex?

J: I was hired by ACParadise

K: Are you a fan of the Madoka series?

J: Yes!

K: Any memorable moments from the premiere?

J: The producer wearing a tie to match my costume was pretty great, plus the movie was amazing.

At the screening, there was a pretty awesome merchandise table that had domestic merchandise and special merchandise imported from Japan just for the event! Aniplex provided a printed sheet/purchase form that people were able to look at before they reached the actual goodies. They also made announcements when items sold out (many items did sell out!) so that customers knew before reaching the cash register. The merchandise that remained after the premiere will be sold at the Downtown Independent screenings, so if you could not make the premiere, you might be in luck! Anime Jungle was the exclusive vendor selling the merchandise this year (as well as last year) and I spoke with their general manager, Tetsu Shiota. Anime Jungle is a store in Little Tokyo (as well as in Japan!); they usually have a booth at conventions and at special events.

I also interviewed EJ Rivera, Marketing Specialist at Aniplex, about the event.

Congratulations on a sold out premiere! How do you think the event went overall?

Thank you very much. The event went pretty well. It was great to see the fans having a great time and enjoying Madoka Magica together along with our special guests.

Were you surprised by how quickly tickets sold?

Very surprised; tickets for the event sold out immediately after they went on sale. It pretty much shows how strong the following is for the Madoka Magica Series.

What was your favorite part of the evening?

My favorite part of the evening was the Talk Session following the movie; it was great to see both Mr. Kubota (President of SHAFT) and Mr. Iwakami (Aniplex Producer) provide some in-depth insight on the Madoka Magica series and –Rebellion– itself. It was also great to see the fans enjoying the Talk Session. We definitely wanted to give the fans a unique and special experience at this event.

The premiere expanded from last year’s premiere! Why the change in theater and scale of the event?

Seeing how popular the first two movies were here in the US, we really wanted to give the fans a memorable experience when attending this event. We weighed our options and believed the Egyptian Theater would be the best venue to host this special event.

How are fans receiving the film?

From what I saw from the US Premiere Event, it looks like the fans enjoyed the film. It was great to see everybody in the theater clapping once the credits started.

Any final comments on the event?

On behalf of Aniplex of America, I would like to thank everybody who attended the Madoka Magica –Rebellion– US Premiere Event here in Los Angeles, CA. We hope that you enjoyed the event and we look forward to organizing more events like this in the future.

Hope you enjoyed my coverage of the Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part III: The Rebellion Story premiere. Click here for additional screening dates and locations. Check back soon to read my review of the film!

Here are some pictures of the lovely and handsome people involved with the film on the red carpet!

Sarah Williams (Sayaka)

Christina Vee (Homura)

Lauren Landa (Kyoko)

Cassandra Lee (Kyubey)

Christine Marie Cabanos (Madoka)

Geekscape Interviews: SuBLime Editor Jennifer LeBlanc Discusses All Things Yaoi! Mature Content

by Kari LaneDecember 4, 2013

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

Yaoi is an interesting genre because it is part of the anime community but is often misunderstood by those unfamiliar with it. I always noticed the loud (they did a good job at getting your attention) and colorful yaoi booths at anime conventions but never understood the appeal. Then I watched Brokeback Mountain with my friend, and she and I swooned over the romantic relationship between the two male leads. Ah! I finally understood why this genre was so popular with the ladies (and boys). Curious to know more? Well, I was able to interview SubLime editor Jennifer LeBlanc. Read on to get an in depth perspective on all things yaoi!

Can you explain what yaoi is for the benefit of those who may have never heard of it?

The definition of yaoi varies depending on whom you ask, but what most people understand it to be is stories written by women about two men in a romantic relationship, and they are written with a female audience in mind. That’s not to say that men don’t read yaoi, just that the target audience is women.

“Embracing Love”
© 2012 Youka Nitta/Libre Publishing

What do you think the draw of this genre is, and why do you think women love it so much?

Women read yaoi for a myriad of reasons, more reasons than we have space for here. There’s the lingering misconception that women aren’t sexual beings who like to explore their sexuality. They are and they do. Yaoi is one of those things that allow women to do this in a safe environment. They can share their love of the genre with other women in the fandom without being judged for it, or being told that because they’re women they shouldn’t like this kind of material.

“Blue Morning”

YUU−UTSU NA ASA © SHOKO HIDAKA (2009)／TOKUMA SHOTEN

In most yaoi, the men are beautiful and often one of them is the “female” (and they can look more feminine too) in the relationship, would you still consider those stories about gay relationships?

They’re about gay relationships to the extent that the characters are both men and are living their lives as men, even if one is portrayed with more feminine attributes. In real-life gay relationships, one man could choose to have a more feminine look or affect, or a more masculine one; it doesn’t make him more or less gay. That said, realism isn’t the main focus of these stories, any more than it is with other romance genres. In most yaoi stories, traditionally defined gender roles and depictions are deliberately broken.

“Tableau Numero 20”
© 2009 Esutoemu/LibrePublishing

What you would say to people who think yaoi is just hentai? How would you say the two are different/similar?

Well, that’s kind of like saying gay sex is just straight sex. At their core, yes, hentai and yaoi are both erotic material. However, how each is presented, what they’re about, and who they’re for just aren’t the same. There is some crossover as far as the audience for both, but generally the audience for each is simply not the same. If yaoi was just hentai, we’d have a much larger male demographic.

How much is lost in translation when a title is converted from Japanese to English?

Our goal as a publisher is to not lose anything in translation, so we look to hire the best translators we can who have an excellent grasp of the Japanese and English languages. Sometimes there may be jokes in a story that won’t make sense to readers not familiar with Japanese culture. In those instances we may adapt the joke for English readers, or instead leave it as is with a side explanation.

“Sleeping Moon”

NEMURERU TSUKI © KANO MIYAMOTO (2009)／TOKUMA SHOTEN

How did you get into reading yaoi?

My curiosity got the better of me. I was already a fan of anime and had heard there was anime porn (hentai) that existed. I kind of didn’t believe it, so off to Google I went, and that’s how I found yaoi. It didn’t take long to find out that there were books with the material in it as well.

“Man Of Tango”
© Tetuzoh Okadaya 2013

What are some of your favorite titles?

Well, my first favorite when I found out yaoi existed was Ayano Yamane’s Viewfinder (now called Finder). That will always be a favorite of mine. Currently, I am absolutely in love with the series Blue Morning by Shoko Hidaka.

How did you get into working with yaoi as a job?

When I first got into yaoi, I was having a hard time finding the stories I wanted to read (hard yaoi). There weren’t any reviews that told me what I wanted to know—Is there sex in the story and if so, how explicit is it? I decided to start my own yaoi review site that specialized in hard yaoi, The Yaoi Review. After running it for a few years, VIZ suddenly posted a position for a yaoi editor. I had no intention of applying, but a few industry people and also readers of my site prodded me about applying, and here I am.

What exactly is SuBLime?

SuBLime is a yaoi manga publisher, and is a partnership between VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, and Japan’s Animate, Ltd. (Animate). We publish both print and digital books, and we were the first manga publisher to offer DRM-free downloadable PDFs of our books for purchase.

Where can fans and curious people find out more about yaoi and SuBLime titles?

The first place they should look is our website, which is www.sublimemanga.com. Fans of the Nook can also find many of our titles on the Nook Book site. SuBLime also has a large social media presence and can be found on:

Twitter: @SuBLimeManga

Facebook: facebook.com/SuBLimeManga

Tumblr sublimemanga.tumblr.com

Check back soon for my reviews on this titillating titles! ^_^

Bring Home The Action With ‘Accel World’!

by Kari LaneDecember 2, 2013

The exciting sci-fi/fantasy anime series, Accel World, is now available on DVD ($44.82) and Blu-ray ($59.97)! The new 2-disc set features 12 episodes and is rated ‘TV-14.’

A special 48-page premium art booklet featuring art and character profiles from this popular series and is also included (only while supplies last) as a special free gift with purchase from select online anime retailers including Right Stuf, Anime Pavilion, and Robert’s Anime Corner Store.

ACCEL WORLD dialogue features include English and Japanese stereo audio, English subtitles, as well as a character art gallery, clean opening and closing segments, and the original Japanese broadcast trailers.

Curious to know what this show is all about? Read on!

In the year 2046, people use portable devices called Neuro-linkers to manage their daily lives in virtual reality networks. But advances in technology haven’t managed to do away with bullies, and 13-year-old Haruyuki Arita finds himself a frequent target. Haruyuki escapes his miserable life in virtual games – until the day Kuroyukihime, the most popular girl in school, introduces him to a mysterious program called Brain Burst and a virtual reality called the Accel World.

“ACCEL WORLD is the hottest new anime title to join the VIZ Media home video library and we are very excited to also offer it to buyers with a gorgeous, full-color bonus art booklet that is only available for a limited time through select anime retailers,” says Charlene Ingram, Senior Manager, Animation Marketing. “This series blends a highly imaginative online game with real world impact and adds a new twist to one teen’s solution to being bullied. ACCEL WORLD quickly became a fan favorite since VIZ Media debuted it on the same day as its Japanese broadcast and we look forward to the series drawing in new and veteran fans alike with this exciting release that arrives in time for the start of the holiday season.”

For more information on ACCEL WORLD and other animated titles from VIZ Media please visit www.VIZAnime.com/accelworld.

Check out the trailer!

My review on the series!

Get Ready For The Holidays With VIZ Media’s Stocking Stuffer Sweepstakes!

by Kari LaneDecember 2, 2013

The holidays are already upon us. Eek! Anybody else feel like the year flew by?! Well, there is something to be excited about this holiday season; VIZ Media announced a special holiday Manga Stocking Stuffer Sweepstakes! Starting today (12/2) through Thursday, December 19th

every digital graphic novel purchase on VIZManga.com will grant the buyer one entry into the Stocking Stuffer Sweepstake with three substantial Stocking Stuffer Manga Sweepstakes prizes valued at over $400. Each package will include:

           -An Amazon Kindle Fire HD (8 GB) configured with a VIZ Manga App account pre-loaded with 30 free volumes of top-selling VIZ Manga series

           -A 6-month membership to the WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP, a digital manga magazine that features simultaneous same-day release as the Japanese counterpart

           -A VIZ Media Custom Zero Messenger Bag from Rickshaw Bags with more manga, anime and merchandise inside!

How To Enter:

To enter, interested VIZ Manga users must first read the sweepstakes rules and opt into the sweepstakes by registering at: http://www.vizmanga.com/stocking-stuffer-sweepstakes. Each digital manga title purchased during the sweepstakes entry period gives the user an entry and existing WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP subscribers will gain one automatic entry into the sweepstakes. The winners will be announced on the VIZ Manga website on Monday, December 23rd. Complete sweepstakes rules, details for eligibility and a no-purchase entry option are available at: http://www.vizmanga.com/stocking-stuffer-sweepstakes.

Also, VIZ Media announced December’s digital manga update featuring several exciting new titles set to launch on VIZManga.com and for digital download through the VIZ MANGA App for the Apple iPad®, iPhone® and iPod® touch, Android-powered smart phones and also for NOOK tablets and devices.

The first half of December also sees volume updates for over 30 other popular ongoing series, including ONE PIECE, MAGI, YUYU HAKUSHO, VOICE OVER!:SEIYUU ACADEMY, DEMON LOVE SPELL and more. The classic FIREFIGHTER! DAIGO OF FIRE COMPANY M also debuts on December 3rd.

Here is some more info on “FIREFIGHTER! DAIGO OF FIRE COMPANY M, Vol. 1 · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · MSRP: $6.99″

Rookie firefighter Daigo Asahina can’t believe his bad luck when he’s assigned to the district with the fewest fires on record. But now that Daigo has joined Fire Company M, things won’t stay quiet for long. His offbeat methods and uncanny instincts soon have his fellow firefighters wondering whether he’s a hero or a menace!

Download the free VIZ Manga App for Android and iOS devices at www.VIZ.com/apps.

To learn more about VIZ Manga, please visit www.vizmanga.com.

‘One Piece’ Retrospective Can Be Yours For Free!

by Kari LaneNovember 21, 2013

Fans and users of VIZManga.com (digital manga website) and the VIZ manga App are in for an early Christmas present; the One Piece Retrospective! This digital edition celebrates an important milestone as “One Piece has become the world’s top selling manga series of all time with over 345 million copies in print!”

The special digital retrospective for the pirate adventure series created by Eiichiro Oda will be given as a free premium to all currently registered VIZ Manga.com and VIZ Manga App users, as well as to new members that sign up between November 21st and 27th. Fans can sign up at VIZManga.com and also explore ONE PIECE volumes available for digital download through the VIZ MANGA App for the Apple iPad®, iPhone® and iPod® touch, and Android-powered smart phones and tablets (including Kindle Fire).

The ONE PIECE Digital Retrospective features five exclusive, full color art spreads, as well as a comprehensive collection of covers for all 69 ONE PIECE volumes. The edition also features a personal interview with creator Eiichiro Oda and one-shot STRONG WORLD, the manga short where fans will find out what the world of ONE PIECE looked like over 20 years ago in a time before Luffy was even born. The ONE PIECE Digital Retrospective will only be available digitally for fans for a limited time.

Readers are invited to catch the latest ONE PIECE manga chapters, released in English on the same day as their Japanese counterpart, in the pages of VIZ Media’s digital WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP digital manga magazine. ONE PIECE anime episodes also currently air in North America on Adult Swim’s Toonami as well as on VIZAnime, VIZ Media’s own free website for streaming anime content, and other outlets including FUNimation.com, HULU.com, and OnePieceOfficial.com.

If you are not familiar with this title, here is the synopsis of this fun story!

As a child, Monkey D. Luffy dreamed of becoming King of the Pirates. But his life changed when he accidentally ate the Gum-Gum Fruit, an enchanted Devil Fruit that gave him the ability to stretch like rubber. The only drawback? He’ll never be able to swim again – a serious handicap for an aspiring sea dog! Years later, Luffy sets off on his quest to find the “One Piece,” said to be the greatest treasure in the world…

Not familiar with the VIZ Manga App? Read on to learn more about this awesome service! Also, you can read my previous article here.

The free VIZ Manga App continues to be the top application for reading digital manga and features a massive library of the most popular series in the world. Through the innovative VIZ Manga digital platform, registered users are able to use one account to access their purchased titles across more devices than ever. The platform features a massive library of the most popular manga series in the world, with over 1,700 volumes across more than 170 different series. All manga volumes are generally available for purchase and download in the U.S. and Canada within the application starting from $6.99 (U.S. / CAN) each.

For more information, please visit VIZManga.com or www.VIZ.com/apps.

Download the free VIZ Manga App for your Android and iOS devices at www.VIZ.com/apps.

Comikaze 2013: Anime “Kite” Gets a Live Action Adaptation

by Kari LaneNovember 13, 2013

Anime does not often translate well to live action movies/TV shows but that does not stop filmmakers from trying. The most recent adaptation will be Kite (the anime pronounces it “key tay”); an extremely violent story of an orphaned girl who becomes an assassin. At the panel, it was revealed that the movie will be a more mainstream version though they plan to keep the graphic violence. One of the film’s producers, Brian Cox, said, “There are lots of things in that anime that we couldn’t do”. He was referring to the sex and certain action scenes. However, Cox went on to say that they wanted to “stay true to the feel of the anime…the tone.” The cast and crew on the panel all seemed to be familiar with the anime and enjoyed the source material. At least they did their homework.

From left to right: India Eisley, Callan McAuliffe, Ralph Ziman, Moises Cosio, and Brian Cox

Now how do you make animated characters seem real and fleshed out? Director, Ralph Ziman, recalled that he, “liked the script…liked the way the actors breathed life into these characters.” Ziman felt the actors made these characters feel like real people. The star of the film, India Eisley, did extensive training for three months to prep for the action sequences. She might have had an advantage being that her dad is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. She mentioned he helped out a little too. She said she enjoyed training in general and she “enjoyed the weapons training more than anything”. During a Q&A, one of the audience members wondered if the petite Eisley was able to handle the stunts. The director joked that she “knocked a couple stuntmen’s teeth out”. He then went on to tell a startling tale of how Eisley jumped off a moving bus when she was not supposed to but, fortunately, it turned out all right.

Eisley mentioned how her brother was worried about her doing the film but was relieved to learn not all of the content in the anime would be included. Eisley’s trainer gave her a copy of the anime and Eisley made sure to watch it because she “wanted to be familiar with it” but she also wanted to make full use of the script. Due to the violence, this will probably be an R rated film, but Cox felt it would not be a hard R rating. The film should be finished by early December and they are looking into US distribution by Christmas.

The film was shot during a grueling six day a week schedule in Johannesburg, South Africa. Even though the city is a bit run down, it was perfect for this film and they were able to incorporate a lot of streets and rundown areas. They mainly chose the location for monetary reasons, but once they got there, they were blown away. Cox recalled that it looks like, “Mad Max in reality.” Ziman added how the city was a melting pot of cultures and styles. Eisley pointed out that it “looks like it could be anywhere.” The film is set in a world not too dissimilar from our world today; a dystopian near future. The trailer definitely had that feel to it. The look is high contrast yet de-saturated colors. Eisley’s character wears colored wigs which radiate on the screen. One other item belonging to the character that fans might wonder about are the earrings. Yes, the earrings will be featured and they have included a back story for them.

The trailer/clips had gorgeous cinematography! The overall color scheme was dark tones, de-saturated but with some key vibrant colors (mainly her wigs). The action looked really good! The fx was bloody awesome; one particular scene involved a hand being shot. Her look is NOT like the anime at all. I felt it had more of an Alias vibe with the colored wigs. They wanted to avoid the school girl look because the actress already looks young. Ziman felt the wigs gave her more varied looks and ways to hide (she is an assassin after all). It was not a nod to French graphic novels.

Back to the violence because that is a big part of this story, Ziman mentioned the “comic book violence was definitely inspired by the anime.” Cox added that the “violence was enhanced by visual fx”. The trailer/clips showed some awesome violence and fx! I have watched and enjoyed the anime, and was impressed by the live action trailer/scenes. Why did this particular anime get chosen for a real life reboot? Cox explained it well by saying the anime “seemed like the most outrageous property and that was what was attractive about it”. Cox also said that he is generally a fan of the author’s work (Yasuomi Umetsu).

The Professional is a successful film and Hanna did pretty well at the box office (including world wide box office numbers). Colombiana does not quite count (though there are many similarities) because she is an adult for a majority of the film. Maybe audiences enjoy the little female assassin story line. American audiences do like violence in their action movies and Kite appears ready to deliver. Will fans of the anime be disappointed yet again by another adaptation? It is hard to say. As I said, I watched the anime (I own it actually), enjoyed it, and I was rather impressed by the live action trailer so I will definitely be checking it out when it comes to theaters.

Currently there is no official web page for the film but the panel mentioned that it should be up by the end of the year. There is a Japanese site currently available (if you can read Japanese).

The film, by the way, also stars Samuel L. Jackson!

‘Naruto Shippuden’ To Debut On Adult Swim’s Toonami!

by Kari LaneNovember 9, 2013

VIZ Media recently announced that Naruto Shippuden will debut on Adult Swim’s Toonami programming block in January 2014! Fans in North America can catch dubbed and uncut episodes from the beginning with a new episode airing each week. Make sure to check local listings for specific airtimes and channel availability. Read on to learn more!

Adult Swim (AdultSwim.com), launched in 2001, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s network offering original and acquired animated and live-action series for young adults. Airing nightly from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. (ET/PT), Adult Swim is basic cable’s #1 network with persons 18-34 and 18-49, and is seen in 99 million U.S. homes.

Created by Masashi Kishimoto, NARUTO was first introduced in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in Japan in 1999 and quickly became that country’s most popular ninja manga properties. The manga series (rated ‘T’ for Teens, in print and digital editions) and animated counterpart (NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN rated ‘TV-14’) are some of VIZ Media’s most successful titles and have captivated millions of fans across North America, Europe and South America.

In the NARUTO manga and animated series, Naruto Uzumaki wants to be the best ninja in the land. He’s done well so far, but Naruto knows he must train harder than ever and leaves his village for intense exercises that will push him to his limits. NARUTO SHIPPUDEN begins two and a half years later, when Naruto returns to find that everyone has been promoted up the ninja ranks – except him. Sakura’s a medic ninja, Gaara’s advanced to Kazekage, and Kakashi…well he remains the same. But pride isn’t necessarily becoming of a ninja, especially when Naruto realizes that Sasuke never returned from his search for Orochimaru. Plus, the mysterious Akatsuki organization is still an ever-present danger. As Naruto finds out more about the Akatsuki’s goals, he realizes that nothing in his universe is as it seems. Naruto is finding that he’s older, but will he also prove wiser and stronger?

More information on NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN is available at www.Naruto.com.

Additional information on titles available from VIZ Media is available at www.VIZ.com.

Geekscape Review: ‘My Neighbor Totoro: A Novel’

by Kari LaneOctober 31, 2013

Often books are made into movies and sometimes the reverse happens. It is a way to relive the film and maybe see it in a new light. Hayao Miyazaki’s beloved film, My Neighbor Totoro (which turns 25 this year!), has received this treatment and is now available as a hardcover book! This book also includes original watercolor illustrations by Miyazaki which are beautiful and finally all together in one book for the first time. As you read the book, Miyazaki’s watercolor illustrations make the pages come to life.

The book was written by Japanese children’s book author Tsugiko Kubo. I watched My Neighbor Totoro many years ago and thoroughly enjoyed reliving the film through Kubo’s words. The book is pretty easy to read though there are some big words for the young adult reader. The pacing flows well and I enjoyed reading about how Satsuki (the main character) really felt and thought; the way only a book can tell you. In a time where books are moving to the digital medium, it is nice to hold this book in your hands and turn the pages. It is compact in size with a lovely cover.

My Neighbor TOTORO: The Novel is about two young girls, Satsuki (age eleven) and her younger sister Mei (age four), who move to the countryside from Tokyo with their father in order to be closer to their mother, who is in a special hospital. The house they move into is a bit rundown but that only makes the girls more determined to make it a comfortable home. However, they are not alone in their new place. There are soot sprites and other magical creatures that live there but quickly disappear from sight with the new tenants. Near their home is a magnificent giant Laurel tree that is home to the forest spirit Totoro who mysteriously leads the girls on some magical adventures.

The story is charming and the book focuses on family and friendship and people helping each other out. If you have already seen the film, you will enjoy approaching the story from a new perspective, or may want to get it to share with someone who has yet to experience the wonder of My Neighbor Totoro. If you are not familiar with this story at all, you should check out what made it a classic!

My Neighbor TOTORO: The Novel is available for $17.99.

Also to celebrate the film’s 25th anniversary, VIZ Media’s Studio Ghibli Library will debut an updated edition of the MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO Picture Book available for $19.99!

‘Sweet Rein’ – Manga REVIEW

by Kari LaneOctober 29, 2013

Most everyone loves Christmas. Now, how about a manga centered around Santa, but this time Santa is a cute seventeen year old girl and her reindeer is her servant? Oh, and he is really cute! Sweet Rein v.1 opens with young Kurumi Sagara, who is about to spend Chistmas alone until she bumps into a handsome young guy named Kaito (who happens to be a magical reindeer!). An invisible (to humans) reign connects them to each other and Kaito tells Kurumi she is his master because she is now Santa Claus.

This manga has all the adorable/cutesy/ romantic bits you want in a shojo manga (manga mainly targeted toward 10-18 year old girls with a primary focus on relationships). I loved it! It is sweet, funny and has heart! You might even say it borders on cheesy but I enjoyed every second of it. The bond between these two characters is explored and not just taken for granted. Kurumi even asks, ” Aren’t you upset to lose your freedom?” She does not accept the whole master and servant relationship (at first) and I like that the author has the character ask questions I would have wanted answered.

Actually, the relationship between Kurumi and Kaito kind of reminds me of the relationship between Haruhi and Tamaki in Ouran High School Host Club. It is refreshing that Kurumi speaks her mind and does not swoon all over Kaito; he is the one doing the swooning. The art style is a little similar to Ouran High School Host Club too with its pretty characters, their wispy hair blowing in the wind and the super expressive moments where you know exactly how these 2D characters are feeling. The author/artist, Sakura Tsukuba, did an excellent job of conveying movement and expression and you almost see the scene move as you read it.

Yes, the plot is a little strange but what manga/anime isn’t? Sweet Rein is a delightful read that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside and gush over the romantic moments. If you like romantic stories or just want something playful to read, you should check this one out!

Sweet Rein is available starting 11/5 with VIZ Media’s November releases and will be retailing for $9.99. Cute holiday gift idea; just saying. Plus there is a vampire bonus short story at the end!

‘Uzumaki – Spiral Into Horror’ Manga REVIEW

by Kari LaneOctober 14, 2013

Junji Ito’s horror manga, Uzumaki, will be released in an omnibus edition tomorrow October 15th and will retail for $27.99 US. This edition will be a hardcover format including all 19 chapters plus a bonus “lost chapter” (and 12 color pages).

The story follows young Kirie Goshima and her boyfriend Shuichi Saito who live in a small fogbound town on the coast of Japan. Shuichi believes the town is cursed by spirals. It sounds a little silly at first but this manga is definitively dark and disturbing. In the beginning, the stories are in the format of a “monster of the week” but towards the last third of the book a plot evolves that explores what is behind the spiral curse.

The characters/environment/situations are drawn in a realistic way and sometimes you could say there is too much detail. This makes you become more attached to the characters because they seem like they could be real people. However, there is not a lot of character development besides the two main characters but that is partly because most of the side characters do not survive to the next chapter. The characters are drawn in such a way that all of their emotions are easy to read and when they are exaggerated, they are that much more intense. The art style utilizes shadows and an overall darkness that contributes to the horror feel of the story.

Many of the stories have some of the creepiest and gut wrenching visuals that stay with you. I do not want to give too much away but I included some pages/visuals to give you an idea of the art style and convey some of the gruesome imagery. I would not say it is “scary” but it creeps up on you and grosses you out. Ito did an excellent job of showing movement in stationary 2D images. There is a part (spoiler) where a woman holds a pair of scissors up and is about to smash them into her ear. You do not see it happen but your brain fills in the movement. Numerous parts in this manga are like that. They lead you into a horrendous situation and suddenly another horrible thing is happening.

I enjoyed Ito’s previous collection, Museum of Terror – Tomie, and he did not disappoint with Uzumaki. This is a must for horror readers! You get tons of gore and horror in this big package! Side note, if you feel as wigged out as I did after, make sure to read the humorous afterward to make yourself feel a little better.

Kari’s Corner Interviews: Neon Alley Program Manager Kevin Kleinrock

by Kari LaneOctober 13, 2013

Fall is in full swing and you know what that means? New fall shows! VIZ Media is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its 24/7 Neon Alley anime channel this month! Neon Alley is a service that is available to fans across North America via the PlayStation®3 (PS3™) and PlayStation®Network, the Xbox 360® and Xbox LIVE® and via PC/Mac web access. They also announced the launch of the new “Catch Up” feature for Xbox and PS3.

The Neon Alley fall season starts THIS Friday, October 18th and includes the highly anticipated high definition return of Ranma ½ to North America along with the exclusive dub premiere of Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic. Additional premieres this season include Gurren Lagaan, Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Revolutionary Girl Utena, along with the latest episodes of ongoing favorites Bleach, Naruto Shippuden, and One Piece.

To learn more about this cool site we interviewed Program Manager Kevin Kleinrock!

What is your involvement with Neon Alley?

I was brought in originally as the Program Manager. VIZ had been working on the idea of Neon Alley for quite some time and then decided to bring in someone to tie all of the pieces together and get the channel launched. That was when I joined the company in Spring of last year.

Once the channel launched in the Fall, I transitioned into the role of Program Director and moved from the mostly project management side into managing the day to day of the network overall. Throughout the day I’ll be involved with the technical side of things, marketing, production, business development – my involvement is rather widespread at this point.

What is so special Neon Alley?

Neon Alley is a truly unique and amazing platform in the awesome anime space. First, we are the only linear 24/7 all English dubbed, all uncut and uncensored anime experience. While there are a plethora of on-demand services out there for subtitled and dubbed content, we have built a unique anime lifestyle channel. Not only can you sit back and have the programming delivered to you without having to know what’s hot, but you can be exposed to both classic anime you may not have seen and new series that being a member of the channel will give you a first chance to see.

Beyond the top notch programming itself, every minute of the channel is designed for the anime lifestyle. Every commercial is for something anime or entertainment-related. We bring you convention information and coverage. We bring you weekly news on new releases and top 10 lists for anime, manga, digital manga and video games. We have trivia interstitials and weekly sweepstakes and prize giveaways. And even with our implementation of our new Catch Up feature, our linear stream delivers an extremely special experience unlike anything else available to anime fans.

What is the Catch Up feature and why did you implement it?

The Catch Up feature is to allow members to do just that – catch up! As I was just talking about, the only thing missing from Neon Alley was a way for our members to easily catch up on a show they may have missed due to not being in front of their screen when a particular episode was on. Now, with Catch Up, episodes are available on demand the day after they debut on the channel for at least one week. This includes our movies as well. So now, members can choose to watch the live stream on our schedule, or Catch Up on their schedule.

Why does Neon Alley not include all past episodes?

Neon Alley is not an on-demand platform. We’re a linear platform that now brings our members a chance to catch up on anything they may have missed. If you look at other services, like say Hulu Plus, most series there feature a rolling number of episodes as well. And they ARE an on-demand platform. The feature is meant to be a compliment to the linear channel which remains our primary service.

How do you go about selecting your fall line-up?

As with every lineup, we aim to bring the best in uncut and uncensored English anime from across the spectrum of genres and studios. Our Fall lineup includes series and movies from VIZ, FUNimation, Aniplex, Sentai, Nozomi. It includes the world premiere of the English dub of MAGI: THE LABYRINTH OF MAGIC, two popular series in PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA and GURREN LAGAAN, and two classic series in REVOLUTIONARY GIRL UTENA and RANMA ½. This will be the first time RANMA ½ is available in English in HD. Plus, Neon Alley remains the only place to see a world premiere dub episode of NARUTO SHIPPUDEN every week! We’re also adding a brand new live action show to our Sundays, which have featured anime and kung fu movies, as sci-fi and comic book influenced pro wrestling brand CHIKARA debuts on the network. And these are just our premieres. Our full fall lineup includes over three dozen more series and movies. It’s a veritable buffet of anime – but we’re talking all killer, no filler anime. Series like BLEACH, ONE PIECE, INUYASHA, DEATH NOTE, BLUE EXORCIST and movies like the NARUTO SHIPPUDEN films, the BERSERK: THE GOLDEN AGE ARC film series, and so much more. Everything available as part of our 24/7 live stream and in Catch Up.

Which show in the fall line-up are you most excited about and why?

That’s way too hard of a question to answer! We only select shows for the network that WE would watch ourselves so each series has a special place in our hearts. I’m excited to finally have an English dub of MAGI: THE LABYRINTH OF MAGIC. And, from what I have seen – and heard – it’s a great dub! I’m excited that we are bringing fan favorites PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA and GURREN LAGAAN to the channel. And, I’m really excited that we are starting to bring the classics to Neon Alley with the addition of REVOLUTIONARY GIRL UTENA and RANMA ½ – especially with RANMA now in HD! So truthfully, I’m excited about the entire line up!

I noticed you included some older shows like Utena. What made you go with including new and old shows in your fall line-up?

Neon Alley is about bringing the best in anime, whether it’s a world premiere or if it’s a classic. Great anime stories are timeless and series like REVOLUTIONARY GIRL UTENA and RANMA ½ will never be out of style. It gives us a chance to see these series again and fondly remember the first time we saw them, but it also enables us to expose these series to a whole new generation of anime fan who were not following the genre when RANMA ½ debuted in the late 80s or UTENA came out in the late 90s. That’s what is so great about having full control of our own network and programming – great shows will find their way to Neon Alley regardless of studio, genre or how old a particular title may be. We bring our members the newest of the new and the classics all at the same time.

Besides the new fall line-up, what is next for Neon Alley?

Our focus will always remain bringing the best in 24/7 English dubbed uncut and uncensored anime. So we will continue to work to acquire the best series, and while doing so, we’ll also be working to expand the lifestyle experience that is Neon Alley. Neon Alley truly is an anime experience like no other and continuing to develop the pieces that make the channel exactly that remain a focus of ours. Aside from that, we will continue to focus on expanding awareness of the channel and our one week free trial that is available at NeonAlley.com. Anyone in the U.S. or Canada with a computer, PlayStation 3 or XBOX 360 can try the channel out for themselves and get immersed in the unique anime lifestyle experience of Neon Alley.

To check out Neon Alley click here! Be sure to tune in for the exciting fall lineup starting Friday October 18th!

Your Digital Manga Library Just Got BIGGER!

by Kari LaneOctober 1, 2013

VIZ Media, the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, announced today that its entire digital manga (graphic novel) catalog is now available for Amazon Kindle devices, including Kindle Fire tablets and the new Kindle Paperwhite!

Users now have instant access via the Kindle Store to a massive digital library featuring over 1,500 manga volumes constituting more than 160 different series. The volumes are available for purchase in the US and Canada for about $6.99 each. New titles and updates to many of the ongoing series will be added weekly. Also, readers will be able to get the digital copy at nearly the same time as the print release. Now everyone will be on the same page 😉

The launch list features the latest digital releases of ongoing fan favorites such as NARUTO, BLEACH, BAKUMAN, and ONE PIECE as well as recent bestsellers such as DEMON LOVE SPELL, MAGI: THE LABYRNTH OF MAGIC and many, many more. Kindle users may check out free previews for every series available.

Gagan Singh, EVP and CTO at VIZ Media expressed their enthusiam for the release by stating:

We are strong advocates for the continued growth of digital manga content, and are very pleased to partner with Amazon to bring the world’s best titles to millions of avid readers and fans in North America. We invite Amazon Kindle users to explore VIZ Media’s extensive offerings, one of the most current, diverse, and also historically deep manga catalogs available anywhere.

For more information on VIZ Media digital manga titles on the Amazon Kindle, click here!

For more information on VIZ Media manga titles, please visit www.VIZ.com.

The New Anime Series ‘Coppelion’ Premieres Wednesday, October 2nd!

by Kari LaneSeptember 30, 2013

It’s that time of year again, fall anime season! Time to check out the new lineup and see what will get us hooked. Now with most anime shows, you have to wait a week or so to get the newest episode unless it is simulcast. Well, you are in luck! VIZ Media, the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, just announced an online simulcast premiere (in Japanese with English subtitles) of the new sci-fi anime action series, COPPELION on VIZAnime.com (for free), as well as Hulu and Hulu Plus. The special deal with this premiere is that it will be airing October 2nd, the same day as it is broadcast in Japan! New episodes will be available for streaming domestically every Wednesday.

Coppelion is based on the popular manga series (of the same name) created by Tomonori Inoue and it has been ongoing in Japan since 2008. Charlene Ingram, Senior Marketing Manger for Animation, explained a little bit about the series by saying, “Ibara, Aoi and Taeko are a breed of genetically engineered beings known as the Coppelion who embark on often dangerous missions to restore hope and rescue people from the forsaken city. Plenty of action and unique characters are in store as the girls slowly uncover the Old Capital’s dark secrets!” Sounds cool to me! Also, who could turn down girls kicking-ass, and rocking short school girls skirts (a staple in anime) while in action? A further description of the show was laid out by VIZ Media saying:

            COPPELION takes place in the not-so-distant future as a catastrophic

            event has turned the old capital of Japan into a wasteland, forever

            changing the lives of its people. Decades later, three schoolgirls set

            foot into the now forsaken city. They are the Coppelion, genetically

            engineered humans created by the Japan Ground Self-Defense

            Forces to operate under the lethal conditions of the contaminated

            city. Trained since birth, the girls must use all of their skills and

            resources to carry out their one and only mission: to rescue those

            left behind.

The trailer looks pretty action packed and the anime style looks good. You do not see many more people besides the three girls but I like their look. The de-saturation seems like it will work well with the post-apocalyptic world. The trailer did its job; I am curious and will definitely check out this show. Make sure to watch the premiere for free and check back later to get my initial impression of the show!

For more information on COPPELION and other animated titles from VIZ Media please visit www.VIZAnime.com.

Kari’s Anime Corner: First Impressions of “Attack on Titan”

by Kari LaneSeptember 23, 2013

Every year at Anime Expo, one show seems to be cosplayed the most, and this year that anime was Attack on Titan (also translated as Advancing Giants). I had heard of it via my anime friends and they all raved about how good it was so I decided to check it out. It totally met my expectations! It is good and INTENSE! The show is set in a post apocalyptic future where strange creatures called, titans, have wiped out most of humanity. Humans retreated and built a citadel like city consisting of three circles within each other framed by massive walls. This system kept the titans out for almost a century but then a new titan appeared, a colossal titan, who broke down the outermost wall. Chaos ensues and most of the humans in that city are annihilated. Eren, his adopted sister Mikasa and their friend, Armin, narrowly escape into the next inner city. There these three young people decide to join the army to kill titans and get revenge.

This show is filled with death and destruction. Do not get too attached to any of the characters because they will probably die. It is worse than Game of Thrones or a Joss Whedon show in terms of killing off people you care about. Also, it is not just that these characters die but they are destroyed. Nearly every death is cringe worthy. Speaking of disturbing, the titans are so weird they make your stomach turn and totally creep you out. They are giant humanoid creatures that look strange, move abnormally and, oh yeah, they eat people. The animation on this show is done so well as to make these creatures super unsettling.

Even though the humans have the odds stacked against them, you root for the underdog and hope Eren and his friends succeed in there missions. The humans do have one small advantage and that is the 3D maneuver gear. Humanity has developed a way to fight back and that is by using a device that makes you swing through the air like Spider-Man and use thick swords to slice the back of a titans neck (the only way to kill them).

The show’s style is similar to Claymore and Akira with emphasized eyes that convey the emotional intensity of a situation. At times it can be a bit much but it goes with the overall heavy feel of the show. The outlines of characters are done with thick black lines and the overall color is nicely saturated. The actual animation is seamless and perfect to show how the characters zip around with the 3D maneuver gear and how bizarre the titans move.

I liked the show so much I am caught up with the current episode on Crunchyroll. I will definitely continue watching. Will Eren be able to conquer the titans? Where do the titans come from? What are they exactly? Who will die next? Will humanity be able win this war? If you want action, fierce character driven drama, and cool animation, you should check out this show!

First Trailer Released For Anime Anthology ‘Short Peace’

by Kari LaneMay 31, 2013

Short film anthologies are a great way to sample various material by multiple creators. It’s like the phrase ‘two for the price of one’, but in the case of Short Peace, it will be four short films compiled into one full length feature. The film is assembled by the “top creators at the leading edge of Japanese animation, exploring possible future avenues of expression.”

Short Peace is presented by the talented creator of Akira, Katsuhiro Otomo, and Sunrise, Inc. (most notable for the Gundam series). This will be the second compilation film that Otomo has supervised; the first being Memories (1995). I thoroughly enjoyed Memories and cannot wait to check out Short Peace! Take a look at the trailer below to get a taste of what’s in store for us in this new anime film.

Short Peace release in Japan on July 20th. Here is a list of the four short films that make up Short Peace:

“Combustible” (“Hi-no-youjin“)
Screenplay, Director: Katsuhiro Otomo
Character Design, Visual Concept: Hidekazu Ohara (Memories‘ Cannon Fodder)
Music: Makoto Kubota

“Tsukumo”
Screenplay, Director: Shuhei Morita (Kakurenbo, Freedom)
Original Story Concept, Conceptual Design: Keisuke Kishi

“Gambo”
Director: Hiroaki Ando (Five Numbers!)
Original Story Concept, Screenplay, Creative Director: Katsuhito Ishii (Redline, Funky Forest: The First Contact, Taste of Tea)
Character Design: Yoshiyuki Sadamoto (Evangelion, .hack, Summer Wars)

“Buki yo Saraba” (A Farewell to Arms)
Original Story: Katsuhiro Otomo
Screenplay, Director: Hajime Katoki (mechanical designs in Gundam franchise, Super Robot Wars)
Character Design: Tatsuyuki Tanaka (Tojin Kit)

In addition, Koji Morimoto (The Animatrix‘s Beyond, Memories‘ Magnetic Rose, Noiseman Sound Insect, Genius Party‘s Dimension Bomb) contributed the film’s opening animation.

‘Lupin III Vs Detective Conan’ Anime Teaser Trailers Released!

by Kari LaneMay 23, 2013

Look out anime fans! The famous thief, Lupin III, and Detective Conan (Case Closed) will be pitted against each other in a new animated feature film. Set to release in Japan this December, the project is titled Lupin the 3rd VS. Detective Conan! Back in 2009, there was a television special by the same name that aired on NTV and earned a high rating of 19.5%. Hopefully that is some indication of the film’s potential success.

Not much is known about the new film, but the scenario will not be the same as the television version. The film’s site, lupicona-movie.com, posted these teaser trailers:

Lupin version:

Conan version:

Who will you be rooting for? I am excited to see these two brilliant leading characters duke it out, or team up to fight some other force (or both ^_^)!

Kari’s Anime Corner: First Impressions Of ‘Space Brothers’

by Kari LaneMay 7, 2013

When they were young boys, brothers Mutta and Hibito witnessed a UFO and decided that they wanted to go to the stars after it. Flash forward about twenty years, and younger brother Hibito is an astronaut, while older brother Mutta is failing miserably at job hunting. This is the setting for Space Brothers – a twenty volume and counting manga, an ongoing anime (with 56 episodes currently free to view on Crunchyroll.com), and a live action movie.

The show has a slice of life feel as we follow Mutta in his struggles to find a job after being fired for head butting his boss (who insulted his younger brother, Hibito). Mutta believes the older brother is supposed to lead the way for the younger brother, but life has proven otherwise. This has put Mutta in a funk and he returns home to sulk. Secretly, his mother and younger brother send in an application on his behalf to be part of the space program in Japan. Much to his surprise, Mutta is accepted and proceeds to participate in the grueling tests and interviews one needs to pass to become an astronaut. Mutta does relatively well, but will that be enough to get him in? Will he be stuck living in the shadow of his younger brother? Will he find the drive he needs to finally succeed?

The art style is on the simple side (nothing too exaggerated, though not lacking detail) and the color pallete is dominated with light colors which matches the domestic feel of the show. Many people seem to really enjoy the show, but personally, it is kind of a meh for me. It is not very funny, and I do not care for slice of life or “domestic” (everyday life) anime. Animation has limitless potential, so anything this “simple” seems boring to me. Yes, there are exceptions, but that is generally my opinion. I may watch a few more episodes to see if anything new grabs me, but so far, I’m not overly impressed.

If you’ve decided to check the show out, let us know what you think!

Kari’s Anime Corner: First Impressions of ‘BTOOOM’

by Kari LaneMarch 21, 2013

Over the years, I have expanded my anime repertoire and have attended numerous anime conventions. I’m currently a host on AX Live, a web-based news program produced by the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation. Recently, I’ve been watching the first discs of various anime series’, and thought it an excellent idea to write reviews based on my “first impressions”. Of course, you’ll have many unanswered questions after viewing just 4, 5, or 6 episodes, but you can get a feel for the show and decide if you want to pick up the second disc! I hope my reviews will help introduce you to some awesome anime, or help you avoid the more mediocre junk that’s out there!

BTOOOM! is a cross between Battle Royale and the anime series, Sword Art Online. It was originally a manga (Japanese comic) and was made into an anime late in 2012. The 12 episode series is currently available to watch for free on Crunchyroll.com.

The series starts with Ryota Sakamoto, a 22 year old who drops out of school, has not had a job in two years and just stays home playing the online game, BTOOOM! (pronounced ba-TOMB). In the real world, he is a slacker, but in the game he is listed as one of the top ten players in the world and the best in Japan. The gameplay is similar to most FPS (first person shooter) games but your only weapons of choice are bombs of various types. The game world gives Sakamoto everything he does not have in the real world: respect, confidence, success and even a “wife” (only in the game).

Suddenly, Sakamoto wakes up in a tropical jungle dangling from a tree in a parachute. He has no idea how he got there or what is happening. He makes his way to the beach and learns that he is on an island. Later that evening, Sakamoto sees a man approaching and he calls to the stranger for help, however, to Sakamoto’s surprise the man starts hurling bombs at him! It appears that Sakamoto is now playing BTOOOM! for real.

Will Sakamoto be able to play just as well in the real world as he does on the computer? How many people are on this island and how many of them are ready to kill those they come into contact with? How did everyone get there and who is behind all this mayhem? The animation is fluid, and looks good (very detailed and the backgrounds are lovely). I found myself drawn into the show right away and liked Sakamoto even though he has his flaws. The story is intriguing and addresses some extremely heavy/dark subject matter in the game and the real world. I cannot wait to see what happens next!

***Make sure to check after the credits on every episode because sometimes there is an extra scene***

Kari’s Anime Corner: First Impressions of ‘Dokkoida?!’

by Kari LaneMarch 5, 2013

First Impressions! – Dokkoida?! (Disc 1, Episodes 1-4)

If you just want to watch something silly with a little bit of action, you should check out Dokkoida?! The show is about a young man, Suzuo Sakurazaki, who is currently unemployed and willing to do just about anything to make some money. His prayers are answered by an otherworldly little pre-teen girl, Tanpopo. She wants his help to test an experimental battle suit developed by her employer, an intergalactic toy company. Since he pretty much has nothing better to do and desperately needs the money, Suzuo agrees. Unfortunately for him, the design of the suit is a bit comical because it looks like he is wearing a giant diaper. The suit is in no way imposing and Suzuo’s reluctant attitude to actually fight bad guys gives way to most of the comedy in the show. Hopefully, he will man up and start learning how to use his suit’s special abilities/powers soon.

If that does not sound weird or silly enough for you, maybe some of the villains will convince you. One of the villains is a dominatrix who beats her male slave to the point that he breaks out of his human form and turns into a giant monster. Yeeeaaahhhhh….Somehow, Suzuo manages to defeat all of the villains in his initial encounters with them either by accident or by their own failures and mistakes. Matters are further complicated though, when all of the villains (using their cover identities, of course) move into the same apartment complex as our hero. This is a problem for more than just the obvious reasons because the intergalactic toy companies have mandated that the hero and the villains cannot know each other’s true identities or the experiment will end and Suzuo will lose the apartment provided by the toy company.

How long will everyone be able to live together? Will Suzuo stop whining and learn to use his special battle suit? The show is definitely on the goofy side but the fights are very entertaining. The animation is somewhat average; not too simple but not overly detailed. The style and the close living quarters plot line reminded me a lot of Tenchi Muyo. It is nice to have something light every once and awhile and I am curious to see where this show will go!

Kari’s Anime Corner: First Impressions of ‘Starship Operators’

by Kari LaneDecember 19, 2012

Hi! My name is Kari Lane, and I’ve been an anime lover since I was just a little girl. Those good old days when classics like Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball/Dragon Ball Z, Card Captor Sakura, Digimon and Monster Rancher were on the most basic of cable.

Over the years, I have expanded my anime repertoire and have attended numerous anime conventions. I’m currently a host on AX Live, a web-based news program produced by theSociety for the Promotion of Japanese Animation. Recently, I’ve been watching the first discs of various anime series’, and thought it an excellent idea to write reviews based on my “first impressions”. Of course, you’ll have many unanswered questions after viewing just 4, 5, or 6 episodes, but you can get a feel for the show and decide if you want to pick up the second disc! I hope my reviews will help introduce you to some awesome anime, or help you avoid the more mediocre junk that’s out there!

First Impressions! – Starship Operators (Disc 1, Episodes 1-4)

Starship Operators is a sci-fi series that follows the 73rd class of the Defense University. These untried cadets journey on their ship’s maiden voyage when they learn that their home planet Kibi has surrendered to the Henrietta Alliance of Planetary Nations. This “Alliance” is similar to the Empire in Star Wars; an oppressive super power that few can resist. The ship’s operators disembark as ordered, but the young crew surprises everyone by remaining aboard and taking a fighting stance against the Alliance.

Matters are further complicated when the young cadets agree to let the Galaxy Network fund their campaign against the Alliance in exchange for letting the network broadcast live from the ship (except during some battles when the broadcast of their plans may need to be delayed a little) as a new reality TV show. Sinon, the main protagonist, is not in favor of rebellion, but she does her duty to her crew and becomes an invaluable strategist as the ship’s executive officer. The show features a few strong female characters and the core group of “conspirators” (as labeled by the Alliance) is almost half women.

The art style is on the simple side and not overly detailed; the eyes are just dot pupils instead of the overly expressive eyes in shows like Rune Soldier (also created by Ryo Mizuno, the creator of Starship Operators). There is some computer animation for the ship and battles, but not so much that it becomes disjointed.

The show is a sci-fi action with strategic military battles, but it also focuses on the friendships and loyalties among the crew. There is some romance and one public declaration of love that has a rather unpredictable outcome. Will these “kids” be able to continue defeating the best ships that the “Alliance” can send? Will the pressure of life and death battles break the crew? Will anyone else come to their aid? I am definitely curious to see where this show will go, and have definitely enjoyed these first four episodes!

Dresden Pictures Scheduled To Make A Live Action ‘Grave of the Fireflies’

by Kari LaneNovember 29, 2012

Studio Ghibli is know for many well loved family films such as My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, and many more. However, there is another lesser known award winning film that was actually screened as a double feature with My Neighbor Totoro, and that film is Grave of the Fireflies (1988).

Dresden Pictures recently acquired the rights to Grave of the Fireflies and will be producing a live action version that is scheduled to start filming in 2014 (Produced by Liam Garvo and James Heath). In 2005, a made for TV live action version was produced, which aired on NTV to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. The plot of the TV version greatly deviates from the original animated version.

How much will this new adaptation change the original story? The plot of Grave of the Fireflies (the animated version) is extremely sad, and it definitely yanks on your heart strings numerous times throughout the film. I actually re-watched it before writing this review and I must say, I cried more than once. When I learned that a live action version was in the works, I wondered how Dresden Pictures would tackle this delicate subject matter. It’s similar to how I felt when I learned there was a film adaptation of The Road (SUPER depressing). Why would anyone want to watch such a downer movie when it was hard enough to read through the book? With animation, tragedy can be addressed, but of course is not as graphic as live action can be.

Grave the Fireflies follows an orphaned brother, Seita (age 14) and his little sister Setsuko (age 4) as they struggle to survive in constantly fire bombed Kedo, Japan during WWII. The story is based on a novel of the same name by Akiyuki Nosaka, and is a semi-autobiographical tale/apology to his sister he could not save.

Another question I have is will the characters actually be played by Japanese actors? There were quite a few complaints when non-Japanese actors played characters in Memoirs of Geisha. This film is about people who lived through the fire bombings in Japan and it would be disrespectful to take their history away from them. Also, is the film audience ready to watch young children suffer? Hopefully Dresden Pictures will keep the integrity of Setsuko’s age and not make her 10 years old or even age her brother. There is something very raw and real about watching these young characters persevere against all odds and even risk everything so they can be together and maintain their own way of life.

Maybe this is a film that needs to be made today to remind people that in war it is usually the innocent that suffer the most. Even though the story is heart wrenching, it is a beautiful film that follows the love of a brother who does everything he can to keep his sister alive.

Kari’s Anime Corner: First Impressions of ‘Idol Project’

by Kari LaneNovember 28, 2012

First Impressions! – Idol Project (Disc 1, Episodes 1-2)

This very short OVA (Original Video Animation – straight to DVD) is only four episodes in all, thus this review is a little different because I’ve already seen half of the series! Idol Project follows Mimu, a 14-year old girl who dreams of becoming a famous singer (meaning she’s just like most 14 year old girls). Mimu idolizes Yuri, a woman who became the current president of the world, for her music is so profound that it brought about world peace (yes, really).

In the pilot episode, there is a special audition to join the ranks of Yuri’s disciples, the”Excellent Idols”. Mimu begins her journey with intent to perform for the legendary Yuri, and possibly even join the “Excellent Idols” herself. It doesn’t seem to be Mimu’s day however: she is constantly being stopped on her way to the audition by strange encounters, and moments before she’s out of time, she is interrupted by ALIENS! The poor girl just wants to sing! The extra-terrestrials kidnap the “Excellent Idols” and Mimu (by mistake), and take them to another universe!

Will Mimu EVER get to sing? This running gag got a little old for me, but since there are only another two episodes I think I can tolerate it. The art style is 1990’s Sailor Moon-esque: big eyes, legs for days, and rich/bright colors. While this show does not have a lot of fanfare/fanservice (gratuitously sexy imagery), there are numerous innocent panty shots. The show is rather cutesy and all of the “Excellent Idols” are extremely exaggerated stereotypes (surprise surprise), forming the basis for many of the jokes. Overall, this is a fun and light show and since I only have two more episodes to go, I will certainly be finishing it off. That girl better get her shot.