While Yoshitaka Amano is probably best known in the Western world for his illustrations for the Final Fantasy video game series, or his work on Gatchaman. I was first introduced to his work though the “Vampire Hunter D” light novels written by Hideyuki Kikuchi. My appreciation of his work comes from how importantly and essentially his visuals are part of the overall story. His style creates an iconography that is unmistakable, the scope of his mixed-media work is staggering.
So imagine my excitement that Amano will be the guest of honor at the New York Anime Festival next month! This is a great opportunity to furher explore Amano’s work. He is, by no means, a one-trick-pony and I encourage everyone to visit his body of work outside of anime.
-Ataru
photo credit: LollyKnit
I haven’t had much time to settle into the New York City culture just yet. Since relocating, I’ve been working very hard to get my professional life in order. I’m meeting lots of great people, and working on some really fun and creative projects. It’s also good to know the culture and love of anime is strong in New York City, and that there will be plenty for me to do in the coming months as kick my podcast back into high-gear.
The folks over at The New York Anime Festival have announced Cosplay Day at Kinokyuniya. It’s this Sunday, August 17th. For the uninitiated, Kinokuniya is chain of Japanese owned book-stores that feature an excellent and wide selection of Manga, light novels, and Japanese literature in general. They are strategically dispersed in high population areas throughout the United States (L.A., Seattle, NYC). So, whether you are looking for some Edogawa Rampo or you that elusive Higurashi no Naku Koro ni novel, you’ll find it. Quite excitingly, you’ll receive 10% off all anime and manga and have a chance to win New York Anime Festival tickets if you come in Cosplay. There will also be some Q&A with the US representatives from the recent The World Cosplay Summit (yes, it exists.)
So, go! Enjoy - I can’t make this event, but I should be around for some others in the near future.
Edit: A quick thanks to LollyKnit, for making her photos of Kinokuniya in NYC available for use through creative commons.
-Ataru
I know I’m probably late to the game on this one. Things have been busy with moving and all.
But when did AnimeonDVD.com go from quaint, usable and functional to this:
They’ve even nixed, the actual AnimeOnDVD address opting to forward traffic to the easily memorable “http://www.mania.com/anime_manga_oav_ova_dvd_category_143.html” It appears the staff of the AnimeOnDVD will remain the same, but I can’t help but feel the disingenuous undertones of a corporate buy-out of a well established 10 year old anime website. Has anyone even heard of Mania?
I can’t look at this awful site though, so I’ve removed it from my bookmarks.
Edit:
I’m getting some google search traffic to this post, currently I’m the #1 hit for the search “What happened to AnimeonDVD”.
Here’s the original post where Chris Beveridge (owner of AnimeonDVD) shares the news earlier this year. Though the buyout took place several months ago, the website change over only happened recently. As with all things, it comes down to resources and money. I tried to give the site a second chance this weekend but this web 2.0 interface is god-awful and adds no value to the browsing experience. I’d sooner opt for a website directory of .txt reviews.
-Ataru
It appears lordkaosu is of the Happy House of Hentai Podcast has been lurking about. Don’t be a stranger!
-Ataru
Help my Japanese television has spilled over into my grocery shopping! While the broken down husk of TechTv, otherwise known as G4TV, has co-opted shows such as Sasuke (under the banner of “Ninja Warrior“) and Fox is busy making their own “Hole in the Wall“ how can anyone forget the travesty that is Iron Chef America?
Not easily. In an effort to further subsidize and destroy the love I have for the original Iron Chef (Ryōri no Tetsujin) my local supermarket has stocked this item:
WHY!?
-Ataru
Yes, Anime Is Everywhere
The other day I was taking a tour through the interior of a nondescript windowless building, when all the sudden I was surrounded by a wall of sex toys. This is important to note because I thought I was at a YMCA. Boy, was I wrong!
Behold, the “KOCHI” - a marvel of sexual and technological wonderment. Get it? It is possible something got slightly lost in translation Kochi = Kuchi (くち), which means mouth.
Let’s break down the features of this space-age product shall we?
- “Solid Head with sucking action mouth!” (What, are they selling a G.I. Joe?)
- “Usable pussy, ass and mouth!” (Umm.. Where the hell are the pussy and ass?! Is it on the back side of her head?)
- “Kochi the Asian Fantasy Girl. Her beautiful eyes will captivate you as she pleasures you with her supple mouth and entices you with her tight pussy and ass. Show her who’s boss as your fill her every hole with you massive rod… she’s always willing. Blow up Kochi and let her blow you away! Sayonara!” (Wow, I see what you did there. You told me I have a massive rod and therefore I must buy your product!)
All this can be had for the very low-low one time price of $125.95. Hey with today’s economy that’s like two tanks of gas. Why drive somewhere when you can fuck a googly eyed prostetic head?
But all of this is nothing compared to the actual face of this abomination. JUST LOOK AT IT! Can’t you hear it yelling “HEEEEEY YOOOOU GUUUUYZ!” I don’t know about you, but I like the things that my penis potentially goes into not to look like a Goonies character.
-Ataru
First a house keeping item. The podcast name has changed. It is now just “Anime With Ataru.” See, since 2006 the scope of this podcast has widened greatly, and as such it really isn’t just a local podcast anymore. Compounded by the fact, I will be traveling and moving fairly soon it’s time to officially go national baby!
This video was posted over at the official Nine Inch Nails youtube channel. If you’ve watched enough Japanese television it doesn’t really phase you, but it is interesting to see Japanese women break it down to choreographed Nine Inch Nails song.
It did however, remind me that I did a goofy little J-Pop remix of a Nine Inch Nails song (Me, I’m Not) so I cut some “typically wacky” Japanese video to make my own response to the above posted.
Edit 1: Uploaded to youtube 
Link
Edit 2: Here is the MP3 of the “Me, I’m Not” Super Happy Love Love J-Pop Remix a.k.a Me, I’m not (Ataru Love Mix)
Edit 3: 7/9/08 Apparently, I’ve been blogged over at Life after Luna Sea. *Waves hi!*
Edit 4: 7/20/08 I’ve been blogged again! This time over at Valetian. *Waves hi!*
Enjoy!
-Ataru
Me, I'm Not - Super Happy Love-Love J-Pop Remix:
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Years ago I purchased a Sony DSR-PD170 . It’s a 3 chip DV camera great for shooting music videos, conventions and the such. Of interest to my listeners: the package actually came with some pretty awesome batteries.
-Ataru
