Do you like your anime characters with pasties and bare midriffs?

Then be sure to check out the LA Weekly Blog page where they share pictures from the January 8 “Anime Babes” show performed by Devil’s Playground Burlesque.  Some of you may recall their previous Star Wars burlesque show, which I ran across several times in my blog reading at the time.  (and, personally, I found most of those costumes to be rather disturbing, with the ubiquitous Slave Leia being the most “normal” of the bunch).

The “Anime Babes” show featured characters from Neon Genesis Evangelion, Speed Racer, Sailor Moon (complete with anime eyes!) and yes, even Pokémon.

Sadly, not a hunky Tuxedo Mask in the bunch, so I can’t say the show is really my cup of tea, but I know that there are plenty of you guys out there who will enjoy the pictures.  And, though you may not care, there is some informational text accompanying each  image.

Enjoy!

Time once again to see what anime are worth your time on Netflix. This week I have a bit of funny, quirky, and nostalgic titles to get you out of that funk I put in you in last time.

On robot boys and the nostalgia therein:

Netflix’s “new” entries are more for the people craving a bit of the old-fashioned. Astroboy, much like Gigantor, is one of the original defining animes that set the standards for future entries. But why have “Megaman: Upon a Star” here too? Simple really, the influences from Astroboy helped create and influence the Blue Bomber. These two series are a must on pure principle,but another added bonus is they are perfect anime titles for those little pink ankle-biters you have running around at home. Astroboy and Megaman teach the all important values of courage, kindness, and helping those in need. So grab the family, stream it, and enjoy.

Funny, over the top action… and Boobs:

Gurren Lagann was admittedly a title a I was hesitant to check out. I had no idea what was in store for me when I sat down for this one, but I was not disappointed. Set in an unspecified time in the future where humanity has been forced underground, Simon is a simple digger charged with helping dig new tunnels for the village. After discovering a small drill bit he turns into a little necklace for himself, he soon gets thrown in with the village delinquent, Kamina. Obsessed with going to the surface, his antics earn him a place in a cell, and Simon discover a “Big Face”. A giant Mecha bursts through the roof, Simon finds out he can pilot his found face with the drill bit, and we’re introduced to Yoko. Oh, did I mention her boobs? I’m almost certain they’re sentient objects because they are never settled in one place for long. Bad robot is defeated, the three escape to the surface, and hi-jinks ensue.

This title has no problems being a ridiculous, fan-service filled fast-paced adventure series. It owns this fact even, and this makes it all the more lovable. It’s funny too, I haven’t seen a series that made me laugh like this since “Fooly Cooly”. If this doesn’t do it for you, the mysterious and downright bad-ass opening will keep you hooked to find out what it is going to happen.

Three more series in, and one more Netflix anime post to go. As always, check ’em out, and let me know what you think in the comments.

With Netflix adding more and more big name anime to its roster, the tired excuse of not wanting to spend money on what is considered a gamble among your average nerds is no more.

With all the options available however, the choice becomes tough. What should you pick? I’ll clear up two series for this week and let you know what may appeal to you.

For the gore-lovers:

Basilisk is  a dark, bloody tale of Feudal warring, greed, and really insane ninja action. When an ancient shogunate grudge spills over into political matters of succession, the powers that be cancel an order of cease fire to play two rival clans against each other for prestige. Unfortunately for Gennosuke and Oboro, the two respective heirs of the Kouga and Iga ninja clans once betrothed to bring further peace, must now fight at odds with each other.

Let’s just say right off the bat if you didn’t know already, just because it’s animated doesn’t mean it’s for kids. Basilisk is exceedingly violent, and downright shocking in some parts. While you won’t find many super strong sex situations, not only is this one very bloody, but some of the manners and events leading up to certain deaths can leave a pretty strong impression on you.

After all that, Basilisk is highly stylized and entertaining, and the story chugs nicely along without too much slowdown. It never fails to get the heart pumping, and can keep you on the edge of your seats like any good thriller. If you like blood, and fast-paced combat, you’ll like this title.

For the deep thinkers:

Gunslinger Girl takes place in an Italy from a not too distant future. While it may seem at first glance to be a completely brainless action  show, firefights take the backseat in this deep, moving title. You see, these girls are trained assassins for an Agency sponsored by the Italian Government. Employing “conditioning”, cybernetic enhancements, and then paired with Handlers responsible for their care, these girl become the perfect killing machines. However, there is a cost to the conditioning and implants… The girls lifespans are cut dramatically short by the procedures. Take into account the fact that these are still little girls at heart, and couple that with the father-like bond the Handlers develop for them, and you find the meat of the plot in Gunslinger Girl.

It’s moving, and the score accompanies this show nicely. If you want a thinker, try out this one.

So now you have two great starting points from two basic kinds of viewing pleasures. Of course, this is only scratching the surface of what’s available on Netflix, but I will refer more in the coming weeks.

Did you watch them? What did you think? Tell us about it in the comments below!

When I came across a video on Topless Robot showing a Hong Kong commercial for the Japanese anime Sailor Moon, I felt compelled to write something.  Follow the link to see it, but the point of the video (that shows moms putting their kids on the schoolbus and then pulling out their transformation brooches for a henshin sequence) is that MOMS are Sailor Moon fans.  Or were. (But I suspect that once a fan, always a fan).

See, Sailor Moon aired in the US approximately fifteen years ago.  So even a girl at the age of twelve then would be 27 now.  Definitely Mom-age.

Seeing my beloved Sailor Moon put in terms of age is pretty scary.  I remember I used to buy the dolls and the CDs.  I watched Irasshai on public broadcasting to learn Japanese. And, not sure how the court of public opinion will view this, but my current keychain is a Chibi-Usa, Sailor Moon’s pink-haired daughter from the futuristic Crystal Tokyo.

So, Sailor Moon is still a part of my daily life.  I loved the show and used to spend hours reading fanfiction about Usagi and Mamo-chan (Serena & Darien, for those who only watched the dubbed version).

One of my greatest wishes is that the entire series that aired in the US will be released on DVD or Blu-Ray, as well as the original uncut Japanese versions.  I want BOTH.  A Japanese boxed set came out years ago, but it retailed for about $100, and now is no longer available.  I missed my chance at buying it.

I’ve always compared the protagonist Usagi to Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  Both are less-than-stellar students who discover they have magical abilities and must keep their powerful alter egos secret.  A mysterious man aids their quest, and they have mentors and friends who are with them every step of the way.  They fight end-of-the-world scenarios, and both die at least once.

It would take forever to explain the plot of Sailor Moon, but the basic premise is that Usagi was once the Princess of the Moon, but a devastating battle destroyed everything she held dear.  However, her mother used the power of the Ginzuishou (a crystal) to have the princess, her beloved Prince Mamoru, and her guardians (Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter) reborn on Earth. And Tokyo, like the Hellmouth, seems to be a focal point of malicious activity.

The series, also like Buffy, often followed a Monster-of-the-Week format, with a larger story arc involving a more powerful villain.  And the romance . . .

Have I mentioned the romance?  Tuxedo Mask.  The Moonlight Knight.  Prince Mamoru.

The US dubs were pretty cheesy, but one of my favorite lines is, “Our love is like a rose.  Beautiful when in bloom, but it can’t last forever.”  So sad, so true.

Even though I’m technically Mom-age now (*sigh*) I can still appreciate the magic, romance, and adventure of a klutzy schoolgirl turned Sailor Scout superhero named Usagi.  And I think that’s just the point the Hong Kong commercial wanted to get across.

I remember about ten years ago as the internet was still in it’s infancy, one of the big things people were doing was mixing clips of Dragonball Z with Linkin Park songs. I went to Anime Banzai this year in Layton Utah and one of the biggest attractions was the AMV (Anime Music Video) contest. It was done in the main hall and the entire room was packed full of people. This tradition of people mixing their favorite music to their favorite anime scenes has become a huge thing when it comes to any anime convention.

I was impressed as the quality had gotten higher since the days of DBZ and Linkin Park, but it wasn’t until the very last video that I suddenly realized the actual potential there is in AMVs. The last video they showed was an AMV by Nostromo called Pure Thrust. It ended up winning the Best In Show award at Anime Banzai.

Nostromo — Running Man

Nostromo — Magic Pad

and finally the last video wasn’t just done by Nostromo but by him and a couple of other AMV wizards. This one has my favorite anime Cowboy Bebop in it, and they created interesting rules for the video. The first person who worked on it used clips they wanted for their portion. The second person could then only use clips from the first person’s clips. The third could only use clips from the second and so on. It’s a very interesting concept and one I really like.

Bucephalus Bouncing Repulsive

As of writing this Anime Banzai has yet to put all of the contest videos up on their site but have said that they will be there eventually so check back at http://amvs.animebanzai.org/ in the next couple of weeks to see more of the contest videos.

One of the most well known and highly distributed publishers of magna comics, TOKYOPOP joins ComiXology today with the release of Hetalia Axis Powers, the frist volume is free to download and subsequent volumes ranging from 20 to 30 pages are only $.099. Also available today are around 70 more titles from publishers ranging from DC to Image, view the full list online here.

Hayao Miyazaki, considered by some to be the Japanese Walt Disney, is rumoured to be working on a sequel to his 1992 film Porco Rosso, about an Italian World War I flying ace who gets magically turned into a pig.

For anyone familiar with Miyazaki, you’ll know that his work is always startlingly original and a pleasure to watch.  In fact, it’s practically the only “anime” I still keep up with these days because he’s such an impressive filmmaker.

Geek Tyrant had the story:

The sequel to the film will be called Porco Rosso: The Last Sortie, and it will be set during the Spanish Civil War. He goes on to say it should be a very interesting film, and also had this to say in the interview,

“I’m not thinking about a movie of a girl.”

“I think that I must think about only a movie of a boy.”

“I do not need to make a movie if it is not a tragic story of a boy.”

“So I want to escape to Porco Rosso: The Last Sortie. I have all its materials.”

“If next two films succeed and [studio president Toshio] Suzuki-san lets me make it (Porco) while saying, ‘It cannot be helped because it’s a hobby of the old man’, I’m happy. It’s my hobby.”

For those not familiar with Miyazaki, I say shame on you.  All of his films are on Netflix and are widely available everywhere.  His are also some of the few Anime films that get wide American theatrical releases, so let’s hope this happens and we can see it on the big screen.

Here’s a trailer to Porco Rosso:

Animetrix Neon Genesis Evangelion Eva-01 Purple Figure
Japanese Import, Made in China
Year: Unknown
Scale: 7inches

Today we’ll be looking at “Ikari Shinj’s Eva-Unit” from one of my favorite animes, Neon Genesis Evangelion. For those non-anime fans, you might just want to look for the “dick jokes” during my review. Think of it like a crossword, but with sticky fingers.

Does this cheap figure hold up to the movie/series’ look? Yes, though there are lots better out for obviously more coin. Likable attributes include the following to get one’s own Eva unit…erected:

• Authentic coloring (Deep purple Eva-Unit with lime-green accents)
• Relevant accessories ( Plug for suit, long sniper rifle, knife, and machine gun)
• Pose able (smooth articulation for an affordable figure)

I really like the sturdy packaging on Shinji, my only quarrel would be it’s all written in Japanese and I can’t read a fuckin’ thing. Perhaps it does reveal the date that it was manufactured? Perhaps…not? Who the fuck cares! You don’t. Think of it like sex. You and I both know you’re lame as a limp dick in Lithuania. Doesn’t matter though, as long as you know you’re the fuckin’ bomb for 11-15 pumps. Those pumps say…”You like that?!” “Me too!!! Hold still before I, I, uuuhhhhh…..sorry babe.

I’m not sure this is the sort of toy to crack out when showing off your collection. I believe it’s the sort of thing you’d admire once you realize…”Fuck, when the hell did I get this?” “Why is this robot suit purple?” or my personal favorite “Do I have time to masturbate before my girlfriend comes home?” Highly recommended to collect these as a series all at once – only for the mere fact that if you purchase just one, chances are you’ll never give a shit to complete your collection.

Let’s start with some breaking news: although not technically [adult swim], Cartoon Network is announcing a Green Lantern show, according to the Hollywood Reporter.  Green Lantern: The Animated Series will launch Fall 2011, hopefully in time to cash in a a (successful?) Green Lantern movie starring Ryan Reynolds currently slated for next summer.  No specific word on which GL we’ll see, but no doubt it will be Hal Jordan, just as in the movie.  Let’s keep our fingers crossed to see if we get Kilowog, Gnort, and Ch’p.

Anime Update

I hope this means something to all of you robots who love the anime. A BIG PREMIERE THIS WEEK! YAY!

KEKKAISHI is based on the hit manga series by Yellow Tanabe (also published in North America by VIZ Media). A story of mystical forces powerful in the region known as Karasumori. For over 400 years, it has been the duty of a clan of “kekkaishi”—barrier masters—to guard this land and exterminate the supernatural creatures that are drawn to it night after night.

Yoshimori Sumimura is a junior high school student at Karasumori Academy, which is built upon the Karasumori grounds. By night, Yoshimori follows the tradition passed down through generations and fulfills his destiny as the twenty-second “kekkaishi” of the Sumimura clan. But by day, Yoshimori’s got other demons to contend with, like an obsession with cake making and a seriously crotchety grandfather! Yoshimori’s pretty neighbor, childhood friend and rival, Tokine Yukimura, is also a “kekkaishi,” but their families are caught up in a feud over who is the true practitioner of the art. Protecting ordinary people from the ever-present danger of the Karasumori grounds, Yoshimori will continue to grow stronger as he battles the forces of evil again tonight!

“Kekkaishi spotlights compelling cool characters, in an intense yet fun-filled supernatural action adventure saga. It possesses all of the hallmarks of great anime!”  says William Germain, Director, Programming & Music Sales, VIZ Media. We are very excited to add KEKKAISHI to the Adult Swim anime lineup for U.S. fans to enjoy.”

For more information on KEKKAISHI please visit www.ShonenSunday.com.

The Boondocks

If you haven’t been watching The Boondocks, stop and kick yourself in the head right now.  So far, we’ve seen Huey Freeman be not excited about the election of a black president, rapper Thugnificent loses everything, a kickball throwdown between Huey’s team and the Chinese national team full of anime-esque action, and Uncle Ruckus team up with a racist white country western singer.   This week, we have the return on Stinkmeaner AND his posse. One can only guess this means Grandpa will fight some more. This has been a pretty good season so far, but I’m skeptical: do we need to go back to this same well again?  I can only hope so.

Check It Out!

Dr. Steve Brule’s own spinoff show Check It Out is amazing in some parts and abysmally boring in others… but since that is generally the MO of Tim & Eric, that’s not so surprising.  This week, we get to meet Dr Steve’s mom as he talks about family.  Watch it, dummy!

Squidbillies

The Squidbillies premiere featured marajuana and Widespread Panic. Last week we saw Earley Cuyler marry two women– and thought polygamy was a Utah-only thing!  This week: Dead Squid Walking.

Anything else?

I feel like I complain about this every time, but can we get rid of The PJs?  PLEASE? Does ANYBODY like/watch this show?

Peace,

Your Friendly Neighborhood Citizen Bot

SCALE: 7in. PVC (12cm. X 17cm.)
Mon-Sieur BOME collection Vol. 26
Akira from “Sukapon-Do”
Sculpted by: BOME
Produced and Manufactured: Kaiyodo
www.kaiyodo.co.jp/

Organic Takumi Yano’s Akira from Sukapon-Do has got me a little confused… Not as confusing however as the first sentence, but close. Let’s make things clear:

1. Takumi Yano is the illustrator for this figure, “Akira”

2. BOME approached Yano about creating this figure based off his illustrations.

3. You probably have stopped reading by now.

4. Skip to the bottom and demand I stop writing these reviews.

Aside from the panties showing, (I love underwear) this figure is not as trashy as the person writing this review. The color scheme is beautiful with cool blues and soft pinks and purples, definitely helping promote a sort of innocent sensuality. Try saying that out loud with out sounding creepy… I can’t. Compared to the drawings she is on par almost perfectly – Big plus considering how affordable she is. Lap dances cost $20.00. This figure costs around the same and you can bring her home! (You still can’t touch) Rules are rules!

Highlights and details include: A frilly maid outfit, bobby-pins in hair, major cleavage, and a panty-shot.

Downsides: Stickers on packaging make figure hard to see and feeling guilty about owning a sexy-figure that doesn’t look a day over 13! Hey, fuck you! The breasts tell a different story!!!

This is one of the first figures that I’d say steer-clear from. Unless, you’re a die-hard anime supporter/collector. Even then, I’d say there’s much better BOME figures out there to collect. So what am I doing with it? Regretfully, it reminds me of the Missus, minus, well about everything… sorry Shanna.

Oh almost forgot… this is an “ADULT COLLECTIBLE. NOT A TOY” you might choke on her legs while you’re gagging yourself with it. You’ve been warned.