Two questions immediately popped to mind – what is wrong with this girl and I wonder if PETA knows? but I was too weirded out to investigate further so I promptly forget all about her. At least until last July when the night before Anime Expo I pulled out the schedule and noticed she was a guest.

Turns out that she doesn’t just chew on cats but is an idol who does, well, a bit of everything. She’s a singer who besides releasing her own albums performed Gurren Lagann’s OP “Sorairo Days”, the movie theme song “Suzuku Sekai” and the ED to Hakaba Kitarou ”Snow Tears.” She’s also made a number of TV appearances and done some acting and voice acting (like Suzuna in Eyeshield 21), she’s a gravure idol (bikini model), she cosplays, draws and of course obsessively updates her blog which has gotten over a billion hits and been collected into book form.

Not that I cared about any of that at the time, I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see if she was really as crazy as that picture made her seem. So the next day I went to her panel and although I am not easily impressed by celebrities I was nonetheless completely won over because of three things:

1) She did a kickass Bruce Lee impersonation (I love Bruce Lee).

2) She was entertaining and incredibly energetic. Nobody was expecting it to be more than just a Q & A but she even got up and sang “Sorairo Days” for us. Pointing to the heavens included.

3) She’s one of us – an otaku. This is the most important point, let me explain why.

Most singers and voice actors in the anime industry may like anime to some degree but they aren’t obsessed with it. Or if they are, they don’t let it show. They don’t go to conventions and not only cosplay at various times as Yoko, Rei, Nia and Kenshin but even buy doujinshi on the con floor. They aren’t extremely knowledgeable about otaku culture, they don’t audition for a sentai show just because they love the genre so much and they probably don’t stay up all night watching anime. Needless to say, Shokotan does all of this and more.

Why is this important? It’s just nice to see a celebrity like her be so open with her hobby. It’s nice to know that it’s not an act and that even though she’s made it big, she still understands fans because she is a fan. She “gets it.” And of course there’s also the fact that she’s talented and good-looking. I suppose that doesn’t hurt either.

Want More Shokotan?

Check out her blog or the English version which was started for Anime Expo and continued until August. Be forewarned: text smiles and Shokotan lingo ahead. She sometimes makes up her own words as in “giza” which means “very.” 

Shokotan just released a new album called Magic Time. I don’t think any of the new songs are quite as catchy or fun to listen to as the ones from her debut album Big Bang and your enjoyment of it will depend on your tolerance for J-pop, but for what it is it’s not bad. 

Watch this funny and informative lesson on otaku culture. Stay until the end to see her cosplay… and force the host to:

 
Remember that scene in Enter the Dragon where Bruce Lee rips off his shirt and goes crazy with nunchucks? Here’s the Shokotan version:

And in case you somehow haven’t heard it, here’s her “Sorairo Days” PV:

© Lbrevis for Oi, Hayaku!, 2009. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Anime Expo, Bruce Lee, Otaku, Shoko Nakagawa, Shokotan, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann

© 21stcenturydigitalboy for Oi, Hayaku!, 2009. | Permalink | 11 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags:

Oneshot previews serve to give us a first impression. My first impression of this chapter was that it was gorgeous but shallow. Komi still offers neat writing, and his ability to design pretty girls is near unmatched. He nails the necessary basics (like wit and charismatic personalities) with ease. But the sci-fi world he sketches in the first few pages lacks something.

Using the idea of everyone wearing a compulsory high-tech protective mask all of the time, he sends us to a coldly hygienic society. It’s the most contrived metaphor for the modern loss of individualism (facelessness) imaginable. Compared to the distinctive and colourful world of Double Arts it feels a bit flat.

Worse still, our male lead is yet another dashing but childlike teenage rebel. The complex contours of his spike-forest hairstyle suggest an only mildly unorthodox Shonen Jump adventure.

A unique power, a nefarious authoritarian villain, a central romance that never gets moving. No number of flimsy sci-fi conceits could overcome my disappointment at the fundamental lack of innovation on show.

But the plot of Personant then seemed to veer wildly off-course. Far from offering a measured introduction to a regular adventure, Komi threw the setting into chaos.

The villain leapt into action with premature enthusiasm – grand plans were set into motion, a colossal event changed human history. By the end of the chapter what could well have been the entire plot of the series had already happened.

At first glance Personant 0 looked like something pretty but disappointingly orthodox, then it threw a sublime curveball. The result is a chapter which is not fully successful in its own right – being far too rushed to sink home. It has however succeeded in intriguing me with that excitable and dynamic plot acceleration.

Whatever the merits of his tale, Komi is capable of bursts of imagination which match his top-class penmanship. Here’s hoping that a full-length version of Personant will offer more of those surprises and fewer clichés.

© coburn for Oi, Hayaku!, 2009. | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: naoshi komi, one-shot, personant

• 10 minutes/move

The Players: Baka-Raptor vs. riceisnice

• White: Baka-Raptor
• Black: riceisnice

The Stakes:

• Proposed by riceisnice, accepted by Baka-Raptor
• If riceisnice wins, Baka-Raptor will write a post criticizing ShizNat
• If Baka-Raptor wins, riceisnice will watch My HiME and write a post praising ShizNat

riceisnice: i gots my daft punk playing
riceisnice: im redy for anything..
riceisnice: cept for a cold..
riceisnice: i think im coming down with one

Baka-Raptor: i’ve got my heater cranked up

riceisnice: so start?

Baka-Raptor: ok

riceisnice: whoa
riceisnice: so agrressive

Baka-Raptor: i’m doing it for the ShizNAt

riceisnice: Ill disown them both and make em my beezis
riceisnice: eat this!

Baka-Raptor: so anyway, you haven’t seen My HiME yet?

riceisnice: nope
riceisnice: whats it about?
riceisnice: besides princesses..

Baka-Raptor: HiME is actually some acronym
Baka-Raptor: i forget what it stands for
Baka-Raptor: it’s about their super powers
Baka-Raptor: they each have a weapon and a summon

riceisnice: and how they save the world?!?

Baka-Raptor: or destroy it!

riceisnice: oh snap
riceisnice: i think i might jizz
riceisnice: in m3h pants

Baka-Raptor: how much has been spoiled for you so far?

riceisnice: only the shiznat i saw on ur blog
riceisnice: ruined me for marriage

Baka-Raptor: sorry
Baka-Raptor: I had the pleasure of not knowing anything going into the series
Baka-Raptor: I knew there was a sequel, but that’s it
Baka-Raptor: my roommate at the time said the series objectified women
Baka-Raptor: so I watched it

riceisnice: NICE WATCH
riceisnice: i c u know ur priorities

Baka-Raptor: but in actuality, it doesn’t objectify women that much
Baka-Raptor: at least not as much as the OVA…

riceisnice: i read some wiki article for it
riceisnice: female take male roles?

Baka-Raptor: there’s a reverse trap character, but nothing overtly sexual

riceisnice: thats fine too

Baka-Raptor: the main character, her name is Mai
Baka-Raptor: that’s where the Mai/My HiME pun comes from

riceisnice: …

Baka-Raptor: GET IT?!

riceisnice: …
riceisnice: i luv how japanese ppl love the english lenguage
riceisnice: i guess it could be pretty punny

Baka-Raptor: get thee to a punnery

Baka-Raptor: I see you won’t fall for any cheap tricks

riceisnice: my chess playing is of the highest pedigree
riceisnice: so what have u been following this season

Baka-Raptor: Ga-Rei Zero

riceisnice: lulz
riceisnice: that yuri show

Baka-Raptor: yeah, that “yuri” show
Baka-Raptor: one pseudo-lesbian scene

riceisnice: (gasp*)

Baka-Raptor: though I don’t mind that they’re not really lesbians
Baka-Raptor: themes of hatred/suffering/revenge
Baka-Raptor: I love shows with that

riceisnice: ive seen ur checklist

Baka-Raptor: I’m confused about the timer

riceisnice: yeah

Baka-Raptor: does the timer list our cumulative time?
Baka-Raptor: i didn’t take 8 minutes on that move

riceisnice: no friggin clue

[The game suddenly ends. Neither of us is in checkmate.]

riceisnice: wtf?
riceisnice: ???

Baka-Raptor: What the hell kind of Code Geass style chess is this?

[riceisnice and I play again. Once again, the game ends prematurely.]

Baka-Raptor: We could try playing online pool, but I wouldn’t want to wager something as important as ShizNat on a game that leaves so much to chance. How about a rematch some other day?

riceisnice: RAIN DELAY
riceisnice: you can quote me on that

Would you like to play me in a game of Winner Takes All? If so, get thee a Yahoo ID, pick a game, and challenge me.

© Baka-Raptor for Oi, Hayaku!, 2008. | Permalink | 12 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: My HiME, ShizNat, Winner Takes All

Being the sad-sack that I am during these Christmas times, (Or Chrismahanukwanza), I need something to do. Maybe there are others who want some sweet escapism before going back to the daily grind; but most likely there just are people with some extra time on their hands. Reading some comedy manga is a good way to pass the time, and here are a few titles which are sure to bring some LULZ into this yuletide season. And after the rush wears off, there are some reads to take you back to reality…

The Tale of How I Came by Some of these titles…

1.Yankee-Kun to Megane-Chan

If obnoxious slap your knee humor is your type, you are in luck. Plenty of bathrooms intrusions and corny jokes are plentiful in this title. The tone of the series is CHEESE COVERED. Undoubtably, this heartwarming tale about the adventures of Shinagawa, a “yankee”(Delinquent), and Adachi Hana, a megane(four-eyes), will give you something greater than anything Santa could ever give, the gift of LOL, through their hilarious gag-style of comedy!

Can you really deliver what I promised?

2. Sketchbook

Next up we have, a 4 panel strip series about high school students in the art club. The cover art is an awesome water colorish style…which unfortunately does not carry over to the actual strips themselves, along with the lolcat; however, the lolz are present, in a much more subtle fashion than that of the previous title. Because of its quieter and gentler tones, poking fun at everyday events, it is a perfect read next to that blazing fireplace, and with a warm cup of milk.

Can it be a healing salve to your holiday blues?

3. Hidamari Sketch

We have another 4 panel strip about high school students involved in art??? Well, to be fair Hidamari is totally different Sketchbook in the sense that only girl characters seem to be present. Besides the obvious, the joke intensity is a little stronger, with a  bigger emphasis on semi gags. All-in-all it is yet another read that might keep you entertained the few days after Christmas, if you have nothing to do, waiting for the New Years Party!

Will this comic predict the course your New Years Evening?(High School students drinking?!?!?!)

4. Kimi no Iru Machi

Despite the new girl in town drama being overdone, it is good to sometimes indulge in nostalgia and remember, or wish for times where sad girls flit in and out of our lives… No, but really, this title is an interesting extension on a common motif. I recommend it because sometimes, we want to reread the familiar…

Do you want to live with this person in the New Year?

5. Solanin

For our final title, I’ve chosen something more sober, a subject that frequently comes up during new year’s resolutions: what will I do with the rest of my life? Solanin tells like how it is, a deadbeat job with nowhere to go, annoying co-workers bragging about  their “significants”.  The couple who is strained by the forces of society, and what their song means, is the focus of this poignant tale. It is bittersweet, just like life, and this quality makes Solanin all the more impacting.

Are you trying to overcome this right now?

If these titles have not proved sufficient enough to brighten up your holiday season, please take the time to enjoy these vidoes which I myself am greatly fond of.

1. Yu-Gi-Oh MAD: Prepare for some retarded shit.

2. Night of Tsukasa: A video most likely conceived during an acid trip!

3. Kokoro-Kagamine Rin: The sad story of a machine that obtained a heart…

Thanks Everyone for Reading OH! and Happy Holidays!!!

© riceisnice for Oi, Hayaku!, 2008. | Permalink | 17 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Hidamari Sketch, Kimi no Iru Machi, Kokoro-Kagamine Rin, Night of Tsukasa, Sketchbook, Solanin, Yankee-Kun to Megane-Chan, Yu-Gi-Oh MAD

Names are said to be powerful within cults and/or witchcraft. One is apparently able to gain power over the Named One through knowing their birth name and as I can’t be bothered to look up the specifics, I’ll simply claim it’s true and leave you, the reader, to try and confirm it.

There are some shows where at times naming an attack is a pre-set requirement to perfoming said attack (Naruto being the only  one I can think of at the moment) but due to the fact that mentioning those shows brings in an unwanted variable into my argument, I’ll just subtley sweep it in under the rug.Instead, let’s explore the relationship between naming an attack and the aspects of said attack that are affected by the aforementioned naming.

First I shall claim that the ratio of “Screaming Out The Name Of  An Attack” to “The Strength Of An Aforementioned Attack” is 1:1. Let’s take for example that oh-so-mindblowing manliest of MANime(s?), DragonBall Z.

You’d probably believe that in this show it would be more effective if they didn’t waste time saying shouting”Kaaaaaaaaa….mmmmeeeeee etcetc” and actually tried to kill their enemy. Quick, efficient, deadly. Well, you’d be wrong. For you see, not only does shouting the name of your attack make you look cool (or, to be discussed later, “badass”) it can, in some cases, bend the very fabric of time itself. For what other reason could enemies simply wait for the actions of their opponent, not only leaving themselves open to the attack but even missing the chance for a crippling counter blow? The only reasonable explanation is that shouting out the attack slows down time. Go ahead. Try it. Didn’t work? That’s because your not GAR enough. And because you’re not fighting for your life. For shame.

So we have now determined that shouting your attack breaks the Laws of  Physics. This alone could be said to be a great advantage in and of itself (unless you think breaking the laws of space and time isn’t sufficient enough power. I think Haruhiists would disagree). However, to further prove this astoundlingly well thought out theory, I shall now mention the “badass” factor. Take a look at (shock!) another shounen, One Piece.

Spoiler alert for Enies Lobby Arc Conclusion

You could mention hundreds, nay, thousands of “badass” moments in One Piece, but admittedly one of the most badass moments is the moment Luffy defeats Rob Lucci at Enies Lobby.

Notice how the drawing out of the name increases the level of “badass-ness” that accompanies Lufy’s attack. Hell, even when it’s already begun, the name is still being exclaimed for added effect. No doubt, each word of the phrase, each syllable of each word, each inflection of each syllable, and even the tone of each and every inflection is giving Luffy 10 times the power he would normally have were he to perform the attack silently. Think about it, this guy has had the crap beaten out of him (understatement) and yet he still gets back on his feet despite all odds and screams the name of his attack. Each punch is fuelled more by those sound waves travelling through the air than Luffy’s willpower.

Here’s a premium example of the power of names in anime attacks:

The “you’re already dead” line of Fist if the North Star will undoubtedly be passed down from generation to generation. But even here in this simple meme moment, we can see the overwhelming power of names.  Think about it. When does the enemy feel the full brunt of most of Ken’s attacks? After he has said its name. Think of the attack itself as the dynamite and the name as the huge fucking bazooka that’s fired at the wire leading to the dynamite from about 15 seconds away. (Yes, I just used time as a measurement of distance, Hokuto Hyakuretsu Ken deserves no less).

After all this, though I’ve made some ridiculous assumptions and theories, what’s much more likely is that shouting out an attack is akin to the nature of “kiai” in karate, namely that doing so focuses the fighter’s energy and mind on performing the attack. Far different from the constant POWER-UP SCREAMS that are often found in anime, specifically naming the attack must double, nay, triple the “kiai” effect.

So with the evidence presented before you, can you really deny the relationship between names and attacks? If you can, you may as well go and live in your delusional world of “training = stronger” or other such ridiculous theories.

© Omisyth for Oi, Hayaku!, 2008. | Permalink | 14 comments | Add to del.icio.us
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Into the mall did young Maggeh walk,
And straight to the DVD section, not bothering to talk.
A whole row of bliss did appear before him,
The brilliance of the DVDs made everything else dim.

Neon Genesis Evangelion and Bleach side by side,
While next to Sailor Moon did Midori Days bide,
Karin the Chibi Vampire, the Familiar of Zero,
And Card Captors, with that creature called Kero.

”Oh, what shall I pick? So many to choose!
If I take this one, that one I’ll lose!
Unless someone helps me decide what to buy,
I’ll be so sad that I may start to cry!”

Now, Maggeh was not a very bright lad,
Asked someone for help, he could have had,
But devoid of ideas, this young man was wrecked,
Until the DVDs came to life, unchecked.

”Worry not, young Maggeh!” said Hellsing,
”We’ll give you the advice you’re wanting!
For we exist to make you smile,
And for that we’ll go the extra mile!”

All around Maggeh did the DVDs crowd,
They made a ruckus, they were quite loud.
Yet they remained orderly, until suddenly when,
Gundam Seed bumped into Eureka SeveN.

”Get out of my way,” said the mecha anime,
”Before I decide to do you away.”
And before Maggeh could bring peace to the land,
Things started to get a bit out of hand.

Clannad punched ToHeart right in the face,
While Speed Racer did True Tears disgrace.
Tenchi Muyo screamed at the top of her lungs,
While Inuyasha started ripping out tongues.

During a slight disagreement about a protagonist’s name,
Which both of them sought to claim,
The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi did erase,
The Ouran High School Host Club, from existence, without a trace.

Pokemon and Digimon, while undeniably brothers,
Still fought each other, being from different mothers.
Pokemon did try with all its might,
But little yellow rodents weren’t hard to fight.

When temporarily did they quit,
The DVDs found themselves quite split.
Two factions of warriors stood a glaring,
To move, each side was daring.

One side was led by Astro Boy,
The other side by FMA, which had that guy Roy.
(Granted, there were some in between,
Like Initial D, but being insignificant, they remained unseen.)

The group of two (or three) thus did prepare,
For a massacre, simple and fair.
For one second everything did seem to stop…
Then suddenly, a pin did drop.

In shock Cowboy Bebop shot Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha,
And the rest could only watch in awe.
Then chaos erupted and in a moment’s passing,
Claymore decapitated Gundam Wing.

Prince of Tennis knew not which side to pick,
And was beaten to death by a gigantic stick.
(Which DVD did that deed we are unsure,
But PoT was crap, so no one cares, we can assure.)

”We came first!” Astro Boy did roar,
”Respect us, who existed before!”
FMA countered, “Shut it, you blasted oldie!
You’re so old, your brains have gone moldy!”

”None of you would even be here but for me!”
Wailed the tired old man, NGE,
But his tired old tirades went unheeded,
For his opinions were quite unneeded.

In angst – for that was what NGE was about -
In himself did old NGE doubt.
This grief drove the poor thing insane,
And he killed himself to escape the pain.

With a heave, Azumanga Daioh threw Astro Boy down,
Where the DVD splattered like a pie from a clown.
(And while that might not seem like that big a fall,
Remember, readers, these DVDs weren’t that tall.)

Yet Astro Boy would be avenged,
For Berserk came up and delivered revenge.
Cutting down DVDs left and right,
Oh, what a sight, oh, quite!

The carnage claimed the lives of so many,
And some kid screamed, “MY GOD THEY KILLED KENNY!”
It seemed as if the war would not end,
And that these wounds would never mend.

When suddenly from nowhere appeared a savior,
A halo on her head, such angelic behavior!
Aya Hirano, the Goddess herself, had come to the store,
Having decided that she could take it no more.

”Oh my beloved DVDs, will you not stop?
To see you destroy another, my heart does drop.”
Aya’s words rang true and clear,
And in the eyes of many did form a tear.

Many of them began to lay down their arms,
They were moved by Aya’s lovely charms.
Oh, could this be, a Christmas miracle?
Yeah, right, have you forgotten? This shit’s satirical!

But out of nowhere, out of the blue,
A spear appeared and ran Aya through.
Everybody wondered who could have gone so far,
Why, none other than a copy of Lucky Star!

To have been killed by her own fame, how ironic!
Alas, life is but a bitter tonic.
With Aya deceased, the DVDs raged,
And once more in battle engaged.

Screams rang through the air as DVDs died,
The light bulbs shattered, and some of them fried.
And all while this awesome battle was afoot,
A Canadian clerk wondered what the fuss was aboot.

In the end, after an hour and a half,
The battle was broken up by the security staff.
DVDs lay broken, tattered and battered,
The treasure trove of disks, most of them shattered.

With a sigh, Maggeh stared at the mess,
And chose Code Geass, over the rest.
And thus, amidst the carnage, a lesson was learned,
”Fuck you, Sir William Temple, I’ll stick with modern.”

© Maggeh for Oi, Hayaku!, 2008. | Permalink | 14 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Anime DVDs, Buncha Rhymes (Made-Up Rapper), Busta Rhymes (Real Rapper), Canadian Clerk, Christmas Carol, Code Geass, DVDs Will Kill, I Want My Persona 4, Maggeh, Sir William Temple, Your Father Hates You, Your Mother Hates You Too

The issue has been debated long and hard on the internet. Welcome to the NHK has it’s own theory:

But is this really true? I wanted to study one man’s obsession with moe - and what better test subject than myself?

I got into anime for action and it wasn’t until three years later as a misanthropic, emo 15-year old that I branched into other genres, starting with moe. Haruhi was first, followed by Air and Kanon and gradually more. See, when I first saw these shows, they were immediately among my favorite anime simply because I hadn’t seen anything like them before. It didn’t take me long to watch much, much more moe anime and as I gradually lost my memories of Air and Kanon, one of my first major questions as a full-fledged otaku became, “would I still like them today?”

Over time, moe as a whole seemed to loose it’s appeal to me. I started to grow tired of “stupid” girls who were blatantly manufactured for otaku. Even as I thought like this, though, my standing favorite characters were all moe and reading about moe things still made me feel the love I’d had in the beginning which had now become nostalgic. And so, when I needed a plan to get back into watching anime after months of hiatus, I decided to have a week-long moe marathon. Below, I have chronicled my thoughts over various days of my marathon.

I must protect her!

DAY ONE - December 1st 2008 - MOE CONSUMED: Strike Witches 1, Air 1-8

Air gave me my first revelation of how moe becomes a part of otaku obsession and the idea to post. It began with the lead female, Misuzu. She is very sexually attractive and has a bright and sunny personality in spite of serious mental and physical issues. Initially, my thoughts are that she is pitiable because of her condition. After all, anyone would feel sorry for her. And then I ask myself, would I go out with her? She is both sexually attractive and has a great personality, so it just makes sense that I would. I can get past her condition because she would be a great partner nonetheless. As I see more of her story, my feelings grow for her, as they would for a real woman. I start to feel the need to protect her. I love her, so I should take care of her. When the story ends, having come to love the character makes the ending impactful, and similar characters and stories become attractive because I want that feeling again. It gets to the point that my attraction becomes completely synonymous with moe.

(DAY TWO - MOE CONSUMED: Air 9-12)

My favorite of the season!

DAY THREE - MOE CONSUMED: Toradora 3-9, Lucky Star 1- 2

Once you’ve gotten really into moe, you start to become particularly familiar with the character archetypes. You start saying ’she’s a tsundere’ within 5 minutes of a character coming on screen and in your average moe anime, you can usually tell exactly where her story will go from there right from the start. However, some anime take the familiar convention and bend it a bit to make it totally unpredictable. A character type you are familiar and comfortable with now also has the power to surprise you leading to a balanced style that a moe aficionado will be pleased to find. Toradora is obviously my example of this.

(DAY FOUR- MOE CONSUMED: Toradora 10, Aria 7-8, Kannagi 2 (dropped))

(DAY FIVE - MOE CONSUMED: Toradora 10 again, Hyakko 3)

One of us! One of us!

DAY SIX - MOE CONSUMED: Lucky Star 3-24

It can be said about nearly anything that once you get into it, you are opened to a new world of it. It can also be said that comedy is reliant on relatability, and therefor those whose world involves moe would appreciate comedy and references relatable to moe things. There are all varieties of references revolving around moe. Some shows, like Moe-tan, dedicate themselves to being parodical of moe while simultaneously being moe. Some such as Lucky Star also combine their own moe with a basic sort of slice of life comedy aspect aimed toward a life that understands moe. Lucky Star could be said to be the ultimate culmination of moe in that it not only is thoroughly moe itself in a serious way (and not merely parody), but also constantly references moe. Double-moe.

Embarassing remarks are not allowed!

DAY SEVEN - MOE CONSUMED: Aria 9-13

Many anime fans like moe girls, but not necessarily the plots of anime in which they star. While anime that has you fantasizing about yourself with a moe girl or involving dramatic situations is fine, a lot of us would rather just watch the girl in her day to day life. Supposing I feel no need for romantic escapism, I might just be interested in the girl herself. This is where moe slice-of-life comes into play. One can enjoy the simple wonders of a moe girl’s life and get to know her and her world.

Did you remember to scroll over all the images?

Do You Fucking Get It Now?

Moe is all-encompassing. It is unavoidable. No matter who you are, you can find a moe anime that will appeal to you. If you like to see moe girls fighting for a guy who could for all intents be you, or like to see them speaking softly to friends on a slow gondola ride, or even like to see them talking to other moe girls about how moe they are, there’s definitely a moe anime for you. It might not be easy for your to find the one - it might take you a whole week -  but chances are, before long, you’ll be a moe-crazed monster snatching up doujins left and right. Maybe even….. A LOLICON!!!

Don’t believe me? Take Madarame’s Word For It.

© 21stcenturydigitalboy for Oi, Hayaku!, 2008. | Permalink | 32 comments | Add to del.icio.us
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Something’s different here… is it the glasses?

Now I have undergone many hours of intensive training… and am still completely ignorant of the finer points of animation, but I’ve at least come to enjoy not just how a story is told but the way it looks. So here’s to five of the best animated scenes/animators I know of.

1. Cowboy Bebop The Movie – Final Fight Scene

Spike and Vincent’s fight rivals anything I’ve seen in the very best kung fu flicks. The choreography is fluid and so utterly real I can practically feel every punch, kick and nose-shattering elbow to the face. If only more anime had the budget to show fights like this instead of resorting to “I’m going to stand 50 feet away and slash you with my enormous phallic sword now!” a la Inuyasha. The reason this fight looks so good is thanks to animation director/storyboarder Yutaka Nakamura and animator Masahiro Ando, both known for their excellent action scenes in anime such as Sword of the Stranger (directed by Ando) and Fullmetal Alchemist.

2. Macross: Do You Remember Love? – Last 10 Minutes (ghostlightning this one’s for you)

Technically it’s not just the animation that makes this the best musical montage ever created, it’s the animation PLUS everything else: the music, the perfectly timed editing, the detailed artwork and the fact that an entire alien army is destroyed to the tune of the galaxy’s greatest love song. Still, even if you just isolate the animation you’re left with a veritable orgy of beautifully rendered destruction. What with the Itano circus missile barrage, dozens of explosions and even some poor sucker getting messily decapitated, it’s everything I could want from an enormous space battle. Don’t forget to watch for the moment (5:32) when Hikaru’s missiles turn into Budweiser and Tako Hai beer cans.

3. Hiroyuki Imaishi – Evangelion, FLCL, Diebuster, director of Gurren Lagann, etc.

The cool thing about animator MADs/AMVs is that they’re a fun way to get a sense of an animator’s style without having to do any work yourself. This one showcases Hiroyuki Imaishi who is one of my favorite animators and not just because he’s the only person whose work I can occasionally recognize offhand. I love Imaishi because he reminds me that animation is movement… in this case wild, jerky 200 mph movement that’s utterly stylish.

4. Dennou Coil

Dennou Coil has beautiful animation although it took me a while to realize it. This is because it’s most impressive when it comes to the details, like how realistic and fluid the characters’ movements are right down to how their hair moves when they run. In fact Dennou Coil turns running into an art form which is good because the characters seem to spend 90% of their time as if training for a marathon. However the best scene has to be the hacker battle in episode 3 in which the kids attack each other with mini freewheeling missiles, booby traps and crackling computer codes. Incidentally this is how I visualize all internet flame wars now.

5. End of Evangelion – Asuka vs. Mass Produced Evas

Moving from an anime Mitsuo Iso directed to a scene he animated, this is one of the most intense fights I’ve ever seen. Iso invented a style of animation called “full limited” or “full 3-frame” in which instead of having others do in-betweens he does every drawing himself. In other words, he uses less drawings but has complete control over the movement.

The result here is that Asuka’s Unit 02 moves in a somewhat jerky yet still graceful way as it tears into the other Evas, ripping off limbs and heads from which organs pop gruesomely out and gallons of blood spurt. It truly feels like a fight between Titans too, with how the trees are ripped from the ground and cliffs torn asunder at their feet. It’s hard to do this one justice with a description, it really just has to be seen and heard – Bach’s “II Air” as background music and Asuka’s hoarse screams just make it all the more dramatic.

6. Gundress

Wait, didn’t I say this was a list of my top five animated scenes? That’s right, because beautiful animation is all well and good but not half as fun as hideously bad animation. And what could be worse than the 1999 release of Gundress? Nothing, that’s what.

You see, in March of ‘99 the creators of Gundress were supposed to release their movie in theaters but they couldn’t meet the deadline. So what did they do? They inflicted the unfinished thing on the masses, or at least anyone unwise enough to buy a ticket despite signs warning of the no-refund policy. Moviegoers were treated to missing in-betweens, uncolored cels, out of sync audio and an absolute mess of continuity problems. Just take a look at this:

Eventually the film was completed but the animation and art is still piss poor. Sure, it’s in color and it moves but pay attention and you’ll notice problems like in one scene where a guy gets his torso completely blasted away but it just slices cleanly off at the waist, leaving his legs standing there like the wrong trousers.

By the way did I mention that the plot is stale and the characters utterly forgettable? Gundress‘ only redeeming point is the amusement that comes from catching as many animation errors and bad edits as possible. Stay away from this one at all costs unless like me you’re into bad anime.

Update: Now you too can experience Gundress in it’s full glory. Thanks, Subatomic Brainfreeze!

So there you have it, though this is but a very narrow list. What animation stands out to you, either by being gorgeous or incredibly ugly?

© Lbrevis for Oi, Hayaku!, 2008. | Permalink | 18 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Animation, Cowboy Bebop, Dennou Coil, Evangelion, Gundress, Hiroyuki Imaishi, It's The Wrong Trousers Gromit and They've Gone Wrong!, Macross, Mitsuo Iso

It’s almost always someone A vs someone/thing B; and it’s easier for most of us to root against someone if that
someone/thing is evil.

My fascination with this brings me to Kamina City. The Anti-Spirals have just announced that the extinction of our species is at hand, and the heroes of old are blamed for this current turn. The great hero Simon is headed for his execution even after saving the city yet again. The citizens now await who first gets permission to board Commander Rossiu’s Arc-Gurren. The dark and apocalyptic mood seems an interesting destination for ghostlightning, anime blogger. I make friends easy enough, and let me tell you of this conversation I had with one of them.

I flick the night light switch on and Kinon stirs, looking younger without her glasses. She lights one of my cigarettes, coughing immediately. Actions out of character always pique my interest.

More interesting than Kinon, however, is the master she serves. It’s been whispered in the dark corners of Kamina City that Rossiu has been the pilot of Simon for some time now, who’s become a mediocrity as a leader, as obsolete as the ganmen he dug out of Jeeha Village’s dirt. The trial and upcoming execution of Simon is but a rubber stamp that finalizes the coup.

She turns to me and asks.”How did I get you here?”

The moon is falling. We’re living in interesting times. I say.

“Interesting isn’t a word my brother would use right now.”

You stand against him.

“Yes. He chose the lesser of the two goods.”

Sorry?

“He blames Rossiu of treachery, but my brother can’t appreciate the ethical fitness required to make a call on an authentic ethical dilemma.”

What do you mean?

“Do you have the time to listen?”

As much time there is before the moon falls and kills us all, sweetheart.

“Moral problems are easy. You know you’re facing one because it’s identifiable by the right vs. wrong tag. Let’s say deceit is wrong, that it’s bad to lie. In a vacuum, telling the truth vs. lying is an easy decision to make. It’s right vs. wrong.” She drags on my cigarette, getting more comfortable now. “An authentic ethical dilemma is a choice between two rights, but you cannot choose both.”

And Rossiu was in a quandary over what exactly?

“Kittan sees it simply it as Rossiu betraying Simon and the Dai Gurren Brigade. But it’s more than that. We both see it as a truth vs. loyalty dilemma. Rossiu, while loyal to his friends, cannot choose to save Simon without acknowledging he is the key to the satisfaction of the populace. He chose not to let loyalty get in the way of acknowledging the
truth that Simon must take responsibility in an age of laws, doing otherwise undermines everything all of us have worked for – including Simon.”

It seems a little more complicated than a mere privileging of truth over loyalty, lady. I don’t see Rossiu getting off the hook on that alone.

Kinon tips her cigarette on the edge of an ashtray. “Indeed, there’s more: in this matter Rossiu also had to decide between the needs of an individual vs. those of the community, as well as between those of the long term vs. those of the short term. Both are archetypal ethical dilemmas too.”

Okay, I can understand why Rossiu can see it as an individual (Simon) vs. community (the rest of us) dilemma. But I’d sure like to hear how he put this in the long term vs. short term dilemma’s parameters.

“We can look at not executing Simon as a short-term solution. He’ll feel good for a while. Us friends will be comforted by the perceived return of loyalty. We can hope for a few victories, maybe even stop the moon from falling. Maybe.”

“Stay with me here.” Kinon had noticed my brows furrowed in incredulity. She takes another drag and talks in a puff of smoke.

“Think far enough until the likes of Simon and Rossiu are gone, people who are obvious outliers in terms of talent and ability, within the range of possible human beings. Who’s going to save us then? Can we reasonably predict the periodic and guaranteed arrival of saviors?

What we can forecast is a sustainable population-cap solution, as we’ve succeeded with it for a long time.”

I can’t say I’m sold. It’s not my place to judge Rossiu on behalf of everyone, but he’s still an ass in my book.

Kinon put out her cigarette, wrapped herself in the covers, and put on her glasses. I thought, she must mean business now.

“So you’d have Rossiu serve the virtue of Mercy, over that of Justice?” Her eyes narrowing behind her spectacles.

Why does it have to be one over the other anyway?

“You fail to appreciate the fourth and final archetypal ethical dilemma. It may be good to bestow mercy to someone who saved us all. Simon obviously deserves it more than anyone. But is it just? Is it fair for humanity to bear his penance instead? “

Rossiu claimed that to the citizens, Simon is no different than Lord Genome, and that is why he won’t hold back on punishing him the way they punished Genome. Is that necessarily justice?

“I didn’t say the decision is obvious, but it takes a Rossiu, who has the courage make it.”

I’m less impressed with your version of Rossiu’s considerations than by the ferocity with which you issue it. So my dear, if you believe in him so much, why are you
here, right now?

Off comes the glasses, and I find myself under the covers.

“It’s not him I’m cheating on, you see.”

I don’t respond. The less I say at this point, the better.

“He wasn’t the first great man to pilot the Gurren you see…”

I allow myself a laugh. So all this talk about ethics and dillemmas…

“The moon is falling, darling. We’re living in interesting times…”

© ghostlightning for Oi, Hayaku!, 2008. | Permalink | 16 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Rossiu, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, The Animated Adventures of ghostlightning