April 2020 | Otaku No Culture |

Mask on, Mask off. The Future of Face Covers, Conventions & Covid-19

By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Interest in fashionable nerdy face masks is now the norm. While they are easier to find in Asia than America, all anyone has to do is look at Soranews for the latest trends or even Etsy to get a customized face wear. Even Kotaku has an article on how these face masks are sparking creativity amongst those who know how. Whether that’s with a solid piece of plastic with a 3D printer or something sewn, are they really needed?

When Disney, Chaosium Games and Inked Gaming is also getting on board, buyers really have to remember these customized face wear products are not medically certified. There’s still a chance of catching covid-19 if these fabric masks are not properly washed. The good is that part of the money made is going into a charity, the bad, they aren’t anything special to make the wearer feel protected.

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There’s No Place Like Home with The Willoughbys … or Not!

By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Available on Netflix

The Willoughbys is a CGI film that doesn’t quite work as a surreal experience like Coraline. It tries, but doesn’t quite nail the fantasy bang-on. It does, however, perfectly hit the various characterizations on the nose. The snobbish bourgeois attitude of the parents is one anyone can easily despise. They are way out there and pay no heed to the children who are left to fend for themselves.

Tim (Will Forte), Jane (Alessia Cara), and twins Barnaby and Barnaby (Seán Cullen) plot to separate from them, but when a very purple toned baby (no reason is given as to why this child is off colour) gets dropped off at their doorstep, all the plans are for naught. The parents hire a nanny, and she gives the kids the love they so need.

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There’s Gold with CMON’s Gods of Egypt

It’s not Ankh-expected that CMON’s Gods of Egypt is exceeding expectations amongst board gamers to be a Kickstarter success.

Ankh: Gods of Egypt

It’s not Ankh-expected that CMON’s Gods of Egypt is exceeding expectations amongst board gamers to be a Kickstarter success. That said, just what miniatures enthusiasts and wargamers can expect is finally revealed. This crowdfunding campaign began a week ago and hit six times the amount (at the time of writing) required to get this game into production! They are very close to unlocking all the stretch goals, and this is particularly exciting for me, it’s cheaper to buy this game than to collect the giant-sized knock-offs from a local Arabian shop to display. The difference between those touristy items and the product here is that I can play with them!

Here, the story is simple: Play an Egyptian god or goddess hoping to stay strong–worshipped by the devout as they provide the only means for survival as monotheism crawls closer. Only can survive whilst the others will fall.

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The Best All Time Longest Running Cartoons to Binge With

Some cartoons are worth binging from start to end. Whether that’s through a streaming service or on home video, we got the definitive list!

Ed Sum loves his Ewok, and cartoons too! — By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

The Simpsons and South Park notwithstanding, it’s tough to top either as both have been on air for 30+ years now! With most parts of the world self-isolating, eventually just I want to do is wish next year is here already! But seriously, if I’m going to be a couch potato, I thankfully have a huge library of television shows–cartoons and classic 80’s era shows–to tide my time with.

As an animation enthusiast, I’ve seen a lot of cartoon franchises evolve. As new teams gets involved, something is bound to change. I’ll rage about Thundercats Roar later; I’m still trying to decide if I like it. As new producers try to make something new for today’s viewing audiences, it’s hard to say if they are in touch with kids of today. Perhaps the better question is to ask, are they wanting to remind us of once was then reinvent the premise? Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is the best example of how these heroes in a half shell has changed. Well, that’s mostly in how April O’Neil looks than the turtles. These teens will never grow up!

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Celebrate Digimon Adventure’s 20th Anniversary with Last Evolution Kizuna!

Release Date:
July 7, 2020

Shout Factory!

DigiDestined and loyal fans will always be together! This summer, get ready as the DigiDestined and their Digimon return in a thrilling new adventure. In honour of the 20^thAnniversary celebration of DIGIMON,

Shout! Factory, in collaboration with Toei Animation, is proud to present the new anime feature DIGIMON ADVENTURE: LAST EVOLUTION KIZUNA on national home entertainment shelves on July 7, 2020. Available for the first time in North America, this new movie features the last adventure of Tai and Agumon. Each highly collectible edition and Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD) by Shout! Factoryboasts exciting movie presentation (featuring both versions–English voice cast and the original Japanese audio with English subtitles) and contains new insightful bonus features, which are currently in progress and will be announced at a later date.

A must-own for fans, collectors, and pop culture enthusiasts, this definitive entertainment release promises to captivate you on the edge of your seat. This release is available for pre-order now at ShoutFactory.com and will be made available in stores and other fine retailers.

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Peter Pan’s Wendy is Growing Up

A few aspects in life will remain a mystery through the veil of youthful ignorance. Wendy tries to stick to that ideology but fails when Zeitlin knows that one day, the Lost Boys have to grow up.

Wendy Movie Poster Available online on VOD & iTunes

Anyone attempting to reimagine the whimsical nature that defines Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie for cinema is in for a challenge. Writer-Director Benh Zeitlin tries, and with Eliza Zeitlin sharing the credit in their screenplay, the story about Wendy (Devin France) can’t decide if it should entirely focus on this title character or simply be about motherhood.

The odd part is that she is the youngest of the Darling family and along with her older siblings are wisked off to a fantasy island where they can be care free.

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