Ed’s Pokémon GO Journals – Making Your Buddy Shine

pokemon-go-logoBy Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

Forbes Magazine‘s Paul Tassi suggested a great idea, and that’s to sell extra slots to players wanting to walk more than one Pokémon in the latest update of this game. Since people in real life can take several dogs on a run, the idea can translate well into the game. But the list should not end here. I feel this recent add is decent enough to get me outside again, and walking lots.

Fellow writer James Shaw still will not join me in my gaming adventures as he is not into mobile gaming. As for his thoughts on Pokémon, he is not as interested in this franchise as much as his very dated love for Ranma½ (not a big deal, since I prefer Sazan Eyes) and he has told me he is unwilling to watch the dub – while I have no problems with American voices in foreign products these days. I’ve gotten over my elitism but apparently my buddy has not. To each their own, but one of these days, I’ll see him playing this game. He’s my pal after all and he’ll be tagging along. It’s just a matter of time. For the time being, I have a Snorax named James Shaw in the game for my next ‘mon to walk with. They both sleep lots, have a fuzzy head and are big boned.

Continue reading “Ed’s Pokémon GO Journals – Making Your Buddy Shine”

Wind up Geek’s Cool Japan: Halloween Means Themed Cafes and a Costumed Teru

glaylibcafehalloweenBy James Robert Shaw
(The Wind up Geek)

Halloween is no small trivial holiday for me. I make it a point to take a week’s vacation every year around the night of ghouls, ghosts and goblins just to celebrate it properly. Halloween like Christmas is a time for me to celebrate the three Fs, friends, food and family. Whether I am spending the year handing out candy to children or spending the night out at an event, wherever I may go, the Halloween spirit goes with me. But it is during this time of year I wish I could move at the speed of The Flash or teleport faster than an Enterprise red shirt taking his final shore leave. Sometimes borders suck and in this case not being able to spend the day at Glay Lib Cafe‘s annual Halloween celebration, sucks harder than a toothless vampire who doesn’t have the strength to open a bottle of vintage blood.

Continue reading “Wind up Geek’s Cool Japan: Halloween Means Themed Cafes and a Costumed Teru”

New Look Promoted in Pokémon Sun and Moon Anime

pokemonsmpromoBy James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

With the games of Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon are slated for a November release on the Nintendo 3DS system, it only makes sense there would be an anime to accompany it. Pokémon Sun and Moon anime is coming but the new series takes a departure from Pokémon‘s traditional art style of hard lines and embraces more fluid animation. Of note is Satoshi’s (Ash Ketchum in North America) softer and more youthful appearance. This may suggest a change in animation production company. We can’t seem to find any animation company’s credit on home network TV Tokyo’s Pokémon page, nor can we find a news piece (as of yet) that suggests a change in animation production company, but we suspect Toei is handling this one.

This new series brings the Pokémon adventure to the Alola region where we see Satoshi adjusting to life as a transfer student at a new school.

Have a look at the trailer that premiered on Japanese TV today. We here at Otaku no Culture would love to hear your thoughts.


 
Source(s): Anime Paw Facebook group.

Video Source(s): PikaFan World.

Kobunsha’s YouTube Video Gives Sneak Peak at Macross “Valkyries Third Sortie”

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

This latest YouTube video released two days ago by Japanese publishing company Kobunsha (owned by the Kodansha Group) reveals some of the pages from Hidetaka Tenjin’s upcoming art book Valkyries Third Sortie. It is the third volume in the series of illustrations from the world of Macross. Tenjin’s first volume in the series, Valkyries, was published by Kobunsha in 2005.

Valkyries Third Sortie will retail for ¥4,298 which is currently $42 US, $55 Canadian, or £32 GB (excluding taxes). According to Kobunsha, the book will be available September 16, 2016 through good book importers everywhere.


 

Source(s): Gwyn Campbell and the Vintage Anime Fans Facebook group.

Video Source(s): kobunshaswd さんのチャンネル.

Rare Japanese Variety Show Beta King (光速脳天!ベタキング) Appears on YouTube

betaking1By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

If you have never watched Beta King (光速脳天!ベタキング) during its short-lived run in 1996, now’s your chance. The Japanese variety program starred popular young comics of their day (like manzai duo Buffalo Goro) and was one of the funniest variety shows I had ever seen. The show was a mix of improvisation, sketch comedy on the fly, and obstacle course competitions.

betaking2

Continue reading “Rare Japanese Variety Show Beta King (光速脳天!ベタキング) Appears on YouTube”

Crusher Joe Film and OVAs to see Blu-ray Release in Japan

crusherjoeBy James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

VAP Video has confirmed Studio Nue’s 1983 animated feature Crusher Joe and it’s two subsequent OVAs will see release in Japan this year in two exclusive Blu-ray box sets. The original film directed by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko follows a crew of space odd-jobbers nicknamed “Crushers”. The team is led by Crusher Dan and his successor Crusher Joe. The film was based on the science fiction light novels by Haruka Takachiho, a founder of Studio Nue.

Crusher Joe will be remastered in 4K while the OVAs Crusher Joe: The Ice Prison (1989) and Crusher Joe: The Ultimate Weapon: Ash (1989) will be remastered in 2K

The Blu-Ray box sets will be released in a Limited Edition version and a Normal version. Here are the extras for each:

Continue reading “Crusher Joe Film and OVAs to see Blu-ray Release in Japan”