Category: Japanese

Space Battleship Yamato 2202 Official Wesbite Launched!

Yamato2202By James Robert Shaw (The Wind Up Geek)

As of 2:00 am Pacific Standard Time (PST) the website for the animated series Space Battleship Yamato 2202 (宇宙戦艦ヤマト2202) has launched. The series is a sequel to Space Battleship Yamato 2199 (宇宙戦艦ヤマト2199) that aired on Japanese television in 2013. Yamato was created by Yoshinobu Nishizaki and Leiji Matsumoto in 1974. It premiered in North America in 1979 under the title Star Blazers.

Very little information on the upcoming series is available on the site and no release date for 2202 is known. The only information available to the public is in the form of comments by Producer Shoji Nishizaki (Space Battleship Yamato 2199), Writer Harutoshi Fukui (Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn) , and Director Nobuyoshi Habara (Broken Blade). According to August Ragone of the Space Battleship Yamato Facebook group, Harutoshi Fukui’s comment read “Love” is by no means powerless, while dangerous words cannot be turned into a deadly weapon. Harsh reality and compromise, encourages change by force. In perfecting humanism, each of us must be aware of our strength, and ponder on the fact that force was bestowed upon us as a biological instinct. Speaking to ourselves, we must repeat this message less it be broken, and be confident in that a true revival of Yamato is being created. “Space Battleship Yamato 2202: Soldiers of Love”. I will devote my life to making this. Please stay tuned!

On the Yamato’s official Twitter another image of teaser art by Makoto Kobayashi was posted.

Source(s): August Ragone and the Space Battleship Yamato Facebook group.

The Beauty of the Pageantry at Sakura Con 2016

SakuraConEmblemBy James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

Sakura-Con 2016 has come and gone but a wake of photographs and videos are left behind as evidence of the fun had by all. The beauty of the pageantry that’s created by cosplayers can be seen in the following videos shot by Alfred Lim of Parabellum Productions and Larry Tong Lee of LTLCinematics. Thanks must go to both of these artists for their keen eyes at capturing their subjects.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA36Kqsf8-E&w=560&h=315%5D

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4JG7uJ1cCQ&w=560&h=315%5D

Sakura-Con will return next year. And if you wish to be a part of it (costume or not), you can follow Sakura-Con’s official sites and plan your trip:

Sakura-Con official website.

Sakura-Con Twitter.

Sakura-Con Facebook.

Source(s): Alfred Lim, Larry Tong Lee, and the Sakura-Con Photoshoots/Gatherings Facebook group.

Video Source(s): oilerfan1983 and Parabellum Productions.

Samurai Armor Hoodie Reaches Goal; New Incentives Offered!

SamuraiModelBy James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

Crowfunding is a powerful tool, it allows the everyday person to make something wonderful a reality. By financially contributing, pooling their money with other investors to push what could be the next big thing into the public market, great pride can be taken to know one has made distribution of said product possible. And it was no small feat when the Samurai Armor Hoodie I wrote about mere days ago reached their financial goal of $50,000 in an impressive three days and two hours. When it comes to the next hot fashion from Japan, the masses have spoken. But now the goal is reached there are new incentives to keep the fundraising going.

NinjaShirtsTwo stretch goals have been established. At the $80,000 level in contributions, each hoodie-inclusive perk will come with one bonus Gauntlet Glove. When the campaign reaches $120,000 in contributions, each hoodie-inclusive perk will come with one bonus T-shirt to match.

The campaign makes it easy for one to invest more money. The idea of three hoodies, two tatermono crests, and free shipping worldwide for $900 USD is hard to ignore. The shipping worldwide is a nice touch but I wonder how much would I have to pay to have it delivered to my door by a Japanese woman dressed in traditional kimono. Bowing, like the smiles offered at a fast food chain, I hope would be free.

To continue contributing or to follow the funding campaign, follow this link:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/samurai-armor-hoodies#/

To follow on Facebook, visit this link:

https://www.facebook.com/events/902125803249195/

And to follow on Instagram, visit this link:

https://www.instagram.com/samurai_armor_hoodies/

AnimeJapan 2016: Macross Delta News and New Merchandise

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

MacrossDeltaPromoAnimeJapan 2016 (formerly known as the Tokyo International Anime Fair) is happening at Tokyo Big Sight in the Ariake District. And you will probably hear a few good things come out of the con this year. The event runs March 25-27 (the 25th is for registered members of industry and media only). So far day one has provided some interesting information according to Macross Delta fans. Delta Mechanical Designer Shōji Kawamori has confirmed that the Delta character Mirage is the daughter of Miranda Jenius, Max and Milia Fallyna Jenius’ 6th daughter.

Continue reading “AnimeJapan 2016: Macross Delta News and New Merchandise”

To Feel Like A Samurai, One Has to Dress Like a Samurai

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

SamuraiArmorHoodie2Have you ever wanted to go full samurai — to wear the armour of a warrior, to go into battle while feeling the spirit of Toshiro Mifune flowing through you? While it all sounds glorious, the closest many of us are ever going to get to looking like a samurai is by wearing heavy and expensive replica armour. But don’t fret, bamboo has something that is light, warm, and can be worn as everyday wear. The Samurai Armor Hoodie was brought into existence 3 years ago after seeing a hoodie based on a Western suit of armor. Quoted in a Tokyo Otaku Mode interview, bamboo, project producer for goods company Studio 696 and vocalist for the rock and roll band milktub stated, “I thought it was cool, so I bought it right away. When I held it in my hands, I liked it, so I thought, ‘If there is Western armor, there should be a Japanese version, too, I’ll get that next time.’ But no matter how hard I looked, where and how I searched, there was simply no such product.”

Continue reading “To Feel Like A Samurai, One Has to Dress Like a Samurai”

Wind up Geek’s Cool Japan: Nipponbashi Street Festa 2016

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

NipponbashiStreetFesta2016Every year in Denden Town in Osaka there is held one of the biggest anime-themed events. The streets to Denden are closed to traffic every March 20th from 11am to 5pm to make way for a colourful festival of cosplayers in elaborate costumes, robot performances, live music and more. This year the cosplay looked so good. I have to thank the participants of the Nipponbashi for always striving to make the Festa better. As one former spectator attested “I remember when it was just a bunch of guys dressed as Sentai heroes.”

The cosplayers in this photo appear to be representing characters from the 1988 anime series Mashin Hero Wataru directed by Shūji Iuchi (Crush Gear Turbo). The plot is about a 9-year-old boy named Wataru Ikusabe (戦部 ワタル) who is transported to a magical realm called Soukaizan (創界山) by a dragon. In this realm Wataru befriends the Soukaizan natives. Using his new-found powers to transform a clay sculpture into a somewhat autonomous and small Super Robot, he journeys with his new-found friends to rid the realm of an evil, demonic ruler.

The Festa welcomes visitors from all over the world. But Otaku no Culture would to remind people who plan to visit Osaka (or Japan for that matter) in the future, please use proper ettiquette by learning what is considered rude in Japan, and be respectful not only of the surroundings but of the people you meet. Because the way you conduct yourself will reflect on other visitors in future.

The Nipponbashi Street Festa is held every year on March 20th. For more information, visit the website here.

Source(s): Vintage Anime Fans Facebook group and Renato Rivera Rusca.
Photo Source(s): アミス ケネディ.