Category: Japanese

Isetan To Host Lupin III Inspired Men’s Fashion

Lupin III, created by Monkey Punch, is based off the novels and short stories of Arsène Lupin that was written by Maurice Leblanc.

Lupin III Title CardIn the world of corporate business, looking good is not only a sign of success but an indication that one has very good taste. This is no different in the world of thieving. And if you are the grandson of the famous Arsène Lupin one mustn’t disappoint the family name.

This February, Isetan will be giving people the opportunity to not only see fashion designs based off the latest Lupin III animated series but have a chance to purchase the clothing. Isetan Shinjuku Store‘s seventh floor promotional hall will be hosting “Lupin III LUPINISSIMO IN ISETAN 2016” from February 3-8, 2016. Chief Director for Lupin III, Tomonaga Kazuhide, will be doing a talk for the event.
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Tsukino-Con Announces Voice Actress Sarah Anne Williams!

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

Sarah_WilliamsWith all that has happened in 2015, it is good to see fandom on Vancouver Island can still rely on Victoria’s annual anime convention Tsukino-Con. When it comes to experiencing a weekend escape, I believe Tsukino-Con knows all too well what kind of distractions their con goers want. That could be why they have announced the addition of special guest, voice artist Sarah Anne Williams. She has worked as a voice artist for English dubs of Japanese animation and video games since 2009.

Williams’ first role was as Ayumi Tokita from Shinryaku! Ika Musume. Her other anime credits include Sayaka Miki in Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Kozuki ‘Niko’ Yuniko in Accel World, Lisbeth in Sword Art Online, Nonon Jakuzure of Kill La Kill, and Sayu Hisanuma in Nagi no Asukara. Williams’ video game works include Jinx in the League of Legends, Angel Death in Wasteland 2, and she’ll be voicing Aaa in the upcoming Freedom Planet 2.

Tsukino-Con will be held on the grounds of the University of Victoria from February 12 – 14, 2016. To purchase tickets, please visit Tsukino-Con’s official website here.

Animage’s Latest Issue has Macross Delta Surprise

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

AnimageFeb2016The Macross Delta (MD) hype train left the station and it’s full speed ahead as Animage, Japan’s monthly anime and entertainment magazine, will include a MD spread for their February, 2016 issue.

The cover will prominently display Macross idols from the series. From left to right are Kaname Buccaneer, Mikumo Guynemer, Freyja Wion, Makina Nakajima, and Reina Prowler.

On New Year’s Eve in Japan, a preview of Delta was broadcast for people at home to see. Macross played against more traditional programs like No-Laughing Detective Batsu, Kohaku Uta Gassen, and Yukutoshi Kurutoshi. But the rest of Macross Delta will not be broadcast until April of this year.

L to R: Kaname Buccaneer, Mikumo Guynemer, Freyja Wion, Makina Nakajima, and Reina Prowler
L to R: Kaname Buccaneer, Mikumo Guynemer, Freyja Wion, Makina Nakajima, and Reina Prowler

Written by Shōji Kawamori and Toshizo Nemoto, Macross Delta is set in 2067, eight years after Macross Frontier’s 2nd movie. The story focuses on Walküre, a team of talented idols and their protectors the Delta Squadron, as they battle against the Var Syndrome, a mysterious entity that is consuming the galaxy. But in their struggle both must also battle the Aerial Knights, a group of Valkyrie pilots from the Kingdom of Wind.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMKiLsbWiHY&w=560&h=315%5D
Source(s): Yande.re, Macross Fans- US, and pinoi78 (YouTube video).

Japanese Comic Kaori’s ‘Hotline Bling’ Parody

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

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

Ever wonder how the Japanese keep everything so tidy, their streets so clean, and their essential services running so smoothly? Well, half of that answer is the pride in their work. The other half may be that cleaning is just so sexy. But sometimes even the Japanese will go too far. As Japan’s only bilingual single female standup comedian Kaori will show, there is enough booty (‘oshiri’ in Japanese) shaking by her to power a jack hammer.

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The Vintage Tempest’s Top Animated Picks of 2016

There’s plenty of animated films to look at in the new year. Some are more interesting than others and herein, I make my Top Animated Picks of 2016 to look forward to.

Top Animated Picks of 2016
By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

There’s plenty of animated films to look at in the new year. Some are more interesting than others and herein, I make my Top Animated Picks of 2016 to look forward to. Instead of glancing at the films coming out of North America, I’m looking world-wide and the movies I see offered get diverse.

But before I get to the list, the following are my honourable mentions: Just because Finding Dory is PIXAR and I loved Finding Nemo, that does not mean this movie will be excellent. Thirteen years have passed (an unlucky number for the superstitious) since Nemo went home. In another film, I’m thinking the cat featured in Secret Life of Pets is the next Garfield. For the story featured in Henchman, I’m figuring this film can easily fit in the world of Mastermind although this movie is developed over at BRON Studios.

Animal Crackers Movie Poster

Animal Crackers (TBD)

Not to be confused with the Marx Brothers film of the same name, this animated fare looks at a life of the Huntington family who finds a magical box of said crackers who can change the eater into the animal they have pulled out from the box. This film has promise when there is an all-star cast assembled to provide the voices.

What’s especially lovable is the fact that it’s tough not to love a cartoon that Patrick Warburton is featured in; ever since Buzz Lightyear of Star Command, he does a great job at voicing one of my favourite characters from Toy Story. Not to be forgotten, the other stars include: John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Ian McKellen, Danny DeVito, Sylvester Stallone, Wallace Shawn and Raven-Symoné.

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Remembering 2015’s Best Animated Works

The best animated works came from Netflix’s streaming service. And DreamWorks offered a lot which Loved.

Disney Pixar Inside Out Movie Poster
PIXAR’s film is a strong contender come Oscar season!

2015 was very good for many fans of the animation genre. The best animated works came from Netflix‘s streaming service. And DreamWorks offered a lot which Loved. Turbo FAST’s serialized offering was okay, but in what I loved was All Hail King Julian! Other programs like Dragons: Race to the Edge, Dawn of the Croods and Adventures of Puss in Boots shows that at least the studio is dedicated.

But what does that mean for other studios? Curiously, DreamWorks has not continued 2014’s Penguins of Madagascar movie. Has Nickelodeon said no to the studio making more or has Tom McGrath, the voice of Skipper, decided to move on? Currently, he’s working on Boss Baby, slated for release in 2017.

Disney/Pixar was busy with two releases, Inside Out and The Good Dinosaur, and while I favour the prehistoric adventure more than a look at what goes on inside a little girl’s head, I do see the former being a contender come Oscar season. I do have to wonder how long Minion-mania will last. It arrived in full force because of the movie and it showed no signs of slowing down over the holidays with merchandise being deeply discounted and the film put onto home video super early!

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