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First Look at Anime Winter 2014 – Part 1

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

Nobunaga the Fool
ノブナガ・ザ・フール

Plot: Two planets (East and West) were once connected by a civilization long since past. Now both these worlds have developed their own cultures. Jeanne Kaguya D’Arc, a girl from the peaceful Western Planet, is prophesized to be the Savior of the World. With the help of Leonardo Da Vinci, she travels to the Eastern planet, a place still locked in war. Nobunaga the Fool wants to change his world and a chance meeting with Jeanne may give him the power he needs to achieve his goal.
The Good: The impressive mech designs.
The Bad: Admiral Magellan looks like the man who failed to become the captain of the Love Boat. He provides the comic relief.
The Ugly: Perhaps its the Japanese theatrics but this series is pretentious, bloated and sadly, as mentioned above, unintended comedy when there is meant to be serious drama.
The Verdict: I’ll watch a few more episodes just because I’m a softie for mechs.

2 out of 5

The Wind up Geek’s Best of Anime – 2013 (Part 1)

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

James Shaw (The Wind Up Geek) — James Sulley or James Shaw?

I’m an old otaku. That’s not measured in age but in taste. I’m from the generation when Gundam 0083, Gunbuster, Ranma ½ and Kimagure Orange Road reigned supreme [Yes folks, James is that antiquated – Ed]. The North American version of Science Ninja Team Gatchaman (Battle of the Planets) started my love for anime and eventually, all things Japanese. But in early 2002, I felt disenfranchised with what televised anime offered. I was seeing more series emphasizing fan service over creating a good story.

I walked away without a tear shed for a genre I loved for decades. During that time, I made disparaging remarks about anime. The relationship was over and I was bitter, until 2013 when something rekindled my interest. “I’ll give it another chance,” I said. At first it looked as though things hadn’t changed but I searched deep and the reward was worth it.

Here is my list of anime favourites from 2013. I’m hoping the upcoming 2014 products will be just as bright.

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Getting on Board with Robotech: The Valkyrie Project

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

Robotech is a re-imaging of three animated products from Japan that fans of this series will no doubt know. For 80’s animation aficionados, it is a series they will fondly recall. Despite this series fade to black in the later decade, it’s seeing something of a reawakening in this new century. The late 80’s/early 90’s had Robotech: Sentinels told in full in novel and comic book form, the mid 00’s with the Shadow Chronicles — which barely got off the ground — and last year with Long, Live and Alive trying to make a place in history. However, this latest product offered nothing new. It’s mostly recycled animation and technically a retelling of Robotech: The New Generation from Yellow Dancer’s / Lancer’s perspective. Not everyone will enjoy it.

A Hollywood-style version is in the works, with a few A-list stars like Leonardo DiCaprio interested in a role and Tobey Maguire set to produce. But with no confirmed production date and note that it is actually green-lit, that’s only a dream for now. Instead, fans will most likely flock to and support fan productions like Robotech: The Valkyrie Project.

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Tis the Night Before Christmas, A Wind Up Geek’s Desire; Books and DVDs are upon Us…

Dear Mr. Claus,

Enclosed is a list of just some of the presents I would love to see under my tree tomorrow. I know I’ve been the perfect boy scout and that should be a well enough reason to see at least one of these gifts with my name on it.

Ignore the pencil marks on the wish list, I crossed world peace off because, and let’s be honest, there’s enough people asking for it. Asking for that again is like when I asked you for that Furby last year. When I found out everyone had one it just doesn’t seem cool anymore. I’m hoping to avoid a “Furby” incident this year by mailing a larger list. It cost me extra postage to send it but if I get what I want, it would be worth the extra stamp.

Yours,

James Robert Shaw

P.S. As a child I never did get that U.S.S. Flagg from the G.I. Joe collection darn it, I think you owe me on this one.

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The Vintage Tempest’s Toy & Tech Wish-List for Santa

ed and zelda — By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Dear Santa,

I’ve been good. Really, I have. I hope it’s in your willingness to consider putting one of these wish list items under my Christmas tree. I want stuff to satisfy my love for toys or tech. I’ve boiled down my list down to five items.

Unlike my best-friend James, I have satisfied my anime craving a long time ago. There really is not much that I want (on video or otherwise) from Japan … well unless you can send me a full size operational Gundam for me to pilot so I can travel anywhere I want (around the world or in space). Or can you please give me an all expense paid trip to visit the Ghibli Museum at Mitaka Park and Fuji-Q Highland Park (I want the ability to spend a full day at each venue). That would be on top of what I really want.

I was there before, but those memories are over a decade old.

Alternatively, if you can find it in your heart to park an AT-AT at my home, well, my grin will be wider than the Grinch and the Cat Bus (from My Neighbour Totoro) combined. But in terms of being realistic, the following items are far more doable:

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Attack on Titan Cosplayers Will Save Us

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

attackontitan That’s right, Attack on Titan cosplayers will be our last line of defense should the human race ever be threatened by walking titans with a hunger for human flesh. And here you thought it would be zombies.

Flesh eating gourmets aside, I am amazed at how far fandom has come since I took part in my first RPG session way back in 1987. During those times we were called nerds, geeks and even Satanists. With the exception of the latter word, I’m proud of being who I am. And what I love is anime and its cosplay connection. We are living in such a great time where people can dress-up and just let it all go. We can get away from the stresses of daily life. Conventions, clubs and our friends help us do this.

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