Tag: Christmas

Spending Another Break with Godzilla. Happy Holidays!

As this year comes to a close, we at otaku no culture will be taking break to recharge and resume in January.

holidayWe are wishing everyone a Happy Kaiju-sized Holiday! As this year comes to a close, we will be taking break to recharge. Postings will resume after the New Year and we will offer up lists in what to look forward to in 2023 (and play catch up on what was released the week prior).

Plus, Chinese New Year will be coming sooner than later, and we’ll glance at what’s coming for that celebration too.

In the meantime, please rock out to our favourite heavy metal song to acknowledge the coming of December 25th. We even put together a small mixtape of our favourites which can be viewed/heard on YouTube here.

An Animated Christmas Carol 12 Day Countdown to the Holidays

Thankfully, the animation medium has been kind in terms of how often Charles Dicken’s holiday classic has been reinterpreted. By my estimate, out of the many available to view versions that’s out there, I can make a list of my twelve favourite animated Christmas Carol adaptations.

A not so Animated Christmas Carol CoverThankfully, the animation medium has been kind in terms of how often Charles Dicken’s holiday classic has been reinterpreted. There isn’t that many when compared to how many times it’s been remade in live-action! By my estimate, out of the many versions that’s out there, I have a list of my twelve favourite animated Christmas Carol adaptations to enjoy every year. I have even included television specials. To be current, I considered Netflix’s animated release, Scrooge: A Christmas Carol, and unfortunately have to say this merry CGI musical is better off skipped.

Had Charles Dickens known about the legacy his tale had upon the entertainment industry, I’m sure the copyright law would have been changed to ensure his estate would get some payment. Sadly, his works are in the public domain. Thankfully, many productions acknowledge this author in the playbill, but in terms of his descendants getting royalties, I’m sure they’re all screaming, “bah, humbug!”

According to Collider.com, the earliest version is Marley’s Ghost (1901), directed by Walter R. Booth and produced by R.W. Paul. This work is impossible to find. Next is most likely Harold M. Shaw’s 1914 silent film short, and many more takes were made before Alastair Sim gave us the most beloved take with the 1951 motion picture. I have to give credit to the 1938 production; this actor made the character memorable, and he’s included in this list of animated works. They are ranked going from least to best:

The Stingiest Man in Town PosterThe Stingiest Man in Town
(Rankin/Bass, 1978)

This studio’s take is a departure from their cheerier stop-motion holiday works. In this earlier time, their holidays specials were on air every time December rolled around, and kids grew up watching Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman.

Although this work is a departure from style, and that the work was done at Topcraft, a Japanese animation studio, this title is worth noting because many of the animators would later be key staff members for Studio Ghibli! In regards to why this take is memorable is because of Tom Bosley. He lends his voice to play a bug named B. A. H. Humbug to narrate the story. Anyone who remembers this actor from Happy Days (He plays Howard Cunningham) will appreciate this take.

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12 Scary Christmas Comics to Count down the Holidays With

To nail a list of new Christmas comics to countdown the “Twelve Days” is tough since some years don’t offer enough, so we present a mix of old and new.

Christmas Comics from BiblioasisIn sticking to the Victorian age supernatural tradition of enjoying ghost stories for Christmas, I have updated my list of graphic novel best reads to include upcoming releases which I feel are great. To nail a list of new Christmas comics to countdown the “Twelve Days” is tough. Technically, a few of my selections are more paranormal than just about spirits, and if available, the links go to Amazon USA listings. We’re an Amazon Associate, and any purchases made helps support this blog. Thanks!

The Corner Shop; The Dead and the Countess; and A Visit—Seth’s Christmas Ghost Stories (Biblioasis)

Leading this list are Gregory Gallant‘s (pen name Seth) comic book collection of ghost stories, which have three new books in 2022! I’m bundling this entry to one rather than individually, as there’s a lot to like about this cartoonist’s style. One of the first tales he adapted to the medium is The Signalman, originally written by Charles Dickens, and this artist adapted it for the masses to enjoy. It’s described to be, “An eerie story of isolation, dread, and supernatural visitation, this book is a small treasure, meant to be read aloud on a cold, dark winter night.”

Those unfamiliar with this name should look at Mister X and Clyde Fans. Those who read Lemony Snicket’s All the Wrong Questions will know his work. He’s also the author of the Palookaville series of graphic novels.

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One Member of WARPs UP is now INTO1 SANTA with a New Single

INTO1 SANTA won numerous dance contests, and was the youngest ever competitor to win the prestigious SDK global dance battle.

holidayFollowing Uno Santa (宇野賛多)’s soaring popularity on the mega-hit Chinese show ‘CHUANG2021’, where he formed the boyband INTO1, this Japanese artist has rebranded himself as with the anglicised INTO1 SANTA just in time for the upcoming holiday. He’s also  released new single ‘I’m from…’ on November 25.

This young man personally selected the concept for the song, which features autobiographical lyrics that tell a personal story where he tells how he managed to achieve his dreams. The video shows gratitude to the family, friends and fans who have supported him along the way. He said, “This song tells my story. As the title ‘I’m from…’ suggests, it is based on my past experiences. These experiences could only have been achieved with the support of my family, friends and all of you, and they have allowed me to become who I am today – and to love myself.

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Love Ryan Reynolds? You’ll Be “Spirited” Away With This Holiday Movie.

To say this movie is very Spirited is a very bad pun but it must be said.

Spirited Movie PosterApple TV Plus’ Spirited lives up to its name as a musical, and it’s a holiday movie which delivers a finale that I didn’t expect! The central idea behind this work is to believe anyone can change for the better. And as a film adds to Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol mythos, I loved the world that’s presented which expands upon why people of a certain nature gets haunted.

Even though I think it’s too early to have these types of films out, I was curious, and delayed posting after the American Thanksgiving weekend. That way, I can at least say this movie is worth watching to get into the coming Holiday spirit. The fact there haven’t been many adaptations of Dickens’ tale to the musical format, this was one movie I had to watch.

Continue reading “Love Ryan Reynolds? You’ll Be “Spirited” Away With This Holiday Movie.”

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