Christmas Archives | Otaku No Culture

Back at Cinemas for its Anniversary, Fans Can Experience Tokyo Godfathers in 4K!

As part of AX’s ongoing Cinema Nights schedule, Tokyo Godfathers makes its return to cinema, and we got some terrific news about this release.

Tokyo Godfathers is returning to cinemas across North America from December 11 to13, and it’s sure to please. This holiday classic from master director Satoshi Kon (Paprika, Perfect Blue) celebrates its 20th anniversary with a 4K restoration under the supervision of the original art director and producers.

It’s part of Anime Expo Cinema Nights, a year-round movie event series celebrating the best new and classic anime films, and it is managed by Iconic Events Releasing, a company that specialises in bringing critically acclaimed films to the big screen.

Tickets, participating theatres, and more information are available at:

https://www.ax-cinemanights.com/

Plot Summary:

On Christmas Eve, three homeless companions stumble upon a baby girl in a garbage heap. They name her Kiyoko, and vow to care for her as they track down her family.

Haunted by memories of their own broken pasts and pursued by a cast of shadowy characters from Tokyo’s nightlife, Hana, Gin and Miyuki overcome their differences and learn to trust one another as a new, makeshift family. With the New Year fast approaching, the mystery behind baby Kiyoko deepens, and these unlikely heroes discover the surprising–and sometimes miraculous–connections that have brought them all together.

Tokyo Godfathers 20th Anniversary (English Dub)

Three Spin Master Batman Toy Enthusiasts To Get Excited For!

Tis the Season of the Bat, and to prepare for Christmas, there’s three favourites for fans of Spin Master Batman line of toys to consider for Christmas!

Perhaps the only character that won’t see a lot of changes in the cinematic front is Batman. It’s easy to cast any actor to play Bruce Wayne aka The Bats (as The Joker likes to call him), but will the wait be worth it? While some fans wait, the rest of us just wants to join him in his adventures! Thankfully, the release of toys from Spin Master’s Batman Toy line has been good and this hero has nothing to fear, as the holiday season nears.

For your playing needs (and ours), we present this list as Christmas is right around the corner! Disclaimer: We are an Amazon Associates member, and sales made through this link help support this site.

Gotham City Guardian Playset

MSRP: $99.99 | Age: 5+ | Available at Amazon.

Get ready for next-level Batman missions with this massive 4-in-1 transforming playset. Standing at an impressive two-and-a-half-feet tall, this interactive playset has everything to fight crime alongside the Caped Crusader, including a Batwing, Batmobile, Batcycle and Batcomputer. With lights and sounds, plus an exclusive 4” Batman figure, this epic playset is a must for any Batman fan. Requires 3 AAA batteries (not included).

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Why Be Scary When We Have Merry Little Batman Ready to Stream ‘Round the Corner?

Technically, Halloween and Christmas go hand in hand for spiritual activity. In Merry Little Batman, he’s ready for the next holiday instead of this one.

Nobody should be surprised that news for what’s going to happen after Halloween is getting announced sooner than later! Merry Little Batman will be made available to stream on Prime Video beginning December 8 in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

This animated family action comedy destined to join the rogue’s gallery of classic holiday movies. When young Damian Wayne finds himself alone in Wayne Manor on Christmas Eve, he must transform into “Little Batman” in order to defend his home and Gotham City from the crooks and supervillains intent on destroying the holidays.

Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and based on characters from DC, Merry Little Batman features the voices of Yonas Kibreab, Luke Wilson, James Cromwell, and David Hornsby, and is directed by Mike Roth (Regular Show) from a screenplay by Morgan Evans (Teen Titans Go!) and Jase Ricci (Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham). Roth also serves as executive producer, alongside Sam Register (Looney Tunes cartoons).

Voice records and writing concluded prior to the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes.

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.

We 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.

Thankfully, 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
(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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