Tag Archives: Japan

How to Bridge a Peace in Beasts of Burden: Occupied Territory #3

4 Jun

By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Dark Horse Comics
Available Now

Spoiler Alert

The many yokai that Emerys has to face in Beasts of Burden: Occupied Territory shows that not even the weight of the world can stop him in his obligation to keep the humans safe. I’ve skipped looking at an issue because there’s still a lot to address in this mini-series and I knew #3 will focus on more than the rising action. This latest tale by Evan Dorkin and Sarah Dyer nicely introduces readers to the supernatural side of Japan. Benjamin Dewey’s style remains beautifully solid, and this latest shows he can bring a tear to this reader’s eye.

The first issue was merely a tease, the second dealt with tanukis and witches, the third goes deep with Kappas, Kitsune, Yamawaros and many more. This release may well be the Mononoke Hime of the franchise, as it deals with some overarching themes from the Ghibli anime in a subtler context.

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Fantasia’s 25th Anniversary Goes Virtual!

21 May

By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

For the latest updates, please visit the official website.

Montreal’s Fantasia International Film Festival is going half and half, with a mix of physical events and digital for the genre enthusiast. The 25th Anniversary can’t be just one without the other because of the current global medical crisis, and the organizers can’t say for certain if the pandemic can be contained by the time summer rolls around. This event will include scheduled screenings and premieres, panels, and workshops, with films once again hosted on the leading-edge platform created by Festival Scope and Shift72. The number of physical events will be based on what the province’s health authority says, and this news don’t drop until closer to the event.

In what’s known is how important Japan’s culture has played across Fantasia’s history. There’ll be an enhanced focus, and this enthusiast can’t wait to see what’s coming! I hope they can secure the rights to show the full run of Evangelion films in its entirety! 

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WARPs UP “Pleasure” now Available Worldwide!

25 Apr

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/wTnhyMxZmgk3oboP685_Otnz6zKQdbcMNVrC3tkwoRc9b39HyaH33YOo5-4_mREJzIoZjtVkcmBi-_cTPOaMjcMtC2GTsHzce2etnv5Pw6eARGPXedi8KkDGK3aThAAvailable to stream
on Apple Music and iTunes

For other services, please
visit this landing page.

Japanese-Chinese boys’ collective WARPs UP has new single ‘Pleasure’ now available to download and stream. Also available is their new mini-album ‘Prep.20/21SS -Chapter RLSM-’ for fans to rock on to. Up until now, these releases had been limited to China. This releases marks the first opportunity for fans to hear these long-awaited songs on music services around the world.

The single ‘Pleasure’ is the opening theme song to the popular TV anime series Fruits Basket–whose latest season ‘The Final’ began broadcasting in April. This is the first ballad from them which carries an inspiring message: No matter our fate or circumstances, we all have the power to shape our own future. There’s no need to be afraid.

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Top Picks to see at the 2021 Victoria Film Festival

19 Jan

Feb 5 to 14th, 2021
For ticket purchases, please visit victoriafilmfestival.com

The Victoria Film Festival is back, and online! It’s no surprise that this event has gone digital. The pandemic and regional restrictions on what events can continue forced many celebrations of any kind world-wide to continue this trend. On this list includes who can view the films this year; those living outside of British Columbia are out of luck, and my recommendation is to check your local art house theatre or film festival to see if they will be offered.

Suspiciously missing in this virtual edition is Jammies and Toons. Whatever the reason is for dropping this annual tradition for kids, my foreign animated pick Wolfwalkers, available to stream on Apple TV+. It has everything a child can enjoy and my review can be found here.

Deciding on what to see this year was tough. I offer a Top Ten (minus one since I always include an animated entry). Thankfully, there’s material in the shorts program, but it’s not quite the same.

When the physical events are permitted to run, I’m sure it’ll be back.

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Top Ten Animated Picks to Look Out For in 2021!

3 Jan

By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

In the animated front, the films I’m really excited for are from China. Getting the news from this country is tough, and the studios are mum about what’s next in the Fengshen Cinematic Universe! I tried contacting a Vancouver studio supposedly involved and they never responded.

Because of the pandemic, a lot of production work shifted to either finishing at home or was put on hiatus. The workflow may well have slowed down too. Thankfully, there’s some good news: one particular Japanese animated title is coming very soon.

I’m hopeful the international release is not too much later.

Evangelion: 3.0+1.0
Thrice Upon a Time
Jan 23 (Japan)

The Rebuild tetralogy was on infinite hold when Hideaki Anno was off building Shin Godzilla. Anyone who has seen the original anime will know the general premise–young teens saving the Earth from a holy battle–but with the Illuminati like conspiracies going on, they are locked in an even different secret war. However, this reboot is huge, and it’s one I’m refusing to see one by one over several years. The wait is finally over so fans can see this re-imaging in its entirety.

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