Tag: United States

Will Cowboy Samurai Walk the Streets of Texas After New Law?

sukiyakiBy James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

The state of Texas already has an open carry law that applies to firearms but after September 1st, residents of the Lone Star state will be able to carry swords as well. That’s right, you read this correctly, swords. Republican Governor Greg Abbott has signed House Bill 1935 into law, which allows the open carry of weapons with blades longer then 5.5 inches.

This new law will apply to bladed weapons such as rapiers, broadswords, Claymores, spears, machetes, katanas, and Texas’ famous bowie-knife from the Alamo.

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The Vintage Tempest’s Emerald City Comicon 2017 Journal

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By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

Last year, Emerald City Comicon (ECCC) expanded to four days and I attended the full show. By day three, I was sort of bored. I checked out every aspect of the event that spanned three buildings and had the luxury of attending more than one panel. I wondered if it’s possible to attend for a day and get the most out of the con. It’s possible, but I do not recommend it.

I barely had time to look at the TCC level (the other part of the Seattle Convention Center where events were held). The LEGO exhibits were located here and what was offered was mainly for the kids in attendance. Hasbro also had a presence but what they offered was not what I expected. What I was told was that they had Beyblade demos than a full-on exposition of all this company’s many properties. Had there been Transformers and other brands they made toys for, I’d be a kid in a candy store!

Suspiciously missing in the guide is the location of where the modelling club displays their work. I could not find them last year and wondered if they were around this time. They might have been, and if they are, advertising this aspect of the show has been very low-key.

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Character Designer & Manga Artist Kenichi Sonoda Announced for Sakura-Con!

kenichisonoda_photoBy James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

One of anime’s biggest names is coming to the Seattle and will be found at Sakura-Con 2017, the Pacific Northwest’s largest anime convention. Celebrating 20 years, it is only fitting character designer, writer, and manga artist Kenichi Sonoda will be one of this year’s guests.

Sonoda’s career started in the mid-80’s at studio Artmic, where he became a character designer for some of Artmic’s best titles such as Bubblegum Crisis (where he produced the original look of the Knight Sabers team), Riding Bean, and the Gall Force series. Sonoda was also designer on long-time fan favourites Otaku no Video and the super-deformed special Scramble Wars: Tsuppashire! Genom Trophy Rally.

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Evil Dead the Musical To Hit The Pacific Northwest with a New Stop!

file_747610_edmusicalBy Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

Portland, OR
October 14-15, 2016
Alberta Rose Theatre

Vancouver, BC
October 28-29, 2016
Revue Stage at Granville Island

Victoria, BC
November 4-5, 2016
Metro Studio Theatre

Tickets can be bought online here

If you have not made any plans for Halloween yet, Last Chance Productions is taking Evil Dead: The Musical across the Pacific Northwest before, during and after Halloween 2016! This year, they are adding Victoria, BC to the list of where to hit and the timing could not be any better. Since I have seen three versions by different troupes, I must say this particular group are dedicated film buffs who have an absolute love for the cinematic genre.

And, of course, they promise to lay the blood thick in the splatter zone! When I saw the Arts West production, I did not realize you have to sit very close to the kitchen set to get sloshed the most. Depending on whether the show can be held outdoors or indoors, hidden sprinklers can be used to really get people soaked! Tip: wear a white shirt if you intend to be hit with the stage effects. Afterwards, those leaving the theatre can proudly show off their badge of honour with wicked glee.

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Discotek Licenses Urusei Yatsura: Beautiful Dreamer, Lupin III and More!

YatsuraBeautifulDreamerBy James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

Discotek Media announced today their upcoming Japanese anime releases during their panel at Otakon in Baltimore, Maryland. Among some of the titles announced are Urusei Yatsura: Beautiful Dreamer, Lupin III: Island of Assassins, Captain Harlock: Arcadia of My Youth, and Chargeman Ken.

Urusei Yatsura: Beautiful Dreamer was the 2nd feature outing for characters based off the Urusei Yatsura manga series by Rumiko Takahashi. Written and directed by Mamoru Oshii, Beautiful Dreamer was ranked number 38 on a list of the top 100 anime by Animage Magazine and was number 9 of the Top 50 Anime Released in North America by Wizard’s Anime Magazine. Beautiful Dreamer will be released on DVD and Blu-ray with both English sub and dub available. The The dubs were pulled from the original master tapes. According to Discotek, the subs are to get a new “polish”. Extras are to be announced at a later date.

Captain Harlock: Arcadia of My Youth was different version of the retelling of Leiji Matsumoto’s Space Pirate Captain Harlock television series. Arcadia was also the last role of acclaimed Japanese actor Yujiro Ishihara before his death at 52 years old. Discotek’s Arcadia will be released on DVD and Blu-ray and will be from the Japanese master. The dub however is extremely old and is from the international Vengeance of the Space Pirate version. Vengeance was previously released by Celebrity Home Entertainment under the “Just for Kids” banner. But according to Discotek the edited version of Arcadia has the best master available. Extras are to be announced at a later date but what has been revealed is the Japanese trailers will be included in the release.

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