Posts Tagged ‘Cartoons and Anime’

You never really think something like this would happen. Fans of manga and anime are in an uproar.  As of next month we will no longer get new material from Bandai Entertainment.

Moblie Suit Gundam Seed Destiny

An excerpt from Anime News Network:

Bandai Entertainment, the subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings (USA) that handles anime and manga in North America, will stop offering new DVD, Blu-ray Disc, and manga releases next month. It will continue to distribute in its existing catalog lineup, but it will no longer produce and distribute new releases as of this February.

Instead, Bandai Entertainment will focus on licensing rights to other companies, particularly in digital distribution, broadcast, and merchandising. The company will be restructured as a result, and most of its contractors and three of its five fulltime staff members will be laid off. ANN will publish an interview with Bandai Entertainment President and CEO Ken Iyadomi on Tuesday.

The following releases have been cancelled:

Anime DVD/Blu-ray Disc

Gosick
Nichijō
Turn A Gundam

Manga

Code Geass: Renya (Code Geass: Shikkoku no Renya)
Gurren Lagann volume 7
Kannagi volumes 4-6
Lucky Star Boo Boo Kagaboo (spinoff by Eretto)
Mobile Suit Gundam 00I
Tales of the Abyss: Jade’s Secret Memories volumes 1 and 2

Releases in Bandai Entertainment‘s current catalog will still be available after February, and Bandai Entertainment plans to produce new stock on these existing releases, if needed, until their respective licenses expire.

The content that this company had to offer was amazing. They will be missed. And it is a crying shame that this is what it’s come to. Well I guess it’s time to go over to Amazon.com and spend some money. Ehat do you say??……………

Sword Of The Stranger: Bandi Entertainment Film

Boy is it so much crazier than the last one at the Javits.  They seem to really be trying to make strides towards it being more like the SDCC.  Tons of great panels.  A lot of famous people walking around (I brushed against Christopher Meloni, and a friend told me he saw Christopher Nolan…not sure on that one though).  Don’t forget Chris Schafer.  Wait, what?
The signings at the Marvel and DC booths have been hectic and kind of disorganized.  I’ve seen people (fans) start makeshift lines and then the staff decide on going with it.  Arguments insuing on clusters of “friends” cutting ahead.  The staff also either don’t allow sketches, or rush the artists along and set limits.  Reeeeal awesome if you have been waiting in line for an hour…or NOT.  I actually got double stiffed on one, but that’s a story for when I get home to my laptop.
Do these convention workers not realize why the creators are there in the first place?  For…The…Fans! 
I felt much more at home in artist alley than in the main hall.  People can barely get there act together to walk straight and not cause congestion.  I found myself speedily counting the variables in my head of who’s going to move where and when as I weaved throught the crowd, dodging giant Transformers and little anime girls.  Oh yeah, and fifty Zatannas.  Obviously she used her infinite replication incantation.  “!YLPITLUM EM”.
The way they marketed it as the NYCC/Anime Con probably added to the overwhelming Saturday turn out.  I’ve swam through cement faster.  Ok, enough about that.
I was able to speak with quite a few artists.  Derek Fridolfs and Dustin Nguyen are taking over the art in Batgirl, which is exciting.  Fridolfs told me they will be bringing in a new villain during ‘Batman: Streets Of Gotham”.  He assured me that it will lend itself well.  I asked him about Thomas Wayne’s drunken behavior two issues ago, and he replied that it seems they are possibly trying to make it as though the playboy gene runs in the family.  I don’t know how I feel about that, but do like to see a certain depth and backstory added to Bruce’s parent’s life (when most of what we know of them is their deaths).  As always I asked everyone what they like to read on their down time.  Most answer that they have no free time outside of drawing or writing.  This I find kind of ironic, since they got into comics in the first place because of their passion for the medium, and now they can’t indulge in it as much.  Small price to pay, I suppose, for a childhood dream and adding to the mythos of a worldwide beloved character.  Fridolfs did say that he enjoys Savage Dragon and whenever Mignola treats us with a written and drawn one shot.  He asked me what I love and, other than Batman, agreed on everything Mignola (we’ve had this same convo at more than one convention…hah).  You might like this; when I told him I will probably have to cut back on the amount of titles I buy weekly, he said that they are thinking about dropping the price of books by a dollar!  Seriously, this shouldn’t even be a debate after all the ever constant massive crossovers they put us through. 
Don Kramer was another great guy.  We talked about his run on Detective, and shared the same favorite issue (when Joker takes Robin hostage on a little holiday joy ride), but he was kinda bummed that he rarely got to actually draw Bruce with the cape and cowl on.  When speaking about getting into his new gig on Straczynski’s Wonder Woman run, he was very candid.  He showed me some fantastic upcoming panels which he is trying to ink, as well.  It seemed he felt that she didn’t need the controversial costume change, being that she’s supposed to just be a normal girl trying to unravel a mystery in that new reality, but wishes he would have had a part in the design none the less.  Now that he is acclimated to Diana’s new style, Mr. Kramer has, however, taken the liberty of swapping her metal cuff/bracelets out for really cool gauntlets.  One thing I took away from our chat was that he wishes he had more time to perfect things and give it his absolute all.  Looks like DC wants to pump them out, and lays down some intense deadlines, but I could be wrong.
Fabian Nicieza showed me some revealing panels where Bruce is back (in his new get up) and is talking to Tim (who looks extremely happy to have his adopted father back) about the formation of Batman Inc.  Tim splits no hairs and wastes no time reminding Bruce that it was his idea first.  Mr. Nicieza seemed really pleased with that, and with the fact that he’ll still be able to write Dick Grayson as Batman (if you recall, he wrote on some Nightwing) since Bruce will be taking his cape and cowl international at times.  Two Bat-men?  The more the merrier I say!…maybe.
Lastly, I couldn’t even get into the animated Green Lantern series preview.  It was packed to the rafters.  Very disappointing.  Then, after waiting to see the new Young Justice preview, I jumped ship and headed straight to the first screening of Secret Origins.  It was a small room and I was the first one in.  The family of the founder of DC comics, Major Malcolm Wheeler Nicholson, was at hand in the row next to me.   The documentary about the formation and evolution through the years of one of the greatest comic book companies (number one in my book) was narrated by Ryan Reynolds.  Historical, funny, informative, and at times touching, the film was a treat to watch.  Full of writers, artists and editors, it chronicled not only mainstream DC, but also the indie off-shoots that followed when the medium was in dire need of being shaken up and offered to a new/broader audience.  I am glad I got to watch it in that small venue.  You should definitely check it out when it is released November 9th.
If you haven’t checked out Dave Mammina’s table, please do.  Both books and concept art have been selling.  Signings are free and so is a sketch if you purchase a book. 
Sorry for the lack of pics and videos.  I’m mobile updating, and it doesn’t seem to port well yet.  Tomorrow night I should get a real post up.
See you tomorrow at The Walking Dead panel and first full clips.
—ExSleepyInk
P.S.  I met Bob Camp, and he drew for me.  Suck on that world!   …awwww…come back world.  I just got overzealous.  The excitement over took me.  We friends still?  Good.

There is something in all of us, that reaches for the “All Powerful”. The Legendary. The Heroic. Hero worship in all it’s various forms has always been a part of our society. For every race. For every age. For every culture.We all have our favorites. And we have all at one time wished of being one our selves. It doesn’t matter where you come from. What language you speak. Or how old you are. From the beginning of story telling in caves, there have been heroes.

Over here at From Heroes To Icons,we only want to have fun. To allow your imaginations to run free. To enjoy hero worship in all it’s glory. Here you can be who you really are. Love all those geeky, nerdy things that you know you love. You’re sitting in front of a computer. No one can bother us about our hobbies now. Sit back. Relax. Do you like super heroes? Cool! Do you like cartoons and anime? Great! Are you addicted to video games? Fantastic. All that and more is here and right at your finger tips. We the crew at FHTI are here to let you know about all that and more. All the things that keep us Old guys young. Super Heroes. Action Heroes. And we can’t forget any guys favorite. Heroines.

We are not building articles at this site to offend anyone. It’s all good clean fun. It’s for EVERYONE. Yes, including me. FHTI is made by the people. For the people. Just us non profit guys having a good old time, hashing it out about thew things we love the most. HEROES. Everything we post is for the knowledge and enjoyment of the different things we blog about. We let you know how it really is. We don’t do this because we’re paid for it. We don’t get paid for it. We do it, because we love it.

All my life I’ve been fascinated with nearly every type of adventuring hero. Old school stuff like, Sinbad, Jason and the Argonauts, Zorro and the Lone Ranger. Super heroes such as Spider-Man, Hulk, Batman and the Justice League. Video game characters; Samus from Metroid, Nathan Hale of Resistance and all the great characters of the Final Fantasy series. As I broaden my scope for entertainment, I discovered the wonder of martial arts films and anime. Following the adventures of Wing Chun and Ip Man. Watching young heroes fight for family and justice. The Elric brothers of Fullmetal Alchemist. Or the kids from Neon Genesis Evangelion. All these larger than life characters that are so human. The women my daughters can look to. Wonder Woman, Lara Croft and Storm. There are so many you can’t name them all.

I love this crazy world of Fantasy and Science Fiction. The world that we live in is crazy enough. We all need a break every so often. And that is why I have decided to create this little blog. Who can say that they didn’t cry when William Wallce screamed freedom as he lay dying? Whose heart didn’t bleed when Obiwan had to cut down Anakin? Who didn’t fell satisfied when Red XIII and his cubs ran to the mountain, after the credits of Final Fantasy VII? This is what FHTI is all about. This is what heroes are all about.

There is one thing binds these individuals together. They do not stand for just themselves. Not just one person. Not just one people. Or one country. Or one time period. But they stand for all of us. For anyone who has felt oppression and sought freedom. For all those who can not stand for themselves. That is what these heroes are about. And that is what we have forgotten. Regardless of Race. Culture. Or Origin. Heroes were meant to inspire. To give hope. And to have us look into ourselves, to find some of that hero in us. The books we read. The films and TV shows we watch. The anime and cartoons we enjoy. The hero is all compassing. He/She can be anyone. Anything.  Heroes are about sacrifice. About the struggle. About redemption. The heroes journey is what we love. The places they go. The friends the meet. The enemies they vanquish. The power of a hero is not in what nationality he/she is. But what they stand for. And what they accomplish. Only when a hero doubts himself. Makes mistakes. Fails. Only then, when they overcome all that has pushed them down. After the Crucible. Only at the precipice, when all is lost does a hero; a man/woman truly become a hero. And when they have done the impossible time and again. That is what makes them an Icon.

I hope that you will continue this journey with us. There are so many stories to be told. And so many to share. Thank you all.

Special Thanks To JPCDezines for doing what no one else could or would do. Put up with me. LOL

For all of my Anime and cartoon enthusiast. Here is another great looking anime. This time it gets the full CG movie experience. We don’t see many of those here. It seems to be in the same vein as Spirited Away.  Take a peek and you judge. The Trailer is in Japanese with no subtitles.

There are many Americans that fashion themselves as true fans of Anime. I’m not here to say who is and who’s not. But I will say that Hollywood is no friend to Anime. Anyone that has seen ANY Japanese cartoon and enjoyed it have seen what Hollywood thinks of Anime.Speed Racer and Dragonball Evolution sound familiar. This is just a taste of what we have to look forward to if amateurs that believe they know anything about true Anime continue to make films about some of the most popular Japanese cartoon franchises.

Without knowing what I was really looking at I became a fan of Japanese cartoons before they were called Anime in America. Shows like Battle of the Planets( Gathaman), Speed Racer, and Tranzor Z were some of the first. then it was Robotech that took me over the edge. I loved everything from the east. Chinese, Japanese it didn’t matter. One thing I did learn. And that was there was a big difference between the two. Many people mistake it all as the same old thing. But truly that is not the case. I began to look at the characters. Pay more attention to the stories. And I realized that Japanese Anime was the greatest way to tell a story that would more money than any studio in the world would kick out for ANY movie. These shows were hardcore, darker and much more philosophical than anything out there. Evert week I’d find myself at the local and not so local comic shops seeking a new and deeper look into the world of Anime. Fist of the NorthStar, Akira, Macross. The Ronin Warriors, Gundam. These were some of the titles that started the change in how I picked my shows. And finding out just how many options I had in selecting a “cartoon” to watch.

Soon America started to see it for themselves. Slowly but surely. And we all can tell just what grabbed there attention. For me it was Vampire Hunter D, and Ninja Scroll. For the rest of America it was Akria Kurosawa’s  Dragonball Z. Yes I love Dragonball the same as everyone else. but I had long saw the final battle between Goku and Majin Buu, years before it became mainstream. Well after that Pokemon, Yu Gi Oh and the rest just fell into the laps of kids all over the country. And now we have every other geek dressing up as there favorite character at every big comic or anime con there is. it has become all to common and all to unappealing. I don’t take anything from the fans. After all we’re all fans in our own way. But having a fan base for this “new ” genre is too good for Hollywood. And that is where the fans need to be heard. If we are true fans, then we need to stand up and straight up boycott the garbage that is given to us just for money. Tell the truth. We all know those movies suck. And if we don’t go to them, maybe the executives will wake up and stop making a mockery of the art and stories from Anime. Some of this stuff is pretty serious. Yea, even for a cartoon.

Imagi was a studio I thought would begin to change things for Japanese Anime. With the success of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and with Astro Boy coming out, things would finally start to be better. Once I heard that Imagi was working on a Gatchaman CGI film I knew this was going to be the next great thing. Constant delays and trouble seem to follow this new film. Some concept art was released. A trailer was no where to found and no one knew what was going on over at Imagi. We finally see a trailer. And not even an official one. Thank God for YouTube. Anyway that seemed to be a nice way of reassuring fans that things were coming along. Then a new image of Joe called Jason in the states. This looked fantastic. Then Imagi closed down and Gatchaman is dead in the water. Now I see a trailer which is obviously old, of Gatchaman. What in the world is this!?!?!?! Compared to the pic of Joe this trailer sucks. It shows promise, but come on. We know it can be better.This was created way before Imagi had it’s unfortunate closing. Where’s the love!?!?!? I won’t even begin to say what idea’s I had for this great old school Anime. But this is what we have to look forward to from these studios that pride themselves on making the greatest state of the art films. GARBAGE. If I only knew someone in Hollywood. Man o Man you would see such a rise of cool and well made films based on Japanese Anime.  And now Warner Brothers has acquired the rights to Bleach. God help us all if they are going in the direction of Dragonball Evolution. All I can say is “And another one bites the Dust”.

Anime has grown over the years. As well as technology. We as writers, creators, artists and film makers need to step up our goals. look into the heart of the material being used. Write good stories. And try to execute that to perfection as much as possible. Everyone wants that big payday. but you can get that and more if heart and soul is put into creating these films. And actually thinking wouldn’t be a bad idea either. When dealing with a new genre you need people that are experts on that field to help the project move forward with true quality. As popular as Naruto has become, you know someone will try to make an American film that will most likely than not SUCK BADLY. Watch the cartoons. Speak to the original creators and just try to understand what it is all about. If you stay true to what you create, only success will be the out come. Just ask J.J Abrams.

Well maybe i was a bit too harsh. Then again maybe not. Whatever you think, you should watch some Anime. It’s cool. Yea, even for a cartoon.

Never watched Anime before? Check out these titles. Or one of them

FullMetal Alchemist Brotherhood

Neon Genesis Evangelion

Samurai 7

Bleach

Naruto

Gundam Wing

Princess Mononoke

Akira

Gurren Lagann

Noir

Anime is one of the most expressive animated formats around. And Blood the last Vampire is on of the best animes to date. This summer will see the release of the anime turned into a live action feature film.

Similar to Blade and Vampire Hunter D, Saya is a vampire the kills other vampires. It’s a nice turn around that the lead is a female. And she is also the strong silent type that is usually portrayed as male roles. The mythos is deep and rich with new things not seen in other “vampire” films. Blood the Last Vampire has been a manga a short anime film, an anime tv series, amd now a live action film. Feast your eyes on this.