Hey all you anime fans at the Otakon Convention! Want to win some cool anime prizes? If so you’re in the right place!
We are giving away the following ULTIMATE prize pack to one lucky Otakon Con-goer:
Included is one Wolf’s Rain box set, the ENTIRE SERIES of Kaliedo Star in a Boxed set, a Japanese FMA Brotherhood Manga straight from Japan, Rahxephon the Movie, Volumes 1 and 2 of Real Bout High School Manga, AND a SIGNED print by voice actor Steve Blum himself. This whole pack is well over $100.00 USD before shipping! They’ll be great additions to anyone’s anime collection.
How do I win?
Entering is simple. Write a comment to this post below on something you like about anime or Otakon. Any length is acceptable (EX: “Panels” will work)! Be sure to include your REAL e-mail, no we won’t spam you, and a name you will remember.
Then, tune in to episode #95 on Sunday the 7th and listen for the name you put down to be called as our winner. If we call your name then congratulations! You are our lucky winner!
If you win please e-mail us from the e-mail you used in your post with a picture of: you at Otakon, of a Otakon flyer/booklet, your armband, your pass, etc. Some kind of proof you were there at the con. We will then cross-reference the e-mail we have from your post and mail you your goodies!
It’s just that simple!
Note: The Winner will have one week from when we broadcast live on Sunday the 7th at 8pm EST on Ustream to claim their prize. We put the episodes on iTunes and for download on the site normally by the following Tuesday.
Do I have to pay for anything?
Nope! It’s completely free to enter, just follow the rules above; you don’t even have to pay for shipping! You will of course have to be willing to provide your real address so we can mail the prize to you.
Why do I need a picture of something from the con?
This is something we do special for people who attend the cons we go to so we need proof you were there. If you want us to attend a con in your area let us know by submitting it in our contact form.
Hello everyone. Sorry this post is a little late. With getting home and taking care of two weeks’ worth of mowing the lawn and unpacking and all that jazz, I kind of forgot to post this video. I stepped up my schedule and took on Tiger & Bunny this week. This impression is for TheGamerDon. Thanks for the request, brotown. As usual, rate, comment, and whatever else it is you guys do.
Kazuya Kujo has recently transferred as an international student to a school in the fictional European country of Saubure, located between France, Switzerland and Italy. Here he meets a mysterious girl who has been given the nickname of the Golden Fairy. She lives confined to the library on school, loves sweets, and is bored easily, always requiring a puzzle to solve. As mysteries begin to surround Kujo he becomes central to Victorique’s entertainment, and perhaps more. Their relationship evolves in the changing setting of a pre-World War 2 Europe still steeped in mystery, fantasy, and old lore.
Review:
Gosick starts out looking like a murder mystery type anime. Where Victorique is a Sherlock Holms type character, solving mysteries with almost nothing to go on and an astounding success rate and Kujo is her bumbling, yet helpful and well-meaning Watson. For someone who is a fan of this genre it serves to disappoint, because for one they don’t really give you enough clues to figure out what’s going on yourself, and two, it’s not really about the mysteries. The murders and mysterious happenings serve to illuminate the larger plot and evolve the relationship between Kujo and Victorique. The trouble-finding Kujo is just what Victorique is looking for and it evolves the unlikely friendship.
As mentioned, the mysteries serve to bring out the story. What you think will just be a string of one random mystery after the next evolves into a grater story in which the characters backgrounds are thoroughly fleshed out and a rich world is built. There are a few instances where they spend some time doing things that could likely be cut but you are so smitten with the characters that this is completely forgivable as it just serves as another step in elaborating relationships.
The story really begins to pick up as they begin to explain some of the lore in the world. There is an overarching struggle between science and magic and often times you wonder what is real and what is fiction. For example, one of the main things they begin to elude to is the “gray wolves” specifically around Victorique’s past. The gray wolves are linked back to Sabure’s ancient history and by my interpretation are known for their intelligence.
There are a lot of things like this throughout the show that leaves the viewer up for interpenetration. Don’t be fooled by the gothic lolita/moe ness surrounding Victorique. This is a surprisingly deep show dealing with a lot of mature content. The animation is good and the music is solid. Something I HIGHLY recommend.
This was talked about on the most recent AAA Podcast a bit (at least in the chat on UStream), so I thought I’d give it a review. More coming from me this week. Look forward to it.
PS. You can chronicle the growth of my hair during the summer by watching all the videos in order and then commenting on them.
Japan’s economy is struggling, however unbeknown to most the public it’s been kept afloat with money from a mysterious other plane of existence known as the financial district. Kimimaro, an economics major in college who struggles to make ends meet is approached to be an Entrepreneur for the financial district, offering his future as collateral for a large sum of money. Now, he must figure out what he’s fighting for, or if he has any place in the struggle at all.
Review:
[C], or Control, is a great anime that really suffers from one thing – it’s just not long enough. I know, I know, in an anime world where we are constantly criticizing anime for going too slowly, or doing too little, in a minefield of filler and pointlessness Control remains the exception.
But I’m getting ahead of myself.
Control is a Tasunoko Production and an original story by Noboru Takagi. Meaning yes, amazingly this is a fresh, original story, with no light novel or manga behind it. Takagi has done series compositions for Baccano and Durarara, though both were based off light novels.
Control wastes no time, in the first episode you are introduced to the Financial District, a mysterious plane of existence controlled by the even more unknown Mitas Bank. However, the existence of this bank is unknown to people who are not entrepreneurs or Entre for short.
Outside the financial district, Japan has hit hard times, in a rough economy and rising national debt scraping together a living is something less and less people are finding themselves able to do. So when Masakaki, the banker and “Willy-Wonka meets the Mad Hatter” ring leader of the Financial District, approaches someone, at random, to be an Entre most are hard-pressed to say no. But of course, there are very few freebies. In exchange for the chance to make money in the financial district as well as a hefty sum of money to start out with you cash in your “future.” Now there is a purposeful ambiguousness at the start of the series of what “future” actually means. In the beginning you see a man committing suicide because he went bankrupt in the financial district (causing him to lose his “future”) so you think “future” means years on life. Later on a man loses his children as a result of bankruptcy and everyone who had memory of them. So “future” clearly translates very differently depending on the person’s circumstance.
The Financial District functions like a large, metaphorical, stock market. Two Entres enter into what’s known as deals by leveraging their assets against each other in a timed battle. What ensues is basically a pokemon battle with money, each attack above basic ones cost money, when you are hit you lose money. You win a deal by ending with the higher total. The higher the margin of victory the greater the effect the battle has on the real world. This is also how Entres can go bankrupt in the Financial district. Non-involved Entres can watch the Deal and bet on the outcome. Therefore, money flows through the financial district, crossing hands, and enters the real world through the Entres.
Now, getting to our main character Kimimaro. He’s an economics student at a local university, though you wouldn’t believe it with how clueless he is when it comes to money matters. His cluelessness does serve as a purpose for explaining the financial district though, so it helps the viewer. He is parent-less and hard working. Determined to make his own living his entry into the Financial district is hesitant at best. But as the story unfolds he realizes he has more significant ties to the district than he thought, as his father was a previous Entre who went bankrupt. He’s an uncertain character and doesn’t know where he stands in the Financial District until he meets Mikuni.
Mikuni is like the ringleader of the financial district. The most powerful person he amassed a huge amount of wealth which he invests into Japan to keep the economy afloat by investing in Japanese companies and buying up unbought bonds from the government. In the Financial District he runs a guild designed to minimize the effects of the financial district upon the real world. Stressing they win only by the smallest margin possible.
The series takes a sharp turn and the pace increases as the Singapore financial district collapses, taking the country of Singapore with it. This solidifies the integration of the financial district with the real world and it sends a shockwave known as C across the financial districts of the world. Mikuni takes matters into his own hands to try to save Japan at present and Kimimaro is forced to choose his side.
C, if you can’t tell, is a very deep and involved anime for only 11 episodes. They introduce great characters that you wish could have more development but such things are sacrificed to the length of the series. There are a lot of themes in this that many anime triple its length don’t even see. Such as present versus future, what people will do for money, and how money plays a role into people’s lives. I see a lot of people criticizing the show’s execution, but I think differently. There was a lot of terminology that as a business student I really appreciated. Just looking at the assets each Entre was handled like a small company. And sure, there was a lot of metaphor and it wasn’t a picture-perfect example of real business it still was great to see in an anime representation.
Two other criticisms I see of the show are awkward CG, and yes, there is awkward CG but it’s not nearly as bad as some I’ve seen. And the use of bad “Engrish.” Yes, the “Engrish” wasn’t really necessary but it was used for characters who wouldn’t speak Japanese.
Overall, what really dragged the show down was not having enough time to flush things out and explain them for viewers who may not catch on as quickly to the clever use of business terms and principles. The ending was conclusive and satisfactory, though I did not personally like it. This anime comes in at a solid 4. While I simply adored watching it the lack of time and what it forced the series to do really brought it down from masterpiece level to simply excellent. This is one I strongly recommend to any anime fan or business student out there.
Note: If you watched this show and enjoyed it, or are a little confused, I recommend watching the Monologues mini-series which they released after the show. The Monologues are from each character which summarizes things in a more concise manner. Someone was kind enough to upload each one subbed onto youtube:
If you’re a football (or soccer, depending if you’re American or not) fan or not, you’ve likely heard something about the FIFA 2011 Woman’s World Cup. Japan and America trudged toward the final round playing astounding games and well played matches against power-houses like France, Germany, Sweden, and Brazil.
America was ranked number one in the world, astounding really when you consider the general lack of enthusiasm around football in America compared to other countries. Japan fell at number four according to FIFA.com. At least in woman’s football. Japan had to step forward to be giant killers, and they rose to the challenge.
Japan was patient throughout the game. At the start they deflected fourteen goal attempts by the Americans. One finally stuck and it looked like the game was going to be over. Within the last five minutes of regular time Japan tied up the game to one-one, taking it to over-time.
In over-time the Americans lead by Abby Wambach (A powerhouse throughout the competition) took the lead at the start of the first fifteen minute over-time period. The Japanese, ever patient, bides their time in the second half before striking through a header from a penalty kick off number ten, the Japanese captain.
The game went to penalty kicks and the Japanese team won with three kicks.
In an interview directly following the game a tearful Solo (Goalie/keeper for the Americans) commented on the loss, “Something bigger was pulling for this team… If I had to give it to another team, it would’ve been them.” She explained that the Japanese team had a lot of heart, but that she was going to be back.
As an American, it’s no secret what team I was cheering for. However, I’m not heart-broken by this loss. It was a good clean game where both sides played their hearts out. I agree with Solo’s comments, something greater was pulling for the Japanese team tonight, I believe. They needed this win, Japan needed this win. After months of heartache, a year of bad news and one terrible happening coupled with the next a cause to rally and a source of national pride is something they can all need. Even if it is a momentary sense of normality before returning to the hard fate that the country faces for many years to come causes for celebration are what that country needs right now and the team earned it. I can only hope that people take the same side I am and see this as a bitter-sweet loss for America. If we had to give it to anyone, I’m glad it was them.
Well done Japan. But, don’t get too comfortable in the number one slot, the Americans will be back in four years out for the title that so narrowly eluded them.
Japan holds a message to the world at their games.
Comment: My favorite thing about supercon this year was seeing all the pretty great cosplay… [read more]
The A.A.A. Mailbag
Submitted by: Devil_Survivor
Question:
I wanted to ask you guys about your views on how minorities are portrayed in anime, if you could talk about how certain races, gays/lesbians, and any other minorities you can think of, how they are portrayed in anime would be good. I would really enjoy hearing your thoughts on the subject.
Otakon Reminder
We will be doing dinner at Otakon 11, chat us up on the forums if you will be there and want to have dinner with the addicts!
– News Break –
– Main Topic –
Who is Osamu Tezuka? What did he contribute to the anime community? Why was Astro Boy important? If you can’t answer these questions this episode will help. This is one episode with one important man that you don’t want to miss as an anime fan.
Some things we cover:
His early life.
Childhood works.
Career as an adult.
Famous work.
Impact of his work and his legacy.
– News Break –
– Reviews –
[C] The money of the soul and possibility of control – Chiaki – 4/5
Denpa onna seishun no otoko – Roukou – 3/5
– Closing –
Closing Song:
Tsukage no toburanko from the anime Hanasaki Iroha by the artist Nano Ripe
Masterpiece from the anime Yu-Gi-Oh Zexial by the artist Mihimaru GT
New Forum Members:
Sorraia, Asgeras, Mystix, Roarkyo, Linyuab12, Glomag, Luluxiu, and AyumuHunter
Trivia
Answer to Trivia: Madoka Magika
People who got it correct: Dramaticpaws, thaivun, GNDM-Exia, Asgeras, Grisly Bear, Bravogangus, and Soulrogue
Winner for the week: Grisly Bear
Happy Birthday To: Irish Otaku, Princess Buba, Nanashi, Great Teacher Tonizuka, and Mentosnotmental
The A.A.A. Mailbag
Submitted by: Zcomix
Question:
Hey guys, love the podcast! i got a quick Question for you! in alot of animes i’ve watched the protagonist has a major decision in which the outcome is debated over throughout the entire series. Sometimes in anime like Futakoi, a harem about a boy and a group of twins who like him, the series ends with an open ending where their is really no resolution. how do you guys feel about open ended animes? personally they make me a little sad and frustrated because i never really got a resoultion to the plot. thanks for reading and keep doing what you do!
Supercon Update:
The con went well, we met some great forum members at the table and look forward to future cons. Thank you so much to the supercon staff who welcomed us and who helped us and hooked us up. You guys were great and the con was a lot of fun!
Console Alliance:
We joined Console Alliance (www.consolealliance.com) for their Voice Over show, so check them out!
– News Break –
– Main Topic –
Our top and not top 10 for Anime Conventions. Note: We enjoy all anime cons we go to and the pros always outweigh the cons. We’re just tired and slightly cracked out so we just have fun with it. Also this episode is slightly more explicit.
Top 10:
Meeting awesome forum members
Interviewing Awesome people like Steve Blum or Melissia Fahn
The pervs at the con who buy Kimiko’s stuff
Really great cosplayers who are also cool people
Really helpful Con Staff
Finding something you CANNOT live without and at a good price in the dealer’s room
People who are understanding at panels, have a good sense of humor, and are interactive (Like saying Sega at the same time)
When people recognize you in (obscure) cosplay and want to take photos with you
When you go outside the con in cosplay, in a group, and everyone is like “WTF?!”
Being accepted for your anime addiction by a large group
Added later: Companies who come to the con and give out tons of free stuff
Not Top 10:
Very large people who smell AWFUL
People who are disrespectful of the area and others
People who trash the place with food, actual trash or themselves, I.E. ConRats
When basic utilities and other basic structural aspects to the convention center don’t work or fail
When carpets in hallways smell like urine and/or mold
Bad Convention Layout
People who want your stuff and lie!
People that don’t get the hint
Poorly Organized Cons and the jerks who don’t show up to do their panels
When it rains at cons
– News Break –
– Reviews –
Ano Hanna – Kimiko – 5/5
Yumekui Merry – Chiaki – 2.5/5
San Juu-sai no Hoken Taiiku – Mitsugi – 3/5
– Closing –
Closing Song:
Boku Quest from the anime Yu-Gi-Oh Zexial by the artist Golden Bomber
Fujiwara, a stereotypical good-hearted yet slightly oblivious high school boy, possesses the ability to see people’s “Dream-auras,” a colored haze surrounding a person which indicates the type of dream which they will have. One day he meets Merry, a dream demon who is looking for a way to get home. They end up teaming up as Merry enters his daydream and saves him from his own dream demon who was seeking to possess his body and enter into the human world. The effort to return Merry home soon becomes locked in struggle against the dream demon Engi, who seeks to destroy others.
Review:
Dream Eater Merry is based off a manga which began back in 2008. It currently has 6 volumes and is still ongoing. As a result the series suffers heavily from two main things. One, operating from a story that has yet to reach a conclusion and likely won’t for some time (like a FMA versus Brotherhood situation). And Two, as a byproduct of one, being far too short.
This anime is one that could have easily been great.
The animation alone is a notch above the rest, even among modern animation standards. Everything flows smoothly and fight sequences are animated flawlessly. But high-gloss colors and quality movement is a dime-a-dozen now a days. What really takes Yumekui Merry above and beyond is the camera angels. Shot like a high-quality cinematic film the angle for the images is used in both artistic and creative ways. The style of art is a cross between dream-like and surreal. Painting an astounding picture of each original dreamscape.
What further improves the atmosphere is the music. Dreamlike, whimsical, and sometimes haunting the music of this show is fantastic. A perfect example of how you don’t need a full blasting orchestra to create fitting and evoking music.
So right now, this anime is at a 5/5. Unfortunately, it was doomed to failure from the beginning.
The anime, as mentioned before, is only 13 episodes long. This is not nearly long enough for this series. The first arc focuses on establishing Merry and Fujiwara’s relationship and overcoming his demons. Now about one third of the way through the series the focus shifts to returning Merry back to the dreamland. In comes a slew of interesting characters and dream demons, a number of battles, and a thickening plot. Each character begins to get fleshed out with decent back story and elaboration on the important parts. Some more would’ve been nice and had it been longer we would’ve had the chance, but we didn’t. Then around episodes 9 and 10 the creators went “oh shit, we have to finish this” and employed an arc that wasn’t even in the original manga. As a result the story seems to jump from this careful development phase to a thrown together ending which feels forced and awkward, despite answering the necessary questions.
The premise of the story is cool, really cool, this connection between dreams and reality. But the fact is they execute it poorly. They don’t have nearly enough time to both set up this elaborate world, flush out the characters, and unravel the plot before the ending is upon the series. As a result, it’s just about average.
