THE FINAL

The countdown is finally over! Here’s your first glimpse of A.C.E 3!

“Heard they do anything for a KAAANEEDAAAA”

Daryl Surat of Anime World Order and I chat on AIM alot and send each other obscure links. Today I was sent a link to the following. Kanye West’s latest music video.

Entitled “Stronger”, this new song from Kanye’s forthcoming album samples-you guessed it-Daft Punk’s “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” from their album Discovery. At first, I did my best to muscle past the shock gag reflex as this seemed like the 6th sign of the apocalypse, but after a second viewing, due to the fact that I don’t actually mind Kanye’s music (and because it’s slightly catchy), something about it struck me as familiar.

Then it hit me. This is an homage to Akira.

Another blog further elaborates on this and even has side by side screenshot comparisons between Akira and the video. Check it out for yourself.

I bet the fan tantrums for this video are off the wall but I figured I’d offer my two cents so I responded. It pretty much does the job of saying what I was going to say here so I’ll let it do the rest;

First I thought this was just one of those unions that should never have happened.

Then I realized, this is a Hype Williams directed music video. Sure he did that nice Busta Rhymes music video that’s apparently “the best hip hop video EVAH!” but after that, it kinda goes downhill (IMO). My guess; he saw Akira and because “Japanese stuff is soooo cooool” he just did it just to do it.

Then again, Kanye probably is a fan and wanted to go for it (and for even wanting to do that, I give him props) but I just think he should have gone with another director. The whole thing is so disjointed. It had potential to be awesome and it just became yet another MTV hip-hop video.

Watch, this will get nominated for Breakthrough Video this year at the VMAs.

As for the song itself, I dunno it’s kinda catchy. I really have nothing against Kanye as I like some of his music. Keyword there is some. My reason for liking this song is the same logic as jamming to a song in another language. You may have no idea what they’re saying but it’s a decent tune to have playing in the background while you’re working on something.

So lesson learned: “Just because it’s from Japan, it doesn’t necessarily mean you can make a good music video out of it”.

Or is it, “Even if it is from Japan, Hype Williams music videos suck”? Either way it’s a universal truth.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have the sudden urge for a Klondike bar.

The New Century Is Upon Us?!

So while perusing the /m/ boards on 4chan, I came across this.

Your eyes aren’t deceiving you mecha fans. That’s a ticking countdown to the opening of the site for the next installment in the Another Century’s Episode series!

For those that don’t know, A.C.E is a series of third person mecha action games from the minds that brought you Super Robot Taisen and Armored Core. It’s like ZOE…but with some of your favorite robots such as the crew from Gundam Wing Endless Waltz, 0083: Stardust Memory, Martian Successor Nadesico, Aura Battler Dunbine, Macross DYRL, and many more!

EDIT: And even though the site hasn’t gone live yet, Famitsu and all the major Japanese gaming sites have finally chimed in with some information that will drive you wild! See for yourself after the jump

o_o

Ryuhei Kitamura, director of Versus, Azumi, and Godzilla: Final Wars among other things has just been announced as a guest for Otakon 2007 in Baltimore, MD.

I will be attending this convention.

…excuse me while I convulse in the corner at this awesome news.

He’s a nice man. Especially on TV.

Check this out guys and gals. It’s Yasuo Yamada (legendary seiyuu of Lupin III), Eiko Masuyama (seiyuu of Fujiko Mine), and Hayao Miyazaki on a talk show talking about Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro circa 1980-whatever year it came out.

Enjoy ^_^

About time…

Things that should have happened a long time ago.

-Shoji Kawamori has been announced to be the Chief Director and one of the Mecha Designers for the new Macross series, Macross 25.

To celebrate, here’s a pre-Macross Zero documentary of the Macross saga thus far.

-The super group S.K.I.N (which consists of Gackt, Yoshiki-formerly of X-Japan, Miyavi and Sugizo) is making their first American appearance at AX 07. It’s about time Gackt came stateside. Too bad I can’t make it >_>

-And finally, Porsha Lawrence Mavour, the girl who played Kelsey, that little snotty brat from The Sarah Jane Adventures Christmas episode got the boot from the series. Yes I’m a little late to this but but in this case, it’s better late than never. Apparently, she was rude to cast and crew as well, just goes to show ya folks;

Karma: You Don’t Have To Believe In It.

That’s all from me for now. Back to the ACEN Coverage I go >_>

Hell in a handbasket

I’m alright folks. Things have calmed down to a point to where I can finally post again. Hope the rest of you that made it are alright. Here’s how things have been going so far for me.

T.B. LOVE!

Anybody remember Thunderbirds 2086?

..Yeah I’m betting you’re not familiar with it >_>

Take the concept of Thunderbirds (a highly advanced rescue team with high tech vehicles), set it in the far future, make it anime and you’ve got Thunderbirds 2086. I don’t even remember if this was popular in the states but it was basically an adaptation of the show TechnoVoyager.

I’ve always been interested in seeing the original version and after marathoning 8 straight episodes of Gerry Anderson’s other classic show, UFO (which is quite awesome by the way), I roamed YouTube and finally got my wish. Bad quality but nonetheless, I finally got to see it ^_^

And for some reason I’m thinking Shigeru Chiba is involved with this somehow. Don’t ask me why I think that, I just do. Maybe somebody can put my suspicions to rest.

In the meantime, I’ll be humming the opening for the next three days. Take care all.