Angelic Marathon

As anime conventions consider what to put in their video rooms, I think one good idea would be to come up with a specific theme for a room which can cover a wide range of anime from every decade. This will provide a firm foundation for anyone who watches, and I am faithful that the show lists generated will be nothing but the cream of the crop.

For example, why not a video room devoted to Angel anime? And by that, I mean anime with the word “Angel” in their titles.

A sample list would look something like this.

-Angel Sanctuary
-Angel Cop
-Galaxy Angel
-Burst Angel
-Angel’s Egg
-Angelic Layer
-A Cheeky Angel
-Steel Angel Kurumi
-D.N.Angel
-Angel Blade

As you can see, the possibilities are limitless.

May 5th, 2008: Genshiken & Kujibiki Unbalance Doujin Event


Gen-An, the Genshiken/Kujibiki Doujin Event is set to go this Monday, May 5th, 2008. The event will take place from 11am – 5pm in Hanakawado in Taito City, Tokyo at the Taito City Meeting Hall.

Some big names are going to be there, not least of which is Kansai Orange. Not to mention some of the finest Ogiue-drawing artists I know of, such as CAB and Anri of Work Arts.

Sadly, I am not in Japan and I have some serious work to do, so I cannot attend. But if enough people can go, you can carry my spirit to Japan for me.

And I hope everyone who goes keeps a look-out for the kinds of things I’d be looking for.

As for what my preferences are, I’ll give you a hint: Ogiue.

New York Comic Con: An Incomplete Con Report Because I Will Probably Forget Most Things

I went to my first New York Comic Con this past weekend. I normally prefer less city and commute-based conventions, but it was still a pleasant experience over all.

I’ll avoid the hanging out with friends talk, but I’ll just say I hung out with various friends and it was good times for all.

I saw the Lucky Star dub. Some voices were weaker than others, and Wendy Lee still sounds like Wendy Lee, but they tried very hard with this dub. I think the dialogue sounded a lot more natural than I was expecting, which was a big plus. Kogami Akira felt pretty spot on, Shiraishi Minoru not so much, and the pronunciation of Shiraishi was a little painful. Overall though, not a bad dub at all.

I got to meet the fine folks over at Ninja Consultant Podcast and got to be interviewed, which was a great experience. We talked about various topics, including but not limited to Ogiue. Keep up with their podcast, and you might just get to hear how incomprehensible I am when I speak. By the way, I’m a 35 year old balding man and my name is Gerald Rathkolb.

I saw Freedom. In unrelated news, I sure do want some Nissin Cup Noodles. I also attended Grant Morrison panels, and though I’m not really a huge fan of his work (just because I don’t read much of his work), his scottish talkings about made both panels very entertaining. Oh yeah, Seven Soldiers was awesome so I guess I am a Grant Morrison fan after all. I also attended a Tokyopop panel, and there as I watched the slides come on screen, I realized just how much Tokyopop gears towards shoujo and bl now. I feel like it snuck up on me without me realizing it, and now it’s too late.

I attended the Giant Robot Rumble panel, where I got to explain what an Absolute Terror Field actually is, as well as correcting the people who thought one robot was Aphrodai A when it was actually Dianan X. Thanks to this, I was considered a nerd even among nerds. Yes, I am that pathetic. PS Steve Yun please make me a judge next time. Sadly I had to leave early, so if someone can tell me who won, that’d be great.

By the way, Optimus Prime does not lose to Roy Focker/Fokker, at least not for the reasons given. Saying that Roy’s in a plane and Optimus’s mobility is limited is not an argument when Optimus REGULARLY FIGHTS ROBOTS WHO TRANSFORM INTO FIGHTER JETS.

I actually did not buy all that much, which is okay by me. I bought an autographed copy of David Lloyd (artist of V for Vendetta)’s new book, Kickback. The artwork is really up my alley. I took one look at it, and I was sold. The other thing I bought was a 20 minute backrub. It was actually worth it because it helped me take on the 90 minute TM Revolution concert.

And oh boy what a concert it was. TM Revolution has incredible stage presence, and his singing is solid. The most prominent feature of that concert though was the screaming. The loud, fangirl (and boy) screaming, which I partook in on a number of occasions. He covered all of the SEED songs and Heart of Sword, and a few others. By the way, my ears are still feeling the effects of that concert.

I was sitting behind TM Revolution’s Japanese fan club. Before the concert started, and as fans waved signs and hooped and hollered and asked TMR to marry them, I asked the Japanese fan club girls what they thought of America.

Needless to say, they were impressed.

Ninja Consultants, TM Revolution

Whooooooo.

Exciting New York Comic Con Panels

…which ones are they?

Seriously, I’m not sure where I’m going. The plan at this point is to wander from panel to panel like a No(r)mad.

Though I do recommend seeing the showing of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. I’ve seen it once already so I’m probably not gonna do a repeat, but it’s a movie everyone should really watch.

Who will tomorrow choose…for Otakon?

I guess this is what you would call my choice for second Otakon music guest, now that JAM Project is a reality. The chances of it happening are probably slim to none, possibly moreso than JAM Project.

My pick?

Bitou Isao.

New York Comic Con

I don’t expect much anime content, but if it’s unsatisfactory then I will force it in by my presence.

At the very least I will find out what’s

BEYOND

SHOUNEN

AND

SHOUJOOOOOOOOOOO

(Spoiler: The answer is Luchador-themed Comics)

New York Anime Festival Review in 3 Steps

1) This con was small. The Jacob Javits Center is huge. There may have been a Magic: The Gathering tournament going alongside it, but I hope to see more panels, more rooms, more everything next year

2) Guests were good, not great, but I enjoyed the panels I went to immensely (except for the cosplay competition)

3) Unicorn Table was awesome. Also I picked up all of Votoms for 66% off. Also I got an Anime World Order T-Shirt from Daryl Surat.