A Last-Minute, Visual Review of 2009
I wasn’t able to squeeze in these “year in review” pictures in my earlier posts, but here they are anyways. These are some screen caps w/ captions that somehow I have kpet around this year. Minor spoilers are present. Enjoy at your own risk. I may have an odd sense of humor, but I believe it’s at least backward compatible!
Why I watch Bakemonogatari in a nutshell.
My Heart Flutters with Rumors of War, and of Cryptic Call for Bloggers
If we think of the internet as a place, like a room in your house or a hang-out spot you visit regularly or a class you have to go to every same-day-of-the-week, then the feeling I’m trying to describe is like seeing your puppy-love girlfriend/boyfriend when you are first going out with him/her, as you enter that place. Except it’s not, and much more like, a pheromone and hormone filled Spring season for a bunch of geeks.
Spring fever is real, and this year my heart is dialing in Squad Seven. Also, the word is that Otakon is probably going to call in their first musical guest (probably one of the smaller acts) very soon, so maybe it’ll be even more exciting than it already is. Honestly, Spring is probably my least favorite season, but it’s definitely the most fun out of the four. Memories are made in the Spring (history says as much), and if we believe that seasons fundamentally affect our experience with the anime we watch, then some shows just work better in this time slot than any other.
For example, I would say, these guys are honing in on a “mating call.” See the full batch of caps here.
Yes, I’m quite excited about the anime adaptation of Valkyria Chronicles. It’s been so long since I’ve played a game that I really enjoyed AND have the hope of an equally adept adaptation in anime to go with. Of course, this is a relatively new hope bolstered by the promo screen caps. It’s bolstered by the fact that the game plays just like an anime, down to its episodic pacing. It’s bolstered by the fact that it’s a Sony, and you know what that means. I hope.
Oh am I being set up for a huge disappointment or what.
As for actual information, some might find this post on Sega USA’s blog intriguing. It details a potential release announcement of some kind possibly over this weekend, on Twitter. Besides that fans were already promised the 2 DLC for the game, and the post itself was about the anime (with possibly no real news on that front), I have no clue besides these come in threes.
At any rate, while I may not be able to do anything to actually affect the quality of a Japanese TV animation besides to tilt windmills, I can at least try to throw together a get-together. Or a panel. I think I am walking the blazing path forged by these guys in a way that I’m trying out these aspects of fandom partly because I just haven’t done it before. Not that I’m going to make doujinshi or anything, but also I can see how trying to get a blogging panel at Otakon can be rewarding. So it’s a worthwhile goal for me. And maybe for you, too.
Who’s with me? I, as with last year, need your help. I’ve already gotten some help from said these guys, but please, don’t be shy. Drop me a note in the comments or toss an email (you can find it by where the post tags are). I need people who knows stuff about blogging in general (both tech and theory), about editorializing and reviewing, being the crazy social butterfly that sometimes the role requires, and just people who produce solid content. If that’s all too much you can also just help by come see us, if it becomes a reality.
I know it’s early still, so if you figure out later that you want to help, you still can; but there’s a deadline to this and it’s coming up in a month or so. Just something to keep in the back of your mind if you should care about it.
Selvaria Bles; Himeka; Wouldn’t It Be Nice…
First thing first: so her boobs are almost as big as they are in the anime design sketches. It never seemed as unsightly in the game, probably because of the 3D nature of the rendering and how the visuals of the game take hold of your perspective with an iron grip. The character designs remind me of this guy, which is not the BEST thing ever, but it’s faithful enough that I think I’ll be pretty happy.
Second thing. Correct me if I’m wrong:
1. Cathrine St. Onge (now known as Himeka) wins the 2nd Animax Anison competition
(2.5 Valkyria Chronicles game gets English language release)
3. Gets put on Valkyria Chronicles anime OP
4. ???
5. ProfitOpportunity for western pandering!
Also correct me if I’m wrong:
1. First simulcast by Animax via Animax Asia (Tears to Tiara)
2. ???
3. WORLD DOMINATION
PredictionWishful thinking:
1. Valkyria Chronicles animu hits PSN Video Store?
If you really think about it, there is an Animax India channel. India. I mean yeah, they watch anime there too. But don’t we? Where’s our anime channel? This is kind of messed up. A little weird, at least. Just as it is a little weird for a Canadian to win a Japanese anison contest and gets a shot at selling to otaku. At least Valkyria Chronicles kinda, slightly, just a little mainstream.
But somehow, I think it’s great.
Himeka seems to be a fan of Nana Mizuki, so giving some props there is only natural.
