Advent Children: Complete

A re-release of Advent Children, hereby known as "Advent Children: Complete" is due to hit stores in DVD and Blue-ray formats. Apparently, part of the new trailer shows new or changed scenes. More details to come...

"Training Wheels"

I have already discussed my views on the infamous "sub vs. dub" controversy. I came across an Animenation's "Ask John" entry that supplements my stance (see my June 6, 2006 blog entry).

Here's John's answer:

The debate over dubbing anime is the oldest and most intensely argued topic in American fandom. Every anime fan has an opinion on the subject, and most anime fans, including myself, have voiced their opinion at least once. But there are new fans entering the anime community all the time, so there are always new fans who haven't been exposed to the traditional "sub versus dub" debate. I'll do my best to provide an objective, concise explanation.

There are two primary reasons why some anime fans dislike dubbing. Dubbing is considered a compromise of the original art. And many fans don't like the sound of dubbed anime. Many hardcore anime fans prefer to watch anime the way its creators made it. Dubbing involves removing the original dialogue track and replacing it with one created by people who had no involvement with the original production of the anime. Instead of watching and hearing the anime the way its creators produced it to be seen and heard, viewers watching a dub experience an altered version that does not have the same audible nuances that the original version had. Furthermore, dubbed dialogue is forced to condense or alter the original dialogue, sometimes diverging from the original Japanese script in order to match the character's lip movements. In practical terms, a dub will never be as faithful to the original script as a good subtitle translation.
viewers used to Japanese language anime may find that dubbed anime sounds stilted, unnatural, or unbelievable. An anime character's voice should sound like an integral, natural part of the character, not like an actor performing a role. Many viewers simply find that original Japanese voices fit the characters on screen more believably than English voices.

Viewers who enjoy or prefer dubs often enjoy the convenience of not having to navigate a foreign language and subtitles, and also argue that dialogue in the viewer's native language makes the viewing experience more immersive. Proponents of dubbing also argue that spoken dialogue in the viewer's native language creates the comfortable viewing experience that original creators desire for their audiences.

Presuming that the original purpose of dubbing is to make foreign film more accessible and marketable to a mainstream audience, proponents of original language claim that dubbing is a form of "training wheels," that should serve to gradually transition viewers into watching unaltered, authentic foreign film. Staunch defenders of dubbing accuse proponents of original language of being imperial and elitist. The invention of DVD technology that allows a single video to have selectable dialogue tracks hasn't mellowed the argument because the debate is rooted in principle. Fans of dubbing prefer the convenience of native language dialogue, and enjoy the accessibility of dubbed anime. The improving skill of dub voice actors may enable a dubbed work to have the same impact as the original while being more convenient to watch. Countless subtitle fans argue that dubbing is an unnecessary corruption of the artistic integrity of foreign film; an alteration imposed upon an artwork for the sake of making the art more profitable internationally. For the hardcore proponent of artistic integrity, the quality of a dub is irrelevant because the fundmental principle of dubbing is a corruption of the original artwork.

To view this entry, check out: http://animenation.net/news/askjohn.php?id=1403. I still stand firmly against dubs, but sadly have little hope that things will change drastically, especially with the growing number of American viewers.

Death by Ink

The ratings are going through the roof for PS2's "Okami." The graphics are awesome and unique in that it mimics traditional japanese scrollwork. The setup of the game, including the movie sequences, makes you feel as though you actually are reading the story from a scroll. You also get to try your hand on some brush work...you get to draw bridges, constellations, and the Sun, among other things. Brush strokes even put the finishing blow to your enemies.

You play the reincarnated wolf now named Amaterasu. If you know a little bit of japanese folklore, then this name should be quite familar to you. An evil monster the wolf vanquished a 100 years ago has been brought back to life and is reaking havoc. It's up to Amaterasu and his annoying buddy, a bug, to revive the world and bring peace once more.

If you like mythology, heroes, gods, and legends, then this is the game for you. The only way to truly capture the essence of the game is to experience it, so pick up "Okami" immediately.

Let's Cook!

A fun and cute, interactive game for the Nintendo DS, "Cooking Mama" takes real recipes and puts your cooking skills to the test. As you continue to play, you unlock more recipes. You are scored on how well you prepare the food. This is quite entertaining, but you may eventually get tired of playing it after trying each recipe a couple of times. This game is appropriately priced and worth every penny.

Rule of Rose

Released recently for the PS2, "Rule of Rose" is not your typical horror game. I've read several reviews that suggest that it'll surpass the caliber of the "Resident Evil" and "Silent Hill" series, but in different ways. The game takes advantage of PS2's capabilities with crisp graphics and sound quality. Unlike "Resident Evil," "Silent Hill," and other horror games, the soundtrack is less grungy and metallic. It focuses on the sounds of violins producing an eerie atmosphere reflecting the disturbing and dark behavior of these children.

The game starts as Jennifer, a young child, is dropped of at an orphange, following the death of her parents. She witnesses strange and distrubing behavior reiterating the fact we are dealing with children and a child's perspective. After exploring the orphanage, we awake in an airship and gradually learn of the aristocrat club and of our past. Joining up with a dog she rescues early in the game, they search for an escape while maintaining the rules of the club.

The storyline of "Rule of Rose" is exceptional, while the gameplay may be questionable. While the soundtrack has great tracks individually, it borders on annoying as one track is set on repeat throughout the game. Storage bins are scattered throughout the airship and because Jennifer can only hold so much, it's important to remember to empty your inventory frequently. Rated M, "Rule of Rose" is probaby not for everyone. Personally speaking, "Silent Hill" and "Resident Evil" are still the beasts of horror games and are in a league of their own, and "Rule of Rose" can't touch them. Instead, I think "Rule of Rose" is its own kind of game that may cater only to select gamers. Depending on your preferences, this game may or may not be for you, though I recommend playing the game for at least 5 or 6 hours before making your decision.

Rebuild of Evangelion

News of a new Evangelion movie has been confirmed. You might assume that I would be jumping up and down, but this girl is a bit uneasy. Let me explain.

Gainax is set to produce a series of FOUR new EVA motion pictures. These movies will be an alternate re-telling of the television series. In summation, they seek to dumb down the series to be more accessible and comprehensible to average viewers and those not familiar with the original series. I love Evangelion and would not change one single frame. The story and characters are compelling and the thought that the story will actually change bothers me. I would love it if it were something new, rather than a revision. I could simply not watch these new movies, but their mere existence ensures that I will be watching it.

They say, "More comprehensible...to average viewers...and those who aren't familiar." I say, this series is deep and is not meant for the "average" viewer. I don't mean to seclude others from watching this masterpiece, but some things are meant to be the way they were originally.

I won't say anything further until I've actually seen them. I wish I could say that if it's more Evangelion, bring it on. I don't want the essence of EVA to be jeopardized. Evangelion, to me, represents the culmination of anime and I pray that it won't crumble.

The first movie is set to be released next summer in Japan. Full details will be available in the upcoming October 2006 issue of Newtype Japan.

Pinky:st...Yukata-style

The newest pinky:st line-up feature two festival-yukata-themed figures. These will be available in a standing and sitting pose, and is set to be released October 30, 2006. You may remember that there was a garage kit of a yukata pinky:st, but it is extremely rare to find.

Dirge of Cerberus

Continuing Project "Catch-up," I finally sat down this past weekend and popped in "Dirge of Cerberus" on PS2. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!! Another chapter from the most popular FF series, Final Fantasy 7, this game centers not on Cloud, but on Vincent Valentine. Straying away from its predecessors, Dirge is the first FF game that is not an RPG, but rather an adventure game much like "Tomb Raider" and "Devil May Cry." True to its essence, Square Enix continues to provide excellent quality graphics and the character design is, unsurprisingly, stunning. Some of our favorite characters join up again giving the same feeling of nostalgia and excitement I felt the first time I watched "Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children."

The movement between scenes and the actual character movement is very smooth. Aiming your gun in time takes some getting used to, but you quickly learn how to maneuver. "Dirge of Cerberus" is an excellent FF7 sequel and doesn't dissappoint.

Speed Grapher Vol. 2

Volume 2 of Speed Grapher keeps the momentum going as Saiga and Kagura continue their attempt to elude Suitengu-sama and his club. Both are bombarded with even more euphorians and Saiga's euphorian skills continue to develop...bigger focus lens and focal distance equals a bigger explosion. The mystery behind Kagura is also beginning to unravel as we learn more about the inner workings of the secret club. Just a friendly warning -- I wouldn't recommend watching this volume if you've got to visit the dentist in the near future.

Volume 3 is set to be released October 10, 2006.

Sold!

Going back to my August 24th entry, I'm surprised to announce that Daishi's costume has been sold with a whopping 1 bid. It didn't look too good for the past couple of days, so I was pretty sure the thing wouldn't sell. So congratulations to the winner, you may have lost 500 bucks but at least you'll be the talk of the j-rock community rocking with your Daishi custom-made costume.

And then there were 8...

The outcast planet has been pushed out of the scene completely. Leading astronomers have defined what it means to be a planet and it wasn't good news for Pluto. Now deemed as a dwarf planet, Pluto is not longer part of our Solar System. It's official, go through all your old textbooks and make the update -- there are 8 planets in our Solar System. Pluto, by far, still rocks in my book. Totally different and unique and never follows the norm, Pluto definitely has character.

PLC Auction Insanity

This just in...from the #1 resource of j-pop and j-rock merchandise and memorabilia comes a Psycho le Cemu auction that's out of this world.

House of Anime (jpophouse.com) has announced that a series of Psycho le Cemu's actual costumes (custom made by Cospa) will be sold through eBay. The first costume belongs to Daishi and was worn in 2004. The minimum bid for his chinese-inspired outfit is a whopping $499.99!!! I guess if you can get a group of fans together to purchase it together, it could sell extremely well. I'd be surprised if an individual could go at it alone. But you never know, given my passion for everything Japanese, I also wouldn't be surprised if the bids come pouring in. It'll be interesting to see just how high the price will get by the end of the auction. To check out the details or to bid yourself, click here. Ganbatte and may the highest bidder win (^_^)

Pinky:st Kira Kira

The Pinky:st phenomenon continues to stretch to other realms showing that this craze is still burning. Pinky:st has hit the shelves with over 40 figures including limited edition and special edition figures and has recently taken over the small screen. Pinky:st is now hitting the Nintendo DS with "Pinky:st Kira Kira Music Hour" (or "Pinky:st Sparkling Music Hour"). It is a music-themed game with your favorite pinky models and is set to be released October 26, 2006. For those who grab the limited edition, a special pinky:st figure will be included. This is a definite plus for all pinky:st collectors.

Utopian Awakening

After the MCAT, I was able to fit in some anime, that is, until my body gave out from extreme exhaustion. Sitting on my shelf for the past few days still in its wrapping, it took a lot of will power to stop me from watching this anime. But I perservered and I'm glad I waited till after the test.

"Ergo Proxy" is a cool, dark anime with a tint of innovation and a unique plot. I already had high expectations ever since I heard that it was from the guys who brought us the awesome "Samurai Champloo." The art and design quality is absolutely flawless. It combines the high art quality of "Last Exile," the crisp and darkness of "Blood: The Last Vampire," and the fluidity of "Samurai Champloo." The story is captivating...humans and androids called autoreivs, live together in the last utopia, but a virus called the Cogito Virus is spreading among some androids infecting them with emotion. The main character is a female inspector from the Citizen Information Bureau along with her partner, an autoreiv named Iggy. The basic plot and first episode is nicely presented to depict a deep, multilayered story filled with twists and turns. The mood reminds me of "Speed Grapher" meets "Noir." Hopefully the episodes to follow will be as equally compelling as the first episode.

Sweet Liberation!

I finally took my MCAT this past Saturday. With it having gone and passed, it feels good to have that liberation. Or rather, I have gone from a liberation of MCAT madness to enter into another madness, a madness known as Admissions. It's a long and arduous process that is extremely costly. After studying for 8 straight months, I can finally have some free time. The craziness was nicely capped off with a Sunday lunch at Tara Thai. I hope that my score will reflect those gruling months of studying.

It's Baaack!

The "Play! A Video Game Symphony" tour continues in Virginia tomorrow night, August 4 at 8:30 p.m. I was surprised to see a piece on it on Washington Post's Express newspaper. I'm glad I made it to the Chicago premiere, as it seems no VIP meet and greets are happening in the subsequent concerts. Nevertheless, it should be a great concert. No word as to what special feature they'll do for this concert, Detroit's concert had Castlevania music. No special guests have been announced for this concert, but at least we have Arnie Roth. Virginia-goers won't get the same treats that Chicago attendants got, but it'll still be a concert that's out of this world.

Heat Wave

"It's the end of the world," someone said recently. With temperatures reaching 110 degrees with the heat index this week, you can bet that air conditioning is gonna be my friend. I should be used to this type of weather, but when we have tropical island weather in a mild temperate zone, it just doesn't feel right. I feel just like the Itoh sisters, Chika and Nobue, from Ichigo Mashimaro. No doubt I'm looking forward to fall and winter.

I'm going to NASA this afternoon for some presentations, so hopefully I won't be stuck in the heat.

35 hours in 3 days

I have worked approximately 35 hours in the past 3 days and am TOTALLY exhausted. Yet here I am trying to make it through the week. My colleague and I co-planned every aspect of a 3-day event we held for a bunch of our interns at NASA. At least our efforts weren't in vain. Everything turned out great and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. It was sad to say goodbye to the Langley Research interns. We had dinner on Monday, a full day on Tuesday, and breakfast on Wednesday. I feel like a zombie, but I can't let that get the best of me. A little over 3 more weeks until the MCATs, so there's no time for rest.

Euphoria

Thank you, Gonzo! If you're looking to get away from the mainstream anime out there just once, away from those romance, comedies, action, robot, and samurai-themed anime, then "Speed Grapher" is for you. For "Evangelion" fans, this is a must-see. "Speed Grapher" has it all -- great plot, great characters, great development, awesome music, and flawless graphics. If one word could sum up this great series, it would be "original." There is only one other anime I have ever deemed "original", that being, "Evangelion", of course. Having seen just the first volume, "Speed Grapher" has already made it to one of the top titles on my list.

Because of its originality, it's hard to describe or compare it to other anime titles. "Speed Grapher" is similar to "Evangelion" in that it deals with the philosophy of human mind and desire and is deeply enriched. I thought of "Elfen Lied" in some instances, but "Speed Grapher" is way beyond that league. It's similar to "Silent Hill" (the video game/movie) in the perfection of the background music. Its clean graphics are in the realm of "Last Exile's" awesome artist, Range Murata. In all, this title can stand on its own. "Speed Grapher" is rated TV-MA (mature). This is definitely not for kids or the light-hearted or the occasional anime fan. This is definitely for you hard-core anime fans. I tried to get the import version, but was unsuccessful, so I'm anxiously awaiting for Volume 2.

Keeping Up That Spirit of Determination

The weekend is over once again and that means that there is less than 6 more weeks till the MCAT. I am happy to say that I have kept my goal of finishing the Biology Section, well, for the most part. I just need to get through Genetics and Evolution (which shouldn't be too much of a hassle). Next weekend, it's on to Organic Chemistry.

I'm trying to figure out ways to keep my spirit of determination up, get my hypothalamus to work in my favor. Release those hormones and give me that good, happy feeling. Maybe little rewards might work. But with me giving the rewards, it's probably unlikely that they'll suffice. What's going to stop me from getting it (other than okane), if I really want it? I guess, in truth, the joy of going to Med School and becoming a doctor to help others is reason enough to strive.

Onegai tasukete kami-sama! Ganbatte!