This is what I was working on for the past 2 nights. I ended up wussying out and cropping out the bits I didn’t like. I know there are some inaccuracies, but I like the colouring job on this and I appreciate the practice 
I want to draw him again, maybe properly next time.
Kagamine Len - pencil sketch, photoshop cs3 - 6 hours?
New illustration. Not a huge anime fan or anything – i dig the classics of course – I remember ordering Akira from some Asian mail-order magazine when i was in high school (pre internet). Anyhoo, I recently saw a photo of a very contemporary home – minimalist, lots of white, the usual – but they had this huge, bright, anime style painting above their couch amongst all this sensory depravation aesthetic. Point is – i dug it and thought that i might try my hand at something like that. It was my first attempt at that style and i found it to be a lot harder than i anticipated. I’m going a bit out of order, showing the final image first:
final
The photoshop work was a bit time consuming, particularly the hair. My plan is to have in printed fairly big (32 X 48 inches) on canvas, then spraypaint the sword using a stencil and chrome spray paint; and the final step will be putting some circular varnishes on it to complement the circular shapes of the image.
Here’s everything i did before bringing it into photoshop – not much as you can see.
And if you’re wondering, the SB is the Shaw Brothers logo, they make beautiful kung fu movies and the words say “kiss my converse” which is from The Last Dragon (a personal favorite – RIP Sho Nuff).
Here she is, sans background.
And here it is with the background. I was happy with the image at this point but i didn’t want it to look like it could be an animation cell so i added the flourishments seen in the first pic. Once i have it printed and add the spraypaint and varnish, i’ll post it again. Thanks for looking.
Anyone interested in ordering a signed, giclee print of this image on canvas, contact me – prices available upon request.
Here’s the third rendition of Spoilers, this time featuring the anime Popotan.
…
Not really proud of the fact I stuck it out with this anime. It may have been free on Anime on Demand but still…
Maybe it would have been better had I been born with a Y chromosome instead of two X’s…and had male parts…then I can maybe imagine myself able to enjoy this anime…after 3-4 shots of Jack…
Well…
Here it is…
So the girls have been traveling all over space and time to find some chick who will answer all their questions. They meet again some side characters from their earlier travels. We see Mai’s friend’s – Konoha’s – daughter. We see Daichi, that little boy from the very first episode, as an adult and married.
Anyway, the girls finally meet that chick. Keith (the white hair guy who did Ai in episode 6 or 7 – yeah, be shocked) lead them to the chick; he’s a navigator (he is the one who leads the girls to where they need to go – or that’s how I interpreted it) .
FYI the maid – who turned out to be the girl’s ‘guard’ – didn’t want to let the girls go meet the chick yet. Apparently the maid ‘guarded’ some people before but things didn’t turn out ok. They didn’t get their answers from the chick when Keith(?) took them to her. And I think they burned their house down (o_o; it wasn’t elaborated; you just see the maid outside the house and it’s on fire, the people she was guarding no where to be seen). The maid tried to fight Keith but he freezes the maid in time(?) and leaves her behind as the he takes the girls to the chick.
Okay, sorry for that side bit. Now to the meeting.
The chick says the place they are all at is a rest stop of sorts. It’s here where the girls can choose to end their quest or continue it. If they choose to quit their quest, the girls will be sent to the place and time they most desire.
The sisters have a pow wow in their bathroom (naturally >__>) Mai wants to leave. Ai is hesitant. The Mii wants to stay – because if they quit, then each will be separated (because each sister has a different place that they most desire – Mai wants to be with her friend, Ai wants to be with Daichi (pedo), and Mii kind of wants to be with her priestess friend (but she wants to stay with her sisters more). Each decides they need to think things over before coming to a decision.
However, it turns out Mai leaves without telling her sisters. In a letter left behind, she explains she’s tired of journeying and hurting people because they are always leaving. This depresses the remaining two sisters. So the two have a bath (naturally >____>). Mii says she doesn’t want to be separated. She asks if Ai wants to go to the place she desires too. Ai lies and says she wants to be with Mii. Mii says she’s lying – Ai wants to leave. She doesn’t want to be the reason Ai is keeping herself from being happy. Mii runs out…naked =_=; Anyway this is supposed to be dramatic but…no.
Ai goes to Mii’s room to talk to her, but when she opens the room she finds the younger sister has left as well. There’s a tape that tells Ai she left so Ai can be happy.
In the end, Ai packs up her things and leaves as well.
Time goes by and we see each sister leaving in their desired places. Ai is a teacher at Daichi’s school. Mai is going to school with Konoha. Mii is living with Nono and her grandfather. However, all the sisters are still missing one another, despite being in their desired places.
The people who each sister wanted to be with tell them they need to go back to their other sisters. They are happy to have met the sisters. For those sisters will always be in their hearts. The sisters are happy because they found a place where they belong – in the hearts of the people they meet.
Somehow the house comes (along with the maid) and teleports to each sister’s time and place. Each sister says good bye to her friend. Well, actually Mai does. Ai actually kisses Daichi on the lips (o_O cougar). Mii just leaves XD
Keith tries to stop Ai, telling her she’ll never find a place people like them belong. She tells him they belong in the hearts of all they meet. And leaves (the maid kicks his butt…revenge >:D).
The anime ends with Konoha’s daughter (now much older) and Daichi’s son talking (don’t ask how a black haired father and a black haired mother produced a white hair kid with gold eyes. I thought at first he was Keith’s kid!). Daichi’s dad has been working on a theory about why the sister traveled around space and time (we’re never told what that theory is though =_=). The son wanted Konoha’s daughter, who had met the sisters, to take a look at the theory and put her two cents in. The son mentions how nice it would be to meet the girls when their house teleports there. The girls open the door and…
The end
Yup…that’s the end of Popotan…
Don’t really recommend actually watching the anime because…it’s not that fun…unless you’re into girls (of all ages) exposing themselves…
Popotan could have had some potential – it had some good emotional scenes – but went too over the top with breast shots and panty shots (of all the sisters – even the little girl…>_>;) to be taken seriously. That and not explaining a lot. But that’s just my feelings on the anime. Everyone is different.
1st. Watching anime TT__TT
What kind of cruel world am I living? I bought God save our king season 3 last week..wait no..last month..but it’s still in its plastic and i never touch it! I was too buzy with my march test and homework that i forgot all about it…
not only GSOK but Jigoku shoujo also!it seems like my interest in anime is fading awayy Y__Y my worst nightmare is happening! wait..losing interest in anime isn’t my worst nightmare but still i dont want to! I used to love anime but why?? why?? why am i losing interest in anime?? Doushite?????? I’m gonna blame it on my mom ;P
2nd. Arashi
I used to know all latest thing about Arashi but in this past month or starting from 2010 to be specific I kinda forgot about them. gosh what happen to my interest in Jpop??? Blame it all on kpop and my mom. why I’m balming my mom again? because she’s the one who unsubscribe Animax. Why? so i can’t watch K-ON!, Welcome to NHK (which i’m dying to watch) and most importantly so i can’t watch Music Station. What had i done wrong? TT_________TT good thing you can’t unsubscribe KBS
3rd. Buying TVXQ album
I’m broke. I look at my purse and i only got RM50. sigh. i should stop buying manga and anime but i love anime…..what kind of world am i living??? I have to chose between buying anime DVD or TVXQ album. Maybe you expect me to chose TVXQ as i am a TVXQ fan but it’s like choosing YooMin or Jaemin or maybe YunJae or YooSu or maybe Hikaru or Kaoru Taichin(the twins from OHSHC). It’s hard. REALLY Hard and I WANT TOHOSHINKI 2010 BEST SELECTION BADLY! TT____TT plus I want Toki wo tomete jacket B too
Life is hard and I live in a cruel word that need sacrifices XD
AKTF,Hope till the end
TVXQ fighting
>_< So, Hiyo-shroom was my fourth target-victim for Motto GakuPuri. =3 What I can say is that…he is such a tsundere! >_< And he’s somewhat sadistic too…O_o
So, anyways, let me share with you how I played his route. Mind you, my translations are terrible. =P
NOTE: He gets jealous if you speak with another guy in the same area. =/ Possessive, are we, Hiyoshi-kun?
8/22
AM
Preliminary Meeting and Self-Introduction
TALK outdoor
(-_- He acts so cold, saying he has tennis practice. You get one heart though.)
NN
Setting up area scene…
TALK tennis court
(He says he’s busy no matter what you choose. =/)
PM
Setting up area scene again…
TALK meeting room
(He says you’re noisy and that you shouldn’t bother him. Choose the 2nd option — That’s not it, I want to help!. You will get 1 1/2 hearts.
Atobe then comes in, saying he could hear Hiyoshi’s voice from the outside. =/ Then he tells you to forgive Hiyoshi because his time is really important and because of the gakuensai, he doesn’t have that much time to practice. =_=” …Atobe, you bastard, why are you siding with him?)
8/23
AM
TALK stage
(You: Hiyoshi-kun.
Hiyoshi: Ah, it’s you.
You: A-Ano…
Hiyoshi: I apologize for yesterday for yelling at you.
CHOOSE SECOND OPTION + 5 hearts
Hiyoshi: I see.
You: It’s alright. Don’t worry about it.
Hiyoshi: Tsk, I don’t like it. Atobe-san found out.
You: Eh?
Hiyoshi: I…I’ve gone this far because of Atobe-san. But…it’s still long before I can gekokujou him.
You: Gekokujou?
Hiyoshi: Yes, it’s my favorite word (motto?).
You: It’s not fine, ka na.
Hiyoshi: Eh?
You: If it’s Hiyoshi-kun, you can certainly do it.
Hiyoshi: Hmph, that’s big talk.
You: You’re wrong. Because if you believe in yourself…you can do it. You can do it, Hiyoshi-kun, no matter what it takes.
Hiyoshi: Hmph.)
NN
Attraction meeting…
LOOK outdoor
(Hiyoshi is speaking with Sanada.)
TALK outdoor
PM
TALK tennis court
(I got a random going home event with another regular. =3)
8/24
AM
LOOK stage
(You: Ah…it’s Hiyoshi-kun. Are they having the attraction meeting?
Sanada: Have we decided what we’re going to present?
Mizuki: With these members, we can present Pittari no Geki.
Akazawa: ‘Pittari no Geki’? What is that?
Mizuki: Nfu, it’s a play on the Sengoku era.
Hiyoshi: A Sengoku thing, is it?
Kirihara: Well, isn’t that alright? It must be easy to make.
Mizuki: Nfu, it is fine, don’t you think?
Sanada: So I’ll be Nobunaga, huh? Interesting.
Mizuki: And Akechi Mitsu– is Hiyoshi-kun. I’ll leave it to you.
Hiyoshi: Akechi Mitsu– …his part seems —, don’t you think?
Mizuki: Kirihara could play Hideyoshi.
Kirihara: I see. With this, Rikkai —.
Dan: What will I be?
Mizuki: Dan-kun will play Mori–maru.
Dan: Mori–maru? I don’t know him that well.
Mizuki: I will be —.
Dan: Ah, let’s enjoy.
Akazawa: Mizuki, what will we do?
Mizuki: I’ll —. Captain, you —.
Sanada: This story –?
Mizuki: You are right. — the middle of the story –.)
TALK stage
NN
Meeting with Hyoutei
LOOK tennis court
(Be awed at ‘^^’ Hiyoshi when you get a perfect score. O_O)
PM
TALK tennis court
(You: Hiyoshi-kun, tennis practice?
Hiyoshi: Yes.
You: Sorry for disturbing. So…
Hiyoshi: No, I don’t mind.
You: Eh?
Hiyoshi: I said you’re not being a bother. You can watch, but watch out ofr the ball.
You: Understood.
CG of Hiyoshi in Enbu Tennis stance
You: Hiyoshi-kun.
Hiyoshi: What?
You: That doesn’t look like a tennis stance…
Hiyoshi: Ah, this is the way of kobujitsu.
You: ‘Kobujitsu’?
Hiyoshi: An art of the dojo. I trained since I was young.
You: It can’t be of — ?
Hiyoshi: Of course.
You: That’s so cool…You’re not only able in tennis but also in kobujitsu.
Hiyoshi: Hm, something like that.
You: But why do you used kobujitsu in tennis?
You: I see. Speaking of which, you should have joined the kobujitsu club.
Hiyoshi: Ah, —, but I can’t do two things at the same time.
You: — ?
Hiyoshi: Of course. The way of kobujitsu —.
You: I see.
Hiyoshi: For that reason, it’s the same as tennis.
You: That’s so cool, Hiyoshi-kun.
Hiyoshi: Hmph…
+ 3 1/2 hearts
8/25
AM
(Random morning greeting event earned me one heart.)
TALK tennis court
(You: Ah, Hiyoshi-kun.
Hiyoshi: N? Ah, it’s you.
You: Do you have time now?
Hiyoshi: Yeah.
You: That’sgood. There’s something I need to say…
SPECIAL TOPIC (2nd option) on PLAY (first, I guess)
+ 3 hearts
(He asked for my number after that. =3)
NN
Meeting about Takoyaki Stand
LOOK stage
(Attraction Meeting)
TALK stage
PM
TALK meeting room
(You: Are? Hiyoshi-kun, what are you doing?
Hiyoshi: Ah, it’s you. Just a bit of reading/researching.
You: ‘Researching’?
FIRST OPTION – B-Betsu ni… + 2 hearts
8/27
AM
TALK Takoyaki Stand
NN
View Atobe’s Cafe interior
TALK tennis court
PM
TALK Takoyaki Stand
(You: Are? Hiyoshi-kun, you’re practicing [cooking] alone?
Hiyoshi: Ah, it’s you. You’re right.
You: Is there anything I can help you with?
Hiyoshi: You can taste-test the takoyaki.
You: Ahaha, I guess so. But it seems like I can’t eat that.
Hiyoshi: If you can do it, it’s fine.
You: You made this?
Hiyoshi: That’s right.
You: It looks good. It doesn’t look like a failure.
Hiyoshi: Tell me that after you taste it.
You: Un, then, itadakimasu.
You: Nn~ T-This is…
FIRST OPTION – It’s delicious!
Hiyoshi: R-Really? I thought it still lacked something.
You: Soryaa~ I don’t know how Oshitari-senpai’s tastes like, but this is delicious.
Hiyoshi: I see.
You: Yup. This, tennis captain’s —.
Hiyoshi: This failure?
You: It’s not a failure. I’m sure everyone will receive it gladly.
Hiyoshi: I-I see. Then I’m counting on you.
+ 3 hearts
You: Alright.
(Then you walk home with Hiyoshi, and he tries to scare you by telling you about the 7 School Mysteries. =/ He’s kinda mean.)
FIRST OPTION
(It’s the first name event. >_< Now you’re on first name basis. =3)
+ 1 heart
(At home, you get called for your first date. =3 Choose the FIRST OPTION. Turns out you’ll be watching a movie with him tomorrow at 10. =3)
8/28
DATE!
(As it turns out, he has trapped you into watching a horror movie with him because it amuses him to see you so scared. >_< Sadist. After the movie, you two then head window shopping at your suggestion.
+ 4 hearts
8/29
AM
TALK tennis court
NN
Takoyaki Making Activity
TALK tennis court
PM
TALK meeting room
(You wind up accompanying him in exploring the school to solve a mystery, I guess…or probably just to scare you out of your wits. xD So, you get freaked out by an odd silhouette at the window, but then Hiyoshi explains that it was an illusion created by the car’s headlight. Then suddenly…THE LIGHTS TURN ON! It turns out that you’re
BUSTED by ATOBE! xD
He was even kind enough to remark, “This kind of situation is too early for you. Too bad, don’t you think, Hiyoshi?”
Atobe then tells Hiyoshi to walk you home because it’s freakin’ dark outside. This shebang earns you 5 hearts.)
8/30
AM
LOOK outdoor
NN
TALK Takoyaki Stand
PM
TALK Takoyaki Stand
(Then you get to walk home with Hiyoshi if you agree, earning you a half heart. Upon arriving at the station, you earn one more heart. I filled up his love meter at this time.
At home, you receive a call from him inviting you on your second date.)
8/31
DATE!
(So, yeah, he brings you to the amusement park, but his intention isn’t the roller coaster [unlike most routes]. Yes, this sadistic fellow brought you there so you could both visit the Horror House. =/ So, you get scared and grip his shirt. Once you’re out, he asks you how long you’re going to continue holding his shirt. He tells you that you could hold his hand, but then he takes it back and tells you to ignore what he said. -_-” Awkward…
After that, you two go to a cafe. You say something embarrassing, and he tells you not to say embarrassing things like that. =_= He manages to get back at you, though, by stating that you look so cute when you’re scared. xD Now it’s your turn to retort that he shouldn’t say such things. >_< Sweet, sweet love. =P)
9/1
AM
It’s back to school, and it turns out that there’s some problem with the stand.
PM
Everyone helps solve the problem, and you are told to extend the closing gate time to 19:00 (7 pm).
9/2
AM
TALK food court
NN
Pool Party
(Hiyoshi wins because of your cheering, apparently. =3)
9/3
AM
Opening Ceremony by Atobe
Choose two people to visit alone. I recommend Kirihara so you can get paparazzi pictures of Atobe and Oshitari. 8D
NN
Attraction Contest
(Be awed by Samurai!Hiyoshi. xD Well, you can drool over Kirihara, Sanada, Dan, Mizuki, and all the other bishies in their group as well.)
PM
Announcement of the Winner of the Attraction Contest
MIZUKI’S DRAMA WINS!
(After that, you’re given free time to roam with Hiyoshi if you accept — FIRST OPTION. And of all places, he brings you to the obake yashiki aka Ghost Tunnel.
So, you get freaked out by Ibu and that random guy — my guess, Ishida — that you end up running out with Hiyoshi chasing after you. Since you wouldn’t calm down, he does something to calm you down. =_= Is that all you can give, Hiyoshi you bastard?! It’s your fault you brought the poor girl to such a place. D=<
After that, he brings up a huge list of excuses why he did that. xP Quit making excuses, Piyo-shroom, and tell her the real reason already!)
9/4
LAST DAY!
So, it’s the last day, and your much-awaited confession is fast approaching. =3
AM
Choose two places to visit alone.
NN
It seems there’s a problem with costumers and sales because of the huge line in front of Atobe’s cafe. You suggest that they offer to sell half-servings to those waiting in line for half the price, and they agree.
PM
Atobe announces the winner of the Stand Contest. It turns out it’s the Takoyaki House! 83 The Takoyaki team rejoice, and Hiyoshi compliments you.
SOCIAL DANCE
Kentarou says it’s the end of the gakuensai and the concluding portion is the social dance.
(Hiyoshi: What’s wrong, Miyoko?
You: Ah, Wakashi-kun. You won’t dance?
Hiyoshi: It’s not my specialty. And you?
You: Uun. I don’t have skill in dancing.
Hiyoshi: I see. Then come with me. I need to talk to you.
You: Eh? F-Fine…
CONFESSION
You’ll have to play the game yourself. I don’t wanna spoil this ending. It’s sweet, kinda. She’s going on about how Hiyoshi can’t be Atobe, etc, etc. =]
STAFF ROLL
OMAKE
So, you receive a CG of Hiyoshi practicing at the dojo.
There’s slight fluffy conversation between the two, and you playfully say you want to leave, etc. -_- Hiyoshi proves to be the rather possessive kind. =/ Oh well.
OWARI
Credit me if you will get any of my translations, no matter how inaccurate/wrong they may be. =/ Thank you for taking the time to read this though. ^^ I hope you can offer corrections and whatnot. But most of all, enjoy your game. =D
Look in the mirror. And be honest now!
I think we have all asked ourselves this question at least once – am I gay? This is usually followed by imagining various naked specimens of our species and calculating how aroused, ie. hard/wet, we are. For more promiscuous individuals, experimentation takes place either after a drunken night or for an awesome T-shit and a necklace beads. For most of us this is just a passing concern and we move on with our lives, never telling another living soul the ordeal we just went through.
What does this have to do with being an Otaku? Not much, except as a loose and shoddily concocted analogy. That still doesn’t make a lick of sense.
Let’s look at the definition of otaku before moving on, shall we? Merriam-Webster has it as “a person who is obsessed with anime, manga, and Japanese culture in general.” The 56th definition of the word on the definitive online resource Urban Dictionary has it as “teh deliciously kickass wife of nero.” The former indicates an unhealthy fixation on drawn images of junior high school girls in various levels of undress. The latter, with perfect grammar, indicating you’re the wife of an Emperor that burnt a fuck ton of Christian babies alive. You’re deliciously kickass, though, for what that’s worth.
Either way, it’s slightly unflattering.
So, how can you tell whether or not you’re an Otaku? By taking this painstakingly crafted, scientifically proven quiz of course! Or just go outside and play a sport or hit a pub and get pissed.
Remember, read through the quiz before answering!
Question the first!
If you had to describe your character, would you:
This is, like, sooo totally me!
Question the one after the first!
What would be the trait most desirable in your sexual partner:
Wash your fucking hair once in a while!
Question the thrice!
Where would you like to go on your honeymoon if you could go anywhere?
I didn't really want to go here. But it's an experience, y'know? Heh...heh.
Question the 4th!
What is your usual go to wardrobe?
Question the something or other!
How would you battle evil cyborg ninjas that just kidnapped your 2 month old puppy?
Nobody fucks with my Ayanami-wawi-foo
Question the ninth!
If you only had three days to live, what’s #1 on your bucket list?
I...don't recommend going inside there. ESPECIALLY the left arm.
Question the eixinth!
Of these phrases, which would best describe YOU?
Swank and warm, all at once!
Question the I never learned to count!
Who would you rather “do” – Suzumiya Haruhi, Ayanami Rei, or Ponyo.
Consider that shit TAPPED!
Well, how did you do?
Well, hey, you may be saying to yourself, “bullshit, there’s no way to win this!” Wrong again. The correct choice from the beginning is to have read through the entirety of the quiz before answering, like I told you to, reach this point and realize you dodged a bullet. The only correct way to finish an Otaku quiz is to not take one at all and live your life, you god damned conformist.
Cheers!
While most anime is in a serial format, consisting of dozens of twenty-five-minute-long episodes, there are movie-length anime productions that are shown in theaters in Japan (and occassionally here in the United States, too). So I figured I’d add a few I’ve seen to my slowly growing list: Princess Mononoke, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Perfect Blue, Appleseed, and Summer Wars (in a slightly new format). As always, comments, questions, and feedback welcome.
Princess Mononoke (a.k.a. Mononoke-hime)Synopsis: Ashitaka, cursed by a dying boar demon that has tentacles of evilbadnotgood sprouting out all over it, leaves his hometown to find out what had happened to the boar demon to cause it to turn into an eldritch abomination, and comes to Irontown, a human city of technology fighting a war for survival against the spirits of nature. Review: Ah, nothing like a good heavy-handed environmentalist message movie, which fairly screams “respect nature, or it will turn into a nightmarish monstrosity that will kill everything it can get its foul tentacles on”. Snark aside, this is a fairly good movie, well-drawn in Hayao Miyazaki’s signature style. Final Grade: B (★★★——).
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (a.k.a. Toki o Kakeru Shōjo)Synopsis: After getting hit by a train, Tomboyish Makoto realizes she has the power to travel through time, and proceeds to use that power to make a mess out of her life and the lives of everyone around her, especially her two best friends (one of whom is from the future, and the other one might have a terminal encounter with the aforementioned train in Makoto’s place…). Review: Time travel is one of those sci-fi topics that just bugs me, because it can be done poorly so easily. Fortunately, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time does it right. There’s some great time-travel comedy as Makoto uses her newfound power whimsically (traveling through time to eat the pudding that her sister had/would have stolen), but of course things get serious as the unintended consequences of her actions begin to pile up. Final Grade: A (★★★★—).
Perfect BlueSynopsis: Mima is a member of a popular jpop group who decides to leave the group to pursue an acting career, and then gets stressed out over a stalker and goes insane. Or maybe that’s just the delusion she believes as a coping mechanism to deal with going insane. Or maybe everyone is crazy except for Mima, who is merely going insane. Or maybe… Review: A mind screw that ranks up there with the most incomprehensible parts of Evangelion, Perfect Blue almost makes sense until you realize that the “real” sequences of the story and the “delusional” ones aren’t clearly demarcated. A well-crafted production, but too grim and psychological for me to really enjoy. Final (?) Grade: C (★★———), or maybe it’s actually Grade F, and its status as a Grade C is a delusion fueled by its stress-induced insanity…
AppleseedSynopsis: In the utopia of Olympus, humanity and artificial humans called bioroids end up butting heads, and so supersoldier Duenan Knute and her cyborg buddy/lover Briareos have to get things sorted out for them. Review: Another of Shirow Masamune’s works, Appleseed features a lot of the same themes, like humanity and technology, the concept of self, and all that, and it also features a healthy dose of ass-kicking and stunning visuals to keep your brain from getting a Red Ring of Death from trying to keep up with the deep philosophical stuff. The art style is all cell-shaded computer graphics, which a little more like the cutscenes from a video game than a movie, but still looks great. Notes: There’s a sequel, Appleseed: Ex Machina, which I really can’t remember right now. I’ll have to watch it again before adding it to these reviews. Final Grade: B (★★★——).
Summer Wars“KOI KOI!”
Synopsis: Kenji’s a mathematical prodigy who accepts a part-time job from one of his seniors at high school, Natsuki, ostensibly to help her family with preparations for her grandmother’s ninetieth birthday celebration but actually to pretend to be the fiancée she promised her grandmother she’d bring, but then an artificial intelligence programmed by the black sheep of Natsuki’s family takes over the world via the anime version of Second Life, resulting in massive chaos which can only be quelled by a combination of the talents and resources of Natsuki’s extensive extended family, Kenji’s beyond-the-impossible mathematical talents, and Natsuki’s skill at playing an obscure traditional Japanese card game. Review: I knew nothing about this movie until I watched it; I did not even know it existed until moments before I started downloading it on a whim. I’m glad I did: this is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a long while. It’s wonderfully over-the-top (need a better computer than that old laptop to take on the AI? Natsuki’s relatives can hook you up, at a moment’s notice, with a freaking supercomputer, powered by a fishing boat they park in the fish pond in the front yard, and a military one hundred gigabit-per-second Internet connection) and at the same time grounded in the concept of family (before the final showdown, they take time out for a big family meal). Notes: In doing a little research for this, I came across an interesting bit of unrelated trivia: Nintendo was founded to produce hand-crafted hanafuda cards almost a century before they decided to make the Famicom. Weird. Final Grade: A (★★★★—), and it might move up to Grade S with later retrospection.
