Yutaka Yamamoto also hates “Endless Eight”
As one of the few people on the internet who isn’t in a blind rage at Kyoto Animation for running six “Endless Eight” episodes, episodes which bring the “time loop” science fiction trope to a new extreme, I can understand why there is such frustration since I also want the story to move on as well and explore more of the Haruhi story. But I also think that the stretching out of Endless Eight is a sign that we will have more Haruhi much sooner than distance between seasons 1 and 2.
Yamamoto-San admits to being part of the creation of the Endless Eight episodes but agrees that the arc should have been limited to two episodes. I think three would have been the sweet spot to hit… but I’m not a famous animation direction so what say to *I* have in the matter.
I have to give Yamamoto-San some credit for standing up and saying that the direction of the show is wrong but at the same time I’m a little reluctant to celebrate his bluntness because he no longer works for Kyoto Animation and has no impact on how Haruhi was produced. It feels like he is slapping Kyoto in the face by suggesting he could have done a better job.
Anyway, enjoy the video after the jump.
English Language Ponyo trailer
The new animated feature from master film marker Hayao Miyazaki, Ponyo, is getting a wide release in North America. Hayao Miyazki came out of semi retirement in 2003 to direct “Howl’s Moving Castle” and it seems like he isn’t going to stop making movies anytime soon.
The story is about a goldfish named Ponyo who becomes friends with a young boy and decides to live among the humans. However, once Ponyo makes the decision it creates a crack in an ancient magic spell that puts the world order in danger. The movie will open in US theaters on August 14th and will be fantastic. We’re talking about Hayao Miyazaki after all.
But the real reason to watch the trailer: Liam fucking Neeson
Hit the jump for the trailer
Trigun Movie Trailer
During Yasuhiro Nightow and Satoshi Nishimura’s panel at Anime Expo 2009 they revealed the new Trigun movie to the world for the first time eleven years after the end of the original series. The movie is based on an original story that looks like it takes place during the original series, not afterwards. Fans who have seen the show will know why after seeing the trailer.
The trailer doesn’t contain any information about a possible story or when we can expect the film to be released. The studio hasn’t even begun working on the film yet! Even if it is a little early to get excited it feels good to know that there is more Trigun at some point in our future.
Japan has the answer to your romance woes: Love Plus
The most “advanced dating sim” to hit the Nintendo DS, Love Plus uses the DS’s touch screen to enable you to interact with your brand new Girlfriend. Starting out as a normal dating Sim the game gives you three girls from which the player has to choose one to fall in love with. Once you win the heart of your one true love that’s when the game gets interesting. You can touch her using the touchscreen, talk to you using the built in microphone, email her, or study together.
The player can set how their new girlfriend to address them, gets to know the players likes and dislikes, and change the way she speaks using the games 5,000 scripts, 150 CG events and 25,000 voice expressions.
At last Japanese men can take their virtual girlfriends with them in their pockets. No longer will their advanced dating sims be limited to their lonely apartments.
Source: Kotaku
Vanguard Princess allows you to watch adorable anime girls beat each other senseless
Vanguard Princess is a freeware 2D fighter developed by a former Capcom employee. The game features gorgeous animation and plenty of Moe. Best of all it’s free to download here. Enjoy your Fourth of July!
Source: Kotaku
Spice and Wolf II Puppet Theater
It seems that in order to promote the upcoming Spice and Wolf II Flying Dog recruited Ami Koshimizu and Iun Fukuyama , the seiyuu of their respected puppets, play with the Horo and Lawrence hand puppets that I posted about back in May. As a promotional tool I know this video is going to be a huge success. It definitely gets the basic factors of the show, Horo beats on Lawrence and loves apples, down to an easy to understand slapstick joke. You don’t even need to understand Japanese to get the premise! Also, the adorable insert at the end with Horo and Lawrence just makes me melt. I can’t wait for the second season to start!
Source: Japanator
More Evangelion Merchandise: Summer Drink Bottle
The golden age of Evangelion merchandise continues. This time Japanese fast food restaurant Lotteria is releasing Evangelion themed coasters and reusable drink cups. This is the kind of news that makes me wish that I lived in Japan. Sure in the United States we get Star Trek and Pokemon at Burger King. But getting a cup with Rei in a sexy pose is a completely different experience.
The full set of coasters:
Hit the jump for more images.
Haruhi in the Matrix
I think this trailer has been terribly miscast. Haruhi should be Neo. As a living God able to alter reality at will she is the only character in the anime that can be compared to Neo who is an “Admin” in the Matrix’s digital world. But other than that small complaint this fan trailer is very well made and syncs up well to the original 1999 movie trailer.
Horo and Taiga figures!
One of the most important aspect about being an Otaku is the figure collection. If you don’t have an impressive collection of colored molded plastic. Here are two upcoming overpriced figures that will (hopefully) soon adorn my shelf. Both of these figures are going to be priced at $75.
Taiga, from the Fall season show Toradora, stands confident in her school uniform holding her Bokken.
Horo sits on the side of Lawrence’s wagon enjoying her favorite food.
Hit the jump for more pictures of both these adorable figures.
Misato reads the news to you!
A new Playstation 3 program will allow Neon Genesis Evangelion heroine Misato Katsuragi to personally read the news to any Otaku willing to drop the 800 Yen a monthly subscription fee. Misato will read all types of news, including Anime Industry news, by pulling it from real world news sites and passing it through a voice synthesizer.
I suppose the key feature is that the end user is able to customize the backgrounds, music, and even Misato’s hair and clothes. I guess the next best thing to having Misato read the news is to have Misato read the news in whatever outfit you choose.
Source: Kotaku
