Finally Child Pornography is Banned in Japan But...

After years of wrangling and discussions in the Diet, Japan lawmakers finally passed the law to ban underage pornography in a landmark law few days ago.

But!

Yes there is an exception.

This law is not applicable to manga or animation. The opponents said it will lead to curtailment of freedom of speech so it is not all encompassing ban.

Anyway, you can read it more here, courtesy of Huffington Post or BBC  and Japan Times.

My view on this, yeah I agree that hentai lolicon genre or even shotacon should be filtered out because frankly, those 2 genres are pretty darn disturbing. However it is quite a slippery slope here. The activist and manga publishers are arguing freedom of speech to prevent the ban from covering anime and manga works. Politicians are trying to push it very hard but not successful so far.

Hitsugi no Chaika Season 2 This Fall?

A tweet from creators talking about continuation of the surprise hit (for me at least) series, Hitsugi no Chaika (Chaika's Coffin). 

【特報続き・拡散希望】最終話先行上映付き、プレミアムイベント、開催!!　6/20、棺音（ラジオ）のチャイカ、公開録音、実施予定！1期最終12話、皆で観る！とても大事!!http://t.co/wKqo6qNMH1　#棺姫のチャイカ
— 【公式】棺姫のチャイカ (@ChaikaTrabant) May 14, 2014

There you have it, I am surprised that the possibility of Hitsugi no Chaika sequel is mulled so soon. If everything goes well, we might see a sequel of this series?

Personally I liked the series not for the albino girl but the male lead that is not annoying at all. 

Upcoming anime - Autumn 2013.

Shows that I will pay attention are Coppelion, Valrave 2nd Season, GITS Arise, Kara no Kyokai, Bushiroad, Ars Nova and Pupa. Click on preview image for bigger resolution.

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Another Fate/Stay Night Anime?

Okay, latest issue of Newtype did not say much except for "it will be faithful to the original source". That's it.

Speculation from me? I am thinking 2 things - a reboot or Heaven's Feel.

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Mangaka having PTSD.

Sometimes mangaka is a human being too. The story of a mangaka, Jiro Taniguchi who is deeply affected by Tohoku Earthquake March 11th 2011. His works can be found here.

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Madoka movie? Really?

Perhaps one of the biggest news of the year, the award winning series Magica Puella Magi Madoka (recently won like 12 out of 21 categories at New Type Anime Awards 2011 in Oct ) might have a movie coming up. I do not know if the movie is going to be a glorified recap of the series or a completely new story. I do remember Urobochi hinted that the series has yet to run its full course yet in Vol 6 commentary track, much to surprise to the voice actress cast of the series.

I awaiting for more details, should be coming up soon in the Newtype Magazine.

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Madoka cosplay spotted in The Economist!

Ah!



Link

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New Kenshin anime? Eh?

Perhaps the most explosive anime related news now, new Kenshin anime is on the horizon. I am not sure which studio gonna animate it, will it be a reboot or anything. All I know is the announcement on 15th anniversary of famous chambara anime.

I shall wait for it with some interest. I already can hear female fans shrieking with excitement.

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Manga publisher backlash against new censorship law has gone global

As predicted, the backlash is getting global coverage from top newspapers. I wonder how long the right wing Tokyo Governor can hold on before he buckle under the pressure. It won't be long in my opinion. I don't think he expected this kind of coverage and indirect complaint from Premier of Japan, Naoto Kan. While he is no Aso, he nevertheless deplored the new law as he feared it will reduce Japanese economic competitiveness in global market. Not to mention the often overlooked softpower aspect. What a lot of people including the Governor of Tokyo did not realise is, one of the mainstay of Japanese global power is its ability to influence world audience thru softpower.


Wall Street Journal

AFP

BBC

ABC

Daily Telegraph

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Female android performer. Creepy yet chillingly cool.

Personally I see it as a novelty, I am not too sure if artificial humans can do performing arts to the level than normal humans can be. But it is an interesting scene.

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Noir / ノワール will be remake into live tv series.

Tinseltown just got into another anime adaptation, this time is Noir / ノワール (2001) the famous Bee Train work that shows their signature slow pace and eye shot camera pan emo scenes. This anime is the progenitor to many Bee Train "chicks with gun cool killer" genre such as Madlax and Cazador. When it is came out at first, many fans hailed it as an artistic and fascinating story of semi lesbian pair of Kirika and Mirelle. However, personally I think it overstays its welcome with 26 formulaic and predictable episodes ( the music cue did not help to hide the suspense). I do liked the soundtrack a lot though. (by Yuki Kaijura no less)

Sam Raimi and Starz will be making the live action adaptation, curiously, it gave me hope since I enjoyed the visceral and bloody Spartacus: Blood and Sand immensely. So my anticipation is there as how they will approach this anime and turn it into live action series. Since it is cable company, it will be more for mature audiences and less concerned with TV censorship.

I find it interesting.

Source News

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New season lineup, 2011 Winter

Here we go again! I am intrigued by Lovecraftian anime series the most. Iron Vendetta is another anime I looking forward to watch, so is Mirai Nikki and Kara no Kyokai Epilogue.

Looks fun, as always.

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I 'm back

Hmmmm....

After 1 month of hiatus for mourning over Kon Sensei, I decided to come back to this old blog of mine. Will be writing something soon.

I guess this entry is kinda like my own therapy.

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Satoshi Kon last testament, translated.

I am too sad to write anything much here now, but this is full translation of Satoshi Kon's last testament for the world before his untimely passing on 25th August 2010.

Here is the full translation.

Rest in peace, Kon-Sensei. Sic transit gloriam mundi = Latin's phrase for "there goes the world's glory"

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Satoshi Kon, director of Paprika passed away?!

This news is 2 hours old when this entry was made but multiple reports suggested that highly talented director of Paprika, Perfect Blue and Millennium Actress passed away suddenly this morning. If this is true, then it is a great loss to anime industry and fans alike.

I mourned for Mr Kon, as I do enjoy his works very much. Sigh.

Source no 1
Source no2

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B Gata H Kei creators gives a middle finger to obsessed otakus

Recently concluded comedy series, B Gata H Kei have been bombarded by series of threats from irate "fans" who disliked openly sexual female characters. It is quite similar to what happened to Kannagi last year when there is a creepy backlash when it is discovered that the titular female character used to be in relationship.

Another manga series that go into the trouble is Good Ending when one of the female character have a normal relationship that is not approved by so called "fans" who wanted innocent, virgin but sexually ravishing females. However these females must not be engaged in any relationship because of perceived purity "issue". If you ask me, this is pretty fucked up, selfish obsession with the notion. Since they cannot get laid in real life, then imaginary 2D characters must not too. Losers.

The production committee of B Gata H Kei is not deterred by the threats and responded that it is creative process that cannot be undone to whims of small minority that is obsessed which completely skewered the original intent of series existence: that is to entertain. The makers of the series have contacted law enforcement to investigate these threats.

Source

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Upcoming Animes....

Oh man, slim pickings for me this time. I am only interested to watch 2 of the lineup so far. Am I too jaded already?

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Cat Shit One anime scheduled in August.

The really, really mindfuck series Cat Shit One is finally scheduled for air in August 2010. Finally! Time for some fluffy PMC action!

Old link

Source

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Happy new year 2010, folks!

As 2009 closing to its end, this been a great fun writing the blog. And I hope it is fun for readers too though admittedly the content could be longer.

Makoto Shinkai is now on a new project, did not say what its name and reveal only barebones of the upcoming story. Another story that dwell on lost and nostalgia, it seems. Don't be surprised with skyshots of gorgeous clouds and blowing wind.

Studio Ghibli will adopt Mary Norton's The Borrowers as their next movie. Don't think the 2 Miyazakis will direct this one though, Ponyo did not do as well as Spirited Away in international market and Tales of Earthsea is considered not very commercially successful so maybe the father and son are licking their respective wounds.

That's it! Bye Bye 2009 and Hello to 2010!

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Moyashimon live action drama soon on Fuji TV

Ah, the manga and anime caught my heart with eccentric cutesy depiction of mircobes is now given a green light as live action drama TV, to be aired in supposedly prime time in Fuji TV soon next year. The series have a very charming atmosphere provided by funny comments from little germs that main character can see and hear. Of course most people remember his good friend more. (shrugs) Or the lesbian sex scene. Whatever.

I am looking forward to watch the drama, expecting same type of humor and charm from the ilk.

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