Next Club Meeting: April 20, 2024, at the Fountaindale Public Library in Bolingbrook from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

The Animatrix Network is an anime & manga fan club located in the Southwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. We usually meet on the third Saturday of each month (except when holidays or conventions coincide). The meetings are free and open to the public. Join us for a day filled with anime.

This site provides news, reviews, commentaries, and previews of the world of anime and everything it inspires, such as live-action films, comics, music, art, and other weird things to enjoy and contemplate.

Monday, January 31, 2011

Cool Figures

Kotobukiya announces upcoming comic bishojo heroine imports
DC COMICS BISHOUJO COLLECTION SUPERGIRL BISHOUJO STATUE

Based on the current “New Earth” version of the character and costume and inspired by Superman/Batman #8 “Supergirl from Krypton,” Kara arrives on the scene literally floating in the clouds! Dressed in her super cute two piece blue, red, and gold outfit consisting of a very short skirt and midriff-baring top along with knee-length boots, the young Kryptonian looks better than ever. Supergirl flies on top of a small cloud formation, twisting to look behind her (and in the process showing off her long legs and just a peek at her crimson panties). She’s even joined by her faithful kitty companion Streaky the Supercat! Kara’s beautiful flowing blonde hair is further accented by translucent material, and perfectly frames her adorable Bishoujo-styled smiling face.

Constructed of high-quality pvc plastic and standing nearly 10 inches tall (in the ultimate 1/7 scale) as she floats on her exclusive base, Supergirl was sculpted by Masahiro “Gill Gill” Takahashi.

srp $59.99
Available in JUNE


TM & © DC Comics.


MARVEL BISHOUJO COLLECTION INVISIBLE WOMAN BISHOUJO STATUE
Based on an original character reinterpretation by illustrator Shunya Yamashita.

To highlight her cool powers a mix of clearvc has been used on Sue’s legs, hands, and hair, while the force field shards around here are a contrasting pale blue.

Invisible Woman stands just over 9 inches tall (in the current Marvel Bishoujo 1/7th scale) on an amazing georama base depicting the hand of the gigantic green monster from the cover of Fantastic Four #1, “The Mole Man’s Monster!”

srp $59.99
Available in JULY


Marvel, Invisible Woman: TM & © 2010 Marvel Entertainment, LLC and its subsidiaries.
Licensed by Marvel Characters B.V. www.marvel.com. All rights reserved.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Best Pictures Nominees - LEGO Style

The 83rd Annual Academy Awards
Alex Eylar, 22, is a bona fide film fanatic. Since 2001, he's seen more than 1,600 movies, but Alex isn't just another film aficianado, he's an artist. His subjects: major motion pictures. His instruments: Legos. With an estimated 30,000 pieces at his disposal, Alex has turned his love of film into an online art exhibit that's made him something of celebrity. Check out his latest project, which features re-created scenes from this year's 10 Best Picture nominees. Who knew a mini plastic Natalie Portman could look so lifelike? [Source: Yahoo.News]
photos by Alex Eylar/Pacific Coast News - 2011

Friday, January 28, 2011

Stuff Coming to North America

New Releases
 [Source: aicn.com]
cerealgeek issue 8 is now available for pre-order

Issue eight continues the theme from the previous issue showcasing the many animated movies of the eighties; both series-based and studio-produced. The numerous five-part stories that featured in many cartoons of the eighties are addressed in this issue. The He-Man and She-Ra movie The Secret of The Sword receives an in-depth article, including never-before-seen development artwork. Akira, one of the biggest and most noteworthy pieces of anime, is covered. Learn how one of the most violent live action movies of the eighties RoboCop was turned into a Saturday morning cartoon. Other shows covered include BraveStarr, MASK, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Real Ghostbusters, The Transformers, ThunderCats, and many more!


Section23

New releases include

KÄMPFER COMPLETE COLLECTION
Running Time: 300 min.
Age Rating: TV 14 (V, D)
Language: Japanese with English Subtitles
CAT: SF-KM100
UPC: 814131010414
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Street Date: 1/18/2011
Format: DVD
SRP: $49.98
SYNOPSIS: Waking up transformed into a beautiful girl might be the stuff of some guys' fantasies, but when the suddenly effeminatized Natsuru is informed by a stuffed tiger that he's now a Kämpfer, a mystical fighter who has to fight other Kämpfers in female form, his life becomes a living nightmare! Putting aside the obvious "plumbing" issues, Natusru's best childhood friend turns out to swing the other way and SHE has a crush on his new female body. Not complex enough? Natsuru's school has separate sections for boys and girls, so he and she are now double enrolled. The rumor-mill has it that he's dating herself. And there are other Kämpfers attending the school who want to take her out, and he's not sure which ones mean "on a date" and which ones mean "permanently." Oh, and did we mention that some Kämpfers use SWORDS and GUNS?! Hormones, fists and other body parts will fly as the daring, new gender-blender defender must become a contender or die in KÄMPFER! - The Complete Series!

April releases include
SPECIAL A COMPLETE COLLECTION
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 600 min.
Street Date: 4/5/2011
Format: DVD
Language: Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $59.98
SYNOPSIS: Until she was six, Hikari was always the best at everything she did. Right up until the moment she challenged Kei to a wrestling match and HE won. Ever since that wretched day, Hikari's entire life has been structured around beating Kei at SOMETHING, but try as she might, she always seems to come up just short! Now, a decade later, he's the top student and athlete at their very exclusive high school and she's STILL second best at everything. Or is she? What Hikari's never noticed, even as she's dedicated her entire life to somehow one-upping Kei, is that he's actually in love with her! And that's only the beginning of the ridiculously convoluted web of relationships that ties the elite group of students who go by the name of the Special A together! Get ready for spring flings, split personalities and social (dys) functions galore as boy meets girl turns into boy beats girl in SPECIAL A - THE COMPLETE COLLECTION!!

NEEDLESS COLLECTION 2
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 300 min.
Street Date: 4/12/2011
Format: DVD
Language: Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $59.98
SYNOPSIS: Adam Arklight and his band of super-hotties are ready to take over the world, but not if the macho, mutant hero Blade has anything to say about it. Still, it's tough when your opponents are ridiculously cute girls in really sexy school uniforms. But with this much at stake maybe even Blade can keep his mind on the job and his eyes on the prize. (Yeah, right.) If you're looking for most action-packed and wackiest comedy anime adventure this year, you just found what you need - Needless!

NEEDLESS COLLECTION 2 BLU-RAY EDITION
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 300 min.
Street Date: 4/12/2011
Format: BD
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $69.98

Clannad: After Story
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 625 min.
Street Date: 4/19/2011
Format: DVD
Language: English & Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $69.98
SYNOPSIS: A few months have passed since Tomoya declared his love to Nagisa. Now their relationship is entering a new phase, and neither is quite sure where it will take them. As their friends move on to lives of their own, Tomoya and Nagisa get ready to start a family of their own. But Nagisa's health has always been precarious, and an event that should bring nothing but joy delivers tragedy instead. Now Tomoya must learn to accept the bitter with the sweet and to understand that the most important thing is to hold onto love, no matter what. Don't miss the heartbreak and triumph of the masterful conclusion to one of the most beloved anime series ever in CLANNAD AFTER STORY!

Asylum Session
Published by: Sentai Filmworks
Distributed by: Section23 Films
Run Time: 65 min.
Street Date: 4/26/2011
Format: DVD
Language: Japanese with English Subtitles
SRP: $19.98
SYNOPSIS: In a world where civilization has run its course, where the mechanics of society have failed, a chosen few are still born with the ability to dream. Forced to run when her father blocks her visions of becoming an artist, Hiyoko finds herself drawn into a strange tent city set up in the ruins of an abandoned stadium, a place the residents call The Asylum. It is in this shadow community, were she meets other gifted youth, including the mysterious Akira, that she finds herself and her purpose. When profiteering officials and police plot to tear the Asylum down, destroying their last sanctuary, Hiyoko and the other refuges choose to fight back rather than flee. But rather than resort to weapons, their unexpected challenge is to create a street festival, using art and culture to win the hearts of the people: a festival they call the Asylum Session.

VIZ Media
Arina Tanemura’s MISTRESS FORTUNE will be released on February 1st. The new single-volume story will be published under the company’s Shojo Beat imprint, is rated ‘T’ for Teens, and will carry an MSRP of $9.99 U.S. / $12.99 CAN.

Fourteen-year-old Kisaki Tachibana has psychic powers. She works for PSI, a secret government agency that fights aliens. She's in love with her partner Giniro, but PSI won't allow operatives to get involved. Just when Kisaki thinks she may be getting closer to Giniro, she finds out she's going to be transferred to California!

The prose Haikasoru label has released Tow Ubukata's Mardock Scramble.


Why me? It was to be the last thought a young prostitute, Rune-Balot, would ever have...as a human anyway. Taken in by a devious gambler named Shell, she became a slave to his cruel desires and would have been killed by his hand if not for the self-aware All-Purpose Tool (and little yellow mouse) known as Oeufcoque. Now a cyborg, Balot is not only nigh-invulnerable, but has the ability to disrupt electrical systems of all sorts. But even these powers may not be enough for Balot to deal with Shell, who offloads his memories to remain above the law, the immense assassin Dimsdale-Boiled, or the neon-noir streets of Mardock City itself.


Star Wars: The Groan Wars

MAD's Twisted Parody of Clone Wars

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Young Justice - "Drop Zone"

The team's first mission may be their last
Here are new video clips released by Warner Bros. Animation from "Drop Zone," the upcoming new episode of Young Justice premiering this Friday, January 28, 2011, at 7:00 PM (Eastern/Pacific) on Cartoon Network. 

On their first official assignment -- a covert recon mission to the VENOM-producing island of SANTA PRISCA -- THE TEAM finds itself caught in a struggle between the deadly BANE and cult leader KOBRA for possession of something far worse than they suspected.


Wednesday, January 26, 2011

C2E2: Anouncements!

Guests, Marvel Dinner and Muggle Quidditch!
Exhibit Hall Hours
Friday, March 18
1:00pm - 7:00pm
Saturday, March 19
10:00am - 7:00pm
Sunday, March 20
10:00am - 5:00pm
Location
West Building at McCormick Place
Chicago, IL

This is Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) Show Manager Lance Fensterman giving you the weekly behind-the-scenes glimpse at what's going on in the world of the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo. This week we have some C2E2 2011 fun for ya to get you pumped up for March. A couple solid events, more guest announcements that are just awesome and some deadlines you don't want to forget!
 
 Matt Fraction, Joe Quesada and 
C.B. Cebulski at C2E2!
If you waited all week for another blast of top notch guests, we think this might do the trick....Matt Fraction, Joe Quesada and C.B. Cebulski will be at C2E2! These three Marvel Entertainment superstars from the world's largest and most dynamic comics publisher join the C2E2 guest list. Now that is a Marvelous guest line-up!
 
Check out their full bios and read below for more announcements that will rile you up a bit!
 
Avatar Press at C2E2!
We are excited to add some of the best creators in comics to our guest list! The creators from Avatar Press including Jacen Burrows, Rich Johnston, Michael DiPascale, Mike Wolfer, Matt Martin, William Christensen and Dheeraj Verma will be joining us this March in the windy city.

Check out their bio's here and get ready because there's still more to come!
 Who Wants To Go On
 a Date With Marvel?
The Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo kicks off Friday, March 18, but when the sun goes down and the show floor closes, we want to keep the party going and have reservations at one of the hottest restaurants in town with some of the most well-known people in the comic biz. And we want you to join us! We've setup a five course meal with wine pairing at Topolobampo, owned by Top Chef Master Rick Bayless. If this award-winning restaurant doesn't entice you enough, wait until you hear who you'll be dining with...

C.B. Cebulski, writer and talent scout extraordinaire hosts this once-in-a-lifetime dinner with Brian Michael Bendis, award-winning comics creator and a writer who's reshaped the Marvel universe and Chief Creative Officer of Marvel Entertainment, Joe Quesada. Yeah, that's right.

This is your chance to be wined and dined with some of the most important people in comics. It all takes place at 8pm on Friday, March 18 and includes a five course meal and wine pairing. It is open to only eight fans. The cost is $500, but the opportunity is priceless!

Tickets will go on sale Thursday, January 27 at 12pm Central Time at C2E2.com. There are only 8 spots available so plan your reservation now. Please note, you must be 21 or older and present a valid ID to attend the dinner.
 
Muggle Quidditch at C2E2
Calling all wizard fans, sports fans and any comic fan looking for a sweepin' good time! The sport of wizards comes to C2E2 this March. 
This past fall, 750 players from over 46 colleges and high schools from around the country participated in the International Quidditch Association's fourth annual World Cup in New York City. That event launched the game into the spotlight, with over 10,000 spectators in attendance and more than twenty million more watching media coverage of the event on forty channels. Now the IQA is bringing the game to C2E2, with two college teams leading an exhibition match, followed by open matches for attendees to sign-up, learn the game and start playing!

While you might be wondering how "Muggle Quidditch" works without the magic, flying brooms or even Harry Potter, check out C2E2.com for all the details. 

For more information on the sport of muggle magic check out
 Saturday Night Masquerade Deadline Approaching
Our Saturday Night Masquerade taking place from 6 to 9pm on Saturday, March 19 will be a costume showcase that is part fashion show and part talent show with prizes on the line. Did we just say prizes? Yes! The Masquerade's winning team takes home prizes from our contest's sponsors and $1,000 in prize money!

The C2E2 Masquerade is your chance to have your costume and talent recognized in front of thousands of fans. To participate in the C2E2 Masquerade, you must fill out the Masquerade Registration Form and submit it to C2E2 by 11:59pm Central Time on January 30, 2011.
 
Deadline to Get Free $25
Gift Card is Coming!
Snag a Free $25 Gift Card Code for awesome film and gaming collectibles! This is your chance to get a FREE $25 gift card code towards the hottest film and gaming collectibles such as Star Wars, Marvel, Disney, LOTR, Halo and World of Warcraft and more from SideshowCollectibles.com.

How do you receive your very own free gift card code? It's simple; buy your tickets to C2E2 between now and January 31. As a bonus for buying your ticket before January 31, you will score a FREE, gift card code worth $25* at SideshowCollectibles.com good towards over 175 select, amazingly cool items!

The FREE, promotional card code savings is good towards select, specially marked, in-stock products. One gift card code per order/per person/per household. Must be 18 years and over to redeem. Gift card information will be e-mailed within five business days of the purchase of your ticket. Codes expire within thirty days of date of generation or by March 2, 2011, which ever comes first. Void where prohibited by law.
 
Don't forget to keep up with the latest C2E2 news on our official blog
 -- Medium at Large -- as well as follow the show on Twitter -- @C2E2.

Lance Fensterman
Show Manager
Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2)
lfensterman@reedexpo.com

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

The Sacred Blacksmith - DVD Release

Available Today! 

Order now! http://funient.us/SacredBlacksmithLE_... The knight Cecily wants to defend the weak, but her lack of skill makes her an unlikely heroine -- until the blacksmith Luke comes to her aid, using magic to forge blades of supernatural strength. Cecily wields this sacred steel and charges forth to face a new threat; a cloaked fiend is unleashing demons upon the land, and though he lurks in shadows, the villain is closer than Cecily knows.
Click here to order Sacred Blacksmith!
YouTube Facebook FUNimation Update Blog Twitter

Monday, January 24, 2011

Cat Shit One - Promo Trailer

Free English Stream on February 5
Synopsis: The two rabbit soldiers from Special Force 'Cat Shit One', PACKY and BOTASKY, infiltrate enemy lines to rescue the hostages captured by an unidentified camel militia. Knowing the hostages are in need of immediate help, they launch a sneak attack without waiting for backup.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Dead Space: Downfall

The nightmare returns...
Dead Space 2 is out. Experience the terror of the animated tale "Downfall."

[Source: Wikipedia] The film revolves around the mining ship Ishimura as it arrives in the vicinity of an alien world. The crew of the Ishimura discover an object, which is referred to as the "Marker". It is brought aboard by order of Captain Mathius and Dr. Kyne. A week passes and a rash of violent attacks between the miners and other crew begin to rise in numbers. Hostilities begin to break out as members of the religious group, the "Unitologists", beg for a glimpse of the Marker, a key icon in their belief.
 
Meanwhile, on the planet, two miners check an outpost that has gone silent while the Ishimura brings up a chunk of the planet to mine. The men discover something amiss and one goes in search of his girlfriend, while his partner vanishes during a blackout. In the girlfriend's room, the man watches in shock as his beloved commits suicide. As the man flees the facility, he is unaware of an alien presence attaching itself to his deceased lover.

Onboard the Ishimura, Alissa Vincent, head of security, demands that Mathius allow an investigation of the recent outbreak of violence. But Mathius remains firm in the belief that nothing is amiss. The vessel piloted by the surviving miner crashes into the hangar just as he cuts communication and is killed by his mutated girlfriend. Vincent and her team are dispatched to contain the situation but discover nothing aboard the small ship, then depart to find out what caused the crash. Kyne suggest they call for help, but Mathius says that Aegis VII is a restricted area and they are not supposed to be there.

Down in the sickbay, a man awakes to discover alien creatures mutating the various corpses in the morgue, only to be killed. The situation turns grim all through the ship as the chaos and body count rise, as Mathius demands order. Kyne says that the Marker is responsible, but Mathius is in denial because he would have to put the Marker back and face court martial if the government knew they were in the restricted system. A confrontation between Mathius and Kyne leads to Mathius being accidentally killed by Kyne, who then flees. Vincent and her team arrive at the morgue where a Necromorph kills a teammate before being dispatched.

Things become chaotic as Vincent and her team struggle to make their way back to safety, but are confronted by a horde of Necromorphs. When it looks like conventional weapons are useless, an engineer named Samuel Irons arrives on the scene with a mining tool and cuts down the creatures. A member of the team named Hanson goes insane and murders fellow teammate Shen, after which Hanson and Vincent have a brief fight ending with Hanson being shot in the head by Ramirez. Returning to the deck, Vincent, Irons, and remaining member Ramirez discover that Kyne is planning to crash the ship into the planet below.

On their way to confront Kyne, Vincent and the others discover survivors being attacked by Necromorphs and go to save them. Using himself as bait, Irons buys time for Vincent and Ramirez to extract the scared crew members before being killed and turned into a Necromorph himself. The survivors are overwhelmed by more Necromorphs and Ramirez sacrifices himself to give Vincent a head start for the control room where Kyne is hiding. Vincent confronts Kyne who claims what he has done was necessary and steals her weapon as she tries to save the ship.

Vincent finds herself surrounded by numerous Necromorphs. She then discovers that the creatures cannot come into close proximity with the artifact, but Vincent doesn't care and breaks down. Spurred on by a brief vision of Ramirez, Vincent leaves a video log that details the entire events up until now. She downloads the video log she made into the distress beacon and opens the airlock and activates the distress beacon on a downed shuttle just a few feet from the marker. The distress beacon then fires outwards into space and along with it, several of the Necromorphs and herself.

As the film draws to a close, Vincent's body drifts into the darkness as the song "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" plays. The story ends just as the Kellion arrives and prepares to dock on the Ishimura, the beginning of Dead Space.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

New Anime: Freezing

Super-powered harem battles!

Freezing is a 2011 Sci-Fi, action anime based on the manga of the same name written by Dall-Young Lim and illustrated by Kim Kwang Hyun. The manga is serialized monthly in Kill Time Communications Comic Valkyrie manga magazine. Set in a slightly futuristic world, Earth has been invaded and at war with aliens from another dimension called the Nova. In order to counter them, genetically modified girls with super fighting skills called Pandoras, and their male partners who use special "freezing" powers to limit their opponent's mobility, called Limiters, are made to fight against the Nova. The series focuses on Kazuya Aoi, a Limiter who's late sister was a Pandora and Bridgette L. Satellizer, a powerful Pandora with a cold personality, both who are enrolled at the Genetics Academy where Pandoras and Limiters are trained. The plot follows Kazuya's friendship with Bridgette, the students of the Academy and Earth's war against the Nova. [Source: Wikipedia]

Friday, January 21, 2011

Young Justice - New Clips

Tonight's episode "Welcome to Happy Harbor"

 
Plot 
After Speedy declines to join the new team, Robin, Aqualad and Kid Flash fear YOUNG JUSTICE is just a big joke… while new member Miss Martian fears there’s no room for her to be part of it. So when the four heroes and Superboy come up against Mister Twister, it looks like all their fears have just been realized... [Source: ToonZone]

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Don't Miss Clone Wars this Friday Night

The Conclusion of the Night Sisters Trilogy...
Lucasfilm and Cartoon Network have released the following clip from "Witches of the Mist," the newest upcoming episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars premiering on Friday, January 21, 2011, at 8:30 PM (Eastern/Pacific). Click the image to play:
 
The full press announcement follows, with a new still from the episode and comments by voice actors Corey Burton (Count Dooku), Nika Futterman (Asajj Ventress), and Clancy Brown (Savage Opress). 

(Click to Enlarge)

Savage Opress proves to be a valuable asset and fearsome opponent
in “Witches of the Mist,” an all-new episode of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS
remiering at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT Friday, January 21 on Cartoon Network.
TM & © 2011 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Must-See Conclusion to an Epic Three-Part Clone Wars Arc – This Friday on Cartoon Network! (click to enlarge) Savage Opress proves to be a valuable asset and fearsome opponent in “Witches of the Mist,” an all-new episode of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS remiering at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT Friday, January 21 on Cartoon Network. TM & © 2011 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. 

Sent to track down the mysterious figure behind the deaths of several Jedi, Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi find themselves on the trail of Count Dooku’s newest apprentice – the monstrous Savage Opress. However, Dooku and Asajj Ventress discover that their creation has a will of his own, and that he has grown more powerful than either of them had anticipated – perhaps even more powerful than the combined forces of the Jedi and the Sith. The end begins in “Witches of the Mist,” the final chapter of a thrilling, three-part Clone Wars arc – airing at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT Friday, January 21 on Cartoon Network. 

Driven by the Machiavellian machinations of Count Dooku, the series’ various villains come face to face at last in a climactic clash of red sabers. Dooku, Opress and Ventress – all are manifestations of evil, yet each is so distinct. It’s not until these three titans are brought together in the heat of conflict, however, that their nuances and differences become truly clear. 

“With Dooku, the series' direction is pushing his character more towards that of a masterful diplomat, concealing a sinister agenda beneath a veil of polite sophistication,” says Corey Burton, voice of Dooku – and countless other Clone Wars characters, both good and evil. “He's a subversive political overlord – a major marketing force and seducer for the dark side ‘brand.’ It's all about his personal enrichment, power and position within the hierarchy; there's nothing intentionally cruel or vengeful in his manner, or behind his dastardly actions – as a Sith Lord, it's just how things are done to most efficiently preside over the fate of the galaxy. Mustache-twirling displays are beneath his sense of dignity.” 

While Dooku is as consumed by his quest for power as he is by his own sense of sophistication, Ventress is wholly unconcerned by the niceties of evil. Driven by a desire for revenge, her motivation is raw and real – a product and a reflection of her own difficult past. 

“She’s been wronged by so many, and I believe her experiences will lead her in an even more powerful direction,” says Nika Futterman, voice of Ventress. “We are finally beginning to understand what makes Asajj tick; I think this is her quest for revenge and not power like the Sith. That’s what separates her. She does things that may seem like her quest for power, but, I think she aligned herself with the dark side as a means to an end. She doesn’t ever forget who has done right by her and, of course, who has done her wrong. All this time, I had hoped that I would be able to delve into what made her so fabulous and complex. It turns out my hopes are coming true!” 

Serving as a foil for the final confrontation between the former master and his jilted apprentice is the massively powerful Opress. Ostensibly a blunt instrument of evil, the monstrous creation is nonetheless imbued with a perverse humanity of his own – brought to the surface by sharp writing and a soulful performance by screen legend Clancy Brown (Highlander, The Shawshank Redemption). 

“I'd been a fan of The Clone Wars since the first season; and then caught up with the second season with my son,” says Brown. “He was excited because it was Star Wars and I was excited about the role not just because it was in the Star Wars universe but because the writing is so sophisticated. There was never any question from me about Savage's motives and what was going on because I was familiar with the characters, and you can go another layer deeper.” [Source: ToonZone]

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

RPG Metanoia

The Philippine's first full length animated film in 3D
RPG Metanoia took 4 years to make with a crew of about 26 animators. Thaumatrope Animation began work in 2007. In 2008, a teaser trailer for the movie (then titled "theRPGmovie") was shown at Level Up's Ragnarok Online event at the World Trade Center. In August 2009, Ambientmedia officially partnered with ABS-CBN. In June 2010, it was announced to be an official entry for the 36th Metro Manila Film Festival. In August 2010, RPG: Metanoia's official website was launched. The Cinema Evaluation Board gave the movie a Grade A. [Source: Wikipedia]
 
RPG Metanoia is about a young boy name Nico (voiced by Zaijan Jaranilla) who is obsessed with playing online video games. He is encouraged by his father (voiced by Aga Muhlach); however, his mother (voiced by Eugene Domingo) worries if Nico’s passion for video games will be good for his future. 

The film premiered on Christmas Day, December 25, 2010, and received several awards from the Metro Manila Film Festival.

Links:

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

GANTZ movie premiere January 20, 2011

One Night Event in Select Theaters
NEW PEOPLE will welcome Japanese actors Kazunari Ninomiya (Letters from Iwo Jima) and Kenichi Matsuyama (Death Note, Detroit Metal City), for the opening of the stars’ latest feature film – GANTZ. The pair will appear in-person for the premiere of the film in Hollywood, CA on Thursday, January 20th at 5:00pm at the Mann’s Chinese 6, located in the Hollywood & Highland Mall in Hollywood, CA.

Immediately following the GANTZ screening, Otaku USA Editor-in-Chief Patrick Macias will conduct a live interview session with Kazunari Ninomiya and Kenichi Matsuyama that will be telecast to the 333 theatres across the U.S. also screening GANTZ for the January 20th premiere. Fans are invited to submit interview questions via Facebook and Twitter and also through the official GANTZ movie website

Seating for the Mann’s Chinese 6 is limited to 400 seats, so the opportunity to purchase tickets to the screening and interview event will be awarded through a drawing. Enter sooner for a better chance to win at www.gantzmovies.com. Winners will be notified promptly via email and will have the opportunity to purchase tickets for $15.00 each. All movie attendees will also receive a special GANTZ t-shirt that can only be found at this event.

GANTZ makes its U.S. premiere in 333 movie theaters in an exclusive one-night-only event presented by NCM Fathom, Dark Horse Comics, and NEW PEOPLE on Thursday, January 20th, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT / 6:00 p.m. MT / 8:30 p.m. PT (tape delayed). Tickets (for all locations except Hollywood, CA) are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. For a complete list of theater locations and prices, please visit the web site (theaters and participants are subject to change).

Monday, January 17, 2011

Awesome New Figures

A new list of imported collectibles has been announced
[Source: AICN.com]
MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS: THE KOTOBUKIYA COLLECTION
X-FORCE DEADPOOL FINE ART STATUE


Sculpted by Erick Sosa, Deadpool stands just under 12 inches tall (in 1/6th scale). The demented yet hilarious assassin is recreated in high quality cold cast resin and the rooftop base under his feet matches perfectly with those of the other X-Force Fine Art Statues.

srp $174.99
Available in JUNE



DEAD OR ALIVE 4 KASUMI “CHERISH” ANI*STATUE

When it was time to design a new version of Kasumi, Koto went to one of the most popular illustrators in Japan, Oyari Ashito. Renowned for his heart-grabbing girls, Ashito created an all new special illustration for the warrior that captures her alluring beauty. Dressed in her revealing Dead or Alive 4 costume, the sultry Kasumi bends forward while lifting up the front of her outfit provocatively and nibbling on the ribbon tie to her top. The girl’s pretty brown hair falls down behind her white, red, and pink robe, while behind her back rests Kasumi’s trusty sword. The fully pre-painted fighting beauty comes with an exclusive miniature clear poster of Kasumi illustrated by Oyari Ashito. Sculpted by MIC, Kasumi stands over 8 ½ inches tall (in 1/ 7th scale) on a specially designed display base.

srp $79.99
Available in APRIL

© KIYOHIKO AZUMA / YOTUBA SUTAZIO


SHINING HEARTS ~ MAXIMA ENFIELD ANI*STATUE
sculpted by Keijirou Togita, Maxima stands 8 ½ inches tall (in 1/8th scale) atop an exlusive base and is fully painted.

srp $69.99
Available in JUNE

©SEGA

YU-GI-OH! ~ BLACK MAGICIAN GIRL ANI*STATUE
Dark Magician Girl comes with two interchangeable faces (one wide-eyed and one winking), and the first production run will include a Kuriboh keychain and A4 size poster.

Sculpted by Tsukuru Shirahige, the dark one is slightly over 7 inches tall (in 1/7th scale) as she kneels on her special magic square printed base.

srp $ 69.99
Available in APRIL

© 2008 HIMARUYA HIDEKA / GENTOSHA COMICS INC.


YU-GI-OH! ONE COIN MINI FIGURES
2 – 2 ½ inch figures come with special dialogue plates that connect to their bases; each figure comes with two different plates! The figures in this set include:

Honda Hiroto
Kaiba Seto
Kaiba Mokuba
Masaki Anzu
Bakura Ryo
Yami Yugi
Muto Yugi
Jonouchi Katsuya
Red Eyes Black Dragon
1 “secret figure

srp $5.99 each
Available in APRIL

© 2008 HIMARUYA HIDEKA / GENTOSHA COMICS INC.


*
Dark Horse will release DOMO AND FRIENDS FIGURE SET
On sale June 15
3-piece figure set
$17.99
Based on the characters from Domo TV shorts on Japan’s NHK network, this 3-piece PVC figure set features Domo and his friends Mr. Usaji the wise old rabbit, and Tashanna, the young lady weasel. Domo stands at 4" tall while his friends stand at 3.5". Packaged in a deluxe full color window box.

Also Available

Domo 7” Qee DIY
SEP100123
$59.99

Domo 7” Qee Flocked Love Green
SEP100124
$59.99

Domo 7” Qee Glitter
AUG100080
$59.99

Domo 7” Qee Glow in the Dark
JUL100088
$59.99

Domo 7” Qee Skeleton
AUG100079
$59.99

Domo 7” Qee Wood Grain
JUL100087
$59.99

Revoltech's upcoming Evangelion 2.x unit 02

Blythe doll of Tezuka's Black Jack

Volcaloid Pullips

Lost Godzilla Trendmaster toy line

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Symbionic Titan's Sexy Dance Scene

"Shake it, Bake it, Booty Quake it!"

Here is the controversial scene where Kimberly performs a sexy dance on Cartoon Network's Symbionic Titan. For a kid's show, it makes you wonder just who the target audience is. Remember to shake it, bake it, booty quake it! Move it around! ^^

Friday, January 14, 2011

Xbox Girls Get Revenge

"Where's my sammich!"

WARNING: Not Safe For Work - NSFW (Adult Humor)

Thursday, January 13, 2011

The Tired City

Overworked, Underappreciated Heroine of Anime

Synopsis 
The story happens to a busy office girl, and her story can also be your story. She is a character from a fairy tale: sweet, dedicated and rather naive. Facing the owner of Tired Out Incorporation, Bossie, and to earn her living, she pours herself into her work everyday, proficient, no complaints and never says no. The flower in the office is her only joy. But she has no time for it, or her friends or family... then the flower wilts and she comes to realize the true meaning of living... 

Artists Biography 
Postgal Workshop is a multimedia and animation creation team; its client portfolio includes Coca Cola, Nike, Nokia, DHL , Levis, Hong Kong Asian Film Festival and East Asian Games, etc on their mascot design, keyart design, animation and multimedia works. Postgals been interviewed by Taiwan XFUN, Computer Arts and design book series Taschen, been invited to the Milia Digital conference in Cannes, France, Kinolab in Poland, HK TVB, FM 903 and HK Baptist University to share their view in design & animation field as guest speaker. Adobe CS3 and HKAC has held a workshop in early 2008 and Postgals director John has been invited for tutoring the animation classes. Postgal is also one of the judges for coca cola art bottle competition. Postgals works have been awarded in HK IFVA, San Francisco Flash Forward Film Festival, Korea Senef Film Festival and Switzerland Fantoche Film Festvail, etc, moreover, its works have been screened in Hong Kong International Film Festival, Taiwan Animation Festival and Japan JVC TV Festival, etc. Postgals latest creation is to create a mascot family for a famous beverage brands Hung Fong Took, along with its comics and animation for its 2008 promotion campaign. Meanwhile, we have animated Hong Kong Connection in a project with RTHK. 

http://www.postgal.com

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

The Most Anticipated Movies of 2011

Here's a list of the most anticipated flicks of 2011
[Source: Yahoo! Movies]
Thor (May 6) 
This year we'll see comic books, fairy tales, current bestsellers and classic novels come to life on the big screen. You'll have to wait until 2012 for the A-list superheroes like Spider-Man, Batman and even Superman to return to your local megaplex. In the meantime, there's "Thor." Unlike those others, this superhero is not a millionaire with a dark side or a high school kid with unusual insect bites. No. Thor is a god! This movie gives fans a chance to see the mighty warrior (played by Australian actor Chris Hemsworth) in his own flick. You'll see him next fighting along side Iron Man and the Hulk in the hotly anticipated "Avengers" movie, which also comes out in 2012. 

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (May 20) -- Jack Sparrow is back, which isn't surprising considering the huge piles of booty raked in by the last three flicks. This time Sparrow teams up with his old nemesis Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) and his old flame Angelica (Penelope Cruz) to track down the Fountain of Youth. Blocking their path is Blackbeard (Ian McShane) and a host of supernatural baddies that includes zombies and mermaids.


The Hangover, Part II (May 26) -- If there's one place on the planet that can top Vegas in terms of sin, it's the red-light districts of Thailand. And that's where Phil (Bradley Cooper) and Alan (Zach Galifianakis) head for Stu's (Ed Helms) bachelor party. It's safe to assume that the party goes horribly wrong. The production landed itself in the news last year with word of two high-profile cameos. Bill Clinton appears briefly, perhaps the only ex-president out there appropriate for a "Hangover" movie. Mel Gibson, after a lot of screaming and yelling, will not be in the flick. 

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (July 1) -- "Transformers 2" might have made over $400 million domestically, but just about everyone from hardcore fans to producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura to star Shia LaBeouf admits that the movie just wasn't that good. Michael Bay has promised that this flick will be better and reportedly will have cooler action and less "dorky comedy." Also absent from this go-around is Megan Fox, replaced by Victoria's Secret model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. 

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (July 15) -- It's taken just about ten years for everyone's favorite boy wizard to have his final face-off with He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named. While the previous Potter movie, the first half of J.K. Rowling's tome, started with some high-flying action (literally) only to level into a long stretch of angst, exile and self-doubt, this movie looks like it's going to be one long breathless chase to that wizarding Gotterdammerung, the battle of Hogwarts. 

Cowboys & Aliens (July 29) -- Han Solo and James Bond star in a Western about aliens. Do you really need to know more? It's a veritable tiramisu of Fanboy awesomeness. Jon Favreau of "Iron Man" fame directs.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn -- Part 1 (November 18) -- After the wild success of "Eclipse," Twi-hards everywhere are waiting with bated breath to see how Stephenie Meyer's final book in the Twilight series is going to be adapted. Thematically, "Breaking Dawn" is marked with less moony-eyed longing than the previous books and with more shocks, including a graphic, not to mention icky, child-birthing scene. How can this movie possibly be faithful to the text and keep a tween-friendly rating of PG-13? The producers are remaining tight-lipped about the whole thing, but they did bring in Oscar-winning filmmaker Bill Condon to direct. We'll see if the "Dreamgirls" director can find a way to satisfy both fans and the MPAA.

The Muppets (November 23) -- Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear and the rest of the gang is finally getting a reboot after a twelve year absence from the silver screen. The same guys responsible for "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" -- Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller -- wrote the screenplay, so expect the same silly comic sensibility as "Marshall" -- though presumably with a lot less nudity. There are few public details about "The Muppets" although Amy Adams, Zach Galifianakis, Paul Rudd and Ricky Gervais along with Segel do reportedly star.

Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol (December 16) -- Tom Cruise reprises his role as the seemingly indestructible IMF agent, Ethan Hunt. Not much is known about the plot aside from a couple of pictures with Cruise dangling from the tallest building in the world -- Burj Khalifa in Dubai. If that seems incredible, it's just as well. The movie's director, Brad Bird, previously directed "The Incredibles." Jeremy Renner, Ving Rhames, Josh Holloway, and Simon Pegg also star.

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (December 21) -- Stieg Larsson's book might just be one of the most compulsively readable books out there; it's a relentlessly riveting murder mystery that turns the popular view of Sweden from a nice quiet country that makes great furniture to a hotbed of family jealousy, investigative journalism and hidden crimes. It also features one of the most memorable literary characters in memory -- the punk-rock hacker savant Lisbeth Salander. It's not surprising then that film producers snatched up the movie rights faster than you can say lutefisk. A well-crafted European version of the movie came out in '09, but now it's Hollywood's turn, featuring director David Fincher, fresh off his soon-to-be-Oscar-winning flick "The Social Network" and starring Daniel Craig, Christopher Plummer and Rooney Mara as Salander.

The Green Hornet (January 14)

Paul (March 11)
Simon Pegg and Nick Frost go on a road trip to attend San Diego Comic-Con and end up meeting a wise-cracking, booze-drinking illegal alien, as in the extra-terrestrial variety.

Sucker Punch (March 25)

Your Highness (April 8)