Shakespearean Anime?

After being unsuccessful in my search for "Nana" at FYE's "Animania" event last Sunday, I found myself with no new anime to watch on this cold Saturday!  So what did I do?  I pulled out a classic!  For some inexplicable reason--or possibly inspired by the upcoming "Gnomeo & Juliet" film--I got the urge to watch "Romeo x Juliet" (released by Funimation Entertainment).  Since I have the entire series on DVD, I settled in for a relaxing post-birthday anime fest!  I have seen several renditions of this classic tragic love story, but I think that I like the anime take on it best!  Don't get me wrong--the 1968 and 1996 renditions were noteworthy--it's just that the anime, and I'll say this without spoiling the story for those who've never watched it, gave the story some happier twists that Shakespeare himself probably would never have imagined.
 http://www.gnomeoandjuliet.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=gnomeo%20and%20juliet&utm_content=Gnomeo%20and%20Juliet%20-%20HV&utm_campaign=Title

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romeo_x_Juliet

http://www.funimation.com/romeoxjuliet/

Animania!!!!!!!!!!!

I spent the better part of this afternoon at the FYE in Ballston Mall (4238 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22203), where an anime frenzy, or "Animania" broke out!!!!!!!!!!!! Sponsored by the DC Anime Club (http://www.dcanimeclub.org/) and Transworld Entertainment, the event featured a trivia contest, cosplayers, and dancers. My husband Chris, President of the DC Anime Club, dressed as Mario from the Nintendo video games franchise, and I cosplayed as Toad!!!! (SN: Man, it was cold in that costume! LOL!).  A few of our friends showed up as well.  Still, the overall turnout was somewhat of a disappointment.  The store didn't have the one anime I could think of that I wanted to buy, so I will wait until President's Day weekend when I can attend Katsucon (http://www.katsucon.org/) and hope that I can find what I'm looking for in the Dealer's Room!!!!!!!!!  On the upside, I did find a new friend in one of the store's employees, so the event wasn't a complete failure!!!!  I may try to check it out again if there is one in the spring!!!!  Hopefully, it'll be warmer by then!!!!!!!!!!!

Funimation's "Hell Girl" Is No Fun For Me!

I just finished watching the complete first season of Funimation's "Hell Girl!"  I am usually a major fan of the majority of Funimation's projects, especially the "Lupin The 3rd" movies and the series "My Bride Is A Mermaid," so I was completely stunned by my lack of interest in "Hell Girl" after viewing only a few episodes.  I decided to finish it off and see if my opinion changed as the series progressed.  Sadly, it did not.  I may try to exchange it at one of the Anime Swap Meets sponsored by the DC Anime Club, presided over by my husband Chris. (http://www.dcanimeclub.org/).  I am not giving up on Funimation, in spite of my disappointment with the "Hell Girl" series.  I refuse to let one bad apple spoil the bunch!  What's the old saying?  "Not everything is made for everybody!"  This certainly applies to me when it comes to Funimation's "Hell Girl,".  ImagineFX had this to say: "An enchanting series, HELL GIRL is very different but it's also a joy to watch, perfect for those who like their anime a little darker than normal."  I guess I'm just not a "darker than normal" anime fangirl!!!!!!!!!!

Is "Hell Girl" A "Hell No?"

I've been up for more than 6 hours now watching "Hell Girl," produced by Aniplex & Studio Dean!  While there are aspects of it that remind me of Viz Media's  "Death Note"--a pretty decent anime in my book--there's something about it that's just not capturing my attention completely.  I will say that content and profane language make it unsuitable for children to view.  Some of the characters are repetitive, with little to no change in dialogue.  However, I will refrain from passing final judgment until I've viewed the entire series.  Now, on with the show!!!!!!!!!

"Spirited Away" to "Hell?"

I love lazy weekends when I can just chill out and watch some anime!!!!  I spent today watching part of the first season of "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya" with my Hubby!!!!  As I'm writing this, I'm watching Hayao Miyazaki's epic masterpiece, "Spirited Away."  A large portion of my Saturday will be spent watching "Hell Girl!"  I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.amazon.com/Melancholy-Haruhi-Suzumiya-Complete-Collection/dp/B0019HABE8/ref=sr_1_3?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1295059993&sr=1-3

http://www.amazon.com/Spirited-Away-Hayao-Miyazaki/dp/B00005JLEU/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1295060066&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Hell-Girl-Complete-S-V/dp/B003AZCZ5U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1295060367&sr=1-1

"Spirited Away" to "Hell?"

I love lazy weekends when I can sit back, relax, and watch some anime!!!  I'm already off to a good start!!!!!  I spent today watching "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya" with my Hubby.  As I'm scripting this post,  I'm watching Hayao Miyazaki's masterpiece, "Spirited Away," and I plan to spend tomorrow watching "Hell  Girl" for the very first time!!!  I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.amazon.com/Hell-Girl-Complete-S-V/dp/B003AZCZ5U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1295058814&sr=8-1

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAYAO MIYAZAKI!!!!!!!!

http://www.cartoonbrew.com/animators/happy-70th-birthday-hayao-miyazaki.html

I would forever  be banned from the anime community if I neglected to acknowledge the birthday of one of the greatest influential minds in the world of anime!!!!! Hayao Miyazaki is to Japan what Alfred Hitchcock became in America--a cinematic genius!  Though I have yet to dislike anything i've seen that he was involved with, I do have certain personal favorites!  "My Neighbor Totoro,"  "Kiki's Delivery Service," "Ponyo," and "Spirited Away" are just the tip of the iceberg of masterpieces directed by the iconic Hayao Miyazaki!!!!!!  If I'm lucky enough, someday I will get to meet this Anime Idol face-to-face, or at least make a trip to Japan to visit the museum that bears his name!  On this day, January 5, 2011, I would like to that the time to wish a very happy 70th birthday to Mr. Hayao Miyazaki!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010 Anime Review

I love anime!   I've been into the medium since 2001 or 2002.   I've attended several anime conventions over the years: Katsucon every year from 2003 to the present; Otakon in 2003, 2009, & 2010; And Anime USA in 2009 and 2010.  I'm looking forward to attending all 3 again this year.  Katsucon will be happening over the President's Day Weekend as always; Otakon starts on July 29, 2011 and lasts for 2 days;  The dates for Anime USA will be announced sometime in the near future (I hope!)  One of the highlights of these conventions is raiding the Dealer's Room for new anime DVDs!    In 2010 alone, I purchased, or received as gifts,  at  least a dozen anime DVDs!  Some of my favorites are Funimation's "Romeo x Juliet,"  Hayao Miyazaki's "Ponyo," and Funimation's "My Bride Is A Mermaid!"  When I'm not attending anime cons, I'm in my room watching either the Funimation Channel (God bless Verizon FiOS!) or my anime DVDs!  This blog will detail the anime I'm watching, as well as my experiences at the aforementioned conventions!