I Want AGO Home!!!!!!!!!!!!! And It Comes Close!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've looked forward to last Thursday night's episode of AGO ever since I saw the bus at Otakon last Summer!   The AGO crew spent Week 5 of their search in Baltimore, MD; Washington, DC; and  New York!  Since I live in that area, I expected to see at least one person I recognized!  And I was not disappointed!: My husband, Chris Wanamaker, the President of the DC Anime Club (http://www.dcanimeclub.org/), turned out to compete for the coveted title of "America's Greatest Otaku!"   If anyone embodies the Otaku Quality of Participation, which is what the Otaku 6 Challenge of the Week was based on, it is definitely Christopher Wanamaker (and I'm not just saying that because I'm married to him)!  Not only is he the President of the most active anime club in the nation, but he also attends several anime cons throughout the year!  I attend at least 3 with him: Katsucon, Otakon, & Anime USA.  Also, he participates in  events such as "Animania" at the FYE stores, as well as the Japanese Street Festival during the Cherry Blossom Parade.  Perhaps I'm biased, but I think my hubby has a real shot at being declared "America's Greatest Otaku!"  Only time will tell, though, so I'll move on to some of the others  vying for the coveted title! Jasmine Salters, an aspiring ainme creator and manga designer, has also created a few plushies.  Some of her spare time is reserved for drawing several times a week, even creating her own characters and stories.  Does she have a chance to win the coveted title of AGO??????????  Who knows?????  And as for Dianna Santodonatto, AGO's New York candidate, she and Salters have something in common: they both love to make plushies!!!!!!!!!!!  As for what separates Santodonatto from the rest of the crowd, it's the fact that she can play songs from popular anime on her flute!!!!  Wow!!!!!!!!!!  And of course, the search for "America's Greatest Otaku" would not be complete without some maids & music!!!!!!!!!  Reni Mimura is both! The Japanese Cosplay Singer  specializes in Moe style performances, a genre that emphasizes the cute look of Japanese pop-culture with the hip appeal of Japanese animation! Mimura is a very busy maid!  Right now, her schedule reveals that she is slated to appear at Jaycon in Pennsylvania on March 26, and a Maid Show the following day in New York!  If she can maintain a busy schedule like that, she definitely has a good chance of claiming the title of "America's Greatest Otaku!"  However, only one person can be declared "America's Greatest Otaku"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Who will it be?????  Only time will tell, so I'm going to keep logging in every week to http://americasgreatestotaku.com/ until the contest is over and a winner is declared!!!!!!!!

Not Enough Time To Get From Golden To Garden....Color My Face "Red"!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm watching the final episode of "Golden Boy" right now.  I was planning to watch "Red Garden" when I was done, but I may not have the time, as the running time for the entire series of "Red Garden" is 10 hours!!!! It's nearly 2 p.m. right now!!!!!!!!!!!!  At the most, I think I've got about 6 hours of anime-watching time left.  I must wash my hair tonight!!!!!!  What else can I watch?????????  I've got plenty of anime, but how's a girl supposed to choose????????????  One of the cardinal rules of anime is "Hentai is not to be watched alone!"  I've got plenty of hentai, but I dare not watch it because Hubby is out for the moment.  Oh, well!  I'm sure I'll think of something!  If not, there's always the Funimation Channel!!!!!!!!!!!

A Colorful Anime Marathon

As of this morning, I watched the last "first time" anime I own-"Ah! My Goddess: The Movie"- so I have to get creative! I've decided to give today's anime marathon a color theme!  Today's lineup includes "Perfect Blue,"  "Golden Boy," "Red Garden", and, if there's time, a (sans-color) Miyazaki movie to finish it off!!!!!!!!!!!  It's a hue-filled combination of thrillers, comedy, paranormal activity, and more! 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ah!_My_Goddess:_The_Movie

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

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Boy_(manga)

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

The Otaku Search Continues: San Di-AGO, Oklahoma, & Beyond!

I tuned in to Hulu (http://www.hulu.com/americas-greatest-otaku) this past Thursday for another webisode of  "America's Greatest Otaku!"This week, the crew decided to continue the search for America's Greatest Otaku at the  San Diego Comic Con International!   Among the attending vendors were representatives from  "Munky King"   (http://www.munkyking.com/) and  So So Happy (http://www.sosohappyonline.com/).  Among the guests who made an appearance were comic artist Emily Warren (http://frozenlilacs.com/).  The AGO crew then spent Day 5 of Week 4 of their search for America's Greatest Otaku in Oklahoma City!  They dined at the Sushi Neko restaurant (http://www.sushineko.com/) !  I wonder how they liked it, because I'm always looking for a good sushi restaurant!  (Even though I've never been to Oklahoma!)   Oklahoma is also where the crew caught up with Becky Rasch, the youngest contender for the title of "America's Greatest Otaku!"  However, Oklahoma is not where their search ended!  After Oklahoma, the AGO crew ended up in Nashville, TN! It is there that the crew met up with Matt Corlew and Laura Myers, co-owners of the "Happy Japan" store (http://www.happyjapan.net/). According to the official website, "Happy Japan is an anime and Japanese specialty store, offering retail sales of rare and hard to find items, imported snack goods, novelties, and couture fashions." The part I really enjoyed was when Laura handed the crew Bento Boxes with "Totoro" sushi!   Also in Tennessee, the crew met AGO contender, Alexandra Lewis, a self-proclaimed "Otaku Evangelist," as well as an avid cosplayer!  I particulary loved when she talked about doing a "Death Note" cosplay, as it is one of my fave anime series!  She  even provided pics, and I must say THEY LOOKED AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And then there was an entire family of Otaku: Amanda, Matthew, Selene, and the rest of the Schneiders felt that they were fair game for the coveted title.  I would almost agree, considering one of them spent $393 and some change on manga in just one day!!!!!!!!!!!!  (I wonder what her monthly Visa bill looks like?)  LOL!   Next week, more than halfway through the tour, the crew comes close to home when they hit New York, Baltimore & Washington, DC!  I am especially looking forward to that episode, because I'm sure I'll see at least one person I know in the area!   But only time will tell!

Anime-niac Is Excited About Anime USA!!!!!!!!!!!!

When I wrote my first post for this blog, the dates for Anime USA, the third and final con I attend every year, had not been announced.  I am happy to say that that is no longer the case!  The information for Anime USA  2011 is now on the official website!  Anime USA 2011 will run from November  18-20, 2011.  The venue for the con will be the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Arlington, VA.  Expected guests include Trina Nishimura, Laura Bailey, and Travis Willingham!  Nishimura provides the voice of  Shiore Tsuzuki in the ever  popular Witchblade, one of my favorite anime series!!!!!!!!!  Laura Bailey is known for lending her voice to  the character Tohru Honda in Fruits Basket, an anime I've avoided for years based on my Hubby's opinion.  After borrowing it from a friend, I found out that it's really not that bad.  I may start collecting it! If you've ever watched  Naruto, then you might recognize  Travis Willingham's voice.  Willingham is the voice behind Juugo/Black Zetsu in the popular anime series!  Out of the 3, I think I am most looking forward to seeing, and perhaps, meeting, Ms. Nishimura!  As I stated previously, I enjoyed the Witchblade anime, which Nishimura lent her vocal talents to.  I can't wait to see what other guests will make an appearance  at Anime USA 2011! I'll keep checking the official website for information, and update my blog as necessary!

"Earthsea" is a Must-See!!!!!!!!!!

I just concluded another anime marathon by watching "Tales From Earthsea," a Studio Ghibli Film directed not by Hayao Miyazaki--who is known for blockbuster films  such as "Spirited Away" and "My Neighbor Totoro"--but by his son Goro Miyazaki!  It was definitely a little less kid-friendly and a little more action-oriented than Miyazaki fans are used to, but definitely still a good movie!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mariska Hargitay, whom I love in her role as Detective Olivia Benson in "Law & Order: Special Victims' Unit," lent her voice to the project, as did Cheech Marin, the actor who gained recognition as part of the comedy act Cheech & Chong during the 1970s and early 1980s.   All in all, the movie was decent, though I'd question whether or not I'd show this to my 8-year-old niece as willingly as I would something like "Ponyo" or "Kiki's Delivery Service," which are unquestionably kid-friendly.  It definitely held my attention!!!!!!!!!!  I think I'm just about out of anime, with the exception of "Lupin the 3rd Episode 0: First Contact," which will no doubt be a part of my next anime marathon!  As for the rest of it, I will probably end up resurrecting some old favorites!  But for  now,  I'm going to give my DVD player a break and spend some quality time with my Hubby!

Mini-Goddess Marathon & Earthsea To End!

I just finished watching the entire series of "The Adventures Of Mini-Goddess!"  It was OK, but with Gan-Chan the rat providing the comic relief instead of Keiichi Morisato, it just didn't have the same flavor as the original series.  It held my attention, but I still didn't take to it like I did the original "Ah! My Goddess!" series.    Oh, well!!!!!  It's time for me to watch "Tales From Earthsea," which I just purchased on DVD,  for the very first time!!!!!!!!!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tales_from_Earthsea_(film)

Ah! Mini-Goddess!

"One ordinary day in May, 3 goddesses from Heaven appeared at the door of a likeable young college student.  The goddesses used their many powers to help people find happiness and sometimes for a lark, they would make themselves small!  This is their story!" So begins the tale of "The Adventures of MIni-Goddess."  After viewing both seasons of the "Ah! My Goddess!" series and still pining for the movie, I knew I had to have "The Adventures of Mini-Goddess!"   I found it at Katsucon 2011!!! The story tells what happens when Keiichi (the "likeable young college student")  goes to class each morning. The Norse goddesses Urd, Skuld, and Belldandy who live with him shrink themselves down for brief, comic adventures with a wall-eyed rat named Gan. The cleverest episodes parody familiar genres and anime series. In "Gabira," Gan turns into a monster-rat in a spoof of the Godzilla movies of the '50s. Skuld zaps the air conditioner into overdrive in "Snowfield," and soon the room is covered with snow. Skuld, Urd, and Gan use pushpins as climbing spikes to reach the crazed appliance in a send-up of outdoor adventure films. "Gan-Chan the Locomotive" begins with a funny parody of Galaxy Express 999, with Gan as Tetsuro and Belldandy as Maetel, but the comedy degenerates into a weird variation on Starlight Express with the characters as locomotives. When Urd, Skuld, Belldandy, and Gan-Chan find themselves on camera without a script in "This Happens Once in a While," they stage a sci-fi romance Space Cruiser Uzushino that satirizes the space operas of the Star Blazers era. Occasional villainy is provided by the voluptuous blonde sorceress-demon Marla, who sometimes sounds like wannabe Naga from Slayers. The miniature versions of Urd, Skuld, and Belldandy have little of the charm that made the Oh My Goddess OAVs so popular. The series is clearly aimed at much younger viewers, with slapstick humor replacing the mixture of romance and mythology. (Rated 13 and older, but appropriate for children two years younger: minor slapstick violence, brief nudity)
OK, I admit it!  I stole this summary from the Amazon website!    Does anyone really care?????????  I'll post my own opinion, summary, or whatever after I'm through with the series!!!!!!!!!!!!

No More Magikano!

After watching such anime as "Ai Yori Aoshi" and "Boys Over Flowers" (romantic, comedy), I can honestly say that there's little to no romance or comedy in "Magikano."  I   would say that there's enough profanity and panty shots to make some people happy,  but (and I'm watching the final episode as I'm writing this) the series is doing nothing for me.  I think I only added it to my Wish List because  it was recommended by Amazon. (http://www.amazon.com/)  And it truly didn't seem that awful when I checked out the trailer on YouTube
 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ2ywlfAZ_Q)
One review on Amazon even said "the truth of the matter is that Magikano certainly isn't one of Gonzo's shining achievements in anime." I have to agree, and I honestly like the majority of the anime Gonzo has the license for that I have seen.  "Red Garden" wasn't too bad once I got into it.   "Romeo x Juliet" is one of my faves, even though it didn't stay true to Shakespeare's original story (SN: I wrote about it in a previous blog post in late January/early February.)  And I truly enjoyed "Witchblade," in spite of my hubby's expectation that I wouldn't because of the physical attributes of the main heroine.    "Magikano," in my opinion, is not equal to the standards set by its Gonzo predecessors.  Yes, I know Gonzo is only responsible for licensing, and not the actual creation of the series, but after enjoying other anime series released by them, "Magikano" comes off as a magical disappointment!

Magikano No-No?

This morning, I picked up my anime marathon exactly where I left off.  I'm watching "Magikano." So far, 2 or 3 episodes in, the series is not holding my attention.   However, since it's only 13 episodes long, I'll try to stick it out and withhold judgment.  Or I might just give up after the first disc.  I hope that after this is over and I make my  post on it that I have time to watch "The Adventures of Mini-Goddess!"  It's  part of the "Ah! My Goddess" anime family.  I have the first 2 seasons of "Ah! My Goddess" on DVD, and hope to someday find and own the movie!  But for now, back to Magikano!!!!!!!!!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002FOQXUU/ref=cm_rdp_product

http://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Mini-Goddess-Limited-Boxed-Set/dp/B00009B8CQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1299932006&sr=1-1

Here We AGO Again!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.hulu.com/watch/222242/americas-greatest-otaku-otaku-heat#s-p1-so-i0
The third episode of "America's Greatest Otaku" was broadcast over the Internet tonight.  The crew ended up in Phoenix, AZ and Albuquerque, NM.  (SN: Remember to check out the website for Lobo Anime & Comics in New Mexico!)  http://www.loboanime.com/
  I just have one question:  What do eating contests have to do with becoming "America's Greatest Otaku?"    One guy almost made himself sick gorging on noodles and ice cream (or it might've been yogurt!), while another overdid it on the pancakes!!!!!!!!!!  If you watch the show--click (or copy & paste) the link at the top of this post--you'll see what I mean!!!!!!!!!!  I can't wait to see what happens on next week's episode!!!!!!!!!

"AGO" is A Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's not exactly anime, but it is anime-related, so it needs to be mentioned in this blog!!!!!!! The second episode of "America's Greatest Otaku" was broadcast over the Internet tonight. "America's Greatest Otaku," or "AGO," is a revealing documentary series that searches the United States for the number one American otaku. The term “otaku” refers to any uber-passionate fan of anime, manga, games, and Japanese pop culture for whom it is less of a hobby, and more of a lifestyle.  Todd Haberkorn, a voice actor whom I had the pleasure of meeting at one of the anime cons I attended, is one of the contenders.  Haberkorn is most widely known for his voice work in Hell Girl (as Ren Ichimoku), My Bride is a Mermaid (as Nagasumi Michishio), and xxxHolic (as Kimihiro Watanuki).  I am looking forward to next week's episode of  "America's Greatest Otaku!'"  I wonder if anyone else I recognize will show up!!!!!!!!!!!  The link for the series is:  http://www.hulu.com/watch/218497/americas-greatest-otaku-otaku-quest-revs-up?from=fb_share.  Episodes 1 & 2 are available to view now!