The other day, I was going over information and stuff that I needed to get together for creating a KickStarter account and it all seed a little... overwhelming. It's a crappy feeling that's a natural part of taking on any large project it seems. But then I had an epic moment which have me the idea for this post! XD
As I was typing, recording, editing, etc., I got distracted and walked off to go do something completely unrelated to take a break per usual. While being all irresponsible and whatnot, I picked up my old copy of FLCL vol. 1 and started reading it again. Anyone that knows me in person probably knows that it's rare for me to ever read or watch something twice, so it was a special moment that this ever happened. FLCL is, hands down, one of the most inspirational manga and anime series of my childhood. Looking at the way Naota grows as a person, Haruko's way of handling life, and even how the guy with the bushy eyebrows tries to save everyone; all of that helped make me into who I am today. Just remembering how much fun it was to watch the series and how much I wanted to get to the next episode or volume reminded me that even the most daunting challenges can be enjoyable and aren't really hard to conquer if you keep at it.
More than any live person, anime has been my role model. The characters, the stories; they all give me inspiration on how to take on challenges in life. FLCL isn't the only series that's been like this for me, bu it's definitely one that stands out on the list for being so awesome and well put together.
My question to anyone out there reading: What's an anime that has really had an impact on you? Leave a comment (or send it in if you don't wanna make it so public XD), I love hearing from you guys!
Until next time
Kasome~
p.s: Here's the link for the KickStarter page I've set up. Getting this project done is gonna take a lot more than any of us involved can afford on our own, we need your help!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/590015681/otaku-america-an-anime-fandom-project
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Sunday, July 1, 2012
In The Right Direction?
So, it's been quite awhile since I've posted anything , so some apologies are in order.
But! The time that I've spent away surely wasn't wasted. While it was kinda annoying to have the Otakon panel submission rejected, it gave me the opportunity to really look over what Otaku America is really about. This project isn't about the Japanese animation industry here in America, it's about me, you, and so many other people out there - the fans. Otaku America is an anime fandom project, meant to show the rest of the world who we are. I've run into so many people over the years that have this negative perception of what it means to be an Otaku or a fan of anime and manga at all. So many people that just don't understand the interests of someone else.
My goal is to show the rest of the world that we are normal, everyday people, yet we stand out because we have an interest in something so beautiful and amazing. Being an otaku should never be something you should hide or try not to mention around certain people. It's something that you should embrace and have pride in.
With the change in direction, I'm hoping that things go better with plans for Anime USA and other events towards the end of the year. I'm getting a Kickstarter account together in hopes that we can raise the money to keep this project going. Hopefully one day we can afford to make it off of the east coast and meet some of the awesome people who've showed support from other parts of the country.
Since I always close with a question, I have to ask this: How does it feel to consider yourself an otaku? Not talking about the serious Japanese designation of otaku, but the more casual term that we have adopted here in the US.
I also have to give a shout-out to my newest partner in crime, Kami-Trio. He's gonna be working with me on this project to make sure we get out message across, so make sure to stop by his blog and check things out! http://kami-trio.blogspot.com
Hope to hear from you soon!
Until next time
Ja ne~
Kasome The Otaku
But! The time that I've spent away surely wasn't wasted. While it was kinda annoying to have the Otakon panel submission rejected, it gave me the opportunity to really look over what Otaku America is really about. This project isn't about the Japanese animation industry here in America, it's about me, you, and so many other people out there - the fans. Otaku America is an anime fandom project, meant to show the rest of the world who we are. I've run into so many people over the years that have this negative perception of what it means to be an Otaku or a fan of anime and manga at all. So many people that just don't understand the interests of someone else.
My goal is to show the rest of the world that we are normal, everyday people, yet we stand out because we have an interest in something so beautiful and amazing. Being an otaku should never be something you should hide or try not to mention around certain people. It's something that you should embrace and have pride in.
With the change in direction, I'm hoping that things go better with plans for Anime USA and other events towards the end of the year. I'm getting a Kickstarter account together in hopes that we can raise the money to keep this project going. Hopefully one day we can afford to make it off of the east coast and meet some of the awesome people who've showed support from other parts of the country.
Since I always close with a question, I have to ask this: How does it feel to consider yourself an otaku? Not talking about the serious Japanese designation of otaku, but the more casual term that we have adopted here in the US.
I also have to give a shout-out to my newest partner in crime, Kami-Trio. He's gonna be working with me on this project to make sure we get out message across, so make sure to stop by his blog and check things out! http://kami-trio.blogspot.com
Hope to hear from you soon!
Until next time
Ja ne~
Kasome The Otaku
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Washington DC's Sakura Matsuri 2012
Spent my Saturday out talking with people and dodging people that were trying to walk around all slow and stuff. Lt me know what you think. I'll post pictures on the facebook page sometime this week after I get them all processed and such. Hope to hear from you soon!
Ja matta!
Kasome~
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Filler In Anime
Wow, I've been slacking. These past days I've been doing too much running around and kept putting off this new post. But, now it's here!
Last week or so I decided that I'd go back and re-watch all of Gundam Wing(along with the movie Endless Waltz) while I worked more on the model kit that I picked up from Katsucon. Regardless of what my friends have to say, I still think that Duo is the most awesome of all the Gundam pilots.
But what really stood out to me was the animation. Back then so much more of the anime we watched was drawn completely by hand. Back before the days of so much computer animation, you'd see so many similar scenes since they had to recycle parts to help cut down on production times and costs. It was the worst in about 3 episodes that just recapped the first half of the series. Back then, that was filler; reused animation with a narrator on top of it.
That moment made be feel a little badly about how much flack I give these production studios today. I know I'm not alone when I talk about how annoying it is to ave to deal with a new filler arc in Bleach or some other series because I want to get back to the main point of the story line. But when you really look at it, they're doing so much more than what we had to deal with in the past. At least now we have some stupidly entertaining side story to help keep things going while we wait for things to catch up over seas.
So, here's my question to you!
What comes to mid for you when you think back to older series and their periods of "filler" episodes?
Hope to hear back from my readers out there!
Until next time
Kasome~
Last week or so I decided that I'd go back and re-watch all of Gundam Wing(along with the movie Endless Waltz) while I worked more on the model kit that I picked up from Katsucon. Regardless of what my friends have to say, I still think that Duo is the most awesome of all the Gundam pilots.
But what really stood out to me was the animation. Back then so much more of the anime we watched was drawn completely by hand. Back before the days of so much computer animation, you'd see so many similar scenes since they had to recycle parts to help cut down on production times and costs. It was the worst in about 3 episodes that just recapped the first half of the series. Back then, that was filler; reused animation with a narrator on top of it.
That moment made be feel a little badly about how much flack I give these production studios today. I know I'm not alone when I talk about how annoying it is to ave to deal with a new filler arc in Bleach or some other series because I want to get back to the main point of the story line. But when you really look at it, they're doing so much more than what we had to deal with in the past. At least now we have some stupidly entertaining side story to help keep things going while we wait for things to catch up over seas.
So, here's my question to you!
What comes to mid for you when you think back to older series and their periods of "filler" episodes?
Hope to hear back from my readers out there!
Until next time
Kasome~
Thursday, February 23, 2012
An Amazing Encounter
Hello!
Yesterday for me, personally, was full of unexpected surprises. But out of all that happened, one moment stood out than more than anything since I left Katsucon over the weekend.
I had the amazing opportunity to me Chris C. for an interview for this documentary project. While all of the interview so far have been pretty awesome, getting to know a bit more about each person's appreciation for this cultural industry, Chris turned out to be an amazing wealth of information. Mentioning things from back in the olden days where VHS tape trading was the only equivalent to the massive file sharing business that we enjoy now and looking at how many companies have been involved in bringing us anime and manga over the years.
But one of the most interesting things that we talked about wasn't just the US side of the anime industry, but the global industry starting with Japan. Taking a look at the majorly popular series over the years and how each generation identifies themselves with a particular series or character. Looking back how there are those groups of people that can connect themselves to the Fist of the North Star era or the Dragonball Z era. Even moving on to now with the Naruto and Bleach era, we've all had that hero to identify with.
Personally for me, I'd have to say that I connected most with Inu Yasha, FLCL, and Cowboy Bebop the most and that's that generation that I'm a part of. Which leads to the question I have for you guy (and girls XD) out there:
Who's the hero of your generation? Who sat on the pedestal when you stumbled into the world of Japanese animation?
Until next time
Kasome~
Yesterday for me, personally, was full of unexpected surprises. But out of all that happened, one moment stood out than more than anything since I left Katsucon over the weekend.
I had the amazing opportunity to me Chris C. for an interview for this documentary project. While all of the interview so far have been pretty awesome, getting to know a bit more about each person's appreciation for this cultural industry, Chris turned out to be an amazing wealth of information. Mentioning things from back in the olden days where VHS tape trading was the only equivalent to the massive file sharing business that we enjoy now and looking at how many companies have been involved in bringing us anime and manga over the years.
But one of the most interesting things that we talked about wasn't just the US side of the anime industry, but the global industry starting with Japan. Taking a look at the majorly popular series over the years and how each generation identifies themselves with a particular series or character. Looking back how there are those groups of people that can connect themselves to the Fist of the North Star era or the Dragonball Z era. Even moving on to now with the Naruto and Bleach era, we've all had that hero to identify with.
Personally for me, I'd have to say that I connected most with Inu Yasha, FLCL, and Cowboy Bebop the most and that's that generation that I'm a part of. Which leads to the question I have for you guy (and girls XD) out there:
Who's the hero of your generation? Who sat on the pedestal when you stumbled into the world of Japanese animation?
Until next time
Kasome~
Monday, February 20, 2012
Kasucon 18: In Review
Hello everyone!
Its only been a little over a day since the ending of this year's Katsucon. Normally, that post-convention depression would be kicking the hell out of me, but it seems to be setting in slower than I'm normally used to. Don't get me wrong, it sucks that the convention is over, but this year I was able to take so much more away than I normally get from any convention.
My mind was completely blown the more that I talked to people about their love of anime and why they made these epic journeys to anime conventions like this one. Meeting those casual fans that still find time to binge on anime and manga to get that occasional fix, all across the board to those die-hard fans that have started working on their next cosplay idea before even unpacking their bags from the weekend. The conversations that I was able to have with you guys not only help with getting info for this entire project, but it also makes me appreciate what I am a part of, what all of us make up.
Blah, blah, blah, I'm ranting again so it's time for me to cut to the point and leave the rest for a later video post. In my everyday adventure, most people I run into aren't to open or excited to show that they are a fan of anime, manga, or even other aspects of Japanese culture. But when it comes to a convention, even the most reserved person still has some open and public way of showing off what it is that they love.
I know about my own reason, but I want to hear about YOURS. What is it that draws that feeling out of you at conventions like these?
I'll post a video update later, but I really wanna hear your thoughts and opinions on this little subject as well as this convention in general. Leave a comment or feel free to send me a message.
Until next time
Kasome~
Its only been a little over a day since the ending of this year's Katsucon. Normally, that post-convention depression would be kicking the hell out of me, but it seems to be setting in slower than I'm normally used to. Don't get me wrong, it sucks that the convention is over, but this year I was able to take so much more away than I normally get from any convention.
My mind was completely blown the more that I talked to people about their love of anime and why they made these epic journeys to anime conventions like this one. Meeting those casual fans that still find time to binge on anime and manga to get that occasional fix, all across the board to those die-hard fans that have started working on their next cosplay idea before even unpacking their bags from the weekend. The conversations that I was able to have with you guys not only help with getting info for this entire project, but it also makes me appreciate what I am a part of, what all of us make up.
Blah, blah, blah, I'm ranting again so it's time for me to cut to the point and leave the rest for a later video post. In my everyday adventure, most people I run into aren't to open or excited to show that they are a fan of anime, manga, or even other aspects of Japanese culture. But when it comes to a convention, even the most reserved person still has some open and public way of showing off what it is that they love.
I know about my own reason, but I want to hear about YOURS. What is it that draws that feeling out of you at conventions like these?
I'll post a video update later, but I really wanna hear your thoughts and opinions on this little subject as well as this convention in general. Leave a comment or feel free to send me a message.
Until next time
Kasome~
Friday, February 17, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
A Good First Convention
A question that I run into every once in a while that I sometimes find hard to answer.
Hard to answer not because I don't know much about anime conventions, but due to the fact that I can be so very biased. Everyone that has ever been to an anime convention has a story to tell (some more interesting than other XD). Whether it's a good or bad experience can change how you view that particular convention forever. I personally have seen awesome times and very from pleasant times at anime convention, but all in all, I have to say that in their own ways, they were still really enjoyable. Except for... well, fuck Tigercon is all I have to say.
But moving on, back on subject: What makes a good convention for a first timer?
Personally, I would say it takes a nice balance of everything. Some conventions focus on a particular aspect of culture a bit too much for some people. While those cons are great for people who may be into cosplay, voice actors, or even something as specific as furries (yes, they have their own con -__-), having a concentration on something like that can turn someone away from the general them of "Anime Conventions" for good. Starting out on a nice and level playing field helps you find out what really draws in to these events. Being somewhere with a bunch of people screaming like little fangirls about their favorite English voice actor would probably annoy the hell out of someone who appreciates the original Japanese voice actor and the original translation.
But enough of my ranting, I can always do that later where everyone can avoid my massive wall-o-text posts. I'm doing this documentary for YOU and I want to hear how you feel about the subject. Please leave a comment or even feel free to send me an e-mail. This thing is linked to my account, so I'm pretty sure that that info's posted somewhere around here.
So, until next time
Kasome~
Hard to answer not because I don't know much about anime conventions, but due to the fact that I can be so very biased. Everyone that has ever been to an anime convention has a story to tell (some more interesting than other XD). Whether it's a good or bad experience can change how you view that particular convention forever. I personally have seen awesome times and very from pleasant times at anime convention, but all in all, I have to say that in their own ways, they were still really enjoyable. Except for... well, fuck Tigercon is all I have to say.
But moving on, back on subject: What makes a good convention for a first timer?
Personally, I would say it takes a nice balance of everything. Some conventions focus on a particular aspect of culture a bit too much for some people. While those cons are great for people who may be into cosplay, voice actors, or even something as specific as furries (yes, they have their own con -__-), having a concentration on something like that can turn someone away from the general them of "Anime Conventions" for good. Starting out on a nice and level playing field helps you find out what really draws in to these events. Being somewhere with a bunch of people screaming like little fangirls about their favorite English voice actor would probably annoy the hell out of someone who appreciates the original Japanese voice actor and the original translation.
But enough of my ranting, I can always do that later where everyone can avoid my massive wall-o-text posts. I'm doing this documentary for YOU and I want to hear how you feel about the subject. Please leave a comment or even feel free to send me an e-mail. This thing is linked to my account, so I'm pretty sure that that info's posted somewhere around here.
So, until next time
Kasome~
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Pre-Con Anticipation?
Why hello out there!
I know that most of you feel the same way right before an anime convention comes up. Some people start counting each day even weeks before the actual week of whatever convention is coming up. Just a few days from now myself and hopefully all of my readers so far XD) will be headed out to Oxen Hill, MD to attend Katsucon 18, one of the larger anime conventions here on the East coast.
Now here's where I have mixed feeling that you may hate me for. I feel as though cons are losing the appeal that they once had, and this con is one of them. I've been going to Katsucon since number 12 back in 2006. New comers would never notice it, but the convention is much different now than it was back then (other than just the location). More voice actors and cosplayers are nice and all, but whatever happened to the good panels where people would have discussions on different genres or talking about Japanese and American culture and it's relation to anime and manga? I'm not saying that Katsucon (or any of the other major conventions in this area) is bad, but it's not the same at what it used to be. I know there are others out there who feel the same and it's pulled them not only away from anime conventions, but also from anime and mange as a whole.
But there is still hope! I'm glad to look at the guest list this year and see that they're bringing back people that relate back to the Japanese side of the entire culture. Studio Kojokan is definitely going to be on my list of things to check out, seeing as how Japanese martial arts is a subject that I've always wanted to look more into. I also wanna take a look at the "This is Otakudom" panel since it sounds like the info I'll need for the rest of this actual documentary.
But anyway, it looks as though I've done a lot more ranting that thought I did so let me end things here before it gets anymore off track.
Oh yeah! I love getting e-mails telling me that someone out there has left a comment glad to know that someone's actually reading out there XD), so feel free to leave something behind. This project would mean nothing if you guys aren't around.
Until next time,
Kasome~
I know that most of you feel the same way right before an anime convention comes up. Some people start counting each day even weeks before the actual week of whatever convention is coming up. Just a few days from now myself and hopefully all of my readers so far XD) will be headed out to Oxen Hill, MD to attend Katsucon 18, one of the larger anime conventions here on the East coast.
Now here's where I have mixed feeling that you may hate me for. I feel as though cons are losing the appeal that they once had, and this con is one of them. I've been going to Katsucon since number 12 back in 2006. New comers would never notice it, but the convention is much different now than it was back then (other than just the location). More voice actors and cosplayers are nice and all, but whatever happened to the good panels where people would have discussions on different genres or talking about Japanese and American culture and it's relation to anime and manga? I'm not saying that Katsucon (or any of the other major conventions in this area) is bad, but it's not the same at what it used to be. I know there are others out there who feel the same and it's pulled them not only away from anime conventions, but also from anime and mange as a whole.
But there is still hope! I'm glad to look at the guest list this year and see that they're bringing back people that relate back to the Japanese side of the entire culture. Studio Kojokan is definitely going to be on my list of things to check out, seeing as how Japanese martial arts is a subject that I've always wanted to look more into. I also wanna take a look at the "This is Otakudom" panel since it sounds like the info I'll need for the rest of this actual documentary.
But anyway, it looks as though I've done a lot more ranting that thought I did so let me end things here before it gets anymore off track.
Oh yeah! I love getting e-mails telling me that someone out there has left a comment glad to know that someone's actually reading out there XD), so feel free to leave something behind. This project would mean nothing if you guys aren't around.
Until next time,
Kasome~
Friday, February 10, 2012
First Post
Here we go!
No matter what it is that you do, you have to start somewhere.
Hopefully this is the start of something great, but at the very least, I know that it will be very meaningful to me. Otaku America is what I want to show as my tribute to Anime and Japanese culture, for I believe that I must show my respect and appreciation for something that has given me so much inspiration throughout my life.
Part of this entire project is to show the rest of the world that feels as I do (my fellow Otaku), that we are more than just casual fans or nerds that love different pieces of Japanese culture. We are the fan base, we are the ones that created this industry through our desire to find more, and that it is ultimately up to us to ensure that which we love continues on and grows on into the future.
I don't want to start this entire project ranting on and on about how much of a nerd I am, so I'll let you keep reading to find out more. But this much I'll say.
No matter what it is that you do, you have to start somewhere.
Hopefully this is the start of something great, but at the very least, I know that it will be very meaningful to me. Otaku America is what I want to show as my tribute to Anime and Japanese culture, for I believe that I must show my respect and appreciation for something that has given me so much inspiration throughout my life.
Part of this entire project is to show the rest of the world that feels as I do (my fellow Otaku), that we are more than just casual fans or nerds that love different pieces of Japanese culture. We are the fan base, we are the ones that created this industry through our desire to find more, and that it is ultimately up to us to ensure that which we love continues on and grows on into the future.
I don't want to start this entire project ranting on and on about how much of a nerd I am, so I'll let you keep reading to find out more. But this much I'll say.
We need to step it up
Until next time
Kasome~
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)