Archives for category: Random

Steve Bialik and Li Wei

April 29, 2010 //

I recently came across two artists with very different styles, each inspiring in their own ways. Steve Bialik I found a little while back, and given how his work has been featured in so many other blogs recently I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve already seen his stuff as well. Steve is the awesome creator of “Samurai Star Wars” – a series of ukiyo-e styled renderings of Star Wars characters

I’ve never seriously considered shelling out for a print online before, but if Steve ever makes these into prints (as he’s hinted he would) and they’re not too pricey, I would totally buy a set of these and hang them all up in the apartment. My walls have been bare for far too long!

Then there’s Li Wei, whose work speak so eloquently for themselves that he needs no introduction:

And having done a bit of digging, it appears that Photoshop was NOT involved in the creation of these images – just wire work and steady poses. Amazing!

From Mighty Optical Illusions: “Chinese artist Li Wei’s Optical Illusions“

Anime Postage Stamps

April 28, 2010 //

I used to be quite an avid stamps collector.

But even though I don’t collect stamps any more, I REALLY, REALLY want these:

And these:

Whenever the day comes that I FINALLY make it to Japan, I know my wallet’s going to bleed from all the anime merchandise that I’ll end up getting – but I never thought that postage stamps would also end up on my animu want list! It’d be great if I could pick up sets of these in nice shiny commemorative booklets… *drools*

From Gigazine: “‘Fullmetal Alchemist’ Postage Stamp to be released in JP Post’s Anime Hero/Heroine Series” and “‘Sgt. Frog’ Postage Stamp to be released by JP Post“

Bandai’s Gundam Café in Akihabara

April 24, 2010 //

This looks flippin’ awesome.

Now all they need are some full-time cosplaying employees and this place would be golden! Imagine sitting at this cafe, munching on some Haro Crunch Choco while Gundam Wing or Gundam Seed pilots stroll about… *drools*

Next up, Macross Café?

From Akihabara News: “Bandai Open its first Gundam Café in Akihabara… And we tested it!“

Of EVA Water Bottles and Macross Frontier Noodles

April 12, 2010 //

Am I the only person on the internets who is disturbed by this?

Gah.

On the other hand, there’s this:

I love instant noodles and definitely wouldn’t mind getting some of that

…for some reason the above sentence came out kinda pervy. Unintentional side effect of thinking/talking about anime-affiliated products? Anyways, I guess it’s just another day in the wondrous and varied world of anime merchandising! How many new ways can Japanese companies come up with to suck the money out of YOUR otaku pockets?

From Gigazine: “Evangelion Bottled Water shaped like Asuka and Ayanami’s plug suit” and “Ranka and Sheryl’s ‘Macross Frontier Instant Ramen’ by Bandai“

Code Geass R3?

April 6, 2010 //

I guess this isn’t really news any more, but I was still surprised when I stumbled across the announcement for a new season of Code Geass. As much as I enjoyed Code Geass and as much as I’m a fan of the series, I gotta say my first reaction was – why? And my second reaction was, WHY?! The first two seasons were great, the story was neat, the ending was sufficiently mindblowing, and it is good. Does Sunrise really have to milk this series for all its worth? I know Geass was popular, but it just smacks too much of Hollywood for me… all those bad sequels being pumped out one after another in blatant attempts to squeeze every bit of money out of tired franchises until fans want to scream.

Maybe I’m being overly pessimistic and cynical about Code Geass R3, especially since not much information has been released yet and we don’t know if it’ll be a remake, sequel, or spin-off. And I could end up loving it and think it’s the next best thing since sliced bread, but urgh. It hasn’t even been two years since R2 finished its run. My new theory on anime remakes or continuations to series that have already ended, and ended well, is that studios should leave well enough alone for at least five years before they try anything new. Not that that will ever happen, especially with popular series. But still, one could hope?

On a more lighthearted note,

I personally adore the Doraemon one because it’s such a throwback to my childhood days, but yeah. I want one. ZOMG GROVEL AT TEH CUTENESS!!

From Kotaku: “*This* Is How You Dress Babies In Japan”

April 6, 2010 UPDATE: Looks like R3′ll either be a sequel or a in-betweener. Not sure how I feel about either concepts

NEET | Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei

March 17, 2010 //

I recently learned that NEET stands for “Not in Employment, Education or Training.” I looked it up because it was referenced in Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei episode 9, and I had no idea what it meant.

Is that sad? It’s a little sad, isn’t it?

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Really Hard Mario

March 13, 2010 //

I had watched this YouTube video quite a while back, but dug it up again tonight after chatting to a friend about my inability to jump in games. I had remembered this being hilariously funny – and it still is. It’s a combination of the the cursing, the accent, and the d00d’s crazy mad skills in commentating and gaming. I bow down to his leetness because if it was me, I’d die and give up trying after the first three seconds.

WTF Japan!?

March 5, 2010 //

The title… really says it all here…

The site credited for the video is definitely worth checking out too Even though some of the posts made me cringe and others I didn’t dare click/watch… it’s definitely good for laughs! WTF Japan, Seriously!?

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Parkour Motion Reel

January 7, 2010 //

“This is an awesome flip book style animation that we just had to share…” Word. Check it out!

Hilarious Thai Tuna Commercial

November 3, 2009 //

A co-worker just showed us all this video that one of his friends had linked on facebook. Everyone who saw it lol’d. This is definitely one of the funniest commercials I’ve ever seen!!