Has the Revolution finally taken hold?

Recently MSNBC’s website, specifically the Business section, published an article in regards to Japanese pop culture in the United States. For those interested, the article can be found here.

This article hints at something that most anime fans already know; Japanese culture is slowly inching its way into American culture. Of course there is Adult Swim and the occasional Japanese show on the big cartoon blocks, but this article cites something bigger. Hollywood has cast its eyes on anime.

Perhaps the first salvo in the Hollywood onslaught was launched this weekend. While Speed Racer may not be a box office number breaker, it certainly has helped create a ‘highway’ for other anime inspired films. Next year a Dragonball movie will be released. A live-action version of Nickelodeon’s Avatar is in production. Spielberg has his eyes set on a 3-D Ghost in the Shell feature. Of course there are robots too, who can forget Transformers? Transformers II shall be out in the next few years to boot, not to mention the rumors of Robotech and Voltron films. DiCaprio even wants to look into a live action version of Akira.

Speaking of Akira, it was referenced in Kanye West’s music video for his song “Stronger.” Gwent Stefani has launched a Japanese inspired clothing line. Items from Bleach and Naruto are appearing in major stores; and how could anyone miss all the Pokemon that are still around.

Analyzing trend lines will yield only one result, Japanese “stuff” is becoming more popular. The question is how will these changes affect anime lovers everywhere? Could the sudden surge of popularity isolate those who have deemed themselves as an otaku? Or will there be a positive effect where everyone sings along happily to the theme from Popotan.

One thing is for sure; as long as there is money to be made Japanese related products will be sold. Entrepreneurs and Companies alike will milk the product for all it is worth before giving up on it. Sometimes this is good, other times it winds up being bad. “What will be the outcome of this exposure to Japanese culture?” that is a question only the history books can decide.

Animation Exclamation is taking a break for two months. Our president is leaving the country to study abroad and we have no one to take her place in planning the meetings or setting up the equipment.

 If you have any questions or comments about this please e-mail info (at) an-ex.com

Well it is that time again! We will be having a meeting on Oct 20th at 12:30-5pm. At this meeting you can wear your Halloween costume or your cosplay costume. We will have a costume contest for the coolest costume! Come and enjoy some scary, dark, and crazy anime with us!

October 3, 2007 - Anime Weekend Atlanta photos are now online for everyone to enjoy. The pictures are mainly from the Animation Exclamation photo shoot. Pictures were taken by Emily Churchill.

To see the pictures go to the Gallery.

TenBu Productions and Scion presents the Akiba Fest J-Pop Halloween Concert Ball featuring Salia and Psychic Lover!
 
TenBu Productions is hosting their second Akiba Fest event of the year,  the “Akiba Fest J-Pop Halloween Concert Ball” to be held on October 27, 2007 at Jaxx Nightclub in Springfield, Virginia.   The interactive Japanese Pop Culture concert event will feature the lead singer form unicorn table, Salia and special guests Psychic Lover for a scary night of concerts, prizes and other Anime, J-Pop and Halloween related activities!!!
 
Salia
Salia is the lead singer of jrock group unicorn table. This sexy vocalist already with top solo hits like “Cutie Honey Flash” and “Trust” from the anime “Vandread”, as well as the opening and ending themes for the sentei series ” Gao Ranger”, is gearing up for her first solo album. To be produced by TenBu Productions and have it’s debut in America, Akiba Fest will feature the first concert boasting her brand new music and look.
 
Psychic Lover
Psychic Lover is making waves thorough out the Anime and Sentai scene by making hit after hit theme songs and a popular album.   Made up of vocalist Yoffy and guitarist Imajo, Psychic Lover have been chosen to do the themes of hit anime shows like Witchblade and Transformers Amada. Before that, they were known for the high powered action themes of ” Gô Gô Sentai Boukenger” and “Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger” to name a couple.
 
Also in the works for the J-Pop Halloween Concert Ball will be:
 
A J-Rock themed fashion show!
An overall best costume award!
Chances to win great prizes and get giveaways!
A viewing of Funimation’s “Witchblade” Anime.
A Chance to draw on an actual Scion!
The J-Pop Halloween Concert Ball will also be where the winning T-shirt design for Scion’s National T-shirt contest will be revealed.
 
Akiba Fest J-Pop Halloween Concert Ball will be held on October 27, 2007 at Jaxx Nightclub in Springfield, Virginia . For more details please go to www.afxakibafest.com
 
Akiba Fest is an interactive event platform developed by TenBu Productions LLC to promote and showcase Japanese Entertainers and Japanese Pop Culture in America. Akiba Fest presents new and original events that celebrate Japanese Pop Culture through Japanese entertainers. This includes popular Japanese cosplay Idols, artists, actors and singers, as well as new and noteworthy up-and-comers that are breaking onto the scene.
 
Group Discount Available:
 
For a group (10 or more), group discount is available.  Please contact info@afxakibafest.com  for $10 dollar discount prices.
Akiba Fest: www.afxakibafest.com

For further information contact Akiba Fest at: info@afxakibafest.com

The directions page now features a link to maps and driving directions via Map Quest.com and Google Maps.

September 23, 2007 - Animation Exclamation (AWA) took AWA by storm with an advertising campaign and club table. The members of Animation Exclamation as well as several volunteers got together and handed out postcards and business cards. The postcards and business cards were handed out by serveral cosplaying members to advertise for the organization. Also, a photo booth was set up at the club table. The pictures taken will be uploaded to the website as soon as they are developed.

Note: The next meeting will be on September 29th, 2007 at 12:30 to 5 PM located at Ocmulgee EMC.

AWA Group Picture

On July 11, StoryMakers Studio brings several of the biggest names in the cartoon world to the Grauman’s Chinese Theatres Complex in Hollywood: celebrated author, film critic and cartoon buff Leonard Maltin, six-time Emmy® Award winning cartoon producer Phil Roman, and voice actors June Foray (”Woody Woodpecker,” “Rocky and Bullwinkle,” Disney’s “Mulan”), Maurice LaMarche (”Futurama, “Animaniacs,” “Pinky and the Brain”) and Billy West (”The New Woody Woodpecker Show,” “Ren & Stimpy,” “Futurama”).

“We wouldn’t be surprised if these voice artists spent part of the evening talking as the characters they’re so well known for,” said Ronn Campbell, StoryMakers Studio’s executive producer.

“Here’s the best thing. You can enjoy this event whether you’re in Los Angeles or NOT,” Campbell adds. “In fact, we already have people from Europe and Asia reserving their viewing passes at http://www.StoryMakersStudio.com/woodywoodpecker”

In addition, everyone who signs up to watch the Woody Woodpecker event has a choice of eBooks that are of interest to anyone who currently works in animation; wants to work in animation; or is simply an animation fan.

“When the word got out that we were doing this event, animation professionals and fans from all over the world started contacting us, asking for a way they could enjoy our Woody Woodpecker event,” said series host and confessed cartoon fan Gordon Meyer. “We’re delighted that we can make this available to them.”

Details of the event including how cartoon fans can enjoy StoryMakers Studio’s Salute to Woody Woodpecker and Walter Lantz, can be found at:

http://www.storymakersstudio.com/woodywoodpecker/

The Japanese Information and Culture Center Present: Train Main

TRAIN MAN:
DENSHA OTOKO
Monday July 16th
6:30 PM
Japan Information & Culture Center

A quiet, young computer programmer decides to step out of his shell and stand up to a lecherous drunk harassing a young woman on one of Tokyo’s many trains. The Otaku (geek) then finds himself in the unfamiliar position of interacting with the grateful and attractive woman. With no knowledge of how to even talk to a girl, he enlists the help of an online forum to pursue his new love. Can his rag-tag group of chat buddies find a way to transform him into the man of her dreams?

TRAIN MAN: DENSHA OTOKO was inspired by true events on a popular online bulletin board in Japan called 2ch. It was then made into a manga series, novel and even a play. It was also turned into a hugely popular television series. In Japanese with English subtitles 105 minutes This event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required.

RSVP to jiccrsvpsummer07@embjapan.org
Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan
Lafayette Center 1155 21Pst PSt NW Suite M200 Washington DC 20036
202-238-6949
www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jicc

This showing of TRAIN MAN: DENSHA OTOKO is made possible by VIZ Pictures
http://www.trainman-movie.com/