DannyChoo FerriCorp
A man (34) has been sentenced to one and a half years of hard labour for the wicked crime of distributing anime online over dying P2P network Share, in what were the first arrests for Share use. The judge presiding, displaying an admirable understanding of the economics of intangible “property”, admonished him thus “It was like you were distributing bread you’d shoplifted from supermarket shelves”.
Artist Hisashi Tenmyouya’s “RX-78-2 Kabuki-mono 2005 Version”, went for HK$4.8 million (about $600,000) at a recent Hong Kong auction; certainly a gorgeous illustration by any estimation. Hisashi Tenmyouya covers both classical and more modern themes in his art, though always in a finely executed classical style.
The last appropriately tasteless “gyaru” Bandai MG Gyan auction has been joined by a much improved tasteful version. This one apparently strives to incorporate the intense girliness of the original, with the addition of taste and style, it is said; certainly it seems to succeed in that respect, looking splendid indeed, if still on the gaudy side. The glowing lance is definitely a bit much.
The original may have exceeded expectations and went for ¥50,000, but one seems not to be fairing so well, despite its more tasteful finish, as it has no bids after 3 days, and only a day left – perhaps their stating bid of ¥40,000, aiming for ¥50,000, is going too far? Maybe no one wants a tastefully effete gundam, or perhaps their auction strategy is at fault – having the gall to start the bidding at $1 usually has good results. Pictures are below. Source here.
In an interesting development for CG anime, Sunrise has just announced the release date of a new 3D computer rendered Gundam anime OVA, 機動戦士ガンダム ＭＳイグルー2 重力戦線 / Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO 2: Jūryoku Sensen, “Mobile Suit Gundam MS Igloo 2 Gravity Front”, with the first disc to be released directly to DVD and Blu-ray on the 24th of September. The story is said to be an original side story set during the One Year War.
It certainly seems to me that the subject matter (giant robots) lends itself well to CG animation, and the success of Appleseed and the previous MS Igloo demonstrates that this can be done well, so it may be interesting to see how it turns out.
It is being reported that three arrests have been made by Kyoto police for unauthorised distribution of copyrighted material (Gundam anime is mentioned) using anonymous P2P network Share, abortive successor to Winny, and these are the first arrests for using this network. Such reports do deserve critical reception, however, as they are inevitably presented such as to further the interests of law enforcement and copyright concerns, so some more careful analysis is required.
Original “gyaru” makeover of Bandai’s MG Gyan currently up for auction. Seller is looking for at least ¥50,000, and so far is up to ¥39,000, with 5 days to go. The auction proclaims one of their female staff was inspired to give a more feminine air to the Gyan – and what an excellent job she has done. More pics at the auction, which was brought to my attention at FG. Since the pics will likely go with auction completion, I have taken the liberty of mirroring them below, along with a pic of the original.
The Hiroshima Animation Biennale is set to hold an expo on Japan’s glorious history of robot anime, incidentally marking the 80th year of Tetsuwan Atom creator Osamu Tezuka’s life. The exhibition will run for 20 days from August the 7th, and funnily enough it will be held in Hiroshima. If Hiroshima is too far from the plamo lined streets of Akiba for you, it will apparently tour the whole country after wrapping up in Hirohima.
Screenings of works and giant scale figures are promised; they are apparently hoping for 400,000 visitors across all their related events. No word on if there will be any Tachikoma in evidence. See also interesting revelations regarding an International Gundam Research Society here. Via Anime!Anime!
A research society with the scholarly aim of studying Gundam? Apparently so – the news is gleaned from details of the upcoming Robot Anime Expo. From the limited details available it appears they will unfortunately be concerned with social and cultural ramifications and the like, as well as such essential questions as how mankind should interact with alien races, rather than the business of building giant robot killing machines. It may be interesting to see how this pans out. Via Anime!Anime!
I had another look around Yodobashi Camera’s flagship megastore in Akihabara recently. It certainly has a excellent selection, and the store itself is very nice, but pricewise it is beaten heartily by Amazon, and any serious seller with Kakaku.com or Rakuten (although these two really require a Japanese bank account to get the best deals).
