Archive for

November, 2007

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For Your Consideration… PMX Special MBC America

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One of the companies that was promoting their products at PMX was the a Korean Television Network called Munhwa Broadcasting Corp. or MBC. They have had a 24 hour channel available on satellite/cable since 2003 in the US, but they’ve just recently ventured into selling their drama here on DVD. In fact, PMX was their first stop. We got a chance to look at some of their shows, and we like what we saw. They have a VERY large selection of programs to choose from, and the themes vary from comedy, historic, action, and so on. I also liked the quality of the sound and video of the samples I received. The box sets are a bit more expensive than the average anime box set, but given that each drama is a hefty hour long, it balances out. Expect a quick review on at least two of the shows by the end of this weekend.

Source: MBC America

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Mexicans in Mexico? That's Craziness! – Kaiketsu Zorro

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For the record I’m not writing this out of spite, but I do have this urge to rant. I stumbled onto an episode of this series a few days ago, and I really don’t know what to make of it. Initially it does a good job in keeping with the plot from the original 1920 film “The Mark of Zorro”. Don Diego is back from Spain, he pretends to be a pampered idiot, which results in pissing off everyone he cares about, including his betrothed Lolita Pulido. The Spanish Army residing in California consists of jerks running amok. In the meantime Diego uses his skills as a fencer and his secret identity as Zorro to fight the injustice. I was impressed with the series so far… and then I stopped researching it on Wikipedia, and actually watched the show. Now, I understand that we Mexicans come in a variety of colors including what we like to call light or fair-skinned (i.e. Estevz Ricardo Montalbán, Charlie Sheen, my mom); I’m even familiar with a handful of blue eyed Mexicans. Regardless, I somehow doubt that the studio really did any research into what life was like back then, and went with something more… Western European. Enter the Twilight Zone…

Hair, skin, and eye color aside, I was completely flabbergasted by the accommodations and entertainment of Diego’s homecoming party. The caterers were dressed in uniforms similar to what you would find in a cafeteria, their spread included was like something out of a simple hotel buffet, and the quintet looked more English than Spanish. I could go into a Mariachi rant , but then again that style of music wouldn’t appear for another 100 years. In the end it was kind of funny to watch how they have interpreted life in California over two hundred years ago, and to see how ideas and cultures are interpreted nowadays in anime.

I’ve posted the opening credits for the series down below. It’s like Sailor Moon except that it only features Tuxedo Mask and his side kick… Mini Tuxedo Mask. For now I think I’m just going to look at the anachronisms and laugh.

More: Read the rest of this entry…

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Lessons Learned from Pacific Media Expo 2007

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1. It never hurts to have a few questions ready before going to a Press Conference.

2. It wouldn’t hurt to have something to write with either.

3. When you finish charging your battery for your camera, the camera will work much better if you remember to PUT IT BACK IN!!!

4. Wrinkle free clothes can also be fashionable.

5. You can make a voice actress smile by writing “Here…” on a Post-it and put it on something you want autographed.

6. Spike Spencer and Tiffany Grant doing a PSA in Texas? What could possibly go wrong?

7. Girls, if he wears black and you were white, he will always win the fight (Bang Bang).

8. Pay your bills. Heat light and water are nice things to have around (Actually it didn’t get that bad).

And with that I’m back to where I was a few weeks ago. Sorry for the delay in reports, I am planning to have them all ready over the course of the weekend. In the meantime I have few more blog entries to go…

Thanks for sticking around!

-Pedro Rodriguez

P.S. LiN CLOVER Rocks!

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I AM IRON MAN!!! – UpperDeck Announces their Next Subcasts Figure

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With the success that they have been having with their initial launch, Upper Deck has announced their next Subcasts figure: Iron Man! Despite its stout appearance, this polyresin statue stands at an impressive 10 ½”. Collector may also be interested in that all 2000 models are individually hand numbered on the bottom. Looking forward to its release, Upper Deck Action Figure Produce Manager, Dave Sanders had this to say…

“Being fans of the designer toy movement, Upper Deck wanted to take our Marvel figure license and push the boundaries of each character’s design to bring a new look and attitude to each figure, in this case Iron Man.”

In a joint project with TWEEQiM Creative Lab, Mr. Sanders believe that they have done an amazing job in creating something that appeals to both comic fans looking for a new spin on one of their favorite characters, along with collectors of designer figurines.

Iron won’t be the last figurine either, as they already have plans for a Ghost Rider and Wolverine resin model due this December. 2008 also looks to bring such Marvel Super Heroes such as Captain America, Thor, and Hulk into the series.

The Iron Man SubCasts figure goes on sale Tuesday November 13 at 9:00 AM PST on at SubCasts.com starting at $75.

Source: UpperDeck

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One More for the Road – Introducing Michiru Yamada

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After posting the news from Kotobukiya on Thursday, they were cool enough to send me images from one more model. It’s Michiru Yamada from To Heart 2. Donning her school uniform, the old cemented bricks also doubles as her base. Yamada will be joining her fellow cast members this December.

More: Read the rest of this entry…

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Here Kitty Kitty – STRANGEco Announces Toki Doki's Newest Creations, The Cactus Cats and The Cactus Pups

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The Cactus friends sure got an extension to their family this week as their creator Simone Legno revealed two new felines and an litter of pups. Introducing Carina and Bruttino, the Cactus Cats. Keeping in the tradition of the previous cactus friends, these two cats wear cactus thorn suits to keep the cold world at a safe distance. They both stand at three inches tall and both come individually packaged for $11.99 MSRP. For those of you who prefer the company of canines, Bastardino and Polpettina, proudly present their new litter the Cactus Pups. These seven little dogs each stand proudly at one inch in height and have their own unique personality. The pups will also be individually packaged in a blind mystery box for $4.99 each.

The Cactus Cats will be ready for purchase this late November, followed by the Cactus Pups early December.

Source: STRANGEco

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Kotobukiya Announces thier Upcomming Lineup for December

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Kotobukiya sent out a press release earlier this week that featured their upcoming resin models for this December. I was rather impressed with the lineup, but a few of them stuck out a bit more for being innovative in their design. The first one is Fuko from the video game and anime series CLANNAD. She comes with several interchangeable parts including a set of dog ears and tail, and her handcrafted starfish. There are also several images with her making different faces, though I’ll leave that one to you. Another one that I was rather impressed was To Heart 2′s own Tamaki Kousaka in a maid outfit. The model comes with a chair that doubles as her base and her left shoe is separate from the rest of the model for you to place next to her, or as the picture shows just hang off her foot. The last model I found interesting was Shan from her series Shakugan no Shana. Posing with a removable Newton no Shana, and wearing Alastor around, she is wearing a blue two piece bikini with her red crimson hair flowing. What I found interesting about her was, according to the press release her bikini “…changes colors as if it is melting with temperature!”. I managed to get a few images from Kotkbukiya, and I’ve posted images from five of the eight models that are coming out this December. You’ve already met Kotori Shirakawa above, meet the rest below!

More: Read the rest of this entry…

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