While Yoshitaka Amano is probably best known in the Western world for his illustrations for the Final Fantasy video game series, or his work on Gatchaman. I was first introduced to his work though the “Vampire Hunter D” light novels written by Hideyuki Kikuchi. My appreciation of his work comes from how importantly and essentially his visuals are part of the overall story. His style creates an iconography that is unmistakable, the scope of his mixed-media work is staggering.

So imagine my excitement that Amano will be the guest of honor at the New York Anime Festival next month! This is a great opportunity to furher explore Amano’s work. He is, by no means, a one-trick-pony and I encourage everyone to visit his body of work outside of anime.

-Ataru

photo credit: LollyKnit

I haven’t had much time to settle into the New York City culture just yet. Since relocating, I’ve been working very hard to get my professional life in order. I’m meeting lots of great people, and working on some really fun and creative projects. It’s also good to know the culture and love of anime is strong in New York City, and that there will be plenty for me to do in the coming months as kick my podcast back into high-gear.

The folks over at The New York Anime Festival have announced Cosplay Day at Kinokyuniya. It’s this Sunday, August 17th. For the uninitiated, Kinokuniya is chain of Japanese owned book-stores that feature an excellent and wide selection of Manga, light novels, and Japanese literature in general. They are strategically dispersed in high population areas throughout the United States (L.A., Seattle, NYC). So, whether you are looking for some Edogawa Rampo or you that elusive Higurashi no Naku Koro ni novel, you’ll find it. Quite excitingly, you’ll receive 10% off all anime and manga and have a chance to win New York Anime Festival tickets if you come in Cosplay. There will also be some Q&A with the US representatives from the recent The World Cosplay Summit (yes, it exists.)

So, go! Enjoy - I can’t make this event, but I should be around for some others in the near future.

Edit: A quick thanks to LollyKnit, for making her photos of Kinokuniya in NYC available for use through creative commons.

-Ataru

I know I’m probably late to the game on this one. Things have been busy with moving and all.

But when did AnimeonDVD.com go from quaint, usable and functional to this:

They’ve even nixed, the actual AnimeOnDVD address opting to forward traffic to the easily memorable “http://www.mania.com/anime_manga_oav_ova_dvd_category_143.html” It appears the staff of the AnimeOnDVD will remain the same, but I can’t help but feel the disingenuous undertones of a corporate buy-out of a well established 10 year old anime website. Has anyone even heard of Mania?

I can’t look at this awful site though, so I’ve removed it from my bookmarks.

Edit:
I’m getting some google search traffic to this post, currently I’m the #1 hit for the search “What happened to AnimeonDVD”.

Here’s the original post where Chris Beveridge (owner of AnimeonDVD) shares the news earlier this year. Though the buyout took place several months ago, the website change over only happened recently. As with all things, it comes down to resources and money. I tried to give the site a second chance this weekend but this web 2.0 interface is god-awful and adds no value to the browsing experience. I’d sooner opt for a website directory of .txt reviews.

-Ataru