There is a siren through out the city. People are rushing into shelters underground, to protect themselves from the impending danger. Soldiers baracade the city's outskirts. A lone boy runs into a massive hanger and jumps into the cotpit of what we already should know to be as a Giant Robot. Yes, I'm talking about Mecha. One of many basic essentials for anime. Without Mecha there wouldn't be many famous animes out there now. Neo Genesis Evangelion, Super Robot Taisen, Transformers, Mobile Suit Gundam, the list goes on.
But what makes these gigantic humaniod (or animal shaped) machines so important? Where did the concept of such things come from? Well back in the old days even before Japanese Giant Monster movies, there were many novels that depicted Giant robots used buy life forms from other planets, one such book was H.G.Wells War Of The World. This book was the first of many books of it's time to ever mention giant machines like Mechas. As time went by such Sci-Fi fantasies would reach the Japanese public. One of the first Animes of all time was based on Robots, even though they were giant as the ones we're talking about.
But there is no dout that Giant Robots have played an important in anime. There is proof. Anime magazine Newtype is one such proof because the magazine was originally made for fans of the Mobile Suit Gundam series. Plus there are many anime games based on our Giant Mecha pals. And here ends one of my new informative views of Anime.
Dam it, dam it, dam it!! That's what I say to myself everytime I pass by a B&N's, Border's, or other bookstore's magazine rack, while Newtype Magazine mocks me with it's fancy cover. Yes, it's a serious issue of Anime envy or in this situation total geekdom senses going wild. Why you ask? Because Newtype is one of those god forsaken magazines that are owned by top nocht companies such as VIZ Media and ADV Films. Yet the magazine looks nice on the outside, it's plain evil on the inside. Yes, evil. It's a horrible magazine with that would make any serious Otaku screem for his mommy.
For those who say "neh", I say "bleh, you have bad taste". The magazine has horrible Anime info and most of the articles are based on ADV Films dub anime (since the magazine is own by it here in US). They also have too many perks for the Animes that don't deserve it. Yea, Newtype supports Animes that suck and that end up on 4Kids TV (Dam you 4Kids!! Curse you too hell!! Sparta!! Okay...I'm done with inner thoughts). They also give horrible reviews and that pointless DVD they place inside the Magazine to catch you into buying a $10 peice of crap, that will eventually rot in magazine rack next to your toliet (along with your mother's Victoria Secret Catalog. Yea apperently I wasn't done with inner thoughts). Seriously, why would you buy it? You can buy a perfectly good and well entertaing Manga for that price, or an even better Anime magazine that's half the price(EX: Anime Insider, Otaku USA, Shonen Jump).
The histroy of Newtype magazine is a very famous one indeed, I'll admit that. In Japan it was one of the most famous Collectible Magazines out there, and it's popularity soon came across the world (Well first and probably Second world countries). But the magazine was originally for the Gundam Fans. Yes, I said it, for the Gundam Fans!! The term Newtype was invented by none other but the creator of Gundam himself Yoshiyuki Tomino. The term Newtype means the next step in Human evolution within space. And it was commonly used in many of the Gundam series. Eventually Gundam Fans throught Japan came together and ended up making a magazine based on Gundam Models, Toys, Fan Fics, and more. Just as they became popular with everyone, new fans asked if they would have more material then just Gundam. And hence forth this monstrosity of a magazine.
So when you hear that that the newest issue of "Newtype" magazine has been released, do what ever you please. Just remeber you are paying $10 for a Magazine while everything else is $4.99. Don't fall in love with the colorful pages, they are a whicked vixen trying to steal your Otaku soul. As for me, I'm still reading Anime Insider and Shonen Jump.
Well, it's actually been a while since I've been online, and I couldn't help but make a blog about Fan Service. What's Fan Service most of you say? Well, how should I put this.....lots and lots of cleavage. Basically Fan Service is a term used by many Otakus now to show how they interpert certain Animes like Girls Bravo, Maburaho, and especially Ikkitousen (aka Battle Vixens). Once you are watching an Anime or reading a Manga with losts of revealing moments, you can't help but to say Fan Service in the back in your head, because without this Fan Service that Manga or Anime would not be Popular.
Some of you are thinking right now, why is he talking about Fan Service? Well it's basically to give you a good breif and funny explanation of it. It all started when I transfered to a new location in my Job at Jones Beach. I now work as Revenew, we could also say it's a slow and boring job. To pass the meaningless moments of this job I read a good amout of manga per day, yes an amout of four manga that's how boring it is. And of course my manga are Romantic Comedies, so you know there is gonna be some profanity in it. Anyways, I was then sent to a Sextual Harrasment seminar with a few co-workers.
After three hours of talking what maybe offensive to the opposite sex or same sex, I soon realized that my mangas could get me into alot of trouble. With so much sexual profanities there are in certain mangas, I could lose my job if it fell in the wrong hands. So after thinking about this I realized that it might not be safe to read my mangas at work anymore. The thing is now, how can I pass the time? There is no time for me to play a good Game of Pokemon Daimond on my DS, and I don't possess a I-Pod. All I have is my Cell Phone with the mediocre games. So I've decieded to take the risk of Reading Manga at work.
The tips I made for myself; 1) Find out what you'll be doing that day. 2) Bring the most appropriate for that day. 3) Never read a profanic Manga with a Female co-worker near you. With these simple rules I can now read my Manga without worry. But yea, I've basically just wasted your time.
In short summary in the conclusion to this story of my life. Fan Service is good, but at times it's not the best thing to be looking at during certain situations.
What's better then squeezing yourself through massive crowds of sweaty and excited Anime fans like you, when you see massive collections of the things you love, and see Cosplayers posing at every camera shot. This is the Convention, a place like none other. There are several Conventions, but unlike any other show ours tend to be more stranger then the rest. There are also rules that you should know when you go to a Convention. Remeber, this is where a Newbie Nerd becomes a full fleged Geek.
Okay, to start things out, let's talk basics. In a Convention there are several showrooms, events, and people all around you. Note that entering the Convention is the hardest thing to do, because the wait to enter could be pretty dam long. Be sure to wake up early and get there before the crowd does. Also, have your Convention gear pre-prepared the day before the convention. You don't want to carry alot of things with you besides the main essentials; water, money, ID, and what ever you need for special events.
Remeber you are in a convention so things vary in price in every corner of the showroom. Never ever buy food or drinks from the concession stand because they tend to be over priced, eat alot before you leave and carry a water bottle on you just incase you become thirsty. Walk around the showroom, you'll know the place better and see everything what has to be offered. Never buy what you see at the first stand, ask for the price then roam around to look for the same exsact item to see if it's cheeper or costly. On the last day of the Convention, things are cheeper.
There are thousands of people attending the convention with you. Be sure to respect everyone around you, because they're just as fanatical as you are. Never confuse Star Wars with Star Treck. Don't make LARPers angry, they are really annoying if they are. Don't say Anime is a Cartoon, a Cosplay Ninja is gonna go after you. If you are gonna take a picture of a Cosplayer, ask don't just do it. Final Fantasy Fans are very common, but Cloud is not the Otaku's Messiah, so do not bow to them. When Geeks are reading Comics or Manga, it's best to let them be. Never enter a discussion if you don't know what it is about. Don't assume anything, Geeks love to take you down and correct you. Many Geeks smell of sweaty balls, but it doesn't mean you have to too (IOW: Take a bath!).
Now, the main reason people go to Conventions are for the events. Yes, the showroom has alot to offer but it's nothing if there isn't much activity. When joining an event be sure you have what you need for it. Never buy things at the last minute because it will be expensive. When going for an autograph from a famous celebrity, don't ask too many questions and don't be a kiss ass (there are others who'll do that for you). Be sure to keep an eye on all your belongings once you join an event, try putting your stuff in a possible locker before hand or make a friend hold it for you. Also, arrive at the event on time, never ahead of time or later.
At the end of the convention you're wallet will be as slim and narrow as Keanu Reeves on a diet, but it was worth it all. Just be sure you saved some money for your way back home, and count all your belongings. Hopefully you wouldn't have spent much money because many conventions have give aways and free stuff (aka Swag). A Convention is a fun and great experience, and you'll always meet several new/interesting people. Just remeber, be a Geek.
Lately I've been wondering malls and video stores with friends or my girlfriend to notice that when I go to the Anime selection of DVDs that there are very few of them. It was kinda confusing to see animes such as FMA, DBZ, and many other popular series to be on the discount shelf along with many other favs. This is when I realized that Anime was dying. Why so?
Well many animes today are usually advertised by video companies such as ADV films and Viz Media which need the support of stores like Suncoast and Samgoody videos. But now that many of these stores are closing down many of these anime DVDs end up in some landfill somewhere in the country. Also Anime on television does not have a strong fan base either. Popular shows like FMA and Bleach are loosing countless fans everyday becuase of the shows late hours or how the anime was dubbed. WC (Formally known as WB) gave up on their series of hit animes such as Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokemon, and Card Captor Sakura. Fox channel has animes intended for children but many of them are quickly being replaced with double actions of TMNT. Then Anime Network channel will soon cancel their station because many of their shows are repeats and never bother to add new anime straight from Japan because they want to dub it first.
Lately the Anime industry is loosing it's finess and loosing it's many fans. Remeber that after the Pokemon boom, there was a huge number of people entering the world of anime but this generation soon grew up and had more important things to take care of, such as college, health insurence, and many others of life's difficulties. Mainly introduction of anime has lessened because many animes are watched online from Youtube or other sites and downloaded from LimeWire. People who do this also hurt the DVD industry and releases of new anime in america becomes more and more frequent.
Also merchandise of anime products have begun to cease. Popular Gundam Models and Action figures from BANDAI have been replaced by another one of their trademarks, Power Rangers. Clothing and apperal of popular anime shows in Hot Topic have also begun to cease because of the lack of buyers. Mainly Manga are the only survivors of this anime take down since many people prefer to read Manga then Watch anime. Popular Book Stores such as Barnes & Nobles, Borders, and Waldenbooks sell them by the racks full. Even with special offers such as buy 3 get one free. The question is why don't they do that with anime DVDs?
In the end serious decline of anime is because everyone downloads and watches anime online. Why the reason you see on many anime sites that say "Buy DVDs and support the production of Anime in the USA" on top of the screen while you download Death Note or Bleach. So in the end it's your call if you want to see more anime in the future. If no, then heed my words "No more Anime Conventions".