-
One Crazy Day
2003-03-21 00:40:40
Today (as in Thursday) actually started last night when I found out that my final pay check from Wal-Mart was actually a check. All this time, I thought Wal-Mart deposited it already like all my other pay checks. Thus, as a result, I had to go to Wal-Mart, cash in the check, then go to the bank to deposit the money (as well as some money that I already had planned on depositing). Seems easy right? Well, everything was fine until I went home and discovered that I had left the book where I kept my transactions at the bank. Luckily, my mother found another transaction book, and since I remember how much I already in my account, I simply decided to start a new book on transactions.
As for the rest of the day:
-I rented Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance at Blockbuster today. I don't really care about the main game. I'm more interested in the VR missions and other Substance exclusives.
-After putting it off for two months, I finally made a pledge to the Golden Donut. I also sent a check with my pledge amount to Phade, so hopefully it will arrive in a few days.
-I spent most of the day watching the NCAA basketball tournament on both ESPN and CBS. What can I say, I like filling in the tournament brackets. :)
-Finally, a DVD-ROM drive that my father ordered for the main computer came in the mail today. It probably won't be set up until next week, but I don't mind waiting a while before it's set up on my computer.
Hopefully, the weekend will be fun due to anime club and the Oscars (if the ceremony does happen, which is very likely, considering how CBS and NBC aired their planned line-up for tonight as scheduled).
-
Life After Katsucon
2003-02-26 21:50:09
What I've been doing after my weekend at Katsucon:
-Since I had some money left over from Katsucon, I bought .hack//Infection for the Playstation 2. So far, it's definitely an interesting game. Currently, I've got access to the second server and got the first optional character, Natsume. Hopefully, I can beat this game before the next game comes out in May.
-Anime-wise, I picked up the latest Excel Saga and FLCL DVD's. Just one more DVD left for both shows. One thing's for sure: once Suncoast begins to take pre-orders for the final Excel Saga DVD, I'm definitely going to put an order for that (also need to remember to pre-order Spirited Away).
-Speaking of Suncoast, today, I got in the mail some gift certificates good at Suncoat and Sam Goody. The big surprise wasn't the fact that I got the gift certificates (after all, I am a member of the Replay club), but rather the fact that I got $80 worth of gift certificates. I definitely know what I'm going to use one gift certificate for (if I can just find Xenosaga at my local Sam Goody's).
That's all for now, although I'm still waiting for my latest issue of Newtype to come in the mail. -
Joe Taku on Giant Robot Week
2003-02-25 22:10:53
It's been a while since I've done one of these. Time once again for another Joe Taku rant.
This week, Cartoon Network is having Giant Robot week on Toonami. One of the important things about this is that this week gave people a glance into the anime shows known as Nadesico and Evangelion. The main complaint that I've been hearing about was the editing. According to the ADV panel at Katsucon, the shows were planned to be shown unedited. However, as people saw on Monday, there were indeed edits made to the show, thus making you think that someone has lied about it. Luckily, ADV did release a press release stating that they'd understand the reasons for the edits (FCC regulations on daytime television). To me, that is somewhat on a positive note, considering what is going on. However, there is still a major problem that I'll get to later.
Onto the comments about the shows: It's been quite a while since I've last seen an episode of Nadesico. After rewatching the first episode yesterday, I am reminded of why I started to watch it, and with me now knowing more about the world of anime, it seems to be more enjoyable. Also, while checking out the Toonzone forums, it looks like the show is popular with the people there, with some people now interested in getting the perfect collection.
Then there's Evangelion, which is the main focus of my rant. Yesterday, there were few edits made on the show (just some cursing, some blood, and an arrow pointing to Misato's breasts in a photo of her). However, today proves the worst fear that a lot of anime fans were worried about: hack-job hell. All I'm saying is that it was so bad that one character (Pen-Pen) was edited out of the episode altogether. This is my major focus of my rant. Considering the edit job made to show Evangelion on Toonami, it looks like CN has somewhat screwed up in a major way. Personally, if I were in charge of CN and was going to show Evangelion as part of Giant Robot Week, I would have done of either one of these two things:
1. Choose 2 episodes of the series that would be less of a hassle to edit for children's TV (i.e. the syncronized attack episode)
2. Aired the show on Adult Swim, thus not having to cut too much out of the episodes
My final comment: Basically, all is said and done, and now Cartoon Network is now having to face the consequences of their actions. Personally, I'd like to see more ADV titles on CN (i.e. Angelic Layer). Thus, I hope Cartoon Network can learn from this week and know what to do next time they have a special "anime-themed" week on the network. -
Katsucon Report
2003-02-16 00:58:45
Returning home in time in case the snow does hit on Sunday, here's my report of Katsucon 9.
FRIDAY: After a rough time getting there (due to traffic on the beltway and some idiot drivers in Arlington), I finally made it the convention center and registered for the con. Most of my afternoon was spent either in the dealers' room or taking cosplay pictures to show to my anime club. My purchases at the dealers' room consisted of a plushie of Inu-Yasha's Shippo (hey, I'm a fan of kawaii stuff), a Lupin III soundtrack, and a book detailing the fighting games that Capcom made up to last year. When it opened, I checked out the art room. Among some of the better pictures includes "The Real Reason Why Trigun Went to the USA" (with Vash worming his way to the Batman villainesses), a picture of the Calvin and Hobbes cast as characters of Chrono Trigger, a kawaii picture of a moggle walking in the snow, and a kawaii picture of Gir (from Invader Zim) hugging a waffle. I attended most of opening ceremonies, then left to get in line for the AMV contest. I watched most of the contest, then left during the last five videos to attend the AMV panel. It was definitely educational panel IMO. After the panel (and some time to waste), I then went to see a never-before aired episode of Invader Zim. When that was over, my dad and my other older brother (I have two older brothers: one living with my family, the other living on his own) picked me up and I spent the night at my brother's apartment.
SATURDAY: Arriving at the hotel, I saw some of Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law, then attending the morning showing of the AMV contest. With the exception of one bathroom break, I stayed for the entire contest this time around. After wandering around and taking a couple more cosplay pictures, I attended the game show, which, due to the host not having the proper equipment, was disappointing. I then got a bite to eat, then got ready to attend the AMV contest awards ceremony. I stayed for the AMV awards, but left before the short animated films were shown to get in line for cosplay, although the winning film was played at cosplay. Cosplay wasn't as great as last year's contest (I'm wondering if it was due to the winter weather preventing some people to attend the convention). However, the cosplay did have some good skits. Among the better ones include a Pac-Man skit, a Gundam Wing version of the Devil Went Down to Georgia, and a skit where the bridge scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail is done a la Digimon Tamers. After the cosplay, I spent more time wandering the halls, taking some more cosplay pictures. Around 11:30, I watched the "underwear" episode of Chobits, and I'm wondering if I should start buying the series (although I think I need to see more episodes of the show to make a decision). I wanted to end my convention experience on a good note, but due to Takeshi's Castle being full, it ended on a sour note.
Comments:
-Personally, I feel that the Hyatt was a little to small for this convention. A major example of what I mean was when I got in line for cosplay. With one line for cosplay, a taped-off line for autographs, and little space to walk around, it definitely felt somewhat crowded.
-A suggestion to Katsucon: next year, start the Saturday AMV contest showing at 9:30 AM. The reason for this is that while I didn't have to register on Saturday, the fact that registration opened the same time that the Saturday morning showing of the AMV contest started means that some people attending the con on Saturday only may miss some of the contest. Considering that Katsucon shows the comedy videos first, that would probably disappoint most people who wanted to see the AMV contest (although this year, I felt there were more better action videos than comedy videos).
-Finally, I feel that the convention needs some more seating in the video rooms, considering that Hellsing, Chobits, and (especially) Takeshi's Castle was full when I checked them, although a few people left the room where Chobits was playing when the "underwear" episode came on.
In review: Katsucon 9 was somewhere in between. There were some good moments, but there were also some places that needed improvement. -
4 Days Until Katsucon
2003-02-11 21:38:30
...and like year, I've getting somewhat nervous about the convention. Don't worry, I still have plans to attend the convention on Saturday and am accepting the fact that I may have to miss some of the AMV contest in order to register for the convention. The problem this year is the weather: current weather forecasts call for some possible snow on Saturday, which could end up being very messy. However, there may be a possibility that, so that I can still attend the convention and not worry about the snow, I may be attending the convention all three days while staying with my older brother, who lives in a mile away from the convention. REMEMBER: THIS IS STILL A POSSIBILITY, AS THERE THREE MORE DAYS BEFORE THE CONVENTION ITSELF. Speaking of the convention, there's one small complaint I have: How come all the autograph sessions with the character designer for Saber Marionette J have to happen at the same time the AMV contest is being played (save for Sunday morning)?
Elsewhere, did anyone catch RAW is War last night. If you did, then I think you know what I'm talking about. If not, check the "Raw is Chobits" topic on the off-topic forum on AnimeonDvd.com
JOURNAL: TnAdct1 (Joseph Klemm)
Current server time: Jan 15, 2025 08:44:42