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 |  Tuesday, August 29, 2006
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 | "Worldcon 64" by Konstantin
(2006-08-29) |
Just got back from Los Angeles after nearly a week of Worldcon. Though I've been a fan of science fiction for almost as long as I've known how to read, I've never gotten into the organized SF Fandom, getting swept up in the rising tide of anime mania instead when I started college, so attending a major science fiction convention ( the major convention, in fact) was definitely a novel experience. There are similarities and differences between anime and SF fandoms and cons, and I couldn't help but compare and contrast the two throughout the week.
The thing that struck me as the most odd was the sheer age difference between the fandoms. At 28 I'm starting to feel like bit of a geezer whenever I attend Otakon or any of the other regional anime cons, but at Worldcon I've consistently been visibly the youngest attendee at many of the panels. While the popularity of anime and manga is still growing, it looks like the SF fandom peaked in the 70's and early 80's, and has been trickling off ever since. As a result, while the median age at a typical anime con seems to be in the teens, Worldcon's appeared to be well into the 40's. I wonder if any academic papers have already been written on what in particular may have led to this kind of dynamic in the fandoms, especially since science fiction and fantasy novels and movies seem to be selling better than ever nowadays, and still tend to eclipse even the most popular manga and anime on the US sales charts.
Another striking difference from the typical anime con was the preponderance of writers, artists, and other creative types at the con. After getting used to seeing just a handful of people flown in from Japan for the biggest of cons, it was a shock to see a guest list several pages long in the Worldcon booklet. It makes sense, since it's far cheaper and more convenient to get American guests over to a US convention, not to mention the fact that a lot of the authors have themselves been a part of the Fandom before going pro, but I still couldn't help feeling like a kid in a candy store while looking at all the signings and author panels. Nothing like sharing an elevator ride with Vernor Vinge, randomly passing by George R. R. Martin or seeing the lines at Ray Bradbury's autograph signing. Personal highlights were getting autographs from Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle (I still feel a bit awed from meeting the idols of my college days in the flesh) and witnessing Harlan Ellison's last panel (he's as glorious a bastard as the rumors suggest, and one of the most entertaining speakers I've ever had the luck to hear).
The con consisted primarily of various panels (over 1000 different ones over the course of 5 days, including signings and readings), and the sheer variety of subjects and speakers meant that there usually several different things to do at any given time. Which was a good thing, since there were relatively few special events and the Dealers' Room was a bit lackluster by anime con standards. There isn't quite as much thrill in browsing the tables if all they contain are the same books that one can find at the local Barnes and Noble, and at higher prices than typically available at Amazon.
The panels were great, though. Get enough smart people who think about the future for a living in the same room, and the resulting conversation can't help but be fascinating. In addition, since next year's Worldcon is being held in Yokohama, Japan, there were a number of Japanese guests holding panels about the Japanese fandom and con culture. These helped fill in a number of blanks in my knowledge of the roots of Japanese fan culture, in addition to bringing a number of classic Japanese SF novelists to my attention. Will definitely have to poke around for any English or Russian translations of Komatsu Sakyo's novels, and dammit, one of these days I want to attend a con at a hot springs resort.
All in all, fun was had by all. While I don't think I'll be attending next year's con (when I do make it out to Japan, I tend to have more interesting things to do with my time than attending a science fiction con), I'll be keeping an eye out for future Worldcons.
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| Thursday, August 31, 2006
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 | "Bring back the energy to the froum (The Tsuchan Way)" by Totaku
(2006-08-31) |
Well fokes, I've decided to to do a rant out of the ordinary cause I feel there is some situation I need to talk about regarding trying to help Akira pick up some steam in the forum. I've been looking over his board all Summer and feel there that while the enrgy has somewhat returned, I feel it need to pick up a little more.
To begin, first of, I've been rather busy with school as I suggested back some time ago. I am a senior as of now and I'm have been up to my waist in test and projects like before hand.....This semester is sort of the same except it's a lighter load this time.
Since I have some free time now with me, I would like to talk about a few things...
First off I wanted to note that even though I haven't posted much, I have been watching the board. The next thing I wanted to note that since I'm now in my fall Semester, I should have enough time to actually post and speak my mind.
Now the next big thing I can't help but notice is...the activity of this board....for some reason, I would of thought that it would have picked up some speed since Akira came back in full force...but for some reason, it seem to feel as though the energy of what I use to be familar with Tsuchan isn't quite there.
I use to recall the board having discussion about various things revolving around the comic and dealing with various things about the charaters ect. And about anime, fanat, ect. But I can't help but notice that has slowed down as well...
Anyways, what I want to say is that, I think it's time we try and kick this place back up to full speed. Now I know everyone has a life to deal with and stuff. But considering we are here commiting to one of the most growning webcomic artist from Japan, I feel he deserves more attention.
So here are some of my plans.... First off, since I got more free time, I do plan to put some of my focus on this board. But I am considering reviving some of the old porject from the dead. The reason why? Because I now possess the tools and the understanding of them to help out(with some project at least, not all of them ^^;;).
Since alot of faces I know from the past have either moved of due to certain events or life...I belive I need to consider looking for perhaps redoing the some project from scratch or reworking them. The reason why I speak of this is because Tsuchan was more than just a simple webcomic forum..it was a mass community....and I want to bring back the massive love that this community once have. So I'll go ahead and explain my plans for the next few weeks.
Tsuchan Reunion: This is where I will go through the whole forum and e-mail every member(and hound out registered lurkers) that has come to visit here hoping the drag em back here for another round.
Tsunami Channel chat AIM and mIRC: These are in need of some major reviving....I do not know how Deena or Blaze Zero will think of this though....^^;
TC OP project: The flash oriented OP based off of the song Kyr wrote and some other member sang (can't remember her name) that AKira planned to put together. Since I posess flash and the knowledge to use it....I should be of massive assitance...maybe?
TC VA project: Massive overhaul is going to be needed for this one....and I do mean massive. Terra originally started the project...but considering the time that has pasted....I've questioned if the people who were picked still have what it takes.....(well the ones that can come here that is. ^^;;) Cause I sort of thinking of restarting it from scratch. (May need to talk to Terra on this even though she no longer comes here.)
This is just a little idea of what I have in mind to bring things back up to speed. Now if anyone has any thoughts about this or other suggestion, please feel free to speak about it in the forum.
Till next time. ^^
Ja Matta. ^_^
-Totaku
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| Tuesday, September 5, 2006
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| "Boogiepop Novels" by Konstantin
(2006-09-05) |
A while back I found out that the novel series on which the Boogiepop Phantom anime was based got licensed and was due for a US release. Considering that Boogiepop Phantom easily makes my top 10 anime-wise, I've spent the past couple of months trying to track down the two books that have been translated so far, finally getting my hands on them last month. Apparently Seven Seas made an exclusive distribution deal with Borders and Waldenbooks, so it's virtually impossible to find them in any other book stores, and they don't show up on Amazon until several months after their initial release.
I've read through the first novel on the plane back from Worldcon (they're nice and short in typical light novel fashion, which is a nice change of pace from US fantasy novels, which seem to all weigh in at 600+ pages nowadays) and am about halfway through the second, and so far am quite happy with the series. While the books aren't quite as dark and psychologically intricate as the anime, which is a masterpiece in its own right, they are told in the same style as the show. The story is presented from the points of view of multiple characters, sometimes presenting the same events from multiple perspectives or jumping around chronologically. While this has a potential for confusion, the novels manage to pull it off very well, though keeping track of all the characters does become a challenge at times.
About the only complaint I have so far is that the translation reads a bit amateurish at times. While the line editing is fine for the most part (I've seen far worse in small-press American novels), the phrasing is at times awkward and I couldn't help but wonder whether certain things ended up getting localized without getting mentioned in the translation notes. On the plus side, there are translation notes included with the novels, and they do at least make an effort to keep things authentic, preserving things like honorifics and name order. There's also a character guide and a number of beautiful illustrations, so the books aren't hurting for extras.
All in all, I'm rather happy with the series so far, and am looking forward to the next novel's release. I recommend checking them out for anyone who's already a fan of the anime. For anyone who hasn't seen the show yet, I recommend grabbing the box set from Right Stuf. In spite of the somewhat silly name it's a wonderfully dark and well-made entry in the supernatual horror genre.
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| Thursday, September 7, 2006
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| "TC VA contest in preperation, Saimoe, and a Higurashi Paroody" by Totaku
(2006-09-07) |
Well, as you know I've been busy reviving the TC VA contest. Which mean only one thing in a few weeks from now we will be auditioning for new voice actors for to audtion for cast members of ExCoKo. But before you get ready I want to say that we about to currently checking our old cast members to see if they still have what it has to be able to contine the VA, It'll be roughly a few weeks before we will start auditioning, but I would reccommend you go inform everyone who can do voice acting and may you try warming up too cause theres always a chance...you could be come a voice for a TC charater. ^^ but for now just wait here for further announcments.....
As for other material, I do not know how many people are aware of this but the Saimoe contest is currently taking place as we speak. If you do not know what Saimoe is then I'll gladly explain. Saimoe is a contest which is held once every year within Japan on the net. Every year they take in popular anime girls from various animes from last year and this year and pit them in a battle of votes of who is the most moe charater to the otaku universe. Last year if my memory serves right the winner was Shinku from Rozen Maiden.
As for this year, some old faves are back and alot of new one too. While we are still in the very early parts of the contest, the first round of the paliminaries are nearly done. And so far, with all the charaters from this season, I'm not surprised that most of this season's charaters got alot attention from the otaku crowd. Most of those that made it through the first round were most of the cast of Suzumiya Haruhi, School Rumble, Higurashi no Naki Koro Ni, Strawberry Panic, Pani Poni Dash, Rozen Maiden, Nanoha and Mai Otome.
As of today in the H1 and H2 division, voters have chosen Satoko from Higurashi, Suzumi Tamao from Strawberry Panic!, and Eristen from Otome to continue to round 2 of the H devision. Each day new result come in, but since I'm limited in when I rant I'll have to just bring in the stuff to you weekly.
As for now I'll post you the results of it contest as of so far.
Finally for a funny joke, I'd like to put up something for the Higurashi fans. Recently on 4chan some fokes have been doing this strange joke on Higurashi about "Casey and Friends" I had no idea what it was about until some pointed it to me here. Basiclly it's a parody of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni if 4Kids got a hold of it (which as we know...would be insane if they did and likely impossible). If you haven't seen Higurashi yet maybe you might want to save this till have you've seen the first 4 episodes maybe. :P Other wise it is worth watching for it's completely halarious bad dialoge, bad editing, and bad voice acting. (Yes it's worth it and yes they're making fun of 4Kids at the same time as they are Higurashi. XD)
That's about all for now...till next time. ^^
Ja Matta ^_^
-Totaku
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| Tuesday, September 12, 2006
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| "Random" by Konstantin
(2006-09-12) |
Xenosaga 3 is made of win and god. Not quite in the mind-blowing quantities that the first game was, but definitely better than the second, at least so far. Will post up a full review once I beat it, but for now I'm happy enough just drooling at KOS-MOS. Mukuchi + blue hair + big friggin' guns = instant mo? as far as I am concerned.
And speaking of taciturn blueheads, it looks like Rei Ayanami, the archetype herself, is due for a comeback along with the rest of Evangelion cast next year. Newtype magazine has revealed (and Gainax has confirmed) that four new Eva movies (tentatively titled Rebuild of Evangelion) are due to be released theatrically starting next summer. It's not yet entirely clear where in the series the movies will take place, whether they will be primarily new stories or retellings of the TV series' plot, or for that matter whether they will even be in the same continuity. Two things are certain, though: Gainax sure loves to milk a property, and I (along with hordes of fellow drooling otaku) will be all to happy to let them.
In completely unrelated news, I randomly happened across a neat new webcomic today. If you guys want something to tide you over while Akira wrestles with work, I recommend checking out Mistakes of Youth. It's an amusing and pretty well-drawn look at recent anime shows and fan culture, somewhat similar to some of the anime parodies here on TsuChan.
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| Thursday, September 14, 2006
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| "Saimoe update, an some funny web material." by Totaku
(2006-09-14) |
Well, the first round of the pilimaries are over in the Saimoe tournament and so far as explained before lots of current faves made it through as well as a few underdogs and some that were completely unexpected. But as for now we are on round 2 and so far the results are sorta as expected. So far Mion and Rena from Higurashi made it through. Fate and Nanoha from Magical Girl Lyrica Nanoha have manage to get through round 2 as well. Souseiseki from Rozen Maiden has passed as well. Eri from School Rumble made it through and so did Kyon's sister from Suzumiya Haruhi. And finally Aika S. Granzchestar from AIRA also passed.
As for today,in block C1, it'll be Youko form Inukami vs. Rando Rino from Gokujou Seitokai vs. Yoshida Kazumi. My currents bets are on Youko to pass. And in D1, it'll be Suiseiseki (AKA. "desu") vs. Serizawa Akane from Pani Poni Dash! vs. Mosose Kurumi form PPD as well. And my bets are on "desu" to win that round.
Here's the current results as of right now
As for other news, I would like to present some funny web material I found not too long ago. The first bit is a Suzumiya Haruhi parody called "Taniguchi no Yuutsu". This pardoy deals about one of Kyon's friends that made a few apperances inthe series. They took one of his funniest roles in the series and just made it funnier by having come in during a more odder moment. XD
Note: It would probably be best if you seen all of Haruhi to enjoy this to the fullest level.
Taniguchi no Yuutsu
Taniguchi intervence closed space
Taniguchi on the Solitary Island
Taniguchi intervences closed space during blue giant attack
Finally I got one more piece of web humor known as Phiexon Wrong, a parody of "Phienox Wright: Ace Attorny" which sorta serves as some silly blooper reel.
Phienox Wrong
Phienox Wrong 2 My fave. XD
Phienox Wrong 3
That's about all for now. ^^ Till next time
Ja Matta. ^_^
-Totaku
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| Tuesday, September 19, 2006
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| "ONScripter" by Konstantin
(2006-09-19) |
The new semester has gotten into full swing at Vermillion, and for the first time in over half a decade I'm not at the helm. Kinda neat, that, since now there's a bit of mystery as to what's going to get shown on any given week. Then again, even on my watch (some would say especially on my watch) many a schedule has remained a mystery to everyone, myself included, until about 24 hours before a meeting. What is interesting, though, is that the new leadership isn't afraid to experiment with the club's format. Not just in terms of what's getting shown, but also by making a push for starting up some fannish activities beyond merely watching and talking about anime.
I'm particularly excited because one of the project ideas being floated around is putting together a visual novel. I've been itching to take part in the making of one since my earliest days in the fandom, but considering that my primary area of expertise lies in coding rather than writing or art, I haven't had much of a chance to contribute, aside from poking around with Akira's Mascot engine early on in its development. Luckily, this time there appear to be a number of potential artists and writers who have expressed interest in the project, and even someone trying to organize it who isn't me, so there's a real possibility of this thing getting off the ground.
As a result, I've spent the last couple of weeks checking out the various available engines. After a bit of research, I've all but settled on insani's modification of ONScripter. This is a GPL clone of the highly pedigreed NScripter free visual novel engine that's been further hacked by insani's coders to support 1-byte English characters, among other things. In addition to that, insani has also translated the command reference and made a number of development tools available for download. While I couldn't find any English language tutorials on its use, having the development tools meant that I could extract the scripts from a number of fan-translated doujin games and poke at them to see how they worked, which is my favorite part of learning a new programming language to begin with.
After about a week of playing around with the engine I've managed to figure out enough to translate one of my old Mascot scripts into ONScripter, using backgrounds, sounds, text, branches, and character models. So far the language is proving to be powerful, space efficient, and pug ugly, but in a cool sort of way. Now if I can only figure out why it refuses to recognize the bgalia command and why the animated cursor keeps bugging out, I should be all set.
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| Friday, September 22, 2006
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| "Saimoe update and TC VA auditioning soon to begin" by Totaku
(2006-09-22) |
Ok, it's time for another update so here we go. First off, I wanted to inform you that we are about to start the Tsunami VA auditioning soon, so if yoou have a voice a mic, and and some talent, come to the forum and wait for our offical announce as we open the contest for you to perhaps take part in becoming a VA for the TC charater. We don't have a confromation of when it'll start, but since it'll be sometime over the weekend, be prepared for a thread to be opened by either me or Terra or one of the judges as we discuss what you'll need to do.
Besides that, the Saimoe tornament has been developing with lots of shocks surprised and unexpercted twist in some occasions while other time it remained perdicatable.
On the 14th, Kyon's Sister(Haruhi) and Aika S. Granchester(AIRA) advanced.
On the 15th Suiseiseki( Rozen Maiden) and Yoshida Kazumi (Shana) advanced forward. With Suiseiseki advance to the 3rd round she'll be competeing against Suigintou.
On the 16th, Becky( Pani Poni dash) and Noube (Strawberry Marshmellow) advanced forward.
On the 17th, Chikura(Strawberry Panic!) and Suigintou advanced.( I've already brough out Suigintou, however seeing Chikura win this round was a major upset because I felt Rika deserved it more)
On the 18th, Shinku (Rozen Maiden) and Alice Carrol (ARIA) advanced.
On the 20th, Mikuru (Haruhi) and Shana(Shana) advanced. (This fight for Mikuru was tough cause she was up against Yakumo from School Rumble but she prevailed.)
On the 21st, Haruhi (Haruhi) and Aruru(Utawaremamono) advanced forward.
And on the 22nd, Alicia Florrence (ARIA) and Ana Coppola(StrawBerry Marshmellows) advanced forward....
As of today's match.... it will be Nagato Yuki(Haruhi) vs. Taiga Sensei(Fate/Stay Night) vs. Kanna(AIR in Summer) on block E2.
And also on Block F2 is Hayate (Nanoha) vs. Signum (Nanoha) vs. Primula(SHUFFLE!)
I'm going to take my chance and perdict that Nagato Yuki and Primula will win this round.
Here's the chart as of Right now.
That's all for now..till next time.
Ja Matta! ^_^
-Totaku
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